4 Tips to Help You Decide if Plastic Surgery is for You

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plastic surgery

By Casey Haslem

Plastic surgery can help an individual attain greater satisfaction with their appearance. However, before undergoing any type of procedure, you need to take several factors into consideration, so you can achieve the best results.

Discuss Your Options

Before you decide on a particular procedure you need to do some research first. Surgical facilities such as San Diego plastic surgery experts have the knowledge and expertise to be able to give you advice and recommendations based on your particular needs. Finding someone who you can trust and work with is imperative to a successful surgery, so you need to choose them wisely. They will also be able to go over the recovery process and things that you may encounter along the way.

Cost

You may have enough money put aside for the actual surgery, but you need to put some additional funds away in reserve. The extra money will be a financial cushion in case unexpected things should arise. This could include a procedure taking longer than expected or if you need other necessary work to support the original surgery. Many offices offer financing and payment plans, so you don’t have to pay for your treatment all at once.

Good Health

A plastic surgeon will be able to assess your health and do a series of tests to ensure you are in good physical health. Being in relatively good health can speed up the recovery process, especially if you don’t smoke or drink. Mental preparedness is another tip for determining whether plastic surgery is right for you. Your expectations should be realistic, and you should know that although your appearance will change, your attitude and positivity won’t change unless you do something about it. Plastic surgery can have a positive influence over your mental outlook and how you perceive yourself. If you’ve always been uncomfortable with the bump on your nose, plastic surgery can alleviate your insecurities.

Side Effects and Risks

With any surgery comes a variety of risks and side effects. In addition to asking the surgeon about the risks or complications, you need to do your own research. If there are things you need to do ahead of time to ensure a successful outcome such as quit smoking, lose a bit of weight or eat a healthy diet, you can implement a plan to get it done beforehand. Knowledge is power, and you will feel more confident with the surgeon and procedure if you know everything ahead of time.

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Maintain Privacy In The Bathroom With Fake Shower App

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By Tauseef Hussain

A trip to your bathroom comes with an embarrassing downside: an unpleasant ‘smelly’ sound when you are discharging your essential bathroom duties. This unwanted, but at times unavoidable, ‘bathroom orchestra’ can be a sure source of embarrassment to you when you walk out of the bathroom. As soon as we get an indication that some sound is going to accompany the ‘solid’ call of nature, we instinctively turn on the shower or tap, so that the sound of flowing water will drown out the ‘other’ unpleasant sound. Whether we like it or not, sounds that emanate from our body are best not shared, in order to avoid an embarrassing situation.

Water flows without fulfilling any purpose

While it is true that our short term objective of masking the unpleasant sound is achieved, the price we pay for this short sighted diversion tactic is actually very heavy. Every year millions of gallons of water is wasted, which would otherwise have been put to actual use, instead of just letting it flow away without serving any real purpose. With acute shortage of water plaguing our planet, any alternative which solves the ‘embarrassing sounds’ issue and at the same time saves precious water, is the pressing need of the hour. As responsible earth citizens, the onus of fulfilling our objective without wasting water is upon us.

Mobile technology offers a smart solution

Trust the tech wizards to come up with something truly innovative. The ‘Fake Shower’ app from Akatu is a simple mobile application that performs an extremely important task. Before you begin the process of discharging your natural duty in the bathroom, simply tap the app icon on your mobile screen. Immediately, the app plays the sound of water flowing down a shower, or from a tap, as per the setting you choose. This gives an impression to someone outside that you are freshening up and not otherwise. You can also increase or decrease the water flow sound as per your requirement.

It measures how much water you have saved

When you initiate the app by gently tapping on the icon on your mobilr screen, you have to set two things. One, the nature of the sound i.e. Either shower flow or tap water flow, and two, the duration for which the sound will play. Once the musical performance begins, you can begin your essential bathroom use activity.The app measures the amount of water you have saved by using this app instead of actual water, for achieving your sound masking objective. This gives you the satisfied feeling that you have contributed to water conservation. You can also compare the time spent in this ‘audio’ water usage, versus the actual amount of water that you use when you take a shower or shave.

The ‘double benefit’ app

This digital water saving solution helps you save water and simultaneously, also saves you from the embarrassment of being ‘heard’ outside the bathroom. You will surely agree that this is a smart way to achieve both objectives.

About the Author:

Tauseef Hussain is a media blogger and writes for QS Supplies, the on-line store for designer shower enclosures. You can interact with Tauseef Hussain on twitter @usef4u

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Secret Ways to Save at the Salon

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By Zoe Williams

Ever wished you had enough money for a professional stylist to dip your hair in buttermilk and honey (or whatever it is they do to get the celebs looking so flawless)? Most of us are guilty of using and abusing our hair: curlers, straighteners, hair dryers…that much heat is too hot to handle! The signs of damage eventually start showing and we have to run down to the local hairdressers to save our poor tresses.

You too could go for up-market stylists, by choosing to save where you can. A pro treatment is affordable when you play your cards right and you too can get gorgeous tresses like the stars. Here’s how:

Budget

Pick up a menu of hair treatments from your stylist and work out a budget at home. If you’ve found yourself on hard times, be honest with your hairdresser about your financial situation and discuss cheaper ways to get your hair looking fabulous. Instead of full highlights, you could opt for partial highlights. Alternatively, choose great styles that need minimum maintenance.

Apprentices

Any hair studio worth its salt usually has apprentices on hand to be trained by the experts in the building. You can volunteer to go under their scissors at a massively discounted charge. You’ll get the same treatment, albeit by slightly less experienced hands, for a fraction of the price.

DIY

Usually stylists charge extra for a wash and blow dry. Turn up to your appointment with already sparkling clean hair and see if you can get your bill knocked down. Depending on your treatment, this may not apply, so ring up and inquire in advance.

A great way to reduce your salon visits is to ask advice from your stylist on home hair care. By keeping your tresses in tip-top condition, you’ll limit damage.

Buy Professional Products In-House

Salons tend to offer discounts on their products for regular customers. Generally this hair care is of higher quality than anything you’ll buy in Superdrug and refills may even come at a reduced price too. Find out your hairdresser’s policy on professional products and keep an eye out for sales around Christmas time; you may be able to buy a whole basketful of treatments at 50% off.

That said, don’t purchase products you really don’t need. When possible, opt for treatments that double duty. Again, consult your stylist about this.

Loyalty Programmes

Now that loyalty schemes are commonplace, it’s likely that your salon has some kind of system that’ll offer you freebies. Ask if there’s a programme in place, and if so, join up to it immediately to start saving money.

Hair Model

Sometimes, salons are on the look for models to show off their work. If you’re asked to pose for a style shoot, say yes, as you’re likely to receive a discount on your next haircut and a new hairdo absolutely free of charge. You’ll also have a pretty fantastic picture of you rocking a rad cut – so win, win!

About the Author:

This guest post has been contributed and composed by Zoe on behalf of http://www.salonsdirect.com.

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Post Pregnancy Skin Care Advice

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Any woman who has experienced pregnancy knows just how much their hormones can be affected. These hormones can greatly affect the way our skin looks and feels. Some of the more common problems that women have to deal with after pregnancy are loose skin, melasma, an increase or decrease in acne or blemishes, and dilated capillaries. These changes to your skin may be hard to deal with during pregnancy, and can continue to affect your skin even after you have had the baby. This article will outline some of the most common skin problems and what you can do about them after pregnancy.

1. Diet and Exercise

Your diet has a lot to do with the general condition of your skin. Eating a healthy diet that is packed with antioxidants can help you to restore your skin’s health. Drink plenty of water. Water helps to speed up your metabolism and give your skin a soft, supple look. Another important step is to build lean body mass. This will help your skin fill out. Exercising will increase your metabolism as well, which will help you shed the extra pounds and loose skin gained during pregnancy.

2. Schedule a Professional Facial or Chemical Peel

Being a new mother comes with its own set of challenges, and nothing is better than leaving the hard work to a professional. A licensed professional can help you by performing soothing problem skin treatments. They can also give you some tips that are aimed at helping your skin in particular.

3. Use Skin Care Products Containing Salicylic Acid.

Products that contain salicylic acid are great for the skin because they have the dual benefits of preventing blemishes and penetrating the pores to help clear out impurities. This terrific ingredient confers proven results, and prevents blackheads after a deep pore cleansing facial.

4. Massage Away Loose Skin After Pregnancy

In the battle to fight loose skin, massage therapy is an invaluable ally. Massages promote skin regeneration by stimulating blood flow and circulation to the skin. Additionally, massages will help to get rid of stretch marks. You can let your partner massage you to help you get back in the mood after pregnancy or simply use a luff in the shower.

5. Avoid Using Harsh Products That Leave the Skin Feeling Dry and Irritated

Many cleansers and toners, in an effort to dry out breakouts, will dry areas of the skin that are not broken out, resulting in dry skin cell buildup. This layer of dead skin cells will, in effect, cause a buildup of oil and, perhaps, bacteria, causing more breakouts! Make sure to avoid products labeled sulfate-free and avoid the ingredient Sodium Laureth.

After pregnancy it is important to get your skin looking as it did before pregnancy, so make sure that you identify the type of blemish you are experiencing so that you can give it the appropriate treatment. There are many different products on the market today, but not all of them are as effective as others or used for the same type of blemishes as others.

About the Author:

Melissa is young but fearsome lady with painfully good sense of fashion and fashion streams and also interested in beauty and health topics. She currently writes for Cosmos Clinic covering various , health, beauty topics and everything that can make you prettier, but at the same time – healthier.

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Make Your Own Spa-Quality Skincare Products

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By: +Katie Kaleita, writer for Vitacost.com

A day at the spa is a nice treat, but it’s also an expensive one. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of homemade skincare recipes to help you stay pampered – without having to take out a second mortgage.

Cleansing facial mask

  • 1/4 cup raw, organic honey
  • 1 raw egg, beaten
  • 1/8 tsp apple cider vinegar

Honey is well-known for its anti-bacterial properties, while apple cider vinegar can function as a toner to help tame oily skin. To make this simple mask, mix together ingredients in a small bowl – you may need to melt your honey in the microwave first to achieve a liquid consistency. Apply mixture to face and neck. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

Coconut cuticle cream

  • 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2-3 drops essential oil of your choice

Are dry, ragged cuticles driving you mad? Whip up this super-easy concoction to soften ‘em up. Simply mix coconut oil and olive oil in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Heat for a few seconds, then add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil. Soak hands in warm water for few minutes before massaging the mixture into your cuticles.

Refreshing foot soak

  • 1 gallon water
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup Epsom salt
  • 15 drops essential oil of your choice

After a long day, treat your feet to this relaxing foot soak. Boil the water, then add it to a basin (one you can comfortably rest your tootsies in) and let it cool a bit. Toss in the baking soda and epsom salt, let dissolve. Finally, add your favorite essential oil for a soothing scent. Next, add the final ingredient: your feet!

Satisfying body scrub

  • 1/2 cup sweet almond oil
  • 1 cup finely ground sea salt
  • 10 drops essential oil of your choice

In a small bowl, mix together the oil and salt to form a creamy paste – if it’s too scratchy, add more oil. Apply all over and gently scrub in a circular motion to slough away dirt, oil and dead skin cells.  Rinse to reveal softer, more refreshed skin!

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Offering more than just vitamins and supplements, Vitacost.com has a wide selection of over 35,000 organic, natural products for your healthy lifestyle. From organic foods and bath & beauty items to sports nutrition favorites and pet essentials, Vitacost.com has your needs covered – for less! Take your shopping list to Vitacost.com and take the cost out of healthy living. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

 

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The rise in ‘Chin-jobs’

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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has found that chin implants are becoming increasingly popular in the US. With a 71% increase in 2011 from 2010, but in the grand scheme of things chin implants are only a small portion of cosmetic procedures taking place.

By Leanne Brooks

ASPS found that liposuction was the most popular procedure closely followed by breast augmentation, but the biggest growth was in chin implants for men and women.

The benefits of a ‘chin job’

Having a chin job gives a more youthful look like a facelift but not as drastic, it is also a great way to get rid of the dreaded double chin that so many of us seem to be cursed with. Having a chin implant is permanent unlike temporary fillers and can be easily performed in conjunction with other procedures.

‘Chin jobs’ in the UK

The desire for a chin implant in the UK is definitely not like in the US, it is yet to become a common procedure. But it is mainly used as part of other operations such as rhinoplasty, as the chin may be small so making the nose look big. Chin implants make up 80% of other cosmetic surgery procedures, so only time will tell if the chin fascination will spread over to the UK.

For more information about chin implants in the UK visit http://www.simplycosmeticsurgery.co.uk/chin-and-cheek-implants

About the author:

in the author of this guest post.

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How to Improve One’s Clothing and Grooming Habits

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Grooming is a natural part of everyday life for men and women across the globe. While grooming may seem like a basic activity, it’s important to understand how one’s grooming habits can impact one’s appearance and success with the opposite sex. The following guide provides simple tips and tricks on how to change up a grooming routine.

Have a Routine
It’s important to have more in one’s grooming routine than just a basic shower, shave and teeth brushing. Instead, it’s a good idea to make sure that different elements of one’s appearance are up to par. This includes trimming fingernails, cleaning behind the ears, using a conditioning shampoo, exfoliating one’s face and plucking one’s eyebrows.

In addition, it’s important to make sure that one flosses his or her teeth in addition to brushing. While brushing teeth can be a great way to remove visible dirt and grime, traditional brushing methods can remove plaque and food buildup from between the teeth. Because of this, it’s important to use floss to remove food from these areas.

Grooming
Excessive body hair can also be a problem for many men and young adults. Since body hair is a natural part of life, it can be difficult to avoid it on one’s one. Many men and women spend hours every week removing and plucking excessive amounts of body hair.

Some men use wax treatments, shaving and chemical treatments to remove excessive hair. However, these treatment methods have several potential downsides. In addition to causing significant irritation, these traditional hair removal methods are often temporary. Hair will often grow back thicker and darker after one has shaved it.

Laser hair removal is a safe and affordable alternative to these inferior hair removal methods. With laser hair removal, it’s possible to eliminate hair down to the follicle. In many cases, laser hair removal will be permanent.

Clothing
Choosing the right outfit can be an important part of improving one’s clothing and grooming habits. Understanding the way other people may treat you while wearing a certain outfit is a great way to improve your habits. If people treat you a different way than you feel is deemed appropriate for the type of clothes you are wearing or the occasion, it may be a good indicator of if that outfit is appropriate.

While many people associate a lot of dress and grooming with women, men are also embracing a lifestyle of improved appearance. By learning how to properly dress and groom oneself, it’s possible to improve one’s appearance and experience success in one’s love life.

About the Author:
Karlee Wiggins likes to blog about Style and Dating. She enjoys finding dates on http://www.datingwebsite.com . When she’s not blogging she enjoys watching movies and playing games with friends

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Beauty Pageant Tips

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Here are some tips to help you win a beauty pageant:

1. Practice, Practice Practice – your walk and your interview skills. Wear heels everyday around the house for two weeks before the pageant so that they become second nature to you

2. Swimsuit competition isn’t just about a buff body, be sure you pick a swimsuit color which enhances your skintone, and practice walking onto the stage with the a walk and movements which give you the best looking abs. Be sure to check out this website about Pageant swimsuit competition.

3. Can’t afford all the dresses and evening gown needed? Shop at consignment and resale stores.

4. Don’t gossip: even if you’re just talking to your mom or a friend in your hotel room you are wasting energy on negative actions. Don’t let gossip hurt you no matter what you hear, ignore it.

5. Remember this pageant is your time to “shine”.  Take your time through each experience, enjoy and to savor the spotlight. Take a deep breath and still your mind. You may feel nervous, but you have worked so hard to get here –. Try deep breathing to de-stress, project confidence and have fun.

6. Only one can win and if you look around you will see many beautiful and talented women. So just do your best, trust in your training and preparation. Be happy for whoever wins it might be you! Surprises are much more pleasant the expectations.

7. Carefully fill out the “About Me” sheet. Try not to include other pageant titles you have won, but do include awards for achievements and talents. Make sure your personality shows through. Practice writing skills, and get help with spelling and editing if needed!

8. For major national pageants hire a coach familiar with that pageant if possible.

9. For major national pageants keep up with current events and practice answers to questions about them. For high school pageants practice answering questions about issues that pertain to high school and your future plans.

10. Beat a case of the nerves before a pageant by imagining that the nervousness is good energy helping you to succeed. Visualize what you are going to do. Remind yourself to keep your shoulders back, make eye contact with the judges, have “pretty feet” when standing, and show a big, pretty smile to everyone in the audience.

Source: ThePageantPlanet.com

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The Key To Naturally Glowing Skin

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Most women wish that their skin were more healthy. They look at adverts and even some of their friends and wonder how they manage to achieve the ever-elusive healthy glow. The truth is that there is no miracle product; healthy-looking skin is actually a reflection of just a few outside elements and how well you look after yourself on the inside. These six tips will have your skin looking healthier in no time.

Choose Your Products Carefully

Women are often sucked in by the many outlandish claims made by beauty companies, but the truth is that simple is almost always better. You want natural products that contain as few chemical ingredients as possible, as these can be harsh and dry out your skin. Choose fragrance-free products where possible as added fragrance is often the cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Stay Balanced

It is very important for women to maintain pH levels, but most do not realise that this is equally important for the skin. Taking care to choose pH balanced products will ensure that the skin maintains its elasticity and stays healthier for longer.

Chuck the Heavy Duty Products

Many women believe that it is very important to use cleansers and toners, but this is actually not the case. Most cleansers are guaranteed to dry out the skin and, when used to scrub the face, can be extremely harsh on the skin, causing more damage. If you need to use a cleanser, choose a soft, moisturising, milk-based cleanser and follow the directions carefully. There should be no need to scrub as with an exfoliator.

Toner is also an unnecessary product if you follow all of these tips. The purpose of toner is to restore the pH balance that is disturbed by the use of soap and cleanser, so if you choose pH balanced products as outlined this is no longer required.

Moisturize

Few women manage to moisturise on a regular basis. Choose a simple moisturiser and ensure that its application finds a place in your routine. A good time to do this is before bed and, if you don’t already have a set routine for bedtime, use this to establish a regular night-time routine as this should also help you sleep better.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for your skin, especially the skin on your face. Sleep deprivation causes dark circles and puffiness around the eyes and can lead to other health problems that will further exacerbate any issues with your skin. Most adults require somewhere between six-and-a-half to eight hours’ sleep every night, so get in touch with your needs and make sure they are met.

A simple way of doing this is to choose a week when you are off work and go to sleep each night without an alarm set. This will help you work out what your body needs to feel refreshed. Try to stick with this amount of sleep, adjusting your routine as necessary.

Drink Plenty of Water

This is vital for overall health and can have an incredible impact on your skin. Taking in more water means your skin will be naturally moisturised, plump, soft and healthy, so make sure you get the recommended two-and-a-half litres per day.

This guest post has been contributed by Zoe, a professional blogger who is currently writing on behalf of Archers Sleep Centre.

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Five Ways to Achieve Beautiful Skin

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By Isabella Franklin

Whether you’ve pale, dark or tanned skin, it’s essential to look after your complexion. A decent beauty regime can make all the difference, so here’s how to reveal your luminosity in five easy steps.

IPL Laser

If you’re suffering from skin problems including acne, rosacea, sun-damage, fine lines and wrinkles, broken capillaries, age spots, blemishes, birthmarks and port wine stains you might want to book a course of IPL laser. This non-surgical treatment uses Intense Pulsed Light technology to help rejuvenate the skin and can achieve dramatic results in a short space of time. It can also improve the tone and texture of your skin and will even out pigmentation.

Scrub away dead skin

There are many ancient beauty techniques that have survived the test of time – but exfoliation’s one of the best. It removes dead cells and is easy to incorporate into you beauty regime. Simply squeeze a decent exfoliation product into a pair of exfoliating gloves and massage your entire body. Start at your feet and scrub away the grease and grime which can lead to pimples and blackheads. Wash all the bubbles off with lukewarm water and you should notice a difference in no time.

Moisturise

One of the best ways to maintain your youthful looks is to moisturise on a daily basis. Massage a decent cream into your body after bathing and give it time to soak in – before getting dressed. Choose a cosmetic to suit your skin type and enjoy healthy looking skin throughout 2012. If you’re not sure whether your complexion’s oily, greasy, dry, normal or sensitive, seek the help of a dermatologist or skincare expert.

Avoid makeup

It can be tempting to pile on the slap whenever you leave the house, but excess makeup can be bad for your skin. Too much foundation, blusher, eye shadow and lippy can block your pores causing pimples and blackheads – so let your complexion breath. Leave your face bare when you’re relaxing at home and swap heavy cosmetics for a tinted moisturiser. Always take your makeup off before going to sleep and avoid applying products to broken skin.

Hair removal

Hairy legs and arms are not attractive, so why not shave, wax and pluck on a regular basis? Flaunt soft, smooth skin in spring and enjoy a hairless complexion throughout the warmer months. If you’re fed up of removing hair monthly (or even daily), learn more about laser hair removal and decide if it’s right for you. This popular procedure kills hairs at the root and stops them from growing back altogether. You’ll need a course of treatments, but it should be worth it in the long run.

Take good care of your skin and feel beautiful throughout the whole of 2012 and beyond.

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