Typography is the craft of endowing human language with a durable visual form, and thus with an independent existence. (...) Typography remains a source of true delight, true knowledge, true surprise.

Robert Bringhurst, The Elements of Typographic Style

July 31, 2010

Beauty

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Choosing Organic Skin Care Products PhotoTake along a beauty or skin care aisle, and you will maintain with products that they are “all-natural” or “organic” is the high demand for organic skin care products are being bombed. Drive has a great skin care products and cosmetics manufacturers for mass production. Unfortunately, while this seems like good news, mass-produced skin care products and cosmetics are not feasible if the manufacturers use preservatives and other chemicals to increase shelf life how you want it in “organic” product. Thus careful when choosing organic skin care products, to ensure the authenticity and quality. Here is a guide to help you in choosing authentic organic skin care products:

1. Look for the USDA organic seal of approval.

The USDA has imposed several requirements for organic skin care products. Every product claiming to be organic must bear the USDA organic seal of approval. This means that the product has been tested and had met the quality standards set by the USDA for safety. The USDA sign means that the product and its components has passed tests conducted by the USDA for antibiotic and hormone use in livestock and crops.

2. Check beyond face-value.

Do not take the manufacturer’s word for what it is. Instead, read the label to get a thorough idea of the ingredients used for the manufacture of the product. When manufacturers put “organic” or “all-natural” labels on their products, they might be stretching the truth a bit. Some unscrupulous manufacturers may have used an organic ingredient but this does not make their products “organic.” Instead, check and read labels thoroughly to ensure that the product you are going to buy is indeed organic. Whenever possible, take note of some ingredients you don’t understand in the label and look it up online prior to your purchase to ensure that they are not preservatives or chemicals.

3. Be familiar with USDA organic ranking.

The USDA grants its organic seal of approval to products that passed its organic standards. In addition, the USDA also implements a system that designates a product as purely organic or not. Being familiar with this system ensures that you won’t be fooled when it comes to choosing an organic product. First, only products that used purely organic substances in their manufacture can be labeled “100% organic.” Second, products with 95% or more organic ingredients can be labeled “organic” in their primary label. Third, products with 70%-95% organic ingredients can only be described as “made with organic ingredients” with three of these organic ingredients listed on the label. Lastly, products with only 70% organic ingredients or less can only use the word “organic” in their ingredient section.

By understanding what the manufacturers mean when they label their products as organic, you can minimize the risk of purchasing scam products masquerading as organic skin care lines. Better yet, research on the Internet for reviews and recommendations on the best organic skin care products around to make your choice easier.

July 16, 2010

Beauty, Health

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About Laser Hair Removal PhotoLaser hair removal, technically speaking, epilation by laser or by using a special lamp. In addition to the body are used, some types of laser hair, facial hair to ensure reduced as well. Laser (or light) of a particular wavelength can be used to cause damage to the dark elements in hair follicles. This element is referred to as chromophores. They can be produced artificially or naturally.

Today, most techniques target naturally occurring chromophores, in particular, melanin. Melanin gives colour to both hair and skin. Of the former, there are two types: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin gives a brown or black colour. The latter gives a blonde or red colour. Since the dark matter in hair follicles are the target, only the former – darker – type of hair is suitable for this procedure.

While laser hair removal became a commercial cosmetic procedure about 10 years ago, it has been experimented with well before then. In fact, medical lasers have been used to remove dark spots, acne scars, other types of skin blemishes and even tattoos. The point about laser hair removal is that, it’s not permanent. In fact, in countries like the U.S., the FDA prohibits the advertisement of FDA-approved laser treatments to be described as a method of “permanent removal”. Hence, use of the term “permanent reduction” or laser hair reduction to describe the procedure.

A more realistic description of laser hair removal is the “permanent reduction” of hair. It should be noted that, it’s sometimes required to have multiple sessions of laser treatment over a certain period of time to achieve this goal. There is also no guarantee that ALL of the hair in the area treated will be reduced. To actually guarantee genuine permanent hair removal is to risk genuine scarring.

Ideally, the first thing the individual should do is to consult a qualified dermatologist. They should be able to advise on the suitability of the procedure. In any event, results will be most noticeable on light skinned individuals with dark hair. A lot more care will need to be taken, if the procedure is done on darker skinned and/or tanned individuals.

What you should be careful about
As noted above, one is well advised to avoid establishments that make false claims. The following are some of the more popular ones:
There is absolutely no pain or it’s virtually painless. It is for many without needing any relief from the pain, but not for everyone.
The safe, permanent removal of hair. Again, the safe goal is hair reduction. Permanent removal is possible with scarring.
No re-growth of hair whatsoever. To date, there has been no real, genuine, qualified and objective evidence to support this claim.
It’s “laser electrolysis” or “lasertrolysis”. Hair reduction via electrolysis is completely different from reduction via the use of a laser. Both have their pros and cons, in terms of suitability and effectiveness.
In the end, it’s best to consult a qualified dermatologist first.