Cosmetic Claims and the Facts Behind Them

Fall is here in beautiful, colorful Colorado!

As we all begin to look at our options for erasing the damage of Summer, it is important to know that some of the claims you will hear should be taken with a grain of salt- or two. 

Many of the large, corporate cosmetic lines have launched new products in competition with the laser community. They claim their products will give you equivalent, or nearly equivalent results to laser procedures. This is not only outrageous, but incorrect, misleading, and downright false advertising.
As a consumer, it is important that you know the facts about over-the-counter skin care. First and foremost, over-the-counter cosmetics do not have to prove their claims,but can instead cite “scientific studies” of the ingredientsused in their product formulations to validate the safety and efficacy of the ingredient formula- but not necessarily the product itself.

TIP: Avoid such phrasing as, “Dermatologist Tested”, “Clinically Proven”, “Clinically Tested”, etc… In most cases, the test or study only refers to the ingredient itself and has little to no relation to the actual product being sold.

Since these cosmetics don’t have any responsibility to prove efficacy, any active ingredients (with or without clinician approval) only have to appear somewhere on the ingredient list. Any ingredient listed in the lower half of the list will have little to no effect on your skin.

Because these products are produced and sold to the masses, they cannot contain high enough percentages of active ingredients to penetrate the skin and effect it on a therapeutic level. With consumers self diagnosing their own skin problems, they simply could not have strong enough products because the amount of product used by a consumer cannot be regulated. Over-the-counter products are only strong enough to penetrate the dead skin- not any living tissue.

Only professional-grade skin care (also called cosmeceuticals) will have enough active ingredients, the correct delivery system thereof, and a good synergistic blend of ingredients to safely and effectively attain your skin care goals.

And no matter what any one tells you: there is no product on the market that can even compare to the results of a laser treatment.

Be safe, educate yourself, and know all of your options when it comes to skin care and aesthetic treatments.

SmoothShapes in Shape Magazine!

In the June 2010 issue of SHAPE Magazine, the focus of their “Bikini Body Special”

was, Your Best Ever Cellulite Busting Plan.

And although the direct focus of the article wasn’t on SmoothShapes, they did have some truly great advice for those looking for other solutions. We include our own Tips and Recommendations in every SmoothShapes’ client take-home packet, and these tips are great as well, with or without SmoothShapes:

Nix White Flour Foods: At least two studies have found that people who eat the most whole grains have less belly fat than those who eat fewer complex carbs (you can have cellulite around your middle, too). with the variety of whole-grain products on the store shelves today, it’s easier than ever to snub the refined stuff. The higher fiber content in whole-wheat bread and pasta keeps you feeling full longer, so you won’t have to contend with a rumbling belly.

Make Friends with Fat: It may sound counterintuitive, but trust us: To lose fat, you have to get over your fat phobia. Healthy fats, like nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil can actually help you lose weight (and cellulite).

“Cheat” the Right Way: The concept of a cheat day is a weight-loss staple, but it’s also the Achille’s heel of many eating plans. A day of eating whatever you want can add up to thousands (yes, thousands) of extra calories. It can also make it harder to get back on track the next day, when your brain has a chocolate cake hangover. Instead of splurging for an entire day, Lisa Young, Ph.D., R.D., the author of The Portion Teller Plan, recommends limiting yourself to just one cheat meal each weel. “Plan it, enjoy it, and as long as it happens just once a week you won’t break the caloric bank.”

Eat an Appetizer: Studies show that if you take the edge off hunger before lunch and dinner, you’ll eat less. Then, eat your main meal in the following order: veggies first (which should take up about half your plate), then the protein, the the whole-grain carbohydrates. “Having veggies first satisfies your stomach and brain,” explains Young. “Fiber-packed veggies are filling, and your eyes see a big portion, so your brain thinks you’re eating more too. By the time you get to the carbs- the danger zone for many people- you’ll be ready to stop.

Go Veggie One Day a Week: A recent study in the International Journal of Obesity found that people who are the most meat were about 27% more likely to be obese and 33% more likely to have abdominal obesity than people who ate the least amount of meat. They also consumed about 7– more calories per day, on average.

Lastly, but most certainly not least is their pick for Best In-Office Option: SmoothShapes!

They say: ” SmoothShapes ($2000-$3000 for eight sessions over four weeks) uses a laser and light energy to shrink enlarged fat cells and tighten skin, while a vacuum and rollers massage the body, increasing circulation.

Expert Take: “This FDA-approved treatment definitely has the science to back up its claims,” says Francesca Fusco, M.D.

Real Life Results: “It felt like getting a deep tissue massage, and while I did experience a little hickey-like bruising, the decrease in dents was noticeable after four weeks.” -Samantha, 30

Editors Note: While SHAPE Magazine says you will pay $2000-$3000 for 8 treatments, here at Refresh Laser Spa it is only $1,600 and that includes 10 treatments!

To learn more or to set up your complimentary consultation, call:

720.314.1965