Hair follicle

December 8, 2012 By Anastasia Nam

Thicker, Fuller Hair Tips

Thicker, Fuller Hair Tips

Are you in constant combat with your hair laying thin and flat? Knowing the secrets of transformation to get that thicker, fuller look are here for you. It starts with understanding your fine hair and what you can do give it that full-bodied look . The three most common reasons for hair to fall flat are the density, stiffness and curvature. Denser hair has more hairs in a given area on the head, stiffness of the hair relates to how well the hair stands away from the scalp, and curvature refers to the straightness of the hair strand itself.

Connie with new hairstyle (Photo credit: adhoc alley)

Hair that is fine often suffers from being weighed down. Fine hair can feel and appear greasy or oily when there is build-up that styling products leave behind. Shampooing a minimum of every other day can help to remove build-up. Your stylist can help you find the right shampoo to do the job.

Those who have fine hair have more fragile hair. The actual diameter of the hair strand is thinner than other types of hair. Because of this added fragility, extra care should be taken during daily styling to avoid damaging fine hair. With fine hair being two times as likely to break as normal, medium-texture hair, careful handling is a must.

Knots are a very common problem for fine hair. This means a regular regimen of conditioning can help with breakage problems when fine hair tangles. Because conditioners can weigh your hair down further, when you speak to your stylist about the right shampoo to use also discuss the right conditioners that will not add weight or product build-up.

Is thinning or hair loss your problem? Often, poor nutrition, build-up that suffocates the hair follicle, or toxins that block the hair follicle from receiving nutrients can all be causes for why hair thins or falls out. If thinning or hair loss seems to be a problem, talk with your stylist to find a solution.

Now that you know the why of your fine hair falling flat, you can work with your stylist on using just the right products to get that thicker, fuller look.

November 23, 2012 By Anastasia Nam

Scalp Care Tips For Men

Scalp Care Tips For Men

Hair is basically a non-living protein which has no reparative properties. However, the scalp is very much alive. Since the scalp is the root of the hairs existence, it is safe to say that a healthy scalp leads to healthier hair.

Understanding the function of the scalp can help in keeping it healthy. The outer layer of the skin cells acts as a barrier to prevent moisture loss and disease causing organisms from penetrating into the scalp. A natural oil called sebum is secreted from the hair follicles which forms a layer of protection.

Avoiding problems with dry scalp is important. Excessive hot air from blow drying can cause the scalp to dry along with shampooing in extremely hot water. The sun, as well as chemicals from products are also a catalyst to dry scalp problems because they remove the necessary oils produced by the skin of the scalp. Dry scalp can be very irritating and could lead to having more damage done from scratching the scalp when it is itchy. A good leave in conditioner or oil treatments can help aid in replacing lost moisture.

Sometimes the problem may be a too oily scalp, which means there is an overproduction of sebum. Using a balanced formula shampoo should help with combating the extra oil.

Daily washing and keeping the scalp clean reduces clogged pores. One good wash a day with a gentle shampoo by working to clean the scalp and hair is sufficient. Along with keeping a clean scalp, a weekly exfoliation using a gentle face scrub can also be lightly applied during a gentle shampoo so that dead skin cells and excess dirt are removed.

Massaging the scalp is important because it promotes a good flow of blood to the scalp and keeps it flexible. Massaging the scalp will also comfort, sooth and relax nerves. Placing the fingertips under the hair will keep the hair from being pulled. Weekly scalp massages using the fingertips in a circular motion does wonders for scalp health and feels wonderful too. Your head will thank you for a 5 minute scalp massage.

Scalp health can be affected by a variety of things, hereditary symptoms of too much oil or too much dryness, hormonal changes, a poor diet or poor hygiene are just a few causes. Using some of the tips above can help men have a healthy scalp.

August 8, 2012 By Anastasia Nam

Tips to Keep Natural Hair Beautiful – Oklahoma City Hairstylist

Many women are making the choice to wear their hair naturally. Recently Oprah Winfrey appeared on the cover of her magazine O with glorious natural waves. Wearing hair natural is not usually an easy choice for a woman. Many factors are involved in the decision. It could be one of economics (weaves and relaxers can be expensive to keep up) or one of cultural identification. For women of an ethnic background, hair is not usually just hair, but a personal statement of style, culture, and stature.

http://beautifulbrowngirls.com/2012/02/22/natural-hair-care-product-of-the-week-avocados/ — Beautiful Brown Girls.com

Weaves and relaxer services can put a toll on your hair and scalp. Weaves can cause hair loss such as traction alopecia (which is stress on the hair roots from braids). Relaxers are very high in pH. and can cause burns and irritation on your scalp and dry your hair out. The decision to go natural is not only easier on your pocketbook, but also a healthy choice for your scalp and hair. If you’ve been using either one of these, your hair will need to be treated with some TLC while you make the transition to natural hair.

If you have had a lot of hair loss from wearing weave, or you want to get rid of the relaxed hair, you will probably have to have your hair cut very short. This is usually the hardest part of the transition to natural hair. But if you do have to get your hair cut very short, think of it as a chance for your hair to have a fresh start. The new growth will be much healthier than the dry and damaged hair, and you’ll be ahead of the game. So don’t fret, your hair will grow back thicker and healthier than before if you take care of it.

Natural hair needs moisture. Look for products with Argan oil, avocado oil, and olive oil. These oils absorb completely into your hair and scalp. They also contain high amounts of essential fatty acids and vitamins your hair needs to be strong. Stay away from shampoos and styling products which contain sulfates. Sulfates dry your hair out and can contribute to breakage. Make sure you keep your scalp conditioned since healthy hair starts in the hair follicle. Use a scalp cream to soothe any irritation and help to nourish your scalp.

There are many high quality professional products available to help make the transition to natural hair. Ask your stylist for her recommendations on products, and for styles to carry you through until your hair grows out healthy, strong, and natural.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

February 28, 2012 By Anastasia Nam

8 Simple Ways to Stop Hair Fall – Oklahoma City

When your hair starts falling out it can create a lot of panic and rightly so. No one wants to have a bald spot on their head, especially women. Apart from hereditary hair loss, there are many factors that contribute towards hair loss and the best way to minimize such hair loss is to address the root cause and make sure that you are doing everything in your power to stop this dangerous trend. Here are some ways you can minimize hair fall very effectively:

1. Meet your Daily Protein Requirement:

Lack of protein in your diet can be a major reason for hair loss as your hair needs protein to grow. If your body lacks protein, it will create a deficit in your hair follicle and thus start hair loss. You do not need to get special supplements to meet your daily protein intake requirement. Just by eating egg whites, fish and drinking at least two glasses of milk daily, you can boost the level of protein in your body.

2. Avoid Stress:

Stress is a major contributor when it comes to hair loss, so make sure that you avoid stress as far as possible. Yoga and meditation exercises are some of the best ways to avoid stress and lead a healthy lifestyle.

3. Take Multivitamins:

Your hair does not only need proteins to grow, it also needs a lot of other nutrients and vitamins such as Vitamin A, B, C & D along with biotin and potassium. Make sure that you get a good multivitamin that provides you with all the nutrients needed for proper hair growth.

4. Quit Smoking & Caffeine:

Smoking and caffeine cause damage to your hair and thus make your hair fall. If you want hair fall to stop, you need to quit smoking and limit your caffeine intake to a minimum level.

5. Exercise Regularly:

In order to make sure that your hair loss stops, you have to make it a habit to exercise on a regular basis. Exercise will allow your body to release all the toxins in the body and thus help your hair grow and become stronger.

Oil treatments are a great way to stimulate hair growth and stop hair fall. You can book a weekly appointment with your hair stylist for a hot oil hair massage, which allows maximum penetration of nutrients in your scalp and thus helps in reducing hair fall.

7. Hair Masks:

Natural hair masks are a great way to provide your hair with the essential nutrients that it needs to grow. You can make a hair mask at home and apply to your hair on a weekly basis or ask your hair stylist to that for you whenever you visit him.

8. Keep your Hair Trimmed and Untangled:

One of the reason hair fall out quickly is that you do not comb it enough and trim it on a regular basis. Split ends can break long strands of hair and make them look thinner. Make sure that you untangle your hair before you go to sleep every night.

January 6, 2012 By Anastasia Nam

Is Gray the New Black? – Oklahoma City Hairstlyist

Style experts are now saying gray is the new black. They’re not talking about wardrobes, but hair color. Hair turns gray because the melanocytes in your hair follicles start to produce less melanin. Melanin is what gives your hair its natural color. This is a part of aging and genetics plays a major part in when you will start to notice gray hairs. It is true a head of gray hair can be stunning, but if your gray hair has a gold or drab cast to it how can you make it look spectacular and not just old?

Jamie Lee Curtis (Image via RottenTomatoes.com)

While your hair is turning gray you may want to have it colored to blend in the gray. But after a while you may get tired of having to go back every two weeks or so to get your regrowth colored. Once the majority of your hair has turned gray, you may decide to go natural. This is a bold move and can be a very attractive choice. While your hair is growing out your stylist may recommend lightening your hair to make the transition easier and more natural looking.

To keep your gray hair looking its best use shampoos and conditioners made specifically for gray hair. These products contain ingredients that tone down gold and yellow tones that can make gray hair look drab and lifeless. Most of them contain a slight blue or purple cast that highlights the silver and brings out the natural shine in your hair. Gray hair is exactly like colored hair in composition, but you may find it is a bit coarser. You still need to take care of it and keep it moisturized. Use protective products before you blow dry, curl or flat iron your hair. Keep up on your trims and cuts so that you don’t have split ends and to keep your style looking great.

Gray may be the new black, and you may want to go natural and let your silver hair shine. Ask your stylist for recommendations about growing out your natural hair color. She can help you make the transition and keep you looking great.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

September 16, 2011 By Anastasia Nam

Do Hair Loss Remedies Really Work? – Oklahoma City Hair Salon

No one likes to think about hair loss, but for some men and women it is a fact of life. Genetics, medications, illness and severe hair styling can all cause hair loss. Only a doctor can tell you if your hair loss is caused by an illness or medication, but your stylist can help you to recognize hair loss and its possible cause. If you do have hair thinning or hair loss, don’t give up hope. There have been significant advances in hair loss treatment products and procedures in recent years. What was once a condition you’d just have to live with has become a condition that many times is very treatable. While you may not be able to regain all of the hair you have lost, depending on the underlying cause, you may be able to prevent future hair loss and thinning. But what are your options and do they really work?

Surgical Procedures

Hair transplants are an option if you have experienced a significant amount of hair loss. The procedure can be painful since surgery is required. Basically how it works is a section of hair is harvested from an area of your body and transplanted onto your head. After the healing process, the hair follicles begin to produce hair and the areas transplanted usually look just like the rest of the hair on your head. The main drawbacks of surgical procedures are the cost and the pain involved.

Topical Treatments

Topical treatments have come a long way since the snake oil days of old. Today science has given people who have hair loss viable means to reverse and reduce the amount of hair loss they have experienced.

Nioxin, Rogaine and ProFollica are systems of products that when used together help to make your hair thicker and healthier looking. They work by stimulating the hair follicles and making the hair you have look and feel thicker. The drawback is you have to keep using the products and use the entire system together to see the best results.

Other topical treatments create a healthy environment on your scalp to encourage hair growth. These include Procerin, a combination of a topical application and supplement products; Corvinex is another combination of topical products and a nutritional supplement; and Revivogen claims to encourage hair growth and as an anti-thinning product.

These products are just a few of the over the counter products available today to promote hair growth, prevent hair loss and help you to have thicker feeling and looking hair. What works for you will depend upon the underlying cause of your hair loss. Your doctor has prescription medications that can help to retard hair loss and promote the regrowth of new hair, but some of these may carry unwanted side effects. Once you know why you’re losing hair, you can then seek out the best treatment for you.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

July 24, 2009 By Anastasia Nam

Threading Makes a Comeback

Hair removal in most salons is somewhat painful, time consuming or even expensive. Sometimes you even end up with unsightly redness and irritation from wax or tweezing. Recovering from laser hair removal can take days. There is, however, a fast and relatively painless way to remove facial hair, using cotton threads.

: Image by butter_b via Flickr

Hair threading, or Khite in Arabic, is an ancient method of hair removal used by both men and women from the Middle East to get rid of unwanted facial hair. It is said to have originated in Persia and spread throughout the Middle and Far East. It is gaining new popularity in the West. Originally, hair removal signified a young girl’s transformation into womanhood. The whole process is done by rolling twisted threads of pure cotton on the hairline to trap hair and pull them from the roots, without breaking the skin. It is a non-invasive technique and the process uproots whole rows of hair, making for a straighter and cleaner line. For the same reason, the process takes less time than tweezing and waxing.

Appealing as this method is, it is not always available in your local hair salons. Professional practitioners can be difficult to find outside large cities. Also, any hair removal can be painful for some people (depending on sensitivity) and it could also itch afterward, especially for first-timers. Side-effects of hair removal can include folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle), puffiness, and skin-reddening. Seeking professional threaders is recommended. Some websites – like www.find-threading-experts.com – list threading professionals thoughout the USA. They also list threading classes, should you decide to learn this ancient art.