I have wanted to try laser hair removal, but haven't. From my understanding you are a best candidant if there is a big difference in your skin color and hair color. Like pale to med-light skin color with dark hairs. Doesn't work as well for someone pale with light colored hairs or somone dark with dark or light hairs. It's the same whether you are naturally darker toned or are usually light but have a tan from sun exposure or sunless tanning products. Also, your hair grows in 12-week cycles where it is dormant for 10 weeks (approx) and actively growing for 2 weeks. Only the hair follicles currently active will be killed in any one treatment. I don't think 100% of the active hair follicles are killed, but I don't know what percentage are. I know that it takes about 6 treatment sessions to get about 70-80% of all the hair follicles. That being said, being the cheap-o that I am, I am trying the Igia Finally Gone. It only claims to kill 50% of the active follicles in any one session. So, if only 2/12's of the hairs are active and it only kills 1/2 of them, that is 1/12 of the total hairs per session, so I can expect to be hair-free in about 12 sessions ? I have only done about 4 (maybe 5) sessions over the last couple years. It is very very time-consuming even with the pads that cover more area at a time because I am doing my lower legs ... a lot of area to cover there. I can see some reduction in the number of hairs that grow on my legs and both legs have areas that are almost completely bald on the lower half of the lower legs towards the front and the inside. These are the areas that are the least "meaty". Don't know if that has anything to do with it ? For what it's worth, I have very hairy very coarse very dark hair on my lower legs and I am able to tell a difference already. When I "treat" my lower legs, I shave and then let the hairs grow for about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks, then I spend a saturday morning zapping my legs, and a few days after I have my legs waxed. Igia says you are to pull out each hair after the treatment, and waxing is the fastest way to get all of those hairs out ! I have also heard the "infomercial" for Nad's and they say after you wax a number of times that eventually the hairs stop growing. Not sure how true that is but don't try Nad's ... it does not work ... it is painful and it does not remove all of the hairs. If you want to wax, buy Gigi Honee All Purpose Hair Removal Microwave Formula from Sally's. It's also painful, but at least it removes all of the hairs ! You can also buy a Numbing Spray by Gigi that helps a lot. http://www.sallybeauty.com/ I don't have the guts to rip the waxing strips off myself, so I have someone else do the ripping.

I gave up salon hair coloring to pay for my laser hair removal! I'm having my upper lip and chin done...oh what the change in hormones can do! It sure does hurt a lot but only for the nano second that the laser is applied to each area. If you think of something like a staple gun or nail gun that is similiar conceptually---each "dose" of the laser takes about the same time as one staple thru a staple gun. Although I've never counted, I think they hit my upper lip with the laser about 20-30 times per treatment. Nurses do it where I go and they are very fast with the laser--which is a very good thing. Usually, I need a few seconds of a "break" twice during the session. They wisely don't allow more than a two or three second "break". There is no sense prolonging the treatment. Have you ever had a small section of your skin pinched to the point you get shivers? That's how it feels to me. After the treatment, I can "remember" the feeling and will shiver. The freshly lasered area of my skin looks and feels sunburned after a treatment but that is all gone by morning. I agree it's wise to shave well right before going for the treatment. I get mine done after work also. Despite the cost and the seconds of pain (I don't have the numbing gel), it has been well worth it to me and my morale. I don't need to shave for a week or so afterward until the next crop grows in. I've had 3 treatments and the majority of my upper lip and chin are hair-free. I no longer look like I have 5 o'clock shadow on my lip (by 5 o'clock!). I can't describe how good it feels not to be checking for stubble all day long and feeling self-conscious. Going through menopause is hard enough without visible signs that suggest you are becoming "manly"! I know people who have had their legs, underarms, bikini, lips and chin done and are glad they did. I also know one poor young guy who is having his whole super furry back and neck done-it takes a lot of his courage and determination to face even one treatment and I don't know how many his requires. The nurses told me a lot of guys have areas of their beard done because of chronic problems with infected ingrown hairs. I have not noticed any skin darkening due to the treatment. I have had the skin all around my mouth darken along with the hormone changes (think "clown")although I don't think anybody has noticed but me. Another good way to give yourself darkened patches is going in the sun while taking an antibiotic. I noticed that sun will darken the area. I went to Sephora and they have a product that will lighten the darkened areas in about three months. If darkening is a problem, it's important to always apply sunblock to those areas. Another thing I learned is that the laser won't work on gray hair. Wish I knew that before a few of my "whiskers" turned gray! I have to tweeze only those but it's no big deal. Hope this helps someone out there!

I am about to try Natural Progesterone for years getting progressively worse and worse i have had facial hair coming in which i will tweeze almost daily . it also grows as what men call a happy trail from my belly button to my pubic hair line and stray hairs in my aureoles.. i have not seen if this is related to low levels of Progesterone or not but intend on looking this up as well. it started about the same time as the facial hair in my mid 20's and by 30 it was more than 5 hairs now it is over 50 they grow over my lip on my chin and my neck. very annoying and embarrassing. i also have not been able to conceive..I have never had a child and did when i was 17 now 36 had a miss carriage have not had a pregnancy scare since.even during long term relationships with more than once weekly sexual relations. I also had a promiscuous ex husband who cheated on me and i though that the std he brought me home that was misdiagnosed for years as a yeast infection and badder infection was the cause of my infertility..lately i have been getting emotional , depressed and tire easily i attributed this to my new as of 6 mo ago night job. but I noticed a few menstrual cycles ago that i was having an irregular cycle i have always had a 2 1/2 to 4 day long period every 29 days to the letter.. very short.. and i have tried to figure out when i ovulate but have had no luck.. recently i have been having irregular cycles. and staining ..and pressure like menstrual bloating. especially over the last 2 yrs i have also noticed i am aging more rapidly my face is not a taught at it used to be the skin under my chin and on my neck seem to have lost some of it's elasticity and i have put on weight not a lot but a good 15 to 20 lbs.my sex drive also has gone way down..from where it used to be.. i can go months with out thinking about sex and don't feel like being touched it actually annoys me .after reading some of this book.. what your doctor may not tell you about premenopause by John R. Lee MD I am beginning to think that all my troubles are one in the same..I also have a sugar craving that sometimes is insatiable.. I have found all of these signs in Natural Progesterone web sites and this wonderful book I intend on doing something about this when i get my next pay check .. and get some wild yam cream Natural Progesterone I will post a fallow up if this page is still here as to if it worked.. I also intend on eating less sugar caffeine and non free range meats. I have almost cut out red meat all together as of now and have begun eating locally grown produce more regularly.. you will find this info also on myspace.. in hopes that it will help others who might be experiencing the same...good luck to all .. quantumdreamer Here is a link that might be useful: my myspace.

Regarding mayo, the ingredients used to make this condiment are veggie oil (any type will do), egg yolks and acids such as vinegar and lemon juice. Egg yolks are often used in home hair treatments to strengthen and moisturize hair. It is thought that the combination of oil, egg yolk and acid (as found in mayo) work together to condition and restore moisture to the hair. I tried it many years ago, and while it left my hair shiny and silky, it also took many shampooings to get it out and left my hair feeling kind of limp and oily. How well it works probably depends on what type of hair each individual has. Eggs used alone as hair treatments are broken down like this - egg whites treat oily hair, yolks moisturize dry, brittle hair and using the entire egg is used as a general conditioner. To use a yolk or a whole egg, whisk and apply to wet hair and leave in for 1 - 3 minutes. Rinse well with cool water. To use whites, separate from yolk, mix with a couple of tablespoons of oil and beat until foamy. Apply to damp hair. Use your fingers or a comb to distribute thoroughly thru hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water. WalnutCreek, I hope you are feeling better every day and that, among these many good ideas, you find a solution that restores your hair to it's original condition. Best of luck!