Thursday, July 30, 2009

Hair Brushes and Brushing Hair

Brushing your hair produces several benefits for your hair beauty! It massages the scalp, removes the loose scales accumulated on the scalp and distributes the sebum (oily substance) evenly through the hair.

Regular brushing with a ball-tipped bristle brush through to the scalp will stimulate the blood supply and promote healthy growth.

On the other hand, over-brushing can make your hair greasy and may damage the hair and scalp.

Keep in mind that the wrong tool and the wrong technique can tangle or tear your hair.

The type of the hair brush that we use is important in getting the right style and preventing damage.

There are five types of brushes, each designed for a specific purpose.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Types Of Hair Brushes

• Vent Brush

• Styler

• Cushion Brush

• Paddle Brush

• Thermal Brush

The Vent Hair Brush


It is the simplest brush to use but gives only the simplest of effects.

It has vents through which air flow. Use this brush to give your hair height and volume as well as some direction.

The Styler Hair Brush

No vents and easy to use. But it cannot provide enough tension so you will not be able to get the smoothness you want.

The bristles are on one side only and form a slight half circle bend. They are best used on bob shape cuts and mid length hair.

With this type of brush you will straighten the lengths and ends of your hair.

The Cushion Hair Brush

Very simple to use and popular with men.

Have a soft cushion base with bristles on one side.

If your hair is short to medium lengths and not too thick or dense, use this brush to smooth, without lift or volume.

The Round Hair Brush

They are not just for creating curl.

For achieving maximum height and lift use the more open bristle type.

If your hair naturally has a wave or curl, the densely packed real bristle round brush is great at smoothing and straightening your hair with the tension needed.

The size of the brush you need depends on the length of your hair and the effect you want. Your hair needs to be long enough to rap around the brush once.

The Paddle Hair Brush

The paddle brush is larger and flatter than the cushion brush.

Use this brush if your hair is long.

After using a round brush to straighten wavy or curly hair, use this type of brush to finish off. Also use the paddle brush to smooth naturally straight hair.

With this type of brush you won't create volume if you sweep the brush down the length of your hair with a paddle type motion.

The Thermal Brush

There are round thermal brushes but they also come as vent or styler types.

A heat conductive material is the center of the brush. This material gets hot using the heat from your hair dryer.

As you increase the heat that is drying your hair it will be working not only on the surface of your hair, but internally as well.

Be very careful, it is easy to scorch your hair if the brush gets too hot!

How to Brush Your Hair


For short hair

use a Paddington brush with soft protective bristles.

For medium length straight hair, use a Paddle Brush with soft protective bristles. For smooth silky look use the large paddle brush.

For medium length wavy hair, use extra large round brush to blow out the kinks and curls.

For long hair past your shoulders use a thick, loose toothed brush. Mason Pearson hair brushes are renowned for the pure boar bristles which don't tear hair or leave static.

Never use a brush on wet hair, always use a wide-toothed comb from end to root. Try not to touch the root at all.

Some suggest not even to comb it in wet condition. Hair is three times weaker when it's wet.

Heavy wooden brushes are easier to straighten hair with.

The size of the brush depends on the length of the hair.

Finer hair should use a smaller brush. The smaller the brush, the greater the root lift.

For thick hair use a paddle brush to make it straight.

For thick frizzy hair, never brush it! Use a pick comb to style.

Don't buy cheap plastic stuff! It causes electrostatic. Don't use metal combs and brushes.

Ensure that your hairbrush and comb have rounded bristles.

Cleaning brushes is very important. It can be done by using another brush or comb to take out the build-up. Shampoo or soap can be used to wash bristles. Wash once a week.

Brushing Your Hair

If you brush your hair very often, it's important to do it right.

• Start to comb your hair before you start to brush.

• Combing has to be done bottom up.

• Start combing at the end of your hair.

• Go through some inches until all knots are combed out, and then restart some inches higher.

• If your hair is really messy, separate it and comb each strand.

• After this use a brush to go through the whole length, top down.

• Use a firm, regular stroke.

• Don't brush rude.

To get rid of static or flying hair while brushing spray some water onto your hair. This will discharge your hair. After brushing apply a spray.

To prevent catching static or flying hair during the day, use a hairspray to protect long hair.

Long Hair Brushing

1. Bend forward, allowing hair to fall;

2. Use a wooden base natural bristle brush to bring hair from the nape of the neck over the head and down to the ends;

3. Stand straight again with hair falling normally and brush from the underside of the hairline down the strands to the ends;

4. Brush the top layers into place with long, even strokes.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Short Hair Cut Styles



A short hair cut is assertive, confident, glamorous, and stylish.

According to a study carried out at Yale University , people perceive women wearing short haircuts to be confident and outgoing.

Short hair is sexy. It emphasizes femininity. Your hair looks thicker and glossier. It’s easy to manage and you look younger.

Short hair needs to be trimmed every 4-6 weeks to keep it looking its best.

Short hair means you have less hair to fight with! Shorter hair dries quicker on its own and keeps split ends to a minimum.

Determine your face shape before you choose a new short hairstyle.

Oval or heart-shaped faces suit short looks.

Round and square faces require longer pieces in back or wisps around the face.

Go short if you have small features. Anyone with a petite mouth and nose looks great with short hair.

Long Hair Cut Styles


Long hair has always been linked with sexual attraction.

The key words for long hair styles are shine and volume.

Long hair is only beautiful when it is in good condition.

To keep it in good shape or to improve the condition:

• In the morning use your fingers first to remove tangles.

• Use a natural bristle brush with a wooden base.

• Try long smooth strokes.

• Move your hand over the hair to eliminate static.

• Apply a once-a-week treatment.

• Apply a conditioner to the lengths and ends of your hair.

• Brush your hair before shampooing.

• Heat dry as little as possible.

• Do not use heated rollers, tongs, flat irons or crimpers more than once a week.

• When you do use them, use a thermal protector.

• When sleeping, put your hair up in a 'scrunchie' or covered band on the top of your head.

• Trim every 12 weeks.

• If growing out layers cut every 8 weeks.

• For general maintenance cut every 6 to 8 weeks.

• To make long hair look sexy and healthy try a shiny semi permanent color.

Go long if:

• You are a wash-and-wear type.

• You have particularly pretty hair.

• You have thick curls.

• You have strong features or a big body.

• You want to look younger

How to Blow Dry Hair


We blow dry our hair often! If you use blow-dryer improperly, it can cause severe damage to your hair. Blow drying can cause hair's cuticle to lift up, releasing moisture and leaving shafts brittle. Hair is most fragile when wet so extra care should be taken when drying.

Using a blow dryer set on high heat is very damaging. Extreme heat causes the loss of the hair's natural moisture resulting in dullness, brittleness and breakage.

Blow Drying Tips

pat dry with a towel.

• Set your blow dryer on low or medium heat.

• Do not hold the dryer too close when drying hair.

• Keep the blow dryer about six to eight inches away from your hair.

• Section your hair up and start with the under sections.

• If you dry your hair upside down, start at the nape, move on to the sides and dry the crown last.

• Aim the airflow from your dryer along the hair in the direction of the ends.

• Use a blow drying lotion to dry hair more quickly.

• Use your blow-dryer's nozzle attachment.

• Use a faster speed rather than a higher heat setting.

• To prevent heat damage, use a thermal protector according to the product instructions. It adds body and shine.

• To control static in your hair, spray hairspray on your hairbrush and brush it through your hair from the roots to the ends.

• Begin styling the hair when the scalp is completely dry and 80% of the hair is dry.

• Get rid of any blow dryer older than five years. The older the blow dryer, the higher the chance that the temperature gauge is damaged.

• Give your hair a break once in awhile and let it just dry naturally

Friday, July 24, 2009

Blow Drying Hair Straight

How to do it - step by step instructions:

1. Shampoo

and condition;

2. Detangle your hair using a wide toothed comb;

3. Start when your hair is 80% dry;

4. Begin with the hair in the nape;

5. Section off a 5cm deep piece of hair;

6. Use your brush to remove any tangles;

7. Draw your brush over the surface of the section from roots to ends;

8. Direct your hair down towards your shoulders;

9. Keeping tension in the hair;

10. Wind your hair around the brush back towards the scalp;

11. Do not bend the ends;

12. Use your other hand to smooth the hair as you wind;

13. Unwind the brush to reveal a length of hair to be dried;

14. You should have the tension that will get your hair really straight;

15. Pick up your hairdryer and direct the flow of air along the hair under tension;

16. The flow of air must be from scalp towards the brush but not on the brush;

17. Blow dry the hair that is pulled straight between the scalp and brush;

18. Keep the hairdryer about 3 to 5 cm from the hair;

19. Work down the length of your hair until only the ends are left around the brush;

20. Your next step depends on how you want your hair to look;

21. If you want your hair to be turned in or turned out simply bend the hair around the brush;

22. If you want the dead pan straight sleek look:

- Remove the brush and insert it underneath the ends;

- Use the airflow from the dryer to keep the ends against the brush but not around it;

- The ends should be in the same direction as the rest of the hair;

- Do not curl or twist your brush;

23. Let the section fall away and check that it is fully dry;

24. Move onto the next section without disturbing the one you just finished;

25. Repeat instructions 5 to 24 until all of your hair is dry.

Four more tips:

A styling product is necessary if you want your blow-dry to last.

Use mousse or one of the products designed specially to help straighten your hair and keep it that way.

To finish with, use a gloss or oil to smooth your hair and remove any frizzes.

Do not apply finishing products too close to your scalp

Best Blow Dryers

When it comes to choosing the best hair dryers, keep in mind that there are a few brands that are all-time favorites. Here's a list of the top dryers from cheap to expensive:

Inexpensive Blow-Dryer: Conair Infiniti

Medium-Priced Blow-Dryer: Super Solano

Lightest Pro Blow-Dryer on the Market: T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight

Ionic Blow Dryer: Bio Ionic

Inexpensive Travel Dryer: Hot Tools Ionic Dryer

High-Powered Travel Dryer: T3 Tourmaline Overnight Travel Dryer

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

How to Perm Hair


People have been trying to turn straight hair into waves and curls for thousands of years. A permanent wave is a process that creates a curl in the hair shaft by altering its chemical structure. Perming hair is a good way to add body and curls to straight hair. It also requires a bit of extra care.

Perms work best on hair that is not colored. Also, the thicker your hair, the better the perm will take. Very fine hair is the worst hair to perm. It needs the minimum amount of perming solution and processing time. Very straight, coarse hair is often resistant to perms.

Whether or not a perm will take depends on three factors:


1. the type of the hair

2. its past history of chemical treatments and

3. the skill of the stylist

You should never perm your own hair as this is a delicate job. If you do you run the risk of losing hair or damaging your hair shaft. In expert hands, perming can create wonderful effects. Stylist will need one to two hours to perm your hair. Perm lasts between 2-6 months.

Different Types of Hair Perms

- Acid perms create highly conditioned, flexible curls. Acid perms have a mildly acidic action that minimizes the risk of hair damage. They are ideally suited to hair that is fine, sensitive, fragile, damaged, or tinted.

- Alkaline perm gives strong, firm curl results on normal and resistant hair.

- Exothermic perms give bouncy, resilient curls. Exothermic refers to the heat that is produced by the chemical reaction that occurs when the lotion is mixed.

- Body perms are very soft, loose perms. The result is added volume with a hint of wave rather than curls.

- Root perms add lift and volume to the root area only.

- Pain curl perms give soft, natural waves and curls.

- Stack perms give curl and volume to one-length hair cuts.

- Spiral perms create romantic spiral curls. The hair is rolled vertically rather than horizontally.

- Spot perms give support only on the area to which they are applied.

- Weave perms involve perming certain sections of hair and leaving the rest straight

How to Perm Hair

1. The hair is washed by clarifying shampoo;

2. The hair is tightly wound around a curler or a rod;

3. The perm lotion is applied to the hair;

4. After a while the perm lotion is thoroughly rinsed;

5. A neutralising lotion is applied;

6. A failure to rinse and neutralise properly can lead to many problems.

7. The hair should not be washed for two to three days.

8. Cut your hair after you perm.

9. If your perm does not take you should wait a while before getting a new one.

10. Because permed hair can be dry, avoid over-use of irons, hot combs, and high-speed blow dryers.

11. Use hair care and styling products that are specifically recommended for permed hair.

12. Wait one week to color your permed hair.

13. If the curls have dropped, use curl boosters and cut down on washings.

14. Avoid bleaching permed hair.

Your perm won't take

There are several reasons that can make this happen:

• Age

• Medications

• Pregnancy

• Hormonal activity

• Illness

• Some people have hair that just will not perm

Caring for Permed Hair

- Don't wash your hair 24 - 72 hours after getting your perm. This is crucial if you want the perm to last for months.

- Touch-ups should only be done when necessary. Redo only the most unruly sections of your hair.

- Use products made for permed hair. Use conditioners to deeply moisturize. Select alcohol-free styling products.

- Scrunch hair every day to enhance your new style.

- Comb your hair, using a wide-toothed comb.

- Avoid blow-drying your hair.

- Style with added caution.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Hair Coloring Advice

Millions of people regularly color their hair. Coloring your hair is the quickest and most spectacular way to change your look and beauty.

Healthy, color treated hair feels and looks great. Different coloring methods suit different hair styles. The most basic rule of hair coloring is to have your hair look as natural as possible.

The best advice you can get is to stay within two shades of your natural color. Color should compliment your skin tone and eye color.

Make sure you have your hair in the best possible condition before coloring.

Different Types Of Hair Colors


Temporary - color lasts from one shampoo

to the next. Color is deposited on the outside of the hair shaft.

Semi-Temporary - color lasts up to 4-6 shampoos.

Semi Permanent Hair Color - color is for masking white or light hair and lasts 4 to 6 weeks or 6 to 12 shampoos. Semi-permanent color darkens the hair. Semi-permanent colors are the gentlest way to color your hair. It contains no ammonia or peroxide.

Demi-Permanent – color last longer than semi-permanent color. It’s stronger chemically and can damage the hair. It last between 24 to 26 shampoos and do not contain ammonia. It contains a small amount of peroxide.

Permanent - color formulas change the natural color. The permanent colors penetrate the inner core of the hair strand. They can not be washed away. They are used with ammonia and peroxide. Permanent colors lighten the hair.

Henna: Natural haircolor - least damaging way of the chemical methods to alter your color. It can be drying. Generally lasts 3-4 weeks.

You can find the haircolor in a variety of forms: creams, tubes, gels, and shampoo.

The color will not be permanently changed if it is not the part of an oxidation chemical reaction. Hydrogen peroxide is the oxidizing agent or developer. It is available in various forms and strengths.

The developer allows the formula to permanently alter the hair's color. The desired results determine the strength of the developer.

Fine textured hair can be damaged easily. The fine hair has less cuticle layers so the penetration of chemicals occurs faster. Coarse textured hair has more cuticle layers. This type of hair is more resistant to color.

Coloring will damage your hair if the wrong level of peroxide is used or you are over-processing your hair.

If you constantly change your color you must regularly use deep conditioning treatments. Over-processing is the main reason if your colored hair looks dull.

One of the most important elements of hair coloring is determining your hairs' underlying pigment. When you combine underlying color and artificial color in the right way you get the desired result.

How to Test Hair Color

You should always test for allergic reaction on your skin. Here is how:

• Place a small amount of the color on your skin.

• Wait 20 minutes.

• If there is allergic reaction, do not use the color.

Test the product on a few strands

• Mix together two drops of the color and two drops of the developer.

• Snip a tiny amount of your hair.

• Tape it together on one end.

• Dip the un-taped end into the mixture.

• Leave it for 25 minutes.

• Rinse, dry and compare the results to what you expected

Home Hair Coloring Tips

1. Deep condition your hair the night before you color your hair;

2. Read the instructions carefully;

3. Put the gloves on;

4. Pour the color and 3 oz. of the developer into the bowl;

5. Use the color brush, mix well;

6. Start at the top front of your hair;

7. Make a part with the tail of the color brush about an inch long and another part parallel to the first one and about inch to the side;

8. Hold the parted section of hair up;

9. Brush the color mixture on the root area of the parted section and the adjacent un-parted section;

10. Pull the parted section up so that it stands on its own and out of the way to the side;

11. Make another part inch to the side of the un-parted section to whose roots you previously applied the color mixture and hold the section up;

12. Brush the color mixture onto the roots of the held section and the roots of the adjacent section as you just did with the last section;

13. Continue until you apply color mixture to all the roots;

14. Avoid getting the color mixture on the ends;

15. Leave the color for as long as the directions say or 20 minutes;

16. After 20 minutes, apply any leftover color to the ends;

17. Use a wide toothed comb to pull the color through the entire hair shaft, from the roots to the ends;

18. Leave color on the ends no more than five minutes;

19. Rinse your hair thoroughly;

20. Apply a conditioner;

21. Leave it on for two minutes;

22. Rinse thoroughly;

23. Wait at least 24 hours to shampoo.

The above directions do not apply to taking your natural hair color from dark to blonde.

Coloring your hair blonde, especially if your natural color is brown or black, is best done by a salon professional.

Re-Touching Your Color

As your hair grows, new hair appears at the roots. This re-growth needs to be colored. Roots should be done every 3 - 4 weeks with the same color and brand.

1. Part your hair into four sections: left back, right back, left front, right front;

2. Use a clip to hold each section in place;

3. Mix the color according to the package directions;

4. Squeeze the color onto the roots;

5. Go between each section and down the center part;

6. Use your fingers to spread the color across the roots;

7. Apply the color section by section until all of your roots have been colored;

8. Relax and let the color works on your roots;

9. Set your timer for five minute short of your usual timing;

10. Apply the remaining color to the rest of your hair for the last five minutes;

11. Rinse and condition following the instructions on the package.

Touch-ups are recommended every 4-6 weeks.

Maintaining Your Color

• Use hair care products especially formulated for color-treated hair.

• Use rinse-out conditioning products for color-treated hair.

• Condition your hair every time you wash it.

• Use a leave-in conditioner if your hair is very long, thick, dry, damaged or frizzy.

• Use deep-conditioning treatment once a week on coarse or very curly hair.

• Keep your hair away from salt water, chlorine, and the sun. If you swim in salt water or chlorinated pools, wear a swimming cap. Or pull your hair back into a ponytail.

• If you do not like swimming cap, do not use it, but rinse your hair thoroughly after swimming to remove chemicals or salt water.

• Wear a hat when sunbathing or use a hair sunscreen.

• Wash your hair less frequently, but when you do - wash and rinse your hair in cool water.

Two Tone Hair Color

How to give your hair color a "two tone" look like the celebrities:

a)

1. Lighten your natural hair color one or more shades;

2. Dry you hair;

3. Wrap thin or thick strands of hair in foil with bleach or color to lighten or darken the hair;

4. The result is a multi colored effect;

5. This works best for long hairstyles.

Repeat every three months.

b)

1. Lighten your natural hair color one or two shades with a tint;

2. Dry you hair;

3. Pull thin or thick strands through a perforated plastic cap and lighten or darkened with a bleach or tint;

4. The result is a two toned look;

5. This works best for short hairstyles.

Repeat every three months.

This has become the most popular coloring technique today because it can look both natural and glamour's.

The worst hair color mistake

The worst mistake you can make is to apply the permanent color throughout your hair every time you color.

In this way your hair becomes more porous and it grabs more color giving you uneven color. Also, it is not healthy for your hair.

How often can you color hair?

It depends on the growth rate of your hair.

Every two to four months go in for a highlight application. During the summer hair naturally lightens up, so you don't have to get your highlights done as often as during the winter.

Every six weeks go in for a single process color application.

Is it safe to color hair during pregnancy?

Can pregnant women color their hair? Medical experts say coloring does not harm the baby. To be sure, wait until after the first trimester to use semi-permanent and permanent colors.

Or you may use organic vegetable colors. You can also skip the direct color process and have your hair highlighted through a cap or with foil wrapped hair color.

Curly Hair Tips


Long, curly hairstyles are one of the sexiest looks a woman can have. Curly hair is the most common hair type! About 60 percent of the world's population has varying degrees of this hair type.

Curly hair is usually dry so it requires shampoos and conditioners that contain moisturizers. It is also prone to damage and frizziness, feels coarse and brittle. Curly hair has poor porosity.

How to Straighten Curly Hair

There are two ways of straightening curly hair: to get it professionally straightened or to blow dry it yourself at home.

To do it yourself:

1. Wash your hair;

2. Towel dry your hair;

3. Apply evenly throughout your hair a small amount of curl relaxer or straightening balm;

4. Comb through your hair with your fingers while drying it on a low setting;

5. Blow dry your hair until it is almost dry;

6. Section off your hair in three parts, two at the sides and one at the back. Clip the two sides up;

7. Select a small portion of the hair from the unclipped section;

8. Using a large round brush, roll the hair round the brush;

9. Pull the hair away from your head, holding the brush at the ends of the hair.

10. Stretch and straighten your hair as you go;

11. Blow-dry the hair down towards the brush on low heat, while continuing to pull the brush through the hair;

12. Always point the dryer down as you are blow-drying the hair;

13. Keep the tension consistent and evenly distribute heat;

14. Continue the same process section by section;

15. Rub between your hands finishing wax or polish;

16. Lightly rub your hands over your hair;

17. Do not apply too much;

18. Brush, comb, or style your hair in the style you want

If you have wavy hair, you can emphasize your natural curl with styling tools.

1. Shampoo and condition;

2. Towel dry your hair;

3. Apply body builder volumizing mousse or gel;

4. Start at the roots using fingertips, then work through the rest of hair;

5. Comb hair to distribute evenly;

6. Blow dry;

7. Lift the hair away from the scalp, focusing the blow dryer at the roots;

8. Use your fingers to keep hair moving while drying;

9. Dry your hair in the opposite direction it normally lays; it helps to hold your head upside down.

10. Apply a little more body builder volumizing mousse or gel to the roots;

11. Section off dry hair with clips;

12. Use a round brush;

13. Pull each section of hair straight and roll it toward your chin;

14. Heat section with blow dryer for approximately 15 seconds;

15. Use cool setting to cool hair and unroll brush;

16. Repeat in all sections;

17. Mist a small amount of volumizing hairspray; or

18. Use a curling iron to add curl;

19. After releasing curling iron, let curls cool before brushing or finger-combing; or

20. Use large velcro or hot rollers to create additional volume;

21. Start at the top of your head;

22. Pull sections of hair straight up and roll straight down;

23. Mist curls with volumizing hairspray before removing rollers.

To set your style

1. Lift sections of hair;

2. Mist at the roots;

3. Allow spray to dry before releasing hair;

4. Flip head upside down and lightly spray all over to get fullnes

Best Products for Curly Hair


Charles Worthington Dream Hair Voluptuous Curls Curl Defining Spray

- John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Creme

- Bumble and bumble Curl Conscious Conditioner for Fine to Medium Hair

- Alberto VO5 Extreme Style Curvaceous Curls Styling Mousse

- Redken Fresh Curls Curl Boost

- TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Conditioner

- Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer

- TreSemme Flawless Curls Extra Hold Mousse

- Goldwell Dynamic Loop Curl Spray

- Conair Curl Fusion Ionic Styler

- Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Curl Creme

Friday, July 17, 2009

Frizzy Hair Care


What causes frizzy hair? It is mostly due to a moisture deficiency! 90% of people suffer with frizzy hair because their hair lacks water! For hair to be in good condition it must have a moisture content of at least 8%.

Chemical treatments (if your hair is permed, bleached or colored) will deplete the hair of moisture, bringing the hair moisture level to as low as 2%.

Naturally curly as well as coarse hair is usually frizzy. Excessive blow drying and use of "mousse" products can also cause this problem

Frizzy Hair Tips

Controlling frizzy hair is not always easy to do. However, there are good solutions they do not include spending a lot of money hair care products.

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair:

• Deep-condition your hair once a week:

1. Apply the conditioner on your hair;

2. Wrap your hair in a towel for about 10-15 minutes;

3. Rinse the conditioner out;

4. Wrap your hair in a towel for several minutes;

5. Put on some mousse;

6. Let air dry;

7. Don't run your fingers or a comb through your hair until it's completely dry.

• Don't wash your hair every day. But when you do:

1. Wash your hair concentrating on the scalp; use shampoo for frizzy hair;

2. Rinse and apply conditioner;

3. Leave it in for a few minutes;

4. Rinse with cool water;

5. Gently squeeze out excess moisture with a towel. Do not rub!

6. Comb your hair gently with a wide-tooth comb;

7. While hair is wet, apply silicone gel, cream, or serum;

8. Blow dry. Use a nozzle on your dryer to direct the heat down the hair shaft;

9. Use a round natural-bristle brush after your hair is partially dried;

10. Be sure to dry your hair completely;

11. During the day, don't brush your hair.

Other Solutions and Treatments to Stop Frizzy Hair:

Use hydrating shampoos and leave-in conditioners every second day.

• Get your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.

• Apply a no-frizz product before styling.

• Apply Moisture Block. It is a product that locks in the essential moisture.

• Don’t sleep on wet hair.

• Use a gel wax when styling your hair; everything which makes the hair heavier is good.

• Use a frizzy hair product (frizz-control serum) for midday touch-ups.

• Avoid heat-based styling.

• Stay away from styling products with high alcohol content in.

• Do not touch your hair while it's drying

Hairstyles for Frizzy Hair

First of all, avoid short haircuts. They will just accentuate the frizz. You should also avoid hairstyles with too many layers. Never get a blunt cut, because it will make it extremely poofy towards the bottom.

Instead, let your hair grow long and it will become more defined and less frizzy with the weight.

You can pull your hair in a half pony (half up and half down) and then take your hair and put it in a bun, with some hair falling down.

Try medium haircuts with side swept bangs, and light layers just below your chin.

Home Remedies for Frizzy Hair

- Warm up one cup of olive oil. Apply it throughout all of your hair, distribute it evenly. Cover your head with a shower cap and wrap a hot towel around it. Do this once a week. For many people, olive oil is the most effective home remedy available.

- Mix equal amounts of apple vinegar and water. Rinse you hair after conditioning.

- Mix mayonnaise and an egg. Massage the mixture throughout your hair, and leave it for about 20 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly. Do this once a week.

Good Frizzy Hair Products

- John Frieda Frizz-Ease

- Garnier Fructis Intense Anti-Frizz Serum

- Frederic Fekkai Coiff Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Creme

- TRESemme Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Creme

- L'Oreal Studio Anti-Frizz Gel

Dry Hair Treatment

Dry hair is due to a lack of moisture and more importantly humectants and lipids (essential fatty acids). Signs of dried-out hair are dullness, dry or rough feeling, split ends, frizziness, and it is difficult to comb or brush.

Dry Hair Causes

• Environmental damage - sun, heat, outside chemicals.

• Mechanical damage - blow drying, curling irons, hot rollers.

• Chemical damage - perms, color, bleach.

• Some people have hair that is naturally dry; there is no natural wet.

In each case lipids are lost from the hair. These lipids are humectants which attract and hold moisture into the hair. They must be replaced.

The key is to increase the hair’s ability to attract and retain moisture.

Dry Hair Solutions

• Dry hair is very fragile and needs special care. Be gentle when lathering and avoid any pulling or yanking. Don't scrub with your fingernails - this will not only irritate your scalp but can cause hair breakage. Brush your lock gently and never when it's wet.

• Allow your hair to air dry wherever possible. When you must use your hairdryer, blow drying hair should be done correctly - use it on a cooler temperature and aim it down the hair shaft.

• Be careful not to over wash your locks. It's very easy to strip away the natural oils if you wash it too often. Once or twice a week is enough.

• Rinse with water alone on off days.

• Use a moisturizing and nourishing shampoo. Use only a mild, acidic shampoo that is labeled "for dry or damaged hair." A good shampoo should have a pH of between 4.5 and 6.7. Look for ingredients like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or coal-tar.

• Condition after every shampoo. Condition your hair on a regular basis (once a week is suggested) with an intensive, deep conditioning treatment. Use products that contain no alcohol, which can dry out hair even more. In general, conditioners with fragrance have alcohol, so avoid them. If your hair is very dry, use an overnight conditioner. Mayonnaise is a great natural conditioner. Leave it in your tresses for anywhere from 15-20 minutes before washing it out.

• If you can afford, use a salon-grade shampoo and conditioner; these products contain less "filler" ingredients.

• Apply over-the-counter hot-oil treatment to repair dry, damaged hair. Wear a shower cap over your hair while the hot oil is on; rinse after 5 to 20 minutes.

• Reduce your use of hairspray, mousse, hair gels and styling creams that contain chemical ingredients. With excessive use, they can easily irritate your scalp and damage your hair.

• While, shampooing, do a scalp massage to stimulate oil glands in the skin.

• Do not use mousse on brittle, dry hair, use a thickening lotion instead.

• Every six weeks snip off frayed ends.

• Beer is a good setting lotion to give healthy, shiny look to dry hair. Spray it onto your locks using a pump bottle after shampooing but before you blow-dry.

• Treating dry hair also should include drinking plenty of water, eating a diet of good proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins A, C, E, and calcium.

• If you spend a lot of time in the strong sunlight, use a hair sunscreen or protect your hair with a headscarf or hat.

Home Remedies for Dry Hair

Safflower oil

1. Place a couple of drops of safflower oil in your palms and rub them together;

2. Take your dry hair and massage the small amount of oil to the ends first and work toward the scalp;

3. Leave this in your hair. Here is another dry hair remedy:

Olive oil

1. Warm up half a cup of olive oil;

2. Massage it through the hair;

3. Wrap your hair in plastic, and then in a warm towel;

4. Leave for 30 minutes;

5. Wash out using a shampoo suited for dry hair.

Egg

Here is another good home remedy.

1. Separate the white of an egg from the yolk, and beat the white thoroughly.

2. Add one tablespoon of water to the yolk and mix until the mixture is creamy.

3. Blend the white and yolk together.

4. Wet your hair and apply the mixture to the scalp using your fingertips.

5. Rinse hair well.

If all these tips and home treatments aren't working, visit a salon or spa for professional treatment of your dry hair and scalp.


Best Dry Hair Care Products

- Kerastase Bain Satin shampoo. Provides intensive nourishment for dry, sensitized hair. Comes in three types: 1 for normal to slightly dry hair; 2 for dry or damaged hair and 3 for very dry or damaged hair.

- Phyto Phytosesame Express Hydrating Conditioner. This deeply hydrating and repairing instant conditioner is ideal for brittle, dry hair repair in minutes.

- Aussie 3-Minute Miracle hair mask. It is applied to the hair for three minutes then rinsed. It leaves your hair rejuvenated, feeling silky smooth. Works great with thick, coarse, or curly hair.

- J.F. Lazartigue Vita-Cream with Milk Proteins repair cream. It is a real restorer for dry, damaged hair. Apply after shampooing to the driest parts of your hair.

- Philip B. Rejuvenating Oil. It penetrates deep within the hair shaft to restore essential oils to dried strands.

- Hamadi Shea Spray. Great for dry, frizzy hair. Tested on Actresses - Never on animals.


Good Oily Hair Products

Shampoos:

Head and Shoulders Intensive Shampoo for Oily Hair

Pantene Pro-V Shampoo for Fine/Greasy Hair

Matrix Biolage Normalizing Shampoo

Kerastase Specifique Bain Gommage Shampoo.

LUSH's I Love Juicy Shampoo

Korres Sage and Nettle Shampoo For Oily Hair

Conditioners:

Nisim Oil Free Conditioner for Oily hair

Kettle Care Oily Hair Conditioner

Jurlique Arnica Mint Conditioner (Oily/Hair & Scalp)

Keep in mind that finding products that will work for you will take time, with a trial and error approach.

Homemade Oily Hair Remedies

Homemade Oily Hair Remedies

• You can try some solutions at home for very oily hair, such as a dishwashing liquid that contains degreasing agents. Just mix 2 or 3 drops of the dishwashing liquid into a dab of shampoo in your hand. Be careful not to get it in your eyes!

• Mix juice from 1 lemon with 1 cup water and rinse through your hair. Rinse with warm water.

• Soak your hair in a small basin of water with 1/4 cup cider vinegar. Wash out with warm water.

• Use fresh beer as a setting lotion for greasy hair.

• What about holistic remedies? You can try a natural astringent such as witch hazel. It may help slow down the oil production of the sebaceous glands in your scalp. It’s good to mix witch hazel with mouthwash and apply it to your scalp with a cotton ball. If your hair is extremely oily, you can apply this homemade astringent each time you shampoo.

• You can also use essential oils to care for oily hair. Add 8 drops of rosegeranium essential oil and 8 drops of lemongrass essential oil to an 8-ounce bottle of your regular shampoo.


Oily Hair Tips


• Wash it as often as necessary to keep it clean and in good shape.

• Use a gentle shampoo. Leave shampoo on the scalp for five minutes!

• Best shampoos for oily hair contain a detergent, such as ammonium or sodium lauryl sulfate. (These detergents are quite drying to hair.)

• Try shampooing every second day.

• Rinse on the off day. Rinse with cool water to close the pores of the scalp.

• Between washes use hair fresheners to avoid bad smelling.

• Try to avoid conditioner at the roots and scalp, apply in the middle or on the ends. Apply it gently with your fingertips.

• Towel dry before you blow drying to remove most of the dampness.

• Direct the blow-dryer to the hair strands and roots.

• Try to avoid oil in your daily food intake. Eat more vegetables.

• Avoid using styling products containing silicone. Do not use two-in-one shampoos and conditioners.

• Avoid brushing your hair too often or too vigorously, since brushing can help spreading oil from your roots to the ends of your hair.

• Have the hair colored or permanently waved. Color treated hair has enlarged strands and this can help reduce the oil from spreading through your hair.

• Avoid frequently touching your hair.

• Try highlighting your hair. This dries hair out slightly.

• In case you cannot wash your hair, apply a lot of powder to your oily hair in front on the scalp, and wipe it off with a dry towel. The powder will absorb the oil.

• Get a haircut that is easy to manage.

• Excessive oiliness is caused by hormones that trigger sebum production. To prevent excessive sebum production you should visit your doctor.

Oily Hair Care Treatment

Oily hair is a problem of the scalp and is often associated with an overactive oil gland due to the higher levels of hormones. Oily hair looks flatten and greasy!

It needs thorough washing to remove excess oil, dust and dirt which can make hair look dull, limp and lifeless. People who have fine, straight hair tend to have oilier hair.

However, oil is good thing - it protects your hair shafts from breaking and keeps your scalp in good condition. The only problem is when there is too much of it.


With the Right Hair Tips & Tricks, You Can Get Your Hair Looking like a Star's in No Time!

Approximately 40 percent of women in the United States complain about their hair. Most women say they have bad hair days several times a month.

After all ... Could you build a house without laying a solid foundation? Could a rocket scientist build a space shuttle without knowing the basics of mathematics?

Could you have beautiful hair styles without knowing the basics of how to do it? There is only one answer – NO.

Although this truth is so obvious, it is often forgotten. A woman picks up a hair style from a fashion magazine, goes to a hair dresser salon, tries it and discovers that the hair style wasn't quite right for her.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? She can blame whatever or whomever she wants, but the fact is she neglected the basics. You cannot grasp the higher end stuff if you have no concept of the basics.

What can be done to help you achieve the kind of hair styles your have always wanted? What can be done to help your hair work for you, and not against you? Learn the basics. Most women can’t afford to have an army of hair stylists by their side at every moment.

So, before you demand the latest hairstyles, it is paramount that you first educate yourself. Knowledge is the key to ensuring that your hair styles will look like you have a hairdresser at home. Not everyone is born with beautiful hair, but by learning hair care facts, you can make your hair look its best.


Hair Tips for Healthy, Beautiful Hair!


We live in a world obsessed with beauty. That’s why people all over the world see healthy hair as important. Hair is a symbol of beauty. And it influences the way others see us. This is not surprising.

Hair is an expression of personality; it attracts people and sends out a signal. It helps you feel good!

If your hair looks a mess you won't be seen as well-groomed and fashionable. This is especially true for women who tend to be judged solely by their appearance.

Especially if you are looking for a new job. Research has revealed that employers decide in the first three minutes of an interview who they are going to hire.

So it is vital to make a good impression. And to do that, your hair must be in perfect condition.

Besides, studies show that women feel wonderful when their hairstyles looks good. More than half the women surveyed say that if their hair doesn't look good, it affects their mood for the rest of the day. But, there is hardly a woman who is totally happy with her hair.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Fitness

It seems like everyday there is a new fitness craze sweeping the nation and all day long you are bombarded with advertisements telling you about the new greatest diet where you are guaranteed to loose weight easily. Which, if any, of these diets are right for you? Also, you know you need to exercise to loose weight and stay healthy but which fitness routine is right for you? Are low-impact exercises as effective as high-impact workouts? And how does your metabolism affect your workout results? Learn all about fitness at our Fitness section. You'll be looking and feeling your best in no time!

Health & Fitness

Every woman wants to eat well and stay in shape, but leading a busy life can make it difficult to achieve these goals. Sometimes, the lure of fast food on a hectic day is just too hard to resist. Too often you come home from work tired and decide to put off exercising for another day. Learn how eating well and getting enough exercise is possible even for someone with a busy schedule. Remember, keeping yourself healthy doesn't have to be an uphill battle. This section on Health and Fitness is dedicated to useful weight loss advice, great fitness tips, and delicious (but still nutritious) food recipes. This is the place to find out everything you need to know about Exercise, Diet and Weight Loss, Disease and Health, Smoking and Your Health, and Nutrients and Vitamins.

Nevirapine During Pregnancy

In wealthy countries, HIV-infected women are usually given two or three antiretroviral drugs in the later stages of pregnancy to prevent AIDS transmission to a child.

The new study conducted by Harvard researchers working in Botswana have found that anti-AIDS cocktail treatments containing nevirapine are still effective if used six months after taking a dose of nevirapine to protect a baby during pregnancy. These findings settle previous fears that nevirapine cocktails encourage drug-resistant strains of the virus.

Health workers working in small clinics around the world have been administering nevirapine to pregnant women, typically providing them with a single pill to be taken when labor begins, and administering single doses of liquid nevirapine in the baby's mouth after birth.

These studies have shown to decrease the risk of prenatal HIV infection by half when administered under these circumstances. The drug is also commonly found in combination AIDS treatment pills supported by Western donors in poor countries. The drug is a cornerstone of antiretroviral AIDS treatment for poor women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America since the treatment is simple, effective, and inexpensive.

HIV Treatment During Pregnancy: ZDV

It is recommended that AIDS treatment during pregnancy be identical to other AIDS treatment of women who are not pregnant. If a woman in her first trimester has not begun AIDS treatment, it may be possible to postpone treatment until the second trimester, when drug-related risks to the baby are smaller. Otherwise, a woman who has already been taking medication will generally be recommended to continue AIDS treatment throughout the pregnancy.

HIV-infected individuals are typically treated with combinations of HIV-fighting drugs that slow down the spread of the virus in the body, keep the blood levels of the virus low, and help prevent AIDS-related infections.

In 2002, the U.S. Public Health Service released guidelines recommending that infected pregnant women be offered HIV-fighting drugs both to protect AIDS transmission to their child as well as to maintain their own health. The drug zidovudine (ZDV) has been shown to reduce the risk of transmission by two-thirds.

ZDV could be taken in combination with protease inhibitor drugs, or with the drugs 3TC or nevirapine during labor in women without prior treatment. In addition, it is believed that delivery by a caesarian section reduces the risk of AIDS transmission, and newborns should be treated with ZDV for the first six weeks after birth. It is important to let your health care provider know if you are HIV positive, so that specific measures can be taken so as to avoid the exposure of the baby to the mother's blood during pregnancy and delivery.

Sexual Health Background: Pregnancy and AIDS

An estimated 120,000-160,000 women in the United States are living with HIV, many of whom are not aware of infection. Approximately 6,000 to 7,000 of women with the AIDS virus give birth each year. Around 90% of children with HIV in the United States had contracted the virus from their mothers either during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. This is known as perinatal HIV infection. Worldwide, these numbers are much higher, with approximately 600,000 babies contracting HIV AIDS each year.

A government AIDS research conducted in the United States in 1994 showed that drug treatment during pregnancy significantly reduces the likelihood of a baby contracting HIV from an infected mother. Following the study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported an 83% decline in perinatal HIV infection. In 2002, the CDC recommended that all pregnant women be offered HIV testing as a regular part of prenatal care as a routine AIDS prevention method to avoid HIV transmission from mother to child.

Anti-AIDS Drugs and Pregnancy

A new study has found that women may safely take the anti-AIDS drug nevirapine during pregnancy for the purpose of protecting unborn children from HIV AIDS transmission through the mother. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in January 2007, found that nevirapine will not threaten the health of pregnant women or the effectiveness of life-saving AIDS drug treatment if postponed while using nevirapine.
While nevirapine is associated with certain health risks such as liver poison and rashes, this is only the case in prolonged use. The study has shown that short doses of nevirapine followed by combination drugs six months later is an effective anti-AIDS treatment for both a pregnant woman and her child.

How To Control Blood Sugar Before Becoming Pregnant

In order to take control of blood sugar and the effects of diabetes before becoming pregnant, it is recommended that a woman reach near ideal body weight and that she follow a diet that provides good control of sugar. Insulin injections before meals and the use of intermediate acting insulin help a woman to avoid hyper and hypoglycemia. Regular daily blood testing and food control in the form of carb counting help stabilize blood sugar before pregnancy.

Managing diabetes before and during pregnancy is a lifestyle choice and once it becomes a way of life, then it ceases to be work. Lower fat foods, plenty of exercise and enough rest are all important components of a lifestyle that will help a woman with diabetes control her blood sugar levels to ensure a safe and healthy pregnanc

What Happens To Baby When Mom's Blood Sugar Is Too High

Even with proper controls, women with pre-existing or gestational diabetes can tend towards having larger babies since their high blood sugar levels feed the baby glucose through the placenta. The babies respond to these high levels of blood sugar with increased growth which is mostly stored as fat. They will eventually develop high insulin levels of their own, leading to a potential infant risk of severe postpartum hypoglycaemia. This occurs when the baby's insulin levels remain high after birth and the mother's glucose can no longer affect them.

Avoiding The Risks Diabetes Can Present

In order to avoid the risks diabetes can present, it is important for a woman to achieve excellent blood sugar control at least six months prior to conception. It requires proper diet, exercise and insulin in the right proportions to attain good control, so a woman can't begin too early when she is planning to have a baby. Most diabetic-related fetal birth defects happen before a woman even knows she is pregnant, due mostly to fetal exposure to the high blood sugars in the diabetic mother's blood during the first two weeks of development. Sadly, these defects can't be changed or fixed by proper blood sugar control later in the pregnancy.

Diabetes And Pregnancy Preparation

There was a time when the medical profession discouraged women with diabetes from pregnancy and childbearing. Medicine has come a long way since then and with the advances in insulin use and diet management, women with diabetes have greatly improved their chances for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

The Discipline Of Controlling Blood Sugar

The constant discipline that appears in both gestational and pre-existing diabetes is blood sugar control. It has to be properly maintained throughout pregnancy, so good planning and an excellent regimen that will safeguard both mother and baby are very important. For a woman with pre-existing diabetes, stringent control of blood sugar before conception and throughout the entire pregnancy is critical to ensure the baby does not grow too large.

Treating Depression During Pregnancy

There are a variety of effective treatments for depression during pregnancy. Psychotherapy is one of the best depression treatments during pregnancy, because it is completely safe and healthy for both mom and baby. Psychotherapy works to find out the root cause of the depression and can help you deal with feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness.

Medications called antidepressants can also be used to treat depression in pregnancy although you must consult with your health care provider before taking any antidepressant during pregnancy. Some antidepressants have been associated with risks of preterm labor or miscarriage and should not be taken during pregnancy. Two types of antidepressants have traditionally been used to treat depression during pregnancy: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), including Zoloft, and Celexa; and TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), including Pamelor, Tofranil, and Elavil.

However, recent studies have found that the use of SSRIs druing pregnancy can have serious health effects in newborns. In 2004, the FDA issued an alert for all SSRIs on the market, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and Celexa.

In 2006, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) found a link between SSRIs and an increased risk of fetal heart defects, as well as persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) in newborns. Other birth defects associated with SSRIs include respiratory problems, low muscle tone, body rigidity, irritability and trouble eating.

However, the ACOG stresses that depression that is left untreated can also have serious health consequences for pregnant women in addition to the ones listed above, including low weight gain and an increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which in turn can have negative effects on a newborn.

Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant should always consult with their obstetrician and mental health specialist about their depression treatment and the effects of the anti-depression drugs they are taking on pregnancy.

Depression During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is often considered one of the happiest times in a woman's life; after all, you are about to welcome a beautiful new member to your family. But pregnancy isn't always such a happy time. It is often filled with stress and worry as well as numerous emotional and physical changes. As a result, many pregnant women develop depression during their pregnancies.

Depression can be very dangerous during pregnancy as it can compromise both your health and your baby's health. However, there are a number of effective treatments available to help you overcome pregnancy depression.


Depression during pregnancy is actually much more common then many people realize. At one time, health care professionals thought that pregnant women couldn't suffer from depression because of their pregnancy hormones. It was believed that these hormones protected against mood disorders like depression.

It is now known that the rapid rise in hormone levels during pregnancy is actually a very common trigger for depression. At least 20% of pregnant women experience some depressive symptoms during their pregnancies, while 10% of pregnant women develop full-blown clinical depression.

What Causes Depression During Pregnancy?
Depression is actually caused by a number of different factors. First and foremost, depression seems to be linked to a change in the levels of chemicals in the brain. These chemicals govern your moods, and when they become disrupted, this can lead to depression.

During pregnancy, the rapid change in your body's hormones can trigger a change in the levels of these chemicals, resulting in depression. Depression can also be triggered by various emotional, psychological, or personal factors, including stressful life events, financial troubles, or a death in the family.

Who's At Risk
Any pregnant woman can develop depression at some point throughout her pregnancy. However, certain factors do seem to put some pregnant women at more risk for the disorder. These risk factors include:

  • personal or family history of depression
  • relationship or personal difficulties
  • unplanned pregnancy
  • previous miscarriage or pregnancy loss
  • pregnancy complications
  • history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

Pregnancy and HIV / AIDS

The best way to keep yourself and your baby healthy is to avoid getting AIDS in the first place. Risky behaviors, like drug use, having sex with a man who uses drugs, and prostitution can put a woman and her baby at risk for AIDS, drug addiction, and other diseases. A latex or slicone condom can help reduce the risk, but the best solution is to simply not have sex with someone if there's a chance he could be HIV positive.
The good news is a pregnant, HIV positive woman will not usually give her child the disease. There is a 75% chance that the child will be completely unaffected if the HIV-positive mother does nothing. The odds of having an uninfected child are less than 8% if the mother is treated with ZDV (AZT) during the pregnancy, and as low as 2% with HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). For this reason it is recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service that all pregnant women avail themselves of an HIV test as soon as pregnancy is discovered.

Smoking and Pregnancy


If you are a smoker and you are pregnant, you need to quit smoking now. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems to an unborn child. Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to premature labor, breathing problems, and fatal illness among infants.

An estimated 430,700 Americans die each year from diseases caused by smoking. Smoking is responsible for an estimated one in five U.S. deaths and costs the U.S. at least $97.2 billion each year in health care costs and lost productivity.

Similar to the use of psychiatric medicines during pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries, and some 10 percent of all infant deaths. Maternal smoking during and after pregnancy has been linked to asthma among infants and young children. In 1996, 13.6 percent of mothers were reported to have smoked during pregnancy.

Smokers inhale nicotine and carbon monoxide, which reach the baby through the placenta and prevent the fetus from getting the nutrients and oxygen needed to grow. Secondhand smoke also adds a risk to pregnancy. Breast milk often contains whatever is in the woman's body. If the woman smokes, the baby ingests the nicotine in her breast milk.

Reducing frequency of smoking may not benefit the baby. A pregnant woman who reduces her smoking pattern or switches to lower tar cigarettes may inhale more deeply or take more puffs to get the same amount of nicotine as before.

The most effective way to protect the fetus is to quit smoking. If a woman plans to conceive a child in the near future, quitting is essential. A woman who quits within the first three or four months of pregnancy can lower the chances of her baby being born premature or with health problems related to smoking. Pregnancy is a great time for a woman to quit. No matter how long she has been smoking, her body benefits from her quitting because it lessens her chances of developing future tobacco-related health problems, such as lung and heart disease, and cancer.


Who is at Risk for Shingles?

Anyone who has had the chickenpox infection is at risk for developing shingles. Other factors can increase your chance of infection, including:
  • experiencing large amounts of stress
  • being fatigued
  • being over the age of 60
  • having a weakened immune system (often due to cancer treatment, chronic diseases like fibromyalgia, or AIDS infection)

The Symptoms of Shingles
Symptoms of shingles virus generally begin to manifest about two to five days after infection. Initial shingles symptoms usually resemble those of the common cold, and may include nausea, fatigue, fever, and chills. As the shingles disease develops, more severe symptoms begin to develop including:

  • itching of the skin
  • numbness beneath the skin
  • the appearance of a shingles rash on the body, which is made up of numerous tiny blisters
  • severe and excruciating nerve and muscle pain

Complications of Shingles
Shingles can be a very nasty infection to have to deal with. Not only does it cause extremely painful nerve and muscle pain, but it can also reappear several times throughout your life. Many shingles sufferers develop a condition known as Postherpetic Neuralgia, which causes ongoing muscle and nerve pain. This condition occurs when the shingles virus has permanently damaged nerves in the body.

Treatments for Shingles
Shingles symptoms generally disappear within three to five weeks. However, treatment is recommended to help encourage shingles pain relief. Your health care provider can offer you oral antiviral medications, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, in order to speed up the course of the shingles disease. You may also be prescribed pain relieving medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Shingles: Symptoms of Shingles and the Hope for a Shingles Cure

Have you been plagued by painful muscle cramping, or burning or tingling sensations in your arms, legs, or hands? If so, then you may be suffering from more than just common muscle pain: you could be suffering from an agonizing condition known as shingles. Shingles is a virus that causes sharp, excruciating muscle and nerve pain. Characterized by a rash of fluid-filled blisters, shingles can attack at any time, leaving you unable to go to work, complete household chores, or even get out of bed. Affecting more than 300,000 men and women every year, it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of shingles in order to find fast shingles treatment.
The Cause of Shingles
Shingles is actually caused by the same chickenpox virus that many of us suffered from as children. This virus, known as "varicella-zoster," can lie dormant in your system for many years after initial exposure. This means that, even after your chickenpox disappears, the varicella-zoster virus remains in your body, traveling deep beneath your skin and along your nerve fibers.. This virus can then reactivate later on (usually years after you have had the chickenpox), and begins to travel back along your nerve fibers until it reaches the surface of your skin. This is what causes the characteristic shingles rash. Sometimes known as St. Anthony's Fire because of its fiery nerve and muscle pain, shingles can reoccur many times in some individuals.

Health Risks Associated with Drug Abuse

Mother

  • Poor Nutrition
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Rapid Heart Beat
  • Low Weight Gain
  • Low Self Esteem
  • Preterm Labor
  • Sexually Transmitted Disease
  • Early Delivery
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Depression
  • Physical Abuse
Baby

  • Prematurity
  • Low Birth Weight
  • Infections
  • Small Head Size
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
  • Birth Defects
  • Stunted Growth
  • Poor Motor Skills
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Neurological Problems

Many women with drug problems are afraid to seek treatment. Studies have found that more than 4 million women need treatment for drug abuse. Unfortunately, there are many important reasons why women do not seek help. Some women may not be able to find child care. Or they fear that the authorities may take away their children. Some women fear they will be punished if they admit their drug addiction. Many women fear violence from their husbands, boyfriends, or partners.

Friends and family can help relieve these fears for the woman who uses drugs. They can support her by helping her find good drug abuse treatment and by providing child care and transportation. Women can get help for their drug addiction.

Pregnancy and Drug Use


Women can have special risk factors for drug abuse. Women can become addicted quickly to certain drugs, such as crack cocaine. Therefore, by the time they seek help, their addiction may be difficult to treat. Women who use drugs often suffer from other serious health problems, sexually transmitted diseases, and mental health problems, such as depression.

Many women who use drugs have had troubled lives. Studies have found that at least 70 percent of women drug users have been sexually abused by the age of sixteen. Most of these women had at least one parent who abused alcohol or drugs.

Women who use drugs tend to have low self-esteem, little self-confidence, and feel powerless. They often feel lonely and are isolated from support networks. Women from certain cultural backgrounds or who have difficulty with the English language may not know how to find help for their addiction.

Bleeding During Late Pregnancy

Bleeding can also occur during your second trimester and third trimester. Again, this bleeding is not your period, but is a result of other causes.

Bleeding may be a sign of early or preterm labor. If accompanied by contractions or cramps, go to your doctor to find out what's going on. Miscarriage, or stillbirth, is still a possibility at the later stages of pregnancy, however it is less likely. If you are bleeding a lot, see your health care provider or go to the hospital just to be sure. More often, bleeding in the second and third trimesters is caused by an infection in your cervix.

Yeast infections and some sexually transmitted diseases can inflame the cervix causing light spotting or bleeding. Your health care provider can perform a simple exam to determine the cause of infection. If you are experiencing bleeding during the later stages of pregnancy, try not to worry and remain calm. It is important to visit with your doctor or midwife to have a checkup and get to the bottom of any problems. Most bleeding can be solved without any harm to you or your baby.

Should You Worry?

During early pregnancy, your cervix changes in order to accommodate your new baby. Your body will provide increased blood flow to your cervix, and sometimes this can result in light bleeding. If your cervix is inflamed slightly during intercourse or a pelvic exam, spotting or bleeding may occur. Again, this is normal and does not necessarily mean that your baby is in any trouble. If your bleeding is abnormally heavy or lingers for more than a few days, visit with your doctor to determine the cause.

Bleeding in the first trimester can sometimes be a signal that there is a problem with your baby. 15% to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriages. Miscarriages most commonly occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Bleeding or spotting could be symptoms of a miscarriage, especially if they are associated with cramping, fever, or chills. If you think you are having a miscarriage, or are unsure why you are bleeding, contact your doctor or midwife. Your health care provider will be able to perform a pelvic exam to determine your baby's situation.

Sometimes bleeding during early pregnancy can signal a more serious problem with your baby. Ectopic pregnancies occur in 1 out of every 60 pregnancies, and can be life-threatening to both mom and baby. Serious internal bleeding can occur with ectopic pregnancies, so if you are experiencing heavy bleeding go to the hospit

Bleeding During Early Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body is focused on nurturing your baby so your brain sends signals to your uterus not to menstruate. Most of the time, light bleeding during pregnancy is normal and doesn't present a danger to you or your baby. However, there are some risks associated with bleeding, especially in later stages of pregnancy. If you are pregnant, it is important to be aware of the factors that can cause bleeding, and the symptoms to watch out for.

Bleeding During Early Pregnancy
Bleeding during early pregnancy is fairly common, with about 1 in 4 women experiencing symptoms during their first trimester. If you are early in your pregnancy and have noticed some vaginal bleeding, you may think you have gotten your period. This blood is not your period, but, in fact, is due to some other cause.

Some women will notice light bleeding about 10 to 14 days after fertilization. This is called implantation bleeding, and is caused by the egg implanting itself in your uterus. As the egg finds a home for itself in your uterus, it may disrupt the lining just a little bit, causing light bleeding. This bleeding should only last a couple of days and be fairly light. Implantation bleeding is nothing to worry about, but if it gets heavy at any time, or continues longer than a couple of days, see a doctor.

Bleeding During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a joyful time, but it can also be a time filled with worry and concern for many women. Noticing spotting during pregnancy can set off alarm bells for many pregnant women. Is it a sign of problems? Is it your period, which many women swear they continue to get all through their pregnancy? Or is it something completely different? Bleeding during pregnancy can be cause for concern but it can also be normal. So how do you know when to call your health care provider?
Periods During Pregnancy
Many women notice bleeding or spotting throughout their pregnancy, particularly during their first trimester. This is a fairly common occurrence, with about 10% of all women experiencing some type of light bleeding during pregnancy. This bleeding, though, is not the same as getting your period.

PREGNANCY TIPS AND GUIDES

Pregnancy is said to occur due to the fertilization of the egg by a sperm which grows in size a woman’s uterus which is called the womb. It takes 270 days for the womb to develop into a baby but the gynecologist will consider the date from the last menstrual period or 300 days (40 weeks).
Abnormalities of pregnancy :* Excessive vomiting – The usual morning sickness will not get worse and this may result in a situation called hyperemesis gravidarum.* Bleeding in early pregnancy – This is not a normal phenomenon and a lot of care and caution must be ensured as it may prove to be fatal for the life of the woman. Its causes are abnormalities of the cervix, abortion, ectopic gestation, vesicular mole.* Albuminuria – The presence of albumin in urine is a known complication of pregnancy. The cause may be cystitis or infection in urinary tract. Cystitis is said to be an infection in the bladder. A lot of pain is felt in the lower abdomen which causes frequent urination as well as burning. Another infection also has its striking postures which involve in the infection of the kidney and ureter. A lot of pain is felt in the loins with nausea, vomiting as well as fever. This sort of syndrome is known as pylo-nephrites.* Pre-eclampsia – This occurs usually after 30 weeks of pregnancy. Early signs are raised blood pressure, increase of albumin in the urine, visual disturbances, severe frontal headache, and abdominal pain, vomiting and oedema of feet and ankles. This disease is dangerous for the fetus and for the mother.* Eclamsia – This means that the woman has fits similar to those of epilepsy, and coma. The condition may develop suddenly in a severe case of pre-eclampsia. The fits may occur during pregnancy, during labor, or soon after delivery. Eclampsia is a dangerous for both the mother and the baby. This condition should be prevented by means of good pre-natal care.* Ante-partum hemorrhage – This means bleeding during pregnancy after the 28th week. If it is slight, the cause could be some lesion of the cervix.* High risk cases of pregnancy – all cases of abnormality or high risk should be identified as early as possible.* Back ache – Slight backache may be due to poor posture and is more common in multiparous women whose abdominal muscles are weak. It can be prevented or lessened by attention to posture and by exercises.* Fainting – Sudden changes of posture, or standing for a long time, may cause the pregnant woman to faint. If she feels faint when lying on her back, this is due to pressure on the large veins, and she should be turned on her side immediately. Check for anemia, which may be the cause of fainting.
Pregnancy Weeks :* 1 to 4 weeks – menstruation stops, pricking in the breasts, whitish vaginal discharge.* 5 to 8 weeks – frequent urination, breasts grow larger, nipple become darker, and surface veins can be seen, nausea and perhaps vomiting especially in the morning, cervix is soft.* 9 to 12 weeks – breast become darker round the nipple, vagina becomes a bluish color. By 12th week, weight gain is about 1.12 kilograms.* 13 to 16 weeks – tiny lumps appear on the areola of the breasts, the uterus rises out of the pelvis, by 16 weeks you can feel the fundus about half way between the symphisis pubis and umbilicus, the mother may feel the fetus moving.* 17 to 20 weeks – a second dark ring appears round the breasts, a little fluid comes from the nipples, the fundus is nearly up to the umbilicus, fetal movement can be felt and fetal heart sound heard, weight gain is about 250 grams per week.* 21 to 24 weeks – dark patches may appear on the face, the fundus is at or above the umbilicus.* 25 to 28 weeks – the blood pressure is slightly below normal, there may be shortness of breath, and quicker respirations, the fundus is 4 to 5 fingers above the umbilicus, weight gain about 450 grams per week.* 29 to 32 weeks – there may be slight swelling of the angles; the fundus is half way between the umbilicus and xiphisternum (bottom of the breast bone).* 33 to 36 weeks – again there is frequent urination; the fundus is at or almost at the xiphisternum.* 37 to 40 weeks – the uterus drops into the pelvis at about 38 weeks, and the fundus is then at a lower level. Breathing becomes easier, but sitting and walking may be difficult. Vaginal discharge increases. The total weight gain by the 40th week is from 9 to 11 kilogram.