When it comes to kick-starting hair
growth, we’ll try anything! Enter the
Kairetool ($125, SelfKaire.com). The
massager is made of surgical steel,
which generates heat as it’s rolled on
the scalp. This improves blood flow,
stimulating growth for a thicker head of
hair. But is it worth the hefty price tag?
Our verdict:“I have definitely noticed a change in my
hairline after just four weeks of nightly
use. To me, even this small payoff makes
it worth the investment.”
—Danielle Saliman, FIRST beauty director“Rubbing the prongs against my scalp was
actually very relaxing. But since I haven’t seen
a visible change in hair growth, it’s turned out
to be more like an expensive massage.”
We’re^ split! —Amanda Prost, FIRST executive editor16 First for women 8/26/
Spa secrets
to slimmer
Those salty treats and bubbly drinks
we reach for while poolside can lead
to tummy-bloating water retention.
The fix? Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D.,
author of The New Fat Flush Plan,
suggests a castor oil wrap. “When
used topically, the oil’s ricinoleic acid
penetrates skin, stimulating organs to
release stagnant f luids so t hey can be
eliminated from t he body.” Plus, it’s
been shown to improve digestion.
To do:Soak a washcloth in castor
oil (like Home Health Pure Castor
Oil, VitaminShoppe.com), wring out
excess and place over your stomach.
Next, gently wrap plastic wrap (so oil
better penetrates) around your waist
and over the cloth; lie on your back on
top of an old towel (the oil can stain).
Place a heating pad or hot water bottle
(heat triggers tox in-ni x ing sweat) on
top, relax for 30 minutes; remove and
rinse. The result: a belly that looks up
to 2 inches slimmer for 24 hours!End-of-summer heat bloats
us from head to toe, weighing
our bodies and our confidence
down. To the rescue: pampering
at-home remedies that nix false
fat and reduce puffiness so you
look and feel 10 pounds lighter
in under 30 minutes!Heat expands blood vessels in the
face and neck, pushing fluids out and
into tissues, which leads to a swollen
appearance. A cucumber ice massage
can help! The combination of ice cubes
(their chill constricts blood vessels),
cucumber (it reduces swelling) and
massage (it guides f luids out through
lymph nodes) quickly alleviates bloat.
To do: Puree 1 cucumber and pour
into an ice cube tray; freeze overnight.
When needed, rub the cube on skin in
circular motions, starting at the fore-
head and moving down to the neck.Prolonged periods of sitting or
standing, especially on hot days, can
cause fluids to pool around the feet
and ankles. A foot soak infused with
lemon and Epsom salts will reduce
any swelling fast. The salts’ magne-
sium absorbs into skin, increasing
circulation and drawing out stagnant
toxins while diuretic lemon f lushes
out excess water from the body.
To do: Fill a large basin with cool
water, add^1 ⁄ 2 cup of Epsom salts and
the juice from half of a lemon. Soak
feet for 15 minutes; rinse, t hen pat dr y.
style
MEDI
A^ BAKERY.^ TEXT:^ LEANNGAROFOLOOpt for a lemon
+ salt soakChoose a
cucumber “facial”Try a castor oil
tummy wrapSwollen ankles? Puff y neck & face?
Bloated belly?
beauty now
52%
said
yes!WOULD YOU EVER...USE A STEEL HAIR MASSAGER?
We asked 100 FIRST readers
& staffers to weigh in and...READER POLL