Cosmetic procedures for men are gaining popularity.  While millions of people have some kind of cosmetic surgery every year, cosmetic surgery by women still far outnumbers the amount of procedures done on men. What the procedures seem to have in common, however, is that the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed on both genders are similar although they may rank differently.

The most common surgical cosmetic procedure for men is liposuction, but the most common procedure among men for purely cosmetic purposes is currently nose reshaping, better known as rhinoplasty. While botox injections seemed to be the most popular in 2007, nose reshaping has now taken over as the number one procedure for men with 75,000 men having this procedure done in 2008. Liposuction for men however is on the rise, moving up from the sixth most popular procedure overall in 2007 to the third most popular in 2008. Microdermabrasion, which is the removal of or lessening of dark spots or scars on the skin as well as the removal of sun damaged skin, was the third most popular cosmetic surgery among men in 2007, but is no longer in the top five.

Eyelid surgery has also become one of the most common procedures among men, with 31,000 men choosing this type of cosmetic surgery in 2008. While the cosmetic procedure of laser hair removal is still a popular one as well, it has declined since it had been the number two most common procedure performed on men in 2007 and was no longer in the top five in 2008.

18,000 men opted to have breast reduction surgery in 2008, making this the fourth most popular cosmetic surgery for men. Hyaluronic Acid, which is more commonly known as wrinkle smoothing, had been the fourth most popular in 2007 but has declined in number as well.

Hair transplantation had 13,000 men undergoing this procedure in 2008, making this the fifth most common cosmetic procedure for men. The removal of skin imperfections, better known as IPL laser treatment, was number five on the list in 2007, but other cosmetic surgeries have knocked this off of the top five list too.

Cosmetic procedures among men are on the rise, and leading the way in these types of surgeries are Asian-American men. This is the fastest growing ethnic group in the industry, with the most typical male in this group being in their forties.

For men considering any type of cosmetic surgery it is important to find a surgeon that is certified in their area of expertise by an appropriate board. The board should be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Seeing your regular physician is also something that is recommended to make sure there are no predisposing characteristics that may increase the risk of any complications that could be caused from the result of the surgery.

The most common cosmetic procedures for men seem to change from year to year, but it appears liposuction has remained one of the most popular for a few years now. With more men getting different procedures done every day, it ‘s hard to tell what the most popular of these cosmetic surgeries will be in the future, but one thing is certain….More men are undergoing some type of cosmetic surgery than ever before.

Plastic surgery has long been thought to be a luxury for people with means. Nose jobs, tummy tucks, face lifts, and breast augmentations have long been viewed as the fodder of Beverly Hills elite and the general fare for most plastic surgeons. But, should all plastic surgery be pigeon-holed as nothing more than extreme vanity?

In most cases, the overwhelming answer to this question is no. Plastic surgeons play a vital and critical role in legitimate medicine. Without the services that these surgeons provide, many children with cleft palates would not survive; victims of terrible and unfortunate accidents may suffer long term disabilities and preventable deformities.

While it is true that many of the services provided by a plastic surgeon are considered elective procedures, in reality, many cases are not. Rhinoplasty is generally viewed by most as a simple vanity procedure, but to a patient with severe sleep apnea due to a deviated septum, the corrective procedure can add years and quality to the patient’s life. A facelift at first may not appear to be a necessary procedure, but to a burn victim who only has 20% vision because the skin is covering a large portion of the field of vision, a corrective facelift can mean better vision and a better chance of resuming a normal life.

Children who suffer from many different types of birth defects benefit from the specialized skills of a plastic surgeon. Cleft palates and many other birth defects are corrected in such a manner that, except for a small scar, they look and function just like any other child.

Adults also benefit from such procedures, boosting both self esteem and societal productivity. Men and women alike perform better in both their personal and professional lives when they foster a healthy self esteem.

In some extreme cases, plastic surgery can actually be considered an alternate psychological therapy. There have been cases where plastic surgery has actually helped patients overcome severe and disabling anxiety stemming from a deep rooted embarrassment of specific physical features.

No matter the reason, plastic surgery has a legitimate place in modern medicine. The highly specialized skills that a practiced plastic surgeon brings to the table are unparalleled by any other surgical specialty. The impact that a plastic surgeon can have on a patient’s quality of life is often overlooked by the general public, who tend to categorize all plastic surgery as vanity surgery.

You can have a tighter tummy in one week. Follow this exercise plan to feel and look better in your jeans in just 7 days. What are you waiting for? Start now with this plan of action!

For your comfort, use a padded exercise pad.

Exercise one:
Lie on your back. Bend your knees, keeping your feet flat on the floor. Suck in your tummy as if you are trying to bring it towards your spine. Slowly lift one foot off the ground and extend your leg about 8 to 10 inches off the floor. Hold for 5 seconds then slowly return the leg and foot to starting position. Repeat 10 – 15 times each leg.

Exercise two:
Sitting on the floor with your arms behind you and hands touching the floor for support, lean your back towards the floor until you are at a 45 degree angle with the floor. Lift your leg while bending your knee as close to your chest as you are able. Repeat 10 – 15 times each leg.

Exercise three:
Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Position your hands behind your head to support it, but don’t clasp your hands. Contracting your abdominal muscles, curl your shoulders up and forward until your shoulders and upper back lift off the floor. You may raise up until your mid-back lifts off the floor, but don’t force it. Definitely don’t try to sit all the way up! Hold this position for a full 3 seconds before slowly returning to the starting position. Repeat. Don’t over-due this exercise in the beginning. Each day you will be able to do a couple more lifts than the day before.

Put on your walking shoes to end each exercise session with a good walk. Walking not only burns calories, it gets the blood circulating, is good for leg muscles and increases your energy. Walking is known to raise your endorphin levels, meaning you can’t help but to feel better emotionally as well as physically.

Vary your walk intensity for optimal results. Begin your routine with a 5 minute easy pace for warm-up. Then walk as brisk as you can for 2 minutes. Return to an easy pace for 5 minutes, followed by another brisk walk for 2 minutes. Repeat 2 more times, until you have walked a total of 28 minutes.

In just 7 days you will notice a difference in the way you feel and look in your clothes. Keeping up with this exercise plan will bring even greater results in the weeks to follow.

By Roger Ancog

Liposuction surgery, which is also known as liposculpture suction lipectomy, is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure that removes fat from different parts of the human body. These excess fat deposits are normally those that could no longer be removed by diet or exercise.

Before you should consider liposuction surgery, it is important that you understand all the necessary information about liposuction before and after it is conducted. We all know that liposuction is one of the most popular methods in body reshaping. But not all of us know what methods are involved in liposuction surgery. It is critical for you to know what these methods are and to learn about their corresponding risks. Of course, it is equally important that you know the preventive measures that you can do to avoid these risks.

What actually happens during the liposuction surgery? Depending on the type of surgery that will be performed, local or general anesthesia will be administered. Then, a small skin incision is made on the body part where excess fats are to be removed. Afterward, through this incision, a hollow tube (suction tube) is then inserted, which, by its pushing and pulling action, assists in the breakdown of fats in the area, making these fats easier to remove. The fats that are broken down are removed by the use of a powerful vacuum pump or a large syringe.

As with any other type of surgery, aside from its natural side effects, there are also risks that are involved in liposuction. Some of these risks include allergic reaction to the medications or the materials that will be used, infection, damage to the skin, bleeding or blood clot, and uneven fat removal. Also, there is the risk of damaging the internal organs and tissues that are close to the area where the surgery will be performed. This usually depends on the volume of fat that will be removed from the area. One should be careful and vigilant in knowing these risks. Even those well-known forms of liposuction surgery are not without their corresponding possible complications. In the case of the tumescent liposuction (which is popular because it provides the lowest risks), when too much anesthetic fluid has been injected, patients suffer from pulmonary edema, wherein the excess fluids gather in the lungs, which, in turn, causes heavy breathing complications. Another form of the surgery, which is considered a revolutionary method in liposuction technology, is the laser liposuction. Here, when laser is being used too aggressively and very near the skin, it causes burns and the overlying skin can be damaged. These are some examples why it is important for you to employ a surgeon who has done these procedures a number of times already.

However, despite the risks, thousands of people still would like to undergo liposuction surgery. But who can blame them? There are a lot of people who are satisfied with the results after the liposuction. Usually, these are informed people who are aware of the limitations of what the surgery can do. One should know that it does not matter how much the liposuction cost is. What matters is that you are aware of what to expect and of the procedures and risks involved before, during, and after the surgery.

What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most well known plastic surgery procedures. It is a fat removal cosmetic surgery operation which can be performed to remove fat from many different sites of the body including the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttock, arms and neck. Most often liposuction surgery is performed to remove excess fat from the abdomen and flanks in men and from the abdomen and thighs in women.

There are a number of different techniques for performing liposuction which include ultrasound assisted liposuction and tumescent liposuction. Your cosmetic surgeon should advise you on the various types of techniques available and recommend the most suitable one for you depending on your specific case. In general however liposuction surgery consists of making a small incision near the target area through which a narrow tube (cannula) is then inserted. Suction is then applied through the cannula to aspirate excess fat beneath the skin. The incision sites are carefully chosen to ensure that scarring is as inconspicuous as possible.

Liposuction can be performed under both local anesthesia and general anesthesia. In general the type of anesthetic chosen will depend on the extent of the liposuction surgery and the regions targeted. Smaller liposuction procedures can often be performed under local anesthetic but you should discuss the various anesthetic options which are suitable for you in depth with your cosmetic surgeon.

What is Smart lipo?
Smartlipo is a more recent and less invasive fat removal procedure than liposuction. The smart lipo procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and involves inserting a small cannula near the target body region through which a laser is then applied to break down excessive adipose tissue (fat cells) which are then naturally removed by the body’s natural waste removal system. Due to the usage of a refined laser the smart lipo procedure is also sometimes known as smartlipo laserlipolysis. Smartlipo can be performed on a variety of different body areas including the abdomen, thighs, hips, flanks, behind the knees, arms, neck, chin and face.

The Hurlingham Clinic situated in London is one of UK’s leading cosmetic surgery providers and specializes in both SmartLipo and liposuction. For more information on liposuction or smart lipo treatment The Hurlingham Clinic can be contacted on 020 7348 6380.
By Mike Piterson

With spring almost over and the summer season right around the corner, it is time to think of protection against any of the harmful things that are related with summer. Here are some tips to keep you safe and healthy this coming summer with outdoor family activities. There will also be some healthy summertime activities that families enjoy doing together.

The dangers that are associated with summer include ultra violet rays, dehydration/ heat stroke, mosquitoes and ticks.
While many people love going out in the beautiful summer weather there are some precautions that need to be taken before heading out to have fun hiking, camping, biking, fishing or just outside to have fun.

Protection from damaging UV Rays-
Sun screen is an important factor in blocking any of the dangerous rays of the sun. It is a strong preventative against skin cancer, which is the most popular form of cancer that is diagnosed in the United States. Need to make sure that it is a high rated SPF such as 15 or greater. As the value of SPF increases, the chance of getting sunburn decreases. Re-apply sunscreen regularly throughout your time spent outside, especially if it is a perspiring activity or after swimming.

Some more important steps to help prevent sun damage to your skin includes wearing a wide-brimmed hat that will shade you ears, face and neck, protect your eyes with sunglasses that will block the UVB and UVA rays, eating vegetables and fruits that are red, yellow and orange, carry carotenoids that are said to reduce the risk of sunburn naturally, and even if it is hot, wearing long clothing that covers most of your skin will protect you from getting burned.

Hydrate your body
Drinking plenty of fluids will is not only healthy for you, but it will also prevent dehydration or heat stroke to occur. Headaches can often occur during these hot months, and the usual cause is from being dehydrated. Drinking 48 ounces of water in a 24 hours period is the average amount that should be consumed to stay hydrated. Plus since it is hot you perspire more so it is important to drink fluids regularly throughout the day.

Repellent for Mosquitoes and Ticks
Make sure to carry and use repellent to keep mosquitoes and ticks away. These insects can carry harmful diseases when bitten by one. These are sold in most stores and come in sprays, clothes and there are candles that are supposed to repel mosquitoes.

Eat foods that cool
Watermelon and cucumbers are foods that are good to eat during the summer time. They have a type of diuretic that helps reduce the excess salt consumed and help keep the body cool.

Watching the intake of salt
Too much salt intake can cause fluid retention in the body that may cause swelling in the extremities. Choose healthy choices to feed you and your family with more vegetables and fruit.

Make healthy, good choices this summer as you plan your activities for you and your family to enjoy!

Many people who are interested in cosmetic eyelid surgery tell their Doctor that they are interested in blepharoplasty but that they truly are not “vain.” They’re right! Most people are not looking at cosmetic eyelid surgery as a way to just look better. They realize that although cosmetic eyelid surgery does make the eyes look more beautiful, the appearance of the eyes conveys a deeper quality. The eyes express to those we know and meet something deeper about ourselves before we have a chance to communicate in other ways.

Once it is understood what makes a good candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery, then it is easy to see who is not a good candidate. A poor candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery is one who doesn’t truly feel energetic, vital, or interested and is hoping that the surgery will make them so. In other words, those who are hoping the eyelids can be brought into better harmony with who they are on the inside do very well with cosmetic eyelid surgery. However, those who hope the surgery will change who they are on the inside are not as good candidates.

Although cosmetic eyelid surgery is a relatively safe procedure, it is important to review the potential risks. The most dangerous complication from surgery is excessive bleeding after the surgery. The nerve that is responsible for eyesight could be potentially squeezed by excess blood and cause permanent loss of vision. By stopping any blood thinning medications two weeks prior to surgery the chances of such a problem are greatly diminished. Other potential risks of surgery include double vision, dry eyes, infection, a retracted or pulled down eyelid, asymmetry, undercorrection, overcorrection, and the need for more surgery. A brow lift has its own unique set of complications. These include tenderness along the hairline and weakness of the facial nerve. Fortunately, with good surgical technique such problems are rare.

One effect of surgery that is quite common is the formation of milia during the healing process. These are small cysts that can form along the incision line in the weeks after surgery. These cysts are hard to see with the naked eye but can be seen with a magnifying mirror. They are treated at first with simple observation since they usually resolve on there own and they are so difficult for anyone to see. If they don’t go away spontaneously after a few months, a Doctor can remove them in the office very easily.

For cosmetic eyelid surgery the simple answer is about two weeks healing time. The reality is there are so many factors that go into the healing process that in an individual’s case the healing time can vary. Some factors that affect healing are which procedures are performed, how easily the patient bruises, how well the eyelids are taken care of during the postoperative period, and how good of a healer the patient is.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty causes bruising and swelling that starts soon after the surgery. The bruising and swelling will worsen the day after the surgery. Most patients will start improving on the third day after surgery and many patients feel comfortable driving on this day. Simple tasks around the house can be done as long as there is no heavy lifting.

Stitches will be removed by a Doctor between the fifth and seventh day after surgery. Patients who can work while still being bruised and swollen often choose to work after their stitches come out. There is no exact time when the healing stops. Rather it is a process that involves many stages. Most patients look very good after two weeks. Nevertheless, there is often a slight amount of swelling that can slowly resolve for even twelve months after surgery. Also, the hidden incision in the eyelid slowly loses its red color and becomes thinner. This process can take months to heal as well, but since the incision is hidden it is not an issue. Of course, if more surgery is performed then the healing process takes longer. A brow lift or surgery to remove the under eye bags will increase the healing time somewhat.

Dr. Daniel Ebroon is a board certified Oculoplastic Surgeon whom frequently lectures on the Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) procedure.

By Daniel Ebroon, M.D.

Surgically, plumping lips is not very complicated. One can either receive lip impants, inject collagen, or literally use a pump! However, lots of women want to avoid plastic surgery due to the costs, probability of malfunctions, and the permanent effects. Lip implants can look very unnatural. If you’ve every watched an entertainment news show, you’ve heard hosts tease celebrity with “fish lips!” Collagen is so risky because if you don’t like to results, it’s hard to undo. Swelling is also unattractive. Pumps can be very dangerous because they can cause bruises and blood boils! I myself, do not recommend surgical methods of lip plumping because there are so many better alternatives.

Lip plumping lip gloss and lipsticks are an economically, inexpensive, and temporary solution to fuller lips. Scientifically, they are also not very complicated. Lip plumpers work by hydrating lips in gaps that cause thinness and dryness. Cosmeceuticals, which is the name for the category in which lip plumping products, cellulite removers, and anti-aging products belong, are designed to fill in gaps. They all work by moisturizing with chemicals that work more effectively than water and regular lotions. They are safe alternatives to surgery.

So if you are thinking about getting surgery for thicker lips, think again! Lip plumping glosses and lip stick can give you similar results without harsh chemicals or expensive bills.

By: Andrea Brown

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Andrea Brown is a beauty enthusiast who enjoys spreading the word about the latest and economical products. squidoo.com/lip-plumping