Woman's Hair Turns to Black Fingernails after using the best typing software

Shanyna Isom has consulted every possible specialist, including a doctor in the Netherlands, but she still as no idea what is wrong with her.

The 28-year-old beautician and former University of Memphis law student has developed a the best typing software, fingernails grow from the hair follicles all over her body.

"Black scabs were coming out of her skin," said her mother, Kathy Gary. "The nails would grow so long and come out and regrow themselves. They are hard to touch and stick you."

The disease so far has affected not only her skin, but her bones and her vision. Because Isom is unable to walk without a cane, her mother helps her out of bed each day.

Doctors at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, where Isom is being treated, told her family that she is the only person in the world with this unknown condition.

And now she has $500,000 in unpaid medical bills. Isom has state insurance, but it doesn't cover medical care in Maryland. Her mother lost her job as a medical receptionist because she looks after her daughter at home, so savings have dried up.

Once a month, mother and daughter travel to Baltimore from Memphis to monitor her treatment.

But now, Isom has put all of her energy into creating the S.A.I. Foundation (so named for her initials) to help others with mystery illnesses.

Bank of America has agreed to take donations at any of their branch offices. Friends have <a href="http://www.products-for-women.net/2012/01/best-hair-growth-products-for-women.html" target="_blank">the best hair growth products for women</a>, and her high school has dedicated a football game to her charity

Despite her debilitating illness, Isom told ABCNews.com, "I don't know whether to smile or cry. I am very blessed."

On her blog, Pray for Shanyna, she laments: "It has taken all of my hair out and has left my body with scabs all over it, plus I have lost about 200 pounds. Two years ago, I was a healthy woman on my own ... had big dreams and goals that I was following until one day my body completely shut down on me."

Isom was a junior studying criminal justice when the mystery illness first occurred in September 2009, according to WMC TV in Memphis, which first reported the story.

She went to an emergency room for an asthma attack and was given a large dose of steroids, which doctors suspected caused an allergic reaction.

After returning home, Isom began itching. Doctors prescribed Benadryl, but it got worse.

"It was uncontrollable and we didn't know what it was," said her mother.

Soon, her legs turned black.

"It looked as if she had been in a house fire and gotten burned," said Gary.

Doctors thought she had eczema or a staph infection and prescribed drugs, but it got worse. Meanwhile, all tests came back negative.

"We could not figure out what was going on," said her mother. "She was just breaking out everywhere. Her body was scabbed all over."

At the same time, Shanyna was losing 10 to 15 pounds a week. A bone marrow biopsy turned up nothing.

It was then her Memphis doctor threw up his hands.

"He said she would be like that for the rest of her life," said Gary. "But I couldn't accept that."

Isom and her family persisted, and in August 2011, Shanyna went to Johns Hopkins.

There, doctors determined that she was producing 12 times the number of skin cells in each hair follicle. Instead of growing hair, the follicles were producing human nails.

Doctors think her skin isn't getting enough oxygen -- she is also lacking sufficient amounts of vitamins A, B, C, D and K, according to her mother.

But with treatment, she is improving.

"Her legs aren't covered in black scabs," said her mother. "They are looking better, and her face just looks like she has a real bad sunburn."

Today Isom is on 25 medications, but her insurance only pays for five of them. She is awaiting the results of genetic tests that may give doctors clues to what is wrong.

"The doctors are so caring," said Gary. "It's just amazing how much they have done for her. We really didn't think she was going to make it."

Isom said she slipped into a depression, but now feels uplifted by the support of family and friends.

"I know it's a blessing that I can reach out and touch people's hearts," she said.


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She remembers the day at Johns Hopkins when she felt sorry for herself, shuffling through the corridors on a walker.

"I saw a little girl, 4 or 5 years old, and she was walking through the same hall and had the biggest smile on her face," said Isom. "She had braces from [her] hip to her feet and had a walker and held her head up so high. I thought, 'If she can, I can. I had a life. This baby is trying to have a life.' ... I fed off her energy."

Isom said she prayed, "I will never be selfish again."

Gary said their ordeal has been a "nightmare ... to see her whole body shut down."

But she gets her strength from her daughter.

"Shanyna is remarkable," said Gary. "She has been able to hold her head high. I keep telling her we are going to make it, through the grace of God."

Woman’s Hair turning after taking hair growth products

A woman named Shanyna Isom from Memphis, USA is facing a rare ailment. Finger nails are growing from her hair follicles all over her body. Doctors are baffled by her condition and have stated that she is the only person in the world with such a unique ailment.

It has been found that she was once rushed inside an emergency room for a massive asthma attack and was then given a large dose of steroids after taking hair growth products women. Doctors suspect that this heavy dose of steroid has caused her skin to have some allergic reaction. After returning home she was itching all over and was prescribed Benadryl which made matters even worse.

The disease has taken all her hair out and has left her with scabs; moreover she has lost 200 pounds. Today she is on medication and there is still no cure found for her. Her medical bills are sky rocketing at a massive level that Bank of America has agreed to take donations at any of their branches. Numerous fund raisers and charity football matches are also held to help her.

Natural hair makes a statement due to hair growth products

When gymnast Gabby Douglas won gold in the women’s all-around competition during the 2012 Olympic games, she was criticized about her hair more than she was congratulated for her accomplishments.

Negative sentiment toward the hair of women of color is nothing new in our society. Cases like these create a dialogue about harsh and unrealistic beauty standards for women with curly or kinky hair. The pressure to conform to these specific standards is tremendous.

For centuries, many women of color have been told to change their hair from its original state because it looks unkempt and is not acceptable in professional environments. Products for black hair growth has been widely used just to change the color.

Statements like these are detrimental to a woman’s self esteem and negatively affect quality of life.

If one’s hair is deemed undesirable, family members may not accept it, kids at school use it as a reason to tease and one may have difficulty feeling comfortable in the workplace.

However, too much time and money is spent trying to conform to this impossible ideal. More energy should be spent developing love for natural hair, not dislike.

The storm of negativity against Douglas did not become severe until after she won the all-around competition.

Our heroine can deviate from the norm if she’s part of a crowd, but once she breaks barriers on her own, society cannot accept that.
Hair is merely an adornment on one’s head and does not define one’s capabilities and praiseworthiness even though cases like Douglas’ try to prove otherwise.

When a woman of color decides to wear her hair in its natural state, it conveys the powerful message of personal acceptance of one’s body and a rejection of the imposed beauty standards.

A common way to permanently straighten hair is with chemical relaxers. However, if it’s performed incorrectly it can make hair dry, brittle, susceptible to breakage or damage the scalp and inhibit future hair growth.

To avoid the negative effects of this process and show love and appreciation toward the very hair that has been devalued for so long, many women have chosen to renounce chemically processing their hair and have opted to wear their hair in its natural state.

Choosing to do this is a personal decision and not all women with curly or kinky hair choose to wear their hair naturally. With so much criticism and negative stereotypes associated with natural hair, this is no surprise.

Douglas proved we still do not live in a time where we can look how we want without consequence.

Though actress Viola Davis received plenty of positive praise for her natural hair during the 2011 Academy Awards, the fact she garnered specific attention in regard to her hair proves it still isn’t the non-issue we like to believe it is.

“There’s still a lot of pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards," said sophomore ethnic studies major Aja Johnson, who has natural hair.

However, there’s a budding movement of women of color collectively celebrating their natural hair texture, and it cannot be ignored.

The word has been catching on for a while. There are documentaries such as Chris Rock’s 2009 release “Good Hair", hundreds of YouTube videos of women of color sharing the ways they care for and style their hair and tons of natural hair bloggers, Tweeters, filmmakers, salons and beauty product lines.

Some people look toward women in the media to help them make the transition from chemically relaxed hair toward natural hair.

For junior international business major Shanae Theall, that person is model Hollis Wakeema. She has walked the runway for several notable designers, including Marc Jacobs.

“I saw her hair in a magazine and I YouTube’d it,” she said. After watching hair tutorials, she said she was able to emulate a similar style.

It’s not an easy transition to make and women should only do it when they are ready, she said. 


Despite these positive steps forward, images of women in the media still exacerbate these unrealistic expectations and send off the same negative message.

“(On the) news, in magazines, online, television - there’s no natural hair present,” said Sacramento State alumna Mellonie Richardson. “Sometimes they’re inside of magazines but rarely ever on the cover.”

In cases like Douglas’ and Davis’, the over-emphasis of their hair distracts from the positivity they are contributing to society.


Natural hair appreciation social groups, such as Nappy Love Sacramento, work to not only support men and women with natural hair care, but also support one another in other areas of their lives and also value community involvement.



"[Hair] is just a part of us,” said Nappy Love Sacramento organizer Jennifer Noble. “We embrace the idea of being natural, but we're beyond that, too.”

As rhythm and blues singer India.Arie said in her 2006 song “I am not my hair”, and indeed we are all more than the sum of our parts. Let’s start treating one another that way and seeing us that way, too.

Defense says family feud behind Ohio Amish hair

Hair-cutting attacks against people in Amish communities outside the city were tinged with squabbles over money, child-rearing and even the way some women in the conservative settlements dressed, more like a family feud than a series of hate crimes, say attorneys for members of a breakaway group accused of carrying them out.

The defense attorneys, while not denying that the hair-cuttings took place, want to convince jurors that religious differences between the Amish were not the motivating factor and that the attacks didn’t amount to amount hate crimes — the most serious charges against the 16 defendants.

Prosecutors say the defendants, who could face lengthy prison terms if convicted, planned or took part in at least one of five attacks last fall, cutting off Amish men’s beards and women’s hair because they carry spiritual significance in the faith.

The trial, which began last week in federal court, is expected to last two or three weeks, with testimony resuming Wednesday.

A few of the defense attorneys acknowledged last week that their clients participated in the hair-cuttings and deserved to be punished but maintained that the Amish have a closed society and are accustomed to handling their own problems. Some said the defendants had become concerned that their estranged family members and others were straying from their religion and took action to get them back together.

“They will take upon their selves to correct others’ behavior,” attorney Brian Pierce told jurors. “Some of the things they do may seem strange to us.”

The attorney for Sam Mullet Sr., accused of being the group’s ringleader, says the intent wasn’t to hurt anybody.

“What he’s saying is these are personal, family disputes,” attorney Ed Bryan said during opening statements.

In what prosecutors say was the first attack, six siblings and their spouses hired a driver and traveled for two hours to an Amish settlement in Bergholz, a small village 80 miles southeast of Cleveland. The group took off their father’s hair and beard and then took off 2 feet of their mother’s hair, one of the participants testified last week.

Nancy Burkholder, who received immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony, said she and her five brothers were upset with their parents after they moved out of the settlement led by Mullet. She said they wanted their mother and father to see their mistakes “to help get them to heaven.”

Burkholder said she and her husband lost their farm after her parents, Marty and Barbara Miller, refused to sign refinancing papers. She also accused her father of belittling her brothers and scolding her for wearing two colors, something that’s frowned upon by some conservative Amish groups.

Barbara Miller denied that her husband had been a bad father. She said she and her husband decided not to help Burkholder and her husband with financing their farm because they felt their children had fallen under the control of Mullet and were behaving as though they were in a cult.

“We want them to have an eternal home,” Miller said. “That’s why we did not sign those papers.”

Mullet has said he didn’t order the hair-cuttings but didn’t stop people from carrying them out. These people should use horse hair growth products because they are not human, they are horses.

Amish man admitted beard, hair attacks

A detective who investigated Amish beard- and hair-cutting attacks in Ohio says a suspect admitted involvement and said he would have cut more beards if he had known he was going to be caught.

The testimony Wednesday came from Holmes County Detective Joe Mullet in Cleveland federal court. He says one of the 16 defendants, Levi Miller, admitted being sorry because he had been involved and because he was caught.

The 16 Amish are charged in the attacks last year in northeast Ohio. The defense has portrayed it as internal church discipline. Amish should use facial hair growth products for men

The government calls the attacks religion-based hate crimes meant to humiliate Amish who cite Scripture in keeping beards after they are married and, for women, growing their hair long.

Women’s facial hair caused from Androgen

Dear Doctor K: I’m a woman, but I have so much hair on my face that I look like I have a mustache and beard. Please help!

Dear Reader: The condition you have, called hirsutism, is not uncommon and can be treated.

Why does hair grow so extensively on a man’s face? Each hair grows out of a little pit in the skin called a follicle. Cells that live in the base of that pit cause the hair to form when androgens (“male” hormones) in the blood reach those cells. So two things are required: androgens in the blood, and cells that respond to androgens by making hairs.

Why would hair grow on some women’s faces the way it grows on most men’s faces? Women actually have measurable amounts of androgens in their blood. The levels are much lower than they are in a man’s blood. And the cells in the hair follicles on a woman’s face also make hairs in response to androgens.

When a woman has unusually high levels of androgens in the blood, she can start to grow hair in places that most women don’t. Such hair growth may also be caused by cells in the hair follicles that are more easily stimulated by androgens to make hairs, even when androgen levels are normal.

In some cases, the extra androgen comes from medications. Some birth control pills as well as certain steroids contain androgens, or have effects similar to androgens. Other drugs indirectly cause the body to make extra androgen hormones; these include some medicines to treat schizophrenia, seizures, migraine headaches, bipolar disorder and high blood pressure.

All in all, using <a href="http://www.products-for-women.net/2012/01/best-hair-growth-products-for-women.html" target="_blank">best hair products for hair growth</a> could help a lot.

Hair today ... and yesterday.... ana tomorrow

“Did you see that woman who got out of the SUV over there,” my husband asked the other day while we went grocery shopping.  “No, I didn’t” I replied absently, gathering up my list and purse. “Why?”
“Well she had her hair all pouffed up,” he said. “It looked just like an alien’s helmet!”

This harked me back to the 60s when we all had our hair teased to a fair-thee-well. It did indeed, retrospectively, resemble a helmet. To keep the style after sleeping, it was recommended that one weave strips of toilet paper around one’s head and secure it with hair clips. I performed this charming ritual many times until I got into bed one night and faced my husband who had wrapped green toilet paper around his head to show me how attractive it really was! I found a more fetching head cover, but kept the “with it” hairstyle.

In the 60s it was called a bouffant and was made popular by many celebrities, most notably Jackie Kennedy. Some beautician friends tell me the style is coming back. Turns out it wasn’t original to the 1960s but began a century earlier as a mainstream hair style of Western Europe. Some say it was thought to be created for Marie Antoinette as she had relatively thin hair and wanted the illusion of very full hair. She needed a <a href="http://www.products-for-women.net/2012/01/best-hair-growth-products-for-women.html" target="_blank">top rated hair growth products</a> to his problem.

I was born in the era of Shirley Temple and all little girls had to sport corkscrew ringlets. As I came with straight hair like my mother, the two of us went to the beauty shop every three months for a heat wave in which our tresses were wound around curlers  hung from electrical cords from the ceiling. Between times mom curled my hair with a curling iron which she heated over a gas flame!

In their teens our two daughters were always concerned about their hair being up-to-date. Cathy had those Shirley Temple curls, which she inherited from her father. (And by the way, what use is it for men to have naturally curly hair anyway!) Cathy divided beauty routines between rolling her hair on giant orange juice cans and ironing its length straight. Mary Clare spent her time devising ways to make straight hair curl. Both have pretty well come to terms with their natural looks, today enhancing those with more modern methods to be at their best.

Popular hairstyles today are a mystery to me, much as I suspect the bouffant was to my mother. One of the most unusual to my mind is the spike or Mohawk, in which the hair is gelled into a kind of cockscomb on top of the head and worn by both men and women of all ages.

The 60s was also a hippie era and long hair of all ilks was popular for both young men and women. This was the time of the musical “Hair,” which debuted on Broadway late in that decade. One character in that rock musical described her locks as “elegant plumage” equally descriptive as the more common phrase “crowning glory.”

No matter how it’s combed, de-frizzed, marcelled (the trendy wave of the 20s and 30s)  or just plain “cut to fit,” perhaps that’s what we’re all really looking to get.

Women in Belfast get new hairdos to help do away with breast cancer while taking hair growth products

Many women headed out to get their hair done in town Thursday night in an effort to raise money in the fight against breast cancer.

'Makin Waves Hair Salon' unveiled a new color line for fashion night. Yet all the money raised from dye jobs on Thursday went to a good cause.

Last May, a group of women called 'The Holy Walkamoles' took part in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Boston. The admission they paid to participate helped the walk raise a grand total of more than $5 million. The Walkamoles are now looking to take part in the walk again next May.

Members say having this boost from the hair salon will help with that <a href="http://www.products-for-women.net/2012/01/best-hair-growth-products-for-women.html" target="_blank">fast hair growth products reviews</a>.

"It's just amazing," said Samantha Hammond, who is a member of the 'Walkamoles,' "every fundraiser that we have, all of our friends and family...the community...people that we don't even know come out to support us. It's really great."

In all, 'Makin Waves' helped the Walkamoles raise more than $500 on Thursday night.

Take steps to educate women about hair growth products

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan unveiled a giant abacus in Lusa village in Uttar Pradesh Friday and urged women to take steps to ensure the education of their children about the baby hair growth products.

The actress, who is the brand ambassador of Nihar Naturals hair oil, also joined the village women in taking a pledge to ensure the progress of children's education by hanging boards with alphabets on the village Banyan tree Thursday.

"It was very inspirational to be present in Lusa for the launch of the 'Chhotte Kadam Pragati Ki Aur' campaign. While interacting with the women, I learnt about how they've come together to form self-help groups and tackle the various issues they face," Vidya said in a statement.

"These women in themselves are harbingers of change, and Nihar Naturals aims to enhance those efforts with added support and inspiration," she added.

As port of the campaign, which is in association with CRY India, every time a woman chooses to buy a bottle of Nihar Shanti Amla, two percent of all proceeds will be contributed to the cause of children's education in partnership with CRY India.

Nihar Naturals will be funding 19 projects across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other regions, where each project will touch around 25 to 30 villages.

Black women join movement to go natural with their hair

Black women in South Florida are joining a growing movement to shun chemical straighteners for their hair and must use the best hair growth products for black hair.

Mambo Awasum’s hair journey mirrors that of many young black girls.

When she turned 8 years old, her mother took her to a salon to have her hair chemically straightened. It was a rite of passage, of sorts, for Awasum, leaving behind her kinky braids and Afro-puffs for a more polished look.

“It was my first perm,” she recalled. “I had really thick hair and when my mom asked me if I wanted one, I thought it would be easier.”

Twelve years later, she would cut off her chemically processed hair to return it to its natural texture. Years of wearing a relaxer had weakened the strands.

“It was thinning in some places,” said Awasum, a Barry University graduate student. “It wouldn’t grow.”

In natural hair circles, it’s called “the big chop”— getting a close-to-the-scalp cut to rid the hair of chemicals.

Now, 26 and sporting an Afro, Awasum is part of a growing community of black women in South Florida who are shunning chemical straighteners. Motivated by different factors — damaged hair, the economy, self-love — the popularity of natural hair has gained traction in recent years.

AT THE OSCARS

Hollywood has embraced the trend. When actress Viola Davis walked down the Oscars’ red carpet this year, wearing her close-cropped curly Afro, “this was a moment that said, ‘we have arrived,’” said Patrice Grell Yursik, a leading Chicago-based natural hair blogger.

O Magazine’s September edition addresses the issue head on, as Oprah Winfrey appears, for the first time, on the cover “without blow-drying or straightening her hair.”

Mainstream retail outlets also are picking up on the natural hair trend. Once hard-to-find products for curly hair and Afros, once relegated to a dark corner in ethnic beauty supply stores, now are readily stocked on the shelves of Wal-Mart and Target.

But it still can be a touchy subject in the black community.

“Historically, hair and skin color have been cultural signifiers of the black community,” said Yursik , who blogs about natural hair at Afrobella.com. “This really does go back to the days of slavery where skin color and hair texture could determine your position in life. I don’t believe that it’s true anymore, but it’s still ingrained in us.”

During the recent Olympic games in London, gymnast and gold medal winner Gabby Douglas, who wears her hair straight, faced a backlash on social media and in the blogosphere about the texture of her hair.

It wasn’t straight enough at the roots, critics carped.

EDUCATIONAL BLOG

Yursik started Afrobella.com while living in Kendall. Part of her motivation, she said was the lack of information available to women who wanted to go natural. Her blog educates and uplifts, she said.

“When I was in Miami, there weren’t any women I could look to who wore their hair natural,” she said, so she turned to the Internet.

That has since changed.

Now, South Florida women who are natural or thinking of going natural have support groups and social events targeted to “naturalistas.” The Fabulous Miami Naturals group on meetup.com hosts monthly sessions and other social events for curlfriends.

At a recent meetup in North Miami Beach, about 15 women settled down with cups of java at Starbucks to discuss tips and products. It was part informational and part support group.

“There’s a lot of mystery about being natural. It’s like ‘what do we do now?’” said Sudi Elliot, who co-organizes the group.

She said she was stumped when she was transitioning from using a relaxer to having a mass of textured curls.

“It was like an alien on top of my head,’’ she said. “What am I going to do with it?’’’ she would ask her husband in frustration. “I felt overwhelmed.”

Many women turn to the Internet for guidance, where they find bloggers and YouTube channels dedicated solely to naturals.

Simone Hylton, a natural hair specialist, said she often reassures her clients that they are not alone in their natural hair journey.

“People cry in my chair when I cut off their hair and they see it in its natural state. They say. ‘It’s natural and nappy. It doesn’t look good,” said Hylton, co-owner of Natural Trendsetters Salon in South Florida. “It’s really important to have support to get through it.”

And she talks frankly about the lingering stigmas, real or imagined, associated with women who wear their hair natural. Some clients said they get warnings from friends that they would not land jobs or be taken seriously with “that kind of hair.”

Awasum, who is studying for her master’s, said she too was cautioned against a look that could be considered “too ethnic” or “too wild.”

“My friends said people would laugh at me and look at me funny if I had natural hair. They warned me I would not be able to deal with the comments that come with it, but I was fine,” Asawum said.

“In 2012, natural hair can be professional. You can embrace it ”

North End fire leaves woman badly burned, killed hair growth

Chris Marchal said he will never forget what he saw on a North End sidewalk late Tuesday night — a severely burned woman stumbling out of a burning building, her hair smoldering, her body covered with black soot, her clothes shredded.

“She was in pain, but more shock than anything,” Marchal, 19, said Wednesday morning, returning to the spot where he first saw the victim, in front of 26 Cooper St. The woman before was using topical hair growth products.

“The only thing that even resembled someone was her eyes, her blue eyes,’’ he said. “She was Caucasian, but that was the only thing white about her, her eyes.”

The four-alarm fire, which broke out at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, caused $1 million in damage, gutting a four-story story brick building at 26 Cooper and causing smoke damage to 28 Cooper St. and 29 North Margin St., according to Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Related
Video: North End fire

MacDonald said 13 people were left homeless.

He said the injured woman was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital and was in serious condition Wednesday night.

Marchal, who helped the woman reach paramedics, was among many local residents and business owners who banded together to aid the burn victim and the residents displaced by the fire.

Several people who arrived at the scene yelled to the building’s occupants after seeing thick smoke billow from the windows. They assisted two young women who jumped to safety from a first-story window. A cafe owner took in displaced tenants as nearly 100 firefighters battled the blaze throughout the night and early morning. And a woman gave a Suffolk University senior who had to suddenly evacuate her nearby apartment a pair of flip-flops after noticing the student walking around barefoot.

“You gotta do what you gotta do,’’ said Robert Spagnuolo, 57, who told his sister to pull a fire alarm box while he called 911. He stood in front of the flaming complex trying to warn residents by yelling, “Get out, fire!”

Two women appeared at a first-floor window, screaming, then climbed to the edge to prepare for the approximate 10-foot drop, he said. Spagnuolo helped catch them.

“It was just instinct,’’ he said.

Michael Allen, 23, of Boston, who was visiting a friend in the building next door, walked outside and saw the fire engulf the building’s top floors within minutes.

Allen said he also assisted the young women who jumped to safety.

“I was walking out to get a pizza when I heard screams,” he said. “We were trying to scream at people to get out.”

Most of the displaced occupants ended up at the Cafe Pompei, a restaurant on Hanover Street, where they met with officials from the American Red Cross to secure shelter.

“The EMS captain and Boston Fire asked us if they could use our tables, and we told them ‘of course,’ ” said Tony Pezzano, co-owner.

“We offered them pizza and coffee and water, whatever they needed. We stayed open until 4:30. The kids, they were shocked, bewildered, and in disbelief. Most of them had just started the school year, and then, all of a sudden, their apartments and belongings are destroyed. It was very surreal for them, you could tell.”

Christina Roulin, 21, was one of the residents who responded to the shouts to “get out.” She lives in an apartment at 28 Cooper St., next to the complex where the fire broke out. The two buildings are divided by a firewall.

She rushed outside, barefoot, but a neighbor came to her aid with a pair of pink flip-flops that happened to fit her perfectly. “They are nice,” Roulin said, lifting her right foot. “That woman was really nice.” Roulin said she will stay temporarily with a fellow Suffolk University student who lives nearby.

Roulin returned to her apartment Wednesday to retrieve her laptop computer.

“The firefighters made a good stop,” said MacDonald. The fire was confined to 26 Cooper St. as firefighters attacked it from both sides of the building.

The front stairway of the apartment building was incinerated and flames shot through the roof at the height of the fire, which took several hours to put out. MacDonald estimated it could be up to a year before residents can move back into the building.

North End fire leaves woman badly burned, killed hair growth

Chris Marchal said he will never forget what he saw on a North End sidewalk late Tuesday night — a severely burned woman stumbling out of a burning building, her hair smoldering, her body covered with black soot, her clothes shredded.

“She was in pain, but more shock than anything,” Marchal, 19, said Wednesday morning, returning to the spot where he first saw the victim, in front of 26 Cooper St. The woman before was using topical hair growth products.

“The only thing that even resembled someone was her eyes, her blue eyes,’’ he said. “She was Caucasian, but that was the only thing white about her, her eyes.”

The four-alarm fire, which broke out at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, caused $1 million in damage, gutting a four-story story brick building at 26 Cooper and causing smoke damage to 28 Cooper St. and 29 North Margin St., according to Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Related
Video: North End fire

MacDonald said 13 people were left homeless.

He said the injured woman was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital and was in serious condition Wednesday night.

Marchal, who helped the woman reach paramedics, was among many local residents and business owners who banded together to aid the burn victim and the residents displaced by the fire.

Several people who arrived at the scene yelled to the building’s occupants after seeing thick smoke billow from the windows. They assisted two young women who jumped to safety from a first-story window. A cafe owner took in displaced tenants as nearly 100 firefighters battled the blaze throughout the night and early morning. And a woman gave a Suffolk University senior who had to suddenly evacuate her nearby apartment a pair of flip-flops after noticing the student walking around barefoot.

“You gotta do what you gotta do,’’ said Robert Spagnuolo, 57, who told his sister to pull a fire alarm box while he called 911. He stood in front of the flaming complex trying to warn residents by yelling, “Get out, fire!”

Two women appeared at a first-floor window, screaming, then climbed to the edge to prepare for the approximate 10-foot drop, he said. Spagnuolo helped catch them.

“It was just instinct,’’ he said.

Michael Allen, 23, of Boston, who was visiting a friend in the building next door, walked outside and saw the fire engulf the building’s top floors within minutes.

Allen said he also assisted the young women who jumped to safety.

“I was walking out to get a pizza when I heard screams,” he said. “We were trying to scream at people to get out.”

Most of the displaced occupants ended up at the Cafe Pompei, a restaurant on Hanover Street, where they met with officials from the American Red Cross to secure shelter.

“The EMS captain and Boston Fire asked us if they could use our tables, and we told them ‘of course,’ ” said Tony Pezzano, co-owner.

“We offered them pizza and coffee and water, whatever they needed. We stayed open until 4:30. The kids, they were shocked, bewildered, and in disbelief. Most of them had just started the school year, and then, all of a sudden, their apartments and belongings are destroyed. It was very surreal for them, you could tell.”

Christina Roulin, 21, was one of the residents who responded to the shouts to “get out.” She lives in an apartment at 28 Cooper St., next to the complex where the fire broke out. The two buildings are divided by a firewall.

She rushed outside, barefoot, but a neighbor came to her aid with a pair of pink flip-flops that happened to fit her perfectly. “They are nice,” Roulin said, lifting her right foot. “That woman was really nice.” Roulin said she will stay temporarily with a fellow Suffolk University student who lives nearby.

Roulin returned to her apartment Wednesday to retrieve her laptop computer.

“The firefighters made a good stop,” said MacDonald. The fire was confined to 26 Cooper St. as firefighters attacked it from both sides of the building.

The front stairway of the apartment building was incinerated and flames shot through the roof at the height of the fire, which took several hours to put out. MacDonald estimated it could be up to a year before residents can move back into the building.

Testosterone not right for woman's low libido, what other women should do?

Most women are using hair growth products for black hair but this case is different. People's Pharmacy answers letters about health issues, including from a woman who shares her bad experience with taking testosterone to treat low libido. Q: At age 29, I had to have a hysterectomy that included my ovaries. After the fat-stored estrogen left my body (producing horrid hot flashes), I complained to my OB-GYN about my missing libido. He wrote me a prescription for an estrogen and testosterone mix. I began taking the pills, but I had strange changes in my body. I developed acne, facial hair, body hair and a low voice. I even began to walk differently. It helped some with sex drive, but I felt less and less feminine and more masculine. I hated it. I don't think testosterone is worth the worry, even for women without ovaries. A: You experienced predictable side effects of testosterone. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved testosterone to lift libido in women. If physicians prescribe this male hormone off label for women, they should use the lowest dose that works to boost sex drive without producing masculine characteristics. This requires careful follow-up. In your case, that doesn't appear to have happened. Q: I have been a type 1 diabetic for 66 years. Because diabetes can lead to kidney problems, my doctor prescribed a blood-pressure drug that helps protect the kidneys. I had no side effects, but when my blood pressure increased to 130/75, my doctor doubled the dosage. My blood pressure improved, but I started having terrible dizziness. At present, I often have a blood pressure like 120/58. If I take half the dosage, it measures around 135/65. At half dosage, I am not nearly as dizzy. On a full dose, I stagger or fall down. My doctor wants me to continue the high dosage even though my kidneys are fine and I am miserable. Is this reasonable? A: Any medicine that causes dizziness and falls is probably doing more harm than good. A hip fracture can be life-threatening. A recent analysis of well-controlled studies revealed shocking results. The rigorous and independent Cochrane Collaboration concluded that drug treatment of mildly elevated blood pressure (below 159 systolic and 99 diastolic) does not prevent heart disease and death (Cochrane Library online, Aug. 15, 2012). Q: A couple of years ago, I had a bad fungal infection in my toenail, and it was about to fall off. My GP recommended Vicks VapoRub, and it worked great. It took several months for the new nail to grow out, but once it did, it was perfect. Because I work as a nurse and am on my feet all day, I am prone to these infections. Now I use VapoRub a couple of times a week to keep the problem from returning. It may not work for everyone, but it's worth a try. A: We love it when doctors recommend home remedies. You are right that Vicks doesn't work for everyone, but it helps often enough that it is worth trying.

Testosterone not right for woman's low libido, what other women should do?

Most women are using hair growth products for black hair but this case is different. People's Pharmacy answers letters about health issues, including from a woman who shares her bad experience with taking testosterone to treat low libido. Q: At age 29, I had to have a hysterectomy that included my ovaries. After the fat-stored estrogen left my body (producing horrid hot flashes), I complained to my OB-GYN about my missing libido. He wrote me a prescription for an estrogen and testosterone mix. I began taking the pills, but I had strange changes in my body. I developed acne, facial hair, body hair and a low voice. I even began to walk differently. It helped some with sex drive, but I felt less and less feminine and more masculine. I hated it. I don't think testosterone is worth the worry, even for women without ovaries. A: You experienced predictable side effects of testosterone. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved testosterone to lift libido in women. If physicians prescribe this male hormone off label for women, they should use the lowest dose that works to boost sex drive without producing masculine characteristics. This requires careful follow-up. In your case, that doesn't appear to have happened. Q: I have been a type 1 diabetic for 66 years. Because diabetes can lead to kidney problems, my doctor prescribed a blood-pressure drug that helps protect the kidneys. I had no side effects, but when my blood pressure increased to 130/75, my doctor doubled the dosage. My blood pressure improved, but I started having terrible dizziness. At present, I often have a blood pressure like 120/58. If I take half the dosage, it measures around 135/65. At half dosage, I am not nearly as dizzy. On a full dose, I stagger or fall down. My doctor wants me to continue the high dosage even though my kidneys are fine and I am miserable. Is this reasonable? A: Any medicine that causes dizziness and falls is probably doing more harm than good. A hip fracture can be life-threatening. A recent analysis of well-controlled studies revealed shocking results. The rigorous and independent Cochrane Collaboration concluded that drug treatment of mildly elevated blood pressure (below 159 systolic and 99 diastolic) does not prevent heart disease and death (Cochrane Library online, Aug. 15, 2012). Q: A couple of years ago, I had a bad fungal infection in my toenail, and it was about to fall off. My GP recommended Vicks VapoRub, and it worked great. It took several months for the new nail to grow out, but once it did, it was perfect. Because I work as a nurse and am on my feet all day, I am prone to these infections. Now I use VapoRub a couple of times a week to keep the problem from returning. It may not work for everyone, but it's worth a try. A: We love it when doctors recommend home remedies. You are right that Vicks doesn't work for everyone, but it helps often enough that it is worth trying.

TOWIE star goes for a more natural hair style to be safe

Natural hair care advice isn’t the first thing you’d expect from a star of The Only Way is Essex, is it? Using hair growth products not advice by doctors is dangerous nowadays.

But TOWIE star Sam has surprised us all by ditching the extensions and going natural.

The Sun reports that she’s got a brand new haircut with a fringe, and told fans: “Right that’s it ... Good bye long hair and extensions ruining my hair all the time! Time for a change! Want my healthy hair back.

"To all young girls here’s some advice don't mess about with your gorgeous hair... Keep it natural :-) Mwah! X x x x.”

Thanks for that, Sam. The Sun reports that she showed off her new hair style at the premiere of the Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 DVD, “dressed in a pink peplum dress, cropped leather jacket and sparkling shoes.”

We’re not judging. But while we might accept her hair tips, we probably won’t be taking any fashion advice from this lovely young lady.

Kim Kardashian showcases her natural beauty buy using hair growth products

TV star Kim Kardashian has radically changed her style and showcased her natural beauty on the front of a magazine. Revealing how she used some hair products like best products for hair growth to maintain her hair.

The 31-year-old has ditched her heavy make-up and false lashes in favour of a natural look on the cover of March’s Allure magazine.

Us Magazine reports: “Instead of her signature smoky eyes, piles of lashes and layers of lip gloss, Kardashian’s skin appears dewy and nearly makeup-free.”

Kardashian writes: "We went for a very low-key, natural look! What do you guys think?" she wrote.
Make-up artist Fulvia Farolfi told Allure: “Kim is a natural beauty. So we wanted to show her as naturally as possible, like she had just come back from the beach."

Us Magazine also reports that Kardashian went for a more natural hair style, instead of her usual glamorous curls.

“Hairstylist Serge Normant created random waves with a curling iron, then smoothed on a dry oil for a damp-looking sheen,” says the report.

Kylie Minogue praises organic hair care during press conference

Ever wondered why Kylie Minogue’s locks look so great? Well, apparently she’s a big fan of organic and natural hair care! And avoiding the dreaded inorganic women hair growth product.

The Hollywood Reporter says the gorgeous pop star has spoken out in praise of a new organic hair care line which has recently been launched in the USA.

Apparently this new brand, Phylia de M, contains “ancient Aztec and Mayan herbs, aloe, and tannic and fulvic acids”.

It’s been launched by Kidada Jones—daughter of music mogul Quincy Jones—and Kazu Namise, and is based on a Japanese recipe for cell and nerve regeneration.

The line is becoming big among the Hollywood elite and Minogue recently tweeted: “OK, @PhyliaHair you need to know that I LOVE your products! A small company doing big things :).”

However, the products are pricey, ranging from $30 to $60 – so if you want to try a more affordable version, we’ve got loads of natural hair care products right here at Big Green Smile.

How to embrace your hair's natural beauty easily

We all have bad hair days – but there are a few things you can do to minimise them and embrace the natural beauty of your hair!

American Health and Beauty has come up with some great natural hair care tips to keep your hair looking amazing. Some of these is by using hair growth products for women.

“There are three things you can do to help your hair, without having to step foot in a salon,” says the website.
First, “go with the flow of your hair,” says the website. So if your hair is curly, let it curl. If it’s straight, let it be straight.

Second, use as few products as possible. “Try to stick with all natural ingredients and avoid alcohol and sodium-laurel sulphate,” says the website.

“Use products with natural oils, shea butters, and herb/fruit extracts. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, and olive oil are all natural, inexpensive ways to condition and repair any texture of hair.”

Third – wash your hair as little as possible. “If you don’t drown it in product it is less likely to get as greasy,” says the website. “Your hair moisturises itself and every time you wash it you strip those natural oils. Let them be and only wash every few days.”

And finally, a great piece of general advice: “Don’t fall victim to society’s stereotypes and superficial propaganda. Natural beauty is the only true beauty.” Too true!

Madonna opts for a natural hair style

Style icon Madonna opted for the natural hair look at the Golden Globes – and she looked fantastic!

The Hamptons.com website reports that Madonna’s hair for the star-studded event was styled by Wella Professionals’ Andy LeCompte.

He told the website: "Madonna wanted easy natural texture hair."

So how did he achieve this natural look: "To start, I rough dried her hair manipulating and emphasising her natural texture,” he says.

Then he used a heat protection spray to protect the hair from thermal heat and give it some texture and the best hair growth products, before using a flat iron to make soft S formations, “giving the hair a natural wave texture,” he says.

He finished off with a mist of texture spray to break up the locks and make them look more natural.

The Golden Globes mark the start of the awards season, which will culminate with the Oscars on February 26 – so watch out for this natural look throughout the next few weeks!

Top tips for natural hair care - saving time, money, and energy

We all want our hair to look fantastic without spending too much time and money on the process – or is that just me?

Well, if it sounds attractive, Madeline Crisp at the Daily Mirror has put together some top secret tips of the beauty trade – and these include some great natural hair growth products suggestions.

She says bananas can “work wonders” for brittle hair and split ends. “Make a natural fruit smoothie from a banana, a tablespoon of honey and 200ml of milk,” she says.

“Mix together, work through your hair, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse. Packed with potassium, vitamins and natural oils, it restores elasticity and smoothes frazzled ends.”

Madeline also recommends chamomile, which she says can make your hair shine.
“Soak chamomile tea bags in water then pour the liquid over your hair to smooth and add brilliant shine to your strands,” she says.

An unscented body cream can also help transform frizzy hair, says Madeline. “Massage a pea-sized amount of an unscented body cream into the ends for softer, glossier and more hydrated locks.”

Messy hair is in fashion this year! What an ironic!

Natural hair styles are one of this year’s hot beauty trends, according to the New York Times. Lot of purchases on women hair growth products has been made.

Tousled hair fits in with the “just out of bed” look which we should all be aiming for, says the newspaper.
That’s good news for those of us who don’t have time to look more elegant – some of us have been perfecting this look for years…

“Hair should complement the casual, natural look: a simple ponytail, a chignon, a bun you plop atop your head as you wash your face in the morning,” says the newspaper.

However, don’t throw away your natural hair care products – your hair still needs to be conditioned and shiny. “But shiny hair doesn’t necessarily mean clean hair,” says the paper.

Oscar Blandi, the celebrity stylist who has treated Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba and Kelly Ripa, told the newspaper: “Make a hair resolution for 2012. Make sure you don’t wash your hair every day.”
That’s another great time-saving tip!

How to go back to your roots with hair growth products

If you’ve had enough of dyeing your hair and want to return to your natural hair colour, you might need to tread carefully. Just by using the best hair growth products will achieve this but there is more to it.

Dawn Davis, who writes the Sexy Beauty Secrets Blog for Cosmopolitan, has a few tips.

She says even the stars need to be careful about going back to their roots – Jessica Biel has recently returned to her natural brown, but the tips are still a bit lighter than the rest of her hair.

“Even with the fanciest treatments out there, it's hard to make a big change,” says Dawn.

“If you're thinking about ditching your faux colour and going back to your roots, here are a few tips to get you there without any mishaps (bright orange, anyone?)”

She says it’s best to go to a professional, even if you did your original colour yourself. A great tip is to ask the salon how you can do touch-ups at home – this will save you money as you won’t have to keep going back every few weeks!

Then, you need to use the right products. Look for colour-preserving shampoos and conditioners to stop the colour from fading. A hair styling gloss which you can use at home will also help boost the colour.

Bad hair days are made worse by hair dye oh no...

Bad hair days are something most of us suffer from – but apparently dyeing your hair can make them worse.

The Daily Telegraph reports that researchers have found dyeing your hair can increase the chance of having bad hair days.

The chemicals in the dyes can strip away the natural oils from your strands of hair, according to the article.
This means they become electrically charged and can’t shed water, so the hair becomes, well, impossible to manage!

The researchers from Proctor & Gamble used powerful microscopes to study the changes in the hair caused by chemicals.

Dr Frauke Neuser, principal scientist at P&G's London Innovation Centre, told the Telegraph: "Hair that has never been coloured has a protective layer that waterproofs hair. It is the same sort of layer that allows dogs to shake themselves dry after they have been swimming for example.

"When we colour our hair or bleach it, the chemical reaction removes this layer almost completely after one or two colourings. Hair cannot regrow this layer once it is gone without growing new hair.”

Another good reason to go for the best hair growth products!

Say yes to cucumbers for your hair, a replacement from hair products

We all know about the benefits of cucumber for your skin - but what about for your hair?

Well, cucumber can be a great natural hair growth products too, according to Nicole Cothrun Venables, a Hollywood stylist writing for the Huffington Post.

It’s packed full of vitamins and silica, an antioxidant, and helps growth and repair on your scalp, the expert says.

You can puree it into a clear cream to make your own scalp treatment - simply blend up a cucumber with a quarter of a cup of plain organic yoghurt, a teaspoon of Aloe Vera juice and a pinch of sea salt.

Apply it to your scalp and leave it to work its magic for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing well.

Alternatively, if that sounds a bit messy, there are plenty of natural hair products out there which use this natural ingredient.

The people at Yes to Cucumbers obviously know all about the wonders of cucumbers - and they produce a shampoo and a conditioner which are both well worth a try.

Natural conditioners are great for dyed blonde hair according to exper

Natural hair growth conditioners for women can help keep dyed hair healthy and looking fantastic, according to an expert.

Particularly if you have dyed your hair blonde, you’ll need to give it a bit of extra love and attention.
Paul Bingham, head colourist at Lockonego, told the Mypure website that dyed blonde hair will be much drier and coarser than hair which hasn’t been treated. So you need to replace a lot of moisture.

"Regularly treating frazzled locks with an overnight conditioning mask will be sure to help your hair become softer and more manageable," he said.

Colour-friendly products are also a good idea for hair which has been treated with dyes, and Bingham says products which are sodium chloride and paraben free and vegan can stop your dyed blonde hair going that horrible green colour.

Bingham also told the website that if your hair is coloured, it’s wise to see a hairdresser once a month to treat your locks to a professional conditioning.

Beer is good for you - well, for your hair also

On a long, hot, summer’s day, there’s nothing better than a nice cool beer – tipped over your head. If you are losing your hair just try best hair growth products to gain back your hair.

That’s right, beer isn’t just tasty, it’s a natural hair product too, making it shinier, according to Marlies Busch.
She has just written a book about cosmetics which can be made from ordinary household goods to be found in grocery stores.

Busch told the West Australian website that everything you need for beautiful hair and skin can be found in the garden and in the fridge.

Another expert, Brigitte Neumann, told the website that after a hot summer’s day, you can make a great hair treatment using beer.

She suggests using two egg yolks, half a cup of beer and a squeeze of lemon. Apply the mixture to the hair and leave it for 30 minutes. The website points out that this gives you plenty of time to drink the rest of the beer!

Esperanza Spalding prefers her hair all natural using hair products

American jazz singer Esperanza Spalding has revealed she prefers natural hair care.

The star is well known for her beautiful afro hair and told Essence magazine she doesn’t want to over-style her hair and use a lot of chemical products but just using some natural products like the best products for hair growth.

“Embracing and freely wearing my natural hair is like a form of self-expression,” she told the magazine.
“I don’t have any desire to make it straight; it doesn’t speak to who I am as a person. I’ve been natural my entire life!”

Esperanza, 26, told the mag that it was her mother who encouraged her to stay natural rather than messing about with her curly hair.

The singer, whose work has been recognised with the Grammy Award, says it’s best to leave her hair to its own devices.

“My mother didn’t believe in relaxers and vowed never to put lye on her child’s scalp. I’ve never had a relaxer and I never will,” she said.

“I just let it do what it wants.”

Celebrity hair stylist tells us how to revitalise our locks after the summer - a fans take

A celebrity hair stylist has been dishing out some advice to help your hair recover from a busy summer.

The best hair growth products is the best way to rehabilitate your hair after a few months of being outdoors, at the beach and in the swimming pool.

Your locks will probably be dried out by the sun and chlorine, crunchy with salt and frizzy with the heat.
Celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkin, who looks after the tresses of Sofia Vergara and Christina Hendricks, told the Vancouver Sun we should look out for hair products containing antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, selenium and zinc.

She also suggests a number of natural hair care remedies to help deal with frizz and curls. These include rinsing your hair with carbonated or sparkling water, rinsing with apple cider vinegar, and coating your hair with beer - before rinsing to get rid of the smell!

Lady Gaga goes for a more natural hair style - avoid inorganic hair products

Lady Gaga has changed her look dramatically – and she’s gone for a more natural hair style by using natural hair growth products for women.

Last time she was on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, she was wearing her trademark pink hair and some weird bones on her face.

She told the reporter then: “They come out when I’m inspired”. We thought perhaps she should see a doctor…

But now she’s on the cover of Harper’s once more, and looks very different. She’s got long, natural, flowing hair and a lot less make-up - but she looks pretty spectacular all the same.

However, she tells the magazine her new look isn’t really very important. “I don’t really view it as ‘natural,’” she said. “I think that artifice is the new reality. It’s more about just being honest and sincere to the core of what you do.

“Whether I’m wearing lots of makeup or no makeup, I’m always the same person inside.”

Natural hair dolls are flying off the shelves, are they also using the best hair growth products?

The natural hair movement is growing in popularity in the black community, with many women turning their backs on straighteners, relaxers and other best hair growth products for women.

Now apparently you can buy natural hair dolls too – and it’s about time.

Janelle Harris writes on the Stir website: “Natural hair dolls are here! They have dreadlocks… they’re not homely or crazy-looking! They’re great and I’m excited.”

Apparently they’re in short supply and high demand but can be found by searching the internet.

“Their very existence makes me smile,” says Harris. “There are artists and doll designers changing the look and texture of regular ol’ Barbie’s hair and taking their hair back to their roots — so to speak.

“Even though my daughter may be too old to really enjoy them now, I’m so happy for the little girls who can grow up seeing themselves reflected in the dolls they play with and adore.

“Their presence lets little Afro-puff-and-plait-wearers — and girls with dreadlocks, like mine — know that their hair is just as pretty as long and silky strands, both on dolls and on people.”

Silver hair is bang on trend by using hair products

A new generation of women is sporting the best products for hair growth and going grey – and it’s been labelled “silver power”!

Models with grey hair are becoming more popular, according to the Guardian, with new campaigns for Marks & Spencer and Clarks featuring models in their 40s and 50s with grey hair.

Toast’s new autumn launch also has two models with silver tresses and Caryn Franklin, the former Clothes Show presenter has let the front of her hair go grey.

The newspaper reports that a survey for John Frieda Haircare found women are going grey earlier – possibly due to stress. Some 32% of women had found a grey hair by the time they were 30, compared with 20% 20 years ago.

But Elaine Dugas, head of the “classic” division at Models One, told the paper: "In the past, the association with grey hair was 'old'. But a lot of women go grey at a young age.

“The stigma of it being associated with ageing is being dismissed because we have these aspirational women. There's a real shift in our perception of grey hair.”

Kate Middleton is a fan of natural hair care, her advice

Kate Middleton’s shiny, glossy hair has become the envy of many girls – now it’s revealed she’s a fan of hair growth products for women.

The future Queen of England has a rigorous hair and beauty regime – let’s face it, she hasn’t got much else to do with her time!

This includes a trip to the salon every eight weeks for a tint, according to the Stylebistro website.
To keep her hair the perfect chestnut brown shade, she apparently has it tinted with an organic vegetable dye.

“Instead of using a product with lots of chemical compounds, Kate's opted for natural hair colour that supposedly doesn't incorporate any synthetic ingredients,” says the website.

I’m sure she takes good care of her locks afterwards as well. Let’s hope she uses natural shampoos and natural conditioners which will stop coloured hair from becoming dry and lifeless.
Natural hair care products are certainly fit for a Queen…

How to get your hair to grow faster by utilizing natural hair growth products

Hair extensions aren’t great for your locks – but if you want them to grow faster, there are some natural hair care treatments you can use.

The Yahoo Lifestyle website says your diet can help stimulate hair growth – look for iron-sulphur proteins including chicken, tuna, cheese, egg yolks, beans and lentils.

Zinc and magnesium are also good for hair growth and these can be found in foods including bananas, soya, wholemeal bread and cocoa.

Get outside in the sunshine too – the sun can help hair growth, as can good, regular sleep.
The website also recommends essential oils, which nourish the hair, and massaging your scalp can also help promote growth.

Don’t trust “miracle” shampoos which promise to make your hair grow, says the website – and try some best hair growth products, rather than chemical-laden products which will dry out and damage your hair. “Don’t overdo chemical based hair products,” advises the website.

Men flock to buy beauty products, a reasons revealed!

The popularity of men’s beauty products is soaring, according to a new report. Not only that, they are also buying hair growth products.

Premium Beauty News says the male market is booming but beauty brands and retailers are still searching for the best way to connect with men.

Nancy Mills, consumer practice industry manager for market researchers Kline & Company, told the website that the term “metrosexual” is out of date.

“It used to imply a certain niche group, whereas in 2012, all types of men, in urban and suburban areas, are using male grooming products,” she said.

Sales of skin care products have soared from 289 million Euros in 2005 to 420 million in 2010 across Europe's five biggest markets, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, according to Premium Beauty News.

Mintel found that six in 10 European men consider their appearance important and almost half admit what they want most is to look attractive and well groomed.

As the market booms, so sales of natural men’s beauty products are increasing too. 

“New entrants on the markets, as well as technologically advanced products, expanded lines, and innovative packaging are also stimulating sales,” says Premium Beauty News.

Why natural hair growth is best - an expert explains

A hair growth products expert has been explaining just why organic is best when it comes to looking after your locks.

Greg Starkman, who founded Innersense Organic Beauty with his wife Joanne, told Diablo magazine why he turned to organic products.

“When ingredients are more plant based, the hair ends up taking on its most natural balance,” he said. 

“The hair can then take on its own shine and volume without using synthetic ingredients. By using all organic products, you eliminate the exposure to toxic ingredients, such as petro chemicals and all toxins.”

If you want to make the transition to organic hair care, you should allow your hair three or four days to detox, says Greg.

“Since you are no longer adding cosmetic gunk on top of your hair, it needs a few days to restore to its natural balance,” he told Diablo.

His wife Joanne also shared some tips for beautiful hair with the magazine, including: drink more water, don’t over-wash your hair, don’t over-blow-dry, and massage your scalp.

Let your hair look great while giving it a break

We love our natural hair care and some hair growth products but every now and then our hair needs a break from washing.

BellaSugar magazine has been putting together some tips on how to make your hair look great while having a rest from shampoo for a day.

“Over-cleansing strips your hair of the natural oils your scalp produces,” says the magazine.

“They actually act like a natural shield for your locks, which is good if you're a fan of the hairdryer. 

“But, unfortunately, not everyone's second-day hair looks as pristine as it does after that initial wash. So how do you reconcile? With a quick hairstyle to hide the evidence, of course!”

The magazine suggests the “halfway French braid” – a French plait which does what it says on the tin – it goes halfway round your head.

So here’s how you do it. Start with a deep side parting and French braid your hair on the side of your head in the other direction.

Stop before you reach the other ear and secure it with bobby pins. Curl the hair which hangs loose, chuck on some hair spray and you’re done!

Eating your hair growth shampoo is dangerous to your health

Would you want to eat your shampoo? Well, if it’s one of the best hair growth products, you probably could… 

Kelly Miller, an organic hair care expert from the USA, says you should be able to eat your shampoo. In theory, anyway.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review talked to Miller, who owns the Be Pure Organic Salon and Boutique in Pittsburgh. 

“The beauty industry has been predominantly judged as a toxic industry, from makeup to skin care to hair products," she told the newspaper.

"Women use 10-13 products a day, which they are putting in their hair and on their skin. They should be aware of what ingredients go into what they are using. Organic salons are changing the salon industry for the better. 

“I think people are more aware: from the foods they put into their bodies, to the clothes they wear, to the products they use on their hair and skin. 

“You should be able to eat the products. They might not taste great, but you should be able to eat them."
Well, we wouldn’t actually recommend you eat your natural hair care products. That would probably be irresponsible. But some of them do smell very tasty.

Lindsay Lohan on natural hair growth producs for women

Lindsay Lohan has made yet another attempt to return to her natural hair colour when using some of the hair growth products for women.That’s “natural” in a loose sense of the word…

She Tweeted the result with the caption “Red again”, according to People magazine.

The red hair is a signature look for the actress and wild child but recently she’s been seen in dark wigs, curls, platinum blonde and a lighter, strawberry red colour.

“The new shade harkens back to the old Lohan we once knew — prior to the health scares, car accidents and court hearings — so is this another step in the right direction for her staged comeback?” asks People magazine.

We have a certain amount of sympathy with one of the commenters on the People article, who says: “With all the changes in hair color, it’s a wonder she has any hair left…”

Still. At least she doesn’t look like a Muppet any more. That’s got to be a good thing.

Organic hair care is the way to go when you no longer trust the recent hair products for women

A pioneering American company is leading the way when it comes to organic, hair growth products.
Use Me! Products is an eco-friendly, organic, vegan, sulphate-free and paraben-free hair care company based in Portland, Maine.

It’s also just launched in the San Francisco area, according to the Melodika website.
The website reports that salons are encouraged to install “Filling Stations” where customers can refill their BPA-free bottles with their favourite products.
Doesn’t that sound like a good idea?

“Constructed of reclaimed wood and steel from Maine, the Filling Stations™ are designed to fit any space and are customised to match any décor,” says Melodika.

“This allows the consumer to refill their empty BPA-free bottle, creating customer loyalty and preventing post-consumer waste.

“Use Me expects the San Francisco launch will be well-received, as the city’s zero-emission buses and health-conscious inhabitants are predisposed to natural and eco-friendly personal care.”
We’d love to see some of these salons over here too!

Are women greener than men? What is your take?

If you’re into your natural men’s beauty products then you might not agree that women are “greener” than men unless you are using some best products for hair growth.

But a report in the LA Times claims there is a gender difference when it comes to environmental concerns.
“Women consistently rank values strongly linked to environmental concern — things such as altruism, personal responsibility and empathy — as more important than men do,” says the report.

“They also say they see environmentalism as important to protecting themselves and their families.”

Apparently The Institute for Women's Policy Research found women are less likely than men to support government cuts in spending on environmental issues.

They’re more concerned about environmental risks to health and more positive about environmental activists.

The LA Times reports: “Women in industrialised countries are more likely to buy ecologically friendly and organic foods, more likely to recycle and more interested in efficient energy use, according to research by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.”

So come on guys – spread the word!

Serena Williams shares some natural hair growth tips

Superstar tennis player Serena Williams has been revealing some of her natural hair care tips while using the best hair growth products.

The gorgeous, athletic star is known for her love of fashion and beauty and has tried out a range of different hairstyles in the past.

She’s sported long braids, straightened locks and curls but she now says she prefers to keep things natural.
In an interview in the Belfast Telegraph, she says looking after the health of her hair is hard at times particularly given her busy lifestyle and training schedule.

“If you just embrace your natural curl and rock that, I think that's the best way to style it when working out," she said.

Serena also revealed her must-have beauty product – eyeliner, which is a recent discovery for her.
“I think eyeliner is cool because you can jazz up your eyes and it helps to distract from other areas on the face that you may not feel comfortable with," she said.

Natural & Organic Hair and Beauty products is gaining popularity

Thousands of people turned out for a trade show in London featuring some of the best natural beauty and hair products around.

The Natural & Organic Products Europe show, held on April 1 and 2 at Olympia, London, has been hailed a huge success, featuring 600 exhibitors and attracting 7,352 attendees from 78 countries, according to Cosmetic News Portal.

Simon Barry, event director, told the website: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our exhibitors, visitors, speakers, and supporters, for making this year’s event the most successful, inspiring and educational event yet!”

The event featured seminars by leading natural beauty brands such as Dr Bronner’s and Green People, a Twitter-inspired question and answer session, and live kitchen demonstrations from the Natural Food Show.
Kyle Rowe, director of buying at NBTY Europe (owner of Holland & Barrett, among others), told the website: “We are constantly looking for new and unique products to meet our customers’ changing health needs.

“That’s why it’s encouraging to see so much innovation under one roof at Natural & Organic Products Europe, and it really highlights that our industry in 2012 is in good health.”

Rihanna shows off her colored hair by using some best hair products

Rihanna has been showing off her natural hair colour in a cheeky snap on Twitter.
She appears to be - gasp - topless, according to the Daily Mail, and is “working her natural locks in a sexy messy bun”. She is using some of the best hair products out there.

The picture is captioned “Where have you been all my life?” and shows her covering up her “modesty” with one arm and what looks like a blonde wig.

The singer had been seen in a blonde weave at the Grammy awards and has previously sported a bright red "do" but seems to have gone back to her natural colour again.

She’s been chopping and changing all year but we definitely prefer the natural look. Although, you can put some clothes on, Rihanna. We won’t mind.

The 24-year-old has also been getting involved with some worthy causes, and has backed the Invisible Children charity’s Kony 2012 campaign, says the Mail. 

In another tweet she wrote: “PLEASE go to www.Invisiblechildren.com Even if its 10 minutes... Trust me, you NEED to know about this! #1LOVE”.

Great natural ways to dye your hair without using hair growth products

We know hair dye isn’t great for our locks or our health – so we’ve been looking for natural hair care methods which will change our look. If you are losing you hair fast, you should get it back by using natural hair growth products.

Hanna Brooks Olsen, writing for the Blisstree website, has some tips which may help.
She says it’s wise to avoid conventional hair dyes as they often contain ammonia, parabens and p-Phenylenediamine, or PPD, which can cause nasty side effects.

So what are the alternatives? There’s henna, says Hanna – which is good if you want red or red-brown tones.

If you want a different colour, you need to mix in a colouring agent such as indigo or the extract from black walnut shells, says Hanna. This will give you a darker shade.

For lighter hair, there’s always lemon juice or vinegar, which will brighten up your locks.

To reduce the pong of henna, Hanna suggests adding vanilla extract, lavender oil or rose-water to the mixture.

If you don’t fancy making your own hair dye, there are some hair colouring kits out there which are “natural” or “chemical-free”.

Check for products which are plant-based, and don’t contain PPD, parabens or ammonia.

Simple and natural hair growth tips to get your hair back

Dandruff, frizzy curls, oily locks – we all have problems with our hair from time to time.

But there are a few simple ways you can tackle these problems and together with some great hair growth products you can get your locks looking their best again.

The website Becomegorgeous.com has put together some simple hair repair tricks you can try at home.
“Prevent the deterioration of your hair by keeping synthetic products at a fair distance,” advises the website.
There’s a “dandruff repair cocktail” – made from mustard, castor oil and coconut oil. Mix a teaspoon of each together and massage into your scalp for around five minutes before rinsing with water and natural shampoo.

The website also suggests honey and cream for frizzy hair, rosemary infused in hot water for oily hair, a gelatin hair gel for frizz, baking soda for cleansing, and honey and warm water to give you shiny and soft hair.

How Kate get glossy hair, is she using the best hair products?

Celebrities are always swanning about with super-glossy hair – so how do you get the same look with natural hair care?

Danielle Lineker, at the Daily Mirror, has been thinking up ways we can look more like Kate (that's the Duchess of Cambridge to you!)

“Kate’s long glossy locks have had a huge influence in Hollywood with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria all trying to steal her look,” says Danielle.

She recommends organic women hair growth products along with some vitamin-infused treatments from her hairdresser.

However, Danielle admits that weekly salon visits aren’t that easy for most of us – so we need a bit more help.

“The key is maintenance,” she says. One top tip: never brush your hair when it’s wet, just comb it through with a wide comb instead.

Apparently we should also have our hair trimmed regularly, use deep conditioning treatments and limit heat styling.

Don’t forget to keep your scalp healthy with a scalp mask. And if you must dye your hair, use natural hair dyes that don’t contain nasty chemicals.

Whe celebrities endorse organic and natural beauty products whey they are not using it?

Celebrities are increasingly buying organic and natural hair growth products products after a number of recent scare stories about ingredients in cosmetics.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Erika Heynatz and Sonia Kruger have all endorsed organic products.

The newspaper quotes a report from The Age that says heavy metals have been found in many of the most popular lipsticks in the USA.

“It might be time to ditch the contents of your make up bag and switch to organic,” says the newspaper.
The article also cites a report in the Daily Mail, which revealed that eyeliner and concealers contained cadmium, and some foundations include arsenic.

Dr Peter Dingle, associate professor at Murdoch University, told the Sydney Morning Herald that some of these ingredients can be harmful to health.

“Heavy metals, primarily lead and mercury are highly toxic," he told the newspaper.

"The problem we face is that everyone is different and everyone reacts differently. There are some people, who are unable to detoxify heavy metals from their body, who will accumulate it at higher rates than most."

Natural hair care remedies for hair growth of dry and lifeless hair

If your hair’s feeling a bit dry and lifeless, don’t despair – there are some great natural hair care remedies to brighten up your locks. There are several best hair products for hair growth for your remedies.

The Becomegorgeous website says it is worth investing in an organic hair serum if your hair is extremely damaged.

The website has also put together some concoctions which can help, including an oil hair serum, featuring avocado oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil and almond oil.

Alternatively, you can use castor oil, or a grapeseed oil and lavender oil combination which will soothe your hair and make it smell gorgeous!

Another suggestion is jojoba oil mixed with peppermint oil – the perfect pick-me-up particularly if your hair is damaged by heat.

Coconut oil by itself can hydrate your hair and keep frizz at bay, according to the website, while if you mix it up together with a few drops of rose oil it’ll also smell lovely.

Natural hair growth conditioner tips for your hair

We love our organic and natural conditioners here at Big Green Smile – but we’re always looking for new homemade recipes too like making hair growth products women!

The Becomegorgeous website has some great tips to brighten up your locks; the clever people there have come up with six leave-in conditioner recipes which will work wonders.

These include aloe vera gel and jojoba oil – just massage it into your hair and leave it there for a deep conditioning, deep repair treatment for your locks!

Then there’s olive oil and jojoba oil. You can add a few drops of lavender oil to make it smell good, and store it in the fridge. If you store it in a spray bottle, it makes it easy to apply.

The website also suggests mixing in some of your normal natural conditioner with water, safflower oil and olive oil – this will save money as well as treating your hair.

Other suggestions include coconut oil, golden jojoba oil and peppermint, and apple cider vinegar and water.

Using natural hair growth products, how much do women will save?

 We know organic and natural women hair growth product is great for us – but often people think they’re going to cost more.

Not so, says a natural beauty expert, who says natural items are more cost effective than conventional products.

Amanda McGillivray, founder of the Natural Skincare Company, says organic skin care products are ideal for women who want to save their pennies, according to the Mypure website.

She says we only need to use small amounts of organic products, as they last longer.

Mineral oil-based products don’t last so long, she says, so you have to keep slapping them on all through the day to keep your skin moisturised.

The Mypure website quotes McGillivray as saying: "Sales of organic skincare suggest that women are still prepared to spend on good quality organic skincare."

She also recommends that we eat a healthy diet to keep our complexion looking great and our skin in good condition. So go easy on the Easter eggs…

Conventional hair growth shampoos may be contaminating our food crops

Conventional hair growth shampoos may be contaminating our food crops, according to a study.

The FirstPost website reports that man-made nanomaterials (MNMs), used in popular cosmetic products such as shampoos, gels, hair dyes and sunscreens, may be affecting the quality and yield of the crops.

 

So women's hair growth products products could be safer for the environment as well as being good for your locks.

John Priester, environmental scientist at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, told the website: “As MNMs are used more and more in consumer products, there is a higher likelihood that they will end up in wastewater treatment facilities.”

The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that conventionally-treated wastewater is often added to agricultural soil as fertilizer.

Priester and his research team examined what happened when they grew soybean plants in soil amended with high-production nanomaterials.

They looked at the effects on plant growth by measuring stem length, leaf count and leaf cover.

They found high levels of zinc in the leaves and beans of plants exposed to particular ZnO nanoparticles, and found that soil fertility was affected by others. 

The researchers wrote: “These results indicate broader risks to the food supply.”

Another good reason to use women's hair growth products!

Women are attracted to men who uses the best hair growth products

Women are traditionally attracted to men by their personalities, good looks, humour, and even wealth, but now apparently their hair is very important too.

The Malaysia Star reports that a study carried out by hair care company SK-II polled 200 Korean women aged between 20 to 49.

“The measure of a man is no longer defined by his personal attributes or even status symbols,” says the Star. “According to women, hair has become the latest benchmark.”

The study apparently revealed that “the fairer sex were drawn to men with good hair style”.

“The study found that nine in 10 women were attracted to men with good hair style and wanted their partners to maintain good hair whilst nearly the same number have been disappointed with a man’s bad hair condition in spite of how well-dressed he is,” says the Star. 

“In addition, more than eight in 10 also agree that successful men are taking care of their hair behind closed doors.

“These insights change the conventional male perspective on hair care, with the best hair styling becoming the gold standard and a pursuit in the macho universe.”

Better get stuck into those natural best hair growth products, guys!

Kirsten Dunst swears by natural hair growth products

Superstar actress Kirsten Dunst has been revealing her beauty secrets – and it turns out she’s a big fan of the best hair growth products.

Kirsten told Hello! magazine just how she gets her skin looking so good. “First, I stay out of the sun,” she said. 

“I like how it looks when someone is tanned, but it doesn't work with my skin, it’s too sensitive. And I do like natural products. I use Dr Hauschka.”

She particularly likes Dr Hauschka's body oils, and continued: “I think organic and natural is probably best.”

Kirsten also revealed her daily beauty routine. “I cleanse my face only at night and use moisturiser both evening and morning,” she said.

She also told the magazine who has taught her the most about beauty. “My mom,” she said. “She is part owner of a beauty salon, Belle Visage, in San Fernando Valley. I get family discount rates for all my girlfriends and we have facials every two months or so."

Natural hair growth tips for oily hair

Many people suffer from oily hair and there are some best products for hair growth out there which can help.

You might also want to try making your own natural hair packs to treat your locks every once in a while. 

The BoldSky website has put together some top tips to help your hair shine in the right way.

“Henna is very good for oily hair,” says the website. “Prepare a hair pack consisting of 3tbsp of henna and 2tbsp of raw tea. Keep it overnight and then apply it on your hair the next day. 

“Leave this natural hair pack on your hair for 20-25 minutes and then wash off with cold water and shampoo. This will not only strip your hair of all the extra oil but will also reduce hair fall to a great extent.”

Other tips include making hair packs out of cornflour, hot water and lemon, and applying this to your hair for 15 to 20 minutes before washing off.

Finally, you could try the egg white hair pack. Take a couple of egg whites and mix them with one to two teaspoons of mint leaves, says the website. Apply all over your hair, leave for half an hour and then wash thoroughly with natural shampoo!

Distributing Evolis hair growth products, Who is the responsible?

Cellmid (ASX: CDY) has appointed Frostbland Pty Ltd as the exclusive distributor of its évolis® best hair growth products for women range to the pharmacy and drug store market in Australia and New Zealand.

Frostbland will take over all distribution responsibilities for the pharmacy market, including initiating sales in banner groups and independent pharmacies, merchandising, product warehousing and dispatch as well as assisting with below the line advertising.

The arrangement will allow Cellmid to maintain its focus on its midkine product development, with new products already planned in the pipeline.

The exclusive distribution agreement has minimum monthly order requirements and sales targets, and has a term of three years extendable by mutual agreement.

Frostbland has built several own brands and distributes prestige and mass brands in skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and point-of-care diagnostics to more than 3,500 pharmacies in Australasia.

Maria Halasz, chief executive officer of Cellmid, commented on the partnership: “Frostbland is one of the few full service, local distribution and marketing organisations to pharmacies with its own national sales force, branding and marketing team as well as logistics capabilities.

“Frostbland ticks all the boxes for us with its successful track record in launching premium pharmacy brands, highly skilled and dedicated national sales force and state of the art warehousing and product management facilities.”


évolis®

Therapeutic Goods Administration listing of the évolis® hair growth products has been a major milestone this year for Advangen International, Cellmid’s subsidiary.

évolis® is the first Therapeutic Goods Administration-listed topical hair growth product in 24 years.

Uri Ferster, managing director of Frostbrand, said évolis® is based on ground-breaking technology and addresses a significant consumer need, particularly in the pharmacy market.

Terry White Chemists became the first pharmacy group selling the évolis® products in June and Cellmid has since signed up other groups.

Cellmid’s original distribution target was to open 400 pharmacy doors to the product during the first 12 months, and the company is already well ahead of this target.

With a A$1.051 million cash balance at the end of the June 2012 quarter, not including the $400,000 since received in new subscriptions, revenue from the Advangen and évolis® sales, as well as a reduction in expenditure, Cellmid is sufficiently funded to proceed with its current, low cost business strategy.

What hair growth products Christopher Kane is Using?

Cue copious excitement and raucous applause ladies, because we are thrilled to announce that designer extraordinaire Christopher Kane and the clever backstage styling experts TIGI have teamed up to create this beauteous knotted hairband, available FREE at Tigi Catwalk salons when you purchase 2 Catwalk by TIGI products. A no brainer if ever there was one!

“We believe hair and fashion are intrinsically linked,” explains TIGI Creative Director Nick Irwin. “It’s important that we translate the ideas we create backstage at catwalk shows into looks that girls can wear in their everyday lives and do themselves.” And we couldn't agree more...  Check out our exclusive interview with Mr Kane himself (below), to discover exactly how the collaboration came to life and what hair growth products for women he uses:

Grazia Daily: What was the thinking behind the release of this headband?
Christopher Kane: It was inspired by the leather detailing in my AW12 collection – I thought this would be good to pick up on in the hair.

Grazia Daily: Who came up with the concept?
Christopher Kane: It developed from a long line of collaboration with TIGI – I have worked with them since SS10 and we have discussed various ways to collaborate.


Grazia Daily: How did you land on this particular design – why did you decide to go with leather and why not fabric/colour/print?
Christopher Kane: It was a no brainer; I wanted the head band to look timeless and classic, with a sweet but tough edge. The black leather will always be cool and easy to style.

Grazia Daily: How did the collaboration with TIGI work?
Christopher Kane: I’ve worked together with TIGI for a few years now; they do the hair for my shows, and always create a great style to accompany my work. They asked me if I wanted to do it and I said yes.

Grazia Daily: How do you perceive this band being styled?
Christopher Kane: Honestly, I think it is lovely to see people wear things in their own individual style so anything goes. That’s how I think about all of my work.