Beauty Reporter.(electrical facial stimulation to tighten skin)(Cover girl lip gloss)

In the News

Shock Therapy

Long dismissed as a dubious spa treatment, electrical facial stimulation is now cropping up in the toniest of dermatologists' offices. Proponents like Santa Monica dermatologist Karyn L. Grossman say these devices deliver painless, low-current electricity via electrodes, causing muscle contractions that tighten skin. Grossman says interest has increased dramatically and credits Thermage, a new longer-lasting but painful technique that uses radio frequency to stimulate collagen production. Thermage must be performed by a doctor and can cost up to $5,000; electrical stimulation can be done by an aesthetician and ranges from $90 to $175 per session (Grossman suggests twice-weekly treatments for about six weeks, then once a month for maintenance). But not all doctors are so convinced. "There are no good long-term studies on this," says Lisa M. Donofrio, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University. "Maybe some doctors feel that it works, but I have trouble selling something on just a feeling." Bottom Line: The evidence is anecdotal, but temporary toning effects are helping electrostimulation shed its shady status. --

JENNY BAILLY

Breakthrough

Shine On

Shine On A lip gloss that survives the salad course and a good-night kiss was once the impossible dream. Now, a new batch of two-step lip colors is promising to make that a reality by marrying the shine of a gloss with the endurance of a long-wearing lipstick. The highly reflective topcoats of CoverGirl Outlast Smoothwear Lipcolor, Max Factor Lipfinity Everlites, and Lancome Juicy Wear Ultra-Lasting Lip Duo are worn over the long-lasting, pigment-rich basecoats to ...