The Woes of Hair

Why does HAIR have to be such a big part of who we are? Even at birth, the first words (except in breach births!) are, "wow, look at all the hair!" And throughout infancy and childhood there are comments and activities involving our hair. How much or how little hair a baby has, always prompts visitors to recall something about THEIR baby's hair stories. If it's thick or thin, straight or curly, light or dark....there will be many years of dealing with HAIR!If there's not enough hair to tie up in a ponytail or add a ribbon, the sex of the child is often mistaken. If everyone in the family has dark hair and one child is blond, the PARENTAGE is even questioned. People either don't know, or tend to forget how certain genes can appear several generations apart, but something as simple as your hair color can be an issue throughout your lifetime!

For little boys, the first haircut can be a major event. First it can be an agonizing decision for the parents. When to do it, where to have it done, crying when that first "baby curl" is cut off, spending DAYS sneaking peeks at the little guy because you can't believe how the haircut has "aged" him!

Then there's 13 years (or more) of the dreaded SCHOOL PICTURES! No matter how beautiful the smile or how the eyes are twinkling with youthful joy, there's always something about the HAIR that makes you want to burn all your pictures! How many centuries have parents been saying, "I can't believe the photographer couldn't take a second to either 1) fix that cowlick or 2) run a comb through!"

As we get older, we start the search for the "perfect" hairstyle, shampoo, and all kinds of expensive treatments, equipment and accessories! We go through thousands of hairdressers to find someone who can tell us what is best for our type of hair. Some of us are slaves to style and have to follow the latest celebrity hairstyle, whether it's short, shoulder length, straight, curly, hair extensions, or shaved! Then there's those of us who are dated by our hair because we've NEVER changed the style. There are entire talk shows created out of "makeovers", and what is always the most important change? The HAIR!

After all these years (over 50 for me) of HAIR issues, what do we have to deal with? LOSING our hair and then FINDING it again, but in places we never expected!! It's still expensive too, although now the treatments we seek out are for coloring it to hide the grey, and hot oil treatments to try to keep it from drying out so much. But the most precious tools we now own are a pair of tweezers and a magnifying mirror! Most of us have found at least one dreaded "chin hair" and some suffer with an unacceptable amount of facial hair (and even "unmentionable" places), forcing us into another expensive search for a solution! What are the options? Electrolosis? Waxing? Shaving? To me this means either expensive, painful or "5 o'clock shadow"! Plucking seems to be the most acceptable solution to me, but it's still not the answer for every situation.

The most prevalent type of hair loss among women is female pattern thinning, known medically as Androgenetic Alopecia (genetic, diffuse hair loss). But there are many other reasons for women's hair loss, including menopause-related hormonal imbalances, postpartum/ stress-related shedding, chemotherapy, and Alopecia Areata (spotty hair loss). Some hair loss is actually self-induced: The use of harsh chemical relaxers (Scarring Alopecia), or tight hair braiding (Traction Alopecia) can permanently damage the hair follicle.

Some prescription drugs also induce hair loss. In addition, between 4 million and 8 million women in America have varying degrees of trichotillomania (chronic hair pulling), an obsessive-compulsive disorder that can cause permanent damage to the hair follicle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1222666

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Hair Dryer Tips and Tricks For Problematic Hair

Blow dryers are nifty hair styling equipments that work wonders for problematic hair styles and aid in numerous styling procedures. Here are some tips and tricks on using hair dryers for various sources of "bad hair days". Read on and enjoy.

1. Speedy Drying Time for the Busy People. For those who woke up late and need to get everything done in just a few minutes, the solution is all in ionic or tourmaline hair dryers. For quicker results, use an extra absorbent towel to wrap around your head for at least 5 minutes.2. Bang Cowlick Solutions. When you have cowlick on the bangs, use a round brush to go through your bangs while directing low-medium speed at 4-6 inches away from your hair. For cowlicks on other areas, you can use a pomade, styling gel or mousse to the area and blow dryer at low-medium speed until the hair is dry.

3. Frizz-Free Days. To get rid of the frizz from your hair, always blow dry from the root of your hair towards the tip. Blow drying upwards and through the underside of your hair can cause frizziness so avoid doing this.

4. Volume Up. If you want more volume for your hair, then use a product that is intended to give more shape and volume to your hair. To lift your hair up effectively, concentrate the volumizing product at the root and use a comb to spread it to the ends of the hair. Afterwards, blast blow dryer through your hair to remove moisture using a high heat setting. Stop blow drying when the hair is 80% dry and then switch to cold air so that moisture will be locked in revealing a shinier finish you will surely love. Don't forget to secure the volume of your hair throughout the day by applying hair sprays or gels to hold the volume in place.

5. Get Rid of Bad Fringe Days. For better control of fringe and to better prevent any cowlicks from ruining your style, you should use a blow dryer and direct its heat at the opposite direction of the problematic area. The reason behind this is that the heat will allow the roots of the hair to volumize thus taming the cowlick effectively.

6. Cures For the Oily Hair - If you want to get rid of super oily hair so you can have straight lustrous and fragrant tresses, then the secret is on the product formulation that you use. It is thus important to incorporate deep cleansing shampoo designed to remove excess sebum from your hair. When blow drying hair, use heat protecting products and hair strengtheners for deeper shine and beauty of your hair.

Hair can truly enhance the beauty and attractiveness of a person, thus it is essential to invest in hair styling products that are made from natural substances and devoid of harmful chemicals such as sodium laurly sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), Propylene Glycol, 1.4 Dioxane, and dioxin. Remember, prevention is better than cure so start being prudent now.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alistar_Osborne

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Hair Transplants

Doctors who perform hair transplants are finally getting their props! There was a time when performing hair transplant surgery was associated with unattractive hair plugs, telltale scars and botched hair transplants and rip-offs were more the norm. But not anymore!

The technology surrounding hair transplants has grown so precise that the newest hair transplant surgery is done under a microscope, called Follicular Unit Extraction where each hair follicle is removed and replaced one by one. And the newest way to avoid scarring when using a strip incision method was a surgical technique called a Trichophytic Closure which is a way of minimizing scars performed by trimming the edge of a line scar closure so that hair actually grows through the scar. In fact when hair follicles are taken one by one, the artistry involved in creating a natural-looking hairline becomes the hallmark of success of a hair transplant surgery.

Just take the case of Desiree, a 34-year-old performer who had lost the hair around her hairline from the way she wore her hair in dreadlocks for almost her entire adult life. She started noticing the fall-out as the dreads grew longer and heavier, now around her waist. And she also saw the telltale pimples that were her hair follicles screaming for help! She knew she'd have to make a change but the last thing she was thinking was that her search for help would lead her to hair transplants. First, things first, she went to see her hairstylist, a friend she'd known for years but whom she hadn't used her services because who needs a hairstylist when you have dreadlocks? She tried to help by removing the dreads entirely and by creating a new, naturally curly hairstyle for Desiree. But she emphasized that she couldn't guarantee the problem would resolve itself and sent her directly to a dermatologist to find out whether the one inch of hair loss she suffered all around her hairline was permanent or not.

Desiree went to the dermatologist who prescribed some cortisone injections and creams to relieve the swelling and inflammation where her hair was pulling, an antibiotic for the pimples so they wouldn't get even more infected and some Minoxidil to try to regrow her hair, if those hair follicles weren't pulled literally to death. At that point, the dermatologist warned Desiree that hair transplant surgery might be in her future if she didn't respond to the hair regrowth therapy. After five months of the Rogaine Treatment, Desiree didn't see much hair regrowth and while she was enjoying her new look she was worried about how strange her face must look with her hair starting so far back, she started to get upset and even wore her head wrapped after a while.

The last time she visited the dermatologist, he said she should consider hair transplant surgery because she was a good candidate. The hair in the back of her head was still extremely healthy and full and because her skin was light and had resulted in no scarring from the original trauma and infections and because she was still young. "Hair transplants?" Desiree thought to herself, "Me?" she just didn't see how that would help her. After all, she wasn't some desperate, balding, middle-aged man.

But she had been reading about the procedure online after her dermatologist told her about it. What she read about hair transplants astounded her: Surgeons transplanted each hair follicle one by one in such a way could recreate any hairline shape exactly. That beside the medical skill, there was a great deal of artwork intrinsic to the procedure and that's what attracted her to hair transplants finally. She decided to look up the best doctor who specialized in hair transplant surgery for women that she could find in her state. She even looked for old pictures of herself before the hair loss (and she'd have to go back about 10 years) to see what her hairline even looked like. She had forgotten that she'd had a slight cowlick at her side part line - but with today's hair transplants she could get any hairline she wanted and she did!

source: www.articlesbase.com

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Hair extensions can give you a makeover

Hair extensions are a simple means by using which you can stylize your hair in the way that you have always wanted. It may have often happened that you have seen a new hairstyle and wished that you could have that hair style on you. Through hair extensions, you can go for a drastic makeover. There are several types of hair extensions that you can use for stylizing your hair, but experts have recommended that human hair extensions are the best. There are several advantages of using human hair extensions and that is why it has found a favor with a number of stylists and women alike.

Human hair extensions are nothing but strands of hair that can be added to your hair to increase your hair's volume, its length in a short span of time and highlight your hair. It may happen that have always wanted to be invited to a particular reception and now that you have the invitation, you are badly in need of a new hairstyle. Human hair extensions have been found to be the perfect means to give you an incredible hair style in a short time. With the invention of human hair extensions, life has indeed become very simple and manageable for several women who want to have fashionable hair styles.

Human hair extensions can be attached to your hair using different methods. Some of the ways to bond human hair extensions are through warm or cold fusion, using clip-on, coiling, bonding and even certain types of chemical glues. You have the option of choosing artificial hair made of synthetics or natural human hair extensions. Human hair extensions look more natural, are easy to manage and you also have the option of selecting hair of different textures and colors. So all this features make human hair extensions a perfect option for you to use.

Human hair extensions are expensive compared to any other type of hair extensions. After you visit your stylist, he/she will be able to guide you in finding the type of human hair extensions that will be suitable to your hair color, texture and style. Most hair stylists have provisions to order the exact kind of human hair extensions that will suit you best. You are stylizing one of your most important beauty assets and so you must take all measures to ensure that you have the best type of human hair extensions.

Human hair extensions need to be taken proper care of, if you want it to stay for a long time. If appropriate care is taken, human hair extensions can stay in good condition for about four to six months. Professionals do human hair extensions in such a way that even you will not be able to distinguish your own hair from the extensions. Well, if you cannot find out, then there is no chance that someone else is going to find out about this. So, you can undertake human hair extensions to change your hairstyle and looks without worrying about anything. Human hair extensions can work wonders with your hair style and looks.

Source: Free Articles

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The Importance Of Hair Masks

It is summer time and your hair tries to play funny tricks with you and by the end of it you can imagine yourself as having a bad hair day. According to the seasons one has to take care of their hair. Summer always plays havoc on your hair so taking care of your hair during these times would make sense.

The base of our hair structure is protein. So having a protein filled diet for your hair would get most of your hair problems solved in no time. If your hair is properly taken care then your hair would be one of the smoothest, silky, shiny and dandruff free hair. Oiling your hair is very essential for the future of your hair.

The hair mask works in different manner in comparison to the conditioner. The concentration level of hair mask is much more than that of the conditioner. With the high concentration of moisturizer your hair is given the extra treatment for those bad hair days. This used once a month would be good enough rather than the daily use of your conditioner.

Worse the hair condition better the hair mask will work on you. It will help in creating the extra shine and look to create that impact. These masks come in different brands as well as you can prepare it home and use it. It will show a great deal of improvement and your hair would be very manageable. There are many ingredients which work in favor of making an excellent mask like honey, egg, almond, yogurt, avocado, olive oil as well as use of fruit which can give your hair that extra suave touch.

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How To Manage a Cowlicks Hair

Cowlicks can be a big pain. But rest assured, there are some simple steps to managing those pesky cowlicks to give you the hair style you want!

Here’s a common scenario: You see an amazing haircut on a celebrity or in a magazine and decide it’s the one. You bring the picture to your stylist and he/she cuts it exactly right… except that one piece that hangs down lower at your neck, or the bangs split. For men, it might not lay down the way they had hoped or it sticks up in the wrong spot. What gives?

Well, every hair on your head is built to grow in a specific direction. This is what causes cowlicks. Some cowlicks are easily managed (growth patterns that grow in one direction will go with any hair style). Some are not as easy to manage (ones that grow in almost a circle pattern sometimes feel almost impossible to handle).

Most cowlicks are found in three places: 1) the forehead, 2) the crown and 3) the nape of the neck. Cowlicks can affect the way you part your hair or style your bangs (the forehead), your volume or lack of volume (crown), and your neckline from buzz cuts to bobs (nape). If your cowlick doesn’t have a significant difference from the rest of your hair growth patterns, you might not even know you have one.
The best way to manage a cowlick is to learn how to work with them. Every person’s hair patterns are unique, but there are two main ways to manage cowlicks. You can either 1) cut them short to blend them into the hair, or 2) grow them long to give weight and manageability to the hair.

Crown Cowlicks

Cowlicks in the crown present issues for both short and long hair. For very short buzz cuts, it is almost always best to cut these cowlicks shorter than the rest of the hair. As hair grows in between haircuts, it will blend well with the rest of the hair as opposed to sticking straight up (Alfalfa style). For short/medium/long cuts, it’s best to determine your plan of action with your hairstylist. Most likely you will want more length, which will add more weight, and in turn, more control over that pesky cowlick. Sometimes however, a little extra weight doesn’t always do the trick. You can use pomades and pastes to direct the hair, but my tried and true way to manage cowlicks is to tease the area. Now you don’t need to create Texas-size hair to have control; just some light teasing and hairspray is all you need. This will give you awesome volume, and a finished look.

Forehead Cowlicks

Once you’ve made the decision to keep it long or cut it short, styling products, a blow dryer and a good brush will become your best friends. If you have a cowlick in your bang area, this should be the first place you dry your hair. You’ll want to dry the hair with a brush pushing it in one direction, and then after a few strokes switch and brush the hair in the opposite direction, this will help “confuse” the hair, as to which way it is supposed to go. If the end result you choose is with the cowlick, then your hair should lay nicely, and if you choose the opposite, (which might be a bigger fight) you may be able to achieve more volume. This is a personal choice as to what looks best on you. For widow’s peaks, bangs are possible but will present a definite challenge when it is time to style them (depending on how dramatic the peak is). It’s my recommendation to not have bangs, but perhaps a short face frame, to make it look like you have fringe around your face. But for those who absolutely must have bangs, make sure they are thick enough, and that your dry them first in the way suggested above. This will give you the most room to play and will manipulate the hair.

Nape Cowlicks

If you have long hair, cowlicks at your neck might not be noticeable. But, if your hair is short or bobbed, sometimes it is better to have this section of hair cut shorter than the rest. If the hair is cut perfectly even, when it’s dry it might hang down lower, due to the direction of the cowlick (which will make it look uneven).

Follow these tips, and you’ll find that managing your cowlick is easy. If you have more questions, stop by and ask your LookAfter stylist on the hair style that would work best for your hair!

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A More Youthful Appearance, by Changing Your Hair Style

Want to look younger? Are you the oldest woman in your office? Do you need to compete with younger employees? Today, looking young is not vanity, it's a matter of survival. Statistics show the person who gets the job and get the promotion is usually thin, attractive and young. Well, you can not change your age, but you can change what makes you the look of your age. Looking young and decisive will always leave a lasting positive impression.

Bangs make you look younger

Fringe is a simple and inexpensive way for your chic look. They emphasize their eyes and the jaw line. People in their 40 and above, this is a real benefit. Bangs make you look younger, hiding her forehead, if it is large, wrinkled, or hosted by receding hairline. Fringe also gives you a hair cut softer look. Bangs put the pot, so if your hair is too curly or textured, or have a stubborn cowlick that does not work, then bursts to go to work for you.

However, all other bursts is great, assuming they do not cut too short. What are you wearing your fringe depends on facial features. Make yourself look younger you must be a comprehensive, long fringe. Can be used directly or semi-swept, angled or graduate, what you want. Fringe will never go out of fashion. All you have to do to keep the bangs is to get a hairdresser to cut when they get too long. Resist the temptation to take scissors to your bangs, there's a good chance that you will not be out too.

It makes the hair that moves to look younger

Women who continue to tease the hair then use hair spray to keep everyone a little hair in place automatically aging. Your hair is cut in layers or blunt, must be able to move. You can continue to use hair spray, just to make sure that the hair does not end rigid. There are all types of spray available today to get this new look.

Another temptation is to avoid pulling your hair pulled on top of his head. This only works if you go to see a midwife. It allows everyone to get a good look at your jaw line, neck and collarbone. If you're in the middle-aged people, not what I want everyone to be watching. If you want to wear your hair up, making informal, loose and slightly messy. This will give you a younger appearance.

The length of your hair is so important. We all know that long hair is sexy, but there is no such thing as too long. Your hair should never exceed half of the back. Some women do not want to let their hair grow, they do not want people to think they are trying to stay 16 years. If the hair is healthy, soft, shiny, no split ends, cut one shoulder looks fabulous. If, however, menopause or other disease or condition your hair began to thin, or if the tips of your hair is fried a better deal, then your best option is to choose a short haircut.

Shiny hair makes you look younger

Shining skin young, like the hair of young people. So stay away from things that will shine up gunk. Use lots of hairspray, pomades and styling products can leave you too dull hair. You can offset the damage with a deep conditioner at least once a week. If your hair is extremely dry, use every time you shampoo. If your hair is greasy, you can do with deep conditioner less often, but for most of us, there is no such thing as over-conditioning your hair.

A more youthful always result in praise

When you get bangs cut, add a little 'hair shine and movement, be prepared for the compliments. You feel like a million and look years younger.

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