Problem: Article: In order to travel to different countries, you need to first get your passport. Fill out your passport application, provide photos or yourself, and bring other forms of identification, such as a driver's license or birth certificate, to the nearest location that processes passports. After your application is accepted, your passport will arrive in the mail within the next few months.  If you already live in Nigeria, then you do not need to get your passport. You can pay an additional fee to get your passport within 3 weeks if you need it sooner. Fill out the tourist visa application form for Nigeria completely and click the “Submit” button when you're finished. Pay the fee listed for your application with a credit or debit card and wait for a scheduled interview date in your email. Visit your country's Nigerian Embassy at your scheduled date and time to interview with an official about why you want to visit Nigeria. If you're accepted for a visa, then you'll receive the visa so you can travel.  Be sure to bring all of your personal documents with you when you meet with the Nigerian Embassy or else they won't approve your visa. You cannot apply for a visa unless you have an invitation from SCOAN or someone else that lives in Nigeria. Search online for flights that fly into Lagos, Nigeria and search for the best price. Compare the available airlines to see what they offer and any amenities they have on the plan. Then look for a departure date about 1 week later that goes from Lagos to the airport closest to your home. Book your flight a few months in advance so you can get the best deals. A member from SCOAN will be able to transport you and your group to SCOAN or your hotel so you don't have to rent a vehicle. SCOAN has multiple locations nearby and on-site that have rooms and food service available. Communicate with the SCOAN representative over email to find out the prices and the extent of what they can offer. If you'd rather stay in a nearby hotel, make a reservation for the amount of time that you plan on staying and visiting SCOAN.
Summary: Get your passport if you're traveling from outside Nigeria. Apply for a Nigerian visa if you live outside of West Africa. Schedule a flight to Lagos, Nigeria and let SCOAN know about your arrival. Make accommodations at SCOAN or at a nearby hotel.

Problem: Article: The first line of treatment for wrinkles may be a topical cream that you apply to your skin daily. These creams can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the overall appearance of your skin.  Retinoid creams may leave your skin feeling itchy, irritated, and dry. You may also experience a burning or tingling sensation after applying the cream. Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you. Protect your skin from the sun while using retinoid creams, such as by applying an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen and wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. The cream will probably not be covered by your insurance, so it may cost around $100 for each tube of the product. Botox injections are a popular treatment option for wrinkles, especially crow's feet and frown lines. You may see a dramatic reduction in your wrinkles about 2 weeks after treatment. As with any medical treatment, there are some risks, including infection, allergic reaction, and pain.  If you aren't sure about botox, try getting a small area treated. For example, you might get a small dose between your eyebrows, near your crows feet, or around your lips to see if you like the results. Keep in mind that the results will last for 3 to 4 months and then you will need to have another treatment to get rid of the wrinkles again. Laser treatments can help to improve the overall appearance of your skin while also targeting fine lines and wrinkles. There are two types of lasers used to treat wrinkles: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers remove the top layer of skin to reveal new skin beneath it. Non-ablative lasers only heat the skin without removing the top layer, and this encourages new skin growth. Your doctor can talk to you about your options and help you decide which one is best for your situation.  Laser treatment may be painful depending on the intensity of the laser. Anesthesia may or may not be required depending on the area being treated and the depth of the treatment. Non-ablative laser treatments cost an average of $1,031 and ablative laser treatments cost an average of $2,330. Chemical peels use a special solution that is applied to the skin on your face and left on for a specific amount of time. Over the next few days, your skin will peel away to reveal the skin below it. This will reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on your skin.  Chemical peels come in different levels, such as light, medium, and deep. A light peel will yield less dramatic results than a deep peel, but you may only need a light peel if you have some fine lines that you want to get rid of. For wrinkles, a medium to deep peel may work best. Depending on the depth of the peel, anesthesia may be required and you may have to have the procedure done by a cosmetic surgeon. A light peel may be done by an aesthetician or nurse with special training. The average cost of a chemical peel is $638. Microdermabrasion is a deep exfoliating treatment that removes dead and damaged skin from the top layer to reveal healthier skin underneath it. This procedure is non-invasive and low-risk. Some people even combine the treatment with a chemical peel to get more dramatic results.  This treatment works well for fine lines and wrinkles like crow's feet. You will need to avoid exposure to the sun after your treatment. The average cost of 1 microdermabrasion treatment is $138. Dermabrasion is a more aggressive form of exfoliating the skin where a cosmetic surgeon uses a powerful sander or blade to remove a layer of skin from the desired area, such as an area with a lot of wrinkles. This treatment requires sedation and there is a risk of infection following the procedure.  This treatment works well for smile lines and vertical lip lines. Your skin will be sore and tender after the treatment, so it is important to follow your doctor's instructions for care. You will also need to stay out of the sun until your skin heals. The average cost of 1 dermabrasion treatment is $1,162. Filling the skin with an implant can also diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Soft tissue fillers, also known as wrinkle fillers and injectable implants, work well for reducing the appearance of wrinkles in the face, especially in the mouth and cheek areas. Soft tissue fillers may also be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the back of your hands.  Ask your dermatologist about the possibility of using soft tissue fillers to correct your wrinkles. Keep in mind that soft tissue fillers come with a risk of swelling and pain that may last for weeks, months, or even years in some rare cases. You will also be at risk of infection and allergic reaction when you receive these injections, so tell your doctor if you notice any unusual pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or bruising. Dermal fillers cost anywhere from $600 to $2,000 depending on the type of filler and the area that is treated. Your dermatologist may also offer a procedure that will tighten the skin. These procedures are done with devices that heat the skin. The results of the procedure will not be noticeable overnight. They take around 4 to 6 months to develop.  The results of a skin tightening procedure can last up to 1 year. You may need multiple treatments to get the desired results.  Treatment may cost between $450 to $2,000 depending on how many sessions are required and depending on the area you get treated. If none of the non-surgical options you have tried produce the results you want, then you may want to consider having a surgical facelift. Facelift surgery will produce dramatic results that last from 5 to 10 years.  Keep in mind that surgery is expensive. Expect to pay anywhere from $3,500 to $20,000 depending on the doctor and procedure. There are risks with a facelift as with any surgery. Discuss the risks with your cosmetic surgeon to help you decide if the risks are worth the potential benefits.
Summary:
Ask your doctor about prescription retinoid creams. Ask about botox. Look into laser resurfacing. Get a chemical peel. Consider microdermabrasion. Ask a cosmetic surgeon about dermabrasion. Consider soft tissue fillers. Look into skin tightening procedures. Consider facelift surgery.