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Posts Tagged ‘Hair Care’

Effects of Water on your Hair

April 7th, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

Everybody wants healthier & better-looking hair. But, sometimes we get a bad hair day with dull & lifeless hair. This could be because of water we use to wash our hair.So, what is the relation between water & hair?

Presence of minerals like calcium, magnesium makes water hard or soft. When we wash our hair, these minerals are absorbed into the hair and change the look & feel of hair. So, type of water used for hair wash can have a powerful effect on hair & scalp. Amount of minerals absorbed by the hair depends on acidity & hardness of the water.What is hard water?

Rainwater is naturally soft & mineral free. When it falls on the ground, it seeps through the soil and rocks & picks up the minerals & become hard water. The degree of hardness increases as mineral content increases.

Higher the hardness or ph level of water, the greater is the absorption of minerals in the hair. These characteristics of water can determine the amount of dye that is absorbed into the hair, how your shampoo and conditioning will work on your hair, look & feel of hair after drying.

A study published in ‘Sci Total Environ. 1999 Oct 1;239(1-3):189-93’ has mentioned that uptake of minerals by the hair varies depending on the initial total hardness and pH of the water. The study was conducted to see the uptake of minerals like calcium & magnesium by human hair from waters of 24 different locations throughout the world. The findings have shown that water of high initial total hardness or high initial pH resulted in more absorption of minerals.

Acidity or mineral content varies in local water supply from day to day. Chlorinated, mineralized or fluorinated house water can also affect your hair. Because of these variable factors, your hair looks great one day & shabby & limp on the other day.Effect of pool & seawater

Salt water & chlorine can dry & discolor your hair. The chemicals that are used in pool water can damage your hair. These chemicals can attach with hair and give it a grayish or green cast. To protect your hair from these effects, wet your hair thoroughly with tap water and apply conditioner before going to pool. It will help your hair to soak up the normal water instead of the chemicals & chlorinated water of the swimming pool. Rinse your hair immediately after coming out of the pool.

You will get some tips for hair care at http://www.truevalue4money.com/haircare/haircaretips.html

So, condition of your hair & scalp also depend on type of water used for hair wash.

Natural Hair Care Tips

April 6th, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

Here are some hair care tips that you can use to improve the health and look of your hair.

While choosing your styling products, make sure that the main component is not alcohol. Presence of too much of alcohol tends to make your hair dry.

Avoid putting your hair styling products directly on your scalp. Doing so will clog the pores on your head.

Before entering a pool, wet your hair so your hair will soak up the initial water instead of the chlorinated water in the swimming pool. When swimming, remember to wear a cap to protect your hair from chlorinated water. In case you are not wearing a cap make sure that you shampoo and condition your hair properly after your swimming is over.

Hot air can be damaging to your hair. So avoid or minimize the use of hair dryers and hot curlers as much as possible. If you are at all using a hair dryer make sure you use the cool mode of the hair dryer.

Avoid using the blow dryer at one spot for more than a few seconds. Instead, keep it moving and most importantly you keep it at a good distance away from your hair.

To speed up the drying process, blot your hair dry with a towel instead of rubbing it to dry it. Leave the remaining moisture in your hair and let it dry naturally rather than drying it with a blow dryer.

If you notice a difficult knot in your hair, use your fingers to detangle it instead of combing it, which can result in breakage of hair.

Hair tends to be most fragile when it is wet. Avoid brushing or combing when it’s wet, as doing so can cause breakage of hair. Wait until your hair is almost dry before you attempt brushing it.

Use wide toothed and smooth tipped brushes or combs. Sharp and smaller toothed combs can cause damage to your hair.

Keep your brushes and combs clean by washing them every week using soap or shampoo.

Make sure you comb your hair with wide toothed comb or use your fingers to remove any tangles before you start brushing it.

Begin by combing your hair gently at the ends to get any tangles out and work your way up to the root of your hair.

Remember to always brush or comb your hair with a down ward stroke.

Avoid using plastic brushes or combs, which create static electricity, thus resulting in causing damage to your hair.

A healthy lifestyle will mean healthier body and mind including healthy hair for you too. Diet and Hair loss are closely associated, and hence you must pay attention to your diet for a healthy hair. Excessive stress, smoking, not exercising and scarcity of nutrition are can prevent your hair from remaining healthy. Get the required amount of sleep.

Learn your hair type, whether it is dry or oily and purchase shampoos & conditioners that are best suited for your hair type. Trial and error and extensive research is the best way to find out which particular hair product is ideal for your hair.

Shower with warm or cool water. Hot water can dry and irritate your scalp, resulting in irritation at times even.

Hair Color Mistakes

April 6th, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

Hair coloring is very popular today, with over 75% of women coloring their hair. Hair color can also impact hair texture since it will instantly add volume to thin, fine strands and may impact curls and waves in some cases. Men and women have been coloring their hair since the beginning of time using chemicals, plants and pigments. In recent times, men and women dye their hair a variety of colors including everything from blonde to blue. Hair coloring can add spice and enhance many hair styles. A good hair color can add shine, drama and fun to your hair style. It can make some hair types easier to style. Hair color is not like paint that can just be removed with paint remover. A common mistake people make is thinking that hair color is foolproof. Hair blunders are common mistakes women make and usually do not even realize it. Many factors influence the outcome of your hair color. Perms, other processing, and the amount of time you leave it in will all make a difference. Avoid the temptation to add more color or try to remove the color at home with bleach or other harsh chemicals.

Hair color is a reflection of light off the colored pigment of the hair shaft. Different colors add or subtract from the hair color giving it various hues and shades. Colors that are too beige or ashy don’t complement skin tones. Try using gold or warm tones, this gives the skin a more youthful, healthy glow. Try not to panic and rush to find a solution that might cause even more harm. Do not condition your hair a few hours before applying hair dye, shampooing will do the trick. Pick a color one shade lighter when dying your roots. This will make the transition from your colored hair back to your natural hair color graceful without roots that are a completely different color sticking out. Protect your skin by wrapping a towel around your neck as the dye can irritate your skin or affect your clothes. Gloves should be used and must be included in a hair dye kit. Applying petroleum jelly or cream around your ears and neck part will keep off stains. Wipe off oil after shampooing.

Hair coloring Tips

1. Highlighting is a great way to add tone to monochromatic hair.

2. Hair colors, like perms, are chemically based. If you’re pregnant, be sure to check with your doctor before coloring your hair.

3. Henna hair dyes are organic based hair colors that don’t mix well with chemicals.

4. Stay out of the pool and the ocean after coloring your hair. Neither sea salt nor chlorine mixes well with chemical hair colors.

The Truth of Hair Loss

April 4th, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

When it comes to male and female hair loss there are many myths. Knowing whether there is any truth to these myths can help you find ways of preventing hair loss or treating the loss that has already occurred. Consider some of the more common myths.

Hair Loss Myths

Perhaps the biggest myth is that there is no cure for hair loss. While there is no one treatment for everyone suffering from a loss of hair, each person is different and there are some treatment options. Some individuals can stop their hair loss while others may be able to grow new hair. When you talk with your doctor they will discuss your treatment options include Propecia, Rogaine or hair transplants.

Stimulating the circulation through frequent brushing can help prevent hair loss is a piece of advise you have likely heard. The truth is that frequent or heavy brushing of your hair can actually cause even more damage to your hair and make the problem worse. So you shouldn’t do this if you don’t want to lose more hair.

Similar to this is the myth that hair loss is caused by blow drying. While your hair can be damaged by the extreme heat from blow dryers which leads to hairs breaking off at the roots, this typically only affects the hair and not the follicle itself. To prevent this damage to your hair you simply need to use your blow dryer on the coolest setting rather than the hottest.

Another styling myth is that hair loss results from frequent shampooing. The exact opposite is really the truth. Shampooing benefits your hair by cleaning the hair and scalp of any buildup of dirt. Although to remove harmful detergents you should make sure you thoroughly wash out any shampoo in your hair. It is important to use a moisturizing conditioner after shampooing your hair so that you can replenish any lost moisture.

Some say that wearing hats can lead to hair loss. This isn’t true, the follicle is the live part, not your hair. The nutrients from you body flow to your scalp. The oxygen or blood flow to the follicles of your hair isn’t affected by wearing hats, just the hair which doesn’t need to breath oxygen.

You have likely heard the myth that highlights, hair coloring, treatments, hairspray and other special treatments lead to hair loss. This too is false like a lot of styling myths. The hair is affected by these products, but not the follicles themselves. While the hair may be damaged by these chemicals, the damage cannot extend to the follicles.

Original article source:The Truth Of Hair Loss

Golden Tips for Hair Problems

April 3rd, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

Drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of raw fruits and vegetables and getting plenty of rest is probably the best way to achieving healthy hair.

Rinse your hair with baking soda and water to rid your hair of shampoo build-up and styling residues. Rinsing your hair with one juiced lemon and one cup of water is said to bring life and shine back to dull hair. Apple cider vinegar mixed with water will give your hair shine and bounce.

To prevent bleached hair from turning green in the pool, wet the hair with clean water first or put condition in the hair so that it soaks up something else first befor it hits the pool water.

Try to use products with sunblock or wear a hat outside, it will protect your hair from damage.

Be easy on wet hair, it stretches more when wet and could cause breakage or brittle hair. Use a large tooth comb or brush, not a briste brush untill it is dry.

Take amla (100gm), shikaki (100gm), brahmi booti (10gm), shilajit (1/2 gm), anaarchhilka (20gm), bhringraj (10 gm). Soak them overnight in an iron utensil. Blend and make a paste. Apply well into the scalp. Keep it for 1-2 hours and wash it off with warm water.

Taking certain vitamins may be most helpful in improving the condition of your hair. B group of vitamins among other kinds, are proven to cure many hair problems such as hair loss, dandruff, graying etc. We have a concise list of vitamins and their benefits, which can help you, correct problems as well as maintain your hair.

Dandruff which most of us suffer from at some point in our lives is truly a painful and unwanted affair. Apart from the itching, it simply looks bad. Learn why dandruff occurs and exactly how to fix this problem. Sometimes a good shampoo can do the trick and sometimes you may need the intervention of a doctor.

Heat the oil with a little camphor. Apply the oil in the scalp and massage for 10 minutes. After 30 minutes wash the hair with a herbal shampoo. Do the steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes.

If a person has vata constitution, the hairs are dark, dry, coarse, wiry or frizzy and tend to tangle easily, are prone to dullness, split ends and dandruff. The constitution comprising of Pitta has hair that is light brown, blonde or red and tend to grow gray or thin prematurely and are fine and silky with a tendency to become oily. Regularly cleaning and brushing the hair is very important. This natural oil makes the hair glossy and healthy. To give extra shine to the hair, after washing rinse the hair with some lemon juice mixed in a cup of warm water.

There are natural and herbal hair care colour products which are not harmful to your hair. Read through tips to keep in mind when colouring your hair at home. With different hair styles dazzling all around you it can be confusing to choose one for your self.. Perming ones hair can be an alien affair if we think of doing it at home. But still there are measures by which we can do it at home and carry it off in a very suave manner which would surprise many of your friends.

Hair Loss And Hair Thinning: Part One

April 3rd, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

Hair loss and hair thinning is a condition that has always been linked with men but in reality it can affect anyone at any age. It is important to realize that losing your hair does not in many cases mean that you have male or female pattern baldness.
There are several causes for hair loss including many that do not have anything to do with the genes that were passed down to you by your family. For instance nutrition or more accurately poor nutrition can and does cause hair loss. It is vital for hair growth and health that we consume adequate amounts of protein and iron. The new compulsion with staying slim and trim by crash dieting, fad diets or eating disorders undoubtedly leads to hair thinning or hair loss. What we eat definitely affects the health of all parts of our bodies. Many individuals are mislead by the idea that your hair is dead, but the hair follicles from which your hair grows are very much alive and need nourishment.
Certain medications may also cause hair thinning or hair loss. The side effects for medications are not experienced equally by all individuals, therefore it is important to discuss this with your physician if you suddenly experience hair loss. This is especially important if you are taking medications to treat depression, high blood pressure, gout, arthritis or for various heart problems. In many instances your doctor will be able to give you an alternative medication that will not have the same side effects.
Hormone changes or imbalances can cause hair thinning or hair loss but this is generally temporary. For instance hormone levels are effected with pregnancy, the birth, thyroid conditions, stopping birth control pills, and menopause. Once hormones get back to normal levels normal hair growth will begin, however it should be noted that the hair it self may be slightly different in texture or appearance.
Mechanical damage of the hair follicles can lead to hair loss or hair thinning. If injury of the hair follicles is severe this can lead to scarring causing substandard growth or permanent loss of growth. Mechanical damage can be caused by diseases, infections of the scalp, or by over processing. It is important to keep your scalp healthy and to be gentle with your hair in general. It is believed that even excess wearing of ponytails and braids can cause damage to the hair follicles by the constant pull. Perms, hair dyes, curling irons and blow dryers are also believed to cause damage if they are over used. If you are causing damage to the dead hair shaft you can be fairly certain you are damaging the living hair follicle.
Another type of hair loss known as Teleogen effluvium is caused by a emotional or physical shock to the system. This can include; the sudden death of a loved one, a high fever, sudden or extreme weight loss, metabolic disturbances, or surgery. Again, not everyone’s body will react in the same way, however in some cases the shock causes the hair roots to prematurely enter into a resting state. Once in the resting state the hair is shed.
There are many explanations or causes for hair loss, therefore it is important that you seek the help of a physician before you assume you are simply going bald because of heredity. Hair loss and hair thinning may be an indication of an illness or the on set of an illness, for instance diabetes or lupus. Because the causes of hair thinning or hair loss are so varied a definite diagnosis needs to be acquired before you decide to seek out treatments on your own.

Preventing Hair Loss

April 3rd, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

 

Most people do not realise that when they face Pattern Baldness, the first thing that they do is to search for a cure such as medications and hair loss treatments. However, no matter how effective medications and hair loss treatments can do to stop hair loss, nothing beats the importance of prevention.

Preventing Hair Loss should always be considered as an important part or regimen when it comes to reviving and stopping hair loss. While most people think that Pattern Baldness are generally caused by genetics and is pass down through generations, how you live your life can directly influence the outcome of the treatment.

Proper preventive measures such as these below plays a very crucial role in reducing the pace of hair loss.

- Reducing Stress

Stress is a major contributor to countless number of health problems ranging from heart diseases, high blood pressure, chronic illnesses and hair loss. Our hair provides a general indication of the status of our general wellbeing. When you are under tremendous or continuous stress, your body stops to function normally and supply of vital nutrients and minerals that your hair needs are diverted to other important organs like your brains and kidneys. This in turn will shorten your hair’s life span and health.

- Adjusting Diets

Why has diet got anything to do with hair loss? Well, It has everything to do with it. In the modern society when eating a proper meal is a luxury itself, we tend to miss meals and vital nutrients that our body and hair needs. We are what we eat, and what most urbanites and workaholics take today is definitely beyond healthy. Excessive intake of salt of deep fried foods tax our body organs like the kidneys and liver. In return, it generates physical stress and illnesses. Getting a right diet based on the recommended intake is essential for maintain good health and hair.

- Proper Hair Care

Although it’s a myth to say that shampoos and hair dryers are a trigger for hair loss, if you are facing Pattern Baldness, it’s best to avoid chemically laden hair products that damage your hair. It won’t trigger hair loss, but it will cause other hair conditions like hair breakages, split ends not to mention the lack lustre look that will eventually add on to the effects of Pattern Baldness.

 

- Getting the Right Vitamins

In the current society, most foods that we take tend to lack of proper vitamins. That is because in some diets, limitations and habits, we take food that lack of vital vitamins and nutrients. Even some foods today are so poorly produced that they do not contain the necessary vitamins and mineral as they used to. Insufficient vitamins and mineral intakes that your hair requires can prompt early hair loss, whether it is related to Pattern Baldness or not. Our hair, just like any part of our body needs nourishment like vitamin B12, Biotin, Folic Acid, Iron, Protein and other indispensables to stay healthy. If your diet lacks of these essentials, it’s advisable to get vitamin supplements.

I can’t agree better that Pattern Baldness cannot be stopped by just these few preventive steps alone, but if you can adjust to these methods successfully, you are in much better odds when it comes to reversing hair loss. Coupled with the right hair loss medications like Propecia and Minoxidil, Prevention and Cure are the best solutions to Pattern Baldness.

See more about Preventing Hair Loss and related information here.

Special Tips for Hair Care

April 1st, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

Give Your Hair the Shine Using Salon Hair Products

April 1st, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

Is your hair flying out of place? Is it difficult for you to keep your hair straight? Are you looking for the right type of hair products? Well! It is time for you to try out some of the salon hair products available online. Basically these comprise of high quality products that are great for your hair shine and growth and are used by salons and professional hair stylists. This can include everything from protective flat iron spray to protective styling gaze, sheen texturizing and polishing gel, root lifter, preserve hair shine wax, anti-curl lotion, hair straightening cream, and much more.The greatest advantage of using salon hair products is that you already know how it works. For example: if you visit a particular salon and get your hair straightened or get a hair wash using  shampoo and conditioner then you will know what products they are using. In a few days time, you will also know how good or bad those products are. In 99% case, hair products used in salons are considered to be of high quality. So the basic idea is that you know the product they used on your hair and you know how much good it has done to your hair. Now you can easily buy the same product and use it at home. You don’t have to keep going back to the salon and thus you will be able to save a penny for the rainy day.The second most important fact is that salon hair products are mostly recommended products. Salons never use low quality or cheap hair products because they have a reputation at stake. So they will always pick up the best hair products depending on the different types of hair, the different types of styling, and the different requirements that their clients may have. The fact of the matter is that there is no risk buying a salon hair product.The third most important thing is that salon hair products are offered by some of the top brands in hair care and styling. You can even shop online and check and compare each of the hair products before you actually buy them. So you will always have a distinct advantage in the fact that you have all the time in the world to choose the right product for your hair and many a times, you will get them for a discount. Some of the products will even have customer reviews and most products online will have a description explaining what the product is and how it can help your hair. For example: The Rusk Thermal STR8 Protective Styling Cream is available at some of the top online stores and is a hair styling and lotion cream. It is a silicone-based hair styling cream that is enriched with proteins, sunscreens, and silicones so that it can protect your hair as well as condition it to eliminate any frizziness.  It will transform your hair instantly into soft, smooth, and silky hair without any side effects.

Hair Conditioning Tips

March 30th, 2010 HairExtensions No comments

First of all, hair conditioning is its moistening. But hair conditioner has sleeking and repairing functions except of moisturizing. Hair conditioner value is not only in the fact that after using it we have well-groomed, shining hair that do not get tangled, but in the fact that it restores the hair, moisturizes and protects it from harmful environment as well. What should we know about the hair conditioner for using it with maximum benefit for the hair?

Algorithm of hair conditioning: 1. Wash your head with shampoo, then gently wring out your hair or blot it with towel and then apply the conditioner. 2. Air-conditioner is designed to moisturize the hair only, so do not apply it on hair roots, and of course do not rub it into head skin. 3. After applying the conditioner, do not forget to comb your hair and distribute it evenly on your hair. 4. For better work of hair conditioner, you should wash it off properly with cool water. Read more hair care tips at Natural Hair Care Tips.