Appearence

How can I get rid of facial hair? During your teenage years and even into your twenties, you might find dark hair popping up in the most unexpected and unwanted places on your face: your upper lip, your chin, even on your neck. Some women let these hairs be. But if you decide that your facial hair is excessive or particularly dark you have some options to remove these hairs. For upper-lip hair you can try any of these methods: Facial-hair bleach This is available at a chemist. Just remember, don't leave it on for more than the recommended time period because you can risk burning your skin. Depilatory This is a cream that removes the hair. It, too, can burn and usually smells terrible. Waxing You can go to a beauty parlour for waxing or do it yourself, although waxing at home can be tricky - and messy. For stray, randomly appearing hairs, tweezers are your best option. However, be aware that this option may cause ingrown hairs. One thing you should do is leave the razors for the guys. Shaving can cause hair to grow back coarser, whereas waxing can actually help hair eventually grow back thinner. Other much more expensive options for almost permanent hair removal are electrolysis and laser hair removal, but these approaches can cost up to thousands of rupees. If you do decide to have one of these procedures performed, be sure to go to a licensed practitioner for the best service and enquire about the potential side effects of these procedures. How can I get rid of my body hair? There are various ways to remove body hair. Some cultures believe body hair shouldn't be removed. However if you would prefer to remove body hair, there are various ways to go about it, waxing, sugaring, depilatory creams, electrolysis, and shaving. Shaving is probably the cheapest and easiest method. Your primary requirement is a clean razor; disposable ones are hygienic. Use some soap and water or cream on the area to be shaved and carefully shave to avoid cuts. Once done, apply a gentle fragrance free moisturiser. The hair will probably start to grow back within a week. Your hormones govern many changes and you may get a few hairs on your breasts. This is quite normal, but if these stray hairs bother you remove them with tweezers. Should I get a bikini wax done? Some women prefer to get rid of the hair that shows beneath their bikini line by using a depilatory (a hair-removing cream), waxing or shaving. Whether or not you choose to get rid of bikini-line hair is a personal decision. As different people have different results with depilatories, it is important that you test the product out on a small patch of hair before using it on your bikini area. Waxing can leave skin red and irritated for a couple of days. Shaving with a well-used razor blade can also give you a rash, often called razor burn. So if you have hair you want to get rid of, it's best to plan ahead! Why do I have pimples on my face as well as some parts of my body? Don't worry, 90 per cent of young people get pimples at some time. All the changes taking place in your body are completely natural and certainly nothing to worry about. Here are some methods you could try: MEDICATED FACE WASHES These are better than ordinary soap for cleansing your skin as they remove spot-causing bacteria more effectively and avoid over drying. MEDICATED LOTIONS These serve as a good substitute for regular lotions since they also contain anti-bacterial ingredients. They unclog pores by removing the daily build-up of grease and dirt. Pimples don't restrict themselves only to your face. It's also common to have spots on your back, chest and other body areas. Whatever your combat strategy is, you should never squeeze, pick, or pop your spots. Picking will only irritate the spot, making it redder and more conspicuous. Squeezing or popping can force the oil and bacteria back into the skin causing another one to erupt a few days later. Also, popping and picking spots can leave little permanent scars on your face. May I suggest you check out www.stopspots.org for more information on spots and skincare. What is the average weight for my height? There are no healthy weight ranges for Under 16's. This is because, at this age, your body is still growing, so dieting could put your health at risk. If you're concerned about your weight, see your doctor for advice. For interest only, you can visit www.bbc.co.uk/health/yourweight/bmi.shtml, a website that calculates correct weight by height and build for Over 16's. I think I am overweight, should I go on a diet? Ordinarily, it's not a good idea to try and lose weight at your age as you are still growing and developing. During puberty your body starts put on weight around your thighs, hips and tummy. This is to protect the reproductive organs and is a sign that you are healthy and developing normally. Therefore sometimes you feel that you are getting fatter, when really your body shape is changing. However, it is a good idea to begin some healthy eating habits. Eat a well balanced diet, to include 5 portions of fresh fruit or vegetables a day. Try not to snack between meals. Also try to get plenty of exercise; this will keep your body toned without you having to resort to dieting. Some other options to stay fit include Cycling, hiking or swimming with friends Walking or cycling to meet friends, school/college or when going around the area instead of taking a vehicle Taking a younger sibling or going with friends to the park and playing ball games Taking the stairs instead of the elevator Jogging or walking barefoot along the shore when you go to a beach – this can work wonders for your legs Exercising when doing daily chores or when talking on the phone, watching television or listening to music. You can either dance to the music or flex and unclench your stomach muscles when doing your other work. Exercise and work at the same time, that’s multitasking! For interest only, you can visit www.bbc.co.uk/health/yourweight/bmi.shtml, a website that calculates correct weight by height and build for Over 16's.