Like most of you, i’ve always looked for the easy way to lose weight and stay in shape. And like most of you, I’ve never found it. As I get older and associated pains and other symptons of aging become more obvious, i’m less interested in a quick fix. I’ve decided that no matter what the cost, I need to start acting as if I want to be healthy. As if I want to live a long and happy life.
Recently, I started on the Latisse regimen…after realizing how short and thin my eyelashes were. I was truly skeptical at first…doing it just to see what kind of result, if any I would get. First, let me tell you…I am a light skinned red head…very little hair on my body…including my lashes…so, I thought it might not give me the results I was hoping for….WRONG! That stuff is great…it really works…takes a couple of months…but my lashes look like I had extensions added…I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!
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Now, I am on my….Let’s fix the face…quest. I started with Botox…love it! It can be nerve wracking when you see someone coming at your face with needles…and it stings too. So, I ask for laser numbing cream first…then when they start the injections…I barely feel a thing. I always thought people sounded lame when they would use the phrase…”makes you look rested”…well, Botox really does…it truly softens and in some cases totally removes the lines from your face…not the crinkles you get all over…guess that will be a job for the laser….but the deep ones….and it helps soften those migraines for me…that was an added bonus.
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Since beginning my fiftieth year on this earth…I began a slow journey of self discovery. Trying my best to figure out what I wanted…or expected out of this phase of my life. My kids are grown…my husband is engulfed in his career…what is out there for me? I wish I could tell you that I hit that “eureka” moment….but no…I am still making my way through the fog looking for the light.
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I did it! I actually overcame my phobia of needles long enough to go to see the Dermatologist and get Botox. For those of you who know me…you understand what a victory that is.
Well, it is finally the right time in my life to start thinking about having some work done on myself. I want to proceed with caution…slowly and carefully. Some of the questions I will put out there in web-space may sound naive…well I guess they are…but like I said I am just starting out and need advice from those who have gone before.
I am a 54-year-old female interested in having several cosmetic procedures done this year. I have begun to notice lines around my mouth, slight crows feet and forehead lines. So, being the chicken I am…I am opting to start slow.
Restylane and Botox are my procedures of choice. I came upon a great site while researching the many options out there…http://www.realself.com. Not only does it give you the opportunity to see several real before and after photos…it show you what to expect in price and pain…giving examples all over the United States.
Check it out before you have anything done…stay safe!
The tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, consists of major surgery that requires general anesthesia, which also uses liposuction and requires a big surgical removal of excess skin. Usually, the result is a big scar going from the pubic area to the lower abdomen to the hips. Lax abdominal muscles will be surgically removed during a tummy tuck. Long before the liposuction procedure was invented, the tummy tuck was the method available for getting rid of excessive tummy fat.
The main difference between a thread lift type of face-lift and what is called a “lunchtime lift” are the materials used to affect the change. Thread lifts have emerged because so many people who would love to have a more youthful looking face simply can’t afford the highly invasive procedure of the traditional method. The recovery time of a thread lift has considerably less downtime and can be done during the lunch break, after work, or on a Friday when the patient will have the weekend to recuperate. There are three kinds of facelifts that is included in the “lunchtime” category.
The Cool Laser method is done with a laser that heats the dermis causing collagen to develop and fill in the wrinkles, removing scars. Since 1995, the thread lift procedure, approved by the FDA, consists of sutures with tiny barbs coming off the thread. The doctor uses a thin needle, he inserts the sutures just under the tissue of the face, neck, or jowls and the barbs grab and lift up skin that sags. On the other end, the teeth anchors skin to the facial tissues underneath. There aren’t any incisions, stitches, scars, or blood.
Two methods of thread lifts are the FeatherLift and ContourLift. Either method will elevate and fix the sagging mid-face, brows, and neck and were approved by the FDA in 2004. Another type called Aptos Thread, developed overseas, achieved pre-market approval in 2005. There were more than 5,000 types of lunchtime lift done in 2006.
The best candidates for the thread lift method are people who just want a small lift with minimal signs of aging. Other people who would benefit are those who have had a traditional face-lift and need a little more help after time as support for the soft tissue around the neck and under the eyes, which was elevated in the previous procedure. Thread lifts are a way of rejuvenating previous surgeries done years before.
The risks involved in a thread lift procedure are many. You may want to consider these points carefully in making your decision. You may not notice any improvement at all after the procedure. So you would go ahead with the traditional life afterwards. Sometimes in women with thin skin, the sutures became visible beneath the skin after the procedure was done. But plastic surgeons that have more experience have said that this problem is due to poor techniques or selection of patients that had less chance of having a successful procedure. Patients have reported to experience less sensitivity and numbness in the treated area. This will usually subside in about two to three weeks. Infection is not a common side effect, but will be treated with antibiotics, and even more rarely, will require surgical draining. Scarring is also a possibility.
There are some surgeons who won’t perform the thread lift until they can assess results in two or three years. This is because clinical studies on the thread lift have not been completed, but are being worked on at three universities in the United States.
When searching for a surgeon, make sure he is board certified. These are the doctors who know the most about thread lifts, and can honestly and accurately guide you to the best procedure approach with the expected results you want. Remember that each patient is individual and doing your homework first will better assure your safety and satisfaction.
If you are experiencing fine lines or wrinkles on most of your face, or the fine lines that develop around the eyes and upper lip, resurfacing may be just what you need. Laser and light treatments and chemical peels treat pigmentation problems such as age spots and damage from too much sun. The best-suited treatment depends on natural skin color and type. Your doctor will want to take the least amount of risk that your skin will develop additional pigmentation or excessive whitening. Regiments of multiple treatments are necessary so that improvement in skin clarity and texture is achieved.