Pregnancy is a life-changing phase in a woman s life. In addition to a baby (or babies!), there are a lot of physical and emotional changes also that come with it. The more evident are the physical ones, and in addition to weight changes, the stretch marks are the most obvious.

The uterus or the womb grows to its full extent to accommodate the developing baby, and so there is stretching of the connective tissue in these areas. After delivery, the tension is lost, and these marks become evident.

What are stretch marks?

These marks appear as lines on the skin and are most commonly found in areas such as the buttocks, arms, breasts, thighs and stomach. They are different in appearance in comparison to the normal skin. It may appear pinkish or purplish initially and then it takes a shiny appearance later. When you feel the stretch marks, you may feel a certain indentation or ridge on the skin. It may feel sore or itchy as well sometimes.

They most commonly appear during adolescence when there is rapid growth and stretching of the skin. It is also seen in women pre and post pregnancy. Stretch marks can also appear when there is a sudden change in weight.

How To Treat Them?

Use Moisturisers: People who use moisturisers show an increased elasticity of the skin, which reduces the appearance of stretch marks on the skin. Keeping the skin hydrated stops the skin from tearing and creating stretch marks. Moisturising is not entirely effective on older marks, but it can help with newly formed stretch marks. You can also use it on areas that are prone to stretch marks.

Retin-A: Retin- A is known to boost collagen production that helps the skin to stretch out with ease and not cause tears. When Retin-A is used, it is recommended to limit the sun exposure as the skin becomes more susceptible to sun damage and burning.

Glycolic Acid: This chemical compound falls under the category of an alpha-hydroxy acid which is commonly found as a major ingredient in chemical peels. It is known to amplify the production of collagen and increase the tensile strength of the skin. Go to your dermatologist for a stronger dose for more effective results.

A Combination of Retin-A and Glycolic Acid: A combination of these two potentiates the action of each other and gives better results.

Vitamin E Oil: You can find Vitamin E oil capsules in medical shops that are known as the miracle medication when it comes to curing stretch marks.

Essential Oils: Certain essential oils like rose oil, lavender oil, or geranium oil are known to reduce stretch marks.

Vascular Laser: Pulsed dye laser that is kept at the wavelength of 585 nm is used to remove the stretch marks that are red and newly formed. It may not be effective on the older ones that have turned silver. This process is highly expensive and needs about 6 sittings. The efficacy of this procedure also depends on the complexion of the skin. Much like laser hair removal, vascular laser does not work on darker skin. The colour difference between the marks and the actual skin tone should be prominent.

Fractional Laser Treatment or Laser Resurfacing: This is used to get rid of the older stretch marks that have turned light and are no longer red. This procedure is more expensive than the previous one and is prone to leave scars on the site of application.

Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck: The only permanent solution to get rid of stretch marks is to cut them out entirely. If you are tired of the stubborn tiger stripes, then this could be your only way out.

RF Micro-Needling Device: This is a more cost effective alternative to CO2 Laser Resurfacing that could be used on any stretch mark types  new and old . The micro needles are driven directly into the skin to a certain depth (0.2mm-3.0mm) and radiofrequency (RF) energy is then released inside the skin. Minimally invasive RF thermal energy creates fractional electrocoagulation in the dermis which facilitates a natural wound healing process promoting the remodelling of collagen.

10 Tips To Treat Stretch Marks Effectively

How does salt help in clearing skin?

Of all the health problems current lifestyle poses, one that harasses both men are women, at times even in their 30s, is marks or blemishes on the face. Acne and blemishes have become almost constant features on the skin, all thanks to the irregular eating habits, junk food, alcohol, late nights and of course, pollution. It is one of the lesser known facts that salt helps clear up the skin. Sea salt and epsom salt are the ideal salts to be used. Let us see how.

1. Salt for bathing - adding salt to your bath is advised for physical and spiritual cleansing. After you are done with your usual bath and washed off the soap, have a bath with salt mixed water. This not only clears the complexion overall but also lightens dark marks on the body.
2. Salt for application - two teaspoons of sea salt mixed with water and applied on the face with cotton, three times a day is said to treat the problem of acne. Having the natural ability to reduce moisture, salt does wonders to your skin by drying out the oils. This eliminates chances of pores getting clogged, closes them and increasing bacterial buildup.
3. Salt as a mask - salt when mixed with honey makes a great mask for the skin. Since both the ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties, this mask soothes the skin, retains hydration in the skin and balances the oil production. A couple of teaspoons of finely ground sugar, when mixed with double the amount of raw honey, makes a perfect balancing mask for the skin.
4. Salt as toner spray - a teaspoon of sea salt mixed with some warm water in a spray bottle until the salt is dissolved makes for a perfect spray toner. Make sure to avoid the eyes, though.
5. Salt for exfoliation - salt is known to be a skin-exfoliate and is often found in body scrubs. One can also make scrubs at home by mixing together aloe vera juice or gel, salt, oil of your choice, essential oil and dried lavender flowers.

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Do You Know Salt Is Only God For Clear Skin?

Dermatology is a very vast subject and many times it crosses the medical field to the cosmetology sector, where beautiful skin maintenance is concerned. The case of mole removal, for example, is handled by dermatologists. However, while examining the moles they first confirm that they do not, in any way, pose the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. In fact, it has been reported that a dermatologist in Christchurch, New Zealand is offering free checkups during weekends for melanoma. Her plight is that she lost her brother to melanoma and many people make the mistake of ignoring moles on their skin and pay the heavy price.

A Professional Way Better than Trying at Home
For exactly the reason mentioned above, if you find moles on your skin, you should have the area examined by a dermatologist. The doctor would have the right instruments to identify and check whether they are only moles and then advise the appropriate removal. If the advice from the doctor itself indicates a simple procedure at home, then you can do this. There are over the counter products, such as peels available which can be used and then the moles can be removed. For other cases, you will need to subject yourself to a proper mole removal procedure.

Simple Methods For Surgeries
Chemical peels and burning away the extra growth using Cantharidin are some of the options available to dermatologists to remove moles from your skin. They may either have their own proprietary peels made or use the ones available in the market. Either way, the dermatologist will know how to prepare the skin before applying the remedy and also after treatment care. Skin is a very sensitive part of the body and no risk can be taken. If the mole removal has to be carried out only through a surgical procedure, the dermatologist will make that decision and do it as soon as you are ready.

Again, within the surgical method of removing moles, the doctor may use very simple procedures such as a scalpel to cut and remove the mole as well as a small amount of skin and dress it up. In the next level, the doctor may have to make a proper incision and then stitch up the area around the cut portion. Care will be taken regarding the scar on the skin.

Take Care of Your Skin
Depending on which part of the world you live in, there are steps you must take to protect your skin from getting damaged. In particular, the areas, like the face, neck, shoulders and hands which are exposed to the sun or cold winds or other vagaries that pose risks to the surface of the skin. The moment you observe signs of any abnormality in the skin, consult a good dermatologist to get healthy skin.

Mole Removal - What To Know?

All ayurvedic treatments have their roots in hundreds of years of research and thus are extensive. The philosophy followed by these treatments is that every human being in governed by three doshas of forces - vata (air), pitta (fire) and kapha (earth). Depending on the force that is in highest proportion in an individual, all his psychological and physical attributes are determined. Hair loss is attributed to the pitta dosha which is concentrates on metabolism and digestion. The various methods to treat premature loss of hair, according to ayurvedic principles are:


	Balancing the pitta dosha:&nbsp;pitta dosha can be managed by eating less salty, fried and spicy food, consuming limited amount of alcohol, coffee and meat and reducing smoking habits. Certain herbs can curb excess pitta like shatavari or asparagus and bitter vegetables.
	Ayurvedic oil and shampoo: an effective remedy is oil made by boiling a cup of neem (margosa) leaves in 4 cups of water. The mixture is then strained and stored. If applied at night and rinsed off in the morning, hair loss can be prevented and your hair gets healthier. An ayurvedic shampoo can be made at home by preparing a mixture of methi (fenugreek), green bean (mung dal), soapberries, lemon juice and curry leaves which need to grinded well together before applying on the scalp.
	Ayurvedic diet plan:&nbsp;ayurveda believes that a well-balanced diet is the preventive measure to most ailments, including hair loss. Consuming vegetables with high protein and iron content like cauliflower, kale, pumpkin leaves, spinach, salsify, lentils, beet greens, string beans, dandelion greens, raisins, soybeans etc. Proves to be helpful in this regard. This diet can also help to combat systemic diseases like alopecia which may causes loss of hair and sizeable bald spots.
	Ayurvedic medicines:&nbsp;four ayurvedic medicines are used extensively for the purpose of combatting hair loss. These are thikthakam kashayam, thikthakam grisham (regulates metabolism), chyavana prasam and narasimha rasayanam, which improves the strength and quality of hair).
	Combating other problems that cause hair loss:&nbsp;using herbs like brahmi (to manage stress), shilajita and jatamansi (for thyroid imbalance), cardamom (for chronic problems) and ashwagandha (for immune system disorders) can indirectly help when hair loss is a symptom or side effect of another disease.



Combating Hair Loss And Ayurveda

Facial surgery can be opted for by people for a number of reasons, and these include being born with facial impairments like cleft lip, birthmark or other birth defects, the effects of aging, sun damage, or other facial traumas that are noticeable on the face as well as a sense of general dissatisfaction with your facial features. Depending on these factors, facial plastic surgery can be divided into two categories:  reconstructive and cosmetic.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed for correcting conditions that may be present from birth, including birthmarks on the face, cleft lip and palate, protruding ears, and a crooked smile. Conditions resulting from accidents, traumas, or burns are also corrected by this type of surgery.

Cosmetic facial plastic surgery is performed to enhance the visual appearance of facial structures and features which include facelifts, eye lifts, rhinoplasty, cheek and chin implants, and liposuction. 

If you are planning to get facial surgery done, there are certain things you need to do to prepare yourself for it. These are:

Choose a qualified surgeon: It's important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who has experience performing the specific procedure you are considering. You should also ask to see before-and-after photos of the surgeon's previous patients.

Understand the risks: As with any surgery, facial surgery carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, and scarring. Make sure you understand the potential risks and complications of the procedure before making a decision.

Have realistic expectations: While facial surgery can produce excellent results, it is not a magic cure-all. It's important to have realistic expectations about what the surgery can and cannot do.

Follow post-surgery instructions: After your surgery, it's important to follow your surgeon's instructions for care and recovery. This will help ensure that you get the best possible results and minimize the risk of complications.

Schedule a surgery when you are healthy: If you are planning for either of the surgeries, try to schedule it during a period of relatively good health. Your immune system will have the best chance of a speedy recovery. Scheduling the surgery at the year-end is ideal when you can take a few days of paid leaves. 
Get enough essential nutrients: Your diet, before and after the surgery, should be rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, copper, and selenium. They help the wound to heal quickly and build immunity, thereby reducing the chances of an infection. You can recover from more comprehensive procedures like tummy tuck, facelift or liposuction by including the requisite nutrients in your diet.
Stay hydrated: Consuming 6-8 glasses on the day prior to the surgery is very important to help cleanse and hydrate the body. Since fluid intake is reduced on the day of surgery, water intake is especially important prior to the surgery. To avoid complications during surgery, ensure that you do not drink anything after midnight on the night prior to your surgery unless advised by your surgeon.
Overall, it's important to do your research and consult with a qualified surgeon before making a decision about facial surgery. Good luck!

Related Tip: "Causes and Risks of Craniofacial Surgery"

7 Things To Keep In Mind For Facial Surgery

Loosening of breasts is natural with age. However, small and drooping breasts at a young age can affect your overall appearance and even lower your self-esteem. Some ill habits and lack of knowledge on how to increase breast size and maintain firmness often are the primary causes of sagging breasts.

Fortunately, increasing one s breast size and getting a well-toned bust does not necessarily involve going under the knife. There are quite a few ways to reshape your breasts naturally - 

Olive Oil Massage -

Olive oil consists of antioxidants and fatty acids that can rectify the damage done by free radicals. Besides, olive oil massage improves your body and skin texture by making the breasts firm. All you need to do is take a few drops of the oil and gently rub it on and around the breasts. Make sure you are rubbing in an upward motion. Massage for 15 minutes until the area around your breasts generates heat. This increases the flow of blood and repairs the cells that are damaged. Follow the technique 4-5 times a week.

Cucumber with Egg Yolk Massage -

Cucumber has skin-toning properties, while egg yolks contain high levels of proteins and vitamins. Mixing these two ingredients, you can prepare a paste to apply on the breasts. Take an egg yolk, one cucumber and a tablespoon of cream. Make a paste using these, apply on your bust and massage gently. Leave it on for half an hour and then wash the area with cold water. Using the paste once a week will leave your breasts firmer and in an upright position.

Fenugreek Seeds -
The phytoestrogen present in fenugreek improves oestrogen levels, which further helps in cell division and promotes breast enlargement. Prepare a paste using fenugreek seed powder and massage the same on your breasts. After about 10 minutes, wash it off with cold water. You can also consume fenugreek seeds in the form of herbal supplements but only after discussing the same with your doctor. 

Shea Butter and Rhassoul Clay -

A rich source of vitamin E, Shea butter helps tighten the skin around your breasts to give them a firmer look. Similar to olive oil massage, Shea butter massage also prevents cell damage due to the free radicals. Apply Shea butter on your breasts and massage in a circular motion for about 15 minutes. Leave it on for another 10 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Rhassoul clay contains iron, silica, sodium, potassium, and calcium   all the vital minerals that help keep your skin tight. Dissolve the clay into the water and prepare a sticky paste. Cover your breasts with the paste and let dry completely. Gently wash it off with cold water later.

Why turn to expensive lotions and undergo surgery when you can get wonderful, firm breasts naturally? Follow these tips and see your body change for the better. Say goodbye to sagging breasts.

How To Increase Breast Size And Make Them Firm?

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