October 2008 - Newsletter

First Prize for Your Eyes

The eyes are among the first features we notice when we meet a new person. They define a person's face and, to our chagrin, they love to display our age. The delicate skin around the eye is prone to fine lines, hyperpigmentation and skin laxity. As a result, treatments to address aging and sagging skin around the eyes are among the most requested cosmetic services at our practice. We have a number of specialized treatments to achieve award-winning eyes:

• Dark circles: Look like you've pulled a few too many all-nighters? Dark areas of skin below the eyes can be caused by a number of factors, including allergies, eczema, fatigue, certain medications, or just good old fashioned genetics. Women often conceal these dark patches of skin with makeup, but instead of covering them up, why not clean them up? At Acqua Blu we offer a combined one-two punch for dark circles by combining MicroLaser Peel with Profractional skin rejuvenation. This treatment package helps to remove pigmentation and smooth skin texture.
• Lines and wrinkles: For lines between your brows and on the outside of your eyes ("crow's feet"), BOTOX® Cosmetic may be the answer. This injectable treatment relaxes facial muscles in the eye area that cause wrinkles to form. For less severe lines underneath the eyes, you may want to consider a MicroLaser Peel.
• Under-eye bags: We've all tried the tightening eye creams that promise to reduce bags and puffiness. And while some may achieve subtle refreshening, the reality is that no amount of goop alone will restore a smooth, tight skin appearance. When it's time to pack up those bags, it's time to consider SkinTyte™ nonsurgical skin tightening or lower eyelid surgery.
• Drooping upper eyelids: Remember when you didn't have all that extra skin above your eyes that makes your eye shadow all clumpy and that hides the dazzle in your eyes? Facial cosmetic surgery - an eyelid lift in particular - can remove excess skin and revitalize your upper lids.

And the "Best Breast" Award Goes To...

For decades, plastic surgeons have been in search of the "perfect" breast implant. While the search continues, the good news is that today women can choose what many consider to be the best implant ever available.

We're speaking of course of the newest generation of silicone gel breast implants, which look and feel remarkably like natural breast tissue. This implant type is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the majority of cosmetic breast surgery patients and has achieved an outstanding safety records both in clinical trials and in the period since market introduction in 2006.

The fact is that silicone gel implants make it even easier to achieve a naturally-enhanced breast appearance. When it comes to breast augmentation, women want an implant that:

• Is safe and durable
• Achieves a natural look
• Behaves like breast tissue (with no rippling or "sloshing")

Silicone gel breast implants achieve all these goals. Plus, they have a very similar safety profile when compared with saline implants, which are filled with a medical-grade saltwater solution. Saline implants continue to be available at our practice, but they are quickly fading in popularity.

In addition to implant type, another significant factor in achieving your best breast contour is the skill of your surgeon. Dr. Heil has one of the largest practices in Pennsylvania and has performed hundreds of breast augmentation procedures since founding Premier Plastic Surgery in 2001. But that doesn't mean that he uses a "one-size-fits-all" approach to breast enhancement. In fact, he is dedicated to taking the time to carefully review each patient's anatomy and cosmetic goals so that he can tailor a procedure for the most natural results.

While silicone implants continue to gain in popularity over saline, it is important to note that Dr. Heil has extensive experience with both implant types and is able to achieve remarkable results using either implant type. Choosing silicone gel or saline implants is a highly personal decision - one of many you will need to make when considering breast enlargement.

Take a moment to view our before & after photo gallery to see results of actual breast augmentation patients from our practice. If you like what you see and want to learn how implants can help you achieve your best breast contour, call us today at 724.776.2111 or contact us online to schedule a convenient time to visit with us.

Number One after Time in the Sun

Summer is officially over! If you're like many of our clients, you just couldn't resist spending a little time in the sun on those warm days. Sunlight lifts a gloomy mood, warms our skin, and invigorates the spirit. But as you know, there are also dangers contained in those UV rays...so if you just had to get in a little tanning time over the summer months, now you owe your skin some healthy revitalization.

The Causes of Sun Damage

The sun's rays include visible light, but they also include two different forms of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB. Without protection with sunblock, these rays are absorbed by the skin and cause photochemical reactions that damage the structures contained within the skin cells, including proteins, DNA molecules, and lipids. The resulting photodamage creates a tired and aged skin appearance, but more importantly can lead to formation of melanomas and skin cancers.

How to Treat It

Fortunately there are many options at Acqua Blu to treat sun damage. A few of the best ways to revitalize your skin and improve your health include:

• BBL/IPL Photo Facials: Improve the appearance of age spots, sun-induced freckles, benign brown pigmentation, and redness caused by broken capillaries
• MicroLaser Peel: Improve conditions like wrinkles, scars, acne scars, keratoses or pigmentary problems with this powerful therapy that reaches deep into the skin
• ProFractional: Dramatically repair fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture and pigmentation with this next-generation skin therapy
• Chemical Peels: Refresh your skin and remove surface damage with chemical peels custom-formulated to your skin care needs
• Microdermabrasion: Remove dead and damaged surface layers of skin with this treatment, which leaves the skin soft and renewed, with a more youthful glow
• Cosmelan Depigmentation Treatment: Lighten the appearance of sun spots and age spots with this treatment package, which is safe for all skin types
• Medical Grade Skincare Products: We offer several of the world's most trusted premium skincare products, including SkinMedica®, SkinCeuticals®, Revision® Skincare, and La-Roche-Posay.

At Acqua Blu, we have treatments and products to fit a wide variety of budgets. From effective skincare products under $50 to comprehensive skin rejuvenation treatments, our aestheticians can help you find an affordable way to protect your skin health...even if that summer sun was just too good to pass up! Call 724-776-2111 for more information on restoring your skin's healthy glow.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Event

When October arrives, it means that fall is in full swing and winter is soon on its way. It also signals the arrival of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There is no better time than now to schedule a breast cancer screening and encourage all the women in your life to take advantage of the available resources to increase breast cancer detection and learn more about treatment options.

Acqua Blu is taking part in a very special event this month to help raise breast cancer awareness. The Pink Pamper event on Sunday, October 12 will feature health and beauty seminars throughout the day. The "beauty" will be provided by the professional estheticians from Acqua Blu, along with local hairstylists, manicurists, and massage therapists. Donations for their services will go to local non-profit women's health organizations, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, City of Hope, and the Washington Women's Shelter.

For a $20 donation, women can enjoy a mini micodermabrasion treatment by Acqua Blu professionals at the event. Also, we will be selling some of our exclusive skin care products and portion of each sale will go towards the event. "Because most of our clients are women, we feel it's extremely important to help raise breast cancer awareness," says Dana Aulicino, practice administrator. "We focus so much on renewal and revitalization at Acqua Blu, and this event is just one more way we continue to provide care for women in the local community."

For fun and entertainment, you won't want to miss the desert bar and special Pinktini Bar, along with food-tasting and demonstrations by the chefs of Crowne Plaza. Plus, you can attend a fall fashion show sponsored by Chico's; a flower sale, and other specialty boutique offerings. There will be a drawing for one lucky participant to win a "Pampered Weekend Package" as well.

Event Details