Getting rid of stubborn fat can be frustrating and put a damper on self-esteem. It’s no wonder liposuction is the number one sought after cosmetic surgery in the country. But what if you could remove fat and improve your body’s contour without undergoing a surgical procedure?
The newest in lipotherapy offers a safe and non-invasive way to help you look slimmed and revitalized without the need for heavy anesthesia or recovery time. Lipotherapy is a non-surgical fat reduction treatment that uses an injection to dissolve fat deposits that are not affected by diet and exercise. LipoDissolve® is one such revolutionary treatment used at Thrive that has received much media attention and interest from our patients.
LipoDissolve® consists of phosphatidlycholine (PPC) and deoxycholate, both of which are naturally occurring substances within the body. PPC facilitates fat transport through the cell membrane and is most commonly derived from soybeans.
How Does it Work?
A series of microinjections are delivered to the treatable area and the two compounds work together to break up fat cells causing the fat to liquefy in the body. An inflammatory response allows debris clean up and tissue retraction. This fat and cellular debris is then picked up naturally by the body and eliminated through the normal metabolic pathways. New collagen is then deposited in the area, causing denser, firmer skin.
What Areas Can be Treated?
Ideal treatment areas include lower eye pads, chin, jowls, cheeks, abdomen, upper/lower back, upper arms, hips, thighs, knees, buttocks, and love handles. The frequency of treatment depends on the body area and how much fat needs to be dissolved. Typically, patients will return every 2-4 weeks for 4-6 treatments.
Thrive Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center is Oregon’s leading authority on LipoDissolve, as well as other non-surgical fat removal procedures such as Mesotherapy and Med Sculpt. Since 2004, our center has performed hundreds of treatments to help our clients look and feel their best.
For more information on lipotherapy or any of our other anti-aging treatments, please visit our website at http://www.thriveportland.com. We are always happy to answer your questions through our blog, Facebook, or Twitter or in person at our beautiful NW location.
InStyle Magazine has named SkinMedica’s TNS Essential Serum best wrinkle treatment and a 2011 Best Beauty Buy winner! As featured in the May issue, top dermatologists Dr. Ruth Teldaldi and Dr. Barbara Schell recommend the product for its superior technology and age-reversing results.
Always a client favorite at Thrive, TNS Essential Serum is a potent blend of antioxidants, peptides, and collagen-building growth factors that are proven to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and the overall tone and texture of skin.
At Thrive Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center, we carry SkinMedica products to help you age beautifully. Visit us online or stop by our NW location to stock up on TNS Essential Serum or other products in this innovative line.
Many women experience issues as they age and decide they “just need to deal with it” and that it’s an inevitable part of aging. But the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause can be treated effectively using natural methods that leave you feeling younger, more energetic and balanced both physically and emotionally. Let’s take a look at how bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help.
Menopause happens when estrogen levels decrease rapidly in a matter of months. This relatively sudden decrease in hormone levels can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, poor sleep, loss of sex drive, weight gain and depression.
Hormone replacement therapy may help improve and prevent these conditions by replenishing estrogen back to the body’s normal levels. Bio-identical hormones are commonly taken from natural sources and are identical to those made in the human body.
Low estrogen levels can be addressed with a variety of treatments including gels, creams, pellet implants, or injections. Not all women who experience menopausal symptoms will benefit from the same treatment. For this reason, treatment should be personalized to each patient and closely monitored for reaction and effectiveness.
Most women experience positive results within the first 6 weeks, but continue to report improvements in energy, mental and physical health, confidence and mood for years after starting treatment. Other benefits of hormone therapy include:
If you have been experiencing the symptoms of menopause, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy could help you start living a well-balanced life.
At Thrive Anti-aging and Aesthetic Center, we are medical professionals who specialize in anti-aging and hormone therapy. Our medical director and age management specialist Dr. Adam Maddox has taken a personal interest in the treatment of menopausal patients. Through a detailed consultation and laboratory testing Dr. Maddox will design a treatment plan based on your individual needs. Our goal is to help you look and feel your best.
We are happy to answer your questions through our blog, Facebook, or Twitter and insist on beginning every relationship with an hour consultation to discuss our treatment options in more depth. For more information please visit our website at http://www.thriveportland.com.
Wrinkles are our skin’s natural response to aging and while light laugh lines may be charming, deep creases and furrows are aspects of age you no longer have to settle for. An incredible amount of new research about the causes of wrinkles has become accessible over the last decade, and in turn, dramatic improvements in laser technology and injectable fillers have helped tens of millions of men and women look and feel more beautiful.
The Basics
Wrinkles are the lines and creases that form in your skin, and may be especially noticeable around the eyes, mouth and neck. With age, skin becomes less elastic, drier and contains less fat in the deeper tissues – all of which lead to loose, sagging skin. Wrinkling may also be caused by a number of other factors, including:
Prevention
You can’t control all of the factors that cause wrinkles (like aging), but you can control some. Taking care of your overall health greatly affects the health of your skin. A nutritious diet, plenty of water and regular exercise serve as the basics. A skincare routine that includes a daily sunscreen of at least SPF 15 is also a necessary step in preventing early wrinkling. Ultraviolet light breaks down your skin’s connective tissue. Without the supportive connective tissue, your skin loses its strength and flexibility.
Some reparative therapies actually work to prevent wrinkles as well. Botox for example, helps patients avoid the inevitable furrows that result from years of scrunching and frowning when used starting in the early 20s and 30s.
A plethora of FDA-approved devices have shown great improvement in reducing wrinkles in the epidermis and collagen building in the dermis layer of the skin. Here are just a few examples of popular effective treatments.
Skin Titan and Laser Genesis
Both the Titan and Laser Genesis are light-based alternatives to plastic surgery. Titan is the first light-based solution for tightening skin on the face and body. It emits a pure infrared light to reverse the signs of aging without damaging the surface of the skin. The treatment also works by stimulating long-term collagen building which helps to tone, lift and firm the skin. The Laser Genesis uses a pulsed-light system used to treat a range of specific issues including wrinkles, fine lines, redness and scarring.
DOT Therapy
Dermal Optical Thermolysis, or DOT, is a fractional laser resurfacing treatment that addresses wrinkles, sagging, sun damage, and discoloration among others skin issues. It works by creating thousands of microscopic perforations that immediately tighten the skin and stimulate new collagen growth. DOT is known as a highly effective treatment in improving the skin’s texture and fighting lines and wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers – Restylane
Dermal fillers are injected under the skin to restore volume and fullness and to correct facial wrinkles. Restylane is a natural substance that already exists in the human body. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane increasingly binds to the body’s own water molecules over time, which produces lasting results as the skin ages. Unlike collagen, Restylane is free from animal proteins and provides a truly natural way to achieve a youthful look.
At Thrive Anti-aging and Aesthetic Center, we pride ourselves on offering holistic advice and assisting people with any questions related to anti-aging, medical spa treatments, hormone replacement, and/or medical weight loss. Our team of expert medical professionals is available to offer their insight, answer your questions, and be an informational resource for our current and potential clients.
We are happy to answer your questions through our blog, Facebook, or Twitter and insist on beginning every relationship with an hour consultation to discuss our treatment options in more depth. For more information please visit our website at http://www.thriveportland.com.
Even though low testosterone has been getting more press lately, evidence suggests that many men with symptomatic low testosterone don’t get treated. Let’s take a look at why testosterone levels matter and what bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can do for you.
While menopause for women happens when estrogen levels plummet in a matter of months, andropause in men is marked by a gradual decline in testosterone over a longer period, at a rate of about 1% per year. Because of the gradual decline, many men may not notice that symptoms including weight gain, fatigue, muscle loss, depression and decreased sex drive are related to their loss in testosterone.
Research suggests low testosterone is also associated with several chronic medical conditions, including obesity, diabetes, depression, erectile dysfunction, and possibly cardiovascular disease. Testosterone maintains and builds bones and muscles, so low testosterone can lead to thinning of the bones, or osteoporosis. Additionally, low testosterone levels have been associated with poor sexual performance, so hormone replacement therapy can be very beneficial in revitalizing your sexual health.
Hormone replacement therapy may help improve and prevent these conditions by replenishing testosterone back to the body’s normal levels. Low testosterone levels can be addressed with a variety of treatments including gels, creams, pellet implants, or injections. The treatment should be personalized to each patient and closely monitored for reaction and effectiveness.
Within three to six weeks of testosterone therapy, most men report improvements in energy, mood, sexual performance, confidence, self-esteem, and an overall sense of well-being. Other benefits of hormone therapy include:
• Increased mental & physical energy
• A decrease in feelings of irritability, sadness, nervousness
• Improved sleep quality
• Improved sex drive & sexual performance
• Increased lean body mass
• A decrease in fat mass
• Increased muscle strength & endurance
If you have been experiencing the symptoms of decreasing testosterone, hormone replacement therapy could help you get your life back.
At Thrive Anti-aging and Aesthetic Center, we are medical professionals who specialize in anti-aging and hormone therapy. Our medical director and age management specialist Dr. Adam Maddox has taken a personal interest in the treatment of andropause and menopause patients. Through a detailed consultation and laboratory testing Dr. Maddox will design a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
We are happy to answer your questions through our blog, Facebook, or Twitter and insist on beginning every relationship with an hour consultation to discuss our treatment options in more depth. For more information please visit our website at http://www.thriveportland.com.
SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum tackles all of your aging concerns with just one product.

If you’re concerned about aging, blame Father Time, the sun and your parents. While two out of the three are beyond our control, the combination of these factors is responsible for an overwhelming majority of skin issues that arise with age. While some may turn to medical treatments or surgery to repair the symptoms of aging, skin care is the only way to restore your skin to a more youthful state, and in turn improve its appearance for the long run.
SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum is an all-in-one anti-aging product that addresses all of the visible signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, excess pigment and uneven tone and texture. Its blend of human growth factors, peptides, antioxidants and other anti-aging ingredients has been proven to deliver visible results within 30 days of use, with optimal results seen after 90 days.
To make the most of the exceptional ingredients found in SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum, the packaging features a unique dual-chamber pump that keeps the two products within separated until they are ready to be applied. This ensures maximum potency and consequently, maximum results.
The first chamber contains SkinMedica’s patented growth factor serum, TNS Recovery Complex. Growth factors are messenger molecules occur naturally in our skin, yet their number and performance begin to decline with age. By supplementing the skin with growth factors, cells are prompted to perform more efficiently again, in turn lending a younger-looking appearance to the skin.
The second chamber houses a blend of powerful antioxidants, peptides and other anti-aging ingredients that protect and further improve the appearance of the skin. The seven antioxidants were selected for their superior ability to protect skin cells from free radical damage, while the peptides work with the growth factors to repair the skin’s supportive matrix. The serum also contains alpha-arbutin to brighten and lighten the skin along with other anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic filling spheres that instantly plump up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Suitable for all skin types, SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum offers prevention and correction for the full spectrum of aging concerns. When the two serums are combined, they work synergistically to increase collagen production and regenerate your skin, improving its look and feel. With SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum, you’ll notice improvement in lines and wrinkles, lightening of dark spots, renewed skin elasticity and more even tone and texture—all from just one product.
To learn more about anti-aging treatments like these and others, contact us today to schedule an appointment!
The definition of beauty has evolved over the years and as beauty trends come and go, one constant seems to ring true, we all want to age beautifully. Aging beautifully is a holistic approach to taking care of one’s internal and external health. Internal health includes regular exercise, eating healthy food, drinking water, and mental/spiritual rejuvenation. External health is the way we dress and carry ourselves, keeping our skin healthy, and taking steps to care for our outward appearance.
No matter how much we work out, eat right, and use sunscreen, we will see the visible signs of aging, sun damage, and loss of collagen as we age. There is a way to correct this damage. The path to younger, healthier looking skin comes in two phases, a corrective phase and the preventative phase. The corrective phase includes treatments like laser fractional resurfacing for fine lines and collagen building, and age spot treatments to create a glowing, even skin tone.
The preventative phase includes treatments that can make patients look ten years younger than they do today. The advancements in treatments like fillers and laser skin rejuvenation slow down the visible signs of aging and can actually reverse the aging process. Not only do you have the ability to correct damage, you have the ability to reverse it, and look as young and fresh as you did years ago.
At Thrive Aesthetic & Anti-Aging, we believe that our approach to beauty and medical spa treatments is to help our client’s age beautifully, in a natural way. As the standards of beauty have evolved, so has the oversaturation of procedures that leave women looking unnatural and over-plumped. Our goal is to work with the beauty of each person and enhance their features in a natural way. Client’s who invest in anti-aging treatments and procedures leave our office feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and renewed.
For more information about anti-aging treatments, watch this video outlining a variety of procedures and visit our website at www.thriveportland.com. You can also receive exclusive monthly online discounts and updates by following us on Facebook or Twitter.
We all know the golden rule of real estate: location, location, location. In naturopathic medicine, the rule is inflammation, inflammation, inflammation. In its beginning stages, inflammation is the body’s healing response to an injury, irritation or microbial invasion. For instance, if I catch a cold, my body creates inflammation in the form of a runny nose, sore throat, and cough. As annoying as these symptoms are, they are signs of a healthy body healing itself. However, when the inflammation we can’t see—inside our bodies—becomes chronic, it ultimately causes degeneration of our tissues and leads to disease. Simply put, it ages us. Chronic inflammation is thought to be the root of many diseases, including heart disease, obesity, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, osteoarthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.
You can see why naturopathic doctors focus so much of our attention on the treatment and prevention of chronic inflammation. I have made some simple suggestions to help you in the process of reducing inflammation in your body. I won’t bore you with the science behind each of these recommendations, but know that together these suggestions build a true foundation of health. Now, some of you might be thinking, “I’m too old for all of these changes.” Hogwash! You are never too old to improve the quality of your life. Here they are…
1. Eat plenty of healthy, anti-inflammatory foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish (good for omega-3 fatty acids), nuts and legumes. If you want more information, anti-inflammation diet books are available and can be a great resource for grocery shopping and recipes. I recommend The Anti-Inflammation Diet by Jessica Black, ND.
2. Avoid inflammatory foods such as processed foods, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, trans- and hydrogenated fats, alcohol and caffeine.
3. Try an elimination diet to check for food allergies or sensitivities. This is a biggie. Many people have this problem and don’t even know it! Food allergies and sensitivities can lead to many problems in the body. Start by avoiding the following foods for one month: wheat products, dairy products, soy, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, peanuts, peanut butter, citrus fruits, pork and shellfish. What’s left to eat? Plenty! Explore your grocery store. When the month is up, add these foods back into your diet one at a time. Wait three days between foods and see how you feel. If a food is aggravation your body, you should eat it in moderation or avoid it altogether.
4. Enhance the health of your digestive tract by doing two things. First, supplement your diet with probiotics. These are the healthy bacteria which live in our digestive tract. The two most common are L. acidophilus and L. bifidus. You can purchase these at your local health food store. Second, stimulate more effective digestion with this old trick: Mix ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in ½ cup of water and drink it 20 minutes before meals. The better you digest your food, the less inflammation you will have. This trick can also be helpful for heartburn and reflux.
5. Eat anti-inflammatory spices such as turmeric, garlic and ginger. Did you know these herbs have been used as medicines for thousands of years? It’s hard to believe medicine could taste so good!
6. Ask your doctor to do lab tests to check for chronic inflammation. I recommend C – reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). If these tests determine you have inflammation, the next step is for you and your doctor to figure out why and stop it.
OK, there you have it: your foundation of health and fountain of youth. Making these changes can be challenging, but well worth the effort. The result is feeling healthier, younger, and more vibrant. In future postings I will expand on these recommendations and explore other avenues to wellness and healing. I’m looking forward to it!
Take care of your (whole) self—
Amy Bader, ND
About Amy Bader, ND
Amy Bader, ND completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Bader then earned her Naturopathic Doctorate, with honors, from the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, Oregon. Upon graduation in June of 2000, she completed a family practice residency in the Portland area through NCNM.
Dr. Bader treats the whole body, not just particular symptoms. Her treatment plans generally include a combination of natural medicines and specific lifestyle changes designed to bring balance to every system of the body. She works with many different health issues and is particularly interested in treating challenging health problems such as hormone problems, autoimmune diseases, digestive problems, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, and other chronic conditions. In addition, Dr. Bader has expertise in the treatment of obesity. She enjoys helping a patient optimize his or her metabolism in order to achieve long-term weight loss and optimal health.
Copyright © 2010 Caring.com
For more information about Amy Bader and the services she offers, please visit our website at www.thriveportland.com. You can also receive exclusive online discounts and updates by following us onFacebook or Twitter.
While fish oils have become widely accepted for their healthy cardiovascular properties, a recent scientific study suggests additional benefits. A large survey of post menopausal women found that fish oil may protect against breast cancer. Researchers complied data collected from 35,000 postmenopausal women ages 50-76 who did not have breast cancer at the onset of the survey. Women who reported taking fish oil or consumed a diet high in fish at the onset of the survey were nearly half as likely to develop ductal carcinoma of the breast (the most common type of breast cancer). According to epidemiologists this is no fluke and has brought much needed attention to natural therapies such as this. The mechanism of fish oils protective effects against breast cancer are still unknown but speculation is around the anti-inflammatory properties they contain. Before we can suggest fish oil does in fact reduce the risk of breast cancer more controlled studies need to be completed. At this time I suggest supplement daily with a good quality fish oil that has been tested for heavy metals and spoilage. Encourage your children to eat deep cold water fish including wild salmon and halibut. This will not only offer you a healthy heart but potentially reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.
New York Times article on hormone replacement therapy
3 May 2010, admin on the topic of Anti Aging News, Bioidentical Hormones Portland, Hormone replacement commentary
On January 15th, 2010 the New York Times published an article on hormone replacement therapy titled “Vigor Quest”. The author, Tom Dunkel, interviewed a patient a 51 year old man that is currently using testosterone replacement to maintain his vitality and youthfulness. Tom continues to report on the opposition from some physician groups that believe this type of hormone replacement therapy is unwarranted and provides no therapeutic benefit and may even be unsafe. My opinion on this article is that it is mostly a balanced report on the pros and possible cons of age management based hormone replacement therapy.
Age management medicine or anti-aging medicine is typically defined as the use of certain hormones (thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, growth hormone, etc.), supplements, medication, nutrition, exercise, and stress management to slow the effects of aging. The average person’s hormone levels start to decline after the age of 30. Some people refer to this as the time when our body’s start to slow down, gain weight, and lose muscle tone. At least this is what we may perceive or see externally. Other factors that we sometimes neglect to consider when thinking about getting older is the increased risk of disease. Cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cancer are typically found during the second half of life. There is increasing scientific evidence demonstrating the possible benefits of low dose hormone replacement therapy and how it may prevent such diseases.
Obviously I am a proponent of hormone replacement therapy including testosterone for men and estrogen for women. Though I do not believe that hormones are the key to the fountain of youth. Nor do I think everyone across American that is over the age of 50 should be on hormones. I recognize there are potential risks associated with hormone replacement therapy. It is my job as the physician to minimize these risk through appropriate lab testing, a thorough review of health history, and good clinical judgment. When these are combined the patient receives the best possible outcome with the lowest possible side effects.