I am losing my hair rapidly, can anything be done?

Hair loss for no apparent reason should cause you to check with your doctor. Assuming that checks out OK, there are a few reasons why we lose our hair. Heredity is a big one. If your are male, you usually inherit your hairline from your mother's father. Men's tendency to lose hair with age, is known as male pattern baldness. There is no way to permanently stop its progress, but there are things you can do to slow it down.

Many bald men have shiny heads, almost as if they had waxed and buffed them to a shine. In fact, the scalp secretes a waxlike substance called sebum. It is that substance that causes the shine on bald heads. It is present on all heads and if you are losing hair, it is possible that excess sebum is choking off hair follicles. Have your hairdresser recommend a shampoo for you that contains sebum emulsifiers.

Another thing that has proved to be helpful is any form of scalp stimulation. By massaging the scalp, increased blood flow causes moderate hair re growth. Get a quality, boar bristle brush to use. These natural bristles are good for your hair and stimulate the scalp nicely. Spend a little more time massaging your scalp as you shampoo and condition. Try a vibrating hair brush! They feel wonderful! Try Minoxidil to stop hair loss and regrow hair. It is now available without a prescription, and there are generic versions on the market which are less expensive. It doesn't work for everyone, but it is the only hair grower on the market that has been clinically proven to work!

My blonde hair becomes green when I use the public swimming pool. How can I prevent this?

Green hair makes it's appearance every summer. With more and more spas and Jacuzzi's becoming popular, it is starting to be a year round event. The green color is most noticeable in blonde hair although it can coat and damage any hair type.. Most people assume it is from the chlorine used to purify the water in pools and spas. Chlorine itself is colorless, but greenish compounds form in the pool/spa environment and are readily absorbed by porous hair strands. 

To remove it from the hair you will need to use products that are made for this purpose. Your hairdresser can recommend some chelating and clarifying shampoos. In unusually difficult cases, where the hair is extremely porous (such as bleached hair) your hairdresser may need to apply a color stripper chemical treatment. 

To prevent it's reoccurrence, you have to keep your hair out of the pool! If that isn't possible then you can minimize the hair's porosity by wetting the hair thoroughly before entering the pool. A good conditioner before swimming may help too.

How often should I change my shampoo brand?

If you are using professional shampoos, you may never need to. On the other hand, water conditions can affect how some products react with your hair. Differences in water condition may prompt you to change to a different kind shampoo. If you travel frequently, you may need several different products depending on the local water conditions. Also, medication you take orally comes out in the hair. If you have changed prescription drugs recently, you may need to switch shampoos and or styling products. If you find that your shampoo is fine for a few days and then your hair becomes weighted down or coated, you are using a poor quality shampoo and/or conditioner that is unsuited for your hair type! Even the time of the year can affect your hair. In severe climates, many people spend the winter months in dry, heated homes. Other times of the year it may be humid. Ask your hairdresser for recommendations.