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.