Have you have been following your diet and exercise program religiously, but find that no matter what you do, the extra layer of fat around your belly won’t budge? If you answered, yes, you might consider Zerona. One of the new “laser fat removal” or “lipolaser” methods of body contouring, Zerona uses cool laser light technology to slim and reshape difficult to treat body areas.

Zerona laser fat removal targets stubborn areas that have not responded to other body contouring measures.  One of the first "laser fat removal" devices approved by the FDA for non-invasive body slimming, Zerona targets fat cells with low-level wavelengths of light. Zerona’s five beams of “lipolaser” light are aimed at specific trouble spots to make the fat drain out of the fat cells in those areas.

Once the cells have been zapped by the “lipolaser” and deflated of their excess fat, the targeted body area should shrink and appear smoother. People hoping to trim their belly and whittle their waistline have reported seeing a trimmer contours in that area.   

How Zerona Works

Because Zerona is a non-surgical approach to fat-reduction and body shaping, the treatments are safe, painless, and no anesthetics are required. Patients generally undergo a series of six treatment sessions every two or three days over a period of two weeks. Each Zerona session typically lasts 40 minutes.

The Zerona machine is equipped with five laser light beams that will be positioned to target the adipose tissue – subcutaneous fat that is just under the surface of the skin – in specific areas of your body. The laser beams zap the fat cells in your target areas, causing them to drain liquefied fat and shrink.

During each session you will lie on a table in a private room – wearing your bathing suit and special glasses that protect your eyes from the laser lights. A technician will position the laser beams of the Zerona machine so they are pointed directly at your trouble spots.

Tips for Optimal Treatment

Drink Plenty of Water – at least 60 ounces every day – to aid your lymphatic system in processing and flushing the liquefied fat that has been excreted from your fat cells.

Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, Soda and Junk Food, as these can negatively impact your body’s ability to metabolize and flush the fat from your body once it has been released from your fat cells.

Don’t skip treatments. During the two-week series of Zerona treatments, it is best that you don’t go more than 72 hours (3 days) between sessions, or the efficacy of the “fat draining” process will be minimized. In fact, some of the fat may be reabsorbed into your fat cells if you allow too much time to elapse between sessions.

Patients who follow the above guidelines have reported the most dramatic results. A word of advice: The fat cells treated with Zerona “lipolaser” have not been destroyed, just drained of fat. If you want to keep your newly contoured waistline slim and trim, you will need to maintain a healthy regimen of diet and exercise.

To find a specialist who provides Zerona laserlipo body contouring click here.

Now that it's a brand new year, it may be time for a brand new you! Saying goodbye to 2011 doesn't mean saying good-bye to your old self completely, however. One of the following options can help to bring out a new (and younger) you for the rest of 2012:

Lip Augmentation

The Procedure: Lip augmentation usually involves an injection or an implant. Collagen and fat grafting are two of the most common types; these require repeat visits to maintain the plumping effect. Injections are simply done with a needle and require only one session. Implants are inserted into the lip through tiny incisions.

The Cost: $1,500 to $3,000 per lip (2012 prices)

Brow Lift

The Procedure: For a brow lift, incisions are made to alter or remove the muscles in the forehead that lead to wrinkling and sagging. This can be an incision behind the hairline, or tiny incisions which then allow the doctor to use an endoscope. Bandages may need to be worn for the first day or two afterward, and stitches may be in place for up to two weeks.

The Cost: $2,500 to $5,000

Eyelid Lift

The Procedure: As we age, eyelids can start to thin and begin to wrinkle. For an eyelid lift, incisions are made in the folds of the eyelids in order to tighten them up and remove that sagging look. Some excess skin is removed, and then the incision is stitched up.

The Cost: $4,000 to $5,000 for both eyelids

If you are interested in starting out the new year looking a little younger and a little more refreshed, consider having a consultation with a cosmetic specialist in your area to find out what procedures could benefit you the most. Click here to get started!

Now that the baby has arrived, do you feel like you’re not your old self? A lot of moms struggle with their self esteem after childbirth because of changes that their bodies have gone through. Whether it’s sagging skin or changes to your breasts, tummy or face, there are some common makeover surgery options for moms. You can start looking and feeling like your old self again in no time with some of these options:

Tummy Tuck

Diet and exercise just don’t cut it when trying to reduce excess fat and skin after pregnancy. A tummy tuck uses a lower abdominal incision to correct this. Fat and skin are removed, and the skin is tightened by stitching it back together when the reductions are made. The incision scar is minor, and the doctor can hide it beneath your bikini line.

Eye Lift

All those sleepless nights with a new baby can take a toll on your eyelids, and leave you looking perpetually tired (which you are, for a while). An eye lift is a simply makeover surgery to make you look fresher and younger. A hidden incision is made on the upper eyelid to take out some skin and fat, and the doctor removes fat from the lower eyelid without an external incision. Healing time is extremely quick.

Facelift

A facelift is an easy option to make you look young and healthy once again. The doctor makes incisions along the hairline and around the ear, which makes the procedure virtually invisible. Facial tissues and muscles can be repositioned and the skin can be pulled taut, which leaves you with a younger look.

Breast Lift or Augmentation

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter the size and shape of your breasts. Several different techniques are available to perform a breast lift, which will reduce sagging. An augmentation can restore the size and shape of breasts if they appear “deflated” after breastfeeding. These involve either saline or silicone implants to bring them back to the original size (or larger, if you prefer).

Many plastic surgery clinics will even combine one or more of the above procedures, so you can get them done at the same time for a complete mommy makeover. To discuss  what options might be right for you, click here to find a cosmetic specialist in your area!

If want a breast augmentation surgery and are having having a saline vs. silicone implants debate, there are really only a couple of differences to consider. Both types are made with an outer silicone shell. The saline implants are filled with saline, while the silicone ones contain a gel-like substance.

Complications?

Saline implants are a little bit more likely to rupture, while silicone implants may require periodic scans for problems. About one percent of saline implants rupture on average. The breast then slowly deflates as the saline solution is gradually absorbed by the body. The solution is not harmful to the body, and you won't end up suddenly lopsided; it does take time to fully deflate. Surgery will be required to correct the problem.

If a silicone implant is ruptured (which is much less likely), you might not ever know it. There's no indication that the gel substance causes any long-term harm, but it can eventually cause breast pain if it starts to leak out. The FDA recommends that patients get a periodic MRI scan to make sure the silicone implants are still intact.

Which Has the Advantage?

The only marked advantage for one over the other is arguably for aesthetic reasons: Silicone implants are thought to be more natural looking and feeling. On the other hand, they are more expensive and might leave a bigger scar than if you opted for saline. Furthermore, with improved surgical techniques, such as placement and adjusting the levels of saline, complaints about saline implants have lessened.

If you are considering implants, make sure you find a cosmetic surgery specialist who will go over your various options and help make an informed decision especially right for you.

Botox deals are all the rage these days, with many websites offering coupons or discounts for extremely cheap Botox treatments. But before you cash into these “steals,” you should stop and ask yourself whether it really is a good deal or a bad investment. Here are a few key questions to ask before handing over your money.

How long have you been administering Botox?

Almost any health care professional can administer Botox, depending on where you live. In fact, that is why there are so many “steals” out there—oftentimes, rates are cheaper when the practitioner does not have the experience. If you decide to get Botox, you always want to have it administered by a medical professional, one who is trained and specializes in Botox and one who has been doing it for a while. Recommendations from other people are always beneficial.

What kinds of complications can occur with Botox?

The specialist you choose should be honest about the types of complications that can occur with Botox. Dismissing your concerns or questions without discussing them should be a big red flag. Your specialist should disclose possible complications that can occur with Botox, such as facial paralysis or asymmetry. Your cosmetic specialist should be open and honest about complications and risks, as well as assuring you that her experience means that you will be in safe hands.

Who would NOT be good candidates for Botox?

If the answer is no one, turn around and walk out the door. Not everyone should get Botox and an ethical specialist will tell you that. People that have any neuromuscular diseases, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with body dysmorphic disorder are just some people who should avoid Botox procedures. However, some unethical practitioners do not take any outside factors in mind and will perform the treatment on anyone willing to pay. If a potential doctor never turns anyone away, that is a huge warning sign.

If you see a Botox deal that seems suspiciously good, it just might be. While some reputable cosmetic specialists will offer Botox deals and discounts every now, make sure that above all you are in the hands of an experienced specialist, not someone who will give you a cheap deal as well as questionable results.

To make an appointment with a skin care expert in your local area today, click here!

Did you notice that Kris Kardashian was looking younger than usual at her daughter Kim's wedding in August? That's because she went in for a neck lift a couple of months earlier. Kris said she needed a little "freshening up" for her daughter's wedding, and her neck lift did indeed give her a more youthful look. The fact is, though, you don't need to be Kris Kardashian to get a necklift. You don't even need a special occasion.

The skin on your neck is often a giveaway of your true age—it doesn't matter how young your face looks. Fat accumulates in the neck area and the muscles weaken as people age. The neck is often the first place that shows signs of aging. A neck lift works to pull back the skin beneath the chin, tightening the skin and providing a more smooth and youthful look. Some doctors say the best time to have the procedure done is between the ages for 45 and 55, before significant aging has occurred. Others maintain that a person's genetics are a factor, and a neck lift can be performed outside this range depending on the individual. Regardless, a neck lift can be an effective treatment that can take years off a person's appearance, whether it's just in time for a wedding or just because she wants to look younger.

Check out our amazing Before-&-After Photo Gallery and visualize your younger neck today!  Click here if you’d like to find an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area!

Breast enhancement offers many options for women who want to alter the look of their breasts.

Whether in need of a breast lift, breast augmentation or a breast reduction, many procedures exist

for women to move from a size A to DD or the reverse.

Breast Augmentation

For the woman who wants to increase the size of her breasts, breast augmentation, also known as

breast enlargement surgery, allows for larger and shapelier breasts. With the insertion of saline or

gel-filled implants or fat transfer from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks or another part of the body,

a woman can achieve the desired size in a surgery that, in many cases, can be performed on an

outpatient basis.

Benelli Lift

For women who are seeking a solution for moderate breast sagging resulting from aging, engaging

in intense sports activities or breastfeeding, the Benelli lift is a possible option. With this

procedure, the surgeon removes excessive skin tissue from the breasts to reduce sagging. A

Benelli lift may be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation for women who want

both larger and elevated breasts.

Breast Reduction

For some women, breast reduction surgery is a necessity due to the physical problems caused by

large breasts. Head and neck pain, poor posture or nerve problems may lead some women to

seek a breast reduction. During this treatment, the surgeon removes breast fat, tissue and skin to

reduce the weight of the breasts, decreasing the physical burden.

The best way to choose the right procedure for you is to talk to an experienced plastic surgeon. Click here for listings of top cosmetic surgeons who are taking new patients in your local area, and take the next step towards making your cosmetic dreams reality.

New York, NY (December 20, 2010)—The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the leading national organization of board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery, offers its predictions for cosmetic surgery in 2011. Predictions are based on interviews with leading plastic surgeons around the country, who are actively involved in cutting edge surgical and non surgical aesthetic/cosmetic technology.



    * As the economy continues to improve, demand for facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgery will increase. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures will also see some growth, but people who have been putting off surgery for the past few years because of the economy will be ready for the gold standard in facial rejuvenation in 2011.

    * The growth and popularity of cosmetic injectables (Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, Radiesse, Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.

    * As our population increasingly realizes the dangers and health consequences of obesity, the number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss (abdominoplasty, lower body lift, upper arm lift, etc.) will rise in 2011.

    * As the baby boomer generation continues to age, so do their breast implants. This year many baby boomer women who have aging implants and/or breast ptosis will replace their implants and have breast lifts.

    * Consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures will unfortunately lead to an increase in horror stories about “discount injectables” bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgical procedures performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners.

    * While liposuction (lipoplasty) will continue to be the gold-standard in fat reduction, there will be continued interest in experimental techniques for non-invasive fat removal (freezing, zapping, lasering, etc.) as a future alternative or adjunct to liposuction (lipoplasty) surgery.

    * Aesthetic Medicine has seen a dramatic increase in the diversity of the patients treated over the past decade and this trend is expected to continue to grow stronger than ever, with applications that cater to all people. The appeal of both aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine will continue to spread across the spectrum of our population, as plastic surgeons further tailor treatments to meet the sometimes unique needs of that expanding population.

    * As the popularity of non surgical and minimally invasive procedures continues to grow, surgeons and manufacturers will develop new techniques and products that advance the science, produce even better results and lessen recovery time.

    * Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez have made a shapely rear-end a must have accessory. In the coming year patients will be seeking posterior body lifts, buttock lifts, surgical and nonsurgical buttock augmentations to shape and augment their buttocks.

    * Following the trend in increased consumer sophistication patients will increasingly want to know if the latest procedure and device being touted on the internet and TV talk show really works and if it is safe. By incorporating evidence-based medicine into the core specialties of plastic surgery, the Aesthetic Society will make it easier for both doctors and patients to determine fact from fiction.



About ASAPS

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.  ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.