Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses are a usually placed on the cornea of the eye to correct an eyesight deficiency instead of the use of spectacles or eye glasses. The main difference between glasses and contacts are lenses are lightweight and virtually invisible whilst still providing the same corrective action as eye glasses.

When contacts where invented their primary purpose was corrective and convenience. The benefits:

• Same vision correction as glasses however lightweight
• Lenses are not affected by wet weather or humid weather causing steaming of glasses
• Lenses provide a greater field of vision than glasses because they are applied directly to the cornea
• Suitable for a greater range of physical sporting activities than glasses
• Ability to treat ophthalmological conditions such as Keratoconus better than glasses because of the direct application to the cornea

Corrective contact lenses are designed to improve eye conditions such as:

• Refractive mismatch in the eyeball
• Short (myopia) or long sightedness (hypermetropia)
• Blurred vision due to distored cornea or lens (astigmatism)
• Color blindness - lenses do not correct the blindness however allows some people to distinguish colors better
• Dyslexia - ChromaGen lenses have shown to assist some sufferers

As contact lens technology improves and the desire for makeovers increases the cosmetic use of contact lenses increases with the main reason being people believe they look more attractive with contacts rather than glasses. Cosmetic or decorative colored contacts are designed to change the appearance of the eye by the addition of a variety colored tints.

Contacts now come in a range of wear from daily contacts designed to be removed prior to sleeping, extended wear over several days and continuous wear up to several weeks. If you wish to use contact lenses it is very important to visit your optometrist who will check your current vision and calculate the appropriate lens required for eyesight correction.

Your optometrist will also advise you on care and cleaning of lenses and your eye in order to avoid common infections such as conjunctivitis or other bacterial infections as well as any corneal abrasion through the incorrect use of lenses. Even if you wish to use contacts for cosmetic reasons your optometrist can still recommend use and maintenance or advise you of colored lens that can offer corrective features.

You can buy discount or cheap lenses online including brands such as Acuvue, Freshlook, Bausch and Lomb and Focus which your eye specialist can advise which are most suitable for your eyes as well as the recommended script required.

Hair Extensions

Hair Extensions refer to the integration of usually third party hair to one own to create fullness, color or add length. Hair extensions are used for a variety of reasons however vanity, slow growing hair and special functions are the main three.

Hair extensions can be made from synthetic or human hair or a combination of both. Synthetic hair is less expensive than human hair and is generally available in a greater variety colors and textures than natural hair. The wefts of hair extensions are usually sewn into the existing hair for strength and longevity.

Wefts may also be bonded directly to your hair using special bonding glue and special care needs to be taken to ensure the wefts are not bonded to the scalp. Least common are when the hair extensions are clipped into your own hair using specials clips sewn into the natural hair and wefts of hair extensions and used for temporary functions.

Caring for your extensions is similar to your own hair. For example shampooing is the same however you just need to be gentle when washing and use a milder shampoo or even use a wig shampoo. You will usually be advised by the person fitting the extensions about general care including washing, drying and brushing of the hair. The key fact being hair extensions should be treated as your own hair but more gently – warm drying rather than hot, warm water rather than hot, gentle brushing etc..

Removal of the extensions should be carried out by qualified persons to avoid damage to your own hair and to treat, cut and style your natural hair so your hair is restored back to a natural looking state. This is especially important for bonded extensions because special glue removing solutions are to be used. Sewn or clipped extensions should also be removed professionally to avoid damage to the underlying hair and avoid any trauma to the scalp.

Teeth Bleaching or Whitening

Tooth bleaching or tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to lighten the shade of your teeth. As people age, their adult teeth usually become darker. The darkening of teeth can be a consequence of:

• Natural changes in the composition of the tooth
• Bacterial pigments
• Foods
• Tea or coffee
• Tobacco

There are several options available to you when whitening your teeth:

• Dentistry office bleaching
• At home bleaching
• Whitening toothpastes

The bleaching procedure uses oxidising agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten the color of the teeth. The oxidising agent penetrates the porosities in the tooth enamel and oxidises stain deposits. With prolonged treatment the dentine layer lying underneath the enamel is also bleached. Tooth bleaching will generally last from 5 to 7 years however is affected by factors such as cigarette smoking, tea and/or coffee consumption etc.

Office bleaching usually involves applying a high concentration of oxidising agent for a short period of time producing a quick result but has risks of chemical burns to the soft tissues such as gums, tongue and mouth.

Home bleaching involves using a teeth mouth guard to hold a low concentration of oxidising agent next to the teeth for as long as several hours a day over a period of 5 to 10 days. This is a slower process however has less risk to the soft tissues in the mouth. The bleaching agent is usually less than 10% in concentration.

Side effects of tooth bleaching include as mentioned, chemical burns, discoloration of soft tissue, over bleached teeth and sensitive teeth. Bleaching is not recommended in children under the age of 16 because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged until this age and may increase probability of side effects. Teeth whitening is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.

Rhinoplasty or Nose Surgery

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed in order to improve the function and/or the appearance of a person's nose. Rhinoplasty can reshape the nose, make the nose larger or smaller, change the angle of the nose, alter the tip of the nose and correct bumps and other defects in the nose.

Rhinoplasty can be performed under a general or local anesthetic, depending on patient or doctor preference and generally completed as an outpatient procedure however, sometimes requires a one night stay in hospital or surgical center.

During rhinoplasty the surgeon makes incisions to access the bones and cartilage in the nose. A closed rhinoplasty involves incisions inside the nostrils and open rhinoplasty can be made by tiny incisions on the columella (skin that separates the nostrils). The surgeon separates soft tissues of the nose from the underlying structures and then reshapes the cartilage and bone to correct the deformity.

Rhinoplasty as mentioned can be carried out to improve the cosmetic appearance of the nose or to improve nasal breathing function by completing a septoplasty to straighten the nasal septum. Aft the end of surgery a splint is usually placed outside the nose to support the new shape of the nose as it heals as well as nasal packing inside the nose to provide additional support.

All surgical packing inside the nose is usually removed within a few days after surgery and the splint and bandaging around the nose is usually removed between 5 to 10 days. There may be some puffiness and bruising for several days as your nose heals. Cold compresses may help minimize swelling and reduce pain and your doctor may also recommend pain medication.

Wrinkle Removal and Reduction

Skin wrinkles are usually the result of skin aging however they can be exacerbated by:

• exposure to certain extreme weather conditions
• physical trauma or damage to the skin
• poor health resulting in poor circulation and dehydration of the skin
• rapid weight-loss

Treatments for wrinkle removal or reduction are generally classed as short term to medium term solutions with corresponding effectiveness and cost. The range of treatments include:

• Anti-aging creams – these creams contain ingredients designed to re-hydrate the skin or prevent skin from drying out. The effectiveness of these creams is usually short in time and usually require daily application to maintain their skin effect.

• Muscle relaxants and dermal fillers such Botox and Sculptura work by reducing muscle capability to contract and filling gaps or fat loss under the skin respectively. These treatments can vary in effectiveness from 3 month to 2 years.

• Surgical procedures such as dermabrasion (abrasion of the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars) and facelifts (removal and stretching of the skin to reduce and remove wrinkles) are the longest lasting of the treatments and usually the most expensive. These treatments can last anywhere from 1 to 10 years.

None of these treatments are guaranteed and the cost and recovery period increases with each of these treatments. The period of effectiveness is also not guaranteed and is only given as a guide. Some of the natural methods that can be used to avoid or reduce the wrinkle effects are:

• Drinking sufficient water to keep your skin and body hydrated
• Keeping your exposure to intense sunlight to short periods and apply suncream to protect your skin from the effects of the sun
• Avoiding smoking and smoke filled areas – nicotine can cause dryness in the skin
• Exercising on a regular basis and include cardiovascular exercise which improves blood circulation around the skin
• Eating a healthy and balanced meal – visit your local GP for a check up and assistance with your diet
• Taking some time out each day to try and relax and calm yourself mentally and physically. You may not notice it however, stress in your life may be causing you to frown for extended periods of time.

Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers are thin layers of restorative material placed over a tooth surface used to improve the aesthetics of a damaged or discolored tooth. Veneers are usually manufactured from composite material that is built up in the mouth or manufactured for later bonding to the tooth or a porcelain veneer that is constructed and then fitted to the front teeth.

Veneers are permanently bonded by a special resin that adheres the back of the veneer to the front of the tooth. These days the veneer is extremely strong and durable and a great alternative to other dental procedures providing a solutions for the following:

• Restoring chipped or broken teeth
• Covering stained or washed out fillings
• Permanently whitening stained or discoloured teeth
• Correcting uneven, gapped or crooked teeth
  

As mentioned veneers are a great alternative to fillings and crowns when repearing the front teeth. The advantages of having porcelain veneers applied to your front teeth are:

• A healthy and natural look is achieved with little to no discomfort
• Only a small amount of natural tooth structure (dependent on the tooth condition) is removed during the procedure
• Veneers are often less expensive than alternative procedures such as root canal, crowns etc
• Veneers are strong, durable and the color remains stable.

Your dentist or specialist cosmetic surgeon can provide you with a range of options and recomendations for veneers as well as informing you of the latest products available on the market.

Facelift

A facelift (rhytidectomy) can improve the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening of underlying muscles and re-positioning the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), or nose reshaping (rhinoplasty).

The newest facelift techniques can lift, restore and rejuvenate the face and produce a more long lasting, youthful and natural appearance with fewer signs that surgery has been performed. The surgery is done in the operating room and typically takes 2 to 6 hours. Local anesthesia with sedation and general anesthesia are used depending on the patient's circumstances and the surgeon's preference.

The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. A facelift can make you look younger and fresher and it may enhance your self- confidence in the process but it can't give you a totally different look. Those who try usually are dissatisfied with the results.

As all surgery has some uncertainty and risk it is essential to consult a qualified plastic surgeon. Whilst facelifts can be free of major complications when performed by qualified plastic surgeons, individuals vary greatly in their physical makeup and their healing abilities, so no outcome is completely predictable.

It is vitally important to follow closely your surgeon's advice before and after surgery as it will reduce your risks of complications. Complications that can occur include hematoma (collection of blood under the skin), facial nerve injury (usually temporary), infection, reactions to the anesthesia and poor healing of the skin.

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain supplements and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. Importantly, after surgery get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.

Recovery is limited by bruising and swelling and varies depending on the surgical technique used. Patients generally return to work in 1 to 4 weeks and are typically healed in 3 to 6 months although the complete healing process can range 8 to 12 months.

Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation involves the transplant of bald resistant hair follicles from the back and sides of the head to a person’s bald or thinning areas. The transplanted hair follicles will typically grow hair for a lifetime because they are genetically resistant to going bald (unknown as to why). Hair transplantation techniques have evolved from using large plugs of skin and mini grafts to using large numbers of small grafts that contain from between 1 to 4 hairs.

Today’s most advanced techniques transplant the naturally occurring 1 – 4 hair follicular units in their natural groupings resulting in a natural appearance after transplant. This hair transplant procedure is called "Follicular Unit Transplantation" and is gaining popularity with hair loss sufferers. Modern techniques allow more than 40 grafts per square centimeter providing a very natural regrowth appearance.

As with any surgical procedure surgeons may recommend patients to refrain from any alcohol, medications and encourage healthy eating and exercise in order to increase the success factor of the grafts and speed post-operative recovery. Costs for hair transplants vary from surgeon to surgeon however are usually based on a graft by graft costing.

Generally the majority of the transplanted hairs fall out within the first few weeks due to the relocation trauma or shock. After several months new hairs commence growth from the moved follicles. Hair will grow normally and continue to thicken over the course of 6 to 12 months.

Liposuction

Liposuction or liposculpture/lipoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes fat from different areas of the human body such as the thighs, arms, abdomen and buttocks. The fat is usually removed via a hollow tube called a cannula which is aspirated to assist in the fat removal. The procedure is frequently completed on the abdomen and thighs in women and abdomen and love handles in men.

As mentioned in my first post Liposuction is usually opted for when diet and exercise cannot achieve the desired loss of unwanted weight and fat. The amount of fat that is removed from a Liposuction procedure is usually less than 10 pounds. The amount to be removed is a decision by the physician and patient. Excessive Liposuction can result in an unnatural look and may increase surgical risk.

The surgical procedure may be performed under general or local anesthesia. The success and safety of the procedure can be increased by ensuring your overall health improves in the lead up to the surgery and the doctor will generally encourage you to give up smoking, drinking and continue your exercise and healthy eating regime. Some of the surgical techniques used are:

• Wet liposuction - A small amount of fluid, less in volume then the amount of fat to be removed, is injected into the area.
• Super-wet liposuction - infusate volume is in about the same amount as the volume of fat expected to be removed. This is one preferred technique for high-volume liposuction by many plastic surgeons.
• Tumescent liposuction - a large amount of fluid is injected into the area, perhaps as much as 3 or 4 times the volume of fat to be removed.
• Laser Assisted liposuction
• Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL)
• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)
• Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)
• External ultrasound-assisted liposuction (XUAL or EUAL)
• Water-assisted liposuction (WAL)

Recovery from a liposuction procedure can take from a few days to several weeks and plenty of rest, water and healthy diet may assist the body during it’s mending phase. Pain, numbness and swelling may last a little longer however regular consultation with your specialist physician is vital to ensure recovery progresses as expected.

Modern Makeovers

Modern Makeovers tend to be primarily focussed on surgical procedures because they are fast and precise. For example if you have some love handles that you really want to get rid of, the natural solution is diet and exercise. This may take a significant amount of time and effort however generally low cost.

The modern makeover will be a surgical procedure such as liposuction and possibly skin reduction in order to reach the desired result. This is usually completed relatively quickly apart from the recovery time and with precise sculptoring of the body. Instant results, however, generally higher costs than natural methods and the risks associated with any type of surgery.

I'll try and research many of the modern makeover techniques available today with a focus on the modern woman and what she has available to her today.