“I don’t think I need any cosmetic surgery – maybe Botox when I’m older,” said my 
26-year-old friend over drinks last weekend. Her opinion is probably very typical, but it begs the question, what age is “old enough” for Botox?
For most people, the average age to pursue an injectable treatment likely depends on when they attain a certain level of income and when they begin to notice prominent frown lines or wrinkles. But does that mean you need to be past a certain age?
Blueberries, asparagus, broccoli, salmon, whole grain bread – and hold the sugar,
red meat, and bleached flour. That’s what the experts say could help you eat your way to healthier-looking skin.
Antioxidant-rich foods can help combat the natural processes that wear down your body in general and your skin in particular. Nutritionists suggest that an antioxidant-rich diet is a good choice for skin health, with broccoli, carrots, berries, whole-grain cereals and fish on your grocery list. There’s no secret ingredient or sole contributor to a “healthy skin diet,” but regularly eating well and choosing these super foods is the key.
Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine and author of “The Wrinkle Cure,” emphasizes antioxidants in his approach to a skin-healthy diet too, and believes the ideal skin-healthy meal would include a six-ounce serving of fresh grilled salmon, a romaine lettuce salad with lemon juice and olive oil for a dressing, and fresh cantaloupe.
Fish is at the top of Perricone’s skin health list of anti-aging foods, because fatty fish contains important nutrients and Omega 3 fatty acids. He lists salmon, albacore tuna, and mackerel as great additions to any skin-healthy diet.
The bottom line is that aging is a natural process that can be influenced by what we eat, so make good nutrition a fundamental part of your efforts to look better.
ZO Skin Health, a company founded by Dr. Zein Obagi, has filed a lawsuit in Los 
Angeles County Superior Court seeking an injunction and other relief against Obagi Medical Products, claiming, among other things, anti-competitive practices. According to the complaint, Obagi Medical (a company also founded by Dr. Obagi but later sold to outside investors), contacted a would-be e-commerce distributor that was ready to distribute products for ZO.
According to the plaintiff, this contact, which reports say mentioned a non-compete agreement between the parties, interfered with the distribution of its new product line.
Obagi Medical Products has denied any anti-competitive conduct in the matter, and says it will vigorously defend the suit.
Competition in the skin care industry is nothing new, but it has been intensifying in recent years. The demand for anti-aging skin care products has increased over the last decade as baby-boomers have taken advantage of advances in skin care science. In fact, between 2006 and 2008, U.S. sales alone rose 13% to 1.6 billion dollars, and the trend shows no sign of weakening.
If you’re a lucky pear-shape you might not have to move your curves at all. The 
rest of us apple-shapes need to become more aware of our lifestyles, say researchers, because the fat around our waists can put us at higher risk for heart and metabolic diseases, and even breast cancer.
Researchers now regard fat around the hips, buttocks and thighs as a healthier fat than tummy fat, the kind that maintains lower levels of inflammation and blood sugar. Beer guts and spare tires, however, are curves that can lead us to health problems later in life. Also known as visceral fat, this dangerous fat lies closer to vital organs, whereas subcutaneous fat is situated closer to the skin and is more visually accessible.
But how can we change from visceral fat to subcutaneous fat? How can an apple shape become more pear-like? For now, the answer lies in diet and exercise.
Citing studies conducted on the effects of training on waist size, medical researches advocate incorporating at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days per week, and two days of strength training; and cutting calories by 500 to 1,000 daily. Also important is to eat 25 grams of fiber and 60 to 70 grams of protein daily. Added protein and strength means more muscle and less fat.
In the article “Are You a Pear or an Apple?” Tatiana Morales informs readers that pear-shaped women, too, have potential health problems to address. Outlining Dr. Marie Savard’s book Apples & Pears: The Body Shape Solution for Weight Loss and Wellness, Morales writes that extra fat around the hips can lead to varicose veins. These pear-shaped women tend to have less estrogen and are more prone to bone loss after menopause. They are also more likely to have lower self-esteem, and are therefore more prone to eating disorders. For these women, it is important to eat low-fat foods and incorporate strength training into exercise routines.
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Where: Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Auditorium
When: Saturday January 16, 2010 - 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If you need help following through on those New Year’s resolutions, this event might be worth checking out. The free event at Methodist Charlton Medical Center is planned to help you slim down, eat right, look good or even get your degree.
On hand will be a motivational speaker, representatives from the University of North Texas and Cedar Valley Community College and practicing physicians on the Methodist medical staff.
Scheduled programs include these topics:
More information on Methodisthealthsystem.org and Dallasnews.com
A consumer publication called New You, produced by The American Academy
of Cosmetic Surgery, is set to begin quarterly publishing this month.
With images that are visually stunning and expert information, the AACS hopes to overcome the stigma sometimes associated with cosmetic surgery. Each issue will bring readers cutting-edge information about proven cosmetic procedures.
New You will include these tips and features:
The primary distribution of New You will be in the waiting rooms of 2500 practicing cosmetic surgeons. An additional 50,000 copies will be distributed to newsstands and other medical professionals.
See more information at newyoumag.com
Q: How long has Latisse been on the market?
A: Latisse has only been on the market for about 6 months, but its related safety record as an eye drop solution spans well over 10 years.
Q: Why do I need a prescription for Latisse?
A: Latisse can result in eyelash improvement of 105% in thickness and over 25% in length. Latisse is not an over-the-counter medication. The FDA approved Latisse as a prescription medication to treat hypotrichosis, i.e. reduced amount of eyelash growth
Q: How can Latisse enhance my lashes?
A: Latisse is thought to affect the growth stage of eyelashes by increasing the duration of the growth phase while increasing the number of hairs in the growth phase.
Getting all the facts about cosmetic surgery will help you make a good decision when 
the time comes.
It’s easy to find information on liposuction, breast augmentation, and other procedures, but the easiest resources aren’t always the most reliable. Get scientific about it and find good resources before you go under the knife.
Be a scholar, just for a few hours.
Visit your public library or use the resources at your local university. The peer-reviewed medical journals there have real data on rates of patient satisfaction, possible complications, and other valuable info pertaining to every procedure.
However, many of these articles and books will be written in a style that only doctors and med students understand – and you may find that extremely boring.
Browse websites with good content
You may have to wade through some clutter, but there are a few sites that publish honest, useful information about plastic and cosmetic surgery. RealSelf.com is a good place to start; another popular resource is Yourplasticsurgeryguide.com
Ask cosmetic surgeons in your area
Visit a few cosmetic surgeons in the Dallas area before making a choice. While independent research can give you objective information, a personal evaluation can answer many of your difficult questions.
The challenge: A surgeon can tell you if you’re a suitable candidate for a procedure, but only you can decide if surgery is in line with your personal values.
Since I posted a poll about the proposed elective cosmetic tax, over 40 responses came in, and almost half of them said the tax would discriminate against women.
Meanwhile, surgeons and a few politicians in Texas are hoping the tax gets dropped before passage of the healthcare reform bill. The Houston Chronicle spoke with these locals:
“Elective cosmetic surgery is perceived as a luxury good and is therefore an easy target for reformers looking for means of funding health reform,” said Devon Herrick, a health economist at the Dallas-based National Center for Policy Analysis.
“My hunch is the provision … will get stripped before passage, Texas Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston.”
Is cosmetic 
surgery on someone’s holiday gift list this year? If so, Doctor Mark Berman of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery has a few words of advice for you: “Make sure you’ve discussed the idea in the past so it doesn’t come as a surprise.” Read: ‘Tis the season for gifting cosmetic surgery
Can breast implants be considered a marital asset? That’s what an attorney in a recent divorce case argued, but according to an Associated Press article, the judge rejected the idea as “absolutely nonsense.” Read the Minneapolis Star Tribune: N.D. High Court considers Lasik, Breast implants values in divorce case
Employees at a British clinic are showing off their cosmetic surgery results in a 2010 calendar. “The calendar is tongue-in-cheek, but tasteful. It features girls from across our company of all ages and they all look amazing.” Read and see a slideshow at The Sun News - Cosmetic Surgery Calendar Girls
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