Hair For You

Hair loss is a common problem for both men and women. It is estimated that 25% of all men begin to experience hair loss by age 30 and two thirds by the age of 60. For women, 50% will experience some form of hair loss by age 50.

What Causes Hair Loss?

It’s normal for people to lose an average of 100 to 125 hairs per day! Just like our furry animal friends we shed hair which is then replaced by younger hairs. When we experience abnormal hair loss, the hair sheds faster then it can be replaced, or it is replaced by thinner and weaker hair. In each subsequent cycle it tends to become thinner and thinner and may eventually not come back at all.

There are many reasons why people experience hair loss. Stress, diet, general health and aging are all cause for abnormal or excessive loss of hair. However, 95% of all cases are due to “Androgenetic Alopecia,” more commonly know as “Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss.” This is a genetic condition that affects up to 40 million men and 20 million women in the United States.

The Power of Light

Light is energy. Since the dawn of time, the sun has been the source of all life on earth. All forms of life, no matter how primitive or how advanced, derive sustenance from life-giving light.

Scientists have long known that light has an effect on cell function. Light has the power to heal, but the lack of light can also cause serious illness. Remove a plant from sunlight and it will wither and die. Place an infant born prematurely with jaundice under a simple blue light and the symptoms are reversed.

During the summer months when we are exposed to more hours of natural sunlight we find that our hair grows faster and thicker. It is the red spectrum of sunlight that stimulates the blood supply to our scalp and causes this biological phenomenon.

Discovery of Laser Therapy

While conducting research on mice in 1964, Dr. Andre Mester of Budapest Hungary, used a low reactive laser to heal wounds that would not respond to other treatment. Using the laser, he was able to hyper-stimulate skin cell growth in the effected area, thus healing the wounds. He noticed a surprising side effect – the laser also stimulated hair growth in the treated area where longer, thicker hair appeared. In subsequent testing, both results were duplicated involving diabetic patients with wounds that would not heal.

How Does It Work?

Unlike high powered lasers that use heat to cut through tissue, low level laser therapy uses red and near-infrared light on the cool end of the light spectrum. This “cool laser” is able to penetrate deep into tissues of the scalp, stimulating micro-circulation of blood supply, cell metabolism and protein synthesis through the process of photo bio-stimulation.

Laser Hair Therapy (LHT) is a new, non-surgical, scientific approach in the treatment of hair loss, thinning hair and scalp problems. LHT has been medically tested and is FDA approved for safety and effectiveness.

Hair restoration clinics around the world have been documenting the success of the Laser Hair Therapy as an important tool to stop the progression of hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Clinical studies have shown that many benefits of Laser Hair Therapy:

• Cessation of hair loss
• Increase in hair volume
• Stimulation of the hair follicle
• Promotion of thicker, stronger and healthier hair
• Strengthening and nourishing of weak hair

Laser hair therapy has proved to be a viable option for both men and women who are in the early stages of hair loss and general thinning.

If you experience sudden and excessive hair loss you should first see your family doctor or dermatologist to check on the possible cause of individual hair loss. Correct diagnosis is critical in the prevention of possible permanent scarring in the affected areas of the scalp.

Photo: Hair Loss Control Clinic

The people of Haiti need your help! The devastating earthquake that hit Haiti recently has left so many without food and shelter. Ambiance Spa, Salon Ambiance and Convoy of Hope have teamed up to help raise money for those suffering in Haiti. We will be holding a Bake Sale on January 29th and January 30th 2010 and donating all the proceeds to Convoy of Hope.  We will also donate $5 to emergency kits from any services booked on those days and cash donations can also be received. Convoy of Hope can multiply cash donations into considerably more product that gets into the hands of those they serve. For every unrestricted $1.00 contribution that Convoy of Hope receives, they are able to distribute $7.00 (wholesale value) of goods (food, water, ice, clothing, medical supplies, school supplies, etc.). For more information about Convoy of Hope please visit www.convoyofhope.org.

For more information about our services please visit www.myambiancespa.com and www.salonambiance.biz and for any questions please visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/AmbianceMedSpa or call 714-846-3010. The address is 5075 Warner Ave Suite 204 Huntington Beach, CA, 92649

It’s that time of year again! Winter is here and that means they way you style and maintain your hair has to change for the season. Depending on where you are in the world, winter weather varies. Some places are damp and snowy and others rainy and windy but whatever the weather, it all affects your hair. A common winter hair problem is frizz. This can be caused by the weather but also your winter accessories like hats, hoods, scarves, beanies, etc. Here are some wonderful tips from Bella Sugar by famed stylist John Frieda, along with Harry Josh, on how to handle winter frizz.

• “Dry Blow-Dry: Who says you have to catch your hair when it’s wet to prevent frizz? Simply start off by applying a pea-sized amount of John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum ($8) on dry hair. Working in sections, use a round brush, followed by a blow-dryer with an air-flow attachment to encourage the hair to lie straight.
• Create a Barrier: For a quick fix, simply repel moisture with an anti-humidity hairspray, like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hairspray ($6) or Garnier Fructis Style Anti-Humidity Hairspray ($3.50).
• In a Pinch?: Don’t have product available at the moment? No worries. Simply wet your fingertips with water, and lightly dab your fingers over the frizz to let it dry flat. Talk about recession-proof beauty, eh?”

Source

Are you always struggling to achieve that voluminous hair style you desire? Does your hair always fall flat after a couple hours? We have all experienced the disappoint of styling our hair only to have it lose its volume in a matter of hours.

Here are some simple tips from the April 2008 issue of Ladies Home Journal for achieving a fuller everyday style:

Towel drying is your friend: Once out of the shower, scrunch hair at the root with your towel instead of smoothing it down and away from the head.

Blow it bigger: Use volumizer and spray it on the roots. Bend your head down and direct the air towards the scalp and not the ends.

Hotter is not better: Use the low and medium settings on your blow dryer. Hair dries and deflates when very hot air is used. It may dry your hair faster but it is doing more damage.

Don’t spray down – Spray up: If you hair needs hold, lift hair away from the scalp and mist lightly aerosol spray on to it from underneath. This pushes the hair up and out and does not create a helmet-like shell that flattens the hair.

Give your brush a break: Do not brush after blow drying because it pushes the hair down. An alternative is using your fingers to lift, arrange and fluff your hair.

Be mindful of your part: If you part your hair make sure the part is short and just a couple inches long. If you do this you can push the hair on your crown around so there is volume where you need it. Another good way to increase volume with a part is to flip your part to the opposite side during the day and this will give you some added volume because it bends the hair in a new direction.

Don’t be afraid to fake it: With so many new and high quality pieces out there don’t be afraid of partial hair peices. Pieces like ponytails, falls and  clip in extensions make your hair more voluminous instantly. If using clip in extensions clip them right above the thin areas and use your fingers to fluff them into your real hair.

Everyone has heard their Hair Stylist stress the importance of quality hair care products and many people don’t adhere to their advice. In this current economy sometimes beauty products suffer and cheaper products just have to do. Finding quality hair care products are vital to the health of your hair. Keeping it healthy and shiny does take work and proper care. Here is a list of some ingredients to look for when shopping for the best products for you from New Beauty:

IMETHICONE
There are different types of silicone-derived dimethicones, and almost all are emollient-rich and leave hair feeling silky and soft by coating the hair shaft.

SULFATES
Two of the most common sulfates, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, allow shampoos to lather and conditioners to spread. Keep in mind, some experts believe sulfates and surfactants can fade your color. They come in different quality grades and are either chemically engineered or naturally derived, which can determine if they’re damaging or non-damaging. Sulfate-free shampoos are an alternative, as are those with natural sulfates, but they may not foam as well as other shampoos

SURFACTANTS
Surfactants allow for oil to be washed away from the hair and scalp, but they can possibly dehydrate them as well.

What are some of your favorite hair care products? How do you keep your healthy? What is your hair care beauty regimen?

Everyone loves to talk about celebrity hair and everyone loves to comment on their favorite celebrities new hair styles. You might have noticed that some of your favorite actresses have long flowing locks one day and then a cute short bob the next. This phenomena is what some like to call the Faux Bob. This short do is great for the everyday women when she feels like spicing up her look and a great addition to your Halloween costume.

Here are some easy steps from Bella Sugar for achieving this quick transformation:

• “STEP 1: Pull hair back into a low ponytail with a hair tie that blends in with the color of your hair. (Goody makes some inexpensive ones.)
• STEP 2: Tuck the ponytail under and secure it with bobby pins to hold your hair firmly in place.
• STEP 3: Next, pull a generous amount of hair from the tops and the sides to create the illusion that your hair is down.
• STEP 4: Lastly, curl the loose hairs with a curling iron so they shorten and look more voluminous. Mist your entire head with hairspray and then loosely pin back any extra long hairs to create an overall shorter appearance!”

Don’t be afraid to experiment with new looks! This is a great way to find out if you want that short bob or a great alternative to getting that short do.

Photo: InStyle Weddings

Hair loss affects so many, both men and woman. Many people feel hopeless and shameful about their hair loss but there have been some exciting new developments in Hair Loss Treatment. Hair Loss Laser Treatments are making headlines! Take a look at this excerpt from a feature on the CBS news affiliate in Fort Worth, TX:

“With no warning, the client’s hair began falling out in clumps. “I visited several doctors and they did blood workups, but they couldn’t find out what was wrong.”

The woman says she has always worn her hair long, but when she began noticing bald spots knew she needed a solution. “I began to be very concerned that if I didn’t do something about it I was going to end up losing all of my hair.”

When clients go to Stylemakers, Shelly Beatty first analyzes their hair follicles. “What we’re looking for is to make sure they do not have a clogged or plugged hair follicle,” the salon owner explained.

If the follicles are active and clear, the client will begin low level laser treatments twice a week. According to stylists, the treatment helps increase blood flow around the hair follicles. “The existing hair they currently have is going to start feeling thicker and full and they’re going to get more volume to the hair they already have,” claimed Beatty.

Stylists say after starting treatment clients should begin seeing some results immediately. “The more hair you have to begin with, the less time you’ve been losing hair, the better results you’ll get,” said Beatty.”

The whole story and a video of the report can be found here

I am very excited about this because I am offering this very same treatment and am the only certified person in this part of Orange County. I was thrilled to see another stylist making headlines with this Laser Treatment. Right now I am offering free consultations to the first 30 people to make appointments. If you would like more information or are interested in a consultation feel free to message me or leave me a comment.

Photo: Hair Loss Control Clinic

The idea is that our hair gets darker as we age. Also, as we age, our skin naturally loses pigment, which can make darker hair colors look unflattering and severe. Seems like our bodies are just working against ourselves, doesn’t it? Solution? Highlights, of course! Adding warmer highlights to your hair can take years off your face. You can even go so far as to say that your hair when you were young, say 4 or 5 years old, would be your most natural, flattering sun-kissed hair color. Highlighting, rather than just changing your base color, would be the best way to achieve the look you are going for: as young as possible, without looking like you are trying too hard. Also, highlighting is much easier to maintain and you won’t need to rush to the salon every 4 weeks or less for a root touch-up. Some people may even be able to go as far as 4 months with highlights, depending on how light their highlights are compared to their natural color.

Highlights can give hair dimension, definition and add a relaxed, sun-kissed look to your hair. If done correctly, they can even take years off of your face. However, achieving natural-looking highlights can be tricky and can easily turn out streaky and fake. Fortunately, most people already have natural highlights in their hair and there are ways to bring your highlights out more if you are not willing to take the risk. If you want a dramatic change, a stylist and processed highlights would be the best way to go, but these tips can help you bring out a subtle difference. The best way to do this is keeping your hair as healthy and lustrous as you can by taking care of your hair and making sure it is properly moisturized. Using a deep conditioner will help infuse body and shine, if you are not sure what kind of deep conditioner to use for your hair type, consult with your stylist. Regularly getting your hair trimmed is very important because split ends can give your hair a dull, matte appearance. Heat can seriously dry out your hair and will create the same effect, blow-drying and flat-ironing should be done as rarely as possible. When you must blow-dry or otherwise style with heat, make sure to use a thermal protector and leave-in conditioner to protect your hair. Not only do you need to keep your hair healthy on the surface, but you also need vitamins and minerals that will stimulate blood flow to your roots. For example, B complex vitamins regulate the amount of oil produced in the hair to moisturize evenly. Although I’m sure you have heard of spritzing a little lemon on your hair to help bring out highlights, doing so can dry out your hair and defeat the purpose of “natural” highlights.

Foiling is the most commonly used method of highlighting. It is useful for getting closest to the roots and keeps processing solution from seeping to unwanted strands of hair by using professional-quality tinfoil to surround processing hair. This is the best technique to use for tri-color services, which include lowlights, highlights and a base color, as all the colors can be kept separate.

Chunking is best if you’re looking for bold highlights or lowlights. Your stylist will take larger sections of hair and color process them according to the look you want. Some more daring individuals may use chunking as a way of infusing bright, unexpected shades to their hair, while others may like the look of chunking, but will want a tone closer to their natural tone for a less drastic change. The chunking technique is very versatile and can be used for any look you would like anywhere on the scale of natural to downright shocking.

Painting is just as it sounds. A brush or comb is used to literally paint bleach or color mixture onto the hair strands. This technique creates a very natural, sun-kissed look to your hair. Because the bleach is not contained in foil or plastic while processing, it is necessary to use a larger amount to get the desired effect, which can burn the hair, so proper upkeep is a must.

Baliage is a form of painting with little limitation, creating a more multitonal and multidimensional look. In most cases, the processed pieces are wrapped in plastic wrap, so this technique is less damaging than just painting and creates a more dramatic effect by keeping the processing solution from escaping to unwanted surrounding strands of hair.

Tipping is a method that highlights a section of the bottom of your strands of hair. A variety of lengths and colors can be used, so, like chunking, tipping can be used for any look from natural to daring. This method works best on straight or slightly wavy hair and is very low maintenance.