Melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer, but caught early, it's usually 100% curable. With MelaFind, a handheld non-invasive imaging device your dermatologist may be able to more accurately detect and diagnose melanoma.

How it works: MelaFind works by emitting 10 different wavelengths of light 2.5 millimeters below the skins surface, much deeper than what the average eye can detect. Once the device picks up the melanoma on the skin, it compares the lesion to a database (within the device) of thousands of skin lesions and immediatly asses it, determining if a biopsy is needed. This device is pending FDA approval.

Who is it for: Anyone

Cost: To be determined, but probably covered by insurance.

The DermaNew Personal Microdermabrasion System contains both the hand held microdermabrasion brush and Facial Rejuvenation Microdermabrasion Creme.

The hand held microdermabrasion device uses antioxidants and Corundum Crystals that polishes and smooths away damaged skin. The DermaNew Facial Rejuvenation Microdermabrasion Creme treats the newly revealed fresh layers of skin to diminish wrinkles, decrease signs of aging and sun damage, and reveal even skin tone. One of the other benefits for using a microdermabrasion tool is that it takes off the top layers of the skin which allows the skin care products to penetrate more effectively.

The DermaNew Personal Microdermabrasion System is comparable to a series of microdermabrasions over time. Essentially 5 Dermanew treatments are equivalent to one microdermabrasion treatment through a doctor.

The DermaNew Survey Results:

Fine Lines & Wrinkles 76%
Breakouts 85%
Pore Size 90%
Discoloration 77%

The Facial Rejuvenation Systems includes:

Available at SkinCareRx.com . $70

Skin care junkies are flocking toward iS Clinical for a healthy, effective approach to skin care. iS Clinical is the newest, ultimate skin rejuvenation product line, with unique treatments that repair and revitalize the skin. Using the power of antioxidants and effectiveness of hydration, iS Clinical produces visible results. Some results are apparent in one hour! According to random people that have used it, it's truly the best there is.

A noteworthy fact is that IS works with Washington Cancer Institute in Washington DC-- they have developed innovative products that address the unique skincare concerns of cancer patients.  Many of these formulas not only help create vibrant and healthy skin, they also address important issues such as acne, chafing, uneven complexion, burns and scar tissue. 

All iS Clinical products are designed to promote healthy skin function and durability, rather than just mask the problems and symptoms. With ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid to bind moisture, Glycolic Acid to resurface and renew, and Retinol to boost skin density, iS Clinical proves that your skin can look as good as you treat it and many of its products treat multiple skin conditions. Who doesn't want fewer skin care products cluttering the bathroom counter.

The Youth Complex is their newest amazing product that shows results in less than one hour. Its' benefits are rapid wrinkle reduction, firms and tightens the skin, provides antioxidant protection and offers immediate, intermediate and long term results.

You can find these skincare products online, SkinCareRx.com The iS Clinical Youth Complex  ($135) , the iS Clinical Super Serum Advance ($130) is for pigmentation issues and supposedly amazing, iS Clinical Firming Complex ($115), iS Clinical Active Serum ($120), iS Clinical Eye Complex ($68), and more. They have the entire line available.

Bottom line: Sounds fabulous. The reviews so far are great. When my Skinceuticals runs out, I'm giving this a try.

The DermaDoctor Med e Tate Excessive Sweating Control Wipes are a dream come true for people that sweat through their shirts and leave behind those unsightly wet rings. I love to wear silk  shirts, but I can forget about it during the hot summer months, until these babies were released that is. The wipes are injection-free medicated hyperhidrosis control wipes for a blissfully dry existence.

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition described as excessive sweating despite being inactive. Medical hyperhidrosis affects 3% of Americans. The face, underarms, palms, soles, areas under the breast, cleavage and groin areas are most commonly affected.

DERMAdoctor MED e TATE contains a formulation of antiperspirant therapy with a blend of agents that mimic the effects of Botox when applied topically.

You don't have to have hyperhidrosis to need MED e TATE. Sweaty hands due to anxiety from dates, job interviews, and the curves that life throws you are embarrassing. MED e TATE helps prevent this. Also keeps make-up from melting on a hot day; prevents fashion emergency wet spots under breasts, underarms and inner thighs. They come in individual packets that you can just throw in your bag or even keep in your pocket, then if needed, just excuse yourself and wipe in the needed area.

This is a great product and a must have in my beauty bag, especially during summer. $48 at DERMAdoctor

Med e Tate ingredients:

• Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Glycine 19% - FDA approved high-potency antiperspirant
• GABA - Helps improve the ability to resist the temptation to sweat
• Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate - This small peptide mimics the activity of Temple Viper venom
• Portulaca - Potassium rich ion source derived from a West African botanical
• Gynostemma - Replete with saponins, this botanical agent delivers additional benefits
• Ginseng - Asian root that helps the body to cope with stress.

The new Skinceuticals eye cream is said to be a revolutionary three dimensional treatment to dramatically improve severe signs of intrinsic aging around the eyes in mature skin. I am always skeptical of any eye creams, because no matter how much money I spend, nothing works. However, if any eye cream is going to work it's going to be from Skinceuticals. I have used their products and swear by them. I also love Kinerase products, but for antioxidant technology, hands down for Skinceuticals.

The Claim: dramatically improve severe signs of intrinsic aging around the eyes in mature skin and minimize the appearance of dark circles and capillaries.

How it works: Within four to twelve weeks, a complex of flavonoids and synergistic peptides strengthens blood vessel walls, improves lymphatic drainage, and eliminates hemoglobin’s colored end-products to dramatically improve dark circles and puffiness. By twelve weeks and beyond, blueberry extract interrupts the formation of advanced glycation end-products (A.G.E.) and Proxylane restores water and nutrient content to the dermal epidermal junction (D.E.J.) to increase skin elasticity and thickness for dramatic improvement of wrinkles and crow’s feet.

The Review: Overall, most customers swear by the original Skinceuticals eye complex, giving it 5 out of 5 stars. The new formula is said to be more advanced and effective, definitely worth trying. At $88, it's cheaper than surgery.

Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, it's also the most preventable, both with sunscreens and regular dermatologist visits. My biggest concern is not only skin cancer, however, I fear freckles and sun spots! Probably because I have done so much of this damage to my skin in my teenage years, now I'm a bit obsessed with protecting it. The PCA Skin Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30 is a new sunscreen with pigment control and is effective for both daily facial and body use.

Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, the PCA Skin Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30 is a revolutionary broad-spectrum UVA/UVB moisturizer developed to hydrate the body, offer broad-spectrum UV protection and minimize skin discolorations.

The product's five key ingredients are designed to keep your skin both healthy and beautiful all year round including: Bearberry, Licorice Root Extract, Kojic Acid, Mulberry Root Extract and Lactic acid. PCA SKIN daily care products are available through physicians and licensed skin care professionals can also be found online at www.SkinStore.com, $32. If you want to purchase in person, call 1.877.PCA.SKIN (722.7546) for a office that carries it near you.

I wear sunscreen anyway, so I'm going to try this and see how well it works. If you really want to fade those sunspots, try the PCA skin pHaze 13 Pigment Gel w/ Hydroquinone, $37, way cheaper than most hydroquinone based treatments.

We all know the holy grail of anti aging skin care is retinol and a near second is antioxidants found in various minerals and vitamins. So a treatment that combines these two is probably going to be effective at treating aging skin. Allure magazine recently choose RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream as on of their favorite picks for 'Best of Beauty' for skincare.

RoC is a French line of anti wrinkle and anti aging skin care products. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream contains two exfoliating ingredients: citric acid (Vitamin C) and glycolic acid. Both of these ingredients are useful in helping to rid the skin of old, dead cells on the skin's surface and stimulating enhanced skin cell growth and renewal. It also contains squalene, an oil derived from olive oil that acts as a moisturizer. Shea butter is included in the formula -- both these ingredients function as moisturizers and play a soothing role.

This skincare product is clinically proven to visibly reduce deep wrinkles while you sleep. Upon application, the upper layers of your skin are firmed leading to a visible reduction in expression lines while the pure Retinol penetrates deep down within the skin's surface to help fill in even your deep wrinkles. It's an inexpensive treatment so definitely worth a try. $21.49.

I had to do an update post about Latisse Eyelash growth formula. I have been using it for about 6 weeks and my eyelashes are twice as long and black than they were after having used Revitalash for over a year. Seriously, my eyelashes are gorgeous if I do say so myself. It took about 3 weeks to start seeing results, but slowly I noticed my eyelashes getting longer and darker and now I'm not even using it everyday because they are so long already. When I'm looking up and I have on mascara my lases touch my brow bone! Love it!!

Long, black eyelashes are fast becoming to beauty products what Louis Vuitton is to handbags. A must have, but somewhat exclusive due to high costs. The claim that one bottle of Latisse lasts one month isn't true. I haven't even used half of the bottle and it's been 6 weeks of every day use. The key is not using the brushes that come with it because they waste alot of the formula. I use the brush that came with Revitalash, it's alot like a liquid eyeliner brush and it doesn't waste any. A bottle of Latisse is about $140, pricey I know, but it could last up to 3 months if you use a different applicator.

The images that are on Latisse's website are accurate. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't used it myself. Bottom line: if you have the extra money and want luscious lashes, Latisse is worth every penny.

I found the lowest price at drugstore.com., $109.

It seems that the UK is leading for over the counter anti aging skin care that actually works. No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum, by Britian's cosmetic brand Boots, is a commercially sold product that has been proven to clinically reduce wrinkles and improve the appearance of skin damaged by everyday exposure to sunlight. The study showed that 70% of individuals using the beauty product had significantly fewer wrinkles after 12 months of daily use compared to volunteers using a placebo.

The company has come out with a newer and more effective version of this anti aging treatment that has yet to be released. The research team, headed by Professor of Dermatology Chris Griffiths, reported last year that the original No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum stimulated the production of fibrillin-1, a protein that promotes elasticity in the skin.

For this latest, year-long study, the researchers first wanted to discover whether the new No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum could produce results similar to prescription retinoids, which are the reigning king of anti aging skin care ingredients. Prescription retinoids can have a reparative effect on photo-aged skin, and no other skin care ingredients can claim that.

The clinical trial was carried out to test the efficiency of the increase in fibrillin-1 production with 60 volunteers – 11 men and 49 women aged 45 to 80 years.

The clinical trial and the results got the attention of the British Journal of Dermatology, who published a study about the product, which is a big deal for an anti-ageing over-the-counter beauty product from any brand. Boots trial ascertain, and the British Journal of Dermatology agree that Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum works. Using a combination of the original Protect & Perfect’s  white lupin and retinol palmitate ingredients, they’ve added extract of alfalfa plus peptides and antioxidants to ramp up the formula.

The original serum should be used by those with fine lines and wrinkles, while Intense is intended for use by women who are 30-plus or those who are showing deeper lines and wrinkles. They should use the serum once or twice a day before moisturiser. It’s silky to the touch, non-sticky and absorbs quickly. Boots say you’ll see an immediate difference (but this could be to do with lovely line-blurring dimethicone in the mix) and over time, you will see an improvement in the depth of wrinkles and a positive change in the firmness of your skin.

Keep checking their website for when and where you can get the new formula. Boots.

A new cream, Lacura Wrinkle Stop, claims to smooth wrinkles using a synthetic form of the poison produced by Asian temple viper snakes. The Lacura claim is that it works as well as Botox. However, unlike Botox which is injected into the skin, Wrinkle Stop is applied topically.

The tubes of Lacura Wrinkle Stop contain a compound called Syn-Ake, which mimics the snake’s paralysing venom. It promises to block the nerve signals which cause facial muscles to contract and can lead to lines. A company spokesman said: “It offers the perfect solution for wrinkle reduction without the need for spending an excessive amount of money on expensive products and painful procedures.”

Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow is said to be a patron of the cream.


Tests show that twice-daily application of the cream for four weeks may reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 52%. But many beauty experts are critical. They say the data presented is incomplete and not useful for drawing conclusions. For example, the placebo that Syn-ake was compared to was not determined and there was no proof it penetrated to lower layers of the dermis where it can be effective. Also it was not determined how many subjects were tested and if it was blind testing.

The critics determined that there is no credible evidence that this works as well as Botox no matter how much or how often you use it. And from a personal perspective, Botox reduces the appearance of wrinkles by 100%, not 52%, so even if the claim is true, Syn-Ake is no Botox.

Lacura Wrinkle Stop is said to have hit the ALDI stores on April 20th for a budget friendly $8.99.