Luxury Skin Care

Get rid of stubborn bulges that just won’t budge with micro liposuction, the latest trend in cosmetic surgery in the United States.

Micro liposuction also known as micro suction is a technique designed to deal with one or two diet and exercise resistant spots in people who are otherwise happy with their overall physique and body weight.

Micro liposuction refers to the removal of small areas of fat through tiny tubes and very small incisions. Commonly performed on the face, especially the cheeks, neck, under the chin and the jowl, micro liposuction can also be performed on other small pockets of fat using tiny cannulas.

Cannulas used in this surgical procedure, range from 1.5mm to 6mm in diameter. In general, smaller cannulas are preferable to larger ones for more refined contouring and surgeons can truly sculpt a small area for a desired effect.

As only a small area is involved, patients can see rapid results and can expect to return to normal life within a few days. This is made possible by fewer incision sites and less swelling, pain and bruising.

Micro Liposuction for the Lips

Fat Transfer, also called autologous fat transplantation, plumps up lips using fat taken from inconspicuous sites on the body. This is a natural, non-allergenic procedure designed to restore damaged or diminished dermal deficiencies safely and effectively.

Micro suction and micro liposuction are fast becoming popular these days as they are less invasive and they offer dramatic results and a faster recovery rate. Depending on what a patient wants done micro suction can require either full or local anesthesia and can cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

Facial Micro Suction

This procedure can significantly improve the contour of the face and is particularly useful for patients with good skin tone who have excess fat beneath the skin. There is usually a minimal amount of discomfort following micro suction. There will be some swelling and bruising, most of which will resolve itself in a week or two.

Micro Suction for the Neck

This is mostly popular with aging women as it provides a youthful look by tightening the loose skin of the neck that is apparent with age.

This procedure involves removing the extra fat from the neck with a tiny cannula, just under the chin and through the neck area and then tightening the skin under a local anesthetic combined with sedation. This results in a rejuvenated jaw and neckline and makes the patient look years younger.

Average Cost: $2,600 - 3,600

As with any other surgery, it is absolutely necessary that you consult with an experienced and well-trained cosmetic surgeon if you’re interested in this procedure. Ask to see before and after photographs of previous patients to get a feel of what you’re in for. Have realistic expectations and you will surely enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of the treatment.

There is absolutely no denying the relaxation that a soak in a warm bath can provide.

However, regularly soaking in a bath, especially in hot water, is not good for the long term health of the skin. Over saturating the skin with water can break down its immune/healing response and can actually make skin drier.

Whether it is five or ten minutes or the infrequent twenty to thirty minute soak, the repose and quiet serenity of a bath can give you the time to feel the texture changes in your skin. A bath also calms stressed out, responsibility weary nerves.

Following are some ideas for enjoying a relaxing bath without harming your skin. Start running the bath with water that’s only slightly hotter than normal. If you have normal to dry skin, drizzle in a teaspoon or two of almond, olive or sunflower oil. If you have oily, blemish prone skin from the neck down, do not use oils. Instead, add a little organic bubble bath.

For all skin types, add some bath salts. These should preferably be fragrance free to avoid irritation and breakouts. Epsom salts are a great, incredibly inexpensive addition to any bath.

Light a scented candle or two and place them in strategic locations so that the light can flicker in the water and the mirror. Tiny oil lamps can also help radiate fragrance throughout the room.

If you have a portable CD player, place it in the bath room so that you can play some relaxing music.

Turn down the lights or turn them off completely and bathe by candlelight. Prop a towel or bath pillow behind your head and stretch out in the bath.

While you’re soaking, take the time to gently buff a wash cloth over your body. Instead of soap, which is too drying on the skin, use an organic moisturizing body wash instead. Once a month, exfoliate your skin with an organic body scrub to get rid of the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin.

When you get out of the bath, apply a moisturizer to your still damp body. This will allow for the maximum amount of moisturizer to enter your still open pores.

Performing this bathing ritual about once a week will do wonders to calm your frayed nerves as well as soothe your skin.

Thalassotherapy is a treatment that focuses on the therapeutic effect of seawater to cure various diseases and ailments. The main use of thalassotherapy is to moisturize the skin and also to detoxify the body by improving circulations. One of the most common indications for thalassotherapy is for stress as it is renowned for its relaxation effects. There are many fitness centers worldwide that offer thalassotherapy.

For those that understand French they can check out thalassothérapie Espagne, which contains some information thalassotherapy treatments available in Spain.

Almost everyone in the California San Francisco Bay area knows the benefits of aloe vera. I do not know if it is a native plant, but it might as well be. It grows everywhere — at least it is planted everywhere by people.

It is one of the most popular plants for front lawns. When I was growing up, whenever I would get a cut, scar, or other injury, I would simply break off a piece of aloe vera and rub it on the wound. It would greatly speed healing. Usually, it would take about half as long to get better.

One thing I didn’t know about growing up, however, was the benefits of aloe vera juice. I had always assumed that the benefit of aloe vera only held for external application. Usually, things that are good to rub on your body are not good to eat. However, the benefits of aloe juice are supposed to be extremely substantial. Although it kind of tastes nasty, many people drink aloe vera juice for its vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutritional components. I know many people who swear by it ñ practical people who usually don’t go in for a fad.

Apparently, it is not just good for nutrition and for healing wounds and other injuries. Apparently, it is supposed to be good for almost everything. I don’t know if this is just one of those exaggerations that people make when they find a plant that is good for a few uses, but more and more people are seeing aloe vera as a panacea.

The aloe plant is used in more applications than you would guess. I am constantly amazed at the numbers of products that use aloe vera. I have only recently started to read the labels on the things that I buy, but it has taught me a lot about the benefits of aloe vera.

The benefits of aloe vera are supposed to be helpful for hair care, skin anti aging products, beauty products, and even immune system support products.

Nonetheless, it is hard to tell if the benefits of aloe vera are lost when it is put in a gel or other preparation. I was always told to use the plant fresh. My mom never told me about the benefits of aloe gel, and I really don’t know how well it works once it is processed.

When we were a kid, we never really considered things like grooming and taking proper care of our image.

We would hop out of bed, pull on some random clothes, clean or filthy, it does not really matter. Maybe we take a bath or shower before going to bed at night or maybe not.

You have got to love the simplicity of those days.

As far as good skin care goes, it is virtually irrelevant. Our skin is flawless at that age by nature. Not that we appreciate the fact at that time. However, as we grow into our teen years, there’s no doubt that we wouldd love to have that flawless complexion back.

Well, just maybe it is an option. There are various things you can do to improve your complexion.

This statement applies to everyone, regardless of your skin type. A large part of your skin’s clarity and balance concerns your diet. Some foods/nutrients that will benefit your complexion are; prune juice, flaxseed, water, fiber from vegetables, and omega 3. Look for ways you can incorporate these into your regular diet. As far as protein goes, fatty fishes such as salmon are great for skin and hair. This can be your source of omega 3s. On the flip-side, there are several things you should avoid if you’re interested in good skin care routines. Americans are notorious for indulging heavily in sugary snacks and high sodium foods. These can truly throw your skin out-of-whack. In fact, those random breakouts you receive are likely linked to your dietary habits. As much as most of us enjoy junk food, we all have to set a limit.

The products you use naturally play a role. Good skin care does not always mean doing more. As opposed to scrubbing your face with expensive cleaners three times a day, try washing that mug twice a day max. Our skin has natural oil that keeps it radiant and moisturized. When you cleanse it too often, you wash these oils away, hence making it dry and irritated. Irritated skin can definitely lead to more breakouts.

Finally, a few last good skin care tips are to avoid excessive sun exposure, moisturize where needed, and be gentle when applying cleansers, scrubs and treatments. Your face requires a soft touch.

Are you plagued by pregnant skin problems?

It is no fun feeling nauseous, tired, bloated and heavy. Having skin problems on top of that just makes things even worse, right? It makes you wonder if all those pregnant women you see in advertisements with their glowing, blemish free skin are real. Well, it’s unfortunate that pregnant skin problems are a common thing, no thanks to crazy hormones. So, if you’re wondering if it’s just you, it’s not.

Here is a list of common pregnant skin problems.

Melasma
This skin condition is also known as chloasma or pregnancy mask. Your face has dark patches in places such as forehead, nose, chin, and upper cheeks. Some people also have it on their upper lip making them look like they have a moustache. This problem of uneven pigmentation may also appear as dark circles around the eyes.

Melasma isn’t just a face problem, it can also happen to your arms. Melasma is more likely to happen in dark skinned women. The good news is the problem goes away after you’ve given birth. However, I’m guessing you don’t want to wait that long. So, the best thing you can do is to protect yourself from the sun. Limit your time in the sun, use sunblock with SPF 30 or higher, wear a brimmed hat and stay away from tanning salons. You may not get rid of the skin problem entirely this way, but you will at least minimize it.

Another solution is to take enough folic acid. Research suggests lack of folic acid may increase skin discoloration. Get sufficient doses of folic acid through supplements and folate rich foods such as whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

Skin Darkening
You may find natural dark areas of you body such as the areola and nipples of you breast, moles, freckles, scars, birthmarks, and skin around you genitals becoming darker than usual. It could also happen to your inner thighs and underarms. This happens because your body is experiencing a temporary increase in melanin production.

A Dark Line Down Your Belly
This is known as linea nigra. It runs from the lower chest to the navel and also extends to the pubic area. It usually appears during the second trimester and should slowly disappear after your baby is born. You may need to give it a gentle rub to get rid of any dry skin. The line appears darker in darker skinned women.

Acne
You may feel like you’re reliving your adolescent days with all those acne, white heads and bumps breaking out everywhere. To fight acne during pregnancy, practice good cleansing habits. Keep your face clean and keep your hands away from your face.

Do not over wash your face as the dryness will cause your face to produce more oil. Twice a day should be enough. Use gentle cleansers such as oatmeal-based scrubs. Drink plenty of water and eat foods that contain antioxidants such as prunes, blueberries, dark green, yellow and orange vegetables, beans, pecans, walnuts and wheat germ. Be wary of the acne creams you use as some are not suitable for pregnant women. If you want to try natural products, try neem or aloe vera.

Stretch Marks
75-90 percent of all pregnant women develop those unsightly stretch marks. These red or purple streaks not only appear on your growing abdomen, but can also show up on your hips, breasts, buttocks, hips and arms. Can stretch marks be avoided? Yes. Find a moisturizing product that can penetrate pass your skin’s epidermis (top layer) and deep into the dermis (second layer.) Search for products with high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, emu oil, collagen, glycolic acid, elastin, liposomes and aloe vera gel. I like belli stretchmark minimizing cream.

Itchy Skin
Are you going crazy with the itching? Unfortunately, pregnancy can cause dry and flaky skin which is the reason for your itching. Plus, your expanding abdomen causes rubbing of skin such as between the stomach and the top of the pubic area and also between the inner thighs. This rubbing can cause prickly heat rash too. In hot weather, wear loose cotton clothing. Stay out of the sun and keep cool. Invest in a good moisturizer and a lotion to take away the itch like calamine, aloe vera or tea tree oil.

Take note that itchy skin in the third trimester may be a sign of Obstetic Cholestasis. It’s a liver disease that may endanger the life of your unborn child. The itch is so severe, it interferes with your daily activities, even sleep. The itching may be accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, fatigue and poor appetite. Check with your doctor if you suspect your itching is not normal. Get proper treatment to avoid the possibility of a stillbirth.

Don’t let pregnant skin problems take out the joy in your pregnancy. Be ready for the changes and know that you are not alone. Most of these skin problems will disappear after you deliver your baby.

Just endure it the best that you can till then. You can do it.