Tests that Determine whether You Have Alopecia or Not

Whether you’re young or old, finding clumps of hair in your brush and the slow thinning of your luscious locks can be traumatic—especially if you’re female.

The first step to determining the treatment for hair loss is to identify the cause, of which there are many. Even the pattern of hair loss can help to establish the root source. For example, women may lose hair from the crown of the head—similar to male pattern baldness—with an elevation of testosterone levels whereas nutritional deficiencies may cause generalized hair loss over the whole head. Blood tests can help determine the cause, and there also a few options for proper treatment:

Recommended Tests

In all cases of hair loss, it’s important to ensure that tests of the following are completed by your doctor:

• TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies to assess thyroid gland function. All should be completed to properly diagnose a thyroid condition that may result in excessive hair loss. (Note: Optimally, your TSH should be less than 2.5).

• Ferritin (This is the storage form of iron). Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid—either of these nutrients in low levels may cause hair loss.

• Copper and zinc (excess copper relative to zinc may result in hair loss).

• Dihydrotestosterone (high levels of this hormone is related to hair loss in both men and women).

• Progesterone and estradiol (low levels of estrogen may cause an increase in hair loss).

• DHEAs and cortisol (high levels of cortisol or low DHEAs may contribute to hair loss).

• Free and total testosterone (high levels of testosterone in women may accelerate hair loss).

• Biotin (a deficiency of biotin can cause progressive hair loss).

Running a test on the levels of the aforementioned is key to determining whether you have alopecia (medical term for hair loss) or not.

A Closer Look at How Men Manage Baldness

Androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is a condition that will develop in up to two-thirds of all men by the age of 65, and even 25% of men in their twenties will manifest some symptoms of this incredibly common condition.

Naturally, men have been seeking a cure for this condition for a long time. Such a cure has not been discovered, however, and most who have gone in search of the holy grail of hair loss treatments have eventually given up their quest in frustration. But starting in the 1980s, hair loss treatments that actually appear to work began to show up in the marketplace, much to the delight of the men who have tried them and come away delighted with the results.

But what is the truth about these types of hair loss treatment? Do they really work, or are the anecdotes attesting to their success just stories that should not be believed? A closer look is necessary to sort out the facts from the hype.

Minoxidil

At one time, this drug was used as a remedy for high blood pressure. It was eventually discovered, however, that minoxidil had one very interesting side effect: It sometimes caused new hair to grow. After further research and development, minoxidil was later released in a new topical form that could be massaged directly into the scalp of those experiencing hair loss.

Minoxidil is available over the counter in drug stores everywhere, and millions of men have now tried this product as a remedy for their male pattern baldness.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a prescription medication that was created specifically to address the symptoms of androgenic alopecia. This drug is considered the gold standard of treatments for baldness, as all the tests that have been performed so far show it to be a more potent and effective substance than minoxidil.

There is no doubt that finasteride is the first legitimate treatment for baldness that has ever really been developed by medical researchers. As such, it represents a true breakthrough in the fight against hair loss.

Natural Supplements

Alternative health researchers, largely working outside the medical mainstream, have discovered much about how to regulate the body’s production of DHT through the use of certain healing herbs and other powerful nutrients.

In addition to combating overproduction of DHT, these supplements also contain ingredients that help limit the ability of excess DHT to damage healthy hair follicles. These products further include ingredients that are known to promote the growth of thick, healthy hair in anyone who consumes them.

More studies need to be completed to definitively demonstrate the effectiveness of natural hair loss treatments. However, the anecdotal evidence from the multitude of men who have used these products and reported good results is impressive.

Hair Loss Treatment Hope

The primary thing all hair loss treatments offer men suffering from premature hair loss is hope — hope that things can get better, and hope that what has been lost can be brought back again.

How to Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss

During pregnancy, a woman goes through mental and physical changes. Weight gain, nausea, improper or too much sleep, mood swings, and morning sickness are few of the changes a pregnant woman faces.

This is mainly because of the hormonal changes in her body. These problems become a precursor to another problem usually experienced after pregnancy: excessive hair loss. Lack of vitamins and folic acid are considered as common reasons behind the hair loss.

In order to curb the experience of losing a lot of hair after childbirth, take a look at the following preventive measures:

Folic Acid

During pregnancy, the hair growth and hair health greatly improves but after childbirth, hair loss takes place. This is due to how the hormones in the body resume to their usual levels.

A diet rich in folic acid keeps a pregnant woman healthy. It also improves the baby’s growth and development. Folic acid promotes formation of hair cells. Folic acid increases the hair growth during pregnancy and makes it thick, and this vitamin can lengthen these hair benefits well after childbirth.

Lentils, spinach, collard, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, asparagus, kidney beans, legumes, cereals, and citrus fruits are folic-rich food advisable to be eaten before, during, and after pregnancy.

Prenatal Vitamins

These are specially formulated multivitamins for expecting and nursing mothers. Calcium and iron supplements can augment for lacking nutrients needed by the hair follicles in the scalp to keep them functioning in growing healthy, thick, and lustrous hair even after giving birth.

Iron

Having a diet that contains iron-rich foods can prevent postpartum hair loss. It increases the blood flow and formation of hair cells. Kidney beans, spinach, finger millet, fenugreek, sprouts, carrot, muesli, tofu, chickpeas, green beans, soybeans, almonds, and raisins are iron-rich foods that keep the hair growing and avoid hair loss.

Calcium

Foods rich in calcium prevent the pregnant woman from diseases. For a healthy body and hair, include calcium-rich food in the diet. Low-fat dairy products; fish; beetroot; and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, fenugreek leaves, turnip greens, and cloves are few calcium-rich foods good for pregnancy.

Making sure that these vitamins and minerals are included in a pregnant woman’s diet can prevent hair loss and promote continuous healthy hair growth.

Worried about hair loss? Worry no more Leimo is an Australian-based company that has produced a line of treatments to prevent further hair loss/thinning and restore hair without any side effects. Read more on LEIMO

How a Healthy Diet Gives a Great Hair Day

For healthy tresses, it’s not just what you put on your hair that counts but what you put in your body as well — especially when it comes to thinning hair. While you can’t change your genes, which are often to blame for hair loss in both men and women, most people don’t realize that other causes of hair loss may be temporary and reversible.

One sure-fire way to improve a bad hair day is to change your diet. To keep your hair healthy, you’ll need to ensure your diet contains plenty of protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A — all crucial for scalp health and keeping the hair shiny. However, supplementing with too much vitamin A may actually contribute to hair loss so make sure to consult a medical expert regarding your supplement intake.

Of course, changing your diet won’t transform fine, thin hair into thick mane tresses at once, but ensuring your diet includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make a difference. Aim for high-quality protein, such as eggs, poultry, and low-fat dairy.

One way to give your hair a boost is to add beans and nuts, such as almonds, pecans, and cashews for zinc, iron, and biotin. Also dark leafy greens (spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard) contain vitamins A and C. Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which can promote scalp health, and walnuts and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Research published late last month also revealed that stress, smoking, drinking, and even too much sunlight could contribute to hair loss, especially in women.

While you can take preventative measures such as wearing a hat in the sun, quitting smoking, and reducing your alcohol consumption, researchers add that adopting healthier lifestyle choices could possibly help your hair grow back.

Choosing the Most Apt Hair Loss Treatment for You

Hair loss treatments include surgical intervention, medication, concealment procedures, and alternative treatments. Deciding on the right treatment depends on various considerations including the cause of hair loss and the amount one is willing to spend on such treatments. The expense and nature of treatment can also differ for men and women as certain causative factors are sex-specific.

Combating hair loss is a problem usually associated with ageing, although other causes also exist. Hair loss treatments differ significantly depending on the specific nature of the case.

Surgical Treatments

In serious cases that do not respond to other forms of treatment, hair transplants are an option. In this procedure, the surgeon takes hair from one part of the patient’s body, usually the back of the scalp, and transplants it to balding patches. Since identical twins have the same genetic profile, it is also possible to transplant hair from one identical twin to another.

Hair transplants between people who are not identical twins are more difficult since the body may reject the new hair. In some cases, special medication may help prevent the body from rejecting hair from such transplants.

Hair Loss Medication

Many pharmaceutical companies market drugs for hair loss. Finasteride and minoxidil are examples of such medication. Minoxidil is a topical treatment that can be used by both women and men. Finasteride is used to inhibit a substance known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that causes male pattern baldness.

A class of drugs known as androgen receptor inhibitors are used to treat hair loss in women. Such drugs include cimetidine, spironolactone, and cyproterone acetate. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptives can also be used for androgenetic hair loss.

Concealing Hair Loss

Some types of treatment do not actually prevent hair loss or promote new hair growth, but rather attempt to minimise the appearance of hair loss.

For example, one technique is to expand the scalp with miniature balloons inserted underneath the skin of hairy areas of the scalp. The expanded hairy area is used to surgically patch up balding spots. Another procedure is scalp reduction in which excess skin on the scalp is surgically removed to shrink the size of balding areas.

Alternative Treatments

Many people prefer to use natural and other alternative treatments for hair loss. Such treatments can be much less expensive than those mentioned above, although the research to support their effectiveness may be sparse or non-existent. Some of these treatments are based on traditional medical practices used in many cultures before the dawn of modern medicine.

Some products, for example, use combinations of herbs, vitamins and minerals to stimulate hair growth or to prevent conditions that lead to hair loss. Some of these treatments are internal while others use topical application.

A number of cosmetic products also exist to help conceal hair loss.

Remedying Hair Loss with Garlic and Onion

A natural hair loss remedy can be carried out with herbs, massage or natural diet plan techniques. Men and women apply these remedies with hopes that no side effect would appear. Garlic and onion can be utilised as alternatives to chemical-based hair loss products.

Garlic is not just good for our body, but also for our hair. Garlic extract can get rid of and destroy dangerous toxins and stimulate blood circulation, essential in the scalp for proper hair care and growth and to avoid hair loss. Adding garlic extract in your daily shampoo helps to keep hair strong, preventing breakage and hair loss, even adding significant body and shine to the hair. For those with dry hair or itchy scalp, the shampoos with garlic extracts provide relief from the irritating conditions.

How can we use garlic as a hair loss remedy?

An hour before bedtime, slice open a clove of garlic and rub it on the hair loss area. Wait for an hour then massage the scalp with olive oil. Put on a cap and go to bed. In the morning, shampoo your hair. Repeat this remedy for a few weeks, and your hair will stop falling out and regrow.

Onion (Allium cepa) is recognised with its healing qualities — antibacterial, cleansing, stimulating, and nourishing properties. Onions contain a number of important minerals and vitamins, such as vitamins C and B6, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and germanium.

Onion also has high sulphur content. Sulphur is a mineral present in every cell in our body, with its greatest concentration in hair, skin and nails. It has typically been referred to as the ‘beauty mineral’ and the ‘healing mineral’ simply because of its ability to promote circulation and reduce inflammation. These qualities also lend to the theory that adequate amounts of sulphur can jump-start hair growth.

High amounts of sulphur in onions make them particularly powerful in revitalising hair follicles and stimulating hair regrowth. In addition, naturally-concentrated sulphur compounds have been confirmed to stimulate natural hair restoration or regrowth.

How can we use onion as a hair loss remedy?

Apply freshly squeezed, raw onion juice directly onto the scalp, massage deep into the scalp and hair roots. Leave on the scalp for about half an hour prior to shampooing. Do this treatment every day. In most circumstances, regular onion treatments will result in dramatic improvement of hair thickness within just a number of months. Considering that onion juice rejuvenates hair follicles and improves scalp circulation, it will promote healthy hair regrowth.

Worried about hair loss? Worry no more Leimo is an Australian-based company that has produced a line of treatments to prevent further hair loss/thinning and restore hair without any side effects. Read more on LEIMO

Hair Loss Prevention: Foods to Keep the Hair Follicles Healthy

If you dread trips to the barbershop and cringe every time you pass a mirror, there’s a pretty good chance you’re concerned about hair loss. Whether you’re starting to see strands of your hair at the bottom of your shower or are just worried that your thick head of hair won’t last forever, there are helpful foods that prevent hair loss.

Making sure certain foods are in your diet will help keep your scalp healthy, happy, and hopefully, hairy. Here are some foods that prevent hair loss:

Fish, Eggs and Beans

Hair is primarily made of protein and, therefore, it makes sense to eat a protein-rich diet if you’re trying to maintain your healthy hair. However, eating steak every day isn’t going to help you. High-fat diets will result in increased testosterone levels, which have been linked to hair loss — so steaks are not among the foods that prevent hair loss.

Stick to leaner proteins such as fish (which has a myriad of health benefits beyond just maintaining your hair), chicken, calf’s liver, brewer’s yeast, low-fat cheese, eggs, almonds, beans, and yoghurt. Soy milk and tofu are also smart to add to your diet because they are high in protein and low in bad fats.

Raisins

Iron plays a key role in manufacturing haemoglobin, the part of the blood that carries oxygen to your body’s organs and tissues. When your haemoglobin is at a healthy level, oxygen is properly dispersed. This means your scalp is getting a good flow of blood, which will stimulate and promote hair growth. Adding more iron to your diet doesn’t mean you have to feast on liver day in, day out, but when you’re craving something sweet, remember that dried fruits (like raisins) and cherry juice are packed with iron.

Eggs, dates, raisins, dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, and whole-grain cereals are all high in iron. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron, so fruits such as oranges, strawberries and lemons should be on your grocery list of foods that prevent hair loss.

Bean Sprouts

Silica may not be a word you commonly hear associated with diet (or foods that prevent hair loss, for that matter). If you’re looking to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, however, silica will need to be on your menu.

The body uses silica to help it absorb vitamins and minerals; if you’re not consuming silica, eating your vitamin sources might not be helping much. Silica can be found in bean sprouts and the skin of cucumbers, red and green peppers, and potatoes. Remember, when you eat these foods raw, as opposed to cooked, you’re getting more nutritional value out of them.

Hair Transplantation: The Main Solution to Male Pattern Baldness

The wide array of hair restoration options is certainly a far cry from the days when men reluctantly accepted baldness. They now have a raft of options for restoring a thinning thatch. As well as transplants, there are laser therapy treatments, which claim to bring follicles back to life, stimulating hair growth.

There are nifty little weaves that attach to your existing strands and a concealer (essentially microscopic hair-like fibres that you sprinkle on your scalp like hundreds and thousands, and which cling to your thinning strands). There is even hope for billiard-ball baldies in the shape of a tattooing treatment that creates the effect of scalp stubble.

Most of these options have been around for a while, of course, but it’s the transplant — ultimately the most effective treatment — that is the procedure du jour.

There is definitely a market out there for hair restoration. Eight million men in Britain suffer from hair loss, with 40 per cent of under-35s already going thin on top — and they are worried sick about it.

A recent survey showed that men fret more about baldness than they do about finding a long-term partner, bankruptcy or their bedroom performance — a fact that comes as no surprise to the psychotherapist Lucy Beresford. ‘Hair loss in most cultures is associated with ageing, and the subtext of ageing is a loss of strength and power,’ she says. ‘The implication is that men with thinning hair aren’t alpha males.’

Certainly, you’ve got to have an alpha-male sense of adventure — not to mention a deep pocket — to undergo a transplant (which may cost between £10,000 and £30,000). The procedure, though, is relatively straightforward. The preferred technique is third-generation follicular unit extraction (FUE), a treatment that involves hairs from the back or side of the head (or the chest, if necessary) being removed and implanted into the bald spots. Because the ‘donor hair’ from these areas is resistant to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (the hormone that triggers male-pattern baldness), it has a better chance of staying put once transplanted.

Azelaic Acid, Zinc and Vitamin B6: The Trio to Treat Hair Loss

Vitamin B6, zinc and azelaic acid have each been shown to have some positive effects on treating hair loss when used separately. When used together, the efficacy appears to be increased over what can be achieved by using any of the three alone. While zinc, azelaic acid and vitamin B6 are frequently used for hair loss, none are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this, and you should discuss use with your doctor first.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a member of the B-complex family of vitamins, which play many important roles in your body and are needed for healthy hair and skin. Vitamin B6 is also needed for the production of your red blood cells and cells that serve the immune system. A serious vitamin B6 deficiency is rare, as it is contained in many foods or can be taken separately as a supplement. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends if you are suffering from hair disorders that you take B-complex vitamins.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that, in most cases, a given person will receive sufficient amounts of in her diet, but deficiencies can occur. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one of the symptoms of zinc deficiency is hair loss. Zinc has been shown to help with hair growth during clinical studies. One study that appeared in the February 1996 issue of Obesity Surgery found that 47 of 130 patients who underwent a vertical gastroplasty, a surgery for obesity, suffered from hair loss afterward. After being given 600 mg of zinc sulfate daily, hair loss ceased on all 47, and they began to see hair regrowth.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid has been a frequently used topical treatment for hair loss, although there have been few studies to support its use as a hair growth stimulant. One of the first scientific looks at this use involved a pilot study that was reported on in a 2005 American Journal of Clinical Dermatology article, which stated that no controlled trials had been tested on azelaic acid for alopecia, which is the medical term for hair loss. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using azelaic acid on patients suffering from alopecia areata, which is patchy hair loss, and compare its effectiveness to anthralin, a drug prescribed to treat psoriasis and frequently used for alopecia areata. The study concluded that azelaic acid gave similar results to anthralin for regrowth, but that further testing was needed.

Combination

A study that appeared in the November 1998 issue of the British Journal of Dermatology was designed to test zinc and azelaic acid as mechanisms to eliminate the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which is the enzyme responsible for pattern hair loss. Both zinc and azelaic acid did slow enzyme activity and zinc was shown to be more effective when mixed with vitamin B6, while azelaic acid was not. When the three were used together at low doses that had no positive effects when used alone, there was a 90 per cent reduction in 5-alpha reductase activity.

Hair Loss Facts: All about Alopecia

Alopecia is a term that means ‘loss of hair from the head or body’. Hair loss is one of those things that is embarrassing and many people get distressed from having it. In some cases, alopecia is due to underlying medical conditions, such as iron deficiency.

The good news is you are not alone. Over 330 people in the USA alone search for the term hair loss treatment on Google every day. People are looking for treatments, if any, for their embarrassing issue of hair loss.

What causes hair loss?

To choose the best hair loss treatment for you, you have to understand what causes hair loss in the first place. As I said before, there are so many causes of hair loss.

In male- and female-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), the symptoms are that the time of hair growth shortens, and the hairs are not as thick or sturdy. With each growth cycle, the hairs are less rooted and more easily fall out. More often than not, this is mainly a heredity problem.

A history of androgenetic alopecia on either side of your family increases your risk of balding. Heredity also affects the age at which you begin to lose hair and the developmental speed, pattern and extent of your baldness.

Another case of hair loss is cicatricial (scarring) alopecia. This type of permanent hair loss occurs when inflammation damages and scars the hair follicles. This prevents new hair from growing. This condition can be seen in several skin conditions, including lupus erythematosus or lichen planus. What causes this inflammation is not known up until now.

Other causes of hair loss are poor nutrition, diseases, side effects of some medications, injuries, hair treatments, and hormonal changes.

Can hair loss be treated?

What is the best hair loss treatment out there? Will the so-called 'best hair loss treatment' work for me too? Such are the questions people ask themselves.

There are many different hair loss treatments. They depend on what causes the hair loss problem. If it is medicine that’s causing you hair loss, then your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Recognising and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss.

Consider the fact that hair loss treatments may take up to 3 months, sometimes 6 months, for you to appreciate the effects. For some people, it doesn’t take much long, for some it does. So do not conclude too soon with any of the products that you buy.

Natural Hair Loss Treatments for Balding Men

The perception that over-the-counter and prescription drugs are the only means to successfully treat male hair loss is perpetuated by the lack of well-funded and publicized studies on the efficacy of natural treatments. However, as the understanding of the biological mechanism of male pattern baldness has become clear through a great body of research, the reality of an effective natural treatment regimen is at hand.

Circulation to the scalp is important. One patient reported that he used coconut oil on his hair and scalp for a year and during that time his hair became thicker and he had more of it on the top of his head where he had been receding a bit; good as a hair gel too. Apple cider vinegar used as a hair rinse may stimulate hair growth.

Saw palmetto is also an herbal remedy for hair loss that is currently the treatment of choice of several men because of its capability to slow down hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. Tinctures and extracts from this herb block the receptor sites on hair follicles for dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main cause of hair loss in many patients. Also, this herbal remedy for hair loss prevents the formation of DHT the way that FDA-approved hair loss treatment medication finasteride does. This ability makes saw palmetto an effective treatment for hair loss.

Diet is an important part of healthy hair and skin. Billions of dollars are spent on cosmetic products to improve the appearance of men’s and women’s hair when eating a healthier diet may be all that is necessary. Deficiencies in diet can contribute to unhealthy hair and hair loss. A healthier diet will not regrow hair that has already been lost, but it can help keep the hair that remains on your head healthy and strong.

Hair loss is sometimes caused by a deficiency of some vitamins and minerals. Some of the vitamins and minerals that may affect your hair are iron, copper, iodine, and B vitamins. So, the first home hair loss remedy you may want to try is as simple as making sure you eat a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fresh fruits, eggs, and milk among other nutrient-loaded foods.

To make their hair healthy, shiny, and smooth, the Greeks have utilized olive oil. They’ve also used it to massage their scalp. Olive oil contains antiseptic properties that clean out the scalp as well as encourage uninterrupted growth of hair. You can incorporate lemon grass and rosemary for best results.

Hair Growth: Remedies You Can Whip Up at Home

A healthy and glowing hair can definitely enhance a person’s overall appearance. However, loss of hair or poor growth is one of the most frequent cosmetic problems faced by both men and women. A healthy hair normally grows about half an inch every month and around 6 inches per year. Many factors, such as poor diet, pollution, stress, age, medical conditions, and some medications can affect healthy hair growth. Genetics also influences the growth of your hair. It has been noted that certain people are genetically inclined to develop a hair loss condition.

There are some simple and inexpensive home-made remedies for hair growth that can help your hair grow faster. Remember that what you eat determines the growth and health of your hair. Unhealthy hair may be a sign of poor nutrition or vitamin deficiency. Vitamins such as A, B3, B6, B12, C, and E are crucial for adequate hair growth. Add into your diet foods and supplements that contain these vitamins. Eat plenty of foods that are rich in proteins and nutrients like biotin and inositol to improve your hair growth process. Minerals like selenium, iodine, zinc, calcium, and magnesium also help stimulate the growth.

Try to avoid too much use of synthetically-formulated shampoos and conditioners; combing or brushing the hair when wet; and excessive use of blow dryers, curling irons, and hair straighteners. You should also avoid the direct exposure of your hair to the sun, chlorinated and salt water, and air pollutants.

Massaging your scalp and hair with coconut oil regularly is one of the effective home remedies for hair growth. Coconut oil has traditionally been used to facilitate hair growth. It provides your hair with moisture, glow and smoothness; prevents hair breakage; and promotes growth of thick, well-pigmented, and long hair shafts.

Mix a half cup of olive oil, an egg yolk, and a few drops of lemon juice together. Rub this mixture onto your head. Wait for at least fifteen minutes and then use a mild shampoo to rinse it off. This is a good natural conditioner.

Eggs, with their rich amounts of proteins and minerals, are another widely used home remedy for growth. Beat an egg and apply it to your head and scalp. Leave the egg on your head for fifteen minutes and wash it off with cool water. Never use hot water to remove the egg from your head.

Make a powder of parsley seeds and apply it to your hair before you go to bed. Next morning, brush your hair to remove it. This is considered as the one of the best home remedies for hair growth. Another effective way to grow your hair is to mix an egg yolk with lemon juice, put it on your hair, and use a shampoo to rinse it off after a few minutes. Otherwise, apply some extra virgin olive oil to your hair and scalp, leave it on your hair overnight, and then wash it off in the next morning.

Hair Loss in Women: The Crucial Step of Consulting a Doctor

No one likes losing their hair, especially women. When you think of hair loss, most people think of men, but women do suffer from losing hair as well.

It can be difficult for a woman to go through hair loss, and doing something to treat the condition is important.

The first thing you must do is understand why you are losing your hair. It is easier to treat hair loss if you know why you are losing your hair. Many medical conditions are some of the leading causes of hair loss in women.

You need to see your physician and talk to them about your problem. In some cases, an undiagnosed medical condition such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism is the causal factor of hair loss. Going to your doctor will help you better understand why you are losing your hair so you can begin treating the problem.

While talking to your doctor, you should ask if the prescription medicine you are taking could be causing your hair loss. Some of the side effects of prescription medicine include hair loss. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if the medicine you are taking could be causing you to excessively lose hair.

Next, you need to understand the two major types of hair loss in women. The first is androgenetic alopecia. This is a genetic condition where the hormone dihydrotestosterone is causing hair follicles to shrink and hair stops growing on them. The second is alopecia areata. This is an autoimmune disease that affects many women around the world.

Now, what are your treatment options? It is best to talk to your doctor if you suffer from androgenetic alopecia and they can recommend prescription medicine that will help. Because there are a variety of medical options — and variables like age and the extent of hair loss loss come in to play if you suffer from alopecia areata — you need to talk to your doctor prior to considering any type of hair loss treatment.

Pregnancy, surgery, and stress can cause temporary hair loss in women and will usually reverse themselves over time. It does not matter what you are suffering from or what treatment you need, going to your doctor is the best thing you can do!

Save Your Scalp from Hair Loss with the Right Shampoo

Certain hair-volumizing ingredients like panthenol that is found in many shampoos can help reduce the appearance of hair loss by temporarily increasing the density of your hair. Coupled with the right treatment for your hair loss condition, a good shampoo definitely complements and improves your odds in recovery.

One of the best kinds of hair loss shampoo that you can consider is an organic shampoo that is rich with vitamins and minerals that benefit your hair. A certified organic shampoo often contains none or the least of synthetic ingredients like Sodium Laureth Sulfate; it is free from harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good to your hair in the long run.

If you are excessively losing hair, conventional shampoos are often more damaging because more scalp area is exposed to these chemicals. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can dry and damage your hair and scalp leading to many conditions like dandruff problems to hair follicle damage. So if you are looking for something that is gentle to your exposed scalp, choose an organic shampoo.

If you are already facing a certain scalp condition like folliculitis, dandruff or head lice infestation which can lead to temporary hair loss, you can start by choosing medicated shampoos for treating these conditions.

There are shampoos that contain antibacterial formulas like Salicylic Acid and Ketoconazole which are effective for treating such conditions. Your main priority is to control the condition that is potentially causing hair loss with these shampoos first. Once the condition and symptoms have been eradicated, you may go back to using a mild organic shampoo for daily use instead.

Please bear in mind that shampoos alone are not the sole determining factor for any major changes in your hair condition; rather, shampoos are complements of a hair loss treatment that conditions and cleans.

What Is the Most Suitable Hair Loss Treatment for Me?

There’s no need for you to buy a bunch of hair loss treatments as there are various options out there that are created specifically for your hair type and the type of hair loss you are experiencing.

In the case of stress-induced hair loss (medically termed as telogen effluvium), it is advisable to practice meditation or engage in recreational activities to allow yourself to relax and free your body from stress. Once the body is freed of stress, the hair follicles in the scalp are likewise reactivated to grow thick, long, well-pigmented, and healthy hair shafts.

Many people dye their hair, either because they like the look of a different color or to hide grey strands. You really should be careful though as dyeing your hair too much can contribute to hair loss. Should you use dyes, you need to stick to those that are all-natural, like henna, and keep well away from the ones that have harsh chemicals in it.

Strong chemicals and other synthetic ingredients are usually found in hair treatment products used to dye, straighten, perm, curl, or style the hair. You should also avoid tight hairstyles as these can strain the hair follicles and lessen their ability to grow hair. It’s wise to be gentle with your hair, so you can keep it longer.

As you can see from this article, there are numerous methods of treating hair loss. But the foundation of any hair loss treatment is keeping the scalp, hair, and the whole body healthy. With proper scalp and hair care practices, optimum hair growth can be obtained and further hair loss prevented.

It also helps to first determine the main cause of your hair loss. This is best done by consulting a hair loss expert or a medical professional. They can then provide you the most apt remedy for your scalp and hair problems.

Taking 10 Minutes of Your Day to Treat Hair Loss

Hair is a very significant part of our appearance. It’s no wonder why many of us, especially women, are eager to have a luxuriant head of healthy hair. However, as much as we love to experience the advantages of having a beautiful head of hair, lots of us experience the problems of hair loss.

The search for new ways to help those suffering from hair loss has captured word-wide attention. Somehow the industry is in tumult to find the ultimate cure for hair loss.

Although there is still no sure cure for hair loss, the market offers us some new non-surgical hair loss treatment techniques and alternatives to stop hair loss and prevent its progression. One of the newest non-surgical techniques discovered in the 21st century is the laser hair loss treatment.

The laser hair loss treatment offers a unique alternative to other more invasive treatments. With this kind of treatment, there will be no downtime, no side effects, and more importantly, it is effective in stimulating hair regrowth. Moreover, the treatments can be completed both at home (laser comb) and in the doctor’s office (laser hooded system).

Furthermore, this treatment is designed around a scientific concept known as photo-bio-therapy. This involves the use of low level laser light to stimulate cell growth. Unlike high power lasers, low level laser lights do not give off heat and do not have the thermal component to cut, burn or vaporise. The absorption rate of this laser is so low that it can be considered safe and painless when used. This low level laser light stimulates the hair follicles on the scalp and reverses the process of thinning and shedding.

For many years, leading hair restoration clinics and salons around the world have been using laser hair loss treatment technology for individuals suffering from pattern baldness. Laser hair therapy treatments or low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a revolutionary, non-surgical breakthrough for both men and women suffering the devastating effects of hair loss.

LLLT works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, encouraging hair regrowth. It also energises the hair roots and induces proper function in the cells. In addition, laser therapy helps keep a normal blood circulation in the scalp, hence strengthening the hair follicles.

Laser therapy for hair loss is easily administered with the use of a laser comb. The laser comb is placed on a bald spot or thinning area of the scalp for 5–20 seconds, after which, step the laser comb on another area until the whole scalp is covered. Certain laser combs automatically turn off after 10 minutes of the therapy. So with a laser comb, the numerous benefits of laser hair loss therapy can be obtained from using the laser comb for 10 minutes every day.

How Herbs Help with Healthy Hair Regrowth

Did it ever cross your mind to use natural stimulants for hair regrowth? If not, then you are totally missing out on something that might be your ticket towards overcoming hair loss problems.

Many people overlook small details and end up paying a ton of money on some worthless type of hair loss product that only gives minimal results while natural hair growth stimulants have the capacity to stimulate hair regrowth with little expense from you. Although it cannot do anything to stop the root cause of hair loss, it can produce efficient and positive results when combined with DHT inhibitors.

When it comes to stimulating hair regrowth, a proper diet should be taken into consideration. It is always advisable to have a daily intake of protein, lots of water and vitamins in order to maintain the health of your hair follicles. Protein is the only thing that constitutes our hair, so if you eat foods that are rich in protein, your hair is likely to benefit from it.

For vegetarians, tofu and soybean are invaluable protein sources which are equal to the more common meat and eggs. The best synthetic vitamin products to use are prenatal vitamins. These contain a host of vitamins and minerals needed to encourage faster-growing tresses.

Furthermore, you can use herbal and natural hair growth stimulants. The most used ones are rosemary and sage oil as excellent hair growth stimulants. If you apply them regularly, their effect will show in a short period.

The following are some of the best natural hair growth stimulants:

Habanero – This is one of the most powerful herbs that helps stimulate hair regrowth. The stimulation increases blood flow to the hair follicles which gives hair follicles new life, nutrients, reactivates dormant hair follicles. Habanero also stimulates cell division and encourages new and accelerated hair growth.

Ginger – Ginger is a circulatory stimulant for the hair follicles and a stimulant for hair growth. It is also high in fatty acids. Fatty acids are recommended for hair loss, stunted growth and thinning of hair.

Ginkgo Biloba – The leaf extracts act as good tonic for hair growth. They help to increase and maintain scalp circulation, ultimately improving or maintaining hair growth.

Aloe Vera – This is a natural herb most commonly used for treating alopecia. Aloe Vera contains a potent stimulant which promotes rapid hair growth without any irritation in the scalp.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) – Also called ‘common sage’ or ‘garden sage,’ this herb is generally used as hair rinses or skin lotions. It is especially helpful for maintaining the sheen of dark curly hair. When blended with rosemary, it stimulates hair growth. The constituents which are responsible for its hair-growth-stimulating effects are the tannic acid and borneol.

Ayurvedic Treatments to Keep Hair Loss at Bay

The use of ayurvedic treatments for hair loss approaches the condition from an angle different from modern medicine. In ayurvedic hair care, a holistic approach to encouraging healthy hair growth is taken. Since harmony of body, mind and spirit is the underlying thought behind all cures and preventive measures, the customary method in ayurvedic hair care or daily ayurvedic hair care can also be used as a hair loss remedy. There will only be slight differences if we want hair growth enhanced. The use of ayurvedic hair oil specific to boosting hair growth instead of plain coconut oil is an example.

Some professionals would argue that ayurvedic hair care has much more to offer when it comes to hair loss treatment than other forms of medicine. To begin with treatments using an ayurvedic approach, it starts with a proper diet rich in vegetables and fruits. For hair loss specifically, lettuce and spinach taken on a regular basis will enhance hair growth. Other ayurvedic ‘hair foods’ include sesame seeds, fresh yogurt, milk, buttermilk, soya beans, whole grains and nuts.

Ayurvedic oil massaged onto the scalp two to three times a week nourishes, lubricates, and strengthens the roots of the hair by improving blood circulation to the head and prevents hair from shedding in excess. Massages clear the mind and uplift the spirit, therefore providing a holistic rejuvenation of the individual. His body therefore can function optimally and can begin to produce healthy hair again.

In ayurveda hair care, one must also be concerned of one’s scalp. It must be kept cool and avoid direct exposure to sun for long periods. Lastly, before one sleeps, as an added measure to improve blood circulation to the head, brush your hair daily for several minutes before sleeping.

Herbs: Better Baldness Treatments

A better solution to the problem of baldness is to use natural treatments. They work in exactly the same way as synthetic prescription drugs, by blocking DHT and preventing it from binding to hair follicles. However, since they contain only natural ingredients, they do not have any harmful side effects, which are commonly associated with synthetic chemicals.

The following are common herbs helpful in the treatment of hair loss or baldness:

• He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum). Also known as fo-ti, this Chinese herb has traditionally been used to reduce hair loss. It is found in many commercial preparations, or in tea and capsule form.

• Coconut. Homemade hair oil can be made with dried pieces of amla or Indian gooseberry and coconut oil. Boil coconut oil with dry amla into it. Cool it down and apply this regularly on the scalp. This acts as a hair tonic and is effective for hair loss prevention.

• Green Tea (Camellia sinensis). It is thought that catechins found in green tea may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase that converts testosterone into the androgen DHT, which causes harm to the hair follicles. It is therefore believed to be effective in preventing and treating male pattern type baldness. You should drink several cups of green tea each day or take it in capsule form so as to keep the hair follicles active and fully functioning in growing hair.

Aside from applying those herbal remedies, it is also important to take extra care of your hair by renewing your hair care practices. You need to avoid blow drying and using chemically formulated shampoos daily. Your hair and scalp can be damaged by harsh chemicals such as coloring or straightening. Even daily hair washing with hot water can damage the hair. The hair can turn brittle and natural oils easily dry up.

What Hair Restoration Clinics Can Offer You

Hair loss is a stressful situation to face in your life. It may occur as a result of genetic issues, some glandular problems and hormonal imbalance. To overcome these problems, you need to consult a hair transplant surgeon who will assist you in getting your hair back again. There are a few hair transplant surgeons who are offering free consultations and will discuss your concerns about your hair loss problems.

Make sure that when you are choosing a hair transplant surgeon that he is performing hair transplants regularly. Usually, a hair transplant surgeon will explain about the different types of hair transplant procedures available and will help you to choose the right hair restoration options suitable for you. He will help you to determine your hair restoration goals.

Hair restoration / transplant clinics are using the latest technology. They deliver the maximum density and coverage for a full, completely natural look that will make you look and feel younger. Some of these hair restoration clinics transplant natural 1-2-3 & 4 hair follicular units the way your hair grows naturally so that you will get more hair and better results. First, they help you to evaluate your hair loss situation. They will consider your age, hair loss pattern, skin tone, hair type and density.

It is also part of the procedure for the surgeons to measure the affected area in your head so as to help in determining how many grafts you will need to complete your hair restoration goals. Based on the evaluation, they will help you formulate your own hair restoration plan. This is in consideration to your lifestyle, hair care regimen, health history, and desired results. With the most recent of hair restoration technologies, procedures, and techniques, getting your natural hair back is achieved with more convenience and optimum results.