New Years Hair Resolutions

So you've probably made some New Years resolutions. Maybe you've committed to having more consistent communication with your family, exercising at least three times a week, or replacing your current job with one that evokes passion and excitement. Our guess is that your hair worked just as hard as you did in 2011. How about including some promises to your hair for 2012, too? Below are a few suggested hair resolutions that will keep your hair thick, healthy, and beautiful for the next year.

Go Heat Free. Applying heat to your hair is damaging and drying to your locks. Most women dry their hair with a blow-dryer after a wash. Although this dries your hair faster than air drying and may achieve a particular style, it can be damaging to your hair. In 2012, try to air dry your hair at least once or twice a week. In addition to taking away the heat, try adding a hair mask to your routine. Hair masks are perfect for reversing damage caused by heat. Applying a hair mask every other week will add moisture to your locks, prolong hair color, and strengthen damaged hair. "The more you play with your hair, the more volume you will get," says Louise O'Connor, owner of OC61 Salon & Spa in New York City.

Stop Length Checking. Measuring the amount of monthly (or weekly) hair growth can be infuriating, especially if your hair grows at a snail's pace. In 2012, pride yourself on the health of your hair rather than the length of your hair. Women who are measuring every millimeter of hair growth often forgo frequent cuts that keep hair healthy and shaped. Regardless of how fast (or slow) your hair grows, resolve to make a date with your hairdresser every six weeks for a quick trim. "Many times a hairdresser can do more for you than I can," says Philadelphia dermatologist George Cotsarelis, M.D., director of the University of Pennsylvania Hair and Scalp Clinic. Hair will also grow faster if you fortify damaged strands and ends in between trims. Always use a good quality conditioner. It is important to keep your hair moisturized, especially during the colder months.

Individualize Your Routine. Be flexible with your style and your hair routine. What works for your co-worker, best friend, or sister-in-law may not work for you. Make an appointment with a trained hair professional to understand your hair type and create an individualized hair care routine. Do you have thin or thick hair? Is your hair soft and healthy or frizzed and damaged? Are you shedding more hair than usual? Have you lost a majority of your hair and are shopping for a hair loss solution? Regardless of your current hair situation, it’s time to individualize your routine and get your hair healthy. Choosing the appropriate shampoo and conditioner can make all the difference. Additionally, you might experiment with hair masks and thickening creams if your hair has been damaged by heat. If you are experiencing shedding or hair loss, consult a local hair loss consultant to review your options for hairpieces.

It's a new year for both you and your hair. Taking care of yourself means taking care of your hair. And remember, hair is supposed to be fun!

Cancer Taunts Scare Young Boy: How to Help Your Child Cope with Bullying

According to a survey funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 16% of American schoolchildren report being bullied by another student in the current academic term. Unfortunately, Nathan Fitzharris was a part of the 16% of bullied children. Nathan Fitzharris, aged 10, lost the hair on his head, eyebrows, and eyelashes as a result of an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata. Bullies at school convinced the young boy that he was going to die of cancer because of his hair loss. Nathan explains, "I felt upset when people said mean things but I've got used to it."
Alopecia areata causes hair loss in patches. Many people struggle with the unpredictability of alopecia areata. The condition impacts each person differently. One person may loose a small patch of hair on the back of his or her head whereas another person may be completely bald. For some, hair will grow back entirely. For others, hair loss could be permanent. Given the uncertainty of the disease, a child or young teenager doesn’t need another burden like bullying.

“We were not overly surprised to learn that children with a disability are more vulnerable to bullying, because of a lower self-esteem, sometimes differences in appearance or because they have special needs,” said researcher Mariane Sentenac, of the University Paul Sabatier in Toulouse, France. If your child is working through the psychological effects of alopecia or hair loss in any of it’s many and varied forms, assisting your child in building alternate support networks is critical. Sentenac says, “In my view, good relations with teachers and parents could play an important role in preventing and detecting bullying behaviors between students because they are in a position to observe two different aspects of the adolescent’s life.”

Parents can also support children by being actively involved in their children’s lives. When parents understand the emotional and psychological impact of bullying on their children’s well-being, there is room for communication. “Improving parent-child communication and parental involvement with their children could have a substantial impact on child bullying," said Rashmi Shetgiri, MD, MSHS, lead author of a study on bullying. Parents can begin facilitating conversations with their child in a way that empowers the child and leaves space for the child to share his/her story.

Although many young alopecia sufferes report that they “got used to” the taunts at school, this is far from ideal. Children should never feel unsafe at school or become accustomed to daily bullying.
Nothing is more important than the emotional, physical, and psychological safety of your child. Creating safe spaces to talk at home, building social networks for your child, and advocating for your child’s safety are all ways that you can help fight bullying and it’s effects.

References:
Sentenac Metal. Victims of bullying among students with a disability or chronic illness and their peers: a cross-national study between Ireland and France. J Adol Health online, 2010.

Vacuum Wigs Part 1: Basic Questions and Answers

So what exactly is a vacuum hair prosthesis?

A vacuum hair prosthesis (or wig) is created by taking a mold that is tailored specifically for the curvature and shape of head. Hair is attached to the resulting base and styled to your specifications. A vacuum wig is made of hypoallergenic materials that will wisk away sweat, which often cause itching and odor. The base of the wig secures to your head via a vacuum seal that makes it extraordinarly secure. When the wig is placed on the head with a perfect shape, it creates a vacuum seal and it won’t come off unless you intentionally break the seal and remove it. The beauty of a vacuum hairpiece is that it is not necessary to use medical adhesives or tape to secure it in place. The vacuum seal alone will hold it securely in place.

Is a Vacuum hairpiece right for me? In order to create a vacuum wig, a trained hair loss professional will create a mold of your head. For a vacuum wig to work, it is also necessary that you be completely bald. This is an ideal solution for the person who is suffering from Alopecia Totalis or Alopecia Universalis.

If you are suffering from hair loss, but you still have some hair on your head, there are a host of other hair loss solutions available which you can explore with your hair loss consultant.

How much does it cost? A quality vacuum hair prosthesis or wig can range in price from $1,500 to $2,900. Several fittings are usually required, and when the final wig is ready, your hair replacement clinic will “cut it in,” styling it just the way you want it. The end result is fabulous. Caring for your new wig is also extremely easy. A quality human hair wig can be styled, moussed, colored, put up, taken down, everything you can do with your own natural growing hair.

Will a vacuum wig fall off? The vacuum wig, by its nature, is extremely secure. It will not fall off like many fashion wigs you might buy online or at the mall. A custom vacuum wig or hair prosthesis will not come off unless it is taken off intentionally. To remove it, simply place your fingers underneath the edge of the wig’s base in order to release the suction.

Is a vacuum wig comfortable? A quality custom made vacuum wig is extremely comfortable. May clients report that they totally forget that it is on their head. It quite literally becomes part of you. Many people with Alopecia Totalis or Alopecia Universalis opt for this type of hair loss solution since it meets their needs and allows them the lifestyle freedom they desire.

How do I keep the hairpiece clean? Caring for a vacuum wig is similar to caring for your own naturally growing hair, since it is designed for extended wear. May clients never remove it. Simply shower and shampoo as you normally would and wash it and condition it as if it were your own growing hair.