With today’s cultural emphasis on health, longevity and wellness, cosmetic surgery has become a popular accepted extension of improving one’s self image.

At a press conference on “Redefining Vanity”, a social psychologist at Stanford University described a new world in which plastic surgery is acceptable and unstigmatized; a world in which it is “healthy” to do whatever it takes to feel better about yourself. It is a world in which “women and men are increasingly pro-choice about appearance enhancement.”

Women generally do not list aging, career advancement, or attracting a mate as their primary motivation for cosmetic surgery – the top reason given by most women is to feel better about themselves...

The following are four common myths regarding acne.

Myths: 1)Certain types of food like pizza, chocolate and junk food case acne; 2)Sexual intercourse causes acne; 3)acne is caused by poor hygiene; and 4)sunlight cures acne.

There have been no scientific links made between food and acne.   That doesn’t mean you can eat junk food as your main dietary staple.   Skin, like every other organ and system in your body, is affected by what you eat.   If you eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, fibres, and drink sufficient amounts of water, not only will you be healthier, but your skin will radiate!   You don’t have to completely avoid all of your favourite foods (like chocolate), but remember that what you eat affects your overall health, and that includes the health of your skin.   Keep in mind that different foods can produce allergic reactions in some people...  

Misconceptions Lead to Late Diagnosis and High Mortality Rates for this Treatable Condition.

With the incidence of skin cancer on the rise, it has never been more important for the public to practice the prevention and detection steps that are key to avoiding melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.   Yet in the case of African Americans, detection may be more difficult because studies of African Americans who are diagnosed with melanoma have shown that the condition most often develops on non-sun-exposed areas of the body.   This finding along with the misconception that melanoma is not a significant threat for individuals with darker skin, may contribute to the higher rates for this population.   Prevention and detection messages about melanoma are not being heeded by African Americans...

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...

Aesthetic Surgery Journal released new data from a study on the impact of aesthetic plastic surgery on body image and sexual satisfaction. Women who undergo common elective cosmetic surgery procedures not only feel better about their bodies, but also have higher degrees of satisfaction with their sex lives, including ability to orgasm. Women in the study who had undergone aesthetic procedures were more sexually satisfied, reported that their partners were more sexually satisfied, dressed to enhance their new figures, and were apt to try more and different sexual activities post-surgery. The greatest benefits were seen in women who had breast augmentation/breast lift and/or body contouring procedures.

This data is particularly interesting because several studies have suggested that women are not motivated to undergo aesthetic surgery to improve their sex lives. It appears that the improvements in sexual response are an unexpected benefit...

Men may not be from Mars, but they do pose some unique challenges for the plastic surgeons who treat them.   And as a growing number of men seek cosmetic procedures, it’s important for physicians to realize the differences between male and female patients are much more than physical.

Plastic surgeons also must address key differences in the psychological makeup between the sexes and tailor treatment protocols to achieve positive outcomes.   Many plastic surgeons find men are more likely to approach a consultation for a cosmetic procedure as they would buying a new car, often attempting to negotiate price or work out some sort of a “deal”.   They are also more likely to want to close the deal quickly without asking as many questions or considering much beyond the procedure they want...

Natural herbal supplements are supposed to help boost our immune systems, give us more energy and make us generally healthier. However, many of these “harmless” supplements could cause dangerous side effects during plastic surgery, reports a study in February’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In fact, the study found approximately 55 percent of plastic surgery patients, compared to 24 percent of the general public, take supplements but often do not tell their surgeons.

“When patients are asked about the medications they are taking, many do not mention medicinal herbs because they assume that they are safe.   However, what many unsuspecting patients don’t know is that the natural herbs they are taking may cause serious complications during and after surgery...

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term given to the condition referred to as excessive sweating. One out of every one hundred people suffers from this condition which is caused by hyperactivity of the nervous system which controls sweat production. This causes an over production of sweat that can reach volumes measured in liters per hour. The condition can affect the sweat glands of the hands and feet as well as the axilla. The person who suffers with this condition has to deal with embarrassment and ruined clothing or shoes. Some individuals have to change clothing every hour or wear pampers under their arms.

There have been several options for treatment of this condition. The first step is a medically prescribed antiperspirant containing a powerful chemical called aluminum, chloride.

When considering plastic surgery, it’s natural to focus more on the expected result than on the surgical process. However, to be fully informed, it’s important to learn about the safety of the procedure as well as the expected outcome. Although thousands of people have plastic surgery every year without complications, no surgical procedure is risk-free.

Good credentials can’t guarantee a successful outcome; however, they can significantly increase the likelihood of it. Patients are advised to find a doctor who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), or the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada. Certification by the ABPS is "the gold standard" ...

Want to know a person’s real age?    Just look at their hands.   Most people can accurately tell a person’s age by viewing only their hands.

A primary motivation to have plastic surgery is to look and feel better, often by seeking a younger looking appearance.   However, looking younger after your face lift or eyelid surgery can conflict with aged hands that simply do not match the face.   After the face, hands are the second most visible, tell-tale sign of one’s age.   If your goal is to look more youthful or you are bothered by the appearance of your hands, you may seriously want to consider hand rejuvenation...

What if you couldn’t perform daily activities, such as exercising or running with your children, because of overly large breasts that caused unending pain?   Despite existing scientific studies that outline the medical necessity for breast reduction, many insurance companies are denying thousand of woman the procedure each year because of rigid, unfounded conditions to secure coverage.

People often think breast reduction is an elective cosmetic procedure, but the majority of women seeking this surgery are legitimately debilitated by their breasts...

Cleavage is the cleft created by the partial exposure of a woman’s breast, especially when exposed by low-cut clothing.   The neckline of a garment that exposes cleavage is known as décolletage (or décolleté in current French).   Exposure of the underside of the breast, such as below an extremely short crop top, is known as “reverse cleavage” (also Australian cleavage, or neathage), and exposure of the side of the breast is referred to as “side cleavage”.

So, what is so important about cleavage?   From an evolutionary perspective, a woman’s permanently enlarged breasts were thought to allow women to attract male attention even when they were not really fertile.  

Further to my article written last time, depending upon the cause of your facial pigmentation, there are several treatment options.   Some consist only of cream or changes of your skin care routine or sunbathing habits. Substituting or changing brands of hormonal supplements of birth control pills may also resolve abnormal melanin production.

For standard non-hormone induced hyperpigmentation, hydroquinone usually reduces or removes hypergigmentation very effectively.   For the person who does not wish to have expensive or invasive procedures or only has slight hyperpigmentation, hydroquinone can be a good option.   However, these products may not be suitable for your needs and they will also take longer than others treatment options.