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Today’s woman with gray hair is not an old crippled woman anymore. Dr Kim sees older patients with gray hair who are making every effort to be as youthful looking as possible. Some women for the first time are considering breast augmentation and abdominoplasty. They work out and they are in great shape, yet they want a shapelier and proportioned look. They may have breast implants (either silicone or saline)and many find that the new shape allows them to increase their wardrobe selection substantially. Most women are modest in their choice of breast implant size. Just because a woman has gray hair it does not mean that she will have to look old and cannot have a great looking body. Researchers may have found a cure for gray hair. According to ABC 7 in a possible breakthrough in the battle against gray hair, scientists may have found a way to reverse the process. Researchers at New York University turned hair on mice from gray back to its natural sheen without hair coloring.

 

They discovered a protein that re-activates the color producing stem cells in hair follicles.

 

Researchers said the structure of human hair is similar to mice, so they have high hopes for the future.

Weight changes as we age

Few people weigh the same amount as they did in high school. So, it is not logical to believe that anything else should be exactly the same. Dr. Kim explains that even when patients have been good about diet and exercise aging changes the hormonal balance and everything shifts.

Plastic surgery procedures

Plastic surgery procedures such as abdominoplasty and breast lift can help to remove loose skin and create a much more toned, tight, and shapely appearance. Patients can become discouraged when they realize that the only way to maintain a youthful appearance is to make improvements both nonsurgical and surgical as part of routine body maintenance.

Weight study

According to a recent study, the average American gains about of pound a year. According to The Los Angeles Times a new study found that Americans on average gain three to four pounds every four years. After a few more years, the extra 10 pounds can impact a person’s health. Through careful research, scientists have determined which foods lead to weight gain and which lead to weight loss. The so-called middle-aged spread shows up before most even know it. Adults after the age of 30 usually gain about a pound a year.

It sneaks up on you, said dietitian Maria Fisk of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. The report in the New England Journal of Medicine followed 120,000 men and women for 20 years. Researchers looked at people’s diets and determined which foods led to weight gain.

Quality Counts

For more information on the procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim contact (310) 271-6996.

It seems logical that if energy drinks are bad because of overly stimulating ingredients then drinks with extreme calming effects should be good. Right? Well, doctors say no to downer drinks. Once again, natural ingredients can be harmful to your health. Dr. Kim explains to his patients prior to surgery that their complete medical history should include all drugs being taken including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and excessive consumption of vitamin and energy drinks. This applies to all patients including young people who are likely to be having shorter procedures such as breast augmentation or small amounts of liposuction. Drugs and supplements can interfere with medications used for anesthesia as well as medications used during recovery. The best patient experience is made possible with open communication between the patient, Dr. Kim and his staff. It may come as a surprise that what you eat can affect your surgery but there are definitely foods and drinks doctors warn against. According to ABC7 many relaxation drinks contain stuff found at vitamin stores like valerian root, rose hips, kava, and melatonin. Yet studies are mixed about the long term use of some of these ingredients.The FDA sent a letter to Bianchi last year, warning that melatonin is an unapproved food additive. So now Drank is sold as a dietary supplement rather than a beverage.Still, there are fans, including acupuncturist Tom Ingegno who even recommends anti-energy drinks to his clients.It’s really impressive to see something that can take the edge off, help you sleep, help you relax and still wake up the next morning and not feel groggy. It’s not like taking a medication, said Ingegno.Some of the drinks also have warnings about driving after drinking them. Experts are concerned about people drinking too many of these downer drinks in a short time frame, then getting behind the wheel and being impaired.

While experts race to study the effects of these new drinks they warn that anyone who uses them should take precautions.

Gone are the days when a mole with considered cute. These days we know that they can be a precursor to skin cancer. Patients should check thoroughly their entire body for new moles as well as those which have changed. Dr. Kim explains to his patients that healthy skin must be maintained. It is never too early to start routine skin care with medical grade skin care products. Patients should be careful and avoid direct sunlight as evidence proves that it is directly related to premature aging. Patients with sun damage are likely to consider procedures like a facelift or brow lift. Many are surprised to learn that when the skin is damaged facelifts and brow lift are likely to be less effective. The best advice for patients especially in southern California is to wear sunscreen daily. Skin health is a lifelong commitment. According to The Los Angeles Times get to know your moles. Know their location, size and color.

Look for new or changing moles. It’s normal to develop new moles into your early 20s, but not beyond. Pay attention to any new growths or moles that have changed in size, color or shape.

Take pictures. If you have lots of moles, keeping up with potential changes is difficult. One good idea: take photographs every six to 12 months; save and date the images on a computer and review as needed. You may find a scary mole has always been there — or that it is in fact new.

Beware of pink or black. Normal moles and other benign skin growths typically are varying shades of tan to brown. Melanomas may be black or less commonly pink, while other skin cancers tend to be pink and are often scaly. See your dermatologist if you notice a pink or black lesion.

These days what used to be visible only in cartoons and sketches has made it to the big screen. More men days are concerned with achieving an enviable chest and washboard abs. Dr. Kim explains that in some cases the chest may have excessive male breast tissue which can be embarrassing for men. Gynecomastia surgery allows Dr. Kim to remove the breast tissue and create a more masculine toned and fit appearance. Liposuction helps to remove small amounts of fat from the abdomen. If there are toned muscles underneath then they will be much more evident after surgery. It is important that men understand they will not have a superhero body just because they have chosen plastic surgery. Even with proper diet and exercise this is difficult if not impossible to achieve for most people. According to The Los Angeles Times  perhaps you’ve wondered how those actors achieved the chiseled abdominals, powerful pecs and bulging biceps — and whether you could manage to get them yourself without their superhero powers.
The short answer: Probably not. But we can still do pretty well for ourselves even when fitting fitness into a mere mortal’s existence that involves going to work, taking care of kids, preparing family meals, changing toxic diapers and waking in the night to be regaled with tales of the slime monster in Junior’s closet.

Actors, on the other hand, are able to rely on top personal trainers to help them work out every day, chefs who prepare tailored meals and Sisyphean determination.

After many years of study mammograms have been proven to reduce breast cancer deaths. Dr. Kim has expertly performed many breast augmentations over the years. It is not uncommon for  younger patients to be less concerned about breast health than women who are over 40. The reality is breast health should be important to every woman whether she has breast implants or not. Patients with excessive breast tissue who are considering breast reduction should also be aware that one of the risk factors for breast cancer is the presence of breast tissue. Removing breast tissue will not guarantee that a patient will not get breast cancer; however, any breast tissue that is removed is sent to pathology to assure that the tissue is healthy. After breast surgery, patients are advised to perform monthly breast self exams and to begin mammogram screening at age 40. If there is a family history of breast cancer patients may be advised to begin screening earlier and more often. According to The Los Angeles Times the longest study yet to examine women who undergo mammography shows that it reduces deaths from breast cancer by at least 30%, a finding that many doctors say may help ease the recent controversy surrounding the procedure.

The three-decade study in Sweden showed that one breast cancer death can be prevented for every 414 to 519 women who are screened, a much lower number than the 1,000 to 1,500 that had been projected in previous studies.

Next time that you say he has a better chance getting hit by lightning, make sure that the odds are correct. The study that shows that men tend to be more reckless when dangers of lightning strikes are imminent speaks volumes. Men in general tend to take many things including their health and appearance for granted. Dr. Kim explains to his male patients that waiting to address issues of aging is not advised. Facial aging for men typically begins in the brow. Initially injectables like Botox can make a considerable difference. Over time, a brow lift and blepharoplasty may be a better choice. Aging on the body for men typically shows on their midsection. Early on, provided there is not loose and lax skin liposuction may be an excellent solution. If men continue to gain weight liposuction may no longer be an option. Men should not be afraid to be proactive about their health and appearance. Being reckless in a storm does not make sense, especially for men. The odds are not in their favor. According to The Los Angeles Times when it comes to lightning, females are cautious and males are reckless.

The result: Between 1995 and 2008, lightning killed 648 people, and of those, 82 percent were male, according to AccuWeather.com.

A smile for many can make the difference between being attractive or being plain. Crooked teeth speak volumes about the beauty and percieved social status of a person. Dr. Kim explains to patients that the structure of their face and the progression of facial aging should also be taken into consideration when making facial enhancements including braces. For instance, patients who are experiencing wrinkled and sagging skin on the face should consider the effect a facelift will have on their decision to have braces. In most cases, it is best to have the facelift performed first. This allows patients the ability to choose braces and treatment without regard to the length of time necessary to wear the braces. Dr. Kim can perform injectable fillers even if patient have braces; however, it is best to be conservative in the amount of filler added. As braces become more popular for adults it is important that patients realize the artistic skill Dr. Kim uses to assure that his patient are beautiful even while they are wearing braces. According to The Los Angeles Times gone are the giant metal braces, big steel wires and unsightly headgear they remember from childhod. Instead, they can opt for braces with clear ceramic brackets or brackets attached to the backsides of the teeth. In some cases, they can forget about brackets altogether and go for Invisalign, which utilizes a series of clear plastic trays to coerce the teeth into place.

These higher-tech options are making orthodontics more appealing to older patients. The number of U.S. adults wearing braces topped 1 million in 2008, up about 25% since 1989, according to the American Assn. of Orthodontics.

It may be difficult for men to admit, but they suffer from the effects of stress just like women. Dr. Kim explains to his male patients that stress shows on their faces with a wrinkled brow and crowsfeet around the eyes. This can be softened in most cases with Botox. In most cases a brow lift combined with blepharoplasty may be a better option. Some men have what appear to look like bags beneath the eyes. These are improved substantially after surgery. Although most men are less than enthusiastic about plastic surgery once they commit to having procedures the overwhelming majority of men admit not only that they look better, but also that they would do it again. To maintain their best appearance men should avoid stress. According to The Los Angeles Times a growing number of men are now suffering from the seductive promise that they can have it all: the comforts and rewards of a fulfilling family life, a job that brings satisfaction and a paycheck big enough to support the needs of the aforementioned family, and freedom from conflict between the demands of each.

It is no surprise that eating at restaurants will make it more difficult to maintain a healthy diet. One must consider that while the difficulty in maintaining diet may be real; dining out does have its advantages. For example, when people go out to eat they are more likely be concerned with their appearance. Dr. Kim encourages his patients to be confident in their appearance and what it took to achieve it. For many patients, they have achieved a great and shapely figure after a breast augmentation and abdominoplasty. Most choose the abdominoplasty procedure to improve an abdomen that has loose skin and stretchmarks. The breast augmentation procedure is chosen to add more volume and shape to the breast. The overwhelming majority of patients also maintain a regular exercise program and healthy diet. But, when you look great why avoid dining out? Just use discretion when ordering from the menu. According to The Los Angeles Times the more you eat out, the more likely you are to be fat, say obesity experts who have studied the link between eating at restaurants and obesity — which are both on the rise.

A third of the calories Americans eat come from restaurants, including fast-food franchises, which is almost double what it was 30 years ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For the average consumer, eating one meal away from home each week translates to roughly two extra pounds a year, said Lisa Mancino, a food economist for the USDA.

More than half of adults eat out three or more times a week, and 12 percent eat out more than seven times a week. As a result, the pounds are adding up.

Americans are eating out more than a decade ago because they have less time for cooking, longer commutes, more households where both adults work, poorer cooking skills and many more options for affordable meals out, said Mancino.