Tag: Greenwich Ct

Hats off to the Summer | Alternative Hair Solutions

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Pintrest Hat hair

As summer kicks off what’s a girl to do? We want to look fabulous but we also want to be comfortable. Finally there is a perfect solution. Breathable, lightweight ‘on trend options’ for the warmer weather. With barbecues, pool time and picnics there is no need to stress over your tresses.  Our private studio will show you how simple this and other options can be.

Now you can keep your focus on the fun stuff like making the perfect Lemonade or Potato Salad.

Perfect Potato Salad:

Ingredients:

Directions

  • Prep 10 minutes, Cook 30 minutes and Ready In 40 minutes

  1. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool.
  2. Place eggs in a saucepan, and cover completely with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, and cool.
  3. Peel the eggs and cut around the egg white; keep the yolk whole.
  4. Dice the egg whites and potatoes. Combine in a mixing bowl and add the salad dressing.
  5. Toss the potatoes and egg; crumble the egg yolk on top and serve chilled.

Hats off to the summer, keeping it simple and the perfect potato salad! Call us at (203) 987 – 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com

Grieving Hair Loss

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grieving-woman-350

Embracing hair loss isn’t easy. Grieve, it’s ok, actually it is normal.

I wish I could tell you it was easy. I can’t. What I can tell you is that understanding your solutions makes the process much more manageable. So first and foremost: It’s ok to grieve your hair loss.

We understand. Working with many clients who have had both temporary and permanent hair loss has allowed us to understand and help you through the the process.

Temporary hair loss from chemo or some type’s of alopecia comes with the comfort that we just need to bridge this moment in time.

Permanent hair loss can be more challenging because of the obvious.

In time, it does get easier especially if you have familiarized your self with the multitude of options available to you. For some it can open up a whole new world.  When you think about how much time, money and effort is expended on perfecting your tresses and realize you can have exactly what you want by exploring the different options that are now available.

The next perk is your wig/hairpiece.

With proper care, it will stay the way you purchased it. You just don’t have the maintenance involved with your own hair. Just think, no roots in a few weeks, no grey peaking through, highlights and a haircut that doesn’t grow out. None of the usual upkeep our original tresses require.

The initial outlay of money is sometimes overwhelming to comprehend but if you total up all that you spend throughout the year you will find it pretty much runs about the same costs without requiring the time natural hair can ask of us.

One of the perks many seem to enjoy is the ability to change cut, color or length without the commitment. Many times hair wearers will choose to have a few different looks to enjoy in a moments notice or whenever the mood suits them.

The greatest fear we come across is most do not want hair to feel heavy or hot. With the cap selections today, many wigs (in several different price ranges) are extremely comfortable to wear. You can be as active as you would like when you select the right cap and hair. It’s possible to have a style you can even wear off your face or in a pony tail.

Grieving hair loss is ok, it is actually normal. Then come visit to learn about your options our private salon can offer you with total discretion. For your piece of mind.

After all, your hair is our business and your privacy, our main concern. Call (203) 987-5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com

Hungry for Hair Growth

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There are foods that can help your hair grow faster. If you are playing the “waiting game” and it seems like your strands are growing in slow motion, foods that you eat (or apply) can aid in the process.

According to trained nutritionist (from Harvard and Yale Medical School) Jayson Calton, PHD and licensed nutritionist and fitness chef Mira Calton, CN there are foods that can help your hair grow faster. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • SALMON – Vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids promote a healthy scalp. Healthy scalp equals healthy hair.
  • NUTS/SEEDS – are getting their share of the limelight. Different types have different characteristics. They can be rich in Omega 3, fatty acids, biotin, vitamin E or copper.  For example: walnuts are a source of both essential fatty acids and flaxseed. Almonds have high biotin content. Biotin is a water soluble vitamin of B complex and is a star element which helps keep your hair shiny and lustrous. One cup of almonds contains almost one third of your daily requirement. Sunflower seeds can provide you with an abundance of Vitamin E that enhances blood flow to the scalp promoting faster hair growth. These vitamins also protect your hair against damage from the sun and act as a shield when you venture out.
  • EGGS – not only a source of Omega 3s but also the aforementioned Biotin. Unfortunately, the yoke is where it is contained, so beware if you are the type of person who prefers egg whites only. Too many egg whites can actually block absorption of biotin causing a depletion of the micro nutrient.
  • YELLOW BELL PEPPERS – are loaded with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that strengthens the hair shaft and follicle. Vitamin C boosts collagen that will protect hair from breaking. Citrus fruits and strawberries are also good.
  • SWEET POTATOES – contain beta carotene, the precursor for vitamin A.
  • OYSTERS – rich in zinc which aids in the production of Androgen. Being deficient of the mineral Zinc is a known contributor to hair loss because that contributes to poor scalp conditions.
  • AVOCADOS – they receive a lot of positive press lately; however, they are actually an age old beauty secret. If you apply it topically to hair and scalp, they have the ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Avocados can also become an exfoliator if mixed with a product like sour cream that contains lactic acid. Ten minutes on the scalp can do the trick to help exfoliate dead skin and clean out the buildup on the scalp.

 

In essence, you can eat your way to faster hair growth. Visit our website www.althairsolutions.com or call us at (203)987-5948 Ext 1 to discuss options for you to enjoy as your hair is growing in that will help make an easy transition for you.

Photo credit: Mike65444 via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Bridge the gap of temporary female hair loss

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hair loss option

Hair loss can happen quite rapidly.

Why me? Is a very common reaction to hair loss. Whether hair loss is from stress, chemo, nutrition, over styling, medications, Androgenetic alopecia or an auto immune disease it really doesn’t matter as much physiologically as the initial shock of why me? One day you can have a full head of hair and then the next you notice it is thinning quite rapidly. Knowing your options to bridge the gap is important to reduce the stress that is associated with hair loss.

My personal experience with hair loss was chemo driven however the emotional cycle was not very different then my female friends who have experienced both thinning and total hair loss for different reasons.

I found it helpful to know the human hair growth cycle and that more then 97% of female hair loss is temporary and not permanent. Every one of us both male and female are losing hair every day. One look at our hair growth cycle and we understand that every hair is at a different stage of the growth cycle. Sometimes we simply need to bridge the gap of female hair loss. Wigs and hair pieces are great options.

  1. Anagen (Growing Phase) lasts 2 – 7 years
  2. Catagen (Regression Phase) hair follicle shrinks. Lasts approx 30 days
  3. Exogen (Shedding Phase) resting hair becomes terminal and gradually loosened. Lasts approx 10 Days
  4. Telogen (Resting Phase) Lasts  approx 3 months

If hair enters the resting phase too early, excess shedding and noticeable thinning of hair can occur. Over time the length of the Anagen stage decreases. Hair can become weaker and thinner after each cycle. This is just one of the reasons it is important to have a diet that is rich in specific nutrients to maintain normal, healthy hair growth.

Supplements like saw palmetto can be beneficial to help block DHT.  Having your scalp cleansed with a DHT blocker shampoo is one more tool in you hair loss tool belt. You should see a dermatologist to help you discern if either of these may be helpful in your individual situation.

You may find comfort in knowing that there are many solutions to bridge the gap of your temporary or permanent hair loss. There are non surgical options that are not only painless but they offer instant gratification with a lush, beautiful head of hair that can be either bonded or not. Come visit our private salon to see which option is best for you.

Call (203) 987 – 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com

 

Active Lifestyle Tips

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Young woman with flowers
Young woman with flowers

Facts to consider when wearing hair and maintaining an active lifestyle.

We have often been asked “what wigs will work best for a person who has an active lifestyle”? It is important that you be aware of the characteristics of different types of wigs so that you can make the appropriate choice. Wigs can be an investment  and you need them to serve you well and last. Wigs do deteriorate over time.  You need a breathable wig for sports. If you shampoo it every day because you are active, the life expectancy will be shortened. It is realistic that by time a human hair wig is 9 months old it will need to be repaired or replaced.

 

For Swimming

A human hair wig is porous so it isn’t recommended to swim in.  Not to mention that chlorine and salt are very damaging. As is true with our natural hair, sun oxidizes and fades the color. You can swim in a full silicone cap, but human hair is four times the weight of synthetic hair so the weight of water alone can pull a silicone cap away from the head. If you submerge your head a wig will stretch out if its wet and taut on your head. Your best bet is an inexpensive synthetic piece.

Vacuum Wigs are made with 100% medical grade silicone. They have the ability to pass water vapor through them so they are breathable. Do consider that sweat does accumulate inside the cap if worn for athletic activities so be sure to clean the inside of the cap daily. Use a little mild detergent or wet wipes for hygiene to do so.

If you are wearing a lace front, use waterproof adhesive along the front so it doesn’t lift off when sweating.

If your hair is thinning and you augment that with a topper, you can swim in a topper but again it should be synthetic. Just be sure that if you go underwater, you must secure the topper so that the clips will not pull on your delicate hair. Best hint is to put it on with a wide hairband holding it in place or put it into a messy bun on top of your head.

visit www.althairsolutions.com or call us today (203) 987-5948 ext 1 for more information.

Quick fix for female hair loss

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Female Pattern Baldness

Hair loss in woman can have a major impact on all aspects of life. It is estimated that less than 45% of woman go through life without experiencing some degree of hair loss as quoted by the National Institute of Health (NIH).

It can be hard to be both confident and positive when we experience such physical changes. For men today a bald head is almost a fashion statement. For woman it can be devastating.  Many women find it to be challenging to be themselves in both personal and professional environments. The stress of this situation can have a negative effect on social and professional levels of one’s life.

It has been suspected that stress can lead to even greater hair loss.  We can offer you a quick 5 minute makeover at Alternative Hair Solutions. Learning about your options can have tremendous effects in reducing the stress and helping you regain your confidence.

We are a solutions orientated, private salon with several options to choose from. Each are non surgical. Many times our client is able to leave with one of those options.

We may not always be able to control what happens to our bodies but as woman having both the power and the knowledge about solutions available can put us back in the driver’s seat.

If you or a loved one would like to learn more call (203) 987-5948 ext 1 or visit althairsolutions.com today.

Synthetic Hair or Human Hair, which is right for me?

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human hair
human hair

Synthetic Hair verses Human Hair in both wigs and pieces.

Before I share the options and pros and cons in each direction, my first question to you would be why are you considering alternative hair options?

There is no cookie cutter approach and no one right answer.   Is it because of chemotherapy or other drugs that you may experience thinning or total hair loss which in many cases can be temporary?  Or is it permanent (some medical conditions or different kinds of alopecia’s)? Or is it simply a wardrobe accessory?

Defining how long you will be wearing hair is important.  Human hair wigs or hair pieces last much longer then synthetic options. One good quality human hair wig can out live up to four synthetic wigs depending of course of quality and care.

Synthetic wigs are in most cases less expensive and wash and wear. There is not much styling needed, making it not only quick and easy but also fun. Rain or humidity has little effect on it. The downside is it is not radiant heat durable which means if you like to spend time in the kitchen preparing your favorite pastas and soups over the stove top or opening the oven door; this is definitely not a good choice for you.

Human hair wigs and hair pieces are exactly that.  Just like your own hair it is absolutely beautiful when you spend the time to blow dry and style it after each washing using good hair care products meant for your wig or hair piece. It takes both time and effort to get it looking the way you would like. Rain and humidity is not a human hair wig or pieces friend. Stepping out into the weather can make it look frazzled and will require restyling if you get caught in the elements but it is durable in the kitchen and long lasting.

Answering these few questions will help us help you to narrow down the right hair for your lifestyle. Sometimes the best answer it to own a few different pieces to suite your mood.  When you meet with us for your complimentary consultation you will have the chance to really experience what each type of hair looks and feels like. That is an option that we as a private salon can offer you.  Your time with us is yours alone.

Contact us at www.althairsolutions.com or call 203 987 5948 ext 1 to learn more about what we can offer you or a loved one.

Internet shopping as it relates to hair.

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Hair tweaks for wigs

In this big global world of options, there are times when small, intimate and private just make better sense.  After all I am talking about your hair. When you purchase hair off the internet you need to consider who will service you? There are times when you may need just a few adjustments to a wig or hair piece to customize it for you.

Having a wig that feels too loose will create a feeling of insecurity. When hair fits right you walk differently. You own it. Your confidence exudes. In most cases the only one who can tell it is not your own hair is the person you tell. Total privacy for me was important.

Maybe you want to tweak the color or add a slight bang. Most stylists are not prepared to cut hair that is not rooted into a scalp.  It is very different when it is attached to a mannequin.  You should realize that unlike your own hair it will not grow back. Any changes are permanent changes and many stylists are just not willing to take that risk. Most salons will not service hair that was not purchased through them.

When you shop on the internet for hair it is important to know what the restocking fees are.  Many times it can be found in the small print.  Hair is very personal and varies from manufacturer to manufacturer much like clothing; you may be a size 8 in one designer and a size 4 in another.  If you order a few different sizes you need to first ask what will that cost you to return the ones that are not the right fit.

Every scalp varies. The amount of hair you have underneath verses a bald head makes the fit differ.  Someone who is first losing hair or has hair first growing back will usually benefit by working with a salon whose primary specialty is wigs and pieces.

The internet to me is an awesome resource for information. As a former wig wearer I was unwilling to leave the unknown variables to the World Wide Web. I needed someone who knew me, my condition and what stage of re growth I was at so that I could transition into my own hair growing back.

If you are the type of person who appreciates the personalized service that can come from a private salon then I encourage you to call our salon and book a complimentary consultation to see if we are a right fit for you.

Visit us at www.althairsolutions.com or call 203 987 5948 and speak with our Director of Client Services at ext 1.

Thinning hair and/or total hair loss| Alternative Hair Solutions

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pdfimg10Thinning hair and/or total hair loss (or more formally known as, alopecia) can occur for many reasons. It can affect just your scalp or your entire body from conditions like trichotillomania, when someone pulls and tugs on their hair creating small patches of scalp consciously or unconsciously, which can lead to partial or total hair loss. It’s more common among teens and college students, especially when they are experiencing pressure from school or social interactions.

A zinc deficiency can lead to a direct result of  thinning hair. It’s often associated with hypothyroidism, which is an overlooked cause of alopecia. Thyroid hormones are essential for the body to absorb zinc. It can also be found in foods like cashews, pumpkin seeds, chick peas and spinach, but sometimes it’s necessary to use supplements.

Other key factors that lead to thinning hair and/or total hair loss include heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, or stress; any of those can lead to hair loss or the more formal name alopecia.

Today, stress levels are at an all-time high. Finding better ways to release stress can be helpful.  For example, a good book, exercising, a great massage, a sport, or a hobby is a step in the right direction. Good nutrition is also an important asset for your total body.

For many of us, we don’t even realize when we are internalizing stress. As women, we can be calm, cool, and collected on the outside, but our insides can be a tangled web of emotions that ultimately surface through disease, hair loss, or depression.

Thinning hair and/or total hair loss does not discriminate, regardless of age or gender. There are many different types of alopecia. The usual suspects that can add to your risk factor are family history, age, poor nutrition, stress, or certain medical conditions such as lupus, diabetes, and cancer.

We can control some of the risks of thinning hair and/or total hair loss, but of course, there are several that we cannot. Learning the options that are available to you can provide a source of relief immediately.

For thinning hair, many times a simple clip-on hair piece is all that’s needed. There is also non-surgical bonding for areas of semi-permanent or permanent total hair loss. Wigs either synthetic or human hair are yet another option. Some women choose to just wear a scarf or trendy hat.

Thinning hair and/or total hair loss can either be temporary or permanent; therefore, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as you begin noticing a change in your normal hair, or are experiencing unusually high levels of stress.

Feel free to book a complimentary consultation with us to learn the options available for you or a loved one.  Call 203 987 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com to learn more.

Wig Shopping – Doesn’t Have To Be Devastating | Alternative Hair Solutions

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IMG_2429WIG SHOPPING – Doesn’t have to be devastating

 

Thrust into a sisterhood that I never wanted to belong to, the thought of losing my hair was equally as devastating as those words “you’ve got cancer”! My hair was a testament to my femininity and my sexuality. It was no consolation when flip comments were made that” it will grow back”. I know it was a genuine attempt to minimize the devastation, however, it was futile.

I am a confident women who started the journey demoralized and feeling bad about myself worried that it would be apparent to the world that I was sick.  Then I got a grip on the situation and I realized  that instead of wallowing in self pity, this could be my opportunity to try looks and colors that I had been curious about but was too afraid to try. I no longer had to commit to chopping my hair into those pixies I loved.  If I tried a pixie and I didn’t like it, it only took one fast swipe to change it up.

I had the options of  synthetic  hair which would insure  I’d always look good even when the humidity was at its highest or human hair ( I defy anyone to identify as not being my own) or a combination of both that would give me the best attributes of each.

I created a pinterest board with pictures of me on  what I considered  to be  my best  hair days. I surrounded those pictures with images of everything that even remotely appealed to me because now was my moment of opportunity. Wig shopping does not have to be devastating!

Looking in the rear view mirror now, I can say with certainty that wig shopping doesn’t have to be devastating! It can transform how you feel about yourself! Shopping for it can be distracting fun, thanks to the terrific options available today.

Shopping for a wig is just that… shopping. Turns out I bought 4 different wigs to have options for different times and moods.

I now I fancy myself somewhat of a pro. My tips to anyone buying wigs are to get a comfortable cap. That is what the hair is attached to.  Do not buy a wig from someone who does not measure your head. Find a stylist who is familiar with fitting a wig as there are 5 sets of measurements to a perfect fit. When the wig fits right, you know it immediately, just like when you find that perfect pair of pants!. You feel confident and secure.  NEVER buy a wig that is too tight. It will never look natural or feel good. Most wigs are adjustable to make them bigger or smaller.  If you are getting a lace front that allows you to wear your hair off your face, match the scalp color to your skin tone and once you have bought it have the lace cut in a zig zag pattern close to your hairline.

A personal tip to anyone buying wigs is if you get itchy, a rat tail comb slid UNDER your wig feels amazing! Just be sure it is never used on top of the cap so as not to damage a hand tied cap.

Visit www.althairsolutions.com to book a complimentary consultation or call 203 987 5948