Cosmetic Changes That Don’t Require Surgery

There is nothing that feels quite as good as having the utmost confidence in your appearance. Your appearance is one of the most important factors that impacts how you make first impressions, and how you present yourself outwards to the world. But if you don’t have confidence in your appearance, you may try to hide yourself from the spotlight, stay in the background, and blend in. But the appearance you have always wanted is right within your reach, in fact, there are even things that don’t require surgery. Here are three cosmetic changes you can make that don’t require surgery.

Laser Therapy

The first cosmetic change that you can make that doesn’t require surgery is laser therapy for wrinkles and acne scars. If you have wrinkled skin or acne scars dimpling your face, you may feel like no matter how hard you try, your face doesn’t reflect how you feel inside. But with laser therapy, you can finally help get rid of unwanted wrinkles and pesky acne scarring once and for all. Laser therapy is a non-surgical treatment option that uses lasers to heal your skin, and make it supple, soft, and elastic once again. Laser therapy may be right for you, make sure to talk to your dermatologist.

Fixing Your Crooked Teeth

The next cosmetic change that you can make that doesn’t require surgery is fixing your crooked teeth. Teeth play an important role in your appearance and being self-conscious about crooked teeth can keep you from smiling, which can make you come across as closed off, unhappy, and standoff-ish. But luckily, you can get these teeth straightened, and you don’t need braces. Invisalign is a great option for people who want straight teeth without the attention that braces can draw. Not only is Invisalign less noticeable, but you won’t have to deal with food restrictions. Talk to your orthodontist about Invisalign.

Getting a Haircut

Your hair is another important part of your outward appearance that can easily be changed without surgery. By dying your hair, cutting your hair, or even doing something as simple as changing the way you style your hair can completely transform the way you look. If you don’t feel good about the way your hair looks, then you have literally hundreds of simple options to find the right hair for you.

Your appearance is important. And if you have areas of your appearance that you want to change, you may feel stuck between a rock and hard place. But there are tons of cosmetic changes you can make that don’t require invasive surgery. Give any of these three options a try and transform into a whole new you.

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Why You Need to Take Better Care of Your Skin

Taking care of your skin is important for more than just your appearance. As the largest organ in your body, skin is essential to your general health. Taking care of your skin makes it possible for your skin to take care of you. This article will discuss why you need to take better care of your skin and suggestions for how you can be successful.

Feel More Confident 

While beauty exists on the inside, it also exists on the outside. Your face is the first part of your body that others look at. Everyone wants to make a good first impression. A first impression of beautiful skin will increase the confidence you have in yourself. When you have clear skin, you don’t feel the need to hide from others. This naturally increases confidence and your ability to succeed. A regular skincare routine will keep your skin looking great all year. No matter what kind of day you are having, you can feel confident that your skin is clear and glowing. When your skin looks better, you’ll feel better about yourself and have more self-confidence.

Make Yourself Look Younger 

It is no secret that as you get older, your skin will age. As you age, skin cells turn over more slowly. This makes your skin look duller and less radiant. Using a quality skin care routine can help remove dead skin cells and help your body replace them with newer, more youthful cells. With the faster turnover and additional nutrients, you will make your skin look youthful. Protein like collagen holds the body together. When taking collagen, it provides extra support for the connective tissues in your skin. This will make your skin more elastic and consequently younger.

Take a Holistic Approach to Health 

Making time to take care of your skin makes you more likely to make healthy choices throughout the day. Following a simple skincare routine will communicate to your mind that your body is important and worth taking care of. As a result, you will make healthier food choices and be more physically active. Skincare is a result of a holistic approach to health. Healthy skin starts with a good diet, plenty of water, fruits, and vegetables. Your skin needs vitamins and moisture to remain supple. Take care of your body and your skin by being well rounded with your health routines.

Prevent Skin Cancer 

Preventing skin problems is easier than trying to fix them in the future. It is important to take care of your skin daily. Rays from the sun can be very damaging to your skin. Sunlight will dry out, burn, and age your skin. Skin cancer is common with individuals that do not protect themselves when outside.

Regular activities, like working, can cause harm to your skin. For example, construction and outside careers can quickly age and harm your skin. If you work outside, consider ways to protect yourself from the sun. While operating a vehicle, a canopy can reduce risk of skin cancer.

Illness Prevention 

Your skin is the primary barrier between the outside world and your vital organs. Consequently, your skin blocks germs, illness, and other harmful elements from entering your body. Taking care of your skin creates a stronger barrier of protection. Healthy skin keeps the body clean from germs and elements that could be harmful. Your skin also contains nerve endings that let you feel when an object is too hot or sharp. This lets you quickly pull away and protect your body from harm. Skin that is healthy does a better job at protecting the rest of your body and preventing illness.

Faster Healing 

Regardless of the care you give your skin, at some point your skin will be exposed to elements and subject to injury. Whether it is a scrape from playing outside, or a cut from cooking in the kitchen, the layers of your skin are bound to be damaged. Skin that is healthy is better able to regenerate and heal itself. This acts as an extra layer of protection from infection. Taking care of your skin prevents disease from penetrating the body and stimulates faster healing.

Manage Stress 

When your skin has a reaction, it is a sign that something is wrong with your body. Sometimes it can be an allergic reaction to products, signs of a poor diet, or lack of water. Skin reactions can also be a sign of stress. Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. The appearance of your skin is your body’s way of communicating with you. To encourage healthy skin, cultivate ways you can have a healthy state of mind. Develop coping strategies to help manage stress, see a therapist, set reasonable limits, and scale back your to-do list to help manage stress and keep your skin healthy.

Everyone’s Skin is Different 

Everyone’s skin is unique and requires a different regimen. Some can splash water on their face and call it good, others cannot. Everyone is different and most people need a different regime to keep their skin looking healthy. If you are frustrated with your skin and the way it is currently reacting, try a new skincare regimen. Your skin might need distinct oils, better cleanser, and a different serum. Consult with a dermatologist to identify your skin's unique needs and which products are best. Your face is the first part of your body that others look at. Stay consistent with a routine and vary it when your skin needs change.

The most important thing you can do for your skin is to keep it clean and avoid irritants. Irritants include harsh chemicals, overexposure to the sun, and anything that makes your skin react negatively. Your skin's reactions are a sign that the body does not like what it is being exposed to. Pay attention to the state of your skin and consult a doctor when needed to avoid any complications.

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How Does the Health of My Skin Impact the Rest of Me?

The skin is the largest organ on your body. It provides an important role in acting as a barrier to keep things out, and keep things in. The health of your skin plays an important role in your general health.

Your First Line of Defense

Skin is the body’s first line of defense. It acts as a barrier to keep out harmful bacteria, pathogens, and dirt which negatively affect your health. Because this is such an important organ, it is important that it be taken care of properly. There are many skin conditions which are not necessarily a problem (like dryness, sun damage, or sensitivity) until they become severe. Daily steps to take to have healthy skin are using gentle cleansers and avoiding harsh chemicals, protecting from UV rays, and using a moisturizer that adds another protective layer.   

Your Mental Health

Skin problems can negatively affect your mental health. A common skin condition, atopic dermatitis can take a significant toll on mental health, especially if it isn’t adequately controlled. This causes red and itchy skin that can become painful and raw. These symptoms affect how you feel physically and how you feel about yourself. This can lead to withdrawal from social settings and poor self-image. Stress and anxiety can also cause flare ups in this condition, which can add to the physical pain as well as further mental health decline.

Signal for Health

The skin can impact your health, and it can also give valuable health information. Changes in skin can help you know if there are underlying issues. Skin imperfections may arise, but chronic conditions become concerning. Rashes and other patches on the skin, especially when symptoms like a fever are involved, can signal infections or allergies. Yellowing skin can signal liver failure. New growths on the skin could signal cancer internal disease such as high triglycerides or diabetes. Acne along the jawline can signal PCOS. Watching the skin can help you to know when to seek a doctor, which will help to improve your overall health.

Because the skin is so important, you should do what you can to take care of it. If anything is abnormal or chronic you should always seek the help of a qualified professional to help treat and control any conditions. Taking the necessary steps to have healthy skin will help you to increase your overall health.

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Items That Can Complement Your New Hairstyle

For most people, their hair is a defining characteristic of who they are and what they look like. When looking to reinvent yourself, it’s a great idea to make a change with a new hairstyle. A bold color or unique cut provides a great opportunity to redefine your style and how you present yourself. But it is just the first step to starting anew and changing how you express yourself. Here are a few of the best items to compliment you and your amazing new hairstyle! 

Gel or Mousse 

Once you’ve left the salon, it can be difficult to style your hair just how your stylist did it. Baby hairs and fly-a-ways can be frustrating to work with and even more difficult to hide. Consider investing in some high-quality gel or mousse to keep your hair looking good, options which can be found at the very salon that gave you your new style. Gel is a clear, jelly-like material that is great for styling. As it is exposed to the sun and air it will harden to keep your hairstyle in place all day. Hair mousse is a styling foam that often contains smoothing agents. These agents and other ingredients help create a shiny, frizz free, voluminous effect. Depending on the look you are going for and your individual needs will determine whether gel or mousse is a better option for you.

Makeup 

With a new hairstyle comes the need for a new makeup look. Different hairstyles let you pull off different looks. For example, darker hair can handle brighter makeup and still look fresh, while bright colors on light haired individuals can make them look washed out. Knowing how to do your makeup with your new hairstyle takes practice. Changing your foundation color and what eyeshadows you use will take some time, but you will find your satisfaction with your hairstyle increases if you use makeup complimentary to your hair. Don’t forget to change your brows to match your new color. If you have dark hair, the same color of brow is complimentary while blondes should aim for 2-3 shades darker. It’s a good idea to ask your stylist for advice and tips on what will go best with your new style as well.

A New Outfit 

The difference a new outfit can make is significant, but especially with a new hairstyle. Of course, body shape, size, color, and hairstyle all make a big impact on what clothing styles will look flattering on you or not. Ultimately you need to choose an outfit that you can feel confident and comfortable in. A casual denim skirt can give you confidence when going out at night with friends, and a new blouse that compliments your color pallet can help you feel flirty and outgoing. Regardless of any fashion expert’s advice, don’t buy something unless you absolutely love it or you risk not wearing it and wasting your money. The right new outfit, however, can cement this fresh, new outlook and chapter in your life.

Hair Accessories 

With a new hairstyle there will be various opportunities for you to play with how you want it styled. Part of styling your hair and enhancing your new look can be done with hair accessories. Fancy clips, bobby pins, scrunchies, ribbons, and headbands can go a long way in helping you accentuate and frame your face. If you are bored of wearing the same look or need fresh ideas for how to style your hair, know that there are a variety of ways you can accessorize and compliment your outfit with hair accessories.

Sunglasses 

Different face shapes call for different ways of styling, and this is even more true when it comes to sunglasses and haircuts. With a new hairstyle, your face may be framed differently to accentuate different features on your face. There are a variety of sunglass shapes that can enhance or distract from certain facial features. For example, round faces and cuts are complementary to almost any style of frames. However, narrow faces need to avoid big round frames because they can overpower the individual wearing them. Keeping your face shape, hair style, and personal aesthetic in mind, choose sunglasses that will compliment all areas.

A New Handbag

Though it may not be the first item you’d think of, changing your appearance with a new hairstyle can open the door to updating more things about yourself, such as a new handbag. Some hairstyles have a slimming effect on individuals, while others accentuate the curvature of their face. You may find handbags have a similar effect on your person. Petite bags often look best with smaller figures or wide hips, which helps the attention be distributed evenly throughout the person’s body rather than just focusing on your mid-section. Handbag color can also compliment or distract from the rest of your aesthetic. Don’t pass up the opportunity to find a handbag that compliments your style and personalizes your aesthetic with your new hairstyle.

Flattering Jewelry 

Like your hair, jewelry is a great way to accentuate the beauty of your body and express your personality. The pieces you wear tell a lot about who you are, where you come from, and what is most important to you. Depending on your hair color and skin tone, different metals will compliment your overall aesthetic, and with a new hairstyle, you may want to add some extra bling to draw attention specifically to your face. A difference in hair color may also require different colored jewelry to ensure harmony with your new look. Look for pieces that will complement each other and not distract from your inner beauty.

The way you cut, style, part, and color your hair can make a dramatic impact on the way you look and feel. Even a slightly different hair color from what you currently have can be the ticket to feeling brand new. Similarly, you can complete your new look with something as simple as an accessory or new shade of eye shadow. Pick items that compliment you, and you’ll have that much more confidence on your next night out!
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Why You Should Always Wear Gloves When Gardening

Gardening is one of the most relaxing hobbies and is a great way to beautify your home and get some fresh air. While it is very hands-on, you should not garden bare-handed. Instead, using gloves is the best way to garden safely and protect your hands.

Reduce Bacterial Infections

When you are gardening, especially when you are cleaning out a new area of dirt, you never know what you might run into. If you have an open wound on your hand, you are at risk of an infection caused by the different kinds of bacteria. The infection could cause tetanus, or even some disease that could spread in your gastrointestinal, or respiratory tract, or skin, which is your largest organ. Either way, none of those bacterial infections are pleasant, even if they are treatable. The best way to prevent yourself from exposure is by wearing gloves.

Avoid Bites

Along with bacteria, soil and plants are often surrounded by insects, spiders, and small animals. With any of these creatures, a bite could be harmful. For example, while most are harmless, some species of spiders can pose risks to your health. Most of the time, you will not know if the bite was harmful with poison or venom until you accidentally put your hand somewhere you were not supposed to and the creature bites or stings you in self-defense. In some cases, your gloves could protect you from serious injury. Although your garden gloves are not invincible, they still provide an extra layer between you and the various species you might meet while planting flowers or removing weeds.

Protection from Chemicals

To keep your garden free of weeds or pests, you probably treat your garden with different chemical solutions. However, since most of these sprays are meant to kill things, they are also not something you want to sit on your skin. Many of these products encourage users to wear gloves because of this issue. If these chemicals touch your skin, it could cause dermatitis or other disorders. In extreme cases of long-term exposure, some pesticides could cause cancer. All of these are preventable risks that are no longer an issue if you wear good quality gloves when handling chemicals.

Wearing gardening gloves can prevent you from harm while landscaping and planting in your garden. Instead of worrying about what might be lurking behind a bush or under a rock, you can instead worry about if your tulips are getting too much sun or if you remembered to water your garden.

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Skin Conditions You Really Shouldn’t Ignore

Your skin is your body’s barrier from the outside world. There are many ways your skin reacts to tell you it needs your help. A few of the ways the skin notifies you is through acne, atopic dermatitis, and moles. If you experience any of these conditions, do not ignore this cry for help.

Acne

Acne is a common condition that most people struggle with, especially during their teen years. Acne can be caused from excess oils or clogged pores in the skin. It is important to develop a skin care regime that will help keep the skin healthy and clean. If your acne is severe, consult a dermatologist who can give you medications to clear up your skin. Untreated acne can get infected, leave scars, and develop into deeper skin issues.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema making your skin red and itchy. While eczema is most common with children, it can occur at any age and flare up periodically. It is typically an exterior allergic reaction to something in your environment. There is currently no cure but there are steroids and ointments that can relieve the effects of the reaction. When left untreated, atopic dermatitis can cause a variety of other problems that impact your quality of life. Consult a dermatologist to help you limit flare ups and control the health of your skin.

Unusual or Changing Moles

There are a variety of moles that are not uncommon to have. A few of the mole types are harmless, however some are early signs of skin cancer. It is important to do a periodic skin evaluation for any new or changing moles. Some characteristics to look for are moles that are not symmetrical, growing, or darken in color. If you notice anything abnormal, see a physician who can test the area for the potential of skin cancer. It is much easier to remove a single mole when first identified than go through a cancer treatment.

The most important thing you can do for your skin is to keep it clean and avoid irritants. Irritants include harsh chemicals, overexposure to the sun, and anything that makes your skin react negatively. Your skin's reactions are a sign that the body does not like what it is being exposed to. Pay attention to the state of your skin and consult a doctor when needed to avoid any additional complications.

Are you in need of hair or skin treatments? We have you covered!

Head to Toe: Beauty Treatments to Help You Look and Feel Your Best

You are a goddess, but winter certainly doesn’t make you feel like one. Between itchy dry skin and scalp, acne from wearing masks, and cold toes with callouses, it’s a long, cold pandemic winter. What better time to do genuine self-care, taking care of your body from inside and out. Here are some great options for all skin types and tones while you’re hunkered down in some comfy sweaters! Hopefully, you can be prepared for the lovely spring to come.

Get Steamy

The Nordic peoples have it right: there’s nothing so refreshing or magnificent for the body in cold weather as spending time in a sauna. Saunas have been proven to relax your arteries, and help with blood flow to all the organs of the body. Those relaxed arteries can help lower blood pressure along with your stress. This includes the brain. Finnish studies show lower incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia in men who use saunas once a week. Besides the help to chronic pain patients and benefits to the lungs, a winter sauna visit just feels wonderful as well.

Hair Masks

Your hair needs a mask for protection and health, just as your face does. You must have the right type of mask to use for your hair type and texture. There are many hair masks on the market for straight hair of varying textures and thicknesses, but also those for curly hair of varying textures. Make sure to read ingredients carefully and choose which ones fit your particular hair type. A mask can provide extra needed moisture in the winter cold, and help heal the hair itself to prevent breakage.

Varicose Vein Treatments

It’s common in winter for varicose veins to become more pronounced and uncomfortable due to winter chill. Besides being visibly unsightly to varying degrees, depending on whether they in need of deep vein or visible surface care, varicose veins can be intensely painful as they increase in severity. Wearing compression stockings helps minimally, but you might not want to keep wearing thick stockings in the summer. Varicose vein treatments are minimally invasive, can be done in-office, and require little to no downtime. This leaves you free to do more important things with your time.

Mani/Pedi

It’s been a long pandemic- getting a mani-pedi is more than just beauty care. Your hands and feet do a huge volume of the heavy lifting in your day. Taking care of both helps you look polished and professional as well. Your cuticles and calluses, though, can have a lot to do with how your hands and feet feel. Your manicurist also sloughs off dead skin cells and usually massages hands and feet, which can help with relaxation. Regular pedicures can help you to keep from getting painfully cracked heels as well.

Massage Therapy

Adding massage therapy to your beauty regimen can add a lot to your physical health as well as your beauty. It can eliminate toxins, and stimulate blood flow, critical in cold weather months. But, massage therapy can also lower blood pressure, and enhance your immunity. It also helps with fatigue issues and anxiety, which are both connected, and also a particular problem right now.

Dry Brushing

Far from being a magical way to heal every ailment, dry brushing is still a great way to help your skin to be healthy and clear. Your skin is your largest bodily organ and protects your body in many ways. Dry brushing gently stimulates the top layer of your skin, your epidermis, so that your dermis, just below, can be moved slightly. This keeps lymphatic fluid moving, which helps you not keep bloating water weight, keeps your skin moisturized. More importantly, your lymphatic system helps your immune system work properly, something you want to happen!

Meditation

Meditation has many known benefits, and there are many forms. Some people prefer to let their minds “zone out” during exercise or yoga. Others like to use journaling as a meditational option. Many use mindfulness apps or meditation apps to do full-body relaxation. Regardless of what you use, it’s important to make sure that you use some sort of meditational technique to help your body to release anxiety and have a good, healthy sleep. Whichever form of meditation works best for you, finding a version that helps your body is essential.

Your body has gone through so much this winter! Help your body heal and your mind relax by taking care of all of the various parts of it, including your skin and your mind! Taking care of your body is such important work, but soon you’ll be both looking and feeling your best once again. Hopefully, your spring will be particularly refreshing and lovely, with both your body and mind refreshed.

Want to find your new beauty? Check out our approach to helping you!

What’s the Best Way to Treat Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are an unpleasant reality for many women. Once they develop, they don’t go away on their own, which means that treating them is the only way to be rid of them. There are a lot of treatment options out there, which begs the question of which way is the best way to treat varicose veins.

Exercise

Varicose veins form because the valves within the veins that keep blood from flowing backward weaken and are no longer able to function properly. This causes blood to collect and pool at various points within the veins. If you have high blood pressure, that makes it even harder for your circulatory system to keep your blood moving efficiently. Exercise can help reduce the severity of your varicose veins by lowering your blood pressure and improving circulation in your legs. Low-impact exercises that strengthen your calf muscles are also beneficial. As your calf muscles contract, they massage your veins and help them pump blood back up to the rest of your body. Such exercises include activities such as cycling, walking, swimming, and yoga.

Compression Socks

Sometimes providing your veins with extra support can help improve their structural integrity. As such, you may find wearing compression socks to help reduce your symptoms. Compression socks are specially designed to apply even pressure to your legs to help with a variety of medical conditions. For best results, choose socks that go up to your knees. Compression socks are meant to be worn during the day and are typically removed at night while resting. Different socks will apply different amounts of pressure, so it’s important to make sure that you get a pair that will provide the support you need without overdoing it.

Professional Treatments

Lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms you experience as a result of varicose veins. For some people, that may be enough. Such adjustments won’t make them go away though. Medical treatment is necessary if you are to rid yourself of them entirely. There are a variety of treatment options to choose from. Many of these treatments are minimally invasive. You’ll be able to leave the same day and won’t have to deal with any required downtime for most. Such options include sclerotherapy, laser treatments, ambulatory phlebectomy, vein stripping, and catheter-assisted procedures that use radiofrequency or laser energy. In these procedures, the veins are removed or closed off. That may sound somewhat alarming since nearly every part of your body needs a steady supply of blood to function properly. The human body is remarkably adaptable though and will develop new veins as needed to supply your body with the nutrients and oxygen it needs.

Changing Your Diet

There is very little about your body that isn’t impacted by your diet. In regards to your circulatory system and varicose veins in particular, what you eat impacts your blood’s viscosity, how much water you retain, your weight, and constipation. If your blood is thinner, it will flow more easily. Reducing how much water you retain and maintaining a healthy weight also alleviates the strain on your veins. Eating enough fiber keeps your digestive system moving smoothly, reducing the amount of strain you may otherwise do to eliminate waste. Such straining can aggravate and worsen already damaged valves, so the less of it you do, the better.

Altering Your Attire

As much as you love your favorite pair of heels, if you suffer from varicose veins, it may be time to retire them or at least not wear them as frequently or for as long. High heels can restrict blood flow, as do tight-fitting clothing. This increases the strain on veins and worsens the symptoms of varicose veins. Shoes with lower heels work the calf muscles more, which will promote better circulation. Wearing clothing that is loose around your waist, groin area, and legs will also allow for better blood flow.

Elevating Your Legs

Blood has a literal uphill battle when it comes to returning to your heart. It has to fight against gravity to make it back to your heart and lungs. Elevating your legs offers multiple benefits, including improving your circulation by allowing your blood to flow with gravity instead of against it and promoting the smooth flow of blood throughout your circulatory system. It’s best if your legs are elevated to or above where your heart is. This alleviates some of the strain on the veins in your legs and can help reduce the blood pooling in them. If you’ll be sitting for a while or resting, that’s a good time to put your legs up.

Which treatment option is best for addressing varicose veins ultimately depends on you and your circumstances. There are a variety of treatment options available that you can choose from. If you prefer natural, at-home treatments, there are options for that. If your preference is for medical interventions, multiple treatment options exist for that as well. Consult with your doctor before deciding on a treatment plan so you can choose the one that works best for you.

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