Excess Facial Hair

If you fight your follicles on a daily basis or sprout lots of hairs on your chin, see your doctor. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (a disorder characterized by high levels of male hormones) or an adrenal gland problem could be to blame. If you're moderately hairy (you tidy up your brows or upper-lip area once a month), you've probably just got your genes to thank.

The fix: Vaniqa - a new, odorless prescription cream- has recently been approved by the FDA USA to decrease light to heavy hair growth anywhere on the face. Though it doesn't yield immediate results (you'll need to keep using your regular hair-removal methods at first), the cream blocks one of the enzymes responsible for hair growth, gradually slowing it down as long as you continue to use it, says Ken Washenik, M.D., director of dermatopharmacology at New York University School of Medicine. For those who don't respond to Vaniqa, six laser hair treatments can significantly decrease hair growth for months. A monthly electrolysis session for up to a year can remove hair permanently.

Bad Breath smell despite constant brushing

Although brushing will help prevent cavities (so don't stop scrubbing), it can only mask bad breath, since the problem really lies within your throat and tongue, not your teeth. When the bacteria in your mouth lose access to oxygen (which can happen when you use alcohol-based mouthwashes, take certain prescription medications for depression or high blood pressure or simply sit with your mouth shut for a long time), they emit smelly sulfur compounds, says Harold Katz, D.D.S., founder of The California Breath Clinic in Los Angeles; this is the same principle at work with foot odor. Eating garlic and onion also makes your breath stink because they contain - surprise - those same sulfur compounds.

The fix: Contrary to popular belief, a tongue scraper won't banish bad breath - sulfur compounds cannot be removed manually. Instead, keep your mouth oxygenated by drinking water throughout the day and using an over-the-counter oral rinse with chlorine dioxide in both the A.M. and the P.M. to neutralize sulfur compounds. (Try TheraBreath Oral Rinse.) Chewing on oxygen-rich vegetables, like parsley and celery, can also diminish odors. If these tricks don't work, see your dentist.

Kitchen Beauty Tips for Gorgeous Skin

Adopted fro WEBMD

According to Irons, food works to beautify skin better on the outside than the inside! Some new uses for:

• Lemon juice. Added to water, this makes a great facial toner.

• Orange slices. Just rub a slice of orange on your face, Irons says. It revives dull skin -- the acid, the vitamin C!

• Vegetable shortening. This is great for eczema, Irons says. "Hospitals call it Cream C, for Crisco," she says. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds, then slather it on.

• Egg whites. For an instant facelift, dab egg whites over your face, sit stock still until it dries, then apply makeup. Sort of a poor woman's Botox!

• Avocado. Mash one up, mix in a little lemon juice, and apply to face and neck and let it dry. "A great neck firmer," Irons says.

• Rice flour. This is an "old-timey" secret, Irons whispers. Put some in a compact -- it's "the best face powder money can buy."

• Pumpkin. Yup, out of the can, hold the sugar and cinnamon. It's a great conditioner for the face or whole body.

• Parsley flakes. Put a few spoons in an ice cube tray section, add water, and freeze. Rub it on a pimple and it takes down swelling in a few minutes.

• Coffee grounds. Actually, these are for the whole body, especially problem "rear" and thigh areas. Rub the grounds into your cellulite with a veggie brush. "Better than any loofah," says Irons. Then wrap with plastic wrap and sit for 15 minutes. Make sure you use full-octane coffee -- no decaf.

• Eggs, honey, lemon juice. This is a mask for rough skin, not dry. Combine one egg, one tablespoon of honey, and a half teaspoon of lemon juice, apply with your fingers and leave it on 20-30 minutes, then rinse and apply freshener.

• Beets. Had to include this one from Warhol superstar Ultra Violet (remember her?). She used to cut the top off a beet and carry it in her purse as a lip stain. Bet that drew some stares in restaurants!

Overall, dermatologist Kimball is lukewarm on do-it-yourself cosmetics. "None of these will hurt you," she says. "But cosmetic companies have put a lot of work and technology into developing their products."Hey -- is that a shot at those beets?

Beauty Tips for Hair From the Kitchen

adopted from WEBMD

After cruising the aisles of the drugstore, don't forget the kitchen. It is a beauty counter unto itself.

For more beautiful hair:

• Olive oil. Irons prefers this to the often-recommended mayonnaise for conditioning hair. Heat some extra virgin olive oil in the microwave for 10 seconds and apply to DRY hair. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then shampoo (forgetting that last step will leave you lank and smelling like a salad).

• Flat beer. Be sure to use beer that has lost its zing, or else heat fresh beer and allow it to cool. Wash your hair, pour it on, and comb. "I guarantee it will not smell after it dries," Irons says.

• Baby food. Brace yourself -- strained liver! Wash hair and apply a tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with 2 ounces of strained liver. Wrap your head in a towel or wrap with plastic and sit under a warm dryer for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly (liver+hair=obvious).

• Vinegar. This is a marvelous rinse, according to Baker. Cider vinegar is good for brunettes, white vinegar for blondes. Four tablespoons in three glasses of warm water. Then use lots of cool water to remove the salady smell.

• Lemons are a blonde's best friend! The juice of two lemons in two glasses of lukewarm water should do it. If your hair does not tend to be dry, you can skip the rinse and let the sun add some highlights.

Dandruff Treatment - Home made

Aspirin can be used to treat dandruff. In her book, The Model's Way to Beauty, Slenderness and Glowing Health, former Wilhelmina model Oleda Baker recommends mixing an inch of warm water in a coffee cup, dissolving 30 aspirin tablets and 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda, and applying the foaming concoction to your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then comb to work out flakes. Doing this every day for a week can eliminate dandruff.

Beauty Recipies from Kitchen

Eggs, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley aren't just for salads anymore -- they're beauty products, too!

Common household products, found in almost every medicine cabinet, can be used to for purposes other than those listed on their label....

• Hemorrhoid cream. The cream version, not the greasy one, can be used for undereye puffiness. Let it soak in and apply makeup. "It's also good to de-puff the jawline."

• White toothpaste. Regular toothpaste, not the gel kind, can be dabbed on pimples to dry them overnight.

• Eye drops. If you don't have time to treat a pimple overnight, anti-reddening eyedrops can also be applied to pimples with a swab, left for 10 to 15 seconds, then makeup applied. The drops take the red right out, making the blemish coverable.

• Vitamin K salve, available over the counter, helps prevent stretchmarks.

• Pepto-Bismol makes a great face-tightening mask. Let it dry, then remove with warm water. It also helps seal the fate of cold sores

• Milk of magnesia. If your skin is oily, apply milk of magnesia and let it dry, then rinse before making up.

• Baby wipes. Forget the expensive face cleansing pads or cloths. These work fine to remove grime and makeup.

• Aspirin can be used to treat dandruff. In her book, The Model's Way to Beauty, Slenderness and Glowing Health, former Wilhelmina model Oleda Baker recommends mixing an inch of warm water in a coffee cup, dissolving 30 aspirin tablets and 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda, and applying the foaming concoction to your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then comb to work out flakes. Doing this every day for a week can eliminate dandruff.

• Vaseline. Even though many of the high-end beauty gurus sniff at "mineral oil" for your face, Alexa B. Kimball, MD, MPH, assistant professor of dermatology at the Stanford University Medical Center, tells WebMD that no one is allergic to petroleum jelly and it makes an excellent moisturizer, especially around the eyes. The layer holds in moisture. "It never irritates from perfumes," she says.

A Beauty Enhancing Element : Epsom Salt

By Kathryn M. D Imperio

Affordable, available and easy to use, Epsom Salt provides the beauty-conscious with a wealth of fun and healthy home remedies and beauty treatments.

In Grandma's day, Epsom Salt was largely used as a laxative. That�s no longer the case,� says Jim Hill, a member of the Epsom Salt Council. �Epsom Salt, a pure, time-tested mineral compound, is actually Magnesium Sulfate, which absorbs easily through the skin and boasts a whole host of modern-day uses, from beauty to health.�

Epsom Salt occurs naturally, although most of what we buy in the stores has been manufactured. Even still, the Epsom Salt retains its pure, natural and healing characteristics.

To take advantage of the health and beauty related functions of Epsom Salt, the Epsom Salt Council suggests the following tips:

To exfoliate:

Mix together two cups of Epsom Salt and � cup of petroleum jelly. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil for a pleasant fragrance. Apply the mixture to gently scrub away old cells and encourage a healthier-looking complexion.

For a facial:

Mix � teaspoon of Epsom Salt into a deep cleansing cream so you can reap the benefits of this mineral deep inside your skin. Massage the mixture onto your skin and then rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

To accompany a pedicure:

Before you go to the trouble of painting your nails, soften your feet by soaking them in a bathtub or plastic basin with warm water and Epsom Salt for at least 10 to 15 minutes. The salt will help to smoothen your feet, giving them a relaxed and refreshed feel.

Relaxing bath crystals:

Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of a delightful fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. To dress up your bath crystals, add a few drops of food coloring or � teaspoon of glycerin. Store the crystals in an airtight container.

Soothing spa treatment:

After showering, the Epsom Salt Council recommends massaging handfuls of Epsom Salt over wet skin to exfoliate the body. �It's the same treatment many upscale spas use, without the upscale price!

For a tranquil soak:

Fill your bathtub with water at a comfortable temperature that you enjoy. As you're filling the tub, add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water (if it is a standard-sized bathtub, make adjustments for larger tubs). Soak for at least 12 minutes, three times a week for best results. As an extra treat, the Epsom Salt Council recommends adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil for an invigorating aroma.

Sensitive Skin Gentle Exfoliant

By Beverly Smith

For a gentle sensitive skin exfoliator, mix 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/4 cup milk, two teaspoons baking soda, one tablespoon olive oil and five drops of tea-tree oil in a bowl, then apply to your skin.

Make Your Own Hair Perfume

By Beverly Smith

It is pleasant to perfume the hair after washing it when the hair is half dry. The following ingredients are required to make this fragrant perfume.

• 6 tablespoons powdered charcoal
• 5 tablespoons powders myrrh
• 1 tablespoon powdered benzoin
• 1 tablespoon potassium nitrate
• 2-3 drops oil of bergamot
• 2-3 drops of sandalwood
• mucilage of tragacanth

Mix the powders together and sieve, and then add the oils. Add the potassium nitrate, and then sufficient mucilage of tragacanth to make a stiff paste.

Heat the mixture over a water bath and then make into little cones and dry. Just light one of the cones and let the smoke go into the damp hair.
The smell is highly aromatic and exotic.