OTC Acne Treatment Ingredients

By Larry Furgeson

It's difficult not to gaze at the thousands of acne products available while navigating through the skin care aisle at your local pharmacy. It seems that a new, allegedly more effective product is introduced to the market on a daily basis. The disturbing part to this phenomenon is that consumers readily buy the newest acne products, hoping to get some relief from their breakouts. A simple examination of the product labels plastered on your favorite acne products should reveal that most of them contain the same ingredients. Does it really make sense to chase after the latest and greatest treatment when it is nothing more than a rework of your last product? We think not.

Benzoyl peroxide is the most prevalent and ingredient in most acne products. It can treat several contributing factors to acne. It kills acne bacteria and improves skin cell turnover, which is the primary cause of acne. Dead skin which fails to slough off instead penetrates and obstructs pores, trapping sebum and bacteria. No OTC medications aside from benzoyl peroxide attacks both the bacteria and normalizes the shedding cycle.

Most acne treatments consist of at least a few steps. You have to wash and cleanse the skin, apply an toning solution and thereafter some topical products. Cleansers and topicals are often plentiful in benzoyl peroxide. Some may contain other ingredients, like sulfur or witch hazel.

If a regular tube of benzoyl peroxide in addition to a gentle cleanser does not work for you, you can essentially guarantee that no other OTC product will. If you buy into the clever marketing tactics of the skin care companies, which like to fool consumers with elaborate graphs and convincing testimonials on the backs of their products, you will lose. A cheap tube of benzoyl peroxide is all you may ever need.

Be sure to purchase only the low concentration form of the topical, which should be 2.5%. You can find it in 5% and 10% variations, however, these only produce more irritation without any further improvement. Use a moisturizer if the low concentration proves to irritating as well.

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Educate yourself on how to get rid of pimples fast and taking care of acne prone skin

Types Of Acne And What Is Used To Treat It

By Carol Bell

Acne can be seen as lesions on your face, and any other bits of your body it selects to appear on. Lots of people prefer to think it is limited to your face, but it does go well beyond all that, acne may appear on your back, chest, and nearly anywhere you might have grown hair. Definitely you've come across it from time to time folks call it common names like spots, and spots, and acne.

With increased androgen production underneath your skin, it becomes virtually impossible for you not to have acne. On a pro level, it is known as DHEA-S, and it happens at your adrenarche. Don't get confused by the giant language. Acne are just an infirmity that relies on your hormones to take place.

How much you have it's a query of how well you realize your system, and how fast and completely you reply to the prevalence of the complaint decides how long it lasts. Acne regularly results from increased sebum production under the top layer of your skin. This phenomenon provides an environment for the overgrowth of the complaint, known as Propionibacterium acnes. This isn't basically the condition itself ; it becomes total acne when you permit that to become infected.

If you need to heal the complaint, you shouldn't attempt to do it by yourself ; or you could finish up doing further damage to your skin. In your own best interest, bring a doctor into the picture, and do it quickly too. Propionibacterium acne that form below your skin due to accumulation of muck and secretions from within you can become overgrown with bacteria. There's a point this reaches that finally causes soreness, and that's what you see and call pimples or acne. Folks like to hate this skin condition, but kind of everybody suffers it at 1 time in their lives. So, cheer up.

You aren't alone when it comes to acne. The comforting reports is that as much as are the sufferers of acne, so are solutions that really work. The general public suffer with acne beginning from when they enter into their teen years. From this point it bit by bit increases in occurrence all over their body till they get into their twenties. After this, it lessens over time and when you turn 30, you'll have absolutely forgotten about it. When this doesn't occur, you have got special issues, and you do need special attention to address it.

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For news and information on acne or acne treatment visit our acne cure website. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

Diabetic Retinopathy-What Is It?

By Ned Dagostino

There are of course numerous complications resulting from diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is one that directly effects your vision. It happens because the eye's retina is damaged because of the diabetes. So let's take a closer look, starting with an explanation of what the retina is.

We don't need a detailed explanation here. You just need to understand that the retina is simply a group of nerves that sits in the back of your eyeball. Think of them like a digital camera. They give your brain a picture of what you see. It's a simple process that people without vision problems can take for granted. But retinopathy interferes with this process.

Blood vessels in the retina are sensitive, and can split. If this happens, fluid from those vessels drip into the eye's compound. And that's when the problems begin.

The first thing you'll notice is what seems like an obstruction in your vision. Over time, scar tissue develops both in and around your eyeball. And finally, the retina will actually detach from where it normally sits.

So how does this relate to diabetes? Well high levels of sugar in the blood can cause the damage we just talked about to occur. But the bigger problem is that all too often the noticeable symptoms happen only after the problem damage has become extremely severe. The result is that frequently you may not even realize the problem exists until it is too late to correct. This means that regular eye checkups from a doctor are essential. In the case of diabetics, you'll need to visit your eye doctor a minimum of every year. Discovering a problem in the early stages makes it much easier to correct.

And between visits, always be on the lookout for symptoms or any changes in your vision. Things like black or white spots, called floaters, that appear without reason. Weak and blurry vision can also be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. Double vision too can be a sign. Even if these problems seem mild, they need to be taken seriously. And that means getting in touch with your eye doctor immediately.

The good news is that often treatment is not necessary. But if treatment is needed, there are several options designed to reduce lost vision. You and your doctor will decide between prescription medication, laser treatments or more invasive surgery.

Remember the key to a successful treatment is to catch any problems early. Schedule yearly (or more frequent) visits to your eye doctor. This will help you discover if you have a problem soon enough to keep your diabetic retinopathy from becoming too severe.

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If you want to find out additional info about the diabetic testing supplies you should have in your home, and explore diabetic food to help you eat delicious meals every day, visit Diabetes-Diabetic-Diet-Plans.com

How To Implement A Good Detox Menu

By Ferdinand Emy

If you dwell in a city, have a desk job (and a stressful one at that), drive an hour at least each day, and do not do exercise, then you probably are forcing your liver to do extra work trying to eliminate all that excess of toxins.

Why is my body full of toxins?

Toxins are generated from several sources. The most obvious one is the pollution in the air that we breathe in big cities. We likewise get toxins from all the chemicals that are in our food, peculiarly junk food or food that has been processed to the point that it loses its nutritional value. Some of these chemicals are preservatives and colorants in canned food. In addition, when we stress, we add our own toxins to the combine.

So as to cleanse our body from these toxins, a detox menu is proposed.

Why should I consider a detox menu?

A detox menu will get rid of those toxins in your body. You will feel healthier and more energetic when you follow one. In addition, you'll make your liver's work much simpler, since the liver is the organ that takes care of the natural detoxification of your body. This will greatly reducing|shortening the risk of a staid liver failure or liver disease in the future.

What does a detox menu comprise of?

While a detox menu varies from one health specialist to another, there are many common items to most.

Foremost of all, a common request is the prohibition of alcohol. Alcohol is very hard for our liver to get rid of. If taken in large quantities for a long period of time, it may start accumulating scar tissue on the liver, which will result in cirrhosis, a failure of the liver.

Another thing that's taken out of the picture by a good detox menu is meat, and peculiarly read meat. Red meat is also a hard thing to handle for our liver, Although not as hard as alcohol.

Consuming raw foods is also common in some diets. The reason that this is requested by a detox menu is that processed foods contain a lot of chemicals that are not natural and may rest in our bodies.

Finally, the most common denominator of any detox menu is drinking water; lots of it. Water is not only the most natural of substances, but its the medium via which our natural detoxification system operates. It permits us to eliminate toxins naturally, and it is the most fundamental component of our bodies.

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Come today and read everything you need to know About Detox Diet

Getting Rid Of Fat - Myths Exposed

By Nikki Davila

Many of us would like to get rid a few extra pounds, but there are quite a few misconceptions about this topic which actually hinder your efforts to stay fit.

One of the myths is that you have to do cardiology training first thing in the morning when your stomach is empty. The truth is, it really does not matter what time of the day you exercise. We all burn fat when your calorie consumption exceeds your level of intake.

Another myth is that you have to do cardiology and target a fat-burning zone. In fact, training this way does not work much on your muscles, and therefore you do not get to burn fat effectively. The best method to be applied is interval training, as doing so allows you to continue to burn calories even hours after your workout.

Next, don't believe that you have to exercise really intensely to achieve results. Everyone has a different body type and physical limitation. Research has shown that exercising at medium intensity for over 30 minutes at a time will produce the best fat losing result. You need to try a few different workouts to find out the optimal one for yourself.

In terms of dieting, the good news is that you do not have to give up your eating fun to stay in perfect shape. The common belief that the less you eat the more weight you get lose is not totally true. In fact, the most effective way of dieting is to eat more frequently but in small portions each time. This way, you not only feel fuller throughout the day, but also will keep up your metabolism. After some while, you will be able to form a body that is not so prone to put on fat.

Fewer calorie intake is not always good, and there are two major reasons for that. First, you body will slow down its metabolism to adjust to the lower calorie intake, which will slow down your speed to lose further fat in future. Second, you can only effectively lose your fat by combining dieting and exercise, and getting enough nutrients will allow you to carry out the exercise required. As a general rule, you should aim to get over 50 percent of your calorie from fresh fruit and veggies, and always go for food that are in their most natural states. Stay away from junk food, canned food and other processed food wherever possible.

If you want to achieve a long-term fitness goal, you need to progress gradually. Remember, different people have different physiques, and methods working on one person do not necessarily work on you. However, as long as you understand the basics and avoid the misconception, you will be on the right track.

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Click here to read more reviews and resources about how to lose your belly fat with the appropriate fitness exercise program. Also check out this related article about fitness programs for women.

The Pros and Cons of Invisible Braces

Invisible braces are becoming a hit today!
First there were the metal braces that are complete with a full head gear.
Then there were the much simpler metal braces.
Next are the porcelain brackets.

And finally invisible braces. Invisible braces can fix misaligned teeth for as quick as one month. Because it's the latest hip in the orthodontic world, I doubt this will cost less here in the Philippines.

The Pros

Unlike conventional metal braces, these are actually plastic trays which are custom-made to allow perfect fit. These "aligners" replace metals and wires. The plastic tray is responsible for the tension and compression which is necessary to move and align your teeth.

This is very advantageous for the wearer since this is fully removable and it sort of eliminates the pain (but not completely) in contrast with the conventional braces.

Well, it is undetectable by others since the tray is really thin. The term "invisible" is actually a misnomer since it functions as the conventional. So, if you don't want the unwanted "Betty" look, then this is your option.

The Cons

The concept of invisible braces is actually present since the 1940s but it was only now when it attracted ortho patients. So, new means that it would cost a lot. We are not paying for the materials per se, but the concept itself. So if you are thinking of getting yourself one of these, make sure you are financially-able!

Invisible braces are designed only for misaligned teeth or slightly crooked teeth. If your problem is your jaws or anything related to the bone, this wouldn't do you good. Try the conventional one instead.

The tray, since it is removable, is very easy to lose. So be really vigilant with these.

If you want the braces worn by Miley Cyrus (yeap She has one!), you can try lingual braces

Dental Caries: The Role of Food We Eat In Their Development

As long as we have teeth inside our mouth, we can't escape the vicious caries that. Dental caries is caused by a multitude and diverse ecosystem of bacteria inside our mouth. These bacteria eat up the sugar we eat. They thrive into our oral cavity and are able to survive because of these foods that are considered trophic for them. By trophic, this means that the food we eat is just as important for them just as it is important for our survival.

The acid these bacteria produce as a result of the metabolism (conversion) of sugar is responsible for causing the cavities on our teeth. These may either lead to re-construction of the weakened, cavitated tooth, or may progress into caries. Once caries is initiated, the tooth is even more susceptible to even more serious scenario.

It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene if we want to prevent destruction of our teeth by caries. The food we eat, particularly the sugar we eat contributes greatly to the progression of caries.

You might hear people tell you, "Don't eat chocolates as these will DEFINITELY give you dental caries." This is however only partly true. Dental caries per se is not solely dependent on the sweetness of the food or the amount of sugar that is contained in that food stuff.

Whether it is a loaf of bread, a piece of chocolate or a slice of chocolate, it does not really matter as long as you brush your teeth immediately after eating those cariogenic food. Note that cariogenic is different from carcinogenic food. Cariogenic foods are foods which are likely to cause caries and carcinogenic foods are those which predisposes a person to cancer when that person eats that certain food.

These bacteria would like it much more if its host eats more frequent without brushing after. That is why it is very advisable to brush your teeth after a eating cariogenic foods as this is very critical for the prevention of progression of dental caries.

The Dental Changes That Occur When We Age - Don't Worry, They're All Normal!

When you think of "aging", what first comes to your mind? You would probably say wrinkles, sagging of muscles, loss of that youthful glow etc. Most of us are afraid of aging because of the physical aspect and because of the fact that we are little by little deteriorating. However, the hard truth is that we really cannot escape aging. We are all programmed to age. Cosmetics can only improve a part of it, but most of it are irreversible.

Aging is not something that is concentrated on one part of our body, say our face, or our arms. Aging is something systemic, meaning, it affects the whole of us. The good thing is, the signs of aging do not appear overnight. So if you are young and you still have that youthful glow, then you really have to try your best to maintain that glow and try to improve it as much as you can.

Similarly, there are also physiologic changes that we usually notice with our teeth and our mouth. Here are the changes inside the mouth that are commonly associated with the elderly:

1. One of the most common things that we observe with the elderly is they are either missing a teeth or two or the whole set of teeth. This is a normal, physiologic sign of aging. What happens here is that there is gingival recession wherein the soft tissues whose main function is to hold your teeth in place losses its tight connection with your tooth. Similarly, there is also bone loss. Again, this is another physiologic phenomenon associated with aging.

2. Saliva is decreased. Our saliva contributes to making our food more palatable and tasty. Thus if there is a decreased production of saliva, chances are you won't be able to taste your food or you won't be able to enjoy it.
So this is probably one of the reasons why our grandparents often complain with the taste of the food they eat.
Saliva is also responsible for the flushing of the bacteria that are inside your mouth. So, a decreased amount of saliva would result to bad breath, given that your grandma or grandpa has teeth. The decreased in the production of saliva is because of the deteriorating salivary glands, which is again, all part of aging.

3. Less sensitivity to taste. I have already mentioned that a decrease in the amount of saliva would result to less sensitivity of taste. But in general, there is less sensitivity because the taste buds, which are located in your mouth, also deteriorate. This is probably the primary reason for this. However, secondary reasons, such as decreased saliva production (as mentioned earlier), and dentures also play a role in lessening your sensation for taste.

There are a lot of changes that are associated with aging that we just have to accept. Probably the most effective way of sort of maintaining that youthfulness in us is to enjoy whatever we have at the moment and try to cherish everything else. When we talk about the changes in our teeth, although most of these changes are unavoidable, the best thing we could do is to take care of it because sooner or later, we won't have any choice but to adjust to the consequences of not having one.

Is There An Association Between Periodontitis and Atherosclerosis?

Periodontitis and atherosclerosis are two technically different diseases that are somewhat associated with the elderly group. Some say that the susceptibility of these individuals to infections such as the above mentioned are what make these associated with the old age group.

However, despite the physiologic context of the two diseases, studies have shown that they are associated when taken separately. To put this statement simply, research have found out that if you have periodontitis, the likelihood of you having atherosclerosis, hence cardiovascular disease, is much higher as compare to those who have healthy tooth attachments.

For you to be able to understand what I'm talking about, you have to first know what is Periodontitis and what is Atherosclerosis. Periodontitis is actually a chronic inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth. Now, if there is inflammation, there would probably be an agent which is causing the infection. The agents for periodontitis are actually bacteria that thrive in the oxygen-poor environment that is located below the gingiva.

Periodontitis is basically of two types, chronic periodontitis, which affects the old age group and is somehow physiologically associated, and the other one, which is the less common type, the aggressive periodontitis, which affects young patients and progresses rapidly.

Atherosclerosis, on the other hand, is also a progressive disease process that causes thickening of our arteries. This is by far the most common cause of coronary artery disease.

Now, what is important is that studies have proven that periodontitis and atherosclerosis are indeed associated with each other. There are a lot of proposed mechanisms by which these two diseases interact. One of the most popular ones is the mechanism by which the bacteria causing periodontitis produce different chemicals which trigger the formation of blot clots in your vascular system, thus, leading to atherosclerosis. Periodontitis, being an infection, also weakens one's immune system thereby, predisposing him to more complex systemic diseases, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases included.

Now that you are more aware of the association between periodontitis and atherosclerosis, you are probably enlightened by the fact that taking care of your teeth and maintaining a good oral hygiene is as important as not smoking or drinking, eating healthy, exercising and the like, in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Although we pay little importance to our teeth, this is one way of showing you how important having healthy teeth and gums are in being healthy all-around.



Check out these other Articles:

1. Dental Caries
2. Invisible Braces
3. Dental Laminates

Herbal Medicines in Dentistry - Learn How To Manage Pain and Tooth Decay With These Modest Herbs

Herbal medicines have been used for many years. Their history can be rooted from ancient civilization wherein their role as a primary source of medication is evident. Although today only a few of these many herbs have been approved for their commendable medicinal properties, a large majority of naturally occurring herbs are only considered as food supplements because of the lack of a randomized controlled clinical trial. However, this isn't to say that herbal medicines have no future at all in the field of medicine. Currently many studies are presently being conducted to know these herbs in depth. Many are hopeful about these natural substances for if ever approved, they are going to be cheap and affordable for all.

What are Herbal Medicines?

Herbal medicines for them to be considered as such should be naturally occurring and with therapeutic compounds to our bodies. As said earlier, they are considered supplements rather than drugs because manufacturers of these alternative medicines do not have the budget to conduct randomized controlled clinical trials (in layman's terms are experiments done to prove or disprove a product's efficacy to a particular disease).

In contrast to drugs, which have a lot of criteria to satisfy before they can pass the standards of drug regulatory commissions, herbal medicines are required only 4 criteria that is safeness, efficacy, affordability and acceptability.

Accessible Herbal Medicines

There are a lot of herbal medicines that are found right in your fridge. For example garlic has been shown to reduce cholesterol in the body thus may play a role in lowering your blood pressure. It also contains an antibacterial compound called Allicin which is known to be effective in preventing wounds from progressing into worse infection. What is even better is that past tests show positive results in the treatment of AIDS. So we have a lot of hopes for our modest garlic.

Garlic can even boost your immune system so that your body can fight off infections effectively. If you are feeling sick in the morning, you can swallow chopped garlic mixed with honey and you'll feel well after.

Another accessible herbal medicine is bitter gourd. I know it tastes, well, bitter, but they say only those vegetables which taste bad actually possess vital vitamins and mineral essential to our body's functioning. In the case of bitter gourd, research has been shown that it is effective in lowering blood sugar level as in diabetes. It is a good source of vitamins A, B, C and minerals such as iron, folic acid, phosphorus and calcium. Yes! It is that loaded!

Herbal Medicines and its Role in Dentistry: Pain and Mouthwash

Peppermint has anti-pain effects and is effective in alleviating body aches and even a simple toothache. It can be taken internally as a decoction or the leaves can be applied directly on the afflicted area.

Peppermint is also known in Spanish as Yerba Buena which means "good herb" in Spanish. This herb has been around and been consumed for centuries as tea. For a simple toothache, if you want to be all-natural, this is the herb for you. You might also want to consult your dentist if you think the pain is intolerable. This may mean that it is inflamed and you might want to drink an anti-inflammatory agent for this matter. For headaches, you can heat the leaves and place them on your forehead and wait for the pain to go away for good.

Guava can be used as an antiseptic and mouthwash to disinfect our oral cavities from oral infections such as gum infections. It can also be used to treat tooth decay. As an herbal medicine, the guava fruit, bark and leaves can be used. Aside from its antiseptic property, guava is also loaded with a high concentration of vitamin C.

The bark can also be used as a substitute for toothbrush if you happen to be stuck in a forest and you badly need to clean your teeth. What you can do is to peel off the hard covering of the bark and turn the inner portion of the bark into bristle like. This is a very effective alternative for our regular toothbrush plus it is packed with antiseptic too! In fact, in the Middle East, they actually manufacture guava barks and even packaged them into individual blister packs and sell it very cheaply.

What is important with these herbal medicines is that they are really good supplements for our bodies to survive the everyday pollution of this world. A lot of these alternative medicines are immune boosters and are essential for repair and regulation of our body's function. We should not underestimate these herbs and we should always remember that much of synthetic medicines today have been patterned from the actions of these modest and natural substances.


Check out these other Articles:

1. Dental Check Up
2. Periodontitis and Atherosclerosis
3. Dental Instruments

If you are a Hollywood celebrity, then it is almost imperative that you got to have the perfect face, the perfect body and an astonishing attitude to

If you are a Hollywood celebrity, then it is almost imperative that you got to have the perfect face, the perfect body and an astonishing attitude to go with it. Before, celebrities are more "natural". They possess "true" beauty that everyone dreams off. However today, along with the advent of high-technology and the revolution of medical science, it is without a doubt easy to have any part of your body enhanced. If you have the money, you can easily go to an Aesthetic Surgery Clinic and have that "problem area" be hidden. And who has money big enough for this? Hollywood stars of course.

An aesthetic enhancement can either result to a miracle or a disaster. For some unfortunate species whose surgery did not turn out okay, well good luck and be prepared to be swarmed by media. Majority of Hollywood celebs opt to have their body enhanced because they feel the pressure that their status is imposing on them. Unless they want to be pestered by tabloids and paparazzi all the time, big stars have to always look good - ALL THE TIME. For most of the Hollywood stars, their looks are all they got for their living.

Among many aesthetic treatments there is, not to forget breast implants, liposuction, lip enhancements etc, one of the popular aesthetic treatments a big star in Hollywood can easily afford is cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry today has a lot to offer. There are veneers, invisible braces etc. that can make your teeth look more presentable in a flash!

Among many hot Hollywood stars who have undergone smile treatment are Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus, Hillary Duff, Gwen Stefani. An aesthetic enhancement can either result to a miracle or a disaster. And even non-Hollywood but famous nonetheless, Prince Harry had once turned into cosmetic dentistry!

Hollywood Celebrities and Bad Teeth (and Bad Smile)

Celebrities are good-looking; there is no doubt about that - and they have to be. However, they are not immune to dental imperfections. Crooked teeth, pointy fangs, or yellowish teeth are common dental problems to most hot celebs. Without Teeth whitening and other revolutionary dental treatments, where will these actors be today?

The following is a list of Hollywood stars, both famous and the no-so-famous stars who have or have had (in the past) bad teeth:
1.Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise is no doubt one hot hollywood hunk. But did you ever notice that he had crooked teeth before? The picture was taken when he was still a child (obviously) and you can easily spot how mal-aligned his teeth were before. If you look even closer, you can see that his jaw is a little crooked as well.

2.Keanu Reeves

Believe it or not, this photo was taken just recently. The star of the box-office hit The Matrix used to be as hot as Tom Cruise before. But what happened to him now? Not only does he has bad, crooked teeth, but he also looks twice his age.

We'd be really glad if he visits his dentist A.S.A.P! I mean, with the money he has, I think he can afford at least a teeth whitening treatment! Unless he does this, we will really miss his glory days!

3. Morgan Freeman

The star who always plays God has a lot going on with his teeth. As you can see clearly, his teeth are stained and they are crooked as well. Teeth whitening treatment and dental veneers are two very easy dental operations that can be done in a matter of one visit. This could really help Morgan Freeman perfect his smile!


There you have it. 3 of Hollywood's bad teeth. Watch out for more Hollywood Dental Stuffs!

The Perfect Way to Have the Perfect Smile

Ever dreamt of having pearly, white teeth? Well, with the advent of modern cosmetic dentistry, having that perfect smile is not far from reality. This field of dentistry primarily aims to improve dental health including function and aesthetics. A dentist specializing in this field would probably offer you treatments like teeth whitening, veneers and tooth reshaping.

If you have an amalgam filling (a black-colored filling on your tooth), or a gold crown you can easily have these replaced using a tooth-colored filling. This is not a difficult treatment nowadays and it can be done in one seating! Yes! You do not need to wait for ages and ages just to have a filling replaced.

Together with the technological advancements in dentistry is the progress in dental material. Before, dental materials are very limited. Today, more advanced dental materials are available so much so that treatments can be done in a matter of minutes with astounding results.

Among the very popular dental treatments is cosmetic dentistry veneers. To keep everything simple, what dentists do is they grind off a very thin layer of enamel (the outermost, hard covering of our teeth) on your teeth and add a thin layer of tooth-colored (usually shades lighter than your teeth's original color) material on your teeth. The treatment is relatively simple. However, treatments like these are not very cheap.

Discount Dental Plans - Why it Stands Out Among Others

Dentists make a lot of money everyday. This is mainly because dentists have to treat more than 32 teeth in one adult, multiply that by the potential number of patients he meets everyday. That's huge! This and the high costs of dental materials and technology make dental treatments a pain in our wallets. Shelling out money nowadays is not what everyone approves of especially if it won't kill us not to spend for that certain thing. Still some people are inherently health-conscious (and probably vain) that they are willing to spend a chunk of their earnings for these costly dental treatments.

Good thing there are dental insurance and discount dental plans that we can avail to make dental services available for all even for those not-so health conscious. But what is the difference between the two? Generally the difference is primarily attributed to the application process, cost and accessibility. What really makes discount dental plans edgier?

Application Process
If you already experienced applying for a health insurance, you may have noticed how much time you spend on the application process alone. If you are lucky, you would be able to complete the whole process within 3 to 7 working days. However, since most health insurance companies impose background checks (e.g. existing conditions) on their clients, rarely would you be able to enjoy the benefits immediately. This is exactly the same process as in getting a dental insurance. In short, long waiting period is needed if you opt to avail a dental insurance.

Dental plans however are instant. You can already enjoy the benefits immediately. Application process is a breeze since most plans are up and running after 3 days. There is also no background check since there is absolutely no health restrictions. If you have an existing orthodontic therapy being done, chances are in dental insurance, this will not be covered. No coverage means you get to pay for the treatment your self. When you avail of the discount dental plan, you get discounts even with your existing orthodontic treatment.

Cost
As with other health insurances, you also have to pay for premiums. Discount dental plans on the other hand requires you to pay an annual membership fee for as low as $7 per month compared to the $304 a month with dental insurance. Imagine how much you can save a month if you avail a discount dental plan!

But what about the quality of dental service, will it differ significantly with the more expensive dental insurance?
Not at all! In fact dentists are making more money with such plans because this is a means by which they can market their practice. If you think quality will be compromised, you thought wrong!

Accessibility
Dental insurance is not for everybody. This is because a dental visits and dental cases are too predictable - you have to visit your dentist at least twice a year plus the fact that we are still not in a cavity-free world. Dental insurance companies would not risk giving out dental insurance everywhere because of this predictability of dental patients. If you are really willing to avail an insurance, it would take a lot of time and negotiations before you can actually have your teeth treated.

This is why discount dental plans stand out - it is very much available for all. All you need is sign up for a membership for a very minimal fee and you can already enjoy discounts whether you like a teeth whitening treatment or any cosmetic work done.

Dental insurance and discount dental plans both work to satisfy its goal - to make financial burden lighter for a dental patient. However, in this time and age, not all that's expensive is gold. Sometimes, what you get with half the price of the expensive stuff you intend to buy is much, much better.

Weight Loss Surgery - The Perfect Solution for Those Who Failed on Diet Programmes

Weight loss is one of the hype right now. Everyone, both men and women are trying to put off some of their weight for the simple reason that they want to look good. Esthetics is something that most people are aiming for nowadays that they would undergo even a weight loss surgery just to look more appealing. Well, we cannot blame them. But what about those who really need balloon weight loss surgery?

I am talking about obesity. Obesity is the condition where there is excessive accumulation of unhealthy fat. There are indeed nonsurgical options such as those best weight loss programmes which are a combination of exercise and diet. Unfortunately only a few people succeed in this only a few can really accept that weight loss should be a life-long practice.

Obesity poses a lot of health risks such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol levels and even depression. Fortunately, with the advent of our modern medical technology, balloon weight loss surgery is now an option for those who failed in the best weight loss programmes.

The weight loss surgery, also known as Bariatric Surgery, Gastric Banding etc, works by limiting the food that you take in. This will make you lose your appetite and the result is a drastic weight loss. Although there are risks involved in this type of weight loss surgery, it would be better to get the surgery than do nothing at all.

Living after balloon weight loss surgery may be tough but with discipline, it could be done care-free. You have to vigilantly follow your doctor's advice when it comes to the food you will be taking in. After all, it is your health that is at stake so you might as well do it the right way. Weight loss surgery should not hinder you from going back to work. However you should note that you need to rest and recuperate well before doing hard jobs. As with birth control and pregnancy, you are advised to practice safe sex 16 to 24 months after the surgery as you are still in the recovery period and an added burden to your body would not help a bit.

Balloon weight loss surgery is definitely an option for those who seek resolution to their weight loss problems. It may be a bit costly and may even require good cooperation from you but expect to see drastic changes immediately. More and more are turning to weight loss surgery and the health sector is expecting more patients as the obesity statistics rises yearly.

Be Healthy - The Advantages Child Private Health Insurance Coverage

Health is wealth - we all know that. If we are sick, we cannot attend to our work properly, we cannot even do simple things like take care of the house chores etc. Being sick is also equal to spending lots and lots of hard-earned cash. Just a mere regular check up would cost us a lot. Good thing we have health insurance. Today, your car, your pet and even your collectibles can be insured. So why not insure your health? Give yourself a favor by getting yourself and your children a health insurance.

I bet your children's health is one of the most important thing that you are thinking of right now that's why you are in this blog. They are the reason why you work hard day and night, right? When it comes to insurance, you can opt for a public or a private health insurance. The difference between the two is that a child private health insurance will give you the power to choose which hospital your child will be treated, when they will be treated and the specialist who will be taking care of them to ensure that they will be recover from the illness ASAP.

Child health insurance, in general, gives parents the assurance that whenever their child become ill and whatever sicknesses they will be having, they can easily go to a hospital and have their children treated. But what are the advantages of a Child Private Health Insurance in particular?

Advantages of a Child Private Health Insurance:

Flexibility

As mentioned a while ago, with a child private health insurance coverage, you will have the power to choose what hospital you will take your children. When choosing a hospital you should consider one that is accesible and which offers good and quality service. After all, it is your child's health that we are talking about here, right? You also get to choose the best specialist in the field.

Privacy and Luxury

When your children need to recuperate in the hospital, of course you want the room to be as private as possible. With a child private health insurance, you will get the privacy that is much needed for his speedy recovery. Not only that, you will also get to avail certain luxuries like television or a telephone line which you have to pay seperately with a public health insurance.

Shorter Waiting Time for Everything

Take this scenario of a mom who availed a public health insurance and her sick daughter who was not able to get his surgery because he has to wait in line. Yes. This happens. So sad but true. If you get a private health insurance, the higher the chances that you will be prioritize since you are paying a higher fee than public health insurance holders do.

Not only these but you are also entitled to get a 30% rebate including hospital and ancillary cover. So if you are a parent, which would you rather choose - a public or a private health insurance?

Insulin Shock and Coma - How to Attend to Diabetic Emergencies

1. Insulin Shock

Insulin shock or the condition wherein there is too much insulin in the body and which can be caused by injecting the wrong insulin at the wrong prescribed time starts very quickly. The symptoms of this include damp, pale and clammy skin, strong and rapid pulse, sweating, dizziness, headache, hunger, aggressiveness, convulsions, fainting and occasionally coma. The condition is also called hypogylecemia or too few sugar in the body.

How to Treat Insulin Shock

The patient should be given something sweet. This could be juice, a candy, or sweet drink - anything that contains sugar and not a sugar substitute. This is why diabetics should always have candies with them. If the person is unconscious, never give him anything. Take him to the nearest hospital instead for proper attention.

2. Diabetic Coma

Diabetic coma is the condition wherein there is not enough insulin the blood and the blood sugar level is too high. In contrast to insulin shock, diabetic coma happens more slowly, over several hours or even days. The symptoms are thirst, abdominal pain, vomiting, restlessness, confusion, and a gradual lapsing into coma. The skin is dry and warm. The smell may be a sweeting smell of acetone, like nail polish remover, on the breath. Whether the person is conscious or noth, take him to the doctor or call an ambulance.

How to Treat Diabetic Coma

If you are not sure what to do or whether a conscious person is in the fist stages of diabetic coma or is going into insulin shock, ask them which it is. Most diabetics will know. If you are still in doubt, give the person some sugar and ask for help.

Home Remedies for Aging Grey Hair

Aging is a normal process that everyone of us is bound to face. A lot of normal physiological processes happen to our body when we age. However for most women (and men), one of the most negative signs of aging is growing grey hair. Here are some home remedies for grey hair which you can easily practice:

• If you use a permanent hair color or tint to cover up the greying portion of your hair, do not choose a very dark shade. A dark shade is very obvious so choose a shade one or two lighter than your hair color's original tone. This will make it look more natural.
  
• Since grey hair tends to be dry and wiry, you can opt to use a condition every time you shampoo. Keep your hair well-trimmed for manageability and to prevent split ends. For a more youthful look, avoid a rigid, overdone cut.
  
• If you are just beginning to grow grey hair and would want to conceal it, you would want to apply a semi-permanent color instead or a permanent tint that washed out after several baths. You should choose a shade that matches your original hair color for this.
• Your grey hair may look better than you think so if you just want it to look natural, just let it be grey.
  

Circadian Rhythm - Human's Biological Clock

What is Circadian Rhythm?

If you are having trouble getting to sleep, you have probably passed by this term several times already in the internet.

Circadian Rhythm is our biological clock. Simple put this makes us sleep when it is night time and sends a signal to wake up when it is daytime.

Insomnia Tips - Home Remedies for Insomnia

Insomnia is a symptom of a much worse sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty of falling asleep. Here are some of the common insomnia tips which you can easily practice.

• Cut back on your daily dose of smoking, chocolate, coffee and other caffeineited drinks, and alcohol particularly in the late afternoon and early evening. These food and drinks can cause your insomnia.
• If you suffer from insomnia, you should avoid eating heavy meal before bed time. If possible try to eat small serving of meals during the night or midnight and eat the biggest during the noon instead.
  
• A glass of hot milk (no chocolate) and biscuits may be helpful.
• One of the most common insomnia tips is to not exercise strenously just before bed. Most people have this notion that if they exercise hard just before sleeping, they would be really exhausted that they could doze of easily.
  
• Spend less time in bed. Get up at the same time every morning, but go to bed half an hour later. If necessary keep pushing back your bedtime until you can doze off readily. This is the same as going into diet. You do not want to hastily put yourself on a "diet mode" because it could only make things worse.
• Do not sleep late in the morning or take naps during the afternoon.
• Do not regularly check the time. To do this, turn your alarm clock towards the wall or anywhere as long as it is not facing you.
• There are also over the counter drug supplements which you can easily buy from the pharmacy and can help you sleep. Multivitamins with iron and melatonin are just two of the most common drugs for insomniacs. Melatonin is a commonly occuring hormone in our body that is responsible for causing drowsiness and maintaining our body's Circadian Rhythm. It is produced by the pineal gland.
  

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Home Remedy For Removing Blackheads

The best way of keeping your skin free of blackheads is by cleansing it regularly in the morning and in the evening. But you might notice that after religiously washing your face and having a well-planned skin care routine, still you develop blackheads and white heads. Pores can clog even if you do practice such a vigilant skin care regimen.

The best way to remove a blackhead is by doing it just like how professionals do it - using steam. The best home remedy for blackhead is to place your face over hot water in a basin for a few minutes, to open the clogged pores. With clean fingertips, tissues or a blackheads remover, press gently against the blackhead to squeeze it out.

Never squeeze hard and never break the skin. Make sure that the blackheads remover you will buy is blunt and never sharp as it can puncture the skin and cause infection. If the pressure is too much, you might deal with a more serious skin problem - pimples! So be careful when squeezing out blackheads. If the blackhead resists pressure, try again after a few days.

Afterwards, dab the area with a medicated cream or witch hazel to prevent the pore from being infected with bacteria which can later on progress in to cystic pimples.

Body Odor Remedies - Easy to do Tips on How to Effectively Remove Body Odor

Every person is created unique - and so is their smell. Each of us has a distinctive smell which is all normal. This only becomes a problem if the smell has become strong and offensive. Offensive body odor is caused by bacteria along with sweat that are stuck in closed areas, such as the armpits, groin and feet, that cannot evaporate freely. One of the best body odor remedies is still to bath or shower frequently so the bacteria can be liberated.

The following are simple, easy-to-do tips on how to effectively remove body odor.

• If you feel self-conscious about your smell, you could try using a deodorant. But remember that deodorants do not stop you from extreme sweating. It only merely disguises the smell.
• An anti-perspirant will do wonders if you perspire heavily. What it does is it dries out sweat glands and stops it from producing sweat. Do not apply anti-perspirant, deodorant or any chemical onto broken skin as it may get infected.
  
• There is no need to use a vaginal deodorant and indeed these can only cause irritations. Daily washing with soap and water should be sufficient. However, if the smell becomes offensive and you experience vaginal discharge, you have to consult your gynecologist as it may be a more serious problem such as vaginitis or any vaginal infection.
• If you have a smelly feet, one of the factors causing this is that you are wearing is too tight such that it is not allowing the sweat to evaporate. Avoid shoes made of synthetic materials and those with synthetic linings.
• Wear socks that are made of pure cotton as this material absorbs sweat.
• You have to wash your feet thoroughly and make sure that you dry them thoroughly as well. Foot powder is also advisable. Sprinkle foot powder before putting on your socks and shoes. It works the way anti-perspirant works, so it's very effective.
• Wear clean clothes. Obviously, I don't have to elaborate on this.
  

Remember these simple body odor remedies as not having it is almost the same as living a clean life. Not only will you feel good if you don't have body odor but you will also gain lots of confidence.

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/kwthj7

Do I Have Cancer? Find Out if You Already Have this Disease.

There are many different kinds of cancer and with the advent of modern medical technology, more and more of which can be cured. Cancer symptoms may be generalized but you have to see your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

• Coughing up of blood.
• Persistent cough or hoarse voice
  
• Passing blood in your urine
  
• Blood in your bowel motions
• Change in your bowel habit
  
• Difficulty in swallowing because of a blockage in your chest
• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse
• Vaginal bleeding after the menopause
• Breast lump o Lumps in the neck, groin and in armpits
• Pigmented moles that grow bleed, itch or change
• Unexplained weight loss or tiredness

How to Lose Belly Fat and Abdominal Flab the Easy and Most Convenient Way

Stubborn abdominal flabs are just... well stubborn. It does not only look bad physically but it also poses a lot of health concerns. Belly fat increases our susceptibility to certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The following is a list of simple tips which you can do yo decrease and even lose abdominal flabs.

Proper posture. This can do a lot of wonders for the way your stomach looks. If you want to have a flat stomach, you can start by standing up straight, put your shoulders back and tuck in your abdomen and buttocks. When trying to lose abdominal flab, you should start with the one that you can easily do. Not only will proper posture make you feel sexy but it is very healthy as well.

Proper breathing is also a key to losing that stubborn abdominal flab. Remember your music lesson? Proper breathing should be deep and should come from the diaphragm. This is the same breathing routine that most singers practice, FYI.

Pull in your abdominal muscles and hold for several seconds. You can do this while sitting, waiting for the traffic light to turn green or even while brushing your teeth. Make this a part of your routine. Tension in your abdominal muscles will strengthen it. This is the secret in most abdominal exercises so making it a part of your daily activities will do wonders.

Try the bicycle exercise. If you don't have a stationary bicycle, you could do this exercise as an alternative. Just lie on your back, put your hands beneath your buttocks and bend both knees up to your chest. Extend one leg straight up towards the ceiling. As you bend it with a pedaling motion (just like bicycling), extend the other. Repeat 10 to 20 times daily.

Just a warning though. Do not attempt to do this exercise if you suffer from back pain. You should always consult your doctor first before doing such exercises to ensure that you won't damage your back.

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/lp2p6d

Shiatsu FAQs - Release Stress with this Dry but a Very Relaxing Massage

Shiatsu is a form of massage that originated from Japan. The word shiatsu is derived from "shi" meaning finger, and "atsu" meaning pressure, so it literally means finger pressure. Its essential concept is the restoration of balace in the body. Especially in the body's chi.

What is Chi?

Chi is the vital energy that keeps our body alive. It is said that the imbalance of chi in the body manifests itself as physical pain, such as back pain, headache etc. The flow of chi in the body is characterized in shiatsue meridians which connect the different body organs wherein the chi flows.

How is Shiatsu done? What is the difference between this form of massage from other massages?

Unlike other massages, shiatsu makes use of static pressure. Static pressure is applied by a shiatsu therapist to these meridians to free trapped chi or to direct chi to areas lacking it, and this is the basic concept of shiatsu.

The static pressure is said to have a calming effect on a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, which helps to relieve the stress and improve circulation

Unlike other traditional massages, shiatsu is a dry massage. Meaning, no oil is used to facilitate massaging thus the client remains fully clothed during therapy.

What are the benefits of Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is mainly used to alleviae body pain due to its relaxing nature. It is highly recommended for muscle-related conditions such as polio and arthritis.

Any contrandications of Shiatsu?

Contraindications of shiatsue include Bone-related deformations such as scoliosis and osteoporosis, some systemic conditions such as hypertentsion and patients with injuries such as bruises, cuts and inflamed tissues.

I am pregnant. Can I still undergo Shiatsu?

Pregnant women and those undergoing chemotherapy are advised to seek their doctor's advice first before undergoing Shiatsu therapy. Pregnant women should be really careful with the activities they will be doing as well as the meds they will be taking as these can have serious effects on them and their babies.

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/n3e7kp

Tetanus FAQs - A Highly Fatal Disease of Humans

Tetanus is a fatal disease of humans that is caused by a toxin which is produced by a bacteria known as Clostridium tetani. The condition is characterized by the contraction of skeletal muscles particularly the masseter muscles causing lockjaw.

Where can Clostridium tetani be found?

The causative agent of Tetanus can be found in soil especially in heavily manured soils and in the intestinal tracts and feces of animals such as horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, and chickens

The disease occurs worldwide but the causative agent is common in tropical and moist region where there is plenty of organic matter in soil.

How can I be infected with Tetanus?

These bacteria enter open wounds or laceration and there they produce generate spores which in turn produce a potent neurotoxin (also known as tetanus toxin). The neurotoxin is responsible for the symptoms of this disease.

Can I get Tetanus from rusty nails?

Such an association is misleading. Although objects that rust harbor anaerobic bacteria (such as the Clostridium tetani bacteria) which can cause the disease, the rust itself does not cause tetanus. The association probably came from the notion that the rust, which is a perfect habitat for anaerobic bacteria, and the nail can puncture the skin and can deliver the spores easily. That is why it is very important to have clean environment.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tetanus?

Generalized tetanus consists of sever painful spasms and rigidity of the voluntary musles. The prime characteristic symptom of tetanus which is lockjaw involves spasms of the masseter muscle.

As the disease progresses, it is characterized by rigidity and violent spasms of the trunk and limb muscles. Opisthotonos is the characteristic extreme arching of the back and risus sardonicus or sarcastic grin (right photo) are both symptoms of the disease. Spasms of the pharyngeal muscles cause difficulty in swallowing.

Death usually results from interference with the mechanics of respiration or the paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

How can Tetanus be prevented?

Tetanus can be prevented by tetanus toxoid for prophylactic immunization.

Safe Pedicure Tips - How To Avoid Infection During a Trip to the Salon

So you are thinking of heading to your favorite salon to get a relaxing pedicure. Before you do that, consider some do's and don'ts first.

Did you know that you can easily get infected just by getting a pedicure? Yes. Hepatitis B Virus and other fungi can be easily transmitted from those sharpinstruments and pedicure accessories.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these suggestions to reduce the risk of infection or injury during pedicure.

• Make sure that you schedule your pedicure in the morning when tubs are clean as well as the pedicure accessories to be used. Or if you can't help but come in during the afternoon, just make sure that all equipments are clean.
  
• A good pedicure salon should have good infection control. Sterilization of instruments should be an S.O.P. But if you're still doubtful, just bring your own pedicure tools and instruments. You should have separate kits for manicure and pedicure instruments.
  
• Skip shaving your feet before your pedicure to prevent bacteria from entering small pores.
  
• When it comes to removing dead skin, pumice stone is preferable over razor. This would lessen the chances of abrasions and cut injuries.
  
• Toe nails should be cut straight, not curved and should be smoothed by an emery board. For infection control purposes, emery boards should never be shared.
  
• Blunt manicure and pedicure accessories is better than sharp ones. Never allow your nails to be cut or cleaned out by such sharp object as it could easily puncture the skin.
  
• Toes should be dry when you have them cleaned. Fungi love moisture so the last thing you want is an open wound and wet skin.
  
• Cuticles should NEVER be cut, only pushed back.

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/nf3xjw

Acetaminophen a.k.a. Paracetamol: A Culprit of Liver Damage - Public Be Warned!

Pain is always a nuisance in our life. Whether at work or in school, we hate having a painful headache simply because it distracts us from concentrating on whatever it is that we are tasked to do. So what we do is we pop some pain killers and instantly the pain will go away.

Pain killers, such as Paracetamol (a.k.a Acetaminophen) works really well with pain. It works even if we take it without food. It even works with fever! Yes. That is how effective Paracetamol is. Unlike other painkillers (particularly NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid, aspirin, ibuprofen etc), it does not cause common side effects such as nausea and vomiting, constipation, rash, headache, and even drowsiness.

Because of the popularity of Paracetamol and perhaps its superiority to NSAIDs (when it comes to causing side effects), most people are unaware that Paracetamol can likely cause liver damage.

Most people don't know this because you can buy this drug even without a prescription. As such, many people take paracetamol beyond the recommended dose thinking that a higher dose is equal to faster pain relief.

The Food and Drug Association (FDA) is very concerned with this news and has now recommended that daily maximum dose for adults should be limited to 3,250 milligrams or 6 1/2 tablets of 500 milligrams each.

The following is also included in the recommendation of the FDA:

• limiting pediatric liquid formulations to one mid-strength concentration (compared to multiple dose strengths available now);
• requiring that a measuring device (such as a calibrated cup with dosing increments) be included in each package;
• including dosing instructions for children under 2 years of age if accurate dosing instructions can be determined and adequate efficacy data exist to support dosing.

Proper labelling of all acetaminophen and NSAIDs drugs is also required from manufacturers and should carry a warning that the drug can cause possible liver damage and stomach bleeding.

Photo Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/534531/

Obesity in Pregnancy - Recommended Weight Gain for Moms-to-be

"Pregnant obese women should gain only 11 to 20 pounds during pregnancy, in contrast to the previous guideline of 15 pounds."

Weight gain during pregnancy is very important for the mother and for the baby. An underweight mother is likely to increase their baby's odds for stunted growth and pre term delivery. This is why moms weighing below normal should gain 28 to 40 pounds during pregnancy.

The case is very different with obese moms. Since obesity poses a lot of problems, such as cardiovascular problems and diabetes, moms should limit their weight gain to only 11 pounds. Obesity in pregnancy not only is risky to moms but also to their babies as well.

Children born to obese moms are more likely to be obese themselves and to have type 2 diabetes later in their lives. As for moms, risks include vaginal tearing, bleeding and the need for a ceasarian section.

Perhaps the solution here is to achieve a normal weight prior to pregnancy. It would also be helpful if the doctors help the mothers to monitor their diet by giving them diet plans and possible exercise routine.

However, although pregnant mothers are very responsive to such recommendations, it would be hard to pull off the diet plan long term. This is very much alike to weight loss wherein its very easy to start the whole routine but hard to maintain. Losing weight should be a life long commitment for obese moms-to-be not only for them but for their babies as well.

Photo Source: http://everystockphoto.s3.amazonaws.com/pancia_pregnant_heart_893822_o.jpg

The Pros and Cons of Botox - Is it Really Worth a Shot?

Botox can be really effective against wrinkles and skin effects of aging. But given the cost of the treatment, do you think it's worth a shot? Of course it is, only if you can afford it (because it only costs $500 per shot, not much right?) and if you really need it.

Botox is actually derived from a deadly toxin called botulin toxin which is produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum and can lead to a life threatening disease called botulism. This microorganism harbors in honeys and home-canned meals. This toxin is very fatal and life-threatening. However, botox, in small amounts has been shown to be effective in getting rid of wrinkles. Botox shots that are being given in aesthetic clinics are diluted so that fatal side effects are eliminated.

Here are the pros and cons of botox to help you decide if you really need a shot (if you are still thinking about getting one):

Pros of Botox:
What is so good about Botox is it does not only fix wrinkles. In fact it has a lot of uses such as:

• Decreases severe underarm sweating
• Alleviates cervical dystonia which is a neurological disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions
  
• Relieves Blepharospasm or uncontrollable blinking
• Solves Strabismus or misaligned eyes

Of course the most popular use of botox is it rids wrinkles fast!

Cons of Botox:
What is not so good about Botox?

• The effects are temporary. The effects of botox last for roughly 3 to 6 monthes. Still, you can't get away with the natural effects of aging with Botox.
  
• Botox is way expensive. And since Botox can be a pain in your pocket, you have to spend a lot for every shot of Botox in case the "lifting" effect is wearing off. This won't be a problem for you if you have all the money in the world. But if you don't, where will you turn to?
• Presence of Side Effects. Since Botox injections are derived from real toxins, there are times when side effects such as flu-like symptoms, headache and upset stomach (usual symptoms of botulism) can happen.
• As with other meds and drugs, you cannot have botox shots if you are pregnant. Well this is understandable. Be responsible for your own baby's sake. Don't take any kind of medication if you are pregnant, not even topical skin care products as some of the ingredients of such are harmful to your baby.
  

To sum it all up, Botox is not a cure for wrinkles. Wrinkles is part of what we call aging process and it's all natural. You have to understand that Botox is not for everyone. You still have to consult your dermatologist what the best solution to your problem. You'll never know, maybe you don't need Botox after all.

Perhaps the most effective way of managing wrinkles is to find something that works like botox without all those side effects.

Argireline: Better and Cheaper than Botox?

So, you have heard about the latest in the cosmetic skin care industry - Argireline. This synthetic chemical ingredient used in the manufacturing of anti aging products has been dubbed as an alternative for Botox. But is it really?

Many are hopeful about this ingredient mainly because it is cheaper and more affordable than Botox which you can only get from a certified dermatologist. With Argireline, everyone who wishes to have a face lift can get it without the expensive cost of going to a skin care clinic. Yes, Argireline is added to anti aging creams so you can have the convenience of having a face lift at the very comfort of your own home.

But is this new anti aging technology really worth the commotion it is bringing today? Before we answer that, let us first differentiate between the two: Botox and Argireline.

Botox is actually a toxin which is produced by a bacterium (called Clostridium botulinum) which causes paralysis through food poisoning (usually honey. So be careful for all those honey fanatics out there). Yes. You read that correctly. Paralysis, meaning it's life threatening, right? So why do all the hollywood stars who have had botox injections are not dead?

Well, that is because botox is used in small doses to achieve the "lifting" effect of facial muscles. In a nutshell, this is what happens when you have botox injections: Your facial nerves get paralysed so as a result facial muscles don't wrinkle (just temporarily)

The Pros and Cons of Botox

How to Effectively Remove Eyebags – Without Needles!

Is your eyebag bothering you? Have you tried all the ways to get rid of them but still no favorable results? If you did, then you must be missing a thing or two about your eyebags. Sure, eyebags are very tough to get rid of. But this does not mean that you should frown and give up your hopes. The secret to getting rid of your eyebags is this: know what the underlying cause is.

Eyebags, also called as eye puffiness, dark circles or discoloration surrounding the eyes, can be caused by a lot of things. Of course, the number one cause of which is aging. Obviously we cannot escape aging so if you are still young and still don't have eyebags, don't celebrate yet, because you will be expecting eyebags soon when you are in your 30s.

Another cause of eyebags is heredity. Yep. The trait can be passed on from your mom to you. Unfortunately if your mom has it then you will more likely have it as well probably earlier than usual. Other causes of eyebags include stress, fatigue, metabolic conditions, sleep, smoking, alcohol, and even inadequate vitamins in your diet.

As you can see, eyebags can be caused by a lot of things so if you got at least three from the list, then congratulations. You are entitled to develop eyebags. So what do you do? There are actually several ways on how to effectively remove eyebag both natural and non-natural (or shall I say one which involves needles). Read on.

Here I have compiled a list of ways by which you can get rid of your eyebags naturally:

1. So I assume that you already know the cause. What you have to do next is to treat the cause. If the cause is some allergy to some foods, then you can either avoid the food or buy over the counter and prescription drugs to treat it for good. You have to visit your doctor for this matter as he will advise you to undergo some tests to rule out any other metabolic or systemic conditions aside from allergies.

2. Get plenty of sleep and eat healthy. Well, you know this already. This has been around for time immemorial so this means it's really effective. Nothing beats healthy foods (that's why it's called healthy because it makes you healthy) and eating them is much, much better. The only problem with eating healthy is it's al little hard to do. Let's admit it. It's very hard to commit to a healthy diet. But this seems to be the most effective way of preventing eyebags so why not do it right?

3. The best home remedy - Teabags, Ice Cubes and what else but Cucumbers. Who says organic does not work? They work okay but still depends upon the severity of the eye bags of course. Remember that severe eyebags may need surgery (that is if you are really concerned about them). Well in that case, you need to know when to have the surgery. As with these natural remedies, just place them on your eyes (preferably cold teabags and cucumbers) for 10-15 minutes daily and watch out for favorable results. Don't forget to close your eyes if you do this.

4. Pamper your skin every night. How can you do this aside from putting the above mentioned home made remedies? What you can do is wet a towel with cold water, squeeze out the excess and place them on your eyes for the whole night. This will have relaxing effects on your eyes and will remove puffiness.