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Holiday Hairstyle Renewal

Let's be honest. Society expects us women to look like supermodels while doing the work of longshoremen. Between the responsibilities of home and work, sometimes we forget about our own well-being. In today's busy world there is very little time to do everything that most of us have on our "to-do" lists. For this reason, most women can

Natural Hairstyle Decisions


African American hair is versatile for wearing natural hair, and I see more and more natural hairstylists who are setting up their hair salons to meet the demand for natural hair care.

The following guide will give you some options on what you can do for hair care and hairstyling tips.

Lifestyle: When deciding on a natural hairstyle the first thing you will need to consider is what type of lifestyle do you lead. If it is an active one, time will be an issue so you must pick a natural hairstyle that will be easy to maintain. Quick and easy low maintenance natural hairstyles that will not require lots of your time is going to be your most important priority.

Hair Extensions

If they say "beauty is pain," then the beauty of achieving long,luscious locks is becoming more and more painful for many women....and men. Hair extensions have become the must-have accessory of celebrities on the red carpet and in magazines.
Now more and more women, and men, are following suit and using the extensions at home and work. Some as young as 19 are experiencing the dangerous side effects that come with trying to transform one's natural hair with hair pieces that make their hair longer and fuller.

"We have patients who are in their early 20s come in after wearing hair extensions for six months or one year, and they actually have bald spots," Dr. Eric Schweiger, a New York City dermatologist, told "Good Morning America."

Doctors say people particularly at risk for damage from hair extensions are those with already thin or weak hair, or with a pre-existing medical condition, like anemia.

Hair extensions, in which hair is attached onto a person's existing hair or scalp by either weaving, gluing or clipping it on, may cause little damage to some women but, for others, the hairpieces can cause nightmarish results.

Twenty-two-year-old Maya Ramos of Delray Beach, Fla., experienced the dark side of hair extensions firsthand after she began using clip-on extensions to make her shoulder-length hair longer and fuller. Just three months after her extension adventure began, Ramos saw signs of trouble.

"My hair was really falling and falling," she told "GMA." "I was shedding a lot of hair in the back toward the extensions." The damage caused by the extensions, which she described as "heavy" and "uncomfortable," was so severe that Ramos feared the worst. "I was freaking out," she said. "I thought I was going to lose my hair
by the time I was 30."

Concerned, Ramos sought the help of a hair loss expert.

The specialist diagnosed Ramos with traction alopecia, a form of gradual hair loss caused primarily by a pulling force being applied to the hair. Within a year of quitting the extensions, Ramos' hair, much to her relief, had grown back.

Not so lucky is Chioma Odimegwu of New York City. Odimegwu is considering a hair transplant at the age of 25 after six years of using hair extensions resulted in permanent hair loss. Odimegwu began using 14-inch glue-in extensions at the age of 19. When the extensions caused her hair to thin, she had a professional stylist
apply tie-on extensions to cover the hair loss.

The new extensions worsened the problem, and Odimegwu's hair loss spiraled out of control. "When I took (the new extensions) out, my whole head of hair was very,
very thin," she told "GMA" of her post-extensions appearance. Odimegwu tried a host of doctor-recommended products, including female Rogaine, in an effort to re-grow her hair,and worked to cover her hair loss in other ways.

"I wear lots of hats," she said. "And really fat headbands."

Ramos and Odimegwu are not alone. Even celebrities are experiencing difficulties related to hair extensions.

"Nothing destroys your hair faster than hair extensions," Jennifer Aniston, whose own shag-style cut in the '90s sparked a worldwide hair craze, told Harper's Bazaar magazine in a 2006 interview. "I decided to have a couple of extensions, never knowing you end up with 400 things in your hair that cause your hair to break off."

As Hair Extensions' Popularity Grows, So Too Does the Debate

Advocates of hair extensions, like New York stylist Angelo David, argue that extensions are still a great asset, and option, for any woman - provided they are installed and worn correctly. "Everybody can wear hair extensions," he told "GMA." "You just need to wear extensions that fit your head." His eponymous New York City salon does a brisk business, outfitting women with long locks and custom-made extensions.

Mr. David takes pains to make certain his extensions are appropriate for a woman's individual hair type so that extensions are neither too heavy or too tight. The couture hair extensions offered at David's salon cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to upwards of several thousand dollars. David's clients are thrilled with the results.

"I think that extensions add so much attractiveness to people," salon client Reilly Chaffin said. "I look at them and I think that I look so much better."

Something everyone (from stylists like David, who favor hair extensions, to doctors like Dr. Schweiger who remain skeptical of their safety), agree on is that women who choose to use extensions should do so with care and attention to detail.

"You need to create the right fit," said David. "The important thing is getting into the right extension."

"It's very important that people out there know the risks of hair extensions before they get them done," said Dr. Schweiger. "If you're going to do any extensions, just use them for a few hours and take them out. That's the safest way." (source)

How do you feel about hair extensions? Have you tried them? If so, what's your opinion/experience?


Healthy Hair Source will keep you covered, inside and out, on safe solutions for healthy hair, skin and health care. If you want more information on any of our topics, please leave a comment. Thanks for reading!

Strength and Length

The main thing I have found in my natural hair journey is that there was only ONE thing I needed to do to move from the "stuck" position (where my hair grew to a certain length, then started to break off). That one thing was for ME to recognize that I was doing all the harm to my hair! My hair began to grow and STAY healthy once I got to "know" MY hair! Once I understood that EVERY new product was not necessarily good for MY hair...once I understood that my hair growth rates were not the same as my Mother's or my aunts....once I figured out that all of us have small ---but extremely important--- differences in our hair growth cycles.....then I was able to get out of the "stuck" position! Here are the top 5 reasons why hair does not gain strength and length:

1. YOU IGNORE BREAKAGE. This is the top reason and if you read no further, at least read the next two paragraphs.

If you have been stuck at a particular length for a long time, the most likely reason is that you have split ends which are breaking off your hair at the same rate as it is growing. The only reasonable thing to do is to trim your hair and by "trim", I mean cut 2-3 inches off. I could tell you to just look for splits/knots, then trim them off. But the reality is that it is very had to do a "search and destroy" on short hair which you cannot see properly. If you have a trusted hair stylist who'll do this for you.....consider yourself blessed and get it done.

The second form of breakage that is largely ignored are those short, little, quarter-inch end segment breaks that happen with very kinky hair (like mine). While it is not possible to fully eliminate breakage entirely, it is possible to reduce it to a minimal level by being very gentle, choosing gentle de-tangling methods and being patient when handling your hair.

2. YOU OVER-MANIPULATE THE HAIR. Let me tell you....puffs and Afros are addictive. I used to love 'em....love 'em.....love THEM! Not anymore. Why? Because although they are a simple, cute and protective styles, most of us leave them in too long...........causing the hair to tangle, knot and break! Truth be told, ANY "protective" styles will cause damage if left in "too" long. When we do decide to change the style, the time and effort required to unravel the strands and remove lint can (and will!) cause a lot of damage.

For those with looser curls, styles like twists which are normally regarded as protective may be terrible for you, if they unravel easily and you may be tempted to constantly use a drying gel, which definitely does not help your hair. Curly hair likes to be free! When you "bind" it (with hair clips, gel, barrettes, bands, etc.), it will complain bitterly when it's time to remove the bind (another example of over manipulation). The top signs are breakage, tangling and knotting. Find a happy medium with your hair.

3.YOU ARE STILL HUNTING FOR THAT "MAGIC" PRODUCT. There are no magic products. There are people who have seemingly terrible product choices but great hair and similarly people with great product choices and terrible hair.

The thing to understand about hair length retention is that it is largely mechanical damage that really does you in. Mechanical damage meaning how you physically break your hair. Hair products mainly mask damage, what you can do is prevent damage in the first place. You and your hair handling methods are the most important tools, over and above products.

4.YOU ARE FOLLOWING SOMEONE ELSE'S REGIMEN. Never ever make the mistake of not listening to YOUR hair. If someone swears by heat training, that does not mean it will for you. If someone swears by coconut oil, that does not mean it will work for you.

There is nothing wrong with experimenting with any method, product or routine. There IS something wrong with failing to see that it is not working for your hair. Always pay attention to if your hair breaks, or feels less than ideal.

5. YOU ARE STILL USING TOO MUCH HEAT. I've said this before, and it's important to repeat this: Length retention has a huge mechanical component to it. That component is HEAT. Heat ultimately degrades hair. For some people, regular heat use is not a big problem, as their hair is able to cope with it; for others, even slight heat is an issue.

Learn how YOUR hair behaves. Do not choose "style" or "ease" over and above hair health. It may be easier to handle your hair when its curls are not as tight but consider doing a heat free method such as curl formers, braids/twists or banding. The finer and kinkier your hair, the less likely it is to be able to take a lot of heat.

Ladies, have you been guilty of any of these mistakes I've made?

Healthy Hair Source will keep you covered, inside and out, on safe solutions for healthy hair, skin and health care. If you want more information on any of our topics, please leave a comment. Thanks for reading!

A Whole Lotta Hair!


OK.....the picture is intense. The Lady is a singer who lives in France. And...I have to admit that I was stunned at the sheer magnitude of this 'Fro.....even for an Entertainer.

I wonder what DH Readers think about the "size" of our hair.

What...if anything...is considered TOO long or TOO big?

When does the magnificence of a huge Fro/Twistout cross-over into "that's a bit much" territory?


Healthy Hair Source will keep you covered, inside and out, on safe solutions for healthy hair, skin and health care. If you want more information on any of our topics, please leave a comment. Thanks for reading!

Howard University Students TANGLE

Howard University has been all over the blogosphere lately after the Huffington Post voted it the 2nd Best Dressed College in the Nation in 2010.

And it seems natural hair has found a permanent home at the stylish institution. On November 20, 2011, students Alexis Guy and Jessica Williams will celebrate the first anniversary of the natural hair group they formed last year called "TANGLES".

The Details: Co-Founder Alexis Guy provides these details about TANGLES:

T.A.N.G.L.E.S. stands for "Transitioners and Naturals Growing, Learning and Educating Students".

The mission of the group is to “detangle the myths from facts when it comes to natural hair” seeing that there are many misconceptions regarding black natural hair. We realized that many Howard students desire to go natural but are uncertain as to how to begin their natural journey. Therefore, TANGLES was created in order
to educate students while also celebrating natural hair. We also have a second chapter at the University of Virginia called TANGLES AT UVA.

TANGLES Activities:
TANGLES often invites lecturers and panelists to speak to our members and share their knowledge regarding health and hair care. TANGLES is a supportive environment where members share their own experiences, fears and concerns as they take on their natural journey. We meet twice a month for regular general body meetings but we’re also planning a major hair show on campus in the Spring.

On how the TANGLES group has been received by the general student population:
The student population has really taken an interest in what TANGLES offers. We consistently have 35 members at our meetings but we have over 100 people who have attended at least one meeting. We also have over 320 fans on Facebook which consists of a lot of incoming freshman as well. Last year was our first semester so we expect significant growth this semester.

On male students' participation in TANGLES
They want information on locs and stylists on campus or in the area. TANGLES goal is not just for women so we’ve been making adjustments along the way and expect more male participation this upcoming academic year.

You can find more TANGLES on Facebook and Twitter. Check them out!


OK.....Healthy Hair Readers, what are your thoughts? And college readers; do you have a natural hair group at your school? If so, please share the details!



Healthy Hair Source will keep you covered, inside and out, on safe solutions for healthy hair, skin and health care. If you want more information on any of our topics, please leave a comment. Thanks for reading!

What Have You Done For YOU Lately?

"What have you done for me lately? OOOOO, Yeah!"

We all remember the "hook line" to Miss Jacksons #1 song back in the day. What I'm wondering is What Have YOU Done for you lately?

How have you spoiled yourself lately? Spa treatment? Shopping spree? Vacation?

Regardless of

Who's In Heaven?

Well, Dear Readers, the Summer of 2011 is over. Out of all the great moments of my Summer of 2011, one really sticks in my mind.

I was leaving a semi-formal social gathering last month, had given my compliments to the hosts, and was headed to the front door, when I heard someone say: "You're so heaven-minded that you're no good here on earth."

I stopped, turned around and saw that this statement came from the mouth of a 20-something young man.  He was speaking to a young lady, and I could tell by her facial expression that she was deeply hurt.  Before stalking off, she told the young man, "I never want to see you again, you A-hole!".  The young man looked at me, shook his head and walked off in the opposite direction.   I quietly slipped out the door as I saw the hosts of the gathering approach the young man.  

Riding home, I thought about that scene over and over. Since then, it's popped up in my mind unannounced on more than one occasion. I've thought about what I could have said that would have calmed the spirits of both of those young people. It was obvious that they had an emotional/romantic attachment, and that they were having some type of disagreement. Yet, they were allowing their anger to seep out to the point where they were judging each other. Whether in a public or private setting, that's never a good thing. 

Two days later, I came up with the right words that might have made them both stop and think: "Most people are so earthly minded to the point that they are no heavenly good."

The reality of heaven and hell have been diminished in our culture to the point of irrelevance. This is tragic because we've been "bamboozled" into thinking that we are physical beings that have occasional spiritual experiences. We're not. 

We are spirit beings who are having a TEMPORARY physical experience. So many of us don't recognize this truth, and therefore we respond more to fear than freedom. The evil one has implanted such distortion in our perception of reality. We spend a lot of time pointing fingers at each other, and trying to "one up" each other. We really need to step back and refocus, rethink, and---in many of our lives---redirect our energy.

So.... to that unknown young couple, and Loyal Readers:  I hope that you value those in your circle enough to put your pride and pointing fingers aside.  If you resonate with the brief introduction, I think you will find the following poem helpful, funny, and exciting. Most important, I hope it moves you. Moves you to examine yourself, and remember that when you point a finger at someone else, THREE are pointing back at you.

Who's In Heaven
(Unknown Author)

I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door; not by the beauty of it all, by the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp–the thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics, the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade who swiped my lunch money twice.  Next to him was my old neighbor---- who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell, was sitting pretty on Cloud Nine, looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, “What’s the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake.

And why is everyone so quiet, so somber? Give me a clue.”

“My child,” said He,  “They’re all in shock.  No one ever thought they would see you.”



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Ending To The Blame Game

How often have you heard a group of women each bashing their significant other (co-signing each others' complaints) in some way, sounding as if they’re already one foot out the door of the relationship? “He’s a liar! He’s a cheater!” Well, what about you? It can’t always be the man’s fault. Ladies....let’s stop playing The Blame Game and take a little responsibility for our own actions. Why is it that we don’t like to look within to pinpoint some of our own faults? Maybe we all have

Healthy Recipe: Cucumber Slaw

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Makes four 1-cup servings

INGREDIENTS:
  1. 4 cups shredded cucumber
  2. 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  3. 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  4. 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  5. 2 tablespoons sugar
  6. 1 teaspoon celery seeds
A. Put cucumber and cabbage through a food processor to shred. Add carrots and place vegetables in a colander over an empty bowl to allow excess fluid to drain (for about an hour).

B. In measuring cup, combine vinegar, sugar and celery seed; set aside.

C. Discard drained fluid from vegetables, then transfer the cucumbers, cabbage and carrots into the empty bowl. Add vinegar mixture (B) and stir. All done! Chill before serving and enjoy.

Per Serving:
  • 70 calories
  • 1 gram fat
  • ZERO grams saturated fat
  • ZERO grams cholesterol
  • 15 mg sodium
  • 17 grams carbohydrate
  • 3 grams fiber
  • 2 grams protein


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Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair - Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of the Series, "Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair". Let's get right to it....

Human hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth are the nutrients we eat. If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body -- inside and out.

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair - Part I

When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put ON your hair that count -- it’s what you put IN your body, too.

"Lather, rinse, repeat" may be standard advice, but shampoo and conditioner alone won't give us the healthy hair we all crave. For a healthy head of hair, you'll need to

Two Easy Tips for Healthy Relaxed Hair

Relaxed hair, by its definition, undergoes controlled damage in order to straighten it, but maintaining this hair in a healthy fashion is possible with some simple steps. All hair should be pampered, but relaxed hair requires even more special treatment due to its processed nature. Here are 2 easy tips that will keep relaxed hair healthy.

#1. Don't over-process. If you relax your hair more often than every 8 weeks, most likely you are over-processing your hair. It is best to relax every eight to ten weeks; if you can go a little longer without experiencing breakage--go for it. Over-processing your hair will definitely result in damage and will ultimately lead to breakage, even with the best hair practices. You CAN have healthy hair with a relaxer but remember:

Magic of The Blue

March of this year marked my 3-year anniversary of no chemicals in my hair. While I'm very happy with the results, it's been a long road to glory, let me tell you!

My hair has always been very thick, and my coiled curls gave dear Mama a pure fit. She would work on my head for 30 minutes from start to finish, except on "time-to-wash-your-hair" days, when it took about an hour....with me pouting and fidgeting the whole time.

There were no wide-tooth combs of today in our house....we had one Ace-brand comb that I tried to break for years. When I was 11, it "mysteriously" disappeared in the Tuesday morning trash pickup. Mom seemed to grieve for that comb. I was smug and happy for a whole day.....until she purchased a new one.

Get That Paper!

It's not about the money. It's not about picking up a newspaper, either. It's all about knowledge. Once you get it, no one can take it away. This young lady really gets "IT". Enjoy the video....






Healthy Hair Source will keep you covered, inside and out, on safe solutions for healthy hair growth and maintenance. If you want more information on any of our topics, please submit the contact form found on this page. You can also visit us at http://tinyurl.com/HelloDolle . We do not tolerate spam.

Ernestine Shepherd: Guinness World Record Holder

We're hi-lighting a truly phenomenal woman today!

At 74 years old, standing at 5′5" and weighing 120 pounds, Baltimore grandmother Ernestine Shepherd holds the Guinness World Records’ for oldest female bodybuilder!

She claims she used to be “too prissy to exercise because she didn’t want her hair or nails messed up.”

That all changed when she was 56, spending the day with her sister shopping for swimming suits to wear to a pool party. Standing in the store's dressing room, trying on numerous swimsuits and not liking what she saw in the mirrors, she decided to make a change.

Once she began to see the effects of lifting weights, Shepherd dedicated herself to becoming the oldest fitness competitor.

Public Service Announcement: Let's Talk

Denise Rolark-Barnes is the President and Publisher of The Washington Informer newspaper.

After earning a Juris Doctor law degree, she opted not to jump in the Law arena, but chose instead to join the family business at the newspaper. Rolark-Barnes took over the newspaper that her father (and Founder of the United Black Fund), Dr. Calvin Rolark, established almost 50 years ago in Washington, DC and made it the "voice" of the City's African-American community.

Now she is producing and hosting the talk television show,"Let's Talk". The video below is an episode of "Let's Talk" during an indepth interview with Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever and Ms. Terese Lowery.

Ms. Lowery is Director of the Washington DC Office of Women's Policy and Initiatives (http://owpi.dc.gov/owpi/site/default.asp )

Dr. DeWeever is the Executive Director of the National Council of Negro Women , and at the age of 41, she is also the youngest executive director in the history of the organization.

The video below is a discussion about the challenges and resources that women of color can individually (and thru our organizations) use to support each other:






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Mondays

When I used to work to make someone else wealthy, I really dreaded "Mondays". To me, Monday meant the start of misery. Sometimes, I would actually get physically depressed on a Sunday night----all because Monday was coming. Yep...me and Mondays didn't get along, until I started my own business.

The weird thing is this: since becoming an entrepreneur, I work twice as hard as I ever did, and I look forward to each and every day---especially Mondays!

That's right....I can't wait to see what magical things are going to happen to my business this week. There is nothing as exciting as growing your own business. I want you to experience that level of excitement in your life; you ABSOLUTELY deserve it, and I've found an simple way to do it by using the Better Web Builder system.

I believe that the Better Web Builder (BWB) can help you experience that growth and excitement, faster and easier than anything else on the Internet. Use it as a tool to grow your Primary Business or use it as a stand-alone opportunity. Either way you can have massive success!

There are lots of new tools and services being added to this System all the time. BWB has even launched a new program called "Help Us Help You", where you tell them the tools you want, and they make them available to you! Just go to this link to complete our quick survey and tell us the tools and services you want.

Below is the schedule for this weeks' training webinars; as always they are 100% free to attend:

All Times are EST USA and all webinars are located HERE.

Tuesday:
4:00 PM - UK and Beyond - a BWB Training hosted by Top Incomer Earner Juanita Watterman to accommodate various Time Zones.

9:00 PM - BWB Training, How to Use BWB to Grow another Business.

10:00 PM - How to use TWITTER to grow your Business - Host Juanita Waterman

Thursday:
2:00 PM - FaceBook Basics for Newbies, with Q&A - Host - Lynda Cromar

10:00 PM - FaceBook Basics for Newbies, with Q&A - Host Lynda Cromar

Friday:
10:00 PM - Use FaceBook to Grow Your Business - Host - Juanita Waterman

Saturday:
11:00 AM - Leadership Training - learn the skills needed to be a Top Producer.

There's always more to learn and I'm confident you will really enjoy BWB's no-nonsense, down-to-earth training webinars. New Affiliates, guests and friends are all welcome.

Together we can make this week REALLY special and very profitable. Take our Survey, plug into our webinars and invite others to do the same. Let's make a commitment to take MASSIVE Action and Help a lot of people this week.

I know I will.

I hope you do, because I've seen the results they are truly amazing.


As always-- please post your questions and comments on this page. And if you're already involved with this type of product, you are welcome to let us know about it.
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First Lady Michelle Obama: Always Leading By Example

First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise visit to Alice Deal Middle School (here in Washington, DC) to join students in a "Lets Move! Flash Workout" on Tuesday,
May 3, 2011. Over 600 schools across the country participated in similar workouts at the same time.

Like everything else she does, this First Lady led by example when she danced with a field full of students. She's doing her version of "the Dougie", and it looks waaaaaay better than mine!

Enjoy the video and watch as Mrs. Obama re-defines what a First Lady can do:




From The Los Angeles Times:

While Beyoncé's "Move Your Body" blasted over a sound system at Alice Deal Middle School, the First Lady went through a series of dance moves, from the old-school Running Man to the newest craze, the Dougie, to the delight of the youngsters who sashayed along with her.

"Beyoncé is one of my favorite performers on the planet. And when she agreed to remake her video and do this Let's Move flash workout, I was so excited, because this is what we've been talking about -- that exercise and moving can be fun," Mrs. Obama told ABC News.



Healthy Hair Source will keep you covered, inside and out, on safe solutions for healthy hair growth and maintenance. If you want more information on any of our topics, please submit the contact form found on this page. You can also visit us at http://tinyurl.com/HelloDolle . We do not tolerate spam.

Foods To Avoid: Canned Tomatoes

Growing and maintaining healthy hair involves work inside and out. Using products that are safe and actually work should be your number one goal. This mantra also applies to what we eat.

How healthy (or not) certain foods are is a hotly debated topic among experts and consumers alike, and there are no easy answers. Recently, during one of my "Brown Bag" sessions (lunch with a few of my scientist friends who are at the forefront of food safety), I asked this question: "What foods do YOU avoid?".

As a consumer, I was surprised, to say the least. I got some pretty interesting answers, and will post them here in the coming weeks. Although these foods don’t necessarily make up a "banned” list, as you head into the Summer season--and all the grocery shopping that comes with it--their answers are truly food for thought. Today's topic is CANNED TOMATOES.

THE EXPERT: Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A

THE PROBLEM: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."

THE SOLUTION: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi. You can also Click HERE for an alternative solution.

Healthy Source will keep you covered, inside and out, on safe solutions for healthy hair growth and maintenance. If you want more information on any of our topics, please submit the contact form found on this page. You can also visit us at http://tinyurl.com/HelloDolle . We do not tolerate spam.

Public Service Announcement/1

True, this site focuses on "Healthy Hair" for the most part, but this month, we'll be adding at least one Public Service Announcement every 30 days. These PSAs, part of our core commitment to identify, inform and resolve topics of interest in our Beloved Community, are designed to initiate the conversation(s) needed to move towards resolution; we can't BE ABOUT IT until we talk about it.


While I don't know which is worst, NOT HAVING a father in the home or HAVING a bad father in the home, I do know that each leaves it’s own major scars, sometimes for life. I have been affected as I've watched, consoled, supported and uplifted those in my inner circle as they continue to deal with this (too) common life experience first hand.

So, for me, the absent father ought not to be our individual excuse(s). When all is said and done, we make our own decisions in/about life, with or without a father, with or without scars. There are some things we may never have, there are some experiences that will never be ours, and yes---our foundations may not have been what they should have been---but when all is said and done, each one of us makes the decision about what this life will mean to and for us. And, intentionally or not--- we pass that on to our children.

Please watch this Public Service Announcement (PSA) that shows the devastating impact of fatherless homes on the African American community. Leave a comment and let us know what you think of this incredibly powerful VIDEO.




For more info about any topics here, please leave a comment, or contact us using the form found on this page. We do not tolerate SPAM.

Scared Straight!

Some hair salons are starting to take precautions against possible formaldehyde in hair straightening products like the Brazilian Blowout.

Concerns that the popular hair-smoothing solution, known generically as "Brazilian" or "Keratin" treatments, could expose hair stylists to health risks. Investigations into the product in the United States and Canada led to product being pulled from shelves in Canada along with a warning issued to stylists and consumers who used it. In the US, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission are still conducting their investigations.

Stories of those who have suffered ill effects from the Brazilian Blowout started in 2007, including an article in Allure magazine, titled “Scared Straight”. The magazine collected samples of the treatments and them to an FDA-registered lab for testing where it was determined that they contained ten times more formaldehyde than the .2 percent that is determined to be safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to large amounts of the chemical can cause serious health problems, including cancer.

OSHA, the Federal agency responsible for workplace safety and health, issued an alert warning September 30, 2010, that samples of the Brazilian Blowout and Acai Professional Smoothing Solution (both sold by the same company) contained between 4.85 and 10.6 percent formaldehyde. When Canada’s health agency tested Brazilian Blowout, it found 12 percent formaldehyde.

BEWARE and do your homework on all new products!! YOU are your first line of protection when it comes to using hair and skincare products.




The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out on healthy hair and skincare. For more info about any products or samples reviewed in this blog, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page. We do not tolerate SPAM.

Solutions - Shiny Hair

Here's a short "NOT- To Do" list of actions that may be hindering the natural shine of any hair type:

Too much water. The more frequently you wet your hair, the less shine.

Over-brushing. Forget that old saying about "..100 strokes every night...". While brushing the hair temporarily provides some shine by distributing the natural oils, in the long run--all brushes (no matter how expensive or inexpensive) will strip the cuticle layers, and eventually weaken the hair. Use your hair brush sparingly.

Towel Drying. If you use a towel to dry your hair, always blot...never rub your hair while it's wet to limit any shine-stealing damage. (For a limited time, you can get one free ultra absorbent hair drying turban with any order from this store).

Playing with your hair. Twisting your hair with your fingers will loosen the "cuticles that keep the natural oils in place.

Hot styling. your hair dryer and flat iron damage the oils that keep hair flexible and shiny.

The pony-tail. One of my favorite "on the go" hairstyles, but pulling hair back too tightly can damage it and inhibit shine.

~Love Your Hair!

The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out on healthy hair. For more info about any products or samples reviewed in this blog, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page. We do not tolerate SPAM.

Crowning Glory

Other than our clothes, our hairstyles also play a vital role in defining our looks and attitudes. Hairstyles have always played an important part of getting "THE" total look for women. From Cleopatra to First Lady Michelle Obama, our hairstyles have the capacity to expand our self-confidence.

Many noted hair style experts agree that hair styles have the capacity to make or break you. And most of us have heard the sayings about "your crowning glory". This statement obviously emphasizes how the "right" hairstyle boosts our confidence and attitude.

WHAT is a woman's crowning glory? In a sense, a woman's hair is described that way. The word "crown" signifies something proudly adorned on the head. Moreover, it is believed that a well dressed hairstyle, or even a scruffy one speaks volumes about an individual. It all goes back to that another old saying about "first impressions".

The value tagged on healthy strands of hair---the distinct link between great-looking hair and beauty---is what has made demand for healthy hair products very high.

It doesn't matter if we're rocking natural, curly or done-straight hair....we instinctively KNOW which styles we like, and....the ones we don't!

If you're like me, you are always searching for a new hairstyle, either for a special occasion or just for a new look. There are many guidelines that can help with choosing a hairstyle, and a good stylist can guide you. But since you're here, and (I hope) interested, here are a few that I use for choosing hairstyles.

Everyone desires a perfect look and searches for the best hairstyle or haircut!! Many of us use up a considerable amount of time, money and effort visiting beauty salons, and on hair styling products, trying to create a trendy hair style. But what, exactly, is a perfect hairstyle?

The next few weeks, we'll be writing about all the latest haircuts, styles and beauty products; the goal is to share new ideas and get lots of tips for those who want to alter their hair style or simply want a new look.

Soft, bouncy curls are not just well-liked they are sensual, sexy, and fun. Twists, curls, waves and tussles are back and bigger than ever! At the Grammy's this year, trend-setting celebrities like Jennifer Hudson and Ciara rocked their flawless features with simple pony tails; Keri Hilson rocked a chic, short coif that had a mixture of curls, waves AND tussles; and Beyonce`, along with Alicia Keys wore sexy curls at the Grammys. Not to be outdone by the ladies....John Legend rocked those Twists as only he can! Creating the best curly hair styles, even for people with naturally curly hair is something you have to work at. The key to having the most amazing curly hair styles is choosing methods and tools based on a number of factors, mainly TIME.

If I ever have a chance to attend the Grammy's, I'd probably be willing to spend 3 or 4 hours in a stylist's chair, but until then---my favorite super-quick Summer style is a loose curl. After co-washing my hair, I scrunch it using a medium-to-strong gel, mixed with a few drops of silk serum to soften the hair. That's it...my hair dries as I start on the next thing on my "to do" list for the day!!

If I have an evening out, and want to get really sophisticated, I simply add my favorite hair clips, and I'm out the door!

What are the products that you use for your favorite super-quick Summer hair style?

The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed in this blog, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page. We do not tolerate SPAM.

Guest Posts

Every now and then I am asked if guest postings are allowed on this site.

And the answer is: YES!

We accept blog posts related to Hair and Skin Care in general. Blog posts sharing advice, tips, lists or simply your experiences are also accepted.

However before being accepted there are a few simple guidelines:

1. Your post must be a minimum of 300 words.

2. Your post must be unique, original and not be published anywhere else on the Internet;

3. You agree not to publish the post anywhere else (i.e., in your own blog or as a guest post in other blogs). However, you CAN refer to the guest post from your own blog, if you wish.

4. You can include up to two links in your bio, which will be displayed at the bottom of the post.

5. You agree to come back and reply to all comments.

HOW TO SUBMIT A GUEST POST?

If you have a post that meets the guidelines above, you can send it to me by email at gnaturalpro@gmail.com

Normally, within 48 hours, I will personally respond to inform you of the acceptance of your post, (or not).

That’s it.

I look forward to your guest post submissions!

The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed in this blog, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page. We do not tolerate SPAM.

Real Talk on Hair Growth

Many African American women have experienced a difficult time growing their hair despite years of effort. There's "something" different about our hair that makes this dream impossible, right?

Wrong!

The whole thing is just a myth that the haircare industry continues to promote, despite the fact that growing black hair is a whole lot simpler than you think.

Some African Americans give up on growing their natural hair and simply wear wigs and weaves.  Others, trying to manage their hair from home, resort to blow drying, curling, straightening, and perming their hair, causing it to become damaged and not grow.

Well, if you are an African American suffering from hair loss, hair thinning, or you just want your hair to grow, here are some steps that you can take to accomplish that.  These tips include ingredients to avoid in your hair care products, vitamins to take, and hair growth products to use. Trust me, with the right vitamins, diet, good products, and proper styling techniques, African American hair can grow at a faster rate than what you may consider to be "normal".

Part 1: Take Vitamins.
The three best vitamins for growing African American hair are:

a) B-complex Vitamin: Vitamins function as catalysts for reactions within the body, controlling the processes of tissue synthesis and aiding in the protection of cells' plasma membranes. Thus, vitamins can be a vital component to growing longer hair. Buy a B-complex vitamin, which consists of eight different vitamins, specifically thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), piroxidine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12), and biotin. All of these vitamins, especially Biotin and Pantothenic Acid, will help your hair to grow faster.

2) Vitamin C: Vitamin C is responsible for the development of healthy collagen, which is necessary to hold body tissues together. A vitamin C deficiency can cause split ends and hair breakage, yet this is easily reversible by increasing your normal vitamin C intake levels. If you do not want to take vitamin C, eat foods such as fresh peppers, citrus fruits, melons, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, and dark green leafy vegetables. All are rich in vitamin C.

3) Vitamin E: In order for your hair to grow, your scalp will need to be in top condition. Vitamin E is necessary to provide good blood circulation to the scalp and creates the perfect condition for healthy hair.

GNatural's GoGo VitaMane line contains all the great vitamins needed for hair growth and energy.  Here are some other goods vitamins that you may want to try: Beta-Carotene, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc, Silica, and Flaxseed oil. You do not need to take them all to meet your hair growth goals or to combat hair loss. Many multivitamins include these minerals, so you don't have to purchase them all; read the product labels.

Part 2: Only Use All Natural Hair Care Products.
Growing long African American Hair Fast requires Quality Hair Care Products with natural oils. African American hair tends to be dry and brittle, to combat this, keep your hair moisturized at least 2 to 3 times per day.   Stop using drugstore shampoos that contain harmful chemicals.  If you want to grow your hair fast, try GNatural's Hair Growth System, it contains a super growth shampoo and TWO conditioners that have rosemary, castor, sage, and many other natural ingredients that promote hair growth.  The GNatural Herbal Product company manufactures hair growth products specifically for African American and Ethnic Hair. (http://tinyurl.com/FamilyBeautySupply).  If you do not like using all natural hair care products, then make sure your products do not contain any of the following ingredients:

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Parabens. These chemicals are used to extend the shelf life of products and have been found in samples (biopsies) of human breast tumor tissues. Other ingredients to avoid include petrolatum and mineral oil. Mineral oil actually limits the scalp's ability to breathe by coating the hair with a sticky, greasy film; ultimately, this will slow your hair growth.

PEGs (PolyEthylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol). PEGs are used to thicken products and are also used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats, to make polyester compounds, and as solvents in the paint and plastics industries. You want to limit your exposure to products with these ingredients. Although is has not been proven 100% accurate, many doctors agree that exposure to excess amounts of polyethylene glycol can damage the kidneys, heart, and nervous system.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Synthetic Colors, DEA, MEA, TEAs (diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, and triethanolmine), and Isopropyl Alcohol. Sulfates, DEA, TEA, alcohols, and colors create skin and scalp irritation. They take away needed oils from the scalp and hair required for Black hair to grow. These ingredients are primarily found in shampoos created to remove oil and build up from individuals with oily scalps and hair that produces ample amount of natural oil, such individuals with caucasian and european hair textures. However, black hair needs the exact opposite.

Part 3: Drink Water!.
The cells in our bodies are full of water. The excellent ability of water to dissolve so many substances allows our cells to use valuable nutrients, minerals, and chemicals in biological processes. We are constantly eliminating water thru our pores (sweating) and our bladder, and it needs to be replenished. Tap water is fine (check with your local water company), but many people prefer bottled water. Bottled spring water contains several vitamins and minerals that aid in hair growth like zinc, which is responsible for cell production, tissue growth and repair, and the maintenance of the oil-secreting glands of the scalp.

Following these steps and taking hair growth stimulating vitamins will enable you to grow longer hair faster. Understand that African American hair growth is determined by several factors; and vitamins alone will not cause your hair to grow to the floor. If you really desire longer hair, make sure that you eat healthy, use good hair care products and styling tips, and--of course--drink plenty of water.


The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed in this blog, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page. We do not tolerate SPAM.