SWANK TO BE FACE OF CANCER HAIR-LOSS CAMPAIGN

Actress HILARY SWANK will be the face of a new charity campaign which aims to support women who've lost their hair during cancer treatment. The Oscar-winning star will front the Pantene Beautiful Lengths drive - which encourages people to grow their hair, cut it off and then donate it to create wigs for women who've lost their hair through cancer - from 2008. Swank has promised to grow out her own locks for the campaign. She says, "I have lost multiple family members to cancer and witnessed their struggle first hand. "I've never heard of anything quite like Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and I'm proud to be asked to promote the goals of such a unique and heartfelt program."

In alopecia, immune system attacks hair, creates bald spots

Round-to-oval bald patches are the signature of alopecia areata. They're found on the scalp and sometimes on the eyebrows or beard, or the legs or arms. About 1 percent of the population suffers from it. It strikes women and men in equal numbers and is found in all races.

The cause is probably an immune attack by the body on its own hair follicles. What sets off the attack is something yet to be explained. Often, alopecia areata runs in families. Sometimes it's seen in association with other illnesses, like type 1 diabetes, lupus, asthma or thyroid gland inflammation.

The course alopecia areata takes is unpredictable. Many see a regrowth of hair in one year without any treatment. A small percentage have to deal with it on a more or less constant basis. Most suffer from relapses after they have had a recovery.

What can be done depends on the size of the bald spots and their number. For a few, small patches of cortisone drugs applied to the bald spots can sometimes coax hair to grow back. Minoxidil (Rogaine) comes in liquid form and can also restore hair for some. The doctor can inject the bald patches with a cortisone drug to kick-start hair regrowth.

For larger and more numerous bald spots, the above methods can be used, but medicines that moderate the immune attack are often effective. DPCP is an example of one of those medicines.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I was wondering if I was ruining the principle of eating an orange by peeling off the white covering left after an orange's skin is removed. Am I throwing away precious nutrients?

— Anonymous

I don't know what that white stuff is, but I always get rid of it. I don't like the looks or the taste of it. I'm positive we're not throwing away precious nutrients. Maybe a little fiber, but we can get fiber in other ways.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 77 and weigh 166 pounds. For the past three months, I have been trying to lose weight, but the scale doesn't budge. What am I doing wrong? I walk 3 miles every other day and take exercise classes twice a week. I hardly eat anything. My daughter says my metabolism isn't working. What can I do? — T.Y.

I have to repeat information that is true but unpalatable. Weight is lost only when calorie output exceeds calorie intake. I know some people have a terrible time losing weight, and it might be that they have a slower metabolism. One can increase body metabolism through exercise and through muscle building. Muscles burn calories; fat doesn't.

How fast are you walking? If you pick up the pace by only half a mile per hour, you'll burn 30 more calories for every hour of exercise. And if you walk every day of the week, that's not a paltry number of calories.

You have to know the exact number of calories you eat each day. Get a paperback book that gives you the calorie content of food. Such books are not expensive. Total your daily calories for one full week. You might be surprised by the number you consume in a day. Cut back 500 calories a day, and you should lose a pound a week.

Pattern to hair loss

But it's not just men with bad comb-overs or toupees struggling to cope with losing their hair.

More than half of women also experience pattern hair loss as they age: up to 15 per cent are severely affected.

Unlike men, who commonly develop receding hairlines and bald patches on the crown, women tend to thin diffusely over the front and top of the head.

Monash University behavioural studies lecturer Dr Francesca Collins said female pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, had a devastating impact on many sufferers.

"The psychological effect can be really profound," she said.

"We've worked with women who cover the mirrors in their house.

"They will not look in mirrors, because they don't want to be continually reminded that they're losing their hair.

"If they're walking down the street with a group of friends, they'll stand at the back of the group so people aren't looking at their head.

"If they're going to dinner, they will always get to the restaurant early so they can get the seat in the corner or not under a light.

"There are quite elaborate rituals which go around concealing the fact they are losing their hair."

Dr Collins, author of the book Bad Hair Day, said the problem was a "sort of secret women's business", despite affecting almost as many women as men.

She said 20 per cent of women aged over 30 and half of women over 60 were affected by some degree of female pattern hair loss.

In men, 30 per cent of those aged over 30 and half of those over 50 were affected.

"We are not the least bit surprised if a bloke goes bald, not even if it's in their late teens," Dr Collins said.

"Whereas, historically, women have kept their hair long and it's been a symbol of health and fertility and beauty."

She said women were experts at hiding problems with their hair and making the most of what they did have.

"The amount of money we spend every year on gels, mousse, hair sprays and colours is testament to what we will do," Dr Collins said.

Research by her co-author, St Vincent's Hospital director of dermatology services Prof Rod Sinclair, found 2 per cent of women aged 45 had severe female pattern hair loss, but this jumped to 15 per cent in women aged 75.

Prof Sinclair said female pattern hair loss, which was caused by genetic and hormonal factors, was the most common type of hair loss in women, followed by temporary hair shedding after pregnancy, and patchy hair loss caused by the autoimmune disorder alopecia areata.

He said temporary hair loss could also be triggered by severe illness and some medications.

Dr Collins said daily hair loss was completely normal. Some people lose as few as 50 hairs a day, but others up to 300 hairs a day.

She said women with pattern hair loss normally noticed a sharp increase in daily hair loss.

And like men, different women reacted differently.

"Some people will go quite thin and they'll be cool about it, and some people will lose a little bit and they'll be freaking out," Dr Collins said.

She said consulting a dermatologist should be the first step for a woman concerned about hair loss.

Dr Collins said that while lost hair could not be regrown, the condition's progress could be slowed with medication.

She said there were also a number of products aimed at helping mask hair loss, including hair fibre sprays, which shaded in thin areas to give a fuller look.

Dr Collins said hair transplants were not a great option for women because it was difficult to transplant individual strands close enough to replace the spread of lost natural hair.

"If you're a man with a completely bald crown, any hair is going to make a difference," she said.

"For women, because their hair loss is a diffusion of their hair across the top of their head, the technology isn't good enough to get hairs close enough together to really make a difference."

Prof Sinclair said it could also be difficult to get sufficient donor hairs for successful transplants in women.

Group seeks to educate public on ailment that leaves millions hairless

Late for her train, Thea Chassin scurried through Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
That's when she was approached by a man soliciting commuters for prepaid salon services.
In a sassy mood that day, Chassin waited patiently as the salesman made his pitch. Then she nonchalantly peeled off her wig, revealing her white, bald head.
"I said, 'I don't think I'll be needing the hair consultation part of it, do you?' His mouth hung open, his jaw dropped. He was speechless," she said. "And then I just plopped my wig back on and continued on my way to catch my train."
Chassin, who isn't wearing a wig now, laughs as she tells this story sitting at a table Sunday in the Market Street Grill in downtown Salt Lake City. She is bald. And she hopes the waiter, the bartender and the patrons sitting at the other tables notice.
Founder of Bald Girls Do Lunch, a nonprofit organization aimed at reaching out to women with alopecia areata, Chassin said it is her mission to educate people about the autoimmune disease - and get them used to seeing and appreciating bald women.
Baldness, she said, is largely considered acceptable for men, but not women.
"I'm passionate about bringing awareness to this condition so I can do my part to help break down that taboo," she said.
A disease in which the body's immune
system mistakenly attacks a person's hair follicles, alopecia areata causes hair to fall out in small, round patches. The disease affects men and women, as well as children.
In some cases, according to the National Institutes of Health, it can progress to cause a total loss of hair on the head (alopecia areata totalis) or complete loss of hair on the head, face and body (alopecia areata universalis). Chassin - who wouldn't reveal her age - has the latter.
While alopecia areata isn't contagious or life-threatening, Chassin said, it is life-altering.
"Your self-esteem drops enormously when you lose your looks, as our society is very much keyed in to feminine appearance, sexuality and all things tied in with that," she said. "So, naturally, even if you're married, women think, 'Is my husband going to still find me attractive?' If someone is young and out on the dating scene [they wonder] 'Am I ever going to find a mate?' "
Chassin said she had dark hair with blond and red highlights. She considered it her best physical asset.
"I had gorgeous hair. I loved my hair," she said.
Over eight years, however, it gradually fell out. She wore hats, headbands, scarves - anything to conceal the thinning. Determined to not let her condition take control of her life, Chassin decided to wear wigs. And then, sometimes, to not wear any hat or wig at all.
Her bald head catches the glances of curious passersby and elicits sympathy from strangers who mistake her for a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. Just the other day, she said, she frightened away a group of raucous 10-year-old boys at her hotel.
Chassin takes it in stride.
"Education and understanding are key," she said. "They're key for me because I want more of society to understand this is a condition a lot of women have."
Women like Ashley Dumouchel, who brushed her long, thick red hair until she couldn't feel the bristles in her brush anymore. That's when she looked down and noticed it was full of hair. Three weeks later, the 20-year-old Salt Lake City Community College student was bald.
"I only cried once, actually," she said. "I think it was easier that it fell out in three weeks" rather than gradually falling out over time.
Jennifer Izzat, 33, a Davis County special education administrator, said she, too, suddenly lost all of her hair in April. Ultimately, it was the love and reassurance of her 17-year-old brother, who also has the disease, that helped Izzat cope.
"At first I thought I will always wear a wig. I couldn't imagine myself going without. But I do all of the time now," she said. "I'm happy - happier now with the way I look than I have been for years."
Chassin, who said she went three years before meeting another woman with alopecia areata, is hopeful she will be able to find other women around the country who have the disease, get them together at luncheons such as the one at the Market Street Grill and help them find camaraderie and support.
"They feel so much better when they talk to other women," she said, "because it's not something like high blood pressure or diabetes, where it's common, a lot of people have it and a lot of people talk about it."
Chassin, who founded Bald Girls Do Lunch two years ago, said she is now beginning to receive requests from as far away as Sydney, Australia, to host luncheons.
"Women can feel very alone with this and nobody need feel alone. Nobody," she said. "We're out there, we're out there to reach other[s] and help each other."

Transplant News

In addition to patient feedback and evaluating the techniques, photos and reputations of various clinics - Pat , the publisher of this community, believes in visiting clinics to observe their actual surgeries and techniques as well as interviewing their staff to determine their level of experience.Since these clinic visits involve a great deal of travel, he recently decided to purchase a small motor home for making the “rounds” in North America. This motor home was nick named by forum member Pushing 40 "Hair Force One" . He intends to loop all of North America this summer and he began this journey in Miami in June.

Hair Restoration

Those who have been regulars on our forum know that Bill, who posts as “Falceros”, has been an outstanding contributor. Since 08/2004 Bill has voluntarily contributed over 4031 thoughtful posts. I’m delighted to announce that Bill will be getting even more involved with this patient based community by becoming a part time. Having Bill help co-moderate our discussion forum, answer emails and write updates for our Hair Loss Q & A Blog, newsletters and websites will help improve the communications and services this community provides.Bill graduated from Temple University with honors in elementary education and is pursuing a graduate degree in counseling. Given the amount of great counseling he does on this community I think we should consider granting him an honorary Phd in “follicular self esteem and optimal growth counseling” once he reaches 5,000 posts

Hair Transplant

I would like to announce our first Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physician member in Europe.
I have known Dr. DeVroye for several years. In fact we both attended our first hair conference in Paris ten years ago – me as a show case patient of Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. DeVroye as physician who was aspiring to become a great hair transplant surgeon.
Now after ten years of hard work and dedication; I believe that Dr. DeVroye has succeeded. He has really paid his dues over the years – observing and working extensively with leading hair transplant surgeons in North America, attending international hair restoration meetings and more recently becoming an important contributor and teacher in his own right.
Having seen him perform surgery and discussed the finer details of his surgery, I believe that Dr. DeVroye is both an artist and a skilled hair transplant surgeon. He strives for perfection and it shows in his staff, the procedure and in the final patient results.
His procedure is one of the most minimally invasive, refined and clean procedures that I have every seen. His staff also seems to share his enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. They work together as a team harmoniously and their all microscopic graft cutting and placing are second to none in my opinion.
I had the honor of watching three of Dr. DeVroye’s ultra refined follicular unit procedures over three days and I was very impressed at all stages of the procedure. It simply doesn’t get any better anywhere.
Dr. DeVroye has been recommended on the Hair Transplant Network for the past few years. But after seeing the level of he and his staff’s work it was clear that he was qualified for membership in the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians. He has really earned a place amongst the best of the best.
To view the highlights from my visit to his clinic. Also provides a wealth of great information in multiple languages, including immediate post op photos and examples of his trichophytic closure.

August is Hair Loss

The month of August has been designated as hair loss awareness month by the American Academy of Dermatology .
Every year the AAD runs a public awareness campaign to educate people and to refute the hair loss myths that may delay millions from seeking diagnosis and treatment.
The public education campaign raises awareness about the signs of hereditary hair loss, a condition that affects 80 000 000 American men and women.
True or false?
1) A man will lose his hair only if his grandfather on his mother’s side was bald.

2) Women rarely lose their hair.

3) The likelihood of hair loss varies by racial heritage or ethnicity.
All of these statements are false says the AAD.

Hair Care Article

Do you have curly hair and wish it were straight? Have you investigated the variety of treatments available? You may want to investigate the positive as well as the negatives to chemical as well as SEDU which involves the use of a tool.
If you choose to use chemicals then the result is that your hair will be permanently straightened. This is an involved process that rearranges the actual structure of your hair. Chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and others are used to actually change the make up of your hair. These chemicals are very potent and can actually damage your hair if not used correctly. Consult a hair professional if you are considering chemical straightening.
The steps that are involved in chemical straightening involve testing your hair. The professional will test a few strands of your hair to see how it reacts to the process.
It is important to protect the scalp as chemical treatments can burn the scalp and cause permanent damage.
The chemicals should be mixed with hot water and then placed on the hair. This is when the actual straightening process takes place.
The process involves special conditioners which relax the scalp.
There are some disadvantages to this process. The process can be expensive if done by a hair care professional. It is also time consuming and regular treatments are needed for upkeep. There is a chance that you may be burned or you may react adversely to the chemicals.
The use of SEDU or a hair straightening tool can be done by anyone. The tool is easy to use and depending on the length of your
hair, if can take approximately 10-15 minutes each morning to straighten your hair. The risk of burning or damage to your hair is much less.
The following recommendations are suggested if using a SEDU:
Always use the tool on clean hair. Make sure you are using conditioners so that your hair is healthy.
It is recommended that you use the tool on partially dry hair. This prevents your hair from drying out. If your hair is a little damp it will make the straightening process easier.
Divide your hair into sections and use the tool on one section at a time. Depending on the length of your hair, this may take anywhere from 10- 15 minutes.
Make sure you brush your hair so that it is not left in divided sections!
The tool is inexpensive and comes with complete instructions. The directions are very easy to follow and the tool can be used at home. The risk is minimal to your hair and scalp.
If you are interested in straightening your hair, consider both options. The most important consideration is healthy hair. Which ever method you choose, make sure that you are protecting the health of your hair.

Hair-razing

DELRAY BEACH — The American Red Cross and Salon Santiago raised $215 in four hours with the first Hair-A-Cane.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. salon owner Antonio Santiago and three more stylists cut left and right at the Veterans Park Gazebo Sunday.
Parents and kids only needed Îgoing back to school' as an excuse to show up. Others with no school in mind showed up anyway.
"I needed it a haircut and this is a good cause," said Delray resident David Williams, 60, who donated $25 to have a simple clean cut.
Also for sale to benefit the Red Cross was the salon's signature hair care line, Sistema Santiago, a soy-based product Santiago and his sister created for all hair types and ethnic backgrounds.
Throughout the event, flyers and brochures on hurricane preparation were also given to the customers. That was the goal from the very beginning: to spread information, said J. B. Hunt, CEO of the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter.
The idea emerged while Hunt herself was having a haircut at the salon.
"We started talking about what we could do to help," she said.
And who better to entrust that task to than the Santiagos' scissors, which have been in the business since 1976, when Antonio's parents opened the first salon in Key West. With their initial success came another location, on Key West's Duval Street. Five years ago the Santiagos opened their third location, in Fort Lauderdale.
For the stylists, whose work has been featured in fashion magazines such as Glamour and W as well as album covers and movies, Sunday's fundraising was equally satisfying.
"It feels great. You are spending your time off helping people, the community," said Santiago, who has seen the damage caused by a hurricane when some of his relatives in Key West lost everything to Wilma.
Besides the money raised, another good side effect of the haircut event was the volunteers it earned for the organization, said the public relations coordinator, Joseph Hansen, after receiving an inquiry from one of the customers.
On average, the Red Cross spends $1, 000 per family in hurricane response, said Hunt. All donations from the event will go to the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross to increase hurricane preparation awareness.
And unlike hurricanes, Hunt expects at least one Hair-A-Cane to form reliably every year.

Pink hair now, and purple next time

Sarika is just not in a mood to give an interview. “ Kya karoge? Phir wohi same baatein poochoge, mein wahi jawab doongi,” she says, and smiles charmingly to take away the tang of her statement. “And I am in a good mood now. Media interviewers usually end up spoiling it,” she adds. As one furiously thinks of a way to get around that argument, her handset rings. Her car’s ready and waiting. The lady gets up to leave in one fluid, graceful movement. One can’t help but notice how well age has settled onto her features. And there’s one more thing She’s coloured her hair shocking pink. That’s it! Begin by asking her the obvious — why did she colour her hair pink? A rebel act? Sarika turns around, and says, “It’s way too cool to be a rebel act. Actually, I wanted to colour my hair purple. But I couldn’t find the right shade. Next time, I’m definitely going for purple.” She begins to walk again, but something catches her attention in that crowded room. It’s a little girl, standing in front of a huge mirror, prancing away. “Look, she’s so oblivious to the crowd... such innocence. Why do we grow up?” she asks. She stops to talk to the little girl. That means more questions. What has she been up to from Parzania till now? “Nothing really. A couple of offbeat films, Bheja Fry that’s all. Post Parzania, everyone kept approaching me with similar roles, and I was not ready to be typecast again,” she says. Again? “Well, I had to work hard to shrug off my ’80s image... thanks to all the vampish roles I did,” says Sarika, adding, “Anyway, this is the time-off I’ve given myself. I take care of myself, my figure... something that I haven’t done since so many years. I go to the gym, keep doing little odd things about the house — the key to looking youthful and zesty is to keep oneself active. Then there’s my costume design work and script reading. Not being seen in films doesn’t mean I don’t do anything. I lead a very active life, thank you,” says Sarika. And does she ever think of her past? “I left it right there, in the past,” says she, climbing into the waiting car. “And anyway, this question falls into the ‘same baatein ’ category. I have vowed never to answer them,” she smiles again.

Handling hair breakage

Good hair needs a lot of care in handling. Hair problems are symptoms of other body disorders. A trichologist is best equipped to help prevent damage to hair. Shiny hair is a sign of health because it shows that the hair root and its cuticles are healthy. When the scales of the cuticle lie flat, they overlap tightly, so the inner layers are well protected from heat, sun and chlorine. When hair is damaged, the scales may separate and hair can become dry. Because the scales on dry hair don’t protect the inner two layers as well, hair can break and look dull. Sebum, which is the natural oil on the hair, covers straight hair better than curly hair, which is why straight hair can appear shinier. Hair breakage Hair can break when points in the hair thicken or weaken. Sometimes this happens near the scalp so a person’s hair never grows very long. When hair breaks at its ends, they’re called ‘split ends’, and the splits can travel up the hair shaft. A major cause of hair breakage is improper use of chemical hair treatments, like colouring, perming and tinting. But, brushing or combing hair too frequently or in the wrong way (such as using a fine-toothed comb on very thick, curly hair or teasing hair) can lead to breakage. Hair extensions and braids can also cause breakage. Dry and brittle hair are signs of a medical problem, such as hypothyroidism or an eating disorder. If your hair is breaking even though you don’t excessively use chemicals or other styling products, see a Trichologist. Trichorrhexis Nodosa is the most common defect of the hair shaft where the hair breaks and falls. It’s caused by mechanical or chemical trauma and is classified as the fracture of the hair shaft. We need to do a tricho-analysis of the hair, to check the hair-fracture and to treat it. Hair damage In the hair business, ‘damage’ means that the cuticle or outer covering of the hair shaft has become rough, cracked and chipped. There is a long list of things that can damage hair, which ranges from too much washing, combing and brushing to chemically treating hair. Even swimming in saltwater can damage your hair roots if you are not careful. You should know that you hair is damaged if it’s dry, frizzy, breaking and falling excessively. Common causes of hair damage are: Chemicals: Bleach, permanent colours, perms, and straighteners leave the scales of the cuticle rough and prone to chipping. It also breaks the protein bonds in the hair, which weakens its structure. Physical wear: Friction is responsible for hair damage too. Roughly brushing hair can spoil it. Salt left on the hair after swimming or working out, and even pillowcovers, causes friction. Other physical damage can result from abrasion from rubber bands, barettes and tight ponytails. Just washed hair is especially susceptible to mechanical damage. Heat: Too-hot blow dryers, hot rollers, curlers and straighteners can crack the cuticles and evaporate the moisture from your hair. Weather : Ultraviolet rays damage hair. Regular exposure to sun can make the hair rough and delicate while, exposure to wind can damage its cuticles. Other causes of hair damage are: Not oiling and conditioning your hair regularly. Not having your split ends trimmed before they run up each hair shaft. Sleeping in tight rollers. Pulling braids too tightly from the scalp. Some medications and illnesses. Its cure... Figure out the cause of the problem. If a perm or a touch-up was the cause, discontinue all chemical treatments. Chemicals can rob the sebum from one’s hair and make it look dull and damaged. Condition your hair by oiling it at least twice a week. Handle your hair with care and avoid unnecessary medication. The faster you get qualified help, the faster your problem will be solved. Get your tricho check done immediately.

beauty products

Seaweed has washed up as one of summer's trendiest ingredients in beauty, skin and hair-care products.
Touted for ages for its healing and cleansing properties and used widely in salon and spa treatments, seaweed has made its way into shampoos, face washes, makeup and anti-cellulite products that can be bought at drugstores and mass-retail outlets.
"You will find all three major groups of seaweed represented in modern health and beauty products in the marketplace today — red, green and brown," said Valerie Gennari Cooksley, the Houston-area author of "Seaweed: Nature's Secret to Balancing Your Metabolism, Fighting Disease, and Revitalizing Body and Soul" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $16.95), released in May. These are some seaweed-infused products we've found recently:
Bliss Serious Seaweed Cellulite Soap ($14, Sephora; www.blissworld.com; Amazon.com) claims that seaweed extracts help to slim, tone and fight cellulite. (The directions say it helps if you click your heels together and repeat, "I want to have tone, I want to have tone.")
Spa Aquatique Purifying Seaweed Serum ($30, Walgreens) contains Laminaria Glycolic Extract, a brown seaweed, as an aid to reduce sebum (oil) secretion.
Bumble and bumble Bb. Seaweed Conditioner ($15, www.bumbleandbumble.com; Amazon.com) is made with kelp extract, spirulina (a protein-rich freshwater alga) and seaweed extract to soften hair, treat the scalp and add shine.
Freeman Sea Kelp Moisture Shampoo ($3.99, Ulta) hydrates and nourishes hair with the help of sea kelp and guava extracts.
Red Water Anti-cellulite Gel ($35, Walgreens) lists bladderwrack (brown seaweed), widely used for its slimming and toning benefits, in its ingredients. Claims to rejuvenate and improve skin's texture.
Sue Devitt Triple Seaweed Gel Foundation ($38, FaceLogic spas; www.suedevittstudio.com; Amazon.com) is an oil-free, lightweight foundation made up of 70 percent water and three types of organic seaweed.
Nivea for Men Oil Control Face Wash (about $4, CVS and Kroger) is a foaming gel enriched with marine plant extracts (bladderwrack) and vitamins that help control oil and balance the skin.
The Body Shop seaweed kit ($27, The Body Shop) contains a Deep Cleansing Facial Wash, Clarifying Toner and Mattifying Day Cream, all made with Community Trade seaweed (specifically, bladderwrack) to control oil without drying the face.
WHAT'S IN YOUR PRODUCT?
The types of seaweed you'll find most often in beauty, skin and hair-care products are:
Brown seaweed species, like kelp and bladderwrack, common in products that claim to cleanse, flush out toxins and control cellulite.
Irish moss and red-seaweed gel extracts, used as a binder for hand creams, body lotions, cosmetics and shampoos.
Sea lettuce, a green seaweed, common in products that stimulate collagen and elastin and regenerate aged skin.
Look for these ingredients in your beauty-care products to determine if they contain the properties of seaweed: algae extract, algin, alginate or alginic acid; carrageenan, fucogel, macroalgae, marine collagen, micronized algae, photosomes, phytelene complex, RMA (red marine algae) and sea mineral complex.
Source: "Seaweed: Nature's Secret to Balancing Your Metabolism, Fighting Disease, and Revitalizing Body and Soul"

Spare hair from heat

You don't need a calendar to tell you you're halfway through the summer. Your hair probably tells the whole story if you haven't taken proper precautions against the sun, chlorine and humidity.
But Corinna Hernandez, a stylist at Manhattan's Bumble and Bumble salon, reminds you how to care for your hair:
Before getting in the pool, hit the shower - or even rinse with a garden hose. "Hair is like a sponge and if it is already saturated with fresh water, it can't soak up the chlorine," explains Corinna.

After wetting hair, use a leave-in conditioner, which will help hair maintain the moisture and guard against green.
On humid days, after washing and towel-drying hair, coat hair with a serum, such as Bumble and Bumble Defrizz Serum. Then use a blow dryer - always pointing downward to keep flyaways to a minimum. Use a lightweight silicone lotion that will act as a barrier to the elements on fully dry hair.
For long hair, you can then wrap hair in a loose bun and, using a light hand, mist with a holding spray. Take the bun out a few minutes later for frizz-free waves.
Strawlike hair is a cry for help. You need a deep penetrating hair mask to get back your silky locks. A big, floppy straw hat, however, is a great way to protect your hair from ultraviolet rays. There also are UV-blocking, leave-in hair treatments.

New Hairstyle Pics

Why Is My Hair Thinning?

Your hair could be thinning for any number of reasons or combination of reasons, and without a thorough medical examination by a physician, it is impossible to tell which is which with any degree of certainty. Our goal in this article is to address the most common questions that we receive from our readers and to answer those questions in a very non-scientific manner, and perhaps even answer some questions that might be on your mind too. To follow, is a brief discussion on the known causes of hair loss and how it can be treated medically.
In general terms, some of the most common reasons for hair loss or thinning are:
1. Genetics. 2. Illness. 3. Poor Diet. 4. Stress. 5. Medications. 6. Post-partum Alopecia.
Hair loss can actually be caused by many factors including genetics, diseases, poor nutrition, stress and even medications, but by far the most common cause of hair loss in men and women is hereditary male and female pattern baldness or 'androgenic alopecia.' This accounts for 99% of all prematurely thinning or balding scalps.
According to conservative estimates, hair loss affects over 60 million Americans, two thirds of which are men. So, if you seem to be getting a little 'thin on top,' you are not alone! Approximately 50% of all men over the age of fifty are experiencing this type of hair loss. Thankfully, medical science has made some dramatic breakthroughs that can help you maintain the hair you've got left and possibly restore some of your lost locks.
While it is important to mention what causes hair loss, it is equally important to cover what DOES NOT cause hair loss. Scientists have now determined that genetic male and female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) is NOT caused by poor scalp circulation, 'clogged' hair follicles, microscopic scalp mites, the wrong shampoo or wearing hats or helmets, despite what the late-night infomercials may say. In addition, different hair-care products can effect the manageability and styling of your hair, and even hair breakage, but have no effect on the hair loss process.
Although hair itself may appear simple, just think about the incredible number of combinations of hair on different parts of your own body. For example, your eyelashes are different from your eyebrows, and the hair on your arms is different from the hair on your head. It is this genetic code within each and every single hair follicle that determines each hair's individual color, maximum length, curl, shaft diameter, etc. It is also this genetic code that makes hair on different parts of your head react differently in the presence of certain hormones, even though these two types of hair start out 'looking exactly the same.'
It is your inherited DNA, passed on from EITHER parent, that will eventually determine your hair loss. For the purpose of this article, you need only understand that with current technology, your genetic code is beyond your control, although that may change within the next ten to fifteen years. However, you should also be aware that today, like no other time in history, medical science is able to provide safe and effective treatment for hair loss.
THE HAIR LOSS PROCESS
The mechanism by which men lose their hair is better understood than the same process for women. The extent to which someone is affected by male pattern baldness is determined by a combination of genetic factors and androgens, specifically, the circulating male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone . Unlike earlier reports, we now know that the tendency for male pattern baldness can be inherited genetically from either side of the family. (Kuster W., Happle R. The inheritance of common baldness. To be or not to be? J Am Acad Dermatol; 5:921-926, 1984.)
In men, hair loss can start any time after puberty, usually in the late teens to early 20's. Typical male pattern hair loss starts as a recession of the hairline with some thinning in the crown. This can eventually progress over years or decades, to the familiar 'monk's ring' of hair.

In general, women tend to see a slightly different pattern and different time of onset of hair loss. Female pattern hair loss starts in the late 40's to 50's, usually without a recession of the hairline. Some women experience just a thinning of density up top, and others tend to thin out over broader regions or the entire scalp. Scientists are unsure of the exact causes of female pattern hair loss, but feel it is related to hormonal changes.
As previously mentioned, the hair loss process in men is better understood. As a man ages, "genetically sensitive" follicles on the scalp begin to miniaturize in the presence of normal levels of the hormone DHT. These follicles, found in the frontal hairline and extending into the top and crown of the head, become smaller and produce a hair that is progressively thinner and less pigmented.

DHT also affects these follicles' growth cycles, causing them to produce shorter and shorter hair until these follicles finally "die." It is at this point that hair production ceases forever in those follicles and microscopic scarring occurs. The hair found at the side and lower back of the head is relatively permanent because the follicles in that area are not sensitive to the effects of DHT; and this is why nearly all male pattern hair loss ends in a similar "pattern," hence the term, 'male pattern baldness.' Because of this odd genetic code, hair growth rates may vary with age, and hair loss typically does not occur on other parts of the body. This is why a man's beard may still be strong and full, while he is losing hair on his scalp.
HAIR RESTORATION OPTIONS FOR MEN AND WOMEN Through history, artificial hair replacement in the form of a hairpiece might have been a balding person's only option. Hannibal, the great Carthaginian military leader, wore one into battle in 200 B.C., and a myriad of cosmetic creams, sprays and powders are also currently available to those who would like to camouflage their hair loss. However, men and women who once might have chosen to cover their hair loss with attached artificial "systems" of wigs, weaves, toupees or hair extensions, now have truly viable medical and surgical options available to restore and maintain their hair.
Expertly done transplants have the complete approval of hair-news.com, and although it is a simple but exacting process, it requires an expert surgeon who has the expertise to perform the process, and the level of sincerity and attention to detail that is necessary for successful results. For this reason hair-news.com has allied itself with the well known, respected and talented Dr. Alan J. Bauman, M.D. for the purpose of this article, and advising hair-news.com on other hair related medical issues in the future.
In addition, truly effective and safe medical treatments like the once-a-day pill, Propecia for men, or twice-a-day Rogaine spray, are also suitable options that can be used alone, or in conjunction with surgery.
PROPECIA

Propecia , manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. is available by prescription only, and was introduced into the market with great excitement in December of 1997 as the first oral treatment for male pattern hair loss. For now, Propecia is for men only and is not indicated for women.

Through four years of rigorous scientific studies, it has been shown to re-grow natural hair in 2 out of 3 men, and actually stop hair loss in 5 out of 6 men. On a technical level, Propecia works by decreasing the formation of DHT from testosterone by blocking a certain enzyme in the body. By decreasing the amount of DHT, affected follicles that were producing thin wispy hair, tend to 'bounce back' producing a thicker caliber, more pigmented, longer hair. It tends to be this effect that eventually gives men that are thinning in the crown, visible coverage. It should be noted that it could take 6-12 months before results are noticed with the Propecia treatment.

WHAT ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS OF PROPECIA?

What about the side effects? Most men who inquire about Propecia are concerned about the possible sexual side effects of the medication; "But Doc, is it going to take the lead out of my pencil?", and it is of course every man's fear that now that he has attracted beautiful women with his new youthful locks of hair ,he will be unable to "perform" at his peak.
What a patient needs to realize is that Propecia lowers levels of DHT, the hormone primarily responsible for male pattern hair loss, without decreasing levels of testosterone - the male hormone responsible for masculinity. The male sexual side effects are therefore mild and rare, occurring in less than 2% of all patients. But seriously, any uncommon side effects that do occur have been shown to be temporary, and disappearing completely when the medication is discontinued. It should also be noted that the side effects usually go away even when the patient continues the medication.
The medication in Propecia, Finasteride, has actually been available for over ten years to effectively treat men with enlarged prostates, and has demonstrated an excellent safety profile over that time. It is important to remember that Propecia must be taken daily in order to sustain results. If the medication is discontinued, any hair previously gained is lost over the following 12 - month period. Propecia tends to work best in the crown of patients experiencing early to moderate hair loss and is effective in slowing and / or reversing male pattern hair loss in many men. If you are experiencing male pattern hair loss, Propecia might be beneficial.

hair color

Color is a very complex subject and very few stylists do it well, much less attempt doing it yourself. For this reason alone we do not recommend that you color or try to remedy color problems yourself. The results can be traumatic, expensive, and take years to correct.
Listed below are some of the basic rules of color. Print the list out so that you can refer back to them. In this section we could only address a limited number of color disasters, but the information should be useful to you in the future.

BASIC RULES:
1. Consult a color wheel. Hair is science and color science is based on the color wheel. For example the opposite of orange is blue, etc.
2. Consult a hair color chart. 1 = Black through 10 = Pale Blonde
3. You can only alter hair color by: a) depositing color (darkening), or b) lifting color (lightening).
4. There are two types of color in hair, natural (pigment you are born with), and artificial (color that you have added).
5. All artificial colors are created with three primary colors, yellow, red and blue. These color molecules have different molecular weight. Yellow is the smallest and penetrates the hair shaft the deepest and is the most difficult to get out. Next is red. Blue is the largest molecule so it will be the last to adhere to the hair shaft and will be the first to fall off. This is why hair more often than not turns orange with lots of yellow, a little red, hardly any blue. Whatever color that you want to achieve, in the end it is a combination of these three. Do not confuse this with light or dark hair. That is color density, not color. First you must achieve the level you want to be, then the color you want to be.

JESSICA ALBA HAIRSTYLES

This page is has photos of Jessica Alba hairstyles. Hairstyle.com shows you how to copy Jessica's hairstyles, so you can look like Jessica Alba, famous from tv series, Dark Angel.

A beautiful and talented actress, Jessica Alba made her mark in Hollywood as Max in the TV series 'Dark Angel'.
Over the years, Jessica Alba's hair has gone from long dark hair, to short blond bob and long again. Her hairstyle changes have been effortless, and she seems to suit every shade of color and hairstyle.

Jessica Alba Credits Blonde Hair For New Relationship

SIN CITY beauty JESSICA ALBA credits her blonde hair with attracting new boyfriend CASH WARREN, because it gives her a softer, more approachable image.
The Latina actress began dating the director's assistant in January (05), after meeting him on the set of the much anticipated comic book adaptation, FANTASTIC FOUR.
The 23-year-old star - who is naturally brunette - dyed her hair blonde for her role as SUE STORM to match the original fair-haired superhero and believes this was the major factor that sparked Warren's interest.
Alba says, "I thought he was wonderful the moment I set eyes on him. "Fortunately he returned my feelings.
"Would he have felt the same way had I still been a brunette?"
"I like to think so of course. But I know I'm much more approachable as a blonde, so I think it worked for him and me."

CELEBRITY HAIR STYLES - CAMERON DIAZ HAIRSTYLES

This page is has photos of Cameron Diaz hairstyles. Hairstyle.com shows you how to copy Cameron's hairstyles, so you can look like Cameron Diaz, famous from movies Charlies Angels and There's Something About Mary.

After working as a model, Cameron Diaz appeared in the 1994 movie, The Mask with Jim Carrey and from there her movie career took off.
Whether its the cute bob from There's Something About Mary, or the long locks from Charlies Angels, Cameron Diaz has that sexy surfer girl look .
This blonde beauty is famous for simple, yet classic hair styles and hair cuts. Cameron Diaz is often spotted on the red carpet with her haired tied in a messy styled ponytail, with a few strands of hair hanging loosely around her face.
Although Cameron sometimes wears her hair parted on the side with side swept bangs, perhaps her most famous look is slicked back hair. A very suitable style for those with oval faces.

Look after your Cameron Diaz inspired blonde hair:

Hot temperatues speed up hair color fading and dry your hair. Always start by wetting your hair with lukewarm water to protect your bleached hair.
Use moisturizing products, such as moisturizing shampoos and products designed especially for colored hair.
If your hair is extra dry, dilute your shampoo for extra gentleness. To dilute shampoo, mix 1 part with 8-10 parts warm water. Shake until suds form. Pour these suds over your hair and pat, rather than rubbing into a lather.
Use a good anti-frizz serum, such as John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum which smoothes texture and adds great shine to frizzy, dry hair. This product also have UV filters to protect your hair against the damaging effects of UV rays.

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