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Super New Stuff Alert! Restylane Refresh. Bye Bye Trout Pout!

Restylane Lip Refresh restores hydrobalance and rejuvenates the lips. This promises to put an end to the trout pout look or as Dr Bob Khanna puts it "species re-assignment".  So I tried some on someone yesterday and I'm impressed with the soft result. It will launch in the UK in March and it will only launch here officially in June at the Aesthetic conference but I do have some available.


This new Restylane skinbooster product is developed specifically for the lip. It  will give you that refreshed look with improved glow, definition and structure of the lips without the need for a great change in volume.

Treatment areas

Find out more about how Restylane skinboosters can enhance your appearance and the different areas that can be treated.

Restylane skinboosters is a product range for skin rejuvenation that works by restoring hydrobalance and improving skin elasticity and skin structure.

Inevitably, our skin quality deteriorates over time. Our ways, our habits, our genes and even the weather are all factors that influence the state of our skin. For some the impact is major, for others it’s less so, but for all of us the change is (or will be) apparent. Restylane skinboosters, consisting of Restylane Vital products, are a way of naturally rejuvenating the skin, making you look the age you feel.

Increase skin elasticity and enhance skin structure

Restylane skinboosters create a glowing complexion by gently and naturally smoothing the skin from within. By replenishing hyaluronic acid under the skin, Restylane skinboosters restore hydrobalance and improve the structure and elasticity of the skin. Restylane skinboosters are scientifically proven to improve skin quality and can be used to rejuvenate the face, neck, décolletage and hands.

Treatment program

For skin rejuvenation with Restylane skinboosters, a typical treatment program is made up of three treatment sessions with 2 to 4 weeks apart and then repeat treatments every 4 to 6 months.

Recommended treatment areas:

• Face
• Lips 
• Décolletage and neck 
• Hands
• Acne scars

While many beauty products and treatments pamper your skin on the surface to treat these very symptoms, Restylane skinboosters restore from within.

Over time, the quality of your skin changes – collagen and elastic fibers disintegrate, and the spread and function of the body’s own hyaluronic acid* change, making your skin drier, rougher and less elastic.

Restoring hydrobalance from within

Restylane skinbooster treatments create luminous skin in a natural way by gently and naturally smoothening the skin from the inside. By adding hyaluronic acid through injections right under the skin surface, Restylane skinboosters restore the hydrobalance and improve the structure, firmness and elasticity of the skin, giving it new energy.

Treatment areas

Restylane skinboosters can be used to not only improve the general skin quality of your face but also to improve exposed and sensitive areas such as your neck, décolletage and hands as well as areas with acne-scarred skin. Restylane skinboosters can also be used proactively which makes them a suitable beauty treatment even for those not yet experiencing the full effects of ageing skin.

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* Hyaluronic acid is a water-binding substance that gives hydration to the skin to make it soft and elastic

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Tried this stuff  yesterday on someone! Impressive so far!
A bit of plumping but really intense moisturization.

Botulinum Toxin A Linurase® by Prollenium

Prollenium Medical Technologies was opened in 2002 with a team of researchers and directors with over 25 years of experience in the medical aesthetic industry.

Prollenium Medical Technologies is in the process of commencing additional clinical studies on its proprietary Botulinum Toxin Type A.
That's all I have for now. So another possible competitor that may take on Allergan's "super-power" Botox, Ipsen's Dysport and Merz's newly FDA-approved Xeomin.

Revance - possible topical "Botox"

Revance Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing products that will change the way that drugs are delivered. The company's lead investigational product is a topically applied botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) with a broad pipeline of indications. It has the potential to provide a painless alternative to treatment with one of the world's most recognized drugs

REVANCE THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS OF RT001 TOPICAL GEL PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY

NEWARK, Calif. - October 22, 2010 - Revance Therapeutics, Inc. ("Revance") today announced that the results of two Phase 2b clinical trials on RT001, a topical botulinim toxin type A which is under investigation for the treatment of lateral canthal lines (crow's feet wrinkles) were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery in Chicago. Both multi-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled studies showed that RT001 was well tolerated and demonstrated statistically significant efficacy versus controls. Adverse events were unrelated to study treatment as rated by investigators and generally mild or moderate, and transient. There was no evidence of spread or diffusion away from the target muscle observed.

The first study enrolled 90 subjects and utilized a primary composite endpoint that included ratings by both investigator and the patient on validated wrinkle severity scales. To be a responder, each subject had to demonstrate a ≥2-point improvement on both sides of the face as graded by the investigator's assessment and the patient's self-assessment. RT001 met the primary endpoint and all secondary endpoints with p≤0.0001. "A treatment that shows such promising results should appeal to a wide variety of new patients, many of whom do not like having a needle so close to their eyes and have been hesitant to come in for a cosmetic procedure," said Fredric Brandt, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York and Miami and the principal investigator of the study.

The second study had 180 subjects and was designed to compare the individual components comprising RT001. These components include botulinum toxin type A, the proprietary peptide carrier and the vehicle. RT001 met the primary endpoint of ≥2-point improvement in lateral canthal line severity on both sides of the face as measured by the investigator. The results were statistically significant (p<0.0001) compared to each component of RT001 individually and all the components combined. RT001 also met the more stringent composite endpoint of ≥2-point improvement on both the investigator assessment and the patient's self assessment compared to controls (p<0.0001) These results suggest that the peptide carrier is necessary for topically applied botulinum toxin to achieve positive results.

"The results of this study are very exciting," said Robert Weiss, MD, Director of the Maryland Laser, Skin & Vein Institute and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins who was one of the investigators who presented data today. "These data confirm that large proteins such as botulinum toxin type A don't have the ability to cross skin by themselves."

Gary Monheit, MD, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Alabama also presented the overall results of the Phase 2 program in a session dedicated to "Advances in Botulinum Toxins".

Revance has done extensive development work on RT001 for lateral canthal lines and has completed 11 clinical trials and treated more than 550 subjects. The company was originally scheduled for an end-of-phase 2 meeting with the FDA earlier this month. The meeting did not take place as the Agency continues the review of the end-of-phase 2 briefing package submitted in September.

"We are pleased by the results generated in the RT001 clinical program," said Dan Browne, President and CEO of Revance. "We developed a robust testing program and RT001 continues to exceed our expectations. We will continue to provide information as the Agency requests in a timely manner as we move forward with the program."

About RT001
RT001, Botulinum Toxin Type A, Topical Gel, an investigational product whose first aesthetic indication is designed to reduce crow's feet wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscle around the eye. Unlike other procedures that require several injections in the sensitive periorbital area, RT001 gel is applied by the physician and then wiped off using a simple proprietary cleansing procedure. Revance's goal is to expand the market beyond other injectable treatments, which despite their popularity, have only captured about 10% of the potential market. The Company believes that offering a safe, efficacious and painless procedure could appeal to many of consumer who have considered treatment but are uncomfortable with the pain and bruising associated with injectables. RT001 is currently being studied for the treatment of lateral canthal lines (crow's feet) and the therapeutic indication of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

I must note that this topical BoNT-A seems to be effective where only superficial injections of Botox is effective (peri-orbital) and in hyperhidrosis. What about the Glabella, or lifting the nose tip, bunny lines, the dimpled chin and facial sculpting (masseter) ?

Trust me it really is not that bad

Men look where ?

How do different genders and nationalities respond to the visual stimuli of an attractive woman? That’s what a French study aimed to find out when they tracked the eye movement of 210 men and women from 7 countries.
“Participants viewed the stimuli [picture above] for 20 seconds each and no other directions were provided,” says the company who did testing in the USA.

Some key takeaways from the experiment?

     

       Male gaze lingered on the chest 37% longer than female

      French and Danish men spent almost twice as long on the chest as men from other countries

   

     French women viewed the chest for nearly as long as French men

   

     Danish men viewed her chest 106% more than Danish women, providing the biggest gender disparity of any country (for the chest)

    

     Women looked at the ring on her finger 27% more than men

    

     Across all genders and nationalities subjects spent the most time viewing the face

     

     Females were drawn to the eyes while males focused on the lips

    

     The disparity of viewing times between men and women was the smallest for French participants

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As for the chest-staring clearly French women don’t have issues staring at another woman’s cleavage  and is anyone too shocked that on average men looked more than women? But to be fair, that model has really large boobs. Men make look at her face longer but I'm sure they didn't look there first! To be honest I can't stop staring at her boobs - they just don't seem right on her.




Update:

The Hubby and I were watching  Top Billing ( South African Lifestyle TV Show) http://www.topbilling.com/  and we were surprised that former "A-List" presenter Sinazo Yolwa was on. She is extremely likable and poised. I  couldn't help thinking of this blog post as we read some of the hilarious tweets about her. Her biggest assets (excuse tasteless pun- ness) are of course her boobs and she has this amazing Jessica Rabbit-esque thing going on. Most of the tweets from woman were very negative and many of the tweets from guys were of dumbstruck awe.


The Tweets :


@elzolove: Jst watchd an entire episode of top billing so i could c @Sinazo_Yolwa in a bikini it neva came #f**kmylife #confesionsofapervert


Far from it☹ RT @Phumie_G: Agreed!! She's not Topbilling material RT @_Nolzee_: Haayi..this new Top Billing presenter ?? Haayi , don't feels her


@Zee_0101: Sinazo Yolwa's boobs! And I thought I had a big bust *smh* #Topbilling


@Neomi_1: Her huge bust is distracting, & I'm not even a man RT @KingLu_IV: When Sinazo Yolwa speaks,I don't look at her face. Honest to God, I don't

Hot Tip!

As we all know the mantra of Summer - Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Avoid this advice at your own peril.

If you however find yourself looking like the above two pics  I can give you a quick , cheap shot at instant relief . Immerse yourself in some super cooling yogurt and your skin will thank you. Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh  . . .

Something I've been thinking about for a very ,very, long time : RED VELVET CAKE

A magic, chocolately-chocolate cake where an amazing chemical reaction turned cocoa into a roaring red – there are so many stories about the origins of this enticing cake.

James Beard's 1972 reference American Cookery describes three red velvet cakes varying in the amounts of shortening and butter. All use red food colouring, but the reaction of acidic vinegar and buttermilk tends to better reveal the red anthocyanin in the cocoa. Before more alkaline "Dutch Processed" cocoa was widely available, the red colour would have been more pronounced. This natural tinting may have been the source for the name "Red Velvet" as well as "Devil's Food" and similar names for chocolate cakes. While foods were rationed during World War II, bakers used boiled beets to enhance the colour of their cakes. Boiled grated beets or beet baby food are found in some red velvet cake recipes, where they also serve to retain moisture.

Waldorf=Astoria Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

For the cake:

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cans (12 ounces) canned beets, drained and pureed

1 teaspoon red food colouring

For the icing:

2 cups heavy cream

12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

12 ounces mascarpone cheese

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Directions:

For the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt chocolate in a metal bowl and set over a saucepan of boiling water or in the top of a double boiler. (Or, melt in a microwave for 20-30 seconds.)

Meanwhile, place sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla in the bowl and mix for about one minute on low speed.

In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and continue to mix on low speed until well incorporated. Add melted chocolate and mix on low speed. Add pureed beets and food colouring. Continue to mix on low speed until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Divide batter evenly among three greased and floured pans and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cake springs back when touched, or when toothpick comes up clean.

Cool for 10 minutes in the pans and turn layers out onto rack to cool completely.

For the icing:

Pour cream into small bowl and whip to soft peaks. Refrigerate. Place cream cheese in a bowl and mix on low speed until soft and smooth. Add mascarpone and mix until combined. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and mix well. Fold in whipped cream by hand with spatula. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Coconut and Cream Cheese Frosting

RED VELVET CAKE RECIPE INGREDIENTS

* 1 3/4 cups self-rising flour

* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1 1/2 cups sugar

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

* 2 large eggs

* 1 tablespoon red food colouring

* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

* 1 cup buttermilk, divided

* 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

* 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature

* 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

* 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut (about 6 ounces), divided

RED VELVET CAKE RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Sift flour and cocoa into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/2 cups sugar and 3/4 cup butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then red food colour and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with 2/3 cup buttermilk in 2 additions. Make well in centre; pour in remaining 1/3 cup buttermilk, vinegar, and baking soda. When bubbles form, stir into batter.

Divide batter equally among paper liners. Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into centre comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; transfer to rack and cool completely.

Beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar; fold in 1 cup flaked coconut. Spread frosting on cupcakes, leaving 1/2-inch plain border; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup coconut

OOOOeeeeeee - some other interesting variations!

Blue velvet cupcakes

Green velvet

Interesting stuff!

Halloween Black Velvet cake pops with cream cheese icing

Black velvet

Pink Velvet

Cappuccino Chronicles - Thava , Norwood/Oaklands

Two nights ago , the Smoo and I , reluctant to go to gym , decided to instead go gallivanting down Grant Avenue in search of Noms. After being practically brainwashed by my brother who for the previous month kept on mentioning the restaurant Thava. He said we should take him there for Bhai Bhij - a traditional Gujarati custom where after Diwali you invite your brother over for some noms and show love and appreciation towards him - something like that. Any hoo - he wanted to go there ( the three 'sistas' still have to take him). So while driving up and down , as well as parking and then walking up and down Grant road looking for delectables I started telling my husband (an only child) how siblings influence your behaviour and that I wanted to check out Thava because bhai(my bro -strict vegetarian) harped on about it after eating there a million times (hyperbole). So we went there.

The parking area was secure, safe and secluded, tucked away behind the restuarant building. We were a bit worried in terms of dress code , since we both had flip flops on and the smoo had what I call his ubiquitous "Swim Shorts' on . There guy at the front was like 'no problem' and so we sat down.

Service was friendly and professional and not pushy - just at the right pace, no one rushes you.

Starters


Reshmi Kebabs Chicken cubes marinated with reshmi sauce and grilled in tandoori oven.
So so so tender and soft with a yummy green chutney 


Idly SambarSteamed rice & urad dhal dumpling served with a sambar (spicy South Indian vegetable curry). I'd been thinking about this South Indian delicacy for a while and was glad to find it here. The most puffed up idli I've ever had. Yummy!


Mains
Lamb Dhal Gosht Lamb cubes cooked along with yellow dhal and steamed with mustard, onion and red chilli - Love this stuff!


Lamb Biryani - melt in your mouth lamb chunks in perfectly steamed Biryani topped with loads of cashews


Romali Rotli (or Roti as most people say) - huge thin Roti - been hunting this down


Extra Cucumber Raita - not as good as my mum and dad's but it had a refreshing, cool, clean taste.


Dessert


Gajar Halwa A halwa made from carrots mixed with dry fruits, fried in ghee and cooked in milk.
Extremely Carrot-y. Yummy but very heavy


Gulab Jamun Milk powder,cardmom and sugar combined and fried in small balls and soaked in sugar syrup. Oh so divine and the hot syrup made it amazing.


I think both desserts would have done well with a bit of vanilla ice-cream on the side




I totally recommend this restaurant - the food is absolutely amazing. It's a great place to take a group of friends (so you can taste-nom everyone's dishes)


Oh And I didn't have a cappuccino - it's mind-numbingly hot in JHB even at night - but I'm sure they're good.


To find out more about them click on this link to take you to the website  http://thava.co.za/


FIND THEM:

TEL: 011 728 2826 Cor The Avenue & Plantation Road
Norwood (Oaklands)
(Situated above Alexanders Deli)

Find them on Google Maps HERE
GPS:
26° 8'56.00"S
28° 4'38.67"E

Can you permanently change your eye colour?

A physician in Laguna Beach, CA, has developed a laser treatment named Luminese that removes the brown pigment that sits on the outer layer of the eye to reveal the blue layer below. The treatment only takes 20 seconds, and after the brown pigment is removed from the iris, the blue gradually appears within a few weeks. The physician, Dr. Gregg Homer, told KTLA vision is not affected by the treatment, however, the brown can never be returned or grow back.

Clinical trials are the next step to bringing this procedure to the masses, which could take about three years- would you do it?

Can you inject a "double-chin' away?

The dreadful double-chin's days may be numbered because of a lipolytic treatment called ATX-101. KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals announced Monday (7/11/11) that the results of its phase 2 trials of the injection, an adipolytic agent that reduces the amount of fat that develops under the chin, were positive.

ATX-101 is a formulation of deoxycholate, a natural compound found in the body that breaks down dietary fat. Over a series of several sessions, you get about 50 tiny injections of the treatment into your chin area. In the injection form, it works at a cellular level to eliminate fat below the skin’s surface. Side effects have included mild pain, swelling, numbness, bruising (associated with the injection site) and hardening of the area treated. But overall, the experts report that it’s well-tolerated.

80% of patients in the study saw a significant reduction of fat under their chins after the first two years of the five-year trial.

“While these results are still preliminary, they support our expectation that ATX-101 may result in a long-term aesthetic correction,” said KYTHERA’s chief medical officer Patricia Walker, MD, PhD. “We look forward to continuing to follow these patients and to further characterizing the long-term safety and efficacy profile of ATX-101.”  Please remember that this treatment is not FDA-approved and these mesotherapy-like, lipolysis treatments remain controversial