Can caffeine encourage hair growth?

Caffeine can stimulate hair growth! That is according to some studies that have been done related to male pattern baldness. However, it's not the drinking of it stimulates the growth, it's the topical application of the caffeine found in tea and/or coffee. If you were to try drinking caffeine for growth, it would take drinking up to 60-80 cups a day to impact your hair growth. Researchers are currently looking at ways to boost the topical application of caffeine through a spray or a caffeinated shampoo. Currently, I do black tea rinses (which contain caffeine) to control my hair shedding because I am such an heavy shedder. When I do black tea rinses consistently (weekly) I do notice a huge decrease in the amount of hair that I shed.

On to the topic at hand...

How does caffeine prevent hair loss and stimulate growth?
According to a study published by the International Journal of Dermatology, caffeine blocks out a hormone called DHT which is responsible for male pattern baldness and damage to hair follicles. In the study hair samples were taken from men and monitored in a laboratory for eight days, and it was shown that caffeine consumption had boosted hair growth 33 to 40 percent.[3] This finding is also being applied to research regarding hair growth/loss in women.


What is the amount of caffeine you can expect per drink?

A single serving of caffeine is considered to be 100mg, roughly the amount in one cup of brewed coffee. The table below shows the estimated caffeine content for some common beverages.

2oz	Espresso	40 to 120	mg
8oz	Brewed Drip Coffee	60 to 160	mg
8oz	Decaffeinated Coffee	3 to 5	mg
8oz	Green Tea	20 to 40	mg
8oz	Black Tea	20 to 60	mg
12oz	Coca-Cola Classic	34	mg
12oz	Mountain Dew	55	mg
8oz	Red Bull	80	mg

Source: Hair Loss And Caffeine


Thinking of adding caffeine to your regimen?
Don't get too carried away, too much caffeine can actually boost DHT and lead to hair-loss. Just like many things with hair - the trick here is to find the balance.

Check it out: Jc over at The Natural Haven did a post last year about the effects of caffeine on hair growth.

Resources
1. Management of Baldness
2. Caffeine & Hair Growth
3. How does diet affect hair growth?

Can caffeine encourage hair growth?

Caffeine can stimulate hair growth! That is according to some studies that have been done related to male pattern baldness. However, it's not the drinking of it stimulates the growth, it's the topical application of the caffeine found in tea and/or coffee. If you were to try drinking caffeine for growth, it would take drinking up to 60-80 cups a day to impact your hair growth. Researchers are currently looking at ways to boost the topical application of caffeine through a spray or a caffeinated shampoo. Currently, I do black tea rinses (which contain caffeine) to control my hair shedding because I am such an heavy shedder. When I do black tea rinses consistently (weekly) I do notice a huge decrease in the amount of hair that I shed.

On to the topic at hand...

How does caffeine prevent hair loss and stimulate growth?
According to a study published by the International Journal of Dermatology, caffeine blocks out a hormone called DHT which is responsible for male pattern baldness and damage to hair follicles. In the study hair samples were taken from men and monitored in a laboratory for eight days, and it was shown that caffeine consumption had boosted hair growth 33 to 40 percent.[3] This finding is also being applied to research regarding hair growth/loss in women.


What is the amount of caffeine you can expect per drink?

A single serving of caffeine is considered to be 100mg, roughly the amount in one cup of brewed coffee. The table below shows the estimated caffeine content for some common beverages.

2oz	Espresso	40 to 120	mg
8oz	Brewed Drip Coffee	60 to 160	mg
8oz	Decaffeinated Coffee	3 to 5	mg
8oz	Green Tea	20 to 40	mg
8oz	Black Tea	20 to 60	mg
12oz	Coca-Cola Classic	34	mg
12oz	Mountain Dew	55	mg
8oz	Red Bull	80	mg

Source: Hair Loss And Caffeine


Thinking of adding caffeine to your regimen?
Don't get too carried away, too much caffeine can actually boost DHT and lead to hair-loss. Just like many things with hair - the trick here is to find the balance.

Check it out: Jc over at The Natural Haven did a post last year about the effects of caffeine on hair growth.

Resources
1. Management of Baldness
2. Caffeine & Hair Growth
3. How does diet affect hair growth?

Parabens? Huh?

A while back someone asked me what I thought about parabens. Honestly, I never thought anything about them. So this research was truly a learning experience for me.

Parabens 
Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and are used as preservatives in many types of formulas. Paraben compounds are used in products for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

Where can they be found?
-shampoos
-commercial moisturizers
-shaving gels
-personal lubricants
-topical pharmaceuticals
-toothpaste
-food additives 

A small percentage of the population is actually allergic to parabens and can suffer from skin irritation if exposed.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their report "Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change?" reported that parabens displayed estrogenic activity in several tests. 

What does that mean?
Parabens can mimic your body´s own hormones and can result in an endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body or washed down the drain into your drinking water. This can result in interference with your body´s endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid. I actually have a friend that was told by her health care professional to stop using products with parabens because they were making her sick. 

Parabens have been proven to penetrate the skin and can be traced in the blood minutes after application, it is theorized that they may have adverse effects on the body. A major issue that struck a cord with me (and many of us know already) is that  the FDA has no ability to regulate the ingredients in cosmetics - they can only publish lists of additives they consider harmful and rely on the manufacturers to make changes themselves.

In sum, you must make the decision for yourself regarding whether or not you will continue to use products that contain ingredients that may or may not be safe for continuous human use. Always do your own research utilizing reliable sources so that you can make an informed decision.

Resources:

Wikipedia: Parabens

Natural News

Terressentials

Parabens - FDA

If you have some knowledge (or comments) about parabens, 

please share the wealth and comment below.

Parabens? Huh?

A while back someone asked me what I thought about parabens. Honestly, I never thought anything about them. So this research was truly a learning experience for me.

Parabens 
Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and are used as preservatives in many types of formulas. Paraben compounds are used in products for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

Where can they be found?
-shampoos
-commercial moisturizers
-shaving gels
-personal lubricants
-topical pharmaceuticals
-toothpaste
-food additives 

A small percentage of the population is actually allergic to parabens and can suffer from skin irritation if exposed.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their report "Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change?" reported that parabens displayed estrogenic activity in several tests. 

What does that mean?
Parabens can mimic your body´s own hormones and can result in an endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body or washed down the drain into your drinking water. This can result in interference with your body´s endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid. I actually have a friend that was told by her health care professional to stop using products with parabens because they were making her sick. 

Parabens have been proven to penetrate the skin and can be traced in the blood minutes after application, it is theorized that they may have adverse effects on the body. A major issue that struck a cord with me (and many of us know already) is that  the FDA has no ability to regulate the ingredients in cosmetics - they can only publish lists of additives they consider harmful and rely on the manufacturers to make changes themselves.

In sum, you must make the decision for yourself regarding whether or not you will continue to use products that contain ingredients that may or may not be safe for continuous human use. Always do your own research utilizing reliable sources so that you can make an informed decision.

Resources:

Wikipedia: Parabens

Natural News

Terressentials

Parabens - FDA

If you have some knowledge (or comments) about parabens, 

please share the wealth and comment below.

How is Aloe Vera good for your hair?

Over the past year Aloe vera has become a staple in my hair care product arsenal. I use it as an ingredient in my leave-in conditioner and also the base for a moisturizing spray. A Google search of other blogs revealed that quite a number of bloggers have written about and also use aloe vera as a hair care product.

Research on the Aloe vera plant has revealed that it is a useful resource for humans because of the presence of polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones, and lectins. However, the scientific evidence for the cosmetic use of Aloe vera and can be contradicting at times. But, when you think about it - so many of the regimens/recipes in the natural hair world lack research.

As for hair use, Aloe vera is said to be preferred by vegans for the re-twisting of locs. Also, Aloe vera has been experimented with for the use as a base for a hair cleanser that does not strip natural oils from the hair. On eHow there are a few articles about the use of Aloe vera for treating hair loss and promoting hair growth.

Check out additional links to Aloe vera information below:
Use Aloe Vera to Promote Hair Growth
The Benefits of Aloe Vera Plant on the Hair
Aloe Vera
Free Aloe Vera Samples
Aloe Vera in the News

Are you using Aloe vera juice or gel? How so?

How is Aloe Vera good for your hair?

Over the past year Aloe vera has become a staple in my hair care product arsenal. I use it as an ingredient in my leave-in conditioner and also the base for a moisturizing spray. A Google search of other blogs revealed that quite a number of bloggers have written about and also use aloe vera as a hair care product.

Research on the Aloe vera plant has revealed that it is a useful resource for humans because of the presence of polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones, and lectins. However, the scientific evidence for the cosmetic use of Aloe vera and can be contradicting at times. But, when you think about it - so many of the regimens/recipes in the natural hair world lack research.

As for hair use, Aloe vera is said to be preferred by vegans for the re-twisting of locs. Also, Aloe vera has been experimented with for the use as a base for a hair cleanser that does not strip natural oils from the hair. On eHow there are a few articles about the use of Aloe vera for treating hair loss and promoting hair growth.

Check out additional links to Aloe vera information below:
Use Aloe Vera to Promote Hair Growth
The Benefits of Aloe Vera Plant on the Hair
Aloe Vera
Free Aloe Vera Samples
Aloe Vera in the News

Are you using Aloe vera juice or gel? How so?

The Avocado

I recently read the Avocado: A Luscious Hair Care Treatment article on Naturally Curly. Not too long ago a purchased an avocado with the intention of using it on my hair (I don't eat them) because I already use the oil so I became curious about what the actual source would do for my hair. The oil keeps my hair soft, is light, and doesn't have a heavy smell to it.

According to the article the avocado is a fruit that can be used as a deep conditioning treatment for the hair. The avocado is filled with proteins, vitamins, and amino acids. At the end of the article there is a list of recipes and since I never used and avocado before - those recipes served as my starting point:

Avocado Conditioner

Avocado Conditioner is designed to be made and used immediately. Discard leftovers, use as a facial or share it with someone else to use.

Flesh of a ripe avocado

¼ cup coconut cream

¼ cup coconut water

3 tablespoons mayonnaise containing egg

In medium-sized bowl mix avocado and coconut cream). In very small bowl whisk together coconut water and mayonnaise; use spatula to add this to the first mixture. Whisk all together until smooth.

Divide hair into 6-8 segments. Slather green mixture on each segment working all the way into hair, from scalp area to the ends. Put on shower cap or other loose fitting plastic cap. Sit out in the sun if possible or under dryer on medium high setting, if available. Leave on hair for 45 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo and style as usual.

The Avocado

I recently read the Avocado: A Luscious Hair Care Treatment article on Naturally Curly. Not too long ago a purchased an avocado with the intention of using it on my hair (I don't eat them) because I already use the oil so I became curious about what the actual source would do for my hair. The oil keeps my hair soft, is light, and doesn't have a heavy smell to it.

According to the article the avocado is a fruit that can be used as a deep conditioning treatment for the hair. The avocado is filled with proteins, vitamins, and amino acids. At the end of the article there is a list of recipes and since I never used and avocado before - those recipes served as my starting point:

Avocado Conditioner

Avocado Conditioner is designed to be made and used immediately. Discard leftovers, use as a facial or share it with someone else to use.

Flesh of a ripe avocado

¼ cup coconut cream

¼ cup coconut water

3 tablespoons mayonnaise containing egg

In medium-sized bowl mix avocado and coconut cream). In very small bowl whisk together coconut water and mayonnaise; use spatula to add this to the first mixture. Whisk all together until smooth.

Divide hair into 6-8 segments. Slather green mixture on each segment working all the way into hair, from scalp area to the ends. Put on shower cap or other loose fitting plastic cap. Sit out in the sun if possible or under dryer on medium high setting, if available. Leave on hair for 45 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo and style as usual.

You know that pH rave that is going on right now?

Check out this post by Jc on The Natural Haven:

Does hair really not react in the pH range 4-9?

I don't know about you but I love scientific data! (Science was my favorite subject in school until I got to Organic Chemistry UGH)

Thoughts on this? Has this post changed your mind?

You know that pH rave that is going on right now?

Check out this post by Jc on The Natural Haven:

Does hair really not react in the pH range 4-9?

I don't know about you but I love scientific data! (Science was my favorite subject in school until I got to Organic Chemistry UGH)

Thoughts on this? Has this post changed your mind?

Scalp Massage

I love a good scalp massage and I love them even more when I am not the one doing it - that is what husbands are for :). In addition, as it turns out there more benefits to a scalp massage besides just the good feeling.

scalp massage.

Sources say that a scalp massage is a great way to ease the mind and the nervous system. Scalp massages increase blood circulation and increase root health and strength. They can also be done with the oil of your choice but be careful not to use an oil that is recommended to be used with a carrier oil (i.e. peppermint oil). A key thing to keep in mind is that scalp massages should be done with the pads of your fingers - not the tips, especially if you have long nails. Check out the resources listed below for more detailed information.

Resources

Hair & Scalp Massage Oils

Steps To A Great Self-Administered Scalp Massage

Scalp Massage

I love a good scalp massage and I love them even more when I am not the one doing it - that is what husbands are for :). In addition, as it turns out there more benefits to a scalp massage besides just the good feeling.

scalp massage.

Sources say that a scalp massage is a great way to ease the mind and the nervous system. Scalp massages increase blood circulation and increase root health and strength. They can also be done with the oil of your choice but be careful not to use an oil that is recommended to be used with a carrier oil (i.e. peppermint oil). A key thing to keep in mind is that scalp massages should be done with the pads of your fingers - not the tips, especially if you have long nails. Check out the resources listed below for more detailed information.

Resources

Hair & Scalp Massage Oils

Steps To A Great Self-Administered Scalp Massage

Undercover Petroleum

It's petroleum's turn...

Petroleum: black, dark brown or greenish liquid found in porous rock formations in the earth. The American Petroleum Institute, in its Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS), defines it as "a substance, generally liquid, occurring naturally in the earth and composed mainly of mixtures of chemical compounds of carbon and hydrogen with or without other nonmetallic elements such as sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen." (1)

Also known as:

Crude Oil

Bitumen

Petrol

Vaseline (brand name)

References

1. Petroleum

2. Green and Chic

Undercover Petroleum

It's petroleum's turn...

Petroleum: black, dark brown or greenish liquid found in porous rock formations in the earth. The American Petroleum Institute, in its Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS), defines it as "a substance, generally liquid, occurring naturally in the earth and composed mainly of mixtures of chemical compounds of carbon and hydrogen with or without other nonmetallic elements such as sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen." (1)

Also known as:

Crude Oil

Bitumen

Petrol

Vaseline (brand name)

References

1. Petroleum

2. Green and Chic

Undercover Mineral Oil

There are quite a number of individuals that prefer to stay away from products that contain high levels of petroleum, mineral oil, and silicones.

So later those individual try a product and the results are unexplainable and undesirable...what happened?

What if one of those ingredients that you have been avoiding is hidden with a product but listed under another name. Knowing all the names associated with an ingredient that you are using can be beneficial to your regimen and product choices.

First up: Mineral oil

Mineral oil or liquid petroleum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline and other petroleum based products from crude oil (1).

Also known as:

white mineral oil	paraffin oil
Liquid petroleum	Liquid paraffin
Nujol	white oil
paraffinum liquidum	Petrolatum
Paraffin wax	gelatinous petroleum
frigol	kremol
kaydol	alboline
paroleine	Saxol
adepsine oil	glymol
lignite oil	Heat-treating oil
Hydraulic oil	Cable oil
Lubricating oil	Oil mist
refined mineral	mineral oil mist
oil mist	mineral
severely refined	Uvasol
oil, petroleum	clearteck
drakeol	hevyteck
filtrawhite	blandol white mineral oil
carnea 21	Ervol
gloria	hydrocarbon oils
peneteck	primol
triona b	blandlube
crystosol	Molol
protopet	bayol f
crystol 325	fonoline
bayol 55	kondremul
neo-cultol	penreco
perfecta	petrogalar
primol 355	primol d
tech pet f	Petroleum hydrocarbons
jute batching oil	Mineral oil, aromatic
Mineral Seal Oil	Electrical Insulating Oil
Mineral oil hydrocarbon solvent (petroleum)
Mineral oil (saturated parrafin oil)

I must say that this list is ridiculous. It seems like a lot to go through to disguise mineral oil. I am not sure if there are certain terms are only used in cosmetics but better safe than sorry.

References

1. Mineral Oil, Wikipedia

2. What is Mineral Oil

3. The Dangers of Mineral Oil

4. Mineral Oil Cosmetic Toxin Data

5. Why Arbonne Does Not Use Mineral Oil