Skin Deep

There is good news for you. Laser hair removal can reduce the

number of hairs in any given area safely and effectively - if you go to a

qualified nurse or dermatologist.

The laser targets melanin, the pigment in the hair shafts, which

absorbs the laser light right down to the hair bulb at the base of the

follicle.

The hair falls apart with the heat, and the replacement hairs grow

in more slowly, with a smaller diameter. With repeated treatments,

hair growth can be reduced or even stopped. Skin colour is no longer

a major problem.

I would suggest a Gentle Yag laser treatment, which uses long

pulses. It can be applied to all hair and skin types without risk of

burning. You should be very pleased with the results.

I am thinking of using Botox around my eyes. Where can I find the

cheapest botox injection?

Perhaps you should ask where you can find the best and safest

Botox injection.

Botox is unquestionably the most effective treatment to smooth

away deep wrinkle lines, including crow's feet. It also enhances the

appearance of the eyes by widening them slightly and improving the

arch of the eyebrow, if done by a skilled professional.

But remember: The active ingredient is the toxin botulinum, which

paralyses muscles. Due to increased demand for these treatments,

there are many fakes on the market, some called Botox, others a

derivative of Botox. They might be cheaper, but they haven't been

approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

I recommend getting the injections only from a board-certified

dermatologist or plastic surgeon. We shouldn't put ourselves at risk,

should we?

When I use my new shower gel I get a rash. Am I allergic?

Not necessarily: It may just be an irritation, the common response

to super-scented products.

Unless you've got red bumps or hives - red, itchy patches -

assume that your skin is merely irritated. Stop using the product, and

if the redness and itching don't disappear within a week, contact a

dermatologist, who can determine whether you've got an allergy.

Thanisorn Thamlikitkul, MD, is a member of the American Society

of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and certified in             

dermatological laser surgery. Send your questions for her to

info@romrawin.com. Her column appears twice a month on the

Fashion & Beauty Page.