I know you’re probably thinking, “Why is he talking about summer when I’ve just started breaking out my sweaters!?!” But November, December and January are all great months to consider having body sculpting procedures such as SmartLipo or VASER done.

Dr. Jim Cain, III, founder and medical director of Innovative Aesthetics a cosmetic and medical aesthetics practice in Houston, Texas, has recently completed a two-year Aesthetics Medicine Fellowship with Dr. Sharon McQuillon of the Ageless Aesthetic Institute. The Fellowship Certification in Aesthetic Medicine is a certification program of the American Academy of Anti‐Aging Medicine.

Innovative Aesthetics has partnered with MedChoice Financial to offer new, flexible cosmetic and aesthetic procedure financing. Through MedChoice Financial, you can finance any of the aesthetics procedures offered by Innovative Aesthetics. MedChoice offers approval decisions within 24-hours, monthly payment plans, no interest and no downpayment plans.

Arnica Montana, also known as Leopard's Bane, is a perennial herb indigenous to Central Europe. When taken two weeks prior to any cosmetic procedure (BOTOX, Dysport, injectable fillers such as Radiesse or Juvederm, or liposuction methods such as SmartLipo and VASER) arnica montana can markedly reduce bruising and swelling. Arnica montana is most commonly available in pellet form. Additionally, topical application of the arnica montana gel, cream, or ointment will speed the healing of any visible bruising should it occur.

It's January, and I bet each of you has included "I will exercise more" in your list of resolutions. As a physician, I think that's great. A regular exercise routine offers a host of benefits - to your heart, your brain, your muscles, and of course to your waist line. However, exercising with the sole purpose of spot reducing (eliminating a belly, getting rid of under arm waddle) is a myth. You simply can’t exercise away a fat pocket.

With the American male accounting for 1.1 million total cosmetic procedures in 2008, men seem to be changing their attitude about aesthetic services. Wanting to appear youthful and healthy well into their 50’s and 60’s has led men to re-think grooming and beauty procedures that were formally just the domain of women.