This week on Dr. 90210:

There’s no business like show business! The entertainment industry is a hot topic among the patients on Dr. 90210 this week, as top Beverly Hills plastic surgeons help to improve the appearances, self-esteem, and careers of plastic surgery candidates.

An adult film star has breast augmentation repair, helping her gain more symmetrical, aesthetic-looking breasts that she can feel comfortable with. The other patient featured is an aspiring singer who is recording an album. She undergoes rhinoplasty with Dr. Jason Diamond, which not only corrects the deviated septum that made her breathing difficult, but also improves her ability to sing.

We even see Dr. Robert Rey dabbling in the limelight, shooting a scene for a movie, co-hosting an acting class, and even talking to listeners as a guest DJ on “Loveline” (a talk radio show featured on the radio station KROQ). Way to juggle all of your endeavors Dr. Rey!

Want a full dosage of the surgery and stars of Dr. 90210’s third episode of season five? Read the rest of my rundown on iEnhance.com!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 season archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

I am the project manager of a successful plastic surgery Internet marketing company. Needless to say, I am surrounded by a chaotic and fast-paced environment nearly every day. So when given a birthday gift certificate to Simply Spoiled Spa in Rancho Cucamonga of Southern California, I couldn’t help but feel ecstatic about such a wonderful idea. The best part of all is that the day spa is literally a few doors down from our bustling office.

                     (The enchanting “cloud” chairs in the waiting room!) 

The world stopped when I first walked in Simply Spoiled Spa, about 15 minutes early from my appointment. With only a few people here and there, I could tell that they don’t overbook, allowing the guest to feel individualized attention. I definitely did! The lights were dim, and the aroma was wonderful. The smell of massage oil and lotion was in the air.  I loved it!  I was greeted by the receptionist who asked if I would like a bottle of water and asked me to take a seat.  I sat on this huge comfy leather couch – it was like a cloud (aahh, so relaxing).

I chose foot reflexology because I have had traditional massages before. Considering my favorite body part is my feet, I thought what better than a treatment that focuses on the feet only! 

After my therapist greeted me in the waiting room, we entered the spa treatment room. It was small, comfortable, and tranquil.  There was a faint music playing, and the entire place had dim lights. There was a massage table in the center and it was surrounded by small table top fountains, candles, and a CD player that was playing nature sounds. Yes, it was very relaxing. 

                   (The spa treatment room – a place to de-stress and relax)

I was asked to sit on the table and put my feet in the warm, bubbling water for a 10-minute soak (with a massager at the bottom).

After the Simply Spoiled Spa therapist left me to soak my feet for 10 minutes, she carefully removed them, one by one, dried them and asked if I now wanted to lie down (I had been in a seated position).  Of course I want to lie down!  I may even fall asleep, I told her. Then it was pure heaven!  She started by rubbing my right foot very delicately, and began pushing on certain pressure points on the bottom of my foot.  She explained that the pressure points are linked to specific areas and organs of the body.  She spent about 15 minutes on each foot. The massage therapist asked me a few times if the pressure was too much, to which I replied, “No, it’s perfect.” 

After she was done, and had massaged in the last bit of lotion, she wiped down each foot with a hot towel. I assume this was so I would not slip when I put my sandals back on.  When she was all done, she explained to me her “findings.” I was surprised on how much she could tell from my feet!  I will not go into it, as it was a little more personal than I care to mention, but she was right on! I had not filled out any paperwork or explained to her any issues I was having. She knew this all from using reflexology on my FEET! 

When I walked out of the Simply Spoiled Spa treatment room, I was offered another bottle of water and was told that I needed to drink LOTS of fluid the rest of the day to help flush the newly-released toxins out of my system.

I would have to say that this experience was fabulous.  The spa is very convenient, as it is in the building right next door to my office, and well priced (only $45 for 30 minutes). I will definitely be recommending them to friends, family and coworkers. I, too, will be returning! From the moment I booked my appointment over the phone to laying on the massage table with a friendly therapist, my experience at Simply Spoiled Spa was exactly what I needed to regroup.

I even received 2 coupons worth $15 to give to friends or coworkers! (You’re welcome, Elana)

~ Denice

Photo Credits above: http://spoiledspa.com/

Are you a devoted fan who tuned in for the two-part, hour-long Season 3 premiere of The Hills?  As one who jumped on the train a little late (the end of Season 1), I can tell you that waiting too long to catch up is a bad idea. Whether or not you were ever a Laguna Beach (R.I.P.) fan, The Hills is far superior if drama, nightlife scenery, and must-have fashion are on your list of guilty pleasure criteria. For those in need of a quick recap of the Season 2 finale, as well as last night’s premiere, check out my “then and now” format:

   Then: Lauren Conrad stood on her Hollywood sidewalk as her (former) BFF, Heidi Montag, gazed poignantly back in the moving van mirror while driving off into the sunset with Spencer Pratt. Shaking the dust off rather quickly, Lauren moved in new roomie (and Heidi “frienemy”) Audrina Patridge. Now: With Internet rumors swirling around a possible – uh, feature film – starring Lauren and ex-BF Jason Wahler, Lauren is out for blood. During a mutual friend’s party at Les Deux in Los Angeles, suspecting Heidi and Spencer as the culprits of the scandal, Lauren screamed, “You’re not in my life anymore, and you’re a sad, pathetic person!” Ouch. Remember when she was the shy girl? 

            (Lauren, Audrina, and Heidi in mid-argument at Les Deux)

   Then: Back at Teen Vogue, work-buddy Whitney Port was in the running for the position of fashion contributor. Now: Whitney scored the job, and assumes the title of Lauren’s boss, even sporting her own desk (now that’s power!). I am already noticing a different dynamic between these two…did you? They’ve come a long way from working in the back closet together; let’s hope this is one friendship for Lauren that she manages to keep in tact!

   Then: Lauren’s romantic sensibilities were proving questionable, as she was on, then off, then maybe back on, with Brody Jenner. After ex-Laguna friend Jennifer Bunney made her move on him, the drama in Lauren’s life seriously kicked up a notch. Now: Lauren makes a habit of flirting with reckless abandon, the likes of which we’ve never seen. Later, a sneak peek reveals that she will meet with Jason to discuss a possible reconciliation. Adding to our collective shock, Whitney (!) is the one who gets caught kissing Brody this time (but for some reason, Lauren acts delighted). Huh?

         (Brody tries to turn Spencer away from popping the question to Heidi)

     Need an update, but don’t want to stay up past your bedtime? Keep visiting Beauty Chat every week! New episodes of The Hills airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on MTV. 

~ Brook

 Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

Case in point – Subject: you, Object: mirror, Time of day: irrelevant simply because the only sentiment crossing your mind is, “Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! Another pimple!” Followed by the inevitable question, why me? Most people wish that getting rid of acne was as easy as using a magic eraser pen. Reality stands – it’s simply NOT.

Truth is, acne affects thousands of people, both adults and children, with each person experiencing his or her own unique case – some arguably worse than others.

For those of us who suffer from the onslaught of acne or know someone who does, the following Q and A with patient preferred dermatologist, Laura A. King, M.D. in Orange County of Southern California renders great insight into the causes and treatment of acne. A board certified skincare physician with the American Board of Dermatology (ABD), Dr. King treats her patients with quality care and aims to rid their skin of those confidence-destroying blemishes:

Q: The “why me” question probes the minds of many people. Generally, given your experience and expertise, what are the most common causes of acne?

A: “Rising hormone levels during adolescence (puberty) cause the oil (sebaceous) glands of the skin to get bigger. The glands are connected to a hair-containing canal called a follicle. These glands make an oily substance called sebum which reaches the surface by emptying through the opening of the follicle on to the skin surface. Oil dead skin bacterial accumulates in the pore; the cells at the top of the pore become sticky, forming whiteheads and blackheads. If too much accumulation occurs, the pore wall weakens, ruptures, and sends oil dead skin bacterial into surrounding tissue. This causes swelling, inflammation and infection – these are pustules and cysts. (Oil and fatty acids are irritating to skin tissue).”

Q: What do various prescription acne treatments intend to target?

A: “Control of acne is an ongoing process. The dermatologist works with the patients in the prevention of new acne. Often times, the regimens are changed to find what works for each individual. There are many factors to consider, make-up, lotions, medications and menstrual cycles can contribute to acne. Antibiotics taken by mouth such as tetracycline, minocycline or erythromycin are often prescribed for moderate or severe cases. Isotretinoin (commonly known as Accutane), is sometimes used for severe cases that has not responded to other treatments.”

Q: What preventative and affordable measures can the average person take to better the appearance of their acne?

A: “Start with a visit to the dermatologist. Follow their directions and keep follow-up appointments. No one has the time and money to throw away on ineffective treatments. Working with a skin care professional will aid in keeping the treatment of acne affordable.”

Q: Acne is not necessarily limited to the face. Many people often have breakouts elsewhere, including their backs. What skincare methods do you recommend for body acne?

A: “There are some nice pumice scrubs on the market, but be careful not to damage the skin by over-scrubbing. We like the Pumice Scrub from Only Yours Skin Care. Glycolic based products also prove to be effective. We recommend GLYTONE skin care products; their Mild Gel Wash is our leading seller; our patients just love it. Choose products that are non-comedogenic, use gels instead of creams. Benzoyl peroxide washes are effective and easy to use on the back. They are available in both over-the-counter and prescription form. Patients are usually instructed to leave a wash in the shower. Oral antibiotics are also effective for non-facial acne.”

Q: Many people suffer from acne scarring. What treatments (i.e. bleaching agents) yield noticeable results?

A: “Acne scarring can often be helped with exfoliation, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and dermal fillers. Treatments vary in price and effectiveness. Bleaching agents deal with the pigmentation issues and not the scarring issue itself. The over the counter agents typically are not strong enough to be effective. A dermatologist can prescribe a more effective one for you to use.”

Know that you are not alone in your fight against acne! Doing your research and seeking the help of a qualified dermatologist are great steps in achieving your goal of a more refreshing, clearer appearance – and, if you’re like me, that is music to my skin. After all, an abundance of pimples is more than enough to call off a night out on the town!

~ Mellori V.

Top Image Credit: www.acne.org

After leaving Miami Ink with a few tears and the desire to head back to her natural habitat – Los Angeles – Reality TVs most-beloved female tattoo artist Kat Von D continues to create black and white portraits and leave lasting impressions on her clients. So this season on The Learning Channel (TLC), the world can see how the body truly is a canvas by watching Kat Von D and her team of reputable tattoo artists turn it out at LA Ink.

Whether you’re more inclined to undergo breast augmentation versus a tattoo, or wish to view tattoo removal before and after pictures and find out about the cost of tattoo removal instead of visiting Hollywood’s LA Ink with Kat Von D, TLC definitely allows you to enjoy your Tuesday night with an hour-long segment at 10 p.m. Whatever your idea of beauty is, you will be fascinated…to say the least!

[video]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xn5fQW0wm9A[/video]

Beauty Chat gives you personal stories, glimpses of day spa experiences, what’s new in plastic surgery, fashion favorites, and more. We especially appreciate and embrace the diverse meaning of beauty; it means something different for everyone.

So Rock On Kat Von D – business owner, fashion trendsetter, and talented tattoo artist!

~ Elana

Photo Credit: http://www.myspace.com/highvoltagetattoo

This week on Dr. 90210:

During the latest episode of this addictive, wildly-popular Reality TV show, we were introduced to a relatively new procedure known as laser lipo, (think SmartLipo ™) or as Dr. David Matlock calls it: “cool lipo.” An innovative method of liposuction, this fat-zapping technique promises effective results with the use of a laser to melt fat instead of a using a cannula to suction it!

Sound interesting? With laser lipo, fat is more easily removed, bruising is minimal, and there is less chance of complications. It could be a great solution for patients (like the two that were featured this week on Dr. 90210) who have small amounts of fat that they wish to have removed.

If you are considering liposuction of any form for yourself, or you just want to catch up on what’s happening in the lives of Dr. Robert Rey and Dr. Matlock, be sure to read about the latest episode of Dr. 90210 on iEnhance.com!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 season archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

“Recovering in the Comfort of her Own Home”

…Although any speed bump caused her to jolt and sort of wake up, Jana admits that she was so “groggy” after her breast augmentation (in which she ended up with 475 cc saline breast implants), she barely remembers walking into the house that Friday morning! Yet she does kind of recall her mom leading her to the recliner in the living room, and “knocking out for a few hours” after leaving the medical facility.

So what happened during Jana’s initial plastic surgery recovery period? Well, it was a restful experience, to say the least. With a check-up phone call from Dr. Andres Taleisnik the evening of her surgery, encouraging her to call over the weekend in case of any emergency, Jana’s three-day weekend started off on a positive note.

Before going in for her first post-op on Monday, and then back to work on Tuesday, a tired Jana was committed to healing properly while recovering in the comfort of her own home. So as her body called for R&R, what stood out to the gal who chose plastic surgery because she was tired of feeling disproportioned? These very moments:

• Sleeping completely upright (ouch!) for the first three days and three nights
• Watching old musicals and “Friends” episodes on DVD – gifts from her boyfriend
• Keeping frozen veggies on her chest to keep the swelling down
• Juice it Up! smoothies and hard-boiled eggs (after hearing from friends that pineapple and eggs were good in aiding the healing process)
• PLENTY of Starbucks, even for this past Starbucks employee!
• Feeling nervous about her first post-op visit that Monday with Dr. Taleisnik, with “what if” fears starting up (“I was so anxious because I couldn’t see my results yet. I was nervous about what the doctor would think…Was I healing correctly? What if my body rejects the implants?”)

But everything went great during the first post-op visit with the doctor! Although her breasts were still swollen, hard, and slightly bruised, Jana’s fears were put to rest when she was assured that this is totally normal for only three days following her breast enlargement procedure. Dr. Taleisnik told her that going back to work was ultimately her decision, still mentioning that she may want to take off a few more days to rest.

But then the next day arrives, our busy-bee Jana was right back at her desk. Although performing only minor duties such as computer work and answering the phone, Jana’s fatigue soon became noticeable to all. Her boss must then step in…

Is Jana sent home or does she tough it out the entire day? Check back for Part 5 of Jana’s Story: “Back to Normal”

See what led up to this point, and check out Jana’s Story:

Part 1: “I was tired of feeling disproportioned!”
Part 2: “Consulting a Skilled Plastic Surgeon”
Part 3: “Pre-op Visit and the Day Of”

~ Elana

Image Credit: Jana’s own camera

Whether you’re for or against plastic surgery — if you’re into Reality TV, you’ll LOVE Dr. 90210! It’s definitely one of those water-cooler conversation starters.

Season 5 starts off with the excitement and drama most Dr. 90210 fans are familiar with. Revolved around the hectic lives of Beverly Hills plastic surgeons and the personal triumphs of their patients, this season looks to be yet another dose of explosive (and highly-addictive) personal stories.

Will Dr. Robert Rey visit his father in Brazil? What about Hayley’s wishes, wanting him to stay in the states with his family? Dr. Jason Diamond, Dr. Linda Li, and the rest of the show’s Southern California plastic surgeons also give you great insight into their world. This is definitely another action-packed season.

Too busy to watch fresh episodes of everything that is plastic surgery on Dr. 90210? Then visit Beauty Chat each week for your fix of Reality TV!

The show airs Monday nights on E! at 10 p.m.

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 season archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com