Desi Diva

By Shweta Govindarajan

While our Desi Diva editor takes a few weeks off, check out these classics from our archives. A new Desi Diva feature will be back in June.

The Secret to a Brighter Smile - in a Box!

Plus, taming curly locks, and smooth stomachs for swimsuits

Q: I'm curious about teeth whitening - it seems to be really popular, but I wonder if it really works. I can't afford anything fancy, but what about the at-home versions?

A: If cigarettes didn’t exist and food and drink were colorless, unstained teeth would be ours. But that’s not reality, is it? Our guilty pleasures – coffee, cigarettes, wine, chocolate – may keep us happy, but over the years, they become responsible for how yellow and stained our teeth can get. Often, teeth become so discolored that even regular brushing doesn’t have any effect.

Now that the lightening and whitening rage has taken hold, drugstores are stocked with many products, varying in effectiveness, which you can use at home to change the color of your teeth. Because they’re sold over the counter, they won’t be as strong as what you’d get in a dentist’s office, and you might have to use them a couple of times over to get your desired effect. Still, they can get your teeth about two to three shades lighter.

At-home whitening tools range from specially formulated whitening toothpastes to bleaching agents that you apply to your teeth for a set number of hours. People often begin the process with whitening toothpastes, which are easy to find and generally inexpensive. They’re the weakest of the over-the-counter whitening systems and contain gentle polishing ingredients that can remove minor surface stains from your teeth. As long you don’t expect dramatic results, this is a reliable, cost-effective option.Whitening gels are the next step up, starting at about $15 for two weeks’ worth of a gel containing peroxide, the key ingredient that not only whitens the surface of your teeth but within the teeth as well. Whitening strips are a little pricier, at around $30 for 14 strips worn twice a day for 30 minutes. Results can vary, but experts say the effects of both methods can last three to four months.

If you’re disappointed with the at-home treatments, consider talking to your dentist about custom bleaching trays that are molded to fit your individual teeth. It’s significantly more expensive, but the concentration of peroxide is higher, and you might get better, faster and more professional results.

According to the American Dental Association, tooth whitening is considered safe to use repeatedly, though some temporary sensitivity in the teeth can occur. One thing is for sure: If you're pregnant, your dentist will discourage you from undergoing the treatment because of the unknown effects of peroxide on pregnant women.
Unfortunately, teeth whitening is not permanent. If you continue to expose your teeth to stain-causing foods, your teeth will begin to yellow. Some dentists even recommend drinking coffee through a straw to prevent it from getting all over your teeth. A little weird, perhaps, but before anyone makes a joke, flash your pearly whites at them, and see who gets the last laugh.

Q: I have curly hair and I'm at the end of my rope. When I wash and go, I look like I've been electrocuted. I don't like how it looks when it's straightened but when I wear it naturally, my hair looks frizzy and unkempt. What's the best way to deal with curly hair?

A: The key to managing curly hair is infrequent washings (sounds gross but you’ll thanks us for it) and lots o’ product. You have to give curly hair what it wants before it gives you what you want. And it’s easiest tamed when wet – never fuss with curly hair when it dries. In the shower, use a shampoo plus conditioner and then apply a heavy-duty conditioner. Afterward, take a wide-toothed comb and run mousse through your hair. Let it air dry or use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer – never apply heat directly from the nozzle. The curl should maintain its shape without looking frizzy.

Q: I saw a bikini that I have to have. Trouble is, I have a hairy stomach, but I don't think I want to wax that area in case I get a rash. Is there anything else in the drugstore I can try?

A: Nothing says summer like smooth skin and a bikini! If waxing isn't your bag, your next option is a depilatory lotion, such as Nair, which you can find in most drugstores. Depilatory lotions are a good choice provided you don't have sensitive skin because they dissolve the hair right below the surface of the skin instead of pulling it out from the root, à la waxing. However, depilatory lotions have a warning of their own—since they use chemicals to “burn” the hair, they can cause serious irritation, and even scarring, if you're not careful.

As with any product, be sure to read the instructions. Before you begin, it’s a good idea to shower or prep the area with a warm towel to help the hair follicles absorb the cream. Spread a thick layer of lotion on the area and leave on for about three to four minutes. Use a damp washcloth on a portion of the area and wipe—don’t rub away the cream. If the hair isn’t coming off, you'll need to keep the lotion on longer. Just make sure you don't exceed ten minutes or you can really burn your skin. Tip: Try using the cream in sections—it’ll help you remove unwanted hair in an organized way to make sure you don’t miss any patches.

Like shaving, the effects will last a few days, and you might even see some stubble. Make sure never to apply depilatories on broken or wounded skin. And if you do burn yourself, wash the area off with soap or facial cleanser and apply Neosporin to reduce the swelling.

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