LaserTight Introduces First Portable CO2 Fractional Handpiece

First portable CO2 fractional handpiece converts CO2 lasers into a fractional system with treatment options capability

Cherry Hill, NJ – August 06, 2008 – LaserTight LLC announced today the company will be showcasing the first portable CO2 fractional handpiece, SelectScan, at four major medical trade shows, scheduled to be held this fall.

A LaserTight spokesperson stated that the SelectScan portable fractional hand piece offers physicians a cost-effective way to convert their CO2 lasers into a fractional system. The conversion enables the CO2 owner to offer a wider array of services including the ability to meet patient demand for the popular fractionated procedures.

A distinct advantage of the SelectScan portable fractional hand piece, according to the company, is that it affords the physician the option of choosing the best applicable treatment parameters from among 8 different scan patterns. Based on patients’ needs and available recovery time, the SelectScan portable fractional hand piece can be used for procedures ranging from micro-ablative to conventional deep ablative. The deeper dermal penetration scanning mode removes unwanted skin cells and wrinkles while simultaneously effecting long-term remodeling of collagen.

Still recognized as the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and tissue tightening CO2 ablative procedures have, however, declined in popularity over the past few years, in part due to the post-procedure downtime patients experience.

Conversely, fractional CO2 resurfacing is rapidly growing in popularity. In this procedure the laser beams ablate defined miniscule areas without damaging the surrounding skin. The fact that the entire epidermis is not ablated accounts for the rapid healing time; and, the skin not targeted by the laser beams triggers a natural healing process that effects skin tightening and promotes collagen genesis.

SelectScan CO2 fractionated treatment is a 30 minute in-office procedure requiring only topical anesthetic. FDA cleared, the SelectScan CO2 portable fractional hand piece uses no consumables and has been used on over 500 patients.

About LaserTight LLC
LaserTight™ is a developer and seller of FDA cleared laser devices for medical and aesthetic applications. The company offers a range of products that include LaserTight and SelectScan™ along with extensive product support systems that include training, continuing education, physician networking, and product servicing.

LaserTight LLC
856.216.2280
www.lasertight.com

Source: LaserTight LLC

FDA Approves EVOLENCE®, a New Generation Collagen-Based Facial Filler

Herzliya, Israel and Morris Plains, NJ − The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (”FDA”) today announced the approval of EVOLENCE® for the correction of moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. EVOLENCE® is a new advanced collagen-based structural dermal filler, and a first of its kind product. The introduction of EVOLENCE® marks the first dermal filler entry for the Aesthetics Group of OrthoNeutrogena. While new to the United States, EVOLENCE® has been available in other markets such as in Canada, Western and Eastern Europe, Israel, South Korea and Russia since 2004.

“EVOLENCE® represents a new generation of facial fillers, an innovative structural agent providing beautiful, immediate results by replacing the collagen lost with long-lasting, naturally sourced collagen,” said Annie Heremans, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, responsible for the Company’s research and development of the Medical and Aesthetic Dermatology franchises. “We are pleased to enter the U.S. aesthetic space with a differentiated dermal filler designed for optimal patient outcomes. Given our rich heritage in skin care and and commitment to science, we anticipate EVOLENCE® will be a welcome addition to current aesthetic treatment options.”

EVOLENCE® will be introduced throughout the second half of 2008, in coordination with physician training, to ensure optimal patient satisfaction and outcomes.

EVOLENCE® represents a breakthrough in aesthetics. As one of nature’s most fundamental and abundant building blocks, collagen comprises up to 80% of the dermis and it helps maintain skin strength, structure and support. Collagen naturally breaks down as a person ages, leading to the appearance of wrinkles, lines and folds.

EVOLENCE®, and its proprietary GLYMATRIX™ Technology, uses naturally sourced collagen to replace the body’s lost collagen, adding volume and structural support in depleted areas, for a more naturally youthful appearance. In addition, no pre-test is needed, and GLYMATRIX™ Technology delivers longer-lasting durability than previous collagen dermal fillers.

Results are visible and immediate at the time of treatment, with minimal to no bruising or swelling, allowing physician and patient to gauge the amount of wrinkle correction with more precision. EVOLENCE® is recommended for the correction of moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, to be injected in the mid-to-deep dermis.

“We now have a collagen filler that does not require a pre-test and delivers immediate, beautiful and
natural-looking results that last with minimal to little downtime for the patient,” said Z. Paul ” said Z. Paul Lorenc, M.D., F.A.C.S., Assistant Professor of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine and Principal Investigator on the EVOLENCE® U.S. pivotal study. “EVOLENCE® consistent and predictable results for all patients with every treatment.”
About EVOLENCE®

EVOLENCE® is an advanced collagen-based structural dermal filler that provides long-lasting treatment of moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. The results of treatment with EVOLENCE® are immediate, with little to no downtime post-treatment and clinically proven to last through six months. Additional data for 12-month duration approval is being filed with the FDA.

Unlike other dermal fillers that use hyaluronic acid (HA), which absorb water to create their effect, EVOLENCE® is a true structural agent due to its three-dimensional collagen matrix. This collagen structure benefits patients as it is directly linked to the minimal bruising and swelling that might result. EVOLENCE® does not use chemicals for cross-linking like many other products do, but instead uses natural sugar to improve durability. EVOLENCE® collagen is cross-linked through its patented GLYMATRIX™ Technology using the natural sugar, D-Ribose. The GLYMATRIX™ process is designed to:

- Mimic naturally occurring collagen in the skin by creating a true structural framework with natural, durable cross-links to ensure filler longevity
- Provide consistent and predictable results
- Use natural ingredients for natural-looking results

The naturally sourced porcine collagen used in EVOLENCE® is the most genetically similar to human collagen and has been used safely and effectively for decades in various medical applications, including heart valve replacement.

This new generation collagen filler is intended for injection into the mid-to-deep dermis for the correction of moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. The most common side effects of EVOLENCE®injections are usually injection-site related and include mild swelling, redness, and pain. Other rare side effects include the development of small areas of firmness under the skin at the treated sites that may be noticed when the areas are pressed upon.

EVOLENCE®® has undergone rigorous testing and has been demonstrated to be safe and effective through clinical studies. For more information on the product, visit www.evolence.com.
About OrthoNeutrogena, Aesthetics Group

EVOLENCE® is marketed in the United States by the Aesthetics Group of OrthoNeutrogena, a division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. This innovative collagen structural dermal filler was developed by ColBar LifeScience, Ltd., a biotechnology company specializing in reconstructive medicine and tissue engineering. The company has perfected a technique in which collagen, a main building block of living organisms, can be purified and transformed so as to create a variety of products that are structurally stable and safe for medical applications. ColBar LifeScience Ltd., is also subsidiary of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Aesthetics Group of OrthoNeutrogena
800.EVOLENCE (386-5362)
www.evolence.com

Source: OrthoNeutrogena

Nature: Beauty’s Favorite Muse
Sothys Introduces Eco-Certified Organic Beauty Range September 2008

New York, NY – Green living has gone from novelty to mainstream in just a few short years. Where organic food, clothing, and cosmetics were once looked upon with skepticism, they are now expected to perform equally if not better than their non-organic counterparts. Today, consumers are becoming increasing savvy about their eco-friendly purchases and require validation that the products they are using are truly friendly for their bodies and the environment.

Luxury skincare company Sothys began its organic movement in 2006 with the foundation of the Les Jardins Sothys™, a botanical garden in France. “Through the creation of the Sothys botanical garden in the Xaintrie region of France, a multitude of plants have offered unbelievable biodiversity, to the extent that it was named in the European Ecological Heritage of the Natura 2000 project,” says Sothys Chairman Bernard Mas. According to Mas, the creation of an organic beauty line has been a huge project for the entire company, “for Sothys to introduce an organic range, we knew we had to pair nature and science, which took a huge commitment – we didn’t want to put out anything less than a Sothys quality product.”

After two years of research partnered with the local University of Limoges in France, Sothys will introduce five new EcoCert approved organic products in September of 2008. In typical Sothys fashion, every product not only meets EcoCert standards, but also soars above and beyond expectations in terms of efficacy for the skin. According to Mas, “as organic products become more advanced, beauty consumers expect products to be top-of-the-line in terms of both their credibility and effectiveness. Through EcoCert, Sothys has created products that are not only effective in treating the skin but meet the highest standards of organic certification, which is an extremely important factor for consumers living the green lifestyle.”

The Beauty Garden Organic Range by Sothys
The Beauty Garden Range by Sothys will be growing over time, with their initial organic offering including a range of five face and body products formulated with natural ingredients each carrying the EcoCert Organic Cosmetics Label, which guarantees that 95% of the ingredients are of natural origin and a minimum of 10 percent of the ingredients come from organic farming. The Beauty Garden Range by Sothys contains between 99.5 percent and 100 percent natural ingredients. Between 10 percent and 100 percent of those ingredients were grown and harvested using organic farming methods.

Make-Up Removing Fluid with Cherry Bud
A fluid with a light consistency created to smoothly remove facial and neck makeup, while leaving the skin soft, clear and feeling fresh. Price $30

Floral Water with Angelic and Hawthorn
A soft and fresh lotion that’s ideal for completing make-up or mask removal, as well as tone the skin gently and evenly. Price $30

Comfort Mask with Helianthus and Rosemary
A mask for all skin types that awakens the radiance of the complexion, softens the skin and brings instant comfort and softness. Price $34

Gentle Face Care with Helianthus and Rosemary
A gentle facial cream infused with rosemary essential oil. Its texture instantly melts into the skin, providing comfort and radiance to normal and combination skin types, leaving the skin glowing with vitality. By protecting the skin, it helps delay the onset of the first signs of aging. Price $52

Milky Body Fluid with Cherry Bud and Lavender
A fresh and melting texture for a smooth and quenched skin, this body milk envelops the skin with a veil delicately scented with lavender essential oil. Price $36

Actives Organic Substances Found in the Sothys Beauty Garden Range
Each Beauty Garden product contains Sothys’ exclusive Vegetal Moisturizing Activator™ (VMA), which is a moisturizing complex derived from three plants (cherry trees, angelica and hawthorn) and combined with glycerin obtained from plants. VMA reinforces the barrier function of the skin by maintaining hydration of the stratum corneum and protecting the epidermis from outside aggressions. The barrier then protects the skin from environment and aging effects with a scientifically proven hydrating layer – tests performed by Sothys in conjunction with the University of Limoges found the VMA increased hydration of the skin by 34%, which reinforces the barrier function of the skin.

Organic Extract of Cherry Buds
The extract of cherry buds is rich in sugars and inorganic substances and also contains flavonoids. As is the case for all extracts of buds, its richness in growth substances confers regenerating and energizing effects on the skin. In addition, the composition of the extract of cherry buds is recognized for its hydrating properties, which makes it ideal for moisturizing, regenerating and energizing the skin.

Organic Extract of Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a shrub that blossoms in the spring. Hawthorn flowers are white and highly aromatic, which is the source of the organic extract. Hawthorn floral water alleviates stress, is antioxidant, anti-age and venotonic.

Organic Extract of Angelica
The extract of angelica is obtained from the root of the plant. It contains polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and an essential oil, which helps limit the appearance the first signs of aging, bacteria, and relaxes the epidermis.

Plant Glycerin
Combined with the three plant extracts describe above, it is recommended for its anti-dryness and moisturizing properties.

Helianthus (Organic Sunflower) Oil
Sunflower oil contains essential fatty acids and is particularly rich in Omega-6 and Omega-9, which restore the youth and elasticity of the skin, and combat skin dehydration and aging. It hydrates the skin by reducing transepidermal water loss, restores lipids by reconstituting the fatty acid balance.

Essential Oil of Rosemary
The essential oil of rosemary is recognized as a tonic and stimulant, and can aid cell revitalization and has anti-wrinkle properties.

Essential Oil of Bulgarian Lavender
Essential oil of lavender is recognized for several properties including soothing, calming and relaxing, and aids in the regulation of the nervous system.

Beauty Garden® Organic Spa Treatment with VMA
Sothys introduces the Beauty Garden Organic Spa Treatment, a 40-minute facial performed with Beauty Garden professional products for all skin types. The treatment utilizes Sothys’ model for a combination of professional and home care treatments. The result is skin that is soft and radiant, thanks to consistency in treatment.

The Mas family believes that with the introduction of the Beauty Garden Range, they can help to raise the bar for beauty companies considering joining the organic movement, an achievement that would be a victory for everyone involved. According to Mas, “the Beauty Garden Range is Sothys’ way of melding family tradition with a socially conscious trend. Our beauty garden in France has enabled us to support ecotourism and research, through a love of beauty and the environment.”

ABOUT SOTHYS
In 1946, Sothys was a beauty institute in Paris, where a list of exclusive customers enjoyed fine French products created by Dr. Hotz, a medical biologist. Sothys was acquired by the Mas family in 1966 and chairman Bernard Mas decided to add to the beautiful Sothys range and increase its availability. By 1970 Sothys had entered the United States market under the direction of esthetician Christian Garces. Sothys became an instant hit for estheticians looking for a professional, results- oriented product line. Over two decades later, it continues to be the forerunner in an extremely demanding industry. Much of Sothys’ success is due to its focus on education. Not content to simply sell its products, Sothys offers continuous, complementary education to estheticians and therapists who want to learn not just about the products, but about the industry in general. At the Sothys headquarters in Miami, and at regional Sothys offices across the Nation, classes are offered, with topics ranging from hands-on body workshops to cosmetic chemistry.

Sothys
305.594.4222
www.sothys-usa.com

Source: Sothys

Jan Marini Skin Research Introduces Marini Lash™ for Full and Lush Eyelashes

Jan Marini Revolutionizes Cosmetic Eyelash Enhancement – Again!

San Jose, CA – Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc. (JMSR; www.janmarini.com) today introduced Marini Lash, a revolutionary eyelash formulation designed to give users amazingly gorgeous, dense and lush eyelashes.

In 2005 JMSR revolutionized eyelash enhancement with a technological first that inspired a host of imitators. Now, JMSR sets the pace again by introducing a proprietary and spectacular non-prostaglandin eyelash formulation. JMSR research and development uncovered a recently discovered proprietary peptide which, when combined with other essential factors, produces extraordinary eyelash and brow enhancement.

“For three decades, I have been dedicated to developing products that provide men and women with real solutions for their skin and hair, offering them the full benefit of the latest scientific innovations,” said Jan Marini, president and CEO of Jan Marini Skin Research. “I was overwhelmed by the incredibly passionate response of women worldwide to my previous eyelash enhancement formulas. I am confident that Marini Lash will give everyone spectacular-looking, lush lashes.”

Marini Lash, offered in a mascara-style container, is available through physicians and licensed skin care professionals worldwide.

About Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc.
San Jose, CA-based Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc. (JMSR) is a recognized leader and innovator in skin care, providing state of the art technologies and breakthroughs in medically-based skin care therapies. The JMSR Skin Care Management System is used and trusted by physicians and skin care professionals worldwide to ensure optimum results for their patients and clients. JMSR products range from Glycolic Acid formulas and patented breakthroughs to the state-of-the-art anti-aging properties of the remarkable C-ESTA® family of products, all aimed at addressing aging skin, acne, rosacea and other common skin concerns.

Jan Marini Skin Care Research
408.363.1030
www.janmarini.com

New Age Intervention® Enlighten by Jan Marini Skin Research

Brightens and Minimizes Discoloration of Facial Skin
Provides a More Refined, Resurfaced and Illuminated Facial Texture

San Jose, CA – Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc. (JMSR; www.janmarini.com) introduces Age Intervention Enlighten, a remarkable new composition that brightens and encourages the uniform appearance of facial discoloration — even stubborn hyperpigmentation.

“Women often associate fine lines and wrinkles with aging but discoloration is an even more visual sign of the aging process,” explains Jan Marini, president and CEO of Jan Marini Skin Research. “Age Intervention Enlighten is an exceptional brightening technology with de-aging agents that result in refined, rejuvenated and illuminated skin.”

Uneven skin tones and discoloration can age the look of facial skin just as dramatically as lines and wrinkles. Overly pigmented facial areas that may occur due to melasma, cumulative sun exposure and ethnicity are some of the most common and difficult to concerns to treat.

Enlighten contains a combination of two exceptional topical agents that address the appearance of facial discoloration. Enlighten also includes Retinol, a superior retinoid that discourages the production of excess melanin and assists in resolving the appearance of existing facial discoloration. The Retinol also acts as a potent anti-aging tool that provides a more refined, resurfaced and illuminated facial texture.

Enlighten’s exceptional brightening technology and de-aging agents result in the refined, rejuvenated and illuminated skin we all want.

Age Intervention Enlighten is offered in a 1 oz. pump bottle.

Jan Marini Skin Research
408.362.0130
www.janmarini.com

Source: Jan Marini Skin Research

Luxury SpaFinder Magazine Becomes Luxury SpaFinder Interactive - Expands Global Reach to Six Languages

SpaFinder, Inc., the largest spa media company, announced today that Luxury SpaFinder Magazine will become Luxury SpaFinder Interactive, replacing the print magazine effective with the July edition. Luxury SpaFinder Interactive will be published monthly in six languages and will immediately expand the magazine’s global circulation from 200,000 to over one half million spa lifestyle enthusiasts. The launch of the interactive publication also underscores the company’s commitment to green initiatives.

Melisse Gelula, spa beauty editor of Luxury SpaFinder and former travel editor for Fodor’s Travel Publications, has been named editor in chief of Luxury SpaFinder In-teractive. Sarah Day, who was previously the print magazine’s production director, will serve as vice president of SpaFinder’s Global Publishing Group and will oversee the new interactive publication as well as the company’s worldwide spa directory, Global SpaFinder, which is the largest printed directory of its kind. Sue Llewellyn, who was art director of Luxury SpaFinder, will continue to oversee art direction and design of Luxury SpaFinder Interactive publication in her new position as Director of Global Publishing.

Luxury SpaFinder Interactive will be published in Japanese, French, German, Italian and Spanish, as well as English, and will be available on SpaFinder’s network of global SpaFinder websites, increasing potential readership to an additional six mil-lion consumers annually. SpaFinder owns and operates the leading spa lifestyle and wellness website, SpaFinder.com, with additional Internet domains in France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Japan. The company’s worldwide spa directory, Global SpaFinder, is a yearly print publication for consumers and travel agents.

Luxury SpaFinder Interactive expands our reach and presence in Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond,” said Pete Ellis, Chairman & CEO of SpaFinder. “It’s a big plus for our advertisers as we tap into enormous demand among Gen-X and Gen-Y consumers for spa and wellness information and the expansion of the spa market worldwide. Spa-goers are truly global and online, and that’s where they are going to be in greater numbers.”
Ellis anticipates that the circulation of Luxury SpaFinder Interactive will reach in ex-cess of one million consumers with each monthly issue, based on new website and company offerings that will be announced in the next 60 days. The publication will combine the attributes of a glossy print magazine and online media, offering luxury spa travel, wellness and lifestyle content in an interactive format that will include search capabilities.

According to SpaFinder data, annual revenues for the global spa industry are ap-proximately $45 billion, roughly three times as large as the $15 billion+ U.S. spa industry. “Luxury spas and luxury consumers are an increasingly global phenomenon,” adds Ellis. “And it’s no longer just Americans traveling to international spa destinations; it’s Australians going to spas in Asia, Asians going to spas in the Middle East, Europeans traveling to North America, etcetera. By publishing Luxury SpaFinder in a global medium, we can promote the spa lifestyle and spa vacations to consumers worldwide.”

About SpaFinder, Inc.
The world’s largest spa media, marketing and gifting company, SpaFinder, Inc. connects millions of wellness-focused consumers with thousands of spas worldwide. SpaFinder’s me-dia properties include the award-winning Spafinder.com, Luxury SpaFinder Interactive and the worldwide spa directory, Global SpaFinder. Spa Finder Gift Certificates and its new gift division, Spa & Salon Wish, offer spa gift certificates and cards that are redeemable at a combined network of over 5,000+ spas and salons worldwide and are available at thou-sands of retail outlets. The company’s software division innovates new solutions to help spas build and streamline their businesses, including the popular SpaBooker online booking system. SpaFinder Europe and SpaFinder Japan offer regional spa marketing and gifting programs, including localized, native-language websites. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan.

SpaFinder
www.spafinder.com

Source: SpaFinder

Frownies Facelift in a Bag- A Great Alternative to BOTOX® or Fillers

BOTOX®, surgery and lasers, oh my! These days, more and more women are subjecting themselves to procedures that have more in common with medieval torture devices than relaxing spas. While the popular “gift of beauty” trend always carries a thoughtful sentiment, technology has taken the popular phrase “beauty is pain” to a whole new level. This Mother’s Day, instead of gifting a well-deserving mom a service requiring recovery time, give her the gift of smooth, beautiful skin courtesy of Frownies!

Frownies, the legendary anti-aging company that introduced the world to Frownies Facial Pads, has created a gift set of their favorite products guaranteed to give moms young, healthy, and most importantly, natural looking skin. Frownies Facelift in a Bag is a practical, easy-to-maintain system designed to revamp tired-looking skin with the proven power of Frownies Facial Pads and Frownies newest creation: Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream, a revolutionary new skincare product containing biologically active antioxidants, natural extracts and hydrators. In as little as 14 days moms will see dramatic results without spending thousands of dollars on doctor’s appointments!

NEW! Face Lift in a Bag™
Facelift in a Bag is the perfect introductory system meant to create a skincare routine for men and women suffering from aging skin. It contains Frownies’ famous Facial Pads to reduce wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyebrows, and in the corners of the eyes and mouth without injections or surgery. Facelift in a Bag also contains the popular Frownies skincare line: Frownies pH Balancing Complexion Wash, to deeply cleanse and balance the skin, and Frownies Rose Water Hydrator Spray, for use with Frownies Facial Pads for maximum wrinkle reduction. Lastly, Facelift in a Bag offers Frownies’ most powerful skincare product yet: Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream, an active product delivery system that helps fight the oxidation caused by UV rays and environmental pollutants. Used together, Facelift in a Bag can produce visible results in as little at 14 days. Price: $99.95

Frownies Facial Pads
Individual wrinkle-reduction pads made for the forehead, between the eyebrows, corners of the mouth and eyes. Frownies Facial Pads are made from natural, skin-friendly materials. Once applied, they gently re-educate the underlying muscles to assume their correct, relaxed and natural appearance. Frownies allow even deep expression lines to heal, leaving younger, relaxed-looking skin. Retail Price: $19.95 each

Frownies Rose Water Hydrator Spray
Frownies Hydrator Spray is used to activate the adhesive side of Frownies Facial Pads. It provides a sterile, bacteria-free addition of anti-oxidants to the facial pads and can also be used to set makeup or as a refreshing pick up throughout the day, especially during air travel. Frownies Hydrator Spray contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA, which are proven high quality natural humectants and plumpers, as well as rose water, for toning. Retail Price: $10.95

Frownies pH Balancing Complexion Wash
Frownies pH Balancing Complexion Wash is a concentrated soap-free glycolic wash that deeply cleans the skin of imbedded oil, wax and trapped pollution build-up. Gentle even for sensitive skin, yet powerful enough for chronic oily and blemished skin, Frownies pH Balancing Complexion Wash contains the freshness of lavender essential oil and the cleaning power of soapwort and soap yucca to detoxify, balance, and clean the skin’s surface without soap and detergent dryness. Retail Price: $18.95

Frownies Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream
Frownies Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream is an active delivery system containing antioxidants to help protect, renew and regenerate damaged cells, wrinkling and premature aging of the skin. Immune Perféct fulfills the skin’s need for hydration at a cellular level. Immune Perféct liquefies on contact with the skin, allowing instant activation with the cellular layers – which helps firm and tone the eyelids and the jaw line. Immune Perféct helps correct the damage caused by UV rays, color cosmetics, and harsh chemicals while helping rebuild and prevent the conditions that cause wrinkling and further cellular damage. Immune Perféct reduces skin irritation and inflammation, helping to regulate skin tone and texture. Retail Price: $59

About Frownies
Frownies was created in 1889 after Margaret Kroesen discovered that her daughter Alice, a concert pianist, had developed unsightly wrinkles and frown lines. With a desire to maintain her youthful beauty and stage presence, Mrs. Kroesen created Wrinkle Eradicators (as they were first called) by employing the basic principle of fitness to the muscles of the face. After using her mother’s amazing invention, Alice was a living testimony, and it became clear that women and men everywhere could benefit from these Wrinkle Eradicators.

Several years later, Mrs. Kroesen’s joined B & P (Beauty and Personality) Company as Managing Director. At the time, B & P specialized in barber supplies. Mrs. Kroesen eventually became the owner of B & P, and gradually dropped the barber supplies, and offered only her Wrinkle Eradicators and skin treatments. A few small ads were placed to help get the word out about her remarkable invention, and these soon paid off in increased sales. Alice Laumer, Mrs. Kroesen’s daughter, joined the business to help with the growing sales. After Alice’s death, Mrs. Kroesen remained at the helm of the company until her own passing in 1962. Following her mother and grandmother in business, Margaret Wright (named after her grandmother) redesigned and updated the packaging for Frownies, never altering the formula which had proven so effective.

Now, more than a century since they were created, Mrs. Wright still oversees the operations of the company, but her daughter-in-law, Kathy Wright, is now taking her turn as the fourth generation woman helping preserve the faces of women and men everywhere. Kathy Wright is in her fifth year as CEO/General Manager of B & P Company. Again, the Frownies box has changed, but the 115 year-old formula remains intact, and Kathy brings a bright new direction to the company.

Frownies
800.648.6891
www.frownies.com

Source: Frownies

Global Rise in Breast Cancer Due to Western Lifestyles

Of all the exports from our modern world, breast cancer ranks as among the most dubious. Once thought to be a disease of the rich, it is now a global epidemic.

The rise of the cancer in Europe and America – cases have jumped 80 per cent in the UK since the 1970s – is being mirrored across the world. And scientists say increasing prosperity and the “Westernisation” of traditional lifestyles is to blame.

A richer diet, smaller families, delayed childbearing and reduced breast-feeding have driven the increase in the West, together with rising obesity and increased alcohol consumption, specialists say. Now these trends are being seen everywhere – with a growing burden of malignant disease in their wake.

An estimated 1.3 million new cases were diagnosed around the world last year. It is the commonest cancer in the UK and across Europe, even though it affects almost only one gender. In 2006, it outranked lung cancer, which affects both sexes, for the first time.

In Japan, Singapore and Korea – countries once renowned for their low rates – cases have doubled or tripled in the past 40 years.

In China, urban cancer registries have recorded 20 to 30 per cent increases in the past decade. India has seen similar rises and cases have doubled in parts of Africa. There are doubts, especially in Africa, about how far better recording has contributed to the apparent rise. But scientists agree that the disease is rampaging across the globe.

However, they disagree about the best way to curb it. Some claim the best hope lies in developing a preventive drug – a hormonal cocktail that would act like a vaccine and provide lifelong protection – and criticise the world’s failure to focus attention on it.

Others demand political action, raising public awareness and galvanising governments to provide screening and early treatment that gives women the best chance of surviving. A third school of thought emphasises the need for a public health strategy to highlight the risks of alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise.

Peggy Porter, of the Fred Hutchinson Research Centre in Seattle, Washington, writing in the current New England Journal of Medicine, says the world must wake up to the growing threat.

“As more countries modernise, more women will enter an increasingly sedentary workforce, delay childbearing, exert control over their reproductive lives, live longer and eat a more Westernised diet. Their breast cancer rates will no doubt increase. It is crucial that women’s awareness of their risk and their expectations of their government and the medical community regarding detection and treatment increase at a similar rate.”

Professor Porter said the biggest barrier to improved care for women was ignorance. “In a lot of countries, women are still afraid to know. When Betty Ford [wife of US President Gerald Ford] admitted she had breast cancer in 1974, it changed the world. Women who had seen it as a death sentence became willing to talk about it, pushed for more care and more research. Other countries need to follow that lead.”

Valerie Beral, head of the Cancer Research UK epidemiology unit at Oxford University, said that to blame Westernisation was to miss the central cause – changes in child-bearing.

“We don’t need to seek subtle explanations when we know the main one. China has gone from the six-child family to the one-child family in a couple of generations. Most women in the past had six or seven children – it was fairly standard across the world. Each child was breast fed for two to two-and-a-half years, which meant they stopped ovulating and didn’t conceive. The hormonal changes that occur around child-bearing and during breast-feeding are protective for life.”

We need to investigate the nature of this hormonal protection and synthesise it, she said. “If we could find out why child-bearing gives life-long protection against breast cancer we might develop a hormonal cocktail that could be given to women at age 18 for a year which would have the same effect. I am frustrated that this is not a research priority.”

Peter Boyle, head of the International Agency for Cancer Research in Lyon, which will publish global cancer rates next month, said alcohol was the most worrying driver for younger women. “The rise is a huge problem and one which is growing enormously quickly. There are places which 30 years ago had very low rates where it is growing very rapidly. In every region it is the commonest or second most common cancer.

“My concern is over the rise in drinking, especially among young women. For each single unit of alcohol per day, the risk rises by 7 per cent. It’s the ladettes who hit the bars on a Friday night that I worry about.”

Why Rates Have Risen

* The rising breast cancer rates around the world are linked to increased exposure to the female hormone oestrogen, because of changes in reproduction and diet.

* Improved nutrition means girls reach puberty earlier and women have the menopause later. A century ago, girls had their first periods at 16 and 17, but today it is morelikely to be 12 to 13.

* Each year that the menopause is delayed increases the risk of contracting breast cancer by 3 per cent.

* Increased numbers of women going out to work has led to later births, smaller families and fewer women breastfeeding. Each year that childbirth is postponed beyond the mid-20s increases the breast cancer risk by 3 per cent.

* The more children a woman has, the lower her risk of breast cancer so the trend towards smaller families has increased many women’s exposure.

* Breast cancer rates vary widely around the world. Japan has one fifth of the cases diagnosed in the US. However, Japanese women who move to the US rapidly acquire the same risk as American women.

* Breast cancer in the UK has risen by 84 per cent since the 1970s. In 2005, 38,212 women were diagnosed with the disease.

* Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in the UK even though it mostly affects one sex (there are a few hundred cases in men). Lung cancer, the next most common, which affects both sexes, was diagnosed in 30,997 men and women in 2005.

Source: The Independent (UK)

Pill Has Stopped 100,000 Deaths

FACT: The pill was launched in the UK in 1961

At least 100,000 deaths from ovarian cancer have been prevented worldwide by the contraceptive pill over 50 years, research has concluded.

The Oxford University team said the pill’s rising popularity meant 30,000 new cases will soon be avoided each year, the Lancet reported.

The findings were based on analysis of 45 previous studies.

Calls for the pill to be available without prescription were strengthened by the study, the Lancet’s editor said.

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The link between oral contraceptives and lower rates of ovarian cancer is long-established, but the study is one of the most detailed attempts to work out how effective it is across a woman’s lifetime.

Even though the dose of hormones in the 1960s and 1970s pill was roughly double the amount in today’s versions, this did not seem to make a difference to the level of protection offered, the researchers said.

And they said protection against cancer can continue decades after a woman has stopped taking the pill.

The relationship between the contraceptive pill and cancer is not all good news - there have been fears about short-term increases in the risk of breast and cervical cancer.

But researcher Sir Richard Peto said that young women did not have to worry about this risk.

“The eventual reduction in ovarian cancer is bigger than any increase in other types of cancer caused by the pill,” he said.

Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said: “All women who have taken the pill or are currently taking it should be reassured by this study.”

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She urged anyone with concerns about it to talk to their GP or family planning clinic.

Julie Bentley, from the FPA (formerly the Family Planning Association) said: “This is great news for women as it is further assurance that the contraceptive pill provides lasting protection against ovarian cancer.”

And Lancet editor Richard Horton said that the new evidence was a compelling reason to make it easier to obtain the pill.

“There are few drugs available that confer powerful and long-lasting protection against a highly lethal malignancy after such a short exposure.

“We strongly endorse more widespread over-the-counter access to a preventive agent that can not only prevent cancers but also demonstrably save the lives of tens of thousands of women.”

Currently, a woman who wants to take the pill needs a prescription from her GP to do so as it should not be given to women with a history of blood clots and heart and liver disease.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has said there are no plans to make it available over the counter.

Source: BBC News

Connection Found Between Inactive Lifestyles and Accelerated Aging

Those who are physically active in their leisure time seem to be younger than those with inactive lifestyles, from a biological perspective.

Generally, people who participate in regular exercise already have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, and osteoporosis. However, according to a report in the January 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals, there might be more to this than just avoiding these diseases. “A sedentary lifestyle increases the propensity to aging-related disease and premature death,” the authors write. “Inactivity may diminish life expectancy not only by predisposing to aging-related diseases but also because it may influence the aging process itself.”

A group of 2,401 white twins was studied by Lynn F. Cherkas, Ph.D., of King’s College London, and colleagues. The team administered questionnaires related to physical activity level, smoking habits, and social and economic factors. Notably, the participants also provided a blood sample, and DNA was extracted from the white blood cells (leukocytes.)

The leukocyte DNA samples were analyzed for the length of their repeating sequences at each end of the chromosomes. These sequences, called telomeres, may serve as a marker of biological age, as they progressively shorten over time.

As expected, telomere length decreased with age, contributing to an average loss of 21 nucleotides (the basic structural units of DNA) per year. Less physically active men and women displayed shorter leukocyte telomeres than those who were more active in their leisure time. Even after normalizing for various factors, this trend remained. “Such a relationship between leukocyte telomere length and physical activity level remained significant after adjustment for body mass index, smoking, socioeconomic status and physical activity at work,” observe the authors. “The mean difference in leukocyte telomere length between the most active [who performed an average of 199 minutes of physical activity per week] and least active [16 minutes of physical activity per week] subjects was 200 nucleotides, which means that the most active subjects had telomeres the same length as sedentary individuals up to 10 years younger, on average.” When pairs of twins with different levels of physical activities were subsequently analyzed, similar results were shown.

The authors suggest a few mechanisms by which more sedentary lifestyles might contribute to telomere degeneration. One could be damage to cells caused by exposure to oxygen, called oxidative stress. Increased inflammation in sedentary persons may also create this effect Additionally, telomere length has been linked to perceived stress levels. This psychological stress may be reduced by physical activity, thus lessening its severity on telomeres and the aging process.

The authors conclude, relating this to daily life. “The U.S. guidelines recommend that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least five days a week can have significant health benefits,” state the authors. “Our results underscore the vital importance of these guidelines. They show that adults who partake in regular physical activity are biologically younger than sedentary individuals. This conclusion provides a powerful message that could be used by clinicians to promote the potential anti-aging effect of regular exercise.”

This study was supported in part by a grant from the Welcome Trust, grants from the National Institutes of Health and a grant from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

The Association Between Physical Activity in Leisure Time
and Leukocyte Telomere Length
Lynn F. Cherkas, PhD; Janice L. Hunkin, BSc; Bernet S. Kato, PhD; J. Brent Richards, MD; Jeffrey P. Gardner, PhD; Gabriela L. Surdulescu, MSc; Masayuki Kimura, MD, PhD; Xiaobin Lu, MD; Tim D. Spector, MD, FRCP; Abraham Aviv, MD
Arch Intern Med. 2008;168[2]:154-158
Click here for Abstract through the Archives of Internal Medicine

Source: Medical News Today