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TEN BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO TO YOUR HAIR

1. Maintain a healthy scalp.

The scalp’s condition determines the strength, density, and life span of our hair. Massage the scalp with your fingertips for five minutes every day to promote blood circulation in the scalp. This light pressure also stimulates the oil glands in the scalp and makes them work more efficiently in producing natural oils for the hair. Regular stimulation of the scalp increases blood supply and brings nourishment to hair follicles, which in turn helps prevent hair loss and supports the natural development of healthy hair.

2. Use a separate shampoo and conditioner instead of one-step “conditioning shampoos.”

Although conditioning shampoos may be more convenient and time-saving, shampoos and conditioners used separately are much more effective in maintaining healthy and beautiful hair. The two hair products work best as a two-step process: The shampoo cleanses the hair by removing oils secreted by the scalp and other particles like dirt and pollution that build up in the hair. Then, after the hair has been thoroughly cleansed, conditioner is applied to close and smoothen the outermost layer of the hair shaft. This locks in moisture within the hair, while also coating each strand to protect it against environmental pollutants and other damaging elements.

3. Use products specifically made for chemically-treated (colored, straightened, permed) hair.

Chemically-treated hair has undergone changes within the hair shaft, and regular shampoos and conditioners may not have what it takes to address this type of hair’s special needs. Not only will specialized products help your hair regain the moisture lost in chemical treatments, they will also make the results of the treatment last longer. For instance, hair care products for colored hair contain ingredients that preserve the vibrant color of hair, while products for permed hair help maintain the bounciness of curls.

4. Cleanse your hair with a clarifying shampoo once a week.

There is a popular belief that any brand of shampoo stops working after several weeks of use, and that one should switch brands every once in a while. The truth of the matter is that the resulting hair dullness after using the same shampoo for some time is actually caused by a buildup of particles (such as conditioners or styling products) that weigh down your hair and make it look limp and lackluster with regular use. Instead of using multiple shampoo brands, keep one clarifying shampoo in your bathroom and use it once a week. Clarifying shampoos contain an elevated acid content that is very effective in removing buildup in the hair and scalp.

5. Nourish your hair from within by taking vitamins and hair supplements.

A healthy body results in a healthy scalp—and in turn, healthy hair. Make sure to take your daily dose of vitamins A, C, and E, which benefit the hair in different ways. Vitamin A aids in the production of healthy sebum in the scalp while Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect that is essential in maintaining beautiful hair. Vitamin E helps enhance scalp circulation, leading to healthier hair follicles.

6. Know your hair and scalp type, and use the appropriate hair care products.

Different hair types have different needs. Before buying any hair care product, make sure that you know your hair type (normal, fine, thick, frizzy, damaged) and your scalp type (normal, oily, dry, sensitive). A well-trained hairdresser should be able to diagnose your hair and scalp and recommend reliable products that will address your specific concerns.

7. Protect your hair against sun damage.

The skin isn’t the only part of your body that needs protection from the sun’s harmful rays. UVA and UVB rays damage the hair cuticle the same way as bleach, which leads to dry, brittle, and weak hair. During these summer months, shield your hair from damage by wearing a scarf or a hat when going under the sun or by applying a product that contains a sun protection factor (SPF).

8. Moisturize your hair before and after swimming.

Chlorine and salt water strip moisture from your hair. Applying conditioner or a serum treatment before jumping into the water will coat the hair and act as a protective barrier against chlorine and salt water. These damaging particles collect outside the hair and can be easily shampooed off after your swim. Still, treat your hair to a deep conditioner or a masque after swimming to strengthen it and help it regain any lost moisture.

9. Choose a haircut that complements your face shape and a color that complements your skintone.

Not everyone can carry a Rihanna layered cut or a Victoria Beckham bob, but for sure there’s a hairstyle out there that will suit you best. A well-trained hairdresser should be able to assess your face shape —is it oval, long, round, square, or heart-shaped—and recommend particular hairstyles that flatter it. A good haircut should emphasize your best features, like your eyes, your cheekbones, or your chin; it should also downplay your flaws, like an overly angular jaw for square faces.

Choose hair color that complements your skintone to minimize flaws and bring out the best in your complexion. Picking the wrong shade can make your overall appearance look tired, dull, or unnatural. First, determine whether your skintone is warm (with gold or peach undertones) or cool (with pink undertones). Warm tones look best with reddish, orange, and golden casts, while cool tones are complemented by shades of ash brown, ash blonde, and black. When in doubt, consult your hairdresser on the colors that would look best with your skintone.

10. Trim your hair every two months.

Even if you’re growing your hair long, keep it beautiful by getting it trimmed every six to eight weeks. The ends of the hair are the most damaged part since they are most exposed to the sun, wind, shampoos, chemical treatments, pollutants, and a variety of other factors for the longest time. Regular trims will help prevent split ends, frizzy, frayed strands, and thinning at the ends of your hair. If you still want to keep your tresses long, trim at least an inch off your hair, keeping in mind that that inch of hair is the most mistreated and damaged part of your hair, and is just about ready to retire anyway. (L’Oréal tips)

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Study debunks heart attack-male baldness link

A new study of more than 5,000 men calls into question the idea that baldness can signal a greater risk of heart disease.

Dr Eyal Shahar of the University of Arizona in Tucson and colleagues found little difference in the heart attack risk between men with full heads of hair and their balding peers. Hair loss also wasn’t related to thickening of the lining of the carotid arteries, the main vessels that supply blood to the brain. An increase in the lining of these arteries, known as carotid intimal-medial thickness, is a warning sign of atherosclerosis.

Some have suggested that baldness in men is related to increased levels of the hormone androgen, and that this hormone may also play a role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries” within the heart, Shahar and his team note in their report, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

One previous study found that vertex baldness, or loss of hair at the top of the head, was strongly linked to heart attack risk; in fact, the balder men were on top, the greater was their risk.

To further investigate the issue, the researchers looked at 5,056 men 52 to 75 years old, 767 of whom had suffered a heart attack previously. About one third had little or no hair loss, while 13 percent had frontal baldness only, and 54 percent had vertex baldness.

Men going bald at the front of their heads were 28 percent more likely to have had a heart attack, while mild vertex baldness was tied to a 2 percent greater risk of heart attack,

However, the relationship didn’t get stronger with baldness severity; men with moderate vertex baldness were 40 percent more likely to have had a heart attack, while risk was increased by 18 percent for men with severe vertex baldness.

There was no relationship between any type of baldness and carotid intimal-medial thickness.

If the types of baldness seen in the current study are indeed due to high androgen levels, Shahar and his colleagues note, it’s likely that the hormone does not increase heart attack or atherosclerosis risk.

They conclude: “The results of this study suggest that male pattern baldness is not a surrogate measure of an important risk factor” for heart attacks or for atherosclerosis without symptoms.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Hair Loss – 6 Common Causes

A friend of mine called me one day and said “I think I’m getting bald! I’m losing a lot of hair!”

Well, his frightened response is justified. The thought of losing your hair is horrifying, especially if you did not expect it to happen in your mid-twenties. But don´t panic! Experts say that hair loss will not necessarily lead to baldness.

Some of the common causes of hair loss include the following:

1. Major Illness or Surgery

You may notice that you are losing hair about 3 or 4 months after a major illness or surgery. This is temporary and is an effect of the stress of the body relative to the illness.

2. Hormonal Problems

Your hair fall may be due to the over activity or under activity or your thyroid gland. Hair loss can happen if the male or female hormones are out of equilibrium in the body. If you can correct the hormone imbalance, you can stop the hair loss.

3. Autoimmune Disease

If you have alopecia areata (defined as an autoimmune disease where the immune system in a person´s body attacks its healthy tissues, cells and organs), this can cause your hair loss. It affects 1.7% of the global population. It usually starts as bald round patches on the scalp and can sometimes lead to total hair loss. But usual cases report that the hair grows back in 6 months to 2 years.

4. Post Pregnancy

If you just gave birth to a baby about 3 months ago, you may notice some hair loss. The culprit here is also called hormones. There is a surge in Hormone levels during pregnancy. When the hormone level declines, those hairs will fall out and the normal cycle of hair growth and hair loss will start again. This time it will be for a longer term hair growth.
 

5. Fungal Infections

You can check with your doctor if you have certain infections that can cause hair loss. These infections can be easily treated with many antifungal medicines.

6. Medication

If you are taking medicines such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), excessive Vitamin A, some birth control pills or antidepressants, you may experience some hair loss. The most known medications to cause hair loss are medicines used to treat cancer. Your hair loss will stop when you discontinue taking the medicine.

Other causes can be improper hair treatments or excessive styling, poor nutrition or Male-Pattern Baldness. This type of hair loss is common among men. It is also called androgenetic alopecia. This condition is caused by a combination of androgens and genetics. Men usually inherit this type of trait. It is typically seen in a receding hair line and hair loss on the top of the head.

Although rare, women may also develop female-pattern baldness. This is a condition where the hair can become thin over the entire scalp. As for my friend´s dilemma, I asked him if his father or grandfather was ever bald. And his answer explains it all.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Hair Loss During Military Duty Merits Compensation

If a solider incurs illness causing hair loss during mandatory military service, should the nation compensate him or not? A court ruled the government should recognize him as a man of merit so that he can be entitled to some benefits provided by the government.

A 26-year-old man, Kwon, who joined the army in December 2002, had three patches of circular balding in July, 2004, while he was training in hot weather. But he could not take immediate treatments as he was on a 10-day exercise. He received treatment after training but had lost about 80 percent of his hair.

After his condition showed no improvement, Kwon was hospitalized for better treatment, from November that year through January 2005 when he was discharged from military service.

The hair loss has expanded to his whole body since, including his eyebrows.

After the discharge, Kwon filed an application to the regional office of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to be recognized as a national meritorious man, saying he got the depilatory disease due to stress from the military service, including having to wear helmets in sultry weather.

But the office rejected his application in April 2006, saying the disorder was unrelated to military duty.

Kwon filed a suit with a district court in Suwon, and the local court ruled in his favor. “The hair loss seems to have occurred due to stress from his duties, considering symptoms appeared 21 months after entering the army and he did not have any diseases which may have caused the balding,” the court said in the ruling.

Similar suits are expected to follow, as Kwon said two of his peers had circular hair loss as well during training.

Once recognized as a person of national merit, one is eligible to a national pension and various other government benefits.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Trichotillomania: What is it?

Hair twirling or pulling: Many women have this habit. In the middle of a conversation their hands automatically reach up to their hair, and stays there twirling and pulling at it all through the talk.

What it does: This habit causes hair loss. It can lead to a serious form of hair disorder called trichotillomania, which is an impulse control disorder characterised by the loss of hair, thanks to the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, eyebrows or other body hair, sometimes resulting in noticeable bald patches.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help