What Eyebrow Shape Suits You

Want to know what eyebrow shape suits you? More than likely it is the shape that your eyebrows already are. Not to sound cute, but most of us have eyebrows that may
need some work but usually not major reshaping.

Hey, you may love the way JLo, or Beyonce's eyebrows look, but that doesn't mean that the same shape, thickness and arch will look good on you.

So, if you want to know what eyebrow shape suits you, you may want to start by looking in the mirror. Of course, if you aren't totally satisfied with your eyebrows there are many things you can do that don't require a total restructure.

Most of us can make dramatic improvement by simply adding a small amount of shaping and /or some thinning to our existing eyebrows. It can be a little more difficult to try to change the arch of your brows.

It's not impossible, of course, but if you have never done it before, it can be a challenge. And remember, if you mess it up you will look a little goofy until everything grows back.

To compound the goofiness you also have to remember that you will also need to even up both brows so they look at least close to the same shape, thickness and size.

So, if you want to do your brows yourself make sure that you allow enough time and I wouldn't recommend you try it for the first time right before a big occasion, just in case there is a problem.

So to get the best shape for you, you should probably just start with removing unwanted hair that is growing below, beside and above your main eyebrow line.

Just removing some extra "scruff" can make your eyebrows look more manicured and attractive. You may not even need to alter the shape or arch that much, you may just want to trim them so they are more defined and not so wild looking.

If you want to remove the unwanted hair for as long of a time as possible, you should either pluck or wax. You should not shave your eyebrows since this can actually promote more growth and you will just need to do more to keep your brows looking good… and who wants that?

Though plucking and waxing does hurt, it can also provide more of a permanent hair loss. Since you are taking the hair by the root, you won't have more hair growth until the hair can grow back from the root, and that will take upwards of two months.

Hey, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. More than likely your basic eyebrow shape is perfect for the shape of your face. You may just want to "neaten" your brows up a little bit to maximize how they look.

To find what eyebrow shape suits you you probably just have to look in the mirror. If you want more than just a little "tidying up" you may want to find a professional to do it for you.


 

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Dental Emergencies

As we all know, toothaches and any type of oral injury can be extremely painful and should be seen by a dentist immediately. Dental emergencies should be seen immediately by a dentist, day or night. These emergencies include broken teeth, teeth that have been knocked out, or teeth that have been forced out of the socket. With some emergencies, the cheeks, lips, or gums will have cuts or abrasions on them from where the teeth come out of the socket.

If you've had a tooth recently knocked out, the first thing you should do is look for that tooth. When you've found the tooth, gently scrub it to get rid of any dirt or debris. Once you have cleaned it, you should place it back in your mouth between the cheek and gums. Whatever you do, you should never try to put it back in the socket. If you can make it to the dentist in time, he may be able to put the tooth back in place.

If you've had a tooth come out of place, you can normally reposition it with your fingers. You shouldn't use a lot of force, simply because it could damage the tooth. You shouldn't force the tooth into place, rather try and jiggle it around. You can also use moist tissue to hold the tooth in place, until you can get to a dentist.

If you've got a fractured tooth, the treatment will all depend upon how bad the booth has been fractured. No matter how light the fracture may be, it is very important that you get to a dentist as soon as you can. Minor fractures aren't that bad, as they can normally be smoothed out using sandpaper. Sometimes, the tooth can also be restored with a composite. Either way, you'll need to make sure that you use extreme caution with the tooth for the next few days.

The more moderate fractures, normally include damage to the dentin, pulp, and even the enamel. These fractures can be nothing to worry about at times, yet painful with other cases. Providing the pulp hasn't been damaged, your dentist will be able to restore the full shape and function to the fractured tooth. In cases where pulp damage has occurred, the dentist may need to do a root canal or other type of serious surgery to repair the tooth.

Whenever you encounter a dental emergency, you shouldn't hesitate to contact a dentist immediately. Your dentist will be able to assist you, fix the problem, and stop the pain. Dental emergencies can happen at any time, so you should always the emergency number of a dentist who will be there at a moments notice. Tooth pain can be very excruciating – and you'll obviously want to get the problem fixed immediately.


 

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How To Deal With Acne

People who suffer from acne know that it is no laughing matter.
Having bad acne can lead to shyness, under-confidence and insecurity so any product on the market that promises to solve acne problems is sure to be popular. However, if you are an acne sufferer then there is some good news; when you are in the later years of your life, your skin will be wrinkle-free. This is because acne sufferers have oily skin and these active oil glands will be of great benefit in later years when the skin looses its elasticity.

Acne is usually found where the oil glands are more active and where the skin has more pores. The pores are the holes where the body hair comes through, and the oil glands that are around these pores secret sebum. The sebum may be produced in excessive amounts and this combined with any grime that is on the skin, will develop into acne.

The other thing to remember about acne is that it will clear up. Most people do suffer with acne when they are a teenager, but the acne will lessen as you get older, and having wrinkle-free skin in the later years in life is a great thing to look forward to!

Many people will try an array of products to try and get rid of acne. But you do not need to use expensive toiletries or cosmetics to help acne. There are a few basic things that you can do to help clear up acne and calm the skin down. Firstly start with a cleaning regime that you do everyday. By strictly keeping the skin clean, by cleansing toning and moisturising you will help your acne. You don't need to use very expensive products for this; just by cleaning and toning your skin everyday should help with your acne.

The other thing that you can do to help with acne problems is look at your diet. It is always important to have a healthy diet, and this can be of great importance where acne is concerned. Make sure you have a varied diet and eat an array of all of the food groups.

Drinking plenty of water and eating a lot of fruit and vegetables will help not only your health but also your acne. Another great way to combat acne is by doing exercise. Increasing the blood flow to the skin will help with acne, but it is important to remember to keep clean when exercising and shower before and after.

If you make these simple changes to your life you will feel the benefit and you will also see an improvement to your acne. Acne can be a real problem but if you do all that you can by changing what you eat and how you exercise you will soon see an improvement in your acne. It's important to remember that acne does not stay forever, so no matter how bad you think your acne is now, it will get better.


 

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Dry Eyes And Contacts

If you have dry eyes, contact lenses may be a nightmare. With healthy eyes, a very thin layer of tears will always form under the contact lens. When this layer starts to dry out however, the lens will begin to feel dry. Dry eyes from contact can be very irritating, uncomfortable, and lead you to try to squinch or rub your eyes to seek relief.

Even though contact lenses are indeed a cause of dry others, there are other causes as well, one of which being your natural ability to produce years. Some people will produce less tears than others, which can indeed be a problem when wearing contact lenses. As you get older, the tears that you are able to produce will begin to decrease.

The environment is another cause. If you work in a factory or area that is over heated, or exposed to dust or smoke, your eyes will start to dry out. The more your eyes are exposed to these types of situations, the more dry they will become. After a few hours, you may find yourself having to remove your contacts due to the dryness becoming so irritating.

There are however, some types of contact lenses that can contribute to dryness as well. A majority of contact lenses are made of water and polymers, most being more than 50% water. Even though the contact is moist and may feel comfortable in your eye, the water will start to evaporate from the contact lens as you wear it. When this happens, the contact will draw moisture from the tears in your eyes, which results in dryness. If the contact lens contains a lot of water, then it is almost guaranteed to lose moisture throughout the day.

With dryness being a common problem for most people who wear contact lenses, manufacturers are always working to create contacts that will remain comfortable throughout the day. Dry eyes are the most common reason for irritation, and the main reason as to why people decide to give up contacts and just go with glasses to correct their vision.

Out of all the different contacts on the market, Acuvue Oasys are among the most popular. Although they are relatively new, they are specifically made for those who work or live in dry environments. These contacts contain a special agent for re-wetting purposes, which enables the contact lens to remain moist, even if your eyes aren't producing enough tears. They are daily wear contacts, and should be soaked in solution at night and replaced every two weeks or so.

Even though dry eyes are very common, you can always help to rectify the situation by using right pair of contacts. You can also get re-wetting or saline drops as well, to put in your eyes when they start to feel dry. These drops are the preferred way of dealing with dry and irritable eyes, as they help to produce enough moisture for comfort. You can buy re-wetting or saline drops at most department stores – and they cost a little of nothing.


 

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Homeopathy Remedies

Homeopathy often gets a bad rap among those who think modern western medicine is the only possible way of treating every ailment. But that doesn't really make sense when you think about it, does it? After all, modern medicine is a very new concept, yet human beings were able to survive for millennia without it. Homeopathy remedies work differently than other remedies. Instead of using something to counteract an ill effect, homeopathy will introduce a super-diluted form of it and then let the body send out its own natural defenses.

That's not as strange as it first sounds when you consider that many modern vaccinations work the same way. However, homeopathy takes it a step further and tries to find natural compounds that will cause the body to unleash its defense mechanisms.

While modern vaccines will use a weakened form of whatever disease they're trying to fight, homeopathy remedies can be derived from minerals, bark, roots, leaves, oils or just about any other naturally occurring substance. In some cases, ingredients that would otherwise be poisonous are used, though heavily diluted.

Another interesting difference between modern medicine and homeopathy remedies is that modern medicine tends to focus more on treating symptoms, whereas homeopathy seeks to fix the root of the problem. For example, if you have a cough then the medical establishment says you should take cough medicine to stop coughing. The problem is that your body is coughing for a reason; it's trying to get something nasty out of your system. So you may think you're getting better because you're not coughing, but suppressing a cough only keeps the nasty stuff in your body longer.

Homeopathy would also try to stop your cough, but not by suppressing it. The thinking is that your body needs to fight off whatever it is that's making it sick and the coughing is part of that process. However, by introducing the right (and heavily-diluted) compound, your body will unleash its natural defenses and actually cure the problem that's causing the cough.

Sticking to the same example, the funny thing is that you may cough even more by using homeopathy remedies, but that will only be temporary. In other words, you may actually feel sicker for a short while as your body does what it's designed to do, but once it's done, you will feel much better. Of course you can always take cough medicine that does nothing to treat the real problem, but why would you want to?

Modern medicine would scoff at this idea, but what it comes down is whether it works or not. There are surprisingly few studies into homeopathy because they just dismiss it without thought, and that's a shame. Whatever the case may be, it's hard to argue with the countless people who have felt better after using homeopathy remedies. So feel free to smile as the skeptics arch their eyebrows (as they keep coughing), you know what really works.


 

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Herbal Acne Home Cures

Herbal acne home cures can be an effective adjunct to whatever other treatments are being used. It is important to understand that they are not hard and fast 'cures' in the absolute sense, but will instead support the body's capacity to metabolize fats and carbohydrates, and encourage elimination through the lymphatic system.

The class of herbs known as alterative herbs are conceptualized traditionally as 'cleansing' the body's tissues. They are thought of as detoxifying herbs, but they don't work in any obvious way on the body's elimination channels. – Namely, the lungs, kidneys, or colon. As such, they do not easily fit into a Western model of understanding the body. However, they do have a long tradition of use, and are certainly worth trying as an acne home remedy. Because they work on the internal condition of the body, they are not going to replace any of the topical, over the counter acne treatments. But they may provide benefit in an indirect way that these acne products don't.

Alterative herbs tend to be quite gentle in their effect, so they are best used as a long term treatment. Results won't be sudden, but they will improve the general health of the body. They tend to be given for chronic inflammatory problems, especially relating to the skin, such as acne.

These herbs include burdock, cleavers, red clover, figwort, poke root, echinacea, and blue flag. A great combination is blue flag, burdock, yellow dock, and echinacea. These can be mixed together and infused with hot water to make a tea. Drink a cup of this 3 times a day. You can put a little honey in it to make it taste better.

Another possible combination is burdock, dandelion, and sarsaparilla (not the cola!). Mix these together when they are dry herbs, and make a tea in the same way. They can be used separately as well.

There are a number of options for topical acne home remedies as well. Tea tree oil can be applied directly to breakouts, though for those with sensitive skin this may need to be diluted. Fresh cabbage juice can also be applied directly to acne blemishes, and this may be a better option for those with sensitive skin.

An anti inflammatory skin wash can be made from calendula and chamomile. Make a tea as above, then let it cool and keep it in the fridge. Spray or dab this onto the affected areas regularly.

Another combination for an acne home cure skin wash is yarrow, elder flowers, and lavender.

Colloidal minerals such as potassium phosphate and magnesium phosphate can help support the skin. Zinc is excellent to help prevent scarring, as well as fortifying the immune system, and help supports the normal functioning of hormones.

Vitamin C is excellent for encouraging the healing of acne lesions, as well as providing antioxidant support to the immune system.

References:

1. Simon Mills, The Essential Book Of Herbal Medicine

2. Judy Jacka, A – Z Of Natural Therapies

3. Paul Bedson, The Complete Family Guide To Natural Healing


 

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Teeth Whitening: Just Before You Consider It

All teeth whitening methods are safe when applied according to directions. However, no two sets of teeth are alike and may therefore react differently to different methods. No matter, it will always be safest to consult with a dentist before any teeth whitening are applied. This may cause a little inconvenience for a time but then it is always best and for the most part it is only a one time visit. After that you could be on your own and consider home kits and self help solutions. Never though must tooth whitening be done on kids below sixteen years old, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Following are some of the risks that are frequently encountered.

Increased teeth sensitivity

This is more likely to happen when the treatment is done in a clinic or a health spa because bleaching agents that are used are more concentrated than home bleaching kits. More concentration of the bleaching agents however means faster results compared to home treatment methods that are very much "watered down" to insure safety.

Some of the risks that are likely to occur are sensitivity to touch, temperature and pressure. For persons with sensitive teeth though, toothpastes containing potassium nitrate are recommended. Even without specialty toothpastes, the sensitivity is usually over in two days. However, persons with recessed gums, faulty tooth restoration and cracked teeth are more likely to encounter shooting pains.

Irritation

Bleaching agents contain peroxides. Peroxides when it gets in contact with the soft tissues inside the mouth will often give a tingling sensation that may not be pleasant to about half of the patients undergoing teeth whitening. Peroxides also have a taste that may be unpleasant to some. In any case though the taste is very bearable and the tingling sensation may be ticklish but the feeling is always a cleaner mouth afterwards.

Normally, irritation of the soft tissues in the mouth could last several days. For most people though, the irritation lasts only while the bleaching agent is in the mouth and dissipates gradually with use or when the strength of the mix is reduced. Again not everyone suffers mouth and gum irritation.

Uneven Teeth Coloration

Mouth whitening and bleaches only affect the color of the teeth. What it does not bleach are crowns, veneers, restorations and other materials relative to tooth repairs. So while the teeth are becoming whiter with every application, those that are not retain its original color and results to uneven coloration.

The best part is, unlike most cosmetic procedures, teeth whitening are really very inexpensive. Teeth whitening price ranges only from $100 to $400 except for complicated procedures but those procedures are rare.

The risks therefore are very much worth it. In days like this when cosmetic surgery reigns supreme, when we are judged by our looks (no matter what the cover of the book says), when Hollywood sets the standard for pleasantness and likability, and when everyone around us spends a fortune to look good, a yellow smile is not an option.


 

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Dealing With Cracked Teeth

Also known as the third set of molars, the wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth in the mouth to erupt, which normally happens around the ages of 17 – 25. For many years, there has been a lot of controversy as to the need to remove these teeth. If the teeth don't cause any harm or pain, they are normally fine to stay in place. If they present a bad position or cause you a lot of pain or discomfort, they will need to be removed.

When the wisdom teeth first come in, they will sometimes be impacted. Impacted teeth will normally need to be extracted. Sometimes they can be pulled, although in most cases they need to be cut out by a qualified surgeon. When the time comes to have your wisdom teeth extracted, you'll need to go to an oral surgeon and have a consultation first.

During the consultation, you'll take a few x-rays that will let the surgeon know how bad your wisdom teeth are. He will go over the results with you, take a look in your mouth, then tell you what options you have. If he is going to pull or cut out your teeth, you'll have the option of using local anaesthesia or going with an IV sedation. An IV sedation is the preferred way to have wisdom teeth extracted, as you'll be so relaxed you won't know what is going on. If you decide to just use local anaesthesia, which is numbing, you'll be fully aware of the procedure. You'll also hear the popping and cracking involved, which can make you feel quite uncomfortable.

Depending on the shape, size, and the formation of the wisdom teeth, the removal process can vary from easy to hard. If the root tips have managed to wrap themselves around the bone, the removal process can be very time consuming and quite painful. Once the extractions have been completed, there is normally little to no swelling involved. Your dentist will prescribe you some pain medicine, which you should use as soon as you arrive home. If you are going to use IV sedation, you'll need to someone to accompany you, as you won't be able to drive home.

After the removal of your wisdom teeth, your dentist will go over what you need to do to ensure the proper healing of your gums and mouth. Normally, he will give you information to go over, to make sure that you experience no problems in the healing process. Someone will need to be with you for the first 24 hours, to make sure that you ok. You won't be able to eat certain foods for the first 48 hours, which is to be expected. Once you get your wisdom teeth removed through – you'll notice a big improvement in your mouth – and your health.


 

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Get Rid Of Acne With Healing Diets

Annemarie Colbin, in her book "Food and Healing", makes the interesting point that diets themselves, even healing diets, are not a cure per se. They do often work, but their route to health is actually a product of supporting the body's own healing processes.

Her view on skin conditions like acne is interesting. She sees acne as a result of the regular organs of elimination, the kidneys and lungs, being unable to eliminate all the toxic waster matter that we ingest into our bodies. She sees certain foods, like those that make up what she calls the Standard American Diet, as placing too great a stress on our body's ability to process them, at least if symptoms of ill health are appearing like acne.

She has found from her own observations that a change in diet often clears up even the large, purplish types of acne. She found this with her own experiences with acne. Annemarie says it takes about ten days to three months to work.

Annemarie describes acne as falling into two main causes in her approach.

The first is associated with fat, protein and excess sugar. Here she recommends eliminating foods like milk, cheese, ice cream, fatty meats, nuts and peanut butter. T

he second category is associated with what she calls mineral-water excess, which is s term she uses to describe all substances taken out of their natural context. She mentions iodized salt, or even multi vitamins or supplements like kelp. This is very much a personal relationship as what negatively affects one person may not do so for another.

The link between excess minerals or vitamin supplements relates to Colbin's idea of balance, which is that a living system always seeks to return to balance. Anatomy and physiology textbooks even define the processes of the body that way, and it is certainly a common idea in natural health systems, especially traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Colbin writes that excess minerals and vitamin supplements lead to an increased need for the macro nutrients protein, fat and carbohydrates. Salt is also in this category. The idea is that these vitamins and minerals, taken out of the context of the food itself, will lead to the body craving actual food to create a sense of balance.

If we have a multi vitamin at mealtimes, within the RDA, I don't believe this is going to present a problem. Especially given that our foods are often depleted of the range of essential nutrients that they would normally have if they were grown organically and in nutrient dense soils. But it is certainly an argument in favor of approaching nutritional supplements in a balanced way also. Some people mistakenly think more is better. This clearly illustrates it is not.

References: Annemarie Colbin, Food As Healing (Ballantine Books, New York)
Simon Mills, The Essential Book Of Herbal Medicine (Penguin Arkana)


 

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Getting Rid Of Fat Under Your Chin

We all have things we don't like about our own bodies, yet those so-called "imperfections" are often what make us unique. At the same time, we all have things that we just can't stand about our appearance, and a double chin would be near the top of that list for a lot of people. Getting rid of fat under your chin (a double chin is nothing more than an accumulation of fat around your chin and neck) isn't always easy, but it can be done.

What surprises a lot of people is that the best way to lose a double chin is to lose weight. There is a big catch to all of this though: your body will decide which areas to get rid of fat from. If you have ever wondered why you can lose weight in one part of your body but not another, it's because your body determines where first to get rid of excess fat, and that means that some areas will stay flabby longer than others.

The good news is that there are things you can do if your goal is getting rid of fat under your chin. Before you use any of these tips, make sure you are committed to a thinner chin, and be sure to maintain a positive attitude as you do it.

Changing your diet is perhaps the quickest way to start losing fat. You can eat a lot more calories in five minutes than you can burn in five minutes. Eliminating or drastically reducing white sugar, white flour and other refined carbohydrates will help a lot. These are mostly empty calories that have no nutritional value. Also, there is evidence that these types of foods are more readily converted to fat (maybe because they don't require as much energy to digest), so they do double damage.

Getting rid of fat under your chin involves more than just giving up refined carbohydrates, it also involves making smarter food choices. A good rule of thumb is to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. A baked potato, for example, would be a better choice than chocolate-covered potato chips (yes, there really is such a thing). Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein and healthy fats and you will start to see those extra pounds melt away.

Of course your diet is only part of the equation; you also need to engage in physical activity. That only makes sense, because getting rid of the fat under your chin also requires doing some chin and neck exercises. the best part is that any exercise you do will help to burn calories, which will help you to get rid of fat, which will help to make your chin thinner.

Aerobic exercises are the ones that will burn the most fat while you're actually doing them. Some examples of aerobic exercise include running, swimming, jogging, cycling, boxing and dancing. These are the exercises that make you sweat and breathe heavier. You may not think of them as helping with your chin, but rest assured that they will. You can also do chin and neck exercise that strengthen and tone the muscles in that part of your body, and they will do a lot as far as getting rid of fat under your chin goes.


 

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