Keratosis Pilaris a Cosmetic Skin Problem
The Keratosis Pilaris Mystery Unfolds
Recently I went to an allergist to get tested after quite a few years struggling with allergies. I showed them some bumpy skin that I have had on my arms since as long as I can remember which seemed to be getting worse as I aged. I thought they would somehow tie the condition into my allergy problems but the truth surprised me and as someone who writes about cosmetic procedures irritated me to no end. I was told I had Keratosis Pilaris and that it was not considered a medical problem. According to the doctor it is a genetic cosmetic skin problem.
What is Keratosis Pilaris?
Here is a picture of one of my upper arms.
Keratosis Pilaris on Upper Arm
As can be seen given my olive complexion the dark bumps are quite unattractive particularly when using sleeveless clothes. Keratosis Pilaris is thought to be genetic (given to you by one or more of your parents). It causes an excessive buildup of Keratin which cause the bumps that feel like goose bumps.
Of course, I needed to know whether it could be treated. Since this is a considered a non-medical problem treatments are not covered by your insurance but there are some recommendations for how to treat keratosis pilaris.
I was advised by my doctor to try creams containing Urea or Lactic Acid. I have been using Carmol 20 for a week and really haven’t seen much difference but will continue to use until it is empty. I have looked at other options and it appears getting a “kit” that includes a moisturizing component seems to be working for many people.
Keep in mind that though you can improve the appearance of your skin with these treatments they do not cure keratosis pilaris permanently. Given that some of these kits can be expensive I would try some of the cheaper creams first. I will follow up on this post after I finish the cream…
4 Tips for Looking Better for Your Holiday Parties-No Surgery Required
As we get ready for the holiday celebrations some of us may need a little help looking our best. I wanted to share some quick tips for things that I do as I prepare for those all important office and family holiday celebrations.
Tip 1 Don’t be afraid of using Shapewear
Whether you recently had children or just haven’t had much time for the gym you may be spilling over is some places that you would prefer not. Shapewear can tighten up and smooth the look particularly under those black party dresses. Be sure to read the reviews regarding what kind of clothes will work with the particular shapewear you are buying. Spanx is a particularly popular brand.
Spanx Power panties with tummy control
- Tummy Tuck Panties
Tip 2 Tummy Tuck Jeans for Less Formal Occasions
Whether you are going to a less formal party or just meeting with family and old friends at the neighborhood bar. The Not Your Daughters Jeans brand of Tummy Tuck Jeans promises to:
Your Daughter’s Jeans® are here to flatten your tummy, lift your butt and allow you to wear one size smaller.
Be afraid of the imitators!
- NYDJ Tummy Tuck Jeans
Tip 3 Teeth Whitening Treatment for Your Best Holiday Smile
This is the time of the year that I go through my at home teeth whitening treatment. Though I have sensitive teeth I have had success using the longer treatments(not the 3 day ones) with minimal discomfort. If this is the first time using them, try the longer ones first since the shorter the amount of time for the treatment the higher the possibility that you may experience sensitivity.
10 Days to Whiter Teeth
Tip 4 Refresh Your Skin with at Home Microdermabrasion
My family and I have been Oil of Olay users from way back. Moisturizing your skin as you age is very important but in the last 3-5 years many products have come out that take the science of beauty and bring it right into your home. The microdermabrasion kit that I use is safe enough to use 2 times a week. If you have never done one of these I would recommend trying it a before your holiday celebrations so that you can time the effect of it for your party.
At Home Microdermabrasion
These 4 tips have helped me survive many a holiday party season. Happy Holidays!
Cosmetic Procedures Videos Launched
This is just a brief post to announce a new service for our website visitors. We have added a directory of videos related to the cosmetic procedures field. We feel it is a great addition to the information that we provide in our guide. The full directory of cosmetic procedures videos is here. Whereas we will provide periodic picks on on our cosmetic procedures videos page.
We hope that you enjoy exploring the wide range of what is available nowadays in cosmetic procedures. We have provided a category cloud feature which highlights other categories or sub-categories of videos in the areas of cosmetic surgery, liposuction, laser hair removal, tummy tuck, botox, microdermabrasion and breast enlargement. We may include more categories based on demand and availability of the videos.
When Liposuction Goes Wrong
We have recently had some comments and questions from 2 people who have had bad experiences with their liposuction. When liposuction goes wrong it can be a very demoralizing experience and in my search to find resources for these individuals I found that there is not that much information out there for folks in this situation. I have compiled some thoughts here that hopefully will be a good starting point. I want to emphasize that I am not a doctor and every case of surgery combined with patient is unique.
One of our readers had liposuction done combined with a tummy tuck. This resulted in ” a big groove on the left side of the upper hip and unevenness all over the lower back and upper hips.” If both of these procedures were done at the same time it sounds as though it may have been too much. This illustrates the reality of liposuction risk.
2 key areas that folks should focus on is understanding the pros and cons of liposuction and what the possible liposuction risks are. Somethings that can help avoid these outcomes is going through a checklist before choosing your liposuction doctor and making sure that you follow your doctor’s post operation instructions exactly. The way you handle your liposuction recovery time one of the big keys for getting the results you want.
Our other reader is dealing with significant amounts of post operative pain around 5 years after multiple surgeries which she concedes may have been too much surgery. Unfortunately pain is a known possible side effect of not only liposuction but surgery in general. I am by no means minimizing the reality of having to deal with this pain though.
So the question here focuses more on what to do when liposuction goes wrong not what could I have done, though that helps the rest of us that are going through the process of evaluating whether to have certain procedures done. Based on the limited amount of information out there on this topic you have to decide whether you are at the point where you want to go through the process of fixing your liposuction defects or whether you want to focus on your health.
In most cases of liposuction defects or liposuction side effects typically you are advised to go back to your original doctor. Though most people’s gut reaction is to blame the doctor many times it is not their fault and they will do their best to help either fix the problem or direct you to the further care that you may need.
There are actually procedures used to fix liposuction defects when liposuction goes wrong and the scars and shape of your body need fixing. By using procedures like liposhifting fat is moved from the hills of the groove to the valleys of the groove or fat is injected into the valleys to get a smoother look. You would need to find a liposuction doctor that specializes in these corrective procedures. Go to Google and type in “liposuction correction specialist” or “liposuction deformity specialist” and you should at least be able to consult with doctors that specialize in these procedures.
With the pain issue if you have exhausted your options with your primary care physician then I would try to find a pain management specialist. Pain.com provides a search feature for pain clinics for both the United States and internationally.
During or after this research you may consider contacting the state medical board if you feel this is a true issue of malpractice. You can also consult a lawyer to help you walk through your options to make sure you cover all your bases.
I apologize for the long post. I wanted to cover as much as possible. If anyone has any more suggestions or comments for these 2 readers please feel free to comment on this post.
Plastic Surgery versus Cosmetic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a term often used interchangeably with cosmetic surgery. For the most part that is acceptable but in some cases it is important to know the difference. Plastic surgery is a specific type of surgery that can involve not only a person’s appearance but also their ability to function normally. Plastic surgery is dedicated to the reconstruction of body and facial defects that may have been caused by a variety of things. These could include:
- Disease
- Trauma
- Birth Disorders
- Burns
Though these surgeries should improve a person’s appearance the primary goal is reconstructive and or for the purposes of restoring function.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery has also been called aesthetic plastic surgery. This specialty is targeted at improving a person’s appearance. This website is more focused on this type of surgery. Cosmetic surgery is a very popular. In 2006 the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported almost 11 million cosmetic plastic surgeries were performed in the United States. Cosmetic procedures cover a wide range of sub segments from liposuction to botox. The popularity of cosmetic surgery has also been rising for men having procedures like liposuction and breast reductions just to name a few. Though men undergo many of the same procedures as women there are differences because the structure of a man’s body is technically different so men should be sure to ask questions specific to their gender when considering the procedures.
Is Beauty a Driver For Choosing Cosmetic Surgery or Plastic Surgery?
Unfortunately outer beauty is a big reason for cosmetic procedures. We live in a society that values how good we look. It can determine the mate you can get. It even can be a factor in the job that you get. Inner beauty should be everyone’s goal and the choice to undergo cosmetic procedures is a truly personal one. External beauty is something that can effect inner beauty in the sense that you may feel more comfortable with yourself causing you to be more confident. Confidence has been known to be at least half the battle in succeeding in almost anything today. In true cases of plastic surgery though beauty may not be the primary motivator but it helps bring back the confidence and the well being that may have been lost.
In conclusion we can see that plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery coexist and at time intermingle. Whether you need plastic surgery after an accident or cosmetic surgery to fix that problem that has nagged you for years the first stop in your journey is your doctor. They can then direct you to the type of surgeon you need since there are so many sub specialties that surgeons focus on. You want to get the one that is right for you.
Neutrogena Advanced Solutions At Home MicroDermabrasion System
Abdominal Liposuction : Cheating or Not?
Do you think abdominal liposuction is cheating? I had a conversation with my niece who told me she thinks it’s a cop out. Of course, she is in her early twenties with a metabolism that burns calories even when she is just breathing! This response was very interesting to me because as someone in their forties I don’t have that kind of metabolism anymore. I’m not someone who would be considered a couch potato. I try to exercise regularly and eat a good diet at least 80% of the time. Yet steadily over the years I have not been able to make progress in losing the weight on my abdomen. At this point abdominal liposuction is an option and a very legitimate one regardless of what my twenty something niece might think.
Liposuction has had instant success with men and women worldwide. They have dieted and exercised without the visible results that they want. We all have been faced with weight problems either for ourselves or with family or friends. Everyone has dealt with someone who has gained a few too many pounds and is not happy about it. Statistics show that even though the cost of abdominal liposuction is not cheap, it is also one of the most performed cosmetic procedures in the U.S.
The Abdominal Liposuction Procedure
Abdominal liposuction surgery takes approximately couple of hours depending on the person the amount of liposuction you will be undergoing and the type of liposuction equipment that will be used. Beforehand you will need to go through a series of physical examination before you have the operation in order to ensure that you are both physically fit and will not face any major complications. The doctors want to ensure that you can heal as quickly as possible.
The procedure itself is not complicated. What is more complicated is the healing process and the post operative instructions given to you by your doctor. The healing process can take a few months during which time you will have to be on a strict diet as prescribed by the doctor. Before you undergo surgery be sure to get an abdominal liposuction picture from your doctor so that you can see what to expect. Many patients are not prepared for the reality after the operation. After the operation the area is bruised and lumps may form where the fat was extracted. The good news is that it should be temporary and it will all disappear in matter is months.
Abdominal Liposuction Risks
Don’t expect miracles overnight and be sure that you fall into the right type of profile of someone who has a good chance of success with this operation. Abdominal liposuction can only relieve you of a few pounds at a time. It is highly recommended for those who have put on around 10 –15 pounds. The person should also be ready to diet and exercise in order to maintain a their form. Obese people may not see a great improvement unless they undergo multiple sessions during a wide period of time. Doctors can not perform another procedure unless the first one has healed enough to support another liposuction.
A statistically minor risk is fatality. Statistics also show that 1 person in 100,000 die due to abdominal liposuction. Most of those cases were because the patient did not follow the diet and post operative directions given. There are also other reasons like a surgeon conducting too much liposuction, the patient having multiple cosmetic procedures done in one day and general anesthesia related.
So am I still considering abdominal liposuction? Yes, because the more research I conduct the more common I know it is. I may give my ab lounge a couple more months but life is short. It is too short to be unhappy with the way that you look day in and day out.
