Hey Shizuka NY Insiders!

With Halloween right around the corner, you’ll scream at these Halloween Week Specials, good October 24th – 31st, 2011. Appointments are going fast, so reserve your spa TREATment now by requesting an appointment online, or calling (212) 644-7400.

Geisha Facial, $90 (Reg $180) Save 50%!

Halloween beauty never looked so good! Save a whopping 50% on this exclusive facial, seen on TV broadcasts and magazines internationally for harnessing the unique Japanese geisha tradition of cleansing the skin with nightingale droppings. This 50 min. facial also includes cleansing and light pore extraction using products from the all-natural Shizuka New York Skin Care System, a camellia oil facial massage and a green tea Collagen Mask.

Gel Nail Manicure – solid color, $38 (Reg $50)

Show off your Halloween spirit with our solid color Presto LED gel nails. Better yet, bring in a sample of your costume and let us create a custom color just for you. Mix things up a bit with festive stamps, hand drawing and glitter for an additional $10 and up.

50 min. Shiatsu or Swedish Massage , $80 (Reg $105)

Almost as sweet as a bagful of candy, our Shiatsu and Swedish massages will leave you feeling rejuvenated minus the empty calories! Treat your body and spirit to a 50 min. massage by one of our highly skilled massage therapists.

Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel , 1.7 Fl oz/50mL – $56

If you don’t feel like carving pumpkins this year but still want to indulge your festive side, try Naturopathica’s best selling Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel. By utilizing pumpkins’ powerful carotenoid antioxidant qualities, this refining peel is formulated to slough away dead skin cells for a clean, clear and radiant complexion. For an additional $30, sample it by asking your esthetician to add it to your favorite facial (already included in some). Or, simply take some home for yourself and let your skin glow like a jack-o-lantern all year round!

Spa deals are available October 24th – 31st, 2011. Schedule your appointment now by using our online request form or call (212) 644-7400.

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!

Our famous Bird Poop Facial was introduced as one of all natural and unusual facial!
 

(Please be patient as video loads.)

owner Shizuka Bernstein says her geisha facial – which includes the use of purified bird droppings — is in high demand.

“The ingredients in the droppings have a natural enzyme and it exfoliates, it breaks down the top layer of the skin, so it’s a good exfoliation,” Bernstein said.

But Day wasn’t so sure.

“Anything that is a leftover or a by-product especially in feces of another animal I would be very hesitant to use on my skin,” she said.

For centuries, geishas used the droppings to remove makeup and revitalize their skin. Bernstein incorporated the idea to make it a substitute for clients who didn’t want to use harsh chemicals on their face.

Mixed with rice bran and applied to the face, the bird droppings emit an “organic” aroma, but first-time client Jennifer Teman didn’t seem to mind, and she’s looking forward to her next visit.

“It smelled a little funny, but I was expecting that… I would recommend other people to do it because it’s definitely a different kind of a facial to get,” Teman said.

The geisha facial takes about 60 minutes and costs $180.

This video is primarily in Chinese with English subtitles.
[Better Body & Soul]

MensHealth.com investigates the bird poop facial trend in a recent post:

Experts say it actually might work. “Bird droppings have uric acid and are nitrogen based, and if rubbed on the skin can exfoliate and could be beneficial, but only in a superficial manner,” says Hayes Gladstone, M.D., director of dermatologic surgery at Stanford University. More >>

From our experience, we can say that the results speak for themselves. Clients, male and female alike, love the smoother, brighter skin that comes with one of NYC’s most bizarre facial treatments!

Oh and, for the record, we are the NYC spa quoted in the article!

More spa treatments for men >>

[MensHealth.com]

p.s Don’t forget about our amazing half-off Geisha Facial special!

Did anyone see it? We want to know how he responded!

[via AZCentral.com]

A recent episode of Saturday Night Live included a sketch titled “Spa Talk with Tyla Yonders.” In the skit, Yonders (played by Kristen Wiig) attempts to bring serenity to her guests with bird poop facials, and even turtle poop facials!

It’s been hailed as a beauty wonder product and Victoria Beckham loves it… but would you put bird poo on your face?

From bull’s semen to flesh-eating fish, women have endured some bizarre things in the name of beauty.

But the latest treatment to hit high-end spas features what is perhaps the strangest ingredient to date.

Nightingale excrement, collected from the Japanese island of Kyushu, is being hailed as the hottest beauty wonder product.

…

Known in Japan as uguisu no fun, the facial was conceived in November 2007 by New York facialist Shizuka Bernstein, who was inspired by her mother describing how geisha girls in feudal Japan removed their thick white lead make-up.

Mrs Bernstein, 52 explained: ‘The bird poop facial works because of an enzyme that breaks down the dead skin on the upper layers of the face.

Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/beauty/article-1350741/Its-hailed-beauty-wonder-product-Victoria-Beckham-loves–bird-poo-face.html

“Look at our skin. If it works, it works,” said Gifford. The ladies also described their post-bird-poop-facial skin as “like butter” and “like a baby’s bottom.”

Shizuka Bernstein, owner of Shizuka New York Day Spa visited the ladies on the set of the Today Show to surprise them with bird poop facials. The original segment is also posted below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

We’ve been telling you about the dangers of tanning for awhile now. In case you need a quick refresher, here it is in a nutshell:

1. Tanning is a MAJOR cancer risk, according to the World Health Organization, along with arsenic and mustard gas, due to the UV rays in sunlight and in tanning beds.
2. Tanning is your skin’s natural reaction to DEFEND itself from the sun’s UV radiation, not encourage you to stay out longer.
3. Tanning seriously ages your skin, weakening connective tissues in your skin, causing fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation (sun spots).

Here’s more bad news for the tanners out there. If you’ve been in search of that ever-elusive full body tan, you will be searching a long time, according to a new study.

Published in Experimental Dermatology, the study found that some parts of your body (ex. buttocks) are just less prone to holding a tan. There’s tan through swimwear out there in addition to nude sunbathing, tanning beds, and that guy above. However, our bodies seem to be telling us that there are some places that are just not meant to be tan. Staying out for hours in the sun may not get you closer to the full body tan and it only increases your risk of skin cancer.

So stick to spray tanning or, better yet, no tanning. Keep in mind that skin cancer is on the rise, especially among younger women, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS protect your skin with a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 daily.

[LiveScience via FoxNews]
Photo Source: DailyStrength

Okay, so we’ve all seen those crazy Swarovski-crystal-studded false lashes, right? (Think Ricky’s at Halloween-time). If you could go matchsies with your car this Halloween, would you do it? If so, Carlashes^TM has the solution for you that gives new meaning to “pimp my ride.”

This BMW is ready for her(?) close-up. Find more information about eyelash treatments for people here.

[Carlashes via TheFrisky]

TheBerry.com posted a collection of 27 epic plastic surgery fails titled I think their plastic surgeon used a butter knife. From mammoth lips to breasts that could keep you afloat on the open seas, it’s clear that some of us will go to extreme lengths for “beauty,” and that the concept of beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Is there a moral to this story? Less is more. People generally prefer natural over circus-freak beauty. Rather than resorting to extreme plastic surgery, try simpler treatments such as Botox and Juvederm administered by a tasteful and skilled doctor (such as Dr. Silich). Plus, if you find Botox and/or Juvederm aren’t for you, the results are not permanent. This may not be the case for many of those poor souls you’ll see after the jump.

See more plastic surgery fails.

[TheBerry via TheFrisky]

The Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial was on ABC News Now  Health on July 8, 2010. Also included in this segment titled “Bizarre Beauty Secrets” was the wacky Fish Pedicure where tiny garra rufa fish literally nibble the dead skin off your feet.

Bizarre Beauty Secrets was hosted by ABC’s Tanya Rivero and also featured Dr. Susan Evans, a Los Angeles dermatologist. Other weird beauty rituals shown were leech therapy and skin care treatments made of volcanic ash, beer, and papaya.

Shizuka Bernstein of Shizuka New York Day Spa was invited on set to view the taping and you can also see her behind the scenes photos on this blog!

If you still haven’t done it, you can enter to win a FREE BIRD POOP FACIAL through today!

If you’ve tried (or thought about trying) the Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial we want to hear about it!

Leave a comment and let us know what your experience was like! Was it weird? Funny? Effective?

If you haven’t tried it yet, would you want to?

Enter here to win a FREE Geisha Facial with owner and master aesthetician Shizuka Bernstein.

Entries will be accepted until June 30, 2010. One entry per person. Does not include airfare or NYC accommodations. Winner will be contacted by email. Prize is non-transferable and has no cash value.

How far will people go in search of beauty, and what the heck does beauty mean anyway? The Frisky posted a series of wild (and often disturbing) examples of bod mod, a.k.a. body modification, practices ranging from the “lip window” to Lord of the Rings-style elf ears, scarring and more.

All of these make the Geisha Facial seem vanilla in comparison.  After all, it’s just bird poop! They also demonstrate to what great lengths women and men will go to in search of beauty. [The Frisky]

You may remember from our recent post, Style Watch: Nail Bling, that Katy Perry rocked a ‘disco ball’ manicure at this year’s VMAs. Other fans of this celebrity manicure include Serena Williams, Pink and Beyonce.

Time Out New York featured this trendy nail look at Shizuka New York Day Spa as a great way to bling out your New Year’s Eve look. What goes into a disco-ball manicure? Hundreds of shimmering Swarovski Crystals that will make your nails shine like the Swarovski star atop the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree a few steps away from our NYC day spa. The price of a disco ball manicure is $180, although you can get it for $150 through December 31, 2009 when you mention Time Out.

To make an appointment for a disco ball manicure, contact us online or call (212) 644-7400. BTW, Shizuka New York Day Spa is open until 6pm on New Year’s Eve, and while you’re at it, try our brand new Collagen Boost Facial, the ultimate pre-party facial on special through December 31.

Is Katy Perry’s look a little too extreme for your style? Try our Crystal Manicure ($65), a more subtle and affordable version of the celebrity manicure.

Check out this space-age-looking Japanese creation that tells you if your breath is date-ready. The Digital Bad Breath Checker is $50 at Japan Trend Shop. They say it’s for women, but maybe we all could benefit from such a handy gadget. BTW, the English product name does not do the original Japanese justice, loosely translating to Loving Breath. [TheFrisky.com]

Here’s a bit more of Japanese culture in a crazy kitty. From Chopsticks Feeding Squirrel-Like Kitten on Youtube:

“To avoid being bitten and pounced on during kitty training, we have been using chopsticks and toothpicks to feed the kittens their treat. As seen in this video, this technique has worked particularly well with training “Gluteus,” where the kittens will sit up straight, balancing on their buttocks muscles (the largest of which is the gluteus maximus).”

Crazy? Cute? Crazy cute?

The Huffington Post debuted a new series this week titled “The Big Picture” where you can find blown-up and untouched photos of celebrities in all their glory, or lack thereof. Take a look at the above closeup forehead crops of Lindsay Lohan (age 23) and Elizabeth Hurley (age 44) who were among the first lucky celebs to be featured. Can you guess which photo matches which celeb? Click on the images to find out!  [TheFrisky.com]

If you liked it then you should’a put some bling on it. Nail bling is a hot celebrity fashion trend because of it’s immediate wow factor. By celebrity logic, why have one or two jewels on your hands when you can have a hundred shimmering crystals? Witness Katy Perry (above) at the VMA’s.

Other fans of nail bling include Serena Williams, Pink, and even Sasha Fierce herself who sported this nail ring from Bijules NYC in the “Sweet Dreams” video. Priced at $4500, Jay Z really must “like it.”

Understandably, these looks may be a little over the top for the everyday woman. However, we recommend our Crystal Classic Manicure ($45, 40 min) that adds just a few sparkling Swarovski crystals to two fingers of your choice for a much subtler look that can still give you that celebrity vice you’ve been craving.

P.S. Don’t forget that the Classic Manicure is 10% off October 26 – 31 as a part of our Halloween spa specials.

We already know that women will go to great lengths for beauty, however this might be a bit much. There’s eyelash perms, eyelash extensions, and even Latisse, but what about LED eyelashes?

Korean fashionista Soomi Park has created a unique new tool for self expression. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, hers is looking rather bright.

LED Eyelash is a clever product that speaks to many Asian womens desire for bigger eyes. It features an inclination sensor with mercury to turn on and/or off. The sensor can perceive the movements of the pupil in the eyes and eyelids. If someone wears it and moves her head, LED Eyelash will flicker following the movement.

We’ve been fans of LEDs (light emitting diodes) for years, and LEDs are actually used in one of our skin care treatments, the GentleWaves Facial. What do you think…is this trend going to catch on? A great Halloween look? Enjoy the video.

Dawn of the Dead? Zombie B-Movie? Nope, it’s French Vogue!

This gothed-out geisha may be crumbling before our eyes, but she sure is rocking out that blood-red leather jacket, manicure and…football?

Read more about Shizuka’s spooky Halloween spa specials and Halloween skin care tips.

Is Lindsay Lohan starting to look old? We were shocked to see the Project Runway season premiere (above left) a few weeks back with LLo looking a bit dark and puffy under the eyes, tanorexic, and saggy in the skin for a 23 year old.

Perhaps Lindsay should take a cue from Kate Moss who woke up one day in her mid thirties to realize that all the partying, drinking and smoking can definitely catch up.

Excessive drinking can seriously dehydrate your body, including your skin, and smoking can rob it of essential Vitamin C. Excessive partying can also lead to lack of sleep – your body’s time to regenerate.

For more tips on remaining youthful and delaying the signs of aging, see Shizuka’s Secrets to Beautiful Skin.

Okay, so we’ve previously dished about the new 21st Century metrosexual man and are 100% behind great grooming and skin care for men, but finding this was still a bit of a shocker.  For the couple that shares everything, introducing his and hers…unisex makeup?

Holly Doss Cosmetics has a new line of unisex foundations, bronzers, and for the more adventurous, eyebrow mascaras, “lipstix,” eye shadow, and even blush for men (and women) who want to look their absolute best. With product names such as “BECKHAM” and “JETER” you kind of can’t go wrong. Does Derek Jeter wear foundation? We’re not sure, but apparently a portion of the proceeds of JETER under-eye concealer go to his “Turn 2″ Foundation.

What do you think…is this going to be the hot new registry item for 2010?

Is Jessica Simpson the next celebrity to go geisha? Jessica was recently photographed in Tokyo, Japan filming her new VH-1 series The Price of Beauty in a full geisha get-up including kimono, fan and, of course, the signature white face paint of the geishas.

What else is on Jessica’s beauty menu, you might ask? Apparently a stint in a Ugandan fattening hut “because, in Uganda, fat is beautiful. So the bigger you are, the more beautiful you are.”

The question on our minds is will Jessica also be taking up Geisha “Bird Poop” Facials? She’s going to have to find some way to get all that makeup off! Perhaps we’ll just have to wait and see…

Scandalous vixen Kim Kardashian of Keeping up with the Kardashians and Dancing with the Stars fame is now a contributing beauty editor at OK! Magazine.  Kim will divulge some of her personal celebrity beauty secrets and makeup tips for looking gorgeous.

She will make her editorial debut covering New York Fashion Week on September 10, and we’re all  very curious to see what she has to say!

Source: Examiner.com

Did you know…?

Shizuka’s Foaming Cleanser was featured in OK! Magazine shortly after Shizuka’s line of skin care products was introduced.

“My facialist used this during a treatment and I’ve been addicted ever since!” said an OK! staffer.

Read more about the Shizuka New York Skincare System and purchase through our online store.

If you’re planning a Hawaiian vacation, you might want to think about showering first!  Two Honolulu city council members are proposing a ban on “odors that unreasonably disturb others or interfere with their use of the transit system.”  Stinky offenders could be fined up to $500!

Underarm Botox, anyone?

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Women didn’t always feel the need to shave, wax, and laser hair removal away their underarm hair and, even though your grandmother probably never heard of such a thing, Brazilian waxes could be “the prevailing look for most women these days” according to a recent Allure blog post.  Men’s grooming is also going places that were probably unimaginable a mere decade or two ago, and men of all sorts are shaving, waxing, and plucking away.

Metrosexuals and übersexuals such as David Beckham (pictured above) have told men it’s okay to look pretty, and shows like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy have assured men that fortifying their hair with products will not strip them of their masculinity.

A new campaign from Gillette also aims to push the male grooming envelope with the catchphrase, “sweaters are meant to be worn, not grown.”  Take a look at the hilarious instructional video:

Here at Shizuka New York Day Spa we can attest that men are definitely becoming more image conscious and are partaking in men’s facials, manicures, and pedicures with increasing enthusiasm, in addition to the traditional chest and back waxes.

What do you think?  Is metrosexual grooming a huge advance for ‘mankind,’ or should we just let men be men?

Uh-oh!  It looks like years of excessive sun, drinking, and smoking can catch up to even the most beautiful among us!

British supermodel Kate Moss learned this the hard way when she saw pictures of a recent St. Tropez vacation posted online.  35-year-old Kate was shocked to see that her skin had seriously aged.

According to a Daily Mail source:

“Kate didn’t like seeing pictures of the state of her skin while she was on holiday. She knows it’s down to her lifestyle, so she is deciding to try a particular health plan to help regain a fresh look.”

As a result of seeing her deep forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and blemishes, Kate has decided to turn over a new leaf and lead a healthier lifestyle by cutting down on the drinking and smoking, revising her diet, and upping her water intake.

These are all great steps and we applaud Kate.  As we’ve stated in previous posts, excessive sun exposure, drinking and smoking can be serious skin-agers.  It’s so important to remember that our lifestyles directly affect the way we look on the outside.  Exposure to the sun’s UV rays leads to wrinkles, sun damage, and potentially skin cancer (also take a look at this post on tanorexia). Too much drinking can dehydrate the body and affect the quality of our regenerative sleep. Smoking robs the body and skin of essential Vitamin C and can also lead to hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.

For anyone feeling like Kate, we recommend microdermabrasion or chemical peeling procedures to even out the skin texture and Botox Cosmetic at our New York City Medical Spa to smooth forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet in addition to leading a healthier lifestyle.

Source: Daily Mail

#1 – Anne Hathaway

As our number one pick for celebs with flawless skin, Anne Hathaway has truly amazing skin. In this high definition age, she always displays a clear, even and healthy complexion that is unrivaled in the industry.

Anne obviously follows the rules of beautiful skin and most definitely limits her sun exposure and stays away from tanning beds as evidenced by her perfect porcelain skin that would rival that of a geisha.  However, she did have a funny spray-on tan incident in her recent picture Bride Wars (see left).

We look forward to seeing more of Anne and her flawless skin in the future and are waiting in great anticipation for her next role as the ‘White Queen’ in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (opening March 5, 2010), also starring Johhny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.

If you have any favorite celebs that you think we’ve left out, please feel free to leave a comment or email blog@shizukany.com.

L: Anne Hathaway as the ‘White Queen’ in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (2010)
R: Click to view the movie trailer

#2 – Halle Berry

Halle Berry is known for her impressive acting skills (which won her an Academy Award in 2001 for Monster’s Ball) coupled with her stunning natural beauty.  We have always appreciated her smooth, soft skin and virtually pore-less complexion both as comic book icon and Bond girl.

Stay tuned for our #1 pick in tomorrows blog post!

#3 – Angelina Jolie

As a mother of six, humanitarian, United Nations goodwill ambassador, and award-winning actress Angelina Jolie surely has her plate full.  However, she still manages to look effortlessly radiant whether she is on the red carpet, searching for lost treasure, or for a lost son as in her recent Academy Award nominated performance in Changeling.

#4: Jennifer Aniston

It’s hard to believe that the first Friends episode premiered nearly 15 years ago because it looks like Jen has not aged a day since her times at Central Perk (we all certainly want to know what her beauty secrets are!).  Always sporting a natural or neutral look, Jen’s skin is flawless whether on the red carpet or on the street (above) as she was seen this past week in New York City.

Apparently Jen’s next movie Pumas is about 30-something women who go after younger men. With her youthful complexion Jen should have no problem pulling that one off!

#5 – Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep’s skin has always been flawless and at age 60 she proves that beauty is truly timeless. A red carpet regular, her natural beauty has been under the international spotlight for decades.

Meryl Streep’s soft and refined skin always photographs well whether she is a bohemian hotel-owner, a nun in full habit, a devilishly cold fashionista, or a culinary icon as in her upcoming movie Julie and Julia.

Set in a La Jolla, CA medical spa called Changes Plastic Surgery, ATB shows that rich housewives of New York City and Orange County aren’t the only ones entitled to nip, tuck and inject Botox. They’re also not the only ones with drama.

As the New York Daily News describes it, “this workplace has more nasty conflicts than “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Ugly Betty” put together.”

We are especially fond of the redhead, back and center in this promotional photo, who happens to be the owner of Changes.  She is quoted on Addicted to Beauty‘s official website:

How do you count procedures? Do you count botox as procedure, restylane, laser resurfacing or just going under the knife? I’ve had tons of Botox and the other non-surgical procedures. I go in every six months or more if needed for these non-surgical procedures. For the surgical procedures, I’ve had more than 5 and less than 10.

Addicted to Beauty airs Tuesdays at 10pm on Oxygen.

With provocative names such as “Sexy Hot Tan,” “Forbidden Fruit” and “Sun Stroke,” 100% of the proceeds of Ferrell’s signature sunscreens benefit Cancer For College, an organization that provides college scholarships to cancer survivors.  According to CFC’s website, over 10,000 bottles have already been sold.

In true Ferrell form, the descriptions of the SPF 30 sunscreens are equally as hilarious as the very exposing pictures of him on each bottle:

• Sexy Hot Tan
  Are you Sexy?  Are You Hot? Then who wouldn’t want a sexy, hot tan? This sunscreen is made with our very own streaking strength formula plus one.
• Sun Stroke
  What golfer wouldn’t want to sport a rich dark tan and add 57 yards to their tee shots?  This sunscreen provides improved accuracy, added distance and the ultimate bronzing power…we think.
• Forbidden Fruit
  Honestly, the less we say about this one the better for fear of being cast into a pit of fire.

More information about Will Ferrell Sunscreens and Cancer For College at CancerForCollege.org.

The special also included celebrity beauty secrets such as the “Acupuncture Facelift,” cupping (a favorite of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow), snake massage, leech therapy, ayurvedic treatments, and of course the bird poop facial, a favorite of Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and Victoria’s Secret Angel Karolina Kurkova.

During the show, Shizuka Bernstein, owner of Shizuka New York Day Spa discusses the benefits of having Geisha Facials and why they are so great at getting celebrities red carpet ready.

If you’ve seen The Real Housewives or Extreme Makeover you are probably well aware of the many uses for Botox Cosmetic.  Women and men have been using Botox injections to smooth fine lines and wrinkles for years.  However, have you heard about these more unusual, yet effective uses for Botox Cosmetic such as jaw reduction and underarm sweat reduction performed by Dr. Silich at our NYC Medical Spa?

Underarm Botox

That’s right…Botox Cosmetic in the armpits!  It’s not like many people are concerned about underarm wrinkles, so what’s the deal?  Underarm Botox is actually an FDA approved treatment for hyperhidrosis, a.k.a. excessive underarm sweat.

Injecting Botox in the armpits has long been a celebrity beauty secret for keeping dry under the bright red carpet lights.  Underarm sweat reduction with Botox is a quick and convenient procedure, and the results generally last 4-6 months.

Dr. Silich and Shizuka have also collaborated to create The Underarm Overhaul, a Botox treatment unique to our NYC medical spa that combines underarm Botox with an underarm “facial” and complimentary underarm waxing.

Botox Jaw Reduction

Botox Jaw Reduction involves injecting Botox Cosmetic into the masseter muscle (chewing muscle).  This can gradually improve the appearance of the lower face for those who wish to achieve a slimmer and less square shape to the jaw line.  Jaw Reduction with Botox is especially popular in the Asian community, but is effective for anyone with an enlarged masseter muscle (often a result of teeth grinding).

Pricing for Underarm Botox & Botox Jaw Reduction

For Botox pricing, please request a Botox price estimate online or call (212) 644-7400.

Consultations and Treatments for Underarm Botox and Jaw Reduction

You can request a consultation online with Dr. Silich or call (212) 644-7400 to schedule a consultation in our NYC medical spa. Dr. Silich’s consultation fee is applied toward any same-day Botox treatments.

What is Tanorexia?

Tanorexia is basically an addiction to sun tanning. Tanorexia is a condition in which a person participates in excessive outdoor sun tanning or use of other skin tanning methods (such as tanning beds) to achieve a darker skin complexion because they perceive themselves as unacceptably pale.

Could that “healthy glow” actually be unhealthy?

Absolutely. Keep in mind that a suntan is your body’s natural way of defending itself from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.  UV exposure causes the skin to produce more melanin (the pigment that gives your skin its natural color).  While you may enjoy the look of a tan, the UVA and UVB rays also work in ways you may not appreciate as much:

• UV light weakens connective tissues that give your skin firmness and elasticity, resulting in wrinkles and thinner, more translucent skin.
• Hyperpigmentation—usually seen as small dark spots or freckles—occurs when an excess of melanin is produced in these small patches of skin.
• In extreme cases, overexposure to the UV light can lead to skin cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts and Figures 2009, over 70,000 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, and New York State ranks fourth in the nation for the most estimated new cases in 2009 following California, Florida and Texas.*

America’s Next Top Tanorexic is…

It is not surprising that California ranks #1 for melanoma risk with the great number of tanning salons and the abundance of very tanorexic celebs such as the ones pictured above, including Victoria Beckham.  However, BeautyNewsNYC also reported last year that there are a growing number of celebrities who are staying away from tanning beds and “fake bakes” and sporting more Geisha-like porcelain complexions (think Anne Hathaway, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman and Dita von Teese).

Tanorexia Makes You Look Old

As further proof of the need to protect your skin from sun damage, scientists have found through computer imaging that hyperpigmentation directly influences how old we appear to others.  Using digital images of 169  women, aged 17-70, the color distribution on each woman’s face was imposed on a generic 3-D form devoid of fine lines, wrinkles, and other traditionally age-defining characteristics. Faces with more even color distributions were perceived to be healthier and younger in appearance.

Protect Your Skin This Summer!

Summer is the time for New Yorkers to flock outdoors en masse to sunny destinations such as Central Park, Coney Island, the Hamptons and Jersey Shore to soak up those intoxicating rays and work on their tans.  As great as it feels to be outdoors during the summer, be careful (i.e. not a “tanorexic”) and protect your skin every time you are outside with these summer skincare tips:

• Minimize sun exposure, especially between 10am – 4pm when the sun is at its brightest.
  Always protect your skin by applying sunscreen 30 minutes before you step outside.
• If your schedule requires you to be in the sun for extended periods of time, wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
• Remember that you can burn as easily on an overcast day as a sunny one.
• Be cautious of reflective environmental surfaces such as sand, water, concrete, and snow as these can multiply the power of the sun’s light.
• Stay away from tanning salons, tanorexic conventions, and UV tanning beds, and beware of false advertising claims that indoor tanning with UVA light is safer than sunlight.
• Teach children the dangers of tanorexia and the benefits of proper sun protection from a young age. The effects of sun damage accumulate over their lifetimes, and it is never too early to create good habits.
• Although darker skin is less likely to burn, it is still important for those with darker complexions to protect their skin with sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Acne is a serious problem for many people.   Pimples and blackheads can be embarrassing even if you are not a celebrity on a magazine cover.  The Geisha Facial is an excellent facial treatment for all skin types, including acneic.  Also highly recommended for acne treatment are the Acne Facial with Intense Pulsed Light and the new T-Zone Facial.

Apparently Posh has been battling acne since her teenage years and has recently turned to Geisha Facials to treat acne:

Victoria has been regularly indulging in £100 Geisha Facials, using a paste made from nightingale droppings.

A friend told Closer magazine recently: ‘When Victoria was in Japan recently she was admiring the local women’s clear skin and discovered it was down to these facials.

‘She was intrigued and when she got back to the US she found that some New York beauty salons now offer the treatment.

‘She tried it and loved how great her skin looked.’

Hopefully Posh will get back on the Poo!

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