Adrienne Santos Longhurst

You may have heard the terms "FDA-approved" and "off-label use" from friends who've had Botox or other fillers or from celebrities and influencers who post about their cosmetic treatments online. But what do these terms mean exactly?
FDA-approved means that the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that a product is safe and effective for a specific use based on studies and testing. Off-label use means that a medication is being used in a different way than what was a...

Has the kissing waned in your relationship? Are you more the “air kiss” than “actual kiss” type when greeting your friends? Do you cringe when you see your aunt coming in for a big kiss at family functions? It may be time to pucker up!
Turns out that kissing — even your family and friends — has loads of mental and physical benefits that make getting your smooch on totally worth it. Here’s what the science says...

Most of us imagine being asleep and entirely unaware of what's happening when we think of having surgery, but for some procedures – and the right patient – awake plastic surgery may be an option.

What exactly is awake plastic surgery, and how does it differ from procedures with general anesthesia? We're getting into the key differences and more with the help of ASPS Member Surgeon Michele Shermak, MD.

The allure of dimples goes way back, well before Shirley Temple charmed the world with hers, even starring in a movie called "Dimples." These small indentations on a person's cheeks have long been regarded as a sign of youth and beauty, and in some cultures, even as symbols of good luck.
Like other physical features and beauty trends, interest in dimples ebbs and flows, but over the past couple of years, it has been experiencing a real moment.
What's the allure of dimples? Why are some people...

Dysglycemia is a broad term that refers to an abnormality in blood sugar stability. This can include low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, or high blood sugar, known as hyperglycemia.
Dysglycemia may point to a variety of underlying conditions, such as prediabetes or issues with glucose intolerance. Dysglycemia differs from diabetes in that it encompasses all abnormal blood sugar issues, whereas diabetes is a specific form of dysglycemia.
Insulin levels regulate blood sugar, a hormone produ...

Sciatica can interfere with your daily activities and make standing, walking, and even sitting difficult.

If you’d like to try an alternative to traditional painkillers, massage may be able to help. It won’t treat the underlying cause of your sciatica, but it may provide some temporary relief from pain.

Summer fun can take a toll on your skin. The sun can dry your skin, leaving it looking dull and uneven. It can also cause brown spots and tiny spider veins, as well as sagging and wrinkles. With summer coming to an end and the colder weather of fall and winter just around the corner, it's the perfect time to refresh your skin. Not only to get your skin looking fantastic for the fall, but also to prepare it for the coming cold air outside and drying, furnace-blasting air inside.
We reached out...

The racing sensation of your heart is just one way people describe heart palpitations. It may also feel like your heart is fluttering, pounding, or skipping a beat.

Heart palpitations are very common and usually harmless.

Several everyday things can make you wake up with your heart racing. But sometimes, an underlying condition may be the reason.

Read on to learn the causes and what you can do to calm your racing heart.

Pain comes from the communication between your nerves, spinal cord, and brain. Depending on the underlying cause, your pain may be acute, chronic, neuropathic, or nociceptive, which is divided into visceral and somatic pain types.
We all feel pain differently, so you may find it difficult to describe the pain you’re feeling to others. You can also experience more than one type of pain at a time, which only adds to the difficulty.
Understanding the different types of pain can make it easier fo...

Did you know that your belly button serves no particular purpose? Our umbilical cords are a lifeline that connects us to our mothers while in the womb, providing us with the oxygen and nutrients we need to grow and thrive until we're born. And once we're out in the world, the cord is cut. The stump that's left behind falls out, and voila – the belly button is what's left.
Like people, belly buttons come in all shapes and sizes. Most are innies, but some are outies. They can be wide, narrow, v...

If you’re having certain food cravings during your period, it’s likely related to your hormones or serotonin. Common cravings tend to be carbohydrates and sweets. Hear what health writer Adrienne Santos-Longhurst has to say.
Don’t be too hard on yourself for wanting to inhale some chocolate and chips with a side of tacos just before your period.
Period cravings and hunger are real, and there are reasons — legitimate, scientifically proven reasons — why you want to eat all the things before yo...

The biceps brachii, usually referred to as the biceps, is a two-headed skeletal muscle that runs between the elbow and shoulder. Though not the largest of your arm muscles (that honor goes to the triceps), many people focus on getting bigger and stronger biceps at the gym.

Before upping your weights and adding an extra arm day to your routine, know that the average biceps size is influenced by your age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is based on your weight and height.

Wondering how you measure up? Let’s take a look at average biceps size, how to measure it, and how to make your bi

U.K. data indicates that seniors who live separately from their partners have better mental health than those who live together.
Newlywed actor Jack Wagner's relationship recently made headlines when he shared that he and his new wife plan to continue to live separately. While some fans were shocked by this seemingly unconventional living arrangement, it's not actually that uncommon at all.
While several celebrity couples, including Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden, have touted the benefits of s...

The health risks associated with ultra-processed foods have been getting a lot of attention recently. Not only have they been associated with higher risk of obesity and several other chronic conditions, but new research is shedding even more light on the negative impact they can have on your health.
What’s more is that Canadians are consuming more ultra-processed foods than ever, with these products making up 43.4 percent of the daily energy intake of adults 20 and older, according to a recen...

If you’re a man over 50, chances are you’ve noticed some of the more obvious signs of aging, like grey hair or wrinkles. But there can be some not-so-obvious changes due to age that can lead to sneaky health issues, even for men who lead a healthy lifestyle.
As the years pass, everyone’s cells and the systems that repair them wear down, which can make you more vulnerable to certain health conditions. “It’s like your body’s maintenance crew gets a little tired and understaffed,” says Dr. Angel...