Dry Hair from Moistue loss

Hair is much more dense than skin.

The layers of the cuticle are difficult to penetrate. Once you've used a good product that does penetrate and moisturize the hair you want to be sure to lock that moisture in.

If you don't close the cuticle the moisture won't do you much good. A cold or cool rinse helps close the cuticle down and seal in the moisture.

Try this extra hair cocktail to lock moisture in:

• To make the cuticle lie down and lay flat rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar. It's very acidic and leaves the hair with a fresh clean smell.

• Let it sit on the hair for a few minutes; then rinse with cool or cold water.

• Apple cider vinegar contracts the cuticle and locks not only moisture but color in as well. A vinegar rinse will give you less chance of color fade.

Osteoporosis prevention

Talk to your doctor

Speaking with your doctor is the best way for you to better understand your own risk for the disease, as well as prevention and treatment options.

Many people find that talking with their doctor about osteoporosis is difficult, sometimes because they aren't sure what they need to discuss.

Here are several questions to get you started; they are common concerns.

If your concern is about preventing osteoporosis:

* How do I prevent osteoporosis?
* How do I know if my bone density is low?
* How much calcium and Vitamin D is right for me? What are the best sources of calcium and Vitamin D?
* Based on my medical history, lifestyle and family history, am I at risk for osteoporosis?
* How do I know if someone in my family suffered from osteoporosis? What are the signs to look for?
* Am I currently taking any medication that puts me at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis?
* Do men get this disease?
* Am I too old/young to get this disease?
* What about exercise?
* Should I have a BMD (bone mineral density) test? What are the risks of a BMD test?
* How do I know if I have fractured a bone?
* I have had fractures in the past; could they have been caused by osteoporosis?

If you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, or are at high risk for the disease:

* What osteoporosis medications are available to help me?
* What are the benefits/side-effects of these medications? Will the medications interact with other medications I am already taking for other conditions?
* Am I too old/young to start medication?
* Should I have a BMD test?
* How can I know if the medications I am taking for other conditions will cause dizziness, light-headedness, disorientation or a loss of balance that could lead to a fall?
* Are osteoporosis medications covered by my provincial drug benefits plan?
* What sort of physical activity is best for me now?
* How much calcium and Vitamin D do I need? What are the best sources?
* How can I protect my bones from getting worse?



© Osteoporosis Canada,

Winter Hair fades

People tend to do a lot more color, highlighting and perms in the winter. Winter hair becomes, darker, duller due to less time in the sun. You can combat this with color or highlighting.

I think highlighting looks best. Lots of people already highlight, but those who don't probably should! It's a sure fire way to liven up the hair and make it through the winter doldrums.


Add moisture to your hair.

Especially necessary if you've had any chemical work on your hair. Look for a conditioner with cetyl alcohol.
It's the best moisturizing agent and is derived from coconut. The molecular structure of coconut is too large to penetrate the hair cuticle, but by extracting the molecule and altering its size you end up with cetyl alcohol.

Another ingredient to look for is cetearyl alcohol.

It's a very good moisturizing agent for conditioner and shampoo.
Most people can get away with a good moisturizing conditioner.
If your hair is very damaged or dry look for a moisturizing shampoo as well.

Hiar care in Winter

With the onset of cooler temperatures and the diminishing hours of sun comes a new set of hair care demands.

Some suggestions to keep you hair vibrant, well moisturized and looking its best throughout the winter season.

Adding moisture is especially important at this time of year and a major oversight by many people.

As we spend less time in the sun, the natural highlights nature paints into our hair become less noticeable and hair loses its healthy shimmering look.

The cold air of winter is more drying and less humid and therefore more abusive than other times of the year.
Indoor heating devices create a dryer climate as well.

All of this spells out duller looking hair.