Preferred Choice to Remove Unwanted Hair

When you have made the decision to rid yourself of unwanted hairs there are two choices to consider electrolysis and laser. As with electrolysis, cases of scarring have been reported, but these are extremely rare. Compared with electrolysis, laser hair removal is more precise and much faster. Electrolysis is intended to be a permanent hair procedure, but much like laser hair removal, it is not guaranteed to be 100% effective. Prior to laser technology, the only options for removing unwanted hair were smelly hair removal creams, sharp razors, stinging wax or painful electrolysis needles. In fact, laser technology is already eliminating the need for these traditional methods.

Almost anybody who has undesirable hair is a candidate for laser hair removal. Both men and women have found laser technology beneficial for hair removal. A common area where laser hair removal is used is the face, chin, and upper lip on women. Another area to receive laser hair removal for women is the legs.

For laser hair removal to work, the light energy is selectively absorbed by highly pigmented hair fibers and hair follicles. So, less laser energy is required to remove upper lip hair than for pubic hair. Several wavelengths of laser energy have been used for hair removal, from visible light to near infrared radiation. In facial hair removal, a low energy laser beam is directed towards a group of hair follicles.

Current laser hair removal techniques use wavelengths of light that target melanin, the pigment that determines color of both hair and skin. The level of pain depends on the patient and the person’s skin and hair type. The presence of a suntan makes hair removal less effective and increases the likelihood of scarring or skin injury. As such, skin color must be taken into consideration. The risks can include skin discoloration, swelling, and infection. Generally, patients with dark hairs and fair skin respond best to laser hair removal.

While laser hair removal is an excellent treatment option, research efforts continue to enhance the procedure. The diode laser has a longer wavelength than other lasers used for hair removal, which may improve treatment results on darker skin types. The most common side effects are edema and erythema, which generally resolve within 24 hours after treatment.

Though it is relatively painless, you may experience a bit of discomfort from the procedure. While it is a minimally invasive procedure, the procedure is not totally free from risks. Fortunately, the complications are rare if an experienced and skilled physician does it. When done properly, the procedure can be performed quickly and comfortably during an outpatient visit.

Get ready to experience the hassle-free world of hair removal with laser technology. However, when selecting the facility to perform you hair removal, ask them about their experience and any other concerns you may have. In addition, laser hair removal is not necessarily permanent; most people will experience some regrowth within a year.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a fast-growing procedure that’s helping thousands of people get rid of unwanted hair. The latest procedure uses intensed pulsed light (IPL) to destroy hair follicles and prevent the growth of follicles and hair for an extended period of time. Laser hair removal has been so popular because of its preciseness and success rates. If you’re considering laser hair removal, your first step is to find someone who’s qualified to perform the procedure. It’s important that they be qualified and experienced to provide a high-quality procedure.

Finding Laser Hair Removal Specialists

Locating your laser hair removal specialist is not difficult. Make sure he or she is Board Certified in Dermatology. If more than one specialist is working at the office, find out if each is certified. If another member of the doctor’s staff will be performing the procedure, that person should be a registered nurse or licensed physician to ensure proper care and use of the laser equipment. The facility where your procedure will be performed should be clean and professional. Ask for a tour of the facility and where your procedure will take place if possible. Take special care in choosing your specialist because laser hair removal is a medical procedure, and should be treated as such.

State Requirements for Laser Hair Removal

Each state varies in how laser hair removal can be performed. You’ll need to know what your state requires and make sure your specialist understands this as well. The state requirements are broken down into four categories. Each category specifies how and by whom the procedure can be performed within that particular state. A brief explanation of each category is below.

1) Physician Only: A medical doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) must actually fire the laser. Then, the doctor may ask a PA, RN or other licensed professional to use laser during the hair removal procedure.

2) Direct: The laser can be fired by a medical or non-medical professional (according to the state’s requirements), but the professional must remain under the direct supervision of the MD or DO, and also use the license and practice of the doctor.

3) Supervision: A medical or non-medical professional can fire the laser and perform the procedure under the supervision of a MD or DO. Depending on the state, the physician might or might not be present when the laser hair removal procedure is performed.

4) N/A: The state has no official requirements for laser hair removal procedures.

*Below is a list of states and their general requirements for based on the four above definitions. Check within your own state, however, to obtain more detailed requirements.

Alabama: Direct
Alaska: Supervision
Arizona: Supervision
Arkansas: Supervision
California: Direct
Colorado: Supervision
Connecticut: Direct
Delaware: Physician Only
Florida: Supervision
Georgia: Supervision
Hawaii: Physician Only
Idaho: Supervision
Illinois: Supervision
Indiana: Physician Only
Iowa: Supervision
Kansas: Supervision
Kentucky: Supervision
Louisiana: Supervision
Maine: Physician Only
Maryland: Physician Only
Massachusetts: Direct
Michigan: Supervision
Minnesota: Supervision
Mississippi: Supervision
Missouri: Supervision
Montana: Physician Only
Nebraska: Direct
Nevada: Supervision
New Hampshire: Physician Only
New Jersey: Physician Only
New Mexico: Physician Only
New York: N/A
North Carolina: Supervision
North Dakota: Direct
Ohio: Supervision
Oklahoma: Direct
Oregon: Supervision
Pennsylvania: Direct
Rhode Island: Supervision
South Carolina: Direct
South Dakota: Supervision
Tennessee: N/A
Texas: Supervision
Utah: Direct
Vermont: Supervision
Virginia: Direct
Washington: Supervision
West Virginia: Supervision
Wisconsin: Supervision
Wyoming: Supervision

*State requirements as shown at the Web site of Rocky Mountain Laser College of Denver, Colorado.

Laser hair removal can be a simple, pleasant process if you find the right doctor. You can usually locate professionals in your local telephone directory, online or by consulting with your own family doctor. If you take the time to locate a doctor that’s right for you, you’ll be more satisfied with your results. You can see that unwanted hair disappear in no time!

Boost Your Self Esteem With Acne Treatment

Acne is a common occurrence and can appear at any age. It is a condition that can be frustrating as successful treatment may be hard to come by. Acne can take many forms; blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes are just a few.

Many are advised to seek professional help in the form of a dermatologist, although even with this help, it can take a while to find a treatment that is right for you. As a consequence, it is very easy for the self esteem of an acne sufferer to be low, but you are urged to keep positive as acne treatment, like anything, requires time and will power before you can start to see successful results.

There are many forms of acne, which would explain why it is so difficult to treat, but there are also many acne treatment products available that work; although researches into the product before you go ahead and buy it is important. The range of products available is vast and you could easily end up spending a lot of time and money on many which may not help you to a great extent.

The problem for sufferers experiencing low self esteem from acne is that it is possible for those to become depressed, as a consequence of treatment products that may not work for the individual. There is not a cure for acne as such due to a particular treatment not working for everyone that tries it. Many treatment methods will take several weeks to several months for the effects to be noticeable, but perseverance is the key.

In addition to the treatment products you can use, carry out regular exercise to keep your body healthy and to build your immune system. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet, including at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables and 8 glass of water every day. Always wash your skin thoroughly before going to bed, and ensure that any cosmetics are removed.

As mentioned, it may take a long time before any improvements are noticed but you can rest assured that as soon you do find an acne treatment product that works for you, that it’ll begin to boost your self esteem. Just make sure that you carry on with the treatment and don’t give up on it, and furthermore for those that have yet to find a product that is working, don’t give up on finding a treatment that works for you.

Stress can play a large part in the appearance of acne as it can set-off chemical reactions in the body, so try to remain calm and relaxed. For a wealth of information on acne and the treatment of acne, take a look at: http://www.acne-treatmentproduct.info

battling body acne

We all strive to look our best. This is part of the pressure of being a human being in an image based society. We know we need to look the best we can in order to vie with the countless others. Obviously a large part of this concerns our skin. Because let’s face it; epidermis is all over our bodies and there’s no hiding it all year-round. Naturally some don’t have to hide anything. They’re born with glowing smooth skin. It’s just in their genetic code. However, there are others who have to work a bit harder. Maybe even purchase a body acne treatment. Either way, you can have the radiant skin you’ve always dreamed of. Today’s skin care solutions are vast and effective.

Are you seeking en excellent body acne treatment? Maybe you’ve got your face in order as far as pimples go, but now you’re struggling with your back, chest and/or shoulders. Hey, first of all, you’re in no way alone on this. Oodles of individuals just like yourself grapple with the same issues. Fortunately for all who require a body acne treatment, an effective solution is within reach. The first thing you might want to try is exfoliation. Just like your precious mug, your body requires regular exfoliation as well. Take advantage of a gentle loofa or sweet smelling body scrub the next time you hop in the shower or tub. Buff away that top layer of dead skin in order to reveal the clean and youthful skin below. This process helps to clear your blocked pores; therefore enabling your body acne to clear up faster.

If you’re really battling body acne that seems to have no end, you should consider a body acne treatment prescription. Think along the lines of an oral remedy from your dermatologist. These body acne treatments help clear your problem from the inside. They calm your hormones and oil glands. Sometimes oral acne solutions are imperative if you plan to see clear skin again. Don’t be afraid to give one a shot. Along with a body scrub, they would surely do the trick. Last, but not least, keep an eye out for acne body washes. Companies such as Proactive and Neutrogena make these available all over the place. If you can’t seem to pinpoint what you’re looking for, cyberspace will surely lend a helping hand. The right solution is out there.

Blue Light Acne Treatment

Some experts claim that laser and light therapy is this century’s alternative to traditional treatments. These technologies have been successfully applied to treating acne and other skin diseases. Many acne sufferers who were disappointed with all other methods have found a solution for their problem in blue light acne treatment.

Benefits of Blue Light Acne Treatment

Blue light acne treatment focuses on eliminating P. acnes, the bacteria that causes to acne eruptions. This bacteria pumps out some molecules called porphyrins. When these molecules are exposed to blue light, they release free radicals that kill the bacteria.

Blue light acne treatment has several benefits in comparison to other therapies:

* It is a totally natural and has no side effects.
* It is safe to use daily and for all ages.
* Unlike other light therapies, it doesn’t contain UV light that can hurt your skin.
* It is painless and you can do it in your own home.

Research Data

Data from clinical trials on blue light therapy has revealed that is a promising acne treatment. Patients involved in the studies have received the blue light acne treatment in several session, each lasting about 15 minutes. Many of them, but not all, have registered significant improvement after the treatment, with approximately 55% clearance. Side effects were only mild and included short-term pigment changes, dryness and swelling of the treated area.

Taiwan: Thirty-one patients with facial acne on both sides have received blue light acne treatment only on one side, while the other has received no treatment at all. The therapy was given twice a week for four weeks. In the end, it was concluded that blue light acne treatment is effective unless the patient suffers from cystic acne, which often worsens when treated with blue light.

United States: Twenty-five patients suffering from inflammatory acne were treated with blue light therapy on one side (8 sessions in 4 weeks) and with clindamycin on the other (twice a day for 4 weeks). In the end, researchers compared the results for the two treatments. The side treated with clindamycin showed an approximately 22% improvement, while the one treated with blue light therapy showed around 40% improvement. However, after 8 weeks of no treatment, the clindamycin side had maintained the results better.

Israel: Three separate studies on 10, 13 and 25 patients suffering form inflammatory acne were conducted in order to measure the effects of blue light acne treatment. In all of the three studies, over 80% of all patients responded well to the treatment, showing between 59% and 67% improvement.

Japan: 30 patients suffering from mild to moderate acne received a blue light acne treatment twice a week for up to five weeks. For 80% of all patients, the lesions decreased by approximately 64%. The rest of them experienced negative or no effects.

Unfortunately, the number of individuals involved in these research studies is too small. Generally, clinical trials aimed to test new treatments enroll hundreds or even thousands of patients. Considering the small numbers involved in the blue light acne treatment studies, no statistically valid conclusion can be drawn. However, these studies do reveal that blue light therapy has positive effects on some individuals suffering from acne. It gives best results for inflammatory acne and may not be safe to use on patients with cystic acne lesions.

Birth Control Pills Can Help Acne Treatment

Many young women who are looking for acne treatment and birth control methods tend to look for birth control pills to kill two birds with a stone. It might be surprising for some to know that some birth control pills are very effective in controlling acne and cure considerably in many cases. Birth control pills control the sebum significantly to be produced.

What is acne?
Acne is a chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Acne is characterized by black heads, pimple outbreaks, cysts, infected abscesses, and (sometimes) scarring. Acne is the result of inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin producing pimples and pustules.

Sebaceous glands (fatty glands found in hair follicles throughout the body that secrete oil into the hair and surrounding skin and they emit oil) found on many parts of the body which produce Sebum. When the production of sebum increases, it blocks the sebaceous glands, which makes sebum filling the gland into balloon shape. This is generally called as acne. If the production of sebum decreases so is the acne and vice-versa

How birth control pills work on acne?
Androgen are group hormones, also known as male hormones in the body are responsible for excess sebum production. Birth control pills control androgen hormones significantly. Androgen hormones’ activity in sebaceous glands either increases or decreases the production of sebum. When androgen hormones increases in sebaceous glands, its produces more sebum and so it appears in the form of acne. This activity is greatly observed in teenagers and young adults specially between the ages of 12 and 24, when they experience many physical changes.

However, it must be noted here that that there are mainly two types of birth control pills available. One is Progestin Only Pill (POP) and other is Combination Pill (having progestin and estrogen hormones). These combination birth control pills come in different combination level of progestin and estrogen hormones. The estrogens may be in the form of ethinyl etradiol. In fact, this is the ethinyl etradiol that controls the level of androgen hormones in the sebaceous glands.

In 1997, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved low-dose birth control pill Ortho Tri-cyclen to be used for acne treatment. It controls the production of androgen hormones in sebaceous glands and thus reduces acne to appear significantly.

Despite the fact that birth control pills work effectively on acne treatment, it is certainly not advisable for sexually inactive and teenagers to use them as the medium of acne treatment unless they consult their physician or doctor first.

You may also visit at http://www.mybirthcontrolstore.com to know more about the general information on birth control pills. The above article is for general information on possible acne treatment by birth control pills and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or physician for treatment purpose.

Birth Control Pills And Acne

Before you read this article, I am duty-bound to tell you that this article is for women only (though I am sure men will be curious to read it)!

To take or not to take birth control pills for controlling acne is a very sensitive topic, if not controversial! Is taking birth control pills to control acne is right for you? How does birth control pill work on acne? Can hormones in the birth control pill stop acne from forming? At least thousands of such mad trains must be rushing the mind of a woman, who is consuming the pills with the twin important purposes! Every pill creates fresh doubts, fears and complications in her thought process. Because research on this subject is still a kindergarten stuff and the fear of side-effects hang prominently in her mind.

Moral aspect of taking birth control pills is in itself a never ending debating topic. If it is intended to control acne, why it should be related to birth control pills? The alliance looks unholy. Is it considered as a cost-saving device? And if the birth control pills were to fail from the original purpose for which they are intended and acne appears on the face, who will protect the psychological balance of that women? One such bad case, is sufficient to pour cold water on the result of thousand good cases!

The skin of many acne prone women have responded positively and have indeed showed marked improvement, thanks to the intake of birth control pills. For the glow of the skin, women are likely to consider that no sacrifice, no experiment is great. What checks can be applied if such individuals start consuming birth control pills, to whom they are not intended at all! Apart from the humor element involved in these observations, over the years this problem is going to assume serious dimensions and certain tangible steps will have to be well thought out to check this.

When you take mild dose of contraceptives orally, estrogen-related side effects- headache, nausea and breast tenderness- may show their weak presence. The weight gain is also low.

So do you take birth control pills with the cure of acne in your mind? Make your decision very carefully taking into account the risk factors. Just for the greed of curing acne, why to risk your body to heart attack, cancer of the breast or blood clots? If you are a smoker, the condition will still be worse. Your present state of depression may be due to this pill-taking! Many more side effects are waiting in the wings to take over-fluid retention, dark skin patches, bleeding in the vagina, to quote a few.

So, do you want a clear mind or a clear skin? The bargain may prove too hard, that it may give rise to psychological problems. Therefore, take each pill and put each step forward, with utmost caution, firstly by preparing your mind very well.

For, this is a mind over matter topic. Therefore, CAUTION!

This time, you need to consult not only the dermatologist, but your dear gynecologist first!

Pregnancy and Acne

Acne first comes about during adolescence, when hormone levels begin to increase.This sudden flucturation of hormones causes the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive. They start generating increased levels of such oils that end up becoming clogged inside the glands. When the oils can’t escape, acne results!

So it goes without saying that when there is a fluctuation in the hormone levels within the body, it can trigger an increase in sebaceous oil production, and therefore increases the chance that an outbreak of acne will likely occur. With women, acne breakouts are common while they are taking birth control pills and also when they become pregnant.

Using Birth Control Pills to Control Acne

Women who do take the birth control pill and who notice that their acne is getting worse should discuss the situation with their doctor. Different types of oral contraception have differing levels of hormones and one side effect of some contraception is an increase in acne. Switching to another brand may bring acne back under control.

Any woman who is healthy, and is at least age 15, who has begun menstruating and who has decided to start using oral contraception can discuss getting a prescription for a birth control pill with their doctor. There are several brands that help clear up acne but only one so far has been approved by the FDA for treatment of acne and that is Ortho Tri-cyclen.

It is important to note that taking the birth control pill as a way to treat acne should be the last alternative, after all other acne treatment options have been attempted without success. The birth control pill does have side effects and it must be taken exactly as prescribed to be effective.

Acne During Pregnancy

Women who have become pregnant often report an increase in acne, too. Many changes occur within a woman’s body in an effort to properly prepare the body for the growing fetus. The two primary female hormones at work in every woman’s body are progesterone and estrogen. Progesterone is more androgenic than estrogen, which basically means it is more like the hormones found in men. Increased progesterone during pregnancy can cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebaceous oils than normal and that is what can cause outbreaks of acne.

If possible, the best way to handle acne during pregnancy is to realize that it is a short-term problem that will usually go away once the baby is born. If this isn’t possible, discuss your options over with a dermatologist who has experience working with patients during their pregnancy. After going through your situation, the dermatologist will be able to suggest treatment options that’ll make you happier with your appearance and that won’t harm your baby.

Proactive Solution

When we first set foot in this world, our problems seem fairly simple. We’re not able to walk yet, feed ourselves or use the bathroom on our own. However, our parents take care of these things for us and always get stuck cleaning up our messes. It’s a pretty sweet deal. We eat, play and sleep whenever we want. I have to say it’s a lifestyle many would prefer to keep forever. Nevertheless, we grow and things change. Those problems we once new are now a thing of the past, and new problems have developed. One of the major ones being acne. This skin affliction hits most of us at the start of puberty. We often dread the sight of that first zit. Suddenly we’re interested in the best treatment for acne. Of course finding it is a whole other challenge.

Trial and error. This is the common method most of us use when searching for the best treatment for acne. The funny part is that it’s not as simple as asking your parent or best friend which product works best. Whether or not something works for them is not always relevant. There are several different skin types, and each of them call for different treatments. Find out what your specific skin type is. You’ll want to know this when searching for the best treatment for acne available. It will narrow your search quite a bit. So many people rave and jump up and down over the contemporary acne medication known as Proactive Solution. They claim it works miracles and that their skin is finally clear for the first time in years. Now, that’s all fine and good. I’m not saying it doesn’t work for them. But again, just because it works for them, doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you. I have a good friend, who tried this particular acne remedy, and it didn’t clear his skin at all. His acne actually seemed to worsen over the next six months. That would certainly make me search for a new product. Proactive Solution is not the best treatment for acne after all. Not for everyone.

Consult a professional. This can be your family physician, or maybe you want to get the best advice possible from reputable dermatologist. He/she can prescribe a medication to treat your specific skin condition. This may be the best treatment for acne available to you. There are also oral medications that only a professional can prescribe.

Best Treatment on Acne

Best Way to Prevent Acne

In most cases, the teenage years are when most people experience the greatest amount of acne. This is due to hormone level fluctuations and increased sebum (oil) production. The perfect recipe for acne!

So, what is a teenager to do? Prevention is the name of the game when it comes to acne and teens. Unfortunately, because there is no cure for acne, prevention and control are the only things a teenager can do to control acne.

The first step, is to get on a proven acne prevention routine such as the one discussed on our acne prevention page. The next step is to utilize products that minimize acne you may already have and reduces the likelihood of future outbreaks. Those really are the two most important things a teenager can do to combat acne.

If these steps do not work, then a visit to the doctor or dermatologist may be in order. Stronger treatments like antibiotics and Accutane may be needed- only a doctor can know for sure.

For most teens though, simply following the cleanse-treat-protect routine combined with using high-quality acne treatments will be effective in minimizing acne.

There sure is a lot of confusion out there regarding acne prevention. Some people say to scrub your face all day, eat the right foods, avoid sweat, exercise, and on and on. Unfortunately, these have nothing to do with acne prevention.

he numbers really tell the story when it comes to adult acne. 25% of men between the ages of 25 and 44 experience acne. With women the numbers are even higher- nearly 50% of all women between the ages of 25 and 44 get acne.

These numbers tell a story many adult’s do not want to hear. It’s not just teenagers who get acne. Many adults will get recurrences in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

Another important fact about adult acne is that it is more likely to leave permanent scars. This is because as skin ages it loses collagen, which is responsible for skin’s elasticity. So, with less collagen, it is harder for skin to “bounce back” after the tissue damage that acne can cause.

Acne prevention is best accomplished by following a skin care routine that incorporates three basic steps. In one form or another, the skin must be cleansed, treated, and protected. As long as these steps are followed, a person’s acne should improve.

Acne Prevention Step 1: Cleansing

Due to what we know about how acne is formed, it is pretty clear that it makes sense to gently cleanse your skin on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean scrubbing a way at your face 5 times a day. It means using a good cleansing product to gently wash away dead skin cells and impurities. Also, it doesn’t hurt if your cleanser contains proven acne fighters like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Acne Prevention Step 2: Treatment

For optimum acne prevention, the skin must be treated with something that minimizes bacteria (like benzoyl peroxide) or slows down the shedding of skin cells (like salicylic acid). There are many fine manufacturers of these products who will provide guidelines as to how long these products should remain on the face and how often they should be used.

Acne Prevention Step Three: Protection

The last step in acne prevention is protection. By protection, we mean that the face should be properly moisturized and protected from the sun’s damaging rays. There are a great number of quality moisturizers available that contain sunscreens in them. Another thing to keep in mind, many acne treatments tend to dry out the skin a bit making moisturizers extra important.

There you have it, a simple 3 step plan for acne prevention.