Excessive read meat consumption causes hair loss

Men need to note that excessive red meat consumption can result in hair loss.

This was proved by a Japanese study that showed that the pre World War II diet of lean fish, tofu and lots of greens resulted in healthy heads of hair for Japanese men, but ever since they switched to modern meals of heavy meat, they have begun to lose their hair.

Identifying Your Hair Type

Everyone's hair reacts differently to different products and environment, but hair of the same type generally responds in similar ways. There are two especially popular systems of classification; Andre Walker's classification system and Fia's Hair Typing System.

Walker's system is geared specifically toward African-descended hair types, so this is based on finding your hair type using Fia's Hair Typing System because it applies to everyone who has hair regardless of heritage. There are three main classifiers for hair type that tell the amount of wave or curl, the thickness of each individual strand, and the thickness of all the hair put together. If you find someone who matches you on all these classifiers, you've found a valuable "hair twin" whose experiences can help you determine how your hair will respond to various elements. 

The First Hair Type Classifier

The first classifier determines how much body wave or curl your hair has. To determine this, take a shower and then allow your hair to air dry flat (not in a towel or styled in any way). Once dry, take a close look at your hair. Is it absolutely flat and straight? You're a 1a. If there's a little bit of body to it but no discernible wave, 1b; two or three slight waves but still straight overall, 1c; has some loose waves, 2a; fairly distinct waves, 2b; very distinct waves, possibly with a few spiral curls, 2c; lots of loose spiral curls, 3a; tighter, bouncy curls, 3b; really tight spiral curls all over, 3c; tight S-curls, 4a; really tight S-curls falling in odd, zigzag patterns, 4b.

Now you know the first part of your hair type. Some people fall between the classifying categories and that's fine, it just means that your hair will be defined by both categories that describe it. For instance, if you have some body to your hair but only one visible wave, you're a 1b/1c. The third classifier is the only one that can not have split categories.

The Second Hair Type Classifier

The second classifier denotes the thickness of individual strands of your hair. Take a single strand of your hair, make sure it's clean (if it's been through a brush or comb it might not be) or the type may be skewed. Fine hair is barely visible if you hold it in front of your eyes, hardly shows up against a contrasting background and can barely be felt if you roll it between two fingers. Medium hair is easily visible, easily felt between the fingers, but still feels soft...it will feel similar to cotton thread when you roll it. Course hair is thicker, much easier to see against a background and may feel wiry but rarely ever slippery.

The Final Hair Type Classifier

The third and final classifier determines the overall thickness of your entire head of hair. This one is very difficult to measure if your hair is too short to gather into a ponytail, though a guess can be made by how thick your hair is against the scalp. If it's long enough, gather all your hair into a ponytail and measure around the circumference. Thin hair, or i, measures less than two inches around. Normal hair, ii, measures between two and four inches. Thick hair, iii, is anything measuring over four inches around.

Take all the classifiers together, and you have your hair type. It will look something like 1c/F/iii (substituting your own categories) when you're finished. You can now compare your hair to others using hair type as a reference; some websites also sell hair products based on hair type, so keep this as a handy reference so you can always know what kind of hair is being referred to.

How To Stop and Control Split Ends

Split ends are nasty problems that can seem impossible to get rid of; no matter how many trims you get or how careful you are with your hair they just never seem to go away! The truth is, just about any kind of damage your hair is subjected to will result in split ends, so it'll take all the preventative measures you can possibly manage.

First, an assessment of your hair's overall health must be made. If you use hair care products with silicone-based ingredients (the ones ending in "cone") you may need to discontinue use and find something without them for a couple of months or clarify with a diluted vinegar rinse to wash the coating out of your hair and see what kind of condition your hair is really in. Splits occur more easily if the hair is deprived of either moisture, protein, or both. Silicone-based ingredients coat the hair and can make it look healthy and shiny, while sealing the hair shaft away from moisture and making it even unhealthier.

Avoiding Nutritional Hair Imbalances

Do a "strand test". With a strand of wet hair held firmly between your fingers (it can be a shed hair from your comb), pull the hair slowly and gently in both directions. If the hair breaks immediately, it needs moisture. A hair that stretches over 30% of the original length without breaking and does not return to its original shape when released needs protein. Healthy hair will stretch about 30% longer than its original length then pull back into approximately the same shape it started in. There are all sorts of oils and proteins you can use to correct these imbalances, your hair type will determine exactly which ones you use. One favorite for a wide range of hair types specifically trying to eliminate split ends is an infusion of catnip poured on the hair then rinsed out in the shower.

Once nutritional imbalances have been corrected it's time to go on to other causes. Often, problems with splits are made even worse without the proper maintenance. It's much easier for an already-split hair to split even further and snag on other hairs and cause them to split. If the ends of your hair tangle easily and/or you can see lots of splits, a micro-trim can help that problem. These trims only take about 1/4" off the bottom of the hair and are for the sole purpose of removing some of the most troublesome split ends.

Splits occur more easily if the hair is deprived of either moisture, protein, or both.

 

Finding splits in-between trims? Trimming individual hairs, or "dusting", will help curtail the problem; dusting should be done with a pair of very sharp hair cutting scissors that are used for no other purpose. Dull scissors can crush the end of the hair at the cut, effectively creating a new split where it just removed one. If your hair is too short to hold in front of your eyes, you'll probably have to have someone help you with this task or attempt to do it in front of a mirror. The easiest way to pinpoint splits is to take a small section of hair, gently twist it into a loose rope, and trim off the ends that pop up.

Identifying Mechanical Hair Damage

So now your hair is nutritionally balanced and you're doing everything you can to remove splits...but they keep coming back? Mechanical damage of all sorts may be afflicting your beloved strands. Pay attention throughout your daily activities. Does your hair rub against the back of the seat in the car? Against your office chair? Your clothes? All of these can cause tons of damage all along the length. It surprises many people to know that the most damaging thing in your everyday life could actually be your pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases are rough on the hair, even more damaging than cotton clothes because the hair is rubbing against it - possibly with a head on top of it - all night long. Satin pillowcases are a favorite of hair-conscious individuals...and they're really comfortable too!

Finally, avoid harsh chemicals, excessive heat, alcohol and other things that can dry out your hair. Be sure to keep well-hydrated and try to avoid subjecting the hair to excessive direct sunlight. It may take a long time to catch all the splits in badly damaged hair and it may seem impossible at times, but if you take some steps to improve and protect your hair you will eventually see some stunning results.

How To Add A Great Shine To Your Hair

Want great shine? Even perfectly healthy hair can get dull without a little extra something, especially if you do not use shampoo with silicone-based ingredients as these are made to promote shine, however they also result in a multitude of other hair care issues if you don't know how to use them.

There are so many better ways to get that gorgeous shine that will really make your hair "pop". For this article we're going to assume that your hair is already healthy and just needs the shine added back in, if this is not the case you may want to research the different ways you can improve your hair's health through dietary supplements and adding moisture and protein as well as cutting out "hair care" routines that damage the hair.

Common Problems That Prevent Hair Shine

When the cuticle (outside layer of the hair shaft) does not lie down flat, it can cause dullness and a course texture. This is a very simple one to fix, just rinse your hair in cold water when you're finished washing to make the cuticle lie flat. It's the same as closing the pores in your skin and will also help keep the hair from getting damaged from gunk or snagging.

The next problem that generally affects your hair's shine is buildup. This can be buildup from hair products, environmental factors such as smoke or smog, or just plain stubborn dirt and gunk. Many people who use only conditioner and no shampoo often have some dullness problems because there are no harsh detergents stripping everything out of the hair...no, you don't have to go back to the shampoo!

Steps For Natural Hair Shine

About 1tsp of apple cider vinegar diluted in 12ozs of water makes a great finishing rinse. When you've already washed and conditioned and have washed those hair products out, pour this dilution through your hair then rinse it in cold water. Now we're talking SHINE!

Some of the favorite hair shining oils are jojoba, coconut, olive, grapeseed and even broccoli seed oil.

A few drops of essential oil can smooth the hair out, help prevent tangles, and really bring out the shine. Just apply a couple of drops to your palms, rub your hands together and then finger-comb through your hair (it should be groomed with a high-quality wide-tooth comb first). If your hair is wet and you have never used oil before, stick with just a couple of drops until you know if your hair will need more or not - it may not feel like much, but it only takes a tiny bit to coat lots of hair. If dry it will be much easier to tell how your hair is reacting to each amount of oil, just bear in mind that what you see is what you get, this stuff doesn't do any drying or anything so make sure you continue spreading the oil thinner until you get the look you want. Some of the favorite hair shining oils are jojoba, coconut, olive, grapeseed and even broccoli seed oil.

Additional Hair Shine Secrets

Honey is another big favorite in the shining arena. Typically, you'll want to add a couple drops of honey to a bottle of conditioner. Shake vigorously to make sure the honey is dispersed throughout the conditioner, then condition as normal. Honey also takes a big role in deep moisture treatments or super conditioning treatments.

You might also try taking silica along with your normal daily supplements as this is known to decrease hair loss and promote shine. If none of these suggestions work for you, there may be some other problems that need to be addressed that could be affecting your hair's ability to shine. Some hair, namely coarse hair or that found in people of African descent, is simply not meant to shine...instead, these types of hair should have a nice velvety sheen to them.

How To Wash Your Hair Properly

It seems like the right way to wash hair should be pretty cut-and-dry...you get it wet, shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse, wring it out and dry. Right? Well, not exactly...or, rather, there's a bit more to it than that.

Combing Your Hair

First, comb your hair thoroughly before bathing; wet hair is more delicate than dry so you have less chance of causing damage if tangles are removed beforehand. Next, heat can severely damage the hair. While hot water isn't nearly as damaging as a blow dryer or direct sun, it still takes a toll on the hair. To avoid this, adjust the water until it is pleasantly warm and no warmer. Steaming hot showers feel great and can certainly be indulged in, but it's best if your hair is left out of the direct path of this very hot water so consider cooling it down a little while washing.

Shampooing Your Hair
Next, take into account what type of hair you have before shampooing. If your scalp is oily but the length is dry, don't directly shampoo the entire length. Instead, get a good lather going and then apply shampoo to the oily part of the scalp only, then rinse. The shampoo flowing down the length when rinsed will be plenty to remove surface dirt. Do not fold your hair up and "scrub" it with the shampoo as this can cause a lot of tangling and damage. Let the hair lay flat as much as possible throughout the wash.

Conditioning Your Hair

To condition, start from the ends and work your way up. Make sure the ends, which are more prone to damage than any other part of the hair, get a generous amount of conditioner. Gently massage the product into the length of the hair, but only brush a little bit on the scalp area if you have trouble with an oily scalp. Let it sit for 1-3 minutes, then rinse. If you'd like to bring out the shine in your hair a little more, rinse it in cold water; cold water helps the cuticle (the scaly outer layer of the hair strand) lay flat.

Drying Your Hair

Now it's time to dry your hair. Twisting the length into a rope and wringing the excess water out of it can stretch the hair, weakening and breaking individual hairs. Instead, you can grip the length near your head and work your way down, gently squeezing the water out.

Towels are not meant to rub the water out of hair, and rubbing against the hair can cause severe tangling as well as catch hairs and pull them out. For best results, gently press the hair in between two parts of the towel to draw even more water out.

Let the hair lay flat as much as possible throughout the wash.

If you use a leave-in conditioner, this is the time to apply it. If the package instructs you to comb your hair to disperse the conditioner, be sure to start at the ends and use caution when combing. Wet hair stretches very easily so snagging on tangles is likely to cause damage. Brushes are generally damaging even under the best conditions and should never be used on wet hair.

We've discussed the damage heat can do, so if you use a blow dryer take extreme care with it and do some research on ways to reduce the damage. Bear in mind that no matter what method you use or what kind of heat protection you apply to your hair, it will sustain some damage with a blow dryer.

Finally, hair does not necessarily need to be washed every day. Washing with shampoo too often can strip the hair of the oils it needs for good health; often a rinse or light conditioning by itself is plenty to keep hair looking great in-between shampoos. Alternatively, if you desire a little more detergent power you can dilute shampoo in a small bottle of warm water and squirt it on your scalp for a light cleaning.

Managing your Hair

Caring for hair is pretty much the same as caring for your skin.

A successful hair care discipline includes cleansing, toning and conditioning routines done with sacred regularity. The routine aims at getting rid of the excess oil and to exfoliate skin cells that block and smother hair follicles in your scalp. Emphasis, however, is laid on cleansing and toning routines.

Since your hair needs to be washed as often as it gets dirty and oily, a natural shampoo on a formulation of herbs is very effective.

It is important to massage hair and scalp. This is both for the well being of your hair as well as good hair growth. For dry hair we strongly recommend scalp massaging with oil, while for oily hair massaging with toning lotion is suitable.

Using a soft brush, brushing is less harmful than combing. However, a firm brush can cause more damage to your hair than a comb would. Likewise, prolonged brushing also harms your hair a lot. Back combing also spoils your hair. Besides, causing knotting that is tough to untangle, it ruffles the scales of the cuticles. In the same way, never comb or brush wet hair. This only causes further damage to the hair. A good comb ought, necessarily, to have rounded and not sharp teeth. Nylon brushes with spiky ends can also damage your hair.

Then again, do you ever feel like covering your hair with a big frumpy hat? In that case, here are a few steps that are sure to make your hair shine and glisten. All, without the weigh down and a tip for in between coloring.

• In between coloring, hairsprays your roots, then apply light eye-shadow to it; it works.
  
  
• Don't make the mistake of washing your hair daily. If you do, stop; it will pay off.
  
  
• While washing, shampoo twice in a row, then condition your hair. You will notice it get fuller and bouncier than before.
  
  
• Brush your hair from the bottom tips moving upward towards the roots. Brush in downward strokes, as this will remove split ends leaving your hair healthier.

Tips for Hair Dying

People having the desire of trying out a new trendy and fashionable look or desiring to do away with their gray hair, dying is one of the most preferred options for achieving these desires.

If not used properly, dying hair can seriously affect your hair like cause it to become damaged or dried out. You should take care to opt for only such a dye color which blends with your hair's as well as eyebrow's original color. The dye color should also help in enhancing your features.

Getting your hair dyed from a professional stylist is the best path which can be followed but proper dying of hair at home will also yield the same creative results and it will be much cheaper too.

Hair dyes are available in many kinds such as:
 
Permanent Dyes:

Getting your hair dyed permanently is considered as a mistake in itself by some people. Permanent dyes last for huge amounts of time. These dyes are applied to the hair roots along with the growth of the hair. It contains peroxides and ammonia and hence the risk of your hair getting damaged or dried is present.

The color of these dyes fades away when the hairs are exposed to salt water or sun. Hence, a bandanna or a hat can be used for covering your hair when you would be going outside. This helps in maintaining the hair's color.

Long-Lasting Semi-Permanent Dyes:

These dyes last for the longest amount of time which can even exceed 20 washes. This fact is different for different brands.

Semi-Permanent Dyes:

These dyes usually last for very short amount of time. The color of these dyes starts fading away after the hair gets washed for about 6-12 times. These dyes are recommended for people experimenting with colors as well as for people using dyes for the first time.

Professional And Safe Way Of Dying Hair:

• The hair is divided into two separate quadrants and each part is clipped.
  
• Plastic gloves are used while the dye solution is mixed. The directions prescribed on the product box should be followed.
  
• Apply thin color stripes over one entire quadrant and clip it.
  
• Follow similar procedure for the other quadrant.
  
• Leave the hair for some prescribed time.
  
• Use cold water for rinsing the hair.

There is nothing wrong in experimenting with hair but frequent use of dyes may have rough consequences on the quality of hair. Hence, exercise proper care.

Natural Tips for Healthy Hair

For Dandruff

• Massage the Scalp with pure coconut oil . This will also help for growth of hair.
• Apply coconut oil which has been boiled with small onions. Wash it off with a mixture of green gram powder and water drained from cooked (boiled) rice.
• Apply a mixture of almond oil and gooseberry juice with finger tips on the scalp.
• Apply the warm mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and coconut oil. Do a steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes and wash the hair with a shampoo.
• Apply a paste of fenugreek and mustard to the scalp.
• Mix Shikakai powder with the water drained from the cooked rice and wash the hair with it.
• Crush  the leaves of five petal hibiscus flower and take the juice. Wash the hair with this juice.
• Heat the oil with a little camphor. Apply the oil in the scalp and massage for 10 minutes. After 30 minutes wash the hair with a herbal shampoo. Do the steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes.

For Healthy and Shiny hair

• It is better to apply castor oil for a healthy growth of hair.
• Wash hair with tea once in a week.
• Apply besan in the hair and wash it with water drained from the cooked rice.
• Soak a handful of gooseberry in a cup of milk for two hours. Make it as a paste and apply in the hair.
• Apply the mixture of an egg white, 2 spoon of castor oil, 1 spoon glycerin, in the scalp and hair. Wash it after some time.
• Massage hair with warm coconut oil an hour before washing. Let it soak. Cover your head with a hot towel and wash your hair after an hour or so. 
• Boil a few hibiscus flowers in coconut oil. Filter and use this hair oil to control hair loss and thinning.
• Do a 'steam-towel-wrap' once in a while, if your cuticles are damaged, as this steaming opens out the pores and absorbs the oil.
• Deep condition with curd, beer and egg. 
• Mix a little vinegar in warm water and rinse your hair with this solution. This will add bounce to dull and lifeless hair.
• Soak 1 teaspoon fenugreek in curd and keep it for a night. Have it in the next morning.
• Boil coconut oil with the juices of curry leaves, basil, hibiscus flower and gooseberry. Apply on hair, keep it for sometime and rinse.
• Egg white and curd is a good conditioner for hair. 
• Take a cup of coconut and mustard oils. Soak half a cup of curry leaves in the oil mixture and keep it for a night. Next morning, heat on a slow fire till the curry leaves turn crisp. Remove from heat and add two to three camphor balls. Allow oil to cool and then strain. Apply oil to hair roots using cotton wool along the parting and massage in circular movements. Leave the oil overnight and shampoo the next morning. Repeat twice a week. 
• Add a lemon peel to a 'shikakai' and 'amla' mixture while washing your hair.

For Graying

• Take a little Mehandi , an egg, juice of  half a lemon, one table spoon of instant coffee powder. Mix it together and apply on the hair. Wash it after 45 minutes.
• Boil one cup of dried gooseberry with 4 cups of water. Add a pinch of sugar in it. Keep boiling till the quantity of the liquid reduces to one cup. Mix 2 cups of Mehendi, an egg, juice of a lemon and the gooseberry solution and apply on hair. Wash the hair after two hours.

Fast Hair Fixes

What to do when you are in a hurry and you hair is a mess?

The best solution is a sleek ponytail or bun. Sleek is the most important word to keep in mind.

Apply a small amount of baby powder to your hair to absorb excess oil, mist hair with a light hairspray and gather it into a smooth ponytail. If the ponytail isn’t the ideal solution, try a simple bun. Twist hair and fix it with a couple of hairpins. Apply a light hairspray.

To breathe life into a flattened hair, try to add some volume. Flip your head upside down and mist roots with a hairspray.

If your curls are in a chaos, damp your hair a little and apply a curl-enhancing product.
 
Hair smelling bad? Add a few drops of a perfume to a water bottle and spritz your hair.

Hair Care in Different Seasons

Taking proper care of the hair is much important, as the hair is much important for the better growth and health of the hair. But as the seasons changes there comes different changes in the weather and in our surroundings. Therefore it becomes much essential to know how to take care of your hair and maintain the health and growth of the hair by avoiding damages with the change of seasons. It is much essential to know how to take proper care of your hair in different seasons. In this article we have tried to help you in this very subject so that you can maintain the luster of your hair in whatever season it is and also that you can avoid damages to the hair as far as possible.

Summer hair care: As we all know that the summer sun and the summer weather are not much of a friendly one for your physical health. Not only does the summers cause damage to our health but also it is responsible for causing a lot of damage to our hair also. For that reason it is essential that you should take some extra care for your hair during the summers. First of all the scorching heat and the UV rays of the sun, these are really a big reason for a lot of damages that are caused to the hair during the summers. Therefore before you step out in the sun it is recommended that you take some protection for the hair. Preferably it is to wear a scarf or a straw hat. But if you are not willing to wear them then you should at least apply a leave-in sunscreen conditioner to the hair before stepping out. And in case it is not handy you can also apply a regular sunscreen to the hair.

But never forget to wash it off as soon as you reach back home. Other than that our hair tends to become dry during the summers. Therefore there is a need to drink a lot of water to keep your hair and body hydrated. Try to avoid any sort of hot items during the summers, like blow dryers, curling irons, hot showers etc. As shampooing may cause dry hair, hence there is no need for shampooing regularly. And always use a mild shampoo.

Winter hair care: During the winters also our hair faces a lot of problems. As the weather is cold and the humidity is much lesser hence there is lesser chance of sweating. Therefore the hair becomes less greasy and dirty hence there is no need to shampoo the hair daily. Daily shampooing peals off the natural oils from the hair. As the weather is dry there is a chance that your hair may also become dry. Therefore oil

Once a week would be much helpful for your hair during the winter season. Hair conditioners should be used regularly to maintain the moisture balance in the hair.

Monsoon hair care: Our hair needs a lot of attention during the rainy season as the humidity level of the weather rises to the greatest extent during this part of the year. The extra humidity of the weather makes the hair oils and greasy and falls flat loosing its bounce. The texture of the hair also looks dull and lifeless because of the excessive oils of the hair. Because of the extra sweat the scalp also suffers a lot and have a great deal of itchiness. During this season avoid using mousses, gels and conditioners as far as possible. You should also try not to have any sort of chemical treatments done on your hair during these days. Applying henna conditioning to the hair may prove to be much helpful, as it would help remove the extra moisture from the hair.

Thinning Hair in Women: Warning Sign of Underlying Health Issues

Hair is probably a woman's most important feature. Signs of thinning hair can take the sail out of almost any woman's day. It may seem vain to pay so much attention to hair, but signs of thinning hair are really the first signals of such conditions as hormonal imbalance, vitamin deficiency, excessive stress or poor nutrition, all symptoms of declining health status. Paying attention to hair can reveal developing conditions before they get out of control. When you have restored your hair to a full head of vibrant healthy strands, chances are the rest of your body will also exhibit vibrant health.

Nutritional deficiencies may be signaled by thinning hair

Your hair loss may be caused by vitamin D deficiency. Studies show that a large segment of the American population is deficient in this essential nutrient, with hair loss being one of the primary symptoms of this deficiency.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in numerous cells and tissues of the body, including the skin. Studies of mice and humans lacking these functional receptors have demonstrated that absence of the VDR leads to the development of alopecia, a fancy word for hair loss. Hair loss may be an early warning that you are at risk of other maladies linked to a deficiency of vitamin D. The list includes diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, depression, multiple sclerosis, gum disease, seasonal influenza and tuberculosis.

Lack of exposure to the sun almost guarantees vitamin D deficiency. Researchers have mapped the U.S. and found that the farther north a person lives, the more likely she is to have vitamin D deficiency. If access to the sun is not an option, supplementing vitamin D with cod liver oil, or capsules of D3 will help. It is now suggested that women receive a minimum of 2,000 units of vitamin D per day. Many cutting edge practioners advocate 10,000 units per day, the amount obtained from a day wearing a bathing suit in the summer sun.

Omega 3 fatty acids affect the biological process of vitamin D. They are responsible for producing cholesterol and at the same time for removing its excess, as well as for most other bodily functions. In order to manufacture vitamin D, the body needs cholesterol. If the diet does not contain enough essential fatty acids, the body can't produce its own vitamin D. In addition to containing usable vitamin D, cod liver oil also provides omega 3 fatty acids.

Hair loss may also be the result of deficiencies of the amino acid lysine, copper, and zinc. However, if your diet is comprised of a wide selection of whole foods including daily servings of fresh vegetables and fruits, this may not be the cause of your hair loss, especially if you are getting enough protein. Hair stands are composed of protein, but if the diet is short on it, the wisdom of the body will divert its use from making hair to sustaining more necessary bodily functions. Taking a whole food supplement such as bee pollen, spirulina or chlorella will help with getting and assimilating needed amounts of the full spectrum of nutrients.

Thinning hair may reflect hormonal imbalance

A woman's hormones can begin to decline and lose balance as early as the 30's. One of the most shocking examples of this imbalance is hair growth appearing on the upper lip or chin, or a coarsening of hair on the rest of the body while the hair on the head thins. This is most likely the result of excessive dihydrotestosterone (DHT) conversion. Although estrogen is the primary hormone of women, they also produce testosterone and other androgens such as DHEA. As the body ages women may begin to convert these androgens to DHT just as men do. Women with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome tend to have higher levels of testosterone and DHT than other women, and may be more susceptible to this excessive conversion.

To find out if hormonal imbalance is causing hair loss, full range hormone testing can be done. Physicians who administer bio-identical hormones can provide this testing, as well as physicians who specialize in anti-aging medicine. If this is not an option, there are reliable laboratories available online that receive specimens of saliva by mail and provide complete hormone testing results.

Supplements of saw palmetto prevent the excessive conversion of androgens to DHT. It is an herb that comes from the flowers of a beautiful palm tree known as saw palmetto or sabal palm. A dosage of one 160 mg. capsule daily should effectively block this conversion and get the hair back on head and off the face. Saw palmetto has been demonstrated to be safe for prolonged use. If hormone testing is not an option, another way to find out if excessive DHT conversion is causing hair loss is to take a saw palmetto supplement for a period of three months. If hair loss stops where you don't want it and starts where you do want it, your question will be answered.

Excessive levels of hormonal conversion to DHT are highly associated with prostate abnormalities in men and may be a cause of prostate cancer. Saw palmetto has been documented to increase prostate health. The health effects of this conversion in women are not yet fully documented, yet common sense suggests that reducing excessive levels of DHT in women may be helpful in assuring breast and ovarian health.

Declining levels of thyroid hormone can also spark hair loss. It's estimated that forty percent of American women are suffering from significant hair loss related to low thyroid hormones, with redheads particularly at risk. The hormones produced by the thyroid are responsible for metabolism, the sum of all the physical and chemical processes. The thyroid hormones control the efficiency and speed at which cells work. Every cell in the body including the hair depends on proper thyroid function for development. If thyroid production is insufficient, hair growth will slow and hair will eventually thin.

Other symptoms of declining thyroid function are dry skin, sensitivity to hot and cold, unexplained weight gain, missing outer third of eyebrows, constipation, brittle nails, high or low blood pressure, susceptibility to infections, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, joint or muscle pain, cystic breasts or ovaries, chronic sinusitis, slow heart rate, TMJ syndrome, dental problems, headache, and increased cholesterol levels. This list reveals how critical proper thyroid function is to well being.

The good new is that low thyroid can easily be corrected by supplementing the body with bio-identical thyroid hormones. Armour thyroid is the natural form of thyroid hormone. For more information about the thyroid and hair see http://www.naturalnews.com/024388.html

Too much stress can cause hair to thin

Hair loss may be the first indication that your stress level is taking a toll on your body. Stress is nothing less than epidemic today, and this high level can actually cause hair loss along with many more serious health problems. Excessive physical or emotional stress associated with illness, injury, and trauma may cause the hair to stop growing and enter a period of dormancy which is followed two or three months later by the hair falling out. When physical or emotional equilibrium is regained, hair will again begin to grow, usually about 6 to 9 months later.

A more serious situation develops when stress is constant and almost unrelenting as it is for many people in this society. Hair thinning will continue unless effective means of dealing with the stress are put in place and calmness can be restored. Prolonged hair loss caused by chronic stress is a warning that other bodily systems are in jeopardy.

Cortisol is the stress hormone that gives the body its fight or flight response to stressful situations. It is an important hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in maintaining proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, immune function, and inflammatory response. When stress is constant and prolonged, cortisol levels stay elevated and the body enters a state of chronic stress.

Higher and prolonged levels of corisol in the bloodstream have been shown to have negative effects, such as impaired cognitive performance, suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, decreased bone density, decreased muscle tissue, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, heightened inflammatory response, and increased abdominal fat. If no steps are taken to reduce the stress level, heart attack or stroke may follow.

To keep corisol levels healthy, the body's relaxation response should be activated. Learn to relax the body with various stress management techniques and make changes in your lifestyle to minimize the stress. Eat a diet of whole food that emphasizes vegetables and fruits. Take supplements like bee pollen, spirulina and chlorella to make sure nutrition is complete. Add alfalfa to keep your body fully mineralized, as stress raises the need for minerals. The B complex vitamins as well as vitamin C are needed to support the adrenal gland while dealing with chronic stress.

Hair products containing toxic chemicals promote hair loss

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the dominant ingredient in almost all shampoos sold in traditional outlets such as supermarkets, drugstores and discount centers. In addition to having toxic effects on your immune system, SLS has been shown to corrode hair follicles and impede hair growth. It has been blamed for many cases of hair loss. The Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the U.S. government says exposure to SLS can lead to burning, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. The American College of Toxicology says SLS stays in the body for up to five days and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, brain, and lungs.

Over-treated hair is another cause of hair loss in women. Hair dyes, permanents, and relaxers do serious damage to the hair and scalp whether they contain lye or not. They are made with toxic chemicals that must be detoxified by the liver, and are identified by the immune system as foreign invaders. Thus health of the liver and the immune system are compromised by use of these products. When the liver is busy trying to detoxify an onslaught of foreign chemicals, estrogen metabolism may not be properly completed and breast cancer may be promoted. An immune system busy fighting off an invasion of foreign chemicals may not be able to prevent infection or identify and destroy abberant cells. Damage from dyes and relaxers can only heal when those potions are no longer used on the hair.

The Truth about your Hair

There are many misconceptions about hair and its care. Once one knows the truth, the solution for hair challenges becomes logical, not a hidden secret to be discovered.

The most widely held misconception concerning hair is that is alive, and, therefore, its condition can be 'permanently' altered by using some newly discovered commercial potion. The truth is that hair is only living matter at its base below the surface of the scalp. Like the tip of one's finger nail, hair is dead matter, and can be clipped shorter and discarded. This fact alone brings us to two important conclusions about how one may maintain stronger, healthier looking, shiny hair.

Conclusion #1:
We must be concerned with preventative maintenance by creating a healthy environment below the surface of the scalp, where hair is germinated or born. Since hair in its basic form is 100% keratin (protein), our diets should consist of a good balance of easily digested protein, i.e. - dairy products, poultry and meat. For those of us who are vegans, good protein alternatives are nuts, beans and the old stand-by - peanut butter. I suspect that with the popular emergence of low-carbohydrate/high-protein diets, we in turn will begin to see more heads of hair with less frizzies and easily split ends.

Now, how do we ensure this quality protein gets to the living roots of our hair? Just as we stimulate quality muscle growth through exercising and bringing protein-laden blood to specific body parts, we can do the same for our hair. This is easily achieved by simply massaging your scalp, once a day, while you shampoo and condition your hair. You'll not only have cleaner and more thoroughly conditioned hair, but you will have stimulated protein-supplying blood to feed the germinating roots of your hair. Be careful to use only the pads of your fingers in small circular motions as you gently massage your scalp. Never use your fingernails for this purpose as you can cause abrasions to your scalp that could lead to infection and possible skin disorders.

Conclusion #2:
Since the hair we visually see above the surface of the scalp is essentially dead matter, how can we repair it from external environmental and/or chemical damage? First, we must realize that any product remedy we might add to our hair is always a temporary fix, no matter how good it is at initially solving certain hair challenges. Any product that is effective at controlling frizzies must be used periodically to continue to be effective. Some haircare products work for longer periods between uses, while others must be used every day to overcome challenges like split-ends. 

This brings us to several fallacies concerning the shampoo and conditioning of hair. One of which is that a shampoo alone can increase the overall health of the hair. Shampoo, no matter what exotic or expensive ingredients are added to it, is designed to perform one single task - to cleanse the hair of excessive sebum (natural oils), body sweat and environmental impurities. It is a scientific contradiction that cleansing the hair alone will keep it healthy, once you have stripped it of all of its natural protective properties, like sebum. The longer your hair is, the less the chance is that these natural hair oils will reach the mid-shaft to ends of your hair with daily shampooing. This leaves the older and more vulnerable sections of the hairshaft exposed to further damage from heated styling appliances and chemical processes, such coloring or permanent waving. 

Therefore, the mid-shaft to ends of your hair do not need the same intense daily cleansing as the first few inches of hair closest to the scalp. The remedy is very simple - as you gently massage your scalp while shampooing, only apply and focus your shampoo within the first 2 - 3 inches of hair closest to your scalp. When you rinse the shampoo from this base section of the hair it will quickly pass though the mid-shaft to ends of your hair, thus providing these areas with the lighter cleansing they require.

Many people have the misconception that daily conditioning (protection) of their hair will cause flatness or added weight. This challenge is easily resolved by, first, knowing how to physically condition the hair and, second, by understanding the different intended uses of the main 3 types of conditioners, i.e. - rinses, daily and deep conditioners.

Daily conditioning (protecting) any type of hair, from thin & fine to thick & frizzy, is basically the same. It is simply the reverse concept of shampooing hair as discussed above - considering that throughout the course of the day the first 3 inches of hair closest to the scalp will receive an adequate supply of naturally-occurring hair oil (sebum). Therefore, if you condition this area with a crème rinse or daily conditioner it can become over-conditioned, heavy & less manageable. The solution is to apply your conditioner from the mid-shaft (3 inches from scalp) of the hair to the ends. Then using a wide-toothed comb and holding onto the ends of your hair, gently comb the conditioner from mid-shaft to ends for even distribution, detangling and sealing split ends. By the time you finish doing this, the conditioner will have remained within your hair for the appropriate 3 to 5 minutes to be effective in temporarily repairing any damaged or frizzy areas. 

The concept for applying deep conditioners is the same as above, however, the time the conditioner is left within the hair must be extended up to 20 minutes to allow penetration into the inner (cortical) layer of the hairshaft - only 10 minutes if your wrap your hair in a moist, hot towel. Deep conditioning should be done sparingly - once per week for most hair types. Deep conditioning the hair more than this is could cause the opposite intended effect. If you over-use a protein-based deep conditioner to strengthen and add body, it could cause the hair to become dry and brittle. If you over-use a moisturizing or oil-based deep conditioner, it could cause your hair to become limp and lifeless.

Notes about detangling hair and hair loss:

Many people are misinformed that it is safer to detangle the hair while it is dry. One must understand that the hair can stretch up to 50% of its length while wet without breakage, however, while dry, hair will break before it stretches 25% of its length. It is best to keep a wide-toothed comb within your shower to detangle & seal split-ends, as described above, while using a low pH (3.5 to 5.5 acidic) crème rinse or daily conditioner.

On the subject of misperceived hair loss - many people turn fearful upon seeing their hairbrush & shower drain filled with an inordinate amount of their hair. I wish to relieve some of this fear by stating the fact that each strand of hair has a lifespan of 2 to 7 years before a new hair begins to grow in its place, pushing it out to end up in one's brush or shower drain. This means everyone sheds 50 to 80 hairs from their head everyday. If one has longer hair it may give the false appearance that they a shedding more hair daily than the average amount. One should only be concerned if the hair being shed daily is not being replaced by new hair growth, however, this is the subject of a future article.

The Hair Facts

Our hair is an integral part of our body as well as our personality, and also reflects health & fitness. Our style statement depends mostly on our hair. So it is necessary for us to take proper care for our hair. Though we are often in the habit of neglecting this. And the result is that we often suffer from gray hair, hair fall, hair loss, dandruff and scalp problems, split ends etc. The fact is that our hair needs proper nutrition for growth and to shine with health. Though hair loss does have some genetic connections but still there are many reasons, which are responsible for hair problems, like diet, general health, hormonal deficiencies, excessive use of hair dyes and hair colors, physical and mental stress, etc. also lead to different hair problems. However, it is not much difficult to control these problems, which ultimately leads to premature hair fall among individuals.

The first and foremost factor is undoubtedly the role of diet. We should always be conscious about our diet chart. A perfectly balanced diet is necessary for the proper growth and health of the hair. Our hair gets its nutrition from its root, which is the only living part of our hair and is situated under the scalp. Thus the scalp provides the necessary nutrition to the hair. So it is essential for us to nourish the scalp. Therefore, it can be said that a healthy scalp is the key to healthy hair. Moreover, scalp protection is further essential for controlling the dandruff problem. Actually, dandruff is nothing but dead skin cells which develop on the scalp. It is a natural process and is caused by the flaking of the dead skin cells. But when this is increased by an excessive rate we call it the dandruff problem. And if proper attention is not paid in time it may also result in hair fall, as the scalp cannot breathe under the thick layer of dead skin. So the scalp plays a vital role in the nourishment of the hair.

A large part of hair is made of protein. Therefore protein is much essential for the growth of hair. All animal products are rich in protein and it is also found in a lower percentage in all vegetables. Vitamins A, B, C are especially beneficial for our hair. But excessive intake of these vitamins may have adverse effects. About 20% of our hair is composed of water. Therefore, it is essential to stay hydrated, especially in the summer. Minerals like iron, copper, calcium, zinc and silica are essential for the growth of our hair.

Here goes the diet matter that we should keep in mind if we are doing hair care. Besides this there are some other facts that should also be kept in mind. For example shampooing every alternate day is essential to keep hair clean. Along with shampoo conditioners should also be used. Proper conditioning is necessary not only for the health of our hair but also it enriches our style statement. Using coconut oil at regular interval is also essential as it helps in hair growth. Thus a proper care should be taken for the growth and development of our hair.

The Care and Feeding of Long Hair

Healthy, beautiful long hair offers so many rewards! Getting there isn't difficult, but it requires a partnership between you and your stylist.

Step One - Handle with Care!
The number one obstacle to growing healthy long hair is damage - and most of it is self inflicted. Hair should always be handled gently - especially when wet. Detangle with your fingers, then a wide tooth comb. Avoid metal barrettes and rough elastics - plastic clips and hair sticks are just as versatile and much healthier. If you heat-style, try to reduce the heat, and use leave-in protectors before applying the heat. A little extra time and care will really pay off.

Step Two -Get the Right Help
To successfully grow and maintain long hair, you need a stylist who shares your goal. Many women have had unhappy encounters with a "scissor-happy" stylist who imposes her own will. But other more subtle stylist behaviors can sabotage your desire for long hair. Take the time and effort to find a stylist who respects your wishes and will work with you. Insist on a consultation before having any services performed - this is an excellent time to assess the stylist. Does he listen to you? Have a plan to help
you grow and maintain long hair? Does he seem interested in your needs - or is he patronizing, anxious to impose his vision?

When you feel comfortable to proceed with a trim, observe how he treats your hair. Look for gentleness and respect - not a hurried, rough approach. Ask to look at the back of the hair together - and be sure you
agree on precisely how much should be trimmed. If you can see that you really do need some length trimmed, and are comfortable with it, then accept the short-term loss for the long-term gain.

Your stylist should not use damaging cutting techniques, such as slide-cutting or razoring. These approaches damage the hair's cuticle beyond repair and won't allow you to grow it long and healthy.

Step Three - Products Matter
Long hair has special needs - it's older and more porous. Your shampoo should be gentle, but not overloaded with conditioners that prevent proper cleansing. Alternate conditioning with moisturizers and deep protein treatments. A Cream Rinse should be used after every shampoo - it's not the same as a conditioner! It will gently detangle your hair and smooth the cuticle without building up.

 You will need to experiment with styling products to find the right ones for your special needs. Look for those that accomplish your goals without building up or drying you out.

Step Four - A Healthy You
Hair always reflects your overall health - so pay attention to your nutrition and exercise. Give your scalp a boost by brushing dry hair daily starting at the roots. Use a natural boar bristle brush, with a wooden base. This will stimulate the roots of the hair and massage the muscles of the scalp.

Step Five - Learn to Enjoy It!
Long hair offers many different looks. It is truly much more versatile than short hair! Ask your stylist for a lesson on quick changes using clips and hair sticks. There are many books and videos to help you learn
basic or advanced braiding. When you learn to easily handle your length, you'll find you enjoy it so much more.

The Best Care for Curly Hair

Naturally Curly is the place to be for anyone with naturally curly hair. Whether you're a woman, man or child, the largest online community for curly headed people has what you need to make your curls and coils look their best.

If you have curly hair, chances are your hair tends to be dry, coarse and brittle. It also tends to frizz up, doesn't it? Here, we show you how to care for your curly hair. Curly hair, whether it be long curly hair or short curly hair can either be natural or curse for anyone. It's very difficult to take care of curly hair. It’s very important to use right curly hair products for the curly hair to control these problems. Learn how you can make yourself keep beautiful with curly hair with these curly hair care tips.

Good Hair Dress: At first main thing is choosing good hair dresser for curly hair. And it’s best to get recommendation from the people who have the same hair type as yours. Get it trim every 6-8 weeks to keep your hair looking best. Creamy Shampoo:  Creamy shampoos are better for curly hair. Wash your hair once in a weak with deep conditioner. Don't wash your hair every day because for curly hair oil message is very important.

Most brushes and combs tear up curls and cause frizz, so it’s always better to style your hair using your fingers or a pick. Never use an old-fashioned brush with tons of soft bristles. These brushes will turn even the slightest curl into instant kinky frizz. Whenever possible, allow hair to air dry. Giving your hair a break from heat styling will keep it healthier. When you do blow dry your hair, use a diffuser. After drying your hair use GHD straighteners for your hair.

Before drying your hair, scrunch a little styling gel into your curls and then do not touch your hair until it is completely dry. Once dry, run your fingers gently through your hair to separate curls. If needed, use a small barreled curling iron to touch up a curl here and there. To control frizzy hair, use an anti-frizz serum to smooth the frizz, add shine and condition your hair. Most serums contain silicone which sits on top of the hair shaft and protects hair from heat.

Keep in mind that many envy your curls. This made the ionic curling iron popular. The first thing you need to do is to appreciate what you have. When you do that, taking care of it will come naturally. It is best to seek help from professionals when styling your hair. Although it is difficult to find one for curly hairs, knowing an expert is worth the trouble. You should also know the basic hair care tricks for your hair. Use shampoo and conditioner designed for your hair. Cut it in a flattering style while keeping it long. In addition, remember that you hair is not a fan of heat. Keep the blow dryers away as much as possible.

Some Useful Pieces Of Advice To Treat Hair Dropping Out In The Fall

Everybody knows that all hormonal changes of the organism are increased throughout summer. So, it is reasonable that your hair also grows much faster in this period of time. Nevertheless, being affected by dangerous summer rays hair loses its splendour, it becomes fragile and dry, especially on ends. That is why hair will need a special care as fall begins.

Because of harmful influence of ultraviolet rays, frequent washing and contact with sea water, hair drops out more rapidly at the beginning of autumn than in any other time. If average hair loss makes commonly from 40 up to 70 hairs a day, in the fall these numbers are much higher - from 70 up to 120 hairs a day. Thus, you should give a helping hand to scalp and hair, if you don’t want to face the problem of hair loss. For this purpose the best option is to discuss the issue with your doctor in order to think over a unique plan for treating hair loss specially for your hair. In any case, there are some well-known options to restore your hair at least in some way that can be of help for practically anyone.

First of all, you should sacrifice the ends of your hair. After you have cut off overdried ends that may split and, as a matter of fact, differ in color you will make your hair-do look rather good. An in case hair bulbs are in bad state, it will be easier for them to keep shorter hair and to provide it with vital nutritious elements.

Hair experts recommend to wash hair inclined to fragility with the use of a shampoo diluted with mineral water. And in general it is better to wash and rinse your weakened hair with boiled water, as chlorinated tap water dries up your hair along the full length gradually. Truly, burdock, nettles, almond, nut oil, shampoos are the best option for your dry hair. During grey autumn days it is quite useful to wash out your weak and damaged hair with beer dissolved fifty-fifty with boiled water.

In case your hair is drastically dried out as a result of of hazardous summer rays, take in 3 spoons of corn oil throughout the day. By doing this, you will bring back nice quality and color of your head-skin and hair. Healing masks with vegetables and fruits, saline solution, aloe, honey, work wonders in case of fragile hair.

Foods that seem to be harmful to your hair

There are some foods that you should avoid and replace them with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Why? To ensure that the hair that is forming beneath the surface of your scalp is healthy.

So, the foods to avoid include too many sweets, chocolate, cakes and cookies. Unfortunately, these favorites simply don't help your hair.

The Causes of Women's Hair Loss

The first thing you notice might be more hair than usual in your hair brush or clogging the shower drain. Or you see that your part is getting wider or that your hair seems to be thinning overall. If hair loss progresses you may wonder, Am I going bald? What’s causing this? Hair loss in women can occur for many reasons. These include:

• Female pattern baldness. This can cause thinning hair on the top or sides of the head or at the crown. This tends to get worse over time, but treatment with topical minoxidil (Rogaine) can help prevent more lost hair and spur new hair growth.
• A stress response called telogen effluvium. If you have a major shock to your physical or emotional health, such as surgery or a death in the family, it’s common to lose more hair than usual two to three months after the event. Telogen effluvium can also result from a sudden change in hormone levels; such a change can be caused, for example, by childbirth. When stress is the cause, hair will grow back over several months.
• A nutritional deficiency or illness. A serious deficiency in protein, iron, zinc, or other nutrients can make hair fall out. Hair loss in women can also be a symptom of a disorder such as lupus or diabetes.
• A side effect of certain drugs. Some medications can cause hair loss. Common culprits include lithium, beta-blockers, warfarin, and heparin.
• Alopecia. This is an autoimmune disease that makes hair fall out in small, round patches. In some cases, it can cause total baldness. A corticosteroid applied to the scalp or injected can help.
• Fungal scalp infection. Some forms of fungi can infect the scalp, making hair break off at the scalp. This can be treated with oral medication.
• Overtreating your hair. Braiding your hair tightly, using curling irons or hot rollers, or coloring your hair can make hair brittle and more likely to fall out.
• Pulling out your hair. This is a mental disorder called trichotillomania; a person afflicted with it will pull out their hair frequently, which can cause patchy bald spots on their scalp or elsewhere on their body.

Preventing Hair Loss in Women
You can prevent some forms of hair loss with a healthy lifestyle and a little TLC for your locks. It also helps to try to reduce stress in your life and eat a nutritionally balanced diet. If a medication is the problem, ask your doctor about switching to something that doesn’t cause hair loss. You can avoid hair loss from fungus by not sharing combs, brushes, or hats with others.
If you want to cover up your scalp while you’re waiting for lost hair to regrow, talk to your stylist about techniques to camouflage sparse areas. Hair weaving and wigs can also come in handy.
When to See a Doctor
Consult your doctor if you suddenly notice hair loss. He or she may take a hair sample for testing if a fungal infection is suspected, or order blood tests if illness or a nutritional deficiency might be at the root of your problem. If you are compulsively pulling out your hair, a doctor can suggest a mental-health professional who specializes in conditions like trichotillomania.
Finding out what’s causing your hair loss is the first step — and it’s also a giant step toward fixing the problem and seeing your hair look healthy again.
source:http://www.dailyglow.com/hair-problems/womens-hair-loss.html

What to Do About a Greasy Scalp

Having a greasy scalp can be truly frustrating. Not only do you have to deal with hair that can look oily and stringy, but treatments can backfire. If you use a shampoo that gets rid of scalp oil, the ends of your hair can look parched; if you then use conditioner to moisturize your hair, your scalp looks oily in no time.
A greasy scalp comes from overactive sebaceous glands. These glands, at the base of each hair strand, produce sebum, an oily secretion that normally keeps your scalp moisturized and makes your hair shiny. But certain factors can put sebaceous glands into overdrive. These include the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Having high stress levels can affect hormones and add to the problem, too. Even environmental factors such as air pollution and hot, humid weather can make a greasy scalp worse.
Treating a Greasy Scalp
You can improve the look of your hair by trying the following tips:

• Shampoo often, with the right products. To help control the oil, it’s best to wash your hair every day or every other day. Look for oil-free products designed to treat an oily scalp and oily hair (clarifying shampoos, for example). Steer clear of shampoos with ingredients like silicone or lanolin, and avoid products that are both a shampoo and conditioner in one.
• Use hair-care products strategically. Apply shampoo to your scalp only; if the ends of your hair are dry, use a conditioner just on the ends.
• Follow shampoo instructions carefully. If the bottle says to wash, rinse, and repeat, be sure to do it. The second time you lather up, leave shampoo in place for at least five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. That way, a buildup of hair products won’t contribute to limp locks.
• Try an astringent rinse for the scalp. These products help reduce oil. You can also make your own rinse by mixing a little lemon juice in water and sluicing it through your hair.
• Use a comb or brush sparingly. When you comb or brush, it carries oil in your scalp down the length of your hair. Comb or brush gently and as little as possible.
• Reduce stress in your life. If your stress level is high and climbing higher, stress-busting techniques can help. These include yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Being physically active as many days of the week as possible also lowers stress levels.

Getting Medical Help
If home remedies don’t seem to help, consult your dermatologist. Sometimes an oily scalp is due to seborrheic dermatitis. This condition causes an oily scalp with white or yellow scales; it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the eyelids and behind the ears. Your doctor can recommend an over-the-counter medicated shampoo or prescribe a shampoo to control it.
With the proper hair-care products used the right way, you can turn your scalp and hair from greasy to healthy-looking.
source:http://www.dailyglow.com/hair-problems/greasy-scalp.html

Brightening Dull Hair

o you spend a lot of time, money, and effort on your hair, only to find it still looks dull and drab? It could be all that coloring, straightening, curling, and styling that’s causing the problem. To prevent dull hair, it’s best to take a hands-off approach when it comes to your natural color and texture. Too much coloring and bleaching can cause dull hair. The high heat from blow-dryers and curling irons can leave hair brittle. And constant wearing of braids, ponytails, or hair extensions, all of which pull on hair, can lead to hair breakage.
Too much sun is also a bad thing: Overexposure to ultraviolet light can fade your hair color and make hair dry and brittle, leading to breakage and split ends. And, contrary to what you may think, brushing your hair 100 times a day doesn’t give your hair a healthy shine — it causes split ends.
Eliminating Dull Hair
If your hair could use a little help in the shine department, you’ll find everything you need at your local drugstore or beauty supply store. Try the following tips:

• De-gunk your hair. Use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of shampoo, conditioner, and styling products that may have built up on your hair. Be sure to rinse extra carefully — that helps ensure that all the old products are washed out of your hair.
• Moisturize. Sometimes dry hair is the culprit. If your hair looks and feels like straw, wash it with a moisturizing shampoo and use a conditioner after every time you shampoo. If you’re worried about conditioner weighing down your hair, apply it only from the bottom half of your hair down to the ends. For hair that’s colored or bleached, using a deep conditioner once a week is a good idea.
• Add shine. Hair that looks dull and flat can be perked up with a shine spray, mist, or serum. These products contain silicone, and they can make your hair look shiny and silky. Just go easy on them, so that they don’t contribute to a beauty-product buildup.
• Switch brands of hair-care products periodically. Over time, the products you use to wash and style your hair can make it look dull. Try rotating the brand you use every few months.
• Use the right brush. A brush with tightly packed bristles smoothes hair, leaving a glossy finish.
• Blow-dry your hair on cool or warm. Using the hot setting can damage your hair.
• Protect your hair from the sun. Before a day at the beach or by the pool, put on a hat. You can also spray your locks with a sun block designed for hair.
• Choose warm tones if you color or highlight your hair. Because warm tones reflect light, they can brighten the hair.
• Ask your stylist about a salon gloss treatment. These add shine to your hair for a few weeks without changing its color.

In most cases, the strategic (and proper) use of a few hair-care products is all it takes to turn dull hair to dazzling