The Truth about Beauty-- and a Guilt-Free Guide to Finding It

"Transcendent beauty rises above physical limitations and endures the passage of time."--Hema Sundaram, M.D.

Have you ever considered why some cosmetic procedures carry no stigma at all, but procedures that relate to aging do? If it is not "wrong" for a 14-year-old to straighten her teeth orthodontically, why is it "wrong" for a 40-year-old to have laser surgery to remove her wrinkles?

In Face Value, Hema Sundaram, M.D. shows you how to make your own choices when it comes to beauty. She examines our culture's conflicted messages about beauty, from ancient myths to modern tabloids, and she reveals how women get caught in false dichotomies such as "natural versus artificial beauty" and "inner versus outer beauty."

Dr. Sundaram's authoritative guide to ageless beauty teaches you how to harmonize your inner and outer beauty. Her integrative regimen includes:

* Suggested lifestyle changes that can slow your rate of aging

* Advice on how to vanquish the seven negative emotions that age you, and replace them with the principles of transcendent beauty

* An up-to-date prescription for at-home skin rejuvenation, including a 7-Minute Amazing Skin Regimen that fits into even the busiest schedule

* Must-have information on the newest cosmetic surgery technologies and strategies for successful surgery, including how to know when you're ready for cosmetic surgery, how to choose the best surgeon and how to avoid cosmetic surgery disasters

* Meditations to develop and project your inner, spiritual beauty

* A results-oriented plan for harnessing your personal "Power Points," to overcome the ten ways your face ages

Along the way, you'll read the inspiring real-life stories of Dr. Sundaram's patients, women who've experienced the liberation of finding their true Face Value.

Hema Sundaram, M.D. is a graduate of the University of Cambridge in England, where she completed her honors degree in genetics and her medical degree. Former fellow at the National Institutes of Health and Board Certified in dermatology, Dr. Sundaram has private practices in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband and two children.

--Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

From Face Value:

"When you think about it, beauty and beauty enhancement are about the only aspects of our lives where we still tolerate being judged, or feel it's socially and politically acceptable to be judgmental about others. Gone, after all, are the days when you could condemn a woman for having sex or having a job or having a vote. But, rather than let go of these supposedly obsolete judgments, it seems we've merely redirected them."

In her groundbreaking book, cosmetic dermatologist Hema Sundaram, M.D., draws on evidence ranging from evolutionary genetics to today's song lyrics to dispel the myths and taboos surrounding our conflicted quest for beauty in the modern age. In their place, she offers refreshingly honest advice and a holistic program that will empower you to define your beauty on your own terms, without guilt and without apology. Let Dr. Sundaram show you how to discover your own Face Value.