FitSugar

At Home Spa Treatment: Moisturize Dry Hair

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

We all know olive oil is a healthy fat that is essential to our health, but it's not just for salads and warm bread. You can use it to nourish your dry and fuzzy hair. I've tried leave-in conditioners and deep conditioning treatments, but they don't seem to work. Here's something I do about twice a month, but you can do it once a week if your hair is really thirsty.

Here's what you'll need:

1/4 cup olive oil (you may need more or less depending on how long and thick your hair is)
plastic grocery bag

Here's what to do:

Rinse your hair with warm water.
Pour about 1 tbsp into the palm of your hands, rub them together to warm up the oil, then using your fingertips, gently massage it into your scalp and hair.
Continue doing this until your hair is covered evenly with the oil, making sure the ends of your hair are treated too.
Now place the plastic bag over your hair, tying the ends in a knot or securing it closed with a hair clip or clothespin.
Keep the oil on your hair for at least 30 minutes. Then rinse, shampoo and condition as usual.

That's it. Your hair will look and feel shiny, soft, and smooth. It's especially good if you have thick and curly hair, but it's also great to do in the summer when the sun and saltwater can really dry out your hair. Try it and let me know what you think.

Fit's Tips: If your hair is NOT dry, do not try this treatment - your hair will end up looking really flat and greasy.

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Cold Winter - Dry Hair

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 03:30:00 -0800

Now that it's cold outside and you've got the heat pumping inside, your hair must be screaming for moisture.

Here's a great tip I learned from my hair dresser. Whether your hair is dry to begin with, or just dry during the winter, choose a shampoo and conditioner that's recommended for permed or color treated hair.

Even if you don't have a perm or highlights you can take advantage of the hair care products that offer a little extra moisturizing.

Wash your hair only as often as needed. If you have curly hair, you can get by washing your hair once a week. If you have silky straight hair, wash it every 2 days.

Try a leave-in conditioner to help moisturize even more. And if you can, skip out on blow drying and let your hair air dry.

Dry hair

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:07:47 -0700

Overview

Alternative Names
Considerations
Common Causes
Home Care
Call your health care provider if
What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

Skin layers

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Hair - dry

Considerations

Dry hair is hair that does not have enough moisture and oil to maintain its normal sheen and texture.

Dry hair may result from too much washing, harsh detergents, a dry environment, inadequate diet, or underlying conditions, such as those due to malnutrition. (For example, kwashiorkor)

Dry, brittle hair may be a symptom of metabolic diseases such as hypothyroidism and Menkes kinky hair syndrome.

Common Causes

Excessive washing, harsh detergents or alcohols, excessive blow-drying
Environmental dryness
Anorexia nervosa
Malnutrition
Hypothyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism

Home Care

Shampoo less frequently -- perhaps only once or twice a week
Add conditioners
Avoid blow drying and harsh styling products

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if:

Your hair does not improve with gentle treatment
You have hair loss
You have any other unexplained symptoms

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and may ask the following questions:

Has your hair always been slightly dry?
When did the unusual hair dryness first start?
Is it always present, or is it off and on?
What are your eating habits?
What kind of shampoo is used?
How often do you wash your hair?
Do you use a conditioner? What type?
How do you normally style the hair?
Do you use a hair dryer? What type? How often?
What other symptoms are also present?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Examination of the hair under the microscope
Blood tests

Review Date: 10/13/2006

Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003245

Fit Tip: Work Your Legs While Blow Drying Your Hair

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

This may seem silly, but think about how long it takes you to blow dry your hair. Just in those 5 to 10 minutes, you could be fitting in some strengthening and stretching moves for your ankles, calves, shins, quads, hamstrings, booty, lower back, and even your abs. Here are some ideas.

Do squats and side lunges to tone your thighs and glutes.
Work your quads and your abs with alternating knee lifts. Hold one leg up at a time for at least five seconds. To make it harder, straighten the lifted leg. Balancing on one foot will also strengthen the muscles in the leg that's on the ground.
Strengthen your calves and shins with heel lifts.
Ankle rolls will stretch the muscles in your feet.
Prop your foot up on the sink, keep that leg straight and fold forward to stretch your hamstring. Hold for at least 30 seconds on each side.
You can also stretch out your hip by doing Standing Pigeon on the sink.
Stretch out your lower back and hamstrings with a relaxing Forward Bend (and dry the back of your hair at the same time).

Fit's Tip: If you don't blow dry your hair everyday, you can always challenge your sense of balance while you brush your teeth.

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Multitasking Move: Balancing Side Leg Lift Squat

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:50:16 -0700

I love combo strength-training moves that target more than one part of the body, and I also love quick moves I can throw in throughout my day, even when I'm not at the gym. This balancing booty- and thigh-toning exercise can be done while blow-drying your hair, waiting for the bus, or talking on the phone.

Music: "Oh, Atlanta," by Alison Krauss

For detailed instructions, continue reading.

Locker Room Time-Savers

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:00:13 -0700

If you use your lunch hour to work fitness into your work day, saving time in the locker room is a must. Here are some tips to try.

If you can get away with it, wear a slip into an all-in-one sports top with built in bra so you don't have to hassle with layering. If you need the support, find a sports bra that opens with a hook and eye contraption because they are easier to get on and off. I like this one by Danskin.
Clear your gym bag of inessential items so you don't have dig around extra gear. I put my socks inside my shoes the night before so they're already together.
Avoid spending time unraveling iPod cords by investing in a cord keeper. I like the SmarterWrap cord manager ($4.99).
Instead of using a headband, put hair in a loose ponytail. This will preserve volume and eliminate time at the blow dryer post workout.

There are a few more time-saving tips for the locker room, so read more

Simplify your shower time and just soap up your body and use dry shampoo to freshen up hair.
Keep makeup in a see through case (or even Ziploc bag) so you can see what you're grabbing for and aren't left searching frantically for your eyeliner.
If possible, avoid the prime lunch rush and head to the gym a little earlier or later to avoid waiting in lines for the showers, hair dryers, etc.

Have any time saving tips ~~up your sleeve~~ in your gym bag? Please share them in the comments section below.

Having a Green Thumb Could Give You a Red Rash

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:30:55 -0700

Planting your own vegetable garden is fun and rewarding, not to mention a money-saver when it comes to all the veggies it produces. If you're new to gardening, then you may want to know a surprising fact. For some people, touching the leaves, stems, or veggies of certain plants can result in a red, dotty, itchy rash known as contact dermatitis. It can happen with zucchini, cucumber, pumpkins, or other plants that have prickly hairs on their vines. The rash can appear where the contact occurred on your skin, or it can show up on other areas of your body. To see what the rash looks like, just read more.

If this rash appears after gardening, the best thing to do is wash your skin with cold water and a mild soap.

Let your skin air-dry, and the rash should go away after an hour or so. If it doesn't, or it's really bothering you, apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation and relieve the itching and burning. If the rash still doesn't go away, it's best to see your doctor. To prevent this bizarre rash next time, wear gloves when handling your plants.

Have you ever gotten a rash after gardening?

View 2 Photos ›

Are Henna Tattoos a Health Risk?

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Summer festivals are in full swing, and one thing I see at many of them is women applying Henna tattoos. Also known as Mehndi, these tattoos are not actually permanent and only last between one and three weeks, depending on your skin and the quality of the henna. The tattoo is applied in the form of a paste that looks like chocolate frosting made by grinding up dried leaves from the henna plant and is mixed with water, lemon, and essential oils. After the paste dries, it's peeled or picked off after about 24 hours and you're left with an orangey-brown stain tattoo on your skin.

Since it's made from a plant, it has to be safe, right? To find out read more.

Henna is perfectly safe, when mixed with lemon, water, and other natural ingredients such as eucalyptus oil. The problem is, some henna artists apply something called black henna. This type of henna is dangerous because it contains para-phenylenediamine (PPD) hair dye. When applied to your skin it leaves a black stain, but can cause blisters, open sores, and scarring.

How can you tell if a henna tattoo is safe or not? Traditional henna paste will look dark green, khaki, or greenish brown, not black, so if a henna artist is applying a slick black paste, do not get a tattoo from them. You can also ask the artist how long you're supposed to leave the paste on. If they say less than one hour, they're using PPD. Traditional henna doesn't stain your skin that quickly. Also ask the artist what color the stain will be once the paste comes off. If the answer is black, walk away. Henna will leave an orange stain that will darken to red brown or dark brown, but it's never black. If you're just not sure, it's best to skip out on the henna tattoo. If you're set on getting one, buy a henna kit ($24) and do it yourself.

Hair loss

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:07:48 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Partial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.

Alternative Names

Loss of hair; Alopecia; Baldness

Considerations

Hair loss usually develops gradually and may be patchy or diffuse (all over). Roughly 100 hairs are lost from your head every day. The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs.

Each individual hair survives for an average of 4-1/2 years, during which time it grows about half an inch a month. Usually in its 5th year, the hair falls out and is replaced within 6 months by a new one. Genetic baldness is caused by the body's failure to produce new hairs and not by excessive hair loss.

Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or "pattern baldness" affects many more men than women. About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.

Typical male pattern baldness involves a receding hairline and thinning around the crown with eventual bald spots. Ultimately, you may have only a horseshoe ring of hair around the sides. In addition to genes, male-pattern baldness seems to require the presence of the male hormone testosterone. Men who do not produce testosterone (because of genetic abnormalities or castration) do not develop this pattern of baldness.

Some women also develop a particular pattern of hair loss due to genetics, age, and male hormones that tend to increase in women after menopause. The pattern is different from that of men. Female pattern baldness involves a thinning throughout the scalp while the frontal hairline generally remains intact.

Common Causes

Baldness is not usually caused by a disease, but is related to aging, heredity, and testosterone. In addition to the common male and female patterns from a combination of these factors, other possible causes of hair loss, especially if in an unusual pattern, include:

Alopecia areata -- bald patches that develop on the scalp, beard, and, possibly, eyebrows. Eyelashes may fall out as well.
Autoimmune conditions such as lupus
Burns
Certain infectious diseases such as syphilis
Chemotherapy
Emotional or physical stress
Excessive shampooing and blow-drying
Fever
Hormonal changes -- for example, thyroid disease, childbirth, or use of birth control pills
Nervous habits such as continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing
Radiation therapy
Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)
Tumor of the ovary or adrenal glands

Home Care

Hair loss from menopause or childbirth often returns to normal 6 months to 2 years later.

For hair loss caused by illness (such as fever), radiation therapy, or medication use, no treatment is necessary. The hair will usually grow back when the illness has ended or the therapy is finished. A wig, hat, or other covering may be desired until the hair grows back.

For hair loss due to heredity, age, and hormones, the topical medication Rogaine (minoxidil) can be helpful for both male and female pattern baldness. Expect to wait 6 months before you see results. The oral medication Propecia (finasteride) is effective in some men. This medicine can decrease sex drive. When either medication is stopped, the former baldness pattern returns.

Hair transplants performed by a physician is a surgical approach to transferring growing hair from one part of the head to another. It is somewhat painful and expensive, but usually permanent.

Hair weaves, hair pieces, or changes of hair style may disguise hair loss. This is generally the least expensive and safest approach to hair loss. Hair pieces should not be sutured to the scalp because of the risk of scars and infection.

Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor if:

You are losing hair in an atypical pattern
You are losing hair rapidly or at an early age (for example, teens or twenties)
You have any pain or itching associated with the hair loss.
The skin on your scalp under the involved area is red, scaly, or otherwise abnormal
You have acne, facial hair, or menstrual irregularities
You are a woman and have male pattern baldness
You have bald spots on your beard or eyebrows
You have been gaining weight or have muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, or fatigue

What to expect at your health care provider's office

A careful medical history and examination of the hair and scalp are usually enough to diagnose the nature of your hair loss.

Your doctor will ask detailed questions such as:

Are you losing hair only from your scalp or from other parts of your body as well?
Is there a pattern to the hair loss like a receding hairline, thinning or bald areas on the crown, or is the hair loss throughout your head?
Have you had a recent illness or high fever?
Do you dye your hair?
Do you blow dry your hair? How often?
How often do you shampoo your hair?
What kind of shampoo, hair spray, gel, or other product do you put on your hair?
Have you been under unusual stress lately?
Do you have nervous habits that include hair pulling or scalp rubbing?
Do you have any other symptoms like itching, flaking, or redness of your scalp?
What medications do you take, including over the counter drugs?

Tests that may be performed (but are rarely needed) include:

Microscopic examination of a plucked hair
Skin biopsy (if skin changes are present)

Ringworm on the scalp may require the use of an oral drug, such as griseofulvin, because creams and lotions applied to the affected area may not get into the hair follicles to kill the fungus.

Treatment of alopecia areata may require topical or injectable steroids or ultraviolet light.

References

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:844-845.

Rakel P. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005: 897.

Review Date: 7/18/2007

Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003246

Exercising With Seasonal Allergies: It's a Sneeze

FitSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:00:00 -0700

The warm weather brings me outdoors to exercise; since pollen is blowing around, it can also bring on an allergy attack. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, check out these tips when it comes to exercise.

After exercising outdoors, strip off your clothes immediately. Be sure to wash everything before wearing them again to get rid of any pollen. Wash your hair as well to remove pollen that could cause a postexercise reaction.
Be aware of the pollen count outside. Pollen counts are usually highest in late morning and early afternoon, and when it's warm, dry, and breezy. Pollen counts are lowest on rainy, cooler days.
When pollen counts are high, exercise indoors and use an air conditioner to keep you cool instead of opening windows.
Use a neti pot before and after exercising to flush out pollen and mucus from your nose.
Take a hot shower before working out. Not only will it warm up your muscles, but the steam can help relieve sinus and nasal congestion.
If those two didn't help, do some heat-building workouts like running or Ashtanga yoga. Increasing your body temperature through exercise will help thin out the mucus, making it easier to get rid of.

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