Blaine561's Social and Health Commentary

Having a hair cut can change your look completely. It can be better or worse. Sometimes you will feel better when having a new cut or color. Here is the story of hair.

The mysteries of maintaining beautiful hair should have been uncovered by now, but for many women finding a simple way to keep their hair looking wonderful is as elusive as it was to women centuries before. The desire for beautiful hair is not new. Ancient Egyptians shaved their heads and wore elaborate, heavy, braided wigs to achieve perfection. European history also abounds with torturous hair styles including the ornate, powdered styles wrapped around frames and horsehair which attracted vermin. All in the name of beauty.

Today, fashion still influences a woman’s hairstyle but that doesn’t mean you have to subject your hair to needless damage. Take advantage of the tips below on caring properly for your hair.

Even though your hair is not a living part of your body, itstill needs proper care for optimum health and beauty. One of the key elements to having shiny, healthy hair is to allow the natural oils in the scalp to lubricate it. The hair closest to the scalp benefits from natural sebum oils the most while longer hair can become dry and brittle from a lack of these oils.

No matter what exotic ingredients it’s made up of , shampoo performs a simple job of removing excess oils, pollution and styling product build up from the hair. All of your hair needs gentle cleansing but it is the top two or three inches that is most weighed down with natural oils and dulling hair products. Concentrating the washing in that area will reduce the amount of oils removed from longer areas of hair which can be over dried from the stripping of oils and extended contact with shampoo.

Conditioning on the other hand should be used sparingly, if at all, on the top inches of the hair while concentrated on the ends. Conditioning is an important step to replace needed oils and provide protection from styling agents such as blow dryers and irons.

Your hair will look its most beautiful when you choose a style that requires the least amount of heat and product damage. Protecting your hair with conditioners is key, but choosing a style that suits the texture of your hair will eliminate the need for more torturous styling tools.

Frizzy and dry hair can benefit from the application of silicone based products. Bear in mind that a little goes a long way and concentrate the product on the ends of your hair.

When blow drying keep the blow dryer at least six inches from your hair to prevent excessive damage from the heat. Blow drying in the direction of the shaft (down the length of hair) will create a smoother appearance.

Anytime you use chemicals in your hair you should make sure your hair is in a healthy condition before applying the treatment. Overuse of these treatments can damage hair beyond repair and affect the results of the products.

Your hair will look shinier and feel thicker when you remove dried and split ends. Trimming the hair every 6 to 8 weeks will keep it looking its best.

Taking simple steps to maintain healthy hair will put you on track to more ‘good hair days’ than you ever thought possible!

Since it was discovered that the risks of hormone therapy outweighed the benefits, scientists have been searching for a safe, natural way to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

Participants are currently being recruited for a follow-up clinical trial of a treatment known as MF101 developed by Bionovo, Inc. In its initial clinical trial, MF101 provided women in the study with preliminary evidence of relief from such symptoms as hot flashes and night sweats, without the risks associated with hormone therapy.

The treatment being tested clinically targets only one of the two known estrogen receptors-the estrogen receptor beta. Laboratory data has shown that MF101 does not cause the proliferation of breast or uterine cancer cells the way hormone therapy can, making the drug a safer alternative to currently available hormone therapies.

In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Estrogen Plus Progestin Trial, with over 16,000 women participants, was stopped early when it was found that the standard dose of combination hormone therapy increased the risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart attacks, blood clots and dementia.

“Given the void that exists for a safe and effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, our aim is to discover and develop novel drugs such as MF101 that can abate many of the symptoms that have historically been treated with hormones,” said Dr. Mary Tagliaferri. Tagliaferri is co-author of “The New Menopause Book: The Experts Help You Make Informed Decisions on HRT, Natural Hormone Therapy, Herbal Therapies, Traditional Chinese Medicine And More” (Avery, 2006) and Chief Medical Officer of Bionovo, which is developing the drug.

The clinical trials will take place under the directorship of renowned researcher Dr. Deborah Grady at four leading academic medical centers.

Bionovo expects this Phase 2 trial to be completed by the second quarter of 2007.

“If this new drug proves to be effective, we will be providing health care practitioners with a treatment they can comfortably recommend to women experiencing menopause,” said Dr. Tagliaferri.

White gold jewelry can cause allergic reactions in some people. This is due to the fact that the majority of white gold jewelry is manufactured using alloys containing nickel as the bleaching agent and a percentage of the population is allergic to nickel. For these individuals, contact with nickel can result in dermatological problems that range from a mild skin rash to severe open sores and permanent scaring. In Europe, there are laws governing the use of nickel in jewelry. The European law is known as “The Nickel Directive” and states that no nickel can be used in a material that sits in an open wound, such as after piercing, until healing is complete.

What is a jewelry buyer to do when faced with this information? First of all relax, most people do not have severe reactions to nickel. And jewelers are starting to use alloys that contain less nickel to develop white gold jewelry.

Some nickel-free white gold alloys were originally developed in the 1920s using palladium as the primary bleaching agent. Palladium is part of the platinum group of metals. It is a steel-white metal, does not tarnish in air, and is the least dense and lowest melting of the platinum group metals. Palladium has very good corrosion and tarnish resistance, and it mixes well with gold, offering almost complete homogenization throughout the range of gold-palladium compositions. All these factors make it a good choice for white gold jewelry manufacturing. It also yields alloys with excellent mechanical properties superior in many respects to the nickel-whites which can be difficult to work with and contain pockets of gold and nickel because the two metals don’t like to be mixed. Jewelry made from a palladium/gold alloy will not result in allergic reactions.

You might be asking: “If palladium is so much better than nickel to make white gold, why don’t all jewelers use it?” The answer is cost. Palladium is a bit more expensive to use. The cost of an ounce of palladium is around $300 currently and consumers don’t like paying higher prices for what appears to be the same jewelry product. However, once people know the facts about nickel white gold and the allergic risks it presents many are willing to pay a little more.

Another white metal on the horizon is 950 Palladium. Some jewelry manufacturers are making product from new palladium alloys that can be cast into jewelry. This is a wonderful metal because it is a bright white color, very similar to platinum, but has a much lower price. It is still relatively new so jewelers are still learning how to work best with this metal. Keep your eyes open though, because you will soon be seeing more of this product, especially with the cost of platinum currently above $1,000 an ounce.

When tanning beds first hit the markets, the sole purpose of this technology, to provide indoor tanning, is simply cosmetic in nature. Obtaining a gorgeous dark olive skin seemed trivial and the tanning bed is less grand compared to other technological inventions. Thus, the primary users of tanning beds are young women who only wanted a tan to show off to their friends.

Further studies, however, showed that tanning beds are not only useful for darkening the skin. The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the tanning bed lamps has been found to enforce vitamin D production in the human skin in the same way that the direct exposure to sun’s rays can. Vitamin D is a major substance needed to strengthen the bones and to prevent diseases. Thus, it can be said that the responsible use of tanning beds can contribute to the overall health of a person.

With these studies, the profile of tanning bed users begins to change dramatically. Instead of being purely composed of young women, the profile of tanning bed users now has men and older adults. And this was shown in the study conducted by a group of researchers led by Dr. Michael Strepp. The results of this 2004 study were compared to the results of the last 1996 survey.

In the 1996 survey, almost all users of tanning beds are college-age women. But in the most recent market research, about 30% of tanning bed users are now composed of men. A similar survey of Canadian tanning salons showed a comparable data. That is, 25% of all patrons of 160 Canadian tanning salons are male. The percentages are expected to increase since the tanning salons now are built separate from hair and beauty salons. Men will be more comfortable entering tanning salons.

An interesting data came out of the survey regarding male users. One tanning salon reported that though 27% of its clientele are male, 40% of its profits come from the male customers. This is because men use the tanning beds more often than women.

The recent market study also showed that older people are now using tanning beds. That is 70% of all surveyed tanning bed users are aged older than 25. And in New York, men over the age of 40 are beginning to use tanning beds. There are even senior citizens who now enter tanning salons.

As the health benefits of using tanning beds become more popular, more men and more older adults are going to utilize this indoor tanning technology. These new wave of users are responsible and health-conscious people intent on using a proven technology.

Egg has become an important part of your hair and skin care diet. Everyone wants to have beautiful and lustrous hair. With the use of raw eggs anyone can find themselves with beautiful hair. One need not cross the seven continents to find a raw egg. Every house can easily get a good supply of raw eggs. These can be used for making some of the best hair conditioners. The properties of egg create a needed impact on your dull and dry hair. It helps the hair to recreate itself. It maintains the texture of your hair by the presence of the important elements.

Some Home Based Recipes

For strong and beautiful hair you can mix 2 egg yolks (depending on length of your hair) with 2 tsp. castor oil. Massage this mixture on your hair. Keep it for sometime then rinse it thoroughly.

Whip up two raw eggs. Pour this mixture on your hair by massaging. Let it dry. Shampoo your hair and then give vinegar and water rinse. Follow this procedure every month for soft and smooth hair.

Beat egg yolk thoroughly to make a frothy solution. Add 1 tsp baby oil and beat again to make a proper mixture. Add water to this mixture and apply it all over your scalp. Once dry, rinse well to get a proper conditioned treatment.

Mix egg yolk in 1/4 cup of yogurt with a little lime skin. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply it to every single strand of hair. After applying keep it for 10 minutes and then wash it off. The combination of yogurt and egg is very good for your hair.

Mix a whole egg to lemon juice. Whisk it properly. Once applied on your hair keep it for sometime. Rinse it thoroughly. This combination gives a shine to your dull hair.

Beat egg yolk to make a frothy paste. Add 1/2 tsp. olive oil and beat the mixture again. Slowly and steadily add 3/4 cup of luke warm water. After shampooing, massage this conditioner and leave it for few minutes. Rinse it later.

It is a good hair treatment for people who are in water most of the times like swimmers, surfers etc. Mix egg, olive oil and peeled cucumber to make a good mixture. Spread it evenly on your hair and keep it for 10 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly.

Mix together 1 tbsp. honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp. almond oil and 1 tbsp. yogurt. Make a frothy paste and apply it on your hair. Rinse it in 1/2 hours time. This will smooth your hair and moisturize it evenly.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Menopause is related to women who are advanced in age. This is the time in their life when the menstruation cycle stops. Many people also refer to menopause as the change of life. The ovaries stop producing estrogen, which is the female hormone, marking the end of childbearing years.

Because there is a lack of estrogen the body reacts by shutting down the reproductive organs, which is the reason why women who have been through menopause can no longer have children. Menopause can also be triggered earlier if a woman has a complete hysterectomy; once again this is due to the lack of estrogen produced by the woman’s reproductive organs.

As the body adapts to this new change it will react with certain symptoms some of the very well known symptoms are hot flushes and heart palpitations. There are also psychological symptoms that may appear such as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings and lack of concentration. There may also be increased light and irregular menstrual periods during this transition period.

These symptoms are considered to be normal, and may range in severity. Some women hardly even know they are experiencing menopause and notice very few of the above symptoms, while others have severe reactions.

Menopausal symptoms generally last between 6-12 months in most women, although some women may experience all or some of these symptoms for as long as 5 years. In these extreme cases there may be medical approaches taken to ease the symptoms. One common approach is hormone replacement therapy.

There are some risks and benefits to having hormone replacement therapy; one of the benefits is a reduced risk of the onset of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of getting osteoporosis.

Some of the risks involved with hormone replacement therapy are an increased chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

These risks and benefits are discussed thoroughly with a doctor before hormone replacement therapy is started. It is up to each woman to choose what approach will be taken toward her menopausal symptoms, once the risks and benefits have been discussed.

Onset of menopause is likely to begin at around the age of 50 years, if the woman has had a serious illness or suffered from cancer requiring chemotherapy, it is likely there will be an earlier onset of menopause, in some cases if the woman is under 40 it is considered to be premature menopause.

Menopause is considered to be a natural part of a woman’s ageing process and these symptoms are considered to be normal. If a woman has any concerns during this time of her life it is best to seek the help of a medical professional, who will be able to offer advice and ways to reduce the severity of symptoms.

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May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, yet for the 44 million Americans at risk for osteoporosis, many are often unaware that they have the disease until they fracture a bone.

Imagine experiencing back pain so severe that daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs or grocery shopping are no longer possible. For Nancy Zacherl and many of the 700,000 others suffering from spinal fractures each year, this is a reality.

After suffering a debilitating osteoporosis-related spinal fracture, the once-active grandmother was no longer able to enjoy weekend motorcycle rides with her husband, take daily walks or play with her granddaughter. Instead, Zacherl was confined to bed because of excruciating back pain. Feeling depressed and helpless, Zacherl knew she had to see a doctor.

“I thought the pain would go away, but it became progressively worse, making breathing difficult,” said Zacherl. “I was desperate for help and knew I needed treatment.”

Upon the advice of her doctor, Zacherl visited Jon Ledlie, M.D., a renowned neurosurgeon at Tyler Neurosurgical Associates in Tyler, Texas.

Like most patients, Zacherl was surprised to learn that her back pain was the result of a spinal fracture, which occurs when one of the bones in the spinal column (vertebra) weakens and collapses. Zacherl was excited to learn that a minimally invasive treatment called Balloon Kyphoplasty could reduce her back pain as well as restore the height of her fractured vertebra.

“Balloon Kyphoplasty has been shown to be an effective treatment for repairing spinal fractures and providing immediate and sustained improvements in pain and mobility,” says Dr. Ledlie.

Furthermore, results of a first-ever, two-year study conducted by Dr. Ledlie and Dr. Mark Renfro found that after Balloon Kyphoplasty, a majority of patients experienced complete pain relief, required significantly fewer pain medications and showed improvement in their ability to walk independently and without difficulty. The study, published January 2006 in Spine, also showed that Balloon Kyphoplasty restored height and maintained the shape of the affected vertebra, results that were maintained for two years after treatment. According to the authors, such outcomes may have a positive effect on long-term health and survival.

Immediately following the procedure, Zacherl’s improvements in pain and mobility were similar to those found in Dr. Ledlie’s study.

“Balloon Kyphoplasty gave me back my life,” said Zacherl. “The pain was gone and within days of the procedure, my husband and I took a long motorcycle ride and even went dancing.”

With more than 44 million Americans at risk for osteoporosis, a disease that causes bone to become fragile, spinal fractures are a major health concern. Left untreated, multiple spinal fractures can result in kyphosis-a serious health condition marked by forward curvature of the upper back, often described as a “hunchback.” Severe kyphosis can compress the abdominal cavity and elevate the risk for complications and death.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) estimates that half of American women and one-fourth of American men over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. To better understand your fracture risk, regular bone density screenings are recommended.

Note: Although the complication rate with Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to be low, as with most surgical procedures, there are risks associated with Balloon Kyphoplasty, including serious complications. Consult with your doctor for a full discussion of risks.

While there are approximately 700,000 spinal fractures, also known as vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), occurring in the United States each year, only one-third are clinically diagnosed and treated, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). More than 220,000 spinal fractures worldwide have been treated with Balloon Kyphoplasty since 1998.

The folks at the Sanibel Harbour Spa are serious about relaxation. Their 40,000-square-foot spa is devoted entirely to revitalizing frazzled nerves in a calming seaside setting. They carry the tranquil theme throughout, with soothing water sculptures, botanical accents and sea-based treatments. Walking through airports can leave your tootsies in need of attention. As soon as the bellman takes your luggage, head immediately to the spa for a mandatory Pedisage (don’t worry, our Spellchecker isn’t broken). This is a real treat for overworked feet: gentle cleansing and exfoliation with sea and plant-based products followed by a massage that will leave you feeling as though you’ve been walking on air, not standing in long airport security lines.

The most strenuous part of your stay is choosing where to eat dinner. From courtside steaks and seafood, to cocktails poolside and romantic sunset dinner cruises, Sanibel has something to please every palate. Your vacation isn’t complete without one of Sanibel’s amazing body treatments. We recommend the Peppermint Sea Twist with aromatic peppermint oil and fresh European seaweed, which stimulates, rejuvenates and improves circulation, making it an ideal treatment for sore aching muscles and water retention. The Mango Salt Glo is also worth a try: dampened sea salts, rich in minerals, cleanse, exfoliate and stimulate the skin, and a layer of energizing Mango Mist.

Still have the sound of screaming babies from your plane ride reverberating in your head? Sanibel Harbour Spa has just the remedy. The BETAR (Bio Energetic Transduction Aided Resonance) sound bed offers relaxation through sound and music. This unique machine is one of only 16 such systems in the world. Set within a geodesic dome structure, the BETAR bathes you in music and natural sound rhythms via a state-of-the-art sound system, for the ultimate in relaxation.

In terms of accommodations, Sanibel has numerous options, including 240 hotel rooms, 107 concierge-style commotions location in a private enclave within the resort, and several waterfront condominiums.

Oops, I Smell Britney Spears Perfume Again

You just can’t get of Britney Spear, can you? She’s like a bad penny. Her face keeps turning up in the media; her voice on talk shows, videos and radio. She’s even had cameos in movies such as Austin Powers: Goldmember. And now even your nose can’t get away from her – there are three Britney Spears perfumes floating around for you to run screaming into the night away from.

Ok, So I’m Not A Britney Spears Fan…

Britney Spears perfumes come in three different flavors; Curious (released 2004), Fantasy (released 2005) and In Control, the newest to the stable. Britney Spears perfumes are found in department stores and online specialty perfume stores and online department stores. You usually can find the best deals on the web – but you can’t try before you buy. Check to see if there are any return policies.

Britney Spears perfumes are made my Elizabeth Arden with complete cooperation of the star. In other words, Britney does know these are being sold in her name and is most likely getting a big slice of the perfume pie. Britney Spears is just one in a long line of celebrities diving into the world of perfumes, swimming in the same pool as Elizabeth Taylor, Prince and fellow blonde Paris Hilton.

Curious

The oldest of the Britney Spears perfume line up is Curious, a typical perfume for the non-typical female. It is packaged in a classic blue or pink perfume bottle in sort of squashed diamond shape. It is recommended for special occasions or for trying to get a good estimate on your car repair down at Hank’s Garage. It is considered a youthful, fun, flowery and yet sexy fragrance.

Fantasy

The middle child of the Britney Spears perfume family has an incredible marketing campaign. Going to the official website, there is gorgeous computer animation with lush, sensual colors and sparkles. It is amazing what this country spends on frivolities such as perfume. And even more amazing – someone got paid for thinking this campaign up! Perhaps making perfume look like Love Potion No.9 was someone’s Fantasy at Elizabeth Arden.

In Control

The youngest child of the Britney Spears perfume family smells perhaps more like Britney Spears recent image as temptress and siren. Its base is white vanilla, but then includes a blend of creme brule (I kid you not), loquat fruit, midnight orchid, sugared sandalwood and musk. Elizabeth Arden does not test on animals…just customers.

Dry, itchy and cracked skin goes hand in hand with winter season. Change in temperatures and humidity, indoor heating, hot showers and bath remove important oils and moisture from the skin causing dryness, flakiness and cracking of the skin. If you think, winter equals to dry cracked skin with no or very less preventative measures, think again. Read on for some TLC for your winter weary skin –

- Bathing – Hot water bath breaks body oil that is easily washable. If you cannot avoid hot bath, add oils like almond, sesame or other bath oils to your water. Alternatively you can add milk to your bath water. It restores the oils leaving it soft and supple.

- Cleanse & Exfoliate – Before you begin your bath, exfoliate your skin with loofah. Avoid strong base ingredients and anti bacterial products; opt for gentle moisturizing revitalizing products.

- Drink at least 8 – 10 glasses of water every day. By keeping your skin well hydrated, your skin will not suffer from dryness, rashes and itchiness. Avoid excessive usage of caffeine beverages that strips moisture from the skin.

- Moisturize properly and your skin will remain soft and supple all through winter. Use moisturizer that has the necessary vitamins and hydration properties for your skin. One should apply moisturizer within a minute or so of having a shower or bath. Damp skin traps the water in the upper layers and decreases dryness and itching.

- Keep petroleum jelly nearby. Dab some of it on problem areas to seal the moisture and heal the dry skin. You can rub it on all the dry areas of the body. It is very soothing backup substitute.

- If possible, try taking a multi vitamin pill that has good dose of vitamins B, C & E. It will help your skin as well as ward off common cold. Avoid overdose multivitamin pills for adverse effects.

- Use sunscreen in winter as you would in summer. Ideal sunscreen is one which is light, oil free and has SPF 15.

- If you can afford to going to spas for luxurious and rejuvenating treatments for winter weary skin, there is nothing like it. Spa and other hydration treatments super hydrate your skin.