Hairstyles

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

12-23-09

Dec. 23--New Year's resolutions for many Americans will mean the latest diets and gym memberships.

But losing weight and keeping it off might be as much about the psychological struggles as the physical changes.

"Some people say losing weight is in the mind," said Judith Horvath, director of the psychotherapy training program at Texas Tech's Health Sciences Center.

The HSC psychiatrist said giving yourself a mental workout can complement healthful eating and exercise regimens.

"I think they need to go hand-in-hand," she said.

Psychological feelings make the holiday season one of the worst times of the year to embark on a program, Horvath said.

"Food can be used as emotional nourishment and to calm anxieties," she said. "The holidays stir up unfulfilled longings in people. People are reminded of the things they are missing out on."

But other emotions make losing weight hard year-round, Horvath said. Feelings of depression, a loss of control, rationalizing weight gain and low self-esteem can make losing weight seem like an impossible task, local experts said.

"Some people don't think they can allow themselves to look their best because they feel like they don't deserve to be a more attractive person," Horvath said.

Most of the morbidly obese patients treated at Lubbock's Advanced Bariatric Surgery Center are depressed, said David Syn, a bariatric surgeon who opened the practice in 2002. Many of them give up the antidepressants when they shed their extra pounds, he said.

They might also feel like they're losing a friend, like they must reach their ideal weight to succeed, or like they've already failed.

"If you look at the laundry list of diets they've tried on their own and failed, that can't have a positive impact on someone's psyche," Syn said.

Syn helps his patients overcome their overeating through surgery, counseling and education, he said.

"One of the great misunderstandings about what I do is that it's just surgery," said Syn, who spends hours with his patients before surgery and follows most for many years after.

"We are empowering people to take back their lives," he said.

Horvath said people striving for less dramatic weight loss can benefit from including family and friends in the process or talking to a professional.

The Texas Tech HSC Psychiatry Clinic provides a free counseling program for patients planning to lose weight, she said.

People should try to find distractions that help them stay away from food, Horvath said.

"They have to find out how to deal with the loss of satisfaction eating provides them," she said. "It's about exchanging the reward of food for the reward of achieving their goals."

As a female, if you are facing thinning and losing hair, you are probably pretty stressed by it. However, you will not be worrying and causing more hair to drop once you understand some facts about female hair loss.

You see, in many cases, female hair loss is just a temporary occurrence and hence, finding a hair loss solution to it is relatively easy.

Androgenetic alopecia is the hereditary form of baldness that affects 50 percent of men, and some women after 40. Female hair loss usually starts after menopause although it can begin earlier. The main reason for this is that estrogen levels decline. Hormonal changes cause hair to thin.

It is comforting to note that other than androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of hair loss in women, is a result of metabolic and hormonal changes. Thus, the hair loss is usually temporary. Also, unlike men, women rarely become totally bald. However, what females generally experience is the thinning of their hair.

For example, in the case of pregnancy, hair loss is temporary and should stop about 6 months after birth. When a woman is pregnant, a large amount of oestrogen is produced causing the hair follicles to go into their growth phase. Once the baby is born, the woman’s hormonal balance is restored. The reverse now happens with the hair follicles going into a hair loss phase.

While nothing much can be done to prevent hair loss during this period, applying hair tonic to hasten hair re-growth can be a helpful solution.

Crash diets leading to rapid weight loss over a short period of time prompts excessive hair loss.

Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs after a prolonged period of time and in extreme cases. Once stress levels are restored to normal levels, hair loss should stop. Thus, a good hair loss solution is to find ways to reduce stress!

Certain drugs can also cause hair to shed. The most common medical treatment that causes hair loss is chemotherapy. The drug medication attacks the hair cells, causing hair loss from the scalp. Certain prescription drugs (for thyroid hormone deficiency, diabetes and lupus) and dieting supplements are also causes of hair loss. Once these drug medications are stopped, the hair loss problem should disappear.

Other stresses to the hair may include frequent dyeing and chemicals eg. perming solutions applied to the hair. Generally, healthy hair can undergo these treatments without showing signs of stress, if they are not done too often. But if hair is not allowed a chance to recover from the constant application of hair chemicals, then it becomes brittle and starts to break off. Hair loss treatment products to help strengthen the follicles should help when applied to the scalp.

Once you understand what is happening to your hair, then seek out the right hair loss solution. In most cases, if the cause is temporary, then you can be assured that your problem will pass with the right remedy actions. However, for the more serious cases, do seek the professional help of a licensed dermatologist for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.

About the author:
Kathlene Capelle is a writer for beauty tips and advice. She believes in helping people regain their confidence through a beautiful crop of hair. For more articles, tips and resources, please visit her site at hair-loss-remedy-central.com

Society loves a full head of beautiful hair on a female. As women age, however, so does the hair and, depending upon heredity, lifestyle, diet and disease, hair becomes gray, brittle, and, in some cases much thinner.

Fortunately, women today can do something about all of these conditions and maintain a more youthful appearance much longer.Probably the most devastating hair problem for women is thinning and balding. The gray can be colored; conditioners can restore suppleness, but no easy fix is available for significant hair loss.

It is important to first isolate the cause of hair loss before making the decision to do something.

Causes can be determined by a physician and may include one or more of the following:

1. Heredity: From both parents, propensity for hair loss can be inherited and, unfortunately, is a permanent condition.

2. Stress/Anxiety: Life-changing events, such as divorce or death, as well as career and financial difficulties can take their toll on hair growth. Fortunately, the condition is temporary and will dissipate as the cause does.

3. Disease: Certain diseases (e.g., Diabetes, Lupus) will cause hair loss. Again, once treatment has begun and the disease is under control, the hair loss can reverse itself. Drugs for diseases can cause hair loss as well, and, again, once the drug is stopped, hair usually returns.

4. Diet/exercise: A bad diet, lack of exercise, and lack of hydration can cause hair loss to accelerate beyond the normal (normal being 100 or so strands a day). Again, this can be reversed with a better lifestyle.

5. Skin and Scalp Infections: With treatment, hair loss will reverse.

6. Menopause: Many women experience increased hair loss with the onset of menopause – this too may be permanent.There are two types of permanent hair loss in women.

The first is patterned, in which hair is lost on the top of the head but remains intact on the back of the head. The other is non-patterned, where hair loss occurs throughout the head and, eventually, leads to a bald appearance. Dependent upon the type, there are several, although limited, options.

There are hair loss products on the market specifically for women. This is important, because male products are not advised and can, indeed, be dangerous. These products will slow the hair loss process and may stimulate some regrowth.

Wigs are now fashion accessories, and even women with normal hair often have several. This is a fortunate societal trend for sufferers of hair loss.Surgical procedures are available and are effective for patterned hair loss, because hair from the back of the head can be transplanted to the thinning frontal areas.
These options are expensive and not covered by health insurance. However, a low-cost way of treating hair loss is by using Provillus. Provillus is an oral supplement
, which works to block DHT, a form of testosterone that is responsible for 95 percent of hair loss. It also works to stimulate the scalp and bring dead follicles back to life.

You can use Provillus as a preventive supplement, starting the program before hair loss becomes severe, or you can use it after DHT has already begun to take hold of your hair and scalp. You can get it at www.provillus.com. Hair loss treatment is an individual choice.

Women whose moods and happiness are affected by hair loss should do something about it. Women who are in the public eye and who feel the need to be as attractive as possible should do something about their thinning hair. Isolate the cause and develop a plan of action.

Hair is an asset that every woman dreams to have in plenty. The longer the hair a woman has, the prettier she believes she looks. Women with longer and stronger hairs have always been thought of as pretty. The length of hair a woman has varies, depending on so many factors. The genetic origin of a woman determines how long her hair is. Asians and whites are known to have the longest hair, while Africans have always had shorter hair.

Hair loss is the state of lacking hair where it would normally grow, especially on the head. The most common form of baldness is a progressive hair-thinning condition that occurs in adult humans and other primate species. Nonetheless, the severity and nature of condition can vary greatly. Hair loss in women is believed to result from a decrease in estrogen, a hormone that normally counteracts the balding effect of testosterone, which normally occurs in women's blood.

Lack of hair in women can be devastating, more especially if it occurs at a younger age. The self-esteem of a person affected by the condition can be quite low, as they may feel inadequate in the way they look. The value women give to their hair can be seen in their struggle to be seen in longer hair. They do this by wearing weaves, which are artificial hairs designed to be woven like human hair.

A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, some months after an illness or a major surgery, a large amount of hair may be lost. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary. Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If the thyroid gland is overactive or under active, hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment of the thyroid disease.

Many women notice hair loss about three months after they've had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again. Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when the intake of the medicine stops. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, birth control pills and antidepressants. Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.

Eating a healthy diet full of vitamins and consuming plenty of water can help restore the lost hair. By staying healthy, every aspect of the body is taken care of, including hair.

I’m Ian and I’ve been writing articles on how to acquire a proper golf swing for my site in the past, golf being a passion of mine. Now come and visit my latest website over at mensglasses.org which helps people with lots of information to find the best mens glasses on the market.

When you think of hair loss it's natural to assume that it's a condition that predominantly affects men. Some experts however suggest that as many as one in four women will experience hair loss at some time in their lives. So why don't we see and hear more about it? Perhaps the answer has something to do with one or more of the following:

- Women are better at disguising hair loss.

- Women's hair loss is generally less extensive in terms of severity.

- Women's hair loss tends to be spread evenly over the head rather than concentrated in one or two spots.

So why do women lose hair - are the causes very different to those that result in male baldness? There are probably three common reasons for hair loss in women:

1. Female pattern baldness - believe it or not, most women affected by hair loss lose it for the same reasons as men. They suffer from androgenetic alopecia which is a reaction to male hormones in the body, specifically the conversion of testosterone into the hair-unfriendly DHT. In the case of women, pattern baldness may start later and the effects may be less extreme due to the influence of female hormones, but the condition is nonetheless the same as that found in male pattern baldness.

2. Telogen effluvium - this is regarded as the second most common cause of women's hair loss and this is unsurprising given the nature of the condition. Telogen effluvium is characterized by a general thinning of the hair and is usually brought about as a result of some traumatic event causing sufficient stress to interfere with the normal hair growth cycle. Given that pregnancy is a prime example of the type of event that can shock the hair growth cycle then perhaps the high incidence of telogen effluvium amongst women is only to be expected.

3. Alopecia areata - this is the third most common hair loss condition to affect women. It is characterized by patchy areas of hair loss on the head or it can be more widespread over the body. It is thought to be caused by deficiencies in the immune system but much is still not known about the condition. In many cases the hair regrows spontaneously after a variable period of time, but in a minority of cases the problem may be more severe and longstanding.

If you experience any form of hair loss arrange to visit your physician to discuss the treatments that may be suitable for your particular condition.

About the author:
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss.

Much has been said and written about modern day hair loss treatments but this tends to relate almost exclusively to men. Do these same treatments offer solutions to women suffering from hair loss or is there a completely different category of remedies available? It really depends on what is causing hair loss in the first place and as the most common causes of hair loss are the same as those that affect men, the treatments available are pretty similar.

In an earlier article we concluded that the three most common causes of hair loss in women are female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. We'll now look at each of these in turn and examine the best treatments available, bearing in mind the specific needs of women:

1. Treatments for female pattern baldness.

In most instances minoxidil (Rogaine) is the first treatment used. This is one of only two FDA approved hair loss treatments and it remains the only one approved for use by women. Minoxidil comes in the form of a topical solution that works by tackling the symptoms of hair loss and helping to generate new hair growth. It does not target the causes of hair loss and will not work for everyone. The women's version of minoxidil is a 2% solution but the 5% version marketed for men can be used if necessary.

The most popular drug for treating male pattern baldness is of course finasteride (Propecia). Women of child bearing age should not use this drug due to the severely damaging effects it can have on unborn male fetuses. Any women considering using Propecia should discuss it first with their physician. In some cases your doctor may prescribe a different androgen blocker called spironolactone as a means of stopping the hormone activity that is causing hair loss. Spironolactone is normally used as a diuretic and results may be variable.

There is a bewildering range of commercial products available, most of which are aimed squarely at men but many are also suitable for women to use. Whether they work or not is another question but some products containing ingredients like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pygeum and green tea have shown their value. You can find out more about these and other poential hair loss solutions by visiting the site listed at the end of this article.

2. Treatments for telogen effluvium

This is a hair loss condition that generally does not require any specific treatment. Once the effects of the trauma that caused hair loss in the first place have subsided, the hair will regrow of its own accord. Some patients like to encourage the regrowth process by using minoxidil but this isn't necessary. Implementing a good nutritional regime and supplementing with B-vitamins may help to create a hair friendly environment.

3. Treatments for alopecia areata.

This is another hair loss condition that may resolve itself spontaneously. In some cases one of the following treatments may prove useful:

- Daily application of minoxidil (Rogaine).

- Injection of cortisone into patchy areas of the scalp (this must be administered by a physician). Creams and lotions containing cortisone can also be used but results are variable.

- Dithranol can be applied to the scalp in mild or early cases.

- Application of 100% aloe vera gel.

- Massage the scalp with rosemary and lavender essential oils in a jojoba base.

- Use of a hair loss product containing the Chinese herb He Shou Wu.

- A product called Calosol has recently generated positive feedback.

Please note, however, that none of these is guaranteed to work due to the unpredictable nature of alopecia areata. It is this uncertainty that offers opportunities for scamsters to make outlandish claims. The fact remains, there are no miracle cures for advanced forms of alopecia areata so sufferers may wish to consider other options such as head coverings and wigs.

This does not mean that patients are without hope because, even in severe cases, hair can spontaneously start to grow again even after years of loss.

About the author:
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss.

Fish oil containing the Omega 3 essential fatty acid EPA helps to prevent wrinkles and can delay the aging process of the skin according to recent research published in the Journal of Lipid Research in 2005. Scientists have also found that fish oil containing EPA can limit the damage to the skin produced by overexposure to the sun and help to reduce the negative effect of UV rays. This has particular relevance when we consider the recent and dramatic rise in cases of skin cancers caused predominantly by exposure to the suns harmful rays.

Essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are known to play a critical role in promoting healthy skin. They help to regulate cellular function and maintain elasticity and suppleness in the skin. Consequently, a fatty acid deficiency will show up as skin problems. Most of us do not get enough of the Omega 3 fatty acids in our diet whereas Omega 6 fatty acids are in plentiful supply. Symptoms of Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency include skin problems like eczema, dandruff, dry and flaking skin and poor wound healing.

Three reasons why EPA is so beneficial to the skin?

• EPA is known to reduce inflammation by helping the body to produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These are hormone-like substances that are responsible for regulating all the cells in our body.
• EPA helps to inhibit the production of androgens, which are hormones that influence the production of sebum in the hair follicle. Excess sebum production can lead to acne and other skin problems.
• EPA helps to limit production of Arachidonic acid, which is responsible for pro-inflammatory responses in the body, high levels of which are found in people with inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis.

The Omega 3 fatty acids are ALA, EPA and DHA. Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is found in dark green leafy vegetables and algae. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) can be found in oily fish such as salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel and Tuna. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can also be found in oily fish. We can convert ALA to EPA and DHA but the conversion is very inefficient and dependent on a number of factors. However, we can convert EPA into DHA if we get enough EPA.

Supplementing with fish oil that contains EPA can alleviate the symptoms of skin disorders such as dry and flaky skin, psoriasis, eczema and acne as well as many other inflammatory skin conditions. However, it is important to choose a fish oil that is high in EPA as DHA has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of EPA.

Fish oil supplements can contain mercury. To be safe take only a pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement.

Microdermabrasion is an effective, non-surgical way to get rid of acne scars, fine wrinkles and sunspots by exfoliating the top layers of the skin. No chemicals or laser beams are used, only aluminum oxide micro crystals that gently sandblast your skin, leaving it smooth and fresh. Micro dermabrasion also stimulates collagen production, helping your skin rejuvenate faster than normal. Also called the lunchtime peel, microderm abrasion takes up to one hour and has no downtime.

What Is The Difference Between Microdermabrasion And Dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion is a mechanical procedure that uses a power driver hand-held device to remove the top layers of the skin. It may need general or a local anesthetic, depending on the treated area. Derma abrasion lasts between a few minutes and two hours, depending on the depth and area of the skin resurfacing. After dermabrasion treatment, the skin is red, swollen and extremely sensitive for about 10 days. Dermabrasion can offer visible improvement by treating deep wrinkles, scars, and hyperpigmentation.

Microabrasion is much less invasive. It can be performed in an beauty center, doctor's office or at home, using a personal home micro dermabrasion kit. A doctor uses a sandblaster-like hand-held device to spray and circulate high pressure flow of aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin. Used crystals and dead skin cells are then vacuumed back into the microdermabrasion machine, leaving the skin clean and smooth.

Starting early next year we will begin offering esthetic services at Bella Pelle Laser. In case you wondered, Bella Pelle means Beautiful Skin in Italian.

Suffering from hair thinning and loss as a woman can be a struggle and you feel like you want to give up. Women and hair loss can be embarrassing but know you are not alone in your struggle. Millions of women around the world suffer from Alopecia and there is help for you for your struggle with thinning hair.

More than cancer patients suffer from total hair loss. A stressful trigger in a woman's life can cause the beginning of hair thinning and loss. It can be a chemical change in the body due to stress or drug therapies. You can correct these issues and effectively change the course of your loss of hair and bring it back.

This is not to give you false hope. There are therapies out there that are unfortunately a farce and just take your money. But with the help of your doctor you can find ways that actually work. You can always get online and do research as well but don't fall for a quick fix promise that is most likely a scam.

Your doctor can help. If they say they cannot find a doctor who can and don't give up. There are tests that can be performed to see other issues in your body that may be contributing to your hair loss and when detected early can greatly increase your chances for your hair to grow back.

Some doctors will not want to treat women and hair loss but keep searching for a doctor that will and has knowledge in the subject. You can get help and there is hope. Relax and get a scalp treatment while you find a cure. It will help stimulate your hair and relax you all at the same time.

A product called Minoxidil is a topical treatment that has been shown to work in hair loss for women. It is not the only course of treatment but has shown success. It works better on women than men. It was an oral remedy for high blood pressure but has shown to work topically for women and hair loss.

Anti stress medications have also been know to work for women and hair loss as well as hormone replacement therapies. You will need to decide with your doctor which course of action is best for you. Also treatments for reducing bad testosterone in the body have shown to help in hair replacement therapies. You can also relax and get a scalp massage just because it feels good and releases tension.

If you need someone to talk to there are forums you can find to reach out to other woman who are suffering from hair loss. You can read their stories and relate to there struggles as well. It is important to know you are not alone in this subject and you can get support. Look for these sites online where real people are talking about the real issue of losing your hair.

Vanessa Vera wanted to know everything there was to know about how to stop her own hair from thinning in order to make it stop. These articles and Stop-Hair-Thinning.com were the result of her extensive research and quest to get her own hair back.