March 2019 - Page 5 of 13 - Oh My Heartsie Girl

March 22, 2019October 17, 2020

Non-Surgical Procedures Vs. Face Lifts: Differences and Considerations

Although many of us don’t care to admit it, the reality is that aging takes a toll on everyone. As we grow older, we may show signs of slower reflexes or problems with our hearing and eye health. We might grow accustomed to muscle aches, foot pains, and having to go a bit slower than we used to. As a society, we’ll do just about anything to reverse the signs of aging or to stop them before they ever take hold. That’s just one reason why plastic surgery continues to grow in popularity. In fact, the United States leads the way here, as our nation is recognized as having the highest number of cosmetic procedures worldwide. In 2018 alone, there were 17.7 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed, representing an increase of more than 250,000 procedures from just a year prior.

If you feel dissatisfied with the way age has taken a toll on your appearance or desperately want to preserve what you’ve got, you might consider undergoing some type of surgical procedure or facial rejuvenation. But should you go under the knife or opt for a non-surgical procedure?

Non-surgical facial procedures

For those who feel that traditional plastic surgery is not the right course of action for them, non-surgical facial procedures may be a viable option. These treatments might include so-called facial rejuvenation procedures such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, Botox, fat transfers, and other injectables.

One of the key benefits of non-surgical treatments is the lack of necessary recovery time. Pain management is typically not an issue at all since any discomfort experienced with these non-invasive treatments can usually be taken care of with a local anesthetic or over-the-counter pain medication.

Although some patients do experience some swelling after treatment, most require no necessary downtime. In many cases, a patient can go right back to work (even the same day). For someone who might not feel comfortable with the idea of invasive surgery, the minimal pain and downtime will likely be very appealing. In addition, there are fewer medical risks involved in non-surgical procedures.

It’s also important to note that non-surgical facial procedures are generally much more affordable than traditional facelifts. While these procedures do need to be touched up from time to time (or after several months, in some cases), they are more financially feasible for many patients.

That said, the ongoing maintenance involved may represent an added expense that may not fit into one’s budget. Still, it’s often an excellent option for people who aren’t able to spend tens of thousands of dollars in one go. And what’s more, these procedures usually offer a subtler, more natural approach that surgery can’t always provide.

Facelifts and other surgical options

No matter what type of surgical procedure is involved, patients must consider that all surgeries come with risks. That’s certainly not to say it’s the wrong choice; it merely means it’s essential to consider all your options prior to making a decision. Because these surgeries are inherently more invasive, patients will experience longer recovery periods that may be accompanied by more substantial pain or discomfort than one would experience with non-surgical options.

Simply put, surgical procedures require a more substantial commitment. On the positive side, facelifts and other surgical improvements produce results that are long-lasting. You won’t have to undergo procedures every few months to improve your appearance. If you’re looking to make a more significant change to your appearance, rather than a subtle one, surgery is usually going to be the best option.

Plastic surgery is becoming more affordable, which is one reason why the number of procedures performed per year is on the rise. But it’s still a financial investment. For some, making that investment in themselves is absolutely priceless in terms of newfound confidence and physical improvement. You must keep in mind, however, that elective surgery is not usually covered by insurance.

If finances are a concern, you may have to make sacrifices elsewhere in order to pay for a procedure with a qualified surgeon. The flip side of this is that it may be a better option in terms of long-term costs. Some surgical procedures are more affordable than others as well, so you’ll want to conduct thorough research prior to making a decision for your situation.

Ultimately, both non-surgical procedures and facelifts or other surgical options serve an important purpose for patients. Each one can be used to improve someone’s appearance and allow them to gain a new lease on life.
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March 21, 2019

Considering Cosmetic Procedures-What You Need To Know

I was curious about different cosmetic procedures for the face, body, breasts for men and women and in researching, I some FAQ’s I thought were interesting Id like to share should you ever need some information. I have written and shared many articles over the years on cosmetic procedures but these are facts and faq’s to consider.

There are so many cosmetic procedures available today and they are improving the outcome and that’s a good thing because no one wants to be a guinea pig whether it is for a cosmetic procedure or even a prescription. And that is a whole other topic I have an opinion about.

First I found that you have to decide if you are a candidate for a particular procedure like:
A Face Procedure like a peel, Lip Fillers, Non-Surgical Eyelid Lifts or Microdermabrasion
For the body: Skin Tightening Thermage, Coolsculpting, Fat Dissolving Injections
Then, of course, there are procedures for breasts to include Augmentation or Breast Reduction, Areola and Nipple Reduction Surgery and some of these procedures are available for men as well as women.

So in making a decision on any of these procedures or the many others that could be offered you would want to decide if the results would suit patients’ age and lifestyle. It is recommended to choose procedures to help you look good for your age rather than try to “look younger”. As for how you look can help you feel better about yourself and the way others treat you.

Cosmetic procedures are not for everyone, but cosmetic procedures are not only gaining interest, becoming more popular and are being more refined.

And when you start a consultation there are many online questionnaires that can be taken to show patients that they may be suffering from depression, body dysmorphic disorder, or other personality disorders. A patient having surgery to please someone else, or in reaction to a major life stressor is not a good candidate to proceed. Luckily most patients are doing it for the right reason – themselves.

Then before having a procedure, you would need to read and understand agreements they would be required to sign before proceeding. And how you would prepare before the day of a procedure, like fasting, what not to drink or eat, can all cause complications.

What should I do after the treatment?
They would give you a set of instructions as with any procedure to follow once you get home.

I actually found FAQ’s and this information at Absolute Cosmetic Medicine and I am sure all clinics would have different sets of guidelines, questionnaires, services, and procedures. So you would want to take some time to decide on any kind of cosmetic procedure and understand what you would be having performed. It may take more than one consultation and would be great to have written questions to ask the doctor, even on a second consult to satisfy all of your questions and concerns before moving forward for your choice of procedure.

I have many articles related to cosmetic procedures that are interesting and informative, see here and I hope this has been a bit of useful information when considering any kind of cosmetic procedure.

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear About Cosmetic Surgery
Top 4 Benefits of Laser Skin Rejuvenation Treatments for Younger Looking Skin
5 Effective Treatments to Eradicate Skin Blemishes and Bumps
Get Your Self-Confidence Back with the Help of Plastic Surgery
Everything You Need to Know About The Latest Anti-Aging Treatments

March 21, 2019

Why You Need to Hydrate After a Run

Staying hydrated during, and especially after, any kind of physical effort is very important. Our bodies need water in order to avoid all kinds of side effects caused by dehydration. People talk about sports drinks and energy drinks, but water has always been the healthiest choice.

Today, we are going to talk about the reasons you need to hydrate after a run and how this will help you achieve optimal results from your exercise efforts.

We are sixty percent water

It’s kind of surprising to learn that our bodies are about 60% water. The reason water is so abundant in our bodies is that it helps us eliminate waste, carries food through the body, nourishes cells, and provides cushioning and lubrication to our joints and other body parts.

Sweat is the key

Sweat is the ultimate defensive mechanism the body uses to avoid overheating. Think of a garden that is wilting under the full heat of a summer day. Suddenly the sprinklers come on to save the day and the plants revive.

Sweat acts in exactly the same way for your skin. It’s a natural sprinkler system your body uses to keep you from overheating during exertion such as running, performing other forms of exercise and working. It is important to remember that, with running, the process of dehydration begins as soon as you start to run.

When you exercise, the body generates heat and this heat needs to dissipate if the core of your body is to stay cool enough to avoid any dangerous situations, such as dehydration. Be sure to drink water regularly during exercise or other forms of exertion. And be especially careful to drink water plentifully afterward.

Dehydration is part of life

We all need to exercise and stay active if we want to be healthy; we all also tend to get dehydrated from time to time. Dehydration is something we all experience when we are active, but the key is to never let your body stay dehydrated for a long period of time. Monitor your water intake either by using a manual counting method, or download an app that reminds you to drink water frequently.

Keep a water bottle with you at all times

Some people buy a bottle of water every time they go running, but by the time they complete their run, the water in the bottle is no longer cool-especially in warm weather. Drinking cool water after exertion is important because it helps lower your temperature at a faster rate.

There is a very simple solution to this problem: an insulated stainless steel bottle. The Kool8 stainless steel bottle works perfectly for me. It helps keep the water cool as long as I am out there running, regardless of the weather. When the water is at the right temperature you will drink more of it and so be more likely to achieve complete hydration than with warm water from a plastic bottle. There are also, of course, environmental benefits to keeping a reusable bottle. So, while you save yourself by rehydrating after running or other forms of exertion, you also are saving the earth. This bottle is also featured on ‘Cool Things Chicago’ Magazine’s best water bottles roundup.

Signs of Dehydration

Recovery from dehydration is always essential. Knowing when you are starting to experience moderate dehydration is just as important. Here is a helpful list of signs:

Dry skin
Dizziness
Faster heartbeat
Faster breathing
Lack of energy
Dry throat
Confusion
Irritability
Excessive thirst
Headaches

If you experience any of these signs, you need to make sure that you drink plenty of water in order to avoid any of the serious and severe complications caused by dehydration. Children and seniors have the hardest time dealing with dehydration, but anyone can suffer serious consequences regardless of age and health.

Other rare symptoms

• Some signs of dehydration are not so common, but hey have also been associated with a dehydrated body. They include fever, chills, muscle cramps and cravings for sweets.
• You might want to check your urine, too. The color should be very light yellow. If it gets darker, there is a good chance you are experiencing dehydration.
• You can also do the pinch test on the back of your hand. If you pinch the skin and it slowly goes back to its normal state, this is also a clear sign of dehydration.

Final thoughts

Now that you know about the dangers of dehydration, you should be able to prevent this condition every time you go out running. Keep a bottle of cool water with you and always look for the signs that tell you your body is becoming dehydrated.

Don’t forget to always drink water after running, even if you are feeling fine. Simply by running, you already started the process of dehydration, so never allow your body to stay in this state for longer than a few minutes after you run.

This post may contain affiliate links and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.
Related:
How to Increase Your Water Intake
Benefits Of Drinking Water
Do You Use A Water Purification System In Your Home

March 21, 2019

Hammered Dowels | Metal Dowels For Fastening Systems

Hammered dowels, rawlplugs, metal dowels – which to choose for various fastening systems?

Various fastenings are extremely important both during house building work or repair works at a flat. It is not surprising as, sometimes, even several hundred fastenings are needed, using plugs, screws, bolts and anchors of various lengths and made of different materials. This article is dedicated to plugs, as it is worthwhile to have a closer look at them and see which type of plug is used for a given fastening type for a particular project whether it is commercial use or in the home while building or remodeling.

How to choose a dowel and how to fix it?

A number of persons, especially those who begin their adventure with DIY, have difficulties with finding a proper dowel for a given fastening. Rawlplug broadly describes hammered dowels, rawlplugs and metal dowels, as well as their intended applications. It is then worthwhile to get familiar with their types before we start our planned repair works.

As an example of how dowels are used to assemble furniture

Every material requires a different type of dowel to be used, but before we decide to buy a specific type of dowel it is good to first ask a salesman in the shop about the maximum load capacity of a given dowel or plug. Standard plugs, also called universal plugs, are usually made of plastic and differ among one another only by length and colour. A characteristic feature of all plugs is the expansion of their rear part, which may consist of 2, 3 or 4 elements, while we screw in a threaded bolt. Every bolt is first inserted into a hole, and then we screw in a bolt by means of a screwdriver – the head of the screw so we may have a hook so we use pliers during the assembling activity.

What are hammered dowels characterized by?

Hammered dowels are also called fast assembly bolts. They are made of plastic and have a flange at their front part. Their assembly involves the insertion of a dowel with a screw, partially screwed in, into an already drilled hole. When the inserted dowel meets resistance, it is hammered down together with the screw. If everything is well selected and done, the dowel should reach the bottom of the hole. Hammered dowels are most often used in materials such as concrete, natural stone, lightweight concrete blocks, aerated concrete, plasterboard panels and perforated sand-lime bricks. Hammered dowels are used to fasten profiles to walls, skirting boards, foils, metal sheets, beams, cable and pipe brackets, as well as wooden and metal substructures.

Rawlplugs

Plastic rawlplugs are used for construction materials such as concrete, bricks and timber. They can also be used as fastening systems in solid and small-hole elements. A fastening screw makes the rawlplug expand and swell in the course of screwing in. The expansion process creates anchoring humps on the plug walls between empty spaces. It is worth taking into account whether the rawlplug is not rotating in the hole or if the applied core is not too thick. A rawlplug can be used to fix a wall (e.g. a ceiling) to clay blocks or solid bricks.

What are metal dowels used for?

Metal dowels are used to fasten the clips of suspended ceilings. They are made of metal only and have a fully threaded hook on the front of the clip. A fastening element of a suspended ceiling is hung on the hook. After a hole is drilled a dowel is inserted into it. When the metal dowel is pushed into the hole, its wings are expanded and we can then fasten the cap with the washer in the dowel. A metal dowel can also be used to fix walls. The working principle is the same here, except there is no expanding tip with wings. There is a U-shaped piece of the metal sheet instead. After the dowel is inserted into the hole gravity pulls the sheet piece which, while falling down, catches hold of the wall of the hole.