Shampoo with Jojoba Oil for Healthy Hair and Scalp
Jojoba oil is an excellent 100% natural ingredient for shampoo and scalp care. It is extracted from the jojoba tree and is actually a wax ester rather than an oil. It works great on the scalp and hair because it is amazingly similar to the natural oil that is created by the bodies sebum glands.
Since jojoba oil is so similar to the body’s natural oil it may be able to trick the body into producing the correct amount of oil. This is a good way to create a balance on the scalp. The scalp is healthy when it has the right amount of oil. Too much or too little oil will cause scalp problems such as eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and seborrhea to occur. Many chemical ingredients, which most shampoos and conditioners contain, will take away an excess of oil. If too much oil is removed the scalp can be dry and flaky.
Jojoba oil is a gentle cleanser. It is non-comedeogenic and non-irritating. It provides long term moisture to the scalp and the hair. It is also easily absorbed into skin and scalp. Jojoba oil can be used to treat various scalp conditions. Balancing and cleaning the scalp will help reduce many problems.
Dry Hair Causes
Everyone experiences dry hair, frizzy hair now and then, but if it is a common problem for you, your hair may have lost its ability to retain moisture. When people talk about moisturizing and conditioning hair they are usually referring to oils. The real problem comes in when your hair cannot maintain adequate water content. Some of the products we use to try and correct the problem can actually make it worse by creating build-up that seals moisture out of your hair.
Heat and Sunlight
You know that the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin, but you may not think about the damage they do to your hair. UV protective hair care products are available to help reduce this damage. Of course, blow dryers, hot rollers, curling irons, and straightening irons can be deadly to your hair.
Chlorine
Swimming pools and hot tubs are not the only places your hair can be exposed to drying chlorine. Unless you have a well, your tap water contains enough chlorine to damage and dry out your hair. A whole house water filter can help solve this problem. If you are not ready to go that far you can purchased a filter just for your shower that doubles as the showerhead.
Alcohol
The next time you pick up a styling gel, leave-in conditioner, or anti-frizz product, read the ingredients. Many of these products contain alcohol which sucks the moisture right out of your hair. They may make your hair look shiny and healthy at first, but they will damage your hair over time, and you will just need to use more and more to get the desired effect, until eventually they no longer work for you.
Bleaching and Perming
This one is a no-brainer, but it cannot be left out. Chemical treatments damage your hair.
Over Washing
You simply should not be washing your hair every day. If you have problems with an oily scalp along with dry, frizzy hair it can actually be a sign that you are washing your hair too often. When you wash your hair and remove the oils, it stimulates your scalp to produce more. You can help break this cycle by moisturizing your scalp and washing your hair less frequently.
Fly Away Hair and Static Hair
As the temperatures drop and the air becomes dryer many people experience problems with flyaway hair. Sometimes flyaway becomes such a problem that it looks as if you’ve stuck your finger in a light socket. Don’t try to hide under a hat. Wearing a hat can make the problem even worse. As soon as the hat comes off, your hair again stands straight up. Understandably, this may not be the image you want to portray on a date or an important job interview.
What causes those annoying flyaways? Flyaway hair occurs when the hair strands pick up electrostatic charge from the atmosphere and repel one another in much the same way two ends of a magnet with the same charge repel each another. The problem is made worse by combing the hair excessively when can generate additional electrostatic charge, dry air and heat, and lack of moisture on the hair shaft. Although factors such as dry air and heat can’t always be avoided, there are steps you can take to tame flyaway hair. Here are some suggestions:
Add a humidifier to your home
The more moisture that’s present in the air in your home, the less chance that you’ll experience out of control, flyaway hair. A moist environment can also help keep your clothes from sticking together due to static, and even reduce the risk of contracting a cold by keeping your mucous membranes moist.
Brush your hair properly
Avoid the tendency to over brush or over comb you hair which will just make the static problem worse. Invest in a brush with static free bristles and use it regularly. These brushes can be purchased in most grocery stores or online.
Always condition your hair
A good conditioning treatment is critical for counteracting flyaway hair. Conditioner helps to eliminate electrostatic charge and tame pesky flyaways. Use a deep conditioner at least once a week to further reduce electrostatic charge.
Use the right type of hair dryer
The best kind of hairdryer to use for flyaway hair is an ionic ceramic hairdryer. This type of dryer is designed to remove static charge during the process of drying your hair. Use it on as low a heat as possible as over drying your hair will only make the flyaways worse.
Use A Static Guard Hair Spray
If the above measures fail to solve the problem of flyaway hair and you need to fix it fast, spray a small amount of Static Guard onto your brush and lightly brush it through your hair. You should see immediate improvement.
If flyaway hair is a problem for you, these steps should help to return your hair to its former, orderly state.
These Herbs Help With Healthy Hair?
Best Herbs for Healthy Hair
Too many of today’s hair products contain chemical ingredients. These chemicals dry out hair and often make scalp conditioner appear or worsen. Fortunately there are natural alternatives. Natural herbs can be used to promote healthy hair and scalps. Some of the best herbs for healthy hair are ginkgo biloba, green tea, he shou wu, saw palmetto, acacia, calenula, chamomile, lavender, cedarwood, lemon grass, nettle, and citrus.
Ginkgo Biloba- Ginkgo has become very popular for its ability to increase circulation. This increased circulation may help hair grow faster and healthier.
Lavender- Lavender is used in many personal care products. It smells great and has soothing properties. It can be used to help regulate sebum production and is good for scalp conditions such as eczema, scalp acne, and seborrhea.
Green Tea- Green tea is a healthy drink for your body and it is also good for the hair. It is believed to reduce male pattern baldness.
He Shou Wu- This Chinese herb is often used to reduce hair loss, regrow hair and restore color.
Acacia- Acacia is a mild non alkali cleanser. It is used to fight dandruff and is thought to help with hair growth.
Nettle- Leaves and roots from the Nettle plant are commonly used in shampoos and conditioners. Nettle contains minerals and nutrients that stimulate hair growth. It has conditioning properties that make the hair silky and soft. It is also able to stimulate cell turnover and reduce dandruff.
Saw Palmetto- Saw palmetto is used for many male issues. It is believed to slow down hair loss and to help protect the prostate.
Chamomile- Chamomile is often used in hair care products. It is a very gentle cleanser and good for fragile hair. It is also helpful for scalp conditions like eczema. Chamomile may lighten hair so it is often used in formulations especially for blonde hair.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Shampoo
Hyaluronic Acid for Skin & Hair Moisture
Hyaluronic Acid is an important part of the body composition. It is found in all of the tissue in the body. It comes from deep in the skin. The loss of Hyaluronic Acid is a big part of what makes skin start to age.
Hyaluronic Acid is actually a lubricant for the skin. It helps retain moisture in the skin, making it softer and smoother. It is able to retain moisture much like a sponge. In fact, it is able to retain over 1000 times its weight in moisture. Moisture retention is one of the main functions of Hyaluronic Acid. It also encourages healthy skin cell development, improves circulations, and heals dry skin.
You can find Hyaluronic Acid in many creams and serums. It has become very popular in anti-aging skin care products. One of its main benefits when applied topically is that it is able to moisturize from the inside out. It smoothes wrinkles and can plump the skin. It is useful to either men or women. HA is able to improve the overall appearance of skin and address many of the problems with aging, like lost elasticity, sagging skin , wrinkling, and lack of moisture.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum works by forming a barrier to on the skin to keep in moisture and creating collagen – the type 2 collagen that results in tighter and firmer skin. It is not greasy like many lotions tend to be. It is a great natural way to keep skin looking more youthful and radiant. With regular use skin will have more moisture retention, less wrinkles, and a firmer appearance.
Hyaluronic acid and the new form of vitamin c are both very good for wrinkles, skin sag, moisture and clarity. Vitamin C skin creams and vitamin c skin serum are two of the longest, top selling anti wrinkle products on the market. Many companies charge as much as $220 for vitamin c serum.
Body Wraps – Loseing Weight Fast and Stubborn Belly Fat
All about Body Wraps
Body wraps have become increasingly popular. They are designed to help you loose weight and inches. They are also useful in moisturizing and conditioning the skin. Body wraps are a great way to remove the many toxins that are in our body form the food we eat and the environment we live in.
Body wraps consist of various minerals that are designed for specific purposes. Many people choose a body wrap for the sole purpose of losing weight fast. But there are wraps designed for other purposes as well including to detoxify the body. There are some targeted specifically at cellulite. Ingredients like clay and seaweed and minerals are also used to firm the skin. They often target the stubborn belly fat and abdominal area, but firming formulas may also be useful on arms and face and neck as well, really anywhere that saggy skin is present.
Body wraps work by applying an initial base ingredient and wrapping the skin to pull out toxins from the body. Next another material is applied to replenish moisture and minerals in the skin. Some water weight is removed with a wrap, but the majority of inches lost do not come from water but rather from impurities and toxins in the skin. Simply drinking water will not make the inches return.
Many spas offer body wraps but there are also home body wrap kits that are sometimes more effective based on the formulator. This is a really luxurious experience. It is relaxing and pampering. But if you do not want to go to the expense of a costly spa treatment there are many quality wraps available for home use. The best results can be seen by doing several treatments over a four week period. Be sure to look for wraps with quality natural ingredients. See our wraps at http://www.worldofhair.com/wraps
Dry Scalp Treatments And Other Scalp Problems
Why Use A Dry Scalp Treatment?
Why do you need to be concerned about scalp health? Most people think only about taking care of hair, when they should start by taking care of the scalp. How can hair look good when there are visible flakes or you are frequently scratching. Healthy beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp.
Scalp problems are actually very common. Itching, flaking, scaling, crusting, and rashes are just a few of the problems people experience with the scalp. The scalp is susceptible to many problems because it is rich in oil produced by the sebum gland. Some specific conditions that may cause these problems are dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, seborrhea, scalp acne, and psoriasis.
The scalp cannot be healthy without the proper amount of oil. A too dry scalp will result in problems such as dandruff and folliculitis. When the sebum gland overproduces the scalp will be too oily or greasy. This may cause scalp acne or seborrhea.
An effective scalp treatment must help achieve the proper oil ratio. Although there are a lot of products that claim to promote scalp health many of them contain chemical ingredients. Chemicals tend to remove too much oil and dry the scalp. Natural ingredient such as zinc, emu oil, jojoba oil, thyme and sage promote scalp health for the long term. Zinc works by deep cleaning the follicle and regulating the production of the sebum gland. Emu oil and jojoba oil naturally moisturize both hair and scalp. Thyme and sage are detoxifying agents. A regular dry scalp treatment with these natural ingredients will help create a healthy scalp environment.
How Do Body Wraps Work?
How Do Most Body Wraps Work?
Body wraps are good for tightening skin, losing inches, detoxifying, improving circulation, healing skin problems, and treating acne. They are also useful in detoxifying the body and mobilizing fat so that it can be eliminated naturally from the body. Very important since most fat turns to sludge making very difficult for the body to burn the fat. Many people swear by body wraps and their ability to deep cleanse the body and promote quick weight loss.
Body wraps work in two stages. The first is absorption and the second is compaction. During absorption wraps or bandages containing detoxifying ingredients are applied to the skin. This causes pores to open and fluids other unwanted agents to be removed or absorbed into the wraps. A warm shower prior to the wrap will help the pores to open up so that toxins and unwanted fat can be removed. Some of the ingredients commonly used are sea clay, seaweed, aloe vera, minerals, and other herbal remedies. Skin may feel dry after the wrap because so much fluid has been removed. Sometimes oil is added to a wrap to decrease dryness. This fluid and fat removal is what causes inches to be lost as well.
One the fluids and fat have been removed the body needs to be compacted. This process is to tighten the skin in its new smaller shape. This is done by wrapping it tightly. A material such as ace bandages or wraps made of a material like terry cloth.
You should drink plenty of water before, during and after a body wrap. A wrap will cause preparation. And water is lost during the process, but drinking more water will not cause the inches to return. The wrap also releases fat and toxins from the body.
Scalp Conditions: Dandruff Dermatitis Itchy Scalp and More
Common Scalp Conditions
Many people suffer from itchy scalp conditions. While most of them are not extremely serious, they are non-the-less annoying and uncomfortable. Some conditions tend to be really itchy and flaking can tend to be embarrassing for some people. Some of the most common conditions are scalp dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrhea.
Dandruff is usually the first scalp condition that one thinks of. Most of the time, it is relatively mild with white flakes and an itchy scalp. It can be present in a more severe form as well. Flakes sometimes stick together and form mounds on the scalp.
Seborrheic dermatitis is sometimes confused with dandruff but it is usually a bit worse with yellowish colored scales that tend to be greasy. It tends to be extremely itchy. Scratching might cause the area to become red and inflamed. In infants it is know as cradle cap. Other areas such as the ears and face may also be affected.
A skin condition called psoriasis is often present on the scalp. Psoriasis is characterized by dry scaly patches that may look white or powdery. It often appears on other parts of the body. Elbows, knees and creases in the skin are common targets. In some people psoriasis may even affect the joints.
Seborrhea occurs when the sebum gland produces too much oil on the scalp. Both hair and scalp become very oily causing the hair follicles to become clogged. This happens often in adolescence than in older adults.
Even though the majority of scalp conditions are chronic they can be treated effectively and naturally. Many hair treatments contain chemical ingredients that will make the scalp too dry and worsen many problems. Zinc, jojoba oil, emu oil, sage and thyme are natural ingredients that work well in scalp shampoos. Zinc works to clean the scalp and regulate the sebum gland. Jojoba oil and emu oil both provide conditioning for scalp and hair. And sage and thyme are good natural detoxifying ingredients.
Prevent Stretch Marks With Pregnancy
Stretch Marks and Pregnancy
Anyone can get stretch marks. They can occur on any part of the body where rapid weight gain occurs. Body builders and athletes often get them from muscle gain in the legs and arms. Adolescents often get stretch marks when they experience rapid growth spurts. But the group that is affected most by stretch marks is pregnant women. Over fifty percent of women get them after childbirth.
Rapid weight gain causes collagen deposits deep in skin tissue to tear and break apart. Healing tears cause scar tissue to form. This scar tissue is what we see on the skin surface as stretch marks. They usually start out as red or pink depressed streaks. They can be less than ½ inch long up to 4 inches long. In time stretch marks loose their color and turn white or gray.
Avoiding rapid weight gain is the best way to prevent stretch marks. For pregnant women this is not usually possible. Genetics also play a big part in a persons risk for stretch marks. Fair-skinned women tend to get more marks. Dry skin also tends to be less elastic and be more prone to stretch marks.
There are a few steps expecting women can take than can help reduce or even prevent stretch marks. First of all try to stay within the recommended amount of weight gain. Next skin should be kept well moisturized. A daily cream should be applied starting in the first trimester before skin has begun to stretch. Some ingredients that are helpful in moisture retention are Vitamin E, Vitamin A, emu oil, lanolin, and cocoa butter.
Expecting mothers should also follow a healthy diet with plenty of fruits vegetable and greens. Foods that are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, silica and zinc will help skins elasticity and its ability to bounce back after birth. Staying hydrated is also important as are proper prenatal vitamins.
If stretch marks do occur there are ingredients that can be helpful after pregnancy to fade them. Matrixyl is on that has been shown to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. When used in conjunction with aloe, emu oil and vitamin E its effectiveness is increased. A cream with these ingredients must be used regularly over a period of time for results to be seen.