Q. For about a year I have bleached my hair till it was at its lightest stage. Recently I decided to look natural. So I dyed it a golden color but that wasn't the right color so I did it a dark blonde and then did blonde highlights and it was gorgeous but now my hair is fading dramatically! It's orange looking. What should I do?

A. Your hair color might have faded due to sun exposure and or swimming in chlorine or salt water. Chemicals left in the hair (like chlorine) can really alter the color of your hair, especially when mixed with exposure to sunshine. It is important to rinse or shampoo your hair immediately after swimming in the ocean or in a pool. Hair color also fades in time. Reapply hair color as often as recommended to insure best results (refer to the instructions that come with the hair color product). Since the damage is already done and your hair color has faded, the easiest thing to do to correct this problem would be to apply a very gentle, semi-permanent hair color in an ashy-tone (green or blue based). Choose a color that is slightly (only slightly) darker than your existing color for best coverage. Please make sure your hair is in good condition prior to applying color. It would be a good idea to trim off split ends and to give your hair a good conditioning treatment. This is the best advice I can give you without actually seeing your hair. You may also want to call the company that made the hair color product that you originally used. You can find the phone number on the box or bottle of hair color ... or search for it on the internet. I hope this has been helpful.

Q. My cousin is trying to find people who have had dental implants to speak with, either in person or via the internet, as she would like to know and learn from their experiences.  Can you help her?
 
A. Here is a good resource for you, the American Dental Association and their page on Dental Implants.

Q. What is the best way to get rid of pimples?

A. The best thing to do is to keep your hands off of your face and don't   pick or squeeze your pimples. Wash your face twice a day with a mild facial cleanser. Using a clean washcloth is good too, but don't scrub or aggravate your skin. There are some very good skin care products that in many cases can make your pimples disappear overnight (or at least have them look much better overnight, and have them heal much faster). 

Q. How can I correct  a home hair coloring mistake. Shade is too dark. Was permanent color. 

A. Selecting a hair color is not as simple as it seems. Your end result will vary depending on your starting color (your hair color before using the product) and the shade you select.  It's a good idea to use a semi-permanent hair color first, until you find the right shade for you. 

Because the hair color you used is permanent and darker than you desired, you will have to use a lightener to "lift" the color (applying a lighter hair color over what you have now will NOT work). If you used a dark brown and it was too dark you could use something like Clairol Born Blonde to lighten your hair. If the Born Blonde lightens your hair but you still don't like it, you can then reapply new permanent hair color over it. Your hair must be in good condition to do this (if it is damaged or over processed get professional help). You could also add highlights to your hair to break up the dark color (but this is a whole different look).  Use a good conditioner too after the color process.

You can purchase Clairol's Born Blonde as well as many other discounted beauty products at our sponsor, drugstore.com, (please click on the banner below). If I can help you any further, don't hesitate to ask.

Q. I think my arms look fat and ugly, is there anyway to make my arms look slim and fit?

A. Exercise can greatly improve this area. If you are using weights or exercise equipment the key is to use less weight and do more repetitions. Push ups are great for the arms too. Click here for advice on diet and exercise.