Selling beauty products is always a lucrative trade. In April 2006, a consumer study found that people in the United States alone spend US$8.2 billion on cosmetics. But what you sell also counts toward what you get in return for your trouble. Are you content with selling makeup, or are you ready for the big leagues? Whether you’re a private investor or the owner of a salon looking to make some extra cash on the side, selling wholesale home tanning bed units may well be the best thing to happen to your finances.

Why should you invest in wholesale home tanning bed options? Are home tanning beds profitable? Is there a demand large enough to make this investment worth it? In some regions, yes. But if you don’t plan your market strategy, you may well end up with a lot of tanning beds bought at a bargain, hardly any place to store them in and hardly anything to do with them.

There are a couple of important things you should consider before you make the leap. Foremost among them is: are tanning beds actually in demand in your area? If you live in a tropical region, such as Florida or Hawaii, investing in tanning beds for resale is not recommended.

You must also consider the need to sell them off right away. If you have an assured market, it would make things easier for you - but if you don’t, you run the risk of keeping your machines stocked up for a long period of time. Within this long period of time, new developments in tanning technology may take place, and the units in your possession may become obsolete while you’re still trying to sell them.

You can avoid getting trapped in a situation like this. Choose a model, or a number of models, that is/are hot in the market, fully-featured, and easily upgradeable, if that is on the line. Top-rated machines, which have received favorable reviews from health and beauty industry experts, stand a better chance of being sold quickly. Highly favored models may in fact cost more than other budget beds, but they stand a better chance of being sold at a fair profit.

You should of course have the space to store your equipment before it is sold. A warehouse should be ideal. Regular tune-ups of the beds that you are selling is also called for, to prevent them from going out of shape through disuse. If these will prove to be too costly and/or time-consuming for you, perhaps you would like to rethink the notion.

Like any major investment, the idea of buying wholesale home tanning bed units for resale should be approached with caution. Don’t just leap into it without considering the effort and planning you’re going to put into the act of selling at a profit.

Learn about the dangers of tanning and how to protect yourself from them on Suntan-bed.com. Also loads of information on wholesale home tanning bed for instance. Get a tan.. when you can! http://www.suntan-bed.com

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Most women get breast implants for non-clinical reasons so they’re considered cosmetic and are not covered by health insurance. If you’re considering any type of breast plastic surgery, it’s important to know all the pros and cons related to the type that you want. The non-cosmetic clinical indications for the use of breast implants are for breast reconstruction, sex reassignment surgery, and for abnormalities, usually congenital, that affect the size and shape of the breasts.

Two Houston, Texas plastic surgeons developed the first silicone breast prostheses in 1961 with the Dow-Corning Corporation. But it was the predominantly silicone implants that were designed in the 1970s that were involved in the class-action lawsuits involving Dow-Corning and many other manufacturers in the early 1990s. Back in the 1970s, plastic surgeons weren’t happy with the implants they were using. They wanted softer and more lifelike implants. So breast implants were redesigned with thinner gel and thinner shells. These new implants had a greater tendency to rupture and leak, or “bleed” silicone through the implant shell into the body cavity. And complications such as capsular contracture were very common.

There have been quite a few types of breast implants developed over the years other than the commonly used saline-filled and silicone gel-filled implants, including polypropylene string and soy oil. But these are not commonly used, if at all and leakage of soy oil into the body during a rupture would not be good for the patient.

Compared to silicone gel implants, the saline implants are more likely to cause problems such as rippling and wrinkling, and they can be noticeable to the eye or to the touch. The silicone gel implants have a silicone shell. And they are filled with a viscous type of silicone gel.

Saline-filled breast implants were first manufactured in France back in 1964 and were introduced by Arion. They were to be surgically placed using much smaller incisions than they were using at the time. In the mid 1980s, advances in manufacturing principles brought about elastomer-coated shells with the goal of decreasing gel bleed. They are filled with a thicker, more cohesive gel. These implants are sold under some restricted conditions in the United States and Canada, but are widely used in other countries.

Researchers must study and compare a large group of women with and women without breast implants who are of similar age, health, and social status. They must be followed for a long time, usually 10 to 20 years, before a relationship between women with breast implants and any diseases can be made. The age of the implants and design are important factors in rupture, but estimating the rupture rates of modern devices has been difficult for a variety of reasons, mostly because implant designs have changed over the years.

If the silicone implants rupture they rarely deflate and the silicone from the implant can leak out into the intracapsular space around the implant. The silicone that is extracapsular (leaked outside the capsule) has the potential to migrate to other parts of the body, but most clinical complications have appeared to be limited to the breast and axillae as inflammatory nodules (granulomas) and enlarged lymph glands in the armpit area called axillary lymphadenopathy. It’s not really known if other body parts are involved or not.

In one study it was reported that only 30% of ruptures in patients with no overt symptoms are accurately detected by experienced plastic surgeons, compared to 86% detected by MRI. There is a general international consensus in the medical field that silicone implants in breast plastic surgery have not been shown to cause systemic illness, excluding the possibility that a small group of patients may become ill through (as yet) unknown mechanisms.

Most, if not all, countries outside of the United States have not endorsed routine MRI screening. They have taken the position that MRI’s should be reserved only for cases involving suspected clinical rupture or to confirm mammography or ultrasound studies that suggest rupture. And local complications that can occur with breast implants include post-op bleeding, fluid collection, surgical site infection, breast pain, alterations in nipple sensation, interference with breast feeding, visible wrinkling, asymmetric appearance, wound dehiscence with potential implant exposure, thinning of the breast tissue, and disruption of the natural plane between the breasts.

When an intracapsular rupture progresses to outside of the capsule, called an extracapsular rupture, it’s generally agreed that both conditions indicate the need for removal of the implant. The risk and treatment of extracapsular silicone gel is still controversial and plastic surgeons agree that the gel is difficult to remove. There is disagreement about what may be lasting health effects.

The surgical procedure for breast augmentation takes about one or two hours, but the lasting effects of breast plastic surgery, both good and bad, will be around for many years. Make sure to do plenty of research online and offline before you make a decision about any breast plastic surgery you have in mind, including breast augmentation, mastopexy and any other cosmetic breast procedure. Some doctors in specialties other than plastic surgery, such as dermatologists, perform breast plastic surgery like breast augmentation but it’s better to choose a board certified plastic surgeon instead if you decide on surgery. There are risks with any surgery. Make sure you know what the risks are.

For more information on breast plastic surgery and breast implants visit http://www.Breast-Plastic-Surgery.net a nurse’s website offering tips, resources and information on breast reduction, breast reconstruction, mastopexy, complications, breast plastic surgery problems, low cost breast plastic surgery, medical travel and breast augmentation

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An outdoor wedding may not be so uncommon these days, but it is still one that takes a lot of planning and preparation. Weather conditions are sometimes unpredictable, and there’s no telling if on a pleasantly cloudy day, the sun would suddenly burst out of the clouds and bombard the contingency! To be safe, have protective gear ready, especially for the newlyweds. Keep bride & groom sunglasses handy, for example.

Sunglasses are staple protective wear for people who plan to spend a long time outdoors. And wedding ceremonies may take long even if they’re held in open locations, such as natural forests and private beaches. Wide open locations may be especially troublesome to the eyes, producing glare that would cause significant discomfort, not to mention potential health problems you would NOT want to deal with during a happy event. Bride & groom sunglasses would be your first line of defence in keeping the most important people in the ceremony happy and safe!

If you have the budget and the time, invest on sunglasses for all the guests. Cheap sunglasses may be good enough, if your primary objective is to shield their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, so you would not have to spend too much on this particular accessory. You won’t have to worry since many sunglasses fit different face types, as long as all the faces you have to take into consideration are adult ones. But since it’s a wedding, you could expect children to make an appearance, so have a stock of protective eyewear for children handy.

What are other accessories and equipment that you should have handy for outdoor weddings? Well, keeping a canopy tent would be a good idea. If the wedding will be held in a location where the weather is particularly unpredictable, you may find that your entire guest list needs a roof over its head all of a sudden - perhaps due to the bright sunlight, or of the rainfall. Arches and gazebos may be more common than tents in weddings, but having a tent handy would not be too bad. You can avoid purchasing or renting eyesore tents by getting something like a canopy tent, which has removable canvas walls.

The bride and groom may express some fear that having their guests sunglasses will ruin family photos, candid shots and the like. If this is the case, they may opt to buy more stylish sunglasses, so that photos aren’t ruined by clunky eyewear obscuring half of their guests’ faces! And of course, if we’re going to talk style, the bride & groom sunglasses have to be the most elegant and attention-catching ones in the room. Even if they won’t get to wear them, you must make sure that the ones that are handy are not at all cheap and awkward-looking! Designer sunglasses would make for an excellent gift. A matching set of limited edition sunglasses could be a wedding memorabilia that a loving couple could treasure for a lifetime.

Sunglassology.com gives you the latest in sun glasses, like bride & groom sunglasses and much more. Come take a look at http://www.sunglassology.com

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It is important to have a body care routine. When body care products are not used on a regular basis, they are ineffective. Nobody can expect smooth skin from a single day of moisturizing. It takes several days to witness results. In order to maintain that same level, it must be performed routinely. This may seem like a lot of work, but when someone gets into a regular body care regimen, she can manage to do it all in mere minutes!

Body Care: Start in the Shower

Start from the top and work down from there. The first thing people should see is a healthy, glowing face. This starts with a good face wash. A foaming face wash is an excellent choice. It is made just for the face and will help retain the skin’s moisture. Regular bar soap is not a good idea because it can dry out the face’s delicate skin.

The next step is to use a good exfoliator. This should be gentle enough for the face but may also be used on every part of the body. An exfoliator removes the dead, dry top layer of skin cells and reveals the healthy skin underneath. This should not be done every day, but should be done at least once a week.

While in the shower, it is best to use a shower gel to wash the body. This is more delicate than a bar soap and also smells wonderful. It is especially easy when used in combination with a loofah. A loofah helps to exfoliate skin as well.

Body Care: Out of the Shower

After stepping out of the shower, the first thing to do is apply moisturizer to the entire face and body. This generally requires two different products since the face will need something gentler. This is the best time to apply a moisturizer because damp skin absorbs more effectively than dry skin. This will help keep the skin soft and smooth.

There are special moisturizers that are made for hands and feet. Feet are often neglected when it comes to total body care. These moisturizers are made especially for rougher, drier skin. Our feet and hands are exposed to so much that they need something a little stronger to keep them looking and feeling healthy and beautiful.

Body Care: During the Day

It is essential that people are aware of their bodies all day long. It is a good idea to carry antibacterial hand lotion or soap. There are germs everywhere and not enough places to wash our hands. This will help keep the hands and face germ free since everyone touches their face during the day. It is also a good idea to carry wipes that absorb face moisture. This will help keep pores from becoming clogged and also feels great on the skin.

Body Care: Before Bed

Before going to bed each night, there are several body care products to use in order to maintain healthy skin. The first is a good cosmetics remover. It is not recommended that a woman retire for the evening without removing her make-up, as it tends to clog pores and cause breakouts. Once this is accomplished, the face should be washed with a good foaming cleanser. After washing the face, it is a good idea to use a toner. A toner will clean out the pores of the face, reaching deeper than the foaming cleanser can. Finally, apply a blemish cream that will work overnight. This entire routine should take only five minutes and is worth every second to have beautiful skin!

Body care is essential all day long. In order to have skin look and feel its best, it is important to follow each of these steps. Following a body care regimen every day will keep skin beautiful and soft!

Ursula McLean is a IA and ITEC qualified beauty therapist working with Feel Confident. Visit www.feelconfident.co.uk for great deals on Australian Bodycare.

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The world of cosmetic medicine has grown in leaps and bounds during the last decade. This growth has been seen both in the demand for aesthetic products and services and in the technologies and techniques that are now commonly available.

The increasing popularity of the medical spa concept is due in large part to the fact that they offer primarily non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures that allow for benefits that could have previously only been provided by surgery.

For many years one of the more popular procedures performed by a plastic or cosmetic surgeon has been the facelift. The facelift is the solution to the problems that arise as the result of the passage of time. Gravity and diminished cellular functions take their toll, which becomes evident in the form of wrinkles and thinned or lax skin.

While the facelift has become more common place than ever before, it certainly has its down side. Afterall, a facelift is still surgery, and surgery means anesthesia, cutting, risk of infection, discomfort, and a recovery period. That is the price of beauty though, right? If you ask your local medical spa they will tell you that may no longer be true.

In fact, there are a variety of new tools that have been made available to medical spa professionals that can offer their clients similar benefits without the risks. We can now tighten loose skin, eliminate wrinkles, and fight the effects of gravity by using technologies that produce varying forms of energy that create extremely precise changes in human tissue.

For example, micro current energy devices can emit small amounts of energy that stimulate muscle contractions. This energy is often targeted at facial muscle tissue in order to strengthen and tighten the appearance on the face. Society has placed an incredible emphasis on exercise and fitness, so why not do the same for you face?

Facial muscle tightening through micro-current energy is incredibly effective and provides for an immediate result. As with all forms of exercise, however, facial muscle toning requires upkeep and a regular schedule of visits to your local medical spa to maintain a favorable result.

Another form of energy produced by a medical grade laser technology has shown to be an immensely effective means of stimulating the bodys natural ability to produce a greater density of collagen fibers. Collagen and elastin are responsible for the supple appearance and elasticity of the skin. Soft supple skin is devoid of wrinkles and fine lines.

As we age our collagen fibers stretch or become damaged as the result of a variety of causes, which can include sun exposure or simply gravity. By stimulating and restoring the natural process of creating collagen we can reset the physiological clock without ever cutting the skin or causing discomfort.

Technology has also provided a means of tightening lax skin. With the use of both monopolar and bipolar radio frequency energy, collagen can become constricted in order to produce a tightening effect. This procedure likewise does not require anesthesia or surgery related after effects.

Simply stop in on your lunch hour, and get ready to become the new you, which is really of course the old you. The old you was younger with tighter, more supple skin. With the benefit of these revolutionary energy based technologies, you truly can reset the hands on time more safely and predictably than ever.

Jason Begley has been a contributor to the laser hair removal industry for more than 15 years. He is also one of the founders of the nations premier esthetics school as well as the internets top cosmetic dentist and lasik surgeon directories.

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Most people do not think that they can make jewelry that someone else might want to wear. They might feel that they do not know enough about jewelry making to turn it into a hobby that will earn them an income if they ever chose to sell it. Some people begin making jewelry because they like a unique style that is all there own and they do not see those styles anywhere else.

Some people might begin making jewelry by attending courses that teach the basics. Learning to string beads and fasten clasps onto wire can lead to the creation of many wonderful pieces of jewelry in a very short amount of time. Making jewelry can just be a hobby that is done sporadically throughout the year or it can be learned on a very in-depth level so that a person could create fine jewelry and accessories that other people would pay for and enjoy wearing throughout the year.

Some people think making jewelry is a creative endeavor because jewelry making allows a great deal of creative juices to flow. People begin designing jewelry and end up with an amazing assortment of projects that they can share with friends on weekend. These projects can evolve into another part of the jewelry line at a local jewelry retail shop.

Creating jewelry pieces can be very personal and private at times. Some inspiring artists will dabble with drawing their special designs out and then spend a considerable amount of time fashioning the jewelry that they have longed to create for a very long time. When friends begin to notice the beautiful creations that the person is wearing, they are going to want to know where they were purchased and what price was paid for them.

Most people are thoroughly delighted to learn that they have a friend that can make jewelry with flair and brilliance. They generally will ask for a special piece of jewelry and pay well when they see the finished jewelry piece. The artist will generally put their best effort into creating a special piece of jewelry because their friend is so special to them.

Being able to share with friends is an important reason why some people choose to make jewelry as a hobby. Some friends might be good with tools and could share that knowledge with their friend. Others in the friendship circle might know how to melt metals and this could be incorporated into making gold leafing on some jewelry pieces. Then the idea of making jewelry becomes a group endeavor that will ensure that everyone will have hours of fun.

James Brown writes about Netaya.com discount codes, Diamonds International promotion code and Mondera coupon codes

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I earn my living from the fashion industry, and as such, I have gotten pretty good at tuning out the fashion doubters.

You know the type - if it’s menswear then they dismiss trends with a simple “it looks a bit gay” and if womenswear happens to be their target du jour then they hit you with the alternating “makes your legs look fat”/”it clings in the wrong places”.

I hate to say it, but when it comes to current fashion, it looks like they might have got one right. Never mind just the doubters, women up and down the country have been more than a little discontented by the current trend for sack and tunic dresses.

The problem is that teamed with leggings as per the current vogue, you’re left with a look that isn’t actually all that flattering.

There is no doubt that tunic dresses make you look stocky and sack dresses make you look pregnant, but then to combine it with a garment such as leggings that frankly, only the sveltest of dance students can carry off, is just asking for trouble.

That said, it doesn’t matter. Because once a look has caught on, then you have the fashion equivalent of a level playing field. If your leggings make your calf muscles look like Thierry Henry’s then chances are they do the same to the woman next to you.

For that brief moment in time when an item (no matter how unflattering) is considered unquestionably “on-trend” then normal considerations are cast aside.

This level playing field theory is an example of what psychologists call groupthink. It’s basically where we cast aside what we know to be good for us in order to conform to mass consensus.

I admit, the bulk of such research has tended to be focussed on considerations such as Hitlers rise to power or football hooliganism, rather than the fact that the empire line makes you look pregnant. But still the parallel is there.

Right now, it’s a look literally everyone is sporting, and as such everyone looks like they are just entering their second trimester! Case in point, at a recent focus group for Queen of Suburbia, I overheard a collection of trendy young things comparing with ill-concealed pride, the number of people who had asked them the dreaded when’s it due question that week.

The subtext is clear. If people aren’t offering you their seat on the bus/tube/metro then you just aren’t fashionable enough!

Mark Errington is Marketing Director at English fashion design house Queen Of Suburbia, specialising in Women’s Fashion T-shirts. Further examples of his commentary on fashion, celebrity and trends can be found on their fashion blog.

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All of my patients discuss these decisions with me prior to their breast augmentation surgery:

1- saline or silicon
2- size of implants
3- smooth or textured
4- round or oval
5- under or over the muscle
6- location of the incision site
7- with or without a breast lift

After a breast augmentation consult you will have to make seven decisions regarding the type of implant and surgical approach. The consult itself can be an emotional event full of new information which may be hard to process. It is essential that you and the physician be ‘on the same page’. It will help you a lot if you can see your breasts as the doctor sees them.

Before making the seven decisions, a good plastic surgeon should take into account various attributes of the breast, such as the breast tissues, symmetry, ptosis (degree of sagginess), and the base of the breast. Here are some definitions of the breast terms that I will be discussing with you in your consultation and pre-operative appointments. This knowledge will guide you in your decisions:

-breast tissues The breasts may appear either ‘full’ or ‘empty’. A ‘full’ breast gives a surgeon great flexibility in planning. An ‘empty’ breast has a possible impact on the choice of implant as well as placement above or below the muscle.

-inframammary fold This is the horizontal line where the base of the bottom of the breasts meets your chest wall. To get a better idea of the line of the inframammary fold, tuck two pencils horizontally under the folds of your breast. The line that the two pencils make is your inframammary fold. If one or two nipples sag below the line of the inframammary fold you should seriously consider a breast lift in conjunction with your breast enlargement. The decision to have a breast lift will affect the incision location.

-symmetry The first thing I do when I evaluate a breast is point out to the patient how their breasts are different. The differences may be subtle or obvious, but they are always there. Significant asymmetry will affect the choice of incision location such that the nipples can be adjusted to be more symmetrical with each other.

-ptosis (or ’sagging’) The amount of ptosis or sagging that you have will determine if you should consider a breast lift and this will directly affect the choice of incision location. To determine how much ptosis you have, stand straight facing a mirror with shoulders even and place an index finger horizontally in front of each nipple.

Most women will have at least a half finger breath difference in position. Do the same by placing the fingers in the fold underneath the breast and see if there is a difference. Most women have at least half a finger breath difference in position. Ptosis is easily identified once one nipple is more than one finger breath lower than the other one.

-the breast base Next, put your hands in your waist and turn 3/4 to the mirror and notice how far the fold extends into the side of the chest wall. A good ‘marker’ is the angle in the armpit between the arm and the chest. Is the base of the breast in front of this angle or behind it? The base is important as it may influence the surgical approach and the size of the implant. A small base can not accommodate a large implant.

Having a basic understanding of the above concepts should help you follow the logic of your plastic surgeon’s proposed surgical plan. Of course, there are other lifestyle factors which may also play into your decisions. For example, if you are a runner, a very large implant would not be the best decision for you. However, knowledge is power, and this discussion should help you with making the seven decisions.

Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit http://curvesenhancement.com

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I am often asked if breast augmentation limits athletic ability. Does the placement of implants somehow weaken an athlete? Will their weight cause instability? Does placement under the pectoralis major muscle cause loss of muscle function? Like many questions in medicine, the answer depends on the specific variable for each individual.

Size matters, and the larger the implant the greater the potential impact. Variables influenced include the following: reaching across the chest, lateral (side-to-side) displacement of the breast and implant, the additional weight of the implant, increased drag, discomfort and possible muscle atrophy.

The ability to reach across the chest can be impacted. For someone with AA-cup sized breasts before surgery, the change is proportionally larger than for someone who begins with B-cup breasts. The implants may be more noticeable with sports that require extreme inward rotation at the shoulder with the arm extended. Examples include golf and racket sports like tennis and racket ball. Unless the implants are quite large, most athletes adapt quickly and can compensate by increasing rotation of the torso at the waist.

Lateral displacement of the breast and implant can also interfere with the arm’s range of motion. By keeping the implant diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the native breast, the feeling that “they’re in the way” can be minimized. This is also a good way to keep the result proportional to the rest of your body.

The weight of the implant is another factor. Women with large breasts often complain of lower neck, upper back and shoulder pain. Removing breast tissue relieves these symptoms. Conversely, if too much weight is added to the breast, similar symptoms can develop. However, since most implants weigh about three quarters of a pound, this problem is rare. Exercise routines that include running and jumping may make the weight more noticeable, but with the proper support, these activities are usually well tolerated.

Competitive swimmers may notice slightly increased drag, but for the recreational athlete, little change is noted. Since most implants used for augmentation are filled with saline (salt water), they are essentially neutrally buoyant. In other words, implants won’t make you float on your back — or sink to the bottom of the pool.

A rare complication of breast augmentation is chronic discomfort in the breast. Most discomfort is associated with the surgery itself. This usually resolves over a few days to weeks. Occasionally chronic pain develops. This is more common with larger implants, and may be related to stretching the capsule around the implant. Massage to compress the implant, displacement exercises, adequate support and medication usually help, but this may require some time away from strenuous activity. Again, this not a common problem, but in a few cases the implants had to be removed or reduced in size to provide relief.

As far as I know, there are no large clinical trials measuring upper extremity strength before and after breast augmentation, but anecdotal evidence suggests that weakness in the muscle is usually temporary, and is related more to the discomfort of surgery than to the implants. Most bodybuilders elect to have implants placed in front of the pectoralis muscle because of interference with muscle function.

When these athletes pose, and forcefully flex their pectoralis muscles, their implants will raise up if placed behind the muscle. Although an implant is more obvious in front of the muscle, as the cover of many muscle magazines will attest, there is less movement with posing. There is anecdotal evidence that implants of reasonable size can be placed in the subpectoral plane without interfering with function, and many of my patients continue to enjoy exercising and weight lifting after their surgery without significant changes in their routine.

As with anything in life, too much of a good thing really is too much. Keeping the changes you have desire proportional to the rest of your body will help to minimize any interference breast implants may have on your physical activities. Whether you’re looking to increase your breast size, or restore lost volume due to weight reduction or pregnancy, breast augmentation can be satisfying, and still cause minimal interference with your lifestyle.

There is no risk-free surgery, but choosing a well trained and practiced surgeon can help minimize the known risks. When choosing breast augmentation, it is also important to seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, who is well trained and comfortable with the procedure.

Ask to see representative before and after pictures of the surgeon’s patients. Ask them about their experience with patients’ activity after the procedure, and when you will get “back to normal.” If you do not personally know someone who has had the surgery, many plastic surgeons can provide you with the names of their past patients, who are comfortable talking about their experiences.

Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit http://curvesenhancement.com

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Public opinion and recent scientific studies have once again swung the pendulum in favor of breast implants in the United States. After the FDA restricted the use of silicone implants in 1992, plastic surgeons experienced a precipitous drop in the number of breast augmentations they performed. The government’s concern at the time were reports that silicone implants were causing generalized symptoms in some women (Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other auto immune diseases).

In the years that followed multiple large studies were performed at leading medical centers yielding consistently favorable data. In 1997, the Institute of Medicine independently reviewed this data for the US Congress and found conclusively that there was no evidence that silicone implants were responsible for any major diseases of the body and that these devices did not increase the risk of primary or recurrent breast cancer. Since then, many other studies have solidified these conclusions reassuring the public that silicone and saline implants are indeed safe.

With this increased confidence in implant technology, more women chose to have breast enhancement in the year 2004 than ever before. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that 254,140 American women underwent the procedure in 2003 compared to 32,607 in 1992. This number continues to rise steadily and Charlotte is no exception. Breast Augmentation has become one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the US.

Improving breast contours and unevenness may seem trivial and vain at the surface, but the emotional implications are far reaching. The boost in self-confidence that we witness in our patients makes this procedure extremely rewarding. A significant number feel a lack of femininity and have an altered body image similar to our mastectomy patients before their reconstruction. Those that are severely underdeveloped avoid bathing suits and instead wear bulky t-shirts to obscure their flat chests.

Their gratitude after the surgery is unparalleled and they invariably become an important source of referrals to our growing practice. These days, once women have decided to undergo augmentation they are faced with a plethora of options: silicone vs. saline, round shape vs. contoured, smooth surface vs. textured, pre-filled vs. inflatable, under the chest muscle vs. over, in the hospital vs. the office, sedation vs. general anesthesia; not to mention the different size implants and manufacturers available, as well as which incision to use and whether or not other procedures are required. It can become overwhelming?

First, the issue of silicone vs. saline implants. Although the Institute of Medicine unequivocally ruled out the association between silicone gel implants and systemic diseases, local problems with the breasts such as silicone leaking and hardening, while not life-threatening, were concerning to this committee. My personal preference is to use saline implants. These can and do eventually deflate but the salt water used to fill them is completely harmless to the body and gets reabsorbed, making them safer than silicone implants.

Furthermore, unlike saline deflations where the patient soon notices a decrease in size and seeks attention, the ruptured silicone implant can go undetected for years until the breast starts hardening and becomes painful.

The next choice to be considered is smooth vs. textured (rough) surface. My bias has changed in the last decade from mostly textured to mostly smooth implants. Research in the early 90’s indicated that textured silicone implants hardened less frequently than smooth ones. It may not be the case for saline implants however. Some studies show a small difference, others no difference.

When it comes to choosing pre-filled (fixed volume set by the manufacturer) or inflatable implants (inserted empty into the breast and then inflated in-situ), I prefer the latter. Using an inflatable prosthesis allows fur a much smaller incision to be made and more flexibility in choosing the final size, especially when the breasts are uneven to begin with.

Placing the implant behind the chest muscle (pectoralis major) or in front is another intensely debated issue. More surgeons, as I do, feel strongly that behind the muscle is better. The major advantages is a lower rate of hardening, better preservation of nipple sensation, improved breast contour (the edges of the implant are obscured by the muscle) and improved visualization on mammogram.

The disadvantages are that there is more pain after the surgery, the breasts look fuller at the top the first month and the implants occasionally “bounce” when the chest muscle is contracted forcefully (as in some body builders). Despite these inconveniences, behind the muscle is definitely the way to go.

Which incision to use for placing the implant, by contrast, is much less important. Excellent results can be obtained with all four approaches: under the fold, in a crease of the armpit, through the areola (nipple) or the belly button. I generally prefer the armpit crease incision as it is a more direct route behind the muscle and leaves no scar on the breast itself Nipple sensation and breast feeding potential remains intact.

The two dominant manufacturers of implants in the US, McGhan and Mentor, are equivalent in most respects. As to the size of the implant, the majority of our patients are conservative: wanting simply to restore fullness after having children or slightly enhancing underdeveloped breasts. The width of the chest, how much breast tissue exists, and what the target cup size is desired, are the major factors in choosing the volume in “cc’s” of the implant.

The aesthetic “norm” in the US appears to be a full “c” cup unlike Europe and South America where B/small C is more common. Although not an exact science, the majority of patients are content with their final volume. In our one year post-op survey that patients fill out, 91% of women are happy with their size. 6% would have liked to have gone bigger, and 3% smaller.

Be knowledgeable about the complications that can arise. No surgery is without risks. but these should be minimal.

Finally, take your time to do the research. Don’t rush into the surgery. Know that it is safe and ever-more popular, but do it for the right reasons: mainly to feel better about yourself.

Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit http://curvesenhancement.com

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