A TV documentary medical report told about a 16-year-old who hasn't aged (she's still the size of a toddler).
The heart warming part is how much she is loved and cared for by her family in spite of the fact she will never grow out of infancy.
Scientists are wondering if studying her genes will unlock information about aging.
Monday, June 29, 2009
MANY PLASTIC SURGEONS DO GOOD WORK
I know I am sometimes a bit harsh about plastic surgery debaucles but rightfully so when it comes to some of the esthetic procedures. I wish more surgeons would just say
"no" to things like young teens undergoing breast enhancements or performing multiple repeat surgeries creating hideous faces.
I suppose there will always be another surgeon to step up to the plate if one does refuse. Some of the responsibility must go to the consumer and parents of consumers who are minors as well as the media who often present the perfect body. We are under such pressure to be perfect. Most people are not aware of the significant airbrushing done to make the models perfect.
But in order to present a balanced view, plastic surgeons have accomplished many ground breaking operations including limb reattachment.
Many plastic surgeons volunteer for overseas missions in third world countries, for assignments such as reconstruction of cleft lip and palet anomolies. They donate their time and money.
They generally are incredibly skilled.
If you have reached a decision to undergo esthetic plastic surgery just be sure you have been given the time to have all your questions answered. Do research from multiple sources to make sure you are aware of all the risks. It is not roulette. You have more to lose than money. Even if there is a 5% risk - be sure that if you are the one who is in the 5% that you are prepared to live with the consequences. Make sure you have considered less invasive alternatives and given it a good try. The quick solution is not the best.
A ethical plastic surgeon and his/her staff will be prepared to be honest and factual in answering your questions.
"no" to things like young teens undergoing breast enhancements or performing multiple repeat surgeries creating hideous faces.
I suppose there will always be another surgeon to step up to the plate if one does refuse. Some of the responsibility must go to the consumer and parents of consumers who are minors as well as the media who often present the perfect body. We are under such pressure to be perfect. Most people are not aware of the significant airbrushing done to make the models perfect.
But in order to present a balanced view, plastic surgeons have accomplished many ground breaking operations including limb reattachment.
Many plastic surgeons volunteer for overseas missions in third world countries, for assignments such as reconstruction of cleft lip and palet anomolies. They donate their time and money.
They generally are incredibly skilled.
If you have reached a decision to undergo esthetic plastic surgery just be sure you have been given the time to have all your questions answered. Do research from multiple sources to make sure you are aware of all the risks. It is not roulette. You have more to lose than money. Even if there is a 5% risk - be sure that if you are the one who is in the 5% that you are prepared to live with the consequences. Make sure you have considered less invasive alternatives and given it a good try. The quick solution is not the best.
A ethical plastic surgeon and his/her staff will be prepared to be honest and factual in answering your questions.
Friday, June 26, 2009
BEWARE FREE SAMPLES
You are inundated with ads everywhere and the Internet is no exception.
There are hundreds of anti-aging and health supplement products being advertised
You will be asked to pay a small shiping charge - no biggy right?
But what you are receiving is not a sample but the regular size. READ THE SMALL PRINT.
There is often a note that there is a money back guarantee and if you return the product before the timeline (usually 2 weeks and barely after you receive it) there will be no charge. But you have already given your credit card number for the small shipping fee - and guess what - you won't have returned the item (usually because you thought it was a sample) and your credit card will be billed. If can be for $75 to $150 or more and in addition you will have also missed the small print which gives you an automatic shipment and bills your card on a regular basis - often monthly.
A good deal for them but a lot of work for you to undo.
There are hundreds of anti-aging and health supplement products being advertised
You will be asked to pay a small shiping charge - no biggy right?
But what you are receiving is not a sample but the regular size. READ THE SMALL PRINT.
There is often a note that there is a money back guarantee and if you return the product before the timeline (usually 2 weeks and barely after you receive it) there will be no charge. But you have already given your credit card number for the small shipping fee - and guess what - you won't have returned the item (usually because you thought it was a sample) and your credit card will be billed. If can be for $75 to $150 or more and in addition you will have also missed the small print which gives you an automatic shipment and bills your card on a regular basis - often monthly.
A good deal for them but a lot of work for you to undo.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
ANOTHER INEXPENSIVE SKIN PRODUCT - HELPS RELIEVE ROUGH SKIN, SCALING SKIN AND GETS RID OF THE BUMPY ROUGH SKIN ON THE ARMS.
Several years ago I developed an unusual skin condition on my legs - great - now my best feature had to be covered.
Now I think I am fortunate that I had the skin condition because it netted a referral to the greatest dermatologist I had ever met. He was an esthetic dermatologist to boot.
That introduced me to his dermatologist trained clinical esthetician. So it kept getting better.
The skin condition - he told me was very common actually. It is worsened by sun and heat but it would burn itself out in several years. He was right. But the visit turned me into a regular client.
I have always taken excellent care of my skin and at 61 I was still cheating the plastic surgeon. I did not want to look 20 or even 40 but I did not want to prematurely age to the version previously accepted by society particularly when it can be prevented.
On that first visit he told me to use a very simple skin product called Dermalac 12% AHA (LOTION) - it would help my dry skin and help minimize the condition and perhaps help it burn out faster. I discovered, it also got rid of the bumpy skin on the upper arms that many of us have. It is not a prescription lotion but I did have to ask the drug store to order it in as it does not appear to be a stock item.
It costs about $10-$12 CDN for a 225 ml bottle. It goes a long way and is worth it. I order about 5 bottles at a time.
The other great use for this is to help skin cell turn over/exfoliation for a week or two to condition the skin before using self tanners. Self tanners tend to streak if your skin is not in great condition.
You don't need a lot. If you put on too much and it feels a bit tacky simply blot with a damp facecloth.
I tried other things during my visits and will share them over time.
It is good preventative practice to have a yearly exam by a dermatologist to check for any early signs of skin problems including unusual moles or pre-cancerous lesions. How often can you really check your own back!
Now I think I am fortunate that I had the skin condition because it netted a referral to the greatest dermatologist I had ever met. He was an esthetic dermatologist to boot.
That introduced me to his dermatologist trained clinical esthetician. So it kept getting better.
The skin condition - he told me was very common actually. It is worsened by sun and heat but it would burn itself out in several years. He was right. But the visit turned me into a regular client.
I have always taken excellent care of my skin and at 61 I was still cheating the plastic surgeon. I did not want to look 20 or even 40 but I did not want to prematurely age to the version previously accepted by society particularly when it can be prevented.
On that first visit he told me to use a very simple skin product called Dermalac 12% AHA (LOTION) - it would help my dry skin and help minimize the condition and perhaps help it burn out faster. I discovered, it also got rid of the bumpy skin on the upper arms that many of us have. It is not a prescription lotion but I did have to ask the drug store to order it in as it does not appear to be a stock item.
It costs about $10-$12 CDN for a 225 ml bottle. It goes a long way and is worth it. I order about 5 bottles at a time.
The other great use for this is to help skin cell turn over/exfoliation for a week or two to condition the skin before using self tanners. Self tanners tend to streak if your skin is not in great condition.
You don't need a lot. If you put on too much and it feels a bit tacky simply blot with a damp facecloth.
I tried other things during my visits and will share them over time.
It is good preventative practice to have a yearly exam by a dermatologist to check for any early signs of skin problems including unusual moles or pre-cancerous lesions. How often can you really check your own back!
Friday, June 19, 2009
SOMETIMES THE MOST SIMPLE SKIN CARE IS BEST
Years ago, when I was in my twenties I worked with a number of Canadian-Italian women in Toronto. They were always a fountain of information for natural and sometimes a bit far out beauty treatments. But they had beautiful skin and whether it was heredity, diet, or skin treaments, I am not sure.
The two that stand out in my mind (one of which I would never recommend) was
1. For acne - take the wet diaper of a newborn and apply to face. Ok since then I am wondering if it contains urea as I see some skin products contain urea.
2. For moisturizing use pure olive oil.
I can support # 2 - I have used it since and I have a few recommendations. I use it about every 2-3 days.
I keep it in the shower in a plastic squeeze salad dressing/BBQ sauce bottle - you know the type they use at wrap zone to squirt all the different dressings in wraps. I slather it on generously prior to shower being very careful NOT TO SLIP IN TUB! I rub it in well with an abrasive skin care glove which helps to remove dead skin and provides massage to improve the circulation. I suppose a bath brush would be another option.
Next shower it off with soap and water.
At other times, I apply a small amount after bathing to damp skin and let dry and surprisingly it is not oily.
You can also apply it to dry hair. Do this well before bed so the oil dries, but just in case place a towel on your pillow. Next day - shampoo several times, then condition. For added effect - warm it first by placing the bottle in a sink with warm water and/or putting on a shower cap and sitting under the dryer or wrapping a warm towel for 15 minutes or so.
Another great deep treatment is to use virgin organic coconut oil available in health food stores - same as above - it is also edible. It is pricey but it lasts a long time.
Tie your hair up, and it is not unattractive however, the only problem I foresee is your significant other may crave coconut cream pie all night long :)
The two that stand out in my mind (one of which I would never recommend) was
1. For acne - take the wet diaper of a newborn and apply to face. Ok since then I am wondering if it contains urea as I see some skin products contain urea.
2. For moisturizing use pure olive oil.
I can support # 2 - I have used it since and I have a few recommendations. I use it about every 2-3 days.
I keep it in the shower in a plastic squeeze salad dressing/BBQ sauce bottle - you know the type they use at wrap zone to squirt all the different dressings in wraps. I slather it on generously prior to shower being very careful NOT TO SLIP IN TUB! I rub it in well with an abrasive skin care glove which helps to remove dead skin and provides massage to improve the circulation. I suppose a bath brush would be another option.
Next shower it off with soap and water.
At other times, I apply a small amount after bathing to damp skin and let dry and surprisingly it is not oily.
You can also apply it to dry hair. Do this well before bed so the oil dries, but just in case place a towel on your pillow. Next day - shampoo several times, then condition. For added effect - warm it first by placing the bottle in a sink with warm water and/or putting on a shower cap and sitting under the dryer or wrapping a warm towel for 15 minutes or so.
Another great deep treatment is to use virgin organic coconut oil available in health food stores - same as above - it is also edible. It is pricey but it lasts a long time.
Tie your hair up, and it is not unattractive however, the only problem I foresee is your significant other may crave coconut cream pie all night long :)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Permanent Makeup - A practical solution to makeup problems
I am a fan of permanent eyeliner. (My only tattoo so far)
I love the look of liner and have always worn it. No water what type I have tried over the years, it ran, gave me an allergic reaction, stung my eyes or changed colour on the skin. In the past few years I had the near-far vision problem and getting the lines straight was a chore. It was either time to give up my beauty ritual or find other options.
I had tried permanent liner about 15 years ago and it was much too painful so I did not complete my treatment. Then I met a very talented professional clinical esthetician.
I had liner done upper lids and lower lids PAINLESSLY! I loved the result. It will last about 3-5 years and I will save more than I spent in eye makeup, eye makeup remover - not to mention the frustration of the issues I mentioned above.
As an added bonus, I recently fractured my dominant arm. It is a life saver. Having my husband apply liner or trying to do it with my non dominant hand would be a disaster.
To get answers to your questions about permanent makeup - go to Lori's web site page through the following link for the page on the topic Okanagan Skin and Laser
I love the look of liner and have always worn it. No water what type I have tried over the years, it ran, gave me an allergic reaction, stung my eyes or changed colour on the skin. In the past few years I had the near-far vision problem and getting the lines straight was a chore. It was either time to give up my beauty ritual or find other options.
I had tried permanent liner about 15 years ago and it was much too painful so I did not complete my treatment. Then I met a very talented professional clinical esthetician.
I had liner done upper lids and lower lids PAINLESSLY! I loved the result. It will last about 3-5 years and I will save more than I spent in eye makeup, eye makeup remover - not to mention the frustration of the issues I mentioned above.
As an added bonus, I recently fractured my dominant arm. It is a life saver. Having my husband apply liner or trying to do it with my non dominant hand would be a disaster.
To get answers to your questions about permanent makeup - go to Lori's web site page through the following link for the page on the topic Okanagan Skin and Laser
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
FACIAL REJUVENATION WITHOUT PLASTIC SURGERY
I told you I would tell you how.
I have found you can exercise anything - your body, your eyes, your mind, your teeth/jaw.
I had stabismus as a child - in those days they did not cut the muscles and try to correct them. I was given simple exercises following my finger out beyond my nose and back again - it completely corrected.
At one point I had TMJ. I had numerous dental filings, drillings and splints. In the end - exercise cured it.
I remember a long time ago I was always told - don't pull on your face or it will stay like that. Don't frown or you will get deep furrows.
Now I have always been gentle with the area around my eyes - it is delicate tissue there and I have taken good care of my skin.
At an early age I considered that in the future it would be necessary to have a face lift. Each decade I delayed it. I now am heading for 61 and was able to improve my body to aim for competition in figure. Why could I not do the same for my face?
An esthetic physician told me it was essential I have Botox preventatively to avoid wrinkles. Even though I understand it is an inactive toxin I declined for several reasons. It is not natural to the body and it is a paralizing agent and is not without risk. And most of all, I dislike the unnatural expressionless face. I think facial expression makes the person.
A while back I came across a facial exercise program. I used it and had results but instead of doing the maintenace part I put it aside and eventually forgot about it. Then I came across it recently in a very timely way. I had been reading numerous articles about the benefits of facial exercise. While reorganizing my office I found my program. Of course! The face has muscles just like the body. I sure needed to resume the program.
I happened to contact the author and found the program was now available through the Internet. I did not buy the creams and facial products because I have my own repertoire of products I am happy with so I cannot give you feed back on those but the exercise program is a keeper. I might try the lip product. I will keep you posted if I do.
Before you undergo the risks of plastic surgery, check it out - Facial Magic Exercise Program!
It can be done in minutes a day increasing to 10 minutes when you have incorporated the whole plan as designed. Do it 6 days/week for 9 weeks, then continue the maintenance three times per weeek. You can easily incorporate it into your daily beauty routine.
Don't forget though that whole body exercise, excellent nutrition, sun protection, cleansing and moisturizing contribute to healthy skin.
SEE FACIAL MAGIC - IT WORKS!
I have found you can exercise anything - your body, your eyes, your mind, your teeth/jaw.
I had stabismus as a child - in those days they did not cut the muscles and try to correct them. I was given simple exercises following my finger out beyond my nose and back again - it completely corrected.
At one point I had TMJ. I had numerous dental filings, drillings and splints. In the end - exercise cured it.
I remember a long time ago I was always told - don't pull on your face or it will stay like that. Don't frown or you will get deep furrows.
Now I have always been gentle with the area around my eyes - it is delicate tissue there and I have taken good care of my skin.
At an early age I considered that in the future it would be necessary to have a face lift. Each decade I delayed it. I now am heading for 61 and was able to improve my body to aim for competition in figure. Why could I not do the same for my face?
An esthetic physician told me it was essential I have Botox preventatively to avoid wrinkles. Even though I understand it is an inactive toxin I declined for several reasons. It is not natural to the body and it is a paralizing agent and is not without risk. And most of all, I dislike the unnatural expressionless face. I think facial expression makes the person.
A while back I came across a facial exercise program. I used it and had results but instead of doing the maintenace part I put it aside and eventually forgot about it. Then I came across it recently in a very timely way. I had been reading numerous articles about the benefits of facial exercise. While reorganizing my office I found my program. Of course! The face has muscles just like the body. I sure needed to resume the program.
I happened to contact the author and found the program was now available through the Internet. I did not buy the creams and facial products because I have my own repertoire of products I am happy with so I cannot give you feed back on those but the exercise program is a keeper. I might try the lip product. I will keep you posted if I do.
Before you undergo the risks of plastic surgery, check it out - Facial Magic Exercise Program!
It can be done in minutes a day increasing to 10 minutes when you have incorporated the whole plan as designed. Do it 6 days/week for 9 weeks, then continue the maintenance three times per weeek. You can easily incorporate it into your daily beauty routine.
Don't forget though that whole body exercise, excellent nutrition, sun protection, cleansing and moisturizing contribute to healthy skin.
SEE FACIAL MAGIC - IT WORKS!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
DOCTORS' SHOW ONE RIGHT ONE WRONG
I watched 10 minutes of the Doctors show today.
Right
They had a 5 year old on who was 80 lb overweight along with his very obese parents. They (the parents) agreed to accept help for their problem (the kid did not look enthused). And what did they get right? They offered to help by providing a health and fitness trainer. Good move - doctor's recognizing that there are specialists who are not doctors who are much more qualified and suited to helping with obesity.
Wrong
The plastic surgeon did an extreme makeover reveal. Oh goodness he irritates me.
First. They showed the surgery on TV - it started with them wheeling the client into the OR and he appears in his OR garb saying "Show Time!"
Then during the reveal he referred to the client as his best work. HELLO - THERE WAS A PERSON STANDING THERE.
And to add insult, granted she had felt ugly but he says how tough and challenging a job it was for him.
The result. An attractive middle aged woman who bore no resemblance to the "before"
She will have to introduce herself to people constantly. Why couldn't he have 'improved' and accentuated her good features instead of making her into an image of what he thinks she should be. How insulting.
I wonder if once the glow is gone she will have problems adjusting to the totally different image in the mirror as well as adjusting to having people ignore her because they don't recognize her.
Right
They had a 5 year old on who was 80 lb overweight along with his very obese parents. They (the parents) agreed to accept help for their problem (the kid did not look enthused). And what did they get right? They offered to help by providing a health and fitness trainer. Good move - doctor's recognizing that there are specialists who are not doctors who are much more qualified and suited to helping with obesity.
Wrong
The plastic surgeon did an extreme makeover reveal. Oh goodness he irritates me.
First. They showed the surgery on TV - it started with them wheeling the client into the OR and he appears in his OR garb saying "Show Time!"
Then during the reveal he referred to the client as his best work. HELLO - THERE WAS A PERSON STANDING THERE.
And to add insult, granted she had felt ugly but he says how tough and challenging a job it was for him.
The result. An attractive middle aged woman who bore no resemblance to the "before"
She will have to introduce herself to people constantly. Why couldn't he have 'improved' and accentuated her good features instead of making her into an image of what he thinks she should be. How insulting.
I wonder if once the glow is gone she will have problems adjusting to the totally different image in the mirror as well as adjusting to having people ignore her because they don't recognize her.
Monday, April 13, 2009
PLASTIC SURGERY - TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!
As I was doing my housework with the Tv on in the background, I had to look twice when I heard an ad for a plastic surgery centre which does tummy tucks, facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast implants, liposuction.
They were advertising that if you call now and book, they will give you two procedures for the price of one.
Ok now I know where the doctor shortage is. They have all gone in to plastic surgery to capitalize on people's wish to be perfect. And obviously business is competitive to have to offer a sale. Does that mean they are overcharging in the first place. Or does it mean, that they will take short cuts?
Now because these procedures are elective and private, they obviously do not have to adhere to any kind of ethical advertising.
The fact that people, mostly women feel they have to be perfect clones of someone famous and fix everything surgically as far as I am concerned is an illness which is being ignored. I have watched enough of the plastic surgery shows to know there are people addicted to these procedures. Instead of getting psychological help, they are offered bargains for grouping their procedures.
I have always admired the exotic appearance. The perfect body and face so common in model ads, to me are boring. The model who stands out is one that has a less than perfect feature.
When I was a red headed freckled girl with a ski jump nose, I was envious of Cher with her aristocratic nose and exotic looks. I thought she was one of the most beautiful women on earth. Now she has had extreme surgery including removal of ribs to get the narrow V shape. What on earth is attractive about her now?
I exercise hard and follow a clean diet to be the best I can be as me. I don't want to be anyone else. You can exercise anything including the eyes, and the face. I will cover that later in the blog.
When I was young, looking ahead, I was positive that I would eventually have a face lift. Now there is nothing that can be of less interest to me.
I do not criticize those who have significant visual flaws for having surgery in this society and intolerance to differences, but the expectation to be perfect is just sad.
Early in my nursing career I did a short stint on a plastic surgery floor. I saw some bizzare sights when I flicked my flashlight around on night rounds. Since then I have seen too many people with artificial results and often they no longer even closely resemble their former selves. I am over it. The outrageous advertising sure helps put it in perspective.
p.s. My brother-in-law wondered what two beautiful plasticized parents tell their offspring when the child asks "Mom, you and dad are so good looking, where did I get this nose?"
Maybe eventually they will genetically engineer the egg and sperm or select the egg and sperm of beautiful people?
They were advertising that if you call now and book, they will give you two procedures for the price of one.
Ok now I know where the doctor shortage is. They have all gone in to plastic surgery to capitalize on people's wish to be perfect. And obviously business is competitive to have to offer a sale. Does that mean they are overcharging in the first place. Or does it mean, that they will take short cuts?
Now because these procedures are elective and private, they obviously do not have to adhere to any kind of ethical advertising.
The fact that people, mostly women feel they have to be perfect clones of someone famous and fix everything surgically as far as I am concerned is an illness which is being ignored. I have watched enough of the plastic surgery shows to know there are people addicted to these procedures. Instead of getting psychological help, they are offered bargains for grouping their procedures.
I have always admired the exotic appearance. The perfect body and face so common in model ads, to me are boring. The model who stands out is one that has a less than perfect feature.
When I was a red headed freckled girl with a ski jump nose, I was envious of Cher with her aristocratic nose and exotic looks. I thought she was one of the most beautiful women on earth. Now she has had extreme surgery including removal of ribs to get the narrow V shape. What on earth is attractive about her now?
I exercise hard and follow a clean diet to be the best I can be as me. I don't want to be anyone else. You can exercise anything including the eyes, and the face. I will cover that later in the blog.
When I was young, looking ahead, I was positive that I would eventually have a face lift. Now there is nothing that can be of less interest to me.
I do not criticize those who have significant visual flaws for having surgery in this society and intolerance to differences, but the expectation to be perfect is just sad.
Early in my nursing career I did a short stint on a plastic surgery floor. I saw some bizzare sights when I flicked my flashlight around on night rounds. Since then I have seen too many people with artificial results and often they no longer even closely resemble their former selves. I am over it. The outrageous advertising sure helps put it in perspective.
p.s. My brother-in-law wondered what two beautiful plasticized parents tell their offspring when the child asks "Mom, you and dad are so good looking, where did I get this nose?"
Maybe eventually they will genetically engineer the egg and sperm or select the egg and sperm of beautiful people?
Friday, April 10, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
IS YOUR HAIR FALLING OUT? FIRST REVIEW YOUR HAIR PRODUCTS
There could be many reasons such as thyroid malfunction, malnutrition, skin disorder etc.
But first review your hygiene products such as shampoo cosmetics etc.
I have tortured my hair for years with colour, curl, hot irons, blow dryers etc. But my hair remained shinny and healthy. My hairdresser often commented that it must be because I eat so healthy.
Well a few months ago I freaked out because my hair was coming out by the handful and I actually thought I might be getting areas of alopecia.
My hair has always been my favourite feature. In fact in my twenties I did some hair modelling. So when it started to fall out, panic set in.
Coincidentally I was reading a report by a personal trainer about solvents in many common over the counter products.
From my occupational health background I remember solvents are not something you want on your skin - they can pass the skin barrier and at the least cause dermatitis and with a severe exposure can cause systemic problems including kidney failure, central nervous system problems etc. The side effects of course are generally dose related as well as related to the type of solvent thus in industry there are rules to follow using personal protective equipment and/or ventilation and other measures to avoid exposure.
Anyway her article reminded me of a similar article I wrote in the 70's about some of the outrageous ingredients in cosmetics.
In the case of my hair, I thought back to what had changed several months before from the perspective of my hair products.
I have always been faithful and only used professional products recommended by my hairdresser. However my curls were a bit relaxed and one day while in the local drug store I saw a product on the shelf that was a curl enhancer. I bought up a few bottles and used it almost daily. My curls were instantly bouncy.
However, as I mentioned my hair began falling out.
I immediately grabbed the bottle and sure enough reading the ingredients - it contained a solvent common in many cosmetic and hygiene products 'propylene glycol'
it is used as an emmulsifier, degreaser etc. But nearly everything else I have has it as an ingredient as well.
I reasearched it and there were articles absolutely reporting that exposure to so many products with this solvent is a health risk as well as a number saying - kaffooey - it is too small an amount to worry about.
I conditioned my hair with natural oil and stopped using the product. (I either use natural unrefined virgin coconut oil from the health food store or olive oil). Within days I had no new hair loss other than the occasional one due to normal shedding. My spots that I was worried about are growing back.
I don't know who is right or wrong but I doubt that the propylene glycol was the problem versus another ingredient because although I stopped using the offending product, my professional products have the same chemical. So anecdotally, starting and stopping the use of the product for curl enhancement coincided exactly with the symptoms. This temporal association is enough for me not to use the product no matter what the offending chemical is.
You can read one of the articles by clicking on the link below.
Click this link to read an article about the chemical (it is also used in medications). Do your own research.
But first review your hygiene products such as shampoo cosmetics etc.
I have tortured my hair for years with colour, curl, hot irons, blow dryers etc. But my hair remained shinny and healthy. My hairdresser often commented that it must be because I eat so healthy.
Well a few months ago I freaked out because my hair was coming out by the handful and I actually thought I might be getting areas of alopecia.
My hair has always been my favourite feature. In fact in my twenties I did some hair modelling. So when it started to fall out, panic set in.
Coincidentally I was reading a report by a personal trainer about solvents in many common over the counter products.
From my occupational health background I remember solvents are not something you want on your skin - they can pass the skin barrier and at the least cause dermatitis and with a severe exposure can cause systemic problems including kidney failure, central nervous system problems etc. The side effects of course are generally dose related as well as related to the type of solvent thus in industry there are rules to follow using personal protective equipment and/or ventilation and other measures to avoid exposure.
Anyway her article reminded me of a similar article I wrote in the 70's about some of the outrageous ingredients in cosmetics.
In the case of my hair, I thought back to what had changed several months before from the perspective of my hair products.
I have always been faithful and only used professional products recommended by my hairdresser. However my curls were a bit relaxed and one day while in the local drug store I saw a product on the shelf that was a curl enhancer. I bought up a few bottles and used it almost daily. My curls were instantly bouncy.
However, as I mentioned my hair began falling out.
I immediately grabbed the bottle and sure enough reading the ingredients - it contained a solvent common in many cosmetic and hygiene products 'propylene glycol'
it is used as an emmulsifier, degreaser etc. But nearly everything else I have has it as an ingredient as well.
I reasearched it and there were articles absolutely reporting that exposure to so many products with this solvent is a health risk as well as a number saying - kaffooey - it is too small an amount to worry about.
I conditioned my hair with natural oil and stopped using the product. (I either use natural unrefined virgin coconut oil from the health food store or olive oil). Within days I had no new hair loss other than the occasional one due to normal shedding. My spots that I was worried about are growing back.
I don't know who is right or wrong but I doubt that the propylene glycol was the problem versus another ingredient because although I stopped using the offending product, my professional products have the same chemical. So anecdotally, starting and stopping the use of the product for curl enhancement coincided exactly with the symptoms. This temporal association is enough for me not to use the product no matter what the offending chemical is.
You can read one of the articles by clicking on the link below.
Click this link to read an article about the chemical (it is also used in medications). Do your own research.
PLASTIC SURGERY AT ITS WORST
On March 22nd 2009 on Discovery “Health” Channel I watched an episode of ‘Plastic Surgery Before and After’ which truly nauseated me and upset me as a health care professional.
First of all simply presenting the surgery in isolation without detailed background including any prior attempts at non surgical weight loss etc could lead the viewer to believe that this is an acceptable or recommended form of weight loss. If they were showing it for shock value - it kind of did the trick for me. I was shocked.
I realize that many plastic surgeons do charity work in foreign countries for conditions like cleft palate and disfigurement. But.. if they get the money to do that from their elective esthetic plastic surgery practice, particularly from outrageous procedures performed on obese people, then their ethics should be called into question.
Sure the patient has to be provided with ‘informed consent’ but.. does the patient truly know the harm they are causing and the huge risk they are undertaking as well as all the healthier options?
The case in question?
A woman noticed after seeing her son’s graduation videos that she was very obese. She admitted to being 335 lb but to me looked much heavier. She had a gastric bypass to lose weight.
Patients undergoing severe weight loss surgery are supposed to have proven attempts at medically supervised weight loss. There are supposed to be criteria prior to any consideration of the surgery. I understand that in the U.S. failure of medically supervised weight loss is indicated at 6 months if there has not been a 5% to 10% weight loss. Good grief if you are 200 lb overweight that is hardly a very good attempt – and sorry but I would doubt that the person is following the plan if they have not lost at least 5-10% of their weight even in 6 months. It is a very very weak guideline. From what I have seen, and read, I doubt very much that the criteria is rigidly enforced.
Mistake # 1
OK gastric bypass a treatment in bariatrics is not 'plastic surgery' but after gastric bypass the rapid and unhealthy loss likely make her proceed to mistake # 2.
Look at some of the complications involved in gastric bypass:
The functional size of the stomach is reduced and complications are not few. Some studies report that the 30 day mortality (death rate) is 7% for the laparascopic procedure and can be as much as 14.5 % for the incisional procedure.
The obese generally have poor wound healing. Fat doesn’t heal well and is prone to infection. Incisions are at risk of dehiscence – splitting open. I have actually seen several abdomens split open and the bowel come out in my surgical nursing career. It is not a very nice experience - (and I mean for the patient) gently holding the bowel in place with saline dressings until the surgeon arrives and hoping they don’t develop massive infection from the exposure of the bowel to the atmosphere. And hopefully they do not go into shock.
Other potential complications of the surgical weight loss procedures: infection, hemorrhage, blood clots, leakage of the anastomosis (joined part) from the bowel into the sterile abdominal cavity causing infection possible peritonitis; abcess; hernia; would infection, ulcers, stricture (blockage) dumping syndrome – when the client eats a sugary food it bypasses rapidly to the bowel causing symptoms of rapid heart beat, cold sweats and diarrhea; nutritional deficiencies such as hyperparathyroidism, iron deficiency, Vitamin B12 deficiency, malabsorption syndrome, anemia, protein malabsorption, as well as pulmonary embolism and respiratory failure; nausea and vomiting, gallstones, malnutrition. I haven’t even started on the anesthetic risks.
Histological and liver function tests are generally abnormal in the morbidly obese including fatty changes in the liver. There is no clear understanding regarding these changes and the ability to metabolize anesthetic agents which are mostly detoxified in the liver. The obese used to be at risk of “halothane hepatitis” but I believe they do not use that agent anymore. Even if the metabolism of anesthetics is not a risk there are dozens of others that the anesthesiologist has to worry about and which I won’t go into detail here.
I knew that often they have to use two operating tables to accommodate the patient but I was blown away at an anesthetic journal article that reported how common it is that these people can flip off the table during positional changes thus making it advisable to strap them down well. Due to their body habitus (size) they are also at great risk of pressure sores and neural (nerve) injuries during surgery.
Sound good so far?
On Oprah recently she featured some morbidly obese people. One was a woman 29-years-old and 900 lb - she decided on a gastric bypass. It took 8 firemen and a great deal of embarrassment for her to be transported to hospital. 12 different hospitals had turned her down for the surgery. She made a video plea for someone to help her. A hospital and physician stepped up to the plate. Tragically she died 12 days after surgery from a massive heart attack.
The other key person in the story was a 20-year-old 800 lb male who also underwent gastric bypass. He so far has lived and is down to around 500 lb.
The really horrible thing is, in the first case the woman was bed ridden and could not properly feed herself - so someone had to enable her eating habits - similarly the boy's mother had to bring him all his meals - he could get up to the bathroom but it was too painfull to do anything else for himself.
This procedure does nothing to change the eating pattern and lifestyle habits of the individual and bodes poorly for long term health.
The weight loss is very rapid along with ongoing lack of exericse it does nothing to allow your body, particularly your tissues and skin time to adjust and adapt leaving huge hanging folds of skin making it very difficult to maintain hygiene. I don't know how it affects the metabolism but I would doubt it would be a positive effect.
Perhaps the extreme weight of the 900 and 800 lb persons were considered a medical emergency - but who really knows if the woman would have fared better by some intense medically supervised hospital controlled non surgical weight loss plan.
The woman in the program I mentioned earlier (who was 335 lb) lost 100 lb and looked dreadful to me – she was smaller but still very fat with huge bulky bumps of cellulite. She was pleased with her weight loss.
She had the goal of wearing a bathing suit and hated that her legs rubbed together so what did she do next?
Mistake # 2 excessive plastic surgery.
Now remember - she is still at least 225 lb.
She underwent plastic surgery. The surgeon made a two foot incision at the back of her thighs across her buttocks trying to hide the gigantic incision in the butt crease. He cut enormous amounts of skin and removed fat and lipo-sucked out more fat. Then he made a one foot incision on the inside of each leg trying to tighten the legs and sucked out and removed more fat again. Cripes, it might as well have been a butcher shop.
The result? Very slightly smaller ugly legs now with huge ugly scars.
Yep. She wore a bathing suit bless her heart.
The woman is still obese. Although she ‘feels healthier’ probably because she is lighter overall but I do not see how two extreme surgeries would make her healthier. She still has the body, and organs and likely the habits of a morbidly obese individual. Organ fat and the health of the blood vessels are not altered with lipo suction procedures.
I could say she took the easy way out but I can't say that because it is so severe that she must have suffered terribly with both surgeries.
With a nutrition and exercise plan, she may not have ended up looking like Gwyneth Paltrow (thankfully perhaps) but she would have stood a chance of having a scar free pleasing appearance and she certainly would have greater health if she had proper support for nutritional counseling and exercise.
No surgeon should touch a patient until the patient has lost a significant amount of weight with proper nutrition and exercise. This is just wrong. They need better controls to protect patients from themselves but most of all from surgeons who perform surgery just because they can and just because someone asks for it. Look at Micheal Jackson. Need I say more. Even the rich are not immune from plastic surgery nightmares.
Which brings me to the point that we need more non invasive obesity support centers. There is paucity of bariatric centres. Given the obesity in well fed countries, and the risks of increased mortality and morbidity, this is unbelievable.
We need more health care money spent on prevention and helping the morbidly obese to downsize in a healthy non-surgical way. Too bad the woman had not spent the $20,000+ for the plastic surgery on healthy alternatives.
First of all simply presenting the surgery in isolation without detailed background including any prior attempts at non surgical weight loss etc could lead the viewer to believe that this is an acceptable or recommended form of weight loss. If they were showing it for shock value - it kind of did the trick for me. I was shocked.
I realize that many plastic surgeons do charity work in foreign countries for conditions like cleft palate and disfigurement. But.. if they get the money to do that from their elective esthetic plastic surgery practice, particularly from outrageous procedures performed on obese people, then their ethics should be called into question.
Sure the patient has to be provided with ‘informed consent’ but.. does the patient truly know the harm they are causing and the huge risk they are undertaking as well as all the healthier options?
The case in question?
A woman noticed after seeing her son’s graduation videos that she was very obese. She admitted to being 335 lb but to me looked much heavier. She had a gastric bypass to lose weight.
Patients undergoing severe weight loss surgery are supposed to have proven attempts at medically supervised weight loss. There are supposed to be criteria prior to any consideration of the surgery. I understand that in the U.S. failure of medically supervised weight loss is indicated at 6 months if there has not been a 5% to 10% weight loss. Good grief if you are 200 lb overweight that is hardly a very good attempt – and sorry but I would doubt that the person is following the plan if they have not lost at least 5-10% of their weight even in 6 months. It is a very very weak guideline. From what I have seen, and read, I doubt very much that the criteria is rigidly enforced.
Mistake # 1
OK gastric bypass a treatment in bariatrics is not 'plastic surgery' but after gastric bypass the rapid and unhealthy loss likely make her proceed to mistake # 2.
Look at some of the complications involved in gastric bypass:
The functional size of the stomach is reduced and complications are not few. Some studies report that the 30 day mortality (death rate) is 7% for the laparascopic procedure and can be as much as 14.5 % for the incisional procedure.
The obese generally have poor wound healing. Fat doesn’t heal well and is prone to infection. Incisions are at risk of dehiscence – splitting open. I have actually seen several abdomens split open and the bowel come out in my surgical nursing career. It is not a very nice experience - (and I mean for the patient) gently holding the bowel in place with saline dressings until the surgeon arrives and hoping they don’t develop massive infection from the exposure of the bowel to the atmosphere. And hopefully they do not go into shock.
Other potential complications of the surgical weight loss procedures: infection, hemorrhage, blood clots, leakage of the anastomosis (joined part) from the bowel into the sterile abdominal cavity causing infection possible peritonitis; abcess; hernia; would infection, ulcers, stricture (blockage) dumping syndrome – when the client eats a sugary food it bypasses rapidly to the bowel causing symptoms of rapid heart beat, cold sweats and diarrhea; nutritional deficiencies such as hyperparathyroidism, iron deficiency, Vitamin B12 deficiency, malabsorption syndrome, anemia, protein malabsorption, as well as pulmonary embolism and respiratory failure; nausea and vomiting, gallstones, malnutrition. I haven’t even started on the anesthetic risks.
Histological and liver function tests are generally abnormal in the morbidly obese including fatty changes in the liver. There is no clear understanding regarding these changes and the ability to metabolize anesthetic agents which are mostly detoxified in the liver. The obese used to be at risk of “halothane hepatitis” but I believe they do not use that agent anymore. Even if the metabolism of anesthetics is not a risk there are dozens of others that the anesthesiologist has to worry about and which I won’t go into detail here.
I knew that often they have to use two operating tables to accommodate the patient but I was blown away at an anesthetic journal article that reported how common it is that these people can flip off the table during positional changes thus making it advisable to strap them down well. Due to their body habitus (size) they are also at great risk of pressure sores and neural (nerve) injuries during surgery.
Sound good so far?
On Oprah recently she featured some morbidly obese people. One was a woman 29-years-old and 900 lb - she decided on a gastric bypass. It took 8 firemen and a great deal of embarrassment for her to be transported to hospital. 12 different hospitals had turned her down for the surgery. She made a video plea for someone to help her. A hospital and physician stepped up to the plate. Tragically she died 12 days after surgery from a massive heart attack.
The other key person in the story was a 20-year-old 800 lb male who also underwent gastric bypass. He so far has lived and is down to around 500 lb.
The really horrible thing is, in the first case the woman was bed ridden and could not properly feed herself - so someone had to enable her eating habits - similarly the boy's mother had to bring him all his meals - he could get up to the bathroom but it was too painfull to do anything else for himself.
This procedure does nothing to change the eating pattern and lifestyle habits of the individual and bodes poorly for long term health.
The weight loss is very rapid along with ongoing lack of exericse it does nothing to allow your body, particularly your tissues and skin time to adjust and adapt leaving huge hanging folds of skin making it very difficult to maintain hygiene. I don't know how it affects the metabolism but I would doubt it would be a positive effect.
Perhaps the extreme weight of the 900 and 800 lb persons were considered a medical emergency - but who really knows if the woman would have fared better by some intense medically supervised hospital controlled non surgical weight loss plan.
The woman in the program I mentioned earlier (who was 335 lb) lost 100 lb and looked dreadful to me – she was smaller but still very fat with huge bulky bumps of cellulite. She was pleased with her weight loss.
She had the goal of wearing a bathing suit and hated that her legs rubbed together so what did she do next?
Mistake # 2 excessive plastic surgery.
Now remember - she is still at least 225 lb.
She underwent plastic surgery. The surgeon made a two foot incision at the back of her thighs across her buttocks trying to hide the gigantic incision in the butt crease. He cut enormous amounts of skin and removed fat and lipo-sucked out more fat. Then he made a one foot incision on the inside of each leg trying to tighten the legs and sucked out and removed more fat again. Cripes, it might as well have been a butcher shop.
The result? Very slightly smaller ugly legs now with huge ugly scars.
Yep. She wore a bathing suit bless her heart.
The woman is still obese. Although she ‘feels healthier’ probably because she is lighter overall but I do not see how two extreme surgeries would make her healthier. She still has the body, and organs and likely the habits of a morbidly obese individual. Organ fat and the health of the blood vessels are not altered with lipo suction procedures.
I could say she took the easy way out but I can't say that because it is so severe that she must have suffered terribly with both surgeries.
With a nutrition and exercise plan, she may not have ended up looking like Gwyneth Paltrow (thankfully perhaps) but she would have stood a chance of having a scar free pleasing appearance and she certainly would have greater health if she had proper support for nutritional counseling and exercise.
No surgeon should touch a patient until the patient has lost a significant amount of weight with proper nutrition and exercise. This is just wrong. They need better controls to protect patients from themselves but most of all from surgeons who perform surgery just because they can and just because someone asks for it. Look at Micheal Jackson. Need I say more. Even the rich are not immune from plastic surgery nightmares.
Which brings me to the point that we need more non invasive obesity support centers. There is paucity of bariatric centres. Given the obesity in well fed countries, and the risks of increased mortality and morbidity, this is unbelievable.
We need more health care money spent on prevention and helping the morbidly obese to downsize in a healthy non-surgical way. Too bad the woman had not spent the $20,000+ for the plastic surgery on healthy alternatives.
EYEBROW TRANSPLANT - THE CRAZY WORLD OF COSMETIC SURGERY
A very wacky procedure costing $6000.
I have begun intermittently watching plastic surgery shows. Mainly because my former personal trainer is so anti plastic surgery and his rants have brought some of the issues to my attention.
I don't watch a great deal of TV but sometimes have the "boob tube" on for noise or diversion while doing housework.
Okay, so viola there was a program - get this - about eyebrow transplants!
They came up with the procedure originally to help those with no eyebrows due to burns or skin disease or chemotherapy and also supposedly to cover up permanent makeup tatoos. But of course now they are offering it for those who want perfectly enhanced eyebrows. The hook is that the eyebrows are a frame for the face and are actually quite important to appearance.
So just like people wanting Angelina Jolie lips - they could now get Brook Shields eyebrows albeit for about $6000.
How do they do it? - they cut a strip from the scalp (2-3 inches long - so you can't have really short hair or the scar might show)and hair by hair transplant them to the eyebrows a bit of a bloody sore, procedure just like hair transplants. I believe they implant about 300-400 hairs for each eyebrow - not all of the grafts take so it may have to be repeated.
Alright, now to why this is the most ridiculous procedure ever? Well guess what - the hair grows like the hair on the head - you know - the place it is transplanted from.
CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING TO GO TO THE HAIRDRESSER FOR EYEBROW TRIMS ON A REGULAR BASIS? Why not just let em grow and wear them in a pony tail? And you have to use gel to train the hair as well.
Geez Louise. You'd think even if they are going to help those with no eyebrows, they could find an area of the body to transplant from which has a similar growth pattern.
There are other ways of doing it. A really good permanent makeup esthetician can 'tattoo' eyebrows which has got to be better than having to have a hair cut on your brows on a regular basis. And the cost is around $400 and it lasts for about 5 years - I will get more info on that and post at a later date. But of course the plastic surgeon's article almost pre-empted the topic by giving permanent makeup as one reason for needing the surgery (e.g. to cover the tatoo with hair so it is not visible). It has probably been 5 years why not just have them re-tatooed - how could it be more unnatural than having to shampoo condition gel and cut your eyebrows on a regular basis?
I have begun intermittently watching plastic surgery shows. Mainly because my former personal trainer is so anti plastic surgery and his rants have brought some of the issues to my attention.
I don't watch a great deal of TV but sometimes have the "boob tube" on for noise or diversion while doing housework.
Okay, so viola there was a program - get this - about eyebrow transplants!
They came up with the procedure originally to help those with no eyebrows due to burns or skin disease or chemotherapy and also supposedly to cover up permanent makeup tatoos. But of course now they are offering it for those who want perfectly enhanced eyebrows. The hook is that the eyebrows are a frame for the face and are actually quite important to appearance.
So just like people wanting Angelina Jolie lips - they could now get Brook Shields eyebrows albeit for about $6000.
How do they do it? - they cut a strip from the scalp (2-3 inches long - so you can't have really short hair or the scar might show)and hair by hair transplant them to the eyebrows a bit of a bloody sore, procedure just like hair transplants. I believe they implant about 300-400 hairs for each eyebrow - not all of the grafts take so it may have to be repeated.
Alright, now to why this is the most ridiculous procedure ever? Well guess what - the hair grows like the hair on the head - you know - the place it is transplanted from.
CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING TO GO TO THE HAIRDRESSER FOR EYEBROW TRIMS ON A REGULAR BASIS? Why not just let em grow and wear them in a pony tail? And you have to use gel to train the hair as well.
Geez Louise. You'd think even if they are going to help those with no eyebrows, they could find an area of the body to transplant from which has a similar growth pattern.
There are other ways of doing it. A really good permanent makeup esthetician can 'tattoo' eyebrows which has got to be better than having to have a hair cut on your brows on a regular basis. And the cost is around $400 and it lasts for about 5 years - I will get more info on that and post at a later date. But of course the plastic surgeon's article almost pre-empted the topic by giving permanent makeup as one reason for needing the surgery (e.g. to cover the tatoo with hair so it is not visible). It has probably been 5 years why not just have them re-tatooed - how could it be more unnatural than having to shampoo condition gel and cut your eyebrows on a regular basis?
Friday, March 27, 2009
NATURAL BEAUTY WITHOUT PLASTIC SURGERY
I am dedicating this site to non surgical beauty enhancement topics. Although you may not consider some of the procedures 'natural' the main point is that the information is about non surgical options.
I am almost 61.
At age 20 I thought that by the age of 30 I would have a face lift.
Then it was 40, then 50, then 60. I still haven't had one. Why? As a nurse I have a healthy fear of surgery and complications. I have seen the horrors that have happened - even to people with money to buy the best. Need I mention Michael Jackson and some others?
Am I going to age gracefully? Not on your life, however I am going to work at it from a non surgical aspect. I don't feel how I anticipated I would feel at 61. Why should I look like it? But I will be clear that I have no desire to look 20 either. I just want to be the best I can be for my age.
I will share all I have learned as well as what I will learn along the way.
I am almost 61.
At age 20 I thought that by the age of 30 I would have a face lift.
Then it was 40, then 50, then 60. I still haven't had one. Why? As a nurse I have a healthy fear of surgery and complications. I have seen the horrors that have happened - even to people with money to buy the best. Need I mention Michael Jackson and some others?
Am I going to age gracefully? Not on your life, however I am going to work at it from a non surgical aspect. I don't feel how I anticipated I would feel at 61. Why should I look like it? But I will be clear that I have no desire to look 20 either. I just want to be the best I can be for my age.
I will share all I have learned as well as what I will learn along the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
