Gen Next In Chemical Peels

A new generation of chemical peels used to treat acne, fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage is making old exfoliating solutions passe. The newer peels are gentler and can be used alone or along with other skin-rejuvenating treatments such as lasers or microdermabrasion, said researchers at a meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Today, dermatologists use multiple types of chemical peels on each person. For example, "We can apply a medium-strength peel to the mid-face, a superficial peel on the neck and a deeper peel around the eyes or mouth," says Dr Sandhya Mishra, a Gurgaon-based dermatologist who recently returned from the convention.

When choosing which peeling agent to use, doctors often consider such factors as how dark the skin is, how much sun damage there has been, and how oily the skin is, she says.

"The new kids on the block are beta-hydroxy acid peels, which are helpful on dark skin and significant acne," she explains. Such peels reduce the amount of sebum, or oil, trapped in the tiny hair follicles of the skin that produce acne.

Is that Aspirin Really Helping?

Millions of heart patients take an aspirin daily to protect their hearts, but there is growing evidence that the treatment is not effective for some. Studies have suggested that as many as one in three people are aspirin resistant, but new research hints that for many, the problem may be in the dosage. Researchers from Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital tested 59 patients who had had strokes while on aspirin therapy and found aspirin resistance in 73 per cent of those taking a low-dose baby aspirin (81 mg) compared with 32 per cent of those taking a regular-dose aspirin (325 mg) every day. However, cardiologist and former president of the American Heart Association Dr Valentin Fuster says that the recent evidence showing less resistance among patients taking a daily, 325 mg aspirin tablet is compelling but not conclusive.

Married Women Diet More Than Singles

New research shows that married women diet far more than single women. It's likely this is because they are dissatisfied with something in their lives - marriage, health or job. If gaining weight is a sign of their commitment to the marriage (they have no need to be attractive since they're not in the market), going on a diet may indicate that they are on the brink of a divorce and want to be attractive again to their husbands.

During a study of almost 2,000 women in Delhi and Mumbai,a group of psychology students from Delhi University found 50 per cent of women felt they were overweight (only 30 per cent actually were) and 67 per cent of those who were married and overweight were on a diet and/or non-exercise oriented weight loss programmes.

The willingness to pay to acquire a perfect body is huge. Researchers also note that in any household, whoever buys the food controls whether chips or other 'bad' foods are in the house. Therefore, if one partner is on a diet, the other is, too.

Condoms Lower Women's Pelvic Disease Risk

Condoms halve the risk of fertility-threatening disease, say researchers who followed 684 women, aged 14 to 37, for nearly three years. Sexually active women whose partners consistently use condoms are less likely to get recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female genital tract. It's usually caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Guilt-free Sweet

KEEP the calories off with Stugar - a completely natural sweetener made from the extract of Stevia leaves. Stugar doesn't affect your blood sugar levels, is virtually calorie-free and can be used in everything - from a cup of tea to desserts. This natural sweetner is ideal for diabetics and health conscious people and it doesn't contain any sugar substitutes like Aspartame and Saccharin. Stugar is also plaque retardant and is used widely in toothpastes and mouthwash in India and China. The sweetener is available in both granule and tablet form at retail outlets, supermarkets and pharmacies in Mumbai.

10 Guidelines To Better Ensure A Cancer-Free Life

The bottom line is no surprise: Cancer risk goes down as the number of healthy habits goes up.

1 Not smoking.

2 Limit adult weight gain to no more than five kgs from age 18 (having a maximum BMI (a measure of body fat) of less than 25) is recommended.

3 Get daily moderate exercise and a vigorous workout at least once a week.

4 Eat at least 700 g of vegetables and fruits each day.

5 Eat at least 400 g of whole grains, cereals, and other complex carbohydrates each day, while limiting processed foods and refined sugar.

6 Limit alcohol to one drink a day (for women).

7 Limit red meat to no more than 100 g daily.

8 Limit intake of fatty foods, particularly those of animal origin, to no more than 30 per cent of total calories.

9 Limit intake of salted foods and use of salt in cooking to less than 2,400 milligrams of sodium daily.

10 Get a regular mammogram and pap smear test done.