Natural hair requires much more moisture than other hair types to keep it healthy. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on leave-in conditioners, though: olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter are all excellent moisturizers that you can leave in your hair after washing and conditioning. Let your hair air dry and avoid using a hair dryer, as blow drying wet natural hair means the dangerous combination of high heat and lots of pulling with a styling brush. Curling irons, hot rollers, and hair straighteners are also very hard on your hair. There are some things you can do to get your hair straighter, like heavy-duty moisturizing, but avoid heat styling whenever you can to avoid breakage. This may seem counterintuitive because frizz is caused by hair sucking up moisture from the environment, but hair that is already well-hydrated is less likely to frizz. Natural oils like olive oil and coconut oil are excellent frizz-fighters, although there are also many products you can buy that will help defeat frizzing. Products that contain silicone are particularly good at smoothing hair and fighting frizz. They may also cause “crunchy” hair, so experiment and see if you like the results. Sleeping on a smooth satin pillowcase or wrapping hair in a silk scarf before bed is not only a luxurious little bit of pampering, it will help keep your hair from tangling while you sleep.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Use leave-in moisturizers. Bypass heat styling whenever possible. Prevent frizz with moisture. Sleep on satin to keep tangles away.


Your doctor can run a blood or urine test to check the mercury levels in your body. Make an appointment to see your general practitioner, and explain that you’d like them to perform a blood or urine test to check your mercury levels.  A mercury blood level test is more appropriate for checking someone after a suspected acute exposure to mercury, while a 24-hour urine mercury level test is better for checking someone for low-grade or long-term exposure to mercury, such as from mercury exposure on the job. Mercury serves no role in the human body, so technically there shouldn't be any mercury in your bloodstream. However, studies have shown that amounts of mercury greater than 85 micrograms per liter (µg/L) pose harm.  You can get home tests for mercury, but it is recommended that you undergo professional medical testing if you have serious concerns about poisoning. People who work in industrial settings or who have been tasked with cleaning up mercury spills have the highest risk of coming down with mercury poisoning. If you suspect that you may have been inhaling mercury and have noted some problematic symptoms, describe them to your doctor. Common symptoms that emerge shortly after contracting mercury poisoning include:  Vomiting and nausea Shaky hands Stomach cramps and diarrhea Tightness in your chest and coughing Chelation therapy is the primary form of medical treatment used to remove mercury (and other heavy metals) from the body. This may be indicated if your mercury level from a blood or 24-hour urine test is above 100 mcg/L or if you are showing symptoms of mercury poisoning. During chelation therapy, your doctor will give you drugs that bind to the mercury in your bloodstream and allow your body to pass the mercury out through urine.  Some of the medications are taken via oral capsule, and others are injected intravenously.  The most common chelation treatment is with a synthetic amino acid injection. Drugs that have been medically approved for use in chelation therapy in the U.S. include dimercaprol (BAL), succimer, deferoxamine, edetate calcium disodium, and penicillamine. If you have seriously high levels of mercury in your body, your doctor may advise that you receive a high dosage of chelating drugs. Some of these drugs can have serious and unpleasant side effects. If you’re going to be receiving a heavy dosage of a chelating drug, talk with your doctor and make sure you’re willing to experience the side effects.  Side effects of, for example, the drug deferoxamine include lung injuries or infections and very low blood pressure. If you’re concerned about the side effects, ask your doctor if they can prescribe you one of the milder chelating drugs or see if they can start you off on a lower dosage. Chelation therapy is the only medical method to counteract mercury poisoning. Although some of the side effects may seem severe, they are much better than living with mercury poisoning!
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Make a doctor’s appointment to have your mercury levels tested. Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of mercury poisoning. Undergo chelation therapy if your mercury levels are dangerously high. Discuss chelation’s side effects with your doctor before treatment.


Grab a selection of your favorite embellishments, such as pearls, sequins, crystals, jewels, beads, buttons and even strips of lace. You can find a vast array of options at your local craft store.  Find a wide plastic headband, preferably one with a fabric covering as this will allow the embellishments to stick better. You will also need a hot glue gun. Try the headband on and mark a spot just above your ear on both sides. You don't want to embellish past this mark, or the headband will be uncomfortable to wear. Take your hot glue gun and start attaching the embellishments - you can completely cover the headband for an over-the-top, runway look or keep it a little more simple for understated glam. Wait for the glue to set before wearing.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Gather your materials. Mark the headband. Start gluing.


Grab some fresh fruit, like a couple of oranges or a lemon. Peel the oranges or cut the lemon in two. Fill a bowl with 1 or 2 cups (237 or 473 ml) of water. Add the orange peels or lemon halves. Microwave for four minutes (or less, if needed, to avoid burning any fruit breaking the water’s surface). Let it sit anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours with the door kept shut. This is definitely advised if you used nail polish remover. Citrus should eliminate any lingering smell from that. Open a new box of baking soda or simply place an old one inside your microwave. Let it sit for 12 hours so it can absorb any smells that still linger. Alternately, dump fresh or used coffee grounds into a cup or bowl and use that instead. Either practice is a good preventative measure to keep slight odors from growing stronger between uses. Ideally, give the inside of your microwave a quick wipe down with paper towels and a mixture one part water and two parts vinegar after every use. If that isn’t possible, keep the door open after each use to air it out. Then give it a thorough cleaning at least once or twice a month. Any spills or other large messes should be cleaned immediately. If you don’t, these will cook and recook and stink up your microwave with each subsequent use.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Microwave something citrusy. Absorb odors with baking soda or coffee grounds. Clean regularly to avoid more smells.