BOTOX: Something For Everyone

BOTOX is one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures in Toronto. The injection of BOTOX in Toronto has been used from everything to clear up wrinkles to treating pain. In other words, it's cosmetic uses have been well documented. However, there have been growing reports of BOTOX being used in non-cosmetic medical procedures.

What is it?
BOTOX is the patented name for botulin toxin type A (BTX-A) of which there are many subtypes. BTX-A is a type of neurotoxin, which is produced by bacteria. It is then "processed" to make BOTOX.

BOTOX was patented in the U.S. by Allergan Inc. They got FDA approval back in 1989. However, it wouldn't be until 2002 that it got approved for use in cosmetic procedures.

Due to the nature of BTX-A, it's extremely important that an experienced professional perform the injection. Reputable cosmetic clinics in Toronto ensure that only the patented BOTOX is used, carefully applied to the targeted area, and in the correct amount.

How does it work?
The human body naturally produces a chemical called Acetylcholine. This chemical acts as a neurotransmitter in the body, in other words, the nerve impulses. BOTOX acts to suppress the production of this chemical.

This is why only a very small amount is ever injected at one time. Also, the area targeted for injection be very specific.

What's it used for?
BOTOX in Toronto has been used in both cosmetic and non-cosmetic procedures, since the 1950s. In fact, one of it's early uses was to decrease overall muscle activity, for the area in which it was injected.

Its cosmetic purposes range from the treatment of severe frown lines between the eyebrows (i.e. glabellar lines) and other wrinkles.

Its non-cosmetic purposes range from the treatment of excessive underarm sweating, spasticity, muscle disorders, obesity, knee osteoarthritis and migraines by reducing the pain.

What You Should Know
Any reputable cosmetic clinic in Toronto will advise you that the injection of BOTOX is not a one time out-patient procedure. Follow-ups are required. The frequency of the injections depends a great deal upon the individual and the condition being treated. However, the time between injections can range anywhere from four to eight months. Usually, it's not less than three months.

Avoid invitations to "BOTOX parties". BOTOX should only be injected in a sterile, controlled environment. The individual should then rest in an upright position for a few hours. This is to help ensure that the injection does not spread outside of the targeted area. For example, one side effect of this spreading are droopy eyelids. In other words, the muscles and nerves in this area have become temporarily paralyzed. Fortunately, this typically lasts for a few days.

About the Author:
This article on Toronto Botox was brought to you by Toronto Liposuction clinic.

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How To Get Beautiful Lips

One of the best ways to gage a person's chronological age is perhaps by the upper lip. The signs of ageing are factored by at least four major negative factors: repetitive sun exposure, smoking, genetics and the natural aging process.

The loss of the Cupids Bow is due to the combination of certain factors that create flattening and wrinkling of the upper lip. When a woman has trouble with her lipstick bleeding that is due to the signs of aging. As the lip shows the signs of aging, small vertical cracks and wrinkles form, then extend beyond the lip itself to the skin just above the upper lip, causing the lipstick to bleed out from the lip area.

With todays many medical advances, it is now possible to rejuvenate lips that show signs of aging. Lips that have lost their fullness can now be plumped up, enhancing the lip with simple injections. So what kind of treatment options are available? Two of the most commonly used procedures are the lip rejuvenation and the lip enhancement. There are other options available ranging from the latest laser treatments to synthetic implants to injectable fillers, all if which have a natural feel and all filler are soft and pliable.

How do you know which treatment is the right one for you? You want to explore your options and see what treatments are available for you. As with any medical procedure, you will want to get a full evaluation from your doctor. Discuss with him or her what you are looking for. Remember that almost every surgeon has his or her own preferred treatments as he or she feels some work better than others. The end result will depend greatly on which procedure you have done.

Injectable lip enhancements- Lip enhancements come in a variety of choices such as: Restylane, uvederm, AlloDerm, Dermalogen, Autolegen, Artefil, Fascian, Fat Transfer and Zyplast or Zyderm collogen.

The injectable collagen treatments are used to enhance the natural form of the upper lip, the lip border and the Cupids Bow. You can also fill in the vertical lines that cause lipstick to bleed out beyond the natural lip line.

Laser lip rejuvenation- This is a procedure for upper lip resurfacing that uses a series of laser treatments to rejuvenate and transform the aged or wrinkled lip. While in the healing stage of this process, the elastic and collagen tissue beneath the skin begins to tighten and remodel, thus restoring the V or Cupid's Bow as well providing a more youthful, young and healthy shape to your lips.

As the new collagen tissue begins to tighten further, the upper lip is actually tightened up a bit, exposing more vivid border, making the mid area of the upper lip look fuller. Another advantage to this lip treatment is that it will redline the border of the lip making lipstick bleeds a thing of the past.

Fat Transfer-also known as micro-liposuction or autologous fat transplantation, uses fat taken from places on the body, usually places that are concealed from view and plumps up your lips. The Fat Transfer to lips is perfectly safe and natural as well as non-allergenic. This procedure is designed to restore diminished or damaged dermal deficiencies.

Implant augmentation for lips- Dermal graft/implant, such as AlloDerm, was first used as a skin replacement for burn patients. Surgeons worldwide now recognize the benefits as a safe, natural implant to replace inadequate or aged tissue of the lip and to aid in rejuvenating the aged or wrinkled lip. Soft ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) and SoftForm implants, are the top choices for most as they lead the way in synthetic options. SoftForm and soft ePTFE implants have been proven to be very safe, non-allergenic and predictable way to improve thin lips.

No matter which option you go with, be sure to have a thorough consult with your doctor to choose the procedure that is right for you.

About the Author:
Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America's foremost authorities on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. You can find out more at www.barrylyckamd.com and www.restoringyouthonline.com. He is founder of The Ethical Cosmetic Surgery Association (www.ecsaonline.com).

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A New Choice For Mens Shaving? Not Really!

Straight razors - sometimes called cut-throat, flat or open razors - were the only choice for men wanting to tame their stubble for hundreds of years before King Gillette invented the modern 'safety' razor.

Straight razors then fell into decline, and quite a few urban myths were born about them - some true, some false. Here are a few to mull over:

1. 'A straight razor blade will cut at a touch.' True! But only if sliced across the skin - and any sharp knife will do that. A straight razor is basically a 'push-cutter' - that is, the edge is pushed against the stubble and cuts through it. In this it is the same as the modern safety razor, although the blades of a safety razor are pre-set at an 'optimum' cutting angle and closely guarded.

2. 'The blade of a straight razor must be aligned with the Earth's magnetic field when not in use.' False. The theory behind this was that, as the blade of a straight razor is so fine - just a few molecules thick - aligning it North-South when not in use would allow the magnetic field of the Earth to restore the edge.

In truth, a straight razor is whetted on a leather belt called a strop prior to, and sometimes during, use. This does in fact restore the microscopically thin edge to near-perfection giving, in effect, a brand-new edge for every shave.

3. 'You have to wrap your face in steaming hot towels before you shave with a straight razor.' False. Although this is often done by professional barbers it's not essential. The hot towel treatment merely softens the stubble, making the barber's job easier - and blunting the razor less!

It's also quite a pleasant experience that adds to the overall satisfaction of having a shave in a barber shop. Remember also that mens' facial skin was probably a good bit tougher in days gone by due to the fact that many more worked outdoors - and skincare was virtually unheard of for men in those days!

4. 'Straight razors are just downright dangerous.' True. Then again, so is a machine gun, or a dump truck, or a frying pan. It depends on what's being done with them!

Straight razors got their fearsome reputation from legends like Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, or books like 'Murders in the Rue Morgue' (which didn't do much for the reputation of the Orang-Utang either!).

Certainly you can cause terrible damage with a straight razor, but then you can do even worse with a machete, a sword or an axe. In fact, as a weapon the straight razor is a one-hitter - the blade isn't designed for strength and the edge would probably break on the first stroke.

Really, though, the straight razor is only like any other piece of sharp steel - treat it with respect and you're fine. Mess around with it and the consequences can be sudden, painful and messy. A straight razor is designed to do one job only - shave your face - so keep it for that!

5. 'Using a straight razor takes years of practice.' False. Like any manual tool, a straight razor does take patience and practice if you are going to get a really close shave, but it's surprising just how quickly you get the knack of it.

There's also something satisfying in using a straight razor for your morning shave - it's not a task you can rush, even if you're an expert, so it has the effect of slowing you down a bit and stopping that rush-rush-gotta-get-ready-for-work frenzy that seems to affect more and more men these days.

It concentrates and focuses the mind, too - tasks that require this level of skill and dexterity often do - and I've always found it leaves me calmer and more ready for my day.

So - maybe it is for reasons of economy, being fed-up of the 'throwaway' mindset of today, that men are throwing their safety razor in the bin and returning to an almost-forgotten skill. Or maybe it's just that they want the machismo of saying they scrape their stubble off with a fearsome legend - in any event, the popularity of the straight razor is most definitely on the upswing. Why not give it a go?

About the Author:
Steve Dempster regularly attacks his stubble with a straight razor and has lived to tell the tale. For more information and advice about straight razors, have a look at his website The Invisible Edge

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Dealing with unwanted hair is never fun. Self-esteem can take a serious hit thanks to visible unwanted hair and then there's the fact most people with hair where it just doesn't belong also have to deal with embarrassment. Getting rid of unwanted hair, however, can be a tricky task at best. This is where laser hair removal can really help out, but who qualifies for this procedure and who should steer clear?

Laser hair removal is a fairly painless alternative to waxing, plucking and shaving. It's considered much more effective than these other options, too, for getting rid of hair and keeping it off. However, laser removal isn't a guarantee that hair won't grow back and the procedure isn't for everyone. Before deciding to pursue this as an option, it's smart to research the procedure and decide if it's the right method for you.

Ideal candidates for hair removal will demonstrate the following traits:

* Generally, doctors or clinicians that do the procedures in their offices will prefer to work on those who are in fairly good physical shape. The process isn't painful and it's not dangerous, but it can be a little stressful for first-time patients and maybe a slight bit uncomfortable, too.

* Dark hair. People with dark hair are generally good candidates for laser hair removal. Since the laser tends to "see" darker material, those with dark hair have a greater chance of optimum results.

* Lighter skin. Hair must be darker than the skin for it to be effective. This means those with dark natural complexions and even people with tans will find lasers might not be the route for them to take. This isn't to say the procedure won't be effective, but the odds are greater that it won't be. If your skin is very dark or your hair is light, it's a good idea to consider alternatives.

* People with patience. Hair removal doesn't tend to be a one-visit procedure. Someone who is looking for instant results might want to consider waxing or depilatories. Since the process is quite tedious, handling something as large as the leg areas or the back can take several visits. Plus, hair might grow back and require another treatment at some point.

Laser hair removal is a fantastic way to get rid of unwanted hair on the face, back, legs and even in the bikini area. But, not everyone is a great candidate for the procedure. Consider your personal traits before proceeding to choose laser hair removal as the option for you.

If you're sold on the idea of laser hair removal, remember this is considered a medical procedure, so it's a good idea to make sure the practitioner knows what he or she is doing. Ask around about clinicians in your area and check into their background. If you do a little research before jumping into this procedure, you are likely to be happy with the results.

About the Author:
More information on laser hair removal
hair removal

www.laserhairremovaldirect.com

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What a Chemical Peel Can Do For You

There are so many products on the market that claim to improve the appearance of the skin, but perhaps one of the best out there is chemical peeling. Chemical peeling is normally performed on your neck, face or hands. This type of treatment consists of the use of a chemical solution that is applied directly to the skin that causes the skin to blister and then fall off eventually.

The new skin that is revealed is usually smoother with less wrinkling then the skin that was initially treated. The new skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, therefore you must stay out of the sun for a period of time to allow for proper healing. The new skin is just that, new, so it will be very sensitive - take good care of it.

Various peeling agents have been used by dermatologic surgeons for over the last fifty years, making them experts in performing various types of chemical peels. As with any procedure, you must have a thorough consult to determine which procedure is right for you.

What Can a Chemical Peel Do?
Chemical peeling is most commonly used for treating fine lines around the mouth and around the eyes. Chemical peeling can reduce or even completely eliminate wrinkles that have been caused by aging, sun damage and hereditary factors. There are some areas that are more difficult then others to treat, such as bulges, sags and wrinkles that are more severe. These types of flaws may require other types of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as brow lifts, face lift, eye lift or even a soft tissue filler.

Most people are not aware that mild scarring and certain types of acne can be treated with chemical peels as well. Also, pigmentations of the skin, such as sun spots, liver spots, age spots, blotching from birth control pills, freckles and skin that is dull or flat colored or textured, can be improved from chemical peeling.

There are other types of treatments that chemical peeling can be combined with to achieve the best results. Chemical peeling can be combined with such procedures as dermabrasion, resurfacing with lasers or soft tissue filler to help obtain cost-effective rejuvenation of the skin that is customized to the needs of the individual patient. Some other areas that may improve after a chemical peel are precancerous keratoses, sun damaged spots or scaling patches.
After a chemical peeling, new patches or lesions are less likely to show up. Usually, people that are fair skinned and/or have light colored hair are good candidates for such treatments as chemical peels. Even darker skin types can also experience positive results, depending on the types of skin problems they have encountered.

How Are Chemical Peels Performed?
Instructions prior to surgery may include stopping certain medications to reduce interference with the procedure or recovery time. The doctor may treat the skin to pre-condition the skin with topical pre-conditioning medications. Cleaning of the area with an antiseptic soap is usually required prior to surgery, generally the day prior to surgery.

Chemical peels can be performed right in a doctor's office or as an out-patient procedure in a surgery center, making these procedures more convenient for people. The skin must be thoroughly cleansed at the time of treatment. This is done to remove any excess oils and to make sure the eyes and hair are well protected. If you would like to try one or more solutions, such as a chemical peel, you might want to try such items as: salicylic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, a glycolic acid, lactic acid or a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and sometimes a carbolic acid (phenol). These are used by Dermatologic surgeons that are well qualified to choose the proper peeling agent, this is based on the type of skin damage present. When getting a chemical peel, the physician will apply the solution to directly to small areas on the skin. These applications produce a controlled wound that will enable new, refreshed skin to appear. The majority of patients may experience a sensation that is warm to somewhat hot that may last from about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Deeper peels may require the use of pain medication during or after the procedure to make the person comfortable.

What Should Be Expected After Treatment?
Depending on the type of peel treatment you get, you may have a reaction similar to a sunburn that will occur following the chemical peel. There will be superficial peeling that usually involves redness, which is followed by scaling that will end within three to seven days. If you have medium-depth and/or deep peeling occur, this may result in swelling and the first sign of water blisters that may break, turn brown, crust and peel off over a seven to fourteen day period. You may require bandages, depending on what kind of chemical peel you had done. These would have to cover all or part of the skin that has been treated.

These bandages can usually be removed in several days and usually improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Avoiding overexposure to the sun is crucial after a chemical peel as the new skin is more susceptible to getting sun burned. Th skin will be very fragile and will need to be well taken care of to ensure that you do not damage the new skin. Without proper care, you may run the risk of an infection or a serious sunburn that can be detrimental to the new skin. Your dermatologic surgeon may prescribe the medications to allow for proper follow-up care to reduce the chance to develop abnormal skin color after peeling.

As with any procedure, check with your doctor to make sure you get the best treatment possible. Follow your doctor's instructions to a T to ensure that you heal correctly. You do not want to ruin the outcome of the chemical peel by not following the right advice.

About the Author:
Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America's foremost authorities on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. You can find out more at www.barrylyckamd.com and www.restoringyouthonline.com. He is founder of The Ethical Cosmetic Surgery Association (www.ecsaonline.com).

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A Hair Raising Experience

Hair transplant refers to surgical removal of hair follicles from a hair-bearing donor site and their relocation to a balding or bald area by a grafting procedure, in order to restore normal healthy hair growth at the recipient site over a period of time. The most common application of hair transplant is in treating male and female pattern baldness.

Hair transplant is a minor outpatient surgery carried out under local anesthesia and a single session lasts about 3 to 5 hours, depending upon the number of grafts performed.

The total number of sessions required for full treatment will depend on the (i) the area of the bald patch, (ii) the size and number of grafts used, (iii) the hair density desired by the patient, and (iv) the individual characteristics of the hair, e.g., coarse, fine, curly, etc.

History of Hair Transplant

Hair transplant in its present form has evolved a long way ever since it began in 1952, when Dr. Norman Orentreich performed the first hair transplant for male pattern baldness in New York City. For many years, hair transplants were carried out using more or less the same method. It involved direct removal of 4-mm-diameter circular grafts (called punch grafts or plugs) from the back of the head by punching, giving the donor area a moth-eaten look. Each graft carried 15 to 20 hair follicles. Such large grafts resulted in acorn row or a dollar haircut look, not a fine natural look. This technique is outdated now.

In the 1980s, hair transplant surgery evolved dramatically with the emergence of the method of harvesting mini-grafts (4 to 8 hair) and micro-grafts (1 to 3 hairs) from a strip of donor tissue; a combination of mini and micro-grafts gradually replaced the punch grafts. Mini-grafts were used to create fullness and density, whereas micro-grafts were used to give a soft, feathered natural look to the hairline.

The nineties saw the emergence of a very refined surgical procedure called the follicular unit hair transplant (FUT). This very precise and painstaking procedure involves transplanting hair using 1- to 4-haired follicular units, exactly like how natural hair growth occurs. This procedure gives a fine natural look to the transplanted hair and is now considered a Gold Standard in hair transplant.

Statistics on Hair Transplant

To give you an idea of how prevalent hair transplants have become today, here are some statistical facts and figures according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) 2005 Practice Census: An estimated number of 168,155 hair transplant procedures were performed worldwide in 2004, of which 87,987 were in US alone. The US market for hair transplant was estimated to be a whopping US $811,684,185!

Hair Transplant Procedure Today

The procedure begins with the removal of a donor strip (usually 1 and 1.5 cm wide) from the back or sides of the scalp under local anesthesia. The opening is then closed with self-absorbable sutures. The donor strip is then dissected into grafts of three different sizes: single-hair micro-graft, 2-hair single follicular unit, and 2 and 4-hair modified follicular unit. This takes about 2 to 3 hours. After the individual hair follicles are isolated from the donor strip and the excess tissue removed, they are immediately inserted into pre-cut micro and mini slits or punctured holes that are strategically placed so as to give a natural and aesthetically appealing look to the hair that will grow in future from the transplanted follicles. An expert surgeon can place up to 50 grafts per square cm. The surgery does leave a scar in the donor area, but that gets covered once the hair grows fully.

A far less invasive method of obtaining hair grafts for transplant is the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method. Here the surgeon examines the donor tissue under a microscope and selects individual follicular units and then plucks them out using a fine needle, eliminating the need to excise the skin from the back of the head. The benefits of the FUE method are faster healing, less trauma, no strip scar, and the surgeon's ability to individually select follicular units. However, this procedure is far more time-intensive than the traditional strip methods and therefore much more expensive.

Since the hair transport involves outpatient surgery, recovery is speedy. You can go to work the very next day itself and carry out all your normal activities within a week. Post-surgery, you would need to take the prescribed antibiotics and vitamin supplements for some days to avoid wound or graft infections and aid healing. The transplanted hair will fall in 2 to 4 weeks time and new hair will start growing in 3 to 4 months time; within 6 to 9 months the hair growth will become normal, allowing you to style your hair as you please.

Since the hair is transplanted from ones own scalp, it is a safe procedure with no major or long-term side-effects. The only important requirement to get good results is to have healthy hair growth at the donor sites. So do not wait to get your hair transplant done until you go completely bald!

Other Areas for Hair Transplant

Other than treating male/female pattern baldness, hair transplant surgery makes it possible to restore hair on other areas of the body too, e.g., eyebrows, eyelashes, chin, moustache, sideburns, chest and pubic area.

According to ISHRS 2005 Practice Census, 95% of the hair transplant surgeries were done for treating baldness (89% for male baldness, with 30% of them being in their 40s). Approximately 3% of hair transplants were performed on eyebrows, about 1% on moustache/beard, 0.35% on eyelashes, 0.34% on the pubic area, and 0.06% on the chest.

In fact, the earliest hair transplant carried out by a Japanese dermatologist Dr. Okuda in 1939 was for restoring hair on the eyebrows and eyelashes of burn patients by using small grafts from the scalp.

Advantages of Hair Transplant

The greatest and most palpable advantage of hair transplant is that you have your own new crop of hair thats there for keeps! Unlike a wig, there is no fear of transplanted hair moving around or changing position, no matter what the activity. And since the transplanted hair is harvested from your own scalp, there is also no fear of tissue rejection or foreign body reaction as in other organ transplants. Also there is no headache of matching color and texture that you face while shopping for a wig.

The transplanted hair can be shampooed and styled just like normal hair, because they are your normal hair. A hair transplant can immediately take away 10 years off your visible age. It makes your looks youthful and boosts your self-esteem.

How Expensive is Hair Transplant?

Though at first glance a hair transplant procedure may appear expensive, in the long run it can turn out to be more economical than buying wigs. Due to the stiff competition in the hair transplant market, the rates have fallen from the earlier US $15 per graft to US $3 per graft. Of course, the number of grafts required will depend on the area of the bald patch, the size of the graft, the required hair density, etc. In general, the total cost of hair transplant can vary from US $4000 to $15,000.

Whatever the case, considering the boost and positive energy it adds to the psyche, a hair transplant is worth every cent. After all, its hair today, not gone tomorrow.

About the Author:
Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America's foremost authorities on cosmetic, skin cancer and laser surgery of the skin. You can find out more at www.barrylyckamd.com and www.restoringyouthonline.com. He is founder of the Etical Cosmetic Surgery Association (www.ecsaonline.com)

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Choosing Pearl and Diamond Earrings

A pearl diamond earring is a classy gift that contains two different elements: the flash of the diamond and the quiet beauty of the pearl. This contrasting combination has been a very popular choice for jewelry and while it has been used for many years, each time, it is still a knockout.

If youre planning to buy pearl and diamond earrings either as a gift or as part of your jewelry collection, then youve made a great choice. This combination is not only valuable, it also has lasting beauty and elegance.

Know your pearls
If the pearl is the more dominant gem in your earrings, then be sure to pick a good quality one. Even if the diamond/s in your earrings is high quality, a bad pearl can ruin the whole look of your jewelry. Here are a few tips and info on pearls:

The pearl is the only gem that is produced by a live organism, namely mollusks and oysters. They are formed each time a foreign particle, like a grain of sand, enters the shell. The mollusk or oyster then reacts by treating it as an irritation and proceeds to coat it with nacre, a crystalline substance. It is the same substance that we find in the interior of the shell when we open it.

The foreign particle is continuously coated with layers upon layers of nacre until it grows in size. In the end, this foreign particle with the layers of nacre becomes a pearl. Natural pearls are formed this way and are more often shaped irregularly.

Cultured pearls are in no way inferior to natural pearls. They are still real pearls, except that their production involved a deliberate implanting of a foreign substance to stimulate a mollusk.

The value of a pearl depends on its quality: the size, shape, color, thickness of the nacre, luster and texture. Since pearls are naturally occurring gems and no two are alike, these factors can vary greatly.

Choosing your diamonds
There are four Cs to note when choosing a diamond. These are good to note especially if it is the more dominant or focal gem in your earring.

Cut involves two things: the shape of the diamond and the quality of the cut. Three of the most common are the brilliant cut, the princess cut and the emerald cut. The cut of the diamond will determine how brilliant its shine is and the more the cut brings out this quality, the higher the price. Of the three, the emerald cut is the most affordable.

Color since diamonds are a natural substance, they are not always crystal clear. They come in different colors yellow, pink and red, with the last two the more expensive.

Clarity refers to the number of imperfections found in your diamond. Imperfections or inclusions affect the way light is reflected by the stone, so the clearer the gem, the more expensive it is.

Carat refers to the size of the diamond with one carat equal to about 200 mgs. An honest diamond seller will have jewelry marked with ct for carat or ctw/tcw for total carat weight. When buying earrings with diamonds, look for the tcw. Earrings are bought in pairs and so they should have two diamonds of equal size.

How to care for your pearl and diamond earrings
Pearls and diamonds may look good together as components of an earring, but their contrasting characteristics can actually affect their care. Pearls are softer gems because they are organic while diamonds are the hardest gemstones in the world. Pearls can get easily scratched or damaged if you are not careful about their storage so the best thing to do is, tailor your care on the weaker gem which is the pearl.

Its not a good idea to store pearls with other hard jewelry. To keep your jewelry in good shape, try to store them in the box they were bought in. Each earring will have a separate hole where it can safely stay. This way, there is no danger of one of the diamonds scratching the pearl of the other earring.

Pearls can also get affected by hair spray, sweat, body oils, colognes and perfumes. If youre planning to put on your earrings, best apply cosmetics first. This way, you will minimize chemical contact with your pearls.

About the Author:
For more information go to: www.unlimitedpearls.com www.bestpearlnecklaces.com or www.bestpearlearrings.com

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Knowledge Is Key In Successful Lasik Eye Surgery

If you're considering lasik eye surgery, you're not alone. Each year, thousands of people trade in their glasses and contacts for this procedure that can effectively eliminate the need for them. But, going into eye surgery without understanding what will be expected of you before, during and after the procedure isn't smart.

Lasik surgery is a pretty easy procedure, but it is still surgery nonetheless. You will need some assistance and you will need some time for recovery.

The key to successful surgery is not only your doctor's abilities, but also your willingness to follow procedure before and after the operation. Following doctor's orders can be a little difficult, but the pay off can be big.

Here are the basic things to expect and/or do before and after lasik eye surgery:

Before:
* You will not be allowed to wear contact lenses before evaluations and the surgery. Can you live without these for a while in hopes of being able to live without them for good?

* You will not be allowed to drive after screening procedures. Can you make arrangements?

* Do you understand the procedure? Make sure you ask your doctors questions, understand the ramifications and the chances for success. If you're not comfortable, talk with your doctor before you do the procedure.

* Remember, recovery is fast, but you will still have a few days you can count on being down. Can you arrange to take a few days off?

* If you wear makeup, plan on taking a day off in advance or perhaps two. You will not be allowed to wear it for at least 24 hours beforehand to help prevent infection.

* Have you met with your doctor to go over any last-minute questions? Are you comfortable?

After:
* Expect to not be able to see well for several days. You need to make arrangements for assistance where it's needed. Chances are you'll be back on your feet in no time, but little tasks that require sharp vision might be difficult to perform.

* Be ready to have to wear an eye shield to protect your eyes after having lasik eye surgery. It doesn't look pretty, but it's important to ensure you avoid injury right after the procedure.

* Do expect some pain and discomfort. The procedure for lasik eye surgery is almost pain free, but remember the word "almost" is in there.

* Lasik eye surgery will require you to take some medications and eye drops after the operation is done. If you can't put eye drops in yourself, make arrangements to have someone help you after the surgery.

The procedure involved in eye surgery is pretty straight-forward, but the more knowledge you arm yourself with in advance the better. The surgery isn't a 100-percent guarantee that you'll have perfect vision, but it does have a good track record of helping people have much better sight. The key to success, however, is not only your doctor's skill, but also your ability to follow instructions before and after the procedure.

About the Author:
More information on lasik eye surgery
eye surgery

www.lasiksurgeryhelp.com

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Color Contacts Can Give You A Whole New Look

Color contact lenses are a relatively new creation that can help transform a person's look instantly. But, are these really safe and should people consider wearing them?

As long as color contacts come from a licensed optical outlet, they should be more than safe. But there are things you can do to improve the security of using color contact lenses:

* Make sure the color contact lenses you order follow the prescription the doctor has given you. A blue color contact might make you look like a movie star, but what's the point if you can't see?
* Be certain the contact lens you choose is created using the style your eye is used to. If your doctor has suggested soft lenses for your case, make sure your color contact lens is also a soft contact. Don't try to change what your doctor has ordered just for the sake of changing your eye color.
* Make certain you care for color lenses just like you would your regular lenses. This is important to reduce the risk of eye infections and other complications. There's no reason to throw routine out the window.
* If possible, order your color lenses through your doctor. That way you will be ensured a lens that he or she recommends. Some eye doctors will assist in this method.
* Make sure vision isn't impacted by the lens. Good color contact lenses won't impact your vision negatively. It also should not block vision or make it look hazed over.

If you're sure you have a color contact lens company that's reputable and will follow your doctor's prescription advice, you'll find the choices for these lenses are amazing. The styles of color lenses available include:

* Color enhancers. These work with regular eye color to make it richer and more deep. A person with light blue eyes can have darker eyes thanks to these lenses.
* Color changers. There are specially designed contact lenses that work with darker eyes to block the initial color and let a new one shine through. These tend to offer richer, deeper colors in the different shades since the background will be deeper.
* Specialty lenses. These are color lenses meant for special effects. With offerings that range from alien to shamrocks, you'll find there are a lot of choices on the market. Since these are novelty contact lenses, be particularly careful to ensure they are also safe for your eyes and don't impact your vision negatively. They can, however, be a whole lot of fun for Halloween or even theatrical productions.

Color contact lenses give you the freedom to change your look on a dime. Go from brown to blue or hazel to purple instantly. You can even go for something more dramatic thanks to specialty color contact lenses. Just make sure whatever you choose is considered safe and follows your prescription. If possible, order them through your doctor's office to ensure the color contact lenses come from a company that's reputable.

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Cultured Pearl Earrings From Buying to Maintenance

Most cultured pearl earrings are tiny, attractive, and definitely quite expensive. If youre planning to add cultured pearl earrings to your jewelry collection, here are several tips which can help you buy the ideal pair for you and preserve its beauty for a long time.

Where to Buy Cultured Pearl Earrings

Cultured pearl earrings are sold online and in land-based stores. There are pros and cons to buying cultured pearl earrings either online or in person.

Online Auctions Cultured pearl earrings auctioned off online may sometimes be great bargain finds because of its very low price tag, but you have to make sure that youre buying authentic cultured pearl earrings and that it gets delivered to you safely.

Online Jewelry Shopping Sites Prices vary greatly when it comes to cultured pearl earrings sold on online jewelry shopping sites, but once again your biggest problem is making sure that it reaches you safely and free of damage.

Live Auctions Cultured pearl earrings sold in live auctions are usually incredibly rare, beautiful, and definitely expensive.

Land-Based Jewelry Stores Cultured pearl earrings sold in land-based jewelry stores generally have the greatest selection to offer but they tend to be more expensively priced as well.

Wholesale Jewelry Markets It might take you a long time before you can find one, but when you do, you can certainly take advantage of exceptionally low rates as long as youre willing to buy cultured pearl earrings wholesale.

How to Buy Cultured Pearl Earrings
The first question you have to ask yourself is whether you wish for freshwater or saltwater cultured pearl earrings. Then determine if its important to you as well to know where the pearls have been harvested. Lastly, base your decision on its luster, texture, shape, and overall appearance. Once youve made a selection, consult with the jewelry seller and see if you can get a discount.

How to Care for Your Cultured Pearl Earrings
Cultured pearl earrings are usually small in size so its terribly easy to lose them. As such, make sure that you place them back on their original or usual casing immediately after you take them off.

If youre going to apply make up, perfume, skincare or any hair cosmetic product, its best that you do so before putting on your cultured pearl earrings. Cultured pearl earrings are especially vulnerable to damage from toxic chemicals, chemicals which are found in abundance in the items specified above.

Although cultured pearl earrings are better off than pearl necklaces and bracelets because the ears dont sweat as much as arms and the neck do, theres still every possibility that your cultured pearl earrings will suffer from discoloration due to extreme exposure to the natural acidity of your skin. For that matter, its important that you dont wear your cultured pearl earrings in exceptionally hot or humid places.

Also, wipe your ears in the rest room after a few hours to prevent it from affecting your cultured pearl earrings.

On cleaning your cultured pearl earrings, never use any jewel cleaner or cleaning solution that contains strong chemicals because these can once again affect the appearance of your jewelry. Steam cleaning is neither an advisable cleaning method for pearl jewelry regardless of whether its cultured or synthetic.

Only use jewelry cleaners exclusively manufactured for pearl jewelry cleaning and apply it with the use of any soft fabric. You can use it slightly damp with water if you wish. Be very gentle when brushing and polishing your cultured pearl earrings as a vigorous rubbing can not only cause it to lose its color and luster but may cause it to tear apart as well.

Once youre done cleaning your cultured pearl earrings, let them dry off completely before keeping them away. Do not use a hair blower to facilitate the drying process.

Always keep your cultured pearl earrings away from other jewelries because its texture is not as tough as other gems like diamonds, opals, or crystals. Its also better to place them inside jewelry pouches instead of jewelry boxes.

Cultured pearl earrings can last several lifetimes if you take special care for it. Clean your cultured pearl earrings regularly, and take care of them well so that you can give them as a gift to your children or even grandchildren and start a new family tradition.

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For more information go to: www.unlimitedpearls.com www.bestpearlnecklaces.com or www.bestpearlearrings.com

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