Judge kills massive P2P porn lawsuit

Only 10 days after a federal judge in Washington, DCsharply limited the US Copyright Group's mass file-sharing lawsuits there, a federal judge in West Virginia has come down even harder on another set of mass lawsuits. Ken Ford, the lawyer behind the Adult Copyright Company, has just had his business model chopped off at the knees; not only did Judge John Preston Bailey dismiss every defendant but one in Ford's mass lawsuits, he also demanded that each case be filed separately and that Ford only submit IP addresses likely to map to West Virginia Internet users.

From his base in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Ford has rapidly eclipsed his mentors at the US Copyright Group. Between September 24 and November 11 of this year, Ford filed nine mass lawsuits against more than 22,000 alleged file-swappers, each accused of sharing pornographic films with titles like Teen Babysitters andTeen Anal Nightmare 2 and Batman XXX: A Porn Parody. Ford's initial lawsuits were releatively small, but he had enough confidence in his method by late October that he began filing against 7,000 and then 9,000 individuals at once.

The judge overseeing these cases has had enough. In a series of orders today that cover all seven of Ford's initial September cases, the judge "severed" every defendant but one. If Ford wants to proceed against all these people, he can do so individually and pay the $350 per case filing fee. (For the cases severed yesterday, this would amount to $1.8 million in filing fees alone.)

Former Girlfriend of Mesothelioma Victim/Sex Pistols

Malcolm McLaren is widely known throughout the music world as a “godfather” of punk rock, having acted as the manager for the New York Dolls before organizing and managing The Sex Pistols as they became a household name around the world following the release of “God Save the Queen” in 1977.

However, following his death on April 8 from mesothelioma at the age of 64 – only months after he was initially diagnosed with the illness - he has also become known as one of the more notable figures to succumb to mesothelioma.

According to Young Kim, McLaren’s girlfriend for the final 12 years of his life as well as his work partner for nine years, the fact that mesothelioma is still a widespread problem that ended up affecting McLaren and taking his life is the equivalent of a criminal ac


“That people should die because governments knowingly failed to protect their safety is nothing short of homicide,” Kim told us in a series of emails commenting on mesothelioma.According to Kim, one of the most frustrating aspects of mesothelioma is that it has been cultivated by the continued use of asbestos in many products that people encounter every day.

“From what I understand, once you’ve been exposed to asbestos and have it, there is really nothing that can be done but hope for the best,” she said. “The most important thing I think, however, is to understand that this disease is man-made-- due to the use of asbestos, a dangerous and lethal substance. It should not exist.”

Kim added that the onus to limit the use of asbestos fibers and spread awareness regarding how dangerous they are is on governments around the world. However, despite medical reports and data suggesting the dangers of asbestos exposure that were published in the first half of the 20^th Century, she added that politicians have kept information of how dangerous the fibers are under wraps from the public for commercial reasons. A number of countries that still allow asbestos to be used benefit from money received through asbestos production and trade.

“This is particularly reprehensible behavior but unfortunately something that continues to this day by all governments and industries around the world. Perhaps industry can be excused as they are in effect, selfish entities, but governments, like the United States or Europe, which are based on democratic systems, have a duty to protect the people and to regulate such industries,” Kim said. “They should be our watchdogs. Instead, we are constantly being betrayed by their corruption.“

She added that the government’s turning a blind eye to the dangers of asbestos exposure was not unlike other privileges given to gas and oil exploration, EMT proliferation, questionably safe pharmaceuticals, and the use of contaminated or genetically modified foods that showed “corruption” rather than intent to act in the public’s best interests.

In order to best help minimize the number of those affected by mesothelioma in the future, Kim felt that a top priority should be making sure the conditions for the disease were eradicated.

“We need to have systems in place that prevent the exposure of innocent people to toxic material for the sake of short term profit for industry and corrupt politicians,” she said, “The public needs to be more aware of this and realize that sometimes, to have safety, it may actually involve certain collective sacrifice or inconvenience but long-term it is the only safe way to go.”

Mesothelioma Stories!

Admiral Zumwalt was the youngest Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in history when he took this post in 1970 at the age of 49. He was well known for his efforts to transform the Navy from an aristocratic organization to an egalitarian institution.

During Admiral Zumwalt's tenure as CNO, asbestos-related deaths of shipyard workers escalated dramatically. According to the Sinai School of Medicine in New York, asbestos related deaths, either from asbestos or mesothelioma, grew by 47%, from approximately 1,650 to 2,420 per year. From 1970 to 1979, it is estimated that more than 20,000 tradesmen died of asbestos exposure. And many more became debilitated and were forced to stop working and take disability or early retirement.

Zumwalt himself was exposed to asbestos on many different occasions. He had served on many vessels that contained asbestos insulation. Also, he had been stationed at the Pentagon during renovation that may have stirred up asbestos dust. This would ultimately lead to him contracting mesothelioma.

In an ironic twist, Admiral Zumwalt had campaigned within the Navy to ban the use of environmentally unfriendly chemical agents and became a staunch advocate of new measures to protect the environmental safety of Navy men and women. Much of his fervor derived from his son's untimely death, from cancer, at age 42. His son commanded a river boat in a part of Vietnam where Agent Orange had been used to defoliate vegetation. Admiral Zumalt had given the command to use the defoliant while he was commander of Navy operations in Vietnam. He was convinced that his son's cancer was a result of exposure to Agent Orange.

Admiral Zumwalt had watched a virtual epidemic of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases occur on his watch as CNO. He was taking steps to try to protect Navy personnel from future environmental hazards. His statements in the congressional record are paraphrased below.

At age 78, almost 30 years after Admiral Zumwalt had assumed the position of CNO, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. After participating in a 5 kilometer run, he experienced a shortness of breath that was unusual for him. Two months later a chest x-ray showed a larger tumor in the lung and the diagnosis of mesothelioma was confirmed. At age 79, within 6 months of visiting the doctor due to shortness of breath, Admiral Zumwalt died of complications related to mesothelioma. 

Before You Take Out a Student Loan!

Deciding whether or not to take out a student loan is a major step. You should be reasonably sure that a student loan will help you to increase your income in the long run. Unlike credit card debt, a student loan is considered good debt rather than bad. This is because of the potential earnings increase that a college education may offer. Those with a college degree usually earn a higher salary than those without one. If getting a student loan is the only way you'd be able to earn a decent income then it is worth serious thought.  If you default on your student loan payments, it may ruin your credit rating. You could have collectors calling and writing you constantly. The best idea is to do some good research that includes informational interviews. An informational interview is one in which you contact potential employers and ask them what qualifications and other requirements they're looking for in employees. You also need to find out how likely they'll be to be hiring at all after the time you complete your degree or studies. Working part-time while going to school may sound like a good idea, but in reality may be impossible depending on the requirements of some study programs. A combination of working part-time and going on student loans works for many students. However, if you go on student loans there may be restrictions on how much you can spend on living expenses and other things so you need to consider this aspect of the loans as well. If you're required to pay some of the cost of your education from work you do while going to school, this may be good for reducing the amount of loans you'll need. The benefits of a college education go beyond just the monetary ones. A college degree can give you a great sense of achievement and provide you with a good base of knowledge and experiences. However, the money aspect of taking out a student loan is one that may last a long time after the degree is earned, so the decision of whether to get a student loan should be one that is well thought out.

Health Insurance: What You Need to Know

The best place to get health insurance, of course, is from your employer. Group plans are typically cheaper, and your employer will probably cover much of the cost.

There are three main types of coverage you can choose from: H.M.O.s (health maintenance organizations), P.P.O.s (preferred provider organizations) and the newer option called an H.D.H.P. (high deductible health plan) paired with a savings account. A small number of companies still offer old-fashioned, fee-for-service plans, but their ranks are dwindling. Here’s what you need to know about the most common plans:

H.M.O.S provide comprehensive coverage at a low cost to the consumer. In general, you don’t pay any deductibles or co-payments for basic care (and if you do, they will be relatively low). But your choices will be limited. You can generally use only the doctors and hospitals within the H.M.O.’s network, though more plans are easing up on this restriction, and your designated primary-care physician will determine the level of care you require and when you need to see a specialist.

Pros: Low cost. Coordinated care.

Cons: A limited choice of providers. If you go out of network, for example to a specialist, you will probably not be reimbursed.

PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION AND POINT OF SERVICE plans were created in response to consumer frustrations with the limitations of H.M.O.s. You can choose to go to network providers and pay a small co-payment, or go out of network and have only a portion — typically around 60 to 70 percent — of your costs reimbursed. The main difference between the two is that a point of service plan requires a referral from your primary care physician to see a specialist, while the preferred provider plan does not.

Pros: More flexibility than an H.M.O.; lower overall out-of-pocket costs than a fee for service plan.

Cons: It’s tricky to predict your costs unless you’re willing to stay within the network. Getting reimbursed for out-of-network claims can be a hassle.

HIGH-DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN Over the past few years, more employers have begun to offer the option to sign up for a high deductible health plan that is linked to a health savings account or health reimbursement account. Some employers may offer the high-deductible health plan on its own and allow the employees to set up a savings account with the bank of their choice.

The plans work like the preferred provider option, but the deductible is much higher — at least $1,150 for coverage of a single person and $2,300 for families. To compensate for the larger deductible, employers typically offer different two savings options:

A health savings account allows you to put away pretax dollars and then withdraw the money to pay your out-of-pocket costs. (Your employer may kick in some money, too.) In 2009, you and your employer can put up to a combined limit of $5,950 in a health savings account if you opt for family coverage ($3,000 for singles). The money rolls over from year to year, so you can basically store up a medical emergency fund. When you’re 65, you can take the remaining money out without paying a penalty, though you’ll pay taxes on the withdrawal if you’re not using it to pay for medical costs.

A health reimbursement account is financed solely by your employer. Typically, an employer will contribute an amount equal to about half the employee’s deductible The money rolls over from year to year, but you cannot take the money with you when you leave the company.

Pros: Low premiums. Tax-free savings (in the case of the health savings account).

Cons: Potentially high costs, especially if you or a family member becomes chronically ill. Don’t choose this option unless you have the money to pay the deductible.

INDEMNITY, OR FEE-FOR-SERVICE, PLANS are offered by fewer and fewer employers because of their expense. They allow you to go to any doctor, hospital or medical provider you choose. The plan typically reimburses 80 percent of your out-of-pocket costs after you fulfill an annual deductible.

Pros: Flexibility. You can go to any medical provider, anywhere, without seeking plan approval first.

Cons: Your total out-of-pocket costs will probably be higher than in a preferred provider plan or H.M.O. Most fee-for-service plans don’t cover preventive care like flu shots ormental health services.

Morality of Sex

One of the greatest issues that people struggle with is the morality of sex in different situations. Perhaps we worry about it so much because it is such an intimate and significant event. From a purely biological standpoint, sexual intercourse is the means for what might be considered the most important biological function of humans – reproduction, the continuation of our species. But, as beings concerned with not only the biological aspects of life but also with morality, we must ask the question: when is it morally appropriate to engage in sex? 
Let us throw religion to the wind, for the time being. Obviously, different religions (and even different sects of a single religion) have wildly varying opinions on when, where, and how sex is appropriate. However, if one simply looks at sex from the view of a general human being, who is not affiliated with any religion but strives to be moral, can one find a general rule for when sexual intercourse is suitable?

14 things to do before your 30!

The number 30, for people who are about to leave their 20s, is viewed with much pressure. The age of 30 is a sign of toning down the joys of early adulthood and focusing on the more serious aspects of life. Ideally, a 30-year-old should have a firm grasp on how to establish himself/herself career-wise and as an individual. The problem is, not many people can cope with the stress involved with such an important stage in life. What they can do is engage in activities or habits that can help them prepare for being 30 years old.

So how can a person exactly ease the pressure of being 30? Simple, he or she must break some of the old routines and insert new ones to foster a gradual transformation. The gradualness is important, so you can get used to the more serious activities easily. You can also use the remaining time, before reaching the age of 30, to engage things that you have been longing to do but couldn’t. Remember, your aim is to be mentally prepared for being 30 and leaving your twenties without any regrets. Here are 14 timely things you can do before reaching 30.

1. A Trip to the Zoo -The zoo is one of the main attractions for kids. Returning to that place can bring refreshing memories, including your childhood dreams. Silly as it may sound, the trip might help you determine your truest of passions, which is instrumental when choosing a career to establish. The zoo will also induce nostalgia, giving you a good tingly feeling right after the trip.

2. Join the Marathon - The marathon is a test of perseverance and the human will. Incidentally, both factors are needed for establishing goals and a lifelong career. Practice sprinting regularly, with a gradual increase in distance, so you’ll get accustomed to long-distance running. When you’re ready, register yourself in a 10K race. Pay the registration fee and you’re all set. After finishing the race, you will be a changed person, all for the better.

3. Budgeting Practice - Proper budgeting is the secret of some successful people. Through the proper allocation of funds and assets, cash is well-spent, if not stored in the savings bank. A good start for budgeting is to do it manually. At the start of each week, list down all the things that you need to buy, along with their corresponding prices. Set a price for emergencies and the amount you will save for the week. This practice will give you a clear view on your expenditures and weekly savings. You can then eliminate some of the unnecessary spendings, so you can save more.

4. Hire a Personal Accountant - If you think accounting is needed only for business, you’re sadly mistaken. An accountant can help increase your yearly earnings by deducting the excess taxes from your income and expenditures, even from simple purchases. At the end of the year, you can show the accounting statements to your office or the proper government office to receive your reimbursements. This tactic is perfectly legal so don’t worry.

5. Bungee Jumping and Skydiving - Most people find both sports hair-raising, just like the age of 30. With only a string or a parachute separating you from your demise, you will surely be bolder after going through one or both activities. Use bungee jumping and skydiving as symbols for conquering your fears and anxieties. After taking the plunge, you’ll feel that you can face anything, including life’s serious phases.

6. Learn the Game of Stocks - The stock market is like a more analytical version of the game monopoly, where you will buy, sell, or trade properties in the hope of getting a large sum of profits. You should learn how to interpret market trends, so you can acquire or sell the right shares. Getting an exceptional broker is also important, since he or she can help you make the right decisions. Once you master the game of stocks, getting rich will always be an option.

7. Special Treatment for Your Parents - Once you focus on your family and your career, your time for your parents will be greatly reduced. Use this period to maximize your time with your parents. Bring them out to dinner or join them for an unforgettable out-of-town trip. You, after all, owe it to them for raising you to be who you currently are.

8. Attend Career Seminars - Throughout high school and college, students are immersed in career development seminars, which help them choose careers. The concepts and strategies discussed in those conventions are pretty helpful, especially for those who want to start their own business. Important as those points are, they are eventually forgotten. Attending a career seminar will reacquaint you with those concepts and this time around, you will use of them to your full-advantage. (Why don’t you try getting an MBA, for more information, read The value of an MBA)

9. Read Business Books - Don’t believe the notion that business books are only for people who want to put up their own businesses. Those books teach you how to build contacts and how to strengthen your character as a professional. Sure, you will get a good dose of business concepts and strategies, which you will eventually need anyway, but the other things you will pickup are certainly essential, regardless of occupation.

10. Finish a Lengthy Novel - One of the common characteristics of successful professionals is they read a lot. From reports to industry-related publications, they absorb much information, which are essential for their occupations. Get accustomed to reading by finishing at least one lengthy novel. You will feel a sense of achievement after, especially if the novel you read is beyond 500 pages.

11. Health is Wealth - After the peak of your physical health, which is during your early to mid-twenties, you should apply a healthier lifestyle. Have a daily exercise like jogging or going to the gym, so you can avoid nasty age-related ailments. You’ll have more energy to balance your family and professional needs. Try to lessen, if not avoid, vices such as smoking and drinking, to have better health. By the age of 30, you will realize that you are not old, since you are still at the prime of your life.

12. Set the Right Priorities - Every successful person follows the right set of priorities. The key is being responsible and learning how to work with a lot of responsibilities. You should learn how to manage your time properly. Have a planner and make it a habit to set your daily schedule beforehand. Follow that schedule religiously then you will notice how easy life really is.

13. Father Knows Best, When It Comes to Doing Business - Most dads, being experts in their fields, have picked up a ton of strategies that they will eventually pass on to their children. Approach your dad and engage him in a professional conversation. He will be more than happy to discuss with you what he learned in his profession. You will discover the challenges he had to overcome and the solutions he formulated to get by them. Apply all of the necessary concepts and examples to your line of work.

14. Mother Knows Best, When Forming a Home - Moms, even the career-oriented ones, have a strong attachment to the house. In most cases, dads are the chief providers while moms govern the household, including family relations. You can discuss with your mom the “dos” and “don’ts” when raising a family. She will teach you her best strategies and the behavioral patterns of each family member, given a certain scenario. In the end, you’ll have a good idea on how to create the perfect family environment.

Being 30 is not the end of your happy life, but rather the beginning. You’ll achieve financial and personal success and in the process, have a family of your own. Through time management, you can even bring back some of your old habits for a much needed balance. By then, you will realize why some people actually say “life begins at 50,” but that’s an entirely different matter, at least for now. Before thinking of what you’ll do when you reach 30, its time to celebrate your birthday and here are the 30th Birthday Party Ideas.

Student Loan Debt is Out of Control!

Student loan debt in the U.S. is a growing problem, with college students graduating with an average debt load of nearly $20,000 as of 2006.  In my last post, I pointed out a recent opinion suggesting a bankruptcy approach that might help students with these loans, even though the debts are nearly always nondischargeable.  Comments to this post suggested that there is an underlying problem in the way U.S. bankruptcy law treats student loan debt.  The comments are right: this treatment of student loans is very difficult to understand.

In last weekend’s debt symposium at the University of Illinois, Heidi Hurd presented a draft paper discussing the theoretical underpinnings of discharging debt.  She noted that the dominant explanation for discharge  is “utilitarian”—holding that discharge promotes the overall good of society by encouraging individuals burdened by debt to engage in productive activity that they would otherwise forgo, since it would only benefit their creditors.  Professor Hurd also pointed out two problems with this rationale: it allows people who may be culpable in incurring debt to escape responsibility, and it imposes losses on individual creditors who may not be able to afford them.

The discussion following Professor Hurd’s presentation noted that U.S. bankruptcy law can be seen as mitigating these problems with utilitarianism.  Some exceptions to discharge—e.g., for fraud or intentional injury—punish wrongful conduct in incurring debt.  Others—e.g., for domestic support obligations—assure payment to creditors who may be in particular need.  Priority of payment in bankruptcy similarly protects needy creditors.  These considerations certainly help rationalize the U.S. bankruptcy  system.

The treatment of student loans, however, can’t be explained using this modified-utilitarian rationale.  Student loans are generally incurred in good faith; indeed, they are encouraged as wise investments.  And providers of student loans are not in particular need of repayment; they can easily spread their risks either to other student borrowers (through higher fees and interest) or to society at large (through government subsidies).  Moreover, if it were thought that repayment of student loans was necessary for the lenders, some sort of priority, even if not a requirement of full payment in Chapter 13, would be expected.  But there is no such priority—which makes the treatment of this debt punitive, despite the absence of wrongful conduct by the debtor.

As originally enacted, the 1978 Bankruptcy Code provided that student loans could be discharged either if five years had passed from the time payment was first due or if the debtor provided for repayment during a three-to-five year Chapter 13 plan.  This provision could be supported by the sort of “needs-based” rationale that underlies the means test: an intuition that while students might not be able to repay their loans immediately after graduation, they would likely be able to do so a few years later.  But once student loans were made permanently nondischargeable, this rationale was lost.

If there is a way to explain current U.S. law on the dischargeability of student loans, it is not apparent.

How to Borrow Money with Bad Credit!

If you need some cash for a personal reason–such as medical bills or other debt you may be considering a Personal Loan. And they’re a good idea, since there are no restrictions on how you can use the money (unlike a car or mortgage). Although interest rates are higher than that of a Home Equity Loan or Home Equity Line of Credit,  are available to anyone–even those who don’t own their home.

Many people will tell you that in these tough times, banks and lending institutions have made it nearly impossible for individuals to get personal loans, That’s not true at all. While it’s true qualifications are stricter now, getting a loan can be tough or easy – depending on how well-prepared you are. But here’s the catch: you will need to prove you’re worth every cent you borrow. Here are some tips to help you out.

Choose Your Options Wisely

You can choose from two options in bad credit personal loans. First, you can opt for unsecured personal loans. Typically, you will have to pay higher interest rates because of the higher risks assumed by the creditor although you need not present any personal and/or real property as collateral.

Remember this is an emergency personal loan to fullfill an immediate and urgent requirement, for the lender it is a high risk unsecured loan so the charges will be in proportion to the level of risk and the amount of cash offered will be limited. If you need a longer term loan or more money you should be looking at alternative ways of borrowing.

Can you afford the interest?

This is a very important question that is often overlooked when people are considering which loan to apply for and how to use it. Spending the bank’s money seems so much easier than spending your own but the truth is you have to pay it back and not just what you have spent but interest on that money as well. Calculate on much money you have been approved for and if you can afford to pay the monthly interest but not only this, can you afford to pay the loan back as well?

Depending on your credit rating, you may be able to get personal loans on an unsecured basis. This means that you don’t have to put up any collateral, like your savings account, car or home in order to get the loan. Keep in mind that unsecured loans will typically carry a higher interest rate. If you cannot qualify for an unsecured loan, you can apply for a secured loan. This means you will have to pledge personal property as collateral. If you cannot qualify for an unsecured loan you may want to see if you can get a co-signor.

It is best if you get personal loans from online lenders for major emergencies only. If you need to get your car repaired so you can get to work, or get a major home repair done quickly, then consider an online personal advances. Remember, the interest rates and loan fees will likely be higher so use them carefully.

Benchmark Lending Scams

BBB Warns of Internet Loan Scam

August 20, 2010 Southfield, MI- The Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula has received several complaints over the last few days from people across the country inquiring about a company identified as BENCHMARK FOUNDATION, allegedly located in Hartland, Michigan, and doing business online. Consumers are informing the BBB that they apply online then receive an approval notification for a secured loan anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $30,000.00. They are then asked to wire a down payment to Ontario, Canada in order to cover the first few monthly loan payments. Consumers complain that they are unable to contact BENCHMARK FOUNDATION after they have wired the money.

The Michigan Office of Financial & Insurance Services has informed the BBB that BENCHMARK Foundation is not an active Michigan corporation and that it does not have a valid license to provide lending and financial services in Michigan. The address provided is reportedly non-existent and the BBB report is being revised to reflect the BBB’s current investigation.
Recent BBB investigations reveal an increase in bogus loan brokers who are impersonating legitimate lenders. They make illegal use of the names, logos and/or addresses of reputable financial institutions or organizations that have no affiliation or connection with the fraudulent operation.

Signs that the “Lender” is a Scammer

• Pressures you to act immediately.
• “Guaranteed” loans, even if you have bad credit, no credit or a bankruptcy.
• Refuses to provide its street address location.
• Demands that you wire or send money before you have a loan offer confirmed in writing.
• Written communications contain typos and grammatical errors.
• When you telephone, no one is ever “in”; your calls are not returned, or the voicemail box is always “full.”

Lawyers for Whiplash Injuries

Car crashes often result to various bodily injuries such as whiplash neck injury. Also known as neck sprain or neck strain, personal injury whiplash is an injury of the soft tissues of the neck caused by its sudden extension and flexion. This kind of injury is common in rear end accidents where the neck is rapidly jolted back and forth. It may also manifest in trip or slip and fall cases.

The sudden movement of the neck can cause some of its muscles and ligaments to stretch more than the usual. Severe whiplash injury can damage the spine or spinal cord. It can also injure the cervical muscles, intervertebral joints, ligaments, discs and nerve roots.

Signs of Whiplash

Whiplash neck injuries are very common. Even slight car bumps could result to enough whipping to the neck that may trigger the symptoms.

Symptoms of neck injuries may manifest either immediately after the accident or several days after. Its symptoms may include the following:

• Neck Stiffness and Pain
• Myofascial injuries or injuries to the muscles and ligaments
• Headache, dizziness and blurred vision
• Difficulty swallowing and chewing and hoarseness of voice
• Paresthesias or abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling
• Shoulder and back pains
• Irritability

Treatment for Whiplash Injuries

Luckily, whiplash is curable. Upon treatment, most symptoms are gone completely.

At first, it is treated with a soft cervical collar. This collar could be worn for 2 to 3 weeks.

For major cases, therapy and medications are advised. It may include:

• Warm therapy to reduce muscle tension and pain
• Medications for pain such as analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Muscle relaxants
• Physiotherapy or range of motion exercises and physical therapy on the neck

Severe extension injuries, however, require surgical intervention.

Whiplash Prevention

Head restraints are equally important as seatbelts. They stop the head from making unnecessary movements during the point of impact. They can make the journey uncomfortable but the benefits are enormous. Moreover, correct adjustment of the head restraint could make the journey safer.

Whiplash neck injuries just like any other injuries need medical attention. Expectedly, the victim has to visit a medical provider for examination and tests, if necessary.

To alleviate the pain and suffering of the victim physically and financially, a personal injury case could be filed against the negligent party to compensate him for the damage. The victim may engage the services of a car accident lawyer in pursuing his claim. If you feel you have a whiplash injury claim and deserve some sort ofwhiplash injury compensation, please contact a Personal Injury Lawyer.

10 Random Things You should Know!

1
Look at your zipper. See the initials YKK? It stands for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushibibaisha, the world's largest zipper manufacturer.

2
A duck's quack doesn't echo. No one knows why.

3
40 percent of McDonald's profits come from the sales of Happy Meals.

4
315 entries in Webster's 1996 Dictionary were misspelled.

5
On the average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.

6
Chocolate kills dogs! True, chocolate affects a dog's heart and nervous system. A few ounces is enough to kill a small sized dog.

7
Ketchup was sold in the 1830's as a medicine.

8
Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.

9
Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.

10
There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos.

My Slut Wife

My name is Charles and my wife Julie and I have been married for over 20 years. Our sex life has been great all along and both us have very high sex drives. Julie is wet all the time as she is a very horny woman and is insatiable as far as sex is concerned . She is multi-orgasmic and can cum numerous times before I explode into her willing cunt. She loves to wear very revealing clothes mostly without a bra and a panty underneath.
One day I came home early from work as I was not feeling too well. As I was about to enter the master bedroom I heard some sounds coming out from the guest room. As I was walking toward the room I could hear groans and moans of a woman. The door of the room was wide open and I was shocked at what I saw.
There on the bed was my wife with her legs spread wide open and fully naked with a man on top of her and his cock impaled deep into her wet pussy ! I could see his cock going in and out of her wet pussy and she was moving her hips up and down in unision with his movements. The sound of wet liquid and her groans and moans filled the room as her lover fucked her. Her arms were around his body pulling him close to her. Her body was visibly trembling with illicit lust with this man.
I was angry at first and then to my surprise I found myself aroused at the sight of my wife having sex with another man and enjoying it. My cock was hard and I found myself stroking my cock as I watched my adulterous wife giving herself to another man. My cock was hard and real slimy with precum!

Meanwhile Julie and her lover were wild on the bed clinging to each other and uttering obscenities as they got high in sexual ecstacy. Her lover pounded and rammed her wet cunt with his hard cock and she moaned and groaned with every deep penetration. Her legs were wrapped around her lover's waist as she ground her groin against his in sexual pleasure. Their breathing was loud and fast and then she cried out , " Fuck me.....fuck ..... cum into me now !" Her lover grunted and I could see his body tensed up as he exploded into her. Julie cummed together with him and she screamed like a mad woman when his seeds entered her womb. Then there was silence as she lay on top of her motionless and she with her legs wide open . I could see her lover's cum leaking out from the side of her fucked cunt.
This was the first time I ever saw and watch another fuck my wife and many more was to follow in weeks to come. I thoroughly enjoyed the sight of my wife being fucked by another man and I want her to continue with her new-found pleasure.

Netflix

I'm finally returning to Netflix after a long time away....Netflix is probably the best company out there streaming Television and Movies...They have a lot of independent films as well as foreign if your into foreign movies... You just can't beat Netflix....You can even try it for a month for free...Thanks Netflix...

Depressed Lawyer Column

I’ve been depressed for a while.

I think it really set in last year after I had a couple of really awful outcomes in high conflict family law cases. I get so much pleasure and enjoy the sense of being in sync with my talents when I write, mediate or speak in front of a group. Adversarial advocacy in family law isn’t on that list and, as a family lawyer, I spend a fair amount of time doing this. So I found myself becoming depressed.

What does depression look like? Well, it doesn’t necessarily have to be an episode of major depression to qualify. Major depression really knocks your feet out from underneath you (literally). It can be difficult just rolling out of bed. Days and nights are filled with obsessive rumination that acts like a mental whirlpool, driving the sufferer ever deeper into a vortex of hopelessness. Those struggling with major depression know for a fact that their lives will not and cannot get any better. For those made supine by this despair, antidepressant medication can be a literal life saver. Rather than elevating mood, these drugs put a floor underneath one’s mood so the whirlpool is shut off and the experience of an endless psychic descent ceases. Thankfully, what I’ve been experiencing is not nearly that debilitating or painful.

Dysthymia Allows Us To Function But In A Colorless World

My kind of depression is termed “dysthymia” in the DSM IV (mental health’s diagnostic “Bible”). With dysthymia, a person can still function after a fashion. However, life’s colors are faded. It’s more difficult to enjoy pursuits that had, not long ago, brought pleasure. We withdraw from our closest relationships. Paradoxically, I found myself coming home and drinking more. I love the taste of good vodka, and indulged that taste every evening. I say paradoxically because, as we know, alcohol is a quintessential depressant. However, I’ll also admit that I enjoyed the buzz before I drifted off to sleep. I wasn’t eating very well and found myself filling up this dark hole that was pulsating in my core with my favorite foods. (Try putting some salsa on Triscuit crackers, covering them with cheddar cheese and “nuking” the concoction in the microwave for three minutes. My mouth waters as I write this.) Anyway, I can attest that the short term comfort from “comfort foods” does bring a certain relief that is, indeed, short term.

At my office, it would take me all of about 15 minutes to shift into a cranky mood as I managed a case load of work that I increasingly had come to believe was basically pointless. I saw myself dealing with people who had grown apart in their most intimate relationships, overwhelmed by grief, betrayal and (most definitely) fear. They were then dropped into a process in which they were being assaulted by sworn statements made by their spouses and forced to respond in kind. Litigated family law, I have come to believe, is a preposterous exercise. By the time a marriage ruptures, two people who had formerly been intimate have arrived at the end of a long path marked by thousands of interpersonal and intrapersonal events which are both momentous and staggeringly trivial when measured against their impact. These people then ask another human being, often someone who has no training or interest in either psychology or family law, to make momentous decisions for them decisions based on scant information (20 pages of a sworn statement and another 5 minutes of a lawyer making a pitch). In trial, decisions can rest on the strength of a two-hour appearance on the witness stand. It’s a ridiculous process.

In this context, it is no small wonder that coming to the office to do what I have been educated and trained to do day after day would lead to dysthymia. As I said, I was not charming to live with. I was edgy. I was also lazy. That’s not my word, but it’s how my lack of interest in day-to-day household activities was labeled (not that I ever evinced much interest in this sphere of life). But depression drains the sense of purpose from your life so that you aren’t motivated to do the smaller things you used to do as a matter of course.

Actually, I think a lot of us struggle with dysthymia but because it really doesn’t affect our major life responsibilities, we just soldier on through the grey. Many studies have reported that lawyers have a high incidence of depression. Yet I think few of us really recognize it in ourselves precisely because we are basically able to continue on with what we’re doing after a fashion.

Last year, during the six months or so of my most pronounced dysthymia, although I took very poor care of my body, didn’t nurture my most important relationships with both family and friends, wrote very little (though writing is very rewarding for me), and found solace in crappy food and a bottle, I kept going to the office and avoiding things that were bringing me more and more angst and aggravation. Clients protesting my delayed response to their inquiries and issues pushed me even further into avoidance mode. My predominant emotion became worry about my practice. How’s that for fun? the capacity to experience joy is drained and the sharpest emotional experience is worry.

With Help, I Started To Resurface

A handful of events allowed me to start to resurface in this swampy water. I started to work with a very gifted therapist who incorporates neuro-feedback in her practice. This modality, which has been around for a number of years, enabled me to train my brain to augment or dampen brain waves by interacting with various computer programs or “games.” I remember being told that I had “punk beta waves” which is pretty emblematic of a depressed state of mind.

With a nutritionist’s help, I also started taking daily vitamins (with a boost of D since we don’t get a ton of sunlight here in the Northwest), omega 3 fatty acids, and Co-Q-10 which supports cellular health. After a Google search, I realized that, nutritionally speaking, I’d been living under a rock for a while. According to the Mayo Clinic, Co-Q-10 is manufactured naturally by the body, and low levels can, among other things, impact heart health. The vodka has been jettisoned. I still enjoy a glass of red wine with dinner and promise myself that if I have trouble keeping it to that amount, I will explore a 12-step meeting.

With all this support, I found that color started to fill the shapes of my life. Most importantly, perhaps, I began to seriously consider making a professional transition that I had been avoiding for a long time. Just last week, a man called who was deeply involved in a difficult family law conflict, with a real litigator on the other side. The case would definitely result in some healthy income in these economically troubled times. But I took a deep breath and referred him.

I knew that any transition in my feelings and attitude would not come immediately and that I needed to give myself some time. My lips and nose are above the surface of the swamp now and I’m pretty confident that in a month, or two or three, my whole head may emerge. I’m breathing now, though, and that’s an important start.

I'll be back soon

Sorry my people of blogger, I've been in the process of moving but I'll be back soon.

Benchmark Lending?

Benchmark is a term by which we mean a set of standards used for evaluating the level of quality or performance. It cab be drawn from companies own experience or from the other companies experience. While by benchmark lending we refer to the interest rate that banks have to pay when they borrow money. Now you will be thinking that does a bank also borrow money from other in the form of loan? The answer would definitely be yes, banks also borrow money. The bank has to keep some amount of money as a reserve. But sometimes it happens that they don’t borrow money over a short period of time, say one night, and then they don’t have reserves left, for this they have to borrow money on a certain interest rate. Due to this reason, banks and mortgage companies tries to find people who are in need of a loan and then provide them loan, so banks can earn money from that loan given to customer by taking interest. It can be valuable business to the bankers and mortgage companies who are providing loan, when there are lots of customers in the market.

The bank is when borrowing money, it also has to pay some interest, that interest rate is called benchmark rate. It is the lowest interest rate which the investor accepts for a non treasury investment. It is also known as base interest rate. But the interest rate fluctuates, when there are a wide variety of pressures from surrounding. This rate is usually set by the Federal Reserve in the United States. But most people use the interest rate which is set by the Central banks. The rate is set by government officials when it is set by the Central Banks because the government wants the rate to be low so can promote lending and financial growth. With this, government also makes sure that the rate does not become so low that there is no room for earning profits.

The benchmark rates are usually used by banks and other lenders, so could determine the interest rates for their financial products, like credit cards, car loan, and home loans. The bank also uses the benchmark rate to determine the prime rate. Prime rate is the lowest interest rate which the banks offer to their customers. This prime rate is popular in Canada for benchmark lending. It is made to help people to recover from predatory lending. Banks related to the public sector, usually cut their benchmark prime lending rate to 200 basis points while private banks cut up to 50 basis points. Now-a-days, there is a difference in prime rate and benchmark rate.

Benchmark lending provides loans and banking solutions for benchmark lending group. It also provides financial assistance. You can get new home or can refinance your existing home for over ten years. The banking sector is heading towards a cheaper rate rule. Due to this, the banks and other lenders are cutting down the benchmark lending rates in two channels. In first channel, banks cut the benchmark rates to 50 bases while in second channel; they cut the rates with a 15 day lag.

Laser Hair Removal?

1. What is Laser Hair Removal?
   
   Laser hair removal is a procedure which removes hair from the body utilizing a long pulse laser. Laser hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997. The treatment is performed by a specially-trained laser specialist or a doctor (depending on the clinic and state regulations) by pointing the laser device at shaved skin. Laser heat disables follicles from producing hair.
   
   Hair grows in cycles. Since various hairs will enter their growth cycle at different times, about 6-8 treatments at intervals of 8-12 weeks are necessary to disable most of the follicles in a given area. 
2. Am I a Candidate for Laser Hair Removal? 
   
   Both men and women seek laser hair removal to remove unwanted hair. Hair removal is commonly done on underarm, pubic area, legs, abdomen, lip, chin, back, buttocks, thighs, face, neck, chest, arms, and toes.
   
   Laser technology works by targeting dark pigment. Therefore, it works best on pale skin and dark coarse hair. The lighter the skin and the darker and more coarse the hair, the better are the results.
   
   The best candidates are patients treating areas with dark coarse dense hair growth. 
3. Which Type of Hair Removal Laser will Work for Me?
   
   Currently, there are three popular types of hair removal lasers made by various manufacturers: Alexandrite, Diode, and Nd:YAG. Intense Pulse Light systems (IPLs) are also used for hair removal.
   Some of the more popular brands of devices currently on the market are:
   1. Alexandrite: GentleLASE, Apogee
   
   2. Diode: LightSheer, F1 Diode, MeDioStar, Palomar SLP 1000, Comet (w/RF technology)
   
   3. Nd:YAG: CoolGlide, GentleYAG, Lyra-i, Sciton
   
   4. Alexandrite/ND:Yag Combination Devices: GentleMAX, Apogee Elite, Apogee MPX
   
   5. IPL: Palomar Starlux and EsteLux, Harmony, EpiLight, Aculight, Vasculigh, Aurora (w/RF technology)
   In order to determine the best device to use, patients need to figure out their skin type using the Fitzpatrick Skin Chart*. In 1975, Thomas B Fitzpatrick, MD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School, developed a classification system for skin typing. This system was based on a person's response to sun exposure in terms of the degree of burning and tanning the individual experienced.
   *This tool is approximate
   TYPE I: Highly sensitive, always burns, never tans. Example: Red hair with freckles or Albino
   TYPE II: Very sun sensitive, burns easily, tans minimally.
   Example: Fair-skinned, fair-haired Caucasians
   TYPE III: Sun sensitive skin, sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown.
   Example: Darker Caucasians, European mix
   TYPE IV: Minimally sun sensitive, burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown.
   Example: Mediterranean, European, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian
   TYPE V: Sun-insensitive skin, rarely burns, tans well.
   Example: Hispanics, Afro-American, Middle Eastern
   TYPE VI: Sun-insensitive, never burns, deeply pigmented.
   Example: Afro-American, African, Middle Eastern
   • Alexandrite lasers are best for skin types I-III
   • Diode lasers are best for skin types I-IV
   • Nd:YAG* lasers are best for skin types IV and darker
   *ND:YAG lasers were specifically created to cater to dark-skinned patients. This is the only type of laser that should be used on skin types V and darker. Using any other types of lasers on this type of skin can result in burns if they are used at settings that disable the hair permanently.
4. How Does Laser Hair Removal Work? 
   Lasers designed for permanent hair reduction emit wavelengths of light that are absorbed by the pigment in the hair (melanin). If the surrounding skin is lighter than the color of the hair, the energy of the laser is concentrated in the hair shaft, effectively destroying it without affecting the skin or the follicle.
   Since lasers target pigment, treatments are most effective on coarse hair because it has a lot of pigment and can absorb a lot of heat. Fine hair cannot absorb much heat.
   The ability of the laser device to produce a very narrow bandwidth on a consistent basis is the key to a safe efficient treatment. While the laser emits a beam that only heats the hair shaft, heat is transmitted from the hair shaft to the surrounding tissue for several milliseconds after the laser pulse. Several lasers possess cooling attachments which cool the surrounding skin to fully absorb any heat transmitted from the destroyed hair shafts.
   Intense Pulse Light (IPL) machines are not lasers. These machines use a highly concentrated beam of traditional incoherent light, often in conjunction with a cream or gel, to burn the hair shaft. A serious flaw with these systems is that they lack the laser's ability to produce a selective bandwidth of light that will only affect the hair shaft (selective photothermolysis). IPLs produce a wide bandwidth of light that can heat up all of the surrounding tissue, making it less effective in disabling hair and putting the patient at a higher risk for burns, especially on darker skin.
   IPL devices are generally cheaper than laser devices, which is why many clinics choose to use them. Generally, true hair removal lasers (i.e. alexandrite, diode, and ND:Yag types) tend to achieve better and faster results than IPLs.
5. How Many Laser Treatments will I Need and How Far Apart are They Scheduled?
   Most patients need at least 6-8 effective treatments spaced 8-12 weeks apart. Because hair grows in cycles, several sessions are necessary in order to affect all hair on any given area. Due to length of hair growth cycles, treatments are usually needed once every 8-12 weeks. Hair cycle length varies depending on body part. Face usually requires more frequent treatments (about 8 weeks apart) whereas legs and back need less frequent treatments (closer to 12 weeks apart).
   Shedding of all treated hair should be expected within 3 weeks of each treatment. The hair that doesn’t shed and is growing as usual after 3 weeks has likely been either missed or not affected due to inappropriate settings. If this is the case, a touchup treatment is necessary at that time. All 6-8 treatments should be good effective treatments in order to achieve good results.
   Once the hair sheds, patients should experience a hair-free period for several weeks. Once new hair comes in again, patients should come in for their next session.
6. Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? Are There Permanent Hair Removal Methods? 
   Laser hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and the Food and Drug Administration approved them for “permanent reduction.” They disable hair permanently as long as the right type of hair is treated with an appropriate type of laser at effective settings.
   However, it is called a “reduction” because, no matter what some clinics may claim, hair removal lasers cannot and do not remove 100% of the hair in an area. With proper treatments, laser can remove the majority of the coarse hair on a body area, but they cannot remove finer hair. Be cautious of clinics making claims that seem too good to be true.
   In order to achieve 100% clearance of hair in any one area, most people need to follow up laser treatments with electrolysis treatments to remove any remaining finer hairs. Laser can only remove coarse hair.
   Generally, a patient can tell how much reduction was achieved from a course of treatments after waiting 6-12 months from their last treatment. Any hair that grows in after the 12-month period is new hair that the body can develop due to numerous factors such as age, diet, hormonal changes, and medical conditions such as PCOS. Patients who experience new growth later in life can get touchup treatments.
   Some experts believe a small percentage of people are non-responders to laser hair removal treatments. This has not been confirmed or proven, and reasons are not known. At the same time, it's difficult to judge whether a patient’s lack of results is, in fact, due to being a non-responder. Lack of results could be due to an undetected underlying medical condition or improperly performed treatments.
   In essence, it’s difficult to predict results. Results depend on many variables, including type of laser used, how settings are set, underlying causes of the hair growth, the technician’s experience, etc. That is why it’s a good idea to start treatments on one small area before committing to an expensive course of treatments on many areas at once.
   Electrolysis is the only other proven permanent hair removal method, which has been in use for over 125 years. It involves treating one hair at a time and is a good option for smaller areas where precision is necessary (like eyebrows or upper lip). At this time, it is as the only permanent option for any fine and light-colored hair.
7. How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost? 
   
   Prices vary widely from clinic to clinic. It’s a good idea to get quotes from several clinics in the area to compare prices and other factors.
   Some clinics offer discounts if paying for a package of multiple treatments upfront. However, buying a package also prevents an unhappy patient from switching providers. Since laser operator skill is very important in achieving results, it is recommended to start with one small area and investing in treatment packages only once satisfied. It’s a good idea to compare types of lasers used, treatment prices, technicians’ experiences, and other factors among at least 3-5 clinics in the area.
   Below is very general average pricing information for most commonly treated areas at clinics across the US:
   Price per session:
   Underarms (both) - $50-150
   Regular bikini - $100-200 (definition varies by clinic)
   Brazilian bikini - $200-300 (definition varies by clinic)
   Half legs (both) - $200-400
   Half arms (both) - $200-400
   Butt - $150-300
   Back - $200-500
   Chest - $100-300 (definition varies by clinic)
   Abdomen - $100-300 (definition varies by clinic)
   Full face - $150-300
   Upper lip - $50-150
   Chin - $50 – 150
8. Is Laser Hair Removal Painful? 
   
   In one pulse, laser removes all the hair on a patch of skin the size of a nickel or a quarter. Generally, laser hair removal is not much more painful than waxing, though the sensation is different. With each pulse, the feeling resembles a rubber band snapping against the skin for a quick second. Pain is only felt while laser is hitting the skin and doesn’t last. Most people do not require an anesthetic cream, though one can be prescribed to more sensitive patients. EMLA is one popular option.
   Using anesthetic creams is safest on small areas. It’s also important to obtain a cream that is properly compounded. Using an inappropriately compounded numbing cream on large areas can result in adverse side effects or even death. Patients should consult with their doctor.
   *It should be noted not feeling any pain during treatments may be an indication that the laser is set too low to produce permanent results.
9. Are They any Laser Hair Removal Risks or Side Effects?
   Some people may experience the following potential temporary side effects:
   • Itching
   • Redness for up to 3 days
   • Swelling around mouth of follicle for up to 3 days
   • Tingling or feeling of numbness
   The following rare side effects are indicative of inappropriate laser type and/or settings:
   • Crusting/scab formation
   • Bruising
   • Purpura (purple coloring of the skin)
   • Temporary pigment change (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation)
10. What if I Merely Want to Reduce Hair Density in a Certain Area?
    Yes. This can be achieved with 3-4 treatments instead of the full course of 6-8 treatments. To achieve an even reduction without patchiness, it is imperative to find an experienced laser operator who overlaps properly while covering the area and doesn’t miss spots. It’s also a good idea to wait at least 12 weeks between sessions in order to correctly assess the amount of reduction achieved at any point during the course of treatments.
11. How Do I Choose the Right Laser Clinic for My Needs?
    THE LASER: Choose a clinic with the best laser for your skin type*. Do not fall for marketing hype. Every laser can technically be applied to any skin type without adverse side effects by manipulating the settings, but only the right laser at appropriate settings will result in permanent hair reduction.
    *Patients who are in between skin types on the Fitzpatrick skin chart should get test spots done with various laser types to determine whether their skin can handle aggressive settings on the more powerful devices.
    THE CLINIC: Choose a clinic whose main priority is your results. Schedule consultations with at least 3-5 clinics with the best laser type for your skin type before making a commitment. Be an informed consumer and ask questions to assess the clinic’s knowledge of laser hair removal. Avoid clinics with high-pressure tactics. Prices can vary by as much as 100-300%, and are often negotiable.
    THE LASER OPERATOR: The person operating the laser device should have extensive experience specifically in laser hair removal. The best technicians are those who have the most hands-on experience, not those with the most education on paper. It’s a good idea to find out whether the same person will be performing each session.
12. What Should I Expect Before and After a Laser Treatment?
    Patients should not wax, epilate, or remove hair with the root using any other hair removal method for at least 6 weeks prior to their first session and throughout their course of treatments. The hair needs to be in place in order to be targeted by laser as laser devices targets the pigment in the hair.
    The area to be treated should be shaved 1-2 days prior to treatments so that the energy is targeted towards the hair follicle and not wasted it on the hair above the skin’s surface. Treating unshaved skin can result in burning of the skin by singed hairs.
    Treatments are relatively quick. Both underarms take about 5 minutes. Full legs can take 1-1.5 hours. After the treatment, applying ice packs and cooled pure aloe vera gel help soothe the skin.
    All hair should shed within 3 weeks* following the treatment. Sometimes, shedding doesn’t start until about 10 days after the session. During the shedding phase, hair may look like it’s growing, but it is actually coming out to shed. Exfoliating and/or scrubbing gently in the shower with a loofa can help speed up the shedding process.
    After 3 weeks, some patients may see small black dots remain in the hair follicles on some areas. These are commonly referred to as “pepperspots”, which eventually shed on their own. Exfoliating may help speed up the process. Regardless, they will be singed off in the following session.
    Once the hair sheds, patients should experience a hair-free period for several weeks. Once new hair grows in, patients should come in for their next session. For most people and on most body areas, this happens about 8-12 weeks after the previous treatment.
    Patients should continue treatments until remaining hairs are too fine for laser to target, or until they’ve reached their desired reduction.
    *Shedding of all treated hair should be expected within 3 weeks of each treatment. The hair which doesn’t shed and is growing as usual after 3 weeks has been either missed or not affected due to inappropriate settings. If this is the case, a touchup treatment is necessary at that time. All 6-8 treatments should be good effective treatments at aggressive settings in order to achieve permanent results.
13. What Are the Hair Growth Cycles?
    Hair growth in each hair follicle occurs in a cycle. There are three main phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen and telogen.
    Anagen (active) is the growing phase or when the hair fiber is produced.
    Catagen (club hair) is the period of controlled regression of the hair follicle. This phase is when the lower part of the hair stops growing, but does not shed, and the follicle is reabsorbed.
    Telogen (tired) is the last of the hair growth cycle. In this resting phase, the old hair falls out in preparation for the development of a new anagen hair.
    Normally this cycle of hair production will continue for the duration of the individual's life. However, various factors can influence, promote and inhibit hair production.
    Laser affects hairs when it’s in its anagen phase of growth. Thus, patients need multiple treatments in order to disable each batch of hair as it enters the anagen phase of growth. Hair cycle length varies depending on body part. Face usually requires more frequent treatments (about 8 weeks apart) whereas legs and back need less frequent treatments (closer to 12 weeks apart). Spacing treatments 8-12 weeks apart allows adequate time to target hair on most body areas.
14. What are the Causes of Excessive Hair Growth and How Can They Affect My Treatments?
    The causes of excessive hair growth are many and varied, including:
    • Heredity
    • Pregnancy
    • Glandular and/or hormonal imbalances, including diseases causing these effects (i.e. PCOS condition in women)
    • Insulin resistance issues
    • Thyroid problems
    • Reactions to certain medications
    • Normal aging processes
    • Excessive temporary hair removal methods that impact the root (like waxing and tweezing)
    Before starting laser treatments, patients with excessive hair growth on uncommon areas should explore possible underlying medical reasons for it. Hair removal methods can only impact hair that’s currently growing. They cannot prevent the body from developing new hair after treatments are completed.
    Women with facial male-pattern growth are advised to see an endocrinologist to explore the possibility of PCOS or elevated testosterone levels. Men experiencing excessive growth can get tested for insulin resistance.
15. Is it True that Laser Hair Removal Can Actually Stimulate Hair Growth in Some Areas?
    Some patients report that finer hairs treated with laser become more prominent and more numerous. Related discussions have begun at industry conferences. It is a rare occurrence which happens only when treating fine hair, especially on women’s faces and men’s upper arms, shoulders and upper backs. It is also a concern when treating sparse hairs of any kind on any body area. Darker skin types (type IV and darker) are more susceptible to experiencing laser-induced growth.
    It is advised to only choose laser hair removal for body areas with dark coarse dense growth. Laser devices are only effective on coarse growth. Fine and vellus hair should be removed with electrolysis.
16. How Do I Find a Recommended Laser Clinic in My Area?
    The easiest thing is to use Hair Removal Forum's convenient "Doctor Finder" to locate rated laser clinics across the United States. You can discuss clinic options with other customers at online forums like the Cosmetic Enhancements Forum.