Borrowing Money for Beauty Treatments

If you’re going to buy your beauty would you rather do it with cash or credit? Those aren’t your only options anymore. There are companies now that exist solely for the purpose of granting cosmetic surgery loans. These are quick, easy, no deposit loans for relatively small ($8000 - $15,000) cost procedures. These loans can be viewed as a cheaper alternative to costly credit card interest rates. But plastic surgeons are concerned that it will promote women who don’t have the money to get surgery they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. However, these same doctors have been accepting credit cards for years. Is there really a difference? Credit is credit is credit. Whether you have credit with a bank in the form of a card, or credit with a bank in the form a loan, the only difference is the amount of interest you’re paying. So shop around and make sure you’re getting the best rate. And to those loan companies who think their rates are so great, a zero percent interest credit card would always be preferable to a loan. But that’s just my opinion.

Demi Moore cost more than $600,000

Today the Associate Press reported that Demi Moore has admitted to having had more than $600,000 worth of cosmetic surgery work done. This is no doubt an admission designed to spurn interest in her upcoming book about Hollywood's obsession with youth.

The world famous actress has admitted to getting a procedure done to lift sagging skin around her knees. One can't help but wonder if this is similar to a tummy tuck procedure in the way skin is removed and then stitched back to remove sagging. If she shows up at the Toronto Film Festival, we'll all have to take a close look at her knees.

Happy Belated B-Day Liv!

Happy Belated 30th Birthday to actress Liv Tyler. Her birthday was July 1.

Originally a staunch opponent of cosmetic surgery who wanted to avoid going under the knife at all costs and to age gracefully, Liv Tyler has admitted to have changed her mind after giving birth to her first child in 2004. Though there still haven't been any reports saying that she has actually undergone surgery, a tummy tuck is probably one of the procedures she's considering.

Tummy tucks are extremely popular amongst women who have given birth. Skin on the abdomen normally stretches excessively to accommodate pregnancy, which does not tend to shrink back following childbirth. This, combined with weight gain, makes it extremely difficult for women to firm up the area with exercise and diet alone. The amount of fat may decrease, but following a healthy lifestyle is insufficient to tighten hanging excess skin.

However, tummy tucks are best performed on women who don't expect to become pregnant again. Pregnancy and childbirth can undo results.

Scars at the Beach

Got a tummy tuck but worried about showing the scar at the beach? Don't worry about it so much. Scars from a tummy tuck are typically placed low, just above the pubic mound. The length depends on the extent of surgery, but whatever the length, it will run horizontally, above the hip sockets. So, considering this, most bathing suits will cover the scars well. No need to restrict yourself to a one piece. Show off that new flat stomach with a itsy bitsy two piece!


And remember: even if your bathing suit covers the scar, make sure you still wear a good sunscreen because tanning the scar will make it darker and more noticeable!

Fashionable Flab

Ever wonder how to get a tummy tuck without surgery? If you're still not sure whether you want to go under the knife but really hate the flab on your belly, especially when you wear pants, this could be the answer.

American clothing manufacturer, NYDJ™ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans), has created a pair of jeans that effectively hides away that flab. No more bulges and lumps. Tummy Tuck™ jeans are a combination of Lycra and denim in a patented weave, preserving the beauty of denim but enhancing comfort. They are available in Canada, but not in Toronto at the moment.

Though we haven't tried them out ourselves, they look like a great solution, though very temporary, to unsightly bellies. According to their website, they even make your butt look good, too. Until you take them off, of course!

About Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is one of the more popular forms of genital cosmetic surgery in Toronto. It is also commonly referred to as labiaplasty, labial reduction, labia reduction and vulvar surgery. At most Toronto based cosmetic surgical clinics, this simple cosmetic surgery procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis.


Labioplasty In The Past
There has been a growing amount of interest and information on labioplasty over the past few years. However, the procedure itself has a surprisingly well documented and long history.

Some of the earliest records on labioplasty as a cosmetic procedure were documented by the ancient Indian surgeon Sushruta (circa. 6th century B.C.) The same surgeon who developed rhinoplasty (nose jobs). He is known for having established the basis for many cosmetic surgery procedures today.


The Labioplasty Procedure
A local anesthetic is normally used, often with a sedative. In certain cases, a general anesthetic may be preferred. This entirely depends on the individual patient's situation. Also, it can depend on such factors as if one or more procedures are to be performed before and/or after the labioplasty.

In order to help reduce the flow of blood to the targeted area by shrinking the blood vessels, a special medication may be used.

Finally, during the procedure itself, the labia majora and/or labia minora are reduced, usually to make them appear more symmetrical. They can also be reduced to resolve issues with scar tissue from past
injuries.

Extremely fine and precise incisions are made by the cosmetic surgeon to perform the reduction. After the excess tissue has been removed, a particular type of suture is used, often dissolvable

These precise incisions and sutures are what help to ensure that there is virtually no visible scarring nor discoloration after the labioplasty. As well, the reduction should have no impact on sensitivity in the area.

The cosmetic surgeon will usually make an effort to ensure that only the minimum amount of reduction necessary is performed. This is typically for the health and safety of the patient.

As mentioned above, like many other cosmetic surgery procedures, it can be performed in conjunction with other ones. In Toronto, labiaplasty is also commonly performed in conjunction with vaginoplasty, also known as vaginal tightening surgery.

Taking Care of Post Operative Scars

Scars are a common occurrence following any type of invasive surgical procedure, including those performed in cosmetic surgery. While the experience and skill of the practicing cosmetic surgeon is key to minimizing, and even eliminating, a resulting scar from an incision made during surgery, patients may also help in reducing the development of scars.

What is a scar?

A scar is formed when there is damage to tissue anywhere on the body, whether internally or externally. In the case of post operative scars of tummy tucks, the damage is caused by either trauma, which the surgery aims to correct, or an incision/invasive technique required to perform the procedure.

The body reacts to any damage to tissue by growing excess tissue that is referred to as “connective”. Connective tissue is one of the four primary types of tissue of the human body, and is quite fibrous. It can be soft or hard, like bone.

When connective tissue grows in response to damage, it is known as scar tissue. It is typical for scar tissue to be of poorer quality than the skin surrounding it. Hair and sweat glands are few or even non-existent, and the area is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.

Types of Scars

Scar tissue appearance can be almost invisible, blending in well with the colour and texture of the surrounding undamaged tissue. This is ideal for most patients who have undergone surgery, as it does not adversely affect the appearance and function of the treated area.

However, there are times when scar tissue does not blend in with the surrounding area. In this case, it may be noticeable by appearing bumpy, discoloured, and generally unappealing. When it is on the body in a place that is generally visible to others, such as the face, this can be embarrassing.

Post Operative Care

For this reason, it is important to follow the post operative care instructions detailed to you by your surgeon or doctor, and protect the area from sun exposure with sunscreen and clothing. They will tell you how to take care of the incised area. Additionally, you may also want to increase Vitamin E intake, as it assists in skin care. Foods such as green vegetables and eggs can help in repairing damaged tissue and reducing development of scar tissue. Preventing further damage and infection can also reduce scar tissue.

Unfortunately, other than the aforementioned, there is not much that can be done to prevent scarring. Once a scar has developed, only avoiding sun exposure will prevent further development.