If you are considering any kind of cosmetic surgery in the United States you need look no further than at a certified ASPS member. This also applies to cosmetic eye surgery, including blepharoplasty and eyebrow lifts.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) was founded in 1931 and has become the largest plastic surgery association in the world. Its members are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards after they have achieved a minimum of six years surgical training of which three years are devoted entirely to plastic surgery.

However, in the United States any licensed Medical Practitioner can call him or herself a cosmetic surgeon without any training or practical experience.

Do not hold back on the questions, satisfy yourself that the medical facility and nursing staff is up to standard, and always ask about alternatives to the treatment your surgeon may recommend, his experience and the risks involved. Above all you should feel comfortable with the surgeon and have confidence in his or her abilities.

Questions to ask your surgeon

• Who will carry out the procedure and what qualifications do they have for this particular treatment?

• What will be the cost of the consultation with the surgeon?

• What will be the cost of the procedure, including any care I may need after it?

• If there are any complications, will I have to pay to have them treated?

• Does the company providing the surgery have their own approved hospital?

Certified members of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada enjoy the same high standards and are recognised by ASPS.

If you have difficulty in locating a fully qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area or country it is best to ask your local doctor who should be able to give you a recommendation and advice.

Do not take cosmetic surgery advertisements at face value, they really do need to be thoroughly checked out wherever you are in the world!

Be sure not to forget the cross examination, its your looks that are at stake!

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Has anybody told you lately that you look tired, worn out, sad or angry when you are feeling happy, energetic and at peace with the world?

If happens more than once it is no coincidence! Have a good look at yourself in the mirror and the chances are that you will see that your eyebrows seem to look fallen and there are bags underneath them.

This usually happens to both men and women between 40 to 60 years of age. The cosmetic treatment to restore that vigorous, calm and youthful look is known as eyebrow or brow lift surgery and can work wonders with your self esteem and is likely to last for many years without further treatment.

There are two alternative procedures depending on age, skin condition, hairline, etc.
Both procedures will require a general anaesthetic:

Open Brow Lift

An ear to ear incision is made on or just behind the hairline. In the case of men who are balding the incision is made along a forehead crease that will eventually hide any visible scarring.

The forehead skin is slightly lifted to gain access to the underlying tissues allowing the muscles and tissues to be reduced. This tightening of the muscles then lifts the eyebrows.

The incision is then stitched or clipped.

On average the Open Brow Lift procedure takes about one and a half hours from start to finish.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

This operation is more sophisticated than the Open Brow Lift. Three to five one inch (2.5 cms) long incisions are made above the eyebrows. A small flexible tube with a miniature camera attached is passed into the tissues allowing the surgeon to see and operate on those muscles that need to be removed or tightened.

The small incisions are then stitched or clipped with the brows lifted and held in place with stitches behind the hairline.

This procedure takes a little longer as it is more refined than the open Brow Lift.

Recovery takes up to 14 days before being advised to return to work with the stitches removed about ten days after the operation. Most surgeons prefer patients to stay overnight in hospital after the surgery in the rare case of an unexpected development.
You are likely to be advised to sleep in an upright position for a week or so to help reduce the swelling, not to use any cosmetics and shampoo your hair daily.

It is important to attend any follow up appointments made with the surgeon or hospital.

Some Dos and Don’ts

Consider very carefully whether you need eyebrow lift surgery. All invasive surgical procedures carry a degree of risk however minimal.

Its important to have the correct surgery for your eyes. If, for example you have a blepharoplasty procedure , your eyes wont look quite right if the real problem is the eyebrow position.

Ensure that the surgeon you are considering for this surgery is a member of an approved medical association and has relevant qualifications and experience.

Check that the hospital is fully equipped to deal with any emergencies that may arise as a result of cosmetic surgery, and, of course, that it has a high standard of cleanliness and maintains proper hygiene procedures throughout the premises and not just in the reception and other areas on view public.

Most important of all you should expect your surgeon to take the time to build up your trust by explaining to you in detail the procedure and after effects of the surgery you are contemplating undertaking.

A successful result will leave you with renewed self confidence, remove that worried, tired look making you look years younger.

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If you are one of the many men or women who develop heavy fatty tissue under the eyes or are even born with it, you probably look older than you really are.

In fact heavy under eye fat, that looks like a pouch, can and does add years onto a persons age and if you feel you look older it makes you feel bad and it becomes a constant cycle that can even develop into depression.

Some people have this condition due to water retention in the under eye area, this can be treated with lymphatic drainage, but for others the cause could be genetics which has given them pads of fatty tissue just below their eyes.

The only recognized treatment that permanently removes fatty tissue or eye bags from under the eye is invasive cosmetic surgery, which is increasingly popular.

Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

This procedure is performed through microscopic incisions, by removing the fat deposits from inside the lower lid. This can be done either with laser or any other fine cutting instrument.

The advantages

• There is no visible scarring
• Less chance of the lower eyelid pulled away from the eye (lower eye ectropion)
• More precise fat sculpture
• Less bruising and swelling

Disadvantages

The success of this procedure depends on the amount of fatty tissue to be removed. The larger the eye bag the more possibility there is of being left with an excess of skin which may form into wrinkles. Therefore this procedure is only normally performed on younger patients.

Transcutaneous Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

For older patients or those with more fat to be removed the procedure is performed under the lash line and then may be followed with a Chemical Peel or Laser Resurfacing to tighten up the area.

Healing Process

Recovery time varies from person to person depending on their ability to heal. There will be a certain amount of bruising and swelling but this should disappear over the course of a few days and the results are normally excellent. However, final results will not be experienced until approximately 6 months after the procedure.

The risks

As in all invasive surgery there are some risks.

• Infection – unlikely to be serious due to the sterile conditions of surgery.
• Continued bleeding – may necessitate reopening the wound and cauterizing the offending vessel.
• The wound may open slightly – not a great problem as the wound can either be taped or receive more sutures
• White cysts may form on the scar line – can easily be removed.
• Too much skin removed – dependent on the severity of removal further surgery may be required
• Too little skin removed – unsatisfactory result resulting in further surgery
• Too much fat removed – may leave a hollowed under eye look. This can happen gradually over years after surgery.
• Too little fat removed – may require further surgery.
• Excessive external scarring – this applies to those having Transcutaneous Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty and can be due to a poor healing process on those with sensitive or damaged skin.
• Excessive internal scarring – this applies to Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty and can result in shrinkage of the internal lower lid resulting in distortion. Further surgery may help.

Therefore it is vitally important to do your homework when looking for a reliable cosmetic surgeon as the first thing to establish is whether your under eye bags are due to water retention or fatty tissue.

The procedures can vary from surgeon to surgeon and whilst it may be something you have decided to do and want it done now, you will get better results if you do thorough research.

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If you get tired of your tattoos or want a fashion change they can now be removed. Unfortunately none of the current removal procedures can guarantee complete success every time.

• If your tattoo covers a large area of your body
• If you have had the tattoo for a considerable period of time
• If the pigment was not distributed evenly into the skin and smudging is evident this can occur if the tattooist was not a qualified professional
• If you are amongst those people who have a longer healing rate
• If the tattoos are on or around the eye area as the skin here is very sensitive

Methods of Tattoo Removal

Excision: -

Suitable for small tattoos as the entire tattoo can be removed

A local anaesthetic is administered to the area and the tattooed skin is removed surgically. The wound is then sutured and will possibly leave no noticeable scarring. Do check out the likelihood of this procedure leaving the area free of visible disfigurement with your medical adviser, especially if it is in the area surrounding the eyes.

Dermabrasion

The area is sprayed with a freezing solution and then sanded with a rotary abrasive instrument. The skin then peels off and is covered with a surgical dressing, as some bleeding will probably occur. This procedure is not painless so be prepared if you decide to go this route. It will take some time for the skin to grow back and during this time it will not be an attractive sight. Attention must be paid to the regular change of dressings; hygiene and any sign of inflammation should be reported immediately to your Doctor.

Laser

Probably the best solution for the removal of cosmetic tattoos of any size and in any area of the body. Short pulses of intense light from the laser are directed towards the tattoo, which breaks up the color pigments into smaller particles. These are then absorbed by the body’s immune system, which usually takes about 3 weeks.

Some colored dyes react differently with black being the easiest to remove. The procedure is normally painless but a light local anaesthetic may be administered if the tattoo is in a sensitive part of the body. You will possibly need more than one treatment to entirely remove the tattoo.

Make sure that the surgeon who removes your tattoo is a specialist in laser surgery.

After Effects

It cannot be over emphasized that the correct aftercare will help to lessen the possibility of residual scarring. The treated area and its immediate surroundings should be kept clean and an antibacterial lotion applied. A scab may form and when that has fallen off the redness will fade as the normal healing process takes place.

This may take some time depending on the individual. Infection is always a possibility with any surgical procedure so do not delay in reporting any signs to your doctor. There may be some residual scarring due to the method of applying the tattoo.

Costs

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Cosmetic Eyebrow Tattooing and Permanent Make Up

• Permanent make up is achieved by a procedure known as micropigmentation, a technique that is virtually the same as tattooing.

• Cosmetic tattooing replaces the use of eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, lip liner and lipstick and is an alternative for busy women who want to look their best at all times but have difficulty in sparing the time from their tight schedules to refresh their make up.
  

It is also an acceptable alternative to semi permanent tattoo effect eyebrow transfers or human hair false eyebrows for women who have either lost their eyebrows or suffer from sparse brows although it is possible to have both lash and brows reconstruction by using transplants plants.

Correctly performed by a qualified medical professional, permanent make up can look fresh, natural and attractive at all times even immediately after swimming or extreme exercise.

Cosmetic tattooing allows a wide choice of colors and shades and is carried out under local anaesthesia using a tattoo pen that injects permanent ink into the skin.

The tattoo will take about 3-5 days before the swelling and soreness dies down and for the color to fade to give the desired effect, so clear your diary.

Do think very carefully before deciding upon undergoing any permanent makeup procedure. Principle points to consider are that this treatment is exactly what it says it is – PERMANENT although there are some ways to remove tattoos.

After a time you may want a change of color or shade to keep up to date with a new fashion. Reversing the procedure will be expensive and there is no guarantee that it will be successful.

If you decide to go ahead be sure to carefully check out the practitioner, make sure that his or her qualifications are in order and that the premises are clean and hygienic. Ask to see the treatment room and look out for sterile equipment. If possible talk to their other clients and make a note of all the questions you want answering before you sign up for the procedure.

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Having eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty, is not something to rush into without doing your homework.

The following video is not for the squeamish but is a must if you need convincing to have your eyes done. The before and after photos do justice to this procedure.

This is scary stuff but the outcome is excellent and will get rid of those droopy eyelids which tend to make a person look tired and older than they actually are.

However, this is invasive surgery and you need to locate the best surgeon you can.

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Yes according to Alex Kuczynski, the author of a book in which she explores our obsession with cosmetic surgery.

Due to her own dramatic experience when having one of many sessions of  Botox injections she has now abandoned the procedure without question.

She suffered from an immediate adverse reaction to the drug and her mouth swelled up out of all proportion.

As she begins to analyze the cosmetic industry she remarks on the ideal body image that most women appear to be under the impression that they must achieve whatever the costs to their health or their wallet, or their husbands’ wallet to be more accurate in many cases.

Images of impossibly beautiful women are with us everywhere we turn. The industry is full of doctors purporting to be cosmetic surgeons, some only possess a medical degree and have had little or no training in the speciality.

Many are making a small fortune from this kind of work so its no wonder that we are being put under this kind of pressure.

Although Ms. Kuczynski now denounces the whole ideal woman thing, she herself has admitted that she is finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that she is aging.

What a problem?

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What is Botox?

Botox is the cosmetic form of Botulinum toxin A which has been used for more than 15 years in the medical profession.

The toxins attach themselves to the nerve endings. Muscle contractions cannot then occur and paralysis takes place.

Wrinkles on the forehead, brow lines, creases in cheeks and chins, dimples and crows feet can all be reduced.

The procedure consists of tiny injections in selected areas and, as minimal discomfort, is experienced no anaesthetic is required and treatment can take place in the practitioners office.

An ice pack held on the area to be injected for a few moments can help reduce any pain.

Botox is injected directly into the muscle surrounding the wrinkle with a very small needle.

The muscles will be paralyzed leaving the skin smoother and giving more refreshed appearance.

The face resumes its once youthful appearance as frown lines disappear or reduce. Studies have also suggested that Botox is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.

Side Effects of Botox

In the majority of cases this cosmetic procedure is safe with no side effects providing the affected areas are not rubbed or scratched.

The results are only temporary, lasting for 3 – 8 months, and to provide a lasting cosmetic enhancement, Botox treatment will have to be repeated as it becomes apparent that the effects are wearing off.

In a minority of cases no improvement may be noticed. In general results will become noticeable between one to fourteen days.

Mild numbness, swelling, bruising and/or tingling can occur but should not if the procedure is undertaken by a professionally qualified practitioner.

Botox can become an addiction and if overused can often lead to a very flat, ironed looking face.

Some people are allergic to Botox and you should be screened for this before treatment.

Warning

Botox parties are becoming more and more popular but Botox injections should only be administered in a controlled medical environment as there is always a risk of adverse reactions or side effects.

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Permanent Makeup is now considered to be an every day cosmetic procedure which can be done in a very short time and is available at many beauty or health clinics.

What is Permanent  Makeup?

Procedure

Various machines and methods are used including the pen or rotary machine or the hand method. the time it takes is generally from 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours. Some discomfort may occur but can be relieved with anaesthetic ointments or topical desensitizing products.

Who is suitable?

Can Permanent Eye Makeup Be Removed?

Tattooing is considered to be permanent although there can be some eventual fading after about 10 years. Removal of the tattoo may be possible with laser resurfacing or dermabrasion depending on the exact location or the tattoo.

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Your surgeon will advise you of the best methods of aftercare but remember that recovery from any operation involving the delicate eye area takes time and during this period you will be out of action for at least a few days.

Recovery rates depend on the individual but there is no doubt that you will be able to speed things up with a little extra help.

A convenient alternative to using leaky ice packs, messy frozen peas, or dripping hot gauze pads and towels, the lightweight, reusable Swiss Therapy Eye Mask Compress, pictured above, (3 per box) is unlike any other cold compress on the market with its ultra flexible design that enables the compress to conform to the shape of your zone.

Being that the compress is incredibly light and thin, it feels like a second skin and puts minimal pressure. Unlike other compresses that can leak, it is non-sticky and stays only moist – but not wet.

Made from hydrogel and coming in a sterile package, the Swiss Eye Mask can be used on the eye area for cold therapy to reduce post operative swelling and discomfort, decrease healing time, and enable the patient to return to his/her normal activities more quickly.

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The loss of eyelashes and eyebrows can make a person feel very self conscious which can cause lack of confidence.

Eyelashes

Eyelash transplants are now allowing women to have the lashes they dream of. Lashes fall out for many reasons, age, hormone imbalance or accident. Without eyelashes a woman, in particular can feel very self conscious.

What is Eyelash Transplantation?

A microsurgical procedure in which hairs are taken from the back of the head and grafted onto the eyelids

Procedure

A local anaesthetic is administered to the patient. Scalp follicles are removed from the back of the head and divided into very fine single hair grafts. 50-60 hairs are then implanted individually into the eyelid using a very fine transplanting needle

How long does it take?

The whole procedure takes about 45 – 60 minutes

What are the after effects?

There is very little pain and few complications.The resulting mild swelling will disappear within a day or two. The new eyelashes will need regular trimming as they will grow longer than normal lashes.

The results

The outcome is very positive and gives a natural appearance.

Cost

Approximately US$3000 per eye

Eyebrows

Many people have defects in their eyebrows caused by trauma such as a car or burn accident, disease, over plucking, self inflicted obsessive compulsive plucking or the results from radiation therapy or chemotherapy following tumour removal. This may have left them with scarse patchy brow or scarring.

What is Eyebrow Reconstruction?

A microsurgical procedure in which hairs are taken from the back of the head and grafted onto the eyebrows

The Procedure

As with eyelashes a local anaesthetic is administered to the patient and scalp follicles are removed from the back of the head and divided into very fine single hair grafts. Up to about 600 are then implanted into each eyebrow one by one. The angle of each hair mimics the natural growth pattern.

The After Effects

Few complications. About 90% of the hairs will survive the reconstruction.

Results

The results are very positive and the patient will have natural looking eyebrows

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