Archive for August, 2007
Every year, many of the 12,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer will lose their hair as a result of medical treatments.
Other children are diagnosed with alopecia areata, a hereditary condition that results in total hair loss over the entire body.
Some children lose their hair as a result of burns. And some children develop a psychological condition that drives them to pull out their own hair uncontrollably.
Whatever the cause, the results are the same: At a time when children find themselves struggling with painful and difficult medical conditions, they must also deal with the potentially crippling blow to their self-esteem that results from the loss of their hair. Wigs for Kids was created to help these children feel like themselves again.
Established in 1993 in Rocky River, Ohio by Jeffrey and Zina Paul, internationally acclaimed hair designers who made their first wig for their own young niece when she was undergoing chemotherapy treatments for leukemia, Wigs for Kids now creates at least 60 full hairpieces a year for children whose parents cannot afford to pay. The charity never turns down a request for assistance.
So, if you’re a longhair who’s ready to cut loose and change your image, give it up for a worthy cause — and help change the life of a child.
For more information and list of hair salons supporting Wigs for Kids visit www.wigsforkids.org
August 31st, 2007
Learning about hair science and expanding your basic hair care knowledge will help you to get a better understanding of technical terms used by your hair stylist or why they advice you to do things in a certain way. Its also helpful to select the right hair care product for your hair. Understanding the anatomy of hair is important to understanding how to treat it.
Hair science is quite complicated and not in scope of this website. The goal here is to get familiar with some simple terms used in hair style magazines and hair salons. You will also learn how to deal with hair disorders and hair care problems such as unusual hair loss.
Your Hair Root
Each hair begin to from invisible part of the hair buried 4 mm under the scalp inside a small tube which is called a follicle.
As the hair begins to grow, it pushes up from the root and out of the follicle, through the skin where it can be seen. The part we see which goes to make up the hair fibre (shaft), is in fact biologically dead. Hair shaft is a complex structure consisting of an inner core structure (called cortex) and a series of protective outer layers (cuticle).
Hair Cuticle
Cuticle is the external part of the hair fibre. It is the cuticle which need basic hair care and subjected to attacks which the hair suffers and your hair conditions depending on it.
Wind, rain, sunlight, pool and saltwater, harsh chemicals, excessive perms, bleaching or coloring your hair, and mechanical injury caused by harsh brushing can result in damaged hair.
Depending on type of damage, there are special tretments that can help prevent and even repair damaged hair.
Blood vessels at the base of each follicle which is called papilla will feed your hair root with nutrition and amino acids and are responsible for your hair growth. This part of your hair also requires hair care that comes from within - a good diet with essential vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin deficiency or abnormal protein levels due to unbalanced diet or hormonal changes can disturb hair growth by weakening the structure and function of hair root. These problems can lead to hair loss and thinning hair problems.
If you have thinning hair or hair loss problem, then try to keep your options open and search for different solutions. Sometimes great home remedies can solve your problem. Here one great site that provides hair-care solutions in form of home remedies.
Every follicle has a sebaceous gland, which are responsible in maintaining your hairs condition. And Sebum is the Greasy material produced by the sebaceous glands which naturally lubricates the hair.
August 30th, 2007
Yes To Carrots is a new range of paraben-free face, body and hair care products that combines vitamins and minerals with juices from the ‘orange color’ produce groups and Dead Sea Mud.
Yes To Carrots’ face, body and hair care products all contain Beta-carotene derived from natural ingredients such as carrots and other “orange group” fruits and vegetables known for its anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties, and blended with Dead Sea minerals (like Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Chlorine, Bromine) and mud known for healing and detoxifying properties and stabilization of the metabolism.
Products include six face care products, seven body care products and three hair care products with funny names such as “C You in the Morning” Moisturizing Day Cream, “C a Softer You” Hand and Elbow Moisturizing Cream, “C Loves Your Hair” Pampering Carrot Juice Shampoo and “C the Difference” Exfoliating Smoothing Mask have seen success overseas and are making their US debuts.
August 29th, 2007
Our culture has a certain standard of beauty and that definitely includes a woman having hair. There is a reason for women to panic when they find their hair is clogging the shower drain. Hair loss in women can ruin a womans self esteem which can result in other psychological problems.
More and more women are facing the hard fact of serious hair loss. It is a problem that is affecting at least 30 million women in the United States alone. To understand why hair loss in women may be occurring, you need to know a bit about how your hair grows.
You can expect your hair to grow at a rate of an inch per month. Each of those hairs has a phase of growth from 2 to 6 years. It is at the end of this period that the hair rests and then it falls out. The hair follicle then begins to grow a new strand of hair for the cycle to continue, sometimes far into our golden years.
There are those people who are born with an inherited gene for hair loss. There is a group of hormones that interfere with the process called androgens. These hormones are in all mens bodies in large quantities and smaller amounts in women.
Men and women do not experience hair loss in the same way. Hair loss in women tends to occur around the entire top of the head, whereas men often have a bald spot in the back of their head, around their temples and the crown of the head. It is now thought that different factors contribute to hair loss in women, than those of men.
To find more information on the other factors and causes of hair loss in women, you can find all you need when you search online. You can find treatments for hair loss in women and advice from experts and sufferers alike. You can even join a chat group that focuses specifically on hair loss in women and you can speak to others about remedies they have tried before you spend your money on any bogus treatments.
August 28th, 2007
After trying all sorts of remedies or miracle hair growth formula, most people start contemplating drugs as their thinning hair treatment. One of this prescription drug said to be able to alleviate your problem is a drug known as Finasteride, better known commercially as Propecia. But is this the ultimate thinning hair treatment you are looking for?
Propecia works by inhibiting the production of DHT (dihydrotestorone) throughout the entire body. It works by preventing free testosterone from converting to DHT. DHT is responsible for destroying the scalp by shrinking the hair follicle and prevents hair growth. This drug is taken orally and once treatment began, you will see noticeable difference within 5 to 6 months. Clinical testing proven that this drug is particularly effective thinning hair treatment at the crown area and hairline.
Propecia however is very effective in curing male pattern baldness and totally useless if used by female. This drug has also been implicated in causing severe birth defects in male fetuses and not prescribed to women.
The use of propecia in thinning hair treatment means that the drugs has to be taken everyday and you will only see appreciable difference within 5 to 6 months of using the drug. However, once you stop taking the drugs, you will start losing hairs again. What this means is that you are becoming drug dependent. This is not the only negative side effect you will get from using propecia.
Side Effects Of Propecia
These are known side effects of using Propecia. Bear in mid that these side effects are only observed on 2% of Propecia users.
- Decrease sexual drive
- Decrease in volume ejaculate
- Impotence
- Breast Tenderness / Enlargement
- Blackheads
- Increased face skin oil
- Acne problems
In most cases stopping the medication will resolve the issues.
When you are contemplating using drugs as you thinning hair treatment, do some research or better, go see your doctor and ask for their advice. Even though only 2% of propecia users are affected, do you want to take chances?
Please visit this site for more resource and information on how to stop thinning hair using your everyday household items.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_97838_17.html
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August 27th, 2007
Before the bob hair cut became popular in the 1920’s, women were confined to having long hairstyles that were swept up with combs or often worn with hairnets to keep their curls. The 1920’s changed all this when the constraints of the Victorian styles were abandoned.
With the war, women were finally able to wear their hair short, thanks to the actions of Irene Castle, silent-screen actress, who started this popular haircut in 1917 to help with the war efforts. It was the promoted style to change the outlook of women that in the time of war, they did not have the time to spend on their hair and the style would help keep their hair from being tangled in factory machines. This style became the most demanded style in this time.
By the 1940’s, however, long hair was back, with emphasize on the soft, wavy looks of the shoulder length style. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the bob style became popular again. Women were back in the work force and they needed more manageable styles. Long hair did not fit the style of the working woman.
It wasn’t long before the most influential hairstylist to date, Vidal Sassoon, helped to make the bob style more popular than ever by changing the cut of the bob style haircut.
Sassoon and his creative director, Maurice Tidy spent time developing variations to the cut and before long, most women wanted their hair cut in the bob cut.
This trend continued along into the 1970’s with the Dorothy Hamill cut that everyone seemed to copy. Even today, with the hairstyles varied, this style continues to be popular.
1960s Bob Hair Style Updated for 2006
The bob hair cuts of today are simply variations of the look created in the 1920’s. Four decades ago, Maurice Tidy worked with Vidal Sassoon in London popularizing the 1960s bob hair style.
Now he has revived the bob, pairing it with a new hair wave technique invented by hair icons Jesse & Flo Briggs, called the S Wave Thermal Set™ to update the look for the new millennium.
With more geometric cuts, these styles are very popular today. Some women still wear the traditional bob cut, while others choose the more popular style, with more angled sides, shorter bangs, or having the bangs longer than the back. These styles are very demanded due to their easy care for today’s working woman. The bob style haircut is here to stay.
August 24th, 2007
The root to a man’s appearance is purely based on clothes and shoes. Men seem to dismiss their hair, thinking it isn’t a vital prospect to their everyday life. Well guess what guys we are here to tell you that you couldn’t be more wrong. Nevertheless we are here to help you with the general rights and wrongs of men’s hair style.
By Natasha Tsimonos
Now men’s hairstyles differ to each individual’s personality, but of course as with every fashion segment there are certain dos and don’ts.
So here is what you shouldn’t do:
If your hair is falling out, let it, don’t be afraid. There is absolutely no need to cover it with a hairpiece.
Going grey? Heard of George Clooney?
The wet look is definitely a no no, we’re only trying to help you guys. So beware of men with the John Travolta look from Grease.
Now if you think we have covered all the disasters a man could possibly execute then you would be wrong. If you feel your hair is too much to deal with then go for the short sides and top, do not opt for the shaved look. It’s not the solution guys, honestly.
Now for the bit you have been waiting for, the path to stardom. Please absorb the following content:
Long Hair on a man is now the essence to successfully looking HOT. It wouldn’t hurt if you invested in a pair of GHD* either. (*GHD = the saviour for all women, hair straighteners).
Now another look that’s bound to get you noticed is the 70’s look. This is for hair that is quite wavy, no volume at all and split down the middle, formerly known as the “rock disco hair”.
Another look that might surprise you is the “disconnected” look. This is a very simple and flexible style used to suit any type. It consists of a longer top layer and a shorter layer underneath. Suitable for all men.
Now that we have accommodated you in every means possible I suggest you get down to the hairdresser’s before it’s too late, unless of course you like being referred to as the man with the mushroom head.
August 23rd, 2007
Have you decided to go back to your natural curly hair? Are you ready to give up using relaxers? Are you seeking information on how to deal with two different hair textures, and different methods to make this transition easier? This article will help you get through this part of your hair journey.
Transitioning - Relaxed to Natural
By Janice Johnson
Going from relaxed hair to natural curly hair is a process that involves patience, love and dedication. This is the time you decide you no longer want to relax your hair. At this point, you are “transitioning”.
The Big Chop
During this period, proper care must be taken to care for your hair. It may be frustrating sometimes dealing with the two textures - that’s why some opt for “the big chop”. This is the point where the relaxed hair is completely removed. Depending on how much natural growth you have, this may mean shaving your head or if you have an inch or two of new growth, you can cut the hair to the point of the new growth. This is known as a TWA (teeny weeny afro) - which looks great on most women!
If “the big chop” or TWA are not options you’re willing to forgo, try to embrace your hair during the transition period by practicing the following tips:
Love Your Hair
Take the time and energy to care for your hair with the right styling options. In order to hide the two textures, you may opt for styles that require very little or no daily grooming like cornrows, braids, extensions, straw-sets or twist-outs. But, you must remember that during this transitioning period - LOVE YOUR HAIR!
Avoid Breakage
One of the most important things to do is condition, condition, condition! Also, trim your hair gradually to get rid of the straight ends. This also aids in helping the hair avoid breakage. Another way to avoid breakage is to use a wide tooth comb, conditioning the hair regularly, and by giving your hair a hot-oil deep conditioning treatment. This is essential to restore moisture and balance.
Many women have sworn by this method and have said they have experienced very little breakage or no breakage at all.
Remember when your hairdresser told you to make sure you don’t wait too long for your next relaxer? (6-8 weeks was the recommended time frame). Well, the reason she/he said this was because when you relax the hair, the structure of the hair is now modified. And depending on how straight your relaxed hair is this meant that the hair structure was altered that much more.
When you transition, the point where the two textures meet is known as the “line of demarcation”. This is the weakest point. The curly/coily hair meets the relaxed or straight hair. At this point the structure of the hair is completely different due to the two different textures. This is the point where the hair is susceptible to breakage.
While transitioning, if you are conditioning your hair, comb the hair carefully with the wide tooth comb while the conditioner is still in the hair. Leave the conditioner in the hair for 10 minutes and then rinse out. A great after wash and conditioner is Infusium Leave-In Conditioner. Add to the hair after washing and conditioning with the creamy conditioner. Infusium Leave-In Conditioner is a great product to use after every wash because it rids the hair of tangles.
Consult Your Stylist
Try to consult with a professional stylist to help you through your transitioning period. A visit to the stylist for a professional deep conditioning will also be very beneficial and helpful during the transition period. It’s best to go to a stylist that embraces natural hair. The last thing you need is a stylist who makes you feel like you’ve lost your mind because you’ve decided to go the natural route. You need to surround yourself with people who support your decision. It’s amazing how many stylists frown upon natural hair.
Your stylist will also be able to recommend the best products and methods to use for your hair. Another key point to having good hair (whether transitioning or not), is a healthy diet. So, get healthy! Try to eat right so that your hair will grow quickly and grow thick and healthy. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli are great at growing long healthy locks.
Transitioning Tip: Try to avoid slicking your hair back because the tension may cause breakage. Your hair is more susceptible to breakage because of the two different textures.
August 22nd, 2007
Every kid hair style benefits from proper hair care. This page provides information on keeping your child’s hair clean and well cared for.
I’ve separated the kids hair style galleries to make your search simpler…just follow the links below to find what you’re looking for.
Daily Care and Other Considerations for Kid’s Hai
Proper Washing - Use a gentle shampoo for cleansing children’s hair. Emulsify it in your palms and spread it through, concentrating on the scalp. With the balls of your fingers, rub semi-firmly all over the scalp and squeeze the shampoo into the ends gently. Be sure to rinse adequately. Scalp itchiness and irritation can be caused by residue from your shampoo. Lift the hair away from the scalp and let the water flow right through.
Conditioning - If your child has long hair or suffers from static, use a daily conditioner to keep it smooth and well-behaved. Be sure to rinse well, especially at the scalp to reduce build-up.
Tangles - Leave-In-Conditioner is the key here. And a wide tooth comb. Plus a sprinkle…no make it a heaping spoonful of patience. To eliminate the pain factor for the child, always start combing at the ends and work your way up. Grasp the section of hair you’re working with midway down and hold it firmly. This way, the tugging is happening in your fist rather than on your child’s scalp. If the hair is thick, separate it into a few large sections and work through each before combing the hair as a whole.
Chlorine - If the hair has that sickly greenish cast to it already from exposure to chlorine, there are a few tricks you can use to neutralize the color out. Try a rinse with tomato juice, or make a shampoo paste by mixing your usual shampoo with a touch of water and one of the following ingredients…baking soda, dissolved aspirin, or alka selzer tablets and rub it into the hair. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and condition as usual. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a rinse for removing chlorine.
As a preventativle measure, saturate the hair with a pre-treatment like Joico’s Phine which is a conditioning chelating treatment. It protects hair from discoloration due to chlorine, copper and other impurities.
August 21st, 2007
Go for it! No one stops you on the street to tell you what a wonderful “trim” you had so take the plunge and use these tips so you turn heads and not stomachs!
1.) Research:
Once you commit to going short – do your homework! There are many interpretations of short hair from “boyish crops”, to soft textured layers. Look in magazines and consult to find the elements of what pleases you.
2.) Talent search:
Make sure that the person you choose to remove your length has a flair for the shorter looks. Making short hair work appropriately is a balance of shape, texture, products, and respect for fabric. Make sure you and your stylist are on the same page.
3.) Commitment to maintenance:
Short hair not only requires more trips to the salon to maintain the look, but also may require more work or different skills than you are used to. Short hair is not a license to always go care-free. Often it may take more work to bring short styles to life.
4.) Consider your fabric: Since you are removing hair as well as bulk, you must determine if the desired end result will be complimentary to your hairs’ fabric. Like clothing, a skirt made of wool, and a skirt made of silk will have a different drape and flow, so make sure the two elements blend for your style.
5.) Consider your face shape:
The beauty of short hair is you can tweak the shape to enhance or distract from certain features. However, since you now have less hair to deal with, consider what you want to bring to the forefront and what you want to diminish when determining your chosen shape, and make sure you have enough hair left to achieve your goal!
6.) Consider the feeling:
Once your hair is short, products can become your best friend as it will allow you to change the “feeling” of the cut. From dramatic sleek looks by slicking your hair back, to adding waxes or pastes to create the “funk-factor”, lesser lengths free up your creativity to achieve a variety of moods.
7.) Compliment with color: Strategic placement of interesting color effects can add even more dramatic response to your crop. Multi-dimensional color tricks, balayage, or foils will give your hair interest and excitement.
8.) Compliment with texture:
Once heavy or lifeless hair may now respond better to texturizing chemicals and hot tools. Also where in the past texturizing from cutting tools may have been treacherous, may now be your lifesaver. Spot perms in the crown may add lift, or a quick twist of a curling iron, may help you tackle some of Mother Nature’s greatest challenges.
9.) Don’t be afraid to take baby steps:
If you have not had short hair in a while or at all, it may take getting used to. Do not feel you have to shear it all off in one sitting. You may benefit from going from collar bone, to mid neck, to jaw line, to a crop in successive visits. No need to commit all at once as the journey of finding the perfect short cut may be just as fun!
10.) Take a lap through the mall:
If you are new to short hair and have recently shorn your locks, your longer hair is no longer hiding your face. Makeup and jewelry can really tie the whole picture together. Compliment your look with the right amount of makeup as short hair becomes a more pertinent part of your face rather than an adornment thereof. Complimenting your look with makeup and earrings makes your short hair a statement of sexy confidence, rather than one of convenience.
August 20th, 2007
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