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There is no doubt that long, flowing hair is in, but many people who desire to have long hair are unable to achieve the right look no matter how long they let their hair grow. For this reason, many turn to hair extensions to get that look they’ve always dreamed of. Whether their hair is sparse and thin or ethnic and curly, many have found that they can have long hair through hair extension.

There are two major types of hair extension: strands and wefts. Strands use techniques that apply 20 to 50 strands of synthetic or natural hair to your own hair by weaving, heat fusing, gluing, clamping, or using waxes and polymers. Hair extension wefts, on the other hand, use wefts of hair that are sewn into a small braid of your own hair that has been put across your scalp for the purpose of hair extension.

With both types of hair extension you can achieve dramatic results. You can thicken and lengthen your hair instantly. And the hair extensions can be matched up perfectly to your own hair. With hair extensions, you shampoo, style and do everything that you would normally do to your own hair. If you want to change colors, you can. If you want to perm, you can. (There may be some restrictions with certain types of synthetic hair extension).

As with all salon services, there is some upkeep associated with hair extensions. The cost and frequency of your upkeep appointments will depend largely on what type of extensions that you purchase. The amount of damage to your natural hair and longevity of your hair extension will also be determined by which type of hair extensions you choose.

• Strands. This type of hair extension causes the most damage to your natural hair because the technique always involves attaching the extensions to your natural hair shaft by chemical means. As you can imagine by the name of some of the application methods used such as heat fusing and gluing, the damage can be substantial. While the strand hair extension does not cost as much as other procedures, there is a good deal of upkeep. These hair extensions normally have to be completely re-done every few months. And because these types of extensions cause so much damage to your hair shaft, they are not a good option for allowing your natural hair to grow out while you wear the extensions.
• Wefts. Weft hair extensions are by far the best types of hair extensions. The weft itself looks like a curtain of hair attached together at the top and free flowing at the bottom. These hair extensions are attached to your head by sewing them into a tiny braid made out of your own hair. The effects achieved with this technique are very natural and no one can see the braids or wefts of hair unless you show them. Since hair growth will push your braids off of your scalp, in order to keep this type of hair extension looking fresh, you need to return to your stylist every 6 to 8 weeks to have your wefts taken out and put back in close against your scalp.

So, if you always wanted long hair but have never been able to accomplish it, maybe hair extensions are just what you need. But be sure to weigh all of your options and the costs carefully before deciding to get hair extensions.

Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit Great-Hairstyles.com.

The short hair cut is as popular as ever and more and more women are taking the plunge and sporting ultra-short locks. From the heavily textured and spiked to the soft and feminine, there is no doubt that the short hair cut is here to stay and has proven to be one of the most popular hair cut styles among women.

But how do you know if you should go short with your new hair cut or when you should take the plunge? For most, the answer to these questions is going to be a personal decision, but there are some guidelines that you can follow to help you decide whether or not a short hair cut is for you.

Choosing the right hair cut style should be a joint effort between you and your stylist. With her professional advice as to what will look sensational on you and your personal preference, together you should be able to find numerous new hair cuts that are perfect for your individual personality, tastes and features.

When to go for the short hair cut and when not to

You should choose a short hair cut if you prefer shorter styles or if you have been thinking about going short for a while. If you have already worn a short hair cut in the past and loved it, then you are one step ahead of the game. Likely, you will have a good idea of what short cuts will look good on you and which cuts will give you the most styling ease and freedom.

You should not choose a short hair cut just because it is trendy or you saw it on someone else and want to achieve the same effect. While some hair cut styles will look just as great on you as they do on others, getting a short hair cut on a whim is never a good idea. If you see something you like, think about it for a while before deciding to get a new hair cut. Even better - use one of the interactive online hair galleries, to test out the look before you buy

Never get a short hair cut for emotional reasons. Having a bad hair day? Do not cut your hair off in anger. If you do, you may end up fighting with dreaded tresses that are much too short for your particular style. Instead, go for a trim or a style that is just slightly shorter than the one you already have.

How to go short

If you have never had a short hair cut, you should go shorter gradually to reduce the level of shock experienced with getting a short hair cut and to see if you are going to like wearing shorter styles. Be prepared to experience some level of shock, though, even if you only shorten your style by a few inches.

Talk to your stylist and decide what type of short hair cut is your ultimate goal. Then, choose several hair cut styles that you can get over the course of a few months that will decrease your hair’s length gradually. That way when you finally take the plunge and get the short hair cut you will know that you will be comfortable with it. Nothing is worse than trying to grow out a short hair cut that you hate.

Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit Great-Hairstyles.com.

The range of hairstyles available to women began to expand as the world entered a new century in 1900. The Victorian Age was drawing to a close, the automobile was emerging, giving people much more mobility, and a general sense of unlimited possibilities pervaded society. All of this gave a new impetus to creating hairstyles that expressed a more open and optimistic feeling.

1900-1910 Hairstyles – Time of Transition

This decade saw a transition in hairstyles, from the more confined styles of the Victorian era to looser, fuller hairstyles. Curiously, both long and short styles were popular, with longer, free-flowing hair slowly gaining more converts as the decade progressed. Volume was the theme that ran through most of the popular hairstyles, regardless of hair length. Longer hairstyles featured hair parted in the middle (with a noticeable part), and long wavy tresses hanging below the shoulders. Shorter hairstyles generally began around the ears and ‘poofed’ up over the head in several updo styles, often held in place with barrettes and adorned with bows, or large, wide hats.

1910-1920 Hairstyles – Waves & Accessories

As the 1900s moved into the 1910s, hairstyles started off with an emphasis on long hair that was either pinned up in elaborate updos, or made wavy and flowing. Hats and bows were increasingly popular accessories. Nevertheless, in the mid-1910’s, a sea change occurred that would affect women’s hairstyles for years to come. This was the short bob haircut.

As these very short styles caught on and swept America, the range of elegant hairstyles for formal events and nights out on the town diminished. The focus shifted to what women put in their hair. The most popular accessory was a headband, often adorned with fancy beads and stitch-work designs. One hairstyle that gained a lot of popularity (and some notoriety) was called “curtain hair.” This entailed parting short hairstyles down the middle, then letting the hair fall across a headband worn around the middle of the head, just above the ears. For more elegant hairstyles, women often constructed ringlet curls all along the headband, or added jeweled pins.

1920-1930 Hairstyles – Footloose & Fancy Free

The 1920s was a decade of huge societal changes in America. Women got the right to vote, a world war had just ended, hard liquor was banned, and the economy was booming as industry titans emerged. A unique time in the history of hairstyles, the 1920s saw the birth of the ‘Flapper’ era, highlighted by women with very short hair, bold new fashions, and a carefree attitude.

First noticed on famous ballroom dancer, Irene Castle, the ‘Castle bob’ swept the nation in the late 1910s and early 20s. Variations sprang up as the 1920s progressed, a result of women who began feeling their wild oats and experimenting with newfound freedoms of expression.

Formal hairstyles in the 1920s were often limited by the extremely short styles that were so popular then. To make up for this limitation, many women chose to wear wide-brimmed hats with elegant designs and bands. They wore their hair in very simple styles as a result. When a hat was not practical for a particular formal event, women often used curls and mini-updos to accentuate hairstyles that were crafted from rather plain-looking everyday styles.

The times always have an effect on fashions and hairstyles, regardless of the era. In just three decades, from 1900-1930, America went from very conservative styles as the Victorian era was ending, to the wild-eyed, carefree days of short Flapper hairstyles. All of which proves that it’s impossible to look at current hairstyles and fashion trends and make anything more than a wild guess as to where things will be in a few years. We’ll just have to wait and watch.

© John Schwartz 1-Hair-Styles.com (all rights reserved)

John Schwartz is a professional writer and web site publisher. For more information about popular hair styles and beauty tips, visit his site at 1-Hair-Styles.com today.

Today’s man hair style can be either long and textured or super short and tight and still be considered trendy and at the height of fashion. Some men’s hair styles require gel, mousse or pomade while others don’t even need to be combed. The truth is that now more than ever there are numerous ways to achieve a stylish and trendy man hair cut. That means that there are a lot of different styles for men who are looking for the perfect man hair style to choose from.

While the man’s hair style is less rigid than it was in the 80s and requires a lot less goo to accomplish, the modern man hair cut is still best served by a little styling. No, you do not need to spend hours in front of the mirror coaxing every strand into place, but a little gel never hurt any man’s hair style that I know of.

Here are just a few of the latest trends in men’s hair styles and how to style them:

• Super short man’s hair style. High and Tight, Fade, Spike, Clipper Cut and Crew Cut are just a few of the names given to the short man’s hair cut. By far the most popular man’s hair style is the High and Tight or Fade. Characterized by a closely cropped clipper cut around the sides and back of the head with just enough hair on top of the head to comb, this man’s hair style with its many variations accounts for about 75 percent of all popular styles today. With just a little bit of gel to spike up the top, mess it up a little or finger into place, this man’s hair style will only take you seconds to achieve. While you may have to get it cut more often, about every three weeks or so, the ease of styling this man hair cut is what makes it a favorite among busy men today.
• Medium length, textured men’s hair style. Today’s styles for men have a lot of texture and the same is true for medium-length styles (about 3 to 4 inches). These styles resemble the classic man hair cut of the past, but step it up a notch by using extreme texture and color to bring it all together. Most styles use a great deal of razoring and texturizing with notching scissors. To style this man’s hair style pomade usually works best. Work product through dry hair and finger into place.
• Long man’s hair style. While most men do not wear their hair down their back anymore, the long man’s hair style has made a somewhat shorter comeback. Perhaps the most recognizable example that I can give of this men’s hair style is Ashton Kutcher. Long, textured and disheveled, this man hair cut is gaining widespread popularity. Again, this man’s hair cut requires a lot of texture and works best with pomade.

As you can see from these few examples, the man’s hair style is far from boring. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter barber shop man hair cut. Here to stay is the trendy and styled cuts of today.

For further information on different types of men’s hairstyles and how to find the right hairstyle for your face shape, read my article at http://www.great-hairstyles.com/hair-style-article7.html.

Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit Great-Hairstyles.com.

In our culture today, it seems that the less body hair you have, the more attractive you are considered. Over time, people have tried many things in an attempt to remove their unwanted body hair, with little regard to pain and expense it seems. Shaving that can leave you with cuts and rashes, bleaching that can cause skin irritation, tweezing that can be painful and tedious, waxing that is very painful, and using depilatories that melt away hair (and sometimes skin) are some of the methods people have employed in the fight against body hair. Most everyone that desires to rid himself or herself of unattractive or embarrassing body hair would favor a way to do so that will take away the hair forever. Unfortunately, that only comes with electrolysis, which is highly expensive and requires many treatments. That is why laser hair removal has been growing in popularity. It promises quick removal of hair from the root, and pledges that the hair will grow back at a very slow rate. If you are considering the procedure of laser hair removal, it is smart to learn about the procedure, and that you find a reputable and practitioner that knows how to properly use the laser hair removal machine that will be used to carry out the procedure on you.

Laser hair removal works when a technician or physician uses a hand-held machine to push and light beams through the device into the hair follicles. This light is aimed at the dark pigment in your hair, and causes damage to the hair follicles without damaging the surrounding tissue. The procedure is somewhat painful, despite many claims by some laser hair removal professionals to the contrary. Most clinics will make available several pain reduction techniques, including skin cooling with gels, sprays, water mist, or air.

There are a great many plusses to laser hair removal. The most important one is the long-term removal of unwanted hair, or it’s permanent reduction in appearance, which can diminish embarrassment. Any regrowth of hair often comes in lighter in color and finer in texture. If performed correctly by a technician or physician that knows how to operate a laser hair removal machine, the procedure is considered safe. If you have a large area on your body with a great deal of hair, such as your back, chest, or legs, laser hair removal will work best for you. Fair-skinned people with darker body hair usually get the best results with this procedure.

With the plusses, there are, of course, the minuses. There is very little long-term medical evidence to suggest laser hair removal’s safety or effectiveness. Since every body is different, it is difficult to establish concrete regrowth scales. Laser hair removal tends to not work as effectively on gray, red, or blonde hairs, and it must be performed very carefully on people with darker skin tones or who tan themselves regularly. Having laser hair removal can result in burns, abrasions, or skin discoloration. And since some people don’t respond to it at all, the decision to have it done should be carefully made.

There are many establishments out there who perform laser hair removal that make claims that the procedure is painless, that the hair removal is completely permanent, and that there will be absolutely no hair regrowth. There are currently FDA regulations in place that prohibit anyone to make these claims. But, because there is no real legal regulation of who can purchase laser hair removal machines, for training on the use of them, or quality control standards, there is a great risk for physical injury if you take a chance with someone who is not a licensed physician, or a highly reputable laser hair removal technician. By making laser hair removal machines more widely available by not restricting those who can purchase them, it might make it more affordable, but it also increases the risks to those who choose to undergo the procedure. It is not worth the risks just to save money by going to someone who might not have the expertise to use the laser hair removal machine.

Choosing a person to do your laser hair removal should be a long and well thought out process. Take heed to choose a physician or clinic that will give you a free in-office consultation. Ask as many questions as possible, including questions regarding the laser hair removal machine, pain relief, costs and fees, and post-procedure treatment. Observe the office and equipment to see that they are clean. Talk to former customers, and ask them questions about the clinic or physician’s manner and service. Ask to get a test patch done before you make any commitments, and do not make a commitment to have the procedure done at the consultation meeting. Think carefully about it. By taking time to make your choice, you will get the best price and the best experience, and have the best possible outcome with your laser hair removal.

Mark Woodcock is a director of 3 Internet Companies, is a published author and has written many articles on a widespread number of topics. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to Laser-Hair-Removal-Information.info.

Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal technique that works by destroying individual hair follicles so that hair can no longer grow. Here’s how it works. Being careful not to puncture the skin, a slender probe is inserted into a hair follicle. Once inserted, an electrical current is passed through to the end of the probe, at which point a chemical reaction takes place. The reaction causes the salt and water molecules located in the follicle to change into lye which loosens the hair and causes permanent damage to the follicle base. The loosened hair is gently pulled out with tweezers. This process is repeated at every follicle where hair is to be removed.

While this process has the best track record for permanency, electrolysis can be painful and expensive. And because it’s tedious, this method is not recommended for large areas of removal. In addition, numerous treatments are often necessary. It’s recommended that this process is performed by an experienced technician because if done improperly, the skin can be irreparably damaged or the follicle may not be properly altered which can lead to hair regrowth. Because this procedure involves the use of probes, it’s of utmost importance that properly sterilized equipment is used to reduce the risk of infection.

Home electrolysis methods are not as dependable as electrolysis treatment provided by experts with professional equipment. Electrolysis can result in permanent hair removal if the right equipment and techniques are used. Read the label and warnings carefully before you purchase or use any home electrolysis equipment. Choose only equipment that comes with a blunt needle that gets inserted alongside of the hair follicle. ‘Electric tweezers’ do not provide good results. Use a depilatory or wax the area to be treated before using electrolysis. Wait for the hair to start to return and then begin the electrolysis process.

Hair responds better to electrolysis when it is in the growing cycle rather than once it is fully emerged. Keep your equipment clean and sterilized. Serious infection can result from using a dirty needle. Work on only a square inch at a time. Expect skin swelling after the treatment. Because most home electrolysis treatments do not result in permanent hair removal, you may have to repeat the process every other month.

Successful electrolysis usually requires considerable time and money. It also requires a series of treatments over a period of time. The success of electrolysis self-treatment depends largely on the condition of the hair and skin, the equipment, and the level of skill developed.

Copyright © 2005. Clive Chansa writes for the Beauty and Cosmetics Tisp Website at: Beauty-Cosmetics.org.uk and he’s also a regular contributor to the Scented Candles Website at Scented-Candles.org.uk.

When you talk about genetic hair loss most people think about the most common form of hair loss: male-pattern baldness. This is the type of hair loss that is passed on genetically to offspring from their mothers. Most often the recipients of this type of hair loss are men, but sometimes the gene can result in female hair loss.

While genetic baldness in men is identified by a receding hairline or balding crown, genetic hair loss in women is a bit different. In most cases, a woman will not lose her hair in spots only but will thin out evenly throughout the head. Sometimes, this thinning can be quite severe and result in the woman having to wear a wig to cover up her thinning tresses. While female hair loss almost never results in a completely bald head, it can be extreme enough to expose the scalp quite plainly.

For the woman facing this type of hair loss, there are a few hair loss treatment options that can be explored. They include shampoos, conditioners and topical treatments, such as Rogaine for women, which stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss; vitamin supplements; and stimulatory treatments such as massage and infra-red therapy. The most successful of these hair loss treatments are the topical treatments. While they are quite expensive, they produce the best results.

Hair loss due to chemical processes

No matter how healthy and strong your hair is today, you could experience severe hair loss after undergoing a harsh chemical process such as a perm or color. While almost all chemical hair fallout is due to operator error, the chance of it occurring is multiplied by chemical services that you perform on your hair at home. I’ve seen more than one case of female hair loss in clients who have bleached their hair at home, colored it over and then came to the salon for yet another bleaching. Not knowing this past history, the stylist used too strong a chemical, and the process resulted in hair loss.

Since most of these cases do not result in complete hair loss, the hair loss treatment options include protein treatments and other conditioning treatments to strengthen the remaining hair; a good hair cut that will remove most of the damage; and a gentle hair-care routine that will minimize further hair loss due to breakage. You should also refrain from using thermal styling tools and undergoing any further chemical procedures until the hair is completely grown out.

Hair loss due to stress

Cases of severe stress can literally cause handfuls of hair loss at a time. Women experiencing stressful conditions can experience female hair loss represented by thinning all over the head or in spots called alopecia areata. Alopecia areata means “Hair loss in spots or areas,” and can result in bald circular patches on one or more spots of the scalp. While this type of hair loss is alarming, it is not permanent. After the stress is removed, most sufferers of this type of hair loss regrow all of the hair that they lost.

In most cases, the hair loss treatment for stress-related hair loss is minimal. After ruling out other causes of hair loss, your doctor will likely recommend changes in your diet or ideas to help alleviate your stress. Keep in mind that it can take months for your hair to grow back even after the stressors have been eliminated.

Hair loss due to illness

Any type of extended illness or surgery can result in hair loss. Medications taken to combat certain types of illnesses can also cause your hair to become brittle and break or fall out altogether. The most identifiable type of hair loss is the loss associated with chemotherapy treatments. In most cases, this hair loss is complete and affects all areas of the body.

While there is little that can be done to prevent this type of hair loss or promote growth during illness, surgery or chemotherapy treatments, this type of female hair loss is also temporary. In most cases, full recovery of hair is made after the illness is over.

You can promote hair growth after the illness by getting regular trims and using growth enhancing shampoos and conditioners. Vitamin supplements may also be beneficial.

As you may have already guessed, hair loss in women is more common than we might think. And many may be experiencing hair loss and dismiss it as a natural occurrence that comes along with age. A lot of these women fail to seek the necessary hair loss treatment that can help them keep their remaining hair and regrow new hair. So, if you are experiencing hair loss, do not think that it is just because you are getting older. There may be something that you can do to keep the hair on your head from clogging your drain.

Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit Great-Hairstyles.com.