OUR RINGS - THE LAUNCH OF A BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL JEWEL COLLECTION

In the fabulous setting of Hotel No.11 London the new collection of OUR jewels is unveiled.


No 11 London - the unveiling

OUR is a new international brand of rings for men and women designed by Valeria Versace and made by Gianluca Lunati, to celebrate the natural diversity of love.

After the unveiling of the collection, guests saw Immodesty Blaize, the international burlesque superstar who has bewitched London and charmed the rest of the world with her fabulous expressive unique shows.

The Philosophy behind ‘Our’

OUR has distinctive features - originality, charm and a spirit of non-conformity. Our creations have been made for both men and women who share a common sensitivity and openly show their true identities.

Our ring
A new jewel is a symbol of union,and one more symbolic than an original and exclusive ring. There are two lines, for Him and for her, that are rendered unique by a special embellishment and which can be customized by colour and materials to ones own individual style. Available in gold (yellow, white, and pink), platinum and silver, the rings can be jewelled, enamelled or plain, according to personal preferences for precious stones, colours and enamelling or for a more neutral line. There are 237 different combinations possible in the men's line and 51 for women: all available for personalization according to taste. In the “shop on line” section of the website http://www.ourring.it/, you can create and purchase your own ring by combining materials, stones and enamelling according to your mood.

More about the designer and jeweller

Valeria Versace represents the third generation of a family of jewel merchants and has become an icon of style, taste and refinement.

Gianluca Lunati is part of one of the most prestigious Italian goldsmith companies. The Lunati Company was founded in 1937 and has become known both in Italy and abroad for excellent standards of production quality which range from fantasy items, that are exuberant but always in excellent taste, to important jewellery.


Our ring will also be on sale in several of the most exclusive European jewellery shops in England, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and Spain with a starting price of €1,270 for the models in gold and €450 for silver. Our ring is available in gold (yellow, white, and pink), platinum and silver; the rings can be jewelled, enamelled or plain, according to personal preferences for precious stones, colours and enamelling or for a more neutral line.

Examples from the OUR collection

FREE ENERGY DRINK - TARGET GORGEOUS GIVEAWAY

500 cans of Gorgeous Fruit to giveaway

Target Gorgeous is bursting with flavour, packed with energy and targeted for girls with a busy lifestyle who want to make the most of their day and nights!When one solution really does fit all just take Gorgeous Fruit and live life to the full.Target Energy contains a blend of B-vitamins, amino acids and essential nutrients. It contains zero sugar, zero herbal stimulants and only four calories. Target Original 5-Hour Energy contains as much caffeine as a cup of premium coffee. So if you're driving, exercising or just working hard and you want a sustainable burst of 'Fruit and Energy' take Target Energy shots (and keep a spare one in your purse!)

ELIXIR HAS 500 OF THESE GREAT DRINKS TO GIVE AWAY - go to www.elixirnews.com

ACTRESS HELEN MIRREN TO FRONT BOOTS NEW ANTI-AGEING RANGE?

BOOTS is to launch a new range of anti-ageing skincare aimed at the more mature woman in the New Year.

Boots is planning a huge TV and print campaign for No 7 Lift & Luminate which will be fronted by a new celebrity. The product is due on the shelf on January 27.

Though officially lips are sealed until near the launch date, a Boots insider let slip this week that it is a "really good actress." In that case it would mean the lovely Helen Mirren (pictured below) must be the front runner!

The insider said that lovely actress Keeley Hawes (below right) who is the current face of Boots No 7 Protect & Perfect, is too young at 33 years. This is surprising as the product has flown off the shelf, with most purchases being made by older women, after it was given top scientific acclaim on TV for its ingredients.


Life & Luminate is the name of the new range and it contains several of the key ingredients from the Protect & Perfect range including an extract of lupin.

Boots say the difference between P & P and L & L is that the latter not only reduces wrinkles but also firms and brightens skin - and it does it in just four weeks. It also contains a patented mix of "energising" ingredients including Hawaiian Algae and vitamin C that help to make it feel younger.









There are four products so far in the skincare range - the Lift & Luminate Day Cream - pictured below (50ml, £19.50), which also contains at SPF15






















Night Cream - pictured below (50m, £20.50) which also contains shea butter and glycerine























Eye Cream - below (15m, £16.50) with peptides




Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler - right- (30ml, £16) with particles fill in lines to deflect light and "blurr" wrinkles


The original Protect & Perfect Serum (30ml, £18).


Ingredients in Perfect & Protect:
Contains ingredients:Cyclopentasiloxane, Aqua, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone corsspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone copolyol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Magnesium sulphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium PCA, Retinyl palmitate, Methylparaben, Propylene glycol, Lupinus albus, Carbomer, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Panax ginseng, Morus alba, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3.

SPA SECRETS - AUTUMN IS PERFECT FOR CYPRUS

Cyprus is an all year round destination that really comes into its own in the autumn when the sunshine is dwindling in rest of Europe.

But there is more to this island than just sun, sea and beach. Recently the Government and the private sector have got together to push other areas of tourism to interest a more discerning clientele such as wine and gastronomy tours.

Cyprus is virtually self-sufficient when it comes to food and most of it is grown on the island, including bananas – and it’s cuisine is a culinary adventure of meze using fresh produce and blending flavours of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Yes Cyprus does have more than its fair share of cheap and cheerful, even a tacky side as a result of tourism from the former Soviet Union. There are pole dancing clubs and Russian prostitutes and large sprawling hotels that would suit footballers’ wives on a hen weekend.

But you don’t have to go far off the beaten track to see the unspoilt rugged mountain scenary, charming villages and to sample delightful food and the hospitality of friendly locals – most of whom seem to have a relative back in Blighty.

Cyprus is now part of the European Union and the Euro and has a healthy economy thanks to tourism. And if you are looking for something special either in rural tourism or five star classic luxury then Cyprus has it.

Elixir took a look at three of the finest resorts on the island:

Columbia Beach Resort

The five star Columbia Beach Resort at Pissouri at the Paphos end of the island is a discreet and classy resort of low-rise luxury bungalows right on the beach. Some suites even have their own plunge pools.

It has a stunning outdoor lagoon-style pool which flows inside to the Spa – so swimming even in winter is possible as its heated.. Cypriot honey, local salt and herbs are used in treatments. The sage, oregano and lavender herbal wrap is a signature treatment to help relaxation and the lymph glands work more effectively.

The spa has six treatment rooms, a spa bath, plunge pool, sauna and steam room. There are tennis and squash courts and a gym. The spa recently introduced a range of Molton Brown products and treatments.



We tried the Lifeforce Facial, a 60-minute rejuvenating treatment for dry and mature skin. This treatment starts with a deep cleanse and a polish ritual featuring a potent fusion of raspberry seed oil and fruit enzymes. Once the skin is buffed and cleansed,you can relax while your therapist uses Hungarian carrot and Moroccan cedarwood oils to supercharge your skin with moisture. You come out looking relaxed and dewy! Costs $113 (€99.10,£58)





The overall atmosphere is intimate and discreet. And with great dining in two restaurants – one offering local cuisine and the other international – it’s a great place for couples who want to get away and relax. There are three championship golf courses nearby.

Coral Beach Hotel Resort

This is a five star resort in a superb location, overlooking the golden sandy beaches and the sparkling blue waters of Coral Bay.



It is right next to the Akamas peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a UNESCO-protected heritage site. So it’s perfect for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, whether by horse or jeep. You can also ramble, bird watch, scuba dive or cycle. There are also lots of ancient Roman ruins nearby – Pafos was the Roman capital of Cyprus.

Esthisis, is the name of the hotel’s lovely spa and it is the Greek word for senses.



The spa has an indoor heated pool, whirlpool spa, , steam room suites, state-of the-art gymnasium , mirrored aerobics studios with maple sprung floors, computerised fitness assessment and also specialists to treat sporting injuries. It also uses two French products Thalgo and Decleor The Spa's salt glow, massage oil and other body treatments will pamper your body with luxury and leave you ready to take the world.


The new Shiseido spa at the Four Seasons Hotel

The exclusive Shiseido Spa, at the Four Seasons Cyprus has only just opened. It is the 5th Shiseido Spa in the world and the only one in Cyprus and the entire Mediterranean region. The hotel already has the first Thalassotherapy Centre in Cyprus and has now achieved another first with the introduction of the Shiseido Spa.

Thalassotherapy uses seawater and seaweed both of which contain minerals and vitamins in high levels for treatments not just for beauty, but also for total body rejuvenation and relaxation. Revitilise your body and mind whilst being pampered by a trained consultant; each guest is made to feel comfortable and relaxed with a high degree of personal attention.

As you would expect from the Four Seasons, the food and service is excellent – freshly made meze or gourmet dining are both top notch.

We sampled one of the wonderful signature treatments – the Qi for Face and Body. This is an absolutely amazing face and body massage that releases all tension and totally relaxes you – just what you want on holiday. If you have young children there is a well-equipped nursery next door. Costs $338 (€220, £173) for 120 minutes.

Don’t miss:
Picturesque Omodos village with its pretty square, the church of the Holy Cross and the old wine press. The wine producing villages of the Krassochoria on the Southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains – Kolios Winery at Statos Village; Lunch at “Tria Pefka” at Koilani village; Dinner at “Yialos” tavern (fish meze) “Petra tou Romiou” – the legendary Birthplace of Aphrodite, Temple of Aphrodite at Kouklia village. Dinner at Kamaroudi Tavern Paphos; Lefkara village famous for its lace and silver work followed by lunch at Maria’s restaurant – Vavatsinia village; the Cyprus Wine Museum at Erimi. Dinner at Karatello, near the old castle in Limassol

FACTBOX:
• Cyprus Tourism Organisation, www.visitcyprus.com , T: + 44 ( 0)20 7569 8800
• Cyprus Airways operates flights to Cyprus from London, Manchester and Birmingham. For reservations, log on www.cyprusair.com T: + 44 (0)20 8359 1333
• Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri www.columbia-hotels.com T: +357 25 833000
• Leptos Coral Beach Hotel, Coral Bay, Paphos www.coral.com.cy T: +357 26 813 777
• Four Seasons Hotel www.fourseasons.com.cy T: 357 25 858 000 Shiseido Spa + 357 258 58000 Email: spa@thefourseasons.com.cy
• Monarch – the low fares airline offers year-round flights to Larnaca from London Luton Airport and London Gatwick. www.flymonarch.com

To return to www.elixirnews.com click here www.elixirnews.com

INIKA MINERAL COSMETICS - NEW ERA MINERAL COSMETICS LAUNCH

Inika is an Australian brand of mineral make-up which is certified organic, suitable for vegans and also those on a Halal diet.

The brand was conceived by former Brit Amanda Bond and Jenni Williams when they realised there was a gap in the market for a mineral range of cosmetic make-up that was not only ethical but also performed with great coverage and colours. It is also the only mineral range for coloured skin in Australia.

Amanda's passion for her range was borne out of her own health issues (endometriosis) and fertility difficulties which she believes may have their roots in toxix chemicals in our environments.

Inika, she says, is about creating "glamour that is good for you!"





The cosmetic market is awash with claims for its cream and potions, most of which is unsubstantiated by science - the consumer is also confused by the descriptions for products such as "organic", "natural", "certified organic" since there is no umbrella body regulating these products worldwide. Different classifications have different criteria for the amounts of ingredients which should be "organic" to receive their stamp of approval. This means that some "organic and natural" products have very little of the specific ingredients and may also contain many of the ingredients being shown to be harmful or potentially harmful such as harsh chemicals, fillers, talk, bismuth oxychloride, GM ingredients, parabens, presevatives, mineral oils, phthalates and fragrances.

Stella McCartney is a fan of Inika which contains 100% certified organic, vegan or both - even the lipsticks and glosses which are usually impossible to make without animal-sourced ingredients. All products are 100% certified cruelty free and produced ethically with care for the environment.



The ingredients include natural minerals and a host of antioxidant ingredients such as natural oils for the pomegranate, Aloe Vera.


Inika has recently rebranded its range with new black and gold packaging and new products including a mineral foundation packed with antioxidants - so its also a treatment as well as a cosmetic. Inika contains a comprehensive range of products from primers to powder foundations, pencils and bronzers with prices starting at around £11.


Its available in selected salons..For more information Contact Inika Australia T: 61 2 4283 1043 www.inika.com.auand UK T: + 44(0)203 178 6090 www.inikacosmetics.co.uk

And if you want to know what is in your cosmetics find out here www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Click here to return to www.elixirnews.com

ROC'S LONDON LAUNCH OF RETIN-OX WRINKLE CORREXION RANGE

Launching nationwide in the UK in just two weeks time, ladies were given a sneak preview in London's Maddox street at ROC's anti-ageing boutique event to showcase the new product.

And if the queue which formed outside the boutique is anything to go by women can't wait to get their hands on this product.

The new ROC Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion range combines three A-list anti-ageing ingredients - pure Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid and Biopeptide.

In skin tests, the new product has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 30% in a period of 8 weeks. This includes wrinkles on the forehead, crow's feet, and lines around the lip and mouth - the main areas of concern for most women.

The ingredients also help increase cell turnover to promote younger looking skin. For example, in tests the eye cream improved the appearance of all the test ladies crows feet!

The range (pictured) includes a Daily Moisturiser (£26.99), Regenerating Night Cream (£26.99), an Intensive Serum (£26.99) and Eye Cream (£20.99).

The boutique anti-ageing event was so successful that ROC is thinking of opening a permanent skin advice centre. Read about it here!

Return to www.elixirnews.com

THE BUZZ OF EXERCISE - BRITISH MILITARY FITNESS TRAINING AT NIGHT!

I can't say it's easy but getting up and running around with some other like-minded people is great fun.

It's been two months since I decided to try out British Military Fitness Training - exercise that gets you superfit very quickly if you stick at it. In my case a knee injury prevented me from going to every session and at times Iwondered if all the aches and pains were worth it.

Then I got on my bike which I hadn't used properly for a couple of months and discovered that the hills in London (and there are some big hills in London) were a piece of cake! It seemed like my muscles has taken on a life of their own and actually enjoyed going uphill. So it really does work. I have lost weight, my stomach has shrunk and I just feel a lot fitter and stronger.

The next hurdle for me is exercising in the colder winter months and in the dark. So I was looking forward to my latest session on Hampstead Heath with some intrepidation.

But the session last Tuesday evening was the busiest one I have particpated in. There was so many of us blues (beginners) what we were split into two groups. How do you see in the dark you may ask? Well unbelievably Hampstead Heath is not dark at all - it is illuminated by all the lights of the big City and you can see everything in lights - from the Post Office Tower to the huge office blocks. It's quite an exhilarating sight. And of course you are not alone - the trainers keep a close eye on everybody to make sure no stragglers get left behind.

Our trainers all have torches and lights on their backpacks and although we don't stick to the footpaths, the roughest terrain is avoided - but still no mercy on the exercise! After the warm up which includes running, press ups, squats, star jumps etc - we run through the heath to Parliament Hill...its not cold at all, there was a light breeze and it's a bit of a buzz seeing London from this view.

Not far down below there were some guys playing football in a floodlit court and we did some real army exercise nearby - crab walking for one and crawling through the grass - I confess at this point I decided to do lunges instead. But I promise I will do it next time....

Then is was running back on the footpaths back to the car park at Downshire Hill, off Hampsead High Street.

I can't wait for the snow!

If you want to try British Military Fitness - the first session is free, just fill out your health questionnaire it's on the web site - and bring it with you. Don't worry if you don't feel like coming alone - someone always chats to you! You can find out about the classes at http://www.britmilfit.com/.

There are also some winter training tips on line at http://www.britmilfit.com/winter_training.aspx

ANTI-AGEING LAUGHTER - CARTOON BY MIKE FLANAGAN

Click here to return to www.elixirnews.com

ANNE BUTCHER'S DIARY OF HER DEKA SMARTXIDE NON-SURGICAL FACELIFT

Earlier this year Anne Butcher underwent the new Deka Smartxide laser skin rejuvenation.

She has kindly given us permission to publish her diary and to show the pictures of her treatment. Her diary and pictures take you through the treatment, which was carried out by Dr Aamer Khan at the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic, and shows how lovely she looks afterwards.

Anne: Friday 29th January at 1.15pm the anaesthetic cream was applied to my face, and pain killers were given to me.

Its now 2pm and my skin is cleansed. The treatment is started. Its a hot sensation but not unbearable. After the treatment my face is covered withsun protection. By 2.45pm its all finished and I am sitting back in waiting room.

My face is going hot and cold and starting to swell slightly.By 4.00pm I am in the car on the way home and the hot feeling has stopped.

Here is a picture of Anne shortly after her treatment:

Day of SmartXide Dot laser

During the evening I cleansed my face with wipes, my face was feeling very weepy and tender, I then washed it with vinegar water as I had been instructed, and put on a cream with a paraffin base which protects your skin, it made my skin feel very comfortable.

Saturday 31st January 7.00am – Woke up eyes almost shut, face very swollen, cleansed my face vinegar water, you would think this would sting but it did not, infact it stopped my face from weeping. Then applied more of the protective cream. I have not had to take any pain killers. By midday my skin was feeling very tight and weepy, again cleansed with vinegar water followed with the cream. Eyes almost closed I slept a lot as I could not focus properly to read or watch the TV. All through the day and evening I cleansed my face every 2 hours with the vinegar water, then applied protective cream.






Sunday 1st February 6.15am – Woke up and went and washed my face with vinegar water and applied cream, went back to bed, still very swollen.

12 noon - Got up washed with vinegar water and cream, swelling has gone down quite a lot, eyes not so tight, not weeping so much feel a lot better, no pain. Just tender when cleansing my face, I am now looking lobster red my skin has started to peel today. By the evening I stopped using vinegar water as I was peeling so much, face just feels tender, much less swelling. Cleansing with wipes, still applying cream regularly.






Monday 2nd February Looking a lot better! But still extremely red, peeling excessively.

Used wipes to gently cleanse my face. I am still using the paraffin based cream. As the day progressed my eyes felt a lot better not so tender and no weeping, I am improving all the time and the redness starting to tone down slightly.

Tuesday 3rd February Looking even better still rather red.
Peeling like mad, cleansing and applying cream. Still slightly swollen.

Wednesday 4th February Peeling an awful lot kept on applying cream every two hours. Still red but starting to see signs of redness calming down.


Thursday 5th February Much better today started to use CCLIft serum & B’Time cream. Put some make up on my eyes, started to feel like myself, still peeling like mad.



Friday 6th February A week today – still very red at times but can make up my eyes and use mineral make up. I still need to cleanse and I am applying the B’time cream and the CCLift serum, although they are not really sinking in just laying on top, but still not bad for only one week.


Saturday 7th February Went out of the first time, still putting creams on every 4 hours, near enough back to normal but still covering up the redness. I am very impressed with the results so far, I really do look like I have had a face lift.

Only 7 days after her treatment - Anne's face is firmer and lifted - and by the way is Anne is not smiling for the sake of consistency in the photographs!

Pictures courtesy of The Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic, 96 Harley Street, London W1. www.harleystreetskin.co.uk Laser resurfacing costs from £1,200

Back to www.elixirnews.com

HOW I TOOK TEN YEARS OFF MY SKIN AGE WITH THE NEW DEKA SMARTXIDE DOT LASER

Two months ago I underwent a laser facial rejuvenation treatment with the new DEKA SmartXide Dot Laser.

This was not a treatment that I undertook lightly as lasers skin resurfacing is a very painful treatment and usually requires at weeks off work while the skin heals.

But the Harley Street Skin Clinic’s new generation machine, operated by the very skilled Dr Aamer Khan, achieves the same result without the downtime in less than a week.

In this treatment the skin is “pixilated” with the laser – but skin rejuvenation is just as good as the lasers which completely resurface the skin with the benefits of less pain and less downtime.

Although my skin was in relatively good condition but the sags and jowls were beginning and the overall appearance of my skin was deteriorating with my pores getting larger.

First of all Dr Khan examined the current state and condition of my skin using a machine which measures the underlying damage – I had quite a lot from the sun which was evident as masses of freckle-like blotches beneath the skin. He told me that the treatment would reduce the sun damage, shrink my pores and generally rejuvenate the collagen.

The surface of my skin was treated with a topical gel aesthetic and also several pain-killing injections before the laser treatment which lasted about an hour. It was painful – a bit like sun burn. But the worst was over by the next day. There was some swelling but no bleeding or weeping which you can get with the deeper lasers. And I didn't need to take the painkillers I had been given.

Day by day my skin improved with the redness fading by day three.

Its been two months now and my skin is looking better every day – the regeneration of the underlying collagen continues for several months, I am told. My skin is tighter and firmer around the jawline and the photo analysis shows that the underlying sun damage has been virtually eradicated and the pore size has shrunk by two thirds. Everything has lifted – even my sagging upper eyes.

But I let my friends be the judge. “Your skin looks amazing!" Is what they are saying.” I am so pleased that I could get this effect without surgery – my face is the same – just a lot younger.

Now all I need to do is get the body to go with the face!

Laser resurfacing at The Harley Street Skin Clinic costs from £1,200

Dr Aamer Khan at the Harley Street Skin Clinic, www.harleystreetskin.co.uk For nationwide availability of Deka SmartXide Dot contact: 0207 514 5104

Back to www.elixirnews.com

THE CRAZY WORLD OF ANTI-AGING THROUGH THE EYES OF CARTOONIST MIKE FLANAGAN

And this is Mike:



SEE MORE OF HIS WORK AND FIND OUT MORE at www.webjam.com/flantoons2008

TOO MUCH WORK AND TOO LITTLE EXERCISE MAKES JILL A FAT AND UNFIT GIRL!

It seems like only yesterday that I was cycling 15 miles a day, swimming a couple of times and jogging the 3-miles circuit round Regent's Park and I still didn't think I was fit!

Now after eight months of sloth - I definitely know what unfit feels like - muscle cramps, tiredness etc and I definitely know what it looks like - fat and flabby! And if my life depended on it I couldn't sustain a decent run - so desperate measures are called for!

I thought about a Boot Camp (not enough time), running round the park on my own (boring and solitary) - then while walking through Hyde Park I saw some people having fun doing exercise with the "pros" from British Military Fitness. No demotivating shouting - great instructions and other folks in the same boat.


After researching them online at www.britmilfit.com I discovered there are sessions in parks all over the UK and you can go along and sample a lesson free. You do need to fill out a pre-session health questionnaire which you can download online to take with you.

I tried my session at Hampstead Heath. Hmmm I realised on arrival - I had picked probably the hilliest park in London! Too late to chicken out though - I could see the Military Fitness van in the car park.

The instructors for my session were Ian Finch( pictured below), an ex-navy marine and the lead instructor; Lalin Navaratne, a trainee doctor (centre) and Craig Johnson - "Johno" is another ex Royal Marine.






Participants in the training are divided into different groups, dependent on fitness - blue for beginners (unfit), red for fit and green for seasoned particpants and really fit people.

Needless to say I was given a blue vest for the team led by Lalil. Everyone is very friendly and I was told that there is a thriving social scene including an annual ball.

There is no hanging around - we get our orders to jog off and I follow the others up hill and down dale! An hour later - after doing what I can only describe as an aerobic circuit, including jumping jacks, on the spot running, stomach crunches, press ups, we finally run down hill back towards the car park for stretching exercises. And I was not the last person back!

Running through a park like Hampstead Heath in the summer is glorious - much better and more interesting (stimulating) than being in a smelly gym. And Ian Finch tells me that the Hampstead Heath mob are not just fairweather exercisers - they turn up in the depths of winter, come snow or rain! Last January when London ground to a halt in the snow there were 30+ of them on the heath...

Afterwards I feel good - my legs felt exercised but I was not exhausted - the longer it went on the easier it was. Twenty four later my muscles are pleasantly aching and I know it has put me on the road to being fitter and my next jog round the park will be a whole lot easier!

Needless to say exercise does really make you feel a whole lot better.....not just in body but also in mind too - I feel a whole lot more positive today about everything. I can't wait for my next session!

ITALIAN COSMETIC SURGEON UNVEILS STEM CELL FACELIFT SUCCESS

Dr. Renato Calabria, pioneer of the Stem-Cell Enhanced Facelift has unveiled before and after pictures of the procedure he performed in Florence, Italy earlier this Spring. While it's still early, the results will only get better over time!

Here Dr Calabria explains the procedure:

For decades plastic surgeons have been looking to restore a more youthful look on the face. Surgical techniques have been improving, newer lasers have been used in order to achieve a goal that seemed unreachable. Comparing the post-operative results with the pictures of the patients when they were younger, it appeared that there was something missing: a younger face had more volume and the skin just looked fresher.

Dr. Calabria always thought that with the advent of stem cell research, plastic surgery could beneficiate from it. Using stem cell as a mean to jump start the regenerative process in our own body was definitely a very attractive proposition.

We knew that the fat in our body contained adult stem cell along with other regenerative cells. Dr. Calabria has been using fat grafting ( therefore containing adult stem cells) on the face with the distinct purpose to rejuvenate the skin and adding volume.

But was not till the develop of a new device, the Celution Device, that facial rejuvenation could taken to the next level and finally create a really amazing result.

Dr.Calabria has called this new way of the future the "cell-enhanced face lift".

The (stem) cell-enhanced face lift is a new procedure used to volumizing the face and create a more youthful look.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Dr. Renato Calabria believes that traditional face lift should be a thing of the past: they caused the so called "wind tunnel "look by pulling tight the skin in the wrong direction. Adding volume to the face has always been Dr. Calabria's goal. First with the Vertical Face lift, by moving the patient's own tissues in a vertical direction and therefore repositioning it to the original and more natural position, Dr Calabria has been creating a more youthful look. And now with the (stem) cell-enhanced face lift, Dr. Calabria think he has definitely found the answer.

The (stem) Cell-Enhanced face lift not only restores the volume in the face but also adds regenerative cells which are believed to be beneficial to the rejuvenation process.

Dr. Calabria has developed a technique by which the cells are injected into the SMAS and underneath the facial musculature to create a more youthful volume adding result.

The (stem) cell-enhanced face lift combines soft tissue that is transferred from one part of the body to the face with the patient's own adipose tissue-derived stem cells and regenerative cells.

The technique first consists of harvesting the cells ( Usually from the lower abdomen). Liposuctioned fat is rich with regenerative cells which include adult stem cells, blood vessel producing cells, growth factor secreting cells. Once the fat is harvested, it is treated through a device to isolate the cells.

Celution® Technology - How it Works

First, adipose tissue is taken from the patient by a low volume tissue collection procedure. Next, the collected tissue is placed in the Celution® Device, which processes each patient's tissue with a single-use, application-specific consumable set that easily attaches to the Celution® Device.

The Celution® Device liberates the stem and regenerative cells from the adipose matrix; the cells are then separated, washed, and concentrated in the collection container. This real-time processing takes place in a closed environment to minimize the risk of exposure to contaminants and can be completed within the timeframe of a single surgical procedure.

Next, a syringe is used to collect the cells that are to be redelivered to the same patient. The cells may be injected directly into a site or implanted with a delivery matrix or scaffold to improve performance, such as combining the cells with an adipose tissue graft in reconstructive surgery procedures.

Following re-infusion into the body, it is thought that environmental cues from the damaged and surrounding tissue guide the stem and regenerative cells to the area of damage and help facilitate a natural healing response. The cells may respond by a variety of mechanisms, which promote tissue survival, graft retention, and/or differentiation of progenitor cells into the appropriate cell type.

Then, during the face lift, the regenerative cells tissue embedded in fat is then gently placed with a blunt cannula in layers of facial tissues like the SMAS, under the muscles, etc.... Once the fat is placed, symmetry is checked and then the skin is redraped and approximated, the excess skin excised and then anchored in a vertical direction and closed in layers. The key is to place this regenerative tissue in a precise location in order to enhance the volume of the face in areas previously volume deprived.

After the cell-enhanced face lift, the patient exhibits a dramatic improvement not only in the underlying soft tissue contouring of the face but the skin itself. The growth factors contained in these cells induce the skin and the other tissues to produce more cells of their own by basically initiating a signal to the local stem cells as well as the transplanted adult stem cells to restore them self and multiply.

Others techniques of stem cell face lift inject the cells directly in the face,( without surgery) but in Dr. Calabria's opinion is not as effective in voluminizing the face that the cell-enhanced ( stem cell) face lift and it does not address the laxity of the skin.

Also the cells have not been isolated with the celution device which Dr. Calabria thinks is essential to the final result.

The regenerative cells, by secreting growth hormone and other factors, are also beneficial to create a more youthful look, diminishing the aging process. The procedure restores the youthful contour and shape of the face as well as skin tightness and evens out color irregularities caused by aging and sun damage.

The cell-enhanced (stem cell) face lift is the new frontier of face lifting and Dr. Calabria is definitely writing a new chapter in facial rejuvenation.

The Celution device is not available in the US yet but has been approved for clinical use in Europe and it is available in Dr. Calabria's Milan and Rome locations and he will bring the technology to the U.S. as soon as next year.

Find more information on Dr Calabria's website www.drcalabria.com

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO www.elixirnews.com