Lip Augmentation

There are dermal fillers that are not particularly for anti-aging purposes. Some women get injections to have bigger lips.  Clients who have extremely thin lips seek fuller lips, and even women with good-sized lips seek even plumper lips to get that desirable pout.  Below you can watch Suky get her lip injected with Juvederm Ultra by our nurse Rhonda.

Rhonda has been a nurse for twenty years and told us what some of the biggest fears are when it comes to getting lip augmentation via dermal fillers.  Pain is perhaps the biggest concern, but lidocaine is applied to numb the lips before injection.  (The Juvederm also contains a little lidocaine.)  Our aesthetician Morgan had some filler injected to the corners of her upper lip and said that apart from feeling some pressure, she didn't feel pain.  You can watch her little clip below.  The other concerns are getting duck lips and lips that are too big and fake-looking.  Rhonda assures her clients that this doesn't happen because she injects a little at a time -- more can always be added later.  The results last for about 6 months.

Skin Brightening

Here is Morgan, one of our star aestheticians

Summer just ended last week and now some of us may be dealing with the aftermath of its effect on our skin.  Sun spots can be zapped away with a few IPL (intense pulsed light) sessions along with Green Peel.  The peel will cause your skin to shed a couple layers, bringing younger, newer skin to the surface.  IPL does not work on melasma or genetic freckles.  Ask us for other procedures regarding those skin concerns.

Dark spots and hyper pigmentation can also be treated with products such as our private label Bright Now Cream and Pads.   The cream contains lactic and kojic acids, which work in synergy to naturally lift the darker spots; it can be applied 1-2 times daily.  The exfoliator pads contain lactic and azelaic acids and are used once weekly; it is similar to doing an at-home chemical peel.  Smooth the pad over areas to be treated.  On first use, rinse off after approximately 15 minutes and then gradually increase contact time to overnight.  After assessing your skin type, we can give you personalized instructions to maximize the efficacy of the products.

Botox & Dermal Fillers

What’s the difference between Botox® and dermal fillers? Botox® is generally for the top half of the face and dermal fillers are for the bottom half. Botox® is an injectable that relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles such as the elevens (lines between your eyebrows), crow’s feet or the ones in your forehead. [FYI, Botox® is also used for medical reasons, such as relaxing the masseters of people who grind their teeth (bruxism) and for people who suffer from migraines.]

When there are other wrinkles that may be caused by loss of volume in your face due to natural aging, dermal fillers may be injected. As we age, our faces may seem like they are caving or sinking in; dermal fillers can help to add volume, which makes for a more youthful appearance. Some people like to get injections in their hands for that same purpose. 

At SOLUX we have Juvéderm®, Juvéderm Ultra®, Juvéderm XC®, Juvéderm Ultra Plus®, Radiesse®, Restylane®, and Voluma®. Many people are electing to have Botox and dermal filler injections because they are a quick procedure that is non-invasive and has no down time. Most dermal fillers are temporary and are repeated months or even over a year after to regain the desired results. Schedule a consultation to see where Botox® and dermal fillers can help you.

Say Goodbye to Shaving

Razor bumps, ingrown hairs, nicks and cuts are no fun.  Why not consider laser hair removal for your unwanted hair?  SOLUX specializes in laser hair removal of arms, legs, underarms, back, bikini, hairline, lip, face, etc.  Depending on the coarseness and quantity of hair, you can be hair-free after a few quick sessions at our spa.  With summer dwindling down, now is a great time to begin your journey to becoming hair-free since you should avoid the sun for some time after the procedure. Exposure to sun can cause some discoloration of the area that was treated; make sure to wear SPF regardless.

We recommend for you to come to our spa with your area shaved to cut down on time, especially if you have a lot of thick hair. However, we do have razors on hand at the spa.  We will give you a consultation before your first session, but call our spa 312-755-0088 to get a general idea of what to avoid and how to prepare should your first session occur immediately after the consultation. Again, depending on the area, quantity, and coarseness of the hair, you may need a few sessions to see permanent results. Additional sessions can be spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

Breast Implants

Have you always been self-conscious of your breasts, or lack thereof?  Perhaps you were curious about breast augmentation, a boob job, or implants, but never really thought about it seriously...until now. Our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Horn is one of the best in the industry and will give you a consultation and personalized recommendation. There are many options to consider when moving forward with breast implants -- it's not just the size.  Yes, size may be the most important, visible decision in the entire process, but there are several other things to consider.  Saline or silicone? Under or above the chest muscle? Conservative, moderate, or high-profile?  We can explain the procedure, different cup sizes, different materials and other questions you may have. 

Determining size is actually not that easy.  If you are are going by your bra size and want to go up, say 2 cup sizes, the results may not be what you expect, since many women are wearing the incorrect bra size. Depending on your body frame, proportions, and preference for natural-looking or high-profile, we can help you make the decision.  

Depending on your body type, amount of breast tissue, and appearance goals, we can also help you decide on saline or silicone implants.  Saline implants, which are generally rounder and more natural-looking, are inserted and positioned, and then filled with saline to the agreed size.  Silicone implants are pre-filled implants and are inserted.  If you have a smaller frame, silicone implants may be a better choice since saline implants can wrinkle and fold more visibly.

Breast implants can be placed under or above the chest muscle.  Our surgeon usually places them below the chest muscle for medical and aethestic reasons.  There's less chance of scar tissue forming around the implants if it's under the chest muscle; it also looks more natural.  The surgery is an outpatient procedure with general, not local anesthesia. Some bruising and swelling may occur initially, but most patients are back at work within a week or two.  Dr. Horn is a renown Chicago plastic surgeon, and has mastered the breast augmentation procedure.  He has appeared in several publications and TV shows and was also named a Top Beauty Doctor 2015 by New Beauty Magazine.

Modern Luxury BRIDES Fall/Winter 2016 Release Party

Last Tuesday, we attended the invitation-only Modern Luxury BRIDES Chicago Fall/Winter 2016 Issue Release Celebration. Editor-in-Chief Andrea Mills and Group Publisher Amy Allen hosted the elegant event in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.  We enjoyed live swing band music, libations, and light bites including decadent mini cupcakes and hors d'oeuvres such as crab cakes, empanadas and scallop ceviche.  Beautiful people including Chicago movers and shakers and our BRIDES advertising counterparts filled the room.  We saw an elaborate sample wedding cake, and mock seat assignment and dinner table place settings.  The view overlooking Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park wasn't too shabby, either!

You can find us in the advertising section of BRIDES, since we offer a Bridal Bootcamp through our Camp Gorgeous Program for ladies.  SOLUX Med Spa Bridal Bootcamp packages are customized to fit the brides' skin and body needs, and are accommodating to fit the busy bride-to-be's busy pre-wedding schedule.  We are proud to partner with other professionals in the beauty, fashion and health industries to add additional services to custom bridal packages. From nutritional and physical fitness plans to hair and beauty makeovers, fashion styling, boudoir photography, sought-after skin therapies and cosmetic surgery options, we have the treatments and resources you need to have you feel and look your best on your wedding day.

Fountain of Youth in a Bottle

Up until now, we've mostly covered the customized services that our spa offers.  Today, we put a spotlight on one of our hottest-selling products: Teoxane RHA Serum.  It is for dull, aging, and tired skin that has lost its glow.  RHA (resilient hyaluronic acid) stimulates the skin to regenerate, by cell turnover and tissue restructuring.  The serum "visibly transforms the skin within 14 days," but even upon its first use, you feel it working for your skin.  Skin instantly feels moisturized and tightened. Results after a couple weeks include a brighter complexion and plumper, toned skin.  Overall, a more youthful skin is noticeable.

We love the graphic above which shows a syringe injecting the RHA Serum bottle; this shows that similar if not same ingredients used in practitioner-administered dermal filler injections are found in this topical product suitable for home use. Our CoolSculpting ambassador Jen, absolutely loves the serum and swears by it.  She told us that when she went to visit a friend this summer, her friend pointed out the positive difference in her skin. Our co-founder Angelica proudly recommends this product to many of her clients; however, the serum sells itself.  In the boutique we also sell other products from the Teoxane line including the RHA Prime Solution and Deep Repair Balm.  Come into the spa and see these and all the other skincare products that we carry.  We can assess your complexion, and make personalized product and treatment recommendations based on your skin type and concerns.

Photos obtained from Teoxane's website.