Home Hair Bleaching

A concept that has caused a stir in the cosmetic world, hair bleaching is a chemical process that is used to lighten hair. While, it is possible to get your hair bleached professionally, home hair bleaching is an economical and safe way of getting that blonde look. It is used for highlighting the hair and enhancing features and personality. The normal color of the hair fibers is due to the presence of melanin pigments, which are naturally produced in the hair follicle by melanocyte cells, in the growing or anagen phase. With the application of the bleaching agents, the normal melanin present in the hair fiber is oxidized into a colorless compound. The most popular reason for bleaching hair is to get a true neutral, ash or platinum blonde hair. Based on how dark your natural hair is, the color after bleaching your hair could range from rusty orange to pale yellow. However it is important to keep in mind that hair bleach contains harmful chemicals like hydroquinone, kojic acid and ammonia which might cause scalp irritation and rashes, if not used properly. Hence it is important to know as to how to bleach your hair at home without causing damage to it.

Bleaching Your Hair at Home

For hair bleaching a developer with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide is used. The alkalizing agent combines with the hydrogen peroxide and diffuses into the cortex (center) of the hair shaft, where it breaks down the melanin responsible for color and replaces it with whatever tinting agent has been used. You can use a store bleaching kit which contains the bleach in powder form and the developer (hydrogen peroxide) that is added to activate the lightening process.

To prepare the mixture read the instructions written on the kit. Based on the measurements on the kit, add the peroxide to the bleach a little at a time, stirring and squishing the lumps out. Make sure that the consistency of the mixture is neither too runny nor too thick.

For application of the bleach on your hair, wear your plastic gloves and tie a towel on your neck. Now section your hair using small claw hair clips. For bleaching the hair, remove the clip from one section and use the brush provided with the kit to paint the bleach evenly on the hair. Clip the section once it is done. Once all the sections have been coated, place a shower cap over your hair and using a warm blow dryer warm the shower cap. This will help the hair dye develop more quickly.

Leave on the bleach for 20 minutes or as specified in the instructions and then wash off. After rinsing off the bleach wash your hair with a mild shampoo, to remove all traces of the chemicals. As bleaching can dry your hair, use a good quality hair conditioner to moisturize your hair.

While, going blonde can be loads of fun, here are some words of caution you need to keep in mind. It is important to remember that hair bleach is toxic, so, keep the bleach away from eyes, nose, and mouth. Also, if you have hair that has been chemical straightened, permed, or recently dyed you should not use bleach, as this may permanently destroy the hair shafts leading to hair loss.

Home Remedies for Bleaching Hair

Due to the harsh chemicals, repeated bleaching can lead to weathered hair which looks dull and has a lot of split ends. This is why people are opting for natural hair bleaching methods to lighten their hair.

Lemon Juice: One of the most popular natural remedies is the use of lemon juice. For bleaching the hair, mix 2 tbsp of juice with approximately 6 tbsp of water and rub it in to your dry hair. Rinse off thoroughly after a couple of hours.

 

Tea: The use of tea can go a long way in bleaching the hair on your scalp. Steep the tea in hot water and let it cool down a bit. Rub it in to your dry hair and rinse off after a couple of hours.

Flowers: Certain flowers such as chamomile can also be used for lightening the hair. Just boil the flowers in water for an hour. Once it is cooled, strain the mixture and rinse your hair with the solution.

 

You can use any of these effective home remedies for bleaching hair. However, if you want to use the bleaching products, then make sure that you get a well-known product and perform a patch test to check for allergies. The best and usually the safest route to get the right hair coloring idea is to seek professional help to do the job.

Should You Use Hair Straighteners?

There are many different brands, makes and models of hair straighteners on the market. It is important to understand that although the names are not all the same and they work in a variety of ways, the bottom line is that they do straighten your hair. For those who want to have their hair straightened without putting harsh perms in their hair, the use of a hair straightener is the best solution.

Pros
 

If you are willing to spend about $100 for a straightener, some of the better ones available for sale can straighten your hair with the same perfection as a chemical perm and keep it straight for several days, eliminating the need to touch up hair in humid weather conditions. Curly hair that needs to be straight can benefit from hair straightening and looks great when it is long and smooth, which is what the hair straightener does.

These tools help to make hair that is tough to untangle more manageable by keeping the curl relaxed. Also called flat irons, the way it works is to take a small section of hair and press it between the two irons near the scalp and pull down slowly. Hair is heated and straightened to perfection.

Cons
 

Hair straighteners do apply heat directly to hair every time you use them. This means that it is very possible to over straighten the hair or to cause it to stress and break from too much heat. All straighteners come with heat settings you can choose from. The higher you set them, the more heat they deliver. The material that the straightener is made from makes a difference as well. Ceramic irons are said to be some of the best kinds on the market now because they heat quickly but do not overheat the hair shaft remy lace wigs.

Care should be taken when straightening hair that has oil or any product that can cause the hair to hold heat as it is very possible to burn the scalp from the oil being heated on the hair shaft. It is also possible to burn fingertips that are nearby and holding the hair as you straighten it.

If you are looking for a hair straightener, you owe it to yourself to do a little research before you purchase. There are many different kinds of inexpensive ones available at every store from Wal-Mart to your local drug store. Although they may be cheap, the quality you get can be compared to the price you pay for your flat iron. You may be able to cut corners on other areas but a quality hair straightener will pay for itself in a very short time with the quality straightening it delivers time and again.

Treat yourself to a quality cut from a professional so that you can optimize using your straightener for the perfect look. The length of your hair should be a determinant in the size barrel you use. Longer hair can use a larger barrel but 1-1/4 inch width is a good size for hair of all lengths.

Fine Remy Hair for Lace Frontals

Lace wigs are usually the best type of wigs in the market. They're hand-made weaving each strand of real hair into the fine holes from the lace resulting in an impeccably natural looking head of hair. Many of the lace wigs often have a Lace front, where the remainder of the wig consists of a more durable material, in order to make sure the wig does not tear or rip. Top quality and long lasting wigs are the lace front wigs, the entire lace wigs do not last as long as they do not appear anymore natural than the lace front ones.

 

As for the hair on the wigs, the very best type of human hair is Remy hair. Virgin Remy hair is the very best kind of hair as it has never been chemically treated. Each strand of hair has been maintained towards the highest standard which helps to ensure that the surface from the hair, is perfectly aligned which leads to incredibly real looking hair. As Remy hair is real hair you can have the look of your favorite celebrity in an instant. Celebrities such as Beyonce and Tyra Banks all use Brazilian hair, the most sought after and expensive in the market. You simply need to look in the Brazilian hair around the hairs of Brazilian women to see how gorgeous it is. The wigs can come naturally curl not to mention straight, so there isn't even any styling required. Although, when you do wish to style the hair, it's the capabilities to do this, as possible with natural hair. It has a much more pros than synthetic hair and horse hair in the sense that it's not as brittle and fake looking. Also, you are able to apply heat to the hair without it melting or breaking - you can just utilize it as if it's your own hair. The lace wigs with Brazilian locks are the more popular from the kinds of lace wig on the market. If you do not desire a Lace wig with Brazilian hair, there are numerous alternatives, such as Indian hair, Malaysian hair extensions and Chinese hair. The Brazilian style hair is best suited to African-Caribbean women, because it will appear probably the most natural for them. So, another alternatives are equally good in quality, however, they'll provide a different look.

Wigs are usually used by ladies who have thinning or no hair, for example people undergoing chemotherapy. It is used and widely accepted by African-Caribbean women, especially since the celebrities have endorsed the use of them. Some people in many cases are scared of using wigs because they look unnatural or they might disappear, the truth is, the technological advancements in wig making ensure that this never occurs. If you think about the history of wig making- look at the courts for example, you can see that they have been around for a long period, thus the creation and manufacture of wigs has been perfected with time lace front wigs.

Hair Extensions That Work

Jane Clark always had baby-fine hair, and no matter how long she let it grow or how many shampoo, conditioning, and other products she used, her hair still looked thin. Then she heard about hair extensions and decided to try them. Her hair appointment began at 10 in the morning, and she did not leave the salon until 8 that night- quite an ordeal. In the mirror, her hair looked as she had always wanted-long and blond.

But soon problems arose. Lisa disliked having hundreds of plastic beads in her hair to attach her extensions. She would lose extensions from time to time, as with any extensions, but because of the way the beads were attached, her own hair broke off with them. Lisa would ask her stylist Leanne-Sedillo-Beadell, "Why can't somebody come up with an extension that disappears into your hair? Why can't they make an extension that you can't feel and can't see, and that doesn't break your hair? Why isn't there a quicker way to get the long, thick hair I love?"

Necessity Breeds Invention Those questions, and the answers that Leanne and Jane have developed, have lead to a revolutionary new hair-extension product called Hot Strands. Available through hair salons and as do-it-yourself at-home kits, Hot Strands has solved the problems that traditional hair extension products caused, while also delivering a great hairstyling experience.

What's so different about Hot Strands? In a nutshell, Hot Strands extensions are designed to be easy to apply and remove, comfortable to wear, and versatile to style. They can be worn for more than two months without removal. "Hot Strands are the first truly affordable, time-saving, semi-permanent hair extension system ever developed," says Lisa, "With Hot Strands, you are not spending hours in the salon to have extensions applied, or spending thousands of dollars for semi-permanent extensions. They can be applied at home or by your stylist... you decide."

To understand how effective the Hot Strands system is, it will help to review the various hair-extension products currently available on the market. The "strand-by-strand" types can be attached by melting pre-glued tips (attached to 20 to 25 strands of hair) to the same amount of your hair, or by attaching metal or plastic clamps to your hair. Both are attached with hot pliers or with other tools. Some are removed with grain alcohol and pliers. Both can damage the hair and cause tension breakage, and unfortunately often do.

What about weaving or glue-in techniques? Weaves are applied by braiding hair into micro cornrow braids woven very tightly against the head from ear to ear. Extensions are then sewn onto the braids, and can and is very damaging-especially for Caucasians-and can cause serious head-aches. Glue-ins-the gluing of the hair right to the scalp-are time consuming, costs between $300 and $800 (depending on the quality of hair you use), and last from a few days to up to a week. This method can also cause damage.

Dealing With the Fallout The more temporary extension solution, the clip-on, has to be put on every day in the same spot, and your hair must be thick enough to even consider wearing them. On very fine hair, clip-ons can cause serious natural-hair breakage as well, and can fall out very suddenly-not what you want onstage at competitions clip in hair extensions.

Another drawback for traditional extension users has been their high cost, with weaves and strand-by-strand applications rarely under $1,000, and ranging up to $8,000, depending on the amount and the length of hair used. Clip-on costs can range from under $100 for regular synthetic hair to about $500 for 21" long human hair extensions.

Au Naturel The Hot Strands line consists of locks of hair that attach with a patented latex-free peel-and-stick adhesive tape system, with your natural hair supported between two pieces of tape that eliminates tension breakage. Simply use the release spray and peel to remove the extensions. Hot Strands look and feel very natural and comfortable in your hair, and are available in both human hair or Biotress, a heat stylable synthetic that is like a "clone" of human hair. Treat it the same as your own hair-wash with regular shampoo, blow-dry, flat-iron, curl with hot rollers. Hot Strands Biotress hair maintains "heat-styled memory," allowing curls that last even after shampooing.

A Nod to the Bottom Line The Biotress systems come in 20" lengths, in straight and wavy styles. The human hair kits are supplied in 16", 18", and 22" lengths. Extensions come precut into 4" wide pieces, pre-taped, and ready to apply. A Number of color selections are available, including both solid and "reversible colors" offerings with opposite-side highlights and lowlights for easier color blending. Hot Strands kits are priced under $500. Even if you have a complete salon service that includes Hot Strands, you will be done in less than one hour. Safe to use even on children, Hot Strands hair extensions bridge the gap between clip-ons and complex extension systems. "It's a well-thought-out and integrated system," says Lisa Kenna, "that looks and feel natural, gives you peace of mind, and will not damage your hair."

Eyebrow Hair Restoration for People with Hair Growth Defect

The eyebrow hair restoration has been developed to help people who have eyebrow disorders. Eyebrows are important since it protects the eyes from dirt and contaminants. Some people have developed a genetic disorder that leads to eyebrow deterioration and decline. This can be attributed to the lack or inactivation of genes that is involved in the proliferation of eyebrow strands. This can be treated through the use of proper medications that can induce the cells required for eyebrow production.
Hair disorder is not a superficial disease since it involves lack of proteins and enzymes that are needed to produce hair strands. In the case of eyebrow deterioration, a certain gene is lacking that is specifically assigned for the growth and proliferation of hair in eyebrows human hair lace wigs.

The eyebrow hair restoration can be achieved by inducing cell growth in the specific area. This can be done through gene therapy. This is one of the latest medical breakthroughs in the field of cosmetic surgery. This is very effective since eyebrow hair growth can be restored permanently. The procedure is fast and simple. The patient is injected with an mRNA substance or messenger ribonucleic acid. The mRNA specifically targets the hair cells in the eyebrow area. After several sessions, the number of hair cells in that area would have multiplied exponentially. This is ideal for aging patients who have experienced decline in eyebrow hair due to malnutrition or lack of protein intake. This serves as a long term treatment.

The eyebrow restoration treatment involves taking hair supplements and vitamins necessary for hair growth. Biotin and testosterone pills are the most commonly prescribed by doctors. This should be taken in a daily basis in order to reinforce the natural hair growth in the body.

The eyebrow hair restoration treatment has been used by patients who have experienced eyebrow hair loss. People who are not cleared to undergo surgical procedures should opt with the mRNA hair treatment since it is equally effective. The eyebrow would continue to grow and proliferate since the medication induces cell development and multiplication. This is ideal for aging people who have generalized hair growth problems. This is the best solution for long term hair growth.

Your Hair Has Something to Say

Next visit to your doctor, he asks you for a blood sample, a urine sample -- and a few leftover strands of hair from your hairbrush?
It sounds like science fiction, but experts say hair tests might help doctors diagnose health problems just like the more common blood tests and urinalysis.
In addition, just as soil and water samples can determine environmental contamination, human hair samples can indicate toxic overload in the body, experts say.

Ben McLean became intrigued with the idea a few years ago and decided to have his hair analyzed for possible toxic substances. McLean, a longtime citrus grower in Clermont, sent a hair sample to a lab. The lab sent back a report explaining its findings along with recommendations for improving his health.

"It was fascinating," the Clermont resident says. "They give you a chart and it shows you the levels they say you should be in and what levels you are in."

McLean's chart indicated, for example, the amount of aluminum in his system was too high.

"They suggested I quit using deodorant with aluminum in it and antiperspirant because that has aluminum in it," he says. "I did follow their recommendations, and I think it was about six months later, it [aluminum level] had come way down to where it almost disappeared."

Each day, Americans are exposed to a multitude of toxins such as drug and chemical residues, heavy metals and radiation, which can accumulate in body tissue over time. The toxins cause vitamin and mineral imbalances that affect health, says Dr. Janet Starr Hull, author of Sweet Poison: How The World's Most Popular Artificial Sweetener is Killing Us -- My Story.

The environment is tainted with a variety of contaminants, from household chemicals to pesticides to toxic waste, many of which are commonly found in varying degrees in air, water and food. Some doctors think environmental toxins are a major factor in autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
 

Hull, who has a doctorate in nutrition and a master's degree in environmental science, wrote about her experience with illness that she says was caused by aspartame. The artificial sweetener is just one of many substances Hull says can be detected through hair analysis.

Protein in hair follicles develops a record of what's going on in the body, Hull says, and because hair generally grows about half an inch each month, a three-inch strand may offer a six-month history of the body. The screening tool can detect the type and amount of toxic metals in the system. It also can determine amounts of essential elements necessary for normal body function.

Hull says the findings offer a foundation for nutritional counseling.

Critics argue that results can't always be trusted because chemicals used on hair such as shampoo and dye can cause inaccuracies. Also, they say, mistakes can be made by laboratories that use a variety of methods and procedures to test hair.

But criminologist Tom Mieczkowski of the University of South Florida in Tampa says current research shows that most experienced labs use preparations and techniques that quash such concerns. He says hair analysis can be even more reliable than urinalysis.
Although traditional medical practitioners sometimes scoff at the idea, the tests already are used in drug testing for prison parolees and forensics.

Hair testing also is well documented when it comes to measuring for heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, says Dr. Albert Robbins, a physician in Boca Raton who treats patients with multiple chemical sensitivity. He says the test can provide important information if used in conjunction with analyses but should not be considered a stand-alone diagnostic test.

Robbins says he does not make recommendations for treatment or for vitamin and mineral supplements based upon hair analysis alone. If a patient's hair sample indicated a problem, he says, he would follow up with blood tests to verify the earlier test.

"And then I would advise treatment."

Robbins adds that research hasn't shown yet that hair analysis works as well as other tests in determining what's causing illness.

But he says, "I have an open mind."

Must Try Haircuts

In the search to find the right look for you, there are some must have haircuts that everyone should try at least once. Check them out here and then give them a go when you're ready for a new look.
Bob

Bob haircuts have been around for years and don't show any signs of retiring to the hair history hall of fame anytime soon. Mainly because they always look great and can be modified to fit into any trend. Whether they're worn curly or wavy, sleek and straight, long or short, they guarantee a flattering finish. If you've never had your hair cut into this type of style before, make an appointment at your salon ASAP.
Layers

Model with a layered haircutAnother type of cut that shows up every year is anything involving layers. The most popular layered style to emerge in the last few years has been long layers through the mid-lengths and ends, as shown here, and made popular by Jennifer Aniston. Layers through the ends of the hair makes the cut more wearable for a range of hair types and just simply looks fantastic when locks are shiny and straight.
Pixie Cut

If you're daring enough to wear short hair, one of the must try cuts just has to be a pixie. Perfect for those with petite features, the pixie looks timeless and can be dressed up and down for any occasion, making it a very versatile look. The short nature and messy texture of the look also means styling is a breeze.
Bangs

If hair length is something you don't need to update, then the next best option for a mini-change is adding bangs to your look. Full, blunt bangs, eye-skimming bangs, side-swept bangs, layered bangs and mini bangs are just some of the bang options you can choose from today. If you've never tried bangs, or haven't worn them for years, see your stylist today to discuss the options that you can try and enjoy a fun new look with minimal effort.

How To Look After Black Hair

 Hair loss, thinning hair, male hair loss, female hair loss, trichology, trichologist, hair loss clinic, hair loss centre, hair loss treatments, hair loss treatments for men and women, scalp disorders, hair and scalp problems.

The typical hair and hair follicles of those of African descent are tightly curled, thus producing hair that spirals. Black hair also typically has a larger diameter than Caucasian hair and retains less water, thus its relative “kinkiness." The many styling methods utilized on Black hair cause concern with hair loss. Black hair is very strong, fortunately so because Black hair styles cause a great deal of Stress on the hair and scalp.

For example, using a hair pick to pick the hair up to a bushy style is a very damaging process due to the constant pulling causing stress on the hair shaft as well as the follicle. In fact, combing Black hair in general can create high stress on Black hair and cause breakage, which perpetuates dryness. Conrowing and braiding are methods of hairstyling that pull the hair tight, and this can cause a great deal of stress on the hair and scalp resulting in hair loss. Braiding that results in the hair being pulled very tight can cause traumatic alopecia, a hair loss that is caused by trauma to the hair and scalp. Traumatic alopecia is usually reversible with proper hair care.

Of course the bottom line is once again, if you can leave your hair in its natural state then you will experience less stress and damage to the hair and thus prevent at least one cause of hair loss. There is a growing segment of the Black population that is becoming comfortable with wearing their hair in natural styles. One such style is dreadlocks. There are many rumors and myths concerning dreadlocks, as there is little proper information available concerning this style, and as with anything that is misunderstood many myths arise around it. Dreadlocks can and must be washed; otherwise they will smell badly like any other dirty hair. The best process to use to wash dreadlocks is to use a residue-free shampoo. Most commercially made shampoos leave residue and can cause hair not to lock, lending fuel to the rumor that hair had to be dirty to form dreadlocks. Clean hair actually locks much better than dirty hair, as dirt is a residue in itself that will inhibit hair from locking. For best results one should use a fragrance free, conditioner free shampoo. Dreadlocks do not react well to oily and greasy substances, yet there are many good substances that are on the market today that will assist you in forming dreadlocks.

Dreadlocks are formed through a process, not simply by not combing or brushing the hair. Generally, one should start with hair about two inches in length, and the hair should be separated into even squares of hair and twisted gently together using a bonding or gel substance. Many use natural beeswax containing no petroleum, while others use loc and twist gels specifically formulated for locks. Once the hair is separated and twisted into small locks, it is important that they are left alone and allowed to bond naturally. The length of time it will take to lock will depend on the coarseness of your hair, but one can normally expect to wait several months before locks begin to form. While the hair is locking, it will need to be washed. Here is where washing should be extended for a while if possible, so that the hair can be allowed to lock for two weeks to about a month without manipulation. When you do wash your hair, use a stocking cap or “do-rag", and low-pressure water to make sure that the newly forming locks do not come loose. It will be necessary to rinse for a much longer time than you normally do, because of the lower pressure of the water and the lack of direct manipulation of your hair with your hands. The water is good for your hair and locking process, so this is not a problem. It is also imperative as indicated before that you use a shampoo that does not contain a conditioner and leaves as little residue as possible. A little research on your part will be necessary here; your health food store should contain a variety of natural shampoos. Have a skilled professional or a friend re-twist the hair gently, reapplying the twist gel or beeswax that you used previously. Repeat this process every two weeks to a month, the longer you are able to wait the better, and within a few months your hair will begin to lock.

Again, if you have a fine grade of hair rather than a kinky grade of hair, a beautician skilled at forming locks (“locktitian") or a friend who is very familiar with the hairstyle should be consulted. Even though dreadlocks are mainly a hairstyle for Blacks, there are other races that have people that enjoy the hairstyle. In general, it tends to be a style of hair that in the long run will give the hair and scalp needed rest from the rigors of chemical and heat treatments and rigorous combing and brushingBusiness Management Articles, and therefore can contribute to longer life for your hair.