??phone cards??
can anyone please explain to me thoroughly how phone cards work? i’m planning on buying a cell phone but would rather use a phone card for it. problem is i dont know how they work. is the phone activated and on all the time and can u send and recieve text messages just the same as a phone without a prepaid phone card? anyone with previous experience or knowledge, please help me out!
Team Building – 7 Steps to Success
“We are going to build a team”. Replace the word “team” with the word “house” – or any other noun that can be built and will take more than just a few minutes – and most sensible people will want to adopt a structured approach.
Plans will be drawn up and approved. People will receive copies of the plan and efforts will be made to ensure everyone understands it. Progress will be monitored against the plan. Lessons will be learned along the way that will be used to improve the next phase. Anything less will lead at best to mediocrity and underachievement.
So why is team building so often treated in an ad hoc manner? You wouldn’t take bricks and mortar out, show them a good time and expect them to rearrange themselves into something better just because they had a nice break. So why expect a group of people to do any better?
The only answer to that question with any merit is that bricks can’t think and people can. Which sounds like management by abdication. Or perhaps management by trusting to luck. It certainly doesn’t sound like a structured approach.
So if taking people off for some fun is not team building – what is it?
Traditional away day options are team bonding exercises – and that is different. Take a group quad-biking, paint-balling etc and it will help bond the participants through a shared experience. You can even justify its use of some of the training budget if you like by claiming it has helped them develop as a team. Just don’t believe it – or you’ll be disappointed to discover that while the group is closer it is no more effective.
No – if you want to build a team rather than just bond the individuals closer, you need a structured process. You need to decide before you start what improvements you want and can realistically expect the team to achieve. Next you can decide how long it will take to achieve those results.
Often, fun remains a key objective for such a session. If it is the only one – or is only combined with a desire to get the team to become closer – organising a team bonding session is an ideal solution. If, however, your expectations are set higher than that – then you need something more structured.
So what are the key characteristics of a genuine team building session? I suggest the following 7 steps will lead to success:
1) Have definite session and longer-term goals and know how the session goals lead to the longer term ones.
2) Use an engaging and varied base activity that involves each participant in something that he or she enjoys doing.
3) Use an activity that achieves that engagement while having genuine parallels to the workplace and has relevance with the session goals.
4) Select an activity that requires the same kind of skill sets and team approaches that are needed at work – albeit one that is removed from the work itself.
5) Consider using an independent (internal or external) facilitator – to allow all levels to join in as equals and to avoid it feeling like a “sermon from above”.
6) Debrief using a predefined process that highlights the workplace parallels and allows the participants to extract their own learning rather than be preached to.
7) Use a proven mechanism to transfer the learning back to the workplace, ideally integrated within the debriefing process itself.
If none of these seem important, you are probably looking at a pure fun bonding session. Whether that is a trip to the nearest (or furthest!) bar or something that offers the group an experience that all of its members will enjoy doesn’t matter too much.
But if any of them do seem important, then I’d suggest that they all are. If one or more are missing then your team building session will be compromised. And that’s a word that sits well alongside mediocrity and underachievement.
Copyright 2005 Sandstone Limited
Alan is Managing Director of Sandstone, a leading UK team building company. He enjoys creating innovative activities that combine fun with genuine team development. In his spare time, he does voluntary work for the RNIB.
http://www.sandstone.co.uk
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Acne, the Scourge of Youth
Plan a date; get ready for the prom, set the date for your senior picture or just want to look nice. What always happens; you know, acne, a zit as big as a cabbage lands on your face or on your nose. You feel like an alien in a land of smooth skinned movie stars. Why don’t the popular kids get acne? What are they doing that you aren’t doing. Why me; why me; why does this always happen to me. I’m a good person; why am I plagued with acne. No one knows for sure why people, especially teenagers, get acne. In the fifties and sixties, teens were told that chocolate caused acne or eating too much fried food caused acne. No one really knew anything to do except use Noxzema and pray. There were only acne treatments, no cures. Having acne was seen as a rite of passage.
Today we know much more about acne and acne treatments. Some people have acne so bad that they take prescription medicine so strong that they must sign that they will not get pregnant while taking the drug. Other people take natural acne treatments because the idea of using potentially harmful treatments scares them more than the acne. The major problem with acute acne is that it can cause acne scars so bad that people have to seek acne laser treatments to improve their skin. Still others go to the grocery store and find over the counter acne products. As anyone who has ever suffered from acne will tell you, acne can rob you of your dignity and your feelings of self-worth. Our outward appearance, especially during the teen years, is so important. I know, “Pretty is as pretty does.†Well, pretty never seems to have acne.
People can be so cruel to acne sufferers. They can call you tomato face, pimple face, scar man or hundreds of ugly taunts. Because teens need to look good to feel good about themselves, the market for acne treatments is enormous. Commercials on television are always advertising the latest in acne medications especially during teen shows. The kids on the show always have smooth, blemish free faces and look exactly like every teen wants to look. Teens want to buy whatever acne medication is new and different in the hope that this new acne treatment will work better than others.
There are even infomercials about acne treatments and acne cover-ups. These infomercials show adults who are looking for make-up to cover-up acne or acne scars. This heavy make-up does seem to cover up scaring or acne on the people doing the infomercial. There are also infomercials about adult acne solutions. Unfortunately, some adults do still get acne. There is a huge market of acne medications or acne treatments for adult acne, not on just the face but also for people who suffer from acne back. Shame makes these people fear others seeing their acne.
One truth remains. There is no cure for acne but there are steps that can be taken to help prevent it. People who think that youth is wasted on the young probably never had acne.
After years as an educator and more degrees than she can count, Frances Coleman now writes professionally. She is a prolific reader with an advanced degree in research techniques. Learn more ways to prevent acne.
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Support Groups for Acne Sufferers
Even though acne sufferers know that their friends also suffer from acne, it still sometimes makes them feel isolated and alone. The unsightly zits that pop up when they are least wanted, like just before a hot date, can cause extreme despair and frustration. Worse still is that the lack of self esteem many adolescents suffer from is often made worse by what they see in the mirror during an acne attack.
There may be worse cases of acne, but for the sufferer, theirs is always the worst. If your teen suffers from the moodiness and despair brought on by acne, it might be a good idea to allow them to find an acne support group. These days, this would usually be an online forum where teens can post questions about treatment and the likely duration of their acne and get quick answers from one or more specialists in the field.
It could be a chat room where they could make friends with other suffers and find out for sure that they are not only not the only ones to suffer from acne, but that others also feel the same way about it as they do.
Make sure that you find the right one for your child. It doesn’t pay to be casual about chat rooms because you don’t know who is likely to be lurking there, but if you can get in first and check out that the site is of good reputation, it will ease your mind and keep your child safe.
A quick search on Google will bring up many acne sites and most of them seem to have helpful advice, even if it is aimed at eventually selling their product. But if you choose one with .org after the address, you will know that this means it is a non-profit organization, and so they will not be giving advice simply to sell a product.
www. acne-answers.org is one such site. You can join up for free to receive their weekly newsletter on controlling the dreaded zit, or can even do an e-course on acne control.
Acne Support Group typed into Google will bring up a registered charity (No. 1026654) where teens, or anyone can email their question about acne and get a sensible reply, either by a cosmetic or beauty consultant who is trained in acne problems.
When finding acne sites, just make sure they are not in another country, because some acne treatments are not available in all countries.
Come visit http://www.AcneGalore.info for all your acne needs. Regular published articles on acne information.
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Acne Treatment And Dangers Of Prescribed Medications
Acne is induced from imbalances and impurities in the body, and that’s why we treat the problem an internal cleansing course of action that goes right to the source and fights acne prior to it even begins. Most of the Acne treatment will bring antioxidants that can help eliminate the free radicals that are dangerous to skin and promote infections. It also fights inflammation, to reduce redness.
Practically everyone has to deal with acne from time to time. It’s not because we eat hot foods or chocolate. It’s not because we do not wash our face enough. In fact, cleaning too vigorously can produce acne worse! The basic of acne treatment with following immediate results that:
i ) Works for adults & teenagers distress from facial or body acne;
ii) Eliminates spots, pimples, redness, puss, blackheads & whiteheads;
iii) Natural acne medication formula with no side effects;
iv) Fast and effective acne cure from the inside out;
v) Dermatologist Recommended with Guaranteed Results;
vi) And it works to heal damaged skin, naturally.
Thousands of people from all across the globe suffer from this debilitating disorder, and just like you they’ve tried every single thing with little or even no results.
Dangers of prescribed medications for acne treatment:
i) Even though you will notice short term results;
ii) Produce you feel ill;
iii) Even more disturbing is that the FDA warns that can cause depression, liver damage and birth defects, along with an extended list of more possible side effects;
iv) Patients of this chemical prescription must be under a dermatologist’s supervision for the 5-month course of coarse of action.
Choose wisely and know about danger of Acne prescribed medications.
Jasmine Yap
Find out more information about Acne Product -
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Acne: Trouble Over the Counter – Benzoyl Peroxide Banned by European Union
There are many over the counter (OTC) preparations for treatment of acne. Sold as lotions, gels, creams, and cleansers, OTC products can be a precarious buy and consumers should be aware that chemicals applied to the skin can also be absorbed into the body. The potential adverse effects of chemical agents make natural skin care products seem more attractive.
This is especially true for skin conditions such as acne and rosacea as harsh chemicals may only worsen matters. Synthetic chemicals can induce unnecessary inflammation beyond the confines of the sebaceous glands resulting in acne scars. Additionally, some chemicals can even be absorbed into the skin and have varying levels of systemic toxicity.
Benzoyl peroxide, the first topical agent for acne vulgaris, remains the most widely used OTC acne treatment in the United States. It is inexpensive to manufacture and widely marketed. Benzoyl peroxide dissolves comedons and has bactericidal effect by oxidizing proteins of the offending microbe, P. acne (Leyden, 1997). Though it may be effective for mild acne, benzoyl peroxide is not free from adverse effects according to the European Commission.
The most common adverse effect is extreme dryness and premature aging of skin of skin. It can also causes irritation, stinging, burning and peeling of skin. A formulation containing 2.5% benzoyl peroxide was found to have less burning and peeling of skin as compared with 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide (Mills et al. 1986). Allergic contact dermatitis was found in 1-2% patients using benzoyl peroxide (Ives, 1992). It can cause bleaching of hair and clothing.
Temporary skin discoloration may occur if benzoyl peroxide is used with sunscreen containing para-amino benzoic acid (PABA). Similarly concomitant use of benzoyl peroxide with tretinoin can lead to severe irritation of skin. Benzoyl peroxide should not be used in pregnancy as its safety during pregnancy is not documented. The safety in breast-feeding women and children is also not established.
In animal studies, it was has found to induce skin cancer after 1 year of use (Kraus et al. 1995). Long-term studies are needed to profile its adverse effect in humans. Benzoyl peroxide has been banned for use in cosmetics by the European Union. OTC Acne treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide are included in this ban throughout Europe.
Acne preparations made of benzoyl peroxide may contain various other chemical ingredients. Glycolic acid is a photo sensitizer and may be toxic to gastrointestinal system, nervous system and kidneys. Triethanolamine can form carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds on the skin or in the body after absorption. It may also elicit immune reaction in form of allergic dermatitis or asthmatic attacks. Diisopropanolamine may release carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds.
While, benzoyl peroxide can be used for short-term treatment of mild acne in the US, its long-term use has the potential to damage skin. On the whole, safer options that allow natural resolution of acne are recommended. Natural alternatives to benzoyl peroxide are calendula or tea tree oil (Bassett et al. 1990). Psidium guajava and Juglans regia leaf extracts were found to be beneficial in treating acne (Qadan et al. 2005). Granulysin peptides were also found to be effective against P. acne and may form an alternative therapy against acne in future (McInturff et al. 2005).
If acne are severe and not amenable to benzoyl peroxide treatment, one should consult a dermatologist for prescription drugs like topical retinoids (Tretinoin, Adapalene and Tazarotene), topical antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin), oral isotretinoin, oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline).
References:
1. Leyden JJ (1997) Therapy for acne vulgaris. New England Journal of Medicine 336, 1156-62.
2. Ives TJ (1992) Benzoyl peroxide, Am Pharm NS32 (8), 33-8.
3. Kraus AL, Munro IC, Orr JC, Binder RL, LeBoeuf RA, Williams GM (1995) Benzoyl peroxide: an integrated human safety assessment for carcinogenicity, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 21, 87-107.
4. Mills OH Jr, Kligman AM, Pochi P, Comite H (1986) Comparing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide on inflammatory acne vulgaris, Int J Dermatol 25, 664-7.
5. Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS (1990) A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Med J Aust, 153: 455-8.
6. Qadan F, Thewaini AJ, Ali DA, Afifi R, Elkhawad A, Matalka KZ (2005) The antimicrobial activities of Psidium guajava and Juglans regia leaf extracts to acne-
developing organisms. Am J Chin Med 33,197-204.
7. McInturff JE, Wang SJ, Machleidt T, Lin TR, Oren A, Hertz CJ, Krutzik SR, Hart S, Zeh K, Anderson DH, Gallo RL, Modlin RL, Kim J (2005) Granulysin-derived peptides demonstrate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects against Propionibacterium acnes. J Invest Dermatol 125, 256-63.
James Dalton is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions including acne, rosacea, and eczema.
Visit http://www.AcneResearchLabs.com for more information regarding natural skin care solutions including effective acne treatment and rosacea treatment for sensitive skin.
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How Birth Control Pills Can End Your Acne
It would almost be shorter to list the things that birth control pills DON’T effect, then to mention all the things they DO effect. They don’t, for instance, effect vegetables, they don’t effect rocks, and they don’t effect outer space, however they may, on occasion, effect machinery and small animals.
Weather you’re taking them to even out your menstrual cycle or to keep yourself from getting pregnant, now you have yet another reason to try out birth control pills,… clear skin. Birth Control Pills have proven that they help reduce acne. So much so in fact that the FDA has approved Ortho Tri-Cyclen and generic norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol (the stuff in Birth Control Pills) for use in the treatment of acne.
How Does this work? Androgen is a male hormone that increases oil production. Androgen is always working away, but it increases it’s production of oil just before menstruation begins, which could result in your skin breaking out around you period. Where does “the pill” fit in? Low-doses of birth control pills have shown that they decrease these excess androgens. That means less oil and less breakouts, and they can even be used with other acne therapy (details can be found in the February 2001 Skin Therapy Letter)
Does this mean you should go out and pick up some birth control pills to kill that acne? Probly not, remember these studies were done with low doses of birth control pills. You might wanna think of it more as one of the things to add to the benefits of birth control pills. Maybe it’ll help offset the nausea and headaches over on the drawbacks side.
Jessica MacQuarrie is a writer from San Franciso California. She currently edits her web site http://www.endacnenow.com from her bay area home.
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Blackhead Removal – How To Get Rid Of Blackheads?
What are blackheads?
Blackheads are small “plugs†that develop in the pores of the skin. They are caused when the over active sebaceous (oil producing) glands in the skin become clogged with oil. This sebum then begins to harden in the pore. Since skin pores are open to the air, the top part of the hardened sebum or oil oxidizes, turning black. This black top of the oil plug is then forced closer to the surface of skin by the oil hardening beneath it. This then causes the blackhead to be visible.
It is not clearly understood why the sebaceous glands begin to become overactive. It is often noted that this situation begins at puberty, and may stop at the end of puberty leading to the conclusion that it is hormonally controlled. For some people this is not the case however, and they may continue to experience blackheads and whiteheads well past puberty and into adulthood. Whiteheads are formed the same way as blackheads with the exception that the pore is closed and the oxidation does not occur.
Acne results from infection of the oil gland due to the blockage by the blackhead. Preventing and removing blackheads helps to control acne.
Blackhead Removal
The following are some tips for removing blackheads:
- Keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. Use natural or chemically prepared cleansers, astringent solutions or masks to accomplish this. Avoid harsh soaps that may irritate the skin or any creams that leave an oily finish.
- Use a gentle exfoliant to keep the dead cells off your skin and away from the pore openings.
- Avoid harsh squeezing or scraping at the blackhead. Excessive squeezing can damage the skin surround the pore and can actually increase the size of the pore leading to more blackheads in the future.
- A warm compress of water applied to the area of the blackhead followed by a very, very gentle pressure can help in clearing the clog from the pore.
- Commercial “blackhead strips†which are basically a tape like substance that is placed over the nose and then pulled off will remove some blackheads that are at the surface. Caution should be used with these products and it is important to read the directions completely before deciding to use the strips or not.
Mike Singh is the publisher of http://www.stopping-acne-now.com/ On his website, he provides articles about the acne causes and treatments and how to get rid of acne scars.
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Aloe Vera And Acne – Is There A Relationship?
Aloe vera has some important medicinal qualities that are very effective in the treatment of acne. Aloe Vera has been used in a wide variety of medicinal ways both historically and in modern time. It is used to treat burns, wounds and infections to regenerate skin and provide the building blocks needed to rebuild scarred or damaged skin areas. In addition it aids in treating acne by acting as an anti-inflammatory agent and an immune booster.
Aloe Vera Solutions
Acne can be treated by either soaps containing aloe vera or aloe vera gel. Soaps should be used at least twice a day and the skin should be patted dry following the wash. A topical gel or cream application of aloe vera can then be applied to the inflamed or infected areas. Acne is not cured by aloe vera but the symptoms of redness, flaky skin, and swelling will be rapidly decreased with consistent use.
Aloe vera, in liquid form, can be applied to the facial area to remove excess oil. The face should then be washed with a soap containing aloe vera and then a commercially prepared aloe vera cream can be applied. This treatment uses all the medicinal components of the aloe vera to help keep skin looking soft and breakout free. The mild astringent qualities of the allow vera will prevent future acne outbreaks and help reduce redness and swelling.
Medical Findings
As far back as 1750 B.C clay tablets were written addressing the medicinal properties of aloe vera. A Greek physician wrote in 74 B.C about using aloe vera to cure infections of the skin, burns and to decrease hair loss.
In 1935 the first medical report was published describing the medical use of aloe vera in burn patients. It has since been the focus of many studies addressing the healing properties of aloe vera for all skin conditions, including acne. As with all herbal and medical treatments individual responses will vary with most users indicating a decrease in the redness and flaky skin around the acne blemishes.
There are no known side effects to using aloe vera externally. If any irritation occurs simply discontinue use.
Mike Singh is the publisher of http://www.stopping-acne-now.com/ On his website, he provides articles about the best acne medication and fast removal of acne scars.
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Natural Back Acne Treatments – Are There Any?
Back acne, like other forms of acne is caused by hormones acting on the oil producing glands in the skin. This interaction leads to clogged pores and outbreaks on the surface of the skin. Natural back acne treatments are available to help deal with both the external outbreak and the infection that occurs under the surface of the skin.
The following list of natural remedies for back acne has provided relief and comfort for many. Try them out for yourself:
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is applied directly to the surface area of the infected skin. The oil penetrates the skins surface helping to control the infection while keeping the surface skin supple and hydrated. Tea tree oil soap may be used to treat the whole back and prevent further breakouts.
Capsule Supplements
Some evidence indicates that supplementing the diet with capsules containing Brewers yeast, potassium, magnesium and zinc help as a natural back acne treatment.
Lavender Essential Oil
When used as a natural back acne treatment lavender essential oil is rubbed on the skin surface. It stimulates circulation to the infected area, helping to naturally cleanse the tissue. It is also a natural antiseptic and is used to treat wounds and burns to prevent scaring.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel has strong astringent properties and may be helpful in cleansing the skin area around a breakout of back acne or as a cooling toner that can be applied to the back as a natural acne treatment.
Aloe Vera
While aloe vera does not stop outbreaks, it is a very effective natural back acne treatment for skin repair and reducing redness, swelling and scaring. Aloe vera is applied in gel form after a thorough washing of the affected area.
Natural Apple Cider Vinegar
This product, found in most health food stores, can be effective in treating back acne. Apply the apple cider vinegar, diluted with three parts water, to the acne at least twice a day. After a week increase the strength of the solution to half and half. If there is no irritation you can dab on the apple cider vinegar full strength. The astringent properties of the vinegar help clear up the acne. Discontinue use or go back to a weaker dilution if skin becomes irritated or burns after application.
Mike Singh is the publisher of http://www.stopping-acne-now.com/ On his website, he provides articles about the best treatment for adult acne and fast removal of acne scars.
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