These days, having a facelift isn’t what it used to be.   For one thing, people are having facelifts earlier than ever before.   “I didn’t want to wait until I looked like my mother,” or “I just didn’t like my reflection in the mirror” are common refrains from women in their 40s and 50s who have opted for facelift surgery now rather than later.

Today’s facelift patient has a variety of options unavailable to his or her counterparts in decades past.   A full facial rejuvenation, a “mini lift” or something in between may be customized for each individual, depending on the patient’s special needs and goals.   A variety of techniques make it possible not only to smooth loose skin and tighten underlying tissues, but also to add or decrease fullness in specific areas...

With summer approaching and the school year coming to a close, thousands of children across the country will take on a familiar chore – mowing the lawn. Whether it’s to help their parents mow the backyard or a summer job to earn money, this routine task can be dangerous for children and adults alike if proper safety precautions are not taken. In fact, more than 230,500 people -- approximately 20,000 of them children under age 19 -- were treated in doctors’ offices, clinics and emergency rooms for lawn mower-related injuries in 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

The power lawn mower is one of the most dangerous tools around the home, but many children view it as a potential toy – resulting in thousands of debilitating injures every year. Lawn mower injuries often include deep cuts, loss of fingers and toes, limb amputations, broken and dislocated bones, burns, and eye injuries. Most of these injuries can be prevented by following a few simple safety tips...

Not all of us may want larger, fuller lips.   Many people believe that their lips are too big, and want them reduced.   Many younger patients are often plagued by insecurities brought on by having larger than average lips and are sometimes teased by their classmates.   Younger patients should wait until their mid to late teens to have their lip size reduced, due to maturing of the facial features.

Lip reduction, also called reduction cheiloplasty, is the procedure to remove excess lip tissue to reduce the appearance of overly large lips.   The procedure can be performed under local and or regional anaesthesia, although some surgeons may choose to perform it under light sleep anaesthesia.   The procedure takes only about 30 minutes and takes about two weeks to heal.   This procedure is not incredibly invasive, but for such a small procedure it truly can make a big difference...!

With the arrival of warmer weather, many people are spending more and more time in the sun.  However, basking in the sun, especially without protecting your skin can lead to wrinkles, premature aging and, worst of all, skin cancer.  Fortunately there are many options to help protect and keep your skin looking great.  But, doctors and aestheticians say that while people are more aware of the sun’s harmful effects, a lot of people still do not apply sunscreen correctly or don’t apply it at all.

It is really important that people of all ages apply sunscreen daily and apply it correctly. At minimum, this means applying a generous amount of sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplying every few hours. Sun damage is also responsible for leathery-looking skin, broken capillaries and wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, or age spots. Along with skin cancer, tanning and sun damage also contribute to premature aging. The signs of aging are often what make people change their ways...