The Psychology of Beauty

Everyone wants to be beautiful. A woman wants to be as beautiful as possible and a man as attractive as he can be. Why? Well, the way we look impacts how we feel about ourselves and how others perceive us—or at least how we perceive they do. In other words, it is all about self-esteem. As I teach doctors around the world, I remind them that although it seems we are in the business of making people look better (which we are) we are really in the business of self-esteem.

Self-esteem and beauty

This is also true in nature. If there is an unattractive member of a herd of any animal type, that animal is generally left out of many of the activities and it may be severe enough that he is not allowed to eat and will starve to death.

I have seen many examples in my practice of changed lives due to cosmetic treatments. The shy and embarrassed teenager with acne who comes out of the shell with the new clear skin. The bank executive who was embarrassed about his acne scars and not able to advance until the dermabrasion made his skin clear and he excelled. The older woman who no longer liked herself and thought others didn’t who blossomed after cosmetic procedures.

Psychology and cosmetic procedures

In one of my previous books, I asked a noted psychologist to write a chapter on beauty and the psychological impact and she pointed out many interesting facts. It is probably well-known that the really good looking girl in high school gets the date with the good looking football player, but there is a lot more to it than that. An attractive person is more likely to get the attention of a salesperson than an unattractive one. Good looking people tend to get seated in a restaurant sooner and at better tables. They get better deals on items for sale and get taxis sooner etc. But the most surprising fact she brought out was that better looking people get better medical care!

So, cosmetic procedures, trying to look your best is more than trying to get a pretty face. Self-esteem! And it has also been shown that one of the most important factors in how well and how long you will live is self-esteem.

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An Explanation on Stem Cells

One of the new buzz words in the media is stem cells and there are already a number of products on the market that claim that they contain stem cells and they perform miraculous tasks. But, what are these and where are we as scientists in the process of utilizing them?

Stem cells are cells that have the potential to grow into another type of cell. The controversy that you may be familiar with is the use of embryonic stem cells, but there are adult cells that have the same potential—these are in the bone marrow and skin cells.

Researches on Stem Cells

There is a significant amount of research ongoing around the world as these cells have the potential to aid in the treatment of cancer to the appearance of aging. But there are no products on the market at the moment that have been proven to help the skin in any way.

There are many questions about these products on the market that claim they have stem cells and that they will provide benefit. First of all, where do the cells come from? How are they processed? How are these products formulated to get the stem cells in and activate them? And, of course, what clinical proof is there that the product does anything at all.

My Advice

What I can advise you at the moment is that if you are considering buying a product that claims there are stem cells in the product and that the product will decrease the appearance of aging of your skin, simply do not buy it.

There are; however, centers around the world that are not only performing good research but actually treating some diseases and getting results—from MS to spinal cord injuries, but these too are experimental and have a long way to go before they are standard and available treatments.

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The Hormone Secret by Dr. Tami Meraglia

My good friend Dr, Tami Meraglia from Seattle, WA will be releasing her new book The Hormone Secret in April. At this time you can preorder at her website or mine.

This book is a compendium of what occurs as we age and how we can reverse the various problems associated with the changes in hormones that occur. It is very well written and easy to understand and put to use.

It will be available in book stores soon, but you can get yours now. It will change your life!

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Cellulite Problems and Solutions

Of the many things about which there is confusion in cosmetic medicine, one of the most prevalent is cellulite. It was described centuries ago and until recently was still thought to be nothing but an abnormal accumulation of fat. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are many people who are overweight and don’t have cellulite and there are very thin people who do.

Cellulite is the exclusive domain of women who are past puberty. Men do not get cellulite and it is estimated that 95% of women have some degree of cellulite at some time in their lives. Since it is not merely fat accumulation, both diet and exercise are totally ineffective in reducing its appearance.

Cellulite: Why does it appear?

In actuality, cellulite is a condition of the blood vessels in the fat under the influence of estrogen or female hormone. It can be manifest as simply dimpling of the skin to canals and valleys to severe overlapping of the skin over itself. It occurs on the thighs, buttocks and some on the abdomen. There is no treatment available in any spa or doctor’s office that has been shown to be really effective.

There are; however, treatments available that when applied topically to decrease the appearance of cellulite. It has been shown that caffeine reduces the fat, while certain antioxidants like vitamin C protect the areas and prevent further damage. It is well-known that the inclusion of vitamin A or retinol in a formulation not only increases the effectiveness of the active ingredients but act to increase the presence of cells that will increase the healing process in the areas of cellulite as it decreases the inflammation.

One of the main products available for the treatment of cellulite that actually has been clinically shown to be effective is ResolutionMD’s cellulite product, which is available on this website.

So, you can begin to get into shape for the season of showing off your smooth body by getting this product and start using it.

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Board Certification: What is it and Why does it Matter?

This is a term that most of you are familiar with, but what does it mean? First of all, not every so-called board is real. The only boards that mean anything to medical peers are those that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and there are, of course, a number of them.

What is a Board Certification?

The ones that concern us at this point are the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. To become board certified in a specialty requires a number of things. The doctor must complete medical school and specialty training in that specialty. He then becomes board eligible and is able to take an examination given by his peers to become board certified.

There is a written part of the examination and a practical or oral part each usually lasting a day. If one does not pass the written part, he cannot take the oral examination. If he passes both he is then board certified in that specialty. That is very important to remember—he is board certified (i.e. his peers deemed him capable) in that specialty only. Board certification in one specialty does not confer any expertise in any other.

Why does it matter?

A physician board certified in dermatology is not certified, e.g. to deliver babies and someone board certified in OB/GYN is not certified to perform dermatologic or cosmetic procedures. It is also important for you to know that even though there are doctors who advertise that they are board certified in cosmetic surgery, that board is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Some doctors take courses given by various societies over weekend periods and are given exams by them and become board certified by them in cosmetic surgery, but cosmetic surgery is not a recognized specialty and the societies do not comply with all the requirements of the authorities.

The primary lesson here is that if you are seeing a doctor and he tells you he is board certified, you need to ask him in which specialty and be sure he is what you are looking for. If he is board certified in internal medicine, that does not necessarily qualify him to perform any cosmetic procedure on you and if you are told he is board certified in cosmetic surgery, you need to ask how that determination was made. It is then up to you as to whether or not you wish to proceed with whatever you are contemplating.

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Who is Really Qualified? By NBC News

Last week, Cynthia McFadden of NBC news presented a story about a doctor who took weekend courses to become an expert on cosmetic procedures and the problem patient that she interviewed.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as to what is going on with doctors performing procedures who are not really qualified, nurses acting on their own and even in some cases aestheticians performing cosmetic procedures.

Addressing the issues

I address all these issues and many more in my latest book SkinScam and I urge those of you who are contemplating allowing anyone to perform any type of cosmetic procedure on you to get a copy and read it before you let anyone touch you.



It is available on this website as well as Amazon.com as both a hardback and an e-book. Don’t hesitate—this is a very important step you are about to take and need the ammunition to be certain as to what you are about to do.

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SkinScam – Dying to be Beautiful

My latest book, SkinScam, has been on the market for about a year and I want to thank everyone who has purchased it and read it and for your comments. I still think it is very important for anyone considering any type of cosmetic procedure to your face or even a new skin-care line to read this book.

How to Read this Book?

It details a number of things you should know about that can really influence what you have done. The training that is gone through to be able to perform these procedures and unfortunately procedures being done with very little or no training.

It discusses those items that you can apply to the skin that actually work and those that are mostly hype. But it doesn’t stop there. There are a lot of procedures being performed that have no science behind them. There are even “doctors” doing procedures that have no business going anywhere near you.

I even know of a doctor who taught in a hospital how to perform a new procedure that has been developed to improve the appearance of the face. Unfortunately, he was not in practice and not even licensed. So how did he “learn” how to do this? THE INTERNET

Things are really going from bad to worse in the cosmetic field as to all the people entering who have no business doing so. I urge you to get this book, read it and digest it. It is available on this website and at Amazon.com

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Vitamin K Explained

Not a great deal is known by the lay public about this very important vitamin. It was discovered about 100 years ago that this compound aided in clotting and received the name vitamin K from the German for clotting. There are 2 sources that provide this vitamin in the natural state: green, leafy vegetables and the bacteria that inhabit the GI tract. Since newborns have sterile GI tracts, all of them receive an injection of vitamin K to keep them from bleeding.

How does Vitamin K Work?

One of the manifestations of sun damage and aging skin is the breakage of blood vessels resulting in bruising especially over the backs of the hands by simply tapping the skin against something. I started doing research on this a couple of decades ago and found that topical vitamin K both speeded the healing and prevented the new formation of bruises when applied. I patented this and since then many companies have developed products that contain vitamin K.

It is important to note that there are a number of vitamin K’s, but the most effective one is vitamin K1, also known as phytonodiaone. When you have a product that lists vitamin K as one of its ingredients, be sure it is phytonodione. Most of the time it is metadione (Vitamin K2) and this is not effective. Also, the product should be yellow and must remain yellow as it is used or it has deteriorated and is not effective.

The Best Vitamin K Products

Vitamin K products have been used to treat the bruising due to the sun as discussed, but also to prevent and treat bruising from surgery, injections and laser treatments. It has also been shown to help prevent recurrence of broken blood vessels after spider vein injections in the legs. Additionally, one of the most common benefits has been decreasing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, especially when combined with vitamin A to make it absorb better. The combination is available on this website in the A/K capsules from Quintessence.

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Vitamin C – How to Use it to Improve Skin Quality?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been known for over a century. It was noted that sailors on long voyages developed bleeding gums, nausea, anemia and many other signs of a deficiency unknown then to be due to vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). However, the cure came when citrus fruit was kept on the ships to prevent the problems, particularly limes and then the sailors became known as limies.

How does Vitamin C Work?

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin so that it is not stored in the body and you cannot get too much of it. This also means that the body cannot get a high enough concentration to get the vitamin into the skin.

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant, which means that it fights the actions of the sun. It is also important in the rebuilding and maintaining of healthy tissue, particularly blood vessels and collagen.

Research performed at Duke University about 30 years ago demonstrated its positive effects when applied to the skin and many products have been developed since then. All the topical vitamin C preparations protect the skin from one of the wavelengths of the sun and repairs collagen, which is one of the main constituents of the skin and as it becomes damaged is the main cause of the appearance of wrinkles.

Vitamin C Skincare Products

Although there are many companies selling vitamin C products for the skin, they are not all created equally. The product is yellow when you first open the jar or tube and must remain yellow for it to continue to be effective. Because once it is opened the vitamin C is exposed to oxygen and begins to turn brown, it is important to use a product that is formulated and packaged so that it remains yellow. Some companies will tell you that the product is still effective even if it turns brown. That is simply not true—it must remain yellow to be effective.

The proper method of use is to apply a small amount of the product in the morning after cleansing the face and prior to applying your sunscreen. Over a period of time you should notice a decrease in the fine lines and wrinkles over the face and a decrease in the sallow appearance.

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March Injectable Fillers Promotion

Dr. Melvin Elson would like to announce that, with every Filler Injection or Purchase of La Peau Skincare Product, you get a $200 off of your next Botox Injection.

This promotion is valid only during March 2015

For more information call (615) 441-5227 or email info@drmelvinelson.com

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Infomercials – What to Have in Mind?

You cannot watch television for very long without being bombarded by an infomercial. You really need to understand what is going on in this infotainment advertisement. I have been involved in a couple of them and actually developed one with a country music star and a skin care line I made for her, so I am pretty well versed on how these things work.

The Infomercial Structure

As far as the format goes, the infomercial is not really a 30 minute show. It is 3 10 minute shows separated by calls to action—i.e. trying to get you to buy. As far as the products are concerned, there are some that have good research standing behind them and present products that work and do exactly what they say they are going to do. The best example of this is ProActive acne products. But not all fulfill the promises they present.

Some things you should know about how an infomercial really works. “if you are one of the first x callers, you get free shipping” Everyone gets it-this is trying to get you to call. “Call now and we will double the offer; you pay only shipping and handling”. This tells you that the product costs very little to manufacture and the S and H covers the cost.

Guarantees and Products

The product carries a money back guarantee. True. But you don’t know how long it will take to get your money back if you try. When you call, not only will they take your order for the product, but will try to sell you related ones—the so-called upsells. You don’t need to buy these at all. Also, do not sign up for automatic shipments unless and until you are certain you want the product.

Direct TV like home shopping network is similar and is often a direct outreach from the infomercial. This is a live show selling whatever product they are at the moment and works the same way as an infomercial. The main thing to remember is to stop and think—don’t act on impulse. Do you really need or want this item? There is no hurry—they aren’t going anywhere.

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What Does a Cosmetic Label Really Say?

There are some interesting nuances that the consumer should know regarding the labeling of cosmetic products. First of all, one needs to understand what a cosmetic really is. According to the FDA and believe it or not the definition is based on the Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1939, a drug is something that acts on the skin and changes it in some manner, whereas a cosmetic is one that merely adorns the skin. So, by definition of the FDA, a cosmetic cannot perform any useful function.

Reading the Labels

So, there are games that are played with the wording and additionally a new class of agents has appeared on the scene called cosmeceuticals. These are agents that are applied to the skin, which do have an effect on the skin more than just adorning them. The FDA does not recognize the term, but it does exist and is useful in the world of dermatology and cosmetic language.

Reading labels carefully can give you an interesting picture of what is going on in the industry. A product cannot claim it reduces wrinkles; it can only claim that it reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Reducing wrinkles is a drug claim; reducing the appearance is not.

If a label states that it retards or reduces aging, it contains a sunscreen. A moisturizer contains water (the highest concentration on the label is the one first and it is always water) and then has items that traps the water and makes the product smell good.

Fragrance free means it does not have a smell, but it does not mean it contains no chemicals that have a fragrance, because chemicals are added to hide the smell of certain chemicals.

Data on file simply means there is data at the company—may be good, may be bad. It doesn’t say.

Dermatologist tested means that the company paid a dermatologist to test the product, but again the results are not known to the consumer.

As seen on TV means just that—it has been on TV—big deal!

Go here if you want to see my personal selection of the best cosmetic products in the world.

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