Alopecia: When All Hair Breaks Loose

Restoring a lost patch of hair through hair transplantation has come as a boon for thousands of men and women and saved many more the embarrassment of a wearing a wig.

Such surgical hair restoration techniques, now available in the city, guarantee 80 percent success with a centimetre of hair growth every other month, post-treatment. It is attractive enough for the common man to visit the trichologists for the procedure.

Hair loss is a growing problem, said transplant expert Narendra Patwardhan. ‘One out of every three persons complains of hair loss. We deal with at least two consultations pertaining to hair transplant every day. People take pride in their hair and want to sport a healthy mane. Awareness about hair transplant techniques have increased and those in need get appropriate treatment from an expert’, he said.

Patwardhan, along with his team of experts, performs around seven hair transplants every month, as compared to four such procedures per month, last year. ‘Common causes of hair loss include stress, improper lifestyle and eating habits, cosmetic chemical treatments, use of steroids and antibiotics, iron and protein deficiency, and thyroid problems. We put the patient on medication before performing the actual hair transplant. Patients are screened and only those above 25 years of age are accepted for the treatment’, Patwardhan added.

Hair transplant surgeries cost between $6,000 to $20,000 and sometimes more, depending on the area of the scalp to be treated. ‘We have several interested clients to get hair transplants as there are already various techniques of the surgery that are deemed to be cost-effective’, said Patwardhan.

Dermatologist Pradyumna Vaidya said awareness among people about hair transplant was rising. ‘Some five to six years ago, people thought such treatments were beyond their reach and budget. There has been significant development in hair transplant treatments’, said Vaidya. He gets around 25 enquiries a month. ‘Those who call include people suffering from premature balding. Many are from the IT sector, middle-aged businessmen, and middle-aged women who suffer from hair loss’, said Vaidya.

Green Tea to Greatly Treat Alopecia

There is growing interest in the effectiveness of green tea (Camellia sinensis) stopping hair loss. This natural hair loss–fighting treatment is found in increasingly popular drinks and is packed with antioxidants to fight harmful free radicals, provide cancer-fighting flavonoids and disrupt the production of bacteria. These same antioxidants also benefit the hair and scalp in several ways. Integration of green tea in your diet can help control or prevent hair loss. One of the most powerful antioxidants in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Studies conducted by the Saitama Cancer Center Research Institute in Japan and Seoul National University College of Medicine both evidence that EGCG stimulates hair growth. The Saitama study reports that green tea inhibits the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a molecule that is linked to cancer, arthritis and alopecia or hair loss. With the study in Seoul, hair follicles were treated with EGCG in a lab environment. Test cultures showed increased hair growth and hair follicle elongation compared with control cultures.

A green tea of 10 percent EGCG was also applied to the scalp of human volunteers, same results were obtained. A high intake of green tea leads to higher levels of six hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to testosterone. When free testosterones travel through the bloodstream and come in contact with 5-alpha reductase enzymes, the testosterones are converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes pattern hair loss. But testosterone that is bound to SHBG cannot be converted into DHT. Research also suggests that green tea can help with scalp conditions like dandruff and psoriasis by soothing skin and reducing inflammation.

Using a hair loss shampoo that contains green tea is very beneficial for the hair and serves as a great treatment for alopecia or for hair loss. Using green tea or green tea rinse after washing can help reduce scalp irritation. Green tea contains vitamin C, vitamin E and panthenol, which are all common ingredients in a conditioner. Vitamin E restores dry or damaged hair, while vitamin C protects against damage by UV radiation. Panthenol, a provitamin, softens and strengthens hair and prevents split ends.

Natural Alternatives for Treating Hair Loss

By using natural remedies for hair loss, you can avoid the pain, inconvenience, and high cost of medical hair loss treatments. The most common base of natural hair loss remedies are herbs and essential oils.

 

Here are a few herbs that can serve as ideal hair loss remedies:

• Red Pepper (Capsicum) - It helps draw blood and nutrients to the scalp and encourages the release of histamines to stimulate cell division and hair regrowth.

• Aloe Vera - Taken from the inner leaves of plants, it is a substance in gel formation that is known for its ability to calm irritated skin. It protects the scalp and hair and also known as a good remedy against alopecia.

• Saw Palmetto - The powerful extracts of this herb has been shown to reduce DHT levels and unblock clogged hair follicles. It is also helpful in preventing prostate problems, which are also due to DHT accumulation. 

• Dong Quai - It is a traditional Chinese herb that contains phytoestrogens that reduces the formation of DHT. Hence, this herb is believed to stop hair loss and even regrow hairs. 

• Lemongrass - A pale green stalk about 18 inches long. This herb stabilizes oil production in the scalp. It also increases fullness and body of the hair.

• Nettles - Can be applied topically or internally to stimulate growth and prevent baldness. This hair loss treatment can also darken gray hair and improve follicle strength.

• Ginkgo Biloba - For increased blood circulation to the head

• Green Tea - An enzyme inhibitor preventing DHT build-up

• Pygeum - Another enzyme inhibitor good for minimizing DHT

• Saw Palmetto - Used for male baldness but effective for women too

• Stinging Nettle - Prevents production of DHT

 

The aforementioned herbs or their oils can also be used for aromatherapy. Aromatherapy as a treatment for hair loss is becoming increasingly popular, but the basis is not necessarily scientific. Experts in aromatherapy use the oils obtained from bay, cedar wood, grapefruit, jojoba, lavender, lemon, rosemary, thyme and Roman chamomile. Users massage these compounds into the scalp and disperse them into the air with special dispersing units. The combined effect of absorption and inhalation apparently arrests hair loss. Some users even report renewed hair growth after using this method.

Efficiently Dealing with Female Hair Loss

Time is vital when dealing with hair loss. Natural hair loss products provide an all-natural solution that can be good for everyone who is dealing with any type of hair loss. When taking care of your hair, it is imperative to work with professionals. By choosing to conduct your treatment with professionals, you are guaranteed results. Now it can be confusing and overwhelming when attempting to figure out whom to consult for the treatment of your hair. What natural hair loss treatment does is it gives you the full head of hair that you need. Natural treatments also give the results of natural hair regrowth.

Female hair loss is one thing that many people cope with. It is not enjoyable to be losing hair. Some people lose hair and feel that it is very harmful to them. Losing hair can be a result of multiple reasons. Getting older and dealing with losing hair can be challenging. Now there is a proved solution that can solve hair loss problems. Few are apt to try all the different kinds of treatment available. Nor should people have to try different kinds to understand which one suits those best. A great approach that is an all-natural solution is available. This solution solves female hair thinning. Female hair loss can now be dealt with efficiently. Female hair thinning used to be a problem that required a variety of different remedies. The negative side to all the different kinds of remedies is the fact that they’re time consuming.

With hair loss products formulated with plant extracts—saw palmetto, rosemary, nettle, fennel, and the like—a healthy stimulation of dormant hair follicles can be achieved. In turn, a healthy scalp and natural hair regrowth can be observed by the hair loss sufferer. There are various shampoos, conditioners, topical creams and serums that contain saw palmetto extracts and procyanidin oligomers, which are key ingredients of growth-stimulating hair care products.

Oral, Topical, and Laser Treatments for Baldness

Hair loss is not a condition that’s gender specific. It has the ability to affect both men and women. In fact, a quarter of the women population in the United States is suffering from hair loss. While balding and hair loss may seem acceptable with men, for women the case is totally opposite. Hair loss and balding in women can affect a person’s entire life in a negative manner. It can lead to reduced self-esteem and confidence, interfering with work and social life.

To alleviate this condition, the sole permanent solution is hair transplantation and it can be performed on women too. Hair transplantation surgery is now used not only to plant hairs on the head but also in areas like the eyebrows and sideburns.

Once you visit a hair care specialist, he or she will first perform an examination on you to determine whether you suffer from any reversible medical conditions which cause hair loss. If found such conditions will be treated and the hair loss problem will be eliminated. However, if the surgeon finds out that your condition is non-reversible, then he or she will direct you to consider other medical options like hair transplantation, finasteride, minoxidil, and low level light therapy.

In the initial stages of the treatment, surgeons normally try out conservative treatments which use oral, topical and light therapy. If a change is not seen, hair transplantation surgery is recommended.

Similar to men, women are also ideal candidates for hair transplantation surgery. This sole permanent solution for hair loss involves a procedure which starts with the extraction of hair from the back of the head of the patient. Individual hair grafts from this extraction are then transplanted into the areas where hair is missing. In contrast to men, women who undergo this procedure need fewer amounts of grafts for successful results. Attractions of hair transplantation comes from the fact that it is an in-office procedure spanning a few hours, causing very little pain and discomfort.

Minoxidil is another hair loss medication used by surgeons today. This is an FDA-approved topical hair loss medication which can stimulate and make hair grow. Although results start to appear after a few months, it has been found out by researches that twice daily intake of this medication for around four months has resulted in 62% decrease in hair loss. Hence, if the patient is compliant enough and motivated, the results from minoxidil are highly possible.

Finasteride is an FDA-approved orally taken pill. This medication is given to act on the chemical (dihydrotestosterone) which is responsible for causing hair loss. Similar to minoxidil, the results from this medication are seen after about six months. One of the major drawbacks of this pill is that it can cause various sexual side effects.

Lastly, low light therapy can be used to treat baldness as well. Similar to finasteride and minoxidil, this treatment option takes around six months to provide tangible and visible results.

Natural Hair Loss Remedies: The Top Choice for Women

According to research, more and more women are choosing to use natural hair loss remedies; whether as their main remedy for the condition, or as a supplement to other forms of treatment. Natural remedies include dietary supplements, herbs and aromatherapy.

The use of natural hair loss remedies for women is spreading amongst ladies who are facing the dilemma. According to research and clinical studies, many ladies are reporting success in pursuing natural remedies for female loss of hair.

In a society that values outward appearance, the sight of a thinning hair or balding patches is often considered an embarrassment. It is no surprise that ladies want to seek out the best female hair loss treatment choices available. Natural hair loss remedies for women have been practiced for centuries, and many of them are able to address the root cause of the loss rather than superficial symptoms.

It is not true that you have to be old to have your strands fall out. Women can be prone to losing strands for several reasons. In particular there is a clear link between hormone levels during the menopause and the lack of estrogen. The deficiency in the production of estrogen causes the testosterone levels to rise and this is one of the main causes for baldness in women.

Whatever a sufferer’s choice or preference may be, it is encouraged to get a professional diagnosis and guidance from a licensed healthcare professional before committing to any treatment plan. This is because every woman’s body is different, and the patient should be confident that her choice of remedies will be helpful and not give rise to other unwanted side effects.

Sometimes the natural thinning hair remedies for women can be as simple as a slight change to a woman’s diet. Pharmacies and health food store employees may be able to provide customers with advice on the best herbal products and supplements that are recommended for a particular condition.

Missing meals and eating the wrong types of foods can lead to a lack of the essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients required to keep the body and scalp healthy. This is often coupled with stress that could mean the level of personal care falls. Foods that contain the correct mix of nutrients and essential vitamins, such as oily fish that contains Omega 3 helps to maintain healthy scalp and follicles.

Emotional well-being can be maintained and can cope with some level of stress. When the stress becomes too much to deal with and is persistent, hair loss can be one of the symptoms. Stress can be effectively controlled by learning to relax. The use of oils in aromatherapy is a good indicator of the effectiveness of using herbs and plant extracts in essential oils.

There are hundreds of styling products available on the market. Knowing which ones to choose can be difficult, so it is always best to check the contents on the product label. Many of the products contain chemicals that can have an adverse effect on an individual that would be unlikely to occur with natural and herbal products. The tools used to style hair can dry it out and using natural products offers a degree of protection and helps to stimulate growth.

Treatments for cancer can often cause baldness. Unfortunately, this is often an unavoidable side effect with this type of treatment. During and after their treatment, patients can help to stimulate and encourage hair regrowth by using natural hair loss remedies for female hair loss.

Stem Cells: A Major Breakthrough in Hair Loss Studies

When you see large amounts of hair daily in your comb or brush, you may become distressed. Androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness is the primary cause of hair loss in men. In male pattern baldness, hair follicles shrink until no more hairs are produced. A new study is giving hope to men with androgenetic alopecia. Researchers were surprised to find that the shrunken follicles of a balding scalp contain just as many live stem cells as normal hair follicles. Cells, derived from these stem cells, called progenitor cells, however, were severely reduced in the bald hair follicles. These results suggest that if the stem cells within hair follicles of balding scalps can be awakened or activated to produce progenitor cells, hair loss can be reversed.

Hair Growth Cycle

Hair grows out from the hair follicles in repeated cycles. Each cycle is made up of distinct stages: the anagen, catagen, and telogen phase. The anagen phase is the active or growing phase; it can last for two to six years. About 85 percent of all hairs are in this phase at any one time. When the anagen phase ends, the catagen or transitional phase begins and lasts about one to three weeks. During the catagen phase, the hair follicle shrinks and the lower part is destroyed. The resting or telogen phase follows the catagen phase and lasts for one to four months. During this period, the hair does not grow, but stays attached to the follicle. About 10 to 15 percent of scalp hairs are in this phase at any one time. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair is shed and hair follicles go back to the anagen or growth phase and a new hair is produced. In men with androgenetic alopecia, more and more hair follicles fail to reenter the anagen phase.

Stem Cells

When a hair follicle produces a new pair, the stem cells within the follicle start to divide and generate progenitor cells. Progenitor cells produce the new hair. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, used scalp samples from men undergoing hair transplants and analyzed the stem cells in hair follicles from bald scalp regions and normal scalp regions.

Surprisingly, the numbers of stem cells in both bald and normal scalp were similar. However, bald follicles had greatly reduced numbers of progenitor cells. The researchers confirmed that progenitor cells could grow hair in a nude mouse model. They injected mouse progenitor cells into the skin of nude mice. These mice are immunodeficient and are characterized by lack of hair growth. The mouse progenitor cell successfully formed hair follicles in these mice. The researchers write, “These results suggest that loss of progenitor cells, but not stem cells, contribute to male pattern baldness” (Garza, L.A. et al.).

Implications

Although androgens, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, play a role in male pattern baldness, little is known about the cellular basis for androgenetic alopecia. This study shows that the absence or reduction of hair follicle progenitor cells or the inability of hair follicle stem cells to produce progenitor cells is the cause of male pattern baldness. The good news is that the hair follicles of balding men are alive and well. Now new strategies to activate these stem cells can be explored. Although the researchers have not looked at the scalps of women with androgenetic alopecia, a similar situation may exist.

Hair Loss: Causes and Treatments

Hair loss, fortunately curable, is present among 40 million Americans. This syndrome occurs in adult men and women and even in teenagers, young adults, infants. There are a lot of different hair products which can prevent hair loss, or even treat it.

Causes
Hair loss is mostly present in men. The main cause involves progressive hair thinning, and it is androgenic alopecia (AGA), a pattern for male baldness. Trichotillomania means the loss of hair caused by repetitive hair pulling and bending. This particular disease usually occurs more in children than in adults. In this case, there isn’t an actual bald spot on the hair but an area covered with broken hairs. Where they break near the scalp, they cause typical, short, "exclamation mark" hairs. Besides that, there are several reasons such as stress, medication, malnutrition, traumas, etc.

When can you use a product for hair loss?
You can start using hair growth product as soon as you notice that your hair gets thinner, or that you are losing it. When trying to find the best product, keep in mind these two things that the product must guarantee: achieving excellent results, reduced risks of complications appearing or side effects.

Treatment
Lately, the treatment for hair loss has improved. Now, there are three ways you can choose from.

Medication’s efficiency is not exact. It is different from one pill to another. Some of them are not made to be used by women or don’t cover the whole affected area.

Surgery is thought to be the best way to grow hair. With various new technologies, success is guaranteed and also personal satisfaction. The most popular method is hair transplant. If you are determined to have surgery, make sure that you find a good surgeon, because the results vary, depending on the surgeon.

Natural treatment is also an option for your hair. It is a safe method, with no side effects. Because it is a natural way, you can purchase this treatment without a prescription.

Hair Restoration at Little to No Hair Loss Treatment Cost

In order to stop enduring the problems that come with having alopecia, male and female hair loss sufferers turn to surgery, drugs, or topical products that claim to restore the growth of hair. Surgery or hair transplantation—to be specific—comes at a jaw-dropping price of $6,000 to $20,000; it is also a risky procedure, the effectiveness of which is to be yet determined after 1 year or longer.  Hair loss drugs and products have been proven to cause disadvantageous systemic effects due to their all-synthetic formulation. Availing of these means of regaining hair growth requires hair less treatment cost of overwhelming heights.

With the wide availability of hair regrowth products in pharmacies, hair care clinics, malls, and online shops, people in great need of regaining hair immediately turn to what they can conveniently get a hold of. Also, men and women with hair loss opt for these products in trying to regrow hair immediately; they deem that the all-chemical content and high hair loss treatment cost would all be well worth it as long as hair regrowth be obtained soon.

Hair restoration, though, can be achieved without a staggering hair loss treatment cost and without causing any harmful side effects. This is through the application of oils extracted from herbs, trees, and other plants that could be growing right in our gardens. The following plants contain oils that not only stimulate hair regrowth but give other benefits for the scalp and hair as well:

Basil

Although chiefly used for culinary purposes, the oil extract of basil is also useful in hair and scalp care. Applying basil oil to the scalp improves the circulation of blood, aiding the flow of nutrients to the hair tissues, cells, and follicles. Well-nourished follicles grow thick, long, well-pigmented, and moisturized strands. Basil oil is best used in adjunct to fenugreek oil extracts.

Peppermint

Used as one of the main ingredients in getting rid of dandruff, peppermint is an aromatic plant with high menthol content.  The oil extract of peppermint is best applied with a carrier oil such as rapeseed oil. Applying peppermint oil to the scalp can widen the capillaries and veins in the scalp, thereby stimulating better blood flow and nourishment of the hair follicles. Better blood circulation in the scalp increases the rate of revitalization of weakened and damaged hair follicles, thereby making hair regrowth twice as fast and healthy.

Tea Tree

Tea tree oil possesses antiviral and antiseptic properties. It is widely used for the treatment of skin and scalp problems. It prevents overproduction of oil in the scalp, which can lead to dandruff. Tea tree oil is an efficient hair loss solution, especially when massaged to the scalp in conjunction with jojoba oil.

The aforementioned common plants provide oil extracts that can serve as a hair loss solution, and countless benefits can be reaped from them without incurring any hair loss treatment cost.

Saving your thinning hair

Thinning hair and hair loss can be prevented. Balding is an ongoing process and it indeed does not occur right then and there. Therefore, an individual should not wait until no hair is left on the head.

Men are considered to be the favorite targets of such devastating condition, though women get to experience it at some point in their lives. Hair loss in men is basically caused by genetics or hereditary, which can be inherited from either parent. Men’s hair follicles are genetically vulnerable to going bald most especially the follicles located at the top of their head. Over time these follicles are acted upon by the chemical by-product of the hormone testosterone which is dihydrotestosterone or DHT. This hormone binds with the receptor’s site in the vulnerable hair follicles. The whole process slowly degrades the hair follicles ability to grow healthy thick hair and the end result is often referred to as “Male Pattern Baldness”.

Male pattern baldness is apparently the most extensive type of alopecia in most leimo thinning hairmen. This can be easily observed as it follows a precise pattern on the head which starts with a receding hairline at the front that greatly resembles a rim or the horseshoe shape and a gradual thinning hair at the top that eventually results in a conspicuous bald spot. The only hairs that would remain are the ones at the sides and back of the head as hair follicles on these areas are typically resistant to balding. These follicles continue to thrive and grow healthy thick hair due to their genetics, which makes them invulnerable to the damaging effects of the hormone DHT.

MPB or male pattern baldness is often treated with solutions consisting of DHT inhibitors. Scientists say that it is the only reasonable and accurate way in stopping its progression and regrowing the lost hair. Several afflicted men by this type of loss treat it by having a daily intake of the drug finasteride. It is proven to obstruct the enzyme 5-alpha reductase from converting the hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Clinical studies prove that it greatly decreases the levels of DHT present in the body. Finasteride is still one of the most leading treatments available for men only but one must be wary of its side effects as it can provide erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, and testicular pains.

Herbal and organic products on the other hand are widely utilized by countless people nowadays with thinning hair and hair loss. Natural ingredients like the saw palmetto extracts is very beneficial in hair loss prevention for it is clinically proven to stop the formation of DHT in the scalp and hence a good hair regrowth stimulator. It is 100 percent safe to use and works for both men and women.

What if you can’t say a no to Hair Loss?

The loss of hair is a natural phenomenon in human beings that normally occurs during the hair growth cycle. It is estimated that most individuals lose about 100 scalp hair over a 24-hour period. However, excessive hair loss without regular hair replacement is a problem that should be timely dealt with. Hair loss shouldn’t be mixed with hair damage, which mainly occurs due to hair breakage close the scalp. This sort of damage is mostly caused by exogenous factors such as chemicals used to alter the physical characters of hair shaft, hair colors etc. But certain genetic or hormonal imbalances can alter its durability and strength.

Physicians divide cosmetically significant hair loss into two categories:

• Hair loss with skin- This potentially irreversible hair loss is characterized by damage to the underlying skin which results in destroying the hair follicle and its potential for regeneration. Certain skin diseases as well as physical trauma produce this sort of damage.

• Hair loss without skin - This sort of hair loss is very common and can be due to many reasons, including certain diseases, drugs, aging, nutrition, as well as a genetic predisposition for hair loss called common balding.

Hair loss caused due to the deficiency of zinc is a common reason of hair fall. However, zinc supplementation is not recommended to improve hair loss, even when a deficiency is suspected. Another area that seems clear is that iron deficiency is linked to hair loss in women. In one study, 72% of women with low iron stores had reduced hair density.

General tips for hair care –

• Eating a balanced: Hair loss occurs when the diet has inadequate quantities of necessary nutrients such as Vitamin B6, biotin, folic acid, minerals, sulfur and zinc. It is necessary to have a balanced diet to have healthy, glowing hair.

• Proper care and handling: It is good if you treat your hair well. Don't rub your hair too vigorously. Many hair experts also suggest putting away the blow dryer and air-drying them instead. Some doctors also recommend using baby or mild shampoos as they have proportionally less chemicals.

Style your hair when it's dry or moist. Styling hair while it's wet can cause it to stretch and break. Try to be gentle when it comes to using chemicals - such as straightness or color on your hair.

Herbs for good hair –

The Ayurvedic system of medicine too suggests several ways to prevent hair loss. Through time-tested and proven effective herbs like amla, heena (Lawsonia, Inermis), neem (Azadirachta Indica) and shikakai (Acacia Concinna), one can put a definite full-stop to the hair loss problems.

Hair Additions, a quick and easy remedy of hair loss–

Hair loss and thinning can be sorted by wigs, hair pieces, buns and other hair additions. You can use large cap wigs, costume wigs and other supplements to not only beautify your look but sort out hair loss as well. So, why not switch on to hair additions/wigs for immediate remedy for the hair loss.

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