The Secret To Brad Pitt's young looking skin-Stme Cells-Dermaroller

The secret to Brad Pitt's young-looking skin - PDI -May 29, 2009

IF BRAD PITT LOOKS younger than his 45 years, credit should go to the Dermaroller, an instrument with tiny needles used to stimulate collagen, said Hello Magazine.

Less invasive than cchemical peels, fractional laser resurfacing or microdermabrassion, the treatment does not produce bruising, swelling, crusting or bleeding in the targeted area.

Invented by a french doctor named Horst Liebl, the Dermaroller is based on the principle of micro-needling. It is performed with a roller wrapped with many tiny needles, which then pierce the top layers of skin to a certain depth. This results in stimulating collagen formation while simultaneously freeing up a clear way for medication to be taken in more effectively through the skin.

Micro-needling produces very slight wounds that merely open up the skin pores. The face will redden for a few hours. Collagen growth is then accelerated in the dermis layer as some of the blood vessels are ruptured directly below the skin's surface.

As blood thickens, it produces the right conditions for collagen and elastin to take shape. These main elements help the skin appear refreshed.

Collagen production

Dermatologist-surgeon Claudine Roura explains that the Dermaroller is used to combat acne, melasma or hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and sagging skin.

"it's an instrument used for collagen induction or producing your own collagen. The roller head has lots of hypodermic to produce microinjuries on the skin. In turn, collagen formation is stimulated. There is cell renewal and better skin quality. The skin will be tighter," says Roura.

A numbing agent is applied before the procedure. The Dermaroller is then reeled on the skin, making tiny perforations in the dermis, inducing the pores to open momentarily. The body senses this as an injury and reacts to its by setting off the healing process.

This actually induces the making of collagen and elastin. By constantly producing micro-injuries and activating the healing process, the continues its repair until its job is done.

The Dermaroller sounds much more scary than the device actually is. The needles are so fine that they produce a ticklish sensation. As the skin's top layer is tough and flexible, the tiny punctures made by the roller fade quickly.

Right medication

Equally important is the medication applied after rolling. Roura uses adiposed-derived stem cells that produce cytokines, proteins that stimulate new blood cells and intercede with the immune system and the cell processes.

"Unlike topical creams, wherein the products are not fully absorbed, with the Dermoroller, you are producing micro-injuries on the skin so that the barrier will be broken. We take advantage and apply the products so that they will penetrate the lower layer of the skin,' says Roura.

"This is basically regenerative medicine. Stem cells are harvested from the fat. The cytokines, which are the good things from the stem cells, are extracted, freeze-dried and formulated into a cosmetic product. They are recommended for anti-aging and pigmentation."

For melasma, the skin is infused with natural whitening agents such as arbutin, kojic acid and glutathione. Wrinkles are addressed with hyaluronic acid, while sagging skin and wrinkles are treated with vitamins to stimulate cell renewal.

The whole procedure takes an hour.

The Dermaroller is recommended for those who have tried other procedures but did not get the desired results.

(For details, call Contours, Advanced Face and Body Sculpting Institute at 556-4878 and 489-8526, located at South Park Plaza, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati city.)

The Vaser Body Sculpture

I always look forward to my monthly facials and visits to dermclinics; this time since May was all about mothers, as a mother of 3, I thought of treating myself to something new. As per advised by good friends, I visited Contours Advanced Face and Body Sculpting Institute conveniently located in Paseo de Magallanes commercial center.

I was impressed on how they conceptualized the institute because it definitely does not look like a typical cosmetic surgery clinic. Had I not read fully the name of the institute I wouldn't even have the slightest idea that I stepped in to a surgical clinic.

The lobby or receiving area was calm and serene. Once registered they will then lead you to the adjacent waiting room enhanced once more with its modern classical design.

Definitely not the usual dark, cold and eerie clinics we usually go to. Don't get intimidated by its name, although they are a "body sculpting institute" whose forte lies in the areas of slimming and body contouring (either surgical or non-surgical) they also offer the dermatological services we meticulous ladies love.

As I was waiting for my facial and (the something "new" for me that I decided to try) diamond peel I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Claudine S. Roura, the brains behind Contours who out of concern asked me if everything was okay and made sure I was taken cared of.

I was pleasantly surprised, she not only has the brains, but this young and attractive Board-certified dermatologist is a graduate of University of Santo. Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, my alma matter and with her long list of medical achievements which includes being awarded the 2005 Walter de Groot Phlebology Fellowship, I knew instantly I was in good hands.

Because of her great passion in the art of body sculpturing she had undergone extensive training and is proud to say that she is the first and only cosmetic surgeon certified to do VASER High Definition Liposculpture in the Philippines. She was personally trained by Dr. John Millard of Colorado,, USA and Dr. Hoyos, the "Father of VASER Hi-Definition Liposculpturing".

I am not much of a fan of "liposuction" because first, I wince on the idea of being cut up open and second because of the horrifying stories that I've heard regarding this procedure that is why I couldn't help myself but ask what makes the VASER Hi-Def treatment different from the "traditional liposuction".

Have you ever wondered what happens after religiously going to the gym and miraculously surviving all the diet do's and don'ts and achieving your desired weight and still you haven't actually achieved your desired "drop dead gorgeous body".

To be more specific, as far back as I can remember, after having 3 kids, I have been doing all sorts of crunches just to have my old abdominals backs; the one which I can be proud to show off especially in the beach. I've been doing crunches practically all my life and still not satisfied, then this is where VASER Hi-Definition Liposculpturing comes in.

Dr. Roura said VASER is best suited for men and women who are generally healthy and fit. These are the people who desire a more sculpted appearance without having to go through pumping iron until you reach a "hulk" like appearance, yet in the end still not having the desired body contour.

A new take on Cosmetic surgery

A new take on cosmetic surgery - Businessworld special feature - July 17-18, 2009

Contours Advanced Face and Body Sculpting Institute (Contours), which offers a complete line of dermatological and cosmetic surgery services, is not your typical beauty clinic. A brainchild of Dr. Claudine Roura, a cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist who concentrates on surgical and nonsurgical body slimming and contouring, advanced body sculpture, vein therapy and precision skin care, Contours is a leading VASER center in the Philippines and the only institute certified to perform the procedure in the country.

VASER is a body sculpting technique that uses advanced ultrasonic tools and methods, and uses new standards in safety, effectiveness, comfort, and precision. Risk and complications that usually come with conventional lisposuction treatments are eliminated in VASER-based treatments. Because of its advanced technology, operating time is significantly reduced, recovery periods are cut shorter, and results are more accurate and better defined.

Aside from VASER Lipo and VASER High Definition Liposculpture, Contours also offers Medislim treatments, a combination of slimming modalities that specifically target unwanted fat. Just like the Vaser-based treatments, Medislim also uses ultrasonic technology that focuses on fat cells in specific areas of the body, with thermal energy melting the fat. Such procedure is recommended for those who are not yet ready for a major body enhancement.

Contours also offers Silkpeel Dermal Infusion (SDI), a non-invasive exfoliation process combined with dermal infusion that delivers skin-specific solutions. SDI works in tandem with Contours’ Theraderm skin care system, a blend of effective therapy and dermatology. Contours also specializes in Phlebology, which maintains safety standards for varicose veins were previously regarded as untreatable except through surgery, today it can be treated on a systematic outpatient basis.

Aside from the unique procedure it offers, Contours also has a full OR-RR complex, a conference room for in-house training seminars, a treatment room where dermatological procedures are administered, and another exclusively for facial treatments. It also has separate rooms for Intense Pulsed Light treatment and procedures such as hair removal, slimming and photo rejuvenation.

As a young institute, Contours is setting its sight on bigger growth plans, which includes expanded operations and more comprehensive services. Led by Dr. Roura, who has had extensive training in dermatologic and cosmetic surgery here and abroad, including personal training with Dr. John Millard of Colorado and Dr. Alfredo Hoyos of Colombia (considered the father of VASER hi definition liposculpturing), Contours aims to prove that proper health and beauty are everyone’s business and within everyone’s reach.