Saturday, January 26, 2013

Turn Your Inner Hippie On: Hot Summer Hairstyles

Hair. Everyone has them. So is style. And since summer’s officially here, it’s the time of the year when parading your psychedelic flair is forgivable, chic, and of course, fun!

But just because slick and grease are still mortal sins (despite the heat wave) doesn’t mean you should knuckle under a grab-tie-and-twist ponytail or get a clean cut up there (no way that’s ever happening, right?).

Summer hair is not just about wearing something comfy and simple. It’s also about invention and switching your inner hippie on. Whether you are hitting the beach, mountain trekking, or attending the Reading Festival, there is just a perfect summer hairstyle that suits you, whatever matches your personality. *wink*

Fish Tails with a Twist!

Chic and cool, fishtail braids are fun to do—especially if it comes with a twist.

Tousle some fish braids loose and shove them to the side to let your neck breathe. Use some texturizing spray to let them stay in shape. Finish up by clipping your fringe to the upper side to add a dash of cuteness.

Read more on Turn Your Inner Hippie On: Hot Summer Hairstyles

Friday, January 25, 2013

Hair Loss Tips: Breast Implants Can Cause Hair Loss


For many women who aim to achieve the exact definition of beauty, it would be no marvel why many of them undergo breast augmentation procedures. It is sad to note that women have been made into objects of sale even in the earlier days. Today, they constantly feel the pressure like it’s a body parasite to which the society has become immune — making less to no room for women who are too old, too fat, or too flat-chested.

Being flat-chested can compel many women to go to lengths to defy what genetics dictated. Nowadays, it has become easier to correct “God’s mistakes” and thus, the solution for flat-chested women has been just a surgery away. But what if the supposed solution to a shaky self-esteem comes with a price other than monetary?

The Toll of Artificial Breasts

In Britain, there are nearly 50, 000 women who underwent breast reconstructive surgery, only nearly 3,000 of whom were breast cancer patients. But there is an increasing number of reports that the implants have been causing hair loss among other serious health conditions including fatigue, short-term memory loss, joint and muscle pains, skin rashes, disturbed sleep patterns, depression, and hair loss.

Read more on Hair Loss Tips: Breast Implants Can Cause Hair Loss

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Detrimental Steps to Prevent the Outbreak of Dandruff

Dandruff, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a condition characterized by flaking of the scalp skin due to irritation. This hair problem is believed to be caused by the build-up of cosmetic products in the scalp, over production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, overexposure to cold and heat, improper hair care regimen, malassezia fungus, and diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.

Experts believe that dandruff occurs when the scalp sheds skin cells faster than its usual rate. The fungus pityrosporum ovale is also responsible for accelerating the accumulation of dandruff in the scalp.

Although dandruff isn’t contagious, still it may be embarrassing and difficult to manage. Itchy and flaky skin, which resembles tiny white snowflakes, is the usual sign of a dandruff condition. Areas like the scalp, ears, chest, face, and folds of skin (e.g., underarms and below the breasts) are commonly affected by this dermatological condition.

Read more on Detrimental Steps to Prevent the Outbreak of Dandruff

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Create Your Own Hair Care Cocktails

Is it a conditioner, shampoo, or hair rinse that you want? Don’t worry. Your kitchen and garden probably got it all covered for you. Check out these fun hair care cocktails for a gorgeous hair without having to spend too much.

Shampoo
Recipe 1
Ingredients

    1 tbsp baking soda
    1 cup water

Instructions
Put 1 tablespoon of baking soda into 1 cup of water. Store the mixture in a spray bottle. Take note however, that baking soda shampoo is way too aggressive for everyday use. Use it twice to thrice a week. It is very effective in removing build-up, flakes and dandruff. Rinse this shampoo with an apple cider vinegar diluted in water.


Read more on Create Your Own Hair Care Cocktails

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Alopecia Areata: Questions and Answers

Alopecia areata (AA) is not a life-threatening illness; but, it may trigger alarm for affected individual, causing extreme psychosocial and emotional problem.

What is alopecia areata (AA)?

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that targets the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles, causing them to shrink; hence, hampering the hair growth cycle.

How to describe its pattern of hair loss?

Alopecia areata is characterized by patchy hair loss, which occurs on any other hair-growing parts of the body. AA tends to be rapid, involving hair loss covering one side of the head more than the other. In many circumstances, the condition does not extend beyond a few bare patches. However, in rare cases, the hair loss is more extensive.


Read more on Alopecia Areata: Questions and Answers

Monday, January 21, 2013

Iron Deficiency Induced Hair Loss

When you come to the conclusion that your hair density has changed, you start looking for reasons – anything that might be causing it.

There are many factors that can contribute to hair loss. One very common cause is iron deficiency. Iron is the mineral occurring in the greatest volume in the blood and its most important function in the human body is to assist in the production of both hemoglobin (the substance that carries oxygen within red blood cells) and myoglobin. Iron is also involved in the oxygenation of your body’s red blood cells.  Iron deficiency sometimes triggers hair loss in large quantities but it can also be the cause of subtle, slow thinning over several months or even years.

It is understood that levels of iron play a significant role in various body functions, but it is also essential for sustaining normal growth and maintenance of hair. Iron deficiency induced hair loss is most common in pre-menopausal women between the ages of 35 and 50, when heavy menstruation contributes to iron loss. It should also be noted that iron deficiency induced hair loss is not a condition exclusive to females. Males who by personal preference or religious reasons are vegetarian, habitually reveal depleted iron stores and/or low iron availability.


Read more on Iron Deficiency Induced Hair Loss

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Exposing Hair Loss Myths - Part 1

There are a lot of unverified facts about hair loss so that you will never truly know whether a certain claim holds some truth or none unless it comes straight from the horse’s mouth. It has been reported that any change, permanent or temporary, in the body can simultaneously affect the hair and its growth one way or another. One of the common conditions that results from such changes is hair loss. From that insight, it is only normal to come across myths about the condition. Here are just some of them.


It is not the frequency of your shampoo application that contributes to hair loss but the excessiveness — that is, when it becomes unnecessary to do so but you still do it out of habit perhaps or whatnot. Without a conditioner, regular shampoos alone can increasingly contribute to hair breakage which is the first step to hair loss.

Shampooing should depend on how often you need to clean your hair. People with dry hair would most likely need to shampoo less often than those with oily hair. If there are other scalp or hair problems such as dandruff or flaky scalp, then there are specialised shampoos to help.

Read more on Exposing Hair Loss Myths - Part 1