Renell Shorter - Everyday Ways to Care for your Hair

Tips from Renell Shorter MS. RAE IS A LICENSED HAIR PROFESSIONAL AND EXTENSION SPECIALIST, SERVICING DALLAS, TX AND DETROIT, MI.

Health, strength and beauty of hair depends primarily on its nerve vigor and the good circulation of the oily scalp secretion which gives it gloss and luster. Beauty is not so much a matter of color where hair is concerned. If your hair has a fine glow, a rich sheen, is thick and long, it will be beautiful irrespective of its pigmentation. Hair often makes an otherwise plain person beautiful. And practically every woman, if she cares to make the effort, may have beautiful hair. 

SOME HAIR HINTS 

If you have the least suspicion of a curl in your hair, brushing around rather than straight will 
bring it out. Do not worry if you shed your hair. It is natural for the hair to shed — and to keep right on growing in again. Only see to it that the ingrowth is equal to the loss by shedding. 
No young girl should use a rat. Metal combs should be tabooed. Keep the hairbrush you use for 
dandruff stiff, the "polishing" brush may be softer. Use a hair net that matches your own hair color, and do not get too small a one. Remove snarls and tangles in the hair gently, with fingers, before brushing. The three-weekly or monthly shampoo is a good rule. If you wash your hair too often, it will turn dry and brittle and change color. 

The hair should never be worn "done up" constantly. This is injurious because every part of the hair should have frequent air and sun baths. For normal shampoo employ Castile, tar or vegetable soaps, and Green soap for oily hair. A good egg shampoo may be made of an egg, thoroughly beaten, one tablespoon alcohol, four ounces bay rum, a pinch of borax, and four ounces of Castile 
soap mixed in a pint of hot water, to be used when cool. 

Hair that is blonde or ruddy, as well as gray hair, may be washed with Castile soap jelly plus 
a quarter-teaspoonful of borax. Always comb and brush thoroughly, with finger-tip massage. After 
shampooing is the best time for scalp massage, hair pulling and skin loosening. 


DRY SHAMPOO AND SCALP MASSAGE 

The scalp and hair should be cleansed between shampoos. For this purpose the "dry shampoo" is 
necessary. It is actually a form of scalp massage. Preparations of orris, corn meal and other dry 
shampoo powders are not recommended. They stick, and it is hard to get them out of the hair. A vigorous rubbing of the scalp after the hair has been parted, using a small piece of muslin over the tip of the finger, is best. Hot and cold applications are good, with or without shampoo, especially if the hair is falling. Remember that the hair should not be "hot-air" dried. The hot-air cone used for the purpose in hairdressing establishments destroys 
the hair. Human hair should always be dried by hand. 

Scalp massage makes the hair grow and prevents many hair troubles. A five-minute finger-tip mas- 
sage, night and morning, is the one ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure. The electrical massage by a professional (after a shampoo), the violet ray, and the rubber-disk vibrator are all excellent for the hair. They strengthen and stimulate. 


HAIR TONICS 

Massage is the first and best hair tonic. Though a good scalp lotion may stimulate circulation, massage always does so more directly. In general it will be wise to remember that tonics are meant for specific purposes of cure for hair disorders, rather than for common use. A little refined beef marrow rubbed gently into the hair roots is a good natural tonic (though an old-fashioned one) and together with plenty of fresh air and sunshine, does more for the hair than all the compounded tonics and "restorers" marketed. Every woman can keep her hair in good condition if she chooses to. If she cannot give it attention in the morning she shoulcf 
do so at night. 


HAIR TROUBLES 

Most hair troubles could be prevented in the start by ordinary good care of the hair, and the 
maintenance of the state of general good health. Of course, various diseases affect the hair: fever dries it out and makes it fall; syphilis and other sex diseases poison and destroy it. Some skin diseases have the same effect. In general, if you are healthy, broadly speaking, your hair will be healthy too. 

Dandruff—What we have to deal with in dandruff is a horny layer cast off by the scalp. This layer 
thickens, closes the pores, diminishes the hair's oil supply, and prevents the perspiration glands from getting rid of waste. Soon the hair loses tone and color, and is covered with whitish powder. Then it starts to itch and fall. In an advanced state of the disease, the hair falls out, and blood crusts form on the scalp as a result of scratching. Digestive disorders, toxic elements in the blood or local irritation may cause dandruff, and it is communicable. 

Daily care of the scalp, massage and brushing, if persisted in when the disorder first appears, are very beneficial. The crude oil massage of the scalp, not the hair, is excellent and often effects a cure. A massage every night, using vaseline or olive oil, together with repeated shampoos, also helps to do away with dandruff. Although pomades in general should be avoided, a pomade with a precipitated sulphur base, mixed with glycerine, rose-water, lanoline, and soap, or a sulphur ointment or cream kills the dandruff germ. 

There is an "oily dandruff," also, though the disease is most commonly a dry scalp one. Shampoo 
with tincture of Green soap should cure this type of the disease in about a week's time. If you have dandruff, observe a regular diet, and stick as much as possible to milk and fresh fruit. 

Falling Hair.—An acid condition of the blood encourages the hair to fall. Correct it and you will
have removed the cause of your complaint. The use of the violet ray and the vibrator, which hold 
down the tendency to an oily scalp, is also valuable for hair treatment in this connection. So, too, are hot and cold applications. 


HAIR DISEASES WHICH SHOULD NOT OCCUR 

Favus, the development of yellow scalp crusts, accompanied by severe itching, bald spots and a 
musty odor, is a dirt disease, hence inexcusable in a woman, unless as a result of infection. To remove it the scalp must be soaked in olive oil for a few days, carbolic acid being mixed with it in a weak solution, the hair pulled out of the most infected areas, the crusts removed, and the whole scalp shampooed with an antiseptic soap. 

Ringworm is usually a gift of those evil things, the "common property" comb and brush, or the 
patent hair clipper. Rubbing with sulphur ointment, washing with bichloride soap, or painting 
with iodine, to precede the application of a cleansing ointment, is the treatment. It is dangerous since it may result in baldness. 

Head lice (which may be cured by saturating the hair with kerosene or crude petroleum at night, 
wrapping in a towel to retain fumes, and following by antiseptic soap shampoo) is a most disgusting trouble, and unless communicated cannot occur except as a result of neglect and uncleanliness. The possibility of contagion constitutes the menace of all 
three of these diseases. 

Renell Shorter - Detecting Menopause Through Testing

Tips from Renell Shorter MS. RAE IS A LICENSED HAIR PROFESSIONAL AND EXTENSION SPECIALIST, SERVICING DALLAS, TX AND DETROIT, MI.

Menopause comes from two Greek words that mean “month” and “to end,” and the current medical definition of menopause means exactly the same: the absence of menstruation for twelve months. Menopause can occur between late thirties and late 50s, and not a single woman can avoid this period. Considering that menopause hits a woman in her most active life stage, it is not surprising that women want to prepare to menopause and avoid discomfort using a wide variety of convenient menopause tests. 

Although menopause is a natural part of growing older, many women find menopause symptoms start interfering with their daily lives. Menopause symptoms include missed or heavy menstrual periods, hot sweating and flashes, mood changes, nervousness, insomnia and a general feeling of being "down". Due to hormonal changes a woman may add some weight or her hair may thin. Then, after the stopping of menstrual periods for a full twelve months, a woman enters menopause, and after twelve months a woman is post-menopausal. And while many women may experience mild discomfort, others may have moderate to severe health problems and may want to ease their symptoms. 

Menopause symptoms can be relieved, if not avoided, by timely preparation. Menopause tests help women detect menopause in its early stage. Using menopause tests may be reasonable even for women in their 30s to determine when their ovarian function changes which may mean the slow shift into the perimenopause. 

Such symptoms are irregular menstrual periods, hot flashes, insomnia, nervousness, decreased sexual desire, or night sweats may signal the approach of perimenopause or menopause, but they can also manifest a number of other disorders and conditions. For accurate results, menopause test employs a hormonal analysis. 

The menopause test measures the presence of a hormone known as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone is produced by woman’s pituitary gland. Follicle stimulating hormone levels increase temporarily each month to stimulate ovaries to produce eggs. When a woman enters menopause and ovaries stop working, her follicle stimulating hormone levels increase. 

Applying urine to the wick of a menopause test kit activates menopause tests. If a woman’s hormonal level is higher than normal, it may signal that she is approaching menopause. However, this test will not show not if a woman definitely is in menopause or even in perimenopause. Menopause test may be influenced by oral or patch contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or estrogen supplements that a woman has been taking before the test. 

There are a number of traditional menopause tests that should be done in doctor’s office. Typically these tests require a sample of blood that is sent to an outside lab for examination. Results are normally available three to five days later. If the menopause test results show that the hormonal levels are increased above the norm, it is standard medical protocol to perform a second menopause test. 

Today, menopause symptoms can be relieved using traditional or herbal therapy methods. If you are concerned about the symptoms of menopause talk to your doctor about a menopause test. 

Renell Shorter - 8 Dermatologist Tips for Healthier Hair

Tips from Renell Shorter MS. RAE IS A LICENSED HAIR PROFESSIONAL AND EXTENSION SPECIALIST, SERVICING DALLAS, TX AND DETROIT, MI.

Bad news for modern women: Many of today's common hair care practices are not great for hair follicles. "The types of alopecia we're seeing are different than what we were seeing 20 years ago because of the different types of processing that people are doing now," says Roopal V. Kundu, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, "Whereas in the '70s and the early '80s the hairstyles were more natural, these days there's a lot more crunched out styles in terms of perms and putting heat in the hair and keeping it straight, and a lot of tension."

We spoke with Dr. Kundu about styling practices that lead to damage and simple ways to improve hair health. Ready for healthier hair? Check out Dr. Kundu's tips:

1. Eat enough protein.

"The basic early advice is make sure you're looking at your diet, make sure you're getting enough iron, make sure you're not anemic, make sure you have enough protein in your diet. Iron and protein are really important for hair health. We always try to make sure people get adequate protein for whatever they're lifestyle is: If they're sedentary, they don't need as much. If they're active, they need more."
- Dr. Kundu

2. Get your vitamin levels checked and take supplements if need be.

"Iron levels are important for hair health. Women often develop iron-deficiency anemia because they aren't getting enough iron. Iron-deficiency anemia can also develop due to normal monthly menstrual blood loss. There are some generic vitamins that we recommend: Vitamin D, omega, fish oils, a generic multivitamin with iron. Biotin is great in terms of hair strength and preventing breakage."
- Dr. Kundu

3. Invest in silicone.

"There's no magic product or ingredient, but if you want to add a little more protection you can use silicone -based products. Silicone basically coats the hair, which adds a little more protection once you do any kind of stress to the hair. Check a product's list of ingredients and make sure silicone is high up on the list. Look for silicone or dimethicone, a silicone derivatives. Anti-frizz products usually have a silicone type of derivative. You can also try a leave-in conditioner, which also coats the hair."
- Dr. Kundu

4. Be careful when styling at home.

"The problem with people treating hair at home is no one else is looking. Often people will come in who have damage to their scalp that they didn't notice was there. Specific practices that can be problematic include straightening, processing, hair coloring, and heat. If you do those things at home, try to modify your hair care habits. So, try not to put heat on more than once a week, reduce the frequency of flat iron use, blow dry at a lower setting. It's about frequency and amount."
- Dr. Kundu

5. Never flat iron wet hair.

"Wet hair is more vulnerable to breakage. Either air dry or blow dry out soft, with a low setting, and then put the flat iron on. You shouldn't put a flat iron on wet hair."
- Dr. Kundu

6. Do not leave products in for longer than advised.

"Some people think products will be more effective if they leave them in longer than they should. They'll be like, 'Oh it's tingling. That's great. It must be working really well.' That's when damage can happen."
- Dr. Kundu

7. If you feel pain while you're at the salon, it's time to find a new stylist.

"Hair styling shouldn't hurt. Any kind of scalp discomfort is abnormal. That's a very basic thing. A lot of people will come in and say, "It burned after a couple minutes of leaving it on, and then they came and washed it off." Any form of sensation can be a sign that the scalp is being damaged. If you suffer any kind of discomfort while you're at the salon, stop seeing that stylist. If you experience any burning, stinging, tingling, any kind of pain on their scalp after the styling is done, or during the process of it, you shouldn't go back."
- Dr. Kundu

8. Opt for looser hairstyles.

"Hair styling can cause problems in terms of alopecia. When braids or weaves are too tight, they hurt. Pain means it's too tight, it's pulling too hard. There's too much tension. Try to keep ponytails and braids loose, not as tight, to reduce the amount of tension on the scalp."

Renell Shorter - Prom Hairstyles

Tips from Renell Shorter MS. RAE IS A LICENSED HAIR PROFESSIONAL AND EXTENSION SPECIALIST, SERVICING DALLAS, TX AND DETROIT, MI.

Getting ready for the prom evening! Proms are all the fun and excitement. The evening is laced up with fantastic music and great food to be enjoyed with your friends. No guesses that you would like to look the best in the whole gathering. You cannot afford to relax because every one at the prom night is going to give you a stiff competition. You have to have the perfect dress, shoes, make-up and not to leave out -- the perfect hairstyle. 

The 2005 prom hair styles are a blend of the classic hair dos and some funky modern hair styles. Your hairstyle depends on a number of things. First is the time of your prom. If it is an evening prom, then the hairstyle must go with the evening dress. 

You can pick your hair style from a number of prom hairstyles. The hairstyles are really sexy to give you an alluring look. The most popular of them is the up do hair style. In this style the hair are tied up tight on the top of your head exposing your neck. The naked neck gives you a sensuous look. 

For a softer appeal, you can support a couple of locks down the bun. The bun can be the normal small round bun or a French twist. A French twist is considered to be classy and appealing. You can make a French twist yourself easily. Or ask your mamma for a little attention. All you have to do is to part your front hair and hold the back hair tightly. Then twist the hair upwards and fix the ends with a bobby pin. You can decorate the twist with hair accessories like jewels and flowers. 

The internet has total description of hairstyles. You can prepare a fun prom hair style following instructions on the websites. Also you can make formal prom hairstyles. The website has full demonstration of the prom hairstyles with photographs. 

You can also romanticize the evening with romantic hair styles. The most romantic hair style is the one with a lot of curls. The hairstyle can make you feel romantic. If you have natural curls then you are blessed. You can tie your hair up high and pin tightly leaving the curls to flow down. The people with straight hair can curl them up by using hot curlers. Straight hair have their own sex appeal. Long sleek and straight hair look really sexy but your hair should be in good condition. 

Short crop hairstyles are also in vogue among the prom hairstyles. The long and smoky waves are the taste of the season as well. You can make waves in your hair by applying light rollers for a shorter duration. A tight ponytail or letting them down are both good styles for smoky hair. 

Guys can enhance their sex appeal by a few highlights and the right gel to give a desirable look to the hair. Rock the prom with these hot prom hairstyles.