There are many ways to remove unwanted hair from your body like shaving tweezing and waxing it can be quite hard to know what is best for you especially with all the different types of hair removal products/methods available. There are two types of hair on the human body, terminal and vellus, terminal hair is dark, coarse and long and is what grows on our heads, pubic region, armpits and in men on their faces, chest, legs and back. Vellus hair is fine, soft and short women have vellus hair on their face, back and chest this type of hair provides insulation and helps the body maintain a steady temperature.

Shaving is the most common form of hair removal as it is easy and quick to do however the end results do not last that long normally only 1-3 days. Many women choose shaving for hair removal on their legs and their underarms as it can be easily done on a daily basis in the bath or in the shower, you will need a good razor which is not clogged or rusting and good shaving foam or shower gel.

If you don’t fancy shaving your legs every other day or everyday then there are other more long term hair removal products available, waxing is one of the most effective hair removal treatments although many people think it is a very painful process but if you have it done by a waxing London specialist then the treatment is over a lot quicker, waxing can leave your skin red and inflamed but that will subside after a day or so, with the results lasting 3-6 weeks. Before you visit a waxing London specialist the hairs need to be about ¼ inch long, you can get your legs, bikini area, eyebrows and any unwanted facial hair waxed.

Some people don’t always have the pain threshold for waxing if you feel you don’t then other long term hair removal methods include depilatory creams which remove hair from the skin’s surface by breaking down the bonds that give the hair it’s strength, which the hair so that it can be rinsed or wiped away, the results don’t last as long as waxing at around a couple of days to two weeks, however, some people may have a reaction to the chemicals in the cream. This could result in a rash or inflammation.

Some more permanent hair removal treatments are electrolysis and laser hair removal, with electrolysis, a needle is inserted into the hair follicle and an electric current is sent to the root of the hair to kill the root, results from electrolysis can be permanent when administered by a professional however it is a time consuming process. Laser hair removal treatment uses a laser aimed through the skin to the hair follicle where it stops hair growth, this procedure is effective and large areas can be done at one time however it can be expensive and like other methods can leave some redness after.

Most people cannot avoid stress however you can do things to relieve it by using relaxation techniques and relaxation practices, which used as often as you can manage will reduce your everyday stress levels and boost your feelings, from basic breathing exercises to massage therapy. To get the most out of your relaxation you need to try and put time aside each day for some basic relaxation exercises and try and do these when you are not feeling tired and sleepy as it will not have as much effect as if you were awake and alert.

Below are some basic relaxation methods and other practices that will help alleviate your stress.
Deep breathing – For a simple yet powerful, relaxation technique focus on full, cleansing breaths and deep breathing you will find that deep breathing provides a quick way to get your stress levels in check. Deep breathing is a main component to relaxation and is used in many practices and combined with other relaxation methods for full relaxation. To get the most out of deep breathing you need to take deep breaths from the abdomen, rather than shallow breaths from your upper chest, to inhale more oxygen. The more oxygen you get, the less tense, short of breath, and anxious you feel.

Progressive muscle relaxation – This is a great way to completely relax your body and involves a two-step process in which you systematically tense and relax different muscle groups in the body you can get audio instructions from many progressive muscle practitioners for this relaxation treatment to follow. They normally start at the feet and work their way up to the face.

Massage Therapy – This treatment is not necessarily an everyday treatment as not everyone has daily access to a personal masseuse however it’s a great treat once a month or when you are feeling particularly stressed.  Getting a massage will provide deep relaxation and as your muscles relax so will your mind. There are many types of massage but the most common is a Swedish massage which is a soothing technique specifically designed to relax and energize.

Sometimes constantly taking drugs for common ailments can seem a bit excessive especially if you worry about all the chemicals in them so here are a few alternative treatments for those common ailments.

The common cold
During the colder months when risk of infection is higher you can take a course of Echinacea, an herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family. According to a University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy study Echinacea can reduce the odds of developing a cold by 58% and the duration of colds by a day-and-a-half. As well as taking Echinacea in Chinese medicine they suggest eating a whole raw garlic clove when you have a cold coming on.

Sore throat
For centuries honey has been used as a treatment for sore throats, with many people mixing a spoonful with a cup of hot water and a slice of lemon to relieve your symptoms, recent research suggests that it may be as effective as many medicines you can buy as many of them contain honey or similar as a soothing ingredient.

Upset stomach
Tummy trouble can be aided by herbal remedies such as chamomile, which is a calming anti inflammatory that helps to keep the digestive tract healthy, if you suffer from cramps it also reduces them. To keep your tummy healthy it’s also recommended to have a healthy diet by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water, as well as cutting down on alcohol and rich food.

Indigestion
Many people suffer from indigestion or heartburn which is a burning sensation felt from your stomach and up your food pipe caused by acids in your stomach. Its recommended that alternative treatments such as swallowing a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar when you feel symptoms approaching can reduce the pain or other remedies include mixing baking soda with water or eating apples, carrots, raw ginger or almonds, all of which are thought to neutralise stomach acid.

Inflammation
If you want to reduce inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis occurring its recommended supplementing your diet with essential fatty acids commonly found in oily fish, other extracts such as turmeric and ginger also thought to limit the symptoms of inflammation as well as pineapple which contains high levels of bromelain, a compound which is thought to relieve painful symptoms of swelling and arthritis and arnica which is widely used to treat the condition.

Sexual dysfunction is a complex issue and can be caused by many things, many men often take the easy route when they suffer this problem by taking Viagra however sometimes taking a quick-fix approach can mean you miss symptoms that are often part of a bigger problem.

It’s often advisable to review your overall health and current medications with your doctor as sometimes other medications can cause erectile dysfunction, as well as addressing health issues it’s also worth while addressing mental health issues and look at psychological or relationship issues through counselling or other forms of therapy. Sometimes you find that the problem is treatable without taking drugs.

Viagra is a popular drug for erectile or sexual dysfunction because it’s very effective boosts blood flow within 30 minutes to several hours and has proven to be safe.

The MMR vaccine prevents the spread of Measles, Mumps and Rubella and is usually administered to children. There has been a recent debate where parents believe that the combined MMR vaccine that is widely used across the world can cause autism or bowel disease, but there has been no link found by any medical studies.

The government target for immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella is currently 95% for each age group, but recent figures shown that only 88% of children are being immunised, with that percentage dropping to around 80% for built-up cities like Glasgow and London.

Those parents who are worried about giving their children the combined MMR vaccine can choose to opt for the MMR single vaccine. These vaccines are given one at a time and it can take many months to immunise against all 3 diseases.

Those parents who opt for the single vaccines can contact an MMR single vaccines London specialist to talk through the procedure and book an appointment or alternatively they can look for a child doctor London clinic.

Getting a bit bored with the usual spa treatments you receive? Have a look below for some more unusual treatments available around the world.

Brewery spa – There are a number of brewery spas in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic, in these you can have a good soak in a small swimming pool filled with beer, it seems that the vitamins and yeast in beer are quite cleansing for the skin, as well as indulging in the twenty minute dip in dark beer which is mixed with carbonated mineral water, yeast, hops and aromatic herbs, afterwards you can enjoy some relaxation time or an optional massage or treatment involving hot stones or being packed in hot grains.

Snake massage – Not for those who suffer from ophiophobia (fear of snakes) with this treatment you have various non-venomous snakes like California king, Florida king, milk and corn varieties slithering and sliding over your body to sooth aching muscles and joints. You can experience one of these treatments in Talmei Elazar which is in North Israel.

Geisha facial – You can now have a facial treatment that gives you the complexion of a geisha, the facial which uses the geisha skin care routine is available in New York and uses the secret ingredient geishas use, nightingale excrement (i.e. bird droppings). During the treatment you have a facemask made from the excrement which has been dried and sterilized, called uguisu no fun which exfoliates, nourishes and brightens the skin.

Cactus massage – This may sound like a very painful treatment however it’s not as prickly as you may think. This massage does involve Nopal paddles however they are spike free, they are used to massage in a mixture of prickly pear cactus, pulque (an alcoholic beverage similar to tequila but made from agave) and tuna (the cactus blossom, not the fish). These ingredients are known for their healing properties, removing toxins as well as moisturising the skin.

An extravagant facial – For those with an expensive and luxurious taste why not try a caviar facial or full body caviar treatment. You are covered in green gunk that contains sevruga fish eggs) extracts and “spirulina algae”, hence the colour. Another wallet busting treatment is a 24K Gold facial which involves covering your face with gold leaf or gold dust ala Cleopatra. The gold is thought to remove blemishes and purify the skin, and it apparently has anti-aging properties.

caviar

Picture courtsey of star5112

Every year on the first of January people all around the world make New Year’s resolutions to get healthy and fit for the upcoming year, many however find after the initial first few weeks their new health and fitness regimes will falter and struggle to loose weight. This year will probably be no exception, however those who do intend to keep good on their word can find below a few new health and fitness trends set to be big in 2010.

Food and drink
In 2010 food flavours will take on a more ethnic style like Mexican and African, with spices being used as an effective ingredient not only for flavour but their added health benefits. Many people will be looking to get the most health benefits from what they eat as well as flavour. Some super foods which are becoming increasingly popular like hibiscus which can lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, or the new super fruit from the Amazon which is the Cupuaçu which is related to the cocoa and is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Also the new in drink for the next year Matcha lattes which is a concentrated version of green tea traditionally drunk by monks, is thought to be able to boost energy levels, relive stress and boost metabolism. If you struggle to maintain how much you eat there are obesity drugs available such as Reductil that surpresses the feeling of hunger so you can reduce the amount you eat and maintain a better eating regime.
You will also start to find more foods aimed at relaxing and calming rather than just energy boosting with snacks and herbs that help you stay calm and improve your night’s sleep, and for those times when you feel stressed there is the iChill the ‘world’s first relaxation shot’.

Exercise and training
For many years we have been enjoying running as part of most exercise regimes and probably spent a small fortune on specialist trainers that we have been told we need to support our feet, protect our spine and keep us from injury. However a new trend is taking place with more people turning back time and running barefoot, although with some impracticalities this is becoming more and more popular so to compete retailers are now producing trainers with very thin soles that feel like you are running barefoot.
Recently there has been an increase of people training with clubbells as part of their training programme rather than weight machines, with the aim to get a better all over body work out. Clubbells are a hand held circular strength training tool, that look like baseball bats and although they look awkward to use they give a great all over work out when lifted and rotated, which can help burn fat and tone your muscles.

Mind and body
Many people have heard of hypnosis but for the most many do not believe in it, over the years however it has been used for many things like quitting smoking to most recently weight loss, this type of hypnosis is becoming increasingly popular mainly due to many people struggling to cope with their addictions. The human mind is capable of unbelievable things and hypnosis can be a powerful tool for behavioural change.
More people are now realising its not just a healthy body that you need but a healthy mind too, and improving your happiness and communication skills as well as controlling your anger leads to a more healthy and  happy lifestyle.

Travel sickness is caused by the vestibular system in your inner ear not understanding the visual clues it is getting, basically your eyes telling you one thing and the balancing system in your ears telling another. It leaves you feeling sick, looking pale and clammy and also gives you a headache. A lot of people suffer travel sickness from a young age and generally grow out of it however for those who don’t there a couple of things you can do to help avoid travel sickness.

There are a few over the counter drugs that can prevent motion sickness however you do generally have to take them about 30 minutes before you travel.

There are also herbal remedies you can take, many people believe ginger can help in preventing motion sickness and with herbal remedies you won’t get any side affects unlike the over the counter drugs.

There are other options as well that don’t involve taking anything, you can get special wristbands the work by controlling your pulse or try simple things such as sitting by the window looking at the distance may help. Do not read books, watch videos, or play on a games console. Listening to story tapes is a good alternative. Do open a window.

As we are in full swing of the festive party season countless numbers of women will be suffering from sore feet due to the high heels they will have been partying the night away in. However there is now a solution to this, collagen fillers, like what’s used to get rid of crow’s feat and any other lines you may not like on your face, this can now be injected into the balls of your feet to stop them aching whilst wearing towering high heels.

There has been an increase in the past year in the number of women opting for this treatment. Collagen is a natural protein that is found in skin tissue, it does break down over time but this can now be replenished with injections which ‘fill out’ the skin, the procedure involves protein being injected into the balls of the feet, it costs £240 for a pair and lasts 2-3 months. The collagen does not need removing or altering once it has been injected and any slight side effects tend to last less than 48 hours which is ideal for the party season, where some women may find they are wearing their high heels more that usual.

As designer heels such as Christian Louboutin now pass the 8 inch mark more women will find that their feet can’t take all the wear and now can opt for this non surgical treatment, the fillers have been popular in America, but they are only just taking off here. The cosmetic surgeons at the Harley Medical Group have found that a growing numbers of women are now choosing the treatment in the run-up to Christmas. The group’s director Liz Dale said “When they put on their shoe, the transformation is immediate and they feel more comfortable and more able to dance or mingle the night away. The injections are integral padding and last just the right amount of time for the party season. Though there’s nothing to stop women having top-ups to keep the comfort going.”

High Heels

Picture courtesy of Markusram

It is easy to make yourself feel good about your body, about yourself and the world around you. Women who take care of themselves have an inner glow that shows on their faces and in the way they carry themselves. A day spa treatment is about providing the time, space and expertise for women to renew that glow; this can apply whether you are coming in for a full day of treatments or just to relax in the atmosphere of a traditional Thai day spa London with a close friend.

Drawing on ancient rituals with modern day touches, the unique Thai spa treatment creates luxurious treatments that recharge your body’s essential energies and envelop you in a world of new discovery. You will find that your muscles are eased, minds are restored and you are left feeling completely at ease. At the same time you can, if you wish, catch up with friends or indulge in some precious ‘me’ time. A day spa in London is the perfect retreat from the stresses of a busy London life.

Inspired by ancient traditions and philosophies and combined with modern day touches, the spa treatment provide a unique pampering and relaxation experience, allowing you to unwind, escape and fully rejuvenate. The trained therapists will work with you helping you leave the cares and worries of the day behind. Having skin treatment is certain to give you a lift and you will come away, not just with an inner glow, but boosting the skin’s own natural.