Laser Resurfacing, Less Discomforting Skin Surgery
Laser resurfacing is a new procedure of facial surgery that is slowly gaining popularity because of its minimal bleeding and bruising. Post-operative discomfort is likewise at a minimum in a laser resurfacing operation.
Skin resurfacing is necessary for those who want to repair skin damages such as wrinkles caused by years of facial movements like smiling, chewing and laughing. Sun exposure and lifestyle factors also cause wrinkling like smoking and alcohol consumption. Facial wrinkling does not come only to older people; it can happen to anyone at any age.
Skin resurfacing is likewise available for any one at any age, thus this is the most helpful procedure if you want to make sure you can face the world with young looking skin.
If you are considering skin resurfacing to ensure you will look young and fresh, inquire with your dermatologist on the best procedure to undergo.
Depending on your current condition, your dermatologist will be able to assess you well and refer you to a certified and experienced plastic surgeon. Never allow anyone to touch your face without the benefit of experience; this is your only assurance that your reasonable expectation will be met.
Your plastic surgeon may recommend either a chemical peel, skin dermabrasion or laser skin resurfacing. Oftentimes, laser skin resurfacing is the recommendation because post-operative discomfort is minimal in laser skin resurfacing. Although, if your need for skin resurfacing is only superficial, a chemical peel may be enough.
Understanding your current need and condition may help you and your surgeon to choose the most effective and fit procedure. If he says chemical peel, then do so, however, if you want to ask me, I may opt for the laser resurfacing procedure because I am want the less bleeding and bruising in this procedure.
Laser skin resurfacing uses carbon dioxide laser to remove skin layers by vaporizing them. Depending on the depth of penetration necessary, your plastic surgeon will specify the amount of energy to transmit to your skin surface.
Superficial skin resurfacing may need lesser recovery time. However, there are instances that in order to reach the desired outcome, you may need to repeat the procedure, which is going to be uncomfortable and tedious.
Some patients may also opt to undergo face lifting or eyelid surgery at the same time the skin resurfacing procedure is being performed. This is often recommended, because you will undergo only one surgery doing two different procedures.
Although, it may need reasonable time to heal, but of course, undergoing two operations in one will make the discomfort happen only once.
It is however recommended that before you undergo any procedure, discuss with your plastic surgeon your fears and expectations. You may also need to discuss medical history especially if you have the tendency to be allergic to certain substances.
Your plastic surgeon may also need to discuss with you the risks and possible effects in order for you to be prepared to the possibility of failure and outcome.
Having reasonable expectation and understanding the risks involved before undergoing cosmetic surgery is necessary to avoid feeling depressed and dissatisfied with your appearance later on.
Additionally, do not take for granted your plastic surgeon’s recommendation on the post-operative care. This will ensure that you will benefit from the result of the surgery for reasonable time.
Finally, I may need to mention that if you are already scheduled to undergo skin resurfacing procedure, your plastic surgeon may recommend application of special creams, lotions or gels to prepare your face for the operation.
Follow this recommendation strictly to ensure you will not have any problems during and after operation.
James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of
The Many Benefits of Using a Sauna
Saunas cleanse and rejuvenate skin. A radiant and pink skin become a reality. Mental and physical relaxation is also a major benefit of sauna use. In addition, saunas relax sore muscles and help in relieving stress and tension. The sauna also improves one’s immune system, metabolic rate and circulation. Arthritis patients can benefit temporarily by taking sauna baths.
During a sauna bath, natural chemicals (Norepinephrines and Beta Endorphins) are released to relieve pain. Saunas help in burning sizeable amounts of calories. Also, the combination of low humidity and high temperature helps in cleansing ones pores thoroughly by increasing perspiration.
Infrared saunas are helpful in treating diabetes, hypertension, metal implants, and varicose veins. The patients of bronchial asthma, bronchitis, cough, catarrh of upper respiratory channels, and joints problems benefit from steam saunas.
Saunas create a condition of fever, which activates all organs of the body. It is a cure for headaches and common cold. Saunas promote sweating. Sweating is as essential as breathing and eating. Sweating cleanses, removes body waste and regulates body temperature. Sweating is very limited or non-existent in many as they live a sedentary life.
In summary, saunas have numerous health benefits. However, there are health risks of using saunas for some individuals so caution must be exercised.
sauna-web.com Saunas Info provides detailed information about infrared, home, Finnish, and steam saunas, as well as sauna kits, heaters, suits, and benefits, plus advice on how to build a sauna. Saunas Info is the sister site of e-HotTubs.com Hot Tubs Web.
Cholesterol…What Is It?
We are being made more aware each and everyday of the possible problems that can be caused by cholesterol, it seems that cholesterol is a medical symptom of our modern day way of life.
But what is cholesterol and how can it affect our general state of health.
Well in fact cholesterol is a natural function of the human body and every one of us requires a certain amount of cholesterol to maintain a healthy state of being, the problem only begins when our bodies produce an imbalance.
The problem originates from our bodies requirement for a certain amount of fat intake, some for immediate use and some to be stored for use later on, and this fat intake requires a delivery system to the rest of the body as a whole.
From the initial intake of fat the body starts its processing procedure by absorbing it into the intestines and from thereon into the liver.
While in the liver the fat is split into two different types, one being triglycerides and the other cholesterol.
After this transformation has taken place the triglycerides and cholesterol are packed into vehicles for moving them onwards into the fat cells throughout the body using the bloodstream.
These vehicles are called lipoproteins.
There are three types of lipoproteins:
1. Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL)
2. Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)
3. High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)
Under normal circumstances, our bloodstream does a very efficient job of carrying the LDL and HDL Lipoproteins throughout the body.
Cholesterol is a waxy; fat like substance that presents itself naturally in the cell walls and membranes everywhere in our bodies. Cholesterol is used by our bodies to produce many hormones and also uses it to produce vitamin D and the bile acids that help to digest fat.
Where problems can arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in our bloodstream. The cholesterol which is deposited by the LDL can lead to a narrowing of the blood vessels.
If this occurs, the excess can be deposited in the arteries of the heart, which could result in stroke or heart disease. This is called atherosclerosis. This is why LDL is known as “bad cholesterol.”
HDL usually collects the bad cholesterol and takes it back to the liver. That’s why HDL is known as “good cholesterol.”
Cholesterol is not of course the only cause of heart disease, but it can be a contributing factor and this of course is why we should consult our doctors on a regular basis for a cholesterol check so that any required attention to this matter can be taken at the earliest possible time.
Copywrite 2005 Terry Till
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Stress and Massage Therapy
Stress. Everyone thinks it just means those times when everything seems too rushed or out of control. The kids are crying, the boss is yelling, the clients are threatening to leave, the lines of traffic…these are all stress inducing situations.
Stress is really more than that. Stress is created when our bodies inhale toxins in the air, eat foods or drink caffeine. Stress is what we think and feel. We are each responsible for the amount of stress in our lives.
As a result of stress, the body reacts by increasing the production of certain hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. These chemicals help the body deal with stress. The thing is that the way our lifestyles are these days, we are unable to do anything to diffuse or get rid of the stress and get rid of the excess chemicals from the stress reaction. An animal in the wild when under stress such as being chased by a predator will shake for awhile (if not caught) to release the stress from their bodies. The flight or fight reaction guides their bodies.
Stress isn’t necessarily all bad. We need a certain amount of stress to grow and learn. It is when stress becomes internalized and held inside the body rather than released, that the problems begin. Your muscles respond to stress by contracting to prepare for the attack. They tighten and constrict veins, arteries and nerves. That puts more pressure on the heart. Someone with low cholesterol and high stress has just as much, if not more of a chance of heart problems because of the extra pressure on the heart to pump more blood when the circulation is restricted due to muscle tension.
The muscle contraction may also cause problems of it’s own…strains/sprains, repetitive strain syndromes, herniated discs, back and neck pain. Our bodies are amazing at compensating for stress. We can keep going until one day you bend over to pick up a pencil and you can’t stand up straight or you turn you head to look at your co-worker and you can’t turn it back. This really is telling you that the amount of stress you have is in the overload phase!
As a massage therapist, I often see clients who often come in with such late stages of stress held in their body I often think that it is a wonder we can even walk or function at all under all of this stress.
We are stuck in the flight or fight mode until we do something to release that stress. Movement, exercise and massage rate high on the list of reducing these stressors.
Massage can help relax tight muscles and teach you to be more aware of when they are starting to contract and build up tension. Awareness is one of the first steps in working toward making changes in you lifestyle. As you become more aware of the way you hold and store stress in your body, you can consciously begin to make the changes in your lifestyle that are needed.
Stress left unchecked really is what is the cause of most disease and injury.
Tuning into your body with the help of a good massage therapist who is able to help you interpret the message of the pain or stiffness in your body will be your best tool for living a long and healthy life.
Julie Onofrio, LMP
Seattle, WA
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