The biggest downside of having plastic surgery abroad is that you don’t always know exactly what you are getting yourself into. You need to be very careful and become aware not only of the experiences and certification of the physician who will perform the procedure or procedures, but also of the facility itself.

Different countries have different criteria for completion of a medical specialty. We don’t usually worry when people go to Europe for plastic surgery as we think the standards are the same as they are here in the United States. It’s the Latin American or Far Eastern countries which can be a concern, where we think the plastic surgery market is a less-regulated one.

I would consider checking credentials of the surgeon as well as the facility before you go. You would also need to determine the cost involved if there were complications and thus a need for repeated trips back to the surgeon or country, or potential need for correction back here in the United States.

Why Go Abroad?

Most people go abroad for plastic surgery for one of two reasons. One is usually the expense, as they assume it will be cheaper. That is why you have to weigh the possibility of complications in your budget. What if you have to go back to have something corrected? That would make the entire experience a lot more expensive.

Another reason is that people often want to go to an area that is a bit more exotic to recover. But, the reality is that you will not enjoy whereever you are the first week after surgery. I have had friends tell me that they want to have surgery done in Argentina because they have always wanted to visit there. But I tell them they’re not going to enjoy it anyway, so why bother?

If you choose to have plastic surgery abroad, make sure you go your research beforehand and only choose a certified, experienced surgeon and a top-class facility. And don’t expect to enjoy a great vacation while you’re out there, although it might provide a safe sanctuary to recover away from intrusive glances from family, friends and co-workers.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Lip enhancement is a great option for getting the look you want and deserve, but be smart and safe by thoroughly consulting with your doctor and plastic surgeon!

Lip enhancement has become so accessible that there’s no reason that anyone shouldn’t be able to have the procedure done. It’s so simple now, why not opt for enhancement and get the look we want? We wear makeup, don’t we? Why walk around feeling self-conscious when we don’t have to? If you feel your lips are too small or too thin, there’s a good chance it bothers you, even if for a second, every time you look in the mirror. With so many options out there, why not enhance your lips? And from that day forward, like everything you see in the mirror?

What is Lip Enhancement?

Also know as lip augmentation, there are a few different routes to take when looking to make your lips fuller. Some are as simple as lip plumping glosses you can buy at a cosmetics store, although many of these do not work. For more effective results that last longer than an hour, you’ll opt for either injections or surgery. Obviously, injections are less invasive. However, the results do not last as long. With injections, a “filler” substance is being injected into your lips, either of a synthetic or natural origin, according to www.lipaugmentation.com. Often this depends on whether you choose a medical spa or a plastic surgeon’s office. Look into both. There will be differences in price and in what you feel comfortable with. You have to completely trust the practitioner, as this is an appearance-altering process, and one that can even have side effects. Therefore, you may want to meet with the professional at the medical spa and a plastic surgeon, so you can really get to know them and what they would plan to do in this procedure. You will find someone you feel comfortable with, and from there the injections are easy. They can be done quickly and fit into your day’s schedule. The pain is moderate and does not last. And the results show up immediately. Just note that some of it is swelling and some results may only last about six months. That is the nature of injections, however. They are exponentially less expensive than surgery, but this is because they must be done periodically, whereas surgery is permanent.

For surgery, you will have to make consultation appointments with a plastic surgeon, who will determine the safest and most effective route. Since it is a surgical procedure in which the lips are opened to add filler, it will require downtime, anesthetics, and a brief period of recovery time, perhaps a few days until the swelling goes down. These results will be permanent. Therefore, even though it is more expensive than injections, you have to consider what works better for you in the long run. Surgery is expensive but is a one-time deal. Injections are more affordable but will add up over time.

Who should get Lip Enhancement?

Newimage.com fills us in on what common types of lips are candidates for lip enhancements. These are the issues that are effectively and successfully corrected with injections or surgery, and the ones that warrant such procedures:

• Thin, flat lips with no shape, fullness, or definition. Interesting fact: This can happen as a result of smoking.
• No upper lip, rather an upper lip that is significantly thinner than the lower lip and therefore out of proportion
• No bottom lip: same as above in reverse
• Irregular border: this is an unevenness or asymmetry in your lips. Maybe one side of your upper lip comes higher than the other. Maybe your lower lip appears smaller on one side than another.
• Remember, if you feel your lips are too large, you can have lip reduction performed.
• To have lip augmentation, you need to consider your health. You should be sure you do not have the following problems, and always consult with your doctor, who will know best if you are a candidate:
• Have you used Accutane in the last six months? This causes a chance of scarring.
• Do have any connective tissue disorders?
• Do you suffer from lupus?
• Any active diseases like heart diseases or asthma?
• Allergies?
• Diabetes?
• Clotting problems?
• Oral herpes?
• Dental issues like abscesses?

What are the benefits of Lip Enhancement?

The most obvious benefit of lip enhancement is thicker, fuller lips. This can lead to less self-consciousness and higher confidence. Your face may be better proportioned. As far as injections, the fact that they don’t last as long could be a benefit, according to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. You don’t have to commit to permanently fuller lips. More affordable on a case-by-case basis, this is a great option for pay-as-you-go. As long as you want fuller lips, you can continue receiving injections. Obviously, the surgery has the opposite benefit of being something you only have to do once, and the results will last. So, if you’re more committed, it could be the better choice.

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Being of Italian descent and having dark hair, it is no wonder why actress Alyssa Milano would undergo laser hair removal. Being a female in the limelight you have to be at your best. Milano actually told Esquire magazine in 2006 that it was the worst pain in the world and she much rather have tattoo removal. Yet, being a female celebrity and having to be at her best meant  no mustache or beard…so she continued the removal process. Other female celebrities who have looked to laser hair removal include all of the Kardashian sisters. Kim, Klhoe, and Kourtney Kardashian were all shown on their E! reality show, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” visiting an American Laser Center in spring 2008.

And females are not the only ones going for laser hair removal these days. Christopher Knight, formerly of the “Brady Bunch,” removed hair around the ears, neck and cleaned up the eyebrows as well. Knight was shown on the hit series “Dr. 90210″ in 2007 getting his hair removed, even in his nose!

All the celebrities are doing it, what about us average people? Is it just for the rich? While it can run you a good amount of money, it has fantastic results and is affordable compared to other cosmetic procedures. If you are looking to get rid of those nasty stray hairs on the neck or perhaps the peach fuzz on your face, laser hair removal may be for you.

What Laser Hair Removal Entails:

A plastic surgeon can perform the laser hair removal procedure. This procedure involves a pulsating light beam which helps to remove the hair. The light beam aims for the pigment found in hair or what is known as melanin. The heat from the light hits the hair follicle and slows down the growth of hair.

It needs to be done several times so that the individual is hair free for a longer period of time. The person will never be hair-free forever but it will last several months. The permanent laser hair removal procedure is not common.

The laser procedure is not painful but can be uncomfortable. It seems uncomfortable because hair follicles have nerves located near them. When the light is pulsating the follicle, it is also pulsating and irritating the nerve endings. Depending on the length of the procedure and the client, anesthetic cream is readily available. The cream is rubbed on the area approximately one hour before the procedure.

Who Should Go for Laser Hair Removal?

Practically anyone can get their hair removed by the laser hair procedure. Best results are shown with patients of lighter skin complexions. For those with darker skin complexions, a longer light beam is used to kill the hair follicle.

Some conditions which may make the patient a less likely candidate for laser hair removal includes:

• A client with dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis. The hair removal may cause additional lesions on the skin.
• A client with an active bacterial or viral infection.
• A history of keloids or hypertrophic scarring
• Clients with tans may not get the most effective hair removal and may actually result in scarring.
• Clients who have taken Accutane are recommended to wait at least one year until undergoing laser hair removal. Scars have actually been linked to this drug and laser hair removal when used together.

As with any medical procedure, consult with you physician and plastic surgeon before undergoing the laser hair removal surgery. This will help you weigh your options.

What are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?

The biggest benefit is the actual removal of unwanted hair. By removing the hair with the lasers, there is now no need to shave, wax, or use bleaches. This means no bumps, ingrown hairs, stubble, peach fuzz, or itchy skin.

After a procedure, the client is recommended to return for another procedure every four to twelve weeks or as needed. This allows for a longer lasting hair-free neck, face, arms, or any other body part you may have the procedure done on.

Along with the hair removal comes a higher level of self-esteem and a better feeling of oneself. Imagine how you would feel being covered in unsightly hair? Being a female, especially hurts one’s self-esteem if they have unwanted hair growth.

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Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery used to improve the look of a person's face by adjusting the shape and proportion of his nose.

As the most common type of facial plastic surgery in the United States, thousands of rhinoplasty operations are performed in operating rooms across the country each day with the goal of reshaping the noses of image-conscious patients hoping for a more refined look.

Of course, not every rhinoplasty procedure — also known as a nose job — is performed with a solely cosmetic purpose in mind.  For thousands of patients suffering from deviated septums, rhinoplasty may be the last resort in a quest to fix a breathing abnormality caused by injury or genetics.

Whether the reason is cosmetic or medical, an increasing number of patients are choosing to undergo rhinoplasty every year, thanks largely to recent advances in technology that have made the procedure quicker, safer, and more painless than ever before.

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery used to improve the look of a person’s face by adjusting the shape and proportion of his or her nose. Some of the multitude of adjustments a facial plastic surgeon can make during the procedure include changing the nose’s size, width, and position of the nostril, as well as decreasing visible humps, bumps, and depressions, and reshaping the nasal tip. Increasingly, surgeons are able to use new technology to recreate the look of a celebrity’s nose for patients with the desire to look more like their favorite star.

How’s this done? Carefully. Because a surgeon’s technique must be so refined to successfully complete a rhinoplasty to the highest standards, plastic surgeons who perform the surgery are often known as the artists of their field.

To perform an effective rhinoplasty, surgeons must work carefully to make a small incision either across the columella, the skin that separates the nostrils, or inside a patient’s nose—known as a “closed rhinoplasty.” Increasingly, facial plastic surgeons are choosing to go with the “closed rhinoplasty” technique as a way of minimizing potential scarring for their patients, although a number of other rhinoplasty techniques exist as well.

Once the incision has been made, a licensed surgeon will use tools to adjust the cartilage and bone inside a patient’s nose before stitching the open skin back in place and finishing the surgery. This generally takes 1 to 3 hours to complete, although some smaller cases can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.

Although rhinoplasty is most commonly performed for cosmetic purposes, it should also be noted that it can be done to fix breathing problems—such as when a patient has a deviated septum—or to correct certain birth defects that effect the nose.

Who are the best candidates for rhinoplasty?

Nearly anyone who is unhappy with the look of their nose can be considered as a candidate for rhinoplasty. Optimally, patients should be old enough to ensure that their nasal bone has matured and that the shape of their nose has stabilized, which is generally ages 14 to 15 for girls and slightly older for most boys. They should also be in excellent mental and physical health.

In addition, it is important that all candidates for rhinoplasty have reasonable expectations as to the outcome of the surgery. Because surgery outcomes can vary so much from patient to patient, candidates should feel comfortable discussing their cosmetic goals with their surgeon prior to going into the surgery for the best chances of a positive outcome.

Patients who are not considered good candidates for rhinoplasty include those who are using the surgery as a way to improve their career or relationship, and anyone who is unusually obsessed with the look of their nose, since many could be setting themselves up for disappointment should the outcome of the procedure not meet their expectations.

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Make sure he or she is willing to answer all your questions, and will do so thoroughly. If a surgeon fobs you off, is condescending or tells you “not to worry your pretty head about it”, then go somewhere else.

“I was on the Web sites as having the ugliest boob job in the world,” the American Pie actress said in an interview with Us magazine. Her boob job, she said, was to rectify the fact that she had asymmetrical breasts, while she had lipo to give her the six-pack she felt was out of her reach, despite diet and exercise.

“First of all, I asked for big Bs, and he [the surgeon] did not give me big Bs,” Reid said. “He gave me Cs, and I didn’t want them. At all. Right after the surgery, I had some bumps along the edges of my nipples, but the doctor said, ‘Don’t worry. It’s going to be better.’ But after six months of ‘it’s going to get better,’ it started to get worse and worse.

“Guys I was dating would be like, ‘What’s wrong with them? They look really bad. You know, you should really get them fixed.’ [It's so] embarrassing,” Reid said. “I mean, you definitely need to turn off the lights, that’s for sure.” Her tummy, she added, was “the most ripply, bulgy thing.”

Luckily, Tara had the foresight – and the money – to have reconstructive surgery, and says she was able to get her life on track. But many people don’t. The result of bad plastic surgery can be a lot worse than just a bumpy boob job – and can include infection, skin-eating necrosis, and sometimes even death.

So how can you find a good surgeon you trust?

Finding the Right Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon for the job is arguably the most important decision you’ll make when it comes to having plastic surgery. The American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) offers the following guidelines when looking for the right person for the job:

• Choose a Board-certified surgeon, one that is accredited by the ASPS or its equivalent. ASPS surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have completed at least six years’ surgical training and experience (this includes 36 months or more in plastic surgery). They operate only in accredited medical facilities (not in their living rooms or a rented space adjacent to a nail salon) and continue updating their medical and educational qualifications. They are also duty-bound to adhere to a strict code of ethics.
• Make sure he or she is willing to answer all your questions, and will do so thoroughly. If a surgeon fobs you off, is condescending or tells you “not to worry your pretty head about it”, then go somewhere else.
• Ensure that your surgeon asks your opinion about the treatment recommended, and doesn’t pressure you into anything – or suggest hundreds of non-related procedures they can sell you at a bulk rate. They should also offer alternatives, when necessary and appropriate. If you’re 19 and considering a face lift, a good surgeon should offer non-invasive alternatives, such as a good facial or massage, and not give in to your demands.
• Discuss all prices beforehand, and find someone who welcome questions from you about their payment policies. They will also be happy to answer any inquiries about their professional qualifications, what the procedure will entail etc.
• Find someone who gives you all the information about the procedure you want and explains all possible risk, but in the long run leaves the decision to you. They might know better – from a purely professional viewpoint – but this is your body and the decision to have it altered should be entirely yours.

Top Tips

Other considerations should also be taken into account when looking for the right plastic or cosmetic surgeon. These top tips should help…

• Don’t believe everything you hear. The Internet is full of surgeons offering cut-price procedures, as are many women’s magazines. A healthy skepticism is vital for making the right choice. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Shop around. Make sure you have a consultation with at least three surgeons so you can do a bit of comparison-shopping, not only price but type of procedure etc. Most initial consultations are free so make the time and effort – not only your appearance could depend on it!
• Check before-and-after pictures, and investigate the hype behind the headlines. Talk to former patients, if possible (see below) and make sure they are satisfied not only with the end result, but with the care given, the price etc.
• Don’t base your final decision on the price of a specific procedure. Remember, this is your body – and price isn’t everything.
• Go with your gut instinct. If something doesn’t look right, feel right or even smell right, it’s probably not the right place for you. Your surgeon may be qualified to the highest standards and have an enormous list of satisfied patients. But if the two of you don’t get along and you feel uncomfortable or scared in his or her presence, look elsewhere.

Advice from a Pro

In her recent book, Men Are Stupid …And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman’s Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery, comedienne Joan Rivers offers advice to women who are contemplating going under the knife – and need to find a good surgeon. She advocates asking everyone you know, including your friends and acquaintances, your gynecologist, and even your hair stylist.

“He sees the hidden scars in hairlines and behind the ears day after day. He looks down blouses for hours, even though he’s got absolutely no interest,” she writes. “He’s seen good boob jobs and lousy ones. Believe me, he’s an expert on who does great work and who doesn’t.”

Once you’ve found someone, Rivers advocates checking their qualifications through the websites of both the American Board of Medial Specialties and the ASPS. Once their credentials have been verified, look at their website, call their office, and finally meet up face-to-face.

“In the waiting room, you’ll get to talk to some of his patients, see how happy/unhappy they’ve been. Believe me, unhappy patients will be bursting to tell you their complaints. Often, in the waiting room, doctors have binders of before-and-after photos to flip through — an excellent way to pass time,” Rivers writes.

“His waiting room should also have comfortable, clean seating, current magazines, nicely arranged, and some soothing music piped in. You’ll be spending a lot of time there. Why shouldn’t every aspect of the experience be pleasant?”

Finally, she issues two warnings which every woman must follow. “Warning #1: I beg you, do not be tempted by the classified ads in the newspaper, the type that screams, ‘Three-Area Lipo, No Money Down!’ The low prices might catch your attention. But is hiring a surgeon the right time to go bargain hunting? As a plastic surgeon friend puts it, “Doctors know what they’re worth, and they create a price list based on that.

“Warning #2: Get ready for sticker shock. The flat belly of your dreams? It may cost you the price of a renovated bathroom. A breast reduction? That’s your anniversary vacation in Paris. A year of Botox Cosmetic? Good-bye Hamptons rental. It’s about priorities. Do you want a new face or a new patio? Even if you’ve got a two-hour commute, you’ve got a twenty-four-hour face.”

If only Tara Reid had read Rivers’ book before she had the botched boob job…

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.

If you are considering plastic surgery, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon | Boston Plastic Surgeon | Charlotte Plastic Surgeon | Chicago Plastic Surgeon | Dallas Plastic Surgeon | Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon | Miami Plastic Surgeon | Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon | New York Plastic Surgeon | Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon | Phoenix Plastic Surgeon | San Francisco Plastic Surgeon | Seattle Plastic Surgeon | Washington, DC Plastic Surgeon | See More Cities

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Despite hundreds of lotions and other products available on the market to correct the signs of aging, there is currently only one proven way to cure a sagging brow—by undergoing a brow lift procedure. Also known as a forehead lift, plastic surgeons performing the procedure can drastically change the overall look of a patient’s face in a matter of hours through a series of short incisions and endoscopic techniques used to erase the common signs of skin damage effecting millions of Americans.

What is a brow lift?

A brow lift is a minimally invasive procedure designed to remedy the creases that develop across the forehead with age. Although specific techniques are continually evolving, brow lifts performed by certified plastic surgeons most commonly involve a series of short incisions made above the hairline, beginning behind the ears. Once these incisions have been made, a trained physician will “lift” the forehead muscles, giving the face a tighter overall appearance.

Because medical technologies are evolving so rapidly, an increasing number of doctors are beginning to use new techniques such as coronal incisions or pre-trichial incisions rather than the more common hairline incision. Which specific technique is used in the procedure, however, is up to each patient and physician individually.

The majority of brow lifts take no more than two hours to perform and only require patients to go under IV sedation or twilight anesthesia, making the operation a relatively short and simple process when performed by a qualified medical professional.

Who are the best candidates for brow lifts?

The best candidates for brow lift surgery are most commonly adults in excellent health and over the age of 30—although most patients range in age from 40 to 70—who happen to be suffering from a sagging or lower-than-normal position of the eyebrows. Other potential candidates for brow lifts include those with deep creases across their forehead, or frown lines between the eyebrows and across the bridge of the nose.

Prior to undergoing the procedure, patients may be asked by their physician to undergo lab testing or a medical evaluation to certify their overall health. In addition, they may need to adjust the dosage of certain prescription medications before or after the procedure, and may also need to stop smoking well in advance of the surgery. It is imperative that anyone contemplating undergoing a brow lift be completely honest with their doctor about all medical and lifestyle issues prior to going under the knife.

Increasingly, younger patients are choosing to undergo brow lifts in conjunction with a hair transplant, fat transfer, blepharoplasty, or face lift as a way to increase the youthfulness in the face. In these cases, patients may need to undergo additional medical testing prior to the procedure to ensure they are healthy enough for the brow lift operation.

What are the benefits of brow lifts?

Satisfied brow lift patients report an endless number of benefits, aside from the obvious cosmetic outcome of having fewer deep lines and wrinkles on the upper face. Depending on a patient’s desired results and appearance prior to the surgery, the overall outcome of a brow lift can be anything from subtle to dramatic.

For many, a successful brow lift can be the first chance in years for their outward appearance to reflect the youthful spirit and energy they feel inside. Once initial swelling has subsided and a patient has undergone a full several weeks of recovery, the majority report feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated than they have in years.

What risks are involved?

As with all surgeries, those undergoing brow lifts do face a certain set of medical risks. Although complications are rare, patients should be aware that they may not be able to move their eyebrows or forehead after the surgery, a condition that requires additional surgeries to correct. In addition, brow lift patients risk losing sensation at the incision line, permanent hair loss, or scarring, as well as more common plastic surgery risks which include infection, bleeding, or other minor complications.

Patients should consult with their doctors to receive full information about each of these potential side effects and complications before going under the knife.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

If you are considering a brow lift procedure, check out the following links to find plastic surgeons in your area:

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon | Boston Plastic Surgeon | Charlotte Plastic Surgeon | Chicago Plastic Surgeon | Dallas Plastic Surgeon | Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon | Miami Plastic Surgeon | Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon | New York Plastic Surgeon | Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon | Phoenix Plastic Surgeon | San Francisco Plastic Surgeon | Seattle Plastic Surgeon | Washington, DC Plastic Surgeon | See More Cities

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In addition to making you look tired and old, excessively puffy eyelids also impair your vision, which is one reason why more than 100,000 men and women currently undergo the outpatient procedure each year. Although blepharoplasty is commonly performed as a single procedure, many surgeons also recommend it as an additional measure for patients planning to undergo browlifts, facelifts, or skin resurfacing.

George Clooney was reported to have undergone a blepharoplasty procedure in early 2007, in order to "look more awake."

What is blepharoplasty?

Commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is a medical procedure used to repair droopy eyelids by removing the excess skin, fat, and muscle that can build up with age. Patients undergoing blepharoplasty are typically awake during the procedure, although many are given medicine to relieve anxiety and numbing injections to reduce pain around the eyes.  It is extremely rare that a patient undergoing blepharoplasty requires an overnight stay in the hospital, as most doctors prefer to perform the procedure in their own offices or in an outpatient surgery center.

Although it is typically performed for cosmetic purposes, blepharoplasty can also be used as a medical intervention for those suffering from diseases such as myasthenia gravis, which is when excessive upper eyelid skin is causing a loss of peripheral vision. Since blepharoplasty can be performed to restore vision, many insurance providers cover the procedure as a non-elective operation.

It is important that patients understand the limitations of a blepharoplasty procedures. Although doctors can cut out loose skin and fat tissue and tighten eyelid muscles to give patients a refreshed appearance, they cannot remove wrinkles around the eyes, lift sagging eyebrows, or eliminate dark circles with a blepharoplasty procedure.

Who are the best candidates for blepharoplasty?

As with all cosmetic surgery, it is important that patients seeking blepharoplasty be in excellent physical health and have realistic expectations as to the results of the surgery. Factors that are commonly weighed when determining a patient’s candidacy for blepharoplasty include age, skin type and ethnic background, as well as the degree to which vision is obstructed for those who are looking into the procedure for medical purposes rather than cosmetic.

Patients suffering from circulatory or ophthalmological issues, heart disease, diabetes, dry eyes, thyroid problems, or other health issues should tell their doctors beforehand, as these issues could be exacerbated by the blepharoplasty procedure.

In addition, patients must be willing to make the commitment to follow all post-operative surgical instructions, which may include daily cleaning of the eye area for the three to five days until permanent stitches are removed. Physical activities and certain dry environments should be avoided in the weeks following surgery, as well. Any patients who cannot meet the above requirements are generally not considered good candidates for blepharoplasty.

What are the benefits of blepharoplasty?

Undergoing blepharoplasty benefits patients by removing excess skin and fat under the eyes to reveal a more youthful, taut appearance. Because the procedure itself is relatively short—usually lasting between one and three hours—and minimally invasive—patients are put under a local anesthetic and never go completely under—blepharoplasty is commonly seen as relatively quick and easy fix to a problem that affects millions of adults.

Aside from the obvious benefits of improving the overall appearance of the eyes, those who have undergone blepharoplasty say the procedure has changed the way they feel about themselves and improved self esteem and confidence issues.

For those undergoing the surgery because of medical concerns, blepharoplasty can greatly improve a patient’s vision and restore the peripheral vision that was obscured by sagging eyelids.

What risks are involved?

Risks of a blepharoplasty may include temporary numbness of the eyelid skin, blurred vision, irritated eyes, difficulty closing eyes while sleeping, swelling, scarring, tiny whiteheads after stitches are removed, and infection from the local anesthesia used in the procedure. Although rare, blepharoplasty patients should also be aware that there is a very small risk of blindness due to bleeding behind the eye. For many patients, scars may remain pink for six or more months after surgery, although these scars eventually fade with time into a nearly invisible white line.

Despite the bevy of risks, blepharoplasty is known as a relatively safe and effective procedure when performed by a licensed medical professional.  All patients should consult with their doctor about potential risks and side effects before undergoing the surgery, and may need to weight the risks and benefits when deciding whether blepharoplasty is the right option.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

If you are considering blepharoplasty or other cosmetic eye procedures, check out the following links to find a qualified plastic surgeon in your area:

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The Carol tried Botox injections – not on her face, but directly into her bladder.

Botox injections in the bladder can be a viable option in fighting incontinence.

“The whole procedure, carried out under local anaesthetic and as a day patient, was uncomfortable – rather like pinching but inside my tummy – yet not painful. The procedure lasted around 20 minutes and afterwards I felt no pain at all and went home,” she told the British Daily Mail newspaper.

“After around nine months the effects did start to wear off and I went back for a second injection. I will need to have these ‘top-ups’ indefinitely. Still the change to my life is immeasurable. Quite simply, after 20 years of problems, at last I feel normal.”

Most of us associate Botox with getting rid of frown lines and wrinkles. Now the versatile Botulinum toxin, which can cause severe food poisoning, has yet another purpose besides making us appear younger than we actually are: it is increasingly being used to treat urinary incontinence.

Botox for the Bladder

Botox, which is most commonly used in cosmetic treatments, works by paralyzing our muscles. That means it gets rid of frown lines by stopping the actions of the muscles that make them. In a similar fashion, it can get rid of the urge to urinate by paralyzing the detrusor muscle, one of the bladder muscles which makes the bladder empty on its own.

An overactive bladder is one where the bladder muscles suddenly contract, usually without warning and for no apparent reason, causing a rush of urine. The use of Botox makes people who suffer from this type of urinary incontinence still feel the need to use the toilet, but the bladder muscles become desensitized to such an extent that they don’t need to go so often.

Most patients who get injections of Botox into their bladder say the effect lasted for at least six months, after which they received an additional injection and continues to see – and feel – the results. Those who were given an injection every six months for two years said they no longer felt that urinary incontinence was having any effect on their lives whatsoever.

Conclusive Proof

The most well-known study on the effects of Botox on the bladder was a Swiss one conducted in 2004. Botox is “effective” in treating urinary incontinence, the results of the study pointed out, during a presentation at a joint meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons and American Urogynecologic Society.

The study involved 26 patients, both men and women whose average age was 66, who had not responded to conventional treatment for incontinence. That meant they were unaffected by commonly prescribed medications used to control bladder spasms and relax the bladder muscles.

The group received injections of Botox directly into the muscles of the bladder, and then followed up at specific pre-arranged time periods. All of them reported back that their bladders were able to hold much more than previously, and that they emptied their bladder on average only four times a day, as opposed to 12 times. They all said that incontinence was no longer a problem that bothered them on a daily basis.

A more recent study was carried out on people suffering from urge incontinence at London’s Guy’s Hospital and King’s College School of Medicine and published in the BJU International journal. It tested 36 people, some of whom were injected with Botox and others who received a placebo. The result showed that those who actually got the Botox felt that their incontinence had a smaller effect on their lives than previously.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Also known as urge incontinence, overactive bladder or spasmodic bladder, bladder incontinence is when you have a strong urge to wee – often very often – sometimes to the point when you are unable to control it. It’s estimated that at least 10 percent of the population suffer from this affliction, which becomes more common the older we get.

You might think that storing up and then having a wee is fairly straightforward, but it’s actually a very complex process. First of all, a person must have the mental and physical abilities required to recognize they need a wee, and to control their urination. That’s why newborns are unable to hold their urine, and why some older people are unable to as well.

Secondly, the lower urinary tract, kidneys and nervous system must all be in top working order for us to wee normally. We must have a normal sphincter muscle, which controls the urine flow, as well as a working bladder wall.

When we urinate, we wee in two stages. The first involves storing the urine in the bladder; the second involves pushing it out, hopefully into the proper receptacle (ie, not your pants). When a specific amount of urine is collected in the bladder, it contracts. As toddlers become potty-trained, they learn to reign in that contraction and hold it until a toilet is in sight. But for people with urinary incontinence, holding the urine is often an impossibility.

There are several different types of urinary incontinence, including:

• Stress incontinence. Women who have had children or are going/have gone through the menopause can suffer from stress incontinence, when they cannot control their stream of urinate due to stress being placed on the bladder. This can happen when they sneeze robustly, laugh too heartily, run or cough. One solution is to never laugh, run, cough or sneeze again. Another is to do kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Men also get this affliction, which in their case is connected to a prostatectomy, or surgical removal of the prostate.
• Urge incontinence. This happens when people suddenly leak urine as soon as they feel the urge to wee. The reasons are numerous, and can include infection of the bladder or overactivity of the nerves in the bladder.
• Overflow incontinence. A consistent dribbling of urine that cannot be controlled characterizes this type of incontinence, which is usually caused by a blocked urethra or weak bladder muscles.

Suffering from urinary incontinence is no laughing matter. Many people can have their condition reversed through either intensive drug therapy, regular pelvic floor muscle exercises, or, in some cases, either invasive surgery or losing a massive amount of weight. But if these methods have all failed, Botox may be a new and exciting solution.

If you think that, like Carol Ronse, you could benefit from Botox injections to treat urinary incontinence, speak to your doctor. Don’t just visit a med spa and ask someone who is used to injecting Botox into frown lines to take a detour to your bladder. You will need a competent surgeon who is familiar with the procedure to carry it out, one who has done it countless times before with a spotless track record. Good luck!

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1. Have you noticed that your eyelids are drooping or seem particularly heavy? Perhaps you’ve considered eyelid surgery. Chances are that you are a good candidate for a brow lift. Performed either on its own or in conjunction with eyelid surgery, a brow lift can be very effective in correcting the appearance of sagging, dropping or heavy-looking eyelids.
   

   If your eyes tend to droop or look tired, a brow lift might be what you need.

2. Do you feel that you always look tired or angry? Because the eyes are usually the first things we notice when we look at another person, much of our first impressions are based on their appearance. As we age, changes to the skin around our eyes can create the impression that we are more tired, sad, or angry than we actually are. Not only can these changes in appearance affect our self-esteem, they can also interfere with our ability to make a great first impression. A brow lift can reverse these signs of aging, making you appear happier and more rested.
3. Do you have deep furrows between your eyebrows or horizontal wrinkles across your forehead? During a brow lift procedure, a surgeon tightens the skin and muscles in the in the forehead and eyebrow area, removing frown lines and horizontal wrinkles and preventing them from forming.

If you think you might be a candidate for an eyebrow lift, use the links below to get a free consultation from a plastic surgeon in your area today!

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All About Chemical Peels

Some phenol peels are so powerful they can remove freckles.

A chemical peel, aka chemexfoliation or derma-peeling, is exactly what the name implies: chemicals are put on the skin to make its outer layer peel off, or shed, thus revealing fresher, new skin underneath. The thought behind this treatment is that age, the sun, stress, genetics and the environment, not to mention a host of other factors, combine together to wreak havoc on our skin, which is most evident in its outermost layer. So why not just peel it away?

Peeling the top layer of our skin away can make us look younger, more refreshed and more rejuvenated – even though the thought is more than a bit revolting. Having one done is not all fun and games, and all peels all carry some risk as well. They should only be carried out by a qualified plastic surgeon, not by some untrained med spa employee or a lab geek wielding a beaker of chemicals. While most peels are performed on the face, they can also be done on the neck and hands.

You will also need to follow all aftercare instructions very carefully, including staying out of the sun for quite a while afterwards, applying good quality sun cream on your face, avoiding the application of specific cosmetics and creams etc. Be aware also that after-effects are common with many peels, such as redness, stinging and flaking, but they should subside in time.

Types of Chemical Peels

Three main types of chemical peels exist, including…

• LIGHT PEEL: Alphahydroxy Acid (AHA) Peels.AHAs are naturally occurring acids and, bizarrely, they are found in such substances as tomato juice and sour milk. Basically, they irritate the skin to such a degree that the skin begins to peel off. Although a AHA peel is considered the lightest of all peels, for some reason it often causes the largest number of side-effects, including redness and stinging, especially ones that contain beta hydroxy acid (BHA). It might be a good idea to treat a small patch of skin first and wait a few days to see how you react. AHA peels are the mildest and lightest type of peel for people who either have less severe skin problems or less time to have a more invasive peel (and people who are scared of anything more stronger). Types of acids used are not as strong as in other peels, and include gycolic, lactic and even fruit peels. Good to smooth rough skin, gets rid of dryness, acne and minor wrinkles.
• MEDIUM PEEL: Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peels. For medium depth peeling. The results last for a shorter period of time and are a lot less dramatic than with a phenol peel. The concentration of the actual chemical used ranges from 20 to 50 percent depending on what the practitioner decides is best for your skin. The chemical then penetrate all the way to the reticular dermis, made up of loose connective tissue. Better for people with darker skin, a TCA peel can correct blemishes, skin pigmentation problems and minor wrinkles.
• DEEPEST PEEL: Phenol Peels. Strongest of all, good for patients who have suffered maximum skin damage or who have pre-cancerous growths on their faces. The beauty part is that an improvement can be seen after just one treatment, and it can last for up to two decades. Amazing! Uses carbolic acid to penetrate as deep as is safely possible into the skin, getting rid of deeper wrinkles and helping areas of the face that are sun-damaged or have skin pigmentation problems look better. Interestingly, this peel is so strong it will also remove freckles – keep this in mind if you have a freckled body – might look funny to have a plain face! Also, keep in mind that after the initial redness resulting form this peel subsides that your face will look whiter – not great if you have naturally dark skin (unless you want to be a Michael Jackson lookalike, that is!)

People have chemical peels for a variety of reasons. They can get rid of:

• Age spots
• Blemishes
• Uneven skin pigmentation
• Dull complexion
• The appearance of wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Pre-cancerous growths

Be aware that chemical peels cannot work miracles, such as removing wrinkles completely, or getting rid of deep sags or bulges in the face. For that you would need to have laser resurfacing or plastic surgery.

Magical Mud
In the bad old days of the Soviet Empire, women relied on beauty basics to keep themselves looking great. Public bath-houses were often full of women scrubbing and rubbing themselves clean not with expensive French beauty products, but with jars of old coffee grounds, pots of honey and cartons of yogurt or curdled milk. They exfoliated, softened and smoothed with these all-natural products, which cost next to nothing, and never felt better.

Now Western women are visiting med spas to recreate these exfoliating and softening experiences not with household groceries but with magical mud – to not only make their skin soft and smooth but also to relieve stress, aches and pains, and even some painful medical conditions. Pelotherapy, or using natural mud or clay for therapeutic purposes, has been around for thousands of years, involving anything from applying a mud mask to slathering yourself in mid from head to toe.

Mud is a much less invasive way to make your skin look better compared to a chemical peel, through either facial mud packs or complete body immersion, and is often used a treatment for both younger and older women who simply want softer skin. Mud itself largely consists of clay, minerals and water, and the thought is that together they are seen as a gift from the earth when used expressly for rejuvenation and health purposes. The mud is often mixed with essential oils and slightly heated before application, and the majority of people enjoy the sensation.

Mud works on our skin because when it is mixed with moisture, it has the capacity to draw out impurities, thus helping us to cleanse, purify and refresh. It can also draw substances inside its own molecular structure and hold them there, thus trapping toxins within it. Composed of chemical compounds which are naturally rich in aluminum and silica, it also may contain other trace minerals such as zinc, copper and magnesium.

There are four main types of mud used in med spas today:

• Moor mud. Thought to contain over 1,000 natural chemicals, minerals, vitamins and even natural antibiotics, it is the most popular mud used on spa treatments today.
• Volcanic mud. Mixture of volcanic ash and water, with a high concentration of essential trace elements which are thought to be beneficial in drawing out impurities and controlling excess oil, Can also make pores smaller.
• Thermal spring mud. Purported to have specific medicinal properties. Sometimes referred to as ”fango” although technically this only applies to mud found at the thermal springs in Battaglia, Italy.
• Ocean mud. Taken from the bottom of the ocean floor.

Mud for Medicinal Reasons
Because of its high mineral content, mud has also been used for centuries as a medicinal treatment. It is thought that the mineral content successfully seeps through the skin, enters the bloodstream and thus circulates freely around the body – and also stimulates the nerve endings in our skin to influence the entire nervous system. Proponents say it can cure or relieve a variety of ailments, although skeptics are more than skeptical. They include:

• Arthritis
• Rheumatism
• Joint Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscular atrophy
• Post-surgical complaints

For thousands of years the human race has made the most of natural ingredients to cure our ills, and to make us look better while we’re at it. Mud therapy and chemical peels are no exception: they are simply a modern-day form of pampering the way nature intended.

If you are interested in trying either, you might want to try a mud bath first – although the results may not be as dramatic, it sounds like it would be a lot more fun – and a lot less painful.

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