Beauty Q&A
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 Lots of shampoos say they have "natural" ingredients. Which ones are good for my hair? ISABEL N., MILWAUKEE, WL
Here are some popular ingredients used in hair products and what they do for your hair:
. Balsam conditions scalp and has healing and soothing antiseptic qualities.
. Chamomile increases shine and brings out natural highlights.
. Cucumber and sea kelp nourish skin and supply vitamins A, B complex, C, and E.
. Honey provides vitamin C and minerals.
. Apricot and avocado prevent dryness (avocado also supplies vitamin A).
. Jojoba promotes growth and fights dandruff.
. Aloe vera replenishes lost moisture, accelerates growth, is good for oily scalps, and combats dandruff and other scalp irritations. Some great "natural" hair products: Nexxus Therappe Shampoo, Freeman Humectant Plus Conditioner, and Charles Booth Professional Super HoId Mousse. Source: Charles Booth, owner of La Coupe salons.
Help! My eyebrows are so bushy they look like one straight line above my eyes. SUSANNA T., BISMARCK, ND
Tweezing is a safe and inexpensive way to remove hair-and pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Here are a few pointers:
. After taking a shower (the most painless time to pluck, since your pores are open), brush eyebrows up with a brow brush or an old toothbrush to shape brows.
. Using blunt-ended tweezers, pluck hairs in the area between the eyes, starting at bridge of nose. Be sure to pluck hairs one at a time, always pulling upward in the direction of hair growth.
. Then tweeze stray hairs below the brow (never remove hair above the brow). Try to shape brow so that it thins gradually as it moves out toward the tempIe-this looks most natural.
. When you 're done tweezing, apply an astringent or alcohol to brow area to close pores and prevent infection.
. Brush brows into shape again, and you're finished. You won't have to worry about regrowth for about three to five weeks.
Source: Stan Campbell Place for Maybelline.
When is it okay to squeeze a pimple? HElDI R., BARSTOW, CA
Never! Fight the urge to squeeze blemishes before it becomes a bad habit. When you squeeze blackheads and whiteheads, you spread acne bacteria over the inside and outside of your skin. Inside the skin, the bacteria combine with oily secretions, clogging pores and causing further outbreaks. Outside the skin, germs irritate skin, making it red, scabby. and vulnerable to infection. And if you squeeze scabs, you can end up with scars. What to do instead of squeezing?
For the occasional pimple, just step up your cleansing routine (with stronger products like Neutrogena Antiseptic Cleanser or Oxy Clean Medicated Pads), or apply a blemish stick (like Cover GirI's Clarifying Anti-Acne Blemish Concealer). If flare-ups are frequent, see a dermatologist. Source: Dr. Paul Lazar, dermatologist.
The air-conditioning at work seems to dry my skin - but moisturizer makes me look too greasy. What can I do? MEAGHAN T., ATLANTA, GA
Air conditioners remove moisture from the air - unfortunately, they also dehydrate your skin. To restore lost moisture, apply a light, oil-free moisturizer (like Aquaderm Lotion) in the morning before putting on your makeup. This will help trap water in your skin without giving your face an oily feeling. Then, while at work, revitalize skin with a sprits of water (like Evian Mineral Water Spray) - this will moisturize your face without giving you the oilies.
Whenever I exercise, I get a rash from my jewelry. Why does this happen, and what can I do about it? EVA G., PORTLAND, ME
Jewelry that contains nickel can give you an itchy rash known as nickel dermatitis.
When you exercise, your body heat and sweat dissolve the nickel, making the problem worse. When you get a rash, it's important to treat it properly with a milky cleanser (like Cetaphil Lotion) and a soft tissue. Do not use soap and hot water - they can further irritate the rash. How to prevent nickel dermatitis:
. Don't wear jewelry that contains nickel while exercising or on hot, steamy days.
. If you have a ring that you just have to wear all the time, try coating the inside of it with clear nail polish.
. Protect your skin by using a gentle moisturizer and body powder to put a barrier between you and your jewelry. Source: Dr James Bollinger, manager of product development for Owen Laboratories.
I have a lot of pimples on my back, and they're very painful. How can I get rid of them? URSULA P., OYSTER BAY, NY
Washing your back properly is just as important as washing your face - but much more difficult since your back is harder to reach. The solution is pretty simple: When you shower, take a back brush or a loofah, squirt it with liquid soap, and scrub your back thoroughly. Rinse well.
If you exercise and perspire heavily, you must do some extra cleansing. That means having your mom or a friend wipe your back with a cotton ball soaked with astringent. If, after following this routine for a couple a months, you still have large, painful pimples, see a dermatologist. You might have cystic acne, and the only way to get rid of it is by injecting each cyst with cortisone. if the acne isn't treated, scarring will occur.
Dr. Diane Baker, a dermatologist and vice president-elect of the American Academy of Dermatology in Portland, Oregon.
Source: Seventeen Magazine
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