Facial Implant is the medical terminology for what most people refer to as facial cheek implant, facial prosthetic implant, facial implant surgery, and facial implants.

In this procedure the goal is to correct and change the shape and balance of the face using formed implants to build up a diminishing chin, add distinction to cheekbones, or reshape the jaw line.

Length and details of the Facial Implant procedure

The length of operation typically runs 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Patients are usually given a general or local anesthesia, with sedation.

Most Facial Implants procedures are routinely outpatient with some cases requiring an overnight hospital stay.

Risks and/or complications related to a Facial Implant procedure

In a Facial Implant surgery the patient may experience potential side effects consisting of temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, numbness and/or stiffness in the lower facial areas. If the procedure includes surgery to the jaw, a patient may experience the inability to open fully open their mouth for several weeks.

In addition there are other associated risks with this procedure that include the risk of shifting or inexact positioning of implant, infection, excess tightening and hardening of scar tissue in the region of the formed implant.

Patients may return to work in approximately 1 week. Those involved in sports or other physical activities should avoid activity that could jar or bump face. Individuals will be able to resume these activities in approximately 6 weeks or more. Long-term results of a Facial Implant procedure

In this procedure the end results are usually permanent.

How much does a Facial Implant procedure cost?

The national average for cheek implants is approximately $2,300

Will my insurance cover a Facial Implant procedure?

Because a Facial Implant procedure is considered an elective procedure, insurance usually will not cover the operation. However in some cases such as reconstructive surgery it may be medically necessary, your health care insurance may be able to cover the costs.

Read more about Facial Implant Information and its benefits. Alan Hood is a contributing writer at http://www.houstonmedcenter.com.

I guess you wouldn’t think that radio frequency energy would be making waves in the beauty industry? But, it is. A device that uses RFE is being used in the Thermalcool procedure. If you don’t know what Thermacool is, then you haven’t had your ear to the station. Thermacool is the new non-surgical procedure that gives men and women a healthy alternative to surgical facelifts. The process tightens your skin by contracting the deep layers of skin. Thermacool is also known on the market as Thermalift and Thermage. Let’s call it Thermacool because it sounds hip.

Two thumbs up! That’s the rating The Food and Drug Administration is giving Thermacool. The FDA’s approval is leading to the procedures widespread use. Doctors and their patients believe Thermcool irons out wrinkles and reduces sagging skin. The face is the best place to use Thermacool, however it is used on the neck and arms as well. It is a good treatment anywhere there is loose skin. Some folks are using it under the arms and to treat stretch marks on the abdomen and hips.

60-Year Old Lynn Shores had a treatment six months ago and is looking forward to having another one in about three more months. She says, “I was looking twice my age! I had the procedure done because I wanted to look younger and prettier in my face.” Shores began to see results about two months after having the treatment. She is among a growing number of people who believe the benefits of Thermacool far outweigh the risks. Thermacool may cause some discomfort but the risk of surgery, anesthesia and scarring are less than with surgical procedures. In fact, some people say the procedure really doesn’t hurt that much at all.

So you may be wondering how does it work? It takes anywhere from thirty to forty five minutes to complete the Thermacool procedure. Most patients’ only need a topical anesthetic cream placed on the face. Your technician will do that about an hour before the treatment is scheduled to begin. Other people may need Valium or some other kind of oral sedative. “I was just so jittery about having it done, says 35 year old Marc Thompson. I didn’t know if it would improve my appearance or make it worst. I guess men are just not supposed to try these things, but I took my wife’s recommendation.” Thermacool is not any different from any other surgical procedure if you need a stronger sedative, you’ll need an anesthesiologist to administer the dose.

As I mentioned, Thermacool uses radio frequency energy to apply heat under the epidermis or top layer of the skin. The heat is applied directly into the dermis layer. The dermis layer is right under the epidermis. I could feel a warming on my face. It felt unusual. I couldn’t do anything but lay still,” says Tonya Morgan.

You’ll want to lay still too as the heat causes the tissue in the dermis layer to warm up. This controlled heating of deeper layers of skin and tissue causes the skin to contract and tighten. This is known as volumetric tissue heating. There is some pain every time there is a pulse, but a cooling spray brings some relief after each pulse.

The volumetric tissue heating causes the collagen underneath the skin tissue to contract and shrink. At the same time, the top layer of the skin is kept cool by cryogen cooling. Cryogen cooling keeps the temperature on the surface of the skin cool while the dermis tissues are heated up. The heating action causes two reactions. The first result is an increased thickness in the top layer of skin. It’s the heating that actually causes works to reduce the wrinkles.

The second result is collagen remolding and the production of new collagen. The skin continues to tighten over time as the skin heals. You may be able to see a difference in your appearance immediately. However, it takes most people up to six months to see a difference. It is possible for the procedure to be repeated again after six months. You should let your technicians take before and after pictures to help you see any subtle changes.

Now, you’re probably wondering whether Thermacool, Thermage and Thermalift are right for you. Patient’s who live on a pacemaker cannot undergo the procedure; it’s just too risky. You may want to pass on the procedure if your skin is really, really loose. Surgery may be your only hope. However, Thermacool works best in combination with laser treatments, Botox, resytlane, and collagen injections. Traditional eye, forehead and eyebrow surgeries also work well with Thermacool.

Research shows Thermacool works! If it didn’t the FDA wouldn’t have given it a nod. Patients wouldn’t have issued a strong endorsement either. “I’ve never felt better about myself. I know most people would be afraid to try a procedure like this, but not me! I’m all for looking younger and healthier. The best part is how good I feel about me,” says Shores.

About The Author

Barry A. S. Lycka is an internationally known cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon who practices in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where he has worked from 1989. Recently, Dr. Lycka was chosen as Alberta’s Dream Makeover Doctor. For more information you can visit his website at http://www.BarryLyckaMD.com.

In 2006 The Paris Hilton Haircut will indeed make people look and this style will indeed render its own following with all sorts of small variations in Salons across America. There will also be a backlash of betrayers of the Paris Hilton Hair Style and would be followers declare mutiny to that level of stardom, riches and conspicuous flirtations. However you can bet that we will be seeing much more of Paris Hilton in the future, well maybe not as much as before. But quite a lot as this trend setter, sets out to move mountains fans towards more bright and playful outlook on life.

Indeed the Prozac Generation loves her for her audacity and fun and this will show in the 2006 Hair Styles and especially for those who wish to emulate Paris’ attitude and bring excitement into their own lives.

Paris Hilton has been discussing a few thoughts on a shorter hairstyle for 2006, as well as some shorter mini-skirts, which most men do not find offensive, yet many women with a little extra holliday belly bulge from their recent New Years Resolution diet failure do reveal both above the waist line and below.

But fear not as sometimes the proper hairstyle and bubbly attitude will make up for those extra pounds. Many will be considering hybrids of the Paris Hilton Hairstyle in 2006, even Paris Hilton herself.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Eye glasses have really come a long way over the years when it comes to style and variety. However, there is no question that when it comes to showing off your good looks, contact lenses win over glasses hands down! You can buy contact lenses through your eye doctor or - what’s even better - you can purchase them online. There are numerous brands of contacts; and each has their own special contact lens products that pertain to both general vision correction, and people who have special eye conditions.

If you wish to buy contact lenses online, you will want to take a few factors into account. First you will want to shop around on different websites and compare prices of the brand of contact that you wish to purchase. You will find that there are many ways to buy contact lenses at great discount prices. Learn what is available for you, and choose the best method that is most convenient and comfortable for both your wallet and your eyes.

You will find that if you wear disposable contact lenses, ordering contacts at a discount price will usually end up saving your more money than ordering them through your eye doctor. However, before you buy contact lenses, you will want to make sure that you receive a thorough eye examination from your optometrist. The reason for this is so you will learn of the exact measurements of your eye. Everyone has different eye shapes and sizes and if you wear contacts that are not designed to fit the shape of your eye, you will find them uncomfortable; and they can cause damage to your eye. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you have perfect 20/20 vision and you wish to buy contact lenses that are non-prescription and colored. It doesn’t matter why you are purchasing contact lenses – See your eye doctor first!

When you buy contact lenses you will want to learn all you can about the different types of contact lenses you can purchase, as well as, the maintenance involved for keeping them clean. If you don’t plan on wearing your contacts frequently, you may find daily disposable contact lenses - like those Acuvue sells - as a perfect choice. That way, you won’t have to worry about cleaning your contacts. Simply wear them once, and throw them away. If you plan on wearing extended disposables that can last for up to two weeks or a month; or conventional contacts that can last up to a year, you will want to ensure that you take the best steps in ultimate cleaning care. Remember, your eyes are a precious and delicate organ that can not be replaced – take excellent care of them, and buy contact lenses that provide you with the best in comfort and vision.

Dawn Gonzalez
http://www.buy-contact-lenses-online-now.com

Everyone talks about the best hairstyles of 2005 and what will be trendy in 2006, yet what they really want to know is which hair styles not to be caught dead with. If we all wear the same style of hair, then we end up looking too trendy and a copycat. Most of us are aware of this and therefore do not necessarily go for the Paris Hilton Hair Cut or the Brad Pitt theme. What we need is a hybrid of sorts, something that will not offend, but will be classy and somewhat unique to help bring out our finer points, individuality and strengths in our personalities.

Some of what may have been considered the most obnoxious and obscene haircuts of the past will be very trendy in 2006. Haircuts like the shock jock Howard Sterns, with is light socket hairdo and matted look. The Japanese video cartoon character hairdos you would have never thought of wearing, yet in 2006 we will gals wearing this hair style with pride.

The hair styles which will end your date quickest for men, will be the parted in the middle flared and layered styles which were popular previously, so much for that online dating service hook-up, Next! For women do not be surprised if men would rather see no hair on your entire body than the 2004 and 2005 Oprah haircut, as she will never be able to run for President with that do. For those women with patrician looks you actually can get away with extremely short hair in 2006 or even bald and you will be a trend setter, as bald is in 2006 for men and women. Think on this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Not sure what to look for when choosing cosmetics? Need some advice on taking care of your skin? Here are eight tips to help your skin look and feel it’s best.

1)Select moisturizers made with vegetable oils. The lotions, creams and body oils that you use should be made with vegetable oils, not mineral oil. Vegetable oils, (like olive oil, sweet almond oil, corn oil, etc.) contain fatty acids which help to moisturize and soften the skin. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and does not contain anything that helps to nourish the skin.

2)Look for herbs and herbal derivatives in your cosmetics. Herbs and their derivatives (essential oils, extracts, infusions) contain natural chemicals which soothe, tone and help condition the skin. Two herbs which are especially useful in natural cosmetics are Lavender and Tea tree. The essential oils of both lavender and tea tree are gentle, natural antiseptics.

3)Once a week soak your feet in warm water, and gently exfoliate dead skin with a pumice stone. Follow up by moisturizing your feet with a natural foot oil or foot lotion.

4)Every week soak in a tub of bath salts. Salt, especially salts mined from the Dead Sea in the Middle East, are rich in minerals and help draw impurities out of the skin.

5)After a shower or bath, seal in moisture by using a body oil or lotion made from natural vegetable oils.

6)If you have blemishes and your skin is dry, moisturize your skin in the morning and at night with products that contain vegetable oils which are high in essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids help to soften and hydrate the skin and they can also help soothe minor irritations. Vegetable oils that contain large amounts of essential fatty acids are: corn oil, sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, borage oil, blackcurrant seed oil and evening primrose oil.

7)Look for toners and astringents that are made without ethyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. These ingredients are solvents that are extremely drying to the skin.

8)Every time you wash your hands, moisturize them with a natural lotion or cream to help them stay soft.

Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM), a newsletter for people who make their own bath and body care products. For information about Making Good Scents(TM) visit http://www.MakingGoodScents.com

What you put on your skin is as important as the food you eat. Chemicals that come in contact with your skin can be absorbed into your bloodstream. Many of the ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products are toxic, even though they may not cause any reaction on the skin. Some cause cancer. Some of the most commonly used ingredients combine with other ingredients to form cancer-causing substances. Here’s a list to help you choose safer and healthier cosmetics and personal care products:

1. Read the List of Ingredients

Most products are labeled to "sell" rather than provide accurate information about the product. The sales pitch on the label doesn’t tell you anything about the safety and quality of the ingredients in the product.You need to read the ingredients list rather than the label for more accurate information about the product.

The ingredient list may not be easy to find and it may be so tiny you need a magnifying glass to read it because that’s not what the manufacturer wants you to see. The ingredients are required by law to be listed on the product label in order of quantity. The ingredient present in the largest quantity is listed first, the ingredient in the smallest quantity is listed last.

2. Check the Ingredients for Safety

The cosmetics and personal care industry is very poorly regulated. There are more than 12,000 ingredients that can be used in cosmetics and personal care products and most of them have not been adequately tested, many not tested at all. The manufacturers are not required to prove the claims they make about their products or to test them for safety. Many products contain cancer-causing ingredients along with ingredients that enhance absorption of the product through the skin into the bloodstream. To make sure the products you’re buying are safe, check the ingredients against a reliable safety list.

3. Beware of Words That Are Used to Sell Rather Than Provide Accurate Information

Many of the words manufacturers use on labels to promote their products do not have "official definitions" so they can be used to mean anything that the manufacturer wants. These terms are very often misleading.

Some words to watch out for include:
Natural — may contain all natural ingredients, a few or none at all
Hypoallergenic — may be tested or based upon manufacturer belief; no proof is required
Fragrance free — means no detectable odor; fragrance ingredients may still be added

4. More is Not Better

Choose products with fewer ingredients, not more. Besides the fact that most ingredients have not been adequately tested, those that have been tested have only been tested individually, not in combination with other ingredients. Nobody knows the effects of the many different ingredients used in thousands of different combinations, the effects of using numerous different products, one on top of the other, or the effects of repeated use of ingredients or products over time.

5. Buy From Companies Truly Committed to Healthy Products

As consumers are becoming more conscious of using safer and healthier products, many manufacturers are tapping into that consciousness and producing pseudo-healthy products. The label looks like the product is natural and healthy, but if you read the ingredients, that’s not the case. On the other hand there are companies dedicated to producing safe and natural cosmetics and personal care products. Many of these are small companies that were started because of the lack of availability of healthy products and many of them use organic and food grade ingredients.

We live in a toxic world and there are some things that we have no control over, like air pollution. However, we do have control over what we put into our bodies and what we put on our bodies — if we just take the time to educate ourselves and make safe and healthy choices. With the increasing number of chemicals in everything these days, it’s important for everyone to become health conscious. Taking control over what you put into your body and on your body will affect your quality of life and may just be a matter of life and death!

Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. is "The Ingredients Investigator." She has been researching ingredient safety since 1991 and is the author of three books, including the new, second edition of DYING TO LOOK GOOD. To learn more about the safety of ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products, visit DyingToLookGood.com.

Looking for a more natural approach to hair care? Here are some tips to help your hair look and feel its best.

1. Avoid shampoos that contain sodium laurel sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate. These chemicals are synthetic detergents that are used in dishwashing liquid and other cleansers. They are valued because they lather well, but they are very harsh, and can dry out your hair. Instead, look for shampoos made with decyl glucose, or decyl glucoside, which are much gentler.

2. Give yourself a hot oil treatment to deep condition your hair. Warm oil penetrates the hair shaft making the hair more flexible and giving it shine. This can also help to prevent split ends which result from dry hair.

3. Eat right and consider taking vitamin and mineral supplements to encourage healthy hair. Several vitamins and minerals have been shown to help hair growth and condition including biotin, vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin C and MSM.

4. If you are an African American, or if you have extra curly hair, avoid brushing your hair. Use a wide toothed comb, or your fingers to work with your hair. Brushes can destroy African American or extra curly hair by shearing it out of the scalp.

5. Look for essential oils, herbs and vegetable oils in your hair care products. Essential oils such as rosemary, ylang-ylang and west indian bay help to stimulate hair growth. Lavender and tea tree and naturally antiseptic and help to fight dandruff. Vegetable oils such as soybean oil, safflower oil and corn oil are moisturizing and conditioning to the hair shaft.

6. Avoid sleeping in hair accessories such as barrettes, scrunchies, head bands, etc. This can lead to hair damage.

7. Massage your scalp to help stimulate hair growth. Massaging helps stimulate hair growth by increasing the blood flow to the scalp. This nourishes the hair roots and helps to stimulate the hair growth process.

8. If your hair ends are damaged, give yourself a trim every so often to remove damage.

Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM), a newsletter for people who make their own bath and body care products. For information about Making Good Scents(TM) visit http://www.MakingGoodScents.com

Every year hair cut styles change slightly as change marches on and since the only thing constant is change if you do not change with the haircut styles you will find it difficult to win friends and influence people.

Speaking of friends; the television show; “Friends” was certainly a trendy set of haircuts for 2005 wasn’t it? But Friends TV sitcom series is no longer in style and those haircuts will soon be “has been” styles. You do not wish to be caught rolled over in your SUV and dead on arrival with an old haircut style do you?

For older men the Ronald Reagan haircut style is coming back in, especially as more balding men are working to get their hair back and as they do, they will want to show a healthy head of hair indeed. But believe it or not “Bald” will be back in too in 2006 and the Howard Stern “Shocked” jock look. You can achieve this I am guessing by waking up with matted hair, four afro comb brushes and then sticking your finger in a light socket. So that is about as simple as the Bald look, not much preparation needed their; a very low maintenance look indeed.

For women you can expect some longer looks to be trendy too, reminiscent of the Farrah Facet styles of the 80’s but slightly shorter. Somewhat of a Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Farrah Facet hybrid and this will work for Blondes and Brunettes equally well with brunettes being somewhat shorter by about 2-3 inches in length. Another look, which is already making its rounds is the “kick butt” short hair video action figure look. We will see much more of this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Has your scalp or skin ever been uncomfortably itchy? Do you know someone who has an itchy scalp or itchy skin? Itching can cause extreme misery for the sufferer, however many causes of itchiness can be solved with simple remedies. There are many reasons why the scalp or skin may be irritated. So before you seek a dermatologist’s help, ask yourself the following:

1)Are you using a shampoo or shower gel made from detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate? Although these detergents lather wonderfully they can dry your scalp or skin out to the point of being extremely itchy. Consider switching to a natural soap-based liquid or bar cleanser, or try making your own cleansers yourself. Natural soaps are much kinder to the skin and scalp because they are made from vegetable oils instead of petroleum derivatives.

2)Is your laundry detergent making your skin itch? Laundry detergents are made from harsh cleansers and they are so strong that some of the residue may be left on your clothes even after the rinse cycle. When you dry your clothes, that laundry detergent residue is left on them. When you wear your clothes the laundry detergent residue comes into contact with your skin. As an alternative try a natural laundry powder available at health food stores or make your own soap, grate it, and use it as a natural laundry powder.

3)Are you suffering from allergic reactions to one or more food items? Commercially prepared foods contain many different ingredients which can sometimes cause allergic reactions. Try changing your diet by eliminating one food item at a time and see if this helps.

4)Has your skin come into contact with a bacteria or fungus that could cause itching (like athlete’s foot)? Try applying tea tree oil, or a product containing tea tree oil to the spot that is irritated. According to Dr. Ruth Winter, M.S., author of A Consumer’s Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients, tea tree oil is “eleven to 13 times stronger than carbolic acid” and is non-toxic to the skin.

5) Are you suffering from bug bites? Bites from mosquitos and other insects usually swell and cause intense itching. Try applying several drops of lavender essential oil directly on the bug bite itself to soothe the itching.

Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM) a newsletter for those who want to make their own skin care products. For information about Making Good Scents(TM) visit http://www.MakingGoodScents.com