How about some simple, common sense beauty strategies. No rocket science here, just some simple, little things which can have big impact over time. Sound good? Here goes!

Love your hair! Everyday! Find a good hairstylist, get a hairstyle that works with your schedule and which helps you look and feel your best, everyday!

Your makeup and moisturizer are important in helping you look your best, are they healthy for your skin? If they are older than 6 months, toss them and get fresh. When your makeup is fresh, you will look and feel fresh!

Pack a small beauty bag for quick fresh ups during the day. Things like face and body moisturizers, lip care products, mascara, feminine products, a nail file and any other critical items you may need when you are on the go.

Instead of turning to sugar or coffee for a pick me up, try a 20 minute walk! It’s refreshing and invigorating and will lift your energy for the rest of the day.

Clean out your closet. Purge, purge, purge. If you have not worn it in a year, get rid of it. Find a good organization you can donate to.

How’s your foundation? Is your bra doing it’s job? How about the panties? Toss any bras or panties that are worn out. Treat yourself for Valentine’s Day, buy a new sexy bra with matching panties. Perhaps you are the only one who will see it but you will still feel sexy!

It’s pretty difficult to hide your hands so no nasty nails! Keep an inexpensive manicure kit and hand moisturizer at your desk. Paper is drying to your hands so keep your hands and manicure pretty by moisturizing and taking care of your nails.

Take 5. A 5 minute beauty break when you take a bathroom break. Remember that bag we talked about earlier? Freshen up. If you’re home, moisturize and refresh. Consistent beauty breaks will keep your hands soft for holding and lips supple for kissing.

What are your beauty habits? What new ones do you need to incorporate? Implement one new habit weekly into your daily routines. Once you work them into your daily routines, you no longer need to think about them, they become automatic!

Being beautiful does not have to be complicated! Remember, K.I.S.S.

Hair loss can be devastating to your confidence and your social life whether you are male or female. Women especially can experience much anguish over thinning hair and hair loss issues.

So, what about diet when it comes to hair loss? What you eat can have a tremendous impact on hair loss and hair re-growth.

Nutrient rich blood flow to the scalp is essential for natural hair growth and luster. Dry brittle hair is a classic symptom of pour hair health. So is excessive oil a symptom of poor hair health.

Your hair needs good oils, monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Good fats that help keep the LDL cholesterol down and are heart friendly are also healthy for your hair. You can get your good oil from almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios and good olive oil, flax-seed oil or hemp oil. Flax-seed oil is high in omega 3 but hemp oil is even better as it has the correct balance of omega-3 and omega-6. Both of these are very important for hair.

Healthy hair needs B-vitamins. These assist in making red blood cells which carry oxygen to all the cells and this is important for hair health. Foods that contain B-vitamins are: whole grains such as wheat, oats, quinoa, wheat germ and brewers yeast. Also, chicken, turkey, sea foods, dairy products, eggs, leafy green vegetables and a variety of beans.

The importance of minerals is underestimated. Did you know vitamins are not utilized if the mineral balance is out of whack in your body? A lack of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and silica can contribute to thinning hair. Mineral rich foods include dark leafy greens, sprouts, sea weed, fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C is important for hair health and the absorption of minerals such as iron. Fruit , especially citrus is high in vitamin C.

Hair is mostly made up of protein. A protein rich diet should include sea foods, poultry eggs, and nuts to help keep hair lustrous. If you like red meats, make sure to choose lean cuts.

You should try to stick to a common sense diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and nuts and eat minimal if any processed foods. Most of these foods contain preservatives, pesticides and MSG which are not good foods for health or when trying to resolve hair issues.

Organic foods not only taste better but also have a higher nutrient content which is what you want when trying to improve the condition of your hair.

Hairs to your health, Bon Appetite!

Pretty much, on this website we focus on hair loss and thinning hair for women (as well as men and children.) Today we will take a look at the opposite side of the spectrum.

Have you ever heard of hirsutism? This is the term for the growth of coarse hair on women but - in a male pattern. In women, there is a wide variation of normal hairiness. For instance, some hairs on the upper lip, around the nipples and on the lower legs are common enough to be normal. Particularly this is true after menopause. On the other hand, a heavy beard or growth on the chest is clearly abnormal. There is no easily identifiable point to distinguish between what is normal and what is abnormal.

The problem is made even more difficult by the consideration variation between different racial groups. Many Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean women have dark hair on their face and limbs. Typically this is not the case with North American women.

If you have concerns about excessive hairiness, you have to decide whether on not to consult your doctor. The huge majority of excessively hairy women have no underlying “disease.” It’s just a part of their development and may run in their family history. If, on the other hand, the hirsutism comes on very suddenly, your doctor might want to do some blood test. You must decide if you wish to have treatment for your excess hair growth.

What are some common treatments? Shaving would be one. Today there are shavers marketed especially for women so it’s become a more accepted practice. Waxing is a great way to go especially for large areas of the body such as the legs. It is a great salon treatment and should be done every couple of months. The hair is removed by the root and possibly for a few individuals it could eventually be permanent. However, waxing can be painful but many feel the end result is worth the pain. Bleaching hairs makes them less obvious and this is a method of choice by many women.

There are creams that loosen hair, thus enabling it to be pulled out. You should know however, these creams can irritate the skin, are very foul smelling, and are quite frankly, very toxic! It is for these reasons that these creams are not widely used.

Electrolysis is also somewhat popular but is expensive. A fine needle is pushed down the side of the hair shaft and a tiny electric current is passed which is converted to heat and destroys the root. Very few hairs regrow. Electrolysis treatments are painful and most people can only tolerate a fifteen minute session. In that amount of time, between 50 and 100 hairs can be treated.

As with many other conditions, there are drugs which will reduce hair growth. However, the treatments will go on indefinitely and there are side effects so this is one condition you will probably want to deal with in a more “natural” fashion, as discussed above.

Laser hair loss treatment is efficient as it has low power requirements. The therapy utilizes different light doses to produce the desired effect on the scalp and balding areas. Laser treatments typically take about 30 minutes and should be done for 9 to 10 weeks and in some cases, more. For the treatment to be of benefit, the proper amount of light must be concentrated on the problem areas.

An added benefit of laser hair loss treatment would be an improvement general overall health of the scalp. If dandruff has been an issue, it will be reduced or eliminated. If all goes well, after the 9 week period, you should see hair growth beginning in bald spots and re-growth being generated in spots that were thinning. The remainder of your hair should experience a growth spurt, as well as thicker hair strands. After the initial hair re-growth, follow-up and maintenance appointments with laser light therapy are recommended as well as “booster” treatments once a mongh for continued hair re-generation.

Just as sunlight, through the process known as photosynthesis, helps plants grow and thrive, the energy of light through laser treatment can help aid in the healing of human injuries. Studies about this are soon to be published in scientific journals.

There is a new FDA-approved laser treatment called a “Lasercomb”. The comb works only if you have significant areas of hair left on your scalp. As you comb through your hair, the laser is supposed to be directed at your hair follicles to stimulate new hair growth. This technology is not cheap, the combs cost as much as $500. Directions tell you not to use it daily, only for a few days per week for about 15 minutes per day. It will take approximately three to six months using a Lasercomb to actually determine if this treatment is working for your hair.

A possible alternative solution for both men and women suffering from hair loss could be laser therapy. This will take both time and money, and is certainly not an immediate fix.  If you are looking for something more “instant”, contact Fantasia and talk with one of our Hair Support Specialist, they would be happy to help you with a solution that will work for you and give you immediate results.

Well, the same thing has hit within the makeup industry. “Mineral Makeup” is a term that you did not hear a few years ago. Today it is set to be THE trend of 2008.

Why? Well, the makeup industry is notoriously competitive. Therefore, anything new on the scene, has to be different, as well as fit with the overall current life trend of better and more natural living.

What is “mineral makeup”? When minerals are included in makeup, they leave the skin looking natural, clean and flawless. The science behind the minerals included in the makeup is that they are based on naturally occurring titanium and zinc oxide, and not mixed with any other chemically produced ingredients that may be found in other products out there. And, they have natural SPF which is a good thing.

The mineral makeup craze became popular in the US in 2007 when Bare Essentuals hit the scene. Their tag line was ‘Makeup so pure you can sleep in it’, highlighting the natural properties of the product and the fact that it won’t damage your skin. Since they blazed the trail, many of the major brands have developed their own versions of mineral makeup. The brand of mineral makeup we love and sell at Fantasia is Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup. Jane Iredale is a former movie/Hollywood makeup artist and saw what traditional did to the skin of her clients.

So, bottom line. Why would you use mineral makeup? One reason is that it is perfect for skin that is sensitive and easily irritated by makeup products. Secondly it is easy to apply and blend. Mineral makeup gives a flawless finish with minimum application.

Foundation is the key makeup item that women find the most difficult to get right. Once found, women tend to remain faithful to that foundation, sort of like finding your perfect pair of jeans. However, if you have not tried mineral makeup, you should spend some time with an expert at the makeup counter and explore the possibilities. I think you may be glad you did!

There are also medications which can cause hair loss. Of course we all know that chemotherapy treatments for cancer can cause complete hair loss but there are medications for other ailments which can also cause problems. If you are on a medication- you should keep track of any side effects or symptoms. You might be able to change your medications to something which will not cause you to lose your hair.

Poor diet can be a huge contributing factor for female hair loss. Your hair requires specific nutrients to be healthy and strong. If you go day after day with out getting proper nutrients, your hair will suffer. You should find out what nutrients are required for healthy hair. If you don’t eat the proper foods daily, make sure you supplement to get these nutrients. It could be cheap insurance for you.

Aging is another reason why women experience hair loss. Usually around 50, a woman’s hair begins to thin and may fall out. There are some great solutions for this type of hair loss that will keep it to a minimum. If this is you, your someone you care about, a Hair Support Specialist at Fantasia can help you find the perfect solution for you.

Hormonal changes a woman experiences in her life can contribute to hair loss. Consult your physician to help you get your hormones in better balance.

In summary, stress, illness, diet, age, medications and hormones are typically the reasons for hair loss in women. For men it’s different. Usually they lose their hair because of genetic reasons.

We’ve said this before but far better to be dealing with thinning hair and hair loss today as a woman than in years gone by. Today we have solutions which allow you to live confidently and have an active lifestyle. If you have questions, call us!

A hair integration is not a wig, hairpiece or extension. It requires no surgery. A hair integration blends an individual’s hair with an integration hair system to create fullness, volume and length. It is for individuals with thinning hair or hair loss who want to make the most of their natural hair. An integration system is designed with a cabling system what provides durability and security while providing a comfortable fit. Best of all, integrations are easy to put on, are secure and versatile. And, they stand up to a busy, active lifestyle and are completely undetectable.

Typically integrations have a feeling of life and realness you have never encountered before in any tpe of hair replacement. The color is matched to your own or whatever shade you feel is most flattering. The styles in which you can wear your hair are almost unlimited.

To put it simply, hair integration can make you look as if you never started losing your hair in the first place! Many clients feel as though they never had a hair loss problem to begin with!

How does it work? The integration is created by sewing strands of the finest human (or synthetic) hair precisely matched to the color, texture and length of your own hair, onto a sheer nylon or polyester web-like cap. Using a tail-comb, your own hair is then drawn through the web to blend in with the added hair for a full, even hairstyle.

If this is a new concept for you, and you like the sound of it, call today and schedule a consultation with one of the Hair Solutions Specialist at Fantasia. If you are looking for something so light you will never know it’s there, and something which will make you feel like it truely is “your hair”, this might be the perfect solution for you!

One main cause of female hair loss is iron deficiency or anemia. Anemia is one of the major  conditions which affects one in five women, or 10 million women in the US. It could be one of the most widespread health issues facing women today.

By the time you notice significant hair loss, you have probably lost about 50% of your hair. Here are other leading causes for hair loss, some well know, some not so much so.

• Stress: For up to 6 months after a stressful time, a women can lose her hair.
• Low thyroid: very common cause for thinning hair
• Nutrient deficits: Biotin, zinc, essential fatty acids all contribute to healthy hair
• Toxic exposures: Mercury, arsenic
• Parasitic and allergic reactions
• Hormonal imbalance: Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone all have to be in balance.  Childbirth and environmental pollutants can trigger hormonal changes.

We’ve talked many times about DHT being a culprit as is is a natural compound known to clog the hair follicles, thereby restricting blood flow to the hair root. If you have thinning hair and are growing hair on your face, more than likely you have an elevated testosterone level.

Would you believe that hair thinning and breakage are such a problem today that the biggest names and salons are taking special measures to help their clientele combat hair loss? The celebrities have issues just like the rest of us. Many salons, such as Fantasia, have shampoos and treatments where the hair is analyzed under a microscope allowing us to see the problems and recommend specific products such as Hair Support System, which nourishes the scalp.

The good new is that today, there are many treatments available for hair restoration from correcting metabolic issues, to non-surgical solutions to surgical solutions where the follicles from the back of the head are transplanted to the crown and the frontal regions of the head. While Fantasia doesn’t provide surgical solutions, we can make recommendations to professionals who do.

There is truly something for everyone which will allow you to go on living life to the fullest!

Plan to see lots of styles accentuating hairs natural textures, according to a stylist from Warren Tricomi Los Angeles. A lot of true natural waves and beautiful curls. It will be all about texture. With hair colors being rich earthy tones. It’s truly going to be about fuss free easy effortless style. The main thing to invest in is a good styling product and deep conditioner to recover hairs health from the summer’s heat. Redken makes a great thermal resist spray that repairs hair while protecting from heat styling and also a great leave in anti-frizz curl refiner.

Treat the hair with some TLC during the peak of summer. Sun, humidity and other summertime elements punish the hair and can damage if if over exposed. Use a strong mask like Redken Real Control Intense Renewal to infuse moisture and bring the luster and bounce back to hair.

For get up and go hair, it’s all about the accessories. Skinny headbands, skinny barrettes, skinny scarves, and bobby pins. Ponytails will be big - and anything will go - whether they are deconstructed (purposefully messy with pieces falling in the face to frame it better) or slicked back (high or low). Parts will be very wide side parts. Part your hair like a triangle and pull pieces back. Wavy hair is in- again deconstructed ponytails letting the waves slip out a bit.

This fall, hair color will be highly influenced by nature. There will be lots of warm tones including reds, coppers, and very rich browns. Blonds will be warmer and richer in tones as well. All colors will have some tone on tone deep contrast from subtle highlights. There is a big emphasis on the movement in the ends of hair, from medium to long lengths. Roots will be less vibrant compared to the ends of the hair. Naturally air dried hair is going to be very big throughout the fall and winter. Whether you have curls or waves, wear them. Don’t blow your hair out straight all of the time.

This fall, we are going to start seeing a lot of medium length and long length styles. Most women will be growing out their high maintenance bobs of this past season. We will see a softer look, subtle layers on the bottom and soft layers around the face. No more bangs, just simple, beautiful and low maintenance hair.

So, now that you are aware of some of the up and coming trends, why not make an appointment with your hair stylist for your perfect cut?

But first, my disclaimer. None of these treatments have FDA approval, and none have been tested in large-scale studies. They may or may not work. This article is not intended as medical advice but purely for information. So, if you chose to try any of these things, do so at your own risk.

Every one of these home remedies are taken eigher by mouth or rubbed into the scalp. Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. So, here goes. First, are remedies remedies taken by mouth:

Drink a glass of any of these daily:

• Coriander leaf (cilantro) juice
• 1tsp apple cider in vinegar
• Smoothy of banana, honey, yogurt and skim milk ( taste great even if it doesn’t work!)
• Juice a mixture of any of the following: alfalfa, lettuce, fresh spinach, cilantro

Okay, now these are remedies designed to be rubbed on your head and have been passed down for centuries:

• Mix 1 cup mustard oil with 4 tablespoons of henna leaves
• Use alma oil, either alone or mixed with coconut milk and or lime juice
• Rub cow dung onto the bald spot (for those with access to a farm)
• Mix a chopped onion and 20 birch leaves in a bottle of alcohol (not sure if it’s rubbing alcohol or the stuff you drink.)
• Grind a bit of locorice and mix with a little saffron in skim milk (warning: saffron is pricey)
• Use coconut milk
• Aloe vera juice
• Mix honey and egg yolk and apply to scalp
• Rub the bald sppot with an onion until it’s red, then rub honey into it.
• Mix castor oil and almond oil, warm and rub into scalp
• Grind black peppercorn with either lemon or lime seeds and rub the paste on thinning spots.
• Put raw mango pulp in a jar of oil and let it age for a year, then rub it into your head (hopefully you won’t be totally bald by then by the time it’s aged…)
• Make a paste of hot olive oil, honey and cinnamon

Again, who knows if any of these age old remedies work? I suspect if any of them do actually work it could be due to the fact that some vitamins and minerals are being absorbed into the scalp and thereby stimulating the hair follicles in turn causing hair growth. We know that vitamins and minerals do help facilitate hair growth.

Perhaps a better plan than any of the above would be to try Hair Support System which we sell at Fantasia. We know it works, it is nutrients for the hair and scalp and it’s definitely less messy (and smelly) than some of the above mentioned remedies!