Getting rid of cellulite: What works and what doesn't

Effective ways to eliminate cellulite

Cellulite can prove to be a less than appealing addition to one's physique, especially as time wears on and skin continues to lose its firmness. Unfortunately, this condition plagues a number of individuals, both male and female. The Washingtonian recently compiled a list of cellulite-fighting methods and their effectiveness. Currently, there exists an array of procedures aimed at eliminating this pesky problem, or improving skin elasticity to make it smoother. While there is no definitive cure for combating this condition, doctors weighed in to determine which methods are most likely to create the best results.

Skin rejuvenation
One method of skin rejuvenation that continues to yield favorable results is laser therapy, or skin resurfacing. During this procedure, doctors make a small incision then place a probe underneath the skin, which melts fat bulges and cuts the connective tissue that causes dimples. Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing has been proven to help alleviate the loss of skin tone and hinder the development of cellulite. The Washingtonian states that this path is minimally invasive, shows immediate results and only requires one session, though some patients may want to schedule yearly follow-ups.

Liposuction
Liposuction remains one of the most common plastic surgery procedures available, with almost 315,000 people undergoing this method in 2012 alone, according to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. While its popularity cannot be denied, doctors have warned that it may not be the most effective means by which cellulite can be reduced. The procedure can help decrease pockets of fat found on the body and make the body appear slimmer, but it should not be considered for patients who merely want to reduce the appearance of cellulite. 

Creams and lotions
Over-the-counter creams and lotions that claim to treat dimpling may be successful in making the skin appear healthier, but their long-term effectiveness on eradicating cellulite is unknown. The ASAPS explains that while creams may hydrate the affected area and mask a dimpled appearance, they have not been scientifically proven as a viable option for cellulite elimination. 

Endermologie
Roller mechanical massage therapy has been proven as a treatment for bumps and is sometimes used in conjunction with liposuction, but it produces no long-term effect on the appearance of the skin. The process works by increasing blood flow to the area and loosening connective tissue, producing temporarily healthy and smooth skin. But patients must undergo several treatments as its effectiveness is only short-term.

Reference: www.smartbeautyguide.com

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Prevent Aging with Simple Steps

Want to have skin that looks young and healthy well into middle age? Then you need to consider more than just the moisturizer you use and the SPF rating of your sunscreen - you also need to think about what's on your plate. It seems that every day, a new study comes out that profiles a food linked to anti-aging. It can be hard to keep up, but the Huffington Post recently compiled a list of some of the foods that have been linked to promoting health and beauty.

Have a drink

It's not just the foods we eat that can help us keep young, but also what we drink. According to the news source, pomegranates have recently been shown to slow down the oxidation of DNA - in case you're wondering, oxidation essentially means "wear and tear." Eating pomegranates can be messy and frustrating (all those little seeds!), but you can easily get your fill of the fruit by having a glass of pomegranate juice.

This may sound a bit hippie-dippy, but drinking green tea is also a good way to slow down the aging process. The drink is full of antioxidants, and on top of that, the nutrients it carries can help reduce chronic inflammation, which plays a part in diabetes and other illnesses. Drink up!

Know your colors

If you're standing in the produce aisle feeling confused about what foods you should pick up, keep an eye out for orange veggies. Carrots, pumpkin, squash and sweet potatoes all fall into this category, and their color is no coincidence. Alpha-carotene is what gives these vegetables their hue, and it's also good for the body.

Don't forget about orange and other brightly colored fruits, as well. According to the news source, vitamin C has been proven to slow cell aging, which could help keep you young.

Is it too late?

These anti-aging food news items can be frustrating for those of us who have already begun to see signs of aging. Even if you stock up on green tea, carrots and pomegranates, you won't be able to eliminate wrinkles and other age-related skin blemishes without a bit of outside help. Fortunately, the world of aesthetic medicine has advanced to the point where it is now possible to turn back the hands of time and get rid of these unwanted attributes. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, dermal fillers, for example, can get rid of deep facial lines, while chemical peels and skin resurfacing can eliminate pigmentation problems, sun spots, minor facial scars and other skin woes.

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Male Pec Implants - Plastic Surgery For Men

Women aren't the only ones enjoying the benefits of body implants, men are also joining the club. One of the most popular implants are implants for the pectoral muscles.

Men have become increasingly interested in male chest enhancement. Some men are unable to achieve a defined chest area through exercise. Some men may have underdeveloped chest muscles due to a growth defect or injury. Therefore, they may decide to receive male pec implants as a way to achieve a defined contour.

Not only do male pec implants result in a defined shape, but they also result in increased self-esteem and confidence for men who may have, at one time, been embarrassed by their appearance.

During the initial consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss your expectations and desired outcome. Your surgeon may also take photographs and give you specific instructions for the day of the surgery. He or she may also show you the different shapes and sizes of the implants. Your surgeon will help you pick out a shape and size that will fit naturally with your body shape. It is important for you to make your doctor aware of any past surgeries or procedures you've had or any current medical conditions you have. Your doctor will also want a list of current medications you are taking as he or she may alter or discontinue these before surgery. Your surgeon may also require you to stop smoking if you are a smoker since smoking can cause complications during and after surgery.

The surgery involves making an incision in the armpit. Through this incision, your surgeon will place the implant under the pectoral muscle. The incision is the closed. The implants are held in place by the chest muscles or by sutures that are visible through the skin. The surgery takes one to two hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery can take place in a hospital or outpatient surgery center and will depend on your doctor's personal preference.

Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to reduce discomfort after surgery. You will need to wear an elastic bandage to reduce swelling after surgery. You should expect to experience soreness and bruising which will subside within a week. While results of surgery are immediately visible, it can take up to six weeks to see full results as it can take this long for the swelling and bruising to completely disappear. You will need to avoid strenuous activity the first few weeks after surgery. You should be able to resume normal activity after a month.

Hidden Dangers of Injectables

THE dangers of getting injectables from the wrong doctor

Choosing your doctor is the most important decision you will make about injectable beauty treatments of any kind. While, there are many doctor's offices and Medispa's that offer this service a board certified plastic surgeon or a plastic surgeon trained Physicians Assistant is a patients best bet. Take Shape Plastic Surgery is your best bet when it comes to injectables. At Take Shape Dr. Christopher Low, Dr. George Dreszer, and Dr. Russell Sassani can help any patient get the results they want. 

Your prescribing doctor should hold one of these qualifications:

Plastic Surgeon

Your plastic surgeon would be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and/or the Canadian Society of Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery.

Facial Plastic Surgeon

Your facial plastic surgeon would be certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and be a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and may also be a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon

Your ophthalmic plastic surgeon would be certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dermatologist

Your dermatologist would be certified by the American Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic Board of dermatology and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and may also be a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

All Physicians

Nurse Injectors and Physician's Assistants
A licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or a licensed Physician's Assistant (PA) can be an appropriate provider of injectables depending on your state's regulations. The following conditions should be met:

• The nurse or PA is under the supervision of a qualified doctor who has prescribed the injectable treatment appropriate for you.
• The nurse or PA can demonstrate appropriate medical education and training specific to the delivery of injectable beauty treatments.
• The nurse or PA follows all of the appropriate steps in performing your injections, including informed consent about the risks and benefits of the injection process.
• You have the option to request the doctor perform your injections.

A RN or PA injector should also have recent continuing medical education (CME) to be abreast of the latest injectable techniques, and should inject patients just like you on a regular basis (several patients weekly).

Your doctor should also have recent continuing medical education (CME) to be abreast of the latest injectable techniques, and should inject patients just like you on a regular basis (several patients weekly).

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) holds that only physicians should administer injectable dermal fillers and neurotoxins.

Visit www.takeshape.info for more information! 

954.585.3800 to book a FREE CONSULTATION. 

Highlighted Procedure: The Brazilian Butt Lift

Take Shape Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale will now be offering gluteal augmentation for patients looking to improve the contour and aesthetic appeal of their buttocks. Plastic Surgeons, Christopher Low MD MS, George Dreszer MD and Russell Sassani MD are now offering free consultations for patients interested in gluteal augmentation, otherwise known as the “Brazilian Butt Lift”.

The procedure was first performed in the late 1960’s using breast implants to enhance the buttocks, the results were suboptimal and complication rates were high which led most US plastic surgeons to abandon the procedure. During the next several decades, plastic surgeons in Mexico, Brazil, and other South American countries continued in the search for better procedures and improved implants for gluteal augmentation.
Currently, there are two primary techniques in buttock augmentation, gluteal implants and autologous fat grafting. Creating a more aesthetic female torso requires augmentation of the buttocks and more importantly a reduction of the waist and lower back. Only autologous fat grafting can accomplish these goals. Gluteal implants cannot. During autologous fat grafting, sculpting of the waist and lower back requires aggressive liposuction of the presacral area in order to create the feminine inward sweep of the lower back. This liposuction is routinely done at the time of the autologous fat grafting but should not be routinely done at the same time as the gluteal implants.

Autologous gluteal augmentation is performed on patients desiring a more defined waist and fuller, rounder buttocks. This procedure is done at Take Shape Surgery Center, LLC, and is performed with minimal scars and healing time. The first step in gluteal augmentation is the aggressive liposuction of the hips, lateral thighs, lower back, and abdomen. The liposuction performed in these target areas will improve the shape of the buttock, making it appear rounder and proportionally larger. The harvested fat removed during liposuction is then processed in order to obtain the maximum amount of fat stem cells. Through tiny incisions, the harvested fat cells are then transferred into the upper and lateral buttocks in order to create the greater volume and improved definition.

Botox May Make You Happier

Two and a half million people each year now have Botox. That’s the wonder drug that makes your wrinkles go away. And that makes people happy, right? You bet it does. It turns out that people who use Botox can’t frown and people who can’t frown are happier than people who can! The simple act of frowning can turn your mood gloomy. When the frown muscles are paralyzed, it is harder for people to maintain a negative affect.

We all know that when we tell a sad person a joke or even tickle them, we can often break them out of their sullen mood. And that may be at least partially because the forehead muscles break their gloomy hold over your appearance and your brain. The mind/body connection is intimately connected and recent Botox studies underscore this!

Dial up the Botox and you may just be able to dial down the Prozac.