Lila Today

Lila Lazarus & Body Language YOGA ON THE LAKE

Lila on the cover of Metro You Magazine

My Metro You Magazine cover

Motorcycle Mama

FACE 3

I’m not going to lie.  This FACE stuff is work.  But I have to believe it’s going to be worth it.  And yes, it sure does beat surgery.  I got on the bed today at FACE without a real clue of what Holly was going to put me through today.  I was part excited (every time I lay down at FACE it’s a new experience) and part skeptic.  It started out with the Genesis Laser.  Every time she mentions a laser I start to giggle.  It always makes me think of Dr. Evil and his “laaaaa-ser.”  I had to put on protective eyewear and prepare for extremely bright lights and some fairly intense heat.  And then… Zap, zap, zap, zap, zap.  Dozens and dozens of zaps of hot, bright, laser beams went deep into my skin.  It didn’t really hurt though at times the heat became a bit uncomfortable and she had to pause for a moment.  The purpose?  Holly is going to give me smooth, evenly toned skin.  Supposedly this laser (I’m giggling again just writing Laaaaser) will penetrate deep in the second layer of skin tissue where my collagen is supposed to be producing.  This is supposed to stimulate that process.  It’s also supposed to reduce the appearance of scars, minor wrinkles and enlarged pores.  I don’t have pores on my face… I have sinkholes.
I’ll probably need four treatments of the Genesis about a month apart.

Oh… But that wasn’t all!
The next apparatus unleashed on my face was the Limelight.  It starts with a cooling gel all over my face.  Again my eyes were protected as Holly sent pulses of blinding light into my skin.  This was not exactly comfortable.   People describe it as a mild pinching.   It was like someone was snapping a rubber band full speed into my face hundreds of times.  The goal here is to get rid of redness or brown spots and all that darn sun damage.   This wasn’t soothing, but she promises me it will be effective.   After a lifetime in the sun, I have so much skin damage that I decided to unleash the power of Holly and her Limelight on my neck, chest and even my upper back.  The results:  FRIGHTENING!!!!  First off, I felt like I had a major sunburn for a good hour after the treatment.  We used icepacks to cool the area.   And within minutes,  my skin looked SCAREY.  Every dot, freckle, brown spot that I had, and even ones I didn’t know I have are emerging on my chest and back as though I  have severe measles.   I’m told all of these darkened spots will seem very pronounced for the next three weeks and then flake off and fade away. WOW. I’ll let you know.

The next day: There are more freckles and spots on my chest and back. I think I’m a Dalmatian. I must really trust Holly.  If this works… it’s a miracle.

FACE 2: Time for my two-hour face lift! Ultherapy

I have no interest in going under the knife.  But if there’s a way to tighten my skin and make me look as young as I feel….. I’m in!  FACE offers “one hour skin transformations” that don’t involve surgery.  Today I went in for my one- hour transformation.  Actually, it’s a two-hour transformation. I had what’s called Ultherapy.  It’s an alternative to a facelift.  According to Holly, the process will build elasticity in my face over the next three to six months.  She showed me before and after pictures that look too good to believe.  So I made her take a lot of before pictures of me so I could see if it was really working.  If they tell you it’s pain-free, they’re not telling the truth.  I did feel some discomfort.  But looking at an aging face is uncomfortable, too. First they numb your face with tiny injections all around your forehead, neck, eyes, etc.  Then they place the ultrasound wand on your skin and ZAP ZAP ZAP ZAP.  I had 690 pulses go through my skin.  There were times when I made her stop.  It can be a bit too warm or just a bit uncomfortable.  But it’s not unbearable, and I have to believe that surgery would be FAR worse.  They say it takes three to six months to really feel the difference afterwards.  But for me, I saw immediate signs that it worked.  For example, just trying to rub my lips together after putting on lipstick was a challenge.  My skin is so much tighter.

And now Holly wants me to start a new home regiment with a new line of cleanser and moisturizer for redness, breakouts, inflammation etc.  It’s called Epionce.

Six Months To Perfect Skin

I said yes.  I really said yes.

My boyfriend, the love of my life, Eduardo, popped the question.  It happened at Detroit’s International Auto Show.   It’s the same place where he asked me out on our first date one year ago to the day.  Still… I was stunned.

It’s a second marriage for each of us.  We’re planning a destination wedding this summer.  Translation:  I have exactly six months to get my face — specifically my skin — in shape.
Keep in mind, I’m no teenage bride.  I’m 48 years old.  There’s sun damage, occasional adult acne, spots from old acne, new and ever-expanding wrinkles, and bags under my eyes that Delta airlines would charge extra for.

I’d heard people talking about a place called “FACE.”  Whenever someone mentioned this clinic, a small boutique-like office in the basement of the Franklin Athletic Club, it was always followed with words like, “incredible,” or “miracle worker.”  My face was ready for a miracle.

FACING FACTS: My first appointment made me feel worse than I already did.  It’s not because the place isn’t beautiful and serene.  (It is… at least once you find it tucked away in the lower level of the building.)  It’s not because the practitioner and founder, Holly CaSaroll, isn’t friendly.  The moment I met Holly, I felt like someone really was going to take a personal interest in my face.  The troubling part is that for the first time someone showed me how serious the sun damage, age spots and wrinkles really are.  She took the most revealing picture of my naked skin that made me want to live the rest of my life with a bag over my head.

“Don’t worry,” Holly said in a warm and soothing voice.  ”We can get rid of all of that.”
“In six months?” I blurted incredulous.  Tears were now forming in my eyes.
“In six months.”

So the clock is ticking and she didn’t waste a minute.
My first treatment was 3D Face Therapy developed by Holly.  It’s really a combination of therapies which combine the best of a non-invasive medical treatment and a heavenly and relaxing facial.  First, she used a medical peel.  Her focus was anti-aging, reducing pigmentation and breakouts.  I was all in favor!!  Then she used pure oxygen, which she said was infused with “cosmeceuticals” that would increase circulation, reduce inflammation, stimulate collagen, reduce the puffiness and suitcases where my eyes used to be and plump up the lines and folds.  She had me at “anti-aging.”

Of course my head was filled with questions and skepticism.  Would this really make a difference?  Would I have healthier, younger-looking skin?  Would I look as good on the outside as new love feels on the inside?

Finally, she used a light on my skin that made me feel I was on a Caribbean vacation.   I’m not sure what this medical-grade LED really does, but it felt relaxing and will supposedly stimulate collagen and elastin in my skin.  The only thing missing was a piña colada and sounds of the ocean.
These three treatments, completed within one hour, left my skin with a Hollywood glow that lasted for days.  I was turning into a believer.
She sent me home with some clear instructions.  ”Please remember not to sweat or go in a hot shower or in the sun following treatment.  Do not use any aggressive home care agents such as retinoids or acids for a few days after your facial treatment.”

Oh, I forgot to mention…. while Holly concerns herself with the largest organ of my body:  my skin….  I’m also consulting with a naturopathic doctor (who just happens to be Holly’s husband) about what’s going on with the rest of my organs.  It’s all about finding just the right balance that will keep me glowing outside and in as I start this new chapter in life.
I can’t wait to go back.

I’m Engaged

Bridge Run – Labor Day 2011

At the heart of medicine – Discover Remarkable

Join us for the second show in the television series “Discover Remarkable: At the Heart of Medicine” with Lila Lazarus as we showcase the lives of two patients, the struggles they’ve endured and their happy endings thanks to the remarka ble team at St. Joe’s.

Get to know da Vinci robotic surgeon and OB/GYN, Dr. Raj Deenadayalu up close and personal as we follow his journey as a docto r, husband and father. During the show, log on to WXYZ.com for a live web chat with Drs. Raj Deenadayalu and Gayle Moyer about gynecologic robotic surgery…and get your questions answered!

Defeat The Label

“Were you ever bullied? I’m working on a great project called “Defeat the Label.”    It’s an anti-bullying movement that works to promote an inclusive, judgment-free society, void of social labels and stereotypes; a society where all people are recognized not for their physical form, but for the superior, equal and worthy soul within.  We have a special event on Sunday at 2:00PM at Somerset Mall.  A free Cody Simpson Concert!!  There will be a ground breaking announcement made by Hands Across America and We Are The World’s Ken Kragen.  See the following  links to interviews done this week on Channel 7 (  http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/about_us/as_seen_on/defeat-the-label-holding-cody-simpson-concert-at-somerset-collection ) and Fox 2 ( http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/free-cody-simpson-concert-sunday-at-somerset-20110824-wpms )

Looking forward to seeing you there!!