Ablative Lasers

When lasers were first introduced, it might have amused the scientific experimenters to learn that they would soon enter the cosmetics world. There are a number of different lasers used to treat a variety of different beauty problems. Some are used to remove body hair; others are used to treat acne. Ablative lasers are used to remove the top layer of the skin, like a chemical peel or dermabrasion procedure would do. This reveals the younger, fresher-looking skin underneath. It can help to remove discoloration and uneven skin tone, old acne scars, stretch marks, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As such, the ablative laser is used in a cosmetic procedure to rejuvenate the skin.

The ablative lasers work by directing an intense pulse of light onto the skin’s surface. The pulse heats the water under the skin to such high levels that the skin and the water instantly vaporize. This procedure is also believed to help the skin produce more collagen, since it will invoke a healing response. Since aging skin loses its ability to create collagen, which contributes to a sagging appearance and wrinkles, the healing response and creation of more collage will give your face a tighter and firmer look.

The procedure requires anesthesia and it can also require pain management after you leave the office. If you resurface the entire face with an ablative laser, you can expect to spend about four to six weeks healing. The healing process itself can include redness, scabs, crusting, and sun sensitivity. You may be told to stay out of the sun for at least a year, if not forever. Since ablative surgery can change the tone of the skin, it is not advised for all skin colors. Check with your dermatologist before undergoing any skin resurfacing using ablative lasers.

Rhinoplasty is a fancy name for nose surgery. It is a very common procedure that can be done to improve your appearance. Most people, who do it, opt for this type of cosmetic surgery because they are dissatisfied with the appearance of their nose, have a birth defect, suffered an injury to their nose, or are seeking some relief with difficulty breathing. The surgery is not done for people who are still growing, like teenagers. Most plastic surgeons prefer to wait until the teenager finishes growing before attempting rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons.

One thing that is important to understand about rhinoplasty is that is not meant to give anyone a dramatic change in their appearance. The difference is subtle and can also deviate from perfection, based on your own bone structure. It is an invasive surgical procedure and so it does have the same complications as most surgeries. There can be problems with the anesthesia, with the procedure itself, or with the final results. There are no guarantees it will come out exactly as predicted. The healing can take as long as months with bruising and redness present.

When you are considering rhinoplasty be sure you understand the risks. You may want to determine what is important about getting the nose job and if you will be satisfied if it’s not entirely as you imagined it. All cosmetic surgery is expensive, and elective cosmetic surgery is not covered under insurance.

If your think your nose is too wide, there are make-up techniques that can simulate a narrower nose. Some nose shapes are a result of ethnic hereditary tendencies and may be considered beautiful in some cultures and not in others. Instead of trying to fit into some other culture’s idea of beauty, you can look within your own culture to understand how your particular nose shape may be a mark of your heritage and wear it proudly.

It may seem unfair or even a bit scandalous, but acne (long associated with teen angst) can even come back to haunt you when you are an adult. There are many reasons for this. For women, it can be due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause. For men, it is less common but can be exacerbated by skin products. Some people even suggest diet may be linked to some outbreaks although the myth that eating chocolate causes acne is false. Acne is caused by a bacterial infection and not by diet. However, it can be helped by diet by avoiding foods that will get your pores secreting more oils once you have adult acne.

Conventional Treatments

The treatments for adult acne are the same treatments for teen acne. There has been a great deal of progress in learning how to treat acne over the years. There are simple chemical topicals, which include benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as their main ingredient. These tend to be very effective for mild to moderate acne.

Other types of treatment can range from antibiotics, both internal and in lotions, to laser treatments for acne scars. There are even lotions made with high doses of vitamin A, retin-A, which are often prescribed for people who have acne.

While the majority of these can be very effective, there are side effects to most conventional treatments. Some side effects are so severe that these treatments for adult acne cannot be prescribed to women of childbearing years or pregnant women. Some people use the chemical treatments and find them too harsh and drying for their skin. Others notice that unlike when you were a teen, your adult acne can surface on specific spots on your face or even on your back or chest area. It can be difficult to treat back acne when you can’t even reach it. That’s why people often start to investigate natural healing techniques.

Natural Healing For Adult Acne

Most natural healing regimens start with diet. They assume that clearing out the body of harmful toxins and pumping it full of good nutrition can boost the immune system and help bring better overall health to the body. Acne is no different. Diets specific for treating acne require that people check for any food allergies that might be causing a breakout like dairy or wheat. They also prohibit eating greasy foods and try to stick to natural produce and a balanced diet with plenty of filtered water.

Natural products used to treat adult acne are actually essential oils. It may seem odd to put oil on an acne pustule, but some oils are antiseptic and antibacterial and they moisturize the skin while they are at it. They do not clog the pores and so they can be included with herbs to help treat the lesions on the skin. Some oils and herbs used to treat acne are: tea tree oil, lemon oil, lemon juice, ginger, parsley, peppermint, and rosemary. You will find that natural products for skin often make use of common herbs, fruits, and vegetables to help you maintain beautiful skin naturally.

DMAE, also known as dimethylethanolamine, is an organic compound, which can be found in sardines and anchovies. It has been used for many years in European countries to enhance memory and cognitive abilities. Thus, in this respect, it was known to fight signs of aging in mental performance, but it is only recently that it showed potential as a face-lift cream. Anecdotal evidence suggests that DMAE can work to firm sagging faces. For that reason, DMAE creams were was touted and sold as a “face-lift in a jar.”

There is a great deal of controversy over using DMAE creams as a face-lift. The mechanism that causes the firming and tightening of the skin is not well understood. Studies done in 2007 in the British Journal of Dermatology caution people to the potential skin damage by using DMAE creams. The study doesn’t indicate, however, what concentrations of DMAE may be safe and under what conditions one can expect negative results. Many alpha hydroxy peels, for instance, work by damaging and removing the surface layer of the skin to reveal smoother skin underneath. The damage to the top layer of the skin is seen as beneficial and spurring a healing process.

The facts remain that many people have used DMAE creams already since the 1990s. If it were a case of being really damaging, there would be more examples of that in the general population using DMAE. Instead, people suggest it has been a wonder cream that has lifted their sagging skin and tightened it. The results also are said to be cumulative and increase over time.

If you do have sensitive skin, be aware that there may be some conditions and concentrations that may be too harsh for your skin. Until further study is done, however, the debate will continue to be waged over whether the product is safe or not.

If you’ve ever noticed those wonderfully colorful homemade clear soaps, then odds are you’ve seen a product called glycerin. Glycerine is a natural product that has a low toxicity and is sweet tasting. Glycerine is odorless until it is combined with other scents, ingredients, or perfumes. It is an emollient and natural moisturizer, which is why it is so popular in soaps. It comes in all kinds of personal health care products, not just soap. It can be found in toothpaste, skin and hair care products. It’s even in shaving cream too.

Glycerine soap is great for sensitive skin. It helps to replace the moisture that people lose and can be made at home, once you know how. It also makes a great gift, as the colorful, clear bars are a showstopper.

Because glycerin is so gentle and good for sensitive skin, it is often used as the main ingredient in make-up removers. You can be assured that you aren’t adding any harsh chemicals to your face, when removing your make-up, and it helps to moisturize the skin too. It makes an ideal make-up remover.

Many natural make-up and beauty products use glycerin in their base. There are natural make-up foundations with glycerine and Tom’s natural toothpaste contains glycerin too. Glycerine’s moisture capturing abilities make it good for many skin care products. It is used in wrinkle creams and eye care creams too.

Glycerine is not a modern invention. Many ancient beauty products used vegetable glycerins to promote skin care. Its applications are so widespread, that you can find glycerin in many different industries from beauty to the pharmaceutical industry. It’s used in shampoos and bath products.

When it comes to natural health care, glycerine tops the list as a very safe and gentle moisturizing ingredient. Instead of using petrochemical ingredients, most natural beauty companies rely on natural glycerins to help give their products good texture and moist feeling. Glycerine even comes in massage oil products, to leave the skin hydrated and smooth afterwards.

The use of glycerin is over 225 years old with over 1,500 products that use it. The longevity and versatility of glycerin makes it a highly respected natural product all over the world. It’s ease of use and the number of applications is astounding.

While this ingredient is a star of the natural world, it may not be advertised as an ingredient unless you are looking at soaps. The redundancy of the versatility and benefits are so well known in natural circles that it is often left unstated. If you look at the ingredient of your favorite natural cosmetics or health care products, you will probably find glycerin on the label.

If you are looking for natural products that are moisturizing and safe for sensitive skin, then you can be on the lookout for glycerin on the label. The fewer ingredients a natural product has and the more trusted they are, the less chance you will suffer a reaction from a new natural health or beauty product.

Breast surgery isn’t just for celebrities. While Hollywood might be obsessed with breast augmentation, there are plenty of other people who are looking at other types of breast surgery like breast reduction and breast lifts. The reasons for this can be to improve bodily image, to reduce the effects of pregnancy or dieting, or to bring back a more youthful appearance. For breast reduction, the reasons are more practical. Extra weight carried on large breasts can put a strain on the back and cause poor posture and back pain. Reducing the breast size can give your body a more proportionate look too.

Breast Augmentation

This is the most popular procedure. There is a great deal of controversy about breast augmentation, which deals with the ideal that all girls should seek to be a perfect size C or even D. The age that people requests breast augmentation is getting younger, but the medical procedures are becoming less invasive. Breast surgery can now be done with localized anesthesia and be an outpatient procedure. However, you can still be put under full anesthesia too. There is aftercare pain and breast swelling after the surgery. You will be required to wear a special bra while healing. In addition, heavy lifting should be avoided.

Breast Reduction

This is the breast surgery done by men as well as women. If a man has one breast larger than another they may opt to have a breast reduction to even out the imbalance using liposuction or surgery. Unlike breast augmentation, breast reduction is not as controversial. Over-sized breast can cause a lot of health issues from sleep disturbances to unwelcome sexual comments that ruin a woman’s self-esteem.

Breast Lift

If you are happy with your breast but notice they are sagging a bit, you can opt for a breast lift. The surgery is done by creating an incision and relocating the nipple at a higher location. Extra skin is then cut from the breast area and the skin tightened. The procedure can also be done under local anesthesia. It can be paired with breast implants or done without the use of implants.

Medical Supervision

Any of these procedures require the skill of a board-certified plastic surgeon. There are complications that can arise during and after surgery. Careful medical supervision is recommended for all breast surgery options. Most of the complications can be due to the risks associated with anesthesia use.

Are They Covered By Insurance?

The cost of the procedures vary depending on how much work you need and what procedure you want. If you want breast augmentation or a breast lift, you will have to pay for it all out-of-pocket. There are some insurance companies that cover breast reduction in specific instances, but not all do. You will have to check with your insurance carrier to see if your policy covers a portion of the breast reduction surgery costs or not.

In an age where there are more cosmetic surgery procedures being used by everyone, breast surgery is a viable option for people who want a dramatic lift to their image. Even men can use it when they want to reduce breasts that make them appear feminine or unbalanced.

Summer skin protection may seem like a hassle, but it is an essential part of long-term health and beauty goals. By learning how to take care of your exposed skin early, you can reduce the chances of developing skin cancer or premature aging of the skin. You also model a healthy lifestyle for your children, who can learn through your example the proper ways to enjoy fun in the sun without adversely affecting their future outlook in life.

Shady And Cool

Keep your exposed skin under wraps for better summer skin protection. Use hats, scarves, and loose clothing to keep the sun from burning your exposed skin. Make sure to wear sunscreen at all times on the exposed areas, even your feet. Use a product that contains mexoryl for both UVB and UVA summer skin protection. You will want to re-apply it after the recommended time has passed or you went swimming. Keeping things shady and cool can help you avoid burns, pain, and the appearance of skin cancer later. This is the one summer skin protection that is a must for everyone!

Avoid Chemical Baths

Summer is when we want to lounge by the pool or hit the sauna or hot tub at night. All of these artificial environments can take a heavy toll on skin by exposing them to harsh chemicals like chlorine. Limit your time in the pool, the hot tub, and the sauna. Instead, opt for natural environments like the beach and the lakes. Seawater is full of salt, which is known to detoxify the body, making it a much healthier alternative than the pool.

Moisturize Everything

The windswept beaches and dry, hot air can have a noticeable effect on the lips, the skin, and the hair scalp. Try to keep using Chap Stick when necessary for good summer skin protection. Moisturize all exposed areas to keep them from chapping. You can even use aloe vera gels if you want to keep a greasy feeling to a minimum while treating sunburned skin. It also acts as a great moisturizer and summer skin protection. Finally, don’t neglect your scalp. Keep using good conditioners and summer skin protection products against scaly, itchy scalp.

The Inside Out

Summer skin protection isn’t just about what’s on the outside. A truly great summer skin protection program starts from the inside out. Make sure you stay hydrated during the summer months, with ample fluids. Avoid alcohol, which can dehydrate the skin. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for additional vitamins and minerals. Supporting your immune system with good diet can help you to withstand the additional strains of summer activity.

Summer skin protection is needed when you exercise. Avoid exercise that will keep you dehydrated or be punishing for your feet and skin. Have a great time having fun in the sun, but make sure that when it’s done, you wash off any dirt or allergens that you may have picked up in the summer outing. Summer skin protection is one way to have a safe and comfortable summer vacation. The bonus is the healthy glow your skin has naturally with good summer skin protection and knowing that you won’t be paying for it when you get older makes it worth all the extra effort.

Pregnancy and skin care go hand-in-hand. Your body is experiencing unique hormonal fluctuations as a result of your pregnancy. The hormonal shifts going on can cause your skin to change overnight. You might have had excessively dry skin prior to the pregnancy and now are experience oily skin. You may even have acne! Unfortunately, since you are pregnant, you will have to be very careful about the products you use for pregnancy and skin care. You don’t want to resolve a problem for yourself only to cause one for your unborn child.

Gentle Products Are Best

Try to avoid any serious treatments during pregnancy and skin care. If you breakout, establish a hygienic routine to wash and treat your face with gentle products. Avoid products with salicylic acid or vitamin A. These can cause birth defects in unborn children. Many antibiotics used to treat acne are not recommended during pregnancy. Check with a dermatologist if you experience a significant skin problem during pregnancy for alternatives to conventional treatments.

Pregnancy Mask

You may even end up with facial discolorations known as pregnancy mask when you are pregnant due to hormonal fluctuations. Don’t worry, in the majority of cases melasma, otherwise known as pregnancy mask, fades after giving birth. Try to stay out of the sunlight as this can aggravate the condition and wait until after you deliver to try to fade it, if it doesn’t go away by itself. Wear a lot of sunscreen, especially if you are darker skinned woman who is more susceptible to pregnancy mask.

Opt For Natural Products

Many women get introduced to natural products during pregnancy. Fruit masks can help to treat different problems during pregnancy and olive oil is a great, safe moisturizer for pregnancy and skin care. Keep in mind that just because something says it’s natural does not mean it is safe. Avoid any herbal remedies that you have not researched vigorously for pregnancy and skin care issues. Always pass it by your obstetrician before using a natural product with herbs during pregnancy.

Maintain A Consistent Skin Care Routine

Your best option for pregnancy and skin care during this period is to have a consistent, gentle, and natural way to care for your skin. You want to wash your face twice a day and use natural oils for moisturizing. You want to make sure you are taking enough vitamin B to prevent birth defects and to keep your skin in good condition. You want to avoid too much vitamin A, but keep a varied and healthy diet. If you are unsure about a product for pregnancy and skin care, your best option is not to use it. In cases of your baby’s health, it’s better to be safe than to have regrets for using a product you weren’t sure about. And follow your doctor’s advice always! You may find that pregnancy can also benefit you too. You may have the natural glow of a mother-to-be and that is something you just can’t find in any pregnancy and skin care product.

Before the petroleum-based economy started, beauty products relied on natural ingredients like herbs and fruits for beauty treatments. Fruit, as a natural skin care ingredient, was highly prized. Today, we are still aware of the benefits that fruit has for great skin care. Read on to find out some great fruit treatments that you too can try on a lazy summer afternoon.

Papaya Face Mask

Fruit, as a natural skin care ingredient, works well for several reasons. It is full of vitamins, it has natural enzymes, and it smells delicious! This is the case with papaya which has a natural enzyme called papain which is used to tenderize meat. It can also be used as a very effective exfoliation treatment.

Just take some papaya and mash it with a fork and apply it to your clean face. Avoid the eye area. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off. You will be amazed at how smooth your skin feels and the scent of papaya is truly tropically intoxicating!

Acne Treatment

If you have mild to moderate facial blemishes or freckles, you can treat them using fruit, as a natural skin care ingredient. The juice of lemons has long been used as a natural astringent and bleaches the skin naturally in sunlight.

Lemon washes are used as topical treatments that remain on the face for 10 to 20 minutes and are then washed off with water. It can sting a bit and obviously, care should be taken to avoid the eyes. It’s even said to work well on blackheads.

Avocado Deep Moisturizing

You may not realize it, but the avocado is a fruit. This fruit contains one of the best moisturizing oils around. If you want to deeply moisturize your face with a fruit paste, this is the fruit to choose. Fruit, as a natural skin care ingredient can be used for many different types of skin care problems. The key is to match the issue to the appropriate fruit.

For an avocado hydrating mask, just mash the avocado and apply the paste to your skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off. The avocado contains oil that is known to seep deep into the underlying layers of the skin, unlike petroleum-based products or other natural oils. This treatment is also very good for darker-skinned people who need heavy facial moisturizers.

Chemical Peels

Many chemical peels today are made with fruit, as a natural skin care ingredient. Glycolic acid peels are fruit-based peels that come from sugar cane or citrus fruits. They make great at-home chemical peels that are relatively inexpensive and safe.

Glycolic acid peels can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help to even out the skin tone. They shouldn’t be done too often, but should be a part of a normal skin care routine, particularly one that uses fruit as a natural skin care ingredient. They can leave the skin looking younger and softer without the expense of a trip to the dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. They don’t have the scent of a homemade treatment, but they are usually concentrated forms of the fruit acid to help raise their effectiveness.

Whether the problem is freckles, age spots, acne scars, or an uneven skin tone, it seems that skin whitening is a priority for people of all ages. Asian women in particular need products for skin whitening even more than other ethnicities, due to their yellow-toned complexions that darken with age. But, they are not alone in their need for skin whitening. It doesn’t matter what ethnicity or what age or even gender happen to be, skin whitening can help improve the look of your skin by evening out the tone, making it look years younger.

There are several ways to whiten skin. Some are more high-tech than others. However, whitening skin can be done at home and doesn’t require any kind of medical supervision. It may not be as quick or as effective as a treatment for skin whitening done at a spa or dermatologist’s office, but with enough patience anyone can lighten their skin if they really want to.

Cream Whiteners

There are a variety of skin whitening products that are sold in most beauty shops that can do the trick. They can have different acids or vitamin extracts in them. Cream whiteners can help with lightening the skin, but there are also chemical peels that can be done at home which may be more effective.

Chemical Peels

Now, you can buy chemical peels containing concentrations of glycolic or azelaic acid. They are commercially available and require multiple treatments, but they are just topical creams. You will use them to help remove the top layers of the skin, which may be pigmented or scarred to reveal newer skin underneath. This can be one way to treat dark age spots or acne blemishes by skin whitening them at home.

If you want a stronger facial peel, they are available but often require professional intervention for a prescription or application. There are risks to people with heart conditions using phenol peels, which are the strongest. They do lighten the skin considerably and work well to even the tone.

Laser Treatments

This is the high tech alternative, which may appeal to people who want quick results. Be aware though that what may work well for a very fair complexioned person might not work well for a darker skin tone. Instead of lightening the skin, it has been noticed that laser treatment can darken skin with excessive melanin already in it. So, be very careful and check with the professional to know if your skin type can benefit from laser treatments for skin whitening, or if you are better off sticking to more conventional treatments.

Natural Alternatives

There are some natural treatments that have been used to whiten age spots or reduce the appearance of freckles. It may be surprising to know that tea tree oil can lighten the appearance of age spots and lemon juice has been an old-time skin-whitening agent for years for freckles. If you are looking for skin whitening, the answer just might be at your local health food store.