How to Fair and Lovely Ideal

New Delhi, India (Womensenews)--Two attractive young women are sitting in a bedroom having an intimate conversation. The lighter-skinned woman has a boyfriend and, consequently, is happy. The darker-skinned woman, lacking a boyfriend, is not. Her friend's advice? Use a bar of soap to wash away the dark skin that's keeping men from flocking.

Hindustan Lever Limited, one of India's largest manufacturing and marketing conglomerates, discontinued two of its television advertisements for Fair and Lovely Fairness Cold Cream this month, after a year-long campaign led by the All India Democratic Women's Association. Increasing public criticism may be initiating a change in cultural attitudes towards skin whitening in India, a country where the fairness industry accounts for 60 percent of skincare sales, bringing in $140 million a year. The company is the Indian subsidiary of Unilever PLC, based in London.

In a memo to India's National Human Rights Commission, Brinda Karat, general secretary of the women's association, calls one of the ads "discriminatory on the basis of the color of skin," and "an affront to a woman's dignity," because it shows fairer women having greater job success based on their sexuality.

Fair and Lovely, one of Hindustan Lever's "power brands," is marketed in over 38 countries. Its frequently-aired ads typically show a depressed woman with few prospects gaining a brighter future by attaining a boyfriend or job after becoming markedly fairer (emphasized by several silhouettes of her face lined up dark to light). On its Web site the company calls its product, "the miracle worker," which is "proven to deliver one to three shades of change."
The ad targeted by the women's association shows a woman, whose father had lamented not having a son to support the family, landing a well-paying job as an airline attendant after using the product.

Hindustan Lever failed to respond to All India Democratic Women's Association's complaints, first sent in March and April 2002. The women's association then appealed to the Human Rights Commission, which passed its complaints on to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The government recently issued notices of the complaints to the company. Karat credits this intervention, rather than any "sudden awakening to the feelings that women have when they see those ads," with triggering the company's about-face. "We're not for heavy-duty censorship," she said, but "when the companies don't respond we have no alternative."

Fairness as an Asset
If there is evidence that public opinion has changed, it is not to be found in the Indian matrimonial ads, with their "grooms" and "brides wanted" sections that families use to arrange suitable alliances. These ads, hundreds of which appear in India's daily newspapers, reflect the country's remarkable diversity in their attempts to solicit individuals with the appropriate religion, caste, regional ancestry, professional and educational qualifications, and frequently, skin color.

Even in the growing numbers of ads that announce "caste no bar," the adjective "fair" still regularly precedes professional qualifications. A typical example shows that having a medical or graduate business degree is only part of the package: "Wanted really b'ful fair medico for h'some smart Doctor."

"Fair skin is considered an asset in India," said Rachna Gupta, a 38-year-old part-time interior designer. That's why, once a month, she goes to a busy south Delhi salon to have Jolen Creme Bleach ("lightens excess dark hair" the box says) slathered over her face as a fairness treatment. "It's not good for the skin," Gupta said, "but I still get it done because I am on the darker side and it makes me feel nice. Aesthetically, it looks nice."

However, the number of Indians who share Gupta's opinion that lighter skin is more beautiful may be shrinking. Sumit Isralni, a 22-year-old hair designer in his father's salon, thinks things have changed in the last two years, at least in India's most cosmopolitan cities, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Women now "prefer their own complexion, their natural way," he said.
Isralni says he prefers a more "Indian beauty" himself. "I won't find my wife to be fair, I won't judge her on that," he said.

Sunita Gupta, a beautician in the salon where Rachna Gupta gets her treatments, is more critical. "It's just foolishness!" she exclaimed. The premise of the ads that women could not become airline attendants if they are dark-skinned was wrong, she said. "Nowadays people like black beauty."

She goes on to cite dusky Indian female film actors Kajol Devgan and Rani Mukherjee as examples of her conviction, "If you are dark, then dark is the best."

Health Concerns Over Lightening Grow
The awareness that whitening products can damage the skin is growing. To respond to health concerns, "Fair and Lovely" has come out with an "ayurvedic" formula, a term referring to a well-known system of Indian herbal medicine. And at an upscale salon in Delhi, at a chain also owned by Hindustan Lever, Puja Sharma stresses to potential customers that her lightening facials are all-natural, using milk and fresh fruits like tomato and papaya. However, at four to six times the price of Rachna Gupta's monthly bleaching, this option finds fewer takers.
Even Gupta, a steadfast bleacher for over 15 years, admits the danger. "Two years back it was quite popular," she said. "But now I think they're focusing on less bleaching. It could harm the skin if it's strong."

So she checks the concentration of ammonia and continues her routine. "You have a small tingling kind of a feeling," she said. "It doesn't hurt too much."

Battling for Public Opinion
Betting that the fairness craze in India will continue, American and European companies are fighting for their market share. Popular western brands Avon, L'Oreal, Lancome, Yves Saint-Laurent, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, and Revlon, offer whitening products. In addition, cheap knockoffs like "Cure and Lovely" are making the rounds.

Meanwhile, the Delhi-based Center for Advocacy and Research, which monitors media and conducts surveys on public opinion, has accused the industry in general of "unfair trade practices" and "using a social stigma to sell their products."

On March 11, Hindustan Lever, shortly after pulling its ads off the air, launched its "Fair and Lovely Foundation," vowing to "encourage economic empowerment of women across India" by providing resources in education and business. Sangeeta Pendurkar, the company's skincare marketing manager, announced that the company believed millions of women "who, though immensely talented and capable, need a guiding hand to help them take the leap forward." Presumably into a fairer future.

For more information: http://www.womensenews.org

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How to White your Skin

Have you ever wondered why early childhood photos of many top celebrities show a much darker skin color then they have now? Have you also longed for a much whiter complexion? Then you should go for skin whitening treatments. Mainly the skin whitening ingredients works in two ways to give you a whiter skin: 1. By absorbing the UV rays, thus preventing the sun from darkening your skin. 2. By reducing the production of melanin, the skin pigment found in your skin which is responsible for skin darkening.

Most skin whiteners currently on the market contain ingredients (hydroquinone, ascorbic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, azealic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid (licorice extract)) that act as direct inhibitors of tyrosinase, the enzyme in the skin pigment cells (melanocytes) that make melanin.

Arbutin is a new type of skin de-pigmentation and whitening agents, an extract of Bearberry plant which produced by a solid /liquid extraction, an environmentally friendly process. Arbutin protect the skin against damage caused by free radicals, Arbutin is a skin whitening agent which is very popular in Japan and Asian countries for skin de-pigmentation, Arbutin inhibits the formation of melanin pigment by inhibiting Tyrosinase activity. It may be used to repress the virulence of bacterial pathogens and to prevent contaminating bacteria, it is also used for treating allergic inflammation of the skin . More recently, Arbutin has been used to prevent pigmentation and to whiten the skin beautifully. It can be used to whiten the skin, to prevent liver spots and freckles, to treat sunburn marks and to regulate melanogenesis.

Arbutin is very safe skin agent for external use which does not have toxicity, stimulation, unpleasant odor or side effect such as Hydroqinone.The encapsulation of Arbutin constitute a delivery system to potentialize the effect in time. It is a way to incorporate the hydrophilic Arbutin in lipophilic media. Arbutin give three main properties; Whitening effects, anti- age effect and UVB/ UVC filter .

There is an increasing awareness that vitamin C has a wide variety of role in human health. New therapeutic uses are being investigated daily, among recent discoveries is that Vitamin C can play important role in the health and beauty of your skin. Vitamin C as ascorbyl form has been tested extensively and reported in journal of American Academy of Dermatology to inhibit the production of the melanin (Melanin is the pigment which give the skin it's dark color), when Vitamin C inhibit the production of the melanin, a lighter and brighter skin will reveal in just few weeks.

Vitamin C does more than that also, vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis, which declines markedly in aging skin. As we grow older, we suffer diminished micro capillary circulation within our skin, which deprives our skin cells of the supply of vitamin C it needs for youthful collagen synthesis. The topical application of vitamin C in a skin-penetrating medium can dramatically enhance the availability of vitamin C for collagen production.

Vitamin C regenerates vitamin E in the skin. An antioxidant like vitamin E can only suppress a limited number of free radicals before it runs out of electrons to donate. Vitamin C regenerates vitamin E and enables vitamin E to provide sustained antioxidant protection in the skin's elastin fibers.

Vitamin C plays a vital role in skin repair. When your skin is injured, its Vitamin C content is used up rapidly in the scavenging of free radicals, and in synthesizing collagen to speed healing.
Glycyrrhetinic acid, isolated from Glycyrrihiza glabra (licorice) is widely used in cosmetic industry. Licorice inhibit tyrosinase activity of melanocytes without any cytotoxicity, it also showed that UV-B–induced pigmentation and erythema can be inhibited by topical application of 0.5% Licorice The anti-inflammatory properties of Licorice were attributed to inhibition of superoxide anion production and cyclooxygenase activity.

As a fungal metabolic product, kojic acid inhibits the catecholase activity of tyrosinase, which is the rate-limiting, essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of the skin pigment melanin. Kojic acid also is consumed widely in the Japanese diet with the belief that it is of benefit to health. Indeed, it has been shown to significantly enhance neutrophil phagocytosis and lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by phytohemagglutinin. Melanocytes treated with kojic acid become nondendritic with a decreased melanin content. Additionally, it scavenges reactive oxygen species that are excessively released from cells or generated in tissue or blood.

This tyrosinase inhibitor was isolated from a plant herbal extract. The plant roots from which paper mulberry was isolated were collected in Korea. The tyrosinase inhibition of paper mulberry was compared to kojic acid and HQ. The IC50, the concentration causing 50% inhibition of the activity of tyrosinase, was reported to be 0.396% compared to 5.5% for hydroquinone and 10.0% for kojic acid.

Melanostat is a peptide obtained by amino acid synthesis with a technique of Merryfield. It demonstrates an outstanding anti MSH activity experimentally investigated for skin lightening. The target of Melanostat the membrane receptor of alpha-MSH on the melanocytes, the B- MICR receptor, and its mode of action is a competitive inhibition of alpha-MSH, membrane receptors are blocked in a natural way. The anti-MSH is a molecule naturally present in the skin. It belongs to the system of regulation of the pigmentation. Melanostat counterbalances the formation of melanin and especially the synthesis of tyrosinase, key enzyme involved in the process of pigmentation. In the skin, alpha-MSH plays an essential role in the stimulation of the synthesis of melanin. This process is under the control of an anti—MSH, also naturally present in the skin.

Recently, researches performed on alpha- MSH enabled a detailed study of the structure and function of this molecule, so as the exact determination of its receptor. This receptor is B receptor, its scientific determination is MICR receptor. The study of these molecules enabled researchers to synthesize peptides with a similar (MSH-like), or antagonist (anti-MSH) activity.

The structure of Melanostat antagonist peptide of the alpha-MSH, is relatively similar to the structure of alpa-MSH. Because of this similarity, Melanostat acts while competing the receptors of alpha-MSH on the melanocytes. The action of Melanostat occurs before the action of the well-known inhibitors. Which acts on the intracellular enzyme system? Melanostat does not penetrate the cell because its competitive activity initiates on membrane receptors. Its action enables a natural and reversible blockage of the membrane receptors, without disturbing the physiological functioning of the cutaneous cells. Thus, Melanostat counteracts the formation of melanin and notably the synthesis of tyrosinase, key enzyme of the pigmentation process of the skin. The anti-MSH molecule naturally exists in the organism, and is involved in a system that regulates melanogenesis. It is activated in season changes. When sunshine is high, the amount of alpha MSH exceeds the amount of anti-MSH. The receptors for alpha-MSH multiply at the surface of the cells. The results are an increase of the synthesis of the melanin and the rise of the pigmentation of the skin. When the sunshine is low, anti-MSH exceed alpha-MSH. The receptors at the surface of the melanocytes decrease. The synthesis of melanin is not stimulated anymore, pigmentation of the skin decreases. Thus, alpha-MSH and anti-MSH play the role of accelerator or brake for the synthesis of melanin. Depending on the predominance of anti-MSH or alpha-MSH, the color of the skin evolves in a away or another.

The incorporation of Melanostat in skin lightening creams will place the skin in a physiological dominant anti-MSH situation. Its action is based on the reinforcement of the natural ability of the skin to counteract the activity of alpha-MSH. Melanostat has been investigated in vivo against alpha MSH: the darkening of the skin induced by alpha-MSH is assessed and expressed in percentage of change by comparison with the normal situation.

Retinol is the most important natural form of vitamin A. Vitamin A is the first vitamin to be used topically for the treatment of damaged human skin. Today, the term vitamin A is applied to retinol (Vitamin A alcohol), retinal (Vitamin A aldehyde) and tretinoin (Vitamin A acid). Vitamin A stimulates mitotic activity and the production of collagen - the stuff skin is made of. It is now known that the clinical effect obtained with high doses of vitamin A is necessary for normal differentiate and maintenance of epithelial tissues. Especially, retinol is held out as the new great hope for reduction of photo aging skin. Retinol or Vitamin A helps to renew and exfoliate the skin, giving a new lighter, beautiful skin.

For more details please visit website: http://skin-care.health-cares.net/skin-whitening.php

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How to Get Super Sexy Summer Legs

Summer time is here and who doesn't want sexy, smooth legs to bare those short shorts and bikinis? Well, here are a few tips to get that extra silky, super model look to your legs- so simple and really works!

1.Make sure your legs are freshly shaven (if you are female). Next, take about a teaspoon of baking soda and put it on your wash cloth or loofa.

2.Add just a few drops of water to make a paste on the loofa or cloth.

3.Rub the cloth or loofa across your legs. This exfoliates all the dry, dead skin cell. Wash off with warm water and pat legs dry.

4.Add just a couple drops of baby oil to your regular body cream.

5.Rub in a generous amount of your lotion on your legs. This will leave them super model beautiful!

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How to Wash Your Hands

If your hands are not clean and you touch your face or touch other public surfaces, you may be infecting yourself or spreading germs or disease. Colds, flus, and infectious diarrhea are all known to spread by hand-to-hand contact. Yet, in a survey of adults in the U.S., 92% claimed they regularly wash their hands after using the restroom but only 77% actually did.
Washing your hands regularly can help keep you and those around you healthy by controlling the spread of germs (bacteria and viruses) as well as by removing plain, old dirt. Take the time to wash your hands regularly. Even if you already wash your hands, take the time to do it regularly and right. Here's how.


1. Turn the tap on and evenly spread the water on your hands.

2. Use warm water, not cold or hot, to wash your hands. It might take some testing to get a good temperature. If heated water is not available, use cold water. It may be somewhat less effective or comfortable than washing in warm water, but it is much better than nothing.

3. Use soap. Any type of soap will work, but if it helps you wash your hands more consistently to have soap that is a fun shape or color, or a pleasant fragrance, go for it.
Soap does not have to be antibacterial to do a good job. Soap works by removing germs and soil rather than by killing germs. Scientists question whether antibacterial soaps do any better at preventing germs and disease than regular soaps, and there is some concern that widespread use of antibacterial soaps may breed bacteria that are resistant to those antibacterial agents. Antibacterial soaps may also dry the skin more than ordinary soaps

4. Work up lather on both sides of your hands, in between your fingers, and your wrists. Remember to wash around and under your fingernails.

5. Wash your hands for about 15-20 seconds, around the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday". Be sure and rub your hands vigorously. Don't just rinse off the soap right away. Give it time to do its job and give yourself time to get soap everywhere it should be.

6. Rinse your hands thoroughly under running water with your hands pointed downward but not touching the sink. This removes both the soap and the soil.

7. Use the towel to turn off the faucet, particularly in a public bathroom. If the faucet turns itself off on a spring or a photocell, let it. If not, use a paper towel, or use your elbow or forearm.

8. Dry your hands with a clean towel. Although they are not as good for the environment, paper towels are more sanitary for drying your hands than cloth towels. If you use cloth towels at home, launder them regularly.

9. If you have a lot of grease on your hands, for instance from changing the oil in your car, scrub your hands with a mixture of sugar and washing up liquid to remove the grease easily.

Important Tips

• Wash your hands frequently, especially in these situations.
o After using the bathroom.
o After changing a diaper.
o After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
o After handling surfaces that many people touch, such as doorknobs and railings
o Before preparing or handling food.
o Before eating.
o After handling uncooked eggs or meats.
o After handling garbage.
o After handling animals or animal waste.
o After handling money.
• Use a paper towel to open the door on the way out of a public restroom instead of touching the handle with your freshly washed hands. Don't assume that everybody takes care to wash their hands before leaving. They don't.
• If you're not near a sink and you need to wash your hands, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If used correctly, it will kill most bacteria. Be aware that it will not necessarily remove other soil. That is, if you just changed the oil in your car, killing germs is not the only reason to clean your hands. It is better to wash your hands if you can.
• You don't need to use loads of soap for washing your hands to be effective. As long as you have plenty of suds, you're doing the job. Use a bit of extra soap if your hands are especially dirty or oily.

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How to Wash Your Face

Washing one's face may appear to be the simplest and least talked about topic on earth, but if not done properly, it can damage your skin and eyes. A face speaks volumes about one's personality, and a well looked after face not only attracts attention and adulation, but fosters confidence in a person. Therefore the face must be cleansed properly and in the right way. It's pretty simple.

1. Tie your hair from your face to stop it from getting annoying. If you have bangs wear a headband or use a hair clip. If you wear glasses or contacts, take them out or off.
2. First wash your hands with a good face soap to clean them.
3. Wet your face with warm water to open your pores.
4. Take the cleanser or face wash and get a small amount on your hands, about the size of a nickel. Rub some on your wet hands. Use cleanser that is gentle enough for your skin.
5. Work up a good lather by rubbing both hands together and applying it on your face.
6. Using your fingers, rub the cleanser all over your face removing dirt on the surface of your skin.
7. Rinse your face with cool, clean water, to close your pores, keeping the soap out of your eyes.
8. Pat your face dry with a clean and soft face towel or toilet paper. Make sure you pat it dry to reduce wrinkles as you mature.
9. It's a good idea to moisturize your face after washing it.

Important tips:-
• Use a soap that suits your skin type: oily, normal or dry.
• If soap gets into your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes with water.
• Twice a day should do it. Washing too much will irritate your skin more.
• If your skin is too dry after washing, use water only and pat dry, or apply a moisturizing lotion afterward. Make sure the moisturizer is not oily or it may cause pimples.
• Wash your face twice if you have been wearing makeup. The first wash removes the makeup and the second cleanses the skin.
• Talk to your doctor about possible dermatological issues if you have chronic skin problems. They may very well stem from things you put on your skin: like soap!
• For some people, washing their face with soap can dry their skin out. If you are one of those people, try using a gentle face-wash such as Pro-Active(a face-wash that also helps with acne)or Cetaphil.

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How to Steam Your Face

Steaming your face will open your pores and help your skin be its healthiest. Also, steaming your face can help with acne.

Important tips:-
1.Fill a basin with extra warm water. Make sure the water is not scalding hot or you will burn your face, but it should not be lukewarm either.
2.Hold your face over the basin for 1-3 minutes. This will allow steam to rise up and open up your pores.
3.Drench a washcloth with lemon juice. Place the washcloth on your face and leave it there for 1 minute.
4.Rinse your face with warm water. This is to get any extra lemon juice off.
5.Place the ice cubes gently on your face for 15-30 seconds. This will have a tightening effect on your skin.

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How to Clean Your Skin

Cleaning your skin is an important part of a daily routine. So how do you know you're doing it right? Simple! Follow these steps for bright, clean skin.

1. Steam your face:- This is really simple, just boil the kettle to get some hot water, pour the water into a bowl, then put a towel over your head and hold the bowl (make sure it's not too hot to hold!) near your face for about 5-10 minutes.

2. Wash your face with a cleanser for your skin type. For example, if you have acne, you would want an oil free or lightly medicated cleanser. Nothing too harsh or drying, because you'll more than likely be washing your face twice daily.

3. Rinse your face THOROUGHLY. Make sure the soap is GONE.

4. Pat your face dry with a soft cloth. Don't rub, it spreads bacteria.

5. Once your face is mostly dry, allow it to finish air drying for a few more minutes.

6. Moisturize your face, once again with a product for your skin type.

Important tips:-

• Don't rub hard when you cleanse, or really any time else. Massage gently.
• Harsh, drying cleansers will actually make the problem worse, so go for a mild one.
• Masks are great to add into your skincare routine. Clay masks are great for most skins types, and most masks are recommended for use once or twice weekly.
• If you can without damaging skin, wash your face morning and night. You don't have to steam as often, just as is convenient.
• If you're going to exfoliate...Well, I wouldn't. But make sure you use a gentle exfoliant, and don't do it as much in winter. Your skin needs time to repair itself.
• Always make sure your hands are clean before you start cleaning your face! This will make sure that bacteria and oil from your hands do not end up in your pores.
• Egg makes a nice mask to tighten up pores, and oatmeal is great for oily skin. Just search up natural beauty recipes and you'll find all kinda of great stuff!

Harmful you’re Skin
• Washing your face too much is just as bad as anything else.
• Don't use a cleanser with ingredients you are allergic to.

For Information please visit website : http://www.wikihow.com


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Step by Step Clean Your Face

Did you know that you have a great deal of control over the texture, clarity, suppleness and long-term health of facial skin just based on how and how often you cleanse? Whether you’re young or old, man or woman, you can do your skin a big favor by cleansing correctly.

Cleansing is arguably the most important part of your basic skincare routine. Proper cleansing gets rid of old surface skin cells, dirt and dust, grime, make-up and bacteria, and keeps skin pores free of clogs and able to breathe freely.

Cleansing also aids circulation and prepares the skin to receive topically applied nutrients and lipids.

1. Cleanse twice a day, no more. Unless you have exposed your skin to excessive dust, grime or pollution, twice-a-day cleansing is more than adequate for any skin type. Cleansing too often strips your skin of precious natural oils. Not cleansing regularly, particularly before you retire for the night, may lead to build-up and eruptions

2. Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. Do not use soap on facial skin: it can be too harsh and drying and damage skin over time. A too-rich cleanser can clog pores, while a too-dry cleanser can irritate the skin. A cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing herbs and oils. One for oily skin should include herbs that balance oil production and support clarity. Sensitive skin benefits from an ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser.
Traditional ayurvedic cleansers are made fresh with natural ingredients such as ground oats, lentils or chickpeas, complexion enhancing or clarifying herbs such as turmeric, Amalaki, Neem and sandalwood, emollients such as milk, cream yogurt or honey, and floral or citrus waters for pure healing fragrance. You can make your own by mixing the dry ingredients to last a week or two and blending the mix with milk or cream right before use. Otherwise, look for a natural cleanser that’s gentle and fortified with skin-friendly herbs.

3. Always cleanse with tepid water. Hot water dries and damages skin over time, and cold water won’t dissolve and take away embedded dirt and grime as well as lukewarm water.

4. If you use sponges or washcloths, make sure they are clean and soft. They are not necessary for effective cleansing: your fingertips can do just as good a job.

5. Wash your hands thoroughly before you cleanse your face, or you will be working dirt into facial skin. Use a headband to secure hair away from the face.

6. Start by splashing tepid water on your face and neck.

7. Apply the cleanser with your fingertips or a soft sponge, using gentle circular massaging strokes and moving upward on the face and neck. Do not scrub too much…gentle massaging strokes are enough to help improve circulation as well as loosen grime and old surface skin cells. Too much scrubbing will stretch skin and irritate it, especially the delicate skin around the eyes.
8. Rinse with lots of tepid water. Don’t forget to rinse off cleanser from the neck and hairline. Cleanser residue can clog pores and attract dirt.

9. Gently blot off excess water with a soft towel. Do not scrub dry or drag towel along skin.

10. Follow immediately with a water-based toner and a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to seal in surface moisture and offer nourishment when skin is receptive.

For more details please visit: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ss_cleanface.html

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Information of Back Pain and Solution

Back pain can affect anyone at any age, but it's most common in people between the ages of 35 and 55.
'Acute' and 'chronic' are terms used to describe how long the symptoms last, not how severe they are.
•Acute back pain - less than six weeks.
•Sub-acute back pain - six weeks to three months.
•Chronic back pain - longer than three months.

How your back works
Your spine is made up of many small, inter-connected bones called vertebrae. These are separated by strong connectors called discs, which act as shock absorbers and allow the spine to bend. Your spine is supported along its length by muscles and ligaments. Your spinal cord threads down through the centre of each vertebra, carrying nerves from your brain to the rest of your body.

Causes of back pain
There isn't usually an underlying condition causing back pain - nothing shows up in tests and nothing is permanently damaged. This is called simple or non-specific back pain. Nine out of 10 people with simple back pain recover completely within six weeks.

You're more likely to develop simple back pain if you:
• stand, sit or bend down for long periods
• lift, carry, push or pull loads that are too heavy, or if you go about these tasks in the wrong way
• have a trip or a fall
• are stressed or anxious
• are overweight

Symptoms of back pain
Simple back pain is often in your lower back (lumbar region), and may also spread to your buttocks and thighs. It's often described as a dull pain and can come and go at different times, depending on your level of activity. The pain can begin suddenly or come on gradually if you strain your back over time.

Complications of back pain
Simple back pain usually only lasts a few days and gets better on its own. Occasionally, there may be a more serious underlying cause of your back pain, but this is rare. These causes include osteoporosis, a prolapsed (slipped) disc, spinal stenosis, malformation of the spine, infection or collapse of the vertebrae, tuberculosis or cancer.

You should see your GP as soon as possible if, as well as back pain, you have:
• fever (high temperature)
• redness or swelling on your back
• pain down your legs and below your knees
• numbness or weakness in one or both legs or around your buttocks
• loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence)
Some symptoms are called "red flags" and may indicate that you require treatment for an underlying condition. You should see your GP if:
• your pain is the result of an injury
• you're under 20 or over 55 and the pain lasts for more than a few days
• you have had or currently have cancer in any part of your body
• you have HIV/AIDS
• you have been taking steroid medicines for more than a few months
Diagnosis of back pain
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. He or she may also ask you about your medical history.
If your pain lasts longer than six weeks, or if your GP suspects there is some underlying cause of your pain, he or she may recommend more tests such as:
• X-rays
• CT scans - a CT scan uses X-rays to make a three-dimensional image of the body/or part of the body
• MRI - an MRI scan uses magnets and radiowaves to produce images of the inside of your body
• blood tests
Treatment of back pain
Self-help
There are many things you can do to help yourself.
• Stay active - return to your usual level of physical activity as soon as possible. This may hurt more at first, but it will help you get better and reduce your risk of getting simple back pain again.
• Bed rest - if the pain is so bad that you can't get moving, keep the time you stay in bed as short as possible. Lying in bed can do more harm than good.
• Stay positive and set yourself goals - this will help you get back to your usual levels of physical activity.
• Heat therapy - apply a hot water bottle or heat pack directly to the affected area, or take a hot bath.
• Ice therapy - apply a cold compress, such as ice or a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel. Don't apply ice directly to your skin because you could damage it.
• Pace yourself - be careful not to overdo it when your pain improves.

Medicines
Taking a painkiller (such as aspirin or paracetamol) or anti-inflammatory medicine (such as ibuprofen) is often enough to relieve simple back pain and can help you keep active. You can also use creams, lotions and gels that contain painkillers or anti-inflammatory ingredients that can be applied directly onto the painful area.

If your pain continues, your GP may prescribe stronger medicines such as diazepam, morphine or tramadol. However, these aren't suitable for everyone because they can be addictive and cause side-effects.

Your GP or pharmacist will advise you which treatment is the most appropriate for you. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
TENS relieves back pain by delivering mild electric pulses to the painful area through electrodes on your skin. These stimulate your nerve fibres and block the pain signals to your brain. TENS isn't suitable for everybody and isn't always effective. You should check with your GP before you use TENS and make sure you know how to use it properly.

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists can assess and treat your back pain, and teach you exercises to do at home that will increase your mobility and help you manage your pain. You should only see a physiotherapist registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Manipulation
Osteopathy and chiropractic are treatments involving manipulation of the body, mainly focusing on the spine. They are most useful if you have had back pain for less than three months and can provide short-term (most often) or long-term pain relief. These treatments aren't suitable for everybody and aren't always effective, so it's important to speak to your GP first. You should only see an osteopath registered with the General Osteopathic Council or a chiropractor registered with the General Chiropractic Council.

Pain clinics
If your pain continues, your GP may refer you to a pain clinic. Pain clinics offer a range of treatments that are known to be effective and can also help you deal with your pain by changing the way you think about it. Treatments at pain clinics are often combined and tailored to suit your needs.

Injections
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines (usually steroids) can be injected directly into the epidural space (the space around your spinal cord) or around the joints of your spine to ease pain and decrease inflammation. These injections are only given by specialist doctors in hospitals. Epidural injections are usually only done if other treatments don't work.

Surgery
Surgery is considered as a last resort in the treatment of back pain. The type of surgery you're offered will depend on the cause of your pain and each type has different risks and success rates. Your surgeon will discuss the different options with you in more detail.

Complementary therapies
The following complementary therapies may help with back pain in some people. You should talk to your GP before trying them as he or she may be able to refer you to a specialist practitioner experienced in treating back pain.

• Acupuncture.
• Counselling.
• The Alexander Technique - becoming more aware of your body's balance, posture, and movement.
• Herbal remedies.
• Massage.

Prevention of back pain
Good back care can greatly reduce your risk of back pain. To look after your back, make sure you:
• take regular exercise - walking and swimming are particularly recommended
• try to reduce your stress levels - use relaxation techniques
• bend from your knees and hips - not your back
• maintain good posture - keep your shoulders back and don't slouch

For More Details visit: http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/backpain.html


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Back Pain Treatment

Treatment of low back pain usually begins with a few basic steps. Before beginning any back pain treatment program, be sure you know your diagnosis, and discuss the treatment plan with your doctor. There are some conditions that cause back pain and require immediate treatment. For most cases of back pain, the first treatments are as follows:

• Rest
The first step in the treatment of low back pain is to rest the spine. Because most cases of back pain are due to muscle strain, it is important to avoid further irritation to the spine and the muscles that surroung the spinal column. Bed rest is fine, so long as this only lasts two to three days. Prolonged bed rest can actually lead to more persistent back pain. Once the acute back pain eases, avoid lifting, twisting, and physical exertion.

• Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs, are helpful in treatment of both back pain and the associated inflammation. There are both over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs, and both work well in the treatment of back pain. Side-effects of NSAIDs include problems of GI bleeding, and these medications should be avoided in patients with stomach ulcers.

• Heat Application
Applications of heat packs help ease much of the discomfort associated with muscle spasm causing low back pain. Patients can use heating pad, hot water bottles, or even a hot bath to help ease the muscle discomfort that often causes low back pain.

• Exercises
Strengthening of back muscles is probably the most important step in treatment of most causes of back pain. By increasing strength and flexibility of back muscles, weight is better distributed, and less force is placed on the spine.

These simple measures often lead to resolution of the symptoms of low back pain. If not, you should certainly be under the direct care of a physician to aid in the treatment of your condition. There are further steps in the treatment of low back pain that can be considered:

• Narcotic Pain Medications
Narcotic pain medications are excellent at relieving pain, but these can be dangerous, addictive medications. These medications include Percocet, Vicoden, Oxycontin, and others. Using narcotic medications must be under close supervision, and only for a limited period of time. prolonged use of narcotic medication can be dangerous.

• Muscle Relaxers
Muscle relaxing medications can be very helpful in the treatment of some types of back pain. Muscle relaxers are sold under the trade names of Flexeril, Soma, Valium, and others. These medications help to relieve muscle spasm, but may also make patients quite drowsy.

• Physical TherapyBack exercises, as listed above, are the focus of physical therapy. However, there are other modalities that can be used in the treatment of back pain if the exercises alone do not help. Modalities include aquatherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and others.

• Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections are an option for back pain treatment and inflammation around the spinal nerves. An epidural steroid injection is performed using an x-ray to guide the medication to the area adjacent to the inflamed spinal nerve.

• Spine Surgery
Usually a step when extensive efforts at conservative back pain treatment fails to relieve symptoms. Read on to learn about different types of spine surgery and the types of back pain these treatments may help.

My advice for people who are not finding relief is this: First, find a physician (orthopedist or general internist) you are comfortable and confident with, and work with him or her for at minimum several months--too many people jump from physician to physician and miss out on a complete evaluation. Second, you have to understand that back pain is often not a quick or easy fix. A dedicated approach to physical therapy and exercises often will alleviate back pain. If you're unwilling to perform exercises, your treatment may be less satisfactory. Finally, don't give up--there's usually more that can be done in the treatment of back pain.

For More Informaotion Please visit : http://www.orthopedics.about.com/cs/backpain/a/backpain_2.htm

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Causes of Dark Circles

Dark circles - ever wonder why you get them?

Heredity is the primary cause of dark circles. Like so many things - eye color, curly or straight hair, skin tone - predisposition for dark circles is inherited.

The genes related to dark circles are actually the genes that cause weakened capillaries in the skin around your eyes (learn more about the biology of dark under-eye circles). Skin tone, including transparency of the skin, is also inherited and can make dark circles appear more dramatic.

What Causes Dark Circles?
Heredity isn't the only cause of dark circles. A variety of factors, both common and uncommon, can influence or cause the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

Dark circles and sun exposure
Exposure to the sun can exacerbate your dark circles. Sunlight darkens the skin by raising melanin levels and bringing melanin to the surface of the skin. These boosted melanin levels make dark circles look darker.

So if you notice dark circles after a trip to the beach or the tanning bed, you're not alone.
Do fatigue or lack of sleep cause dark circles?
Short answer: no.
Long answer: not exactly. Lack of sleep makes your skin pale, which emphasizes your dark circles. Anything else that makes your skin pale, like fatigue or illness, makes your dark circles much more noticeable.

Pregnancy and menstruation also frequently make your skin pale. Many people associate dark circles with hormones -- but the hormones don't cause dark circles, just paleness.

The link between allergies and dark circles

Many people associate allergies with dark circles. This is a real and established connection. In fact, many doctors consider dark circles as an indication of allergies in children.
Allergies cause dark circles in two ways: first, histamine reactions themselves can cause dark smudges to appear under the eyes. The biology of this is way too complicated to get into here. Second, allergies frequently cause the eyes to feel itchy. Rubbing the eyes and the skin around the eyes makes dark circles even darker.

Age and dark circles
Yes, it's true -- age makes dark circles even worse. As we age, the skin of our faces becomes thinner. Thinner skin allows the discoloration of dark circles to be seen more easily, and dark circles become much more obvious.

Nutrition and dark circles
In some rare cases, lack of vitamins can cause dark circles under the eyes. This is relatively uncommon. Nevertheless, if you're not eating a balanced healthy diet, you may see dark circles. And sometimes changing to a more healthy diet can help to diminish those dark circles.

For more details please visit : http://www.darkcircles.net

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Dark Under-Eye Circles

Most people think that dark under-eye circles are caused by staying up late watching monster movies, or having that last drink the night before, or sitting up with your laptop trying to finish the quarterly report. Most people think that their behavior is somehow linked to dark under-eye circles.

Well, most people are dead wrong.

If nothing else, I want you to know that dark under-eye circles are not your fault. They don't mysteriously appear when you misbehave or are stressed out, only to vanish when you get 8 straight hours of sleep. Dark under-eye circles are a by-product of the very same mechanism that produces bruises (and you don't blame yourself for bruising, do you?). Changing your behavior will, in almost every case, NOT get rid of your dark under-eye circles.
Having said that, onto the specifics:

What causes dark under-eye circles

Your shiners, your raccoon eyes, your blue luggage... whatever you call your dark under-eye circles, here's what they really are: oxidizing hemoglobin.
Dark under-eye circles begin in the capillaries, the tiny blood vessels that web the delicate skin around the eyes. Now, your capillaries are so small that red blood cells sometimes have to line up, single file, to get through. Frequently, red blood cells get lost and wander into the surrounding skin. This isn't a problem - it happens all the time - and your body has a mechanism to mop up these escapees. Enzymes in your body break down the red blood cells, including their hemoglobin (the molecule that gives them their distinctive red color).
No problem, right? Except for one thing: when hemoglobin is broken down, its remaining components have a dark blue-black color. Just like a bruise. So your dark under-eye circles are actually caused by leaky capillaries.

How dark under-eye circles are like bruises

When something hits you, blood vessels are traumatized and sometimes broken. Blood leaks out into the surrounding skin. Your body begins the mopping-up process, and you see a dark, purplish or blue-black discoloration.

So, as you can see, dark under-eye circles are very similar to bruises. The same mechanisms produce them.

Why are dark under-eye circles so visible?

It's quite possible that capillaries all over your body are leaking small amounts of blood all the time (I don't know if this is true or not). But the reason dark under-eye circles are so apparent is this: the skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest, most delicate skin of your entire body. The capillaries are much closer to the surface of the skin there. Many people's skin is not only thinner around the eyes, but also more translucent.

The combination of capillaries near the skin's surface and translucent skin makes this discoloration much more apparent. And that's why you have those dark under-eye circles staring back at you in the mirror.

Getting rid of dark under-eye circles
Now that you know they're not your fault, you're probably even more likely to want to get rid of those pesky and unattractive dark under-eye circles. Check out RevitaLume for dark circles under the eyes to get the help you need. You can also look into home remedies for dark circles while you're waiting for your new products to come in the mail.

For More Information Please visit website :-http://www.darkcircles.net

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Control your Face Pimple

Are you unwell of bearing in mind all types of ad in magazines, on television, and even on your computer while surfing the net? Do you want to get clear of the acne all over your face and body? There are ways to cure your a skin condition and you can do it naturally. Here is how to cure a skin condition the natural way.

The first natural way to get control of your pimples, zits, blemishes, a skin condition, or whatever you want to call those self esteem killers is to use tea tree oil. This is just as strong and as good as the main ingredient in the entire over the counter and as seen on TV medications. You can pick it up at any health food store and it is not very expensive.

You will want to apply it to your skin twice a day. Leave it on and let it soak in for about 10 to 15 minutes, then wash your face with warm water followed by cold water. This will help clear up your skin in a hurry and keep those pimples under control.

The second natural cure for a skin condition is to use garlic and milk. There are tons of articles and information about this cure and it would be wrong not to include it. Get raw garlic, chop it up, and soak it in milk. After about 30 minutes you need to rub it all over the areas that break out the most and already have blemishes.

The last cure is to stop touching your face, stressing yourself out, and start cleaning your face properly. Most of the acne comes from a dirty face. You will want to wash your face at least twice daily and use warm water to open the pores. Then, use a light soak and rinse with cold water. This will help cure acne the natural way and control pimples.

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Eye Cleaning for Newborns

What is the best way to clean a newborn baby’s eyes? The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) advises using cooled boiled water, especially if there is a sticky eye problem. Other websites seem not to mention specific care for the eyes or recommend using the same bathwater as used for the rest of the baby’s body.

Option for cleaning a newborn baby’s eyes. Bathwater might contain bubble bath that could lead to eye irritation. Also, if your baby is already sitting in the bath when you use the water to clean the eyes, the water would not be completely clean and you could risk introducing infection.

Reducing infection risk
Bathe your baby’s eyes either before or after a bath. Prepare a small bowl of boiled water and let it cool to body temperature, then wash your hands thoroughly under the tap. Dip a piece of cotton wool in the bowl, squeeze it, and then gently wipe your baby’s eye from the nose outwards. If your baby’s eye is sticky, repeat this until the eye is clean using a new piece of cotton wool for each wipe.

Repeat on the other side, again with a fresh piece of cotton wool which will avoid transferring any infection from the first eye or your baby‘s face.

Drying
Gently pat your baby‘s face dry with a soft towel.

For More information please visit : www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk

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What are the daytime effects of sleep debt, and how can they hamper my blood sugar control?

Low Energy: daytime somnolence (extreme sleepiness); frequent napping
• Beware of driving; increased risk of accidents
• May be too tired to prepare “healthy” meals or eat on schedule
• Likely not to maintain exercise regimen

Impaired Cognition

• Impaired psychomotor performance; longer periods of sleep loss lead to greater impact on speed of performance (e.g.: preparing and administering insulin injections may become more challenging)
• Reduction in performance of reasoning tasks (e.g.: sticking to diet, carb counting)
• Impaired short term memory or recall (e.g.: remembering to test or give insulin on schedule, recalling what you ate for lunch for food diary)
• Impaired decision making under conditions of uncertainty, worse with age (e.g.: selecting best choices from a restaurant menu)
• Typically affects tasks that are long or monotonous with no feedback or motivation (e.g.: driving leads to increased accidents and citations)

Depressed Mood: irritability, depression, anxiety; lack of motivation
• can lead to failure to follow prescribed plan, poor health habits, missed appointments, lack of foot care
• lack of stamina may lead to social isolation, limiting social and physical activity, and even development of pressure ulcers or other wounds due to self-negligence

*There is strong evidence of the reversal of all of the effects of sleep loss following recovery from sleep deprivation. Energy improves as fatigue fades. Memory improves via restored brain neurons; recall and concentration improve. Mood gradually returns to what is normal for you. Some of these factors will improve more quickly than others, and each person’s experience will differ to some degree.

A Final Word on Sleep Restriction:

Sleep Restriction in general appears to increase appetite and food cravings by altering levels of unique hormones in the body. Chronic Sleep Deprivation results from long-term inadequate sleep quantity and/or quality, ultimately leading to weight gain, insulin resistance and/or glucose intolerance, and increased fatigue. This begins a forward-moving cycle of increased hunger coupled with decreased physical activity that is almost certain to result in weight gain, and consequently worsening control of diabetes. This cycle has been shown to lead directly to the Metabolic Syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in previously healthy people.
The impact of sleep deprivation appears to impact so many systems that many experts are predicting that sleep habit will be added to diet, exercise and smoking as major modifiable risk factors for a number of chronic diseases in the foreseeable future.

Sleep hygiene for optimum health:

• Keep regular bed- and wake times, even on the weekends
• Try not to nap during the day. If you must nap, limit to brief periods (10-15 minutes rest)
• Ensure bedroom conditions are conducive to sleep (dark, quiet, comfortable temperature, comfortable pillow and mattress; use earplugs or eyeshades if necessary)
• Restrict caffeine to before 10:00 a.m.; give it up altogether ideally.
• Do not smoke during the evening hours (if you must smoke at all).
• Limit alcohol to light consumption (it can fragment sleep architecture leading to frequent waking)
• Limit food and beverage intake for three hours prior to bedtime, if permitted by your meal plan.
• Regular exercise is a must, but finish at least four to six hours prior to bedtime. An exception is for those with anxiety, in which case light exercise before bedtime may help them to relax.
• Get at least 30 minutes’ exposure to sunlight in the morning hours, and avoid bright lights in the evenings. This includes avoiding computer and TV screens in the hours prior to bedtime.
• Do not bring business or homework into the bedroom; no TV either. Recreational reading is OK. Keep the bedroom a place for quiet and rest.
• Practice stress management techniques as necessary or appropriate.
• Keep a bedside diary to record problems, plans etc. so they don’t remain in your mind preventing sleep. Avoid reading or watching news about troubling events just before bed.
• A warm bath one to two hours prior to bedtime may help promote sleep. A warm glass of milk helps for many people as well, but be sure it fits into your meal plan.

For More Information please visit website: http://www.rd411.com

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How much sleep is required by the average person?

Teens: 9-10 hours per night
Adults: 7-8 ½ hours per night
Older Adults: 6 ½ - 7 ½ hours per night, plus a 1 hour nap each afternoon

Why is sleep so important? The functions of deep sleep include:

•Growth hormone production essential for growth and development
•Restorative functions such as tissue repair and growth
•Blood pressure is lowered, providing rest to the heart and circulatory system
•Adjusting metabolic processes including glucose utilization and storage, and the ratio of appetite-controlling hormones.
•Important functions of the nervous system (nerves) including memory consolidation (improves recall)
•Decreased stress hormone production (cortisol, adrenaline)
•Production of hormones that fuel the immune system

Insufficient Sleep Syndrome can result from:
•Decreased/inadequate sleep time
•Irregular sleep/wake cycle and poor sleep habits
•Substance abuse including overuse of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine (Caffeine can affect sleep architecture up to 10-12 hours after consumption leading to frequent arousals and fragmented sleep, reduced total sleep time, and decreased sleep efficiency.) (Alcohol causes frequent arousals and is associated with sleep apnea.)
•Shift work (e.g.: doctors, nurses, truck drivers, soldiers)
•Pain or discomfort related to medical or psychological conditions.

Primary sleep disorders include:

•Insomnia: the inability to fall asleep or remain asleep
•Restless legs syndrome (RLS): unpleasant feelings in the legs like creepy, crawly or tingly feelings at night with an urge to move upon lying down to sleep
•Narcolepsy: a neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate normal sleep-wake cycles. Daytime features include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness, especially in the legs but also the face and neck, that is brought on by strong emotion, especially laughing), and sudden sleep attacks. Nighttime features include insomnia, dream-like hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.
•OSAS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

By far the most common sleep disorder is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is characterized by pauses, known as apneas, in breathing during sleep due to upper airway collapse or shallow breathing. These episodes occur repeatedly throughout sleep leading to disturbance of normal sleep patterns (known as sleep architechture) that are important for health. Snoring is the most obvious sign of sleep apnea, although not all people who snore have sleep apnea. There are several ways that a physician may identify patients at risk for OSA, but a true diagnosis requires a polysomnogram, which entails an overnight study in a controlled sleep laboratory.

The consequences of untreated OSA are known collectively as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Considerable data supports OSAS as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including hypertension, stroke, heart failure and cardiac sudden death. OSAS also appears to be closely associated with the Metabolic Syndrome. In addition, it is now theorized that OSAS is independently associated with glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, and possibly insulin resistance.

Treatment options for OSA may include one or more of the following:

•Weight control
•Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)/BIPAP Therapy *Gold standard
•Surgical interventions
•Dental/oral appliances
•Positional therapy

*The good news: Data indicates that compliance with CPAP therapy may provide a protective effect against OSAS and appears to improve the diseases associated with it, as well as prevent death from CVD. Similarly, surgical weight loss methods have been shown to be very successful in treating OSA and its associated conditions, as well as improving blood glucose parameters often to the point of no longer needing medication.

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How Your Sleep Can Affect Your Diabetes Control

You have probably long known that getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. After all, who hasn’t heard that we should all sleep 8 hours each night? You might even be aware that when you fail to get enough sleep you aren’t “yourself” and begin to feel “run-down.” But did you know that getting inadequate sleep can directly affect your blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as your appetite? And long-term your HbAIc levels and even your risks for obesity, cardiovascular diseases, mood disorders and cognitive decline can increase.

New research suggests that a large number of people with sleep disorders remain undiagnosed, but that with treatment people suffering from sleep deprivation can avoid all of the potential problems just noted. So take a closer look at sleep disorders and sleep habits now, and decide whether you (or a loved one) should be further evaluated for a potential sleep disorder that might be interfering with your efforts to control your diabetes.

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Six Step French Manicures for Hands

Doing your nails doesn't have to turn into an epic. Even if you don't regularly wear polish, a once weekly session keeps them well-groomed.

1. Clean off any old polish with a gentle, acetone-free solvent that helps prevent nail brittleness and dry-out.

2. Soak nails in a glass of warm, soapy water for two minutes. Blot dry and gently ease back the cuticles with a hoof stick wrapped in cotton wool. Don't jab the nail base.

3. Clean under the nail tips with an orange stick. Rinse and file with a fine-textured emery board. Make long, sweeping strokes to shape, and then lightly flick along the nail.

4. Rinse again and pat dry. Dot a drop of oil on to each cuticle and use the pad of the thumb of your other hand to massage it well into the nail bed.

5. Buff the nails with a smooth buffer. This boosts the circulation, helps even out ridges, seals nail tips to prevent flaking, and leaves a natural, healthy-looking sheen.

6. Apply a protein-enriched base coat to strengthen weak nails and help prevent splitting, flaking and nail polish staining. Finally, choose a polish that flatters your skin tone.

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What Causes Hair Loss?

Losing hair is unbelievably distressing. Who hasn't panicked when the brush seems fuller than usual? So what causes obvious hair loss? Cell division slows when you reach your thirties, and each hair spends less time growing and longer in its resting phase. Some follicles may become completely inactive. So, by the age of 50, the number of active follicles in the scalp has virtually halved. Hair colour also plays a role - the blonder your hair, the more you risk losing it.

Stress is a significant factor in hair loss as it triggers the hormone testosterone, responsible for male "pattern baldness". Tension - especially in the neck and shoulders - restricts circulation to the scalp, and follicles may become weak and undernourished. Similarly, strict diets, periods of illness or medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, may cause hair to fall out.
Rough handling is also a prime factor, along with chemical abuse - straightening, over-perming and colouring - which is also the most common cause of hair damage. Sleeping in rollers that are too tight causes "patchy" traction hair loss, in which the hair tails out in clumps.

For More Information please visit website : http://www.beauty-basics.ne

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Step By Step Weight Loss

Focus on the tried and true:-
Ultimately, losing weight comes down to one key principle: Burn more calories than you consume. The steps that follow won't work if you have a thousand more calories coming into your body on a daily basis than you have going out. Lay the foundation for weight loss with these practices:

•Count calories and keep a food diary.
•Go on a diet.
•Cut down on sugar, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats and saturated fats.
•Burn more calories by exercising: Run, walk, even exercise at the computer you are sitting in front of now.
•Raise your metabolism.


Downsize your kitchenware:-
The human mind works in mysterious ways. It turns out that using smaller bowls, plates, and containers can subconsciously influence how much you serve yourself. Even nutrition experts are victims of this phenomenon; when 85 of them were given a random mix of small and large bowls and scoops, those who got larger bowls served themselves 31% more ice cream, and added on another 14.5% if they had bigger scoops!

Put down the knife:-
By putting down whatever utensils you're using between every bite, you can significantly slow down your eating time, leaving your stomach a chance to feel full and reducing the likelihood that you'll go for seconds. Another technique that can have a similar effect is to take a sip between each bite. Numerous studies have shown that eating slowly results in eating less. There's even a device you can get from a dentist that you wear to make your oral cavity smaller so that you take smaller bites, and a fork that's so awkward to use that you'll get less food per bite!

Know thy enemy:-
Make a list of the food items that are your weaknesses. These aren't always unhealthy foods, either. Sometimes we fool ourselves into believing that as long as we avoid the "bad" foods, we're making progress. At least, that's what we like to think as we get up for our third serving of fruit salad, or finish a bag of pretzels in one sitting, saying that they're healthier than chips. Remember that too much of anything is bad. You probably don't need to keep a food diary to know your enemies. Common culprits include soda, bread, alcohol, and fast food. Whatever your weakness is, cut down on it. If you cut it out completely, you're more likely to binge. Buy only small packages of it and have it only once in a while. If cutting down doesn't work, you might need to go cold turkey.

Choose whole grains over a whole belly:-
If you switch out all of your refined grain food (white bread, food made with white flour) for whole-grain food (oatmeal, whole-grain cereal, whole-grain pasta, brown rice and barley) you won't lose additional weight overall. However, you will lose more weight in the belly area, which will make you look thinner--at least, that's what a Penn State study implies. Not only will your slimmer profile make you feel better about your progress, but by losing the VAT (visceral adipose tissue) you're also doing away with a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, coronary vascular disease, and some types of cancer. Check those labels and make sure that any grain-based foods you buy are made up of at least fifty-one percent whole grain.

Limit your spending:-
Some people have an easier time controlling their wallet than controlling their diet. Go ahead, cut up those credit cards, and build up your emergency fund, if you haven't already (in its own account, and leave the bank card at home). Limit the amount of cash you have in your wallet, especially if you're subject to spontaneous fast food indulgences. When you go grocery shopping, have a list prepared, and bring just enough money to cover those items (this might take a few dry runs). The embarrassment of not having enough money at the register will keep you from throwing a few extra items in the shopping cart. If you don't do the grocery shopping, then offer to take on this monumental role. Your family or roommates might complain about the absence of junk food, but you'll be doing them a favor by stocking the kitchen with healthy stuff. They'll thank you...later...years later.

Set a digital watch to go off every two hours:-
Eat only when the watch tells you to. Spontaneous eating sessions (those times when you feel those hunger pangs, those cravings, and you scour the cabinets or the streets in search of satisfaction) are your weakest points. This is why all weight loss books tell you to avoid skipping meals. If you eat every two hours, you won't get so hungry that you gorge yourself when you do eat. You know how it goes: "Oh...I'm so hungry...the brownies are right there...I'd have to walk all the way to the deli to get a sandwich, but my stomach's churning...." Of course, if you eat t • This has the added benefit of increasing your metabolism. Extending the time between meals makes your body go into "starvation mode," which will slow down your metabolism in response to the perceived threat of starvation. This is why fasting and skipping meals will only make things worse. In addition to having four to six small meals per day, eating healthy snacks will also increase your metabolism.

Another useful way to think about this is to use a "hunger scale." Rate your hunger on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being so hungry that you feel weak and 10 being so full that you just want to curl up in bed and digest. Eat when you're at about 3, which is when you're just a little hungry, but not famished equivalent of a cheeseburger every two hours, that's a recipe for obesity, but again, you're more likely to retain self-control and stick to your diet when you don't have hunger pangs to cloud your judgment. It wouldn't hurt, however, to plan out what you'll eat (smoothie at 10, chicken salad at 12, a single piece of leftover cherry pie at 2, a slice of bread with peanut butter at 4, and so on).

This has the added benefit of increasing your metabolism. Extending the time between meals makes your body go into "starvation mode," which will slow down your metabolism in response to the perceived threat of starvation. This is why fasting and skipping meals will only make things worse. In addition to having four to six small meals per day, eating healthy snacks will also increase your metabolism.

Another useful way to think about this is to use a "hunger scale." Rate your hunger on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being so hungry that you feel weak and 10 being so full that you just want to curl up in bed and digest. Eat when you're at about 3, which is when you're just a little hungry, but not famished
Trade weight for cash:-

A 2007 study showed that the more you pay people to lose weight, the more pounds they drop over a three-month period. If there's someone who keeps nagging you to lose weight, ask that person about paying you for every pound you lose. If your employer is self-insured, he or she might consider enlisting the services of a company that develops reward programs to encourage employees to lose weight. You can also sign a contract that forces you to pay up for every pound you don't lose (or every pound you gain) and whatever money you pay (or gain) can be donated to charity.

Exercise and Save $$ at the same time:-

Walk to the store or library. Whenever your destination is close enough (half a mile one way is enough, especially if you are going to push or carry groceries) Drive only if you are planning to go more than a mile one way or when the weather isn't good.

Tips
•You don't have to put on sweats and sneakers or hit the gym to lose weight. You can do some garden work and vacuum the floor on your own property. Picking up toys is good exercise, too.
•Keep a fitness log: Get a blank piece of paper and draw about forty small squares or print a spreadsheet from Microsoft Excel a spreadsheet. Try to figure out your most common exercise-related activities and make two letter (or number) codes for them. Add a few more activities to get you moving. Set a date to complete all of your squares. Consider going over your log daily to fill in the squares, as you will not remember what activity you did three weeks from now. Make sure that your date goals are reasonable and timely.

•Dancing can be an aerobic workout
For physical activity, try something different. Maybe you’ve stopped going to the gym because it's boring. Do something unique and preferably something that involves a long-term commitment and contract, such as swing or salsa dancing, swimming lessons, fencing, or martial arts. Choose a school or instructor you like--you're more likely to show up, especially if there's someone holding you accountable. The more expensive the contract, the more likely you are to stick with it...unless you're filthy rich, in which case you can hire a personal trainer.

•If you are having a hard time getting started or maintaining an exercise routine, use Monday as the day to recommit. Instead of making it a New Year’s Resolution or something you start doing on your birthday, using Monday gives you fifty-two chances to get on track!

•To lose weight consistently, take the stairs instead of escalators and elevators and take brisk walks everyday.

•Follow a simple program that includes a easy to follow meal plan, exercise plan and supplement plan.

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How to Increase Your Height

Introduction:-
So you're tired of being stepped on and always having to look up to others while feeling inferior to them simply because you are of smaller stature. Well your investment in this book could be the answer you've been waiting for.


As you may have already experienced, there isn't much room in today's society for the short person. As someone once said? A good big man (or woman) will always beat a good little man (or woman). Being taller may enhance your life in almost every aspect, from greater job opportunities to a more encountering love life. This is your opportunity toward a more fulfilling and rewarding life, alongside others that you would normally have to look up to. You no longer have to look in envy at others while wishing you were their size. Now there is something you can do about it, and you've already taken the first step. Your time has come? It’s your turn now. Before beginning our specially designed program here are a few key points that should be noted.

• Read this entire book completely before starting any parts of this detailed program.
0 If your health is questionable are sure to consult a physician before attempting any
such exercises and or using any dietary information outlined in this book. Even if
your health is normal or above, the advice of a physician is strongly recommended as
a general safety precaution.

• Don't expect miracles overnight. This book is designed to add 2 to 5 inches to your stature. You should begin noticing results in 4 to 6 weeks depending upon your individual traits. For some it may require additional time, but do not worry. Your determination will pay off and you will achieve results.


* Be sure you follow the program, outlined in this book, for maximum results.
* Remember? Reading this book can't make you taller but dedication, patience and determination can.
Scientific Study

Many of you are probably wondering, is it really possible for me to be taller? The answer is yes, you can.

For years it has been said that once you reach the age of puberty or adulthood, you stopped growing well consider this:

* In. the sport of baseball, a pitcher's throwing arm is usually I to 3 inches longer than his other arm. This is a direct result of exercise, reached after the age of puberty.

* The right arm of every professional Jai Alai player is at least 2 inches longer than his left arm (another result of vigorous exercise.)
• There are also considerable regional differences of stature recorded at any given age, this variation being linked more to nutrition and socioeconomic conditions than to genetic factors.

This in itself is positive proof that additional growth in the human body is possible after adulthood has been reached. There is a multitude of additional medical testimony (which space does not permit) that substantiates the promise of added height at ages well into the 50's. In fact most scientist's today agree that it is very possible to increase your height as much as 4 or 5 inches until you reach ages between 50 and 55 years. old. According to some anthropologists, men and women at 40 years of age are continuing to grow well into their 50's and sometimes until 60 years of age. Of course the amount of actual height gained depends on several factors such as bone structure, physical condition, posture, diet, environment, etc.

According to an article in the British Medical Journal, an investigation revealed that growth may be prematurely stopped in the vertebral bodies (spinal chord) by excessive pressure upon the epiphysial centers (spinal discs). By removing this pressure, which can be done by following the program in this book, normal growth can be resumed and continued into the middle ages of life.

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How to Control Your Diet Without Counting Calories

1. Cut out empty calories. If you drink fruit juice with breakfast, or habitually any time of the day, skip the juice and eat the fruit instead. One "glass" of juice is usually several "servings" and contains none of the fiber or substance of the fruit. If you drink soda, switch to diet or try flavored water instead. At the gym, drink water instead of sugary sports drinks.

2. Eat at least (AT LEAST!) three servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables a day. Not only are they chock full of vitamins, minerals they're also full of fiber, which offers many benefits. Fiber slows the absorption of fat, helps keep blood sugar steady (which helps prevent cravings), reduces cholesterol, keeps your digestive tract clean and helps you feel fuller. If you do this, you will find you have less room for the less healthy stuff.

3. Know your portion sizes. A serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards. A serving of pasta, rice, beans or fresh fruit is about the size of a tennis ball. A serving of nuts or dried fruit is about the size of a golf ball. A serving of cheese is a little larger than a nine volt battery. A serving size of vegetables is about the size of a baseball, but as long as the vegetables aren't fried or slathered in butter or creamy sauces, you don't really have to worry about how many vegetables you eat. They're extremely low in calories, filling and good for you. You may want to use measuring cups and a food scale to get your portion sizes exact at first, but with the help of these visualizations, you should get pretty good at "eye-balling" portion sizes pretty quickly.

4. Eat between 20 and 35 grams of fiber a day. The many benefits of fiber are listed above, but fruits and vegetables are not the only source. Whole grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, beans and legumes are also great sources of fiber. Have oatmeal or a high fiber cereal and a piece of fruit for breakfast, switch to whole grain bread for your sandwiches, try soups with lots of beans and vegetables, have a baked sweet potato instead of a regular baked potato with dinner. Spread your fiber intake throughout the day and get it from food, not pills.

5. Drink lots of water. Everyone says it, but it's true. Your body needs water to metabolize fat. Water aids in digestion. Water helps you feel fuller. The body often mistakes thirst for hunger and drinking a glass can often quell cravings. Water helps keep the kidneys clean and doing their job properly which means the liver can do its job--which includes metabolizing fat--instead of picking up the kidneys' slack. So drink it. There is no hard and fast rule as to how much although 8-10 glasses is a good starting point. Your urine should be clear, but you shouldn't be running to the bathroom ever hour either.

6. Avoid alcohol. Its empty calories and it distracts the liver from the task of metabolizing fat.

7. Eat yogurt every day. The friendly bacteria are great for digestion and it's a delicious creamy treat that can satisfy a sweets craving. Research suggests the calcium may aid in fat loss.

8. Eat at least one serving of foods rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) every day. They are satisfying; help to sate cravings for fatty foods and the MUFAs appear to help with the metabolism of fat. Stick to the true definition of a "serving size" and don't overdo it.

Foods in this group include:
avocados (1/2 cup)
nuts (1 oz)
cold water oily fish (3 oz)
oils derived from nuts and seeds, such as olive, sesame, walnut and hazelnut (1 tbsp)
DARK CHOCOLATE!!! (1/4 cup)

9. If it's not particularly healthy and it's not REALLY delicious, don't eat it. Don't waste the calories on a crummy vending machine pastry. Save them for a slice of cheesecake you'll really enjoy.

10. Snack mindfully to prevent overeating at mealtimes. 100 calories is enough to balance blood sugar and take the edge off of hunger.

11. Just because you're not counting every single calorie doesn't mean you shouldn't be mindful. Calculate your BMR and shoot for within 200 calories (up or down) of that number every day. Ballpark your figures when it comes to self-prepared meals based on portion sizes. Learn the calorie content of your dietary staples. Read the nutrition information on prepackaged food. Avoid fast food altogether and indulge in restaurant food sparingly and only for occasions that really warrant it. Stick to your portion sizes, and if you know you'll be indulging later in the day, go a little light earlier on. Don't add healthy foods to your diet. Replace unhealthy foods in your diet. Eat in such a way that you can eat that way most days for the rest of your life. It's the only way you'll be able to stick with it.

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How to gain weight

Weight gain is something that isn't easy to do and you probably know this already. I know first hand because it is something I have to do every day. I am an ectomorph by genetics, which is the "skinny body type" and the one with the fast metabolism which makes gaining so hard for guys like me. The key to weight gain is to do everything BIG. You have to eat big, to lift big, to get big. Say that over and over again in your head until you fully understand it. A lot of people think weightlifting is the key to gaining weight, and I won't argue, it is an extremely important part. BUT, there is another thing that is just as important when it comes to how to gain weight, and that is your diet.
So, to put it as simply as possible, there are 5 simple steps to how to gain weight, and here they are:


1) Count how many calories you eat in a normal day. Don't change anything, just eat like you normally would and count how many calories you consumed. This is an extremely important step, so try to be as exact as possible. Also, weigh yourself.
2) Starting the day after you counted calories, eat 500 calories MORE then you normally do. So, lets pretend that the day you counted calories you counted 2000. For the rest of the week, you would now eat 2500 calories a day. Instead of eating 3 big meals a day or eating all day all the time, spread those calories out over 5-6 smaller meals. Eat one meal every 2 and a half to 3 hours. To get big, you have to eat big! Remember that.
3) Weightlifting! Get in the gym and lift! This is another important step to how to gain weight, so make sure you are doing it correctly. For more information on weightlifting workout routines and splits, read the workout routines and splits section.
4) At the end of that week, weigh yourself. You'll notice you're gaining just after one week! Now, don't expect to see a 10lb increase. Gaining anymore then 1 or 2 pounds a week is unhealthy and means you're putting on way to much fat. So look for 1 or 2 pound gains at the end of the week. Don't sound like much? You can be gaining 5-8 pounds a month!
5) Heres an important one. At some point, you will stop seeing weight gain. At this point, you will have to eat even more. So, when you stop gaining for at least 2 weeks, it means it is time to start eating an extra 250 calories a day. Every time you see you haven't gained weight for at least 2 weeks, add an extra 250 calories.

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Important Tips For Weight Gain

Stay away from bad fat! Even though weight gain is your goal, you don't want to be gaining fat and eating junk. Get rid of the chips and candy. No more fast food, nothing fried. Stick to high protein, low (saturated) fat foods like fish (and fish oil supplements), chicken breast, turkey, lean meats, rice, pasta, fruits and vegetables, nuts, flax seed oil, etc. (For more information, go here: Diet Plans And Diets)

Track your progress! Weighing yourself once a week is extremely important, but so is figuring out if the weight you are gaining is muscle or fat. In order to know this information, you need to also track your body fat percentage!
WATER! Drink water! Drink around a half gallon a day, more if you can. Yes that's a lot of water, but it's that water that will give you the energy you need to gain that weight!
Sleep! YES! Sleep! The easiest, yet most over looked step. Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. You're gonna need it!
Now the concern some people have about how to gain weight, is how to do it without putting on extra fat. Let me tell you how, YOU CAN'T! Unless you are using steroids, it is basically impossible to gain weight without putting on a little bit of extra fat. But hey, you want to see some weight gain right? Well then who cares about the little bit of extra fat you might put on while gaining. You will be able to burn that off later on, right now gaining is your main concern, so that is all you need to worry about.

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