Hair laser removal

As I mentioned in my last diary entry shaving leaves me covered in bumps and razor burn and the hair grows back so fast a couple days later my legs feel like sandpaper (and not the fine grit kind). Waxing is reportedly more painful than childbirth (I can't vouch for the pain of childbirth, but can for the pain of waxing, which I've endured more than a dozen times).

After years of nightmare hair removal options, I finally decided to look into permanent hair removal options. My research led me to a consultation at Manhattan's Completely Bare salon (212-366-6060), THE premiere permanent hair reduction spot in NYC. This is the spot where the celebrities go. It's been written up in every magazine and is so popular, you get the feeling they don't need to advertise, as word of mouth spreads very fast in Manhattan. I went in to get a consultation on hair removal on my bikini area.

Before going under the laser, I suggest you do your research and find an established facility for your procedures. Completely Bare is well known in NY, but before I found this salon, I had checked into some discount ones and learned that when it comes to laser hair removal, you don't want to cut costs. Along with your research, you should schedule a consultation to make sure your questions are answered, you feel comfortable with the technician and the procedure fits your needs.

At my consultation I wasn't expecting to go under the laser. In fact, I wasn't sure what to expect. My technician, Michelle, was laid-back, confident and attentive. When I asked what the results would look like, she lifted her arm and showed me the most perfect hairless armpit I'd ever seen. Knowing I was writing an article, she even showed me her bikini line. I was blown away with the possibility of never having to shave again. I didn't care how much it cost. Sandpaper legs be gone! So I did the bikini procedure. This is how it went (I couldn't find any description anywhere in my research, so I'm telling you what I wished people had told me).

Step 1: Technician leaves you with paper panties.
I was given the paper panties then Michelle left. She came back in and I laid on the table in basically a splayed position (a bit uncomfortable, but then Michelle was so laid back and had showed me HER bikini line so what did I care?).

Step 2: Ice cold jelly-like goo is squeezed onto all the soon-to-be-lasered spots.
The goo apparently protects skin and offers some sort of barrier from the heated light.

Step 3: The laser wand comes out.
I had no idea what this looked like until I saw it. Lasers vary, but the one Michelle used on me reminded me of the part of your printer that you attach to your computer. The part that is closest to your skin is about 4 inches long and an inch wide (although they vary). Michelle gave me a pair of sunglasses.

Step 4: The procedure begins.
Basically Michelle worked along my bikini line. I had asked about the pain and she said it would feel like a rubber band snapping the skin. She was right. The pain wasn't unbearable at all, nothing like the searing pain of waxing. The laser pulses with light and you feel a 'snap.' She moves along with each 'zap.'

Step 5: Clean up.
Once the lasering was over, Michelle scooped up the goo, I got dressed and that was it. No need for creams or lotions or potions. Michelle told me the hair would fall out within 2 weeks.
On my way out the door the woman at the reception desk told me I was going to love the results. I left happy and confident she was right. Then the waiting began.

Two weeks later,
the hair was gone and a new hair cycle had just barely begun to grow in. Hair grows in cycles so you should get about 6 treatments to ensure you kill all the hair follicles. A month after my first treatment I went in for my second. Find out what happened in my 3rd installment of Diary of a Laser Hair Removal Guinea Pig.

How do you prepare for a treatment?
Do not shave at least a week before your treatment since lasers require about a quarter-length of growth. The more growth the better since your technician will use an electric razor to trim hair the perfect length. Also, do not tan or expose the skin your getting treated to the sun. The pigment increases your chance of getting burned, according to Roy Geroneumus, MD, president of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, in the March 2006 issue of InStyle Magazine.

Was it painful?
The procedure felt like a rubber band snapping skin. If you fear the pain, do not take aspirin, which can cause bruising, Geroneumus suggests numbing cream instead.

Is there anything to watch out for afterward?
Yes. You should avoid exposing the treated area to the sun. This is why it's best to get the procedure starting in the winter months when you won't be exposing your leg or bikini area to the sun. That said, Completely Bare has a new laser which isn't affected by the sun. Read all about this in my next diary installment, part three.

Health and Fitness for beauty

Maintain a Youthful Appearance - Be a Hot Mom, Not a Grand Mom
If you have ever had a stranger hesitate before saying the word "mom," it might be time for a little overhaul on the appearance. Keeping yourself feeling young and healthy from the inside out is the best way to make sure that you are not the one hobbling down the aisle when your precious baby is getting married. After all, don't you want to have people call you "mom" when you are pushing your grandbaby in his stroller?

Revitalsh MD Eyelash Growth Vs Envyderm Eyelash Growth Serum Review
The hottest style in the beauty industry nowadays is all about eyelashes. Aside from their natural function as a shield to the eye from the debris.

Advice on Hair Straighteners
Hair straighteners can be a great way to keep your hair look straight and healthy at home. However if you are not careful you could cause a lot of unwanted damage to your hair.

Hair Straightener Brands
Now in these days there are tons of hair straighteners brands out there. Big names like Sedu, CHI, BaByliss, Hot Tools, Conair, Revlon, Sedu, HAI, WIGO, UNIL, come to mind when we talk about them.

Permanently Remove Unwanted Hair With Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal allows people to shed the unwanted hair on their bodies using a pulsating light that travels into the hair follicles preventing them from growing. Laser hair removal is often performed on the legs, bikini area, upper lip, armpits and any other area of the body where unwanted hair grows. Laser hair removal is effective by allowing the pulsating beams of light to travel down the hair follicles into the roots.

Hairdressing Scissors - A Worthwhile Investment
Every tradesman needs specialized tools to be a top performer in their field. A hairdresser's most used tool is the hairdressing scissor. Hairdressing scissors come in many styles and price points.

How to Deal With Thin Hair
Many suffer with thin hair, be it man or woman but there are things one can do if thin hair becomes a problem. One of the best ways to deal with thin hair is to locate a stylist that is qualified and knows how to treat thin hair.

Brown Hair Extensions
Have you noticed how men are unfailingly drawn to women with brown hair? Well, there are reasons connected with men's psyche which could probably explain this fixation with Brown. This color symbolizes much of what a man looks for in a woman, especially someone he's seeking a permanent relationship with.

LifeCell Anti Aging Cream - The All-In-One Anti Aging Cream?
What if you could throw away all your beauty products? No more eye cream or anti wrinkle serum or moisturizer and still have great looking skin? It almost sounds too good to be true but South Beach Skincare claims their LifeCell anti aging cream actually makes this possible.

Wefts in Hair Extensions
Hair Extensions have really taken off in a big way over the last couple of years. In the past, they were generally restricted to celebrities and stars. Not any more. Many thousands of women are taking the plunge and getting Hair Extensions done because it is a simple, painless way in which to radically enhance their looks.

Eyelash Growth - Which Eyelash Growth Products Really Work?
Eyelash growth products have become extremely popular over the last few years. In fact, eyelash growth treatments are the most important advancement in the world of eyelash enhancement since 1917 when Eugene Rimmel combined petroleum jelly and coal dust to produce what would later be known as Maybelline mascara.

Raleigh Laser Hair Removal For NC's Residents
With laser technology at its peak, finding a Raleigh laser hair removing facility in NC has become quite simple thanks to the popularity of permanent hair removing services. If you are in North Carolina and are sick of unwelcome hair, you can choose a Raleigh laser hair removal center to rid you from your problem permanently. Today, permanent hair removal is possible thanks to the lasers which have been developed for cosmetic use.

The Feeling Associated With Facial Liposculpture
Think of a rejuvenating experience, such as the act of taking a shower. The feel of a shower is much like the feel one can obtain through facial liposculpture. In fact, that feel has led to introduction of the term facial liposculpture rejuvenation.

Hair Straighteners For Thick Hair
There are many different types of straighteners for thick hair. Some are better than others. Some are cheap, other expensive. Some are good in quality others are poor. And when choosing your special straightener, it all becomes to doubts if it is the right one or not, or if you should spent your valuable money on it or not.

Best Dandruff Shampoo - Avoid the Most Common Mistake When Choosing the Best Shampoo For Dandruff!
How can you tell the best dandruff shampoo from a range of them? Do you look at the label and choose the one that claims to be good for dandruff? Alternatively, do you look at the shampoo ingredients and pick one that is suitable?
Your Home Pedicures Done Affordably
There isn't a woman who does not want to look her best for the upcoming summer season. The majority of women want all the attention they can get and having their feet look their best is just a great confidence booster.

4 Hair Styling Tips That Will Make Your Hair Look Its Best
Hair styling can be the most fun activity for girls and women alike. However, it can also be frustrating if you don't know the best hair styling tips, as this can be time-consuming and may consequently damage your hair. Fortunately, there are several hair styling tips available which can help you get the best looks and boost your hair's appearance.

Maximize Your Unique Appeal With Hair Care Tips For African American Hair
African American hair, which is usually dry and prone to breakage, is a rather tricky thing to deal with compared to other types. If you are one of the individuals who happen to have this less-manageable condition, you don't have to feel hapless as there are still ways for you to keep your locks looking healthy and stylish.

Valuable Hair Straightening Tips For New Users
Most people desire straight hair because it gives the impression that it's more manageable and easier-to-glam up. This is probably why hair straighteners are among the frequently-purchased beauty products in the market today. Needless to say, just like any other manufactured goods, hair straighteners require its user's full understanding about how this product would work in the safest manner and with the utmost effect.

How to Lighten Skin Naturally
There are thousands of way in which you can lighten your skin tone effectively using natural ingredients. I will tell you about only a few in this article. But these are the most effective and easy ones.These are also gentle on your skin and easy on your budget.

What Are the Best Hair Remover Techniques?
Women want hair but only as their crowning glory. Find out more ways on how to get rid of unwanted hair in various parts of your body.

How to Style a David Hasselhoff Mullet
Do you remember the hit TV show Knight Rider in the 1980s? Did you know a new version of the movie is being produced as a Hollywood movie? You know what this will mean, a resurgence in the David Hasselhoff mullet, worn by the star of the original show.

3 Natural Skin Whitening Methods You Can Make at Home
There are many skin whitening creams sold today but these products may not be for everyone. Some of these products contain harmful chemicals which is irritating and damaging to your skin. These products can also be expensive as you have to use them over the course of many weeks for you to see results.

Pretty Hair - The Facts
We all want pretty hair, fact. Male, female, young, old, we all want our crowning glory to look its best. There are many ways to achieve this, and these are just a few suggestions.

Basics of Sunless Tanning
The link between sun tanning and skin cancer and premature skin aging was established decades ago, and ever since, people have been wary of sun exposure. These days, you can still get a tan even if your skin has no direct contact with the sun.

Practical Tips to Grow African American Hair Long Without Breakage
Whilst trying to grow African American hair long, breakage can be a huge issue. In this black haircare advice article, I'm going to explain how you can start to reduce the amount of breakage that occurs naturally, by understanding what factors contribute to it getting worse. You can go on to have beautiful long hair by following some of these simple steps.

How Can I Extend My Tan From Indoor Tanning Beds?
How can you extend the length of time that your tan lasts? The easiest way to preserve that beautiful tan you just worked so hard to get is by applying moisturizer on a daily basis.

Remi Hair Extensions
If you have decided that Hair Extension is the alternative you will opt for to get your hair looking fuller and more lustrous, it is essential for you to know about the hair that will be used in the process. Basically, there are two types of hair, human hair and synthetic hair.

Choose the Right Cosmetics With Less Money
For the makeup rookies, the skills of makeup have been a problem. But to choose right cosmetics is also a big problem! Today we collect the most complete tricks of shopping in cosmetics!

Different Ways of Using Perfume
Do you know how to use perfumes in different occasions? Summer is coming, what you should pay attention to when using perfume in this season?

Workout Exercises

I have realized that on average, at least once a day I see one of those infomercials about ab workouts. You know them, the ones that have a bunch of guys/girls with pretty good bodies all standing around talking about ab workouts and how great this product is. Maybe they will use it to show how it works, maybe there will be a diagram drawn to show what part of the ab muscles it works, maybe there will be a big speech about why it is better than ANY of the other abdominal machines and abdominal exercises, and better than anything you can possibly do for your abs. Personally, I love the names. The "Ab Doer," the "Ab Dolly," the "Ab Swing," etc., but my question is, why don't they just name it the "Ab machine that will totally waste all of your money and do absolutely nothing for you, except help us people in this stupid, bad acted, infomercial make money."

The truth is, no matter what Chuck Norris or whatever other idiot in the commercial says, it is all a big lie. The truth is, EVERY one of the ab machines you see in EVERY one of these infomercials is 100% useless. The truth is, the ab dolly, the ab doer, the ab slide, ablounge, etc. are all a big useless waste of money, and one big lie! The truth is everyone in these infomercials with the perfect 6 packs and flat stomachs all got that way WITHOUT using the dumb abdominal product they are advertising. There is only 1, I repeat, there is only ONE way to get a stomach like that and it has nothing to do with any kind of "magic" ab workouts or abdominal exercises. It's the huge secret that everyone in those commercials don't want you to know because if everyone knew this secret, these infomercial idiots would all have no jobs. So... the BIG secret is...

You have to have a low body fat. It's as simple as that.

You don't have to spend $19.95 to swing in the "Ab Chair" for 8 minutes a day, you don't spend $29.95 to ride the "Ab Dolly" for 3 minutes a day. All you have to do is have a low body fat; not do some kind of magic ab workouts. The brutal truth is we all have perfect abs. The 2000 pound guy who has to be lifted out of his house by a truck because he's so fat, has perfect abs. I have perfect abs, you have perfect abs. EVERYONE has perfect abs. The problem is most people just can't see them. Why? Because their fat body is too high. Eat a perfect diet, and do cardio, and your body fat will get lower, and your abs will be able to be seen. Sure, doing abdominal exercises and working out your abs is good, this helps strengthen and build your ab muscles, but that won't do much for you if you can't see them because there is a layer of fat covering them!

Everyone in these ab infomercials swear that the ab workouts they are advertising are "the best!" They swear that their stupid useless abdominal product is the best, fastest, and most effective way to get the "perfect abs you've always dreamed of." The truth is, you can get those perfect abs by doing 5 minutes of plain old crunches 2 days a week. Hell, that's what I do! My ab workouts consist of a few different types of basic abdominal exercises like crunches (weighted) and leg raises 2 times a week. No machines, no 8 minute abs video tapes, nothing. Just me and the floor. The workout usually lasts about 5-15 minutes. It's the diet and the cardio that give you the low body fat that allows your abs to be visible. Not the Ab doer dolly lounge swing fling thing useless piece of crap blah blah blah! You get my point.

So, the next time you see one of these infomercials, be happy. Feel good about yourself. Why? Because you know the truth. You know the big secret, you know that somewhere out there is someone who is ordering this stupid product right now... and you're not! Be happy that you know what you really have to do to get the perfect abs you've always dreamed of... and lucky you... you even got to save your $19.95!

Four Keys to Natural Anxiety Relief

Taking medication for panic disorders really isn't going to give you a real solution to your anxiety problem, however many--even doctors and other experts--appear to treat it as such. Natural anxiety relief is becoming a popular preference because it helps you really get at the core of the situation without suffering all the unintended implications that simply masking it will cause.

The following four bits of advice have helped many sufferers of anxiety find natural anxiety relief.

Find A Little Personal Time – Anxiety can often present itself during periods of great stress in our lives when we feel virtually overwhelmed with all the obligations that we must carry. Often when things start to get too beyond control at work, school, or somewhere else it is advisable to just find some private time for yourself. Plan a short vacation to escape from all the anxiety that you're coping with and recharge your batteries. You'll usually see that when you return, you'll feel much better. Or you may just let go of some of the unimportant things that you are managing. I generally find that when I concentrate on one thing as opposed to ten, that things seem much more manageable. Simply by saying "no" to dealing with too many things in your life, you can really cut down on your stress and anxiety levels.

Take Pleasure in Some Exercise - Exercise is another great way to help you work out all that extra tension you may be feeling. The flight or fight response is actually what you enter when you start to feel anxiety coming into your life. When you experience acute anxiety attacks we can not detect a clear cut reason for the feelings we are experiencing. With no evident thing around us to be frightened of, we don't know what to do with all this extra energy and adrenaline that is flooding into our bodies. Without anywhere to go or something to do about it, it overwhelms us and we go through a panic attack. Your body really wants to get physical, so allow it! Getting out and enjoying a run or kicking a soccer ball around are great ways to work off all this extra energy and reduce your anxiety levels.

Accept the Anxiety – Resisting the feelings of stress that you feel only fuels the fire and makes your symptoms worse, which can cause a full-blown anxiety attack. It may seem somewhat counter intuitive, but most people have actually found that by welcoming the feelings of worry, that they pass fast without turning into horrifying anxiety attacks. There has honestly never been an incident of someone actually passing away from an anxiety attack, so don't feel like you might be in real danger here. You're not. You will be fine. You can actually start to play with the physical sensations that you undergo. Why fight this? If something really awful might happen, it's best to just let it happen and move on with things instead of living in fear. Give this a shot. You will discover that it really has a way of minimizing your stress levels.

Other Natural Methods – There are many other alternative therapies out there these days you can use to help you get natural anxiety relief. Just some of these include tea, herbal remedies, acupuncture, tai-chi and deep breathing. All of these are natural and have helped lots of people find a way to cope with their anxiety without the use of medicine.

Medicine seriously isn't the only remedy to reducing panic and anxiety disorders. There are so many different solutions these days with natural anxiety relief. Medicine has a proper place in the structure of things. It should be used to lower the levels of anxiety to a place where you could deal with and conquer the root cause. But regrettably most people use medicine as a quick-fix to simply mask the problem and go forward like they have fully recovered. If you want to overcome your anxiety challenges naturally try some of the methods right here for natural anxiety relief.

Vegetarian and Men

The differences between men and women go a lot deeper than what you see on the outside. To put it bluntly, men are engineered from birth to be much more susceptible—at any given age–to heart attacks, chronic disorders, the ravages of time and, ultimately, to death than women.

Having designed male bodies to die off in greater numbers at every age than female bodies, Nature helps even the score by consistently ensuring that more males are conceived than females. In fact, 106 boys are born for every 100 girls. As time passes, male deaths increasingly outnumber females. By the time these babies have reached their 30s, the sexes are approximately equal in number. From that point on, the continuing higher male death rate leaves more women at any given age than men.

EAT YOUR VEGGIES

The single biggest step men can take to live longer is to adopt a vegetarian diet.

Statistics are quite clear on this point. Vegetarians, male and female, outlive everyone else. They automatically eat more foods that promote longevity—vegetables, fruits and whole grains—to make up for the hole in their diet caused by avoiding the fat-laden meat that all-too-soon brings the male pump to a dead stop.

Think of all the vegetarians you know. Are they men or women? Chances are they’re women; men constitute only one-third of adults who consider themselves vegetarians. That’s too bad for men. By age 23, many men are already developing blockages in the arteries to their hearts. The biggest reason is the fat and cholesterol in all that prime rib and roast beef they’ve been eating. And simply switching from red meat to chicken and fish doesn’t help much, if at all. Both have plenty of cholesterol and a lot more fat than you would guess.

The good news? Your arteries begin to clean themselves as soon as you start topping your pasta with marinara instead of meat sauce. And eating less meat might also preserve your sexual potency. By age 60, about one in four North American men has experienced impotency, and, in most cases, blocked arteries are to blame. Tofu anyone?

Being overweight is also a risk factor for heart disease and cancer—and the average man who starts a vegetarian diet becomes 10 percent leaner. Vegetables and most plant foods are low in calories because they’re low in fat and sugar, and high in fiber. These foods also readjust your body chemistry: Their natural starches activate two hormones in the boy—noradrenaline and thyroid hormone—that boost metabolism. So don’t toss away that old softball jersey. A meatless diet could get you back into it—literally and energetically.

LOWER CANCER RISK

To top it all off, vegetarianism may actually make you a nicer person. A study conducted by Boston University’s School of Medicine from 1987 to 1989 found that the more fiber in a man’s diet, the less likely he is to be overly aggressive and domineering. The reason? Fiber prevents testosterone excess, and animal foods don’t contain fiber—plant foods do.

Eating less meats cuts your cancer risk. Cooking creates carcinogens on meat—especially chicken. Vegetarians are 40 percent less likely to develop cancer than meat eaters. Vegetables, fruits and legumes furnish phytonutrients and anticancer properties, so vegetarians’ white blood cells are twice as vigilant against cancer cells compared to those of omnivores. Blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which is linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, drop about 13 percent after just one week on a strict vegan diet—one that contains no meat or dairy products at all.

Vegetarian foods can also reduce cholesterol and lower blood “viscosity,” or resistance to flow—allowing the heart to pump more efficiently and with less effort. A vegetarian diet that’s low in fat helps many diabetics throw away their medicine, sometimes within a few months. And it’s far more effective in controlling blood sugar than a low-fat omnivorous diet. Keep in mind that diabetes is also a risk factor for heart disease.

ENHANCE YOUR IMAGE

Can’t imagine a meatless diet? Think of vegetarianism as a goal, and take steps toward it over time, giving up red meat for a start. After a period of adjustment, drop the poultry—then the fish. But ultimately, the key to a longer life is to minimize your intake of animal products and maximize your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Those who follow a vegetarian lifestyle have lower blood pressure than people who consume meat less than once a week. The further and sooner you travel down that meatless road, the greater your chances of living as long as you would if you were, say, a woman.

And if you’re worried about losing your tough-guy image, keep the phrase “strong as an ox” in mind. After all, oxen are vegetarians. Hank Aaron, Major League Baseball’s all-time homerun leader
is a vegetarian—and no, he did not take steroids!

THE BALD TRUTH
With all those female eyes focused on you, you’ll probably want to keep your hair. Baldness depends largely on genetics. But the more meat and fat a man eats, the higher his testosterone level and the more it converts within the hair follicle to dihydrotestosterone, which is basically follicle poison. So going veg now can greatly increase your chances of keeping your hair.

No matter what your age, men, it’s never too late. Drop meat from your diet and beat the odds. A healthy 70-year-old man has more in common with a 30-year-old male than he does with an unhealthy man his own age. And remember: The longer you live, the more you’ll find yourself outnumbered by women.