Discourages wrinkling of the skin on the hand, which is one of the first body part to show the sign of aging.

Implements
Nail cutter

nail filer

Orange stick

Cuticle pusher

Nail brush

Material
Acetone

Liquid soap or shampoo

Oil or cream

Warm water

Antiseptic lotion

Nail polish

Procedure
Remove the old polish with acetone using cotton

Shape the nail using nail cutter and nail filer

Dip and soak the hands in luke warm water to which liquid soap or shampoo is added

Wash the hand with cold clear water and then wipe fingers with a soft towel

Clean the nail using orange stick and cotton dipped in Antiseptic lotion

Buff the cuticle with some cream

Push the cuticle back gently using cuticle pusher

Massage the hands for five minutes

Apply the first coat of nail polish

When the first coat is dried and hard apply the second coat. Do not dab but stroke in on with three even strokes starting at the base and sweeping up to the top
Allow to dry thoroughly in between the coats

Implements

Nail cutter

Nail filer

Cuticle cutter

Cuticle pusher

Nail brush

Orange stick

Pumice stone

Foot scrapper

Two basins large enough for foot bath

Materials

Acetone

Liquid soap or shampoo

Luke warm water

Antiseptic lotion

Oil or cream

Nail polish

Foot powder

Hydrogen peroxide

Procedure

Remove the old nail polish using acetone with lotion

File the nails and cut the nails if necessary.

Place both the feet in Luke warm water containing liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide.

Clean the foot using nail brush, foot scrapper and pumice stone.

Remove the foot from the basin and clean thoroughly using a soft towel.

With a cotton dipped in Antiseptic lotion and with the help of an orange stick apply the lotion under the free edge of each nail

Buff the cuticle to soften the cuticle

Loosen  the cuticle back gently

Massage the legs for five minutes

Apply the first coat of nail polish and allow it to dry and then apply the second coat

Relieving constipation and hemorrhoids
Preventing certain diseases
Keeping weight under control
Avoiding and Relieving Constipation

Fiber can absorb large amounts of water in the bowels, and this makes stools softer and easier to pass. Anyone starting a higher-fiber diet will notice the difference in stool bulk.

In almost all cases, increasing fiber in the diet will relieve constipation within hours or days.
Because stools are easier to pass, less straining is necessary, and this can help relieve hemorrhoids.
Need To Know:

Constipation can have other causes, however, so you should consult your doctor if it is not relieved by increased fiber.

Nice To Know:

On average, it takes 39 hours in women and 31 hours in men for food to pass through the colon and out of the body. This time varies a lot from person to person, depending on personality, state of mind, and fiber intake. Usually, the effect of fiber is to speed up this process.

Preventing Certain Diseases

Getting enough fiber in the diet can lower the risk of developing certain conditions:

Heart disease . Evidence is now growing to support the notion that foods containing soluble fiber (such as oats, rye barley, and beans) can have a positive influence on cholesterol, triglycerides, and other particles in the blood that affect the development of heart disease. Some fruits and vegetables (such as citrus fruits and carrots) have been shown to have the same effect.
Cancer. The passage of food through the body is speeded up when fiber is eaten. Some experts believe this may prevent harmful substances found in some foods from affecting the colon and may protect against colon cancer. (However, a recent study conducted by Harvard University concluded that eating high-fiber food did not appear to protect people from colon cancer.) Other types of cancer that are linked with over nutrition and may be prevented by a fiber-rich diet include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer.
Diabetes. Adding fiber to the diet helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is important in avoiding diabetes. In addition, some people with diabetes can achieve a significant reduction in their blood sugar levels and may find they can reduce their medication.
Diverticular disease. Diverticular disease is a condition in which small pouches, called diverticula, develop in the wall of the colon. In a small percentage of people, these diverticula become inflamed or infected, a condition known as diverticulitis. Diverticular disease can cause pain, diarrhea, constipation, and other problems.
Gallstones and kidney stones. Rapid digestion leads to a rapid release of glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream. To cope with this, the body has to release large amounts of insulin into the bloodstream, and this can make a person more likely to develop gallstones and kidney stones (in addition to diabetes and high cholesterol).
Keeping Weight Under Control

Foods containing plenty of fiber have more bulk than low-fiber foods. If taken in the right form at the right time and at sufficient quantities, fiber can sometimes slow the onset of hunger.

Nice To Know:

To help control your weight with fiber:

Always try to take fiber in the natural form. For example, instead of sprinkling bran over your food, choose foods naturally high in fiber.
Avoid foods that have been made easier to eat and digest by removal of fiber, especially sugars (including fruit juices).
Choose foods that satisfy hunger without providing many calories, mainly vegetables and most fruits, which are rich in fiber.
Need To Know:

Some individuals claim that fiber alone can cause weight loss without the need to diet. But in fact, the only effective and safe way to lose weight is to:

Reduce calorie intake to a safe level
Get enough exercise to burn off excess calories
However, fiber can be a useful aid in reducing calorie intake.

This basically tells you that you can loose weight on any of the diets, if you keep the calories down. The trick is how you maintain that weight loss and that, according to experts, can be achieved through a daily diet with no more than 30% of calories as fat and 20% of calories as protein.

The recent report rowns at unorthodox but yet popular weight loss programs such as the high protein Atkins diet and other similar dietary regimes. While high protein diets seem to produce a significant weight loss in a quick amount of time such diets produce a greater loss of body water than of fat. Other evidence against these high protein diets include the fact that there are no controlled, randomized studies which support the loss of body fat even over the long haul. One other strike against them: there is no evidence that such diets help to reduce blood cholesterol or improve blood sugar levels.

Carrying excess body weight is a significant risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and other chronic health conditions. In addition to daily eating a moderate fat, high complex carbohydrate diet, regular exercise and social support are critical adjuncts in keeping weight off.

Think your way to weight loss!

Positive thinking is absolutely essential when attempting to stay on a weight management plan. But, many of us lack some of the positive focus that’s necessary to reach our target weight. Try to consider habits that will accent the positive aspects of yourself and the “up” side of weight loss:

Write and say affirmations. Affirmations can be any statement that reinforces a positive quality about you. For example, “I’m beautiful just the way I am.”

2. Surround yourself with supportive people. Don’t waste time with friends or people who try to talk you out of your weight management efforts. Instead, spend time with friends who share similar challenges and make some new acquaintances. Success is more likely when you have support.

3. Take care of yourself. If you take care of your health needs, you will feel better physically and emotionally. Have a yearly physical and don’t skip your dental and eye exams. Enlist the help of your physician during your weight management program. It won’t hurt to have your blood pressure monitored throughout your progress.

4. Enjoy the weather. Spending time outdoors can be truly uplifting and can help you stay motivated.

5. Monitor your goals. Don’t worry if you don’t lose weight each week. Measure your progress by how you are feeling and how your clothes fit — not by the numbers on the scale!

6. Talk it out. Talk with a therapist or someone who understands the challenges of weight management. Join a support group or enlist the help of a spouse or family member.

7. Get away from it all. Take a short day trip or mini-adventure each weekend. This will help you avoid the dieting routine and will increase your activity level. Reward yourself for each achieved goal by checking out a new town or city.

8. Be kind to yourself. Remember that it will take time to reach your goals. Be realistic and understand that it didn’t take you one week to gain 20 pounds — so, it will take more than one week to lose this weight. Give yourself permission to occasionally make mistakes!

Fighting family fat

1 in 3 adults, and 1 in 5 kids are overweight. Despite widespread efforts to treat this epidemic, these spreads continue to widen at an alarming rate. While there’s no doubt some of us are genetically destined to carry around a little extra baggage, many of us tip the scales because we eat too much and move too little. We eat on the go, “super size” our food portions, and spend too much time in front of our televisions and computer screens. If you and your family struggle with weight, don’t despair. There are many healthy steps you can take to win your fight against fat.

1. Eat at home more often. Can’t remember the last time you and your family sat down together for a meal? Plan to prepare a great tasting and healthy dinner one night each week. Involve your kids by letting them create the menu, shop for ingredients, or make a dish themselves.

2. Prepare for snack attacks. If you and your kids are always hungry for something after school or work, or late at night, have healthy snack options on hand. Fresh fruit, baked tortilla chips and salsa, graham crackers, frozen fruit bars, low fat microwave popcorn, low fat cheese and crackers, and low fat ice cream are good choices.

3. Plan indulgences. Going to a birthday party, cocktail party or other special event does not have to end your healthy eating efforts. To prevent overeating, have a snack beforehand. Try to focus more on the company, not on the food. If you overdo it, start fresh the next day or meal.

4. Get fit together. Take a walk, go on a hike, or ride your bikes outside. In bad weather, reorganize a closet, house clean, or play hide and seek. Spending less time on your couch and more time on the move will give you energy and will give you quality time with your family.

5. Think long-term. Weight management is a life-long process, not a quick fix. If you focus on making small, gradual and realistic changes in your food choices and activities, you’ll improve your odds for achieving and maintaining a healthier body weight.

Eating on the go can be daunting if you’re watching your weight, especially when the pickings include high calorie/high fat foods such as Danish pastries, croissants, muffins, and donuts. If you keep just a few staple items in your pantry or refrigerator at home or at the office, you can successfully put together a healthy and satisfying breakfast. Below are several foods and beverages grouped by category. To build a healthy, low calorie/low fat and nutritious breakfast, choose 1 item from each category for a total of 300-400 calories. If you want to double a serving of a specific food or choose 2 items from a single category, choose items from only 3 categories (instead of 4). Breads/Starches

1/2 bagel, or 1 mini bagel- best choices: whole wheat or multigrain
2 slices toast- best choices: whole wheat, bran, oat or multigrain
1-1/2 cups high fiber, low fat, low sugar cereal
2 mini muffins or 1/2 large bran muffin
Fruit

1 medium banana
1/2 cup applesauce or 1 apple
1 cup fresh seasonal berries or mixed fruit
1 cup (8 ounces) orange juice
2 tablespoons of raisins or 3-4 pieces dried fruit
Dairy

1 cup (8 ounces) skim or 1% milk
1 cup (8 ounces) low fat plain or vanilla yogurt
1 slice low fat cheese
1/4 cup low fat cottage or ricotta cheese
Protein/Fat

1 slice low fat cheese
1 tablespoon peanut butter
6-10 nuts
1 tablespoon cream cheese (can mix with 1 tablespoon jelly which contains little fat)
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
Sugarcoated Diets

Too much sugar (especially the kind added to many processed foods and beverages) can sabotage your family’s efforts to eat well and stay trim. Intake of added sugar is on the rise and represents an estimated 12-20 percent of the calories we consume each day. Candy, non-diet sodas, juices, cakes and cookies often come to mind when we think of sugar. But other foods that we think of as healthy, including yogurt and applesauce, are often laced with extra sugar.

While skipping sweets altogether is not realistic, there are several ways you and your family can satisfy your sweet teeth, spare your waistlines, and eat healthier:

1. Become a sugar sleuth. Read the ingredient list on food packages and look for the sugar. Other names for sugar include white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, maple syrup, pancake syrup, fructose sweetener, liquid fructose, honey, molasses, anhydrous dextrose, and crystal dextrose. The higher up on the list, the more sugar in the product.

2. Get the facts. While the Nutrition Facts label on food packages lists sugar in grams, it doesn’t say how much is natural and how much is added. Nevertheless, use grams of sugar to compare similar items such as cereal — have your kids compare your family favorites, and opt for those with less sugar more often.

3. Go natural. Many foods that naturally contain sugar, including fruit and milk, are also rich in vitamins, minerals and other key nutrients. On the other hand, many products high in added sugar offer calories and not much else. To get the most bangs for your nutritional buck, choose more foods and beverages with natural sugar or less added sugar. For example, plain skim milk is a better choice than chocolate skim milk, and fresh fruit beats out canned fruit.

4. Stick to your sugar budget. Each teaspoon of sugar has roughly 4 grams. Experts recommend no more than 10 percent of your daily calories from added sugar. For 1600 calories, that’s 6 tsp, or 24 grams a day. To satisfy a sugar craving without caving in, choose fresh fruit in season, a sucking candy, or a small lollipop. Save sugary snacks and non-diet sodas for special occasions.

Dieting? Don’t skip breakfast!

Many people skip breakfast because they aren’t hungry in the morning or fear that eating breakfast will make them hungry all day. Others cruise through the morning with either a caffeine or sugar buzz, only to experience extreme fatigue mid-morning. Studies show kids perform better in school with breakfast and the same holds true for adults. By eating breakfast, you:

Give your brain fuel to enhance concentration and performance for problem solving and memory retention
Jumpstart your metabolism from the overnight fast
Increase your overall energy level
Decrease the incidence of overeating later in the day
Breakfast can be quick, satisfying, and tasty with a preparation time of 10 minutes or less. A general rule of thumb is to eat one or two servings of complex carbohydrates such as fruit with whole grain bread or cereal and then add protein such as egg, egg white, low fat cheese, and peanut or soy butter. Protein will keep you feeling full and satisfied for up to 4 hours. If you eat only carbohydrate foods like fruit or toast you’ll be hungry in 2 hours or less and may need a snack by mid morning. Try these easy, quick breakfast choices:

Half or whole peanut butter sandwich, banana or raisins and with skim milk
Low-fat yogurt mixed with cereal and fruit
Low-fat cheese on toast and fruit
High fiber cereal with fruit, skim milk, and nuts
Hot cereal and a small handful of nuts
1 small bagel with low fat cream cheese and fruit
An egg or egg substitute with whole wheat toast
Whole grain toaster waffles with peanut butter, and a glass of skim milk.
If you rush out the door headed for work, keep cereal bars, dry cereal, bagels and peanut butter in your desk so you can munch before you get too hungry. Fast food breakfasts are not the best choice but in a pinch, choose a plain biscuit, pancakes or cereal. Even non-traditional breakfasts such as leftovers of beans and rice or meat and salad from the night before can be an easy, quick choice. Limit caffeine to 2 cups and stay hydrated with at least 2 cups of water during the morning hours. If you have trouble eating in the morning, try eating something solid within 2 hours after waking. By starting your day with the proper type and amount of fuel, you will add hours to your energy level and burn calories steadily all morning long.

Many people with unwanted hair seek removal simply because of aesthetic or cosmetic reasons. Now days, our culture views hair growth in certain areas such as the underarms, bikini lines, legs and back as unattractive.

Hair removal can now be removed in a variety of ways. The cost, safety, effectiveness, and ease of use of the various methods, as well as the area and amount of hair growth to be treated, are some factors to weigh in choosing a method and deciding whether to go to a professional.

Often, different methods are better suited for different areas. We have broken down this topic so that you can peruse the method that suits you best.

For do-it-yourselfers, a variety of home-use hair removal products are available over the counter. These include shaving creams, foams, and gels; waxes; chemical depilatories; and electrolysis devices.

Professionals at beauty and skin care salons and in dermatologists’ offices provide waxing, electrolysis, and, most recently, laser treatments to remove hair.

Facilitators for Hair Removal

Waxing
A Smooth Upper Lip
Shaving
Helpful Shaving Hints for Ladies
The Depilatory Story
Electrolysis
Laser hair removal .
Photo-Epilation treatment
Bleaching
Threading
Electronic Tweezing
Can a Doc Help?
Why Women Shave Their Legs and Underarms
Waxing

Waxing is done by applying a warm, soothing wax directly to the unwanted hair and removing it with a gauze cloth, taking out the hair by the root. Hair will return within four to six weeks.

While depilatories remove hair at the skin’s surface, “epilatories,” such as tweezers and waxes, pluck hairs from below the surface. Waxing and tweezing may be more painful than using a depilatory, but the results are longer lasting. Because the hair is plucked at the root, new growth is not visible for several weeks after treatment.

If you don’t mind pulling a sticky bandage off your own skin, and if you have too much unwanted body hair but too little time to run out to waxing salons, then you may be the perfect candidate for a home waxing kit.

Epilatory waxes are available over the counter for home use. They contain combinations of waxes, such as paraffin and beeswax, oils or fats, and a resin that makes the wax adhere to the skin.

There are “hot” and “cold” waxes. With hot waxing, a thin layer of heated wax is applied to the skin in the direction of the hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the wax as it cools and hardens. The wax is then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth, taking the uprooted hair with it.

Cold waxes work similarly. Strips precoated with wax are pressed on the skin in the direction of the hair growth and pulled off in the opposite direction. The strips come in different sizes for use on the eyebrows, upper lip, chin, and bikini area.

Labeling of over-the-counter waxes cautions that these products should not be used by people with diabetes and circulatory problems, who are particularly susceptible to infection. Waxing–and tweezing as well–can leave the skin sore and open to infection.

Waxes should not be used over varicose veins, moles, or warts. They should not be used on the eyelashes, inside the nose or ears, on the nipples or genital areas, or on irritated, chapped, sunburned, or cut skin.

A small area should be tested for sensitivity or allergic reaction before treating the entire area. Some hair removal experts recommend professional waxing for the best results.

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A Smooth Upper Lip

For mustache removal, waxing is often the method of choice. Big beauty salons often have a waxing section where technicians work on facial and leg hair, underarms and the bikini line. When you go in, the technician applies hot wax to an area of skin with a wooden spatula. After the wax hardens, the technician yanks it off.

Waxing keeps the mustache area hair-free for about six weeks. The new hair that grows in is usually soft and silky. Some women find waxing painful, though. And it can irritate the tender skin above the lip.

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Shaving

It is the most common form of hair removal. Men have been shaving their beards and mustaches for thousands of years, but cosmetic hair removal in women was relatively uncommon until after World War I. Now, many women routinely shave their legs and underarms.

A clean razor with a sharp blade is essential for a safe and comfortable shave. Skin should never be shaved dry; wet hair is soft, pliable, and easier to cut. Contrary to what many believe, shaving does not change the texture, color, or rate of hair growth. It is quick and convenient, but can cause skin irritation, ingrown hairs and cuts from the razor blade.

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Helpful Shaving Hints for Ladies

a)Pre-soak the area first. You can do this by taking a bath or a shower, or placing a hot washcloth over the area to be shaved for 10-15 minutes.

b)Use a fresh double-edged disposable razor.

c)Try a shave cream or gel – anything unscented should be good.

d)Pull the skintight and shave in the direction of the hair growth. You won’t get as smooth a shave by going doing this, but you’ll avoid those annoying red bumps that sometimes appear in a day or two.

e)Try not to shave over the same area twice as this will cause irritation.

If needed, use more razors rather than going over the same area a few times. Certain hair textures will foul a razor quickly, and a crisp edge on the razor blade is essential.

f)After shaving, dry your skin gently but thoroughly. Once completely dry; use pure Aloe Vera to sooth the skin. Once that’s dried, rub baby oil into the skin to sooth it and protect it. After about 6-7 hours, wash the baby oil off using anti-bacterial soap, rubbing in the direction of the hair growth.

g)Once the skin is completely dry, use more Aloe Vera, letting it dry completely, then use Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion with Aloe and Lanolin.

h)To help control moisture, use any powder that doesn’t have talc in it; there’s a slight correlation between using talc and ovarian cancer in women.

After you’ve shaved a few times, you’ll find that you can shave more often and with less itch and irritation. The itching *will* go away eventually, lessening each and every time you shave.

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The Depilatory Story

Depilatories don’t win any awards in the Grammies of hair removal, but some over-the-counter drugstore products are easy to use at home. Depilatories act like a chemical razor blade, available in gel, cream, lotion, aerosol, and roll-on forms, they contain a highly alkaline chemical–usually calcium thioglycolate–that dissolves the protein structure of the hair, causing it to separate easily from the skin surface.

These are chemical agents that remove hair–and while they do work, you have to be ultra careful. Many people don’t like them as they’re messy and have an offensive odor. Also they can irritate the skin. If you do decide to use a chemical depilatory, here’s how to prevent problems.

Hold tryouts. Depilatories not only irritate sensitive skin. They can also cause allergic reactions: bumps, pimples and itching. So it’s best to test a patch of skin first.

Apply a small amount to your inner arm below your elbow–a thin-skinned area that’s not too noticeable. Cover that spot with a bandage. Leave the depilatory on the test area for the amount of time recommended in the instructions. If you’re sensitive or allergic to the depilatory, the patch of skin will be red or broken out when you remove the bandage.

Count down carefully. You should time the application as closely as a knitter counting stitches. Set the timer when you apply the depilatory, and remove it as soon as the timer goes off as It’s very easy to burn your skin if you leave it on too long.

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Electrolysis

Electrolysis damages hair follicles by passing an electric current through them. In Electrolysis an electric current travels down the wire and destroys the hair root at the bottom of the follicle. The loosened hair is then removed with tweezers. Every hair is treated individually.

Two types of devices use electric current to remove hair: the needle epilator and the tweezers epilator. Needle epilators are used in electrolysis. Because this technique destroys the hair follicle, it is considered a permanent hair removal method. The hair root may persist, however, if the needle misses the mark or if insufficient electricity is delivered to destroy it.

However, the technique is painful, time-consuming and expensive as each hair follicle must be treated separately and on multiple occasions spanning months to years. Fifty percent of hairs regrow after each treatment. There may be skin holes and redness at treatment sites. There is a risk of infection because the electrode needle must be inserted beneath the skin into each hair follicle.

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Laser hair removal.

This method was discovered by chance when it was noted that birthmarks treated with certain types of laser became permanently devoid of hair. Further investigations led to the design of lasers, which were specifically designed for hair removal.

How do lasers work? A laser is simply a wavelength of light. The energy is absorbed by the pigment, or color, in the hair shaft. This light beam is focused down into the root of each hair and then transformed into heat energy. This destroys the hair follicle and cells responsible for hair growth.

Each laser pulse treats an area about half an inch in diameter, which can contain more than ten hairs. Laser is fast and long lasting, especially when treating large body areas. The only area not recommended for treatment is the eyebrows, since the laser could damage the eyes, but underarms, legs, bikini lines, faces and backs are very commonly treated.

One must remember in this treatment that your hair growth cycles are unique to you as well as to the area being treated. The laser can only eliminate hair that’s currently in a growth cycle.

Since hairs enter the growth cycle at different times, three treatments are necessary over a few months’ time span to remove hair from any one area. Some unwanted hair is the result of hormonal imbalances or genetics. In these cases, new hair may continue to grow, requiring periodic maintenance treatments.

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Photo-Epilation treatment

Photo-epilation treatment utilizes an intense pulsed light to destroy hair follicles with minimal side effects. The physician can customize treatment for hair color, texture, location and depth and for skin type and thus achieve excellent results.

The treatment is non-invasive, requiring no needles and thus eliminating the risk of infection. There is only slight discomfort during the procedure, rather like the snap of a rubber band against the skin.

No local anesthesia or pain medications are required. Patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. Due to its larger spot size, photo-epilation is fast, allowing the rapid removal of hair from large body areas such as the back and legs.

A clinical study has shown that photo-epilation can provide fifty to sixty percent clearance of hair in twelve weeks. After three or four sessions, the majority of hairs are removed. Some minor regrowth of hair occurs about nine months later; this is usually of a finer texture and lighter color, and thus less noticeable than the original hair.

There are few side effects. Temporary pinkness or swelling of skin at the treatment site may be seen. Occasional changes in pigmentation are observed, but these typically disappear in several weeks.

The cost of photo-epilation depends on the area to be treated and is generally similar to that of laser treatment. In the long run, photo-epilation is more cost-effective than monthly waxing or repeated electrolysis sessions.

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Bleaching

Bleaching does not actually remove the hair. It lightens the hair color so it appears blonde or golden. . Several highlights of hair bleach make it an appealing choice for some women–it’s accessible, quick and, best of all, painless.

All hair bleach kits come with two essential components: the actual hair bleach mixture, which is most often in cream form, and the activator mixture, which is always in powder form. Follow the instructions to obtain the proper proportion of bleach to activator.

Some words of caution, however: Never combine the two until you’re ready to begin bleaching, always immediately discard any unused portions and never mix the two together in any kind of a metal bowl or container.

Whatever bleach you get, be sure to do a patch test. Instructions for the patch test come with the kit. If no redness, irritation or eruption occurs, you can proceed with the full application.

To date, no evidence has been presented of harmful effects of bleaching to the skin. However, the bleaching agents that lighten the hair can also alter the pigment in the skin. This can result in a change to the skin texture, making it thicker, coarser and sometimes darker.

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Threading

Threading is an age old form of hair removal practiced in such countries as India, Pakistan and the Middle East, commonly used to lend clean lines and shape to the eyebrows and remove unwanted hair from the upper lip and areas of the face.

The procedure utilizes a piece of 100% cotton thread which is twisted and pulled along the area of unwanted hair, lifting hair directly from the follicle. The pain experienced during Threading is no worse than that experienced during tweezing or waxing. A small pinch is felt with the removal of hair which many clients find minimal due to the large coverage area treated at one time.

Unlike waxing which can be messy and time consuming, Threading requires no external products, only the use of 100% cotton thread and a minimal amount of time with a skilled cosmetician.

Threading does not have the unpleasant side effect of irritation and rashes caused by the “stripping off” of the top layer ofdead skin that accompanies waxing. The benefits of Threading also out weigh those of tweezing because unlike tweezing, Threading lifts the complete hair from the follicle while maintaining a larger coverage area.

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Electronic Tweezing

These do not remove hair permanently, despite their carefully worded ads. Some advertise a full guarantee, but the “guarantee” is not for permanence of hair removal, only that the device is free of defects! Clever? Yes. Honest? Reliable? No.

Why aren’t they effective? The manufacturer tells you that you grasp the hair with their electronic tweezer, “wait about 15-30 seconds while the current travels down the hair shaft” and then you can “slide” the hair out. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, here’s a bit of a information; you see, hair is not a conductor of electricity, in fact, it’s an insulator.

It may be painless but it sure isn’t electrolysis; it’s no better than an ordinary tweezers, but can be a lot more dangerous, Although the current will not go down to the root of the hair, these devices do emit radiation.

This can be harmful to the fetus, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. (Tests performed on mice with this type of radiation resulted in deformed offspring).

If you wear a pacemaker, the Food and Drug Administration of America warns that the high frequency current of these devices can interfere with the frequency of the pacemaker which can cause cardiac arrest. There is a further warning that the radiation emitted by these devices can be very harmful to the eyes.

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Can a Doctor help ?

Even though hair naturally grows in areas like the face underarms hands etc, some people have abnormal hair growth. This can be caused by various conditions. One cause for unwanted hair is a condition known as Hirsutism, which is caused by endocrine disorders or certain medications.

With this condition, females have hair growing in male patterns, primarily facial hair in the beard or upper lip region. Another common cause of unwanted hair is Hypertrichosis. This is an abnormal amount or distribution of hair in certain areas.

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Why Women Shave Their Legs and Underarms

We all know the power of advertising. At the turn of the century, for example, the South African Diamond company, DeBeers, created the image that the diamond was forever and therefore would make an excellent wedding ring.

Another marketing campaign around this time convinced the women of North America to shave their body hair. Notably, women in the other parts of the world do not engage on masse in this ritual. Even in French Canada, the habit is not largely undertaken.

It all began with the May, 1915 edition of Harper’s Bazaar magazine that featured a model sporting the latest fashion. She wore a sleeveless evening gown that exposed, for the first time in fashion, her bare shoulders, and her armpits.

A young marketing executive with the Wilkinson Sword Company, who also made razor blades for men, designed a campaign to convince the women of North America that:

a)Underarm hair was unhygienic
b)It was unfeminine.

Hair removal by women became popular as fashions changed in the 20th century. Underarm shaving, or “smoothing” became fashionable prior to World War I, and safety razors were ideally suited to the job.

As hemlines rose above the ankles, women in many countries, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, adopted the custom of removing leg hair. During World War II there was a shortage of silk stockings causing many women to shave their legs and to use leg makeup to give the appearance of stockings.

Today, the custom of shaving legs and underarms continues and is gradually gaining in popularity around the world.

Rewaj has come up with an half an hour fitness routine devised to work on all your trouble areas and have a slim’n’ trim new you in record time!

Exercise One: 5 minutes

Leg Lunges: tones inner thigh, strengthens front thigh muscles and removes saddle bags. Stand naturally with feet apart and back straight.

Lunge forward with the right foot at least two feet straight ahead of you, bending your right and left knee at the same time; keeping toes of right and left foot straight ahead.

Hold the stance for 30 seconds and repeat with left foot. Repeat this 5 times. If you want a more intensive workout, use bar bells in each hand.

Exercise Two: 10 minutes

Skipping Rope: great cardio workout, provides an overall workout for arms, buttocks, legs and heart.

Skip rope for 10 minutes using different variations with the legs such as fast skipping, slow skipping, hopping, etc.

Exercise Three: 5 minutes

Butt Lift: tones hip, buttocks and back thigh muscle, removes saddle bags and strengthens back. Lie on your stomach. Extend your toes behind you with your feet a foot apart.

Squeeze your entire hip/buttock area as hard as possible, keeping your knees locked and lift both legs at once until you can’t go any higher.

Keep the pressure on your hips/buttock as you return to the start position. Repeat 6 times and be aware that if you rush through this exercise, you won’t get the full benefits.

Exercise Four: 5 minutes

Bicep Curls: develops, defines and shapes biceps and strengthens the forearms. Sit at the edge of a flat exercise bench or chair with your back erect and feet together.

Place your arms straight down at your sides and curl your wrists slightly upward; one each of each dumb bell should be touching your outer thigh. Curl both your arms together at the same time until your reach shoulder height.

While you are doing this, flex your biceps are hard as possible and keep your arms close to your body. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.

Try not to lean forward or backward and don’t move in jerk motions, but maintain your control at all times

Exercise Five: 5 minutes

Stomach Crunches: strengthens, tightens and tones the upper and abdominal area while strengthening the lower abs. Lie flat on your back on the floor and pull your knees up until your legs form an “L” and cross your hands behind your head.

Raise your shoulders off the floor until your shoulders are completely off the ground, but keep your knees in the same starting position. Without pausing at the top, return to the starting position and repeat this exercise 20 times.

Water Water…

Although it is important to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day, it is even more imperative in the summer time as dehydration caused by excessive sweating – equal to or greater than 4% of body weight – can lead to heat exhaustion and more serious problems such as shock, bloody urine, and even potentially fatal blood clots in the lungs.

To recover fluid lost while exercising in the summertime, weigh yourself to find out how much weight you lost. Then divided your normal weight into the amount of weight loss to find the percent of body weight lost.

Then drink an amount of water (over a period of several hours) equal to the weight you lost – a glass of water equals half a pound.

A weekly light scrubbing down with pumice stone or a scrub gives a regular exfoliation, which is a must to give the skin a satin smooth look.

Also include healthy doses of vitamin C (atleast 1000 mg two to three times a day) in your diet. There’s nothing like a good massage to relax those tense nerves.

Fast once a week to detoxify the system. When toxins overload the body, the skin appears blemished and sallow. Following a detoxification programme will give your skin a chance to regain its natural shine.

Get into a regular beauty routine. Never go to the bed with your make-up on. Cleanse, tone and moisturize your face every night, even if you have oily skin. Of all the products that promise soft and radiant skin, a moisturizer is probably the most effective.

It nourishes the skin, giving an almost immediate softness and suppleness. Wear a moisturizer with a high SPF to protect the skin from the sun’s damaging effects, and use a renewal cream, preferably collagen based, during the night.

Pay special attention to dry areas such as knees and elbows by moisturizing liberally after exfoliating.

If you need to loose weight, go about it in a systematic way. Crash dieting doesn’t work as you’ll only loose much needed energy. Any weight loss programme should be slow and controlled. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a Queen, and dine like a pauper. Avoid cholesterol rich food like butter, cheese, and ghee.

Avoid tea, coffee and fizzy drinks, opt for fruit and vegetable juices, mineral waste and herbal teas.

Stock up on foods that boost the immune system, especially if you are susceptible to flu. Zinc is one of the most powerful immune system boosting minerals, but avoid taking too much of it in a supplement form. Food rich in zinc are red meat, wholegrain bread and cereal. Fill up on the A-list foods, which are nutritious and taste great!

Carrots (Anti-cancerous, reduce the risks of heart attacks, good for the eyes);
Broccoli (anti-cancerous, and rich in vitamin C and calcium);
Spinach (Anti-cancerous, contains vitamin C, E and calcium);
Grapes (helps prevent heart disease, high in vitamin C, iron and potassium);
Strawberries (reduces cholesterol ans risks of high blood pressure);
Onions (clears blocked sinuses, help prevent heart attacks and rectal colon and stomach cancers);
Garlic ( Anti-cancerous, reduces acidity, lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity, and reduced blood clotting).

Get a plant in your room. It’s well known that houseplants are good for health. They cut down on chemical toxins in the atmosphere, counteract allergies, asthma, headaches and fatigue and humidify rooms, so both your lungs and skin will benefit.

Moderate exercise makes the bones stronger, but intense training can have the opposite effect, as a lot of calcium is lost in sweat.

If you are working in a hot and humid weather, you would sweat more and so you’ll need to increase your calcium intake. Swimming is good for everyone, especially those with damaged joints or muscles. If you have a bad back, swimming is the ideal exercise. It builds strength, is relaxing and helps tone every area of your body.

Yoga is an extremely effective work out for the body and the mind. It improves co-ordination and posture, and asthma patients have benefited greatly as they are taught how to breathe properly. Yoga has no side effects, is beneficial for all the systems and prevents illness from striking.

This U.S. Department of Agriculture report frowns at unorthodox but yet popular weight loss programs such as the high protein Atkins diet and other similar dietary regimes. While high protein diets seem to produce a significant weight loss in a quick amount of time such diets produce a greater loss of body water than of fat. Other evidence against these high protein diets include the fact that there are no controlled, randomized studies which support the loss of body fat even over the long haul. One other strike against them: there is no evidence that such diets help to reduce blood cholesterol or improve blood sugar levels.

Carrying excess body weight is a significant risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and other chronic health conditions. In addition to daily eating a moderate fat, high complex carbohydrate diet, regular exercise and social support are critical adjuncts in keeping weight off.

Fighting family fat
1 in 3 adults, and 1 in 5 kids are overweight. Despite widespread efforts to treat this epidemic, these spreads continue to widen at an alarming rate. While there’s no doubt some of us are genetically destined to carry around a little extra baggage, many of us tip the scales because we eat too much and move too little. We eat on the go, “super size” our food portions, and spend too much time in front of our televisions and computer screens. If you and your family struggle with weight, don’t despair. There are many healthy steps you can take to win your fight against fat.

1. Eat at home more often. Can’t remember the last time you and your family sat down together for a meal? Plan to prepare a great tasting and healthy dinner one night each week. Involve your kids by letting them create the menu, shop for ingredients, or make a dish themselves.

2. Prepare for snack attacks. If you and your kids are always hungry for something after school or work, or late at night, have healthy snack options on hand. Fresh fruit, low fat microwave popcorn, low fat cheese and crackers, and low fat ice cream are good choices.

3. Plan indulgences. Going to a birthday party or other special event does not have to end your healthy eating efforts. To prevent overeating, have a snack beforehand. Try to focus more on the company, not on the food. If you overdo it, start fresh the next day or meal.

4. Get fit together. Take a walk, go on a hike, or ride your bikes outside. In bad weather, reorganize a closet, house clean, or play hide and seek. Spending less time on your couch and more time on the move will give you energy and will give you quality time with your family.

5. Think long-term. Weight management is a life-long process, not a quick fix. If you focus on making small, gradual and realistic changes in your food choices and activities, you’ll improve your odds for achieving and maintaining a healthier body weight.

Eating on the go can be daunting if you’re watching your weight, especially when the pickings include high calorie/high fat foods such as Danish pastries, croissants, muffins, and donuts. If you keep just a few staple items in your pantry or refrigerator at home or at the office, you can successfully put together a healthy and satisfying breakfast. Below are several foods and beverages grouped by category. To build a healthy, low calorie/low fat and nutritious breakfast, choose 1 item from each category for a total of 300-400 calories. If you want to double a serving of a specific food or choose 2 items from a single category, choose items from only 3 categories (instead of 4). Breads/Starches

· 2 slices toast- best choices: whole wheat, bran, oat or multigrain
· 1-1/2 cups high fiber, low fat, low sugar cereal

Fruit

· 1 medium banana
· 1/2 cup applesauce or 1 apple
· 1 cup (8 ounces) orange juice
· 2 tablespoons of raisins or 3-4 pieces dried fruit

Dairy

· 1 cup (8 ounces) skim or 1% milk
· 1 cup (8 ounces) low fat plain or vanilla yogurt
· 1 slice low fat cheese

Protein/Fat

· 1 slice low fat cheese
· 1 tablespoon peanut butter
· 6-10 nuts
· 1 tablespoon cream cheese (can mix with 1 tablespoon jelly which contains little fat)
· 1 teaspoon butter or margarine

Sugarcoated Diets

Too much sugar (especially the kind added to many processed foods and beverages) can sabotage your family’s efforts to eat well and stay trim. Intake of added sugar is on the rise and represents an estimated 12-20 percent of the calories we consume each day. Candy, non-diet sodas, juices, cakes and cookies often come to mind when we think of sugar. But other foods that we think of as healthy, including yogurt and applesauce, are often laced with extra sugar.

While skipping sweets altogether is not realistic, there are several ways you and your family can satisfy your sweet teeth, spare your waistlines, and eat healthier:

1. Become a sugar sleuth. Read the ingredient list on food packages and look for the sugar. Other names for sugar include white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, maple syrup, pancake syrup, fructose sweetener, liquid fructose, honey, molasses, anhydrous dextrose, and crystal dextrose. The higher up on the list, the more sugar in the product.

2. Get the facts. While the Nutrition Facts label on food packages lists sugar in grams, it doesn’t say how much is natural and how much is added. Nevertheless, use grams of sugar to compare similar items such as cereal — have your kids compare your family favorites, and opt for those with less sugar more often.

3. Go natural. Many foods that naturally contain sugar, including fruit and milk, are also rich in vitamins, minerals and other key nutrients. On the other hand, many products high in added sugar offer calories and not much else. To get the most bangs for your nutritional buck, choose more foods and beverages with natural sugar or less added sugar. For example, plain skim milk is a better choice than chocolate skim milk, and fresh fruit beats out canned fruit.

4. Stick to your sugar budget. Each teaspoon of sugar has roughly 4 grams. The USDA recommends no more than 10 percent of your daily calories from added sugar. For 1600 calories, that’s 6 tsp, or 24 grams a day. To satisfy a sugar craving without caving in, choose fresh fruit in season, a sucking candy, or a small lollipop. Save sugary snacks and non-diet sodas for special occasions.

Dieting? Don’t skip breakfast!

Many people skip breakfast because they aren’t hungry in the morning or fear that eating breakfast will make them hungry all day. Others cruise through the morning with either a caffeine or sugar buzz, only to experience extreme fatigue mid-morning. Studies show kids perform better in school with breakfast and the same holds true for adults. By eating breakfast, you:

· Give your brain fuel to enhance concentration and performance for problem solving and memory retention

· Jumpstart your metabolism from the overnight fast
· Increase your overall energy level
· Decrease the incidence of overeating later in the day

Breakfast can be quick, satisfying, and tasty with a preparation time of 10 minutes or less. A general rule of thumb is to eat one or two servings of complex carbohydrates such as fruit with whole grain bread or cereal and then add protein such as egg, egg white, low fat cheese, and peanut or soy butter. Protein will keep you feeling full and satisfied for up to 4 hours. If you eat only carbohydrate foods like fruit or toast you’ll be hungry in 2 hours or less and may need a snack by mid morning. Try these easy, quick breakfast choices:

· Half or whole peanut butter sandwich, banana or raisins and with skim milk
· Low-fat yogurt mixed with cereal and fruit
· Low-fat cheese on toast and fruit
· High fiber cereal with fruit, skim milk, and nuts
· Hot cereal and a small handful of nuts
· An egg or egg substitute with whole wheat toast
· Whole grain toaster waffles with peanut butter, and a glass of skim milk.

If you rush out the door headed for work, keep cereal bars, dry cereal, bagels and peanut butter in your desk so you can munch before you get too hungry. Fast food breakfasts are not the best choice but in a pinch, choose a plain biscuit, pancakes or cereal. Even non-traditional breakfasts such as leftovers of beans and rice or meat and salad from the night before can be an easy, quick choice. Limit caffeine to 2 cups and stay hydrated with at least 2 cups of water during the morning hours. If you have trouble eating in the morning, try eating something solid within 2 hours after waking. By starting your day with the proper type and amount of fuel, you will add hours to your energy level and burn calories steadily all morning long.

Soak feet in a bowl of water for about ten minutes. Add two to three drops of essential oil of lavender for an even more relaxing effect.
Dry the feet. Clip the toe-nails across and file smooth.
Rub feet with an exfoliating body scrub, paying particular attention to any rough skin that may have formed on the heels and the balls of the feet. Wash off all traces of exfoliator and dry the feet thoroughly.
Support the foot with one hand by placing your thumb on the sole and your fingers on the top. Use the other hand to massage a cooling foot lotion or an overall body moisturizer into the foot. Start at the base of each toe and work down the foot making small circular movements with your thumb and forefinger.
Work the lotion between the toes and massage each toe by gently rolling it between your fingers. This helps to stimulate the circulation and pressure points. Repeat steps 4 and 5 on the other foot. 

Lie down for about five minutes with your feet above the head, either resting a pillow or against a wall. This relieves tension in the feet and legs and can help aching veins.