Best Hair Extensions of 2011: UltraTress

UltraTress: The Very Best and Safest Hair Extensions for You



With UltraTress hair extensions, you can get a gorgeous, natural-looking head of hair in less than two hours.

The best salons and stylists around the world choose UltraTress hair extensions for their clients. These top-quality extensions are created from hand-selected 100 percent human Remi hair. They are easy to apply and offer customers the flexibility and beauty that they desire. UltraTress is our choice for best hair extensions of 2011.

Hair Extensions: The UltraTress difference
 
Like other hair extensions, UltraTress can lengthen your hair; however, UltraTress hair extensions can also be used to add volume to thinning hair, as well as color, highlights or lowlights. Whatever look you are trying to achieve, you can do it with UltraTress.

A full head of UltraTress hair extensions can be applied in as little as two hours, while other hair extensions can take eight hours or more. In addition, the application techniques used with UltraTress extensions are much less traumatic to your existing hair.

"UltraTress offers three different types of extensions attached by unique methods," says Doug Spike, business development consultant at On Rite. "Regardless of your needs or budget, they have the right hair extensions for you."

Types of UltraTress hair extensions
 
"UltraLinks extensions are perfect for adding small quantities of hair," says Spike. With these links of 100 percent Remi human hair, you can add length, volume, color or texture without glue and heat. UltraLinks are also easy to remove and can be reused.

For length and styling flexibility, you can't go wrong with UltraStrands extensions. These hair extensions provide a very natural appearance. "They are applied in small quantities using a heat-activated adhesive," explains Spike.

For a full-head of extensions in about two hours, UltraTress II is the answer.

"The advantage of UltraTress II is that you can cover a wide area without much time in the chair," says Spike. With UltraTress II, the hair is placed higher on the scalp and temples, allowing you to add length and volume in all directions using its unique technologically advanced method of application.

UltraTress hair extensions for thinning hair
 
For those experiencing thinning hair and hair loss, UltraTress extensions are the perfect solution. They can be applied to areas of the head (such as high up on the temples and up to the anterior midscalp) where traditional extensions can't. Because of this, amazing results and fullness can be achieved. Plus, the application techniques are much more gentle and less damaging to existing hair.

With some hair extensions, you can sit at the salon all day long, and when you come out, you still aren't satisfied with the results. In fact, many have given up on the idea of extensions altogether because of the needed time commitment and the ultimately underwhelming results. No one wants to waste time and money, but unfortunately that has become all too common. UltraTress, however -- unlike many other hair extension solutions -- reliably produces the desired results.

With UltraTress, you can get full, long, natural-looking hair in a fraction of the time it takes to apply typical hair extensions. Whether you are looking for longer hair for a special occasion, want to try out a new glamorous look, or need to add volume to your thinning hair, UltraTress offers a variety of options to suit your needs.

Hair Loss Treatment -- Laser Hair Therapy

As a hair loss treatment, low-level Laser Hair Therapy has been proven to be effective in treating thinning hair and hair loss in its early stages in both men and women.



The key to avoiding hair loss is not to ignore it, says Shelly Beatty, owner and hair loss consultant of StyleMakers Salon in Fort Worth, TX, who says there is much that can be done if hair follicles are still alive. "Once follicles are dead there is nothing you can do to bring them back to life, so if you notice changes in hair growth, thinning or fall-out, don't wait to see a doctor and a hair loss specialist!" Using low-level laser hair therapy can give lagging hair follicles a boost and it can work in conjunction with other treatments like DHT blockers such as Propecia and topical shampoos as well as topical minoxidil you may be considering or already using, for even more positive results. Typically you'll want to check with your primary care physician and a dermatologist to determine why you're losing your hair first, because this therapy works only for certain hair loss conditions.

Is laser hair therapy for me?

• Have you just recently noticed hair fall-out or changes in hair health?
  
• Are you experiencing age-related hair loss due to excess DHT?
  
• Are you using hair care products to remove DHT?
  
• Are you currently taking Propecia (finasteride) or using Rogaine (minoxidil)?
  
• Are you on any medications that could be causing temporary hair loss?
  
• Can you afford the time and money for weekly treatments?
  

How does laser hair therapy work?
 
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, low-level laser hair therapy is a viable way to target hair loss early. It can be administered through a hand-held unit or a full headed laser you might find at a hair loss clinic or studio. This hair loss treatment has been approved by the FDA to promote hair growth in males only with male pattern baldness who have Norwood Hamilton Classifications of I to V. The unit features diodes and LED lights that distribute low-level laser light to the scalp.

Because hair is meant to fall out and re-grow from the roots, when follicles begin to shrink and degenerate, the hair does not grow back and subsequently, hair loss occurs. Studies showed that the laser light therapy, when used on a regular basis can strengthen and regenerate shrinking follicles to grow again. The laser light increases blood flow to the scalp and jump-starts hair follicles. This slows down hair loss and in many cases is said to reverse the degenerative cycle and stimulate a live follicle to produce more, thicker, stronger, healthier hair.

What can I expect from laser hair therapy?
 
Experts agree it is key to find a hair loss professional to advise you in this treatment and/or administer it in the salon. Depending upon your reasons and amount of hair loss, you will most likely visit your salon 1-3 times a week for a treatment. But it does not work instantaneously, cautions Beatty. "Don't expect a full head of hair in 8 weeks -- the follicle needs time to produce new hair, exit the scalp, and grow to a measurable length before you will notice results. Usually you can see results in about three months with significant results in about 6 months," explains Beatty. "That's why we take close-up photographs of the hair loss area before the treatment and again every three months so you can see the improvement."

If your hair loss is severe experts agree that using low-level laser hair therapy will work best in conjunction with other treatments, like Propecia for men. Suggests Beatty, "if your hair loss is age-related and you are producing DHT that is attacking follicles, I recommend using hair care products that remove and inhibit DHT from affecting follicles, so they can better benefit from the laser treatments."

Complications of laser hair therapy
 
If your hair loss was temporary, a medical side effect or some other hormonal reason that was resolved, low-level laser hair therapy will re-grow hair faster and healthier. But, cautions Beatty, if your hair loss is progressive and you discontinue laser therapy your hair loss will revert to what it would have been if you had not done any treatments at all.

Also, when utilizing laser therapy devices, "More is NOT better!" cautions Beatty. Also low-level laser hair therapy will NOT work if you are losing hair due to chemotherapy or experiencing alopecia areata or have had extensive hair loss for more than five years.

The bottom line on laser hair therapy
 
The best results are obtained when you work with a hair loss specialist to devise a plan specific to your type of loss that includes evaluating results so expectations are realistic.

"For the best results, look for a program that offers in-salon sessions with a powerful "standing" laser machine -- partnered with a high quality hand-held laser with adequate strength for at home use", says Beatty. "We carry a handheld laser that has 9 diodes and cost approximately $500 to $600. "The standing one I use in my salon is much more powerful with 92 diodes."

The Science of Male Pattern Baldness

Learn Specific Causes and Factors of Male Pattern Baldness

The predictable pattern of men's hair loss depends on your genetic predisposition to a pattern of events that can affect your hair follicles as you age.

The most common cause of hair loss in men is clinically called androgenetic (also androgenic) alopecia, which is also referred to as male pattern baldness. In their recent paper "Update on Pathogenesis, Genetics and Medical Treatments of Patterned Hair Loss," published in the November 2010 issue of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, coauthors Dr. Eric Schweiger and Dr. Robert Bernstein reviewed the major advances in the genetics of men's hair loss over the past decade, as well as our understanding of how it is caused.

In Caucasians, 30 percent of males over the age of 30 and 50 percent of males over the age of 50 are affected by male pattern hair loss. Simply stated, hair loss in men increases with age and occurs when more hairs fall out than are replaced by regrowth, depending on genetically preprogrammed hair follicles.

Male pattern baldness is caused by three factors: genes, hormones & age

Common baldness cannot occur without the presence of specific inherited genes (androgen receptors) that cause hair follicles to be more susceptible to specific hormonal changes as men age. Testosterone, the same male hormone (androgen) that causes acne and beard growth at puberty, can also signal the beginning of baldness. As a man ages, a commonly occurring enzyme called type II 5-alpha- reductase increases, and it converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) when testosterone enters a hair follicle. DHT attaches to androgen receptors in the hair follicles and causes male hair loss by shrinking the hair follicles and shortening the growth phase (anagen) of the hair growth cycle, producing progressively shorter, finer hairs (vellus hairs). This sensitivity to DHT depends on one's genetics and is present mainly in hair follicles on the front, top and crown of the scalp (not the back and sides), causing the predictable pattern of male progressive hair loss described by the Norwood-Hamilton Classification. Eventually these vellus hairs disappear and never grow back again, resulting in baldness.

The review found that men who are genetically deficient in type II 5-alpha-reductase do not experience male pattern hair loss. In addition, treatment with the prescription medication finasteride (brand name Propecia), a selective inhibitor of type II 5-alpha-reductase, slows the progression of male pattern hair loss and produces regrowth of hair in up to 66 percent of men. In men who are experiencing male pattern hair loss, there is an increased amount of type II 5-alpha-reductase, so there is an increase in the formation of DHT.

New studies have been looking into what other genetic factors may be at play and have found that differences in particular sections of the X chromosome also were associated with androgenetic alopecia in men.

The diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness

The diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia in men is made by observing a "patterned" distribution of hair loss using the Norwood-Hamilton Classification and confirmed by observing the presence of miniaturized hairs in the areas of thinning. This miniaturization, which is described as the progressive decrease of the hair shaft's diameter and length, can be observed using a densitometer, a handheld instrument that magnifies a small area of the scalp where the hair has been clipped to about 1 millimeter in length.

When the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia is still uncertain, further diagnostic information can be obtained from a hair-pull test, a scraping and culture for fungus, a microscopic examination of the hair bulb and shaft, and a scalp biopsy. A dermatologic consultation is warranted whenever the cause of hair loss is unclear.

Genetic testing may predict male pattern baldness

The HairDX genetic screening test is used to predict, prior to the onset of symptoms, whether a man will experience pattern hair loss. The test is sold to doctors in a kit and administered by a simple cheek swab. It detects the presence of eight specific variants in the androgen receptor (AR) gene that are found on the X chromosome. Dr. Schweiger points out that no specific "baldness gene" has been identified with certainty. "I think the test has probably identified a predictor of hair loss, but not the only predictor. There is science behind the test and some published research studies; however, the longitudinal, larger studies have not been done, because this testing procedure is just too new."

Any genetic testing should be performed under a doctor's supervision so that it can be put in the context of a careful history, a physical examination and a densitometry hair evaluation.

"Right now, we predict future hair loss based on follicle miniaturization, using advanced microscopic equipment," says Dr. Schweiger, "and I advise a man to do this at around age 25. If someone presents with more than 25 percent miniaturization, then it's time to start a hair loss prevention regimen."

The Definitive Hair Loss Treatment

Protect Yourself From Consumer Fraud In the Hair Loss Treatment Industry



That title got you, didn't it? If you wish you could just wave a magic wand and get your hair back, read on to protect yourself from consumer fraud in the hair loss treatment industry.

When your hair loss becomes apparent to you, it can suddenly become the focus of your life. You can feel desperate for any kind of cure or promise that will grow your hair back. But that's not a realistic expectation, is it? When Roy Baxter, a 37-year-old businessman, began to notice the bald spot on the back of his head, it was almost too late. His scalp was showing through, and his hair had apparently been thinning for several years before he was aware of it. After going to the doctor, he learned that his male pattern baldness was permanent and progressive and that once the follicles were dead, they couldn't be brought back to life. And that's the truth Roy had to face.

While browsing around online, Roy found lots of "cures" and solutions to his hair loss, but he didn't know which ones were proven treatments and which ones were not. So, how do you tell the difference? And how does the "un-approved" hair loss treatment industry make its billions of dollars each year? Well, millions of Americans experiencing hair loss are absolutely desperate for a cure, despite the facts. And many hair-loss-"cure" Web sites and products seem plausible � so, like Roy, you might be tempted to click the order button. But there are many ways to tell the real products from the fakes if you know where to look.

• Get the facts: The Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises that education is power against fraud and can help you make well-informed decisions before you make a purchase. Get a medical diagnosis from a doctor for your hair loss; then read up on how your specific type of hair loss can be treated. Visit a hair loss treatment professional and talk to others who have your type of hair loss to see what works. Remember the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
  
  
• The truth about before-and-after photos on hair loss Web sites: It's extremely difficult just by looking at a picture to know the circumstances of any particular client's case or whether you would experience the same results, explains Dr. Robert M. Bernstein, M.D., F.A.A.D., clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University and hair transplant surgeon and director of Bernstein Medical Hair Restoration in New York City. A better way to gauge results of a specific hair loss treatment studio or doctor who has before-and-after pictures on a Web site is to go in person for a consultation and ask for the phone numbers of current or past patients in order to speak with them. Many companies that use identical products or procedures may use that supplier's before-and-after photos, and that's why they are the same on different Web sites. Ask where the photos come from and who did the work.
  
  
• FDA approval: Approval by the Food and Drug Administration is a helpful benchmark because clinical studies that prove results must be completed before a company may make a treatment claim. Confusion arises because with the FDA approval of the generic drugs Minoxidil and Finasteride as being effective in halting the hair loss process, some companies will claim that any inclusion of these ingredients � in any form or amount � enables them to make the same effectiveness claims. Any other products (aside from the brand names Rogaine and Propecia) that do not have this exact FDA approval may not work and have not been tested or proven to produce the hair-restoration results they are claiming.
  
  
• Promises, statements and claims: The FTC advises that you steer clear of any products making all-encompassing "cure" claims, especially if they are not FDA-approved. Ultra scientific jargon or terminology is specifically designed to make you think the product will "cure" your hair loss. Ditto for testimonials and undocumented case histories. Watch out for these marketing tactics.
  
  
• Shady payment requirements: "Limited-time offer," "Hurry," Advance payment required" and "No-risk, money-back guarantee" are all attempts to make you quickly click the payment button, cautions the FTC. Resist the pressure to purchase on the spot and take your time to consult a trusted medical professional or pharmacist.

As Roy learned, most procedures and products work best when they prevent hair loss, when you still have your hair. There is no magic cure. You have to be realistic in your expectations and cognizant of the fact that once hair follicles are dead, hair loss is permanent. By trying any unproven treatments, you are simply delaying appropriate treatment that could be saving hair follicles, at the stage at which many of the current proven treatments can improve hair counts. Once hair loss is permanent, non-surgical hair replacement and surgical hair transplant are your only options for replacing hair that was lost.

Hair Loss in the Gay Community

We're Here. We're Bald. Get Used to It!



As is the case in many communities, the hair loss community is made up of many subcommunities. A "subcommunity" could be defined by just about any parameter, such as those who live in the Midwest or those who are vegetarians. So if one were to look into the experiences of hair loss community members who are gay, would one find any differences in their experiences compared with those of the larger community?

"Absolutely," says Nick, a 40-something man who has been bald for a decade or so. "There's a much bigger emphasis on appearance than in the straight community, and for many gay men, hair loss is to be avoided at all costs."

"Not at all," says Quinn, 38, who started losing his hair when he was 29 and has since resisted the temptation to spend a chunk of change on expensive hair loss treatments. "Sure, some individuals have a hang-up about it, but so do a lot of women when they're picking and choosing from straight guys."

A posting on a queer forum turned up a similar difference of opinion from respondents.

"Makes no difference to me, really," said one post. "I've seen sexy and not sexy men with and without hair and all stages in between."

"I comb mine over so no one can tell," said another.

There is more to people than their hair loss.

In general, however, the posts seem to reflect the feeling that hair loss is not as important as general appearance, that is, how the lack of hair fits in with the total overall look. Of even greater importance, however, is the comfort that the person with hair loss feels in "his own skin."

"Sometimes I really hate it, and sometimes I am totally OK with it," says Roman Sommers, who is 48 and started losing his hair in his 30s. "It used to bother me a lot more. All men are vain, gay men even more so. I would obsess about it, even have dreams about it. Finally, I told myself, 'OK, this is a test of how shallow I can be about my own looks.' When I thought about it that way, it became much easier to just let it go and be done with the issue."

"I still get serious attention from some guys," he continues, "so it's obviously not a deal breaker for everyone. I think any bald guy looks much better when he does not care about it and just keeps a close, clean cut, rather than trying to compensate with some expensive hair loss treatment or a comb-over or a ponytail or hair replacement or something. Attitude is important."

However, Roman does mention that "many gay guys are seriously into judging each other's looks. When you're bald, you just know that you've been dealt a weak hand in that regard. You can either let that get under the skin or disregard it as irrelevant. I shoot for the latter. I'm not always successful, but it tends to work."

Summing up, Roman says, "I think I may have gotten more than my fair share of good things in my life. Whining about my lack of hair seems like tempting fate. It's a clich� to say it about my hair loss, but 'it is what it is.'"

Nick, who was quoted above as stating that there is a big difference in the way the gay community views a man with hair loss, says, "The gay community is very complex, of course, but I really do think that in general there's much more importance placed on physical appearance. It's a stereotype, and it's certainly not true throughout the community, but there's also a reason why so many gay men are hung up on going to the gym every day and on spending a great deal of time and money on wardrobe selection."

"And it's not solely related to wanting to appear desirable," he adds, "although that, of course, is a large component. I personally think that there is greater tendency all around to judge people in the community, so many gay men spend a lot of time worrying about how their individual looks are going to be received and interpreted by others, apart from whether they're going to be thought of as sexy."

Quinn, also quoted above, has another take on the matter. "Everyone talks about gay men being obsessed with their looks," he says. "Well, I've seen plenty of my straight friends getting ready for a date, and some of them pour it on as much as I do � worse, even. They're just as worried about how their hair (or lack of it) looks and about if you can see their little double chins and if their pants make their butts look big."

"Look," he says, "people are people � period. We all have our hang-ups; we all have issues. Yes, yes, yes, some gay men heap scorn on a guy just because he's lost hair. Some others think it's sexy. It's no different than women that dismiss a guy for the same reason."

"What's important," Quinn concludes, "and I'm only going to say this once, is accepting yourself. I don't have hair. I wish I did, but I'm not going to let that stop me from looking good. I've found what works for me, and I'm happy with who I am now. I'm bald. I'm gay. I'm a little overweight. I'm me. Get used to it."

Daily Care for Wig Wear

Treat Your Wig as an Investment in Looking and Feeling Great

 

 

If you've spent all that money on a beautiful wig, don't skimp on the special care and products you need to help it look its best.

 

Once you've gotten over the hurdle of deciding on wearing a wig and choosing the perfect wig just for you, you'll want to get the most wear out of it, right? Well, you'll need to thoroughly learn how to care for exactly your type of wig to help it look beautiful for as long as possible. Terri Johnston, owner and hair replacement specialist of The Inspiration Salon in Rockford, Ill., and Dave Barker, owner of International Hair Restoration Systems in Jacksonville, Fla., have joined forces to put together the definitive wig care instruction list.

Since only the person from whom you bought the wig can tell you exactly how to care for it (and he or she should give you precise written care instructions, plus show you how during a visit), obtaining that information is the first step in proper wig care, explains Barker. Johnston adds, "But if you're wearing a bonded human hair wig, it's just like your own hair -- you wash it in the shower and style as usual, and nowadays the cap membrane is so thin that if it itches, you can scratch it!" But they both agree on something important: If you've spent all that money on a beautiful wig, don't skimp on the special products you need to help it look its best

What do I need to know about my wig?

• What type of hair and cap my wig is made from
  
• The schedule for cleaning
  
• Special products I may need
  
• Special care dos and don'ts
  

Caring for your wig -- easy as 1-2-3:

1. Schedule: You'll wash your wig, depending on what it is made from and your daily lifestyle, on average one to two times per week. If you are very active, work out, partake in sports or live in a hot, humid climate, you may want to wash it more often. If you're wearing a bonded human hair wig (permanently attached to your head using adhesive), then you may wash your hair as you shower -- and the water and soap go right through to your scalp and rinse out easily.
   
   
2. Washing instructions: 
   
   1. Start by gently combing your wig with a wide-tooth comb, starting from the ends and working your way toward the scalp or cap to detangle as you go before you wash.
      
   2. Always use cool water on synthetic wigs, but if yours is made of human hair, you may use warm water.
      
   3. Fill a bathtub, sink or bucket with enough water to submerge your wig.
      
   4. Dunk the wig through the clear water and swish in one direction gently, then the other.
      
   5. Dissolve the recommended amount and type of special wig care shampoo into the water (it distributes throughout the wig more evenly this way) and swish your wig through it the same way as before. As much as possible, try to keep all the hair going in one direction at a time to avoiding tangling.
      
   6. To rinse, hold the wig under the faucet so the water flows down the direction of the hair. Or, dunk it in another bucket of clear water for rinsing.
      
   7. Fill up the sink, tub or bucket again and dissolve conditioner throughout and repeat the swishing and rinsing steps until the water runs clear.
      
   8. Lay your wig on a towel and gently roll it up inside to dry. Don't rub -- it will tangle your wig's hair!
      
   9. Again, gently detangle your wet wig with a wide-tooth comb, starting from the ends and working your way toward the scalp or cap to detangle as you go.
      
   10. Put your wig, if synthetic, on a head stand to dry. If your wig is made of human hair, gently blow-dry it or style it as desired, using only styling products recommended by hair loss specialists.
   
   
3. Night care: If your wig is removable, we recommend removing it every night and placing it on a head stand. A synthetic wig needs to be removed at night so it will retain its shape and style as well as the integrity of the hair. Friction from the pillow at night will fuzz the ends. For a human hair wig, however, especially if it's bonded to your head, it's not necessary to do anything different at all.
   

The bottom line on wig care
 
Basically, the biggest care issue involves being gentle. You'll want to avoid tangling your wig hair as much as possible -- that's how you'll get the best, most beautiful wear out of your wig.

Parenting a Child with Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a hair pulling disorder that requires a lot of love, patience and understanding from the parents and family.

 

It's a concerned parents' worst nightmare -- anything in the world they can't protect their kids from. As a dad, I can tell you the thoughts start from the moment the red plus sign appears on the early pregnancy test, and I imagine it will never really go away. Wanting the best for your child is a given, so we deal with the heartache that professional sports may not be in his future or becoming the next Justin Bieber won't be happening anytime soon. But what happens when your child develops a condition you never heard of before, one that, when you do hear about it, makes you think someone is pulling one over on you?

Trichotillomania, commonly referred to as "trich," is considered a neurological disorder that causes young boys and girls to pull out their hair anywhere and everywhere on their body. Although in many cases the hair will grow back, repeatedly pulling on hair in the same area will eventually damage the follicles, and then one is left with random and often unsightly bald patches. As a parent, watching this, knowing your child is suffering mentally and emotionally, and then seeing the physical manifestation of bald patches will easily take its toll. There are some things that you'll want to do and do very quickly if you are a parent in this situation.

I'm going to start from the premise that your child knows she is participating in a behavior that needs to be addressed for her health and safety. The concept of health covers the physical, mental, emotional and, depending on one's orientation and beliefs, spiritual.

Parents must educate themselves about Trichotillomania
 
First things first -- do your own research. There is enough information out there that you can search on Google or any other browser and you'll be pretty much up to speed on the subject in short order. Look for answers, traditional approaches and alternative ones too! Chat rooms and parent support groups are great sources for information.

Then seek out one or more of the following:

1. A knowledgeable doctor in your area who has treated teens with trich and has a successful track record in doing so. Don't be afraid to call and interview the doctor first or to speak to an office manager or a physician's assistant to get a sense of the doctor's approach and perhaps even demeanor.

2. A known Therapist who treats teens for this disorder and a subsequent age-appropriate support group. Moving into acceptance and out of judgment usually comes when kids see they're not alone. Early support can be the difference between nipping it in the bud and a lifetime of challenges and upset.

3. An alternative medicine or holistic doctor whose approach might be a combination of supplements and herbs surrounded by an exercise regimen to keep your child's metabolism working for him rather than against him. Additionally, I often suggest to clients that yoga is a great way to quiet the mind, and if kids are open to developing that discipline, it will do wonders for them as well.

If it's age appropriate, include your child in the choice and direction of treatment, knowing you may still need to pull the parent card and make the ultimate decision.

Facing Trichotillomania in the family
 
Now that you have a team in place, get your own family team together. The age of your child will determine how actively she will participate in the healing process, since this condition can be discovered in children as young as a year old. Regardless, make sure that everyone is on the same page. Divided parents and/or other siblings are not going to help your child deal most effectively.

As a parent, take a moment, sometimes longer, and be clear within yourself that although this, well, sucks, there is nothing you did wrong to cause this situation. The "shoulda-coulda/if only I" game is not one where you or your child will win. If you need to move past this, then please get the support you need from a Therapist, a Coach, other parents experiencing the same challenges or a parent support group. The biggest challenge for a child, especially on the emotional and mental levels, is sensing doubt, uncertainty and judgment coming directly or indirectly from his parents. That doesn't mean you're not entitled to your feelings and what comes forward for you emotionally. Just be willing to process that on your own, and in moments when you're having doubt, share with your child -- age-appropriate information, of course -- that you're having your own moment and that it's not about her.

Upping the level of communication is going to be important, since leaving kids to their own devices about what they "know" is going on for their parents is more often than not inaccurate.

Which really leads me to my last point and most important one: Be a good listener. Many kids withhold from their parents for fear of being judged or put down. Set aside a time when open sharing is welcomed and encouraged. Model it by sharing what you might normally keep inside yourself. Communication is a key component, so making sure that you as parents are there to listen -- without judgment, without trying to fix, just open ears and an open heart -- will make a huge difference in the healing everyone is desiring.

Check out the Trichotillomania Learning Center (www.trich.org) to get the support you need!