Author: Nitin Agarwal

  • Fade your tattoo but carefully!

    Fade your tattoo but carefully!

    Tattoos were meant to be permanent, so removing or fading them was difficult until now. With the recent advances in technology, laser therapy has become the preferred method for removal of tattoos.

    The word “tattoo” comes from the Tahitian word tattoo; meaning, to mark. Tattoos have been found on Ice Age remains and Egyptian mummies.
    Just as the demand for getting tattoos has increased, so has the demand for having the tattoos faded or removed. A survey by the American Society of Dermatological Surgery found that around 50 percent of the people who get tattoos eventually regret having them. And look for ways either to fade their tattoos or have them removed altogether.

    The Q-switched ruby laser is considered the first preference for most of the tattoos, except for red ink, which is best treated with a Nd: YAG laser. Some people prefer laser treatment for tattoo fading rather than complete removal, as fading tattoos is less painful and less expensive.

    Procedure of laser tattoo removal

    Laser works by emitting intense but short pulses of light that pass through the epidermis and get absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The laser energy breaks the ink pigment into tiny particles which are then easily removed by the body’s immune system a few weeks or months after the laser treatment.

    The amount of time and the number of laser treatments require removing the tattoo depends on several factors such as:

    • Size of the tattoo
    • It is tougher to remove a new tattoo rather an older one as the pigment in the new tattoo is likely to be denser
    • The color of the ink is a big factor in determining how many laser treatments you require. Blue and black colored tattoos get removed easily whereas green and yellow pigments are the hard to remove.
    • Professional tattoos are harder to remove as compared to street tattoos as professional tattoo makers use better quality ink and equipment.
    • How deep the ink is injected
    • Location of the tattoo and
    • The individual’s ability to heal

    Remember to do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re going to get your tattoo faded or removed through laser procedures.

    Question you must have answers to before you go in for the treatment:

    Cost of the Treatment

    Prices for laser removal depend upon the size of the tattoo, type of inks used etc. The bigger the area; the higher the charge. Fix up an appointment with the removal practitioner or the dermatologist and get the estimate.

    Pain Involved

    Laser removal or fading is relatively painless procedure. Still the amount of pain felt will depend on the type of tattoo, the level of treatment and your own tolerance level.

    Chances of Side-effects

    Normally the area blisters after the treatment. Get all your doubts cleared before going for the treatment.

    Number of Treatments

    You are dreaming in vain if you think that one fine day you would go in to the clinic and walk out the very same day tattoo free. It takes a number of sittings for tattoo fading or removal. Generally the number of treatments depends upon the depth, color and the composition of the ink.

    Relation between Tattoo Removal and Breastfeeding Mothers

    The word “tattoo” comes from the Tahitian word tattoo; meaning, to mark. Just as the demand for getting tattoos has increased, so has the demand for having the tattoos faded or removed. Prices for laser removal depend upon the size of the tattoo, type of inks used etc. Still the amount of pain felt will depend on the type of tattoo, the level of treatment and your own tolerance level. There is no evidence suggesting that tattoo fading or cover up tattoo affects breastfeeding in any way.

    There is no evidence suggesting that tattoo fading or cover up tattoo affects breastfeeding in any way. If they follow the recommended aftercare procedures, the body filters the ink particles via the white blood cells and mothers are unlikely to face problems. If there are concerns about a tattoo, then the mother should consult the dermatologist or her physician for proper advice.

  • Want To Get That Tattoo Removed?

    Want To Get That Tattoo Removed?

    Whatever the case is, many of us in adult life end up regretting this youthful adventure. It could be because the tattoo reminds you of a broken love relationship or may be that visible tattoo is coming in your way of getting a good job or joining a coveted university. In other words, you desperately need to get it out of your way, but the very memory of the painful procedure you went through to get it done gives you cold feet.

    There are several ways a person can undo a tattoo or at least make it less visible. All, barring one, are cumbersome and very painful. Before discussing ways to remove tattoos, let’s first understand what is a tattoo.

    People get tattoos for any reason, and sometimes for no reason. We get tattoos express your love, to express one’s own self, as a fan or admirer of some idol, under peer pressure, to be up with the Jones’ es or maybe just because it’s hip to get one.

    What is a Tattoo?

    Apart from permanent tattoos there are also temporary tattoos. Temporary tattoos are made on the skin by transferring the design on the skin, rather than inside the skin, using water.

    A tattoo, or dermal pigmentation, as the term self explains is a mark made on the skin by inserting pigment into the skin. It is accomplished by injecting this pigment into small deep holes made in the skin. Tattoos made this way are relatively permanent.

    Methods of Tattoo Removal

    There are several methods of tattoo removal available today showing variable performance, result wise and procedure wise. It is the size of the tattoo, its location, and the length of time it has been on the skin which makes the physician decide upon the method to be used. The patient’s healing prowess also plays its part in deciding the method to be used.

    Let’s now discuss the methods.

    Surgical Method

    The surgical removal process involves an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed. The edges are then brought together and sutured.

    It is one of the most popular methods around, especially when the dyed area is small. The major advantage here is the removal of the entire tattoo in one go, particularly if it is small tattoo. Larger tattoos, however, require multiple surgical sessions where the center of a tattoo is removed first followed by removal of sides at a later date.

    With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding which is easily controlled with electrocautery. In some cases involving large tattoos, a skin graft taken from another part of the body may be necessary.

    Rubbing the tattoo off

    In this method, the tattoo is literally scrapped off. It is cumbersome and quite painful procedure but practiced. There are two ways by which a tattoo is rubbed off the skin:

    Laser tattoo removal procedure involves exposing the tattoo to the pulses of light from the laser, usually a Q-switched Nd: Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby.

    It could be because the tattoo reminds you of a broken love relationship or may be that visible tattoo is coming in your way of getting a good job or joining a coveted university. Before discussing ways to remove tattoos, let’s first understand what is a tattoo.

    Laser tattoo removal is considered as the best of the solutions available. It is costly and might require multiple sessions, it ensures that tattoo removal is relatively pain free and blood free. The results have been quite encouraging and tattoos have been either totally removed or there were dramatic fading.

    The major advantage here is the removal of the entire tattoo in one go, particularly if it is small tattoo. Larger tattoos, however, require multiple surgical sessions where the center of a tattoo is removed first followed by removal of sides at a later date.

    This procedure of tattoo removal involves spraying of a portion of the tattoo with a freezing solution, after which that part is sanded with a rotary abrasive instrument causing the skin to peel. A dressing is immediately applied to the area because some bleeding is bound to occur.

    • Dermabrasion.

    Laser tattoo removal procedure involves exposing the tattoo to the pulses of light from the laser, usually a Q-switched Nd: Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby. This exposure breaks up the tattoo pigment, which are removed from the body by the scavenger cells. More than one treatment is usually necessary to remove the entire tattoo.

    • Salabrasion.

    Laser.

    This is an age old method of tattoo removal. An abrading apparatus such as the one used with dermabrasion, or an even simpler device such as a wooden block wrapped in gauze, is used to vigorously abrade the area.

  • Top Tips For Article Marketing And Marketers

    Top Tips For Article Marketing And Marketers

    When writing articles for article marking purposes, be unique and original. Readers will be more likely to click on the links in your article or buy a product mentioned in your article if the article has provided them with some advice or information that they were previously unaware of and that is not already circulating on the web.

    When looking for effective ways to distribute your article marketing material, the local Chamber of Commerce can be an excellent resource. Most Chambers of Commerce have a website where your article can be displayed and even provided with a link to your company’s website, and they also send regular emails with useful content to members which can incorporate your article.

    As stated before, article marketing is a clever business tactic that is used to attract new customers. Businesses write an article related to their services and products and readers read this article while possibly buying from the business after reading. Use the tips from this article to make article marketing a part of your business.

    One of the most important aspects of article marketing is the use of keywords and key phrases. They are important because while you can write an incredibly amazing article about a particular subject, if you do not sufficiently incorporate keywords and key phrases, the article will not show up on search results.

    Writing top-notch articles that stand out is easy when you have a large knowledge base to fall back on. Writing articles that teach readers something is a great way to grow in your knowledge.

    Article marketing essentially involves businesses writing articles that are relevant to products or services that they sell. Below is an article that contains tips related to article marketing.

    A great article marketing tip that can help you is to simply search online for subjects that you’re interested in, when you’re looking to write your own articles. If you’re planning on writing your own unique articles, there are heaps of informative articles on the internet that can assist you.

    Having an article provide the best marketing that it can, will sometimes relate to where the article is located. By finding the best publication to publish your article in, can have a big impact on who is going to be viewing that article. Good decisions can lead to great results in article marketing.

    Article marketing essentially involves businesses writing articles that are relevant to products or services that they sell. Below is an article that contains tips related to article marketing.

    When submitting an article to websites, directories and other web services, do not panic if your content does not show up immediately. Most respectable web services have a turnaround time for editing and quality control. Consider this a sign that you have chosen a great service to represent your work.

    Having an article provide the best marketing that it can, will sometimes relate to where the article is located. Businesses write an article related to their services and products and readers read this article while possibly buying from the business after reading. Use the tips from this article to make article marketing a part of your business.

  • How To Make Progress In Article Marketing

    How To Make Progress In Article Marketing

    Having an article provide the best marketing that it can, will sometimes relate to where the article is located. By finding the best publication to publish your article in, can have a big impact on who is going to be viewing that article. Good decisions can lead to great results in article marketing.

    When you are trying to market your website, try doing article marketing. Article marketing is a process in which you get articles relevant to your website and publish them on your site.

    By following solid tips like the ones you’ve just learned about above in this article, you will start to understand how article marketing works in principle and how you can use it to directly target markets and drive traffic to your website. Eventually, and with the right approach, you can begin to earn a lot of money online.

    To get the best article marketing effect out of your writing, stick to positive writing whenever possible. Marketing articles are focused on selling, whether your product is a vendor’s product or your own content. Readers are more relaxed, ready and enthusiastic to buy when positive language encourages them to be optimistic.

    For every article you write, separate your paragraphs, use bullet points and make sure you’re editing is correct. Readers lose patience with writers when they lump everything into a difficult to follow mass.

    The title of your article is hugely important as it shows up in title tags, searches, and in the page’s URL. You need to spin it manually to ensure that it remains on topic and full of the keywords you’re most focused on. Try to be creative and keep it catchy!

    Article marketing is a process in which you get articles relevant to your website and publish them on your site. Having an article provide the best marketing that it can, will sometimes relate to where the article is located. By finding the best publication to publish your article in, can have a big impact on who is going to be viewing that article.

    When it comes to article marketing is when people allow themselves to be distracted from the work they need to do, the biggest cause of failure. It is essential that both you and the people you live with understand that this is a source of income for you and not merely a hobby.

    Start a blog on your company website. This blog can and should contain useful information for people who would need your services or products. They will come back to your site again and again to see what else you have written if the information you give is thought out and informative.

    A great article marketing tip you should remember is to focus on quality and not quantity. Always focus on quality when you are marketing your articles.

    Successful article marketing requires that you create a successful campaign. This means you need to approach things through a wide lens, distributing tons of content and keeping your quality at a maximum. Find out about the following tips you will need in order to succeed in your article marketing campaign.

    Successful article marketing requires that you create a successful campaign. Find out about the following tips you will need in order to succeed in your article marketing campaign.

  • How To Use Article Marketing To Increase Your Sales

    How To Use Article Marketing To Increase Your Sales

    Don’t forget to optimize the articles you write on your website for whichever keyword or key phrase you’re targeting with your search engine optimization strategy. Don’t overdo it or it will become obvious to your reader that your article serves not as a benefit to them through acquired knowledge, but instead is nothing more than a marketing strategy.

    A good article marketing tip that can help you is to be careful about which articles you’re going to buy. You should always make sure they’re original and that they are only written for you if you’re planning on buying articles. This way, you won’t have to deal with duplication problems.

    For people out there who do not believe that article marketing is a working method and a lucrative online business opportunity, all you need to do is follow a few websites around and find their content strewn about cyberspace. A good article marketing tip that can help you is to be careful about which articles you’re going to buy. By keeping articles varied and always changing, one can avoid their articles from getting stale. The main reason people fail at article marketing is because they fail to ever write a single article and submit it to a directory. You must remember that every article may be read by a potential website visitor or customer, so, make sure all of the articles you publish have quality content.

    Finding a successful article marketing formula is important if you hope to oversee a lucrative, productive campaign. Follow what you’ve read above to build your article marketing campaign.

    For people out there who do not believe that article marketing is a working method and a lucrative online business opportunity, all you need to do is follow a few websites around and find their content strewn about cyberspace. Connect the dots, and you’ll find your proof. Read these tips to copy the formula.

    It is important to remain fresh with ones articles that they are using for marketing. By keeping articles varied and always changing, one can avoid their articles from getting stale. Articles that are always similar in some way will cause one’s articles to be less effective at attracting viewers to them.

    Follow the specific rules of the article submission websites you use. Few things are as frustrating as having an article rejected due to not following the rules.

    Start today. Because they fail to ever write a single article and submit it to a directory, the main reason people fail at article marketing is. You don’t need to write a literary masterpiece, but if you really hate writing, outsource the writing and get an article submitted to a directory today.

    When writing articles with article marketing in mind, do not under any circumstances attempt to sell yourself through your articles. Providing your readers with articles full of useful information will act as an automatic selling point, rather than using shameless self promotion every chance you get.

    Have patience and keep at it. Most people fail to see the efforts that they put into article marketing turn into anything fruitful, simply because they give up before they reach their goals. Reaching your goals do not happen overnight, but if you are patient and stick to it, it will happen eventually.

    Increasing your website’s search engine ranking through article marketing is essential. Articles distributed far and wide, establish links to your website that will drive up your search engine ranking. You must remember that every article may be read by a potential website visitor or customer, so, make sure all of the articles you publish have quality content.

  • How to Estimate Home Building Cost?

    How to Estimate Home Building Cost?

    If the house that you are comparing with was built a few years ago, then you should factor in the appreciation cost due to increase in the cost of labor and materials at between 2 to 5% per annum.

    Home building costs can often times be very difficult to pinpoint. If you use some of the methods described above and by being precise and detail oriented, you will be able to come up with a very close estimate on your home building costs.

    What if the house that you plan to build is different from what is available in your vicinity? Go online and type in the terms ‘home plans’ or ‘house plans’. Ask your friendly construction company to give you an estimate.

    Home building costs can be further influenced by the interior feature of the home. You should factor this into the cost estimate.

    The quickest way to estimate home building costs is to find similar houses in the area that has the same overall look and size of one that you want to build. Take the selling price, minus the cost of the land and you will have a quick and rough estimate of the construction cost. Home building costs can be further influenced by the interior feature of the home. Usually, due to the expertise and experience, their estimate can be quite close to the actual building cost.

    Labor charges constitute a significant portion of the cost of building your own home and if you have the expertise, using a home building kit and building it yourself can reduce your estimate significantly.

    There are many factors that go into home building costs and it can be a huge task to even come out with an estimate.

    No matter how precise or detail oriented you are in the planning stages, you must keep in that there may be an unexpected cost overrun. It is a safe practice to put away about 10 or even 15 % for contingency to ensure that you have the money to cover any overrun.

    There are many companies offering home building kits than contains everything (except labor) that you need to build a house. Labor charges constitute a significant portion of the cost of building your own home and if you have the expertise, using a home building kit and building it yourself can reduce your estimate significantly.

    Another way is to seek the help of a construction company. , if you show them the type of house that you are interested in them should be able to respond to you with a quick estimate.. Usually, due to the expertise and experience, their estimate can be quite close to the actual building cost.

    The quickest way to estimate home building costs is to find similar houses in the area that has the same overall look and size of one that you want to build. Take the selling price, minus the cost of the land and you will have a quick and rough estimate of the construction cost. This is, of course not an exact science, but by following this basic rule you will be able to get a rough estimate.

  • Building Your Dream Home

    Building Your Dream Home

    Part of the dream in building my own home was to act as the General Contractor and to personally supply a great deal of sweat equity. In the subsequent parts of this chronology, I will review my experiences in hopes that others may gain from my experiences.

    For most of my adult life I had thought about someday building my Dream Home. My initial intention was to use the property “as is”, and someday raze the old cottage and build a new home in its place.

    Determining the Home Style and Size

    The Home Design Software package was not as simple to use as the instruction manual implied, however after a couple of weeks I had a floorplan with all the dimensional information.

    After making the decision to raze the cottage and build a new home, I had to first determine what type and size of home to build. Instead I picked up a handful of Home Plan magazines and surfed the internet for home designs. The footprint was smaller than I wanted, but I concluded that I could redraw the floor plan accordingly using my newly purchased Home Design Software Package.

    Assuming the role as the General Contractor

    As the General Contractor I developed a build schedule and task list. Some of the top items included: Identifying subcontractors, pulling permits, and having a septic design approved.

    I got around this issue by deciding not to use the banks for financing. I would have needed to complete a full proposal to the bank with all subcontractors and costs identified, but this is necessary anyways.

    Carefully Pick your Sub-Contractors

    Identifying the right subcontractors is the most important task a General Contractor performs. Poor selection of subcontractors can lead to delays in schedules, cost overruns, poor workmanship and strife between the various subcontractors on the job. In addition, get two or three reference checks on the subcontractors.

    Pulling Permits

    Once all are agreed upon with the house plans and the location of the home, contact the building inspector and review with him/her your plans. There are frequently town and state forms that need to be filled out regarding wetlands, and home thermal analysis. If I had used the initial home plans I had obtained, those would have been sufficient.

    After about a week and several hundred dollars later I had the permit to build a new home.

    Septic Design

    After making the decision to raze the cottage and build a new home, I had to first determine what type and size of home to build. Instead I picked up a handful of Home Plan magazines and surfed the internet for home designs. The footprint was smaller than I wanted, but I concluded that I could redraw the floor plan accordingly using my newly purchased Home Design Software Package.

    My home required its own septic system on site. As a result, I required a septic design and an associated permit for the new home. I recommend pursuing this as early as possible in any new home project as this can take up to 2-3 months to complete as both town and state approvals are required, not to mention site and engineering work.

    Once all are agreed upon with the house plans and the location of the home, contact the building inspector and review with him/her your plans. If I had used the initial home plans I had obtained, those would have been sufficient.

    Without knowing exactly where the septic system and tank will reside, it may be difficult to locate the exact position of the home and in many cases the building inspector may not approve the building permit until the septic design permit has been obtained. I was at financial risk, however, in the event the new septic design was not approved or needed to be repositioned from the proposed location.

  • The Very Best New Home Improvement Tips

    The Very Best New Home Improvement Tips

    Use a flexible container to mix up just enough dry plaster of Paris for your intended use. When you are finished with the job all you have to do is allow the remainder of the plaster to harden, turn the container upside down over a trash can, and flex the sides. The plaster will cleanly separate from the container and you can put the container away to use on the next job. Read more about best pressure washer surface cleaner.

    Home improvement makes a great hobby. Check out these tips so the time you spend on home improvement projects will all be time well spent.

    Take the time to find the studs before you start the install project for your new cabinets. This can be done easily with a stud finder and marked with a nail that will be behind the new cabinets anyway and not able to be seen. The studs are the only sturdy place you have to attach something to a wall.

    It is within your reach to re-stain your deck and give it a make over. Remember this when you have made your final decision.

    Painting is an easy do it yourself home improvement, but remember to always use primer. A sunroom provides energy for your home and it is definitely a great home remodeling project.

    Painting is an easy do it yourself home improvement, but remember to always use primer. Sometimes you may be tempted to skip the primer but it really produces an excellent surface for the application of fresh paint. Having a coat of primer beneath the paint will bring out the paints true color.

    Home improvement makes a great hobby. It builds useful skills, creates a sense of empowerment, and of course it improves the function and look of your home. Check out these tips so the time you spend on home improvement projects will all be time well spent.

    Follow the above tips, and the investments you make into home improvements will be wise expenditures of both your energy and the resources it takes to complete a project. From the smallest project to the most complex, home improvement can be worthwhile and rewarding in many ways– as long as you pay attention to tips like these.

    To make wallpaper removal easier fill a spray bottle halfway with white vinegar then fill to the top with water. Score the paper and spritz the vinegar mixture over the paper, saturating it and letting it soak for five minutes or so. Use a putty knife to lift a corner and enjoy easier removal without chemicals.

    Sunrooms are a great addition to any home and they add both value and activity. A sunroom provides energy for your home and it is definitely a great home remodeling project.

    , if you have a dark colored kitchen it would be in your best interest to lighten things up.. Many people do not want to buy homes that have kitchens with dark colors. , if you are worried about selling you home at some point them you need to keep that in mind.

  • The facts about Oily skin care

    The facts about Oily skin care

    ‘Oily skin care’ is also dependent on the degree of oiliness, if you aren’t too oily, so some of these ‘suitable for all’ – type of products might be work for you too. For extremely oily skin, only oily skin care products are suitable. Your oily skin care routine can include an alcohol based toner (for an extremely oily skin).

    To start the discussion on oily skin care, it’s imperative to first understand the cause behind oily skin. ‘oily skin care’ is as important as the ‘skin care’ for other types of skin.

    The basic aim of ‘oily skin care’ is the removal of excessive sebum or oil from the skin. Oily skin care procedures should not lead to complete removal of oil. ‘Oily skin care’ starts with the use of a cleanser.

    To start the discussion on oily skin care, it’s imperative to first understand the cause behind oily skin. Put simply, oily skin is a result of excessive production of sebum (an oily substance that is naturally produced by skin). ‘oily skin care’ is as important as the ‘skin care’ for other types of skin.

    In case these measures don’t give you the desired result, consult a good dermatologist for advice. He could prescribe stronger oily skin care products like vitamin A creams, retinoids, sulphur creams etc, which can help counter the problems of oily skin.

    For extremely oily skin, only oily skin care products are suitable. Your oily skin care routine can include an alcohol based toner (for an extremely oily skin).

    The next step in your oily skin care routine can be a mild moisturizer. Again, the degree of oiliness of your skin will determine whether you need to include this in your oily skin care routine. Be sure to use one that is oil-free, wax-free and lipid-free if you do decide to include a moisturiser.
    You could also use a clay mask (say once a week) as an oily skin care measure.

    As far as the oily skin care products go, you might need to try out a few before you arrive at the one that is really suitable for your skin.

  • Guide in Purchasing All Natural Skin Care Products

    Guide in Purchasing All Natural Skin Care Products

    Now, if you are thinking of using all natural skin care products for your everyday personal use, remember that there are a lot of things to consider when buying these kinds of cosmetic/beauty items. You just can’t go and grab the first natural skin care product you find in the mall or store.

    These personal enhancement products are also categorized as either natural or artificial/conventional skin care products. Since the conventional beauty and skin care products can be quite expensive, many people choose to buy certified all natural skin care products instead.

    Today, thousands of skin care products are manufactured and sold in various markets worldwide. These products are available in hundreds of beauty and skin care establishments like stores, malls, salons, spas, etc. Products as such are continuously booming due to the increasing demand for skin care treatments and products by beauty-conscious men and women each year.

    Below is a guide for consumers on purchasing all natural skin care products:

    1. Determine your skin type.
      The first thing you need to do before heading to your nearest beauty and health store is to know your skin type. This is really important since all skin and beauty care products are developed to match certain skin types. If you just use any type of product without knowing your skin type, irritation, blemishes, dryness, and other complications may happen to your skin.
    2. Talk to your dermatologist.
      Another important thing to do before shopping for natural skin care products is to talk to your dermatologist. Your doctor is the one who can tell you what skin type are you. Upon confirming this, your doctor can then tell you of the skin care variants that are safe and applicable to use on your skin.
    3. Read product labels carefully.
      When you already determine what skin type you are and you already know which skin care variants are applicable to your skin, you are now more than ready to shop for the all natural skin care products you need. Once you already found your prospect products, read and compare all labels carefully to know which one best suits your needs.

    In addition, reading the product labels carefully is a good way of determining which ones are hoax and certified products. Remember that not all products claiming to contain all natural ingredients are purely organic. It really pays off when you take the time to study the product labels first before purchasing any product.

    1. Never ever fall for the so-called “miracle” skin care products.
      There are numerous skin care products in stores today that pose false advertisements of their so- called miracle ingredients. There are really no such thing as miracle ingredients in beauty and skin care products.

    These personal enhancement products are also categorized as either natural or artificial/conventional skin care products. Since the conventional beauty and skin care products can be quite expensive, many people choose to buy certified all natural skin care products instead. Not only these products are less expensive, but they are also a lot safer to use compared to conventional skin care products.

    In addition, reading the product labels carefully is a good way of determining which ones are hoax and certified products. It really pays off when you take the time to study the product labels first before purchasing any product.