Foods for Skin: 7 Anti-Ageing Foods

Foods for skin: 7 Anti-aging foods to help reduce ageing lines and smooth your skin

It seems like everyday I am reading about a new “cleanse” or “diet” to help clear my skin of the effects of ageing.  All of these trends have one thing in common: they are constantly telling me what I can’t eat.  The truth is that I continue to cut out these so-called “toxins” but continue to see little change in my skin.  Finally, here is the list of 7 foods you CAN (and should) eat in order to improve your skin and fight-off those signs of ageing.

1. Blueberries:

Is there anything these tiny super-fruits don’t do? These tiny blueberries pack a power antioxidant punch! This means they give your skin extra protection from sun damage, pollution and even stress.

2. Pomegranates:

Generally, fruit packed with vitamin-C like pomegranates will guard against wrinkling from sun damage. However, pomegranates also have something called punicalagin (say that three times fast) that might increase your body’s production of collagen, a tissue that makes your face look smooth. Tip: Pomegranate juice isn’t the same as the fruit- get those seeds in your diet!

3. Tomatoes: 

It almost seems counterproductive, but tomatoes are actually great for reducing redness on your skin. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which has shown to decrease redness, decrease the effects of sunburn and improve smoothness in to your skin.

4. Avocados:

Avocados are everyone’s favourite “good fat”. The truth is, the monounsaturated fat of avocado keeps your skin hydrated and helps your skin absorb important vitamins. Side tip: Hydration is good for everything – your skin, your mind, your body. Drink more water – enough said.

5. Olive Oil:

Just when you though the entire list would be fruits and veggies that never feel filling, I’m happy to include something I put on everything except cereal. Olive oil has minerals, protein and vitamins that are essential for skin health and can be skin smoothing.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the king of olive oils and has superior benefits for improving skin health and contributing to anti-ageing.

6. Fish:

Specifically fish like tuna and salmon that contain large amounts of omega-3 are great for keeping collagen and smoothing skin. These fish have also shown to be cancer-preventing which is, you know, important too. Not a fish eater? Try the glorious combination of avocado and salmon. Grill those two, enjoy, and get the double dose of skin – improving foods.

7. Sea salt:

This might be the easiest change in your diet. And, yes, I am completely aware that the sea salt trend seems as ridiculous as 21-day cleanse that so many people favour these days, but the effects and results are real. The process of making sea salt includes the evaporation of salt water bodies and not much else as compared to the heavily processed regular table salt. The minimal processing allows for retaining of minerals and people have reported less acne, smoother and healthier looking skin. Let’s be clear though: those sea salt potato chips are still terrible for you and your skin.

Eating better and making some swaps in your diets in crucial for improving your skin and reversing the effects of anti-ageing. However, skin specialists say lowering stress, 7+hours of sleep per night and exercise can also smooth fine lines, wrinkles and clear redness and acne. So, grab some blueberries, hit the gym and get to bed at decent hour every once in a while and enjoy your radiant skin.

Article written by our skin expert Laura Wilson

Top Skin Care Tips for Summer

Everybody loves this season, and no wonder, images of beaches and breezy waves bring us back memories of past summers.

The truth is that together with this season, there is usually a change in habits that is involves having more time off. Besides, vacations usually mean spending more time outdoors in contact with nature.

Although all of this might look good on our health profile, there is one silent menace lurking out there that can be really harmful to our skin: the sun and its dangerous rays. What are we to do then? Play vampire and lock ourselves away from sun exposure altogether?

Luckily, there is a way to enjoy the benefits of outdoor summer life without risking our skin. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind:

Proper SPF: Vital Choice

Gone are the days when we could spend hours on the beach without worrying about getting protection. Every year, we learn about the damaging effects certain sun rays can have on our body. Proper care begins by choosing the right type of SPF (Sun Protection Factor). In its natural state, human skin takes about 20 minutes to start turning red if exposed directly to the sun. The factor, 15 for instance, extends this period that many times (15×20). This means that a person could spend five hours under the sun before they start getting red.

However, this is not sheer maths a person’s skin type will determine what type of SPF works best for them. In general terms, the lighter a person’s skin, the higher the factor. Special attention should be paid to young children and babies.

Sun block or sunscreen with proper SPF should be used on a daily basis, reapplied every couple of hours and used even on cloudy days.

Sensitive Areas First

Our body possesses certain sensitive areas that should be particularly protected in summer. Eyes and lips for instance, are among these. Wearing the right glasses with appropriate UV protection can be vital for your eyesight. Sunglasses should always be bought at a certified optician’s –never on the street!

As for lip care, a lip balm with SPF protection of 15 or higher is just the thing. The delicate tissue that covers your lips can get easily parched if left unattended. Most top cosmetic brands offer lip protection products you can resort to.

Protect your Scalp

Another way of protecting your facial skin and your hair is to wear a broad-brimmed hat that will block away potentially dangerous sun-rays from both your eyes and your hair. It is not only your hair that gets damaged in the summer, but also your scalp. Remember this, after all is very sensitive skin. Besides wearing hats or caps, there are certain sunscreen sprays that can be applied to your parted hairline in order to protect it. This tip is especially useful for the sporty type.

Lukewarm Water

Showering with hot water after a long sun exposure can further damage our skin. A god way to prevent dehydration is to use lukewarm water instead, this way our skin will feel both revitalised and moisturised.

Summer is just around the corner, follow these tips and prepare to enjoy a skin-friendly season.

Top 5 Causes of Premature Ageing

We live in a physical world and are therefore attached to physical laws that include cell deterioration; however, we should all know that premature ageing is a process that can be prevented. Let’s take a closer look at the top five causes of this unwanted phenomenon.

It is natural for human beings to become concerned with the passing of time. Whether we like it or not, our bodies are bound to decay and eventually age. Some causes of this process are out of our hands; natural oxidation processes or genetic factors are variables we have little control over.

Nonetheless, there are a series of extrinsic factors that we are able to control if we have the will and the time to. Recent research suggests that these are the main causes of premature ageing:

Repetitive Facial Expressions:

Some people begin to look haggard way before their time due to the habit of making faces. Whereas some faces may become a trademark, close attention should be paid to excessive frowning or repeated eyebrow lifting can result in fine lines that deepen once the skin loses its elasticity.

Alcohol Consumption

Few external agents can cause as much damage as alcohol. All body cells experience a major shrinking process when affected with alcohol. As for skin, this substance deteriorates the skin-protecting vitamin A in the body, which is an anti oxidant as well. Alcohol also contributes to the dilation of blood vessels, thus creating blotchy and uneven appearance on the human skin. The liver is greatly affected by alcohol, resulting in duller-looking skin and improper bodily function. Remember your liver is a vital organ whose proper functioning is evident in a healthful-looking complexion.

Smoking

Another major enemy; smoking can accelerate premature ageing in a significant way, not only because of the toxic substances in a cigarette, but also because of the repeated facial movements involved in the smoking process. Major areas that are seriously affected include lungs, circulatory system, throat and mouth. In addition, skin deterioration is a telltale sign, as well. The area surrounding the lips for example, shrink and lose elasticity much more quickly than in non-smokers.

Poor Diets

One of the greatest causes of premature ageing involves eating habits that contain little or no antioxidants. The modern trend to eat highly processed foods and small amounts of natural fruits and vegetables has increased the rates of cell oxidation. Unhealthy -looking skin is a typical trait of this habit. On a deeper level, undernourished bodies are unable to produce the right amount of much-needed substances, such as collagen or melatonin, for instance. The better we eat, the more youthful we will look.

Sun Exposure

It is a well-known fact that solar rays can deeply damage the human skin. Even so, thousands of people still underestimate the sun’s power to negatively affect our skin. Recent research indicates that UV rays account for 80% of wrinkles, skin blotches and spots –visible signs of premature ageing. By taking the necessary precautions and using the appropriate SPF, solar damage can be kept under closer control.

The Importance of Peptides in Skincare

Thanks to the development of the latest technological advances in the cosmetic industry, we are now able to expand our knowledge of how the human skin can be cared for more effectively.

In recent years, the word “peptides” has appeared often when it comes to skincare treatments. This word refers to molecules made mostly of amino acids. Although the term was already known in the 50s, the term did not become popular until the 80s when the first copper peptides were introduced in the skincare market.

Technically speaking, peptides are a kind of building blocks of protein that conform our skin. When peptides make a short chain of amino acids, they are able to gain access to the topmost layers in our skin. Moreover, by signalling our cells, further information on how the skin develops is provided and regenerative functions can be triggered.

How Peptides Work

There are many different types of proteins and collagen is one of the most relevant to our skin and its well-being. This is one of the reasons why so many products containing collagen are available on the market these days.

As it turns out, peptides applied topically can positively influence the way our skin develops. Moreover, the effects of ageing in our bodies can be limited or prevented when these substances are applied locally. The effects of collagen for example, include having a suppler and leaner skin, among many others benefits.

In general, peptides can be said to prevent ageing mainly due to two positive qualities: antioxidant powers and cell-regeneration capacity. Translated into cosmetics, this power helps peptide-based treatments to not only rejuvenate the skin, but also heal any possible damage found in the many dermal layers.

Some peptides are helpful in addressing specific skin issues, such as depth of wrinkles for instance. Others on the other hand, have an overall effect, like improving skin’s smoothness or tone.

In all cases, direct application in the form of lotions or serums is the simplest way of creating an effective impact. Also, users must bear in mind that results will take as long as 12 weeks to show. This is mainly because the effects are not only progressive, but cumulative as well. Finally, if the peptide-based treatment is discontinued or interrupted, it will begin to show. Therefore, continuity is vital to ensure better results.

Understanding Structure

To better understand the role o peptides in our skin, we should first take a look at some specific details of the skin structure that are key in understanding certain concepts.

As it was mentioned earlier, peptides are a kind of building block used to make up the skin structure. If we are to continue with the builder metaphor, we must say that the way the skin is conformed is similar to a brick wall. The corneocytes would be the bricks whereas the lipids are the mortar. Peptides are modified by means of a fatty acid component which enables the substance to be absorbed into the skin.

Superior Results

Even when many beauty products are advertised as having powerful peptide benefits, users should look for the best quality. At Advanced Dermatology, top-class products can be found that have been exclusively developed by skin specialists.

Endowed with collagen or Elastin, these specialised serums provide a true facelift in a bottle as users can actually tap their skin’s natural capacity to:

  • Smooth out face lines.
  • Fill in skin creases.
  • Reveal newer, rejuvenated skin.
  • Even out spots, marks and scars.
  • Restore youthful firmness and natural skin tone.

Finally, the greatest asset the dermatological world has achieved with peptides is their capacity to behave as a sort of natural vaccine against ageing.

Rosacea vs Acne

Rosacea v. Acne: Why differences DO matter

Mankind has shown a need to label everything in life and whereas pigeon-holing may be counterproductive in some areas, in the medical world, a proper diagnosis is all-important. Determining what type of disease is affecting a patient is vital to providing appropriate healthcare. For health specialists, an early diagnosis can determine success and swiftness of treatment. Furthermore, proving the right medication, if any, can be basic to improving the patient’s lifestyle. Similarly, due to repeatedly erroneous diagnosis, it is often for patients to be victims or permanent experimentation; or even worse, to invasive medication for long periods. In fact, the failure to address a condition has led to excessive use of antibiotics, for example.

Defining the Conditions

To begin with, let’s begin by explaining why two different conditions can have been confused in the first place. Some years ago, it was common to hear the term “acne rosacea” which is the way subtype 2 (papulopustular) rosacea was named. The name stems from some of the symptoms that appear with this condition, bumps and pimples, that resemble those found in acne-affected skin.The name has somehow remained and this is why many people confuse one with the other. However, determining the true nature of the symptoms (however similar) will define the course of action for both physicians and patients.

Major Differences

Skin specialists are able to explain how acne and rosacea are not only chemically, but also clinically different. By analysing a simple version of both definitions, we will be better able to understand the main differences between each. By definition, rosacea is an inherited vascular disorder, not a dermatological one, although some of the symptoms seem to be strictly skin-related. People who suffer from this condition find that their blood vessels become swollen after being exposed to certain factors, such as extreme temperature, alcohol or spicy food. At one point, rosacea might resemble a simple blushing. However, as the condition evolves, skin begins to form pimples that look like acne. Even so, there are many differences that set rosacea apart from Acne Vulgaris. These are the most relevant:

  • Face Location: Rosacea occurs mostly in the central part of a person’s face, unlike acne that can be visible in other areas such as, hairline, nose, the forehead, back and chest.
  • Duration: Even in the worst cases, acne is typically temporary (traditionally during teenage years) and eventually disappears. Rosacea on the other hand, is a chronic disease that usually appears later in life.
  • Symptoms: redness, flushing and blushing, pimples (pustules) and bumps (papules). These symptoms can involve the entire nose and the eyes, as well. In the case of the common acne, pimples are usually the result of the pores getting clogged and other symptoms are frequent: blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes and temporary breakouts.

Where it all comes from

So far, the descriptive aspect has been addressed, involving symptoms and qualitative differences. Nonetheless, the major differences between acne and rosacea can be understood in their causes. Acne is the result of numerous factors that involve bacteria, hormonal changes, hair follicles or oil gland cells. This is why antibiotics are sometimes the most sensible treatment. According to recent research, Rosacea, seems to be associated to the body’s immune system, as it appears to be the result of a dysfunction of the patient’s natural defence system. Consequently, the type of treatment is completely different and does not involve the use of antibiotics. Finally, the only people who are able to tell the difference between both conditions are physicians. Therefore, visiting a health specialist is the best choice in all cases. The certainty of getting proper treatment is well worth a visit to a fully-certified skin specialist.

Popular Procedures without Surgery

Most people believe that the only way to treat cosmetic treatments is through surgery. However, at Advanced Dermatology, specialists have found not only one, but several ways to improve people’s looks without visiting the operation room.

The Sixty Minute Facelift

One of the most widely sought-after procedures, this treatment focuses on dealing the most specific details in the human face: eye contour, skin elasticity and healthier collagen production. The aim is to provide a tighter and healthier-looking complexion without the complications involved in any surgical procedure.

With the help of innovative, FDA-approved laser technology patients are given the chance of a lifetime to get rid of past scars, skin spots, bags under eyes and expression lines that have been haunting them for so long.

Since there is no recovery time, patients can do it any time. The procedure is quite simple really; laser technology is used to activate the skin’s own recovery and healing capabilities which are underlying in the subcutaneous layers. Once the process is activated, results are visible almost immediately: skin becomes tighter and brighter. Furthermore, the rejuvenating process continues up to six months after initial treatment. Final Outcome: improved tone, texture and volume.

Anti Wrinkle Injections

Popular all over the globe, this type of treatment does a lot more than just deal with unwanted wrinkles. Besides offering a safe, yet affordable way of diminishing the unpleasant appearance of facial lines, anti wrinkle injections can be used to create a lifting appearance in both the chin and the eyebrows. Additional uses include the treatment of excessive sweating and other hormone-related conditions.

The procedure consists in getting local shots that are always administered by a fully-certified health care professional. Anti wrinkle injections are derived from a purified protein that target muscles. When the substance makes contact with the tissues, it begins to relax the muscles and in turn, the lines and creases begin to disappear. The aim of the treatment is to interrupt the communicative flow between the nerve and the muscle, thus preventing muscle contraction.

The expected outcomes will become more visible within a week, but will be more visible about a month later. The effects last from 3 to 4 months depending on each individual and reapplying is necessary, at least twice a year.

LaserLipo Pro

Completely revolutionary, the LaserLipo Pro contouring treatment available at Advanced Dermatology has been pointed out as one of the most effective body-shaping treatments in recent years. The key lies in the perfect ensemble between three different types of groundbreaking technology: laser optical energy, Bi-polar radio frequency, vacuum and mechanical massage.

What is achieved by combining these three different types of energy tackles located fat quite effectively. For one thing, metabolism is boosted, thus increasing lymphatic drainage. In addition, not only are fat cells shrunk, but also the chambers that house those unwanted cells.

The results are evident within days with the added benefit of not having to take days off after the treatment as recovery time allows patients to return to their daily activities soon after. Additional benefits include: cellulite reduction, loss of circumferential size and overall skin tone improvement.

Vampire Facelift

Perhaps one of the most revolutionary treatments available these past years, platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP) is used to regenerate the person’s own tissues. By using each patient’s own blood which is later re injected, specialists are able to tackle skin wrinkles or creases. Once in the body, the enriched platelets trigger a regenerative process that heals ageing skin, among many other conditions.

Recovery time is quick and a person’s complexion begins to reveal its newness within a week or ten days.

Non-surgical yet highly effective, these are the most popular cosmetic procedures you can get at Advanced Dermatology.

The Truth about Beauty Sleep

A lot has been said over the years about sleep and numerous experiments have been conducted in the past, trying to decode one of the most mysterious of human activities. Questions such as, do we really need to sleep? How long must we sleep? Or do men sleep less? have all been common pieces in the complex jigsaw of sleep behaviour.

It wasn’t until recently that scientists have finally come up with a theory that attempts to answer these common interrogations. A study conducted in Finland has finally thrown some light on the matter of sleep. After studying 3,760 participants for over a 7-year period, scientists were able to arrive at more specific conclusions.

Breaking down the Data

This research suggests that the ideal sleeping time is slightly different in men and women; whereas boys need 7.8 hours, women make-do with 7.6. But what do these figures mean anyway? According to this study, people who meet their daily sleep quota, regardless of their sex, are less likely to fall ill.

Relevance of Proper Sleep

Besides the evident need for rest, sleep is relevant to our health for several reasons:

Healthy-looking Skin: It is now a scientific fact: skin cells rejuvenate while we sleep. Those seemingly passive hours are actually a time of skin renewal that is triggered by the chemical activity going on during slumber.

Another way skin can be improved while we sleep involves hormones. Proper hormonal balance can improve the overall quality of our skin. It is a well-known fact that certain systems, such as the nervous, vascular and hormonal, must be evenly-balanced in order to ensure healthy functioning.

Weight-management: Sleep-deprived individuals are seriously affected in their metabolic rate. So much so, that it is now clear why some people find it difficult to put off weight, even when dieting or exercising. According to a UK study, people who sleep less than 7 hours are twice as likely to be overweight. Similarly, when we sleep less, we become tired more easily. This in turn, activates a compensation behaviour mode that leads us to overeat, especially sugary foods, in order to get an energy boost.

Well-being and satisfaction: Research conducted at the University of Michigan, USA concludes that 6 out of 10 individuals who suffer from insomnia will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Moreover, when compared with other life milestones, an extra hour of sleep can be even worthier than a pay-rise. Finally, a good night’s sleep accounts for success in other areas, such as personal relationships or deeper family bonds.

Mental clarity: High-stress jobs usually include getting enough sleep as part of the professional requirements. Air-traffic controllers, neurosurgeons and fire fighters, for instance, are all required to sleep a certain number of hours before they can actually perform a certain task. We tend to overlook essential details, or make bad calls when we have slept less than was needed.

Who is to Blame, then?

Far from being a personal choice, lack of sleep occurs because of several reasons. According to Australia’s Sleep health Foundation, these are the most common reasons why people sleep less than they should:

Bad Habits: these habits include bad diets (too much caffeine or large late-night meals) and unusual working shifts.

Technology: Much of the stress caused at nighttime comes from the excessive use of technological devices we use before bedtime. Computers, tablets, cell phones, TV sets and other devices over stimulate our senses, leaving us feeling wasted or else, disturbing our sleep patterns.

Stress and Anxiety: Emptying our heads before bedtime is a useful exercise if we are to get a good night’s sleep. Furthermore, checking the clock and counting sleeping hours is a sure way of messing with healthy sleep.

Anti Aging Skin Care

Anti Aging Skin Care Alternatives

This past decade has seen the rise of newer ways of providing for anti aging skin care alternatives. With the appearance of modern technological advances, more and more ways of dealing with skincare are being developed each day.

However, one thing must be said about all these developments; not everything you hear on the media concerning skincare treatments can be considered factual. Moreover, many cosmetic brands are so concerned with the business behind anti aging treatments, that most of the information we get is heavily biased. Is there a way to get useful and scientifically-proven anti aging skin care that you can trust?

There is. The wisest way of getting reliable, risk-free treatments is to turn to health professionals as they are the only ones who have been thoroughly trained to not only prevent aging, but to administer the different treatments, as well.

Why Anti-aging?

Cells age: that is a biological fact we cannot change. However, thanks to the latest scientific developments, we have been able to come up with ways of managing aging so that it does not affect our skin so dramatically. Here are some of the purposes of anti aging skin care products:

  • Help to strengthen the depth of treatment.
  • Repair previous skin damage.
  • Delay the effects of natural aging
  • Promote health and well-being
  • Stimulate the growth of new skin cells
  • Beautify and embellish complexion

Now that it has been made clear why we need anti-aging skin care treatments, we are ready to describe the types of treatments that are more efficient and further-reaching. Despite all the technology and the advertising, some cosmetic anti-aging skin care treatments fail to do their job because they have two main weaknesses: who and how.

Personalised is Best

One of the main challenges faced by the cosmetic world lies in the lack of personalisation when it comes to treatments. Although it is true that several skin types have been identified, generalisation is still an issue. Even within each skin type, there are different variants that must be treated accordingly. This is why only at a specialised medical centre will you find this type of customisation. At our professional cosmetic dermatological practice, we offer a wide range of anti aging skin care products and treatments aimed at treating the different issues that may challenge your skin’s overall well-being.

100% developed and administered by health professionals, this wide array of products are able to tackle the different needs concerning age-span and skin treatment needs.

Many patients tend to believe that anti aging skin care treatments are all about moisturising and preventing wrinkles. This misconception has led to many failed treatments, mainly because they target only one or two aspects. Our anti aging skin care line includes the following products:

  • Cleanser: Even when proper skin cleaning is vital to preserving optimal skin health, not any type of product is fit for the job. A foaming cleanser that does not wash away your moisture cells is the best way to begin a treatment. Some popular products are too harsh on your complexion, thus prematurely damaging its structure.
  • Serum and Day Cream: hydration is not something that happens overnight. This is why by means of two different products skin is moisturised in two powerful steps: whereas the serum fights free radicals in a lightweight, non-invasive way, the day cream fights the main causes of skin aging.
  • Night Treatment: a classic among the wide range of anti aging skin care products, our anti-wrinkle night cream deals with deeper issues, such as lines, creases or discolouration while you are sleeping.

The one-size-fits-all approach has rarely been effective in any field, let alone in your fight against skin aging: after all, it is a personal issue.

 

Debunking the Myths about Anti Wrinkle Injections

Despite their popularity, anti wrinkle injections have gotten plenty of notoriety as of late. Just as with most novel developments, the use of anti wrinkle injections for cosmetic purposes has given rise to much controversy. Both advocates and detractors have engaged in seemingly endless arguments whose main topic is either the alleged benefits or the apparent flaws of the method.

Regardless of what scientific research has got to say about the matter, the average customer brings into the doctor’s surgery a series of prejudices concerning the treatment. Here are the most popular beliefs surrounding the use of anti wrinkle injections.

Poison Hazard

There is a widespread assumption that, since these injections result from the development of a toxin – which is perhaps the most lethal- their use is potentially dangerous. Even if this information is true, the public should be made aware of the issue of dosage. To begin with, the amount of toxin injected for cosmetic purposes is so low that there is no risk involved in its use. Furthermore, research shows that even in cases of unwanted side effects due to excessive dosage, the symptoms have been temporary.

Loss of Facial Expression

Linked to the previous myth, this belief comes from the place where most freaky issues come from: the media. There is an ongoing trend to show close up pictures of celebrities who have gone overboard with their anti wrinkle treatments. Consequently, many people are now wondering whether this could not happen to them, too. Experience reveals that about only 1 out of 1,000 cases develop temporary stiffness, swelling, bruising or facial asymmetric features.

Treatments are Painful

Let’s face it, nobody likes getting shots, let alone on highly sensitive areas, such as eyelids, cheekbones or lips. This is why some potential patients get squeamish when injections are suggested. On top of that, tales of suffering appear online every now and then, boosting the myth. This thought is not only inaccurate but incredibly misleading. The syringes used for this type of treatment are so small that the stinging feeling is minimal. If it weren’t so, health professionals would use anaesthetics, which are seldom needed.

Anti-wrinkle Injections: Expression Lines Only

Another fallacy, yet: to believe that these treatments are only good for dealing with facial lines. Recent medical research has concluded that they are also effective in the treatment of several chronic or debilitating conditions, like fibromyalgia, migraine or back and neck pain. Scientifically speaking, the substance’s power to relax the muscle accounts for its efficiency in the treatment of these conditions.

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!

But perhaps the most common myth surrounding these aesthetic injections is that they will solve all types of facial wrinkles for good. Far from being real, this claim may be considered false advertising. Patients should know that the effect may last about 4 months, depending on each case. Once this time span is over, the nerves grow back and you start looking haggard once again. This is why re-applying is recommended.

All in all, getting facts right is a good starting point for those who are looking for different ways to tackle their ageing concerns, thus it is high time we unravelled the mysteries behind anti wrinkle injections.

Manning Up Cosmetic Surgery

In the age of gender equality, it would be a fallacy to believe that aesthetic surgery is exclusive to women. It only takes a quick glance at the statistics to discover that the figures are really revealing. One of the most groundbreaking news is that there is an ongoing trend involving more male visits to cosmetic surgeons. Additionally, some professional roles seem to include rejuvenating as part of their professional requirements.

A Novel Trend

Cosmetic treatments have become increasingly popular these past decades. However until recently, these were limited to female patients. At the turn of the century though, the trend seemed to have bucked up tilting the scales somewhat more evenly. Contrary to what some skeptics believed, the process has sped up even more. A huge market has now emerged, designed to attract male patients who wish (or need to) look better. The web is teeming with sites targeting male audiences and chat rooms peopled with all kinds of urban characters ruling the world of aesthetic procedures.

Unique Motivation

To think that men turn to cosmetic treatments for the same reasons women do would be a blunt generalisation. Moreover, there is a common belief (especially among elder males) that men who worry about their appearance suffer from some kind of disorder; they don’t. Research has revealed that men are definitely not infected with a contagious form of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): looks just fare better on the job market these days.

Trite but true, men seek many of the advantages women also look for: recognition, prolonged youth, improved self-esteem and social acceptance. Nonetheless, there seems to be a stronger urge to conform to certain professional standards that have become part of the work market. According to leading psychologists, men tend to exert further pressure on their professional development. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that they should look for ways of improving their physiques as a way of boosting their job standing.

 Is there a Boy Way?

Again, cosmetic surgeons have found male demands to be somewhat different from the traditional female “jobs”. “Top” surgeons over the country have provided this list of surgical procedures which are popular among male patients.

  • Jawline augmentation
  • High-definition Liposuction
  • Gynecomastia
  • Facelift

Stereotype Theory

One of the most interesting discoveries linked with this topic suggests that men tend to fulfill certain “male” roles and that surgery can help. Some observers have called it the “look the part” approach to life.

The Body-Builder: These men want to look larger than life, so getting rid of body fat and increasing muscle mass is vital. They traditionally opt for liposuction, chest augmentation and gynecomastia. Aim: Look and feel Herculean.

The Male Model: The most widely sought-after look: jawline augmentation, breast and glutear implants and liposuction are the typical procedures requested by men who feel they have lost their manly touch.

The Corporate Member: AKA CEO or Board Member, is striving to look experienced without looking haggard: facelift or liposuction to shake off a couple of years.

Finally, there is a newer version known as the “athletic dad” that appeals to men’s general need to feel young when age seems to have played havoc with the otherwise college hunk. Either way, aesthetic surgery is now an asset that can really add up to professional life; whether it really pays off, only the future can tell.