Acnee Treatment using Smoothbeam laser technology

Many innovations have been made in recent years towards healing acne scars and removing acne itself, including Smoothbeam laser treatment. Smoothbeam lasers have been very effective in not only temporarily removing acne, but most importantly eliminating acne scars, which can often remain permanently even after acne is no longer a major problem! While there are tons of methods and products available for getting rid of acne, the scars that are left are often a much tougher problem, so this kind of innovation is a welcome treat for acne sufferers.

You can make such a treatment at the :The Knightsbridge Laser Clinic U.K.

How Does It Work?

How does a treatment method like this work? Well, Smoothbeam laser treatment is used to alternatively use heating and cooling methods on your skin, in the effort to heat the middle layer of the skin appropriately. This simple solution allows that layer of your skin to essentially receive the healing that it needs. Not only do acne scars benefit from this kind of treatment, but also wrinkles and other skin problems, such as sebaceous hyperplasia. This kind of procedure is very legitimate and is FDA approved, as well as being endorsed by many dermatologists who perform the procedure for patients regularly. Especially for a laser treatment, Smoothbeam treatments are very good for their low risk of side effects. The vast majority of patients who undergo Smoothbeam laser treatment will only have some mild redness for the hours immediately after the procedure. There is sometimes a level of discomfort to the procedure, but that can easily be limited by applying an over the counter cream to numb the skin before the treatment. Usually, the treatments are conducted in a series, as most dermatologists recommend a few of the treatments for best results.

Is It Right For You?

Of course, to find out whether you are an ideal candidate for Smoothbeam laser treatment, you will really have to speak with your dermatologist. He or she will be familiar with your skin type and will be able to really advise you on the potential benefits of such a treatment. Some people will not see as many results as others from the treatment, which is similar to any other kind of medical treatment in that way. However, for the majority of patients, four treatments will give the desired results that the patient was looking for. That makes this procedure one of the best ways to get rid of unsightly acne scars, so that you can feel good about your skin.

What types of cosmetic surgeries are there?

Below is a list of the most common cosmetic surgeries, if you think about having one I recommend you 'The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic' in the U.K.

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) - the abdomen is reshaped and firmed. During this surgical procedure excess skin and fact is removed from the middle and lower abdomen, with the aim of tightening the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. Tummy tucks are more popular among women after pregnancy and people who have lost a great deal of weight and do not like the sagging that sometimes results from this. Sometimes the sagging skin occurs for genetic reasons (the patient inherited the trait). This procedure may also improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially those located below the navel.It is important that malnutrition is identified among patients who have lost a lot of weight. Identifying malnutrition before surgery in massive weight loss patients seeking body contouring will significantly decrease surgical complications, accelerate wound healing, improve scar quality and boost patient energy levels, this study found.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) - the eyelids are reshaped, or a permanent eyeliner is applied. This procedure may be either functional or cosmetic, and sometimes both. The aim is to reshape the upper or lower eyelid by removing or repositioning excess tissue. It may also involve reinforcing surrounding muscles and tendons.

Mammoplasty, this may include:

Breast enlargement (breast augmentation; boob job) - the breasts are enlarged. This is one of the most common procedures in cosmetic surgery. This is done either with fat grafting, or with saline or silicone gel prosthetics. Usually carried out because the woman feels her breasts are too small (micromastia), but also if one breast is larger than the other, or if the breasts have changed after pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.

Breast implants may also be considered by patients who have had their breast removed (mastectomy), as may be the case with breast cancer. Breast implants come in many sizes, shapes and profiles.

Women who undergo breast enlargement often see a sizable boost in self-esteem and positive feelings about their sexuality, this researcher from the University of Florida found.

Breast reduction - skin and glandular tissue is removed to make the breasts smaller. This procedure may also apply for women who suffer from shoulder or back pain because their breasts are very/too large (gigantomastia). Breast reduction surgery has a much higher percentage of patients who want to relieve a physical discomfort, compared to women who want breast augmentation. This article looks at whether young women undergoing cosmetic breast reduction surgery should be screened for cancer without their informed consent, which is currently what happens. Breast reduction reduces breast cancer risk among high-risk women, this study found.

Male breast reduction (gynecomastia) - The procedure can also be carried out on men who have abnormally large mammary glands. This condition is much more common than people think - it affects approximately 40% to 60% of the male populations of North American and Western Europe (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). This article reveals a figure of 40% to 50% of males, at some point in their lives. Some males may have just one affected breast, while others have both. In most cases we are not sure why some men have enlarged breasts. We do know that the following factors may have an impact: taking anabolic steroids, medication containing estrogen, alcohol consumption, marijuana consumption, impaired liver function, and some cancers.

Mastopexy (breast lift) - as the skin loses its elasticity, gravity starts taking its toll, plus other factors such as weight loss, pregnancy and/or breastfeeding alter the shape and firmness of the breasts, some women want a breast lift. The breast lift raises the breasts, giving them a more youthful contour. Sometimes the patient will undergo breast augmentation at the same time.

Lower-body lift - this may include:

Buttock augmentation - this procedure enhances the appearance of the buttocks by making them larger. The surgeon will either graft fat from another part of the patient's body, or use a silicone implant.

Buttock lift - this procedure lifts the buttocks so that they stick out more and have a tighter, more pert appearance. The surgeon does not always need to place implants. A scarless technique can be used for buttock lift.

May also include procedures to tighten loose, sagging skin in the backs of the thighs, hips, outer thighs, and the front of the thighs. The surgeon will usually utilize incisions which go from the back round the hips to the front of the thighs. The surgeon removes the loose skin as well as some underlying fat tissue so that the remaining skin can stretch and smooth the lower body - especially the thighs and buttocks.

Chemical peel - popular among people with acne or pock, as well as those with scars and wrinkles. The procedure involves using Phenol (carbolic acid), TCA (trichloroacetic acid), AHA (glycolic acid) or BHA (salicylic acid) as the active ingredient. There are two types of chemical peel:

Deep (phenol) peel - also known as a deep chemical peel. This is for patients with deep wrinkles, usually from exposure to the sun, as well as the skin that wrinkles around the lips and chin. This treatment reduces the appearance of skin damage and imperfections.

Light to medium chemical peel - more suitable for patients with finely wrinkled faces, as well as sun-damaged skin, and uneven pigmentation. All chemical peels peel away the top layers of the skin.

Researchers at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine found that chemical peels using either alpha-hydroxy acid or beta-hydroxy acid are both highly effective in treating mild to moderately severe facial acne.

Labiaplasty - also called labioplasty, labia minor reduction, or labial reduction. This involves surgery of the labia majora or labia minora of the vulva (part of the female genitalia). Labiaplasty reduces elongated labia. This is generally part of a vaginoplasty. However, this article explains that there exists little clinical or scientific evidence to guide gynecological surgeons as to the safety and effectiveness of different cosmetic vaginal procedures.

Nose job (rhinoplasty) - the surgeon reshapes the patient's nose. It is usually done by an otolaryngologist (head and neck surgeon, ear/nose and throat specialist), maxillofacial surgeon or plastic surgeon. The aim is to improve the appearance of the nose, and sometimes its function as well if the patient has breathing problems. Surgeon's say patients should wait until they are at least 15 years of age (boys perhaps even older). Sometimes rhinoplasty is carried out in conjunction with a facelift. This study found a higher rate of personality disorders among nose job candidates.

Ear surgery (otoplasty) - generally this involves pining the ear closer to the head. However, surgery may involve reducing the size of very large ears, or reshaping various bends in the cartilage. Most commonly, otoplasty is used for patients with:

Protruding ears (ears that stick out)

Large ears

Ears that have an abnormal shape

Some patients have surgery done on just one ear, while others have both ears done. Ear surgery can be performed on children because the ears reach their near total development when the child is 5 or 6. A study revealed that cosmetic ear surgery has the youngest age of patients. Cosmetic surgical procedures for children pose ethical dilemmas, this essay discusses.

Facelift (rhytidectomy) - rhytidectomy means to remove wrinkles surgically. The aim is to make the patient's face look younger. Excess facial skin is removed without tightening underlying tissue - the skin is then redraped on the patient's face and/or neck. Face lifts may be done in many ways, however, the most popular one is to make an incision in front of the ear which extends into the hairline and also curves around the bottom of the ear and then behind it. The skin is then separated from the deeper tissues with a scalpel or scissors over the cheeks and neck. The deeper tissues are then tightened with sutures (stitches) - sometimes the excess deeper tissues are removed. The skin is then redraped and some excess skin is removed. The incisions are then sutured or stapled. Facelift procedures are continuously evolving.

This interesting study looked at the surprising high rate of MRSA infections following facelift surgery.

Liposuction (suction-assisted lipectomy) - also known as fat modeling, liposculpture suction lipectomy, or lipo. Fat is surgically removed from various parts of the body - usually the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, backs of the arms, and neck. Liposuction may also be used for male breast reduction. It is crucial for the patient to be told that liposuction is not a weight loss method.

If there is a lot of fat, the surgeon cannot remove it all in one go. How much fat is removed depends on what method is being used, as well as certain aspects relating to the patient - usually the most that can be taken out is about 5 kg (a little over 10 lbs). If too much fat is removed there is a significantly greater risk of complications for the patient.

The fat is removed via a cannula (a hollow metal tube) that is passed through the fatty tissue. A pump is attached, generating a vacuum, so that the fat is literally sucked out (suction assisted liposuction). A motor may be attached which makes the cannula vibrate (vacillate back and forth). An ultrasonic generator may also be used - this produces sound waves that break the fat cells which are then removed. Prior to removal the fat cells may also be broken down with laser.

Although complications are uncommon, they can occur, including the accumulation of blood under the skin (hematoma), infection, changes in sensation, allergic reactions, damage to underling structures, and unsatisfactory results. It is important that the patient is aware of the risks and has talked about them with a doctor.

Smokers are advised to give up well in advance of the operation and not to resume for at a least a few weeks afterwards. Smoking can significantly undermine recovery.

Liposuction does not reduce the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure), this study revealed.

Brow lift - also known as a browplasty or forehead lift. The aim is to raise drooping eyebrows and/or remove forehead wrinkles (worry lines) - conditions associated with aging. It is often performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures aimed at achieving a more harmonious facial appearance.

Chin augmentation - the aim is usually to give the patient a more prominent chin and a better balance of facial features. An implant is usually placed by the surgeon. Often when the patient has a nose job (rhinoplasty) he/she will include chin augmentation surgery in the same session. Sometimes the surgeon is able to manipulate the jaw bone (without using a prosthetic implant). However, chin augmentation with implants is the more popular option for patients with normally functioning teeth and jaw development.

Cheek augmentation - this surgical procedure is aimed at giving the patient more prominent cheekbones. The surgeon may place an implant at the top of the cheekbones. Many patients say that weak cheeks make their face seem gaunt and aged. As we age our cheeks may lose their fullness.

Cheek lift - also known as a midface lift. This surgical procedure raises the middle of the face (the cheek) to improve cheek and under-eye fullness and contour.

Hair transplantation - A large percentage of men, especially Caucasian men, and a smaller percentage of women are affected by hair loss. Most hair loss occurs for genetic reasons. Micro-hair transplantation has replaced larger grafts of hair. Patients may require several sessions to achieve desired results. After six weeks the transplanted hair will fall out and be replaced about three months later when the new hair appears. This article explains how a dermatologist can help patients suffering from hair loss.

Collagen injections - collagen is widely used in cosmetic and plastic surgery for burn patients and for the reconstruction of bone. It is also widely used in dentistry, orthopedics and other surgeries. Collagen injections are also used in treating patients with urinary incontinence. One of the drawbacks is that some patients experience prolonged redness. Doctors can carry out a patch test before surgery to find out how susceptible the patient might be. Most collagen comes from young beef cattle - they are free of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy - mad cow disease). Collagen may also be derived from pig tissue.

These treatments are dermal fillers used in cosmetic medicine to reduce wrinkles, lines and scars, as well as to augment soft tissue contours. Collagen treatments are not permanent - they are degraded by the body and have to be repeated at later date.

Fat injections - also called fat grafting, and has broad applications in cosmetic surgery. The patient's own fat is collected from one part of the body and injected into areas requiring volume-enhancement. The results are generally safe and long lasting. Patients are generally more satisfied with this procedure because often two birds are killed with one stone - fat is removed from a part of the body that needs fat reduction, and then added to another part that requires more volume. When the fat is removed it is washed and purified and then carefully re-injected with specially designed needles. Sometimes the procedure needs to be repeated several times for best results.

The hands, face (including lips), and depressions in the skin contour are the most common targets for skin grafting. Rejuvenating newly identified fat compartments in the facial cheeks can help reduce the hollowed look of the face as it ages, according to research by plastic surgeons at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Is Natural Light Important in winter??

Seasonal Affective Disorder (often abbreviated as “SAD”) can impact people who feel fine the rest of the year. However, suddenly when winter hits, they find that their mood changes dramatically. In fact, estimates show that 10% of people suffer from this problem. Also Seasonal Affective Disorder is far more likely to affect women than men. More women have SAD then men by a 3:1 ratio! The lack of sunlight during the winter can cause problems with our internal clocks and circadian rhythms. Also less access to the sun and shorter days can cause our serotonin levels to drop during the winter. Lack of serotonin in the body can also make us depressed.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder are very similar to symptoms of clinical depression. Problems include decreased appetite, weight loss, decreased sex drive, feelings of isolation, depression and sometimes even suicidal feelings. Now if you go to a psychiatrist and get evaluated as having SAD, more than likely you will be prescribed some prescription medications. While these prescription antidepressants may help with your SAD, they also will be more than likely to have unintended side effects.

The good news is that there are a wide variety of natural ways of treating Seasonal Affective Disorder. Many of these treatments can be very effective and are even suggested by doctors. Supplements that are recommended to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder include St. Johns Wort, Vitamin D, and increase of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Also make sure you get more natural sunlight each day. This should be one of the first treatments to try to improve your mood. One thing you can do is open your window coverings and get light during every possible opportunity. (If you have a small window you should get a bigger one -like the ones they have at : The Sash Window Shop)Also if you can go for a walk during your lunch break, this can be extremely effective. Getting more physical activity has also been shown to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Look out the window and pay attention to the weather. When you see the sun is shining, try to get outside and take advantage of that fact. Actually getting natural sun exposure on your skin can make a big difference.

Many psychiatrists recommend the use of light therapy to their patients as a treatment for SAD. With light therapy, people sit in front of a special light box or lamp each day.

If you have been feeling down during the winter, get proactive. Try some natural solutions and see if they make a difference for you.

From HCG Diets to Shake Weights: Fitness Trends in Review

From tapeworms and Thighmasters to fad diets and blubber-shaking machinery, the only sure thing in the fitness world is that there will always be a new trend claiming to be the secret to quick and easy weightloss or eternal youth. Often, these fads make unrealistic promises or are downright unhealthy. Sometimes, though, trends bubble up for a reason—because they work. Here’s a look at five current fitness trends and my suggestions as to whether you should “hit it” or “quit it.”

HCG Diet: Fad diets are a dime a dozen. All the ones that “work” use the same trick: They have some loosely-tested medical theory that distracts you from the fact that you are just doing good old calorie cutting. This is true of most low-carb and non-medically-indicated gluten-free diets, and it’s certainly true with the HCG diet. In its truest form, the HCG diet requires daily injections of a hormone found in pregnant women that is supposed to help release fat stores. Of course, the internet has sprung up with sites offering to sell you HCG in pill form. But HCG is not active in an oral form, so the pills you find on the internet are pure placebos. In either case, the HCG is more or less a red herring anyway. The real way the HCG diet “works”—you are only allowed 500 calories per day! Yes, you read that right—500 calories. Of course you are going to lose weight in the short-term, but a 500-calorie diet is something one should never undertake without the strictest of doctor’s supervision.

The Verdict: Quit It. If you want to lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn by creating a sustainable deficit, which can be done by anyone, anywhere, for free! If you must, you can take a few twenty-dollar bills out of your wallet and flush them down the toilet for motivation, which would be better than spending your hard-earned cash on this internet gimmick.

P90X: The saying goes, “At any given time, there is an episode of I Love Lucy playing somewhere in the world.” I think the same is probably true of the P90Xinfomercial—possibly twofold. The parade of jaw-dropping transformations and well-oiled “after shots” just reek of scam. But, you know what…? The hype machine of the infomercial doesn’t change the fact that P90X is a really solid, well-rounded, old-school weight and cardio program that will deliver great results to anyone who has the dedication to push themselves through the workouts and, most importantly, reel in their diet. It delivers the same kind of solid workout experience you can get from taking several classes at a gym, which makes it ideal for parents and people who like the flexibility of working out at home. (One caveat: If you are a woman looking to lose weight, it’s likely the nutrition guide that comes with the program will suggest far too many calories. Here are some suggestions for alterations.)

The Verdict: Hit it! Just don’t expect that something magical will happen when the UPS man delivers the package to your door. As with any workout program, you’ll need the commitment to hit the workouts hard and change your diet to seeresults.

Shake Weight: Due to a so-bad-it's-good advertising campaign, the Shake Weighthas become a viral video darling and even landed a starring role on an episode of South Park. But, is it any good as a workout tool? Hardly. I purchased the Shake Weight in the “for men” size and ran through the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it enclosed workout DVD. For starters, I can think of very little that would actually “get you ripped in only 6 minutes per day” aside from deadlifting a small SUV repeatedly. And, while I did have difficulty shaking the weight for the specified period, I’m chalking that up to a slippery handle and biomechanically-shaky moves. I felt no delayed muscle soreness that would indicate that the workout had done anything different from my usual weight regime. Plus, it works only three muscle groups, and there’s certainly not enough weight involved in any case to “get you ripped.” In fact, I’d argue good ole pushups, dips, and pull-ups would do a much better job of that than this noisy gizmo.

The Verdict: Quit It. Spend your thirty bucks on a pair of 20-pound dumbbells that you can use for curls, presses, squats, and lunges to get a full-body workout. Bonus tip: If you want to get the whole Shake Weight experience with your dumbbells, just stop your curl or press mid-way through the rep and do micropulses or hold the isometric contraction for 30 seconds. Oh, and make funny faces. That’s the important part.

HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training): High Intensity Interval Training is the talk of the gym, promising to burn the most calories in the least amount of time and elevating post-exercise calorie burn for up to 24 hours after the session. HIIT is a great addition to most workout programs, and all these claims are backed by solid research, but here’s the thing—most people don’t do HIIT right. It’s more than just hitting the “interval” button on the elliptical while reading the latest copy of Cosmo. A true HIIT workout session involves a warm-up followed by one minute of all-out intensity and one minute of recovery, repeated no more than 10 times, and followed by a cool down. To be true HIIT, the all-out bursts must be can’t-go-for-a-second-longer intervals, and at the end of the 20-30 minute session you should be absolutely beat.

The Verdict: Hit it! High Intensity Interval Training is a great way to get the most out of your workout time. Remember, though, that a true HIIT will leave you utterly depleted and require proper recovery, so don’t do this kind of workout on back-to-back days. Also, don’t put too much weight on the promise of increased post-exercise burn—any workout program will do this. Just focus on blasting through those calories in the workout timeframe and consider any additional benefits as gravy. I tell my clients: With HIIT, if you don’t feel like a flailing fool in the gym, you probably aren’t doing it right.

High-Antioxidant Drinks and Supplements (Acai Berry, Pomegranate, etc.): It seems that anti-oxidants have been added to so many products these days, promising everything from better heart health to eternal youth. Notably, the beverage aisle is jam-packed with high-antioxidant drinks, but most of these drinks are nothing more than expensive fruit punch, with little to offer than massive quantities of sugar and some vitamins tossed in to make for better marketing. Yes, a diet sufficiently high in anti-oxidants is important for good health, but a well-rounded diet full of multi-colored foods will not only provide you more than enough vitamins and minerals, it will contain other important phytonutrients and fiber naturally. I am always wary of artificially adding nutrients to our food outside the ratio of what you’d find in a healthy, well-balanced diet. There is even some evidence that too many anti-oxidants might reduce the positive adaptations to exercise.

The Verdict: Quit it! Don’t reach for a pricy, sugary, calorie-bomb just because it claims to have anti-oxidants or other health benefits. If you are eating a well-rounded, colorful diet, you are probably doing fine on the anti-oxidant front. Try as we might, we really can’t improve on water for drinking.

Holidays Special Environmental Tips for Individuals: Eco-Gifts and Eco-Gift Ideas - Part 1

Eco Gifts and Eco Gift Ideas

Ideas: Offer/ask for gifts that don't involve buying anything. For example, time together, a back rub, babysitting, offer to teach something you know how to do, donation to charity, seeds from your garden, tickets to an event (musical, lecture series, play, concert, etc.), nontoxic house cleaning service, gift certificates for spas, music downloads, movie downloads, etc.

Other Eco Gift Ideas:

- Consider purchasing gifts from companies focused on providing products which use renewable energy sources (i.e., solar powered radio , outdoor lighting or just doing something for the environment ) like the Turtle Mat - they are working to save marine turtles from extinction.

- Eco-Artware promotes gifts made from reused and natural materials.

- Shop for gifts at antique stores, estate sales or flea markets.

- Create environmentally friendly gift baskets filled with sustainable gift items (e.g., compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs, plastic bag dryer, organic cotton socks/scarfs/hats/etc., showerhead with mist setting for lowest flow showers, organic and/or vegan snack items, organic cotton towels, shade grown coffee, fair trade gifts, solar battery charger, solar radio/flashlight, a variety of nontoxic and biodegradeable cleaning products or a nontoxic cleaning kit, etc.)

Gifts that Give Back:

- Ask for/give the gift that keeps on growing -- a tree!.

- Make it a Fair Trade Holiday! Buy gifts through Online Fair Trade Shops.

- Give alternative charity gifts (check out the great online alternative gifts at the bottom of the page). Another resource: Charity Christmas Gifts.

- Feed a child in honour of someone you love and post their photo on the Wall Against Hunger (World Food Programme).

- Give the gift of a Mosquito Net to save someone from Malaria.

Give Fair Trade Gifts that:

Fund food for the hungry

Fund free mammograms

Help underprivileged children survive and thrive

Help provide books to underprivileged children

Help preserve endangered forests

Help feed animals in need

- Give Gifts that Give More

- If you are a school teacher, consider asking your students to bring in items that can be donated to a local charity that is distributing holiday gifts for underprivileged children.