Cosmetic Surgery Today Blog The Consumer Guide To Cosmetic Surgery

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Therapon

August 31st, 2010

Maintaining a healthy skin care regimen means that you will sometimes end up using high quality products. The problem there is that it is quite hard to look for products that will successfully provide for your skin’s needs without digging a hole through your pocket. The skin is the most functional part of the body, and people should avoid using substandard skin products to prevent damaging it.

It’s a good thing that women who are looking for affordable yet effective skin care products can visit the Therapon Skin Health store. Therapon has consistently manufactured skin rejuvenation products and medications, and the best part is that you can purchase these products from the comfort of your own home!

A quick visit to the Therapon Skin Health website will give you access to a skin care product selection to choose from and purchase. All the products come with a 90-day warranty wherein you can return items for a refund, or exchange these products for something else.

Dr. James Beckman, a board certified plastic surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is the founder of Therapon, Inc., and developed Therapon Skin Health’s products. After twenty-four years of private practice, he decided to try his hand on formulating his own line of skin care products that will give consumers all the benefits of high-end products at a lower price tag.

It all started when he noticed that, despite how well his patients’ skin grafted hands were healing, their fingers still wouldn’t allow movement. As a response, he tried to develop a  special moisturizer that would solve the problem. Though he was not able to successfully meet this goal, he was able to formulate a moisturizer that diminished the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and bring back the youthful complexion of the skin.

This moisturizer started the whole Therapon Skin Renewal System, which now consists of stand-alone skin care products that perform different roles in the system’s overall process. The Therapon line of skin care products follow Beckman’s philosophy of skin rejuvenation: gently remove the old and damaged skin first, restore the new skin to the healthiest condition possible, and protect it from the various harmful agents of the environment.

If used daily, these skin care products can restore the skin’s health within a few weeks. Using the products is very easy to incorporate into your everyday skin care routine, and should only take you a few minutes if used correctly.

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Prevage

August 25th, 2010

Prevage is a skin care product released in 2004 by high-profile cosmetic juggernaut Elizabeth Arden and pharmaceutical giant Allergen Inc. Prevage is a topical antioxidant cream that, if applied, greatly enhances the skin’s restorative abilities, visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as preventing skin aging.

How it works

Idebenone is a term well known to pharmacists and skin care enthusiasts who has been following dermatology news in the past few decades. Many skin care companies describe this substance as a cutting-edge miracle.  It mimics a therapeutic coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10). This vitamin-like compound is found on all aerobic organisms, and is primarily used to facilitate energy production.

Coincidentally, CoQ10 is also an effective antioxidant. Dermatologists synthesized this substance with other products in hopes to create a more potent skin care agent. One of the results is Idebenone.

This product is approved as  safe and effective, and is responsible for Prevage’s optimal performance in skin rejuvenation. Basically, idebenone takes out old and damaged skin cells, and nourishes them with new, more durable cells. The result is younger and firmer looking skin.

Aside from the functional effects of Prevage, it also protects your skin with one of the highest Environmental Protection Factor (EPF) in the market. This protects you from skin stress agents such as pollution, and the sun. Ultimately, it not only improves what your skin looks like; it also maintains the radiant glow of youth.

Other ingredients of Prevage include kinetin, lipoic acid, as well as vitamins C and E. These agents are found on similar anti-aging creams such as Kinerase, Nivea and N.V. Perricone products, doubling the power of Prevage.

Side-effects and Drawbacks

While it is currently gathering nearly perfect reviews from Allure and other beauty magazines, Prevage has also gained recognition as an Elizabeth Arden product, as it represents the cosmetic company’s commercial grade.

However, despite its growing popularity with consumers, it cannot be bought over the counter. Idebenone has just been recently added to the list of cosmetic products, and it has not been fully credited as a product with a long term anti-aging effect. Additionally, some consumers reported severe allergic reactions to the cream, such as swelling and rashes. Because of this, one has to consult with a cosmetic dermatologist before a prescription is made.

Another drawback would be its price tag of $98 to $155 for a product that only serves one function. Modern reviewers commented that this may not be something the “average” consumer will opt for. One must decide whether the benefits of such a product are worth the relatively high cost.

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SkinMedica

August 23rd, 2010

SkinMedica is one of the most popular aesthetic companies in existence today. Founded during the mid 1990s by Richard Fitzpatrick, MD, in San Diego, California, SkinMedica was able to conquer the world of the skin care industry with its world class array of widely effective products.

Dr. Fitzpatrick, the Chairman of SkinMedica’s Scientific Advisory Board, published many articles and compilations of surgical and cosmetic dermatology. Detail-specific and result-oriented, his guidance on SkinMedica’s fully funded researches has yielded some of the best skin products on the market.

Many of these products made by SkinMedica are designed to treat skin conditions such as hyper-pigmentation, discoloration, acne problems, fine lines and wrinkles. Since the products are carefully tested to be safe before they are released in the market, most are available without having to consult with a doctor for a prescription, making SkinMedica one of the most accessible skin care products around.

SkinMedica’s first prescription release, however, still remains to be one of the company’s leading skin care products. EpiQuin Micro is a strong bleaching cream that has been proven to treat melasma, a skin disorder also known as chloasma or more commonly called the ‘mask of pregnancy’. Melasma is hard to treat because it only darkens skin pigmentation on sun-exposed areas of the face. SkinMedica was able to synthesize a formula that visibly reduces the dark pigments.

Perhaps the most popular solution that SkinMedica has created is its unique TNS Recovery Complex System. This innovative new compound was initially discovered as a treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and blemishes. Using the knowledge accumulated by Dr. Fitzpatrick’s team of beauty experts, and SkinMedica’s laboratories, extracts were used to facilitate the growth of human cells. This topical cream is incorporated by different products to support the skin’s healing process.

Another blend of patented protein, antioxidants and amino acids gave birth to SkinMedica’s solution for sun-damaged skin: Nouricel MD.

The combined resource of TNS and Nouricel gave SkinMedica the push it needed to earn the trust of even great media personalities, such as Oprah, and Allure magazine.

SkinMedica also offers a variety of skin cleaners, toners, rejuvenators, age defense products, moisturizers, and sun and acne protection products.

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Baked: Sun-bathing Addiction

August 19th, 2010

Okay, we can understand why a lot of people want to get themselves tanned. A pasty skin complexion does not really come off as attractive in our society, does it? The vogue thing today is bronzed skin.

Let’s face it: Getting a little color on your skin is great. It makes you look fit, healthy, and vibrant.

A person sporting a good tan looks, well, sporty! It shows that the person actually gets out there, instead of just sitting at home bumming around and accomplishing nothing. And isn’t this is the image we all want to pull off? These days, it’s all about getting fit, getting active, and getting out there. This is probably why the sun-tanned look is so in fashion.

Unfortunately, though, many people end up over-tanning. In trying to keep up with the latest trend, they actually forget that spending too much time in the sun is not all that healthy either.

It is frightening sometimes what some girls go through just to get a tan. When they are not satisfied with their color, some girls just skip natural sun-tanning altogether and head straight for the tanning salons. There, they spend too much time baking their skin in UV tanning beds. This is actually a recipe for skin cancer!

It gets worse. These days, there is such a thing as sunbathing addition! This is characterized by a psychological condition called tanorexia, wherein the person still finds him/herself horrendously pale, when he/she already has a baked complexion.

In addition, recent studies have actually come up with evidence that sun-bathing can actually be addictive. When a person sunbathes, the body releases an opioid, which is a sort of endorphin. Release of this substance gives a pleasurable sensation, and medical experts have found out that this is what keeps tanning addicts hooked.

But whether a person is psychologically or chemically addicted to tanning does not really matter here. The main concern is that they are indeed obsessed with baking their skin. These people are addicted to tanning beds. And, as we all know, tanning beds are just lined with UV emitting light bulbs. Prolonged exposure to UV light does not give you a healthy looking sun tan – instead, it actually kills skin cells, causing the premature skin aging. Ultimately, it makes the person prone to cancer.

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Group Treatments

August 17th, 2010

How other people view us is an important part in our society. In reality, most of us base our judgments on how other people appear, rather than their accomplishments . This made the plastic surgery industry favorable, especially for individuals who want to look as perfect as possible, effortlessly. However , these procedures may be very fragile and exclusive, so much so that it drives customers away .

This is the reason why a lot of practicing doctors offer discounts to drive the market into the operating room . And while this type of ad can loosely be considered to be a infraction of medical ethics, many patients have favorable responses . Doctors derive their fee from the number of areas to be treated , but factors such as demand , professional fee from the anesthesiologist and the supply are included when pricing a cosmetic procedure.

Usually , surgeons can give up to 25% off the quote on holidays because of the season , 5% by paying in cash, and some businesses could even give you the option to pay less by talking to the press about your last session with their company.

Another effective method to have a price break is by getting a consultation with a friend. These ‘Group Discounts‘ are the lastest trend when it comes to coming up with options to reduce the fees of your doctor. Lowering costs is possible for both parties, as instructions and follow ups can be scheduled for two or more people. The group of friends may even deal with the same doctor in the same room.

These ‘cosmetic duets‘ have seen the most positive influence from mothers and daughters who want to go under the knife together. Many testify the satisfaction they get after these joint consultations. Another common cosmetic duet is couples looking to get final touches before their wedding day.

Many consumers might comment that this is a good start in providing cheap but safe ways to look and feel better with their body. But while this group counseling and group treatment deal may look effective and efficient to some, there are many parties express disapproval of the marketing techniques being employed by these doctors.

Many organizations have spoken about their belief that the money thrown away on such operations is unnecessary. Some blame the doctors into luring consumers in the first place with ads. Many think of this as the fault of the patient themselves because of their belief that one should never alter how they appear in the first place!

Ultimately, it always comes down to the consumer’s free will to undertake the operation. All operations have their own risks, whether you don’t have it done with your best friend or not. The best thing to do is to keep in mind that the procedure is free from additional danger by researching the practitioner’s credentials, as well as learning the details of the procedure itself.

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Arnica Montana: Herbal Medicine

August 11th, 2010

Living organically and going back to the old ways of doing things is now very popular. After a century of building up our confidence in new technologies, we find that some traditional methods are still better and more effective. This is especially true in the field of medicine.

Herbal supplements are now a la mode! Controversies regarding the intake of pharmaceutical drugs (e.g. side effects, insufficiency of clinical testing, etc.) have led people to explore alternative medicines. And of the many healing herbs that are out there, the arnica montana (also known as leopard’s bane, or wolf’s bane) is among the favorites.

What’s it for?

Arnica was used by the Native Americans as well as the Europeans to treat wounds, muscle pains, and inflammations, similar to topical creams used by plenty of people today. It is a first aid for sprains, bruises, sore backs and other muscle pains and discomfort caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It is also helpful in healing cuts and wounds, calming down inflammations and swelling, mild phlebitis, and soothing insect bites. Arnica montana can be used as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, tincture, compress, or even a mouthwash!

Word of Caution

The arnica montana, as medicine, is usually limited to external use. Taken internally without its proper medical preparation, the herb can be poisonous to the person who has ingested it. It may only be taken as a pill or via a syringe when it is used in homeopathy (an alternative form of medicine). Take note that when it the herb is prepared for internal use, it is diluted many times over, so that there is almost no trace of it in the solution. The herb should not be ingested without the advice of a medical expert.

If swallowed, the herb’s side effects include dizziness, tremors, and the experience of irregular heartbeats or heart palpitations. Also, excessive external use of arnica montana can cause skin irritation, blisters, and peeling.

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Infection Control at Clinics

August 4th, 2010

Infection control is a concept in the medical profession that is universal promoted. Statistically, diseases caused by infection are one of the easiest to prevent, yet hardest to control once one of them spreads. Annually, there are about two million infections in your average clinic. This issue is being monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee  (HICPAC) and many local committees.

So before you head out for any cosmetic procedure, or just a spa day with the girls, be sure to keep the following in mind.

What is being done to prevent infection?

All health care agents are required to follow preventive measures such as washing hands, and using protective equipments such as gloves, coats, masks and eye shields. Used inventory such as needles and bandages are discarded properly and equipments are sterilized for the next patient.

These are taught in basic medical courses to students and is given further emphasis once they enter the field. All fresh graduates who choose to practice medicine are taught the standard sterilization procedures for the health agency that they enter.

Aside from formal education, infection control updates are sent out to hospital heads via a system of news networking. Many are required to attend seminars and conferences to give doctors and managers ideas on preventive measures. Mass media also helps by providing public health announcements to ensure that all patients that will undergo health care will know how to avoid unnecessary illnesses.

Health agents that do not comply with these rules are given penalties, and may sometimes be shut down. In many controversial cases, health providers are stripped of their licenses, and are banned from further performing any medical procedures or profession.

How do I know if my clinic is safe?

Health practitioners are proud of their licenses and are careful not to lose it. This is why hospitals are strict in implementing these rules. However, if you would like like to make sure, the best way is to visit your clinic and consult a representative. Most will be happy to defend their facilities with a tour, as long as their patient’s rights are not violated.

You can also check on your health care agent by going to their website. Many hospitals post online presentations, videos and pictures of their facilities and services. Checking if your clinic is part of the top performing medical centers in your area is also a good way to ensure that the setting is safe, as these hospitals are always in the public eye.

Lastly, to get accurate information about your clinic, you may contact HICPAC and ask for any public document available from the most recent inspection, such as the clinic’s history and doctors. You may contact them at: http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/contact.html

References:
- “Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/about.html
- “Poor infection control at many surgery centers” MSN. http://rss.msnbc.msn.com/id/37577363/
- “Definition of Infection” Medicine Network. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12923
- Texas Department of State Health Services. Infection Control Manual for Ambulatory Care Clinics, 2009 4th Edition. http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/infection_control/manual/InfectionControlManual.pdf
- Infection Control Committee, Department of Health. Guidelines on Infection Control Practicein the Clinic Setting December 2006 (Revised). http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/grp_ic_practice_in_clinic2005011101.pdf

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Dr. John Burns, of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, joins forces with CosmeticSurgeryToday.com

August 3rd, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug 03, 2010 – Dallas, TX — CosmeticSurgeryToday (CST) has taken their site to a new level. What was once a site meant for those seeking information on the different types of cosmetic options available, has now become a matchmaker. The newest addition to the CST Charter Doctor Program is Dr. John Burns, of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute.

The Charter Doctor Program seeks out qualified cosmetic surgeons all across the country. With only a few doctors in each major metropolitan area, both CST and doctors benefit. Doctors seeking to grow their practice are provided visibility to the visitors that CST receives each month. CST can now connect the cosmetic surgery seeker to a high quality surgeon in their area.

About Dr. Burns

Dr. John Burns is a board certified plastic surgeon whose aim is to enhance natural beauty instead of creating “fake” beauty. In addition to being part of a private practice, The Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, Dr. Burns is also a Clinical Instructor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas’ Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Dr. Burns operates in an accredited surgery center, the Dallas Day Surgery Center. He was the first doctor in the US to complete a fellowship in laser surgery and stands alone in his expertise in facial rejuvenation.

Well renowned in the field of plastic surgery by his peers, Dr. John Burns also fills his office with well qualified and experienced medical staff. From the RN’s and Estheticians at his skin care center, EpiCentre, to making sure all his staff is ACLS certified, Dr. Burns has his patients best interest in mind.

About CosmticSurgeryToday.com

CosmeticSurgeryToday.com actively seeks to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information available in the sphere of cosmetic and plastic surgery. Their partnership with Dr. John Burns only emphasizes their desire to connect high quality surgeons to anyone that truly wants to look better, feel better and live better. Today.

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Kim Kardashian, Twitter, and Cosmetic Surgery

July 29th, 2010

Kim Kardashian and her two other sisters may very well be the 21st century incarnations of the Greek muses. Kim, especially, could be considered as the embodiment of that Scheherazadian beauty that exudes an awe-inspiring mist of beauty, sensuality, and mystery.

That perfect picture has been challenged lately, as word has gotten round that Kim’s beauty does not come naturally. Yes, rumors are about that the  29-year old has had plastic surgery done to get her looking like her idol, Princess Jasmine from the Disney classic, Aladdin. People are beginning to speculate that it also takes some work for Kim to keep up with herself as well.

It has been rumored that the model has had butt implants to attain her curvaceous figure, for one thing. There have been stories that she has had a nose job as well.

Just this past May, the celebutante appeared on ABC News’ ‘Nightline’ with her sisters. In an interview with Cynthia McFadden, Kim said that she has had some botox work done before. However, Kim Kardashian denies having undergone any other type of cosmetic procedure.

She also explained that even though she has not had any other cosmetic work done, she does not disapprove of plastic surgery either. In fact, Kim has been charmingly forthcoming about her thoughts on cosmetic surgery.

The Kardashian sisters‘ position on whether to have plastic surgery bends towards a why-not attitude. They’re not opposed to having cosmetic work done if it will do them good. Kim even says that she had planned on getting a nose job because she has long felt insecure about the shape of her nose. She just decided not to push through with it when she saw that it would really alter her facial features so much so that she wouldn’t look like herself.

Kim Kardashian takes an admirably light and positive attitude in response to rumors that say she has had butt implants and breast surgery. She has not had any of these procedures, but she also does not see anything wrong with it if she had.

If you think about it, we finally live in a time where cosmetic surgery has become, and continues to become, more widely accepted. Women should realize that it’s not something to be embarrassed about. Celebrities do it all the time. And what is admirable about those like Kim is that they do not hide under the pretense that their looks are all natural. Kim Kardashian would be one of the firsts to tell you that nobody is perfect. Recently, Kim has made headlines by telling a woman on Twitter NOT to undergo plastic surgery to look more like her. In this sense, she is a truly beautiful woman.

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Cosmetic Surgery Today Invites Qualified Cosmetic Surgeons To Become Charter Doctors

July 29th, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOUSTON, TX, July 29, 2010 — The choice to have cosmetic surgery can be life changing. As a patient, a lot of factors go into choosing the right doctor to make dreams of a better body image come true. As a surgeon, how do you reach out to your community while staying focused on the clients you already have?

CosmeticSurgeryToday.com is actively seeking board certified doctors from all over the United States, with the goal of providing information about qualified cosmetic surgeons to the thousands of cosmetic procedure seekers that visit the site each month.

As a Charter Member, doctors will be provided with a customized profile that can be updated 24/7. Each profile comes complete with their own before and after photo gallery, along with customized lead generation forms that visitors can complete to request a consultation.

These profiles will be available on CosmeticSurgeryToday.com to prospective patients as they research procedures, search for cosmetic surgeons, and request more information.

With an archive of thousands of pages and growing, CosmeticSurgeryToday.com is now recognized as a point of reference for prospective patients looking for unbiased information on any cosmetic procedure. Just one extra patient per month can add thousands of dollars to your practice. Through CosmeticSurgeryToday, Charter Doctors can connect with informed consumers actively seeking to feel better, look better, and live better … today.

ABOUT COSMETICSURGERYTODAY.COM

Cosmetic Surgery Today has evolved from a simple informational site to a library of quality cosmetic surgery information. In addition to providing comprehensive and unbiased articles, the site’s also focuses on connecting potential patients with qualified cosmetic surgeons.

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