How to treat the definitive signs of aging: hair loss, wrinkles, and body flab!
HAIR LOSS
"I used to treat about three patients a month for hair loss, and now it's roughly three per day," says NYC-based dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, who attributes the "astounding increase" of hair loss to stress-induced testosterone production, which causes hair follicles to slow down.
MORE: The Hair You Want and How to Get It
The Treatments
To jump-start growth, Alexiades often suggests combining her "mainstay" treatment, Rogaine (minoxidil), with a topical prescription of testosterone-regulating spironolactone (like many prescription therapies, the combo is not for women trying to get pregnant, or who are pregnant or nursing). Miami- and New York-based dermatologist Fredric Brandt, MD, sends patients home with biotin supplements (which help the body metabolize amino acids and protein, the basic building blocks of hair), plus a prescription for a pharmacist-blended compound of eyelash-boosting Latisse (which many derms have found also stimulates hair growth on the scalp) and liquid Retin-A. "The retinoid opens up the follicles and increases the penetration of Latisse," Brandt says. "It makes a huge difference in speeding up results." With a three-milliliter bottle of Latisse costing roughly $150 (Dom Pérignon suddenly seems like a steal), risk-takers are ordering generic forms of key ingredient bimatoprost from Canada. But Brandt cautions against the money-saving strategy: "Unless it comes from a trusted pharmacy, it may be counterfeit." Initial FDA trials for an allover scalp formulation of Latisse are in the works.
MORE: The Best Haircut For Your Face Shape
Fast Fixes
To camouflage a wide part (one of the signs of thinning hair), New York colorist Marie Robinson gives clients a base color that's a similar shade to their scalp (making the part less noticeable). Next, Robinson weaves in highlights, which roughen up hair's cuticles, creating fullness and visual depth so that strands appear thicker.
WRINKLES
MORE: How to Look 10 Years Younger in 21 Days
What to Know About Fillers
Popular in Europe, Belotero (a hyaluronic acid filler awaiting FDA approval) will soon find its niche among injectables in the U.S. Thanks to its texture, it's an ace at treating shallow nasal labial folds and undereye bags. "Fillers can cast blue discoloration under the skin if injected too close to the skin's surface," Brandt says, describing what is known as the Tyndall effect (aptly named after the nineteenth-century physicist who discovered why the sky is blue). Because Belotero's consistency is thinner than that of other fillers, "it will be a good option for the most superficial injections," Brandt says.
MORE: How Well Will You Age?
Why an Injection Could Fail
The FDA recently approved Xeomin, a third type of botulinum toxin, for treating frown lines. "Xeomin is just pure botulinum toxin," Fusco says. "No additives means less chance of antibodies being formed. If someone develops a strong antibody response, the injection may not work."
MORE: What You Need to Know About Adult Acne
Surprising Finding
A recent study presented at the World Congress of Dermatology suggests a new use for hardworking eyelash serum Latisse: treating vitiligo (patches of depigmented skin) and UV-induced white sunspots (which are harder to banish than brown spots). "The main ingredient, bimatoprost, causes cells to produce more melanin," Fusco says, which explains why eyelids may darken when treating lashes with the serum. Initial study results were promising: The 10 trial participants saw 100 percent repigmentation on the treated facial areas.
MORE: 17 Best Skin Tips from Top Models
BODY FLAB
If sun salutations and SoulCycle spin sessions haven't whittled down trouble spots, in-office toning and fat-blasting procedures can pick up the slack.
For a Tighter Bod
NYC dermatologist Neil Sadick, MD, opts for Venus Freeze, a body-contouring treatment that uses radio frequency to build new collagen and tighten skin on the arms, legs, and tummy. "It is easy, painless, and has no downtime," says Sadick, who suggests up to five treatments to see results. For ultraprecise (and faster) contouring, both Fusco and Brandt recommend Elixis. The machine is equipped with an ultrasound guidance system, so the powerful radio waves can be delivered to exact locations in the dermis (up to two centimeters beneath the surface) for precise lifting and tightening. Fusco says a series of three or four treatments-each session a few weeks apart-is necessary to achieve desired toning.
MORE: The 10 Most Popular Celebrity Slim-Down Programs
What to Know About Fat Cells
To zap fat cells, Brandt loves Zeltiq, which he calls "the greatest thing ever." During an hour-long treatment, fat cells are frozen-a vacuum applicator, placed over a trouble spot, drops the tissue's temperature. Only the fat cells feel the effect; the rest of the skin is unharmed. The damaged cells shrink and eventually die over several weeks, and then are excreted via the liver. While the loss is permanent, it's no excuse to skip Vinyasa. A healthy weight will prevent the remaining fat cells from expanding, says Sadick. Alexiades echoes the praise. "Patients see a 25 percent reduction of fat in just one treatment."
MORE: The Most Expensive Celebrity Beauty Treatments
Rx Risk: Accutane
Although early studies indicated that the controversial (yet effective) acne drug Accutane could help erase wrinkles from head to toe, one recent study found it to be no more effective than a combo of moisturizer and SPF. According to Alexiades, "the significant risk of side effects and complications-including birth defects and depression-does not make Accutane a safe anti-aging option."
ALSO ON ELLE.COM:
