Sacha Tarkovsky asked:


Today more women than ever are looking at alternatives to plastic and cosmetic surgery and turning to non surgical facelifts and Mesotherapy is becoming the first choice of more and more women worldwide

Mesotherapy offers a great non surgical facelift that will make you look younger and more beautiful so let’s take a closer look at it.

Mesotherapy What It Does

It injects into the mesoderm area of the skin.

The mesoderm is below the epidermis and is the area where skin cells are made.

The injection contains a mixture of vitamins and amino acids and the natural moisturizer hyaluronic acid.

It is used on the face but many women also opt to have mesotherapy done on the thighs, legs and stomach areas as well.

Here it can be used to get rid of stubborn fat deposits as it improves circulation and helps mobilize and disperse fat deposits.

What are the results?

The results from a few sessions can be dramatic.

It brightens the appearance of skin and makes it look more youthful and radiant.

Mesotherapy is proven in scientific studies to show it stimulates the fibroblast cells which produce collagen and prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Meso originates from France and has been popular for many years and is a branch of medicine and is used to treat a number of illnesses including, depression and even sports injuries.

In recent years its cosmetic applications have been explored further with the rise of women wanting natural facelifts rather than plastic surgery.

Where do I get Mesotherapy?

There are a number of places worldwide (not just in France) where you can get it. As with any non surgical phase procedure check the training of the beauty therapists and ask for case studies and make sure they have the expertise and experience to give you the treatment.

Results can be very good but remember you will need a few sessions to see the full results and your therapist can advice you on how many you need.

Mesotherapy is a great natural facelift and joins several others such as Restylane, Isolgen and Intense pulsed Light (covered in our other articles in this series as a cheap and effective alternative to the surgeons knife.

If you are looking for a more youthful look discover Mesotherapy and you may be glad you did.



Florence

Lisa Jenkins asked:


The topic of weight loss is hot. People want to know how they can shed pounds and keep them off for good. The downside of the weight loss boom is that billions of dollars are spent each year on weight loss treatments that have not been adequately studied to substantiate the claims being made.

First, there are creams on the market that claim to reduce cellulite and slim the thighs. The acids in these creams are supposed to tighten the skin and pull collagen fibers back together. The creams claim to eliminate the “dimple” effect and contour the skin.

According to plastic surgeons and other medical experts, there is no cream that can burn fat or reduce the size of fat cells. Though creams may improve the look of your skin, unless you change your diet and add exercise, the fat will remain.

Second, there’s lipo-dissolve, which is sometimes called injection lipolysis and frequently confused with mesotherapy. Lipo-dissolve usually involves the injection of drugs known as PCDC or phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate, which practitioners say ‘melts away’ fat. This injection fat removal treatment has become exceedingly popular despite the Food and Drug Administration’s statement that, “these are unapproved drugs for unapproved uses” and the lack of controlled studies to prove the safety and effectiveness of PCDC. In addition, several medical societies have warned against the treatment. In May 2007, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery warned patients against the use of injection fat loss treatments stating that none have received FDA approval and there have been no published peer-reviewed scientific reports of properly performed prospective clinical trials to confirm safety or efficacy. This is not an alternative to liposuction for people that want to get rid of large amounts of fat. The injections are intended for small problem areas that can’t be changed by diet and exercise. Seriously obese people are not candidates for lipo-dissolve.

We’ve all heard of transdermal patches. They work by leeching medicine through the skin and into the bloodstream over time. The technology has been used for contraceptives, nausea, and smokers trying to kick the nicotine habit. Now, they say it can be applied to weight loss.

The claims are that this patch, worn behind the ear, can cause you to lose weight. It speeds up your metabolism and suppresses the appetite, The transdermal administration technology appears to work, look at Nicotine patches, for example. But it has not been evaluated by the FDA to be effective in weight loss.

Have you heard of seaweed diet and weight loss soap? It’s a Chinese soap that claims to firm, tone and contour the skin as well as eliminate the inner fat out of the human body. How does it do this? The truth is, we have no idea. The claim that the soap eliminates fat from the body has not been evaluated by the FDA and has not been adequately studied for effectiveness in weight loss.

What about body wraps? Spas claim that customers will lose several inches in one session. Combine that with several more sessions and your body will shrink before your eyes. What is the easiest weight to lose? You guessed it-water weight. These stimulating wraps will squeeze as much water out of you as they can. The kicker is that while you want to trim ten inches off your thighs, you may see a half or quarter of an inch reduction in each thigh. The ten inches comes from the minuscule losses everywhere else added together.

Diet pills have been a popular weight loss treatment for years. Many diet pills that claim to speed up metabolism contain ephedrine, which comes from the Ma Huang plant. Over time, these pills have been shown to cause heart problems in young patients. Other conditions, including increased heart rate and blood pressure were also noted.

Last, Hoodia is a known appetite suppressant that comes from a plant called hoodia gordonii. The plant is only found in the Kalahari region of Africa. Companies have tried to imitate its effects and are marketing everything from gum to pills to drink mixes with hoodia derivatives. Read the fine print. Most of these diet pills don’t contain enough of the hoodia to suppress the appetite.

When considering any type of weight loss treatment, do your homework. You want to be sure that what you are buying is safe and effective and that you aren’t stuck in a position having spent sums of money with no weight loss to show for it. Second, watch out for treatments that claim rapid, easy, and quick results. Healthy weight loss is anything but fast. Keep your expectations about weight loss realistic. You can’t expect to lose 15 pounds in 2 weeks by taking appetite suppressants. Healthy weight loss involves a balance between proper diet and exercise.



Jorge

Strive M. asked:


Mesotherapy is an alternative to plastic surgery for dramatically reducing cellulite and reshaping those infamous problem areas. Since results include hard to achieve cellulite reduction, hair regrowth and a host of other treatments for ailments, mesotherapy is growing in popularity. Popular throughout European countries and South America, mesotherapy is practiced by approximately 18000 physicians worldwide. Because aging is a dynamic process that cannot be stopped, Mesotherapy is a useful anti-aging tool in preventing against the ravages of aging.

Well for starters mesotherapy is not a fly by night fad that is here one day and gone the next. Mesotherapy is neither very cheap nor too expensive. Mesotherapy is currently being touted as a nonsurgical, permanent method for fat removal and body contouring. Liposuction is by far the most effective and quickest method available for fat reduction; however, mesotherapy is less expensive and less invasive. Mesotherapy is actually a medical therapy that can be used to treat headaches, backaches and a broad range of illnesses and medical conditions.

Mesotherapy is delivered through the injection of a substance to the area. The compound used in Mesotherapy is determined by the condition of the area to be treated. Mesotherapy is a natural, non-surgical treatment to reduce fat and cellulite, and improve skin tone and reduce wrinkles. Where diet and exercise do not help, mesotherapy is perhaps a treatment of choice.

So, the bottom line is that mesotherapy is not a substitute for liposuction. Despite the controversy and questions about it, mesotherapy is here for the time being. Mesotherapy is not actually an accepted word, and only sounds scientific. Mesotherapy is very effective in hair loosing prophylactics and is used to treat a broad range of illnesses and pain conditions.

This treatment can be a financial risk because Mesotherapy is not covered by health insurance plans.



Patricia

Kyle Spector asked:


Like many others, you might wish to improve certain aspects of your physical appearance. However, you may not feel ready to commit to a surgical procedure. Luckily, there are a number of advanced non-surgical procedures for cellulite removal, skin tightening and diminishing wrinkles. While the most dramatic effects will come from plastic surgery, many people find they can achieve desired results from non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Who is a Candidate for Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures?

Almost anyone can be a candidate for a non-surgical cosmetic procedure. Most procedures are non-invasive, or at most involve a few shots. People who want to test the waters without committing to a plastic surgery procedure are perfect candidates for non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

Compare Types of Non-Surgical Plastic Surgery Procedures

While there are numerous non-surgical cosmetic treatments, many of them fall into one of three categories: cellulite removal, anti-wrinkle treatments and skin tightening.

Non-Surgical Plastic Surgery Procedure Options for Cellulite Removal

Cellulite is the appearance of uneven fat deposits around the buttocks and thighs. It generally affects women more than men. Cellulite can form for many reasons, including diet, age and genetics. Cellulite can be an unsightly aesthetic problem that many people choose to correct through non-surgical procedures.

Two major types of cellulite removal are mesotherapy and VelaSmooth. During mesotherapy, the doctor administers local injections that increase the flow of blood, breaking down the accumulation of cellulite-causing fats. VelaSmooth refines the skin with radio frequency and infrared light treatments. To some extent, both options employ endermologie, a highly specialized deep massage technique that evenly distributes fat with a dual-roller system.

Non-Surgical Anti-Wrinkle Treatments

Over time, wrinkles develop because our faces start to lose collagen and elastin. Exposure to sunlight, the elements and cigarette smoke can speed up the process. Fortunately, most anti-wrinkle treatments are quick and simple. Available treatments include BOTOX®, chemical peels, collagen injections, laser skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, Radiance, Restalyne and Thermage®.

Each type of anti-wrinkle treatment is designed for a specific part of the body, or for a specific type of wrinkle. It is important to discuss these options with your doctor and choose the treatment that best meets your needs.

Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Procedure Options

One of the most visible signs of aging is loose skin, especially around the face. Sagging skin combined with wrinkles can make a person look older than his or her actual age. Generally, skin- tightening treatments erase 10 – 15 years off the appearance of a patient’s face. These are all outpatient treatments that can take as little as 15 minutes, up to two hours.

Thermage®, a non-surgical skin tightening procedure, normally takes one application and can be completed in under an hour. The procedure uses intense radio frequency waves to tighten skin around the chin, neck or around the eyes.

Titan™ treatment uses infrared light to encourage collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. Typically, patients undergo two or three treatments in order to achieve the best results.

During a thread lift, a doctor uses surgical thread to tighten the patient’s skin. The procedure is considered a minimally invasive alternative to a face lift, which achieves a more youthful appearance.

Arasys is a skin tightening procedure for the body. During this treatment, electrical signals force the muscles to quickly contract. It’s like doing exercise without the actual exercise! In the typical 17-minute session, Arasys can mimic the effect of 300 sit-ups, but without the same strain and stress on muscles. As the muscles contract, they burn fat and can tighten skin.

Remember that while the most dramatic effects will come from plastic surgery, many people find they can achieve desired results from non-surgical cosmetic procedures.



Annie

Rebecca Knight asked:


Many people want to have liposuction. There is a reason why it is the most popular surgical procedure in 2005 based on ASAPS(American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). On the flip side many of the same people are concerned with the pain, risks and recovery times associated with a surgical cosmetic procedure like liposuction. This is where the quest for a liposuction alternative begins. Are there really alternatives to liposuction that are both effective and safe?

Liposuction has been used in the world of body contouring and shaping since the 70s. The liposuction procedures work to remove fats from areas that can include:

* Abdomen

* Thighs

* Knees

* Hips

* Buttocks

* Chin

Liposuction comes with the customary risks associated with surgery. Some are minor but some major risks exist particularly when anesthesia is involved. Recovery time is also a consideration depending on where you are having the fat removed and how much your are having done. These concerns drive the need for a valid liposuction alternative.

The most basic and common sense liposuction alternative revolves around changing your lifestyle to a more healthy one. Diet and exercise are a fundamental part of fat reduction. Some people have the discipline and the guidance that allow them to succeed in this area but others tend to go so far and reach a peak when it comes to fat reduction. People concerned with certain areas of the body like the abdomen or the chin may find that they can’t lose that last bit of fat no matter how hard they exercise and how well they eat.

For people who really wish to get rid of excess fats without surgery, you have several options to choose from. You need to be advised though that the results may not be as instant as liposuction. They do help you to reduce pain, risks, recovery time and costs.

Some Available Liposuction Alternatives

Depending on the area involved your liposuction alternatives may vary. Some liposuction alternatives that we have found are:

1. Thermage

2. Lipodissolve

3. Mesotherapy

4. Liposelection

Mesotherapy and Liposelection appear to be better for the bigger parts of the body. While Thermage and Lipodissolve seem to work better for the face, neck and chin.

Thermage is a liposuction alternative that uses heated lasers to tighten the patient’s skin on different areas of the body as well as the face. This procedure is considered a pain-free liposuction alternative and has been a common alternative for face lifts.

Lipodissolve is a procedure where fats are flushed out through the urine. The areas with unwanted fat are injected with medications and enzymes, which causes fat to dissolve and to be flushed out. Lipodissolve and mesotherapy are similar but lipodissolve is the liposuction alternative that is recommenced for removing excess fats on the face, especially the neck and chin areas.

If you need to work other areas aside from the face, neck and chin, another liposuction alternative called mesotherapy can be your best bet. This procedure has been used for many years to reduce cellulite. Similar to lipodissolve a patient is injected with a combination of substances. In this case medications, holistic compounds and amino acids are used.

Liposelection is the last liposuction alternative we will discuss. This treatment works by filling the fatty areas with saline solution to restrict the patient’s blood flow while breaking the fat tissues. Ultrasound energy is transmitted into the area for softening the fats and then taken out using suction and massage. In some ways this sounds like Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction but is said to be less painful.

These liposuction alternatives are not yet approved and you should know that the only proven method of removing fat cells is liposuction. However, these alternatives could work for patients who require small treatments. There are more options that are popping up every day but you need to consider their safety. We’ve also noticed a trend in trying to brand certain procedures even though they are very similar to each other. Research each liposuction alternative carefully.



Marjorie