Tag Archives: hair health

Top 5 Vitamins for Luxurious Hair

Not only are vitamins and nutrients essential for a healthy body and bodily function, but they also play a key role in keeping the hair on our heads from shedding. A high-quality multi-vitamin is important and of course, a healthy diet is essential, however, many suffer from nutrient deficiencies due to underlying conditions such as a thyroid problem- both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and a hormonal imbalance. Some people will require additional supplementation to bring us back up to optimal healthy, luxurious hair.
The truth is hair loss can be a complex process that generally involves various genetic, hormonal and even environmental factors. Just like our skin, the hair follicle is subject to the aging process! Sometimes hair loss can even be due to a vitamin deficiency. Fortunately, Modena Hair Institute is here to tell you it can easily be corrected by adding vitamin-rich foods to your diet or supplementation. Some vitamins have antioxidant properties that help ward off factors of hair loss, and some vitamins help the body balance hormone levels – another factor that puts a halt to your hair growth!
Try Dr. Yazdan’s Top Natural Healthy Hair Vitamins

  1. Fish Oil – Oils rich in fatty acids have been used extensively in both animal and human studies to evaluate the effects it has on hair and skin health. Omega-3 fats nourish the hair, support hair thickening and reduces inflammation that can lead to hair loss. In one study, almost 90% of participants reported a reduction in hair loss and an improvement in hair diameter and hair density after a 6-month study of men and women suffering from male and female-pattern baldness.
  2. Zinc – Zinc compounds have been used for decades as a natural way in treating hair loss conditions such as Telogen Effluvium and Alopecia Areata. Zinc is also a potent inhibitor of hair follicle regression, and it accelerates hair follicle recovery. Dr. Yazdan considers zinc one of the most important vitamins for hair growth!
  3. B-Complex – Biotin and Vitamin B5 have been used as natural alternatives to hair loss. Biotin benefits your hair by rebuilding the hair that has been damaged by heat, whether it be exposure to sun, blow drying or ironing. Vitamin B5 supports the adrenal glands, which also help stimulate hair growth.
  4. Iron – Several studies have examined the direct link between an iron deficiency and hair loss, some suggest that an iron deficiency may be related to Alopecia Areata, Androgenetic Alopecia, Telogen Effluvium and diffuse hair loss with women being at a higher risk of hair loss due to an iron deficiency. Load up on your spinach and collard greens ladies!
  5. Vitamin D – Hair follicles are highly sensitive to hormones. In the scientific world, it is well-known that Alopecia Areata is commonly found in patients with a vitamin D deficiency. Direct sun is the best way to absorb your essential daily intake of vitamin D, however, using topical solutions and eating vitamin D-rich foods such as salmon, halibut, whitefish and mushrooms can also increase your vitamin D levels.

To reverse hair loss and increase hair strength, Modena Hair Restoration also recommends adding a hair loss prevention shampoo to your hair care regimen for optimal benefits! GroMD Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo can give you the added boost you need in restoring your hair and confidence! Try it RISK-FREE with a full money back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the results.
If you feel your heading down a slippery slope of unruly hair and bad health, a simple nutrient testing can be performed to reveal any deficiencies in all, those nutrients necessary for hair health!
For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link 
 
 

How often should you cut your hair

Many individuals wonder exactly how far they should go in between haircuts. While it may be easy for men to determine when they need a cut (shorter hair shows unruliness quicker), it’s not as easy for women or those with longer hair. And while men may be able to slip quickly into the barber shop, women often need to know far in advance (before they need the cut) in order to get booked with their stylist. So, how do you determine how often should you cut your hair?
If you ask your stylist, they’ll likely say ‘it depends.’ While this is true information, it doesn’t do much in the way of helping you pre-book an appointment. What ‘it depends’ on is hair goals, length of hair, hair growth rate, and health of hair. Typical time in between cuts ranges from 4-16 weeks. Below we break down some of the factors that influence time between cuts so you can determine the best frequency for you.
Hair goals – if your goal is to grow your hair, you’ll want to go longer in between cuts. This will allow your hair more time to grow in between cuts. But don’t neglect the cuts completely! Your hair needs to be in prime health to grow as it should.
Hair growth – if your hair grows quickly, you’ll need to get it cut more often. If it grows slowly, you can get away with more time in between cuts. Get to know your hair and experiment with different times in between cuts to determine the best for you.
Hair health – if you’re in the process of bringing your damaged hair back to life, you’ll need cuts more often. Its imperative for you to keep those dead and damaged ends to a minimum, as leaving them can spread them up the hair strand. Utilize conditioning treatments in between cuts to help keep your hair in prime health.

Stress’ effect on the body

Are you stressed out? Feeling like there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done? Feeling the pressure at work? Too much on your plate? Dealing with a lot right now?
You aren’t alone. According to a recent study, 77% of people in the US state they feel regularly feel stress. 77%! That’s more than ¾ of everyone living in the US. With work, social, and family demands it’s no surprise.
So now that we know we’re all in the stress boat together, what effect does all of this stress have on our bodies?
Medical research shows that stress has a great impact on your overall health. From common physiological symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, chest pain, fatigue, stomach upset, hair loss, sleep problems, and change in sex drive; to psychological symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, lack of focus, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, and depression. Additional effects include overeating, undereating, and social withdrawal. Probably the most marked symptom of stress is the increase in susceptibility to illness. Stress has been shown to inhibit your immune system, making you ineffective at fighting off sickness.
Luckily, if you get sick of feeling sick all the time, there are some proven ways to manage stress. Finding ways to alleviate stress can have a great impact on your health. Many people have found success with incorporating and making time for physical activity, meditation, yoga, massages, socializing, and setting aside time for hobbies such as reading or listening to music.
Don’t forget to aim for plenty of sleep, a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco, and excessive alcohol and caffeine. If all else fails, schedule a visit with your doctor. There may be an unseen cause for your stress or they may have some insight into treatment.

Do thickening shampoos actually work?

Anyone who’s strolled down the hair care aisle has been bombarded with all of the claims to solve all of your hair woes. How do you know which to choose?
Strengthen your hair; repair split ends; thicken and plump hair; grow hair; soften and add shine; enhance color; rehydrate; the claims are never ending!
While all of these claims sound great, if they don’t actually work, they’re pretty pointless.
The first way to determine if the product’s claim is viable, is to use common sense. Let’s take shampoos and conditioners that claim to repair split ends, for example. Split ends occur when the hair shaft separates due to damage and breakage. While there are ways to prevent split ends (regular trims, keeping ends moisturized) there is no way to stick the hair shaft back together. So, save your money here and invest in a good moisturizing conditioner and regular trims instead.
The second way to determine if it’s a worthy product, is to assess the quality. While it’s not always true in life that you get what you pay for, when it comes to hair care products, it generally is. If a product is actually able to restore luster, strengthen hair at the core, and replenish moisture, they’ve most likely got their hands on a great combination of high-quality ingredients. And if they’ve found the winning combination, they’re unlikely to give it away without making the profit they know they can. So, if you need high grade replenishment, invest in a brand that is tried and true, has a league of followers, and has high quality ingredients.
In the end, the best way to determine the efficacy of a product is to try it out. A thickening wash may work on one individual well and not at all on another. When in doubt – ask your stylist’s recommendation. They know your hair and they know their products.

Do regular trims really help grow hair length?

If you’ve wondered this – you’re not alone. Many individuals choose to forego their hair cut, especially those who are attached to their precious locks. We decided to look into the science behind regular hair trims and find some proof for the claim that trims equal longer, healthier hair.
What we found is that while it may sound counter-intuitive to cut hair in order for it to grow longer, regular trims do in fact give you healthier, longer hair. They do this by eliminating and avoiding split-ends, boosting hair health and growth, and giving the hair a better appearance.
Split-ends
Split-ends occur when the outer layer of the hair, the hair cuticle, becomes damaged and breaks off. As the hair grows longer, the hair strand continues to split, damaging the hair higher up the strand. Despite many hair product’s claims to cure split-ends, there is no cure or proven prevention other than regular trims. Regular trims will keep split-ends at bay, keeping hair looking and feeling great.
Hair growth
While it’s true that hair grows from the root, you won’t get the long hair you desire when your hair is continually becoming damaged and breaking off. When hair strands are strong and healthy, they are allowed to grow longer, rather than breaking off due to the split-ends. This is how those regular trims contribute to longer hair growth.
Hair health
Regular trims will without a doubt help you maintain the health of your hair. And healthy hair means a better look and feel.
Let us know how you keep your hair healthy below!

Do antioxidants grow hair?

We know antioxidants are good for our bodies. But are they good for our hair too? To understand the role antioxidants play in hair growth, we must first understand what they are and how they work.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants fight free radicals which are created as the body turns food into energy. Free radicals are dangerous due to their potential to damage human cells and in particular, genes.
There are many forms of antioxidants. The most common are found in food and are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and magnesium.
Some scientific studies suggest that antioxidants found and consumed naturally through food may promote hair growth. This is believed to be because of antioxidants’ natural nutrient properties that are necessary for healthy body functioning. When the body is healthy and functioning properly, hair follicles are able to flourish and grow healthy, strong hair.
Below is a list of the best natural food sources of antioxidants.
Vitamin A – beef, chicken, eggs, dairy
Vitamin C – cantaloupe, orange, grapefruit, kiwi, papaya, mango, berries, watermelon, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green and red peppers, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cabbage, turnips, spinach
Vitamin E – vegetable oil, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, leafy green veggies, fortified breakfast cereals
Beta-carotene – leafy green veggies, sweet potatoes, carrots, peaches, pumpkin
Selenium – butter, liver, shellfish, tuna, halibut, sunflower seeds, whole grains, brazil nuts, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast
Magnesium – leafy green veggies, bananas, avocados, dried apricots, almonds, cashews, peas, beans, seeds, whole grains
Incorporating more antioxidants into your diet through natural food sources will likely improve your overall health. When bodies are happy, healthy, and getting all the nutrients they need, they are able to nourish and promote secondary functions like soft skin and hair growth.
If you’d like to learn more about medical ways to grow your hair, give us a call today. Here at Modena, we specialize in alternative methods of hair growth as well as hair transplant procedures.

Does aromatherapy really work?

Essential oils have been all the hype recently. Fans of the treatment claim the fragrances eliminate toxins and reduce stress. But does aromatherapy actually work?
Fragrances and plant extracts have been used for thousands of years as part of a natural or homeopathic way to relieve common ailments such as anxiety, depression, stress, colds, and allergies. While aromatherapy has ancient tradition origins, there may be some modern supportive science behind the therapy.
Aromatherapy works via inhaling aromas through the nose. The aromas stimulate smell receptors which are linked directly to the brain’s emotional center. The aromas are meant to stimulate positive and calm emotions. Aromas can be distributed via diffusers, oils, massage, and vapor.
While pleasant smells may improve one’s mood, do they really calm anxiety and reduce stress? Research has been inconclusive thus far, showing benefits in some studies and not in others.
One particular study examined graduate nursing students who inhaled lavender during exams. The lavender proved to reduce stress and anxiety in these students. Another study looked at dental patients with upcoming dental procedures who inhaled lavender. The lavender showed little positive effect. This is believed to be due to immediate stress (exams) versus long term stress (fear of the dentist’s office).
The take home: aromatherapy doesn’t hurt. In fact, it’s been shown to have mood-boosting effects. While the therapy’s long-term mental and physiological ailment-curing abilities aren’t proven, it has been shown to have calming and mood-boosting effects, particularly in time of high immediate stress.
Give aromatherapy a try and let us know how it works for you!

Should you use a 2-in-1 combination shampoo conditioner in your hair?

2-in-1 shampoos sound like a good deal. Not only do you get two hair products for the price of one, you also save time applying the products and save space in the shower.
But, many men and women wonder: does a 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner really work? How effective is it at both cleaning the hair and moisturizing it? By using a 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner are you compromising how clean and moisturized your hair is?
We’ve done the research for you and found answers to the questions you’ve been asking.
2-in-1 shampoos became popular in the 80’s. Hair care brands discovered that individuals were not conditioning their hair as often as they should, so they decided to included conditioning ingredients in their shampoos, hence the 2-in-1 concept.
The question of efficacy of a 2-in-1 shampoo soon followed the trend by chemists who didn’t think it was possible to properly condition the hair when it was combined with a cleaning agent (the cleaning agent would negate the efficacy of the conditioner).
It turns out, hair care manufacturers were able to use a particular conditioning ingredient that isn’t effected or negated by the cleaning agent. Making the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner an effective product at both cleaning and moisturizing the hair.
But how effective is it? There’s only so much a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner can do. Since the shampoo ingredients and conditioner ingredients clash by nature (read: positive vs. negative ion charges) you’re never going to get as good of a conditioning in a 2-in-1 as you would with a separate shampoo and conditioner.
The take-home? If you have the time, money, and space, opt for the separate shampoo and conditioner. Your hair will be able to reap the full benefits of the shampoo and conditioner alike.
If time, money, space, or just convenience is priority, you’ll be fine with a 2-in-1. They get the job done efficiently enough for most.

Should you condition your hair prior to shampooing it?

A new trend called ‘reverse hair washing’ instructs hair washers to mix up their hair washing routine by reversing it. The trend claims to revolutionize the appearance of your hair by giving you the look of a volumizing blow-out but without any of the work, costs, or products.
How does it work?
Those who follow the trend and boast of its success claim the success of the washing method is based on how much of your conditioner is left in your hair after rinsing it out.
The theory is that no matter how well you attempt to rinse your hair after conditioning, there is always some conditioner residue left behind. This residue weighs your hair down and can give the appearance of flat, dull hair.
Reversing the way in which you wash and condition your hair allows you to reap all the benefits of conditioned hair, such as moisturized, detangled, glossy hair, without the residue-leaving side effects.
How do you do it?
Simple. Apparently, just condition. Then shampoo.
We read the reviews and reports from triers of the method, complete with before and after pictures.
So, what did they have to say? Time and time again, the reverse hair washing method was a success. Individuals reported fuller, shinier, healthier looking hair.
They styled as normal, even towel drying, blow drying and brushing, and found hair to feel softer, thicker, and best of all, less frizzy.
Now it’s your turn. Give the reverse hair washing method a try and let us know what you think!

Is salt water good for your hair and skin?

With summer in full swing, we find ourselves spending more time at the pool and beach. With salt-water pools and naturally salty ocean water, you may be wondering if salt water is good for your hair and skin.
Skin
Salt water is full of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are especially beneficial to those with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Salt water has healing properties. Ever heard of taking a salt water bath? Or doing a soak in Epsom salt? Salt water helps to detoxify the skin, treat injuries, and reduce swelling.
Hair
The nutrients present in salt water work well at breaking down your hair’s natural oils. So if you’ve got overly oily hair, salt water can help keep your hair’s oil levels balanced.
Salt water opens up your hair’s cuticle which means damage for colored hair. Salt will cause your color to fade and look dull.
Salt water is dehydrating. Because of osmosis, salt water actually pulls water out of your hair’s strands. This will leave hair feeling dry and dehydrated.
In summary:
Pros – salt water is full of vitamins and minerals, has natural healing properties, helps balance out oily hair
Cons – its dehydrating and damages colored hair
What can you do?
Rinse hair with plain water before taking a dip in the ocean
Use a leave in conditioner before and after spending the day at the beach
Use hair products with SPF to protect your strands from harmful sun rays