Why are we so attracted to eyes? Well, they are a prominent part of your face and can hardly be ignored. They have a tendency to “talk” to us. As Thoreau proclaimed, “The eye is the jewel of the body,” so it is no wonder that we possess this fascination with eyes and have the desire to keep them as appealing as possible.

As early as 4000 BC, women and men in Egypt used kohl, made from soot, to accentuate their eyelashes and brows. It is believed that mascara and body painting were used for celebrations and for protection from evil forces and bad energy. From the artwork of the time, during the period between1400 and 1700 cosmetics had made their way through Europe, reaching all social classes. In the early 1800s, Victorian women were very formal and conscious of their looks, and they developed homemade remedies in an attempt to fulfill their quest for beauty. Mascara, made from mixing elderberry ashes and castor oil, was applied to eyelashes to accentuate them.

The first commercial mascara was developed in the late 1800s; improvements to the original concept have continued to be made to this day. Currently, we have mascaras that are clear, colored, waterproof, thickening, lengthening or a combination, to name a few. In the early 1900s, the public became even more aware of the products that were used to make actresses more beautiful and makeup became more available to the general public. Eyes became the center of attention of a generation. No one can forget the look of dark, accentuated eyes; think Elizabeth Taylor, Bridget Bardot and Twiggy.

Although trends come and go, the eyes have remained a lure magnet. At one time having heavily made up eyes and pale lips were in style, then adding lips with color was acceptable. Today, you have your choice-eyes or lips (a whole other fascination!)-but not both.

In the early 1900s false eyelashes came into existence. Initially popular among actresses, they were known as “glamour strips.” Today we are finding that this trend continues and has brought major improvements along the way. While false eyelash strips still exist and are popular, single strand eyelash extensions-either temporary or semi-permanent-have entered the market. The temporary ones were originally used for special occasions but the semi-permanent ones have acquired a whole new group of consumers, ones who want longer, thicker lashes without having to apply coats of mascara and then needing to remove them each evening. These semi-permanent lashes give you the look you want without the fuss and muss. They are applied by aestheticians specially trained in the application and, although they can be somewhat pricey and need some maintenance, women who use them, find it hard to be without them.

Eyes and eyelashes are so important to many women (and men) that one of the largest cosmetic companies, Allergan (makers of Botox and Juvéderm), has developed a treatment to grow lashes. The product is called Latisse and it was approved by the FDA for hypotrichosis (inadequate or sparse eyelashes). Latisse, shown to produce longer, darker, fuller lashes, is available by prescription or in the offices of some healthcare providers. It can take 8 to 16 weeks to see results. The results will last only as long as you continue to use the product, so it does require a commitment of time and money.

The use of Botox cosmetics is another tremendously popular procedure for keeping the eye area looking its best. Botox relaxes the muscles around the eyes, between the brows and on the forehead area to give you a more relaxed and young looking appearance. Since Botox can help reduce the “angry” look we may project but not actually feel, it can make you seem more friendly, open and approachable; this can have a dramatic positive impact on you socially and professionally.

We know that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” so it seems natural that we would put so much effort into the area of our face that most people tend to remember.

There is so much advertising today about facial products and procedures, especially ones that are injected. How do you know which one is right for you?

Great question! TV and print media are inundating the world today with products and procedures to make us look younger. There are creams and lotions that promise to reduce the signs of aging. Others promise to correct skin damage or protect you from further damage that has occurred through the normal aging process, through sun exposure or by poor health or diet.

The truth is there are many good products out there that will help. Some are available over the counter, but the ones that will generally help the most are the products that are available through healthcare professionals. This is due to the fact that the ingredients in these products are stronger and, therefore, more effective. The big part of the question then remains: “What do you do when products just aren’t helping?”

At one time the only thing you could do to look younger was to have surgery. Many people found this an unpleasant choice. They were afraid of surgery and the possibility of post surgical complications; there was a considerable financial investment, the results were permanent, and they needed time to heal so there was considerable “downtime.”

The cosmetic pharmaceutical companies stepped in and began to manufacture injectable products that—although temporary—could give you back a youthful look by reducing lines, wrinkles and facial folds.

These are the products we hear so much about today:

Botox is probably the most familiar of the injectable cosmetics. It is a neurotoxin that relaxes the muscles, which in turn eliminates the lines that can often make people look angry or tired. It is typically used between the eyebrows, around the eyes and on the forehead. Patients are often confused and ask for Botox to fill wrinkles and folds. Botox is not a filler; it cannot fill wrinkles and folds, or replace lost volume. Botox usually takes three to five days to show results, but changes can occur as quickly as one day or take as long as two weeks. Results will generally last from three to five months.

Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are hylauronic acid gels that are clear in color. They are injected below the skin to fill in a wrinkle or a fold or to replace lost and desired volume. These fillers are injected into different areas of the face, for example, the lips (lip augmentation), the nasal-labial folds (those lines that go from the sides of your nose toward your mouth), the marionette lines (the lines from the corners of your mouth that go toward your chin), the cheeks (cheek augmentation), the jaw line and even the nose, to correct slight imperfections. All of these lines/folds and loss of volume tend to cause us to look older than we feel. Results are instantaneous and can last from four months up to more than a year.

Radiesse is a calcium-based material that also falls into the dermal filler category. Radiesse dermal filler is made from a biocompatible substance that’s identical to what is naturally found in the body. It is white in color so it is not used in the lips. As with all the fillers mentioned, Radiesse has virtually no risk of allergic reaction, and there have been very few side effects reported in clinical trials and actual use. Each product can/will last a different amount of time on different people, but with any of the products chosen you will have a result that will truly diminish lines and wrinkles and make you look younger.

It seems like there are so many doctors performing these procedures. How do you know which one to choose?

That’s easy; you need to choose someone whose ability you trust and who has been well trained in administering injections. There are many fine injectors out there. Not every medical professional was taught to administer facial injectables as part of his or her medical training. Many practitioners that are injecting were taught by taking continuing education courses and then by practicing their craft. At one time, facial injections were done primarily by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Now many other medical professionals are performing these procedures. But as with anything else, there are some healthcare professionals who are just better injectors than others, some just by virtue of the fact that they were trained to inject as part of their professional training.

As a dentist, and one trained in dental cosmetic procedures, I found that I had to use my artistic skills, and so providing this service to my patients was a natural progression. They wanted beautiful teeth and smiles and they asked me to do it. Dentists are trained to administer anesthesia as well as perform the dental procedure. This means that by nature of their profession, dentists have to be very good injectors. Patients trusted my judgment and ability and they were already comfortable with me giving them injections since I always worked in their facial area and had given them injections as part of their dental procedures. You need or should feel this level of comfort and trust in the person you choose to inject your facial injectables.

Now although these are non-surgical procedures, they are not without some discomfort. Botox injections are quick and relatively painless. Filler injections, especially those in the lips, can be quite uncomfortable, but the fact is, when the injection is over, so is most of the discomfort. Dentists, and some other healthcare professionals, are able to reduce most of the pain by giving you an anesthetic block, which will numb the area to be injected. Dentists give intraoral (in the mouth) injections every day, and by giving injectable fillers in this manner, there is a reduced chance of any bruising or swelling as compared to injections that are given externally. Intraoral injections allow you to return to your normal activities immediately with minimal evidence that any procedure was performed.

Experienced injectors with advanced training can use many of these products interchangeably or in conjunction and in various other ways to enhance the outcome. Whatever procedure you decide you need/want should be done in conjunction with a consultation with the healthcare provider you have chosen. You need to be verbal in expressing what it is that bothers you so that together you can come up with the best treatment plan. Your ideas may not be what will yield you the result you desire so be open to the doctor’s suggestions about what procedures/ products may be best for you. He/she should be well versed in the products and should guide you in choosing the product that will produce the best results for the area in need of the correction.

The beauty of these injectable procedures is that you are always in control of how you look and how much you want to spend. It can be something you just want to try once and may decide not to do again but more than likely the results are something you will love and you will want to continue as needed.

This Valentine’s Day, Treat Yourself
Join Dr. Freund and the NJ Center for Aesthetic Enhancement
for Fabulous February
Botox and Dysport – 15% off
Facial Fillers (Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm & Radiesse)
Buy 1 syringe; get 1 at ½ off, saving hundreds of dollars!!
3 days only: February 6, 7 and 8th

Appointments will go fast, so make yours now
Call 201 568-0606

The holiday season upon us and before that festive spirit is gone altogether, we’d like to take this one last chance to extend our warmest and sincerest thanks for making this year one of the very best. The move into our new office has been a great and we hope to see you soon. You may not think much of it, but we consider your ongoing loyalty a privilege we earn by providing quality dental and facial services in a welcoming atmosphere. We thank you for the respect you show when you refer your family and friends. It means a lot to all of us. The festive season may have you running around buying gifts for others, but don’t forget to put yourself on that list. If it’s time for a checkup or you’re just thinking of doing something nice for your smile, just give us a call. In our office, happy, healthy smiles are always in season!

The stature of dental and oral health has risen in recent years as researchers have discovered a connection between declining oral health and underlying systemic conditions. In other words, a healthy mouth can help you maintain a healthy body. Studies suggest that periodontal disease (advanced gum disease) increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, respiratory problems, and diabetes. In addition, bacteria can spread from the oral cavity to the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening infection of the heart valves. For this reason, it is imperative to keep up with the number or oral exams and cleanings recommended by your dentist. Call us if we can be of service or any answer any questions you may have.

Our new center has state of the art operatories and the same warm, attentive staff caring for you and your dental and facial cosmetic needs. For your convenience, our new location has great parking and is situated just around the corner from our old location!

Please visit us at 700 East Palisade Avenue. I am sure you will be as pleased as we are with our thrilling transformation.

It surprises me how many patients miss their dental appointments when they have insurance coverage. If you’ve missed your scheduled date because you’ve been busy with life (as we all get), you’re losing hundreds of dollars in treatment each year. And, without treatment, deterioration of your teeth and gums will take a toll – and not just on your bank account – on your overall health too.

Gum disease has been linked to many serious diseases. Oral cancer when left undiagnosed and untreated is often times fatal. So preventive care is of the utmost importance. Please don’t lose your money. Call now to book your recall appointment. We’ll investigate your insurance coverage to make certain you’re taking advantage of all your benefits. We will do our best to help you plan an appointment at a convenient day and time.

Dr Freund is a participating provider in Delta Premier, Cigna Savings Plan and Careington Dental Network.

As much as we are sad to leave the offices we have called home for nearly 20 years and where many of you first met us, we are so excited to be situated in our brand new, beautiful offices. Our new center has state of the art operatories and the same warm, attentive staff caring for you and your dental and facial cosmetic needs. For your convenience, our new location has great parking and is situated just around the corner from our old location!

Please visit us at 700 East Palisade Avenue. I am sure you will be as pleased as we are with our thrilling transformation.

Dr. Bruce Freund & The New Jersey Center for Aesthetic Enhancement
Invite you to Start the New Year with a New You

15% off all Cosmetic Facial Injectables and Skin Care Products

Bring a friend (who is a new patient) and save 30% off Botox

3 Day Event
November 7-8-9,2011

Appointments will go fast – call now to make yours
201 568-0606

Ideally, younger cells from healthy individuals have the greatest potential. We can recover our patients’ stem cells by the planned extraction of already-loose baby teeth, extra adolescent teeth removed in preparation for orthodontics, extracted wisdom teeth, and also from certain healthy middle aged teeth.

You can enroll online at www.stemsave.com and arrange to recover your stem cells at the time of your planned procedure. We’ll use StemSave’s patented recovery and transport system to rush your tooth to their laboratory. Only viable cells can be cryopreserved using this state-of-the-art technology.