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Posts Tagged ‘Hair Loss’

The Most Common Mistakes In Treating Hair Loss

The first and foremost mistake is having unrealistic expectations. They will necessarily lead to frustrations, no matter how good or bad the treatment was. No matter what the marketers of any hair loss product say, do not believe that you can recover all of your lost hair. Most treatments only enable you to slow down the balding process or, in better instances, to maintain the existing hair. The best possible achievement you can expect from any treatment is to regrow the hair you have lost in the previous three years. But this is only possible if you start treating your condition at an early stage in the balding process. This brings us to the second mistake many hair loss sufferers make – denying their hair loss and starting to treat their condition only after they have already developed a visible bald patch. The later you start treating the baldness, the less chances you have of regrowing the hair you have lost. In order to regrow hair you must have fine miniaturised hair left in your bald areas. This hair is often called peach fuzz. Once your hair follicles have died and there is no hair left, no miracle can rejuvenate them.

Many hair loss sufferers, as they start working on their research, get scared reading about the potential side effects of proven medicinal treatments and opt for allegedly safer alternative treatments. Marketers of natural, hair loss remedies tend to overexaggerate the negative side effects of Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) in order to lure scared consumers into buying their own product. The chances that you will lose your sex drive from finasteride or grow additional facial hair because of minoxidil are less than 1%. You should first try the proven medicinal treatments and only if you have experienced negative side effects try some alternative therapy. Starting with unproven products right away deprives you of the opportunity to test some of the best remedies available out there. If you start treating your condition with an alternative treatment, the likelihood you choose the one that works well for you is close to zero. Thus, you are almost certainly wasting time while the hair loss continues to advance. And do not believe that all natural and herbal hair loss treatments are safe. That is not true either.

Another common mistake is to use multiple treatments simultaneously. If you want to try different things, do not try them all at the same time. Any hair loss treatment requires a minimum of four months to kick in and you should allow it at least six months to get measurable results. Please note that overdosing will not speed up or improve results.

And lastly, do not overreact to shedding. Shedding is common to almost any hair loss treatment. If you start a new treatment such as Rogaine, you will first have to shed the old hair. Rogaine is assumed to stimulate hair follicles, resulting in increasing the diameter of your miniaturised hair. But this cannot happen overnight. First, the old thin fibber must be shed, and then the hair follicles rearrange themselves in order to start producing thicker hair. Typically, the first sign that the treatment is working is accelerated hair loss.

Measurements in Hair Restoration, Hair Transplants

Dr. Jim Arnold should be congratulated on another excellent and detailed reporting of the ISHRS meeting. We appreciate the inordinate amount of time and effort that he has spent in recording the vast amounts of information that speed by us so quickly. It is amazing how he does it! In reading the article in the Nov.-Dec. 1997 Forum, Vol. 7, No. 6, p. 5, I noticed three small errors in the text that should be corrected. I thought that I might also take the opportunity to briefly discuss them.The text reads “Some patients may average 1or 2 hairs per unit, while others 4 to 5.” While we do see patients with very low density, or Asians, who average 1 or 2 hairs per unit, I have not seen patients who average 4-5 hairs per unit. Patients with high density can have a significant number of 4, or rarely 5 hair follicular units, but this is not their average. The graph that I presented in Barcelona, illustrating this point is shown here. Another important point is that the density (spacing) of naturally occurring follicular units is relatively constant at about 1 group/mm2 in the posterior scalp of most Caucasians, but is less in the Black races (where it averages approximately 0.6/mm2). The text also reads “Dr. Limmer finds the average number 2.3 hairs per unit, while Dr. Bernstein feels the number is closer to 3.” This is also incorrect. As I stated in my presentation, the majority of patients that we see in consultation that are surgical candidates range from 1.5 hairs/unit to 3.0 hairs/unit with an average of 2.0 hairs /unit (rather than 3). The population that actually go on to have surgery have slightly higher groupings at approximately 2.1/hairs per follicular unit. (The graph also illustrates this point). The numbers that I presented were based upon densitometry readings at the time of the consultation, taken approximately 5 cm to the left or right of the occipital protuberance. Only full-thickness terminal hairs were counted. Dr. Limmer and I spoke regarding the slight differences that we each observed and we felt that different patient populations might be a factor contributing to this small difference. The location on the scalp where the measurements were taken will also influence the results, as the follicular unit density is generally highest in the midline of the donor area and decreases laterally. Having prior knowledge of the approximate proportion of each of the different size follicular units that will be obtained in the dissection is extremely important in planning the transplant, since the larger units can be concentrated in select areas to create the appearance of greater central density without having to increase the “closeness” of the sites. These numbers are also important because the pre-operative measurement of density and the estimation of follicular unit size are two means of assessing the accuracy of the follicular unit dissection. The other statement “Hair diameter plays a significant role, as diameter may range by a factor of 5X among patients.” is also incorrect. The word “diameter” should be replaced with the words “Cross Sectional Area.” The range in terminal hair shaft diameter is approximately 2.3 fold (0.06 mm for very fine hair and 0.14 mm for the coarse hair that we often see in Asians). This represents a variation in x-sectional area of approximately 5.4 fold, since area = ~r2 or ~(1/2d)2. It is interesting to note that compared to hair density, hair shaft diameter plays a much more significant role in the volume or “bulk” of the transplant. The range in hair density in patients that we generally transplant is from 150 hairs/cm2 in those of low density, to around 300 hairs/cm2 for those with the highest. In our practice, we rarely transplant patients who present with a density of less than 150/hairs cm2 (except for Blacks and Asians) and uncommonly see patients with a density greater than 300 hairs/cm2. The range is thus a 2-fold difference. If we compare this to the 5.4 fold range in hair cross-sectional area, we see that, in theory, variations in hair diameter should have 2.7 times the cosmetic impact of variations in hair density. In reality, these variables are not totally independent. For example, the widest hair shaft diameters are not generally seen in the same patients who have the highest hair densities. Nevertheless, one can make a strong argument for the quantitative assessment of hair shaft diameter, as well as density, in the pre-operative evaluation of patients considering hair transplantation.

Is Falsehood The Word For Natural Hair Care Products?

It may be very difficult to find the right natural hair care products to suit your needs. This problem arises mostly with those people who, most of the times work with hair textures of different sorts over a long period of time. Very often do they get frustrated as they do not find the right hare care products that are made naturally and also those that work successfully for the body. Natural hair care products somehow seem to only cater to the needs of those who have dry hair. This also may include curly, natural, wavy hair, straight hair, locked hair and also color treated hair. For hair that is black use a shampoo that has good moisture content and then go in for a conditioner that can help replenish the nutrients. Your hair will look black when the conditioner that you use is revitalizing. Condition your hair well to make your hair manageable and also free from tangles. Sleek look can be obtained by you by just making use of the hair serum that is nourishing. Yet another option is to renew your scalp. For fine hair do use nourishing shine products. Scalp renewal is the word for African hair that is curly. For hair that needs to be taken care of everyday use moisturizer as well as a shampoo that is nourishing. When you use this make sure that you are using a conditioner that replenishes the nutrients. Holding the curls in the right place may be very simple if you so use the natural sprays. Along with the revitalizer use a leave in conditioner when you have to be outdoors. Curls that are bouncy have to be locked and twisted. Sleek and straight are the traits of American hair. The products that are used for daily hair care contain nourishing shampoo that is rich in moisture and also a conditioner for replenishing the nutrients. This stays the same for this hair type. You can wrap and roll natural hair if the shampooing if followed by air drying. Spray gels can be opted for if you do use flat irons. For textured hair that is fine use hair nourishing cream. Nourishing serum for the hair can also be applied to keep the nutrients in the hair.Scalp renewal may be very necessary if you want natural hair growth. This may be the first thing that you should think of. You can enhance the growth by using natural nourishing creams and serums that are also natural. Nevertheless use good conditioners and also shampoo your hair with moisturized shampoos. This is good for daily hair care.Moisture rich shampoos and conditioners can be used by men to keep their hair in good condition. Condition and sculpts are used often. Hair growth for men is enhanced by hair nourishing creams. Special hair care treatment needs to be given for extremely fizzy hair. You can reduce frizz by leaving in the conditioner. This has to be done after shampoo and also be followed by a conditioner. You can soften the strands of the hair by making use for shining and nourishing products. Smooth and silky hair can be got by reducing frizz. This is done by the serums and the hair nourishing creams. For colored hair more care needs to be taken. Nourishing creams that are naturally got are used. Shining products help in keeping the color longer and also in keeping them brighter.

How to Restore Your Hair Naturally Using Only Natural Remedies

Dear Friend,If you are experiencing hair loss then you should read this article very carefully.This article will show you tips on how to restore your hair and stop your hair loss naturally.1) Eat foods that are high in Vitamin B Complex.Vitamin B Complex is an important part of the structure of the hair and is usually found in high protein foods.

You should also make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of Vitamins A,C, and E.You should be eating an overall healthy diet. If you are unsure about your diet or think you need to improve it, you should consult your doctor for advice.2) Take better care of your hair.

I used to suffer from hair loss myself until I found out that I could treat my hair loss naturally.

Suffering from hair loss is very frustrating and embarrassing and there is no reason to go through this when it is something that can possibly be reversed.What if I told you that by using the methods above and the natural hair loss remedies that you can find in the ebook How To Naturally Regrow Lost Hair in 15 Minutes a Day, you could regrow your hair?By using the techniques found in this ebook, I was able to stop my hair loss and start regrowing my hair within months.The truth is that How To Naturally Regrow Lost Hair in 15 Minutes a Day has some amazing hair restoration secrets that you probably have no idea about.You should get a copy of this ebook if you are serious about regrowing your hair and want to learn more about stopping your hair loss naturally.

Hair Loss Reviews – What should you use for Hair Loss

While hair loss is most unwelcome even when you are in your fifties, it is extremely unpleasant if steady loss of hair becomes a part of life when you are only in your thirties. Loss of hair could be due to genetic factors, nutritional imbalances, or use of wrong shampoos, creams, or lotions. Insufficient sleep and insufficient hair care can also lead to hair loss. However, this is not an irreversible condition and hair loss cures abound over the Internet and television. While there are several types of hair loss treatments, it is not safe to randomly use any of the creams, lotions, or shampoos suggested across the media of the internet or TV. That is where the importance of hair loss reviews comes in. You have to frequently go through the reviews concerning these products, as well as the suggested modes of treatment, to confirm their suitability to you. How many of these proffered hair loss cures actually work? A certain amount of marketing hype has to be expected in the case of every product description and hair loss shampoos are also no exception. Just because commercials of shampoos show people with thick and glossy hair, don’t accept those claims blindly. Shampoos, gels, and lotions come in such a wide variety and with varying price tags, that decision making will always be difficult. Studying hair loss reviews, which compare and contrast different hair loss treatments and shampoos, will substantially help in decision making. Individual suitability is an important criterion in making the choice of a shampoo. The claim that hair will grow back by the use of any specific shampoo is a far fetched scenario. Hair is not going to grow back by the use of any type of shampoo. On the other hand, some of the shampoos with certain chemicals contents may even aggravate hair loss. Just like hair loss shampoos, there are also lotions and Hair Loss Pills that promise the moon as far as hair restoration goes. All these have to be accepted with a pinch of salt. There is bound to be an element of exaggeration in all, and some could be unqualified lies. Again, going through hair loss reviews will help you not to fall into such traps. For example, Minioxidil is a drug that is believed to have the ability to prevent loss of hair and promote hair growth. So, manufacturers of hair loss shampoos and lotions emphasize on the fact that their products contain Minioxidil. However, these claims of Minioxidil being a champion hair restorer are highly disputed nowadays. On the contrary, many researches are establishing that its power in helping hair growth is insubstantial, while it could lead to other problems like a heart attack or hypertension. Yet another product, which is considered a panacea for hair loss problems, is the hair regrowth pill. This is widely advertised in hair loss reviews these days. But, as in every field, here also there are as many scams as genuine ones. So do your homework well before choosing any product. The time spent on studying reviews will not be wasted because it helps you to choose the right hair loss cure and the right product suitable to you. For more information on Hair Loss Reviews and information Reviews of Hair Loss Cures, Shampoos, Pills, and Treatments, please do visit our site – http://www.healthwatch.info/ or write to us

Hair Loss – Causes and Treatments

One of the most common problems that affect people all around the world is hair loss. Hair loss affects both men and women, though it is generally more common in men. The onset of hair loss can have a debilitating effect on one’s sense of self-image and oftentimes hair loss will coincide with a loss in self-confidence. In order to get the best kind of treatment for hair loss, it is important to separate the myths from the truth and understand the various kinds of hair loss.

Hair loss has been found to be generally more prevalent among males though hair loss in females in not uncommon. The most common form of hair loss is known as androgenic alopecia, which consists of a gradual thinning of the hair, which eventually leads to hair loss. The most extreme form is alopecia universalis where there is total hair loss all over the body. Hair loss is a natural side effect of old age but some men can experience hair loss as early on as during the onset of puberty.

The causes of hair loss are also varied. A popular belief states that hair loss is inherited through the maternal side but the chances of inheriting this trait are 50%. Myths relating to hair loss have been found to range from wearing hats that are too tight to standing on one’s head for too long- these however are myths and nothing more. The actual causes for hair loss are varied- exposure to chemicals; poisons and treatments such as chemotherapy are known to lead to hair loss. Another factor is undue stress, emotional or otherwise, trauma and depression. Certain illnesses also induce hair loss as a symptom. Tumors and various kinds of outgrowths of the skin have also resulted in hair loss. Another very important cause is an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. It has been proven that a sedentary way of life coupled with a diet that is high in fat and calorie intake more often than not results in early hair loss.

Perhaps due to the fact that hair loss is such a common problem, there are a number of remedies that have been on the market for years that help in dealing with hair loss. There is also much research being done using stem cell research and cloning in order to induce hair multiplication. This however it still in its testing stages but does prove that many advancements are being made today in the field of treating hair loss.

The best way to treat the threat of hair loss is to take care of your hair while it is healthy. This includes a proper diet that is low in fatty intake and an exercise regiment that focuses on vigorous aerobic activity on a daily basis. It is also important to clean and nourish the scalp and hair on a regular basis. However some people may require more direct methods to deal with hair loss. There are a number of products available on the market today but before trying any of these out, it is important to know how one should approach any hair loss treatment.

Before embarking on any hair loss treatment, it is important to remember that even if a treatment is successful, it may be some time before any visible results can be seen. In order to minimize the number of mistakes that could affect a successful hair treatment and ensure its success, it is helpful to remember the three principles of hair treatment, otherwise known as the 3 Ps. The first is Proven Treatments- there are a number of questionable hair treatment products available that could have adverse effects. Always use treatments that are approved and proven to show results. The second is Pictures- take pictures at various stages of the hair treatment in order to gain a better idea of whether the treatment is working and how it is working. The last P is perhaps the most important one and that is Patience. No hair treatment will give any results over night- it can take up to six months for the treatment to start working and almost two years before best results can be seen. It is important to understand that hair growth occurs in cycles and this in turn will affect the time in which a hair treatment will start to show results.

Among the proven and popular forms of hair loss treatment is Minoxidil, also known on the market as Rogaine. Though this has proven to be effective, the hair usually only grows at the top of the head and is thin and light. Another popular hair treatment is Finasteride, otherwise known as Propecia. This also promotes hair growth primarily in the crown area but is not recommended for women who are pregnant or are potentially pregnant. A number of other methods of hair treatments involve the application of Copper Peptides and Antiandrogens and herbal treatments such as Saw Palmetto. Hair transplants and scalp reductions are some other measures for treating hair loss though they are considerably more expensive and considered more extreme. In the future, hair loss will be able to be treated more effectively than ever using methods like Hair Multiplication, which consists of multiplying existing hair follicles and injecting them into the scalp. This exciting new treatment will induce the growth of healthy hair and is expected to hit the markets on a few years.

Hair loss is not something to be feared- as long as we understand what causes hair loss we can take steps in order to not only stop hair loss but also to induce the growth of new hair. With the right treatments and a little patience, hair loss can quickly become a thing of the past.

Hair Loss Natural Treatment

Isnâ??t it paradoxical that inspite of the fact that most of us enter the world as bald as a coot, and sometimes even exit that way, we spend our lifetime trying to maintain our hair through thick and thin. All of us lose between 40 and 120 strands of hair a day, depending on the amount of hair one has and its growth cycle.

Hair growth is not a continuous process. Hair follicles have a growth phase (anagen) and a resting, non-growth phase (telogen). Depending on how we treat our hair there will invariably be a variation in the amount of hair loss too. The lost hair is often so quickly replaced that we almost never notice its departure. But If you start to notice an alarming amount of hair on the bathroom sink or on your brush, if your pillow is covered with scads of loose hair, if your part seems to be getting wider or you’re seeing more scalp, you’ve probably got a problem and its time to take some action before you are fated to join the million men and women suffering from hair thinning or pattern hair loss. Hair loss and thinning can lead to anxiety, depression, and lack of confidence and fear too. Why on earth did it happen to me?

Hair loss begins when a certain enzyme converts the hormone testosterone into another hormone called DiHydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgenetic Alopecia, or hereditary hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss. Roughly put, the more Androgens or the hormones that affect hair loss you have the faster you will lose hair. Men generally lose their hair in a horse-shoe shaped pattern; i.e. they lose hair at the top of their head. Women on the other hand very rarely â??go baldâ??. Here hair thinning takes place with the part getting wider and the hair receding from the frontal area behind the frontal hairline. Telogen effluvium or hair loss due to emotional stress is another major cause for hair loss. What happens here is that hair goes through a synchronized shift from the anagen phase to telogen, the resting phase? This occurs after severe physiologic stress, such as any major surgery, pregnancy, death, divorce, loss of job etc. Usually once the period of stress is over hair growth slowly returns to normal.

Other factors for hair loss include use of birth control pills (relating to the amount of the progestin hormone in the pill), or a reaction to certain medications or even some supplements. Hair loss is also a known reaction to chemotherapy drugs. Thyroid, syphilis and other illnesses will also lead your hair to fall out. Improper care too plays a role in hair loss. Pulling the hair by wearing a very tight pony tail, cosmetic changes like colouring the hair, rebonding too much blow drying , over zealously brushing your hair , can all cause hair to be pulled out prematurely.

Another important factor is diet. Improper diet, iron deficiency, dyes used incorrectly, losing too much weight too soon and menopause can also cause your hair to thin out. So what can one do to slow down or reverse hair loss?

History tells us of how the Greek physician Hippocrates tried to alleviate his patients’ baldness with pigeon droppings. Aristotle tried goatâ??s urine to remedy his own baldness. Cleopatra prepared pastes for Julius Caesar made of ground horse teeth, deer marrow and charred mice mixed with bear grease. Its unlikely that any of these remedies bore fruit but the effort in that direction continues. One should however not lose hope as today, more than ever, there are many ways to slow down and even treat hair loss to a large degree. First check if you are missing out on any of the following:

· Adequate intake of vitamins.

· Balanced diet rich in iron and protein.

· Intake of raw vegetables, fresh fruits, salads, green leafy vegetables regularly.

· Washing hair twice weekly with a light shampoo.

· Reduce anxiety, stress and sleeplessness.

· Check for infections of scalp.

If hair fall persists meet a dermatologist or a physician who deals with hair loss and ascertain the reason for the hair fall. No absolute cure for hair loss has been found so far, yet not all varieties of hair loss are untreatable. Drugs known to slow the onset of common baldness, minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) are available with prescription. These have gained wide popularity but few of its side effects are still coming to light. Other Options

Surgical treatments are becoming quite popular as they give a very â??naturalâ?? look. Hair is transplanted from the back of the scalp from where it grows. This is a very expensive treatment and the can be quite invasive. Experts agree that a diet rich in whole foods and irons help promote hair growth. The food we eat shows in the quality of blood, and, therefore, the hair. For men, it has been suggested that a low fat diet may help decelerate the balding process. For women, hair loss could be a sign of a gastrointestinal problem, which needs to be checked. Lack of protein, or an excess or Vitamin A are a often stated cause of hair loss.

According to Chinese Medicine, hair loss is related to a kidney deficiency. The ancient texts caution that too much sweet or salt could cause hair to fall out. Natural remedies such as Aromatherapy, and natural supplements and herbs such as Saw palmetto oil, Folic acid,Silica biotin, and vitamin B5 are also said to help rejuvenate and maintain thickness of the hair. Ayurveda believes in a holistic approach to alleviate hair loss issues. It is based on the use of plant oils, herbs, as well as meditation, diet, exercise and massage to balance a person’s three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) that make up one’s “Prakruti” (mind-body type). According to this ancient science, oils such as brahmi and Bhrigaraj oil reduce Pitta dosha in the hair follicles thereby stimulating hair growth. Mixing either of these oils with some coconut oil and leaving it overnight is a popular solution.

Everyone’s hair loss is different, and with constant care and attention one can reduce hair loss and have a head full of beautiful tresses.

Female Hair Loss Products/treatments

In today’s increasingly stressful world, the number of women suffering from hair loss is increasing. We all want to look our best and damage to a woman’s ‘crowning glory’ can be a uniquely upsetting affliction.

Hair loss in woman can generally be seen evenly across the scalp, without definite bald patches. If this is happening to you, the following conditions may be affecting you:

Diffuse hair loss is a gradual thinning of the hair as opposed to a straightforward bald patch and is the most common type of hair loss in women. The replacement of old hairs by new hairs is slowed down so that the hair becomes sparse and the scalp can be seen clearly through the hair. The causes can be numerous and include stress, restriction of the blood supply, a poor nervous system and hormonal influences.

Androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness) in women is often linked to hormonal changes with the hair loss following events such as the menopause, childbirth or as a result of stopping or starting oral contraceptive pills. The hair loss is generally more uniform over the scalp than in the male counterpart, but also results from a complex chemical reaction when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts the testosterone in the system into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be over sensitive to the DHT and become smaller and smaller with time, leading to the eventual hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium occurs when the growing phase of the hair is interrupted prematurely causing the hair follicles to enter the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle earlier than normal. Two to four months later, following the normal cyclic pattern, diffuse shedding of the hair begins. When this happens there are not enough hairs left in the anagen phase, or growing phase, and the result is diffuse thinning of the hair.

Pregnancy will also affect hair production. Hormone levels increase as the pregnancy begins and slow down the hair growth cycle. Hairs that should stop growing continue to grow beyond their usual life cycle. Often this means that the hair appears to grow thicker as more hairs are present than normal. Following the birth, hormone levels change very quickly and hairs that were growing beyond their normal lifespan enter the telogen phase at this time and begin to fall out. This can sometimes appear to happen all at once and can be very worrying to the new mother.

Late onset thinning can be seen in diffuse hair loss across the scalp as density is reduced gradually. This is due to age-related hormonal changes as the natural reduction of oestrogen/progesterone production results in the hair follicles becoming smaller and smaller. These produce finer and finer hair until there is a general reduction in overall density.

If your hair loss is patchy you may be suffering from a form of alopecia:

Alopecia Areata is an extremely common condition and will affect 1% to 2% of the population at some point in their lives. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. The hair loss is sudden and manifests itself in small, smooth-skinned patches that are likely to gradually widen with time. It can also affect the sufferer’s nails, giving them a pitted, ridged or brittle appearance. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an auto-immune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis. If the hair loss progresses until all the scalp hair is lost this is known as alopecia totalis or as alopecia universalis if all the body hair is lost as well.

Pseudopelade is characterised by the development of small, smooth patches without any clinical changes other than transient erythema (redness). The initial patch is usually on the crown of the head, but can occur anywhere on the scalp. It is generally regarded as a clinical syndrome, which may be the end result of any one of a number of different pathological processes due to a weakened immune system.

Hair loss can also have traumatic origins:

Chemical trauma can be caused to the hair by bleaching, relaxing, perming or even dying the hair. The chemicals involved in these processes can damage the hair’s protein structure, making the hair dehydrated and brittle and often causing hair loss. As well as damaging the hair’s protein structure, these chemicals are also not good for the scalp and can irritate it.

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by constant tension on the hair, such as that created by an over-tight ponytail, plaiting or through using too tight rollers to style the hair. The action of pulling on the hair over a long period of time results in the gradual shrinking of the hair follicle and so the hairs produced become finer and finer.

Injury to the body or surgery and its associated anaesthetics and medications can also cause an interruption of the normal growth cycle. A relatively minor injury can result in disproportionably severe hair loss.

These are just a few of the reasons for hair loss. It order to treat hair loss effectively we would recommend that you have a diagnosis made as soon as possible by one of our experienced trichologists. Stress can be an aggravator in almost all cases of hair loss and an accurate diagnosis will always, at the very least, take some of the stress away from you.

www.thewestminsterpractice.com

Hair Loss and Scalp Treatment

In today’s increasingly stressful world, the number of women suffering from hair loss is increasing.We all want to look our best and damage to a woman’s ‘crowning glory’ can be a uniquely upsetting affliction. Hair loss in woman can generally be seen evenly across the scalp, without definite bald patches. If this is happening to you, the following conditions may be affecting you: Diffuse hair loss is a gradual thinning of the hair as opposed to a straightforward bald patch and is the most common type of hair loss in women. The replacement of old hairs by new hairs is slowed down so that the hair becomes sparse and the scalp can be seen clearly through the hair. The causes can be numerous and include stress, restriction of the blood supply, a poor nervous system and hormonal influences. Androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness) in women is often linked to hormonal changes with the hair loss following events such as the menopause, childbirth or as a result of stopping or starting oral contraceptive pills. The hair loss is generally more uniform over the scalp than in the male counterpart, but also results from a complex chemical reaction when the

enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts the testosterone in the system into DHT or dihydro-testosterone. The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be over sensitive to the DHT and become smaller and smaller with time, leading to the eventual hair loss.Telogen effluvium occurs when the growing phase of the hair is interrupted prematurely causing the hair follicles to enter the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle earlier than normal. Two to four months later,

following the normal cyclic pattern, diffuse shedding of the hair begins. When this happens there are not enough hairs left in the anagen phase, or growing phase, and the result is diffuse thinning of the hair. Pregnancy will also affect hair production. Hormone levels increase as the pregnancy begins and slow down the hair growth cycle. Hairs that should stop growing continue to grow beyond their usual life cycle. Often this means that the hair appears to grow thicker as more hairs are present than normal. Following the birth, hormone levels change very quickly and hairs that were growing beyond their normal lifespan enter the telogen phase at this time and begin to fall out. This can sometimes appear to happen all at once and can be very worrying to the new mother. Late onset thinning can be seen in diffuse hair loss across the scalp as density is reduced gradually. This is due to age-related hormonal changes as the natural reduction of oestrogen/progesterone production results in the hair follicles becoming smaller and smaller. These produce finer and finer hair until there is a general reduction in overall density. If your hair loss is patchy you may be suffering from a form of alopecia: alopecia areata is an extremely common condition and will affect 1% to 2% of the population at some point in their lives. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. The hair loss is sudden and manifests itself in small, smooth-skinned patches that are likely to gradually widen with time. It can also affect the sufferer’s nails, giving them a pitted, ridged or brittle appearance. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an A relatively minor auto-immune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis. If the hair loss injury can result in progresses until all the scalp hair is lost disproportionably this is known as alopecia totalis or as alopecia universalis if all the body severe hair loss. Hair is lost as well. Pseudopelade is characterised by the development of small, smooth patches without any clinical changes other than transient erythema (redness). The initial patch is usually on the crown of the head, but can occur anywhere on the scalp. It is generally regarded as a clinical syndrome, which may be the end result of any one of a number of different pathological processes due to a weakened immune system. Hair loss can also have traumatic origins: Chemical trauma can be caused to the hair by bleaching, relaxing, perming or even dying the hair. The chemicals involved in these processes can damage the hair’s protein structure, making the hair dehydrated and brittle and often causing hair loss. As well as damaging the hair’s protein structure, these chemicals are also not good for the scalp and can irritate it. Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by constant tension on the hair, such as that created by an over-tight ponytail, plaiting or through using too tight rollers to style the hair. The action of pulling on the hair over a long period of time results in the gradual shrinking of the hair follicle and so the hairs produced become finer and finer. Injury to the body or surgery and its associated anaesthetics and medications can also cause an interruption of the normal growth cycle. A relatively minor injury can result in disproportionably severe hair loss. These are just a few of the reasons for hair loss. It order to treat hair loss effectively we would recommend that you have a diagnosis made as soon as possible by one of our experienced trichologists. Stress can be an aggravator in almost all cases of hair loss and an accurate diagnosis will always, at the very least, take some of the stress away from you.

www.thewestminsterpractice.com

Finding The Perfect Hair Loss Remedy For You

A bit of trivia – the term bald derives from the English word balde, which means white or pale, or the Celtic word – ball, which means a white patch or blaze, as on a horse’s head. It is normal to shed a little hair each day but men, women and children may all experience excessive hair loss. Each hair on the scalp grows less than half an inch each month.
Many women notice hair loss about three months after they have had a baby; during pregnancy high levels of hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out and when the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts up again. Hair loss may occur if the male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance; correcting the hormone imbalance may stop the hair loss. And hypothyroidism can cause hair loss, especially thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows.
About three or four months after an illness or a major surgery, you can suddenly temporarily lose a large amount of hair; this hair loss is related to the stress of the illness. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder also known as “spot baldness” that can result in hair loss ranging from one area to every hair on the entire body. Some drugs or medications can cause hair loss, which improves when the medicine is stopped; medications that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, gout medicines, chemotherapy drugs used for cancer, too many vitamin A supplements, birth control pills and antidepressants.
Temporary loss of hair can occur in the areas where sebaceous cysts are present for one week to several weeks in length. Correcting a hormone imbalance may usually prevent further hair loss. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine or you may find you really don’t need the medicine after all.
Immunosuppressants applied to the scalp have been shown to temporarily reverse alopecia areata, though the side effects of some of these drugs make this therapy very questionable. Propecia (Finasteride) and Minoxidil (called Rogaine in the U.S and elsewhere as Regaine) are drugs that have reported having shown some success in partially reversing loss but one needs to consider the side effects. Surgery is another method of reversing hair loss and baldness; it is usually considered an extreme measure.
While drastic, broad spectrum anti-androgens such as Flutamide are sometimes used topically; Flutamide is potent enough to have a feminizing effect in most if not all men, including growth of the breasts. The topical application of Ketoconazole, which is both an anti-fungal and a potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, is often used as a supplement to other approaches. Studies done on subjects of various ages suggest that weight training alone may increase testosterone in studies where aerobic exercise only was compared to either weight training or a moderately sedentary life.
Propecia is available with a prescription; it comes in pill form, is only for men and may take up to six months before you can tell if it’s working. Minoxidil is a very expensive drug, costing one hundred dollars per month or so, for daily treatment. Be aware there are side effects and serious side effects sometimes with the drugs that are commonly used for hair loss.
Try lying on a slant board with your head down for 15 minutes a day, but clear it with your doctor first. Massage your scalp every day. Also try using double-strength herbal sage tea as a hair rinse or apply to scalp every day as a tonic.
Garlic oil remedy for hair loss: at bedtime, puncture a couple of garlic pearles, squirt the oil on the scalp, massage, cover with a shower cap, shampoo and rinse in the morning. Rub vitamin E oil into your scalp nightly. For the onion juice and honey remedy for hair loss: prepare a hair-growing elixir by combining 1/4 cup of onion juice with one tablespoon of honey; massage the scalp with this mixture every day.
Raw apple cider vinegar used as a hair rinse may stimulate hair growth. The olive oil and rosemary remedy for hair loss: use equal amounts of olive oil and oil of rosemary; combine them in a bottle, shake vigorously, massage into the scalp, put on a shower cap and shampoo in the morning. Fingernail buffer for hair loss: strange as it may sound – three times a day or so, for about five minutes, buff your right fingernails with the fingernails of your left hand; this is supposed to stop hair loss, encourage hair growth and prevent hair from graying – some report that it does work.
Polygonum Multiflorum is a traditional Chinese cure for hair loss; whether or not the plant itself is useful, the general safety and quality control of herbs imported from China can be questionable. Resveratrol, from grape skins, is a lipase inhibitor and by decreasing the body’s ability to absorb fat through the intestinal walls, it reduces the total fat and calorie content of a person’s diet. One patient reported that he used virgin coconut oil on his hair and scalp for a year and during that time his hair became thicker and he hade more of it on the top of his head where he had been receding a bit; coconut oil is good as a hair gel too.
Treatment for alopecia can be slow and sometimes not very successful; the more hair that is lost, the more you may have to work to get it back and in some cases may not be able to; but try as many of the natural non-invasive treatments and remedies as possible. Concentrate on boosting your immune system in order to give your hair the best chance at growing. Treating hair loss from the inside may be the best hair loss treatment for you.