People more open about hair restoration

People who get hair restoration in 2010 are more apt discuss the work they've had done than they would have been in 2008, U.S. researchers say.

A member study conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery asked whether their patients were more likely, just as likely or less likely to discuss their hair restoration procedures with their family and friends in 2010 compared to 2008.

The survey indicates 56.4 percent of members said their patients would be more likely to discuss their hair restoration as they were in 2008. In addition, 36.2 percent of members said their patients would be just as likely to discuss and only 7.4 percent responded they would be less likely to discuss their hair restoration procedures as they were in 2008.

"Hair loss is a very common medical condition, affecting 50 percent of all men and more than 25 percent of women worldwide," Dr. Jerry E. Cooley, president of the ISHRS, says in a statement. "So, it's no surprise that more people are talking about their hair loss and not feeling embarrassed anymore to admit that they've turned to hair restoration surgery to correct it."

In the United States, 101,252 hair restoration procedures were performed in 2010, the study says.

In 2010, 85.9 percent of all hair restoration surgical patients worldwide were male and 14.1 percent of all hair restoration surgical patients worldwide were

Mirren's figure named 'Body of the Year'

British actress Helen Mirren has been declared "Body of the Year" in a poll conducted by the LA Fitness health club empire.

Mirren, 66, won an Oscar for her performance in "The Queen." Her other film credits include "Arthur," "State of Play," "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" and "Gosford Park."

The New York Daily News said she received 17.7 percent of the votes cast by 2,000 respondents to the survey. She beat out supermodels Elle Macpherson and Kelly Brook, actresses Jennifer Lopez and Kate Winslet and royal in-law Pippa Middleton for the title.

Middleton, who became famous after her sister Kate married Britain's Prince William in April, won the award for "Rear of the Year," the Daily News said.

"It's great to see the public celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes, and proving that you really can look fabulous over 40 and 50," LA Fitness spokesman Tony Orme told the newspaper.

Workers asking for more time off

Since the recession, U.S. workers focused on keeping their jobs, but this summer there is a shift toward family, a survey indicates.

The survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of Adecco Staffing US, a workforce solutions provider, indicates the desire for time and work flexibility this summer cuts across gender lines.

Fifty-nine percent of women are choosing "extra vacation days" as one of the three workplace benefits they'd most want, while 47 percent of men say the same. Sixty percent of men show a greater interest in having the ability to leave work early.

"In the last few years, American workers have had more of a focus on keeping their jobs and perhaps less on other elements, including taking vacation and time off from work to spend with family and friends during the summer months," Joyce Russell, president and EVP of Adecco Staffing US, says in a statement.

"This summer we're seeing a bit of a shift from this way of thinking with survey respondents showing that maintaining one's personal life and a more relaxed work environment is valuable to them."

In addition to time flexibility, 42 percent of U.S. workers also want the option for casual workplace attire this summer, although 80 percent of women say mini-skirts are inappropriate at work compared to 61 percent of men, the survey says.

No survey details were provided.