8 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Common shaving
myth debunked
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 48-
year-old, athletically fit man with
excessive body hair on my back,
chest and arms. I see that the
younger generation of men at the
gyms, pools and beaches seem to all
groom (shave) their body hair for
better appearance. I started trim-
ming down but have not fully
shaved. My concern is whether,
when you cut hair, it grows faster.
When I’m in my upper 60s or 70s
and decide to stop, will my body
hair grow to 4 inches long? Does
your body hair continue to grow at a
normal rate when you’re older, or
does it slow down? Please advise.
— M.C.
ANSWER: No, it’s a myth that
cutting or shaving hair makes it
grow faster. It certainly might seem
to come in more coarsely, since the
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Time
is on your side in the early part of the
week. But anything left undone by
midweek will need to be put into rush
mode. The weekend offers choices for
you and someone special.
TAURUS (April 30 to May 20)
Finally getting credit for a contribution
is nice for all you idea-generating
Ferdinands and Fernandas. But don’t
sit on your laurels under the cork tree.
Use it as a first step to a bigger oppor-
tunity.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
Despite the progress made, a hint of
doubt might set in. That’s OK. You
need to stop and consider not only what
you’re doing but also how you are
doing. Make adjustments where need-
ed.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The
cut hair under the surface of the skin
is thick. But there is no effect on
hair growth. Hair growth rates stay
roughly the same throughout adult-
hood.
I am aware that the current trend
is for hairless-appearing skin.
However, I see a lot of people with
infections from shaving. If you do
shave, use plenty of mild shaving
cream or gel, always use a new,
sharp razor, and use a soothing
aftershave cream or lotion to help
close the pores after shaving.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 86-
year-old male in good health. I take
a 40-mg simvastatin and a 150-mcg
levothyroxine. I exercise three times
a week — one hour with weights
and one hour of aerobics (elliptical
and treadmill). On the treadmill, I
go from a speed of 3.5 for 25 sec-
onds to 6.0 for 25 seconds. My heart
rate goes from 89 to 170 (sometimes
165 to 178) but drops back to about
89 when I return to the slower
speed. I have heard that your exer-
cise heart rate should be 212 minus
your age times 80 percent. That
would be 101. Does my 170 for 25
seconds sound OK? — E.N.W.
ANSWER: No, that sounds too
fast for an 86-year-old. The formula
you mention is one frequently stat-
ed, and it isn’t particularly accurate,
since there is a great deal of individ-
ual variation. But 170 is very fast
for an 86-year-old. I wonder if it’s
accurate. A pulse monitor, using
electrical impulses, is the most
accurate, but even these can be
fooled by electrical interference. If
it really is so fast, I would worry
about an exercise-induced tachycar-
dia, and a visit to your doctor or car-
diologist would be a good idea,
especially if you are having symp-
toms of chest discomfort or short-
ness of breath.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Do peanuts
(which are not nuts, but legumes)
afford the same health benefits as
nuts? — A.
ANSWER: Most of the studies
showing benefits of nuts included
peanuts as well. Peanuts probably
have the same benefits as tree nuts.
Unfortunately, many people are
allergic to nuts, and many to
peanuts. Those people can’t get the
benefits of eating nuts, as it is
unsafe, even life-threatening on
occasion.
dreamer is dominant in the Moon
Child’s aspect, but a dollop of hard-
headed practicality is coming up fast
and jockeying for space. The challenge
is to make room for both modes.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s a
good week for Leos and Leonas to start
assessing what they’ve done and what
they plan to do. Moving to a new envi-
ronment — home or job-related — is a
possibility for some Cats.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) The week calls for Virgos to make
tough decisions, but in a way that
leaves the door open for changes. Ask
for advice from someone who has been
in the position you’re in now.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Disappointments are never easy to
take, but you have the ability to learn
from them and go on to success.
Meanwhile, continue to build up your
contacts. You’ll need them soon.
SCORPIO
(October
23
to
November 21) Things might still be
going much too slowly to suit you. But
you need the time to make sure they’re
going in the right direction. It’s easier
to make a course correction now rather
than later.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Showing some tempera-
ment at the way things are going is one
way of getting your point across. Just
don’t overdo it, or you risk turning
away more-moderate supporters.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Things could change more
quickly this week than you like. But
don’t fret; you’ll most likely find that
you’re up to the challenges. The week-
end offers much-needed relaxation.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Big challenge coming
up? Uncross those fingers and believe
that you’re going to do well. And keep
in mind that so many people have faith
in your ability to succeed.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Testing the waters is a good way of
learning about an opportunity before
plunging right in. Ask more questions
and be alert to any attempts to avoid
giving complete answers.
Siuslaw N ews
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