Botox is short for botulinum toxin. These injections have been used medically for more than fifty years. In the 1960s botox was first used to treat neurological disorders.

Approved in 1989 to treat lazy eye (strabismus), blepharospasm, which is quick movement of the eyes, and cervial dystonia. After the surgeons saw that these injections were helping to reduce the signs of frown lines, botox became approved for crows feet, and neck bands in 2002. These injections have been successful in half a million patients since then.

The risks of these injections are very minimal. Most patients suffer from headaches which will leave in 24-48 hours after the injection, pain, and bruising of the injection site. The bruising can be reduced by stopping all anti-inflammatory medications and aspirin two weeks prior the procedure, and any alcohol one week prior, and some may have flu-like symptoms. Some may experience dropping of the eyelids. Patients that are pregnant should not receive botox injections and those that have an allergy to eggs, since the botox has an egg base.

The results of this procedure are that you will look rested and younger. The injection will take effect 3-7 days after injection, and last between three and four months, with occasional touch ups. After the injection, it is recommended that you don’t lay down for three hours, and no contact with the site (no pushing or feeling at the site due to causing the botox to relocate or flatten) for twelve hours.

After continues use of botox the muscles have learned to relax which will help minimize the sign of wrinkles in between sessions.

We all like to relax and nothing beats the relaxation that is offered at a spa. There are however different types of spas and it is good to know the differences between each spa so you don’t end up going to the wrong spa.

A Day Spa is a spa in which you would receive all the treatments you would receive at a spa however you stay for the length of your massage or facial then you head on your way. A Medical Spa is slightly different in that they offer various different types of treatments such as botox or medical peels. It does depend on the establishment if they offer the treatment or not. There also is the requirement of a medical professional being present.

A Destination Spa is like a hotel with a luxurious spa attached. Usually providing top notch treatments as well as a relaxing environment for you to enjoy during your stay. The Destination Spa is a good choice if your trying to rendezvous with your lover, in that most Destination Spas offer excellent side by side massages as well as specific types of massages centered toward releasing energy, vitality, and tension. All three have their respective benefits while providing the same function.

When it comes down to a choice it really depends on the situation. Are you going on vacation? Then a Destination Spa would be an ideal choice. Want a massage close to home; a Day Spa is the way to go. Need Botox? Then a Medical Spa is your resort of choice.

Did you know skin is your largest organ? Your skin is a first line of defense giving clues when invasion occurs. These clues can be either stark or subtle. Pain tells, “Hey that hurts," and you search for the cause immediately. Skin rashes from external or internal reasons send clues, like poison ivy or a chocolate allergy from the brownies you just ate. With skin, covering your entire outer surface, health, and care is paramount.

Have you ever heard “Smooth as a baby’s bottom?"  Humans strive for baby skin, in tone and texture throughout life. Looking and feeling youthful and healthy today is a priority and drives demand and quantity for skin products.  Making good choices can be confusing.

For starters, understanding skin needs for healthy longevity is helpful. Learning about commercial and natural ingredients is important. Knowing signs requiring a dermatology examination is very smart. The skin you are in deserves respect and leads to good choices versus trends.

You have done due diligence in skin care and are still overwhelmed. Just use good sense based on what you learned. Remember every product for skin has the good, bad, and the ugly. Bad and ugly is health and appearance diminishes with long-term tanning. Know about SPF and the three ultraviolet types. In the not good category are chemicals and fragrances; alcohols dehydrate.  Fresh versus processed foods is positive. Consulting educated professional is best for usual changes or age related factors.

Remember, products sold by your beautician, store cosmetologist or manicurist, etc. might not be the best for your skin. Selling focuses on the good; you must pursue the bad and the ugly. Please read labels, if concerns arise, do due diligence and respect your skin.  

Skin tags, known scientifically as Acrochordon, are benign (non-cancerous) bits of flesh hanging from skin. They can appear on children but are most commonly found in adults. Skin tags generally form in places where the skin creases and rubbing occurs, such as eyelids, the neck, armpits, under breasts (especially where underwire bras rub), and in the groin area. They range in size from being as tiny as a pinpoint to larger than a grape.

Scientists have not determined what the cause of skin tags are at this time, but they have found that they are non cancer-forming. Skin tags have been recorded to occur most often in obese people, those who have high levels of stress in their lives, as well as pregnant women, and those who have diabetes mellitus. Many people do not bother having their skin tags removed because they do not pose any problems. However, some people prefer having them removed because they may be unsightly, or because the skin tags have become an annoyance to them. Some skin tags can become irritated, swollen, and may even get to the point of bleeding.

There are numerous ways to remove skin tags. Some effective home remedies would include natural organic creams with a bloodroot base, tying them off with thread or dental floss, or scissors. Using the creams or tying them off will give results over a period of time and have few side-effects. However, when scissors are used, there can be minor bleeding, but the results are immediate. Other methods would be having them removed medically by a doctor using cryosurgery or electro cautery. Most often, this can be done right in the physician's office.

Skin tags are ordinary benign developments skin that resembles tiny bits of drooping grape. They are small and flesh-colored. They dangle by a string of fine tissue, and are often located around the neck, under the armpits, bordering the eyelids, under the breast or upper chest and in the groin of the body. They appear were the skin is chafed by clothing being worn.

The growth of skin tags are creased and wrinkled. Skin tags can be as small as a piece of rice or as large as a grape, and can develop anywhere that skin is present.

We can all develop skin tags. They don’t occur as part of the birth process; rather, they seem to develop between the ages of 30 to 60. Skin tags are seen in people that are obese and in women that are pregnant. Even healthy people are prone to acquire skin tags.

Skin tags are not related to serious health problems. They are irregularities, but are considered ordinary. Half of the American population has had some exposure to them during their lifetime. A genetic factor is considered to be present.

There are multiple treatments for the removal of skin tags: they can be burnt with an electrical object, by the freezing of the tags, by the restriction of the blood flow to the tags, and with a surgical apparatus.

Each of the methods is considered insignificant surgery, performed in the doctor’s office. Since tags fall under cosmetic needs, the removal may be covered by health and medical insurance.