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If you are reading this article, you are probably one of the great many people trying to shed that unwanted weight. With the increasing of overweight population with every year, so grows the number of methods to battle against excess weight. The methods include so called “fad” diets, with their popularity decreasing, specific weight loss programs that are very effective, but demand rigid obedience and dedication, and lastly different weight loss pills.

The major part of people, like you, cannot let themselves abide strict dieting regime or rules of weight loss programs, though it would be reasonable as it gives positive results. We often don’t have enough time or lack in willpower in our struggle with overweight.

That’s why natural weight loss pills become irreplaceable aid for us, that can really help us to lose weight on initial steps, and make us feel that weight loss success is possible. Basically, if you start losing weight using weight loss pills, you can easily fit in a new life style that leads you towards the body shape you’ve always been dreaming of…

Before you choose natural weight loss pills, we want to explain their weak and strong points to help you make the right choice.

Weaknesses

Let’s first outline the cons of natural weight loss pills:

There is a vast number of natural pills available. Facing such a vast choice makes it difficult to find the really effective and credible pills. Huge number of pills means there may be too many ineffective and fraudulent weight loss pills. Most of the natural weight loss pills are not approved by official organizations like FDA or MHRA. That means the effectiveness, as well as their possible side effects, will come to light only after those pills have already reached the market. We can hardly ever find natural pills that were clinically studied to confirm their claims. We have to “clinically test” their action on our bodies. There are many weight loss pills that contain natural ingredients yet dangerous to your health. Perfect example is ephedra, that intensify fat burning, still having a mix of side effects that can damage your health seriously.
Strengths

Well, many natural pills really have the above mentioned weak points. Still natural weight loss pills become more and more popular, by virtue of great advantages before prescription weight loss drugs:

Natural weight loss pills are available without prescription. They are the best choice if you decided to take weight loss into your own hands and you want to shed those unwanted pounds easier. If your health conditions are not restricted and excess weight doesn’t treat your health seriously, the best you can do is to choose effective and weightlosstabs.com/credibleslimmingpillsonline.html” target=”_blank credible slimming pills and combine them with healthy nutrition and exercising. As compared to chemical ingredients of prescription drugs, natural weight loss pills don’t have side effects. You can take natural weight loss pills and don’t be afraid for your health. Natural weight loss pills don’t lead to tolerance (as prescription drugs do). You can take natural pill a lot longer and their efficacy won’t go down. Some natural weight loss solutions contain the mixes of components that not only make you lose weight, but also support your organism in its weight loss efforts. If you talk to people who take some natural weight loss pills, they report such effects as energy boost and even better mood, due to mixed effect of natural ingredients.
New weight loss solutions

2007 has seen the release of brand new natural weight loss pills that passed numerous clinical studies and are approved by official medical organizations, as compared to majority of existing natural pills. Our official site makes comprehensive reviews of best weight loss pills and if you want to discover our top rated credible solutions, visits us now.

Anthony Voronoff is expert that is making explicit reviews and comparisons of the weightlosstabs.com best weight loss pills online. His site gives you valuable advices how to separate credible weight loss pills from possible hype and how to invest not in just diet pills but in complete weight loss programs leading to success. Check out weightlosstabs.com www.weightlosstabs.com.

Male yeast infection cures can be confusing.

There is far too little information available for men who may be facing this problem, leaving them wondering which cures they should use and which ones should be avoided. It seems that most available information focuses on women and vaginal yeast infections.

Men deserve accurate, helpful information on this important subject. Here, you will find the facts about male yeast infection cures that really work.

Of course, the best way to cure this type of infection is to avoid getting the yeast infection in the first place, but at times, the bacteria in the body get out of balance and yeast bacteria over-multiply causing a man to experience some annoying symptoms.

If a man walks into a pharmacy or searches the over the counter pharmacy section of a store, you will find no products labels as being manufactured for treating male yeast infections! You will, however, find many products labeled for treating vaginal yeast problems, relieving symptoms of yeast infections for females, creams, ointments, vaginal suppositories, medication-filled capsules for inserting into the vagina to treat this problem.

But nothing is clearly labels as being right for a man to use if he has signs and symptoms of a male yeast infection or penile yeast infection.

Itching of the genitals can be a problem for men during a yeast infection. The creams and ointments available over the counter for female itching of the vulva and labia can be used just as effectively by men.

Just apply the product to the affected areas as frequently as recommended by the package. These products can be very effective for relieving the itching and burning of surface tissue associated with a male yeast infection.

Products which contain over the counter medication to treat vaginal yeast infections that use a cream to be inserted into a plunger applicator for vaginal infections are just as useful for curing male yeast infections. Apply the cream freely to the penis, and if there are signed that yeast is affecting the scrotum and other genital areas, apply the cream there as well.

These products are best used at bedtime and clean underwear should be worn to prevent the cream from getting onto bed linens. Use these creams for the period of time indicated on the package, simply ignoring the instruction about inserting the product into the plunger application and into the vagina. Instead, apply with clean hands or sterile gauze pads.

Acidophilus dietary supplements or foods with active bacterial cultures like yogurt or buttermilk can be consumed and often will cure male yeast infections in mild cases.

A natural cure that also works well is washing the genitals with yogurt diluted in water and leaving the yogurt on the skin overnight; again, this should be applied with clean hands or sterile gauze and clean white underwear should be worn to prevent linen stains. This cure works because the good bacteria in the yogurt fight the overgrowth of yeast bacteria.

In cases of male yeast infection where symptoms are severe or if there is no response to over the counter treatment or natural home remedies, it is important that a man talk to his health care professional about the problem. Symptoms of a male yeast infection, in a few cases, could indicate a more serious problem such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as gonorrhea or syphilis.

Any yeast infection which doesn’t respond quickly to treatment should be accessed by a doctor. Once the yeast infection is confirmed, a doctor can prescribe much stronger treatments than those available over the counter or at home. These may include oral medication or prescription-strength creams or ointments.

Tired of the ongoing pain and suffering from yeast infections? Would you like a free resource to help you end your yeast infections once and for all?

Go to my website now at

Let’s face it….

Losing weight and feeling great isn’t easy.

BUT the journey is well worth it!

Many people commit to their health and well being via a New Year’s resolution. Why not? The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start and commitment to your health.

How do you remain motivated however for an entire year?

The single most important piece of advice I can offer you is this:

Don’t give up, and pick yourself back up when you stumble or fall.

Everyone slips here and there. Just because you had one cheat day doesn’t mean your entire fitness and exercise program needs to be ruined.

On the contrary. Everyone slips now and again.

The key to sticking with a program is to make the slips MUCH less frequent than the days you are firmly committed to your program.

So have that piece of chocolate on occasion and don’t beat yourself up for it.

Here are some additional great ideas for staying motivated throughout the year:

Tip 1

Don’t make a habit of skipping breakfast.

You should never skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, and revs your metabolism to burn calories each and every day.

When you skip breakfast, you are more likely to overeat and then feel guilty later in the day.

Tip 2

Don’t weigh yourself every day. In fact, you should weigh yourself only once a week, and when you do you should do it at the same time wearing nothing.

Why? Your weight actually fluctuates a good 2-5 pounds from day to day.

Much of this is associated with fluid retention, thus has nothing to do with your actual fat gain or loss. Weighing yourself too often can be discouraging rather than encouraging.

Tip 3

Grab a partner in crime.

Find someone that can be your ‘partner in fitness’. Call them when you are feeling unmotivated, and have them do the same.

You are more likely to stay motivated if you have someone to lean on when times get tough.

Tip 4

Don’t skip a workout because you are tired.

Did you know that working out will actually help invigorate you? If you are truly exhausted, consider toning down your workout, but never give it up completely!

Tip 5

Reward yourself on occasion.

All work and no play is not the way to go when it comes to your overall health and well being.

Consider booking yourself for a massage or other pampering treat each month to keep you feeling great mentally and physically.

Last but not least, remember to take small steps.

Don’t set outrageous goals. You won’t lose 10 pounds in one week, but you might lose up to 2.

Over inflated goals will only serve to defeat you in the long run. Set reasonable goals and you will find yourself much more motivated throughout the year!

Article by Beverley Brooke, editor of healthandfinesse.com Health & Finesse – Free health, diet & fitness advice and weekly newsletter healthandfinesse.com healthandfinesse.com

Do you have symptoms that relate to an insulin imbalance? If you have fibromyalgia, look and see if you also have hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, or diabetes symptoms. These types of blood sugar imbalances can cause fibromyalgia pain to get worse. Blood sugar imbalances cause insulin absorption problems that can affect your health especially if you have fibromyalgia.

Insulin has many roles in the body. It maintains sugar levels in our cells where we create energy. If we cannot get sugar into the cells we become tired more easily. Overtime this can lead to hypersensitivity to pain that is associated with fibromyalgia.

Insulin is a storage hormone. Insulin builds muscle and stores amino acids from protein. Insulin also stores magnesium for future energy production. Insulin also takes excess glucose from carbohydrates and stores them as fat. Many people with insulin imbalances have excess weight, especially in the upper abdomen area. Insulin also controls salt and water retention in the body, and may contribute to rising blood pressures and imbalances in the cholesterol profile. Excess insulin will cause adrenalin to be secreted even when you are not stressed.

Reactive hypoglycemia, the first stage of blood sugar imbalance, occurs two to three hours after eating a high carbohydrate breakfast or lunch. Symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia are shakiness or tingling, pounding heartbeats, perspiring, and concentration problems. These symptoms occur because excess insulin causes adrenalin to be released.

We crave carbohydrates because we need energy. Yet when we eat carbohydrates, we stimulate insulin production. Insulin is supposed to move blood sugar into our cells, where it is burned as fuel. When there is an excess of insulin as well as an excess of carbohydrates, the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat in fat cells. The excess insulin also prevents the carbohydrates from being used for energy. You not only gain weight, but you are also prevented from losing these excess fat deposits because of the excess carbohydrates.

If it progresses toward insulin resistance you will have symptoms of excess body fat, high blood pressure, high triglycerides/cholesterol, fluid retention, dry skin, decreased memory chronic fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are very similar to associated conditions of fibromyalgia.

Insulin balances affect other areas of our metabolism. It slows our thyroid hormone conversion from T4 to T3. It affects the calcium absorption rate into our bones, and it affects how our muscles store sugar to burn for energy. When we burn sugar stored in our muscles, before burning fat, we get more muscle weakness and fatigue. This is why it takes a long time to recover after exercise or exertion.

Then cholesterol and triglyceride levels become more out of balance. You can measure the level of insulin resistance by looking at the ratio of Triglycerides / HDL. If the ratio is greater than 4.0 then you probably have an insulin imbalance.

How Do We Balance Insulin Levels?
All carbohydrate foods stimulate the secretion of insulin. Use a Glycemic Index / Glycemic Load Chart found at www.naturalchoicesforyou.com to alter your diet to include more foods that take longer to digest, thus maintaining sugar and insulin balances better.

Use good fats, from fish oils, flax oils, and or olive oil to lower the glycemic level of any carbohydrates you do eat. If you eat breads or rolls, it would be beneficial on your blood sugar to put butter or olive oil on it, than to eat it plain. Incorporating essential fatty acids (the good fats) into your diet will help provide the fuel for building new muscles and will stimulate energy production.

Remember, insulin triggers an adrenalin response. So taking in anything that further stimulates adrenalin like coffee, tea and colas will make insulin resistance worse. Gradually reduce the level of caffeinated drinks in your diet and change over to pure water. Also, regular exercise will decrease the amount of insulin in your blood improving both blood sugar and insulin levels.

It is important to prevent blood sugar fluctuations as much as possible to avoid insulin problems. By incorporating these ideas into your daily life, energy levels will increase, and if you have fibromyalgia, you will have a much better chance of reducing your chronic pain level.

Dr. Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D. is Naturopath and Doctor of Homeopathy in southwest Michigan. She is the author of “Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia” and “Natural Choices for Attention Deficit Disorder”. She is a professional speaker on a variety of natural health topics, and can be reached at mailto:DoctorOelke@aol.com DoctorOelke@aol.com and NaturalChoicesforyou.com NaturalChoicesforyou.com

Most women know that heart disease is the number-one killer in the United States–of men. Most women also realize the value of eating healthy food, exercising, and decreasing stress–for their families and loved ones. Information is abundant and readily available in books, newspapers and magazines, and on television and radio about the risk of cardiovascular disease in men.

But the widespread belief that heart disease is exclusively a man’s problem is a myth. Women–and most physicians–are not aware that cardiovascular disease is the number one-killer of women as well as men. The facts speak for themselves: Of the 520,000 people who die of heart attacks in the United States each year, almost half–about 250,000–are women In addition, almost 100,000 women die of strokes. Substantially fewer women die annually from breast cancer (40,500) or lung cancer (41,500). Overall, heart and vascular diseases claim more American women’s lives than do all forms of cancer combined.

Moreover, many of the factors that determine the risk of heart disease for women differ from those for men. Dr. William Castelli, a leading authority on heart disease and director of the Framingham Heart Study, which has done research on heart disease risk factors for forty years, has referred to these unique risks for women as a “whole new syndrome” associated with a “galloping progression of atherosclerosis.

Women are largely unaware of the effects of estrogen, birth control pills, and cigarettes and few know that if they smoke and take birth control pills, they have about forty times more chance of heart disease than women who do not. Women above age thirty-five are particularly at risk. It is vital to understand the factors favoring heart disease, because they may be avoidable or modifiable. In fact, according to Dr. Dean Ornish, women may have to do less than men to affect their outlook positively. In a study he conducted evaluating the effect of life-style changes in reversing heart disease, women responded better than men, even when women did less to restrict their diets, exercise, or reduce stress. By understanding their risks and ways to minimize them, women can lessen the chances of being victims of what the American Heart Association has called “the silent epidemic.”

The purpose of developing and maintaining a healthy way of life for yourself as a woman is not only to decrease the risk of heart disease but also to fell well and feel good. Physical activity does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial. More women than ever are discovering that exercise in moderation is exhilirating. Healthy changes in eating do not have to be unduly restrictive. The food you eat can continue to be delicious and satisfying. By using simply new tools to maintain a healthy weight, you will decrease the chances of developing three big heart disease risks–diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol–and discover a renewed sense of self at the same time.

By taking control of your health, you will be more able to take control of other aspects of your life. In so doing, you will achieve a greater sense of well-being, which is the true meaning of health. This is a marvelous opportunity for you personally. In addition, your new healthy living habits can be a model for family and friends. You thus may make a significant difference in their lives and health as well as your own. In the words of Hillel: “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? If not now, when?”

Mounting health costs and cuts to government funding are making wheelchair users seek heaper alternatives like used electric wheelchairs. Secondhand electric wheelchairs are no doubt heaper than new ones but a lot of care should be taken when buying a used electric wheelchair.

Sources of used electric wheelchairs are primarily relatives, friends, and local support groups. Information about used electric wheelchairs is also available in advertisements on bulletin boards, newsletters, Web sites, at local hospitals and rehabilitation centers, or local disability organizations. Information for finding used wheelchairs can also be found in newspaper classifieds or in pawnshops.

It is wise to also solicit advice from a therapist or physician before buying a used electric wheelchair. Private health insurance and state vocational rehabilitation centers sometimes cover the cost of used electric wheelchairs. The Technical Assistance Project (TAP), supported by the federal Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act) of 1988, also provides financial support for the purchase of disability equipment. Sometimes, wheelchair vendors also provide guarantees and warranties for used wheelchairs.

One disadvantage of buying a used electric wheelchair is the non-transferability of the warranty on the chair. There are also certain other disadvantages to consider such as the chair’s physical dimensions, capabilities, condition, fittings and accessories. Because of the many different options and accessories available for wheelchairs it is better to be well informed before buying a used electric wheelchair.

e-electricwheelchairs.com Electric Wheel Chairs Info provides detailed information about electric wheelchair lifts and scooters, used electric wheelchairs, electric indoor wheelchairs, Medicare, electric wheelchair reviews, and more. Electric Wheel Chairs Info is the sister site of net-scooters.com Scooters Web.

Dear Dr. John,

My wife and even my dog have had it with my snoring, I even wake myself up, what can I do. Do those dental mouthpieces work?

James it sounds like you are a candidate for an evaluation by an ear, nose and throat doctor [ENT] or sleep disorder clinic. They can evaluate the type of snoring you have. Let me first explain what causes snoring. When you breathe, air causes the tissues of the soft palate, throat, uvula, tonsils or adenoids to vibrate creating the fluttering noises of snoring. The vibrations occur because excessive fatty tissues and overly relaxed muscles obstruct the airway. The most common tissues involved are the soft palate and the uvula. When the muscles in the soft palate relax, an upward fold occurs causing the uvula to vibrate with each breath of air. Sometimes the fold is so severe that it seals the back of the throat preventing the passage of any air to the lungs. This is called, obstructed sleep apnea [OSA]. Sleep apnea can be a terribly disabling condition. Sleep apnea can be responsible for myriad of health problem. Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, sometimes more than 300 times a night. Sleep apnea is common, and affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk factors may include but not be limited to being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age. It has been documented that this condition is causative agent responsible for, headaches, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, poor job performance, chronic fatigue, memory problems, mood swings and a substantial increase in the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident

Mouthpiece devices have been somewhat effective for many snorers, including those suffering from mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Generally they are plastic devices worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Their aim is accomplish this by bringing your lower jaw forward and/or by lifting your soft palate. Some devices also stop the tongue from falling back over your windpipe. Most dentists should be able to fit you with such an appliance. I would suggest you try this less costly and invasive appliance before more invasive procedures.

There are surgical procedures available to remove the uvula and stiffen the soft palate. The purpose of these surgeries is to remove the excess tissues that vibrate when you inhale. The success rates of these surgical procedures seem to fall in the forty to fifty percent range and are reported to be very painful. There is a new procedure that looks very promising. It is called the Pillar Procedure. It’s relatively simple to perform, can be done with local anesthesia and in one short office visit. The doctor carefully inserts three plastic implants into your soft plate. These implants are 18mm long by 2mm in diameter and are made of medical grade polyethylene plastic. After the implants are placed, fibrous tissue grows between the implants stiffening the tissue of the soft palate. The actual procedure only takes about fifteen minutes and costs in the range of $1200-$1600. Although the clinical trials look promising with a seventy-five percent success rate, it is a relatively new procedure.

Better smiles for all
Dr. John Russo

Dr. John J. Russo is a graduate of the University of The Pacific School Of Dentistry. A graduate of the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum. He is the director of The Cosmetic dental Center and Russo Dental Care, and author of the weekly column “As the dental doc.”

A Vitamin is actually a group of chemically related compounds that work together to synergistically magnify their independent effects. This synergistic group is known as the Vitamin Complex. The synergistic action of the group has an effect greater than the sum of each component individually.

The vitamin complex consists of an organic component, as well as co-factors, such as enzymes, co-enzymes, antioxidants, trace elements, activators, and other unknown factors. It is most crucial to note that the vitamin complex cannot perform its biochemical operations without the proper balance of both the organic component and these co-factors. Furthermore, it has been found that there is often even a detrimental effect when an attempt is made to supplement with the components solely or individually. In other words, the organic portion is only a portion of the vitamin complex, it is not the complex in and of itself. These facts must be considered when selecting an effective supplement to take.

You cannot rely on fancy labeling and/or price to make this selection for you. Many vitamin manufacturers produce their products inexpensively by methods that either utilize an easy to produce synthetic, or an easy to extract portion of the complex (cheaper extraction process inadvertently destroys or fails to remove other components of the complex). Production of an inferior or non-absorbable product (inaccurately labeled as the complex) may be due to genuine ignorance or due to direct deception for financial gains. Regardless, this facsimile of nature equates, in the best case scenario, to the body failing to receive the actual bio-available nutrient, or in the worst case scenario, in receiving a potentially harmful variant.

With Whole foods (containing the natural complexes), or whole food supplements, the body is allowed to perform as it was biologically intended. This means that the body will choose what it needs for assimilation, through a process called selective absorption, and excrete what it does not require or cannot use.

With synthetic, fractionated, or isolated vitamin components, the body is forced to handle these raw chemicals in an unintended manner (without the benefit of the synergistic co-factors) which will most likely result in biochemical imbalances and toxicity. Synthetic or fractionated vitamins are not actual food that the body can utilize as nutrients. They are processed as any foreign chemical and disrupt normal biochemistry.

Effects of nutrition occur over time. It must be remembered that garbage in equals garbage out. One cannot habitually consume poor nutrition without it manifesting in the body. Laws of nature prevent the body from being forgiving because of poor choices, intentional or not.

Feed your body right!

drdavidthornton.com drdavidthornton.com

Yep, it is that time of year again! Time to moan and groan about the weight we gained over the holidays as we resolve to lose it all in the New Year! If memories of failed New Year’s resolutions are haunting you, it is time you found the right resolution for 2005.

The reason that most New Year’s Resolutions fail is that they are too extreme or time consuming. Who is really going to give up all sweets or stick to sweating in the gym for hours each day? What you need this year is a New Year’s Resolution that is simple enough to become a part of your daily life, and will lead to long term weight loss. Read on for five simple yet effective New Year’s Resolutions for you to choose from.

Resolution #1: Drink a large glass of water before each meal.

This simple action will save you mountains of calories in the coming year! By filling your stomach with water right before you eat you reduce your chances of overeating during the meal. Drinking more water is also healthy for all of your body functions, including converting body fat into usable energy.

Resolution #2: Wait 20 minutes before deciding on seconds.

Do you remember the last time you were uncomfortably full after a meal? Chances are that you were hungry and, rather than stopping when you were satisfied, you overate. In the same way that your body tells you when you are hungry, it also has a way of telling you when you are full. The catch is that it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to get the message from your stomach that you have eaten enough. What you eat during that 20 minutes is extra food that your body doesn’t need. Next time that you are in the middle of a meal contemplating getting yourself seconds, allow 20 minutes to pass before you decided if you still need the extra food. Chances are that your brain will get the “full” message and you will pass on the extra calories!

Resolution #3: Walk or Jog in the morning.

Did you know that going on a 15 minutes walk right after waking contributes to weight loss? Getting out of bed 15 minutes earlier, lacing up your tennis shoes, and simply walking around the block will lead to fat burn and lost pounds! When you get up and move first thing in the morning, before breakfast, your body is more likely to used stored fat as energy. Weight loss is supposed to be harder than this, right?

Resolution #4: Obey the No Food Three Hours Before Bed Rule.

Eating a snack after dinner is a widely held habit. Although food always seems to taste better right before bed, it is also more prone to stick with you when eaten late at night. It has been proven that not eating three hours before bed reduces fat storage throughout the night. If you go to bed at 10pm, finish eating for the day no later than 7pm. Once you have made this a habit you will be ecstatic over the long-term weight loss!

Resolution #5: Spice up you Workouts with Circuit Training

Are your workouts consisting of the same exercises in the same order at the same weight? If you find yourself falling into a rut at the gym give circuit training a try. Start by doing one set of your first exercise and then moving on to do one set of your second exercise. After you have done every exercise once, start again from the top! If you want to burn extra calories add 5 minutes on a bike between each set. Get creative and add new exercises into your circuits, and your workouts will be fun and energizing!

Now all you have to do is pick one of these New Year’s Resolutions, make it a part of your daily life, and watch as the pounds fall off in 2005!

Diana Keuilian, author, ACE certified Personal Trainer, and co-founder of HitechTrainer.com offers online personal training and nutrition programs that fit your budget and schedule. Whether your goal is to lose weight, firm and tone, or to build muscle, HitechTrainer.com will build a custom designed program just for you.
Visit: hitechtrainer.com/ hitechtrainer.com/ and begin meeting your fitness goals today!

Recent advances in technology have seen the introduction of numerous machines all promising the reversal of the signs of ageing. From Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), to Laser, to Radiofrequency to Light Emitting Diode (LED) Technology, the various machines all claim to stimulate collagen production and tighten up sagging skin. The results are often subtle and may take months and multiple sessions to appear, correlating with the time it takes for new collagen to form.

Oft neglected in aesthetic marketing, possibly from its sheer simplicity, is the humble chemical peel. This category of treatment has also undergone drastic advances in the recent years, and the results seen often parallel those seen with more expensive machine treatments!

Chemicals have been used since the time of Cleopatra, whose milk baths are seen as early lactic acid peels. Chemical peels have long been used by dermatologists in the treatment of acne and pigmentation, as well as reverse the signs of ageing.

As skin ages, the rate of cell turnover slows down, resulting in the buildup of a thick layer of dead squamous cells. This causes the dull, lackluster appearance commonly seen as people age. Other signs of ageing include wrinkling, pigmentation (sun damage), loss of volume in the cheeks and lips and sagging in the jowl area.

Effective anti-ageing aesthetic therapy should reverse all the above signs of ageing. The selection of the correct chemical peel, plus the use of appropriate skincare on a daily basis, can produce such results in a matter of weeks!

However, the choice of peel is very important, as is the choice of operator. Chemical peels can have the same name, but if done at a beauty salon, has lower concentrations of acid than a seemingly identical product used by a doctor.

Chemical peels can be broadly categorized into alpha-hydroxyacids (AHA), beta-hydroyacids (BHA), salicylic acid, tricholoracetic acid (TCA) and phenol.

AHAs and BHAs include Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. These are relatively simple peels which remove the excess dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production.

Peels containing salicylic acid are useful in the treatment of acne. Salicylic acid helps to reduce the plugging of the skin pores, hence reduces the formation of comedones.

TCA technology has advanced dramatically over the recent years. The addition of modifying agents to the solution has made this form of chemical peel safe, versatile and eminently controllable. Take the Easy TCA Peel from Skin Tech (Spain) as an example. Clear skin colour changes indicate the depth of peel. Hence this one peel can be used for simple rejuvenation (light peel required), to the treatment of melasma (large areas of deep pigmentation), to the elimination of pigmented lesions (sun damage) and fine lines. The Easy TCA peel requires four treatments, spaced a week apart. The entire treatment is completed after a month with marked improvements visible between baseline and follow-up photographs.

Phenol peels are the strongest form of chemical peels. Pure phenol peels are not available locally. Some peels have a small concentration of phenol included. These peels tend to have dramatic lifting effects.

Chemical Peels are generally very quick procedures, taking on average 5 minutes to complete each session. Depending on the type of peel chosen, gentle flaking is often seen for 2-3 days. This can easily be camouflaged with moisturizers. Some downtime can be expected if deep peeling is performed to reduce difficult pigmentation.

Chemical Peels do increase skin sensitivity to sunlight. Optimal sun protection is essential during and after the peeling process. Sun exposure without inadequate protection can result in a worsening of existing pigmentation. However, this is the situation with most aesthetic treatments, including PL and laser treatment.

Some are concerned about permanent skin thinning after chemical peels. Although the excess dead skin cells are sloughed off in the process, this actually triggers the skin to produce more collagen, hence increasing skin thickness and produces a lifting effect.

Chemical peels can be repeated on a regular basis (more frequent treatments may be needed initially) or at least once a year. They are synergistic with the other treatment modalities available, such as mesoglow (infusion of essential vitamins directly into the skin) and Botox. Their safety, efficacy and flexibility make this group of treatments simply a-peeling!

Dr Christine Cheng is an Aesthetic Physician at Simply Aesthetic Rejuvenation & Contouring Clinic ( simply-aesthetic.com simply-aesthetic.com) in Singapore. She runs an effective slimming program combining the Food Intolerance Test with Mesotherapy and Advanced Contouring techniques to speed up the fat melting process. She is the Aesthetics Contributor for Gethat Magazine.

Simply Aesthetic Rejuvenation & Contouring Clinic provides non-surgical solutions to enhance physical beauty. Treatments available include mesotherapy for fat melting, cellulite, stretch marks, alopecia and rejuvenation, botox, fillers and chemical peels. Their cellulite program ( we-treat-cellulite.com we-treat-cellulite.com) shows reduction after 3 sessions, with elimination of moderate cellulite after just 5 sessions.