A new study found that our facial expressions have an impact on how old we look. Pictures of people who were smiling were estimated to appear on average two years younger than they actually were.

The study had 154 adults guess the ages of men and women with various expressions in more than 2,000 photographs. The face in each photo had one of the following expressions: angry, fearful, disgusted, happy, sad and neutral.

Participants guessed the ages of the neutral faces most accurately, but faces with emotion tended to throw off age predictions.

“Although age estimates can often be based on multiple cues, there are many situations in which a picture of a person’s face is the only information that is immediately available,” researcher Manuel C. Voelkle of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, and colleagues wrote.

For instance, on social networks, like Facebook and LinkedIn, a picture of a person may be the only content shared, without additional background information, according to the authors.

One thing to note is that researchers said pictures of happy faces may be misleading because smiling or laughing creates temporary wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. Because it’s hard to tell temporary wrinkles from real ones in photos, people give a less accurate age estimate, Voelkle said.

In addition, people tend to find smiling faces more attractive, so they may be judged to be younger than they are.

Another interesting finding was that older female faces were estimated to be over three years younger than older male faces. Voelkle thought this might be because women tend to pay more attention to their appearance than men do.

Learn about other non-surgical options for your face.

Image via www.melasciences.com

MelaFind, a device to aid doctors in detecting melanoma has been approved by the FDA.

Early detection is crucial for melanoma, as it is often curable when found early. If not, it is one of the most deadly types of cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 70,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, and 16 percent are diagnosed after the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

MelaFind will help doctors decide whether or not to order a biopsy of suspected melanoma. The device has a handheld scanner and a computer program for analyzing images of skin lesions. It missed only 2 percent of biopsy-proven melanomas in a clinical trial.

One of MelaFind’s drawbacks is its high false-positive rate. Around 90 percent of the time, lesions that MelaFind finds suspicious are not melanoma. However, in that same trial, dermatologists who were not using MelaFind had an even higher false-positive rate.

While there were hopes that MelaFind would lower the number of unnecessary biopsies, some members of the FDA advisory panel were concerned it would increase the number, because of the high false-positive rate. However, the panel voted for approval because most members felt that the benefits outweighed the risk of unnecessary biopsies.

MelaFind is approved only for use by dermatologists who take a specialized training course.

“Every day patients come in with 20 moles on their back and the dilemma is, which ones are suspicious and need to be biopsied?” said Dr. David Pariser, former president of the American Academy of Dermatology. “The diagnosis of melanoma is the most serious one a dermatologist makes, and we have sleepless nights worrying about it,” said Pariser, who consulted for the device’s maker, Mela Sciences Inc., on its presentation to FDA.

Mela Sciences plans to roll out MelaFind to about 200 dermatologists on the East Coast next year.

Learn more about skin cancer and Mohs surgery.

Sources: WebMD, Associated Press

The study published in Archives of Dermatology found that fractional carbon laser treatment for surgical scars was effective, significantly improving the appearance of scars, reported Reuters Health. The laser procedure also allows for the scar to be treated immediately, rather than having to wait several months to have the scar resurfaced.

The study had ten patients who had Mohs surgery for skin cancers, with wounds that were from 3 to 9 centimeters long. Four of the wounds were on the face; three were on the neck; and three were on arms.

Half the wound was treated with a fractional carbon dioxide laser; the other half was not treated with the laser. The entire wound was closed with sutures, a liquid adhesive and Steri-Strips.

Nine of the ten patients said the side of the wound treated with the laser looked better than the untreated side at a two- to three-month follow-up visit. They also felt the laser-treated sides were “significantly better with regard to elevation, discoloration and erythema” (redness of the skin).

Three dermatologists who didn’t know which side of the wound had been treated with the laser reviewed photos of the scars and found the laser-treated side to be cosmetically superior in each case.

The authors are planning a multi-center study to confirm the results. “More importantly,” author Dr. David Ozog said, “we want to see if this technique will improve long-term outcomes of some of the most problematic scars such as sternotomy after cardiac surgery and large abdominal scars.”

For those without access to a doctor with a fractional laser, “dermabrasion still works, with a good safety profile,” said Dr. Kishwer S. Nehal, director of Mohs surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Learn more about Fraxel Repair in Tucson.

Several doctors weighed in with their opinions about the safety and effectiveness of these products, which are available to consumers for a variety of purposes, including for reducing wrinkles and hair removal.

While these at-home lasers may be cheaper than procedures at a cosmetic surgeon’s office, they may put you at risk of damaging your skin, according to the experts.

For instance, Dr. Sandra Lee, a dermatologist in Upland, Calif., worries about people misusing the product, for instance, using it more often than recommended. “If it says, don’t use more than once a day, but if you’re a teen and you use it more than once a day, are you then at risk for scarring?” Dr. Lee said.

New York City dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadick told the Times that there’s the “slight potential” for squamous or basal skin cancers from the ultraviolet light sources, though he said that at-home laser devices used less energy than the machines in doctors’ offices.

There’s also the question of whether these products have been vetted. Because they are beauty devices, not medical devices, they do not have to be reviewed by the FDA, although some are peer-reviewed by medical experts.

“There may be unforeseen uses and unforeseen consequences that may arise,” even with effective devices, according to Dr. Mathew M. Avram in Boston. These include the possibility of scarring, soreness, redness and hyperpigmentation, and potential product malfunctions.

Patient compliance is usually a large problem with at-home lasers, according to doctors. For instance, one product requires the patient to beam a laser on her legs for 20 minutes a day. Doctors report that many people just stop using them because it’s too time consuming.

Because of these drawbacks, if you are looking for a laser treatment to rejuvenate your skin, to smooth and tighten your skin or to remove unwanted body hair, visiting your doctor may be your best and safest choice.

Laser procedures offered at About Faces Cosmetic Surgery include laser skin resurfacing and Fraxel Repair.

The filler is already approved to treat facial wrinkles and folds, like the smile lines that go from the nose to the corners of the mouth.

Many cosmetic surgeons are already skilled at using Restylane for lip augmentation because they had been using it as an off-label treatment for enhancing the lips prior to FDA approval.

According to a release from Medicis, maker of Restylane, a clinical study showed that the results last up to six months.

The study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Restylane for lip augmentation had 180 patients. Some received Restylane injections at the beginning and then were retreated at six months. Participants who did not get treatment at the start of the study received their first Restylane treatment at six months. Patients kept diaries for two weeks after treatment.

The study found that Restylane was well tolerated and effective for lip augmentation; side effects included pain, swelling, tenderness and bruising, and none were serious.

Patients in the study were clearly happy with the results, as 80 percent chose to get Restylane treatment again after six months.

Restylane was the first hyaluronic acid dermal filler approved in the U.S. It launched here in January 2004, and according to Medicis, it has been used in over 10 million treatments worldwide.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body, and over time, Restylane is resorbed by the body as the treatment results wear off.

Results can be seen immediately after your Restylane treatment, and there is no downtime or recovery period after the procedure.

Learn more about Restylane for lip augmentation.

Mary Lou Lueders, 74, is one patient who never considered cosmetic surgery.  “I just thought I would grow old gracefully,” she told tampabay.com.

However, when she found out that upper eyelid surgery would improve her vision, she decided to have the procedure and was happy with not only the functional results, but the changes to her appearance as well.

“People told me I looked 10, 20 years younger,” said Lueders after the operation. “Now I understand why women do this sort of thing. It makes them feel better and look better.”

“The face communicates so much,” said Tampa surgeon Adam Scheiner, who performed Lueders’ surgery. “The natural course of aging may make us look sleepy, tired or sick all the time. That’s not fair to those people who feel great but their face sends a different message.”

In Lueders’ case, her eyelid procedure was considered medically necessary and was covered by Medicare. She also had a laser procedure to remove festoons under her eyes, which was considered a cosmetic procedure.

Candidates for eyelid surgery may have one or more of the following conditions:

• Bags under the eyes
• Sagging upper eyelids
• A tired, puffy-eyed appearance
• Crepey, excess eyelid skin
• Impaired vision due to eyelid imperfections

After surgery, patients may have some swelling and tightness around the eyes, which should go away within two days after surgery, and a full recovery is usually within ten days.

For a total upper face rejuvenation, eyelid surgery can be combined with a brow lift or performed in addition to skin resurfacing around the eyes with a laser resurfacing treatment.

To learn more about eyelid surgery, contact About Faces Cosmetic Surgery in Tucson.

Pills by Lucy Reynell, on Flickr

New anti-wrinkle pills appear to be effective at reducing crow’s feet by up to 30 percent, according to the New Scientist.

The three-a-day capsules use blends of natural foods extracts that are said to work by activating the genes that improve skin tone.

Independent researchers told the New Scientist that the preliminary results are intriguing, but stressed the need for published results in a peer-reviewed journal.

Created by Unilever in the United Kingdom, the company commissioned four studies to test the pills, and 480 post-menopausal women in Britain, France and Germany participated in the trials.

After 14 weeks of taking the capsules, crow’s feet became 10 percent shallower on average, and wrinkles diminished by 30 percent in those who responded best to the treatment. Furthermore, one study showed that one fifth of those who took the pills had more fresh collagen — a protein that gives skin its tone — in the deepest skin layer compared to those who received a placebo.

Dr. John Casey, who led the team that developed the anti-wrinkle pill, said, “We used ingredients which have been shown in the scientific literature and our own tests to combat the causes of skin aging and kick start old skin cells into behaving like young skin cells.” The pills contain compounds from soya, tomatoes and omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E.

Unilever plans to launch the anti-wrinkle capsules next month in spas in the UK, Spain and Canada. No approval from these countries’ regulatory authorities is needed because the capsules’ extracts are already in use, and the company isn’t claiming that the capsules have health benefits.

How do the anti-wrinkle pills work?

As estrogen production drops in women as they age, collagen is lost more quickly than it can be replaced, resulting in more wrinkly skin. The pills help combat this by boosting the production of collagen, smoothing the skin from the inside out.

Learn more about non-surgical ways to fight wrinkles and the signs of aging.

The huge array of face-washing products available can be overwhelming — from makeup removers and scrubbing pads to exfoliating gels and toners. However, dermatologists recommend that if you have reasonably normal skin, all you need is a gentle face soap and a moisturizer. The simple skin care routine consists of washing your face twice a day and applying a moisturizer afterwards (one with sunscreen in the morning).

“You don’t need 25 products to have good, clean skin,” says dermatologist Karen Nern. “Cleansing your face is not complicated.”

Most pre- and post-face wash products are a waste of money for relatively normal skin, and some people “can do too much with too many products and irritate their skin,” Nern says.

For instance, dermatologist Meryl Blecker Joerg says that there’s no need for post-wash toners because “they tend to remove the natural oils that should remain on the skin.” Today most cleansers are at a normal pH, making toners unnecessary.

Dermatologists also warn against fads, such as washing your face with bleach or with hydrogen peroxide — two current ones being promoted on the Internet. “Way too harsh,” Nern says.

Choosing a Face Wash for Your Simple Skin Care Routine

Your face wash is important since it’s one of the only products you’ll use for your skin care routine.

You can choose a bar, gel or liquid; what’s important is that the product is formulated for the face, not the body. Also, avoid products that contain deodorant, antiseptics or other additives.

Talk to your cosmetic surgeon about which skin care products he or she recommends. It doesn’t have to be expensive to work well. Brands like Dove, Purpose and Cetaphil are often recommended for patients who are on a budget.

More men than ever are turning to cosmetic surgery. Some want to maintain a more-youthful look in the workforce, while some are influenced by their spouses or significant others who they see getting surgery.

One report noted an 88 percent increase in cosmetic procedures performed on men since 1997, and a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) found that 12 percent of men said they plan to have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future.

Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery for Men

Men seem to favor non-surgical facial procedures, according to the top five cosmetic procedures from the AACS. The most popular procedure for men is Botox; hair transplantation/restoration was second; and microdermabrasion was fourth.

Surgeons say that men are more discreet about cosmetic procedures, and so they tend to look for outpatient procedures with little recovery time and subtle results.

Laser hair removal and liposuction also made the list of the top five most popular cosmetic procedures for men, according to the AACS.

With liposuction, men often focus on areas like the lower back, upper flanks and abdomen, otherwise known as the “spare tire.” However, facial liposuction, such as the removal of fat from under the chin, is also becoming more popular for men.

Barry Lind, 52, said he chose to have cosmetic surgery after losing weight, which left him looking like a “12-year-old St. Bernard.”

“After successfully losing 30 pounds over two years, I decided to get a neck reduction at age 47,” Lind said. “That consisted of liposuction and tightening of my neck muscles.”

A year later, Lind got a chin implant. “I’ve maintained my weight, and I look great,” said Lind. “No regrets.”

Skin Care Myth #1: Your skin will age like your mother’s.
Reality: While genetics do play a role in how your skin looks, habits — such as tanning, drinking and smoking — make more of a difference than genetics for how you will age.

Skin Care Myth #2: The SPF number tells you how much protection you’re getting from the sun.
Reality: The SPF number on a sunscreen product refers only to protection from UVB rays, which burn the skin, and doesn’t tell you if it protects you from UVA rays, which age the skin. Therefore, look for a product that contains UVA-blocking ingredients, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone, to fully protect your skin.

Skin Care Myth #3: Most sun damage happens before age 18.
Reality: According to studies, you’ve accumulated less than a quarter (18 to 23 percent) of the sun damage you’ll incur over a lifetime by age 18. That means you still have time to protect your skin from future sun damage and aging even if you tanned a lot when you were younger.

Skin Care Myth #4: Over-the-counter creams can reverse your skin’s aging.
Reality: There’s no such thing as a miracle in a bottle, according to Lee, since as you age, facial bones shrink, you lose fat under the skin and skin becomes looser — things that a cream won’t help. If you’re serious about turning back time, talk to your cosmetic surgeon about wrinkle fillers, facelift surgery and other procedures that can give you a younger look, and consider a skin care regimen with medical grade products.