While Botox, liposuction and face-lifts may be all the rage nowadays, these procedures are just a few in a long history of cosmetic enhancements. Consider this: As far back as 69 B.C., Cleopatra, once considered the most beautiful woman in the world, endured a large amount of pain to have makeup tattooed on her face, and in the 1700s, tooth-cleaning “powder” contained borax, a substance that literally ate away at teeth. Fast-forward to the 1980s, when people tried to improve their smiles with traditional dental veneers, which required the painful removal of tooth structure. The procedure also called for pain shots and anesthesia, which made “patients … think twice about cosmetic dentistry,” wrote Dr. Stephen Johnson in his posting on www.dental town.com, a popular dental Web site and forum. Thankfully, for the 21st century, one company developed a dental procedure that can perfect your smile without the pain associated with traditional veneers. Lumineers by Cerinate are as thin as contact lenses and provide instant teeth-straightening and permanent whitening, transforming worn teeth into a beautiful smile. Since the application of Lumineers is minimally invasive and doesn’t require the removal of any sensitive tooth structure, the pain usually felt after a traditional veneer procedure is eliminated. Furthermore, these ultra-thin “smile enhancers” are reversible, which means that if you don’t like the results, they can be removed without damaging your teeth. Lumineers also can be placed over crowns to help rejuvenate your smile.
Archive for March 4th, 2010
According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 15 million people in the United States are affected by eczema, a disease that causes dry, itchy and irritated skin. Thankfully, there is an increasing number of resources and products created to help those living with eczema. One such organization, the National Eczema Association (NEA), has a Web site dedicated to promoting eczema awareness through research and education. One way they’ve spearheaded getting the word out about this common skin condition is by designating the month of October as National Eczema Awareness Month. What Is Eczema? Flare-ups of eczema result in a dry, red skin rash that is not only unsightly but can be unbearably itchy, embarrassing and difficult to hide. Typical symptoms of eczema include skin sensitivity, red rashes, severe itching and even dry, flaking patches of skin that can crack and bleed. Eczema can be isolated to one area or present on several areas on your body such as the hands, inner elbows and the back of knees. Eczema often runs in families, and can be triggered by allergies, stress, irritating detergents, synthetic fabrics, and cold. While eczema usually appears during childhood, it can develop at any age. For anyone suffering from extremely dry skin or eczema, there are some tips experts recommend: Avoid Sudden Changes in Temperature or Humidity: Changes in temperature can cause skin to flare, so steer clear of cold temperatures and hot water, which can strip the skin of moisture. Consider investing in a humidifier for the home, to keep air moist. Moisturize Properly: Keep skin hydrated with a dermatologist-trusted moisturizer that’s fragrance-free and specifically formulated for sensitive skin, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment, which is a rich, nonirritating moisturizer that locks in moisture to the skin, helping to alleviate symptoms of eczema. To calm extremely dry skin, experts recommend the “soak ‘n’ seal” solution: Bathe in lukewarm water for about 15 minutes with a gentle, nonirritating wash. Immediately after, apply a moisturizer such as Aquaphor to damp skin to lock in lasting moisturization. Steer Clear of Eczema Triggers: Minimize eczema symptoms by avoiding triggers that may lead to uncomfortable flare-ups, like excessive scrubbing and toweling. Also avoid scratchy materials like wool, harsh soaps, detergents, and environmental triggers such as pollen or pet dander.
Related posts
If you have been smoking cigarettes for one year or many years, you’ll know how addictive they are. Your body gets used to the nicotine and the smoking habit, and it lets you know when you need to have a smoke break. What if you could free yourself of that craving, and improve your health at the same time? A stop-smoking vaccine, or injection, can help you do just that. There are various methods and products available to help you quit smoking, and each one of them is effective for some people but not for others. Some of these methods include natural herbs, nicotine-free cigarettes, nicotine gum and patches. One of the methods that has proven to be most effective, with over 70 per cent of smokers having success in quitting, is the stop-smoking vaccine. The vaccine, which must be administered by a doctor, works rapidly once you receive it to block the receptors in your brain which recognize and crave nicotine. Stopping the craving for nicotine is the most difficult and important part in quitting smoking, and the results of this vaccine show themselves almost overnight. Once you no longer have to worry about craving nicotine, you will have more energy and willpower to devote to breaking the smoking habit. Along with the need for nicotine, there is simply a habit in stopping for smoke breaks, having something in your hands, and the social part of talking with others about your day while having a cigarette. You can learn to replace these habits with other, healthier behaviors that don’t make you crave a cigarette. Try talking on the phone, or going outside for a five-minute walk. Even chewing gum can help break old habits. Your doctor will be able to provide you with all of the information you need on stop-smoking vaccines, including how effective it will be for you, if there are any possible side effects, and what the cost will be. Although the cost of the vaccine is not incredibly high, you may consider it out of your budget. But take a minute to think about two things: how much you would spend on cigarettes over the course of your life, and what types of health problems you could end up with from smoking. This helps to put the cost of the vaccine in perspective, and you’ll realize that it is definitely worth investing in.
Related posts
Obesity is a slow killer that is giving sleepless nights to millions of people around the world. If left unchecked, obesity can lead to cardiovascular problems, diabetes, depression, and sleep apnea. The only way out of this mess is to find some way to shed those extra pounds around your waist. In this context, a good weight loss plan will be a prudent idea. Of course, everyone knows that reaching a healthy weight is possible with a practical eating plan (such as a nutrition diet) together with some form of exercise. But a best weight loss plan not only helps to reduce weight, but also assists in maintaining the weight over time. The best weight loss plan gives tips on healthy behavior while taking into consideration your cultural needs. Of course, at the start, all weight loss plans give faster weight loss. And if you plan to lose weight following some special formula, then it is necessary to have some medical care too. Before embarking on a weight loss plan, find out the qualifications of the staff involved in the plan. Find out if they have sufficient weight management training to help you lose weight. Gather information on what the plan basically consists of; if there are replacement of meals, exercise with food control or if they use drugs. This way you will learn if the plan carries any health risks. Ask for testimonials of successful previous participants of the weight loss plan. Some people may prefer individual counseling; and others, group classes. So find out what the weight loss plan follows. Make sure that the weight loss program does not pose any health problems with their drugs and supplements. The good weight loss plan always has a medical professional on call to over see the program. And of course, lastly, find out the actual cost of the weight loss plan, and if there are any recurring fees involved. Find out if there are any additional fees needed for medical tests, weekly attendance fees of any sort and if there are any supplement purchases. Once you have all these doubts cleared, you can decide on the best weight loss plan for you!