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Removing the Hair From your Body

When removing hair from your body there are several steps that you need to take, especially after you get laser hair removal treatment, this will make sure that the hair grow back will be minimal. All of us are searching for an easy way to remove hair from our body, we search all over the internet for the answers, but all the sources that are on the internet are pretty much the same. Hair removal is a little painful and you will need to continually go for treatment, hair removal is not a one shot deal.

People have tried everything to get rid of unwanted hair, they have tried plucking, waxing and bleaching but the problem still remains, the hair will grow back. There are many different options when it comes to hair removal, there are affordable options but you must understand that when using more cost effective procedures the length of time the hair remains removed will be of a shorter time span.

Laser Body Hair Removal is growing rapidly in popularity as men and women become more conscious of their body image. Most people who have a lot of hair on their body are embarrassed when going to any type of event that involves taking off clothing. When people go swimming in the summer most people are embarrassed about taking of their clothing because of the hair on their body. The removal of body hair is becoming more widespread and prevalent because in today’s world no hair is sexier.

Why should you use a laser to remove hair? Men and women from all walks of life are turning in increasing numbers to laser to remove unwanted hair from their bodies. The latest technology has created machines that allow technicians to remove your hair from virtually any where on your body; it only works if the hair is fully grown it does not work on small or peach fuzz hair. To remove the hair by the root it must be at least 1/4 inch or 6 mm long.

If you are looking for permanent hair removal many people choose electrolysis, using this option leaves your skin virtually void of hair. Try to find a practitioner who will put their claim of permanent hair removal in writing with a guarantee.

Time peel is a valuable solution for clients with large pores, chapped skin and fine wrinkles, as well as for improvement of the skin pigmentation. If you are going to shave your pubic hair make sure you use a wet shaver, if you cannot completely dry the area before shaving. Light skin is the preferred choice for laser hair removal and fewer treatments will be required.

Hair removal has become very popular and laser hair removal has become an alternative to waxing and shaving because when you use laser treatments unwanted hair is removed and after many treatments it is permanently removed or reduced. Waxing is another method that many women use, but this hair removal system can be very painful. One of the most cost effective methods of removing hair still remains and that is tweezing and waxing.

Hair Loss Remedies – Get Informed Now

The trigger for male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, is DHT, a powerful sex hormone that can adversely affect the hair and prostate gland too. One large study that was done in Australia showed that the prevalence of mid-frontal hair loss increases as people age and affects 57% of women and 73.5% of men aged 80 years and over. The most common form of baldness is a progressive hair thinning condition called androgenic alopecia or ‘male pattern baldness’ that occurs in men.
Temporary loss of hair can occur in areas where sebaceous cysts are present for one week to several weeks in length. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss. If the thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, hair may fall out; treating thyroid disease will help remedy this.
Some drugs or medications can cause hair loss, which improves when you stop taking the medicine; medications that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, medicines used for gout, and chemotherapy drugs used for cancer, too much vitamin A supplementation, birth control pills and antidepressants. One type of baldness is called traction alopecia, which is most commonly found in people with ponytails or cornrows who pull on their hair with excessive force. Recognizing and treating an infection may help stop hair loss.
Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance; correcting the hormone imbalance may stop the hair loss. Hypothyroidism can cause hair loss, especially thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows. Hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes.
Minoxidil is a drug that’s used daily to prevent hair loss but may create heart problems; the hair it grows is very fine, only on the top of the head and may fall out again soon after the drug is stopped. Very little testing has been done on the long-term effects of Minoxidil on women. Hair loss treatments and remedies range in price from free to expensive.
Surgery is another method of reversing hair loss and baldness, although it may be considered an extreme measure. Stress reduction can be helpful in slowing hair loss. Minoxidil is a very expensive drug, costing about one hundred dollars per month for daily treatment.
Please be aware there are side effects and serious side effects sometimes with the drugs that are commonly used for hair loss. Regular aerobic exercise can help keep androgen levels naturally lower while maintaining overall health, lowering stress and increasing SHBG. There are natural home remedies and many recipes for making mixtures to apply topically to the scalp.
Olive oil and rosemary remedy for hair loss – use equal amounts of olive oil and oil of rosemary; combine them in a bottle, shake vigorously, massage into the scalp, put on a cap and shampoo in the morning. Apple cider vinegar used as a hair rinse may stimulate hair growth. Raw onion remedy for hair loss – take half a raw onion and massage the scalp with it; cover the head overnight, shampoo and rinse in the morning.
Asian remedy for hair loss – rub sesame oil on your scalp every night, cover with a cap or old towel; in the morning wash with an herbal shampoo, rinse with a solution of one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in one quart of water. Massage the scalp nightly with oil made of one part rosemary oil and two parts almond oil. Onion juice and honey remedy for hair loss: prepare a hair-growing elixir by combining 1/4 cup of onion juice with one tablespoon of honey; massage the scalp with the mixture every day.
Make sure to test remedies on a small area first and check with your hair loss doctor or skin doctor before trying any natural home remedy if it includes any irritating ingredients. Try lying on a slant board with head down for 15 minutes a day, but clear it with your doctor first. Circulation to the scalp is important.
Vodka and cayenne remedy for loss – mix one jigger of vodka with a 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (test on skin first for sensitivity) and rub it on the scalp; blood rushes to the hair follicles stimulated by the vodka and cayenne pepper – be careful if you try it. One patient reported that he used coconut oil on his hair and scalp for a year and during that time his hair became thicker and he hade more of it on the top of his head where he had been receding a bit; good as a hair gel too. Try scalp massage every day.
If large amounts of hair are lost it’s important to see a doctor or skin doctor to rule out an underlying disease. If you experience any form of hair loss that causes you concern, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the treatment options available to you for your particular condition. Concentrate on boosting your immune system to give your hair the best chance to regrow.

Short Hair Styles

Growing out a short hair style can be one of the most frustrating and confidence zapping processes a girl can go through, I once heard that 70% of a girl’s confidence comes from her hair. Thus growing out a short hair cut over a period of a year can mean 365 bad hair days. As a hair guru this is one of the most common problems I face and I have to admit I have gone through this process myself, having gone from having a funky short hair cut that everyone loved, to looking like a prison escapee as the months of growing out progressed.
So what follows is my best advice for short hair styles especially when you are growing out your hair;
1. Cut A Little As Often As You Can
I know the point of growing your hair is not to cut it, but believe me it’s wise to take a little longer growing that hair out and allow your hairdresser help you by regularly tidying it up and keeping it in a reasonable style as you grow your hair out. Find a hairdresser that you trust and who knows your main aim is to grow your hair out. Remember short hair cuts come in various lengths with a help of a professional you can look like a star at every stage.
2. Keep It Layered
My best tip for looking like you have hair style rather than like your in transition is to not to grow your hair into one length from short to long. Not only will it be more frustrating for you, but you will end up looking like you are wearing a wig that has been run over, as the layers start to stick out and grow in different directions. So until your hair gets to about mid neck keep it layered and then you can start the process of growing it into one length.
3. Go For Shine
Short hair can often look a little dull especially if you have black hair, and because you are not cutting it as often it can get frizzy adding to your growing out woes. Aim to always keep your hair looking shiny and healthy, invest in the best shampoo and conditioner you can afford, and take my advice invest in a good hair shining serum.
4. Accessorize
One of the best ways to disguise a bad hair day, and you will have many when you are growing out your hair is to accessorize. Thankfully headbands are all the rage at the moment. Resist the temptation to just push your hair back with a headband, blow dry the front of your hair into a fringe and put a wide headband behind your fringe to control the rest of your hair. A skinny headband worn with a fringe can also be a great look for work.
Split bobby pins like the one in the Scunci’s range are fantastic as they are long enough to hold a lot of hair yet come in a funky finish, do a side part and hold the hair with one split bobby pin, this also works well for the pompadour look, pull back the middle of your hair and a form a bit of quiff and hold firm with a no slip grip clip. Make sure you smooth the side of your hair with a shine serum for classic yet stylish look.
5. Skip The Mini Pony Tails
I realize that sometimes being able to pull a your growing hair back and put it into a tiny pony tail can be tempting, but that look is for sweaty tennis players, not fashionista’s who can handle every style situation. If you want to sweep all your hair back into a clean style do it with bobby pins, however invest in the best quality bobby pins that will stay in your hair all day as it will be a nightmare having to readjust your hair style.
Growing out a short hair cut can actually be exciting as you virtually get to have a different style every week, however it’s a commitment so make it firmly and stay away from hairdressers when you are having a bad day. Follow my tips and enlist the help of a good hairdresser, hair products and accessories and most importantly have fun.

Evertything You Should Know About Hair Replacement

March 31st, 2010 ClipHairExtensions No comments

For many people losing hair can be an extremely upsetting and disturbing experience. People who suffer from hair loss usually experience forms of anxiety as a result of losing their hair. This is often a very mild feeling of insecurity or may be apparent as a loss of confidence. This is because many people believe that if they lose their hair that people perceive them differently to when they have a full head of hair.
The fact is that in many cases people do have a different perception of someone that has lost their hair but in reality the effect of this is minimal.
Nevertheless the psychological effects of losing hair should not be understated. Both men and women experience a loss of confidence as a result of hair loss and this is because for many their hair is considered a vital part of their sexuality. For both men and women hair is associated with sexuality and those without hair often feel that they are not as sexy as they were with a full head of hair.
It is fair to say that this tends to affect women more often than it affects men. Women are generally less prone to hair loss than men and because there are lots of cases in which men lose their hair it is in some ways more widely accepted in our culture. The negative image of baldness is somewhat surprising when compared to the image of hair loss in primates.
Gorillas actually revere members of their social group that are balding. Indeed gorillas have been found to rub their heads against hard objects in an attempt to reduce the thickness of their hair. This is seen to make them more attractive to the opposite sex. Why is this not always the case with humans?
Causes
One of the main causes of hair loss is as a result of hereditary factors. Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss and there are hundreds of thousands of men that experience this type of hair loss. It is considered a natural form of hair loss and many people decide against a course of action and accept it. Pattern baldness also happens to women but far fewer women suffer this form of hair loss as men.
Another cause of hair loss is trichotillomania. This is a disease in which people that suffer compulsively pull out their own hair. The hair loss that is caused by this disease tends to leave bald on the sufferers head in the areas in which the hair was pulled out. The positive thing about this type of hair loss is that the hair can usually grow back providing the sufferer is able to stop pulling it out. Another form of hair loss that is often experienced is that caused by radiation as a result of treatment for cancer. This type of hair loss can be particularly upsetting but usually clears up after treatment has ended.
Hair replacement techniques
Hair transplant surgery has been around for around one hundred years. In medical terms it is a very young discipline and as a result it has experienced a great number of advancements in recent years. The techniques that are used have been updated and amended throughout the years and as a result refinements in the ways procedures are carried out are happening all the time.
Techniques have developed to the extent where people can have hair replacement surgery and the results can compare to the look of natural hair.

The Causes Of Hair Loss In Women

March 30th, 2010 ClipHairExtensions No comments

In general women’s hair loss does not result in total hair loss as like that of men. Even though women’s hair loss is partial, it is devastating for the individual when it does happen.
The psychological impact of women’s hair loss is extensive when compared to men since women consider their hair as a vital part of their beauty and find it to be an important part of their outer appearance.
Women’s hair loss has different reasons. Heredity is one of those. Moreover the treatment of women’s hair loss is entirely different than that of men, because the medication offered for re-growth of hair may cause the growth of hair on other parts of the body such as chest, back, and face. Most women don’t like facial hair growth.
Women suffering from hair loss need to consult a doctor to find out what causes the hair loss. Once the cause has been ascertained, the physician will be able to prescribe the suitable medication. For women’s hair loss, many physicians prescribe estrogen to correct the condition.
Women’s hair loss can be treated with glucocorticoids. Topical application of Minoxodil or Anthralin is the only recommended treatment available for women’s hair loss. Women’s hair loss in the initial stage can be treated well and the response to the treatment is also extremely good. So if you are losing hair, see a doctor as soon as possible.
An important condition called Androgenic alopecia is found to be affecting about 2% of the population. This condition causes complete hair loss all over the body. Women’s hair loss falling under this category is found to be difficult to cure. Doctors may prescribe certain medicines to reduce the symptoms of Androgenic alopecia.
Women which just gave birth to a child also suffer from hair loss very often. This type of hair loss is temporary and may stop within 6 months after birth. This is mainly due to the fact that there is a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, which might result in keeping the hair follicles in the growth phase.
Immediately after childbirth, there is a sudden withdrawl of estrogen, which may cause the hair to enter into the hair loss phase. Hair may grow again after 6 months, but applying hair tonic may hasten re-growth of hair.
Sometimes crash diets may lead to women’s hair loss and also rapid weight loss over a short period. In addition to this, emotional and physical stress may also result in hair loss. Immediately after the alleviation of the stress, the hair falling will be stopped.
Frequent dyeing and chemicals e.g. Perming solutions used on hair may cause hair falling. This condition may occur when a woman uses chemicals very frequently. The hair begins to break off. The hair falling treatment products when applied on the scalp may strengthen the follicles.
Once you have identified the main cause of hair loss, choose the right treatment at the right time to ensure better hair growth. In most serious cases of women’s hair loss, it is always advisable to seek the help of a dermatologist for complete diagnosis and treatment plan.

The Easy Cure For Hair Loss

March 30th, 2010 ClipHairExtensions No comments

A lot of men and women are looking for help to treat hair loss. It is a problem affecting one’s social life. Nearly 90% of the human population care a lot about their look. And in our society people without hair are very often considered not as beautiful or healthy as people with full, healthy looking hair.
Lotions, medicines, and shampoos are available to stop or prevent hair loss. Hair loss products can be purchased at drugstores or pharmacies. Some are only available by prescription. Which hair loss treatment to choose depends on what is causing the hair loss.
Hair loss is cured by medicating individuals that suffer from hair loss caused by aging, heredity and hormonal imbalance. Dihydro testosterone otherwise called as DHT is found to be the main cause of hair loss. Excessive levels of DHT block the hair follicle and thereby provoking hair fall. This effect can be nullified by using DHT inhibitors such as 5-alpha reductase.
The common hair loss cure products available on the market are NuGen Hp, Revivogen, and Hair Genesis. All these drugs help a lot in blocking the DHT in the scalp and help preventing hair loss. Revivogen reduces DHT level in the scalp thereby reduces hair loss and promotes healthy re-growth of hairs.
NuGen Hp is a natural treatment available for hair loss. This product also helps a lot to block DHT in the scalp. By eating protein rich food and protein supplements, hair loss can be stopped or cured. During any remedial measure, it is always recommended to put a person on proper nutrition by ending abnormal eating habits.
Saw palmetto is an active ingredient of Hair Genesis which is very effective in preventing hair loss. Hence it is a natural DHT blocker and helps preventing male hair loss. Saw palmetto is a natural medication available for blocking DHT. There are lots of medications available on the market for preventing hair loss.
Hair loss cure is achieved by using conditioners, shampoo and scalp lotions. The common products that help are Revivogen, Viviscal, Folligen, Tricomin and Nisim.
It is known fact that medicationa like Folligen directly supplies the nutrient copper.. Tricomin also contains nutrient copper. This product is available in Tricomin revitalizing shampoo, tricomin Restructuring conditioner, and Tricomin shampoo. It is a known fact that nutrient copper helps healthy growth of hair and prevents hair loss.
Minoxdil hair loss cure is also used to preventing hair loss. This drug is more useful among youngsters. Hair Renew is a product used for hair loss cure. The mode of action for this product is nourishing the hair follicles, cleansing the scalp, and neutralizing the DHT.

Removal of Face Hair with Laser Treatment

March 30th, 2010 ClipHairExtensions No comments

In general, facial laser hair removal is entirely possible and can be perfectly safe. However, there are additional considerations to be aware of that are not relevant when you are looking simply for treatment of leg hair or considering laser therapy on non-sensitive parts of your body.
When looking at nose / face hair removal, you need to be aware of the following issues. Note that reputable suppliers of laser hair removal treatment will make certain that all of these issues are addressed before commencing treatment.
Face Laser Considerations
1) Your eyes must not be exposed to laser streams as they can damage the eyesight.
2) The skin on the face is vulnerable and special care must be taken, such as cooling the skin. You may want to take some time off work as there is likely to be some transient facial redness after treatment.
3) Hair color – the color of the hair is relevant for all laser therapy. Do be cognizant that lasers can effectively remove the dark face hair. But very pale, fine hair on the nose or face is probably not a good candidate for removal with lasers.
4) Nostril hair removal is feasible with lasers but is a specialist procedure and quite a lot of clinics do not offer this; you may need to travel to find a clinic that has the correct equipment to successfully and safely offer you nostril hair reduction by laser.
Safe Laser Hair Reduction on the Nose Surface
Most reputable beauticians and clinics will not perform laser therapy on the area of the face immediately below the eyebrow. However, all other surfaces of the face are eligible for laser hair removal treatment, including the chin, above the upper lip, cheeks, surface of the nose, forehead and even the area between the eyebrows.
Safety equipment that shields the eyes from the laser streams is crucial, and the actual facial areas that a clinic will be able to treat may be dictated by their equipment and the physical structure of their safety goggles.
Laser Hair Reduction on the Nose Surface
Women often find that face hair worsens with age. The “vellus” hairs on the face that in young women are virtually invisible may be replaced, as we advance in years, with darker and thicker hairs on the nose and on other parts of the face. The good news is that unwanted dark-colored hair on the surface of the nose can be treated successfully with lasers.
Nasal Hair / Nostril Hair Removal
If you have unwanted nostril hair, beware because the mucosal lining inside the nose is highly sensitive. For this reason many clinics shy away from offering laser hair removal treatment for nasal hair. They may even try to persuade you to opt for electrolysis to deal with your nostril hair, which can be extremely painful, or tell you that laser therapy is impossible for nasal hair. This is not completely true.
While putting a laser tool right inside the nose is not advisable, laser streams can be applied to the surface of the nose, yet penetrate deeply enough to effect excellent hair reduction inside the nose!
Pick out your Clinic with Care!
Safety must be the first consideration, so you should always make certain that you are dealing with a reputable clinic that has all of the necessary safety measures in place for performing laser nose hair reduction and other areas of the face.
As we have seen, facial laser hair removal requires careful, specialist treatment and in some cases very specific, highly specialized equipment. So it is quite likely that you will have to travel to a number of clinics before you find the one that offers precisely what you require.
However, if you are willing to do your research carefully, and to travel if necessary, you will find that there are clinics available that have the expertise and equipment to perform all manner of facial laser hair removal.

Beauty Tips – Hair Shampoo Basics

March 30th, 2010 ClipHairExtensions No comments

Shampooing your hair is the most common and effective way of keeping your hair clean. Most experts recommend that you shampoo your hair every day. Shampoo actually helps eliminate the dirt and germs that may have gathered in your hair during the course of the day. However the shampoo you pick will purely depend on your scalp type. There are many types of shampoos available to choose from so a good starting point would be to actually know your scalp type and pick a shampoo accordingly.
Shampoos are designed to clean the hair of dirt, oils, skin particles, dandruff, environmental impurities and other contaminants that build up in hair. The liquid shampoo is combined with water and massaged into the hair and scalp. Lather is generated with helps clean the hair shaft, scalp, and ends. Shampoo manufacturers are constantly offering new and innovative shampoos for a wide variety of hair types and conditions. There are daily cleansing shampoos which contain mild ingredients and are used to remove build up of dirt, styling products, and other debris. There are shampoos engineered for color-treated hair, which prevent color from fading and provide extra conditioning agents that treat dry, overstressed hair.
Shampoos are also available for normal hair, oily hair, and fine hair. There are shampoos which boost volume and increase strength and hair elasticity. There are shampoos that promote shine and manageability for hair types that are coarse or tend to be frizzy and for naturally curly and permed hair, which helps maintain the integrity of the curls.
Shampoos sometimes will be combined with a conditioner ingredient. These are known as “2 in 1″ formulas. Shampoo manufacturers even cater to children. Large selections of products are available specifically for infants and children and often provide a mild shampoo which does not irritate the eyes. These are known as tearless shampoos. Kid shampoos usually come fruity-scented and in brightly designed containers. Some shampoos are even colored; however, they do not stain the natural color of the hair itself. For older children and adults, there are shampoos specially formulated to maintain and bring out the tones and highlights of hair’s natural colors for blondes, brunettes, redheads, and hair that has matured to gray or white.
There is emerging technology for the over-the-counter treatment of such issues as dandruff, scalp problems, and head lice which are available in shampoo form. For more severe issues, medical intervention and prescription shampoos may be required. Several manufacturers have begun using sunscreen as an ingredient in shampoos to protect the hair from sun damage. Alopecia (hair loss), baldness, and thinness are sometime treated with specialty or prescription strength shampoos which promote thickness and encourage hair growth. Swimmers who have lighter colored hair find frequent exposure to chlorine and other pool chemicals turn their hair shades of green. There are several shampoos available which cleanse the chemicals out of the hair, restore the natural color, and recondition the hair.
Shampoos are a one stop solution to all your hair problems, ranging from hair lice to dandruff. But it is imperative that you pickup a shampoo that suits your hair, experimenting with new brands and products is a good idea just so that you know which other products can be used. In the end it all boils down to actually buying a shampoo that really works for you.

Tired of Your Curly Hair? There is a Solution!

March 28th, 2010 ClipHairExtensions No comments

Curly hair comes in variety of textures and can often feel overwhelming. Many people with curly hair envy those with straight hair, and feel their curls could never be straight for more than an hour.
With many of the hair straighteners in toady’s market, there are ways to make those curls straight. But with all of the varieties of hair straighteners choosing the right one depends on what you are looking for your straightener to do for your hair.
Learning the steps of full hair straightening can help make a better decision in choosing the right one.
How to Straighten Curly Hair
Straightening curly hair can be done in four easy steps.
1. Wash and condition hair thoroughly. Continue by blow drying your hair. During the blow drying stage, try and take as many of the waves out as possible. This can be done by taking a vented hair brush and the drier and blowing through your locks simultaneously. The hair should be completely dry. Any dampness could cause frizzing.
2. Unless you are dealing with short hair, your hair should be divided into at least four different sections, so your hair does not get in the way of each other. Before you start to section your hair, turn on the straightener. It should be ready and hot for optimal performance.
3. Use a light spray for your hair that protects it from heat styling damage. Make sure to use the product enough, but not too much where it makes the hair heavy or greasy looking. This is an important step, especially if hair straightening becomes routine.
4. Begin straightening hair from the bottom sections and working your way up. When working within the sections, the strands of hair should not be too thick, nor should the width be longer than the straightener. When working with the strands start at the base and slowly run the straightener down the strand of hair at a slow even pace. Once the strand has been completed, do not immediately touch the hair as it will be hoot to handle for a few seconds.
Now it is clear in the process of how to straighten hair, it is time to choose a straightener.
The main points of choosing a straightener are material and hair type.
Materials – Ceramic, Ionic, Tourmaline and Infrared
Ceramic and Tourmaline are the coatings used on the straighteners hot plates. It is important to note both produce negative ions which enables the hair to smooth and relax.
Ionic straighteners go a step further than ceramic and tourmaline coated straighteners. Hair is positively charged, while the ionic straighteners are negatively charged. The ionic straightener cancels the positive charge in hair not only smoothing and relaxing hair, but also repairing hair.
Infrared straighteners do not hold any special advantage over other materials. The claims are all hype.
Hair Type and Length
The recommended plate size is dependent on hair length. Most people with curly hair have course and thick hair, the length helps determine the plate size.
Long – 1.5″ – 3″
Medium – 1.5″ – 2″
Short – 1.25″
If you are tired of curly hair the right straightener and proper direction can make your curly locks beautiful, straight and long lasting.

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Simple Tips for Beautiful Hair

March 28th, 2010 ClipHairExtensions No comments

HAIR MAINTENANCE

There are a few things you can do on a regular basis that will improve the overall health and appearance of your hair, as well as a few things you can avoid. In general, here’s a few standards:

· Brush your hair: Yep, the good old fashioned hundred strokes. This stimulates blood supply to the scalp, removes dead skin cells from the scalp before they can get infected, and distributes sebum over the hair shaft for moisturizing and protection. Bend over from the waist and hang limply while doing some of the brushing. Use a natural bristle brush or other gentle brush. Be careful and don’t hurry. Better to go slow and only get 30 strokes in, than go fast and risk breaking or pulling out your hair. Get into the habit of brushing your hair thoroughly before washing it.

· Massage your scalp: Before you stop to groom and brush your hair during the day, make a point of doing a quick scalp massage first. Slip your fingers into your hair, and using just the pads of your fingers, massage in small circular motions over your scalp. Using your finger pads will keep you from breaking your hair, scratching your scalp and messing up your style too much. Then restyle, re-spray (if you use it) and go…

· Break Day: Get into the habit of giving your hair a break once a week. It is not necessary to wash your hair every day (unless you are a teenager, have a dirty job or work up a real sweat every day). If you are over the age of 20, and do not have any rashes or infections (like dandruff), give your hair a break for a whole day. Pick a day where you normally do not go out, or just do housework and run errands. Do not wash with shampoo and do not heat style. If you just feel too grubby and must do something, after brushing your hair thoroughly to distribute the sebum, simply wet your hair, apply a little daily conditioner to the ends, rinse well, and then pull back into a “wet look” ponytail or bun. Give your hair a break from shampooing once a week, and whenever possible, from blow-drying and heat styling.

· Conditioning Treatment: Unless you have very fine, limp hair, get into the habit of applying a deep conditioning treatment to your hair once a week. Deep conditioners are not the same as daily conditioners, and homemade preparations work really well. Coconut oil is especially good for hair conditioning. Brush your hair, wash it lightly, and then towel dry. Apply your deep conditioner and then wrap your head in a heated towel to open the hair cuticle and allow the conditioner to soak in. Leave for 10 minutes to half and hour. Then rinse thoroughly in warm water to remove the conditioner residue that remains, then cool water to close the hair cuticle. Rinsing your hair in cool water can be a little uncomfortable, but it can do amazing things for the appearance of your hair. It closes the hair cuticle close to the shaft, which increases shine and manageability, and helps to keep hair strong. A mixture of cool water and lemon juice is even better for shine and strength (a half of a teaspoon of lemon juice in two quarts of cool water is sufficient).

· Daily Conditioner: Get into the habit of applying a daily conditioner to hair ends every time you shampoo. This will reduce slit ends, discoloration when coloring, damage when heat styling and reduce the need for frequent trims. Use a product designed for thermal styling if you frequently blow-dry, use a curling iron or hot rollers.

· Haircuts: Get into the habit of getting your hair trimmed when it needs to be. Again, this reduces split ends and keeps excess weight off your hair (which can cause breakage). About once every 8 weeks is right for shoulder length or longer hair, once every 6 weeks for shorter styles.

· Up-Dos: Yep, that’s right – if you have long hair and want to keep it that way – put your hair up when possible. I’m not suggesting you look like an librarian every day, but one of the reasons that women grew such long beautiful hair back in the “old days” is because they wore it up all the time. The weight of your hair can stimulate the start of the telogen phase. When hair is weighed down and very long, it stops growing and falls out, or simply breaks off. Putting your hair up frequently will keep that weight off the root of the hair. You can pin it up gently with bobby pins or a banana clip when running errands, doing housework, cooking dinner, doing yard work, messing around on your computer, watching TV, etc. Now, this depends on your hair style and hair length. If you have a short hairstyle, this step is not only unnecessary – it’s impossible. However, if you have shoulder length or longer hair, and want it to be as thick and healthy looking as possible, make it a point to put it up and keep the weight off your scalp. The other upside is that it will help keep the hair out of dinner.

How to Wash Your Hair

Believe it or not, there is a right way to wash your hair. Treat it like the finest silk! If you’ve ever made the mistake of running a pair of expensive silk hose through your washing machine, you’ll know what I mean.

Here a few tips for avoid causing any excess damage to your hair while washing it:

Let your hair hang naturally when you wash it; either standing in the shower or with your head leaning over the bath, or in a shampoo sink. NEVER – NEVER – NEVER – pile it up on your head to wash.

Wet your hair with warm water (not hot) to prepare it for shampooing. Keep the pressure on the showerhead gentle enough to avoid excess water pressure on your hair.

Pour shampoo into the palm of your hand.

Work the shampoo into a lather in your hand, and apply to your scalp. Work the shampoo into your scalp all over your head by massaging with your fingertips (not your fingernails). Move fingers from one area of your head to the other by lifting the fingers and then placing them elsewhere on your head. Do NOT drag them through your hair. Remember, hair is the most vulnerable to damage and breakage when it is wet. If your hair is particularly dirty or oily, you can work the shampoo through to the ends. If your hair is very dry or processed, you may just want to wash your scalp, and let the shampoo pick up any dirt or oil on the ends as it’s rinsed out.

Rinse hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Ensure that you allow it to hang naturally. You may spread it out gently with your fingertips if it’s long and needs extra help getting out the shampoo.

If you chose to use a rinse-out conditioner, this is the time. Unlike shampooing, apply conditioners to the ends of your hair, and if your hair is generally dry, apply the remainder on your hands gently to the roots. Repeat the rinse.

Towel dry gently. The new hair towel wraps are excellent, keep hair in place and aren’t heavy like a towel wrap so there’s less risk of breakage to your hair.

Once hair is towel-dried you can apply a leave-in conditioner.

ALWAYS comb wet hair with a wide-tooth comb- NEVER brush wet hair.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER sleep on wet hair – it is vulnerable when wet, and can break easily as you turn on your pillow. Even if it doesn’t break, it roughs up the cuticle and makes it look dull.

Air dry hair whenever possible.