Whisker woes?

Girls' Life, Dec, 2001

I have really thick hair my upper lip. Why do I have it and my friends don't? And how can I get rid of it?

Don't freak. Hair growth is mostly hereditary or hormonally related, says dermatologist Dr. Jim Baral. "People with dark hair or Mediterranean backgrounds tend to have more facial hair," says Dr. Baral. He recommends using over-the-counter bleaching or waxing systems like Ardell Invisi-Bleach cream or Surgi-Wax hair remover. Whatever you do, don't shave! Razor stubble is not attractive.

I get really bad cramps. Once the aspirin wears off, I'm in such pain. What can I do?

For one, ditch the aspirin for ibuprofen. "It's the best medication for menstrual cramps," says Ob/Gyn Dr. Kimberly Moran Turner. "Advil, Motrin and Nuprin stop uterine contractions, which cause cramps." Dr. Turner also says heat is a great way to cure cramp pain. Have you tried hot water bottles or heating pads? Or try new mini-heating pads you can actually wear in public. ThermaCare Therapeutic HeatWraps are available at www.ThermaCare.com. Stick them near your abdomen in the front of your underwear, and the thin pads provide low-level relaxing warmth for eight straight hours. Aaah...

My teeth are really yellow. I want to bleach them. Is it safe?

Your teeth were their whitest when you were about 6 or 7. Over time, they yellow--especially if you drink well water with a high fluoride content or drink a lot of colored soda (acids in cola stain teeth). Have you used a whitening toothpaste? Dentist Kimberly Harms recommends looking for brands with the American Dental Association's stamp of approval. If you still want to go for the bleaching process, have your teeth evaluated first by a dentist. "The pulp on the tooth's nerve is sensitive in young people," says Dr. Harms. If your teeth are OK and you opt for professional bleaching, plan on shelling out some big bucks. Or you could try an over-the-counter system like the inexpensive Rembrandt Plus Superior Bleaching System or Crest Whitestrips at drugstores.

I see ads in magazines for pills and creams that make your breasts grow two cup sizes. Do they work?

Ads for breast enhancement pills and creams have popped up all over in mags, websites and TV, promising big results. The truth is, breast enhancers are a total bust. The Food and Drug Administration and Better Business Bureau confirm that not a single breast enhancement product is proven to work. They may seem credible with quotes from "real people" and money-back guarantees. But Dr. Thomas Bozzuto, medical director of the Mind/Body Institute, says you'll get only flat results. So, next time you see an ad for in creasing your bust line, if it sounds too good to be true...it probably is.

RELATED ARTICLE: FACT or FICTION?

I WANT TO PIERCE THE CARTILAGE ON THE UPPER PART OF MY EAR. I'VE HEARD YOU CAN GET PARALYZED IF A NERVE IS HIT ACCIDENTALLY. IS THAT TRUE?

"Fiction," says Dr. Michael Zimring. "There is no nerve in the ear that would make you paralyzed." Cartilage should be done with a piercing needle--never a piercing gun--by a doc or certified piercing center, like Claire's. Never attempt to do it yourself because you run the risk of infection. And don't forget to keep it clean with peroxide.