Fat Removal

Obesity in both men and women can cause multiple illnesses including heart disease and cancer. Few people, however, think of skin problems when it comes to obesity. Obesity results in extra folds of skin that may be difficult to disinfect and keep clean. That in turn can make the skin an ideal host for bacteria and fungi. Resistances to insulin as well as vein problems are two other issues that result from obesity which can affect the skin negatively.

Obese people tend to develop a skin condition called Acanthosis Nigricans, a skin disorder that results in brown and black spots. This is mainly due to the increased insulin levels. The discoloration normally appears under the arms, on the neck and sometimes in the groin area.

Another skin condition related to obesity is folliculitis. It is normally due to small whiteheads around one or more of the hair follicles on the skin. Obese people are at risk for folliculitis because the extra weight puts added pressure on the hair follicles, which can damage them and allow infection to occur.

Skin tags are yet another skin problem resulting from obesity. Skin can grow and stick out and may be connected with a narrow stock. Skin tags are benign and usually do not cause any pain. They are, however, more common in overweight people because the extra weight causes friction between the affected areas of skin.

One obvious and major issue of the skin related to being overweight is cellulite. Cellulitis is not only a cosmetic issue that causes undesirable stretch marks. It also causes infection of the skin that is caused by bacteria. Cellulitis can cause chronic pain and tenderness in the affected area, as well as excessive sweating and muscle aches.

Few people know that Obesity can be the cause of enlarged varicose veins. These veins will be raised above the skin’s surface. They are more common on the inside of the legs and backs of the calves. If the valves of a vein are weak due to obesity, blood leaks back into the vein and collects in a pool. The pooling of blood in the vein causes the vein to become enlarged. Not only varicose veins are aesthetically undesirable, they can also cause other vascular health problems.

In summary, if you are suffering from weight problems, you most likely have skin problems as well. While major health concerns such as cardio and heart problems should top your agenda, it is highly recommended that you also seek help from your local dermatologist or skin clinic to address any skin issues. A healthy lifestyle comprised of a balanced diet and exercise should lead to weight loss and in turn reverse some of the skin problems.

Katy Issa

As obesity is reaching an epidemic in the US, more people are becoming obsessed with thinness. With dieting and exercising being the slow path to weight loss and healthy looks, liposuction is the popular get-thin fast way for many and has become the most popular elective surgical procedure to date.

In the past couple of years a new laser assisted lipo procedure for fat removal has come to light. One such procedure is the Smartlipo™ by Cynosure. The procedure involves inserting a very small cannula, or tube, approximately 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter containing a laser into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth delivering the laser’s energy to the fat cells, causing them to rupture and easily drain away. Due to the cannula’s small size, Smartlipo™ is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia.

Some physicians say that Smartlipo™ is no better than the tried-and-true surgical liposuction techniques and that it is little more than a marketing ploy. There is no pain free quick fix for obesity and Liposuction is no such fix. In general, people who eat and exercise well after the procedure are the ones most likely to benefit the most from it. Smartlipo™ is not an un-risky procedure as 20 out of 100,000 people who undergo it die from blood clots or infections. This is a higher risk than dying from a car accident or due to smoking.

The bottom line is: If you are to have such surgical procedure make sure you do it in conjunction with healthy eating and exercising. Also you should fully discuss the procedure with your family physician.

Katy Issa
Senior Aesthetician - Aura Laser Skin Care