How To Beat The Signs of Aging

by: Barry Lycka

They say that eyes are the windows to the soul. If that's true, then how much more can people tell about you by looking at your skin, especially those areas that get noticed first? Your face, hands, and neck, and-depending on the outfit-your upper chest are almost always exposed. Your skin speaks volumes about you and your general health and lifestyle before you ever have the chance to utter a word. What your skin says is only part of your story, but that story gets more complex as the years go by, leaving telltale signs of the ups and downs of your life right there on the surface for everyone to see. And time marches ever onward.

Fortunately, so does the science of skin care technology! While this science has brought a plethora of skin rejuvenating and resurfacing options in recent years, there's a brand new one that promises to create quite a buzz in the medspa And medical community. Recently, at the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference held in Las Vegas, June 2-4 a new treatment was introduced, the Ultimate MicroLaser Peel . This revolutionary laser system offers spa clients a safe and effective treatment for pigmentation, texture, tone and fine eye lines with little to no downtime or discomfort. The Ultimate MicroLaser Peel laser system is designed for medspa and medical clients who are looking for simple, preventive, topical skin treatment options, without much downtime.

What is a medspa? Think of it as your typical day spa…with advanced options. Short for medical spa, a medspa operates under the full-time supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Spa therapists and medical personnel work together, integrating clinical-grade aesthetic enhancement and spa treatments/concepts. Most services are minimally invasive and require little downtime, though guests may be able to meet with an on-site surgeon to discuss more in depth treatments.

How does the Ultimate MicroLaser Peel Treatment work? The best way to answer this question is to think of your skin as an image on a television screen. TV images are actually made up of millions of tiny pixels, the sum of which makes up the entire picture. Like so many pixels, Ultimate MicroLaser Peel affects only a fraction of your skin at a time with microscopic laser columns no wider than the width of a hair. This process creates a pattern of evenly spaced microscopic laser "spots" that are actually pinpointed single skin cells. Because the skin surrounding the spots is not treated, healing occurs quickly, leaving virtually no telltale signs. Repeated treatments create additional spots, until the entire skin surface is treated. According to Dr. Lycka, "the precise treatment eliminates old, damaged surface cells and penetrates deep into the inner layers of the skin (dermis) to initiate and encourage the body's own natural healing process. As healing begins, the damaged skin is replaced with fresh, healthy skin and new collagen is formed deep in the subsurface layers."

It is the perfect way to improve texture, tone and pores; erase unwanted brown spots; smooth wrinkles and acne scars; and rejuvenate your neck, chest and hands…all with minimal downtime.

Does it hurt? This laser treatment is relatively painless, though a topical anesthesia may be applied prior to the treatment. If a significant area will be treated, your doctor will consult with you to develop a pain management approach.

How many treatments will I need? Because roughly 20-25% of the skin in any treated area is affected with each application, 3 to 5 sessions are generally required to reap the greatest results. Sessions are optimally scheduled 2-4 weeks apart, which means that your skin will enjoy a subtle, ongoing journey toward gaining a youthful, vibrant glow.

What about recovery? Most likely, you'll find yourself back at work or play within a few days of your treatment. Of course, it all depends on your skin condition and the scope of your treatment. For about 5-7 days, you'll look and feel like the affected area has a mild sunburn. This is actually a normal sign that your skin is healing. If you have any swelling at all, it will be mild and will disappear within a couple of days or so. New epidermal skin forms in about 24 hours. Essentially, the Ultimate MicroLaser Peel treatment will expedite an extended healing process. Following the initial redness, your skin will have a bronze appearance lasting anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on your treatment level. All the while, your skin will flake, naturally and vigorously exfoliating as new skin cells replace dead ones. Moisturizer can lessen the signs of flaking. Of course, you should continuously wear sunscreen, too, for several months after treatments and wear hats when in direct sunlight. Give your skin ample time to heal. Remember, your skin is a veritable billboard that travels with you everywhere you go, telling everyone you meet about your health and lifestyle. Why not make it your greatest asset when it comes to the image you project?


About The Author
Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America's foremost authorities on cosmetic, skin cancer, reconstructive and laser surgery of the skin. He is founder of The Ethical Cosmetic Surgery Association (http://.ecsaonline.com )and advisor to th spa industry ( ie - http://www.EdmontonsBestSpa.com).

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke Indicate Immediate Need for Hospital Care

Most people have heard the term heat stroke, but many can not identify the signs, symptoms and treatment needed for heat stroke victims. It is important to recognize that, first and foremost, heat stroke is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention. It can come on without warning, especially for infants, the elderly and people working outdoors for a significant period of time. Certain medications can also contribute to the likelihood of having a heat stroke.

A heat stroke occurs when a person can not produce enough sweat to help cool their body down. High humidity, extreme heat and continuous activity in the sun on a hot day are three things that can elevate the chanced of having a heat stroke. Symptoms of a heat stroke are similar to extreme dehydration because the two often go hand in hand. Symptoms include seizures, unconsciousness, dizziness, headaches, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, feeling fatigued, a high body temperature, kin that is flushed, dry and hot, but not sweaty, and a fast heart beat.

If you feel like someone you are with is having a heat stroke, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately. You should call 911 or take them to the closest emergency room. If you are waiting for an ambulance, take the person inside to get them out of the heat and the sun. Use a cloth to apply cool water to the person’s skin and fan them while they are lying down with their feet slightly raised. Once the person goes to the hospital, they can expect to have an IV for fluids and to be on bed rest.

There are many things that you can do to help prevent a heat stroke. Everyone, but especially the elderly and children, should not stay outside for extended periods of time during hot weather. Keep yourself hydrated with water or sports drinks and avoid alcohol, tea, soda and coffee. A spray bottle of water or hose can help keep your skin moist. Do not exercise outdoors during the hottest time of the day. Spend some time in the shade if you are going to be outside and wear a hat and lightweight, loose clothing. Try not to wear dark colored clothing as it can attract the sun. Remember, if you feel like you are someone you are with is having a heat stroke, it is better to be safe than sorry. Call your hospital’s emergency room if you have questions and seek immediate medical care to avoid long term, serious affects and damage that can be caused by a heat stroke.

For more information about childrensmemorialhospital, OrlandoRegionalMedicalCenter, beaumonthospital or other hospitals, please visit our website.

What Do Genital Warts Look Like - Recognizing The Signs

If you don't know what genital warts look like, it's hard to determine if you've got them. Usually, they resemble small, pink or white bumps. They may look like the warts you find on your finger, or they may be much smaller. Some are so small that you can't see them individually, but see only a group of them as a cluster.

Even a good doctor may have trouble seeing genital warts because of their size. It's also hard to distinguish genital warts from normal bumps, abrasions or pinched skin. One way that physicians can check is by putting acetic acid on the area. When this happens, the warts will turn white. Doctors also use a colposcope, a lens that works like a telescope, to see the area more clearly. These are two methods used to determine if the bumps are genital warts.

About half of all people with HPV, the virus that causes warts, never have any wart outbreaks. Sometimes the warts look very un-wart-like; they may just be a slightly raised portion of the skin. They come in all sizes, and may appear either alone or in groups.

Men who have HPV may get warts either on their penis, on their scrotum, in their urethra, or around their anus. Warts found around the penis are often smooth on top, but those that are found around the anus are often rough, with projections that come off like fingers. Most warts have a pearly but slightly dark look, and the shapes resemble cauliflower. Usually, genital warts stand well off the skin, but occasionally they may be elevated only a little bit. It may be hard to see warts in the genital area because they might be hiding under pubic hair.

For women, genital warts look pretty much the same as those that men get. They are found around the vagina, where there is a lot of moisture. If there are genital warts on the outside, you should see a doctor so that they can see if there are more inside the vagina, cervix or anorectal areas. In women, some types of this virus can lead to serious health problems such as cervical cancer, so genital warts should be examined and treated immediately by a doctor.

The first step in identifying and treating HPV is to know what genital warts look like. This way, you will know if you may have the virus. If you find anything you suspect might be genital warts, talk to your doctor immediately. They may be genital warts, or it may be a false alarm. It's important to know right away.

You can also find more info on genital warts in males and what genital warts look like. TreatGenitalWarts.org is a comprehensive resource to help individuals with genital warts to identify symptoms, prevention and treatment options.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Wellsworth