Three Main Reason’s of Hair Loss -Prevention and Action

The three main reasons for hair loss in woman are: low iron, low thyroid and not enough minerals in the diet.

You can’t open a newspaper or magazine without seeing advertisements for hair loss solutions for men, but very few options are offered to women who are losing their hair. Over two-thirds of women suffer hair loss, and hair loss can be quite extreme—from thinning to bald patches. Thank- fully, few women go totally bald like men do, but there is nothing more distressing than watching your lovely locks fall out in abundance. Topical solutions for women rarely reverse hair loss. And the drugs that are available have been predominantly researched in men and do not address the underlying reasons for hair loss in women.

The three main reasons for hair loss in woman are: low iron, low thyroid and not enough minerals in the diet.

Low Iron and Hair Loss

One of the least known causes of hair loss is low iron. You do not have to be anemic to lose your hair. Your doctor may advise you that your iron levels are normal, but we know that low normal levels of iron will cause huge hair loss. Many women after childbirth and women during the perimenopausal years experience heavy periods. Simply being a woman of childbearing age automatically puts you at risk of low iron. Up to 60 percent of women have low iron and it is of ten undiagnosed. Due to higher iron requirements as a result of menstruation, women need 20 milligrams of elemental iron daily yet most of us are only getting 8 mg per day from our diet. Now that we are not eating as much red meat, even postmenopausal women and seniors are suffering from low iron.

Symptoms of iron deficiency may be any combination of the following

1. Skin: dry skin, sensitivity to cold temperature; pale complexion, thin, brittle nails, dull, lifeless hair.

2.Brain: Fatigue, light headedness, headaches, depressed or disturbed mood (anxiety), sleep disturbance.

3.Body symptoms: muscle weakness, aching joints, breathlessness or heart palpitations are, difficulty in swallowing.

Don’t Believe a Normal Iron Test

If your doctor tells you your iron is normal, ask for the test results. There are two iron blood tests: hemoglobin and ferritin. For hemoglobin, the test range suggested as normal by your doctor is 117–160 g/L for women. Yet hemoglobin below 140 g/L will cause significant hair loss. Ferritin, which is your iron storage, has a suggested test range of 15–160 ug/L; but to prevent hair loss and ensure thick hair, your reading should be above 40 ug/L.

In addition, for those who are either on thyroid medication or who have low thyroid but are not on thyroid hormone, there are key nutrients that can help support thyroid function. These include potassium iodide, tyrosine, ashwagandha, gugguls and pantothenic acid.  If you are on thyroid medication, take your medication first thing on an empty stomach and then take this supplement at breakfast. Once the underlying low thyroid is resolved and the TSH drops below 2, hair starts to grow back in six to eight weeks.

Hair follicles contain ferritin. When ferritin stores decline in the hair follicle, it affects the ability of the hair to grow causing non-pigmented
 fine hairs to develop.
  These hairs are often 
mistaken for androgenic alopecia. Low 
ferritin also causes the
 hair to change structure become dry, not hold the curl or color well and break easily. Hair loss can be gradual, a general thinning out over the years, or it can be sudden and startling.

Iron supplements represent another challenge because you will want an iron that does not constipate or cause digestive distress but is effective and fast acting.   Kassandra (Kasia Organics) recommends Premier Research Labs ErythroPro.  ErythroPro features highly bio-available iron (beet and rice bran-derive) that does not promote free radical production such as inorganic (rock) forms or iron (i.e. ferrous fumarate).  Instead, ErythroPro provides key blood factors from natural sources of folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, iodine and more.  Most women notice hair regrowth in as little as six weeks with this type of iron.

Low Thyroid Affects Up to 23 Percent of Women

Like low iron, hypothyroid or low thyroid hormone is an undiagnosed epidemic in Canada. Twenty-three percent of women are currently taking thyroid medication and up to 30 percent of women may also have subclinical or mild hypothyroidism whereby their thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is within the “normal” range of 0.5–5.5 IU/mL yet they still experience symptoms. Thinning hair, hair loss and loss of eyebrow hair are common symptoms of low thyroid. A deficiency in these hormones may also result in some of the following symptoms:

• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight • Sensitivity to cold
• Menstrual problems/heavy periods
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Headaches

It is important that you ask your doctor what your TSH test result number is because although it may be “normal,” research has shown that if it is greater than 2.0 IU/mL, chances are it is low thyroid that is contributing to your hair loss.

Mind your Minerals

It is a rare person who eats the recommended seven to 10 half cup servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Most of us eat only two to three servings a day and, on top of this, the modern lifestyle is rampant with “nutrient robbers”— e.g. stress, medications, the birth control pill, smoking, alcohol— that further deplete our nutritional stores. As a result, deficiencies in the key nutrients required for healthy hair are rampant. Zinc, silicon and selenium, for example, are critical to hair growth yet most people do not get enough.

Everybody should be on a multivitamin with minerals to prevent the nutritional deficiencies associated with not only hair loss but also chronic disease.

Start today with ErythroPro, Thyroven (a thyroid-support formula) if needed, and a great multivitamin with minerals and your hair will start to regain its youthful bounty. It is not normal to look down at the bottom of the tub and see nothing but hair swirling around the drain.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTH AND BEAUTY:  Kasia Organic Salon is a leading pioneer in healthy beauty to fit your lifestyle. Follow us to ammonia-free /MEA/PPD Color, organic facials, and natural and organic products that support your life. –Kassandra, Owner

Resource: Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS, is Canada’s leading women’s health expert and has been researching nutritional medicine for over 30 years.

Only 8 Percent of 500 Sunscreens found Safe/Effective, is YOURS one of them?

....."most people don't get the high SPF they pay for: people apply about a quarter of the recommended amount. In everyday practice, a product labeled SPF 100 really performs like SPF 3.2, an SPF 30 rating equates to a 2.3 and an SPF 15 translates to 2. EWG Senior VP for Research Jane Houlihan likens it to snake oil sales: "Many sunscreens available in the U.S. may be the equivalent of modern-day snake oil, plying customers with claims of broad-spectrum protection but not providing it, while exposing people to potentially hazardous chemicals that can penetrate the skin into the body. When only 8 percent of sunscreens rate high for safety and efficacy, it's clear that consumers concerned about protecting themselves and their families are left with few good options."

Living in a chemical sludge, we do not   understand the health implications of our exposures to complex mixtures of industrial compounds and pollutants. Little is known of most industrial chemicals and the government approves new chemicals for the market using computer models to predict if they are toxic to humans.

Ourselves, our children….

*A recent study found an average of 200 chemicals in umbilical cord blood from 10 newborn babies.

*Two recent studies highlight widespread exposure to the common sunscreen chemical oxybenzone, and associate concentrations of this chemical in pregnant women to lower birthweight in their daughters (Calafat 2008, Wolff 2008).

From Loss to Inspiration

After losing my brother (only 24 yrs.) in a fast 3 months to malignant melanoma skin cancer, I became very aware of the reality of “sun care,” however like most didn’t realize the markets usage of chemical UV blockers that contain a lot of toxic ingredients. More research, more awareness, it didn’t make sense to me to use chemicals to prevent skin cancer only to get another kind of cancer the abundance of chemicals.

After a better understanding in how mineral makeup works for sun protection, years of interest and investigation, I finally decided to pursue my own physical block sun care product.

In honor of my brother, you, a strong mission, and the help of an extremely reputable lab with richly educated chemists, GOOD DAY, SUNSHINE was born!

“WOW!”  Kasia “Good Day Sunshine” SUNSCREEN makes EWG’s “Best!”

We promise our “beautiful health” lotion is void of  toxic preservatives and maintains integrity without sacrificing

Did you know, Informed Beauty?

According to information on The Skin Cancer Foundation,  58 percent of people are concerned today about skin cancer. Yet only 11 percent of people use an SPF 15 or higher daily.”

Leading ingredients to avoid:

• Benzophenone (oxybenzone) – present in most sunscreens; easily absorbed through the skin; causes irritations and allergies; and is a hormone disrupter. Also used in many other personal care products.
• Padimate-O – found to cause DNA damage which can lead to cancer.
• Avobenzone – easily absorbed through the skin; degrades and becomes ineffective within one hour.

• Diethanolamine (DEA) - may lead to cancer causing compounds if the sunscreen contains nitrites; is often not disclosed on sunscreen labels.

Make GOOD DAY SUNSHING A part YOUR AND YOUR FAMILY’S  "Beautiful Health"  lifestyle.

GOOD DAY SUNSHINE -SUNSHEILD-

Active Ingredients

Titanium Dioxide 5%                  Zinc Oxide 5%

Uses: Helps prevent sunburn. Provides true broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Warnings: For External use only. Keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove.

Inactive Ingredients: Triple Purified Water/Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf) Gel,

Vegetable Glycerine, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chrysin, Palmitoyl

Oligopeptide, Hydroxysuccinimide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-

3, Persea Gratissima (Avocado Seed) Oil, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba Seed) Oil, Vittis

Vinefera (Grape Seed) Oil, Vegetable Glycerine, Capric/Capryllic Triglycerides,

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Monostearate,

Cyclomethicone, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E), Cetyl Alcohol, Mica.

Why add the ingredients of GREEN TEA?

Numerous studies now show that green tea is a powerful antioxidant, especially used on the skin.  When applied topically,   green tea is highly capable of   assisting in skin damage reduction and sun radiation.  In short, green tea helps protect your skin’s cells by providing antioxidant protection.

• FREE of chemical laden fragrances…NON-zero….zilch.
• FREE of parabens (harsh chemical or any harsh preservatives)..
• FREE of Xenoestrogens!

• True broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection
• Safe for toddlers and children
• Non-chemical sunscreen
• Moisturizing and healing properties
• PABA-free and fragrance-free
• Light and smooth formulation ideal for daily use and can be applied under makeup
• Formulated for skin sensitive to traditional sunblocks and post-treatment patients
• Formulation of  5% zinc and 5% titanium

Nano vs. Micro Particles, a Difference ....

Research and Developmer, Jane McKay, has written an article in collaboration with Healthy Child Healthy World. Understanding Sunscreen: Micronization and Nanoparticles

When choosing the safest sunscreen, it’s not only important to know which offer the best protection without relying on toxic ingredients, it is also important to understand what the terms “micronization” and “nanoparticles” mean.

Most of us are familiar with the white noses of lifeguards and parents who use non-toxic sunscreens are accustomed to the ghostly pale residue left behind after a good slathering. This whitening, although cosmetically unacceptable to many people, is caused by zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which create a powerful physical barrier to the sun’s rays. Historically, in order to avoid this undesirable result, chemical absorbers were developed to replace these ingredients.

Chemical absorbers are compounds absorbed through the skin, which absorb UV irradiation. These compounds (like PABA, oxybenzone, and benzophenones) have been used for many years primarily because they do not create a whitening effect. Increasingly, scientists have come to realize that they provide incomplete protection against UV-A rays. In addition, some chemical filters degrade after prolonged sun exposure, can irritate sensitive skin, and cause other long-term environmental and health impacts. Coming full circle, manufacturers have returned to the drawing board in order to create a product that uses physical, rather than chemical barriers, but doesn’t clog pores or leave a white residue. By shrinking the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide through a process called “micronization” we can have the best of both worlds: superior non-toxic protection and cosmetic acceptability. Micronization is the process of reducing the average diameter of a solid material’s particles. Usually, the term micronization is used when the particles that are produced are only a few micrometers in diameter. Some newer manufacturers are decreasing the size of the particles even more, into “nanoparticles” that essentially disappear immediately when rubbed onto skin.

A micrometer is one millionth of a meter. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. (One thousand times smaller! It’s difficult to fathom, but in comparison, a human hair’s diameter is 800,000 nanometers). While the larger sized micronized particles appear to be both safe and effective, many questions still linger about the safety of nanoparticles. Preliminary studies seem reassuring, but only a few have been done and none have been done under real life conditions or even on the actual commercial formulations being used (because manufacturers won’t reveal their recipes).

Until more research has been done and some regulations are put in place (right now manufacturers don’t even have to tell you if their product contains nanoparticles), you can rely on watchdog organizations like Healthy Child Healthy World and the Environmental Working Group to let you know your safest options.

Click here for a list of this season’s safest sunscreens.

Kasia Good Day Sunshine has micronized zinc that sits on the skin and is not absorbed.

Why put Organics in your body and then junk on your face?

La Bella Donna Minerale is the safe, "green", organic alternative to traditional make-up ingredients! There are no talc, cornstarch, extracts, mica or fillers found in the La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation, unlike other foundation or mineral make-up brands. They are simply made of only 4 pure rock ingredients that are jet-milled into a fine dust:

The "Rock Stars"

Iron Oxide: many colorful rocks are blended for pigment instead of chemical dyes.

Bismuth Oxychloride: Anti-inflammatory rock that calms and soothes irritated skin.

Titanium Dioxide: Natural sunscreen from rock.

Zinc Oxide: Waterproofing rock, sunscreen, anti-inflammatory, keeps bacteria off the face, soothes redness and irritation.

Unique Benefits of LBD versus Traditional Make-up or Other Mineral Make-up Brands:

- Rock is insoluble in water and since LBD only uses 4 rock ingredients, by science alone it cannot penetrate the water barrier of skin, hence not be absorbed into the pores or bloodstream to pollute or leave traces in the liver.

- Giving your skin the benefits of all day waterproof sunscreen.

- Make-up for Cystic Acne, Rosacea, Discoloration Auto-Immune Disease, Sun damage.

- Medical Make-up Alternative for those undergoing Chemo Therapy, Post Laser Treatment, Post Facial Surgery, and Post Dermatological Treatments.

- Best make-up alternative to protect skin after a Facial. Not only will it not clog your pores, but the dust will protect renewed, clean skin with a waterproof barrier from pollution, dust mites, dirt, etc for when you leave the spa.

- Does not comes off until you remove it with cleanser at the end of the day.

- Health and Wellness alternative to traditional make-up ingredients.

- Best make-up alternative for pregnant women.

-   Complete Make-up Alternative Line