Hair loss is a serious problem not only amongst men! Many women suffer hair loss as well. One of the most common forms of hair loss in women (and men) is a condition called telogen effluvium, in which there is a diffuse (or widely spread out) shedding of hairs around the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This is usually a reaction to intense stress on the body's physical or hormonal systems, or as a reaction to medication. The condition, which can occur at any age, generally begins fairly suddenly and gets better on its own within about six months, although for a few people it can become a chronic problem.

Another common type of hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia, which is related to hormone levels in the body. There's a large genetic predisposition, which may be inherited from the father or mother. Research shows that up to 13 per cent of women have some degree of this sort of hair loss before the menopause, and afterwards it becomes far more common - one piece of research suggests that over the age of 65 as many as 75 per cent of women are affected.

Another important cause of hair loss in women is a condition called alopecia areata (you might know the name from popular hair loss remedy - Alpecin), an autoimmune disease that affects more than two per cent of the population. In this, the hair follicles are attacked by white blood cells. The follicles then become very small and hair production slows down dramatically, so there may be no visible hair growth for months and years.

What hair loss is NOT caused by:

• washing hair too often
• hair dying or perming
• wearing hats/wigs
• overactive brain

There are just many myths about the cause of hair loss as about the miracle cures. In next post on Hair Craft I will go through the most effective treatments.

Last year's study revealed that 81% of Brits thinks it is acceptable to tease people about their ginger hair. Can you imagine asking Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Marcia Cross or the most glamorous redhead ever Rita Hayworth: "tut-tut ginger nut, where d'ya get your hair cut?" No? I thought so.
Red hair, also referred to as aubern, ginger, titian or strawberry blond, is associated with sharp tongue and fiery temperament; examples in history, art? Maria Magdalena, Venus of Milo even biblical Adam - apparently all ginger! So keep your red head high and make sure that you care for your ginger hair!

Red hair hair care :
- Redheads generally have fewer hairs than their blondes and brunettes but their hair has a thicker feel and can become coarse. Make conditioner your fav hair care product - this will make your hair appear smoother.

- Curly red hair might have a tendency to turn frizzy. The best way to combat this is handle the hair as little as possible, particularly when drying it. Fortunately there are many products available today designed especially to control frizzy hair. Almost every leading brand has a frizz control range including shampoos, conditioners, corrective serum and hair calming balm.
- Take care of your colour. Many hair care brands have colour care range. Using these won't make your hair more red but it will make your hair more shiny and colour more vibrant. Hair Craft recommends Frederic Fekkai Rio Red Shampoo!


Image Source flickr©fotologic

I am not good with money. Or, should I say, I am very good in spending it. You know, I work hard so why shouldn't I treat my self when the pay day comes? The problem is that after few days of self-indulging my bank account is empty and I realize that I haven't got basic stuff like shampoo!
That's why I love Aussie hair care products. For a very reasonable price you get quality products - and they smell just AMAZING! My favourite two are Aussie Hair Shampoo and Aussie Hair 3 Minute Miracle for damaged hair. For under a tenner you get all you need for your hair to look and feel great.
I was really pleased to see that Elle's Amy Lawrenson shares my enthusiasm for Aussie products as I read her feature on beauty shopping in times of credit crunch.
So, guys, remember Aussie philosophy: "there's more to life than hair but it's a good place to start" - credit crunch or no credit crunch!

Image source: PLANitOLOGY Productions

The concept of cleansing conditioning was developed by Chaz Dean, LA hair stylist, in 1993.
Lathering, harsh detergents and sodium laurel/laureth sulphates found in most shampoos are damaging hair - most of us experience colour fading/stripping, dull, lifeless, frizzy and dry hair, dry scalps, oily scalps, scalp disorders, and hair loss. That's why Wen was created.
Wen is all about cleansing without detergents or harsh chemicals. Wen cleanses with astringent properties without lathering, while strengthening, adding sheen, lustre, moisture and manageability to the hair.
Wen is formulated with the perfect balance for all hair types and due to its high moisture content, it also performs amazingly on ethnic hair.
Does it work? - see yourself next time you're watching "Desperate Housewives" - Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman and Marzia Cross are big fans of Wen! If that recommendation is not enough, check out the locks on the likes of Janet Jackson, tyra Banks and Cameron Diaz!

Wen is available on ebay (UK) from £9.59 plus postage.

Today I will talk a bit more about how water affects our hair and what to do if we didn't follow my advice from the Part 1 of the article :) ie damage control.
Both chlorine and salt water dry and discolour hair. Chemicals in pool water bind to the hair and can give hair a greyish or green cast. Mineral deposits in salt water, in combination with sunlight, severely dehydrate hair and can turn it brassy. How to take care of that?
- Rinse hair in fresh water immediately before and after swimming in a pool or sea water. (Wet hair will absorb less chlorine than dry hair.) Club soda makes a good post-pool rinse, or try a shampoo designed to remove chlorine and salt from the hair.
If your hair has been damaged during summer months, the right hair care is especially important.
- Deep condition your hair using a product containing keratin, jojoba oil, wheat germ protein or other natural ingredients that increase moisture, shine and elasticity.
- If your hair seems dull, condition after shampooing then rinse it with a mixture of vinegar and water.
- Finally, schedule trims for the beginning and end of the summer season to rid your hair of dry, older ends and keep your cut in shape.

Here are few tips on how to protect your hair in summer.
Though your hair can't technically get sunburned as it's not alive, Sun exposure will damage your hair’s natural protective film. According to a study after just three days of sun exposure the scale-like cells that cover each individual hair shaft begin to pull off. This makes your hair dry, dull, fragile and brittle. Choose hair products containing sunscreen since hair can suffer damaging effects from the sun if not well-protected.
How does sun exposure affect colour-treated hair?
Hair that has been dyed or highlighted (stripped of it’s natural colour) is especially prone to UV damage. Colour-treated hair is already damaged, the sun will make the cuticle even rougher which makes hair more fragile and dried out.
To prevent sun damage to coloured hair look for a product that contains an oil or sun protectant. Frederic Fekkai’s Sun Protectant for Hair contains a sunscreen and shea butter which super-moisturises hair. The French line Phytoplage was developed to protect hair from splitting and breaking in the sun in the early 1970s. The classic Phytoplage Oils contains oak acron extract oil which shields the hair from the sun. In a newer, lighter product called Phytoplage Protective Sun Veil, sunflower oil is used as a sun filter. Renee Furterer has a Sun Mousse containing jojoba wax to form an invisible protective coating on the hair. Whatever you use, apply it liberally and often, especially after you’ve been swimming.