Here’s something that Canadians do better than Americans: we live longer!

According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canadians can expect to live a couple years longer than our American friends – 2.6 years longer to be exact. Their statistics show that if you were born in 2006, the average lifespan is 80.7 years.

A more recent study conducted by Canadian and American scientists, called Comparing population health in the United States and Canada, has also found that we live longer.  Reasons for this may be due to our universal health care system that is available to us for our entire lifespan as well as more social and economic equality (particularly amongst senior citizens).

Since we live longer, want to age more gracefully? Remember to protect your skin from excessive sun exposure and lead a healthy lifestyle!

There is a ton of misinformation out there about cellulite, so we’d like to disprove 3 of the biggest myths related to “cottage cheese” and “orange peel” skin.

Myth #1: You can get rid of cellulite by exercising.
Sure, cellulite is essentially fat, which means you should be able to get rid of it by dieting and exercising, right?

Wrong. Cellulite isn’t just excess fat – it’s also caused by the unique way in which the fat is trapped underneath the skin. Its formation has been linked to hormones and genetics. Factors such as stress, your genes and poor skin elasticity can make you more prone to getting cellulite. However, since it is a kind of fat, dieting and exercise can help keep those unwanted dimples at bay, or at least keep them from becoming a major eyesore.

Myth #2: You can’t get rid of your cellulite.
Actually, yes you can – but you’ll need to find the treatment that works for you and be vigilant about it. There are several treatments available that reduce and eliminate the appearance of cellulite. But since each person is different, one treatment may not work for all. You’ll have to find the one that works for you, whether it be a cream, such as Refining Cellulite Body Lotion from Vivier, or something a little more “technologically advanced”, like Endermologie. Allow some time for the treatment to work, since it probably won’t achieve immediate results.

Myth #3: Drinking lots of water can get rid of cellulite.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get rid of cellulite by  just guzzling a ton of water everyday? Unfortunately, this is a myth and has been found to actually do the opposite: make the appearance of cellulite worse.

But note: one time that drinking water is recommended is when you undergo Endermologie. The procedure breaks up the trapped fat deposits, which must be carried away by natural body processes as waste. Water consumption facilitate the process, which is why in this instance, drinking lots is recommended (find out how much you should drink by talking to the medical aesthetician who performed your procedure).

Genetics, sun exposure, trauma, etc. – all of these things contribute to the development of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and other signs of aging on the skin. There are two ways the skin can age:

Extrinsic Aging
This type of aging is caused by external factors, such as sun exposure, smoking, lifestyle habits and what you do to your skin, like cleansing and moisturizing.

The worst factor that contributes to extrinsic aging is excessive sun exposure.

Intrinsic Aging
Blame your parents for this one. This type of aging, as well as the pattern in which signs of aging appear, are both determined by your genes. For example, if your mother has taken care of her skin all of her life but still has a number of freckles and liver spots on her hands and cheeks, then don’t be surprised when you develop such pigmentation irregularities in your latter years as well.

Thinking about getting liposuction but need to weigh a little less? Watching what you eat doesn’t have to be all about conscientious calorie counting and depriving yourself of food you enjoy. There are some things that you can do to help shed the pounds and maintain that ideal weight.

1. Chew slowly and take breaks. Gobbling down your food is bad for digestion, doesn’t allow your mouth to enjoy the flavours, and won’t let your stomach send the signal that your full until it’s too late. Sit down, away from distractions, and concentrate on eating.

2. Get rid of the junk. Clean out your cupboards, get rid of your secret stash of chips and chocolates, and fill your shelves with healthy food like unflavoured nuts, fresh fruit, and veggies. That way when you’ve got the munchies, you’ll have no choice but to satiate them by eating something that’s actually good for you!

3. Eating because you’re bored, stressed or sad won’t solve why you’re feeling that way. Address the real problem by figuring out why you’re feeling that way instead.

Modifying your eating habits, as well as following a healthy exercise routine, can help you achieve your ideal weight and prepare your body for the invasive cosmetic procedure, liposuction. However, you should always follow your physician’s advice.

Barry Callebaut is the world’s largest chocolate producer and supplier of cocoa – and they may now have something that will make them even bigger.

In an effort to cash in on the beneficial health properties of chocolate, the Swiss company has developed a chocolate bar bursting with antioxidants to help ward off the signs of aging, particularly wrinkles and creases. According to studies on the bar by the company, eating just 20 grams of the “wrinkle-fighting” confectionery may help boost elasticity, hydration and overall suppleness of the skin.

The key is the flavanols present in cocoa beans. Flavanols have been scientifically proven to retard the rate at which free radicals damage cells. Barry Callebaut preserves these flavanols while the cocoa beans are used to make chocolate, thereby creating their specially formulated chocolate bar.

Newspaper Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently reported that syringes used to administer Botox were reused by physicians at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Reusing syringes is considered unhygienic and unsafe because it can spread diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

According to the report, as far back as 2005 physicians reused unsterilized syringes but sterilized needles and tubing. Hospital officials state that the reason for the practice was to prevent waste and the related risk of infection is low.

No transmission of infection has been found thus far. Regardless, the parents of the children involved will be notified. The children, totaling at least 250 and suffering from cerebral palsy, were mainly treated for muscle tightness and to help with their walking ability.

State health authorities are investigating the hospital.

Toronto Cosmetic Clinic does not reuse Botox syringes. The medical professionals who administer Botox injections at our clinic follow all the care and handling instructions outlined by the manufacturer of the product, Allergan.