According to researchers, a more accurate way to measure whether you are at risk for obesity-related diseases is your waist-to-height ratio.

Your BMI, which stands for body mass index, calculates a number based on your height and weight that shows if you are a normal weight, overweight, obese or underweight. However, it doesn’t take muscle mass or the distribution of fat around the body into consideration.

A review of 31 studies that included more than 300,000 men and women found that waist-to-height ratio was better than BMI at predicting certain health risks associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.

“Keeping your waist circumference to less than half your height can help increase life expectancy for every person in the world,” according to study leader Dr. Margaret Ashwell.

Dr. Ashwell calls the waist-to-height ratio a “one-size-fits-all approach,” and says it should replace BMI and waist circumference alone as a way to assess body fat and health risks.

Calculating Your Waist-to-Height Ratio

Waist-to-height ratio is easy to determine—all you need is a tape measure. Measure your waist at belly-button level, and then measure your height if you don’t know it. Divide your waist measurement by your height to get your percentage.

Another advantage of waist-to-height ratio is its simplicity: keep your waist circumference to less than half your height. BMI is harder to calculate, and you have to remember or look up whether your BMI number falls into a healthy range.

Cosmetic Surgery & Weight Loss

For those who have lost a significant amount of weight, body contouring procedures can remove excess skin from areas such as the arms, abdomen and thighs.

Liposuction is also popular for removing stubborn areas of fat that don’t go away with diet or exercise. Patients should already be at a healthy weight for this procedure, as it is not meant for weight loss.

Sources: WebMD, Medical News Today

While there are some rare instances when insurance covers the costs, such as after an accident, most of the time it is the patient’s responsibility.

“Consumers should be aware that cosmetic surgery is not covered under insurance, so all of the expenses must be paid out of pocket,” says Kevin Kautzmann, a certified financial planner.

Fox Business gives an overview of ten options for paying for cosmetic surgery, and here we offer a few of the highlights.

A health care or medical credit card is a credit card specifically for medical expenses and can be used for cosmetic procedures. Often these cards start with low promotional rates and can have reasonable payment plans.

If you don’t want to open a medical credit card, you could use your regular credit card or apply for a new one and take advantage of a 0% introductory period during which you could pay off your procedure.

For some, saving up and paying cash for a cosmetic procedure makes the most sense. “It may not be sexy, but the best answer for most people is to save each month until you have the bill covered—then get the procedure done,” says financial adviser Michael Masiello.

You can also check with your surgeon’s office to see if they offer payment plans. Some will create a plan tailored to a patient’s budget.

It may seem unconventional, but you could ask others to contribute to your procedure fund as a gift. This has become easier and more popular with online sites, such as DepositAGift.com and MyRegistry.com, as family or friends can make a deposit toward your procedure without even having to mail a check.

Learn more about financing options at Will Surgical Arts in Frederick County, Maryland.

Mary M. Mitchell, the author of several etiquette books, recently wrote a Reuters story about what she views as proper etiquette regarding cosmetic surgery.

For instance, if you run into a friend or acquaintance who looks different and you think they’ve had cosmetic surgery, don’t blurt out a comment, Mitchell says.

Many people may be sensitive about speculation on their appearance.

If you do ask a question, she recommends keeping it simple and keeping your reaction low-key.

Here are some other tips from Mitchell:

Don’t ever ask a person if they’ve had a specific procedure, such as a “nose job” or “implants.” It’s bad manners, according to Mitchell. Instead, tell them they look great, and it’s their decision to volunteer specifics.

Don’t criticize your friend if he or she is considering cosmetic surgery. Don’t try and talk them out of it, says Mitchell. However, “it is equally important not to agree that the person does, indeed, need the work done,” she says. It is their decision to make.

When someone tells you they have had a procedure, don’t judge. Mitchell says the safest reply is to ask if they are happy with the results.

When discussing cosmetic surgery, don’t gossip and share the names of other people you know that have had a procedure.

If someone does reveal they’ve had cosmetic surgery, Mitchell says to ask how they’re feeling.

If you’re the one who has had a procedure and you don’t mind sharing, Mitchell says that “you can make it easier on those around you by opening the conversational door.”

Interested in cosmetic surgery? Contact Will Surgical Arts in Frederick County, MD.

dsc_2979 by By Francesco Crippa, on Flickr

Simply adding a few more servings of fruits and vegetables to your diet each day can improve your skin tone, finds a new study.

Researchers from the School of Psychology at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland followed 35 people for six weeks, recording their diet and skin color. It linked an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption with perceptibly healthier and more attractive skin color.

The researchers found that the redness and yellowness in the skin increased as participants ate more fruits and vegetables.

Lead researcher Ross Whitehead said it is due to the impact of carotenoids. “These are red/yellow plant pigments, which are distributed to the skin surface when we eat fruits and veggies.”

In addition to the changes in skin color, the researchers also linked eating more fruits and vegetables with increased attractiveness.

Diet Changes That Improve Your Skin’s Complexion

The diet in the study is easy to replicate and gave participants relatively quick results.

Whitehead said that changes were noticeable when participants had just two additional portions of fruits and vegetables a day during the six weeks.

The carotenoids that were studied included beta-carotene and lycopene. Foods rich in these include:

• Carrots, yams, spinach, peaches, pumpkin and apricots (beta-carotene)
• Apricots, watermelons, tomatoes and pink grapefruits (lycopene)

Because most of the study’s participants were white, further research is needed to see how diet affects other groups, the researchers said.

Only 25 percent to 30 percent of Americans eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, according to dietitian and nutritionist Samantha Heller.

“But once the word gets out that eating fruits and vegetables can make you sexy, attractive and maybe even look younger, hopefully, the carrots, kale and cantaloupe will be flying off the shelves and into people’s meals,” she said.

Non-invasive laser skin resurfacing is also effective for improving the skin. The laser is able to remove unwanted tissue, such as scarred, lined, wrinkled, pigmented, and otherwise imperfect skin, leaving you with a better complexion.

Source: HealthDay

There’s anecdotal evidence from surgeons that this is a growing cosmetic surgery trend.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Mitchell Chasin says, “Years ago, we would see a wife come in and she would say, ‘I can’t let my husband know what I’m doing.’ And then the husband would come in and he would say, ‘You know what, this is a secret, please don’t tell my wife.’”

But today, according to patient Ira Almeas, the man’s attitude is usually along these lines: “If you’re gonna look good, I want to look good!” Almeas and his wife each had Botox, fillers and laser treatments.

NBC’s chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman says that part of the increase in couples pursuing cosmetic procedures together is attributable to the increase in cosmetic procedures in men, who now account for about 9% of those getting cosmetic surgery.

“It’s been destigmatized with men,” says Snyderman, who says procedures like Botox and fillers have become more acceptable.

Doctors who say they are seeing more couples cosmetic surgery report that their patients are typically in their late 30s to early 60s. Usually the women are done having children and both are having trouble losing weight through diet and exercise alone.

It’s no surprise then that liposuction is one of the procedures that is very popular with couples, although men and women often target different areas.

According to surgeons, men often request liposuction for their stomach, chest or chin, while women request any number of areas, such as their thighs, neck or arms.

Reita Greene, 59, had a facelift in January and says she was motivated because, “I wanted to have at least one good picture with my grandchildren before I die.” Her boyfriend of 16 years plans to have the procedure as well.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, TODAY Show

Per Hedén, MD, PhD, says the injectable is a simple and safe alternative for women who want to enhance their breasts, but aren’t ready to have breast implant surgery.

“Hyaluronic acid gel injection … provides immediate results with minimal discomfort, and in clinical trials, it was associated with high ratings of breast general appearance, shape and firmness,” Dr.  Hedén told Cosmetic Surgery Times.

The hyaluronic acid gel that has been developed for use on the breast, Macrolane, is approved for use in Europe but does not currently have FDA approval in the United States.

Dr. Hedén says there have been no serious complications with Macrolane noted in studies, but hyaluronic acid gel for breast enhancement is new, so there isn’t yet long-term data on the procedure.

Breast Implant Alternative?

While the filler offers a less-invasive alternative to implants, it actually often opens the door to implants, according to Dr. Hedén, who says that 30 percent of his patients who first try injections eventually undergo breast augmentation. It may because the injections allow a woman to see how happy she is with larger breasts before deciding to undergo surgery.

In addition to a lack of long-term data, the gel has a few other drawbacks. The absorption of the material isn’t predicable, and the amount of gel that remains after a year varies anywhere from 5 to 85 percent. In addition, patients will probably need a touch-up after nine to 12 months, according to Dr. Hedén.

Since Macrolane does not have FDA approval, breast augmentation is the best procedure for women looking to enlarge their breasts. One other possible alternative is fat grafting. Used mainly for the face, some cosmetic surgeons now use the technique for breast enhancement as well.

While there will always be scarring with breast implants, New You Magazine recently gave an overview of some of the incision techniques being used to reduce the visibility of scarring.

Minimal-Scar Breast Augmentation Incision Techniques

Dr. Angelo Cuzalina, an Oklahoma cosmetic surgeon, pointed out that: “Different patients have different definitions of ‘minimal-scar’ surgery. But for some women, a scar on the breast just isn’t acceptable.”

Here are some options for breast implant incisions that avoid the breast entirely.

Arm Pit: This technique uses an incision in the pocket of the armpit and works best for those with deep armpits. One of the advantages of this incision, according to Dr. Cuzalina, is that the surgeon can visualize the muscle with a camera during surgery.

Belly Button: The transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) has the incision through the belly button, so the incisions are hidden in the navel. One drawback is that only saline implants can be used, and Dr. Cuzalina said that patients without a lot of fat on their stomachs may not be the best candidates.

Tummy Tuck: The transabdominoplasty, or TABA technique, can be used when the patient is having a tummy tuck at the same time as the breast augmentation. The surgeon then uses the tummy tuck incision to place the implants. However, this technique can’t be used if the patient also wants a breast lift.

If you are considering an incision technique away from the breast, be sure that your cosmetic surgeon is experienced with the technique you want, as the minimal-scar techniques can require greater skill.

According to a presentation by dermatologist Dr. Bethanee Jean Schlosser at the American Academy of Dermatology’s recent annual meeting, adult-onset acne is becoming more common among women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.

A 2011 study that looked at photos of women from age 10 to 70 for signs of acne found the following:

• 45% of women aged 21-30 had acne
• 26% of women aged 31-40 had acne
• 12% of women aged 41-50 had acne

The Link Between Hormones & Acne in Women

Hormones contribute to some of the primary causes of acne. For instance, hormones can cause excess oil gland production, and they can cause shedded skin cells to become sticky and clog up in the hair follicle.

Male hormones, called androgens, are present in both men and women and can cause acne by overstimulating the oil glands and changing the development of skin cells around hair follicles.

Acne Treatments for Women

Treatments for acne in women should be specific to the type and severity of the acne, according to Dr. Schlosser. In addition, other conditions, such as pregnancy, rosacea, and age must also be considered, as some common topical acne treatments may not be compatible with these conditions.

One common acne treatment is topical retinoids, which, according to Dr. Schlosser, is the preferred treatment for the long-term prevention of acne.

Another possible treatment for women’s acne is certain oral contraceptives. The FDA has approved several oral contraceptives for this use, as they change the levels and activity of hormones that can bring on acne.

An alternative to oral and topical medications is pulsed light therapy, which attacks acne-causing bacteria and inhibits future acne breakouts.

You may also be able to prevent acne by following some of these skin care tips:

• Use noncomedogenic and sensitive skin products.
• Use a mild cleanser, twice a day.
• Use a noncomedogenic moisturizer daily.
• Avoid using cleansers with scrubbing particles, which can irritate the skin.

And remember, no matter how tempting, don’t pick, squeeze, or pop acne! You can scar your skin. If you already have acne scars, there are treatments, such as laser skin resurfacing, to minimize the scarring.

Sientra’s implants have been approved for breast augmentation in women 22 years and older and for breast reconstruction in women of any age.

With the latest approval, there are now three silicone gel-filled breast implants approved by the FDA in the U.S. They are manufactured by Allergan, Mentor and Sientra.

“Sientra has successfully broken the existing duopoly in the U.S. by offering surgeons and patients a new choice,” said founder and CEO Hani Zeini, in a statement.

Zeini also said that the company will offer shaped implants in addition to standard round implants.

The approval was based on a three-year clinical trial of 1,788 participants. The trial had similar complications and outcomes found in studies of other breast implants.

“Data on these and other approved silicone gel-filled breast implants continue to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness,” said William Maisel, MD, deputy director for science in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Maisel stressed that women should be aware that breast implants are not lifetime devices and recognize that long-term monitoring is essential.

Post-approval, Sientra will continue to monitor the clinical trial participants for seven years. In addition, they will have a 10-year study of 4,782 women who receive Sientra silicone implants to collect data on long-term complications and outcomes. Finally, Sientra must also conduct case studies to evaluate the association between their implants and five rare diseases, including brain cancer, cervical/vulvar cancer and lymphoma.

Learn more about breast implant choices and breast augmentation. For more on the breast implant approval, read the press release from the FDA.

The poll of 55 women who had breast surgery reported a 34% increase in overall satisfaction with their sex life after surgery on average.

The poll also found:

• 61% of women said they had sex more often after their breast procedure.
• The average post-surgery sex life satisfaction score (8.13, on a 10-point scale) jumped two points compared to the average pre-surgery score  (6.07).
• 70% of respondents said their overall sex life satisfaction improved after the procedure.

While the poll was not scientific, a previous study did have similar findings.

A 2007 study from the University of Florida found that women reported improved self-esteem and enhanced sexuality after breast augmentation surgery. In this study, there was an increase for ratings of sexual desire (78.6%), satisfaction (57%), and arousal (81%), compared to initial scores before surgery.

The 84 women in the study did not have low self-esteem or poor sexual function before surgery. “They were already OK with self-esteem and sexuality — they just wanted larger breasts,” said researcher Cynthia Figueroa-Haas, PhD. “They got increased levels of self-esteem and sexuality.”

While it appears that breast surgery may enhance a woman’s sex life, researchers and surgeons warn that it cannot help those women who have serious underlying psychological issues, such as body dysmorphic disorder.

Learn more about breast augmentation or breast lift surgery in Frederick County, Maryland.