You can participate in the LATISSE® Wishes Challenge too. Just donate a minimum of $20 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation through the campaign’s website, www.LatisseWishesChallenge.com. Through November 30, 2011, Latisse® will double all donations up to $250,000.

If you’re one of the first 10,000 people making the minimum donation to the Latisse Wishes Challenge, you will receive a free trial certificate for Latisse®. Bring it to your cosmetic surgeon and he or she will determine if Latisse® is right for you.

Also, if you invite two friends to join you in the campaign, they too will receive a $20 rebate off their next purchase of Latisse®.

Ms. Hendricks, along with Claire Daines and Brooke Shields, is the latest spokesperson and user of Latisse. During the Latisse Wishes Challenge, she will be sharing her eyelash-growing experience. About the campaign she says: “Latisse® is also a brand that contributes to children, and I couldn’t think of a better cause to support than the Make-A-Wish Foundation. When I was seven years old, I saw firsthand the difference a wish can make in the life of a child when a girl in my class got her wish to meet Erik Estrada.”

47-year old Wendy had skin damage accumulate over the decades that made her skin look spotty and lifeless. With freckles, sun damage, and wrinkles around her eyes and lips, Wendy found herself running out of options. “I realized, at this point, I can’t turn anymore to the drugstores or department stores to get the help I’m looking for.”

Wendy finally tried Obagi Nu-Derm, a medical grade skin care line that rejuvenates the skin at the deepest levels. “I spoke with my doctor, and she said it was very important to stick with the program,” Wendy says.

After a week or so, she noticed that she was experiencing redness around the mouth and lips, but not much was happening. “I think I was expecting a quick change, but I’m realizing it’s more of a commitment that I’m making to my skin and that it will take some time.”

Fast forward a few more weeks, and Wendy can’t believe the change in her skin. Her crow’s feet had been minimized, as were the lines around her lips. Overall, she discovered that she had fewer wrinkles and a lovelier, more consistent skin tone.

“I think everybody who likes you says they love you just the way they are, until you look better, and then they like you even more! The Nu-Derm has made a big difference in my skin. I’m happy when I look in the mirror.”

Wendy has begun receiving unsolicited compliments at work, and knows that with sunscreen and a regular daily routine, she can maintain her skin’s vitality and appearance. “I understand that my skin is healing itself, sort of from the inside out, but for me, what matters is that I see a difference when I wash my face and I head out in the morning.”

Last month, you heard the story of Kristen, a 33-year-old woman who treated her bad complexion with a customized skin therapy regime with Obagi Nu-Derm. This month, Obagi’s “Watch the Transformation” series of videos on YouTube continues.

Mandy is 29 and suffered from the effects of sun damage, which included brown spots on her nose and poor skin tone on her forehead, as well as loose facial skin. She always had freckles as a child, but eventually realized that her skin was no longer smooth and youthful. “My mom told me when I was a kid that freckles were angel kisses, but it turns out they’re actually sun damage!”

She used the Obagi C-Rx system, a skin care system that corrects early signs of aging and prevents further damage to the skin from the sun and other factors, much like the Obagi Nu-Derm system corrects more significant damage that has accumulated over time.

Over the weeks, Mandy found that the Obagi system caused a transformation in her skin. Her sunburn lightened up, and spots and freckles disappeared. She found that her cheeks were firmer and tighter, and that the skin coloring on her nose was more even.

“It’s fun to have a glow about you, to have people notice it’s fun to have smooth skin that’s not full of spots. I don’t look like a leopard anymore.”

Obagi products are an alternative to other skin treatments such as CO2 laser resurfacing and chemical peels. Each Obagi program is customized to meet the patient’s unique needs. If you’re considering a prescription-strength skin care regime that outshines popular drugstore brands, contact a physician who has experience developing individualized Obagi programs.

Kristen, a 33-year-old woman who suffered from prominent pores and sunspots that masks and moisturizers failed to resolve, thought that her face would never match her healthy, active lifestyle. Fortunately, however, Kristen found dramatic results through the use of a customized, prescription-strength skin care regimen by Obagi Nu-Derm. Her spots have disappeared and her face looks clean and beautiful. Kristen’s story and the stories of women like her are now online in a new YouTube series called “Watch the Transformation.”

In the video, Kristen discusses her embarrassing sun spots and tells viewers how the Obagi Nu-Derm system improved her complexion over the course of a comprehensive program. The results were better than she ever expected.

“If you just look at my skin, it’s white,” Kristen says. “It’s just clean all the way through.”

“There’s a tone to my skin now that wasn’t there before. On the cellular level I changed my skin. You know, I got to the place that I wanted to get, and now I just want to keep the skin that I have.”

Obagi Nu-Derm is an alternative to somewhat harsher procedures such as laser skin resurfacing. It penetrates the surface of the skin, rejuvenates damaged skin cells, and helps the body to repair damage caused by premature aging and sun damage. Some signs of this kind of skin damage include:

• Lines and wrinkles
• Rough or loose skin
• Redness or sallow complexion
• Discoloration

The Obagi Nu-Derm program typically involves four stages, each of which is customized to the specific needs of the individual client.

• Stage 1: removes dead skin cells
• Stage 2: collagen and skin cell production are stimulated
• Stage 3: brings about a beautiful, healthy glow
• Stage 4: basic maintenance to preserve a smoother, clearer complexion in the long term

Through developing a customized skin care program, clients can achieve the best possible results in getting newer, more youthful looking skin. “My doctor’s really good,” Kristen says. “She customized it for me, so it’s ‘Kristen’s Obagi Nu-Derm.’”

Antioxidant-rich foods can help combat the natural processes that wear down your body in general and your skin in particular. Nutritionists suggest that an antioxidant-rich diet is a good choice for skin health, with broccoli, carrots, berries, whole-grain cereals and fish on your grocery list. There’s no secret ingredient or sole contributor to a “healthy skin diet,” but regularly eating well and choosing these super foods is the key.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine and author of “The Wrinkle Cure,” emphasizes antioxidants in his approach to a skin-healthy diet too, and believes the ideal skin-healthy meal would include a six-ounce serving of fresh grilled salmon, a romaine lettuce salad with lemon juice and olive oil for a dressing, and fresh cantaloupe.

Fish is at the top of Perricone’s skin health list of anti-aging foods, because fatty fish contains important nutrients and Omega 3 fatty acids. He lists salmon, albacore tuna, and mackerel as great additions to any skin-healthy diet.

The bottom line is that aging is a natural process that can be influenced by what we eat, so make good nutrition a fundamental part of your efforts to look better.

According to the plaintiff, this contact, which reports say mentioned a non-compete agreement between the parties, interfered with the distribution of its new product line.

Obagi Medical Products has denied any anti-competitive conduct in the matter, and says it will vigorously defend the suit.

Competition in the skin care industry is nothing new, but it has been intensifying in recent years. The demand for anti-aging skin care products has increased over the last decade as baby-boomers have taken advantage of advances in skin care science. In fact, between 2006 and 2008, U.S. sales alone rose 13% to 1.6 billion dollars, and the trend shows no sign of weakening.

Read more about Obagi skincare products in Arlington, Texas

Q: How long has Latisse been on the market?

A: Latisse has only been on the market for about 6 months, but its related safety record as an eye drop solution spans well over 10 years.

Q: Why do I need a prescription for Latisse?

A: Latisse can result in eyelash improvement of 105% in thickness and over 25% in length. Latisse is not an over-the-counter medication. The FDA approved Latisse as a prescription medication to treat hypotrichosis, i.e. reduced amount of eyelash growth

Q: How can Latisse enhance my lashes?

A: Latisse is thought to affect the growth stage of eyelashes by increasing the duration of the growth phase while increasing the number of hairs in the growth phase.

Q: How do I use Latisse?

A: Latisse is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes nightly for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, the application can be reduced to every 2-3 days to maintain growth. Latisse is not applied to the lower eyelashes. However, during sleep some of the medication will diffuse across to these lashes increasing them as well.

Q: When will I see results?

A: Most people begin to see an increase in their lashes after about 3 or 4 weeks. By 16 weeks the lashes will have reached their full length and thickness. Discontinuation of Latisse will result in a return of the lashes to their previous state.

Q: Is Latisse expensive?

A: In Dallas, the price of a one-month supply of Latisse has been about $100 to $120.

Q: Are there Latisse alternatives that work the same way?

A: Right now, there are no comparable products on the market. Other products that claim to increase lash thickness and length are usually conditioners, which will not stimulate eyelash growth.

Related Links

• Latisse website
  
• Video: Latisse used during chemotherapy
• More about Latisse in Arlington, Texas

It’s true that some cosmetic surgeries are particularly well-suited for men, and some procedures such as Botox just make sense regardless of gender.  In the past, the most popular cosmetic surgeries for men were male breast reduction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and hair transplants.  If there truly is a growing acceptance of male cosmetic surgery taking place, we might see that list grow to a certain extent.

The most likely area to gain popularity with men will be in skin renewal treatments.  From experience I can tell you that the majority of males don’t possess a great deal of knowledge about caring for their skin and they often neglect it.

At a recent cosmetic surgery trade show, yours truly (copywriter extraordinaire) along with our accountant Angie underwent a skin analysis using the Image Pro II Skin Analysis system.  While Angie’s skin came out clear and clean, my neglected male skin looked like a battlefield of sun damage and other imperfections.  That experience prompted me to investigate different skin care products and treatments, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other men out there have the same concerns.

• Pimples appear out of nowhere.
• Skin dries out overnight and needs re-hydration.
• Folds around the nose and deep lines in the brow appear more pronounced.

Our patients in Dallas agree – they notice differences in their skin when they’re stressed out.  If left untreated and stress continues, these signs can persist for weeks and months, even years.

Although all these issues can be resolved in time, first you have to ‘de-stress.’ Until that time comes, here are 5 professional tips to help you get by:

1. Keep your hands away from your face, stop touching and stop popping those pimples! Keep your hands busy with a pencil or squeeze one of those strengthening balls. For goodness sake, get rid of that magnifying mirror!
2. Go visit your doctor or cosmetic physician and pick up a few acne fighters.
3. Get yourself a facial, even if you’re on a budget. Treat yourself to some downtime; even bring your teenage kid in for a facial with you. A twofer! It will be therapeutic and quite relaxing for you both.
4. If you’re using benzoyl peroxide, be sure not to use it at the same time as you’re using hydroquinones or copper peptides. You can use both products, but not at the same time.  Use one in the morning and the other in the evening.
5. If you’re using high quality skin care products, try a chemical peel. Because a peel removes the built up dead skin on the surface of your face, it allows therapeutic products to penetrate and get the job done more quickly and more effectively.

The origin of Latisse is in topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.  In patients who used these prostaglandins, researchers and physicians documented a ‘complication’ or side effect called “hypertrichosis,” a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.

The Food and Drug Administration gave clearance for Allergan to market a glaucoma drug (and topical prostaglandin) called Lumigan in 2001, at which point two important precursors to Latisse occurred.

• The FDA seized over 2 million dollars worth of product from Jan Marini Skin Research Inc because the products – Age Intervention Eyelash – contained the same chemical formula as Lumigan, which had not yet been approved for cosmetic use.

• Doctors began prescribing Lumigan off-label to patients who wanted enhanced eyelashes.

After clinical trials and further research, Allergan received FDA clearance for cosmetic use of Latisse.  In one study, 278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied Latisse or a placebo to their lash line.  The results were favorable; researchers observed “statistically significant differences in eyelash growth and resulting patient satisfaction” while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced hyperpigmentation on the surrounding skin.