Teen haircuts often mirror the latest style trends found in music, movies and television. While teens certainly emulate popular stars when deciding on their hair style, it is also true that celebrities and their stylists look to their teen-aged fans for ideas when determining what haircuts the celebrities should adopt.
Because people are the most experimental during their adolescent years, tomorrow's new hair cuts are often first spotted in the halls of high schools and food courts of shopping malls.
Teens are always on the hunt for new ways to express their individuality, and unique hair cuts are an easy (and reversible) way to stand out. If they experiment and later decide they do not like it, there will only be a short time before it grows out and they can try something else.
BOYS
In the past, boys were much less likely to adopt a fashionable haircut, preferring convenience over style. This is no longer the case. Today, teen boys are equally likely as girls to express themselves with new and experimental hair styles.
The most popular hair cut among teen boys today is bushy curls that look almost unkempt. This style today is what shoulder-length hair was for boys in the 1990s. It is easy to maintain and requires very little work, but is really only viable for boys with curly hair.
Straight-haired boys can cut their hair fairly short and use styling products to get it to stick up and out. This type of hair cut is very versatile. Boys can style it in a more experimental way for social situations and a more traditional way for family and school events.
Today's teen boys are also likely to frost the tips of their hair and experiment with color and layers.
GIRLS
While boys are beginning to experiment more, the greatest variety in teen haircuts is still found among girls.
The biggest hair cut choice facing girls is whether they will have long or short hair.
Short hair styles on girls are increasingly popular, but they're not for everyone. They work best with straight hair. And, while it may seem easier to maintain on a daily basis, a short hair cut on a girl offers limited styling options. A simple bob hair cut varying in length around the head is popular for girls, but many girls with shorter hair often style it to fall in layered wisps.
By far, long hair cuts are still the most popular with teen girls. Long hair offers a virtually limitless variety of styling options. Most popular today are wide curls. Girls with extremely curly hair can relax their curls, and girls with extremely straight hair can curl their hair to achieve this look.
Straight-haired girls are also often likely to cut their hair to allow for bangs in the front. Braids and ponytails are also still popular, allowing teen girls to change their look on almost a daily basis without making any changes to their basic cut.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Basic Updos For Long Hair
An advantage of growing your hair long is that it gives your free rein to attempt a wide variety of hairstyles for different occasions. Long hair provides you with a bigger canvas, so to speak. You can put your hair up to achieve an elegant updo, or you could just let it fall on your shoulders and flip it to catch the attention of others, as girls in movies and sitcoms are wont to do. Short hair bobs are pretty much already styled on their own, thus leaving less room for innovation.
Updos for those with long hair need not be done by a professional stylist in an expensive salon. There are a lot of styles you can do yourself at the comfort of your own home. However, one advantage of salons is their vast collection of hair lotions, hairsprays, and other setting agents to keep your hair from blowing all over your head. They also have a collection of appliances made especially for hair, such as the flat iron for straightening, curling iron, rollers, and blow-dryers. In addition, you can be assured that they know what they're doing, and, in the case of popular stylists, you can even get their recommendations as to what will best suit you.
But not all of us are blessed with the time and the money to spend on these salons. In addition, it can even curtail your creativity. You can always experiment on your own, test out what look is best fit for the occasion and the company you'll be keeping.
Long hair updos range from the classic updo that celebrities like Audrey Hepburn have popularized, or the "messy" ones that seem to be the trend in hairstyles nowadays. When planning what updo to apply to your long hair, it helps to visualize first what kind of style you want. Do you want the updo to consist of sleek and straight hair pulled elegantly to the back of your head, or would you want curls to soften the appearance of your updo and make it appear 'messy' and romantic?
The right updo requires proper preparation. If you want your updo to be sleek and straight, invest in setting agents, lotions, and a flat iron to tame hair. For soft curls, you may use rollers or a curling iron to create curls with just the right amount of volume and size of the curls.
One basic style for long hair that you can do yourself is the classic updo. First, apply a flat iron to your locks and put on some anti-frizz agents to keep your hair smooth and tamed. Pull your hair to a ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Twist it until tight, and wind it around the spot where the hair tie is. Pin it in place with bobby pins and other discreet clips. If the hair tie still shows, you may want to cut it. Add a few spritzes of hairspray to hold it in place and make it look shiny.
If you would like your hair to appear somewhat 'messy,' instead of using a flat iron, use curlers or rollers instead. Follow the steps for a classic updo, but leave out the hair tie. Because this style aims for your hair to be 'messy,' tying it into a ponytail will only make the look unnecessarily severe. Proceed immediately to twisting your hair and winding it in a circle. If you want, you can add fringes to frame your face. This will make it look more romantic.
There are a lot of other updos that you can try. Those complex-looking styles you see on celebrities are the results of variations that hairstylists have been doing over the years. You can experiment on your own. Find out how you can get the most out of your hair and get people talking about your updo.
Updos for those with long hair need not be done by a professional stylist in an expensive salon. There are a lot of styles you can do yourself at the comfort of your own home. However, one advantage of salons is their vast collection of hair lotions, hairsprays, and other setting agents to keep your hair from blowing all over your head. They also have a collection of appliances made especially for hair, such as the flat iron for straightening, curling iron, rollers, and blow-dryers. In addition, you can be assured that they know what they're doing, and, in the case of popular stylists, you can even get their recommendations as to what will best suit you.
But not all of us are blessed with the time and the money to spend on these salons. In addition, it can even curtail your creativity. You can always experiment on your own, test out what look is best fit for the occasion and the company you'll be keeping.
Long hair updos range from the classic updo that celebrities like Audrey Hepburn have popularized, or the "messy" ones that seem to be the trend in hairstyles nowadays. When planning what updo to apply to your long hair, it helps to visualize first what kind of style you want. Do you want the updo to consist of sleek and straight hair pulled elegantly to the back of your head, or would you want curls to soften the appearance of your updo and make it appear 'messy' and romantic?
The right updo requires proper preparation. If you want your updo to be sleek and straight, invest in setting agents, lotions, and a flat iron to tame hair. For soft curls, you may use rollers or a curling iron to create curls with just the right amount of volume and size of the curls.
One basic style for long hair that you can do yourself is the classic updo. First, apply a flat iron to your locks and put on some anti-frizz agents to keep your hair smooth and tamed. Pull your hair to a ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Twist it until tight, and wind it around the spot where the hair tie is. Pin it in place with bobby pins and other discreet clips. If the hair tie still shows, you may want to cut it. Add a few spritzes of hairspray to hold it in place and make it look shiny.
If you would like your hair to appear somewhat 'messy,' instead of using a flat iron, use curlers or rollers instead. Follow the steps for a classic updo, but leave out the hair tie. Because this style aims for your hair to be 'messy,' tying it into a ponytail will only make the look unnecessarily severe. Proceed immediately to twisting your hair and winding it in a circle. If you want, you can add fringes to frame your face. This will make it look more romantic.
There are a lot of other updos that you can try. Those complex-looking styles you see on celebrities are the results of variations that hairstylists have been doing over the years. You can experiment on your own. Find out how you can get the most out of your hair and get people talking about your updo.
Teen Skin Care Tips
Hormonal changes during the teen years can lead to skin and hair problems. Read the skin care tips for teens to get effective remedies for pimples, blackheads, acne and oily skin. You must follow a regular beauty care regimen to prevent blemished and spotted skin. So, impart a healthy glow to your skin and get rid of acne and other skin problems by following a simple beauty care routine, suited to your skin type.
Teen Skin Care Tips
Teen Skin Care Tips
- Cleanse your skin regularly with a gentle facial cleanser or cleansing milk. You can also make your own cleansing lotion. Mix two drops of rosemary, geranium and lavender oils to 4 tablespoons of base lotion. Massage this into your skin and rinse with cold water.
- Always remember to remove your make up before going to bed. Old make up accumulated on the surface of the skin can cause 'zits'.
- You cam prepare a skin toner by mixing geranium and lemon oils to 70 ml. of distilled water. Wipe your face and neck with this tonic.
- Steaming you face regularly, is an effective remedy for removing blackheads and pimples.
- Apply a skin clarifying face mask and wash off after fifteen minutes. You can make the skin mask by mixing lemon, cedar wood and juniper oil to three tablespoons of base cream.
- Remember to drink at least two to three liters of water daily.
- Eat fresh fruits and green vegetables for maintaining a healthy skin.
- Stop gorging on chocolates, sweet drinks and junk food to reduce the occurrence of pimples and blackheads.
- Exercise for at least half an hour for at least three to four times a week.
Sensitive Skin Care
Sensitive skin requires extra care as it is prone to allergies and breakouts. Exposure to harsh climatic conditions as well as the use of cosmetics and chemicals might result in blots, blemishes and eruptions. The skin care tips offered below will give you smooth and soft skin that is absolutely blemish free.
Sensitive Skin Care Guide
Sensitive skin care requires a lot of patience and meticulous help. Red spots, itchiness, rashes and allergies might develop at the slightest exposure to harsh conditions.
The following tips mentioned below are effective in providing a safeguard for sensitive skin.
Sensitive Skin Care Guide
Sensitive skin care requires a lot of patience and meticulous help. Red spots, itchiness, rashes and allergies might develop at the slightest exposure to harsh conditions.
The following tips mentioned below are effective in providing a safeguard for sensitive skin.
- You should be very particular about the food that you eat. A healthy, well balanced diet will work wonders for your skin. Avoid fried and spicy food as these might cause your skin to break out.
- Drink plenty of water. Adequate intake of water is essential for that soft, glowing skin.
- Herbal skin care products are excellent for sensitive skin.
- Always use hypo-allergenic make up and cosmetics on your face.
- Do no use harsh cleansers on your face. Always remove eye make up with a gentle eye make up remover that is not harsh on your skin.
- Treat your face to a cleanser made from jojoba or almond oil.
- Oatmeal mixed with grapefruit makes an excellent ex foliating scrub for sensitive skin.
- You can use a fruit mask for toning and cleansing your skin.
- Comfrey works as an excellent toner for sensitive skin.
- Aloe vera works as a soothing skin lotion for redness, itches and blots.
- Licorice is good for sensitive skin.
- Green tea extracts can work towards preventing skin allergies and reactions.
- Always use hypo-allergenic cleansers and moisturizers.
- Do no use skin fresheners. Splash your face with warm water instead.
How to Get Rid of Under Eye Circles
Do you suffer from dark circles under your eyes? Don't fret - so do millions of American woman; whether you were up late with a new baby, working at the office, or just have trouble sleeping , dark, puffy eyes are something that has plagued everyone. Here are some quick tips to get rid of them!
First, make sure you're wearing a concealer with an SPF. Concealing the blemishes until they pass are one of the easiest ways to get rid of them, but the sun [even in winter] can do a great deal of damage, and prevent your under eye circles from going away. At the end of the day, removing makeup completely using an organic eye makeup remover can also help with under eye circles; many woman are surprised by the amount of build up they have under their eyes simply from not getting all their smudged mascara up!
During your sleep, try applying a facial mask that helps with under eye puffiness. This may not reduce the dark coloring, but you can rid yourself of half of the issue and treat your skin in the meantime. These masks work during your sleep period to nourish skin. During the day you can apply things like cucumbers, or luke warm tea bags to your eyes to get rid of circling and other irritation. Reducing your intake of salt, and quitting with bad behaviors like smoking, or eating fatty foods can also help dramatically. If you feel like you've done all you can, try talking to your doctor about a vitamin supplement; sometimes you are simply missing what your body needs to thrive.
First, make sure you're wearing a concealer with an SPF. Concealing the blemishes until they pass are one of the easiest ways to get rid of them, but the sun [even in winter] can do a great deal of damage, and prevent your under eye circles from going away. At the end of the day, removing makeup completely using an organic eye makeup remover can also help with under eye circles; many woman are surprised by the amount of build up they have under their eyes simply from not getting all their smudged mascara up!
During your sleep, try applying a facial mask that helps with under eye puffiness. This may not reduce the dark coloring, but you can rid yourself of half of the issue and treat your skin in the meantime. These masks work during your sleep period to nourish skin. During the day you can apply things like cucumbers, or luke warm tea bags to your eyes to get rid of circling and other irritation. Reducing your intake of salt, and quitting with bad behaviors like smoking, or eating fatty foods can also help dramatically. If you feel like you've done all you can, try talking to your doctor about a vitamin supplement; sometimes you are simply missing what your body needs to thrive.
Don't Rely on Diet to Prevent Weight Regain
Study :If you've just lost weight and are trying to keep it off, don't rely on diet alone to keep those unwanted pounds at bay. It may not be enough, no matter what kind of "maintenance" diet you follow, researchers say.
A team from Denmark found that people following three very different diets regained weight, anyway.
So to avoid regaining weight, "the best plan is to stick to a diet that works for you -- in combination with exercise," said study co-author Anette Due, a researcher at the University of Copenhagen.
The researchers followed 125 men and women, ages 18 to 35, who had lost more than 8 percent of their initial body weight and were trying to keep it off. They assigned them randomly to follow one of three diets.
One diet provided a moderate amount of fat, about 35 percent to 45 percent of total intake, with more than 20 percent of it from monounsaturated fats such as olive oil. Another diet was 20 percent to 30 percent fat, with no specifics on types of fat. And those on the "control" diet took in 35 percent of calories as fat.
All groups as a whole regained during the six-month follow-up, with the moderate-fat dieters regaining about 5.5 pounds, the low-fat (20 percent to 30 percent) regaining 4.8 pounds, and the control group, 8.3 pounds.
The study results are published in the November issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers also looked at changes in risk factors for diabetes and heart disease such as blood sugar levels, insulin, cholesterol and triglycerides. The diet that allowed 35 percent to 45 percent of total intake as fat, with most of it olive oil-type fat, seemed to improve glucose compared to a normal Western diet, said Due.
The study received funding from a variety of sources, including The Danish Heart Association and the Danish Pork Council.
The findings weren't all that surprising, experts said.
"We know that most dieters have some weight regain despite the type of diet they may have been on," said Lona Sandon, an assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "The trick to preventing weight regain seems to be more in increasing exercise rather than diet strategies."
Until more research is in on the best "maintenance" diet, "the important message is the calorie message," said Connie Diekman, director of University Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, and past president of the American Dietetic Association. Dieters should figure out how much they can eat and how much they must exercise to maintain a weight.
And eating the right breakfast might help keep the weight down, according to research published in the same issue of the journal.
In that study, researchers from Queens College of the City University of New York and other facilities collected data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, including more than 12,000 men and women. Their study was partially supported by the Breakfast Research Institute, sponsored by Quaker and Tropicana, which make breakfast foods.
Those who ate breakfast tended to eat healthier foods during the rest of the day. Women -- but not men -- who ate breakfast had a lower body mass index than women who skipped breakfast.
According to Sandon, those findings may be especially good news for women. "For women, simply eating breakfast may help them control body weight and appetite throughout the day," she said.
A team from Denmark found that people following three very different diets regained weight, anyway.
So to avoid regaining weight, "the best plan is to stick to a diet that works for you -- in combination with exercise," said study co-author Anette Due, a researcher at the University of Copenhagen.
The researchers followed 125 men and women, ages 18 to 35, who had lost more than 8 percent of their initial body weight and were trying to keep it off. They assigned them randomly to follow one of three diets.
One diet provided a moderate amount of fat, about 35 percent to 45 percent of total intake, with more than 20 percent of it from monounsaturated fats such as olive oil. Another diet was 20 percent to 30 percent fat, with no specifics on types of fat. And those on the "control" diet took in 35 percent of calories as fat.
All groups as a whole regained during the six-month follow-up, with the moderate-fat dieters regaining about 5.5 pounds, the low-fat (20 percent to 30 percent) regaining 4.8 pounds, and the control group, 8.3 pounds.
The study results are published in the November issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers also looked at changes in risk factors for diabetes and heart disease such as blood sugar levels, insulin, cholesterol and triglycerides. The diet that allowed 35 percent to 45 percent of total intake as fat, with most of it olive oil-type fat, seemed to improve glucose compared to a normal Western diet, said Due.
The study received funding from a variety of sources, including The Danish Heart Association and the Danish Pork Council.
The findings weren't all that surprising, experts said.
"We know that most dieters have some weight regain despite the type of diet they may have been on," said Lona Sandon, an assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "The trick to preventing weight regain seems to be more in increasing exercise rather than diet strategies."
Until more research is in on the best "maintenance" diet, "the important message is the calorie message," said Connie Diekman, director of University Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, and past president of the American Dietetic Association. Dieters should figure out how much they can eat and how much they must exercise to maintain a weight.
And eating the right breakfast might help keep the weight down, according to research published in the same issue of the journal.
In that study, researchers from Queens College of the City University of New York and other facilities collected data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, including more than 12,000 men and women. Their study was partially supported by the Breakfast Research Institute, sponsored by Quaker and Tropicana, which make breakfast foods.
Those who ate breakfast tended to eat healthier foods during the rest of the day. Women -- but not men -- who ate breakfast had a lower body mass index than women who skipped breakfast.
According to Sandon, those findings may be especially good news for women. "For women, simply eating breakfast may help them control body weight and appetite throughout the day," she said.
Baby Your Baby’s Skin
Your newborn is home now, and you're settling into a daily routine. Keeping your baby warm and nourished is tops on your list. Baby skin care is just as important.
Newborn skin is delicate -- and so is the baby's immune system. Chemicals, fragrances, and dyes in clothing, detergents, and baby products can cause newborn skin irritation, dryness, chafing, and rashes. However, there's much you can do to protect your baby from these skin problems.
The upside to baby's skin sensitivity? Your touch on your newborn's skin has a soothing, nurturing effect -- and is critical to your baby's development.
Natural Baby Skin Care
A newborn baby is born with wrinkly skin and a protective covering called vernix that peels off. This is a natural process during the first week. There's no need to rush it, rub it, or treat it with lotions or creams. (If baby is born past the due date, this process is likely finished in utero).
With newborn skin care, the adage is "less is more." Pediatricians advise that bathing babies too often -- plus too much exposure to chemicals and other potential allergens -- can set the stage for skin allergies later in life.
Newborn skin is delicate -- and so is the baby's immune system. Chemicals, fragrances, and dyes in clothing, detergents, and baby products can cause newborn skin irritation, dryness, chafing, and rashes. However, there's much you can do to protect your baby from these skin problems.
The upside to baby's skin sensitivity? Your touch on your newborn's skin has a soothing, nurturing effect -- and is critical to your baby's development.
Natural Baby Skin Care
A newborn baby is born with wrinkly skin and a protective covering called vernix that peels off. This is a natural process during the first week. There's no need to rush it, rub it, or treat it with lotions or creams. (If baby is born past the due date, this process is likely finished in utero).
With newborn skin care, the adage is "less is more." Pediatricians advise that bathing babies too often -- plus too much exposure to chemicals and other potential allergens -- can set the stage for skin allergies later in life.
- Don't use baby products in the early months. The immune system is still developing. If you have a family history of skin problems, allergies, or asthma, it's especially important to protect your baby's immune system -- and protect baby from irritating allergens.
- Wash baby's clothing before it's worn. Use only baby laundry detergents that are fragrance- and dye-free. Wash baby clothes, bedding, and blankets separately from the family's laundry. Give everything an extra rinse.
- Resist the urge to bathe your baby frequently. Too-frequent bathing removes the natural oils that protect baby's skin. That leaves baby's skin vulnerable, so it reacts to any potential allergen -- triggering a reaction like eczema.
Except for drool and diaper changes, newborns don't get very dirty. Babies aren’t working 9 to 5 and hitting the gym afterward! For the first month or so, a sponge bath two or three times a week will keep your baby safely clean. In between, simply clean baby’s mouth and diaper area with a little water or cleanser.
Once-a-week sponge baths (or even less) are best for newborns with darker skin tones (like African-American). These infants tend to have dryer skin and have a higher risk of skin problems such as eczema.
Newborn Dry Skin: Eczema
Most newborn skin problems, such as eczema or diaper rash, don't develop for the first month or two. Eczema appears as a red, itchy rash mostly on face and scalp, at the elbows, and behind the knees.
A few tips on preventing dry, irritated skin and eczema:
- Try once-a-week bathing to allow skin to retain natural oils.
- Limit your use of baby skin products. If necessary, use only a small amount of lotion on dry skin areas.
- Make sure baby wears only soft clothing.
When baby has an allergic reaction, the result can be a rash. Rashes under the diaper can actually be eczema and not a diaper rash. An allergy to dyes in the diapers themselves can cause this reaction. Switching to dye-free diapers may be all that's needed to prevent future outbreaks.
Check with your pediatrician about using over-the-counter lotions or creams to treat eczema. You may need a prescription treatment.
Baby Skin Care: Diaper Rash
Most often, diaper rash is caused by the irritating wetness of a soiled diaper. The rash can also develop when baby's skin is not properly dried after a bath. Sometimes, a bacteria or yeast infection will cause diaper rash. Babies taking antibiotics are especially susceptible to a yeast infection diaper rash because the drugs allow fungal growth.
Most forms of diaper rash don't require medical care. To treat diaper rash -- and prevent further newborn skin problems:
- Check diapers frequently.
- Change diapers immediately when wet or soiled.
- Wash the diaper area with mild fragrance-free cleanser or plain water. If the rash is severe, use a squirt bottle to cleanse without rubbing.
- Use a soft clean cloth, not baby wipes. The perfume or alcohol in many wipes can further irritate and dry baby's skin.
- Pat baby dry. Don't rub. Let the diaper area air-dry fully before putting on a fresh diaper.
- Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) or a protective ointment like Desitin or A&D.
- Avoid using baby powder. Corn starch-based powders promote yeast growth. Talcum powder may cause lung problems if inhaled.
See your pediatrician if the rash doesn't clear up in two to three days. If the rash is caused by eczema, a bacterial or yeast infection, or other condition, you may need a prescription treatment.
Newborn Skin Soaks Up Calming Touch
Giving your newborn a massage is important one-on-one time. Like cuddling, a massage is a way to convey your love and affection for your baby. In fact, research shows that a baby's very survival depends on being touched by others -- as touch triggers hormones, boosts immunity, and helps fight disease. Also, massaged babies are calmer, sleep better, and cry less -- every parent's dream!
There's no special technique to massaging a baby. Find a carpeted floor in a warm room. Simply lay baby on a soft blanket or fabric. Get a little baby oil or a gentle lotion. Warm it in your hand. Then gently massage baby's chest and tummy -- using a gentle yet firm touch. Try to make eye contact and talk to your baby. Sing softly.
If there's any fussing, baby may not be ready for a massage. Or the massage may be too forceful, so use a gentler touch. It's the time spent together that's most important.
8 Ways You're Damaging Your Hair
Causes of Hair Damage
So as we perm and color our way to the hair we want, when we want it, are we actually doing more harm than good to our locks? Here are eight ways our beauty habits cause hair damage:
1. Bleaching - "Bleaching your hair penetrates the cuticle with chemicals and removes your natural pigment," Mirmirani says. "You are changing the structure of your hair, making it more susceptible to damage."
Once you bleach, she explains, you've altered the strength of your hair, making it weaker. If you add blow drying and styling on top of bleaching, you can really damage your 'do, causing hair breakage, a dull look, and split ends.
2. Perms - "Perming refers to either a chemical straightening or a chemical curling," Mirmirani says. "It works by breaking the inner bonds of the hair and re-forming them back together in a different way."
Like bleaching, it weakens your hair, leaving it dull and damaged over time so that instead of luxurious curly locks or shiny straight tresses, your hair looks brittle and dry.
3. Highlights and coloring - Highlights and semi-permanent dyes aren't as damaging as bleach, but they aren't without consequences, Mirmirani says. They can also change the inner structure of the hair, causing a lackluster look and dryness, especially if you frequently color to hide roots or gray hair.
4. Flat iron and blow-drying - "Heat causes temporary changes to the hydrogen bonds that hold hair together," Mirmirani says, and that can make hair look dull.
Over time, the temporary changes can lead to more permanent damage if you tend to blow dry or iron on a daily basis.
5. Ponytails and braids - "Ponytails and braids can cause hair to break, especially if your style is pulled tightly," Mirmirani says. "If you wear it that way every day, permanent hair damage can occur."
Braiding or putting your hair in a ponytail when it's wet can cause damage sooner because wet hair is more fragile.
6. Over-brushing - Think 100 strokes a day will make your hair shiny and full? Think again.
"Over-brushing your hair can cause split ends and breakage, with the over-brushing causing just too much consistent friction for hair to handle," Mirmirani says.
Cheap brushes don't help either, causing snags and tangles that are hard to get out and resulting in broken hair and split ends.
7. Over-shampooing - "The goal of shampooing is to cleanse the scalp and remove oil buildup on your hair," Mirmirani says.
But over-washing can wash away your hair's natural moisture that helps your hair look healthy, making your hair dry. Although a significant amount of research has gone into making shampoos beneficial for your hair, you can still get too much of a good thing.
"The less vigorous you are in washing your hair, the less damage you'll do to the cuticle," Mirmirani tells WebMD. "And find a frequency to washing your hair that works for you ... whether it's a few times a week or every day."
How do you know when you are overdoing it?
"I have African-American patients who wash their hair once a week to avoid drying it out," Mirmirani says. "You can tell when it's too much if it starts to get dull, which means it's time to scale back on the shampooing."
8. Extensions and weaves - Extensions and weaves are a lot like ponytails and braids. Over time, they can leave hair broken and brittle. The difference is the damage is at the roots where it is harder to cut out.
"If you have a discomfort or ache in the scalp, that indicates that what you've done to your hair is causing too much pressure at the roots," Mirmirani says.
Worse, traction alopecia is a serious hair loss condition caused by wearing tight hairstyles like extensions for too long a time period. So either keep it loose, or try growing your hair instead of going for instant length.
Hair Damage Repair
"Whether it's heat, chemicals, dyes, or styling, it's all doing some degree of damage," Mirmirani says. "A good rule of thumb is, the less you do to your hair, the better."
The good news is today's products, including dyes, are much better suited to our hair than 20 years ago, with technology and research helping to make most styling products actually beneficial to our hair.
How can you undo some of the damage done through countless visits to the salon?
"There are two things you can do," Mirmirani says. "First, cut off the damaged ends and start fresh. And try reducing what you're doing. ... If you notice your hair looking dull and dry, cut back on your styling until you get your hair back."
Larry Baron, the owner and head stylist at Spa Christine in Boston, says the trick to keeping your hair healthy is to maintain its pH balance.
"In order to close the hair cuticle and bring it back to health, you need to keep its pH balance at 4.5 -- that's the level at which your hair will look its best," he tells WebMD. "When it starts to creep up, that's when it starts to look like straw."
Baron's recommendations for maximizing hair health:
So as we perm and color our way to the hair we want, when we want it, are we actually doing more harm than good to our locks? Here are eight ways our beauty habits cause hair damage:
1. Bleaching - "Bleaching your hair penetrates the cuticle with chemicals and removes your natural pigment," Mirmirani says. "You are changing the structure of your hair, making it more susceptible to damage."
Once you bleach, she explains, you've altered the strength of your hair, making it weaker. If you add blow drying and styling on top of bleaching, you can really damage your 'do, causing hair breakage, a dull look, and split ends.
2. Perms - "Perming refers to either a chemical straightening or a chemical curling," Mirmirani says. "It works by breaking the inner bonds of the hair and re-forming them back together in a different way."
Like bleaching, it weakens your hair, leaving it dull and damaged over time so that instead of luxurious curly locks or shiny straight tresses, your hair looks brittle and dry.
3. Highlights and coloring - Highlights and semi-permanent dyes aren't as damaging as bleach, but they aren't without consequences, Mirmirani says. They can also change the inner structure of the hair, causing a lackluster look and dryness, especially if you frequently color to hide roots or gray hair.
4. Flat iron and blow-drying - "Heat causes temporary changes to the hydrogen bonds that hold hair together," Mirmirani says, and that can make hair look dull.
Over time, the temporary changes can lead to more permanent damage if you tend to blow dry or iron on a daily basis.
5. Ponytails and braids - "Ponytails and braids can cause hair to break, especially if your style is pulled tightly," Mirmirani says. "If you wear it that way every day, permanent hair damage can occur."
Braiding or putting your hair in a ponytail when it's wet can cause damage sooner because wet hair is more fragile.
6. Over-brushing - Think 100 strokes a day will make your hair shiny and full? Think again.
"Over-brushing your hair can cause split ends and breakage, with the over-brushing causing just too much consistent friction for hair to handle," Mirmirani says.
Cheap brushes don't help either, causing snags and tangles that are hard to get out and resulting in broken hair and split ends.
7. Over-shampooing - "The goal of shampooing is to cleanse the scalp and remove oil buildup on your hair," Mirmirani says.
But over-washing can wash away your hair's natural moisture that helps your hair look healthy, making your hair dry. Although a significant amount of research has gone into making shampoos beneficial for your hair, you can still get too much of a good thing.
"The less vigorous you are in washing your hair, the less damage you'll do to the cuticle," Mirmirani tells WebMD. "And find a frequency to washing your hair that works for you ... whether it's a few times a week or every day."
How do you know when you are overdoing it?
"I have African-American patients who wash their hair once a week to avoid drying it out," Mirmirani says. "You can tell when it's too much if it starts to get dull, which means it's time to scale back on the shampooing."
8. Extensions and weaves - Extensions and weaves are a lot like ponytails and braids. Over time, they can leave hair broken and brittle. The difference is the damage is at the roots where it is harder to cut out.
"If you have a discomfort or ache in the scalp, that indicates that what you've done to your hair is causing too much pressure at the roots," Mirmirani says.
Worse, traction alopecia is a serious hair loss condition caused by wearing tight hairstyles like extensions for too long a time period. So either keep it loose, or try growing your hair instead of going for instant length.
Hair Damage Repair
"Whether it's heat, chemicals, dyes, or styling, it's all doing some degree of damage," Mirmirani says. "A good rule of thumb is, the less you do to your hair, the better."
The good news is today's products, including dyes, are much better suited to our hair than 20 years ago, with technology and research helping to make most styling products actually beneficial to our hair.
How can you undo some of the damage done through countless visits to the salon?
"There are two things you can do," Mirmirani says. "First, cut off the damaged ends and start fresh. And try reducing what you're doing. ... If you notice your hair looking dull and dry, cut back on your styling until you get your hair back."
Larry Baron, the owner and head stylist at Spa Christine in Boston, says the trick to keeping your hair healthy is to maintain its pH balance.
"In order to close the hair cuticle and bring it back to health, you need to keep its pH balance at 4.5 -- that's the level at which your hair will look its best," he tells WebMD. "When it starts to creep up, that's when it starts to look like straw."
Baron's recommendations for maximizing hair health:
- Always put product on your hair before you style with heat. "By putting the product on before you style, you're heating the product, not the hair," Baron tells WebMD.
- Use extensions and cornrows wisely. "If extensions or cornrows are too tight, it can damage your roots by causing too much tension," Baron says. "There's a new technique where you can have extensions glued in and then removed using baby oil, but whatever way you choose, don't overdo it -- hair is strong, but it does have a breaking point."
- Cut your losses. "When your hair is really damaged and dry, amputate," Baron says. "Just cut it off and start over."
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tighten Loose Neck Skin
Turkey chin or turkey neck is the excess loose skin at the front of the neck. This is like a turkey wattle hanging loosely in front of your neck. The platysma muscle may be toned down but the loose skin such as this turkey chin that covers the platysma will still remain.
To remove this loose skin, a surgery may be recommended especially if the skin really has to be lifted up. It may cost you much money but the result of the surgery will be money well spent. There are also some turkey chin exercises that you can do for your neck skin. But before you do the exercises, you should be aware of the important facts about your neck. The neck is a sensitive formation of bones with delicate nerves that might be harmed by harsh exercises.
The neck is the first area that gets older and gain weights easily. Although neck exercises are helpful in removing the double chin fats and the loose turkey neck skin, these can also give you pain when done in the wrong way. Be extra careful as you do the neck and exercises to avoid pain in the neck.
There are turkey chin exercises that you can apply for your neck. First, lift up your lower lip and create wrinkle in the skin of the chin to stretch and contract the muscles. Hold the contraction for up to a few seconds. Then lower your chin without moving your head. When you feel the contraction, hold it for a few seconds then relax. Repeat this exercise as many as you can but do not overdo it to avoid pains.
Second, sit or stand comfortably. Lean your head backwards, and then press your tongue to the inner upper part of your mouth. When you feel the muscles tighten, bring your chin downward to your neck then upward. Repeat the procedure up to ten times each day.
Third, position your head in a comfortable spot. Lean your head backwards. Slowly move your lower lip to your upper lip, try touching your nose with your lower lip. Then stick out your tongue once in a while to make the facial muscles move. Then force back your forehead with resistance. After some stretch and contraction, try to relax for a few seconds and repeat the same procedure for about ten times.
After doing consistently these regular turkey chin exercises, you will notice changes in your loose skin. It may not be noticeable at first because loose skin is hard to treat. Just continue the exercise until you reach your desired neck structure.
Neck exercises are not only for people who have saggy neck skin or turkey loose neck. Everyone should have a regular neck exercise to make the neck flexible and strong as it supports the head and the posture of the whole body. Without regular neck exercises, the body will tend to be weak and the neck will be exhausted easily. Make exercises your regular habit to maintain a firm muscle and avoid development of double chin.
To remove this loose skin, a surgery may be recommended especially if the skin really has to be lifted up. It may cost you much money but the result of the surgery will be money well spent. There are also some turkey chin exercises that you can do for your neck skin. But before you do the exercises, you should be aware of the important facts about your neck. The neck is a sensitive formation of bones with delicate nerves that might be harmed by harsh exercises.
The neck is the first area that gets older and gain weights easily. Although neck exercises are helpful in removing the double chin fats and the loose turkey neck skin, these can also give you pain when done in the wrong way. Be extra careful as you do the neck and exercises to avoid pain in the neck.
There are turkey chin exercises that you can apply for your neck. First, lift up your lower lip and create wrinkle in the skin of the chin to stretch and contract the muscles. Hold the contraction for up to a few seconds. Then lower your chin without moving your head. When you feel the contraction, hold it for a few seconds then relax. Repeat this exercise as many as you can but do not overdo it to avoid pains.
Second, sit or stand comfortably. Lean your head backwards, and then press your tongue to the inner upper part of your mouth. When you feel the muscles tighten, bring your chin downward to your neck then upward. Repeat the procedure up to ten times each day.
Third, position your head in a comfortable spot. Lean your head backwards. Slowly move your lower lip to your upper lip, try touching your nose with your lower lip. Then stick out your tongue once in a while to make the facial muscles move. Then force back your forehead with resistance. After some stretch and contraction, try to relax for a few seconds and repeat the same procedure for about ten times.
After doing consistently these regular turkey chin exercises, you will notice changes in your loose skin. It may not be noticeable at first because loose skin is hard to treat. Just continue the exercise until you reach your desired neck structure.
Neck exercises are not only for people who have saggy neck skin or turkey loose neck. Everyone should have a regular neck exercise to make the neck flexible and strong as it supports the head and the posture of the whole body. Without regular neck exercises, the body will tend to be weak and the neck will be exhausted easily. Make exercises your regular habit to maintain a firm muscle and avoid development of double chin.
A Crash Course in Looking Stunning With Short Hair
It is misleading to think that women with short hair are permanently deprived of the chance to have a stunning updo just because they lack proper hair length. It is true that long hair will allow the stylist to experiment on different braids and knots. However, shorter hair will allow you to experiment with lines and spikes that could give your updo a modern edge.
A word of caution: because of your hair's short length, they have the tendency to be "stubborn." That is, you may end up using a lot more elastics, pins, and styling gels to keep your hair in place. Patience is a virtue, especially in styling your short hair into an updo.
Short hair updos are usually more beautiful when made with curly hair. Before experimenting with a short-hair updo, prepare your hair by using rollers or a curling iron to create tight or soft curls - depending on the style and look you want to achieve.
For chin-length hair, you have the option of creating a half-updo, in which only half of your hair is secured at the back of your head while the rest frame the lower side of your face up to your neck. The hair at the back of your head may be wound around a spot to create a bun or fastening it in such a way that some of the ends stick out.
There are also ways to make your short hair appear longer when styled in an updo. You can do this the easy way by adding accessories such as scrunchies that are made to look like real hair. You may also want to have hair extensions, or a veil that can conceal the back of your head. For those who are feeling more courageous, you can fasten all your hair at the back of your head by sectioning it into small clumps first. Position the clumps in such a way that they are close to each other, and secure each clump with elastics. Pin those clumps together and style the "tails" any way you want.
A word of caution: because of your hair's short length, they have the tendency to be "stubborn." That is, you may end up using a lot more elastics, pins, and styling gels to keep your hair in place. Patience is a virtue, especially in styling your short hair into an updo.
Short hair updos are usually more beautiful when made with curly hair. Before experimenting with a short-hair updo, prepare your hair by using rollers or a curling iron to create tight or soft curls - depending on the style and look you want to achieve.
For chin-length hair, you have the option of creating a half-updo, in which only half of your hair is secured at the back of your head while the rest frame the lower side of your face up to your neck. The hair at the back of your head may be wound around a spot to create a bun or fastening it in such a way that some of the ends stick out.
There are also ways to make your short hair appear longer when styled in an updo. You can do this the easy way by adding accessories such as scrunchies that are made to look like real hair. You may also want to have hair extensions, or a veil that can conceal the back of your head. For those who are feeling more courageous, you can fasten all your hair at the back of your head by sectioning it into small clumps first. Position the clumps in such a way that they are close to each other, and secure each clump with elastics. Pin those clumps together and style the "tails" any way you want.
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