Oh, cellulite.
Our genetics are the biggest cause of cellulite. Exercise, diet, hormones, laxity of the connective tissue, and our overall lifestyle can attribute to the expression of cellulite.
If we want to create a smooth silhouette, what can we do? Let’s talk technology first.
They’re have been many medical treatments that have provided some good results, but mostly have been disappointing and costly. Two new machines that came out this year have some promise, but time will tell if they can create anything more than temporary results.
Stubborn Toxins
Most treatments use a vacuum feature that creates swelling which only delivers a temporary result. It can be beneficial by creating a “detox” of the area and better circulation, but there are many ways to create this on your own via exercise, saunas, massage, etc. The homecare massager “Body Belle,” is an amazing way to boost blood and lymphatic flow. It also stretches the fibrous tissue to improve elasticity. This strengthening of the connective tissue is key.
Dermal Bonding
When the skin on our body looses elasticity and the connection between all the layers weaken, cellulite looks it’s worst! We need to strengthen the relationship between all the layers. Stretching, yoga and Pilates can really help. I target this factor at my clinic by mixing radio frequency skin tightening treatments with CIT collagen building treatments to get the skin pillowy and youthful looking.
Daily Rituals
Exfoliating on a daily basis in the shower is essential. It wakens up the skin, and preps it for the topicals you apply during your morning beauty ritual. You can use the body brush head on your clarisonic or you can get create your own homemade sugar scrubs. Add a little rosemary oil to your recipe for blood flow. The one skincare line for the body that I’ve seen deliver real results is called Kayo. Their Concentrated Slimming Serum creates not only amazing instant results, but also truly accumulative benefits. The Vitamin Boost is essential for rebuilding the skin. For a supportive supplement, I love ATP by Meehan Formulations. This formulation keeps your body clean and fine-tuned by energizing your cells and keeps you fit on a truly molecular level.
Hormones
Cellulite can be related to hormone imbalances, specifically an excess of estrogen and a deficiency in progesterone. It’s so important for women to get their hormones checked regularly. It has an astronomical effect on our skin. You can create a hormone-balanced climate through naturopathy and even easy diet changes. Other internal contributors to cellulite are low thyroid, adrenal dysfunction, and blood sugar imbalance.
Cellulite can be a telling sign that we need to shift things in our whole-body health routine. Giving some extra love to ourselves is a priceless investment on our path to living our most vital life. Empowering our bodies empowers our lives.
Image via LVBX Magazine
Check out my article published by TGIF Guide with Meagan Bell!
http://tgifguide.com/miabella/
Mia Belle Skin is a beautiful skin care oasis in downtown Beverly Hills. I was promptly greeted upon my arrival by Mia, and lead to a light filled plush room with a cozy facial chair and dark blue bench. I crawled under the sheets to my warm haven for the next hour.
Mia asked me a few questions about my skin and determined the products and treatment methods she would use to attack my skin concerns. She suggested that the radio frequency machine, one of the latest technologies in skin care, would help plump the eye area which I am closely watching for signs of wrinkles. I much prefer natural collagen boosting methods to fillers when possible. Mia answered all my questions and is a skin care expert trained in all the latest techniques and products, I am excited to book my next appointment and continue improving my skin!
If you’re interested in trying the same treatment I did or want to consult with Mia on improving your own beautiful skin, give her a call! Be sure to tell her Megyn from TGIFguide sent you :)
Mia Belle Skin, 9615 Brighton Way #416, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, (213) 422-4346
Glow October 13 2016
Want to achieve the Hollywood Glow that you see on the red carpet?You can get your skin in shape and glowing by supporting your skin inside and out. You can achieve a face that the camera loves under any light with a few top tips from me below!
1. Start from within! My go-to skin supplement is "Bend Beauty."
It's packed with anti-oxidants and omegas. After a month your skin will have a natural internal defense against harmful rays from the sun and you will a notice an improvement in the appearance of the size of your pores, creating a beautiful texture. Your skin will be nice and plump with the right, balanced amount of lipids. This formula helps defend your skin from environmental factors, which is super important for us living in Los Angeles.
2. Hydrate.
A majority of people have little water content within their skin climate. Dehydration causes fine lines and a lack luster complexion. Drink water high in enzymes and electrolytes. It's even more effective to eat foods high in water content like cucumbers and watercress. Topically apply a hyaluronic acid morning and night to feed your skin with high performing hydration. My favorite is Luzern's "Rehydrate."
3. Skin Gym.
Getting a monthly skin treatment is very important to keep your skin in tip-top shape. It's natural for our skin to have different needs month to month due to stress, weather, hormones, etc. I work from a place of inspiration versus inflammation. Treatments that work with the skin's own phenomenal ability to stay beautiful are the best if you want to stay youthful and natural looking.
4. Know your ABC's!
Support your skin with vitamins A, B, and C. These are the building blocks to strong skin.
Vitamin A supports proper exfoliation, builds collagen and helps to diminish fine lines.
Vitamin B increases the production of ceramides and fatty acids, major components of your skin's outer protective barrier. This creates a calm environment for the skin and prevents water loss. It also evens out skin tone by preventing melanin transfer, helping to creating a beautiful glow.
Vitamin C helps protects against oxidants, balances pigment by being a natural tyrosinase inhibitor. It also supports production of collagen type 1.
5. Tone your muscles.
To create your most photogenic, Hollywood glam face, you have to create clean lines by having a defined and toned architecture. Due to internal and external factors, our muscles weaken and the layers of our face start to loose their once strong and vital connection to each other. You can receive treatments like the Bio-Lift, or DermalBonding at my clinic to keep these layers strong and to retrain and tone the skin and muscles of the face. You can purchase a NuFace devise and use on a very regular basis to help achieve toned skin and muscles at home.
Whether you're walking the red carpet or just want to feel camera ready at any moment, you can feel confident by just giving a little extra love and time to your face!
Photo courtesy of LVBX Magazine
My Article featured in LVBX Magazine! xo
Our skin loves a good workout!
When our heart rate goes up, more blood flows to our muscles. Our capillaries expand to carry needed oxygen throughout our body. Our blood vessels dilate to carry more blood near the skin’s surface, feeding the skin with good things.
But it’s important for us to support the skin against excessive water loss and excessive inflammation. Always make sure to prep your workout using a soothing foaming or lathering cleanser. Nothing too harsh or abrasive.
I have my patients use my soothing “Modern Cleanser” to help prep their skin. It contains licorice root, a potent ingredient that reduces redness and inflammation. Harsh exfoliants or cleansers will only exacerbate extra inflammation.
Since sweating causes a lot of moisture to evaporate, it’s important to keep up the pH of the skin while sweating by using a balancing toner. My favorite is Luzern’s Alpine o2 Glacial Toner. A lower pH balance results in redness and breakouts while higher results in dryness and sensitivity.
Sweating also causes a lot of moisture to evaporate, so be sure to apply a hyaluronic serum. Even if some of the serum sweats off, your skin will still get some protection. Sweating can be a great way to detoxify your skin, but touching machines and equipment can spread bacteria to your skin.
If you have long hair, put it up in a ponytail our use a headband so you do not have to touch your face and hair. When I go to yoga class I bring a washcloth that I soak in witch hazel and distilled water. I use it on top of my mat and yoga towel for extra protection from bacteria.
It’s always important to support your skin from the inside too! My favorite juice alchemist Kiel Pollitt, the founder and owner of L.A Juice has created my two favorite workout drinks. “Green Juice” is always great for your skin with its chlorophyll content to create more oxygen in the blood. It’s lighter and works great for sipping throughout your workout. Celery, cucumber, cilantro, spinach, lemon ginger and green apple is always a great mix! If you’re not a fan of flavor while you workout, I recommend sipping electrolyte water to rehydrate. His “Moon Smoothie” is delicious. It has homemade almond milk, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, red cabbage and bee pollen. It’s super fresh, has lots of protein, and makes for a nice breakfast before an early workout or an ideal post-workout shake.
After your workout, make sure to wash with a gentle cleanser using cool water to take down inflammation. Stay away from harsh scrubs! Your skin is a bit more vulnerable. My go-to post workout serum is Luzern’s Rehydrate. It’s filled with hyaluronic and b5 to support and replenish the water balance in the skin. It also has lipids and ceramides that restore our vital moisture barrier. Your face will absorb things faster right after a workout so hold off a bit on strong retinols, or AHAs.
If you can relax after, this is a great time to apply your hydrating and soothing sheet masks. Your skin will drink it up!
Working out does the mind, body and soul good. Just remember to give some extra love and support to your skin!
Photo courtesy of LVBX Magazine
THE WANDERING AESTHETIC: ON BUILDING A TRAVEL BEAUTY ROUTINE
Planning to get away this weekend? Whether you're globe trotting or a quick road trip, it’s important to prepare your wandering beauty routine.
PREPARATION
First, make sure to eat healthy a few days before you leave. Eat lots of leafy greens and stay away from foods and drinks high in sodium and carbohydrates that will dehydrate your skin.
Try and book a hydrating facial a day or two before you depart. No treatments that entail heat or heavy exfoliation. Oxygen infusions, LED, hyaluronic and peptide masks are go-to treatments at my practice.
If you want to pack light, coconut oil is a great option. Although I’m not a fan of frequent use of coconut oil on the skin, you can apply this head to toe as your moisturizer, use as a cleanser, a lip balm, and apply to the tips of your hair if you need some extra conditioning.
Cleansing wipes are great for the late lazy night when you don’t want to have to take the time to wash your face.
Remember to pack your probiotics! Keeping your gut clean while you travel will make your skin happy. Or you can eat foods with probiotics and drink organic probiotic drinks.
For a simple and fun make-up look, go for a bright lip color, mascara and a bronzer with SPF. I prefer powered SPF when I travel. I don’t have to deal with reapplying layers of cream and I don’t have to worry about the powder getting hot and breakings down like liquid sun protection.
Leave your harsh products at home. Strong glycolics, retinols, etc. These don’t travel well and can make you more sun sensitive. If you have sensitive skin its good to discontinue these products a few days prior to your departure.
EN ROUTE
If you’re flying, try and stay away from alcohol, but if you have to take the edge off, order a greyhound. The grapefruit helps to keep you face from getting puffy.
Apply a good occlusive hydrator as soon as you buckle up. This will prevent your skin drying out via the strong air conditioning.
Pack a skin-friendly satin pillowcase in your carry on. This way, if you want to rest your cheek on the headrest, or the airplane pillow, you can make sure your skin stays clean and no harsh irritants from the fabrics will bother your skin or cause a breakout. You can also replace the hotel pillowcase with yours during your stay. Stiff, cheap pillowcases can be rough on your hair and skin.
Try and listen to soothing music or a guided mediation on your way to your destination. Skin doesn’t like stress! I always travel with my favorite lavender oil. I put a drop on the bottom of my neck. This way I only smell something beautiful, this is especially helpful when you’re in tight quarters with other travelers.
BUMPS IN THE ROAD
I’ve had patients call me in a panic that have used eye masks that made their eyes swell or ate something that made their face swell up. If this happens take a Benadryl and use cold compresses that you can chill in your hotel ice bucket.
If you’re going to have drinks with limes in them, be careful not to get lime juice on your hands or skin and then exposing it to the sun. Some people can hyperpigment from this.
Too much sun? Chill some aloe vera gel and keep reapplying. Make a cool bath for yourself, even add ice. Get an oatmeal soothing bath mix from the drug store or you can add a cup of apple cider vinegar. You will feel instant relief.
If you find yourself jet lagged and bored in the middle of the night, try not to sit in front of that high intensity magnifying mirror and get too excited extracting every pore. If you do, make sure to apply an anti-bacterial gel so you don’t cause a major break out.
Wishing you all safe travels, and remember to leave beauty wherever you go!
Mia Belle
Photo courtesy of LVBX Magazine!
Growing up, I loved old Hollywood. I was watching a documentary and saw Bette Davis dipping her face in a sink full of ice cubes. This was a tried-and-true beauty ritual of many actresses and actors, including Paul Newman. I right away ran to the freezer; grabbed all the ice cubes I could find and tried it for myself! It felt shockingly cold, but it was invigorating and gave me an extra “glow”. Okay, granted I was in the 1st grade, but it did make me feel very glamorous. Maybe it’s the Swedish in me, or growing up in the cold Santa Cruz Ocean, but I’ve always loved the powerful feeling of the cold.
Today, Crotherapy, ice baths and freezing facials have been gaining more and more popularity and media attention.
So why does the cold feel so good and how does it create health and beauty?
Let’s start with our beauty sleep.
Sleep cool. Over a 24-hour period, our body temperature naturally peaks and declines. While we sleep, our bodies naturally cool down. Helping your body get to that lower temperature faster can encourage a deeper and more restorative sleep time.
This deep sleep will allow your body to release more melatonin, one of our best anti-aging hormones. Another perk! Studies show that sleeping in a 60-67 degree room makes you burn more calories than while awake, and can inspire your body to burn more calories the following day.
Air conditioning can create a dry and dehydrating environment, so I recommend keeping a bedroom cool by opening windows, sleeping naked, using light bedding, running a fan, and keeping your feet out of the sheets. You can also purchase a “cooling pillow” to help naturally draw the heat away from your body.
Cooling ingredients in skincare create comfort and beauty.
Sensitive skin especially loves feeling relief from heat and discomfort. Whether it’s caused by rosacea, post treatment inflammation, eczema, dermatitis, etc., there are products that can deliver the cool! Peppermint, violet-Viola Odorata Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, and menthol are extremely effective. When topically applied to the skin, menthol produces a cooling sensation by blocking a current along the nerves responsible for detecting temperature, triggering a response in nerve endings that makes the body think it’s cooling down. Cooling ingredients can also improve the flow of blood to the skin causing a temporary plumping effect. Love the plump! Starting to see now why cold is such an essential beauty tool?
Another point to consider when it comes to the power of cool; many products heat up their ingredients to be able to mix them to achieve a certain texture or to bottle the product more efficiently. This, just like when we over heat food, can kill vital nutrients and change the product on a molecular level. Do your research on how your product is created.
CryoFacial: Next level skincare.
This is the “Bette Davis ice dip” on steroids!
Benefits:
–Reduces inflammation, which supports our own anti-aging mechanisms.
–Relieves edema/swelling. AKA puffy face.
–Makes your pores look tight and your texture smooth and firm.
–The treatment creates a vascular reaction that enhances the penetration of products, creating better hydration and performance of topically applied vitamins and nutrients.
It not only stimulates collagen but also the Queen of Youthful Skin: elastin.
Cold promotes cell repair, making it a game changer for healing, especially post-procedures. The treatment flushes your skin with healing blood and nutrients making it feel revitalized.
How it works:
Therapies that use cold temperatures stimulate circulation.
The cold causes the blood vessels to contract and then dilate. This improves the oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin’s surface, making it appear more youthful.
Skin cooling increases the amount of neurotransmitters in the nerve fibers. This speeds up the metabolism and enzymatic cellular processes.
Therapies that use cold stimulate the release of good growth factors, including cytokines. The signs of aging in the skin can be attributed to a breakdown of collagen and elastin, which gives way to fine lines and wrinkles. Studies show that when the surface of the skin is cooled during cryofacials that the layers beneath are disrupted, and respond by increasing production of elastin, collagen and anti-aging growth factors. This results in brighter, firmer skin as it regains elasticity.
The anti-inflammatory responses of the skin by this cold are also a very effective in caring for chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
Self-care.
You can do many things at home during your beauty routine to benefit from the effects of cold.
Don’t want everyone to know you just injected your lips?
Ice rollers have been popular in Asia and Europe for years, and are now gaining popularity in the States. Retailed Cool Globes are filled with water and gel that you keep in your fridge or freezer and can be used to relieve inflammation in general but are very beneficial following clinical procedures such as lasers and injectables, especially for the extra vascular lip area. Just lightly roll the globes over the entire face and neck or just apply in a specific area.
Big night/Big pimple? Use an ice cube!
Ice reduces the redness by diminishing swollen tissue and any possible weakened capillaries. It can also help to reduce the production of excess oil and acne-causing bacteria. Wrap the ice cube in some gauze soaked in witch hazel for 3-5 minutes.
Too much fun in the sun?
Soaking in a cold ice water bath can provide instant relief. Not only will it alleviate the heat and swelling, but also slightly numb the pain and soothe irritation. Add a cup of apple cider vinegar or an oatmeal bath recipe with some organic chamomile oil and you will feel instant relief.
Have morning after eyes?
Cold Eye Rollers to the rescue! Because blood pools around the eyes and causes dark circles, specially designed cold eye rollers can restore a healthy appearance by reducing swelling and inflammation. Applying a great eye gel with vitamin K will give you even better results.
Keeping it cool.
Simply keep certain products like gel masks, eye treatments, toners and spritzers in the fridge! You can also create your own mask. Try making a mask consisting of Greek yogurt, cucumbers and strawberries. Using cooled products is a simple way to make your skin feel amazing and awake. It can also add to the life and vitality of many products.
Go ahead, enjoy these last days of summer, and just remember to stay cool.
With grace,
Mia Belle
Photo courtesy of LiveBoxMagazine
Vaginal Rejuvenation, it’s not what you think it is. Know the whole story.
There are multiple treatments out there that are referred to as “vaginal rejuvenation,” but it may not be what you think.
At my clinic, I have created a protocol for my patients that combines muscle fitness with a medical device called Thermiva. This treatment creates amazing health and aesthetic benefits for women without being invasive. There is no recuperation period and no downtime. This protocol is an amazing and life-changing alternative to antibiotics, surgery, synthetic lubrication, painful sex, midnight trips to the drugstore, and countless hours at the doctor’s office.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation regarding vaginal rejuvenation. The treatment I offer is not about “body shaming” women. This treatment provides women with an empowering and non-surgical option to relieve them of a variety of feminine issues.
Many women have issues pertaining to vaginal and bladder health and are given few to no result driven options. In fact, even the discussion of these issues is laden with shame and judgment. But why? We make sure to take care of our teeth and gums, keep toned by going to the gym, get facials, etc. Why do we shy away from giving extra care to one of the most important parts of our bodies? Sexual activity, periods, nutrition, hormones, clothing, detergent, exercise – pretty much all we do has a direct effect on our lady parts.
Keeping the vagina, internally and the vulva externally, strong and healthy can prevent and reverse the following issues:
–Urinary incontinence
–Urinary tract infections
–Yeast infections
–Bladder prolapse
–Lack of desired lubrication
–Orgasmic disorders
–Nerve sensation
–BV: Bacterial vaginosis
–Vaginal laxity
–Difficulty retaining tampons
–Pelvic prolapse
How it works: Thermiva uses radiofrequency energy to gently heat the tissue to rejuvenate, heal, and strengthen the vagina. We can restore the area to health and create an improved quality of life instead of just masking the symptoms. Thermiva is extremely safe and has many years of proven clinical results.
The patented, disposable hand piece is specifically designed to treat the vagina and vulvar structure without any discomfort. Treatment time varies from 30-45 minutes. Most of my patients just feel heat and light pressure. Many find it relaxing and are very excited with their instant results resulting from their first treatment. The treatment protocol I have designed which has led to the most desirable results is 3 treatments spaced a month apart. Upkeep is yearly, although some patients will come back 6-9 months later to treat the vulva for aesthetic reasons.
I am so proud to be able to provide such an important breakthrough for women’s health. I have always been a passionate women’s health advocate and I want women to know that there is no need to live with pain, discomfort, or a limited lifestyle any more. Reach out to us or another knowledgeable provider to get information about Thermiva and the help you deserve. Being a woman is a beautiful thing!
Photo courtesy of LiveBoxMag
Don’t underestimate the importance of post care!
To get the most out of your skin tightening treatments you have to understand that the first 4 days post treatment are pivotal to your end results.
Once the skin is stimulated, fibroblasts begin to synthesize collagen fibers.Type 3 collagen is created initially; this is a less desirable collagen, aesthetically. At day 4, this is the moment that we want the collagen 3 to replaced by type 1 collagen.We inspire this by offering as much oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
Feed your skin internally with super supplements. Omegas, lung support formulas, anti-oxidants, and collagen.
Eat super-skin foods like:
Sardines. They’re high in Omegas but also contain vitamin D, which strengthens your skin and bones.
Beets: Packed with C, iron, beta-carotene, K, and lycopene, which maintains skin elasticity and defends against sun damage.
Sea vegetables: My favorites are nori or kelp, which are packed with trace minerals that feed your skin.
Watercress: You will be repairing DNA damage with every bite! Watercress defends against free radical damage; it lowers inflammation and is full of vitamins A, C and K.
Support your treatment by avoiding heat, sodium, and alcohol – any thing that will rob your skin of water.
Exercise is great – it brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin via the circulatory system, just don’t overdo it with hot yoga, running or too long of a session, and make sure to rehydrate throughout your workout.
Protect yourself from environmental stresses, especially UVA rays!
Lastly, but so important, protect yourself from emotional stresses! If you’re stressed out, so is your skin. Stress causes inflammation and weakens or skin and our results.
Take your treatments to the next level by making sure you understand that the treatment doesn’t stop when your treatment is finished. You, your face and your bank account will be much more satisfied with the results!
Want to achieve sufficient exfoliation without using chemicals that will make your skin more sun sensitive?
Derma planing is a manual exfoliation technique used to gently and effectively remove the outermost layers of dead skin cells from the face using a customized medical grade blade. Utilized by a medical practitioner, it can also remove vellus hair or the “peach fuzz” on the face.
It improves texture and lightens up the appearance of hyperpigmentation. This type of exfoliation is suitable for sensitive skin because it’s not aggressive or harsh on the tissue.
There’s no downtime, your products will penetrate more efficiently and your makeup, especially bronzers, will go on smoother.
Dermaplaning is a Summer-Smart choice because chemical peels create heat in the skin and can create an ongoing flaking, making your skin more sensitive to the sun.
I prefer this treatment to other manual or physical exfoliation treatments like microdermabrasion. With microdermabrasion, you’re creating pressure with a vacuum that’s bringing up heat and leading to erythema. With dermaplaning we use a gentle blade on dry skin with light pressure, leaving the skin more resilient against the summer sun and heat.
With smart skin choices, you can have a healthy glow all summer long!
Being in the sun is an important and enjoyable part of many people’s lives. You don’t have to give up the outdoor activities that you love, just stay protected and educated.
We want to protect our skin to avoid inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and oxidation from UV radiation that activates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), enzymes that beak down elastin and collagen. Mineral SPFs are becoming very popular among consumers. I recommend Zinc Oxide as a healthy and effective option. Zinc Oxide is a healing mineral with anti-inflammatory properties that is used for sun protection. It helps to reflect both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays, making it a broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient. Upon application, zinc oxide particles sit on the outermost layer of your skin, where they scatter and absorb ultraviolet radiation, protecting your skin below. In non-nano particle form, it is considered to be safe for all ages and skin conditions. It’s important to make sure the zinc oxide in your sun protection is NON–nano zinc oxide. A nano particle will enter the blood stream but a non-nano will not. Chemical sunscreens, containing nano particles, will enter the bloodstream and that is why DNA altering ingredients like oxybenzone have gotten such a bad rap.
Powdered sun protection, such as Colorescience, is a great option because it’s not sensitive to the heat. Liquid sun protection degrades in heat but the powder stays stable. I keep a tube in my car and apply to my hands while I’m driving. It’s also great since we have to reapply our sun protection throughout the day, we can just powder up versus having to layer on liquid sun protection every 90 minutes!
Did you know that you can also drink your sun protection? Internal sun protection has been mainstream in other countries and it’s now becoming known here in the United States.
Introducing antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein are effective at neutralizing free radicals generated by sun exposure and their unique properties help filter out harmful rays. Further sun protection can be provided by EPA which reduces your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays and significantly reduces UV-related skin inflammation.
In clinical trial results from Bend Beauty’s supplement, participants using “Bend Anti-Aging Formula” saw a significant increase in skin resistance to UV burning and damage. At four weeks of use the increase was 39% and increased to 83% after 8 weeks of use.
Drink up, powder up, and enjoy the summer all while staying healthy and beautiful.
-Mia Belle
Photo courtesy of LVBX Magazine
