| Drug-company promotions under fire from consumer groups
WASHINGTON -- A free Viagra prescription or a no-cost trial of sleeping pills are examples of growing offers to US consumers, but regulators and critics worry about the side effects of pitching medicines as if they were soap. Drug makers say the coupons, rebates, and similar promotions reduce patient costs or provide a chance to try new medicines. Consumer groups, however, say the promotions may draw people to risky drugs they may not need, without long-term savings. Coupons ``can increase the patient's desire to take a drug that may or may not be the most suitable drug," said Susan Sherry, deputy director of Community Catalyst, a Massachusetts-based group that has joined 22 others seeking a Food and Drug Administration ban on the giveaways. The offers are appearing across the prescription drug business, trying to grab customers' attention in magazines and on websites.
Accutane: a powerful acne treatment
"I had big zits and bunch of little bumps. And redness. And a bunch of white heads right here. And then I had a pimple there that never went away for two years," Maune said.
After trying everything else, Tim went on the drug Accutane, a derivative of vitamin A. Accutane gets rid of acne because it dries up the sebaceous glands. This reduces the oiliness of the skin and doesn't allow for an environment where bacteria can thrive. Patients like Tim are on Accutane for five or six months, but the results last a lifetime. "It's been such a dramatic help for patients we would hate to see it off the market," dermatologist Dr. Stephen Xenias said.
That could happen. Everyone who goes on Accutane must first sign the "I pledge." It was started by the FDA.
Baby acne
WHAT is neonatal or baby acne? Neonatal acne is a very common rash found on babys cheeks during the first several months of life. It is caused by the hormonal stimulation of glands in the cheeks. This rash is usually not present at birth. It usually appears between two and four weeks of age. Not all babies get it but a large number do. The acne will be most prominent when your baby is upset or overheated (increased blood flow to the skin), or when his skin is irritated. If his skin comes into contact with cloth laundered in harsh detergents, or becomes wet from saliva or milk that he has spit up, the condition may appear worse for several days. Common symptoms of baby acne Baby acne, as with all medical conditions, has some common symptoms. Usually the acne first appears to be a rash with small pimples that are red in appearance.
Sharing the secrets of a flawless face
(7/20/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Wrinkles, brown spots, blotchy skin. Did you know 90 percent of the aging to your face comes from the sun? You've heard over and over to wear sunscreen. But what if you didn't or don't? Well, it's not too late to have beautiful skin. .
A Balancing Act: Hormones and the Skin
Throughout her life, a woman may blame many things on her hormones: unpredictable emotions, weight gain and even changes in her skin, hair and nails. These changes occur as the levels of hormones in the body increase and decrease, or if any abnormalities in hormone levels occur. A dermatologist can provide treatment options to address the changes during a woman's lifetime. .
UNMASK YOUR SKIN WITH CONFIDENCE THIS SUMMER
The summers here and suddenly our skin is under scrutiny. As we unmask ourselves with barely there make-up and summer clothes we are faced with the realisation that our skin is anything but glowing. But rather than concealing poor skin we should be looking after it with a healthy summer skin care regime that allows us to show its full potential. Help is at hand from Saguna, producer of natural deep cleansing mask, Silicol Skin, who has teamed up with skin expert Karen Jessett, author of Clear Skin and founder of www.acne-advice.com, to provide tips for maintaining a clear complexion as we unmask our skin for the summer. The summer heat and humidity can cause breakouts because the skin produces more oil and sweat, helping to spread spot-causing bacteria. This, coupled with exposure to the sun and the resulting dehydration of the skin, means it is crucial to maintain a healthy skin care regime, says Karen Jessett.
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