Microdermabrasion, a non-surgical cosmetic procedure developed in Italy in 1985, has long been heralded as a revolutionary skin care technique. During this procedure, a microdermabrasion machine is used to spray tiny crystals of abrasive material, usually aluminum oxide, onto the face. The crystals exfoliate dead skin cells, and are then vacuumed away. The procedure can revitalize dull skin, clean and shrink pores, as well as reduce the appearance age spots, pigmentation irregularities, fine lines and wrinkles. It takes about 30-45 minutes to perform and requires virtually no recovery—you can have it done on your lunch break and be back to work with fresh skin. Provided, of course, that the procedure is done properly.

The Food and Drug administration classifies microdermabrasion machines as a category 1 prescription cosmetic devices, and does not require that their operation be supervised by a physician. This is because the microdermabrasion procedure is only intended to involve the exfoliation of the dead outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, and not the deeper levels of the dermis. Therefore, it is up to each individual state to set up their own regulations and determine microdermabrasion training requirements. The problem is that the calibration of the machines varies greatly, and it can be very easy for even an experienced technician to delve beneath the stratum corneum, possibly damaging delicate living tissue. In states where microdermabrasion training requirements are less stringent, this possibility becomes more likely.

In South Carolina, a spa professional trained in microdermabrasion can only perform the procedure under the supervision of a doctor. In California, however, any esthetician, regardless of whether or not they have had microdermabrasion training, is legally allowed to practice it. Colorado requires 14 hours of microdermabrasion training at a vocational school. The State of Florida allows the procedure to be performed by spa professionals on only the head, neck, and scalp. Some states have no regulations at all, leaving it up to individual spas and manufacturers of microdermabrasion machines to train technicians themselves. Even where legal regulations do exist, course requirements vary so much from state to state that it is difficult to guess how well, or how poorly, a technician may have been trained. Well respected organizations of estheticians, such as the National Coalition of Esthetician and Related Associations (NCEA) have long stated that they would like to implement a unified standard of microdermabrasion training, but given the current state of disorder, this could be a long and difficult process. Until they are successful and microdermabrasion training becomes more uniform, it would be wise for individual consumers to do their research before undergoing the procedure.

Tatiana McGarry is a freelance writer who lives in Chicago, IL.

Even though it’s unclear on how someone can decrease their risk of pseudogout, as far as gout is concerned, the best way to reduce the risk is to control your diet and your weight. If you are overweight, it is imperative that you know there is a ideal method to utilise when it comes to shedding pounds for gout prevention.

There is no question that obesity is a major risk factor for gout. Studies on overweight men have shown that the more weight they gain, the higher their risk of developing the condition.

How does obesity contribute to gout risk? Think about it, people who are obese, or considerably overweight, usually lead a sedentary lifestyle, have a diet rich in fatty foods, alcohol and caffeinated beverages that are dehydrating.

Studies have concluded that men, who are overweight, are two times as likely to develop gout, while obese men are three times as likely. It was also discovered that when the overweight men lost only 10 pounds, they decreased their risk of gout by 40 percent!

Now that you know the role weight plays in gout risk, it’s time to take a look at the right way of losing weight to prevent gout, and the wrong way.

The ideal weight loss method
First of all, when it comes to losing weight, it’s not about “going on a diet”, it’s about making a lifestyle change by transforming what you eat and the amount you ingest. For instance, a healthy diet for the average individual should consist of the following:

•Fresh fruits and vegetables

•Nuts

•Whole grain products (brown rice whole grain cereal/breads/pasta)

•Low fat dairy products

•Fish

•White meat (chicken and turkey with no skin)

•Lots of water

When the above foods are consumed on a regular basis, they lower your intake of cholesterol, saturated fats, trans-fats and high sugared foods such as fried foods, chips, cookies, cake, white rice/pasta/bread, red meat and organ meat. Furthermore, healthy foods provide your body with fish oils, and calories from mono unsaturated fats and poly unsaturated fats. As a special bonus, healthy foods also help to suppress your appetite.

Avoid the low carb weight loss method

One of the most popular diets to be introduced to society over the past few years, as a method to lose weight fast, is the famous low carb diet. Low carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, are about dramatically reducing the daily intake of carbohydrates and replacing them with protein. Although the low carb diet certainly does achieve excellent weight loss results in a short period of time, whether or not it is a healthy choice for your body, is questionable.

Some low carb diets contain high amounts of animal protein, cholesterol and saturated fats, but lack fiber, nutrients and complex carbohydrates that are necessary for the body to maintain ideal health. This has lead many medical researchers to believe that low carb diets actually increase certain health risks such as gout.

Why? Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the body, which can occur from eating too many foods rich in purines - foods that essentially make up a low carb diet. In addition, it is believed that by eating less than 130 grams of carbs per day can cause a build up of ketones in the blood, which can also result in higher levels of uric acid.

Thus, adopting a healthy diet, in combination with regular exercise (IE, daily 20-minute brisk walk), is a great way to lose weight. Sure the results may not be as fast as a low carb diet, but at least you will stay healthy and prevent gout while you’re at it.

Lisa McDowell also writes the free Cure Gout Now newsletter, full of natural ways to relieve gout symptoms for good. You can sign up for a free copy here: cure-gout-now.com/index.html?source=ez Cure Gout Now Free Newsletter. For more information about cure-gout-now.com/blog/2007/01/12/can-low-carb-diets-cause-gout/ Gout diets