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Are laser-assisted hair removal procedures safe? By Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness Q: I've heard horror stories about people who have obtained second-degree burns from laser hair removal procedures. Can this really happen? How safe is the procedure? Are there any alternatives to removing unwanted hair? A: The newer types of laser delivery systems utilize cooling techniques that help to protect the top layer of the skin (epidermis) during treatment, thus lowering the risk for burns. Even so, it is not unusual to experience redness, mild pain and swelling after laser-assisted hair removal. Second-degree burns (severe pain, blistering of the skin) have the potential to occur, but are not common. However, sensitivity to the treatment can vary from person to person. Speak with your physician to discuss realistic expectations and potential side effects prior to any procedure. All lasers are not created equal When discussing laser-assisted hair removal, you may hear names of devi...

by Rookie Expert Try these simple at home beauty tips not just for your body, but for your mind and soul. Read on to know how to detox and rejuvenate yourself. Learn how to make quick face and hair packs at home. Do your own pedicure and manicure. You will end up not just looking beautiful but feeling beautiful too!! Discover a new you in just eight days. These are simple beauty tips that might help you prepare for a big day - maybe a function, a party, a date or some special occasion. You just need to plan a week ahead of the event. Follow this simple regime for eight days. I did this before my own wedding, its tried and tested. Day 8 - Detox Make sure you get your Vit C each day. Here's why - Vitamin C plays a significant role as an antioxidant and thus acts to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are by-products that damage the body's metabolism . It also is quite effective against wrinkles and fine lines. Some natural sources of Vitam...

It's the main ingredient in most beauty products and a crucial element of every skin care regimen ... but I still encounter lots of misconceptions when it comes to plain ol' water! Yes, water is essential to all of our biological processes. When it comes to skin, H 2 0 is necessary for the proper functioning of enzymes that enable skin to continually replace itself and slough off old, dead cells. And yes, if the body is severely dehydrated, you will see changes in your skin. But true dehydration is very different from the occasional need for a tall glass of water. In the vast majority of cases, then, dehydrated skin is not indicative of a dehydrated body - and drinking more water will not have a significant impact on your skin's hydration. Make no mistake: As a doctor (and a human being!), I'm a big fan of water and advocate drinking plenty of it. But if you're experiencing dry skin - and more of us will be as the weather turns cooler and humidity drops in many part...

By Madeline Crisp Step up your looks with these 30 simple tips that make a big difference -- and get noticed: Clever cover-up. If you get stranded without your concealer, check the cap of your foundation -- the makeup that has collected there will be thick and perfect for covering up flaws. DIY dye. If you've dyed your hair at home and the result is too tame, take a second box and dilute it in equal parts with shampoo. Lather on your hair and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing. You'll get a second hit of color and loads of shine. Makeup on the run. If you don't have time for full-on eye makeup on a night out, try this: Dip your finger in a pot of waxy lip balm, then scribble a little dark eyeliner on top of the balm. Gently rub the finger into the roots of your top lashes and finish with mascara . . . the smearier, the better! Home trim. You can trim your own fringe, but do it dry and with proper hairdressing scissors. Divide y...

These are tried and true tips to a lovely complexion of the face. Wash face with warm or cool water only. Hot water opens pores, which can elongate their size. Wash face at least 2 times a day to eliminate surface and environmental residue. Only pat dry the face. Do not use foundation make up everyday. This imbeds into the pores making the pores larger. Use little astringents . This closes pores sometimes trapping dirt. Use only water, no soap on face. Use upward motion when doing anything with the face. Keep hands away from face as much as possible. Proper nutrition for healthy skin from within. Expose your skin to 10 minutes of sun a day for absorption of Vit. D. Use a certain towel for the face only. Do not use bleach on the face towel. From: www.beyondjane.com

Do you need a quick glow to your skin and all over healthier look? Bend over at the waist, as far as you can possibly go, and hold to the count of thirty. For cellulite, scrub the skin with a bristle brush or loofah. Brush in slow sweeps, always toward the heart. There are gloves and mitts available to do this, but they're not necessary. Try to do this at least five minutes every day. Also for cellulite - Copy the expensive herbal wraps offered by top spas. Mix a cup of corn oil with 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice and 2 teaspoons dried thyme. Massage into hip, thigh, and buttock areas. Cover with plastic wrap to lock in body heat. For extra results lay a heating pad over each area for five minutes. Right from the can, Crisco is a big secret among beautiful women. Use it to remove makeup and as a highly effective moisturizer. Hospitals even use it to treat psoriasis and eczema. Raw potato slices contain potassium to take away dark circles under the eye. To lighten age spots and s...

1. Give tired skin a boost by having a honey facial. Apply honey to clean skin, leave on for between 30 minutes and one hour then rinse off with clean water. It not only moisturises it also tightens pores. Manuka honey works best if you have blemishes as it contains natural anti- bacterial agents but any honey will do to give you fresher younger looking skin 2. For instantly soft hands. Make a mixture of salt and olive oil. (Add the olive oil to the salt rather than the other way round). Gently rub the mixture into your hands and rinse off with warm water afterwards. The salt gently removes dead skin and the olive oil adds moisture making your hands feel wonderfully soft. The oil is also excellent for preventing your cuticles from drying out, a problem which can lead to hangnails. 3. To remove stains from teeth. Take one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt, mix together to make a paste. Using a toothbrush gently use it on discolored teeth to make them whiter and brighte...

I’m getting hooked on DIY beauty! Because it’s fun, it’s healthy and it’s cheap! Here’s my experience with using baking soda to whiten my teeth. It works! Okay, don’t expect the sort of sparkling white teeth you see on celebrities but baking soda will take off some of the coffee and tea stains and give you a cleaner looking set of teeth. Baking soda to brush teeth is safe This is one of the most popular and safest DIY methods to whiten your teeth naturally. There are some DIY suggestions of using lemon juice or strawberries but those could do more harm by eroding the calcium in your teeth or cause tooth cavities. However, you want to know that baking soda is pretty abrasive on contact. So on some forums, the advice is to dig a toothbrush into the baking soda and then to start brushing. Well, not very good. You’ll find that your gums hurt quite a bit this way. The best way I have found through trial and error is to mix the baking soda with toothpaste. Baking soda mixed with toothpaste...

1 If your favourite nail polish is not looking so hot place a little nail polish remover into the bottle, put lid back on and shake well, this will give you a few more applications. 2 Applying eyeshadow on top of eyeliner with a damp cotton wool bud will keep the eyeliner in place for longer. 3 Lightly spraying a mist over a fully made up face will set the make up and keep it in place for longer – great for brides and nights out or those extra hours at the office! 4 Eye drops placed into the eye during the day will make the eyes sparkle and help to relieve tiredness from use of the computer – great to have in your bag or on the desk. 5 Vaseline applied to feet helps keep them ...

There are thousands of crazy beauty tips out there that claim to work on whatever problem you have. Problem is, they don’t always work successfully and you just end up wasting your time and money. Here, I’ve compiled a list of crazy beauty tips that actually work. How do I know they work? Well, I’ve tried them! Powder Your Roots If your hairline starts to look greasy, dig up a big, fluffy makeup brush, and dip it into a pot of loose powder. Tap it once on the back of your hand to remove excess, then dust it over your roots . It mops up oil and blends into your strands, so no one will know you didn’t shower! Spot-Treat Smudges Dip a cotton swab into eye- makeup remover , and trace it along your lids to erase any slipups or goofs when there’s no time to redo your whole look! Fix a Flushed Face If you turn red and stay that way after exercising, take an antihistamine like Benadryl when you leave the gym to reduce redness. Works like a charm! Use Makeup Remover on Stubborn Lipstick ...

The brightest freckles are found in young adults, usually having blonde and especially red hair. The skin tends to freckle in spring and summer, but as fall comes and winter approaches, they turn pale and disappear. The color and brightness of freckles, however, depend not only on the color of your hair and skin , but also on how long and intensely your skin is exposed to sunlight. Anti-Freckles Diet In spring, you should eat more foods rich in vitamin C such as fruit, green onion, red or black currant juice, sauerkraut and wild rose tea. Vitamin C makes the skin less sensitive to sunbeams. Whitening Masks against Freckles Skin care masks have a positive cosmetic effect, too. You can make them with handy ingredients (tomatoes, currant, strawberry, radish, apples), using one or several components. Whatever berry or vegetable you are going to use, you first need to remove their seeds and then mash or grate them. Grate the radish , add several drops of vegetable oil and mix everything ...

Whether getting ready for your wedding day or another momentous occasion, the following tips and reminders will ensure that you look beautiful in person and in photographs: Keep in mind that regardless of the product, shade, or application technique, makeup is only as good as the skin it covers. Take time in the months leading up to the big day to treat your skin well and avoid using products that cause irritation or can cause side effects such as dryness, flaking, or redness. Anticipate your skin’s needs based on its history and the weather (is the event in a location where it will be more humid, arid, or cold than your skin is used to?) then choose products accordingly. Do not have a facial, microdermabrasion, peel, or any other spa or dermatologist treatment within two weeks of the event, especially if you have not had such procedures performed in the past. The last thing you want to deal with is the complications that could result. If a trip to the spa is part of your bridal blis...

We don’t always have to spend a lot of money or depend on someone else to enjoy a refreshing and uplifting facial treatment. You can treat your skin to a quick midnight snack right at home with a few items that you most likely already have in your kitchen! Some of your most commonly used food ingredients have surprising benefits to your skin. I have searched far and wide and found some of the best homemade facial masque recipes . These scrumptious homemade facial masques will fill your skin with delight and satisfaction. Take a few minutes to whip up these simple recipes, follow my Five Easy Steps to a Self-Facial and bask in the moment of self-indulgence. You deserve it! Honey & Egg Masque - Dry Skin Mix together 1 tablespoon warmed honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt . Apply to the skin and relax for 10-15 minutes. For easy removal, use a warm, (wet, squeezed-dry) face towel. - Honey has many hidden talents. Most people are not aware of the f...

One of the first homemade beauty products I’ve ever made was an aspirin mask. I think it’s the most powerful non-prescription and totally green solution you can find for problem skin. Aspirin for acne? Why not? It’s the cleanest and most concentrated form of salicylic acid. It is made of acetylsalicylic acid. Since its market introduction under the trademark Aspirin® in the year 1899, acetylsalicylic acid has attained a strong reputation in the prescription-free therapy of pain and inflammations. Aspirin works to inhibit the body’s production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are extremely effective, hormone-like substances that are produced by the body in miniscule quantities and are involved in the regulation of pain, fever and inflammation. Additional bonus: active ingredient in aspirin prevents infections and damage to blood vessels! That’s exactly what we are looking for – killing the inflammation and keeping blood vessels stable to avoid swellin...