I’m super excited to share with you my interview with Dr Bracci of VERVE Medical Cosmetics in Midtown Manhattan, 50th street between 3rd and 2nd avenue. I visite Dr Bracci office on my trip to NYC last week and had the pleasure to meet with him. He was the nicest in person. I even got to try out some fillers (I can’t help it I’m a beauty blogger after all I need to know). This time I had Radiesse. I am very happy with the service and the results. So here is my Q&A with Manhattan’s darling Dr Bracci.

Dr Bracci of VERVE Medical Cosmetics

Marta Walsh: Where do you call home?
Dr Bracci: New York city.

MW: When & why did you first become interested in medicine particularly the skin?
Dr B: I first became interested in the non surgical cosmetics about 12 years ago when laser skin care treatments started to become popular – and I had a sense that people really wanted a non-surgical alternative. It is so exciting to see that we now have all of these new non- surgical tools to make people look better. I have always been interested in esthetics’s and it just made sense for me to follow my passions.

Dr Bracci’s spa VERVE in NYC MIDTOWN 216 East 50th Street New York, NY 10022 Telephone: 212.888.3003

MW: What non surgical skin procedures do you specialize in?
Dr B: The art and science of esthetic injectables. I specialize in cosmetic injectables – to replace the lost foundation under the skin seen with aging “cosmetic fillers” , and botox type medicines that block the muscles that cause wrinkling of the skin ( look great not fake approach) .People think that aging is all about loose and excess skin – but much of the changes that go on with aging are really the loss of foundation that supports the skin . By artfully replacing the losses seen with aging with cosmetic fillers , and relaxing the muscles that wrinkle the skin (botox medicines) – we can not only restore a rested and younger appearance but provide prevention.

MW: What is your practice philosophy? What sets the VERVE Medical Cosmetics experience apart from the rest?
Dr B: Our goal is to make people look better in a natural way ( with out looking fake!)

This practice has always exclusively provided non-surgical esthetics – where by the vast majority of practitioners provide either surgical or medical based services in addition. The future of this industry is people seeking out dedicated centers to satisfy their esthetic needs , and other centers to satisfy their medical needs .

MW: What are some of your must-have skincare products from your own skincare line?
Dr B: The Eye bright ( super eye area treatment ), and the Pepstep x2 for firming and repairing skin

MW: Please demystify: What is the difference between Juverderm and Radiesse?
Dr B: Juvederm is somewhat thinner and is really good for finer lines , where by Radiesse is great for the typical person who need volume and some lifting.

MW: Why Botox?
Dr B: Botox is great for relaxing the muscles that wrinkle the skin – particularly around the eyes

MW: Do these treatments hurt?
Dr B: very little – as I always combine my fillers with numbing medicine and botox is small little pinches with baby needles.

MW: How long is the procedure?
Dr B: I provide these procedures all day long so I provide fillers in as quick as 5 minutes , and botox takes less than a minute to provide in most cases.

MW: Recovery time?
Dr B: recovery is usually very minimal – in most cases limited to temporary swelling and occasionally bruising that goes away.

MW: How long it last?
Dr B: depending on the area of fillers Manny patients have results that last a year and in some areas results have been seen to last up to 3 years. Fillers are generally indicated for the line between the nose and the mouth (nasal labial fold) , and other areas are considered off label at this time .

MW: Laser Hair Removal: how many treatments do we really need to get rid of hair for good? What advice can you give anyone considering these treatments for the first time?
Dr B: Laser hair removal is a process where by the goal is to permanently reduce the number of hair follicles with each treatment , so a series of 6 or more sessions are generally need to significantly reduce or fully eliminate the hair . Again my advice is to seek out the advice of a practitioner or center who provides these services on a full time basis.

MW: What non surgical skincare procedure do you recommend to women post pregnancy treating saggy tummies for example an other skincare changes?
Dr B: Pregnancy may bring excess skin in the abdomen which may respond to a non-surgical device that heats and shrinks the skin (for example thermage) – however these patients need to be well selected as patients with big needs (allot of excess skin) may be better doing nothing or consider surgery . My opinion is that non surgical tightening devices need to be matched wisely to the needs and goals of the patients, as some patients have needs that are bigger than non surgical devices can deliver .

MW: What does beauty mean to you?
DR B: Looking your best at any age – where by you don’t cross the line of looking fake.

MW: What and who inspires you?
Dr B: People like Jack Lalanne – who inspired others to be their best and live an active healthy life style.

MW: What is your favorite place to dine in New York City?
Dr B: My favorite places are Italian restaurant that have great plant based foods – A Voce and Il Buco restaurants are two of my favorites because they prepare vegetables as if it is their focus.

MW: Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor?
Dr B: Both are special and have really been known for their natural everyday good looks.

MW: When you are not busy helping women/men look their best where can we find you?
Dr B: I really enjoy fitness – I swim a mile several days a week , strength training with weights , and run.

MW: What’s next for Dr Bracci?
Dr B: So Manny exciting things going on – with ever new cosmetic fillers coming out and non -surgical modalities to heat and shrink the skin – the future for this industry is very bright!

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I would like to thank Dr Bracci at VERVE Medical Cosmetics in New York City for his time and interview.

Disclosure: My visit to Dr. Bracci’s office was complimentary.

Allergan, Inc. has announced the national launch of the JUVÉDERM “Switch Up” campaign, spearheaded by television personality Dayna Devon who will share ways to maintain a fresh appearance as women approach milestone birthdays.

Devon, who turns 40 this month and is a mother of two young children, has developed an easy strategy for women to switch up their current routines and take advantage of effective medical aesthetic treatments including JUVÉDERM dermal filler, the number-one selling hyaluronic acid dermal filler in the United States.

“I’m celebrating the ‘big 4-0′ this year so there’s no better time than now to switch up my routine to help me look and feel like the best version of myself,” said Dayna Devon. “As a mom, wife and TV host, I’m always on the go and have little time for myself but I still want to look my best. In my 30s, I began receiving treatment with a dermal filler when I noticed these deep lines starting to form around my nose and mouth that looked like two parentheses and couldn’t be filled in with the creams I was using.”

Devon continued, “When JUVÉDERM became available a few years ago, I switched because it has a smooth formulation and is the only dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid that is approved to last up to one year from initial treatment. Now a new formulation called JUVÉDERM XC includes lidocaine and is available, so I am even more excited about the treatment because I get the same smooth, natural-looking results with a more comfortable injection experience. Plus, I don’t have to spend time waiting for the messy topical anesthetic to take effect.”

Women who want to switch up their routines can become a “fan” of the official JUVÉDERM Facebook page to receive personal tips on how to maintain their best appearance from Dayna Devon every month. In addition to her experiences with JUVÉDERM treatment, Devon will also share tips on energizing fitness routines, making health a priority and expanding horizons with new hobbies to help women look and feel their best.

Derek Jones, M.D., renowned Los-Angeles based dermatologist, says milestone birthdays are the perfect time for patients to switch up their aesthetic routines. “Just like our bodies, skin changes as we age,” said Dr. Jones. “One common complaint I hear from my patients in their 30s and 40s is the appearance of the pesky parentheses due to lost facial volume. To treat those lines, I have been recommending JUVÉDERM smooth-consistency dermal fillers for years and now JUVÉDERM XC with lidocaine offers my patients another reason to make the switch.”

Robert Grant, president of Allergan Medical, a division of Allergan, Inc. said, “Our JUVÉDERM ‘Switch Up’ campaign is a great way to educate women and men about hyaluronic acid dermal filler treatments and encourage them to have a dialogue with a licensed and trained aesthetic-specialty physician about clinically proven treatments that deliver on the promise to help treat wrinkles in the lower part of the face.”

For more information, please click on the “About Safety” link at  www.Juvederm.com or call the Allergan Product Support line at 1-877-345-5372. JUVÉDERM® injectable gel is available by prescription only.

Dayna Devon Interviews With Marta Walsh

I’m excited to share with you my interview with Dayna Devon. Dayna is a longtime television personality, and former host and correspondent for the nationally syndicated entertainment show “Extra.” She has been a regular entertainment commentator and celebrity guest host on CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, “The View” and NBC’s “Today.”

In this interview Dayna Devon talks to Marta Walsh about her beginnings as a journalist and TV Presenter. Gives advice to anyone considering JUVÉDERM for the first time. Reveals what’s in her makeup bag and future plans.

Marta Walsh: Where do you call home?
Dayna Devon: Los Angeles, CA. I’m originally from Texas, but I love living in LA.

MW: Why did you decide on a career in Journalism and as a TV presenter?
DD: I always knew I wanted to be in television, but I was chicken. In the beginning, I tried related fields but it wasn’t a fit. So, I gave broadcasting a try and worked my butt off. Finally, it paid off by getting a job at a small TV station in San Angelo, Texas and then moved up from there.

MW: What were some of your most memorable breaks in your career?
DD: When I got my first real TV job – that was huge. My biggest break, though, was definitely getting Extra. It was truly a dream come true!

MW: How did your collaboration with JUVÉDERM come about?
DD: I have always been open about using JUVÉDERM to fill in the lines around my nose and mouth. As I approached the “big 4-0” I decided to team up with Allergan to educate women about available options out there to help look and feel your best.

MW: What advice can you give anyone considering JUVÉDERM for the first time?
DD: Do your research! It’s so important to visit a licensed and trained physician – go in for a consultation, be candid about your concerns and together decide if JUVÉDERM is right for you. For me, it is definitely right, as it lasts up to one year and gives me a smooth, natural result. And now JUVÉDERM XC has lidocaine so the treatment experience is more comfortable. No one would ever know about my treatment, but I tell everybody! You can visit Juvederm.com to find a local doctor and check out the JUVÉDERM Facebook page for my tips!

MW: How would you describe your personal style and what beauty means to you?
DD: My personal style has changed over the years. Casual-chic is more important to me now than beaded red carpet dresses. Tory Burch flats are just as important as Christian Louboutin heels.

MW: What’s in your makeup bag?
DD: Raw mineral powder; MAC makeup blot powder; MAC lipstick in “Angel;” liner in “Soar;” and Cle de Peau concealer.

MW: What was the first film you’ve ever watched on a date?
DD: With my husband, it was American Pie 2 and we walked out.

MW: What one or two things some people may not know about Dayna Devon?
DD: I can sew and I’m also learning to speak Spanish, but the Spanish still needs some work.

MW: What’s next for Dayna Devon?
DD: In addition to being a full-time mom to my two young kids, I’m training for a triathlon and working on a book proposal. I’m also looking at some different TV opportunities that are out there now.

I would like to thank Dayna Devon for a brilliant interview xo Marta

To learn more about JUVÉDERM visit www.juvederm.com

I’ve recently interviewed Laurie Casas, MD, ASERF‘s (Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation) President and a plastic surgeon practicing in suburban Chicago.

I would like to share with you Dr. Laurie Casas’s insight and tips about injectable treatments like BOTOX Cosmetic & Juvederm, & her answer to this question: Why patients are no longer keeping their injectable treatments a secret?

Laurie Casas, MD, a plastic surgeon

Marta Walsh: Where does your passion for plastic surgery come from?
Dr. Laurie Casas: My passion for plastic surgery comes from a life long desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives and the opportunity to express myself artistically.

MW: Why patients are no longer keeping their injectable treatments a secret?
DR. LC: People know longer feel it is necessary to keep their injectable treatments a secret because these treatments are safe, reliable and affordable when performed by properly trained physicians.

MW: Why injectable treatments became so popular with so many patients men & women?
DR. LC: Injectable treatments are popular because they are safe and reliable and actually deliver predictable results which allow people to feel and look their best.

MW: Why is it easy to fall in love with Botox?
DR. LC: Like most injectable products, Botox Cosmetic delivers predictable, safe and affordable results when performed by properly trained physicians.

MW: How much injectable treatments hurt physically and our pockets? Can we really afford it?
DR. LC: Much like a hair cut or a new pair of shoes, most people budget for injectable treatments.

MW: Which other great facts or findings you would like to share with us about injectable treatments?
DR. LC: The key is to match your expectations and budget with the procedure that will safety and effectively deliver results by a qualified provider.

MW: How can we decide on which type of injectable treatments works best with our skin?
DR. LC: The best way to know what may or may not work for you is to discuss your objectives with a trained physician.

MW: What is the difference between BOTOX Cosmetic & Juvederm?
DR. LC: BOTOX Cosmetic is a neurotoxin that selectively paralyzes muscles that produce facial expressions that give us a sad, tired or an aged appearance. Fillers like Juvederm fill or lift lines or facial depressions that give us a more aged appearance.

MW: Is there any recovery time necessary after injectable treatments?
DR. LC: Not unless you have injection site bruising.

MW: Aside from injectable treatments which other skincare tips can you share with us?
DR. LC: It is important to hydrate your skin, protect yourself from direct sunlight and wind with sun block that blocks UVA and UVB rays, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and rest.

MW: What are some your passions besides your work?
DR. LC: I like to spend time with my family and I enjoy sports like scuba diving and skiing.

I would like to thank Dr. Laurie Casas for interviewing with me for Talking Makeup. Visit her website to learn more about her: http://www.casas.md

For additional information and to find a physician in your area visit www.BotoxCosmetic.com  or www.Juvederm.com .

Just in-Beauty Interviews August 2008 edition with CSI Miami’s beautiful actress Eva La Rue  gracing the cover.

In this month’s Beauty Interviews edition, Marta Walsh brought to you amazing interviews with: Tracy Austin one of the world’s most famous tennis champions talking about some of her most memorable moments of her tennis career, how Juvederm dermal filler improved her skin, what made her join the Juvederm Decades of Smooth Campaign, and Bille Jean-her toughest opponent in her entire career.

Barbara Carey , a talented entrepreneur and the inventor of Spinlash, the first mascara that revolves around you. In the interview, Barbara Carey talks about her early entrepreneurial days from age 9, Hairagami her most successful invention to date, gives advice on how to decide about what business to be in, and her ten top beauty secrets.

Dr Howard Sobel the creator of DDF Skincare. In the interview Dr Sobel talks about his decision to create DDF, the best part of developing his own skincare line, why he thinks Giuliana Rancic’s from E! News favorite DDF Cleanser is so amazing, and his passion to help women and men restore their skin to the most youthful appearance.

Soul Lee is an expert lash and brow expert at Shu Uemura. In the interview Soul Lee talks about her fascination with eye lashes, Shu Uemura’s “Rebirth” Collection, gives tips on how to get the modern Marilyn Monroe eye makeup look, and reveals Hollywood’s best-kept eye lash secrets.

Kattia Solano the owner of the popular Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City. In the interview Kattia talks about the Butterfly Studio Salon experience, her Best Haircut Award by Allure Magazine, best kept secrets for beautiful hair, and plans for developing her own hair care line inspired by her origins in Costa Rica.

Eva La Rue reveals some of her beauty secrets, her romantic engagement in Africa, what some people may not know about her, and her upcoming movie with Samuel L. Jackson called: Lakeview Terrace.

Happy reading!