Stories of You

Cleaning your teeth properly can extend your life: Visit the Canadian Dental Association website

2010-11-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

Keeping a healthy mouth is an important part of leading a healthy life. In fact, dental health professionals are going as far as to say not keeping your mouth healthy can shorten your life. That's not good news.

Keeping your teeth and gums clean can impact the health of your heart, stomach and lungs, and may even help prevent diabetes.

While dentists have long recognized the importance of oral hygiene to the health of the gums and teeth, it is only recently that researchers have identified other conditions that are linked with poor oral hygiene. These include diabetes, heart disease and stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), stomach ulcers and oral bone loss.

Health professionals believe the most likely connection between oral health and the aforementioned diseases is that inflamed gums or periodontal disease give rise to a series of events that cause inflammation throughout the whole body. For example, a 2004 study reported in the Journal of Periodontology found that 91% of 108 patients with cardiovascular disease suffered from mild to moderate periodontitis, compared with 66% of non-cardiac patients. Similar connections have been found with other diseases in which inflammation plays a role.

Proper oral hygiene includes flossing and brushing your teeth and seeing your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning. You can learn how to clean your teeth properly (most of us don't) on the Canadian Dental Association's website.

An interview with Dr. A. Sclafani concerning Selphyl - the facial filler created from your own cells

2010-11-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

We recently interviewed Dr. Anthony P. Sclafani, M.D., F.A.C.S., Surgeon Director, Director of Facial Plastic Surgery, The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary; Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, New York Medical College regarding a new cosmetic filler called Selphyl.

Dr. Sclafani, you are considered to be the expert in administering this new technology and are a pioneer in using this new restorative treatment. Could you briefly describe what Selphyl is?

Selphyl is the system we use to produce a platelet – rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) from a patient’s own blood. Selphyl is the only system which has been shown to produce a bioactive PRFM which can produce visible improvements in facial lines and wrinkles. The process is rather simple- a small tube of blood is drawn in the same way your general doctor’s office would do for run basic blood tests. This is then separated into its basic elements so that the platelets and the plasma can be harvested. This is then injected into and below the skin to stimulate the body to produce new collagen. Selphyl PRFM can be used in a number of ways, including treatment of superficial wrinkles, deeper folds or even areas of facial volume depletion.

What, in your professional opinion is the primary advantage/s of Selphyl over fillers such as hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite?

Very simple: it’s all natural. Within 1-2 weeks, there is an excellent improvement, and there is absolutely no foreign material in the skin. The treated skin is still the patient’s skin, except better and more youthful. There is no concern over possible reactions to any foreign body.

Could you explain how PRFM stimulates regeneration of cells?

PRFM, when injected, mimics the body’s natural wound healing response. Imagine, if you would, a simple cut. As we remember from high school biology, platelets for a clot to stop bleeding. They do this in combination with a blood protein know as fibrin, which forms a 3-dimensional matrix to which the platelets attach. However, stopping bleeding is only part of the wound healing story: if a cut exists, tissue has been damaged and needs to be repaired. Platelets are the “captain” of the body’s team for wound healing and contain proteins which signal other cells such as fibroblasts to come to the area and repair the wound, primarily by producing new collagen. By administering PRFM to areas of volume depletions, wrinkles and folds, we are able to signal the body’s own natural processes to produce new collagen— it’s almost as if we are “tricking” the body into “healing the wrinkle.”

How long can one expect Selphyl to last?

This is still an evolving answer. I have been using Selphyl PRFM since early 2008. I have had some patients return for additional injections, but it is unclear if this is because the effect of Selphyl is diminished over time or because these patients continue to age and are simply two years older. Certainly, from our laboratory studies, we see very stable appearing collagen in the deeper layers of the skin 3 months after treatment. In general, most patients can expect 12-18 months longevity, and some will have even longer effects.

Are there any disadvantages?

Selphyl PRFM does have some limitations. It does require a small amount of blood to be drawn, so perhaps It is not for the very squeamish; however, the treatment is quite easy, and most patients find the discomfort substantially less than with Botox treatments. There is a mild amount of swelling for the first 3-6 hours after treatment. There is some mild “deflation” over the first 1-2 weeks, but beyond this the effects are quite stable. Many patients will need more than one treatment, generally 3-4 weeks apart. Selphyl PRFM does not give the immediate effect of Juvéderm or Restylane; however, patients can rightly say, “It’s all mine” and not be concerned about any foreign material in their skin.

Who is the ideal patient/client for Selphyl?

I think that Selphyl PRFM represents a great option for many patients who are interested in subtle and natural correction of skin aging. In particular, one group which has been hesitant to enter the “facial filler” arena is the young woman in her 30’s who is active, works out and cares for her body, but doesn’t want any foreign material injected into her skin. The natural approach of Selphyl PRFM is ideal for these women who are just beginning to show signs of aging, and they can use Selphyl PRFM as “preventative maintenance” to avoid “aging like Mother.”

(Note: Dr. Sclafani mentions the younger woman as a relatively new candidate for a facial filler. He provides Selphyl treatment for woman and men of all ages.)

You can read more about Selphyl on Dr. Sclafani's website.

Spa Utopia now offers Smile FX teeth whitening system

2010-02-17T10:54:00.000-08:00

Lower Mainland residents and visitors to Canada's most luxurious personal services venue will be pleased to know that Spa Utopia is offering Smile FX Naturally White teeth whitening system.

A whiter, brighter smile is an instant uplift and makes you look younger and healthier, and feel more confident. Having the service at Spa Utopia offers the additional benefit of feeling completely cosseted as you do so.

Smile FX utilizes revolutionary cool blue light technology to whiten teeth faster and deeper. It is safe for tooth enamel and the #1 choice for people with tooth sensitivity. Convenient and easy to maintain, your first treatment comprises three comfortable sessions of just 15 minutes each. If you want to maintain your sparkling white smile, you will need a touch-up treatment every two to six months.

Hundreds of dollars less than other in-office professional whitening systems, Smile FX has my vote...and yes, I'm influenced by the fact I can now have it done while being pampered, instead of lying in a dentist's chair or sitting at home with those uncomfortable trays in my mouth!

Another plus of this whitening system is that, unlike "white strips" and other systems, it is also recommended for crowns, caps and veneers, quickly restoring them to their original colour.

Vancouver creative writer has room for one more contract

2010-02-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, folks, that's me! With a 30-year background in written communications, I am confident that I can service your communications needs. I have approximately six hours a week "free" to put your company and /or services in the spotlight, or simply let the people who count know more about you. I'm a little selective and prefer the consumer health/well-being/medi-spa/cosmetic surgery areas but tempt me and I'll be happy to make it work for you!

Buckland Southerst Gallery opens new exhibition

2010-02-12T13:28:00.000-08:00

...and what a fabulous one it looks to be. Opening at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 13, the exhibition features the beautiful work of Andrea Padovani.

Andrea Padovani was born in Verona, Italy in 1961 and has exhibited extensively worldwide. Here is an example of his work, entitled "An Old Victorian Tale" (Oil on canvas.)

You can find Buckland Southerst at 2460 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, tel: 604.922.1915

How a snapshot saved this baby boy's life

2010-01-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

A simple snapshot of baby Leo, taken when he was a mere four months old, had his parents wondering why one of his pupils was yellow and showed none of the "red eye reflex" present in his other eye. Searching for an answer on the Internet that evening, Leo's parents were shocked to read that a yellow pupil in a flash photograph could indicate the presence of a tumour known as a retinoblastoma.

The following day, hospital doctors confirmed that little Leo did indeed have this life-threatening condition. He was quickly operated on and a glass eye later inserted into his eye socket. The photo above was taken when Leo was one year old.
Retinoblastoma is the most common introcular malignancy of childhood. The good news is, over 90 percent of North American children with retinoblastoma now survive due to advances in treatment. The most important factor for both retained good vision and survival, however, is early recognition and timely management.

Wishing you all a happy New Year...

2010-01-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

Wishing all my clients, old, new and prospective, a truly wonderful 2010!

Polish up your grammar

2009-11-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

The occasional typo or a comma out of place "happens" to us all at one time or another, and is usually overlooked or forgiven by the reader. Consistently bad spelling and/or grammar is another matter altogether.

Recently, I received an e-newsletter from a local medical spa (fortunately not the one I frequent). In two pages there were no less than 13 typos and even more grammatical errors.

I find this disturbing. If the doctor in question doesn't care about how he is represented via the written word, is he similarly cavalier about the various injectables and laser treatments he offers? I doubt whether he wrote it himself, but that's no excuse. In the space of the few minutes it took to read through this mess, I had lost all confidence in this doctor and his services.

If grammar and spelling are not your forte, or the forte of whomever you choose to write your print materials, you need to retain the services of a writer. Either this, or have a proofreader go over your work before it is finalized. (By the way, did you know that the word "forte" is properly pronounced fort and not fortay? It comes from the French word fort, meaning strong, but most people pronounce it incorrectly. That included me until very recently.)

My father used always to say "Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth (a half penny's worth) of tar," which means don't put something — in this case your reputation — at risk for the sake of a small sum. (The word "ship" is a dialectal pronunciation of "sheep," which in days of yore were apparently dabbed with tar to prevent insect bites from festering.)

Of course, some typos, grammatical errors and plain bad writing are hilarious and well worth the laugh they generate. One of my favourites was in the menu of a Japanese restaurant in Banff, which was perhaps trying a little too hard to be true-blue Canadian by heading its drink selection "Beaverages." Another favourite came from a local rag in England, where someone had headed an article, "One Thousand Trees to Break Wind." I'm glad I wasn't around when they did...

Juara is Now Paraben-Free

2009-07-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

One of our favourite face and body care lines is JUARA—a fusing of the active botanicals utilised in Indonesian herbal recipes with western science. The result is an exciting and innovative product line that represents the best of both worlds.

Utilising active botanicals such as rice, tamarind, turmeric, candlenut oil, healing teas and red sandalwood, JUARA combines time-honoured recipes for skin health with the best in modern technology and innovation to deliver elegant, effective treatments of the highest quality.

Recently, JUARA completed the long transition process to remove parabens and other possibly harmful chemicals from their formulations. (Parabens are chemicals that prevent bacterial growth, and are in a wide range of face, hair and bodycare products. While the cosmetics industry still considers them safe, no strong data exists to assess the effects of long-term use over a wide area of the body.) Kudos to JUARA for putting the well being of their clients first by committing to this arduous and expensive task.

Removing parabens from products is not a quick process. First, alternative means of preventing bacterial growth must be identified and tested, and the product reformulated when the removal of specific ingredients results in an undesirable change to consistency, appearance or aroma.

Although JUARA's original product line was 60% paraben-free, the process of reformulation has taken the company over a year.

"We wanted to get it right," says company spokesperson (and one of the four young female founders) Metta Murdaya. "During the process of improving our products, we met with a few challenges that we were determined not to compromise on."

With over 20 products and a loyal customer base, JUARA wanted to make sure that their line remained "true" and retained all of the good and none of the bad. All JUARA products are 100% vegetarian, free from parabens, pthalates, sulfates and artificial colourants and are not tested on animals.

Our personal favourites? The yummy Invigorating Coffee Scrub, luxurious Candlenut Body Creme, highly effective Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattifying Moisturiser, and the impossibly rich Avocado Banana Moisture Mask.

You can purchase JUARA products from various beauty boutiques and online from their website.

Companies whose stories TCG has told

2009-05-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

That Communications Girl prefers to keep her current clients confidential. Should you require references, she will happily provide them, after acquiring permission. Current clients include medi-spas, pharmaceutical firms, the federal government and a large drugstore chain. Current projects include social media penetration (blogging, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), e-newsletters, print newsletters, magazine production, consumer health vehicles and full project management. (TCG likes to save you your valuable time by working independently with as few check-ins as possible...)

The following companies are a few of those whose stories we have told, either as direct clients or through a third party.

Medical & Pharmaceutical

Vancouver Hospital (PR Director)
London DrugsCanadian Dermatology Association (Communications Consultant)

Lederle Cyanamid Canada

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health (Purell® Tylenol®)

Holista Health Corporation

Sisu Vitamins

Weider Sports Supplements

Innovite

Finlandia Pharmacy

Suntech Optics

Neutrogena

Warner Lambert (Benylin®)

Beauty/Spa

Imedeen™

Vichy®

Love That White SmileCommunications

Telus Mobility

Travel

British Airways (West Coast PR Representative)

BCAA

Natural Resources

Western Forest Products

Howe Soiund Pulp & Paper

Spa Utopia

The Perfect Spa

2009-04-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Just about now, as soon as pretty sandals come into the stores, I book my first pedicure of the year at the best spa on the planet. This is Spa Utopia in North Vancouver. In case you've never heard of Spa Utopia, it's a world class facility that offers, if only for a brief period of time, a life of champagne wishes and caviar dreams. The first Spa Utopia opened in February 2001 on 64th Avenue in Langley. Today, there are three spas, the others located on Harbourside Drive in North Vancouver and in the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver.

A visit to Spa Utopia is truly a delight, whether it be for a simple pedi or the full treatment in one of their exquisite VIP suites. After snuggling into a fluffy white robe, you will be led into the lounge, through a long, dark corridor flanked by Roman statues and mood lighting. Here, you will find an array of nibblies and beverages including fresh and dried fruits and white wine or the spa's delicious signature blend of warmed apple juice and rooibos tea served in a champagne flute. Relax in front of the fireplace to the soothing sound of the central fountain (the whole interior is fashioned after a Roman villa) or read your favourite beauty mag as you wait.

You may think I'm waxing a little too eloquently about Spa Utopia, but there is simply no place like it. I must admit I have a weakness for spa-ing, and have been to many—in various locales and different hotel chains including the Four Seasons and the Grand Wailea in Maui. (At the latter, I endured my half-hour pedi while listening to my technician chatter on and on about her problems with the roadworks to two other technicians providing pedicures inches away from each other. Finally, one of the customers told them she wasn't paying $100 with gratuity to feel like a sardine and listen to all their complaints...) Of the 20 or so spas I have visited, Spa Utopia is by far the most luxurious, with the hands-down best selection of services. And, yes, they are private...

At the top of my list of to-dos this summer is the Aromasoul Experience. Four treatments are available, reflecting ancient traditions of the Orient, Mediterranean, Indian and Arabian cultures. Each ritual encompasses soothing music, an Aromasoul essential oil blend, refreshing body scrub and an Aromasoul massage typical of the culture you choose. I plan on having the Oriental Aromasoul Experience to begin with. Here's a description:

Essences of Ylang Ylang, mimosa and jasmine set the foundation to create a warm and comforting atmosphere and help reduce anxiety. Mother of pearl powder favours a cherished exfoliating tradition to bestow smoothness and luminosity to the skin. Oriental Aromasoul massage honours the ancient theory of the five elements to increase energy flow to exert a soothing and relaxing effect on the body for sweet comfort.

The image to the left is of an elegantly appointed VIP suite in the North Vancouver location, complete with fireplace, double Jacuzzi, waterfall shower, private dining area, private changing area with super-soft robes, towels and extras, and personal hostess. This and the Pan Pacific locations offer a VIP Getaway Package for two that would make the perfect anniversary or birthday gift. The package lasts approximately 3 hours and includes:

- Two Spa Utopia luxury robes to keep ($250.00 value).

- Side by side private VIP suite treatments

- Two 50 minute Classic Swedish Full Body Massages

- Two 50 minute Designed for You Facials

While spa treatments are, of course, a luxury, it is a luxury we all need from time to time to restore the self and remind us that our bodies are the temples of our souls. Being a member of Spa Utopia provides a number of benefits including up to 25% off treatments, a $25 gift card, 10% discount on products (and the array is nothing short of staggering) and upgrade to a VIP suite at 50% of the regular rate (North Vancouver and Pan Pacific locations only). The cost of membership is just $129 plus GST.

London Drugs has Too Faced!

2009-01-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

If you're a Divine Diva or Makeup Maven living in Vancouver, you might be excused for thinking only one drug store chain has reworked itself as the go-to store for boutique makeup and skincare brands. That was my impression too until I heard from my 21-year-old daughter that London Drugs was carrying her (and my) favourite makeup line—Too Faced. Not only do they have the brand, she enthused, but they have a huge selection, at very competitive pricing.

So off I went to London Drugs at Granville and Georgia to check this out for myself.

I wasn't let down. The Too Faced inventory is indeed comprehensive, and the display is exceptional—far more impressive, in fact, than any I've seen. In case you're not familiar with Too Faced, it's a celebrated and innovative makeup line that possesses the rare ability to have cross-generational appeal. Try the Lash-Injection mascara, for example, for perfectly executed eyelashes, or the popular Lip Injection for an appealing, non-sticky pout. Too Faced eyeshadows are subtle in colour and rich in pigment, so you get that clever "I really didn't try to look this good" appearance, with minimum effort. And, if you are the sort of person who appreciates high quality, fun makeup that won't make you look like you haven't a clue which blusher to pair with what lip colour, you'll love the ever-popular Quickie Chronicles—a cute, purse-friendly booklet containing eye shadow, blusher, lip colour and gloss, and a pair of applicators that will ensure you look perfectly presented. My daughter's favourite product is the amazing Magic Wand brush-on foundation, which create an oh-so-soft, semi-matte finish, conceals large pores and adds pigments that diffuse and bend light for a radiant glow.

I could go on, but the essence of a blog entry is that it should be short. Too Faced is available at London Drugs Granville & Georgia, Broadway & Cambie, and Park Royal (West Vancouver) locations. You'll find a lot of other cool makeup and skincare lines in London Drugs too, like Pure Cosmetics, and Be Fine food-based skin and bodycare. (More about this in a later posting...)

Our Services

2009-01-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

That Communications Gal (a division of Gauer Marketing Communications, Inc.) was established in May of 1984. Services provided include:

- Assessment of marketing objectives and development of strategic marketing plans.

- Development of social media where required (blogs, Facebook, Twitter).

- Conceptualization, design and writing of annual reports, corporate brochures, customer newsletters, sales brochures, news releases, and backgrounders, articles for trade publications, publication of consumer magazines, and ghost-writing books to promote clients' services or merchandise.

- Full project management. That Communications Gal can either take over your whole project for you, checking in according to an established schedule, or work alongside you as a member of your project team.

Fees

2009-01-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Well, yes, you could pay me in chocolate...

That Communications Gal is very flexible and understands the limitations of budgets. Since it is my role to help companies grow, I hope the relationship similarly flourishes as time passes.

You may be billed either on an hourly basis, a daily rate, monthly retainer (a saving for clients), or project basis, whichever is most convenient for you.

That Communications Gal is proud to provide excellent value and a personalized service tailored to your company's precise needs.

A little piece of Tuscany

2008-11-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

While attending this year's Circle Craft market with my daughter, I was pleasantly surprised to see that a favourite place to visit during the summer months - Tuscan Farm Gardens in Langley - had a display booth. And what a display booth it was! I wanted to sit down and run a bath right then and there...so very seductive are all the wonderful products that bear the Tuscan Farm Gardens label.

After a good 15 minutes of inhaling the heady aromas of lavender, lemon grass and peppermint, we made off with our bounty, our senses tickling, to explore the rest of the show.

Although many companies make natural bath and body products, I've always found the quality (and quantity) of Tuscan Farm Gardens' products to have the edge...the lavender and lemongrass body polishes, for example, have just the "right" amount of Pacific sea salt, Jojoba oil and sweet almond oil to buff the skin perfectly, without leaving it feeling abraded, like many scrubs. I swear there is something in that lemon grass that's addictive! My only wish? That Tuscan Farms will one day come out with a mocha or coffee scrub that will have this brand's same attention to balance between oil and abrasive elements!

Tuscan Farm Gardens, the brainchild of Heather and Arleigh Fair, is nestled in the heart of the Fraser Valley at 22317 64 Avenue in Langley. In addition to their wonderful bath and body products, they create amazing teas and honey from wildcrafted herbs native to the Pacific Northwest. Try their Gardener's Hand Cream, Echinacea Estate Tea and Lavender Honey, either for youself or as a gift. They are all wonderful.

We first discovered this oasis of tranquility four years ago while driving through Langley with my sister, who was visiting from the UK. Fields of lavender and cone flower stretch as far as the eye can see, roses tumble effortlessly over hedges and arches and tall trees provide whispering shade on a hot summer day. There's even a natural beaver pond. The well-kept gardens provide a thrill for all the senses and, for long moments, the soul finds the sort of peace so rare these crazy days. We have been back every year since. Tuscan Farm Gardens also runs a bed and breakfast that is another "to do" on my long list.

You can find details on Tuscan Farm Gardens (and Heather's lovely blog) on their website.

Early detection - while you can still do something!

2008-09-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Since, like many other families, mine has been touched by breast cancer, I take an active interest in preventive measures and advances in screening. So it was with great pleasure that I recently completed a brochure on Breast Thermography. Popular in Europe, Breast Thermography has not yet been accepted by North American mainstream medicine as a bona fide screening technique, yet the technology is capable of detecting cancers up to eight years before screening mammography. Better still, it involves no radiation and no uncomfortable compression.

BT works by measuring the heat given off by the breast tissue. When a cancer is in its earliest stages - just a few hundred cells - it begins to create blood vessels to feed itself, a process known as angiogenesis. These new blood vessels generate heat, which is picked up by the sensitive BT camera. While the technique isn't intended to replace mammography, it paints a picture of what may be going on when a cancer is just 200 - 300 cells into division, whereas a mammogram detects a cancer when it has grown to over 1,000,000 cells. This allows time for non-invasive preventive procedures to address the abnormal cells, rather than surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Follow-up screening can monitor the situation and determine if additional treatment is necessary.

Is it expensive? No. At a little over $300, it costs way less than a designer coffee, spread over the year. If you live in the Vancouver area, you can schedule an appointment for a BT scan at Finlandia Natural Health Centre, 604.733.5323.

Marketing Tips

2008-09-04T02:43:00.002-07:00

Coming Soon

Contact

2008-09-04T02:43:00.001-07:00

Coming Soon

Travel

2008-09-04T02:42:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon

Natural Health

2008-09-04T02:41:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon

Beauty

2008-09-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon