Monday, November 19, 2012

Common Causes and Treatments for Hair Loss


Millions of men throughout the world are suffering from hair loss. If you yourself are one of those men, then it is likely that you fully understand just how upsetting and frustrating hair loss can be. Do not allow yourself to get too down! Take solace in the fact that you are not alone and do what needs to be done to protect your hair and prevent future hair loss.


In the past, there was nothing that could be done to stop the progression of male pattern baldness. Men were forced to accept the situation or use wigs and hairpieces. This is no longer the case. There are things that you can do to save your hair. If you are interested in maintaining your hair, read on to learn more.

Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition that causes men to slowly, or sometimes quite rapidly lose the hair on their head. Although there are a number of junk, snake oil products that claim to stop hair loss, there are only two medications that have actually been proven to re-grow scalp hair. The first, Minoxidil, is a topical medication that you apply to the areas of your scalp effected by male pattern baldness. You can apply Minoxidil either once or twice per day. Minoxidil, sold under the name Rogaine, used to be available only with a prescription, but is now sold over the counter. You can walk into any major drug store and pick up a bottle.

When using Minoxidil, it is important that you have realistic expectations. If you are completely bald, it will not work for you. It typically only grows back a small number of hairs and is most effective on the vertex area of your scalp. It is less effective on the hairline. Minoxidil is available in both foam and liquid preparations and takes a few months to work, so you must be patient.

Finasteride, which is sold under the name Propecia, is the other proven-to-be effective hair loss treatment. If you want to stop male pattern baldness, you need to be taking this medication. Finasteride does an amazing job at halting the progression of male pattern hair loss, but is less effective at growing back new hairs. You should begin taking Finasteride as soon as you begin to notice hair loss, the earlier the better.

Finasteride is sold only to people with a doctor's prescription, so you will need to meet with your physician before beginning treatment. Finasteride differs from Minoxidil, in that it is not a topical solution, but a pill that you take once per day. In order to maintain the benefits of Finasteride you must continue to take it daily. If you go off of the medicine, you will eventually lose any new hairs that you have re-grown and the progression of your male pattern hair loss will continue. There is a small chance that you may suffer side-effects from taking Finasteride, so be sure to talk this over with your doctor.

Hair loss is no fun. Fortunately, by taking Finasteride and using Minoxidil, you can stop the progression of male pattern baldness and keep most of your hair. Good luck!

Can A Change In Diet Reverse Hair Loss?


Could restoring your hair to the look and feel it once was be as simple as eating the right foods? Well according to my neighbor it is just as simple as that due to an article he read on the internet.


As we all know everything we read on the internet is true; or maybe not.

The first thing to consider as to whether this simple fix is something the follically challenged should really take seriously has to do with what causes the majority of hair loss cases.

The answer of course is male (90 percent of cases) or female pattern balding (30 percent of cases) which is a genetically linked and hormone driven condition in which the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) shrinks hair follicles by the tens of thousands.

So, an abundance of DHT translates into less hair with most of the well advanced bald areas being permanent.

Back to my neighbor. Unsolicited he decided to provide me with his miracle formula knowing all the while that I have been successful at holding male pattern baldness at bay for almost 20 years now through a combination of herbs and natural remedies.

Don't get me wrong, over the years I have had my share of hair re-growth failures having tried just about everything imaginable both conventional and unconventional.

For example minoxidil showed promise for a few short weeks then it quite working and scalp sensitivity set in.

Or the time I thought that saw palmetto alone was enough to block DHT and get things going in the right direction.

Or more recently the Chinese all-purpose herb fo-ti didn't deliver the results I was hoping for.

Nevertheless, all in all things have gone better than average over the years and while my hair isn't what it once was it still looks pretty good for someone my age.

So despite my reservations about the ultimate outcome I was willing to give this internet hair loss reversal diet a try just to be a good sport.

*His plan involved breakfast including oatmeal (silicia, iron, magnesium) or whole wheat toast (iron) with a glass of milk (absorbable iodine) for breakfast.

*For lunch there was soy (protein, iron, vitamin E) with chickpeas (zinc, B6).

*Diner included alternating roast beef (B6 and zinc) and cold water fatty fish (vitamins A, biotin, B6, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids).

*And for snacking almonds (iron, biotin, vitamin E, ALA omega 3, protein) and/or oranges (vitamin C).

While it seemed the hassle factor, cost, and realization that this supposedly revolutionary new hair re-growth diet was not only not new but not over weighted in biotin (B7), considered by many to be the most important hair vitamin, I decided to give it a try.

And guess what I didn't see any benefit whatsoever other than slightly improved hair texture.

When you get right down to it if pattern balding is the hair loss problem you are trying to address nutrition alone is likely not the answer. On the other hand, if male or female pattern balding is not present then foods along with vitamin supplements just might be able to play an important role in your restorative efforts.

The focus of whatever treatment you ultimately decide upon must address DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in some form of fashion in order to re-invigorate damaged follicles and bring dead or dying follicles back to life.

Additionally, blocking DHT is also essential to protecting your existing hair, as both male and female pattern balding are progressive.

In conclusion, when it comes to pattern balding the best treatment I have found thus far is a combination of one of a handful of oral herbal DHT blockers combined with a topical hair growth accelerator; of which there are many excellent choices on the market.

Also, re-growing hair, and filling in bald spots, is a challenging task as you are trying to revive severely damaged follicles just below the scalp while trying to protect your healthy hair. This means that it is always better to recognize and attack the problem early on before pattern balding becomes too advanced.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

How Do Vitamins Help To Prevent Hair Loss?


Hair loss is actually a common condition and impacts most of the majority of people at some time in their lives. As a matter of reality, it can be ordinary to shed as much as one hundred hairs each day. The loss of hair can be triggered by anxiety, genetics, anaemia, thyroid disease, hormonal adjustments (menopause), and particular type of drugs, for example Parkinson illness medication, high blood pressure drugs, and so on, or some hair treatments, like colouring hair and perms. Nevertheless, vitamin deficiencies play an essential role in hair fall, because generally those who are afflicted by hair loss also suffer from vitamin deficiencies in their diets.


Appropriate nutrition is essential for hair health. The living component of hair is beneath the scalp skin where the hair root is housed in the hair follicle. The entire follicle and root are provided by a vein, and blood conveys nutrients towards the hair follicle.

Usually, taking a complete diet plan that includes protein, fat, carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruits are very important (several vitamins and minerals demand fat as a way to be delivered or absorbed through the body). Generally, any insufficiency will show initially within the hair.

Therefore, in order to keep your full head of hair intact, you should find out the causes of hair loss and the way crucial nutrients can be utilized to stop shedding hair and final baldness. Several crucial vitamins that are accountable for hair growth consist of:

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is important for the prevention of hair loss and scalp issues, for example dry hair, dandruff, and thick scalp which can all bring about early hair loss. Vitamin A can stimulate the hair follicle exactly where hair growth begins. Good sources of vitamin A consist of carrots, oranges, sweet potatoes, squash and other red or dark green vegetables.

B vitamins: The B group of vitamins would be the most crucial for healthful hair; B vitamins reduce the stress which will cause hair fall. Amongst them, B5 (pantothenic Acid) offers hair flexibility; strength and gloss and assists avoiding hair loss and greying. B6 aids stop dandruff and can be obtained from liver, cereals, and egg yolk. Vitamin B12 assists stop hair fall and are available in fish, milk, chicken and eggs.

Biotin (Vitamin-H): Biotin is part of the B complex group that fortifies skin, nails and hair. Biotin can actually help stop additional hair loss and, in some cases, even encourage the growth of new hair. Yet another benefit of biotin is that it helps prevent gray hairs. In order to steer clear of a deficiency, people can find sources of biotin in liver, soy flour, egg yolk, yeast and cereal-grain products. The simplest way to acquire B vitamins is in a complex in which all the B vitamins are put together.

Folic Acid: A member from the B complex, folic acid is required for the creation of red blood cells within the human body. The nutrient might be seen in papaya, lentils, collard greens, and peas.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant. Vitamin C encourages strong and healthy hair.This nutrient is crucial for the production of collagen, an important part in the production of hair. Vitamin C can be obtained from oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, red sweet peppers, mango, and citrus fruits.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is actually a hormone and due to the fact that hair loss is often associated with human hormones, placing vitamin D towards the diet program grows hair. Exposed to sunshine can produced Vitamin D on the skin, but taking extra vitamin D helps prevent an insufficiency.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is accountable for supplying blood towards the scalp. Additionally, it helps within the intake of oxygen. The increased blood circulation enhances the body's capability to produce new hair. Great sources of vitamin E contain cereals, almonds and corn oil. Capsules of vitamin E may also be used as a hair tonic for dry hair since topical application can straight away energize the capillary vessels on the scalp and helps avoid hair loss.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Researching the Neograft Solution for Hair Loss Problems


Neograft is a procedure to correct hair loss or thinning hair. Having a head of thinning hair can be depressing and embarrassing. If you are struggling with this problem, you should definitely look for a solution.


Neograft is a procedure that is not too invasive and does not have any scarring, incisions, or stitches that go with it. This information may make this procedure more compelling to consider.

Another positive aspect of this procedure is that it does not take long to see a great deal of improvement. You can actually have quite a bit done in just one visit.

Neograft is also low in cost compared to other procedures that work to achieve similar results. Cost is usually a consideration no matter what you are doing, so knowing that this procedure costs less and is less invasive than other procedures might persuade you to consider it.

The recovery time for this procedure is also fairly short. This is a plus when you consider undergoing any type of procedure. This likely has a great deal to do with the procedure not being invasive. You will not be as likely to have issues with infection after completion of the treatment, because there is no incision involved.

If you are struggling with hair loss, you would be wise to begin research on the variety of procedures available to correct this issue. Neograft is just one possibility. There are others out there. Before you make a decision as to which one is the best for you, you should definitely take some time to understand the various procedures that are available to you. Weigh the options and benefits regarding each possible treatment before you make a final decision.

Not all procedures for hair loss will be ideal for you and your needs. Your choice may have to depend on the severity of your problem. It may also depend on your overall health. If you have health issues, you may want a procedure that is less invasive like the Neograft option.

Whether you are a man or a woman, you should not continue to suffer with the problem of hair loss. The problem of thinning hair or hair loss may be keeping you from being the most fulfilled individual you can be. Whatever procedure you decide upon, your life could completely change if you choose to undergo a procedure to help with your hair loss.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Social Media Helping Hair Loss Patients


Understanding how to treat or prevent hair loss is best approached by knowing some of the root causes of hair loss conditions. This condition can have a serious impact on your psychological well-being, beginning with your self-confidence. Taking the appropriate steps to treating and preventing hair conditions can require some dedication and adjustments ranging from changing daily dietary habits, increasing exercise and being careful with the hair products that one uses. Most hair conditions are naturally caused by genetic makeup, which starts at any time after the mid teen years. Hair loss in women often comes as a result of hormonal imbalances, product use, and the manner in which they style their hair. Constant heating and relentless strain on the hair can speed up the hair loss process.

Permanent hair loss is caused by the destruction of hair follicles Telogen effluvium, while temporary hair loss can be as a result of damages done to the follicles Anagen effluvium. Overuse and improper mixing of chemicals and hair products are generally what cause the transition of temporary hair damage to permanent hair damage. Other causes include illness, rapid weight change, anemia and surgery.

Treatment for these conditions varies and can be quite expensive. With the current advancement in technology, laser treatment, which involves targeted bio-stimulation to the hair follicles is one of many options for hair therapy. This technology does come at a pretty hefty price and it may not be for everyone. Although laser treatments are expensive, the good news is that they are not the only way to remedy hair loss issues. You can use various hair loss products to circumvent the process, but remember to do your due diligence on the product and choose carefully. There are many products out on the market that are a complete hoax or that can irritate the scalp causing additional harm instead of help. If you are ever in doubt, be sure to consult your local physician about the particular product or avenue of hair loss prevention that you want to explore.

More importantly than getting the physical resolute, particularly if one is not in a financial condition to undergo laser therapy, is the necessity to be at peace psychologically. There are many support groups for both males and females which are currently suffering from a hair or scalp condition. Group therapy is becoming much more accessible through the use of social media. Now, individuals are contacting each other via Skype, banding together to form online group sessions from the privacy of their own home. Having the ability to interact and discuss a common reality with persons who have similar problems can reduce stress which ultimately impacts the conditions progression or regression.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

All About Zinc And Its Contribution To The Hair Loss Process


Zinc is one of the essential nutrients needed by the human body. The primary role of this nutrient is to build cells, regulating body hormones, aiding in absorbing other nutrients and helping in breaking down proteins. It is believed that adequate Zinc consumption may help in keeping the hair fuller and healthier.

Regarded as a natural dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitor, Zinc functions by blocking this hair loss inducing hormone, thus, preventing the spreading of the said condition. In connection with this fact, hair loss is prevalent to people with low levels of this nutrient, this is the reason why physicians suggest that it should be included in the diet of people experiencing hair thinning.

However, there have been several reports stating that the over-consumption of this nutrient may reverse the effect of hair loss prevention. Instead of blocking the DHT hormone, this vitamin may have the tendency to permit DHT from attacking the hair follicles and may later worsen the hair loss process. Side effects can be experienced by taking this nutrient too much, even if it is a natural mineral.

Other possible side effects of taking too much of this mineral in the body includes inhibiting Iron from functioning normally, which can possibly lead to Iron deficiency Anemia. This deficiency also causes hair loss and may make its development faster; therefore, avoiding this complication by maintaining the right levels of Iron and Zinc in the body is a must.

This nutrient can be found in nutritious foods, supplements, topical medications and shampoos. Speaking of food sources, the ones considered richest with this mineral include:

1. Sea foods such as oysters and mussels 
2. Red meats, poultry, liver and egg yolks 
3. Dried brewer's yeast, wheat germ and pumpkin seeds 
4. Nuts and various soy products

With regard to supplements, there are some of these products that contain this substance; just make sure that what you are consuming are of high quality. The right amount of intake with this mineral is truly effective in battling hair loss, and at the same time, promoting regrowth of hair. To make this one effective, following the right prescription in the label should be observed in order to determine the required daily dosage of the supplement.

Now that we know the benefits as well as the contribution of Zinc to male pattern hair loss, we can now conclude that taking the right amount of this nutrient is a critical part of the process.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Comparing the FUE Hair Transplant Method to the Strip Method


The FUE hair transplant method is something to consider if you are balding and looking for an option. Another method that is used is called the strip method. Both can be affective, but they are actually very different from each other.


The FUE hair transplant method is a procedure to bring follicles to a different area of an individual's head. With this method, individual follicles are removed and placed in a new area. This method only requires a local anesthetic and it is not very invasive at all.

The strip method is similar in one way, but it is much more invasive a procedure than that of the FUE hair transplant method. The strip method removes a portion of the scalp from the back of the head, and then takes that piece a part to be transplanted to the needed areas. There is an incision with this method and general anesthesia is necessary.

As you look at these two methods, the FUE hair transplant type is obviously a less invasive one due to the use of an instrument that removes individual follicles rather than large areas of the scalp.

The problem with the less invasive type is that until recently it was only manually done, and it took a long time. Time changes technology however, and today there is a new way to do FUE hair transplant so that it is less time-consuming. Because it is less time-consuming it will likely cost less as well.

If you are balding and are looking at all of your options then you would be wise to look into the latter option. Not all doctors will offer this type as all of them probably do not have the training or the technology to do this. Most doctors likely offer the strip method.

It might take more footwork on your part, but if you are really serious about transplants, you might want to seriously search for one that will do the less invasive procedure. Before choosing one over the other, however; you should do a great deal of research on both methods. You will want to check into the financial side of both and well as the results that people have gotten. One has been around longer than the other, but that does not mean it is better, it just means no one thought of the new way until recently.

Having transplants is a big deal. Take the time to research and explore your options before jumping into it. You would also be wise to make sure that you do this for the right reasons. Make sure that your expectations for yourself are not higher than what can ever be met.