Articles

Laser hair removal has become one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in recent years for women as well as for an increasing number of men.

Many people wonder if such laser hair removal really works. Here’s what we’ve found.

The FDA writes:
‘The popularity of laser hair removal has increasingly grown, prompting many laser manufacturers to conduct research and seek FDA clearance for their lasers for this indication.
The market is growing so quickly that FDA cannot maintain an up-to-date list of all laser manufacturers whose devices have been cleared for hair removal, as this list continues to change.
To learn if a specific manufacturer has received FDA clearance, you can check FDA’s Website at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/databases.html under the 510(k) database. You will need to know the manufacturer or device name of the laser.’

and ….

‘Several manufacturers received FDA permission to claim, “permanent reduction,” NOT “permanent removal” for their lasers. This means that although laser treatments with these devices will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair.’

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery writes:
What Are the Advantages of Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive method of photoepilation, which does not require needles or messy chemical creams. Since thousands of hairs can be zapped in a single treatment session, large areas like the back, shoulders, arms and legs can be effectively and efficiently treated.
Use this link to find a dermatologic surgeon for laser hair removal.

The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research says:
‘Laser hair removal may be an option if you seek long-term or permanent results.’
I recommend you visit this link, because they also write about how laser hair removal is done, how to prepare, what to expect, the risks and what the results are of laser hair removal.

In her article ‘Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow’, Marian Segal, member of FDA’s public affairs staff, writes:
‘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.’

and ….

‘Three-month clinical trials of the ThermoLase process showed at least a 30 percent reduction of hair on treated areas in 60 to 70 percent of people treated.’

In PubMed we found the following abstract:
Laser hair removal.
DiBernardo BE, Perez J, Usal H, Thompson R, Ferraro FJ, Fallek SR.
Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.

We are in a state of evolution in long-term hair removal. Safe and effective technology is now available. Lasers will always become smaller, faster, and perhaps more effective. For those interested in offering this procedure, evidence indicates that we are beyond the experimental phase. The treating physician should carefully review current available technology and receive proper training specific to that system.

So it looks like laser hair removal really works!

Candida Albicans is a fungus (a form of yeast) that, under normal circumstances, lives in 80 percent of the human population with no harmful effects.

However, Candida Albicans overgrowth results in candidiasis, commonly called yeast infection or thrush. Yeast organisms are always present in all people, but are usually prevented from “overgrowth” (uncontrolled multiplication resulting in symptoms) by naturally occurring microorganisms.

At least three quarters of all women will experience candidiasis at some point in their lives. The Candida Albicans organism is found in the vaginas of almost all women and normally causes no problems. However, when it gets out of balance with the other “normal flora,” such as lactobacilli (which can also be harmed by using douches), an overgrowth and symptoms can result.

The most common Candida Albicans symptoms include chronic fatigue (especially after eating), depression, bloating, gas, cramps, chronic diarrhea or constipation, rectal itching, allergies, severe PMS, impotence, memory loss, severe mood swings, recurrent fungal infections (such as athlete’s foor), extreme sensitivity to chemicals (perfumes, smoke, odors, etc.) and lighheadedness.

Candidiasis can be successfully treated either with home remedies or, in the case of a more severe infection, with either over the counter or prescription antifungal medications.

Home remedies for Candida Albicans overgrowth include the consumption of yogurt, which contains lactobacillus (a bacteria that kills yeast), acidophilus tablets or salves, and even lightly crushed cloves of garlic which yields allicin, an antifungal.

There’s also a natural cure for candidiasis that

• alleviates depressed mood
• treats Candidiasis and systemic yeast infections
• eliminates excessive Candida Albicans overgrowth in the digestive tract
• prevents recurring thrush, Athlete’s Foot, Dobey’s Itch and other yeast infections
• encourages digestive and intestinal health
• regains lost energy caused by Candida overgrowth
• relieves digestive disorders like indigestion, gas, heartburn and ‘Leaky Gut’ Syndrome
• prevents depression, anxiety and mood swings related to Candida overgrowth
• reduces sugar cravings related to Candidiasis
• helps to lose stubborn weight

in order to fight Candida Albicans.
You may want to check that out.

The drugs commonly used to treat candidiasis are nystatin, ketoconazole or amphotericin B in varying concentrations and applications.

If indicated, an underlying reason for Candida Albicans overgrowth should be looked for.
As an example, oral candidiasis is often linked to the use of inhaled steroids in asthma medication. Patients on long term inhaled steroids should rinse their mouth after each dose of steroids.
Babies with diaper rash should have their diaper areas kept clean, dry, and exposed to air as much as possible.

Other interesting links:
Candida, Yeast Infections, Oral Thrush?
Candida is an insidious condition that may be caused by the use of antibiotic. It is possible that 80-90% of the US population is affected. It may cause problems like yeast infections, sinusitis, oral thrush, and digestive problems.

Is magnet therapy regarded yet as a mainstream therapy? I consider it is not and through this series of articles I hope to raise awareness by examining a number of issues that have stood in the way of mass acceptance.

There is a useful parallel to be drawn between magnetic therapy and acupuncture. Acupuncture today is an accepted alternative therapy but 20 or 30 years ago it was regarded with deep suspicion. So what has happened to make it so popular now that many conventional health clinics have a professional acupuncturist on hand to provide the therapy?

Well, the passage of time has allowed communication of the obvious benefits actual patients have enjoyed by having a wide variety of symptoms relieved. If one reads the information available at http://acupuncture.com/ the science behind acupuncture is still largely theoretical and involves ‘the common ground shared among meridian system, chakra system and modern sciences’ Basically, acupuncture is a successful discipline that encourages the body to heal itself.

(It is worth noting here that the general description of what acupuncture does, includes words such as ‘electromagnetic fields’ and ‘polarity’. Terms which also are used in any consideration of magnetic therapy.)

So, acupuncture has become accepted mainly because of anecdotal results and any number of successful blind trials. Virtually the same situation that magnetic therapy finds itself in today!

The ‘sceptics’ and ‘doubters’ will tell you there is no basis on which magnet therapy can work; but they said the same words with regard to acupuncture all those years ago. They will tell you there is no clinical proof that magnetic therapy does anything. This too is untrue, but like anything it depends on how tests are carried out and what is being measured.

It is also good to keep in mind; these are both ‘alternative therapies’. Alternative, to what? To the medical and veterinary establishment who maintain they have the monopoly on curing all biological bodies with drugs and surgery and radiation. (I acknowledge there are dedicated individual health professionals and vets, who do have wellness as their main priority for us and our animals.) There have been many occasions down the ages when new innovations and discoveries have been discredited by those with a vested interest in their failure.

Further fuel for the sceptics and doubters rhetoric is that there are many companies and individuals ‘out there’ who, looking to jump on a band, will sell you a product that may be totally inappropriate for your needs. ‘Dealers’ who sell magnetic therapy items have, in my experience little or no knowledge of how the therapy works or able to provide help and advice as to the correct application. It is these people who generally cannot be bothered to find out, will tell you, ‘it is not known why magnets work only that they do’. This is untrue and in my next article I will examine why and how magnets effect the functioning of the biological body.

About The Author
© Barry Dench is a qualified electrical engineer, who in 1996 used his knowledge of magnetism to research the effects of magnetic fields on the biological body. He can be contacted at www.magnecare.co.uk