10 Questions You Should Ask

More and more people these days are having some type of cosmetic surgery done to enhance or keep their youthful appearance. As with any type of surgery, there are benefits and risks to consider. Before you decide on that face-lift or tummy tuck, you should find a reputable cosmetic surgeon and prepare a list of questions to ask before making a final decision on the procedure. Here are the top ten questions you should ask your cosmetic surgeon:1. For your specific needs, what type of procedure would your physician or surgeon recommend?Although you may think you need liposuction or breast reduction, your physician may determine that type of procedure is not appropriate for you, your body type, or possibly due to other health related issues you might have. Once your doctor has decided on the type of surgery to be performed, make sure the procedure is clearly explained to you: how it will be done, what techniques will be used and what should you expect afterwards.2. What is the surgeon’s expertise in this type of procedure?Most cosmetic surgeons have an area of expertise in which they practice. It’s important to find a surgeon who is an expert in the field of the type of procedure you will be having done. Ask him about his experience with this type of surgery, what the success rates are, what type of complications he may have encountered, and where the procedure will take place.You should also ask where the surgeon has studied where he received his training, education or certification. 3. Ask for brochures, leaflets and websites.Do not just take the surgeon’s word for it; ask for informative brochures, leaflets and websites specific to the type of procedure you are considering before you make such an important decision. If your surgeon is reputable and honest, he will appreciate the fact that you need more information to determine if the surgery is something you want to have done.4. What are the risks involved?Your surgeon should be able to tell you all of the risks involved with the type of procedure you’re having done. These risks should include what could happen during and after the surgery. Ask how common the complications are, and if complications do occur, how they will, or can, be treated.5. Ask for referralsSimilar to asking for references during a job interview process, you should know what past patients have experienced with the results of the surgery, or the surgeon. A good surgeon will be happy to provide you with a list of his patients who have had the type of surgery that you are considering. If the surgeon denies your request, ask him why. If he is not willing to provide references of past patients, you may want to consider another surgeon.6. Ask to see before and after photos.By seeing real photos of past patients, you will gain a better perspective of what the outcome will be for your specific procedure. It will be helpful to see the differences.7. What is the recovery process?Procedures vary in terms of wound recovery time and length of rehabilitation programs. You should know the long-term program before your surgery to plan for time away from work and household responsibilities. Determine if your procedure will require you to stay overnight at a hospital, or if it will be performed as an outpatient procedure. Ask if medications will be necessary, and how long before you can resume normal routines. Ask your surgeon what to expect, such as bruising or swelling, how long it should last and what to do if the pain or swelling persists after the determined recovery period.
8. What are the cost or payment options?Before you decide to have the surgery performed, you should know what your options are for the cost of the procedure. Ask your surgeon how much it will cost, if your insurance will cover the type of surgery you are having done, and if not, are there any financing options available through his practice, or can he refer you to a financing company. If you need to finance your surgery, make sure you know the terms of the contract, the interest rate, how much your monthly payments will be and whether or not you can afford to make those payments each month.9. What kind of anesthesia is required for the procedure?Determine if the procedure will be performed under a local or regional anesthetic and the risks involved. Ask if there are any sedatives or other medications that you will be required to take prior to or after the procedure.10. What are my alternatives?Not everyone is a good candidate for cosmetic surgery, and depending on your medical history, you may need to consider an alternative. Your surgeon will be able to provide you with some effective alternatives, or he may refer you to another physician who will be able to best fit your needs.

Skin Care Tips

Skin Care Tips Radiant, healthy skin is not impossible! Follow our great skin care tips to get soft, glowing skin every day of the week. Drink plenty of water and eat well There is nothing more important for healthy skin than a healthy you. Keeping your body hydrated will in turn moisturize your skin and give it that radiant look we all want. Leafy green vegetables, fresh fruit and grains will all contribute to healthy skin. And remember, eating oily foods will only make your skin oily too, so try to avoid them! Take care of your skin A daily beauty routine is vital for maintaining healthy skin. Whilst you should be careful not to overdo it and hence dry out your skin, ensuring that your pores are clear and your skin is hydrated should be a regular occurrence. Use a light exfoliant daily, followed by an alcohol-free toner and a good moisturizer. Dead skin cells are what cause your skin to lose lustre and radiance. Regular exfoliation removes dead and damaged cells, revitalizing skin and bringing life back to it. Toner then acts as an antiseptic, cleaning open pores and reducing the risk of infection and a continuing build up of dirt and oil. Moisturize Having a great moisturizer is just about the best skin care tip you will receive. Choose one that is thick and creamy, but also contains zinc oxide and is SPF 50 to protect your skin against aging and damaging UV rays and sunburn. A slightly tinted moisturizer can be a great way to encourage a healthy glow during the summer months. Be sun savvy Sun damage is the number one sign of aging, especially in women. Increased exposure to the sun's harmful rays can cause irreversible wrinkles, dryness and cracked skin. Be liberal in applying a protective moisturizer or sun screen every day, even if you are not planning to be outside. UV rays are extremely penetrative and will burn your skin without you even realizing! There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Protect your skin and stop premature aging. Remove the day to day before bed Leaving makeup on after a long day of perspiring and dashing about can undo all of the good work you've already done! Besides unsightly panda eyes, powder and concealer will clog pores and cause blackheads and a build up of excess oil underneath the skin, leading to breakouts and that awful shiny appearance. Use a cleansing wipe or face wash to gently remove face and eye makeup, making sure you moisturize or apply a night cream afterwards. Voila, a perfect canvas for the next morning! Avoid unnecessary stress and pressure on your body Skin responds to stressful situations, responding with a tendency to break out in pimples or become dry and flaky. To ensure the health of your skin (and you, of course!) try to reduce or remove the stress in your life as quickly as possible. Your skin will also thank you if you refrain from smoking or heavy drinking. Both of these activities will rapidly increase signs of aging and cause some serious long-term damage to otherwise radiant skin. If you can't remove the stressful situation, make sure you are doing everything else in your power to keep your skin healthy. Don't stress out about it though, that gets kind of redundant! Sing! Get active! I say this not only because singing is a great love of mine, but because oxygenating the skin is incredibly beneficial to its glow. In the same way that you feel run down if you don't get enough fresh air or exercise, skin suffers if the flow of oxygen is decreased and begins to look flat and unhealthy. Regular exercise will help to increase the amount of oxygen that is carried around the body, renewing skin cells more often and contributing to fresh and firm looking skin. Make sure you get enough sleep Similarly, your skin needs time to rejuvenate each day. Relaxing the muscles in your face during sleep gives your skin a chance to rebuild elasticity and readily renew cells. Sleeping builds up oxygen levels in your body, and is the cheapest, easiest and most relaxing way to get great looking skin! And remember, we all have days of less than perfect skin. Whether it's because we're pre-menstrual, run down or just feeling a bit lazy, our skin responds to changes in the weather, in routine and in our general wellbeing. It does not need to mean the end of the world. If you do have a bad skin day, just continue with your existing beauty routine and the scary ogre look will pass! Written by Anna for is your premier online source for salon products. This article may be published/reprinted with our permission if you agree not to change the title or content of the article in any way and agree to make all links so that they are active and linkable with no syntax changes.