The latest and greatest from Skinceuticals is their pigment regulator. This product has been proven as effective as the leading medical standard for treating hyper pigmentation, 4% hydroquinone. But unlike hydroquinone, it doesn’t have a reverse effect with the freckles and spots coming back if you discontinue using it. Pigment Regulator lightens and reduces existing hyper pigmentation, improves overall skin tone, and protects skin from future discolorations without the side effects of hydroquinone.

The natural formula combines precise concentrations of kojic acid and emblica, along with an exfoliating blend, to improve uneven skin tone and discoloration. Pigment Regulator inhibits the production of excess melanin (brown spots), prevents excess melanin from traveling to the skin’s surface, and breaks up melanin clusters on the skin’s surface to diminish existing discoloration.

This product was tested and chosen by InStyle magazine as one of their top picks for skincare. Available at Skinstore, $85. Use the link below for a 20% coupon.

I can say, hands down, this is the absolute best moisturizing lotion for extremely dry skin. This lotion was given to me by my mother for my almost scaly, extremely dry skin, and within a few days of use it made my skin soft, with no dry patches. Although my skin is normal now, I still use it every day in conjunction with self tanner. It keeps my skin evenly moisturized so there or no streaks or darker patches when I apply the tanner.

Side Effects: The active ingredient is 12% lactic acid neutralized with ammonium hydroxide, and it can sting slightly the first few times it’s applied, especially if you have cracks in your skin, but it stings because it’s working, trust me. Caution should be used if applying it to the face, because irritation can occur, especially if you use any anti-aging or retinol products. It makes some peoples skin more sensitive to the sun.

Ammonium Lactate Lotion 12 used to be available only with a doctors prescription, but now you can get at various on-line stores. It ranges in price depending upon the store from $8 to $22. To be safe and make sure I’m getting a bottle that hasn’t expired I pay about $17 for a 14 oz bottle plus shipping. A little goes a long way with this lotion, so a bottle lasts me almost 3 months.

Have you ever envied those people with adorable dimples that give them eternally youthful faces? Me too, but now, if you have the cash, you too can get a set of dimples. It’s a new procedure called “dimpleplasty” and it’s the latest must have plastic surgery procedure.

The dimples are created when a plastic surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin where the depression, or dimple will be. Then a long-lasting stitch is put in the underside of the skin to hold the dimple in place. The procedure is permanent as scar tissue will form where the stitch was and maintain the dimple.

There is usually a period of time after the dimple surgery where
the dimple is present regardless of whether you are smiling or not.  This period
is variable and can last anywhere from several days to several weeks.  After the
dimple "falls out" it will only be present when you smile.

The cost for a pair of dimples is about $2,000.

When I first heard about this procedure I was a bit unsure, but some of the before and after pictures are amazing!

Spider veins don't just appear on your legs as you get older, they also appear on the face., and they can really effect a persons self esteem. There are a couple of reasons spider veins can crop up on the face, sun exposure and rosacia, a skin disorder. They best way to deal with spider veins on the face is with laser treatment, specifically laser pulse V beam. It gets rid of the veins with just a few treatments. The laser works by heating up the blood vessels, making them inefficient and useless to the bodies natural processes, and the immune system naturally clears them over time. The results aren't permanent, however, the blood vessels can reappear, so intermittent preventive visits are recommended.

If theres one thing that really concerns me, it's thinning hair or hair loss as I get older. I have heard there are some products that can stimulate hair growth for women, but I haven't tried any yet.

There are a few reasons for female hair loss.

Genetics: Some people have a genetic predisposition to hair loss.

Medical Causes: Hormonal problems in women can cause hair loss. Auto-Immune disorders cause hair loss, but specifically causes hair to come out in lumps or patches. There can also be a change in the natural hair growth system that often follows childbirth, crash dieting, surgery, or a traumatic emotional event. Lastly, thyroid disorders, anemia, even chronic illness or the use of certain medications can also cause hair loss in women that is often undiagnosed.

The number one rule of treating hair loss in women is getting the correct diagnosis -- if there is an underlying physical problem it has to be corrected first.

Here is another good source for information on hair loss treatments (second part of the article): Article: Hair Growth & Hair Loss