After an extensive long-term study of more than 13,500 women who had breast augmentation during 1962989, it has been concluded that there is no increased risk for women who choose breast enhancement. In 2006, the FDA-imposed ban on silicone gel implants was lifted, and today more than $820 million a year is spent on cosmetic and restorative breast surgery.

Earlier this year, the FDA once more expressed some concern about a possible link between breast implants and a very rare form of lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma. However, the actual number of cases is too small to be statistically significant. Women actually have a better chance of being hit by lightning than contracting this cancer from a breast implant.

For women who have struggled through breast cancer, choosing augmentation and reconstructive surgery with breast implants is a way to regain self-esteem and a feeling of normalcy. While the implants never feel exactly like the original breast tissue, they can restore a more natural silhouette and avoid the use of awkward exterior prosthetic. Feeling attractive again is important to emotional recovery from the loss of one or both breasts. Breast implant recovery is usually uneventful.

Either at the time of the mastectomy or at a later date, a plastic surgeon will stretch or expand the remaining breast skin by inserting a balloon-like device and gradually increasing the volume of saline in it. The process may take up to six months. After all chemotherapy and radiation treatments are completed, the doctor will either seal off the expander as an implant or replace it with a silicone or saline unit. There is a slightly increased risk of the surrounding scar tissue becoming hardened for women who have had radiation. Massage and exercise can reduce this tendency.

Other risks include poor wound healing, slow breast implant recovery, deflation through leakage or rupture, protrusion through the skin, future corrective surgery, infection and bleeding. Side effects may include tiredness and pain that is manageable with OTC medications. Permanent scarring will fade over time. Normal activities may be resumed after six weeks although some women report taking much longer to feel fully healed. For the majority of cancer-surviving women, breast augmentation is a way of taking back control of their bodies, a decision that proves that life can go on and life can be beautiful once more.

*** This is a quick summary, you’ll find the complete story on our Web site. You can simply click the link below to read this latest skincare and beauty post which contains great information, pictures and links.*** We deliver this content right to your inbox! Simply subscribe to Beauty Insider.

Those mishaps have certainly not stopped some women from being very inventive! Some women have found that by heating the eyelash curler pads, eyelashes get curled and stay curled. Some women have been real daredevils and have gone as far as heating their eyelash curler with a hair dryer or cigarette lighter … OUCH!

Here’s a reality check when it comes to eyelashes … blacks and black Latinas, have naturally curled eyelashes! This is something that I discovered at 16 and started playing with makeup. My best-best friend at the time wondered why I didn’t need to use an eyelash curler and still had curly eyelashes and I kept wondering why in the world she would need to use that tool that looked like a torture tool. I had not realized back then that because all the hair on my body is curly … so are my eyelashes!

Artemis Woman®, a well-known manufacturer of affordable spa quality beauty tools and appliances for home use, has just solved this problem. They are now introducing their innovative gentle heat Double Curl Eyelash Curler!

This heated eyelash curler a simple battery-operated (2-AAA batteries are required) beauty tool that curls lashes safely and keeps them curled all day.

It’s really easy to use

Flip it “on” and then wait about 30 seconds until the lash pads turn from orange to white indicating that the pads are warmed. Ready? Set? DoubleCurl!

Remember that just like a non-heated eyelash curler, you’ll need to use this product BEFORE you apply mascara or else the long-term use of any eyelash curler with mascara will cause the eyelashes to break and fall off.

Double Curl is new and retails for $24.99. Currently, you can only buy it from the manufacturer’s Web site, but it will be available at mass-market retail stores in the U.S. by the end of summer 2008. I’ve not yet heard word of the company’s distribution plans for Canada, but I’ll keep you posted.

If you cannot wait for the product to be available in stores, you can order it here: Double Curl Eyelash Curler

Green eye shadow can be a very youthful colour when you choose lighter shades, but women over 35 might win by choosing deeper shades of green.

This season there are so many variations of green that it’s really a question of taste and it’s also a question of which makeup line you prefer.

Some of the most popular shades of green for the season seem to be the following:

* Giorgio Armani’s ‘Maestro’, which is a light bright green
* Clarins’ ‘Jungle Green’, which is a more intensive green, but not as deep as Urban Decay’s
* Eye Cakes Olive Eyes Collection is an assortment of glimmery and shimmery golds, greens and bronzes with a bright yellow to make you top of the pops. These colours look pretty incredible on anyone, but they are an absolute must if you have green eyes.
* Shu Uemura ‘Pristine’, which is a green that contains a lot of yellow
* Estee Lauder’s ‘Sea Grass’, which is another sea foam shade
* Shiseido’s ‘Clover Dew’, which is sea foam green
* Urban Decay’s loose pigments in ‘Graffiti’, which is an almost hunter green shadow
* Eye Cakes Green Eyes Collection has three distinct colours: emerald green for definition, softer green and taupe for lid and crease, and paler highlighters to accentuate your eyes.

* Cover Girl – you’ll find a soft green and a green-apple-like shade in their Tropical Fusion #205 collection and you’ll also want to check the new palette redesigned by über British makeup artist Pat McGrath by the name of Firecracker #100.
* MAC Cosmetics‘ ‘Gulf Stream’ (from the Cool Heat collection), which is another sea foam green
* MAC Cosmetics’ ‘Warm Chill’ (from the Cool Heat collection) which is a soft green

Another trick is to use a neutral colour like a bronze to tone down a green eye shadow that is too bright or too light … this works very well for women over 35.

Olay Quench is a mousse so it’s not as heavy as a cream and an excellent alternative for the summer. The best is to apply the Olay Quench Mousse is after your shower and it will disappear in a few seconds per body part.

The Olay Quench Mousse is not only very light, it’s also very moisturizing because it contains shea butter, vitamins E and B3 … which all help retain moisture to your skin all day long.

When you first go from body cream/lotion to a mousse, you might be tempted to really go for it and squirt a lot of product. You won’t have to do that with this mousse. In fact you should err on the side of caution and use a little bit at a time as you moisturize your body. You’ll quickly see that you won’t need as much product as you might think you do.

You’ll also notice the sparkles when you apply the mousse on your skin. Don’t worry, you won’t look like a disco ball.

These glittery sparkles are such an enigma that Olay weighed in on their Q & A. Here’s what they had to say:

“To instantly improve the look of your skin, we’ve added light-diffusing particles and natural oils to Olay Body Quench. These special ingredients reflect light, giving your skin a natural radiance. They’re harmless, non-irritating, and easily wash away with your next shower or bath.”

The Olay Quench Mousse is a fun and light moisturizing product that’s perfect for summer months where it can get very hot and humid and the last thing you want on your skin is a heavy oil-based cream.

Posted by Beauty Match on June 27, 2008 | Permalink

With thousands of skin products on the market, the basics of skincare can seem overwhelming. The truth is that if you want great skin, you do need to gather information before you even step into your favourite department store, spa or cosmetic spa.

Our skins are plagued with sun damage, stress, poor diets, hormonal changes and air pollution. With so many skin damaging components in our everyday lives, there is a great need for counteraction. You can counteract these damaging components with great skin products.

One of the basics of skin care is using lotion everyday. Moisturizing creams or lotions (lotions are best for oily skin or combination skin) are extremely important because they help the skin maintain its moisture. Hydration is a key to having great skin as you age.

Skin that is not properly hydrated will become dry, dull, and irritated.

There are different types of moisturizing creams or lotions for different areas of skin however. If you have oily skin, acne prone skin or combination skin, you should always use a moisturizing lotion that is hypoallergenic as well as one that will not clog your pores.

A quick useful note: facial lotions tend to be referred to as moisturizers, while lotions for other areas of your body are usually called body lotions. Make sure you are using the proper type of lotion on each area of your body. Body lotions are often too harsh for your face. Lotions are also broken up into moisturizing intensities. If you have dry skin, you will need more moisture.

If you have oily skin, do not make the mistake of thinking you don’t need lotion, oily skin that is not hydrated will become troublesome. Your skin is producing oil because your hydration levels are off. Use a light moisturizer for oily skin.

Ointments are most often used for skin problems. You will often see ointments being used for eczema, rashes, or hives.

If you are looking for a once or twice a week pick-me-up for your skin, a mask is the way to go. Masks can be found for any skin types. They also come in many varieties containing many different ingredients. You can find masks with mud components to soothe and smooth your skin. You can also find masks that will help with acne. All masks work to help tighten your facial pores and smooth your skin’s appearance.

Masks should be used once or twice a week. Most masks are made so that you just apply them to your skin and wait. While you wait the mask will begin to dry and you may feel your face tightening. This is normal and indicates the mask is doing its job. After waiting for 10 to 20 minutes, you will need to rinse the mask off of your face. You can do this with a wash cloth, or you can use water alone. After using your mask, dry your face completely and apply a moisturizer. Since masks take a little hydration from your face, you must replenish it….it’s imperative!

In addition to face masks, you can also get full body masks. These masks work the same way as a facial mask and will rejuvenate your entire body. Many spas are now offering body masks. They can help tighten and smooth the skin on your entire body. Be sure to drink plenty of water after you get a full body mask however. Body masks draw toxins from your body and may leave you a little dehydrated, so drinking water is essential.

Knowing about lotions, ointments, and masks will help you get the skin you desire. The most important thing to remember is proper hydration. Be sure your skin is always hydrated with lotions or creams. It goes without saying that drinking enough water helps your skin hydrate from the inside.

If you take care of your skin, you will notice that your skin will always look radiant.

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In essence, a lot of people are just concerned about being perceived as being vain.

Historically, vanity has never been a trait one aspires to. Who wants to be labeled as shallow, petty, weak, and self-centered? No one really wants to be perceived as being vain…at least no one wants to be vain and have others notice it.

But this begs the question: Are we not all a little vain? If we didn’t have the slightest penchant for vanity, we’d all throw our mirrors out the window because we’d have no use to admire ourselves in attempt to looking our best.

Truth be told, we do care about our appearances and we do care about how we are perceived by others. This resonates even louder as we age.

For many, this “new” anti-aging industry is pure vanity feeding to our most deep-seated insecurities and promising us to look 35 for the rest of our lives. For others, this anti-aging industry has opened the doors to new possibilities and to a sense of freedom.

For many, seeking the help of a cosmetic surgeon or a plastic surgeon is a result of trying to reconcile the reflection that is presented to them in the mirror with how old they feel inside.

Indeed for many, words like Botox®, Restylane®, laser resurfacing, collagen injections, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, chemical peels and medical spa are synonymous with taking control and liking the way they look as they age. Contrary to plastic surgery, these non-invasive or minimally invasive cosmetic procedures offer us and our doctors much more control in ensuring that we get the type of rejuvenation that would look as natural as possible. After all, the plan is to look better and not necessarily different.

Let’s put it out there — vanity is not all that bad. After all, it’s an undisputable fact that we feel better when we look better. We might want to brush it off as being futile, but there seems to be something deeply ingrained — perhaps deeper than any social pattern– that makes us feel better about ourselves when we look our best.

Furthermore, we send some messages that are completely unrelated to beauty when we look our best. It tells others that we care about ourselves. It communicates a sense of respect for our health and well-being. It also demonstrates a level of respect for others that we take the time and effort necessary to look good prior to dealing with them. It shows the world that we take it, and ourselves, seriously.

Some of us are lucky enough to have a gene pool and/or a lifestyle that will take us well into our seventies with minimal medical interference. But for others, a little help from our cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon might be required if we intend on looking a certain way as we age.

Can the anti-aging industry become an industry of pure vanity that strives to attain an unreachable image of perfection and eternal youth? Is it possible to walk around with an exaggerated frozen expression because of too much Botox®? Can we go overboard with too many cosmetic procedures in too short of a time period? Yes, of course, and there are too many examples to remind of us of the flip side of the anti-aging industry.

The goal here is to find a middle ground — somewhere between obsessive pursuit of beauty myths and just not caring enough about one’s appearance. That’s where most of us would hope to be as we age…and it is not particularly a bad thing.

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Why do you really need all those fruits anyway? Fruits and veggies are plentiful sources of vitamins and minerals (and water), but, more importantly, they are phytonutrient powerhouses. Phytonutrient rich foods offer essential antioxidant and detoxifying benefits to you. Because your body can easily digest fruits and veggies, you’re better able to assimilate those vitamins and minerals. The easier you are able to assimilate those vitamins and minerals, the quicker they will benefit your skin and add a boost to your anti-aging skincare regime.

So I wondered what 10 servings of fruits & veggies per day would look like:

Breakfast: 1 orange, 1 pear, 1 banana

Morning snack: ½ a small avocado

Lunch: 1 small salad, 1 carrot, 1 small tomato

Afternoon snack: 1 apple

Dinner: 1 roasted beet, 1 sweet potato

If you’ve noticed, I’ve not even added carbs or protein and I’m already tired at the thought of all that chewing.

So what’s the easiest and simplest way of introducing 10 servings of fruits and veggies in a day? Juicing!

Juicing doesn’t have to be complicated at all. I personally get my fruits ready the night before and in the morning I simply need to set up my machine and start juicing. It takes only five minutes to wash my juicer and I’m done. Two-and-half glasses of juice (about 1 litre) every morning and I’ve taken care of most of my 10 servings of fruits & veggies before starting my day!

Juicing is not only excellent for your overall health, but the nutrients and water content from the fruits and vegetables help you maintain a healthy complexion!

Note: Before including juicing to your lifestyle, it’s recommended that you consult your doctor or health expert.

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Alas, as we age, our skin starts showing the signs of time. All of a sudden normal facial muscle movement such as smiling, chewing and squinting become enemies. Not to mention that gravity and years of sun exposure (for those hard core sun bathers) reflect an image you may no longer recognize. In essence, aging skin is caused by the fact that underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped up during our teens, twenties, thirties and forties begin to break down. Once the signs of time start to manifest themselves we quickly start seeing laugh lines, smile lines, crow’s feet or facial creases over the areas where repetitive muscle movement occur.

Until recently, signs of aging were synonymous with wisdom, experience, character and sage advice. In other words, aging meant getting better at figuring life. Today, we still want to get better at figuring life as we age, we simply don’t want to look like we’re older on the outside than we are on the inside.

It seems we are more determined now than ever in history to sip, drink and gulp the elixirs or potions of eternal youth. Did you know that men and women living in western countries spend several billions (yes, billion with a “b”) of dollars each year on anti-aging skin care products and treatments that promise to tighten the skin, smooth out wrinkles, lighten age spots, remove excess fat, eradicate cellulite, tuck tummies and erase 20 years off of our smiles.
Looking 10 years younger no longer means going under the knife because there are so many other options that can make you feel great with a minimum amount of pain.
Another bonus to these new procedures – the cost is far more affordable than plastic surgery.

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So you’ve been thinking of getting some non-invasive treatments like Botox®, laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion or Restylane® done to your face because you might not like the image that is reflected in the mirror.

You must remember that even though non-surgical cosmetic procedures do not involve surgery, these rejuvenation procedures may cause hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin), swelling or burns. You should choose your cosmetic dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon as carefully as if you were electing to undergo a real surgical procedure.

You must ask questions, understand the risk, enquire about any post-procedure side effects and know well in advance if your chosen procedure requires anaesthesia. Since most non-surgical procedures require frequent visits for best results, it’s important for you to feel at ease and comfortable with the doctor.

Here are some basic guidelines when evaluating and choosing a cosmetic dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon:

1. It is very important to find a cosmetic dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon who has solid training and experience with a variety of skin rejuvenation techniques (make sure that you are not part of his/her first batch of clients).
2. You’ll want to choose a cosmetic dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon who can give you the best possible treatment combination that meets your needs. Look elsewhere if your cosmetic dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon tells you that he/she has perfected one single technique that promises unbelievable results overnight. The choice is yours, but be certain your doctor is qualified to prescribe the treatment you’re seeking. After all, these treatments involve the most visible part of your body ― your face.
3. In your initial consultation, be open in discussing your treatment goals with your cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon and don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have. Your doctor should be equally open with you and explain the factors that could influence your choice of treatment options such as age, skin condition, ethnicity, and previous plastic surgeries.
4. Your surgeon will ask about your medical history and conduct a routine examination. During this consultation, your cosmetic dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon should explain the process in detail, including the risks and benefits, the recovery period, and the costs.
5. Unfortunately, your medical insurance policy usually doesn’t cover aesthetic/cosmetic procedures, so you might want to look at the rate sheets for different doctors, as the price per procedure varies a lot depending on the neighbourhood.
6. Don’t be shy in asking to see the doctor’s portfolio and references from satisfied patients.
7. Just like you would ask for a reference to a friend, family member or colleague when looking for a new dentist, you might also want to do the same when looking for a qualified cosmetic dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon. After all, a satisfied client is usually a sure bet.

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Krizia is the CEO of Beauty Match Network

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http://www.mybeautymatch.com

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