Cosmeticsurgeon.co.uk - UK Cosmetic Surgeons

A new waft in the continuous fight against bacterial infections have taken a new turn. A Newcastle University research group has discovered a way in which infectious microbe turn against themselves. When in jeopardy the bacteria protect themselves with a greasy protective barrier. This barrier layer (or biofilm) protects the bacteria from antibiotics. As a result the bacteria defy household cleaning products with the resultant consequence of contaminated bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Ever more significant biofilms can administer life threatening and difficult to treat infections, chiefly resting on medical implants such as artificial hips, heart valves and breast implants.

Newcastle University’s Professor Grant Burgess and his team have displayed for the first time that these microbes can remove their coat of greasy biofilm once they no longer need it. These cheeky bacteria use DNA as a type of “inside-out glue”, they shield themselves from peril by producing a maze of DNA that holds the cells together and glues them to a surface, thereby creating protection from harm. Not to be outdone, when the bacteria desires to move to a better position, they release an enzyme that breaks up the DNA maze, eliminating the biofilm and discharging the bacteria from its grasp.

Dr. Reindert Nijland (headquartered in Utrecht) and Newcastle stationed chemist Dr. Michael Hall stated that “appreciation for how bacteria utilizes enzymes to rupture the biofilms is the solution to get rid of slime in the domicile, in manufacturing settings and combating bacterial infections.

Professor Grant Burgess exclaimed “it’s an astounding observable fact, that if we can control this enzyme and utilize it to our benefit, to eradicate undesired biofilms, then this would establish an important device in our fight against infection.”

In recent research the Newcastle group analyzed the marine bacterium Bacillus licheniformis and discovered that it eliminates a nuclease enzyme to weaken the biofilm. When the enzyme was sanitized and connected to other biofilms it rapidly softened the slime revealing the bacterial cells and leaving them helpless.

Again Professor Burgess stated that “ we want to do the same that scientist did with penicillin, and exterminate bacteria when and however they needed. We wish to do the exact same thing with this enzyme.”

Women who have just giving birth are more and more using laser treatment as a means to get rid of stretch marks. Cosmetic surgery clinics are reporting that they are giving the treatment 33% more than just 3 months ago.

While many of of the laser surgeries are being done because of rapid weight gain and loss due to pregnancy, there are also other women who are getting these procedures due to weight gain and loss earlier in life. Also, there has been an increase in the number of men seeking procedures, although nowhere near as large an increase as with women.

One such clinic that just opened in May is amazed at how many people are wanting the laser surgery treatment. This clinic, called the Harley Medical Group, says they are getting over 400 people calling in to inquire about this procedure every week. Director Liz Dale talked about how easy this procedure is, which may have something to do with its’ increasing popularity. Another factor that could be making laser surgery more popular is the massive exposure that it is getting in the media. Clinics have also stepped-up advertising for these procedures as they continue to gain in popularity. The only recovery issue is a slight redness for a few days. She also said that 75% of females getting the laser procedure are doing so post-pregnancy for rapid weight-loss stretch marks.

Older women are also increasingly asking for laser surgery in record numbers. Other procedures that seem to be gaining in popularity are laser hair removal and non-surgical skin treatments. They have seen a similar rise in inquiries from women 50 and over.

Liz Dale did go on to say that surgeries are still a lot more popular than laser treatments, but that that could change someday.

The surgeries that are most popular have not changed in years; the most popular in order are: breast jobs, nose jobs, liposuction followed by stomach tucks. For males the order is: nose jobs followed by liposuction. As more and more celebrites bring the different cosmetic procedures into the public eye, the gains in popularity should continue far into the future.

Many women each year consider breast surgery. Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is chosen by many women because of its ability to alter appearance as well as its added health benefits. Many women will experience neck, back, and shoulder pain because of the added weight of large breasts. Having breast reduction surgery can alleviate these problems in most women. Other women seek to improve their visual image because their breasts are disproportionate to other features of their bodies. This surgery can improve self esteem and self confidence just as much as breast augmentation can.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and it is very important to make sure that a potential patient chooses a surgeon who is certified, experienced, professional, and maintains a clean office environment. It is also a good idea to research surgeons online. Looking at what past clients have to say is a very helpful way to check on the effectiveness of a surgeon. Surgeons should be accredited and have licenses to practice medicine. Many surgeons offer free consultations so it is advised that potential patients visit several doctors before deciding on the one that will perform their breast reduction surgery.

Potential candidates for surgery will meet with their surgeon and have their breasts examined and measured. The surgeon will also take a detailed medical history. Women who are approved for surgery usually has one or more conditions that are caused by their breasts. These conditions include: back, neck or shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts, irritation beneath the breasts, damage to the shoulders because of tight bra straps, breasts that are out of proportion to the body frame, restriction of physical activity because of the weight of the breasts, and self consciousness because of the size of the breasts.

Breast reduction surgery is most often done as an outpatient procedure and unless the patient’s job requires heavy lifting, they can return to their normal work schedule in about two weeks.

Many insurance companies cover breast reduction surgery. Each policy has specific guidelines about what surgeries they cover and the amount of tissue that can be removed based on body weight. Patients will have to work out the specifics with their surgeon and insurance companies. Letters of predetermination may be required in order for the insurance company to approve the surgery.

A majority of women who have breast reduction surgery are satisfied with the experience and happy to live without the pain and discomfort of large breasts.

Recent advances in plastic surgery techniques decrease the risks of some of the most common concerns for those considering plastic surgery. Since darker skins pigmentation create a greater risk for developing scar tissue such as greater visibility, raised scars, thicker scars, and skin discoloration, these newer techniques offer more hope for those who feel they need services of a plastic surgeon.

Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars

Keloid and Hypertrophic scars are thick raised scars that are not only a source of discomfort, but they are also unpleasant cosmetically as well. While a hypertrophic scar remains within the bounds of the original incision or wound, it does overgrow causing a more visible scar. At the same time, a keloid scar extends past the bounds of the wound and becomes large and painful.

While people of any ethnicity can develop these kinds of scars, there is a greater chance that those of African, Asian, and Hispanic lineage will see evidence of their formation. When there is already a history of such scars, it is more likely that they will occur.

Other factors that point to the possible formation of keloid or hypertrophic scars are inflammation and tension of the wound.

With the newer techniques available to cosmetic surgeons, anyone that is at higher risk for forming keloid or hypertrophic scars should not have to be overly concerned. These techniques can actually prevent the overgrowth with careful placement of the incision. The patient can also opt for less invasive procedures which will reduce inflammation that may occur, and tension at the wound site. Placing stitches in deeper layers of the skin can also reduce this tension.

Botox is another method that can be used to release the tension that is often present on a healing incision or wound.

Discoloration

When it comes to discoloration, this can be with the accumulation of too much pigmentation, or lack of enough pigmentation that sometimes occur with laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, and dermabrasion procedures that leave the skin dark, blotchy, or lighter than surrounding areas.

If you are considering facial cosmetic surgery, and you are from an ethnic background that places you at risk of any of the above side effects, be sure that you get in touch with a surgeon that has experience with darker skin. He will be able to make recommendations, and help you choose the best methods and safest procedures for you.

“Whilst the latest finding is quite exhilarating, even researchers are cautionary that it will be presumably ten years or more to develop treatments”, these words were spoken by Dr. Arocha. He has conducted more than 3,000 hair transplants and as a Houston Hair Restoration expert, Dr. Arocha has announced the newly discovered breakthrough by researchers at the University Of Pennsylvania a “key breakthrough that hopefully will improve the lives of tens of millions of men”.

This fantastic breakthrough heralded by Dr. George Cotsarelis uncovered the phenomenon of hair growth stoppage. He and his team discovered that hair growth stops at the cellular stage for those who experience androgenetic alopecia or the more universally known term “male pattern baldness.” These findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Researchers took scalp samples from 54 hair transplant patients and discovered that stem cells still remained active on bald sections of the scalp. The individuals examined were between the ages of 40-65 years of age. On the other hand, researchers are still baffled. There seems to be a problem activating stem cells changing to progenitor cells, that nurture from the adult stem cells into hair. To state it plainly “they discovered microscopic hair and stem cells contained in the follicles of bald scalp sections. This finding implies that a treatment directed at invigorating the stem cells on a bald scalp could definitely get hair follicles to begin to grow again.”

Dr. Arocha continuously updates his services to integrate scientifically defined tools and skills to advance hair growth and healing. He affirmed “the great news is that men and women with challenging hair loss difficulties can take advantage of multiple proven hair restoring options in the present. These options uses a patient’s own hair to complete a natural, unnoticeable result.”

In the final analysis a current fashionable hair transplant can amount to a natural and undetectable outcome, by using a patient’s own healthy growing hair follicles from the back of the head and prudently inserting the follicles in the balding area of the scalp. The transplanted hair develops at the same pace as the other healthy hair on the individuals head. This method is a permanent solution and never needs reinstated.

Though previously considered to be an undertaking reserved for ageing women, the number of men turning to cosmetic surgery has significantly increased in recent years. For many men, including a number of celebrities, their acclimation towards plastic surgery occurs as an effort to further their professional careers. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported that the number of men who are going under the knife increased by 21 percent within the last year, in spite of the increasingly poor state of the economy.

When looking at specific surgeries, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), liposuction, otoplasty (ear correction), and blepharoplasty (removal of under eye bags), were noted as the most popular plastic surgeries undergone by men, in addition to gynaecomastia, a procedure that removes what many refer to as “man boobs,” which alone increased by 80 percent. Many physicians who specialize in aesthetic medicine are reporting a distinct increase in the percentage of their male patients.

One physician in particular associated this increase in male aesthetic procedures to the economic crisis. These male patients are most likely either looking for jobs, or trying to keep the job they have. As a result, they want to look their best, and turn to these procedures in order to assure that they do. For most men, the perceived edge that these procedures will give them in the workplace is the motivating factor in undertaking them.

Many men report a new self confidence following cosmetic surgery, which translates positively in the workplace. It removes any self consciousness that they may have, allowing them to perform at their best at all times. Scott Jowett, of Nottingham, had his ears pinned back at age 31, and reported feeling a self-assurance that he had never before experienced, following his surgery. He thought that his former self-consciousness had definitely held him back from progressing at work. Most of the men who are undergoing surgery for their careers positions in industries where their appearance is perceived to be extremely important. This includes industries such as sales, advertising, TV, and hospitality. In addition, older men feel that they are in a position where they need to compete with their younger peers, and believe a fresher appearance will help them achieve that. For both men and women, appearance has become increasingly important, and when it potentially affects their futures in their professions, they are prone to turning to surgical means to maintain them.

In the past, getting a tattoo meant having that tattoo forever. Recent progress in tattoo removal techniques makes it possible for a person to successfully remove an unwanted tattoo. There are several methods available, in a variety of price ranges, and success rates.

Tattoo Removal Creams

There are several companies who market tattoo removal creams. In general, the intent behind these creams is to fade the ink from the tattoo over time. Most require daily application, and may take many months to see any results. Several brands include an exfoliating product, to encourage the skin to renew during the fading process. This process is the least intrusive. It is generally the least expensive, although the results may vary, depending on the placement of the tattoo, and the types of inks used in the tattoo.

Surgical Excision

This type of removal is best performed on small tattoos. It involves the surgical removal of the tattoo, followed by stitches to close the incision. If the tattoo is larger, this process involves the surgical removal of the tattoo, followed by a skin graft to cover the area where the tattoo has been removed. This method is likely to leave at least some scarring, but is very effect in many instances.

Laser Removal

The laser removal process involves a highly concentrated laser beam directed at the tattoo in short blasts. The laser blasts literally break up the ink particles, which eventually are absorbed by the body, or shed with normal dead skin cells. This does not work on every tattoo, in some instances, leaves an outline or shadow of the old tattoo. With multiple treatments, many patients, however, see great results. This type of removal works especially well on patients with fair skin.

Chemical Peel

Chemical peels can be done at home, but it is recommended that this process be done by a trained professional. A popular type of chemical peel is called a TCA Chemical peel. It involves applying trichloroacetic acid, which causes the skin to peel. It causes peeling to a medium depth of the skin, so may require multiple treatments to be deep enough to effectively remove the tattoo. As with any chemical process, it can cause some scarring.

When the decision is made to remove a tattoo, it is best to talk to a professional for advice. Success rates vary, depending on a person’s skin tone, the type of inks used in the tattoo, as well as other factors. Doing the proper research is more likely to result in a successful removal.

Fat grafting is a way to enlarge breasts by up to one cup size without introducing an artificial substance into the body. Fat is removed from fat deposits in the body such as the hips, abdomen, and thighs and placed someplace else in order to plump that area up. Traditionally this procedure has been used to smooth wrinkles and to plump the lips and cheeks. Recently, however, cosmetic surgeons have begun to use this procedure in breast augmentations. This is a new procedure and there are not a lot of safety statistics that have been done. Physicians are still conducting research on the fat grafting procedure.

A newer technique, fat grafting with stem cells, allows for the fat taken from other parts of the body to be enriched with stem cells before it is used to augment the breasts. The added stem cells allow for the fat to be retained by the body, therefore, increasing the breast size.

Recent studies show that the risks for this procedure are generally very low. Reported side effects include infection, bleeding, and volume loss. Cases of extreme complications causing death are extremely rare.

There are many different advantages to choosing this procedure for breast augmentation. Many doctors believe that this procedure provides longer lasting results than traditional breast implants. Also, since the breast is being augmented with fat from the patient’s own body, there is a lower chance for the body rejecting it like with traditional silicone transplants.

While many medical professionals consider this procedure to have a lot of potential, but there are still some limitations. The first is that it only allows for an augmentation of up to one cup size unlike current synthetic implants. Synthetic implants are also very predictable in how much they will increase the breast size, whereas fat grafting is still relatively unpredictable in what the final outcome will be. Some medical professionals only believe that fat grafting should be used for breast reconstruction only. Others professionals are concerned that the fat grafted into the breast could calcify and obscure breast cancer detection. Each calcified area would have to be individually checked to rule out the possibility of breast cancer. There are even more concerns that women at risk for breast cancer may have the increased possibility of breast cancer if they use the stem cell method. Many doctors agree that fat grafting for breast augmentation is not right for everyone.