With the current trend of non-surgical skin treatments, Botox and the Fraxel laser are bringing doctors and medi spas millions of new patients and dollars. One of the newer procedures,  Radiage, is currently being preformed to treat the aging eye area. Radiage is a non-ablative, non-surgical skin tightening treatment that uses radio waves to gently heat up the skin, stimulate collagen and tighten baggy eyes, crow's feet and loose pockets of skin. The treatment can also be applied to firm up other parts of the body, such as the legs and abdomen.

How it works: A gel is applied to the area to cool the outer surface. A radiage 'wand' is then applied to heat the site which affects the soft tissue beneath the skin, causing the collagen to contract and tighten. There is minimal pain during the procedure, but typically patients are told to take a oral pain medication before the session.

Who is it for: It's suitable for all most types since there are no incisions and no lasers that can effect darker pigmented skin.

Side effects: Expect a slight reddening of the skin for about an hour after the procedure.

Costs: About $400 per treatment, but multiple treatments are usually required, usually 4 or 5, administered about three weeks apart.

Results: Most patients see some results immediately, however, optimal results will be gradual over a three to six month period as the skin tightens and more new collagen is formed. Results last from 12 to 16 months.

Asian women are obsessed with SK-II, and since they have such beautiful skin I think I'll give the products a look. The brand will be introducing the new SKIN SIGNATURE SERIES for Fall 2009, following a dermatological study revealing that each individuals skin has a tipping point, where elasticity and resilience begin to decrease more rapidly (I think that point is between 40-50 for most women).  To help stave off the onset of tipping point effects, SK-II researched a bounty of ingredients, and introduces Oli-Vityl, derived from Tuscan olives to increase anti-oxidant activity and further promote elasticity and resilience.

The new line sounds promising, we will have to hit the counters to test it out next month!  

Avon's newest skin care treatment line is Anew Reversalist, and it includes a Night Renewal cream and Reneual Serum that addresses moderate signs of aging. It is the first product with Activenol.

Wrinkles are actually a result of micro-injuries to the skin. Therefore, Avon scientists studied how a cut heals. When you get a cut, it triggers the production of a key repair molecule, Activin. Research, testing, and review has resulted in a discovery by Avon scientists: how to activate this key repair molecule. Anew's Activinol technology is designed to boost Activin, helping skin's repair process to recreate fresh new skin and help reverse the look of wrinkles. With Anew Reversalist, Avon is the 1st to use a patent-pending, complex including 2 exclusive biologically derived Phytochemicals:
Amorphophallus— stimulates Activin production to help trigger skin's repair process
Sesbania— boosts skin's support structures to help deliver firmer, less wrinkled skin

The results: (based on both a clinical study and customer survey) In 2 weeks 88% said their skin looked younger and 100% saw improvements in discoloration with a daily regimen of both the day and night treatments.

Bottom line: For the money, it's worth a try. $27 for the day cream and $39 for the serum at Avon.com.

A chemotherapy drug, Fluorouracil, used to treat colon, pancreas and head and neck cancers has also been shown to reverse the signs of aging.

In a recent study that included 21 people, between the ages of 56 and 85, researchers found that the drug reduced the appearance of sun-damaged areas after applying cream made from fluorouracil to their skin twice a day for two weeks. Dr. Dana Sachs from the University of Michigan, who led the study, said the drug works by causing damage to skin cells, forcing the body to rebuild them, in much the same way as laser treatment. (If this drug actually works like a laser we are all going to look alot younger. Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes the skin look younger, tighter, less wrinkled, and clear like a laser!)

The dermatologists reviewed before and after pictures of the patients and found the cream had reduced both fine and course wrinkles, as well as age spots. The color of the skin also improved, with a reduction in sallowness, which can be a common sign of aging. Fluorouracil is already used as a prescription skin treatment for a type of precancerous skin lesion that is caused by frequent and intense exposure to the sun.

Just like trends, a beauty ingredient can suddenly become a fad. The latest is apple stem cells, specifically those from the Swiss Uttwiler Spatlauber apple, which is known for staying fresh longer than other apples. In products including 3Lab Super h Serum and Clark's Botanicals Cellular Lifting Cream, the cells slow down aging, according to the companies. Experts are intrigued but cautious. Currently the only study on the cells was conducted by Mibelle Biochemestry, the ingredient manufacturer for these companies. The study results showed that the apple cells can protect the longevity and activity of existing skin cells, and possibly stimulate new skin cells, all of which makes the skin look younger.