Beauty Trends 2009

For an asthmatic, the struggles of asthma includes the day to day management of the disease is vital if they are to stay healthy.

The struggles of asthma also mean that medicines must be taken regularly and the patient must do all they can to minimize contact with known triggers of an attack.

To make this self management possible the patient and doctor must work together to create an individual action plan.

Naturally, this involves taking the correct medicines and learning to use the inhalers properly as well as having regular check-ups.

A key part of the plan is that the asthmatic needs to identify and avoid the things that can worsen or trigger the asthma symptoms.

If you have a pet keep it out of your house. Their hair or skin may be a triggers for your asthma.

You shouldn't smoke and should stay away from smokers.

Stay indoors with the A/C on, where possible, when the air is dry or full of pollen.

Wash your bedding, sheets and blankets, weekly in hot water to clean the dust mites.

Prevent colds and the flu by washing your hands often, sneezing into your elbow, not you hands and think about getting a yearly flu shoot.

You should wear a scarf over your mouth and nose when it is cold outside, especially if the cold air triggers your asthma.

Physical activity is important to your general health and to your asthma. If exercise triggers asthma attacks, speak with your doctor(s) with the goal being to find you exercises that will not cause asthmatic problems.

If you are allergic to sulphites, avoid foods (some breads, canned fruits, cereals with dried fruit) or beverages (beer, wine, cocktail mixes and most drinks containing sugar) that contain them.

Humidity in the home can assist molds and fungi grow in the home and to produce and release millions of spores small enough to be airborne and that may trigger asthma attacks when much above 50%.

Open windows throughout the house, especially in the kitchen or bathroom areas allowing the hot humid air from the shower or dishwasher to escape and use a dehumidifier in your basement if you have the need.

Be careful with furnaces, stoves, space heaters and similar combustion units. They can produce gases and airborne particles that can be triggers for asthmatics.

Change filters in the furnace of your home monthly or at least as often as the manufacturer recommends.

Check them over on an annual basis, by yourself, or better yet by someone who is knowledgeable about these. Check with your local gas company, most perform this service for free.

Avoid airborne perfumes, deodorants, or air fresheners and when painting or doing crafts make sure you are in a well ventilated area.

Be aware of signs and symptoms of an asthma attack, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or any difficulty in breathing.

Take your medication as directed by your doctor and use your peak flow meter to monitor your asthma.

A healthy lifestyle is part of the management and treatment of your asthma.

A healthy lifestyle will not make you, me or anyone immune from colds or illnesses and may not get rid of all of problems with allergies and asthma, but it is likely to help.

Increase the fruits and vegetables you eat and decrease the fats and sugars you eat, exercise often, find ways to control the stress in your life, and, of course, don't smoke.

If your asthma gets worse then you should get help from your doctor to either bring it back under control or alter your medication.

Learn More About Symptoms and How You Can Treat and Live with Asthma at Treatment for Asthma

Laser eye surgery is still a relatively modern innovation and is constantly progressing with better and more efficient techniques being used. Some of the newest laser eye surgery trends are going to bring a marked improvement in the effectiveness of treatment for patients seeking vision improvement through laser eye surgery. New techniques are constantly being developed based on revolutionary new technologies and better and more effective knowledge and practices. Improved laser and computer targeting technology will make the new systems more efficient and reliable.

One of the latest innovations in laser eye surgery trends is a new 60 kHz laser that will enable the surgeon to create the flap in the eye quicker then what was previously thought possible. This will improve both ease-of-use for the surgeon and comfort for the patient. It is necessary to create the flap so that the laser that is used to alter the shape of the eye and correct the eyesight can be applied and the surgeon can use the targeted laser to reshape the eye and improve the vision. The flap that has been cut in the eye is simply lowered back into position and allowed to heal.

Patients with astigmatism may benefit greatly from one of the more recent innovations in laser eye surgery trends. Astigmatism can now be treated successfully using wavefront guided laser treatment. This technology can also be used to treat near and far sightedness with a great degree of accuracy. Wavefront technology can eliminate many of the problems that have occurred before when some patients had problems with night vision and starbursts. With research continuing this system looks as though it could bring great benefits in the future, both to the patients and also to the surgeons who use it.

Previously the eyes were reshaped to the surgeon's opinion of what would improve the eyesight of the patient, now however, it is a much more scientific process utilizing computerized measurement and analysis to ensure that the patient?s eyes are reshaped to a precise formula so that they get the best vision improvement possible from their treatment.

With the current boom in technology, and the increase in research and development expected to continue there is little doubt that laser eye surgery trends will keep pace and develop systems with greater accuracy and efficiency that will improve the treatment delivered. Hopefully in the future new research and developments will, as with other new technologies, bring prices down and make the treatment even more widely available for consumers wanting to improve their eyesight through LASIK.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Vision-Doctor.com He provides more eye surgery solutions, LASIK information and details on laser eye surgery trends that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

This year, the New York Medical Spa Expo confirmed the Medical Spa industry is continuing to grow. ?Not only did thousands of Spa and Medical Spa owners visit this year?s show, but we also saw the release of some new and noteworthy equipment perfect for the medical spa environment? says Jeff Russell, the CEO of MedSpa Financing.

New this Year ? Hair Rejuvenation

When you attend these shows you know you are going to see many devices for removing unwanted hair, but what about improving the appearance of thinning hair? Well this year, for the first time ever we saw the impressive CosmeticTrichoGenesis Mark 5 unit. Owners of Medical Spas are constantly looking for that piece of equipment that will differentiate them from their competitors, well this is it!

Robert Kramer, President of Current Technologies says Growth of the Medical Spa industry is being fueled by a demand for more and better services devoted to making men and women look and feel better. Current Technololgy's CosmeticTrichoGenesis Mark 5 offers a once a week, safe, painless and successful method for improving the appearance of thinning hair. The Mark 5 utilizes non-invasive pulsed electrostatic energy that can noticeably create the look of fuller, more luxurious hair. www.current-technology.com/CTG/

Microdermabrasion Equipment Moving to the Next Level

Another standard piece of equipment in a Medical Spa is the microdermabrasion machine. This year we saw one that not only targets the face, but actually treats the whole body while applying topical treatments. Medical Spa owners are going to like the extra revenue streams that will be found by adding topicals to their microdermabrasion procedures.

The Vibraderm skin station exfoliates the skin while creating new collagen. It employs a patented vibrating head with a stainless steel abrasive surface to evenly exfoliate the skin. New is the Vibrafusion? system, which results in a vibrant tone and texture to the skin. The Vibraderm?s full body treatment can be performed on all skin types including Fitzpatrick skin type V and VI. Medical spa owners will like the fact that the procedures are less technique dependent, since the size of the unique paddle prevents the potential of uneven treatments and happier clients. Unlike traditional microdermabrasion equipment, there are no crystals or suction, this gives you a clog-free treatment with a quick clean-up. www.vibraderm.com

Medical Spa Software

Harms Software demonstrated the medical spa friendly Millennium? advanced booking, point-of-sale, information and customer relations management system. Millennium?s advanced security allows you to maintain HIPPA compliancy while still allowing you and your staff to navigate seamlessly from screen to screen. You can handle real world situations quickly and help your clients easily. For example, while you are booking a client?s appointment, you can check their gift certificate balance or information on a product or service they purchased in the past. The software allows you to track skin/facial information, prescriptions/analysis, photos, documents and more. The advanced appointment booking is also a ?must have? when it comes to managing not only your staff and doctors, but your rooms and equipment. Harms Software has been built on 17 years of experience, bringing you software that works in a Medical Spa environment. www.harms-software.com

Advanced Muscular Therapy

Hard to miss was the impressive robotic massaging arm of the Meilus Muscular Therapy (MMT) machine. This unit is designed to effectively lengthen muscles, which will improve your client?s body tone, increase flexibility, and enable muscles to rid themselves of waste and toxins. The MMT can give your Medical Spa that extra edge in helping your client?s live better, more pain-free lives as their body naturally ages. www.meetmeilus.com

From this show, we can see the Medical Spa industry is evolving. ?Many doctors are tired of slow paying reimbursements, and want to move into a cash business where they are paid for the services they perform. Medical Spas are the answer for many doctors, it also gives doctors the opportunity to enter the growing anti-aging market. With the right Medical Spa equipment, you can make your transition to a Medical Spa owner a very profitable one!? says Jeff Russell.

For More Information:

CosmeticTrichoGenesis Mark 5 unit. Call 1-800-661-4247 or visit www.current-technology.com/CTG/

Vibraderm. Call (800) 494-7181 or visit www.vibraderm.com

Millennium? from Harms Software Inc. Call 1-888-813-2141 or visit www.harms-software.com

Meilus Muscular Therapy (MMT) machine. Call 1-800-237-8300 or visit www.meetmeilus.com

About MedSpa Financing (Oakridge Healthcare) - MedSpaFinancing.com is a division of Oakridge Healthcare, which provides turn-key healthcare financing solutions to medical practices and equipment vendors throughout North America (http://www.oakridgehealthcare.com).

MedSpa Financing is the only financing company that specializes in financing Medical Spas. We have financed Medical Spas from California to New York, and everywhere in between. Through our network of financial partners, we have the capacity to finance everything from a single treatment machine to an entire $20 million Medical Spa facility.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.medspafinancing.com. MedSpa Financing is a sustaining member of the International Medical Spa Association, and proud member of our local Chamber of Commerce.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Jeff Russell 1-800-485-5759 MedSpaFinancing.com http://www.medspafinancing.com

When Miuccia Prada abandoned her signature ladylike aesthetic in favor of dark chunky knits, animal prints, and sky-high platforms for her fall collection, she sent a strong message: The prim lady had officially been supplanted by the 21st-century uber-woman. (Presumably, the former muse is off fending for herself somewhere in the urban jungle?.) And Prada wasn?t alone: In New York, Milan, and Paris, the runway heroine du jour represented a dramatic departure from the fresh-faced girls and submissive sex kittens of seasons past. The sartorial shift was also accompanied by a new crop of beauty trends, with blood red lips eclipsing shimmer, smoldering eyes ousting beach-bunny bronzer, and pin-straight hair surpassing more romantic styles. Here, the top six beauty trends from the fall 2006 shows.

Hot Lips
Along with trousers, tulip skirts, and ankle boots, bold lipstick is part of the power woman?s fall uniform. (Think of it as war paint to ornament your new, no-nonsense attitude.) Tuleh?s ?40s-style collection inspired a high-sheen berry lip, while Valentino?s matte red added a shot of color to the designer?s largely colorless collection. Jill Stuart chose a glossy purple, while Behnaz Sarafpour, Miu Miu, and Diane von Furstenberg all opted for classic crimsons. At Alice Roy, nearly black lips were a perfect complement to the designer?s edgy, neo-punk vision.
Trend Tips: The key to wearing bold lip colors is keeping the rest of your makeup minimal (combining this trend with a smoky eye or heavy blush will lead to certain disaster). For more staying power, add a sheer coat of foundation to lips first, followed by a light dusting of powder and lipliner. Apply the color in several light coats, blotting with a tissue between each layer.
Best Bets: Nars Lipstick in Fire Down Below, Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in Shanghai Red, Tarte Double Ended Lipgloss in Bonnie & Clyde, Clinique Quickliner for Lips in Deep Red, Sephora Jumbo Pencil in Raspberry, Sally Hansen Diamond Lip Treatment in Always Asher.


The Eyes Have It
Eye makeup was unusually restrained for spring, but it made a serious comeback at the fall shows. At Allessandro Dell?Acqua, eyes were rimmed with sexy rock-goddess smudges; at Rochas, the lines were blurred with moody black shadows; and at Missoni and Narciso Rodriguez, the models wore thick ?80s-inspired liner on the bottom lids. Victor & Rolf and Armani both shifted the focus to the top lid with retro-style wings, while Zac Posen, J. Mendel, and Badgley Mischka opted for an eye that was both dramatic and wearable. You probably won?t see Christian Dior?s or Gucci?s theatrical looks at the office, but both will provide plenty of inspiration for more experimental beauty addicts.
Trend Tips: If you?re using a pencil that?s too hard, heat it under the hair dryer for a few seconds to soften the tip (just be careful not to melt the liner or burn yourself). If you have small eyes, keep the emphasis on top, rather than on the lower lid. And if you have bags or circles, use concealer?without it, dark liner will only emphasize undereye problems.
Best Bets: M.A.C. Eyeshadow in Black Tied, Urban Decay Glide-on Pencil in Zero, Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Pointe-Noire, Goldie Smudgable Liquid Line in Maha, Too Faced Lava Gloss Super Glossy Eyeliner in Chocolate, NYC Brow/Eye Liner Pencil in 921.


Devil May Care
The minimalist makeup that swept the spring runways also made an appearance for fall. But this time, barely there faces seem to make a more subversive statement (think unabashedly naked, as opposed to coquettishly nude). In the absence of color, the spotlight shifted to a strong brow at Yves Saint Laurent, Chlo?, and Fendi, while Jil Sander?s and Balenciaga?s underdone approach put the models? luminous skin and bone structure center stage. At Marc Jacobs, carefully chosen hints of neutral color complemented the designer?s heavily layered collection.
Trend Tips: For a face that looks uncontrived but not disheveled, invest in a good-quality concealer and brow gel. To camouflage flaws and even out your complexion, use a tinted moisturizer or primer. And to keep skin from looking flat, sweep an iridescent highlighter along the cheeks and browbones.
Best Bets: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion, Benefit Moon Beam, Lauren Hutton Tinted Moisturizer + Sheer Concealer, Biotherm Light Catch Moisturizing Illuminating Concealer, Sue Devitt Aromatic Camouflage Concealer.


Lighter Side
Although dark lips ruled several runways, other designers opted for pale pouts?the perfect foil to this season?s intense eye makeup. Chanel?s beige lip evoked the ?60s, Dolce & Gabbana?s golden take complemented the designer?s opulent couture, and Burberry?s pale pink transformed the models from fresh-faced girls into cool ice queens. Alberta Ferretti?s powdery version was paired with a shimmery golden eye, while Celine and Carolina Herrera each offered a sheerer take on the trend.
Trend Tips: Although it?s stunning on the runway, a pale lip that?s too beige or matte can look deadly in real life. To keep from looking like a corpse, choose lipsticks and glosses with a little peach (if your skin tone is warm) or pink (if you?re cool), and finish with a dab of clear gloss.
Best Bets: M.A.C. Lipglass in Uberpeach, Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss, Jaqua Carmel Cappuccino Lip Whip, Shu Uemura Lolishine Rouge in 968, Too Faced Diamond Gloss in Lilac, Clarins Color Quench Lip Balm No. 10.


The Tip-Off
Nails went to extremes this season, from polish-free and clear-coated to dark, goth-style tips (with almost nothing in between). Gone were the brights, the glitter, and the nail art?fall?s sophisticated lady wears somber nail colors or none at all. Most designers chose a colorless look, including J. Mendel and Derek Lam. At Marc Jacobs, the models didn?t wear polish but kept their nails looking neat with Essie?s Cuticle Pen. In contrast, Nanette Lepore?s wore Essie?s Wicked, a rich burgundy-brown, while Alice Roy?s were treated to an even darker shade in keeping with the show?s nearly black lips.
Trend Tips: Colorless nails and dark, vampy enamels can both draw attention to imperfections, so be sure cuticles are neat. In addition, keep tips no longer than one-half the length of your nail bed, and use a ridge-filler or ridge-filling base coat to create a smooth surface.
Best Bets: Essie Cuticle Pen and Wicked Nail Colour, Lippmann Collection Nail Polish in Sophisticated Lady, OPI Ridge Filler, La Cross Curved-Blade Nail Scissors, Avon Nailwear Nail Enamel in Femme, Elizabeth Arden Nail Polish in Christopher St. Cappuccino C, Creative Nail Design Nail Polish in Voodoo.


Straight Edge
It seems like just last year?and it was?that women were finally ditching their flatirons, and granted, the shows did see several wavy styles and romantic updos. But the biggest news in hair was the return of long, pin-straight strands. Getting the look can be grueling for many women, but Carolina Herrera, Bill Blass, Luca Luca, Stella McCartney, and Versace all opted for sleek, center-parted locks. Pucci, Costume National, and Ralph Lauren chose similar styles with just a bit of bend on the bottom, while straight tresses were side-parted and left loose at Marni, casually secured at Moschino, and slickly swept at Giambattista Valli.
Trend Tips: For smoother results and to reduce the risk of damage, apply a dime-size amount of a heat-protecting and defrizzing product evenly throughout damp strands. When you blow-dry, work in small sections from the bottom to the top of your head, and if you?re using a flatiron, keep it moving to prevent singeing.
Best Bets: Farouk Chi Ceramic Flatiron, Sedu Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Straightener, Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream, Ojon Hydrating Styling Cream, John Frieda Straight Answer Styling Spray, Philip B. Drop Dead Straightening Baume, ISO Tamer Smoothing Defrizzing Gel, Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.

Jennifer Riley is a senior of Beauty Addict Magazine http://beautyaddictmag.com For more articles on beauty trends, visit the Beauty Addict Magazine Blog at: http://beautyaddictmag.com/blog/

Current hair color trends are defined within the move towards relaxed glamour. Healthy, shiny hair, with lots of movement, yet still well groomed. Color is defined - it's either pastel blondes, in clean, icy tones. Or cool browns, or brilliant reds. The move has definitely been away from red browns, although if that's a personal choice, or suits your skin tone best, don't be a slave to fashion!

Here are some ideas to incorporate the latest hair color trends into your style:

Double sided coloring - underneath, choose a darker color like chocolate, and over the top, and for most of the hair, choose lighter shades like copper and bronze. The darker color will frame your face, and if you go for any flicks or curls when styling, you'll see it contrasted against the lighter colors. But the main colors when hair is straightened will be the lighter ones. It's great for variety.

Try color combinations like coffee, honeycomb and golden syrup for a more subtle, layered effect.

For brunettes who like their chocolate browns, try a few golden highlights to break up the block of chocolate, unless your face and skin color can handle the density of such a rich dark color. It really helps define your hair style, and is much easier to wear.

If you like very dark colors, try a brown black instead of a straight black. Or get your hairdresser to mix in some blue black into the brown black to give it more intensity, but without the harshness of a solid black that is not flattering to all skin tones. Also, try mixing in some caramel and pink-red foils with a violet brown black base. If they're used creatively, and with restraint, you can keep the overall look very dark and mysterious, with a few hints of color showing.

For blondes, try mixing golden blonde with a very light ash. Or for a more subtle but contrasting look, have the ends of a bob colored a pale pastel coral.

If you want to try platinum shades, instead of going for a harsher white white, try a softer platinum white tinted slightly with pink.

For a pretty natural blonde look, try splicing a few clove and light ash foils through a pale, golden base shade.

Redheads: Go for a rich, fiery copper with a darker brown underneath, like clove. This works well on long hair and mid length hair.

For another red combination, try cayenne, nutmeg and paprika.

For really vibrant colors mixed with a darker base, away from the coppers, try a pink red combination of cassis and raspberry coulis.

For something a little more outrageous and individual, go for a brightly colored fringe, say in pink, and a few purple ends.

If you want something quite striking, but not so colorful, just go for a lighter than usual highlight. As long as it's tastefully done, it'll look great. Don't try this at home!!!

When choosing colors, be aware of whether it's a warm shade or a cool shade. And keep in mind how much of each color is going to be on your hair. Which shade, or tone, do you want the dominant one to be? Do you want a subtle effect, or a more striking one? Unless the contrasting color is going to be in small amounts, keep warm tones together, and cool tones together, irrespective of whether they are blond, brown, black or red. For example, chocolate brown highlights look good with warm vanilla, even though the colors themselves are quite distinct.

You can use different tones together. But it depends on both your skin tone, the way the colors are applied, and how much of each are used. If you're going for this approach, think of the contrasting tone as a painter would, and be judicious about it's placing.

References:
1. Hair Now, N2/06

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