When it comes to removing unwanted facial and body hair, you have your fair share of options. Each hair removal method has its own set of pros and cons—some you’re probably painfully familiar with. But when considering laser for removing unwanted hair, it’s worth doing a quick review of all your alternatives.
Shaving
For both men and women, shaving is a hair removal method that requires frequent, often daily, upkeep. As many of us can attest, shaving easily leads to cuts, as well as razor bumps and dryness, and usually the results are not as smooth as desired. The upside: low cost. Although we might cringe at an end-of-year tally of all the money put toward razors, blades, gels, and creams, shaving calls for minimal spending at tolerable intervals, which is gentle on the pocketbook. You also may want to consider the environmental impact of disposable razors and blades when weighing your hair removal options.
Bleaching
Since bleaching is a method of hiding unwanted hair and not removing it, it’s most effective on hair that is dark but not dense. An area of dense, bleached hair might attract extra attention, defeating the purpose of this treatment. Instead, most people rely on bleaching for hair above the lip and on other areas of the face, neck, and arms. It usually has to be repeated every 3-4 weeks, but like shaving, bleaching comes with a manageable price tag.
Tweezing
It’s no secret what the downsides to tweezing are: 1. It hurts. 2. It takes patience. Tweezing is done one hair at a time, so it’s not really meant for, say, a full back or leg. Usually reserved for the eyebrows and chin, the upside to tweezing is that it removes hair from its root. This means you get a nice, smooth surface and the hair takes longer to reappear. Also, lasers can’t be used on hair under the brows, so tweezing is still probably the best method available for sculpting the eyebrows. (Myth buster: Tweezing does not increase hair growth or make it grow in heavier or darker. When hair grows back and first emerges, it naturally starts out stubby and seems darker and heavier than soft, fully grown hair. Hair characteristics are based purely on genetics, not on beauty regimens.)
Waxing
Much like tweezing, waxing removes hair from its root and leaves the skin quite smoother, for much longer, than shaving. Women commonly wax hair on their legs, bikini area, and face, while many men opt to have their chest or back hair waxed. The downside of waxing can be summed up in one word: ouch! The process requires that a layer of wax be applied to the skin, in the direction of hair growth, and then quickly pulled off, in the opposite direction of hair growth. Other downsides: It can irritate the skin and lead to ingrown hairs. It can cause a mess when done at home. It can be pretty pricey when done by a professional.
Sugaring
Sugaring works like waxing, except it involves an all-natural substance: sugar (go figure). The most well known sugaring brand is probably infomercial phenomenon Nad’s. While waxes usually have to be heated to be effective, sugaring substances do not, which makes them much less damaging to the skin. They can still be a bit of an irritant, however, since the hair is being pulled out from the root. This caramel-like substance is also easier to wash away than waxes, making sugaring a less messy treatment for unwanted hair.
Depilatories
Depilatories are made of chemicals that melt and dissolve hair. The process: apply a thick layer of the substance to the skin, and then firmly rub a washcloth up and down the surface of the skin, wiping away both depilatory and hair. Simply rubbing your hair off doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Unfortunately, as with many unwanted hair treatments, there’s a drawback. First, depilatories remove hair just from the surface, so it will reappear in a few days. Also, there’s a risk of burning or irritating the skin or eyes. You should always start with a small test spot and never use depilatories on the brows, genitals, near the eyes, or on inflamed or broken skin.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the only unwanted hair treatment that can legally be marketed as permanent hair removal. However, this takes time, can be pricey, and it hurts! A treatment involves the insertion of an ultra fine wire beneath the skin and into the hair follicle. A slight electric current then travels down the wire and destroys the root at the base of the hair follicle. This process is repeated for each hair individually! So, one session of electrolysis can take some time, and since only the visible hair can be treated, multiple sessions are required. Many people opt for electrolysis just for smaller areas of unwanted hair, or as a maintenance treatment after laser hair removal on a larger area. Electrolysis does carry some risk of scarring, electric shock if the needle isn’t properly insulated, and infection from non-sterile needles. However, these risks are rare, especially if the treatment is performed by a skilled, experienced electrolysis practitioner.
Showing posts with label Hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hair. Show all posts
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Hair Loss Treatment for Women
Alternatives to Surgery
Propecia® and Rogaine® are the only two hair loss medications approved by the FDA. However, while both are effective for men, only Rogaine is an approved hair loss treatment for women.
Rogaine® for Women
Women’s Rogaine® is an over-the-counter hair loss treatment for women that can provide a defense against the initial stages of hair loss. Rogaine for women can also sometimes be used after hair transplantation to promote new hair growth. The first FDA-approved unisex hair loss drug, it is a topical solution, so patients apply it directly onto the scalp in the thinning areas.
Extensions, Weaves, and Hair Replacement Systems
Many women turn to extensions, weaves, wigs, and hair systems as a non-surgical alternative to hair restoration surgery. While not necessarily a hair loss treatment for women, hair replacement systems can be temporary relief for those unable to grow hair. Common hair system materials include human hair, synthetic fibers, or a combination of hair and fibers. Hair replacement systems, as opposed to extension, have grown in popularity with women because of their comfortable fit and more life like looks.
Vitamins for Hair Loss in Women
Some health experts believe that for some women hair loss is caused by a vitamin deficiency. So, a simple hair loss treatment for women could include a daily vitamin high in iron and vitamin C. A vitamin supplement as a hair loss cure only works for women (sorry, guys). Whether vitamins really work to restore hair is unknown, but it couldn’t hurt and could be a good first step if you notice early hair loss.
Hair Loss Shampoos
There a number of different shampoos on the market that claim to fight hair loss. Everyone has their theories about hair loss and some experts believe hair loss can be caused through an autoimmune disease that recognizes a balding woman's own hair follicles as foreign proteins that need to be eliminated. Hair loss shampoos are marketed to clean each follicle completely of accumulated oil and debris, and to ensure you that your follicles are not mistaken as foreign proteins. Like vitamins, the results of hair loss shampoos for women are somewhat questionable, but they certainly cannot hurt.
Propecia® and Rogaine® are the only two hair loss medications approved by the FDA. However, while both are effective for men, only Rogaine is an approved hair loss treatment for women.
Rogaine® for Women
Women’s Rogaine® is an over-the-counter hair loss treatment for women that can provide a defense against the initial stages of hair loss. Rogaine for women can also sometimes be used after hair transplantation to promote new hair growth. The first FDA-approved unisex hair loss drug, it is a topical solution, so patients apply it directly onto the scalp in the thinning areas.
Extensions, Weaves, and Hair Replacement Systems
Many women turn to extensions, weaves, wigs, and hair systems as a non-surgical alternative to hair restoration surgery. While not necessarily a hair loss treatment for women, hair replacement systems can be temporary relief for those unable to grow hair. Common hair system materials include human hair, synthetic fibers, or a combination of hair and fibers. Hair replacement systems, as opposed to extension, have grown in popularity with women because of their comfortable fit and more life like looks.
Vitamins for Hair Loss in Women
Some health experts believe that for some women hair loss is caused by a vitamin deficiency. So, a simple hair loss treatment for women could include a daily vitamin high in iron and vitamin C. A vitamin supplement as a hair loss cure only works for women (sorry, guys). Whether vitamins really work to restore hair is unknown, but it couldn’t hurt and could be a good first step if you notice early hair loss.
Hair Loss Shampoos
There a number of different shampoos on the market that claim to fight hair loss. Everyone has their theories about hair loss and some experts believe hair loss can be caused through an autoimmune disease that recognizes a balding woman's own hair follicles as foreign proteins that need to be eliminated. Hair loss shampoos are marketed to clean each follicle completely of accumulated oil and debris, and to ensure you that your follicles are not mistaken as foreign proteins. Like vitamins, the results of hair loss shampoos for women are somewhat questionable, but they certainly cannot hurt.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Healthy Hair - We are what we eat!
Healthy Hair
Hair that’s healthy and lustrous has always been highly desirable. Read on to find out how eating right can improve your appearance.
The condition of our hair depends very much on our genetic make-up. However, our diet also has some impact on the health of our hair.
Hair is primarily made up of protein. Adequate protein intake is therefore necessary to supply amino acids needed in the metabolic process for constant hair growth.
Chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, eggs all support health, providing the system much- needed protein. Soybean or other vegtables combined with grains also provide a complete set of proteins for vegetarians.
In addition to proteins, these foods also supply vitamin B, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids that play a role in preventing hair from becoming brittle or life less.
Hair colour and softness
In our bodies, copper works as a coenzyme in our immune systems and is involved in bodily functions that involve energy produc tion. It works hand in hand with various metabolic enzymes especially cytochrome C oxidase, dopamine hydroxylase. If one lacks the mineral, he or she may feel weak and fatigued, have frequent infections, or skin problems.
More importantly, copper is also a mineral needed in the formation of haemoglobin, which flows in blood to the hair shaft and other parts of our bodies. A deficiency of copper may weaken the hair shaft and cause hair shedding. Furthermore, the production of the pigment melanin, that determines hair colour, requires the supportive function of copper enzyme.
Our diets should have sufficient intake of copper to effectively maintain the colour and softness of our hair, and lessen hair thinning.
This does not mean that we need to use copper utensils for cooking or ingest copper.
We can get the mineral from our daily nutritional intake. The following foods are good sources of dietary copper to meet the recommended daily intake of 0.9 mg for adults.
Meat, fish and other seafoods all supply copper. In particular, shellfish – such as oysters, crabs and clams – is known to be a good source of copper. Offal and liver have a higher copper content than cuts of meat. However, due to accumulation of toxins, liver is not a recommended food. If you like offal, the liver of younger chicken has a lower amount of toxins in it.
In a vegetarian diet, nuts and seeds are the best source of copper. Copper content in a 100 gram portion: soybean 1.0 mg, chickpea (kacang kuda) 0.9 mg, yellow dhal 0.7 mg, orange dhal 0.7 mg, black gram 0.6 mg, mung bean 0.8 mg, red gram 0.7 mg.
The fresh ulam served in traditional Malay dishes are flavourful greens which supply copper needed for healthy hair. Copper in 100 grams portion: Indian pennywort (pegaga) 0.3 mg, laksa leaf (kesom) 0.3 mg, fern shoot 0.3 mg, ulam raja 0.2 mg, red chilli 0.2 mg, canned peas 0.2 mg, spinach (por choy) 0.2 mg, bamboo shoot 0.1 mg, betel leaf (sireh) 0.3 mg.
Zinc hinders copper absorption.
As long as we eat a balanced diet, research has shown that deficiency of copper in our bodies rarely comes from not getting enough dietary copper. Other than genetic factors, an overdose of zinc supplements would inhibit the absorption of copper in the body. This may result in copper deficiency and affect hair conditions.
In our diet, beef, lamb, chicken, pork, shrimp, oysters, eggs, milk, mushroom, oats, peas, sesame seeds and other grains, cereals, nuts and seeds all supply zinc. If you wish to include a zinc supplement in your diet, con sult a medical professional to ensure there isn’t an excessive intake. Zinc is an important regulator of many genetic activities. Zinc is essential for the body to read genetic instructions. When one does not have sufficient zinc, genetic activities may be impaired. Zinc is also responsible for cell production, tissue growth and repair.
Thus, to a certain extent, zinc is believed to have a role in hair maintenance.
Balancing oily and dry hair.
In a hot and humid climate, we tend to per spire more. The acidic residue in the sweat may affect hair conditions. We need to con sume fruits and vegetables, especially the alkaline-producing foods to neutralise the acidic residue in our bodies. It is also impor tant to go easy on fatty and sugary foods, which the body will convert into acidic wastes.
Include generous portions of fruits and veg etable that are dark green, orange and yellow in your diet. Red and yellow plant pigments, vitamin A and carotenoids are required to maintain hair and ensure that it won’t become too oily or too dry.
While these are the nutrients that are inte gral to healthy hair, hair loss may not just be nutritionally related. For example, protein absorption can be hampered by low stomach acid and hair loss can be a symptom that accompanies other health problems. Low thy roid excretion, stress or drugs may also affect hair condition. Seek professional advice if necessary from a Trichologist.
Hard as nails.
A diet that’s good for hair maintenance will also sustain healthy nails. Eggs, seafood, meats and vegetables supply protein, biotin, vitamin A and calcium for the growth of firm, hard nails; thus, they are good for preventing brittle nails. White spots on nails could indi cate the need for more zinc while spoon- shaped nails could signal an iron deficiency.
Increasing the intake of red meat, seeds and nuts will be helpful to combat this. Horizontal or vertical ridges common among the elderly could be due to a vitamin B deficiency or stress that interferes with proper digestion and absorption.
The overall quality, and not quantity, of our diet is important, as we are what we eat.
Hair that’s healthy and lustrous has always been highly desirable. Read on to find out how eating right can improve your appearance.
The condition of our hair depends very much on our genetic make-up. However, our diet also has some impact on the health of our hair.
Hair is primarily made up of protein. Adequate protein intake is therefore necessary to supply amino acids needed in the metabolic process for constant hair growth.
Chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, eggs all support health, providing the system much- needed protein. Soybean or other vegtables combined with grains also provide a complete set of proteins for vegetarians.
In addition to proteins, these foods also supply vitamin B, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids that play a role in preventing hair from becoming brittle or life less.
Hair colour and softness
In our bodies, copper works as a coenzyme in our immune systems and is involved in bodily functions that involve energy produc tion. It works hand in hand with various metabolic enzymes especially cytochrome C oxidase, dopamine hydroxylase. If one lacks the mineral, he or she may feel weak and fatigued, have frequent infections, or skin problems.
More importantly, copper is also a mineral needed in the formation of haemoglobin, which flows in blood to the hair shaft and other parts of our bodies. A deficiency of copper may weaken the hair shaft and cause hair shedding. Furthermore, the production of the pigment melanin, that determines hair colour, requires the supportive function of copper enzyme.
Our diets should have sufficient intake of copper to effectively maintain the colour and softness of our hair, and lessen hair thinning.
This does not mean that we need to use copper utensils for cooking or ingest copper.
We can get the mineral from our daily nutritional intake. The following foods are good sources of dietary copper to meet the recommended daily intake of 0.9 mg for adults.
Meat, fish and other seafoods all supply copper. In particular, shellfish – such as oysters, crabs and clams – is known to be a good source of copper. Offal and liver have a higher copper content than cuts of meat. However, due to accumulation of toxins, liver is not a recommended food. If you like offal, the liver of younger chicken has a lower amount of toxins in it.
In a vegetarian diet, nuts and seeds are the best source of copper. Copper content in a 100 gram portion: soybean 1.0 mg, chickpea (kacang kuda) 0.9 mg, yellow dhal 0.7 mg, orange dhal 0.7 mg, black gram 0.6 mg, mung bean 0.8 mg, red gram 0.7 mg.
The fresh ulam served in traditional Malay dishes are flavourful greens which supply copper needed for healthy hair. Copper in 100 grams portion: Indian pennywort (pegaga) 0.3 mg, laksa leaf (kesom) 0.3 mg, fern shoot 0.3 mg, ulam raja 0.2 mg, red chilli 0.2 mg, canned peas 0.2 mg, spinach (por choy) 0.2 mg, bamboo shoot 0.1 mg, betel leaf (sireh) 0.3 mg.
Zinc hinders copper absorption.
As long as we eat a balanced diet, research has shown that deficiency of copper in our bodies rarely comes from not getting enough dietary copper. Other than genetic factors, an overdose of zinc supplements would inhibit the absorption of copper in the body. This may result in copper deficiency and affect hair conditions.
In our diet, beef, lamb, chicken, pork, shrimp, oysters, eggs, milk, mushroom, oats, peas, sesame seeds and other grains, cereals, nuts and seeds all supply zinc. If you wish to include a zinc supplement in your diet, con sult a medical professional to ensure there isn’t an excessive intake. Zinc is an important regulator of many genetic activities. Zinc is essential for the body to read genetic instructions. When one does not have sufficient zinc, genetic activities may be impaired. Zinc is also responsible for cell production, tissue growth and repair.
Thus, to a certain extent, zinc is believed to have a role in hair maintenance.
Balancing oily and dry hair.
In a hot and humid climate, we tend to per spire more. The acidic residue in the sweat may affect hair conditions. We need to con sume fruits and vegetables, especially the alkaline-producing foods to neutralise the acidic residue in our bodies. It is also impor tant to go easy on fatty and sugary foods, which the body will convert into acidic wastes.
Include generous portions of fruits and veg etable that are dark green, orange and yellow in your diet. Red and yellow plant pigments, vitamin A and carotenoids are required to maintain hair and ensure that it won’t become too oily or too dry.
While these are the nutrients that are inte gral to healthy hair, hair loss may not just be nutritionally related. For example, protein absorption can be hampered by low stomach acid and hair loss can be a symptom that accompanies other health problems. Low thy roid excretion, stress or drugs may also affect hair condition. Seek professional advice if necessary from a Trichologist.
Hard as nails.
A diet that’s good for hair maintenance will also sustain healthy nails. Eggs, seafood, meats and vegetables supply protein, biotin, vitamin A and calcium for the growth of firm, hard nails; thus, they are good for preventing brittle nails. White spots on nails could indi cate the need for more zinc while spoon- shaped nails could signal an iron deficiency.
Increasing the intake of red meat, seeds and nuts will be helpful to combat this. Horizontal or vertical ridges common among the elderly could be due to a vitamin B deficiency or stress that interferes with proper digestion and absorption.
The overall quality, and not quantity, of our diet is important, as we are what we eat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)