Archive for March, 2010

Caring for Your Hair Texture and Type

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Everyone desires hair that is lustrous and thick, but the truth of the matter is that the texture of the hair differs from individual to individual. The good news is that no matter what your hair type, by taking a few important measures, you can ensure that hair remains healthy and looks its best at all times.

Maintaining good hygiene of the scalp and hair is the most important step in case of all hair types.

Shampoo - One must use a mild shampoo that is gentle on the scalp and does not strip the hair of its natural moisture. Herbal shampoos are advisable, as they do not contain any chemical ingredients. However, washing the hair excessively is not advisable.

Oily hair - Oily hair may be washed on alternate days, while normal to dry hair can be washed twice or thrice a week. On other days the hair can just be rinsed with lukewarm water. Hair must also be conditioned as this helps to keep the hair soft and shiny. Oily hair requires conditioning just about once or twice a week. Another tip for oily hair is to rinse with a solution of tea, vinegar and lemon juice. This will reduce the greasiness of the hair.

Dry and frizzy hair - Dry and frizzy hair may be conditioned everyday and a deep conditioning treatment may be done once weekly. Dry hair also benefits from hot oil treatments. A combination scalp can be conditioned more frequently. The conditioner should only be applied to the ends of the hair. Dry hair tends to become rough and frizzy very easily and as such styling appliances and harsh hair products must be avoided. Also protect such hair from exposure to sun and wind.

Fine hair - Fine hair benefits from a good haircut. Layered, tapered, angled or bob cuts are very flattering for fine hair. Volume may be added to fine hair by using mousse or gel. Blow drying the hair when upside down also helps to add volume.

Frizzy hair - Frizzy hair is prone to dryness and the ends are especially prone to splitting. As such regular trimming is very important. Frizzy hair must also be patter dry, rather than rubbing with a towel. Leave-in conditioners help to tame frizzy hair and keep it manageable.

Thick hair - Thick hair is usually very easy to manage and looks good with any hairstyle. However, thick hair also requires proper care. Thick hair can get dry quite often and hence proper conditioning is essential.

How to Take Care of Fine Curly Hair

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Fine curly hair is very versatile and lends itself to many different styles. However managing and caring for such hair can be quite difficult. Too many hair care products can cause the hair to become weighed down. Fine curly hair can also become very frizzy after washing with shampoo. Here are some tips that will help you care for such hair texture.

Tips to Care for Fine Curly Hair

Fine curly hair may be washed as often as desired so that product build-up is removed and the hair cuticle is pumped up. Hair of this texture is usually categorized in the normal range. Individuals that tend to have oily hair can opt for a shampoo that is especially meant for oily hair. Those with dry hair may wash their hair on alternate days. Fine curly hair needs lighter conditioners so that the hair does not become too limp. Curly hair is generally prone to dryness and as such hydrating creams may be used in small amounts to keep the hair shafts moisturized. When applying conditioner, begin applying at the ends and then work up the hair shaft. Leave-in conditioners may also be used as this protects the hair from damage due to heat and sun when outdoors. However, only a small amount of leave-in conditioner must be applied as this too tends to weigh the hair down. Fine curly hair is very easy to scrunch into loose or tight curls and also easy to straighten. Curls will hold for a longer period of time than straightened hair, due to the natural body of such hair. Longer hair styles are not recommended as these tend to pull down the curls and make the hair appear even finer. If you want to color your hair, darker shades are recommended as these add fullness to the hair.

The hair must also be cut every 4-6 weeks as this helps to retain the curl at the ends of the hair. Layered curly hair is also easy to handle and is one of the easiest ways to cut fine curly hair. However, it is important to first have a good understanding of how your hair will fall after it is layered. Therefore having a good hairdresser who will be able to offer you the proper advice on the matter is essential. There are many home remedies that are beneficial for fine curly hair such as a mixture of honey and egg yolk. This can be applied to the hair to keep the hair soft and nourished.

Why Hair Fall Out | Hair Loss Solutions for Women

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Causes of Hair Falling Out in Women

There are a number of factors that can cause hair fall. Physical stress that is exerted on the body can result in loss of hair. This usually occurs following a major surgery or after an illness. Such hair fall is temporary and is likely to stop once the stress has been eliminated. Hormonal imbalances are another major cause of hair fall. An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can result in loss of hair. Treatment of the thyroid condition will help to stop the hair fall. Imbalances of the male and female hormones are also known to cause hair fall. Treating the imbalance stop the hair loss.

Many women experience hair fall after about three months following delivery of a baby. During pregnancy, the levels of certain hormones increase significantly. This affects the natural process of hair renewal and the hair stops falling. After pregnancy, when the hormones are back to their normal levels, the process begins again and the hair begins to fall. This is also a temporary condition and not a cause for concern. Intake of certain medications can also cause hair fall. There are also certain infections such as fungal infections that affect the scalp and result in hair fall. Underlying diseases such as diabetes and lupus are also involved in hair fall. In fact, hair fall is one of the early signs of these conditions.

There are several easy to use natural remedies for treating hair fall.

Natural Remedies for Treating Hair Fall

  • A paste of fenugreek seeds and water may be applied to the scalp and left on for about forty minutes. This remedy must be continued regularly for at least a month.
  • Rubbing the scalp vigorously after a hair wash with cold water helps to improve blood circulation in the scalp. This increasing the supply of nutrients to the hair follicles, and thus improves hair growth.
  • Rubbing patches of thinning hair with an onion is also known to improve hair growth in the area.
  • Another beneficial hair fall remedy is to apply a mixture of egg yolk and honey. This may be massaged into the scalp and left on for thirty minutes.
  • An effective homemade shampoo can be prepared by mixing a couple of tablespoons of gram powder, five tablespoons of curd and one tablespoon of lemon juice. This can be rubbed into the scalp and kept on for at least an hour, before rinsing with lukewarm water.
  • It is also important to have a healthy balanced diet so that the hair follicles receive adequate nourishment and hair fall is prevented.

How to Stop Receding Hairline through Home Remedies

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Cause of  Receding Hairline

A receding hairline does not cause any health problems, but is usually dreaded because of the self consciousness and embarrassment it invokes in the individual. It is also seen as a sign of ageing and loss of attractiveness. The good news is that there are many hair re-growth treatments available today and there are also some ways by which the remaining hair may be preserved. However, it is first important to understand the causes of a receding hairline.

Male pattern baldness is the primary cause of a receding hairline. This is generally an inherited condition. It occurs when the hair follicles are not able to function anymore and begin to reduce in size. As a result new hair cannot be produced, resulting in bald spots and patches. This becomes especially apparent near the hairline, which starts to recede as more and more hair follicles stop functioning. Stress adversely affects the body in numerous ways. Emotional trauma such as depression and anxiety as well as physical stresses such as illness or surgery can result in a significant amount of hair loss. This is however a temporary situation and hair growth is likely to return to normal once the stress of alleviated. Thinning hair and appearance of bald spots may also occur due to hormonal fluctuations. In men, ageing results in a decrease in testosterone production which can lead to hair loss. Infections such as those causes by fungi are also known to cause hair loss and a receding hairline. Lupus and diabetes may also affect hair growth due to weakening of the immune system.

Home Remedy for Receding Hairline

Nutrition plays an important role in good hair growth. In many cases, the cause of a receding hairline is a vitamin deficiency. Intake of vitamin E and B6 supplements will help to improve hair growth. Folic acid is essential in proper growth of hair and its deficiency can eventually lead to baldness. Since stress can hamper the functioning of the hair follicles, proper stress management is vital. This can be achieved through relaxation and breathing exercises. Coconut is considered to be a beneficial remedy for a receding hairline. Coconut milk may be extracted from crushed coconut shavings. Massaging the coconut milk into the scalp will help to improve hair growth and prevent hair loss. Massaging the scalp at the hairline will help to stimulate hair growth in the area. You can also rub the area vigorously for a few minutes using your fingertips. This will enhance blood supply to the follicles, thereby enabling good growth of shair.

Does Green Tea Stop Hair Loss

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Hair loss occurs as part of the natural process of renewal. As some of the hair falls out, new hair is grown to take its place. However, due to certain factors this process may be take place faster than normal. Hormonal fluctuations are known to contribute to loss of hair. As a result during pregnancy, childbirth or discontinuation of birth control pills often lead to hair loss. As soon as the hormonal levels return to normal, the hair loss ceases. An interaction between the thyroid and sex hormones are believed to result in this. Hair loss is also associated with stress. Hair loss is known to occur during periods of emotional trauma. Physical stresses such as crash diets can also trigger hair loss.

Green Tea for Hair Loss

Green tea is known to have many health benefits. It has been shown to enhance mental alertness and help in weight loss. It is also reported to be effective in alleviating digestive disorders and in easing skin ailments such as sunburn. Some research even suggests that it plays a role in preventing certain types of cancer. Some are even of the opinion that green tea helps in preventing hair loss. There is a not much research that has analyzed the positive effect of green tea on hair growth. But the popularity of green tea in preventing hair loss has grown due to the chemical compounds it contains. These have an inhibiting effect on the 5 alpha reductase enzyme which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into DHT. DHT is believed to restrict the life cycle of the hair follicles.

Green tea is known to contain high levels of antioxidants which promote health of the skin, scalp and hair. Green tea is also believed to improve blood circulation in the scalp, thereby increasing the supply of nutrients to the hair follicles and scalp. This could be one of the ways by which hair loss can be prevented. Since green tea does not produce any side effects, it doesn’t do any harm to include it in your daily diet. Green tea may also be taken in the form of supplements. Experts believe that the positive effects of green tea may also be seen after six months or even one year. One can also try soaking the hair in a brew of green tea. A beneficial hair mask can also be made by combining a cup of yogurt and a few teaspoons of green tea. This may be applied to the hair and left on for thirty minutes.