Health and Beauty - healthandbeauty.org.uk » Cosmetic Surgery

New review of cosmetic procedures in the UK

Alan — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:27:23 +0000

The recent scandal about plastic surgery and breast implants that are made from a material not suitable for the human body has led to a review of cosmetic procedures in the UK. 50,000 women are expected to have been affected by the problematic implants and experts have asked for there to be more regulation in the industry of cosmetic procedures.

Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are going to be reviewed under the authority of the medical director of the NHS, Sir Bruce Keogh. The move for greater regulation has been welcomed by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons or BAAPS. They highlight that there is a significant problem in that cosmetic surgery can still be advertised to patients and this is something that should be banned, much like advertising licensed drugs is not allowed in the country.

The president of the BAAPS is Fazel Fatah who has commented, “The breast implant scandal was something that was very unfortunate but it has brought to the governments attention the problems that the industry is facing. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the increased regulations that the government are going to bring to the sector.

We hope to present a plan to the government that will allow them to implement an effective system of regulation which will have the primary focus will be protecting the safety of the public.”

Since the scandal it has become known that there have been many companies taking advantage of marketing techniques that could cause harm to the public. Some cosmetic surgery companies have issued loyalty cards encouraging people to have more procedures and have even offered buy one get one free deals.

A plastic surgeon and former president of BAAPS is Nigel Mercer and he is involved with drafting standards that could be implemented across the European Union. He has said, “The proposals we are drafting are going to improve cosmetic surgery procedures across Europe.

We are developing standards that are going to improve patient care and put the importance of patient safety and well-being beyond all else. We are also going to ban cosmetic surgery being awarded as a prize and make sure that all cosmetic surgeons who are conducting surgery are specialists in the field and have an exemplary track record.”

BAAPS wants to see a ban on all advertising of cosmetic surgery, much like the ban that exists on prescription drugs being advertised. Furthermore, it wants to see injectable treatments for treating skin wrinkles to become medications. Currently these are not regarded as medicine and are only required to have the CE mark – which might normally be seen on many household items.

Mr Fatah continued, “In the past we have worked very hard to educate people about the marketing techniques from unscrupulous cosmetic surgery companies. Their tendency is to trivialise surgery and make it seem like a procedure that is not serious, but any surgery carries a risk and patients should be fully aware of this. The kind of promotions we are seeing in this part of medicine are completely unacceptable.”

Breast enlargement – attractive or not?

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:35:46 +0000

This article has been brought to you by The Hospital Group, The UK’s only ‘full’ service provider of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Cosmetic surgery has provided a way for many women to change the parts of their bodies that they are not happy with. But more than changing the way a woman looks, cosmetic surgery can change the way she feels about herself and the way she interacts with others as a result. The most popular example of this impact is breast enlargement.

Throughout the years, the medical community and women in support of breast enlargement have debated the pros and cons of having this surgery. In spite of this collective argument, the decision to have a breast enlargement is genuinely a choice that each woman has to consider in the context of her own experiences. However, here are some facts for her to consider.

Advantages of breast augmentation

The most obvious advantage of getting breast implants is the boost in self-esteem and confidence that many women get from having fuller breasts. After having implants, many women find that their clothes fit them better and that they are able to find more options to dress their body types. In addition, their improved self-image sometimes actually encourages women with breast implants to lead healthier lifestyles, which makes them better looking all around.

Desiring a breast augmentation is not always about having bigger breasts; it can also be due to life changes. For example, women who have given birth may notice that their breasts changed shape afterwards. Breasts can also change shape after a dramatic weight loss, leaving some women to desire the fullness that they had beforehand. And many women opt for surgery because their breasts developed unnaturally and may appear oddly shaped or differ in size.

Concerns about breast enlargements

One of the most prominent arguments against breast implants comes from people who feel that they look unnatural and unattractive. While some women — and the doctors who treat them — have certainly taken implants to the extreme in terms of size and shape, this doesn’t have to be the case. The shape of breast implants depend on the material from which they are made and the technique used by the surgeon. There are doctors who specialise in natural-looking implants and who can also consult with a patient on which size is best for her body and the shape of her figure.

While breast implants can increase a woman’s confidence, it is important to remember that they should not only factor in how she views her physical attractiveness. It is dangerous to assume that a woman who feels horrible about the way her body looks will be perfectly happy if only she had implants. This type of Cosmetic surgery is best for women who begin with realistic expectations.

As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved with getting a breast augmentation. However, these risks can be mitigated by taking precautions before your surgery. These include carefully researching both the doctor who will perform your surgery and the facility where it will be done. You should also take time to research the different materials that breast implants are made of and which ones are the most prone to negative reactions from your immune system. These preparations are the most important of all because breast implants are never attractive if they compromise your health.

Permanent make-up as an option

Alan — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:40:34 +0000

Permanent make-up is something that is becoming more popular in the beauty industry and many women are considering having it done and taking advantage of the many benefits that it can bring. Most women find that having to put make-up on in the morning is quite a hassle and it is not something that they want to have to worry about.

Permanent make-up will mean that once you get out of bed you no longer have to do this and once you have had the procedure done the effects of it will last for up to a year. You will also not have to worry about finding the right colours to apply in the morning and you definitely won’t find yourself poking your eye with the eyeliner pencil.

Another reason that it is becoming more popular is because the cost of it is falling significantly and many beauticians are making it available to the public at a great price. It is something that is very popular with celebrities but now it is something available to anyone. Best of all, the procedure is incredibly safe and the only risk is that you have an allergic reaction, but a test is done to make sure that you won’t.

Permanent eyeliner

Permanent eyeliner

Alan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:37:52 +0000

Eyeliners are a make up product that make your eyes stand out from other peoples and they will make your eyelashes look fuller and larger than they would normally. It is one of the hardest types of make up to put on and it is a very hard look to get just right. Many women find that they are often poking their eyes with their eyeliners while trying to apply it. Another problem is that it is often quite difficult to get both eyes looking as if they have the same amount of eyeliner on them.

Permanent eyeliner is a solution to this hassle and it is something that many women are starting to consider and have done. Not only does it mean that you will have perfect looking eyeliner every day but also you will save a great deal of time in your morning routine. Having a professional beautician do your permanent eyeliner will mean you will look great for a long time.

There are a great many advantages to having this type of treatment and permanent eyeliner has become very popular with famous celebrities. Several salons from around the UK have stated that it is quickly becoming the most popular procedure and more women are coming in to have it done every week. So if you want to have your eyes looking their best consider permanent eyeliner.

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Hair removal “cowboys” who harm their patients

Alan — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:11:41 +0000

Hair removal can be a dangerous business if not done properly, and women who use clinics that don’t obey safety regulations are the most at risk. As are those who have bought devices on the Internet at a low-cost. Some women are being told that the clinic they are going to is safe in the hope of removing hair at a low price. Some patients who have been to clinics which are not safe have reported receiving burns to parts of the body, some have has even reported eye damage because they have not been given proper eye safety equipment.

Some clinics are still using poor equipment, such as devices which use intense pulsed light. The leading organisation for hair removal in the UK is Laser Active. This organisation has criticised the government for abolishing some controls as part of budget cuts and this has allowed anyone with any sort of laser to open a clinic.

“What we have seen is controls completely disappear and pretty much anyone can just establish a clinic and call themselves an expert,” says Gill Leeden who is the founder of Laser Active. Ms Leeden has launched popular clinics in London at Canary Wharf but before she could do so she had to do an intensive course.

“One slip with a laser and permanent damage can be done to eyes if no safety glasses are worn, yet many of these amateurs totally disregard the dangers,” said Gill. “It costs a lot of money to buy the specialist medical equipment needed to operate professionally and put the patient at the forefront of safety.”

Laser Active says most beauty salons use an IPL (intense pulsed light) device because only doctors and nurses are permitted to purchase medical grade lasers. “Very often the only training these users have had is from the manual,” said Gill. “IPLs are dangerous in the hands of amateurs with no training.”

Gill, whose company is currently being franchised across the country in a bid to stamp out the cowboys, added: “As the Government appears to have abandoned any official regulatory control over these dangerous practices, then we have to offer people a safe and ethical alternative,” she continued.

Laser Active says its franchises will only be available to qualified nurses who agree to undertake proper training, but the benefits to patients will be enormous. “They can undertake treatment in a safe environment where their health is paramount and which uses only the best equipment, handled by properly qualified and registered nurses,” she added.

Information from Laser Active on www.laser-active.co.uk

Liposuction as a weight loss possibility

Facts About Gastric Band Surgery

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:48:47 +0000

In our increasingly body and health conscious culture, more and more people are turning to surgical solutions to the problems of weight gain.

As the numbers of people who are classified as being clinically and morbidly obese increase, patients from all sections of society are being referred or seeking to qualify for the insertion of a Gastric Band to help them gain control over their eating habits and reduce their body weight.

What is a Gastric Band?

A gastric band is a small plastic ring that is surgically applied around the tissues of the stomach, the ring is then inflated to constrict the stomach pouch reducing its capacity and making it physically impractical and uncomfortable for the patient to overeat. The level of inflation of the band can be adjusted after surgery to ensure optimal results and for patient safety.

Who Can Have a Gastric Band?

Doctors will usually only recommend a gastric band for patients who are morbidly obese and therefore at risk of life threatening health conditions as a result of their weight. Gastric banding will usually only be carried out when patients have attempted and failed at other methods of weight loss, such as through diet and exercise – or in instances when patients are incapable of these for other reasons.

How is a Gastric Band Inserted?

Gastric band surgery is usually carried out laparoscopically (using ‘keyhole” surgery) as this method is less invasive and helps to speed recovery after surgical intervention. Before the surgery patients may be asked to demonstrate their commitment to their treatment and recovery by achieving a certain level of weightloss independently, this can also help to reduce fat inside the abdomen and can reduce the chances of complications and make the procedure more simple for the surgeon involved.

What Happens Once a Gastric Band is in Place?

Once a gastric band has been inserted the patient will need to follow a strict regime in order to ensure optimum weightloss as well as aiding their own recovery. In the early stages post-surgery patients will need to follow a liquid diet and will slowly move on to pureed foodstuff and small amounts of easily digestible solids. Patients will need to take vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure that they do not become deficient since the reduced intake of foods will make it unlikely their bodies will be able to source all the nutrients needed from their meals. Patients who follow the instructions of their healthcare provider are likely to see results quickly, with many reporting rapid weightloss.

Benefits and Risks of Gastric Band Surgery

There are a number of documented benefits of gastric ban surgery, most of which are general benefits of weightloss for the obese such as:

Reduced risk of heart disease/diabetes and other obesity related illness
Reduced stress and strain on joints
Increased capacity for activity and exercise
Increased confidence and improved body image

However, anyone considering weightloss surgery should also be aware of the risks which include:

Anaesthetic – general anaesthetics can be fatal in certain cases and are more dangerous for those who are overweight.
Infection – Invasive surgery always carried the risk of possible infection.
Malnutrition – if patients do not follow instructions post surgery they run the risk of malnutrition
Band Failure – some bands shift, while patients who do not stick to medical advice may find that the reduce stomach pouch stretches to allow them to overeat again.