FYI Cosmetics

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Skin cancer is the number one form of cancer that afflicts men and women today and because there are several different types of skin cancer, over one million cases are reported annually throughout the country.  Our skin is by far the largest organ of our body and its main function is to encase and protect our bones, veins, tissue and essential organs.  The downside of our skin offering such efficient protection is that it’s continually subjected to damage caused by over exposure to the natural elements we face on a daily basis.  Skin cancer is quickly becoming a growing public concern because more cases are developed each year involving each of the types of skin cancer.  Because skin cancer is such a growing concern, it is important to know about the different types so that you can stop its spread before it starts.

The three types of skin cancer include Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma:

Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma currently accounts for more than 90% of all skin cancer cases in the United States and is the most common form of skin cancer today.  This particular form of skin cancer is the least dangerous because it almost never metastasizes (spreads)

A basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common types of skin cancer. Source:www.Wikipedia.org

to other parts of the body.  This does not mean it should be taken lightly however; if not treated it can cause localized damage by growing and invading the surrounding skin tissue.  This form of skin cancer can be cause by heredity, but it is most often caused by age, sun exposure and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Basal cell carcinoma will begin as a small dome-shaped bump; texture is often described as shiny and translucent and commonly looks like a flesh-covered mole.  This type of skin cancer can take months or even years to become sizeable but should still be treated as soon as possible.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is a more invasive form of skin cancer; it begins in the squamous cells which are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts and the lining of hollow organs of the body.  More often than not this type of skin cancer will be found on the surface of the skin; however it can reside in any of the above areas.  When found on the skin it appears as rough, red bumps and are most often found on the scalp, face, ears and hands; because they are primarily caused by sun damage, this cancer often appears against a background of sun damaged skin.  Squamous cell carcinoma can take over 10 years to fully develop, so it is important to screen any skin abnormalities that you may have.

Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer (and also the least common) is known as Melanoma.  Melanoma is the most invasive form of skin cancer; it develops in the skin cells known as melanocytes—the melanin producing cells that give the skin its color.  Moles form due to the grouping of melanocytes cells in the skin; most moles will remain non-cancerous throughout an individual’s lifetime, however sometimes these cell groupings can become malignant.  When this happens, the cancer cells can spread throughout the body very quickly, invading lymph nodes and vital body organs.  Continually monitoring skin abnormalities is the only way to stop melanoma before it spreads, so regular screening is imperative.

Speak with your dermatologist about all of the different types of skin cancer, the warning signs and the steps that should be taken should skin cancer develop.  Taking immediate action significantly reduces your risk of developing life threatening skin cancer, so regular dermatologist visits will ensure that you maintain proper skin health.

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There has been much discussion over which hair removal treatments work more efficiently, intense pulsed light (IPL) or laser. IPL is often confused as a laser, however it is not. It is a non coherent light source which uses every wavelength of light in the visible spectrum and a little into the infrared spectrum, from 550nm to up to 1200nm. Laser light is coherent and uses a specific wavelength depending on the medium used (for example an Alexandrite laser has a wavelength of 755nm). The differences between IPL and Laser for hair removal are specific to the kind of light used and the size and shape of the spot.

The IPL is sometimes also called flash lamp therapy. The light emitted is filtered to settings for its indicated use, in this case hair removal. This filtered light is flashed from a rectangular hand piece onto the skin, targeting the pigment in the hair. The light is intended to cause thermal and mechanical damage to the hair follicles without affecting the surrounding tissue. The filtered light of the IPL cannot always successfully block out the wavelengths of light. Inconsistent energies emitted can cause the IPL to become confused and attracted to numerous targets at the same time. This includes pigmented lesions, skin color, and hair follicles. Deeper wavelengths within this broad spectrum are attracted to water in the skin and increase the chances of hyper pigmentation (brown or dark spots). While IPL is used for permanent hair reduction, its main function is to treat sun damage, poilkerderma, rosacea, broken capillaries, and vascular pigmented birth marks. For this reason the learning curve is very high when using an IPL, increasing the chances of untoward side effects and unhappy clients.

Laser light uses a specific wavelength of light enabling it to emit consistent reproducible energy every time. In the case of hair removal, it causes thermal and mechanical damage to the hair cells and it is attracted to the pigment. The Alexandrite lasers, often considered to be the “gold standard” for permanent hair reduction for skin types I-III use wavelength of 755nm. Darker skin types ranging in the Fitzpatrick scale of IV-V benefit from ND:Yag at 1064nm. This wavelength goes below the surface of the skin to the skin pigment and attracts to the chromospheres in the hair. The spot sizes for lasers are generally round and can be adjusted for custom treatments. Using smaller of larger spot sizes depending on the area of the body being treated.

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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer that afflicts individuals today; over the past year alone over one million cases were reported just in the United States. Detecting skin cancer early on is imperative to maintaining your overall health which is why it is more important now than ever before to be aware of the different warning signs of skin cancer. Because there are different types of skin cancer, there are different warning signs that one should look for. Consulting with your physician or dermatologist will allow you to learn about the various signs of skin cancer so that, if you ever experience them, you can catch them early on in order to reduce the damage they may cause.

The five most common signs of skin cancer include:

Changes in Skin Texture: We live with our skin each and every day, so without really being fully aware of it, we know the exact texture of our skin. One of the five signs of skin cancer involves changes to the texture of your skin. Those with skin cancer will often find lumps or bumps on the skin that weren’t always there; these can commonly be accompanied by discoloration as well. Screen your skin regularly for any skin texture abnormalities.

Change in Pigmented Areas: Freckles, moles, pigmented lesions, brown spots, age spots—all of these are considered pigmented areas of the body. Natural freckles and moles form, for the most part, very early in life, but excessive sun exposure can often cause additional pigmented areas to form. For the most part, these pigmented areas will remain completely harmless, but it is still important to keep a watchful eye in case any sudden changes occur. Look for changes in the color, size, consistency and texture—any of these signs could point to skin cancer. In addition pay attention to any growth irregularities such as pain, itchiness, scabbing, crusting, ulcerations, bleeding or erosion, persisting symptoms requires attention.

Sudden, Unusual Growth: Any unusual growths that suddenly appear on the skin should be suspect. Growths can vary in size, shape, texture and color; they may appear pearly, translucent, brown, black, tan or multicolored. In addition, their size can rapidly alter—if this is experienced it should be screened right away.

Sudden Skin Pigmentation: Most pigmentation growths, such as freckles or moles, happen when we are young. As we age, sun exposure and exposure to other daily elements can cause additional pigmentation changes, but most of these are gradual changes. Those who experience sudden skin pigmentation, such as brown spots or red spots, in areas that were once clear should consider that this might be a sign of skin cancer.

Open Wound That Doesn’t Heal: An open wound or sore that doesn’t seem to heal is another of the five signs of skin cancer. Our skin is designed to heal when inflicted with sores or wounds, so ailments of this nature that don’t heal should be considered suspect. If you experience a wound or sore that continually bleeds and/or pusses, or causes pain and/or irritation, have it screened immediately.

Continually monitoring your facial and body skin for all signs of skin cancer will ensure that you catch skin cancer in the earliest stages possible.

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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We all know from experience that Eliminating Cellulite is a very difficult task. Why is that so? Before I answer that let us see how cellulite is formed.

Formation of cellulite:

Cellulite is the name given to the dimpled appearance of skin that many women have on their thighs, hips and buttocks. Beneath the outer layers of skin, we all have subcutaneous layers of skin that are held together by connective tissue. Fat cells retained in the body (due to several different factors) become lodged in this connective tissue causing it to expand. The connective tissue eventually hardens and the fat cells and toxins trapped in these layers of skin cause the surface of the skin to take on the lumpy, dimpled appearance.

Factors that make eliminating cellulite difficult:

• Hereditary: Tendency to cellulite formation is one of the most important factors in Eliminating Cellulite. In such cases, cellulite formation even reaches up to stage four where it is easily visible.
• Hormonal: Cellulite formation is more often seen in women. The reason for this could be the fluid retaining capacity of the female hormone estrogen. This leads to the puffy appearance of the skin. The difficulty in removing the influence of the hormone itself makes cellulite elimination difficult.
• Stress: A stressful pattern of lifestyle that leaves no time for exercise and physical activity only helps cellulite accumulation. In addition, consumption of refined and processed food only adds to the above.
• Circulation: Poor circulation of lymph, which is responsible for the elimination of waste products formed by the metabolism, is another contributory factor, which makes the process of eliminating cellulite difficult.

Each of these needs to be identified and tackled accordingly, to help with Eliminating Cellulite. Any gross abnormalities in the hormonal patterns must be corrected with expert advice. Regular exercises including cardiovascular exercises and weight training go a long way in helping elimination of cellulite. Dietary modifications to include fresh fruits, vegetables and plenty of fluids also help. Though the genetic tendency cannot really be dealt with, the above-mentioned methods are sufficient to eliminating stubborn cellulite.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Electrolysis is a method of hair removal where a fine electric probe is injected into the hair follicle which is then damaged by the electric current passed through the probe. This results in the permanent destruction of the hair cell. The method is slow because each follicle has to be individually destroyed. The FDA and the AMA have certified the treatment as an effective permanent hair removal treatment.  Electrolysis must be done by a trained electrologist and each state regulates the process of electrolysis and the licensing of electrologists.

Electrolysis has the advantages of permanently getting rid of unwanted hair for men and women alike. Electrolysis can be done on all skin and all hair colors. The treatment can last anywhere from about 15 minutes to about 2 hours and depending on the amount of hair growth may require several visits to the electrologist. The main disadvantage of electrolysis is that many patients are skeptical of using this method because it can take years to fully complete. Electrolysis is painful and has to be treated follicle by follicle. While electrolysis is cheaper upfront than laser hair removal, the number of hours spent by the patient for completing electrolysis makes it a costlier option than laser hair removal.

Electrolysis has after effects of possible scarring and reddening of the skin and undergoing the treatment can be tedious. Further, if the procedure is not done by a competent electrologist the after effects could be extremely damaging to the skin.  Laser hair removal is fast replacing Electrolysis for the removal of unwanted hair. This is because lasers are painless and the skin around the hair follicle is not damaged because the laser wand at first sprays a cooling agent on the skin before the laser wand fires the light pulse. Laser hair removal sessions are shorter than electrolysis for the same amount of hair. For these reasons, those who elected electrolysis for hair removal in the past are now selecting laser hair removal.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Brazillian Waxing is a term primarily used for the removal of hair in the bikini area using wax.  While women can get a bikini line wax, most opt to get the full Brazillian. The bikini line area, when exposed by a bathing suit, includes the top of the legs, the area below the naval and the pubic hair visible beyond the boundaries of the typical bikini style panty for women, but the Brazillian covers all of the hair that is not exposed as well.  The twentieth century found drastic changes in fashions and styles, as bathing suit designs progressed, they covered less and less. Nowadays, in order to wear a bikini, women have to remove unwanted bikini area hair so that they exude a fresh, clean appearance.

Waxing vs. Other Hair Removal Methods

There are several forms of hair removal, both temporary and permanent, that can be utilized to remove hair in the bikini area.  While they all have their pros and cons, waxing, in one way or another holds a certain advantage over all of them.

Shaving: shaving is the first and oldest hair removal method used to remove hair from the bikini area, and while shaving is convenient, it doesn’t compare to waxing.  Shaving merely removes hair from the surface of the skin, therefore hair only remains gone for a day or two, waxing leaves the bikini area smooth and hair free for weeks.

Tweezing: tweezing is another form of hair removal that can be used to temporarily remove unwanted hair, but it is rarely used for an area as large as the bikini area.  Tweezing is great method for cleaning up errant strands of hair, but having to remove each hair in the bikini area one at a time can be very time consuming and very painful.  Brazillian Waxing is definitely a method that can save men and women time.

Electrolysis: electrolysis is a safe, effective, permanent method of bikini area hair removal but is viewed with some skepticism because of the sensitivity of the skin in the pubic area and the amount of time the procedure takes to complete.  Electrolysis is a permanent form of hair removal, but like tweezing, with electrolysis each follicle is treated individually.  This means that treatments are very extensive, very painful and can take years to complete.

Laser Hair Removal: laser hair removal is a fast and easy way to remove unwanted hair in the bikini area with permanent results, but the price is something that not all individuals can afford.  For those looking for a relatively inexpensive way to remove unwanted hair, Brazillian Waxing is a great method because hair is removed for an extended period of time without hurting your wallet.

The Benefits

Brazillian Waxing helps to remove large amounts of hair in a short amount of time.  During treatment, wax is spread over the bikini area and cloth strips are then applied.  When the warm wax cools and the cloth strip is removed, all of the hair in the area is taken with it.  Getting a bikini wax takes mere minutes yet provides men and women with lasting hair free results.  While this method is only temporary, it is the temporary method that will give you the longest lasting results.  Instead of worrying about stubble and hair re-growth, men and women can enjoy their hair free skin for weeks.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Cellulite Diet therapy is a great way to naturally reduce unwanted cellulite. In general, every one of us is conscious about our diet and our body shape. You would have to be extra careful in your diet if you have cellulite. Let us see why sticking on to a diet and regular exercise is important for persons affected by cellulite.

What is cellulite? It is nothing but the fatty deposits, which is commonly seen on thighs and hips. You might have noticed depressions or dimples in your thighs and would have wondered what it is so now you know.

To fight cellulite, a healthy Cellulite Diet is required. Let us look at the diet restrictions:

• You can include food items like fruits, vegetables, beans, etc., meaning food items rich in proteins and fiber.
• If you have the habit of consuming too much of coffee or tea, either reduce the intake or completely avoid it. Similarly, avoid alcohol too. It is also not advisable to consume large amounts of salt or sugar.
• Avoid food items that are rich in fat and carbohydrates.
• Consume food items made of wholegrain. This is significant component of cellulite diet.
• Drink lots of fluids. It can be water or fresh juices; avoid aerated drinks. Fluids improve your excretory and lymphatic systems, helping you flushing out toxins from the body.
• Avoid eating high-calorie food items; this will only lead to increase in cellulite.
• Include onions and garlic in your food as they help in getting rid of toxins from your lymph and blood.
• If you smoke, leave it immediately. When you smoke, nicotine is introduced to your body. Due to this, your body looses its elasticity.
• Avoid sweets and chocolates as they are fatty substances. If you really want to take something sweet, you can go for fresh yogurt.

Cellulite is something that is easily curable; however, you should ensure that you eat a healthy Cellulite Diet and do some exercise.

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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The Typical Cost of Laser Hair Removal will vary according to the area that you live in, the individual performing the procedure and the body or facial area you are having treated. While laser prices may seem expensive up front, taking a long term view, the cost of the procedure is more affordable than other forms of hair treatment. When researching pricing for laser hair removal, many find it their gut instinct to save as much money as possible and go with the cheapest treatments they can find. While this method may prove to work well for some things, laser hair removal is definitely not something that should always go to the lowest bidder.

There are several different types of laser equipment on the market, depending on each individuals characteristics, some work better than others. Laser has been around for over ten years so that also means that due to advancements in laser technology, companies could be using outdated equipment. The Typical Cost of Laser Hair Removal will vary slightly depending on what part of the country you are in, but it’s important to realize that if you find a deal that is too good to be true, it probably is. If you get caught up in ‘cheap’ treatments, you run the risk of having to undergo many more treatments with shoddy equipment than you would with state-of-the-art equipment. While you may save money up front, you may end up paying more in the long run to get results.

The Typical Cost of Laser Hair Removal will seem high when compared to all other forms of hair removal, but what many individuals don’t realize is that you are really saving money in the long run. Why keep yourself from paying for a series of Laser Hair Removal treatments that will remove unwanted hair for good when your only other alternative is to pay for those monthly waxing visits or continually buy razors and shaving cream for the rest of your life? The reality is that the cost of temporary hair removal methods adds up. Why not make the smart move and remove that unwanted hair for good. Think laser hair removal for a hair free life.

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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When considering undergoing tattoo removal, one of the factors that many individuals take into consideration is Tattoo Removal Pricing. While many men and women are interested in removing their unwanted tattoos, the cost can sometimes be a deterrent. There are several methods available to interested individuals that can help to either fade or completely remove unwanted tattoos; however depending on certain factors, you’re likely to get several different price quotes. Extensive research will help you to find which methods and which pricing will work best to get you the results you are looking for.

There are several different methods available for Tattoo Removal and Pricing varies accordingly:

Creams: Tattoo removal remedies available over the counter are great low cost methods for fading unwanted tattoos. Creams and lotions often claim that they can effectively break apart and remove tattoo pigment for complete tattoo removal but while some creams will fade your tattoo, none can completely remove it. Depending on where you purchase, creams and lotions can average around $50 for a month’s supply, but more often than not it can take individuals over a year to see effective fading results.

Excision: Excision is a surgical procedure therefore the Tattoo Removal Pricing for this treatment can be quite high. Prices will vary generally depending on the size and overall depth of the tattoo, the area in which you live, and the surgeon performing the procedure (not to mention the price for anesthesia). Excision prices can start around $1000 and will increase depending on the exact size and depth of your tattoo.
Dermabrasion/Salabrasion: Like Excision, the price of these abrading procedures will vary greatly based on the physician performing the procedure, the area of the country in which you reside and the overall size of the unwanted tattoo. Procedure costs for either of these methods will vary from about $1000 to $4000 throughout the country and will be relative to the size and depth of your tattoo. These methods are less invasive than surgical methods like Excision, but depending on overall tattoo depth, they can still cause permanent skin damage.

Laser Tattoo Removal: Tattoo Removal Pricing for laser tattoo removal may vary depending on the nature of the tattoo, and the number of visits required. Laser tattoo removal requires multiple treatments to fully remove a tattoo and the amount of treatments needed will depend on the tattoo size, the area in which individuals live and the physician performing the procedure. Average session costs can range from about $250 to about $850 per treatment session, some may find it for more, some may find it for less. Many physicians and clinics will offer package deals on treatments to help lower the cost because it does take multiple treatments to see optimal results.

Tattoo Removal Pricing will no doubt greatly outweigh the cost of getting a tattoo in the first place, however many individuals don’t mind spending the money because they want successful results. With high treatment prices, having to pay out of pocket for tattoo removal treatments can be difficult for many individuals; it is a factor that will ultimately help to determine which procedure works best. It is important to remember that not all tattoo removal procedures are right for everyone; it is not always a wise idea to choose a particular treatment just because it seems to be the least expensive. For safe, effective tattoo removal results that last—wait. Waiting until you can afford the proper tattoo removal treatment for your individual needs is the best solution for successfully removing your unwanted tattoo.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Fat transfer or fat transplantation is the method of removing fat from one area of the body and replacing it in another for either medical or cosmetic reasons. For more than 100 years, this procedure has utilized to correct flaw such as scars, however today it is used for much more than that. The fat transfer procedure can be performed to enhance body areas such as the lips, buttocks, hollowed cheeks, sunken eyes, hands and breasts. Patients and practitioners alike view this procedure as a natural way to enhance your overall features.

Many individuals who are looking for natural ways to enhance their features wonder exactly how the fat transfer procedure works. When patients undergo the fat transfer procedure, it simply involves transferring fat from one area of the body to another. Areas such as the thighs, abdomen and buttocks usually contain the largest amount of fat; therefore these areas are usually utilized for fat removal. The fat will be removed using a liposuction technique—a thin straw-like tube called a cannula is inserted into the treatment area and a vacuum suction is used to remove the fat. Once removed, the fat cells are then processed by your physician, so that they can be transferred to the requested area.

The processing of the fat cells simply means prepping them to be transferred via injection to the chosen treatment site. There are many areas of the face and body that can be targeted with this procedure, but patients most often treat facial areas such as the lips, cheeks and underneath the eyes and the breasts. Once the fat cells are processed, they will then be injected into the new treatment site. When fat cells are injected back into the body, it is normal for a significant amount of that fat to be reabsorbed by the body. Because of this, physicians will inject more fat than is necessary into the treated area; sometimes as much as 30% more. This is known as an over correction. Once the procedure is complete, patients will see smoother, plumper skin in the newly treated area.

While the fat transfer procedure is both fast and natural, it is important to know that results are not always predictable. It can sometimes take several days in order for your blood to reach the transferred fat cells; this means that a certain percentage could be reabsorbed into the body in that time. Because of this, patients will need to undergo a series of treatments, usually 3-4, over a six month period. This will allow patients to reach their desired result.

The fat transfer procedure is truly innovative because it provides patients a completely natural way to smooth and firm their skin. Using synthetic compounds to enhance facial and body features is very common, but can sometimes cause side effects such as allergic reactions. Fat transfers will never cause allergic reactions because you are using your own body material, nothing synthetic is ever injected into the treatment area. In addition, your own fat cells will always look and feel more natural than a synthetic implant. For naturally enhanced features that last, consider a fat transfer today.