Happy New Year!

Well, if you're reading this, you made it through 2013 with us.

Fat and Cranky would like to wish you a healthy and prosperous 2014!

May the coming year be filled with blessings, peace, and joy for you and yours!

Check back often, sign up for email updates, or follow our RSS feed for updates as we have a lot of great information and changes coming for 2014.

and... once again... Happy New Year!

Well Behaved Women...

"Well behaved women seldom make history."
- Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

This is my favorite quote of the day...

Actually, it's a book title. I  may have to look up the book and check it out. It sounds sassy, doesn't it?

End of the Year Round Up / Chit Chat

So, 2013 is winding down and I'm feeling a need to reflect on "how it all went."

How did the past year go for you?

For me it was a mix off good and bad, pretty much life as usual, actually...

In the past year, I said 'hello' to age 51, goodbye to regular periods, hello to sporadic periods that last three weeks and then skip the next month, goodbye to second helpings at dinner, goodbye to 35 pounds, and hello to jeans that are six sizes smaller. And, the really important part, I can climb a flight of stairs without getting out of breath and needing to sit down.

How are you doing?

Physically, I'm a little better off. As far as my career, it has hit tiny bursts of progress followed by major steps backwards - but overall it's coming out a bit of ahead of where it was last year - just not where I want it to be.

What do you want to talk about?

You are my readers, and I am working on this blog for you as much as for myself. What are your concerns? How can my experiences help you? In a way, as I march into the menopausal phase of my life, my physical and financial conditions are the hallmarks I am focusing on. I'm sure those will change as I move ahead, and I would love to hear from you, if you care to share, about what you are focusing on.

Diabetes and Oral Health Maintenance



Image Courtesy of Flickr

If you are diabetic, you have probably know that a link exists between diabetes and oral health. It's important for diabetics to spend time making sure their mouth is in good shape. Read on to learn more about how your condition is linked to gum disease and find some proactive measure you can take to protect your health.

Diabetics are twice as likely as non-diabetics to develop gum disease, which in turn makes it harder to regulate blood glucose levels. Fortunately, there is a way to help manage this issue.

About the Connection

Plaque germs can build up on your teeth, and if left untreated, you will likely develop a mild form of gum disease called gingivitis. If you don't receive proper treatment for gingivitis, it can turn to a more serious gum disease called periodontitis, which leaves infected pockets of bacteria between your teeth and gums.

Diabetes weakens your resistance to bacterial infection, the very kind of infection associated with periodontitis. When infection takes hold, it is harder for a diabetic to get rid of it, and the infection can send blood sugar levels spiraling further out of control.

Diagnosing Gum Disease

While only your dentist or physician can give you an official diagnosis, there are some signs of gum disease you should watch for if you are diabetic. According to the American Diabetes Association, the warning signs of gum disease include:

• Red gums
• Swollen gums
• Sensitive teeth
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Teeth that fall out

Diabetes and Oral Health Care Tips

If you want to be proactive, consider these dental care tips for diabetics:

• Gently brush your teeth a minimum of two times every day for at least two minutes each time. It might sound like a lot of brushing if you are not in the habit, but it's only four minutes out of the 1,440 minutes you have every day, and it can help save your teeth.
• Invest another minute of your day in flossing your teeth.
• Stay current on dental cleanings and exams. Make sure your dentist is aware you are diabetic before the exam begins.
• If you suffer from dry mouth, use an antibacterial mouthwash once or twice a day, and sip water frequently throughout the day.
• Enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Daily exercise and healthy foods can help you maintain a healthy blood glucose level. It's also a good idea to give up smoking if you partake in the habit.

More on Motivational Reading and Exercise for Fitness

On August 10th, I posted about the 25 pounds I had dropped in 9 months just by giving up second helpings, about motivational reading, and about adding some exercises I had found in a Jillian Michaels book. This is just a short update to that post.

I'm still fitting in some motivational reading every day, I've gone through about four motivational books, all great, and now I am also writing down my favorite motivational quotes from each book so I can enjoy them and keep learning from them after I return the books to the library.

Well, back to the fitness part, the first week or so after adding exercises, I added a couple pounds and then dropped back to where I was before I added exercises. I expected the couple extra pounds, as muscles weighs more than fat and small fluctuations are normal anyway. I didn't expect the weight loss to stall though.

Even with no weight change (until today - now I have lost 27.4 pounds - Yeah!) I noticed daily changes in my mood, my body and my face as I built muscle and fat started to melt away faster. Don't get me wrong, I'm still over a healthy weight, but I am grateful for the daily changes, whether the scale shows the difference or not, and while I don't like sharing such personal things, I wanted to share in the hope my story might resonate with someone and inspire positive changes in someone else's life.

So anyway, to help me remember to exercise, and it is working beautifully for me, I put my dumbbells beside my computer where I see them constantly, and I use them everyday - my dumbbells are ten pounders, but if my muscles are tired, I do the exercises with no weights at all, just to move a bit - sometimes I do upper body exercises, presses, curls, and triceps extensions, and other times I get up for a break and do squats, lunges, and calf raises. I also walk a couple times per week - and plan to increase that in the next week or so.

Motivational Reading and Menopause

I wanted to pop back and chat with you about motivational reading because it can give you an emotional lift when you need it most.

Since I'm trying to improve my fitness level, kick start a business into existence, and get stronger overall, motivational reading provides a great outlet for a sense of strength,.

 

I already mentioned the Jillian Michaels book I'm reading, and now I want to tell you about an uplifting book I just finished last night, called What's Really Holding You Back? by Valorie Burton.

The book was good enough I took notes, and added the phrase "What's REALLY Holding You back? to my vision board in front of my desk.

 

My favorite part of the book was that it included worksheets with some very specific questions to help you define the overall vision for the next stage of your life, compared to where you are now.

 

Is that not perfectly suited to someone going through the change? The change is so much more than just a set of physical changes, and this book is an awesome mental challenge as far as looking at the bigger picture and finding your way successfully to the next phase of your life - and making the most of it.

 

Do you have a favorite motivational book you would like to tell us about?

 

Thanks for visiting!

Want to Work Out?

 

I mentioned motivational reading in my last post, and wanted to tell you about one of the books I'm reading. It's Jillian Michaels' book Slim for Life.

 

I didn't expect to like the book when I picked it up, because she comes off a little abrasive when I've seen her on TV. (No offense intended.) But, there's no denying her results, so I wanted to know what she had to say.

I think she might have missed her calling, because she writes a great motivational book. It's written in a friendly, conversational tone that actually got me to grab my dumbbells today and do the circuit training routine she described (page 43 - Circuit 1).

And, I can hardly wait until it's time to do it again - even though my muscles felt like they were on fire when I finished and still feel a touch shaky - I'll have to pop back to the book to check when she said to do that, because I want to do it right.

I have some other motivational books I want to tell you about, too. Most of them NOT so much fitness related, but it's all part of the emotional package we can either deal with and conquer as we move through menopause, or avoid and suffer from.

Anyway, want to be my "digital" workout buddy? I'll pop back to share how it's going, and you're welcome to gain motivation from reading about it, or sharing your own experience.

Thanks for visiting!

A Deeper Meaning: It's Not Just Menopause

Everyone's journey (through both life in general and menopause) is different. So far, as far as my health I have been pretty lucky, other than having an affection for fast food that packed on some extra pounds and raised my cholesterol a bit higher than it should be. For me, the journey through peri-menopause has been more about finding my path.

Self-Comforting

I have been unhappy (and self-comforting with junk food) almost my entire adult life. What an incredible waste of time, and energy, and spirit! I am ashamed of the lost time, painfully aware that I am past the point of mid-life, and dedicated to making the best of what's left.

This blog, that is soon to become a regular website if I ever get the techy stuff figured out, is here to help you find information and inspiration for your own journey through menopause. I don't have all the answers, nobody does, but the undefined parts do not mean any of us has to be alone in the journey.

Small Sacrifice

Nine months ago, I gave up second helpings at dinner. I didn't go hungry, but it was hard, especially at first, because my life felt so sucky and that extra helping of food felt like such a luxury - such a comfort. Well, you know what else is a comfort, stepping on the scale after nine months of doing only one small thing differently to find myself 25 pounds lighter. That's right, 25 pounds lost with no real sacrifice and no extra exercise.

What's Next?

But, exercise is next, because now I feel better, and I WANT to have FUN being more active. Do you know when the last time was that I really thought about having fun? It was around the time I got married, a little over 20 years ago.

It's Not You, It's Me

And, all these years, I told myself my husband was the problem, because I was happy before I married him and haven't been since. He has a role in it, sure, he was a real sh!t for a long time, but the real problem was me. I let him break my heart, over and over, until things got beyond the point where I don't feel like I can ever really forgive him, and I don't want to, either.

Can My Story Help You?

But, that marriage crud is another story. I want to motivate you to make the most of the menopausal phase of your life, not whine about my screw-ups. When you see my personal experiences here, it's not because I want sympathy, they're here to help if you're going through something similar or know someone who is - or maybe you're the hubby of a menopausal woman and you're going "wtf is going on?"

Well, this went way off track. I started this out as a post about how motivational reading can help in this phase of life, but now I think maybe that should be a whole new post since I never even got to that part.

Do You Like Writing?

Or maybe your journey is completely different, and if it is, I would love to hear that, too. If you would like to share your story here or be an ongoing contributor to the site as it grows, send me a short synopsis and a few words about yourself, and I'll get back to you, because I'm looking for a few writers for the new site.

Thanks for visiting!

Might Go Offline for an Hour or Two

Hey Faithful Readers,

Fat and Cranky might go offline for a few hours. I finally bought the domain name, FatandCranky.com and I'm having a horrible time trying to figure out how to send all these posts to that domain, or to send that domain to these posts, or whatever it is that's supposed to happen.

Wow. Fun, fun, fun. I'll be living up to the cranky part of this site's name in another hour or so. Wait, I'm already there.

Oh, and the site has a new email address, in case you want to reach me or make a comment without putting it in the public comment box: info@fatandcranky.com

You Know What's Great About Marriage?

NOTHING!!!!!

And, it's not a menopausal issue, it doesn't matter if you're 20 or 50 or older... It still freakin' SUCKS!!!!!

If you don't believe me, just give it a try.... You'll see.... you'll see....

You Deserve Better

That's right, you... you deserve better.

Now get your butt out there and work to earn what you deserve. No one's going to do it for you, and if they did, would you really value it?

Love yourself enough to take the initiative and fix the things that are wrong in your life.

If you are strong and smart enough to know that you need a change - or a bunch of changes - you are strong and smart enough to make the changes happen.

I have a bunch of changes I need to make... How about you? You in?

Does Cyclopentasiloxane Reduce Blemishes and Wrinkles?

Skin care products containing CPS have gained a reputation in some circles for healing tough blemishes, plumping up wrinkles, and even clearing up some tough cases of rosacea. But what is CPS, and what is the official word on this potential wonder substance? The claims do not appear to be backed by clinical testing and are not supported by FDA approval, though the product is approved for use in some beauty products as a binder.

According to the Canadian government's Chemical Substances agency, siloxane D5, also known as cyclopentasiloxane (CPS) and decamethyl-, is used in manufacturing silicone polymers and consumer products such hair care products, skin care products, antiperspirants, and deodorants.

CPS, the short name for this skin care product ingredient, is a specially produced type of silicon that binds cosmetic ingredients together, lubricating your skin without blocking your skin's ability to breathe. The molecular structure of CPS creates a luxurious, creamy balm that feels as if it melts into your skin when applied.

Cyclopentasiloxane Creams

BB cream, which has CPS in it, has emerged as a cream for healing blemishes and other skin problems. Some brands of this cream, such as Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++, contain healing ingredients, sunblock, and a self-adjusting foundation shade to blend in with most skin tones and hide blemishes and skin problems, including rosacea. The healing properties of CPS supposedly work inside your skin's pores, getting rid of blemishes and filling up wrinkles with moisture, while the tinted foundation covers the skin for an immediate, healthy effect.

According to current CPS users, if you stop using the product and the wrinkles return, you can just reapply the cream and should see almost immediate results from this fast-acting skin care solution.

How to Use CPS Cream

CPS cream actually simplifies morning beauty routines for some women, because almost everything needed comes in one tube of skin cream. To apply CPS cream, spread a single coat that has moisturizer and heals skin while serving as a layer of foundation for your makeup.

• Wash your face and apply toner as you normally do.
• Instead of applying a layer of traditional foundation, gently smooth a layer of CPS, or BB, cream over your face and neck.
• If you go swimming or do a hard workout during which you sweat profusely, apply another layer of CPS cream to get you through the rest of the day.
• Wash your skin as you normally do at the end of the day.

Information presented here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice. For more information, discuss this and all skin care products with your dermatologist.

How to Use Oranges for Whitening Teeth

Have you heard you can use oranges for whitening teeth? It's a bit hard to imagine how something so brightly colored could take on discolored teeth and leave them looking whiter. However, using oranges to brighten teeth, in spite of their color, has developed as a popular trend. According to Science Daily, though, the acid in oranges can soften tooth enamel, so make sure to brush after an orange peel whitening treatment. As an all-natural way to improve the appearance of your smile, you could give oranges a try.



Photo credit: silverhairster from morguefile.com

Whiten Teeth by Eating Oranges

 

Eating the fruit is the first and simplest way to use the whitening power of oranges. This approach lets you enjoy the fruit and the whitening effect at the same time. Bite the main part of the fruit out of the orange segments, leaving a bit of pulp and the membranes. Then, rub the remaining pulp and membrane of the orange segments against your teeth. Then, finish up by eating the remaining part of the fruit. Some orange lovers have reported that the results from this method are practically instant.

 

Rub the Orange Peel Against Your Teeth

 

Compared to eating oranges, the next way to use oranges as a whitener might not leave such a sweet taste in your mouth. Rubbing orange peel against your teeth is another way to remove discoloration in a hurry. This method is handy when you have leftover peels after using oranges in a recipe or making homemade orange juice. The recommended way to use the peels on your teeth is to cut the peel into sections, turn the peel so the white side faces up, and then rub the white side against your teeth. It might leave a bad taste in your mouth, though, so be ready to rinse.

 

Several factors, such as overall health and coffee consumption affect the degree of whiteness you can expect to achieve. The results of using oranges to brighten teeth tend to vary from person to person, so if using oranges for whitening teeth does not give you the results you want, discuss other tooth whitening options, such as using Colgate's Optic White, with your dentist.

 

Where Do You Want to Be Five Years From Now?

Do you want to be thinner? wealthier? successful in business?

Whatever your answer was to the question, consider this. Set your goals and start living as if you already have reached your goal.

You won't be able to make every change at once, but base your decisions on what you want to see looking back at you when you look in the mirror - five years from now.

I recently picked up this advice at a small business seminar, in relation to running a small business, and I began thinking how it really is pretty good advice for pretty much any part of life.

Whatever your goal is, you're not going to achieve it by wishing. It's going to take action, and if you base each step on the life you want, well, you're headed in the right direction.

Is Female Midlife Crisis Real?

For every man and even every younger woman who has wondered if female midlife crisis is a real thing, you betcha it is.

The crisis is triggered by not only hormonal changes, but also basic human nature.

Just as a woman's hormones throw her out of control, she reaches the age where she starts to wonder about the things missed out on in life and the things that will never happen for her in life.

Everything starts to feel so huge and so vital that casual and happy become little more than fond memories. But, don't worry, it will pass with a bit of patience and understanding.

Women experience and exhibit the signs of undergoing a midlife crisis differently than men do, and there has been some pretty extensive research done on the topic, so I'll share a few links to give you some extra information.

What a Female Midlife Crisis Looks Like

Midlife Crisis: Transition or Depression

Infidelity and Female Midlife Crisis

I have a lot more links to share, but these should get you started for now.

Is it Depression or a Mid-Life Crisis?

For the past few months, I've been on an emotional roller coaster, and just my bad luck, it's mostly the low parts of the emotional roller coaster.

It's like no matter what I do or how hard I push myself to stay busy and not think about it, it just keeps getting more severe - more anger - more sadness - more of a sense of failure, more loneliness, and more sense of loss.

I can hardly stand to be around my family or talk to anyone for more than a couple minutes, yet I feel a desperate need to connect with someone on a deeper level. It's truly frustrating.

So, my next few posts will probably be focused around dealing with depression during menopause.

I'm not into taking medication for problems if there's any other alternative, so I'll probably focus on other things first, like exercise and dietary changes.

I don't want to make this a big crybaby session about my problems, but if my experience can help anyone else - well - I hope it can help someone else.

I'm open to hearing your tips and thoughts on the issue, if you feel inspired to share.

Old Enough to Know Better but Young Enough to Do It Anyway

If you're getting kicked hard by ignoring your hard-earned life lessons and doing the wrong thing anyway, it just means one thing. You're human.

Everybody makes mistakes, but the older you get, the harder the blow is when it's time to pay for them.

You would expect the opposite to be true, but when you hit the menopausal phase, you wonder if the lve you just lost is the last love you'll ever feel, or if the job you just blew is the last good job you'll ever have, or whatever thing went wrong is going to affect the rest of your life negatively.

It gets even worse when you have no one to talk to or anywhere to turn for comfort. Almost everyone has felt this way sometimes, or been there, but knowing that doesn't help one bit.

So, if you're looking for a place where you can share, feel free to tell your story in the comment section below - no real names please - or in the forums when I figure out how to add them.

No one here is interested in judging you, and if any judgemental comments are left in reply to comments, they will be removed.

Dr. Seuss Quote to Remember

I just ran across the best Dr. Seuss quote, and wanted to share because it's so easy to feel out of control and victimized - during menopause or at any age.

"You have brains in your head,
You have feet in your shoes,
You can steer yourself,
In any direction you choose."

So, if you've been feeling defeated and lost, like I have, then this is for you...

Get out there and join me in choosing the direction that's right and true for you.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this. I would love to hear about your direction.

Midlife Crisis Menopausal Screw Up

Did you ever just feel like things should be going better at this point in your life?

How to Use Domeboro Soak to Clear up a Rash

Anyone who gets exposed to irritants can end up with assorted itchy skin problems or athlete's foot. If you suffer from minor skin irritation and itchiness, a time-tested solution might help heal your skin. Domeboro soak, also commonly called Domeboro Astringent Solution or aluminum acetate astringent, has helped to heal itchy skin problems since it came on the market over 50 years ago.
Some of the skin problems you can treat by using this healing astringent include:

• Allergic rashes
• Insect bites
• Poison ivy, oak, and sumac
• Athlete's foot

When to Use Domeboro

You have a choice between two ways to use this astringent as a healing agent for mild but persistent rashes. When itchy, red patches form on your skin and even when the rash sticks around, you can apply Domeboro Astringent Solution as a dressing or compress to eliminate the redness or use it as a soak for the affected area.

How to Make a Domeboro Soak

On skin surfaces you can submerge, such as feet or hands, a soak works really well. Choose a basin large enough to submerge the affected area, and pour in two packets of the solution for each quart of water needed to fill the basin. This works with either warm or cold water, but dissolves best and fastest in warm. Submerge the rash in the solution and leave it there for a minimum of 15 minutes and as long as half an hour.

How to Make a Domeboro Compress

When you cannot submerge the affected area, try a Domeboro compress instead of a soak. Mix one packet of Domeboro with 16 ounces of water. Saturate a gauze pad with the solution and gently press it on the irritated area. Leave the compress in place for a minimum of 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

Domeboro Precautions

Toss out all leftover solution, do not try to reuse it. Do not use this product on open wounds unless directed by your doctor. Try to keep it out of your eyes and do not swallow the solution. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with cold water. If swallowed, contact your doctor, poison control center, or hospital immediately. Also, if your skin problem comes with extreme dryness or eczema-like symptoms, Domeboro might aggravate the dryness.

Relieve Clenching Teeth by Relieving Stress

The time you spend sleeping is supposed to be your body's chance to restore itself so you can wake up refreshed and ready for the new day. If you have a problem with clenching teeth, however, you may find yourself feeling far from refreshed in the morning. Clenching your teeth can result in a headache that feels tight, a sore jaw, and even painful or damaged teeth. While the clenching and grinding of teeth can occur during the day, it's most likely to happen while you're sleeping. There is, however, some good news for nighttime sufferers of this condition, called bruxism. Stress relieving measures can help reduce the amount of tooth grinding some children and adults experience.

Dental Night Guard Prevents Clenching of Teeth

Similar to other types of sleep disturbances, such as sleep walking, nighttime tooth clenching is commonly believed to be caused by stress, nervousness, and anxiety. Misaligned teeth, however, are another common source of this problem. A dental night guard - a soft plastic barrier worn during sleep - provides an effective solution to relieve some clenching of misaligned teeth. Dental night guards are ideally fitted during a visit with your dentist, but are also available over the counter. If you choose a generic model, be aware that it might not fit as comfortably as one made by your dentist. While wearing a dental night guard during sleep stops the teeth from grinding together, it is also important to address the cause of the stress.

Stress Relief to Help Unclench Teeth

It might sound strange to think of controlling nighttime bruxism during your waking hours, but getting rid of daytime stress increases the chance of getting a restful night's sleep, that is one with no clenching teeth. Start by avoiding strenuous activity and caffeine in the hours before bedtime. Choose peaceful activities to enjoy while getting ready for bed, such as listening to soft music, taking a warm bath, and sipping herbal tea or cocoa. (Just don't forget to brush and floss after consuming these drinks.) Add stress relieving activities during early daytime hours, as well, such as journaling, aerobic activity, yoga, or gentle stretching after a walk.

What are Stability Running Shoes and What Benefits Do They Offer?

Running is an excellent weight-bearing (read osteoporosis-fighter) and can also serve as a great way to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight during menopause, but you need to do it safely. Finding the right motion control/stability running shoe for your foot type increases your comfort level during a run and reduces the chance of injury.

If you are looking for motion control and stability running shoes, you need to know what features make a good stability and motion control running shoe. Each runner has a unique gait, foot type, or manner of running, and the right stability shoe is as a unique as each runner’s gait. Wearing the right shoe for your gait can help to improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury.

Running shoes with a mid-sole plate for controlling overpronation are commonly referred to as motion control running shoes. Stability shoes fall into the broader category of motion control running shoes. Almost all shoes offer some degree of stability, ranging from very little for underpronators to maximum for overpronators. The amount of stability the running shoes provide refers to how much support the shoes provide.

Determine Foot Pronation

According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), flat-footed, severe overpronators, and heavy runners will benefit from maximum stability. Most runners, those with medium or normal arches as determined by the wet test, need moderate or mild stability, while high-arched underpronators and light, efficient runners can use neutral stability running shoes.

To determine your foot type using the wet test, wet your foot and then step on a piece of paper. The shape made by the base of a normal foot will resemble a fried chicken drumstick. The shape of a flat, or overpronating foot will resemble a long oval. The base of a high-arched or underpronating foot will make two tear-drop shaped marks.

While many companies are producing high quality running shoes, the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine recommends some stability shoes as being among the best for minimizing overpronation yet providing a level of flexibility and cushioning.

While trying on different models of stability and motion control running shoes is the only way to find out which shoe actually feels best on your feet, this partial list of running shoes for each level of stability will give you a place to start your search. A more detailed list is available on the AAPSM website.

Emu Oil for Silky Hair and a Healthy Scalp

Silky hair and a healthy scalp are so easy to get with just a bit of all-natural emu oil. This type of oil is known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities. Throw the oil's hypermoisturizing ability into the mix and you have a ready-made prescription for soft hair and an acne-free scalp.

Painful Scalp Acne

Pimples can form on the scalp just like they form on the face and on the rest of the body. Even worse than simply getting facial pimples, the pimples growing inside the hairline often seem unusually painful. Start the healing with an emu-based shampoo and conditioner, such as Silky's Garden Emu Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.

Wash hair normally, but really work the shampoo's antibacterial oil into your scalp to get the best healing effect. To do this, add about one minute to the time spent lathering the shampoo and use your fingertips to massage the oil into your scalp's pores. This is so easy and enjoyable, with the relaxing benefit of a mini massage. When it is time to add the conditioner, allow it soak into hair follicles for an extra minute or two to really soften and moisturize hair.

In addition to the shampoo and conditioner version of this wonder oil, pure oil extracts are available. These pure oil extracts are also highly desirable as part of a healthy beauty routine. If you prefer a pure extract, you can simply add a few drops of the oil to your favorite shampoo or conditioner and work it into your hair's roots.

Other Advantages

Emu-based oil is known for other great hair care benefits beyond moisturizing and having antibacterial properties. Some dedicated users claim the oil also halts hair loss and stimulates new hair regrowth while reducing the amount of gray hair, clearing up dandruff, and getting rid of itchy scalp problems.

You can enjoy the soft, healthy hair while waiting for the scalp healing to begin. While the oil's moisturizing quality shows up with the first use, expect it to take about a week before scalp heath begins to improve. Things like scalp acne, dandruff, and hair loss do not happen overnight, and restoration takes some time, too.