Tired Eyes
You spent all night coaxing a screaming toddler for eight miserable hours. Obviously you're tired. And obviously you don't want people to comment on it or else they might get punched. (Trust us, we get it.) For your—and others'—benefit, Dr. Sheila Nazarian, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and RealSelf advisor, who as a mom of three has plenty of recommendations based on personal experience. According to Nazarian, the shadowing in the concave regions of the tear troughs is what causes dark eye circles. Insert some medical-grade filler into the tear troughs and under-eye circles will suddenly be a problem you won't have to think about for nine months to a year.
Need a fix before you can make it to the doctor? Try CoverGirl Olay Depuffer or Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift.
Midsection Misery
Oh those lovely love handles—the bane of our bikini seasons.Thankfully, there are solutions to shrink them away fast. For women with excess skin and little elasticity, a tummy tuck is likely the best option. For those whose elasticity is intact but who desire some trimming off the love handle region, Coolsculpting is the way to go. Nazarian herself had the non-invasive treatment done and says her love handles went down 20 percent after the first treatment and another 20 percent after the second. How it works: The Coolsculpting machine will drop your skin's temperature enough to kill the fat cells but nothing else. The fat cells are then cleaned up by macrophages (what Nazarian calls "janitor cells) and excreted in the urine.
Want to try something else before you freeze your fat? Try Bliss's Lovehandler Lotion.
Unwanted Hair
Finding an opportunity to book a wax appointment between grocery shopping, clarinet lessons and soccer practices can be downright laughable—let's face it, you're lucky if you get five extra minutes in the shower to shave. That said, go for a more permanent solution, suggests Nazarian. A new treatment that just received FDA approval called miraDry is a hair-removal device that works for all pigments. As an added bonus, miraDry can also disable excess sweat glands under the arms. For those with ingrown hair problems in particular, Nazarian recommends Vaniqa—a treatment available by prescription that prevents hair growth.
Ready to get started on hair removal without a prescription? Try this Precision Hair Removal Laser from Sephora instead.
Cellulite Kryptonite
Ranking right up there with our love handles, cellulite is another one of those uninvited guests that refuses to leave. To force a permanent exit, Nazarian recommends Pellevé, which uses a radio frequency technology to give a lymphatic massage and thicken the dermis. If done four times, four to six weeks apart, it will significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite, she says. But there are also some cellulite creams that actually do work. Nazarian is personally a fan of Nectifirm by RevisionSkin Care . "But you have to be religious with using it morning and night for two months before you see a difference," she says.
Can't wait for radio frequency treatments? Try Dr. Hauschka, $25; Nectifirm by RevisionSkinCare, $47
Lip Service
For those of us not genetically blessed with lips à la Angelina Jolie, there's quite a simple (and non-committal) solution. Nazarian recommends starting with filler. An added benefit with going this route is that if you don't like your lips' newfound plumpness, you can always reverse the effect by injecting an enzyme that will cause it to dissipate. The same can also be done for anyone with hollowed cheeks who would like a little more cushioning, says Nazarian.
Not ready to inject your lips to plump them up? Try these beauty counter alternatives instead: Lancer Volume Enhancing Lip Serum, $40; Laura Mercia Lip Glace, $25
Stretch Marks
The best method to rid yourself of stretch marks is to ensure they never appear in the first place. Especially for any pregnant women, the second you start itching is the second you need to moisturize (Nazarian recommends a thick skin butter lotion, sunflower seed oil or her own creation, Itchies Be Gone Body Oil, which contains rose hip oil that's been proven to bemost effective in minimizing scarring). As for pre-existing stretch marks, it is possible to diminish their appearance. For example, multiple applications of Dermapen (which is a micro-needling treatment) will encourage collagen formation and mask any unsightly lines.
Found yourself in a Bloomingdales or Sephora? Try Marula Stretchmark Botanical Body Oil or Clarins Body Tonic.
Crows'-Feet
While some may call them "smile lines," crow's-feet aren't exactly something most women like to smile about. While Botox continually proves to be effective, Nazarian advises against it for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Instead, for a non-invasive alternative, try Pellevé (yep, the same treatment for cellulite), which uses radio frequency to smooth over any lines. Also, any woman over the age of 30 who wants to retain youthful-looking skin should ensure that these three ingredients—what Nazarian calls the "Tried and TrueTrio"—are always a part of her skincare regimen: vitamin C, Retinol and SPF.
Not ready for botox or radio frequency? Try Kiehls Line Reducing Concentrate or Needles No More.
Dark Spots
Whether you have melasma (aka "pregnancy mask") or age spots, seeing dark pigment pop up on your skin out of the blue is never a welcome sight. Nazarian is adamant that anyone with melasma applies sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) or completely avoids the sun. "It's a lifelong battle, but the issue is that you're sensitive to the sun. It's like having a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. You have to maintain it." Forgetting to apply sunscreen, even for one day, can derail all of your progress, she says. Some other options for lightening dark spots include Dermapen (that micro-needling treatment previously mentioned for stretch marks) and alternating monthly witha peel, such as Rejuvenize by SkinMedica.
Ready to get rid of those spots? SkinMedica Rejuvenize Peel or Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Mega Bright.
Adult Acne
As it turns out, the acne that's popping up 20 years post-puberty is actually not the same type you struggled with in your teens. That said, it shouldn't be treated the same, so resist the reunion with Noxzema. "The reason why you're getting acne is because you're stripping the skin of moisture. This causes the body to make more oil," Nazarian says. "What you need is a combo of cleaning pores, putting in good moisture and applying things to calm down redness." She recommends using Clarisonic with an acne brush head paired with agentle, papaya enzyme cleanser by Revision Skincare. Next, look to incorporate a hydrating vitamin K serum. Also, those with rosacea should be wary of vitamin C since it can actually trigger flare-ups. Always try a small sample of a new product on your skin before thoroughly applying, says Nazarian.
Looking for clearing skin? Try: Revision Skin Care with Hydrating Serum</a>; Skin Perfecter, $225; Clarisonic, $149
Sagging Chin
For anyone struggling with some excess skin flap under the jaw, you're in luck. "There are so many exciting things coming on the market for this," says Nazarian. The first: Kybella, a nonsurgical injectable enzyme available in September, which blasts fat cells and encourages janitor cells to wipe them away, Nazarian explains. While you may "look like a bull frog for four days," warns Nazarian, this will eventually diminish and only require a total of two to four sessions. Another innovative "sagging chin" treatment on the horizon: Coolsculpting is working on an applicator solely for the neck region. Meanwhile, Nazarian's personal pick at the moment is actually a device she uses at home: The NuFaceTrinity, which stimulates the facial muscles and encourages toning. Use the device every night for the first month and then twice a week after that, she says.
Want to eliminate a sagging chin without needles? Try NuFace Trinity and Perricone MD Firming Neck Therapy Lotion.
