Nip / Talk

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It's simple: Just GI!

GI – This is my new response to people who ask questions like what is the address? Or how do you spell that? GI does not stand for "gastro intestinal" – nor is it the rank of a famous male doll popular in the 1960s named Joe. In this world, GI means simple GOOGLE IT. So, for example, let's say you were curious to learn about a doctor you are considering, or a laser you heard about. GI!! Then scrutinize the links you see to find some credible resources to take your research to the next level.

Flashing lights, glitzy images, and site names that sounds just a little too Vegas to be taken serious when it comes to medical matters, should be avoided at all costs. Pay for play sites should also be considered with some degree of caution. The Internet is a strange and wonderful place where you can find out just about anything you need to know. So, before you bug your buddies with simple requests that just clog up their mailbox, it might take you three seconds to just GI!

Fraxel ® Laser Treatment

I got Fraxeled today – it's my fourth session since Thanksgiving 2005.

I've been watching this technology very carefully and now I'm a Fraxel ® veteran. This was the first treatment that I had sans the blue gunk. I also had a Gentlewaves ® LED treatment before and after to cut down on the redness. Let me just say that the treatment was far more tolerable this time around (not exactly pleasant, but manageable). Thanks to the fearless Dr. Bryan Forley and his noble assistant, Lilly (as you can imagine that most doctors are actually terrified to come near with me a scalpel, syringe, or a leaser beam…..), I hold out hope that the damage incurred by my summer holiday in Italy under the Tuscan sun (despite slathering myself in Anthelios ® SPF 60 daily) will be a distant memory by the time this Thanksgiving rolls around.

News to all those 20-somethings out there who think their flawless skin will last forever – lasers hurt and cost a fortune to have done properly, so take good care of your complexion now so there are fewer beams in your future…Ciao!

Have you ever fantasized about taking the best parts from a handful of men (hmmm…on second thought, make that two handfuls) and creating just one perfect man?

Cosmetic surgeons can help fulfill that dream, at least when it comes to physical attributes. Unfortunately their other bad habits, such as serial womanizing, leaving the seat up, belching in public and forgetting your birthday, aren't as easily modified. But as it turns out, women aren't the only ones concerned about looking young and beautiful.

Men accounted for 1.1 million cosmetic procedures in 2006, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). They tend largely to elect the non-surgical variety, but some men are more than willing to go under the knife in their quest for physical perfection, career advancement, and sexual virility. Nose reshaping tops the list of most-requested surgeries, followed by eyelid surgery, liposuction, hair transplants, and male breast reduction. Botox ® is still the clear winner for both sexes in the minimally-invasive category. While men are still the minority (9%) in the realm of cosmetic enhancement, the undeniable trend in men's grooming and personal care indicates that this segment of the market is only going to grow more eager to keep up their appearances.

It's about time, guys!

So you decide to go in for a tummy tuck with who you think is a qualified doctor, and surprise – you end up without a belly button!

Shocking as it may sound, this story was told to me by someone in Las Vegas whose girlfriend had exactly that happen to her. While cheap plastic surgery sounds enticing at first glance, the end result could be a total disaster. It turns out that she went to a family practitioner – and not even a surgeon – for major surgery. Taking a weekend course in tummy tucks does not qualify anyone to start operating on women's bodies. A GP should be giving you your annual flu shot, not cutting you up and putting you back together!

I heard a similar story secondhand about a woman who had a botched facelift that left her with total paralysis of the left side of her face. When asked why she picked the specific doctor in Mexico, she comforted herself with the fact that, "Well, it was only $2,000 dollars." So, using her logic, you can pay less if you don't mind missing parts of your anatomy (like your belly button) or having to live with a frozen face on one side that looks like your head went through a car window. After all, what's a little belly button when at least you can slip into skinny jeans?! This is total madness.

The most dangerous assumption is that anyone with an M.D. is qualified to wield the knife that can permanently disfigure you. Wake up and smell the betadine ladies – do your homework before you jump on anyone's O.R. table!

The big news in cosmetic surgery seems to be whether Hillary has had a lift. My response is…WHO CARES?!

Why are we obsessed with females in the government?

It undermines who they are as leaders when so much focus is placed on their hair, shoes, and wrinkles. It doesn't seem fair and sends the absolute wrong message to women everywhere: “It's not how smart or accomplished or successful you are, we only care about your saggy eyes!” Is there any woman in politics who doesn't deserve to have a little help? Take Nancy Pelosi for example. She looks pretty smooth and taut, yet that isn't what earned her the role of Speaker of the House. Let's look at some of the mail contenders. Does anyone really think Dick Cheney looks like the picture of vitality? He needs a facelift, and he can certainly afford one with all of his other side business ventures. (Al Gore doesn't look so great either…) So let's give women in Washington a break!

Is there such a thing as too much plastic? Definitely. When is it time to call it quits on surgery? Long before you start to look unrecognizable – to yourself, your friends and family. Think Melanie Griffith and don't go there. This is why I don't like to recommend permanent fillers. Your face changes with time, but these little particles or synthetic substances remain, and not always where you put them. If you are the type who is keen to try every new thing that comes on the market – stick with safe, reversible treatments so you can essentially try them, and if they don't work out they way you have hoped, you haven't burned any bridges. Cosmetic surgery is not a cure-all for boyfriend woes or job stress, and should never be an impulse purchase.

If you're feeling spontaneous, buy a new bag or get a hair cut. At least hair will grow back if you went too far!

Employment Cosmetics?

You want to be at the top of your game in a job interview, but the lengths people will go extend well beyond a blow out and a manicure.

Young Koreans – in their teens and 20s – are going to extremes when it comes to landing a big-time corporate job. They are seeking "employment cosmetics" to make headway in a highly-competitive job market. Gone are the days when a simple dark suit, heels, a Gucci briefcase, and a great attitude would be all you need to nail a job offer. It seems that ear, eye, nose and brow procedures are among the most favored surgeries that take beauty to a new level. For example, Korean women are going in for Botox® injections to their vocal chords in order to prevent trembling under pressure – in a job interview for instance. Now there's a clever idea that I bet you wouldn't have thought of on your own! The same tact might work on a first date, now that I think of it.

While you're at it, if sweaty palms are another hang up, Botox® works for that too!

A new weapon in the wrinkle wars -- Perlane ® -- has finally arrived stateside, and it's about time!

I have known about Perlane ® for many years from Europe, and Americans are in for a treat. This is the newest form of Restylane ®, the natural hyaluronic acid gel from Sweden, only it's three times thicker so it lasts longer and helps to enhance volume in the cheeks and chins, recontour noses, plump lips, with all sorts of other novel uses. If you have had Restylane ® already, think of Perlane ® as its big sister. The molecule is larger so it gets deposited more deeply into creases and folds. It is best for contour changes, and not really intended to smooth fine lines.

Take my advice and go for it!

Who is having cosmetic surgery now?

Syringes, scalpels, and laser beams are not just for Hollywood 's A-list in this day and age. In fact, soccer moms, retired teachers, and bank managers (rather than only heiresses and ladies who lunch) are now very interested in having a little work done too. The main difference is that “normal,” average women usually have to watch their pennies and save up for high-tech beauty treatments – which is exactly what they are doing!

These women are setting aside part of their wardrobe budget to have Botox ®, and foregoing a kitchen makeover for a facelift. Maintenance gets expensive. Just to keep up with injections can run into several thousands a year. Add some laser treatments or peels, and you can get up to $5,000 to $10,000 easily. This is where setting aside a budget for yourself can keep you on the right track. If you find yourself popping into your dermatologist's office every 3 to 6 months for a $2,500 and up a session, it may be time to actually think about having something that lasts longer.