Healthy Hair Tips for Winter

We all want healthy, glossy Hair throughout the year, but during winter when it all gets a little colder we need to give it that extra bit of TLC.

Take extra care of your roots: Avoid putting products like conditioner, wax or gel directly onto the roots of your hair. This will clog the pores and hair follicles, making it difficult for hair to grow as it normally would.

Be product wise: In the winter months you should opt for a gentle shampoo that won't strip the hair of much needed moisture. A deeper conditioner should then be used to protect the hair and prevent damage from extreme weather or central heating.

Stock up on protein for the winter months: Hair is made up of Keratin, a protein, so embarking on a protein high diet can keep hair shiny and strong. Incorporate meat, fish and eggs into your diet where possible.

Keep it natural: Many women suffer from flyaway or frizzy hair in the winter months and prefer to dry their hair before venturing out in to the cold. Try to keep the use of straighteners and hair driers to a minimum, as intense heat can actually traumatize the hair. Over a long period, if you continue to straighten or curl your hair regularly, you will make the hair brittle and prone to breakage, contributing to the overall weakening of each individual hair. When you combine this with harsh winter weather, the hair can become very dry and will look and feel unhealthy. Avoid using hair dyes regularly as well, as these can cause long term damage by drying out the hair and starving it of its own vital nutrients.

Don't overheat it: In the winter there is nothing better than a hot bath or shower, but this could actually be detrimental to your hair. It is always best to wash your hair with warm or cool water, rather than very hot water, as this will prevent trauma to the hair.

Gently does it: When your hair is wet, avoid rigorously brushing it or attacking the knots, as this can cause the hairs to break. Try not to scratch the scalp too, as this can cause the scalp to become dry and to flake. It can also damage the hair from the root, which could curtail growth.

Wear a cap: If you enjoy a swim in a heated pool during the winter months, try to remember to bring a swimming cap. Chlorinated water has been found to damage the hair if the hair is exposed to the chemicals within the water over long periods of time, so try to protect it by simply popping a cap on.

Keep calm: Don't let the stress of the holidays get the better of you. Sustained periods of stress can lead to a change in hormonal balances, which can pave the way for hair thinning or patterned baldness. Stress also leads to the build up of acid free radicals and this can contribute to gradual loss of hair. Try to incorporate time away from stressful situations or environments into your regime.

Act on loss: If you suffer with hair loss, the best thing to do is to consult a hair loss specialist. At Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness, our team of hair loss specialists will be able to analyze your hair and assess what is causing it to thin or fall out. Unlike in men, hair loss in women is most commonly caused by some form of underlying health condition, such as anemia.

Have Questions?  Contact Ricky at 713-623-4247 today!

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

1. Salmon
Besides being rich in protein and vitamin D (both are key to strong hair) the omega-3 fatty acids found in this tasty cold-water fish are the true superstar. Your body can't make those fatty acids, which your body needs to grow hair. Omega-3s are also found in cell membranes in the skin of your scalp, and in the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated.
Other options: If salmon doesn't thrill you, you can also get essential fatty acids from fish like herring, sardines, trout, and mackerel, as well as avocado, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts (see below for more wonderful things about walnuts.)

2. Walnuts
These are the only type of nut that have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. They're also rich in biotin and vitamin E, which helps protect your cells from DNA damage.
Other options: Try using walnut oil in your salad dressing or stir-fry instead of canola or safflower.

3. Oysters
Oysters are rich in zinc, a lack of which can lead to hair loss (even in your eyelashes), as well as a dry, flaky scalp. Three ounces has a whopping 493% of your daily value. You can get some zinc through fortified cereals and whole grain breads, but oysters can boast a good level of protein too.
Other options: Get your fill of zinc with nuts, beef, and eggs.

4. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great source of the antioxidant beta carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. It also helps protect and produce the oils that sustain your scalp, and being low on vitamin A can even leave you with itchy, irksome dandruff.
Other options: Carrots, cantaloupe, mangoes, pumpkin, and apricots are all good sources of beta carotene.

5. Eggs
A great source of protein, eggs are loaded with four key minerals: zinc, selenium, sulfur, and iron. Iron is especially important, because it helps cells carry oxygen to the hair follicles, and too little iron (anemia) is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women.
Other options: You can also boost your iron stores with animal sources, including chicken, fish, pork, and beef.

6. Spinach
The iron, beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C in spinach help keep hair follicles healthy and scalp oils circulating.
Other options: Try similarly nutrient-rich dark, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard.

7. Lentils
Tiny but mighty, these legumes are teeming with protein, iron, zinc, and biotin making it a great staple for vegetarian, vegans, and meat eaters.
Other options: Toss other beans such as soybeans (the young ones are called edamame) and kidney beans into your soup or salad.

8. Greek yogurt
Cruise the dairy aisle for low-fat options such as Greek yogurt, which is high in hair-friendly protein, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid -- an ingredient you'll often see on hair care product labels), and vitamin D. Emerging research links vitamin D and hair follicle health.
Other options: Cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, and skim milk also fit the bill.

9. Blueberries
Exotic super fruits may come and go but when it comes to vitamin C. C is critical for circulation to the scalp and supports the tiny blood vessels that feed the follicles. Too little C in your diet can lead to hair breakage.
Other options: Kiwis, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and strawberries.

10. Poultry
This everyday entree is extraordinary when it comes to protein, as well as hair-healthy zinc, iron, and B vitamins to keep strands strong and plentiful.
Other options: Lean cuts of beef are another good source of lean protein.

Looking for other tips or products for healthy hair?  Contact our Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness team at 713-623-4247, and we'd be more than happy to help you!

Scientists A Step Closer to Treating Baldness

Scientists have moved a step closer to finding a treatment for baldness in men and women with the discovery that it is possible to grow new hair follicles from human skin cells. The new test results are the first breakthrough in 40 years of research into finding a way to regenerate the structures in the skin that cause hair to grow and could lead to radically different therapies for hair loss. Scientists have struggled for decades to to replicate human hair follicles in the laboratory, but the new techniques prove they can be stimulated to grow in skin tissue and made to produce hair shafts.

The researchers claim that instead of the current method of transplanting hair from another part of the body, patients' own skin could be used to produce an essentially never-ending supply of hair follicles for transplant operations.

One of the study's lead authors, Professor Angela Christiano of Columbia University said, "This approach has the potential to transform the medical treatment of hair loss. Current hair-loss medications tend to slow the loss of hair follicles or potentially stimulate the growth of existing hairs, but they do not create new hair follicles. Neither do conventional hair transplants...Our method, in contrast, has the potential to actually grow new follicles using patient's own cells."

Great Tool for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Have you or a loved one experienced a health crisis? If so, you know how difficult it is to manage your doctor's appointments, treatment and communicate with family and friends.

CaringBridge is a non-profit organization which offers free personalized websites to people facing a serious medical condition or hospitalization, undergoing medical treatment and/or recovering from a significant accident, illness, injury or procedure.

It functions similar to a blog and allows family members and friends to receive consistent information via a single website, and eliminates the need to place and receive numerous telephone calls or individual emails.

Visitors are invited to view each individual website and can read updates on a patient's condition or post their own messages of support and encouragement.

The site also offers a Support Planner which is a calendar that helps family and friends coordinate care and organize helpful tasks, like bringing a meal, offering rides to appointments or taking care of pets and other needs.

Each website is password protected to ensure a space for personal and private conversations and the service is free of charge.

As part of our goal to educate our clients in their mastectomy, hair loss or lymphedema needs, our team will help you set up convenient appointments that meet your busy schedule. That's why we are open 6 days a week, and can even arrange home or on-site visits.

To schedule an appointment, call 713-623-4247 today!

I suffer from Trichotillomania, or Trich. My hair pulling has caused bald patches on my head. Is there some sort of hair loss solution that you can recommend for my condition?

Trichotillomania is a disorder where there is an irresistible desire to pull out one’s hair. At Ricky Knowles Hair & Wellness, we get calls every week from a person who has trich. 

Our team has created a safe and private environment for our clients.  We strive to be a part of your recovery, working in tandem with you to boost your confidence and help you reach your goal to stop hair pulling.

As problem-solvers, we use a specialized medical adhesive to bond hair to the head to cover bald spots.  By using this unique bond, the new hair stays on for a full month, ensuring that you can return to a normal lifestyle and enjoy various activities such as swimming without the worry of the new hair detaching.  

Clients can wash their new hair, blow it dry, and even use a curling or flat iron.  By covering the “hot spots” with hair that looks and feels natural, it helps our clients feel as if the new hair is a part of them, and gives them time to gain the confidence and strength to face their triggers.

Our trich hair replacement process allows our clients to take the steps necessary to return to a normal life.  We are so proud of our Trich clients.  They are smart, successful, beautiful and strong! 

Contact us at 713-623-4247 to find out how we can help you or a loved one find a solution to stop hair pulling.

I was just diagnosed with breast cancer and am terrified about losing my hair during chemotherapy treatment! How can Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness help me?

When a woman is diagnosed with cancer her world is rocked off its axis.  And frequently treatment involves surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, which can result in hair loss.  Often women find hair loss from chemotherapy treatment more emotionally devastating than the diagnosis of cancer itself.

At Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness, we set ourselves apart from other traditional wig shops because we are in the hair duplication business.  We provide a supportive and discreet environment for all of our clients; hair loss, mastectomy or lymphedema clients.  Our dedicated team will help guide you through your hair loss by:

• educating you about the effects of chemotherapy and when to expect hair loss to occur
  
• verifying and billing your insurance
  
• assisting you in choosing the right cranial prosthesis for your lifestyle
  
• prepping your new hair for delivery
  
• serving as your extended support system throughout the whole process

When a client is faced chemotherapy hair loss, we ask them to immediately come in with their cranial prosthesis prescription before chemotherapy treatment begins, for a complimentary consultation.  During this consultation we will discuss all of your options to help you stay confident during your temporary hair loss.

We will then educate you about the different types of wigs (human hair wigs and synthetic hair wigs) and help you decide what hair loss solution will work best for you to give you the most realistic duplication of your natural hair.

All of our consultation rooms are private and are equipped with the best salon hair styling equipment available.  A team member will explain the process of when hair loss will begin and most importantly when your natural hair will regrow.

If you choose a human hair wig, Ricky Knowles, our internationally-renowned wig stylist will color, and hi-light the hair.  Synthetic hair wigs, cannot be colored or hi-lighted, but there are many shades and hues available.

Since we assist many women and men during their chemotherapy treatment, we've become personal cheerleaders, empowering our clients in their individual fight against cancer.

Many clients will request to have us shave or cut their hair short, so that they are in charge of their hair loss. At this point, a RNHW team member will teach you how to care for your scalp and fit you with your new hair and cut and style the new hair.  After the finishing touches are completed, we will even demonstrate scarf tying methods and show you our selection of stylish turbans and hats.

We stand by our methods and will deliver a final product that will make you feel confident in your new hair.  Since our goal is to duplicate your natural hair and style, our clients look good and feel good with Ricky Knowles Hair & Wellness by their side!

For more information about our line of natural and synthetic wigs, or to schedule a free consultation, call us at 713-623-4247.

Protect Your Skin During Radiation Treatment

Breast cancer patients looking to protect their skin from burning after repeated radiation therapy treatments can now find a cream that spreads easily over compromised skin when they visit Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness in Houston Texas for help with hair loss during treatment.

"We are excited to carry My Girls Skin Care Cream because we’ve worked with the American Cancer Society’s Look Good, Feel Better workshops and have seen how it benefits radiated skin when undergoing repeated treatments for breast cancer. It’s a natural fit with our mission to provide the very best products for our customers." Added Ricky Knowles, who is world renowned for his capabilities in the area of hair replacement as a result of medical conditions and chemotherapy.

Due to an evidence-based study on topical agents conducted by the Oncology Nursing Society in 2011, many radiation oncologists and clinicians are aware of the protective benefits of calendula, a key ingredient in the plant-based, fragrance and dye-free My Girls Skin Care Cream.  My Girls Skin Care Cream is sampled at more than seventy hospitals and radiation treatment centers in the U.S. as a result of breast cancer patients using it with successful results.

Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness is the first retailer of its kind in Houston, Texas to stock My Girls Skin Care Cream locally for patients. Radiation oncologists and clinicians like it because it helps patients avoid treatment delays associated with radiation burns but also because its’ non-greasy and non-staining creamy texture spreads easily over compromised, burned skin.

“Our patients love My Girls Skin Care Cream.  They say it feels wonderful when applied to the affected skin areas and helps so much with the healing process.” Lynn Vache', Chief Therapist, Yavapai Regional Medical Center.

My Girls Skin Care Cream is formulated in Hungary and distributed by Radiant Sun, a company launched in 2008 to help people maintain a healthy appearance during and after treatment for cancer.

To find out more about protecting your skin during radiation treatment, contact Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness at info@hairandwellness.com, or call 713-623-4247.

Summer Wig and Hairpiece Tips - Look Haute, Stay Cool!

Whether you’ve lost your hair from chemotherapy treatment or from a medical condition, at Ricky Knowles Hair & Wellness, located in Houston, Texas, we know the importance of protecting the skin on your head while keeping you comfortable during the summer.

Stay Hydrated
The most important thing to remember is to keep hydrated. Wigs and hair pieces are not air conditioned so the long hot summer days can make even the most comfortable wigs and pieces miserable and hot.

With that in mind, you will definitely sweat more as the mercury rises, so drinking plenty of water will keep you from dehydrating.

Protect Your Wig/Hairpiece

With the sun hot and bright, it is essential to keep your hair hydrated.  By using moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to clean and condition your hair you will protect it from the sun and prevent the fibers from drying out.

I recommend Biomega Moisture Shampoo, Moisture Conditioner and Moisture Mist Leave-in Conditioner.  The Biomega hair care line is the first system designed to replenish and replicate hair’s natural oils with lightweight Omega-rich oils and nourishing plant extracts, delivering the perfect protection for your hair and scalp.

When at the pool or beach this summer there are 2 must haves in your beach bag:  1) a leave-in spray conditioner and 2) a brush.  Using a leave-in conditioner spray will help condition the scalp and hair, while preventing tangling.

The best thing you can do for your hair after swimming in salt or chlorinated water is to rinse well with fresh water, then saturate your hair with a leave in conditioner.

Don’t Forget Your Scalp!
If you are undergoing chemotherapy and have lost your hair, it is a must to use sunblock on any skin exposed to the sun. It is not recommended to go outdoors without covering your head. Sun exposure and certain drugs used during chemotherapy can cause hyper pigmentation, so be sure when you are not wearing your wig, to protect your scalp with a large brimmed hat, or a scarf.

Accessorize
If you're in a wig that is removable make sure to keep a light weight head covering with you in your purse or in your car.  Scarves, turbans and hats provide nice protection from the sun and can be a trendy alternative to wearing your wig outdoors or even as an accessory to your wig.  If you have a long-haired wig, remember to pull it into a pony tail or braid so that your neck can catch a cool breeze!

For more tips, or to get more information on our line of wig care products and accessories, contact our world-renowned wig specialist Ricky Knowles, at ricky@hairandwellness.com