February 2008 Blog Archive
Friday, February 29, 2008
Laser Hair Removal is a Winter Thing
Laser hair removal is a procedure that you can easily get done. There are doctors located all over the nation who are qualified to do laser hair removal for you. The procedure is a quick outpatient procedure that is getting increasingly affordable. You can decide one day that laser hair removal is a good thing to look into and book your appointment the same day without difficulty.
Despite the ease with which you can get laser hair removal these days, there are some times of year that are better than others. One report says that right now, at the end of winter, is one of the best times to get laser hair removal.
It is pointed out in this report that laser hair removal requires some minimal protection of the skin after the procedure is complete. The sun can damage the skin in areas that have been exposed to lasers. The risks are minimal but in terms of keeping your bets complexion, it's best to shield yourself from the sun immediately after a laser hair removal treatment.
This is obviously easier to do in winter months than it is in summer months. You can even book yourself as the last appointment of the day and leave the office when it's already getting dark outside since the winter months get dark earlier than the summer months do.
Question of the Day: Have you ever considered the seasons when booking a treatment like laser hair removal?
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
HA Dermal Fillers are on the Rise
Despite the fact that Botox is getting a big negative rap these days, the use of dermal fillers in general seems to be on the rise. A report by Millennium Research Group indicates specifically that the use of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers is steadily increasing. This may be specifically related to the fact that people are moving away from the use of Botox during these controversial times and are seeking out alternative dermal fillers to achieve the same results they were previously getting from Botox.
In addition to safety, there are other reasons that people are interested in HA dermal fillers:
"HA dermal fillers, the second-most popular facial aesthetic treatment after botulinum toxin (Botox) injections in 2006, will experience very strong growth over the next five years because cosmetic HA injections are quick, safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive." (source)
Those dermal fillers which use Hyaluronic Acid as the main ingredient include brand names such as Restylane, Juvederm and Hylaform.
Question of the Day: What do you think is the biggest reason that HA dermal fillers are on the rise?
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Dermal Fillers for Lipoatrophy
Most people want to lose weight. However, that isn't true of people who are suffering from an illness that is causing unnatural weight loss. People suffering from HIV, for example, may begin to lose an excessive amount of weight. This is a condition called lipoatrophy which can result in sunken-in cheeks and other negative appearance alterations. Dermal fillers may be the solution for some of these people to consider.
Any dermal filler can be used to plump up the face where fat has been lost to disease. However, Radiesse seems to be the preferred method of treatment. This is due to several factors including the fact that Radiesse itself and some doctors separate will be willing to offer reduced rates on Radiesse injections for people who are suffering from lipoatrophy as a result of HIV infection.
You can learn more about this issue from Metro Weekly.
Question of the Day: What is your initial reaction to learning about lipoatrophy?
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Expert Says that Laser Hair Removal is Effective
Laser hair removal is a highly common procedure for people to request when they visit a med spa or cosmetic doctor. Despite this, some people worry that getting their face or body lasered is something that isn't safe. A health expert writing for the Daily Breeze reports that it's not only safe, it's also very effective.
The expert answered the questions that many people have about laser hair removal which is how well it works and at what risk to the body. He also went on to discuss how it's done, who it works best on and why it's become an affordable option for people to consider.
You can read that information here or get additional information from our site.
Question of the Day: What is your biggest laser hair removal fear or question?
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Monday, February 25, 2008
Microdermabrasion: Crystals or Crystal-Free
Microdermabrasion is a skin rejuvenation treatment option that many people choose in order to smooth out the skin on their faces. This treatment removes acne and acne damage in order to allow the patient to have a fresh, clean face.
However, there are different types of microdermabrasion treatments for a patient to consider. Many treatment providers use a method that includes applying aluminum-oxide crystals to the face. Call it hyper-exfoliation. But there are some treatment providers that find that a crystal-free form of microdermabrasion is safer and gentler for the patient while still offering the same results.
Learn more about the differences between these two treatment options from this recent news article. Learn more about other types of exfoliation procedures here on our site (to the left side of your screen).
Question of the Day: What do you see as the benefit to either crystal or crystal-free microdermabrasion as compared to the other?
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Friday, February 22, 2008
Singapore Cracks Down on Skin Care Doctors
For the most part, we have it pretty lucky here in the United States in terms of our skin care treatments and their safety. Sure, there's some questino every now and then about whether or not the FDA has been right in approving specific cosmetic treatments. And there are occasional problems with med spas offering treatments that they aren't allowed to be providing. But for the most part, we can do background checks on our doctors and discover whether or not they're safe people to provide our skin rejuvenation care.
People in other countries don't always have it so well. The media of the Western world frequently finds its way to countries that can't afford the kind of skin care that we get here. The result is that the residents of thsoe countries want the same treatments that are available here but they don't have the same regulations in place for their doctors. Increasingly, this problem is being taken care of as countries start monitoring their doctors' practices more and more.
One country that recently started cracking down on skin care doctors was Singapore. They are trying to make sure that the only people giving Botox injections and providing other medical-but-cosmetic treatments are doctors that are qualified to do so. Learn more here.
Question of the Day: Would you get skin care treatments done in a foreign country? If so, are there limitations on which countries you would do it in?
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
Celebrity Botox: Madonna
Botox is the subject of many media attacks lately as the FDA investigates how safe its use really is. That means that people are mentioning it every chance that they get. The belief that Madonna might be using Botox has therefore been a subject of greater-than-usual interest in online news.
Basically, Madonna turned up at an event looking like she might have had some wrinkles smoothed out. Nothing's been confirmed about whether or not that's the case. However, people want to talk about Botox right now so that's the first conclusion that everyone is jumping to make.
It should be pointed out that Botox is hardly the only item on the market that could have been used to smooth out Madonna's wrinkles, if indeed she did get some work done. There are multiple dermal fillers that are designed to achieve the same basic effects as Botox. In fact, many women are turning to these while the truth and fiction about Botox gets sorted out. Here's a better question - so what if Madonna did get Botox?!
Question of the Day: Does Madonna's Botox use interest you or cause you to develop yawn lines?
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Are Botox Fears Really Scarier Than School Shootings?
There has been a lot of media attention on the whole Botox issue lately. The FDA has been investigating the safety of Botox after a group of concerned citizens linked child deaths to use of the treatment in mothers. This has caused something that could be called hysteria among certain groups of people.
But an interesting article pointed out something important: there is other news going on. The article was specifically about the fact that the school shooting at Louisiana Technical College got very little media attention. It was lost under a cloud of other headlines, many of which were related to the Botox issues.
Fear that is bred by the media is something interesting. We start getting excessively paranoid about one particular thing because it is given disproportionate media attention. That may be the case right now with Botox.
Question of the Day: Do you think Botox deserves as much negative media attention as its getting right now?
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Laser Lipo Starts Slimming the UK
The UK has just started seeing the effects of a new kind of lipo treatment called laser lipo. This procedure basically takes the idea of SmartLipo and moves it up a notch. Using lasers, it is even less invasive than the already minimally-invasive SmartLipo or LipoDissolve treatment.
According to reports, the effects of the treatment can be seen immediately upon completing the first treatment. However, it is recommended that approximately eight laser lipo treatments are done to achieve the results that are desired.
The specific product recently approved in the UK is also available in other parts of the world including Japan and Canada. As the technology is tested out, it could gain a following in the United States and around the rest of the world.
Question of the Day: What appeals and doesn't appeal to you about the idea of laser lipo?
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Monday, February 18, 2008
New Laser Approved for Treatments
Plastic surgeons at a few select locations are starting to use a new type of laser in all of their laser treatments. The new laser is a "carbon dioxide-based fractional laser, which combines minute focused columns of laser-induced injury with heat deposition for less skin damage and quicker recovery time." It goes deeper into the skin and makes the treatment go more smoothly. (No pun intended.)
These new laser treatments can be used for skin tightening, reduction and removal of wrinkles and even laser tattoo removal. They had been in a testing phase up until recent weeks. They are now approved for use because of the success of the tests. It is primarily being used now at UT Southwestern which has over 200 lasers to attest to the fact that the doctors here know about this kind of stuff.
Learn more from Medical News Today.
Question of the Day: Would you be more inclined to get treatments with cutting-edge lasers or with time-tested technology?
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Friday, February 15, 2008
3 Skin Tightening Procedures To Consider
If you've considered skin tightening treatments in the past but didn't know enough about them to move forward, consider choosing between one of these three popular choices:
- Titan Non-Surgical Facelift. This system uses infrared light to tighten the skin over time so you won't get immediate results but your face will be younger than ever about six months after starting the treatments.
- Skin Tyte. Skin Tyte can be used for many different reasons but is often used for simple things such as curing rosacea, reducing the effects of treatments like Botox and chemical peels and removing acne scars. These results are usually seen shortly after the first treatment or two.
- Refirme. This uses Bi-Polar Radio Frequency to offer skin rejuvenation and wrinkle-reducing results. These results are usually seen immediately.
Skin tightening is an option for reducing wrinkles and mitigating the effects of various other treatments. Talk over the details with your doctor in order to choose the type of tightening treatment that makes sense for you.
Question of the Day: What skin tightening treatments can you tell us more about from personal experience?
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Thursday, February 14, 2008
Spoil your Single Self for Valentine's Day
It's Valentine's Day and that can be tough for people who aren't partnered up. Although you do have the option of just hiding under the covers all day, there's no reason to mope. Valentine's Day is all about celebrating someone you love so why not celebrate the person you love most: yourself?
Take the time out today to schedule yourself a skin rejuvenation treatment that will make you feel pampered. If you've always wanted to get laser hair removal, do it today. If you know that you put your best face forward after a chemical peel, make an appointment.
You don't have to have a partner to feel like looking pretty. And who knows, maybe a better look will give you the confidence you need to go out and partner up with someone new tonight!
Question of the Day: What would be the treatment you'd most want to give yourself today?
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Treatments to get Ready for Valentine's Weekend
Most people aren't going to be going out tomorrow to celebrate Valentine's Day. Instead, they're going to be going out this weekend to celebrate the holiday that's just passed. If you fall into that category, you might want to go get a bit of a skin refresher to look great for the weekend.
Here are some good treatments to get that won't be stressing your body by this weekend:
- Chemical peels. By the weekend, your skin will look fresh and smooth after one of these.
- Lip enhancement. You want to have kissable lips for the romantic weekend.
- Laser hair removal. Get it done now so you don't have to worry about razor burn ruining your date.
Treat yourself to a skin care treatment and treat your date to a prettier you. It's a win-win Valentine's situation.
Question of the Day: What treatment are you most likely to get done before Valentine's weekend?
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Carnegie Mellon Gets $1 Million For Brain Research
Leading institutions are crucial to the kind of medical research that allows for the development of improved treatment and prevention options. But, of course, in order to be able to complete that kind of research, those institutions need money. Carnegie Mellon has just gotten a great opportunity in the form of over $1 million for the purpose of developing brain research.
The money goes towards the development of research that has used fMRI scanning technology to better understand the way that the brain functions. With an increased understanding of the function of the brain, medical researchers are able to move forward with various types of medical advances.
Learn more from The Tartan.
Question of the Day: What institution would you like to see receive money for imaging research?
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Your Options While the FDA Reviews Botox use
If you're someone who uses Botox injections, you've probably been staying on top of the news surrounding it in recent weeks. There were reports of Botox-related deaths and the FDA is now reviewing the safety of Botox as a result of those reports. What it appears at this time is that Botox may have risks but it is unknown whether those risks relate to FDA-approved uses for Botox.
While the FDA is completing their review, what should you be doing about your Botox injections? Here are some of your choices:
- Maintain your normal Botox schedule.
- Hold off on injections until more news is available. Your Botox injections should last for awhile once you've had them so you might not need to do anything before your next treatments.
- Switch to a different dermal filler.
- Stop getting injections.
The most important thing that you can do during this time is to keep an open line of communication with your doctor about your Botox concerns.
Question of the Day: What will you do about Botox injections while the FDA completes its review?
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Monday, February 11, 2008
Celebrity Cosmetic Surgery: Brittany Murphy
There is speculation going around that actress Brittany Murphy got lip augmentation of some kind. More than that, there is gossip from the tabloids that the work that was done was not too good. Lip augmentation is most successful when it's done subtly to plump the lips without drawing a significant amount of attention to them.
In Brittany's case, perhaps the work was a little bit overdone. The SF Gate says her lips are looking "badly shaped" and Awful Plastic Surgery says that the work would've been fine if it wasn't so excessive.
Of course, there's a possibility that the cameras got to Brittany before the procedure had time to settle down. There's often some excessive poofiness right after a lip augmentation which fades throughout the day to provide you with the cosmetic enhancement that you're seeking.
Question of the Day: What do you think; did Brittany Murphy get bad collagen?
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Friday, February 08, 2008
ArteFill Smiles with 5 Years of Success
ArteFill is an injectable wrinkle filler which has been approved for use by the FDA, making it a common skin rejuvenation choice for people who are concerned about both beauty and health. The company that makes this product was happy to announce recently that they've completed a five-year testing program which demonstrates that this product gets good results.
The study looked at two different things. First, it looked at the safety of the product over time. And second, it looked at the efficacy of the product to determine the level of customer happiness over the duration of ArteFill's use. Both the safety and the efficacy of the product were determined to be strong.
ArteFill is primarily used to reduce smile lines. Fine lines and wrinkles such as these can be treated in a number of different ways. Discussing ArteFill along with the other alternatives should be something that's done with your doctor prior to treatment. However, the results of this study suggest that this could be a treatment worth smiling about!
Question of the Day: What treatments have you used for getting rid of smile lines?
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Thursday, February 07, 2008
Give the Gift of Skin Rejuvenation for Valentine's Day
Okay, so if you're a man who has to buy a gift for a fiancee or wife this Valentine's Day, a gift card to a Botox doctor probably isn't the way to go. But spouses aren't the only ones that we honor during this holiday. If you're the kind of person who gives gifts to all of the people that you love during the holiday season, you might want to think about giving the gift of a skin rejuvenation treatment to someone in your life.
For example, we often give Valentine's Day gifts to our mothers and sisters. If you know that they get skin rejuvenation treatments - or if you think that they might like to - it can be perfectly appropriate to get them a gift certificate to see a doctor about treatments. The holiday is supposed to be about expressing love. And some would say that helping someone to look and feel their best is the best kind of love there is.
And as for the ladies, there's the possibility that the gift of a skin rejuvenation treatment might actually go over well for your husband this Valentine's Day. Many men want to try out these treatments but aren't about to go buy them for themselves.
Question of the Day: Would you want to receive a skin rejuvenation treatment for Valentine's Day?
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Celebrity Botox: Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman is no stranger to Botox treatments. She also hasn't hid the fact that she uses them as a way to boost her appearance. However, since Kidman is now pregnant with her first biological child, she's going to have to put the Botox on hold.
As we dicussed last week here on the blog, a good doctor will tell you to stop your Botox treatments during your pregnancy (and while breastfeeding after the baby is born). We simply don't know yet what the effects are of Botox on babies so it's advisable not to take those risks.
As we might see in the months to come with Nicole Kidman, you can still have a great appearance during pregnancy without the Botox. In fact, the baby fat you gain in your face during the pregnancy can simulate the effects you get from Botox when you're not pregnant.
It'll be interesting to see when Kidman does resume her Botox treatments. It's generally recommended that you start working with your Botox doctor again about a month after delivery (if you're not breastfeeding). That's because the impact of the pregnancy on the body, and the lack of sleep that you're getting with a newborn, start to show on your face at about this time.
Incidentally, it's not just the currently-controversial Botox that Kidman is ceasing during pregnancy. She is trying to go all-natural and has given up hair dye and other chemicals that could impact her body.
Question of the Day: What would you give up from your normal cosmetic routine if you got pregnant?
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Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Facial Rejuvenation for Skin Cancer Scars
Skin cancer is something that leaves a lot of scars. While the worst ones are the emotional ones that result from having to deal with the frightening medical issues associated with the disease, there are also physical scars left behind from the cancer treatments. Historically, doctors have taken two extreme approaches to repairing skin cancer treatment damage: plastic surgery or natural healing over time.
Although either of these methods may result in positive effects that reduce or remove the scarring from skin cancer treatment, a more moderate approach that lies between these two options might be a better way to go. Dermatologists have been breaking ground in finding facial treatments that can provide the beauty of plastic surgery without the invasiveness it requires.
A recent article on this issue reviewed three skin rejuvenation treatment options that can be used in conjunction with skin cancer damage treatment to improve appearances. These three treatments were barbed sutures (for closing wounds associated with skin cancer surgery), skin substitutes (as a form of skin grafting) and laser or dermabrasion techniques. It is these latter techniques that particularly provide a non-invasive and efficient solution for many skin cancer patients today.
Question of the Day: What reasons would you have to use a treatment like this after experiencing skin cancer?
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Monday, February 04, 2008
Patients Seek Safer Treatments for Softer Skin
Skin rejuvenation patients today are demanding. They want to be able to reduce the signs of aging using treatments that are safe. However, they also require treatments that can be done quickly in an outpatient setting so that they can return to their busy lives after having the work done.
Sound like you? Don't be ashamed; these are the desires of most skin rejuvenation patients today. Doctors and researchers are well aware of these desires and have worked to meet them with procedures that satisfy everyone. One of these procedures is laser resurfacing. This procedure repairs damage done to the skin over time and reverses the appearance of aging.
Medical News Today has recently published an article discussing how laser resurfacing meets the aforementioned needs of patients. The article also discusses three types of laser resurfacing: plasma skin resurfacing, fractional laser skin resurfacing and Superficial Erbium:YAG Laser Resurfacing. Determining which of these is right for your specific needs will require speaking to a qualified doctor about the results that you are seeking.
We may be demanding clients these days. But we aren't unreasonable. The desire for efficient yet safe procedures makes sense. By working with doctors who understand that, we can achieve the look we want in the way that we want to.
Question of the Day: What has been your experience with laser resurfacing?
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Friday, February 01, 2008
4 Uses for Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is most commonly used for weight loss purposes. However, that's not the only thing that this treatment can do to improve your appearance.
Here are four different ways that mesotherapy can be used to better the way that you look:
1. Lower eyelid treatment. Improve the appearance around the eyes using mesotherapy for a more youthful facial appearance.
2. Facial rejuvenation. Total facial rejuvenation can be achieved by using mesotherapy not just under the eyes but on the rest of the face as well.
3. Weight loss and/or fat reduction. This is the primary use of mesotherapy today.
4. Cellulite reduction. We don't just want to be thinner, we want to get rid of the appearance of cellulite to create a more toned look all around.
Mesotherapy is commonly used by doctors today to treat a wide range of cosmetic issues. Consider asking your doctor whether this is something that makes sense for you.
Question of the Day: Of the four ways that mesotherapy can be used, which would you be most interested in trying out?
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Source: Medical News Today
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