Stopping Hair Loss

Losing hair can be shocking and a blow to self-esteem, but what can you do?  Most people like having a head of thick hair, and it can be devastating when it disappears. Below are some things to try when you are searching for how to stop hair loss.

Be Gentle

Be gentle with your hair. Don’t use hair rollers or wear styles that will put physical stress on your hair. Opt for air drying your hair after washing, rather than bow drying. Extra brushing and styling can make more hairs come out, causing more of an appearance of thinning hair.

Washing

Don’t shampoo every day, instead aim for every other day — or longer if you can. Try a shampoo designed for anti-hair loss. There are many shampoos and treatments for revitalizing the hair and scalp. I’ve benefited from switching to “organic” shampoo that is sulfate free. Look for products that are gentle to the hair and scalp. Avoid chemical treatments, like perms.

Diet

A poor diet can lead to temporary hair loss and slow hair growth. Eat a healthy diet, making sure that you get enough protein and nutrients. Don’t skip meals or crash diet. Decrease your intake of sugar, sodium, fat, and processed foods.  Vitamins and minerals are essential to nourishing hair follicles, the scalp, and hair — so make sure you get enough vitamin A, C, E, K, beta-carotene, and B complex vitamins. Biotin is especially good for promoting hair growth and helping thinning hair.

Stress

If you are going through a particularly stressful time, you may notice hair loss or thin, brittle hair. Stress can impact not only your mental health, but physical health, and your appearance. Stressful situations can’t always be avoided, but try find an outlet for dealing with stress — exercise, massage, or some other way of coping.

Sometimes controlling your hair falling out is beyond your control. Hair can start falling out for medical reasons or hormonal problems. If you try to stop hair loss and are distressed because nothing you try seems to help, then consult your doctor. You may be suffering from an undiagnosed condition that needs treating. Many things can cause hair to fall out.

updated 3/26/14

Holiday Eating: Heartburn

Do you suffer from acid reflux or heartburn? Holiday eating, parties, and problems with stomach acid don't mix well. Heartburn and acid reflux are miserable to live with. If you suffer from this condition that is marked by a painful, burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone, you’ve probably sat awake at night desperately hoping for a cure. There are several home remedies for heartburn to try for some relief.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root

Licorice can help soothe irritation of the digestive tract, helping your esophagus feel better. Look for deglycyrrhizinated or DGL licorice root — it comes in a capsule, chewable tablets, or as a powder that you can mix into water or I prefer grape juice.

Enzymes

Fruit enzymes, like papain that is found in papaya, work to help digestion and relive gastroesophageal reflux. Digestive enzymes can be found in health food and supplement stores. 

Apples

There’s an old saying that goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I’ve found that apples have many health benefits and that eating some apple can be good for digestion and mild heartburn.Some people are adventurous to try apple cider vinegar and say it helps relieve heartburn. I've never brought myself to drink vinegar, though.

Watch What You Eat

Avoid foods that are high in acid and that aggravate the condition — citrus, tea, coffee, chocolate, tomato products, and fried foods. It’s also seems that tomatoes get more acidic as they cook, so raw tomatoes may be more palatable than something like spaghetti sauce for some people. Also eat low fat foods and try to avoid processed lunch meats like bologna and hot dogs.

It’s also important eat at regular intervals. Don’t let your stomach get too empty before eating. Eat a small snack to tie you over between meals to try to thwart stomach acid getting out of control.

Sit Up

If you’ve ever eaten a big meal, then had the urge to lie down for a quick nap — don’t.  Lying flat will enable stomach acids to creep their way up and cause problems for people who suffer from acid reflux. Instead relax in a recliner or prop yourself up. Also don’t bend over or exercise right after eating.

Control Stress

If you are under a large amount of stress, it can wreak havoc on your digestive system and cause heartburn and acid reflux. Eat each meal calmly, chewing your food thoroughly. Try practicing relaxation or breathing exercises, and if needed speak to a counselor about calming techniques and how to deal with stress.

If you suffer from frequent heartburn consult your doctor, as it can be a sign of something more serious or require prescription treatment if home remedies and over-the-counter treatments don’t help. What feels like heartburn can actually be a symptom of heart attack and should don’t be taken lightly. Ongoing acid reflux can also have a bad consequence for the lining of your esophagus.


This is intended for informational purposes only. Consultation with a  and medical professional should be sought.

Getting Ready for a Wedding

Planning hair and makeup for a wedding is exciting for a bride and her attendants. I look back on my own wedding and sort of wish that I could do it over again. My makeup looks great in the photos I have, even though I did it myself. My skin was glowing and my eyes sparkling. My hair in most of the photos looks alright, but is was done as an afterthought. I didn't want an ornate updo, and in the process it was put together at the last minute. Many aspects of my wedding fell into place without much planning beforehand.

My brother is getting married in a couple of months, and it's such an exciting time.

If you're planning an upcoming wedding:

Hair

How to Create Updos with Fine Hair

Edwardian Hairstyles for Updos

Makeup

Five Things to Know About Bridal Makeup

Alternative to a veil and train - fascinators If I were to get married again - which I don't plan to, unless it's for renewing my vows, I would wear something elegant and sassy like this:

The Cure for Body Odor

Unpleasant, excessive body odor is embarrassing and can lead to bullying, teasing, shame, or depression. No one wants to be known for having a foul odor. There are many things that could cause body odor. The obvious causes are excessive sweating, not bathing frequently enough, but there are some other things to watch out for – eating certain foods like garlic and onion, medical conditions, and certain medications. Follow these tips for curing body odor and good personal hygiene.

Bathe
The obvious solution is to take daily baths or showers. Fastidious personal hygiene is essential to smelling fresh. If showers don’t seem to be doing the trick, then try soaking in a bath. Antibacterial soap is recommended for limiting bacteria on the skin, which can be one of the main culprits of odor. Dry thoroughly afterwards because warm, wet areas help bacteria to grow.

Exfoliate
Exfoliate your body, including the armpit area, with a bath brush or body scrub at least once a week. The dead skin cells that collect can contribute to the bacteria on the skin that can cause odor.

Antiperspirant
Use an antiperspirant to cut wetness. If you have excessive wetness that doesn’t seem to be helped by ordinary antiperspirants, you may need a prescription strength product. Dove Clinical Protection is an over-the-counter antiperspirant that is quite effective and provides triple wetness protection. It also has added moisturizers for minimal skin irritation.

Powder
Using a body powder that helps absorb wetness can help. Sprinkle or pat it into spots that sweat most —armpits, upper thighs, groin, and feet. Shower to Shower body powder is particularly helpful and has a pleasant scent that isn’t overpowering.

Wear Breathable Clothing
Wear clothing made of natural fibers, like cotton, that breathe and don’t trap wetness. In particular you should wear cotton underwear.

Diet
Take a look at what you’re eating. Cut foods from your diet, that may cause odor — garlic, onions, spicy food, curry, etc. Also limit your consumption of alcohol.  Drink plenty of water, since it will help dilute the concentration of these potential odor causing foods in your system and help flush your system.

If body odor persists, then consult your doctor. It can be an embarrassing topic to discuss, but it’s even more embarrassing to go around ashamed and wondering what people must be thinking. Sometimes odor is not from lack of hygiene, but rather a medical condition or as a result of medications that you might be taking.

 

updated 3/24/14