It's quick relief all the same.... (4head Headache Relief)

Member Name: Sarccyslayer

Product:	4head Headache Relief
Date:	09/06/09 (168 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, lovely menthol smell, widely available, effective

Disadvantages: None unless you hte menthol

Just recently I seem to have gone through a stage of getting headaches every other minute of the day, one minute I am fine and the next minute I feel like someone has just dropped a ton of bricks on my head and it is pounding with a headache, it doesn't help when things are really hectic in the office and you never get a minute to yourself, but I enjoy my job and for that enjoyment I have to look for a way to deal with things.

The thing with me is that I hate taking pills, it has to be nauseatingly bad for me to consider that option. I would much rather find an alternative method to cure my headache and in the past I have used Badger Balms and other essential oils to try and cure them only being stuck in the office after hours of normal shop opening time makes life a little difficult at times to find anything other than bottled pills, but my little newsagents seems to have branched out into other medicines and relief's and thankfully I found an alternative method to try.

I have seen adverts on the television for 4head which is marketed as a fast, effective alternative way to cure yourself from headaches without having to reach for the pills, which sounds perfect for me, it is just something I have never tried until now! 4Head is a small 3.6g stick of natural remedy pain relief, it looks similar to a mini version of pritstick glue and it contains levomenthol, which is not only a type of peppermint but it is also a 100% natural ingredient which helps relax the local blood vessels and relieve pain and issues which trigger the pain. The way in which 4head is designed to work is that this ingredient causes a cold and tingling sensation to the area within which it is applied and has an analgesic effect. Levonmenthol also seems to help muscles in the head and neck relax and thus help to relieve tension headaches or stress induced headaches like the ones I have been suffering from.

When I bought this product the first thing that stood out to me was how bright pink the whole outer cardboard packaging was and admittedly this was one of the reasons I did notice it on the shelf behind the till in the newsagents and inside the cardboard box is a small mini glue like tube which hosts a pull on and off lid which is white in colour and there is a plastic wrap around in the same bright pink colouring as the box which clearly displays the product name. After removing the lid from the tube there is a small white cap to be removed and then like a tube of glue you simple the twist the bottom to allow the glue like stick to appear. Once the stick appears the menthol smell which can be initially smelt once the main lid is removed becomes much clearer and I really liked the smell, it reminded me of a cross between Vicks vapour rub and Olbas Oil both of which I adore the smell of anyway but for me this product was somewhere in the middle of the two as it wasn't as potent upon the initial smelling but the smell did linger. The balm itself is slightly greasy to the touch when you run your finger over the top of it.

When it comes to the application you simply run it along your forehead, avoiding your eyes. As you run it along your forehead it does feel really cold when you first use it and there is a slight tingling sensation. The one thing that did puzzle me is that as soon as the product is run along your forehead it doesn't leave behind any trace upon your skin, I expected there to be some sort of greasy feel to it, but there is absolutely nothing there, however the leaflet which is enclosed does state that you should over-apply the product, so I simply used it twice and then waited for my headache to cease. When you do use this product do be very careful about applying it too close to your eye and wash your hands after using because it is very very painful if it comes too close to contact and it should only be used on the forehead and no other body part! If your headache does not disappear immediately you can re-apply as and when required and it can be used on adults, children and the elderly.

So how did it fare? When it comes to products such as this one, I have to hold my hand or head up and say that although I am never sure as to whether or not they will work but it makes me feel a lot better knowing that I haven't resorted to taking any pills to cure my headaches.

After a few minutes of using this stick the coolness effect across the forehead is a really soothing experience and the effects of this last for a good half an hour in which time the aches and pains have been soothed away. As this balm works the aroma is still as fragrant as it was when you first apply it and breathing in the menthol fragrance is really relaxing and it is a great product for leaving you feeling totally de-stressed. As for the headache... what headache? I was quite shocked at how quickly my headache was soothed after using this because it felt like just a few seconds, so I was absolutely delighted and very impressed adding to that, the effects lasted for an exceptionally long time, in fact it is usually a few days or more before any headache re-occurs at particular times.

As with the Badger Balms, I have become a convert to balms and products such as this one, although this one is sold for £5.99 and is therefore a bit more expensive than paracetamol or Ibuprofen but it is readily available in most supermarkets and high street stores such as Superdrug and Boots. The only downside with products like this one is that they only last for a few months and as always with any medicines there is a use by date stored clearly on the product and it should also be stored below 25°C. On the upside it does last me around 3 and 4 months depending on how much I use it which can sometimes be two or three times a week during busy periods at work and another reason for my not liking to take pills to cure my headaches. I now carry my little 4head stick with me in my handbag, with it being so light I don't have to make any effort to be able to fit it into my bag on a daily basis and I also keep a spare tube in my desk drawer in case of an emergency.

So this is a product I recommend for people, who like me would rather sleep off a headache or rely on alternative methods to shift them, it is easy to use, quick and effective however it is imperative that you read the enclosed leaflet which accompanies this product with regards to other medicines, side effects and sensitivities.

Summary: A roll on the forehead, headache cure