Stimulated Self Serum skin therapy, often shortened to just ‘S3 Therapy’ and colloquially known as the ‘Dracula Therapy’, is the latest anti-ageing craze to hit cosmetic surgery fans. The inventor of this new skin therapy, a French London-based cosmetic doctor called Daniel sister, claims that S3 therapy stimulates DNA repair, helps to heal scars, and generally improves the skin tone and texture, making it look smoother and younger.

S3 Therapy first involves having several vials of your own blood drawn. This is then separated into three parts – the red blood cells, the clear serum, and the platelets – using a centrifuge Vitamins and amino acids are added before the serum before the mix is injected into the face.

The injections into the face are made in several places – including the hairline, the jawline, forehead, between the eyebrows and between the nose and mouth. The injection phase of S3 Therapy takes as little as ten minutes to complete. Afterwards, there is little or no blood although the face may be slightly red. The patient is then asked to lie under some red and blue therapeutic lights which are said to be good at helping the skin to heal and destroying bacteria (including the bacteria that cause acne).

The next day, the skin may be a little sore or tender but there should be few signs, if any, that the patient has had any form of treatment. Over the next few weeks, the skin should start to look better and fine lines and wrinkles should start to smooth out, leaving the skin looking younger and plumper.

It is advised that patients have repeat S3 Therapy skin injections every four to six months to help maintain the new look.

The treatment sounds bizarre but the theory behind it is not a new one. For over 20 years, dentists have used patient’s own serum to help receding gums heal themselves; US research has also shown that injecting plasma into sport injuries can help them heal quicker. Thus, Dr. Sister’s claims that injecting serum into the face helps heal the skin and improve it’s tone may not be so far-fetched after all, particularly given that serum is rich in growth-factors, natural proteins that help healing and stop damage.

The one big downside to the treatment is the price. Although cheaper than a facelift, the injections still come with quite a hefty price tag of around £500 ($1000) per session.

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The Oralift is claimed can do many different things including:

• Eliminate hollows under the eyes
• Plump up the cheeks
• Give fuller lips and a wider, more even smile
• Tighten the jawline
• Tone facial muscles
• Soften nose-to-mouth lines
• Tighten loose skin under the jawline and neck
• Make the face more symmetrical
• Give clearer skin
• Vanish facial thread veins
• Help remove or reduce the look of crow’s feet

Naturally, not every patient is claiming to see all of the above however most patients should see a more youthful appearance within a couple of days of starting the Oralift treatment. Peak ‘youthfulness’ should appear after three years of use. Mohindra claims that the benefits last pretty much forever.

For a piece of oral plastic, the claims really are fantastic. So how does this miracle mouthguard work?

To fit, the Oralift mouthguard is placed in a microwave to soften the plastic. It is then fitted to the lower teeth and allowed to cool for a few seconds where it will harden back into shape. The mouthguard itself is the shape of a horseshoe and contains two platform blocks above the rear teeth – and it is these platforms that are the key to the device.

The theory behind the Oralift is that as we get older we lose facial ‘height’, mainly between the nose and chin area. Partly this is due to the grinding of teeth or the natural wearing down of teeth through eating. By using the mouthguard you are increasing this height again and therefore reversing this particularly ageing process.

When our jaws our relaxed we have a ‘freeway space’ between our back teeth of between 1 and 3 millimetres. By wearing the Oralift mouth guard, this freeway space is stretched to up to a centimetre. As the stretching begins, the facial muscles are put under a little stress and it is claimed that this process allows them to release proteins that increase collagen, thus plumping out the skin. The increase in blood flow to the skin helps make it brighter and clearer and gives it a healthy glow.

The Oralift is said to be quite comfortable to wear however it can be difficult for the wearer to have a natural facial expression when wearing it. For best results, the patient has to keep their lips closed whilst wearing the mouthguard and not allow their back teeth to rest on the Oralift’s platforms. Whilst the patient is wearing the Oralift, they should not talk or eat.

When being fitted with the Oralift, the dentist should give you ‘training’ and a schedule of when to wear it. Typically, it will start with a day of two sessions of 15 minutes a piece followed by two rest days. The next sessions are half an hour long each every third day, building up to two 2 hour sessions every third day. The dentist will monitor the progress of the Oralift and may fit a new mouthguard with higher platforms to increase the effect if deemed necessary.

At £575, the Oralift isn’t cheap however if you are considering a facelift, this option is most definitely cheaper and comes without the risks normally associated with cosmetic surgery.

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With a smooth, glowing complexion, there are many in the plastic surgery industry who believe that Madonna has had a procedure known as the ’ribbon lift’.

The ribbon lift is a relatively new cosmetic procedure which takes around 30 minutes to complete. A dissolvable ribbon is tunnelled underneath the skin of the face. This ribbon has tiny hooks on it that attach to the face’s muscle and underlying tissues. Once the ribbon is in place, it is pulled upwards to lift the area. The ribbon then dissolves naturally after around two months, whilst the results of the procedure last around three years.

Speaking to Grazia magazine, renowned plastic surgeon Alex Karidis says he believes that Madonna has had this ribbon face lift and that prior to the ceremony, the pictures showing the swelling in her face are telltale signs of the procedure. He also claims that the ribbon has not dissolved fully yet, hence Madonna wore her hair loose at the awards to cover the evidence.

Should you wish to have a similar procedure done, it is available at many Beverly Hills clinics for around $6,000.

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The cream itself isn’t cheap – £50 for 15ml – however it is much works out cheaper than Botox which is around £350 for one treatment. Each application of the cream only lasts 24 hours however a single 15ml bottle should contain 90 applications, so each jar is around 3 months supply.

The 7 Minute Lift cream is said to have taken five years to develop and works by ‘freezing’ the skin, filling in fine lines and wrinkles. Used on a regular basis, it’s anti-ageing effects are said to be permanent.

According to some independent tests by the American Medical Association, the cream does work and may reduce facial wrinkles by up to 84%.

The most active ingredient in the 7 Minute Lift cream is acetyl hexapeptide-3 and this helps to ‘freeze’ the skin. The product as a whole helps to remove free radicals from the skin and this in turn helps to lift and tighten the skin appearance; pores will also appear reduced making the skin look smoother.

The product also contains several essential oils to plump and smooth the skin, helping it look younger and fresher. Ascorbic acid is also present, aiding collagen growth (essential for plump skin) and retinyl palmitat (to increase cell turnover).

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Am I suitable for a face lift?
If you have sagging skin in the face and neck, have fairly good skin tone (elasticity) and a strong bone structure, you are a good candidate for a face lift. The better your skin tone, the more likely it is that your skin will respond well to surgery.

Scars
The scars will extend from above your ear, down the front of the ear, around your ear-lobe and up the back of your ear into your hairline. There will also be another scar underneath your chin. Most scars should not be easily visible after surgery. Those that are visible should be easily hidden by make up.

The surgery itself
Face lift surgery can be done under general anesthetic or sedation. It should take no longer than 4 hours to complete, although you will normally be required to stay overnight in hospital.

Incisions will be made in the contour of the ears. The skin will be separated from the facial muscles and skin fat (and excess fat removed) and the skin will then be pulled up and back to tighten the muscles and skin in the face and neck. The surgeon may also tighten the underlying tissue. The skin is the stiched into place and excess skin trimmed off. You may end up with metal staples in your scalp. A small drain tube may be placed under the skin to collect any excess blood and to help prevent swelling.

Post-Surgery
You will be given a couple of days worth of pain medicatio, however the pain should not be too great after surgery. Swelling and bruising may be present for up to two weeks after surgery. Numbness of the face may occur for up to several months. You can return to work after a week of rest and light exercise can be done after about 3 weeks. Your face should not be exposed to bright sunlight for about 3 months after surgery. Always wear sunblock of at least SPF15 to protect your skin.

What are the risks?
[u]Hematoma:[/u]This is a collection of blood underneath the skin. This occurs because of bleeding after the surgery. Most will clear up of their own accord, but if it is a large hematoma, more surgery may be required.
[u]Skin death (necrosis): [/u]This occurs when then is poor circulation to the skin. This happens because the skin/fat layer must be separated from the underlying bone and muscle structure. This can lead to poor circulation meaning the skin is unable to heal properly which leads to the skin dying.
[u]Facial Weakness: [/u]The muscles in the face can become damaged meaing the muscles may become weaker than they were before. This is normally temporary, but occasionally can be permanent.
[u]Permanent numbness:[/u] There is a less than 1% chance of this happening.

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Length: Several hours.

Anesthesia: Local with sedation, or general.

In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Some patients may require a short inpatient stay.

Side Effects: Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, permanent need to shave behind ears where the beard-growing skin is repositioned.

Risks: Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles or feeling (usually temporary but may be permanent). Infection, bleeding. Poor healing, excessive scarring, asymmetry or change in hairline.

Recovery:

• 10 to 14 days: Back to work
• 2 weeks +: Strenuous Activity
• 2 to 3 weeks: Bruising
• Sun exposure must be limited for several months

Duration of Results: 5 to 10 years.

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