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Scars are a problem that affects everyone, and we often wish scars wouldn’t leave such an obvious mark on our skin. Sometimes it appears in places that can be conveniently hidden by clothes, but often the scars that concern us are those that are in obvious places- mainly our face, neck, limbs and shoulders.

BIOLOGY OF SCARS

Scar formation is a natural process which occurs after injury. It actually happens everywhere in your body, even in the inside of your blood vessels, organs and tissues. For this post, I’ll focus on scars on the skin. 

After injury occurs to the skin, a rapid succession of events take place in that area to heal the skin. The blood vessels shrink to reduce blood loss from the area, and healing cells invade the area to clear up any bacteria, injured cells and debris. Soon after the injury settles, the healing process begins. An influx of fibrous tissue and collagen forms the scab and the scar tissue that we can see, and fills up the hole left behind by the injury. Many scars gradually fade and regain skin strength, but the process is slow and can take months to even years. The larger and deeper the injury goes, the longer you can expect the healing process to take.

Occasionally, the  healing process goes into hyperdrive, and we end up with raised scars (hypertrophic scars) or scars that extend beyond the initial injury site (keloids). Hypertrophic scars can usually shrink over time, but may still leave a mark or remain hyperpigmented. Keloids are difficult to treat, and are often an angry red, itchy and can spread beyond the original injury site. Even surgical removal of the keloid can still recur. Some parts of the body are more prone to keloid formation- the earlobes, neck, shoulders and upper chest, as well as those of those of African descent.

 

HOME REMEDIES

The best remedy for scars is prevention! No injury=no scars. But everyone is prone to injury some time or other, and here are some simple things you can do to help healing:

1. Keep out of sunlight. New scars and new skin are delicate, and will burn easily. By preventing sun exposure, you reduce the opportunity for the scar to become permanently darker than the rest of the surronding skin.
2. Apply Vitamin E cream.You can get a Vitamin E gel capsule from your local health shop and apply it to your skin daily.
3. Aloe vera can also be applied after the wound heals. Aloe vera is said to soften the scar, and help it to heal faster as well. Look out for the concentration of aloe vera in your product, but the sap from the plant works the best.
4. Take Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential in the formation of new skin cells, and for wound healing.
5. AHA creams. AHAs function to  exfoilate the superficial layers of skin and allow newer skin to surface. However, it is advisable to try out different strengths of AHA creams, especially those with sensitive skin. AHA creams can be irritating, stinging or burning.
6. Lemon juice. Lemon juice contains Vitamin C and AHAs. However, use it 
7. Hydrocortisone cream. Regular application of minute amounts may help to decrease the scar formation. However, regular use over a long period may cause thinning, weakening and whitening of the skin, so it is best used under medical supervision.
8. Get a silicone gel sheet from the pharmacy. Cut out a rectangular piece and paste it over your scar. It helps to soften and flatten scars. It has to be worn round the clock for the best effect. It is self adhesive onto the skin, and can be reused until its not sticky- probably around 3-4weeks. You can also use surgical tape (also available from the pharmacy) to keep it in place.

USING MAKEUP

Using makeup is an option to help hide or reduce the appearance of scars.

1. Corrector. A yellow based corrector can correct red based scars
2. Concealer. Use a concealer which is one shade darker than your natural skin tone to conceal raised scars. For depressed scars, use concealer a shade lighter. It’s useful to use a highly pigmented concealer, and to set the concealer with powder. Try Dermablend, which is a popular, effective concealer for most scars. 

WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO

Despite following the above advise, sometimes scars remain raised or pigmented, especially heypertrophic scars and keloids.

If you consult a doctor, he may prescribe one of the following:

1. Hydrocortisone (Steroid) injections. Especially useful for hypertrophic scars and keloids, hydrocortisone can help to reduce the inflammation (post injury reaction), reducing the size of the scar and softening the scar. However, this requires a series of injections over a period of time, depending on the size of the initial scar and its response to the steroid injections. However, steroid injections into the scar also leads to thinning of the skin in that area, and may also case depigmentation of the scar and the surrounding skin- important for those with darker skin shades.
2. Dermal fillers injections- for scars that have shrunken and left a depression in the skin.
3. Dermabrasion and laser treatments. for healed scars with pigmentation. However, your doctor has to assess the skin before determining whether it is suitable for laser therapy. Few scars are amenable to laser treatment.
4. Surgical removal. This may include borrowing skin from other places of the body (skin grafts) to replace excised skin. Also, there is also a chance of scar recurrence after excision.

Does your doctor have a blog? That’s an interesting question. 

I have a blog. In fact, I have a couple of blogs, each with a different theme, but all related to my interests as well as a personal blog just for my friends and family. What’s the motivation for writing so much? For me, it’s passion for a subject, the love to write and let my thoughts be known, and a way to inform and educate my readers and hear their views to gain insight and inspiration. 

I read this article and would like to share it, its a light and easy reading for a lazy day. =) And oh, click here to a link to the Weblog Awards, the biggest blogging competition in blogosphere! It has many different catagories with Awards for each catagory. The 2008 Best Medical/ Health Weblog Awards is here.

 

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Dr.Brett Kotlus and Dr. Charles Mok of Shelby Township use Allure Medical Blog to share information about new cosmetic treatments and also to share information about procedures within their practice. “I find that patients at our medical spa are information gatherers, but it can be difficult to sort through the tremendous amount of information available on the internet regarding the cosmetic field. There are literally hundreds of laser procedures out there, as well as wrinkle reducing injectables and I can offer an educated perspective. If a patient asks a question about a new treatment, I can share my analysis within minutes,” explains Dr. Kotlus. “The blog is linked to our practice website, so all of our patients know where to look.”  The blogosphere is expanding at an exponential rate. Recent estimates place the total number of blogs at well over 100 million. Even grandparents are blogging. It is not surprising that many doctors are spending time blogging away in between patient interactions. In fact, there are so many medical blogs that there is a Medical Weblog Award, which is given away yearly to a deserving medical internet author. But the style and content of doctor blogs vary as much as the rest of the internet landscape.

Some doctors will write in a diary format, sharing their daily activities and anecdotes. Others have opted to use their electronically public forums as an opportunity to air their complaints about the current state of affairs in healthcare policy, medical malpractice, and insurers. A few doctors are using blogs as a tool to reach out to their patients.

Allure Medical Spa of Shelby Township, Michigan is one of the first medical spas of its kind in the country; it offers some of the most advanced cosmetic procedures in the industry. Being able to offer these types of procedures means that Dr. Kotlus and Dr. Mok must stay ahead of the game; they are constantly researching and attending educational conferences. They have gathered documentation, written papers and delivered their findings to their medical community on many occasions. They have patients who will hear about a new procedure on television or in the media and want more information in a timely manner. Allure Medical Blog is one such way for these doctors to transmit this information.

Dr. Kotlus also culls material for another medical blog, Plasticized.com. “Plasticized is more of a sampling of celebrity plastic surgery gossip and strange cosmetic devices and procedures from around the world,” says Dr. Kotlus. “That type of material didn’t fit with the sensibility of a medical practice, so it’s a separate entity. I post submissions from colleagues and we have fun with it.” Some critics say there are ethical dangers when doctors speak too openly. There is a concern that confidentiality can be compromised and medical misinformation can be interpreted as factual. Others laud the proliferation of doctor blogs as many have devoted audiences who appreciate the amusing and informative insights. In either case, the number of doctor blogs is likely to grow along with doctor’s transition to electronic medical records and electronic prescribing.

“Most of our patients are internet savvy and have a high level of sophistication when it comes to computers,” claims Dr. Mok. “They have given me positive feedback since we’ve started blogging, so this is a service we will continue to provide.”

SOURCE Allure Medical Spa

Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula (DDF) is a line created by New York dermatologist Dr Howard Sobel and his sister Elaine Linker over 25years ago. The products are focussed on anti-aging (preventative and restorative), acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, sun protection, and sensitive-allergic conditions. It is best known for its mantra: Cleanse. Protect. Treat. DDF has found itself a solid fan base including beauty editors of upscale magazines such as New York Magazine, Glamour and Vogue, and high profile celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Halle Berry.

Items available today on sale at Gilt Groupe only:

• Mild acne trio: Cleanse, Moisturizer, & Masque $46 (UP$104)
• Moderate Acne Cleansing Trio: Cleanser, Moisturizer, Masque $48 (UP$107)
• Glycolic 10% Toning Complex $17 (UP$35)
• Glycolic 5% Daily Cleansing Pads, pack of 56$18 ($35)
• Organic sunscreen SPF 30 & Lip Treatment $22 (UP$51)
• Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 & Lip Treatment $22 ($51)
• Matte Finish Sunscreen SPF 30 $16 (UP$32)
• Full Body Moisture $34 ($77)
• Fight Damage: Moisturizer, Serum & Nourishing Cream $74 ($166)
• Basic Duo: Cleanser & Moisturizing Dew $32 (UP$72)
• Mesojection Healthy Cell Serum $42 (UP$84)
• Cellular Revitalization Age Renewal $65 (UP$130)
• Wrinkle Reflex $44 (UP$88)
• Decelerate Professional Anti Aging Kit $37 (UP$75)
• Biomolecular Firming Eye Serum $44 (UP$88)
• Discolouration Duo $55 (UP$124)
• Ultra Lite Peel $20 (UP$42)

Gilt Groupe provides invitation-only access, to men’s and women’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts only online for 36 hours and many items sell out quickly, so check it out before it’s too late! You can join here.

The colour experts over at Pantone have announced what they predict will be the hues for the upcoming Fall 2009 palatte.

The top 10 colours include

• “American Beauty,” a balanced, true red; 
• “Purple Heart,” a jewel-tone purple; 
• “Honey Yellow,” a warm, more subdued version of the sunny “Mimosa Yellow” (Pantone’s 2009 Color of the Year); 
• “Iron”, a brown-gray tone, serving as the “new black”
• “Burnt Sienna,” an earthy shade of orange; 
• “Creme Brulee”, a gray-ed down beige
• “Nomad”, a light brown hue bridging between beige and light gray
• “Rapture Rose,” combining the vibrancy of fuchsia and the softness of pink; 
• “Warm Olive,” a rich yellow-green; and 
• “Majolica Blue,” a deep teal.

“The fall 2009 palette is more unique and thoughtful than the typical autumnal hues of years past,” Pantone Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman said in the report. “Designers recognize the desire for fundamental basics that speak to the current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers’ eyes and entice them to buy.” Leatrice says that of the 10 colors, the neutral Iron received the highest rating from designers, a choice that points to practicality. Over the last few seasons there has been more of a trend toward “trans-seasonal” dressing, in which apparel and accessories can be used from one season and into the next, so trends linger and aren’t abandoned quite so quickly. 

What this means for fashionistas: Despite the colours being of unique hues, they are easy to mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe, so it’ll look fresh on you anytime. The best part which will be wearable even in the seasons before and after it is meant to debut. Easy and fashionable colours to wear are the trend!

Apparently, vibration plate machines can help overweight or obese people trim their belly fat and achieve long-term weight loss.

A new study presented at the 17th European Congress on Obesity in Amsterdam (2009) concluded that obese women who follow a weight loss diet and regularly used the vibration plate machines were more successful at long-term weight loss and losing hard-to-trim belly fat than those who combined dieting with a more conventional exercise routine. Previously, there were no studies that supported vibration plates having any weight loss results. 

Vibration plate machines are becoming popular alternatives to weight and cardio machines in gyms. So this study wanted to see if it was any good in helping you shed your weight.

THE STUDY

61 people, mostly women, were recruited into the study. They were all either overweight or obese. The subjects were then divided into 4 groups: diet alone, diet+vibration exercise, diet+regular sports/exercise, and the last was a control group that had neither diet nor exercise. They were under guidance and close monitoring for the 1st 6 months, then asked to continue (without monitoring) for the next 6months.

The participants were then reviewed at the end of 1 year, and the results?

The groups that were involved in exercise- be it regular exercise or vibration plate exercises- managed to maintain a 5%weight loss. The other 2 groups- purely diet and no intervention groups- did not achieve any weight loss. 

Comparing the 2 groups that were involved in exercises: The group doing purely regular exercises lost 7% of body weight and managed to maintain that loss. The group doing vibration exercises lost 11% of their body weight, and by the end of the year, maintained a 10.5% weight loss. 

The control group- no diet and no exercise- gained 1.5% of their body weight.

 

CONCLUSION

So it appears that doing vibration plate exercises can give you more weight loss in the short term, but don’t depend on vibration plate machines for weight loss just yet. 

Vibration plate machines require proper supervision in the beginning and proper usage. Just standing and holding the handles will not do much to contribute to weight loss. The vibration plate machines also do not build cardiovascular strength, which is essential for overall health and stamina for everyday activities.

 

Affordable Fashion spotlights 3 daytime LBDs for $20 and less.

Beauty Junkies Unites highlights the best Summer fragrances.

BeautySweetSpot has the top Summer eco friendly finds.

BellaLuscious explains ways to banish cellulite.

Blaq Vixen Beauty reviews the most recent foundation from Maybelline – the Dream Matte Liquid Foundation.

Check out the CFDA Awards winners as well as the best and worst dressed celebs, designers, and models at Cult of Couture.

Diary of a Style Addict shows us how to steal Eva the diva’s maxed out style.

Can you be preppy and bohemian at the same time? Fab Finds Under $50 says, you bet.

Fab Glance Nashville gives an opinion on sandals for men and wants to know what you think.

Hot Beauty Health shows you 5 organic hair care products that works for healthy hair.

Who doesn’t love a giveaway? Lipgloss Break is giving away Borghese B Gloss lip gloss.

MissWhover You Are delivers a budget beauty tip you cannot miss.

Obsessions and Confessions of Glamour and Love takes a look at Sephora Favorites Sample kits.

SparklingPinkGorilla shows us where we can get the best deals on shades.

StyleLuxe uncovers 5 timeless rules for achieving great style.

The Style and Beauty and Doctor explores one of the hottest trends this season: white hot summer denim.

For more information about The HLMN or on becoming an affiliate please visit our website.

Here’s further scientific evidence that your environment can affect the age of your skin. Besides the known aging factors like sun and dryness that can make you look older than you actually are, now research shows that divorce, antidepressants and increased weight can make you pack on years too.

Published in a recent issue of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the study was conducted on 186 pairs of identical twins. Questionnaires and digital images of every participant was carried out and reviewed by an independent group of judges, and these judges recorded the perceived age difference between the siblings.

Results showed that factors that made one twin look older than the other included

• Divorce. Divorced twins looked 2 years older than the other twin (regardless whether they were single, married or even widowed).
• Antidepressants.
• Increased weight. The heavier twin looked older in pairs of twins under 40 years old
• Stress

The researchers postulated that stress was a large contributing factor to looking older even within identical twins. Also, they suspected that antidepressant use caused facial muscles to appear to sag, making them look older than they actually were.

So don’t just brush off your wrinkles and attribute it to genes. There are differences in the rate of aging even between identical twins. You can make a difference to your skin by taking care of your skin from today!

I’m switching to a new server for greater flexibility and better features, and my blog address will now become http://www.bellaluscious.com. All my older posts will be ported over and can be found there as well.

Please continue to support my blog! Thanks!

My wedding anniversary is coming up, and I was looking through my old photos. Thinking back, I was like all other brides, wanting to look her best on the biggest day of her life. I was pleased with my makeup and the day went rather smoothly, but now I start thinking back and wished I had known of some beauty secrets, tips and products before my wedding to look naturally radiant even without makeup for my big day! Here’s some things for brides to pamper themselves with before the big day looms!

 

For a radiant, clear face, start using a face illuminating cream, such as Philosophy’s Hope In A Jar. This award winning face cream is said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, skin discoloration, rough texture and dehydration. It contains anti-oxidants to stave off aging effects, moisturises, gently exfoliates, and calms irritated skin.

For longer, thicker lashes to define and enlarge your eyes, eyelash stimulators will be useful. For example, Revitalsh was developed by an ophthalmologist for his wife who had lost her lashes to chemotherapy. Use it for at least 4 weeks continuously to see a difference! More on eyelash stimultors here.

Banish dark circles with StriVectin-SD Eye Cream ! This top rated eye cream delivers results. Initially formulated as a stretch mark cream, it quickly demonstrated benefits to the skin, and soon the stretch mark cream was reformulated to deliver the best results to your skin. It helps not only to lighten dark circles, it also diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.

Get kissable lips and a sensuous pout for the big moment of your life! Use FusionBeauty LipFusion XL to get the sexy bee stung look. I also swear by nightly lip balm under a layer of Vaseline to get soft well hydrated lips!

Get your pearly whites ready for your wedding- you’ll be smiling like you never did before! Its best to have it done professionally by a dentist. But if you want to do some teeth whitening by yourself at home, get Crest Whitestrips Premium. It can lighten your teeth by three to five shades. Whiter teeth makes you look healthier, and younger as well instantly!

Do any of you have any other beauty secrets to share for blushing brides to be?

What do you think of STAR broadcasting celebrity cellulite? Personally I feel sorry for these covergirls, its not a way I like to make headlines. However, cellulite is a woe of many women. It affects them by giving an otherwise smooth skin the appearance of lumpiness and dimpling commonly over the thighs, hips and buttock areas. It also occurs in both men and women regardless of size of weight- yes, even slim people do get cellulite problems! Although there are some treatments that can improve the appearance of cellulite, there has been no permanent cure found so far. 

WHAT CAUSES CELLULITE?

The cause of cellulite has not been fully elucidated. However, from imaging and microscopic samples, it has been discovered that there is irregular criss-crossing pattern of fat cells and fibrous connective tissue that alters the architecture of the dermis, making the surface of the skin look bumpy and lumpy. However, the fat cells are otherwise normal. Obesity is not necessary for its presence. However, increasing age, genetics, hormones and weight gain can affect the appearance of cellulite.

Cellulite come in varying grades, from having only microscopic changes without visible skin changes, to having a visible dimpled, orange peel appearance and thinned skin. In most severe forms, there are painful nodules as well.  

HOME REMEDIES

• Diet. Watch your diet. You don’t want to accumulate more fat stores which will exacerbate the cellulite problem. Take foods that reduce inflammation and improve circulation like omega 3 rich foods (salmon, mackeral), nuts, legumes, whole grain bread, green leafy vegetables, colourful vegetables, and berries. Also, cut down on the amount of salt and sugar. Increase fruits and vegetables in your diet. The aim of diet is to improve health of the skin, and reduce fluid retention which makes cellulite look worse.
• Reduce oral caffine intake.
• Herbal supplements- Fennel tea, ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape-seed bioflavinoids, bladder wrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin. 
• Massage treatments. Here’s how to do an anti-cellulite massage from WikiHow.
• Exercise, exercise, exercise!

These methods are said to boost metabolism, improve circulation, protect against cell damage, and promote fat breakdown. However, these claims are anecdotal, and do not have sufficient scientific evidence.

COSMECEUTICALS

• Cellulite creams. Try Revitol, or if on a budget, Neutrogena Anti-Cellulite Retinol Active Treatment. 
• Cellulite wraps. Many aestheticians offer cellulite wraps, which claim to reduce cellulite, decrease fluid retention and detoxify the body.

 

WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO

• Endermologie. A form of mechanical massage. It is FDA approved for temporary reduction of cellulite.
• Mesotherapy. This is a controversial method of injecting drugs (FDA approved drugs, but used for off label pruposes) into the fat cells in order to reduce fat deposits. Although seemingly safe, many physicians are still wary of this procedure.
• Laser treatments. Recently reported in the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, a combination of laser energy and fat transplantation showed significant improvement for severe forms of cellulite. The Nd:YAG laser stimulates collagen formation, skin tightening and reduces fat. Fat transplant is used to fill up depressed areas. Some other laser therapies: TriActive, which combines laser therapy with suction and manipulation of the skin, and VelaSmooth, which combines laser and massage treatments.
• Liposuction. It is effective in reducing fat deposits and improves body contour. However, sometimes it can exacerbate cellulite.
• Fat Injections. 
• Lower Body Lift. 

 

However, regardless which option you choose, all treatments, be it home remedies, creams, wraps or surgical, they all have their limitations and side effects. Also, cellulite is a chronic problem which recurs as part or natural body processes, so there are no short cuts and continued, multiple treatments over time may be necessary. There are no miracle cures for cellulite just yet, but you can control its appearance by starting on the above steps!

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