Hair and Your Health

Hair is a woman's crowning glory. When it starts to fall at alarming rates it becomes a cause of incessant worry. Many believe that baldness occurs only in men but this is incorrect.

Ignoring hair loss can be a big mistake because hair is an indicator of health and losing your tresses might mean there is some imbalance that needs attention. Dermatologists believe that hair loss can be treated in most of the cases with timely medical help.

What is hair loss?

Shedding 50 to 100 hairs is a part of the normal hair cycle. But if you are seeing a gradual thinning of your mane or bald patches on your scalp, consult a dermatologist.

What are the causes?

If you have diffused thinning all over your scalp, you might have androgenetic alopecia. Hormones are the culprit. There can be an increase in male hormones and other imbalance related to ovarian cysts, pregnancy, birth control pills and menopause. Heredity factors might also have a role in it.

If your hair growth goes in to a resting phase, yours might be a case of telogen effluvium. Child birth, malnutrition (iron and protein deficiencies), crash dieting, surgery, infection or extreme stress can cause a lot of shedding of hair.

If you are losing hair in patches, it is called alopecia areata. This happens when the hair roots are attacked by your immune system.

Other reasons for hair loss include:

• Medication
• Chronic illness like renal and liver problems
• Pulling your hair through regular braiding and ponytails
• Thyroid disease
• Improper hair treatments with repeated use of chemical colors or incorrect way of applying hair cosmetics.

How can it be treated?

The good news is that most cases of hair thinning can be reversed or stopped with medical help.

When hair loss follows temporary events, it will grow back after you pass that phase. Stress, pregnancy, disease, medication are some of the examples of such temporary events.

If your hair is thinning out because of an underlying protein or iron deficiency, it will grow back when you take a proper diet or supplements.

In cases where tress trauma is caused by hormonal imbalance, dermatologists may prescribe estrogen and progesterone pills or creams. Birth control pills with low androgen levels are also given in a few cases. But a thorough medical check-up is required before taking these treatments.

If you are losing hair in patches, your doctor might give you topical treatments like ketoconazole to treat any underlying fungal infection.

Many a times dermatologists may not be able to help you regrow your hair. In the case of thyroid disease, you might not see your tressing making a comeback even after taking thyroid medication. However, your doctor might be able to stop further hair loss.

There are many companies peddling hair loss cures. Don't let these magical cure companies mislead you with their before-and-after pictures and guaranteed hair regrowth. The solution to your lost tresses does not lie outside. By taking a good look at your body basics you will not only treat your hair but also find a cure for the silent ailments that are attacking your health.

At-home Facial Treatments

Oh, so you thought only women get facials done or spend hours in front of the mirror? If yes, you’re wrong. Facial masks have today become an important part of our beauty regime. Not only do they get the glow on our skin but also help you unwind. And, you no longer need to spend hours at the salon to get a facial done. We list down some simple home facial treatments for you...

• Banana-Avacado maskIngredients
  1/2 over-ripe banana
  1/2 over-ripe avacado
  2 tbsp yogurt
  1 tsp olive oil
  
  Instructions
  Mash the banana and avocado together. Then combine it with the other ingredients and mix well. Apply the mask liberally to your face and neck. Leave it on for about 20 minutes. Once dry, rinse with warm water.
  Best for: Skin nourishment 
   
• Tomato-Lemon maskIngredients
  1 ripe tomato
  1 tsp lemon juice
  1 tsp instant oatmeal
  
  Instructions
  Put all the ingredients in a blender, puree until smooth. Apply to your face. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
  Best for: Skin exfoliation
  
  
• Peach maskIngredients
  1 ripe peach
  1 egg white
  1 tsp yogurt
  
  Instructions
  Peel and pit the peach. Blend it with the egg white and yogurt until smooth. Pat gently onto your face. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
  Best for: Skin tightening  
  
• Honey almond maskIngredients
  1 tbsp honey
  1 egg yolk
  1/2 tsp almond oil
  1 tbsp yogurt
  
  Instructions
  Mix all the ingredients together in a blender, until smooth. Apply it on your face and neck. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, gently wipe residue with a damp cloth.
  Best for: Leaving your skin soft and smooth
  
  
• Cucumber Parsley MaskIngredients
  1 tbsp yogurt
  1 tbsp chopped cucumber
  1 tbsp fresh parsley
  
  Instructions
  Puree cucumber and parsley, until smooth. Add yogurt to it and mix well. Apply the mixture to your skin, Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
  Best for: Skin rejuvenation

8 sore-throat soothers

Experts' top treatments for sore-throat pain, from home remedies to drugstore buys. 

1. Humidifier 

Try it when: Your throat feels dry. 

How it works: A humidifier keeps the air around you moist. That's important, since “indoor heat and arid air may dry out the mucous membranes,” says Michael Finkelstein, a holistic physician in Westchester County, N.Y. 

Good to know: Keep the humidifier's water tank and filter clean to prevent the growth of mold, which can worsen symptoms and, in some cases, lead to lung issues. 

2. Garlic

Try it when: You begin to notice a tickle. 

How it works: This pungent bulb is thought to have “tremendous immune-stimulating effects” as well as antimicrobial (read: virus-fighting) and antibacterial qualities, says Finkelstein. So it may help the body to heal the infections that cause a sore throat while fighting the germs that cause the pain and the irritation. The compound that may be responsible for this is allicin, which is released when raw garlic is cut, crushed, or chewed. Finkelstein suggests microwaving one or two cloves for 10 to 15 seconds to decrease the intensity of the taste, then crushing them in a press and eating the garlic on a cracker. Do this once daily. 

Good to know: Garlic supplements, which may be effective at lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, do not seem to help the immune system. 

3. Zinc Lozenges

Try them when: You have mild soreness along with a stuffy nose. Pop in one every two to four hours as needed. 

How they work: These coat the throat to soothe red, raw tissue. In addition, as the zinc ions dissolve, they migrate up the nose, where they bind to and may halt the virus causing a cold. A study conducted at Wayne State University, in Detroit, showed that patients who took zinc lozenges every two to three waking hours cut the duration of a cold by almost half. And since most sore throats come with a cold, start sucking on a lozenge at the first signs of pain. Look for drops that contain zinc gluconate, which is easier on the stomach than other forms, and take them with food to reduce the risk of queasiness.  

Good to know: Because some supplements can interfere with other medications, check with your doctor first. 

4. Warm Salt Water

Try it when: Your throat is feeling sore and scratchy. 

How it works: “This solution is soothing and can kill bacteria in the throat,” says Dr. Grace Keenan, director of the Nova Medical Group, in Ashburn, Virginia. “And it can help increase blood flow to carry infection-fighting cells to the throat to speed recovery.” Mix one teaspoon of salt per pint of water to create a gargle, and use that mixture once a day or as needed. 

Good to know: The water should be comfortably warm, not hot. “You don't want to burn your throat,” says Tim Tucker, a pharmacist in Huntingdon, Tenn.

5. Herbal Tea

Try it when: The pain persists all day. 

How it works: Herbal varieties may contain an immune booster, such as goldenseal root or echinacea; licorice, which is antiviral and antibacterial; or marshmallow herb, which helps produce the protective mucous in your throat.  

Good to know: The above herbs can also be taken as tinctures, which are distilled liquids you place under the tongue. Find them at a pharmacy or a health-food store. 

6. Slippery-Elm Lozenges

Try them when: Your throat is red and feels raw. 

How they work: The powdered bark of the tree keeps your throat moist, which eases the discomfort brought on by inflammation. Try lozenges that are free of lactose. That's important, says Finkelstein, because dairy ingredients may stimulate pain-inducing inflammation. 

Good to know: Some slippery-elm lozenges are combined with vitamin C, which some studies have shown to reduce a cold's duration, including scratchy throats. As with zinc lozenges, check with your doctor before using. 

7. Over-the-Counter Numbing Spray

Try it when: Every swallow aches a little. 

How it works: When the spray hits your throat, the ingredient phenol (a local anesthetic) gives instant, albeit temporary, relief. “These sprays deaden the area for a couple of hours, so if you have a very irritated, inflamed throat, they make it feel better fast,” says Tucker.  

Good to know: These sprays simply mask the pain. They don't treat the underlying problem, help your immune system, or shorten the duration of symptoms. 

8. Prescription Gargle

Try it when: It's downright painful to swallow. 

How it works: If you get to this point, see your doctor. He or she can test for more serious conditions, like strep throat , and give you a prescription for a lidocaine hydrochloride gargle. “This type of solution numbs the area for a longer time than over-the-counter medications,” says Tucker. Your doctor will advise you either to gargle with the straight liquid or mix it with water or other ingredients to make a mouthwash. 

Good to know: Don't eat or drink for 30 minutes after using a prescription gargle, because in addition to numbing your throat, it can also deaden the sensation in your tongue (and you don't want to risk biting it).

'False-alarm mammograms' linked to increased breast cancer risk

Eileen Moleski has received mammogram results suggesting she has breast cancer four times, but further testing showed, each time, that she didn't have the disease. 

Now, she gets anxious each time she's due for another mammogram, said Moleski, 44, who lives in the Philadelphia area. 

A new study suggests that, for women like Moleski who've had a false-positive mammogram , continuing to be watchful for signs of breast cancer may be a good idea - such women are 67 percent more likely to eventually develop the disease, compared with women who've only had negative mammogram results, the findings showed. 

The findings suggest "that either that the false positive mammograms may not be false at all, or that the false positive mammograms may be representative of a biological process which contributes to elevated risk of developing breast cancer in the future," said Dr. Richard Bleicher, of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, in Philadelphia. 

The study is published today (April 5) in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

A heightened risk 

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen compiled mammography data from more than 58,000 Danish women. The women in the study were between 50 and 69 years old, and were screened between 1991 and 2005. 

The findings showed that 339 cases of breast cancer would be expected in one year in a group of 100,000 women who had only negative mammograms , whereas 583 cases would be expected in a year in a group of 100,000 women who'd previously had a false-positive mammogram. 

The increased risk of breast cancer remained for six years after a false positive mammogram, compared with women who always had a negative mammogram. 

The findings showed an association, not a cause-and-effect link, and further work is needed to confirm the results. 

Still, similar findings have been shown in the United States, said Dr. Jeff Tice, of the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Francisco, who was not involved in the study. 

The link might be explained by breast density , Tice said. Women with higher-density breast tissue may be more likely to get a false positive mammogram, and studies, including one that Tice worked on, have shown these women also have increased risk of developing breast cancer. 

Dr. Dana Whaley, an assistant professor of radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., agreed that breast density may be the common link. 

"Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer, and it is more significant than family history most of the time," Whaley said, though he added that why this is the case is not understood.

The study researchers said that the new findings suggest that false positives are a sign of some change occurring in breast tissue. It's not likely, they said, that there actually was a tumor that was missed in follow-up evaluation: women in the study with a false-positive mammogram tended not to develop cancer within two years of their false-positive tests. 

Skepticism of a link 

Some experts raised cautions about the new findings. 

"We don't know other critical factors about the risk of the patients in the study — family history, genetic mutations, hormone use," Bleicher said. The false-positive test might not, in itself, be the risk factor for cancer— it may be related to something else entirely. 

The findings would be more convincing if the study researchers had linked the specific location within the breast of the abnormality that caused the false positive with the location of later breast cancer, said Dr. Karla Kerlikowske, also of the Diller Cancer Center. 

The underlying biology that might increase the risk of breast cancer in these women needs to be explained with follow-up studies, Kerlikowske said. 

Like Moleski, many patients with previous false-positive mammograms have anxiety, Whaley said. But that anxiety is usually about the detection of cancer, not the false-positive result. "When and how this information is presented to women is very important in preventing unnecessary anxiety,"hesaid.

6 effective dry-eye treatments

Got that burning, stinging, sandy feeling? Stop seeing red with these doctor-recommended remedies. 

1. Artificial Tears 

Best for: Everyday burning or stinging brought on by too much computer use, say, or a late night.

How they work: Made of ingredients such as glycerin and natural oils, these over-the-counter drops can temporarily restore moisture to the eyes, says ophthalmologist Robert Latkany, the director of the Dry Eye Clinic at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, in New York City. 

How to use them: Put a drop or two in each eye when you feel discomfort. However, if you need to use them more often than four times a day, see your eye doctor. He may suggest that you switch to preservative-free drops, which are better for more frequent use. If you're a contact-lens wearer, look for drops labeled “re-wetting drops.” That means they're safe for contacts. 

2. Omega-3s

Best for: People who don't like drops. 

How they work: Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation that can contribute to dry-eye syndrome (DES), a common condition that's easily diagnosed by an eye doctor. A 2005 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , led by investigators at Harvard Medical School, found that women who consumed the highest levels of omega-3's in their diet had a 34 percent lower risk for DES than did others. And a 2010 study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas showed that people who took a daily omega-3 fish-oil supplement that contained 450 milligrams of the fatty acid EPA and 300 milligrams of DHA, plus 1,000 milligrams of flaxseed oil, produced more tears. 

How to use them: Add a few servings of fatty fish, such as salmon, to your weekly diet, or talk to your doctor about taking daily fish-oil and flaxseed supplements. Take omega-3 supplements with food, as they can cause stomach upset. 

3. Prescription Drops

Best for: Treating chronic DES. 

How they work: Sold under the brand name Restasis, prescription drops contain the drug cyclosporine, which can help increase natural tear production. In a 2010 study published in the Korean Journal of Ophthalmology , a majority of patients reported few dry-eye symptoms or none at all after using the drops for three months. 

How to use them: Apply one drop per eye twice a day. Experts note that these drops can be used indefinitely, as long as you're under the care of an eye doctor. 

4. Warm Compresses

Best for: Dryness that drops can't seem to tackle. 

How they work: Tears, your eyes' own lubrication, are made up of water and an oily substance produced by glands along the eyelids. “If cells in the glands harden and plug the opening, it can keep the oil from getting into the tear film,” says Stephen Pflugfelder, an ophthalmologist in Houston. “Without that oil, the water in tears evaporates too quickly, leaving eyes feeling dry.” A warm compress helps liquefy plugs so the oil can flow into tears. 

How to use them: Place a warm, wet washcloth over your eyelids for up to 10 minutes once a day as needed. 

5. Eyelid Washes

Best for: Dry eyes that are accompanied by flaking along the lids, which could be a sign of blepharitis, a dandrufflike inflammation of the eyelash follicles. 

How they work: “People with blepharitis tend to overproduce oil, which can block the glands and cause tears to evaporate too rapidly,” says Christopher Gelston, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, in Aurora. An over-the-counter eye wash contains mild cleansing agents to dissolve oil and remove flakes (as well as irritants and allergens that can exacerbate the problem). 

How to use them: Rinse or massage over the lash line once a day, typically at night (some washes come with a cup for application). If your symptoms don't clear up after several days, see your doctor. 

6. Ophthalmic Inserts

Best for: Relieving dryness that doesn't respond to other remedies. 

How they work: Available only by prescription, Lacrisert inserts are tiny cellulose beads that you place in the pocket of each lower eyelid. “They dissolve slowly and mix with your tears to provide ongoing lubrication throughout the day,” says Pflugfelder. 

How to use them: Insert a bead once or twice a day. Like prescription drops, inserts are safe for long-term use, as directed by your doctor.

5 Unconventional Ways To Use Nail Polish

We all know the drill when it comes to nail polish: Paint and put away. But now you don't have to be so quick to shelve your shade. Here are 5 out-of-the-box ways to wield that colorful little wand:

1. Use it to paint the sole of your high-heels (think: Christian Louboutin) as an easy (and cheap!) way to update them for spring. Note: Colored opaque formulas work best since they won't reveal the true color of your shoe. Also, avoid getting paint on other parts of your shoe by placing masking tape along the edge where the shoe meets the sole-the same way you would protect the ceiling and window panes when you're painting a room. Once you've covered the sole in color, allow it to dry before applying a second coat. If another layer isn't needed, pull off the tape to reveal a neat polish job.

2. Cover up a scratch on scuffed shoes or boots. It can be hard to find shoe polish for colorful kicks, so try finding a nail polish that matches instead. But don't rely on a bottle-to-shoe comparison, since the color can look different when it's applied. Put the hue on your nail first and give it a minute to dry to make sure it's a close-enough match to your shoes.

3. Personalize your favorite bag. Enlist the help of stencils and tape to make your initials look perfect.

4. Change the look of a necklace, ring, or earrings by covering faux jewels with a pop of color, like neon green, orange, or pink, to create your own DIY version of a  Tom Binns Design . Simply lay the accessory flat on a paper towel and begin to paint.

5. Prevent new, fake jewelry from tarnishing. When air hits the metal, it oxidizes it and changes its color. Since clear lacquer locks out the air, it helps keep your costume jewelry looking new. Note: This will not work on already-tarnished accessories.

Sea Salt Benefits

Short of entering a NASA simulation machine, the experience of swimming in the Dead Sea must be the closest anyone can get to spacewalking without leaving Earth. The water-8.6 times salt­ier than any ocean-is crystal clear, so you can see the craggy white topography of the sea floor beneath you as you float, weightless, like a buoy, even when you drift out and over deeper water. The sensation is supremely calming-not only because you're bobbing about in bath-warm water like a rubber duck, with no risk of drowning or becoming a shark's snack, but also because both the water and air are rich with minerals-including bromine, a popular nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century sedative-that have a relaxing effect on muscles and nerves. But what impressed me most when I reluctantly emerged from a long, blissful soak was how my skin looked and felt-springy, soft, and ultramoisturized-even several un-showered hours after I returned to my hotel in Israel's Ein Gedi, on the sea's western shore.

The therapeutic effects of bathing in mineral-rich waters have been known since time immemorial-or at least since ancient Greeks Herodotus and Hippocrates proclaimed the curative powers of relaxing in natural hot springs, forming the basis for balneotherapy, or "taking the waters," which is still practiced everywhere from Calistoga, California, to Iceland's Blue Lagoon. Cleopatra-that oft-cited bellwether of most things beauty-so greatly valued the youth-bestowing qualities of the Dead Sea's mud and water that she purportedly urged her lover Mark Antony to conquer the region so that she might have an unlimited supply. The compound of magnesium sulfate known as Epsom salt-named after the English town where it was first identified in 1695-has been clinically proven to ease muscle pain and speed the healing of wounds. The Japanese have customarily dipped into mineral springs, or onsen , for centuries, to alleviate a host of complaints ranging from acne to wrinkles. Even now, alternative health blogs are buzzing about so-called transdermal magnesium ther­apy: Because the mineral can be absorbed through the skin and into the cells, devotees allege that a bath containing a few cups of sea-salt-derived magnesium chloride can deliver health-boosting results (such as lowering high blood pressure, a proven benefit of upping dietary intake of magnesium sulfate) more effectively than oral supplements.

Most of us tend to have somewhat negative associations with salt, however­-from the dehydrating discomfort (thirst, bloating) we experience after we've eaten too much of it, to the long-term health dangers of a sodium-heavy diet, to the filmy, sticky feeling that inevitably punctuates long days at the beach. It's certainly not something that springs to mind when thinking about hydration-even though certain salts have a unique ability to attract and hold water, making them a valuable ingredient in moisturizer formulation. Sodium hyaluron, the form of hyaluronic acid used in many face creams, is technically a salt. "Sodium hyaluron is a very viscous substance that increases the water-holding capacity of skin," says New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, "so it has an almost immediate plumping effect." (Reps for the brand Kinerase, for instance, claim that its presence in the company's new C8 Intensive Treatment multiplies the skin's water content by 1,000.) Whether or not a salt is drying, Fusco explains, comes down to its composition: "Ordinary salt is largely sodium chloride, which is very dehydrating," she says, "but mineral salt, such as Dead Sea salt, is rich in magnesium and calcium, which improve hydration by strengthening the barrier function of the skin." Indeed, those minerals-in addition to zinc and potassium, other components of unrefined salt-are classified by scientists as "natural moisturization factors" for the way they support the skin's water balance. "An example I give my patients is that when you sit in a non-salt bath, your skin wrinkles and prunes," Fusco says. "But that doesn't happen in salt water because salt reproduces an environment in balance with your skin in which your skin doesn't leak out moisture."

At Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories in Israel, salt is everywhere-there are even statues made from the stuff, like Lot's wife, standing in the building's entryway-which isn't surprising considering that this is the only cosmetics company in the world with direct access to Earth's saltiest body of water. Perched on a mountainside with a breath-catching view of the Dead Sea (and Jordan, visible on the opposite shore), the facility houses an extensive research and development department in addition to a factory floor and enormous shop; the latter two are open to tourists. Scientists here have been studying the effects of Dead Sea salts and mud on skin since the company was founded in 1988, finding that the mineral compounds improve cellular metabolism (that is, the efficiency with which cells convert nutrients into energy, as well as the speed at which old skin cells are replaced by new ones), stimulate circulation, and even protect against UVB radiation. The lab's key breakthrough, however, was discovering the way in which the salts moisturize the skin through osmosis. "The minerals of the Dead Sea are hydroscopic, meaning they attract water," explains Ahava research and development manager Isabelle Afriat, PhD, "so when you put them on the skin, they act like a pump, drawing moisture and nutrients from the deeper levels of the skin up to the epidermis." Every Ahava face and body product contains a sample of Dead Sea water, patented as the "Osmoter," which, the company maintains, increases the skin's hydration both on the top and dermal levels by effectively rebalancing the distribution of naturally occurring minerals in the cells. A number of independent studies also show that the Dead Sea minerals reduce roughness and inflammation, improving overall skin health.

Most moisturizers are built around ingredients that are occlusives, which prevent water evaporation from the skin, and humectants, which have a softening, smoothing effect on the epidermis. Adding mineral salt to the equation can be of particular import for aging skin, which is compromised by decreased ability to retain water and a slowing cellular metabolism. "Magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium are critical for proper cell-to-cell communication," says Afriat, "so replenishing the skin with minerals can help restart the signaling processes that slow down with age." When the skin's mineral quotient is out of whack, we all know it: Telltale signs such as "dryness, irritation, dullness, and blotchiness" begin to emerge, Fusco says. "Moisturizers containing salts are better than plain old occlusives because they allow moisture to be absorbed and to bind to skin more efficiently."

According to Yael Alkalay, the founder of natural beauty brand Red Flower, there's another proven reason why salt helps quench the skin: It's exfoliating, and not just when you use it as a scrub. "Salt is almost like those little goldfish in some weird pedicure place," she says. "It has a sort of instantaneous effect of taking dead skin cells off the surface of the skin. It does it very gently, leaving the skin smoother and more able to absorb moisture and nutrients." It's especially effective when combined with warm water, which increases circulation. "One of the best ways to keep skin youthful, energized, and healthy is to increase blood flow while pulling moisture and minerals in."

"Moisturization with salt is something I've been trying to explain for a long time, because I feel that salt often gets a bad rap in regards to how it can be used in a skin-care regimen," Alkalay says. When she formulated Red Flower's cleansing Bioactive Berry White Peat Exfoliant, she recalls, "everyone said, ‘You can't put salt in a face product!' But we did it, and for a very specific reason: It converts the water that you put on your face to give skin a higher mineral content-and minerals are absolutely crucial to healthy skin."