Archive for October, 2006

Posted on Oct 26th, 2006

In recent years, Cosmetic surgery has become a very popular self-enhancement tool for both women and men. In the past, cosmetic surgery was viewed as an elective surgery that only the very rich could afford, however it has become a more widely used method of enhancing ones image in the last decade or so. By the sheer number of procedures that are performed annually it would lead us to believe that cosmetic surgery has become a very acceptable solution to solving “problem areas” for many people, and it has.

Some of the most commonly performed plastic surgery techniques are listed here, along with links to more information on cosmetic surgery in general.

Abdominoplasty ,or "tummy tuck" is a procedure that consists of reshaping and firming of the abdomen .

Blepharoplasty ,or "eyelid surgery", is the Reshaping of the eyelids or the application of permanent eyeliner, including a procedure called Asian blepharoplasty, where the skin around the eyes is reshaped. It is sometimes done to remove the epicanthal fold and to create a crease in the eyelid.

Augmentation Mammaplasty or "breast enlargement". Surgery for enlargement of the breasts.

Mastopexy ,also called a "breast lift", A procedure in which sagging breasts are raised.

Rhinoplasty, Also known as a "nose job". Surgery for reshaping of the nose.

Rhytidectomy, commonly referred to as a face lift, offers the removal of wrinkles and the signs of aging from the face.

Otoplasty also known as aesthetic ear surgery, is the procedure that reshapes and molds the protrusion of the ears.

Lipectomy, Commonly referred to as liposuction. Abdominal liposuction enables the recontouring of the body by the permanent removal of fatty deposits.

Chin augmentation Enhancement of the chin using an implant.

Cheek augmentation Enhancement of the contours of the cheeks.

It should be always be noted that any elective procedure such as cosmetic surgery does involve risks, just like any operation, and should therefore should be treated accordingly. This can be done by gathering as much information on the procedure as you possibly can. In addition to gathering information on the procedure, it is also very important to check a physician’s credentials, looking for those physicians trained in cosmetic techniques, such as Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, Otolaryngologists , and Opthalmologists.

More information on Plastic Surgery and Medspa information can be found here http://www.cosmeticsurgeryreview.com .

Posted on Oct 26th, 2006

Everyone dreams of having skin that is healthy, smooth and radiant. This state of skin perfection would have to derive from proper and attentive care. Your skin could convey its wishes, its needs for nutrition and concern. Listen to its voice, pamper it with timely care, and your skin will maintain its very best condition always. Balance: The First Criterion for Perfect Skin

At the crux of the latest global beauty concepts, lies the need for skin balance, which is the first criterion for perfect skin. Here, “balance” refers to the natural physiological functions of the skin, such as regulation of moisture, oil secretion, sensitive reactions and organisational structures. Only when these four areas are regulated and balanced, can the skin present its very best. Conversely, if there is an imbalance in the four factors, the skin will develop problems accordingly.

Warning Signal 1:
Dryness, lack of moisture, slight peeling, dry wrinkles

Skin’s Revelation:
Functional imbalance in regulation of moisture

The Best Solution:
Emergency replenishment of moisture

Suggested Method:
Give skin the ample moisturising nutrition it needs. Choose special moisturising skincare products that contain natural minerals, effective moisture-replenishing factors, natural compound vitamins, collagen, etc.

Warning Signal 2:
Insufficient or excessive oil, whiteheads, blackheads, acne 

Skin’s Revelation:
Functional imbalance in oil secretion

The Best Solution:
Balance oil secretion

Suggested Method:
Choose skincare products that have oil-absorption, inflammation-reduction and germ-elimination properties. For skin that secretes excessive oil, take care of cleanliness and inflammation reduction.

Warning Signal 3:
Sagging, signs of aging such as wrinkles

Skin’s Revelation:
Functional imbalance in organisational structure

The Best Solution:
Emergency replenishment of nutrients

Suggested Method:
Focus on the replenishment of effective anti-wrinkle and skin-firming ingredients, such as amino acids, various vitamins, protein essences, etc, so as to enhance skin metabolism and restore its natural vitality within the shortest time.

Warning Signal 4:
Weakness, itch, red spots 

Skin’s Revelation:
Functional imbalance in sensitive reactions

The Best Strategy:
Emergency desensitisation

Suggested Method:
Conduct a self-diagnosis first. If the condition is mild, nurse it using Bel’Air’s prescription. If the condition is severe, involving burns or abnormal swelling, consult a doctor or specialist.

Listen to Your Skin

These are some of the warning signals that will be sounded when a problem in skin balance occurs. Usually, the prologue will take the form of itch. When your skin gives the signal for help, it is time to give it the nutrition and moisture it needs. In this way, you can effectively maintain your skin at a state of healthy and optimum balance. So, when your skin sounds the warning signal for imbalance, don’t ever neglect it. Putting the balance back into your skin will ensure its radiance and beauty!

Nur Syahid, a Natural Aromatherapist, specializes in Bio-Tech Aromatherapy including oxygen therapy, ozone therapy, health aromatherapy. Comments, Share and more info E-mail to : Healthybelair@yahoo.com

Posted on Oct 25th, 2006

Stretch marks are normal part of life. Most girls and boys will see the appearance of stretch marks when they begin going through puberty. Stretch marks will appear during this time because this is when children are growing. As they grow and gain weight quickly, they may get fine lines on their body, which are known as stretch marks.

What causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks appear when the tissue under the skin is being pulled or stretched by rapid growth or weight gain. The skin itself is fairly elastic but it can only be stretched so far before these lines will appear. When the skin is overstretched the production of collagen is disrupted. Therefore stretch marks will appear.

What do Stretch Marks look like?

Stretch marks themselves vary from person to person. When they first appear they may appear to be reddish in color. These lines will have a different texture than the rest of the skin surrounding that area. Stretch marks do not stay this color forever. Eventually they turn white or clear and in some cases are hard to see. They will almost always disappear over time as the skin adjust and stretches to fit the body correctly.

Fighting back against Stretch Marks

There are various things that people can do to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. One of the most common things today is the use of sunless tanning creams. People are using these creams to tan the skin and hide the appearance of these unwanted white lines on the skin. However, if you apply these lotions and the take tanning sessions the stretch lines will appear even more as they are not likely to tan in a tanning bed. Another possible solution is to use the various types of body makeup that are available today. There are many makeup lines that are being used to hide the appearance of stretch marks, or at least reduce the appearance in some way.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at http://www.stretch-marks-central.info

Posted on Oct 25th, 2006

Teeth whitening is a process of lightening the color of teeth. It involves a bleaching process that reduces the discoloration of the enamel and dentin caused due to smoking, aging, consumption of tea, coffee and colas.

You can try tooth whitening if you have healthy teeth without any fillings. Teeth whiteners are not suitable for dark gray stains, crowns, colored fillings and stains due to some medication such as tetracycline.

There are several types of products available for use at home. When selecting a whitener you must look for the ADA Seal for safety and effectiveness. Tooth whiteners gels or strips contain carbamide or hydrogen peroxide as the active bleaching ingredients. The bleaching gel is placed in a thin bleaching tray that fits over the teeth. The tooth whitening strips are placed on the teeth and gently pressed to make a contact between the whitener and the surface of the tooth. Results are usually seen within the first week.

You may experience tooth sensitivity to cold or discomfort in the gums during treatment. These symptoms always disappear within a couple of days after completion of treatment.

The tooth whitening toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives or chemical polishing agents. Whitening toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance program do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth, unlike bleaches.

You should never use lemon juice for teeth whitening because vitamin C will cause the teeth to lose calcium, damaging teeth quicker than anything else.

P. Mehta, Copyright www.FatFreeKitchen.com

[You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (clickable) and references and copyright info. ]

This article has been written by http://www.fatfreekitchen.com
For further information, visit Tooth Whitening
and Teeth care, Oral health, tooth decay, bad breath, dental plaque, cavities & tartar

Posted on Oct 24th, 2006

Make up has become an integral part of anyone’s life. Be it a child or women, now we can say men may also have started using make up but we cannot be that sure either. By Putting on an excellent make up, and making many heads turn, its time to remove those heavy layers of make up which one has use to cover up ones blemishes.

Even though many think that putting on the make up is more than enough, but we have to keep in mind that these are not good if left on the skin for too long. As chemicals are being used so one should see to it that the make up be removed as soon as possible.

So removing or cleaning up your make up is very important as it starts affecting your skin in later stages of your life. So it is important to for everyone to take care of their skin and cherish it. For removing the make up firstly remove your eye makeup by using a moistened cotton ball with a make up remover. Do this gently so as to avoid any traces of make up on your face.

Avoid the remover by getting it in your eyes. After this, cleanse your face with a good product which suits your skin type and clean it with that. Best way to remove this entire make up is by using lukewarm water with the cleanser. After the initial cleansing, you should be doing the toning which is done at crevices around your nose and around your chin. After this moisturizing helps in keeping your skin soft and firm.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of sites related to hair and skin care which have information on hair care tips, skin care tips, usefulness of removing the make up and guidelines on hair and skin care .

Posted on Oct 24th, 2006

In United States of America and Canada, indoor tanning products are very usual. Moreover, the indoor tanning businesses have appreciably grown in the last 25 years and are still increasing, getting more and more sophisticated.

It’s hard to compete with the global beauty industry. Surprisingly or not, the American population is spending more time and money on beauty than on their education. Thus, regardless of sex, nationality, age or occupation, Americans are extremely attached to indoor tanning salons. The usual surveys reveal the extent of the indoor tanning business in local communities.

Americans and Canadians are satisfied with the fact that indoor salons provide a rigurously controlled tanning process, gradual and under supervision. Thanks to these factors, sunburns and health problems are almost out of the question.

For instance, 85 percent of those surveyed admit that they really believe in indoor tanning safety. A lot of people also appreciate the privacy and the comfort they get in a tanning salon, which offers them a real break from all the daily tasks they have to attend.

The latest surveys reveal a more balanced male/female profile as compared to a few years ago. Unlike nowadays, in 1996, in most cases women were usual clients. But in the recent years men have become accustomed to indoor tanning facilities and tanning tips.

Many Americans have experienced at least one indoor tanning session in the last ten years. It is said that more than 10 percent of the American population will visit an indoor salon facility. On the other hand, women hold the supremacy of ownership.

Surveys point out that more than 50 percent of the indoor salons have female ownership. Neither the age of the tanners nor the nationality is an obstacle for Americans and Canadians. Now, 70 percent of all indoor tanners are over 25 years old. It is no longer a taboo. A lot of people want to cure themselves (from psoriasis, for instance) and to be fit.

Presently there are 25,000 Professional Indoor Tanning Facility Businesses and also 160,000 employees in this industry. The number of clients is encouraging, too: 28 millions. As a matter of fact, a professional indoor tanning salon is operating in almost every town of the USA. There have been reports saying that Hispanic and Afro-American groups share the trend and their number is rising.

About The Author

Dana Scripca writes for http://www.sunlesstanning.ws where you can find more information about Sunless Tanning.

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:danascri@gmail.com

Posted on Oct 23rd, 2006

Expensive creams, steam bath, careful removal of makeup and a good foundation is well and good. However, this is only partly the way to the flawless skin Hollywood-stars and models display. Beauty and perfect skin come from within, and especially has a lot to do with what you eat. This article tells you how to obtain clear, shining and beautiful skin

Drop white food
Yes, French fries will cause acne, but not because of the large amounts of fat. It is the potatoes that provoke the pimples, a new study reveals. Scientists examined the food habits of 1 200 Paraguayan hunter-gatherers free of acne, and concluded that they eat completely different compared to most people in the Western world. Their diet consisted of protein, fruit and vegetables and was stripped of simple carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and similar products – important aspects in our daily fare. The researchers concluded that our propensity for carbohydrates makes the insulin level increase dramatically, which in the last instance causes pimples.
If you want beautiful face skin free of acne, replace all carbohydrates with whole meal bread, -pasta and brown rice – they are decomposed at a slower rate and will not provoke acne inducing insulin intoxication like white bread, normal pasta and rice.

Eat a lot of fish
Fish is rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6,. These fatty acids counteract the blocking of pores that cause acne, and in the long term, more wrinkles. Salmon, mackerel and tuna are the species richest in the healthy acids, but if you don’t like fish you can also find them in almond, hazelnuts and flaxseed.

Goodbye blush food
A touch of color on the cheeks is nice, but bright red blushing from top to collar bone is not necessarily desirable. If you have a tendency for blushing, be alert that certain food and drinks may be the cause. This especially applies for spice, salted and smoked meat, taste amplifiers (especially sodium glutamate) and alcohol (especially red wine). This kind of food makes the blood vessels expand, and cause red cheeks and blushing neck and breast. However, everybody reacts differently on food be alert on what makes you turn red.

A lot of olive oil
If you avoid fatty substance to keep the waist slim, your face may be paying the price. A lot of young women experience dry skin that peel of because they don’t get enough fatty substance. If your daily intake is less than 20 gram (approx. two tablespoons of oil) the skin is not able to uphold. Not only will the skin look dry and dead, it will also accelerate wrinkles. Without fat the body cannot absorb vitamin A, which the body needs to counter the ageing process. Therefore: Use avocadoes and nuts in the salad and pour some olive oil on top – it doesn’t hurt!

Stephen Ross is a http://Skin.ManageYourLoveLife.com/ article author, aiming in supplying people with the most detailed and comprehensive data on skin care issues. A one-stop online resource guide - find helpful information, tips, articles and advice available.

Posted on Oct 23rd, 2006

With all the skin care tips and information today, you might think it’s very confusing! All you want is what is best for your skin. It may be overwhelming for you to try to keep up with the constantly evolving technology.

Skin care tip #1 - your skin is unique. If your best friend uses "the most powerful product," it may do nothing for you, or you might even have a reaction to it.

Before you consider buying any over-the-counter skin care products, there are a few basic facts about your skin you must know. These include:

Your skin type. It is oily, dry, normal, sensitive, or a combination?

Your skin complexion. Do you have fair skin that burns easily or light to medium that may burn? Or do you have a medium tone that usually tans or a darker complexion the only rarely burns? Or is your complexion so dark that you never burn?

Your skin concerns. Do you want preventative maintenance to avoid premature aging? Do you have a skin problem, such as persistent acne, age spots, melasma or rosacea? You may also have large pores, sun damage, facial wrinkles or fine lines that require special attention. Do you have eye puffiness or under eye bags that will require special care?

Your personal habits. Are you a smoker? Do you spend a lot of time in the sun? Do you take a daily vitamin? Do you consume a well-balanced diet? All these factors will affect how you should care for your skin.

Skin care tip #2 ? one of the most essential beauty building blocks is one?s physical health. You should incorporate some simple, but very positive lifestyle habits as: exercise, water drinking and nutritious eating.

Skin care tip #3 ? The basic steps to a flawless face consist of two key elements: cleansing and moisturizing on a regular basis.

Mike Zanov received his medical doctor degree at the age of 25 at St. Pitersburg University in Russia and then completed dermatology training there. Now he is a practicing dermatologist.
http://www.facial-skin-care-tips.com

Posted on Oct 22nd, 2006

In the 80s, the hair accessory was invaluable. Almost every style involved some sort of hair accessory or embellishment to really set it off. Today, the hair accessory is not a part of everyday style and care should be taken as to when and how to use the hair accessory so that you will not look dated.

With that said, there are some occasions that scream for hair accessories: Work, social occasions and formal events may all have you searching for the perfect hair accessory to set off your look. While different occasions will call for different hair accessories, a good rule of thumb to follow is to choose the sedate hair accessory over one that could not go unnoticed in a crowd of a few hundred or a few thousand.

While choosing the right one can be tricky, there are a few pointers that you can follow to help you pick the perfect hair accessories to complete your look. Here are just a few:

* Work. In many work situations, you will likely have to wear your hair up. No matter if your type of employment requires it or you simply like to change your look now and then, wearing your hair up calls for the right hair accessory to do the job. The number one rule to finding the right hair accessory for work is to avoid banana clips at all costs. I mean, who still makes these things? Apparently they’re making money at it or they wouldn’t still be producing these torture devices of the 80s. Don’t further their cause: stop buying this hair accessory. The second rule is to choose hair accessories that closely match your hair color or that blend nicely with it. Matching a hair accessory to your clothes is only cute when you are 5-years-old. What you choose will depend largely on your length of hair and how you like to wear your hair up. For French twists, choose hair accessories that resemble over-sized hair clips. Simply twist and clip.

* Social and formal occasions. In social and formal occasions you have a greater opportunity to express your artsy side through hair accessories. Again choose sedate pieces over garish hair accessories. Classy pieces can be perfect for social occasions, whereas a little sprig of flowers or garnishment may be needed for formal occasions. Formal occasions are the only time that is okay to match your hair accessory to your clothing. But still, do not go overboard. What attracts the eye should be the beauty of your hair, not too-busy hair accessories. If in doubt about what hair accessory or how much of it to include, opt for the simple solution: use as little as possible.

The bottom line with hair accessories is that too much of a good thing can confuse the eye and make your do look garish. Simple hair accessories, on the other hand, can make a bold beauty statement that makes your hair the talk of the office or party.

Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit the great hair styles website.

Posted on Oct 22nd, 2006

Billions of people around the world experience acne over their lifetimes. In fact, acne is the single most common skin disorder, and more common than all other skin disorders combined.

With this being the case, it is not surprising to see literally thousands of different acne treatments available on the market today. There are prescription medications, such as accutane, and Retin-A. These work well on severe cystic acne. There are also over the counter medications, such as Benzoyl peroxide and Salicylic acid. For light to moderate acne, these can be a godsend. And of course, there are herbal acne treatments like tea tree oil and green tea cream. These both are proven to work well as alternatives to benzoyl peroxide.

This is just to name a very few of the most effective acne treatments available. There are then hundreds of brands that repackages these treatments under thousands of names, and sell them to acne suffers the world over.

However, there is one acne symptom that none of these medications can treat… Acne Dysmorphia.

Acne Dysmorphia is really more of it’s own disorder altogether. It is similar to anorexia nervosa, in that the person suffering from acne dysmorphia becomes completely obsessed with a physical condition of their body. With Anorexia, it is their weight, and with acne dysmorphia, it is their clear complexion.

The truth of the matter is, Acne Dysmorphia is not strongly related to acne at all. The acne is just a catalyst for the problem. With Acne Dysmorphia, a person will become completely fixated on their skin, whether or not they are suffering from acne at all! They may pick at an area of skin until it bleeds, or becomes infected. Also, depression often results from their frustration with their skin complexion.

The sad fact is, many times these people may only have a few very small breakouts. Therefore, no amount of “acne treatment” will help reduce the fixation on the skin. It is not uncommon for someone with Acne Dysmorphia to check their face in a mirror dozens, even hundreds of times a day. And each look in a mirror reflects only a distorted image, one with a much larger acne problem than exists.

The cure for this disorder does not come from any form of acne care, but from healing within. Behavioral therapy, can be an amazing aid in curing acne dysmorphia. In many cases, this is all that is needed to help reduce the symptoms. In extreme cases, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor may be needed. Also, some people find hypnosis can be an effective form of treatment.

The most important thing to understand with acne dysmorphia is that it is not due to the acne breakouts, but to a mental disorder that needs to be treated completely independently of any acne. Furthermore, it is very important to treat acne dysmorphia, because the resulting depression can create many problems for a person, including suicide.

Acne is never pleasant for anyone, but acne dysmorphia can truly be a crippling disorder. Seek treatment for the mental aspects first, and then you may find that the acne you have will suddenly become an easily manageable aspect of your life!

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and the editor of http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

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