The Internet Absinthe Society

When people talk about the Laser Hair Removal, they are actually referring to two different types of light technology. There is the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) epilators (technically not lasers but xenon flash lamps) and there are the actual diode lasers. Both types are often referred to as "Laser Hair removers" and work alike by applying a high intensity flash of light to the treatment area resulting in hair removal.

Laser hair removal has been around since the mid 70s. Recently, these devices have become available to the general public for home use and are known as the Personal Laser Hair Removal System. The Personal Laser Hair Removal System is accepted as safe by dermatologist and they have the same success rate at permanent hair removal as the laser treatments provided by physicians.

Laser Hair Removal works through a process known as photothermolysis (heating by light energy). The laser selectively targets the melanin in the hair follicle. The light actually goes through the skin without heating it to act on the follicle. Repeated exposure to the heat and light disables the hair follicle resulting in permanent hair removal.

Laser hair removal systems work best on people with light skin and dark hair. This combination allows for the best penetration of the skin by the light. The laser can be used on most any part of the body and both men and women have had great success with the process.

Multiple treatments are required for permanent hair removal. The number of treatments varies with the individual and the type of device used. You can expect to see results after as few as two treatments and permanent hair removal after as few as five treatments. This again varies from person to person depending on the skin color and type of hair being removed.

Each treatment is spaced by between two and ten weeks depending on each individuals response to the treatment. Normally, you will wait until the hair you have treated falls out until you apply the next treatment. Normal side effects during treatment include redness, swelling and itching of the treatment area. Most user report little to no discomfort.

The cost of the laser hair removal device can range from $200 to $1000 and will vary with the type and number of accessories (replacement lamps etc.) included in the set. The size of the application area will also vary with the larger lamps costing more as they can treat a larger area decreasing the time required for each treatment.

Over the last year, popularity of the electronic cigarette has grown at an mind-boggling rate. Once a hip gadget for those in the know, this holiday buying season has thrust it into the public eye like no other new technology. Current reports from local club and restaurant owners show an increased interest and use of ecigs in their establishments. The new mainstream exposure has been a blessing for those of us using an ecig and the many smokers interested in purchasing this newest of the new technological breakthroughs.

For those still not familiar with electronic cigarettes, they are a small, battery powered device that looks, feels and tastes exactly like a cigarette but has none of the adverse health effects associated with tobacco. They are rechargeable and refillable offering an economic incentive with the incredible ability to immediately improve the health of the smoker. Check out the latest information on ecigs, their safety and how they can save you money.

Increased holiday exposure of the electric cigarette appears to have accomplished what millions of dollars spent on education and marketing in 2009 could not do..... Bring the product from trendy, fad status to the everyday, common consumer and provide 2 huge benefits while doing so. First, with the tremendous increase in users, the FDA will have a much tougher time banning them under the guise of health concerns. The FDA report from July 2009 concerning the safety of ecigs, since debunked, is still being used to fuel the Government and Big Tobacco's efforts to remove the ecig from the market. Both players stand to lose millions in revenue when the smokeless cigarette replaces tobacco cigarettes and they are not happy with this.

The second advantage of the popularity increase will be LOWER PRICES!!! Just like everything else, Plasma TV's, computers etc, prices will drop making the electronic cigarette more affordable to more people than ever before. Improved production efficiency along with increased market competition have pushed merchants to offer deep discounts and special prices to maintain after Christmas sales. Single ecigs, starter kits and all accessories are now at an all time low. So if you have been looking to buy an electronic cigarette, now is the time to do it.

As the controversy over the safety of the electric cigarette continues, both sides of the debate are holding their positions with neither showing signs of backing down any time soon. In short, the FDA has made claims that the smokeless cigarette is dangerous. Back in July, the FDA performed what is now considered a flawed study showing contaminants in the liquid used in ecigs. Their opponents are the millions of people using the electronic cigarette to combat there addiction to cigarettes and of course the companies that make millions of dollars selling these controversial alternative to cigarettes.

I believe that all of the information should be presented and the consumer allowed to make their own decision. It is very difficult to sort through the immense amount of information available on the ecig so here are a few news articles with information on the electronic cigarette that should be considered.

FDA smoke screen on e-cigarettes; Cigarette substitute produces no deadly smoke
In this article from the Washington Times, Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan responds to the FDA report condemning smokeless cigarettes and answers some common questions about e cigarettes.

Technical Review and Analysis of FDA Report: "Evaluation of e-cigarettes"
This is the actual analysis on the methodology of the FDA's report condemning ecigs.

Public Health Physicians to the FDA: Don't Write Off Current Smokers
This article from Tobacco Truth highlights the American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) letter to the FDA demanding they release and clarify the data gathered while performing their study of the ecig

Dis-ingenuousness of the FDA's Press Conference is Concerning; FDA and Anti-Smoking Groups are Committing Medical Malpractice on a Massive Scale
Here, The Tobacco Analysis Blogspot discusses the negative impact the FDA's study may have had on the health of millions of Americans.

FDA and Public Health Experts Warn About Electronic Cigarettes
Here is the actual FDA report outlining the potential toxicity of ecigs

I believe these articles provide a pretty reasonable consensus of the information available on the electric cigarette. It may appear biased that most of the information goes against what the FDA's study reported but I could find no articles to support the FDA's findings or theories. Also, please remember the ecig is not or has ever been approved medically as a smoking cessation device.

If rumors are true, the largest cigarette manufacturer in the U.S., Philip Morris, will take of control the market for the Electric Cigarette domestically and abroad. Knowing that the FDA now has the ability to regulate tobacco products, as per the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, this appears a strategic move by the cigarette giant. The intentions of Philip Morris are unclear but rumors are brewing that they may try and shut down the electric cigarette industry completely or possibly release their very own ecig and attempt to stomp out the competition.

Rumors began circulating in July of this year when Quamnet, a financial website based in Hong Kong, leaked information that an independent 3rd party had entered negotiating with Ruyan Group. Ruyan is the original inventor of the e-cigarette and registrar of electric cigarette patents in more than 40 countries. Neither companies have denied or confirmed allegations at this point but negotiations appear to be moving forward.

More recently, in October of this year, Ruyan Group was rumored to have liquidated all of their office space for $3.5 million dollars. The purchaser is currently remaining anonymous. Stock market volatility resulted in the trading of Ruyan's stock being suspended on 11/2/09 due to a pending  "price sensitive announcement". When you look at all of these signs, I would expect PM to own the rights to the company and its patents within the next year at the most. 

You can't watch TV or read a blog without hearing about the benefits of the new electronic cigarette. Users of the smokeless cigarette are totally blown away by how realistic it feels and tastes. I was really mesmerized by how much info there is out there about this ultra-cool gadget. After cruising through many forums, here are the top reasons I found people choose the try and ecig.

-Ability to smoke anywhere. Because there is no combustion, there is no smoke or odor released. You may see a very minute amount of water vapor that immediately evaporates.

-They look, feel and taste like a regular cigarette. Please note, the electronic cigarette is not approved for smoking cessation although many people use them as such. The realistic appearance and tactile sensation completely mimics a tobacco cigarette. Long time smokers really enjoy this advantage.

-Electronic cigarettes are great for traveling. Planes, trains and automobiles are no longer off limits when you want to catch a smoke. The places ecigs are allowed is limitless. You may occasionally find a bar or restaurant that does not understand what an smokeless cigarette is. In this case, you could use the restroom and absolutely no one would know.

-No Odor. The absolute absence of odor means your clothes, car and home will never smell like an ashtray again! If someone was sitting next to you using an electronic cigarette, you would not be able to tell unless you saw them.

-Appetite suppressant. The nicotine in the ecig helps those trying to quit smoking avoid the weight gain associated with quitting. They say it curbs their urge to munch and nibble food all day long normally seen when trying to avoid cigarettes.

-More flavors. Even cigar and pipe smokers are switching to the electronic cigarette because of the huge number of flavors available. Not to mention the fact that there are no toxins or carcinogens associated with the ecig.

-Those in high stress jobs love the fact that they can take a puff here and there without having to take a cig break and leave the building. This is truly a time saver for those with a demanding schedule. Imagine how much time you could save if you added up all of your cigarette breaks.

-No more yellow teeth. No matter how hard you try as a smoker, your teeth are never going to look clean. With the electronic cigarette, there is no tar released so there is nothing to stain your teeth. The only thing you breathe in is water vapor and nicotine.

-Money, money, and more money. 1 electronic cigarette cartridge is equal to a pack of cigarettes and costs about $1.50. Now subtract that from what you pay for a pack of cigarettes and you have the savings you will enjoy per pack. Even when you consider the cost of the ecig starter kit, most users report savings in the range of $150 to $250 dollars monthly.

These are just the most common reasons cited for using and electronic cigarette. I am sure if you try, you can come up with a few of your own that are just as compelling.

Smokers everywhere are trading their tobacco cigarettes for a safer and healthier alternative.They are turning to the new Smokeless Cigarette. With the cost of a pack of cigarettes increasing everyday, the electronic cigarette is an extremely attractive option. A cartridge for the e-cig costs about $1 and is equal to approximately 1 pack of cigarettes. You do the math!

The smokeless cigarette looks and feels just like a traditional cigarette. It is battery powered with a precision electronic control mechanism designed to deliver a controlled amount of nicotine per draw. Because of its design, it feels exactly like smoking a real cigarette by providing the full sensation of smoking without the inhalation of smoke or the bother of second hand smoke.

With no actual smoke production, the smokeless cigarette has numerous other advantages. No more will your hair, clothes, car or home smell like an ashtray. Your teeth will lose that yellow tinge and best of all, your breath won't smell of stale smoke. Add to this the fact that you will no longer be dealing with cigarette butts, ashes or ashtrays and you can see why this product is quickly becoming very popular.

Not to be ignored are the tremendous health benefits you and your family will realize. With smokeless cigarettes, you will inhale no smoke and no second hand smoke will be produced. The benefit for the e-cig user is obvious but many smokers don't realize the dangers of second hand smoke. The Surgeon General warns that "there is no safe amount of second hand smoke." There is no denying that the "2nd Hand Smoker" suffers the same adverse health effects as the smoker themselves.

Smokers, it is time to take a close, hard look at the smokeless cigarette. The benefits for you and your loved ones are endless.

No matter which side you are on, there are indisputable facts that you should consider:

Electronic cigarettes can be used anywhere because they do not give of any combustion products. No smoke or odor is present --  only water vapor. This means you can smoke in all public places you used to. You will of course be questioned by some establishments but once they realize exactly what a smokeless cigarette is, you will have little trouble with them allowing its use.

Smokeless cigarettes will save you tons of money. Conservative estimates put the dollar amount anywhere from $2000 to $3000 dollars. That's because the cost of e-liquid (the component used in e-cigs) is about 1/10 the cost of an equal amount of tobacco cigarettes. Ecig users brag about saving upwards of $200 a month!

There is also the huge benefit of improved sanitation. No longer will you have cigarette butts, ashes, smoke or  hand-held fire hazard. Combine this with the ability to smoke anywhere and the fact that you'll save a butt-load of cash and using an ecig seems to be a no brainer.

Smokeless cigarettes may not be the Holy Grail of smoking cessation but they definitely need a thorough investigation as opposed to the knee jerk reaction they have been receiving.

More important information on cigarettes and smoking cessation.

The most important reason often over looked when making your decision to buy an ecig or electronic cigarette is the elimination of 2nd hand smoke.

Second hand smoke, or environmental smoke, is a combination of smoke exhaled by the smoker and the residual smoke given off by the burning cigarette itself. In the past, many people were exposed to second hand smoke on a daily basis. Today, smoking in public places is virtually unheard of. But the health problems of second hand smoke still exist for family and friends of cigarette smokers.

According to the Surgeon General, there is no safe level of 2nd hand smoke. Those close to a smoker are exposed to smoke in cars or homes and even inhale a considerable amount outdoors. The "Second Hand Smoker" suffers adverse health effects by inhaling the same nasty carcinogens and toxins as the smoker without ever taking a puff!

Some of the adverse health effects associated with second hand smoke include heart disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke and even cancer. Infants exposed to second hand smoke have an increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and the development of asthma and other respiratory illness.

When you make the decision to buy an ecig, remember you are actually improving the health of your loved ones that are exposed to your cigarette smoke. When using an electronic cigarette, the only thing given off is water vapor. Nothing else. None of the toxic chemicals -- Just water. The ecig will take away all of the health risks associated with 2nd hand smoke, stop the lingering odor of smoke around your home and stop the staining of the windows in your home or car. And best of all, you breath no longer stinks like an ashtray!

The safety of electronics cigarettes has sparked a huge controversy with both sides gathering steam for what may be the fight of the century. On one side, are the proponents of the ecig who rave about its health benefits and safety compared to tobacco cigarettes. On the other is the government agency the FDA who will be regulating it as either a tobacco product or a nicotine delivery device.

Long time users of electronic cigarettes say they are better than tobacco for numerous reasons including the health benefits, cost savings, convenience and safety. Experts from their camp say the ecig a better alternative to tobacco as users inhale only water vapor and minute amounts of nicotine and propylene glycol  all of which are considered safe. When compared to the 4000 chemicals (43 of which are known carcinogens) inhaled while smoking a normal cigarette, this does indeed sound like an alternative to be considered.

There are also the savings earned with the electronic cigarette. Estimates vary but a conservative savings of 50% is considered accurate. This would mean $1000 per year savings could be enjoyed by a pack a day smoker. If you smoke 2 packs a day, the savings would double that, 3 packs triple and so on.

Next consider the safety and convenience of this product. The ecig does not ignite or give of ashes & smoke so there would be no accidental fire issues (smoking in bed etc.). The absence of combustion also allows the device to be used in places considered "Smoke Free" such as restaurants and nightclubs.

On the other side of the argument is the FDA. On July 22 of this year President Obama signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control
Act of 2009 allowing the FDA to regulate tobacco products. Before this, there was no regulation of the tobacco industry.

Now the key word here is REGULATE. The FDA, under this act, could not ban tobacco products but could regulate their contents, make public their ingredients, demand larger warning labels and prohibit or control advertising campaigns.

The stumbling block for the government is whether to consider the electronic cigarette a tobacco product or a nicotine delivery device. The FDA regulates medications and medication delivery devices. So if the ecig is determined to be a nicotine delivery device, it will fall under the stringent controls used to regulate the medication industry. If it is determined to be a tobacco product, it will be controlled uner the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act".

It appears the electronic cigarette industry has a lot of work to due. For them to succeed, they must convince authorities that the ecig is a tobacco product and it should be regulated as such. If it is deemed a nicotine delivery device, it will most certainly be banned as it is highly unlikey that is can be presented as a medication delivery device.

When I started my research to buy an ecig, I was totally amazed! It looks exactly like a cigarette and even has an LED light on the end to simulate the burning ash. With smoking banned virtually EVERYWHERE, the e-cig is really an interesting alternative.

The ecig holds a replaceable cartridge of liquid or "e-juice". The liquid is made of propylene glycol and has minute amounts of nicotine and/or flavor added. You can get cartridges with only nicotine, nicotine with flavor added or just plain flavor. There are many flavors to choose from like Strawberry, Chocolate, Watermelon, Coconut, Pepsi, Red Bull & Whiskey just to name a few. The flavors are really tasty and really cheap. A full cartridge is equal to about 15 cigarettes.

The e-cig has a small battery inside that powers the internal micro-electronics and the atomizer that converts the liquid from the cartridge into an inhalable vapor. The rechargeable batteries are lithium ion and will last about a month. They offer many ways to recharge the battery like a USB charger, car charger, pocket charger or AC charger.

People who use electronic cigarettes say that they smoke far fewer cigarettes and some even say they have quit smoking. Currently there are no studies showing this to be true. Even if they don't curb the urge to smoke, the fact that they are odorless and can be used anywhere smoking is banned is reason enough to take a look at them. They are great for the guy whose wife makes him stand outside in the rain and snow to get his nicotine fix.