Archive for the 'Hair Loss' Category

Hair Loss Treatment

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Hair loss is a very common problem nowadays. Although many people think that only men are vulnerable to hair loss, the fact is that women can also suffer from this problem. In this article I will write about the most common causes of hair fall and some popular ways of treatment.

Causes

There are many various causes of the condition, however, androgenetic alopecia causes hair loss problems in more than 70% of people. Both men and women can suffer from it. If you have androgenetic alopecia, your hair will not fall off instantly. First, it will become much thinner and only then you will notice that your hairline is receding. Poor nutrition, hormonal changes and some medications as well as forms of medical treatment can also provoke the condition.

Women and teenage girls can notice hair fall during hormonal changes. For example many women can experience this problem during pregnancy. If you one of them – do not worry because, in most cases, your hair will grow back and be normal again after your child is born and hormonal balance in your body is restored.

The Most Popular Treatments

If you are already bald, the most effective way for you is to use surgery. It is expensive, however, you the results are almost instant. I am talking about hair transplant. Your surgeon will move your hair follicles from one part of your body to balding area. It is called Follicular Unit Transplantation or simply FUT. I will not discuss this type of hair loss treatment here but if you are really interested in it, EzineArticles has many great articles around the topic.

If your hair loss is not yet very serious, the best solution for you would be to use minoxidil. This is the only FDA approved topical solution that is clinically tested and is proven to be really effective. Men should use products that contain 5% of minoxidil and women should use products that contain 2% of minoxidil. Personally, when I suffered from excessive hair fall, minoxidil really helped me and I noticed results in two months, however, my scalp was always itching and I had dandruff. These two side effects of minoxidil really annoyed me.

While various topical solutions fight only with the results of the problem, it is also very important to fight with initial causes. You should consume more vitamins, iron and other supplements that are responsible for healthy hair.

Vitamins For Hair Loss

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

There are a variety of different vitamins for hair loss that can help generate more cell shifting in the scalp. The shifting of these cells will help with the growing process and those that have thinning hair or at least somewhat general hair loss a new lease on life. If you are looking to find the different options available for overall growth, consider the following 3 great supplements you can add to your daily routine.

1. Vitamin B12 – The B vitamins are often grouped together in a complex and can give people energy, and strengthen the scalp to produce more hair follicles. This specific option reverses the loss of hair on the head, as it acts as an excellent source of molecular cell generation. Most people that have thinning hair are deficient in this vitamin, which is why most people start on a program to supplement their overall diet and nutrition with this alternative.

2. Biotin – Hair growth can be assisted with a very specific nutrient called biotin. This option is usually found in prescription medications, and helps those with gradual hair loss reverse the trend. Getting this nutrient into the scalp doesn’t always mean utilizing prescription medication, ointments, lotions or anything along those lines. It requires a shift in nutritional value. You can eat certain foods to help boost this, and find that it helps gradually, among other choices. Couple it with treatments and other vitamins for hair loss and results will be great overall.

3. Vitamin E – This classic vitamin is a great addition to the nutritional plan you have already set in motion. Not only is this part of the 3 vitamins for hair loss you need, it also helps with skin care. In regards to hair growth, this vitamin helps stimulate growth in the follicles and help improve overall blood flow through the scalp.

The above 3 vitamins for hair loss can help thinning hair regrow, and helps at the cellular level. The reason why many people have thin or loss of hair is due in large part to dead cells in the scalp region. The region can lose blood flow, and the follicles can get damaged, causing hair to fall out at record rates. Getting these vitamins into the system requires more than just a healthy diet; it requires supplements that are isolated forms of the vitamins to make sure that the proper dosage is being taken for the distinct reason of regenerating hair.

Early Hair Loss

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

When Steve was 18, he looked in the mirror one day and noticed something shocking. He was losing his hair. Where there had once been volume, there was now thinning along the hairline.

Was his forehead getting larger or was it his hairline that was receding? How could this be? He was in the prime of his youth, still in high school and concerned with his image.

At that age, fitting in, making friends, looking for girlfriends are all critical to one’s psycho-social development. At this age, hair loss can be devastating and take a toll on one’s confidence, self-esteem and peer relationships.

Because it is so unexpected, shocking and unwanted, a young man can be traumatized. He may look for ways to cope – wear a baseball hat, grow his hair long and try to cover up the thinning areas, compensating by becoming the class clown or by going to the other extreme and withdrawing.

Writing in the 2005 British Medical Journal, Nigel Hunt and Sue McHale found that, “Alopecia (hair loss) is a form of disfigurement that can affect a person’s sense of self and identity. It can be associated with serious psychological consequences, particularly in relation to anxiety and depression.”

A young teenager or man at this young age is vulnerable to his peers and societal norms and may worry about not being attractive to the opposite sex, looking older or not as handsome, and may question his virility.

After all, historically, men and their hair have been associated closely with virility. Samson in the Old Testament, derives his strength from his hair to fend off the Philistines and loses his power when Delilah orders a servant to have it shaved.

Men with long hair (think Fabio), exuding sex appeal and virility, grace the covers of women’s romance novels.

According to Lynne Luciano, author of the book, Looking Good, Male Body Image in Modern America, “A full head of hair typically has been synonymous with youth and virility, yet 20% of men begin to lose their hair by their twenties, and by age sixty, most experience substantial male pattern baldness.”

She goes on to say that, “Despite the emotional distress caused by hair loss, American men in the twentieth century have been expected to be indifferent to balding and to regard efforts at remedying or disguising it as shamefully vain.”

So, what’s a young man to do?

First realize, there is no shame in looking good. If you are like Steve, you investigate all your hair restoration options – go to a dermatologist, try preventive medications such as Propecia, inquire about hair pieces or hair transplant surgery.

Steve eventually tried them all and after wearing a hairpiece for six years, decided to have a hair transplant.

Over the past decade, hair transplant technology has come into its own. Gone are the ‘plugs’ from the 1980s. Modern advances in both technique and technology allow for more realistic and undetectable outcomes.

He found a surgeon who regularly performs follicular unit transplantation (FUT), the most up-to-date and accurate form of surgery, and is happy with his natural-looking, soft results.

Hair Implants

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

If you are on of the 60 million men and women suffering some form of hair loss or balding, in just one procedure with a qualified hair surgeon you can bring back your hair. While you won’t literally get all of your hair back the day you have surgery, you will be on the path towards a full head of hair. Hair implants are a simple outpatient procedure that only takes between 4 to 5 hours to complete. Over the course of just a few months the hair implants will take root and grow. That’s right you will have hair grow where you were bald, and it’s your hair!

25% of women suffer from some from alopecia, 50% of men over the age of 50 will experience some form of hair loss, and an unlucky 5% of men will suffer from premature alopecia and lose their hair before the age of 20. That is quite a few people who could truly benefit from hair implants. So what are you waiting for?

If you are worried about looking like your Uncle Ed with his giant plugs from 1975, don’t worry. The “plug” has been retired for some time. Now hair implants are virtually scar less and undetectable. Also, if you get a surgeon that performs a MaxHarvest? procedure, such as Dr. Brett Bolton a pioneer in the industry, you will get twice the hair as any other type of hair surgery out there today and have maximum density. That’s right density! While there are many good hair surgeons, there are only a few GREAT ones and these are the doctors that can give you maximum density in as few procedures as possible!

However, if you are losing your hair or are already bald and are waiting out surgery because you want to try the “miracle regrowth shampoo”, regrowth vitamins, or laser combs first. You are wasting precious time and money on products that will not bring back your lost hair and cannot prevent future loss. When I say precious time, I mean it. When it comes to balding, waiting is the worst thing you can do! Everyday you have less hair than you did the day before. The sooner you get a transplant, the more hair your doctor will not only have to work with, but the more he could save from future fall out. While a “miracle pill” doesn’t exist, hair implants are the proven solution to hair loss, so if you are balding what are waiting for?

While you read this, you just lost 3 more hairs that you will never get back without a surgery. Are you getting the picture?

If you are worried that hair implants will be a long drawn out process, getting a transplant will be one of the easiest and greatest investments you ever made in yourself! When you get a hair surgery, you invest in your appearance and therefore are investing in yourself! It is a simple procedure with minimal swelling and a two-week recovery time. You will not regret it, you only regret waiting any longer. So, if you are bald today – get your hair back tomorrow!

Hair Restoration

Saturday, August 13th, 2011

You are a man who is losing his hair and you thought buying something nice would make you feel, well, a little less bald. So, you bought the nicest car on the lot. Then you added a sunroof and a spoiler with racing stripes. You made sure your brand new car had twin exhaust and an iPod adapter. You felt great about your purchase until you glanced in your rearview mirror and reality hit you, sure you had a nice car, but you still are losing your hair.

Or, you are a woman who has just invested in a diamond necklace with rare pink pearls to go with your Channel shoes and matching purse. You had your nails done and went to the tanning salon. You just spent all this money to feel good, but inevitably when you look in the mirror to access that new necklace or tan all you see is your balding head. All this money you put into your car or diamonds isn’t going to change the fact that you are bald.

If you are one of the 60 million men or women who are suffering from hair loss or balding, why not get a hair restoration? The best investment you can make is in your self! The cars and diamonds aren’t going to cover bald spots, but a hair restoration will bring back your hair, your confidence and knock off about ten years.

If you are suffering from hair loss investing in a car or jewelry isn’t going to correct your hair loss problem. However, hair restoration is a proven solution to hair loss and it’s a permanent solution. Hair restoration is a simple outpatient procedure that will increase vitality and you will no longer have to be self-conscious and try to hide your head.

A hair restoration surgery costs on average $12,000 and if you get one of the best surgeons in the industry who utilize the MaxHarvest? procedure then chances are, you will only need one surgery. The MaxHarvest? procedure moves the most hair possible in one procedure and give the patient more density than any other procedure available today. If you truly want to restore your hair, revive your confidence and restart your life start with your hair and go from there.

If you have waited for hair restoration surgery because you are afraid of the possible “plug” look of the past. Never fear, the plugs are in the past and a hair restoration surgery today is undetectable, completely natural looking and virtually scar less.

After your surgery your hair will grow naturally and will be completely undetectable as a hair transplant. So, if you are going to make an investment that’s going to make you feel good about yourself, then get a hair transplant because investing in your appearance is going to do far more for you than a fancy car or jewelry. After the surgery if you still want that car or diamond necklace, go for it and know that it is just an accessory to you and your investment in yourself.

Herbal For Hair Loss

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Hair loss is typical among men in their 60s. However, when this happens at an early age, it can be an indication of hereditary disorder, hormonal imbalance, or adverse reaction to environmental pollutants. There are countless hair loss solutions, prescribed and over-the-counter, available in the market. The problem is, many are hesitant to give them a try due to possible allergic reactions. In addition, these may also have contraindications that will do no good to those under medications.

Fortunately, hair technology is not solely dependent upon chemical elements. Herbal solutions to hair loss are now gaining popularity over its chemical-based counterpart, more so to those concerned about overall health. Below are the most common.

1. Aloe Vera. Sebum is secreted by the hair glands and gives the hair a natural shine. Excessive sebum, however, can clog the hair follicles and cause hair to fall. In addition, this can lead to scalp irritation and give rise to further hair issues. Aloe Vera works by regulating the amount of sebum and restoring the follicular cycle. The scalp is returned to health, and becomes capable of producing hair again.

2. Saw palmetto. The plant is mostly grown in North America, and is used to cure prostate or urinary tract inflammations in men. Certain properties of saw palmetto have been proven to block the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is the main cause of androgenic alopecia, or the hereditary hair loss in men. The body generates a male hormone called testosterone that in combination with the enzyme 5 alpha reductase is converted into DHT. Saw palmetto, that is thought to be one among the best Herbal solutions to hair loss, may be available in the form of topical solutions and oral preparations.

3. Ginkgo Biloba. Also known as the Maidenhair tree, Ginkgo Biloba is widely known in China and Japan for its medicinal attributes. The extract of Ginkgo Biloba is often used as an active ingredient in some commercial hair care products. It is claimed to facilitate blood circulation in the skin, thus promoting cellular health. A healthy scalp maintains healthy hair follicles, and enables growth of healthy hair.

Herbal solutions to hair loss are a good alternative to those with allergic tendencies or are under certain medications. These have properties that are beneficial not only to the scalp but also the other organs in the body. Although, some of their therapeutic tendencies may still have not been scientifically proven, there is no harm in trying a ‘cure from nature’.

Hair Surgery

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Nearly 60 million men and women worldwide suffer from some form of hair loss. 25% of women suffer from hair loss, while nearly 50% of men at some point in their lives will suffer from hair loss. An unfortunate 5% of men will lose their hair before the age of 20. By the time you are looking into a hair surgery, you have probably starting to experience some hair loss or balding. When it comes to hair loss the sooner you correct the problem, the better it is for your hair and your wallet.

If you think that a hair surgery isn’t right for you and you are using a “miracle cure” lotion or shampoo you are wasting precious time. Everyday you have less hair than you did the day before and none of those products work. So, all you are doing is washing your hair and losing invaluable time. The quicker you decide to get a hair surgery, the more the doctor will have to work with and the more of your natural follicles they can save from future fall out. If you are suffering from loss, a hair transplant is the only solution to getting your hair back and stopping hair loss.

If you are misguided and think a non-surgical hair system will save you money in the end, you are incredibly mistaken. A non-surgical system, a wig that is, will cost you at least $1200 for installation and at minimum $500 a month for maintenance. Over a four-year period you will have spent around $25,000 and you will still be bald. If you continue another 4 years, you have just spent $50,000. 50 grand for fake hair for 8 years! Can you really afford that? Add another 4 years and another 4 years and you do the math. Is your wallet screaming yet?

On the other hand, a hair surgery will cost on average $12,000 and most people, if they have the right surgeon, will only need one surgery. However, if you didn’t get the density you wanted the first time around and do have to invest in a second surgery, your total cost is $24,000, but you will have your own mane restored, not some wig. Remember, everyday you have less hair than you did the day before and if you get a hair surgery right away, then not only will you get your hair back, but the surgeon can help you keep whatever follicles you have remaining. Stop your hair loss in its tracks.

I can understand why a person may feel like holding off on a hair surgery because they are worried it won’t look natural or it will be detectable. However, today’s technology ensures a natural look. For the price of a non-surgical hair system for 8 years, you could have a hair surgery and get a new car. To me, at least, that seems like a much better investment. And it is an investment. A hair transplant is an investment in yourself, your appearance and your confidence. Not only do you lose hair every single day, but if you are balding or suffering from hair loss you are probably losing a little self-confidence with every single hair that falls out.

Hair Loss Causes?

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Introduction

I do not know about you, but I was devastated when I found out I was losing my hair at the age of 50. But as I look back on it, I was slowly losing my hair over the past 20 years. So how come I started losing my hair gradually and did not notice it, but then all of a sudden it started coming out faster and was much more noticeable.

So what could cause this gradual loss and then the sudden increase?

History

When I was a teenager I had a full head of hair. Several years later I noticed that my hair was thinning. I found this out by comparing past and present pictures but did not think much of it. I thought it was just a part of growing old and not a specific hair loss condition.

When I did a little research on it I found it was normal for people to loss anywhere from 50 to 150 strands of hair a day. When I looked at the number of hairs I was losing, it appeared normal.

Then as I reached middle age I noticed in my washbasin there was a lot more hair strands than normal. Plus there was more hair in the shower drain and my wife was complaining about all the hair strands of mine she was finding. So it was time for me to get serious about my hair loss and do some research.

Research

I started to do my research by looking at those conditions that could cause hair loss and eliminating the obvious.

Male Pattern Baldness- I quickly eliminated this one because if you look on packages of Rogaine or Minoxidil they had a picture of a man with male pattern baldness. My hair loss was not anything like that where it is receding from the hairline and with hair loss at the crown. True I had receding hairline but the hair on my crown was in tact.

Medicine- This could not be it because I was taking no drugs.

Scalp Infections- I had no scalp infections, even my hairdresser agreed.

Diet- My diet was fine, getting all the proper nutrition I needed from my food such as vitamin E and vitamin B, such as Biotin.

Stress- Though I was an executive for a nuclear power plant I felt I was not under any great stress.

Results

I retired recently and now get up when I want to, do what I want and go to bed when I want. Guess what, my hair loss has stopped. Conclusion, because of my job, I was under stress and it was causing my hair loss and I did not even know it.

Conclusion

If you are losing your hair, you should look closely at stress. You may not think you are under any stress but you may be and it could be causing your hair loss.

Cure Hair Loss

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is an alkaloid substance, derived from the plants and seeds of plants such as the coffee plant. Caffeine has a stimulating effect in humans on our Central Nervous System (CNS) and it also acts as a muscle relaxant – a diuretic agent. Today, caffeine is the number one psychoactive “drug” today, and is perfectly legal and can be found in every drug store. Using caffeine can restore alertness and evoke awareness from a sleepier state of mind.

What’s hair?

Believe it or not, hair is actually made out of a protein called keratin. That’s right – your hair is a big chunk of protein. But why do we have hair? What is it good for? Turns out that hair is linked to keeping our body warm (at least, our ancestors), helps us attract members of the opposite sex, helps us protect our skin and also serves part as a sensor in our skin. Our hair grows from inside the Dermis (a layer in your skin), and its base (the hair shaft) produce the actual visible hair, as the hair is actually much longer than visible as its roots are deep inside the dermis.

How does hair grow?

Your hair follicles each has a growth phase mode that lasts between 2 and 8 years. This phase is called the “Anagen”, the growth phase – the phase in which the follicle or hair bulb is active, producing normal thick hair that lasts years and doesn’t fall off. The hair then enters the “Catagen” phase – after a long growth phase a signal is being sent to the hair follicle, ceasing its activity – the amount of pigment is reduced at the base of the hair shaft itself, and keratinized club is being formed. This cuts off the blood supply to the hair roots, forcing it to stop producing hair and waiting for the hair to fall. The third phase is the “Telogen” – a phase where a new hair is forged underneath the Catagen hair, waiting for the right time to burst out – just like a new tooth would do. When the hair is has enough nutrients, blood supply it can produce a new hair, however… When you suffer from baldness, your Anagen phases become shorter and shorter, and the “Telogen” phase to become longer and longer…

Caffeine’s effects on hair

This is where the miracle compound called caffeine enters the scene. Remember the Anagen phase we were talking about before? Well, turns out that caffeine can actually prolong the Anagen phase, put simply – Make your existing hair follicles produce active, Thicker, healthier hair for a longer period. See, when testosterone and DHT bind to our Hair follicles they suppress it, halting its growth, cutting off blood supply, in short -make us bald! When testosterone binds to our hair shaft, it inhibits the creation of a compound called c-AMP, a natural Occurring substance that is required to our hair cells to produce new hairs (making the good Anagen phase shorter, and the bad telogen phase longer). We don’t want that, do we? Luckily for us, this is one problem we can actually address – As caffeine works to stimulate an enzyme called adenylcyclase, which stimulates and promotes the activity of c-AMP. In plain language – it stops the process of baldness, give us hope to reversal (if the situation isn’t too progressed) and helps to thicken existing or new hair coming in. Please note that once the hair is dead – NOTHING CAN REVIVE IT. This is why it’s extremely important to act fast, when you first spot your baldness problem. So how can we use caffeine for hair loss? Do I just take some coffee and rub it on my scalp? Fortunately, a patented shampoo called “Alpecin” was formulated with the correct ratio of Caffeine and other hair boosting ingredients, and it considered the #1 shampoo in the world to fight baldness and to help maintain your mane. Doctors and dermatologist around the globe and especially in England and Germany recommend Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo for their hair loss patients. Another one of caffeine’s miracle abilities is its natural ability to Act as a pesticide that kills parasites, yeast infections and dandruff in your scalp. That’s what I call catching two birds with one stone – Stop your baldness & cure your dandruff condition! Caffeine also inhibits testosterone and DHT from binding onto of hair shafts, ensuring the potential of new hair growth to come in, and stabilization in hair loss.

Hair Transplantation

Sunday, March 13th, 2011

I’m Tired of Hiding My Hair Loss: What are the Options?

If you suffer from androgenic alopecia, more commonly called pattern baldness, you are not alone. This condition affects approximately 40 million men in the United States. Concealing your hair loss with quick fixes, like hairpieces and hats, is not only temporary, but also binding and potentially embarrassing in many situations. These provisional options prove futile when swimming, for instance, or during adverse weather conditions. A toupee will not endure through a competitive soccer game, nor will a baseball cap suffice for a black tie event. Hiding your hair loss is a frustrating and finite solution.

You have other options for restoring your pattern baldness. The two most popular and medically sound hair loss solutions are:

Prescription drugs: Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil)

Hair transplantation: this includes follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) and follicular unit extraction (FUE)

Hair Transplantation: A Permanent Solution

While Propecia and Rogaine are viable options for restoring hair loss, they are subject to the severity of baldness, they are limited as to what parts of the scalp they restore, and they must be used continually to abate hair loss. If your hair loss is average to severe and you are in search of permanent re-growth, hair transplantation is your best option.

Hair transplantation in general is the removal of hair follicles from the donor area for implantation into the recipient area of the scalp. Once hair transplantation is complete, the follicles take root, so to speak, and grow permanently.

Follicular unit strip surgery, also called “strip harvesting,” is a common hair transplantation method. This type of hair transplantation removes a strip of flesh from the donor area-which, in FUSS, is always the mid-back of the scalp-to be cut up into smaller grafts and implanted into the recipient area. This hair transplantation surgery is not ideal to achieve a natural-looking hairline, as the donor hair extracted is thick in nature and will create a harsh wall of hair. FUSS is also infamous for leaving a strip scar across the back of the head, which can stretch and worsen over time.

FUE Hair Transplantation: The Best Solution

Today’s vanguard of hair transplantation is follicular unit extraction, wherein grafts are removed in single follicular units. This method expands the selection of donor follicles to include finer hairs, such as those behind the ears or at the nape of the neck. Thus, these follicular units (natural groups of one to four hairs) are extracted with a specific hairline design in mind, and to achieve desired fullness and evenness across the scalp. The results of FUE hair transplantation remain matchless in restoring a full, natural-looking, and healthy head of hair.

Other reasons why FUE hair transplantation may be your hair loss solution include:

It is a minimally invasive procedure

The tiny round scars left in the donor area heal to become cosmetically insignificant

It boasts a quicker recovery time

It infinitely widens the pool of donor hair by enabling body hair transplantation (BHT) for advanced FUE surgeons

FUE hair transplantation using BHT gives new hope to those suffering severe hair loss, who have a depleted store of head donor hair.