Hair Growth Demystified


Hair Growth

As most people know, nothing in life is simple. The same can also be said for hair growth. Growing the hair that we all take for granted, is a complex process and something that very few people understand. Many people try to improve the health of their hair using hair growth products and treatments laced with hair growth vitamins etc. without knowing how, if or why these things will improve their hair. The other side of the coin is when people want to remove their hair but fail to understand the biology of hair growth and which treatments can do what.

Did you know that the hair on your body is essentially dead? There’s a lot to learn about hair growth but fear not, you will soon be a hair biology expert!

Anatomy of the Hair

If you take a look at the diagram above, you will see that the hair consists of a follicle beneath the skin layer. The hair that you see protruding from the follicle is the hair that you see on your body. The follicle is more complex than it appears and consists of several distinct layers which have individual functions in the hair growth process. At the base of the hair follicle you find what is know as the dermal papilla. Capillaries beneath the hair follicle, supply blood via the dermal papilla and to the bottom part of the hair strand which is known as the bulb.

The hair follicle is surrounded by an inner sheath and an outer sheath which run the length of the hair up to the sebaceous (oil) gland. You will also find the ‘erector pili’ which is the muscle that raises you hairs when you get ‘goose bumps’.

The shaft of hair itself is made up of three layers. Each layer consists of dead protein cells known as ‘keratin’. The ‘medulla’ is the name for the innermost layer. The second layer is the ‘cortex’ which provides the body of the shaft. This layer is mainly responsible for the color of your hair as it contains the pigmentation. The third layer is called the ‘cuticle’ and comprises of overlapping cells which provide the hairs sheen and luster.

What Happens When Hair Grows?

Hair growth can be defined into three main stages of growth. On average human scalp hair will grow between 0.3mm-0.4mm per day. Also remember that hair does not all grow at once. Whilst some hair follicles are starting a new hair, some are losing an old hair and some maybe half way through a hair. This is why some permanent hair removal methods require multiple treatments to catch each and every hair.

The three stages of growth are :-

The Catagen Growth Phase

The Catagen phase occurs just after the anagen stage (see later). Approximately 3 percent of your hair will be in this phase at any one time. This is a transitional phase that takes about two to three weeks. During this time, a ‘club hair’ is formed. This is when the hair follicle attaches to the hair itself and cuts the blood supply off from the growing hair. When this stage is complete, the Telogen stage is entered.

The Telogen Phase

This phase is better known as a ‘resting period’ for the hair. About 10% to 15% of your hair will be in this stage. This stage can last up to 100 days. During this phase, the club hair is completely formed. If you pull these hairs out, they have a hard white material at the root. You can shed as many as 100 Telogen hairs per day!

The Anagen Phase

The Anagen phase is the business end of the process. This is when the cells in the root of the hair are dividing rapidly and adding to the hair shaft. On the scalp, this phase can last a long time; approx. 2 to 6 years. At this point, a hitherto unknown signal causes the hair to enter the Catagen stage where the process begins all over again.

Remove Fat Quickly With Modern Liposuction Surgery


Liposuction is the name of a cosmetic surgery procedure where excessive fat is removed from different areas of the body. Liposuction is a booming multi-million dollar business. In Britain alone the number of liposuction surgeries has increased by 90% in the last year.

In a vain society where celebrities and models get thinner each year because a skinny body stands for beauty, average people start looking at their own shape with different eyes as well. Instead of eating less and doing more exercise, people choose the convenient way of a liposuction where excessive fat is going to be removed within a day.

Another reason is that liposuction is now performed for more than 30 years and has become a very safe and efficient way to loose fat and get in shape quickly. Today liposuction is safer than ever but there are still risks.

The latest is laser-assisted liposuction where you loose your fat in less than an hour. During this so called Laserlipo or Smartlipo a laser heats the fat cells up and liquefies them. After a while the body naturally emits the fat from alone. This less-invasive way of losing fat is gaining popularity rapidly.

However, the disadvantage is that the amount of fat you can loose that way is very limited and you must wait some time to see results, like several weeks or months. For this reason some surgeons prefer to suction the fat with a cannula.

Laserlipo is a fast and almost painless way of removing fat and works perfectly when applied to tiny areas only. The costs are between $500 and $2,500. It takes just a few minutes and you can go home or back to work immediately thereafter.

Not as new as laser liposuction but pretty popular is ultrasonic liposuction. Instead of a laser, ultrasonic energy is breaking up the fat cells. The leaking fat is then removed by the same cannula which emits the ultrasound. The advantage of this method over the laser procedure is that much more fat can be removed that way.

The conventional liposuction removes the fat instantly buy sucking it out of the body. This happens by inserting a cannula into the body which can have side affects of tissue or nerve damage. There is also blood loss during the surgery but after wearing a bandage for a week your are done. There could be a need for another surgery to remove excessive skin but these will apply only to those patients where a large amount of fat was removed.

It may surprise you that the ideal candidate for liposuction is not the heavy overweight person. Liposuction works best for somebody who is near the ideal weight already and just wants to remove stubborn fat in particular areas. For this person liposuction will work best with little complications. Many cosmetic surgeons will not perform a liposuction on very obese people. The problem is not the liposuction itself, which is in theory very easy to do. The problem and art lies in reshaping the body.

Liposuction can have a series of complications. It is imperative that you choose an experienced cosmetic surgeon who has access to the latest technologies. There have been many advances in technology especially in the past few years. Just ten years ago liposuction was very risky with much different results. Make sure your liposuction surgeon is on top of everything therefore.

Mineral Cosmetics - Is This a Healthy Alternative?


With the market being flooded with the miraculous mineral cosmetics, there is a definite urge among people, to understand what makes up the so-called natural cosmetic range. Mineral cosmetics are technically better than the otherwise available cosmetics, and are certainly preferred by dermatologists, owing to the natural composition.

Mineral makeup is made from naturally existing mineral elements. The minerals are mixed up with an assortment of inorganic pigments and undergo various steps like milling, pulverization and purification, before reaching the end consumer. Pigments are responsible for the color and shimmer effects. These components also contribute towards the inorganic and inert properties of mineral cosmetics. The latest range in the category of mineral cosmetics also claims to include vitamins, in a frozen form, to lend that extra edge.

Mineral Cosmetic Ingredients The typical ingredients deployed in manufacture of mineral cosmetics include:

Titanium Dioxide


Zinc Oxide


Kaolin Clay


Dimethicone


Serecite Mica


Magnesium Stearate


Bismuth Oxychloride


Talc (Magnesium Silicate Hydroxide)


Silica


Cornstarch


Rice Powder


100% Pure Silk


Iron Oxides


Boron Nitride

The Benefits Of Applying Mineral Makeup

A cure for sensitive skin – Mineral cosmetics offer a respite from various skin ailments like acne, pimples, dryness, clogged pores, etc. They are non-comedogenic and therefore, ideal for sensitive skin types. Mineral cosmetics are inert and inorganic and therefore, do not promote microbial growth. Being finely milled, the makeup granules are much smaller than the pores and therefore, do not clog them, thus helping cleaner skin surface.

Finer application – Mineral makeup has a lighter and different texture. The items are made up of microscopic flat crystals that are mixed together to offer a filtering layer on the skin, which helps the skin to breathe even with makeup on. A translucent and natural look is guaranteed with mineral makeup.

Stays longer than regular cosmetics – Mineral cosmetics do not smear easily and therefore, stay for longer hours.

Least harmful – Mineral cosmetics do not contain harmful preservatives like parabens, dyes, fillers or oils, which are present in abundance in regular cosmetic range. Mineral cosmetics, owing to their natural composition, do not require preservatives for an increased shelf life.

Sunscreen qualities – Mineral cosmetics contain components like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, which provide the desired shield from harmful ultra violet (UVA-UVB protection) sunrays.

Perfect for application on skin post medical treatment – Mineral cosmetics have anti-inflammatory properties, which make them an apt choice for makeup on skin that has undergone any kind of treatment. They cool the skin and facilitate faster healing. Moreover, the elements present in mineral cosmetics help to naturally refresh and rejuvenate the tired skin, which is like a dream come true in the preset tiring schedules.

Thinning of the fine lines and skin pores – Mineral cosmetics contain Mica, which, being a natural translucent creates an illusion of smoother and softer skin type.

Forget the pains of taking off the makeup mask – Usually after the end of a tiring day, it seems tedious to devote another half hour towards taking off the makeup. With mineral cosmetics, this is not always sought. Mineral cosmetics allow a nap with makeup on. And it still stays the next morning.

A Line Of Caution – Mineral cosmetics are good for skin and can help attain that young look. However, few components present in the natural cosmetics can be harmful for certain skin types and may cause skin allergies. Therefore, while purchasing any product, it is imperative to check the labels for ingredients that could be harmful to the skin. Moreover, various brands tend to pass on the not so natural products under the cover of mineral cosmetics. Dyes are added to grant an edge, in terms of shades available, in the range of mineral cosmetics, which could again be harmful.

Mineral cosmetics have certainly introduced a new era in the domain of cosmetics. The benefits seem endless. Mineral cosmetics have something to offer for all. However, a few pitfalls like irritation to few skin types can certainly not be ignored. Yet owing to its positives, popularly referred to as skin care makeup, mineral cosmetics are gaining in terms of usage and so, certainly deserve a trial.

The Best Natural Skin Care Product For Dry Skin


Skin is not dry because it lacks oil, but because it lacks water. Symptoms most associated with Xeroderma (dry skin) are scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching and cracks in the skin. The good news is that today, there are several types of natural treatments to choose from for your dry skin.

Skin also harbors many nerve endings that provide the sense of touch and heat. Skin is considered one of the most important parts of the body. The skin is often known as "the largest organ of the human body".

The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.

The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. Forced-air furnaces make skin even drier. Environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps, can cause dry skin. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin.

Use as little soap as possible limiting its use to armpits and genitals. Drink plenty of water every day. Use a humidifier if the air is dry.

Eat at least one organic apple with the skin on every day. Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. Concentrating on a diet of lots of fruits and vegetables (preferably uncooked) and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement within 30 days. Good skin is often a reflection of a good digestive system. Fatty acids are particularly important to people with dry skin.

Use bath oils and moisturizers, especially coconut oil, which is the best natural product fr dry skin, at least daily. Also use a thin layer of coconut oil under your make-up to moisturize your skin all day. Apply a thin layer of coconut oil and massage it deep into the skin. Apply coconut oil anytime to heal and soothe your skin.

Sunlight, water and air play an important role in keeping the skin healthy. The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed. The skin supports its own ecosystems of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning.

Skin doctors are called dermatologists. Usually, these days, we can take care of dry skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can't avoid it. See your doctor or naturopathic doctor if your skin doesn't improve in spite of your best efforts.

For more information on coconut oil treatment for dry skin and dry skin care treatments go to http://www.Best-Skin-Care-Tips.com Helen Hecker R.N.'s website specializing in care for skin conditions with tips, advice and resources for women, men, teens and babies, including information on the best natural products

A good shampoo should cleanse the hair and scalp by removing accumulated sebum, skin debris, dirt and residues of hair-grooming preparations. It should leave the hair soft, shiny and easy to comb and style. A shampoo should also give 'body' to the hair, prevent 'flyaway' hair and help to improve damaged hair.

A shampoo should be easy enough to massage into the hair and scalp and also be easy to rinse off after use. It should nor irritate the skin or cause any damage to the eyes.

Most shampoos both cleanse and lather well but is there a connection between the two? Most people certainly associate a good lather with good cleansing but, in fact, there is no psychological value and by acting as a lubricant helps reduce the damage to the hair from the action of your finger.

In general, some people tend to wash their hair at least once every two days and in some cases everyday. Others, on the other hand, tend to wash their between three to six times in a month. The cleansing of the hair does not have to be as frequent as one might suppose if the hair is kept well brushed and combed.

Shampoos are available in a variety of forms and types including liquids, lotions, pates, gels, aerosols, and dry products. Shampoos are further differentiated by their specialized uses such as for particular hair or scalp conditions, age, sex, fragrance tints and colour. Everyday shampoos are formulated to be used everyday without leaving the hair too dry.

The frequency of shampooing is dictated by the condition of the scalp, a person's lifestyle, occupation and the area in which he/she lives. There are no maximum or minimum values for the frequency of hair wash required for individual hair. Only a trained hair expert can offer correct assessment of the number of times hair wash is required by a person.

The following may be used as general advice for different hair types:

Coarse, curly hair

Curly hair is almost always dry hair as the oils produced in the scalp don't travel as easily down the hair shaft as they do with straight hair. Creamy, moisturizing shampoos work best for this hair texture. Choose wheat germ oil, shea butter and nut oils in your shampoos.

Fine, oily, or limp hair is most susceptible to looking 'oily' and can get this way after only one day. Use a gentle shampoo for daily or frequent washing.

Processed hair

Adding moisture is key for colored, permed and relaxed hair. Wash hair every other day with a shampoo made for normal hair. Concentrate on cleaning the scalp. Then use a stron conditioner only on the midshaft to ends of hair.

Dry, damaged hair

Use shampoo that is smooth, detangle, and diffuse static.

Always remember

1) People with oily scalps should shampoo daily. Everybody should shampoo every two-three days. Make sure you cleanse the scalp and hair and try to shampoo after working up a sweat from exercise etc.

2) Seek a trichologist's advice as to which shampoo you should be using.

3) Dry hair but oily scalp indicates that hair is damaged or you suffer from zinc deficiency.

4) Dry scalp and dry hair indicate nutritional or hormonal imbalances. For example, a dry skin and hair may be associated with an underactive thyroid gland.

5) Use soft water for shampooing and hard water for drinking.

6) The moisture in hair is determined by humidity in the atmosphere.

For more health tips and beauty advice cosmetic products and makeup information, fitness tips and workout plans please visit http://www.time4tips.com

Botulinium Toxin Type A, or BOTOX, as it is commonly known by those who live and breathe it, is not a filler like collagen or fat. In actual fact, it is a potent neuotoxin derived from bacteria that is used in minute amounts to soften wrinkles known as ‘dynamic' caused by the contraction of a facial muscle. The aesthetic benefits of Botox were discovered quite anecdotally by an ophthalmologist and her dermatologist husbanc in 1988.

A wee bit of botox treatment does a really powerful job, but it is never permanent and has to be repeated every 3-6months. When it starts to wear off, muscle activity will gradually being to reappear, so you will not wake up one morning to all of your pre-Botox wrinkles lunging at you in the bathroom mirror. The goal of Botox is a subtle softening, not necessary the complete elimination of facial expression lines. Very small amounts of this precious solution are injected to paralyse the muscle.

A cosmetic surgeon who is adept at injecting Botox strives to utilize the least amount of toxin needed to get the job done. Accurate dosages and precise positioning of toxin is critical to freeze the right muscles just enough. Botox is too precious to be wasted.

Over the age of 30, there aren't many women or men who wouldn't benefit from a dosage of Botox treatment to their frowns and furrows. Botox injected into the glabellar region paralyses the muscles that enable you to frown. By relaxing these muscles, many doctors believe that you can actually slow down your brow descent and prevent the deepening of a glabellar crease. The theory in vogue is to start your Botox before your creases are so deep that they need to be filled up with collagen or fat in addition to your Botox therapy.

Botox weakens the facial muscles that create wrinkles and frowns when they contract. The injections take just minutes and are done in the clinic with nothing more than a local cream anaesthetic. Botox comes in a glass vial containing 100 units and is diluted with sterile saline before use. It may take from 2 days up to 2 weeks to have a full effect, and a touch-up treatment may be needed later if the muscles are still active. A small number of unfortunate women have muscles that are resistant to Botox and too many treatments with large amounts of Botox can cause you to produce antibodies to it, although it is rare.