Research has shown plastic surgery battled through the recession, with demand for operations increasing by 6.7% this year. According to Mintel, the UK market for cosmetic surgery is estimated to have grown by 17% between 2008 and 2010, reaching a value of £2.3 billion. These statistics suggest going under the knife continues to become more and more attractive in society.

Every year, people up and down the UK decide to have cosmetic surgery, although this is often for different reasons. One might be to give them a confidence boost – perhaps after a divorce or break up – or it might be that they just want to feel better within themselves. Every day, we’re flooded with images of attractive, slim A-list stars, representative of a culture where cosmetic surgery is considered the norm. This celebrity lifestyle could be the reason an estimated 19 million adults in the UK say they would like to have some kind of plastic surgery done – to feel as fabulous as the stars in Hollywood often look.

For others, opting for surgery can be a result of having one specific part of their body that they are unhappy with. It’s not uncommon for kids to be teased at school for this type of thing. Big noses, small breasts, acne… the list goes on. For many, these hurtful comments can go away when their bodies mature and change. But for others, the damage to self esteem remains and they may continue to feel negative about their appearance. Cosmetic surgery offers these people the chance to look at their reflection and feel great. When you look in the mirror each day, a reflection of who you want to be should be what you see – and this confident new you is something plastic surgery can provide.

With over 40 different types of cosmetic surgery, surgeons are able to change just about anything about our bodies. The Mintel research showed that the most popular procedure to have is liposuction, which represents 18.8% of cosmetic operations. Here, fat is taken out of the body from underneath the skin. This is closely followed by breast augmentation, more commonly known as a boob job, which accounts for 17% of procedures. Other popular surgeries include eye lid surgery (13.5%), Rhinoplasty (more commonly known as a nose job) (9.4%) and tummy tucks. Boosting your confidence in life is not always easy, but plastic surgery can often provide a great way to make you feel happier on the inside, as well as the outside.

In America, hundreds of men are rushing toward the nearest cosmetic surgeon’s office to get liposuction for their face or a nose job. Face lifts and Botox are also common procedures with men. Reports show that men are looking to have these surgeries to enhance their appearance and improve their chances of getting a job and pleasing the people they work with. These surgeries add to the confidence level of the men. The most popular procedures that men request include rhinoplasties, botox injections, liposuction and skin treatments.

According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, it appears that Cairns is following a nationwide trend, that first began in the US. In Cairns, cosmetic surgeons report a hike in the national average rate of men who visit plastic surgeons for aid. Men it would seem are following the lead of Hollywood celebrities such as Brad Pitt and are no longer averse to undergoing plastic surgery. “I guess people like Brad Pitt and so on are aging very well, and I suppose his name pops up,” said Gaye Phillips, the CEO of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

As was the case with women who followed the trend set by celebrities who had breast implants and face lifts, the popularity of these procedures began to increase as with the number of female patients outside plastic surgery clinics. It would appear that the same trend has begin with the men now.

The Jade Cosmetic Clinic, a concern that has existed for four years, claims that 29 percent of the clinic’s patients are men. The director of the clinic also cited that when the place was started they had no male patients. “Only the occasional man from interstate or overseas would venture in for a Botox or skin treatment, but last year we had a record number of local men come through the door. With the recent addition of the male only grooming room, we expect to see this number grow,” the director said.

This seems to indicate yet another trend where clinics are focusing on the male clientele and are attempting to make special rooms and treatments exclusive to them to increase their comfort level. This in turn will create an influx on even more male patients seeking plastic surgery.

“There’s more and more emphasis now on men looking good and staying younger now. The taboo has gone out of it, so there are more men approaching our surgeons for surgical procedures,” Phillips also claimed.

Some of the factors that have resulted in the increase in men seeking plastic surgery include the popularity of the procedures, the amount of awareness and of course the celebrity appeal. Men are now comfortable discussing cosmetic surgery, which has been encouraged by Television shows like Nip/Tuck.

In the past, most people viewed plastic surgery as a drastic change that was not healthy. But these days, most people are simply looking to plastic surgery for bust augmentations, mole removal, a little weight loss, the fixing of a nose, or fine line removal. People are not trying to look completely different. Instead they just want to look their best.

The main thing that will cause many people these days to avoid plastic surgery are the plastic surgery prices. If you do not have a lot of money saved up, chances are you will need to have your surgery financed. And if you do not have very good credit, chances are that you will not be able to get your surgery for awhile. Some people have opted to have surgery done in foreign countries in order to avoid the costs involved in getting plastic surgery. But this is not always such a good idea, because plastic surgeons are not always regulated and accredited in foreign countries. So if you have a problem, you will not be able to get help or bring suit against the surgeon.

So if you cannot afford your plastic surgery with your savings, or if no one will extend credit to you, then it is best to just wait until you can meet with a qualified surgeon.

The plastic surgery prices you can expect to pay are dependent on certain factors. Different procedures cost different amounts of money. Also certain surgeons will command higher fees. But going with a really good surgeon is a really good idea, even if you have to pay more. You should not think though that just because a surgeon asks for a lot of money, that he is extra qualified. You should definitely look into his qualifications before you jump into things.

In some states, you will be able to save a few hundred dollars on plastic surgery. You will find that there will be qualified doctors, but because they are living in a state with a low cost of living, you will save money in plastic surgery fees.

Usually, plastic surgery will cost you $2500 (forehead lift, eyelid surgery, ear surgery, cheek implants, chin augmentation) – $6000 (breast augmentation, body lift, facelift, breast lift, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty).

Some people will go into surgery thinking that they can get botox, liposuction, and breast augmentation all at once. Thought you can do these things, you will be looking at paying about $20,000 or more, and the surgeries may not all happen at once.

When it comes to plastic surgery, you will find that the fees are not the same in every state, but the following rates are somewhat consistent within about $1000. If you are financing your sugery, chances are depending on your credit score, you will be charged anywhere from an extra $1000 – $10,000 more in the end for the surgery.

Spider veins are caused when blood does not circulate correctly in the legs. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins are created from small capillaries that swell from blood that has pooled in the legs.

Spider veins tend to take on a web shaped pattern, thus the name. They cannot be felt, and they do not cause pain. Spider veins are not serious problems, but often people who suffer from them may also suffer from the varicose variety, which can be potentially dangerous.

One question you may have is a wondering of how they are caused. If you do not yet have spider veins, there are steps you can take to help avoid them. People who stand for prolonged periods of time are susceptible.

In addition, childbirth, puberty, poor circulation, and menopause can also lead to the vein problems. While not all causes are avoidable, you can try to limit the amount of time you have to stand, where supportive shoes when you must, and avoid crossing your legs when you sit.

Thankfully, there is a treatment for spider veins. If you have only one or two instances of the purple veins, then you may not be worried about them. However, for some people, the veins can cover the backs of their legs and ankles. These people may be very self aware and may wish to have them treated.

The method of treating spider veins is called sclerotherapy. This method is very successful and relatively pain free. The procedure is done in a physician’s office. The doctor injects the vein with a solution that causes the vein to clear away, collapse and disappear from sight.

The total procedure time can be as long as thirty minutes, depending on the extent of the damage. You may also have to come back for more than one procedure if you have sever spider veins.

Another treatment for very tiny veins is a laser, which completely destroys the vein. Lasers can be excellent on small veins, but they do cause some discomfort and bruising.

With either treatment, the removal is permanent and can give your legs a new lease on life. The procedures do not require surgery or stitches, and they are for the most part, pain free.

However, before you can consider the benefits of the tablets, you need to understand a little more about the collagen itself. Collagen is a substance that is naturally found in the body. It is actually a type of protein that can be found working to maintain joint tissues, tendons, and cartilage. It also is the substance that helps give skin elasticity.

Often, the problems that many people face with age can be traced back to their body slowing down on collagen creation. As we age and the process slows, the elasticity of the skin starts disappearing. This means that more wrinkles form since the skin cannot bounce back. It also means that wounds heal slower and the skin is more fragile overall.

A lack of collagen throughout the body causes the stiffness and soreness in joints and muscles than many people experiences with age. Without the maintaining substance, the ligaments, tendons, cartilage and muscles that form our joints and musculoskeletal system, begin to breakdown.

Generally, a decrease is collagen creation begins when a person is in their mid twenties. As they age, the decrease becomes more drastic. It has been determined that by the time we reach the age of forty, our bodies are producing only about half of the collagen that we need.

Collagen tablets are a great alternative to painful injections. Since the tablets can be bought over the counter, they can be much more affordable as well. These tablets can go a long way in helping to replace lost collagen.

The advantage of the collagen tablet is that it is absorbed into the body in a general way through the blood stream, so your body can basically decide where the needed protein goes. Many people choose collagen tablets to help fend off wrinkles and skin issues, but the pills can also be very helpful in relieving joint and muscle stiffness and pain.

It is also believed that the tablets will help with muscle mass, hair and nails. Often, people who take collagen tablets will see a difference in their physical well being overall.

The tablets can be taken daily. It is important to keep in mind that, to start seeing the positive effects of the pills, they must be taken regularly for several weeks.

Eyelash transplants have been a part of the world of cosmetic surgery for well over twenty five years now. Until recently, however, the only candidates for the procedure were people who had been involved in terrible accidents, undergone some form of trauma or patients who suffered from trichotillomania, a disease which causes people to constantly pull out their hair.

Recently, plastic surgeons have reported a different trend with regards to the procedure. An increasing number of people, more specifically women, who pay close to four thousand dollars to undergo the procedure are perfectly healthy and look at eyelash transplants as being cosmetic rather than reconstructive surgery.

How Eyelash Transplants work – During the procedure

Eyelash Transplants require only local anaesthesia and take anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half to be done.

The procedure involves the use of hair follicles from the back of the patients scalp. This part of the scalp, for the purpose of the transplant, is referred to as the donor area. The hair follicles obtained from the donor area are then implanted into the patients’ eyelids. Cosmetic surgeons take care to use only absorbable stitches to seal off the donor area. This is to ensure that there are no visible signs of the procedure during or after surgery.

Most eyelash transplants see patients implanted with close to forty new eyelashes on each eyelid.

How Eyelash Transplants work – Post Procedure

Once implanted into an eyelid, the new eyelashes acclimatise to their new environment and begin to grow. Because of their point of origin, these eyelashes need to be trimmed and maintained just as they would have been, without the transplant. Patients with straight hair often find that they need to perm their eyelashes after the transplant, to keep their eyelashes curled as opposed to straight.

Eyelash Transplants – Recovery Time

Upon completion of the procedure, patients can expect to experience some mild discomfort over the course of the next few hours. Mild bruising in the donor and implant area is also a possibility. However, most surgeons highly recommended that eye make-up is kept to a minimum over the course of the week following the procedure. Based on the patients’ vision of how dense they would like their eyelashes to be, an additional eyelash transplant session with their cosmetic surgeon could be on the cards.

Eyelash Transplants are completely safe and easy to do, when done with a cosmetic surgeon that you know and trust with your eyes, and by default, your sight.

Deciding to go in for this delicate procedure with a surgeon whose credentials you are not fully aware of, or one that gives you cause for concern is not a good idea at all. Industry experts warn women thinking of undergoing eyelash transplants of some of the pitfalls, which include the fact that eyelash transplants could lead to ulcers and, in some cases, blindness.

Sometimes, blood that is supposed to return to the heart after it has been used, does not circulate correctly. This tends to happen the most in the legs. When the blood does not return as it should, it stays in the veins, pooling and causing the veins to distend.

Varicose veins happen when that pooled blood puts pressure on the veins, pushing them outward. Their appearance is of protruding patterns of veins as they push against the skin. They can even appear like gnarly wood. Most people suffer from these veins on their legs and ankles, but they also occur at times on the feet.

Many people who have to stand on their feet for extended periods of time, or people who suffer from poor circulation may suffer from varicose veins. The problem is most prominent in women and obesity or multiple childbirths can also lead to the vein problem.

There is no denying it – varicose veins are ugly. They create unsightly patterns that can make a person want to hide their legs even if the temperature tops out at one hundred degrees. Unfortunately, the look of varicose veins is not the only problem. People who suffer from the problem severely will experience pain and throbbing in their legs.

Extremely serious varicose veins can lead to potentially life threatening blood clots.  Skin ulcers where the veins burst and bleed can also happen in bad cases.

Now that you know the unsightly truth, you must be wondering what can be done. Thankfully, there is treatment available. There are a number of treatments available for the problem.

Exercise, weight loss, and supportive stockings can ease minor problems with varicose veins. The veins can be closed up with special injections or lasers. In the very severe cases, surgery can be performed.

New non-surgical procedures, where a doctor uses a catheter to clean out the bad vein and close it up are becoming a more popular option over surgery since it can be done in a doctor’s office.

If you suffer from varicose veins that are severe enough to feel pain, then you should definitely talk to a doctor so that you can make sure you do not suffer from any worsening condition.

Next to collagen, hyaluronic acid is the next major constituent of the skin and thus restylane gives volume to the skin which is much more than collagen. There is no requirement of allergy testing as it is a natural product. Restylane is a very different product from Botox as Botox relaxes the wrinkle creating muscles whereas restylane fills the lines. However, sometimes even both of them can be used together for perfection in deeper lines.

Many people get apprehensive regarding the safety of the injections but the fact is that restylane has been in use since 1996 and doesn’t even require any allergy testing. Minor redness or swelling can be there but it is temporary and vanishes within two to three days. Restylane is majorly used in more than 70 countries for reversing the effects of ageing and for enhancing the appearance of lips. Below, is an illustration of the restylane treatment:

Usually, the process is a simple one which takes hardly thirty minutes to get completed or slightly longer as per the area which needs treatment. Sometimes the injections can be a bit uncomfortable pertaining to the discomfort caused by the numbing agent which is given an hour before beginning the treatment. It is advisable to avoid non steroidal medications, aspirin, Vitamin E supplements or alcohol before receiving the injection as it will help in decreasing the bruising at the injection site. Once you have got your treatment, leave the treated are undisturbed for at least five days and you may use Tylenol or Advil for any discomfort.

There can be mild swelling at the area of injection which should vanish within four days and the bruising can take a minimum of one week. However, you can resume your normal activities immediately after the treatment. Your treatment will have a lasting time of at least six months if the amount of restylane administered is appropriate. Thus, you can have two or three treatments in a year. You can also have follow up treatments which are done to enhance a lasting effect of the treatment. After it wears off, is metabolized by the body as the product degrades when its molecules combine with water.

Usually, the treatment costs $300 to $600 depending on various factors like age, the area of application, the patient being a female or a male, etc.

This article was written by Cosmetic Harmony. Cosmetic Harmony is a cosmetic surgery group providing the plastic surgery in Bogotá, Colombia.

However, Jenny was not always non-biodegradable. In fact, once upon a time, she was the all American girl next door. She was even voted Most Beautiful Girl by her classmates at one point. But like all teenage girls before her, Jenny Lee had a dream. Her dream was to be the most beautiful girl in the world! (Read more about her here)

But, unlike most girls with the same dream, who merely work out, learn how to expertly apply their make-up or dream of being Miss America, Jenny decided to cut to the chase and have her plastic surgeon moonlight as her fairy godmother and give her all her hearts desires, which included a nose that resembled Michael Jackson, lips that had the same pucker as Angelina Jolie’s, Jennifer Aniston’s’ jaw line, Jennifer Lopez’ profile and of course a Double D sized bust line.

Jenny’s plastic surgery romance began at around the age of 20, when her husband at the time would mock her, saying that her breasts were too small and her nose was not shaped right. The constant barrage of insults made Jenny want to change those parts of her body that her husband disliked so much. She had breast implants put in to please her husband, except, the implants got Jenny a lot more attention around town. Her husband soon became jealous of the extra attention Jenny was getting and started insulting her because she had put in implants.

Within a year and a half of her surgery, Jenny’s left implant slipped out and she had to revisit her plastic surgeon to have both implants taken out and replaced. This visit, for all intents and purposes, marks the beginning of Jenny’s modifications to her body. While there to get new implants, Jenny also had a full body liposuction and rhinoplasty done. All of her procedures at the time were still a result of being told by her husband that she was overweight and that her nose was too big.

This set a seed in Jenny’s mind, which grew into a need to constantly improve on her body. No procedure was ever good enough to be the last and no body part was good enough to be left alone.

In her early thirties today, a mother of two and married for the second time, Jenny has undergone 44 plastic surgery related procedures so far, including four rhinoplasty related surgeries, three breast enlargement procedures, liposuction on her hips, arms, stomach, thighs, knees and various other parts of her body, a complete body lift and, of course, botox. On an average, Jenny has spent around $100,000 on her obsession with plastic surgery. (Read more here)

Sadly, not all of her plastic surgery procedures work like a charm, all the time. One of her rhinoplasties resulted in one of her nostrils collapsing, and to this day, Jenny claims she cannot breathe through her nose like most people. There are days, she says, when she has to use cotton swabs to clear her nasal passage, to breathe better. Not doing this can cause nosebleeds and other adverse reactions. Jenny also had complications from a lip implant when the implant in her left lip ripped open, leaving her lower lip crooked.

Jenny is constantly quizzed on her need to modify and tweak her body in keeping with those of celebrities and why she cannot see that she is a beautiful woman in her own right and doesn’t need to go under the knife. In fact, it was these questions and these issues that saw Jenny appear twice on the Oprah Winfrey show (see video) and once on Larry King Live (read transcript).

The first Oprah show, which Jenny was a part of, was centred on a disorder called Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD) that has been affecting people all across the world for some time now. Studies into the disorder indicate that BDD surfaces in the teenage years of most of the people affected by it, and gradually goes from being a general dislike of a certain aspect of their body to an obsession with the way they look and believing that they do not look like other people.

Jenny is a textbook case of someone who sees themselves as being flawed and sometimes, downright ugly. How people with BDD deal with their condition varies from individual to individual. Some hide away within the walls of their home and leave home only under the most extreme circumstances. Some pick elements of their body that they feel are flawed and decide to change them with plastic surgery to be in line with the looks of someone who the world thinks is beautiful. This is clearly the side of the coin that Jenny Lee has chosen, with her modifying different parts of her body to look like Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez.

When asked by Larry King if she ever planned on stopping modifying the way she looked, Jenny replied that she didn’t believe she would ever stop going under the knife, because she liked the way it made her feel.

Her plastic surgeon, who has been responsible for all her procedures to date and who has not been named, has received a lot of flak from fellow plastic surgeons and the public for encouraging Jenny’s Body Dismorphic Disorder and continuing to nip and tuck as and when Jenny requests it.

When asked what her family and friends think of her plastic surgery addiction and what she is doing to her body, Jenny states that she is not the type of person to ask anyone’s opinion when it comes to what she does with her life and that her family know that, ultimately, it is her life to do with as she pleases.

Jenny aspires to be an actress, and thanks to her plastic surgery obsession, has received a lot of free publicity via talk shows like Oprah and Larry King Live. She has done a bit of modelling and acting over the years as well. See a slideshow of her pictures here.

Read more about Jenny Lee here, here, here and here.

10 Types of popular unnecessary plastic surgery include:

1. Feline De-Clawing

What happens if Kitty starts scratching at your $45,000 hand bag?

Forget the time and effort required to train kitty, just take your feline friend down to your friendly cosmetic surgeon.

Feline de-clawing has sometimes been aptly named a “series of amputations.” Every  last bone on your feline friends claw toes are removed (including the nerves, muscles and tendons.)

It might hurt but now your furry friend can cause no more damage to your designer hand bags.

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2. Testicular Implants

Now an oligarchs guard dog can be neutered without the inevitable drop in macho image due to his lack of cojones.

Neuticles are implanted during the neutering operation and look exactly like the real thing.

“He licks them like they’re real, and I can tell he would rather have them than nothing,” says Ryan.

At $400 a pair these plastic testicles don’t come cheap.

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3. Canine Tail Docking

In order to improve the beauty of some dogs, the end of their tail is chopped off. Most countries have now decided to ban tail docking but it is still legal in the oligarch homeland of Russia.

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4. Canine Nose Job:

Surgery is at hand if your Bulldog is getting bullied about his big nose or more importantly is having congenital breathing problems. Nose jobs help can help your bulldog breath more clearly and it may even help their self esteem.

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5. Doggy Breast Reduction.

Some Bitches can have such floppy bosom following pregnancy that reduction via surgery is the only option. I am still wondering if doggy breast enlargement exists but I don’t fancy entering the dark world of bestiality.

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6. Ear Straightening

Whilst not a particularly common problem in humans, the problem of ear dropping affects dogs worldwide. Dr Edgard Brito was the first plastic surgeon to successfully complete this treatment.

His patient Bruto (see picture) had one ear that drooped which meant the end of his show dog career. By injecting Bruto’s ear with Restylane (used in humans for wrinkle removal), Dr Brito was able to restore Bruto’s ear to its non-droopy state.

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7. Dog Face Lift

There are some cases of cosmetic surgery for dogs that are not just to improve appearance. Due to intense breeding, some breeds such as bulldogs have so many skin folds that it can lead to infection and discomfort.

Most cosmetic skin fold surgery is around the eyes, tails, lips and vaginal area.

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8. Eye Replacement

If Bruno loses his eye don’t settle for a doggy eye patch. For $2000 you could get your pooch a Terminator eye that would send shiver down the spine of would be intruders

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9.Removing Red Panties

Did Bruno just eat a pair of red panties? Don’t despair help is at hand.

Dr Michael Pavletic of Boston Angell Animal Medical Shelter told reporters that he recently extracted the pair of red knickers from the a dogs abdomen (the panties did not belong to the owner.)

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10. Doggy Braces

Normally if your dog cracks his teeth, you just get them removed. With money no object, the option of dog braces is no longer ludicrous.

I wonder if a savage Rottweiler with lime green braces would still strike fear into would-be intruders?

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