Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

by: Adam Jackson

Laser hair removal is considered to be one of the safest methods for permanent hair removal. In this method, a low-energy laser is applied over the unwanted hair growing areas. The hair follicles in these areas will get damaged by the pulsating light emitted by the laser beam. The hair gets burnt out without damaging adjacent skin and tissues.

Usually a patch test will be performed on the clients to verify that the correct laser and intensity are being used. A qualified professional will do this patch test prior to the laser hair removal procedure.

The main benefit of having laser hair removed is that it can be performed on a large area of the body in one sitting. Moreover, this procedure doesn’t require anesthesia, as this operation can be performed with minimal discomfort. Simple local or topical anesthetic will be used on the persons who experience a higher degree of discomfort.

After completing several treatments, nearly 95 percent of unwanted hairs can be eliminated. Sometimes the hair growth is noticed in the treated area, which will be very coarse. The main advantage of this hair removal method is that it doesn’t require hospitalization, medications, needles or follow-up medical care.

Immediately after treatment with laser hair removal, mild reddening may occur at the place of treatment. This will go away within 24 hours. The laser treated hairs will shed within 1-2 weeks after laser hair removal treatment.

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How To Enjoy Salon Conditioning Treatments At Home

How To Enjoy Salon Conditioning Treatments At Home

by: Jenny Andrews

We all know that professional hair-care products are best, but what happens if you can’t find something that you like or can afford in professional product lines? Are there any products that you can purchase from the department store that will not cause too much damage? You bet there is, but you have to be choosy and have an eye for detail.

When it comes to over-the-counter hair care products, pricy does not always equal high-quality. In fact, the most inexpensive shampoos are often your best bet. We’ve all seen those commercials that claim that a certain shampoo can make your hair shiny, thick and strong from within, but the reality is that there is no shampoo that you can put on the outside of your hair to change its internal structure. Shampoos and conditioners merely mask the problem until your next shampoo.

Knowing this, some hair care manufacturers have started using ingredients that coat the hair strand and remain even after you shampoo the next time. To the consumer, it seems like the product is working because their hair feels so much better. But what they are really feeling is the build up of these materials, and extreme build up is responsible for hair breakage, spotty color jobs, inability of hair to hold curl and a host of other problems.

This problem involving product build up is your number one concern when purchasing non-professional products. Granted, you might not be able to get a product that conditions as well as a professional product, but you’re not going to do any damage to your hair if you use the non-professional product. So, that means that you must keep your eye out for products that can build up on your hair and avoid them at all costs.

Avoiding hairsprays and gels that build up on your hair is fairly easy. You can almost tell that something is horribly wrong the first time you shampoo your hair after using the product. The tale, tale white gunk and flakes tell you so. But when it comes to spotting build up caused by shampoo and conditioners, the signs are not as obvious. The first thing that you should watch out for is the feeling that your hair has already been conditioned after you shampoo it. Most of the time, you will be able to feel a coating on your hair when your hair should be squeaky clean. You can also check for product build up by running the sharp edge of a pair of scissors down a section of hair. If a white gunk appears on the scissor blade, that’s build up.

Fortunately, most of the products that can build up on your hair are the more expensive products. These are the products that claim to work miracles and make your hair strong enough to be used as a tow cable. So, if in doubt, stick with the tried and true hair care products that contain only the essential ingredients.

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7 Tips for Choosing a Fantastic Make-up Mirror

Want to Dranatically Improve How Good You Look? 7 Tips for Choosing a Fantastic Make-up Mirror

by: Mark Stephen Thevenot

1) Lighted mirrors – good lighting is critical. Incandescent halo lighting is best. It produces low heat and soft light, is glare and shadow-free and makes facial details more visible.

2) Variable light - choose a make-up mirror with variable settings. Some mirrors offer 4 settings; day/evening and home/office.

3) Magnification – 3x to 8x mirrors are adequate for most makeup applications. I prefer two-sided mirrors with 1x magnification on the reverse side, but this a personal preference. Make–up mirrors in the 3x to 8x magnification range enable fine tweezing, detailing, blending and quantity control. Magnification strength up to12x is available, if you are interested in seeing individual skin pores.

4) Optical quality – purchasing an optically correct “OC” mirror is very important if you wear glasses or contact lens. OC make-up mirrors allow distortion free viewing without them. They are also great for putting on contact lens.

5) Hands free – some of us are nimble enough to hold a make-up mirror, apply eye liner and drive to work at the same time. However, a hands free mirror is generally safer and easier to use. Your make-up mirror should have a stable non-slip base and be height and angle adjustable.

6) Style – consider where your make-up mirror will be stationed, then make your selection based on functionality first and décor second.

7) Size does matter! – consider width, height and mirror angle. If choosing a wall mount, be sure it will fit on you wall and extend far enough to reach your face. If the mirror light requires 110V, you must select a hard wire or a cord model. Be sure you can access an electrical outlet. Vanity models should be height and angle adjustable so you will not have to bend over it or stack books under it. If you are purchasing makeup mirrors for your store’s cosmetics counter, think of your customers, including those in a wheelchair. Travel models should fold or include a case to protect the mirror surface and must be small enough to fit in your travel bag.

A fantastic make-up mirror can improve how you see yourself and how others see you as well. Choose wisely!

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Fake a Tan with Sunless Tanning Lotion

Fake a Tan with Sunless Tanning Lotion

by: Lorene Radenz

A great tan is associated with health and beauty. While a bronze look is desirable, especially in the summer or on holiday -- we all know the dangers of the sun's UV rays. Is a temporary tan worth the permanent sun damage, wrinkles, and skin cancer risk? Absolutely not!

You can save time and avoid these risks entirely with sunless tanning lotion. Today's self-tanners give you a deep golden tan, not the orange look of years ago.

Many new self tanning lotions are tinted and these are the ones I recommend. Not only do they give you an initial tan, you're more likely to apply the lotion evenly and avoid streaking.

First, take a shower or bath and exfoliate your skin. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees and any other rough spots. These areas will soak up the self tanning lotion and turn darker so you need to get rid of any dead skin.

Pat yourself dry and pin your hair up. Apply regular body or hand lotion to the dry spots you exfoliated. Allow yourself several minutes to completely dry.

You may choose to wear thin gloves to put on the self tanning lotion and avoid getting it on your hands, but applying it with your bare hands will probably result in a more even application. It's your choice.

Start applying the lotion from the bottom - up, bracing your foot on a chair or stool. Rub in lightly, you can always go back later and apply a second time.

Don't forget the areas that would tan naturally in the sun, the back of your legs, knees, arms, and neck. When applying to your face, remember to smooth it on your eyelids and into your hairline -- avoiding your eyes and hair. For people with sensitive skin, there are self tanning lotions formulated specifically for your face and will result in a more natural look.

If you will be wearing your hair up, don't forget to apply the self tanner on the back of your neck, and behind your ears to look more natural.

When you're finished, wash your hands thoroughly if you chose not to wear gloves, so your palms don't turn an unnatural color. Use a hand towel to dry them completely.

Before the lotion dries, it's more likely to tan what you're wearing too, so let yourself dry and put on some loose clothing. If you're going to be sitting on a cloth chair or couch, sit on a towel to avoid staining.

For a deep, dark tan before a special occasion, apply self tanning lotion before bed, and again in the morning. Before you go out, check yourself in the mirror for any streaks and correct them with a damp paper towel. Apply bronzing powder to your face and shoulders for a finishing touch, and hit the town!

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How to Look Great without Spending a Dime

How to Look Great without Spending a Dime

by: Caterina Christakos

It’s important to develop a smile that delivers a balanced message between “I’m happy you noticed me,” and “I wasn’t born yesterday so don’t even think that you just won round one.”

In other words, you want a smile that is bright, alive, and attractive without making you look like a grinning idiot. And that’s easier to do than you might think.

A good smile is like a good makeup concealer; it can cover up a face that might not be as attractive as you wish it was, or it can draw attention away from some other part of your body that you don’t necessarily want him looking at for the moment.

Developing a good smile is just like developing any other character trait. It takes practice and here’s how you get it. Go into any room where there is a mirror and where you can be alone. Bedroom, bathroom, it doesn’t matter. Then stand in front of the mirror and smile. Smile wide, smile big, smile hard. Make funny faces and laugh at yourself. Think about funny things.

Notice the difference when you smile naturally over something humorous and when you force a smile to appear. Smile until your face hurts, take a break and then start smiling again.

Try to spend at least 30 minutes every day practicing your smile until you can paint it on your face with no effort at all.

If you can’t hit your stride and are unable to find a smile that “works” seek some help from people who smile for a living. Seriously, go to the magazine store, buy some glamour and Hollywood magazines, and bring them back with you to your smile room. Leaf through the magazines until you find a smile you like and then practice, practice, practice until that smile appears whenever you need it.

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5 Foods For Beautiful Skin

Lisa Drayer’s Top 10 Beauty Foods

BEAUTY BITES: Chow down on antioxidant- and zinc-rich oysters, dark chocolate, and blueberries for a clear complexion.

1. Tomatoes: Perhaps the only vegetable best eaten processed. Tomatoes are a major source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant also thought to protect against sunburn.

2. Oysters: The best source of zinc, period. Zinc helps build collagen, which supports the structure of skin and speeds up renewal and repair.

3. Blueberries: Full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that prevent long-term cell damage.

4. Dark chocolate: Full of antioxidants and nutrients, cocoa (choose chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa) increases blood flow to the skin, which in turn boosts hydration, smoothness, and protection against sun exposure.

5. Walnuts: A key source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. The omega-3s found in walnuts also help fight against skin ailments like psoriasis and eczema.

6. Sweet potatoes: Chock-full of beta-carotene, something the body converts to vitamin A, which keeps skin smooth and is thought to protect against sun damage.

7. Spinach: This nutrient-dense leafy green is a great source of beta-carotene and lutein, which protects the eyes.
8. Tomatoes: Perhaps the only vegetable best eaten processed. Tomatoes are a major source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant also thought to protect against sunburn.

9. Walnuts: A key source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. The omega-3s found in walnuts also help fight against skin ailments like psoriasis and eczema.

10. Dark chocolate: Full of antioxidants and nutrients, cocoa (choose chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa) increases blood flow to the skin, which in turn boosts hydration, smoothness, and protection against sun exposure.

[Source]

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10 Ways to Wake Up Beautiful

1. Get an Early Start
Make a habit of washing your face a few hours before bed. If you wait until you're tired, you're more likely to blow it off -- allowing "toxins and dirt to stay on there all night," says dermatologist Laurie Polis of N.Y.C. Another consequence? You miss the best time to treat your skin. "At night there's more blood flow to the skin's surface, and there's nothing else on your face to interfere with absorption," Polis says.

2. Sleep on Your Back
Note to Audrey Hepburn fans: Lying on your stomach is bad for "beauty sleep." The average head weighs 7 to 8 pounds -- a lot of pressure to be putting on your face every night. In fact, many dermatologists say they can tell what side of the face people sleep on by the number of wrinkles there.

3. Get a Lift
Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows, or put the headrest area of your bed on 2- to 4-inch pieces of wood. Gravity helps lymph and blood flow so fluid won't accumulate, Polis says.

4. Save Money, Not Wrinkles
At night you don't need to worry about eye treatments smearing your makeup, so slather on the richest formula you can. Polis swears by Aquaphor: "It conditions lashes and hydrates the delicate eye skin really well."

5. Sneak a Glow
Mix a drop of self-tanner into your night cream or use a cream that contains a bit of tan-producing DHA.

6. Avoid Carb Face
To wake with defined cheekbones, eat a high-protein, low-sugar dinner (try salmon and asparagus, a natural diuretic). Skip the rice, pasta and potatoes. "When our diet's high in glycemic carbohydrates, our features take on a soft, doughy appearance," says Connecticut dermatologist Nicholas Perricone.

7. Wrap It Up
To minimize A.M. frizz, sleep on a satin pillowcase or put your hair in a silk scarf. "Those fabrics are much softer than cotton, so there's less friction," says Harry Josh, a John Frieda stylist.

8. Find Your Inner Ballerina
Pile hair into a twist on the top of your head (use a scrunchie to avoid crimping). "In the morning you'll have major volume and beautiful waves," Josh says.

9. Turn on the Hair Conditioning
Sleep with a moisturizing treatment in damp hair overnight. We like Philip B. Katira Hair Masque, but any rich conditioner will do. Rinse in the morning.


10. Pop a Rooster Pill
Trust us, we were skeptical. But after swallowing two Wake Up on Time pills at 11 P.M., we found it much easier to get out of bed seven hours later. Created by a sleep-deprived single mother, the pills contain an energizing blend of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12 and guarana-seed extract. It's formulated with a coating that releases ingredients into your bloodstream toward the end of your last sleep cycle, so you wake up feeling clear-headed, not fuzzy.

[Source]

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