Image details: 2005 Crown Oaks Day served by picapp.com

I don’t know where you are reading this from, but in my part of the world – we bypassed spring, and went right into summer. It has been over 30 degrees celsius (and very sunny) for the last 2 days. The climate that I am most used to is rain – with much cooler temperatures.

Although it is usually very rainy where I live, I am a self confessed sunscreen junky. I wear it everyday of the year. There are three reasons for this.

1. I use a combination moisturizer/sunscreen for my skin
2. I am very afraid of skin cancer – and so I will do whatever I can to avoid it
3. I freckle very very easily – and as cute as freckles can be – I would rather not have them

Wearing sunscreen, is just part of my morning regime now (I do have to give myself reminders to reapply though). However, when I first started wearing it – I needed a little bit of help (ie incentive/reminders) to put it on everyday. The best way, is to find a sunscreen that smells really good. People like to smell good, and sunscreen can be a good way to incorporate a fun summer scent. Of course, I am a girl who loves the scent of Coppertone suntan lotion -and even listed it as a favorite scent when I was shopping for a new fragrance to wear.

This post is a result of me being outside for an hour yesterday (in the morning), and coming home with 700 new freckles on my face. As cute as I am right now, I was quite disappointed in myself. This freckle explosion could have been avoided if I had just reapplied my sunscreen before going back outside – and putting on a hat. However, it could have been worse – so I won’t complain too much. But I will give you some ways on how you can protect your head and face from the harmful UVA/UVB rays from the sun.

• Determine your skin’s type/colour, and its ability to tan. This is not to say if you have darker skin that you are exempt from sunscreen. You are not. No one is exempt
• Choose a sunscreen based on your activity – If you are a swimmer/surfer -wear a waterproof one
• Pick a sunscreen that will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays – both are harmful
• Determine what SPF strength you need. Most people will find that SPF 15 is really good protection. If you are fair skinned (like me) you will want a higher strength. I won’t leave the house with anything less than SPF 30.
• There are specific sunscreens that are used for your head and face. Invest in them. Although regular sunscreen is better than none.
• Wear a hat!
• Do not forget to put sunscreen on your ears and lips – these parts tend to burn really fast. For the lips, try a chapstick that is SPF15
• On really sunny days, try to stay indoors between the hours of noon and 3pm (this is when the sun is at its highest, and can hurt you the most)

If you are looking for a good sunscreen, made especially for bald heads- try this one. Its good stuff!
Remember pale skin is in….and sunburns hurt, so it really does pay to be safe in the sun.

Enjoy the summer weather, I for one am really glad that it is finally here!

**All pertinent information was brought to you, by ehow.com

Post from: Blisstree

PSA – Wear Sunscreen!

Are you just all indifferent to the world of baldness?  Or is there something more to it?  Have I been left out of the loop on the “its a cardinal sin, to talk about being bald” trip?  If so, someone should speak up and say -  “Shame on you, Laura – you should know better”.

And if that’s not the case, then tell me – why are you all so quiet?  I know that you are out there….

Baldies….speak up!

**Picture Source – Flickr 

Post from: Blisstree

Hello Baldies?

We all know that proper nutrition can help a person look and feel better. If you eat right, your skin will glow, hair will shine, and bones and teeth have a greater chance of staying healthy. In my experience, when I am not feeling well my iron levels go way down. When this happens, my hair totally suffers. Not only will it come out in handfuls, but will break mid strand. I will end up with a most uneven head of hair – consisting of split ends and bald patches. With the help of an iron supplement and an iron rich diet, hair loss may be averted.

Here is a list of iron rich foods (and cooking tricks) that can help you keep your hair from falling out:

• chicken, fish, egg yolks, and red meat – eggs are particularly good for your hair. I spent many a sunday night inventing concoctions involving eggs to put on my hair, when I was in college. In case you are wondering – it works!
• dark green, leafy vegetables such as chard, kale, spinach, endive, collard and turnip greens -your mum was right- always eat your veggies.
• dried fruit such as prunes, apricots, dates, raisins, and peaches – these are pretty easy to keep on hand – and so there is no excuse to not eat them.
• iron fortified cereals and breads
• eat iron rich foods in combination with foods that are high in vitamin C in order to better absorb the iron.
• cook with cast iron pots – the iron will be absorbed in the food
• drink tea between meals, tea contains tannins which will block the absorption of iron – so its best not to drink during meals. Herbal teas are a great alternative to black teas
• add 1 to 2 tbsp of blackstrap molasses to hot water – this is high in both calcium and iron – and is a good substitute for coffee and teas – I am not familiar with this drink- but will be looking into it- and will report on my findings soon enough.

There was a time when iron rich foods tasted metallic, to me. I think its because these foods were associated with the metal known as iron. Funny isn’t how the brain can warp things. Anyway don’t let my neurotic way of thinking prevent you from eating healthy. Oh and did you notice that liver didn’t even make the list….I think that just might be the very best part of this post!!!

*ehow helped me by providing the list of foods.

*flickr is the picture source

Post from: Blisstree

Nutrition Can Help With Hair Loss

This is Barney.  He is a West Highland Terrier, who has a skin condition which resulted in severe hair loss – because the skin problem went untreated.  To make this story that much sadder, his so called owner dumped him in a car park, because his problem was too much of a burden.

According to the RSPCA the skin condition could be caused by allergies, or mange.  He is currently being treated with antibiotics and daily baths.  His prognosis is uncertain.

Barney was found on Sept 2 in a car park at Bulbarrow Hill in Blanford.

The RSPCA is currently trying to track down Barney’s owner….to do what with, I am not sure.  Certainly it won’t be to return him.   If you live in the area, and know of any information – please call the RSPCA at 08705 555 999.

Post from: Blisstree

Bald Pets Need Love Too

The Path-Way to Health by Peter Levens, written in the 17th Century, has just been discovered, and will be going to auction in October.  This is a medical handbook, which offers bizarre advice on combating  ailments.

Advice such as a cure for baldness can be reached by mixing the ashes of chicken dung with lye, and washing the head with it (where needed).  Lots of other really strange remedies can be found as well.

If you are at all interested in old wives tales, this may be the book you have been looking for.  It is scheduled to be auctioned off at Bonhams in London on October 9, 2007.

Post from: Blisstree

Want Hair – Go Find a Chicken

Baldness can be defined as : destitute of some natural growth or covering.

Earlier this week, a german court awarded a man 3,000 euros in damages, because the top of his skull had to be replaced with plastic, all because of a faulty hospital refrigerator.

It has been reported that doctor’s removed the top of the man’s head and put it in the refrigerator, while they operated on his brain.

Because the cold storage unit was defective, the skull could not be kept cool enough…and doctors were unable to reattach it.  Instead, the doctors replaced the missing section with a plastic prosthetic .

The experts appointed by the court, concluded that the new skull was indeed better than the original  – and so was only compensated for 3,000 euros, as opposed to the 20,000 he was seeking.

If you want to read the rest of the article, you can read it here.

Image source here 

Post from: Blisstree

A New Form of Baldness

There was a study done involving 2000 adults and children from South Africa, where it was found that 1 in 7 schoolgirls, and 1/3 of all women were suffering from traction alopecia – which is caused by excessive pulling of the hair.

Statistics became worse when they looked at school children who had chemically relaxed hair, and discovered that 1 in 5 kids had traction alopecia, from that.

Andrew McDonagh, a consultant at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, stated that the findings of this study has confirmed previous evidence that traction alopecia could be caused by elaborate hairstyles.

Dr McDonagh states,

We see a number of black patients with traction alopecia each year and it’s recognised to be a major problem, especially in the US where there is a large black population. But you see other patients with the condition, who may have treated their hair or worn it pulled back from the scalp.

I am definitely at a stage in my life, where I would never risk losing all (or large portions) of my hair – just because the hairstyle du jour is cool. OK maybe once or twice, when I was in high school I had a perm – so I guess there was a time, when I was a somewhat interested party. But not any more.

It is interesting to note, that when my own hair was falling out, I would pull my remaining hair back into a ponytail, or a bun. I thought that was the easiest way to conceal my bald patches. Turns out, I was just adding fuel to the fire. I am definitely going to have to keep that in mind, the next time this happens for me.

If you want to read more about the study and the corresponding article -which also covers acne keloidalis nuchae, please click here.

Post from: Blisstree

Trendy Hairstyles Can Cause Baldness

Every Three Seconds No One Dies from Baldness

That stat is inspired by the ONE Campaign, who remind us that every three seconds someone does die… a child… of causes directly related to extreme poverty. They remind us that around the world ONE in seven goes to bed hungry each night because they lack access and mean to acquire food. They remind us that One is seven lack access to clean drinking water, perhaps the single greatest boon to health.

A while back I saw a stat that 96% of Caucasian men will experience some hair loss during their life time. I have yet to read about a single hair loss related death.

It seems I give the impression that I am completely against hair replacement and restoration therapies altogether. I’ve been called out in a couple recent comments. I have or will respond directly to those individuals, but in the mean time let me say here that this perception is not true. It’s very rare that you’ll find be taking an extreme, absolute position on anything, and hair replacement is no exception.

I get the psychological and self-esteem issues. I understand how hair loss as a side effect can be the last straw, the last thing a person battling a serious illness just can’t deal with. I also understand how everyday, ordinary age related hair loss can weigh a person down… the messages from the culture… romantic attraction… the reality of aging…. Trust me I get all that. I started losing my hair at age sixteen and was fortunate enough to find an amazing woman who didn’t love me for my luxurious locks. I understand.

At the same time, I am compelled to try to interject a greater scope, a broader perspective into the conversation. Hair loss can be a shock. It can be a difficult adjustment. But for most of us it will never be the end of the world.

A Round up of all Topic du Jour posts can be found over at Veggie Chic.

Post from: Blisstree

Every Three Seconds No One Dies from Baldness

March is Red Cross Month, and we all have a love-fear relationship with them. We love the Red Cross: they do so much for so many, and it’s a great avenue to volunteer and give back. But we also fear the Red Cross, because we might need the Red Cross; and if we need the Red Cross, then it means something has gone horribly wrong.

Say “Red Cross” in the United States, and most folks likely think of New Orleans or Mississippi flooding or an area tornado strike or a neighborhood house fire. We think of blood drives and sand bags and emergency shelters. The Red Cross warms our hearts as they administer charity, compassion and kindness. At the same time the Red Cross is a splash of cold water, waking us up to suffering and disaster.

Now Baldiness is ostensibly about baldness, and I was preparing to write something tongue-in-cheek as I am wont to do. Something about emergency preparedness for the bald (Use sunscreen – check!) or how Bald Men are the best heroes. Something silly. But I stopped. I reckon it was time to be serious for a moment, and here’s what I want to say:

Baldness is Not a Disaster.

People are bald for one of three reasons: Design, Disease, or Desire. In none of these instances is baldness a disaster.

Now, don’t think I’m trivializing things; regulars around here ought to know me well enough. I understand self-esteem and self-image, and the reality that our appearance has a substantial impact on them. While not having gone through chemotherapy or radiation therapy, I get the notion of “one more thing” on top of all the other things that have gone wrong. Hair loss can cause a personal crisis. Hair loss can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. But I’ll reiterate:

Baldness is not a disaster.

One of life’s secrets is perspective. If one can maintain a proper perspective on things, then one can live well. Such a person is able to concentrate on that which is truly important and more easily accept that which is not.

Change distorts our perspective, tending to make our world smaller. It’s like looking at the world through a telephoto lens. Disaster strikes, and our world gets out of focus. Desperate for the familiar, we grasp for the first detail we recognize engrossing ourselves in it until that becomes our new landscape. All the while we are unaware that we have lost track of the whole.

Instead of focusing, what we really need is to pan out. We need to re-enlarge our horizon, so that the details can take their proper place in the landscape.

Baldness is a detail; it is not a disaster.

Don’t let it fill up your lens.

(This post is part of the b5media Science & Health Topic du Jour. See the round up of other posts on Emergency Preparedness over at the Homely Scientist.)

Photo credits: red button, bald eagle, buildings, & photographer

Post from: Blisstree

Baldness Is Not a Disaster

At any rate, Kristen at Lively Women has the full scoop. I’ll point you to Tony’s lazy-8 musings; Laura’s honest ConFeSsion and Hsien’s love poem. (I’m a sucker for poetry.)

Post from: Blisstree

b5media Science & Health Channel Topic du Jour Round Up