The pH level is probably the most significant difference between over-the-counter cosmeceuticals and those you’ll find from a plastic surgeon.

• pH of 7 is neutral
• pH of 5-6 is a weak concentration
• pH of 7 is neutral
• pH of 3- 4 is medium strength
• pH of 1 or 2 is high strength acid, what you’ll typically find in high quality, medical grade products from a surgeon.

Although an over-the-counter skin care product may advertise a high acid concentration, it will usually register as a neutral pH. High quality skin care products from a plastic surgeon contain strong acids with a pH level of 1 or 2.

Ordinary products from the drug store are very safe, but they don’t offer a pH level that gets results. Consider this when you’re choosing a skin care regimen to cleanse your skin, improve your complexion, and protect yourself from the signs of photo-damage.

• Read more about skin care products

What a permanent makeup artist can do…

Permanent makeup artists create the illusion of bold features.  Micropigmentation creates perfectly shaped eyebrows, enhances the eyelids with permanent eyeliner, or creates the illusion of fuller, younger-looking lips by ‘filling them in’ with a shade of pink or red.

Unlike a traditional tattoo, the shading is very subtle.  People may notice that you look great, but they won’t know about your micropigmentation procedure.

For pure convenience, permanent makeup shortens the daily ritual of applying makeup before work or other social functions.  Patients say they especially love it in the summer months because it’s waterproof, so their eyes still look attractive and vibrant after activities like swimming or exercising.

To get the best results and minimize risks, you should choose a physician with several years of experience in micropigmentation.  Permanent makeup only requires a topical anesthetic. Healing can take up to two weeks depending on the type of tattoo.

• Read more about permanent makeup in Des Moines

Mentor continues to give women more of a reason to choose MemoryGel® round breast implants with the Mentor Premier Advantage Limited Warranty. As of or after May 1, 2009, Premier Advantage offers $3,500 in financial assistance in case an implant rupture were to occur due to loss of shell integrity. And even better, it is free with breast implant surgery.

For detailed information about the Mentor warranty program, refer to the Premier Advantage patient brochure, contact your Mentor sales representative or call the Mentor Consumer Affairs Department at 866.250.5115 and choose option “1”.

• Read more about breast augmentation