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Women are notoriously bad about making their own health and wellbeing a priority. While we think that dedicating a week out of 2013 is a good way to remind the "fairer sex" that it's more than fair to invest in themselves, we're hoping that you'll find more than a few reasons here to continue the trend the other 51 weeks of the year.

HEAD TO TOE BEAUTY
Most women don't realize that they're rubbing harsh, synthetic, potentially-cancer-causing chemicals into their delicate facial skin morning and night. The truth is that, contrary to popular belief, the government doesn't require health studies or pre-market testing on the chemicals in personal-care products. Find out how your preferred products rate at the Environmental Working Group's site, Ewg.org/skindeep, or go straight to a cult-favorite line that is truly good for you and your skin.

SCVians have been talking up the myBody line since its launch at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care last year. The products are paraben free, xenoestrogen free, sulfate free and dye free. They're also highly-effective probiotic-based creations that smell good (Naturally!) and feel good on the skin.

The key is that myBody products are a combination of the best of science and nature, specializing in biomimicry. Biomimicry is "the science of adapting biological designs from nature into improved technical applications that can be applied to what happens naturally in the body, but has been diminished with age." MyBody skin care was established based on the belief that the wellbeing of your mind and body directly affects your appearance; that is, if one's mind and body are healthy, skin will look and feel youthful, no matter how old you are.

Try the line via myBody's probiotic youthboost treatment. A remarkable $125 service that builds volume, encourages healthy cell growth and balances the skin is an ideal after-peel service (Though we had it without the peel and were still very pleased with the results.). The price includes a one-week's-worth at-home treatment kit. 254-3686 www.creatingbeauty.com

If you're reading this, there's an excellent chance that you live in the desert. In Santa Clarita, high temps and fashion "musts" require that our toes be free for all to see. If you have yucky or even painful fungal toenails, though, you'd probably prefer that every day was declared Uggs Boot Day. Kick up your heels, sister! We've got good news for you. We've discovered that nail-fungus infection can be treated without dangerous medication or pain with laser at Valencia Foot & Ankle Center. In about 30 minutes, the pathogens that cause toenail fungus wither and die, leaving significant improvements in the health and appearance of your nails. You can even paint your tootsies with your prettiest polish that same day. With no side affects and an impressive efficacy response, you'll be wearing sandals sooner than you ever thought possible. 288-2321 www.curefeet.com

MANAGING LIFE'S BIG CHANGES

Laurie Sachs Photography 305-5493

Body After Baby
Every mom wants to get her pre-baby body back after giving birth. The joy and pleasure that a baby brings to a family is immeasurable; however, a pregnancy can wreak havoc on your body. Weight gain and unused muscle groups often cause a woman to feel frumpy and unattractive after childbirth. Exercise and proper nutrition are important parts of a healthy lifestyle to aid in getting your body back, but there are also safe procedures available if you want to jumpstart your path back to a pre-baby body.

1. Consider Breast Augmentation
After a pregnancy, you may notice your breasts have begun to sag, especially if you chose to breastfeed your baby. A breast augmentation in conjunction with a lift can remedy this by reversing gravity and filling out lost volume.

2. Get a Body Lift
If you're successful in losing weight after a baby's birth, you can then be burdened with the new issue of loose excess skin. Having a surgeon perform a body lift can tighten this skin back to pre-baby condition and help you reap the real rewards of weight loss without enduring the introduction of a whole new issue.

3. Tuck your Tummy
The tummy tuck procedure removes excess skin from a woman's body that may be present due to a pregnancy. Sometimes no matter how hard the efforts, you still can't shed those last few pounds hanging around your waistline. A tummy tuck can be the answer to this stubborn issue.

4. Get a Mommy Makeover
If, after trying to get your pre-baby body back naturally you still have some struggles, a mommy makeover may be the ultimate answer. A mommy makeover is simply a set of procedures all done at once to allow a woman to look her best. A mommy makeover may consist of a combination of tummy tuck, liposuction, breast implants, breast lift, or even vaginal reconstruction. This is a very popular procedure that will be tailored to the specific needs of a new mom and help her regain her pre-baby shape. Pregnancy doesn't have to be the end of you looking and feeling your best.
Beverly Hills Physicians 800-788-1416 www.beverlyhillsphysicians.com

Hormone Help
Hormonal imbalances have been linked to a broad spectrum of health conditions and clinical symptoms in both men and women. Science has shown hormones decline and change as we age. Identifying and managing such changes is critical in the prevention of many chronic diseases. Measuring critical hormone levels and interpreting the results can help explain symptoms and accurately direct proper treatment.

A woman's hormonal imbalances can lead to many side effects: cardiovascular disease, depression and irritability, fatigue, weight gain and decreased muscle tone, insomnia, cancer, acne... Just to name a few! And all of these affect every aspect of her life.

The Unruh Spine Center can test for these imbalances with traditional blood work or with salivary hormone testing. Salivary hormone testing measures unbound, or free, hormone levels in the body, unlike serum-based hormone testing. Since hormone levels may vary during the day/month, multiple saliva specimens can be collected, conveniently offering precise measurement.

The Unruh Spine Center treats the whole patient, not just the prevailing symptom(s). With the whole picture in mind, your health team can then focus their attention on each aspect of your health that is in need, naturally or synthetically, if necessary. With chiropractic, pressure is relieved off the nervous system, allowing the body's innate intelligence to work without restriction. With supplementation and nutrition, the body is healed and revitalized from within. 288-0022 www.unruhspinecenter.com

FEELING FIT AND LOOKING SLENDER
Bust A Move
Studies have made it clear, ladies. If you want to reduce your risk of breast cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis; regulate your moods and even ease yourself more gently into menopause, get movin'.

No matter your shape, size, age or fitness level, it's never too late to begin a workout regimen. The essential element, of course, is finding your "fitness soul mate" and sticking with it.

Most women prefer to workout in an environment that is nonthreatening, friendly and fun. That's why many women have fallen in love with Encore Dance Fitness after their free trial week. The concept is as simple as it is exciting: Certified teachers develop dance-based classes that help you fully feel the freedom and energy that dance offers. You get a great workout and plenty of encouragement to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the process. Safe and well balanced, Encore's weekly schedules are created to provide you full access to classes that boost flexibility, muscle strength/tone and cardio.

You don't need a lick of dance experience to participate in any class, though a sense of humor will serve you well! Shake things up in a Zumba, Hoop or African Dance class; fly in one of Encore's Ballet, Vertical Dance or Aerial classes; and relax in one of their Pilates or Yoga classes.

New class schedules rotate every three to four months to keep your workout fun and fresh.

Bonus: This women-only facility also offers child care, child classes and a homework club, along with private lessons, parties and a Total Health Program. Memberships start at $59 a month for unlimited classes. You're invited to try one week of unlimited classes for free when you mention Inside SCV Magazine.
286-1136 www.encoredancefitness.com

Deflate your Muffin Top and Quiet your Thunder Thighs
As if we don't have enough to deal with as the calendar continues to turn, women have to face the inevitable fact that most are going to put on excess fat around the waist, and/or other areas of the body as they age. While good diet and exercise normally keep that under control, most women claim that as they grow older, even with no change to their current diet or exercise routine, they seem to put on weight and fat that is seemingly impossible to shed.

Liposuction is traditionally the best way to remove those excess fat deposits. However, it is invasive, expensive and the recovery can be extremely uncomfortable. Because of this, many women will just learn to deal with the lumps and rolls that make them self-conscious.

DermaCure of Valencia has a better alternative: Liposonix. With Liposonix, high-intensity focused ultrasound is used to permanently and non-invasively destroy fat cells, with little to no discomfort or down time. Only one treatment, that takes about one hour, is needed. The ideal candidate is healthy, active and has at least one inch of fat to lose.

Results typically show in eight to 12 weeks and are smooth and even, unlike many liposuction procedures. Most patients report losing at least one inch of fat or one dress or pant size.
Free consultations are available to see if you're a good candidate for the Liposonix procedure. Appointments are available Monday through Friday. 257-8400 www.dermacurevalencia.com

Did You Know?
Your sports bra only has a lifespan of six months; less if you treat it poorly. (Keep away from your dryer's "desiccate" mode, people!). When yours gives up on life and lift, don't delay. All that elasticity is there to help you avoid injury and muscle strain on your chest, shoulders and neck. Runners Lane offers a wide variety of sports bras, including the Moving Comfort Fiona Sports Bra. This baby offers true compression and encapsulation for the busy gal on the go. It's pretty, too!
260-3368 www.runnerslane.com