Archive for the ‘Beauty Tips’ Category

In the Fight Against Wrinkles, Help is on the Way!

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth during the aging process are the reason why many men and women are choosing wrinkle removal procedures. If wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin are giving away your real age or making you look years older wrinkle removal treatment without surgery can be a valuable way to improve the look and feel of your skin. Although it doesn’t have the same lasting effects as most plastic surgery, it has many benefits. There are many low-risk procedures available for wrinkle removal.

A few changes in your diet, a trip to the dermatologist and a better skin management routine is all it takes to get started. Here are some of the procedures for fighting-wrinkles:

1. Restylane: It is an injectable cosmetic treatment, uses hyaluronic acid to correct folds and wrinkles and other imperfections in the skin. As because Restylane uses a naturally occurring substance as filler, there is very little chance of an allergic reaction, such as occasionally happens with collagen.

2. Indulge your chocolate habit: Pure chocolate also contains ingredients that can boost circulation and keep the skin looking smooth and healthy, it’s the perfect reason to enjoy that dark chocolate that is rich in flavanoids can have a positive impact on your skin nugget without the guilt. It also seemed to be more protected against UV damage.

3. Hyaluronic acid: it is a gel that is actually a natural occurring and basic component of human skin. The gel serves to “float” the skin cells rather than fill in vacant wrinkles, which makes hyaluronic acid suitable for larger folds of skin around the mouth and cheeks. Its results tend to last up to six to nine months.

4. Better sleep posture: you can reduce the risk of wrinkles developing on the forehead and face with a better sleeping position, The American Dermatology Association recommends sleeping on your back to prevent marks and pressure from pillows and sheets taking their toll on your skin.

5. Goji berries: these have 500 times more Vitamin C per ounce than oranges. and vitamin C helps make collagen which keeps the skin firm. They also have linoleic acid, an essential fat that plumps skin up that fights wrinkles.

6. Skin tightening treatments:  this is an essential process for healthy skin, and does slow down with age; increasing new cell production means the top layer of skin will slowly become more supple, smooth and youthful looking.

7. Fish oils in your diet: eating fatty fish such as salmon and fresh seafood with a high Omega 3 content is your best bet for warding off wrinkles.

8. Collagen: it is a natural protein that acts as the support structure of the skin, in young skin, the collagen framework is intact and the skin remains moisturized and elastic. However,  the support structure weakens and the skin loses elasticity,  it has also been used successfully to augment lips, correct the early degrees of muscle loss around the mouth associated with aging.

What to Expect with a Forehead Lift?

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Some people tend to have more frowns and furrows on the forehead than others. This gives a serious, sometimes worried look to the face. The forehead lift procedure is an innovative surgical procedure that helps to lift up the skin between the brows and the top of the head. It can correct sagging brows or deep furrows between the eyes, taking away years of wrinkles and environmental effects that are causing the deep creases on the forehead.

A forehead lift is often performed to treat conditions associated with aging. It may be done in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance. Younger adults who have a low brow or who already have deep frown lines due to stress or over activity of muscles may benefit from the Forehead Lift procedure. Many people undergo this procedure in conjunction with nose reshaping surgery, facial skin tightening procedures, or dermal filler treatments to fill out hollowed cheeks.

How the Forehead Lift is Performed?

Forehead lift is performed under enhanced local anesthetic. The forehead lift involves removing and sculpting facial tissues and muscles right above the brow bone, and suturing the skin and tissues in place so that wrinkles disappear. There are two types of surgical techniques available for a forehead lift, including the classic forehead lift and the endoscopic forehead lift. In this technique the surgeon decides to use largely depends on where the hairline is located, and if the hair can reasonably cover up the scar and incisions. The incision is designed to be inconspicuous when healed. Through the Forehead Lift incision, your plastic surgeon can modify or remove parts of the muscles that cause wrinkling and frown lines, remove excess skin, and lift your eyebrows to a more pleasing level.

Therefore, the procedure is painless and the patient is asleep during the operation that comprises lifting of the forehead skin. As a result, the furrows on the forehead are gone and the eyebrows are lifted. After the forehead lift, the rejuvenation effect is also visible in the expression of one’s eyes. The eyes appear more open and younger. When the surgery is complete the surgeon will wrap the head in gauze and bandages; this reduces bleeding, and also secures the tissues in place. The bandages may be removed a few days, or up to a week after the surgery. At this time, the tissues will have re-integrated and the incisions will have started to heal. Once the bandages are removed, there could be some tingling or numbness expected

Possible complications associated with forehead lifts

Every year, thousands of people undergo successful Brow Lift surgery and are pleased with the results. However, anyone considering surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks. Both the conventional technique and the endoscopic technique can provide natural-looking results, and neither one involves an extensive amount of recovery time.

Some of the effects of surgery include:

  • Swelling of the tissues, especially around the cheeks and eyes
  • Bruising of the tissues
  • Pain around the head, or migraine headaches
  • scar formation
  • eyebrow movement problems
  • sensation loss

Exceed your expectations after plastic surgery with massage therapy

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Whether plastic surgery is utilized for health purposes or cosmetic reasons, the after effects are the same for everyone that is pain, swelling, scarring, heightened anxiety and, at times, depression. In some cases, medication may be prescribed for the pain and anxiety. But there are also other options that can help reduce the dosage or length of time of drugs are used, as well as aid in the healing process. Regular massage therapy treatments offer countless health benefits on their own, but are now becoming an effective post-surgical treatment for improving skin tone to boosting circulation. Massage is an effective way to help you manage the pain and stress that you suffer after cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery procedures.

To enhancing general health and wellness, massage therapy can help patients prepare for surgery, as well as ease pain and discomfort during recovery. Some of the massage therapy is performed by licensed massage therapists in our spa-like setting.

  • Swedish Massage
  • Therapeutic massage
  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage
  • Reflexology

Massage therapy reduces anxiety and stress

One of the primary benefits of massage is a reduction of stress. Numerous studies over the years have shown that massage therapy increases the levels of endorphins and serotonin in the body, thus reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. It also reduces certain hormone levels such as cortisol, which is responsible for increased stress.

Massage Therapy for Pain Relief

The use of massage therapy can ease the pain caused by swelling and the muscle tightness caused by the surgery instead of turning to pain medication. Health experts suggest that massage treatments are an incredibly effective way to handle pain, anxiety, and distress following major surgery.

Other benefits of massage therapy after surgery include:

  • Improved blood flow
  • Improved skin tone
  • Deeper sleep
  • Reduced symptoms of depression

Go ahead with surgery to reverse or reduce presbyopia

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

People usually develop a condition called presbyopia typically beginning between the ages of 40 and 50. Presbyopia is the inability of the eye to focus at all distances, usually noticed when fine print starts to blur. It sometimes even results in blindness, as a result of muscular degeneration.

Presbyopia is the primary reason that nearly everyone after their mid-40’s uses bifocals, reading glasses, or removes their distance glasses in order to read at a comfortable distance. With age, the power of the eye begins to deteriorate, and focusing objects up close becomes more of a strain. Some people embrace it as a sign of wisdom and maturity, and others try to disguise it, grasping desperately to what they perceive to be their fading youth. Presbyopia is caused either by stiffening of the eye’s lens, continued growth of the lens or atrophy of the muscles controlling the lens, but other theories exist as well.

In the past, the usual remedy was to wear reading glasses for presbyopia. But now in modern times, surgical remedies for presbyopia also are available for qualified candidates. One of the first effective surgical options for presbyopia correction involved producing what is known as monovision during LASIK. Other surgical procedures such as conductive CK, also exist and they which give eye surgeons additional options for correcting this common vision problem.

Monovision and LASIK:

Monovision is the term for the surgical correction of one eye to achieve enhanced vision up close. Normally, both your eyes work together equally when you look at an object, to produce what’s called binocular vision. However, you probably have a dominant eye that your brain tends to favor for “sighting”. Therefore, in monovision, one eye does more work (sighting) than the other. If one of your eyes is set for distance vision and the other is set for near vision, the distance eye will do most of the work when looking at objects in the distance, and the near vision eye will do most of the work when looking at objects close by. To perform this surgical enhancement, doctors typically use procedure: LASIK, the famous name in eye surgery.

Some LASIK surgeons will produce monovision in their presbyopic patients by purposely leaving the non-dominant eye slightly nearsighted so that these patients can see up close without glasses. It’s better to try monovision with contact lenses or trial lenses in the doctor’s office first to be sure you can adapt. With the advancements in customized technology, eligible patients can receive better corrected vision with a slighter chance of side effects. As with all surgical procedures, there is a learning curve for surgeons.

Scleral expansion bands

The surgeon inserts four plastic segments made out of PMMA just below the surface of the scleral, which increases the distance between the muscles that focus the lens and the lens itself. Researchers think the extra distance augments the tension of the muscle, thus allowing it to do a better job of focusing the lens. Resulting from early phase clinical trials involved five patients, all of whom were able to read newspaper print after scleral expansion bands were inserted. Overall, some eyes that have received the implants show improvement, and some do not.

Best anti-aging foods you can start eating today

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Toxins from the environment, stress, and poor eating habits can all take their toll on your skin. Fortunately, what you eat each day can prevent a lot of damage and keep you looking young, vibrant and healthy.

Nutritionists and beauty experts alike encourage a natural, wholesome diet in order to keep skin looking its best, and also confirm that certain foods have anti-aging benefits. Foods for anti aging are foods that are naturally rich in antioxidants, substances found predominately in fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. Antioxidants help block the damaging effects of free radicals, which are unstable compounds produced in the body that can destroy healthy skin and collagen, leading wrinkles and sagging skin. If you’re already loading your plate with leafy greens and berries to improve your health, you might be fighting wrinkles in the process.

Are you eating enough of the world’s top anti-aging foods? Here are some of essential foods that need to be on your weekly menu:

Avocados- A rich source of healthy fat and minerals, avocados are a versatile vegetable that can add some fresh flavors to a dish. Avocados can help promote healthy skin tissue growth and help the body build collagen naturally.  It is a good source of Vitamin E and can help to maintain healthy skin and prevent skin aging.

Ginger- This spicy root can boost the digestive and circulatory systems. Ginger extract is also full of antioxidants that can ward off cancer and prevent toxin buildup in the body and skin. It  may also help to alleviate rheumatic aches and pains.

Wheat grain- This whole grain contains important amino acids and proteins that can help keep muscles strong, and does not cause increase in blood sugar levels. It offers lots of nutritional benefits such as extra vitamins and minerals per serving, and a high fiber content. A healthy digestive tract ensures that your body absorbs food properly and assimilates key vitamins and minerals into the cells as needed. Brown rice is another recommended complex carbohydrate, which is high in fiber and B Vitamin.

Nuts and seeds- From cashews to sunflower seeds, loading up on key granola ingredients can help you maintain your youthful looks. Raw nuts contain healthy fats that can also keep your appetite under control, improves the functioning of your digestive and immune system, improve your skin help control prevent cancer. Nuts may also help control cholesterol levels.

Berries- Berries have long been an essential food for the anti aging diet, and acai berries are considered to be a ’super food’ because of they contain antioxidants even more than blueberries. These exotic fruits have a sweet and tart flavor that can give your usual fruit salad a boost

Whether your goal is to get rid of wrinkles, improve the texture and tone of your skin, or just enjoy a healthier appearance, adding these key foods to your daily plate may help you achieve a more youthful look. So if you care about your health and you want to know the real secret to youthful skin, a slim waistline and better health, you’re going to have to educate yourself and be your own advocate. Eating healthy fats, reducing the amount of salt in your diet and focusing on a whole foods lifestyle are all effective ways to improve your health and your skin.

Tempted by cosmetic surgery, but don’t know where to start?

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

Since you don’t want to compromise your health and well-being when pursuing plastic surgery, search for the best cosmetic surgeon. The best way to select your plastic surgeon is to do your own research. Take your time, interview at least two or three plastic surgeons, make sure you like the results of the doctor’s work and that you feel you have a good rapport with him. There may be hundreds of cosmetic surgeons in your area, but only a few will offer professional treatments, exceptional follow up services, and provide the right care you need for a successful procedure. So do it yourself, don’t just blindly take someone else’s recommendation. Anyone who refers you to a plastic surgeon has far less at stake in the outcome than you do, so it’s up to you to take responsibility for finding the best doctor.  Just a few extra steps is all that takes you to reduce the risk of a poor quality treatment that compromises your health.

How do you make the right choice?

  1. Get a recommendation from a satisfied patient- references from patients is the first place to learn more about the prospective cosmetic surgeon as that patient might be satisfied with the results he achieved.
  2. Make sure that the surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery. Remember that the board certification test is a written test; it does not evaluate the surgeon’s manual dexterity, his artistic talents, whether he cares about his patients’ well-being, or whether his results are excellent, just passable, or bad.
  3. The next is consultation- none of us are ever offended if a patient has scheduled a couple of consultations. You need to find the plastic surgeon who you like and trust. Trust your instincts, look out for salesmen, don’t get up-sold for something you didn’t come in to discuss and ask about the process of fixing a complication. A personalized consultation leads to personalized results!
  4. Learn about financing options- many doctors now offer convenient payment plans and low interest financing to help you manage costs of your services. This can help you plan ahead and make a better decision.
  5. Get a referral from a hospital referral line- a hospital referral line will send you at random to one of the plastic surgeons who work at that hospital. Hospital referral lines don’t take skill or patient satisfaction into account at all. but to none of the doctors who don’t work at that hospital.
  6. Learn about risks involved with your procedure- no matter how innovative and painless a procedure may sound, make sure you understand all of the risks and potential side effects involved. An honest surgeon will go over both benefits and drawbacks of the treatment, so take the time to learn as much as possible about your prospective procedure.

The way nature intended you to care

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

It is a natural desire of every person to have beautiful and smooth skin.  No matter what problems you may have with your skin, it may have acne, blemishes, pigmentation spots they are the visible effects of your internal state. It is most important that you follow a proper raw food diet. This  will not only make you healthier, but it will change your look, make you feel more confident, add glow to your skin and put a healthy sparkle in your eyes. Besides this, a proper skin care product will help you gain beautiful shinning skin.

Now, of course, there are some good natural skin care products on the market that can genuinely help make your skin look smoother, more radiant, and youthful. Natural skincare products are made with herbal extracts, botanicals, and even organic ingredients; makers of these skincare products often claim that these are naturally absorbed more readily by skin cells. Not only should a quality skin care product help reduce bags under, and fine lines around, the eyes, but it should even out coloration inconsistencies caused by age spots and other unwanted pigment concentrations. The most common natural skin care product such as coconut oil, sesame oil and wheat germ oil can quickly penetrate the pores to bring lasting results. Other benefits of natural skincare products include:

  1. Improved circulation to deliver nutrients with ease
  2. Removes dead skin cells
  3. Low risk of toxic buildup and clogged pores
  4. Reduced risk of rashes and breakouts
  5. It neutralizes free radicals to fight aging
  6. Even helps repair the cellular damage
  7. Natural sun-protecting caused by UV rays
  8. Free from chemical preservatives

Some drawbacks of natural skin care products:

Though natural skin care products have so many benefits, they have some drawbacks too. Since chemical preservatives and additives are removed from natural skincare products, these products do carry the risk of contamination. Some products may lead to skin allergies. Cocoa butter can aggravate acne or acne-prone skin. Vitamin E can clog pores and irritate some skin types. Some products need to be stored in a refrigerator for preservation, while others can only be used for a limited period of time before they become rancid and acidic.

An Acupuncture facelift gives reasons to smile

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

Many people in recent years have used acupuncture for “face-lift” or “facial-toning” treatments. The number of people preferring acupuncture technique is increasing day by day. Is facial acupuncture really an alternative to the face lift, or is purely hype? Here’s a closer look at how facial acupuncture works.

Facial acupuncture is more than just a face lift; it is a facial rejuvenation technique. It is procedure that can increase circulation, stimulate the development of healthy skin cells, and reduce fine lines. It is a procedure designed to restore the skin in its natural texture. This technique is a slow process, and not for those people who require immediate and drastic result.

Facial acupuncture, also known as cosmetic acupuncture, involves several acupuncture points along the face. When these points are activated, it results in a boost in blood circulation and energy; there is a marked increase in blood and oxygen flow to every layer of skin on the face. Firstly, surgeon observes the affected area and then slowly around the wrinkles and folds points. The ultra fine needles are inserted around key muscles and wrinkles to encourage healing and stimulate the cells, without any pain. After inserting the needles negotiable electric current is passed through the needles. Facial ‘toning’ may be a better way to describe this process that can leave skin looking healthy and revitalized. According to Dr. Mao of Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica, California, results depend largely on the state of someone’s internal health. Since the organs help regulate cell production and support a healthy metabolism, bringing them into balance can lead to improvements on the face.

The basic idea behind the acupuncture technique is to flow out the vital energy without any block through needles. This would tone and nourish the skin. Some needles are inserted into other parts of body to strengthen internal health. This treatment includes a series of 12 treatments over a 5 to 12 week period.

What are the benefits?

Tighter, healthier and more toned skin is only a few of the benefits of an acupuncture facelift. The other benefits of the acupuncture facelift include:

  • Brighter complexion
  • Reduce acne breakouts
  • Increased collagen production
  • Reduction of fine lines
  • Improved facial muscle tone
  • Tightened pores

After rejuvenation, people observe clear and visible changes on their face like reduction of folds, increased energy, crow’s feet around the eyes. Sometime patient reported extra tightening or little bit of pain and for this doctors recommend drinking water in excess.

Herbal Supplements could pose risks for plastic surgery

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

There is a tendency to believe that herbal supplements are gentle and natural, but while many patients ask if there are any vitamins or supplements which could speed up healing after surgery, it is unfortunate to note that herbal supplement could be harmful to your health when you’re pursuing plastic surgery.

When undergoing any surgery, the most serious and potentially dangerous effects of alternative medicines and herbal supplements occur during the operative and in the immediate postoperative periods. The effect of natural supplements including Ginkgo, Ginseng, Ginger, and Green Tea can increase chances for bleeding after surgery, but could typically be used to boost the immune system. The American Society of Plastic Surgeon has identified the following herbal supplements as harmful during and after surgery:

Garlic – garlic can interfere with anticoagulants prescribed during recovery which can cause digestive irritation and bleeding effects so it is recommended to reduce garlic supplementation during the surgery process.

Echinacea- this supplement can boost the immune system and prevent bacterial infections; however, it prevents from recovery of wounds and cuts and will interfere with the healing process.

Ginkgo–  a powerful antioxidant and concentration booster, ginkgo has been used medicinally for thousands of years. However, ginkgo is also an anticoagulant which can interfere with recovery after surgery as it causes bleeding effects too.

Glucosamine – a supplement which commonly found in diet pills, it has been linked to extremely low blood sugar and can create significant problems for patients who go without food for extended periods of time during surgery.

Chondroitin – this supplement is commonly used to lubricate the joints, but can cause blood complications such as bleeding effect during surgery,  making it difficult for patients to recover adequately.

Patients need to be aware that full disclosure of all medications both those that are prescribed and those that are obtained over-the-counter is extremely important to their health and safety.  According to Dr. James Bradley, the co-author of the study at the University of California, all patients need to understand the potentially harmful side effects of several herbal supplements as most herbal supplements can interfere with the recovery process and may need to be eliminated from the diet completely for up to one month before and after surgery.  Stopping certain herbal supplements prior to surgery is just as critical as stopping aspirin, ibuprofen and many other common drugs.

Coffee lovers can win the battle of Cellulite

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

Whether you’re preparing for beach season or just want to look your best for an upcoming event, making sure that your skin is free of unsightly cellulite can be a challenge. Many of us can’t imagine starting the day without that first cup of coffee, but did you know that coffee is also a fabulous beauty aid? In fact, it may do more for our outsides than it does for our insides! Yes coffee can help reduce cellulite, exfoliate dead-looking facial skin, give hair a warm glow and shine. Combating cellulite with coffee is proving to be an effective way to tighten and tone up the skin, and can even reduce the appearance of cellulite. The coarse nature of the substance helps to agitate and arouse the skin cells. It will also remove the dead skin and reduce the size of your pores. The use of coffee grounds on your skin will also firm and tone your skin.

Cellulite is the dimpled appearance of skin caused by fat deposits that are just below the surface of the skin. Most women have an uneven distribution of fat which generally appears on skin in the abdomen, lower limbs, and pelvic region, and it usually occurs after puberty. Since this fatty tissue stays ‘stuck’ in these key areas, the blood supply to these areas can be inefficient. This leads to a tougher, unmovable patch of cellulite that won’t disappear with diet and exercise alone. If you are looking for good solution for your cellulite problems - start today with caffeinated coffee!

The Coffee and Cellulite Connections:

Most of the experts generally recommend the use of caffeinated coffee as a brush for cellulite prone spots. The coffee grounds usually create an exfoliate act. As the caffeine soaks up into the skin it encourages the fatty cells in order to eliminate their contents, increasing caffeine intake has been linked to an elevated heart rate, a temporary boost for the metabolism and increased blood circulation. The simple sources of caffeine such as green tea, black coffee or herbal teas with milder levels of caffeine may be a valuable addition to your daily diet and will help elevate the heart rate for a short period. Since cellulite is often a result of poor blood circulation and a weak metabolism, downing that cup of coffee each day may give you more than just a buzz.

An individual can also apply warm coffee grounds in order to target the spot and cover it with a plastic wrapper for almost ten minutes or even try to mix it with hand cream, and then massage it on the affected area. After all this is being done wash the coffee grounds with a warm water. In fact lots of cellulite creams lotions and serums available in the market promise to banish cellulite often contain coffee ingredients because coffee extracts can help draw blood to the skin’s surface.