What Is Vaginal Microflora And the VFA Test

Nowadays, women are more comfortable talking about vaginal issues and are learning about vaginal microflora. Vaginal microflora is integral to vaginal health so if it is thrown off balance, the risk of developing infections increases. That’s where the VFA test comes in. But what is vaginal microflora and the VFA test?

What Is Vaginal Microflora

Vaginal microflora refers to the different strains of bacteria that are present in the vagina. The vagina is home to more than 30 strains of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria. The ‘good’ bacteria or lactobacilli generally predominate and protect the vagina from harmful microorganisms. However, there are times when the natural balance of bacteria is disrupted, resulting in an altered vaginal microflora pattern.

Irritation, itching, burning, odor, and urinary frequency or urgency are symptoms of an altered vaginal microflora pattern.

What Is The VFA Test

The Vaginal Fluid Analysis (VFA) test is an advanced diagnostic technique that is used to evaluate the constituents of the vaginal fluid. It identifies the characteristics and quantity of the microbes in the vagina and determines if an altered vaginal microflora pattern is present.
The VFA test was developed by board-certified gynecologist Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. Dr. Fowler was a Consultant in Gynecology at the Mayo Clinic for 22 years then subsequently founded Fowler GYN International (FGI) in 2013.

The VFA test provides details on vaginal constituents including 1) the maturation squamous cells, 2) the relative concentration of each types, 3) the concentration of wbc’s, 4) the predominate type of wbc’s, 5) the relative concentration of lactobacilli, 6) the quality of lactobacilli, 7) the relative concentration of non-lactobacilli, and 8) the presence of tease as pseudohyphae, blastospores or both. Knowing the type and concentration of the vaginal constituents allows the vaginal experts at FGI to create a customized treatment protocol for each patient, to restore balance to the microflora.

If you would like to learn more about microflora and the VFA test, contact Fowler GYN International at www.fowlergyninternational.com, or by calling (480) 420-4001. FGI is located in Phoenix, AZ.

Is It Safe To Get Botox Near Your Eyes?

Leave a reply

Are you thinking about getting botox to treat the wrinkles around your eyes, but wonder if it’s safe to do so?Every year millions of people get botox injections to reduce dynamic wrinkles which are caused by muscle movement linked to expressions such as squinting, smiling, and frowning. But is it safe to get botox near your eyes?

How does botox work

Botox is a neurotoxin, so it works by relaxing the muscles responsible for the formation of expression lines. When botox is injected into the targeted muscle it blocks the transmission of signals from the nerves to the muscles, which reduces muscle contractions. This leads to smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, and a more youthful appearance.

Is it safe to get botox near your eyes?

Botox is FDA approved for smoothing wrinkles at the corner of the eyes (crow’s feet), so it can be safely used near your eyes. Also, botox has been used safely in the field of ophthalmology for many years to treat medical conditions such as eyelid twitching and lazy eye. Treating these conditions involves making botox injections in the muscles near the eyes.

If you are considering getting botoxnear your eyes it’s essential to be aware of possible side effects including droopy eyelids, as well as pain and swelling at the injection site. When botox injectionsarestrategically placed using the correct dosage and technique, side-effects are minimal. That’s the reason why botox should only be administered by askilled, experienced physician.

Would you like to learn more about botox?Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, NY, or New Jersey areas, Manhattan Aesthetics is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.manhattan-aesthetics.com, or by calling (646) 760-4726.

What Exactly is Mohs Surgery?

Leave a reply

Skin cancer is a dangerous disease that affects millions of people each year, but it can be treated successfully if caught early.Mohs Surgery is considered the most effective way to treat skin cancer because of its high cure rate. But what exactly is Mohs Surgery?

What Exactly Is Mohs Surgery

Mohs or Mohs Micrographic surgery is a surgical procedure that is used to treat squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which are the most common types of skin cancer.

Mohs surgery is performed by specially trained doctors, and requires specific lab conditions since the lab work is done on-site. It is considered the treatment of choice for skin cancer because it completely removes the visiblecancerous growth above the surface, as well as the roots beneath the skin.

Mohs surgery is also advantageous because it spares as much healthy tissue as possible. This makes it an excellent option for treating delicate areas like the face and neck.

Depending on the extent of the cancer, Mohs surgery can take several hours to perform. Surgeryis done under local anesthesia so patients are awake throughout.

How Is Mohs SurgeryPerformed

Mohs surgery is a precise technique that removesskin cancer by layers. A thin layer of tissue is excised and then immediately examined under a microscope at the on-site lab. Patients wait while the lab work is being done. If cancer cells are detected the excision of tissue is repeated until the area is cancer-free. The wound may be left open after surgery or reconstructed with a skin flap.

Would you like to learn more about Mohs surgery? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Newport Beach, CA area, Zena Medical is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.zenamedical.com or by calling 949-200-8222.

How Safe Is Botox?

Leave a reply

Are you struggling with wrinkles? Botox can reduce those unwanted wrinkles for you. Botox is a proven anti-wrinkle solution for those annoying frown lines and crow’s feet, but despite its popularity, there are still questions surrounding the safety of botox.

Botox Wrinkle Reduction

Botox is used to treat dynamic facial wrinkles which are lines that appear as a result of the movement of the facial muscles. Common dynamic wrinkles include forehead lines, moderate to severe frown lines, and crow’s feet.
Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles and this reduces muscle activity. Consequently, the skin becomes smoother, and wrinkles are less noticeable.

How Safe Is Botox

Questions concerning the safety of botox often arise because the active ingredient – bacterium clostridium botulinum – is a toxin that can cause botulism in large doses. However, botox is made from highly diluted quantities of the toxin and is therefore very safe.

Botox gained FDA approval as an aesthetic treatment in 2002 and has maintained a solid safety record since that time. It is an effective treatment that is used around the world to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. It also treats medical conditions such as excessive sweating and lazy eye.

As with any medication, side-effects may occur with botox, but these are usually short-lived. Common side-effects of botox include slight bruising, mild pain, and tenderness at the injection site.

To ensure safety, botox must only be administered by a qualified, trained injector with the necessary expertise to inject botox into the correct muscles, using the right dosage.
Would you like to learn more about botox? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.
If you are in the greater Melbourne and Palm Bay, FL areas, The Refinery MedSpa, West Melbourne, FL is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.refinerymedspa.com, or by calling 321-339-1001.

Will a facelift make me look younger?

Leave a reply

Do you look older than you feel? If so, you can rejuvenate your face with a facelift. Excess sun exposure, gravity and stress, are some of the factors that can contribute to facial aging, because they undermine the strength and elasticity of the skin. But will a facelift make you look younger.

Will a facelift make me look younger?

Yes, a facelift will make you look younger than before, because it addresses signs of aging on the face and neck.

A facelift or rhytidectomy is designed to refresh your appearance and make you look more youthful. It tightens sagging skin and lifts the deep facial tissues, and in so doing, it reduces lines and folds around the mouth, and firms jowls and loose neck skin.

Today’s facelift methods produce softer, more natural-looking results, because they focus on repositioning and tightening the underlying muscles and connective tissues (learn more).

Is a facelift worth it

Although a facelift won’t make you look 20 years old again, it can take several years off your appearance, and sculpt a more youthful face. The results of a facelift can last 10 years or more. Even though you will experience signs of aging after a facelift, you will always look younger by several years, so there are significant benefits (read more).

Since a facelift targets the lower third of the face, it is often combined with other procedures such as an eyelid lift or brow lift, for patients needing comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Are you ready to defy your age with a facelift? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Las Vegas and Henderson, NV areas, The Lanfranchi Center, Las Vegas, NV, is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.thelanfranchicenter.com or by calling 702-929-3880.

How much does laser tattoo removal cost

Leave a reply

Are you experiencing tattoo regret? Thanks to innovations in laser technology, removing a tattoo is quicker and less painful than it once was. However, since laser technology is involved, cost is an important consideration. But how much does laser tattoo removal cost.

How laser tattoo removal works

The laser energy selectively targets the tattoo ink in the skin. The ink particles absorb the laser energy, and the resulting heat breaks down the particles into tiny fragments. These fragments are cleared away by the body’s immune system in the weeks following treatment.

How much does laser tattoo removal cost

The cost of laser tattoo removal can range from $200 to $500. The variability of the cost is due to factors such as color, size, and the type of technology.

Factors that affect the cost of laser tattoo removal

When it comes to laser tattoo removal, colour is a prime consideration, because some colours are harder to remove than others, and will therefore require more treatments. Black is the easiest tattoo ink to remove, because it absorbs the laser wavelength easily. Consequently, all-black tattoos are usually the least expensive to treat.

The type of technology used, is another factor that can affect the cost of laser tattoo removal. PicoWay is an advanced laser that removes tattoos faster and more efficiently than older technologies. PicoWay is a high-energy picosecond laser that removes a wide range of tattoo ink colours, and is safe for use on all skin tones and skin types.

In addition, larger tattoos typically cost more to remove because they require more laser time than smaller tattoos.

Are you ready to erase that unwanted tattoo?

If you are in the Vancouver, BC area, contact Yaletown Laser Centre for a consultation. Yaletown uses the state-of-the-art PicoWay for laser tattoo removal.

You can reach them at www.yaletownlaser.com, or by calling 604-714-5321.

How can I repair summer sun damage?

Leave a reply

If you like being outdoors, you probably enjoy the summertime, but too much sun can damage your skin, even if you apply sunscreen. It’s not uncommon to notice signs of aging such as fine lines, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, after years of soaking up the sun. So how can you repair summer sun damage.

How can I repair summer sun damage?

Chemical peels are a great way to repair summer sun damage, because they target a variety of skin concerns, and require minimal downtime. Chemical Peels exfoliate dead, damaged skin cells from the outer surface of the skin, to reveal healthy, glowing skin (learn more).

A medical grade chemical peel using Alpha hydroxyl acid is often recommended for sun damaged skin. AHAs soften fine lines, reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and even out skin tone, making the skin smoother and more youthful. AHAs are derived from milk and fruit.

How chemical peels work

The chemical solution is applied to the skin and creates a controlled wound, and the dead skin cells on the surface peel away over the course of several days. Once this process is complete, a fresh layer of skin is revealed, so the skin looks clearer, brighter, and more youthful.

Chemical peels also enhance cell turnover and stimulate the production of collagen. This makes the skin smoother, plumper, and firmer (read more).

Most patients notice significant improvement in the appearance of their skin about 2-3 weeks after a chemical peel.

Interested in a chemical peel to repair sun damage? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Toronto or Mississauga, ON areas, Skinatomy Laser Clinic is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.skinatomylaserclinic.com, or by calling (647) 697-7602 (Toronto) or (289) 512-0188 (Mississauga).

5 Benefits of laser hair removal

Leave a reply

If you are thinking about having laser hair removal, you probably want to know what the benefits are, and why you should opt for laser removal instead of shaving or waxing. Below are 5 of the most important benefits of laser hair removal.

5 Benefits of laser hair removal

Results are long-lasting. Unlike other hair removal methods such as shaving and waxing that provide only-short term results, the results of laser hair removal are long lasting. Whereas hair grows back in a matter of days after shaving, hair does not regrow for several months after laser hair removal.
Time Efficient. The precision and speed with which lasers operate, makes it possible to perform laser hair removal treatments in a short time. Small areas like the underarms and upper lip, take only a few minutes to treat. It typically takes about 6 sessions to achieve optimal hair reduction.
Versatile. Laser hair removal can be used to remove unwanted hair on almost any part of the body. The legs, back, underarms, bikini line, chest, and face, are among the most common treatment areas.
Minimal pain. Hair removal methods such as waxing or tweezing can be painful and uncomfortable, especially if you have a lot of hair to remove. However, laser hair removal is virtually painless.
No ingrown hair. Since the laser energy damages the hair follicle, there is no risk of ingrown hairs developing.

Are you ready to schedule your laser hair removal consultation? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Rancho Santa Margarita or Newport Beach, CA areas, Pure Beauty Skin Care & Medical Spa is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.purebeautymedicalspa.com, or by calling (949) 763-3859 (Rancho Santa Margarita) or (949) 236-6001 (Newport Beach).

Is it safe to remove leg veins?

Leave a reply

Are you thinking of getting that aching leg vein removed, but wonder if it’s the right thing to do. Like most patients, you’re probably concerned that eliminating a leg vein could lead to health problems later on. So it is safe to remove leg veins.

Is it safe to remove leg veins?

Yes, leg veins can be safely removed without causing any health issues. Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for leg veins, and it is a very safe procedure.

Veins on the legs are typically varicose veins that develop as a result of damage to the tiny one-way valve in the veins. Leg veins push the blood towards the heart, and the one-way valves prevent the backward flow of blood. However, if these valves become weak or damaged, the blood can leak backward and collect in the veins. This puts undue pressure on the vein walls, causing the veins to become enlarged.

Varicose and spider veins in the legs are damaged veins, which hinder circulation because they prevent the blood from flowing efficiently. Since these veins are not working properly, it’s quite safe to remove them. Once the affected veins are removed, blood will be rerouted through healthy veins.

Benefits of removing leg veins

Damaged leg veins actually put additional pressure on healthy veins, so when they are removed the venous system can function optimally. Removing varicose veins in the legs will also relieve any associated symptoms such as aching pain, leg cramping, and leg fatigue.

Would you like to learn more about removing leg veins? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the greater Los Angeles or Orange County areas, Laser Skin Care Center, Long Beach, CA is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.lasercarespecialists.com, or by calling (562) 997-1144.

How can I reduce my double chin?

Leave a reply

Do you have a double chin that you would like to get rid of? Extra fat below the chin can be difficult to reduce because it does not respond to diet and exercise, but fortunately there are treatments that can help. So how can you reduce your double chin?

How can I reduce my double chin?

There are several effective non-surgical treatments for double chin reduction, including Kybella. Kybella is an FDA approved injectable treatment that can dissolve your double chin in a few short sessions.

The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, which is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and is used to break down dietary fat.

A single Kybella treatment takes only 15 minutes to complete, and there is no downtime, which makes it the ideal option for people with busy schedules. There may be some temporary redness and swelling after treatment, but these side-effects typically resolve in a few days.

How Kybella works

When Kybella is injected into the fat below the chin the deoxycholic acid breaks down the membrane of the fat cells. The damaged fat cells are naturally removed from the body over the following weeks, resulting in a reduction in fat under the chin.

How many treatments do I need?

Depending on the amount of fat beneath the chin, it can take anywhere from 2-6 Kybella treatments to achieve the desired results.

Are you ready to reduce your double chin with Kybella? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Rockwall, TX area Juvanew is our featured practice. Call them today for a consultation, and find out if Kybella would be the right choice for you.

You can reach them at www.juvanew.com or by calling (972) 449-9932.

Healthy Living Experts

Healthier Living Articles written by the Experts

What Is Vaginal Microflora And the VFA Test