Scrub-A-Dub... DOH! Turns out Microbeads are messing up the environment.

wpid-testUpload.pngWhile you might have until 2019 to stock up on your favorite microbead scrubs and cleansers, let your conscience be your guide: it turns out that microbeads are polluting the Great Lakes and starting to mess up the local food chain. Illinois was first state to pass legislation on the issue, requiring companies to gradually phase out the plastic beads by 2019. California (not to be trumped in this department) may ban them sooner, possibly by 2016.

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Don't worry about your fave stuff disappearing, though. Companies like L'oreal and Johnson & Johnson are on board to sub biodegradable versions ASAP, with many others to follow suit.

Read all about it here:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/06/10/320638770/with-concern-for-environment-illinois-bans-microbeads

http://m.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2014/06/19/illinois-microbead-ban-cosmetics-industry-largely.html?r=full

Until next time, a fabulous my friends!

Whew, that was a close one: The Valeant/Allergan Saga

Allergan Pharmaceuticals' products (including Botox, Juvederm and Skinmedica, to name a few), their loyalty/partnership programs and their customer service standards are all impeccable. They are truly a class-act company. Allergan to Valeant: 'Uh, no. We're good, thanks' Even though being acquired by Valeant (or anybody else) does not necessarily mean that these things would change... I think everybody has been sighing with relief after the news that things will be staying put as-is (for now).

Read the Chicago Sun Times article about the would-be Valeant takeover here:

http://www.suntimes.com/business/27394525-420/botox-maker-turns-down-valeant-takeover-offer.html#.U3srwaa9LCQ

Until next time, stay fabulous my friends!

AmSpa, Environ, and Cutera host Chicago Aesthetic Industry Friends at POPS

Last week I had the honor of joining a number of Chicago area pros at the American Medical Spa Association, Environ Skin Care and Cutera Laser Industry Networking Reception at Pops for Champagne.  A great time was had by all! Thanks to Nealy Skeldon with Environ and Ryan Hotchkiss with Cutera for hosting! With a Bunch of Beauties at the AmSpa, Environ and Cutera Chicago Industry Networking Reception 

Erickson Dermatology Opens in Chicago!

Here is the blog I am writing for work (Erickson Dermatology in Chicago on Michigan Avenue), thought I'd share the first post! We are soft launching Dr. Erickson's new cosmetic dermatology practice now, and are ready to see patients! We're already doing fabulous things with BOTOX Cosmetic, Juvederm VOLUMA, all the awesome dermal fillers, an amazing new Sciton laser, and a brand new Hydrafacial. YEAH! It's a very exciting time. We also just launched the new website, created by yours truly =)

Check it out! www.ericksondermatology.com

Sciton's Superior Science: Aesthetic Laser Symposium

Speakers Jason Pozner, MD, FAC and Stanley J. Kovak, MD just schooled all of Chicago (and surrounds) last weekend on Combo treatments with amazing Sciton laser technologies at the Waldorf Astoria. Sciton (as I'm learning over time) has awesome, advanced, and highly-customizable phototherapies for many different aging and sun-damaged skin types. These lasers are complex, and behind the scenes you would hear that they aren't for the beginner laser practitioner. Even with as much experience as I have doing laser treatments, I'm learning a lot (well, a TON) and am enjoying every minute!! The results are significant- and I'm looking forward to learning more every day under the direction of my physician. YEAH!

Screenshot 2014-03-09 22.24.34These were the Topics:

  • Achieving superior results with combination procedures
  • Advanced phototherapy and skin tightening for aging and sun damaged skin
  • Resurfacing Perfected

Thanks Sciton, Dr Pozner, and Dr Kovak! I learned a ton!

Until next time: Stay Fabulous, My Friends!

Beauty Pros: Pay it forward

I've been meaning to post about a great American Cancer Society Program I volunteer for called "Look Good, Feel Better" for a long time. Anyone who is undergoing treatment, about to undergo treatment, or has recently completed cancer treatment can sign up through the American Cancer Society for free. During the class (which we call workshops), licensed Beauty professionals teach and demonstrate treatment-specific skin care, makeup, head-wrap/scarf-tying, and wig styling and care techniques. Basically, everything you might want to know about if you want to feel better about how you look when you could possibly be losing your hair, your skin might be changing, and you could really use some pro's in your corner.

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Through the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, huge cosmetic companies donate makeup and skincare for participants to use and take home. Clarins, Bobbi Brown, Dior, Avon, Lancome, OPI, and MAC are just a handful of these companies. Yesterday, my demonstration model even received a Dior SHOW mascara and an awesome Chanel lipstick in her kit. Props to these companies!!

wpid-testUpload.png If you are a beauty professional, please consider taking your talents beyond work! You know how good you can make your clientele feel on an everyday-basis, now just imagine how you can help someone who might really need your help, but hasn't met you yet. wpid-testUpload.png Every time, the participants leave the workshop with smiles on their faces, and you know that you might have helped give them the tools to feel beautiful and happy during a rough time. Please consider applying and training for this great program!

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Dr. Mauricio De Maio: The creme de la creme in Chicago

Juvederm Voluma XC Dinner in Chicago  My boss, Chicago Dermatologist Dr. Quenby Erickson and I attended Allergan's Master Class led by world-renown Brazilian Plastic Surgeon Dr Mauricio De Maio last night in Chicago. He is an intriguing speaker, the BEST, actually!

He demonstrated his incredible injection techniques, and showed how he uses Juvederm VOLUMA XC to restore lost volume in different severities of volume loss and laxity. He shared his amazing perspective on genetic aging, lots of advanced facial anatomy, and even told a couple good jokes for some of the most well-known physicians in the midwest. Can't wait to get back to the office and share everything I learned, especially about VOLUMA XC!

 

Until Next time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

 

The Chicken, the Egg, and The Changing Aesthetic Landscape

Chickens be like: I was here first.As I write, I am here in San Francisco at the The Aesthetic Academy meetings.  Yesterday I took the Certified Aesthetic Consultant Exam and should have my results in 2-3 weeks. (Keep your finger crossed for me!) And now that the hard work is over, I can take a deep breath, sit back, and learn. A handful of the nation’s top aesthetic physicians are here presenting their favorite technologies for non-surgical rejuvenation, fat reduction and anti-aging. I'm noting a continuous theme with every. single. presentation.

The theme: the industry landscape is changing. For example: in 1997 (and maybe even 2007) a person might go to a doctor, have a surgery, and ride off into the sunset. These days, informed consumers are seeking more progressive solutions with little or no downtime. They have high expectations, plenty of options, and do lots of research.  They aren’t jumping into invasive surgeries. In fact, according to ASAPS, the surgical segment of our industry is only experiencing growth of 3% each year, whereas non-surgical procedures are growing over 10% each year. As I listen, I agree… as a Service Provider, a Practice Manager, and as a patient myself. People want procedures that are better, faster, and easier to recover from.

From my perspective, I see these savvy, well-informed patients demanding these advancements. And I also see (especially at the industry conferences) that the technology is getting better.  But I wonder: is the technology getting better because the market demands it? Or are people starting to access these treatments because the new, effective, non-invasive options are finally available? Which came first? The chicken or the egg?

Whichever scenario is happening, the technology is getting better. Science is looking to affect the skin/tissues on a molecular level. We are hearing more and more about changing 'the behavior' of the tissue. I even heard the phrase “reprogramming genes like software”.  Indeed, genes are kind of like little strings of data, not unlike software.  Heating, cooling, and using all types of energies to manipulate, denature, and contract are becoming the methods of choice for patients AND practitioners.  Very interesting.  So while plenty of facelifts are still happening, it sounds like the future of medicine is going 'molecular'.

Feeling good, about to take the Certified Aesthetic Consultant exam. Here are the buzz-worthy, popular topics for non-surgical and non-invasive technologies here at the show:

  • Microneedling
  • Diodes
  • RF Devices (radiofrequency, now with less treatments)
  • Enzymes, Stem Cells in Skin Care
  • IPL, Photo Facial (oldie but a goodie)
  • Circumferential Reduction, (Body Contouring and Fat Reduction)
  • (Still trying for a great) Skin Tightening modality
  • Cellulite Treatments (still nothing permanent, but looking good in the temporary-realm!)
  • Micro-cannulas (for injecting soft tissue fillers like Juvederm)
  • Voluma (the new filler from Allergan)

More to come from San Francisco!

In the meantime, Stay Fabulous, My Friends!

Alert, Alert!! New Obagi Medical Products System, available next week!!

My lovely Obagi representative just alerted me to a new Obagi Medical Products line, specifically designed for those in their 20's and 30's, but likely appropriate for anyone who may not want or need an Rx Tretinoin (or anything 'hardcore', per se). She didn't have any literature to send me yet, but referred me to the Youtube vid here... which, at the time that I viewed it, only had 63 views!! This is new, hot off the press!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjKvHbZAxf4

Obagi 360 features only 3 products: an exfoliating cleanser, a retinol .5 to use at night, and a hydrating broad-spectrum SPF. This line promises simplicity, gentle care, an emphasis on consistency and routine, and maintenance! Well done, Obagi... can't wait to hear more!!

Until next time, stay fabulous my friends!

New (super cute) Device Monitors Sun Exposure: We're now OFFICIALLY out of Excuses

Has anyone seen the June device yet? It's existence was just announced by Netatmo at the Consumer Electronics Show. It's a an electronic device that looks like a wrap bracelet... a somehow good-looking wrap bracelet! Amazingly, its actually a REALLY PRETTY bracelet, unlike my Fit Bit Force or my clunky and my obvious and chunky Body Bugg Arm Band!! Obviously I'm impressed with the styling here, but Ok- I'll get on with it:  This wearable device-in-disguise actually monitors your sun exposure.

With the June device, you can check in to see how you're doing on your UV exposure-levels from your smart phone. This way, you know what peak-times to stay in, when to re-apply SPF, and when to 'call it a day' after a daytime jaunt involving plenty of daylight exposure. With more than 2 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the US each year, I hope this little guy takes off! It's not released yet, but I'll be watching closely for its launch- can't wait to try it out!

**WAIT** Do you know why it's more fabulous than these other wearable devices?? I just read that it was designed by a designer/collaborator from Louis Vuitton. Ok, now we understand why it's good-looking. (image courtesy of TomsGuide.com) Here is a video to watch on the topic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U-5rgbnNuE

Will you be wearing a June?? I think I will be!

Until next time, stay fabulous, my friends!

December Lumenis Symposium: Because Chicago could use a little light(-based technology) in the winter... amiright?

I was honored to be learning about Lumenis' latest cosmetic light-based technology from (and with) some of the brightest minds in our field at tonight's Chicago Lumenis Symposium. Lumenis has been well known for it's IPL devices over the years, but just a few months ago they received FDA approval for their ResurFX: The New Fractional Non-Ablative technology for skin resurfacing. What the heck does that mean, you ask?

A quick generalized answer here: Non-Ablative means that the surface of the skin stays intact, and fractionated means collagen remodeling by only treating a FRACTION of the skin at a time (aka, little-to-no-downtime). WOO-HOO!

Here I am with The Lumenis M22, (the R2-D2 looking unit which houses their famous ResurFX and IPL), alongside the well-known Aesthetic Consultant extraordinaire, Cindy Graf (aka, The Laser Queen!)

Chicago's Most Recent Solta Medical Laser Symposium... where technology meets fabulocity.

Image Last week, Chicago Physicians and Clinicians attended Solta Medical's most recent Laser Symposium, where we learned about the most recent advancements in Liposonix fat-reduction (reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue) via HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound), Fraxel re:pair (treatment of wrinkles, furrows, pigmented lesions, vascular dyschromia) Thermage (classic non-invasive treatment of wrinkles) Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 (sun spots age spots, AK's, melasma, peri-orbital wrinkles and scars) Clear + Brilliant (general skin resurfacing) and Isolaz (acne). WHEW!

Needless to say, there was plenty to absorb... and I had a cramp in my hand from taking notes even before the main course was served. I think with all the constant advancements in technology (especially in our industry), no matter WHAT your role is in your office: we are ALL always learning and growing!

It was an honor to be there, learning alongside some of Chicago's greatest!

Until next time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! (Makeup)

I had the pleasure of doing makeup for a Halloween-themed wedding recently. The Bride and Groom (Laura and Jay) wanted to be Lydia and Beetlejuice, which was a fun challenge for me to plan out. With Halloween only a couple days away, I thought it would be fun to share some of the pictures of the Bride and Groom. The cutie-pie couple was thrilled, and tells me they had lasting makeup and an AMAZING time!

It was fun creating the hair with Liquid Latex and Crepe Hair, which I steamed straight... no wigs were used in the making of Beetlejuice!

Lydia decided that GOTH was a no-go for her bridal look (and I don't blame her!) so we tied in her GLAM look with a Temptu S/B foundation that was about half a shade lighter than reality, and some MAC 'Orange' and 'Signed, Sealed' colors. She's got Mac Cosmetics Russian Red on her lips for a classic vamp look.

Enjoy!

Uhhh... sir? You have something in your hair.... Screen Shot 2013-10-30 at 11.03.41 AM Screen Shot 2013-10-30 at 10.58.44 AM Lydia Goes Glam, which is much better than Goth when you're the Bride Yes, the shadow coordinates with the bouquet.... You are right to be impressed. Lydia and Beetlejuice Lydia and Beetlejuice (Laura and Jay): The Happy Couple!

American Med Spa Association meets in Chicago

This week, Midwest members of the American Med Spa Association met to network and share ideas at Carnivale in Chicago.

the lovely Olga Batrich of Intraceuticals, yours truly, and Kelly Bricher & Dr Eliza Parker of Cadella Medical Spa. IMG_1922 IMG_0036

In attendance were some of Chicago's best-known med aesthetic industry professionals; including physicians, practitioners, and some of our favorite folks from fabulous companies like Environ, Intraceuticals, Jan Marini, Palomar, True University, Brown CPA Group and Thiersch and Associates. We all had a total blast! IMG_0032

BOTOX gets a "NEW" use... wink wink

Image Day before yesterday, (September 11 2013), the FDA made it official: BOTOX Cosmetic is now indicated for use in the lateral canthal lines, aka: crows feet. Why is no one losing their minds in celebration, you ask??

Up until now, the only FDA indication for BOTOX Cosmetic in the face has been the glabellar lines (the 11's that can form between your brows). BUT, it is often AMAZING in many other places... including those crows feet! How do we know, you ask?

...So, don't tell anybody, (shhhhh!) but just about every physician or nurse who performs BOTOX Cosmetic treatments has totally already been doing this. It's considered 'off-label", (like you're off-roading from the original smooth highway of labeled directions/indications) but BOTOX is done frequently in many other areas.

Even so, Congrats, Botox! We're happy the FDA agrees with what we totally haven't already been doing for years.

**Let's all turn and wink knowingly at each other here, completely free from crows feet**

MAC recycles and you get FREE lipstick: Win/Win

Ok, I know for those of you in-the-know, this is super basic info... But I just HAD to put it out there for those who may not know. It's not fair to keep things like this to yourself (shame on us!!), and I don't know that I've EVER seen it advertised, have you?? Did you know that MAC will take your empty makeup products and recycle them? (They call it the Back to MAC program) A sales associate in the store told me that they make playground equipment with it. Fascinating! And even I, theproductpro, didn't know about this for a number of years. waaaaaah?

As an incentive: for every 6 pieces makeup packaging that you recycle, MAC will let you pick a lipstick (or eyeshadow, depending on whether you do this at a store location vs online) of your choice FOR FREE*!

*The exception is the VIVA GLAM line, (All proceeds from VIVA GLAM sales go toward helping women, men and children living with/affected by HIV and AIDS).

The most helpful thing about this in my opinion: 

If you have OLD products (yes, its time to let them go) or colors that you just aren't nuts about: recycle those bad boys and breathe some new life into your collection with FREE PRODUCT! Yeah!!

On the website, MAC's own 'Primary Packaging' is accepted, including:

Empty Compacts

Tubes (lipglass, lipstick, liquid liner, paint tubes, etc.)

Empty mascaras

Empty foundation tubes, bottles, and jars

Here's my recycle haulHOWEVER, the girls at the location near me say this (and you didn't hear it from me!): You can bring in anything that involves plastic.

They tell me that this INCLUDES the empty makeup remover wipes package AND empty Lash containers.

My response to this was: "Do you have any idea how many of these I have thrown out over the years??" waaaaaahhh!

...So if you weren't before, now you too are empowered with this knowledge. Enjoy that. And your free lipstick!

Until next time, Stay Fabulous My friends!

Jumping In! ...But I'm definitely holding my nose.

I'm assuming that my friends and family will be the first ones following my blog, so: Hi Mom! ...But for anyone else out there, my name is Elizabeth Weiler and I'm a licensed Aesthetician (Skin Care Professional), Medical Assistant, Laser Technician, and now: Business Owner!

That last part is new, I've just incorporated my small business, med-E-spa so I can help others open medical spa practices or salon/spas AND learn new tricks of the trade!

So, here's my first post. I think this first one was sort of a challenge for me. I have ENDLESS ideas for posts: makeup, skin care, non-medical, medical, plastic surgery topics, skin health, and even hair care, trends, fashion... the list goes on! But frankly, I was feeling intimidated about blogging for the first time. I think I was avoiding the whole thing because I had no idea where to start.

Sometimes you just gotta jump...

But isn't that how many things in life go?

I have clients that walk through the door with NO idea how to start treating their concerns. "What do you think about Microderm? Oil of Olay? Lasers?" ...talk about lists going on! But no matter how long we need to chat about their options (downtime, budget, commitment), those clients leave feeling confident and less stressed (let's not forget that stress contributes to aging, people!) 

So here's a guide that I found helpful about writing blogs, which I thought was very well done, and helped me take the first step. Because- just like my confused clients, once I had a professional pointing me in the right direction, it felt just a bit less scary to take that first step.