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fast glam 4 SculpSure There are myriad ‘laser’ treatments that can claim to heat up fat cells to the point of killing them, promising volume loss after your lymph system has flushed the cells out. Only they don’t imply lasers at all (but rather, radiofrequency or ultrasound waves), and the so-called ‘killing’ is actually temporary fat-cell leakage. Which, rarely (or, in our case, never), results in any body streamlining. SculpSure is the latest ‘fat-removal laser’ to claim cell death and permanent fat loss—so is this one for real? BUZZ OR BULL? Buzz. Granted we haven’t tried it, but this one is legit, and we’re booked in. “This is the first time an (actual) laser has been able to produce enough heat to cause cell death,” says Dr Benji Dhillon of London’s Phi Clinic. Adds Dr Lohia: “It’s wavelength zaps fatty tissue, but isn’t absorbed by skin tissue [which would cause it to burn].” A single treatment should permanently reduce stubborn pockets of fat; and prices are determined by how many laser paddles (`32,000 a pop) are needed to cover the area. It’s the first fat-reducing laser approved by the respected US Food And Drug Admiration (FDA); plus, some of our most trusted doctors are excited about it, which is saying something. 3 Eartox Watch out, there’s a new body area to worry about. Earlobes can become saggy and discoloured with age, and plumping them out with dermal fillers is apparently the answer. The Botox-free practice is called ‘eartox’ (confusingly), and can also help earrings ‘sit properly’. BUZZ OR BULL? Bull. Please, let’s reserve our lobes for dressing up, not fretting over. Red -hot New York-based jewellery designer and piercer Maria Tash says subtle, not-too-heavy piercings “draw the eye to the jewellery, and not to any perceived imperfections in the skin or shape of the cartilage”. Ask your lobe piercing to be ‘forward- angled’, so the design is visible head-on and can “light up the face, especially when the colour flatters the undertone in your skin” — think silver for cool and gold for warm. Or try ear make-up: we’ve seen gold-painted lobes, polka-dotted cartilage, abstract line designs...all of it looks really rather cool. 56 5 COSMOPOLITAN jAnuARy 2017 Jennifer Garner Threaded studs, `21,297 each, Maria Tash 6 LED Light-emitting diode therapy has been a facialist’s standby for yonks, but it’s gaining traction as a separate treatment in salons, or even as a walk-in facial (at Lumiere Dermatology and Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation, starting at `3,000). Spending 15 minutes under a panel of these lights set at specific wavelengths tackles acne (blue light) or rejuvenates skin (red and yellow light). BUZZ OR BULL? Buzz. The healing, calming and antibacterial effects of LED are quickly noticeable, which is why so many therapists incorporate them. The tone-evening, plumping, collagen-boosting benefits take longer to show, but as the lights are proven to ramp up skin-cell energy and function, slow and steady wins the race — meaning you need to have LED a lot (twice a week, initially). Bionic Polyhydroxy Acid These rather more advanced grandchildren of alpha hydoxy acids (the ones that peel away decrepit skin cells and boost fresh ones) don’t just do as gramps and granny acid did. They are also said to be powerful antioxidants, as well as to hydrate skin and neutralise skin-damaging heavy metals in pollution. Too good to be true? BUZZ OR BULL? Buzz. “Numerous clinical trials underpin these findings, and there is a further benefit: due to their slow but steady penetration, bionic PHAs such as lacto- and maltobionic acid don’t irritate, not even around the eyes,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Sandeep Cliff. Sounds like just the kind of acids we like to drop! FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT cOSMO.In Gigi Hadid 7 Colour Contouring So, you can re-contour your bone structure and flatter your skin tone by highlighting and shading your...hair? “It’s set to be the hair colour trend of the year,” says Issie Churcher, the Wella Professionals colour club technician who contoured models’ locks for a show with peach and silver highlights and a freehand ‘balayage’ highlighting technique. BUZZ OR BULL? Buzz. “Placing high and lowlights to bring out an individual’s face shape is really effective, but it’s a skill any good colourist will have,” says Percy & Reeds’ Adam Reed. “It’s more about an in-depth consultation and individually tailored placement of skin- flattering hues than a prescribed technique. “Try any salon that offers bespoke colour and a lengthy consultation. Even if they don’t advertise ‘contouring (or ‘zigzag balayage’, or ‘colour zoning’ to name just two alternative terms), chances are that’s what you’ll n be able to get.