American Health and Beauty Announces 2010 Readers' Choice Awards

Jan. 5, 2011 - PRLog -- The second annual American Health and Beauty Readers' Choice Awards* saw many of the usual popular aesthetic procedures and devices dominate in their categories with a few welcome surprises.  This year, the following new categories were added to the list: Best of Non-Invasive Body Contouring Procedure and Best of Aesthetic Facial Procedures.  The leading online aesthetic magazine intends to release more detailed information per category in the upcoming weeks.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 Readers' Choice Awards (http://www.AmericanHealthandBeauty.com/articles/?article=3997)," says Editor in Chief, Keith Veseleny, "We saw many return winners from the previous year but there were also a few procedures that may surprise our readers.  One of the procedures that American Health and Beauty predicted would be a big winner was CoolSculpting by Zeltiq - which started out as #22 in the beginning of 2010 but finished both November and December as #1."

As the Readers' Choice Awards reflect, the trend is continued movement away from surgical procedures to less invasive procedures.  Veseleny predicts that this will continue to do so in the following years.  "One of the strongest trends that we see is the move to continually less invasive aesthetic procedures.  We have seen procedures that were once only available as surgery become minimally invasive and now become completely non-invasive."

The 2010 American Health and Beauty Readers' Choice Awards:

Best Procedure Overall: SmartLipo - The second year at the top of the list, SmartLipo (http://www.AmericanHealthandBeauty.com/plastic%20surgery/...) was by far the most popular procedure on American Health and Beauty. The newest version of this advanced laser lipolysis device, the SmartLipo Triplex, boasts of three wavelengths to melt fat quicker and more effectively. Many physicians claim this device to be the gold standard of body contouring available today.

Best of Non-Invasive Fat Reduction Procedures: CoolSculpting by Zeltiq - A new Readers' Choice Awards category in 2010, several non-invasive fat reduction devices received FDA approval this year. The most popular has been CoolSculpting by Zeltiq (http://www.AmericanHealthandBeauty.com/plastic%20surgery/...), which uses cryolipolysis to freeze fat. Completely non-invasive, there is no surgery or anesthesia involved, making it a very attractive option for those seeking spot fat removal.

Best of Skin Tightening Devices: Thermage - While Skin Tightening inquiries were high, the most popular skin tightening device was Thermage. Used to treat sagging skin, wrinkles and discoloration, Thermage uses Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF) technology to stimulates growth of new collagen, therefore tightening and improving skin's texture and contours. The newest model, the Thermage CPT, has been heralded as the most comfortable - the CPT actually stands for Comfort Pulse Technology - thus taking the sting (literally, with cool bursts of air) out of the treatment.

Best of Fillers/Injectables: Botox - Still number 1, an oldy and so far, goody - BOTOX was the most popular facial filler/injectable in 2010. Consisting of a purified and diluted form of botulinum toxin, BOTOX is injected to freeze muscles, therefore smoothing out wrinkles. Perhaps it was due to the controversial element of its usage by those far too young, BO-TAX worries earlier this year, or simply celebrities who were outing themselves as Botox users. Whatever it might be, despite several competitors entering the market this year, BOTOX was still what readers were searching for.

Best of All Surgical Procedures: Tummy Tuck - While many minimally invasive and some non-invasive options were becoming available for aesthetic procedures, the Tummy Tuck remains the most popular surgical procedure. Due to its capability to produce dramatic results by removing a large amount of fat and loose skin, this surgical procedure was popular for mothers looking to lose post-baby bulge to patients who underwent Gastric Bypass surgery.

Best Cellulite Reduction Procedure: VelaShape - A combination of radiofrequency energy, infrared technology and tissue mobilization smooths out cellulite and provides circumferential reduction. The most recent model, the Velashape II, may be used all over the body but this procedure was most researched for the reduction of cellulite.

Best Resurfacing/Rejuvenation Device: Fraxel - Still setting the curve for fractional resurfacing, Fraxel by Solta Medical, was by far the most popular in its category. This laser drills millions of tiny holes into the skin and battles fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen growth. The newest addition to the family, the Fraxel re:pair, may be used as a facelift alternative with its skin tightening capabilities and its potential reversal of severe skin damage.

Best of Aesthetic Facial Procedures: Permanent Makeup - Also a new category to the Readers' Choice Awards this year, the most popular aesthetic facial procedure was Permanent Makeup. Similar to tattooing, permanent makeup may be added to eyebrows, as eyeliner, or as full lip coloring. An excellent option for those allergic to cosmetics, permanent makeup was a welcome surprise to the Top 5 Most Popular Procedures of 2010.

*The American Health & Beauty Reader’s Choice Awards are based on a running tally of all information accessed on www.americanhealthandbeauty.com from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The awards are based on the number of page views for each particular procedure. The awards in no way reflect a judgment or declaration of one procedure or product being better than another, merely what visitors to the website searched for and/or read about. The awards are a representation of consumer interest regarding these particular procedures and/or products and are in no way an endorsement of American Health and Beauty, LLC. For more information regarding these procedures please contact your local physician or aesthetician.

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American Health and Beauty is a national online health and beauty magazine devoted to providing information and resources about aesthetic & cosmetic procedures, including Vaser, SmartLipo, Thermage, VelaShape, Fraxel, Dysport, BOTOX, Zerona.