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The fourth annual Fall Bocce Ball Tournament, which took place over the holidays brought in the largest crowd the event has ever seen since it begin four years ago. Organized by Steven Weiner, MD of The Aesthetic Clinique and Rosemary Beach resident, A. Bergdorf, the tournament kicked off this year with a whopping 124 players who battled to win another season of bragging rights and numerous grand prize gifts.

With a two season winning record, team Botocci and Alleys, consisting of Dr. Weiner and Dave Raschkoub of Bud & Alleys finally gave up the winning title to Atlanta’s Poppy’s Bocce team, Greg Camia and Mark Schoppmann. Named in honor of Michael DiPinto, a.k.a. “The Silver Streaker”, a former bocce contestant who recently passed away on December 1, the team gave their best in recognition of one of the tournament’s most valued players. Practicing year round for this tournament, the team entered Rosemary Beach for the third year in a row to try their hand at the winning title. This year, their efforts paid off.

“It was an overwhelming turnout and the games were exciting as always,” says Dr. Weiner. “Unfortunately, you can’t win them all,” he added.

The reigning champions made a grand entrance on their shining carriage, which was really a golf cart, into the town of Rosemary Beach with music, crowns and waves of glory. Next year, the new winners, Camia and Schoppman, will have the honors to gloat in their win and come blazing down the streets.

As is tradition, the tournament kicked off with the raising of the Italian flag while the national Italian anthem played in the background. This season, the event had over 60 teams and over 120 players, all with families and friends in tow. Cheers and applause were heard throughout as teams worked their way through the elimination rounds and on to finals. Although Team Botocci and Alleys were the ones to beat, Camia and Schoppman made this trip worth their while as they came out ahead in the final round to win the infamous title.

“We practice all year for this. It is our third year in the tournament and I’m glad to say we can finally go home with our heads held high,” says Camia,” he said.

Bombora Sun & Surf was this year’s premier sponsor for the fall bocce ball event. In addition, several local businesses also participated. This season’s sponsors included Bombora Sun & Surf, 30A.com, The Aesthetic Clinique, Salon Twist, La Botana, Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar, Patchouli’s, Restaurant Paradis, Cowgirl Kitchen, The Fabric Source, 30A Television, SouthWaltonScene.com, Moonpize, Sugar Shak, Wild Olives, YOLO, Summer Kitchen, Quick & Clean Car Wash, and Think It Wear It Express.

Two bocce tournaments are held each year, with the spring tournament taking place the Saturday before Easter and the fall tournament taking place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Each event has grown in popularity and participants. To find more details about the annual bocce tournaments, visit www.theclinique.net or call 850-622-1214 for information.

Malcolm Gladwell put it best when he published a book explaining the “tipping point” as the phenomenon of change that – for some undeniable reason – takes place all of a sudden and quite unexpectedly. The idea that noticeable change seems to happen almost at once thus taking us in a direction unplanned, unrealized, and for the most part, placing us in uncharted territory. Such is the case with our skin. As the largest organ in our body, it is indeed a life force all its own. In our 20s, skin is taut, supple, resilient and ready to bounce back. However, once in your 30s, there is less resilience, the subtle appearance of lines, and the beginning stages of sagging start to settle in.

Inevitably, certain factors can lead to faster aging of the skin such as smoking, sun tanning, and alcohol; however clinical studies are now showing that aside from environmental reasons, skin does reach a tipping point – the point where the skin shows a greater and more rapid deterioration of pigments, volume and elasticity. A recent study conducted by P&G Beauty and Grooming confirms a distinct difference in skin from those in their 20s versus the skin of those in their mid-30s. In fact, the mean age of regression was estimated at the age of 35.09 which indicates a clear “skin tipping point” at which point there is a precipitous drop in the skin’s elastic tolerance.  After confirming these studies, researchers conducted another trial to evaluate certain anti-aging ingredients which improve skin elasticity. Findings showed that specific topical agents, such as olive oil, can delay the unwanted signs of aging and prolong a youthful complexion.

According to Dr. Steven Weiner at the Aesthetic Clinique, one of the hot issues in skin science is oxygen free radicals.  It appears that the environmental oxidative stressors overwhelm the body’s ability to keep up at the tipping point.  We then start to lose the battle of collagen formation versus degradation, as well as lose elasticity.

“You don’t have to throw in the towel when you reach 35,” says Dr. Weiner “We have several treatments to directly fight the oxygen free radicals such as GliSODin Skin Nutrients, Retin A, and Revale Skin with Coffee Berry.  There are also treatments to replace the loss of collagen and elastin such as Fraxel re:pair, Fraxel re:store Dual, Thermage, and dermal fillers that stimulate collagen such as Radiesse and Sculptra, and to a lesser extent Restylane and Juvederm,” he added.

When it comes to genetics, there is definitely a role that inherent genes take in helping or hindering us to age gracefully, but external circumstances – our environment – plays just as important in the grand scheme of overall youth and long-lasting luminous skin. Contrary to popular belief, celebrities, models and fashionistas face the same problems. But today’s consumers can mimic these media idols through proper care and proactive techniques.

One such product offered at the Aesthetic Clinique is GliSODin® Skin Nutrients which is shown to maintain skin elasticity. Formulated by dermatologists and nutritionists to provide powerful antioxidants and bioactive nutraceuticals, GliSODin® promotes enhanced and longer lasting results from medical aesthetic treatments and beauty programs. GliSODin® is a unique melon extract naturally rich in superoxide dismutase (SOD), combined with wheat protein to protect its SOD activity within the intestinal cells. SOD, also known as the “Enzyme of Life”, catalyzes the natural antioxidant defense system, boosts immunity, and reduces the rapid signs of aging. The production of SOD decreases with age, causing an increase in susceptibility to free radical damage.

Thermage® is a completely non-invasive treatment that tightens the skin.  By heating up the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, it promotes collagen formation to provide the improvement.  It takes roughly six months to fully form the collagen and appreciate the full results, which can last three to five years.  In addition, there is no downtime and the treatment can be performed on all skin types.  The newest version, Thermage® CPT, has proven to be even more effective and comfortable than prior models.

Fraxel® re:store Dual and the Fraxel® re:pair are fractional lasers which tighten wrinkles and loose skin by penetrating the skin microscopically to stimulate collagen.  The safety and rapid healing from these lasers is related to their “fractional” component, affecting only a fraction of the skin to which they are applied.  The Fraxel® re:store Dual is the newest of the two lasers, which offer several improvements:  more comfort, less treatments, and an additional laser wavelength for pigmentation.  Social downtime from the Dual is only up to a few days.  On the other hand, the Fraxel re:pair is an aggressive fractional CO2 laser for people desiring one treatment and more serious correction, but has approximately seven days of downtime.  Both lasers are effective in assisting those who have reached the “tipping point”.

No matter your age, your lifestyle, or your daily activities, there are innovative treatments available at the Aesthetic Clinique which can be individualized whether you have reached your skin’s “tipping point” or are approaching it. Going under the knife is not the only option anymore.  Non-invasive procedures are rapidly growing in popularity due to lifestyle demands but also refinements in devices and techniques which are leading to longer lasting and natural results. 

To find out which treatment works best for you, contact Dr. Steve Weiner at info@theclinique.net.

Posted November 10th, 2009 in Events, Fillers, Laser Treatments, Skincare | No Comments »