Bright and Beautiful: The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

 

Sometimes, keeping your mouth clean and maintaining fresh breath are not enough to make you feel your very best. Crooked, chipped and missing teeth or issues with overall tooth alignment are all things that can diminish the appeal of your smile and make you feel less than confident when dealing with others. Following are four ways that cosmetic dentistry can have a significant impact on your self-image and on your overall quality of life.

 

Gain Increased Confidence and a Positive, Proactive Mindset

Feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed about your smile can make you less than confident in all life areas. People with damaged or missing teeth are often reticent to engage in intimate conversations with others or to make a broad range of facial expressions. This limits their ability to communicate openly and without reservation. Once your cosmetic issues have been corrected, however, you can smile broadly, lean in confidently and express yourself without fear of what others might think about the state of your mouth. Feeling more confident about yourself will also make you far more positive and proactive in both the professional and social arenas.

 

Make a Better Impression On Others

Not only will you feel better about how you look, but people will respond to you better as well. Your smile is the most noticeable feature that you have and as unfortunate as it may be, people are prone to making snap judgments based upon what they can see. A healthy and complete smile is the best way to show others that you value yourself, your health and your appearance.

 

Balance out Bite Forces and Preserve Your Smile

In addition to making smiles look a whole lot better, cosmetic dentistry also supplies a number of practical, functional benefits. As you may know as you age, your teeth begin to show signs of wear and tear (Source: Guerra Dental).  Replacing a missing or badly damaged tooth will prevent the surrounding teeth from navigating out of their intended positions. This will also balance out bite forces when you chew, so that your healthy teeth will not be subjected to undue wear and tear.

 

Fewer Headaches

If you regularly suffer from headaches, missing or damaged teeth could be the cause. Imbalanced and misaligned bite forces place an incredible amount of stress on the jaws and facial muscles. Corrective, cosmetic procedures will make it easier for you to grind up your food without building up tension in the face that will eventually lead to a throbbing headache.

 

Cosmetic dentistry is not just about looking and feeling good about yourself. These procedures can have a tremendous impact on your ongoing oral health and on your health overall. They can also help you make positive impressions on others when showing off your smile.

 

Categories: bite forces, cosmetic, cosmetic dentistry, Dental, dental care, dental health, missing, missing teeth, nbsp, Smile, teeth, white smile

Cosmetic Surgery: Is it Worth the Pain and Expense?

 

Getting a little nip and tuck in the pursuit of beauty has never been so popular. But is cosmetic surgery worth the financial, physical, and emotional pain?

Yes – Carl

Once it was only the rich and famous that could dream of cosmetic surgery but now a range of different enhancements are easily available, making it more accessible for everyone. So if you’re not happy with your looks and you can afford the treatment, then why not?

I began having treatments about 10 years ago. I was starting to look and feel old and that was making me depressed. The more unhappy I felt, the worse I looked. I was trapped in a vicious cycle and decided to do something about it by dealing with my appearance.

I used Botox to treat the frown lines on my forehead and the difference it made was amazing – I looked so much better. Since then, I’ve also had eye-lid surgery as my eyes had become puffy and baggy with age. After I’d healed from the surgery, I felt amazing. I look younger and feel happy again. My friends have all commented on the improvement.

I haven’t had any other work done yet but I wouldn’t rule it out in the future. After all, we’re all living longer and like many others, I want to enjoy my old age rather than hiding away. I like to go out and looking good is important to me.

For me, however, cosmetic surgery isn’t just about looks – it’s about confidence too. The popularity of cosmetic surgery means that the costs are coming down; making it more accessible for normal people. And yes, it can be painful while you’re having treatment but I believe it’s a short-term pain for long-term benefits.

No – Beth

I think it’s really sad that our society puts so much pressure on people to look a certain way – to the point where they will pay for painful, expensive, and sometimes risky procedures in a bid to change their looks.

If you’re unhappy in life it’s easy to think that making a change to your appearance will make all the difference. But usually it’s not the wrinkles, big nose, or small boobs that’s the real problem. Often people focus on their appearance when really there are psychological issues that need resolving. This is why surgery is addictive – people think that it will solve their problems and in the short-term they may feel better but when their insecurities come flooding back, they seek out more surgery to try and counteract the negative feelings.

The results of cosmetic surgery don’t always last that long so once you start having treatment it can be a slippery slope to years of surgery. And even though treatments are becoming more common, they are still ridiculously expensive. I’d much rather spend thousands of pounds travelling the world – and I’m sure that would make me happier than a boob job would! The risks also put me off – we’ve all seen pictures of celebrities with cosmetic surgery that’s gone wrong. And the risks aren’t just about how you’ll look after the surgery; there are health risks too. The PIP breast implants scandal showed that cosmetic surgeons can sometimes get things massively wrong – resulting in stress and harm for thousands of people. For me, the risks just aren’t worth it – I’ll just stick to make-up, thank you.

Categories: cosmetic, cosmetic surgery, feel, people, Risks, short term, surgery, treatment

What to Expect from the Most Common Cosmetic Medical Procedures

 

By Emma Sturgis

 

When considering undergoing a common cosmetic medical procedure such as botox, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion or liposuction, it’s important to be aware of what to expect out of the process and recovery.

 

 

What to Expect With Cosmetic Surgical Procedures

 

There are two basic types of cosmetic medical procedures, surgical and non-surgical. In regards to the former, you can expect a longer recovery time with common procedures like liposuction, breast augmentation and abdominoplasty.

 

Every prospective patient will need to ask their doctor whether they qualify for this type of procedure. During the procedure, you can expect to receive general anesthesia, though there are times when your health care professional will use local anesthesia to numb the area of focus.

 

However, these procedures are all practically harmless. After the procedure is completed, you can expect scars, bruising and some swelling around the affected areas, all of which should fade away over a brief period of time. You should be able to leave the hospital or surgical center on the same day as the procedure.

 

 

What to Expect With Cosmetic Non-Surgical Procedures

 

In regards to non-surgical cosmetic procedures like botox, laser skin resurfacing and laser tattoo removal, you will find there is even less risk associated with these than surgical procedures. Depending on the procedure, you can generally expect to receive some type of pain management during the treatment, such as cooling gel for anything involving lasers or a numbing injection for something like botox.

 

Once finished with any of the above-listed procedures, you should only experience some minimal bruising or swelling around the treated area for a week or two. For instance, if you are looking to get a tattoo removed, this process utilizes a laser to break up the ink with a simple light beam. Over a few sessions, the tattoo will dissipate and fade altogether. According to a Salt Lake City laser tattoo removal specialist, this is a highly effective procedure which only requires a handful of treatments. This safety and effectiveness is what you can expect with all non-surgical procedures.

 

Overall, cosmetic medical procedures have advanced a lot over the years, to the point where they are associated with very few, if any, risks. If you have the desire to undergo one of these procedures, there’s nothing that should keep you from exploring your options today!

 

 

 

Categories: cosmetic, medical procedures, most common, what to expect

Could Cosmetic Dentistry Help Restore Your Self Confidence?

It may not seem like one of the most pressing health concerns, but when you are struggling with unsightly teeth, it can really have a strong effect on your emotional wellness and wellbeing. Cosmetic dentistry could be the answer to all of your problems.

 

Cosmetic dentistry can deal with minor tooth problems that are related to the way that your teeth look, rather than the health of your teeth. This includes issues such as gaps in the teeth, stains on the teeth and discolouration of the teeth. Many people see it in the same way that they see spending money on expensive clothes, jewellery or beauty products: just another way to look good and gain professional and social success.

 

A recent study has discovered that over 90 percent of the population believe that having a good smile is an important social aspect. In addition, most people believe that having a strong and healthy smile will help to improve their self-confidence and forge important relationships. If they do not have a good smile, they feel awkward about smiling freely and try to avoid it. This can all be overcome with cosmetic dentistry.

 

Teeth whitening or bleaching is one of the most common procedures. Teeth that are discoloured from red wine, smoking or drinking tea and coffee can be restored in just two ten minute sessions, and it can be done at home with no side effects.

 

Dental bonding is also cosmetic dentistry, and this is when fillings match the colour of your teeth. This can be used to fill holes or to re-shape teeth. Porcelain crowns are also used in these scenarios when the tooth underneath is too fractured or damaged for dental bonding.

 

Veneers – also known as laminates – are thin shells of porcelain that go over the front of the teeth and create the illusion of a perfect smile.

Categories: cosmetic, cosmetic dentistry, dental bonding, Dentistry, nbsp, Smile, teeth

Saving Face: Your Five-Point Checklist for Injectables

Getting older can take its toll on your emotional wellness, which is why more and more people are turning to cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections, in an attempt to turn back the clock. But are they safe?

 

Professor Simon Kay, a consultant plastic surgeon and member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), explains, ‘Non-surgical procedures usually involve injections of either fillers or botulinum toxin, and carry less serious risks than surgery in general. However, over-correction can be difficult to treat, as can asymmetrical placement of the filler and allergic reactions.’ He adds, ‘Risks can be minimised by choosing a reputable surgeon or an established nurse practitioner who is working in a clinical environment.’

 

Before you get any cosmetic procedure, there are certain things to consider. According to Sally Taber, who manages the Standards and Training principles for TYCT, ‘There’s no doubt that injectable cosmetics are extremely popular. However, a rapidly growing market such as this often leads to opportunities for bad practice. We urge everyone to think about their safety when choosing a practitioner. By following our five-point checklist, you can ensure you’re in the best possible hands and look forward to seeing the results.’ So, what’s on this essential checklist?

 

1. Are they qualified? It’s important to check out your practitioner’s credentials, as only regulated doctors, dentists and registered nurses are appropriately qualified to give injectable cosmetic treatment. You don’t want someone injecting chemicals into your face if they don’t know what they’re doing!

 

2. What’s their title? If the practitioner’s title is something unusual or unrecognisable, like “Advanced Aesthetic Practitioner/Therapist,” that should raise a red flag right there. When you’re checking out the qualifications of the practice, you need to make sure that the title of doctor, dentist or registered nurse actually applies to the person who is holding the needle.

 

3. Have they had the appropriate training? In order to give injectable cosmetic treatments, practitioners need training in a variety of areas – after all, this is your anti-ageing wellness we’re talking about. Not only do practitioners need to be adequately trained on carrying out the procedure itself, but they should know how to proceed in the case of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and other adverse reactions to treatment.

 

4. Is the location appropriate for clinical treatments? Even though Botox and dermal fillers are technically beauty treatments, that doesn’t mean they should be carried out in a beautician’s. These are clinical procedures and, as such, should only be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment. Otherwise, you may be putting your wellbeing at risk of infection and even permanent physical damage. Avoid treatments that take place in a home setting or, for example, in a nail bar or tattoo parlour, but rather opt for a clinical facility.

 

5. Where has the substance been bought? You can only get Botox on prescription but dermal fillers are not currently subjected to such regulation in the UK, and can be bought in various outlets, as well as online. This is technically legal, but TYCT strongly urges caution when you’re dealing with cosmetic injectables, as you should be extremely careful when injecting things into your face. In the wrong hands, dermal fillers can be dangerous and can even cause permanent damage. Therefore, TYCT recommends that you do not buy cosmetic injectables from the internet.

 

If you do proceed with Botox or dermal fillers and then start to feel unwell, it’s important to get medical help as soon as possible. Professor Kay warns, ‘The first priority is health. If you have any alarming symptoms, such as a rash, fever, inflammation or increasing pain, go to your GP or your local accident and emergency (A&E) department. Less urgent problems should be dealt with by the practitioner who administered the substance or treatment. Your GP only needs to be involved if that avenue fails to resolve the issue.’

Categories: allergic reactions, checklist, clinical environment, cosmetic, cosmetic injectables, Dermal Fillers, injectable cosmetic, Injectables, nbsp, point checklist, practitioner, Safety

The Magic of MedSpas: East Meets West in New Beauty Trend

Even the word “spa” does something to relax your senses and restore something of your well-being, but how have experts come to this magic recipe for complementary wellness? The answer: choosing the best elements from Ayurveda from the East and medicinal hot springs and mud baths from the West.

 

Traditionally, the term spa is associated with water treatment, known as balneotherapy. Water is used to cure and heal, which is a concept that dates millennia. However, in the intervening years, wellness experts have amalgamated alternative medicine, and even more mainstream therapies, with these ancient techniques, and such sanctuaries have come to be known as MedSpas. While a MedSpa is steeped in ancient wisdom, it also contains all the modern, cutting-edge therapies that you require for anything from hair removal or regeneration to Botox treatments.

 

Medical spas the fastest growing segment of the cosmetic surgery industry, as they really provide the best of both worlds. Where else could you have Restylane injections while listening to soothing music and inhaling exotic essential oils to help you calm you nerves? Plus, you’re safe in the knowledge that you have a practicing and specialised doctor on the premises at all times. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a MedSpa that didn’t have a consulting plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists, or licensed aestheticians who sees patients just like in a regular clinic.

 

So what can you expect when you walk into a Medical Spa?

1. A relaxing and soothing atmosphere.

2. Every service and pampering session you would expect from a spa.

3. A variety of skincare products and creams.

4. Personalised treatments for your skin and body from licensed aestheticians.

5. The high standard of medical care that you would get in a cosmetic surgery or dermatology office.

 

However, just because MedSpas offer the same quality and great results, it’s doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Some are tailored specifically towards beauty and skin, being owned by both corporations and individuals. On the other hand, you have physician-owned spas with affiliated surgical facilities. This means that you have a very good chance of finding a medical spa that suits you; offering exactly what you want and need to have an enjoyable and productive experience.

Categories: beauty, cosmetic, cosmetic surgery, licensed aestheticians, Medical, medical spa, Medical Treatments, MedSpas, nbsp, Spa therapies, spas

Could Cosmetic Acupuncture Help You Look and Feel Young?

For thousands of years, acupuncture has been an integral part of ancient Chinese therapy, helping to address a number of health concerns. As you probably already know, acupuncture uses needles to target certain meridian points on your body, showing positive results in terms of guarding your wellbeing from various medical illnesses. Although it is less well-known, cosmetic acupuncture has also earned a positive reputation in the field of beauty wellness.

 

While, as a Westerner, you may have your reservations about both the physiologic and philosophic source of acupuncture, the results that acupuncture gets in treating specific ailments cannot easily be ignored. As it stands, modern medicine is in the process of integrating acupuncture into common practise, as the therapy is highly beneficial for multiple illnesses and health concerns. The reason it works is that the needles used in acupuncture trigger your body’s normal healing properties, causing relaxation and healing.

 

Acupuncture has been shown to:

• Provide an effective remedy for your acute and chronic pain, such as arthritis and headache


• Boost your chances of becoming pregnant by 50%, if you’re undergoing IVF treatment


• Ease your abdominal discomfort


• Relieve your back and neck pain


• Improve your respiratory health, safely treating respiratory conditions like allergies, sinusitis, asthma and rhinitis.


• Reduce your stress and improve your overall positivity and mental outlook


• Cure insomnia as well as sleep disturbances


• Provide a natural way to manage diabetes symptoms

 

So that’s how acupuncture works in the medical field, but how does that apply to cosmetics? When you undergo cosmetic surgery, this typically involves anaesthesia and can last for several hours. Cosmetic surgery can also cause you to develop bruising, redness and swelling, with a recovery time of at least two or three weeks. Cosmetic acupuncture, on the other hand, is completely safe and incurs no side effects or risk apart from, perhaps, minor bruising. Whilst cosmetic surgery uses harsh chemical-based peels or cuts in your skin, cosmetic acupuncture takes a more subtle approach, producing changes that you will notice over a period of time.

 

Another benefit of cosmetic acupuncture, as opposed to cosmetic surgery, is that it takes the overall-body approach to produce more toned and youthful skin without using drugs, electrical stimulation or surgery. If you’re thinking, “Why have I never heard of this before?” cosmetic acupuncture also goes by other names such as facial rejuvenation. This type of acupuncture concentrates on the facial area, working to reduce your signs of ageing – including your crow’s feet, wrinkles, fine lines etc – while enhancing your overall complexion. In fact, facial rejuvenation can even be used to easily treat chronic skin conditions like acne and rosacea.

 

In cosmetic acupuncture, it’s important that the acupuncturist places and arranges the needles accurately, so that they work in synergy to reinstate balance into your body and rejuvenate your complexion. The place in which the needles are positioned will also help to improve your blood circulation, as this helps to dilate local blood vessels, which, in turn, results in improved distribution of nutrients to your skin cells. This enhanced circulation also regenerates your collagen production and elastin, which helps to reduce wrinkles and give you stronger, firmer and smoother skin.

 

So it’s not hard to see why cosmetic acupuncture is immensely popular amongst women and celebrities. As well as being an effective way to alleviate your health issues, promote your overall wellbeing and restore your youth, the most appealing feature of acupuncture as well as cosmetic acupuncture is that it has no side effects when a licensed acupuncturist performs it. It is also relatively painless and needs no recovery time. To find out more, talk to your doctor or look online.

Categories: acupuncture, anti-ageing, cosmetic, Cosmetic Acupuncture, cosmetic surgery, Facial Rejuvenation, health concerns, nbsp, recovery time, surgery

What Is The Secret Of Ayurdevic Beauty?

Ayurveda or Ayurvedic Beauty is a form of complementary cosmetics, where extracts are taken from Indian herbs in order to make a variety of beauty products.

This was first started by the Body Shop over 20 years ago, who normalised the inclusion of natural ingredients with its wide range of naturally sourced beauty and wellbeing products.

Consumers now have increased levels of concern about the effects of chemicals on their wellness and so are turning once again to natural cosmetics. This has led to an increase in the number of products that contain some sort of botanical or herbal ingredient.

Even supermarkets are not stocking a huge variety of products containing natural ingredients, such as honey, almond oil, wheatgerm, tea tree oil and shea butter. The leading companies in the industry, such as the Body Shop, Kiehl and the Organic Pharmacy frequently travel to far flung corners of the glove in order to source new natural ingredients for inclusion in their products.

Even in perfumes, the Indian herbs Vetiver and Patchouli are frequently used. Whilst it is common to use herbal products in India (such as Turmeric, Amla, Neem and Shikakai), the European and American market have yet to explore these to the same extent.

American company L’Oreal wants to introduce more Ayurvedic skin care products into its range, as the idea of Ayurvedic medicine becomes more popular as part of a holistic treatment routine.

Turmeric is of particular interest due to its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant qualities. It is thought that it could fight against a number of health conditions. Similarly, Neem contains antibacterial properties and also limonoides, which help to fight against acne.

Other products such as Amla (Indian gooseberry), Green Coconut and Ashwagandha are all used in shampoos and are thought to have beneficial effects on the hair and scalp.

Categories: Ayurvedic, cosmetic, Natural

Unregulated Anti-Wrinkle Industry a Risk to Health

The anti-wrinkle injection industry in the UK has come under fire from public health experts. Dermal fillers or Botox are used in 90% of all injected cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK but medical chiefs are concerned that the industry is unregulated, potentially putting lives at risk.

A review of cosmetic procedures in the UK has revealed that there are more than 190 different “fillers” available across the EU. That is in sharp contrast to the United States where there are just 14 available for use in an industry that is strictly regulated by federal authorities.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS medical director, chaired the independent review, which recommended that fillers should become prescription only in the UK immediately. Sir Bruce wants tighter controls on the use of substances such as Botox, which is supposed to be prescription only but can be purchased online.

The review revealed that fillers, which are injected beneath the skin to remove wrinkles and to plump up the skin, are completely unregulated in the UK with the injections often being administered by people with only the most basic of training.

Dermal fillers have become an incredibly common and affordable method of non-surgical cosmetic surgery, popularised by reality television shows where participants are regularly shown having fillers.

The review wants all non-medical practitioners who administer dermal fillers to undergo formal training and be part of a general register once qualified.

The Sir Bruce-led review was ordered after the revelations of the PIP scandal when breast implants made of low-grade silicone were found to have been used in breast enhancement surgery, contrary to EU regulations.

Unregulated Anti-Wrinkle Industry a Risk to Health

Categories: anti-wrinkle, bruce, cosmetic, cosmetic surgery, Dermal Fillers, fillers, industry, regulation, Review, sir bruce