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Hair Loss Treatment – 7 Hair Growth Tips

January 24th, 2010 hair extensions pro No comments

People often take their hair for granted until one day they realize that it is starting thin and fall out. Once you’re in this stage, hair regrowth becomes very difficult to achieve. Thus, it would be better if we start taking care of the health of our hair and scalp now, rather than regret not having done it later on.
A number of factors may influence how our hair will grow and how prone we are to hair loss. These may include hormonal changes, hereditary influences, environmental factors, and health. A change in lifestyle will definitely impact what would become of our hair in the future. Consider following the hair growth tips below in order to encourage the growth of hair strands that are less prone to dryness, breakage, and falling.
(1)Drink the recommended daily amount of water. Water here means pure water; it does not include other drinks such as soft drinks, coffee, and beer. Dehydration can make your entire body feel weak and easily exhausted. It is also another factor in the drying out and breakage of hair, as well as the stopping of its growth. The general rule is that men should drink 2.8 to 3.5 liters of water a day, while women should drink 2 to 2.6 liters daily. Adjust these amounts based on factors like weather condition, age, and weight.
(2)Exercise a couple of times a week. Studies show that a 15-minute brisk walk will increase your normal heart rate. This will then improve the blood circulation in our body, and this will bring more nutrients to our hair follicles and scalp. It would be best to exercise at least an hour after eating in order to give more time for digestion to finish and thus put less pressure on our system.
(3)Maintain a proper diet. Avoid foods that are rich in salt, sugar, and fat. Those three food components would only stress our kidneys and make our blood more acidic, resulting in hair loss.
(4)Drink green tea daily. Doing so will reduce the risk of hair loss. Green tea contains antioxidants that inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT induces hair loss and an increase in prostate size.
(5)Indulge in aromatherapy. This alternative form of medicine has benefits both on our health and mood. Massaging essential oils, such as lavender and olive, onto our scalp would encourage healthier hair regrowth. Moreover, it would help eliminate stress, which is another factor in hair loss.
(6)Avoid putting any strain on your scalp and hair in the form of tight clips and pony tails. The mechanical action of pulling your hair against the scalp can result in hair loss. Bald patches may arise from plucking out hair from the scalp often. This is known as traction alopecia.
(7)Avoid using heat and chemicals on your hair, such as straightening, perming, coloring, and excessive blow drying. These methods will only weaken the internal structure of your hair and damage its chemical bonds. They may also cause dryness and irritation, making your hair fall out more easily.

Important Things to Know about Tinea Capitis Baldness

November 24th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

Suffering from Tinea Capitis is no walk in the park. That is why it is important to educate yourself about this condition.
What is Tinea Capitis?
This is a disease that is caused by a fungal infection on the scalps skin, eyelashes, and eyebrows that attacks follicles and hair shafts. Also called ringworm of the scalp, this disease is normally found of children ten years old under, but could also happen to older people.
The symptoms on this disease have varied degrees. It can start from scaly but non-inflamed parts of the skin that resembles with seborrheic dermatitis, to an inflammatory disease with very scaly lesions.
As this progress, Alopecia or hair loss happens to severely inflamed abscesses which could eventually lead to permanent scarring or even baldness. How extent the condition becomes all depends upon how the body reacts to the fungus.
Causes of Tinea Capitis
This disease is normally a result of a person-to-person transmission. Organisms remain on brushes, combs, sheets, and couches for longer periods. Particular species of the Tinea Capitis are found in specific parts of the world.
Occasional bruising of the scalp basically provides entry for a microscopic fungus. The infection normally begins as small papules on around the scalps hair shaft or even in the eyelashes.
After a few days, the red papule starts to appear scaly and paler, and the hairs become brittle, lustreless, and discoloured. On some infected areas, ring-formed lesions may possibly combine. Pruritus, although minimal, are sometimes intense. This will then cause the hair to fall. Furthermore, inflammation may either be mild or severe. To diagnose the condition, it is very important to seek for the help of qualified dermatologists.
Diagnosing Tinea Capitis
Extensive diagnosis of a Tinea Capities generally depends on varied examinations and culture of scrapings, rubbings, clippings, or plucking from the lesions. Infected hairs that appear as broken stubs are ideal for examinations.
These hairs can be removed with the use of forceps without letting the patient feel any pain at all, or simply rubbing the infected area with a moist gauze pad will also do the trick. Few hair samples are then cultured and softened in about 20% of potassium hydroxide before carefully examined on the microscope. This examination will help determine if a Tinea Capitis infection does exist.
Treatments for Tinea Capitis
There are three major treatments that can be done for Tinea Capitis. The first is systemic administration of Griseofulvin that is considered as a proven effective oral therapy. Another one is using Selenium Sulfide shampoo so that transmission of the fungus to the others may be reduced. And finally, taking Itraconazole and Terbafine is also as effective as Griseofulvin.
Griseofulvin is basically a treatment for ringworm infections of the scalp. Effective dosages are often prescribed for six to eight weeks, with the 20-25mg/kg/d medication. This medicine works by accumulating in keratin of the layers and the hair, providing resistance of fungus invasions. Treatments are continued for six to eight weeks, enough for the infected keratin to be replaced by a much more resistant one.
It is important that people suffering from this fungal disease should consult immediately to a qualified hair expert. That way, spreading the infection will not be possible if immediate actions are undertaken.

Baldness Consultation: Something Not to be Ashamed Of

November 17th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

Millions of people today are suffering from baldness. This issue is actually a very alarming one because the number of men suffering from this keeps on growing and growing.
Baldness can be prevented or treated if you submit yourself for a baldness consultation from your reliable hair specialist. Since a lot of men are not quite open about this idea primarily because of shame, the idea of seeking for a professional baldness consultation might actually help a lot.
Fast Facts about Human Hair Loss
Men suffering from hair loss normally admit that they are not bothered with the problem at all. But in reality, a lot of men actually are worried about baldness. Experts say there is nothing vain or wrong about being concerned with the problem.
Hair loss doctors say that based from statistics, more than thirty five million men in the US suffer from hair loss that leads to baldness, which is why a baldness consultation is very essential.
What Experts will Tell You
Once you have sought for a professional advice, the first thing that hair loss experts will do is to let you understand how hair loss happens, which eventually leads to baldness. The cause of baldness and hair fall is primarily the genes, contrary to what most people thought of is caused by hats and extensive shampooing.
Additionally, doctors will also let you know how to fully deal with the issue emotionally as most people suffering from this is more likely to suffer emotionally because of distress. Studies actually shoe that hair is symbol of professional, social, cultural, and religious affiliations. Apparently, good hair implies youth, strength, virility, and power.
Baldness and Self-Esteem
People who are already bald are generally perceived as weaker, more ineffectual, and older in the social scene and the work world. In an article in 1995 published in the British Journal of Psychology, it stated that people who are suffering from baldness often have very low levels of self-esteem compared with their peers, and are observed less sociable. There are in fact some men who suffer more from depression, thus making them less likely to become successful in their chosen field.
Hair loss, before it could even lead to balding, lead some men to make harsh decisions, especially when it first occurs. It is important to discuss the problem with the right professionals so that legitimate and proven treatments can be considered.
Hair Loss Treatment: Which is Right for You?
For the past decade, treatments for alopecia have made very surprising advances. Medications like Avodart (dustasteride) and Propecia (finasteride) were introduced, along with topical treatments lie Rogaine. Although there are no proven studies yet as to the effectiveness of these medications, there are actually some noted improvements from people who take these medications.
But if you think you cannot wait long enough for the medications to take effect, the most ideal treatment is a hair transplant surgery. This hair transplant surgical method has been proven by thousands of men in restoring their hair in a shorter span of time.
Men with hair loss problems should not feel ashamed about it because without proper baldness consultation, he will forever remain bald.

All about Hair Loss?

November 10th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

First of all, there are certain treatments that you are on that can cause hair loss; in such cases you would be required to discontinue the treatments.Among the main causes of hair loss are a person’s hormones as well as his or her genetics; these work individually or together to bring about hair loss in most people. Experts have said that the main cause of hair loss in most men is DHT.Hormonal hair loss is not permanent in a female because after her pregnancy or puberty (which all trigger the condition in most females), the hormones mostly always return to normal.Telogen Effluvium is the name given to hair loss which is caused by the sudden outburst of stress in an individual’s life; so yes, stress plays a big role in hair loss.Aside from the possibility that your hair loss during pregnancy can be normal, it’s important to tell your doctor about it so that a thorough medical checkup can be done on you to fully ascertain that there’s no other likely problem that triggered the hair loss.Whichever hair loss product you decide to buy or treatment you decide to use, it’s very important to do your research and learn as much as you can about each, before going ahead; after all it’s your hair and the onus lies on you to make the right decision. Some people with hair loss problems say they have used and benefited from Biotin because it contains the necessary vitamins which support hair growth.I don’t recommend self-diagnosis when you are losing hair; this can lead to more problems than you are trying to solve; always seek the help and expert guide of a hair loss specialist.To close, note that as a female you will always lose hair, especially when taking your bath, applying oil or when combing, but when the hair which falls off is a lot more than normal, then there is a reason to be concerned.The truth about the matter is that baldness cannot be cured. There are several treatments for baldness that can provide come form of respite for the bald man or woman. Medication may not be effective for a person whose hair loss problem is extensive in scale. But what works wonders for bald people is hair transplant. It’s expensive, yes, but it works and can make your problem of bald head a thing of the past. An alternative to hair transplant surgery is to wear wigs. Wigs can be used to cover up the bald patches around your head. You can select a beautiful wig from the array of wigs that are available on the market to help cover up your baldness. Your hair loss condition may be a result of the medication you are taking. As a general rule, anticoagulant drugs tend to cause a lot of side effects including hair loss. Chemotherapy treatments have been known to cause hair loss.Pregnant women are bound to experience hair loss after they have been delivered of their babies because certain hormones that cause hair retention return back to their normal state. Hair loss after the birth of a child is usually regained after the normal cycle of hair growth begins again. Hair loss in women who have just given birth is usually noticeable after about three months.Here’s a great article about hair loss…

Hair Loss Online Social Network Launched

October 31st, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

HairLoss.com, the world’s most comprehensive social network community dedicated to “all things hair loss” has been launched.  The latest generation of HairLoss.com will live up to its promise of introducing a novel and groundbreaking website to the hair loss industry. HairLoss.com is a complete social network service, providing an online community of people who share a common interest in hair loss issues, from solving hair loss to celebrating hair loss and all things in between, while providing users with a variety of ways to interact and share facts, opinions and advice.”The premise of the website is simple enough,” states Michael Garcia, spokesman for the consortium of hair loss industry leaders who have founded the current incarnation of HairLoss.com.  “Hair loss can be solved or celebrated, treated or embraced depending on how you feel about it.  Whichever posture you adopt, you will find all the tools necessary here to prevent, solve or celebrate hair loss in every imaginable context.”The website, which launched on July 2, utilizes state-of-the-art technology and graphics developed by Bright Bulb Solutions in Los Angeles and features all-new original content developed specifically for this hair loss project including sections dedicated to hair loss conditions, hair loss solutions, a comprehensive professional providers directory, along with news and lifestyle channels.”Hair loss looms so large in our lives when it happens to us,” said Garcia.  “Our Lifestyle channel shows our community how to perfect other parts of our lives, even if we may never have perfect hair again.  Our Entertainment channel provides a little respite, a little fun while members seek out solutions to their individual condition.”The lifestyle channel features articles and advice on health & fitness, fashion & beauty, nutrition, entertainment, business and travel, as well as an advice column for community members to get advice from a “relationship coach” in order to assure that hair loss – and the complexities surrounding it – don’t overly complicate our personal lives.Full membership in the hair loss community is free and allows the member to participate and interact with others in the community by way of forums, newsgroups, comments, RSS feeds, friends and more.  The amount of unbiased information about hair loss solutions is presented to speak to those across the broad spectrum of hair loss conditions.  Men, women and children with temporary and permanent conditions such as Alopecia areata or hair loss caused by Cancer treatments will find information especially for them.   ”One thing we all understand is that hair loss is more complicated than we knew before.”  There is no one-size-fits-all solution.  Many of the existing hair loss websites speak above the typical person seeking solutions or contain thinly veiled sales pitches, Garcia said.  “We’ve reduced the rhetoric of solving hair loss to its simplest terms.  Those using the Internet to perform their due diligence are going to appreciate this approach.”Also launching with the website will be HairLoss.com’s “Hair for Children” program that will provide children who suffer from hair loss – and who demonstrate financial need – a customized hair loss solution.  A video contest that challenges filmmakers to craft videos raising public awareness about the many sensitive issues surrounding hair loss has also been announced with the launch.As presented, HairLoss.com represents an online community in the deepest sense.   This website has its experts and has a stance, but its clear that members will be the lifeblood. The success of the online community will rely completely on members sharing their most creative and thoughtful ideas, experiences and insights with the community and to engage the experts so that everyone in the community benefits.

Restore Hair Growth – Natural Hair Loss Treatment

October 27th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

I managed to stop my hair loss in it’s tracks and restore healthy natural hair growth again using simple techniques. This article explains how I did it, and how this new approach to hair loss can help you too.

I’m Paul Taylor and I suffered hair loss from androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) for seven long years. When my hair loss began to rapidly develop, I was only 23 and found I was totally unable to accept it. I needed help. And I needed it fast!

So, obviously my first approach was to ask the experts.

Being very technically minded, these were some of the questions I posed to these hair loss professionals:

1. How can DHT (dihydrotestosterone – a testosterone derivative) be linked to both hair loss and hair growth? (DHT stimulates facial and body hair growth at puberty).

2. Why do some people lose hair only from the front (receding temples) or back of the scalp (a bald patch) whilst others lose hair from both these regions simultaneously?

3. Why is it that hair loss can develop in one of these regions faster than it does in the other?

4. Why does remnant hair sometimes continue to grow despite extensive hair loss throughout the rest of the scalp? (Remnant hair is healthy permanent hair surrounded by baldness).

5. Why do 20% of men start losing hair at puberty, while others don’t start until they’re much older?

I considered these questions extremely relevant to the hair loss process and, as such, quite straightforward for a hair loss specialist to answer.

But every hair loss expert I asked was unable to provide answers!

This, I found extremely surprising, and disappointing because it gave the impression that they didn’t fully understand the hair loss mechanism. And, if they didn’t know, how could I ever rid myself of this problem?

But I had to find a solution – a way to restore strong, natural hair growth. Even if it meant doing it on my own!

So that’s when I started extremely time-consuming work: to find the answers to those questions.

After seven years of research, I finally began to understand where all those hair loss “experts” were going wrong:

The mechanism that causes androgenetic alopecia involves skull bone growth (or skull expansion). Skull expansion is the real reason why you’re losing your hair!

For some people this process will take place (and lead to extensive hair loss) but for others it will not. For those men who go completely bald, a very pronounced domed skull shape will eventually develop. But, for those who will never lose their hair and continue to enjoy healthy natural hair growth throughout life, a very broad flat forehead and a flat crown to the skull is nearly always present.

Buying a Hairpiece

October 10th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

A hair system can be any type of borrowed hair in the form of a full wig, hairpiece, weave, hair extension or a toupee, which replaces your own missing hair. Hair systems are often the only remaining option to replace the lost hair and to regain the appearance of a full head of hair. The quality and the price of hair systems depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of hair used, the production process used to weave the wig, the foundation of the hair system and how it is attached to the scalp.

The type of hair is the first thing many buyers will ask about. Both natural and artificial hair can be used. The natural hair can be of human or animal origin. Some hair systems blend human hair with animal hair to save on cost. The human hair can be of Asian origin (the least expensive option), Indian origin or European origin (the most expensive option). Asian and Indian hair must be often bleached, which makes it brittle and less durable. Considering the harvesting methods, virgin hair is the most expensive and hair gained from combs and hairbrushes the least expensive option. Human hair requires more care than artificial hair but it looks much more authentic, lasts longer and is more comfortable to wear. Its downside is its higher cost and the fact that it can lose its colour when exposed to direct sunshine for long hours or break, as normal human hair does.

As far as the manufacturing process is concerned, hair systems can be hand-tied or machine-tied. Hand-tied wigs can also be custom made, which happens to be the most expensive alternative. The foundation of a hair system can be either a polymer or a mesh. The polymer foundation is a more affordable but also a less comfortable option. A mesh structure breathes better than polymer structures and is therefore more comfortable to wear but, besides being more expensive, it is also a less durable alternative and more difficult to maintain. Mesh is suitable for creating authentic-looking hairlines, so many wigs combine both technologies, mesh for the hairline and the polymer structure for the inside of the wig.

The method of attaching a wig to your scalp and blending it with your existing hair is an immensely important factor (more info: http://www.greyhairloss.com/hair-replacement.html). There are semi-permanently attached hair systems that are either glued to your scalp or woven into your existing hair and these can only be removed in a hair salon once every five or six weeks for cleaning. These systems cling tightly to your scalp and can be unhealthy and uncomfortable to wear after a couple of weeks of use. The temporarily-attached hair systems use double-sided sticky tape or clips to fix the hairpiece to your scalp and existing hair. They can be removed and cleaned any time you wish but can also be easily and unexpectedly removed, leading to embarrassing situations.

The final, determining factor when deciding on buying a hair system is the price. Any hair system is temporary in nature, it will not last for ever like hair transplants do. Nevertheless, they can be quite expensive. Hair transplants can cost as much as ten thousand dollars or more. Although you can get a wig for a few hundred dollars, the more authentic pieces cost a few thousand dollars and require regular maintenance costing a couple of hundred dollars a month. In addition, you have to buy at least two identical pieces, one to wear while the other is being maintained by your hair salon. Though not cheap, hair systems are often the only option to replace the lost hair for many alopecia areata patients, as well as a large percentage of female hair loss sufferers.

Clip In Hair Extensions Can Cause Traction Alopecia If Worn For Over 5 Hours A Day

October 8th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

If metal clip on extensions are continually worn and the tension on your hair is not regularly alleviated, scarring can occur as well as permanent hair loss, leaving the wearer with a less then desirable appearance they’ll be forced to deal with for their rest of their lives.

In today’s modern society, most people think only of the final appearance of their hair.

(2) The continual over processing with Chemical treatment such as bleaches, dyes, or strengtheners disrupts the keratin structure in a manner that reduces its tensile strength.

The hair follicles can become fragile. At first the hair fall out is not so noticeable because the clip on extensions are disguising it. Add brushing and combing your hair, you will note a difference in the reduced thickness of your hair line but ignore it initially. Later on some people might experience heavy fall out which can occur with brushing, combing and washing your hair. On top of that using extreme heat to fashion each day can also permanently damage the hair follicle.

If detected early, traction alopecia is reversible if diagnosed early. However, permanent loss can occur too slowly for immediate detection. Hair loss is often occurs in the front, but is also subject to the immediate adjacent area to where the clip in extension were pulling and damaging the hair root.

(1) The sad truth of the matter is that permanent traction alopecia does not respond to medical treatment such as minoxidil or finasteride since by its nature, the loss is different then genetic hair loss.

The only way one can treat traction alopecia is with transplants. Follicular unit hair grafting has been identified as the only practical solution to treating traction alopecia. Hair transplant clinics are reportedly seeing a rise in the number of patients with traction alopecia and say the results can be good to excellent.

However this can be a costly approach especially whilst clip on extensions appear so cheap. What you have to consider is whether wearing clip on extensions for over 6 hours a day versus the value of your own hair. Which is worth more?

There are over 18 different extension techniques. It is important that you find a technique that is suitable for your type and life style. There is a misconception that hair extensions can be worn permanently for up to 6 months at a time.

In today’s society, you need to hold on to what you’ve got, look after what you have and start being kinder to your hair.

Sources:
1. Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD, Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH. (2005) Traction Alopecia, Emedicine.com
2. Cheryl Guttman, May 1, 2003 Alopecia Options for Black Women, Dermatology Times,