I'm a fan of honesty when it comes to my kids and teaching them about life. Not brutal honesty -- they're only seven and nearly five -- but gentle and age-appropriate honesty. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, saying I had cancer wouldn't mean much to a then-three-year-old and 18-month old. So I explained that I had a "boo-boo" in my "boobie," that a doctor would take it out, that I'd take medicine and my hair would fall out, that I'd be sick for a little while. They understood. And that's exactly how it all happened. We didn't talk about worst-case scenarios. If ever one comes up, we'll discuss it then.

I was also honest with my guys about the tummy tuck I had 12 days ago. I didn't use the word "tummy tuck" and I didn't introduce the term "plastic surgery." But I did tell them I would have an operation on my belly to fix some skin, a muscle, and a hernia. I told them the truth: Mommy's skin stretched a lot when she was pregnant, her muscle separated, and she has a hernia just like Danny had a hernia when he was three years old. Danny had an operation. And mommy will have an operation -- for the hernia and the other things too. My boys understood what would happen, that I'd be resting for a few days, that Daddy and Nana would be taking them to and from school, that I couldn't lift them or race around in the back yard for a short time. By the time I had my tummy tuck, the whole event was somewhat of an non issue. And now I'm better. And they've moved on.

Experts say not being up front with kids about major life events opens up the possibility that little minds will concoct their own versions of what's going on. Since these interpretations are often worse than reality, they say honestly is the best policy. I do too.

Source

If your initial reaction wasn't, "Ewww! Gross!" it was probably, "Yeah, right." At least, those are the two thoughts that went through my head upon seeing the article.

Filipino doctor, Dr. Florencio Q. Lucero, has presented this idea in the form of ActiStem Dermal, a product which aims to increase collagen and elastin production, thereby decreasing the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Dr. Lucero is a cosmetic surgeon who has been at the forefront of stem-cell therapy in his country.

However, he is quick to point out that ActiStem is not a stem-cell -- "it's a protein extract from the sheep's placenta." Therefore, he doesn't foresee the ethical and moral issues stem-cell usage has raised.

The product is backed by several former beauty queens (including two Miss Universes) who are now in their 40s and 50s, as well as the doctor's wife, all who claim it's safe and effective, and it's not baaaa-d news.

What do you think? Is this a healthy option with no repercussions? Is it better than what's currently on the market? Or should we all suck it up and live with our wrinkles?

Source

A little nip/tuck action went a long way last year according to a new report coming from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In 2007, Americans went under the knife for 11.7 million cosmetic procedures.

These weren't just surgical, however, some were like Botox. This is a 2 percent jump from the year before in 2006. Even though 2004 set a record with 11.8 million, the popularity of these procedures has caused a 457% increase over the past decade. Over 90 percent of these operations were done to women.

They even have a list of the top surgical and non-surgical procedures. Cosmetic surgeries saw liposuction as the most popular, followed by breast augmentation and eyelid surgery. On the non-surgical side, Botox reigned supreme at well over 2.5 million procedures. Laser hair removal was located in the #3 spot.

Source

Anti-fat shots, better known as lipo-dissolve in most cases, are growing in popularity around the country -- but people may be making unsafe assumptions about both the risks and the results. In a strange circumstance of loopholes people are being prescribed and given these injections despite the fact that the FDA has not approved any injections for the purpose of dissolving fat. Experts have serious questions about things like where does the fat go? Is it really being flushed completely out of the body or just moved elsewhere (i.e. increasing cardiovascular risks)?

Of course there are also those out there who love this procedure and swear by it. Where do you fall? I'm not a big fan of cosmetic procedures anyway so it's no surprise I think people should wait until we know more.

Source

Eco-friendly products are all the rage these days, and cosmetics are no exception. Eco-beauty products are organic items that can make you feel like a million bucks without harming the environment or exposing your skin to toxins. Many companies have come out with eco-friendly lines that are good for your body and sometimes even come in environmentally friendly packaging, as this article from Glee Magazine points out. While most of the lines are new, some have been around for a while -- The Body Shop, for example, has always shown a commitment to bettering the earth.

Myself, I love the Origins line of skin care. What about you?

Source

If you're wanting to look younger and are considering some of the more invasive and drastic procedures like injections or cosmetic surgery, have you thought about acupuncture instead? Although acupuncture has existed for thousands of years, it's only really been in use here in the U.S. for face lifts for about 20 years or so. And the technique may not be what you expect -- an acupuncture face lift isn't what I pictured at first, which was needles sticking all over a person's face. It's much more complicated and often the needles are put other places on the body based on where the acupuncturist determines the problems (the wrinkles) are originating from.

Have you tried it? Would you try it? Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, and Cher apparently have. What do you think?

Source

Tattoos are more popular than ever it seems, especially since technology has made them less permanent than they used to be. Whether it's from a struggle to differentiate themselves from the crowd, a new crazy way of artistic expression, or simply because they ran out of space, some people have started getting tattoos on their eyeballs. And we're not talking about permanent makeup or anything else on the outside of the eye -- we're talking ink injected right into the cornea.

Corneal tattooing is dangerous for a number of reasons, because in addition to the usual tattoo risks the cornea version can include infection, perforation, hemorrhage, scarring, and blindness. It started as a means of repairing eye damage and covering scarring, but it's becoming a more and more popular cosmetic procedure.

So would you let a tattoo artist stick a needle in your eye? Talk about regret!

Source

The quest for the "fountain of youth" of age treatments to keep ourselves looking our youngest is not something new, but it's not going away anytime soon either. And although cosmetic surgery procedures are getting more and more advanced all the time, going under the knife isn't an option for many people for obvious reasons. So here's a list of some of the latest and greatest in non-surgical age-erasing treatments, ranging in price from free (quit smoking!) to upwards of $2500 (ArteFill injections).

• Artefill is a wrinkle filler injection for small lines.
• N.V. Perricone, M.D. Cosmeceuticals' Advanced Eye Area Therapy is a topical treatment that will be available this fall at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus.
• Affirm laser treatments.

Source

Recently yoga instructor Annelise Hagen in New York city was hit with inspiration as she surveyed her classroom, which was full of students with contorted faces as they stretched and balanced in various yoga poses. Why don't we exercise above the neck? she thought. And so "yoga face" classes were born, and eventually The Yoga Face book, with moves designed to tone the facial muscles and perhaps reduce a person's need for Botox or cosmetic surgery as they grow older.

So with facial "poses" like the "Marilyn Monroe" and "Lionface," do yoga techniques for the face really work? Some say yes and some say no, what do you think?

Source

Cosmetic surgery is a hot topic these days with all the talk about liposuction, botox injections, breast enhancements and more, being popular among both celebrities and regular folks. Various topics have been covered here at That's Fit, with Rigel's posts on getting the facts before going under the knife as well as the continuing popularity of facelifts. I have covered the topic before as well with a post on aging gracefully versus finding the answer with cosmetic surgery.

To be honest, I really don't have a problem with plastic surgery in general. If an adult with the means to pay for a little nip or tuck feels that their self-confidence would benefit from a procedure or two, then that is completely up to them. I feel there is such a thing as going overboard (has anyone seen a photo Michael Jackson lately?), but in general I think that cosmetic surgery is just fine.

However, I read this article about parents giving their teenagers plastic surgery as a commencement gift and think the idea is completely absurd. Not only does it give these young adults the wrong message -- that rewarding intelligence and hard work with good looks is appropriate -- I also think that teenagers are way too young to decide whether or not to permanently alter their bodies. While there are always exceptions, most don't have the life skills or maturity to make that kind of decision. I think that they should give it a few years and wait until their bodies are finished growing. By the time they reach their 20s, they'll have a much better idea of who they are and what they value. At that point, if they're still desperate for a nose job or a breast enhancement, at least they'll have the time and experience to fully think it through.

Source

Sometimes it seems like "facelifts," in the traditional sense, are old news. Isn't there a cream out there that does that, like, overnight or something? Although there are countless nonsurgical treatments available nowadays like Botox and other injectables, or laser treatments, or *insert latest fad here,* many women (those age 45 and up especially) are still turning to surgery in order to get the results they're after. Creams and shots, apparently, just don't stack up. And like everything else, the world of cosmetic surgery is constantly evolving with new techniques and procedures available all the time. Currently facelifts are the 2nd most commonly requested surgical cosmetic procedure from people over age 55 (what's #1???).

Source

If you have an important skin issue, like acne, an eczema flare-up, or even a suspicious-looking mole or freckle, good luck getting in to see a dermatologist. A recent experiment by researchers in California confirmed what many have suspected for years: there just aren't enough dermatologists available to meet the rising demand. The researchers called around to make appointments for a "changing mole," and in the vast majority of cases were given really long wait times -- upwards of one to two months. They attribute the shortage to a general increase in patients seeking care and treatment for skin issues (everything from skin cancer to Botox injections) as opposed to fewer dermatologists on the scene.

On the good side -- the health care field just keeps getting better and better as far as career opportunities go.

Source

Radiesse is not actually new, having been used since 2002 in facial reconstructive surgeries, but the FDA has now approved it for a couple of new treatments. One is for HIV/AIDS patients who have suffered severe fat loss in their faces as a result of the disease, and the other -- more for the mainstream population -- is that it can now be used cosmetically to improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines. Supposedly Radiesse is longer-lasting than current wrinkle fillers, and has additional properties that stimulate the face to produce more collagen -- which in turn gives the face improved structure and fullness.

Yeah, we'll see! I won't be the first in line.

Source

Let's say you've got a big, unused pile of disposable income sitting around just begging to be spent (I'm using my imagination here). If you could spend that money on a big vacation, a brand new car, or cosmetic surgery, what would you choose?

One in five Americans reportedly want to blow it on the latter to make themselves look better. Now this wasn't a scientific study or anything, but over a thousand interviews were conducted which represented almost a million and a half households. A lot of those who said they'd like to ramp up the aesthetics were women, though about 12 percent of the men said they would go under the knife themselves (hair plugs, anyone?).

What we are essentially seeing here is a move from Hollywood to the Average Joe and Jane by word of mouth. It's not just for the elite anymore, and it seems like everyone wants to get their piece of the pie. However, only a mere two percent of those interviewed said they were motived by the media. But if that is true, then how come almost half of all of the men and women said they knew which celebrity feature they would choose for cosmetic surgery? For the record, women favor Jennifer Aniston's eyes. Whatever the case may be, it's clear that millions of people out there are not happy with their natural beauty and are willing to go to extreme measures to let someone else change that.

Source