The Jeffrey And Tracey Info Emporium

Acne can happen to anyone. It shows up primarily in the face and can cause embarrassment and even avoidance of going out in public. Some people only experience light, occasional break-outs. Unfortunately for others, this problem can go on for years and requires treatment. There are several choices when it comes to healing yours. A dermatologist is recommended for severe or frequent blemishes. Natural Acne Treatment is the ideal remedy for milder cases.

Natural Acne treatment is simple. Changing your diet or taking herbs and vitamins to cleanse and provide additional nutrition could be enough to clear your skin up.

You should eliminate sugars, oils, and fats from your diet as much as possible. They are not part of a good balanced diet and are all unhealthy to begin with. Drinking water instead of sugary soda and eating a vegetable snack instead of you usual chips is not a difficult change to make. The healthier you are overall will reflect the health of your skin.

It has been debated that diet has no effect on acne. Diet alone is not a suitable natural acne treatment. However, modifying your diet in addition to taking certain vitamins can clear up your skin.

Taking certain vitamins is a great natural acne treatment used by many people. Zinc can prevent acne from ever occurring. It also heals existing blemishes. Vitamin A in low doses reduces the production of your skin’s natural oil, called sebum. Certain herbal blends can also help to benefit your body and your skin.

The advantages to natural acne treatment are that you avoid ever having to see a dermatologist, your body will benefit from healthier eating, and you are not exposing your skin to harsh chemicals. Visiting a dermatologist to take care of your acne can get expensive. It usually requires many follow-up visits and paying for prescriptions. This can also be time consuming and overall just not worth it if your acne is not severe enough to actually require it. Not consuming greasy foods will keep your system clean, which is beneficial to your overall health as well as your skin. Typical acne medicines contain ingredients that can cause your skin to be sensitive to sunlight or even worsen your condition.

Modifying your diet and taking vitamins are not the only options that you have as natural acne treatment. You could suffer from stress-induced acne. Ways to reduce stress in your life can differ from person to person because everyone gets stressed out by different things. Exercising and getting plenty of rest could help to calm the stress in your life. Perhaps taking a walk or practicing yoga would help you to relax and clear your mind to be stress-free. A life without stress could be a life without suffering from acne. Natural treatment may not be the answer to your acne, depending on the cause of it. Experimenting is an easy and painless method to try, and it could save you a lot of money if it is right for you.

John Wellington is from AcneHelpZone.com which provides people who are suffering from acne with quick, relevant and free acne resources that they can download and take away with them for easy reference.

One of the problems with benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatments is that they can be quite irritating, particularly to sensitive skin. Those fans of benzoyl peroxide will thus be pleased to learn that one skin care company that supplies prescription acne and skin care products is releasing a treatment with a delivery system that reduces benzoyl peroxide’s irritating effect.

Called NeoBenz Micro, this acne treatment will be available only by prescription, which is one drawback. On the plus side, it should mean that the acne sufferer is given the appropriate strength to their particular needs. It is aimed at helping people with mild to moderate acne, and comes in three strengths. These are 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, 5.5% benzoyl peroxide, and 8.5% benzoyl peroxide.

The difference in this treatment as compared to regular benzoyl peroxide solutions, is that it is a time release product. The method designed by SkinMedica, NeoBenz Micro’s developer, uses very small ’sponges’, called microsponges. These hold the active ingredient, in this case benzoyl peroxide, to be slowly released throughout the day. It means that though acne is kept in contact with benzoyl peroxide for the whole day, only small amounts of it are released onto the skin. These amounts are enough to be effective but far less irritating.

The side effects that this benzoyl peroxide acne treatment aims at reducing are rashes, skin soreness, and irritation. Aside from the unpleasant feeling these effects create, they unfortunately also reduce the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide in clearing acne.

NeoBenz Micro is one example of a new trend in the pharmaceutical industry. It aims at taking existing products and developing new ways to package and deliver the active ingredients, thus effectively modernizing many treatments. The emphasis in the past had been more research oriented - finding new and more powerful treatments rather than fine tuning existing ones that were proven to work.

Other examples of this phenomena include converting treatments into sprays, with the effect of increasing absorption and convenience. MedPharm, a research contracting firm, is turning one eczema treatment and two acne treatments into sprays. These are still in the development stage, however.

References:
1. in-pharmatechnologist.com/news/ng.asp?n=65831&m=1IPE215&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub
2. outsourcing-pharma.com/news/ng.asp?id=64465

These are traditional acne treatments, but if they frustrate you, check out these alternative natural acne treatments. Rebecca Prescott runs the website Acne To Health, providing information on both conventional and alternative acne treatments.

Here’s a parable which was inspired by sight of Santa’s beard.

I am a wet shaver. That means I apply shaving soap to my face with a shaving brush and before shaving, work it up to a lather using a vigorous rotational action to soften the morning’s stubble.

“Thank-you for sharing,” do I hear you say, “but what on earth has that to do with me, effectiveness or efficiency?”

I know it will surprise you, but there have been times in my life when money has been in short supply. One morning I remember reflecting with some satisfaction on how economical I was with the shaving cream. Each tube I made last for 6 months. Then I paused. A tube of shaving cream costs around $3. Each one I made lasted for 25 weeks. Wow, what incredible economy! But tell me, how much difference would it have made to our financial situation if I had used one tube every month, or even one every week? Frankly, not much! This is the difference between effectiveness and efficiency.

Was I using each tube efficiently? You bet, I might even have been able to get into the Guiness Book of Records. But how effectively was I impacting our monthly budget? Not at all. Now if I was able to find 5 or 6 or 10 or 50 initiatives all saving the same amount, I would begin to see something really meaningful. That would be effective and efficient!

So my challenge to you today is to ask, which are the areas of your life and business in which you are being incredibly efficient while contributing effectively nothing towards any of the goals which make your heart sing and what are you going to do about that?

(c) Martin Sawdon. 9th December,2002

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Sawdon of Coaching-Works! has a passion for the creation of super-successful organizations - Sustainable Workplaces. As a coach he has been described as a velvet-gloved bulldozer and as a speaker, powerful, engaging, outstanding.

To learn more about Martin and Sustainable Workplaces, Sustainable Relationships, and the Sustainable You, visit his website ==>http://www.coachingworks.ca

A well known medication for acne is Accutane, that is the brand name for a isotretinoin. It isn’t for wimps. It’s controversial. This medication for acne is only effective for some in acne skin care treatment, but you pretty much have to be desperate to try it. There can be side effects to all medication for acne. Serious side effects. If you’re a parent, and your child’s dermatologist is telling you that accutane is the next step in a series of treatments that haven’t worked, think very carefully before you try it, and consider alternative approaches offered by non-traditional practitioners such as naturopaths.

Accutane has a very bad reputation in my books as an effective acne medicine. Acne home remedies are way safer forms for treatment. Naturapaths will offer alternative acne treatments such as they offer a regimen of high doses of vitamins, herbs, gentle topical acne treatments and changes in diets that can eliminate acne blemishes and pimples for some without harmful side effects of acne medicine like Accutane. An alternative acne natural treatment is not very expensive to try, and certainly worth a try if it means sparing your child the risks associated with acne medicines like Accutane. Natural acne alternative is the best acne treatment by far.

What are the side effects? The biggie, the really scary one is that there is a high risk of severe birth defects if you become pregnant while taking Accutane. Some teens are sexually active; some aren’t. Some are responsible about birth control; some aren’t. If you have a daughter who is not sexually active, she’ll have to take birth control pills along with Accutane. What could this medication be doing to someone who takes it if it causes birth defects? Is it worth taking the risk?

Other side effects can include dry and itchy skin, chapped lips, muscle and joint pain, irritated eyelids, decreased night vision, nosebleeds, skin rashes, intestinal discomfort, urinary symptoms, headaches, increased susceptibility to sunburn, and depression-even thoughts of suicide.

Now, some people with very bad acne have suicidal thoughts too because it is such a difficult experience for a young person to be disfigured by acne blemishes.

Another potential side effect is liver damage. This is serious enough so that if you take Accutane, you have to get regular blood tests to monitor the level of fat in your blood to make sure your liver isn’t failing.

Another thing. It might not work. And for some people, it will work only while you’re taking it and as soon as you stop taking it, back comes the acne problem. It is a form of acne control only while on the medication. Not an acne cure at all. But you’re only supposed to take Accutane for a limited time. So, for many it’s taking a serious risk for an acne solution that’s only temporary.

There are people who have had success with Accutane. Otherwise dermatologists wouldn’t be subscribing it. It’s just a good idea to make sure all less invasive options have been exhausted before stepping into an acne skin care treatment that has potential to do so much harm.

Carl English, who goes by alias William Reeves, is a male fashion model/ 3d Artist who also enjoys writing articles to let people in on the truth. He is year of the Metal Rooster so it is in his nature to wake people up. Check his site for more articles on Acne and skin care health. Acne Skin Care

While men tend to gain weight around the waist, women tend to gain it in the buttocks. The procedure known as liposuction can make you smile instead of groaning when looking in the mirror.

Liposuction - Reshaping The Buttocks

The buttocks are one of the first areas to go out of shape on both sexes, but with women in particular. Exercise is supposed to help, particularly squats. If you have done squats, however, you know they can be brutal and leave your knees feeling 100 years old. Dieting also seems to have no effect. If you are in this situation, liposuction may offer a solution.

Anatomically, the buttocks act as a protective fatty pad that allows each of us to sit and balance. Given this pedestrian fact, it is somewhat surprising that they have been the objects of attraction since the dawn of civilization. The Greeks in particular produced numerous statues and paintings prominently featuring the buttocks as the aesthetic of the art. They even had a word to describe the perfect buttocks: callipygian, which came from the Greek words for “beautiful” and “rump”. As you know, this positive view carries on today although the size of the rump is a question for many.

There are a variety of reasons to consider liposuction on the buttocks. Some people wish for a reduction in size and shape of their buttocks, as they feel the area is too large. Others want more sculpted buttocks to show off, either in pants, dresses, bathing suits or in the buff. One problem area of the buttocks includes the sacral fat pad, a bulge of fatty material located just above the buttocks in the lower back area. Surgeons consider this pad to actually be part of the buttocks, and liposuction can remove unsightly excesses in the area.

Another problem area on the buttocks is the “banana-shaped bulge”, located just below the buttocks above where the hip meets the buttock area. This bulge can also be removed with liposuction procedures. Doctors will use a small cannula when working on the area, as larger tubing can cause ripples and bumps in the buttocks. Obviously, you do not want people to have the words “ripples” or “bumps” come to mind when looking at you. A third area people look to address is the crease in the horizontal plain of the buttocks to create a more defined look. Unfortunately, this is not possible with plastic surgery as the bone, nerves and muscles prevent shaping. Those attempting to undertake the procedure risk reoccurring pain and nerve damage.

Whatever your reason or goal, liposuction can provide stunning results that will leave you smiling. Make sure to select a plastic surgeon with experience performing the procedure, as this type of surgery has a definite artistic bent to it. You are strongly encouraged to view before and after pictures with the surgeon to get an idea of what you can reasonably expect in your situation.

Winter is a wonderful time of the year - holidays, warm fires, crisp air, and for many, fresh fallen snow. But the colder temperature and lower humidity affect the condition of your skin and hair. Lower humidity just goes along with colder temperatures even if you live in a more temperate area without snow.

Here are some suggestions for winter skin care to protect your skin and hair:

1. Sun protection is very important in the winter months, just as it is year-round. Many people forget to use sunscreen, but sun reflects off snow and ice, and you can actually get double the sun exposure.

2. Sun Glasses are even more important in the winter around snow. Believe me, you don’t want to know the agony of being snow blind. Without sun glasses, you squint and that lead to wrinkles around your eyes.

3. Elbows, knees, and feet are completely covered in the winter months, and usually forgotten until spring. Clothing and boots can cause friction that creates a buildup of thick skin. A good scrubbing with a natural lofah sponge, followed by a rich cream will remove any problems here.

4. The skin on your hands is thinner than on other areas of your body. Hands needs extra protection and winter skin care. Make sure that after washing your hands you dry them and use a good hand cream. Wearing gloves outdoors will also protect them and keep your skin soft.

5. Public restrooms with their hot air dryers and paper towels may be more sanitary but they are definitely hard on your hands. Carry a small tube of your favorite hand lotion in your purse.

6. Protecting your lips with a good lip balm is good winter skin care. Avoid licking your lips as much as possible, since that will cause your lips to crack and chap. Drink more water to give your lips moisture. If you get a bad case of chapped or cracked lips, use a good herbal lip balm before bed, and you should be good to go in the morning.

7. Winter winds and low humidity are also hard on your hair, and using a rich, deep hair conditioner is important to restore moisture to your hair. If you wash your hair every day, during the winter try washing it every other day. Brushing your hair every night will move the oil from your scalp onto the hair making it look healthier.

For more tips and some unusual natural products to soften skin see the rest of this article.

Sharon Owen editor of http://www.answersforyourhealth.com welcomes questions to be answered in simple language. For the rest of this article see http://www.answersforyourhealth.com/winter_skin_care.html.

If it were easy, everyone would do IT; everyone would have IT.

That “IT” is prosperity and we’re all trying to achieve that stage in our lives where wealth, health, success are a daily part of our lives.

So what’s the problem?

Why aren’t some of us living a prosperous life?

Read on, my friends…

1) CLARITY

Many people don’t know what they truly want in life. They have not clarified exactly what they desire and where they want to be within a year, 5 years even 3 months. Because they don’t know where they are going they drift along with the daily grind, totally forgetting that they want to attain true prosperity.

2) PATH

They are some that have a goal for their life, yet they do not know how to attain it. They go through the motions daily and never actually make a conscious decision to attain their goal.

3) STRUGGLE

Many are desperately trying to live a life of happiness, wealth and success. They are focused on achieving true prosperity but yet constantly find themselves struggling to attain it. It is this struggle that actually prevent them from being truly prosperous.

4) FEAR

False Evidence Appearing Real. This one 4-letter word prevents us from going forward to achieve all that we desire. What will our family think? Will our friends still like us? A very high percentage of persons fear success because of how it will affect us and our relationship with others.

5) CONDITIONING

As children and young adults our environment affects a great deal of our ‘conditioning’ and has a profound effect on the way we think, act and live. Our environment here could include our parents, our friends, television, politics, religion, school courses and our job. For example, the TV may constantly bombard us with images of prosperous persons as unhappy, as crooks or gangsters or as lonely or selfish. If we really believe this, who would want a lead a prosperous, successful life?

6) THE NORM

“I can’t be bothered. This is too much work. It’s too hard”. Some persons simply cannot be bothered to achieve prosperity. They live each day in a trance, in a numb existence, going along with the status-quo and have no desire to change their lives for the better.

7) OUT-GROW YOUR PEERS

Some people don’t want change. You may be hesitant to achieve your dreams, goals, you vision because once you do achieve true prosperity it may reduce your inventory of what is actually possible for you. It may mean that you grow beyond your partner, your friends and your family. What will that mean for you?

NEGATIVITY

Our lives are stuck by the negativity we are drawn to in our daily lives. A large percentage of persons want to out do their co-workers or friends with the amount and magnitude of problems that they have. Most of us live our lives in total lack and shortage and that prevents us from achieving true prosperity.

9) COURAGE

It takes courage to be prosperous. We need to focus our thoughts towards our vision of true prosperity and hold to that vision. Once we have the courage and the beliefs, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

10) BELIEFS

“It can’t happen to us. Prosperity is for other people. They were born with a silver spoon in their mouth”. We are programmed to think that being poor equals happiness. Our belief system totally affects how we live our lives. It is these beliefs that hold us back from our true potential and our true prosperity.

***********

Okay so now we’re aware of what are the top 10 roadblocks to attracting greater prosperity, let’s focus on what we can do about them…starting right now!

(a) The very 1st thing we have to do before we even start thinking about attracting more success, more prosperity and more of what we want is to Figure out WHAT exactly do we want!

I know we all Think we know what we want, but if this is true why don’t we have it. We want a BMW Convertible, we want a 3000 sq ft house on 1 acre of land close to the golf course, we want money….

Okay so what do we need to change to get them?

Two things.

We need to get focused, and we need to have the belief that we will get them. We need to get really, really clear on what we want; we need to clarify what we desire then set the intention of how we would feel and what we would experience when we’ve achieved what we want.

It is wise to remember that anything we want should resonate with our true values of who we are. This makes it so much easier to attract.
Why do we need to struggle if we can make it effortless?

How can we figure out what we want?

There are a few ways that we can use that will allow us to get clear on what we DON’T want and therefore by contrast, by turning this around we can clearly see what we DO want!

(b) The prosperity mindset is what we desire to overcome the fear and the conditioning that are deeply embedded into our subconscious.

There are many programs and processes out there that can make us shift from that state of scarcity to a prosperity consciousness. We are in scarcity when we know how much we DON’T have; we’re in scarcity when we know what we DIDN’T do today…we’re in scarcity and lack when we think “not enough”

To get started now, there is a very powerful tool that you can use to increase the prosperity awareness in your life. It’s called the “Prosperity Journal” or a Grateful journal. Being grateful is a very dominant emotion that allows us to feel at one with the Universe and enables our desires to flow to us effortlessly.

If you don’t have or use a Prosperity Journal, start one today!

(c) We all need a Clear Plan of action; we need to set our rudder on course and focus on our destination ~ our vision.

Many of us in attempting to achieve our goals tend to get side-tracked. (I know I have!)

Not that we’re not serious or focused on what we want…but, you know how life is, don’t you?

Creating a powerful living vision as well as SMART goals to support this vision will propel you forward towards your desire for prosperity faster than anything I know.

(d) Use the Laws of the Universe to make it easier! If you’re tired of the struggle and want to make your prosperity come to you effortlessly, here’s a secret that few people know about. It like a short cut! It’s like a school crossing guard that helps children across the street!

The Law of Attraction can orchestrate everything you need to be, do and have in order for You to attract your desires….easily!

Think of it. When the children see the crossing-guard they feel safe and happy and know that all is well. When we use the Laws of the Universe to our benefit, all is taken care of. Our desires come to us exactly as we want, sometimes even better!

(e) Support and Accountability- of course YOU can do it on your own- you can attract greater prosperity, wealth, success, money, happiness…but how long will it take you? How difficult will it be for you to obtain all you’ve ever desired?

In many situations in order for us to achieve what we truly wish for, there is often some confusion and conflict. Why does this happen to us? It’s called Internal Resistance.

When that point of Internal Resistance is reached, we unconsciously tend to sabotage our early success and stop ourselves in our tracks from achieving more of what we desire. In short you are stuck!

“I can’t do this”.

“I’m not going to earn any more than this no matter how hard I work”.

“This will never happen”.

“I’m not yet ready for this”.

It is these Resistance thoughts that stop us from doing what we want and can often show up as procrastination or fear.

With a support partner or a life coach, you can overcome this fear, end procrastination and get moving towards the life of your dreams.

Wouldn’t you like to “walk your talk and live your dreams”?Finally?

The reason many of us don’t attract the prosperity we all desire is because we’re stuck. The reason we’re stuck is because we’re afraid to hire a coach.

Hiring a coach is simple. The 1st step to hiring a coach is finding one that resonates with you…one that you have heard on a teleclass, a CD, a radio interview. One whose articles you’ve read and in short, one who you like.

That coach needs to offer conditional consultations instead of free consultations otherwise that coach is going to want to sell you coaching rather than YOU deciding for yourself if you want to pursue coaching.

Hopefully you’ve gotten some ideas on how to get started on attracting greater prosperity into your life.
Now go be prosperous!

© 2003-2005 Sandra Baptist

Sandra Baptist is a Prosperity and Law of Attraction Coach who helps highly-motivated executive women in the financial industry take charge, effortlessly attract what they want and live an OUTRAGEOUSLY prosperous life. For more wealth, more success and more happiness in less time, call Sandra at:
1-800-666-4754, contact her via email at: Sandra@EliteCoachingGroup.com or visit her on the web at: http://www.EliteCoachingGroup.com

In fact, many women fail to even notice that they are losing hair until they realize that their ponytail is thinner than it used to be.

Stress is a fairly common cause of hair loss in women. With more and more women who try to juggle family with full-time work, who try to be everything to everyone, stress is an everyday condition for many women. Women may also find that their hair thins during periods of extreme stress, such as after childbirth or during a family tragedy. You can’t always control the amount of stress in your life, but you can take steps to reduce your stress, such as scheduling relaxation time for yourself.

Women are also much more likely to have over-processed their hair. In addition to daily styling, hair drying, and the use of styling products, many women color or highlight their hair. This can result in thinning or even loss of hair, as the chemicals used in these processes finally have their effect. Even everyday products, such as shampoo and conditioner, can contain chemicals that can ultimately harm your hair and scalp. Add to this increasing levels of pollution in the air, and you can easily see how chemicals can begin to affect your hair’s health.

Enter organic products, or products grown without chemicals or pesticides. It has long been recognized that it is healthier to avoid ingesting excessive levels of hormones, pesticides, or other chemicals used in growing. Now, however, more and more household products can be found in organic or natural forms. Food, coffee, bath products, and even cleaning products are now available from organic sources. Yet even those who recognize that eliminating chemical elements from food is important, sometimes fail to realize that all natural hair care products can also improve your health.

With soap, bubble bath, toothpaste, and nearly every skin or hair care product available organically, you can now take steps to ensure that your hair, scalp, and skin are as healthy as possible by using all-natural products.

Pam Lange Products offers a complete line of affordable all-natural hair restoration products designed to help regain hair health. For more information on these 100% organic products, please visit http://www.PamLangeProducts.com.

Biotin plays a significant part in the prevention of hair loss. Most nutritionists agree that biotin is one of the important vitamins for supporting hair growth. It is also commonly advised to take biotin to supplement medical treatments such Minoxidil or Propecia.

A deficiency of biotin may cause hair to become frail and unhealthy, and hair breakage, which may result in hair loss. Biotin also keeps your skin and nails healthy as well as being an important element of new hair growth.
Supplements are sometimes needed to return biotin levels to normal, but it is recommended to include biotin regularly in your diet. Two foods containing good quantities of biotin are liver and egg yolks. You would have to eat thousands of calories worth daily to get enough for your hair needs, which is why I would also suggest biotin supplements.

Foods full of biotin include brewer’s yeast, green peas, oats, soybeans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, green peas, bulgur and brown rice. In terms of the egg yolks, your body’s ability to digest and assimilate biotin decreases with high intake levels of protein. Biotin binds easily to proteins, making it unavailable to your body, which in turn causes biotin deficiency and hair loss. Try to steer clear of raw eggs in your diet, and cut down on protein powders and bars. Use one of the many shampoos that contain biotin and silica.

Additionally, those with type A blood don’t have the ability to fully absorb B vitamins. Biotin is classified as a Vitamin B, so if you have Type A blood, adding higher doses of 5-8 grams twice daily will be needed to help prevent hair loss. At this time, there are no known side effects at this dosage level.

People suffering from heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD and who are taking antacids may absorb biotin less and hair loss may occur as a result. Therefore watch your use of over-the-counter antacids if you are worried about hair loss.

Ms Boulay writes for Groominguy.com, where you read about home dermabrasion kits, and home hair removal methods.

Summer vacations in an archipelago like the Philippines are often spent on the beach, frolicking in the water, enjoying the sun and surf, or idling the time away on the sand just watching other people have fun. To many people, the coming of summer means a return to the gym or health club in order to whip one’s body back to shape, shedding excess pounds, burning the fat away, in order to look as good as possible in skimpy bikinis or swimming trunks.

For many who do not have the time nor the motivation to spend hours working out in the gym, cosmetic surgery offers a quick solution to the problem of how to look good in swimwear without having to exercise. The popularity of cosmetic surgery coupled with its increasing affordability has made cosmetic surgery a viable option for many who desire an attractive body shape.

What better way is there to get curvy or flat contours other than liposuction? In 2005, it is estimated that more than 270,000 people underwent liposuction in the U.S.A. alone, making it the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure. Such big numbers indicate a desire of a large number of people to have an attractive figure. For men, this generally means having a flat abdomen coupled with straight flanks on both sides. Women on the other hand undergo liposuction to get thinner waistlines and to remove localized fatty bulges that are most difficult to get rid of even with rigorous exercise. Areas where fat deposits are the hips, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks, as well as on arms, knees, calves, upper torso, neck and under the chin.

Liposuction is a safe procedure when done by a well-qualified plastic surgeon. Patients with young, healthy elastic skin who have localized areas of fat are the best candidates for liposuction. This procedure can be done on an outpatient basis, if the fat to be removed totals 5 liters or less. (For amounts greater than 5 liters, it is recommended that patients stay a night or two in the hospital). After liposuction is performed, patients are advised to wear compression garments for 2 weeks, in order to prevent accumulation of blood (hematoma) or serum (seroma), and to enable the skin to adhere to underlying tissues.

There may be some swelling and bruising after liposuction, but these usually subside within 6 to 8 weeks. Patients are advised to restrict their activities for the first two weeks following surgery. Sports activities are resumed gradually on the third postoperative week. Direct sun exposure of liposuctioned areas should be avoided until all bruising has disappeared, usually within 2 to 4 weeks. This schedule for gradual resumption of normal routine should be kept in mind by those who would like to be active on the beach by the time summer starts.

The second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure is breast augmentation. Current norms of beauty regard women with full shapely breasts and thin waists as more attractive than those with breasts of lesser dimensions. It is no secret that women with bigger breasts will get more admiring looks from men compared to those with flatter chests. Do you still wonder why “Baywatch” is the most watched television show all over the world?

Following breast surgery, patients may have minimal to moderate pain which is controlled by painkiller medications. Antibiotics are also prescribed to prevent infection. Patients are advised bed rest and limited activities for the first few days after surgery. Sutures are removed in 5 to 7 days. After one week, massage of recommended to keep the breasts supple. There may be numbness around the treated area but this is usually temporary. There may be swelling and discoloration, but these disappear in a few days. Scars from the incisions are initially pinkish in color but this will gradually fade with time. Patients who wish to undergo breast augmentation should schedule their surgery around a month before summer starts in order to allow time for recovery and resumption of normal activity.

Dr. Carlos Lasa Jr. is a Filipino plastic & reconstructive surgeon who trained at the University of the Philippines, Institute of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Georgia, USA, & Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Ohio,USA. He is currently based in Metro Manila, Philippines, where cosmetic surgery is very affordable due to favorable exchange rates, and lower overhead costs and professional fees. Dr. Lasa specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, rhinoplasty (noselift), breast augmentation, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhytidectomy (facelift), and more. For more information about having safe and affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines, visit his site at http://www.cosmeticsurgeryphil.com or email clasamd@cosmeticsurgeryphil.com