Craig Revel Horwood

Strictly Come Dancing is back for another sequin-packed series, but there’s been a change to the judging panel – and we’re not talking about Darcey Bussell. Mr Nasty himself – also known as Craig Revel Horwood – has had some work done and he isn’t ashamed to admit it. The controversial choreographer recently had gynaecomastia surgery to get rid of his man boobs. Why? Well, as he recently told the Mirror: “I couldn’t cha-cha-cha without them jigging in my face.”

Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsey’s wrinkled chin was as much as part of his identity as his shocking vocabulary – but that has all changed. The foul-mouthed chef, renowned for shows like The F Word and Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, has reportedly had the deep creases in his chin filled in an attempt to make him look less scary on US TV. He’s also said to have had a facelift and a hair transplant – but did he get his money’s worth?

Amy Childs

Breast enlargement surgery is popular these days, but many stars are having one, two or even more boob jobs to perfect their assets – and Amy Childs is no different. The former TOWIE star and notorious Essex girl went under the knife for the second time earlier this year and is now rocking 32DDs instead of 32Cs if reports are true. She told New! magazine: “I feel so much more confident now. It bloody hurt, but they were so worth it!”

Katie Price

Katie Price, AKA Jordan, is renowned for her surgically-enhanced chest. The glamour girl – who made her name modeling for The Sun amongst other publications – has had multiple procedures on her breasts and has flaunted both small and large assets over the years. According to Wikipedia, she had her first boob job when she was 19 – increasing her natural 32B chest to a 32FF and has since had many more surgeries including breast reduction operations.

Plastic surgery is popular with celebs, but would you have any work done?

English: Male with very severe gynecomastia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gynaecomastia is the overgrowth of male breast tissue. It can cause man boobs (or ‘moobs’) to form and is a somewhat embarrassing condition – so let’s find out more.

What causes gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia is often caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body – particularly a drop in testosterone and a surge in oestrogen. When this happens, the circulating oestrogen tends to affect the breast tissue causing woman-like boobs to form. While an oversized chest can shrink down and flatten out with time, the problem often remains prompting men to seek medical help.

Are some people more at risk?

In short, the answer is yes. Unfortunately, teenage boys are at risk as there hormone levels tend to fluctuate quite dramatically. Some boys may notice changes to their breast ducts from the age of ten, while others will notice their chest is larger throughout adolescence. Gynaecomastia is also seen a lot in older men as they tend to store more fat cells. These produce excess oestrogen stimulating small bosoms to form.

Is there a cure for gynaecomastia?

As gynaecomastia is a benign (non-cancerous condition), many men simply choose to live with their man boobs – but there is a medical solution. Male breast reductions are available at clinics across the UK and help to reduce the size of the chest. During surgery, liposuction is used to remove excess fat from the body and glandular tissue is taken away if necessary. Many men also choose to have loose or baggy skin removed too, but this is a personal decision.

Are any other cures available?

According to Breast Cancer Care – which offers information and advice for people suffering with breast-related conditions – a healthy lifestyle can keep gynaecomastia under control. How? Well, it’s known that the more fat cells a person has in their body, the more oestrogen they produce. As this can cause breast tissue to grow, maintaining a healthy weight and achieving a normal BMI is essential.

Does everyone with man boobs have gynaecomastia?

The answer to this question is no! If a person is overweight, a buildup of fatty tissue can cause pseudo boobs to form. Burning calories and dropping the pounds can often solve this problem, so it’s worth speaking to a personal trainer if you need help. It’s possible for a patient of have both fatty tissue and gynaecomastia but a proper diagnosis is the only way to be sure.

The overgrowth of breast tissue is a very common problem, so don’t feel embarrassed about asking for help.

If you have a smaller bust and would like your breasts to become larger or at least appear larger, there are many natural ways to achieve this as opposed to getting surgery. Surgery may seem appealing right now, but if there are natural ways to achieve firm looking breasts, why not focus on this factor first? From healthy eating to taking herbal pills, there are many ways to help your breasts stay healthy and large. Pay attention to your daily diet and wear padded bras and you will most likely forget about the need to make your breasts larger. They now will be large and healthy enough already!

Maintain Healthy Breasts by Healthy Eating –

If your breasts are currently large already perhaps you should focus on maintaining their firmness as opposed to focusing on making them larger. Breasts will stay firm and large (or become larger if you have smaller breasts) by focusing on a proper diet which should include foods that have great nutrition. Focus on consuming enough vegetables, fruit, meat, and whole grains daily. Breasts are mainly fatty tissue covered by your skin so eating healthy and maintaining mental clarity will no doubt enhance the fat tissues surrounding your breasts.

Taking ginseng supplements in the UK are another way to add to your breasts. Taking multivitamins and herbal remedies will keep your body and breasts in excellent condition, but eating foods that are rich in vitamins C, E, and A will also keep your skin in excellent condition, thereby resulting in breast enhancement. Be careful with what you eat and your body will look attractive on a daily basis. You can also look into other foods such as fennel seeds, which are have said to increase your estrogen levels, thus making your breasts larger.

Herbal Remedies Result in Larger Breasts –

Consult with a doctor prior to taking herbal remedies, but many supposedly make your breasts larger! Fennel seeds were already mentioned but in addition to these seeds, there are other herbal ingredients that increase a woman’s estrogen content as well:  ginseng, blessed thistle, wild yam, soy, and dandelion. Enlarge your breasts with natural remedies that can be taken raw or via a pill form with the same ingredients.

Padded Bras Make Breasts Appear Larger –

If all else fails and you’d prefer not to have surgery on your smaller breasts, why not try padded bras? There are many companies that make gorgeous bras that have ample padding. If you’d like to have larger breasts during special occasions there are bras that will do the trick. Overall, instead of focusing on achieving a larger bust, focus on your body’s health and the rest will follow, including larger breasts!

Contrary to popular belief, non-surgical procedures are for men – as well as women. They can help you prepare for a big date or a night on the town and are available at clinics across the UK.

Here are five of the best:

Laser hair removal

Do you suffer from a bushy back or hairy toes? If so, you could benefit from laser hair removal. This “lunchtime treatment” kills each hair follicle at the root and can leave you with a soft, smooth complexion. It can permanently remove hair from most parts of the body and is relatively pain free – so you won’t have to pretend to be macho.

Chemical peel

If you’ve got pimples, blackheads or acne, a chemical peel could be just what you need. Skin can become clogged with dead skin cells – making it look dull and lifeless – but this treatment can help remove grime and grease from your face. It provides a deep form of exfoliation and will leave you feeling fresh, revitalised and on top form. There are a range of formulas available, so visit an experience practitioner for advice.

Microdermabrasion

Everybody’s skin needs a little pick-me-up from time-to-time, so why not book a course of microdermabrasion?  This non-surgical procedure gently polishes the top layer of skin and can reveal a glowing complexion. Each treatment usually takes around 45-minutes, but a course is usually recommended for optimum results. If you’re worried about visiting a clinic, learn how to make a homemade facemask and revitalise your appearance behind closed doors.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane are used to fill hollows in the face. These special formulas can get rid of lines and wrinkles and are injected into the face using very fine needles. Due to the nature of the treatment, results can be seen instantly, but you may need a little top up here and there to maintain your looks.

Botox

Do you have a condition called hyperhidrosis? If so, Botox can stop you from sweating profusely. A Botox formula is injected into the sweat glands under your arms and blocks the nerve impulses – without affecting other nerve functions. The full affects are usually noticeable after 10 days and the results will last for several months – helping you to feel more confident.

There are many cosmetic procedures available these days – but would you give them a go?

Bella has been a cosmetic surgery blogger since her university days, she regular writes blog posts on advice and information for people looking for more information from male breast reduction to a non-surgical chemical peel.

You’ll find there are a number of reputable clinics that offer this type of thing, but here is a bit of a guide to the two types of skin treatment you are likely to come across:

Laser hair removal

Ideal for those who are tired of dealing with unwanted body hair on a regular basis, laser hair removal is a hassle-free alternative to shaving, waxing and plucking that is a much less painful one too. Even if you’re someone who likes to go for epilation or threading, these are still procedures that have to be done fairly regularly.

Where laser hair removal provides an excellent non-surgical solution is in its status as a procedure that offers a more permanent fix. Pulses of light are used to damage the follicles. However, as each session you have will only kill those follicles in the active growth stage, it is recommended you take a course of treatments to make sure all hairs are targeted. In addition, it is a procedure that is pretty much pain free and takes no time at all. In fact, depending on the area that is being targeted, sessions can take part in your lunch hour.

IPL laser

Another great option to consider for your skin is IPL laser. This is another simple, fast and convenient non-surgical treatment that works quickly. It is used primarily to cure a number of problems like sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, rosacea, broken capillaries, blemishes, birth marks, port wine stains and age spots. Not only that, but it can also be used with some of the other procedures that are popular today like skin peels and microdermabrasion.

IPL laser uses a process of photorejuvenation to boost skin texture and tone, by applying bursts of red or blue light onto the skin which penetrates the tissue. Once this is done, the body’s natural processes take over to remove the injured tissue – which in turn leaves you with fresher, younger-looking skin.

Both of the above procedures can see results pretty quickly; however everyone is different so it is recommended you spend some time with a qualified practitioner discussing what the best option for you might be.

Here are just some of the issues that can be cured:

Excess hair

Believe it or not, many women suffer from excess hair on their face, neck, chest, stomach and breasts. It can appear for a number of reasons, but polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the main causes. According to the NHS, PCOS affects millions of ladies in the UK and can cause a hormonal imbalance – which triggers the hair growth. Luckily, laser hair removal can permanently remove hair from most body parts, so it’s definitely worth arranging a consultation if you have this problem.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that usually appear in the legs and feet

49 year old male (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

. They are often purple in colour and occur when the small valves in the veins stop working properly – allowing blood to flow backwards. They don’t usually present a serious health problem and can be treated using compression stockings that are designed to improve circulation. If the veins cause significant discomfort, however, there are numerous surgical procedures that can remove them.

Thread veins

Thread veins are damaged veins and capillaries just below the skin that can appear purple or red. They’re usually smaller than varicose veins and can show up anywhere on the face, body or legs – especially as we age. Veins of this kind are often inherited, but they can also be caused by excessive sun exposure, pregnancy, steroids, alcohol, smoking and prolonged standing. While some people choose to ignore them, others undergo laser treatment, which can improve the skin’s appearance.

Moles

Moles are extremely common and can vary in size, shape and colour. They’re usually harmless, but if they affect your confidence it’s wise to see your doctor. Many clinics offer mole removal surgery and will do all they can to leave you with a clean, clear complexion. Typically, a sample of the mole will be removed for analysis (to check for abnormal cells) before the procedure is completed. It may leave a small scar, but this should fade in time.

If you’re worried about something, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice! You might be surprised at the amount of help that’s on offer!

English: The final sutures securing the umbilicus (also known as "belly button") into its new position after an abdominoplasty. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These days there’s no body part too big or small, too major or minor, to be treated with cosmetic surgery. One type of surgery that has grown in popularity in the western world over the past few years is umbilicoplasty, a procedure which corrects the appearance of a person’s belly button.

We’ve all got one, but is yours an innie? An outie? Somewhere between the two? While the majority of people tend to have the former, it’s also quite common to have the latter. And although many people think their outie is cute, for others it can be source of big embarrassment. While few of us would be brave enough to wear crop tops or short shirts for work, it’s normal to wear this type of attire at other times in our day, such as when we’re working out, daring to bare on the beach or wearing something racy and revealing for a night out.

Having what you believe to be an unattractive belly button could even knock your sexual confidence and hamper your attempts to build intimate relationships with people. Ultimately, it’s amazing how such a small thing can have a big effect on confidence and self-worth.

How does umbilicoplasty work?
To understand how to treat an outie belly button, it’s first important to know how your naval ends up looking this way in the first place. An outie is actually small umbilical hernia, a bodily feature caused at birth or as a result of other unrelated surgery, such as a Caesarean section during childbirth. Pregnancy, weight gain and weight loss can also be common causes of having an outie belly button.

Typically, the operation involves making a small incision on the surface of the belly button to make the cavern slightly smaller. Carrying out the operation on this part of the naval usually means there are no scars left behind. The procedure can last anything between 30 minutes and three hours, usually under local anaesthetic.

Although umbilicoplasty can be carried out as a stand-alone procedure, there’s also the option to include it with other treatments such as a tummy tuck or lower body lift. Once the surgery is complete, the recovery time usually takes around a week or so, although it’s possible to return to your normal daily routine straight away. Patients usually take painkillers for the first few days and are advised to contact their surgeon if they notice any bleeding or signs of infection.

Kathryne is the owner and author of thefabzilla.com, a blog about beauty, DIY and lifestyle. She lives in the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Outside blogosphere, she’s a licensed healthcare professional by trade, a jewelry artisan on the side, a dog mama to a smart English cocker spaniel, and a domestic diva to a man who supports her multi-faceted passion.

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Today’s modern man, often known as the ‘metrosexual’ man, no longer needs to hide the fact that he cares about his appearance. Where, once upon a time, cosmetic surgery only ever applied to women, an increasing number of men are now going under the knife in order to achieve the perfect look. In fact according to the results of a recent study undertaken by American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 15% of its patients are now male and around 20% of clients requesting Botox injections are men.

So why is it all of a sudden acceptable for men to enter what was previously only thought of as a woman’s world? Maybe it has something to do with celebrities such as David Beckham, Ashton Kutcher, Zac Efron and many, many more making it not only acceptable, but incredibly cool to be a modern metrosexual man who cares about his appearance. Or could it be more to do with the increasing number of women voicing their admiration for a man who likes to take care of himself and his appearance? Slobs are most definitely not on the dating agenda where today’s women are concerned.

But exactly how far are men prepared to go? Some further than others, that’s for sure. For, despite what current trends might suggest, some men will still look upon cosmetic procedures as vain, stupid, not for real men and embarrassing. However, for those who can afford it and are not afraid to go for what they want, cosmetic treatments are definitely on the rise. So, what are the options? What is becoming not only acceptable, but popular and what do these procedures cost?

Nose Reshaping

Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) was one of the first cosmetic procedures to become widely accepted among the male population and continues to be one of the most popular procedures to date. No longer do men need to go through life lacking in confidence and being ridiculed for an “imperfect” nose as rhinoplasty surgery from a reputable clinic can cost between £3,000 and £4,000.

Chin Implants

Chin implants are becoming increasingly popular as men seeking that chiselled, masculine look will undoubtedly be seeking a strong, manly chin. Chin implants can make your chin larger or just improve the shape to suit the type of face you have, allowing your features to appear more proportionate and balanced. Chin implants can change your entire look and are often combined with other procedures in order to achieve good facial symmetry. This perfection, however, comes at a cost with the average implant starting at £4,000 to £5000.

Eye Bag Removal or Eye Lift Surgery

Another popular procedure for men wishing to appear younger than their years is the eye bag removal or eye lift. The stresses of everyday life, hard work, lack of sleep, too much sun, smoking or even some hereditary factors can all contribute to the eyes sagging, resulting in premature ageing. You can have the upper eyelid corrected, the lower eye line, or indeed both procedures together for an effective outcome and a far younger appearance with prices starting at anywhere upwards of £2,000.

Chest Reduction & Implants

Men have often said that one of the most embarrassing body defects to be cursed with is a large chest – i.e. man boobs, or moobs as they’re often referred to. These fatty deposits can develop around the chest during puberty and often disappears with age however unfortunately for some, it can also remain into adulthood.

Weight loss and ageing can also cause the chest to look large and saggy and an increasing number of men are looking towards male breast reduction surgery in order to address this problem. A chest reduction involves liposuction to remove excess fat and sometimes the removal of glandular tissue or loose skin is also required. Typical costs for this type of procedure are between £2,000 and £3,000 but can provide men with a new lease of life and level of confidence that can far outweigh the cost of surgery.

For reasons more to do with vanity, some men are now considering pectoral implants in order to give them that perfect bodybuilder type shape. If considering this type of enhancement, make sure you go to a recommended surgeon (as with all surgery) as there seems to be an increased amount of clinics abroad offering to carry out this procedure a little too cheaply. The implant is inserted through an incision in the chest or armpit, whichever is more suitable, under a general anaesthetic.

Due to the invasive nature of the surgery required to achieve the perfect pectorals the recovery time for such a procedure could extend over a number of weeks. Potential patient’s pockets may also take some time to recover as reputable clinics can charge anywhere between £6,000 and £10,000 for pectoral implants.

This noticeable shift in social acceptance of men going to such lengths to enhance what nature gave them bundled with the decreasing cost of these procedures as the demand soars and competition starts to squeeze clinics’ margins seems to highlight a cosmetic trend that is only going to grow. It must be advised that whatever type of surgery you are considering please be sure to get grounded and impartial advice from your own GP and other accredited medical sources rather than being swayed by results that seems too good to be true and the temptation to go for the cheapest option available.

The article was produced by Ed Beardsell a writer for the cosmetic surgery comparison site Clinic Compare which offers free advice and guidance on all aspects of male cosmetic surgery.

Botox (Photo credit: AJC1)

Think of Botox and what immediately springs to mind? A frozen face with a fixed smile? Ridiculous Hollywood foreheads? You’re not alone – these are stereotypes that have existed around this treatment for years. We’ve all seen magazine articles showing the before and after shots of the stars’ Botox shots – and many of us will have wondered why they bothered when the after shot looks worst than the earlier one.

However, recent advances in the technology and application have meant that patients are able to achieve a much more natural look, something that it appears many have been crying out for.

She magazine recently reported on these developments and found many Botox experts have differing opinions on how to achieve a modern, subtle look. Dr Sebagh commented that “using a reduced concentration of Botox stops unconscious frowning, but allows you to move your face at will”.

Meanwhile, New York-based practitioner Dr Adam Geyer said he leans towards the ‘little and often’ approach to this non-cosmetic wondercure. “A small amount more frequently gives a more natural overall feel,” he explained.

Dr Susan Mayou, a consultant dermatologist, is looking even further into the future and the possible use of a cream version of Botox, which is currently at phase two of medical trials in the US. “So far, the results look promising,” she added.

However, the column goes on to suggest that creams can only go so far – and in fact that traditional Botox is the only real way of tackling issues like crow’s feet and frown lines.

In our view, all of the evidence released recently points towards Botox offer a much more natural look in the future – and this can only be good for patients. Although some people are keen to show off what they’ve had done, for other cosmetic surgery patients, subtly is the name of the game. In fact, the noises coming out of clinics at the moment suggest that more and more patients are looking for barely-there boob jobs and other hidden treatments. The age of understatement, in the cosmetic surgery world at least, looks to be upon us.

So, with this in mind, we’ve been wondering what the future will look like – and specifically how cosmetic surgery patients will look, both famous and ordinary. Will Hollywood stars be noted for their natural looks, rather than ridiculous frozen faces? Will more and more people have Botox? We’re looking forward to finding out.