Our clients asked for us to expand. Well, we listened. And we heard you loud and clear.

Smack in the heart of Manhattan, Assara took over the entire second floor of 23 West 45th Street, and turned it into a world class laser cosmetic center.

Our family of clients has grown significantly over the past few years.   Our new laser center offers more comfort as well as state-of-the-art improvements to better serve our expanding client base.  We are all very excited about the new space.  Our new home will provide us with room to support the growing needs of our clients in comfort and style.

We made a significant  redesign, offering all-new amenities including an expanded and more comfortable waiting room with sweeping views of West 45^th Street, larger treatment rooms and consultation spaces, and upgraded technologies to support the heavy demand for Assara Specialists.

We hope to see you soon!

Hey Y’all,

Summer’s long over and, with it, so went sun-tanning. Even though most of my friends have given up dedicated sun baking and using oil to get that golden brown glow, there’s no way to avoid the sun altogether.

We might be smart about the UVA and UVB rays now, but past sun sins can come back to haunt us. Years of unprotected sun exposure cause brown spots, those unattractive brown blotches of varying shades and sizes.

Today dermatologists are saying that those spots are cropping up on younger patients. “Brown spots used to be something old people got, but today they have less to do with aging and more to do with sun exposure. I see them in 20 something women all the time,” said James M. Spencer, of Spencer Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center in St. Petersburg.

Protecting your skin is the first step in warding off those unsightly brown badges, sometimes referred to as age spots or hyper-pigmentation. Even if you haven’t been sun savvy in the past, there are methods – from bleaching creams to laser treatments – that can alleviate these unwanted age advertisers. Here are a few tips and dark spot solutions:

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

It’s never too late to start protecting your skin. The best solution to brown spots is prevention. UV ray-blocking skin and face creams are a must! Existing spots become more visible, and new spots will continue to develop unless you minimize sun exposure. Don’t leave the house without using a product with at least SPF 15 every day.

At-home solutions:

At-home creams take months to work. So don’t expect drastic results. Be patient. The results can be spotty so try to confine cream to the brown spot only, so you don’t get a lighter ring. Look for bleaching creams containing hydroquinone; it blocks the formation of new brown pigment. It’s available over-the-counter in 2 percent concentrations, but you can get stronger concentrations at your dermatologist. For a quicker solution, try Retin A – a prescription strength retinoid that helps skin turn over more quickly.

In-office Laser treatments:

Laser treatments are pricier than creams but that’s because lasers are the most effective at permanently removing spots. A laser facial uses light energy to peel off brown spots. The laser can remove brown spots in two treatments. And you might go home with a little redness where the brown spots used to be, the healing is quick and painless. Laser treatments are most effective when combined with microdermabrasion. Microderm removes dead cells with a light abrasion.

I find that pairing the treatments with a lightening cream gives the best results. Laser facials are relaxing and show major results. When I go in to do a laser facial I always ask the technician to do a little bit of microdermabrasion. The deep exfoliation combined with the laser facial’s rejuvenation properties are a real one-two punch to dark spots, fine lines, and dry dull skin.

Try it for yourself!

Xx

Laser Gal

I remember reading in a beauty magazine a question that went something like “what is airbrushing and how can I do it at home?” I think it was at the beginning of the tidal wave of airbrushing that’s brought us to where we are today: magazine covers with unrealistic elongated bodies and plastic-looking skin.

Seeing all those doctored images of ultra smooth poreless skin can make you nervous about your own face, right? Even though we know that the pictures are false and that 35 year-old celebrity probably doesn’t have the skin tone of a Floridian 8 year-old. We can’t help it, it’s annoying.

The closest thing to ‘airbrushing’ we can do that can make our skin more ‘radiant’, ‘smooth’ and ‘even’ is do microdermabrasion treatments. The diamond-tip wand on the microdermabrasion machine gently polishes away impurities, dead skin and pore build-up in a way that ‘facial scrubs’ can’t hope to achieve. When your skin is free of build-up it looks and feels its best- and that, is the closest to ‘airbrushing’ you’ll ever get to.

I’d rather look good in person than have a million airbrushed photos!

Happy holidays!

xxx Laser Gal

It turns out the old wives tale is true: get lots of sleep and you’ll look better. Yes, beauty sleep is real, according to a new study by Swedish researchers.

If you’re wondering how they studied this, no, they did not look at sleep-deprived people riding the 1 train downtown at 8am (although that would probably prove the theory right away- those tired people lookfunky.) The scientists took a more, well, scientific approach: they snapped two sets of photos of 23 men and women: Once after they had 8 hours of sleep, and once after they’d spent 31 continuous hours awake.

A group of observers rated each photo based on health, attractiveness and skin tone. And Surprise! The well-rested people were rated more attractive then the sleep-deprived people.

So, yes, the fact that you stay up till 2 a.m. wondering if your doorman misinterpreted your comment last week, that is the reason you are not prettier. lol.

So get lots of sleep, cleanse and moisturize your skin add a little microdermabrasion and a laser facial and you’ll be glowing in no time.

xxx

Laser Gal

By now almost everyone knows Kim Kardashian loves hair removal. It’s one of her favourite things to open up about. There she was on The View the other day deflecting questions about who she’s dating by talking about hair removal.

Obviously she’s not the going to deal with shaving, ingrown hairs, 3-day re-growth and endless waxing… So Kardashian trusts laser hair removal.

“I am obsessed with laser hair removal,” she said. “Arms, bikini, legs, underarms…my entire body is hairless.”

Whether you love or hate this reality girl, the bottom line is that she only does the most top of the line treatments and the most convenient type of hair removal that gives the best results. Hey, if it’ good enough for Kim…

xxx

Laser Gal

Hey Y’all,

Watching Entourage the other day I did a double take when I saw Vince lounging naked and drunk by his pool, with his also-naked pornstar-costar Sasha Grey. The nude debauchery wasn’t what shocked me, the huge puffy black curly triangle where Sasha’s bikini bottom should have been was what surprised me.

Sasha Grey's untamed bikini may be the exception for women high in self-confidence.

I guess showing Grey’s untamed bikini hair was Entourage’s middle finger to convention, because we all know, bikini hair removal has never been more popular. In fact, if you’re wondering where your hair removal habits fall on the scale of ‘normal’ or ‘popular’ this new study might interest you.

The Journal of Sexual Medicine study Questioned 2500 women and found that although removal of pubic hair is the “new norm,” the majority of women don’t remove ALL their pubic hair, the women who do go completely bare have a more positive genital self-image. This is surprising, because people viewed women who do the “full monty” as being motivated only by porn-addicted young men. The study is evidence to counter that perception- women with hair free bikini zones are healthy happy sexually adjusted modern people, not sad man-pleasing porn addicts.

The data could also mean that these women really don’t like their bodies with hair and, thus, have come to associate Brazilian bikini hair removal with a more positive self-image. Either way, hair removal is a must. And if you don’t want to spend hours waxing, shacing and plucking, just try laser hair removal and call it a day.

- Laser Gal

Hey Y’all,

I got this question from a reader:

“I spent a lot of time in the sun this summer. Even though I slathered on the sunscreen and wore a fedora most of the time, my skin still looks and feels a little dry and some fine lines seem more apparent than they did a couple months ago. I’m 33 and obviously not looking for a drastic fix, what can I do to spruce up my skin?

– Jacqueline, Brooklyn, NY. ”

Luckily for Jacqueline and the rest of us, the technicians at Assara have some new tricks up their sleeves. Like the new DiamondSkin microdermabrasion machine which combines oxygen therapy with crystal-free microdermabrasion. The British Journal of Dermatologic Medicine gave it their highest award: best microdermabrasion device of  2010.

With microdermabrasion you’ll see unprecedented results.

Microdermabrasion is a deep exfoliating treatment that improves fine lines, skin texture and discolorations by gently removing the top layer of skin leaving it soft and vibrant. This resurfacing process also stimulates the skin, giving the contours of your face a healthier and firmer appearance.

Microdermabrasion resurfacing works on:

- Sun-damaged skin (face, neck, shoulders)

- Early ageing fine lines (eyes, forehead)

- Scar revision (acne scars and others)

- Hyper pigmentation

The result is refreshed skin with a more youthful appearance and smoother complexion. Microdermabrasion is the second most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure in the country… Find out if this procedure is right for you. Your skin will thank you.

xxx Laser Gal

Then one day he emerged like male Cinderella at the Met Ball: he was slim, tanned muscular and gorgeous. The transformation was so complete that I thought it might be some kind of fashion hoax, but Marc Jacobs 2.0 has endured and now his buff body even serves as eye candy for his new men’s fragrance “Marc Jacobs Bang.”

Looking at this ad just makes me want to say Hallelujah! for laser hair removal. You can tell that Jacobs is meticulously groomed. His legs are sparsely hairy, his chest has a hint of masculine tuft and his pubic area has been cleared of unappealing spindly black hairs. Mazal tov Marc!

Shaving usually gets a bad rap… With good reason, since it’s messy, repetitive, makes you hairier and gives you ingrown hairs and stubble. Okay, inhale… exhale… Now the latest from the Shaving Sucks files is this unfortunate news item:

“A 37 year-old Florida woman caused an accident when she tried to shave her bikini while driving. The woman was on her way to see her boyfriend. The crash only resulted in minor injuries but the woman was arrested the week earlier for driving under the influence.”

Gross, weird and unfortunate. That’s what I think about that. Now, if this Florida had attended to her grooming properly, she could have avoided this incident… But something tells me this woman has bigger problems now…

xxx Laser Gal

[Via]

I’ve heard people give every excuse in the book to avoid trying laser hair removal.

Although its not a new technology, its only recently become a “household name” as a technique for removing unwanted hair. Some people  apprehensive, and understandably so – I know I was. When my friend told me about lasering her under arms my eyes glazed over; I was not interested at all. When that same friend waited 20 minutes outside my house while I did some last minute leg and bikini shaving she put her foot down. “You HAVE to try laser hair removal. It’s easy and permanent. And I’m booking you a consultation.”

And that was that. Now I’m a laser hair removal convert. I haven’t spent a cent on shavers, shaving cream or waxing appointments since I started my permanent hair removal treatments.

So here’s to hoping that 2010 will be the year you stop procrastinating and get with the program!

Now, as promised, check out this little list of common myths about laser hair removal:

MYTH No. 1:  It’s expensive.

Yes, laser hair removal is more expensive than a waxing appointment. But it’s cheaper than a year’s worth of waxing appointments. And just think, you’ll NEVER have to see that mean waxing lady again!

The good news is there are package deals that lower the total cost considerably. So make sure you ask about the packages before you commit.

MYTH No. 2: It hurts a lot.

If you’ve felt the pain of waxing then that’s about as uncomfortable as laser hair removal is. It’s more painful than shaving (which is not really painful at all, just more of pain to do).

The truth is that how much it hurts depends on your personal pain threshold. Most consider it to be mild in terms of pain. Ask the technician to put on an anaesthetic cream if you’re nervous.

MYTH No. 3: Laser hair removal causes increased hair growth.

I don’t know who started this ridiculous story but it has exactly zero percent truth to it. Laser hair removal REDUCES hair growth. Personally, in the areas I’ve lasered I’d say I have a 99% hair reduction. The 1% remaining are stray little blond hairs.

Laser hair removal is the most effective way to permanently remove unwanted hair, period.

MYTH No. 4: It’s harmful to your internal organs.

This is another one of those silly rumors. Hair Removal lasers are certified by the FDA to be safe and, when operated by qualified technicians, there is no reason to worry.

The laser doesn’t penetrate more than 4 millimeters into the skin and only reaches the hair follicles, period. So your liver is safe.

MYTH No. 5: Only people with light skin and dark hair can get laser hair removal.

I’ve heard this one a lot. Seems people think only Snow White types can have laser hair removal. That’s wrong. Let me clear this up: most lasers work best on people who have light skin and dark hair BUT they are not the only ones who can be successfully lasered.

New lasers have been designed for people who have dark skin and dark hair or light hair and light skin. Make sure the clinic you’re at has the right type of laser for you.

MYTH No. 6: It causes scarring.

If getting laser hair removal meant you would end up with a body full of burn scars that would be completely insane. It would be illegal. Ridiculous. The truth is laser hair removal causes no scarring, unlike what can happen with electrolysis, which uses a needle.

The laser actually leaves your skin looking better than it did when you were shaving or waxing. Because the skin is not constantly assaulted with scraping blades and waxes ripping hairs out by the follicle, it becomes smoother.