Believe Helps Fight Breast Cancer

Through the end of October, Believe is joining 1,000 salons nationwide to support "Pink Hair For Hope"-- a fundraiser that has already raised more than $2 million to help fight breast cancer. For $10, clients can add a striking pink hair extension to show their support of this great cause. (Yes, the $10 includes application and removal--though you may come to love your colorful new addition so much, you may want to make it permanent!) And, best of all, every cent goes to support the American Cancer Society's fight against breast cancer.

It's a fight that needs fighting. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 212,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the USA in 2010, adding to the 2.3 million women in the USA with a history of breast cancer.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. It differs by individual, age group, and even the kinds of cells within the tumors themselves. Obviously no woman wants to receive this diagnosis, but hearing the words “breast cancer” doesn’t always mean an end. It can be the beginning of learning how to fight, getting the facts, and finding hope.

Here's one startling fact: Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women.

 According to the National Cancer Institute:

      One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

      When breast cancer is detected early (localized stage), the 5-year survival rate is 98%.

      Over 30% of women are diagnosed after breast cancer has spread beyond the localized stage.

Know Your Risk

Risk factors for breast cancer include:

Age: Half of all women diagnosed are over age 65.

Weight: Being obese or overweight.

Diet & Lifestyle: Lack of activity, a diet high in saturated fat, and more than two drinks per day.

Menstrual & Reproductive History: Early menstruation or late menopause, having your first child

at an older age or not having given birth, or taking birth control pills for more than ten years if you are

under 35.

Family & Personal History: A family history of breast cancer—particularly a mother, sister. or

a personal history of breast cancer of benign (non-cancer) breast disease.

Medical & Other Factors: Dense breast tissue (often identified by a mammogram), past radiation

therapy to the breast or chest area. A history of hormone treatments—such as estrogen and

progesterone, or gene changes— including BRCA1, BRCA2, and others.

You can get more information by using the National Cancer Institute's Assessment Tool.

Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms:

A change in how the breast or nipple feels:
You may experience nipple tenderness or notice a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.

A change in how the breast or nipple looks: 
This could mean a change in the size or shape of the breast or a nipple that is turned slightly inward. In addition, the skin of the breast, areola or nipple may appear scaly, red or swollen or may have ridges or pitting that resembles the skin of an orange.

Nipple discharge.

Breast Self-Exam (BSE)

Taking a few minutes to do a breast self-exam a minimum of once a month can make a lifetime of difference. Nearly 70% of all breast abnormalities are found through self-exams. If you find a lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, but don't panic—8 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous. For additional peace of mind, call your doctor whenever you have concerns.

How to do a breast self-examination: 

In the Shower

Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine the left breast, left hand for the right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Carefully observe any changes in your breasts.

Before a Mirror

Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour of each breast, a swelling, a dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Then rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do.

Lying Down

Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. With the fingers of your left hand flat, press your right breast gently in small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

At Believe, we not only care about your beauty, but your well-being. Please take time to learn more about breast cancer and how early detection--including self-examination can help you detect it early. And come in to Believe Beauty Lounge to support our "Pink Hair For Hope" fundraiser now through the end of October. Your $10 can really help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Back To School Hair with Believe

We know, we know. Summer's over and it's back to school. We here at Believe know it isn't easy to get back in the swing of things (we've got kids, too!) Mornings bring madness while you are trying to make sure you and your student eat a good breakfast (or any at all), help them find their books (and that homework they will frantically try to finish before the class where it's due ) and both of you barely have time to get dressed, much less have time to do your hair. The chaos that defines back-to-school is the same whether you are the student or the parent.

Well, we at Believe, feel your pain and are here to help. We've got some back-to-school styles to save you time and trouble and still have you feeling beautiful. Quick and low-maintenance are the bywords of these styles. Here's a few to try:

Sleek blowout: A quick pass with a flat iron in the morning sees you ready to go. (A dry shampoo product like Batiste Dry Shampoo means you can even get more than a day out of this style.)

Cascading waves: Sweep your hair back, then loosely wrap random sections around a curling iron to create a subtle wave. Spray lightly with Iden Finish Spray.

Long side braid: This low-slung braid can cover a multitude of sins. No time to wash your hair? No matter. The messy braid will hide the evidence. If you braid hair when it's clean, the braid can create tomorrow's fantastic waves, too.

Pixie cut: Come into Believe and get rid of that tired summer hair. You will love the low-maintenance this style brings and it can draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones like never before. Add some texture with Chromastics Molding Cream or Aestelance Butter. You may never go long again.

Side part: Change up your look in the easiest of ways. The side part can go on either the left or right of your scalp (but look out for hidden cow licks that may stick straight up at the hairline!)

Top knot: Nothing could be easier for long hair. Pull it up with a covered elastic (leave a strand of hair to wrap around and hide it), then secure with a couple of bobby pins, spritz a little spray and you are out the door, looking pulled together.

Loose curls: These may make that guy in Algebra want to run his fingers through you hair. Wrap the ends around a big-barreled curling iron for a few seconds and finger brush. Finish with a light spray like Chromastics TriOrganic Spray Gel and go.

Headbands: Hillary Clinton knows a thing or two about saving time by using a headband. For years, it was her signature look. Pull your hair back, spritz the ends with Lustre Shine Spray and you are ready to discuss America's foreign policy (or at least look good in World History Class.)

Hair Accessories: Nobody said you have to save the sparkle only for the prom, Pull strands (even haven't washed my hair stringy ones) with a distracting hair accessory and you'll make your own fashion statement.

Quick hint: Get your hair ready with a heat protectant product like Agadir Oil_that we sell at Believe and blow dry your hair   only partways. Leave it slightly damp and pull it into a high bun. Keep it up there with a couple of bobby pins and by the time you get to class (or the office) you can take it down, shake it out and have fabulous loose curls and plenty of volume. Keep a light hairspray like Sette By La Brasilana in your locker or office desk drawer and keep the body all day long.

Here's hoping these styles help you make the grade for this crazy back-to-school time and please give us a call at Believe soon to schedule that cut, color and to pick up all the wonderful products mentioned here (we stock them all.) We are back from vacation and ready to help! See you soon!