Loving Your Luscious Locks

Kate M. Serrano

 They say the hair is our crowning glory. Some conditions and medications does not only affect the body, they can cause serious damage on the hair too. How the hair looks says a lot about a person’s health. Here are some “hair issues” worth considering and some easy prevention steps.

Dandruff.  Doctors are not sure how we get it but a theory suggests that it may be due to an overgrowth of fungus, stress, weather conditions or obesity. Although the itching and flakes can be quite embarrassing, dandruff is not contagious. Anti-dandruff shampoos may be used to decrease the build-up of dandruff, and there is no right or wrong shampoo for this. You may need to try several dandruff shampoos to see which one works best. If it doesn’t help, it’s time to consult your doctor.

Sun Damage. Too much exposure to the sun can make hair brittle, break and split easily. Worst, it can make it dry as a mop. Hair care products are to be chosen carefully especially for those with thinning hair. It is important to choose a shampoo that provides sunscreen protection. And for days when you need to be out in the sun for long, it doesn’t hurt to wear a hat or bring along an umbrella.

Crash Diets. In extreme cases, crash diets can cause hair damage. Hair needs a good dose of protein and vitamins to stay healthy and often times low calorie diets do not provide the sufficient nutrients it needs. If vitamin deficiency is high, this could result to hair loss. To help keep hair healthy and shiny, your hair food list should consist of salmon, walnuts, spinach, carrots, oysters, whole grains, vegetables and cashew. And the double whammy – anything that is good for the hair is also good for the heart.

Overstyling. You may look like Barbie popping out of a magazine but too much blow drying, ironing, coloring, bleaching and even over-brushing weakens hair. This makes hair dry and dull. It may not cause permanent damage but over-styling may lead to a point where your only option is to cut off your locks and start over.

Hair care may often be neglected in our effort to look good at all times but the formula is very simple. When it comes to hair, doing less leads to a healthier tress.

An Environmental Story of Resiliency and Commitment

By: Jessica Robertson

The U.S. state of California has long been a leader in hydroelectricity production, but in 2013, a major drought dropped the state to its lowest levels of hydroelectricity production in over two decades. But, how did they manage to keep the power flowing without water? The state’s commitment to clean energy and a never-die spirit keep pushing them through with hardly a worry.

            Even though the drought has hit agriculture and water tables hard, the state can lean on its good planning, natural gas, and newly introduced renewable energy sources to keep the lights on. With prior experience in energy crises, California regulations do well to prepare for even the worst-case scenarios; so, spirits are high.

            The boost in renewable energy programs, like solar and wind power and even geothermal energy, has helped ease the burden of the drought. These new initiatives, specifically, have bolstered the energy-generation capacity; the pressure caused by the lack of hydroelectricity in the time of drought has amped up the importance and efficiency of these relatively new projects.  However, sunshine and wind cannot be called upon on a whim; natural gas has stepped in to provide the energy when the renewable resources cannot.

            Recent rain and snowstorms have hinted that the drought may be on its way out. However, the precipitation totals are incredibly lower than average, leaving a long way to go before danger is at bay and before energy costs can remain low. Experts say that even though the recent storms have brought much-needed relief, it may take up to a year to see real recovery. The state is hopeful that despite the drought, if it is here to stay, they can remain committed to clean and renewable energy.