Dr. Bunkis, M.D., F.A.C.S., Medical Director, OCPS

Q: I’ve noticed that my lips are diminishing in size. When I was younger I was always getting compliments on my plump lips, but now that I am older, my lips are thin. How can I get that youthful pout I used to have?

-B. Anderson, Rancho Santa Margarita

A: Well, there is a new product, Vivité Defining Lip Plumper and Vivité Daily Firming Lotion, which have both passed scientific scrutiny and are set to become big sellers for them.The Lip Plumper improves lip volume and fullness while smoothes the appearance of fine lines. The product gently conditions lips, making them smooth and soft. It contains four categories of ingredients:

• Plumping Agent:
  – Palmitoyl Oligopeptide (Maxi-Lip ™)
  – Centella Asiatica Extract (Gotu Kola)
• Antioxidant:
  – Tocopherol and Camellia Oleifera (Japanese Green Tea) Leaf Extract
• Lip Conditioners:
  – Beeswax, Allantoin, Dimethicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract
• Moisturizer (Emollients/Humectants):
  – Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin and Sodium PCA

How does this product work? The mechanism of action includes stimulation of collagen synthesis, stimulation of glycosaminoglycans and maintenance of the newly formed Collagen. This will result in a 30% reduction of furrows (note, not 100% but hey, 30 % isn’t that shabby considering that no surgery or injections are required!). Lip moisture will be increased by as much as 60%! And finally, lip volume will increased by an average of 40%! I think you can see this new product has been so desirable!

 

 

The Vivité Daily Firming lotion tones and tightens dimpled “orange peel” skin as no other non surgical procedure before it! It improves skin elasticity and firmness for a smooth, sleek look. It uses an advanced formula which hydrates and moisturizes the skin to keep it soft and smooth. This product likewise contains four classes of ingredients:

•  Slimming Agents:
  – Caffeine
  – Isomerized Linoleic Acid (Regu-Shape)
•  Antioxidant:
  – Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract
• Skin Texturizers:
  – Glycolic Acid & Ammonium Glycolate (pH 3.8)
• Moisturizer (Emollients/Humectants):
  – Cyclopentasiloxane/Cyclohexasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Ceresin, Glycerin, Sericin, and Lecithin

This product works by reducing lipid uptake and accumulation into the adipose tissue, by accelerating the cAMP pathway, and by reducing fluid level between cells. This results in a reduction in the size of the lipid droplets, a reduction in the lipid content of the adipose tissue, a reduction of thigh circumference and a smoother appearance of the skin.

In an initial study, six women between the ages of 40 and 61 with mild to moderate cellulite or “orange peel” skin on the thigh applied Vivité Daily Firming Lotion twice a day for 8 weeks. Expert Grader evaluations were made at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks post treatment. Amazingly, five of the six subjects demonstrated a reduction in thigh circumference. The average change over the 8 week period was 0.65 inches. Additionally, favorable changes were observed in the appearance of cellulite, skin dimpling and skin elasticity/tightness with no adverse events being observed during the course of testing. In conclusion, Vivité Daily Firming Lotion is effective at reducing thigh circumference by more than half an inch on average as well as improving the overall appearance and condition of the skin.

If you have any specific questions about these products or any cosmetic procedures, your best bet would be to see a qualified plastic surgeon to review your options. Pease feel free to contact our office at 949.888.9700 to set up an appointment with Dr. Bunkis; you may also check out our web site at www.ocps.com to learn more about our practice.

As Medical Director of Orange County Plastic Surgery, Juris Bunkis, M.D., F. A.C.S. brings 30 years of surgical expertise to our communities. Dr. Bunkis is a Harvard trained, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Member of numerous prestigious organizations including the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Bunkis, a former faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco, has published more than 40 scientific publications, abstracts and book reviews, and 17 book chapters in plastic surgery text books.

 For questions or advice, please contact me directly at Bunkis@ocps.com