March 2005

One option is to have your underarms waxed by a professional hair removal specialist.  A lot of the pros that do bikini waxes also will wax the underarm areas.  While it probably will not feel great during the waxing process, it will slow down re-growth and can temporarily eliminate the dark shadow effect.

A potential downside is the fact that the 24-48 hours after the waxing, your underarms may be red and sensitive.  You may not be able to use your normal underarm products.  Therefore, to be safe, have a trial run several months before the wedding to see how you react to the underarm waxing.  That way you can gauge if the process is worth it for the wedding.  You can also track any reactions such as redness, swelling or bumps.  If you do decide to have your underarms waxed for the wedding, your timing can be planned to allow for any reactions and how long it will take for your underarms to be back to normal for product use.

You might be surprised to discover how many women, and yes men, do have many different parts of their body waxed to help retard re-growth and lesson the intensity.

While there are other hair control options that can be considered, for one time event like your sister's wedding, waxing seems like the best bet to investigate as a relatively short term option.

Good luck to you.

Karen

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You're in luck.  The April 2003 issue of Allure Magazine, a list of defrizzers were provided.  The idea was to provide products that would work as a "quick fix" rather than to address the underlying problems of frizz.

Allure recommended some of the best selling products which include Phyto's Phytodefrisant which is a cream based product that can be used to either blow dry your hair straight or applied to damp hair to allow natural curls and waves to "air dry" into place.  Phytodefrisant has achieved cult status amongst top beauty editors and it has been a favorite of many for years. 

Allure's beauty editors also recommended John Frieda's Frizz Ease Hair Serum which has won raves for years.  John Frieda has also added lighter and stronger formulas to the Frizz Ease Original Serum for people that want just a little frizz fighting or extra strength. 

Ken Paves, celebrity hairdresser developed his own line of hair care products to address a myriad of hair's needs.  Ken's frizz fighting gelee formula, FLAWLess Straight and Narrow Repairing Relaxing Balm for Dry, Damaged Hair, contains a strengthening complex of proteins and polymers to add elasticity and shine, protecting fragile hair from over styling and over-processing.  This fabulous formula is used by Jessica Simpson and her assistant, Cacee Cobb. The HCM factor helps hair retain necessary moisture which blocks frizz.  Aloe Vera soothes and hydrates.  Even better, it is scented with essential oils for a fabulous aroma. 

Paul Brown of Hawaii is famous for his nuturing hair care products which are chock full of fabulous oils from the islands.  His Stay Straight Smoothing Balm beats frizz and conditions as it holds - even in high humidity. Hawaiian Protein Flora Complex & Kukui Nut Oil conditions & adds luster to over processed & frizzy hair.

Rene Furterer is beloved by many for their rich formulas.  They also offer a frizz busted in their Fioravanti Straightening gel formula.  This gel is designed for use on curly, frizzy and unmanageable hair. It helps to relax curls while maintaining the hair's natural moisture. Active ingredients soften and straighten the hair, making it lighter and easier to style.

In reality, many hair care companies from Paul Mitchell and Aveda to Frederic Fekkai and Clinique have defrisant products. Depending on your budget, whether you like a cream, gel or serum and your willingness to experiment, there are a ton of options available to beat back frizz.

Please keep in mind that like everything else in the hair product world, one size does not fit all.  Depending on your hair type, texture, current condition, local climate and amount of time you have available to style your hair, some products may work better for you than others.  There are always exceptions to every hair product rule.

When possible, start with the smallest version of any defrisants you wish to try.  Many companies offer small versions of their regular products.  When possible, try those before you jump in and purchase the large sizes.

Also, when in doubt, ask your hairdresser for their thoughts.

Best wishes,
Karen

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Of course I have never met your daughter and am not a physician or able to make any sort of diagnosis but according to a physician that I consulted, one documented symptom of anorexia and related eating disorders is hair thinning and loss. 

Other symptoms include the development of an orange or yellow tint to the skin, teeth and gum problems and erosion, change or termination of normal menstruation cycle.  Other problems develop that are less obvious such as ultra sensitivity to temperature changes, development of weak and brittle bones and internal organ changes.

While it may be possible that your daughter has some eating disorder issues such as anorexia, bulimia or some combination, it is also possible that she suffers from tricotillomania which is an impulse control disorder. 

Of course it is possible that your daughter is not suffering from any type of disease but is going through some sort of hormonal issues that might cause hair loss or thinning or she might be suffering from a form of alopecia.

While I am sure you are quite worried, the best thing to do at this point is to take your daughter to her regular physician for a general checkup and consult a mental health professional is you believe there is a high probability of a more serious problem.  If you get a chance you might consult privately with the doctor or their nurse and ask if they detect anorexia as a possible current health concern.  You can also quietly watch your daughter more closely for the next few weeks to see if there are indications of something far more serious than puberty or hormonal issues.

You may also wish to do some additional research on the web to learn more about the various disorders.

To read about anorexia and related eating disorders start with:

ANRED located at:

http://www.anred.com/