For decades, thousands of people looking for “the fountain of youth” flocked to the spa-like clinic of Dr. Ana Aslan in Bucharest, Romania. They came to the spa not only to rest and relax but to get their supply of Gerovital H3 (GH3), a drug popularized by Aslan in the 1950s.

Although Aslan left this world in 1988, her legacy remains. Gerovital is still the main attraction of several spas in Romania and the promises are plenty. Regular shots of the drug will supposedly reverse aging and prevent a wide range of diseases. For elderly tourists in search of a cure-all, Gerovital guarantees smooth skin, improved memory, increased vitality, freedom from depression and heart disease, and a pain-free life.

These claims have been swallowed by the rich and famous. Among Aslan’s many clients were John F. Kennedy, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, and Salvador Dali. Sylvester Stallone also reportedly takes GH3 shots to remain sexy. Some doctors prescribe Gerovital for impotence. Others use it to make hair grow and treat mental disorders.

But it’s unlikely that Gerovital will deliver what it promises. The reason is simple: Gerovital’s active ingredient is procaine or novocaine, a numbing agent similar to cocaine. Procaine is an excellent anesthetic widely used by dentists but it has no anti-aging effect.

The reason some people swear by Gerovital is because oral procaine dilates the superficial blood vessels of the face and scalp, causing a “flush”. This strange feeling creates the impression that the drug works. That plus the program of exercise and much personal attention one gets from Gerovital spas can easily make one feel better. However, studies show that Gerovital is nothing more than an anesthetic.

“GH3 is a two percent procaine hydrochloride solution to which minute amounts of the following have been added as ‘stabilizers’ or ‘buffers’: Benzoic acid, potassium metabisulfite and disodium phosphate. The procaine (which is the same novocaine anesthetic that you get when you go to the dentist) is supposed to be the active ingredient. Procaine, however, is rapidly hydrolized (decomposed) once it enters the bloodstream, even after buffering or stabilizing agents are added, and there is no evidence - or even any good reason to suspect - that these additives can sustain the activity of procaine long enough to produce the claimed benefits,” according to Dr. Sheldon Saul Hendler in “The Doctors’ Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia.”

To this day, Gerovital remains in the US food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) list of unapproved drugs. The agency automatically confiscates commercial shipments of oral and injectable forms of Gerovital and its sister products – KH3, Zell H3, GH3 Cream, etc. Still, many products continue to enter the United States from various areas under the guise of “free medical samples”.

“Over the past two decades the US FDA has taken several actions against companies marketing Gerovital but the drug always resurfaces. Despite lavish health claims, its main ingredient has been shown only to have mild antidepressant effects. In some brands tested by the FDA, even that ingredient was missing,” said the editors of Consumer Reports.

For this reason, it’s best to avoid the drug rather than take chances. While nothing can stop the aging process, there are many ways of staying young. One of them is Dermaxin, a safe and natural cream that nourishes and hydrates the skin to eliminate the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Visit http://www.dermaxin.com for more information.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.

by Alien Sheng

In this process of stripping away, chemical peels can lessen, and in some cases, even eliminate blemishes, hyper-pigmentation and wrinkles. Acne scars and the occurrence of acne can also be reduced with the help of chemical peels.

It is very important that, first of all, that you get proper assessment on your current skin condition. By this you can properly understand your skin's needs and proper skin treatment.

Some people are under the myth that chemical skin peels are the cure for their skin problems. The proper chemical peel will target your particular problems provide the sufficient solution.

Types Of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are of three types. You may choose one according to your needs and circumstance. The available chemical peels are divided into three categories:

* Alphahydroxy Acids (AHA) * Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) * Phenol

Each of these categories of chemical peels, vary in their use, potency and inconvenience. You can take the help of your dermatologist in deciding the right kind of chemical peel for you.

A dermatologist will help you determine which peel program is right for you. He may suggest a customized solution for you. Make sure you understand what the dermatologist is about to do before actually agreeing to the procedure. Make sure to clarify all your queries.

Alphahydroxy acids

The mildest of the chemical peels are the Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs). Usually, these chemical peels are made of fruit, glycolic, and lactic acids. These chemical peels may not show as impressive effects as the other peels.

However, these chemical peels are best for those who do not have time to recover from the other chemical peel procedures. Depending on your dermatologist's advice these chemical peels are applied weekly or periodically. But they do result in smoother, finer looking skin after a few treatments.

Some dermatologists will incorporate AHA into the daily skin care regimen of the patient. This may be in soaps, facial cleanser, etc. Commercial AHA facial care solutions are also available that can be applied everyday.

Trichloroacetic Acid

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is an intermediate chemical peel. These chemical peels are useful for those who wish to have the effects almost as impressive as phenol chemical peels but cannot dedicate too much time to healing as in the case of those who prefer AHA peels.

You can require more than one chemical peel to achieve the desired effect. This skin treatment is ideal for medium depth peeling. It is also the ideal peel for blemishes and fine lines, which are not that severe.

Phenol

The most effective of the chemical peels is the Phenol. These types of chemical peels take some time to heal. They are recommended in cases that feature coarse wrinkles and severe blemishes such as blotching, coarse skin, etc.

Phenol is also a strong whitening agent and this may be an aspect in considering whether to choose this sort of treatment. Phenol chemical peels are primarily a facial treatment. It may result in scarring if the application is used for other parts of the body.

Side Effects Of Chemical Peels

The possible side effects of chemical peels is that the possibility of demarcation lines, lines that show which part of the face received skin treatment and which did not, redness, irritation, and other side effects.

Post Treatment Instructions

Because of the usual state of newly peeled skin, the redness and irritation is normal. Your dermatologist will advise you on the care and upkeep of tender skin. It is generally recommended for those who have undergone this skin treatment that they stay out of the sun for several months as to protect the newly formed skin.

But that is to be expected from such procedures. All in all, chemical peels are safe, although they may cause some inconvenience. The risks for scarring are low. However, a certified professional must perform the procedure to ensure safety.

About the Author

Alien writes for acne skin care. He also writes for makeup tips and skin problems

source:www.goarticles.com/