Although it’s hard to tell if you’re losing more than a hundreds hairs per day exactly, you should take notice if you start to lose more hair than you normally do. A change in diet, sleep patterns or exercise habits could be a reason for the loss of your hair, but it could also point to something more serious. If you take the time to speak with a doctor and get the proper treatment, female hair loss can be stopped in its tracks.

The most common cause of female hair loss is called androgenic alopecia. It’s also referred to as pattern hair loss. In this type of hair loss, the main culprit is an abundance of the hormone androgen in a woman’s body. Androgen is a male hormone and, as you can imagine, it can wreak havoc in a woman’s body. It can produce thick hair on a woman’s face, back, chest and arms, but can also cause thin hair on top of a woman’s head. The scalp is most effected with this type of hair loss, but it can be treated with laser therapy or corrected with a hair transplant.

The next type of female hair loss goes by the name traction alopecia. As its name implies, it is related to the physical exertion felt against the hair when a woman pulls her hair back in a tight hair style. Tight ponytails buns and braids can cause tension around the hairline. Over time, the hair around the hair line stops growing and begins to fall out. Through this, a woman’s hair line can start to recede. By wearing your hair in a different manner, treating it with a gentle oil massage and using wide tooth combs instead of brushes, you can stop and prevent this type of hair loss.

Hair loss can also be caused by a thyroid imbalance and such cases go by the name telogen effluvium. It’s a result of either a thyroid problem, cancer, liver troubles or lots of stress. This name also applies to the hair loss that is experienced in cancer patients who receive radiation therapy. With this type of hair loss, the hair loss itself or another symptom of the condition can clue you into the presence of the condition. If your hair loss doesn’t fit into any of the aforementioned categories, discuss it with a doctor so you can get the right type of treatment.

Female hair loss isn’t as common as male hair loss, but it has just as much of an impact on the person losing their hair. Fortunately, with the help of a doctor, a hair specialist or a change in hair style, it can be stopped and reversed.

Identifying the cause of your hair loss can help you find solutions that suit your needs. One of the first major causes of hair loss is stress.  Stress is more than just an emotion. It effects your body on a biochemical level. It literally changes your blood chemistry so that you begin shedding more hair than normal. Taking steps to reduce your stress and to calm yourself will help your mind, body and hair.

Another common cause is heredity. Unfortunately, for some of us, losing our hair is in our genes. Lifestyle choices can make a difference in whether or not the genetic predisposition for hair loss is experienced fully. But if you carry the gene for baldness it will most likely set in before the age of 40. There isn’t much you can do about hereditary hair loss to prevent it, but there is a lot that you can do to reverse the effects.

Hormonal problems are another common cause for hair loss. A certain type of hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can cause the weakening of hair at it’s roots and eventual hair loss. This is the most common cause of male pattern baldness, since DHT is a form of testosterone. Women can also experience hormonal hair loss. When a woman changes her hormone levels through using artificial hormones like birth control or hormone replacement therapy, it can have a big impact on her hair loss. With these types of hair loss, it’s best to consult an expert.

Your diet may play a major role in whether or not you lose your hair. Just as you’d expect, a diet of fast food and other nutrient deficient meals lays the groundwork for thinning hair. Adding calcium, silica and iron to your diet will help you slow hair loss. These nutrients can be found in green leafy vegetables, raw oats and cherries. Cutting down on the fat in your diet has also been proven to help reduce hair loss. Just make sure to keep your iron levels up with lean protein, whole grains and eggs.

Improper hair care can also lead to hair loss. If you use a lot of styling products or overdry your hair with heated styling tools, you could be contributing to your hair loss. Women who often wear their hair in a ponytail or otherwise pulled back can exacerbate hair loss. Hair loss of this type can be minimized by changing your hair care habits. Give your hair deep conditioning treatments that will help your hair at the root, and you’ll encourage it to grow long and strong.

If you’re really concerned about hair loss, you should consult with a hair restoration expert. He or she can help you pinpoint the causes of your specific type of hair loss and help work with you to find a solution.

The first step is to get your hair trimmed. Before you start applying any of the treatments listed below, you need to trim off the most damaged part of your hair at the ends. Getting regular trims help stop split ends and reduces the overall damage on your head. You don’t need to cut a whole lot of hair off, so don’t worry if you’re a fan of long hair. As little as a quarter of an inch can make a big difference.

Next, you need to change the way that you treat your hair. Never brush your hair when it is wet. Always use a wide tooth comb to get out tangles after your bath or shower, and make sure to use a leave in conditioner or detangler if you have longer hair. Pulling at your wet hair with a brush pulls and snaps strands of hair which leaves you with breakages.

You should also reduce your reliance on heated styling tools, like hair dryers, curling irons and straighteners. If you wear your hair in a style that requires a hair dryer, try to use the dryer on the lowest setting and let your hair dry naturally as long as possible. Test out different “sleep in” rollers to see if you can eliminate the need for a curling iron. Hair straighteners should be used on low settings and in conjunction with styling products that will make straightening your hair easier.

Once a week, you should treat your hair to a deep conditioning hair treatment. This will help smooth and soothe your damaged hair, as well as prevent damage from effecting the new growth. You can buy a commercial conditioning treatment, or you can create one of your own. To do so, get five to six vitamin E capsules and then add them to a handful of your favorite shampoo. Wash your hair as you normally would. Vitamin E helps condition your hair and smooth split ends. You can also get similar results by using a hair mask made from olive oil and egg whites. Mix two tablespoons of olive oil with an egg white and apply the mixture to the ends of your hair. Let it dry and then rinse your hair out before shampooing.

Finally, to prevent future damage to your hair and keep it looking shiny and feeling strong, you should pay special attention to your diet and water intake. The health of your hair depends a lot on how you feed your body. Emphasize foods with natural, healthy oils like avocados, olives and lean protein. Make sure to get the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Try to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day so you’ll stay hydrated. While these nutritional tips won’t have an immediate impact on your hair, you’ll see the benefit over time.

With these simple steps, it’s easy to minimize the damage to your hair and prevent future breakage. Actively work at repairing the hair that you’ve got, and take steps toward growing new, healthy hair. With just a bit of time you’ll have hair you can be proud of.

There are some simple solutions to common hair problems that will minimize your hair’s weaknesses and emphasize its good looks.

Problem #1: Thin, straight hair - Solution: For those with hair that refuses to hold volume, body or curl, the solution lies in the careful selection of hair care products, along with a few simple styling tips. Thin hair has trouble holding onto body, so look for hair care products that emphasize body and volume. Instead of using a conditioner each day, look for a lightweight conditioner to use every other day. This will keep your hair from being weighed down. Opt for mousse instead of gel when it comes to styling products, or avoid them all together. Blow drying your hair instead of letting it air dry will also help it build volume. You can also try Velcro rollers which provide body and volume, but not curl. Place the rollers near the root of your hair and then let your hair air dry. You’ll get the natural volume that you’ve been looking for.

Problem #2: Dry, brittle hair - Solution: If you’re addicted to using heat to style your hair or you frequently use harsh chemicals (like when you color your hair), then you may be experiencing brittle hair that breaks and splits. You’ve got a lot of work to do when it comes to repairing your hair, but it is possible to rebuild the strength of your hair. First, you need to eliminate as many of the harsh products as possible and start using a deep conditioning treatment every other day for a week. After that, use a conditioner each day and avoid heated styling implements. Make sure to get regular trims so you can keep split ends out of your life for good.

Problem #3: Frizzy hair - Solution: Curly and thick hair can get frizzy in no time flat if you don’t use the right products. Keeping hair shiny and smooth starts with your shampoo and conditioner. Try to find a product line that is specifically made for curly hair. These products have chemical formulas in them designed to smooth the hair shaft so you’ll experience less frizz. For curly headed people, conditioners are a must. If wash out conditioners haven’t been working for you, try a leave in conditioner that will continue to weigh down your curl throughout the day. Don’t forget to add a shine boosting styling product. This type of product gives your hair a bit of extra moisture along with ingredients to reduce frizzing.

Fortunately, most hair problems can be solved with a few simple switches in your hair care products and your habits. It’s worth the effort to change the way you treat your hair, especially if you want it to be healthy and strong. When it comes to your hair, small changes can have a big impact.

Instead of spending time and money trying to figure out what products to put on the surface of your hair, you should look into getting the right hair vitamins and minerals into your diet. Here are the top 8 hair health vitamins that your body needs to grow a healthy, shiny head of hair, start stocking your medicine cabinet with the below today:

Vitamin A: You should be getting between 5,000 and 6,000 IU of this vitamin each day, but keep it within that range. Too much Vitamin A can be toxic. It helps your scalp produce sebum, which makes your hair shiny and soft. Vitamin A can be found in most sources of protein (meat, dairy products, eggs) as well as spinach, broccoli, carrots and cabbage. Apricots and peaches are also good sources of the vitamin.

Vitamin C: This immune-boosting vitamin is also helpful in creating healthy hair. You need 60 mg a day to produce healthy hair and skin. If you want to eat your daily serving in food form, try adding citrus fruit, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe and pineapple to your diet. If you’d rather eat it in vegetables, make sure to eat green peppers, dark green vegetables and tomatoes. Potatoes are also good sources of Vitamin C.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is effective in helping your hair because it boosts circulation to your scalp. This means that your hair will grow faster. You should know that Vitamin E can raise your blood pressure and reduce blood clotting, so before you start taking supplements you should consult your doctor if you are on any blood pressure medication or anticoagulants. Foods that are rich in vitamin E include many types of oil, nuts, beans and leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin): This also helps boost your scalp’s circulation. Make sure to stay under the 15 mg daily dosage, or you’ll experience a hot sensation called “niacin flush.” Brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, and protein foods (fish, chicken, turkey and beef) are good sources of niacin.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): This helps prevent hair loss and graying of your hair. You need 4 to 7 mg per day, and can reach that goal by eating whole grains, brewer’s yeast, organ meats (like liver) and egg yolks.

Vitamin B6: This vitamin helps your body produce melanin, which gives your hair its color. It also prevents hair loss. The recommended dose is 1.6 mg, and it can be found in liver, whole grain cereals, organ meats, egg yolks and brewer’s yeast.

Vitamin B12: The recommended daily dosage of 2 mg can prevent hair loss. You can make sure you’re getting this vitamin by eating plenty of chicken, fish, eggs and milk.

Biotin: This supplement helps your body produce keratin, which helps slow hair loss and can prevent your hair from turning gray. You need 150 to 300 mcg of biotin a day, and it can be found in whole grains, rice, egg yolks, liver and milk.

Inositol: This supplement helps your hair follicles at the cellular level. You can safely take up to 600 mg, and it is present in whole grains, brewer’s yeast, liver and citrus fruits.

You can get most of your healthy hair vitamins by taking a B complex supplement with the recommended daily doses of all the B vitamins. Make sure to read the labels so you can be sure that you are getting all of the vitamins that you need. You can also make it a point to eat “healthy hair foods” that have many important vitamins in them. For example, egg yolks provide biotin, B5, B6 and B12.

Keep in mind that these supplements won’t give you healthy hair overnight. It can take up to three months to see results, so stick with it at least that long. You’ll be glad you did!

With this in mind, there are plenty of things that you can do to improve the look and texture of your skin. The following tips will help you improve your skin and prevent future damage:

1. The health of your skin starts inside. Many people mistakenly believe that skin care relies on the products you put on your face. Although your skin care product choices can make a difference, what is really important is your diet. A healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is important in creating healthy skin. Replace processed foods with fresh ones and you’ll be on your way looking younger.
2. Drink more water than you think you need. Water is an essential key to the health of your skin. Staying hydrated will give your body the ingredients that it needs to keep your skin healthy. Whenever you can, drink a glass of water. Although eight 8-ounce glasses of water are recommended for most people, you’ll need more if you exercise or drink caffeine.
3. Supplement your diet with essential vitamins and minerals. The health of your skin depends on your intake of fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. You can make sure that you’re giving your body all that it needs by taking essential supplements. Omega 3 oils are one of the most essential vitamins to take that relate to your skin. Make sure to take it with other basic vitamins to improve the look of your skin.
4. Exercise moderately every day. You don’t have to be an aerobics queen or body building king to reap the benefits of exercise. Some moderate exercise each day, like swimming or walking, can give your skin a boost. The blood circulation you experience while exercising helps you keep looking younger. In addition to blood circulation, exercise provides increased oxygen in your blood stream and a boost of energy.
5. Wash your face regularly. Washing your face morning and night with a cleanser made for your skin type will go a long way toward repairing and preventing any damage to your skin. Make sure to find a cleanser that won’t strip the oils from your face. Don’t rely on regular bar soap to cleanse your face. Look for something that is made for combination or oily skin.
6. Moisturize each and every day. Many people, especially those with oily skin, think that moisturizer is a step that can be skipped. Even if you have skin that is prone to oil, you need a moisturizer. The main reason that people age faster than they should is because their skin isn’t properly moisturizer. Make sure to use something that is proper for your skin type.
7. Look for organic ingredients in your skin care products for additional benefits. Anything that you put on your skin should be as natural as possible, just like whatever you put into your body. Read labels on all skin care products and choose the best quality ingredients that you can afford.

Although sunburns are painful, they carry a deeper risk of causing skin cancer later on in life.  That’s why it’s important to take the following steps to protect yourself from the sun.  Take them to heart, it’s going to be a hot one in 2008!

1. Try out clothes made with SPF. These days there are swimsuits, shirts, shorts and jackets that all come with built in UV protection. If you know you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the sun this summer, consider investing in a few pieces of SPF gear. If you can’t find any clothes made with SPF material, then try to cover up as much as possible with long sleeved shirts and long pants.
2. Use a hat whenever possible. A hat, whether its a baseball cap or a wide brim sun hat, is important for protecting your face and hair. That’s right, hair can be damaged by the sun as well. Sunlight can bleach and dry out your hair making it brittle and prone to breakage. Hats are especially important for children, who have thinner hair and can get burnt on their scalps more easily.
3. Another option for the protection of your hair is using a leave in conditioner with UV protection. Use the product daily to protect your hair and scalp from sun damage.
4. You should be using a sunscreen with a good SPF rate. Most doctors recommend that you wear at least a 30 SPF sunscreen on all skin that will be exposed to the sun. During times where you’ll spend a lot of time in direct sunlight, you should opt for a higher SPF, like 50 or 65.
5. Look for oil free sunscreens if you’re worried about breaking out or clogged pores. There are specific sunscreens made for your face that have less oil and are better for your skin than other types of sunscreen.
6. Wear sunscreen on your face, hands and arms each day to avoid damage to your skin. Contrary to popular belief, your skin can become damaged without being burnt. Exposure builds up over time, and daily sun damage can have lasting effects on your skin. Fifteen minutes here and ten minutes there will make a difference. Make sure you’re protected all the time by wearing sunscreen daily.
7. Try to keep out of the sun as much as possible. Use umbrellas at the beach and other outdoor locations, and stay indoors during the hottest part of the day. This is normally between 10 am and 3 pm each day.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to minimize the sun’s damage to your skin and hair. Everyone is prone to sun damage, no matter what their skin tone, although people with fair skin and freckles are more prone to sunburns. With a little preparation, you can avoid long term damage from sun exposure.

Reducing the salt in your diet is beneficial for a wide variety of reasons

If you’ve been diagnosed with either one of these conditions, or you suspect that you may have them, following a reduced salt diet can help your symptoms.

When following a reduced salt diet, you need to keep in mind that this way of eating should be viewed as a lifestyle change and not simply a diet. The changes that you make should be permanent if you hope to become healthy. Fortunately, there are a lot of low salt options that make it easy to stick to this type of diet.

The first thing you need to reduce and ideally eliminate is processed meats. Lunch meat, canned meats and other heavily processed protein products have lots of sodium in them. Avoid pre-seasoned meats since the seasoning normally has a lot of salt. You can greatly reduce your intake by eliminating these foods entirely. Instead, buy fresh meats that you can prepare yourself.

The same goes for bacon, ham, beef jerky and corned beef. These meats have high levels of salt as do hot dogs and pepperoni. Basically, your protein options should consist of meats that you can find exclusively at the butcher counter. Avoid any meat products that are available in the center aisles of the grocery store.

Since canned meats have high salt levels, it’s only natural that canned vegetables do as well. Canned vegetables like green beans and corn are often available in low sodium varieties. Make sure to read the labels on all canned vegetables that you buy.

You can also reduce salt by limiting or avoiding naturally salty canned foods. These foods include sauerkraut, pickles and other pickled foods. By reducing these foods in your overall diet, you’ll greatly reduce your salt intake and improve your health at the same time.

Canned soups are notoriously high in salt. You should always read the label of your favorite soup to see how much sodium there really is in it. Try Healthy Choice or another healthy brand of soup that is lower in salt and fat. Canned gravy, soy sauce and other canned sauces can also have high levels of sodium.

One of the easiest ways to reduce salt in your diet is to make better snack choices. Chips, pretzels, certain crackers and nuts are all very high in salt. Substitute these snacks for fresh fruits, vegetables and low sodium treats and it will be easy to stick to your new low sodium diet.

Along with reducing your sodium, you should also increase your water in take. A lot of times food cravings, especially those for salt, can actually be dehydration in disguise. By getting your recommended 8 eight ounce glasses of water each day you’ll be able to stick to your new way of eating with ease.

One of the most traditional weird ways to use hair is in the form of artwork. Hair artwork was very popular in the Victorian period, and the collection of hair art pieces is on the rise due to recent interest. Hair art was just as common as needlepoint and crocheting during the nineteenth century. Women practiced the art form in order to preserve the hair and memory of loved ones, especially the deceased.

Hair from a loved one was commonly braided into jewelry like bracelets, rings and earrings. This way the creator could wear their creation, or give it to someone else to wear. Jewelry made from hair was a common way to mourn the dead. This specific type of jewelry was known as “mourning jewelry.”

Besides weaving hair into jewelry, the Victorians also created other types of art with hair. Hair was arranged into roses, woven around wooden frames and stitched into fabric. Hair could be used in all of the ways that yarn or thread were used. Today there has been a renewed interest in not only collecting vintage hair art but also creating new hair art to preserve family history.

Hair also has more practical uses, especially when it comes to cleaning up oil waste. In an attempt to put the 200,000 pounds of hair that go into landfills each day to good use, Alabama hairdresser Phil McCrory patented a oil-soaking pillow made of human hair. He got the idea while watching footage of the oil spills in Alaska in the late 80s. He realized that human hair would attract oil the same way that otter hair did.

He contacted NASA for help with the project after designed a prototype for an oil absorbing pillow made of hair. NASA saw potential for the project and did a few simple tests. They determined that hair absorbs five times its weight in oil. Best of all, the oil can be wrung out and reused. So the next time you get a trim, your hair could be going toward saving the environment!

One of the most recent weird uses for hair is in advertising. A new form of “hair art” has been developed by a variety of barbers around the U.S. and is now being used by some major advertisers. In this form of hair art, numbers, letters, symbols and company logos are shaved into the backs and sides of a persons head. This form of hair normally works best on men’s short buzz haircuts.

Mr. Ronnie Mac, owner of the Shops and Salons Network, has pioneered the process. His “Company Cut” idea has attracted big name advertisers like Pepsi, Ford and Nike, just to name a few.