May 10, 2006

Hair Removal: The Good News

If you’re 1 of the millions of people who have hair growing where you don’t want it, today’s good news is, you have a wide range of effective hair removal options available to you.

Reasons For Hair Removal

People’s reasons for wanting hair removed run the gamut from medical necessity to “just because I feel like it.” Many women include hair removal as part of their normal cosmetic routine. They shave their legs and underarms, pluck their eyebrows, and have pubic hair trimmed or removed to accommodate today’s fashions.

Most men shave their facial hair, and men sometimes shave their body hair for cosmetic purposes, as well. To enhance their performance, their appearance, or both, many athletes — particularly swimmers and body builders — will undergo hair removal procedures.

Some people with hair growth disorders like hypertrichosis or hirsutism use hair removal procedures for medical reasons.

Temporary Or Permanent Removal

Hair removal procedures can be separated into 2 categories: temporary and permanent.

Temporary techniques work only for short periods of time, and are subject to the body’s normal hair growth cycle. They include shaving, plucking, waxing, and a wide selection of creams. Most people use temporary hair removal procedures at home, but they can also be obtained in a spa or salon.

Permanent Hair Removal Techniques

The “Permanent” procedures outlined below seek to remove unwanted hair in such a way that it returns never or, at worst, over a long time period. These hair removal methods are normally performed by licensed hair removal specialists.

Electrolysis

With electrolysis each hair follicle is treated individually. A licensed specialist injects a needle into the hair follicle and induces an electric charge that destroys the follicle’s ability to produce hair. This process can take months, depending upon the size of the area being treated. This is a somewhat painful process, and side effects can include scarring and infection. Costs for electrolysis can run as high as $3,000 for the pubic area or legs.

Laser

The laser hair removal process uses a small laser beam to destroy the hair follicles. This is a relatively painless method that works best on people with light-colored skin and dark hair. It is not recommended for anyone who is deeply tanned. It costs about $1,000 for removal of facial hair, and anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 for removal of hair from the legs and pubic area. Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved process, to be performed only by a licensed and trained professional.

Photo Epilation/Pulsed Laser

This FDA-approved procedure uses a pulsed light beam to destroy the hair follicles. Photo Epilation/Pulsed Laser is especially effective for removing hair from sensitive areas, such as the underarms and the bikini area. Unlike laser hair removal, this method has no restrictions regarding hair color, skin color, or tanning. Depending on the area of the body to be treated, costs can run from $500 to $2,000 and up.

Removal of unwanted hair, for any reason whatsoever, is easier and more available today than ever before.

Visit hair-begone.com to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer with a website at ronxking.com.

May 8, 2006

Hair Color Secrets – Which Color Is Right For You?

Hair color correction is a big money maker in salons nationwide. The reason: over-the-counter hair coloring products have given consumers the impression that hair color is easy and extremely affordable. One look at a professionally-colored model on a commercial or glossy magazine page, and many people clamor to the closest drug store to purchase a $5 box of color with the hopes of receiving a $50 salon look.

The results are often disastrous, and it can take hundreds of dollars to correct a hair color problem that could have been prevented with just a tiny bit of knowledge and planning.

The most common problem seen with hair coloring at home and in salons is choosing a hair color that is too light for the natural shade of hair. Realistically, color can only lighten hair beautifully by a few shades. If you go any lighter than a few shades, you need to choose a high-lift product such as bleach or a professional highlighting system. Failure to do this often results in hair color that is much too brassy or even orange.

Word to the wise: high-lift hair coloring should only be performed by professionals. The controlled chemicals used in the process, if used incorrectly, can result in irreparable damage and/or chemical burns on the scalp and skin.

Another hair color mistake that is seen quite often is choosing a color that is too dark. Extremely dark hair color can be the most challenging to correct because dark color can actually stain the cortex (inner layer) of the hair, making it almost impossible to lighten. Again, avoid choosing hair colors that are more than a few shades darker than your own to prevent a costly cortex stain.

When it comes to choosing the right shade of hair color to use, pick tones and shades that flatter your skin tone. Choose warm shade of hair color (reds and warm browns) if you look best in warm-colored clothing such as reds, pinks and oranges. Choose a cool shade (beige, pale blonde highlights and neutral colors) if you look best in blues and greens.

As you can see, just a little bid of planning and knowledge can save you from costly hair coloring disasters. And by making an informed decision before you purchase hair color, you will not only save money, you will also save your hair from needless damage.

Hair color is a chemical, and every time you chemically process your hair, you damage it to some extent. The damage can be minimal, as is usually the case with high-end professional hair coloring systems, or can be extreme. And each time you use hair color to correct a problem, you are damaging your hair even more.

Here are just a few tell-tale signs that your hair has been over processed with hair color and other chemicals.

  • The hair is limp and dull, and no amount of styling can bring back its luster and bounce.
  • The hair color has faded dramatically, and you are left with brassy and banded hair color. (Banded hair color is evident by the sudden change of hair color along the hair shaft. For example: the hair may be dark until about 2″ from the scalp where it turns a brassy orange.)
  • The hair is extremely dry and brittle. When it is wet, it is almost impossible to comb it without causing breakage.

You can avoid damage to your hair caused by hair coloring by taking the same precautions recommended for choosing the right hair color. Choosing the right hair color reduces the amount of color applications, therefore, reducing the chances of your hair becoming over processed.

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.

May 6, 2006

Hair Loss Solution from a Pill

Most people believe the only way to cure their hair loss problem is from the outside, by using a chemical treatment, shampoo or other topical treatment. These ways can work for you, but in recent medical studies the main cause of hair loss, at least 95% of the time, is either genetic and or hormonal. A hormonal by product, DHT, affects the hair follicles, making them thinner and shrink until nothing is left. Research found that balding men had increased levels of DHT in these areas.

How to solve the problem of increased DHT.

Simply, block it. Specific vitamins, minerals and herbs can block the DHT in your body. By taking these supplements orally, they block the DHT through the blood stream. The hair follicles beneath your scalp get all the nutrients they need to promote new healthy hair growth.

Supplements:

  • Biotin, part of the Vit B complex, helps with the skin condition of your scalp.
  • Other B vitamins, like B6, are essential for good health and hair growth.
  • Everyone knows Zinc helps your immume system, but it also is needed for cell division for the tissue of the hair, nails and skin.
  • Nettle Root blocks the 2 enzymes that produce DHT, now known to be the leading cause of hair loss.
  • Saw Palmetto also blocks one of the enzymes, 5 alpha-reductase, that produces DHT.
  • Gota Kola supports the integrity of hair growth, collagen and skin.
  • The oil extracted from pumpkin skins is also a natural hair loss remedy.

You can get all of the above and more in a caplet you only have to take twice per day? Yes, there is a hair loss solution from a pill! You can cure your hair loss problem from the inside out. Go to my web site to find out how: acne-and-hair-loss-solutions.com.

Sandra Wellman is the owner of a web site about natural acne and hair loss solutions, including articles, tapes, cd’s, ebooks and natural products. Visit her site at: acne-and-hair-loss-solutions.com.

May 4, 2006

Popular Wedding Hair Styles

A great hairstyle is the crowning glory to your personality. A wedding hairstyle holds much importance to enhance the overall beauty of the pretty bride. The hairstyle can make a bride look smart and mesmerizing. No wonder, you will be too busy in picking your wedding dress and accessories. But the wedding hair style is as important as your wedding dress. You have a number of hair saloons where you can get special popular wedding hairstyle. These styles have been adorned by so many beautiful brides.

The hair style, off course, depends on the dress you are wearing and shape of your face and hair texture. The hairstyle must be in accordance to the veil or the head piece of the bride. Also, the hair style should be set to make the bride a real princess.

Fulfill your dream of being a royal princess by wearing a sparkling crown on your head. One of the most popular head piece is the crown. It is classy and also easy-to-wear. To wear a crown, you can adhere to a simple hairstyle. You can pin up your hair on the top of the head to make a high bun. Also you can part your front hair and curl the back hair. After curling the back hair, pin them up high or let them down. After this, fix the crown and veil with the same pins. This will give you a more formal look.

If your wedding is a casual affair you can let all your hair down. Just pull them back and fix the veil with a beautiful wreath. Wreath is a half ring made up of flowers.

Flowers are an inseparable part of wedding hair styles. The beautiful flowers enhance the feminine looks of the innocent bride. You can choose from a variety of flowers. The most popular wedding hair styles incorporate the flowers like orchids and roses as they are available in so many attractive colors.

For a sophisticated look, you can pull all your hair back to make a low bun just above your neck. Flowers can be added individually around the bun or in the form of a ring. The most popular buns are the ones made after rolling your hair. You can tie your hair in to a low ponytail and roll over the rest of hair into rolls. A bun with 6 rolls is the hottest among the brides these days. After bun is complete, you can add certain accessories like flowers, hair brooch or simply some beads in the new hair style.

Las Vegas wedding hair style is also in vogue among the young generation brides. It is a funky hair style. In this wedding hair style the hair are pined loosely to make a bun on top of your head. The front hairs are let loose. The hair locks from both the sides of forehead and allowed to fall down on the face of the bride. Are you ready to embellish your crowning glory by now?

Marcus Grant, Prom-Hairstyle.net.

May 2, 2006

10 Do’s Of Great Hair Care

If the amount of money consumers spend on hair care products annually is any indication, most people are concerned about the appearance of their hair and strive to attain beautiful, healthy and stylish locks. In fact, most will go to any lengths to achieve their desired look. From professional salon treatments to over-the-counter serums, hair care is a big business.

The only problem is that while many people are buying the right hair care products for their hair, they forget to follow basic hair care regimens that will guarantee the health and beauty of their tresses. Additionally, many are also causing needless damage to their hair by participating in unhealthy hair care behavior.

So, what should you do to make sure that your hair stays healthy, shiny and strong? Here are 10 essential “must dos” of great hair care.

Hair care dos

  1. Use the right hair care products for your specific hair type. If you’re hair is damaged, dry or color treated, use hair care products formulated to repair this damage and add much-needed shine and resiliency. On the other hand, if your hair is oily, use a deep-cleansing shampoo and light conditioner to keep your hair looking its best. The right products should be at the base of your hair care routine.
  2. Get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks as part of your regular hair care routine. Even if you are growing your hair longer, it is still vital to make a routine trim a major part of your hair care routine. Snipping ends before they split will keep your hair looking healthy and save you hair care headaches in the end.
  3. Protect your hair with hair care products that contain sunscreen.
  4. Shampoo your hair only when it is dirty. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to shampoo your hair daily. Doing so can make your hair dry and hard to work with.
  5. Turn to a professional for all of your hair care needs. Yes, kitchen beauticians and friends do not cost as much as putting your hair care needs in the hands of a qualified professional, but they often result in blunders that end up costing you more money than if you went to the salon in the first place.
  6. Use professional conditioning hair coloring systems. There are many hair coloring systems on the market, and the ones you choose can have a great impact on your hair care costs. Simply put: choose a system that causes minimal damage and conditions hair as it colors. This will save you money when it comes to conditioning hair care products.
  7. Stick with one chemical service. In order to keep your hair as healthy as it can be, ask your hair care professional to recommend only one chemical service: color or perm. By only using the service that is perfect for your particular style and needs, you will ensure that your hair stays healthier.
  8. Add Texture. By adding texture to your style, through perm or cut, you can greatly reduce the time it takes to style and perform your daily hair care routine. And you will look sensational.
  9. Choose hair color that compliments your style. With all of the professional coloring techniques available, this part of your hair care regimen has never been easier. From chunky highlights to soft color, you can greatly enhance your style with the right technique.
  10. Comb your hair with a wide-toothed come when it is wet to prevent breakage. The only time you should use a brush during your hair care routine is when your hair is barely damp or dry.

In the end, hair care is a very individualized and personal thing. Feel free to add your own flair and style to your hair care routine, but remember to include hair care principles that will benefit your hair and avoid those that damage it.

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.

April 29, 2006

10 Definite Don’ts Of Great Hair Care

If the amount of money consumers spend on hair care products annually is any indication, most people are concerned about the appearance of their hair and strive to attain beautiful, healthy and stylish locks. In fact, most will go to any lengths to achieve their desired look. From professional salon treatments to over-the-counter serums, hair care is a big business.

The only problem is that while many people are buying the right hair care products for their hair, they forget to follow basic hair care regimens that will guarantee the health and beauty of their tresses. Additionally, many are also causing needless damage to their hair by participating in unhealthy hair care behavior.

So, what should you do to make sure that your hair stays healthy, shiny and strong?

To avoid all hair care disasters, follow these 10 absolute don’ts of great hair care.

Hair care don’ts

  1. Avoid unprofessional and over-the-counter hair care products whenever you can. Many of these only offer false hopes and promises.
  2. Do not cut your own bangs. Leave all of your cutting needs, even bangs, to your hair care professional.
  3. Avoid excessive sun, chlorine and salt water during the summer months. Excessive exposure can cause severe damage that is irreversible even if you use the best hair care products.
  4. Do not use clarifying hair care products on your tresses more than one time per week. They can strip hair of moisture and essential oils.
  5. Do not visit a hair care salon without first getting a referral from someone you can trust. Choosing a salon based on an advertisement or sale alone is very risky.
  6. Do not purchase hair color that comes in a box.
  7. Never stick with an outdated look because you are afraid of looking different. Styles change for a reason. Ask your hair care professional to bring you into this decade with a new style.
  8. Do not straighten your hair with a clothes iron. C’mon, this was so over in the 70s. We have straightening irons that won’t damage your hair for this now. Look in the hair care isle.
  9. Don’t brush your hair or put too much tension on it while it is still wet. This will cause breakage. Also, do not wear tight styles such as corn rows for extended periods of time unless you have ethnic hair.
  10. Never use sun-lightening products such as lemon juice or over-the-counter hair care products designed to lighten hair with the sun unless you want a very short hair cut in the future.

In the end, hair care is a very individualized and personal thing. Feel free to add your own flair and style to your hair care routine, but remember to include hair care principles that will benefit your hair and avoid those that damage it.

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.

April 27, 2006

Falling Hair? Don’t Buy That Expensive Medicine Yet!

A receding hairline is the most obvious sign of aging, being on the most prominent location. It is like falling leaves when autumn comes. That’s why most of the middle and advanced aged people suffer from thinning hair. And, to their constant chagrin, most male suffer from this misfortune.

Caring for your hair doesn’t stop with washing and shampooing it. You have to pay equal attention to it in the same manner as you pay to other parts of your body. The hair needs nourishment just like the rest of your system to keep them in place and keep them from moving to your bathroom shower drain.

In your campaign for a healthier body most of the time the hair is not included. You work out every inch of your body, but not the hair. There are no exercises for it anyway, you might think. But decades ago, Sanford Bennett, became a celebrity for experiments that led to his physical rejuvenation at 70. Besides all the exercises he devised to make his face younger and his bodily muscles more robust, he also devised an exercise for a healthier and stronger scalp that could trigger the thicker growth of the hair. To Bennett, the scalp, just like any other part of the body if exercised, would increase in strength and elasticity. This is because there are microscopic glands and muscles in the scalp. The law that applies in exercising the major muscles of the body also applies to those.

So how does it go? Alternately pull your hair in all directions and massage the scalp with the pads of your fingers while you lie in bed. This will improve the blood circulation and eventually feed the roots of the hair with the nutrients it needed. It also exercises the muscles in the scalp making the muscles stronger, which will logically hold the hair more strongly. And since the blood is pumped through the microscopic glands and muscles in the scalp, they are sure to increase in size, strength and elasticity. This naturally results in much fewer hair falling and healthier-looking hair.

One of the best refreshers for the hair ad the scalp is the alternate washing of hot and cold water. It also accelerates the blood circulation there. Wash the hair first with hot water, as hot as you can bear it. Then follow up with very cold water (but without using ice). Applying hot and cold towels alternately can be a good substitute. This procedure should be repeated at least five or six times.

The writer, Ismael D. Tabije, runs the websites http://www.growyounger.e-mart4all.com, http://www.fitness.e-mart4all.com, http://www.1001beautytips1.e-mart4all.com, where you can find a wide collection of fitness, health and beauty tips e-books by world-renowned experts.

April 25, 2006

European Human Hair Wig – How Much Does It Really Cost?

I am sure you have wondered what the truth is about the prices of wigs made from European human hair. From shop to shop you will find a huge variation in prices – anywhere from $300 USD to as high as $10,000 USD (!). So let me take you through each step of the process of producing high quality handmade wigs, and show the real costs.

Firstly, take the acquisition of hair. The cost of hair for one wig (0,2 to 0,4 kg) varies from 30 to 40 USD throughout most Eastern European countries. There is little variation there, but an important additional cost is incurred by high-quality wig-makers who collect hair in an appropriate and well-controlled way. The best wig-makers visit hairdressers and care for the hair themselves, using no middleman. They do not buy hair from wholesalers because wholesalers blend hair, because it is so time-consuming to acquire really good hair. One simply has to find a girl among hairdresser’s clients that has beautiful, healthy hair and who wants it cut. The hairdresser can offer a free service to such a girl and actually pay her for her hair – and clearly both sides benefit from such a transaction. But this shows that, by its very nature, acquisition of good-quality hair cannot be a simple large-scale automatic process. That explains why outside of Eastern Europe the price of acquiring good quality hair is skyrocketing – not because the hair in itself is expensive, but because of its rarity. It is difficult to imagine a large-scale cheap process of acquiring high quality human hair in European countries.

Second, take the other materials used in making wigs. These are not expensive and their costs do not exceed 50 USD for a typical wig. These are the materials used to produce a cap. More and more wig-makers are now buying ready-made caps, so called “monofilament”, which are gaining popularity and their cost is not very high.

Third, take the labor involved in making high quality handmade wigs. This is the main cost factor. Handmade wig needs at least a week to be produced by an experienced expert worker. It takes a week of hard work, with each hair being knitted to the cap with a very small crochet-needle or glued with a special glue. In the case of long hair, the production time could be two to three weeks. Reliable wig-makers knit hair with a double-knot which makes the construction much more durable but needs some extra work-time. Depending on the type of wig, length of hair and type of cap the cost of labor is from $150 to $300 USD.

Finally, you cannot forget other typical business costs – investment’s amortization, management costs, taxes, insurances, rent, and profit. Altogether, the price of a handmade human hair wig made from European hair cannot be lower than $500-$600 USD even for the shortest hair. There is no upper limit and it only depends on how much a customer is willing to pay, but before you pay $1,000 USD or more for your wig remember the real costs of its creation.

And now for a real mystery. Why are European human hair wigs not made in China where labor costs are much lower than in Poland, Russia, or the Czech Republic? The main reason is no good quality European human hair available in large enough quantities to make profitable large-scale production in China possible. This is because wig-makers in Eastern European countries are buying all of the available hair for their own production. Surprising? – but that is how it is. And that is why most of wigs produced in China are made of Asian hair or blended hair widely available on a wholesale market.

Franek Migaszewski is co-founder and manager of Wiggywigs.com site, the first wig vendor from Eastern Europe selling human hair wigs directly to the western markets on the Internet.

April 23, 2006

Prom Hair Style Perfection

The prom is perhaps the most important event for teenagers during their high school careers. Only when put next to graduation does the prom take a backseat as one of the most memorable times during a teenager’s life. That is why it is so important to find the perfect prom hair style to complete your look on this special night. And with so much thought and planning put into finding the perfect dress and gathering all of the right accessories, why not also take a little time before hand to choose and practice your prom hair style?

While the prom hair style does not necessarily have to be formal and intricate, there are some prom hair styles that require a bit of practice before the big night. Even it you are having your hair done by a professional, he or she will appreciate talking with you and helping you choose your prom hair style in advance of the dance. Doing so will eliminate any miscommunications and ensure that you are happy with your hair on the night of the prom.

But before you begin practicing your prom hair style or talking to your stylist about it, you need to first find a few different prom hair styles that you would love to wear to your prom. One of the best places to find the perfect prom hair style is right here online. There are literally hundreds of prom hair style photo galleries that can be accessed with a simple keyword search using your favorite search engine (go to my website at http://www.great-hairstyles.com/hair-article-resources.html for details of the best online photo galleries). And once you find the right styles, you can print the photos and take them directly to your stylist or to whoever is fashioning your prom hair style.

When looking through the prom hair style galleries, keep in mind the style and cut of your dress. Choose styles that will compliment both your personality and your dress while at the same time choose ones that will also work with your length and texture of hair. For example: If your hair is fine and limp, avoid choosing prom hair styles that are full bodied or intricate. Doing so would likely result in a messy heap of undignified prom hair before the end of the evening. Instead, choose a simple but classic prom hair style such as a French twist, which is easy to achieve and maintain on fine hair.

Once you have found a few different prom hair styles that would be perfect for your big night, you need to practice creating the style on your own tresses to ensure that you achieve the perfect prom hair style on the night of the dance. Having a practice run or two also helps you to eliminate styles that are too hard to create or prom hair styles that you do not really like once you see them on yourself.

It is a great deal easier to decide that you don’t like a particular prom hair style a week before the special night than it is an hour before you’re supposed to walk out the door. As you can imagine, taking a little time to plan can greatly reduce your anxiety level on the day of the prom and help you to avoid prom hair style disasters.

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.

April 21, 2006

Back Hair Laser Removal

Are you a victim of back hair? Does your wife or girlfriend cringe when you take off your shirt? There may be help for you with laser back hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a trend that is sweeping the country. With improvements in laser technology, these procedures are safer and less expensive than ever, and the results are longlasting. Most treatments use a very low level laser that is targets the affected area. The energy of the laser enters the pigment in the hair and causes the shaft to heat up, killing the hair. The follicle is also rendered ineffective, stunting new hair growth. Although the hair follicle deactivated, the surrounding skin is unharmed by the procedure.

Of course, this treatment has many applications for men and women, but one of the most popular is back hair laser removal. Previously, men had to undergo painful waxing, smelly dilapitory chemicals or shaving their backs to eliminate the hair that so many women find distasteful.

Of course, the type and amount of hair will determine how much your procedure costs. Darker or olive skinned patients will require more treatments than natural blondes, and hair thickness and density varies widely. Different lasers are even used to treat different skin color groups, so be sure to ask if your treatment center can handle your needs. Prices typically start at about $200-225, but back hair laser removal can run much higher, due to the larger area being treated. You should also expect to return for several treatments, as hair is removed in certain parts of the growth cycle only.

Although it may seem initially expensive, back hair removal using laser treatments is actually cost effective in the long run. Typically the hair does not regrow, and most centers offer touch ups for the few that do, as part of the package. If your back hair is an embarrassing problem, invest in yourself and try hair laser removal for your back!

Kathlene Capelle is a writer for beauty tips and advice. Her site has information on laser hair removal, permanent hair removal, waxing and other hair removal methods. Please visit Hair-Removal-Central.com.