1. What are the pros and cons of hair removal options?
Many variables to judge what is right for you (will mention how each works, put up graphics, will touch on specific points:
Shaving:
Pros:
Inexpensive $2
Provides exfoliation
Treat a large region
Can result in irritation
Cons:
Results last a day at best
Risk of nicks and cuts
Treat regions, not single small areas
Depilatories:
Pros:
Inexpensive $10
Leaves skin smooth
Do-it-yourself
Cons:
Smelly and messy
Results last up to one week
Time consuming
Waxing:
Pros
Results last 1-2 weeks
Treats small regions
Leaves skin very smooth Best done professionally
Cost $20-$80
Cons:
Painful
Treats large regions
Cost $20-$80
Not suitable for male facial hair
Not suitable for scalp
Needs regrowth to be effective
Electrolysis:
Pros:
Can be permanent
Treat individual hairs
All skin and hair types
Cons:
Expensive $100++ per session
Not good for larger areas
Trained professional
Time consuming
Repeated treatments
Risk of infection
Laser Results:
Pros Cons
months to years
Good for small areas
Good for large areas
Repeated treatments
Newer lasers for fair hair Darker hair responds best
Good outcomes
Facial or body hair
Readily available
Cons:
Expensive $100-$150++ per area
Not suitable after waxing
Can result in pigmentation changes
Do not do if you have any tan
Safety: burns are possible
Choose medical setting
2. Do hair growth treatments really work?
Shampoos:
Cannot grow new hair
Hair outside the follicle is dead
Shampoos coat or treat the hair for enhanced fullness
Shampoos maintain hair strength for less breakage
Shampoos treat the scalp
Benefits are lost when not in use
Rogaine:
Can delay or prevent hair loss
Best at early stages of hair loss
May promote some new growth
Requires strict adherence to defined program
Can be messy
Appropriate for men and women
FDA approved
Over-the-counter
Benefits are lost when not in use
Propecia:
FDA-Approved prescription drug for men only
Reduces DHT, a hormone
Can delay or prevent hair loss
May promote some new growth
Like any medication: discuss side effects with your doctor
Benefits are lost when not in use
LED, Laser:
LaserMax is FDA approved to encourage hair growth
Best for thinning or early stage hair loss
Over the counter
Variable results
Requires strict adherence to defined program
Research is promising, but not yet conclusive
Bottom line: See a doctor at the first signs of hair loss, treatments are variable: trial and error may determine what works best for you.
3. Men's skincare is often claimed to be stronger than women's is that true and is there anything unsafe to use?
Basic difference between men and women's skin: Men grow a beard and have more prominent hair follicles on the face. Some claim men have a slightly higher or more alkaline skin pH, be heredity really determines where you are on the pH mantle.
Men's skincare is not stronger. Some products are designed to address the irritation that comes with shaving and the added opportunity for bacterial growth in hair follicles. Other products are designed to have no feel: men don't like the feeling of rich creams. Men's skincare is packaged for men, it is scented for men, it is designed to attract men and that is why it is often separate from women's skincare. It is perfectly safe to interchange.
What is not safe is using a product that irritates your skin, over use of product or mixing too many products. Additionally, women who are pregnant or nursing should never use skincare with retinoids or retinol (vitamin A derivatives) or hydroquinone (a bleaching agent)
4. How do I get rid of dark circles under my eyes?
Dark circles cannot be simply erased. They are the result of heredity, shadows under the eyes, and dilated or visible blood vessels. In some cases dark circles are the result of iron deficiency. The best means is 3 steps:
Avoid things that make dark circles worse:
Get plenty of sleep, but don't sleep flat
Don't smoke
Avoid caffeine
Treat delicate under-eye skin gently. Use produces designed to reduce fluid retention and puffiness and that can constrict blood vessels close to the skin surface. Look for ingredients like peptides, and seaweed or other botanicals with iodine that naturally constrict vessels and reduce fluid. Look for words like "brightening" on the label.
Cover them! Mineral cosmetics are protective, have great staying power and look natural. Choose a shade that is close to your natural skintone, and use natural lighter eyes shadow tones to brighten the overall area.
Don't use a lighter shade then your natural skin-tone to cover dark circles or put dark eye shadow above. This creates a very unnatural look and the contrast of shadow and concealer will only draw attention.
Injection of a dermal filler, like Cosmoderm or Restylane can help to put a cushion between the vessels and the skin. But for very fair, or thin skin, this can actually change dark circles to a more gray rather than dark cast.
Eyelid surgery to restore the lower eyelid and place fat in hollows that create dark circles is a serious, more permanent solution that can produce remarkable results in the hands of a qualified and skilled plastic surgeon.
Ask the Expert: Beauty
By ABC7
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