Although wrinkles can signify wisdom, most people nowadays would rather not have them. Skin wrinkles typically appear as a result of aging processes such as glycation or, temporarily, as the result of prolonged (more than a few minutes) immersion in water. Wrinkling in skin is caused by habitual facial expressions, aging, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, and various other factors.
Many products and procedures promise to reduce wrinkles. Some do little or nothing (like the products that claim they reduce "the appearance of fine lines," which means that they don't reduce the lines themselves). Others can achieve a fair amount of success.
Be wise – moisturize. One cause of wrinkling is dry skin. Therefore, it makes sense to moisturize the skin. This can hide smaller wrinkles. Drinking plenty of water is also a good idea.
Stop smoking. We all know about the dangers of smoking but did you know that this bad habit can also contribute to wrinkles? Doctors say smoking causes premature wrinkles in the mouth due to constant puckering. It also interferes with the blood supply in that area that could aggravate wrinkling.
Stay away from straws. Sipping your favorite drink with a straw can make you look glamorous but it has the same effect as smoking and can cause wrinkles. To prevent this, drink directly from the bottle, can or glass. Don’t let the drink linger in your mouth. Drinking water afterwards can reduce your chances of tooth decay due to the acids found in colas, non-colas, and tea drinks.
“Sucking up your drinks through a straw makes you purse your lips over and over (as if smoking a cigarette) and can bring on wrinkles. It doesn’t help your teeth much either. Drinking sugary drinks through a straw may save decay on your front teeth but the back ones will be badly affected," said Bella Battle in the Sun Woman Online.
Sleep right. Burning the midnight candle can make you look old so it’s important to get enough sleep. However, the way you sleep can also affect your appearance. To avoid sleep wrinkles, sleep on your back and keep pillows away from your face. Pressing your face into a pillow whenever you sleep can give you wrinkles. If you can’t avoid this, use a softer pillow made of silk instead of one made of cotton.
“You know those facial creases you wake up with from sleeping on your side? They could be permanent. Regularly subjecting one side of your face to such pressure can lead to wrinkles that don’t budge. Sleep on your back with your face in the air to avoid puffy eyes and a lined face," Battle said.
Put on a happy face. While the link between stress and wrinkles is not clear, experience has shown us that the former can make us look older. Unhappiness, loneliness, anxiety, and depression are major stressors that can make or break you. Problems can’t be avoided but learn to live with them and you’ll feel much better. It will show on your face too.
Here are some things people can do to prevent getting many wrinkles at an early age:
# Don't go to the tanning salon. The UV light from tanning booths is just as damaging as the sun's - and sometimes worse. # Don't smoke! Smoking robs your skin of precious moisture and causes premature (early) wrinkles. (Did you ever notice that most heavy smokers have wrinkles around their mouths?)
Why would a person living in the United States of America consider traveling abroad for medical treatment? For a very long time, the only people who traveled abroad were those in affluent circles. The trend has changed over the past 10-20 years, and the millions of uninsured Americans are being targeted as potential medical tourists.
It is only logical to say that at some point in the not too distant future, either you or someone you know will find himself in need of a medical procedure. Just the word "procedure" used by a doctor, results in a bill! Immediately, the mind computes that the cost will be tens of thousands of dollars.
In one instance, a man needed surgery on a herniated disk in his neck. He was in the U.S. hospital for less than 24 hours and received a bill for nearly $200,000! The same surgery could have been done overseas for under $20,000, airfare and accommodations included.
Case after case is being compiled of those who have no medical insurance and are in need of surgery ranging from laser treatment to dental work to hip replacements. Estimates range from several thousand to nearly 100,000! With no means to pay such a bill, patients are enduring the results of not having surgery.
There is hope for those who are in need! There are low cost alternatives, available in a plethora of countries across the world, many of which are in Asia. Countries like Mexico, India, Thailand, Costa Rica, Poland and others are offering world class services at third world prices!
Although major media broadcasters such as CBS have aired segments on medical tourism, there remains a vast amount of skeptics amongst the general population of Westerns. Some common concerns are surrounding the conditions of the facility, the training that doctors have, and the safety within the country itself.
Rest assured that the medical facilities are state of the art, with cutting edge technology and equipment. Some of the poorest countries in the world have come to realize that there is a niche market for medical tourism and are making it their goal to provide the services. By investing the money to build the resort type facilities, send doctors for international training, and massive marketing campaigns; many of these countries have a vision for building their way out of poverty.
Just as is true in developed countries, some doctors and facilities are better than others. Information is available as to which countries offer the best medical services, which facilities are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization and/or the Joint Commission International.
We are living in the 21st Century, in a global medical community that has no borders. International travel is readily available, with the skies filled with jet planes going to and fro. It is possible to travel anywhere in the world, with relative speed and comfort. Many medical facilities are offering to make travel arrangements for their patients, and have negotiated discount travel tickets with major airlines. The internet and electronic medical systems make it possible for medical documents to be sent anywhere in the world within minutes, and for teams of doctors in various countries to consult with each other if there are questions regarding the documents.
The practices within the facilities are competitive or superior to those in developed countries. Despite wild rumors, the water that is used in hospitals in these underdeveloped countries is completely processed and sterilized, for example. While it may not be a good idea to drink the water at a home in the same neighborhood, the medical facilities are very safe. Millions have been invested in ensuring that sanitation is not a concern, and that communication is clear. Translators stand by around the clock, in many facilities. Testimonies of those who have received services abroad confirm that the staff is more attentive than in the U.S. and Canada, and that translators eliminate the communication issues. One patient has said that she wished the U.S. would offer translators, the way other countries do!
Because of the rising costs of insurance and for medical procedures, millions of patients are now outsourcing their medical needs to countries abroad. They are opting to travel a little further to receive quality services for 1/6 to 1/8 of the cost of their homeland. The rise of the medical tourism industry has provided an alternative to those people who either cannot or will not pay the rising costs for medical care. In our global medical community, there is little reason why a person cannot afford the services needed. It means traveling a little further, but the bonus is that you get a vacation at the same time.
Both Richard Bean & Jay Siva are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.