"Natural State of Mind"

Why I Decided To Wear My Natural Hair

For the first time in years I felt the breeze caress my scalp...

I almost forgot what fresh air felt like against my hair. Last night I took out the weave and replaced it with cornrows and double strand twists. After an hour of detangling the mess I created , I blow-dried my hair. Who would have thought, I actually had a head full of hair beyond shoulder length, that laid hidden under sewing thread, nets, plats, etc. A weight was lifted, literally. I usually wear three bundles of hair!!

My decision to transition to natural hair was due in part  to being inundated with women of color patronizing my salon asking to cut off relaxed hair or looking for a stylist who could maintain their curly tresses.  If they could do it, why couldn't I? Was I so connected to my false sense of security, that I refused to consider this as an option? Conforming to societal norms was the standard. Natural hair almost felt radical or revolutionary!!!!

The fact is,  I was neither radical nor revolutionary. I was a black woman tired of investing  hundreds of dollars into someone else's human hair.

But what if changed my mind?

The realty is, I could change my mind and there is no "hair gustapo," documenting my inconsistencies. I was making a conscious decision and as long as I was happy, everyone else would appreciate and support my styling  preference.

Nevertheless... it is DAY TWO  and I am still smiling.

Owner, Vanity Hair Studio NYC

Nicki Minaj Has a New Fragrance. Are You Buying It?

New American Idol judge Nicki Minaj  has teamed up with Elizabeth Arden to create a signature scent for her Pink Friday line.  The singing rapper teamed up with Elizabeth Arden to create a signature scent. In typical eccentric Nicki style, the fragrance bottle is a replica of an armless brass Nicki in her signature pink wig and lipstick. The fragrance is described as an “intoxicating floral musk.” 

Vanity Hair Studio NYC

The Truth About No Lye Relaxers !!

The main, active ingredient in a no-lye based relaxer is calcium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide. Although the pH level of a no-lye relaxer is typically lower than a lye-based one, no-lye relaxers are often associated with dryer hair due to potential calcium buildup. One of the major reasons someone may prefer a no-lye relaxer is if her scalp is sensitive, as the chemicals in this type of relaxer can be milder on the scalp. This doesn't mean that it's better to use on children or that the chemicals cannot burn you (they can).


Vanity Hair Studio NYC

Female Pattern Baldness

The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern Alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and sides of the head. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as early as puberty. Normal hair fall is approximately 100-125 hairs per day. Fortunately, these hairs are replaced. True hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not regrown or when the daily hair shed exceeds 125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss can come from either parents side of the family.

There are two different types of hair loss, medically known as anagen effluviumand Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicle. Telogen effluvium, is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage.

The most common causes of telogen effluvium are:

Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, rapid weight change.

Emotional stress: mental illness, death of a family member.
Thyroid abnormalities.
Medications: High doses of Vitamin A, Blood pressure and Gout medications.
Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause.

When the above causes of telogen effluvium are reversed or altered you should see the return of normal hair growth.

DIET CONSIDERATIONS
Hair loss may also occur due to dieting. Franchised diet programs which are designed or administered under the direction of a physician with prescribed meals, dietary supplements and vitamin ingestion have become popular. Sometimes the client is told that vitamins are a necessary part of the program to prevent hair loss associated with dieting. From a dermatologists's standpoint, however, the vitamins cannot prevent hair loss associated with rapid, significant weight loss. Furthermore, many of these supplements are high in vitamin A which can magnify the hair loss.

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS
Surgeries, severe illnesses and emotional stress can cause hair loss. The body simply shuts down production of hair during periods of stress since it is not necessary for survival and instead devotes its energies toward repairing vital body structures. In many cases there is a three month delay between the actual event and the onset of hair loss. Furthermore, there may be another three month delay prior to the return of noticeable hair regrowth. This then means that the total hair loss and regrowth cycle can last 6 months or possibly longer when induced by physical or emotional stress. There are some health conditions which may go undetected that can contribute to hair loss. These include anemia or low blood count and thyroid abnormalities. Both of these conditions can be detected by a simple, inexpensive blood test.

HORMONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss. Many women do not realize that hair loss can occur after pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control pills. It is important to remember that the hair loss may be delayed by three months following the hormonal change and another three months will be required for new growth to be fully achieved.

MYTHS RELATED TO HAIR LOSS
• Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss.
• Hats and wigs cause hair loss.
• 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair.
• Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments.
• Women are expected to develop significant hair loss if they are healthy.
• Shaving one's head will cause the hair to grow back thicker.
• Standing on one's head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth!
• Dandruff causes permanent hair loss.
• There are cosmetic products that will cause the hair to grow thicker and faster.
• Stress causes permanent hair loss.
• Hair loss does not occur in the late teens or early twenties.
• Hair loss affects only intellectuals.
• There is a cure for androgenetic Alopecia.

These are only a few of the common myths heard by physicians and other hair loss specialists on a daily basis. The AHLC suggests that you first have your hair loss diagnosed by a competent dermatologist who sees hair loss patients on a regular basis. Once you know the diagnosis you will have a better understanding of exactly which treatment option may be best for you.

Source: AHLC.ORG

Hair Styles for Women with Traction Alopecia

If you're like most women/men who suffer from Traction Alopecia, you have become the master of deception...hair deception that is. "Creative" could not begin to describe the lengths that women and men go through to cover their balding or scarred scalp. 

DEFINITION: Traction Alopecia is a hair loss condition caused by damage to the dermal papilla and hair follicle by constant pulling or tension over a long period. It often occurs in people who wear tight braids, especially "cornrows" that lead to high tension, pulling and breakage of hair

CAUSE:  This condition is most common in African-American women and men who braid their hair too tightly AND Sikh men and  Japanese women whose traditional hair styles also pull and damage hair. Traction alopecia occurs more frequently in children, teenagers and young adults than it does in older women and men. Traction Alopecia is reversible if diagnosed early, but may lead to permanent hair loss if it is undetected for a protracted period. Hair loss is often in the frontal and temporal regions, but also depends on the hair style. With those who wear cornrows, the area most commonly affected is that adjacent to the region that is braided. Traction Alopecia can also occur due to overprocessing of the hair. Chemical treatment of hair with dyes, bleaches, or straighteners disrupts the keratin structure in a manner that reduces its tensile strength. The hair can become fragile and heavy fall out can occur with brushing or combing. The use of thermal or chemical hair straightening, and hair braiding or weaving are examples of styling techniques that place African American women at high risk for various "traumatic" Alopecia. EXAMPLES: REMEDY: The key to stopping Traction Alopecia is detecting it early. Hair styles that put unnecessary strain on the hair root must be changed for looser, more gentle hairstyles. Women/men who suspect they may be vulnerable to traction alopecia should take action immediately to change their hair style or treatment methods and by all means, take the time to see a dermatologist. Professional hair stylists specializing in braids, cornrows, weaving and chemical processing should warn their clients about Traction Alopecia. No medical treatment is available to reverse late-stage Traction Alopecia. Hair grafts have been identified as the only practical solution. HAIRSTYLE OPTIONS: 1. Keep the hair in its natural state and straighten with a hot comb or flat iron as needed.  .  2. Use a side bang to keep the hair relaxed. Combing your hair down will release some of the tension on your follicles.    3. Wear a bob like hairstyle. This hairstyle can cover all of your vulnerable areas while allowing you to feel sexy, modern and confident.   4. Wear your hair short. Short hairstyles usually require less tension. Even if you have very vulnerable areas, coverage is pretty easy once you have hair in the middle or back of your head.   5. Use clip in pieces to add color or texture to your hair. Chemical processes can weaken the structure of the hair shaft over time.        6. Surgery Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Laser energy has been found to stimulate hair growth on the scalp to improve hair quality, stop the progression of hair loss, and even promote new hair growth.  Hair Transplantation Surgery: New surgical techniques make it possible to restore hair to thinning areas. When performed on a good candidate (typically someone with specific areas of hair loss rather than very diffuse thinning), the results are completely natural looking with no visible scars. No one, not even your stylist, will know. if hair are not the same as those used to restore male pattern baldness. Optimal results depend on the mastery of  these specialized surgical skills. If you have any questions , feel free to contact Vanity Hair Studio NYC Website/                 www.vanityhairstudionyc.com Facebook.com /vanityhairstudionyc Twitter.com/     @vanityhairnyc Blogger/            vanityhairstudionyc.blogspot.com Gmail/               vanityhairstudionyc@gmail.com

Naomi Campbell 

Fame & Beauty....No Hairline?

Even with unlimited resources, there are certain things that are inevitable when a woman  does not properly care for her mane. 

Naomi Campbell is just one of millions of women suffering from traction alopecia and  receding hairlines. We suspect that Superstar Brandy suffers from the same condition yet manages to keep it covered through lace-front wigs. 

Receding hairlines are becoming very problematic in the African American community. This is largely due in part to wearing hair extensions, weaves or hairstyles with tension. All of this tension slowly strains the hair follicles and weakens them significantly. Eventually the strained hair will fall out PERMANENTLY!. There is no product or magic ritual that will regrow your hair once it has been damaged. Unfortunately, this is applicable to the beautiful model. 

By the looks of things,  Naomi will be wearing wigs or hats for the rest of her life! 

I'm sure she did not have her $55,000 a year hair stylist along with her on this vacation. She will know better next time..

For more information on how to address a receding hairline or obtain hairstyles that will cover the bald patches, contact VanityHairStudioNYC on gmail, twitter or Facebook. 

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