By now you’ve probably heard about it: the HCG Diet, an extreme diet that involves injections of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG is the hormone women make when they are pregnant. Previously, the HCG Diet was defined by a 500-calorie diet paired with daily injections of HCG.
This diet is associated with dramatic weight loss, up to a pound a day. But the problem, up until now, was that no doctor could explain how it worked, and critics claimed the caloric restrictions are responsible for the weight loss and not the HCG hormone. Critics of the diet have also maintained that […]
What is A Tummy Tuck? 5 Medical Benefits Of The Surgical Procedure
When pregnancy, severe weight loss, or advanced age leave the stomach area saggy and weak people look to a plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck. Medically referred to as an abdominoplasty, this procedure is a common aspect of a “mommy makeover” package; some women are more eager than others to regain their figures post-pregnancy.
Tummy tucks are becoming increasingly more widespread, though they are not typically covered by insurance. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the number of tummy tuck procedures has increased 104 percent since the year […]
You may have heard of a Brazilian butt lift, a relatively straightforward procedure with an exotic-sounding name. This procedure has been popular with celebrities, particularly in light of the fact that well-endowed stars like Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian have no problem flashing their own booties. If you are looking for a way to enhance your own curves, we have a few reasons why a Brazilian butt lift might be worth your consideration.
Double Shaping Benefits
While the main focus of a Brazilian butt lift is on adding shape and fullness to the backside, it offers a double body shaping benefit. The […]
Non-surgical, non-invasive aesthetic procedures work by causing controlled damage that jumpstarts tightening, skin rejuvenation or fat loss.
If you’ve got nagging flaws you want to fix but are hesitant to go under the knife, there’s no shortage of non-surgical options. Whether it’s fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, or unwanted pockets of fat, doctors are making use of the latest scientific breakthroughs in non-invasive aesthetic treatments to help you reach your goals.
We spoke with Charlotte, NC-based board certified dermatologist Elizabeth F. Rostan, M.D. about some of these new treatments, which promise great results with little or no downtime. Here are a few […]
Numbness and tingling to your hand can be the result of a number of problems. The most common cause of tingling and numbness to the thumb, index and middle finger is carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to a problem related to compression of the median nerve at the level of the wrist. Compression of the median nerve will cause tingling and numbness in the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger and occasionally coordination disturbances in the muscles at the base of the thumb.
A thick ligament called the carpal ligament forms the roof of the carpal […]
If you have excess, hanging skin covering the natural fold of the upper eyelids
If you have loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids over the eyelashes
If your upper and lower eyelids appear puffy, making your eyes look tired and aged
If you have deep grooves under your eyes
Considerations
Pros
You will eliminate the puffiness and bags under your lower lids and the hooded skin on your upper lids, making you appear younger and healthier.
You may no longer have vision problems related to overhanging eyelids.
Any scars from the eye lift will be hidden in your natural eyelid creases, making them almost indiscernible.
Cons
It will […]
I’ve been told that I need to have surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. It is really hurting but I don’t want to have surgery. Are there any non-surgical alternatives you might recommend?
Dr Hankins’ answer:
In answering this question, I am making the assumption that you have seen a hand or plastic surgeon, have undergone a physical examination and have had a nerve conduction study. There are a number of conservative measures that can be taken if the symptoms are of recent onset, such as activity modification, splinting at night and steroid injections to the carpal tunnel. However, if the symptoms do […]
Introduction
Botox is a brand name of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are other brand names for botulinum, such as Xeomin. In large amounts, this toxin can cause botulism, which you probably associate with food poisoning. Despite the fact that one of the most serious complications of botulism is paralysis, scientists have discovered a way to use it to human advantage. Small, diluted amounts can be directly injected into specific muscles causing controlled weakening of the muscles.
The FDA approved such usage in the late 1980s upon the discovery that Botox could stop ailments like blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking) […]
As we have blogged about in the past, sclerotherapy is a long-established and effective treatment for the removal of spider veins and varicose veins. Medical professionals have been using this procedure, which has gone largely unchanged, since the 1930s. Moreover, sclerotherapy has a proven success rate. If you are considering the removal of spider veins and varicose veins, we would like to share the main benefits of sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy is a cosmetic procedure. While the procedure can improve symptoms like aches, burning and swelling, for most people spider veins and varicose veins are a cosmetic issue. Varicose veins often appear dark […]
Hundreds of tiny pin pricks going into your skin might sound like the beauty version of waterboarding, but it could just be the best thing that ever happened to your face.
Microneedling (also known as collagen induction therapy) involves using fine needles to create hundreds of tiny, invisible puncture wounds in the top layer of skin. Sound appealing? Not so much. But this minimally invasive treatmentwhether it’s done in-office by a trained aesthetician, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon, or at home using a dermaroller (a small, handheld paint roller coated in tiny needles)is virtually painless and incredibly effective. “The micro-injuries you create […]