Hair Regrowth Treatment

Hair Regrowth Treatment: Effective Treatments Available to Solve Your Hair Loss Problem

First of all, it is important to remember that we all shed hair. Shedding hair is a normal process of the hair cycle. We shed hair, and there are new ones that will replace the once that shed off by the body. However, there are some people who experiences excessive hair loss, which means that they experience excessive shedding of hair. If you notice that your hair is thinning out and that your hairline is receding, it may be time for you to go through one of the many hair regrowth treatments available today.

Regardless of age, sex, race, and wherever you live, hair loss can be experienced by everyone. Although hair loss is not like a life threatening disease, you have to consider that many people would do almost anything in order to prevent it. With the numerous hair loss treatments available today, you will see that hair loss is a problem that can be solved easily.

However, before you go through some of the treatments available, it is important that you should know what kind of hair loss treatment is best for you in order for you to know what method will work. There are now over-the-counter and prescription hair loss medication available today. Some claims to be herbal while there are also others that are manufactured by large pharmaceutical companies with the latest ingredients and chemicals that have been discovered by medical professionals and scientists to minimize the effects of hair loss.
Whatever medications you take, you will see that most hair loss medicines available today will act as an inhibitor for the DHT. The DHT is a hormone that has been regarded to be responsible for most kinds of hair loss. However, you have to remember that the increase of DHT levels in the body isn't the only reason why people experience hair loss. Other reasons would be stress, medications, and it can even be caused by certain diseases.

If stress is the cause of hair loss, then you will want to try relaxing and stimulate your hair follicles through aromatherapy. Most of the oils used in aromatherapy have been found to stimulate the hair follicles and also improve the body's circulation in order to provide equal nourishment to various parts of the body which includes the hair. If the cause of hair loss is a specific disease, you may want to try and get the disease treated. After getting treated for the disease or after being cured of the disease, you will see that your hair will grow back eventually.
However, if you want to go for a more conventional method to treat hair loss, one treatment that you can go through is hair transplant surgery. This is a minor surgical operation where the surgeon will plant new hair in your scalp. After a few months, you will start to see that the newly planted hair in your scalp will grow naturally just like your hair did before.

These are the available treatment for hair loss. If you are one of the millions of people who are suffering from hair loss, then you may want to try some of the available hair regrowth treatment available today. You will see that not only that these treatments are effective, but it is also very safe.

About the Author
About the author: John Tulley manages the Provillus Alpha7: hair regrowth treatment web site. Our web site has more detailed information on an
effective herbal baldness treatment.
Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Hair loss Problem?

Propecia for Treatment of Baldness or Hair loss Problem

What is Baldness?

The problem of baldness is so serious that many people fall deep into depression due to hair problems. They develop a kind of inferiority complex. Let us read about normal cycle of hair growth so that we can understand the need for treatment in a better way.
One hair generally lasts for two to six years. In one month, each hair records a growth of approximately one centimeter. During the hair cycle, some are in the process of growing while as some are in the resting phase. After few months, new hair growth starts in place of old hair that falls out. Even if you lose some hair everyday, it should be considered as a part of normal hair cycle process. However, if you experience excessive hair loss, then you should look out for remedial measures.

Causes of Baldness

There are many causes, which result in excessive hair loss in most people. If you remain ill for a long period, it can also become one of the causes of hair loss. Excessive stress levels can also result in hair loss. Women also experience hair loss or signs of baldness during pregnancy or after giving birth to a baby. This is mainly due to changes in hormone levels. Genetic factors are also responsible for baldness and many people inherit this problem from their ancestors.
Hair loss is usually called male pattern baldness. If you fall in the category of men suffering from male pattern baldness then you should search for some effective prescription drugs for its treatment. One of the effective drugs in the market that treats male pattern baldness is Propecia.

What is Propecia?

It is an oral medicine that is available only on prescription from a registered medical doctor. It comes in tablet form and is exclusively for men if they suffer from male pattern baldness. Women should take Propecia under no circumstances. The results become visible after regularly taking this drug for prescribed duration.

Ingredients of Propecia

The main ingredient in Propecia is finasteride that works by blocking an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, type 2. This enzyme intervenes in the regulation of hair follicle. If you are allergic to the ingredients of Propecia, then you should consult a doctor before taking Propecia. You should also brief your doctor about your current and past medical conditions.

Benefits of Propecia

If you take regular doses of Propecia as recommended by your doctor, then you can expect increase in quality and quantity of hair after few months. It also improves overall scalp coverage.

Availability of Propecia

You can buy Propecia online or from a local pharmacy after obtaining medical prescription from a doctor. This process of buying online is not time consuming and gives you lot of time to find information about baldness and Propecia on the internet.
There are many websites on the internet from where you can buy Propecia online. However, you should search for genuine websites only that sell genuine Propecia pills. Due to the boom in pharmaceutical sector and flooding of drugs in the market, there are more chances of getting a generic drug. Therefore, you need to take extra caution.
You can also collect testimonials of health experts about Propecia. This equips you with necessary information whenever you order or buy Propecia.
This can help you in selecting genuine Propecia drugs and help you to counter side effects of Propecia.

The process to buy Propecia online is quite simple. It requires you to fill in a prescription form that is available on the website from where you prefer to buy Propecia online. You have to provide all the details about your past and current medical conditions. After evaluating your details, it becomes doctor’s prerogative to approve Propecia in your favor.
Some reputed online pharmacies even provide free home delivery. Therefore, you can get Propecia drug while sitting in your homes without even
spending one cent.

About the Author
Webmaster associated with online pharmacy "AtlanticDrug.com" this site provides various information on Propecia and helps people in curing
Baldness, resources are available on site AtlanticDrugs.com.
Source: http://www.zogol.com

Your Hair Loss Problem

Your Hair Loss Problem Does Not Have to Make You Suffer

You may be like me - many people are: you wake up one morning and discover that you're beginning to lose your hair. I was 35 years old when it first hit me. My four year old son was the first to notice the balding spot on the top of my head, and the ensuing year was a nightmare of confusion, anger and anxiety. I felt helpless to stop it! I was certain that it was something that I was going to have to learn to live with for the rest of my life.Well, nothing could be further from the truth. You see, after the initial shock wore off I began to do a little research. There are so many articles, ads,testimonials and suggestions surrounding hair loss as a problem that the first thing I came to realize was that this is an old problem - ancient! Second thing was that people have been trying to solve hair loss basically since recorded time began - with varying levels of success.My job, then, became one of sifting through all of the information that I could find,researching different products, separating the good ideas and products from the bogus ones and putting together a plan to attack my own hair loss. One thing became clear very quickly: a healthy lifestyle is a critical component to treating hair loss. A gorgeous head of hair will not grow on a polluted body! I had to clean up my act. Here are a few of the more important decisions that helped me completely rid myself of hair loss as a problem in my life:* Did you know that prior to WWII Japanese men very rarely experienced hair loss, but since that time hair loss has been on the constant rise in that population? Most knowledgeable resources attribute this to changes in diet - the "westernization" of the Japanese diet by adding lots of fatty animal-based proteins.


* Indications are clear in almost every body of work done in this area that stress and insufficient rest lead to physiological and psychological stress,and these will lead to hair loss. The solution? Get plenty of rest and exercise. Exercise is known to reduce stress, and it raises your metabolism and increases circulation, which is good for healthy hair growth. Good quality rest is essential for overall good health, and sleep is rest at its best. Find a form of exercise that keeps makes you happy - for me it is jogging - and gets you tired so sleep comes naturally.

* Taking better care of your hair is simple - you just need to learn to be kind an gentle. Don't pull or bite at your own hair! Don't use blow driers. Find
a shampoo that is very gentle and developed to maximize hair retention. Shampoos contain surfactants - the lathering ingredients - that can be very
harsh. A gentle shampoo will not irritate scalp and hair follicles and often this alone can lead to a healthier head of hair.

* Lastly, the leading cause of hair loss in both men and women by far is a change in hormones and specifically an increase in the level of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the blood stream. DHT thickens scalp skin cells and causes hair follicles to atrophy. It's found in both men and women.
The production of DHT can be inhibited by using minoxidil, which is approved by the FDA for just that purpose. It's available in several over-the-counter hair care products, and it really works.

Changing your lifestyle to promote better hair growth can be difficult; choosing a hair loss treatment product that works for you doesn't have to be. Try them all until you find one that works for you, and then use it religiously. For me, that product is and Provillus. Provillus is an over-the-counter hair loss treatment that contains minoxidil along with a cocktail of other active ingredients known to attack hair loss from many directions. I tried a lot of different products until I found Provillus. I've been using it for over two years, my hair loss has stopped, and my bald spot is gone!
Do yourself a favor - if your hair is starting to thin, then get started as quick as you can and make it stop! It will change your life and how you feel every single day. It takes some work, but it's certainly been worth the effort for me.
About the Author
Researching and purchasing hair loss products can be confusing. For more information on products for hair loss and to purchase Provillus, the
number one hair loss treatment, visit one of the links above.
Source: http://www.marketingpixels.com

Best Hair Loss Treatment

Best Hair Loss Treatment

Finding the best hair loss treatment is sometimes easier than it sounds. There are a lot of resources available on this topic, and it is just a matter of
finding which treatment option fits your situation the best. You can search online, visit your physician or dermatologist and talk with friends or co-workers that have the same thing in common.One of the rising trends in hair loss treatment is hair transplantation surgery. This surgery consists of your doctor moving small grafts of healthy hair,
and transplanting them to areas of the scalp that are bald or beginning to thin. The grafts may be as small as one single hair, or as many as 30 hair transplanted at one time. This has become the most popular trend in hair loss treatment. Many doctors are offering free consultations so that the patient can weigh the advantages and disadvantages without having to commit too much time and money. The advances in hair transplantation have
really come a long ways over the last several years and you can now take advantage of all that science has to offer you.Another hair loss treatment that has been popular for many years is the use of a wig or a hair piece. This practice has been taking place for many
years, and is an easy-to-use solution to your hair loss problem. Hair pieces have evolved greatly over the years, and look more natural than ever.


Nowadays, hair pieces are made from 100% authentic human hair, or from synthetic hair that has a very natural look and feel. My own mother uses a
wig and it looks so natural that I did not even realize that her hair was thinning! It was only because I arrived early one day to find her without her wig and then I knew her secret.There are also hair loss treatment centers all over the country that specialize in providing the best solution for each situation. You may want to try this option out because these doctors have seen almost every situation imaginable from a receding hair line to full blown baldness. These centers will work with you to put together a plan that will suit both your lifestyle and your budget.
Hair loss treatment can be taken care of in many different ways. Visiting a hair loss treatment center may be the first step you need in order to regain a full head of healthy hair.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com
About the Author
Keith Londrie II is a well known author. For more information on Hair Loss, please visit http://www.about-hair-loss-information.info/ for a wealth of
information. You may also want to visit keith's own web site at http://keithlondrie.com/

The answer to chronic telogen effluvium

Hair loss caused by a nutritional shortfall of iron can take years to develop and so cannot be
corrected overnight. In fact without a supplement it may be many years after the menopause
before a woman's iron stores return to the level of a man of the same age.
From starting a supplement regimen, the minimum time before a reduction in hair shedding is
noticed is about 16 weeks. It may take considerably longer to see the benefit in terms of hair
volume because of the time the hair takes to grow long enough to contribute to the overall
hair volume. If you see no benefit in hair volume after 6-9 months then you should seek
professional help as there are probably other reasons for your hair loss.
Eating a large portion of red meat every day would certainly raise iron levels but is not an
option for most people. An iron supplement will achieve the same results but research has
shown that to increase ferritin levels quickly, you will need a high strength iron supplement
supplying 72mg of elemental iron a day, for up to 6 months. Thereafter at least 24mg of iron a
day will be needed (or double this if you have heavy menstrual bleeding). For a significant
number of women this level of iron intake will not have the desired effect unless they also take
L-lysine plus vitamin C and vitamin B12 to aid the absorption of the iron. A supplement which
has been developed to provide those nutrients at the specific levels is Florisene ®

Product information
Presentation
Florisene® is a red/brown tablet providing the following nutrients:
Each tablet provides:
Vitamin C 24mg
Vitamin B12 3μg
Iron (as ferrous glycine sulphate) 24mg
L-Lysine 500mg
Florisene® is suitable for vegetarians.
Uses
Florisene® has been formulated to provide certain essential nutrients to help maximise hair
growth in women.
Research has shown that a section of the female population; particularly between the ages of
18-50 have increased hair shedding (chronic telogen effluvium) and that there is a strong
correlation between this hair loss and low iron stores (measured as serum ferritin).
Florisene® is especially recommended for women who have reduced hair volume (compared
with several years ago) or who have recently noticed hair shedding as seen by more hairs in
the brush, comb or when shampooing.
When Florisene® is taken at the recommended daily intake it can take up to 26 weeks, before
the hair shedding is reduced. From that point, hair volume will start to increase but it will take
several further months for the hair to grow to a length that contributes to hair volume.
Recommended intake
Initial intake. Take one tablet three times a day for up to six months or until excessive
shedding stops. If after six months no reduction has occurred seek professional advice.
Maintenance intake. For maintenance purposes take one tablet daily but if you have heavy
periods or eat little or no red meat, then your maintenance dose may need to be 2 tablets daily.
Florisene® should be taken with water half to one hour before food or on an empty stomach.
Try to avoid drinks containing milk or tea and coffee within an hour of taking Florisene® as
these drinks affect the absorption of the nutrients.
Take only as directed.
Contra-indications, warnings, etc.
Do not take any other iron containing supplements whilst taking Florisene®.
If you are breast-feeding or pregnant consult your doctor before taking Florisene®.
Do not take Florisene® if you are taking oral antibiotics. Florisene® should not be taken within
2 hours of taking any medication, including indigestion remedies.

What causes low iron stores?

What causes low iron stores?

Low serum ferritin levels usually result from the loss of blood during menstruation, which is
just enough to cause a gradual depletion of iron stores in the body. Additionally eating a diet
containing little or no red meat is likely to give rise to a lower amount of available iron.
CTE linked to low body iron stores

Research has shown that if the iron deficiency is corrected and the serum ferritin level is
raised to a certain 'trigger point' then hair growth will resume. In fact, what actually happens is
that the growing stage of the hair follicles is lengthened so, at any one time there are more
hairs in the growing stage.

This means that hair volume will start to increase and any excessive shedding will reduce.
However, this takes several months because ferritin levels can only be raised slowly. Also
once the 'trigger point' is reached and hair growth starts, it takes 2 - 3 months for the
shedding to reduce and another 3 - 6 months for the new hair to reach a length that
contributes outwardly to fuller hair.

Whilst iron is usually the key factor, other nutrients also play an essential role. This was
highlighted by research which showed that a significant proportion of women who were given
an iron supplement failed to respond, even when given a high dose with additional vitamin C
(which is known to help iron absorption).

This problem was overcome when it was realised that intake of the amino acid L-lysine was
very low in many people's diets, particularly those who eat little or no meat.
When L-lysine was added to the other nutrients being given, most women went on to reach
the target ferritin level, and their hair volume subsequently increased. When they stopped the
hair shedding resumed several months later.

Chronic telogen effluvium

CTE is hair loss which is evenly distributed (diffuse) across the scalp, as opposed to hair loss
just at the top of the head. Often it is only the sufferer who notices that their hair is shedding
more than it used to. Women affected by this type of hair loss are usually between the ages of
18 - 50, and they generally show one of the following signs:
An increase in the number of hair lost when shampooing, brushing or combing.
Less hair to clip or tie back than before.

Tests often show that women with CTE suffer from low iron stores in the body (8) . The
amount of iron stored by the body can be simply measured by your doctor. He/she will take a
small blood sample from you and then have it analysed for its serum ferritin level.
However the more common measurement to be taken from a blood test is the haemoglobin
level but this simply helps your doctor see if you are anaemic. Research has not established a
link between haemoglobin levels and hair loss as it has with hair loss and serum ferritin
values (8, 9).
In fact it is not unusual to find you have a normal haemoglobin level with lowered storage iron
(serum ferritin).
Low dietary iron intakes has been known for some time to be a potential problem for millions
of women, but it is only now that it is becoming recognised as an important factor that can
contribute to increased hair shedding, and that this condition is really quite common (10 - 12).

Other medical conditions

Other medical conditions


There are a number of other medical conditions and diseases causing hair loss. These all
require medical attention. Perhaps the most common is the loss of hair in patches, called
alopecia areata (AA). Although the frequency of AA is relatively small (about 0.1% of the
population) it attracts a great deal of media attention. In its most severe form total loss of
scalp and sometimes body hair, can occur. Most sufferers however only develope a few
isolated patches, which correct themselves without any treatment. Since the cause of AA
remains unknown there is no specific treatment as yet. Current research is focusing upon the
immune system which looks like leading to a better understanding and hopefully an effective
treatment.

Thyroid, Pregnancy,Illness

Thyroid

Thyroid imbalances can produce significant changes in hair growth and hair quality (15). In
the UK approximately 2% of women and 0.1% of men are affected. Only a blood test can
diagnose this condition. The frequency of hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) increases
significantly after the menopause, when up to 10% of women may be affected.
Pregnancy
It is well established that following childbirth 50% of women experience post-natal hair loss
and this usually regrows without intervention. In those few women where it does not other
reasons can normally be found. The precise cause of post-natal hair loss is unknown
although some hormonal and nutritional factors have been identified. If you suffered in one
pregnancy you may not after a second or subsequent pregnancy and vice versa (16) .
Illness
General health disturbances can cause increased hair shedding 10 to 12 weeks after the start
of the problem. The hair loss usually continues for a week or longer than the time of the
illness. No treatment is required unless other complications develop. Sometimes additional
shedding ensues due to the medication(s) given, or if prolonged fever is associated with the
illness.

Post-Menopausal

Post-Menopausal

While early adolescence and the mid to late 20's are potential problem times for women
susceptible to genetic hair loss, the menopause is an equally critical time. This is because
there is a natural reduction in the level of oestrogen (female hormone), resulting in a change
of the balance between the oestrogen and androgen (male hormone). Consequently further
hair loss is experienced or those previously unaffected by genetic hair loss during the
menstrual years become affected. Anecdotal data suggests that some current types of HRT
induce hair changes similar to those seen in genetic hair loss, although some women notice
improvements as a result of oestrogen levels being restored.
"Hair loss can happen at any time of life, for a number of reasons"

Genetic Hair Loss

Genetic Hair Loss


The most common hormonal hair loss problem affecting men and women is primarily genetic
in origin (androgen-dependent alopecia or male pattern baldness). In this situation, the
inherited tendency towards hair loss is activated by a change in the hormonal balance within
the scalp and hair follicle (the precise mechanism is as yet unknown).
Whilst, CTE results in diffuse hair loss across the whole scalp, genetic hair loss extends from
just behind the front hairline back across the top of the head to the crown area. This hair loss
makes the scalp more visible and, if you have a parting, this will often look wider. A further
difference is that unlike CTE, which is generally not apparent to other people, to others.
The onset of genetic hair loss is usually during the mid to late 20's. Effective medical
treatment is available and usually involves oral anti-androgen and oestrogen therapy. Women
requiring such treatment do require a referral to a medical specialist. Under such
medicalsupervision, they can often re-grow up to 40% more hair (13, 14).

What type of hair loss do I have?

What type of hair loss do I have?

If you think you have increased hair shedding, then you should use the link above "Will
Florisene® help? to help you determine what the cause might be. Since there are effectively
only two main types of hair loss, CTE and Genetic Hair Loss, it is likely that your hair loss
problem is due to one of these complaints.
The two conditions have similar symptoms but can be distinguished from each other by
identifying which area of the scalp is affected.
If after using the chart "Will Florisene® help?" you think you may have CTE go to the link
"How can I be sure that I have CTE?". If on the other hand, you feel your hair problem is the
genetic type of hair loss, you should read on.
Other types of hair loss
As 95% of hair loss complaints seen in women are caused by one of two problems. Chronic
Teleogen Effluvium (CTE) and Genetic Hair Loss. This next section deals mainly with Genetic
Hair Loss and the remaining 5% of causes are also summarised.

Causes of hair loss

Causes of hair loss

A recent survey of over 1000 women found that a staggering 33% (or 1 in 3) reported hair
loss. This was observed as an increase in the amount of hair shed or a reduction in the length
grown, both of which contribute to a reduction in hair volume if the problem persists for any
length of time.
Hair volume varies between individuals with some people having finer (or thinner) hairs than
others. As we grow older, there is a tendency for our hair fibres to become finer and shorter
over successive hair cycles, but years may elapse before any obvious difference is seen.
Hair volume is determined by three factors (5, 6) :
the number of hairs present per square centimetre.
the proportion of hair follicles in the growing phase.
hair fibre thickness.
Almost all hair problems show up as a change in one or any combination of these three
factors (7) . Understanding what has changed is the key to identifying the underlying cause.
It is important to understand that 95% of hair loss complaints seen in women are caused by
just two conditions. These are:
Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE).
Genetic hair loss (androgen-dependent alopecia).
Both of these are covered in detail on this site and the causes of the remaining 5% of cases
are also summarised below.

HAIR LOSS PROBLEM

HAIR LOSS PROBLEM

Hair loss and balding seems to be a common problem today and it seems to affect both women and men! Hair loss usually begins in the front temporal
areas, progressing to the crown. The rate of loss varies between people, and the process can take from 5 to 25 years.
The first stage in understanding hair loss and fine hair problems is to understand how hair grows. Hair thickness is a combination of hair diameter and
hair density, you can have fine hair but lots of it or thick coarse hair which is relatively sparce. Most of us are somewhere between the two. Hair is
made up of three layers, the cuticle, cortex and medulla. The cuticle is made up of overlaid scales of keratin and the smoother the scales the more it
shines. The cortex is the body and strength of the hair shaft, its interlocking fibres lay under the cuticle and are were perms and permanent colours do
their work. The innermost layer (medulla) is not present in the finest of hair, for example Scandinavian blonde hair.
Hair loss is primarily caused by a combination of aging, a change in hormones, and a family history of baldness. As a rule, the earlier hair loss begins,
the more severe the baldness will become. Hair loss can also be caused by burns or trauma, in which case hair replacement surgery is considered a
reconstructive treatment, and may be covered by health insurance.
There are a number of reasons for hair loss in both men and women. Diet, environment, stress, past surgeries, past experiences etc. are some of the
few factors which cause hair loss. Though genetics plays a major role for hair loss (male pattern baldness), there are a number of hair loss conditions
for which a number of hair loss restorations treatments are available both for men and women. Though the underlying causes for male and female
pattern hair loss are same, there is some basic difference with regards to the physiology and genetics of the condition.
Baldness is often blamed on poor circulation to the scalp, vitamin deficiencies, dandruff, and even excessive hat-wearing. All of these theories have
been disproved. It's also untrue that hair loss can be determined by looking at your maternal grandfather, or that 40-year-old men who haven't lost
their hair will never lose it.
If there's a reversible cause, it's normally possible to stop hair loss. For instance, if it's caused by anaemia you can stop hair loss by replenishing the
body's iron stores. A huge number of treatments have been tried to slow down and even reverse the process of male pattern hair loss - some are
successful, others aren't. But many men find their hair loss slows down or stops for no apparent reason at a certain age anyway.
If your hair loss is mild to moderate, the most important thing to do is weigh the immediate stressors in your life against how much support you're
giving your body. Start with an honest inventory of your healthy and not-so-healthy habits. Then take some steps toward shifting the balance to the
support side.
It is essential to have a healthy scalp to avoid hair loss and aiding new hair growth.
Complaints of the hair and scalp are very common and I would always recommend that you treat any problem as soon as it appears as a minor
problem can develop into a more serious condition if left untreated. Early diagnosis will give us the best possible opportunity to help you by providing
you with the most effective and up-to-date trichological medication.
About the Author
Miranda Grey, independent researcher for hair loss problems.
Source: http://www.tntarticles.com

Top Causes of Hair Loss In Women

Top Causes of Hair Loss In Women

Many people still believe that hair loss is predominantly a complaint that men suffer from. But this is just not the case, as today you will find that 1 in 4
women also suffer from some form of hair loss, this can occur at any stage of their lives as well. In this article, we take a look at what the main causes
of hair loss in women are today.
1. Female Pattern Baldness - This is the most common of all the kinds of hair loss that women are going to suffer from and is the exact same type that
men suffer from as well. The main reason why a woman will suffer from this kind of hair loss, known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is that their body is
reacting adversely to male hormones.
Just like men, women have the male hormone testosterone, although at much smaller levels. However sometimes without warning, this hormone
begins to convert to DHT, which is bad for their bodies and specifically bad when it comes to hair regrowth. But unlike in men, female pattern
baldness is not as extreme and will only occur much later on in a woman's life.
2. Telogen Effluvium - This is the second most common type of hair loss problem for women today. But it is different from the above mentioned as
rather than hair being lost completely from the scalp; this will cause hair thinning.
In most cases, women who have been diagnosed with this particular kind of hair loss problem have suffered a traumatic event in their lives. This event
places stress on their bodies, which prevents it from functioning correctly and so will causes hair growth to slow down. Often if a woman has gone
through a traumatic pregnancy and birth, they may find themselves suffering from this particular hair loss problem.
3. Alopecia Areata - This is now the third most common kind of hair loss problem women can suffer from. You will find that where the above two kinds
will be localized to a particular area of a woman's scalp; this type will cause hair loss to various different parts of the scalp. So hair loss is often
somewhat patchy and can look very unsightly.
This particular type of hair loss in women is thought to be caused because a woman's immune system is not functioning correctly. In many cases, the
hair will regrow after the immune system has had time to replenish itself, but for some women the problem can be a lot more severe and be with them
for a long time to come.
It is important that women understand fully what causes hair loss in women in order that they can treat it effectively should it happen to them. If you at
any stage feel, you may be suffering from a hair loss problem you should start looking for ways to stop your hair loss and to re grow your hair.
About the Author
You should do some research into hair loss in women to find out the reason for your hair loss. This site, alopecia androgenetic is an excellent hair loss
resource.
Source: http://www.cothivalebooks.com

Does race affect hair loss?

Does race affect hair loss?

As well as the strong influence of sex on hair loss, a relationship has been observed between hair loss and race, which shows that Caucasians have a higher incidence of hair loss compared to people of other races (Asian, African, Native American).
We can state that there is a close relationship between hair loss and the different races.
Not all races follow the same age patterns in terms of hair loss. One example is the fact that in the United States, androgenetic alopecia affects 50% of Caucasian men and women over the age of 40.
As mentioned above, Caucasians show the highest propensity for hair loss - considerably higher than other races. This is especially true in men.
• Caucasian men are 4 times more likely to suffer from alopecia at an earlier age than men of African extraction.
• The Japanese develop androgenetic alopecia approximately a decade later than Caucasians and its prevalence is 1.4 times lower in each 10-year age bracket.
• The prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in Korean men is lower than among Caucasians. Furthermore, female-pattern alopecia, which occurs very rarely in men, is more frequent among Koreans.
• Asian, Native-American and African-American men have a greater chance of keeping the front part of their hair and, when they do suffer from hair loss, baldness has been shown to be less extensive.

Will I go bald too?

“Will I go bald too?”

Obviously, you inherit a whole set of genes from your parents, including those linked to the hair growth cycle. So when men ask themselves this question, they look at their fathers and grandfathers. If the father and grandfather are bald, the son will have a much greater chance of going bald.
Androgenetic alopecia is directly related to the action of dihydrotestosterone (a male hormone present in both sexes) on the hair follicle, which shortens the hair growth cycle and produces increasingly fine, weak hair that eventually falls out.
In men, this type of alopecia tends to follow the male pattern, which is defined by initial hair loss occurring at the front hairline. The process subsequently affects the crown and then extends to the rest of the head (leaving the occipital area unaffected).
The age at which this process appears in men is before the age of 30 in the first peak and after the age of 40 in the second peak.
Men who start to lose their hair between the ages of 20 and 30 have a greater chance of losing more hair than those who experience hair loss at a later stage.

Do you know some of the causes?

Women and hair loss:
Do you know some of the causes?

There are common factors that cause hair loss in both sexes, such as hormonal changes, age and heredity, which cause androgenetic alopecia.
The causes or factors that may influence hair loss in women are even more complex than in men. There are many factors that can affect not only hair loss, but also the density and strength of the hair. These include nutrition, lifestyle, stress, etc.
Androgenetic alopecia in both men and women produces a change in the scalp hair. It becomes miniaturized, the hair bulb and shaft become smaller, and the follicle produces fine, small-diameter hair (vellus hair).
In women, this type of alopecia tends to follow the female pattern, which manifests as diffuse hair loss but with the frontal part of the hair remaining intact.
There are usually 2 main peaks that mark the beginning of this type of hair loss.
• One when the woman is in her twenties.
• One at around the age of 40 (beginning of hormonal changes) until the onset of the menopause.
Androgenetic alopecia is not the only cause of hair loss in women. There are other transitory factors that affect hair loss. These include anxiety, depression, taking oral contraceptives, emotional trauma, iron-deficiency anaemia, post-partum stress and the menopause.
In the period prior to the menopause, women’s hormones are in real turmoil (13% of pre-menopausal women suffer from frontal and parietal hair loss, compared to 37% of post-menopausal women).

The fine line between hair and hair loss

The fine line between hair and hair loss

Our hair - that ally that gives us security, image and style and is a true reflection of how we are and how we feel - can turn against us at any time.
When hair loss is greater than normal, we talk about alopecia. There are different types of alopecia, according to the factors that trigger it. The general public is poorly informed about this condition.
Alopecia can appear at any stage of life, even at a very early age. Its onset can lead to different degrees of psychological impact, which can be exacerbated by confusion and by not knowing what to do.
Today, we have many ways of alleviating this problem by preventing and treating hair loss in both men and women.
Remember that in many types of alopecia (nonscarring alopecia), the hair follicles are not destroyed. In these types, the follicle remains alive and it is sometimes possible for the hair to recover. Androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, different types of effluvium and temporary hair loss belong in this category of alopecia.
The belief still persists, particularly among men, that baldness is a natural state and therefore has no remedy.
This is incorrect because there are now alternatives for slowing down the process of hair loss. For this reason, prevention, is very important, especially in people who suffer from hair loss at an early age.

Male Pattern Hair Loss (7)

Male Pattern Hair Loss (7)


Is there a link between male pattern hair loss and prostate cancer?
Because testosterone through the action of DHT is involved in the growth of the
prostate and hair growth, some preliminary studies have been done to see if men
who are balding are at an increased risk of prostate cancer. An Australian study
found a link between men with vertex hair loss (hair loss from the crown only)
and prostate cancer3. There were no associations found between prostate
cancer and men with frontal hair loss,or frontal hair loss together with vertex
hair loss. The reason for this link between vertex hair loss and prostate cancer is not clear and further studies are needed.What are the myths about male pattern hair loss? Standing on your head lessens hair loss The ‘blood-flow’ theory, which led men
to stand on their heads in the 1980s, can be found in the advertising for many of
the ineffective hair loss treatments on the market, but again is an unfounded
myth in the treatment of male pattern hair loss. While minoxidil is suspected
for working, in part, by increasing blood flow to hair follicles, there is no evidence that standing on one’s head can stop hair loss or cause hair to re-grow.Hair loss comes from your mother’s side of the family There is a myth that hair loss is a genetic trait passed down from the mother’s side but a number of
genes are responsible, and genes are most likely contributed by both parents. The
condition does run in families, so if there is a close relative with male pattern hair loss, then there is a higher risk another relative will develop the condition.
Hair loss happens in men with high testosterone levels
Some men think they are losing their hair because they have higher levels
of the male sex hormone testosterone. High levels of testosterone are not linked
with hair loss. However, some studies have shown that men with high levels of
‘free’ testosterone (only 2 per cent of the total amount of testosterone produced
by the body) are more likely to have vertex hair loss (from the crown only).

Male Pattern Hair Loss (6)

Male Pattern Hair Loss (6)

Surgery
Hair transplantation involves removing tiny plugs of hair from areas where it continues to grow and inserting them in bald areas.This can cause minor scarring and carries some risk of skin infection. Multiple transplantation sessions are usually needed and can be expensive. Results, however,are often excellent and permanent.
Choosing a surgeon with experience in this operation is recommended.
to treat male pattern hair loss that tend to have results in stopping or slowing hair
loss, with new hair growth happening in some men. The two main medications used to treat male pattern hair loss are:Finasteride - also known as Propecia®
is an oral medication that works by blocking the conversion of testosterone
to DHT. The hair follicles are then not affected by DHT and can enlarge back to
normal. About two in three men who take finasteride every day experience some
hair re-growth. About one in three men experience no hair re-growth, but most
don’t experience any further hair loss.Finasteride has no effect in about one in
100 men. The chances are therefore quite high that finasteride will help hair re-grow
or at least stop more hair from falling out.Most men do not notice any effects from
taking finasteride for up to four months.It can take up to one to two years for
full hair re-growth to happen. Any improvement in hair growth is usually
greatest over the crown than over the frontal areas of the scalp. If treatment is
stopped, the balding process will begin again, meaning if successful, treatment
needs to be ongoing to continue hair re-growth. Side-effects are uncommon, but
about two in 100 men taking finasteride experience a loss of sex drive (libido).
Finasteride taken at a higher dose(marketed as Proscar®) is also commonly
taken by men to treat benign prostate enlargement, and has been found to reduce
the risk of developing prostate cancer.However, research has found that men who
do develop prostate cancer whilst taking the drug have an increased risk of the
cancer being more aggressive1. However,whether this arises because finasteride
induces more aggressive disease, or simply because finasteride makes it easier to
detect more aggressive disease earlier is not certain2. Nevertheless, men taking
finasteride for hair loss should not be worried as the dose of finasteride given for
hair loss is much lower than what is used to treat prostate enlargement but should
speak to their doctor if they have any concerns. The low dose used for treating
hair loss does not seem to have an effect on the development of prostate cancer.
Minoxidil – also known as Rogaine®, Hair a-gain®, Hair Retreva® – is a lotion
that is rubbed onto the head. There is debate as to how well it works, but it
is believed about half of the men who use minoxidil experience a delay in
further balding. About 15 in 100 men have good hair re-growth, while hair loss
continues in about one in three users.Minoxidil needs to be rubbed onto the
scalp every day, and taken continually for four months before results are
noticeable. As with finasteride, treatment needs to be ongoing for hair growth
to continue. Any new hair that does re-grow tends to fall out two months
after treatment is stopped. Side-effects are uncommon, but minoxidil can cause
skin irritation or a rash in some men.

Male Pattern Hair Loss (5)

Male Pattern Hair Loss (5)


Should I be concerned about hair loss?
Many men accept male pattern hair loss
as a normal part of ageing. For some
men, for a variety of reasons, their
concern for their hair loss prompts them
to seek treatment for cosmetic reasons
to try and stop or slow further hair loss.
If you start to lose your hair suddenly,
if your hair loss happens in clumps or
is significant enough that you notice
large amounts falling out, it is not male
pattern hair loss. It is recommended
that you discuss these types of hair loss
with your GP. Further investigation may
be needed to determine the cause.

What is the emotional impact on men
experiencing hair loss?
While hair loss is a normal part of the
ageing process for most men, it can
be distressing for some, particularly if
it is excessive or happens at an early
age. Men experiencing hair loss can
feel less confident, less attractive and
may think it makes them look older.
While many men accept that they are
losing their hair, a small number may
suffer from depression as a result. It
is recommended that men speak to a
counsellor if they are feeling upset or
they are obsessing about their hair loss.
How is hair loss treated?
There are a number of treatments
available for hair loss, and treatments
often work well in most cases. Men
usually seek treatment for cosmetic
rather than medical reasons.
Wigs and hairpieces
Hair weaving, hairpieces or a change of
hairstyle may disguise hair loss and is
generally the least expensive and safest
treatment for male pattern hair loss.

Male Pattern Hair Loss (4)

Male Pattern Hair Loss (4)


How common is male pattern hair loss?
The majority of Australian men will
experience some form of hair loss in their
lifetime. For men between the ages of
20 and 45 who start to lose scalp hair,
there is a 95 per cent chance they are
experiencing male pattern hair loss. Male
pattern hair loss varies from population to
population due to genetic background.


Is thinning hair and hair loss reversible?
Thinning hair or loss of hair is not reversible,
but there are medications to treat male
pattern hair loss that can stop or slow hair
loss. Some men may even experience
new hair growth with treatments.

Male Pattern Hair Loss (3)

Male Pattern Hair Loss (3)


What causes male patternhair loss?

While it is not completely understood
why the hair follicles on men’s heads
stop producing new hairs, the male
hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone)
is thought to play a part.
Testosterone, the most important male sex
hormone (androgen) in men, is responsible
for the growth of bone and muscles,
sexual function and for producing physical
characteristics in men including facial and
body hair. In the body, testosterone is
converted to DHT by an enzyme (5-alpha
reductase). DHT acts on different organs
in the body including the hair follicles
and cells in the prostate. For reasons we
don’t understand, hair follicles sometimes
become more sensitive to DHT, slowing
down hair production and producing
weaker, shorter hair. Sometimes hair
growth stops completely. It is not clear
why different hair follicles are affected at
different times, making the balding process
gradual or why only scalp hairs are affected.

Male Pattern Hair Loss (2)

Male Pattern Hair Loss (2)


What causes hair loss?
There are many different causes of hair
loss including certain illnesses (including
disorders of the immune system), stress as
a result of major surgery, chemotherapy,
radiotherapy, hormonal problems, fungal
infections, and as a side-effect of some
medications. Scarring from burns can
also cause permanent hair loss.
Hair loss in patches, sudden hair
loss, breaking of hair shafts or hair
loss associated with redness, scaling
or pain are likely to be caused by
specific health conditions.

Male Pattern Hair Loss (1)

Male Pattern Hair Loss

What is baldness or hair loss?
Hair loss can happen on any part of the
body for a variety of reasons, and can
range from being mild to severe. Male
(and female) pattern hair loss is hair
loss specifically from the head. Extreme
forms of hair loss happen when there is
hair loss all over the head and body.

What is male pattern hair loss?

Male pattern hair loss (also known as
androgenetic alopecia) is a progressive
hair thinning condition and is the most
common type of hair loss in men.
Male pattern hair loss typically begins at
the forehead, with the hairline gradually
receding along the sides to form an ‘M’
shape. The remaining hair may become
finer and shorter, with hair at the crown
(back) of the head also beginning to thin.
The amount of hair loss can vary amongst
men and is usually influenced by an
individual’s genetic make-up. In severe
cases, the receding forehead hairline
may eventually extend to the thinned
crown, leaving a horseshoe pattern of
hair around the sides of the head.
There are slight variations in how
male pattern hair loss can happen.
Frontal hair loss – hair loss happens
from the hairline at the forehead
but not at the crown.
Vertex hair loss – hair loss happens at the
crown but not the hairline at the forehead.
Usually, most men will have a combination
of both types of hair loss patterns.

Changes in hair growth (8)

Changes in hair growth (8)


SUMMARY
The effect on hair growth of wounding the lower region of whisker follicles, and in particular
the dermal papilla, with sharply pointed tungsten needles was studied in adult hooded rats.
Following injury hair growth ceased, but was subsequently resumed. While it might have been
anticipated that follicle wounding would have a negative effect on whisker length, regular postoperative
length measurements revealed that in follicles where cellular material was not
displaced from the follicle by the original manipulation, 50 % of the subsequent hairs produced
were longer than their counterparts on the opposite side of the face, with 25 % shorter and 25 %
with their length unchanged. In every case increased hair length was achieved by a prolongation
of the growing period of the hair. Growth rate, when altered, was reduced. These results suggest
that the factors which control the duration of the hair cycle and fibre growth rate are independent
in vibrissa follicles. Since removal of most of the epidermal component by plucking of the hair
just prior to injury produced equivalent hair length increases, this implicated the proximal
dermal components as being mainly responsible for the observed changes.

Changes in hair growth (7)

Changes in hair growth (7)


Method III

Both club and growing hairs were plucked just prior to wounding in 12 follicles
in four rats. Two subsequently failed to produce emergent vibrissae. As shown
in Table 3, of the remaining follicles, five produced longer hairs; three had fibres
of equivalent length to their controls; and two manufactured shorter fibres.
Therefore, in close agreement with method II, half of the damaged follicles had
formed longer hairs in Gl. Moreover, the mean length increase of 14-8 % was
also near to that attained by Gl follicles in the previous method.

Effect of plucking alone
Following plucking, hair production was terminated in all twenty follicles.
Sixteen new whiskers were seen between 7 and 17 days, and four between 27 and
55 days, but none of the plucked follicles produced Gl vibrissae longer than their
controls.

Method IV
In three rats where 19 follicles were damaged above the bulb region, 3
follicles failed to produce emergent whiskers. The Gl fibre lengths for the
remaining 16 follicles revealed no hairs of longer than control length. Four
whiskers were shorter than their controls, while the remaining twelve were
equivalent in length.

Normal whisker length
Vibrissa length measurements agreed with all previous investigations in that
a distinct anteroposterior gradient of increasing fibre size was observed. Apart
from the top horizontal row, the lengths could all be divided into discrete nonoverlapping
groups representing vertical rows. The range of length displayed
within these groups was similar to that found on male Wistar rats by Ibrahim & Wright (1975).
Paired length measurements carried out to determine normal differences in
club length between whiskers in identical positions on either side of the face
revealed a margin rarely exceeding 2 mm, or about 4 % for the hairs of length
normally used experimentally. Ibrahim & Wright (1975) also found that vibrissae
grew synchronously within the same margin. These authors showed that for the
first three postnatal cycles, whiskers underwent a stepwise increase in length
before levelling off. Age-related length differences were confirmed in the current
work, and it was for this reason that 6-month-old rats, whose whisker lengths had
stabilized, were used for all experimental procedures.

Follicle wounding
As four operational procedures were performed, the reasoning behind the use
of these different techniques will be briefly considered.
Using the method I procedure it was apparent that apart from inflicting injury
in situ, cellular material was being lost from the bulb region of many follicles. To
overcome any influence this loss of bulbar material might have on subsequent
hair growth, method II was employed. As damage with these two methods was
inflicted on both the epidermal matrix and the dermal papilla, method III was
devised. It has already been shown that plucking of growing vibrissae removes
a high proportion of epidermal matrix with no stimulatory effect on whisker
length (Oliver, 1965; Ibrahim & Wright, 1978), and plucking procedures in this
study confirmed these findings. Thus in method III, which acted as a quasi
control, the removal of club and growing hairs prior to wounding meant that
damage was essentially restricted to the dermal papilla alone (Jahoda & Oliver,
1984). The method IV control procedure was designed to show the effects on
whisker growth of damage above the bulb region.
The present experiments confirmed the recuperative powers of vibrissa
follicles following injury, with over 90 % of them manufacturing external fibres
after being wounded. However, the most striking result was the confirmation of
consistent increases in hair length (Oliver & Jahoda, 1981). This effect was
manifested by some 10 % of follicles after method I operations, where a complex
response included production of over 33 % short hairs. However, following
methods II and III, in which no loss of cellular material from the capsule
occurred, some 50 % of postoperative vibrissae were longer than expected. This
Hair growth changes following vibrissa wounding 91
effect persisted into the second postoperative generation. In contrast, none of
the follicles wounded distal to the bulb region produced longer than expected
hairs. Recently, Ibrahim & Wright (1982) observed the formation of a single long
vibrissa fibre following lower follicle regeneration. They have also shown whisker
length increases of the same degree as in the present experiments following
exposure of adult mice to high levels of testosterone (Ibrahim & Wright, 1983).
What is intriguing about the present results is that they specifically implicate the
dermal papilla in the production of longer hairs.
Hair length, which was employed as the primary measure of follicle activity,
is the product of the rate of fibre growth, and the duration of fibre production.
Where changes in these two parameters occurred they were consistent for all
wounding methods. Growth rate when affected was reduced. Therefore longer
whisker production was exclusively due to increases in the duration of growth.
This effect was especially demonstrated in the results from methods II and III
where more longer hairs were produced despite the increased number of follicles
showing reduced growth rates. Interestingly, where experimental follicles
produced hairs of normal length, this could either reflect the absence of wounding
effects, or (as in ten method I follicles) be the result of increases in duration
of growth and reductions in growth rate anulling each other.
Increased duration of hair growth has only rarely been demonstrated experimentally.
Therefore it is noteworthy that when Hale & Ebling (1975) elicited this
phenomenon through the action of propylthiouracil on rat pelage hairs, it was
associated with a reduction in growth rate. At the same time treatment with
thyroxine caused hairs to grow faster, while reducing the length of the growing
period. Likewise in the present study a balance between the two altered
parameters could negate any effect on fibre length. Indeed a major point to
emerge from these findings is that factors which control growth rate appear to be
independent of those which determine the duration of growth. Interestingly
vibrissa length increases produced through the influence of testosterone involved
longer growth periods, but unaffected growth rates (Ibrahim & Wright, 1983).
The hair growth cycle can be divided into three basic stages; anagen, the
growing phase; catagen, the period of follicle regression; and telogen, when
epidermal proliferation and hair growth is arrested. The mechanisms which
control the repeated initiation and termination of the adult hair cycle represent
the principal enigmas of hair growth. The timing of this cycle is astonishingly
consistent for individual vibrissa follicles, and Oliver (1965) has noted the
relationship between the order of hair replacement in adult follicles, and the
sequence of vibrissa follicle development in embryos. The same author (Oliver,
1980) has proposed a control system based on an active mesenchymal element
which would both initiate growth, and maintain it through a growing period. It
was suggested that follicle behaviour might be governed by stimuli from the
papilla, therefore reflecting some 'intrapapillary cycle of events'. This infers that
the dermal papilla of each follicle starts off with an internal mechanism regulating
the timing of the cycle, perhaps derived from embryonic regulatory mechanisms.
While the current results were in accordance with the above ideas to the extent
that stimulation of the dermal papilla by wounding appeared to be primarily
responsible for the production of longer fibres, the question as to why papilla
injury should affect the duration of the growing period remains unresolved.
Nevertheless, a histological study offers a reasonable explanation for some
aspects of follicle behaviour after injury (Jahoda & Oliver, 1984).
We would like to thank Mr Bruce Pert and Mademoiselle Yolande Bouvat for their expert
technical assistance. This work was supported by a Medical Research Council studentship.

Changes in hair growth (6)

Changes in hair growth (6)

Wounding experiments

Method I
During this procedure it was observed that cellular material was being lost
from the follicle capsule (Jahoda & Oliver, 1984). Omitted data represented
occasions where information was inadequate to satisfy the criteria necessary to
make growth rate estimates.
Following injury, all but one follicle terminated fibre production and lost their
growing hairs. Subsequently, two of the experimental follicles failed to produce
emergent whiskers. Six follicles produced new hairs less than 10 days after being
damaged. Thirty-three vibrissae were visible between 10 and 20 days postoperatively
and a further four new hairs were first seen at 24, 28, 43 and 49 days
after wounding.
Length (Table 1)
Differences of 4 mm and greater between experimental and control vibrissae
were regarded as significant. This value represented a margin of 2 mm above the
differences in terminal length found in over 95 % of the previously described
measurements of undamaged whisker pairs, and lmm above the maximum
difference.
In the first generation following injury (Gl) the majority of follicles produced
whiskers within 4 mm of their controls. However, over 40 % of the postoperative

A margin of 0-1 mm/day was chosen to distinguish differences in follicle
behaviour between the experimental and control sides. While essentially an
arbitrary figure, this represents a club length difference of 5 mm over a 50-day
period of growth, and provides a convenient indication of variation in growth
rate following injury.
In Gl just over half of the wounded follicles produced vibrissae at a growth
rate below that of their controls. The percentage of slower growing hairs was
raised slightly in G2, but fell to below 50 % in G3. Each of the latter two generations
revealed a single faster growing hair.
It is of great interest that the distribution of reduced growth rate was almost
uniform among experimental follicles producing whiskers of equivalent, longer
or shorter length to their controls in Gl. Thus it is clear that the five follicles
which had manufactured longer hairs (at equivalent or reduced rate), had
produced them over a prolonged growing period. Similarly, ten vibrissae which
had not altered in length, had grown at a reduced rate and had been produced
over a longer period of time.
In every case control follicles showed remarkable consistency in both length
and growth rate over successive generations.
In addition to these quantitative observations, method I follicles displayed
a number of abnormal phenomena including the production of multiple fibres;
the abrupt cessation of growth and premature fibre loss; and an increase in the
length of time between termination of hair growth and the emergence of a new whisker.

Method II

Wounding operations were successfully performed on 18 follicles in 10 male
rats. In contrast to method I, there was no loss of follicular material from the

Hair growth changes following vibrissa wounding
capsule. Wounded follicles and their controls were kept under observation for
up to 170 days, by which time the majority of experimental follicles had produced
two complete generations of whiskers.

Following injury all follicles ceased hair production and lost their growing
fibres. Subsequently, two failed to display emergent vibrissae. Of the remaining
sixteen follicles, fourteen produced hairs between 9 and 20 days post-operatively
and two whiskers were first seen at 27 and 44 days respectively.
Terminal length measurements (Table 3) revealed that half of the follicles
which produced vibrissae in Gl had hairs at least 4 mm longer than their controls.
The longest of these (Figs 2, 3) measured 15 mm more, and was therefore 29 %
longer, than its right side counterpart. A further four whiskers were of equivalent
length to their controls, and four were shorter, though one of this latter group was a broken fibre.
More detailed information about the eleven follicles which produced at least
one long hair postoperatively is displayed in Table 4. Five of these manufactured
significantly longer hairs in both Gl and G2. Therefore, although three
follicles switched to producing longer hairs in G2, three others went in the
reverse direction. None of the latter group attained full terminal length, as
one was broken, and the other two biopsied prematurely. Nevertheless, the
mean percentage increase in length for Gl whiskers of 15-6% fell by over 5 % in G2.
There was no increase in rates of growth; over 75 % of the follicles produced
hairs at a reduced rate in both Gl and G2. Increases in whisker length were
therefore associated with extended growing periods.

Changes in hair growth (5)

Changes in hair growth (5)


RESULTS
Maximum vibrissa length

With all follicles there was close agreement between left and right side club
lengths as described by Ibrahim & Wright (1975). With the six month and older
group of rats, of the 109 paired observations, 104 were within a 2 mm margin (i.e.
4% of a hair measuring 50 mm). Of the remaining 5 pairs none displayed a
difference of more than 3 mm. Similar results were obtained with the 3-monthold
animals, in which the average club lengths were up to 4 mm shorter than
vibrissae from the same positions on older rats.
Excluding the top horizontal row (which was not used experimentally), for the
older rats the range of measurements within vertical rows of follicles fell within
discrete non-overlapping groups; i.e. passing from the most posterior row 'a'
anteriorly 'a': 49-5-59mm; 'b': 42-47-5 mm; 'c': 31-38mm; 'd': 19-25-5 mm;
'e': 10-16-5 mm.

Changes in hair growth (4)

Changes in hair growth (4)
Compilation of experimental data

Length measurements

Following operational procedures experimental follicle positions were
examined at regular intervals, normally not exceeding 7 days. Both growing and
club hairs were measured as previously described and parallel observations were
made on control follicles. Examination commenced 1 to 2 weeks after the initial
intervention, was continued throughout the growing phase of the hair cycle, and
frequently extended to a second or third postoperative whisker. The first hair
produced was termed the first generation or Gl hair, and the second G2 and so
on. Results were tabulated and displayed graphically as a basis for further
analysis. The absence of vibrissae from follicular positions was always noted, as
were irregularities such as multiple hairs, or abnormalities in fibre thickness or shape.

Growth rates
Growth rate estimates (mm/day) were obtained by dividing the increase in
length (mm) between two points on the length measurement graphs, by the
period of time in days between the two measurements. In general the first
observation after fibre emergence was taken as the lower point, and high-point
measurements were obtained from positions as similar as possible on the respective
growth curves. Growth rates were only calculated where over half the total
club length was available.

Changes in hair growth (3)

Changes in hair growth (3)

Wounding experiments
30 male rats of six months of age were utilized for all experiments. Anaesthesia
was induced by intraperitoneal injection of Sagatal, 0-055 ml/100 g body weight.
The method employed to expose follicles for operation was the same as that
used by Cohen (1961) and Oliver (1966a). After being cleaned of surrounding

Hair growth changes following vibrissa wounding

Diagram of the four different methods used to injure the whisker follicles.

connective tissue, the positional identity of prospective experimental follicles
was confirmed and recorded. For convenience, operations were performed on
the left-hand side of the face. Damage was inflicted on follicles which were
growing hairs (in anagen) using finely pointed tungsten needles mounted on glass
rods. A diagrammatic representation of the four operational techniques is shown
in Figure Method I (la): A needle was inserted horizontally into the bulb region of a
follicle, and then rotated to disrupt the dermal papilla. 52 follicles operated on
in this manner were kept under long term observation.
Method II (lb): With this procedure, the follicle capsule was initially
penetrated distal to the bulb region, about one third of the way up the follicle.
The needle was then carefully pushed into the middle of the papilla, and rotated
as before. 18 follicles were kept under regular scrutiny.

Method III (lc): Follicles were damaged as for method II. However, in these
specimens injury to the dermal papilla was preceded by plucking of the club and
growing fibres prior to the introduction of the needle. 12 follicles damaged in this
manner were used for extended observations. In addition vibrissae were plucked
from 20 follicles in four animals to examine the effects of a single epilation on
whisker length. 10 of these had emergent fibres extracted after removal of the
club hair, while with the remaining 10 follicles only the growing hairs were plucked.
Method IV (Id): As a control, a further 19 follicles underwent penetration of
the capsule and follicle wall at a level above the bulb and thus without subsequent
injury to the proximal region or dermal papilla.

Changes in hair growth (2)

Changes in hair growth (2)



MATERIALS AND METHODS
All work was performed on animals from an inbred strain of hooded rat
(colony Dundee University). Only the major vibrissa follicles of the mystacial
region were used, and identification of individual follicle position and
subsequent recording of information were carried out according to the annotation
of Oliver (1966a). Observations of whiskers were performed under a dissecting
microscope (magnification x20). Fine-pointed watchmakers' forceps were
used to locate and separate emergent growing hairs from the thicker, and generally
larger, non-growing club vibrissae. Lengths were measured using transparent
flexible polythene tubes of internal diameter 0-8 mm, graduated at intervals
of 1 mm, and estimates were to the nearest 0-5 mm.
As a preliminary investigation the club whiskers of 17 male rats, 12 aged six
months or more and 5 aged three months, were measured in order to obtain the
characteristics of maximum fibre length for each follicle position, and length
differences for paired positions on opposite sides of the face.

Changes in hair growth (1)

Changes in hair growth (1)


INTRODUCTION

Much of the experimental work on hair growth has involved direct or indirect
interference with normal follicle activity. Where severe destructive agents have
been employed on adult follicles (e.g. carcinogenic hydrocarbons, Wolbach,
1951; X-irradiation, Geary, 1952), recovery of fibre production appears to have
depended on the degree of damage to the dermal papilla, and more recently it
has been shown that the papilla can prove resistant to high doses of X-irradiation
(Ibrahim & Wright, 1977).
Direct evidence of the necessity for a dermal papilla for growth and maintenance
of adult follicles was first demonstrated in a series of experiments by
Lillie & Wang (1941,1944) and Wang (1943). They discovered that removal of
the dermal papilla from feather follicles resulted in the permanent termination
of feather production. However, reimplantation of a new papilla resulted in
restoration of feather growth. Following the excision of rat pelage hair follicle
bulbs, Butcher (1965) reported subsequent growth of fragile hairs in the absence
of a dermal papilla. This conflicted with the findings of Oliver (1966a,b) who,
using operational procedures pioneered by Cohen (1961), established that fibre
production in the vibrissa follicle was terminated by removal of the dermal
papilla, and was only restored after papilla regeneration from surrounding lower
follicular mesenchymal cells which are continuous with the base of the papilla.
Furthermore, it was discovered that a papilla could be reformed after removal
of short lengths of follicle root, a finding confirmed by Ibrahim & Wright (1982).
Similarly, the regrowth of human axillary hair following the removal of the bulb
and follicle up to the level of the sebaceous gland has also been described (Inaba,
Anthony & McKinstry, 1979).
One of the advantages of using vibrissa follicles, particularly for quantitative
studies, is the ease with which individual fibres can be measured. Normal growth
characteristics of vibrissae on the upper lip of the rat are therefore well documented
(Oliver, 1965; Ibrahim & Wright, 1975; Young, 1977). In addition, each
follicle has an exact counterpart on the opposite side which produces a fibre of
similar length. This inbuilt 'control' system was exploited by Oliver (1966a, 1967)
who looked at alterations in whisker length brought about by various microsurgical
manipulations.

In the present study a comprehensive examination of the effects of wounding
the lower region of vibrissa follicles with a tungsten needle was undertaken.

Hair Loss (Alopecia)

Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common occurance even for healthy
people. In fact, the average person will lose
between 50 and 150 hairs every day. A person who
has a healthy head of hair has over 100,000 hair
follicles, so losing 50-150 hairs a day is generally
not a problem. However, when people start to lose
more hair than the body can grow then it can be a problem.
Hair loss can be caused by many different factors
including heredity, medical conditions and harsh
hair treatments. Interferon treatment can cause
hair loss (alopecia) and changes in hair texture that
can occur all over the body – not just on the head.
It is, however, rare for someone on HCV therapy to
lose all of their body hair or to go bald. Generally,
people will start to notice that their hair is thinning,
becoming brittle and easily breaking off. Hair color
may become dull and the texture of hair may also
change during therapy – curly hair may become
straight, and vice-versa.
Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief
HCSP • VERSION 2.1 • December 2008
Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Treatment-related hair loss and changes in texture
can greatly affect body image; and a person’s
appearance directly affects the way they feel about
themselves and how they interact with other people.
If someone is having hair loss while on treatment
and it is affecting them psychologically it is highly
recommended that he or she seek out professional
psychological support or help from a peer led supportgroup.

The good news is that hair loss or change in hair
texture is only temporary and the hair lost and
damaged during treatment will usually grow back
after treatment. Some people even report that
their hair grows back fuller and thicker than beforetreatment.
It is important to know that minoxidil (Rograine) will
not work to repair the damage of interferon induced
hair loss. In fact, minoxidil should be avoided
because it can irritate and dry out the scalp.
There are many steps that people can take to
help reduce the chance of hair loss and other hair problems:
Do not wash hair too frequently
Every once in a while skip the shampoo and just
use water – this will help to retain some of the
natural oil in your hair Apply hair conditioner often
Try gently massaging your scalp (use vegetable oil) in a circular motion. Better yet, have a
friend or loved one massage your head, neck and shoulders
Avoid us ing chemi cal s found in dyes and
permanent s – use natural produc t s when possible
A short layered haircut will make hair look thicker and fuller
Use a Nioxin shampoo to help dry and damaged hair

Try to avoid using a hair dryer, rollers and curling
irons. If a hair dryer is needed, use the lowest
setting possible. If using a towel to dry hair, do not rub too hard
Style hair only when it is dry or damp
Use a soft bristle brush or a wide tooth comb
avoid frequent brushing or combing
Use a sunscreen, hat, or scarf to protect the scalp
and hair from sun damage.Do not tease hair
Avoid hair styles that could strain hair, such as hair weaves or braiding
Use a satin pillow to sleep on Remember that the change in texture and loss of
hair from HCV treatment is temporary and that it
will resolve after stopping treatment.
Be Sure to Check Out the Other Factsheets
in This Series: “HCV Treatment – Side Effect Management”
A Guide to Hepatitis C: Treatment Side Effect Management
Managing Side Effects of HCV Treatment
Side Effect Management: Anxiety, Mania, and Depression
Side Effect Management: Dental Hygiene
Side Effect Management: Depression
Side Effect Management: Depression – For Family and Friends
Side Effect Management: Diarrhea
Side Effect Management: Hair Loss
Side Effect Management: Headaches
Side Effect Management: Hemolytic Anemia
Side Effect Management: Injection Site Reactions
Side Effect Management: Maintaining a Positive Attitude
Side Effect Management: Mouth Sores
Side Effect Management: Nausea
Side Effect Management: Neutropenia
Side Effect Management: Rashes
Side Effect Management: Taste Changes
Side Effect Management: Water
Side Effect Management: Weight Loss

For more information about hepatitis C, hepatitis B and
HCV coinfections, please visit www.hcvadvocate.org.

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (12)

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (12)

Summary

Hair is a living protein, and as with any living part
of our bodies we must be sure to maintain proper health to
optimize our chances of maintaining a healthy head of hair.
Proper nutrition is vital to maintaining healthy hair, since
the hair is a living and growing part of the body’s system.
Viewing it in this manner can help us to treat our bodies
different and raise expectations through proper care. A
healthy balanced diet, occasionally with the help of vitamin
and mineral supplements and exercise are all key
components to a healthy regimen of maintaining healthy hair.
Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) or androgenetic
alopecia is the condition that over 95% of persons that
suffer hair loss have, and it is caused by a rise in DHT, a
direct component of testosterone. The scientific
developments of the past two decades have brought hope
and promise to many who suffer with this type of hair loss.
Treatments like Rogaine®, Rogaine® for Women, Propecia,
and improved surgical treatments have brought relief to
many who would have previously had to settle for gradual
hair loss, wigs, or hairpieces. The discovery of the role of
DHT in preventing hair loss has even opened the doors to
possible herbal solutions to hair loss prevention, such as
saw palmetto, nettles, rosemary and horsetail. Even more
promising is the fact that the hair loss commonly known as
androgenetic alopecia is found to occur mainly in Western
civilization or those who have adopted the ways of Western
civilization, meaning that there may be dietary practices
that contribute to hair loss and therefore giving hope to the
possibility that diet could control not only temporary hair
loss, but androgenetic alopecia as well.
Doctors and scientists are studying DHT production
in the body to understand it more thoroughly. There is an
obvious link to hair loss and prostatic health and this only
increases the pace of hair loss discoveries. Most treatments
for prostatic diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH) also have the pleasant side affect of growing hair on
the heads of those taking it. With the pace of research and
discoveries today, there is a great deal of optimism in the
field of hair loss prevention. Hair is an important part of
our dress and appearance, therefore a large part of our selfesteem.
It is likely that there are answers for your situation
presently or coming in the near future.
Remember, the restoration of hair growth is not an
overnight process. The process takes time regardless of the
method chosen. Be patient and follow as much of the
advice given by professionals as possible. Keep in mind
that the body is a system, and it is the abuse of this system
by food intake and environmental causes that lead to most
common hair loss. Through returning the body back to its
natural state, hair growth can be restored. Good health to you!
Resources for Hair Care and Hair Loss Prevention
These books, websites, and reports may prove
helpful to you if you wish to read further about MPB or
androgenetic alopecia and its prevention.
Alopecia Areata: Understanding and Coping with Hair
Loss by Wendy Thompson, M.A. and Jerry Shapiro, M.D.
John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1996.
Hair Loss Prevention Through Natural Remedies: A
Prescription for Healthier Hair by Ken Peters, David
Stuss, and Nick Waddell. Apple Publishing Company, Ltd.,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1994.
The Hair Replacement Revolution: A Consumer’s Guide to
Effective Hair Replacement Techniques by James Harris
and Emanuel Marritt. Square One Publishers.
Bald No More by Morton Walker. Kensington Publishing Corporation.
Your Hair: Helping to Keep It: Treatment and Prevention
by Neil Sadick and Donald Charles Richardson. St. Martin’s Press.
The Bald Truth by Spencer David Kobren, Diane B.
Eisman, and Eugene H. Eisman. Pocket Books.
Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative by Dr. John
O.A. Pagano. The Pagano Organization, Englewood Cliffs,
NJ, 2nd Printing, 1995.
Propecia: The Hair-Growth Breakthrough by Othneil J.
Seiden, M.D. Prima Health Publishers, Rocklin, CA, 1998.
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), P.O.
Box 150760, San Rafael, CA 94915-0760, (415) 472-3780
The National Psoriasis Foundation at 6600 SW 92nd Ave.,
Suite 300, Portland, OR 97223-7195, (503) 244-7404

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (11)

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (11)

Prescription Drug Treatments

While topical solutions such as Rogaine® brand
monoxidil have been used to treat hair loss, Propecia®
brand Finasteride by Merck & Company, Inc. is the only
FDA approved pill approved for the prevention of hair loss
and possible hair re-growth. Like Rogaine®, Propecia® was
discovered when its generic equivalent being used for
another purpose was found to have beneficial side effects.
Finasteride is the generic name for the drug, which was
already in existence for quite some time and had been
produced under the name Proscar® by Merck & Company
and used for treatment of enlarged prostates, a syndrome
medically called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH
is caused by an overproduction of DHT, which causes the
prostate to grow. Many BHP patients were also suffering
with MPB, and when patients began taking Proscar®, they
noticed the re-growth of hair also. This sparked new testing
and the birth of Propecia® as a hair restoration drug. The
approval of Propecia® by the FDA was easy to achieve,
since it was merely marketing already approved Finasteride
as a hair restoration drug, with a much smaller dosage than that required for BPH.
Propecia® is being prescribed by doctors to some
patients as an oral treatment to internally block the
production of DHT. Propecia is an androgen hormone
inhibitor only approved for men, and has been clinically
proven to grow hair on a significant percentage of men who
suffer with Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) or more properly
androgenetic alopecia. Unfortunately, the drug has not been
approved for use by women at this time. This is especially
true for women who are pregnant or can become pregnant,
because the process of inhibiting testosterone from being
converted to DHT can affect secondary sex characteristics of unborn fetuses.
Propecia® works by reversing the shrinkage of hair
follicles that are in the telogen phase, or last phase of the
normal hair cycle. Propecia® works best in combination
with topical treatments of Monoxidil such as Rogaine®.
Participants in studies have seen hair grow in as little as six
months, whereas those who have seen no results in a year’s
time are reported not likely to see any results from the drug.
One round of testing of over 2,000 men with androgenetic
alopecia over a four-year period showed half with reported new hair growth.
Side effects of Propecia® in a few persons studied
include diminished sex drive, difficulty in achieving an
erection, and a decreased sperm production. Side effects
were found in less than three percent of participants in
clinical studies. Fortunately when the drug’s use was
discontinued, the side effects went away and normal
functions resumed. Of course there are some who say that
the growth of new hair is worth the cost of a drop in libido.
Only you can decide whether this side effect is worth the
personal cost to you. Finasteride is metabolized primarily
by the liver, and therefore anyone suffering with liver
disease may not be able to take the drug, and should consult
a physician. Additionally, as with Monoxidil, it can mask
PSA levels, thus caution should be used if used by patients
with elevated PSA levels, as it may be difficult to read
levels properly when diagnosing potential prostate cancer.
Of course proper consultation with your physician will help
determine if taking Finasteride treatments such as Propecia® is right for you.
An interesting phenomena concerning Propecia® is
the dramatic rise in price it caused for Finasteride when it
entered the market as a hair restoration drug. Propecia® is
simply a 1mg version of Finasteride, a drug that was
already being marketed as Proscar® for BPH by the same
company that markets Propecia®, Merck & Company, Inc.
Therefore there should not be an increase of any kind in the
cost of production of Finasteride, since it was simply being
marketed under a new name at a much smaller dosage.
Merck & Company therefore was prepared to introduce
Propecia at the price of $1.25 per pill or $37.50 for a 30-
day supply in 1998. However, after reconsiderations it was
decided that Propecia would be introduced at $50 for a onemonth
supply. This is compared to a 30-day supply of
Proscar® which is 5mg Finasteride being marketed at $55-
60.00 for a 30-day supply. The price was adjusted to be in
the range of Rogaine® Extra Strength. The price of
Propecia® today in 2004 is in the range of $130 for a 30-
day supply, while Proscar® prices have risen at a much
slower pace, and is now less expensive than the same
Finasteride drug that is 1/5th the dosage. Doctors of course
are discouraged by pharmaceutical companies to prescribe
Proscar for cosmetic treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Of
course there are always going to be those who find ways to
circumvent this. Therefore, many have been driven to find
ways to purchase Proscar® and divide the pill into fourths
or fifths instead of paying the exorbitant prices for the very same Finasteride.

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (10)

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (10)

Over The Counter Treatments

The most popular over-the-counter hair restoration
drug today is Rogaine®, a brand of topical monoxidil
solution by Pfizer Corporation, approved for over the
counter sale in 1997 by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Monoxidil was originally used as a blood pressure
medication, and then doctors found that it produced the side
effect of increased scalp hair growth. Today monoxidil
remains the only FDA approved pharmaceutical topical
solution proven to grow hair. In the preliminary studies
held in 1985, 55% of men tested were able to re-grow hair
with extra strength Rogaine® (5% topical monoxidil
treatment), although the best results came from those who
had been balding for less than 10 years and were bald in a
section of four inches across or less. Another test study
compared the results of regular strength Rogaine® (2%
topical monoxidil solution) with the extra strength version,
and found that subjects grew 45% more hair with the extra
strength Rogaine® than with the regular strength Rogaine®,
and users of both solutions outgrew the users of the
placebo. Only 6% of those tested experienced any type of
irritation. Rogaine® works by blocking the production of
DHT. Of course there are generic brands of topical
monoxidil solution also on the market. Rogaine® was
originally made only for men’s use, and then a women’s
version of the drug was produced. Similar results were
achieved with the women’s version. As with both men’s
and women’s versions, users must take note that continuous
use of the drug is necessary to maintain the newly grown
hair, as it is a usual reaction for newly growing hair to stop
growing and fall out when one ceases to use the drug. As
with any drug, follow all directions and cease to use if
irritation or discomfort persists.
Of course many people choose not to use drugs to
treat conditions, because they want to avoid the use of
chemicals and their possible side effects. In this case, there
are several treatments in existence that have been found to
block the production of DHT and thus work similarly to
topical monoxidil products. As mentioned earlier, Saw
Palmetto has been used effectively to block DHT in the
treatment of prostatic disease, and is now being explored
for its effectiveness in stimulating hair growth.
Traditionally it has been used by herbalists to stimulate hair
growth effectively. Nettles, usually taken in the form of
Nettle Root Extract has shown itself to be effective in
preventing hair loss as well. More information on these was
covered in the section called Natural Hair Remedies.

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (9)

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (9)

Hair Replacement and Restoration Techniques

There has been a great deal of progress in the field
of hair replacement and restoration in the past few years.
Surgical techniques have improved greatly from the days
when hair replacement first began. All hair replacement
techniques involve the use of your own hair; therefore, hair
replacement candidates must have some healthy hair,
usually at the back and sides of the head. The process is a
relatively safe procedure when performed by a qualified
surgeon, however as with any surgery there are risks.
Candidates must be checked for uncontrolled high blood
pressure, blood-clotting problems, or skin that scars
excessively, as these conditions may make healing difficult.
Small pieces of hair growing scalp grafts are removed from
areas of the scalp with healthy hair and are placed where
hair is thinning. There are three major types of grafts:
punch grafts, mini-grafts, and micro-grafts. Punch grafting
takes about 10-15 hairs and places them in the scalp. This
was the first type of technique to be developed, and when
first developed caused a patchy look in many candidates.
The technique has been improved since the first days of
being developed, and the new mini-graft technique has also
been added as an option. Mini-grafts contain only 2-4 hairs
per graft, and therefore look much more natural. Micrografts
are still smaller grafts that contain one to two hairs
each. To maintain healthy circulation of the scalp, grafts
are placed 1/8th of an inch apart. Local anesthesia is usually
sufficient for these procedures, and several procedures are
usually required to achieve the desired result. Post-surgery,
a period of approximately 10 days of no sexual or strenuous
activity is recommended, as strenuous activity may cause
bleeding from the graft areas.
Of course surgery is a serious option, and often an
expensive one as well. For those not wishing to undergo
surgery for either reason, the option of non-surgical hair
additions is often explored. Many professionals have
developed techniques to add hair to existing hair on your
scalp that look very natural. Weaves, fusions, bonding,
cabling and micro linking are some of the techniques used
to bond hair to the existing hair or scalp non-surgically.
Many jokes were made in the past about wigs and
toupees, and they have gained an unfavorable light amongst
many people because they were so obvious on the wearer.
Today’s toupees and wigs are often made of real hair and
are very well styled, causing them to look more natural on
the wearer. These hairpieces are held in place by affixing
adhesive to the scalp and stay in place through vigorous
exercise. Of course you will need to seek a professionally
made toupee in order to make it worth your while, and you
should purchase at least two so that you can maintain them
properly, servicing one while wearing the other. A
professionally styled and fitted toupee is expected to cost
upward of $600 to $1000 in today’s market. Of course no
one wants to go through the embarrassment of wearing the
obvious “rug” on top of your head, so if you are not willing
to spend the money it takes to purchase a professional
toupee then it is probably best to not wear any hairpiece at all.
Structured hairpieces as they are called are a semisurgical
approach that permanently attaches hair to the
scalp by stitching the hair to the bald scalp. This procedure
is not recommended, as it is a process that involves
introducing a foreign material to the scalp. Most ethical
surgeons do not perform this procedure any longer as they
are generally deemed to be ethically inappropriate. If this
procedure is recommended to you, get a second opinion
from a trusted physician.
A much safer procedure is hair weaving, yet this
can only be used if hair is thinning and large balding areas
are not present. The process is also called hair
intensification or hair integration. Strands of synthetic or
real hair are braided or weaved into your own existing hair
giving an appearance of a full head of hair. This procedure
does have its drawbacks, because it can make the scalp
difficult to access, interfering with proper hair and scalp
maintenance necessary for the health of your remaining
natural hair, and this method can also stress existing hair
since the artificial hair introduced through weaving is
attached to it. This method is usually expensive, costing
several thousand dollars per application, and being that
because of the aforementioned drawbacks it can only be
left in for a few weeks at a time it is usually impractical for
the average person.
It is highly recommended that one seek professional
assistance with these procedures from licensed beauticians
or barbers, and have a patch test done to the skin if using
adhesives to test for skin sensitivities. Extra care must be
taken to maintain cleanliness of the hair and scalp when
wearing added hair in order to maintain the health of
existing hair and the scalp in general. Of course, if you are
undergoing chemotherapy or are in the early stages of
diagnosed alopecia areata then these procedures should be
avoided as the hair they are connected to is likely to fall out
as well. Either waiting for a period of time or obtaining a
full prosthesis is recommended in these cases.
Yet still there is another type of treatment which is a
spray of micro fibers made up of the same substance that
hair is made of: keratin. If your hair is simply thinning,
while you are investigating a more permanent solution to
your hair loss problems or in the process of employing a
particular process that takes some time, you can use these
substances to cosmetically produce the appearance of
thicker and fuller hair. The substance is marketed under
several different names, one such being Topik®. Being a
temporary solution it is relatively inexpensive, and can
provide some immediate aesthetic results to bolster
confidence and optimism as you work on more permanent
solutions.