When is it the right time for plastic surgery?

It’s no secret that the world of surgical enhancement continues to grow at a rapid pace, attracting both the young and the old. The number of individuals looking into plastic and cosmetic surgery, as well as those who actually undergo these procedures, increase every day.

A lot has changed in this world! Now it’s fairly common for a high school senior to request breast augmentation for graduation. Situations like this continue to make most people think: How young is too young? I feel this is an especially important question for teenagers and adults to ask themselves. These days, women feel pressure to achieve perfection, and no wonder why – just look at all the magazines, television shows, and advertisements that surround us! If a woman wishes to have a family, should she wait until she is through with each of her pregnancies before she gets a procedure such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck or breast reduction…something that she has always wanted?

Unfortunately, many young women race into procedures without thinking about the future and the likelihood that their bodies will change. I would love to hear how anyone out there feels. Please share your comments!

Many people argue that your skin is a reflection of what you eat. Others argue that what is consumed on a daily basis has nothing to do with the skin’s appearance. I feel that there is a little bit of truth to each statement.  

It’s an old wives’ tale that eating chocolate as a teenager causes pimples; acne in teens is largely due to fluctuating hormones associated with puberty. Those of us who enter our 20s with acne-prone skin can thank stress, genetics, and still, those lovely fluctuations in hormones. Don’t get the wrong idea; diets high in fat and sugar are not good for anyone’s health. The benefit of eating a well-balanced, healthy diet is that it may decrease the severity and frequency of blemishes. Drinking plenty of water is also helpful. This keeps the skin well hydrated. If the skin does not dry out and have excessive flaking, pores are less likely to become clogged, which leads to acne.  

Some individuals might be more interested in knowing if there is a diet to delay the signs of aging. Well, a diet rich in antioxidants might be the trick. Antioxidants have been found to fight aging from the inside and out. The debate remains exactly how much antioxidant is needed to produce anti-aging effects. Eating foods such as berries, soy products, green tea, grape seed oil, milk thistle, vitamin E and vitamin C can help regenerate skin. The antioxidant properties in these foods work by decreasing the damage done by free radicals, and by promoting fibroblast activity. So, although there is no clear-cut evidence to prove that “we are what we eat,” it never hurts to take the path that might actually be in our favor.

Is your skin showing premature signs of aging? For all of those sun goddesses out there, the damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays may already be a done deal for you! But don’t worry – “facial rejuvenation” is playing a huge role in reversing the signs of sun damage for many individuals.  
 
Facial rejuvenation combines a series of laser treatments with facial peels to produce a look that turns back the hands of time. Prior to the application of the Alpha Levulinic Acid Peel, the skin is cleansed with an acetone solution to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. The levulinic acid treatment is then applied to the skin. Following application, patients are left to relax in a dark room for approximately 45 minutes before their skin is exposed to the Blue Light Laser, which activates the chemical. This chemical has a special affinity for precancerous skin cells and results in their destruction.  Two weeks following the facial peel and blue light treatment, patients are asked to return for an Intense Pulsed Light laser treatment. This laser treats photoaging, blemishes, large pores, acne scars, birth marks, unsightly veins, and unwanted hair.
 
So don’t worry if the damage is done…facial rejuvenation has the answers for you!

As summer approaches, now is a perfect time to refresh your knowledge about skincare. This way, you can help to protect yourself by preventing premature aging and damage from harmful UV rays. Most of us know by now that there is no such thing as a healthy tan unless it came from a bottle. We should all protect our skin each day by using an SPF 15 or higher on sun-exposed areas. Our faces are especially susceptible to sun damage, so make sure you keep this area covered. In fact, 80 percent of the wrinkles on our faces come from damage caused by the sun. But don’t worry! It is never too late to start taking care of your skin to prevent further harm.

So remember: Always put on sunscreen with an SPF 15 every morning as part of your daily routine, wash your face before going to bed with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and makeup, moisturize you skin as needed to prevent excessive drying, and always inspect your own skin for suspicious lesions (skin abnormalities). Lesions are considered “suspicious” by the following guidelines: A) asymmetry, B) uneven “borders,” C) two or more colors, and D) a “diameter” larger than that of a pencil eraser. If you notice any skin changes or irregularities, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible!

You would probably be more comfortable going under the knife if you were confident in your physician. So how do you know which doctor is right for the job? Well, you start from the beginning. Browse through your physician’s Web site to review his or her credentials. Is he or she board certified plastic surgeon? Was your doctor’s residency done in the plastic/ cosmetic surgery industry? You can also research any complaints that have been filed against your doctor by contacting the state board of medical examiners (specific to each state). Complaints filed are public record, and you have the right to know! It also never hurts to look at before-and-after pictures of patients your doctor has worked on. Just remember, you are the paying customer! Make sure you do your homework to find the best plastic surgeon for the job. Feel free to post comments or questions about researching a doctor for your procedure.