Everyone looks back at old photos and muses, "What was I thinking?" But, what do you do when it's not as temporary as a bad perm or a errant make up choice? That's exactly what's happening for people who are part of the ear gauges trend, and now wishing to reverse the stretch of their lobes.

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Besse Cooper, a great great grandmother, celebrated her 116th birthday earlier this week, making her the oldest person in the world. The Georgia sweetheart, when asked her secret to longevity, told Guinness, “I mind my own business. And I don’t eat junk food.’’

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According to a recent study, guys experiencing higher anxiety are more likely to be attracted to fleshier women. Considering the recent surge in enhancements and shapely contouring, could the current surgical trends be linked to evolutionary instincts?

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Bullying among teens has always been a problem, and now some students, parents and other organizations are taking significant, appearance-altering action in an effort to prevent teen bullying. On the heels of the Nadia Isle story, the topic has sparked notable controversy and debate, and we polled the community to gauge public sentiment about this topic.

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Starting off the week, Anderson sits down with personal trainer PJ James today, who took understanding to a whole new level. In just four months, he gained and lost 100 pounds to give himself a better understanding of what a weight loss journey really entails. 

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Tyra’s response to models opposed to plastic surgery? "I hate when models say 'Oh, plastic surgery is just a wrong thing. What're you talking about? You won the genetic lottery…” Kudos to Banks’ stance that procedures should be an individual’s choice and not universally frowned upon by others.

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Summer break is always the time for teens to reinvent their look before the new school year, and some are going to greater lengths to put their best face forward.

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Losing weight is hard. You diet, you exercise, you follow all the good advice (and some of the fads) from doctors, friends, and family—and sometimes, it still doesn't work quickly enough. For people who struggle with excess weight that threatens their health, weight loss surgery can be a life-changing experience. But not all insurances cover these spendy procedures, and many patients aren't able to pay out of pocket.

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Inc. – a leading tech and entrepreneurial magazine – released its annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies, and we’re thrilled to report that RealSelf made the list! Over the past three years, RealSelf has experienced a staggering and thrilling 1,217% growth – and none of it would have been possible without the powerful connections that are made every day within our community.

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It often happens that questions and comments stirring around our community forums become the next big trends in medi-beauty. One such procedure is miraDry, which is intended to reduce or eliminate excessive sweating with the using of microwave technology.

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We've tapped into doctors in the past to get the scoop on whose features are the most requested - from J.Lo's derriere and Angelina's lips, to most recently Megan Fox's nose. 

Here's a breakdown from Celebuzz, noting the most coveted male and female looks from head to toe. Take a peek and see if you agree with the rankings.

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Step aside, Botox? A new product called “Frotox” is expected to hit plastic surgeons’ offices in the not too distant future, and the buzz is that the still-in-testing filler may rival other popular wrinkle removers.

So what is Frotox?

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We love any time our site is used to help educate people in matters of medi-beauty – that’s what we’re here for! This month’s issue of San Francisco’s Scene magazine highlighted one of the hottest procedures on the market – Cellulaze, a minimally invasive procedure targeting cellulite that has people abuzz.

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Dr. Rian A. Maercks, a Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon, recently took a new approach to try to prove his point. And we warn you, there are a lot of needles involved. Dr. Maercks is spreading his philosophy of “aesthetic facial balancing,” a procedure which uses a high volume of fillers like Juvederm to achieve a youthful, smooth look. Instead of using the typical one to two vials of filler that most procedures use, Dr. Maercks advocates using no less than eight to 10, and often more.

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We've mentioned the topic before—couples undergoing nip/tuck together, or opting for simultaneous lipo. Now, this double-procedure trend is really catching on. Is this just a new way for couples to proclaim their love, like matching tattoos, or is there something more to the surge?

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It’s a far too common mistake in summer – falling asleep in the sun, losing track of time, and – BAM – sunburn! It’s not just your surface skin that risks being harmed by those powerful ultraviolet rays (which actually accounts for 90% of the changes associated with aging); too much sun can also pose serious health risks.

According to DailyMail, a Swedish company and Scottish university may have found a preventative measure for sun damage in disposable wristbands.

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When it comes to reducing the appearance of cellulite, Cellulaze has been a leading treatment option, with a 77% Worth It Rating, but a newly FDA-approved product on the market appears ready to compete for the title.

VASERsmooth is a new accessory for the VASER Liposuction technology, which uses ultrasonic energy or high-energy sound waves to emulsify fat. Now, in addition to contouring fat, doctors can user VASER to remove signs of cellulite.

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With procedures that range from simple to complex, and price tags from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, there are tons of cosmetic surgery options with different results — and growing. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that Americans spent nearly $10 billion last year on cosmetic procedures, just in the U.S.

But is there a cheaper, faster (and temporary) way to address the issue? Here, we'll take a look at some products that claim to tighten or enhance without detracting from your wallet.

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California has taken a significant step toward ensuring its medical spas are run more safely – and RealSelf is all for it. A new state law signed by Governor Jerry Brown last month greatly increases the repercussions for law-breaking medical businesses. Non-doctors who perform medical procedures illegally can now face up to $50,000 in fines, as well as five years in jail, compared with the previous misdemeanor charge and $200 fine.

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It’s a story still fresh in our minds. Chrissy Lance (though many names have been reported), a 37-year-old single mom, student and bartender, got creative about fulfilling her dream of a breast augmentation – by panhandling. Since we blogged about the Ohio-native’s mission last month, a local South Florida plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael Salzhauer, granted her early reprieve with the offer of a free procedure. The procedure took place August 3 and was a reported success.

While we await photos and the big reveal, here are some fun facts about the story.

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Olympic athletes are not only some of the fittest people on the planet, they're also among the most scrutinized. If you suspect that some medal-contender may have gotten a little aesthetic boost from plastic surgery, you wouldn't be wrong—but for the most part, it's not what you think.

What are some common procedures among world-class athletes? It's all about the little things.

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We always stop and take notice when new treatments receive the online equivalent of a standing ovation from reviewers. As is the case with miraDry, which seems to have enchanted the masses with its promise of ending hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating – permanently.

Imagine constantly worrying about the clothes you’re wearing, having to keep your arms down and layering shirt over shirt, all with the frustration of knowing you can't help it. Excessive sweating conditions make this a reality for nearly 8 million people in the US who, up until now, could only modify life to fit the condition, instead of modifying the condition to fit their life.

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Coming up this week on TV, the infamously nipped and tucked Joan Rivers joins Wendy as co-host, The Doctors talk muffin tops and wrinkles, and Dr. Drew and Anderson Cooper re-air some of their most-watched interviews, including the self-proclaimed "Human Barbie."

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Creams, lasers, scalpels and needles – making skin look its best is always a top priority. Now that we are in the midst of the season for showing a little more skin, here’s a quick look back at a few of the most-searched treatments to take care of lingering acne scars and blemishes - plus some new Before & Afters. 

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Twitter dishes up another round of cosmetic surgery humor this week - here are our fave picks!

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Earlier this week, the story broke on the charitable donation of plastic surgery (otoplasty, to be specific) to a 14-year-old victim of bullying, and presented the two-fold question: What is an appropriate age for plastic surgery? And, is it a long-term solution to bullying? With the topic prominently back in the news, we resurfaced this post from a few months ago, discussing the rise of plastic surgery for youth, and want to hear your thoughts on the issue.

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If you've tried every fad diet and exercise to smooth your stomach, and still aren't seeing results, you may be considering a visit to a plastic surgeon. You’re not alone. There are many problems that plague the midsection—and just as many solutions. The question is, which is right for you?

Here’s a rundown of six common tummy troubles, and a surgical or non-invasive option for each.

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Some wrinkles may make you feel unhappy, but the worst wrinkles will make you look it. Downturned lines beside the lips, caused by a combination of aging and genetics, can give even the happiest of people the appearance of a constant frown.

According to Detroit plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn, there is a surgical option to literally turn that frown upside-down. As he demonstrated on The Doctors, a procedure called the “grin lift” can do the trick.

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Injectable dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Sculptra, and Radiesse aren't just for your face anymore. While these treatments that add volume and hydrate the skin are still great for smoothing facial wrinkles, erasing acne scars, and plumping up lips, plastic surgeons are finding even more uses for injected skin sculpting.

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With celebrities like Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Nicole Kidman rumored to have work done on their cheeks, having pillowy cheeks is a growing trend. For that reason, a lot of people are turning to plastic surgeons to attain fuller or more defined cheeks.
Unhappy with his “flat” face, James15 asked what could be done to make his cheeks appear more angular, and the doctors responded with a few options.

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