Thursday, July 23, 2009

Hair styles to suit various lengths of hair

Hair can be of long, medium or short length. The hair style and hair care that you choose for yourself also varies. There is not much you can do about your short hair. But the tips and information provided for long and medium hair and can certainly be beneficial.

It is completely untrue that long hair takes more time to look after compared to a short length of hair. Here are some popular long hair care and styling procedures that can be perfectly done within a few minutes.

Though the hair styling procedures are given specifically for long hair, they can easily be done on medium length hair. Also, we have highlighted some women hair styles that are specifically meant for medium hair.

Apart from casual hairstyles, you can also try the hair styles of celebrities. Here we have highlighted the hottest women hair styles that are popular among prominent celebrities.

So here is the opportunity to try out any of these hair styles that appeal to you, to suit your face and appearance, and be carried away by the amazing response you get.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Healthy cooking tips


Eating healthy food doesn’t mean giving up your favourite foods and switching only to salads. Healthy cooking is easy. In many cases, your favourite recipes can be modified so they offer a healthier alternative. Non-stick cookware can be used to reduce the need for cooking oil. To keep valuable nutrients, microwave or steam your vegetables instead of boiling them.


Keep fats to a minimum
It’s a good idea to minimise ‘hidden fats’ by choosing lean meats and reduced fat dairy products. Processed foods can also have lots of hidden fats. Dietary fats are best when they come from the unrefined natural fats found in nuts, seeds, fish, soy, olives and avocado. Fat from these foods includes the essential long-chain fatty acids and this fat is accompanied by other good nutrients.

If you add fats when cooking, keep them to a minimum and use monounsaturated oils such as olive and canola oil. A little added oil can be a good thing.

At the shop
Low fat cooking begins when you are shopping:

  • Choose the low fat version of a food if it exists – for example milk, cheese, yoghurt, salad dressings and gravies.
  • Choose leaner meat cuts. If unsure, look for the Heart Foundation tick of approval.
  • Choose skinless chicken breasts.
General suggestions
General suggestions on healthy cooking methods include:
  • Steam, bake, grill, braise, boil or microwave your foods.
  • Modify or eliminate recipes that include butter or ask you to deep fry or saute in animal fat.
  • Avoid using oils and butter as lubricants. Use non-stick cookware instead.
  • Don’t add salt to food as it is cooking.
  • Remove chicken skin, which is high in fat.
  • Eat more fresh vegetables and legumes.
  • Eat more fish, which is high in protein, low in fats and loaded with essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Low fat cooking
Suggestions include:
  • If you need to use oil, try cooking sprays or apply oil with a pastry brush.
  • Cook in liquids (such as stock, wine, lemon juice, fruit juice, vinegar or water) instead of oil.
  • When a recipe calls for cream as a thickener, use low fat yoghurt, low fat soymilk, evaporated skim milk or cornstarch.
  • When browning vegetables, put them in a hot pan then spray with oil, rather than adding the oil first to the pan. This reduces the amount of oil that vegetables (such as mushrooms) can absorb during cooking.
  • An alternative to browning vegetables by pan-frying is to cook them first in the microwave, then crisp them under the griller for a minute or two.
  • When serving meat and fish, use pesto, salsas, chutneys and vinegars in place of sour creams, butter and creamy sauces.
Retaining the nutrients
Water soluble vitamins are delicate and easily destroyed during preparation and cooking. Suggestions include:
  • Scrub vegetables rather than peel them, as many nutrients are found close to the skin.
  • Microwave or steam vegetables instead of boiling them.
  • If you like to boil vegetables, use a small amount of water and do not overboil them.
  • Include more stir-fry recipes in your diet. Stir-fried vegetables are cooked quickly to retain their crunch (and associated nutrients).
Cutting out salt
Salt is a traditional flavour enhancer, but research suggests that a high salt diet could contribute to a range of health problems including high blood pressure. Suggestions include:
  • Don’t automatically add salt to your food – taste it first.
  • Add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice close to the end of cooking time or to cooked vegetables – it can enhance flavours in the same way as salt.
  • Choose fresh or frozen vegetables, since canned and pickled vegetables tend to be packaged with salt.
  • Limit your consumption of salty processed meats such as salami, ham, corned beef, bacon, smoked salmon, frankfurters and chicken loaf.
  • Choose reduced salt bread and breakfast cereals. Breads and cereals are a major source of salt in the diet.
  • Iodised salt is best. A major dietary source of iodine is plant foods. Yet there is emerging evidence that Australian soil may be low in iodine and so plants grown in it are also low in iodine. If you eat fish regularly (at least once a week), the need for iodised salt is reduced.
  • Avoid salt-laden processed foods, such as flavoured instant pasta or noodles, canned or dehydrated soup mixes, chips and salted nuts.
  • Margarine and butter contain a lot of salt but ‘no added salt’ varieties are available.
  • Most cheeses are very high in salt so limit your intake or choose lower salt varieties.
  • Reduce your use of soy sauce, tomato sauce and processed sauces and condiments (for example mayonnaise and salad dressings) because they contain high levels of salt.
  • Use herbs, spices, vinegar or lemon juice to add extra zing to your recipe and reduce the need for salt.
Herbs
Culinary herbs are leafy plants that add flavour and colour to all types of meals. They are also rich in health-protective phyto-oestrogens (plant compounds that have some similar effects to the female hormone, oestrogen). In many cases, herbs can replace the flavour of salt and oil.

Remember:
  • Herbs are delicately flavoured, so add them to your cooking in the last few minutes.
  • Dried herbs are more strongly flavoured than fresh. As a general rule, one teaspoon of dried herbs equals four teaspoons of fresh.
  • Apart from boosting meat dishes, herbs can be added to soups, breads, mustards, salad dressings, vinegars, desserts and drinks.
  • Herbs such as coriander, ginger, garlic, chilli and lemongrass are especially complimentary in vegetable-based stir-fry recipes.
Sandwich suggestions
To make a sandwich even healthier:
  • Switch to reduced salt wholemeal or wholegrain bread – for example, some brands of soy linseed bread.
  • Don’t butter the bread. You won’t miss butter if your sandwich has a few tasty ingredients already.
  • Limit your use of spreads high in saturated fat like butter and cream cheese. Replace them with a thin spread of nut spread, hummus, low fat cheese spreads or avocado.
  • Choose reduced fat ingredients when you can, such as low fat cheese or mayonnaise.
Other tips
Suggestions include:
  • Spend a little time on presentation. You are more likely to enjoy a meal if it’s visually appealing as well as tasty.
  • Make every meal an occasion. Set the table. Eat with your family. Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy your food without distractions like television.
  • Long-term deprivation, such as crash dieting, doesn’t work. Allow yourself the occasional guilt-free treat.
  • You are less likely to overeat if you eat slowly and savour every mouthful.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Hair follicle structure

A hair follicle is a long tube structure which penetrates deep into the skin of the scalp. The follicle is the whole structure around a hair fiber from bulb deep in the skin to the opening to the skin surface. The bulb of the hair follicle is the point from which the hair grows .There are about 100,000 hairs follicles present in an adult human scalp. The hair follicle is a separate entity within the skin,and the structure and functions of the hair follicle are based on the interaction between dermal and epidermal components.

The follicular structure of the hair can be divided into three main parts:

* Papilla

* Hair fiber

* The root sheaths

Dermal Papilla in the hair follicle structure:

The Dermal papilla (DP) is in the form of a "pear" shape in normal and healthy hair follicles. The DP comprises a ball of cells which, during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, signals to the epielial component of the hair follicle to produce a keratinized hair fiber and other associated products. The dermal papilla is made up of a small group of fibroblast cells which are derived from the mesoderm. The cells are held close to the base of the epidermal cells which are responsible for the production of the hair fiber and root sheaths. So the dermal papilla itself does not make a hair fiber, but it directs the rest of the hair follicle to make one.

Though both the cell types, dermal and epithelial, are held close together they are not mixed up as there is a thin layer, called the basement membrane between the cells of dermal papilla and the epidermal cells.

The dermal papilla directs the embryonic generation of a hair follicle and it continues with this instructive function throughout the life of the hair follicle.

The thickness of the hair fiber depends on the size of dermal papilla. If the dermal papilla is bigger with the accumulation of large number of cells then the hair fiber is thicker. The DP cells are active and contain a large amount of cytoplasm when the hair fiber is produced.

But the DP cells do not multiply or increase like that of the hair producing cells that are situated above DP. When a hair follicle is not producing a fiber the DP cells lose much of their cytoplasm and become inactive.

Monday, June 29, 2009

The effects of all natural diet supplements on hair

A proper diet of vitamins, minerals, protein, amino acids and minerals play a major role in healthy hair growth. Any deficiency in these natural diet supplements can lead to gradual thinning of hair.

Some of these nutritional elements play an important role in hormone metabolism that affects the hair growth and hair loss to a large extent.

If the requirement of these nutrients is not adequately met with the diet these are to taken in the form of hair growth supplements.

Vitamins as natural diet supplement for hair growth

Vitamins are a common natural diet supplement for hair. The most important among them is Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), a water-soluble vitamin. This vitamin helps in the proper functioning of the digestive tract, nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.

Stress is one of the common causes of hair loss. Vitamin B12 is an anti-stress vitamin, which improves the condition of the immune system and helps the body to cope up with stress. As a stress inhibitor, Vitamin B12 is a potent hair regrowth stimulator. It is available in food sources like fish, dairy products, organ meats (the meat found in liver and kidney), eggs, beef, and pork.

The other important vitamin required for hair growth is vitamin E. Though this beneficial vitamin is required in little amount by the body, the deficiency of the same causes serious health hazards apart form major hair loss.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is best taken in its liquid form. It is an antioxidant required for the healthy growth of hair and skin. It is commonly found in food sources like citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables.

Protein and Amino acid supplements for hair

Protein and its constituent amino acids are important for hair growth and overall healthy functioning of the body. During digestion the dietary foods containing protein elements are broken into twenty two different types of amino acids.

In terms of hair growth, the most important amino acid is cysteine. It is particularly important because it contains sulfur molecules which cross link with each other to produce disulfide bonds. These chemical bonds are gives hair its strength. For this reason the most popular amino acid supplement taken for hair is cysteine.

Minerals as natural diet supplements for hair

Minerals are one of the important diet supplements required for healthy hair growth. Without adequate quantity of minerals, our body is not able to absorb the benefits of other nutrients like vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Among important dietary minerals, silicon is the most common for hair growth. It builds the connective tissues, like ligaments and tendons. It leads to the growth of hair, skin and fingernails. Silicon is largely available in foods like whole grain, breads, cereals, alfalfa, beet, bell pepper, bean and pea.

Zinc is another beneficial mineral required for the normal growth of the hair, teeth, bones, nails and skin. It builds the connective tissue like ligaments and tendons and takes care of the over all metabolism of the body. It ensures the normal functioning of the immune system and enhances various senses like sight, taste and smell. Zinc is largely available in food sources like whole wheat bread, seafood and other animal meats.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Hair care remedies

Applying the right hair care goods (shampoos, cleansers, nourishes) and enchanting enough herbal and dietary nutrition are some of the important hair care remedies for healthy hair growth. The dietary and herbal nutrition not only takes care of the healthy functioning of the body but also heals minor and major hair problems.

The Herbal nutrition is fashionable as a natural hair care remedy. Traditional age-old herbal supplements have created hope not only among ailment sufferers, but also among healthy people who frequently use it for their general well-being. The increasing success of the herbal remedies lies in the fact that they, rather than attempting to suppress the symptoms, enhance the natural healing mechanisms of the body to tackle the problem at the root.

But eating of herbal supplements alone is not enough for healthy hair growth. You also need to take all natural diet supplements, to provide adequate nutrition to cells of the dermal papilla at the root of the hair follicle to remain in an active growth phase. Roots are the living parts of the hair and so the supply of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements cannot be overlooked.

Besides nutritious diet intake, healthy hair needs regular cleansing and conditioning to remove dirt and sebum which affect the health of hair by getting struck and closing the pores. They need external help to be stripped off. While cleansing or conditioning, it is better to use the useful natural based professional hair care products available in the market. Studies have confirmed that herbal and natural cleansers and nourishes are the best form of hair care and hair growth products needed for healthy hair.

There is an increasing popularity of such hair cleansers and nourishes. The reason of the increasing popularity lies with the fact that many people prefer not to apply harmful chemicals on their hair. These hair care remedies are effective in treating various hair problems other than providing a soothing effect on the scalp.

All these useful products and supplements have not only demonstrated their effectiveness by preventing hair loss, but they also reversed the hair loss causes and promoted hair growth. The most advantageous factor of these natural hair care remedies is that they are devoid of any side effects used according to the recommended procedure.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Hair Loss Treatment

Our hair loss treatment has been in use for over three thousand years in a variety of forms. This hair loss product was discovered in its crude form in the foothills of the Himalayas in India, being applied to scalps by the indigenous populations. Almost the entire populations of this area have a full, beautiful, healthy head of hair. Statistically, hair loss is a common universal problem; in a given population, at least 40% of men (and some women) are either bald or have thinning hair. This crude extract of herbs acted as a rejuvenator of hair and a cleanser of the scalp. The local populations apply the crude version of herbal extracts derived from leaves of rare plants that wildly grow on the higher peaks of the mountainous regions they live in. These people do not consciously use it as a hair loss treatment; instead, it is a part of daily regimen they found their fathers and forefathers going through and so they continue it. The result is a thick, beautiful and healthy head of hair, free of dandruff or related problems. This anti hair loss discovery was scientifically researched for seven years before getting approval from the Indian government to market it as a commercial hair loss treatment. The R&D on this hair loss product continues even today, with our team building upon the benefits achieved so far. As the anti hair loss herbs get harvested at a faster rate than can be grown back, it becomes a challenge for Positive Trends Inc. to keep up with this diminished natural resource. We are committed to maintaining the depletion ratio by being prudent in the way we harvest the herbs and ensure the best, scientific method of re-growth of this anti hair loss herbs even though the expense involved trend higher.

For over twelve years, our hair loss product has been marketed in Europe as both a hair loss and dandruff remedy. It is a runaway success, especially in Germany, where it is tremendously popular with an overwhelming majority of users. Scalp & Hair Conditioner has been marketed in the USA and Canada since 1996, making it yet another successful market.

Herbal hair loss treatment:

Herbal Scalp & Hair Conditioner is a totally natural herbal extract and has no chemicals. Its base is white paraffin, a mixing carrier for the herbs used. White paraffin is used in everyday lotions and cosmetics, even baby oil. Saini Herbal Scalp & Hair Conditioner works wonders and stops hair loss by starting to reverse the effects of DHT, removing harmful scalp buildup that obstructs essential flow of blood to hair roots, eliminates dandruff almost immediately and rejuvenates weak, limp and dull hair back to its former thickness, shine and vigor. Use daily for between three months to nine months depending upon your individual situation and then maybe twice or thrice a week to maintain a b head of hair. It works equally well for both men and women.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Hair Loss Causes

The general hair loss causes are numerous like stress, infectious diseases, lack of nutritional supplements, and use of harmful synthetic hair care products and so on. Physicians around the world are attractive a closer look at hair loss causes and thinning and prescribing the hair loss treatments and medications that are more successful in treating the particular hair problems. But not every type of hair loss is subject to treatment as the normal shedding of hair is necessary for the cyclical process of hair re-growth.

Normal hair shedding can be divided under two broad categories. One of the normal hair shedding procedures involves randomly loosing some hair after reaching the theologian phase of the hair growth cycles. According to researchers it is absolutely normal to shed about 100 hairs each day.

The other normal cause of more hair shedding is an increase in age. It is quite normal to loose more and more hair with increasing age, but when some men and women start loosing hair at an early age it is a sure sign of concern. The cause of such premature hair loss is attributed to pattern baldness or Androgen tic Alopecia.

In general, men are more prone to pattern baldness when compared to women. But women are also at risk of developing hair loss. Though the pattern baldness or Androgen tic hair loss is more evident in men due to more hair loss in frontal hair line, women are prone to pattern hair loss that is manifested by thinning all over the scalp. Though the numbers of men and women suffering from pattern hair loss is different, the mechanism of premature hair loss or pattern baldness is similar.