June 2008 Blog Archive
Monday, June 30, 2008
Should The Unemployed Get Cosmetic Work to Get Hired?
One of the reasons that people get cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers is that they want to look better so that they can move forward with their careers. It has been shown that attractive people are more likely to get hired and to move into powerful positions than are their equally talented but not as good-looking counterparts.
So let's say that you're in a position where you are unemployed. This means that you've got no income and should be budgeting your money. But without cosmetic work, you may have a lower chance of getting hired by the employers that you seek to have hire you. Should you spend money on cosmetic work in order to get a job?
The answer is maybe ... or maybe not. In most cases, it would make more sense to get a lower-level job that isn't going to be as likely to make judgments about your few wrinkles then to save the money from that job to get the cosmetic work done. But for people who have been laid off from high-level positions, getting a little cosmetic work might actually boost self-confidence and add to the individual's ability to get a job.
Question of the Day: Should an unemployed person spend money on cosmetic procedures such as Botox in order to get a job?
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Friday, June 27, 2008
Gordon Ramsay Denies Botox Rumors
Rumors began circulating about a month ago that celebrity TV chef Gordon Ramsay was getting some Botox treatments done to soften his appearance. He has recently denied these rumors and seems almost offended that people said that this might be the case. The offense seems to come more from a disbelief that people think he would care what others think about him than any specific issue with Botox or cosmetic procedures.
The celebrity chef is known for being a hard-edged, aggressive, tough kind of guy. Going in to the cosmetic surgeon to get Botox doesn't really jive well with that image. He's also known for being no-nonsense and unconcerned about how others think of him (except in regards to his culinary skills) so it wouldn't make a lot of sense for him to be getting cosmetic work done.
On the other hand, he does appear on television nightly and that means his face is floating around out there in HD. It wouldn't be too unfathomable to think that even this tough celebrity chef would like to look a little younger since his face is plastered all over the place. But he says it's not the case.
Question of the Day: Has Chef Gordon Ramsay ever had any sort of cosmetic surgery?
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Celebrity Plastic Surgery: Charlize Theron
There are rumors going around that Charlize Theron may be getting cosmetic procedures done in order to enhance the appearance of her face. These rumors are unconfirmed and it is unclear which procedures she may have had done but celebrity gossip hounds suggest that she has a plumper look to her face that probably wasn't achieved naturally.
One suggestion has been that she has gotten cheek implants in order to round out her face and create a more sensual look. Another suggestion has been that she has gotten a "mid third face lift" which is designed to reduce the need for a future face lift by catching problems with the sagging of the face early on.
What may actually be the case is that Theron may just be getting dermal filler injections. These injections are designed to plump up the face, round out the appearance of the cheeks and decrease any signs of wrinkles. This is probably the most likely procedure that Theron is getting done if indeed she is having cosmetic work.
Question of the Day: Is Charlize Theron getting cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of her face over the years?
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Young Women Don't Care If Doctor Is Present During Skin Treatments
A new study has revealed the disturbing information that young women don't seem to care whether or not a qualified doctor is present when they are getting skin rejuvenation treatments like Botox or laser hair removal. Women who were born after 1976 make up the largest percentage of patients at MedSpas and other facilities where procedures may be done by specialists who are not licensed doctors. Their lack of concern about having a doctor in the room during these procedures could mean that they are compromising their own safety when getting treatments done.
Older generations tend to be more inclined to get invasive procedures, such as liposuction, which require the presence of a trained physician. This means that those people who are getting more invasive work done may actually be safer because of the fact that they're going to be working with a doctor. Younger patients who get non-invasive procedures may be getting simpler work done but putting themselves in harm's way as a result of working with people who aren't necessarily qualified to be doing cosmetic procedures.
Question of the Day: Are younger women more at risk of complications from cosmetic procedures because they are less cautious about working with a qualified doctor?
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Skin Problem Prevention Better Than Treatment
A doctor who runs a cosmetic injectables business recently revealed that her own great skin is due more to the choices that she makes for prevention of problems than to the treatments that she has available at her disposal. Although she regularly uses Botox and other dermal fillers in her treatment of patients, she doesn't need these things herself because she takes good care of her skin and her general health. This allows for natural anti-aging that prevents the wrinkles and other issues that people seek treatment for.
This doctor makes sure to clean her make-up off carefully each day. She uses anti-oxidant creams and treatments. She has a healthy diet. And she always uses sunscreen. These things all allow for protection of the skin so that signs of aging don't develop. Although there's nothing wrong with the use of injectables to treat existing skin problems, it's always better to engage in good prevention than to just seek treatment.
Learn more here.
Question of the Day: What steps can you take to avoid the need for dermal fillers by preventing signs of aging from developing in the first place?
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Monday, June 23, 2008
Gel Mask Makes Cosmetic Injections Less Painful
Have you considered getting cosmetic injections to reduce wrinkles and smooth out your skin? Have you hesitated because you're afraid that these shots are going to hurt? If so, you're not alone. A number of people have cited fear of pain as a reason that they don't get dermal fillers.
In general, the pain associated with these types of procedures is minimal and most people don't find them to be too uncomfortable to bear. However, there is a new gel mask on the market that can reduce the pain even more for those people who don't want to have any discomfort during their treatments.
The product, called Pliaglis, is a gel which is applied to the skin and allowed to harden into what basically feels like a facial mask. This numbs the skin and reduces the pain that would be felt from the injection of the needle. Those people who have had the service done say that the procedure is then virtually painless.
Question of the Day: Is it necessary to use a pain-reducing gel mask to avoid the sting of dermal filler injections?
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Friday, June 20, 2008
ASAPS Reminds You To Take Time to Review Your Doctor
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery had their Time Out Day yesterday. This is a day to raise awareness of the importance of taking the time to carefully review any doctor that is going to be providing you with cosmetic treatments. This includes doctors that are providing non-invasive services such as Botox and laser hair removal, not just doctors who are doing invasive surgeries such as liposuction.
Patients are reminded that they should always check the accreditation and professional reputation of any cosmetic doctor before getting work done. They should also make sure that the procedure is going to be done in an appropriate medical setting. And they should discuss procedures thoroughly before getting them done in order to make sure they understand the risks and results that should be expected.
Learn more about this patient safety issue here.
Question of the Day: What is the single most important thing that a patient can ask a doctor prior to a non-invasive cosmetic procedure?
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
Dealing with Summer Sweat
There are a lot of really great things about summer but even good things have their drawbacks. For summer, one of the big drawbacks is sweat. Nobody likes to be sweaty and gross and the problem is never more pronounced than during this time of year. Luckily, there are things that you can do to diminish the amount of sweat that seeps out of you so that you can continue to be attractive and appealing in spite of the summer heat.
The most common treatment for seasonal sweat problems is Botox injections into the arm pits. This is a common procedure requested by summer brides who don't want to sweat all over their wedding dresses due to the warm weather and those jittery nerves. It's also something that may be done by the average person to relieve themselves of the embarassment of sweating during hot summer days.
A recent study revealed than more than half of Americans are embarassed by underarm sweat but only about five percent of those who consider it a problem actually seek out assistance from a health care professional. It's not something that you just have to live with it; it's something that you can easily treat.
Question of the Day: Are you interested in skin rejuvenation procedures that treat sweating?
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Consider Giving Your Skin Some Sun This Summer
Are you the kind of person who prefers sunless tanning to laying out in the real sunshine? Do you slather on the sunscreen each day before leaving the house? In many ways, these practices protect your body. However, you shouldn't be too extreme in your avoidance of the sun because you need a little bit of that sunshine to be healthy.
For the most part, you do want to protect your skin from the sun. Sun spots and other signs of aging are caused directly from being out in the sunshine without protection. There are also much more serious sun risks such as skin cancer. In general, you want to avoid being out in the harshest times of day.
However, your body needs some of that Vitamin D that the sun provides. There is a serious Vitamin D deficiency in our society today and it's a problem that can cause significant health problems. As a result, it's a good idea to get moderate levels of sunshine during the times of day that are not the hottest.
Learn more about the sun, your skin and Vitamin D here.
Question of the Day: How much is the right amount of sunshine to keep your body healthy but safe?
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Woman Steals Botox Treatments; Faces Grand Theft Charges
Yesterday we discussed the fact that changing economic times are making it more difficult for people to justify getting cosmetic treatments. Apparently one woman thought so because she skipped out on a $1200 Botox bill immediately after getting the treatment. She's facing charges of grand theft once she's caught by authorities.
The woman had initially received a quote for the services of approximately $1700. The actual bill for the services was lower than this but she either didn't have the money to pay or had never intended to pay in the first place. When she was asked for payment, she claimed to have left her credit card in the car. She supposedly went to go get it and she never returned.
It is believed that all of the identifying information that she gave to this doctor was false. Authorities have been unable to identify her up to this point. What an elaborate ruse for a little bit of Botox!
Question of the Day: What would cause someone to steal $1200 worth of Botox injections?
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Monday, June 16, 2008
Affording Botox in These Economically Troubled Times
It's no secret that people are struggling with a bit of an economic crunch these days. Gas prices are sky-high and still climbing. Home loans and good credit offers aren't coming nearly so frequently or easily. And we're all trying to figure out where we can cut back in order to save some money.
Some people say that it's a good idea to cut back on things like Botox and sunless tanning, things that are considered luxuries rather than necessities. However, that may not really be the best course of action. If you normally get indulgent treatments like these, cutting back can really make you feel saddened by the economic struggles that you're undergoing.
Instead, it's wiser to budget better instead of just arbitrarily cutting out luxuries from your life. Look at your finances realistically and create a budget that includes room for little indulgences like your Botox. You may go to the cosmetic doctor less frequently but you don't have to stop taking care of yourself altogether just because the economy is going a little bit nuts.
Question of the Day: Where do you think you should cut back on beauty spending to reduce the economic crunch that you're feeling?
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Friday, June 13, 2008
Getting Your Husband Cosmetic Treatments For Father's Day
Are you thinking about getting your husband a cosmetic treatment for Father's Day? This is an icnreasingly common gift for women to get their husbands because of the fact that male cosmetic treatments are increasingly commonplace.
Here are some tips for getting cosmetic treatments for your husband for Father's Day:
- Go with what he already does. If he gets sunless tanning done regularly, book him a a set of appointments for that rather than trying to force a new treatment on him.
- Consider whether he'll take this gift the wrong way. Some people get offended at the idea that their spouse wants them to get cosmetic work done even if they're interested in it themselves.
- Book consultation appointments instead of specific procedures. If you don't know what your spouse would like done or if he's never seen a cosmetic specialist before then just plan a trip for a consultation rather than choosing a treatment for him.
Ultimately, cosmetic treatments must be decided by the individual getting them but that doesn't mean that it hurts to help your hubby out a little bit with a gift.
Question of the Day: Would your husband like cosmetic treatments given to him for Father's Day?
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
Push For UK to Stop Deregulation of Laser Treatments
The government of the UK has been considering the possibility of deregulating the use of cosmetic lasers. This has caused concerns amongst doctors there who believe that it's crucial that patients be treated only by qualified physicians when getting any sort of medical treatment including cosmetic laser procedures. A consumer group called Which? has now chimed in to encourage the UK not to deregulate these procedures.
The concern of the consumer group is, of course, that this move is bad for consumers. The group argues that the plan for deregulation is designed to save costs at the expense of patient health and safety. It is predicted that the number of people harmed by laser treatments will at least double if deregulation is allowed to occur.
Learn more about the argument by Which? here.
Question of the Day: Should the UK be allowed to deregulate cosmetic laser use if it's in the interest of cost savings?
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Laser Hair Removal Lawsuit
Most people who get laser hair removal don't have any problems with the procedure. It's a simple procedure that can easily be done on an outpatient basis with little downtime needed for recovery. But there are rare instances in which something goes wrong.
One woman has reported that she experienced severe burns on her legs after a bad laser hair removal treatment. Apparently a filter that was supposed to be on the laser hair removal machine was not on it which caused the rays of the laser machine to burn her legs. She experienced scarring and is now suing the place where she got the laser hair removal.
Anyone can make mistakes, even doctors. However this case serves as a reminder that it's important to go to a qualified physician and not just a day spa when you are seeking any sort of medical treatment. Although laser hair removal is available at salons and spas, it is something that should be done by a doctor. Bear this in mind as you seek out someone to do this kind of service for you.
Question of the Day: Would you file a lawsuit if your legs were burned because of a mistake in laser hair removal?
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Popular Pre-Wedding Procedures
You're probably only going to get married once in your life and you want everything to be perfect. You want the perfect dress. You want the perfect ceremony. And you want to look absolutely perfect. To achieve this latter dream, many brides turn to a series of skin rejuvenation procedures in order to enhance their looks before the wedding.
Some of the most popular pre-wedding procedures include:
- Botox. Although some women are getting it in their faces to enhance their appearance, many are actually getting it in their armpits. This reduces sweating, something that you'll appreciate if you're standing up in front of all your friends feeling nervous and excited.
- Teeth whitening. A bride wants her teeth to be as white as her dress. She may go to the dentist to get freshened up or she may get lumineers.
- Sunless tanning. What a bride doesn't want to be as white as her dress is her skin. Many will go through a series of sunless tanning sessions in order to be able to look their best.
Different women will get different procedures of course and the favorites vary depending on the age of the bride but these three are the ones most commonly requested by the average young bride.
Question of the Day: What procedures would you get done before a wedding to make sure that everything was perfect?
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Monday, June 09, 2008
Products that Work for Slowing Down Skin's Aging
There are many different skin rejuvenation procedures out there which are effective in reversing the effects of aging. Collagen, chemical peels and other common treatments allow individuals to regain youth lost to time by renewing and refreshing the skin to get rid of wrinkles and age spots. But wouldn't it be better to prevent the aging from taking place in the first place?
A recent study of different topical products shows that it is possible to prevent the aging of the skin by blocking out UV rays with the right products. The study took seven different naturally occurring lipids and applied them to the skin to determine whether they had any impact on reducing the impact of aging. Three of them appeared to be successful with the most promising one being the molecule phosphatidylserine (PS). This topical product was able to reduce the breakdown of collagen to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Learn more about this study here.
Question of the Day: Would you use products that prevent aging if they were successful or would you wait until it was necessary to reverse the effects with existing procedures?
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Friday, June 06, 2008
Specialized Doctors Diversify Into Cosmetic Care
If you wanted to get a cosmetic procedure such as laser hair removal or dermal filler injections, where would you go? Hopefully you wouldn't just look at any local spa but would actively seek out a qualified doctor. Only you might not want to look just as those doctors which specialize in these procedures because it turns out that there are plenty of doctors in other areas of medicine that are starting to offer these services in addition to their normal work.
For example, OB-GYN doctors are finding that their patients are often interested in cosmetic procedures such as these. For the patient, having the option of getting the work done at the same time as getting an OB-GYN check-up offers convenience as well as a sense of safety since the doctor performing the work already knows the patient's medical history. For the doctor, this can mean a significant bit of cash flow that wasn't available before these services were offered.
Before going ahead and getting the work done at a specialized doctor, you want to make sure that he or she knows what the procedure is all about. Just because the OB-GYN is terrific with your reproductive question doesn't mean that he or she really knows how to properly give Botox injections. Make sure you go through the history of the doctor's experience in this area.
Learn more here.
Question of the Day: Would you like the option of being able to get cosmetic procedures from a doctor you're already going to for other medical reasons?
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Thursday, June 05, 2008
Most Common Procedures for Males
If you don't know that men are increasingly the ones heading to the skin rejuvenation specialist then you don't know much at all about trends in the industry because that is the one which is currently leading the way. But what exactly are men getting done when they head to the doctor for non-invasive cosmetic procedures?
The leading procedures requested by men are:
- Botox.
- Laser Hair Removal.
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser Resurfacing
- Dermal Fillers
In other words, guys are getting done almost the same popular procedures that women are getting at their doctor's office. Both genders find that these procedures allow them to fight the physical impact of aging on the body and remain appealing to the opposite sex into later years.
Question of the Day: Is it surprising that men are getting the same cosmetic treatments as women are?
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Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Allergan Moves Forward With Lash Enhancement
Allergan, the company best known for making Botox, has been looking into a new use for another of its products since late last year. Lumigen, a product used in the treatment of glaucoma, is believed to be useful for eyelash enhancement according to the company. They have now completed clinical trials and are moving forward with a request for FDA approval of this new product.
It isn't Lumigen, per se, that is going to be hitting the shelves if this approval comes; instead it is a new product that includes some of the ingredients in Lumigen. "The drug known as bimatoprost, a synthetic prostaglandin analog" appears to be successful in actually allowing eyelashes to grow which would reduce the cosmetic need for eyelash enhancers and mascara.
If FDA approval comes quickly, Allergan hopes to have this product out on the market as early as next year. The product would be available by prescription through a doctor such as those in your area who give Botox injections.
Question of the Day: Would you be interested in lash enhancement?
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Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Should You Get Botox on a Cruise This Summer
If you're someone who takes cruises every summer, you're probably going to discover that there's something new aboard your boat. This year seems to be a popular year for people to have the option of getting treatments like Botox while on board the cruise. Is this a good idea or should it be avoided?
Pros of Getting Botox on a Cruise:
- Safe in comparison to other public Botox. This isn't like getting Botox at a bar; the doctor is probably going to be licensed (although you should double check).
- You're on vacation so you have time to just relax and get treatments like this.
- You may be able to arrive at your destination with a great new look.
Cons of Getting Botox on a Cruise:
- You're out on the water so there are more risks from medical complications than if you were in a doctor's office near an emergency room.
- The immediate appearance of your face following treatments isn't always great so you may find that your vacation photos feature a puffy look that you were not expecting.
- It's not a good idea to be out in the sun for long periods of time immediately following most treatments.
The cruise lines that are beginning to offer this option are doing all that they can to make sure that it's a positive experience for the people who decided to try out. However, it's something you should think about carefully before forging ahead with. If you can book your Botox appointment with a local doctor a week or two in advance of the cruise, you may be happier with the results.
Question of the Day: Should you get Botox while on a cruise ship?
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Monday, June 02, 2008
Advanced Resurfacing Laser Should Clear FDA Soon
Laser resurfacing is a technology which uses a beam of light to ablate the skin. The result is that problems include wrinkles, acne scarring and sun spots can all be reduced or removed. The existing technology works well and leaves patients of this procedure satisfied with their results. But that doesn't mean it couldn't get better - or so says one company which has a new laser in the final stages of FDA clearance.
"Lutronic, Inc., one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of medical laser systems, announced today that its MOSAIC eCO2 system, the next generation in fractional resurfacing lasers combining fractional technology with the deep ablative features of a CO2 laser." (source)
Benefits of the new laser should improve the experience of laser resurfacing for both the patient and the doctor. Adanced adjustable controls, automatic safety features, reduced pain during and after procedures and a stronger ability to customize the procedure and results all combine to make this a better laser that those already on the market. It may be something you'll want to ask your doctor about after FDA clearance is final and the laser hits the market.
Question of the Day: Should we continue trying to advance the technology used in common procedures today (such as the lasers used in laser resurfacing)?
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