Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, and its popularity is growing. Because of the apparent ease of administering Botox treatments, lots of establishments such as spas, hairdressers and online stores are offering the service at reduced rates. These kinds of practices can be very dangerous, as well as providing a result that looks bad.

What’s at Stake when getting Botox Injections?

Properly applied Botox should reduce frown lines and wrinkles. However, when done wrong, it can result in the face looking unnatural, frozen or lopsided. In addition, while Botox is safe when applied properly, when administered improperly, it can result in severe reactions and even death. Because Botox works by paralyzing the muscles, getting this medicine in the wrong area can result in difficulty breathing or swallowing. In other cases, permanent damage to the muscles and nerves may result.

Don’t get Botox from Someone who isn’t a Doctor

While it seems harmless to have a spa employee give you a simple injection, there’s a lot more to Botox treatments than just a shot. Not everyone who gets Botox reacts to it well. When you’re getting Botox, the person administering it should be able to help if you have an allergic reaction. In addition, the placement of these injections must be carefully considered; putting them in the wrong place can cause the entire makeup of the face to distort. Your Botox treatment should be left strictly to doctors with medical training.

Don’t get Botox from a Dirty Office

Medical equipment is held to a high standard, and the cleanliness of medical facilities is more closely watched than the cleanliness of other businesses. The proper treatment and storage of medical equipment like syringes is something medical staff are explicitly trained in, but other professionals may not have had such rigorous training. Because of this, the chance of contamination and blood borne illnesses are much greater when you’re outside of a medical facility. Blood borne illnesses like AIDS and Hepatitis can be contracted from dirty needles.

Don’t do Botox Yourself

There are some sites online that will sell you the Botox home kit. This kit is usually cheaper than going to the doctor, and many people find this notion appealing. However, this is probably an extraordinarily bad idea. Many agree that administering injections to your self is a difficult procedure, which often takes a lot of classes and coaching in order to do properly. Additionally, the placement of Botox injections has a huge effect on the final result, and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy is required to prevent things like frozen brows and droopy lids.

When it comes to your face, it’s best not to skimp on the quality of medical treatment. Cheaper Botox injections may seem like a steal, but the potentially catastrophic and lifelong consequences are extremely serious. Botox is a medical treatment, and for the safest procedure, it should only be administered by medical staff.

Skin care is an important part of being healthy. After all, your skin is your body’s first defense against the outside world. Taking care of your skin is of vital importance and is now easier than ever. Here are a few simple things you should stop doing right now to improve your skin’s complexion.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is not only bad for your overall health; it is also bad for your skin. Skin becomes wrinkly at a faster rate for those who smoke. The elasticity in your skin breaks down, causing your skin to sag and crease prematurely. In addition, smoking thins skin and can deplete the amount of collagen present in your skin cells. Worst of all, smoking deprives your skin of oxygen. It causes your pores clog with blackheads and slowly emit the odor of smoke.

Don’t Tan

No matter how you get your tan, it is bad news when it comes to skin care. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation from tanning causes extreme damage to your skin cells. Cumulative damage from tanning can lead to wrinkles or sagging skin, brown spots on the skin and even skin cancer. Ensuring that you use sunscreen every day will help protect your skin from these harmful UV rays. Before you head to a tanning salon, think about the money you are about to spend. You could be spending much more than that in the future to reverse the damage the tanning causes.

Stop Forgetting to Moisturize

Moisturizing your skin is an important part of maintaining its appearance. Lip balm, face creams, body lotions – they all play a part in keeping your skin healthy and glowing. Forgetting to moisturize can lead to dry skin that can crack and appear ashy or brittle. Keeping skin moisturized keeps it looking fresh and plump and can help to prevent wrinkles later on in life. Moisturizing on a regular basis will help skin to maintain its youthful glow.

Don’t Eat Junk

Soft drinks, sugary snacks and even white bread all play a part in clogging your pores. An increase in these types of foods in one’s diet causes insulin levels to go up. It can also cause skin to dry up and thicken, clogging pores and creating blackheads and pimples. Eating more whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables can help prevent problems like this and give your skin a perfect complexion.

Don’t be Lazy

Laziness is the number one thing preventing many from having a perfect skin complexion. Simple things like washing your face twice a day and following up with a great moisturizer can keep your skin healthy and glowing. Washing your face daily prevents pores from clogging, as well as helps to rinse away the grime and pollution from the air. Having clean skin means having healthy skin. Schedule in skin care every single day to keep your face looking it’s absolute best.

Taking care of your skin should become a regular part of your routine. Skin care is simple enough to implement, and nearly anyone can obtain a beautiful, glowing complexion in just a matter of days.

Above image source: Flickr/functoruser

Whatever your reasons for getting plastic surgery are, you probably want to get the safest, best care you possibly can. Traveling to Boston may seem like an extreme step, especially if you live on the other side of the country. However, Boston plastic surgery has some huge advantages which may make such a trip more than worthwhile.

Best Plastic Surgeons in the Country

Boston Massachusetts has ranked tops in plastic surgery professionals according to many different sources. US News conducted a peer-reviewed survey which found that of the top 22 plastic surgeons on their list were located within 25 miles of Boston. Boston plastic Surgeon Jeffery Spiegel is one such doctor. As a board certified Otolaryngologist, this doctor has won a Health Grades Honor Roll award, and is recognized for his excellence in the field of patient satisfaction. His work has gained him national attention from such media luminaries as Glamour magazine, CBS and Fox News.

Large Choice of Procedures

Many of the plastic surgeries that take place every year are fairly routine, but what if you need something a little different? Some of the rarer procedures are not practiced by all plastic surgeons, and it may be difficult to find a doctor who does the exact surgery you need in your area. Boston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jeffery Spiegel provides a wide variety of facial procedures ranging from Botox and rhinoplasty to adenoid surgeries and earlobe repair. For those with out of the ordinary problems, this surgeon in Boston is available to help you find a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

An Open Mind

People from smaller, rural areas may have trouble getting the kind of surgery they need from doctors who are still fairly socially conservative. Treatments like facial feminization, unfortunately, still carry a stigma in some areas. Transgendered women looking for help from a compassionate and open minded medical professional would do well to consider getting their surgery done in Boston, which has one of the most liberal populations in the country. Not only are the necessary procedures available here, but vital emotional support is also easy to find.

Cutting Edge Technology

Boston is home to some of the most respected medical colleges in the country including Harvard, The Boston University of Medicine and Tufts University. These schools not only educate the best doctors in the country, they are also often home to the vanguard of experimental medical technology. Brand new techniques, such as blepharoplasty (an eye lift surgery that leaves no scarring) are available from great surgeons like Dr. Spiegel. Boston plastic surgery is at the forefront of innovation, so the newest types of surgeries are available.

Boston is a great choice for anyone considering any kind of plastic surgery. If you’re considering plastic surgery, you would do well to look into the opportunities Boston offers, and see if you can find just the right plastic surgeon for you. If you’re considering facial plastic surgery, Dr. Jeffery Spiegel has a great range of available procedures, with amazing results.

Celebrities rely on their looks to earn a living and many of them will freely admit that they are willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their youthful appearance. Tabloid headlines are full of celebrity plastic surgery rumors but these five celebrities have no problem talking about the work they have had done to look and feel their absolute best.

Sharon Osbourne

Sharon Osbourne has been quoted as saying she’s had everything done. “There’s not anything that I haven’t had lifted, cut or sewn back on!” said Osbourne in a recent interview with Anderson Cooper about her celebrity plastic surgery procedures. She has had leg lift procedures, a lap band surgery for weight loss that resulted in a 100 lb loss, a full rhytidectomy (face lift), adminoplasty (tummy tuck), mastopexy (breast lift) as well as many other surgeries.

Joan Rivers

No discussion of celebrity plastic surgery would be complete without discussing Joan Rivers. She has made her career from making fun of herself and other people. Of her plastic surgery, Rivers was quoted as saying “I have done what everyone does in California!”. Her list of plastic surgeries includes two facelifts, Botox, an eye tuck, at least one nose job and a variety of different fillers. At 79 years old, Rivers definitely does not look her age and states that now she just has Botox done every five to six months for maintenance.

Amanda Bynes

A more recent celebrity plastic surgery story revolves around a 27 year old actress. Amanda Bynes lately revealed to her Twitter followers that she had a nose job done recently. Her surgery was done to remove excess skin that formed webbing in between in her eyes that always bothered her. She stated: “I wasn’t going to tell anyone but I look so much prettier in my new photos that I don’t want old photos used anymore! I’m so sick of magazines and blogs using old photos! When will they stop? I will never look like that again! Having surgery was the most amazing thing for my confidence!”.

Heidi Montag

This young actress has never shied away from being open about her celebrity plastic surgery and revealed that she had breast augmentation and rhinoplasty (nose job) complete in 2007. That was nothing compared to the list of surgeries that followed in 2010 where she had ten separate procedures performed in one day including a second rhinoplasty, chin reduction, ear pinnings, eye brow lifts, a second breast augmentation, buttocks augmentation, liposuction on her waist, thighs and neck. Of her surgery Montag said “Nobody ages perfectly, so I plan to keep using surgery to make me as perfect as I can be. Because, for me, the surgery is always so rewarding.”

Cher

At 66 years old, Cher has often been called the “poster girl” of plastic surgery. She has been a rock and fashion icon for decades and shows little sign of stopping. Her list of admitted surgeries includes rhinoplasty and breast augmentation although there are many rumors circulating that her list of celebrity plastic surgery procedures is much longer. Cher has also discussed her tattoo removal procedures that she has had to get rid of the six tattoos she had done in younger days.

There is a lot of pressure on celebrities to look their very best at all times, even as they age. With the technology available to skilled plastic surgeons, celebrities can defy the hands of time with a range of plastic surgery procedures to help enhance their looks and confidence.

Miss Universe Canada

Miss Universe Canada is a country wide beauty pageant that chooses a winner to compete in the worldwide Miss Universe patient. Jenna Talackova made headlines in 2012 after she was disqualified from the competition. Pageant organizers argued that since she was not born a female, she did not qualify to compete. Talackova fought back hiring the famed attorney Gloria Allred. She eventually won the right to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada competition, much to the excitement of those in the transgender community.

Jenna Talackova’s Childhood

Talackova has stated in numerous interviews that she has known from a very young age that she was a female even though she was born biologically male and named Walter. By age four, Talackova was convinced that she was in the wrong body and began transitioning to life as a woman at the age of 14. At 19, she underwent transgender sex reassignment surgery, which was a full five years before her battles with the pageant world began. Although she did not place in the top five finalists for the Miss Universe Canada competition, this Vancouver born beauty was one of four contestants who won the title of Miss Congeniality.

Reality Show

Talackova’s upcoming reality show is called “Brave New Girl” and will be featured on Bell Media’s E! channel. The vice-president of specialty channels at Bell Media, Catherine McLeod states: “Brave New Girl presents E!’s pop culture hungry audience the opportunity to enter the wildly entertaining world of reality television, all from a uniquely Canadian perspective.” The show will feature Talackova’s struggle for a fresh start to her career, as well as her move from Vancouver to Toronto. She is extremely well-recognized, intelligent, strong, glamorous and relevant right now, which all add to her appeal as an up and coming reality television star.

Modeling Career

Talackova hopes to use her recognition and beauty to advance her modeling career. She is not afraid to break away from the norm while pursuing her dreams and let the entire world watch her go for it. She was quoted as saying: “I’m so happy to be sharing my life with the E! viewers. It will be fun letting the world watch as I take the next steps in pursuing my dreams.” This powerful head-turner will be one to watch in the future to see how she can change people’s perceptions of people like her.

This new reality television show is being produced by Peacock Alley Entertainment and is expected to begin filming in the summer of 2013. Viewers should set aside their preconceptions of what it means to be living as a transgender in society as they tune in to watch Talackova tackle the world head on.

It is rare to find someone who is truly satisfied with their self appearance, and because of this people are constantly searching for the best and quickest self improvement method. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has reported that plastic surgery procedures have increased more than 5% overall since 2011. In the last three consecutive years, there has been overall growth in the plastic surgery industry. What exactly is it that is fueling this growth?

Minimally Invasive Procedures

One of the main reasons people visit a plastic surgeon is to have minimally invasive procedures done. Some of these procedures include Botox and Dysport, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal and soft tissue fillers. These procedures can be done without performing major surgeries. They also require far less recovery time than the more traditional plastic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, facelifts and liposuction procedures.

Digital Editing

Another reason plastic surgery rates are steadily increasing could be the increased use of Photoshop and other digital editing software systems. These types of editing programs have set a new standard of beauty. Editing can erase wrinkles, extra weight, sagging skin, even blotchy patches with the click of a button. This makes people more aware of flaws when they look at themselves untouched. The editing of photos can show people easily how they “could” look with the right tweaks and may have them scheduling an appointment with a plastic surgeon.

Social Media

It is estimated that social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter now have more than 1 billion users worldwide. Up to 600 million visit sites like these on a daily basis. The change in perspective that social media offers the viewer shows them how the world sees them, and may prompt them to schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon to make their exterior appearance match their own perception. This factor may be especially prevalent with chin augmentation procedures, as taking self portraits via camera phones is a popular trend.

Technological Improvements and Awareness

Plastic surgery has evolved to the point where what may have once been a major procedure can now be performed on an outpatient basis. These improvements, coupled with increased awareness of plastic surgery, have helped the industry continue to grow. This awareness has also been partnered with an acceptance of these procedures. It is no longer shameful to admit that you have had work done – instead, it is often seen as a sign of self-care instead, particularly when done by a great doctor.

There are many different factors that are fueling the plastic surgery industry and helping it to continue to grow as time goes on. Some procedures have become much more popular and are so minimally invasive that people can have them performed over their lunch breaks. This ease of service will only continue to improve with technological advances and help the industry to increase even more. How long until technology and social media pressures get to you and you are scheduling your appointment?

above image source: Flickr/kevin dooley

As medical technology becomes more advanced, and cultural trends shift, so do the trends in plastic surgery. While there were 14.6 million cosmetic surgeries in 2012, and this was an increase from 2011, the procedures patients are choosing to get have shifted quite a bit, as well. The in-and-out, minimally invasive procedures really saw a rise this year, a trend we can expect to continue.

What Are People Getting More of?

While there were many surgeries that saw incremental rises, some surgeries had a fair sized boost. Botox saw an 8% boom, likely due in part to the fact that more men have been willing to get the procedure. Microdermabrasion was also very popular, likely due in part to it’s minimally invasive status and excellent results. More involved facelift procedures also saw an increase of 6% over last year, though the reason behind this is anyone’s guess. Breast Reduction also saw a surprising gain of 8 percent.

What Are People Getting Less of?

Surprisingly, some procedures, which are usually quite popular, saw a decrease in 2012. Laceration repair, which reduces the appearance of scars, was down 4%. Liposuction, usually one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, actually saw a decrease of 1% last year. Despite the decrease, it was still one of the most popular procedures. However, the most interesting statistic was the 7% decrease in the number of breast augmentations. Paired with the increase in breast reduction, this may indicate a trend for smaller curves.

Reconstruction VS. Cosmetic

While many of these procedures are elective and cosmetic, there are other plastic surgeries that are done for other reasons. Reconstructive surgeries are plastic surgeries that focus on repairing damage or deformities, and are generally considered more necessary, and more likely to be covered by insurance. Those who get purely aesthetic surgeries tend to opt for minimally invasive surgeries with short recovery periods. However, people looking to restore breasts lost to cancer, or repair facial deformities are willing to undergo more extensive surgeries to repair these types of problems.

About These Figures

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) gathered the numbers presented from their 7,000 participating members. This society was founded in 1931, and since then has been committed to providing the highest quality care to its patients. The goal of the ASPS is to ensure that practicing surgeons have the best possible grounding in both ethics and medical practice, while staying on the cutting edge of current plastic surgery technology. The ASPS collects data annually regarding how many surgeries and types of procedures that patients get.

In the end, what these numbers truly show us is a general upward trend in the American economy. The increase in purely aesthetic surgeries is a particularly good sign, economically, as it represents something of a luxury. Paired with the upswings in other industries, this indicates that not only are plastic surgeons earning a better living than they were a year ago, the rest of the country is also better off as well.

1) Botox

Once only used by Hollywood starlets, Botox has become the most popular cosmetic procedure that men undergo. While men have been willing to undergo other cosmetic procedures in the past, the previous leaders were hair restoration and liposuction. Over the last ten years, Botox has become more popular, and now, more men are getting this procedure than any other. This is likely due to how convenient Botox is, and how easy it is to hide that you’ve had it done.

2) Manicures

Manicures for men have passed in and out of style for thousands of years. In the past, nail care treatments have been used by the wealthy and royal, sometimes with polish, sometimes without. In the last ten years or so, male manicures (usually done without polish) have been offered at many male hair salons, and many consider the treatment a sign of good grooming. In some cases, it can be a professional necessity for those who work with their hands.

3) Skin Care

Historically, men generally washed their face with whatever soap they used on the rest of their body. However, men’s skin needs the same amount of TLC as women’s. Because of this, skin care products for men are becoming just as varied as the treatments their female counterparts use. Male versions of skin cleanser, toner, and moisturizer are now widely available at every nearly every drugstore.

4) Hair Removal

While shaving the face has been standard male practice for as long as something sharp enough to do the job existed, body hair has been something that has mostly been left alone. While some cultures like the ancient Egyptians would remove male body hair, for most of human history, hairy chests have been associated with masculinity. Recently, men waxing or shaving their bodies is becoming not only common, but for some potential romantic partners, a requirement.

5) Make Up

This is one that’s still on the outer fringes, but we’re seeing signs that make up for men may slowly make its way into the mainstream. While some of the more flamboyant celebrities may regularly sport eyeliner, gloss and mascara, not every man who wears makeup is so obvious. Men’s current makeup trends are mostly in the form of corrective make up for covering up blemishes and scars, as well as creating an even skin tone.

Everyone wants to look their best, so it’s not surprising that men would begin to borrow some of women’s long held aesthetic practices. In modern times, masculinity is being redefined, and we may see more and more men adopting typically female practices.

Despite the fact that a person’s face is probably one of the most noticeable features on their bodies, very few of them give much thought to taking care of the skin there. Many people use various forms of make-up and treatments during the day instead of at night when most skin replenishment and rejuvenation actually takes place. As a result, they often end up looking older than they really are which can be prevented with the proper care.

1. Ensure that You Drink Enough Water

Not as much important every night as it is everyday but not enough water in the body can take its toll on your skin. This is a beauty point that cannot be stressed enough. Our bodies and especially our skin comprises of a large percentage of water. When we do not consume enough water, the body starts to dehydrate which can result in the formation of wrinkles and age spots forming on the face and around the eyes. Although many people think that consuming water at night will keep them awake, the opposite is actually true. This is because our bodies use the water we drink at night to flush toxins out of the body that can cause our faces to look dull. By drinking even a single glass of water before bed each night, you will be doing your face a tremendous favor.

2. Remove Make-Up and Treatment Products from Your Face

Most of us use various forms of day creams, make-up and treatments on our faces during the day. While these products do serve a purpose, it is crucial to ensure that they are properly removed from our faces before going to bed. By doing this, the pores will be opened which allows the skin to breathe and rejuvenate during the night. Excess make-up and creams that are left on the skin overnight can cause unnecessary breakouts or even skin rashes in more severe cases. Always use a dedicated make-up removal product to ensure that all oiliness and residue is properly removed from the facial areas.

3. Wash Your Face Properly

Although make-up removers do a great job of removing cosmetic products from our faces, some of them contain ingredients which may irritate the skin if left on for too long. The best way to ensure that your face is completely clean before retiring for the night is to wash it properly with a gentle cleansing product and warm water. This will allow the pores to open sufficiently to release excess cosmetic products which in turn will allow the facial skin to breathe properly during the night. After washing your face, it should be gently patted dry with a clean, soft towel. Do not rub your face excessively while washing or drying, as it may cause skin irritation.

By taking proper care of your face during the night as well as during the day, you will be able to prevent the onset of ageing for as long as possible. To most women, there is no better compliment than for her to be told that she looks years younger than she really is.

If you have been noticing your jaw line lose shape over the years you are not alone. Here are some tips to help you bring the definition back into your jaw line directly from the Doctors TV Show.

Video