Category Archives: Hair Care

Essential oils may be the centuries-old remedy for hair loss and stimulating new hair growth.

July 25, 2012 12:21 am /

For centuries, men and women have dealt with hair loss. Hair loss can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from hormones and stress to chemical damage. One of the early solutions for dealing with hair loss in many cultures was using herbs and oils. In 1999, a team of researchers from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland demonstrated that essential oils can treat hair loss in some people.
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Hair Loss Study

In 1999, Scottish dermatologist Dr. Isabelle C. Hay and a team of researchers from the Department of Dermatology at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary studied the effect of essential oils on 86 patients who suffered from hair loss caused by alopecia areata. The double-blind, controlled study took place over a seven month active period with follow-ups at three and seven months after the treatment.

Researchers divided the 86 patients into two groups – active and control. Over a seven-month period, the active group massaged an essential oil recipe onto their scalps daily for two minutes. The control group used the carrier oils jojoba and grapeseed for their daily scalp massages.

At the end of the study, 19 of the 43 patients in the active group demonstrated significant improved hair growth while only six of the 41 patients in the control group showed some slight improvement. One man in the active group grew a full head of hair after being completely bald. Dr. Hay and the research team found that essential oils can safely treat hair loss and stimulate hair growth.

The Aberdeen Royal Infirmary study used the following essential oil recipe:

atlas cedarwood essential oil – 2 drops
thyme essential oil – 2 drops
rosemary essential oil – 3 drops
lavender essential oil – 3 drops
jojoba carrier oil – ½ teaspoon
grapeseed carrier oil – 4 teaspoons

Use a small glass oil dispenser jar. Mix the carrier oils, jojoba and grapeseed first. Add the essential oils one at a time and then place the lid on the jar. Shake the oils together to mix the recipe.

Essential Oils that Treat Hair Loss

Other studies have identified a number of essential oils that can potentially stimulate hair growth in hair loss patients. Some of the essential oils include:

lavender
arnica
rosemary
bay
lemon
Roman chamomile
basil
grapefruit

Lavender and rosemary are always considered hair growth essential oils. A 1998 Archives of Dermatology study found that rosemary essential oil can stimulate hair growth.

How to Use Essential Oils for Hair Loss

There are many ways to apply essential oil recipes for hair loss to scalps. Here are some tips on how to apply essential oils to the scalp:

Always mix essential oils with a carrier oil, such as jojoba. Undiluted essential oils are too harsh on skin.
Apply the essential oil recipe to the scalp when the hair is dry for the best distribution.
Pour a small amount of the oil mixture into a bowl and dip fingers into the bowl to wet fingers with oil during the scalp massage. Dip fingers into the bowl as needed to cover the scalp area.
Massage oil into the entire scalp at once or work on small section at a time. Dip fingers into the oil mixture at the beginning of each section.

The studies provide hope for people searching for possible hair loss treatments. It may not be the solution for everyone but it may help some individuals.

Article source :http://suite101.com/article/treat-hair-loss-with-essential-oils-a225827

Posted in: Beauty tips, Hair care, Uncategorized / Tagged: , ,

Sesame Oil for Hair

July 15, 2012 10:56 pm /

A hectic lifestyle along with pollution and altered dietary habits, adversely affect our hair and skin. Most of us make an effort to ensure that we follow a basic skin care regime with dedication, but when it comes to hair, we just get plain lazy, which is probably because fixing bad hair is expensive and time-consuming. This is where this wonder oil comes in handy, as not only is it extremely effective for hair, but it has long-lasting benefits too.

The use of sesame as a culinary condiment and oil dates back to 1600 BC. Botanically, sesame is known as Sesamum indicum, and the oil is extracted from a flowering plant Sesamum, whose seed pods are cultivated for its edible seeds. Oil is extracted using different methods, wherein the extraction process mostly depends upon the region where the seeds are cultivated and harvested.

Benefits of Sesame Oil

This highly nourishing hair oil has immense healing properties. Its use has been extensively mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic text for over thousands of years. Listed below are some of the benefits of sesame oil for hair care.

  1. If you desire dark lustrous hair, then massage your scalp and hair regularly with sesame oil.
  2. It is highly nourishing and excellent for dry scalp treatment. Massaging helps in controlling dryness and flakiness, thus, preventing hair loss.
  3. A regular warm oil massage increases penetration of oil in the scalp, resulting in enhanced blood circulation, thereby promoting hair growth.
  4. Chemically treated hair that gets damaged over time, regains its lost luster as the oil’s deep penetrating properties nourish the hair from within.
  5. It is also known as a natural healing oil, as it is full of antibacterial properties. It helps clear scalp infection, especially fungal.
  6. It helps in strengthening hair shafts and roots by nourishing them.
  7. Not only does this oil strengthen your hair, it also promotes new hair growth.
  8. Split ends and hair prone to breakage and brittleness leading to excessive hair loss benefits from its replenishing and rejuvenating qualities.
  9. Rough hair can be softened and made more manageable by conditioning.
  10. Stress is considered as a major factor that results in hair fall, and sesame oil’s cooling properties help alleviate stress when massaged in scalp, and on neck and shoulders.
  11. Rich sesame oil protects hair from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays, thus, proving to be a natural sunscreen for hair. Not only does it protect hair from the sun, it also saves them from damaging effects of pollution.
  12. It is known for its hair darkening qualities. Hence, it is very useful for those who suffer from pre-mature hair graying or who have plenty of gray hair.
  13. This oil can be combined with another carrier oil, like almond oil or olive oil, while massaging hair and scalp to reap combined benefits of both the oils.

How to Apply Sesame Oil on Hair and Scalp

To garner best results, warm sesame oil, apply it all over the scalp, and massage in a circular motion using fingertips. After massaging, wrap the scalp and hair with a soaked and squeezed hot water towel, for around half an hour. Leave the oil on overnight and shampoo the next morning.

Note: Place a towel over your pillow while sleeping to avoid staining of the linen with the oil.

Sesame oil is not only beneficial for hair, but one can use it for skin too. Regular use of this oil, as a part of your hair care routine will ensure that you reap all its benefits for years to come. Well then, let’s not wait anymore for getting beautiful, lustrous hair!

Article source http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sesame-oil-for-hair.html

Posted in: Ayurveda, Hair care / Tagged: , , , ,

Hair Loss and Copper water

June 29, 2012 10:17 am /

Hair loss is a symptom and not disease itself. While allopathy touches the hair loss superficially, ayurveda considers it in depth. Hence the evolution of several hair oils, natural shampoos. While modern 21st century woman cuts her hair short like men, long, smooth and lustrous hair was an asset in beauty and personality, especially in oriental lifestyle, as seen by ancient history depicted in temples, pictures, idols. More than beauty, author feels that hair are given to us by god, as natural antennae for collecting cosmic energy emitted by universe. If the chakras are active, one can see dark plenty hair on the parts the body, where chakras are located. A well known example is Ramdev Maharaj, whom you can watch on T.V. in India, twice a day or on website divyayoga.com. The hair also indicates the hormonal status.

There can be many reasons for hair loss, other than hormonal changes. Fatigue, shortness of breath, simultaneous weight loss and colorless face indicate the possibility of anemia as the most likely reason.

Anemia means reduced Hemoglobin in the body. Hemoglobin is made up of certain proteins and Iron. It is carrier of oxygen to all our blood cells. We need oxygen to produce the energy and loss of Hemoglobin reduces the energy produced, resulting in the fatigue. If the anemia is treated, hair loss automatically gets treated. There are three primary reasons for anemia:

1. Inadequate production of RBC cells due to reduced nutrition, hormone unbalance or other diseases

2. Destruction of Hemoglobin carrying cells due to genetic disorders

3. Loss of blood through Menses, accidents etc.

Women become the victim of anemia mostly due to third reason. Even slight reduction in Hemoglobin causes thinning of hair, drying of hair, reduction in the dark shade ( the natural color of hair). While assessing the Hemoglobin quantity requires a costly blood test, ayurvedists examine it simply by color of the face, color of the nails when a finger is pressed. Hands and feet are very informative areas of the body which contain the information on state of the body, and also contain thousands of acupuncture points for whole body.

Our body requires copper as a catalyst for hydrogen oxidation, development of Melanin (the compound which gives natural color to hair) and also for releasing the iron extracted out of the old RBC cells accumulated in liver. Other than dates, raisins, copper water, copper is available in various foods such as mushrooms, grains, cereals, fruits having tough skins. Mushrooms contain a significant amount of copper.

Another variety of anemia is mostly noted in the age group above forty, as a result of deficiency of B12 vitamin and Folic acid. The deficiency of a chemical responsible for absorption of this vitamin causes this anemia. This vitamin is needed to produce more blood cells in bone marrow. This anemia shows similar symptoms. IN addition, bleeding through nose, loss of weight and appetite, thinning of hair, drying and/or hardening of hair can occur. In several cases, hair loss was reduced to negligible quantity by change of diet, and ayurvedic medicines directed at building up of Blood iron; e.g. Loha Bhasma, Saptamrut Loha, Kantloha Bhasma, Navayas Loha, Punarnava Mandur, Tapyadi Loha etc. Which of these should be used depends upon the specific case by case and one should consult the ayurvedic consultant nearest to him. Most of these are quite expensive medicines.

In general, most of the diseases cause reduction of blood iron, and drinking of copper water, soaked dates/raisins can be a general recommendation.

Dr Shirish Bhate

Posted in: Beauty tips, Hair care / Tagged: , , ,

10 Tips to increase healthy hair growth

March 21, 2012 5:37 am /

1.    Eat a healthy Balanced diet. Include plenty of green vegetables, fresh fruits, minor millets, milk and milk products. Vegetables and fruits provide antioxidants and minerals which are necessary to keep the body healthy. Amla (amalaki or Indian gooseberry or emblica officinalis), is considered as a fruit which help in hair growth. Include banana in your diet as banana contains plenty of calcium which is a vital nutrient required for hair growth. Healthy diet prevents hair loss and improves quality and quantity of hair.

2.    Drink plenty of water (2 liters or 12 glasses per day). Water flushes out toxins and increases moistness of skin and hair. This prevents splitting of hair.

3.    Our body produces natural oil which is secreted through oil glands of skin and scalp. This oil keeps our hair strands conditioned. Hence do not use harsh shampoos or soaps which strip off natural oil of scalp. Always use mild shampoo to wash hair.

4.    Wash your hair once in three days. Repeated hair wash leads to dry hair and split ends.

5.    Exercise regularly. This helps to increase blood circulation and keep our whole body healthy and rejuvenated. A brisk walk for 30 minutes is advisable for all ages.

6.    Massage your scalp with good hair oil. Hair oil which is processed with hair friendly herbs help to condition the hair and prevent drying of hair. A good head massage help to increase blood circulation to scalp skin and aid hair growth. Head massage also reduces stress, tension headaches and induces good sleep.

7.    Take measures to prevent formation of dandruff. Dandruff leads to hair loss and stunts hair growth.

8.    Brush your hair from root to tips before taking head bath.

9.    Wear a swimming cap to prevent hair damage due to chlorine.

10.    Avoid tying hair tightly with hair bands. This leads to baldness.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of   Ayurveda help through ayurveda consultations

Posted in: Hair care, Home remedies / Tagged: , , , ,

Can Psoriasis Cause Hair Loss?

July 21, 2011 4:55 am /

Psoriasis Is An Autoimmune Condition:  Many people mistakenly think that psoriasis is very similar to dandruff or other conditions that involve excess sebum or androgens.  In fact, this is an autoimmune condition in which excess skin production causes scaly patches that sometimes take on a silvery white appearance. You’ll often see areas like the elbows and knees affected, but the scalp is not at all off limits.

It’s pretty well known that there are many autoimmune conditions that cause hair loss including alopecia areata, lupus, and Hashimoto thyroiditis.  Many doctors are reluctant to place psoriasis in this category, but  I personally think that you can make this argument as the timing between the two will often suggest a connection. The treatment for these conditions vary.  But in terms of hair loss, there is a European study that has shown promise using and rotating specific essential oils rubbed into the scalp.

Other Theories On Hair Loss, Hair Thinning, Or Shedding Along With Psoriasis:  Many doctors will tell you that when this condition occurs on the scalp, the plaque and scales can choke out the hair follicles and keep healthy hair from growing (only while there is a flare in place.)  Often, this doesn’t not occur over the entire scalp.  There will more often be patches that you can clearly see being affected and that is where you’ll see the hair being compromised or thinning.  (This process is pretty hard to miss and is pretty obvious upon close inspection.) However, typically when the area heals, the hair will become normal again.

The other possibility is that a flare has placed stress upon the body.  The body in turn will often shut down some functions to conserve.  One of these function is the hair growth cycle and what you will get as the result is a condition called TE (or telogen effluvium.)  This happens when a large number of hairs move from the growth cycle to the rest cycle. This is followed by a shedding of the hair.  What you’ll see is a lot of hair falling out at one time all of a sudden.  This is the same thing that happens to women after they give birth.  Typically, the shedding will stop in a few weeks or months and as long as their are not scales or patches on the scalp, regrowth should be fine.

Stopping Hair Loss Related To This Condition: Obviously the best course of action to stop the loss is to effectively treat the condition.  Often this happens with trial and error with your doctor.  Some doctors use medications and some use a laser or alternative therapies.  However, some folks find that treating the symptoms isn’t doing anything for the hair.  In these cases, you may want to look at lessening the inflammation on and in stimulating your scalp to produce healthy regrowth.  Sometimes, you will have diffuse thinning that doesn’t really present like TE shedding and / or doesn’t occur in the effected areas.  In these cases, you may want to look at other possibilities. It’s not inconceivable that the hair situation does not relate to the psoriasis in some cases.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Psoriasis-Cause-Hair-Loss?&id=2312496

Posted in: Hair care, Psoriasis / Tagged: , , ,

Hair Care Tips for Beautiful Hair

June 27, 2011 1:28 am /

For dry hair avoid over washing your hair and consider a shampoo containing humectants or that offer a low ph balance. Shampoos that have a high ph or ph balancing shampoos often lift the cuticle of the hair thus allowing moisture to evaporate from the hair.

Easily reduce static electricity – Cut down on static electricity by dampening your hair brush before brushing.

Did you know that every time you wash your hair you open the cuticle of your hair? Therefore, after coloring your hair wait at least 48 hours before you shampoo allowing the color to seal.

Keep your braid in place – For those that braid their hair use a gel to smooth down uncontrolled hairs. Place a small amount of gel on your fingertip or hairpin and move the stray hairs into the braided section.

Flexible but styled – Want a soft look but still want your hairstyle to stay in place. Spray some hairspray in the palm of your hand and smooth over the surface.

Inexpensive dry shampoo – Baby powder makes a fine dry shampoo but be sure to brush out thoroughly.

Below are easy herbal rinses for all hair color:

Brightening blonde recipes: 2 tablespoons dried chamomile 2 tablespoons dried marigold Steep herbs in one quart of boiled water for about a half hour. Strain and cool to your comfort and pour through wet hair.

Shine for a brunette recipe: 2 tablespoons sage 2 tablespoons rosemary Steep herbs in one quart of boiled water for about a half hour. Strain and cool to your comfort and pour through wet hair.

Depth and luxurious red recipe: Rosehips and Cloves Make a strong tea of rosehips or cloves. or 3 tablespoons calenduala to 3 cups water, steep, strain and cool. Pour over wet hair.

Fight dandruff recipe: 1 cup boiling water 1 tablespoon fresh chives Steep for 30 minutes and strain. Use as a rinse after shampooing.

Clarifying rinse – all too often product builds up in the hair shaft. Consider a clarifying rinse with 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and the juice of a half lemon. After shampooing pour this rinse over your hair and then rinse with cool water. The vinegar smell will dissipate once your hair dries.

African American hair needs intense moisture. Consider shampoos with Emu oil or argon oil to thoroughly hydrate the hair. Olive oil masks or egg yolks mixed with water are an option for deep moisture conditioning.

Article source :Hair Care Tips for Beautiful Hair

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Eat well; include all necessary food categories for healthier hair.

March 17, 2011 2:00 am /

The one problem that people world over seems to be facing is hair loss, and this hampers their normal life to a point where they become a recluse. If a person does not have good hair or has scanty hair, they are very conscious of this condition. At times they retreat into their cocoon and avoid contact with outside people. Hair loss happens to even those who have maintained good health, and have been following strict diet. When we go out, we are exposed to harsh sunlight or pollution, and all this will have a direct impact on our hair as it is the only part that falls in direct contact with them. And in order to battle this problem and increase hair growth, there are various good reliable natural hair products available. These are easily accessible for those who live in remote parts of the world too. Ever since internet came into existence, life has become far easier for all. They are able to do their shopping online, and some of the pharmaceutical companies are promoting their products through online shopping making it accessible to all.

The various forms of natural hair products or natural cure for hair loss are,-

Aromatherapy – One of the finest forms of treating hair loss and other illnesses is through aromatherapy. Various aromatic oils are used to massage the tired muscles in a body to rejuvenate the nerves and increase blood circulation. When a person is tried, or over worked, they are stressed out. Through aromatherapy, they can be relieved from stress thereby facilitating hair growth. The oils that work best are lavender, rosemary, and sandalwood.

Body and head Massage – After a long tiring day, when we get back home, if there was someone to massage our shoulder and neck muscles, it would instantly make us feel better. Another option is to visit a spa or health salon and get a full body and head massage done. This will activate all pores and cells in our body thereby stimulating our blood cells. This in turn would have a direct effect on our scalp and hair promoting faster growth. One can use home made oils or herb extracts for the massage.

Regulated diet – In this fast paced world, no one has time to sit and have a healthy breakfast; they are always grabbing a cup of coffee or a bagel from the coffee shop near their office. This will not give them the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Research indicates that if a person does not eat a balanced and regulated diet, it will affect every part of their body, from head to toe. Therefore it is essential to eat the required amount of calories, through protein, iron, mineral rich food items. One must also include plenty of soups and salads in their diet which would help energize the body giving it stamina to get through any kind of rough day.

Using a controlled diet as a natural hair product, one can also buy oatmeal bars, or fruit bars and eat them whenever they feel hungry. This way they are satisfying their hunger and eating healthy foods. This in turn will add to curbing of hair loss and once again bringing about healthy locks.

If a person keeps their body calm and relaxed, it will automatically help in hair conditions improving with every day.

Eat well; include all necessary food categories for healthier hair.

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Stress Related Hair Loss

November 20, 2010 8:29 pm /

One of the reasons for your recent hair loss may be due to stress. They are related. Hair loss is a by product of excessive and intensive physical or emotional Stress. When you are going through a stressful event or period, you may begin to notice that your hair starts to thin and eventually hair loss occurs. In such instances, the hair follicles will stop growing prematurely when the body system incorrectly treats the hair follicles as foreign tissues, thus resulting in thinning of hair and eventually dropping out.

Types of Hair Loss

There are 2 types of stress related hair loss.

1. The scientific term for the more common type of hair loss is called “telogen effluvium”. This type of hair loss prevents the hair from growing and the hair growing process remains dormant for a period or 3-6 months. After which, usually by in a period of 6-9 months, there is a high possibility that the hair will starts to grow back once the single event stress is over. In other cases the hair loss will continue until the stress is fixed.

2. A second and more serious stress related hair loss is known by the scientific name “alopecia areata”. It actually involves the white blood cell attacking the hair follicles, so much so that the hair falls out by large quantity. This could start with a small patch anywhere on your head (it does not necessary starts from the forehead) and ultimately spreads to the entire scalp.

While your hair may grow back on both occasions, it may require additional treatment.
Stress related hair loss is a sure sign that your health or body is unable to withstand the excessive stress.

Stresses Relating to Hair Loss

The following stresses may be one of the causes for hair loss:

a. Disease (such as thyroid gland infection, lupus disorders, diabetes, anaemia)
b. Poor-nutrition. (Especially if your diet contain insufficient of iron and/or protein)
c. Side effects of medications or treatments
d. Emotional Stress (work, lifestyle)
e. Scalp infection.

Whatever the underlying causes are for stress related hair loss, the condition will continue until the cause has been treated or eliminated. Exercises, meditation, yoga and change of job or environment, while common, are the most effective cure to stress related hair loss. The others being medication which may help one relax and stay calm. Understanding the cause of stress related hair loss is important and should lead to finding the cure if not total prevention.

Author -Adam Able; ableadam.com

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Home remedies to prevent hairloss and dandruff

September 17, 2010 4:04 am /

1. Applying juice of neem or margosa leaves to scalp prevent dandruff and hair loss caused by it.

2. Washing hair and scalp with decoction of neem leaves helps to prevent hair loss and stabilizes color.

3. Boil few pieces of amla, curry leaves and neem leaves in pure coconut oil till it becomes crisp. Massage this oil on scalp. This is best tonic for hair growth.

4. Rubbing scalp with equal quantity of amla juice and lime juice after washing hair help in hair loss and increases the luster.

5. Consuming fresh lettuce leaves or lettuce juice helps in growth of hair.

6. After washing hair with cold water, rub the scalp vigorously with finger tips till you feel the heat. This effectively controls hair loss.

7. Applying a pack of soaked and ground fenugreek seeds for half an hour help to prevent dandruff.

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Allergy To Hair Dye Increasing

September 17, 2010 2:14 am /

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/62324.php

Allergic reactions to hair dye are increasing as more and younger people dye their hair, warn researchers in this week’s BMJ.

This can lead to dermatitis on the face and, in severe cases, facial swelling may occur.

More than two thirds of hair dyes currently contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and other related agents. During the 20th century, allergic reactions to PPD became such a serious problem that it was banned from hair dyes in Germany, France, and Sweden.

Current European Union legislation allows PPD to comprise up to 6% of the constituents of hair dyes on the consumer market, but no satisfactory or widely accepted alternatives to these agents are available for use in permanent hair dye.

Dermatologists report anecdotally that the frequency of positive reactions to PPD on patch testing is increasing. This was confirmed in a recent survey in London, which found a doubling in frequency over six years to 7.1% in a clinic for adults with contact dermatitis. This trend has also been observed in other countries.

Market research also indicates that more people are dyeing their hair and are doing so at a younger age. A survey in 1992 by the Japan Soap and Detergent Association found 13% of female high school students, 6% of women in their 20s, and 2% of men in their 20s reported using hair colouring products. By 2001 the proportions had increased in these three groups to 41%, 85%, and 33%, respectively.

Severe hair dye reactions among children have also recently been reported.

Wider debate on the safety and composition of hair dyes is overdue, say the authors. Cultural and commercial pressures to dye hair are putting people at risk and increasing the burden on health services.

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