Hey, we do Esthetics too!

Posted on 09/16/2011 by Administrator

We do more than laser hair removal, we also offer a full range of esthetic services, peels, facials, and everything you need for a beautiful, youthful complexion.

We take a multi pronged approach to treating skin problems. Peels and facials give immediate results, but the results can only be as good as your skin is. If your skin is as healthy and naturally glowing as it can be, then you’ll have incredible results from esthetic treatments. So start with optimal nutrition, add to that a skin care regime which pampers your skin and is free of paraben, formaldehyde, and other irritating preservatives, and you’re skin will be as healthy as it can possibly be – Andy, you’ll be as beautiful as you can possibly be.

We use Image and Usana products for their purity and science based formulations.

We serve the metro Denver Boulder area, so give us a call to schedule an appointment.

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Vitamin D for Diabetes Prevention

Posted on 09/12/2011 by Administrator

Go on, head outside for a sunny spring walk: The vitamin D we get from everyday sunlight—as well as from fish, fortified milk, and supplements—may curb diabetes risk, suggests new research.

In the 17-year Finnish study, people with the highest blood levels of vitamin D reduced their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 40 percent. Of the more than 4,000 people in the study, the 187 diagnosed with type 2 registered the lowest vitamin D levels, regardless of age, sex, or time of year.

The vitamin D effect remained even when the researchers controlled for education, smoking, body weight, blood pressure treatment, and exercise, though it weakened slightly.

Also interesting was a discovery that people who exercised the most also showed the highest vitamin D levels, says lead researcher Paul Knekt, PhD, of the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki.

Why might vitamin D be higher in exercisers? Is it due to more time jogging in the sun? A healthier, fish-rich diet in this health-conscious group? More vitamin D supplementation? Or might exercise itself affect the body’s vitamin D processing?
That’s all fodder for future research, says Knekt, as is the question of whether vitamin D can reverse type 2’s progression. “Similar studies should be replicated before we can make firm conclusions about the role of vitamin D in diabetes prevention,” Knekt says.

The findings were published in the October 2007 issue of Diabetes Care.

Just remember that as the sun is going lower in the sky it is more difficult to produce Vitamin D from the sun, so you’ll need to supplement over the winter. In the northern half of the US it is almost impossible to produce enough vitamin D from the sun as the sun’s rays aren’t strong enough.

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Kids are back in school, so now is the time for Laser Hair Removal

Posted on 08/30/2011 by Administrator

Most of the kids are back in school and the summer vacations to the lakes and the beach are done. That makes now the perfect time for Laser Hair Removal.  Start laser now and you’ll be ready for the hot tub at Aspen or you can wear that little black dress on New Years Eve and been hair free into the next year!!

Bella Pelle Laser offers free consultations, so give us a call www.BellaPelleLaser.com

 

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Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal

Posted on 08/08/2011 by Administrator

Electrolysis versus laser hair removal, which is better to remove your facial hair? These are the two best methods for permanently getting rid of hair, or at least reducing the amount.

We know facial hair can be the most annoying of all unwanted hairs because we can’t hide it under clothing if we have to, like on the body. Everyone, but especially females who have struggled with a large amount of facial hair knows how annoying the process can be of constantly worrying about ways to get hairless.

Can I Use Either Method?

  • Laser: The majority of laser units can only be used on those with light skin and dark hair. It can burn those with dark skin. The Syneron Elos (which we have) does work or light hair, but can take longer than those with dark hair.
  • Electrolysis: Can be used on anyone despite their skin or hair color because it attacks the hair follicle itself, and not the pigment in the hair.

How Long Is a Session, and How Many are Needed?

  • Laser: Facial zones are small, so they aren’t that time-consuming. To give you an idea, a treatment for the eyebrows generally takes about 15 minutes. Usually 5- 7 treatments are needed, spaced out about a 6 weeks apart to achieve the best hair reduction results.
  • Electrolysis: Each hair follicle has to be individually treated, and approximate times depend on the type of electrolysis used, as some are more advanced than others (read more). For example, one treatment on the eyebrows amy take 15- 30 minutes with an experienced technician. Anywhere from 15 – 30 sessions are needed to get the best results.

Electrolysis Versus Laser Hair Removal: Prices

  • Laser: Each visit averages $50 – $100 (for facial hair), based on the size of the area being treated. Other salons may charge much more though.
  • Electrolysis: An average 30-minute session is about $45 and will treat a small area, like the eyebrows.

Pain Factor

  • Laser: It feels like a rubber band ‘snapping’ against your skin and a heat sensation. Everyone has their own tolerance to pain and discomfort. Coarse, dark hair feels more of the burn. So a man’s laser hair removal in the beard and mustache area will feel more painful than a woman’s lip, cheeks or chin.
  • Electrolysis: Everyone has their own tolerance to pain. Electrolysis has been likened to a stinging and pricking sensation, and each follicle has to go through it.

Possible Side Effects?

  • Laser: Laser hair removal on the eyebrows can be dangerous if the laser light comes into contact with the eyes. Therefore, you need to wear protective eye shields and keep you eyes closed for the entire treatment to avoid any contact. Scarring, although rare is a possibility. Laser can also stimulate hidden facial hair to grow in women.
  • Electrolysis: Skin can get discolored if it’s done improperly.

Results

  • Laser: Approved by the FDA for permanent hair reduction. Facial hair on women is often lighter and finer than on the body, and this hair may not respond as well to the laser because it targets pigment (color) in the hair follicle.
  • Electrolysis: The only method approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. It has the best track record, but isn’t 100% guaranteed for everyone. For example, hair follicles can be bent or misshapen from previous waxing or tweezing, now making getting the electrolysis needle to the root more difficult to destroy the follicle. However, electrolysis is effective for ridding fine facial hair, whatever the color may be.

Can I Do Electrolysis or Laser at Home?

  • Laser: Tria Laser is a home device cleared by the FDA for permanent hair reduction, but not for the face, only below the neck. However, Silk’n SensEpil also FDA approved for permanent hair reduction, uses IPL (intense pulsed light) and can be used on the face from the cheekline down. The downside of these devices is that they are much slower and take much longer than a professional laser.
  • Electrolysis: Sure, electrolysis units are sold for use at home. But just think how electrolysis is performed, by inserting a needle into the follicle. I personally don’t feel electrolysis at home can be done safely or effectively.

Electrolysis Versus Laser Hair Removal: The Bottom Line

If you have dark skin, you can’t rely on standard laser hair removal for safety issues or to give you optimal results on your face.  Electrolysis may then be your only option.

But if you have light skin and dark facial hair then you can choose between either option. Laser is the generally the less expensive of the two and requires less time and treatments. Laser might be your better choice if you would be happy with most of the hair being removed, or the hair being finer and lighter. If you have a lot of light hair removed or the hair is something that you want the best chances of getting permanent hair removal, then I recommend electrolysis.

For more information please visit our Hair Removal Pages. We can treat those with dark and light hair and also offer electrolysis. We are located in Broomfield and serve the metro Denver Boulder areas.

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Skin and Sun Tanning (or Burning) and What About Sunscreen

Posted on 08/05/2011 by Administrator

Skin, the body’s largest organ, is its protective covering that receives external sensory stimuli. It consists of the outer layer, or epidermis, over a thic

ker layer, the dermis.

Epidermis is made of cells that include immune defenses, sensory receptors, pigments cells and keratin producing cells. Keratin producing cells migrate to the surface and form a dead, relatively dry outer layer that continuously sloughs off.

Dermis contains sensory nerves and blood vessels within connective tissue. Fibers of collagen and elastin make skin tough yet elastic.

Is a suntan, as opposed to sunburn, good for you?

No, because there is no safe way to tan. Melanin is the body’s substance that gives pigmentation to skin and helps protect the skin from sun. A tan is a telltale sign of skin damage. When ultraviolet rays penetrate the epidermis, the skin’s outer layer, the body produces more melanin in response to the injury.

With each tan, damage accumulates. It increases your risk for all types of skin cancer. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and International Agency for Research on Cancer panel have declared ultraviolet radiation from the sun

and from artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, to be a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).

Ultraviolet light damage also accelerates the aging process. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet light, both natural and artificial, changes the skin’s texture, causing wrinkles and age spots.

What in ultraviolet light causes the damage?

Ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays can each cause harm.

  • UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, the thickest layer of the skin. UVA rays can cause suppression of the immune system, making it harder for your body to protect against development and spread of skin cancer. UVA rays also lead to premature aging of the skin through wrinkling and age spots.
  • UVB rays are the burning rays. They are the primary cause of sunburn.

How do you treat sunburn?

  • It can take up to 24 hours for all of the effects of sunburn to show.
  • The two most common types are first-degree and second-degree burns.
  • First-degree sunburns cause redness, but will heal, sometimes with peeling, within a few days. Cool baths, moisturizers and over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams can help.
  • Avoid “caine” products, such a benzocaine, as they might cause sensitivity to broad range of chemicals. Anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help ease the pain.
  • Second-degree sunburns cause blisters. Such burns can be considered an emergency, if a large area of skin is affected. Don’t break the blisters because it can delay healing and lead to infection. A layer of gauze may be used to cover the area until healed.
  • If severe sunburn is accompanied by headache, chills or fever, seek medical help immediately.

What about sun and vitamin D?

  • Sun exposure prompts vitamin D production in the skin.
  • Wearing sunscreen does decrease the production of vitamin D. Those who worry about not getting enough vitamin D should talk to their doctors about getting sufficient vitamin D from food and vitamin supplements

Now what about Sunscreen

Is SPF 30 twice as protective as SPF 15?  Sadly no,

Definition and Workings of Sunscreen:

  • Sunscreen is a lotion formulated with unique chemical components to absorb UV light.
  • When sunscreen is applied to the skin, the chemical molecules form an invisible, protective layer on the skin that protects from penetrating UV rays.
  • All sunscreens protect from UVB rays, but only “Broad-Spectrum” sunscreens protect from both UVB and UVA rays.
  • UVB rays affect the top layers of the skin and are responsible for Burning.
  • UVA rays affect the lower layers of the skin and are responsible for Aging.
  • Remember to always buy a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum!

SPF… What’s it All About?

  • SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.”
  • Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher!
  • SPF was developed to describe the amount of protection that a sunscreen provides. No sunscreen can protect your skin from all of the UV rays, but a higher SPF number indicates protection from more rays.
  • The SPF number tells you how much longer you can stay outside without burning while wearing the sunscreen product as opposed to not wearing any sun protection product. SPF measures “time to burn.”

SPF Math

SPF Number x Time to Burn Without Sun Protection = Time to Burn while wearing sunscreen*
*assuming that sunscreen is applied properly

Example: If your skin would burn in 10 minutes in the afternoon sun without any sun protection, and you applied a sunscreen with an SPF 15, you would have 15 x 10 = 150 minutes (2.5 hours) before you would burn.

Percentage of Protection from damaging UV rays:
SPF 15 = 92%
SPF 30 = 97%
SPF 40 = 97.5%
There is some controversy about very high SPF numbers and just how much more protection they provide. As you can see from the percentages of protection of the different SPF numbers, the difference in UV ray protection in SPF numbers becomes minimal as the number increases past about 30 or 40. The difference of protection between SPF 15 and SPF 30 is great (5%), but the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 40 is minimal (0.5%).

The Confusing Part About Sunscreen

  • Many people think that SPF values can be added. Actually, SPF values cannot be added – if you apply a sunscreen of 8 and then one of 12, you will not have the protection of an SPF 20. You will only be getting the protection of an SPF 12.
  • Reapplication only helps to ensure that you have the amount of protection and time before you burn that you calculated when you first applied sunscreen that day. Since no sunscreens can protect your skin from all UV rays, some rays will get through.
  • After your calculated “time to burn” has expired, your skin has absorbed all the UV rays that it can handle before it will start to burn. Even if you reapply sunscreen at this point, you will still burn because some rays will get through to your skin and your skin has already been saturated with UV. Therefore, you need to get out of the sun at this point and let your skin rest before exposing it to more rays.
  • Reapplication only ensures that you have your original time outside – sunscreen can wear off because of sweat, wind, and other factors you need to reapply in order to be protected.
  • So what’s the lesson to be learned about sunscreen? If you know that you will be in the sun for a long period of time, start with a higher-SPF sunscreen in order to have protection for the entire time that you are exposed.

 

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What does organic mean for cosmetics?

Posted on 08/04/2011 by Administrator

‘Organic’ doesn’t quite mean the same thing whether you’re in the food or in the cosmetic industry. To consumers it can mean ‘natural’, ‘green’, ‘chemical free’, or ‘found at Whole Foods’. But according to this article, the US organics market is completely confused.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Products-Markets/Study-highlights-confusion-in-US-organics-market.

Primarily because there is no industry-agreed meaning for terms like ‘organic’ or ‘natural’. Unlike the farming industry, these terms are not regulated for cosmetics. Companies can pretty much claim anything is natural or organic.

For example, imagine a body wash formula. It contains all kinds of synthetic surfactants, fragrances, preservatives and colors. But it also contains 85-90% water. A company might simply claim “90% organic or natural” and be telling the truth. Certainly, this isn’t in the spirit of what people believe organic to mean, but it is within the law.

Are organic products better?
Incidentally, natural or organic cosmetic products don’t really provide any added benefit for consumers. Most companies are just fooling you when they say their products are natural. What isn’t? And for companies like Burt’s Bees who strive to make ‘organic’ or ‘all-natural’ products, their finished products are mostly functionally inferior to more mainstream products. This is the real trade-off of natural or organic products. That and an incredibly higher cost for an inferior product.

Remember cosmetics are not food. No one has ever proven there is a benefit to ‘organically’ derived cosmetics.

Marie Bertrand 
M.Sc. Microbiology & Immunology, U of Montreal

In the cosmetic industry Consultant to:

  • L’Oreal Canada – Vichy, LaRoche-Posay
  • Bioderma, Europe
  • Uniprix Pharmacies, Quebec

In the biotech industry

  • National Cancer Institute – USA
  • Molecular Biology Specialist
  • BD Biosciences
  • Geneka Biotechnology

Visit us at Bella Pelle Laser. We cary the Usana Sense line of paraben and formaldehyde free skin care

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31 tips to make your home a healthier place for your family.

Posted on 07/31/2011 by Administrator

We all assume our house is safe, but it is built with and we bring thousands of dangerousWoman with gas mask protecting herself from her household hazards chemicals into our house, then close the windows locking them in. The air in your house is actually more hazardous than the outside air. There is a great book coming out in a couple of weeks called The Healthy Home: Simple Truths to Protect Your Family from Hidden Household Dangers by Dave Wentz. Below are a few of the tips from this book to make you and your home healthier.

  1. Cut down on the wrinkle-free materials. Five minutes of ironing will spare you from a lifetime of PFC exposure.
  2. Make certain your body is wrapped in safe, natural material for at least a third of the day by purchasing pajamas and bedding made from organic cotton.
  3. Train and trust your nose. Of all our senses, smell makes the most direct connection between the outside world and your brain.
  4. Use one-half cup of white vinegar in place of fabric softener in the washer to reduce static cling and soften clothing.
  5. Unwrap and air out your dry-cleaned garments for at least two days in an exterior area, like a garage—never is a closet or bedroom.
  6. Whenever you launder your sheets, open your windows and leave your mattress exposed in order to allow your bed to off-gas for the day.
  7. Unplug your electronic gadgets and appliances when they aren’t being used.
  8. Buy nightlights, alarm clocks, and other bedroom electronics that are illuminated with red light, which is less disturbing to melatonin production than white or blue light.
  9. Open a window whenever you can to let in some fresh, cleansing air. The air outside is cleaner.
  10. Cut down on toxic preservatives like parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde by first replacing products that sit on your skin all day—like a moisturizers—with more natural, preservative-free alternatives.
  11. Avoid aerosol products that have non-spray alternatives. If you must use aerosols, open a window and run your bathroom fan. Wash products off your face as soon as you get home instead of waiting until bedtime. A few additional chemical-free hours each day could add up to more than six years over a lifetime.
  12. Don’t use antiperspirant during cooler months or on weekends when it doesn’t matter if you sweat a little.
  13. If you’ve been exposed to mercury, consider taking a supplement containing N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and alpha lipoic acid to aid in detoxification.
  14. Give your immune system a boost with the beneficial bacteria found on a probiotic supplement. Just be sure to look in your pharmacy or grocery store for a product that contains “live and active” cultures.
  15. Avoid buying products that contain triclosan and its chemical cousin, triclocarban. Simply wash your hands with regular soap and water to get rid of germs.
  16. Start with good antioxidant protection, supplemental B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and lots of CoQ10. Also, try one or more of the foods that have been shown to lower cholesterol, such as steel cut oatmeal.
  17. Start each day with an alkalizing glass of lemon water by squeezing a fresh lemon (no sugar) into purified water. Make sure you include the pulp.
  18. Trade in your table salt for natural sea salt, which contains a mixture of alkaline complexes. And use pepper or other spices to liven your meals.
  19. Maintain a good distance—at least ten feet in front or five feet to the side—between yourself and the microwave when it’s on.
  20. If you must use a PTFE-lined pan, keep your stove’s burner on medium or lower. Also, never preheat an empty pan.
  21. If you plastic wrap, ensure it’s LDPE-based plastic, and regardless of what type it is, never use it in the microwave.
  22. Purchase reusable grocery bags made of natural materials such as cotton and use them as often as you can.
  23. Use a pitcher with an activated carbon filter to reduce contaminants in your water. Although it won’t filter out all pollutants, it’s a good start at a low cost.
  24. If you are cleaning with products that you wouldn’t eat, wear gloves!
  25. Instead of using an aerosol freshening spray, mist your room with real citrus scent,. Simply pour a few drops of orange, lemon, or lime essential oil into a spray bottle of water.
  26. Buy the best vacuum you can afford. Optimally, get one with a HEPA “completely sealed” system.
  27. Use a regular, corded telephone when at home or at work. Cutting even 20 percent of your daily RF exposure is a step in the right direction.
  28. If you have Ethernet ports in convenient areas, you can access the Internet using good, old-fashioned wiring.
  29. Don’t set your car’s air conditioner or heater to recirculated air. Selecting the outside air option on your dashboard will reduce the number of pollutants you’re circulating inside the car.
  30. Take a daily vitamin D supplement with at least 2,000 IUs (International Units) during the winter or year-round if you can’t get out into the sun each day.
  31. Plant a large, diverse range of plants in your yard—native species are best. The more the merrier and healthier.

We are in the metro Denver Boulder area. Please visit us for your laser hair removal needs.

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What is IPL Hair Removal?

Posted on 07/28/2011 by Administrator

While there are many types of laser technology used for laser hair removal today, many of us don’t know the differences between them. What’s more, it’s hard to distinguish between lasers that are used for skin rejuvenation treatments, and those meant for removing unwanted hair. IPL laser technology is one type that’s widely used for both skin rejuvenation and laser hair removal. But how does it work in both treatment situations? Are IPL lasers better for one type of treatment over another?

What Does IPL Stand For?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. IPL treatments are often referred to as photo rejuvenation, Photofacial or IPL Photofacial due to its use of “selective photothermolysis” during treatment. Photothermolysis is the process by which IPL lasers convert light energy to heat energy and treat unwanted hair and skin pigments. IPL lasers can use photothermolysis to remove unwanted hair, or to correct skin hyperpigmentation, rosacea, age spots and the appearance of sun damage.

What Makes IPL Hair Removal Different From Other Laser Hair Removal?

Unlike other types of hair removal lasers that use a single light wavelength concentration, such as the Alexandrite Laser or the Diode Laser, IPL lasers use a full spectrum of light wavelengths. IPL lasers can alter the intensity of its pulsed light beams with various filters, but it can’t be refined to a single wavelength. Some patients and professionals claim that the IPL’s greater wavelength spectrum equals less precision and less control, which could mean an increased risk of burns and hair removal side effects with misuse.

IPL lasers are sometimes available with combined radio frequency, or RF, benefits, like with the popular Aurora laser series. The addition of radio frequencies is alleged to help improve skin texture and clear up troubled complexions. Radio frequencies attempt to heat up and energize skin tissue, which can increase collagen production and create firmer skin tissue. IPL lasers with RF energy will be more beneficial when used for anti-aging skin care treatments, rather than for laser hair removal.

One of the biggest reasons why IPL lasers are so popular in the hair removal industry is the lower cost. On average, IPL treatments are cheaper than the standard cost of laser hair removal. Additionally, they can treat larger skin portions at a time, so areas like the legs and back can be treated in a fraction of the time required with standard lasers.

Is IPL Hair Removal Right for Me?

IPL lasers are more often recommended for skin treatments than for hair removal procedures. This is because greater precision is required to focus light energy on individual hair follicles as opposed to problem skin areas. This isn’t to say that IPL lasers can’t successfully remove hair on the face and body. It just means that before undergoing IPL hair removal treatments, you should take extra care to confirm:

If you want to find out if IPL hair removal will be an appropriate solution to your unwanted hair problems, you should meet first with a professional provider in your area. They will better inform you of the costs, risks and benefits of IPL hair removal, and help you choose the best treatment option for you!

For laser hair removal in the Denver Boulder area please visit us at www.BellaPelleLaser.com

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Does laser hair removal cause scarring?

Posted on 07/25/2011 by Administrator

Any laser procedure can cause scarring, and this is included as a risk on most consent forms you will sign prior to laser treatment. However, the risk of scarring from laser hair removal is rather small and is a function of many things including:

  • The experience, skill, knowledge and training of the laser operator
  • Your particular ability to heal
  • The amount of melanin pigment in your skin with greater risk for darker skin types
  • Type of laser used
  • The condition of the laser.

Temporary Pigmentary Changes
 Many people experience pigmentary changes, either lightening of the skin or darkening of skin, following a laser procedure. Most of time this is not scarring, even though people often believe that it is. Pigmentary changes following laser procedures are usually resolve in a period of weeks to months.

Experienced Operators Diminish Risk
 Although the risk of scarring from a laser procedure is quite small, you can minimize your risk by selecting an experienced operator to perform your laser treatment who has years of experience doing laser hair removal with that particular laser.

Here at Bella Pelle Laser we have a staff of very experienced laser operators and we meticulously maintain the lasers. If you are in the metro Denver or Boulder area then we are close by in Broomfiled and just minutes from Westminster, Northglenn, Thornton, Erie, Brighton, and Boulder. Please give us a call to see how we can safely meet your laser hair removal needs.

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How to get a Natural Healthy Glow

Posted on 07/24/2011 by Administrator

Contrary to what the tanning industry might have people believe, the way to the mostattractive glow is not via carcinogenic and skin-damaging sun exposure but by consuming fruit and vegetables that are high in carotenoids. Carotenoids, which include alpha and beta-carotene and other antioxidant compounds, give red, orange and yellow fruit their color, and also occur in green vegetables.

In an article published online on December 23, 2010 in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, Dr Ian Stephen, currently of the University of Nottingham, and his colleagues at Perception Lab at the University of St Andrews in Scotland found that individuals with a greater intake of carotenoids, fruit and vegetables have an increased yellow skin tone consistent with enhanced carotenoid absorption. When viewing photographs of Caucasian faces, volunteers judged the golden color associated with carotenoids as appearing healthier than tones typical of tanning. A preference for a yellow tone was also observed in research involving an African population.

“Most people think the best way to improve skin color is to get a suntan, but our research shows that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is actually more effective,” Dr Stephen said. “We found that, given the choice between skin color caused by suntan and skin color caused by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoid skin color, so if you want a healthier and more attractive skin color, you are better off eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables than lying in the sun.”

The findings are consistent with the evolutionary benefit of selecting a potential mate whose appearance signals good health. “This is something we share with many other species,” noted coauthor Professor David Perrett, PhD, who is the head of the Perception Lab at St Andrews. “For example, the bright yellow beaks and feathers of many birds can be thought of as adverts showing how healthy a male bird is. What’s more, females of these species prefer to mate with brighter, more colored males. But this is the first study in which this has been demonstrated in humans.”

“Together our studies link skin carotenoid coloration to both perceived health and healthy diet, establishing carotenoid coloration as a valid cue to human health which is perceptible in a way that is relevant to mate choice, as it is in bird and fish species,” the authors conclude.

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