Prudoxin for acne

I was recently prescribed prudoxin for my acne. Does it work?

Prudoxin (doxepin) is actually a very old antidepressant. It was developed in the 50s for treatment of depression. However since then many better and safer drugs have become available. Sometimes doxepin is also used as a sleeping aid. The topical version of doxepin, known as prudoxin is frequently sold as a treatment of acne. It does relieve itching in some cases. 

As far as acne is concerned, you are better off washing your face with urine-that is how great this product is- f..ing useless. Any doctor who prescribes prudoxin for acne is a first rate idiot. The drug does not work for acne. Most people who use prudoxin for acne complain that it causes a severe burning sensation. If you have acne, stop going to morons who prescribe prudoxin- go and see a real skin doctor. And ask for a retinoid cream.

Refissa for Acne

I have been given a prescription of Refissa for my acne. I noticed that is has caused worsening of my acne. Is this okay?

Yes, it is ok. Mild side effects include dry lips, stinging, swelling of the face, crust dry skin, nosebleeds, upset stomach, and loss of hair. Initially when the drug is applied, the peeling actions of the drug will make your skin look worse. However, within a few days you will start to see clearing of the acne and redness.

In rare cases, Refissa can cause damage to the pancreas that may present with abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. If these side effects occur, one should seek immediate medical attention.

It is an excellent drug and you will get rid of your acne in no time. There are not many medications that deliver, but this is one of them.

 

 

Belly fat

Why does belly fat occur?

Why people develop belly fat remains a mystery. There are a lot of theories and speculations but no one really knows. Some health professionals claim that belly fat is due to age, others claim hormones, and yet others claim genes. One fact is known- as you get older, belly fat increases. This is especially true in females after menopause. There has been a lot of research which shows that gaining belly fat is not good for health. Experts claim that excess belly fat increases chances of heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, and ever some cancers. One should not be disheartened by such news. Unlike fat anywhere else on the body, belly fat can be decreased by changes in diet and lifestyle.

One of the reasons why fat occurs around the belly is due to age and slowing down of metabolism. With age, the body slows down in its ability to breakdown fat, and this eventually results in fat accumulation in the body. Women generally tend to gain more weight after menopause due to slowing of metabolism. During this time period, the fat distribution also changes, and fat starts to gather around the belly and there is less fat in the arms, legs, and hips.

When belly fat accumulates, it is not only on surface of the abdomen but deep down there is a heavy-rim laddened down with fat. This deeper layer of fat around the belly has been associated with heart problems, diabetes, and breathing problems.

Even though everyone agrees that there is a decrease in metabolism of fat with age, why does fat disproportionally deposit in the belly? No one has the answer, but most experts claim it is genes- you just have a tendency to collect fat in that part of the body. While hormones have been blamed, it is not understood why hormones would cause fat to be deposited solely around the belly. The odd observation is that some women notice a rapid gain in fat around the belly without gain in weight anywhere else on the body. Even though one may not have fat elsewhere on the body, except the belly button, this is also linked to medical problems.

A fascinating finding has been that once fat gathers around the belly, these fat cells in turn become active and produce chemicals or hormones that affect your health. Studies on fat cells from the belly have been found to produce hormones that counter insulin and cause diabetes. When these fat cells produce estrogen, the risk of breast cancer is increased. Currently there is effort being made to determine which hormones are produced and how they influence health. Individuals who have belly fat should start making changes in their diet and start to walk, if they want to avoid health problems later in life.

Vitamin K for spider veins

Can I use Vitamin K creams to get rid of my spider veins? 

Millions of women have spider veins and the majority dislike them. Spider veins commonly occur on the face, outer thigh, and lower leg. While these skin lesions do not cause symptoms, they are not aesthetically pleasing. Some women only have a few spider veins, but a few unlucky women develop multiple spider veins.

Spider veins do not cause any symptoms and if one has pain, swelling, aches or itching, then the cause is not spider veins. Spider veins are only treated for a cosmetic reason. If you have any type of symptom, then the problem will not be cured by treating spider veins.

In the last decade, hundreds of treatments for spider veins have come and gone. Almost each week there is a new cream, lotion, potion, or liquid to help one get rid of spider veins. The latest in a long line of creams is vitamin K. 

There are vitamin K based products in every type of formulation on the market. These creams are sold in beauty parlors, pharmacies, cosmetic shops and at many spas. In each case, exaggerated claims are made such as applying the cream twice a day can erase the spider vein, make the skin soft, reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture and so on. Most vendors of these products claim that vitamin K can remove spider veins in a few weeks.

Vitamin K is known as a fat-soluble vitamin and is generally taken by mouth. In the hospital setting, it is sometimes administered as an injection in individuals who have bleeding disorders. All humans have large stores of vitamin k and do not require supplementation. Vitamin k is readily available from the diet when one eats vegetables and legumes. It is very rare for a health care worker to prescribe vitamin K for healthy individuals.

So do these vitamin K creams really work?

There is zero evidence that vitamin K can erase spider veins. There is not one scientific study which shows that vitamin K has the ability to reduce, prevent or remove spider veins. There is not one individual who can honestly come forward and claim that vitamin K creams removed his or her spider veins. One can eat, drink, slurp, or even use vitamin K as a suppository- the end result is just a waste of money.

 Spider veins have no relation to vitamin K and there is no cream, herb or lotion which can be applied on the skin that will remove spider veins. Every single vitamin K cream sold on the market is simply false advertising with lots of false promises- such is the world of cosmesis

Individuals who have spider veins have three options, do nothing, try sclerotherapy or laser. Vitamin K based creams or any other creams are a waste of money, time and are best considered junk therapy. These expensive creams do little more than moisturize your skin.

If you have spider veins and are not bothered by them, leave them alone. For those who seek vanity, perhaps laser is the best option. Remember though, laser is expensive, painful and spider veins do recur.

Propecia for hair growth

Can finasteride (propecia) grow hair?

Finasteride is the generic name for the brand names proscar and propecia. Finasteride was initially marketed for treatment of enlarged prostate. However, during the clinical trials it was observed that some men complained of hair growth. The amount of hair growth during these trials was never quantified and in most cases was mild. This did not stop the drug company from turning the product around and marketing it for males going bald. There is both a 1 mg pill and a topical solution available for hair growth. The company claims that the 1 mg pill can lower levels of DHT and help minimize hair loss. A lot of numbers are given by the company on the success of this drug in restoring hair.

So what is the real evidence?

If there ever was a scam, than this is it. Finasteride at best only grows a strand of hair here and there. There is not an individual on this universe that can step forward and claim to have decent hair growth following use of finasteride. Individuals have used finasteride for more than 5-10 years, and in the majority, the drug has done nothing. The drug is expensive and in 99.9999999% of individuals, it does nothing. In the other 0.000001% of individuals, they may get some pubic hair growth.

Therefore, the best advice for those who have loss of hair or baldness, get used to the condition, or get a wig. There is no drug out there that will grow more than 1-2 hairs a year. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the drug market that works for hair growth. If you have no money and are going baldness, get used to that bald look, wear a hat or get rid of your mirror. If you have money and are going baldness get a wig. Hair transplant is an option, but it is exorbitantly expensive and often does not work great. Baldness sucks especially when it occurs in the prime of your life, but I would rather be bald and have money, then be bald and having wasted all my money on a worthless drug.

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Silicone implant leak

Can a small leak in silicone breast implant change shape of my breast?

After a silicone breast implant, if you have pain or change in the shape or size of your breast, a leak must be ruled out. When the breast implant is first inserted, a fibrous capsule or scar tissue forms around the implant. When the silicone leaks, it incites an inflammatory reaction of this scar tissue. This will present as pain and hardening of your breast. You will notice that the skin texture around the leaked site is different or firm. Many women complain of an odd ache or discomfort when a leak occurs. You need an MRI-which will cost you close to $1,500.