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Health & Fitness

Secrets to Looking Your Best After Holiday Stress

It's the most wonderful time of the year ... and also one of the busiest. During the holiday season, we often get caught up in a whirlwind of parties, last-minute shopping, celebrations, and family visits. Amidst all this holiday hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget about one important thing: you!

As the holiday season begins to wind down, it's time to refocus some energy on yourself. There are a number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that can help you look and feel refreshed again, with little or no downtime. With just a little help, you can leave people wondering how you look so refreshed as you return to your day-to-day activities after the holidays. It can be your little secret. 

Start Your New Year Wrinkle-Free

Many of us have extra time off during the holiday season, which is a great opportunity to rejuvenate. There are a number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that you could opt for, but BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most popular, with a whopping 680% increase in procedures performed from 2000 to 2012. In 2012, injections of BOTOX were performed over six million times, reports the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  

Why BOTOX? The injectable has the ability to effectively diminish unwanted crow's feet, laugh and frown lines, and other wrinkles around the eyes and brows that are caused by facial muscle contractions. Its effects build over time with continued use, nearly eliminating some wrinkles. BOTOX injections paralyze muscles around the eyes and across the forehead, allowing the skin to lay flat for a period of time and effectively reducing lines and wrinkles in the treatment areas. Injections are safe, reliable, repeatable, and FDA approved. Thanks to BOTOX treatments, people will wonder how you actually look younger after the holidays!

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As quick and easy as BOTOX injections are, it's best to have them done with an experienced medical professional. Many plastic surgeons offer BOTOX, but there are also skincare professionals and dermatologists who specialize in facial rejuvenation. In San Diego, for instance, dermatologist Dr. Susan M. Stuart specializes in BOTOX, among other skincare treatments. Such a physician has a strong understanding of the facial structures affected by injectables and can better create beautiful results.

Smooth Sailing Into 2014

With the holidays behind us, spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Skirts, dresses, shorts, and swimsuits will be emerging from our wardrobes sooner than we think. Although time and dedication are required to achieve many of our New Year's resolutions, such as losing weight or eating healthier, there are other resolutions that can be reached on a lunch break. Smoother skin? Not a problem. Treatments such as laser hair removal and laser skin resurfacing can give you smoother skin with no downtime at all. Other treatments, such as chemical peels require some recovery time, but they can also effectively rejuvenate and smooth rough skin. Now is a good time to plan ahead for treatments requiring any recovery time if you want to be beach-ready in time for summer. As always, consult with your doctor or dermatologist to find out which treatment option is best for you.

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