HEALTH

Anti-ageing cures: how effective?
From Minna Zutshi

Youth as a stage of life has fascinated humankind since time immemorial. But never has the yearning for youth been so conspicuously overwhelming as in the present times. In newly emerging metros like Ludhiana, people are becoming increasingly alive to the need to flaunt youthful looks. 

Age, with its attendant physical and psychological changes, appears to be an anathema to modern Ludhianavis. “Even a tiny wrinkle tucked away in remote recesses of the eyebrows is enough to send a middle-aged woman into a worrying spell,” remarked a middle-aged woman, who herself swears by latest herbal concoctions.

No wonder, the mushrooming beauty centres are doing a brisk business. People visit beauty parlours with a dream to look younger. They do not mind spending their hard-earned money on miracle cures that offer the promise of youth. “Gold and platinum facials in combination with herbal creams and anti-ageing capsules are a rage among those over-the-hill,” says the owner of a prominent beauty parlour.

Many Ludhianavis consider youth to be a ‘packaged product that can be brought from the market’. According to a psychologist who is also into counselling, people buying anti-ageing creams are actually buying the promise of youth that most of these creams claim to provide.

But are these so-called magic creams and capsules really helpful? The doctors seem to think otherwise. According to Dr Alka Dogra, Head of the Dermatology Department, DMC, “ Most of these anti-ageing creams are just fashion statements. At the most, these creams can have an effect on the superficial layers of the skin. Vitamin E and glycolic acid do make some difference to one’s skin, but it is all at the superficial level only.” Dr Dogra also cautioned that the so-called herbal creams may not be herbal actually. These creams may contain preservatives which could act as allergins.

Many a time people develop skin problems by using anti-ageing creams and lotions. While trying to look younger, many end up looking hideous with blotched face and spotted skin. A dermatologist mentioned the case of a middle - aged woman who developed rashes all over her face after using a well - known brand of an anti - ageing cream.

Says Dr Shalu Khurana, “There is no cream that can treat wrinkles. At the most, wrinkles can be delayed. This delaying of wrinkles is also possible only if the anti-ageing cream is used at an early stage. Also most of the anti-ageing creams prevent photo-ageing only. So, sunscreens are as good as anti-ageing creams. Surprisingly, very few know the right way of applying sunscreen. If a sunscreen has to be effective, it must be used at least half an hour before going out in the sun. Also, the sun screen has to be applied every three hours.” 

What about the capsules that promise the rejuvenation of skin? Dr Dogra dismissed these simply as farce. Another doctor said that if the capsules contained anti-oxidants, they could reverse the ageing process to a small extent. However, she added that it was not necessary to take these capsules when a better alternative in the form of natural fruits and vegetables was available.

But would all this information make any difference to those seeking to buy the dream of youth? Only time will tell.

Dental camp at Ek Prayaas
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 2 — A dental check-up camp was held at Ek Prayaas, an institute for children with special needs, by doctors of Christian Dental College here today.

Mrs Samira Bector, President, Ek Prayaas, welcomed Dr J. Joshi, Principal, CDC, and his team of doctors at the institution. Dr Joshi in his address spoke about the need of dental care among children of the growing age. He enlightened the parents about the bad effects of chewing sweets and chocolates by the children by telling that brushing the teeth was very essential, otherwise sugar and carbohydrates turn into acidic matter which is injurious to the teeth. He said that he was glad to be there at the institute and will continue to help the weak in the future also.

The team checked up about 50 children at the camp. Dr B.P. Mishra, clinical phycologist of the DMC, also visited the camp and had a meeting with parents encouraging them to join hands and work for the betterment of the children.

SPORT

PU women’s sport meet
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Nov 2 — The Panjab University Inter-College Women Tournament is scheduled to be held from November 6 to 7 at Shri Har Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Gursar Sidhar.

The six teams which will participate in the tournament are Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana; GGN Girls College, Ludhiana; Dashmesh College, Badal; Dev Samaj College, Ferozpore and National College, Doraha. The first match will be played between Khalsa College and Dashmesh College, Badal.

Basketball tourney

According to a press release issued here on Thursday by Mr Devinder Singh Chahal, sports in charge, Government College of Boys, Ludhiana, the Panjab University Inter-College B Division Basketball Tournament will be held from November 8 to 9 at the Government College for Boys, Ludhiana.

Volleyball meet

USPC Jain School girls and Gobindgarh Public School (GPS), Mandi Gobindgarh, boys shined on the first day of the Sahodya School complex volleyball tournament which began at BCM School, Chandigarh Road, here yesterday.

BCM School girls team defeated USPC Jain School in straight sets 2-0 ( 25-08, 25-04). GPS boys team defeated BCM School, Shastri Nagar, by 2-0 (25-18, 25-17).

The results are as follows:

In the boys section, Nankana Sahib School beat Saint Thomas School by 2-0 (26-24, 25-22); CFC School beat Tagore Public School by 2-0 (25-13, 25-17).

In the girls section, GPS beat CFC School by 2-0 (25-12, 25-20); BCM School beat USPC Jain School by 2-0 (25-12, 25-20) and Nankana Sahib Public School got over BCM School Shastri Nagar. 

Basketball tourney from Nov 6
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 2 — The 51st basketball championship and second Ludhiana League championship for senior and junior (school section) and women and men will start on November 6 at Guru Nanak Stadium.

Mr Teja Singh, General Secretary, Punjab Basketball Association, said in a press release here yesterday that the last eight matches would be played on the round robin league basis. Later super league matches would be played. In the super league matches as many as 12 clubs would participate

The team for the 51st Punjab Basketball Championship would be selected on the basis of performance in the championship. All entries will be closed on November 5.