Cassandra Banksons, 19, like most teenagers, suffers from acne and without makeup, its clear that her condition is quiet severe. But instead of letting it get her down, she devised her own techniques of applying makeup so that her skin appears flawless.

How to Conceal Acne

Cassandra’s techniques are so effective, that she has become a model; her portfolio can be seen on her diamondsandheels14 channel on YouTube.

The video shows Cassandra fully made up, looking as one expects a model should. She then strips the makeup to reveal the real appearance of her skin. After seeing how well her techniques work, Cassandra then takes views through a step-by-step guide on how she conceals her acne.

Clearly wanting to share her knowledge with the world, Cassandra, who is studying to become a nurse, has started to document her daily struggle with acne over the course of one year, sharing tips, new products and medications and other radical new ideas in a series of clips.

“I hope to have the opportunity to bring advanced dermatology and skincare help to other teens and adults with this condition in the future – fixing it from the source.”

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The kit, called ReCell, uses the patient’s own skin cells to form a solution that can be sprayed on to the wound, where it continues to grow and multiply.

“ReCell is a stand-alone, rapid, autologous cell harvesting, processing and delivery technology that enables surgeons and clinicians to treat skin defects using the patient’s own cells in a regenerative process, accelerating healing, minimizing scar formation, eliminating tissue rejection and reintroducing pigmentation to the skin.” [Ativa]

Traditional skin grafts, which are made by growing patches of skin that are draped over the wound, can take weeks to grow and more time to heal.

Avita ReCell Spray-On-Skin Cell

The new spray-on-skin however, grows the skin solution by taking a sample of the patient’s keratinocytes and melanocytes. These cells reproduce quickly when mixed in a special suspension solution, to about 80 times the original size within 30 minutes.

Once the solution has been cultivated, a special nozzle is then used to spray it over the wound. The result is faster healing and better cosmetic results.

The procedure can be performed anywhere, and takes little more than the 30 minutes required to grow the skin solution. And since the solution is grown form the patient’s own skin cells, there’s no risk of the boy rejecting them.

The procedure is already available in Europe, Australia and Canada, however the ReCell system is still seeking FDA approval for sale in the U.S.

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The new drug, takes a different approach in tackling the painful skin condition; by attacking the proteins produced by germs, as opposed to current treatments, which target the acne causing bacteria, P-Acnes.

Acne is caused when the skin produces too much of its own natural moisturizer known as sebum. Over production of sebum clogs the pores, protein then starts killing the blood cells and this results in inflammation and sore pimples.

P-Acne Bacteria Causes Acne

Current treatments that blitz P-Acnes can be effective, but leave around 20 percent of suffers with scarring. The strongest acne treatment out there, Roaccutane, not only makes skin sensitive, it has also been linked to birth defects and depression.

To develop the new treatment, the scientists – working in conjunction with the world’s biggest vaccine company, Sanofi Pasteur – created an antibody that switches off the troublesome protein when injected into the skin.

In tests on mince, the group injected with bacteria treated with antibodies developed much less inflammation than the mice that were given the untreated bacteria.

Although hailed as a vaccine, the new jab would act more like a treatment that may need to be administered on several occasions. However, experts say it’s still too early to tell how many injections would be needed.

With 8 out of 10 teenagers suffering from spots, and a global market for acne treatment estimated at
£1.87billion a year, an effective new medication that literally ‘turns-off’ the disease would be useful for millions.

Dr Harald Gollnick, of the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne, says it may be available within five to ten years.

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Stretch marks form in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that helps it retains its shape. Constant stretching of the skin causes the dermis to breakdown, resulting in scarring.

Stretch marks, or striae, often start as small reddish or purple marks before developing into scars that appears as glossy, shiny streaks on the skin.

Both men and women can get stretch marks on several areas of their bodies, including the abdominal area, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms or lower back.

Strech Marks Across Chest And Shoulders

Unfortunately, most non-surgical treatments for stretch marks do not work very well. However, younger, healthier patients with supple skin tone and a healthy diet may see better results than others when trying to get rid of stretch marks.

Prescription Methods

Perhaps the most popular and effective treatment for stretch marks is called Tretinoin. This can be obtained with a prescription from your doctor.

Over-the-Counter Products

OTC products are typically less effective. However moisturizers can help with appearance and itchiness, and sunless tanning products can help mask the scars.

Visit your Dermatologist

Stretch marks are often best treated by a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist. He or she can determine which treatment, surgical or non-surgical, is best for you.

Does Insurance Cover Stretch Mark Treatment?

Unfortunately, treatments for stretch marks are usually classified as an elective cosmetic procedure (even in the most sever cases). Talk to your particular provider to see what is covered under your plan.

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The new small study, which involved 37 people with diabetes who had wounds that had been open for several months to five years, found that while the maggots did not completely close the wounds, “there was 50% or more closure,” explained researcher Lawrence Eron, MD, of the University of Hawaii. The research also found that the maggots also disinfect the wound and stimulate healing.

To treat the patients, doctors place 50 to 100 maggots in a mesh bag and apply the bag to the wounds for around two days. After that time the maggots appear fatter from the feeding and the wounds are visibly more healed. Five of the participants experienced discomfort, which was easily treated with acetaminophen, and one patient stopped the treatment due to pain. But overall the treatment was effective in 27 of the 37 participants.

Eron admits that the treatment may seem a little disgusting, however he says the patients generally welcomed the sensation, as many previously had no feeling at all in the area of their wounds.

Researchers still aren’t exactly sure how maggots achieve their medical healing abilities, but they theorize an antibacterial effect is at work. It seems that the maggots excrete substances that boost the body’s immune system and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, he says.

Medical-Grade Maggots

Maggots have been used in medicine for centuries, however with the invention of antibiotics, the use of medical maggots declined. However, with antibiotic-resistant infections on the rise, researchers are once again turning to fly larvae to heal wounds.

At the recent Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 17-20th September, Eron showed before-and-after photos of a patient who had a gangrenous foot ulcer that was treated using maggots. Prior to the treatment, doctors had wanted to amputate the leg.

“These little critters may allow [patients] to heal and avoid amputation or at least delay it so they can live the rest of their lives with their limbs intact,” [WebMD]

An estimated 25.8 million people, 8.3% of the population, have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. In 2006, about 65,700 lower-limb amputations were performed as a result of diabetes.

Maggot therapy costs around $500, compared to the $10,000 it costs to treat uninfected foot ulcer in a person with diabetes, or $50,000 if amputation is required. All costs aside, Catherine Bennett, PhD, head of the School of Health and Social Development at the Deakin University Australia in Burwood, Australia explains that the main advantage of maggot therapy is that it “gets us around the problem of antibiotic resistance.”

Despite the positive findings experts agreed more research, and larger trials are needed to confirm these results.

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Luckily, the use of needles to administer Botox may not be necessary if a topical cream currently undergoing clinical trials proves successful.

Needle Free Botox Treatment

“The gel contains botulinum toxin type A and a peptide carrier, which is what helps the botulinum toxin gel penetrate the skin,” explained Michael Kane, MD, a New York City plastic surgeon and consultant for Revance Therapeutics. [WebMD]

The gel is applied and left to sit for 30 minutes to allow the Botox to penetrate the skin. It is then washed off and the patient is free to carry on with their day.

The gel has already been found to be effective in two separate studies involving 270 patients with mild to severe crow’s feet. After four weeks, 89% of participants had improved smoothness in wrinkles around the eye.

Kane reports that aside from the odd case of skin irritation, ‘no serious’ side effects occurred. In fact, he notes that the treatment should actually reduce the risk of side effects, such as pain and bruising, which can often occur after receiving injections.

The current trials complete the Phase II stage of testing; Phase 3 research is still needed before the gel can seek FDA approval.

Kane presented the results at Plastic Surgery 11, the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in Denver on Saturday 22nd, Sept.

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Should the ultra thin wearable sensor prove successful, it could be used in a wide range of medical applications and would eradicate the need for bulky equipment.

The patch, created by John Rogers, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Illinois and other institutions in the U.S., Singapore, and China, is just 1 mm thickness and consists of electric monitors sandwiched between silicon wafers.

Electronic Skin Monitors Health

The squiggly wires of the circuit allow the patch to mimic the properties of the skin so it can be bent stretched and scrunched without being damaged.

“The skin represents one of the most natural places to integrate electronics. As the largest organ in the body, and our primary sensory mode of interaction with the world, it plays a special role,” Rogers says.

The patch is applied using water-soluble elastomer that acts like a stick adhesive, and can be easily removed when needed.

Researchers have already shown that the patch can work on various parts of the body for different applications. In one study, the wearable sensor was worn on the chest and used to pick up signals from the heart. The data gathered by the system was just as accurate at that produced by hospital electrocardiogram.

In another study the patch was placed on the throat and configured to distinguish 4 voice commands, up, down, left and right, proving that the technology could not only help monitor patients vital signals, but could also be used to amplify speech and help people with disabilities control medical devices.

The current patch can only be used for a few days at a time, and because skin cells are constantly being shed, even with a longer lasting adhesive the patch would still need to be reapplied at least once every two weeks. It also needs to be tested on a range of skin conditions from dry to sweaty and sensitive skin.

Researchers are now working on more complex circuits, they’re also working to make the device wireless – it still needs to be plugged in to download information, and to add more components such as piezoelectric circuits which harvest energy from the body’s movements.

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Moles

Mole Removal

Well have no fear, dermatologist have been at work (as they suffer from unsightly moles as well) and answered to the call of how to safely and effectively remove moles. Moles should be evaluated by a dermatologist so that a biopsy can be performed. They will examine the tissues under a microscope and determine if the mole might be cancerous. If the mole is cancerous, the the dermatologist should remove the entire mole and the skin near by to ensure the mole does not grow back.

Skin Tags

Skin Tag Removal

5 Main Reasons Skin Tags Develop:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Genetic
• Human Papilloma Virurs HPV

Thankfully there are several over the counter products to safely remove skin tags, instead of spending the money to visit a dermatologist. Additionally several home products can be used to naturally remove skin tags as well.

100% natural products that are really effective and proven to remove skin tags:

• Onion Juice
• Dandelion Roots
• Castor Oil
• Baking Soda
• Dental Floss
• Ice
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Scissors
• Tea Tree Oil
• Nail Polish
• Sour Apple

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All this follow up care comes at price, and as anyone with medical insurance will know, any elective cosmetic surgery, or any follow up care resulting from such surgery will not be covered by your provider.

Medical tourism is one option many American’s and Europeans are choosing to help cut the cost of their elective surgeries.

Choose Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

Fortunately there are many well experienced and highly qualified doctors working in Thailand, India and other parts of Asia, and the lower living cost in these countries enable clinics and hospitals to offer first class service at an extremely competitive rates.

Nevertheless there are limits to how cheap high quality surgery can be offered, and many medical tourists overlook this when they decide to go with a surgeon in a clinic or hospital abroad. A general rule of thumb is to always go with a board certified plastic surgeon, with many years experience in the type of surgery you are opting for. If one turns up to be much cheaper than most others, you should immediately question why.

There’s no doubt that surgery is cheaper in countries such as Thailand and India, and with the added bonus of being able to enjoy a relaxing break and recovery in an exotic destination, there really is no better way to rejuvenate your body and mind. But always remember to be realistic about the cost of your surgery, and know you’re likely to get what you paid for.

There are many horror stories from patient’s who opted for the cheapest surgeon they could find. 40-year old Larissa Hersom, who wrote into the 33tv Texas news station to share her story, is one of those unfortunate people.

Hersom wanted to undergo bariatric surgeon to reduce her 300 lbs weight. After being told her medical insurance would not cover the weight-loss surgery, and realizing the high cost or surgery in the U.S., she began hunting on the Internet for a cheap deal in Mexico. Talking with 33TV she explained:

“In the United States the lowest quote I got was $24,000.00 for the surgery and in Mexico. I was getting quotes of $12,000.00 to $14,000.00 and I ended up paying $12,500.00.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before there were complications – Hersom had to visit the emergency room three times in as many months, and was eventually told that without another surgery, she will die.

And she’s not alone, Dr. Nicholson a bariatric surgeon at the Forest Park Medical Center, said he sees many patients like Larissa:

“Unfortunately we see this problem all too frequently as a matter of fact in our practice, we see this about once a week.”

Hersom, knowing she is far from the only one who has experience such medical malpractice, wanted people to take away this msg:

“You have to have money set aside for possible complications as well as the initial surgery. And if you have enough money for that – than why not get a competent US doctor (with US protections) in the first place? I feel like a complete fool. I gambled, and lost.”

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The smart mattress was designed two years ago by young entrepreneur and engineer, Michael Sauter with funding from Empa and the ETH Zuric. Suater has now established a company, Compliant Concepts, to manufacture and market the device, and hope’s that an industrial partner will help produce the mattresses by the end of the year.

Smart Mattress Repositions Immobile Patients Day and Night

The mechanism inside the mattress mimics the movements of a person during sleep so immobile patients are less likely to suffer from decubitus ulcers, or bedsore. The system also tracks and logs the movements of the patient, be it independently or aided by the bed. The information can then be analyzed by doctors to monitor the benefits provided by the mattress.

The current cost of treating patients suffering from bedsores is estimated at around $43,000, a task that is not only costly, but also hard work. Such a system that can easily be added to hospital beds could prove an effective solution not just in terms of cost, but also in freeing up valuable hands in hospitals and clinics around the world.

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