The following post was written by Dr. Jim English

Within the cosmetic surgery realm, there are new technologies that present themselves for clinical use almost on a daily basis.  Whether located in a bottle or used by a surgeon as a medical device to bring about a desired outcome, these new innovations, by necessity, need to be vetted.

One of the devices that has come to the market place in recent years is the fractionated carbon dioxide laser.  Relying on the gold standard of laser therapy for over three decades, the carbon dioxide laser device has established itself as “the work horse” for facial rejuvenation.  The only change with the newer machines is in their delivery system. Instead of ablative, they are non-ablative. The difference is whether the entire surface of the skin is removed as with ablation or if only a fraction of the skin is removed as with non-ablation (such as the design on a chess board). However, pros and cons do exist as with all procedures.

An ablative carbon dioxide laser treats photo-damaged skin as well as moderately deep wrinkles. The recovery time for this treatment is measured in weeks and/or months.  The non-ablative laser is best for photo damaged skin and the finest of lines and this procedure’s recovery is measured in days.  As for complications, the chance of complications from the ablative procedures can be fairly common place while the non-ablative ones are prone to only a few, if any.

How does the laser procedure work? Under a local anesthetic, the laser is set to certain parameters that are specifically designed for your needs.  At our clinic, a surgeon administers the treatment over a period of several minutes.  As the laser beam strikes the skin’s surface, it burrows tiny little holes into the skin’s depth.  This in effect creates an organic debris field that causes your body to have to clean up the disturbed elements within the substance of the skin itself.  (Please forgive the analogy but a similar process can be envisioned after a natural disaster takes place in one of our communities and resources are mustered to clean up the problem. In most cases, the surrounding areas are newer and cleaner.)  It is in this reparative process that the body rids itself of the damage imposed on it by long-term sun exposure and may tighten fine lines as well.  Since the holes have normal, non-lased skin surrounding them, the healing process is quick and usually uneventful.

What does this all mean to you, the patient?  If you have sun damaged skin with or without fine lines then this new technology is extremely effective. It is predictable, has limited down time, less problems long term and costs much less than the more invasive ablative procedures.

If you or a loved one has a need for more information on this latest technological advancement, please call us at your convenience at the English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center at 1 800 390 3223.

The Little Black Dress Experiment has come to an end, but win the swag and relive it all again! It has been a great month touring America to see how 31 bloggers style one LBD (thanks Ann Taylor) but it is now time to thank the sponsors.

A special thanks goes out to Ann Taylor, Michele, Saddleback Leather Co., Spanx, Hard Night Good Morning, Donni Charm and Heely’s. I am so happy that Ann Taylor provided us with the perfect LBD. It is so versatile and has one of my favorite features – pockets. Thanks to Michele for providing their trendy but classic Tahitian Jelly Bean watch that I have worn almost every day since I got it! Thanks to Saddleback Leather Co. for making a stylish, rustic bag that I am using as an excuse to get an iPad since it features the perfect little pocket to protect Apple’s handy new gadget. Thanks D’Andra Simmons for nourishing my worn out skin with your moisturizer, Hard Night Good Morning. Donni Charm, thank you for creating a scarf that keeps me warm on those cold days at the office. Heely’s, all I can say is thank you for reminding me that I was never a good skater. Thank you to Spanx for holding in those stubborn places that just won’t go away. And last but not least, thank you Valerie for including me in such a fun experiment!

You can win all of the sponsor gifts by creating your own Little Black Dress look. To be eligible win, photograph yourself with the downloadable “Little Black Dress Experiment” Tours America Logo Sign in your town, in your own styled little black dress and post it to www.societystylist.com with your styling tips. On September 1 (tomorrow) at noon, a winner will be selected by random drawing from all follower posts. You can also follow all of the amazing sponsors on Facebook and Twitter. To see a complete list click here.

Thank you for all of your kind comments and I encourage you to see how many looks you can create with one LBD!

Ivory was definitely the color on the 62^nd Annual Emmy’s red carpet. Kim Kardashian strolled the carpet in a beautiful ivory Grecian gown with gold beaded detailing around the collar. Her hair was pulled back and simple, which worked perfect with Marchesa’s intricate neckline. Julie Benz went for an even simpler elegance with a white, one-shouldered column dress from Pamella Roland’s Resort 2011 collection with a sleek ponytail.

From ivory to black, Heidi Klum wowed the crowd in a mini-Marchesa dress with their signature whimsical detailing and black glittery stilettos. She dressed up the strapless neckline with a stunning necklace from Lorraine Schwartz. Some thought the dress was too short but I feel like Heidi Klum can pull off “mini” like nobody’s business.

Claire Danes knocked it out of the park in Armani Privé. The gold and cream glittered gown looked gorgeous with her curled blonde locks and just may be my favorite look of the night. Claire’s competition for best dressed is Nina Dobrev who looked stunning in a one-shouldered golden number with beautiful lace detail and chandelier earrings.

Ivory, navy, on-shouldered, glittery detail, Lorraine Schwartz and messy-chic (an oxymoron I know) updos were the main staples on the red carpet and the 2010 television stars did not disappoint!

Who wore your favorite look?!

I was asked to create a look using a little black dress from Ann Taylor (my go-to store for stylish transitional pieces from work to night) as part of the Little Black Dress Experiment Tours America. Society Stylist, Valerie Elizabeth, created the tour in order to see how different girls across the nation would interpret looks using the same LBD.

I have always been obsessed with clothes and putting different pieces together that most people wouldn’t combine so I couldn’t wait to participate in this experiment. The inspiration for my look came from the fabulous “Lexine” boot from Vince Camuto. I got these boots a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t wait to wear them. I paired my Little Black Dress from Ann Taylor with a chambray shirt from Topshop. I simply tied it up, threw on my boots, slathered on some shiny read lipstick et voilà. You can’t get more southern than that!

I grew up in the south and have always loved wearing overalls and cowboy boots, but I believe I’m a little too old for overalls these days! I feel like this look screams Texas but looks young and polished at the same time. I can’t wait to wear this out in the upcoming season but I will have to wait for the heat wave to subside.

What I’m Wearing

Dress: Ann Taylor “Little Black Dress.” I L.O.V.E. this store because everything is trendy yet classic at the same time. The pieces are great for work but transition easily for a night out with friends.

Boots: Vince Camuto “Lexine” boot. I got these boots a couple of weeks ago at Dillard’s and they are extremely comfortable, which is crucial for my flat feet. They can be worn two different ways – folded over like in the photo or flipped up above the knee.

Shirt: Chambray shirt from Topshop last fall.

Lipstick: Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Barcelona. These lipsticks are great because they stay on for literally hours and they don’t dry out your lips. I personally like to add a little shine to my lips so I ALWAYS add a gloss on top of any color I am wearing.

Let me know what you think!

Disclosure Statement: Everyone participating in Ann Taylor’s “Little Black Dress Experiment” blogger program is doing so voluntarily. No one, including me, is being financially compensated for their involvement. However, each blogger, including me, has been given a complimentary Ann Taylor dress to style for her look as well as a number of gifts from sponsors to include in her look or review separately during the month of August.

In honor of The Little Black Dress Experiment Tours America, Ann Taylor is extending a discount of 20% for all purchases of $100 or more. Spend $100 and only pay $80 – yes please! They have some really cute stuff right now (as always) so you should have no problem spending $100. Just click on the image below and enter ANNLBD at checkout.  Get to shopping ladies and don’t forget to visit Society Stylist on Sunday to see my look!!!

The past few weeks have been extremely rough. I was finishing research papers prior to graduation, dealing with the thought of losing my very sick puppy (by puppy I mean my 15 year old shih tzu), and starting a new job. Needless to say there were a lot of hard nights and no good mornings. Luckily, I graduated, I still have the love of my life and I love my new job.

While I was dealing with these stressful situations I never gave up my skin routine but due to the stress, my skin looked less than stellar. In the midst of it all I received a jar of D’Andra Simmons Hard Night Good Morning Daytime Moisturizer with SPF 20. The moisturizer is creamier than Cold Stone and leaves your skin feeling refreshed for hours. According the website, the formula contains powerful antioxidants to help protect the skin from free radicals in the environment and Allantoin, which is extracted from the roots and leaves of the comfrey plant and promotes cell proliferation, combined with essential Vitamins A, C, and E, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and to improve overall skin clarity.

I have only been using this product for about a week but it makes my dry skin feel amazing and refreshed. To buy this product you can order directly from the website at www.dandrasimmons.com or visit one of the retailers listed here.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge in exchange for agreeing to review it. There were no restrictions on what I could or could not say.

Every couple of months my boyfriend and I decide to head out to the movies (and occasionally we will sneak in Sophie ). Every time we go I wear the same staples – pants, a sweater and I put socks in my purse because it’s always so cold in those theaters! Some people may not dress up for a movie but just because it’s dark in the theater doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look cute. Who is to say you won’t run into Mr. Right when you are waiting in line for popcorn? (Luckily I have my Mr. Right but I still want to look stylish for him!)

This outfit is a mélange of pieces from my closet with a couple of new ones thrown in, including a fabulous watch from Michele.

Top: White t-shirt with asymmetrical hem from Target
Sweater: Moth nautical cardigan from Anthropologie
Pants: Cropped boyfriend jeans from Topshop
Shoes: Lilly Wedge in gold from Lilly Pulitzer
Watch: Michele Tahitian Jelly Bean

What do you think? Like or dislike?

Disclaimer: I received the aforementioned watch in exchange for agreeing to review it. There were no restrictions on what I could or could not say.

At an event last weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting the multi-talented shoe designer, Vince Camuto, and his wife Louise (Note: Louise also serves as President of Marketing & Communications for Camuto Group). It was easy to see his passion for design and love for his brand as he lit up talking about the different styles and upcoming ad campaign. Dillard’s NorthPark held the event and it was an afternoon filled with models, pink and shoes galore. I’ve always been a huge fan of this line because they are stylish, classic and above all, comfortable. The fall line is full of feminine, dramatic and equestrianesque styles featuring everything from ballet flats to over the knee boots and everything in between. A few of my personal favorites are the toffee-leathered shooties with three romantic rosettes (pictured below) and the over the knee “Lexine” boots that can be worn folded over as well.

Vince Camuto is the founder and CEO of Camuto Group, and is known for co-founding and establishing Nine West Inc. where he served as creative director.  He also designs shoes for Jessica Simpson, BCBGeneration and Banana Republic among others. That being said, I must say that his namesake brand is my favorite. The leather is soft and the soles can carry me throughout the day without missing a beat. I have very flat feet and the support in these shoes is incredible. And it’s no longer all about the shoes. In 2009, Camuto launched a line of handbags that fit every need. There are spacious handbags for the girl on the go (This would be someone like me who carries everything around but the kitchen sick) and styled up clutches for a night out on the town.

You can find Vince Camuto on Facebook and Twitter @VinceCamutoColl. Also take a look at his blog Sole Purpose. You can see pictures from the event on the Face Doctorette Facebook page.

What is your favorite style in the fall collection?

Lately I have been getting lots of requests for the recipe to a simple salad dressing I make weekly.  So as I was typing it out I figured I might as well share it with all of my online friends as well! Every time I cook I always try to get an even balance of protein, carbohydrates and greens on my plate. Sometimes I will sauté a few vegetables but most of the time I just throw together some lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrots and blue cheese topped with a healthy vinaigrette from Ina Garten’s Barefoot in Paris cookbook.

The book focuses on simple French cuisine and I must say this dressing is a staple in French homes. I will warn you ahead of time that this recipe contains raw egg but I have been eating it for years and I am fine. However, if you are totally averse to ingesting raw egg then simply eliminate it. The recipe is as follows:

• 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon minced fresh garlic
• 1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature (I always forget to cool off my egg  and my dressing tastes fine so I wouldn’t stress about this)
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup good olive oil

In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, egg yolk, salt and pepper. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified. You can do all of this in a bowl but if you L.O.V.E. kitchen gadgets like I do then you can pick up one of these handy emulsifiers at Target for about $12 (I justified this purchase by thinking it would save water and energy on dishwashing because I can make up my dressing AND store it all in the same container!).

All that’s left to do is throw all of your salad ingredients together et voilà!

Bon Appétit

I have been a fan of Caress body wash for as long as I can remember. The second I got the option when I was little to switch from soap and a washcloth to body wash and a loofah, I was delighted to finally make the switch to “big girl” soap. However, I must admit I have been using Dial for the passed couple of years because it is cheaper (Probably not enough to make a difference but when you are buying toiletries yourself every $ counts!), but I have recently started using Caress again after testing out the new Whipped Soufflé Body Wash.

The new whipped body washes are so light and creamy that it feels like you are applying lotion in the bath. In order for the body wash to reach this velvety consistency, the formula is whipped together with fragrance and moisturizers under intense pressure at sonic speeds. I was a bit worried when using it for the first time because I thought it would leave a thin film on my skin but it left my skin feeling smooth and clean without any residue whatsoever.

The only downfall with this body wash is the lack of scent options. I prefer to use a body wash that has a fresh clean scent over a body wash that smells like fruit. Now don’t get me wrong, the White Peach Cream I tested out smelled great but I just use it at night. In the mornings I still use Dial’s Clean & Refresh Springwater Body Wash, but the Caress Peach Soufflé Body Wash is great to use in the bath before bed.

You can follow Caress on Twitter and Like them on Facebook to interact with other fans, get product updates, and receive tips and tricks from their spokeswomen, Julianne Hough.

Disclaimer: I received a free bottle of this product in exchange for agreeing to review it. There were no restrictions on what I could or could not say.

What is your favorite body wash? What scent do you prefer – Fresh or Fruity?