January 2008 Blog Archive
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Botox and Babies
With all of the controversy in the air about the safety of Botox, many pregnant women are deciding to stop getting their dermal fillers until after they've had their babies. This is a wise choice for a number of different reasons.
First of all, Botox is believed to be safe but you can never be too cautious when it comes to your baby's health. Secondly, since you're going to gain weight in your face during the pregnancy, you're naturally going to get some of the benefits of Botox without having to get the injections.
Another important thing to note is that you're not going to lose the benefits of Botox just because you quit it for a few months. Even without the baby fat boost, your face should hold the benefit of the treatments for several months.
Women should wait about a month after giving birth to resume Botox treatments according to this recent article on the issue. Of course, holding off longer if you're breastfeeding makes sense. Talk to your doctor about the details.
Question of the Day: How soon after finding out about a pregnancy would you stop the Botox?
photo link
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Things We Want to Get Removed
There are many different things that we might want to do to improve our appearance. A lot of these are about getting bigger - breast implants, lip augmentation and fuller cheeks come to mind. However, a lot of what we want to do is to get stuff removed from our bodies.
Here are some of the unwanted things that a doctor can help you remove:
- Hair. Laser hair removal is a commonly requested procedure by both men and women. Whether they want to be entirely hairless or just to get a certain spot to look hair-free, they want that hair gone.
- Tattoos. Laser tattoo removal is another popular choice. The tattoo may once have been pretty but it doesn't have to stick around forever.
- Weight. We all want to lose a little bit of this don't we? That's why SmartLipo and LipoDissolve are such popular treatments.
- Wrinkles. Botox and dermal fillers are all about getting ride of those wrinkles.
- Age spots. Laser resurfacing and chemical peels are popular choices by many people and a good reason is to get rid of age spots that are showing up on the skin.
Question of the Day: What do you want removed by your doctor?
photo link
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
ASPS Believes Botox to be Safe
Yesterday we took a look at a case which is making waves across the nation in which a consumer group is accusing Botox of being a killer and asking for stricter warning regulations by the FDA. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has announced their opinion on the issue and it seems that they believe that qualified doctors are already providing the information needed to make Botox safe for their patients.
"ASPS believes that the safety issues identified in the petition are currently addressed in the manufacturer labeling with detailed information and guidance, including approved indications, contraindications, warnings, drug interactions, precautions, and reported adverse event information." (source)
In other words, the information that the consumer group is seeking is already out there. What their case is doing is generating a lot of hysteria about Botox that is probably unwarranted. For one thing, the drug has not been linked specifically to the deaths in question. And for another thing, they're making a case out of sixteen deaths when hundreds of thousands of people are using Botox on a regular basis without problems.
It's always wise to have all of the information that you can about any substance that you put into your body, whether it be peanuts or Botox. And it's always wise to consider all alternatives to any medical care including skin treatment. But to say that people who get Botox are uninformed about the risks of the decision seems to be a little bit questionable.
Question of the Day: If you've had Botox injections, were you informed in advance of the risks?
photo link
Monday, January 28, 2008
Does Botox Need a Warning Label?
There are many people right now who are clamoring for Botox to come with a warning label. This comes after accusations that sixteen deaths have been caused by botox, including the deaths of four children who were exposed to Botox chemicals through their mother's bodies. Allergan, the company that makes Botox, denies that there is any causal link between Botox and these deaths.
The FDA has given its approval to Botox for the use of relieving forehead wrinkles and improving the appearance of the skin. Furthermore, patients who get their Botox treatments from qualified doctors will always the opportunity to discuss all medical risks with their doctors. This seems to be a far more effective means of dispensing information than to slap a new warning label on the product.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery has stated that it approves cosmetic use of botox by trained doctors. For people who are concerned about the current risks, there are other dermal fillers that can reduce wrinkles and smooth skin using products other than that which is causing concerns in Botox patients.
Question of the Day: What's your take on the Botox hype circulating right now?
photo link
Friday, January 25, 2008
A Closer Look at 3 Different Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a commonly requested treatment at the offices of many skin rejuvenation doctors. However, most people aren't quite sure what the difference is between their different dermal filler options.
Here is a closer look at five common dermal fillers to help you decide which one might be right for you:
1. Collagen. This is the one that many people know because it's been around for a long time. It can be used to smooth wrinkles and to plump lips and works with just one visit to the doctor. It's one of the most inexpensive dermal fillers but it requires more frequent visits than other dermal fillers. Made from cow hide, it's animal-based and some people find they are sensitive to it.
2. Restylane. This is increasingly common for many people who want to achieve the same effects as they would with collagen but who want to use a different product for one reason or another. It works with just one visit to the doctor and results last approximately one year. It's moderately priced which adds to its popularity. Made from a bacteria, it is not animal-based so causes less sensitivity in most patients.
3. Radiesse. Another common brand name, this one is preferred by people who want long-lasting results. It works with just one visit to the doctor and lasts for two or more years. As you might expect, this is a more expensive option than the other dermal fillers. It is made from a synthetic material that is not animal-based.
Of course, you'll want to ask your doctor about the dermal fillers that he or she recommends for the results that you are seeking.
Question of the Day: What has been your experience with any of these dermal fillers?
photo link
Thursday, January 24, 2008
3 Resources for Laser Hair Removal Information
Many people are interested in getting laser hair removal but they aren't quite sure where to go to get the information that they need to make a final decision about whether or not the procedure is right for them.
Here are three great resources for laser hair removal information:
1. Books. There aren't too many books out there that are specifically about laser hair removal but you can find books here and there that touch on the subject. Women and Unwanted Hair by M. Sara Rosenthal is one example. Check out your library or bookstore.
2. Blogs. There are many different blogs that provide information about laser hair removal. You want to make sure that you're only reading the ones that are trustworthy which is something that takes a little bit of time to figure out. Try to find blogs like this one which are associated with qualified doctors.
3. A doctor. Of course, a doctor is the best resource of all. The only way that you're going to get complete information about how laser hair removal is going to work for your needs is to speak with a professional who has the inside knowledge to answer all of your questions.
Laser hair removal is a fairly simple procedure. However, you're still going to have questions about it if you've never done it before. Check with a local doctor and get your hands on some reading material to learn what you need to know.
Question of the Day: What resources can you recommend to others seeking laser hair removal information?
photo link
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Look For A Party
There are many different places that you can go for information about different skin rejuvenation procedures (starting with this site!) But one of the most fun ways to get information is to go to a party being thrown by a local doctor who specializes in one or more of the treatments that interests you. "Botox parties" are the most common kind of party that people know about but many doctors regularly hold informational get-togethers at their offices to spread the word about their work.
You don't necessarily want to go to this kind of get-together to actually get a treatment or even to find the specific doctor that you'll end up working with. Instead, these gatherings are just a terrific place for finding out more about the treatments that you're not familiar with. You can ask questions of the doctor and staff. More importantly, you can ask other people at the party what their own experiences have been like.
To find a party like this, you'll want to start looking through the event listings for your city. If you live somewhere that Craigslist is available, you can check 'events' and 'classes' for legitimate parties. Alternatively, you can seek out the doctors and med spas in your area and call them up to ask if they'll be hosting an event soon. Even if they aren't, you can get on their mailing list to find out about future events. There's nothing wrong with a little bit of free information and the chance to meet some new people.
Question of the Day: Have you ever been to a med spa party?
photo link
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Needleless Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a non-invasive comsetic procedure most commonly used to recue the appearance of cellulite. Thanks to new technology, it's now become even less invasive. AA Advanced Technology has received approval for a new mesotherapy procedure which doesn't use injections at all.
More on mesotherapy from our website:
"Mesotherapy is the practice of using microinjections of conventional or homeopathic medication and/or vitamins into the mesoderm to deliver healing or corrective treatment to a very specific area of the body."
More on the new technology from the news:
"We broke the Mesotherapy needle. The process is truly painless. There is no swelling, bruising, downtime or other complications. MesoDerm® means immediate results and ultimate comfort for patients." said Dr. Dobradin.
The new procedure is based on findings that the outermost layer of the skin can effectively absorb the treatment and erduce cellulite without the use of needles.
Question of the Day: Would you be interested in trying needleless mesotherapy?
photo link
Monday, January 21, 2008
Botox Okayed By Most Religions
There has been some debate amongst religious leaders about whether or not Botox is okay within the context of their religious beliefs. No, this doesn't have anything to do with religious views on altering the body or how cosmetic enhancement goes against a diety's design for us. Instead, it's about a much simpler issue - the ingredients used in Botox.
Some religions don't believe in the consumption of pork. Leaders of those religions have been unsure about how to deal with the issue of Botox which is also derived from pork. People have argued both sides of the issue, with some saying that it's only eating the pork that's a problem and others saying that putting it in your body at all is a problem.
The Muslim Judicial Council has taken a stance in opposition to Botox and banned its use for religious reasons. However, leaders of other religions seem to believe that there's nothing wrong with Botox insofar as religion is concerned.
Question of the Day: Do you believe that banning Botox is a right of religious leaders?
photo link
Friday, January 18, 2008
Laser Hair Removal Makes Straight Shaving a Lost Art
The Tahlequah Daily Press ran an article earlier this week about the lost art of straight razor shaving. It points out that this used to be a commonly requested procedure at a standard barber's office but that it's now becoming almost obsolete. The reason for that is because advanced technology makes it much easier to get rid of facial hair without sticking a razor to your skin.
Why run the risk of getting your nose sliced off when a little bit of laser hair removal can do the trick for you? And of course, it isn't just facial hair that people are looking to remove at the salon these days. Both men and women frequently want their arms waxed. Men may also want to get their chests and backs waxed. And women, well just think of the Brazilian and you'll rapidly realize that women are getting all of their hair taken off.
There are probably still some old folks out there who want to go sit down in a barber's chair and get a straight razor applied to their skin. But the times have changed. A laser is just a much more convenient option these days.
Question of the Day: Have you ever had a straight razor shaving? Or seen one done in person?
photo link
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Have a Friend Pick You Up From Your Skin Doctor
According to Holidays for Everyday, today is supposed to be A Friend Picks You Up Day. Although there's no description as to what exactly that means, it seems to suggest either that a friend drives you somewhere or that a friend gives you a pick-me-up. In either case, it would be appropriate to get a friend to come along with you to your skin care doctor appointment.
Even if it's not a holiday, it's nice to have a friend go along with you to the doctor. Although it's possible to drive yourself to and from most skin care rejuvenation treatments (such as Botox or chemical peels), it's nice to have the company. You can treat it like a "spa day" and go grab lunch before you head to the treatment.
Despite the fact that these procedures are common - and are quite simple - they can be a little bit nerve-wracking for someone who is new to them. It's still a doctor's office and most of us don't like going to those, whatever the reason we're there may be. If you have a friend who is just starting to go get these things done, consider being the pick-me-up and volunteering to go with her!
Question of the Day: What don't you like about going to the skin care doctor alone?
photo link
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sugar Intake Can Affect How Much Botox You Need
There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting Botox or dermal fillers to assist you in reducing the wrinkling of your skin. After all, these procedures help you to get the smoothness of your face back so that you can present your best self to the world. But if you could prevent the wrinkling altogether, wouldn't that be a better way to go?
Although there are many different dietary changes that you can make to lessen the wrinkling that you experience, the most important of them is to cut out sugar from your diet.
"What the sugar does is it attaches to the protein molecules in the skin through a process called glycation, and it inhibits the folding of the skin and causes it to look brittle and hold." (Source)
You may still need some Botox after you stop eating sugar but you shouldn't need it nearly so often. And that'll free up some funds to see what other treatments your doctor can offer to keep you looking your best!
Question of the Day: What sugar source do you most need to cut from your diet?
photo link
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Be Careful When Getting Botox in the UK
Yesterday we took a look at the new Juvederm ULTRA that was released in Europe. If the desire to check it out has you booking tickets to the UK, you might want to slow down and think for a moment. It appears that there are risks associated with geting cosmetic procedures done in the UK.
A recent study found that there are three significant problems facing the cosmetic medical industry in the UK. Primarily, it was found that the people providing medical information there were giving poor information that led to uninformed consumer decisions. This was combined with the fact that aggressive marketing made consumers more likely to agree to procedures that they weren't sure about. Additionally, it was found that many medical rules are being broken in the UK and they aren't being checked because of spotty regulation.
The study specifically looked at information given to consumers interested in Botox. However, it also looked at more invasive procedures such as breast surgery. It was found that additional information was needed by consumers to reduce the risks of these procedures. This isn't to say that you can't get work done in the UK. But you should make sure you have all the facts before you do.
Question of the Day: Ideally, in what location would you like to get Botox treatments done?
photo link
Monday, January 14, 2008
Juvederm ULTRA Now Available in Europe
Perhaps you are familiar with Juvederm, the dermal filler that can be injected into the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in the face. If you're a fan of Juvederm, you might be interested to know that the company which makes it (Allergan) has just released Juvederm ULTRA. The new product is being called "the next generation in dermal fillers". Unfortunately, the release was in Europe so Americans will have to check out the news over there to hear how well it's working.
The main difference between Juverderm and Juvederm ULTRA is that the new version includes Lidocaine. This ingredient helps to numb the skin so that the injections are essentially painless. Reports indicate that four out of five patients receiving the injections felt little to no discomfort. There are three different versions of the new product which are currently available on the European market.
Learn more here.
Question of the Day: Would you be interested in Juvederm ULTRA?
photo link
Friday, January 11, 2008
States are Starting to Strengthen Medical Requirements for Skin Care
Every now and then we hear a horror story about a skin rejuvenation procedure gone wrong. A chemical peel burns someone badly. An overdosed Botox injection causes a face to go immobile. A tattoo removal doesn't work. Although these cases are rare, they occur. And the main reason that they occur is because the person who does them really isn't qualified to be doing them.
That's why it's important to make sure that you find a doctor who is medically trained to complete your procedures.
Wouldn't you think that anyone performing medical procedures, even non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, must have medical training? You'd think so, but you'd be wrong. Many states don't have laws in place about these procedures yet because they're so new that the existing legislation doesn't suit the procedures.
But states are starting to catch up to our styles.
Many states are beginning to recognize the importance of requiring medical licenses for people practicing medical procedures like Botox injections and LipoDissolve treatments. You can learn a little bit more about this changing legislation here. But until the laws are tight enough to keep you safe, you should double-check that you're working with a qualified doctor.
Question of the Day: Do you know the current laws about this issue in your state?
photo link
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Kansas Woman Repairs Damage Done By Sun
The Lawrence Journal World News reports on a Kansas woman who has started to reap the benefits of skin rejuvenation. She's the first to admit that she engaged in some unhealthy sun habits when she was in her adolescence. (We think we know everything as teens, don't we?) These habits caused her to get premature age spots. She also noticed wrinkles appearing on her face.
She took issue with these early signs of aging and decided that she was going to do something about it. The first thing that she did was take care of those unsightly age spots. She explains that she had a liquid nitrogen treatment done by her skin care doctor. This caused the spots to peel away so that new unspotted skin could be revealed to the world. Her appearance was already starting to look younger.
Once the age spots were taken care of, it was time to deal with those wrinkles. She went with one of the most popular choices for wrinkle repair: Botox. The article gives a good overview of what the Botox process is like step-by-step. In the end, she's found that she's happy with the results. And now she knows to stay out of that sun!
Question of the Day: Would you treat age spots or wrinkles first?
photo link
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
A Hairy Story
Hair is one of the beauty things that we're most concerned about. We get the hair on top of our heads styled and colored. We get the hair on our bodies waxed and shaved. And when we find ourselves having an embarassing hair problem, we're usually pretty quick to take care of it. Whether it's excess facial hair on women or not enough head hair on men, we spend a lot of time thinking about ways to take care of the problem.
It's no surprise then that laser hair removal is one of the most popular treatments at skin rejuvenation doctors' offices. People don't want unsightly hair growing on certain parts of their body. And they don't want to have to shave or wax all of the time to get rid of it. Both facial hair and body hair can be removed through these treatments - something many people are interested in.
At the other end of the spectrum are people who want more hair. Baldness is a self-esteem concern for men (and some women) and many are hoping that solutions will be found to this problem. A startup company in Boston is working on tests with hair follicles to try to find answers that will satisfy everyone.
Question of the Day: What hair do you have that bothers you?
photo link
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Did Heidi Montag Get Bad Collagen?
Heidi Montag, the reality TV actress who has gotten some media attention for her role on The Hills, is reported to be a plastic surgery victim. Well, not quite plastic surgery - just collagen.
Awful Plastic Surgery postulates that Heidi got collagen injections that caused a bad reaction. This has resulted in a white ring around her lips. The gossip site admits that they don't know if this is truth or fiction but says that it's their best guess from the picture they've seen (available on their site, follow the above link).
Bad reactions to collagen like this are rare but they can occur. Your best bet is to prepare in advance by discussing collagen and other dermal fillers in depth with your skin care doctor. Ask specifically about potential side effects and what the likelihood is that you'll have them.
Related Link: Heidi Montag's Suspected Celebrity Rhinoplasty
Question of the Day: Do you think Heidi had this done or is it just a bad picture?
photo link
Monday, January 07, 2008
Ideas for Universal Letter Writing Week
Did you know that the second week of January is set aside as Universal Letter Writing Week? If you're like most people, you don't normally take the time to write out letters. But you can probably spare a few minutes here or there to pen one out in honor of the holidays. (You can even do it while you're in the waiting room of your skin care doctor.)
Here are some ideas for letters that you might write if skin care is an issue of concern to you:
- Write a letter of appreciation to your skin care rejuvenation doctor. Also send one to the person that recommended the doctor to you.
- Write a letter of concern to any skin care rejuvenation product makers that you think aren't up to par. You want good products on the market.
- Write a letter to someone who you think has great skin, letting them know that you noticed it.
- Write a letter to yourself about the skin care problems you've overcome and tuck it into some place where you can read it on a down day.
Question of the Day: What other skin care letters could you write this week to honor the holiday?
photo link
Friday, January 04, 2008
Getting Your Body In Shape
When you think about going to the doctor to improve the shape of your body, what image comes to mind? Chances are that you think about going to a plastic surgery doctor to discuss weight loss surgeries like liposuction and tummy tucks. That's definitely one option that's available to you. But it's not the only one that is out there.
Body shaping procedures that are minimally invasive are becoming increasingly popular among the general public. Rather than go in for a full-on session of plastic surgery, people get treatments that don't take so long and which still provide pleasing results. SmartLipo and LipoDissolve are some of the names that we've heard of in this area of body treatment.
An article in the Imperial Valley News recently took a closer look at non-invasive body procedures. They say that these procedures are great for getting rid of love handles and for reviving the elasticity of the skin. The one treatment that they mention is Thermage but there are others like it to choose from. You should talk to a doctor about the specifics.
Question of the Day: Which body-trimming procedure interests you most?
photo link
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Botox Celebrity Stars In New Play
If there is a celebrity that is known for her use of Botox, it's Joan Rivers. She's not ashamed to admit that she feels fine about both Botox injections and plastic surgery. And she's not afraid to take some risks in her career if she thinks that it's going to be a good experience. One of the most recent risks was the creation of her own one-woman play in which she's starring as four different characters.
You can learn some of the details about the play from The Jewish Journal. You won't get the whole inside scoop, though. That's because Rivers is keeping quiet on the details so that audience members can be surprised by her story. What we do know is that it's a true story of a bad experience at The Academy Awards.
The fact that Rivers isn't talking about the plot is interesting given that she talks about everything else. She's one of the most vocal celebrities out there about plastic surgery and skin care improvements:
"I'm a big advocate," she says of nips and tucks. "You redo your car and repaint your house. So if you want to feel better and have a better looking nose, or lift your eyes, what's so terrible?" (Source)
Her face should be shining with smiles as the play gets exposed to audiences. She's been called nothing if she hasn't been called funny!
Question of the Day: What do you suppose the plot of the play might be?
photo link
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Reloxin: Future Botox Rival?
There are a number of different dermal fillers on the market but Botox injections are still basically considered a one-of-a-kind name-brand treatment for wrinkles. That could be about to change. There's a new player in the market called Reloxin that could provide serious competition to Botox if the FDA approves it for use.
Botox and Reloxin are not exactly the same thing. However, they are strikingly similar. And so far, it looks the results should be the same for each of them. So why would Botox users switch over to Reloxin? They might not. Factors that will be taken into consideration by consumers include the availability of Reloxin and the relative cost of the new product in comparison with Botox. Those who want to stick with Botox are hoping that the competition will drive down the price of their injections.
It will take about a year for the FDA to give its approval (assuming that it does) and to get the product into doctors' offices. In the meantime, Botox-maker Allergan is moving into other markets like eyelash enhancement.
Question of the Day: Would you test out Reloxin if it came to the shelves or would you stick with Botox, a name that you know?
photo link
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Women Need Less Botox Than Men Need
It's starting to become fairly common knowledge that women are not the only ones that get Botox. Men are using Botox to improve their appearance in order to be able to move up in their professional careers, whether they're celebrities or just businessmen. But did you know that men are getting more Botox than women?
The number of women who get Botox treatments probably still outnumbers the number of men that do. But the actual amount of Botox that a man gets at any given procedure is greater than the amount that a woman gets for the same treatment. Or at least it should be if the treatments are being done by a qualified doctor.
A recent review of the issue published in the medical journal Dermatologic Therapy discussed the fact that men typically need more Botox than women. It reasons that the cause is because of the greater amount of muscle mass than the average man has in his face in comparison to that of the average woman. Moreover, it suggests that when Botox doesn't work for men, it could be because the doctor is failing to take this into consideration.
Question of the Day: Would you consider asking your doctor about the amount of Botox necessary for a treatment or would you rely on the doctor's use of a standard amount?
photo link
|
|
|
