About Air Conditioners

Hair loss is a big problem for millions of men and even for some women. These times, people pay so much attention to looks and a full head of hair is one of the prerequisites of looking good. Fortunately there are ways of knowing how to deal with hair loss, from the simplest to the most advanced. These steps may help you to learn how to deal with hair loss or prevent it from taking place.

Here are some tips on how to deal with hair loss:

1. Use milder shampoo ? a lot hair loss problems stem from using shampoos that are harsh and damaging to the hair and scalp. The best way to prevent losing or stop your hair from thinning this way is to use mild shampoos. Usually clear ones are milder than others. You might even benefit from baby shampoo, whose ingredients are mild enough to deal with sensitive infant hair.

2. Another tip on how to deal with hair loss is avoid using your finger nails when shampooing ? a lot of people think that using their fingernails when shampooing can stimulate hair growth. This actually over stimulates hair follicles and makes them work too hard that hair fall off. It is better to use just the pads on your fingers instead.

3. Avoid harsh manual and chemical treatments is another tip on how to deal with hair loss ? people try very hard to make their hair look good, but some of the usual steps for doing hair can actually cause damage, sometimes irreparable. Avoid getting perms, straightening hair, dyeing, tight braiding, bleaching, blow drying, or at least keep these things at a minimum. Be sure to have such processes done only by professionals who know more about hair care than you do.

4. When drying hair, just pat it dry ? avoid rubbing your hair with a towel because it can split hair and cause damage. If you need to dry your hair quickly, use the coolest setting of the blow dryer. It is better to use an Ionic blow dryer if you can find one because it helps prevent damage from heat and static electricity.

5. Do not brush wet hair ? hair is at its weakest point when it is wet and brushing just after washing your hair can easily damage it, causing you to lose more hair.

6. Sport an easy to wear hair-do ? not only is it easy to have a wash-and-go hairstyle it is also a good way on how to deal with hair loss or preventing it from happening as you would not need to subject you hair to damaging styling routines. Shorter hair is usually good for this purpose.

7. Protect your hair from the sun ? when you are going to a beach or just going out on a sunny day, apply leave-on conditioner, preferably one with sunscreen, on your hair to prevent sun damage.

8. After you swim, wash your hair with shampoo that has EDTA (ethylendiamine tetracetic acid), which neutralizes hair damaging chlorine. This substance is also found in commercial mayonnaise so if you cannot find shampoo like this, you may coat your hair with the condiment and then wash it with your regular shampoo.

Hair loss is a normal occurrence in life and there is no need to panic when you feel you are about to lose your crowning glory. Knowing how to deal with hair loss can help you prevent it from happening or worsening.

Did you know that there is a herbal cure for hereditary hair loss that you could make at home within 10 minutes with some plants and roots that probably grow in your own garden or that can be purchased at the supermarket for $1.00?

Do you like the idea of a basically free alternative from expensive hair re-growth treatments, which is totally organic, made in your own kitchen, and which is just as effective if not more so? If so then find out more how to deal with hair loss visit The Herbal Hair Regrowth Solution at Great Discovery-Health and Beauty

Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Keep Your Crowning Glory: How to Deal with Hair Loss. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author?s name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

Hair is a person's crowning glory especially for the female population, which directly links the sense of beauty to hair. Thus, it is a nightmare for any woman to wake up each day and realize that they are losing significant strands of hair.

For many years, countless women have been complaining from thinning hair and ultimately, hair loss. More doctors and dermatologists are receiving patients that are mostly concerned about baldness.

Hair loss is more of an alarm to women than to men. It is because it is a common and obvious knowledge that men are more prone to hair loss especially as they grow older. It is even associated with the aging process in men.

But for women, it is an entirely different story. Female hair loss is practically a serious concern because it does not happen unless there is a physiological problem within the female body.

Statistics how that about 25 million women in the United States alone are suffering from anxiety caused by hair loss. The number seems to be rising. There is also a rising volume of such a problem in other parts of the world.

Genetic problem

Readily, several experts would easily blame hereditary factors for the female hair loss. However, through the countless studies that have been conducted through the years, it is found that female hair loss is not primarily caused by genetic inheritance.

It is found that there may be chances that a woman who has a bald mom will never be bald when she gets older. There is a lean chance that female hair loss can be passed from parents to offspring's.

So if that is the case, what are the causes of female hair loss?

Hormonal imbalance

The most scientific explanation for female hair loss involves hormonal imbalance. The female hormone, the estrogen, is involved in many bodily function within the female body.

If estrogen levels fall below the optimal levels, supply of nutrients to the hair follicles would be greatly affected and the hormone would not secrete necessary enzymes to help maintain hair.

Thus, women who are in post-menopausal stages are complaining more about hair loss occurrences. That is because when a woman enters the menopausal stage, the secretion of estrogen within the body is altered and reduced.

Thus, such a hair loss occurrence is linked to aging because menopause period for women occurs when she enters the late adulthood phase, usually at the age of 50 years and above.

Women who are not yet in their menopause period can still experience hormonal imbalance if they regularly take contraceptive pills. Be informed that contraceptive pills also involve the secretion of estrogen, making its levels less optimum for potential pregnancy.

Childbirth, anemia and blood toxicity

Women are more prone to experience hair loss after they have given birth. That is because the process of childbirth is so tedious and nutrient-consuming that several minerals and vitamins in the female body are depleted.

Anemia can also be indicated by hair loss in women. Iron deficiency is the main culprit, which can also affect the quality and volume of the hair.

Other medical medications can pose threats to the woman's crowning glory. Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy would expectedly suffer from hair loss. Fortunately, for most cases, hair is restored after complete recovery.

Surgical operations would cause hair loss, especially in women. It is estimated that about two to three months after a serious surgical operation, some hair would have to be lost. This is part of the body's coping mechanism to the stress and pain suffered.

Hair care deficiencies

If the female hair loss is not caused by any of the above, it would certainly be caused by improper and inadequate hair care regimen.

When using hair products, it is imperative that the women pay particular attention to the chemical composition. There are several shampoo brands that trigger hair loss due to its harsh contents and ingredients.

Moreover, there are some hair treatments and styling products that greatly damage the hair and scalp, causing the hair to rapidly fall and a thin out.

It is advised that before subjecting your hair into any kind of treatment or aesthetic product, you should first consult your doctor or dermatologist to find out if the product is really safe and is fitted for your hair type.

Also make sure any new product is approved by the US Food and drug Administration to ensure overall safety.

Combing and frequent bathing would also contribute greatly to hair fall in women, so be very careful when doing the tasks.

Hair is important to women as much as beautiful skin is important to them. Thus, it is imperative that women pay extra attention to the needs of their hair and be very careful when using any new product.

For more tips and information on the cause of female hair loss, visit http://www.stopfemalehairloss.com to discover new female hair loss solutions to help you regrow a healthy head of hair today.

Hygienic air is essential to human life, and in this modern age, that requires air cleaners. There are a few different methods of air cleaning, like Filtration, Electro-static Precipitation and Ion Generation. Air Filtration cleans air through the removal of sub-micron particulate, gases and odors. If you are plagued by allergies or asthma, an air filter might help you. Air filters are the best tools for eradicating allergens from the house. Particularly for those people who are suffering from asthma and allergies, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association recommend air filtration.

The ability to remove allergens and contaminants depends on the amount of air drawn through the filter. Factors that affect filter efficiency include fiber size, fiber density, airflow rate, and particle diameter. Air filters may be centralized, in-home filtration systems or portable devices. When the air quality problems exist throughout the house, then a centralized filtration system is needed. Otherwise, portable cleaner may serve the purpose of air filtration.

There are four major types of air filters, depending on specific needs. They are:

Mechanical Filters

These filters force air through a special screen that traps pollen, dust particulate, smoke and air-borne irritants and pet dander. The best example of this type of filters is HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

Gas Phase Filters

These air filters are used for removing odors and other types of pollutants such as gases from cooking, paints, perfume etc. These filters are not meant for the removal of allergens in the home.

Electronic Filters

In these types of filters, allergens are trapped through electrostatic precipitators with a fan. Electronic filters use electric charges to attract contaminants.

Hybrid Filters

These air filters combine electrostatic and mechanical filters. These are used to trap allergens rather than gas based contaminants.

Another type of air filters is the Ozone air filter, but it is not environment-friendly.

When purchasing an air filter, one has to consider things like which type of allergens will be removed, the filter?s efficiency with respect to HEPA standards, the clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the filter, the ease of changing the filter, and the noise that it will make. Changing air filters regularly facilitates is ability to improve the quality of air.

Air Filters Info provides detailed information on home, car, electronic, and HEPA air filters, as well as air conditioner filters and air filter manufacturers. Air Filters Info is the sister site of Air Purifiers Web.

Do you have unwanted body hair? Are you trying to choose between hair removal methods? This guide contains all you need to decide. It details several popular as well as not-so-common methods of getting rid of unwanted hair, including shaving, plucking, waxing, sugar waxing, bleaching, threading, depilatories, electrolysis, laser, and vaniqa.

Shaving

Shaving is a temporary hair removal method. It is inexpensive, but for most people the hair has started to grow back by the following day. To prevent stubble, you must shave once or twice daily. Razors come in all varieties. They can be made of cheap plastic with a single blade which can be bought for a quarter, or a high quality electric version costing $50 or more.

Plucking

Another common hair removal method is plucking, or tweezing, the hair. While this method is time consuming, as you can only pluck one hair at a time, it is useful for smaller areas, such as an extra eyebrow hair or two. However, it can be painful, especially around the eyes, and can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. While it is a myth that by plucking a hair out by its root you are causing two to grow in its place, many women do not pluck their hair for this very reason. But investing in a $2 pair of tweezers is a lifesaver when you want to look perfect for that special occasion.

Waxing

For larger areas, many people prefer to use hot wax. The wax is applied to the skin with a piece of paper or cloth covering it. After the wax cools, the strip is ripped away, taking the hair with it. While this method is fast, it can also be painful. In addition, waxing removes the top layer of skin, and can cause rashes and redness. However, once you become good at the technique, it is an easy and inexpensive way to quickly get rid of unwanted hair at home. Kits can be purchased for $20-$40. You can also have your skin waxed by a professional. Depending on the area you are having waxed, this can cost from $20 to around $150.

Sugar Waxing

Sugar waxing is similar in method to traditional waxing, except that the “wax” is a sticky sugary paste. Sugaring is even less expensive, as home kits can be bought for as little as $10.

Bleaching

Rather than removing the hair, some women prefer to lighten it. This is especially common for women with facial hair. Bleaching is completely pain-free, and can be done at home. Most women do not have any skin reactions to the bleach however, as with a hair dye, be sure to test first on a small, inconspicuous part of your skin, just in case the bleach does change your skin color or cause irritation.

Threading

Threading, also known as khite, is commonly practiced in the Middle East but much less well-known in the west. It is performed using a cotton thread. The thread is twisted, catching the hair, and is then pulled to remove it. The results are similar to plucking, but many more hairs can be removed at one time. Always use cotton so the fibers themselves do not irritate the skin.

Depilatories

Depilatories are creams that dissolve hair, allowing it to be wiped away. For some people, depilatories last no longer than shaving, while others are hair-free for several days. The process is not always painless, but is definitely less painful than waxing. The creams can be bought for a few dollars at any drug store.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method. A needle is placed in a hair follicle and electric current is delivered to the follicle. This damages the hair, and it does not return. This method works well for small localized areas of hair, but can be time consuming and costly for large patches, as each hair must be done individually. Also, if the needle is not inserted just right, the hair may need to be retreated, and often an area must be treated three to four times before the hair is permanently removed. While the needle should not puncture the skin, electrolysis can be painful. It is recommended that electrolysis be done by a professional home treatment methods are difficult and generally unsuccessful.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is another permanent hair removal method. It is a more recent method, and data as to its long-term effectiveness is still being gathered. Light from a laser is pointed at a small area of skin. The energy from the light is absorbed by the dark hair pigment, heating and damaging the follicle. This method does not work for white or grey hair or for people with dark skin and light hair. Because this method does not require each hair to be treated individually, this method is much quicker and less expensive for larger areas such as the legs as compared to electrolysis. If you are interested in laser hair removal, find a reputable professional. Laser hair removal can cause permanent skin damage if not performed properly. It can be painful, but as more research continues to be gathered, its looking more and more like a viable option for many people. The only place laser hair removal should not be performed is around the eyes, as it could cause permanent eye damage.

Vaniqa

Vaniqa is a cream designed specifically to target facial hair in women. It is intended to slow the growth of this hair, and is designed to be used with other nonpermanent methods of hair removal. It is available by prescription only, and has been shown to be effective in almost 60% of the patients in the trial. It is currently only for use by women over 12.

Remember when your mother always told you that you didn't really want to start shaving? But you insisted that you would want to continue for the rest of your life. However, for many women, unwanted hair causes major stress and discomfort everyday. You should now be able to more easily choose between the many hair removal methods and choose the one that is right for you.

Megan Halloway is a cosmetologist specializing in hair removal providing valuable tips and advice on facial hair, back hair and body hair removal methods.

If you have dull and damaged hair, choosing a new hairstyle for an image makeover is quite challenging. This is for reason that you hair many not come out looking beautiful and not what you have intended and desired it to be. Nevertheless, some know how can help you achieve a better and more appropriate hairstyle for you. Here is how:

Choose a hairstyle that flaunts your hair?s natural form and texture. If you have a curly hair, scrap the idea of going through hair treatments like hair rebonding and hair straightening to make your hair straight. The advent of many hairstyling processes has led to a trend in altering the hair?s natural form and texture but these also result in undesirable dulling of hair, split ends and hair damage. If you are thinking about changing your hairstyle, go for a style that is most compatible with the form and texture of your hair. It does not only bring out your hair?s natural beauty but also prevents further damage that can be caused by the heat and chemicals that are applied during hair altering processes.

Cut your hair short when it is necessary. Many women aspire to have long hair but when you have been telling yourself about how bad your hair looks like when you are in front of the mirror or when split ends become very noticeable, you might consider cutting your hair short. This will help in eliminating dull and damaged hair ends and also helps your hair revive its health and beauty.

Avoid hairstyles that can aggravate your hair?s damaged condition. When choosing a hairstyle, be very sensitive to your hair?s needs. This means that when your hair has become unmanageable and damaged from hair coloring, choose a hairstyle that does not necessitate applying dyes and chemicals to your hair. Similarly, avoid altering your hair?s natural form when it entails chemical and heat processes that will bring more damage to your hair. You might also consider choosing a hairstyle that you can wear as is when you go to work or to a party because this will help in eliminating the use of chemicals like hairsprays that can be detrimental to the health of your hair.

Choosing a new hairstyle for an image makeover will not be as challenging when you have some know how in choosing a hairstyle regardless if you have dull and damaged hair. Remember to choose a hairstyle that flaunts your hair?s natural form and texture to cut your hair short when it is necessary and to avoid hairstyles that can aggravate your hair?s damaged condition

Jeffery Dodd is an accomplished writer with extensive knowledge in hairstyles. For more information on short hair style, please visit http://hairpicture.home-wire.com

Perhaps the most widely used air conditioners are the window air conditioners. They are quite popular for heating and cooling in both domestic and commercial premises. The basic advantage of a window air conditioner is that unlike the central air conditioners and the split air conditioners, it fits well in the window giving a good look and it does not occupy any space of the room at all.

Moreover, window air conditioners do not need to be shifted every now and then from one place to the other. However, like any other air conditioning equipment, it produces noise, the intensity of which differs with the type and size of the window air conditioners. Constant noise can indeed be very disturbing and distressing to the home and surrounding residents.

It is, therefore, advisable for the consumer to compare window air conditioners by checking the sound power level labels on the unit or in the literature specifications. The noise levels are often given in decibel ratings and the higher the decibel level, the louder the unit will be. The sound pressure increases by a factor of ten for every 10-decibel increase. For example, 60 Decibels is 10 times louder than 50 Decibels and 100 times louder than 40 Decibels.

The compressor and the fan are combined in a single unit and mounted in the window air conditioners and this is the source of all the noise in the air conditioner. The other causes of noise could be worn bearings, cabinet rattles, dirty or rusty fan blades, worn rubber mountings and compressor wear. Regular maintenance can reduce the noise to some extent but with the passing of time, there is bound to be an increase in the level of the noise.

You should check whether your window air conditioner is vibrating or producing a rattling noise and if so, then it is not a normal situation. The reason for this can be improper installation or loose side panels. If, however, you hear a scraping noise, you should either take the help of an authorized service provider or you can also try to find out the cause and repair it yourself.

The following steps can help you in tracking the fault and repairing it:

You should tighten the screws holding the front panel onto the unit.You should check carefully the window all round the unit. You should then turn the window air conditioner on and press your hand against the sash. If you find that as you press your hand against the sash, the sound changes in pitch, then you should put some wooden shims in the gap between the window air conditioners frame and the sash. If, however, the pitch of the noise changes when you press your hand on the glass, you should use some insulating cellophane tape between the glass and the frame. You might have to use putty if that does not reduce the noise.

If you feel that the sound is originating from within the unit, you should take the unit out of the window and check to see if the fan blades are bent. If so, just bend them back so that they match the others.

Portable Air Conditioners Ensure Economy And Convenience

With the onset of the damp weather, it becomes difficult to survive without constant central air conditioning but that can prove to be quite expensive. The answer to this problem is a portable air conditioner as it has many advantages. It is easy to shift from one place in the home to another and that makes a portable air conditioner the ideal cooling system solution for your home, office or industrial site.

The portable air conditioners are easy and quick to install, as they do not involve any lifting or tearing up of windowsills. Moreover it can be shifted very easily from one place in the home to the other. For taking care of the hot spots in the central air conditioning, the portable air conditioners are far more convenient than window air conditioners. It is also ideal for window shapes, which present problems for installation. There is nothing like portable air conditioners for use as a spot cooler in the home.

A portable air conditioner is an excellent choice for saving money as just one unit needs to be purchased and it can be shifted easily to where you need it as it is mounted on castors and some can weigh only about 36 pounds. Moreover, as only one room is cooled at a time instead of the whole house, the total energy consumption is very low as compared to other air conditioning systems.

Another advantage of portable air conditioners is the energy efficiency that they provide. The average efficiency is in the 8 to 10 range although some are as high as 15, which is 50 percent better than most older central air conditioners. The small size of the portable air conditioners is very advantageous and as such it can fit in a corner or against a wall. It functions like an effective dehumidifier if you do not vent the warm exhaust air out through a window and its size is also the same as that of a room dehumidifier.

In order to reduce humidity and allergies, even the small ones remove 35 pints of moisture per day from the room air. The portable air conditioners also use the heat-exchange principle as the other air conditioners to cool and dehumidify the air. The operating principle is also similar to a window air conditioner as the room air circulates over cold evaporator coils to cool and dehumidify it inside the unit. The room air is exhausted outdoor after flowing over the hot condenser. There is no chance of already-cooled indoor air escaping outside as two ducts are now used.

Nowadays, you have electronic controls in most models and you can set the desired room temperature, blower speed, start and stop timer, and operation mode (cool, dehumidify, heat). The portable air conditioners also have hand-held remote control with which you can conveniently change all the settings as per your need.

The other features of portable air conditioners include a built-in air cleaner with an optional charcoal filter and oscillating louvers to distribute the cool air throughout the room. You can also switch off the louvers to direct the flow of air towards yourself, if you so desire.

Jamie is author of other Air Conditioners Tips located at Home Improvement Tips and Air conditioning Articles. Please stop by and sign up for our free home improvement tip news letter.

Research has revealed that up to two thirds of the women population faces hair loss problems at some stage in their life. A luxurious head of lustrous hair is an integral part of a woman?s self image. Hence, hair loss can lead to emotional stress and it is generally a traumatic experience for women.

Factors that are related to hair loss in women are usually not just genes or heredity. Hair loss in women may be triggered by such issues like pregnancy, constant worry, chemotherapy, certain diets, thyroid hormone deficiency, some medications or infections of the scalp. Unlike men, women hardly ever go bald. However women may experience considerable thinning and diminution of the diameter of their hair shaft especially around the forehead and crown of the skull. This is noticed more in aged women… Fortunately for women, the hair loss is more often than not temporary and a healthy re-growth can be achieved over time.

It is imperative that the exact cause of hair loss be known before selecting a remedy.

Causes of hair loss include:

Genetics: This is also known as androgenic alopecia and is hereditary. This is the leading cause of hair loss in women. The onset can be any time after puberty, but usually occurs by the time a woman reaches forty years of age. The hair loss may increase at the time of menopause. Overall thinning of hair may occur in women but it is accentuated at the top of the scalp, where hair loss can result in baldness. This type of alopecia can be inherited from either side of the family.

Childbirth: the increased level of the hormone estrogen produced during pregnancy cause the hair follicles to shift to their growth phase. After parturition, the normal hormone levels are restored and the hair follicles all at once go into the cessation of growth phase, causing increased hair loss after childbirth.

Alopecia areata: The exact medical cause is unknown but research has shown the existence of auto immune disorder where the body erroneously attacks its own hair follicles. The follicles and the surrounding regions get inflamed and the follicles retreat in to the deeper layers of the skin. This cuts off the supply of nutrients to the follicles, and hair loss ensues.

Drugs or Supplements - Anagen Effluvium: The most common medical treatment that leads to copious hair loss is Chemotherapy. The harsh medicines used in this treatment assail the hair cells of the matrix, poison he hair follciles and the scalp turns bald. Prescription drugs like blood thinners, hypertension medicines and drugs for cholesterol are also known to cause hair loss. Certain diet supplements can also lead to thinning of hair.

Stress, Dieting or Surgery - Telogen Effluvium: Women may experience extreme hair loss when a lot of healthy hair enters the resting phase or telogen simultaneously. This hair falls off and until new hair grows back, the shaft appears thin. This type of hair loss in women can also be the result of prolonged illness, constitutional problems like thyroid disorders, emotional stress, or intake of birth control pills.

Hair pulling: Also known as trichotillomania. This is actually a psychological disorder in which the women, due to some deep-seated dissatisfaction or depression, pull out their own hair. Counseling can aid in curing the patient.

Hair loss in women may have something to do with declining levels of estrogen. Previous to menopause, estrogen neutralizes the effect of male hormones called androgens, which turn into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). After menopause, more androgens are transformed into DHT. This adversely affects hair follicles. This disorder occurs mostly in women having a genetic predisposition to this form of female hair loss.

Want to learn more about Female Hair Loss?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.hair-loss-land.info/Articles/Hair_Loss_In_Women.php

For most people, hair removal creams are a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair and can be used on any part of the body. Consisting of a texture similar to body lotion, hair removal creams are applied directly to the skin in the area of unwanted hair growth and are then wiped away only moments later. While not a permanent solution for hair removal, the effects of creams can last 4-5 days longer than shaving.

The question most people want to know about hair removal creams is: ?how do they really work??

Hair removal creams are depilatory agents, meaning that the hair removal occurs at or above the top layer of skin. Essentially, hair removal creams are composed of chemicals that weaken and dissolve the hair follicle, much in the same way that cleansing agents dissolve dirt. Any part of the follicle that is not completely dissolved will be so weakened by the hair removal cream that it will be easy to simply wipe the residue away with a warm towel, thereby leaving the skin smooth and hair free.

In general, the best method for applying hair removal cream is to wait until after a hot shower. The steam and hot water will loosen the hair follicle and actually have the effect of stretching it further past the layer of the skin than if the hair removal cream were applied to skin that is body-temperature.

Apply the hair removal cream liberally across the skin in the affected area. Dab the cream onto the skin don?t rub, as rubbing will force the hair removal cream into the pores of the skin, thereby risking the chances of the cream becoming unduly invasive. Let the cream sit for 5-8 minutes, or as directed on the packaging.

Once the allotted period of time is over, use a warm washcloth to completely remove all traces of the hair removal cream from the skin. Rinse the skin in warm water to cleanse the pores. If necessary, you can even step back into the shower. Avoid using any other chemical products on the skin, including lotions and makeup, for 2-3 hours. If the skin becomes dry and red, it is okay to apply a small amount of mineral oil in the affected area.

It is important to note that while hair removal creams are effective, they perform the same basic functions as shaving, but with considerably more need for precaution. It is advised that one never leave the hair removal cream on the skin for longer than the amount of allotted time on the packaging. If the hair removal cream is left on for too long, the user runs the risk of damaging and even scarring sensitive skin. Therefore, it is also advised that one purchase and use a cream that has a mineral oil component, as hair removal creams containing mineral oil tend to be less abrasive to the skin.

It is also not advised that one uses a hair removal cream while also on other medications, such as Retin-A, as the chemical components of the two medications may interact. One should never use a hair removal cream around the eyes, even in small dabs. Using a hair removal cream on the face is generally not a great idea.

Hair removal creams are safe, effective and a great method of removing unwanted hair. The effects last for up to 3-4 days longer than traditional shaving and are often less time consuming to apply than shaving. If you haven?t tried this hair removal method yet, take the plunge! You?ll love the results of smoother skin.

Tamra Cantar is a freelance writer on topics of interest and has a website dedicated to providing the visitor with useful information and resources for hair removal. Visit GoHairRemoval.com for more information on creams and other hair removal techniques.

Henna doesn't cover gray: It's written on the product box, and it's part of hair-coloring culture. But times have changed. And it's no longer a choice between going gray or using commercial hair dye.

There are two ways to cover gray with henna.

1. Henna kits that are made specifically for gray hair.

2. Using pure, powdered henna in a whole new way.

Henna Kits for Gray

Most henna kits for gray are 2-step processes. Your hair is first coated with a natural, non-toxic preparatory mixture. This helps the gray hair become more receptive to the henna.

There are also pre-mixed cream hennas on the market which will cover gray. Most, however, take 2 or 3 applications before the gray is covered completely. Some products, like Surya Henna Cream, are easier, 1-step processes which claim to cover gray on the first application.

Henna, as you probably know, coats the hair. It doesn't open or rough up the hair shaft like most commercial dyes do. And because gray hair tends to be coarser and slicker than pigmented hair, henna has a tendency to slip off the gray. That's why henna is categorized as a semi-permanent hair color. Even the best henna application washes out a little with each shampoo. And that's why most boxes of 1-step, powdered henna will warn against using it on gray hair.

Pure Powdered Henna

Most henna users are already familiar with this green powder. It comes in a plastic bag (some buy in bulk), and it's made from leaves of the Lawsonia tree. To create different colors, other natural ingredients are added, like walnut or clove.

If you're gray and you want to use pure henna, you can. It's a long process, but it worked for me and I'll never go back to anything else. Light Mountain Henna is good as are many other brands.

Before Beginning

Do a strand test. If you have your hair cut, save a curl to use for the strand test. Otherwise, cut a small bit of hair from underneath or in the back so the cut doesn't show. Hold the hair swatch together with a rubberband, and go through the entire coloring process with this strand. This is important because it's the only way to calculate the leave-in time. Unlike commercial hair dyes, henna varies wildly in how long you'll want to leave it on to achieve your desired color. Timing for coloring gray hair can be from 2 to 6 hours.

Another reason for the strand test: to make sure that the final color is what you want. Henna on gray hair will come out lighter than henna on pigmented hair. Henna on blond hair is unpredictable. The strand test will let you know.

A note on purchasing henna. Read the ingredients carefully before you buy. Make sure there is nothing in the list you don't understand. Any hair color containing PPD (p-Phenylenediamine, sometimes labeled as Paradiaminobenzene, Para-aminoaniline, p-aminoaniline, Paradiaminobenzene or PPDA) is off-limits for health and safety reasons. However, most hennas you find in a reputable health food store will be pure and safe. Hennas purchased over the Internet usually list their ingredients, and I encourage you to read them.

Ready, Set, Go

• The first step is to apply a line of emollient on your forehead. This will prevent the henna from staining your face.
• Next, mix a brown-based powdered henna in a non-metallic bowl, with just-boiled water. Add a couple of pre-beaten eggs if you like, to help keep the mixture sticky. Slowly add more hot water until the mixture is a smooth, thick paste.
• Apply to dry, clean hair, free of styling products, conditioners, spray, or moisturizers. This is a key.
• Apply to roots first, as you would with commercial hair dye, but use more product - at least a golf-ball sized dollop of paste each time you part your hair and apply it. Every hair strand must be completely coated with the henna. Use the plastic gloves that are included in the package, and apply with your hands to get the most coverage. Continue to part your hair in 1/4-inch rows, rubbing the henna into the hair, until all the gray is covered.
• Yes, the henna will stain the scalp - but it's non-toxic, and will wash off the scalp itself (not the hair) in a shampoo or two.
• After the gray is covered with the paste, apply the remaining henna to the rest of your hair if desired.
• Cover your head with a plastic cap, and cover the cap with a towel.
• Once an hour (or less, if you have a short leave-in time), take off the towel and plastic cap and spritz the henna pack lightly with water. Put the cap back on and manually (but gently) rub the hair to coax the moisture all the way through to the scalp and to make sure each hair strand stays covered with henna. Reapply the towel.
• You may want to bake the color in even more, by using a heating cap or hooded hair dryer for 10 minutes each hour.
• When the time is up, rinse the henna from your hair in warm (not hot) water. Your hair may be very tangled: that's normal for now. So be gentle - don't rub or tug. Apply a small amount of mild conditioner, like Jason's or Aveda Color Conserve, and rinse it out after about 30 seconds. Do not use shampoo at this point.

How to Keep Your Henna from Fading

Wait at least 2 days before your first shampoo. After that, if you can shampoo every other day instead of every day, that will preserve your new color better. Be sure to use a color-safe shampoo. Some brands to try are Pureology, Aveda, Jason, Arbonne, and Aquage, among many others.

For more brand names, color illustrations and details, check out the articles on natural hair coloring at My Makeup Mirror.

Note: I would not recommend too many styling products. So many of them strip color. But if you have a leave-in conditioner that you know won't take the henna out with it at your next shampoo, go ahead and use it to untangle your hair and protect it from styling heat.

Your new hair color should be gorgeous, shiny, and healthy. Because the henna coats the hair, it makes the hair look thicker. And best of all, you've colored your gray without harming yourself or the environment.

Suzann writes for the website My Makeup Mirror [http://www.MyMakeupMirror.com] - a potpourri of articles, product reviews, and how-to's on hair, cosmetics, and well-being.

There is little doubt that one of the major possible causes of hair loss in women is stress. But the kind of stress that we are talking about here is not the common day to day kind of stress that we all experience. The kind of stress that can cause hair loss in women is usually the result of some kind of sudden and extreme shock. Sudden and severe emotional trauma or severe physical trauma is usually needed in order to create the effect of sudden hair loss in women.

Some kinds of mental and emotional stress that can typically lead to hair loss in women can occur as a result of the death of a family member or loved one the ending a relationship through divorce or death an extreme financial trauma such as a bankruptcy or losing a house. And this stress doesn't even need to be occurring to the person suffering the hair loss, but they could be occurring to someone that they love or are very close to.

As far as physical stress and trauma that could cause hair loss in women is concerned, some examples could be severe and long-term illness, surgical procedures and sudden and extreme physical trauma such as a car accident or heart attack.

The scientific name for this sudden hair loss in women is “telogen effluvium”. In this specific hair loss condition hair follicles that a healthy and growing hair at the normal rate become massively impeded, resulting in the severe slowing down of hair growth. The hair follicle then begins its resting phase, where hair growth is stopped altogether. In this phase the hair is relatively weak and falls out easily.

What can be confusing with this particular kind of hair loss in women is that the results of the stress are not always immediate. Sometimes several months can pass after the traumatic event before any hair loss begins to occur.

Oftentimes the woman who is experiencing their hair loss has forgotten the past dramatic event, and begins looking for answers to the sudden hair loss in events that are happening in her life right now. Unfortunately the answers are not in what's happening now but in what happened several weeks or months before.

This in itself can create stress as there may be nothing occurring in a woman's life right now that could in any way lead to her losing her hair.

Irrespective of when the true cause of the hair loss occurred, once the hair loss cycle has begun the hair can fall out at an alarming rate leading to even more stress for the woman who is losing hair, perpetuating the vicious cycle.

So in answer to the question can stress lead to hair loss in women, the answer is yes. But the stress needs to be something so far out of the ordinary that it can shock the body to the point that a woman's hair can fall out.

As with any kind of sudden hair loss it is always best to seek the appropriate medical advice. A proper case history taking and diagnosis will often identify the cause of the woman's sudden hair loss, which in itself can relieve a significant amount of stress and any affect that stress may be having on the re-growth of the woman's hair.

To learn more about the possible causes of hair loss in women make sure you visit http://www.hairloss-treatments.net Where you will learn not only why you are losing your hair but also what you can do about it utilizing the very best hair loss treatments and resources