Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

I must admit before I started to do research into the various cosmetic procedures available, my knowledge of cosmetic or plastic surgery was largely limited to those horror stories you hear on TV about how someone with a breast implant was poisoned because her implant leaked. Botox parties were all the rage for a while and I must admit it did get me all curious and so I decided to delve in and do some research and put it all down here for you explaining what each procedure entails and what the risks are. Naturally you are best advised when you visit your doctor but the following information will give you some idea about the cosmetic procedures so that you aren't completely in the dark about it.

Cosmetic Surgery Procedures performed on your skin (usually the face)

Botox

if you don't already know, this is short for botulinum toxin. And yes, it is a neurotoxin ie it affects your nerves - how it works is that the neurotoxin actually results in a type of flaccid paralysis ie your muscles go all floppy and relax. Cosmetic surgeons have utilized this relaxing property of botox to achieve a localized effect on your facial muscles and surrounding tissues to smooth out wrinkles, crows feet and forehead furrows. Advantages of botox - it's quick and works quickly with minimal recovery time. Comparatively inexpensive if you are after a quick fix. Possible side effects of botox - allergic reaction and you usually get some bruising in the area which usually dissipates after 2 days. Disadvantages of botox - It doesn't last long, usually 3-4 months so you will need to return for another course if you want to maintain that wrinkle free look.

Chemical Peels

This cosmetic surgery procedure involves an application of a blend of different types of acids (depending on what you are trying to get rid of) to your face, then wipes it off after a certain time. Your skin then blisters and peels off in the next 24 hours leaving you with a 'new layer' of new skin. It is usually use to treat acne scars, wrinkles, skin unevenness and pigmentation. Advantages of a chemical peel - it is relatively inexpensive and it can successfully treat a lot of skin conditions. Possible side effects of chemical peels - risk of skin burn (overzealous application of the acid, or it's been left for too long), scarring, allergies to the acids, facial swelling. Disadvantages of chemical peels - you are going to look terrible for that 24 hours and it's not very comfortable - kind of like a bad sunburn except all over your face. It's not pain free as you are likely to experience stinging, redness, itching for that first 24 hours after the peel.

Microdermabrasion

similar to sandblasting except done on your skin using a corundrum powder (which is aluminium oxide). This cosmetic surgery procedure is done utilizing a fine instrument to blast these little crystals over your skin surface and then uses abrasion and suction to slough off the surface layer of skin. With the top layer of skin sloughed off, fresh layers emerge. Usually used to remove light scars and pigmentation spots. Advantages of microdermabrasion - it's fast (so much so that proponents have dubbed it the lunchtime facial!), does not require an anesthetic, and is pretty much pain free. Possible side effects of microdermabrasion - if performed properly by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, it is relatively free of any side effects. Disadvantages of microdermabrasion - it's only effective for minor skin problems, does not solve deeper acne scars or deep wrinkles. It may require a few sessions for fine wrinkles and skin pigmentation problems.

Cold ablation

uses radio frequency waves to break down the skin layer by layer. This cosmetic surgery procedure involves placing a layer of solution on your skin and then an electric current is applied to this fluid which essential causes the skin to break down layer by layer. Advantages of cold ablation - it is effective against fine lines, acne marks and age spots. Less aggressive than laser skin resurfacing. Possible side effects of cold ablation - chance of burns, redness, pigmentation changes. Disadvantages of cold ablation - It's expensive. Deeper acne scars will require more treatments.

High intensity pulsed light therapy

affectionately known as the photofacial, this cosmetic surgery procedure utilizes an intense pulse of light focused using a prism and aims at addressing the problem at its heart. Advantages of high intensity pulsed light therapy - It is very effective against sun spots and has the added benefit of actually 'plumping' up the skin so it looks better. Possible side effects of high intensity pulsed light therapy - it is not pain free. Some experience sharp stinging pain on appication. Blistering and scarring is a possibility as are pigmentation problems. Disadvantages of high intensity pulsed light therapy - the pain has got to be a turn off but some do say that they only feel a slight warm sensation only and nothing else.

Laser skin resurfacing

also called ablative laser therapy, it utilizes a laser light beam to take off the surface layer of skin. This cosmetic surgery procedure is used in conjunction with anesthetic on your skin and your skin gets 'blasted' bit by bit. Advantages of laser skin resurfacing - Your skin looks taut and wrinkles are smoothed out. It can be used to treat other skin conditions such as moles, tattoo removals, spider veins and unsightly birth marks. Possible side effects of laser skin resurfacing - burns and redness. Some people experience skin pigmentation changes. Disadvantages of laser skin resurfacing - It's a bit on the expensive side and there is some prickling sensation and the odor of burning flesh during treatment which can be a turn off for some.

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Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery News From Medical News Today
Latest Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery News From Medical News Today.

New Treatment For Receding Gums: No Pain, Lots Of Gain
Tufts dental researchers conducted a three-year follow-up study that examined the stability of a treatment option for receding gums and found that complete root coverage the goal of the surgery had been maintained. This specific tissue regeneration application, developed at Tufts, reduces the considerable pain and recovery time of gum grafting surgery. The case study of six patients is published in the July 2009 issue of the Journal of Periodontology.
Men And Women Find Cosmetic Surgery Appealing When They Suffer Appearance-Based Rejection Sensitivity
Researchers have found that men and women who feel sensitive to rejection based on their physical appearance are more likely to express interest in having cosmetic surgery than those who are less sensitive to appearance-based rejection. This effect is particularly true when people recall negative comments about their physical appearance. The study, which appeared in the June issue of the journal Body Image, was conducted by Lora E. Park, Ph.D.
What Is Cosmetic Surgery? What Is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery has two branches, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is concerned with improving the aesthetic appearance of a person, while plastic surgery may include this, or just the reconstruction (reconstructive surgery). Reconstructive plastic surgery is concerned with improving function; however, it may also involve trying to approximate normal appearance, but that is not its primary function.
Local Researcher Shows Botox Clears Up Acne!
The muscle relaxer Botox has now been shown to positively affect the skin as well. "Botox definitely clears up acne," says Anil Shah M.D. The Chicago plastic surgeon is one of the only doctors worldwide using Botox in an entirely new way. He injects the muscle relaxer directly into the skin to eliminate large pores, oil production, and acne breakouts. Acne is caused when the skin's sebaceous glands release too much oil, or sebum, into the skin's pores.
London Surgeon Pioneering Scarless Abdominal Surgery Using Belly Button
 A London surgeon is pioneering a new way to remove abdominal organs through the belly button using an approach called single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) which requires only a 10 mm cut in the navel to allow entry of a camera and all the surgical instruments and through which organs like the appendix and gall bladder can be removed.
Covidien Features New Devices For Minimally Invasive Surgery And Soft Tissue Repair At ASMBS 2009
Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, will showcase a number of its most recent innovations in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and soft tissue repair at the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) annual meeting on June 21-26, 2009, in Grapevine, Texas.
Turkish Ministry Of Health Purchases Two CyberKnife(R) Systems - Expands Patient Access To The Benefits Of Whole Body Radiosurgery
Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced that the Turkish Ministry of Health has purchased two CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery Systems for installation in Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey. Turkey's first CyberKnife System was installed at Anadolu Medical Center in January 2005. A second system was installed in Turkey at Hacettepe University Hospital in May 2007.
MPS Warns Junior Trainee Doctors To Tighten Good Practice When Administering Botox
Junior trainee doctors are being warned about the medicolegal implications surrounding the administration of anti-wrinkle treatments such as Botox. The Medical Protection Society (MPS) reports, in the latest edition of its member publication, New Doctor, that it has received a number of queries from Foundation Programme doctors about professional indemnity cover and the administration of Botox and other anti-wrinkle treatments.
Recent Survey Suggests Complications With Permanent Fillers - 1 In 4 UK Surgeons Have Seen Patients With Complications
A new survey completed by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (BAAPS) suggests that patients may experience higher complication rates with permanent cosmetic fillers than with other types of cosmetic injections. The survey reveals 38.5% of surgeons saw 1-3 patients over the past year experiencing complications with permanent facial fillers, and 23% of surgeons saw 1-3 patients in the past year with complications so severe surgery was needed to treat those complications.
National Medical Societies Offer Tips To Prevent Injuries; Children Often Victims
- Using a lawn mower can be as routine as bike riding or barbeques during spring and summer months. But often, people find themselves in terrifying situations with these seemingly safe household machines. In fact, 200,000 people - 16,000 of them children - are injured in lawn mower-related accidents each year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports. However, lawn mowers don't "attack" on their own.