Archive for the 'Beauty' Category

Whitening Kits - How Have They Changed Over The Years?

December 11th, 2008 -- Posted in Beauty | No Comments »

Have you ever wanted to put ammonia, urine or Nitric Acid on your teeth? That answer would probably be a resounding “No!” You are not alone. But once upon a time, that was the accepted method used to getting a white smile and as a mark of nobility and wealth. Whitening kits had quite an illustrious beginning. Actually illustrious may not be the desired word. It may be more akin to “barbaric” or simply “disgusting.” But without those humble, albeit creepy, beginnings, we would not have the teeth whitening products that now sit on supermarket and pharmacy shelves.

Getting a whiter, brighter smile actually started with the toothbrush, except it was not in the form found in today’s market. It was a stick. It would be chewed at one end to fray it, and then brushed over the teeth. The first toothpaste was comprised of ground pumice stone and vinegar made with wine. Later, the Romans developed a paste that contained urine. Talk about having a dirty mouth! But the elements have real science to them. It is the ammonia that helped clean and whiten teeth.

Thank you modern medicine for eliminating the need for disgusting toothpastes. But what about making the teeth whiter? While most people recognize barber shops as places where men get their hair cut, it was once used as the local dentist. Individuals seeking a brighter, whiter smile would have the barber file their teeth and coat them with an acid. Whiteness would be the result, but ultimately the acid destroyed the enamel and the individual’s teeth would begin to rot. This is definitely a far cry from the whitening kits people store in their bathroom cabinets at home.

Many people elect to try to whiten their teeth at home with different varieties of a whitening gel. Most formulas contain a whitening agent, either bleach or baking soda, and work by applying a thin coat. The coating is left on for a set amount of time. The process is not immediate and may only lighten the teeth a few shades. For up to fourteen shades in whitening, a person would have to turn to a dental whitening regime, such as zoom whitening, at the dentist’s office.

People no longer have to contend with barbaric methods to gain a whiter smile. Toothpaste and toothbrushes have advanced far from their prototypes and instead of that ammonia aftertaste, you can now let the pleasant aroma and taste of cinnamon or mint flavor your paste. Whitening kits have come a long way from their early beginnings, and for the most part, you can count on them keeping your teeth and enamel in tact, all the while getting rid of tooth discoloration.

To learn more go to Teeth Whitening In Austin and at Rockville Teeth Whitening

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Tummy Tuck How Can It Help You?

December 3rd, 2008 -- Posted in Beauty | No Comments »

Many people hear tummy tuck and think weight loss surgery, but actually it is a procedure done after a significant weight loss has already taken place, to remove loose skin and improve ones appearance. Many times it is considered a minor procedure, when in reality it is a major operation, with just as many risks as any other invasive surgery.

Another term for this surgery is abdominoplasty, where loose skin, and at times, skin that has stretch marks is removed. The abdominal muscles are usually tightened up with sutures as well. This results in a dramatic reduction of a protruding abdomen.

Of course, as with any surgery there is some swelling and pain. Depending on the extent of the surgery you may be discharged within a few hours, or remain in the hospital for several days. After surgery you will be encouraged to take a slow walk, however, it is likely that you will not be able to stand straight. Since the skin on the abdomen will be quite tight you will be instructed to remain bent over at around 45 degrees.

There will be drains placed in your body during the surgery to remove extra fluid. While the drains are in place, you will be on bed rest with a very small amount of walking. Approximately 4 days after the surgery you may begin to straighten up but your doctor will advise you to not overdo the movement. Remember, even though it is an elective surgery, it is still a major invasive surgery and recovery times will reflect this fact.

Your doctor may suggest an alternative to the full procedure if he feels that it would be more beneficial to you. This alternative, called a mini tummy tuck, is very similar to the original procedure but this one targets the lower abdomen only. There are, of course, other benefits to having this particular surgery, which is also known as a partial abdominoplasty. One benefit is the fact that it will take less time for the operation.

Some are under the impression that this method is the same as a liposuction procedure, but that is not the case. The major difference is that an abdominoplasty is performed to remove excess skin that has been stretched out, possibly after a substantial weight loss. Liposuction surgery is used to actually remove the fat.

Perhaps you have wondered why someone would want to have a tummy tuck, which is an elective surgery. If a person was seriously overweight and suddenly lost a significant amount of weight, which may be the result of some type of weight loss surgery, their skin will very likely no longer “fit” their body. When this type of weight loss is achieved, you naturally want to improve the rest of your appearance, which would include removing the excess skin and tightening up the muscles.

Liposuction can be the answer for many people that are suffering from excess weight that will not come off with diet and exercise. No matter how much you try to lose those pockets of cellulite through diet and exercise they just seem to never disappear. Before you go under the knife by a cosmetic surgeon you can check out other methods to get rid of that cellulite or at least reduce how it looks. You can be the shape you want without the surgery. All you have to do is begin your search by clicking here:Beverly Hills Liposuction and at Risks of Liposuction

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Home Teeth Whitening Techniques - The Madness Of Dental History

November 16th, 2008 -- Posted in Beauty | No Comments »

If you consider how far today’s home teeth whitening products have advanced, then you’ll really appreciate what you don’t have to put into your mouth. It is actually quite amazing how far dental practices have come in the past few hundred years. But, if you need a refresher course in Dental History 101, then you have come to the right spot. Though there are plenty of teeth whitening systems and kits you can now buy, having a bright smile was not always so easy.

Oh, how wonderful it is to get up in the morning and brush your teeth. You should not take it for granted though. The first home teeth whitening step was considered to be just a good brushing of the teeth. Thankfully, you do not have to utilize what your ancestors had to use in order to brush, as they would have used a frayed twig. The twig became outdated when the first toothbrush was designed. It was made out of whittled wood and boar bristles.

Whiter teeth have always been fashionable. Early dentists, a.k.a the nearby barber, would file the tooth surface down before applying a solution of Nitric Acid. The blinding white teeth came with a steep price. This combination is devastating to enamel and the Dandy or Lady found themselves without teeth before long, due to decay. A tooth is only as good as the protection surrounding it.

Think about that fresh minty taste of your toothpaste. Most whitening toothpastes now contain baking soda. It is still a common practice to brush the teeth with baking soda straight out of the Arm & Hammer box. If you do not want that baking soda taste, then you may want to stick with toothpaste. At least the toothpaste no longer contains urine, a common ingredient in the 1800’s!

If it is said once, it will be said a hundred times over your life. Home teeth whitening all starts with following a proper oral hygiene routine. Avoiding tobacco products, red wine and coffee are also great ideas if your goal is to have pearly whites. Do not take for granted how easy it is for modern man to have whiter teeth. At least you do not have to brush with a toothbrush made of pig hair.

To learn more go to Teeth Whitening In Berkeley and at Zoom Teeth Whitening

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Liposuction Costs - Some Eye Opening Facts

September 6th, 2008 -- Posted in Beauty | No Comments »

For some people there comes a time in their lives where they are simply not happy with specific parts of their body and they consider getting a little liposuction done. However, while the majority of individuals are innocently enough thinking of getting these procedures completed, not many really understand the liposuction costs that are involved.

A person who is considering these procedures on one or more areas is looking at somewhere between $3,000 to $10,000. The reality for many people is unless you have been budgeting for a while, it is more than likely that you will need to take out a loan so you can get the surgery since liposuction costs money.

While there are numerous unique costs that each individual surgeon asks for their respective services, many of the costs involved are primarily universal. However, it is usually a wise idea to consult with a few different doctors so that you can make certain the amount you are paying is standard for the industry for the kind of procedure you are asking for.

Nevertheless, you should be prepared, since regardless of where you go, it is likely to be expensive regardless or how you look at it. You are obviously going to make certain that the surgeon that you pick is a good choice.

Basic Liposuction Costs

The costs are highly dependent on what you are going to get however lets say for instance that you really are just looking to focus on one specific area that you wish to improve. The basic liposuction costs for one specific area is roughly $3,500 and that just covers a basic fee for the surgeon and the anesthesiologists and the primary run of the mill fee for the facility.

Certainly, the bulk of the funds is going to go to the surgeon, since they are the ones that are performing the main task. If you are looking to get three areas done the fees run around $7,000 which is not that bad for the quantity of body mass that is being removed from the three separate areas on the body.

In the case of you looking to get as much fat sucked out of you as possible while you are on the operating room table you are going for five areas of the body. The basic liposuction cost for five areas of your body can run you roughly $10,000. Quite a few surgeons may also suggest some added work for when you are on the operating room table.

If you are thinking of getting a buttock lift to your already expensive liposuction costs, you are looking at an added $5,000 and if you are considering a tummy tuck that will run you an added $5,000. However, for those individuals on a budget, you can always get a laser treatment if they have leg veins and that is just a lesser fee of $400.

To learn more go to Arm Liposuction and at Tumescent Liposuction

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Thermal Reconditioning: Straighten Your Hair Permanently

August 29th, 2008 -- Posted in Beauty | No Comments »

There is a relatively new hair treatment, or at least it is new to most people. This new technique is called thermal reconditioning and it will allow those individuals who want to tame their locks or get rid of their curls all together a chance to do so. In fact thermal reconditioning will straighten your hair whether it is frizzy, curly or wavy. An added bonus of this technique, that is in stark contrast to the other treatments available is thermal reconditioning if done properly will greatly improve the health of your hair.

Thermal reconditioning is a patented system which was developed in 1996 by Ms. Yuko of Japan. This unique system uses a heat oxidation process to seal in and rebuild hair from the inside out by using a combination of hair friendly products and irons that reach up to 356 degrees. Once the procedure is completed most individuals will walk away with healthy rejuvenated straight and sleek looking hair. Once your hair has been treated it will remain straight however your new growth will have to be touched up, generally this is necessary twice a year.

This process is a very involved process with several steps. A protein is applied to freshly washed hair, then a specially formulated solution is added to the hair which essentially cuts the bonds that hold the natural curl. Once this process is finished the hair is rinsed and a protective protein is applied to the hair. The hair is then partially dried to a specific degree before being hot ironed with a special thermal iron which reaches 356 degrees Fahrenheit. After the hair is flattened with the irons a neutralizer is applied. The hair is again rinsed, conditioned, dried and flat ironed again.

It is important to recognize however that thermal reconditioning will not work for everyone. Before the procedure you will have to under go an assessment to verify that you are a good candidate. Thermal reconditioning for instance will not work on individuals of African decent because their fragile hair can not with stand the heat of the procedure. Another issue that will be addressed during your assessment is the amount and type of prior processing that your hair has already under gone. Highlights and bleaching processes may have to be dealt with prior to you under going thermal reconditioning. A consultation is always necessary.

The cost of thermal reconditioning is determined by several factors including the thickness and length of your hair, the current condition, the amount of processing chemicals already present and of course the stylists experience. Once everything is considered your thermal reconditioning will cost you between three hundred and one thousand dollars. The cost basically comes down to time as this procedure can take up eight hours to perform. You should also be aware that your touch ups will cost roughly the same amount as your original treatment.

As this procedure does require specific training to perform properly ensure you look into your stylist’s experience and credentials. If you are using a stylist who is not competent you may come out with damaged hair. You have every right to ask for recommendations and proof of training.

It should also be noted that thermal reconditioning is known by several different names including thermal reconstruction, ionic retexturing, rebonding and Japanese hair straightening.

For more tips on hair straightening and hair care visit: Hair Care Tips|Products|Treatments

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