Whether your problem is thinning hair or acne, there are a few hot, new products on that claim to take away everything from wrinkles to too much hair. The products use some of the same technologies that a dermatologist may have used on you -- lasers, LED lights, and infrared light -- and you can use them all in your own home.

But do they work?

"These products provide at-home versions of procedures typically performed in a doctor's office: light treatments, laser hair removal, or chemical peels," says Linda Wells, editor in chief of Allure magazine.

"In terms of at-home treatments, this is just the beginning."

Wells and some Allure staffers visited The Early Show Wednesday and reported on the effectiveness of products the staffers tried for several weeks.

Living with acne

Drugstores offer a mind-boggling array of products and treatments that range from "The Power Pimple Peel" to the formidable sounding "Teminator 10," next to long-time standards such as Clearasil and Stridex. A stroll down most crowded malls will find a kiosk marketing Proactiv, the skin regimen touted by celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Williams and Sean "Diddy" Combs as an acne cure-all.

"If they're using these things regularly, and the (skin) is not responding after two months, it should be worth it to go to a dermatologist and start prescription treatments," Lawley said.

Wind chill advisory tonight

A wind chill advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Monday.

Very cold air will filter into the region behind an arctic cold front for today and tonight.

The combination of very cold temperatures and winds will produce wind chill values between 10 below and 15 below zero through tonight.

A wind chill advisory is issued when a strong wind will combine with cold temperatures to create dangerously cold conditions for exposed skin. The wind will make it feel like it is between 10 and 24 degrees below zero for a period of several hours. Those planning to venture outdoors should use common sense and dress warmly.

Current forecast

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DermTech, Stiefel To Study Genes Involved In Acne

DermTech, Stiefel Laboratories will work together using DermTech's patented EGIR technology and proprietary gene expression assays to identify and further understand the genes involved in causing acne.It is envisioned that data from the feasibility study may be used by Stiefel Laboratories in the development of targeted products to treat this widespread skin condition."We are very pleased to initiate this study with Stiefel, a global powerhouse in the development of focused, next-generation dermatology products," said George Schwartz, CEO, DermTech. "Using our EGIR technology, a painless method of collecting RNA from the epidermis and identifying biomarkers of interest, we are confident that we will be able to help confirm and identify the molecular causes of acne.""Acne has long been regarded as a nuisance condition but for a patient who suffers from frequent outbreaks or chronic blemishes, it is a major source of concern," said Gavin Corcoran, M.D., Senior Vice President, Global Research and Development for Stiefel Laboratories.

Novacta Receives 3.5 Million Pounds Strategic Translation Award From ...

Novacta Biosystems, a UK-based anti-infective therapeutics company, announces that the Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest medical research charity, has awarded it £3.5 million as part of the Trust's Strategic Translational Award programme. Novacta will use the award to progress development of a drug which, it is hoped, will help combat hospital-based Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) infections.

C. Difficile infections (CDIs) are a growing and serious problem and have, for example, been associated with twice as many deaths in UK hospitals last year as MRSA. Cases of C.difficile infections, which occur in the lower digestive tract, rose by 22 per cent in the past year and affected more than 15,500 people over 65 in the first quarter of 2007. New anti-infective drugs are needed to target C.difficile without depleting other beneficial bacteria in the gut.

PTL Beauty Editor Lori Geiger

The beginning of the year is a great time to take out the old and bring in the new beauty items you carry with you everyday. Cleaning out your make-up bag is the perfect time to update your make-up and keep germs away. The most used product in your bag is most likely a pressed powder compact. If a crust has developed on top it is oil from your face that has been transfered to the powder when not in use. You can scrape it off with an old tooth brush and replace the puff. To prevent this in the future, keep the cellophane circle the compact comes with as long as you can to separate the puff from the powder. If you buy a new compact, get one that has a separate compartment for the puff, such as L'Oreal true match compact. To help keep make-up fresh and germs at bay keep this in mind: Powdered products, such as powder, eye shadows and blush have a life of about 3 years.