Thinning Hair What causes

How To Deal With Thinning Hair Add URL RLROUSE Directory & Informational Resources Site Map Home Add URL SEO Toolkit SEO Blog Webmaster / SEO Info Featured Stores Featured Text Listings Birdhouses Birdfeeders Great Recipes Articles -> Personal Finance -> Birding -> Crafts -> Lawn & garden -> Webmaster -> PC technology -> Steps to success -> Travel -> Your health -> The 50 US states -> Bluegrass music -> Picture of the day -> Submit article Freebies Privacy policy Contact us Link to us Newsletter About us Recommend Advertise with us Site map How To Deal With Thinning Hair What causes thinning hair and what to do about it. Today, men and women from all walks of life are dealing with thinning hair. While Androgentic Alopecia (male pattern baldness) causes most cases of thinning hair, there are several other factors involved as well, including: Androgenic Alopecia (mostly affects women) Taking various prescription drugs Disorders of the immune system Constant pulling or tension on the hair Stress Radiation and chemotherapy treatments Poor nutrition Skin infections Regardless of the cause(s) of your thinning hair, there are a few things that you can try in an attempt to reduce or stop your hair from thinning out: Don't comb or brush your hair more often than absolutely necessary. Excessive grooming can cause the individual hairs to come out very easily. Don't use a blow dryer on thinning hair. Heat affects the chemical makeup of our hairs causing them to be less able to resist the tendency to come out. Dry your hair by gently patting it with a soft towel and allow the air to finish the drying process. Don't braid your hair, or use ponytails or cornrows. The tension applied to the hair follicles can cause the hairs to fall out faster than normal which speeds up the thinning hair process. Use one of the many hair restorative shampoos and conditioners that are on the market today. These items are specially formulated with vitamins and nutrients that are proven to reduce the occurrence of thinning hair. If your hair loss is extreme, you can ask your physician about the many pharmaceutical and surgical options that are available today to stop or at least reduce the rate of your thinning hair. Thinning hair is no longer something that you have no control over. The simple recommendations and medical breakthroughs described above can help you deal effectively with hair loss! More Interesting Articles Elib Directory : devoted to Internet Commerce. Custom web design - Reseller Web Hosting Website Design by NRJ Design 2003-2005 RLROUSE.COM, Abingdon, Va Home

Celebrity Hair

Laser hair removal: Zapping unwanted hair - MayoClinic.com Laser hair removal: Zapping unwanted hair Laser hair removal technology is evolving. No matter what skin type you have, newer lasers can safely and effectively remove unwanted hair from your face and body. Laser hair removal systems use laser light — an intense, pulsating beam of light — to remove unwanted hair. Your doctor may use multiple treatments to target areas such as the face, upper lip, neck, chest, breasts, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line and legs. A single treatment costs an average of $388, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This usually isn't covered by insurance providers. Laser hair removal may be an option if you seek long-term or permanent results. Who is laser hair removal for? The first hair removal lasers used a ruby laser. They were best at removing dark hair from light skin. That's because they targeted melanin, the pigment that darkens both hair and skin. So they zapped the dark hair while bypassing the light skin. When used on darker skin, they sometimes caused blistering and permanent skin discoloration without removing any hair. The newer neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser may be suitable for all skin types. In general, though, lasers are still best at removing dark hair. If you wish to remove light or gray hair, a method called intense pulsed light, which uses a broad spectrum of nonlaser light, may be an option. No matter what skin type you have, you're more likely to experience good results and fewer side effects if you don't smoke and have no history of abnormal scarring, excessive sun exposure, allergies or herpes infection. How do you prepare for laser hair removal? A dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon with training and experience in laser hair removal may be best suited to decide whether you're a candidate for laser hair removal and, if so, what type of laser may work best for you. During an initial consultation, your doctor asks about your medical history, assesses your skin type and explains the risks and benefits of laser hair removal. To reduce the risk of complications, your doctor may ask you to refrain from taking medications such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or dietary supplements such as niacin and vitamin E. If you have a tan from sun exposure or sunless tanning products, you must wait until the tan fades completely before you can undergo laser hair removal, because a tan increases your risk of side effects such as blistering and discoloration. Laser hair removal is effective only on short, visible hair. Two to three days before the procedure, you shave the area to be treated, and allow it to grow to a stubble. Avoid waxing or plucking the hair. Ask your doctor about ways to minimize the discomfort of laser hair removal. He or she may advise you to apply a thick layer of an over-the-counter cream containing the anesthetic lidocaine to your skin 45 minutes before treatment. How is laser hair removal done? CLICK TO ENLARGE Laser hair removal procedure One treatment may zap thousands of hairs. But one treatment usually isn't enough. Because hair grows in staggered cycles, and laser light affects only actively growing hair, you must usually undergo multiple treatments over weeks and months to achieve smoother-looking skin. If you have light skin, your doctor may use a ruby, alexandrite or diode laser. If you have darker skin, an Nd:YAG laser may be used. So far, the Nd:YAG laser is the only one that's been proved safe and effective for all skin types. Lasers may have a cooling device on their tips to minimize skin damage. During the procedure, your doctor presses a hand-held laser to your skin, and activates it for a fraction of a second. The laser light passes through your skin's surface to tiny sacs called hair follicles. Each follicle contains a bulb that germinates a hair shaft. When light reaches your hair follicles, it temporarily generates enough heat to destroy the follicles and bulbs. If the procedure is successful, your old hair falls out and new hair doesn't grow back. What can you expect during the procedure? How long the procedure takes depends on the area of the body involved. A small area such as the upper lip may take several minutes. A larger area such as the back may require several hours. Because laser hair removal typically causes only mild discomfort, you generally don't need anesthetics. During the procedure, you wear goggles to protect your eyes from accidental exposure to laser light. The procedure causes a slight charring of your stubble. You may notice a strong odor of singed hair, which is normal. Afterward, you may experience some temporary redness and swelling. What are the results of laser hair removal? After six months, laser procedures remove 60 percent to 95 percent of targeted hair. Even after multiple treatments, however, you may experience some hair regrowth, although the new hair may be finer and lighter in color. What are the risks of laser hair removal? Rarely, temporary complications may include pain, swelling, redness and blisters, and permanent complications may include scarring and skin discoloration. Looking ahead Although laser hair removal technology has advanced, more research is needed to determine which lasers are best for different skin types. RELATED Articles Hair removal 101: A comparison of different techniques Ask a Specialist Hair removal: Does shaving make it grow back thicker? ARTICLE TOOLS Print Larger type more information Sep 3, 2004 © 1998-2005 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. HQ00981 About this site · Site help · Contact us · e-Newsletter · Site map Privacy policy updated Oct 7, 2005 Terms and conditions of use updated Jun 3, 2004 LEGAL CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE APPLICABLE TO ALL USERS OF THIS SITE. ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE. © 1998-2005 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Mayo Clinic Medical Services | MayoClinic.com Bookstore Diseases & Conditions Drugs & Supplements Treatment Decisions Healthy Living Ask a Specialist Health Tools Home Log in Register now SKIN Educational grant provided by: Eucerin Advertising and sponsorship policy Dec 28, 2005

hair accessory is our

Hair Accessories and Hair Sticks for Long Hair Styles. You are not logged in as a member. Join today!. There are 26 shoppers browsing with you. POLLS -- What do you think of the new empire waist dresses I prefer natural waistline dresses I love the 60's babydoll look I can take it or leave it They look like maturnity wear to me view results previous polls Hair Care Articles What's your healthy hair care routine? Is your hair care product organic? How to get that Sedu hair style Hair Accessories - Satisfaction Guaranteed Welcome to our shop of finely crafted hair jewelry and accessories! Free domestic shipping on all orders over $100! Featured Item Click accessory What's Hot Now? The holiday season is here and this year we are celebrating with beautiful dressy accessories. Check out the miscellaneous items for breathtaking necklaces, bracelets and brooches. A festive style is easy to achieve whether you are looking for a glamorous updo or something simple and elegant. Use the tiny mini claws for a subtle sparkle in a French Twist hairstyle. We will be adding many new rhinestone hair bands, barrettes and claws this month that are sure to turn heads at any party. Relax and take a look around at our barrettes, hair claws, hair forks and other hair accessories we have available to dress up your hair. We update our products constantly, so check back often to see new merchandise. Our accessories make great gifts, too! Membership has priviledges! Returning customers can log into their account to view order status, review past orders, and be notified of special members-only sales. Many popular hair accessories to choose from Our most popular hair accessory is our hair sticks , made from natural bone or wood. They are then decorated with rare Swarovski crystals, beads and stones. Take a look at our other hair accessories : barrettes , hair claws , hair pins , hair forks , hair combs , head bands and pony tail holders . All are made of high quality clips and crystals and are the perfect accessory for prettying up your hair style this season. Hair care news you can use Dressy Tresses writes its own original news articles for its members to read, print and use in developing their hair care routines. Here are just a few you'll find in our News Archives: Sedu Hair Styles: How To Tips From Dressy Tresses Sleek Sedu hair styles were popularized by Jennifer Aniston and other stars. Read how their stylists achieved the Sedu hair style look with a high quality Sedu flat iron. Healthy Hair Care for Long Hair Karlie Eldred, owner of Dressy Tresses and life-long lover of long hair, shares her hair care routines to help ensure long, healthy hair. Read how Karlie maintains her long locks! Is Your Shampoo Organic? Maybe, Maybe Not Hair care and beauty products can now be certified as organic, but this may not help clear up the confusion over natural hair care products after all. Dressy Tresses weighs in... Online hairstyle gallery Don't forget to visit our online hair style gallery while you're here. Inside, you will find many ideas of hair styles you can do at home. Plus, plenty of ideas for how to use our popular hair accessories in fun and creative updo's, french braids , and other hair styles. Thanks for visiting! Accessory Quick Links Alligator Clamps Barrettes Bobby Pins Earrings Forks Hair Combs Hairsticks - Long Hairsticks - Short Hairsticks - Single Head Bands Jaw Claws Mini Hair Jewels Miscellaneous Necklaces Ponytail Holders Snaps and Springs Click to try 3d styles on yourself © Dressy Tresses, 2005 Website designed and hosted by Webadex.net Privacy policy Shipping policy contact@dressytresses.com

Hair Loss Product

Hair Replacement: What Works, What Doesn't U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA Consumer magazine April 1997 Table of Contents Hair Replacement: What Works, What Doesn't by Larry Hanover When the advertising slogan "Be Like Mike" caught America's fancy, it wasn't because every man decided to go for the Michael Jordan look by reaching for a razor and shaving his head. Sure, men like Jordan, Charles Barkley, and "Star Trek's" Patrick Stewart are part of a small minority who are proud of their baldness. But combating and covering up hair loss hasn't turned into an estimated $1 billion-a-year industry because Americans like the idea of hair collecting in the shower drain. "It probably represents aging," says Ken Washenik, M.D., director of dermatopharmacology at New York University Medical Center. "I think our concept of a bald person is of an older person. I think anything that reminds us in the mirror every day of the inevitability of aging is less than optimal." When you talk about restoring hair, you're essentially looking at three different approaches. The first is to medicate, using a 2 percent solution of minoxidil found in Rogaine (and other brands since Pharmacia & Upjohn's patent expired in February 1996). Minoxidil is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for regrowing hair. [ See Updated Information below. ] That doesn't mean minoxidil is by any means the panacea that men have been searching for since at least 1150 B.C., when Egyptians covered their baldness with a mixture of fats from ibex (a mountain goat), lion, crocodile, serpent, goose, and hippopotamus. Surgical procedures, including hair transplantation and scalp reduction, are another modern-day approach. And, finally, there's the solution that Julius Caesar, according to legend, used in ancient days--cover it up. The most powerful man in the Roman Empire is said to have turned to the ceremonial wreath of laurel leaves to hide his ever-emerging scalp. The modern alternative is the hairpiece. Uncovering Baldness When discussing baldness, which affects an estimated 40 million men and 20 million women in the United States, the topic is generally about a hereditary condition called androgenetic alopecia. Ninety-five percent of hair loss is of this variety. Male-pattern baldness refers to the upward retreat of the hairline from the forehead, as well as an expanding area of fallout from the crown of the head. In the end, all that might be left is a horseshoe-shaped fringe around the sides and back of the head. Female-pattern baldness, which recently has received more attention since Pharmacia& Upjohn began packaging and marketing Rogaine separately for women, refers to a diffuse pattern of hair loss throughout the scalp. Research continues in search of ways to treat androgenetic alopecia and allow hair to sprout in barren scalps. But, at this time, all you can do, if you're a man, is to look at your father's head and your mother's father's head to see how they fared, because chances are you'll wind up with a similar fate. In addition, female-pattern baldness can be passed down from mother to daughter. "I think it's just the luck of the draw what your genetics are," says Allan Kayne, M.D., a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. In male- and female-pattern baldness, the culprit is something called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is derived from androgen, a male hormone. Circulating through the bloodstream, androgen is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Those with greater enzyme activity have more DHT binding to hair-follicle receptors. If flooded by DHT, the follicles sprout thinner and thinner hairs until nothing regrows, and the follicles eventually wither away. Minoxidil Currently, if you want to regrow hair, topical minoxidil is the only approved way to go. As Washenik explains, no one is quite certain how minoxidil, an oral medication originally approved to treat high blood pressure, works to grow hair. To be effective, minoxidil must be used twice a day. It works better on those who are younger and whose hair loss is recent, according to clinical studies by Pharmacia& Upjohn. Those studies show that 26 percent of men between 18 and 49 reported moderate to dense hair regrowth after four months of Rogaine treatment. An additional 33 percent had minimal hair regrowth. Almost 20 percent of women between 18 and 45 had moderate regrowth, while an additional 40 percent showed minimal regrowth. A company spokesman said the research accounted for the fully pigmented hair fibers normally seen on the scalp and not vellus hair, which is more like peach fuzz. Many doctors, however, say the number of their patients who have as much success is much lower, and some find that only vellus hair appears. "I have not been that impressed that it helps regrow hair," Kayne says. "I think that occurs in a very small minority." One plus that Denise Cook, M.D., medical officer in FDA's division of dermatologic and dental drug products, points out is that patients report a decrease in shedding due to minoxidil use, though whether that perception is the result of fewer hairs being lost or more hairs being produced is unknown. Normally, you should lose only about 100 hairs a day. One possible side effect of minoxidil is an itchy scalp. Another drawback is that it must be used for life or any regrown hair will fall out. Also, only those people losing hair on the crown, not in front, are candidates for regrowth. Researchers are optimistic that more products to boost hair regrowth will be coming down the pike. For example, Proscar (finasteride), now used to treat enlarged prostate glands, has anti-androgen properties that may make it marketable as a hair-loss prescription, Washenik says. Theoretically, he says, if a drug can be targeted to halt the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the scalp region only, it could stop hair from falling out. He foresees combinations of medications as the wave of the future. [ See updated information on finasteride below. ] Surgery Twenty years ago, many people felt they risked looking like a Cabbage Patch doll if they chose surgery to eliminate baldness. Now, says Carlos Puig, D.O., director of Puig Medical Group, which is headquartered in Houston, better surgical techniques--used by increasingly skilled surgeons--are getting more eye-pleasing results. "When I started in 1973 ... it was like the Stone Age," the cosmetic surgeon says, referring to the equipment and techniques in use. Now, he says, surgeons have learned to create a much more natural-looking hair line, using scalpels to cut either small slits or holes in the scalp to receive transplanted hair. While there are numerous types of surgery, they can be sifted into two main categories: transplantation and scalp reduction. Transplantation involves moving hair from densely covered sites on the sides or back of the head to bald areas of the scalp. The key to success, explains Anthony Santangelo, president of the American Hair Loss Council, is to have good sites on the sides or back of the head from which to move hairs. Otherwise, patients can't expect ample coverage. Because their hair loss is diffuse, women generally lack good donor sites, making transplantation impractical for them. The biggest improvement in transplants is with "micro" or "mini" grafts. "You're looking at one to two hairs shot into the head with a needle," Santangelo says. "It achieves a very, very fine, natural-looking hair line. The significant difference there is you need a lot of hair to do that." Surgeons also use larger round plugs of seven to 10 hairs. Line grafts, the shifting of strips of nine to 12 hairs, are common, too. One thing to keep in mind is that prosthetic hair fibers for transplantation are banned by FDA. Implanting them, according to Stephen Rhodes, acting chief of FDA's plastic and reconstructive surgery devices branch, caused a high incidence of adverse reactions, including infection. If male-pattern baldness has left you with too much balding area to cover, you may benefit from scalp reduction: the surgical removal of large sections of a bald scalp. Extenders and expanders, elastic devices placed under the skin to stretch the hair-bearing scalp regions on the side of the head, have been used as a complement to reduction surgery. Another surgical method is the flap technique, which rotates hair-bearing scalp areas from the sides or moves those areas from the back forward. The flap technique has the highest complication rate, though, Puig says. Bleeding, scarring and infection can occur from surgery. But advances, such as knowing what size flap to use and how to enhance blood supply to the region, have cut down on the visibility of scars. Hairpieces Finally, if you prefer to dodge the pain, time and cost of surgery, there's always the old, reliable hairpiece. Obviously, all toupees and wigs are not created equal. Just as the transplant is only as good as the surgeon, the hairpiece is only as good as the person creating it and the materials used. There are a variety of ways of affixing the hairpiece, which consists of human or synthetic hair implanted one hair at a time into a nylon netting. No method is permanent. The hair weave involves sewing a wig into existing hair. Also there are more traditional methods: You can use bonding (a type of glue), metal clips, or simple tape to attach the hairpiece to the scalp. Unlike the weaves, these give you the option to take the hairpiece on or off with ease. Many companies advertise "hair systems" or "hair clubs," which, according to Santangelo, offer check-ups to clean, color and tighten the hairpiece. Lark Lambert, consumer complaint coordinator for FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, notes that in addition to maintaining the cleanliness of hairpieces and wigs, it is important not to neglect the scalp under the wig. Keeping it clean and healthy avoids skin irritation and disease, he says. Also, as a precautionary safety measure, first-time users of hairpiece adhesives and solvents should test a patch of skin for 48 hours to determine possible skin sensitization to these products. Health-Related Hair Loss While hair loss is more harmful to the psyche than anything else, some of the causes of baldness may represent serious health problems. That's why it's important to talk about hair loss with a physician. One problem, says FDA's Cook, could be a condition called alopecia areata. It's an autoimmune disease of unknown cause in which inflammatory cells attack the bulbs of the follicles under the scalp, leaving hairless patches. In more serious cases, hair may fall out from the entire head--eyebrows and beard included--and the entire body. Many times, though, the hair returns spontaneously. Childbirth, severe malnutrition, chemotherapy, thyroid problems, and a form of lupus can also cause hair loss. Something as simple as pigtails or cornrows, if worn too long, can cause hair loss, too, because of the stress they cause to the hair shaft. The medical opinion concerning the role of emotional stress in balding is mixed. If stress does play a role, however, it's only at times of extreme emotional trauma, according to Kayne at the University of Washington Medical Center. Mythical Treatments The mythology of hair loss is a book unto itself. Wearing hats won't cause it, doctors say. Nor will standing on your head to increase blood flow cure it. Massaging your scalp and brushing your hair won't save you. Toweling off your head lightly rather than vigorously will only postpone the inevitable for a few days. Perhaps the biggest myth is that cleaning your scalp of sebum (the semifluid secretion of glands attached to the follicle) will unclog those follicles and allow hair to grow. Surgeons will tell you that when they're performing transplants, there's no trapped hair to be found. In 1989, FDA banned all nonprescription hair creams, lotions, or other external products claiming to grow hair or prevent baldness. And it has taken action against companies that continue to sell such products. In 1996, the agency sent a warning letter to Daniel Rogers Laboratories Inc., of Paramus, N.J., the manufacturer of "Natural Hairs," for claiming its product could promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. Two years earlier, after an FDA investigation, a U.S. district court judge enjoined the marketing of "Solution 109 Herbal Shampoo" because of claims that the product warded off hair loss. Advertisements for "hair farming" products and others that hint they can regrow hair are still plentiful. But if you're desperate, keep one thing in mind: "There will be never be a secret [ingredient] that works for hair loss," NYU's Washenik says. And, if they were to find it, he says: "It will be on the cover of the New York Times. It will be on the nightly news. ... When this happens, it's going to be wildness. You're not going to need an expert to tell you the name of the drug." Larry Hanover is a writer in Mount Laurel, N.J. The Thick and Thin of Hair Cosmetics While Rogaine and other minoxidil-based products are giving consumers hopes of regrowing hair, another part of the hair-care industry has been jumping into the fray. Drugstore chains, beauty shops, and salons are offering a number of products claiming to make hair appear thicker or fuller. While they won't solve baldness, such products can help women in particular by giving the appearance of more hair--if, and only if, the products are used regularly. "The reality is," says Anthony Santangelo, president of the American Hair Loss Council, "[the products] just build hair for the day." A quick walk down the store aisle shows a multitude of shampoos, conditioners, gels, mousses, and volumizers competing for your dollars. Many labeling claims target people with thinning hair, while others hint they can regrow hair, creating controversy about whether such a claim constitutes going too far. Any product claiming to regrow hair would have to file a new drug application. The Food and Drug Administration has approved only one product, the drug minoxidil, for regrowing hair. "It's marketing; it's puffery," Santangelo says. "They'll take it as close as they possibly can without crossing the line, and they'll run with it." Many of these products seem to thicken hair by coating it with chemicals called polymers. Hair has a negative charge, and the polymers' positive charge causes the polymers to adhere to the hair shaft, says Charles Fox, a Fair Lawn, N.J., consultant to the cosmetics industry. That results in better hair manageability and shine, he says. The hair also retains moisture, causing the shaft to swell and its diameter to expand slightly. Also, says Stanley Milstein, Ph.D., special assistant to the director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, some products coat the hair with various oils, waxes and silicone, claiming to restore moisture balance as they thicken hair. Clarence Robbins, vice president of advanced technology for Colgate-Palmolive Co. and author of Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair, says that if the products work, it's because they keep hair shafts from sliding past each other (think of the fly-away hair you get after blow-drying on a winter day.) In that way, hair volume appears greater. If you're one to use bleach (peroxide) occasionally, he says, the bleach can achieve that sliding effect. Perms also make your hair wavier and fuller looking. Many promoters of these products say their pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol) formulas can lead to fuller hair. Experts say don't bet on it, and according to the agency, the claim has never been proved. By the way, there are products that simply color your scalp to create the appearance of hair. "But get any closer than 20 feet from an individual, they're gonna see your head's been spray-painted or covered with powder," Santangelo says. --L.H. For an update on this subject, please refer to the FDA Talk Paper," FDA Approves Finasteride to Treat Male Pattern Hair Loss in Men " (December 22, 1997). Table of Contents | How to Subscribe | Back Issues | FDA Home Page FDA/Office of Public Affairs Web page last updated by clb 2001-JUN-04.

HAIR SCHOOL, FederalStudent Aid

Stage One, The Hair School, Dkt. Nos. 03-06-SP and 03-07-SP 0 0 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202 ____________________________________ In the Matter of DocketNos. 03-06-SA and 03-07-SP STAGE ONE, THEHAIR SCHOOL, FederalStudent Aid Proceedings Respondent. ____________________________________ Appearances: Susan Koepp, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, forStage One, The Hair School. Jennifer L. Woodward, Esq., of the Office of theGeneral Counsel, United States Department of Education, Washington, D.C., forFederal Student Aid. Before: Judge Ernest C. Canellos DECISION Stage One, The Hair School (Stage One), operated asa proprietary institution of higher education in Cape Girardeau, Missouri,offering programs in cosmetology. Theseprograms were accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of CosmetologyArts and Sciences and were eligible to participate in the Federal Pell Grant(Pell) and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Programs under a provisionalparticipation agreement that expired on September 30, 2002. The Pell and FFEL programs are governed byTitle IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title IV). 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq. and 42U.S.C. 2751 et seq. Within theU.S. Department of Education (ED), the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) isthe organization that administers these programs. During the week of March 11, 2002, a team from FSAs Kansas CityCase Management Team conducted a program review at Stage One to examine itsadministration of the Federal Student Aid programs. A number of violations were uncovered during this review. The violations alleged included: refundseither not made or refund calculations erroneously made, lack of administrativecapability, failure to file the required annual audit, etc. These findings, as well as others, wereincluded in a Final Program Review Report, issued on April 15, 2002. This report not only solicited Stage Onesinput on the findings, but also required it to accomplish a full file reviewfor the 1998-99, 1999-00 and 2000-01 award years to determine the amount ofrefunds due to be returned to the Federal programs. In a separate proceeding, on April 18, 2002, FSA revoked StageOnes provisional certification of eligibility to participate in Federalstudent financial aid programs on the basis of the findings uncovered duringthe program review. One of theconsequences of such revocation was the requirement that Stage One perform acloseout audit. Although it appealedthe revocation of its eligibility, [1] Stage One took no action to comply with the requirements levied upon it by FSA( i.e. to perform a full file review, to submit the required periodicaudit, and contract for and submit a closeout audit). On November 15, 2002, FSA issued a Final Program ReviewDetermination (FPRD) concerning the failure to comply with Title IV programrequirements for award years 1998-99, 1999-2000, and 2000-01, as uncovered byFSAs review team and as enumerated in the Final Program Review Report. According to the findings in the FPRD, StageOne failed to properly calculate and pay refunds, as required by 34 C.F.R. 668.82. Additional findings included:ability-to-benefit test not approved, Pell Grants disbursed prior to theirentitlement, as well as assorted administrative failures. As a result, FSA determined that Stage Oneowed a total of $158,271 to the Pell program and owed $168,545 to the loanholders of the improper FFEL loans at issue. In response, on December 28, 2002, Stage One requested a hearing tochallenge the findings of the FPRD and, once assigned the case, I issued anorder to commence the hearing process. Separately, because of its failure to submit acloseout audit, FSA, on November 7, 2002, issued a Final Audit Determination(FAD) demanding that Stage One return $648,344, the total amount of Title IVfunds it received during the period required to be covered by the audit report, i.e. January 1, 2000, to April 18, 2002. On December 17, 2002, Stage One appealed the findings of the FAD. This appeal was originally assigned to JudgeRichard I. Slippen. Since the findingsand the amounts demanded to be returned by the FPRD and FAD overlapped, onFebruary 5, 2003, the appeal of the FAD was reassigned to me. Upon reassignment, I consolidated the twoappeals into the current proceeding. It is well established that in Subpart H -- auditand program review -- proceedings, the institution has the burden of proving bya preponderance of the evidence, that Title IV funds in issue were lawfullydisbursed. 34 C.F.R. 668.116(d). If aninstitution fails to establish the correctness of its expenditure of federaleducation funds, it must return all such funds to ED. After a careful review of the entire record, including thedocuments submitted by Stage One, I find that Stage One has not substantiatedits position that the findings contained in the FPRD and FAD areincorrect. It is abundantly clear thatunder the circumstances of this case, Stage One has not met its burden ofproof. As pertinent to the findings of the FAD, aninstitution that participates in Title IV programs has the responsibility tosubmit a closeout audit covering the period from the date of its last submittedperiodic audit to the date it ceases to participate in the federal studentfinancial aid programs. A closeoutaudit must be submitted to FSA within 45 days of that cessation. 34 C.F.R. 668.26(b)(ii). In the absence of such acloseout audit, the institution must return all federal student aid funds thatit received since its last submitted audit. See, In re Excelsis Beauty College , Docket No. 98-108-SA, U.S.Dept of Educ. (October 4, 1999), and the cases cited therein. I note that Stage One filed several documents alongwith its requests for administrative hearings. I find, however, that these documents are not probative of theallegations contained either in the FPRD or FAD. Stage One also iterated that its failure to submit a closeoutaudit was caused by the illness of the auditor and FSAs cutting off of funds. In addition, Stage Ones owner complainedthat the recovery demanded by FSA is unfair because: the school has beenoperating since 1927, its students have a high pass rate, the school has a lowdefault rate, and the school makes an important contribution to thecommunity. Unfortunately, regardless ofhow noteworthy these factors might be, they do not constitute acceptableexcuses for its failure to establish that the institutions expenditure offederal student aid funds was correct. After the close of the briefing schedule, and in anapparent last ditch effort to justify its position relative to the FSA demand,Stage One filed an additional submission of approximately 200 pages ofdocumentation with the tribunal in December 2003. To its credit, FSAs counsel reviewed the submission and, in asupplemental filing dated February 6, 2004, appropriately accepted some of thedocumentation as dispositive of some of the issues and reduced its demandaccordingly. For the FPRD violations,FSA now demands the return of $29,257 to the Pell Grant account and $54,858 tothe holders of the appropriate FFEL loans. As for the FAD liability, FSA now seeks $297,406.87 for Stage Onesfailure to file a closeout audit or otherwise provide sufficient alternateproof of the appropriateness of expended Title IV funds. [2] I note as significant that even after theextended period of time between the schools loss of eligibility and today, therequired closeout audit still has not been submitted. [3] In summation, I am convinced that the findingscontained in the FPRD and FAD sufficiently state allegations in a manner thatdemonstrate the existence of a prima facie showing that the institutionfailed to comply with Title IV program requirements. Consistent with the record before me, I find that Stage One hasfailed to meet its burden of establishing that its expenditures of Title IVfunds, as enumerated in both the FPRD and FAD, were correct. Therefore, Stage One owes $297,406.87 forthe liability demanded in the FAD, as well as $29,257 in Pell Grant liabilityand must pay $54,858.13 to the current loan holders or otherwise repurchase theappropriate FFEL loans as provided in the FPRD. ORDER On the basis of the foregoingfindings of fact and conclusions of law, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Stage One,The Hair School, pay to the United States Department of Education the sum of $326,663.87. In addition, it is HEREBY ORDERED thatStage One, the Hair School, pay $54,858.13 to the respective holders torepurchase the FFEL loans in question, consistent with the determinationscontained in the FPRD and FAD and in the manner as required by law. _________________________________ Ernest C.Canellos Chief Judge Dated: March 19, 2004 SERVICE A copy of the attached document was sent to thefollowing: Susan Koepp 1810 E. Plaza Way Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 Jennifer L. Woodward, Esq. Office of the General Counsel U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202-2110 [1] Stage Onerequested reconsideration of its revocation of eligibility. However, that decision was affirmed by FSAon June 21, 2002. The eligibilityissue is not before me in this proceeding. [2] Some of thereduction in FSAs demand results from a withdrawal of the amounts that wereordered returned in both the FPRD and FAD so as to avoid a doublerecovery. This is consistent with theconcept that ED is entitled to be indemnified for the losses it suffers as aresult of violations that are caused by participating institutions, but thatthe recovery should not result in EDs unjust enrichment. [3] Aninstitution that participates in Title IV programs has a fiduciaryresponsibility to account for federal funds. In the present case, the Respondent has failed to do so. Although it is possible, if not probable,that some of the funds in issue were correctly expended, there is insufficientbasis for me to determine, with any degree of assurance, that this is so.