Plastic Surgery Blog

The quest for beauty is universal. We all seek it and strive to maintain it. The point at which we differ is how we seek it and how we maintain it. These differences often manifest themselves culturally through tradition and ritual. Everyday in places across the globe, individuals are using age-old techniques and treatments as part of their daily beauty rituals. Want to learn their beauty secrets? The following are five exotic longstanding beauty traditions from around the world:

1. Turkey – Inhabitants of Turkey have a tradition of using a rough cloth known as kese for exfoliation during their twice weekly bathing ritual. Kese is made from plant fibers or horsehair, and as in ancient times, is used to scrub an exfoliating mixture into the skin, cleaning out pores and reducing ingrown hairs.
2. Egypt – Cleopatra discovered the fountain of youth in milk baths. Vitamins A, D, and E and lactic acid, all of which can be found in cow, sheep, and goat milk, help to replenish the skin’s moisture and prevent further damage.
3. Madagascar – For hundreds of years, people in this part of the world have been using a purifying oil known as Katrafay extract to stimulate the lymph system and purge the body of harmful toxins.
4. South America – The beauty secret of South Americans lies in the native herb Una de Gato, or the cat’s claw. The continent’s indigenous people have been using this “miracle” herb for centuries to boost the body’s immune system. When used in a plantain and cocoa body scrub, Una de Gato replenishes moisture and leaves the skin looking and feeling refreshed.
5. Bali – Boreh is the secret of the Balinese, who traditionally used the coveted spice to revive the legs after long days working in the fields. Applied with other spices as a body mask, Boreh has a relaxing effect on both the mind and body.

In all corners of the globe, beauty rituals such as these are alive and thriving. Here in America, we have our own beauty secrets. But it never hurts to learn the secrets of others…

Bookmark to:
          

Attractiveness opens doors

No, I don’t mean that figuratively, literally attractiveness opens doors. When an attractive woman approaches an entrance, doorways are cleared, elevators are held and chivalry is reborn. People will go out of their way to hold/open the door for an attractive person. However, the marginally attractive are left to fend for themselves in the world of manual doorways. One might say that such an advantage is negligible in the grand scheme of things, and the stereotypes attached to the attractive more than make up for this parity in personal encounters. To those I say, do not underestimate the Power of the Pretty.

The Pretty Prize of Presidency

Chicago, Illinois, September 26^th 1960 – The war of words that is the Presidential Electoral Debates are first televised. On one side was the man who was credited with positively changing the position of Vice President (according to Wikipedia), Richard Nixon. Let’s just say that Nixon was a man whose Pretty Power quotient could best be described by his middle name, Milhous. His rival was the enigmatic Senator from Boston, John F. Kennedy – a young and dashing man, notoriously appealing to the opposite sex. So powerful was his physical appeal that he frequently garnered the attention of iconic women such as the first Playboy Playmate, Ms. Marilyn Monroe (click for sultry proof).

The debates came at a crucial time in the election, providing a forum to sway the still undecided voters to either candidate’s side. Nixon had been recovering from an illness and looked groggy and unimpressive. The stubble and imperfections of his face were clearly visible on the television screen and it showed in the polls. John F. Kennedy, the more handsome and suave candidate, was viewed as the winner of the debates and subsequently became our country’s 35^th president.

Public perception, largely influenced by the Power of Pretty, had helped determine the most powerful position in the free world – a fact that would not be lost on Richard Nixon. In the Presidential race of 1968, a new Nixon would emerge, one who was “tanned, rested, and ready” (according to Wikipedia), a far cry from the Milhous of the 1960 race. With a little help from the Power of Pretty, Richard Nixon became our 36^th president.

Ask not what you can do to become Pretty, ask what Pretty can do to become you.

This marriage of Pretty, Power and Politics is alive and well today. From the much-publicized botox of Senator Kerry, to the recent worry free face of Australian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. It seems that in our society Pretty, however misguided, is a kind of window to a person’s inner character and strength. It just may be that automatic doors are the closest we as a society will come to equality of all people. So next time you see an attractive person walking your way, ignore, leave close the door and take the first step toward an America where all men and women are treated equally.

Back to Home

Read other articles by this writer, Click Here

Bookmark to:
          

Ever heard of Carboxytherapy? What about Aquarejuvenation or sugar-filled breast implants? LipoSonix or UltraShape? All are recent breakthroughs in the area of cosmetic and plastic surgery that are sure to change the current beauty landscape.

Here’s the buzz on these beauty breakthroughs:

1. Carboxytherapy is a new, injectable solution to the cellulite problem. The procedure involves the injection of carbon dioxide gas into the fatty areas beneath the skin where it works to dissolve fat cells. The gas also dilates capillaries in the area, increasing oxygen flow and preventing fluid build up. Treatments are quick and convenient, requiring no anesthesia and no downtime. Carboxytherapy is still too new to fully gauge its risks and benefits, but the initial response from experts in the field is enthusiastic.
2. Aquarejuvenation is an innovative resurfacing technology that uses high-pressure streams of water to exfoliate the skin. The water is infused with various vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts before being applied to the surface of the skin, which has been treated with powdered fruit pits to remove dead cells. Aquarejuvenation is effective for enhancing the skin’s radiance and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Hydrogel implants represent a new wave in breast implant technology – cohesive gel implants. The implants, which are manufactured by Heritage, contain a cohesive gel made from natural sugars and purified water. Heritage claims that the Hydrogel implants pose a safe, more natural feeling alternative to current implants. Hydrogel and other cohesive gel implants, which are often called “gummy bear” implants, have not yet received FDA approval.
4. LipoSonix and UltraShape are two non-surgical alternatives to liposuctions. Unlike traditional liposuction, which sculpts and suctions out fat, LipoSonix and UltraShape use laser and ultrasound technology to liquefy fat cells. Both technologies are currently undergoing trials but may one day offer patients a more convenient, potentially safer alternative to surgical liposuction.

The Bottom Line: The face of beauty changes as technology changes. Want to know what’s new in the field of cosmetic and plastic surgery? Make sure to visit our website. We’ll keep you posted!

Bookmark to:
          

More exciting news in plastic surgery! Check out these recent stories:

Survey Finds One In Five People in U.S. Want Cosmetic Surgery
Liposuction, breast augmentation, BOTOX, and other plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures are no longer a societal taboo, but rather something many of us wish to undergo someday.

Liposuction Improved With Vibrations and Massage
A new type of liposuction procedure that combines power-assisted vibrations and massage therapy provides patients with enhanced results and little recovery time. SculptEase™ was developed by Florida plastic surgeon Kenrick Spence who wanted to make the liposuction procedure quicker and more comfortable for his patients.

Breast Augmentation: Not Just For Women
Breast augmentation procedures are not just cosmetic surgeries nor are they only reserved for women. Breast implants, breast reduction, breast lifts, and breast reconstruction are various augmentation procedures that can help both women and men correct aesthetic issues resulting from insecurities, cancer, or gynecomastia.

Areola Restoration Restores Sense of Femininity After Mastectomy
The National Cancer Institute estimates that one in eight women will at some point in their lifetime develop breast cancer. Survival rates are improving, yet women who survive the devastating disease are often left physically and emotionally scarred.

Lipodissolve: The Latest Trend in Body Contouring
Over the last six months, at least 10 Lipodissolve™ centers have opened in metropolitan areas across the country. As many as 50,000 Americans have sought treatment at such centers, making Lipodissolve the latest trend in body contouring. But what is it?

P.S. - Don’t forget to check out our recent plastic surgery blogs!

Bookmark to:
          

Plastic surgery is a booming industry, so it’s no surprise that many unqualified doctors and fraudsters are trying to cash in the business. Con artists posing as competent surgeons frequently perform dangerous – cash-only – backroom procedures. Even real medical doctors who specialize in other areas of medicine are marketing themselves as qualified surgeons to reap the financial rewards of performing cosmetic procedures. Sadly, these procedures only benefit one person, and it’s not the patient.

Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon is crucial to achieving optimal surgical results. When seeking a plastic surgeon, look for these 9 signs:

1. Qualifications – The doctor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is an active member of the professional community, and performs all procedures in fully accredited facilities.
2. Hospital Privileges – The doctor has privileges at a local hospital and meets hospital standards for performing procedures.
3. Professionalism – The doctor speaks and listens to you in a forthright manner, making sure that you understand your options as well as the risks and benefits of any procedure you’re considering.
4. Clean record – The doctor is licensed to practice in your state and has no prior or pending legal claims against him or her. You can find this information by contacting your state medical board.
5. Proof of Experience – The doctor can show you tangible results of the results achieved with other patients.
6. Informed Consent – The doctor has presented you with all pertinent information regarding your procedure and requires you to sign an informed consent document.
7. Health – The doctor addresses your overall health – physical and emotional – by requiring a screening or evaluation prior to surgery.
8. Cost – The doctor is not offering you a “special deal” and provides you with a detailed explanation of all costs involved.
9. Specialized Practice – The doctor’s practice is limited to an area of expertise defined by his/her board certification.

Remember: If you don’t feel comfortable with the doctor, you have every right to walk away.
 

Bookmark to: