For those who haven't noticed, prescriptions for beauty woes have come a long way from the traditional jog around the block. And as the price for beauty has continued to climb, so has its extremes with terms like "laser", "cling wrap" and "reflexology" finding their way into our beauty vocabulary and, most recently, into the hearts of those who reckon that they've one mole or an ache too many.
While the term "body imperfection" fails to exist in our vocabulary, beauty and health often go hand-in-hand. For these conditions, the latest in beauty elimination, reconstruction and therapy kills two birds with one stone.
Otherwise, it is vital that reconstructive surgery should not be done with the search of "perfection" in mind, in acknowledgement that your body exists as a sanctuary -- not a perpetual construction site.
Elimination
Moles, when strategically placed, represent "beauty marks" that artfully accentuate certain features. Conspiciuous moles, however, are a plain nuisance.
Witnessing moles darken, enlarge or appear during teen years is common. It is only when they form clusters, start sprouting hair or raise noticeably above the skin that people consider having them cosmetically removed. Meanwhile, moles that enlarge to the size of a one-cent coin, contain irregular colour, texture and begin to itch or become painful may be cancerous and should receive immediate medical attention before removal is considereed.
In general, mole removal procedures take only a short ti,me, are relatively painless and can be performed in-office. After a cream is used to numb the skin, small moles are removed at 10 to 20 a time with a laser, while bigger ones involve excising the entire mole and stitching the area close.
Don't be surprised if areas look scabbed or unpleasant after surgery, as healing takes a few eeeks. According to medical experts, "The most common side-effects of mole removal are a slight depression where laser treatment is concerned and a hairline scar from surgical removal."
And, while moles don't usually return once they have been removed, DO contact your specialist if:
» You develop a high temperature; or
» Pain and swelling of the wound occurs
Reconstruction
While braces and whitening toothpastes remain the most common avenues to obtain the perfect gab, more are turning to the oral facelifts, provided by cosmetic dentistry in the form of periodontal plastic surgery.
As a more complex brand of cosmetic dentistry, periodontal plastic surgery involves the reshaping of gum contours to make the teeth appear longer, the gum-line even, correction of a "gummy" smile and the covering of gum recessions. While a more beautiful smile is commonly a benefit of these treatments, many of these procedures are done for medical benefits. Corrections would, for example, improve dental hygiene and make teeth less sensitive to cold and daily brushing -- conditons that are normally caused by gum recessions. On average, the procedure can usually be completed in about 30 minutes.
The Surgery
» The area is numbed and the more superficial part of the gum is released from its underlying attachment before being repositioned to suit the patient's desired outcome.
» Sometimes, a small piece of gum may be harvested either from the palate area or the wisdom tooth areas to thicken the gum tissue, making it tougher and less likely to recede again.
» Micro stitches are then used to hold the newly-positioned gum in place.
» Patients may also be instructed to use an antiseptic mouth rinse until the gums heal.
Recovery
Where grafts are concerned, post-operation discomfort usually lasts for two to three days on the site where the graft was harvested -- not where it is finally placed. Otherwise, cases of severe swelling and discomfort can be well managed by medication.
While considering surgery, enquire if the dentist is experienced in cosmetic dentistry and if he or she has taken advanced continuing education causes in current techniques. Request to see before and after pictures and testimonial letters from people who have had similar treatment in the past.
Also request that the dentist has props or presentation devices to demonstrate how the procedure is done and what results might be expected. Ask and understand the cost and benefits of the entire surgical process before agreeing to treatment.
These steps will allow a careful understanding of the patient's expectations and careful planning to try to meet these expectations on the specialist's part.
Therapy
What's so attractive about lying cocooned, unable to move and trying your darnest to resist from scratching that itch on your left ankle? The novelty of being able to lie cocooned, unable to move and trying your darnest to resist from scratching that itch on your left ankle, of course!
As vexing as it might sound, many new generation masking and wrapping techniques claim to rid patrons of fat, detoxify, contour, tone and tighten while reviving, exfoliating and relaxing in the process. To achieve all these, all you have to do is lie still! Hard to imagine, isn't it? Here's how it works:
After stripping to the bare essentials -- to allow for maximum coverage of the body wrap -- you will be tightly bound in warm amino acid, herbal extract and collagen solution saturated elastic-type bandages that work to cleanse and nourish the body with essential minerals, while attempting to reshape your overall silhouette with inch-by-inch fat reduction. In many cases, alternatives like sea clay body wrap, cellulite gel, herbal body wrap, aloe wrap and mud wraps are also made available, depending on the anticipated end result.
For those who find claims that body wraps melt inches off your body and shrink fat cells after a single session rather ambitious and a tad idealistic, herbal and mineral wraps that focus on therapeutic results may just suit your fancy. Vitamin, mineral and rich seaweed wraps -- which are becoming increasingly popular -- aim to refresh, soothe, rejuvenate and leave you smelling great, but won't leave you inches thinner.
After several minutes in a steam room, expect to be slathered with a therapeutic but gooey concoction of seaweed and herbs blend and then wrapped in yards of cling wrap-like plastic and a blanket, Those who are claustrophobic may want to think twice about this treatment.
While any negative side effects of body wrapping are scarce, one is usually advised to assist the detoxification by avoiding the intake of salt, sugar, carbonated drinks, caffeine and alcohol for several days following the treatment and drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day.
Reflexology
Foot reflexology is essentially a form of "pressure therapy" that is suitanle for all ages and involves the application of focussed pressure to individual "reflex" zones located in the foot, which correspond to their respective areas in the body.
Health wise, you can expect to improve your blood supply and circulation, promote the unblocking of nerve impulses and reduce stress, tension and soreness in muscles from regular visits to a foot reflexologist.
"At the same time, it can help relieve stress and tension caused by daily routines. This is additional to the fact that foot reflexology helps to achieve nature homeostasis,"says a reflexologist expert.
If performed by certified and experienced reflexologists on a regular basis (one or twice weekly) pressure therapy can also be used as a holistic approach to healing, depending on the severity of your condition -- serious cases may demand medical attention.
If you leave the foot reflexologist in agony, rest assured that it means it's working! Pain is often caused when tension from a pinched vital nerve structure prevents blood from flowing smoothly. As a result, tension is caused when pressure is applied to that corresponding area on the foot during reflexology. As tension is eased, pressure on the nerves and their connected vessel is relaxed, improving blood flow and overall health.
