Rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift, is a plastic surgery procedure in which all the excess fat between the nose and mouth is removed, and the underlying muscles are tightened. This treatment does not stop the aging process.

The right candidates for the Rhytidectomy are those people whose face and neck start to sag, but also have an elastic skin and a strong bone structure.

All surgeries have risks and consequences and the facelift is no exception. If this treatment is performed by a highly qualified specialist, the risks will be reduced. But all the patients are not completely predictable because all of them have different anatomy, physical reactions, and healing abilities.

Some of the risks are: hematoma, injury to nerves that control all the muscles of the face, infections and reaction to the anesthesia. All of these consequences could be reduced by following all the surgeon’s indications.

The first step in the facelift is to evaluate the face of the patient and then the doctors will determine the conditions that may cause any problem during the surgery. The doctor will explain the entire process and techniques that will be used in the surgery.

Before surgery, you will have to follow guidelines for an appropriate diet to follow. Eating and drinking habits, smoking, and consuming or evading some vitamins and several medications will be modified in order to obtain succesful results from the surgery.

Rhytidectomy always takes several hours depending on the procedure. Most of the time, doctors divide the surgery in two separated sessions. Usually, it takes three or more weeks to completely recover from the intervention.

Visit SleepingSwan if you are interested in more information about Rhytidectomy Plastic Surgery Procedure or a Face Lift Plastic Surgery Procedure.We can also help you find the plastic surgeon that will best suit your Facelift Plastic Surgery needs.

Good question! A face lift is major surgery and surgery means blood, mess, discomfort, stitches and time out to recover. A face lift is expensive too.

There are risks to consider, one is hematoma when the blood collects under the skin and has to be surgically removed. Damage to the nerves that control your facial muscles is another although this is less common. Slow healing time can also be a problem although this is found mainly in smokers. Oh! and don’t forget the usual risks that are involved with anesthesia.

On the plus side, the effects of a face lift are quite dramatic. It is without a doubt the fastest and most permanent way of shedding your ‘old’ face and regaining some of that youthful beauty you were born with..

If you’ve considered these things and decided that the final outcome is worth it, then proceed, but first please ask yourself these questions.

Why do I want a facelift?

Am I doing this because its going to help me find the job that I really want? This is a valid reason for going ahead. It shouldn’t matter to those that hire people how old the applicant is or what they look like, but in the real world we know that these things do play a part. If you have a job that has a lot of public exposure, this may also be a good reason to proceed.

Am I doing this because my partner wants me to? Red alert! Never let anyone else talk you into having a facelift. It is a very personal decision and one only you should make. Ask yourself why are you with someone who values you only for your appearance. Honor yourself, you are more than your face! Perhaps you should be working on your relationship and leaving your face alone!

I’m thirty five and have lots of wrinkles around my eyes and cheeks, and my neck is all mottled

A face lift won’t help this situation. You are better off exploring the avenue of laser resurfacing or even chemical peels, they will strip the old layer of skin off and reveal a smoother younger appearance. It sounds like you have a lot of sun damage, get educated on the use of sunblock! Its everybody’s most important cosmetic.

I’m depressed and don’t feel good about myself. Maybe a facelift will help me feel better?

It may for a little while, but it sounds like you have a self esteem problem. Learn to love yourself the way you are first. Then if you still feel a facelift would give your morale a boost, go ahead.

I’m in my early fifties and notice my face is starting to sag quite badly. I can afford the surgery and reckon I might just do this for myself. A good idea, you’ve thought it through and decided its something you want not something you need.

Find a professional surgeon in your area and follow all his/her advice on how to prepare for your face lift. Don’t forget to mention any medication you are taking and if you are a smoker, stop two weeks before surgery is scheduled. It will speed your recovery time. Good luck!

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Wendy Owen has had a lifetime interest in skin care, skin health and general health. She is in her fifties and still has a great skin. Advice on skin care may be found at: http://www.holistic-facial-skin-care.com

If you need to wear corrective vision lenses due to an eyesight problem, you may be considering the option of wearing contact lenses. These small, lightweight plastic lenses float on the fluid surrounding the eye to improve vision without being seen by others. This option allows lens wearers to eliminate the need for wearing eyeglass frames on their faces, which some people believe adds to their physical appearance. There is also the convenience factor of managing small lenses instead of bulkier framed lenses, which can be dropped, lost, or broken.

Contact lenses work well for those who don’t mind taking a few seconds morning and night to insert and remove the floating lenses. You will need to rinse each lens with cleaning solution every time you put them in or take them out of your eye. You also need to rinse out the contact lens case and let it dry before adding new fluid whenever you return the lenses to their case. Daily care, then, is a little more time-consuming than merely putting on or taking off eyeglasses. But many people don’t mind a little extra effort to be able to avoid wearing facial frames, which can be difficult to fit, steam up, and change someone’s look.

Another aspect of contact lenses is the need for more in-depth cleaning every few days or so. This requires the use of special enzymes purchased for this care. The case and lenses will need to soak for a short period of time in order to remove all eye fluid buildup. Then the lenses and case are rinsed and ready to use.

Nowadays, though, many contact lens wearers are opting for the disposable lenses that you wear a few days and then throw away. This helps to reduce the number of hours overall any lens will spend in your eye, thus cutting back on the amount of bacteria that can grow over a period of time and lead to eye irritations, inflammation, or infection. Some people used to buy extended wear contact lenses, which they would leave in for long periods of time. When these began causing problems, manufacturers came up with the disposable lens.

Contact lenses work great for professional people on the go or active people who are involved with sports, children, or other activities where eyeglasses could slip off their nose or be yanked off accidentally by kids or competitors. Unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses won’t steam up, although one could pop out if your eye becomes dry or you play around with it. Finding a lost contact lens is challenging, to say the least. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen very often.

If you have never worn contacts before, talk to your eye doctor about the pros and cons of using this vision correction approach, or browse online websites for discussion groups on this topic. Millions of people wear them and love them, so you may be one of those who will benefit from the convenience and comfort of contact lens usage.

For more information on contact lenses, Visit The Contact Lens Directory

The first ingredient of any product is what makes up the majority of that product. For example if the first ingredient of your cleanser is water, than the majority of your cleanser is nothing but water. That is why it is important to know what is in your products. Are you interested in knowing what you are applying to your skin? Just as there are healthy and unhealthy foods the same applies to skincare products.

Here is a list of skincare ingredients to avoid.

• Mineral Oil- A liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum, mineral oil can attract dirt and causes blackheads and eruptions. It can accelerate free radical damage, thus speeding up the aging process, because it causes toxins to build up in the skin.

• All waxes such as PARAFFIN, BEEWAX, CANDELLIA WAX, CARNUBA WAX- Waxes are widely used in cleansing creams, eye creams and moisturizers. Waxes clog pores creating blackheads and whiteheads. They also smother the skin, which over a period of time, creates an enlarged pore problem.

• Lanolin- A yellow, semi-solid, fatty secretion from sheep’s wool is widely used in skin and beauty care products. It can cause an allergic reaction in some people, as well as enlarged pores.

• PETROLATUM- This familiar semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons is derived from petroleum. Literally, “paraffin jelly” or “petroleum jelly” – it is not absorbed by the skin and suffocates pores. All petrochemicals pollute our water and destroy marine life-avoiding them is essential for humans, animals, fish, water, land and air.

• ACETONE- Used in nail polish and nail polish removers, this colorless, volatile liquid is often used in astringents, fresheners or clarifying lotions. It is extremely toxic and will dehydrate the skin while speeding up the aging process.

• BORAX (Sodium Borate Boric Acid)- Used in baby powders, eye creams, skin fresheners, and protective creams as a preservative- it is rapidly absorbed by the skin. And it is still widely used, despites repeated warnings from the American Medical Association.

• ALCOHOLS SUCH AS ISOPROPYL ALCHOL, SD ALCOHOL 40,

• ETYL ALCHOL- Alcohols dissolves the body’s own natural moisturizers and strips the skin of its own protection, leaving it vulnerable to infection. Alcohols destroy the skin ph balance and since they absorb water they speed up wrinkling of the skin.

• FD&C- When this abbreviation precedes the name of a color, it means that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has certified it as safe for use in drugs and cosmetics, but not in food. D&C colors are usually synthetic, coal tar colors; they’re toxic and should be avoided when at all possible.

I challenge you to read labels, to find out what is safe and effective and would benefit you and your skin the most. There are many safe products on the market today and they are not expensive and easy to use and will have your skin looking healthy and radiant.

Marylee Evans
Independent L’Bri Consultant

Commited to solving your skincare and beauty issues http://www.naturalskincaresolution.com

Make your living in the world of beauty! http://www.beautybusinessopportunity.com

Do you wish your teeth were whiter? Some people have off-white teeth naturally, probably through their genetic inheritance. Others get stained teeth over time for a variety of reasons. If you would like to brighten your smile but don’t want to put the time or money into commercially whitening them, here are a few suggestions for doing it on your own.

1. Limit your consumption of tea, which contains tannic acid. This substance can darken teeth gradually over time, as evidenced by the stains left in teacups used for serving this beverage. You also may want to cut back on cola products, which has a similar but lesser effect. Any foods with deep colors, like blueberries, can leave stains on your tooth enamel. So be sure to brush your teeth after eating foods like these.

2. Rinse your mouth after eating. For best results, try to rinse with water even after snacks, including pop or candy bars. This will prevent foods from sticking to or staying with your teeth, where they can adhere to the enamel and cause stains to appear gradually. At work, use the drinking fountain or bathroom sink for a quick rinse. The quicker you rinse, the better results you will have. Some people even carry small bottles of mouthwash for a quick gargle after lunch.

3. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Morning and evening are the best times, or following two of your main meals. This will help to remove food bits that can cause discoloration or decay. You can use whitening toothpaste if you prefer, which will provide a low-key brightening effect on your teeth without the use of harsh chemicals or abrasive products. Ask your dentist to recommend a safe whitener for this purpose.

4. Ask about tetracycline substitutes. If you are prescribed tetracycline, a popular antibiotic, ask the doctor if there is a reasonable substitute, as tetracycline has been known to discolor patients’ teeth, especially those who took it frequently or for prolonged periods of time. If you must take it, check with your dentist about how to combat the potential darkening effect it may have on your teeth. Other medications may have this effect, as well, so if tooth color is a problem, ask your doctor about the potential for discoloration for any prescription you receive, or simply inquire about those you should avoid.

One alternative is to merely accept your teeth the way they are. Unless they are extremely yellow or darkened, most people will not notice them, and they should pose no particular health hazard. Another option is to try a home whitening treatment that you can do yourself. This will save money and time, but it involves a bleaching process that probably uses peroxide or another chemical. Ask your dentist about the advisability of this type of product if you are thinking of trying one. Society views white teeth as an indication of good health and wholesome hygiene, not to mention physical attractiveness, so make the most of your pearly whites.

For more information on how to prevent dental stains without chemicals, Visit The Denture Spot

Elkhart, IN — A newly released report from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) details statistics and consumer attitudes toward cosmetic surgery in Indiana, and many of the numbers mirror similar trends in Michiana, according to Dr. Ronald Downs and Dr. Patrick Viscardi of The Centre, P.C.

ASAPS reports that 2003 saw a large increase in the number of body contouring procedures, with liposuction being the number one surgical procedure for both women and men. Other body contouring procedures increased by the following percentages: tummy tucks, 42%; lower body lifts, 127%; thigh lifts, 109%; and upper arm lifts, 68%.

“Some of these increases are attributable to the rise in bariatric surgery,” said Dr. Ronald Downs, a member of ASAPS. Bariatric surgery is a relatively new procedure that helps people lose massive amounts of weight. “Such massive weight loss can leave skin sagging, so people choose these body contouring procedures to remove excess skin and fat. We are seeing that bariatric surgery in Michiana is also on the upswing.”

As Indiana consumers continue to become more focused on looks, the facial procedures are also rising. The popularity of Botox in Indiana, for example, contributed to a dramatic rise nationwide in nonsurgical procedures (a 22% increase in 2003). Surgical facial procedures were also up by the following percentages: eyelid surgery in Elkhart and forehead lift in Michiana, 17% each; facelifts, 1% (the number of facelifts on men increased by 23%).

“We are finding that new techniques that help reduce recovery time for many facial procedures contribute to an increase in their popularity,” said Dr. Patrick Viscardi. “Most people find a lengthy recovery period inconvenient and costly. With these new techniques, people are back to their daily lifestyle more quickly.”

The Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank, sponsored by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is the most comprehensive collection of data available on the number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. ASAPS is the only organization providing 7-year multi-specialty data on the 38 top cosmetic procedures in Indiana. To see the complete set of ASAPS statistics go to www.surgery.org. The Centre, P.C. is a comprehensive Indiana plastic surgery practice that delivers expert professional care to patients in the Michiana area. With specialists in the fields of hand surgery and therapy, reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery and skin health, The Centre offers a unique variety of services and treatment options, including an Injury Prevention Program for businesses and their employees. Contact The Centre, P.C. at 574.296.9100 or visit http://www.thecentrepc.com, surgery.org. Imagine the Possibilities…™

Skin droops as it ages because the body stops producing proteins called elastin and collagen. This is an unfortunate side effect of aging. Once the chemicals start to disappear, the gravity starts pulling the skin down. Fortunately a lower body lift can be a solution to this problem. This surgical procedure will tighten the thighs, hips, butt and create a smoother, younger look.

Because lower body lifts require multiple procedures, they generally require a longer stay in the hospital. Occasionally the procedures can take place in an out patient surgical clinic, but it is usually up to the doctor to decide.

After the lower body lift surgeries are complete it’s a good idea to walk around and try to be as mobile as possible. Good blood circulation will help the healing process. About a week after the surgery is performed you will still feel a little bit sore and most likely have an altered routine. In about two weeks you should be able to resume as normal however it’s always a good idea to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. To be safe, it’s always a good idea to follow the directions your doctor has given you.

To learn more about lower body lifts or Phoenix cosmetic surgery, please visit our website at http://www.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay in tact as hyperlinks.

Very young girls wear their hair in pigtails because their mommies do their hair for them. Of course, this is because the hairstyle is easy and moms just want their little girls to look cute. When girls get older, the pigtails hairstyle is sometimes selected out of choice. This certainly goes for teenagers, but it is also true for young women as they mature into their 20’s, and sometimes beyond. This begs the question, "Why?" Why do young women sometimes choose to wear their hair in pigtails?

The possible reasons for pigtails being a hairstyle of choice are many, some more obvious than others. When the weather is hot, getting the hair away from the head is a cooler way to go, and pigtails help immensely. When a girl is short on time and needs to get her hair ready in a jiffy, pigtails are quick and easy. Ladies might wear pigtails as a fashion statement. Or they might wear them because they want to look young, playful, cute, or sexy. (And yes, pigtails can be both cute and sexy at the same time.) Another possibility for pigtails is when a young lady wishes to present herself as an enigma. "Is she a good girl pretending to be bad, or a bad girl trying to look good?" And then there’s the best reason for a young woman to wear pigtails: she wants to be a Pigtail Dream Girl at PigtailDreams.com! But seriously, pigtails are an attention getter, and the more mature the woman wearing pigtails, the more attention those pigtails get.

So, why do pigtails attract attention? Let’s start with reasons for men liking pigtails. (OK, not all males enjoy pigtails, but most do, even if secretly.) Pigtails represent youth and, in our society, youth is attractive. As I said above, pigtails are cute and sexy, and what man doesn’t enjoy a female showing off something cute and sexy? Some men fall for the enigma thing: "Why is this lady wearing pigtails? What is she up to?" Other men, myself included, see a woman in pigtails and think, "Wow, this lady is truly special." But pigtails also attract the attention of other females, who pretty much react the same way that men do, but with additional possible thoughts like, "She’s such a child!", "What a slut!", or "Wow, I wish I had the guts to wear pigtails."

So, we see here that there are oodles of reasons for pigtails to be appreciated by pigtail wearers and pigtail observers alike. But I will close with what pigtails mean to me. To me, an adult female with her hair in pigtails screams confidence. This is a lady who is fun-loving, outgoing, bold, and confident. She likes what she has, but knows what else she wants, and is determined to get it. This is a woman with very high self-esteem. There are women all over the world capable of being dream girls, but it takes a truly special lady to have the confidence to be a Pigtail Dream Girl.

Alan Decker is a big fan of pigtails and one of the webmasters at PigtailDreams.com. URL - http://www.pigtaildreams.com Email - alan@pigtaildreams.com More articles at http://magazine.pigtaildreams.com

Keeping skin nourished with plenty of water and exercise is more crucial than most people think. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day hydrates the skin and keeps it supple and moist. Water intake also minimizes those dreaded dark circles under the eyes.

Exercise stimulates the entire body and gets your blood flowing, making you glow. The better the circulation, the more nutrients go to the skin. Keeping skin clean is one of the simplest ways of caring for your skin. Wash your skin with tepid water and a mild facial cleanser. How many times a day should you wash your face? It depends on your skin type. Oily skin may need two or three washes a day, while dry skin should only be washed once or twice. Use a face cloth or a gentle facial scrub to help remove dead cells.

Wearing sunscreen when you go outdoors can counteract a lot of UVB damage, which contributes to the burning. Keep in mind that sunscreen does not protect against UVA damage. Some daily lotions have built-in sunscreen with a lower SPF and then there are lotions formulated for the sole purpose of protecting you from the sun with higher SPF. SPF (sun protection factors) are measured by timing how long skin covered with sunscreen takes to burn in comparison to uncovered skin. For example, SPF 30 means that while wearing sunscreen it will take 30 times longer to burn. Because protection from UVA rays is below satisfactory, sunscreen often offers a false sense of security because UVA rays are the more insidious of the two types of radiation that the sun emits.

Avoiding excessive sun altogether is the true meaning of sun protection.

Good sun protection methods include: staying in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm (peak sun strength hours), wearing protective clothing and a wide brimmed hat, wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV rays, knowing your skin’s limits and not allowing yourself to burn, applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more and, lastly, not relying on sunscreen as sun protection. In short, the best sun protection on the market is you.

Antioxidant creams can serve as great warriors in protecting the skin. There’s plenty of evidence suggesting that if you take vitamins orally, the sun still depletes them. A limited number of studies have reported that the skin can absorb certain antioxidants such as green tea and vitamin C, which can reduce oxidation. More studies are underway to prove this point more fully.

As we age, we produce less and less GLA, which is one of the most important fats our skin produces. Now, in order for nutrient-rich blood to enrich the skin, the body needs a special fat called GLA. The body has incredibly small amounts of this miracle fat, certainly not enough to help the skin carry out all of its necessary duties. It’s also hard to obtain GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) through our diets nowadays. This leaves our skin much more vulnerable to damage. GLA is not an easy thing to find. Aside from our hydrophobic barrier in our dermal zone where GLA is produced, the only other place GLA is available is in oatmeal.

Dr. Sears was able to find ways to implement GLA into an anti-aging skin care system that penetrates the layers of the skin. This way, when there are everyday attacks on the skin from UVA rays, dirt, bacteria, toxins in our water and normal aging problems from oxidation, there is enough GLA to counteract it.

Lori Matthews has done extensive research in the skin care industry and which ingredients actually penetrate the skin layer. Please visit Anti Aging Zone for more information

Great skin is something that nearly everyone can cultivate. Our skin is affected by our:

. Genes
. Inner nutrition - what we eat and drink
. Exercise
. General health and well-being
. Emotional health, and
. Outer nutrition - how we take care of our skin

While we can’t alter our genes, we can improve our skin by making the necessary adjustments in the areas we can influence. Read on to discover the basic components of a healthy outer nutritional plan for your skin.

If you seriously want great skin the very first thing to do and wear a hat and good quality sunscreen when out in the sunshine. Having said that, let’s move on to understand the next three basic foundations to great skin.

If you want your skin to look and feel great, careful cleansing is very important. This should be done first thing in the morning and last thing at night to remove pore-clogging dirt. Don’t cleanse enough and you could find yourself prone to spots. Cleanse to often and you could be stripping away essential oils and be susceptible to dry skin or even eczema. Understanding your skin type (normal, dry or oily) and using a cleanser to match is the best foundation for great looking skin. Remember to rinse your face with warm water after using a cleanser, as any residue will continue to work on the skin if not completely removed.

Our grandmother’s used soap and water…isn’t that good enough? Soap is not very good at removing makeup because it does not contain enough oils to dissolve the staying power that most cosmetics have today. Remember the ‘tight’ feeling after your have washed your fact with soap? Soap can be very drying on your skin and may wash away essential oils. Another reason not to use soap is that it is not matched to the natural balance of our skin. Soap is generally alkaline, whilst skin is naturally acidic.

The second step to great outer nutrition for your skin is to tone. Toners are designed to remove any last traces of cleanser, while also helping to tighten and refine pores and prevent the build-up of dead skin cells. After toning your skin should fee and look revitalised and refreshed, and ready to be moisturised. Again you will need to apply a toner that matches your skin type.

The third foundation step is to apply moisturiser to help restore the moisture loss caused by the drying effects of sunlight, central heating, wind, cold and pollution. A good daytime moisturiser would contain a sunscreen and will be easily absorbed into the skin. At night you should use a richer, more nourishing cream, as this is when your skin more readily absorbs moisture.

Despite the plethora of products on the market and the myriad of additives…. the most important ingredient of any moisturiser is water! If water is just splashed on the skin it will not say there. Moisturisers are basically oil and water emulsions which contain a humectant (a substance added to another to make it moist), which attracts water and helps ‘fix’ it in the upper layers of the skin.

Moisture that is lost firm the skin needs to be replaced quickly so that the surface of the skin is kept both soft and smooth. The living cells in the layers need water so that they will not shrivel up and die. A moisturiser can protect the skin by providing a varier between the skin and the external environment. It also prevents the loss of moisture from the deeper layers of the skin.

Should people who have oily skin use a moisturiser? Moisturisers are particularly recommended for people with dry skin but everyone can benefit from using a moisturiser. You simply need to ensure that you choose the correct moisturiser for your skin type. People with oily skin should choose a moisturiser that hydrates their skin whilst helping absorb any excess oil.

(c) Copyright Kim Beardsmore

Kim Beardsmore enjoys the flexibility of working from home. Are you interested in earning money from home? We’re looking for individuals who have basic phone and internet skills to join our team of work-at-home-ers. If you’re serious about earning money from home and are willing to work (this isn’t ‘get rich quick’), then we’d like to help you grow a profitable business. We offer complete training, online and offline resources and a partnership for success. http://free2liv.com/?refid=EA-567883386