Keeping Hair While Fighting Cancer

Researchers claim to have found a way to treat cancer, that doesn’t cause patients to loose their hair. The treatment, which is led by Queensland University, involves shutting down cancer causing genes in tumor cells, without killing healthy tissue. It’s a technology which can inactivate individual genes. The team has observed an average of 70% reduction in tumor size, on a cervical cancer mouse.

This is big news in the development of cancer cures. Up until now, patients have relied on surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. And while millions have benefited from these treatments, they also underwent many challenging side effects, including incredible sickness and substantial hair loss.

To package these treatments safely is a complex process. The drugs currently have to be packaged in lipid rich carriers because they are unstable in room temperature. So clearly there is still much to learn and perfect in this process. But the researchers are so excited about their findings and what this will mean for future cancer patients.

To learn more go to: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health–Science/Cancer-drug-that-wont-cause-hair-loss/articleshow/4620075.cms

The Hair Detective Tool

Known as the “laser ablation” method, this new tool can detect what a person eats, or changes in their diet. It can also detect their travels between different countries. And all with the study of a single strand of hair. The tool works by picking up variations in sulfur concentration on the hair.

While there are some techniques out there with some similar capabilities, this new tool is the only one which uses a laser to pick up the exact proportions of the sulfur isotopes. The laser allows for a much higher resolution.

This method was developed by researchers from LGC Chemical Metrology Lab and University of Oviedo in Britain and Spain. Who claim this technique will be helpful for investigators who are tracking terrorists. But it could also be helpful to detectives everyday work. Determining where an unidentified body came from… Or determining if a suspects claimed whereabouts are true…

For more information on this go to: http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-45807.html

Principal Goes Purple

Students of the North Coventry Elementary School recently participated in the local Relay for Life through the Kids For A Cure program. And as a way to challenge the students to meet their fundraiser goal, which would ultimately go to the American Cancer Society, the principal, James Melchor, and many teachers promised what they called “The Purple Hair Dare and Bare Dare”.

Well, the students raised more then $4,000. So on Wednesday morning the kids all watched, with shrills and bubbling laughter, as their principal and three faculty members had their hair dyed a brilliant shade of purple, while two other staff members shaved theirs all off.

Along with the execution of “The Purple Hair Dare and Bare Dare” promise, students were introduced to Anthony Nucifora, a kindergarten schoolmate of theirs. Anthony underwent chemotherapy for his Stage 4 hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer. And while he lost his hearing during the chemotherapy process, he won his battle with the cancer, and today is cancer free.

The school nurse spoke about healthy living and steps we can take to avoid getting cancer. Like eating healthy and not smoking. And the assembly demonstrated that even children can get cancer. But children can beat it as well.

For more on this story go to: http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2009/05/28/news/srv0000005443991.txt

Amazing Hair Story

Three young girls, two kindergartners and a 4th grader, donated their hair to Locks of Love. This was the 4th graders 3rd time donating. As this is the 3rd year their school has held a drive for Locks of Love.

If you want to donate to a good cause too, and happen to live in the Atlanta , Ga area, the third annual “It’s Just Hair” cut-a-thon will take place on Monday, May 18 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Taylor Brooks Salon, which is located at 11550 Jones Bridge Road in Alpharetta.

The cut-a-thon was started by a young girl named Jenna Cooley and her mom Diane, when they decided to do something to help other young girls like Jenna, whom was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, an incurable auto-immune disease that causes hair loss.

For find out where you can donate in your area go to: http://www.locksoflove.org/

Jon and Kate plus Kates hair

It seems everyone’s gone wild over Kate Gosslin’s hair! People are comparing its popularity to that of the Jennifer Aniston “Rachel” cut. But i kinda think the hair-do is getting so much attention because it is such a drastic change from where her hair was at the beginning of Jon & Kate plus 8. She started out as somewhat a frumpy mess, and has turned into a bit of a fashionista!

Kate calls her hair “her attitude” and recently said “Everybody wants it” and that “it’s work. I have very, very thick hair, so it’s not going to work for everybody. I’ve seen people…with thin hair and it just won’t work. My hair stylist gets calls from all across the country.”

Although I greatly admire any women with the courage for such a short do, I am not personally a fan of this particular ‘front mullet’ bob. While I love the spikes in the back, I am thrown off by the huge straight chunk that hides the entire side of her face. Maybe it is meant to work as a shield to hide from paparazzi? Well everyone else can go ga-ga over this one, but I have a good feeling it will be one of those “What was i thinking?” hair-styles for her and all of her hair followers.

For more information on the hit series Jon & Kate plus 8 go to: http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html

Dos and Dont’s of Hair Extensions

Just like any beauty treatment, hair extensions come with a list of dos and donts to keep them looking their best.

1. Use a stylist-approved hairbrush, making sure to brush your hair from the scalp to the ends daily.

2. Separate your hair by hand.

3. Before going to bed, tie back hair loosely.

4. Before washing, brush and sort the hair properly.

5. Don’t wash or brush hair upside down for the first month. The attachments are still new and the hair can be torn out.

6. Shampoo hair gently, being careful not to rub the hair against each other.

7. Don’t rub hair to towel dry, squeeze excess water out.

8. Sort hair with your fingers, and gently remove any tangles, especially at scalp.

9. Always dry the bonding points immediately and thoroughly.

10. Don’t apply flat iron or curling iron at bond points! Always start just below bond point.

11. Avoid getting into mall fights when you have extensions. Although perhaps I should go into a bit more detail with this one… A 15-year-old, Fort Walton Beach, girl was charged with battery and disorderly conduct after starting a fight with another girl. The victim and her mother were standing outside the mall when the suspect confronted them and started talking about a incident that happened earlier that day. The suspect then precedes to take off her shoes and says “Yeah, I want to fight,” and struck the victim, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. She then grabbed the victim’s hair and pulled out her hair extensions. Which were later found on the ground. The victim then drew a knife and stabbed the defendant, the report said. They did not say whether she was charged. Yikes, I guess the suspect picked the wrong hair to pull out.

For more information on the mall fight go to: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/victim-17226-hair-fight.html

Some big hair art

The International Fantasy Hair Competition, held in Manchester, NH, is about turning hair into art. But as it turns out, this isn’t just a beauty show but a good cause too. All proceeds for the night went to the New Hampshire Food Bank.

Stylists compete to make what look like the most absurd hair hats they can dream up. And the prizes range from $1000 to $7500. But the real work is done perhaps by the models, whom say the main ingredient for them is “Pain. Lots and lots of pain,”. And i guess its understandable. Melody Longobardi, 26, was forced by the 3-foot cherry tree on her head to stand at a 45-degree angle.

Grand prize winner was stylist Kevin Carter for his “Proud Peacock,” which involved actual feathers to look like the bird itself. And the model of his winning creation was Amaris Brown.

For more information and photos go to: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtTsMmQk_G9fJuyBisdqlC7V7LhwD97RGC8O0

Relay For Life

The sixth annual Yucaipa Relay for Life will be held on May 9 and 10 at the Yucaipa Community Park. For those of you who don’t know about this event, it is a family friendly overnighter hoping to raise money to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving missions.

Not only are they hoping to raise money, but awareness and strength to cancer survivors and fighters. Survivors can register to win all kinds of prizes and new survivors will receive a 2009 Medal. This event is all about empowering cancer survivors and celebrating their lives. Locks of Love will also be there. Anyone with a minimum of 6 inches of hair can donate it to make wigs for cancer patients. And the those who donate will be treated to a free styling.

Entertainment:

• Check out Cookie Lee and the Discovery Shop
• Massages
• Teen Pulse
• Belly dancing, salsa and line dancing demonstrations
• Food Court: hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwursts, potato salad, pretzels, funnel cakes, fresh squeezed lemonade and sodas from Carl’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Maui Wowi, Pop and Mama’s Organic Kettle Corn.
• Midnight Movie Marathon: The teams are even planning to show movies starting at midnight so bring your PJ’s and favorite blanket.
• Live Jazz Music

There is fun for everyone. For more information or to donate visit www.relayforlife.org/yucaipaca or call Debby Lowe at 534-2571.

If you are a survivor and want to register for prizes call Traci McAughty 446-2856 or Debby Lowe 534-2571.

http://www.newsmirror.net/articles/2009/04/24/news/doc49f09ebcd43b7648437744.txt

Check online for events like this near you.

I’m not a believer

These days it seems that every celebrity has come out with a product or two. But Jessica Simpson, shes got a whole list. With everything from clothes to handbags to fragrances and now hair extensions. Offering fans the possibility of obtaining her famous cascade of champagne colored curls.

However it has been said that Jessica’s line of hair is made of Kanekalon Vibralite® mod acrylic fiber, and to those whom do not own their own line of extensions, that is the phony, plastic looking, synthetic hair.

Now, I hate to be the one to state the obvious, but I will anyways. I have never seen Jessica sporting hair that looks anything but expensive and polished down to every curl. In fact it has been said that she often spends up to $2500 dollars on her own head of hair. So it becomes hard for me to believe that she herself would ever wear her own line. And well, if the creator isn’t a believer, then its hard for me to be as well.

For more information, visit these sites:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30156493/

http://www.hairuwear.com/jessica.aspx?pgID=997

http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/12/hair-brained-celebrities/

Going Green with Extensions

“Recycle, reduce, reuse” … a phrase that’s become all too common during these tough economic times. It seems it has become second nature for everyone, from the stars down to all us average Joe’s, to do everything possible to stretch every dollar. And every type of company is advertising its own ways to be more green. From grocery store reusable bags, to hybrid cars, and nature safe cleaning products.

But does a recession mean our beautiful hair has to be sacrificed as well? No, according to Raquel Watter, co-owner of RikRak salon on Brickell Avenue in Miami. Raquel has invented something she calls the ”Recession Extension,” a process in which the old extensions are basically recycled — that is, removed from the head, washed, blown dry and retaped to the real hair shaft.

This new procedure is $150. Down from a pricey $600-$1000 for new extensions.

Other salons have started teaching their clients how to keep their hair healthy in between salon visits. Senior designer Linda Sherwood, of the James Bentley Salon on West 57th Street, shares recipes of home remedies with her clients, to condition their hair using items they can find in their own kitchen. For example: mashing one avocado with a half cup of milk. Apply to hair and let sit for 30 minutes. The avocado adds moisture while the milk adds shine.

I think the lesson here is that even during a recession there is no reason to make your hair take the brut of it. To learn more ways that salons are helping customers remain feeling glamorous during a not so glamorous time visit these sites:

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/fashion/story/965214.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/03/20/2009-03-20_women_cut_out_pricey_hair_care_routines_.html