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Author: Margit Rüdiger

CultureAndCream Author from Munich To travel during my profession as a beauty journalist was never enough for my. Also my six month on a world trip didn't do it. It always attracts me to other cities, foreign countries, on roadtrips and places I don't know yet. But I am not only interested in "culture" and "cream", I am also fascinated by people who have stories to tell .  Such unique experiences I want to share with you.

The New Art of Body Shaping…

…but it doesn’t always have to mean surgery The days of Size Zero are over – looking healthy and fit is considered sexy today and a lot can be achieved with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Nevertheless, there are parts of the body that even these can’t influence. Sometimes even the strictest diet and the most strenuous workout can’t help, especially in cases of genetically misplaced fat deposits or sagging skin after weight loss. Nature takes its toll as well and during the aging process, metabolic processes slow down, altering the hormone balance. The ratio of fat to muscle mass changes: Men suddenly develop breasts or so-called “love handles” in the hip area. With women it is often around the abdomen including the back, the “riding breeches” or the inner thighs. Liposuction is no substitute for a diet Every year the Rosenpark Klinik treats over 2000 patients in the field of body shaping. Of these, alone more than 1000 of them undergo liposuction which permanently reduces the excess amount of fat cells in the affected areas and the balances the silhouette. Those who believe that liposuction is a means to reduce weight are mistaken. “The sole purpose here is the harmonization of the body form and the removal of problem zones”, says Dr. Gerhard Sattler, head of the Rosenpark Klinik. The problem frequently addressed is that of the “riding breeches”. Regardless of whether they are slim or somewhat sturdier, countless women suffer from this unattractive deformation of the thighs which stems from an overabundance of fat cells. Liposuction is a proven method of reduction in this case and even if the patient gains weight over time, these disproportionate bulges will not develop again at the same place. “As an experienced practitioner, however, I always have to take the overall picture into consideration,” says Sattler. “The removal of a problem zone alone does not by any means ensure a beautiful body shape. In most cases, it therefore makes sense to treat further areas in order to create a harmonious silhouette”. The Vibration Cannula technique and Tumescent Local Anesthesia For over 19 years, several liposuction procedures have been performed daily at the Rosenpark Klinik. The vibration cannula technique is used in tumescent local anesthesia to remove excess fatty tissue painlessly and sustainably. Tumescent local anesthesia is a mixture of saline solution and local anesthetics. It not only numbs the tissue but softens the fat cells as well.… weiterlesen

What you always Wanted to Know…

Questions and answers about Botulinum ” Solely the dose determines that a thing is not a poison” (Paracelsus, 1538) The term Botox has become so established in aesthetic language that everyone knows what it means. In actual fact, Botox is the name for one product alone – that of the US manufacturer Allergan: “The physician distinguishes between products for aesthetic treatment, such as Vistabel (Allergan), Bocouture (Merz), Azzalure (Galderma), and those for medical treatment such as Botox (Allergan), Xeomin (Merz), Dysport (Galderma),” explains Dr. Irina Izmaylova, Bellari team Dermatologist in Hamburg. Although everyone has heard or read quite a lot about this substance, which can do much more than just smooth wrinkles, it is still approached with uncertainty and reserve. Dr. Izmaylova answers the most important questions: Is botulinum really a poison? The substance, which is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is toxic in its untreated form and dosage. Under no circumstances does it come from snakes, as is often claimed. As a medicinal product, botulinum is used exclusively in its refined and strongly diluted form, rendering it a safe but effective medicine. It would probably take more than 3,000 vials to poison someone. What long-term experiences are there? Botulinum’s success story began in the fields of Ophthalmology and Neurology. It has been approved as a drug since 1989 and since then, has established itself in the treatment of severe neurological movement disorders. In January 2006, after lengthy clinical testing and reliable studies regarding safety and efficacy, the active ingredient was approved in Germany for the treatment of wrinkles. How does botulinum work exactly? Botulinum causes muscle relaxation and not paralysis, as is often claimed. It works more like a kind of brake to the muscles. For around about four to six months it inhibits the release of so-called messenger substances with which the nerves instruct the muscles to contract. It is precisely this muscle contraction that causes frown or worry lines for example. Once the active ingredient has broken down, the treated muscle strand regains its mobility to the same extent as before. Can organs be damaged in the process? Botulinum only works where it is injected. During wrinkle treatment, it does not enter the bloodstream so organs such as the liver cannot be damaged. The complex protein is completely broken down in a specific way. Histological research has not shown any tissue changes in the body, even after prolonged use.… weiterlesen

Micro-Punctures Bring Great Results

With Microneedling you simply roll away the signs of age Although our skin is capable of self-renewal well into old age, the cells become somewhat sluggish over time and require some stimulus to boost their natural potential for regeneration. Microneedling helps the tissues to renew themselves from the inside. Ultra-fine needles attached to a roller or a treatment head are used to treat the skin surface precisely and gently and without causing stress. The resulting micro-injuries stimulate cell growth and strengthen resilience. In this way, acne scars and small wrinkles can be alleviated, pores reduced and the first signs of skin aging gently smoothed away. The result is a rosy, fine-pored and softer complexion. “Although there are different forms of microneedling, they all pursue the same goal: regeneration and refinement of the skin,” says Winona Kallenbach, beautician and store manager at the Bellari Institute in Hamburg. With or without anesthesia? After thorough cleansing and disinfection of the skin, an anaesthetic cream can be applied locally for more sensitive customers. As a rule, however, the treatment can be carried out without anaesthesia. Following application of the cream, the skin must be disinfected again after which the selected areas are treated with either a Dermaroller or the Skin-Needler. There is no bleeding when the needling is carried out by a beautician, since the needles do not penetrate as deeply as they would when the treatment is performed by a doctor. Vitamin C increases the effect Kallenbach: “In order to take full advantage of the needling effect, a pre-treatment with care products containing Vitamin A and C is recommended”. These support the regeneration mechanisms of the skin in the formation of new collagen. If a vitamin C serum is applied directly after needling, it can penetrate the skin surface to a deeper level and develop its effect more efficiently. Depending on skin type, skin condition and requirement, a cooling mask, e.g. with hyaluronic acid, is then applied. If the irritation is more severe, a skin-soothing mask is used. The Importance of After Care For an optimal result, six sessions at intervals of one week are recommended. Normally no downtime is necessary following needling therapy by a beautician. There is only a temporary redness and a perceptible, if not visible skin exfoliation during the first few days. Sensitive patients in particular may possibly also develop small but harmless pustules. Increased protection of the skin against light should be observed for four weeks prior to and after micro-needling.… weiterlesen

The All-Rounder Hyaluronic Acid

Does more than just smooth wrinkles Dermatologist Dr. Birgit Buxmeyer has been a member of the Rosenpark Klinik team since 1999. In addition to specializing in surgical procedures such as liposuction and eyelid lifting, she has gained an additional qualification in Anti-Aging. At Bellari she is responsible for treatments with botulinum, hyaluronic acid, laser and ultherapy. In this C&C interview, Dr. Buxmeyer explains why hyaluronic acid is today’s material of choice in the treatment of wrinkles as well as facial skin and contour optimization: What can one do with hyaluronic acid? These days, quite a lot! The material has become extremely versatile and the range of products is extensive. Finer lines can be smoothed, and medium-depth wrinkles lifted, or the volume augmented for better moisture penetration of the skin and contour improvement. Hyaluronic acid is degradable in the tissues and, since it is now exclusively synthetically-produced, is very well tolerated. In the past, it was commonly extracted from cockscomb. What are the uses of hyaluronic acid? Thin hyaluronic acid, i.e. hyaluronic acid with little or no cross-linking, is suitable for skin surfaces in order to improve moisture penetration. It practically melts in the tissues and is a moisture booster. The thick variant provides volume, for example to hollow areas of the face. The effect is almost as good as when own fat is used. If the patient is very slim with no body fat at all, hyaluronic acid is the best alternative. Nowadays, it can even be used to treat the thin skin of the lower eyelid (Volbella by Allergan), which was not possible before. Which corrections do women ask for most frequently? The patients are not yet as advanced as the practitioners. Many still want to have the nasolabial folds injected. This is an antiquated method, dating back to over 15 years ago. Today the areas adjacent and corresponding to the nasolabial fold are treated. If one repeatedly injects the crease itself, over time, a sort of monkey’s nose is the result. This is because, due to age, the surrounding areas become more sunken. This must first be explained to the patients. Young women often have their tear ducts treated because they look tired. In somewhat older patients it is the cheek and temple region. This is due to the fact that not only the fatty tissue shrinks and shifts with age – the bone structure recedes as well. Often something is missing at the jaw angle, which causes the so-called marionette or Merkel wrinkles.… weiterlesen

Jersey – Chock full of Surprises

The green Channel Island with a wealth of history What can I see flying into Jersey? Today – absulutely nothing! Thick grey fog shrouds the cabin windows. Late autumn is probably not the best of times to travel to the Channel Islands and it is obvious now why the Air Dolomiti plane has no more than 30 passengers besides me. Shortly before landing, the green landscape appears outside the windows. Lots of green. And wind. And a rough landing! Bad weather and a giant Dino The lady at passport control promises better weather tomorrow. Google predicts storms. A life-sized plastic Chasmosaurus in a high-voltage (25,000VDC) cage bares its yellow teeth non-stop in the airport terminal. Piles of golf luggage. Unperturbed golfers in short-sleeved shirts at temperatures of 14° C look around nonchalantly as if this is just the weather they’d hoped for. Long queues at the taxi stand. An unpleasant rain lashes into the waiting shelter. Then finally it’s my turn and a black London taxi drops me at my destination in about 10 minutes. My „feel good“ hotel The warm welcome at the Atlantic Hotel makes up for everything. Cosy, as the English would say. Homey and stylish at the same time. An enchanting small luxury hotel with 50 opulent rooms, garden studios and two suites. Indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, mini-gym and a golf course which begins directly behind the house. The Atlantic has been in the family for 48 years, host Patrick Burke tells me as I enjoy a delicious dinner of freshly caught fish in his restaurant “Ocean”. Star class. New Chef Will Holland was named “UK Restaurant Chef of the Year“ in 2016. At 10 p.m. Jersey time I fall into bed – lulled to sleep by the steady thundering of the Atlantic waves. Outside of my window, the palm trees are still being whipped about by the wind. The first glimpse of the ocean The next morning I awaken to bright sunshine and 14 degrees. From my balcony I take in the breathtaking view of St. Ouen Bay, a nature reserve of extraordinary natural beauty. In the middle of the sea stands the 18th century fortress La Rocco Tower, which I‘ll explore more closely later on. Miles of white sandy beaches, “Les Blanches Banques”. The wind has subsided and will stay that way for the next few days. My Jersey adventure can begin. This visit I‘ve decided not to rent a car, preferring to explore as much as possible on foot and by public transport.… weiterlesen

The Art of Aesthetic Breast Surgery

Dr. Leonard Nenad Josipovic on enlargements, reductions and his passion In addition to the female breast’s biological task of nursing infants it is, from an aesthetic point of view, seen as the pure symbol of femininity as well. With this background it is easy for me to understand why women undergo breast surgery to meet their own personal aesthetic standards, especially in cases where there is breast malformation. Symmetry disorders due to different shapes and sizes of the breasts can be pronounced enough to cause a high level of suffering, not only of a psychological nature, but often with physical consequences as well. Breasts which have different sizes or those that are, in general, too large can result in considerable impairment in spinal column mobility. Over the course of the years, signs of wear and tear become more pronounced. Silicone implants of the 4th generation In addition to new minimally invasive methods for breast lifting and reduction such as liposuction or the transfer of autologous (own) fat for breast shaping, the use of silicone implants remains the gold standard for breast enlargement. The implants of the so-called 4th generation consist of a silicone gel that cannot leak. They are also equipped with a memory function which means that no matter how strongly they may be twisted, they always return to their original position. Some women still fear that implants could burst if they are subjected to too much pressure, such as a fall directly on the chest. However, tests have been carried out in which the weight of a truck was rolled over the implants without them bursting. The trend towards naturalness The era in which obviously operated breasts à la Pamela Anderson were in demand is fortunately over. Today’s patient usually wants a completely normal and natural-looking result. While in the past much larger implants were used, the trend is now towards a more normal size. Whereas the volume used to be around 800ml, the choice now usually falls on 250 ml to 300 ml per side. In general, women in Germany want the breasts to look natural. It shouldn’t be obvious at first glance that they have undergone surgery. Breast corrections after pregnancy Most women come to us at the Rosenpark Klinik for a make-over after childbirth when breast volume has been lost due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. In such cases, a normal implant enlargement is often not enough, and the desired result can only be achieved by additional tightening of the breast.… weiterlesen

The Art of Slowing Down in South Tyrol

The Hotel Seehof and its wintry “Moments of Calm” South Tyrol (Italian: Alto Adige) stands for Mediterranean joie de vivre, good wine, spectacular scenery and romantic mountain flair. Let’s just forget for a moment that there is really no love lost between the Italians of the North and South. Rather than Italian, the preferred language In South Tyrol is German, combined with the charming Tyrolean dialect of the region. To be more precise, there are over 40 different dialect variations here. German is the mother tongue of over 62 percent of the population, Italian of about 23 percent and four percent, mainly in the Dolomite region, speak Ladin. The perfect timeout location Since May 2017, the Alto Adige has a new jewel in its crown – the 4-star Hotel Seehof Nature Retreat in Natz near Brixen. Spouses Tamaris and Andreas Auer, who grew up in the hotelier business, have given it the motto “Moments of Calm”. The hotel, which they inherited from Andreas’ parents, has undergone a complete renovation and blossomed into a true gem. Alpine down-to-earthness and the lightness of the Mediterranean go hand in hand here. The modern building blends perfectly into the landscape and as soon as you enter the Nature Retreat it’s like being transported to another dimension where the stress and hectic pace of everyday life just falls away. The experience is particularly magical during Advent, Christmas and New Year, when snowflake after snowflake drifts from the sky outside. It’s a time to pause. A time to just enjoy. The design: compactness and clarity Stefan Rier and Lukas Rungger, students of star architect Matteo Thun, one of the region’s most renowned sons, designed the house with their Bolzano architecture firm “Noa” . Its bright, airy rooms, some with open-plan bathrooms, reflect Thun’s clear, minimalist style. Muted earth and stone colours, accentuated with a hint of lavender and copper tones, can be found throughout the buildings. The latter are in remembrance of the owners’ grandfather who, in 1958, pioneered the laying of water pipes to supply the high plateau with running water for the first time. The constant presence of nature The Yang of architecture nestles into the Yin of the landscape. Directly in front of the spacious terrace with its cosy lounge sofas, the hotel’s natural lake spreads out like a private lake stage. In winter, the sight of the mists drifting over the lake is spectacular.… weiterlesen

Threads plus Ultrasound = Tighter Skin

The new equation of aesthetic medicine It works! The combination of two modern procedures, Silhouette threads  and Ultherapy ultrasound tightens and repositions the tissue. Dr. Negin Pakravesh is an expert in aesthetic dermatology and skin surgery. Since her primary focus is on anti-aging treatments, she is just the right person to answer all of our questions about this innovative treatment. What is the benefit of the combination of Ultherapy treatment and thread insertion, the latest anti-aging method offered by Bellari? We work at different levels so that the procedures are synergistic and complement each other optimally. The more skin layers that are stimulated, the better the result and the greater the lifting effect. Ultherapy works through micro-focused ultrasound energy at a depth of up to 4.5 millimeters and triggers a stimulation of the body’s own collagen formation. Thread lifting, by means of Silhouette threads, offers us a repositioning of the tissue and the Poly-L-Lactic Acid in the thread composition provides additional stimulation of the collagen. Ultherapy boosts the body’s own tissue production allowing the thread to consolidate better in the tissue thereby achieving an optimal reduction effect. How should one imagine the course of treatment? Ultherapy first or threads first? First of all, the patient’s wishes are discussed in an in-depth consultation and a treatment plan determined accordingly. Before the actual treatment begins, a local anesthetic is used to numb the skin. Patients who are more sensitive to pain are also given an analgesic (ibuprofen 600) at the Bellari. The combined treatment always starts with Ultherapy which lasts between 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be treated. The second step is thread lifting, before which the entry and exit points of the thread are marked and anaesthetized. After completion of this minimally invasive procedure, the patient applies cooling packs for about an hour to reduce any swelling. The packs can be used repeatedly over the course of the next few days if necessary. How painful are the two procedures? Experience has shown that sensitivity to pain is subjective and every patient is different. Both procedures may be undergone without the use of intravenous anesthesia and can be well tolerated with a local anesthetic using a cream and injection. As mentioned, a supplementary pain-killing tablet can also help. For which patients is this combination suitable? For all those who want a reduction and tightening of the tissues.… weiterlesen

Bellari – Walk in and Feel Beautiful

Aesthetic and cosmetic treatments made to measure The Bellari concept was developed by Doctores Sonja and Gerhard Sattler of Darmstadt’s Rosenpark Klinik. These are institutes in which top class aesthetic medicine and professional cosmetics go hand in hand. In the C&C interview, Dr. Sonja Sattler explains the idea and her visions for the future: Please describe the Bellari concept. To be closer to patients, we wanted to bring to the city centers the aesthetic medicine which we have practiced successfully at the Rosenpark Klinik for many years. On the medical side, only minimal invasive treatments are carried out in the Bellaria, without operations such as those performed in the Rosenpark Klinik. The Bellaria institutes are always divided into two parts: The first is the cosmetic part, in the ground floor shop where there is a compact, high-quality range of care products. On the next level there is a medical area in the form of a private practice. How many locations are there so far? We opened the Bellari in Frankfurt, our flagship so to speak, in early 2016. In June 2016, the second one followed in Hamburg. Our goal is to expand the concept to eight locations in Germany. Later on we plan to open Bellaria in European metropoles such as London and Paris etc. How close is the connection to the Rosenpark Klinik? We bring the Rosenpark Klinik know-how to the institutes and offer a treatment concept which combines care and medicine. A doctor from the clinic is on hand at the Frankfurt institute every day, including Saturdays, and there are two permanent doctors in Hamburg, one of whom commutes between Hamburg and Frankfurt. I am in Frankfurt one or two days each week and in Hamburg twice a month. How did you come up with the name Bellari? We received professional advice in the naming process. We wanted to have a name that sounds beautiful, that fits our beauty concept, and which captures the imagination. My husband found that Bellari, like Armani, is an easy name to remember. What spectrum of treatment do you offer? In the medical field, in addition to advice on fillers, Botox and lasering, we offer non-incision body treatments such as cool sculpting. Treatments from skin diagnosis to various facials for Him and Her to eyebrow correction and a wide range of make-up are available in the cosmetic sector. Our highlight lies in the combining of different modern technologies.… weiterlesen

Rosenpark Klinik – In the Center of Beauty

From Facial Rejuvenation to Body Shaping 20 years ago, doctors Gerhard and Sonja Sattler laid the foundation of the Rosenpark Klinik in a rose-covered half-timbered house in Darmstadt. Today, boasting up to 12 specialists, it has become a competence centre for aesthetic-operative dermatology and plastic surgery. In the C&C interview Dr. Gerhard Sattler: What is your recipe for success? If you consider the changes in aesthetic medicine over the past 20 years, there’s not one stone left standing. The scientific and philosophical bases have constantly and fundamentally changed. By this we mean the treatment of the aesthetic patient, the development of various methods and the importance of aesthetics in today’s Zeitgeist. To continuously and successfully develop a clinic over the course of more than two decades, one must actively participate in these changes as well as helping to shape them. For my wife and I this means that, in order to provide patients with the best treatment options, ongoing training, writing textbooks, organising scientific Congresses and running a scientific Research Centre must necessarily be part of the clinic’s day-to-day activities. New methods show a clear trend towards non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures. Through the constant improvement of treatment techniques, these are equivalent or even superior to the major surgical operations of the past. It must be borne in mind that today’s patients are generally very well-informed and come to their doctor with specific questions. And the aesthetic physician must never forget one thing: He advises and coaches his patients so that, in contrast to medicine in the treatment of illnesses. the patient can come to an informed decision about choices and types of treatment. What distinguishes you from other Beauty Clinics? First of all, it should be emphasized that at the Rosenpark Klinik , work with patients is, from the very outset, exclusively focused on aesthetic issues. This specialisation is essential to guarantee high quality treatment as well as the patent’s safety. Since the individual key areas of aesthetic medicine and surgery have become considerably less differentiated, it was necessary to form a group of specialized aesthetic physicians. On the one hand, this ensures discipline-specific specialisation and, on the other, a close interdisciplinary exchange. The business form of the Rosenpark Klinik is just as important to us. To this day, the clinic is in the sole hands of the founding physicians. This distinguishes it from other clinics that, due to the active involvement of investors, are more focused on commercial considerations.… weiterlesen