Pearls of Wisdom

Fine lines, sunspots, uneven skin tone. The quest for that dew-fresh, flawless skin we crave is oftentimes interrupted by these all too common conditions. While many have tried lotions, potions and even lasers to get their glow on, results can be lackluster, and the downtime that some procedures require can be too much to justify when measured against our busy lives.

Always on the lookout for the next best thing, we proceed with caution when we find a miracle cure. After all, every beauty maven knows that if it seems too good to be true, it typically is. The latest skin saver, however, may just be that magic wand we've been looking for. The Pearl Fusion Laser by Cutera® combines two lasers for an unrivaled result that surprisingly requires very little downtime and minimal skin irritation, while delivering long-term anti-aging benefits.

Pearl Fusion is a marriage of two proven skincare technologies. The traditional Pearl laser addresses upper skin layer problems such as brown spots, uneven skin texture and fine wrinkles. Its more powerful cousin, the Pearl Fractional laser, penetrates the deeper skin layers to improve more challenging conditions such as creases around the mouth and eyes. Over the long term, patients will notice continued structural changes in their skin, including increased volume and firmness.

Yet the beauty of Pearl Fusion goes far beyond the peaches and cream skin that you're left with. Think customized treatments that go only as deep as needed, minimal redness and discoloration compared to more traditional lasers, and results in less than a week. What's more, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery is the only practice in Colorado to offer this groundbreaking treatment.

Unlike its predecessors, Pearl Fusion provides a solution for both the superficial epidermal skin layers as well as the deep dermal layers. The one-of-a-kind laser treats wrinkles of different complexities, while visibly improving skin texture, pore size and brown pigment. Translation? The skin's surface appears not only healthier and clearer, but the structure of the skin actually improves for six months as the growth of new collagen occurs. The best part? It is usually a single office visit procedure and healing takes place over 5-7 days.

To celebrate the addition of the Pearl Fusion to our practice, we are offering introductory pricing to our patients, as well as a complimentary Obagi skincare kit to prep your skin prior to your Pearl treatment. For a consultation and more information, please call our offices today at 720.279.1926.

Lip Service

If diamonds are a girl's best friend, pouty lips could be considered her soul mate. This Valentine's Day, getting those perfectly kissable lips is as easy as a trip to our office. Before now, the surgical options for creating fuller lips were limited in predictability and effectiveness, but the Center for Cosmetic Surgery has recently added a breakthrough new product to its lineup. Enter PermaLip.

PermaLip is a soft, solid silicone device that is inserted into the lip for a naturally fuller appearance. Available in a variety of sizes, it is customized to create a look that's appropriate for your facial shape and desired volume. PermaLip delivers a look similar to injectables like Restylane® or JUVÉDERM®, yet with a permanent result. The twenty minute PermaLip procedure leaves no visible scars and, if requested, is fully reversible or size adjustable.

Not ready for something so permanent? Want to "try before you buy?" Injectables offer a temporary option for lip enhancement with safe, predictable results. Tried and true products like Restylane and JUVÉDERM give your pout a flirty, sensual appearance. The procedure takes under an hour and results typically last up to six months.

Want to pump up your pout a la Angelina? We've got you covered. Looking for a softer, sexy stare that makes him wonder why you're suddenly stunning? Look no further. Whether you desire something subtle, dramatic or in between, each lip enhancement option offered at the Center for Cosmetic Surgery has its distinct advantages. Together, we'll consider your goals, lifestyle and budget, and will help you select the best choice to meet your needs.

Eye Believe

Getting that charming, "come hither" stare used to require hours in front of the mirror armed with eyeliners, shadows, mascaras, or a losing battle with fake lashes and sticky glues. Thanks to wonder potion LATISSE®, achieving the lashes you've dreamed about is as simple as a drop of liquid applied to the base of the lash line nightly.

We've all seen Brooke Shields proclaiming that fuller, darker, longer lashes can be yours. And while we want to believe her, the oftentimes empty promises of Hollywood have left us skeptical. Is it truly that simple? Does it really work? Ladies…this one is for real. LATISSE is scientifically proven and approved by the FDA to grow eyelashes.

As easy as adding a new cream into your skincare routine, LATISSE seamlessly integrates into your nightly regime. Simply cleanse your face as usual, remove contacts and swipe the LATISSE solution onto the base of the upper eyelid where the lashes meet your skin. While you won't see results overnight, with consistent application you will see a difference in as little as four weeks, with full results in about two months.

A fabulous alternative to eyelash extensions, LATISSE takes mere seconds to apply, and costs around $120 for a six-week supply. The result looks natural, and you can still use mascara to highlight your lashes for maximum impact.

If four to eight weeks is too long to wait, Rejuvenate! can offer quality eyelash extensions to instantly create that sultry stare for your Valentine's Day soirée. Eyelash extensions are applied to your existing lashes one by one, and special glue is used to fix them in place. They can last as long as four weeks, and may benefit from periodic light retouching. With extensions, you can forego mascara clumps and achieve a look that's both natural and dramatic.

Call Rejuvenate! today to consider your options for lush lashes. After all, if the eyes are the window to the soul, shouldn't yours be wide open?

The Myth of the Measuring Tape

What you never knew about bra fittings

Every February, our boutique is filled with shoppers looking for the perfect Valentine's Day lingerie. Inevitably, the first question we ask is "What size do you think you are?" The answers we receive range from "I have no clue" to estimations that even an untrained eye can see are exponentially off. Whether you are sporting a newly enhanced physique compliments of Drs. Wolfe and Vath, or your body is au natural, follow these no-fail fitting tips for bras and lingerie that lift, separate, tempt and tease this Valentine's Day and beyond.

Ditch the Measuring Tape

The "experts" have it wrong. Measuring tapes don't work! At Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie, we believe in custom fittings. This means that each brand of bra is different, much like a great pair of jeans. You could be a 34 C in one brand, and a 36 B in a "sister size" in another brand.. What is important is knowing which brands work best for you and which size you are in each. Ditch the measuring tape and enter the fitting room with an open mind.

Embrace Your "Alter" Ego

Think of your bras much like you would any other article of clothing in that if it is not a perfect fit, get it tailored! Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie is one of the few boutiques that employs an in-house seamstress to provide custom bra alterations. This makes a huge difference, but most women would never think to have a bra altered. Lost weight? Gained weight? Alterations can also ensure that your bras still fit perfectly despite changes to your body.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Contrary to popular belief, your cup size is not how big you are "out" but how big each breast is from one side to another – essentially underarm to clavicle. Typical bra "fittings" use archaic measurements to determine a size that is wholly inconsistent with how a designer determines size, and ultimately, how the bra will fit. This gives us yet another reason to understand the importance of custom, versus measuring tape, fittings.

Simply put, it's not the size that you are first and foremost, it's getting you into the right brand that is perfect for you, scrap the focus on the size and go for the feel good fit of the brand.

-Alicia Vargo
Alicia Vargo is the founder and president of Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie, a
Colorado-based lingerie boutique with a focus on bras for augmentation patients, hard to find sizes, and custom fittings. Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie also has a popular online counterpart, www.pamperedpassions.com.