3 Common Hair Problems and How to Fix Them

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How to Fix Hair ProblemsIf real life were just like T.V., we’d all have shiny, healthy hair that looked perfect no matter what. Unfortunately, there are many hair problems that plague us. From thin hair to frizzy unmanageable hair, there are several common problems that people that prevent them from having perfect hairdos. If you’ve been struggling with your hair for years, there’s hope!

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. Continue reading →

Hair Health: Top 8 Vitamins for Healthy Hair

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Healthy Hair VitaminsFew people realize how much your hair’s health depends on the vitamins and nutrients that you put into your body. When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Your hair grows from your scalp, and it is created using the building blocks that your body has to offer. If you’ve got missing building blocks from a poor diet, then your hair won’t be as healthy as it could be.

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. Continue reading →

7 Simple Steps to Healthier and Younger Looking Skin

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7 Steps to Healthy SkinLooking younger isn’t beyond your reach, no matter what your age. When this time of year comes around, people often start thinking about their skin. Besides the obvious cosmetic benefits of healthy skin people fail to realize that moisturized, healthy skin acts as a barrier against all kinds of bacteria and viruses keeping you healthy on a daily basis.

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. Continue reading →

7 Ways to Protect Yourself from the Sun this Summer

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Protect yourself from the sun this summer!It’s that time of year when your concerns shift from bundling up to protecting yourself from the sun. This shouldn’t be taken lightly, and you should take every step necessary to prevent sun damage. Too much exposure to the sun can hurt your skin and hair.

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. Continue reading →