Care for Your Hair

How Can I Repair My Split Ends?

There is really no way to repair split ends. You can get rid of them only by getting a hair cut. It is far better to find the right hair product and keep your hair healthy. Otherwise, grab the scissors.

Cut Your Hair and It Will Grow Faster

Sorry, this is also a myth. Normally our hair grows about ¼ inch a month, give or take a bit. You can give that a boost by eating a lot of protein, maybe sprout ½ inch monthly. But, cutting your hair does not cause it to grow faster.

Your Hair Will Grow Back Thicker Where You Shave

Shaving has no effect on the texture of hair. Because shaved hair lacks the fine taper found on the ends of unshaven hair, it can appear to be coarser, but it’s not. In addition, new hair has not been exposed to the sun as long so it appears darker than the older hair. This can add to the illusion of being coarse.

Pull Out One Hair and 3 Will Grow Back

Boy, if that were true, a lot of thin hair people would be yanking away. There are three parts to a strand of hair. One is the hair shaft or the fiber, the hair bulb or the root, and the third is the cycle or time of growing and resting. That’s it. Plucking out, for instance, that gray hair is not going to cause 3 more to grow back. Nor will it help grow more wanted hair.

Am I Going Bald?

Hair follows a cycle that takes about 8 years. First it will grow, rest for a few months, and then it will shed. Many things can affect the cycle such as fever, stress, iron levels, weight loss, and certain illnesses. So it is natural for about 10% of your hair to be shedding. If you notice losing a lot of hair, check with your doctor.

Dull, Dry Hair

Using a blow dryer or flat iron on hair is the number one cause of dull, dry hair. Excessive heat, especially applied to wet hair, has a very dried out effect on hair. Try air drying a while before finishing up with the blow dryer and only use the flat iron on dry hair. Hair that has been color treated is more prone to damage. Find yourself a good conditioner.

Brittle Hair

Some hairstyles have harsher effects than others. Hair extensions, or tight ponytails, and corn rolls are popular culprits. Be careful when pulling your hair back and don’t brush hard when your hair is wet. Try using a wide toothed comb and be gentle. That old adage about brushing your hair 100 strokes a day, it’s just that: an old adage. The less brushing the better.

When Your Hair Turns Gray

Once the pigment producing cells in your hair is gone, they’re gone. Your natural hair color will be some shade of gray. The good news is that you can color it.

Dandruff

The cause of dandruff remains a mystery. We do know that it can be genetic, but not always. If using your normal shampoo daily does not stop the itching and flaking, try switching to a shampoo made to fight dandruff. The downside is that anti-dandruff shampoos are usually harsh on the hair fiber. Try using the dandruff shampoo intermittently with your regular shampoo.

A Bald Spot

We’re talking about an unexpected bald spot. Alopecia Areata occurs when your immune system starts attacking the hair bulbs. The bulb won’t start to grow back until the attack is over. The cause could be stress or environmental. Most cases are not permanent and with treatment, the hair will grow back. Consult a doctor.

Thicker Hair Since I Became Pregnant

The hormones of pregnancy can be responsible for the thicker hair than before. Enjoy it while you can (assuming the hair is growing on your head and not unwanted places). When you are pregnant and for a few months following, your hair stays in a high state of growth with minimal loss. Then things go back to normal.

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Loving Your Skin

Whether you have the skin of a baby or your skin is aging, here are some tips to make the most of what you’ve got.

Your Skin Needs TLC

The level of cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, rises when you are worried. This can affect your face in the form of oily skin and ugly acne outbreaks. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD), higher cortisol levels can also influence the risk of skin cancer and affect how quickly wounds heal. Try to lower your stress level.

Pregnancy Skin Issues

About 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks sometime in their fifth and sixth months. There are some preventative products on the market to help with this problem, but none can offer a full guarantee. Moisturizers can improve the appearance of stretch marks and sooth some of the itchiness. Other options include prescription creams or laser therapy, after the pregnancy. Itchy palms or soles of your feet may also be an irritant during pregnancy. Try switching to a fragrance-free non-soap cleanser, an oatmeal based moisturizer, or a chilled mentholated moisturizer.

Dark Spots

The darker patches that appear on your face are called hyper pigmentation. They are normally found on the forehead, cheeks, and above the upper lip. These dark splotches occur more often in women than men, according to the Harvard Health Publications. These marks are usually associated with hormonal changes which explains why pregnant women and women taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives develop them. Wearing an SPF 15 or higher can prevent the spots from becoming darker. The spots can be hidden with makeup or treated with prescriptions.

Adult Breakouts

Three factors contribute to adult acne. Over production of oil, clogged hair follicles, or bacteria growth are the most prevalent causes of adult acne. To prevent scarring, refrain from squeezing your pimples. Wash with a mild soap and warm water and avoid scrubbing too hard while cleaning your face. Use oil free sunscreens and cosmetics and avoid alcohol based astringents.

Fragrance

About 2% of Americans are allergic to fragrance, a component in most beauty products. If this is you, try a fragrance free version of the product or switch to something hypoallergenic.

Mature Skin

As you age, your skin loses collagen and tissue that keeps the skin firm and guards against injury. As time goes on your skin is less able to retain moisture and protect against bruising, scarring, and sun damage. Learn more about anti-aging products and general skin care. The earlier you begin proper skin care; the better off you will be through the years.

Piercings and Tattoos

Immediately after getting a tattoo, watch for complications. Staph infections or soft tissue infections are no laughing matter and must be attended to immediately. Some swelling and oozing are normal, but anything that appears suspicious must be treated.

For piercings, it is normal to have an itchy, red skin reaction. Many times it is just a reaction to the nickel in the jewelry. If this occurs, try switching to stainless steel, gold, or platinum jewelry.

Read our safety checklist before getting pierced or tattooed.

Hot Temperatures

As you age, your sweat glands take longer to produce sweat, consequently taking longer to cool down. Adults and infants alike can suffer from heat rash. When sweat glands are clogged or swollen, a red or pinkish rash forms on the skin, that’s a heat rash. Take extra care during hot weather.

Itchy, Dry Skin

Lengthy hot showers or baths contribute to dry, itchy skin. If this is your problem, try using a milder soap, or perhaps a non-soap cleanser. Following bathing, apply a lotion containing lipids. If you continue to have discomfort and a scaly rash like breakout, you may be dealing with atopic dermatitis, or eczema. Learn more about these skin problems.

Preventing Skin Cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends adults do annual or semi-annual full body skin exams either by self examination or with a dermatologist. Check for any new or unusual moles, marks, bumps, or changes. Frequent examinations have proved to increase the chances for discovering melanoma earlier. To defend against cancer always wear a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

Not So Obvious

It is important to protect your skin from the sun, so always use sunscreen and dress appropriately. Apply the sunscreen every time you come out of the water, or every couple of hours. Regardless of skin color or ethnicity, anyone can develop skin cancer. Recognizing skin cancer is difficult because it often appears between the toes or on the scalp, or anywhere else for that matter. Melanoma often goes undetected in people with darker skin until it has spread. The ADD recommends especially for people of color to get regular skin exams (self-exam or with physician) and learn how to identify the signs of melanoma.