Q & A with Allison

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Hair TaDos & TaDon’ts

Hair Q & A with Stylist, Allison from Talking Headz Salon in Philadelphia

Here are answers to some hair curiosities that most people may have. Meet Allison, a stylist in the Philadelphia area with 17 years of experience making Pennsylvanians beautiful with her custom cutting, coloring and styling. Allison also teaches specialty cutting and coloring classes to newer stylists. Since childhood, Allison was a gifted artist with a photographic memory and natural instincts for color, balance and scale. This talent has allowed Allison to achieve complicated hair coloring techniques and create new visions for clients seeking complete makeovers. Allison has always had her own personal style and strives to bring out her clients’ individuality. From classic and professional to half shaved, full-on rainbow fun, Allison puts all she has into each client so they leave her chair happy and full of confidence.

O & A

COLOR:

Q: What would you recommend for having roots touched up between full color treatments for balayage and highlights?

A: Balayage allows you to go longer between color appointments because of the softer grow out. But, I suggest getting a toner refresh to keep your blonde looking bright and shiny. If you’re covering grey, I would suggest getting a root touch up every 4-6 weeks since grey can be very resistant.

TRENDS:

Q: What do you see for summer and fall trends?

A: We’re seeing a lot of color blocking reminiscent of the 90’s usually with vivid colors. We are still loving the “lived in” color that we get with balayage and highlights. Also shags, mullets and shaggy bobs are all back in style.

EXTREME COLOR CHANGE:

Q: How many steps and about how long would it take to go from a medium brown to Gwen Stefani blonde?

A: Going platinum from medium brown can be a process. Prepare to be at the salon anywhere from 3-6 hours and sometimes longer. We need to lighten every strand, then tone the hair sometimes twice. There will be more upkeep at home since you will need to baby your hair a little more and use purple shampoo to keep your blonde cool toned.

SKIN TONE AND HAIR COLOR:

Q: Does skin tone effect what colors you use for highlighting someone’s hair?

A: Yes, warmer skin tones look better with a warmer toned blonde, cooler and neutral toned skin looks great in the silvery ice blondes that everyone loves lately.

SUMMER HAIR:

Q: Any advice for summer hair care?

A: Yes! The sun, pool water and ocean water can be rough on your hair. I suggest using a leave in conditioner or UV spray before heading to the pool or beach.

Thank you, Allison. Talk to you again soon for skin care and make-up tips in March!

To book an appointment with Allison at Talking Headz Salon 4422 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA call 215-729-2028 and follow Allison on Instagram @allisonheadz to see her before and after shots.

Enjoy Allison’s hair art below…

Craniosacral Therapy

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Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy relieves stress, tension and compression in the neck, head and back. It also boosts the immune system. Craniosacral therapy starts with the practitioner evaluating your symptoms and overall lifestyle to better understand how and where you most need treatment. The session consist of light touch and very subtle movements relieving tension from the central nervous system mainly in the head and hips. To describe craniosacral therapy I would say it’s a combination of reflexology, reiki and Rolfing all in one, yes, I’ve done them all. I will do almost anything to relieve a migraine.

If you’re working on pain management or are open to a variety of wellness practices for prevention and maintenance, you will enjoy craniosacral therapy. It’s not a cure, but it sure is relaxing. My pain management process for dealing with migraines is first going to the chiropractor, then acupuncture and/or craniosacral therapy followed by hot yoga within the next few days. I mostly use a heat compress for migraines, but sometimes a cold compress depending on the type of migraine I’m experiencing.

Here is more information about craniosacral therapy to see if it’s right for you.

From the Cleveland Clinic:

Here are some chronic pain that craniosacral therapy can improve;

  • Fibromyalgia.

  • Migraine headache.

  • Complex regional pain syndrome.

  • Fascial adhesions.

  • Multiple sclerosis.

  • Neuralgia.

  • Neurodegenerative diseases.

  • Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome.

  • Stroke.

  • Post-concussion syndrome.

  • Speech impairment.

  • Epilepsy.

Here are some instances where it would be best to get permission from a physician before having craniosacral therapy.

  • Recent concussion.

  • Cerebral swelling.

  • Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation.

  • Brain aneurysm.

  • Traumatic brain injury.

  • Blood clots.

  • Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow or build-up.

Please consult with a medical professional before seeking alternative or holistic treatment. I am not a medical professional. I share my own experiences to help others that may benefit from my trials and errors.

4 Pillars of Health

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Photo by Victor Freitas @victorfreitas

Photo by Victor Freitas @victorfreitas

Daniel Son, himself

Daniel Son, himself

SLEEP, FOOD, STRESS AND EXERCISE

From the trainer of trainers, Dan Trongone, head trainer designing functioning workouts at World Body Fitness in St. Petersburg, lives by these four pillars to have a healthy metabolism. Dan says that “sleep, food and stress management is metabolic cake. Exercise is the frosting so set your focus on the cake.”

I first met Dan at Broadway Athletic and Swim Club in San Diego. Dan was my second spin instructor as the other guy yelled, “go, go, go, go, go,” for one hour with little instruction on posture and well, reminders to breathe. After the lactic acid that had me walking like the “Tin Man” wore off, I decided to give spin another chance—with a different instructor of course.

To set the scene, Broadway Athletic Club is the beautiful gym with a giant upper deck overlooking the harbor. The spin bikes, boot camp equipment, lounge chairs and a pool complete the outdoor space which made the classes more enjoyable.

As soon as I got to my class I heard the New York in Dan’s voice and knew we’d be friends for life. As fellow east coasters we were enjoying the California sunshine while not fully fitting in to west coast life. Dan has the New York intensity that was just what I needed at the time. I still hear Dan’s voice in my head, “push pull, feet flat, chest up, head down, elbows back, don’t bounce…” at every spin class I take. Dan has been the best and most impressionable spin instructor and trainer that I have encountered. Thanks Dan!

Here is a link to Dan giving a quick arm strengthening demo. Dan’s website is under construction so I will add a link when it’s complete.

Straighten Up

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Photo by Joyce McCown @moonshadowpress

Photo by Joyce McCown @moonshadowpress

“Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.” -Hippocrates

One of many benefits from chiropractic care is that it can boost immunity. A misalignment can hinder the immune system as the nervous system controls the organs, cell function, and tissue in the body.

Hippocrates (460–385 BCE), the father of medicine, treated scoliosis with spinal manipulation using gravity. He also created the beginning of what we now know as traction, using items such as straps, wheels, axles and a ladder to have the patient inverted. Exercises were to follow his treatments for maintenance. Chiropractic tools have evolved over the centuries, however the principles remain the same. There are several chiropractic techniques to discover how physical alignment, digestion, neurological health and immune system can improve.

If chiropractic work sounds like a good mix for your treatments or prevention, I highly recommend searching for a chiropractor that has an extra something that feels specialized to your needs. They have your spine in their hands so you need to feel safe and have a great amount of trust in them. I have been fortunate to have had amazingly knowledgable, truly passionate and intuitive chiropractors in my life.

Here are some examples of these specialized touches. I have suffered with migraine headaches since childhood and each one of these chiropractors listed below has given me the best care I could have received.

Dr. Peter Mackay, in San Diego, performed micro-adjustments on my skull that made a huge difference on the pressure that I was experiencing. I remember crawling into his office on numerous occasions and after a few pushes on my head I felt an instant release of pressure. Dr. Mackay is one of few chiropractor that uses micro-adjustments in his practice. Dr. Mackay, is also a founding member of Titleist Performance Institute Advisory Board and an avid golfer.

After moving to the Bay Area, Dr. Pam Woodward, was recommended through a friend who had known her for years. Dr Pam was first a massage therapist before becoming a chiropractor so she would loosen up my tight neck with her magical hands and follow the adjustment with a bit of reiki. (See below definition of reiki as it’s not for everyone.) Dr. Pam knew I was open to any and all energy healing practices so that is why she was able to perform this extra service. This is a preference that a patience would need to communicate to a wellness practitioner or holistic doctor.

After three years with Dr. Pam fixing me, I moved back to Philadelphia and reunited with my Philly chiropractor, Dr. Cathrine Duncan, a sweet, soft-spoken, big-hearted human. Dr. Duncan has gentle, yet firm hands and would get my neck back on straight so quickly at times I didn’t realize she was finished.

And finally, Dr. Burak, my high-energy, tell-it-like-it-is, chiropractic comedian. I feel like Dr. Burak is family and I look forward to my frequent visits to his office filled with a kind and compassionate staff. We have the shared traits of brutal honesty and the lack of a filter which is refreshing especially since I’m trusting him to put me back together. Dr. Burak is stuck with me whether he wants to be or not. Ha

I am grateful to each one them for having saved me over the years with adjustments and their individual additives that truly created personal experiences.

  • Dr. Michael Burak

    2579 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley PA 19006
    Between Fetters Mill Rd. and Red Lion Rd.
    Phone: 215-938-6040

    Link to website

  • Dr. Cathrine Duncan

    9301 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19114

    215-331-5954

    Link to website

  • Dr. Pam Woodward

    428 NORTH "L" STREET LIVERMORE, CA  94550

    925.960.9050

    Link to website

  • Dr. Peter Mackay D.C., QME

    EPI San Diego
    444 W. C St., Suite 190
    San Diego, CA 92101

    619-232-4030

    Link to website

Dictionary.com - Reiki - a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being.

*Please consultant with a licensed physician before visiting a chiropractor.

Chromatherapy

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Chromatherapy

The benefits of chromatherapy or color therapy correlates to the chakras in the body. Color has a larger impact on emotional health than most people realize. Think about a time when you felt noticeably happy or angered in someone’s home. Colors are a backdrop or an accent yet they create the essence of a room or space. Here are two extreme examples of how red and green affect mood and behavior. Red evokes anger and tension even though it’s the color of “love.” It’s best to avoid using reds in a bedroom especially if the room is shared with a partner. All values of green are safe for any room in a home. Green is found in nature so it is grounding and calms the nervous system, it nourishes through vegetables, it’s connected to the heart chakra and is the color that represents prosperity. Now go paint your kitchen, bathroom, office and bedroom your favorite shades of green. Also, if you’re in the process of healing a broken or sad heart, try wearing an emerald on your left hand.

Another way to add chromatherapy into your life is to “eat the rainbow.” Add foods such as; eggplant, grapes, blueberries, spinach, bananas, oranges, red berries or tomatoes into your daily routine.

Understanding the chakras helps when focusing on an ailment in a certain part of the body. If you’re experiencing imbalances in the body, there may be underlying emotional or traumatic issues from your past that could be blocking the flow of balanced energy.

Acupuncture and psychotherapy are healing modalities that effectively unblock stuck energy through meridians (nerve highways) along the chakras. If you’ve read this far, then you’re open to it or you’re at least curious and should research how acupuncture and psychotherapy can help you in your healing process. We all have healing to do and there’s no “one size fits all” wellness path. You did it, you got through a “woo woo,” “hippy dippy,” post and please note that I didn’t use the word “journey.” (That one doesn't count since I didn't use it in a woo woo sentence.) Ha!

Quick Guide to Chakras

  • Purple/Violet = Crown chakra

  • Indigo/Purple = Third-eye chakra

  • Blue = Throat chakra

  • Green = Heart chakra

  • Yellow = Solar plexus chakra

  • Orange = Sacral chakra

  • Red = Root chakra

I am not a medical professional so please consult a licensed physician before receiving acupuncture. Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy that can bring up a lot of past trauma so be sure you are ready for this step mentally before making an appointment. Psychotherapists are not required to have a PhD in psychology. Be sure to research each method carefully and listen to your instincts when it comes to your health. Natural remedies and alternative healing procedures are effective when they are used along with western practices.