There are several rules of thumb when it comes to making changes with your hair color.

Do a little research about your tone and complextion, first.

How to determine and maintain the best tone for your hair color this summer.

A few simple steps make a difference

While the weather is a bit milder this week it has been very sunny and very hot lately.

Top 10 fall trends to look out for

Last week this column began to cover the subject of summer hair. There is so much information on this subject I wanted to continue this week.

I am hoping everyone had a relaxing, enjoyable weekend. I know I did. To complete this column series on alopecia, today’s will offer information on the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

Last week I added to the series on hair loss, offering information on some of the wonderful support groups that are helpful for people that have do deal with hair loss, particularly alopecia.

Last week, we visited the subject of hair loss in woman. This week I want to briefly introduce basic information on alopecia areata, a form of hair loss. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, alopecia areata (al-oh-PEE-shah air-ee-ah-tah) is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. It usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches. This common but capricious disease affects approximately 2 percent of the population overall, including more than 5 million people in the United States alone. In alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person’s own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage.