Six Myths About Losing Your Hair

Six Myths About Losing Your Hair - If you’re worried about going bald, you may believe just about anything you hear about hair loss. Thing is, a lot of it’s probably bogus.

All guys fear losing their hair. And because of that fear, they tend to do two things: spend a ton of money on hair loss prevention or regrowth methods — $1 billion per year, according to US News & World Report — and believe just about everything they hear about going bald. You see, when you’re scared, you’re more likely to believe off-the-wall theories. (“So I just plaster this highly-acidic cream on my scalp, do a headstand for six hours, and I’ll have all of my hair again? Sounds easy enough!”)

Thing is, a lot of what we think we know about androgenic alopecia (the fancy term for hair loss) turn out to be total myths. We’ve listed seven of the most popular things you’ve most likely heard — and probably believed — about going bald, but simply aren’t true.

MYTH # 1: Wearing Hats Causes Hair Loss

In order for a hat to make you bald, it’d have to literally cut off circulation to the hair follicles. Nobody could stand wearing a hat that tight. However, a case of folliculitis — an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi infecting the hair follicle — can expedite hair loss for people who are already starting to thin out up top. Two ways to that: Wearing grimy hats and shaving your head with an old, nasty razor.

MYTH # 2: Hair Loss Is Directly Related To Testosterone Levels

Testosterone doesn’t cause hair loss, but when testosterone naturally converts to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), it can shrink hair follicles and cause a reaction that restricts blood flow to the capillaries for some people. If your hair follicles are sensitive DHT, the hair will fall out naturally, but won’t be replaced.

MYTH # 3: Gel, Mousse, And Other Hair Products Can Cause Hair Loss

There is no scientific data that links the use of hair products to going bald. That said, you shouldn’t glob on product until your hair is a crusty gel helmet. You won’t lose your hair if you do that, but you might lose all chances of getting laid.

MYTH # 4: Stress Causes Men To Go Bald

This isn’t entirely false, but it’s misleading. If you’re suffering from a physical or mental trauma — a messy divorce, terrible accident, chronic illness, even a bad fever — your body downgrades the importance of hair growth to focus on the more important issue. It’s called Telogen Effluvium, the excessive temporary loss of hair in the telogen (resting) phase, and it can last up to 12 weeks (longer if untreated) before your hair begins to regrow.

MYTH # 5: Frequent Haircuts Cause Hair To Grow Back Faster And Thicker

Nope. Your hair will grow about a half inch each month — regardless of how often your barber snips it. The same proves true for shaving your face: Your hair does not grow back thicker, darker, or coarser.

MYTH # 6: Your Mother Is Solely To Blame For Baldness

Mom may have lied to you about how you catch a cold, but you can’t pin your baldness on her. Either parent can be at fault. In fact, research has shown that if you have a bald father, your odds of developing male pattern baldness are higher than for those who had dads with a full head of hair.

MYTH # 7: Propecia and Rogaine Are A Waste of Money

False. Propecia is a prescription pill that blocks the hormones that shrink hair follicles; Rogaine works as a slowing agent for thinning hair. But there’s a big catch. Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia, can cause erectile dysfunction, low libido, and problems reaching climax … and new research from the George Washington University Medical Center says roughly 20 percent of men had side effects more than six years after they stopped taking finasteride. Side effects for Rogaine are minor — scalp irritation, itching, and dandruff. If you decide you want to quit using either product, your hair will revert to the way it was. ( modernman.com )

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The Magic Make-up Mirror

The Magic Make-up Mirror -- Most women have gone through the ordeal of buying a product at a beauty counter only to get home and discover it looks more clown than chic. But a virtual make-up mirror promises to put an end to these expensive embarrassments.

The first of its kind in Europe, the 'magic mirror' can give you a full make-over in seconds, lets you test hundreds of different products in minutes, and does away with the need for make-up remover afterwards.

Created by Japanese beauty brand Shiseido, the simulator allows users to virtually apply make-up to eyes, lips and cheeks. But it’s not yet able to slap on virtual foundation, so I primed my face with a simple base and sat down to see what it could do.

The future of make-up: Claire gets a tutorial in how to use the hi-tech simulator

A camera on the device captures your face and works out where your eyes, nose and mouth are. Using the touch-sensitive screen, you can choose from more than 50 different eye colours, around the same number of lip colours, and 12 blushers, bronzers and cheek tints.

You can whizz through a huge array of shades in a matter of moments, see how products change with more intensive application, and experiment with far more drastic looks than you might normally dare to.

The image you see is a perfect mirror image. If you squint to take a closer look at the eyeshadow you just 'applied', you’ll see it on the screen; turn your head slightly to see how that blusher looks and your mirror image will do likewise.

Once you find a look you like, you can take a still image. The machine can store a few of these, giving you an opportunity to compare different looks.

I experimented with pink eyeshadow, orange lipstick and far heavier blusher than I would ever have applied normally, managed to discover exactly the right shade of red lipstick, and became convinced that maybe it was worth giving purple eyeshadow a whirl, after all.

Of course it's a sales tool, but if you've ever spent half an hour having a department store makeover, only to scrub it all off in the loos because you hated it, or grabbed a lipstick colour that looked okay on the back of your hand but made you look like Morticia when you got home, you'll see the appeal.

On the downside, while you know that the colours you've opted for will suit you, the mirror can’t give you an idea of product texture, or guarantee that you’ll be able to apply them well.

For that you’ll have to rely on good old-fashioned human beings. Still, knowing the tech-savvy Japanese, a robot that can perfectly apply your make-up can't be very far away.The make-up simulator is currently on a roadshow of department stores across the country and will return to Selfridges in London on May 27.( antara )

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Take years off your face

Take years off your face - Our skin is a mirror of our inner health and well-being. The right diet, combined with the right exercise and a simple beauty routine does wonders to the way we look and feel every day.

The skin has a dual role of protection (from foreign, toxic substances) and the transfer point (for the release of toxins from our bodies becomes) and in the process it tires out when there is a work overload. It then craves a little more care than just the regular cleansing-toning-moisturising routine.

This is where facials come in: a deep and thorough cleansing procedure that is known to remove impurities embedded within the pores while replenishing essential nutrients to the skin!

Why facials are so good

Research reveals facials come with several benefits, both physical and psychological. "Facials counteract the effects of pollutants and sun exposure, helping cleanse, rehydrate and rejuvenate skin.

They can also be used as a mild treatment to take care of skin blemishes, dead skin and early wrinkles. It's best to start them at 25, when the skin begins to undergo its first round of wear and tear. Regular facials also ensure better penetration of anti-ageing skincare products," explains Mumbai-based dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel.

According to beauty expert, Shahnaz Hussain, one of the pioneers of facials in India, "Facials help maintain the oil-moisture balance of the skin, along with the acid-alkali balance. And since facials aid in the toning of both skin and muscles, it also doubles up as an effective anti-ager, when done on a regular basis, ideally once every month beyond the age of 30. Besides, it helps relax every muscle on the face and neck, bringing about a soothing effect." Every facial follows a few basic steps, each of which comes with individual benefits.

Deep cleansing and toning: The skin is deeply and thoroughly cleaned with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and pollutants thereby improving blood circulation to the face almost immediately. This also helps products penetrate the skin faster, during the facial as well as later. Toning on the other hand aids in faster cell renewal preserving firmness and elasticity of the skin.

Exfoliation: Exfoliation with specific products (depending on the facial one opts for) boosts renewal of skin cells, making skin appear brighter and more translucent. This is mostly done with anti-oxidant creams used to help prevent free radical damage. This apart, it also helps remove blackheads significantly opening the clogged pores and allowing skin to breathe.

Massage: The most relaxing part of a facial, the gentle and rhythmic strokes relaxes muscles, thus increasing blood circulation, which in turn aids the removal of toxins and waste from the body and delays the onset of wrinkles.

Face masks: Available in various types such as firming, whitening, Vitamin C, etc., they are known to remove oiliness, shrink pores and add moisture to the skin, lending it a translucent feel. Herbal masks, on the other hand, improve cell renewal signficantly.

Choose your own beauty routine
With a flurry of options, it is important you choose your facials with care for maximum benefits.

Extremely sensitive/Acne-Prone Skin: "Facials are best avoided for people with very sensitive skin, acne or very oily skin or those with skin conditions such as rosacea. Clean-ups work best for such skin types which comes with the benefits of a facial, but reduced massage time, which is considered harmful for those with such skin types. Scrubbing is also a complete no-no for such skin," says Delhi-based dermatologist Charulata Bose.

Normal to oily skin: Go for a basic facial (a fruit facial, an oxygen-based facial) that stresses on cleansing, toning and a good face mask, advises Hussain.

Dry skin: Opt for facials that focus on massage and thick creams. This will help the cream penetrate deep in, thereby providing necessary hydration, suggests Bose.

What you should look out for

While facials come with a host of benefits, they are effective only when done the right way by qualified, experienced professionals and in completely hygienic conditions, with safe, high-quality products, cautions Goel. "Wrong massage techniques can cause skin to sag, leading to more prominent wrinkles," says Bose.

1. Know the ingredients and the brands being used on your face.
2. Test if you are allergic to any ingredient in the products. If you're experimenting with a new kind of facial, do a patch test of the major ingredients well in advance in order to rule out allergies.
3. Ensure your therapist uses only fresh products, especially in case of natural/organic/fruit facials.
4. Never peel away pimples as these could leave painful sores and permanent scars.
5. Make sure the spa/salon maintains good hygiene standards to avoid any kind of infection. ( yahoo.com )

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