AESTHETICS

BIKINI BODY basics

SUMMER PREPPING PROCEDURES

BY CHRISTI BLEVINS

wimsuit season is right around the corner but have no fear! With advanced modern procedures to get your body bikini ready, you won’t have to dread hitting the beach or pool this summer.

FACE BREAST BODY MEDSPA

MANSFIELDCOSMETICSURGERY.COM

POPULAR PROCEDURES:

Mommy Makeover • Abdominoplasty • Breast Augmentation • Breast Lift & Reduction Brazilian Butt Lift • VASER liposuction • Face & Neck Lift • Botox® & Dermal Fillers Male Gynecomastia • Aesthetic Medical Spa • SculpSure® Fat Reduction • PicoSure® Laser Tattoo Removal

MICHAEL L. THORNTON D.O., FACOS

Double Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

2020 best of

ARLINGTON & MANSFIELD

READERS’ CHOICE

2016-2020

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HEALTHCARE

“Voted Best Cosmetic Surgeon 2020” 817-477-9000

550 N. Walnut Creek Dr., Suite 120 | Mansfield, TX 76063

Smile With Confidence

• Restorative & Cosmetic • Crowns & Bridges • Dental Implants • Porcelain Veneers • Dentures • Teeth Whitening • Invisalign & Fast Braces

990 US Highway 287 Ste. 112 • Mansfield, 76063 817-473-6677 • KimLeDDS.com

ABDOMEN, ARMS, AND THIGHS, OH MY!

If you are concerned about pockets of fat around your abdomen, arms, or thighs that don’t improve with diet and exercise, you have several options that don’t include wearing a winter parka to the beach.

Non-invasive body contouring treatments include:

CoolSculpting. Cold temperatures are used to freeze away fat cells. SculpSure. It uses a high-intensity laser to melt away fat cells. Vanquish. Electromagnetic waves permeate and destroy fat layers. Emsculpt. The first device to build muscle and sculpt your body through electromagnetic therapy.

A minimally invasive option is:

Renuvion. This procedure is designed to firm and contour. Tiny incisions are made on the targeted areas, and tissues are treated with cold plasma energy.

Invasive options for sculpting these areas include:

Arm lift. This surgery removes excess skin and fat, also known as bat wings, from the area between the armpit and elbow. Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty. Removes excess fat and skin while tightening loose abdominal muscles.

Liposuction. Uses a suction technique to remove fat and contour problem areas. BEAUTIFUL BOSOM

The texture of breast tissue changes as you age. As time passes, the texture becomes softer, allowing gravity to take its toll. A skilled surgeon can lift them where they belong with a breast lift. If you’re looking to fill out your bikini top, then fat transfer breast augmentation may be right for you. This cosmetic procedure removes fat from areas like your thighs and buttocks and relocates it to your breasts. For people with no body fat to spare, you can talk to your doctor about traditional implants. If your bra cup runneth over, a breast reduction can help you feel more confident. This procedure can also reduce chronic neck and back pain and may be covered by your health insurance. BEACH BUM

Gravity can also wreak havoc with the buttocks. A buttock lift can help create a new line of demarcation between the rear and thighs. Brazilian butt lifts remove fat from hips, thighs, abdomen, or other areas through liposuction. The fat is purified and injected into areas of the buttocks. People without enough fat to relocate might want to consider Sculptra. Sculptra is an injectable treatment that promotes collagen growth. Traditionally used for fine lines and wrinkles, some physicians use it to give a fuller appearance to the buttocks. GET THE BEACH BALL ROLLING

Recovery time will vary depending on which procedures and how many you get. Don’t forget to plan ahead to allow your body plenty of time to heal before swimsuit season. The best way to learn all of the answers to your questions is to schedule a consultation with a skilled plastic surgeon in your area.

NOT SO FRESH breath

THE CAUSES, THE CURES, AND HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’VE GOT IT

BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT

e’ve all found ourselves in conversation with someone and wondered, “How’s my breath?” Of course, the other side of the coin is wondering how the person you’re talking to doesn’t realize they’re breathing dragon breath in your face. Either way, halitosis can be a formula for social embarrassment.

What exactly causes bad breath, and what can you do about it? There are a number of possible culprits.

Foods such as garlic and onion Dry mouth perhaps from medication Smoking or chewing tobacco Some medical conditions

Untreated tooth decay or gum disease Poorly fitting dental appliances Think of bad breath as any other type of body odor, usually a social problem more than a medical one. If you have B.O., you take a shower. As you clean your body, you reduce the bacteria population under your arm, eliminating the odor. In the same way, brushing and flossing your teeth reduces and scatters the bacteria in your mouth, usually eliminating bad breath. One way to test your breath and see if you have a problem is to take a dry, clean unscented cloth and scrub your tongue as far back as you can for about five seconds. Wait thirty seconds, then smell the cloth. You can also ask your partner or a close friend to be honest with you about it. And your dentist should feel comfortable telling you. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), 90% of bad breath originates from bacteria on the tongue. Because our tongues consist of tiny hills, valleys, and crevices, it’s the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. If you suffer from chronic nasal drip, bacteria are even more at home. And since bacteria like to congregate at the back of your tongue, it’s important to attack it at its source. Just as you take time to floss and brush your teeth, devote some time to brushing your tongue, as far back as you can tolerate. Invest in a tongue scraper and use it, first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, also as far back as you can stand.

Other than that, you can:

Be diligent about regular professional cleanings and check-ups. Drink plenty of liquids. Chew sugar-free gum. Use a saline nose spray to break up mucus and moisturize nasal passages. Ask your dentist to recommend an ADA-approved mouthwash. If your dentist determines your teeth and gums aren’t the sources of your bad breath, consult with your primary care doctor to make sure odor isn’t caused by pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, gastrointestinal issues, and liver or kidney problems. Lastly, there are a few home remedies you can try. Gargle with water and either apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or salt. Or carry a few cloves that you can chew on (but don’t swallow) whenever you’re worried your breath might not score an A+.

At Schoening DDS patients can expect the highest quality of customized care, because to us it’s not just about teeth, it’s about people and their quality of life.