Doctor offers tips for healthy hair and scalp

 

If you've got the perfect African American skin care product, then you've probably been working on the perfect hairstyle to match. Sometimes, women go through some painful processes for their hair, and according to researchers from Henry Ford's Multicultural Dermatology Clinic, some of these procedures can cause scalp problems.

"Hair is an extremely important aspect of an African American woman's appearance," said researcher Diane Jackson-Richards, M.D. "Yet, many women who have a hair or scalp disease do not feel their physician takes them seriously. Physicians should become more familiar with the culturally accepted treatments for these diseases."

Jackson-Richards compiled some tips for African American women to help them avoid developing conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and alopecia, which can lead to hair loss.

First, the doctor suggested allowing two weeks between relaxing and coloring. Next, she said to wash braids or dreadlocks every two weeks, and to limit use of blow dryers and other heated hair styling products to once a week.

Finally, Jackson-Richards said that you shouldn't wear braids too tightly or for longer than three months, and recommended natural hair oils with jojoba, olive, shea or coconut oils.

 

Natural remedies to try on pimples

 

Have you ever been getting ready for a big night out and noticed while applying your African American skin care product that you have a giant zit? Most women would answer yes to that question, since almost everyone gets pimples on occasion. Recently, BecomeGorgeous.com published an article explaining some homemade remedies that might fix the problem.

First, the news source recommended using a mixture of carrots and green tea on the problem spot. Green tea is an ingredient that could also be found in some of the best African American skin care products.

"First steam a carrot until it has a soft texture. Mash the veggie in a medium bowl and add 1 cup of green tea infusion. Mix the ingredients and apply the mixture onto your zits. Leave the paste on for 15 minutes then rinse it off with cold water," according to the information provider.

Next, Become Gorgeous suggested using cooked oatmeal on your skin, which is something that many people have readily available in the kitchen. The news source said to cook the oatmeal and then put it aside to cool, then put it on the pimples and leave it on for 15 minutes.

Shine, a Yahoo! blog recommends using a non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste on pimples to dry them out. However, the information provider warned that this may irritate sensitive skin 

Try pastel lip colors for springtime

 

If the thought of pastel lipstick conjures images of chalky-lipped models from the 1960s, maybe it's time to look again. Today's lip colors are brighter and glossier than they were in the past, making them more Nicki Minaj than Twiggy.

Picking out a color and a finish that suits your skin tone and personal preferences is the hard part.

First, you can choose from glosses, tinted lip balms and lip tints, as well as traditional, richly-pigmented lipsticks. While the latter may be perfect for nighttime occasions, the other varieties allow you to sport eye-popping color during the day.

Love that pastel pink shade that Minaj sports but don't enjoy how it looks against your skin? Look for different undertones. For instance, if violet isn't a flattering hue, maybe a coral tone will accentuate your skin color better, as these have opposite base tones.

Go ahead and experiment with new colors. Using different shades of lipstick with your tried-and-true skin care for black women may help you put your best face forward while staying on trend.

 

A consistent skin care routine may lead to a bright, even complexion

 

Some women have a tendency to try out different products often, switching their brand of cleanser or moisturizer as often as they change their outfits. While this may seem like a good way to determine what products work the best, it can also cause some problems.

First, certain types of skin care for black women – especially fade creams for dark spots – take time to provide full effects. Natural tone balancing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, are gentle, which means that while they thankfully won't wreak havoc on the skin, they may also take a while to fully even out complexions.

The same goes for cleansers and moisturizers. People with skin conditions like acne may want to be especially careful about switching these products continuously, as it can cause breakouts or inflammation of the skin.

Once ladies find their perfect skin products for black women, they should stick with them even past the point when they see results. Continuing use of these creams and potions may help keep discoloration at bay and promote a glowing complexion.