Facelift Techniques That Younger Plastic Surgeons Utilize

Can you teach an old doc new tricks? Well, maybe - but you'd have to offer a pretty big bone. After so many years of practice with a particular technique, sometimes even doctors get in a rut routine. It's human nature to resist change, and it's not necessarily a bad thing in most circumstances. I mean, you probably dry off after a shower in the same way every day. You probably have used the same cereal to milk ratio for years.

But when it comes to plastic surgery and facelift procedures, patients would do well to search out a doctor who has experience, yes, but not too much experience, if you catch my drift. Facelift techniques are continuously changing and improving every year. Here's a quick look at some Old School and New School differences:?

Old School - High and Tight

In previous years, plastic surgeons made incisions around the ear and simply pulled the skin upwards and as tight as possible before redraping it and reattaching it. This was effective at smoothing wrinkles, but the results didn't last and patients often had the dreaded "wind tunnel" look.

New School - SMAS Adjustments

Today's surgeons almost always combine skin tightening with SMAS adjustment during a cosmetic surgery facelift. The SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) is a strong, thin layer found between the skin and the muscle. I often refer to it as the Saran Wrap of the face. During a facelift, the SMAS needs to be freed up and adjusted separately from the skin.

Skilled plastic surgeons employ several SMAS strategies to give the most natural and longest lasting results, and the best technique is determined based on the patient's individual anatomy. The SMAS can be cut and then lifted and sewn to a stronger area such as the bone behind the ear or over the cheek. Other times the SMAS is not cut but simply tightened with sutures. However it is achieved, successfully adjusting the SMAS creates much more natural facelifts that last.?

Old School - Wrinkle Rejuvenation

Older facelift techniques were mainly concerned with vertical movement. Mainly, eliminate wrinkles and sagging by pulling everything North. There was little attention paid to skin firmness or volume loss, two of the biggest indicators of advancing age.

New School - Total Rejuvenation

Many older surgeons are not up to date on the newer practice of combining a facelift surgery with facial liposuction and/or fat grafting. By removing unwanted fat around the jowls and neck area with liposuction (often in combination with a neck lift), a skilled surgeon can actually sculpt the face into a more youthful profile.

In addition, using fat harvested from another part of the patient's body to replace lost volume in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and temples is a relatively new practice that yields outstanding results. Synthetic fillers made of hyaluronic acid, such as Juvederm, are great for patients who want a temporary, non-surgical option to replace volume. But facelift patients will achieve permanent results with a fat transfer.

Old School - Single Approach

The facelift patients of yesteryear were not given many options for facial rejuvenation either before or after surgery. This is due in large part because not many other options existed. There weren't a wide variety of products and treatments that could be used to delay a traditional facelift, and there weren't many options for maintaining a facelift. You basically used Oil of Olay and Ponds until your face fell to a certain point, then you got a facelift, then you went back to your simple routine of Oil of Olay and Ponds.

New School - Multifaceted Approach

Today, there are new products and treatments being brought to the market every day. If a doctor doesn't keep up, he'll quickly find himself way behind the multi-billion dollar behemoth industry that is cosmetic procedures. Younger plastic surgeons are familiar with and make use of everything from Botox and dermal fillers to lasers and ultrasound. By utilizing these treatments well before the need for a facelift arises, patients can ease into their 40s and 50s with youthful and vigorous faces.

If and when a patient decides to undergo plastic surgery, the full arsenal of laser resurfacing, Botox and skin care should continue to be a part of the a patient's regimen. Choosing a plastic surgeon who can also guide you through the maze of aesthetic options to keep your new face looking its best for the longest period of time is so...modern.

Myths and Facts Surrounding Strawberry Hemangiomas on Infants

There are many myths and facts surrounding strawberry hemangiomas on infants but they are commonly known as vascular birthmarks that are usually benign in nature. They are often a very small bright red spot that are usually small, compressible and characterized by well defined borders. They are made up of a dense group of dilated (widened) blood vessels that appear on the skin of infants as a reddish-blue spongy mass. The myths and facts surrounding strawberry hemangiomas are far ranging in their scope and also in their believability. The truth of the matter is much more realistic:

• Strawberry Hemangiomas normally occur on the face, chest, back and scalp.
• They may be present at the birth of an infant but are more commonly seen during the first or second month.
• Approximately 3 percent of children are born with strawberry hemangiomas.
• Rarely, less than 1% of hemangiomas, can be present on internal organs as the spleen, pancreas or liver and can have life threatening complications.
• Most of the time they are only cosmetic and are entirely harmless to your infant.

I am quite sure that the appearance of your baby is quite important to you and the presence of a hemangioma can be sometimes quite distressing. It is unfortunate that there is no way to tell if it will get any larger or not. And, of course, any time that there are unknowns regarding your baby, it may be a cause of stress for you. The facts are that the overwhelming majority of strawberry hemangiomas will have no medical complications at all. Also the odds are in your babies favor that it will fade over time and disappear all together by the time pre-school comes around.

The myths and facts surrounding strawberry hemangiomas suggest that massaging the area will help to get rid of the hemangioma. This is not true, this will not help at all, in fact you could cause internal bleeding of the hemangioma which could cause complications or scarring. At this time there are no known topical medications or creams that are effective in reducing these birthmarks.

If you still have concerns, talk to your pediatrician, have him show you some photographs of strawberry hemangiomas, especially the before and after pictures found in most dermatology text books. Seeing the evidence of these cases will certainly ease your mind. There is nothing like seeing with your own eyes the photos of cases that resolved themselves on their own.

Facelift Alternatives - A Complete Guide

Lately I've noticed a stubborn little crease on my forehead. I lift the skin just a bit, mimicking a facelift - and the crease disappears. During a facelift, the surgeon makes an incision, usually around the hairline, and then pulls the facial skin upward to smooth loose skin and wrinkles, and provide a more youthful appearance.

While a facelift can provide dramatic results, I'm not quite ready for all that. I'd just like something to freshen my face a bit. And yet I'm smart enough to know that some products and procedures billed as facelift alternatives are likely to have more of an effect on my wallet than on my face. But how to separate the facts from the fictions? I turned to an expert for help - and here's what I learned.

Topical Treatments

Dr. Joel Schlessinger, MD, FAAD, FAACS, president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, assured me that creams can be very effective when targeting specific problems. No single cream can do it all, however, and sadly he could not tell me of a cream that is truly "better than Botox." He recommends the Obagi line for pigmentation and age spots, and he has found creams that accomplish such things as increasing eyelash growth and enhancing pouty lips.

Peels are another option, and their level of invasiveness depends on what you'd like. Prices range from low strength AHA peels at $30 - $100 per treatment to very strong phenol peels at $4000 or more. Chemical peels burn off the outer, damaged layers of skin, revealing the younger skin underneath. Babies have such soft skin because their cells are constantly regenerating, but this slows as we age. Chemical peels speed the process up.

There are some nasty stories about what happens if a chemical peel goes too deep, so be careful in your choice of practitioner. Some of the newer options, like blue peels, claim to be safer. At $200 - $1000, these peels may be adjusted to the desired strength. Milder peels can be repeated at regular intervals to achieve a desired result and minimize side effects and healing time. According to the blue peel website, a measured application of blue glycerine is mixed into the traditional peel chemical, trichloracetic acid (TCA), to "improve patient safety by visually indicating the TCA solution strength and facial skin coverage." Anything that helps keep the peel from going too far sounds good to me.

High Tech Salon Treatments

Laser treatments are increasingly popular these days, whether you're trying to remove unwanted hair or get rid of wrinkles. Laser "facelifts" use a carbon dioxide laser to remove outer layers of old skin and tighten muscles.

Dr. Schlessinger tells me that the first laser treatments had "a long recovery time and fabulous results. Today's technology produces only about 20-30% of the those early results, but with almost no side effects." The new buzz word, Schlessinger tells me, is "fraxellation." In today's treatments, you can "strafe" an area so that the laser only disrupts pinpoints of skin, leaving enough surface untreated to speed healing time. This one sounded good to me.

What's more, laser treatments are only one kind of skin resurfacing. Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, which can be thought of as extreme exfoliation, are old standbys that are still quite popular.

In dermabrasion, the surgeon removes the outer layers of skin with an electronically operated wire brush or diamond-impregnated burr. It can leave you pretty raw and is moderately painful, with a 2 to 12 week recovery. Microdermabrasion is a bit easier on the patient. It involves spraying fine crystals onto the skin, then removing them along with the top layer of skin cells. It is not as painful as dermabrasion, and is safe to repeat every couple months.

Microcurrent "facelifts" go deeper, using mild electrical stimulation to activate chemicals in the skin. Dr. Schlessinger warns that some microcurrent treatments are nothing more than quackery. In general, he says, be careful of spa-type clinics that recommend the same treatment for everyone-chances are they might own only one piece of equipment!
Every woman trying to decide which procedure to have should have a consultation with a certified surgeon, Dr. Schlessinger tells me: "This is one area in which you get what you pay for."

Needles Required

Dr. Schlessinger cautioned me to be especially careful in selecting a good practitioner if I decide to go with Botox. These days, Botox is being offered everywhere, from salons to parties. And yet, Botox is a powerful chemical that should be administered only by those with the training to do so. It is derived from a toxin that causes food poisoning. Injected in small amounts into the skin, however, it weakens or paralyzes certain muscles or blocks certain nerves, causing fewer frown lines and wrinkles.

"Many wrinkles are due to repetitive motion on the face-frown acquired as a habit," Schlessinger explains. These wrinkles disappear after a Botox treatment, and the very good news is that often after several treatments the habit is broken and no further injections are necessary.

But what about all the horror stories? The paralysis? Most of those are just urban legends. Botox is not permanent. In fact, injections last only three to four months, which means any side effects are also temporary.

According to Schlessinger, "the biggest complication we see is Botox done wrong." For two reasons, he advises going to a professional who specializes in Botox. One: the proliferation of Medspas and day spas has resulted in many unqualified practitioners. Two: you're more likely to get fresh Botox at a place that uses a lot of it. According to Dr. Schlessinger, we should buy our Botox fresh - just like we would want to get our fish fresh from a fish market.

Facial fillers are another injectable option. These injections actually help replace the volume that you begin to lose in your 30s. And sometimes they actually spur more collagen growth. A recent University of Michigan study even found that the supposedly non-permanent filler restylane sometimes provides long-term effects.

One popular name-brand filler is Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid dermal filler. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in all living organisms as a type of sugar. While the treatment does not last forever, it does last longer than Botox, typically at least six months or more.

I was also intrigued by the threadlift. In this procedure, barbed prolene facial sutures (threads) are attached to anchor points in the face (such as a sagging jowl) using a hollow bore needle. The threads are used to lift the sagging areas and can be tightened when necessary. I thought this sounded pretty cool, but unfortunately, it turns out that it's a risky procedure that Dr. Schlessinger says is "so popular, but so incredibly wrong." The threads used in the procedure are quite fragile and can break. When this happens, the effect becomes uneven and the threads can migrate to new areas, or even poke out through the skin! I have moved this option to the "no" column for me.

Go-Go Gadget Facelift

For those willing to try any weird science on their faces, there is such a thing as facelift tape, which uses exterior anchors and threads to physically pull the skin on your face tighter. Think Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire. Unfortunately, you won't have a makeup team to help attach the device to your face every morning, and it seems like you'd need an awful lot of hair to hide the threads adequately. Not for me!

Sweatin' to the Oldies?

An au natural option is facial exercises. Rather than working from the outside-in, these programs claim to work from the inside-out, building tone and strength in your facial muscles. Some programs, such as Facial Flex, even include a resistance device that fits in your mouth to help improve the results of your "workout."

Sorry to say, Dr. Schlessinger says that these program claims are "a complete fabrication. If it were true, a person who chews a pack of gum a day would look great, but in fact the opposite is true." The more you stretch the skin out on your face, the more wrinkles you get. Remember, Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscle groups, not by giving them a workout. I was a bit disappointed by this news, but at least I can take comfort in knowing there's something good about being a couch potato.

Minor Surgeries

While it may not seem like an alternative to some, there is the partial facelift option, in which a surgeon does not complete an entire facelift (which is extremely painful, expensive, and requires a large recovery time), but simply targets the areas you would most like to see improved. Neck lifts, upper brow lifts, and cheek lifts are common options, but the possibilities are truly endless. It's especially popular for women to have the fat removed under the chin, and in some cases, this is a liposuction procedure that doesn't even involve cutting removing skin. And it is, in my opinion, one way to look a lot younger through a relatively minor procedure.

Welcome to the New Millennium

It used to be unheard of to visit a plastic surgeon before you really needed it-at which point your skin and facial muscles are almost beyond repair. "Today," Dr. Schlessinger assured me, "we have better alternatives to keep people looking good for much longer." The trick is to do your research and take care of your face by starting early. And while an effective Botox cream is still five years off, new treatments are developed every day. With so many good options, short of a full facelift, I am very happy to know that I will never be trapped in a prematurely aging face.

Plastic Surgery - Is It Just About Vanity?

Plastic surgery has come to carry a lot of stigma these days. People who engage in surgery to change their appearance are often considered 'fake' or shallow, and are criticized for attempting to change the looks nature gave them. Whether it be an attempt to defy ageing or reduce body fat via surgical means, there's a growing reaction against changing one's appearance. The general thread behind this kind of thinking is that plastic surgery is always about vanity - people trying to look better when they don't really need to. Cosmetic surgery in this respect is seen as a sign of excess. But is surgery really always just about looking good?

The truth is, certain plastic surgery procedures are actually practical ways or dealing with serious health conditions. The now infamous 'tummy tuck' is an excellent example of this. Many people get confused between liposuction and tummy tuck surgery - while they sound similar, they are in fact different procedures. Liposuction is a procedure in which fat is surgically removed from the body. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, involves actually changing the way the stomach and digestive system work.

The tummy tuck procedure is essentially a way of controlling appetite in people with chronic over-eating disorders. Often health nuts are critical of people who resort to surgery for this reason, claiming that 'anyone can get in shape with a bit of hard work.' While in many cases this is true, there are instances where it doesn't map to the facts. For example, some people have genuine physical or psychological issues that make it almost impossible for them to lose weight, or even maintain their current weight, through a typical diet and exercise regime.

In other cases, a person may reach such an advanced stage of obesity wherein starting and exercise and diet regime is impractical - there is a certain point where physical fitness is reduced so fully that beginning an exercise routine is almost impossible. In cases like this, patients need surgical procedures to get them into a healthy weight range and reduce risks of problems such as diabetes, so that they can actually begin an exercise routine.

When it comes to other types of plastic surgery, such as face lifts, some of the critics may have more of a valid point. However, there are psychological benefits that come with 'vanity' surgery that often aren't taken into account. Surgery can help boost confidence and fight off the depression that can often come with growing older and a perceived loss of attractiveness. While such 'vanity' surgery can also easily be taken over the top, a few small procedures can help someone feel younger and as a result find a new joy in life.

All in all, it's important to put the role of cosmetic surgery in perspective. The excesses of surgery are largely a product of the society we have chosen to create for ourselves, with its constant demands on a perfect appearance. Still, though, cosmetic surgery has real health benefits in many situations and in others can provide a psychological boost to someone who may be in need of one.

To find out more about cosmetic surgery procedures, visit the website of Dr John Masters, a professional cosmetic surgeon in Wellington, NZ. ( http://www.nzcosmeticsurgery.co.nz )

The Truth About Permanent Cosmetic Makeup Eyeliner, Lip Liner, and Eyebrow Tattoos

I've had cosmetic makeup procedures done in many parts of the world at many clinics and for many different reasons. All have been successful and I am delighted with the results; the ease of applying less makeup, waking up to beautiful brows and perfect eyeliner and softly colored lips. I also love going for a swim and coming out looking like I never got my face wet, at least there's no runny eyebrow pencil, no black smudges of liner under my eyes and no dull. lifeless lips. That's my experience, so naturally I've been recommending permanent makeup for a long time. But the truth is that tattooing any part of your face is a serious matter, and it's definitely NOT for everyone!

My adventure with permanent makeup began in Asia, therefore I had some of the best cosmeticians attend me at a clinic in Hong Kong. Later in Taipei, I had my eyeliner retouched a few months before I was married, so my honeymoon on secluded beaches of Macau was free of makeup worries. However, throughout my travels as a cultural journalist, during almost 10 years in Asia, I also saw numerous ladies whose cosmetic tattoo eyebrows were a total disaster, mostly because the shape and the arch of the brow was overly pronounced, or because the tattoo had been done on an area above the natural brow, or so unnatural looking due to having the brow line tattooed in a solid inky stain on the skin and not a natural feathery application within some existing hair.

This seemed to have been the result of women getting eyebrow tattoos after having totally removed their natural brow hair, either through electrolysis or some other hair removal system. Most of these "not very flattering" eyebrow results were on women who lived in smaller villages and isolated regions where newer tattooing techniques had not yet began to be applied, and where black Chinese ink that was used to create dragons on the shoulders and backs of men was also used on lady's brows. But the newest methods, which are used in international clinics, allow for a vast choice of pigments, including blending colors to get very natural shades that match even fair hair colors.

But who should get cosmetic tattoos and who shouldn't? The truth is that if a lady has no brows due to an illness that has contributed to hair loss, a tattoo is an excellent solution, especially if the feathering techniques is used. What this means is that tiny strokes of pigment are applied to the brow region to look like hair, not a solid line. Women who have very sparse brow hair should also consider adding a bit of dimension with this same technique, and in this case, the technician will follow the natural brow. Women who should not consider these procedures are those who have poor natural healing abilities, who bleed profusely, who scar easily or have extremely sensitive skin.

If you're unsure about getting eyebrows tattooed, since this procedure alters the look of the eye in a very noticeable way, then start with something smaller like a bit of eyeliner. Have your technician tattoo a fine outline in the lash line and see how your skin reacts to the pigment. If all is well, go ahead with the brows.

Low Cost Cosmetic Surgery Abroad

Today, cosmetic surgery has been widely used as a route to beautify, enhance and rejuvenate one's appearance. However, cosmetic procedure cost is exceptionally high in several parts of the world. The exorbitant cost of beautification in countries like US, UK and Canada are driving some patients to seek affordable plastic surgery abroad.

Cosmetic Surgery Cost

Demand for cosmetic surgery continues to grow in popularity around the world. Today, not just the rich class community and celebrities, even people from well-to-do middle class families are increasingly going under the knife to correct or beautify their looks.

Since the surgical beautification carries a hefty price tag, it becomes nearly impossible for an average individual to even think of this treatment. Therefore, a number of overseas patients, especially from wealthy countries, are heading to low-income countries to obtain affordable cosmetic procedures.

Be it surgical procedures such as Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), Breast enlargement (breast augmentation or boob job), Mastopexy (breast lift), Buttock augmentation, Nose job (rhinoplasty), Facelift (rhytidectomy), Liposuction (suction-assisted lipectomy), Chin augmentation and Hair transplantation or non-surgical methods like Botox and laser hair removal, all aesthetic plastic surgery procedures are available at fairly less prices in developing countries.

Seek Affordable Cosmetic Surgery Abroad

If you are considering any kind of surgical beauty treatment, but the cost is totally out of your budget then you can seek affordable plastic surgery options in foreign countries.

Due to fairly less prices of surgical treatments in the developing nations, every year, millions of medical tourists from different countries across the world flock to low-income countries like India, Belgium, Thailand, Costa Rica and Mexico to avail low-cost, high quality beauty enhancement procedures.

These countries are offering a wide-variety of cosmetic procedures of the highest quality at a price that's way lower than the cost of these treatments in the US.

Due to the medical tourism boom in the developing countries, a number of hospitals and surgery centers have sprung up in these countries, offering substantial discounts to international patients, mainly due to the low cost of living and lower labor wages in those countries.

The certified surgeons at accredited hospitals there are offering excellent-quality services and brilliant results for a fraction of the cost, without sacrificing the quality.

Using one or more of the cosmetic procedures mentioned above, combined with the most recent available technology, and surgical instruments, a cosmetic surgeon in any medical tourism destination like India and Mexico can transform your misshapen body part to give you a stunning look.

However, the cost of plastic/cosmetic surgery may vary from country to country, and from state to state, depending on the choice of surgeon, patient's condition, location and type of surgery.

So, if you are looking for cosmetic surgery to achieve that perfect look without spending a fortune, traveling to another neighboring country can cut your surgical budget by thousands. All you need to do is to look for the right, most dependable place to get your beautification surgery done abroad.

Skin Care That Mimics Cosmetic Procedures

Name some of the most common beauty procedures in the surgeon's office these days. Aside from breast implants and liposuction that is. I can think of a few.

• Eye lifts


• Chemical peels


• Collagen injections into the lips


• Face lifts

Yes, I know there are many more to target different beauty problems, but let's focus on just these few situations.

Too thin lips

If you want fuller lips, you can buy them. Collagen injected into your lips would plump them up. That would fix the vertical lines on your lips too. You would have to go to a plastic surgeon for this procedure. The collagen that is injected into the lips is bovine collagen, so if a patient is allergic to beef, she could be allergic to the collagen injections. These injections last 4 to 6 months and you'd need touch ups 2 to 3 times a year to maintain the results. These injections can reduce the wrinkles on the lips as well as to make the lips fuller.

These procedures aren't cheap. Hence the beauty industry has developed lip applications that give you fuller lips when you put that on. These are great alternatives to collagen injections.

One such alternative to these collagen injections is lipfusion [http://www.everythingbeauty.info/lipfusion-plumping-therapy.htm]. It contains dehydrated microspheres of collagen that get into your lips when you apply the lipstick. Once in your lips, the dehydrated collagen seeks out your body's natural moisture and absorbs it. The hydrated collagen plumps up your lips giving you that pouty look without the needle.

There are other lip plumpers in the market. Instead of collagen, these contain cinnamon, ginger, clove or even pepper. You get that bee-stung look by the cosmetic equivalent of getting stung by a bee on your lips. Basically this class of lip plumpers make your lips plump up by inducing an allergy, causing lips to swell up and turn red. Looks good but not something I'd want to try.

Lines on the skin

To deal with wrinkles, depending on the severity and where the lines are located, you might want to go for chemical peels, eye lifts or face lifts.

Anti-aging skincare is a big thing with cosmetic companies. Many creams, lotions and DIY kits have been produced by leading brands to erase lines and wrinkles. Some, leading brands even tout their products as substitutes for some of these cosmetic procedures.

Nowadays, some of these skin care products produce visible results that make that visit to the doctor's office unncecessarily. No doubt no at-home treatment can give you the same results as a face lift, but the results are not bad. Instead of a chemical peel to unclog pores and reduce the look of fine lines, maybe an at home treatment might do the job.

The Olay Regenerist [http://www.cosmetics-online.net/Olay-Regenerist.htm] ads make the bold claim that if you don't want a chemical peel, you could try regenerist smoothing facial serum instead. They do have the disclaimer that says "Results not equal to medical procedures". Still, it is worth a shot. You can hold of the medical procedures a little longer by using what skin care companies have to offer, and save a bundle.

Plastic Surgery in Canada

Canadians who are seeking cosmetic procedures often wonder if these procedures are safe. While Canada has a rich history of great plastic surgeons, this type of voluntary surgery always brings questions. If you are considering having a procedure done in Canada, here is some important information you should know.

History of Canadian Plastic Surgery

Canadian plastic surgery has a rich history dating back to before World War I. Dr. E. Fulton Risdon was practicing plastic surgery in the early 1900s, an era when physicians rarely specialized. He was invited by Harold D. Gillies to join a war effort to offer plastic surgery to maimed soldiers. When the war was over Dr. Risdon returned to Toronto and the Toronto Western Hospital where he continued to practice cosmetic surgery almost exclusively. Many people consider him the father of Canadian plastic surgery.

Dr. Risdon was Toronto's first plastic surgeon, and he solidified the study of the specialty at the University of Toronto, where he practiced for 45 years. By 1958 the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University had been established, giving physicians a place to go to be educated in the specialty. Today, the University of Toronto as well as McGill University in Montreal both lead the field of Canadian plastic surgery, focusing on improving techniques and utilizing new technologies to make procedures more effective and affordable.

Is Canadian Plastic Surgery Safe?

As with plastic surgery in almost any country, there are dangers involved with having plastic surgery performed in Canada. For instance, you can find doctors who are not board certified that are practicing cosmetic procedures. These physicians do not have the experience and education necessary to perform complicated procedures, and patients are often left with less-than-desirable results after having surgery with an under-qualified doctor.

To keep this from being a problem, look for a doctor who is certified as a cosmetic surgeon by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. You can also contact the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeon or the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to find out if the physician you are considering is qualified.

Another way to ensure that the procedure you will be receiving is safe and monitored is to look for a doctor that performs at a center that is accredited by the Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities. This organization is made up of certified plastic surgeons who have chosen to allow their fellow plastic surgeons to inspect their surgery centers. If you are having surgery in a non-hospital setting, look for this qualification.

Will My Healthcare Coverage Pay for Canadian Plastic Surgery?

Patients who wish to undergo Canadian plastic surgery procedures need to know that there is a good chance the surgery will not be covered by their medical coverage, whether they have government healthcare or private healthcare. Most plastic surgery procedures that are cosmetic in nature are not covered by healthcare coverage plans. These are considered optional surgeries and are, therefore, the responsibility of the patient to fund.

There is an exception to this, however. Some plastic surgery procedures, such as skin grafts after a fire or surgeries to fix a cleft palate, are considered medically necessary. Medically necessary procedures are usually covered if the patient has the necessary referrals from a regular physician.

If your medical coverage will not cover a procedure, yet you still wish to have it done, you may be able to find a clinic or doctor that has a payment plan structure in place that will allow you to pay for the procedure over time. Some physicians require upfront payment, so you will have to find outside financing. Regardless of how you choose to pay the bill, you need to be aware of the fact that you will probably have to pay for some of the surgery, if not all of it, out of your own pocket, so you will need to decide if the cost is worth the potential benefit.

Cosmetic Surgery Marketing Success Using Patient Newsletters

How Patient Newsletters Work

Patient newsletters are there to help you touch base with your patients and subscribers in a way that happens when they're not thinking about plastic surgery. As such, it's a great cosmetic surgery marketing tool for your plastic surgery practice. With so many different possibilities for what to include in your patient email communications, it can be difficult to choose what to include and what to leave out.

With these 5 tips for patient e-mail marketing, you can build a better physician-patient relationship, get more traffic to your Internet site, and have more appointments and booked procedures. Here's how to use your patient newsletters to help grow your plastic surgery practice.

Newsletters are great conversation starters

Newsletters are a Conversation Starter 1. Your patients will likely have an idea of what they'd like to ask you when they come in for their appointment. Use this opportunity to do two things that can help your cosmetic surgery marketing. First, take note of what their questions are and then use them to construct your next patient newsletter. Next, use your e-newsletter as a means of informing patients about procedures they want to learn more about. Cover these items in each newsletter to keep patients up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery procedures. While they are in your office, ask them if they've been getting your e-newsletters. If yes, ask them to tell you what they liked most about the latest issue and what you could have improved. It takes fewer than a couple of minutes to have the conversation, but the payoff is well worth the time you've spent.

Ask for Patient Email Addresses Up Front 2. Always ask for a patient's email address when they come in for their initial visit and fill out their patient questionnaire and health information. If you have an existing patient who may not know about your e-newsletter, ask them for their email address (be sure to ask them for their permission on a separate form and have them sign it). Then, tell them that your newsletter is there to educate them as well as to give them special pricing not available to anyone other than subscribers. This is a great reason for them to sign up for your newsletter! Using these email communications to help your overall cosmetic surgery marketing ROI is easy, extremely effective, and educational.

Using Newsletters for Patient Referrals 3. Most likely, a huge percentage of your subscribers are current or past patients. In that case, use your e-newsletters to inform them of your referral rewards available to patients who tell others about you. Use a subtle graphic image that clicks in to a special page of your site. That page is crucial because it will contain focused information that is meant for patient referrals and the rewards that you offer. This keeps every click to that page relevant to what your subscriber wanted to see and thus increases the likelihood that they will start referring people - and that's when you see the tangible effects from your cosmetic surgery marketing efforts!

How to Integrate Patient Referral Rewards into Your Newsletter 4. Use your e-newsletters to tell subscribers about patient referral rewards, discount pricing only for subscribers, or new procedures you're offering. Though these topics are a bit "salesy", you need to ask for the sale or you won't get it! Make your referral rewards and discounts stand out in your newsletters but not over-bearing. The point of it should be educating patients first. Then you can concentrate on offers, asking for referrals, and announcing promotions.

Using Newsletters to Get Patients to Your Website 5. The purpose of building a newsletter list is so you can target your "warm market". These are patients and site visitors who have opted to receive your emails. Use this to help drive traffic to your website! Think of imaginative ways to get more people to your site through your e-newsletters. Offer subscribers a Starbucks gift card for $5 just for forwarding your newsletter to 10 of their friends/family. Or, how about this - hold a contest asking subscribers to nominate special ladies in their lives who deserve a makeover! Have that part of your newsletter take them to a special landing page on your site to prompt them to take immediate action. Be sure to have a deadline for the contest to create a sense of urgency. Once on the landing page on your site, ask them to put in the email addresses of their nominees so you can inform them that they've been nominated.

Be sure to offer all nominees a special prize or discount just for being nominated if they subscribe to your newsletter. This gives you an instant chance to connect with referrals in a friendly and open way. They won't feel like they are being sold to and you will have gotten what you came for - more referrals from patients.

California's Orange County Cosmetic Surgery

California is home to some of the most beautiful people because they can afford to have cosmetic surgery performed. Yes some are just born beautiful, but others seek a professional to fix the little imperfections that they have such as an unbalanced face, a little too much fat around the thighs and whatever else an individual may find wrong. Cosmetic surgery has evolved from its first concept of helping those that needed it to making it a popular thing to do. The trouble with cosmetic surgery is that you do have to keep going back, we as individuals age and sometimes not gracefully. Orange County cosmetic surgery is home to some of the greatest professionals in the industry because this is where most people go to have work done, including some of the actors and actresses of Hollywood.

* Orange Country cosmetic surgery has advanced since the original conception of the work.

* This means that there are new and innovative ways to perform procedures.

* You may decide just one area needs to be touched up or you may want a whole body procedure from legs, face, and stomach.

* Of course the procedures in cosmetic surgery are extremely expensive so be prepared for the thousands of dollars you may spend to become perfect. Each procedure will cost something different so a simple eyelift may not cost as much as the chin lift or it could be the other way around.

* Popularity in cosmetic surgery especially Orange County cosmetic surgery keeps evolving. There are so many new people heading for the procedures.

* This new popularity has made an increase in demand for the best and most qualified cosmetic surgeons available.

* There are risks and complications of cosmetic surgery. The best thing to note in this area is that the surgeons in Orange County are proven to be some of these best, which means the risks and complications are kept to a minimum.

When you head in for cosmetic surgery [http://www.knowcosmeticsurgery.com/Cosmetic_And_Plastic_Surgery/] you need to know the risks and complications that may arise. Some of these can be nerve damage, infection, or pigmentation problems. Pigmentation problems usually result when a person has laser cosmetic surgery performed and the laser was left on an area too long. This means only the area can no longer exude the proper pigmentation so the area tends to be a little whiter. The nerve damage often comes from facelifts, chin lifts, or eye lifts because the surgeon is removing the skin from the muscle and nerves. Even the best cosmetic surgeons have had problems during a procedure though they are an extremely small few when you compare the number of individuals that seek cosmetic surgery every year.

Is It Wrong to Choose Cosmetic Procedures?

Film stars, super models and rock stars have had cosmetic surgery procedures done on them for decades because they need to look perfect all the time. The ever hungry audience wants to be able to admire these icons and try to imitate them at every opportunity.

With the rich and famous spending millions of dollars improving their looks and recreating their perfect image it is hard not to be drawn into the whole process of getting some sort of cosmetic surgery done on ourselves. It certainly can help those of us who really do have a physical problem that can be put right under a surgeon's scalpel but what of the men and women who just have these procedures done on them when they really do not need it in the first place? Have we gone that step too far?

The press used to be quick to pick up on the fact that a Star had a nose job and in some circumstances the Stars would deny that they had anything done. Not that long ago it was seen to be embarrassing to admit to having cosmetic surgery of any kind but in today's world things have changed so dramatically that everyone freely admits that they have had cosmetic surgery. There is a procedure for just about anything from hair transplants to lengthening of leg bones to make people taller.

Cosmetic procedures are essential when it comes to remedial surgery which may be needed after an accident. It can help not only rebuild a person physically but it can help them emotionally too. So it does play a vital part in some respects but to have cosmetic surgery performed for the sake of vanity does put a different light on the whole concept.

We are influenced by the media so much these days and people save up to be able to get cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks to such an extent that at times it seems to take over their whole lives. We are told that appearance is everything and that looking good means you stand more chance of being successful.

It is true that when we look good we automatically feel good. Looking good makes us feel happier but is it just an outward appearance? There have been some very famous people who have had so much cosmetic surgery performed on them that they have almost looked like they have landed on earth from another planet. It would seem that once the first procedure is performed that many more are needed at a later date just to keep the first one looking good.

It is a big business and there are more cosmetic surgeons in the world today than ever before. It is not just women who have become hooked by this trend as more and more men now seek cosmetic surgery to enhance just about everything about themselves too. It is odd that this fashion seems to have affected the Western world to such a great extent and it is strange that the farther shores of the East do not seem to be so keen on the concept of cosmetic surgery.

Fundamentals of Cosmetic Surgeries: Its Pros and Cons

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery refers to a surgery that involves a physical change to one's appearance. Like many other forms of elective surgery it, too, falls under specialized surgery where the matter of cosmetic and reconstruction is highly concerned. Cosmetic surgery, widely known as plastic surgery, requires an individual's sense of self after some form of injury and illness. It allows one to get rid of the physical characteristics or deformities- he or she was born with. Cosmetic surgery shows: how science help to change human body by dint of technological empowerment. It encompasses all types of aesthetic surgery like: aesthetic facial surgery, liposculpting and body controlling and aesthetic breast surgery, all reconstructing surgery like: breast reconstruction, limb reconstruction and sore reconstruction, besides liposuction and non-invasive forms of surgery like hair removal and other form of surgeries.

In case of this surgery is mostly related with the issue of aesthetics rather than reconstruction. It, being associated with aesthetic, helps people to overcome stigmas associated with their appearance or some visible spots on their skin and faces or some bad-looking patches on bodies. But when the matter of cosmetic surgery comes and people like to undergo such surgeries require a strong financial payment. So arrange a big amount before you go to this surgery. Apart form this keep it mind that plastic surgery is not suitable for everybody. People who are smokers or narcotic addicted or those have diseases like: diabetes, heart disease or hypertension should not undergo plastic or cosmetic surgery. Many people unknowingly have fallen prey to it.

In this treatment one needs long period and gradual check up to come round from it.

As it enables one to change his get up and physical appearance, it has many pros and cons given bellow:

Pros

It helps one to get a good look.

Give someone metal relief and joy to live again normally among common people.

It helps to come one back to main human stream.

Cons

As it helps to get one a new look or change one's real look, criminals and men from underworld misuse it to get rid of the penal servitude for which they are accused to.

Sometimes it proves to be detrimental for those who have diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases or other ailments.

So with the innovation and introduction of this surgery undoubtedly in one hand we have benefited and on the other hand cosmetic surgery helped criminal to hide their real physical look.

Things That You Need to Consider Before Cosmetic Surgery?

To express an interest, an individual will visit a cosmetic surgery clinic. Such an individual will be looking for some answers to many troubling questions. However, after spending some time with the specialist, the individual can make a decision as to whether to go ahead with it or not. Making this decision is quite difficult because of so many what ifs that are involved. Cosmetic surgery helps people get rid of their displeasing feature because of how it affects the way they feel about themself. It can improve physical appearance and likewise improve self-confidence. It can change the quality of life for someone and affect their morale.

Cosmetic surgery aims to enhance a person's physical stature or appearance. It is intended to fix or redo what the person considers to be a negative feature. It is geared towards creating a positive result thus satisfying the individual's need or requirement.

Many people think of surgery as the most effective way to reconstruct a negative feature. Others take it as their last recourse, while some wouldn't even think of it. Having cheap cosmetic surgery requires a long thought process. This decision is never taken lightly, taking into consideration the hospital bills involved and at the end of the day, it's the individual's body and life that is at stake.

There are things to consider before having cheap cosmetic surgery.

Thorough knowledge of the procedure should be sought out - there are certain procedures that cosmetic surgeons should follow. Knowing the steps makes it easier for the patient to understand and this will help the patient become emotionally and physically prepared.

Have trust in the cosmetic surgeon - cosmetic surgeons have a reputation to look after. They are specialists in this particular field and will have experience. They will have certificates or a license to prove that they are capable of performing delicate operations. They also have a morale obligation to their patient and they are responsible for the outcome of the surgery. This type of surgery should be done at a registered medical clinic or facility.

Accounting or hospital bills - the expenses will have to be covered by the individual's personal finance since insurance coverage is generally not provided with cosmetic surgery. The patient should ask for a quote of how much cosmetic surgery would cost. The cost may vary depending on how much the doctor's fee is and that of other attending physicians. This should also include the costs of any medicine, follow-up visit, corrective treatment and other charges.

Risks and consequences - as with any surgery, the pros and cons should have been made clear to the patient. The risks can be high or low depending on the procedure. Consequences can be short-term or long-term. If you have any worries, you should discuss them with your physician or surgeon.

Results and recovery - the results of cosmetic surgery can take weeks or months. Recovery may also take some time. It may disrupt some of the patient's major activities. The personal, social and professional life of the patient may be affected.

Turn Your Drab Lashes To Fab Lashes For Spring!

New Prescription Product Increases Eyelash Length, Thickness and Darkness

It has been said that the eyes are the window to our souls, which makes our eyelashes very important cosmetically. Just look at all the attractive stars and you will soon realize, they all wear false eyelashes to enhance the beauty of their eyes.

This leads to our obsession and love affair with the mascara. When asked what three things you want to take with you when isolated on an island, women stated that mascara was one of their three "must have" items. We women WILL say that we suffer from eyelash "hypotrichosis." This means we think our lashes are not thick, dark or long enough - the eyelashes we were born with are just never good enough! We all know that fabulous lashes are key to sexy, attractive and youthful eyes!

I know the draw of longer, thicker lashes is very strong. I even went to the extreme of having eyelash extensions put on my already "adequate" eyelashes for my brother's wedding two years ago. The extensions made my eyes look so fabulous that my friends immediately developed lash envy and signed up for their own lash extensions. I felt super confident batting my sexy extensions for about 3 weeks then my own eyelashes started breaking off as the extensions fell off! I was horrified about how I looked with short stubby broken eyelashes that I went through the effort of applying false eyelashes everyday for over a year until I grew my eyelashes back!

The great news for all of us who want more fab lashes is that a new innovation in eyelashes is now available. LATISSE??(bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for hypotrichosis that is used to grow your own eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker.

As a cosmetic dermatologist in San Diego, I often hear from my patients who ask about aesthetic treatments for their eyelashes. With LATISSE?? for the first time, I'm excited to offer my patients a science-based treatment supported by extensive research and a favorable safety profile.

Available only through a doctor, LATISSE?█s a once-daily treatment applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-use-per-eye disposable applicator.

The onset of effect with LATISSE?┬olution is gradual. As the treatment progresses, users begin to see changes in length, thickness and darkness. While individual results may vary, LATISSE?├sers can expect to experience results in as little as eight weeks with significant results in 16 weeks. To maintain effect, continued treatment with LATISSE?┬olution is required."

Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, LATISSE?█s believed to affect the growth phase of the eyelash hair cycle by increasing the length of, and the number of hairs in, the growth phase. If use of LATISSE?█s discontinued, eyelashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.

LATISSE?─as clinically tested to assess its safety and efficacy. By the end of the 16-week treatment period, patients treated with LATISSE?┬olution experienced 25% increase in length,106% increase in thickness/fullness and 18% increase in darkness.

LATISSE?─as also well tolerated and the most commonly reported side effects after using LATISSE?┬olution are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. This was reported in approximately 4% of patients.

For us Asians who have only dreamt of long, thick and dark lashes that many of my Latino patients take for granted, this may be the answer to our prayers. My staff and I have been personally using Latisse for over two months now, and we sometimes stop and compare lashes and all of us are thrilled that this really works! And for $100 month, it also is an economical way to make us feel so much better and happier everyday. If we are willing to apply mascara everyday, applying Latisse every night for natural thicker, longer and darker lashes is not too much to ask for.

Spring is the perfect time to start Latisse, in a couple of months, imagine your first summer without truly needing mascara. Imagine swimming and working out without worrying about your mascara running, while still having the confidence of knowing your lashes are fabulous on their own! We're on our way to a great low-maintenance summer with fab lashes!

How to Choose the Best Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic dentistry is one of the most popular and sought after medical professions these days. Many people mainly aim to look good and appealing through undergoing aesthetic dental procedures. If you are considering having dental care just to make your smile look better and more noticeable, cosmetic dentistry is right for you. It is different from traditional dentistry in that its focus is diverted from simple diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and oral diseases. Usual goals of patients undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures include having whiter, straighter, and more pleasing teeth. The first concern you should address when looking to undergo a good cosmetic dentistry procedure is to look for a qualified and trustworthy cosmetic dentist. Here are three main guidelines that can help you find and select such dentists.

Find a dentist who has been practicing cosmetic dentistry for some time. It is just logical that any dentist becomes more qualified and trustworthy when he or she has done many procedures or has been in the practice for long. This way, you can be sure the dentist is through with doing practical and uncertain professional experiments. It will also help if you will check the background, especially the dentist's post-graduate dental education. Remember that cosmetic dentistry is hardly taught in dental schools. Most practitioners get their education from post-graduate programs. You can also check about his or her affiliations and other credentials linked to aesthetic dental practice.

You can know how good a cosmetic dentist is based on the success of his or her previous dental procedures. Many dentists keep copious photographs of their work to show the difference before and after patients undergo their cosmetic dentistry procedures. If such pictures are not available, you can rely on testimonials from other patients. Feedback is an important proof about the effectiveness and reliability of any cosmetic dentist. How can you entrust your teeth and mouth to dentists who have not done any successful dental procedure in his or her entire professional career?

A good cosmetic dentist knows that investing in new and reliable equipment is essential to the practice. Look around the clinic and see what technology is available. Specifically be mindful about the condition and the types of equipment found in the sterilization area. Aside from the amenities, also check out about the dentist's ceramics or porcelain use. Is the clinic under a supply deal with a reputable master ceramist?

The reliability of the dentist should also get along with the reliability of the ceramist, who makes the dentures and veneers. Cosmetic dentistry and manufacturing of ceramics used should work hand-in-hand in creating beautiful smiles. Lastly, determine your level of comfort when being under treatment or procedure with the dentist. Rely on your instincts for good initial impressions.

You know you are comfortable with a dentist when during your first consultation you instantly give out your trust and compliance. You must develop a high level of communication with your cosmetic dentist.

A Guide to Neck Lift Cosmetic Surgery

A neck lift, also known as platysmaplasty, is a form of plastic surgery to improve the appearance of the neck by treating conditions such as a fleshy neck and turkey wattle characterized by excessive fat in the neck region and loose wrinkly skin, respectively.

A neck lift can be performed independently or along with a facelift. The type of procedure will be decided by your surgeon after doing a body checkup and taking into consideration factors such as your age, extent of treatment required your ability to withstand general anesthesia, smoking habits, and medical records. You will be advised to give up smoking a few weeks before surgery because nicotine use impairs post-operative healing, you will have to adhere to the nicotine moratorium till you have healed completely. Certain herbal medications can act as blood thinners; you will have to give up these as well.

Neck banding can be treated with botox injections and fat can be removed through liposuction. These two short procedures can be performed along with a platysmaplasty and the surgeon may indeed prescribe these if he feels that a combination of procedures will yield the best results for you. Incisions under the chin and if required behind the ear will allow access to the neck muscles that can be tightened. The surgeon can remove excess fat if required. The incisions are sutured back in place after excess skin is cut and remaining skin is stretched to remove wrinkles.

The stitches may be removed after ten to twelve days after surgery depending upon the progress of your recovery or the surgeon may elect to use the type that dissolve on their own. A small pipe may possibly be placed on the underside of the neck to drain fluids; this helps to minimize swelling that is a common post-surgery effect. The draining pipe is usually kept for not more than forty-eight hours. You may also have to wear a compression bandage for a week to bring down the swelling. The choice of anesthesia, whether general or local, depends upon the extent of surgery decided.

Avoid vigorous head movements for a few days after the surgery. Use your common sense to avoid stretching the skin on the neck. Wear button-down clothes instead of sweaters and tees that you have to pull over your head. The surgeon may elect to keep you in the clinic overnight after surgery for observation purpose. At home, you will pretty much be on your own. Monitor the extent of swelling. Keep a thermometer handy. If you detect fever get in touch with your surgeon because it may indicate an infection and the body's efforts to ward off the infection. Keep your neck relaxed and comfortable at all times. Take special care when walking and eating. Avoid driving for a few days.

Swelling, bruising, and numbness around the skin of the neck are common after-effects of the surgery and should subside after a week or so. However, discoloration of skin, persistent loss of sensation, and discharge of pus or blood are symptoms that you should report to the cosmetic surgeon who has performed the neck lift procedure.

Cosmetic Surgery: The Reasons People Choose This Option

Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular over the past decade. This type of procedures has made it easy for people to go into their doctor's office or medical center and have a part or parts of their body reconstructed to look younger. No longer do women have to age unattractively. They can now have breast lifts, facelifts and tummy tucks to allow them to age more gracefully.

In the year 2008, an astounding 10 million people had cosmetic surgery as well as nonsurgical procedures completed. This was a huge increase of 162% from the year 1997. These statistics came from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. People that are against these types of procedures find it hard to understand why people would want to do this to their bodies, especially since this is 100% voluntary. After all, this is the way we were born so why change it?

These procedures are not to be rushed into and should be considered carefully for about 3 to 4 years before making a final decision. There are good reasons for why people want to change their bodies such as they wanted to do it for themselves, they don't like the person they see in the mirror or they want to look younger.

It is important for you to be honest with yourself as to why you want to have cosmetic surgery. Some people do it to slow down the process of aging. Some people do it to cover up an injury. Some people do it to conceal a congenital defect. What ever your reason is, it is important that you ask yourself a few questions. Are you doing this because your spouse has threatened to leave you and do you think that by changing a body part or two, this will make them love you more? When did you actually start thinking about having this procedure done? Did someone make a remark about a body part that you now feel self-conscious about? Understand that these procedures will not help your social life, will not save your marriage and will not help you get a better job.

You see the news and TV reality shows where people in the entertainment industry and models are have had several cosmetic surgery procedures done. Unfortunately, the sad fact is that most of the time, good-looking people are successful in specific jobs such as modeling and stripping. Peer pressure is often another reason that people consider a facelift, breast implants or other procedure. Society has put such a burden on everyone to look young and beautiful, no matter what his or her age is. Many of us do not like our bodies sometimes, but the good thing is that with the help of cosmetic surgery, a perfect body is achievable.

The bottom line is to really think about why you want this procedure or procedures done. Do you really think you will be happier once it is completed? Talk to your doctor about your reasoning and what your options are.

The Structure and Growth of Hair

As mammals, we have hair almost everywhere on our bodies. Some is unnoticeable because it is soft, fine vellus hair, while other places on our body have thick, noticeable hair called terminal hair. This protein is an important part of regulating our bodies' temperatures, but it can also be unsightly or embarrassing and need removal.

We have three types of hair: lanugo, vellus, and terminal. Lanugo is only present on our bodies while we are still in the womb. Vellus hair is the nearly unnoticeable that covers our bodies, and at the onset of puberty, some of this hair turns into the thicker, darker terminal hair. All three types of hair are composed of a protein called keratin, which is the same material that composes our nails and the outer layer of skin.

The main difference between vellus and terminal hair is that the former is made up of two layers, while the latter has three. Terminal has an inner core, called the medulla. Both of the types have a layer called the cortex, which is in charge of the strength and color. Lastly, the outer surface for both terminal and vellus is called the cuticle. It is thin and colorless and serves mainly to protect the cortex.

Under the surface of the skin, there is a complex that is in charge of growing the hairs. The root of the hair itself is held in the follicle, which is where the components necessary for hair growth come together. Connected to the follicle is the dermal papilla, which contains blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to the cells that produce hair. Additionally, hormones are carried in to the dermal papilla and interpreted as instructions for growth. For example, androgen is a male hormone that may signal the production of terminal hair on the face.

Contrary to what you may think, hair is not constantly growing. It actually has three distinct phases that together make up one growth cycle. The three phases are constantly repeated, which means that your hair is always going through one growth cycle after another. First, hair spends most of its time in the anagen phase, or growth phase. After 2-6 years, it transitions into catagen phase for 1-2 weeks. During this time, the follicle shrinks and separates from the dermal papilla. Lastly, the telogen phase is the resting period. Hair is in this for 5-6 weeks.

Each follicle is independent from the others as to when it enters each growth cycle. This is why laser hair removal requires that you go in for treatment several times, since hair must be targeted during the growth phase. However, once you get laser treatment and all your follicles are zapped, you can be hair-free forever.

For more information regarding the laser hair removal process, talk to the cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Zimmet of Zimmet Vein & Dermatology today.

Perfecting Your Complexion With Cosmetic Procedures and Treatments

Let's face it, beauty and youthfulness are directly connected to the condition of our skin. In an Australian study published in the journal of "Evolution and Human Behavior", age spots, blotchiness and discoloration were all shown to add 10-12 years to a woman's age as perceived by others. The study used three-dimensional imaging and morphing software to remove wrinkles and furrows from photographs of the women in the study, leaving skin tone as the only variable. By doing this, researchers were then able to determine how skin condition directly affected how healthy, attractive and young others perceived the women to be.

In the study, the models with the most even skin tone received significantly higher ratings in terms of attractiveness and health and were also deemed to be younger in age. It may not be fair, but the evenness of our skin, whether you're 17 or 70, gives away visual indications about your health and in effect your reproductive capability, thus a glowing, soft complexion is deemed more desirable.

But none of this was news to you, right? From watching TV and flipping through magazines, you're likely more than aware of the value our society places on a flawless and unblemished face. Don't feel bad though, nobody really looks like that without the help of Photoshop. So, we know that a radiant, glowing complexion can take years off our perceived age, but how do we get that flawless complexion?

If you choose to go the plastic surgery route, which will get you the best results in the shortest amount of time, you have a number of different options to choose from that can improve the texture of your skin and achieve a smoother more radiant complexion.

• Deep wrinkles, pock marks or acne scars can be treated with filler substances, however, after a period of 3-6 months, fillers will wear off and require reinjection to maintain the desired look.

• For a more long term solution than fillers, Laser Resurfacing could be your solution. This procedure can yield dramatic results, eliminating layers of skin that are responsible for wrinkles, roughness and blotchy, uneven tone. A new layer of skin undamaged by the sun is then formed, rejuvenating and tightening the facial skin.

• Dermabrasion?is a great procedure that can vastly improve the texture and tone of your complexion. This method involves the mechanical scraping of the top layers of skin using a high-speed rotary wheel. The procedure essentially polishes the skin, softening the sharp edges of the irregularities, making them much less noticeable. This technique is very good for eliminating blotchy pigmentation and scaly skin.

• A Chemical Peel?is a process that minimizes the effects of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkling over the forehead, about the eyelids and cheeks, and around the mouth. It can also be very effective for superficial acne and skin problems associated with chicken pox and uneven pigmentation. This procedure is often used in conjunction with a facelift.?A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the facial skin, removing outer layers of damaged skin. After the new skin heals, the complexion appears more light, even in color, tighter, smoother and overall younger looking.

There are a variety of options out there to help you achieve your desired look, and there is no one right procedure for every patient. Only through a personal consultation with your plastic surgeon can you make an informed decision about which procedure is best for you.?

What is Cosmetic Dermatology?

If you have seen the popular TV series Nip/Tuck, you probably have a fairly good idea of what cosmetic surgery is all about (though most plastic surgeons in real life do not have messy affairs with their patients or even have time to date hundreds of glamorous women). Long Beach cosmetic dermatology is a sub-specialty of this area. Now, while all plastic surgeons have experience in this field, not all who work in Long Beach cosmetic dermatology are necessarily surgeons. Although many of these doctors are trained to do liposuction, face lifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs) and blepheroplasty (eyelid surgery), many limit their practice to non-surgical, non-invasive Long Beach skin rejuvenation techniques.

Either way, you'll have many different options when it comes to cosmetic dermatology treatments.

Long Beach Skin Rejuvenation Options

Many cosmetic dermatologists use Botox, which is an injection that has been very effective in reducing minor age-related wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Another option is Restylane, a proprietary treatment that can help restore smoother, more youthful-looking skin. One of the most powerful treatments in the dermatologist's arsenal however is isotretinoin, marketed under the brand name Accutane.

Are Long Beach Accutane treatments right for you? This is an issue that you will need to discuss with your doctor. While it is one of the most effective skin treatments on the market (particularly for acne), it may not be right for everyone.

About Accutane

Accutane was first approved by the FDA in 1982. Since that time, Accutane treatments have been used very successfully for severe acne; indeed, some have hailed it as a "miracle drug." Another condition that Accutane can help is rosacea, a form of UV skin damage known as xeroderma pigmentosa.

There are some potentially serious side effects, though most of these are rare. Under FDA regulations however, dermatologists must register any patients for whom they prescribe the drug, and the dispensing pharmacist is required to consult with the website of the U.S. isotretinoin distribution program iPLEDGE. In addition, the patient may not receive more than a 30-day supply at one time.

Most importantly, women who are pregnant must not take Accutane under any circumstances, as this medication has been known to cause birth defects.

It is important to consult with your Long Beach dermatology expert and explore all of the cosmetic skin care and rejuvenation options available to you.

Mommy Makeover: Tops the List

The mommy makeover is still the most popular cosmetic surgery according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Recent trends indicate an increased desire for invasive plastic surgery procedures, those that require substantial recovery time. This suggests people want big changes, not just minor nips and tucks. In a recent survey of those who would get cosmetic work done almost 30% would choose a tummy tuck, 23% would want liposuction and only13% would opt for a face lift.

The traditional mommy makeover includes:

tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
breast lift (mastopexy) plus augmentation
Liposuction (lipoplasty) on the legs, arms, stomach and lower back

Why is the mommy makeover so popular? On average women gain 25-35 pounds during a pregnancy. This added weight is stored in the breasts, abdomen, mid-section, hips, lower back, buttocks and thighs. After delivery many women are unsatisfied with their deflated "pancake" breasts, sagging tummy and general fat deposits with lack of definition on their trunk and in their legs.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the average cost for a mommy makeover is $12,000 - $14,000. Costs vary due to geographic location of services, area of the body treated, combination of procedures and services performed and overhead costs which include anesthesia, hospital charges, nurses and surgeon's fees.

40-54 year olds make up the largest segment of cosmetic procedures (47% of total). For this age cohort, 5.7 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2010. Many women in this age cohort have become mothers hence the moniker: mommy makeover.

Serious complications and death are infrequent with plastic surgery but the pain from the procedures can be very severe, especially the first few days following the surgery. Another consideration of any plastic surgery is the necessary maintenance for years to come. Many plastic surgeons offer "touch-up" packages for future sagging breasts and necessary liposuction revisions. It is important to remember that nothing is permanent and future lifestyle change or pregnancies can change the results of any plastic surgery. This can become costly, time consuming and painful.

iTriage is a good source for finding a physician new you. Download the free app from the iTunes and Android Marketplace or visit http://www.iTriagehealth.com for a complete physician search and description of possible cosmetic procedures.

Common Plastic Surgery Procedures And Their Scientific Names

While most people have heard of several common plastic surgery procedures, they may not know just what the doctor does during each procedure. As these types of surgery continue to become more popular each year, there is also an increase in the number of people looking to learn more about each option. If you are considering a certain type of cosmetic surgery, it may help you to become educated about it before you go see a surgeon. Here are some of the most common procedures to consider:

- Liposuction: During this procedure, fat is removed using a tube that is inserted under the skin. This type of fat removal is most commonly performed on a person's abdomen, buttocks, upper legs and hips, and upper arms. The end result after liposuction is typically a slimmer or curvier appearance. Recovery from this procedure usually takes only a couple weeks.

- Tummy Tuck: Many people confuse this procedure with liposuction, but they are actually very different. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, involves the removal of fat from around the waist and tightening of the abdominal muscles. Excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is tightened. This type of plastic surgery is a common choice for women after having children, or men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight. This procedure may carry a higher risk of complications than other plastic surgery options. Recovery can take two or three weeks, and there may still be limitations to physical activity for an even longer amount of time.

- Breast Augmentation: This procedure is one of the most popular types of plastic surgery among women. Through the use of silicone or saline implants, the breasts are surgically enlarged. Women may choose to have this procedure to enlarge both breasts, to replace a breast following mastectomy, or to correct an asymmetrical appearance of the breasts. Silicone implants seem to be more popular because they have a more realistic look and feel. The implant is usually inserted under the chest muscle through an incision in the armpit, near the nipple, or under the breast tissue. The incisions will result in scars, so surgeons typically try to make the incisions as unnoticeable as possible. Most patients require one or two weeks for recovery, and high-impact activities should not be resumed for a longer time period.

- Rhinoplasty: This type of plastic surgery is also known as a nose job. The surgeon reshapes the nose, making it larger or smaller to create a more symmetrical appearance with the rest of the facial features. In some instances, this procedure can also be done to improve breathing, such as when the patient has a deviated septum. This is one of few plastic surgery procedures that may be covered by health insurance. Bruising is common after this surgery, and it can take about ten days to heal.

- Facelift: During this procedure, the surgeon removes excess fat and tightens the muscles of the face before re-draping the skin. This is commonly done to eliminate the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging skin. Incisions are usually hidden near the hairline or behind the ears. Patients usually return to normal activities in two to three weeks, but healing may continue for a few months before final results are visible.

Some Plastic Surgery Practices Are Not Ethical

There are some practices in the plastic surgery industry that many doctors say should be banned. These issues may be causing more uninformed patients than ever to get treatments that they have not truly thought about. Take a look at some of the most disputed practices that many doctors look down on.

It has become popular to make plastic surgery seem inexpensive and affordable for almost everyone. For instance, there are daily deals sites that offer some procedures for half off, or buy one get one free. This often creates a frenzy among those who are addicted to couponing or simply saving money. While deals are tremendously helpful for people who have always wanted treatment done, but could never afford it, they are troublesome when impulse shoppers take advantage of them. These patients just want to save money, and do not always put much thought into the procedure they have signed up for. This may lead to them not being prepared for the operation and recovery, and they might not even be happy with the results since they had no idea what was realistic to begin with. Clearly, doctors do not enjoy serving such patients.

Another issue some doctors do not like is the false portrayal of plastic surgery results in some advertisements. They often show airbrushed models who did not get the way they are merely through a procedure. This can cause unrealistic expectations among people who want to look perfect and think an operation can achieve that. This often results in unhappy patients, as well as exasperated doctors who end up either having to perform revision operations or deal with bad reviews that are undeserved.

Finally, some surgeons do not like where advertisements for plastic surgery often show up. They may appear during television programs with children and adolescents as the target audience. They may also target specific groups that are vulnerable and therefore may not think through the decision to have an operation. Examples include people who are about to get married, going through a divorce, or just had a baby. Due to the sensitive circumstances and emotional state of such people, getting an operation on a whim is not a good idea, and advertising to them may not be ethical.

Some practitioners are doing all they can to discourage these business practices, but they do not always have the final say. As long as you know the dangers, you can protect yourself from making an impulsive decision. Instead of paying attention to ads and deals that seem too good to be true, you should schedule a time to talk to a doctor for free to determine if plastic surgery is right for you.

Wrinkled Face - Fix it Naturally and Be Sexy and Alluring Again

HANGING ON TO YOUR LOOKS

Is there anything that can make a wrinkled face look younger? Of course there is. The anti aging craze is at a peak. Everyone is running in different directions to try the latest treatments and elixirs. There is so much to choose from, Do you notice when watching TV that none of the newscasters or celebrities we've been following year after year look any older? It's more than just makeup and lighting. These lucky people are having things done that are keeping them young and we're all green with envy. What's available to average people like us?

IS IT PLASTIC SURGERY

The celebrities are having plastic surgery. But it costs a small fortune so right there it is not for everyone. If you are a working person with children to support chances are you won't be able to blow thousands on that. Plus, there are risks you may not be willing to take. With any surgery there is a possibility of complications, like blood clots, that can kill you, If you have a family you probably wouldn't want to put your life on the line for the sake of a wrinkled face, even if you can afford it.

IS IT COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY?

Cosmetics dermatologists are achieving amazing results with lasers, liposuction, fillers and botox. They seem to be coming up with new magical treatments all the time. Some are riskier than others and all are expensive, but if at all possible most of us would jump at the chance. However, even for us peons who don't have two nickels to rub together, there is good news.

ANTI AGING CREAMS

Now you can actually improve your appearance dramatically with the right anti aging cream. And what is that cream? A cream containing ingredients derived from plant extracts, pure enough to eat. If it contains the right ingredients, and they are mixed together with breakthrough technology, you will be happy with the results. Such a cream must contain, among other things, antioxidants made tiny enough to reach down deep through your skin layers. Their job is to rub out free radicals, hence getting your rusty insides working properly again.

THE BIG THREE

Once you rid your body of free radicals it can deal once again with Collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid, all produced from within, and making you younger. Before you sell your soul for procedures it's certainly worth giving a proven anti aging cream a try. It will improve your health because it won't contain any chemicals and it will do wonders for your wrinkled face.

Cosmetic Surgeon Video Marketing

With improvements to the Internet and home computers most Internet users are able to view web pages containing videos in place of print. Most Internet users prefer to view video ads over print ads that they have to read. Video information takes less time to view and is easier understood over print ads. Cosmetic surgeon video marketing allow for the surgeon to market his skills and knowledge of cosmetic surgery with a positive image to the Internet viewer.

Cosmetic surgeon video marketing allows for the information to be easily access, and understood by the Internet user seeking information about cosmetic surgery or a surgeon. Most people prefer using the Internet to find information rather than looking through the yellow pages in the phone book. Because the Internet can provide more information than the yellow pages is able to provide without charging a high fee to the surgeon.

Benefits of cosmetic surgeon video marketing are:

1) multiply referrals from other doctors.
2) Grown in number of new patients.
3) Build a positive business reputation.
4) Ethically attract cases with good pay.
5) Deal with aggressive completion.
6) Support new providers.
7) Bring cash or ancillary cases into the practice.
8) Increase revenues.
9) Be more profitable.
10) Multiply referrals.
11) Succeed at Internet marketing.
12) Creditability to the cosmetic surgeon.

What is the best way for a surgeon to create an effective video marketing program that will provide all the benefits of video marketing? The solution for creating a successful marketing video is to hire a professional, experience marketing company. A professional market should provide:

1) Results based on ethical health care marketing.
2) What they do for their clients by offering products services including creative services.
3) Provide effective Internet marketing and educational products.
4) The marketer should have a highly skilled staff.
5) Will teach marketing strategic for a successful practice.
6) Teaches what works and how to avoid pitfalls of things that don't work.
7) Custom design twelve month plan for health care marketing and growth plan built around the sturgeon's practice.

The cosmetic surgeon marketing video can provide the web page viewer with the following types of information:

1) News about cosmetic surgery.
2) An informative homepage that allows for easy navigation of the website. The types of cosmetic surgery the surgeon performs like: Reconstructive procedures. Breast implants, breast restoration. Breast reductions. Tummy tucks. Removal of tumors. Liposuction and face lift.

Cosmetic Referral - Do You Really Need To Use A Cosmetic Surgery Network?

Looking for information about a cosmetic referral? If you plan to undergo any type of plastic or cosmetic surgery it is imperative that you pick the most qualified and skilled surgeon available.

Do you need to use a referral network?

The importance of choosing a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon can't be understated. If you plan to trust your body and face to a surgeon you want to feel totally at ease.

Taking the time to find the best doctor for your procedure before you get started could make the difference between a happy or sad outcome. Many people do not realize that all surgeons are not equally skilled or certified, therefore, you must look before you leap.

In fact, in the United States, about 80,000 doctors perform cosmetic surgery but only 6,000 of those doctors are Board Certified in Plastic Surgeons.

Just because a doctor is Board Certified does not mean that he or she is certified as a Plastic Surgeon. The United States allows doctors who hold medical licenses to advertise as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. Therefore, it is vital that you make sure that you work with someone who is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Make an informed decision

In order to make a good choice, you will need to consider a variety of issues. The number of things to consider can be overwhelming if you decide to go it alone, so your best bet is to work with a referral service.

Cosmetic Surgery Referral Network

A referral network is the best resource to find board-certified plastic surgeons where you live. In fact, many consider a cosmetic referral network as the best way to match a patient with the right doctor.

A cosmetic referral service will help you to:

• Choose a pre-screened doctor in your area based on education, experience, specialty and certifications.


• Find out more about different cosmetic surgery techniques and procedures.


• Understand your options when it comes to financing your procedure.

If you decide to use the services of a referral network make sure that they match you with someone who is:

• A good listener


• Able to answer all of your questions


• Friendly


• Professional


• Understanding

Also, make sure that you check out the before and after photos most referral networks have. The photos allow you to view cosmetic procedures ranging from breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift surgery and many more.

Viewing these photos will help you think about the type of questions you should ask during your consultation with a plastic surgeon.

The bottom line

As you can see, you can definitely benefit from the services of a referral network and you will not have to pay for their services. The plastic surgeons pay the network to help them find new patients.

The bottom line is that there is no doubt that you can find the perfect match if you use a cosmetic referral system.

Cosmetic Surgery Statistics Are Concerning

There are thousands of cosmetic surgery procedures carried out each year in the UK and the number keeps increasing each year. What's worrying about that is that it is a very poorly regulated industry and mistakes are more common than you might think. Worse, negligence isn't always caused by mistakes so much as laziness and corner cutting.

A recent study outlined the scary facts. Carried out bey the National Confidential Enquiry it showed up some shocking statistics regarding the companies who carry out cosmetic surgery procedures.

First of all, nearly 70% of companies refused to take part in the study. That means that nearly 70% are completely unregulated. We know nothing of their practices, methods, standards or competency. Patients going to these companies really have no way of knowing how good the surgeon is or how good the after care will be. They certainly have no way of comeback should things go wrong, short of suing the cosmetic surgeon in question.

Of the remaining 30% there are some statistics that should cause patients concern. For example, 32% don't offer a 'cooling off period' after patients book a surgery. That means you can't change your mind after booking and get your full money back. Despite the fact this is standard practice for most transactions involving large sums, the unregulated cosmetic surgery industry does not, for the most part, adhere to this, which should be a worry for patients.

Only 56% of the companies that took part in the survey said they do the initial consultation with a consultant surgeon, instead presumably relying on their sales people to carry it out. This is worrying as it seems unlikely that any concerns will be raised in a bid to 'get the sale'.

A staggering 44% had poorly equipped operating theatres, increasing the risk that something could go wrong and if it did lacking the facilities to adequately deal with a mistake or complication.

A third of the companies don't have an out of hours consultant rota should an emergency arise and perhaps most worrying of all one in five do not have an emergency re-admissions policy, instead relying on the NHS to deal with any post-operative complications. They effectively wash their hands of the patient once the procedure is carried out.

All of this adds up to a poorly regulated industry in which a patient who suffers some kind of cosmetic surgery negligence has little opportunity to seek compensation other than through the courts.

In these instances it is advised that a patient contacts a specialist medical negligence solicitors who will be able to advise on whether or not negligence has taken pace and if so, how to go about claiming compensation.

Based on these statistics it is little wonder that as the number of cosmetic surgery procedures increases so do the instances of negligence and the number of claims for compensation.

What Cosmetic Dermatology Options Are Right for You?

Cosmetic dermatology has many benefits. Only individuals who want to improve the way their skin looks and feels will be able to determine which types of procedures are right for their needs. Do you hate the frown lines you have developed over time? Do you dread looking in the mirror each morning and noticing dark patches developing? You may not like the way your skin feels either. The good news is there are many treatment options that can significantly improve the way your skin looks and feels. With the right doctor, you can see the changes you desire.

Getting Rid of Wrinkles

There are various methods for getting rid of wrinkles. In cosmetic dermatology, your doctor will work with you to determine the proper treatment for the wrinkles you have based on the location and depth of each wrinkle. Some products, including injectables like Botox, can help to get rid of even deep wrinkles including those near your eyes, around the mouth, and on the forehead.

For deeper wrinkles, products called derma-fillers are ideal. These work to fill in areas where the wrinkles are deep set by adding more material to the area. Soft tissue fillers such as these can offer significant improvement to various areas of the face, including around the lips, mouth, and cheeks.

Skin Quality

For some, the wrinkles are less of a problem than the quality of the skin. There are options for this as well. Chemical peels are ideal for getting rid of dark spots and acne scarring. These products encourage the skin to produce collagen. This material helps to get rid of fine lines, too. It creates a more youthful appearance.

Laser treatments are another option. This creates a dramatic improvement and can help to get rid of spots, scarring, rosacea, and some wrinkles. The technology is also used to get rid of veins that show through the skin. Though a bit more intense, it offers the ability to see significant improvement in the way you look.

Other Options

Consider laser hair removal so you do not have to shave again. You may want to consider photodynamic therapy, which can significantly rejuvenate your skin and it can get rid of sun damage. You may also want to use skincare products to handle the problems you have so that the treatment is less invasive.

The good news is the cosmetic dermatology can drastically improve the way your skin looks without any surgery. If you think you need a facelift, think again. These procedures can offer a solution far sooner and without the cost or pain. Find out if you are a good candidate for them.

Breast Augmentation - Firm Up and Shape Up

Most women want to have perfect breasts. However, not all are given with this physique. That is the reason why this particular cosmetic surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures today. This type of breast enhancement in Riverside, California is one of the most sought after cosmetic procedure by women who want to have full and firm breasts.

Breast enhancement or "mammoplasty" is a cosmetic surgical procedure that enhances or improves the size, shape and substance of the breasts. The breast augmentation Riverside industry utilizes the best in what technology has to offer. The surgeons who perform this type of cosmetic surgical procedure incorporate the latest in technology and immense experience to bring about satisfaction to their patients.

Breast implants made up of silicone and saline are utilized in this type of cosmetic surgery. The said breast implants (also known as "prosthesis") are inserted by the breast augmentation Riverside surgeon under the breast tissue. The placement of the incision of the said cosmetic surgical procedure depends on what the patient and surgeon have agreed upon. Breast augmentation Riverside surgeons provide individualized options to their patients in changing the volume and contour of their breasts.

Breast augmentation Riverside surgeons also perform this type of cosmetic surgery for men. This is mostly done to reconstruct "in-born" chest deformities or those that are caused by accidents. While there are also some who take on the service of breast augmentation Riverside surgeons for "male to female" gender change.

The recovery period of this particular cosmetic surgical procedure is from seven to twelve days after the actual surgery. Exercise and other heavy activities can start three weeks after surgery. The result of the breast enhancement procedure can be enhanced by complementing it with another cosmetic surgical procedure called "breast lift". Breast lift are ideal for women who have saggy breasts caused by pregnancy, weight loss or aging.

A Guide to Neck Lift Cosmetic Surgery

A neck lift, also known as platysmaplasty, is a form of plastic surgery to improve the appearance of the neck by treating conditions such as a fleshy neck and turkey wattle characterized by excessive fat in the neck region and loose wrinkly skin, respectively.

A neck lift can be performed independently or along with a facelift. The type of procedure will be decided by your surgeon after doing a body checkup and taking into consideration factors such as your age, extent of treatment required your ability to withstand general anesthesia, smoking habits, and medical records. You will be advised to give up smoking a few weeks before surgery because nicotine use impairs post-operative healing, you will have to adhere to the nicotine moratorium till you have healed completely. Certain herbal medications can act as blood thinners; you will have to give up these as well.

Neck banding can be treated with botox injections and fat can be removed through liposuction. These two short procedures can be performed along with a platysmaplasty and the surgeon may indeed prescribe these if he feels that a combination of procedures will yield the best results for you. Incisions under the chin and if required behind the ear will allow access to the neck muscles that can be tightened. The surgeon can remove excess fat if required. The incisions are sutured back in place after excess skin is cut and remaining skin is stretched to remove wrinkles.

The stitches may be removed after ten to twelve days after surgery depending upon the progress of your recovery or the surgeon may elect to use the type that dissolve on their own. A small pipe may possibly be placed on the underside of the neck to drain fluids; this helps to minimize swelling that is a common post-surgery effect. The draining pipe is usually kept for not more than forty-eight hours. You may also have to wear a compression bandage for a week to bring down the swelling. The choice of anesthesia, whether general or local, depends upon the extent of surgery decided.

Avoid vigorous head movements for a few days after the surgery. Use your common sense to avoid stretching the skin on the neck. Wear button-down clothes instead of sweaters and tees that you have to pull over your head. The surgeon may elect to keep you in the clinic overnight after surgery for observation purpose. At home, you will pretty much be on your own. Monitor the extent of swelling. Keep a thermometer handy. If you detect fever get in touch with your surgeon because it may indicate an infection and the body's efforts to ward off the infection. Keep your neck relaxed and comfortable at all times. Take special care when walking and eating. Avoid driving for a few days.

Swelling, bruising, and numbness around the skin of the neck are common after-effects of the surgery and should subside after a week or so. However, discoloration of skin, persistent loss of sensation, and discharge of pus or blood are symptoms that you should report to the cosmetic surgeon who has performed the neck lift procedure.