alli-Elizabeth S. #3

I chose to discuss the product alli. According to their website, “alli® is the only FDA-approved, over-the-counter weight-loss aid. alli is not a weight loss dietary supplement. When used as directed, alli works in the digestive system. It does not affect the heart or the brain. Orlistat, the active ingredient in alli, is the most studied weight loss medicine in the world, with safety established in more than 100 clinical studies involving more than 30,000 patients” This is achieved by consuming a capsule which is, “just one part of a program that rewards you with increased weight loss when you eat well and can also signal to you when you don’t. alli prevents your body from absorbing about a quarter of the fat you eat. Fat is more calorie-dense than carbs or protein. Just one gram of fat has more than double the calories of the same amount of protein or carbs. So if you eat a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and use alli capsules, you can make a real difference in your weight as you limit the total number of calories that enter your system”. Once this goes through your body the, “undigested fat cannot be absorbed and passes through the body naturally. The excess fat is not harmful. In fact, you may recognize it in the toilet as something that looks like the oil on top of a pizza.”
When you choose to take alli you can also have your own myalliplan, which is, “an individually tailored, online action plan that works by providing you with education, tools, and support to help you succeed.” By having such support the product seems to be more appealing. alli® is available in all major drug, grocery and discount/warehouse stores in the weight-loss product aisle or online. Retailers include Target, CVS, FaceValues, drugstore.com, Costco, Wegmans, GNC, Sam’s Club, and Walgreens.com. Glasoxsmithkilne or gsk, is the pharmaceutical company that alli is associated with. Gsk, being a major company also has vaccines, medical research, and other medications to offer. While looking on gsk’s website, I found their three supposed priorities which were written in 2008. These priorities were to: Grow a diversified global business, deliver more products of value, and simplify the operating model. As they have listed on their website, “We believe these priorities will enable us to navigate the coming years successfully and retain our leading-edge position as a company able to meet patients’ and healthcare providers’ needs into the future.”
I chose to discuss this product fro many reasons. Looking at society today it is obvious to say that weight loss is a big issue whether for health reasons or for appearance. More so than ever I feel like the pressures to “perfect” are weighing (pun intended) down on women and men today. Another reason I decided to write about this certain product is to really see if this once controversial “weight loss aid” really does work. I first learned about this product in my women’s health class and at the time my professor was very weary about this product because of its intense procedure within the body. I think that because of the myalliplan, many people would find this product more attractive due to the support. Another reason why people may like this is because it’s not like other weight-loss programs where you are loosing all nutrients and where you have to be on a strict diet; alli kind of does the work for you.

Skechers Shape-ups (Elizabeth S.)

I chose to talk about Skechers new product, Shape-ups. This new form of fitness footwear is design to "shape while you walk" by promoting weight loss, toning muscles, and improving posture. ALong with those aspects, the shape-ups are said to strengthen the back, firm buttocks muscles, reduces cellulite and tone thighs, firms calf muscles, tightens abdominal muscles and improves blood circulation. On the Skechers website, it is explained that "its easy to shape up with your shape-ups. Wear your shape-ups everywhere and anywhere you walk (or stand), and your body will feel the benefits". Designed to improve your life by changing the way you walk, Shape-ups feature a "unique soft kinetic wedge insert and dynamic rolling bottom to simulate walking on a soft giving surface like sand. With the comfort of Shape-ups, you will feel your heel sink to the ground as you step, roll forward as your weight shifts to its center, and push off with your toes." Each part of the actual shoe promotes healthy benefits. The upper outside layer of the shoe provides "superior quality, well-padded uppers of durable leather, suede, and breathable mesh designed to provide needed support and supreme comfort." The sockliner is a "removable insole provides superior arch support, molded cushioning for comfort, and antibacterial treatment to prevent odor, wick away moisture and increase breathability." The midsole is a "firm polyurethane frame designed to support and stabilize the foot." The kinetic wedge is a " super soft foam designed for maximum shock absorption to protect the body while exercising core muscles." finally the outsole is a "long-lasting rubber outsole designed to contribute to biomechanical motion vital to a natural walking state by propelling wearers into their next step."
You can find shape-ups online at skechers.com or at famous footwear. The cost of these shoes varies depending on the style you want but are anywhere between $110-$140. Skechers is a shoe company that has been around since the early 1990's. I remember owning skechers when I was younger and today they are still a desirable shoe. To me, skechers seems to market themselves to the younger generation with affordable, comfortable, stylish shoes. I think that this product would be desirable because of the company's effectiveness to provide two products in one: tennis shoes that provide exercise. In today's world, convience is key and by being able to buy a product that helps tone your body while doing everyday erans and your daily routine seems pretty perfect.
Something that I found interesting was that all the commercials I have seen for this product and the advertisements in magazines only include women. It wasn't until I went on their website that I saw one picture of a male, and that was just of a cartoon-style model. The only other male influence I found was a comment from a doctor who actually conducted a six-week trial. His results are interesting too. The results included an average weight loss by the participants of 3.25 pounds, an overall average improvement of body composition (reduction of body fat) of 1.125%, an average improvement of glutei strength by 41%, and an average improvement of low back endurance by 37%. I am not sure why such weightless products seem to be more marketed toward women but they do. There is no doubt that women feel immense pressure to look their best as they are influenced to think that skinny=beautiful and often that means one has to look like a model. This pressure may mean that more and more products are geared toward women.

Elizabeth Sayer- LATISSE

The product I would like to discuss is LATISSE^®. According to their website, LATISSE^® solution is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker. LATISSE^® is believed to affect the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle in two ways: first, it increases the length of this phase; and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase. The exact way it works is unknown. Results may be seen at 8 weeks and full results at 12 to 16 weeks.

Since LATISSE^® solution is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA for “inadequate or not having enough eyelashes”, a doctors prescription is needed along with $120 for a months supply (ABC). LATISSE^® is from the Allergan's portfolio of products which also includes Botox cosmetic, Clinique medical, lap-band AP, Juvederm and Restasis.

Some unique side effects after using this product are: skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes, and redness of the eyelids (which is somewhat ironic considering that Allergan’s product Restasis “cures” irritation of the eye) and you should advised about the “potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent” (AKA the change of your eye color). Some more serious side effects include, “…new ocular condition (e.g., trauma or infection), experience a sudden decrease in visual acuity, have ocular surgery, or any ocular reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions. It is possible for hair growth to occur in other areas of your skin that LATISSE^® frequently touches. It is also possible for a difference in eyelash length, thickness, fullness, pigmentation, number of eyelash hairs, and/or direction of eyelash growth to occur between eyes. These differences, should they occur, will usually go away if you stop using LATISSE^®.”

I thought it was interesting to cover this particular product because of our discussion in class about the necessity for particular human characteristics (i.e. breasts). I find it almost disturbing that women would care so much about the volume of their eyelashes. Most women I know apply mascara to create a fullness look, but for some that is obviously not enough and prescribed medication is required. For the most part, the patient comments after using the product is simply “I feel and look great. Everyone notices and asks if I’m wearing false eyelashes!” I understand that for some people the need for eyelash grow is need, especially for people with a severe illness or enormous amount of stress, but I feel that for the most part women are using this product simply because they feel they need to have full, long, dark eyelashes to be considered a sexy, confident, and successful woman. Just like with mascara, LATISSE, convinces women of their underproduction, underachievement, and lack of contribution to society because of their so-called “lack of beautiful eyelashes”. To not stand out as a gorgeous women means to not be contributing to society and can be seen as rebelling even. People wonder, “Why doesn’t she take care of herself? Why does she want to look that way?” The truth is who was the one to define the appropriate level of femininity?