Beauty and Personal Grooming

Australian researchers have developed new software that can count hair in a patch of skin and can also help in testing the effectiveness of baldness treatments and depilatory creams. This software relies on images captured by a small flatbed scanner pressed onto the skin. Using a mathematical algorithm, the software then identifies and traces each individual hair based on an understanding of a hair's unique features, such as its relative straightness. The software is able to distinguish between hair and other features on the skin such as wrinkles, wounds or moles. To check the accuracy of the software, the researchers had to resort to the old-fashioned method of counting hair and after such a laborious and time-consuming process, the researchers were pleased to discover that the software results was almost accurate with the manual count. (Guest post by Dhanya)

For an amazing bathing experience with an herbal twist, try Mysore Sandal's Herbal Care Natural Soap . It’s an excellent formulation of essential oils and herbal fragrances with neem extracts. The formulation includes scents of herbs like Basil , Citronella, Clove , Eucalyptus, Geranium, Palmrosa, Rosemary and Ylang Ylang. Just perfect for day long freshness, it has excellent antiseptic properties as well and has been found to be highly beneficial for various skin afflictions and problems. Mysore Sandal Herbal Care Soap

Did you know that an average person laughs about 15 times a day? that only one out of every three people wash their hands when leaving a public bathroom? that the oldest known disease in the world is leprosy? that close to fifty percent of the bacteria in the mouth lives on the surface of our tongue? that every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer? that on an average a person walks the equivalent of twice around the world in a lifetime? that about 10% of the world's population is left-handed? that the average person has at least seven dreams a night? that having guilty feelings may actually weaken your immune system over a period of time? that on an average, men spend 60 hours a year shaving ?

Winter has set in with its lovely, bracing chill in the air and as we all know, this cold weather causes the glands of the skin to become less active and robs skin of its moisture, leaving it dry , flaky and itchy . And as one grows older , winter dryness gets worse; it affects one with greater intensity. Facial skin feels dry and itchy, lips chapped and cracked and knees, heels , wrists, elbows, upper arms – all become rough and you can't afford to neglect them. Even though the face is just a small part of your anatomy it is one of the most exposed parts and hence has to bear the brunt of cold weather. So be sure to nourish it with a good nourishing cream or a cold cream, twice a day depending upon the intensity of the weather and its effects on your skin. You also cannot afford to neglect other parts of the body especially your upper arms, legs, nape, shoulders and waist. 

Removing makeup and cleansing your face thoroughly is an absolute must before you go to bed. Splashing your face with cold water is not enough; you need to use a good cleanser to remove all traces of makeup and impurities that have been lodged deep inside your pores . I’ve used Lakme Deep pore cleanser before and it’s quite good. I’ve also tried Everyuth’s cleanser and toner . Made from pure & natural Rose Water, a perfect 'natural tonic' which soothes, moisturises and tones your skin. It also has Glycerine that h elps maintain skin's natural moisture balance while making your skin soft & supple and Tea Tree Oil , which is well-known for its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties and which helps control excess oil secretion. Overall, this alcohol-free Face Cleanser and Toner soothes your skin and leaves it with a soft after feel and a tingling freshness.

Emami Malai Kesar Cold cream To combat the harsh effects of cold winter airs, Emami has come up with Malai Kesar cold cream. As the name suggests, Emami Malai Kesar Cold Cream has the natural goodness of time-tested ingredients such as Malai ( milk -cream), Kesar (saffron) and Aloe Vera. Malai has been traditionally used by Indian women from ancient times and is the ingredient of choice for winter chapping and skin dryness .   Kesar or saffron is well-known for its skin lightening and rejuvenating properties while aloevera is a great skin nourisher , moisturiser and a soothing sunburn gel as well. Emami claims that the softness of malai makes your skin supple while the radiance of kesar enhances the natural glow of your skin; so go ahead and experience the goodness of this non-greasy Emami Malai Kesar Cold Cream and face the winter with a soft and glowing skin.

In a bid to save energy and do our bit to the environment, most of us have installed those slightly expensive, energy-saving, eco-friendly fluorescent light bulbs in our homes. But it looks like these bulbs are not as picture perfect as previously thought. A recent study has found that some of these energy-saving fluorescent bulbs (particularly those 'open' light bulbs, which are not surrounded by a glass case.) can cause reddening of the skin if used close to the body and for longer periods of time. UV radiation from these unencapsulated energy-saving bulbs can damage the skin if used closer than 30cm to the body, the experts warn. However, there is no significant risk of skin cancer from these bulbs. They also hasten to add that this is only precautionary advice and people should not be thinking of removing these energy-saving light bulbs from their homes. They further go on to say that in situations where people are not likely to be very close to the bulbs for any length of...

Mixing curds and fish does not cause vitiligo. Taking curds and fish together can cause leucoderma (vitiligo) – this myth has been doing the rounds for quite sometime now. If this were true, many people whose primary diet is fish, Bengalis , for instance, would show the maximum signs of patchy white skin or vitiligo . But vitiligo is seen even in vegetarians, so there is no proven connection between the two. As a matter of fact, vitiligo is caused due to the destruction of cells (melanocytes) that make the skin pigment melanin and the fact is this food combination has no such devastating effect on skin cells. So as long as one is comfortable eating such a combination, there is nothing to worry about. But if you feel that you are allergic to this particular food combination then by all means avoid it in your diet. See also: Gingko herb and vitiligo Black pepper may cure vitiligo It’s a myth that wearing contact lenses can prevent your myopia from getting worse.

This thought-provoking personal bill of rights that every woman should be aware of was forwarded to me by an old friend. Go over it again and again and let it be etched deep in your memory. MY PERSONAL BILL OF RIGHTS I have the right to make my own choices. I have the right to follow my own values and standards, as long as I am not abusive towards others. I have a right to dignity and respect. I have a right to all of my feelings. I have the right to express myself as long as I am not abusive toward others. I have a right to determine and honour my own priorities. I have a right to recognize and accept my own value system as appropriate. I have a right to have my needs and wants respected by others. I have the right to say no when I feel I am not ready, unsafe, or if it violates my values I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect. I have the right not to be responsible for others behaviour, actions, feelings or problems. I have a right to be uniqu...