Beauty News

Penis whitening fad worries surgeons By AFP Paris - Plastic surgeons raised red flags this week about a penis whitening fad in skin colour-fixated Thailand, dismissing the procedure as a phallic "fashion" with uncertain benefits and many risks.

More than skin deep: cosmetic surgery industry booming By AFP Paris - In the never-ending quest for youthful, magazine-cover looks, 8.6 billion euros ($10.7 billion) were spent last year on materials and chemicals used in cosmetic procedures worldwide, the IMCAS industry body said Thursday.

Malin Akerman talks Nature's Bounty and 'beauty from within' Special By Markos Papadatos Supermodel and actress Malin Akerman chatted with Digital Journal about her partnership with Nature's Bounty, which underscores "beauty from within." Akerman also discussed the digital transformation of the entertainment scene.

Afghan beauty parlours are a sanctuary for city women By AFP Kabul - The photos in the window promise much: languorous, kohl-rimmed eyes and bright, bold nails -- but once you enter the beauty parlours of Kabul, it becomes clear the images outside are a pale reflection of the vibrant reality inside.

Rush for 'Barbie' vagina has experts stumped By AFP Paris - A rush of women going under the knife for designer genitals has taken even plastic surgeons by surprise and divided medical professionals on the ethics and benefits of "labiaplasty".

Freezing fat: What's new in beauty By AFP Paris - Move over liposuction, the new fad in fat is freezing it.As plastic surgeons, dermatologists and beauticians from around the world gather in Paris to analyse trends at the IMCAS aesthetic congress, here is some of what's new:- Freezing fat...

Abortion to save looks: Pope takes aim at beauty cult By AFP Vatican City - Pope Francis on Wednesday took aim at the modern world's obsessions with power, success and beauty, citing the example of a woman who had an abortion to preserve her looks.

Half-Indian 'elephant whisperer' crowned Miss Japan By AFP Toukyo - A half-Indian beauty queen with an elephant trainer's licence was crowned Miss Japan on Monday, striking a fresh blow for racial equality.

For Rio's sports-mad population, it's Olympics every day By AFP Rio De Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro's residents, or Cariocas, don't need the Olympics to prove their city is the center of the sporting world -- they know that the second they step outside.

'Bourgeois' cult of beautiful bodies grows in Cuba By AFP Havana - Inside Armando Yera's gym, toned Cubans in tight spandex are pumping iron in front of mirrored walls and pedaling furiously on stationary bikes, a scene that looks more Miami than Havana.

American painter Sherri Aldawood revels in her love of beauty Special By Adrian Peel When it comes to creating her masterpieces, this Phoenix-based artist is especially attracted to light and colour. She talked life and fine art with Digital Journal.

Ghanaian crowned first 'Miss Africa Continent' By AFP Johanesburg - Barefoot, wearing traditional costumes including animal hide skirts and elaborately beaded headdresses, the contestants strutted the stage before Ghanaian Rebecca Asamoah was crowned the first 'Miss Africa Continent'.

Beauty contestant barred over 'Taiwan' sash: Government By AFP Taipei - A beauty contestant from Taiwan has been suspended from an international pageant after Beijing objected to the sash she was wearing, the woman and the government in Taipei said.

One cosmetic surgery every two minutes for Brazil men: Report By AFP Rio De Janeiro - Once taboo, cosmetic surgery for Brazilian men is advancing at a rapid pace, with one male going under the knife every two minutes, experts said in an article Sunday.

Top surgeon gives age-resisting tips Special By Tim Sandle Houston - Aging is part of the natural cycle. However it can be controlled, to an extent, by maintaining health and looking after the body, according to Dr. Mirwat Sami, who specializes in reconstructive surgery.

'Miss Honduras' murder suspects back in court By AFP Tegucigalpa - The suspected killer of Honduras' Miss World contestant and her sister appeared in court Wednesday, along with three alleged accomplices.

Miss Honduras accused declines to testify on killing By AFP Santa B - The man accused of killing Honduras's Miss World contestant and his three alleged accomplices declined to testify Tuesday at their first court appearance.

Honduras buries slain Miss World contestant, sister By AFP Santa B - A shaken Honduras buried its Miss World contestant and her sister, after the latter's boyfriend shot them in a jealous rage, according to police and media reports.

Honduras buries slain Miss World contestant, sister By AFP Santa B - A shaken Honduras buried its Miss World contestant and her sister Thursday after the sister's boyfriend shot them in a jealous rage, according to police and media reports.

Miss Honduras shot dead 'after fleeing sister's boyfriend' By AFP Santa B - Miss Honduras was fatally shot as she tried to escape her sister's jealous boyfriend, police and reports said, hours after the siblings were found dead beside a river.

Honduras beauty queen, sister found dead By AFP Tegucigalpa - Police found the bodies of Honduras's Miss World contestant and her sister buried beside a river Wednesday, and said they are holding the sister's boyfriend on suspicion of killing them.

Most women believe they look 5 years younger than they are By James Walker A new study undertaken in the UK has found that the majority of women believe that they look five years younger than their actual age, after taking a survey run by skincare brand Lancome Advanced Genefique.

Flawless Beauty and Skin Products recalled By Tim Sandle Flawless Beauty and Skin is voluntarily recalling 11 lots of products. The products make claims which are not supported by medical evidence and which might be dangerous to consumers.

Booming demand for shea, African 'women's gold', reduces poverty By AFP Abidjan - The fruit of the shea tree has long been considered sacred by many in Western Africa because of its myriad health benefits.

Student jailed for 'sextortion' involving Miss Teen USA By AFP Los Angeles - A US student has been jailed for 18 months for hacking online accounts of Miss Teen USA and over 100 other women in several countries and threatening to publish nude photos of them, prosecutors said.

Hipsters drive New York beard transplant boom By AFP New York - The unkempt, hairy hipster look is driving a plastic surgery boom in New York, where baby-faced young men are flocking to doctors for beard transplants that can cost a whopping $8,000.Facial surgeons with private practices in Manhattan and Florida say ...

Photo Essay: Hiking Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island Special By Elizabeth Parker Immerse yourself in the beauty of the oldest Provincial Park in British Columbia, surrounded by the Vancouver Island Mountains, where nature has been conserved for all to view with accessible trails, maps and parking.

New insights into skin aging By Tim Sandle Researchers have made a discovery about the processes involved in the regeneration of skin tissue and the causes of epidermal (outer skin layer) aging.

Photo Essay: The profound beauty of Aegina Special By Kyle Smith Athens - Aegina is the closest island to Athens and one of immense beauty. The island boasts a grand monastery, an epic temple, a quaint wharf and a multitude of friendly locals. The perfect experience of a Greek Island, without the hassling crowds.

China: Bigger eyes, better job By Valerie Benguiat Plastic surgery has become a common practice –and a profitable business- in China. High beauty standards and appearance woes aren’t exclusive of Western societies.

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