Men’s electric shavers have their advantages over the old fashioned manual razor blade shaving method. There is no requirement to use water and shaving cream (although some electric shavers can be used wet), there are convenient to use when travelling and you don’t have to suffer those nasty nicks and cuts (this may be particularly relevant for people who have bleeding disorders).

Electric shavers are available in two main types:

• Rotary shavers – use two or three rotating heads to lift and cut hair
• Foil blade shavers – use oscillating blades beneath a perforated foil to cut hair

Men’s electric shavers generally don’t shave as close as a razor blade, but they are more convenient. Some of the more expensive shavers include advanced features such as a skin-conditioning dispenser and a self-cleaning system. These features are generally well liked by most users and improve the shaving experience.

A hair trimmer built into the shaver is normally a standard part of most mens shavers these days. Hair trimmers are ideal for longer hairs (eg sideburns) and harder to reach places such as near the hairline, under the nose and around lips.

Shavers come in a large variety and when looking to purchase one it is advisable to check out at as many reviews as you can online to assist in the decision of which shaver is best for you. Popular and reliable brands include Philips, Remington, Panasonic and Braun. Things to consider in a men’s electric shaver include the purchase cost, lifespan, cleaning time and any replacable parts.

There are a number of techniques and treatments that claim to have the effect of permanent hair removal. However while many of these methods may remove unwanted hair, most do not do so permanently so the hair does not grow back.

Waxing and Plucking
These methods remove the whole hair, including the root, and can be uncomfortable and painful. This does not stop the hair from regrowing, although removal of the root means that regrowth is delayed compared to hair that has only been shaved. To remove hair from large areas, waxing is the fastest and cheapest hair removal treatment, with results lasting 3-8 weeks.

Laser and Flash Lamp, or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Some brands of lasers have been cleared by health and medical authorities to use the term “permanent hair reduction.” Laser results vary greatly by client and by type of laser used. Many laser clients do not seem to respond to treatment and do not have permanent hair removal. Ideal laser patients have light coloured skin and dark coloured hair.

Multiple treatments at regular intervals may significantly increase the effectiveness of the hair removal, but consumers may reach a point of diminishing returns where the amount of improvement gets less and less.

Laser treatment to permanently remove hair can be painful, slow, costly, and can cause skin damage if not done properly. Also, if not done properly, the treatment is less effective. To minimize these risks it is advised to go to a certified light-based practitioner after getting a recommendation from an existing client.

Flash lamps (IPL) are similar to lasers, but with often higher rates of skin side effects and usually less efficacy.

Electrolysis
Electrolysis has been proven to permanently remove hair, but the treatment can be painful, slow, costly, and can cause permanent skin damage if not done properly. Some patients (anywhere from 7% to 10%) do not seem to respond to treatment. To minimize these risks, go to a certified professional.

Attempting your own electrolysis at home is only recommended when you have just a very small number of hairs to remove, due to the likelihood of causing permanent skin damage. Electrolysis is difficult and time-consuming and the failure rate for at home electrolysis is very high.

Personal electrolysis units cost less than $100, whereas a professional unit can cost from hundreds (used) to thousands (new).

There are quite a few different methods for teeth whitening. The effectiveness of these methods to whiten teeth can vary. The three main choices are: getting it done professionally by a dentist, purchasing a kit from your dentist and doing it yourself at home, or using an over-the-counter product.

Teeth Whitening By The Dentist
Getting your teeth whitened professionally is probably the quickest way and also produces the best results. The two main methods used by dentists are laser whitening and mould bleaching.

Laser whitening involves bleaching your teeth with a bleaching agent or gel that contains a relatively high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This gel can irritate the gums, so a rubber-like solution is painted on the gums for protection. After the whitening gel is applied, a laser light is used to activate the chemical reaction and initiate the bleaching process. The gel is left on for 15 to 20 minute intervals and the process usually takes about 1 hour. Sometimes it can require more than one visit to get the maximum results.

Mould bleaching involves your dentist creating a mould of your mouth and then filling the mould with a whitening gel. This method of treatment can be inconvenient because it takes a few days from the time your dentist first makes the mould to when you return so the dentist can use it to whiten your teeth. While this method is time consuming it is nevertheless very effective. The gel that is placed in the mould wraps around every groove of your teeth, thus giving comprehensive whitening results.

Take Home Kits for Teeth Whitening
Take home kits that are purchased from the dentist contain trays that have whitening gel applied, then the tray is placed in your mouth for about an hour. The gel contains a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide so it can stay in your mouth longer, sometimes overnight if required. The advantage of this method is that it is less costly than one or more visits to the dentist and you can do it in your own time.

Over The Counter Products For Teeth Whitening
The most inexpensive way is to use an over-the-counter product. These products contain lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than the take-home kits that you can purchase from the dentist. Such products include whitening strips, whitening toothpaste and whitening mouth-rinse. The effectiveness of these products is subject to much debate, and generally dentists will not recommend them.

Side Effects
Sensitivity to hot and cold is one of the side effects from whitening your teeth. This can be caused by the higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide found in the gel used by the dentist. Another side effect is gum irritation, usually caused by using the take-home or over-the-counter methods.

Results
As with most things, you get what you pay for, and the more expensive teeth whitening treatments, such as those provided by your dentist give a better result in a quicker time. However if money is a problem, acceptable results may be obtained by some of the take home and over-the-counter products.