Arnica is an herb, known since the 1500s, to relieve pain and inflammation caused by strains and arthritis, to relieve herpes symptoms and even kill the herpes virus, to assist the normal healing process, and to reduce scars and bruises. The herb contains helenalin and related compounds, which have anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.

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From The Surreal Life, to Strange Love and Celebrity Rehab, Brigitte Nielsen is certainly a VH1 Reality TV poster child. With almost every aspect of her “life” (who knows what is real?!) documented on the small screen, is it any surprise that she is now allowing cameras to film her while undergoing cosmetic surgery? And what’s more — on live television?

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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. More »

June 1st marked the day that Beauty Chat turned a year old [proud teardrop].

You see, this blog originally developed as a social networking project between me and Randy. Our goal at that time was to reach out to the beauty and plastic surgery communities, with our original “Look good, feel good, and speak on it!” philosophy. Turns out this idea not only paved the personality of Beauty Chat; we learned that there are a lot of others out there who feel the same way. You know, the non-judgmental chatterboxes (like us) who love talking about the latest this and that.

Turns out, there are TONS of you – our local, national, and international friends – who have subscribed to Beauty Chat and even have a favorite “Beauty Chatter.” I mean, with 10 writers on staff, including myself, a very productive project editor (Denice) and an eye-for-detail managing editor (Leeann), a fabulous in-house designer (Khevna), and a righteous programmer ( Randy), it only makes sense that you would connect with someone who is just as opinionated as you are!

Really, when it comes down to it, the team that makes up Beauty Chat is, like, the coolest group you could ever meet. (Sorta kidding, but not really.) More »

Wendy Lewis, who is also frequently referred to as “The Knife Coach,” is a leading independent cosmetic beauty consultant who has helped many people throughout the world contemplate the (new) age-old debate: To get plastic surgery, or to not get plastic surgery.

In her latest book, Plastic Makes Perfect: The Complete Cosmetic Beauty Guide, Lewis approaches everything from porcelain veneers to thigh lift surgery. And while her titles may be playful (including “Tick Tock Goes Your Body Clock” and “Making the Cut: Lifts and Lipo”), the content found inside this hardcover addresses all that is important when it comes to cosmetic enhancements.

(Sarah, Jennifer, Denise, Leeann, Khevna, and Elana)

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