Hello, fabulous Beauty Chat readers! Along with being an editor/contributor to this wonderful site, I am also an editor and writer for iEnhance.com (another website in our network). Many of those who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery often look to personal accounts when researching their procedures, which is why we would love to hear from you. We are constantly looking for inspiring stories from real people just like you who have had an enhancement procedure – cosmetic plastic surgery, skin care treatment, or cosmetic dentistry procedure. Here are a couple of examples of some recent stories: Jana’s Story and Elease’s Story.

If you would like to share your experience with a procedure you underwent, please feel free to contact me!

Spring has already arrived, and summer is coming up soon. In Southern California, the sun is usually ablaze 85 percent of the year, and I’ve become much more concerned about how the sun has taken its toll on my face lately. At my young age, there are many wrinkles on my face that are already beginning to set, and I’m not quite sure what to do. These days, there are preventative anti-wrinkle creams at the grocery store and infomercials that boast to completely diminish fine lines and wrinkles. However, I’ve come to find that these creams can cost from just a few bucks to over a couple hundred dollars. With the current state of the economy and a thin wallet, what’s a girl to do?

This weekend, I started to look into what is available to begin my battle with the signs of aging. In the skin care aisle at a local grocery store, there were many name brand creams like Olay® and RoC® that claimed to reduce the signs of aging. Though their prices were attractive, they didn’t seem very effective and I was sure the results would not last very long. Then I thought to go down to Sephora. There, I found a much more refined taste of specialty facial creams, but they were also quite expensive. There were so many to choose from too, and many of the creams came in 1 oz. or 2 oz. jars, small amounts that I’m sure I’d go through quickly.

Given that I like to see results right away, I started looking beyond facial creams and into non-surgical facial treatment. Fortunately, there are many facial treatments that do completely eliminate laugh lines, crow’s feet, and even deep wrinkles for older women. Botox® is by far the most popular choice to treat wrinkles; there are also artificial fillers that are used for wrinkles. From what I’ve read, many professional plastic surgeons assure that no matter what you hear about creams that promise to completely erase fine lines and wrinkles, there are no substitutes quite like Botox and injectables. They cost a few hundred dollars but results last several months. Despite the price, I like that I wouldn’t have to apply a cream every night and the results would be immediate and last five to six months.

To get rid of my dull complexion, I’m considering microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. In a microdermabrasion, the top layer of the skin is removed by a special exfoliate, revealing newer and fresher skin underneath. Microdermabrasion is usually over a hundred dollars and results typically last a few months. Chemical peels are another great way to rejuvenate the skin. For a more youthful look, a special combination solution of skin safe acid is used to remove the outermost, most damaged layer of skin, revealing a more even skin tone. These usually rub between $200 and $300; results for a microdermabrasion, while depending on the type of acid used, chemical peel results can last from a few months to over 20 years.

If I make a few adjustments in my budget now, hopefully sometime before summer I can have at least one facial treatment done. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to follow my favorite budget beauty tips and of course, daily basic skin care. Come summertime, I’ll be sure to wear sunglasses everyday. Not only do sunglasses protect the sensitive area around the eyes, which is often the first place on the face to show signs of aging, but they’re also a great fashion statement.

I am just beginning my battle with the signs of aging. Before I choose a facial treatment, what do you recommend? Have you ever considered any non-surgical facial treatments, or do you know anyone who has?

Photo Credit: Elle Magazine and Modern Mom

In case you haven’t heard, “The Hills” star Heidi Montag underwent 10 cosmetic surgery procedures in one day back in November 2009.

This would be the second round of face and body enhancing surgeries she’s had in the last few years; she previously had a nose surgery performed and breast implants surgery.

In today’s world, it’s not something new to see a celebrity, or reality star, have a few nips here and tucks there. But when does it become an addiction and no longer a little tune-up?

Joan Rivers, Cher, Jocelyn Wildenstein, and Mickey Rourke are just some of the Hollywood stars who are known for their ever-changing looks. Now, the female half of “Speidi” seems to be the newest member of the plastic surgery addicts club.

And what exactly did Montag undergo? Well, here’s the laundry list of surgeries:

•    Botox injections
•    Mini brow lift
•    Nose surgery revision
•    Fat injections to cheeks and lips
•    Chin reduction
•    Liposuction to her neck
•    Ears pinned back
•    Buttocks augmentation
•    Liposuction to waist, thighs
•    Breast augmentation revision

The reality star and wannabe pop singer has been quoted saying that, “For the past three years, I’ve thought about what to have done…I’m beyond obsessed.” At only 23 years of age, Montag has had more procedures than an any of us can even think of! However, to be honest, her “new” look is attractive, but her “old” look was just as appealing and didn’t really need the work done. Had she done these procedures over an extended period of time there may not have been such a dramatic change. Whereas now, Mrs. Pratt is unrecognizable.

What do you all think? Did she succeed in achieving “the best me” with these surgeries?

Photo Credit: People and Examiner.com

If you enjoy sharing the knowledge, or learning about “seriously safe and satisfying nail polish,” self-help tips, and how the right shade of lipstick can truly turn your day around; plastic surgery forums are another place where you can blab about beauty.

Sure, the PlasticSurgery.com community may revolve more around plastic surgeries, such as breast implant surgery and nose jobs, as well as youth-defying procedures like Botox injections and the mini facelift, but doesn’t mean that these topics are stand-alone. One of the reasons why Beauty Chat was created, as you pretty much already know, is to bridge the gap between all that makes us “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak on It!”

A plastic surgery forum is just another one of our stops, where you can relax and kick up your feet. And you’ll notice that some of us Beauty Chatters like to chit-chat from topic to topic in the forums as well…See ya there!

Photo credit: Plastic Sergeant

It is commonly assumed that men want to date or marry the “perfect woman” one day. But what exactly does “perfect” mean? When talking about appearance, many think tall, thin, blond, blue eyes, pouty lips, perky breasts, and a toned tush. But then you step into the real world and learn that it’s actually really hard to find this “perfect woman” without her undergoing some kind of plastic surgery.

Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but perfection is pretty tricky and nearly impossible. Everyone has his/her own definition of the word, and it’s rare to find two people with the same one. If you think that a certain man is just perfect and then tell your friend, chances are that she won’t agree. The same thing happens to guys, too.

Nowadays, it’s not unusual to come across someone who has undergone some type of cosmetic procedure, whether it is a major surgery like breast augmentation or a less invasive treatment such as facial fillers. It’s no longer considered something to hide, and those that do proceed with an enhancement are talking about it more openly. But does that mean that everyone is comfortable listening to those that talk about it? Not really. In fact, many men prefer the natural look over the “perfect” one.

I recently read an article about the way men embrace a woman’s so-called “imperfections” because they make her unique. Some even go so far as to end a relationship when the truth comes out about their procedures. Therefore, that bump on your nose or the way your ears stick out a little could be the very thing that your guy loves most about you. As one of my co-workers said, “Wrinkles add spice. A super smooth face feels like I’m dating a 10 year old.”

Remember that everyone has a different definition of perfection (mine would be Matthew McConaughey  ), so don’t let someone else’s definition influence your own. Before you head over to your local plastic surgeon, make sure you’re going in for you and not to please anyone else. In the end, you’re the one that has to live with that change forever…or at least until the collagen wears off.

Photo credits: Los Angeles Times Blogs and PlasticSurgery.com

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For some great tips on how to prevent and treat acne, Skin Care Blog offers Best Acne Treatments? Prevention and Cures Should Go Hand-in-Hand to their readers.

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(Angelina Jolie ~ before and after)

I think it’s pretty much safe to say yes, celebrities still heavily influence the growth and popularity of plastic surgery trends. In addition, Reality TV such as Dr. 90210 has played a major role in the public seeing firsthand the “reality” behind plastic surgery; and for many people, this has inspired them to go forward and undergo some sort of improvement.

(Paris Hilton ~ before and after)

(Paula Adbul ~ before and after)

Also editor of PlasticSurgery.com and iEnhance.com, I have spoken to several plastic surgeons throughout the country about their patients and the initial consultation sitting. Yes, interviewing doctors regarding various topics, from saline vs. silicone gel breast implants to butt enhancement surgery, has been part of busy job here. And during my phone interviews, I’ve learned just how common it is for a man or woman (more often it seems to be the female patients) to bring in pictures of the celebrity they wish to emulate – somehow. Whether it is Angelina Jolie’s lips, Jennifer Lopez’ butt, or Hale Berry’s breasts – these cosmetic and plastic surgeons have heard it all. Naturally, that gets me thinking about the trends and statistics in plastic surgery – both non-surgical and surgical procedures. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), here are some 2007 stats:

The most popular surgical procedures among men in 2007 were:

• Liposuction
• Eyelid surgery
• Nose surgery
• Breast reduction (to treat enlarged male breasts)
• Hair transplantation

The most popular surgical procedures among women in 2007 were:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Eyelid surgery
• Abdominoplasty
• Breast reduction

(Fergie ~ before and after)

(Rihanna ~ before and after)

Oh, and did I mention that Americans spent just under $13.2 BILLION on cosmetic plastic surgery alone last year? While critics may deem Americans superficial, those of us who work very closely to this field tend to share the similar point of view, which is rooted in the philosophy behind Beauty Chat: “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak On It!”

(Matt Dillon ~ before and after)

(Bruce Jenner ~ before and after)

It’s all a matter of taste, preference, and influence. That’s why I thought it would be fun to post some before and after plastic surgery photos of celebrities.

Now, I’ve got a question for you, which of your favorite stars has the most natural-looking plastic surgery results? I have my fave (Gwen Stefani), but I want to know yours too!

Photo Credit: We found them all on Google images

No, the woman in the picture with me is not my sister, she’s my mother. And no, she hasn’t had any work done, she just ages really well. It’s because of her nearly flawless skin that I’ve never been afraid of growing older or getting wrinkles. Until a few months ago, I didn’t even know about all the various procedures that are available to those that do fear fine lines and wrinkles.

(Myself with my mom, the reason I don’t fear aging.)

With the media focusing on maintaining a youthful appearance, it’s no wonder that non-invasive procedures for the face are becoming more and more readily available. It’s also not shocking to see many women in their late 20s and early 30s lining up for Botox or lip-plumping injections. The younger you start, the longer you’ll be able to say “I’m really only 31,” when in fact you are 40. Every woman is looking for her fountain of youth.

These days, it’s very common to see your favorite movie or television actress on the cover of a magazine with an usually perfect complexion. A lot of that is due to great retouching after a photo shoot, but it’s also due to the wonderful job her plastic surgeon did. This may be a facelift, Botox injections, lip augmentation, chemical peel, or laser resurfacing.

These types of facial rejuvenation treatments are becoming more and more readily available to the everyday woman, making it easy to become addicted to the procedures. Thus it can leave a woman looking like a mannequin at Nordstrom instead of an actual human being. It’s also quite easy to overdose on fillers or any other type of procedure, but luckily, there are several doctors that are learning to say “No” to these patients. It’s a good thing, too. Otherwise, we’ll have everyone looking like Barbie’s sister in the near future.

(The classic beauty embraced her aging appearance.)

What ever happened to aging gracefully? Just take a look at the beautiful Audrey Hepburn; now there’s a woman who embraced her age with elegance.

I can’t say that I will never go in for a procedure, but from what I’ve seen in my mom’s face, I don’t think it’ll be any time soon. It’s not until now, nearing her 50th birthday, that she has even started to consider undergoing a cosmetic procedure. And it’s not even thinking about undergoing a major procedure, just a light chemical peel. I suppose I’ve found my own fountain of youth; it’s in my genes!

What are your concerns about aging?

In today’s world, children are becoming more and more informed of “grown-up” things at a much earlier age. For example, my 6-year-old niece asked me if I had a cell phone because she wanted to add my number to her contact list. I don’t think I even had a cell phone until I was in college!

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw an article on a new children’s book about plastic surgery. My Beautiful Mommy (Big Tent Books) by Dr. Michael Salzhauer, a Florida plastic surgeon, is an illustrated book aimed at children ages 4 to 7. I remember reading “The Cat in the Hat” and “The Goldstein Bears” when I was six – not books on what my mom was going to change on her body.

It seems that with the growing popularity of plastic surgery, and especially celebrity plastic surgery, has become less of a secret for many people. “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Patricia Heaton proudly announced her “Mommy Makeover” a few years back. Interestingly enough, My Beautiful Mommy is about a mother undergoing this very makeover.

In this book, a young girl accompanies her mother to the surgeon’s office to learn more about what’s going to change with Mommy. As we read on, we find out that Mommy is getting a tummy tuck, a nose job, and breast  augmentation. However, the final results of her breast enlargement surgery isn’t exactly mentioned in the text. This is because Dr. Salzhauer doesn’t think the “Mommy wants bigger boobs because…” is appropriate reasoning to give to a child. (As compared to a mother explaining to her child that she wants to get rid of extra fat on her stomach or the unsightly bump on her nose, the author thinks that discussing the personal reasons for wanting a “bigger boobs” could be more damaging to a young girl.) There are before and after photos of Mommy’s transformation, however, but I wonder if the child would even pick up on the change if it’s not discussed?

Some may see this book as a way to tell children, “You’re not pretty enough. Change your face and body, then you’ll be beautiful.” However, Dr. Salzhauer insists that it is only a means to explain to children what’s going on with Mommy when she gets certain plastic surgery procedures versus encouraging children to consider plastic surgery themselves.

Many women over 40 seek the assistance of a plastic surgeon to regain the slimmer, firmer body they had before having children. As they undergo these procedures, they will also have to face how their young children will perceive their experience. Dr. Salzhauer wrote this book for mothers to read with their children before their own surgeries. He says that he wrote this book in order for children to not be afraid when Mommy goes to the doctor, as many children think that one only goes to the doctor when they’re sick. If Mommy has a way to explain what will happen before, during and after the surgery, the child can be at ease that she isn’t sick; Mommy will just look different afterwards.

What are your thoughts on the launch of this book?

While skimming over the news on MSN.com recently, I came across an interesting article (which they got from the Science Channel) titled “Top 10 Useless Body Parts.” Immediately, I was intrigued. I can certainly think of a few anatomical pests that I would rather live without!

According to this article, many parts that were once vital to our survival are now just unnecessary, and even troublesome. Here is the list of “useless body parts”:

10. Plica semilunaris (a third eyelid)
9. Body hair
8. Sinuses
7. Adenoids
6. Tonsils
5. Coccyx
4. Arrector pili (a muscle that makes our hair stand on end and gives us goose bumps)
3. Wisdom teeth
2. Appendix
1. Male nipples

Our bodies can be our best friends or our worst enemies. We all have at least one feature that we aren’t too fond of. In fact, many of us have several! But luckily, with medical advancements we have the power to change what we dislike.

Plastic surgery is a hot topic around the world, growing steadily every day. According to WebMD, 11.8 million surgical cosmetic procedures were performed in 2007, the top five being (in order): liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck surgery, and breast reduction.

And whether you are seeking a procedure to make you appear more youthful, such as facelift surgery or Botox ® injections, you have the option to do so.

Changing our body is something that can enhance our appearance and elevate our self-esteem. However, if you are interested in undergoing a procedure, make sure you have realistic expectations. Plastic surgery is a means of improvement, not perfection.

Have any of you undergone a cosmetic enhancement, or wanted to?