Archive for February, 2008
Thermage
Thermage is a non-invasive, no-downtime cosmetic surgery technique that tightens aging skin and renews the facial features. Thermage was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in late 2001 and has grown in popularity in the last few years. Thermage uses radiofrequency technology to enhance the appearance of facial skin around the eyes and forehead, producing desirable results with no incisions and virtually no recovery time.
The skin is composed of many layers. The first layer is called the epidermis and the second, the dermis. The dermis layer of the skin is responsible for collagen production. Collagen is a protein which provides the skin with strength and firmness. Using the heat from radiofrequency technology, Thermage causes the dermis and underlying tissues to tighten, thereby leading to tighter and more youthful looking skin.
The entire Thermage procedure can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. There is little pain involved in the Thermage procedure. Patients describe the sensation felt during the procedure as a mild pinching or burning that goes away with little discomfort. Patients can resume normal daily activities almost immediately after the Thermage procedure is complete, with little or no downtime.
Thermage patients will normally notice results two weeks to six months following a single procedure. These results can last anywhere from six months to two years. As with any medical procedure, there are possible risks that patient should be aware of. Minor skin peeling occurs in approximately six percent of Thermage patients, though this usually does not result in any permanent scarring. To determine if you are a good candidate for a Thermage procedure, you may wish to speak to a cosmetic surgeon who has been specially trained to perform the thermage technique.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health is a term used to describe either a level of cognitive or emotional wellbeing or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual’s ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.
The World Health Organization states that there is no one “official” definition of mental health. Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how “mental health” is defined.
Mental health can be socially constructed and socially defined; that is, different professions, communities, societies and cultures have very different ways of conceptualizing its nature and causes, determining what is mentally healthy, and deciding what interventions are appropriate. Thus, different professionals will have different cultural and religious backgrounds and experiences, which may impact the methodology applied during treatment.
A number of professions have developed specializing in mental disorders, including the medical speciality of psychiatry, divisions of psychology known as clinical psychology, abnormal psychology, positive psychology, applied behavior analysis, behavior therapy, clinical or mental health social work, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychotherapists, counselors and public Health professionals. Different clinical and academic professions tend to favor differing models, explanations and goals. In some cases is necessary a prolongated treatment in an hospice. You can find here a directory of hospices
