Baldness and Hair Loss Advice

By Jennifer Summers

Talking about hair loss with your GP is an important first step. For millions of people world-wide, each day is a "bad hair" day due to the predicament of thinning hair or hair loss. There are a variety of treatments offered these days that make hair loss or thinning hair easier to live with. Distressing situations and heredity can be the reason for hair thinning and loss and can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations, excessive physical force or poor nutrition. Alopecia is a worry not only experienced by men but by an increasing number of women, it is the disproportionate and abnormal loss of strong hair. While these factors can concern both men and women, hair thinning and loss usually happens for:

Men A thinning crown or receding hair line is the most common pattern of hair loss. Hair loss occurs due to the presence of a derivative or by-product of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone can shrink the hair follicles and has a greater effect in the mid-anterior scalp and temples. Some types of male hair loss are:Acute diffuse alopecia - occurs from physical or psychological factors such as hormones, nutritional deficiencies or medications.Chronic Diffuse Alopecia - can occur due to nutritional, metabolic or endocrine issues. Androgenetic Alopecia - occurs due to genetic sensitivity to male hormones. This rarely affects women.

Women Most cases of hair thinning and loss are as a result of hormonal fluctuations, ie during pregnancy, childbirth or use of some methods of birth control. Women can also experience: Anagen effluvium - occurs due to chemotherapy. The matrix of the hair becomes damaged and, as a result, the hair shaft will narrow, eventually fracturing. Traction alopecia - caused by severe hairstyles, such as ponytails that are too tight, braiding, cornrows or the frequent use of extensions. These procedures pull at hair over a period of time but loss can be prevented if recognized and treated early.

Males and females can reduce or even halt hair loss or thinning, if found early enough, by using various over-the-counter treatments like: a). A shampoo that describes itself as "revitalizing/fortifying/energizing". These will nurture and guard existing hair while removing oils that can obstruct the follicles and stop re-growth. b). A daily vitamin supplement. Look for supplements labelled especially for hair and/or nails and are fortified with Vitamin B3 (niacin). These defend the hair shaft, and antioxidants, to ward off harm from free radicals. c). Weekly use, leave-in scalp treatment prepared with essential oils - oils such as lavender and orange will relax and unblock hair follicles to encourage growth, regulate oil production and sustain cell repair. Results will vary, as with any treatment, and may possibly need to be continued on a regular basis. Also, allow around 6-8 weeks before expecting to see results.

Techniques to hide hair loss: Perhaps it is time to think of some techniques to hide your hair loss if you are unhappy with your thinning hair. Whether you are a man or a woman losing hair due to heredity, stress, medication or a medical condition you can use these tips to help you cope. Use a Hair Thickening Shampoo or Conditioner Use a hair thickening shampoo and/or conditioner meant to disguise loss by making the hair appear to be thicker. Brush your hair gently after shampooing and conditioning to stop losing more hair, and allow hair to dry completely before combing or brushing it.

Styling Techniques If your hair is not as thick as it once was, there are a number of hair styling methods and hair styling products that can be employed to keep your hair looking its best at any age. Try to avoid hair gels as they only matte your hair and highlight your hair loss. Instead use hair texturizing creams and lotions that give you volume and fullness. Another good option is to use a leave-in hair conditioner that can make your hair emerge more textured and fuller. For a fuller look try blow drying your hair - For hair that is getting thin on top, try blow drying after you have washed and conditioned, then comb your hair in front directly back. Use mousse or a light hair spray to maintain the style. The blow drying will stop your hair from matting together and looking thinner.

Extending your Hair Hair extensions are a quick and simple method for men and women with long thick hair to disguise the fact that they are losing some hair. Employ a salon for adding natural human hair to your head. This option can last for several weeks to several months.

Blow-dry your Hair Consider blow drying if your hair is thinning on top to give it added texture and body and to give your head more coverage. Brush it into a quiff on top of your head by brushing it from the forehead up. Maintain the style with a little hairspray. If your hair is thinning throughout, this is a good way to make your hair look fuller. Chaps -Getting a Buzz from your Hair The buzz cut is a way to disguise the fact that you are losing hair. Businessmen, sports stars and actors all use this as a classy, style that is easy to maintain. Groom your scalp daily and remove the hairs you have left for a clean, fresh look by using a wet-dry electric razor. If you're disturbed about your hair loss or if your hair is starting to thin, make an appointment with your hairdresser or barber and request some advice on a fresh, new look. There are plenty of hair styles to choose from that have you looking great. - 18095

About the Author:

Jennifer Summers is a great source of information on hair loss products, regularly providing informative advice on thinning hair.

A Look at Herbal Skin Care Products

By Gugu Martini

Herbal skin care has been practiced for thousands of years when only natural products were available. Unfortunately, the advent of the synthetic skin care preparations all but killed the herbal based products. Unfortunately many of these natural formulas where never written down as they were handed down by word of mouth so only a small number remain, there are even people that have never use a herbal product.

There are a number of reasons why we have gradually turned our backs on natural skin care products but probably the biggest is the huge commercial market which herbal preparations could never keep up with. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialized and many commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home.

It seems that increasing numbers of people are becoming more discerning and using herbal skin care products again from companies that are specializing in making small batches of these products. While commercial manufacturers can produce them cheaper then that is how the majority of us will buy them but do you know what they actually are?

Aloe vera is probably the best known which is an extract from Aloe plant and is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product plus freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps to heal cuts, treat sun burns and in soothing skin. Other household herbs like dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary are good at cleansing but usually when they are in combination with other herbs.

You may not know about the herbal antiseptic qualities of other herbs like lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel and the use of lavender water and rose water have been known to have skin toning properties for a very long time. Products containing extracts of tea have also been found to be very effective treating people that have received too much UV radiation from the sun.

You may also be familiar with herbal oil extracts like tea tree, primrose and lavender which are the most popular and used for a variety of reasons. Certain skin conditions can also be helped with oils extracted from plants in herbal skin care preparations.

Although it is not something that is mentioned very often but herbal skin care products rarely have any adverse effects on the user and as you can produce them at home, they are very attractive to people trying to avoid anything synthetic. While herbal products will probably remain popular as there are so few reactions to them that there will be times when synthetic products will be necessary for certain skin disorders.

If you want your skin to look for your whole life, you will take care of it irrespective of whether it is with herbal or synthetic skin care products. - 18095

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How to Get Acne Treatment Correctly

By David Lam

Acne always affect teenage boys, however some women and girls also experience acne flare-up during the menstrual cycle or ovulation period. So far there is no cure for acne, however this condition can be improved by acne treatment. While visiting a dermatologist, he or she may look for acne nodules, cysts, comedones and pustules on the shoulders, upper arms, face, chest and back. The doctor's diagnosis of acne is usually based on a simple physical examination. The doctor normally will note the question on family history, diet and cosmetic use.

If you or your teenager has acne that is not controlled with over-the-counter washes or gels, you should seek for your doctor's help. In teenager, the acne's amount may not be a true gauge of the impact of the problem on a child's life. Even small amounts of acne can bring psychologically painful and terribly embarrassing to some young people. You should always try to talk these things out with your teenager. If your child feels that this is not a problem, try to be patient with him. However remember that you cannot force the child to go into acne treatment.

Some Solutions to Get Rid of Acne

Unluckily, the tendency to develop acne is inherited and acne cannot be "prevented". However it is helpful to remember that it is a normal part of maturing hormonally and develops in most people. The effects can be lessening by careful cleanliness.

The treatment of acne is usually designed to prevent formation of new lesions and aid the healing of old ones. Your doctor may suggest the following ways to treat your acne.

- Salicyclic acid washes which washes and help to "empty" comedones.

- Benzoyl peroxide gels which is a kind of medications that applied to the skin as a thin film. They fight the growth of bacteria and help clear blocked follicles after they dry and peel the skin. Although some acne treatments in weaker over-the-counter lotions are available, your doctor may prescribe a more effective and stronger gel form.

- Tretinoin (Retin-A) which is applied to the skin as a gel, cream or solution and helps to clear the skin of plugged follicles by increasing the turnover of skin cells. As it also increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, it is suggested to apply the tretinoin with a sunscreen.

- Antibiotics such as clindamycin and erythromycin can be applied directly to the skin to reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

Most acne problem cases can be controlled with medication and the results vary and may not be seen for weeks or months. Most topical medicines which applied directly to the skin will work within 4-8 weeks. Another acne treatment like Tretinoin may show peak results within 3-6 months. - 18095

About the Author:

David Lam, who has studies various medical studies and manage to get rid of acne naturally, willing to share his knowledge through website where you can get Free E-book and Useful Information about Acne Skin Care and Acne Treatment.