The way you care for yourself says much about how you see yourself and how you want others to see you. It is your personal statement. An astute stranger can detect this message before you even have achance to speak. First impressions are long lasting and may be difficult to alter, thus it is prudent to put your best foot forward from the very beginning. The key to looking great is a healthy lifestyle. Taking steps to prevent problems from occurring, as well as maintaining a wellbalanced program of diet and exercise, will ensure that your path through time is biologically smooth.

Although there is no true elixir of youth, there are certainly a great number of options to make you feel and look younger.

The most important factor is your internal beauty Let it shine through. Enhancing your spiritual, emotional and intellectual growth will leave a legacy long after your body loses it's vitality

Physical aging can be prevented to a certain degree, and the aged body can be rejuvenated. Take time to evaluate yourself by using the following steps:

Step 1

Reflect upon the state of your general health your diet, your habits, your exercise patterns, and the way you look. Using a fulllength mirror, take a close look at your body, region by region. Take notes. Ask a friend, someone who is kind but honest. What hidden and visual imperfections should you change? Are you willing to change? This should be a realistic self analysis. Step 2

Read the sections of this book that apply to you within the context of your honest self evaluation. Write down all the options you feel may be potentially useful to you.

Step 3

Evaluate each option independently Look carefully at the riskbenefit ratios, at the costs, and at the potential physical or cosmetic disability Cross out those options that weigh you down, but keep your list for future reference. Start with a list of 10 or fewer important items.

Step 4

Put your list in order of priorities, What's most important to you now.?

Step 5

Carefully choose your doctor, dentist, and any other specialist you wish to consult. The title cosmetic or esthetic surgeon applies to a variety of surgical specialists who all have expertise in their specialties as well as in cosmetic surgery. Den natologists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, and otolaryngologists, play important roles in cosmetic surgery today.

Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon

You should feel comfortable and be able to discuss your problem openly with the specialist.

Rely on your family, friends, family physician, or the regional medical association for a recommended specialist.

Determine if a specialist is well trained and experienced by asking him or her for qualifications. Board certification in the United States and a Fellowship in Canada indicate that a physician has met the necessary requirements in a specialty. Further training in some highly specialized areas, such as laser surgery, is necessary for certain procedures. Most cosmetic surgeons will show you clinical photographs of their results. Ask about the number of procedures the physician has performed and his or her success rate. It is your body, and you have a right to know.

Look for a physician who willingly discusses complications and risks, as well as benefits. Be wary of anyone who guarantees results. No credible practitioner will give guarantees. Also be wary of large assembly line surgical centers where personalized attention may be lost.

Computer imaging is gaining popularity It allows a patient the opportunity to see how they might look if a certain surgical procedure is done. This however is only an estimate, there is no way a computer can predict the out come of surgery. The results depend on the skill and experience of the surgeon, the equipment and technique being used, and the tissue response and unique healing capacity of the patient. Be wary of physicians who claim they can show you the outcome of a procedure prior to it being done. This is not possible.

Step 6

Take into consideration the time you will need to take off from work if a cosmetic procedure is part of your plan. Your time commitment will vary from I day to 3 weeks, depending on the type of surgery to be performed.

There are also financial considerations. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by insurance plans and must be paid for by the patient.

Step 7

Set the wheels in motion. Most people who undergo cosmetic procedures are pleased with the results. You should objectively examine your personal approach to the selected surgical options.

Results will probably disappoint you if you

• are not sure whether you want surgery now or later; • tend to be a perfectionist; * are doing the procedure to please someone else; *are expecting your body or face to look just like "this" or "that" or like someone else, such as a movie star or sports idol ,

* have exceedingly high expectations; *expect minimal or no postoperative pain or cosmetic disability, *expect others to be as enthusiastic about the end results as you are.

Step 8

Don't forget the total body image as it relates to cosmetics, hairstyle, dress, and the basics of good grooming. Be as cautious and critical in this area as in any; it is the finishing touch.