hexadecimal question

[eluser]Nevio[/eluser]
Hi guys.

I wanted to ask for your opinion about one thing.

Due to latin and utf encoding, due to heavier look upon database items, I choose to convert all possible items into hexadecimal value. Some of them like password is converted to sha1 2 times, between them there is unique encryption and than transformed into hexadecimal.

Is that good approach for you or you think that it will slow down application a lot?

Thanks