My hair is auburn, but I have some white hairs. They're really annoying to pluck. My mom says redheads get white hairs.
Redheads tend to have a variety of colors that make up the auburn. Some strands are light brown, some are deep red, and others are pale. The "white" ones are more likely blonde. It's nearly impossible for adolescents to go gray, says Seattle dermatologist Dr. Brandith Irwin. As for plucking the pale ones, ouch. The blonde makes your color what it is, so just leave 'em there. Chill. What you probably have is a harmless condition called keratosis pilaris. It looks like little dots that are usually white but sometimes red. As your guy friend found out, the area feels bumpy, dry and sandpapery. It strikes the upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Why? The genetic condition happens because dry skin doesn't flake off like it should. Instead, it gets plugged up in hair follicles and forms little bumps, explains Dr. Irwin. Moisturize your arms with Vaseline after you shower. If it doesn't clear up within a week, move on to stronger stuff. After bathing, slick on a glycolic acid lotion (Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion or any 10-percent solution at stores like Sephora) mixed with a dab of hydrocortisone (the .5-percent kind sold over-the-counter at drugstores). If that doesn't do the trick, see a dermatologist for an Rx.
We searched everywhere for into on Huge Boob Syndrome. There was nothing in Gray's Anatomy, nor on the Web. And none of our experts had heard of it. There is no such thing as Huge Boob Syndrome--and we're guessing you already know that. You are probably healthy and normal, but you should see your pediatrician or gynecologist to make sure. In very rare cases, too much growth hormone can make one body part grow excessively. So even though your mom is a 36B, ask for her, um, support. She can help you find the best bras--you need good ones because large breasts are linked to back problems. Remember that all kinds of boobs are beautiful, and many not-as-chest-blessed girls envy you.
Stumper of your own? Send your question to Body Q&A, Girls' Life, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214, or e-mail it to questions@girlslife.com.
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