Treatments designed to smooth skin and reduce wrinkles may rely on the power of hyaluronic acid. Learn some of its secrets with Groupon's guide. If your joints don’t creak and your eyeballs don’t squish around in their sockets, you have hyaluronic acid to thank. It’s a gel-like substance that lubricates and gives shape to several key components of the body, and with the help of dermatologists and chemists, it becomes even more versatile. Injected in the form of dermal fillers such as Juvéderm and Restylane, it can soften fine lines and replace lost volume in skin, creating a more youthful appearance that can last up to a year. Because it’s already found naturally in the body, it doesn't irritate surrounding tissues when injected. (And humans aren’t the only creatures who rely on the substance—before chemists learned to synthesize it, it used to be extracted from rooster combs.) Hyaluronic acid also appears in many moisturizers and anti-aging creams, but unlike dermal fillers, these won't have much impact on wrinkles. "When you use hyaluronic acid topically, it doesn't penetrate the skin," says Dr. Debra Jaliman, author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. "It only acts as a moisturizer." But that effect shouldn’t be underestimated. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning that it draws in water from the air and holds it against the epidermis, hydrating the skin without clogging pores like some lotions and mud pits can. "Patients who are acne-prone really like this, as it is noncomedogenic," Dr. Jaliman adds. "It is also useful for patients who have eczema or rosacea, as it is not irritating." While its effects on the skin are well known, some believe that ingesting hyaluronic acid could also be beneficial. In 2000, ABC’s 20/20 popularized the hypothesis that a diet high in starchy vegetables that boost hyaluronic-acid production was responsible for the unusually smooth skin of elderly people in the Japanese village of Yuzuri Hara, where many residents live to be over 90.

Board-certified Nurse Practitioner R J Edwards not only has nearly a decade in aesthetic medicine, but also training from some of Oregon's top plastic surgeons. She draws on this experience at her med spa, R J Edwards Aesthetic Clinic, where she addresses a host of aesthetic concerns with cosmetic treatments. Read on to learn more about a few: Acne and acne scars: She targets and shrinks oil glands with a laser-light procedure or relies on less invasive chemical peels to resurface skin. Both treatments can minimize breakouts and reduce the appearance of scars. Uneven skin tone and texture: Nurse Practitioner R J Edwards also employs medical-grade chemical peels and Vi Peels to improve overall skin tone. CoolTouch laser and microneedling treatments can be helpful, too. Dark undereye circles: Nurse Practitioner R J Edwards improves the appearance of dark circles with such fillers as Juvéderm Voluma XC, Restylane Lyft, and Radiesse. Crow's-feet: To smooth these smile lines around the eyes, she may inject Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin, which can reduce forehead and frown lines, as well. Toenail fungus: Her laser can penetrate infected toenails and destroy nail fungus with minimal pain and no downtime, helping clients get back to wearing sandals or slippers with the toes cut out as soon as possible.

Patients of Dr. Kenneth A. Janoff may recognize the vascular surgeon from his appearances on AM Northwest and KGW News, where he introduced viewers to the latest treatment options for varicose and spider veins. Off camera, he helms Bridgeport Vein Center alongside Dr. Patrick M. Lehti––an accomplished vascular surgeon with more than 25 years of experience––and a team that includes registered nurses specializing in sclerotherapy, dermal fillers, and laser rejuvenation. Together, the staff pools their collective expertise to restore smooth, youthful skin and treat venous diseases with the most up-to-date treatments. After an ultrasound exam that detects and analyzes problem veins, the team charts a treatment plan that could include ambulatory phlebectomy (surgical removal) or sclerotherapy––a method that targets veins with an injectable solution which causes them to break up, move out of the condo they share with healthy veins, and eventually become reabsorbed back into the body. As an alternative to surgery, the doctors may also turn to the state-of-the-art Venefit treatment, which collapses the blood tunnels by heating them from the inside out via a catheter and typically allows patients to return to normal activities within a day.

The talented stylists at Picasso Artistic Salon in Lake Oswego provide guests with fast and friendly services. Say goodbye to blackheads and clogged pores with a facial! The injections at this salon are quick and pain free, leaving guests feeling satisfied. Say goodbye to dry skin and ache with a professional skin treatment, such as microdermabrasion. For a divine set of nails, you can choose from any of their amazing services such as no-chip gel manicures, pedicures, manicures, and nail art. This chic salon offers upscale hairstyle services that aim to please. Painless and effective hair removal remedies, such as waxing, threading, laser hair removal, electrolysis, and epilation, are available at this establishment. Don't wait until the last minute to attend to your needs. This salon's services are only available by appointment. If you're looking to rack up your frequent flyer miles, feel free to pay by major credit card. Parking is available at an adjacent lot. Whether you're coming in for just the usual treatment or considering a makeover, Picasso Artistic Salon is the salon for you!

Elite Nails in Lake Oswego offers a number of nail salons tables so that you and your friends can catch up while getting your nails done. Rejuvenate your skin with a facial from this salon and leave feeling silky smooth. Dealing with unwanted body hair? Elite Nails understands and offers many services, including waxing. For beautifully painted and well-maintained nails, try one of the nail services offered at this salon. This salon offers a wide variety of hair care treatments for both men and women. With their convenient walk-in policy, this salon honors your schedule. Why pay a fortune when you can snag a deal? Elite Nails has all your favorite snazzy spa services at practical prices. Every service offered by Elite Nails is payable by major credit card. At Elite Nails, you can park quickly and safely in a lot next door. Make use of the luxurious bike racks at Elite Nails. If you have fancy event coming up, you deserve to treat yourself to a day at Elite Nails, so your nails are prepped and ready to go with the rest of your chic outfit.

Taking their name from the 18% chromium and 8% nickel that transform regular steel into stainless steel, the staff of 18|8 Fine Men's Salons master grooming services to transform their clients into chiseled gentlemen. A greeter waits at the salon entrance to bring the guest to our lounge where they are offered complimentary beverages including local microbrew on tap. The stylist will meet the guest and take them back into the salon where they change into a robe, and escorted to a semiprivate station. Stylists will take time to consult with each client to recommend the best style based on the clients vision, head shape and hair texture. All cuts are handcrafted without the use of plastic clipper guards, finishing Executive cuts with five-minute shoulder massages and hot towel finish. Technicians also provide straight razor shaves, coloring services, skin and scalp treatments, waxing and other grooming sessions in a semi-private, upscale environment.