HAIR - Treating Hair Loss in CFS and Fibromyalgia

Tuesday, 01 May 2012 02:00

Treating Hair Loss in CFS and Fibromyalgia

Written by  Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

Hair loss or thinning is a common and important issue, especially in those who have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. If you’re experiencing hair loss in a generally thinning way (diffuse), then treating: nutritional deficiencies and an underactive thyroid are especially important.

Low iron is a key nutrient for hair growth, and standard testing misses most cases of iron deficiency. In fact, despite the fact that most physicians consider a ferritin blood test (the best measure of iron deficiency or excess) over 12 to show adequate iron, a recent study in patients with chronic illness and even mild anemia (a description fitting most people with CFS) showed that a ferritin under 100 was diagnostic of iron deficiency!

In addition, for those with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and a ferritin under 60, iron can be more effective than the medication Requip, and can eliminate RLS as well as your iron levels optimize.

In CFS and fibromyalgia patients, as in any chronic illness, a very common cause of unusual hair loss is a condition called “Telogen Effluvium.” This is when the normal cycles of natural growing and falling out of the hair follicles become jolted out of their usual random phase due to illness. In this condition, a severe physical stress — such as pneumonia or a CFS flare up — can produce unusual hair loss which doesn’t begin until 3–9 months later. This type of hair loss is reversible, although it can take 3– 9 months. It often grows in more quickly than this, but it’s better to be pleasantly surprised than to feel disappointment and abandon the needed RX too quickly.

To treat hair thinning:

1. Optimize overall nutritional support. The Energy Revitalization System vitamin powder is excellent for this, plus take a 29 mg iron tablet for 6–12 months (until the ferritin is over 100). Do not take iron if the ferritin is over 200 (and have your doctor check for iron excess called hemochromatosis, which is easy to treat but life threatening if missed). 2. Optimize thyroid function—even if your thyroid labs are “normal.”

Treating with the S.H.I.N.E. Protocol overall will also help hair growth as well as dramatically improve the quality of life in CFS and fibromyalgia. Please note that the above applies only to stress-induced hair loss, which is evidenced by widespread thinning. Other patterns have a different cause. For example:

1. Autoimmune issues. In this condition, hair loss appears as multiple coin-shaped bald spots called alopecia areata.

2. Male pattern baldness. If present in a woman, this suggests elevated testosterone and DHEA. If these are present, and a fasting morning insulin blood test is over 10 (showing insulin resistance), this would suggest the presence of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). This improves by treating the insulin resistance with the medication metformin (very safe and helpful in PCOS) and eliminating excess sugar.

Source: http://www.totalhealthmagazine.com/features/mens-health/treating-hair-loss-in-cfs-and-fibromyalgia.html

HAIR CARE - Dandruff

Dandruff is the excess shedding of skin on the scalp that 

causes itching and visible white flakes. 

About 50 per cent of the population is affected by dandruff

Dandruff is a common type of skin condition that is causes white itchy flakes to form on the scalp and to be visible in the hair and on the shoulders. The skin is in a constant state of renewal, shedding dead cells as new cells form beneath them.

With dandruff, the cells of the scalp shed in clumps so are more visible to the eye. Although the condition is not infectious or serious, its appearance can be embarrassing.

Dandruff affects about half the population and occurs in both children and adults. It is usually controlled with medicated shampoos and lotions.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health+az/dandruff,23304

HAIR CARE - How to prevent dandruff

There are many different and effective ways t

o prevent dandruff from occurring.

The most common cause of dandruff is an abnormal overproduction and shedding of dead skin cells. It is not known what causes this increased skin turnover but things that may increase the likelihood of it occurring include:

• Sebrrheic dermatitis: a red, itchy, scaly reaction in the scalp. (It can also affect the eyebrows, sides of the nose, the groin and armpits.)
• Dry skin: Dandruff is more common during winter due to cold air and overheated rooms.
• Infrequent shampooing resulting in the build up of oils and skin cells.
• Illness, allergies or stress.
• Having a weakened immunity system.
• Psoriasis: an accumulation of dead skin cells, usually on scalp, elbows and knees.
• Certain medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease.
• Dandruff is also believed to be linked to an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus commonly found on the skin and scalp, called malassezia. (It's not known what causes an overgrowth of this fungus.)

Dandruff can be prevented by:

• Washing hair frequently and after exercise when scalp is oily.
• Limiting use of styling products that may increase oiliness or irritate the scalp.
• Practicing relaxation techniques to help manage stress.
• For dry scalps, using a leave-in conditioner or deep conditioning treatment.
• Massaging the scalp for a few minutes each day to loosen flakes, then brush hair.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health+az/how+to+prevent+dandruff,23305

HAIR CARE - How to treat dandruff

Dandruff can clear by itself without treatment 

but there are ways to speed up the process.

 

Options for removing dandruff include:

• The daily use of a gentle non-medicated shampoo to help oiliness.
• Medicated anti-dandruff shampoos and lotions with antifungal agents or antimicrobials such as selenium sulphide (selsun) or zinc pyrithione (polytar AF).
• Stronger medicated shampoos and lotions prescribed by a doctor. (Anti-dandruff products can be harsh on the skin and hair so it's important to follow label directions.)

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

PERSONAL CARE - Hair loss

Hair loss is a common condition that affects both
men and women at some time in their life.

 

While it's normal to shed some hair on a daily basis many people may experience excessive hair loss in either patches, or all over the scalp, at some time in their lives.

Baldness can vary from being mild or quite severe and can affect men, women and children. Permanent hair loss is usually genetically determined and happens during later year in life. Certain medications or medical conditions can also cause temporary hair loss.

Hair growth follows a cycle, which in general lasts for two to three years. Hairs grow about 1cm per month and almost all of the hair on the scalp is growing at any one time. About 10 per cent of the hair on your head is in each a resting phase at which point it will fall out after three or four months and new hair grows in its place. It's normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs from your head in one day. Balding occurs when hair loss exceeds the rate of hair growth.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health+az/hair+loss,23388

HAIR - Beat hair loss

More females are losing their hair, but there is often a simple underlying cause.

 

On a typical day at his hair-loss clinic, David Salinger sees people of all ages with complaints that range from dry or oily hair or scalps through to alopecia (hair loss thought to be caused by an autoimmune disorder) and balding. In recent years, however, he says he has been seeing significantly more women, many of them young and suffering from severe hair loss.

"I'm certainly seeing more young women suffering genetic hair thinning - thinning at the front and top of the scalp," Salinger, head of the Trichology Centre in Sydney and Adelaide, says. "One reason for this is the type of birth control pill they are using. Contraceptive pills that contain more of the male hormone can trigger genetic thinning. Still, that's only one reason and it isn't the major cause for all of the women I see."

Anecdotal evidence suggests that hair loss in women is on the increase, but with so many different causes, definitive data is hard to collect. There are a number of medical and nutritional areas that relate to hair and scalp problems. Of particular importance are the immune, endocrine, nervous, circulatory and digestive systems. Salinger says many people don't realise that simple nutritional imbalances are a common cause of hair loss. "Many women I see with general hair loss are suffering from an iron deficiency or have malabsorption problems," he says.

Growth Cycle

Salinger, a registered member of the International Association of Trichologists (trichology is the scientific study of hair and scalp health), explains that while hair thinning is part of the ageing process, hair loss is not. "We say that losing 70 to 80 hairs a day is normal, but having said that, everyone is different," Salinger says. "A normal amount for someone may be about 40 hairs a day, so if that suddenly doubles to 80 a day and continues, then that could be of concern and they need to see a specialist."

Tony Pearce, a trichologist and registered nurse who specialises in female hair loss, says hair loss in women is becoming more prevalent, but in most cases it can be treated relatively easily. Pearce says hair is in a constant cycle of growth, rest and renewal. It's natural to lose some hair each day, and hair grows in phases, with about one in 10 head hairs "resting" at any time. The only living part of the hair, he adds, is the root or bulb.

Treatment Options

The Australasian College of Dermatologists says the treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. In some cases the hair loss may be temporary and full regrowth will occur without treatment. The identification and treatment of reversible health conditions such as anaemia or thyroid disease can often result in complete recovery.

In other cases, hormone replacement therapy or measures to block hormone effects on the hair follicles may be used. If you have alopecia, cortisone injections into the scalp or a mixture of topical creams and lotions may be the best treatment. Antifungals or antibiotics may be required for certain infections that cause hair loss, such as tinea capitis.

As far as over-the-counter treatments are concerned, Salinger says Minoxidil 5% is the only topical non-prescription product that "can sometimes be of benefit to genetic thinning in men and women and to alopecia areata".

Getting Help

Pearce says hair-loss sufferers are not always taken seriously by GPs. He says a problem in the hair can often be the first sign of an internal problem. "Some hair-loss problems can be self-correcting and there are a lot that can be corrected through nutritional or hormonal interventions,"

Pearce says. He says many of his clients have spent thousands of dollars on products and treatments that don't work when what they needed was an iron supplement or to change their contraceptive pill. Salinger has similar stories.

He says the first thing to do if you are suffering hair loss is to find a registered trichologist, who usually works in conjunction with doctors. He says a large part of a trichologist's job is to reassure people. "Women are scared they're going to go bald. Once you show them the hair regrowing and reassure them that the problems can be fixed, usually within about three months, they feel much better," he says.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

HAIR LOSS DURING PREGNANCY - Causes and How to Prevent Hair Loss

BY ADMIN ON JANUARY 19, 2011

Hair loss during pregnancy is relatively common and should not cause excessive anxiety.  The hair loss may aggravate after delivery, and persist for a few months. The hair loss is temporary, and will be replaced within 6 to 12 months.

Is Hair Loss During Pregnancy Normal?

• Even as some women have healthy hair during pregnancy, some complain of extreme hair loss.
• Pregnancy-related hair fall is due to fluctuating hormones and is perfectly normal.

Causes Hair Loss During Pregnancy

The primary cause is hormonal fluctuations, especially, fluctuating estrogen level. Another important cause is dietary errors and deficiencies.

How to Prevent Hair Loss During Pregnancy

• Vitamin and mineral supplements may be prescribed by your physician.
• Stress plays a pivotal role in general health and well being. It can actually increase the severity of hair fall. Practice de-stressing techniques daily.
• Follow a nutritious and well balanced diet. Consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes, milk and whole grains.
• Step up the intake of the following foods: soy, tofu, soy milk, kidney beans, milk, cottage cheese, carrots, and limes. They are dubbed as hair foods.
  They promote hair growth, check hair fall and nourish the roots and scalp.
• Avoid washing your hair frequently.
• Avoid over-styling the hair. Steer clear of tight pigtails, hair weaves, tight hair rollers and braids; they tend to pull and stress the hair roots and scalp.
• Consult your gynecologist to guarantee a balance of hormones.
• Use shampoos and conditioners comprising of biotin and silica.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

HAIR VITAMINS FOR MEN - Vitamins and Nutrition for Healthy Hair Growth

BY ADMIN ON JANUARY 19, 2011

Vitamins for Hair Loss in Men

• Hair loss occurs due to an inadequate diet, dietary deficiencies. Vitamin B complex, biotin, inositol and folic acid; vitamin C and vitamin E are important for good hair growth.
• Men who are deficient in vitamin B6 lose hair. When there is a folic acid deficiency, men tend to become completely bald.
• On the other hand, taking huge doses of vitamin A for a prolonged period, triggers hair fall. Essential fatty acids improve hair texture and check dry, brittle hair.

Vitamins for Hair Growth for Men

• B vitamins are necessary for healthy and luxuriant hair.
• Beans, legumes, whole cereals, peas, cauliflower, soy, nutritional yeast, bran, and nuts are rich sourses of vitamin B.
• Biotin is essential for hair health. Biotin is known to prevent hair loss in men.
• Food sources of biotin include: brown rice, nuts, especially walnuts and almonds, brewer’s yeast, bulgur, lentils and legumes, green peas, oats, soy, and sunflower seeds. Biotin supplements are also recommended by hair care experts, to boost hair growth and stimulate follicular health. 50 mg 3 times daily is advocated.
• Inositol in a dosage of 100 mg twice a day helps hair growth tremendously.
  It halts hair loss, promotes scalp health and stimulates dormant follicles.
• Vitamin C improves scalp circulation and gives sheen to the hair. Rich sources are: cherries, berries, limes, oranges, sweet limes, capsicum, papaya, etc.
• Vitamin E enhances the oxygen uptake, which boost circulation to the scalp. It supports hair growth. 400 IU daily is recommended, gradually, increasing to 800-1,000 IU per day.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

VITAMIN - B Complex Benefits for Hair Growth and Skin

BY A R ON AUGUST 16, 2011

B Complex Benefits

B-complex is a group of vitamins that play an important part in the functioning of the different systems, as well as the body’s development and growth. Its chief role is to convert food into its simple forms of energy. It transforms carbohydrates to glucose in which body cell would convert into a useable form of energy. Thus, one of its benefits is the instant increase of energy.

Enumerated below are other benefits one can acquire when regularly taking B-complex:

• Good memory: B-complex vitamins have the ability to enhance a person’s memory and improve his concentration levels.
• Stress buster: It has been found out that good amount of vitamin B in the body can lessen fatigue and stress and in an individual. This can reduce the feeling of depression and irritability when taken regularly.
• Promotes good digestion: B-complex vitamins help in the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and help enhance the digestive process since this substance aids the metabolism of fats and proteins.
• Improves nervous function: Since it aids in the manufacture and secretion of certain hormones and nerve-regulating substances, it plays a big role in the entire nervous health.

B Complex Benefits to Hair Growth

For the hair to grow strong, thick and shiny, it has to contain ample amount of vitamins and minerals. When a person lacks the essential nutrients because of poor diet and eating habits, the hair becomes brittle, thin, and no luster and shine can be seen. In severe conditions, it can even lead to baldness.

By taking in vitamin B-complex on a regular basis, one can beneficially improve his or her hair and would achieve the luster and shine, preventing it from falling and graying.

B Complex Benefits to the Skin

Vitamin B-complex has also an important role in the enhancement of a healthier and glowing skin. Specifically, these are its functions:

• It enhances the circulation into the different skin areas, so that this outer part of the body can also receive nourishment and oxygenation that is carried in the blood.
• Vitamin B12 which can be obtained from dairy products keeps the skin from cracking and drying out.
• Niacin or Vitamin B3 promotes the oxygenation of the skin.
• If there is a deficient amount of Vitamin B5 in the body, it can experience recurrent rashes, itchiness and irritation.
• B-complex also keeps the skin from getting puffy and it enhances the life span of cells.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

PERSONAL CARE - 11 Bad Habits That Make Your Hair Thinner

By Karina Giglio

Even if you’re trying to lose inches from your middle, chances are you never want to hear the word thin in reference to your hair. But if you’ve been shedding more than usual, it’s not too late save your strands.

“Many aspects of our lifestyle—from what we eat to how we style our hair—affect the strength of hair fibers,” says Alan Baumann, MD, a Boca Raton-based hair transplant surgeon and physician specializing in hair loss. And that’s good news: Thicker hair is just about making a few simple tweaks to your lifestyle. Here, the 10 worst strand saboteurs, and how to get them out of your routine for good.

Taking steamy showers

Hot water dehydrates strands (just like skin), leading to dry, brittle hair that’s more prone to snap and fall out, explains Ryan Welter, MD, a Boston-based hair transplant surgeon. “Not only are you washing your hair’s protective oils down the drain, but the heat throws your scalp's pores into overdrive to keep up with oil production, which can damage the root and lead to additional shedding.” 

Save your strands: Take the temp down a few degrees. “Opt for a warm shower, and try to rinse hair with the coolest temperature possible.”

Using hot styling tools

Scorching temps damage the proteins that make up your hair and its protective cuticle. “Once the cuticle is damaged, the moisture balance is disrupted and your hair is more prone to breakage,” says Dr. Bauman.

Save your strands: Limit your hot tool usage—even your blowdryer—to two or three times a week, and start with the coolest setting possible. Always apply a heat-protection spray, which creates a thermal barrier to reduce friction. 

Crash dieting

Starving yourself forces the body to direct its energy (the little it has) towards essential functions—like helping your heart and brain work—rather than making hair. In fact, when diagnosing anorexics, one of the top symptoms is severe hair loss, says Paradi Mirmirani, a Vallejo, California dermatologist specializing in hair disorders.

Save your strands: Eat a healthy diet with plenty of lean protein like fish, chicken, lentils and beans. "Hair is primarily made of protein,” she explains. “It’s the one thing that can make or break your hair if you’re not getting enough.” Aim for 46 grams per day (or about 25 to 30% of your total calories).

Mishandling wet hair

Our strands are never more fragile—and prone to breakage—than when they’re saturated with H2O, since the protective cuticle is slightly raised. Brushing or combing locks in the shower, then following with aggressive towel-drying, create the perfect storm for snapping it off. 

Save your strands: Minimize post-shower brushing by combing before hair gets wet. Then, blot (don’t rub!) hair with a soft towel after your shower. (Are you using the wrong brush? 

Wearing tight hairstyles

If a tight ponytail or braid is your go-to, beware: Sporting these styles puts excessive tension on the hair follicles, damaging them and creating scars that destroy them permanently, says Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist specializing in hair health. This can lead to traction alopecia, a condition that permanently weakens the follicle and makes it impossible for hair to grow.  

Save your strands: Loosen up! Try wearing your hair down whenever possible (especially while sleeping; rolling around on a pillow can create even more friction). When you do tie your strands back, keep it soft—if it’s pulling on your skin, it’s way too tight.

Using long-lasting hold styling products

If your hairspray or gel claim All-day Mega-hold, they’re actually making your locks harder to hold on to. “These are usually high in alcohol, which makes hair dry and brittle,” says Dr. Mirmirani. “Once you comb or brush your hair, that residue causes the hair to break and fall out.”

Save your strands: Skip any products that make hair stiff or sticky. Instead, opt for softer-hold solutions like styling creams that keep hair’s moisture intact and don’t create friction when brushing. We like Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream ($30; amazon.com).

Scratching your head
Itchy scalp (like that caused by seborrheic dermatitis) may result in hair loss due to scratching-induced hair damage, says Dr. Bauman. Once the cuticle is damaged, the hair fiber is prone to breakage.

Save your strands:  Relieve the itch with a shampoo that contains selenium, zinc pyrithione, or tea tree oil, like Head & Shoulders Extra Strength Dandruff Shampoo ($7; amazon.com). If over-the-counter products don’t help, your doctor can prescribe prescription antifungal shampoo or cortisone foam.

Taking oral birth control pills

If you’re one of the many women who are sensitive to hair shedding or thinning due to hormonal changes, the wrong oral birth control can weaken your hair. “A pill that contains androgens can cause hair loss for someone who’s ‘androgen sensitive’ and doesn’t know it,” says Dr. Bauman.

Save your strands: Switch to low-androgen index birth control pills like norgestimate (in Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen), norethindrone (in Ovcon 35), desogestrel (in Mircette), or ethynodiol diacetate (in Demulen, Zovia). If you want to know whether you have an androgen sensitivity, a hair restoration physician can perform a quick cheek-swab genetic test.

Soaking up the sun

Even if you’ve (wisely) given up tanning, chances are your hair is still exposed to UV rays, which eat away at the strength and elasticity of your hair. “Prolonged UV exposure causes the layers of the cuticle to weaken and break, resulting in brittle hair that can lead to hair loss,” says Dr. Bauman.

Save your strands: Wear a hat—preferably one with built-in UV protection—whenever possible (and don’t forget to tuck your ponytail underneath). Worried about hat hair? Try using a leave-in conditioner with built-in sunscreen like Kerastase Soleil Micro-Voile Protecteur ($50;amazon.com). 

Not washing hair often enough

Now that dry shampoo is a staple in most of our beauty arsenals, it’s easier than ever to skip a few days between washing. Convenient? Yes. But not so great for your hair: “A buildup of product or excessive dandruff on the scalp has been shown to clog hair follicles, and if it’s bad enough, it can be difficult for hair to grow,” says Dr. Day.

Save your strands: There's nothing wrong with skipping shampoo for a day. But if it becomes a habit, product residue, dirt, and oil can clog pores in the scalp. Be sure to wash your hair every two days, especially if you’re sweating or using lots of products. To prevent excessive dryness, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo like L’Oreal Paris Ever Strong Thickening Shampoo ($6; amazon.com).

Taking certain medications

Certain medications (like statins, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents, anti-hypertensive medications) or hormones (like thyroid replacement drugs) can cause hair loss. “These can disrupt or interfere with the normal cycle of hair growth, causing hair to go into a resting phase and fall out prematurely,” says Dr. Bauman.

Save your strands: Ask your doctor about alternative medications that don’t have the same hair-loss repercussions.

Source: http://www.prevention.com

HAIR DYING - How to Dye Your Own Hair from Dark to Light

How to Dye Your Own Hair from Dark to Light

Wanna lighten up your hair without hitting the salon? Try these DIY tricks at home

PUBLISHED: APRIL 7, 2014  |  BY JILL PERCIA

Brightening up my shade always seems to lift my spirits—it's like the summertime of hair color! Here's how to channel your outer J. Lo.

1. Know your limits.
Permanent hair color contains chemicals to open the hair shaft, strip color, and let pigment inside. "You can only go two shades lighter with these, because the formulas aren't strong enough to lift out a lot of pigment," explains colorist James Corbett, Clairol creative director. If you're a deep brunette, pick up a light-brown shade. If you've got medium-brown strands, try dark blonde.

2. Stay cool.
A cool or ashy tone will counteract brassiness, an unwanted side effect of going lighter. Try Clairol Nice 'N Easy Permanent Hair Color 6A/114 Natural Light Ash Brown ($8, at drugstores). And if your hair ever does get an orange tinge, pour some cool black coffee over damp hair, leave on for five minutes, then rinse. "Coffee's greenish-brown tones will neutralize the orange," says Kyle White, lead colorist at Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City.

3. Add depth.
After lightening up, paint on a few face-framing highlights for even more dimension. But don't go overboard—for brunettes like me, a "bronde" (or brownish-blonde) hue, like Sofia Vergara's, looks more natural than pale gold.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com

HAIR CARE - 6 Tips for Giving Yourself Incredible At-Home Hair Highlights

HOW TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR OWN HAIR

6 Tips for Giving Yourself Incredible At-Home Hair Highlights

DIY Highlights are tricky, but not impossible. Follow these essential tips to get the look you crave

PUBLISHED: APRIL 8, 2014  |  BY JILL PERCIA

Truth be told, they are the trickiest things to pull off at home. But with a little practice, and trial and error, I've saved hundreds (possibly thousands) of bucks on highlighting appointments—and you can too.

1. Ace your base.
Choose a kit that's labeled for your starting point rather than your desired highlight hue, because the latter can mean different results for different hair colors, says White. (So, for example, you'll want it to say "for brown hair" instead of "caramel highlights.") Whether your kit comes with a cap and spatula (like the one I love, Revlon Frost&Glow by ColorSilk, $9, at drugstores), a brush (Clairol Nice 'N Easy HairPainting, $11, at drugstores), or a fingertip applicator (L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Ombre Touch, $13, at drugstores), all will lift pigments out of the hair, taking strands a little sunnier with each use.

2. Don't skip the strand test.
Brunette hair lifts in stages: brown, red, orange, then yellow. And the time lapse between blazing orange and beautiful butterscotch can be minutes. That's why the strand test—although tedious—is critical here. Follow the kit's test instructions, and if you like what you see, use that tested time for the rest of your head. To go lighter, reapply the mixture for another five minutes. But repeat the steps no more than twice, or your streaks will be too light and look unnatural.

3. Toss the plastic cap.
The sun doesn't tint hair in a spaghetti-like pattern, and that's what using a cap—like the one in my favorite kit—will offer. "When you pull strings of hair through the tiny holes, you can't guarantee where that hair is coming from. Plus, the bleaching cream may seep underneath the cap, creating a splotchy mess," White says. And while you're at it, skip the skinny plastic spatula, too—it won't saturate the entire circumference of each strand. "Use an adult toothbrush for front pieces and a baby toothbrush for the back, or paintbrushes in one-inch to quarter-inch sizes," says White.

4. Streak the right way.
Part your hair as you normally do, so you can clearly see which strands are face-framing (a side-parter will highlight differently than a center-parter).

(a) Paint on the mixture to one-inch sections of dry hair in the front, keeping it about one centimeter from the scalp.

 

(b) Gradually thin streaks to half an inch in the middle of your head.

(c) Apply to quarter-inch pieces in back land underlayers.

(d) Don't be too strict about placement; the coolest highlights aren't evenly spaced or perfectly symmetrical.

5. Add back moisture.
Leave the dye on for the amount of time determined in the strand test (the pieces you did first will also be finished first), then rinse each section well. Shampoo, then deep-condition (highlighting can leave hair feeling dry and brittle). Try Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Color conditioning treatment($4, at drugstores).

6. Tone.
A product like John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss ($13, at drugstores) mimics what the pros use to soften highlights and add shine. Go for golden or copper, depending on the tone you're after.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com

HAIR CARE - Q&A: Are Conditioning-Shampoos Just as Good as Separate Shampoos and Conditioners?

CONDITIONING-SHAMPOOS

Q&A: Are Conditioning-Shampoos Just as Good as Separate Shampoos and Conditioners?

Or are two bottles better than one when it comes to hair care?

PUBLISHED: JULY 16, 2014  |  BY BRETTAN HAWKINS

The question: "I've heard that it's better to use separate bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Is that true, or will a conditioning-shampoo be just as effective?"

The expert: Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson from BeautyStat.com

The answer: Two-in-one shampoo-and-conditioner products became popular in the '80s because consumers were using shampoo regularly but not conditioning enough—so brands began to incorporate conditioning ingredients into their shampoo formulas, says Robinson. But while those products were closer to true shampoos, these days, conditioning-shampoos are closer in nature to true conditioners.  

If you have locks that are prone to damage—such as curly or color-treated hair—you might want to use a conditioning-shampoo product since daily shampooing can strip hair of natural oils and dull color, says Robinson. Conditioning-shampoos are less harsh and damaging—but they may be too heavy for oily hair types. If you have fine hair, you'll also want to avoid a conditioning-shampoo since it'll weigh down thin strands.

The final verdict? Conditioning-shampoos can be better than two separate bottles if you're showering every day or have curly or brittle hair. If you have thin or oily hair, though, stick to your separate shampoo and conditioner bottles and opt for a lighter formula that won't weigh your strands down.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com