HAIR LOSS and BALDNESS

Baldness or hair loss is not only adults concern, many teens are also having problems with this. This morning, when i was on public transportation, there were 4 girls sat next to me. They chatted enthusiastically so that i could listened clearly to what they are talking about. It was about one of them whose hair appeared to get thinning, and that she found it a little stressful since teens such age are already concerned about appearance.

Today i'm going to share some informations mainly discuss about hair loss; the so-called abnormal hair loss condition, common myths about hair loss, what causes hair loss and baldness, how to take care of your crown, hair loss remedies and treatment.

What condition does hair loss need to be worried?. Losing 50-100 head hairs a day are relative normal and no cause of worry, they grow back in the same follicle on your head. But if you're losing more than that, though, something might be wrong.

Common myths about hair loss or baldness
1. Baldness was inherited through your mother's male relatives. Actually, baldness can come from either side of the family, or both.
2. Longer hair puts a strain on roots and caps choke off the circulation to the scalp causing hair loss. Both are wrong.
3. You lose up to 100 hairs per day normally - some days a lot more; others, a lot less. These hairs have finished their 3-year life span and are ready to be shed, then replaced. Finding hair on your comb or in the sink, therefore, does not necessarily mean you're going bald.
4. Shampooing does not accelerate balding.

What causes hair loss
1. Illnesses or medical conditions. Hormonal conditions can interfere with hair production and cause hair loss. Severe or long standing illnesses like typhoid, syphilis, chronic cold, influenza, and anaemia could also promote hair loss.
2. Medications. Some medications that have hair loss as a side effect may be prescribed for teens. These include acne medicines like isotretinoin, and lithium, diet pills that contain amphetamines also can cause hair loss. Chemotherapy drugs for cancer are probably the most well-known medications that cause hair loss
3. Alopecia areata. This skin disease causes hair loss on the scalp and sometimes elsewhere on the body.

It is thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which the hair follicles are damaged by a person's own immune system (In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs in a person's body.) Alopecia areata usually starts as one or more small, round bald patches on the scalp. These can get bigger, and in a small number of cases, can progress to total hair loss. Both guys and girls can get it, and it often begins in childhood. The hair usually grows back within a year, but not always. Sometimes people with alopecia areata lose their hair again.
4. Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder in which people repeatedly pull their hair out, often leaving bald patches. It results in areas of baldness and damaged hairs of different lengths. People with trichotillomania usually need professional help from a therapist or other mental health professional before they are able to stop pulling their hair out.

5. Hair treatments and styling. Having your hair chemically treated, such as getting your hair colored, bleached, straightened, or permed, can cause damage that may make the hair break off or fall out temporarily. Wearing hair pulled so tightly that it places tension on the scalp can result in a condition called traction alopecia. Traction alopecia can be permanent if the style is worn for a long enough time that it damages the hair follicles.

6. Poor nutrition. People with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are often lose their hair: The body isn't getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to sustain hair growth. Some teens who are vegetarians also lose their hair if they don't get enough protein from non-meat sources. And some athletes are at higher risk for hair loss because they may be more likely to develop iron-deficiency anemia.
7. Disruption of the hair growth cycle. Some major events can alter the hair's growth cycle temporarily. For example, delivering a baby, having surgery, or going through a traumatic event can temporarily cause shedding of large amounts of hair. Because the hair we see on our heads has actually taken months to grow, a person might not notice any disruption of the hair growth cycle until months after the event that caused it. This type of hair loss corrects itself.
8. Androgenetic alopecia. Among adults, the most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, sometimes called male-pattern baldness. This condition is caused by a combination of factors, including hormones called androgens and genetics. Sometimes, the hair loss can start as early as the mid-teen years. It also can occur in people who take steroids like testosterone to build their bodies.

Taking care of your hair

Eating a balanced, healthy diet.

Try to use baby shampoo, shampooing no more than once a day, and lathering gently. Don't rub your hair too vigorously with a towel, either. Many hair experts suggest you consider putting away the blow dryer and air drying your hair instead. If you can't live without your blow dryer, try using it on a low heat setting.

Style your hair when it's dry or damp. Styling your hair while it's wet can cause it to stretch and break. And try to avoid teasing your hair, which can cause damage.

Finally, be careful when using chemicals — such as straighteners or color — on your hair, and avoid frequent use of chemical treatments.

Hair loss remedies
Rubbing of Scalp. A vigorous rubbing of the scalp with fingers after washing the hair with cold water is one of the most effective among the several home remedies for the prevention and treatment of hair loss. The scalp should be rubbed vigorously till it starts to tingle with the heat. It will activate the sebaceous glands and energise the circulation of blood in the affected area, making the hair grow healthy.
Lettuce and Spinach juice. Lettuce is useful in preventing hair loss. A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is believed to help the growth of hair if taken to the extent to half a litre a day
Coconut milk. The application of coconut milk all over the scalp and massaging it into the hair roots is also beneficial in the treatment of hair loss, you could apply the coconut milk at night and wash it in the morning. It nourishes the hair and promotes hair growth.
Onion. Onion has also been found beneficial in patchy baldness. The affected part should be rubbed with onions morning and evening till it is red. It should be rubbed with honey afterwards.

Medical treatment
Minoxidil This topical application is over-the-counter, no prescription is required. It works best on the crown, less on the frontal region. Available as a 2% solution, it may grow a little hair, but is better at holding onto what's still there. There are few side effects with it. This drug also comes in a higher strength, 5%, which may be more effective, but is also more expensive.
Propecia is a drug that helps men retain their hair but unfortunately has no use for women. Propecia is not safe for women of childbearing age and it just doesn't work for older women.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldness
http://www.llcheongskin.com/eng/mc_hair_loss.htm
http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Loss-of-Hair.html
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/skin/hair_loss.html

Read More......

OILY FACE

Yesterday, early in the morning, my friend and i took the first train to Jakarta as we had an appointment at 8 a.m. I woke up at 2:30 a.m back then, i took a bath and putted some light make-up on. The train left from Bandung at 4 a.m, and i have my friend sat next to me. Instead of sleeping, like the other passengers, we talked something interesting about oily face... Hehe

My friend and I have some things in common, except that we are women, we have the same facial problems, that are oily face and acne problem. But recently she has shown a good progress and she gave me some tips to get rid of that problems. But before we roll to that tips, let's take a look at some points about oily face..

Oily face
Oily skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. In this type of skin, the oil producing sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. The oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look. But you have to remember that the great advantage of oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate than other skin types, bless you..

Causes
Heredity, which means that you were born oily skinned face. Diet, maybe your oily face is due to your diet such as fried and highly seasoned foods, rich sugar, fluid and salt. Hormone levels, Birth control pills and pregnancy could also promote oily skin face. Not to mention that cosmetics is the most common oily face causes.Besides, humidity and hot weather also play a big role to oily face.

Tips and Tricks

• Wash it. Keep the skin clean by washing it at least twice a day
• Aloe Vera. Apply aloe vera gel to your face to absorb oil and clear out pores. Dab the gel onto your face two to three times a day (especially after washing), then let it dry.
• Chill out with cold water rinses. Simply splashing your face with cold water and blotting it dry a couple of times a day can help remove some excess oil.
• Make a scrub. Giving your face a very light scrub can remove excess surface oil. If you suffer from acne on your face, however, you should probably skip the scrub, since it can aggravate your already-irritated skin. Mix a small amount of almond meal (ground almonds) with honey, then gently massage (don't scrub) the paste onto your skin with a hot washcloth. Rinse thoroughly. You can also make a scrub from oatmeal mixed with aloe vera. Rub gently onto the skin, leave on for 15 minutes, then wash off thoroughly.
• Water-based cosmetics. Better yet, learn to live without makeup -- or at least without foundation - since it will simply add to and trap the oil against your skin and set the stage for blemishes. If you feel you must use makeup, choose water-based products over oil-based types, and opt for spot concealers rather than coating your entire face. In general, stick with powder or gel blushers, and avoid cream foundations.
• Don't touch. Keep your hands off your face during the day. Hands deliver excess oil and dirt.
• Watch your diet. Take a diet rich in proteins but restricted in sugar, fluids and salt. Take plenty of leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits. Drink plenty of quality water to keep the skin hydrated and flush out toxins. Supplement your diet with B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin E. You can also take a high-potency multivitamin.
  

What do you think...

References
http://www.ehow.com/how_2194_fight-oily-skin.html
http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-for-oily-skin1.htm
http://1stholistic.com/beauty/skin/skin_oily_skin.htm#Herbs

Read More......

SOFT LENS for a novice

Last week i bought a pair of soft lenses, I am a novice myself at soft lensing actually since it was my first soft lens wearing experience. I chose the brown one, it was quite similar with my natural color. I find a little difficulties first time i worn it, and of course a little adjustment and treatment are needed here..

Soft lenses are extremely thin to provide maximum comfort; however, this factor makes the lenses more fragile than thicker lenses. Do not hold the lens by its edges and do not put too much pressure on the lens. Flexing the lens between the fingers can cause permanent warpage or break the lens. If you feel upset by the inability to wear or remove the lens, stop trying to and return to it when calmer.

Contact lens wearer's guide

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap, rinse completely, and dry with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.
• Avoid the use of soaps containing cold cream, lotion, or oily cosmetics before handling your lenses, since these substances may come into contact with the lenses and interfere with successful wearing.
• Handle your lenses with your fingertips, and be careful to avoid contact with fingernails. It is helpful to keep your fingernails short and smooth.
• Place the lens on the tip of your forefinger. BE SURE THE LENS IS CORRECTLY ORIENTED.
• Place the middle finger of the same hand close to your lower eyelashes and pull down the lower lid.
• Use the forefinger or middle finger of the other hand to lift the upper lid.
• Place the lens on the eye.
• Gently release the lids and blink. The lens will center automatically.
• Use the same technique when inserting the lens for your left eye.

It is important that you clean your lenses immediately upon removal rather than just prior to inserting the lens. After removing the lens, use a daily cleaner on the surface of the lens. Rub the lens in the palm of your hand and rinse thoroughly with saline. The lens should then be stored in soaking solution and left overnight. To insert, simply rinse the solution off with fresh saline and apply wetting solution prior to insertion.

First day i worn soft lens, i wear it less than 4 hours as there are rules and regulations to make a good adjustment to it.

Here are the wear time hours guidance:

Day	Wear Time (Hours)
1	4
2	6
3	8
4	10
5	12
6	12
7	12

(Maximum wearing time will be determined at your follow-up appointment). When you haven't worn your lenses for a few days, cut your wearing time in half for the first day and increase wearing time two hours per day after that. When you haven't worn your lenses one week or longer, start wearing time over. Remember to clean and disinfect your lenses if they are stored more than 48 hours. DO NOT RUSH YOUR WEARING TIME

Wearing contact lenses is a reasonable reason of attaining for a good vision instead of glasses or even just for fashion. However it is not without risk, the following conditions are possible Complications of contact lenses:

1. Contact Lens Overwear. This occurs when the contact is worn longer than the cornea can tolerate. Not enough oxygen gets to the cornea resulting in temporary discomfort and blurred vision. The treatment is to discontinue wearing the contact lenses for a few days.

2. Corneal Abrasion. This is a "scratch" on the surface of the cornea resulting from a poorly-fitting contact lens, foreign material under the contact lens or overwear. The treatments include antibiotics and possible patching of the eye. Infection may result from this condition

3. Allergic Reaction. In this condition the eye becomes red and irritated in response to the cleaning and/or storage solutions. It is most often seen with soft contact lenses and is usually a reaction to the preservatives in these solutions. Treatment includes changing to different solutions and storage methods as directed by your doctor.

DO's and DO NOT's

• DO keep soft lenses moist to prevent tearing.
• DO add a rewetting drop before removing contact lenses.
• DO wet lenses with saline before picking them up from a dry surface or cleaning them to prevent tearing or warpage.
• DO buy a case with ridges in the bowl and the lid to prevent suction of the lens to the case.
• DO apply cosmetics sparingly.
• DO purchase hypoallergenic, nonflake cosmetics. Some cosmetics are made specially for use with contact lenses.
• DO discard eye makeup three months after opening. The exception is pencil eyeliner that is sharpened to a fresh supply.
• DO insert lenses BEFORE applying cosmetics.
• DO remove lenses BEFORE removing cosmetics.
• DO remove cosmetics daily with an oil free, hypoallergenic remover.
• DO follow your eye doctor's instructions for lens care and use only the solutions recommended by your eye doctor.
• DO keep your contact lens case clean. Scrub lens case weekly with toothbrush and daily cleaner.
• DO carry a case with you with fresh solution in it at all times.
• DO remove your lenses and consult your eye doctor, if you experience redness, itching, irritation or pain.

• DO NOT touch the tip of your bottles with your fingertips or touch your eye with the bottle tip when instilling lubricating drops.
• DO NOT hold a rigid gas permeable lens by the edges. Hold it front to back.
• DO NOT slide a rigid gas permeable lens across a flat surface.
• DO NOT use hair spray when your lenses are in. Spray your hair BEFORE inserting your lenses.
• DO NOT use saliva to wet your lenses. Your mouth is full of bacteria.
• DO NOT sleep in your lenses unless instructed by your eye doctor.
• DO NOT use cosmetics or contact lenses if your eyes are irritated or red.
• DO NOT share cosmetics.
• DO NOT reuse a mascara or eyeliner wand in refills.
• DO NOT apply eyeliner to the inner margin of your eyelid.
• DO NOT use waterproof mascara. It is very difficult to clean off lenses.
• DO NOT use lash-builder mascara. It contains nylon and/or rayon fibers which can be irritating if they drop into the eye.
• DO NOT use frosted eye shadow unless it has been specially formulated for use with contact lenses.
• DO NOT apply cosmetics or lenses in a moving vehicle

Good luck with your lens..

Source and References
http://www.answers.com/topic/contact-lens?cat=health
http://www.alanoptics.per.sg/cl-prob.htm#Corneal%20abrasion
www.clecontactlenses.com/guide.html
http://www.wcyh.org.uk/beauty/eyes/cleaning-contact-lenses/

Read More......

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME - DYSMENORRHEA

Last night, at 11p.m sharp my friend sent me a text message

"Girls, do you know that drinking a cold water over your period time (menstruation cycle) could damage your ovarian and even may lead to ovarian cancer and cyst."

This message even told me to spread this info. Instead of forwarding this message, i try to confirm this info's accuracy first since i've never heard something like that before. After a few search and browse, i still couldn't find any article mention about it. I didn't mean to say that this info was absolutely wrong, but neither i could say that it was true since i couldn't find anything related to this info, except there's a blog says that she was accepting the same message.
If you guys have info related to this topic, please let us know...

Instead of arguing the accuracy of that info, let us share info about premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Premenstrual syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur during 7-14 days before period time, while dysmenorrhea is pain associated with menstruation. About half of menstruating women experience these disorders. The etiology remains unknown and may be complex and multifactorial

The disorders can manifest with a wide variety of symptoms (behavioral, psychologic, and physical symptoms) such as; depression, mood lability, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, headache, and fatigue. I, myself feel that the most bothering one is insomnia, pffhhh..

How to relief PMS and Dysmenorrhea
1. Place a bottle of warm water (water sack) in your belly
2. Sleep in supine position, support your legs with a pillow
3. Simple exercise (sit-up, jogging, cycling) to help blood circulation on your abdomen and ovarian
4. Message or give pressure on your lumbal
5. Sodium restriction to minimize bloating, fluid retention, and breast swelling and tenderness

Besides all those strategies, balance nutrition also plays a big role to minimize the symptoms. Vitamin A taken during the second half of the cycle seems to reduce some of the symptoms ; however betacarotene will reduce to vitamin A in the body and probably makes a better supplement in general. Apricots, sweet potato, mangoes, peaches, and a variety of other antioxidants are very healthy sources of betacarotene. Vitamin E has a good effect upon fatigue, while vitamin B6 is an excellent stress relief and diuretic.

As i said before, i am terribly sorry that i couldn't provide you with any info about correlation between drinking cold water over period time and ovarian cancer. But if you do have any info that you might want to share to us, please...

References:
http://www.solsticepoint.com/dysmeno.htm www.aafp.org/afp/20030415/1743.html http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindrom_pramenstruasi http://obatherbal.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/mengatasi-sakit-menstruasi-dismenore-secara-alamiah/
blog.bukukita.com/users/oby/?postId=4388

Read More......

COFFEE - CAFFEINE

It is believed that the word coffee comes from Caffa, Ethiopia. When a shepherd name Kaldi found out that his sheep became active after ate kind of red berry fruit, later on that fruit known as coffee that probably came from 'Caffa'. We might ever heard so many myth about coffee, but now we'll talk facts about coffee.

The Advantages of Coffee
1. Main Source of Antioxidant
Recent study from Scranton University US found out that coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated) contains a large number of antioxidant. In fact, coffee place the first position in terms of food containing antioxidant (compare to the other antioxidant sources, such as: tea, milk, cranberry) based on consumption frequency.

Dates also place first position as well based on served volume, but since the frequency of coffee consumption is higher than dates, then coffee consider to be the main source of antioxidant

2. Increase the Libido
A man who drinks coffee everyday could produce a more active sperm then one who doesn't drink coffee. Besides, consume a cup of coffee 30 minutes before sexual activity could improve the power of this activity and this effect lass for 90 minutes. It is due to the fact that coffee could increase motoric function.

3. Decrease the Diabetic risk
A study in Harvard University stated that 1-3 cups of coffee consumption each day will decrease the risk of diabetic disease since coffee contains quinine which could increase the body sensitivity to insulin. Besides, coffee also contains tocoferol antioxidant, chlorogenic acid, and magnesium that eventually will help increase body sensitivity to insulin

4. Weight Control
Since coffee could burn fat by increase metabolism rate, coffee helps control body weight. It is said that 100mg caffeine (equivalent to a cup of coffee) could increase 3-4% metabolism rate. Nevertheless, other research said that calorie burn stimulated by caffeine will be much better if combines with exercise.

'CAFFEINE' is it GOOD or BAD?
Despite all the advantages offer by coffee (caffeine), caffeine also has side effects, such as: addicted, increase blood tension, diuretic agent, increase gastric acid production, decrease the absorption of of zinc and calcium, palpitation, and of course insomnia.
That's why it is suggested maximum coffee consumption is 300mg/day (equivalent to 3-4 cups of grinned coffee or 5 cups of instant coffee)

CONTRAINDICATION
Related to some side effects from caffeine, then it is highly recommended for these people NOT to consume caffeine freely
Hypertension
Heart Disease
Women
Pregnant Mother
Gastric Ulcer

References:
Nirmala magazines, August 2007 edition
Aura magazines, Volume 33

Read More......

CHAPPED LIPS

This morning i had a telephone call with my friend, we talked something funny that makes me burst out laughing when i feel that my lips cracked and OUCH!... Could you imagine a dry soil, full of cracked (a deep cracked), that's exactly how my lips back then.

Well i had this bad habits that even make this condition worse, i feel like i couldn't resist the urge to lick my lips.

When you lick your lips, you apply moisture which then evaporates and leaves your lips feeling even dryer than before. Licking chapped lips can in some cases cause dermatitis around the mouth, so beware. If you are tempted to lick your lips, just image that you've had cow dung applied to them - the cow dung won't cure your lips, but it will sure stop you from licking them!!

Tomorrow there will be no more cracked lips, yes tomorrow!. But before, let's find out more facts about chapped lips

Symptoms

• Loss of moisture from the lips
• Slight pain
• Feeling of dryness
• Reddishness
• Tenderness of lips
• Bleeding

Causes

• Over exposure to the sun
• Dehydration
• Frequent use of soaps
• Lack of vitamin A, B and C in the body
• Allergy to cosmetic products
• Smoking
• Riboflavin deficiency
• History of skin disorder

Preventative measures can be as simple as:

• Applying a small coat of Vaseline or lip balm when using a dry lipstick.
• Using a bit of lip balm to moisturize as you sleep.
• Using a lip balm before going out into harsh weather, especially one with a good SPF factor to protect them from the sun’s rays.
• Drinking plenty of water to keep your lips hydrated and supple.
• Avoiding the use of lipsticks that can dry out your lips if they have become chapped.
• Resisting the urge to lick your lips (saliva does not moisturize).
• Resisting the urge to nibble at your lips.
• Using a toothbrush with soft bristles to remove flaky skin from your lips.

Home remedy for chapped dry lips

• Cut cucumber into fine slices and rub them on your lips.
• Neem leaf extract is very effective to cure dry cracked lips.
• Take a saline bath, as it is a very powerful remedy to combat the problem of dry chapped lips.
• Apply Aloe Vera gel on your lips.
• Eat Vitamin A rich diet, as it is very essential for the perpetual repair and nourishment of skin.

If your lips are sore and cracked, even a smile can be very painful. Don't let any bad-lips-day happen again, ever.. Hopefully this brief info will help you keep your lips smooth and delectable. Extend love and kindness to the people you cherish with your beautiful smile

Read More......

Ouch!!.. BURN INJURY

It was on the 3rd may, i planned to make a cake (birthday cake exactly, for my mom) when my hand accidentally hit the oven. I had nothing in my mind, but bioplacenton. It was a minor burn injury actually, but since i've had a serious burn injury before, i kind of trauma to flame.

It was last year,when i was helping the public health community to help flood victims by giving the sufferer a disinfectant concentrated liquids. My friend unintentionally dropped a bottle of concentrated lysol and this thick liquid came in contact with my thigh. I was wearing jeans back then, but since it was a thick-concentrated lysol it still cause a serious burn injury.

What did i do next to heal burn injury
1. Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least five minutes to reduce swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn area
2. Apply bioplacenton smoothly to the contact area

Minor burns usually heal without further medication or treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. But if you believe in traditional medication, potatoes and pineapple might be the solutions. Scrub a piece of potatoes or pineapples to the burnt area 3-5 times a day, you'll see the result in no time.

Read More......