Welcome to the section of the site that looks at, and informs you of, all the latest discoveries, worries, concerns or treatments that may arise in the world of hair loss. Hopefully this section will enlighten and reassure you as you attempt to deal with hair loss.  

May 2011

Many factors can cause people to lose their hair but the most common is hereditary hair loss. Annoyingly, this condition affects 40% of men under 35, but at least that means you're not alone.

What is normal hair loss?

On average, the adult head has 100,000 individual strands of hair and most people will shed between 40 and 120 of these per day. The reason for this is that hair growth follows a cycle. Cleverly named the hair growth cycle, it features three phases in which old hairs must be released to make way for lovely new ones.

What is abnormal hair loss?

Abnormal hair loss means you're losing more hairs than are being replaced. If this is the case, you'll probably be able to see more of your scalp than you used to, or you'll notice more hair than normal clogging up the plughole.

There are many reasons that could be to blame - a medical disorder, prescribed medication, poor nutrition, bad hair care techniques or severe stress such as emotional anxiety, surgery or prolonged illness.

But the most common cause – representing 95% of hair loss is a hereditary condition known as hereditary hair loss, male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. This is where the genes and hormones in your body have a shrinking effect on your hair follicles, making them ineffective at growing new hairs.

If you are worried about losing your hair through male pattern baldness, it's a good idea to speak to your local pharmacist, who can offer help and advice. Hereditary hair loss, can be easily treated using Regaine. For other types of hair loss you should visit your GP for advice.

Clinically proven to help prevent further hair loss in 4 out of 5 men with hereditary hair loss, Regaine products have been used by over 5 million men worldwide. So what are you waiting for? 

Jan 2011

To discover a potential cure for alopecia hair loss, dermatologist and scientists have been studying possible hair cycle process that may bring a halt to a progressive hair loss condition. One of the processes they have been researching is the promotion of thicker hair growth. Based on the findings of a study that was done, there is a protein that is responsible for the promotion of thicker hair growth

Previous research demonstrated that a majority of individuals who have alopecia hair loss conditions possess less blood vessels. Having said that, none of the previous studies assessed precisely how blood vessel growth is related to thicker hair growth. In addition, there has not been a study performed to focus on how blood vessels on the scalp grow.

To find out the direct connection involving scalp blood vessels and thicker hair growth, research workers from the Department of Dermatology at the Massachusetts General Hospital compared two groups of mice. The first group contained normal mice, while the second group was contained special mice which were genetically predisposed to possess high VEGF levels. The VEGF is the term for those protein molecules that trigger the growth of blood vessels.

By the end of the research, the researchers came to the conclusion that the mouse hair follicles that grew on the VEGF group of mice were significantly bigger that those which grew on the normal group. The study, which was published on the Journal of Clinical Investigation, also showed that the total hair volume increased by as much as seventy percent. The researchers also said that the mice that were VEGF-enhanced also grew hair faster and thicker during the first two weeks of the experiment.

Source: Julie Peters http://www.worldsbreakingnews.com/new-hope-for-individuals-with-alopecia-hair-loss/1832/

Dec 2010

For years the term ‘midlife crisis’ has been used to describe issues that affect men as they get older. Many experts now believe that these issues attribute to a very real condition which has been labelled the ‘male menopause’.

It has been estimated this week that around 5 million men are suffering from the condition, male hypogonadism. The condition is believed to have many symptoms such as weight gain, lack of sex drive, and mood swings. Doctors also believe that baldness, and the occurrence of bald patches, could also be affected by the condition.

“Prevalent disorder”

“This is a highly prevalent disorder”, said Urologist Dr Robert Brannigan of Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “Unfortunately, we estimate that 95 per cent of cases are undiagnosed and therefore untreated. When ignored, symptoms can seriously disrupt one's quality of life”.

It is believed that the disorder is a direct result of a lack of testosterone that is being produced by middle aged men. The symptoms are certainly life changing for many men. This is particularly the case for many men who begin to lose their hair.

Worrying issue

A recent survey has revealed that hair loss is the second most worrying issue for men who are of the age when the male menopause occurs. The survey of 2,000 men found that 40% of the participants revealed that their hair falling out was a hugely worrying issue for them.

Thankfully for many men, there are now a number of ways in which they can combat hair loss. There are a number of hair loss treatments that are now being used by many in order to overcome hair loss. It is important to contact a doctor if you’re worried about hair losing your hair.

“It's important that men pay attention to their body and openly discuss symptoms with their physician in order to prevent overlooking the cause and avoid missing an opportunity for appropriate therapy” said Dr Brannigan.

Source: http://www.healthexpress.co.uk/news/hair-loss-playing-part-in-male-menopause-7329.html

Sept 2010

From Celebrity Stylist THOM PRIANO

Celebrity stylist and grooming expert, Thom Priano of The GARREN New York Salon has worked with the world’s top photographers, fashion companies and magazines to create the most stylish looks for male and female celebrities from the worlds of Hollywood, sports, music and fashion.

“I see hair loss in my salon every day,” says Priano. “When a woman first starts to notice hair loss, the experience is incredibly emotional. Hair is a woman’s crowning glory -- but unlike men, women don’t expect to lose their hair,” says Priano.

“The first thing I tell the client is that she’s not alone. In fact, one in four women experience hereditary hair loss -- and by age 40, 40% of women show some degree of thinning hair,” he adds.

An expert in women’s styling and treating thinning hair, Priano offers the following advice to his female clients with thinning hair / hair loss:

Facts About Thinning Hair

Normally we lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day -- but a consistent loss of 150 plus hairs is considered significant hair loss. Since women’s hair loss is more diffuse than men’s, they tend not to notice just one spot.

By the time most women notice thinning hair, they have already lost at least 50% of their hair. “It’s important to seek treatment as soon as you notice the first signs of hair loss, such as more hair on your brush, pillowcase, or in the bathroom drain.”

It’s important to note the difference between Female Pattern Hair Loss and cosmetic loss. If you notice hair falling out with the bulb attached, this is considered true hair loss, which is different from the cosmetic loss that results from shedding split ends.

Female Pattern Hair Loss is, by far, the most common and permanent form of hair loss, accounting for 95% of all hair loss in women. Women’s Regaine is the ONLY FDA approved treatment clinically proven to help stop Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Other factors such as hormones from pregnancy or a thyroid condition, crash dieting, and certain medications have been shown to cause temporary hair loss (Telogen Effluvium). However, if you have hereditary hair loss in your family, your hair may not grow back as thick as it was before the temporary loss.

Choosing The Right Products:

“For my clients with hair loss, I suggest Women’s Regaine,” says Priano. It’s the ONLY brand FDA-approved to re-grow hair in women.

“If you have thinning hair, there are many hair care and styling products that really help make hair appear thicker. Look for anything with a "V" that adds VOLUME to the hair (shampoo, conditioner, gel, mousse, cream, or spray),” says Priano. “However, Women’s Regaine is the only product that is FDA-approved to re-grow hair.”

When choosing a brush or comb for thinning hair, look for a wide tooth comb or plastic brush with rounded tips (despite popular belief, plastic with rounded tips is more gentle than sharp bristles.)

Choosing The Right Cut:

“There are different ways to cut and style your hair to help it appear thicker,” says Priano.

Layered cuts can add volume to your hair -- whether it’s curly, wavy or straight. Stick with minimal layers, rather than heavy ones that can look flat.

Consider cutting deep bangs to help mask thinning hair on the top of the head.

Try a zig-zag part and a “messy” style.

Remember, everyone’s hair is different, so work closely with your stylist for a look that fits you best.

Hair Colour Helps:

“Hair colour can also play a big part in masking hair loss,” says Priano. “Darker shades play up the contrast between hair and scalp, while lighter shades that are closer to your skin tone can actually help camouflage thinning hair,” adds Priano, who recommends highlights. “Coloring your mane also expands the hair shaft which makes hair appear thicker,” says Priano.

Style and Care for Thinning Hair

You can blow dry thinning hair but don’t over blow dry, and try to use a medium to low setting.

If you are thinning on top, try not to blow dry hair away from the root. A diffuser can also help give shape to thinning hair.

For the best result, Priano recommends letting hair dry naturally so it lays closer to the scalp.

“Fine, thinning hair is already fragile and can be further damaged by over washing, over brushing or over combing,” says Priano. Try these surefire tips to keep the hair you have healthy and strong:

Gently wash hair with a gentle, volumizing shampoo and follow with a lightweight conditioner.

Avoid tangling which roughs up the hair cuticle.

Did you know? The cuticles on damaged or thinning hair are like shingles on a rooftop. If you don't use conditioner, they rub back and forth creating more damage, which could lead to more hair loss from breakage. Conditioner smoothes them down to protect hair against further damage. Just choose a lightweight conditioner that won’t weigh hair down.

Towel dry hair (do NOT wrap hair up in a towel turban, which causes damage.)

When brushing fine or thinning hair, NEVER pull or tug and ALWAYS use a wide tooth comb -- especially on the lower half of the hair which is already damaged. Also, brushing or combing wet hair actually does more damage than brushing or combing dry hair.

Protect your hair and scalp from the sun. Exposure to UV makes hair more brittle, so look for UV protectant styling products and wear a hat or scarf when you are in the direct sun. This will protect your scalp from burning as well.

“A healthy diet and vitamin supplements can help too,” says Priano. “Eat a balanced diet and take a good multi-vitamin every day.” Look for foods that are high in protein (like fish, eggs, beans and yogurt).

Source: http://www.stophairlossnow.co.uk/News/womens-grooming-tips-for-thinning-hair-and-hair-loss-101224.html