Finally It's here! Spring! I'm sure everyone is thrilled to see the last of the snow. Along with your spring cleaning, don't forget to tidy up your skin! Winter can leave you with a dull, dry blotchy complexion. If you've gone all winter without attending to your skin, now's a great time to scrub that rough outer layer off with an excellent exfoliating treatment like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. And start the warm weather season off right by wearing sunscreen whenever you go out. Your face will thank you over the next decade! See below for our spring sunscreen special feature.

As always we have much news at the clinic. Dr. Weinberg, our nurses Cathy and Rose and our patient coordinator Diane are all attending the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Symposium put on by the University of Toronto this week. Our head OR nurse Cathy will also be attending the prestigious FACE meeting for aesthetic nurses this spring as well. Dr. Weinberg has once again been invited to appear on Rogers television in May to speak about Liposonix. We'll try to let everyone know the date when the segment will air.

We are very proud to announce the addition of our Philanthropy page on our website. Go to http://www.mississaugacosmeticsurgeryclinic.com/index.php/Main/Philanthropy.html and learn all about Dr. Weinberg's charitable project in support of the Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe, Africa.

Employment Opportunity

We are in the process of looking for a new receptionist to work Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. If you have a strong customer service background and computer skills, and would like to apply please drop your resume and cover letter off in person to the clinic.

New Products

We've recently introduced a fun and useful product for a quick improvement in those unsightly under eye bags and hollows. Hollywood Eye Magic is an under eye serum that improves the look of puffiness, fine lines and sagging skin and is non irritating to the delicate tissues under the eyes. It's perfect for those days when you feel tired and need a pick me up before a big event when you want to look your best. You can try out a sample at the clinic the next time you're in. Apply it under one eye and see the difference between the two sides in just minutes!

Promotions

In keeping with the theme of great looking eyes, this month our "Banish Crows Feet" Promotion includes treatment with Botox, and an Elastiderm eye cream by Obaji, for only $225! This combination treatment is sure to give you a more youthful, less tired look, softening both fines lines and crepiness around the eyes as well as the more deeply etched creases. Elastiderm contains antioxidants and emoliants that promote good skin health, and will help prevent the signs of aging over time.

Also on this month, with the purchase of any of our sunscreens, you'll receive a FREE sunhat! A $40 value, this pretty and colorful hat will help keep your skin protected from the harmful effects of UV radiation as will all of our excellent sunscreens from La Roche Posay and Obaji, and the latest addition to the clinic , Dermaglow. If you have never tried our La Roche sunscreen sticks, we highly recommend them for convenience. The size of a lip balm, they fit easily into a pocket or purse and are readily accessible for reapplication on the tennis court or golf course. Also, for those at high risk for sun burn and skin cancer Dr. Weinberg is advocating the use of Dermaglow SPF 85 sunscreen. Offering maximal protection it has a great non greasy consistency, pleasant non medicinal scent, and applies easily and absorbs quickly with no sticky feeling.

Topics in Cosmetic Medicine

Soft Lift and Voluma

Lately we've had a number of inquiries about soft lift and Voluma, as these treatments have had a lot of press, and in particular were featured on a segment on Cityline television. Many people are still confused as to what these treatments are. Soft Lift is an excellent combination treatment using Juvederm and /or Voluma together with Botox to achieve a more youthful , refreshed and less tired appearance. To understand the role of each of these products in reversing the signs of aging it is important to review the processes that occur in our faces as we age . These include the three "Ds", ie degeneration, deflation, and descent. Degeneration refers to the fact that our skin quality changes as we get older. The skin tone and texture are less even and smooth, and the skin is less elastic and taut, and more lax. Repetitive muscle contractions underneath the skin cause creases, lines and wrinkles to appear, for example in the forehead and around the eyes. Deflation refers to the loss of volume that happens in the face, resulting in hollows under the eyes, flattening of the cheeks, and a more gaunt appearance, with thinner lips. Lastly, gravity results in descent ie facial structures sag. We start to develop jowels for example.

Soft Lift is the perfect balanced use of Botox to relax muscles, thereby softening lines and wrinkles, and "filler", that is Juvederm or Voluma, to restore lost volume. The correct use of these filling agents can give back structure to the face and can provide a subtle "lifting" effect to some features. For example, cheek augmentation to restore the roundness and high sitting apex to the cheekbone restores a more youthful appearance. Voluma is the thickest or most viscous of these fillers, and is particularly useful in cheek and chin, and may last as long as 18 months. Botox used in specific locations can also provide some lifting effect as when it is used just above the brow. The effects of Botox, Juvederm and Voluma compliment one another, and used together these products can give a much more comprehensive improvement than each can alone. Using them in combination is also more economical for patients. If you think you may be interested in Soft Lift or Voluma, call 905 273-3045 in Mississauga, or 416-207-9090 in Toronto to book a complimentary consultation.