Posted by Gary Heron, on November 30th, 2012, under HAIR LOSS [ PHOTOS ] TREATED, MALE HAIR LOSS
For many men, losing hair is something will have to be faced as part of the aging process. Common hair loss can be treated with preventative hair loss treatments and products. If this is happening to you, you are not alone, as a simple walk down the street will show you. About 25 per cent of men begin losing hair before they reach 30 and two thirds before the age of 60. Sometimes men can begin losing hair in their teens and can reach their early twenties with very little, if any, hair left on the crown of their head. Usually, however, the hair loss is gradual, developing over a period of twenty to thirty years.
The most common cause of hair loss in men is genetic:
Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) has a characteristic pattern of hair loss; it begins with a slight recession at the front hairline and is followed by thinning on the crown of the head. The hair above the ears and at the nape of the neck is unaffected. This hair loss results from a complex chemical reaction when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts the testosterone in the system into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be oversensitive to the DHT and become smaller and smaller with time, leading to the eventual hair loss.
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Posted by Paul, on November 30th, 2012, under COMBAT HAIR LOSS
However, many chemical agents are known that can induce hair growth, although many remain completely impractical. Massive systemic doses of oestrogen for men, for example, will certainly induce hair growth, but the additional feminisation of the male concerned would be generally completely unacceptable, although this technique is used in male to female sex change operations. The oestrogen supply swamps the testosterone present.
A more elegant approach involves the inhibition of di-hydroxytestosterone (DHT) production, the more potent form of testosterone, and a number of products have been developed to achieve this aim. Finnasteride (Merck & Co) is a DHT inhibitor, taken orally and marketed as “Propecia”. The clinical evidence suggests some re-growth for men (the product is contra-indicated for women), although after the initial two years, the reversal appears again, until after about five years the hair growth pattern has reverted back to its original position. The product does assist in slowing the onset of Androgenic Alopecia but one must bear in mind the side effects, although only a small percentage (1 or 2%) are severe.
There are a number of naturally occurring DHT inhibitors, of which the herb Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) is probably the best known. Not surprisingly no comprehensive clinical trials have been undertaken but the anecdotal evidence remains strong.
The best known of the “growth” products is of course Minoxydil, applied topically in strengths of 2% to 5%. Minoxydil certainly assists but is better in some cases than others, and all cases suffer from the drawback of hair fall when treatment ceases. Minoxydil is a potent vasodilator; it increases the blood supply locally, although its precise mode of action is unknown.
A number of other products use a vasodilator technique and the idea of increasing the blood supply, and hence the nutrients carried in the blood, to the dermal papilla and the hair root seems eminently sensible. However, the hair growth benefit from these products is not so clear cut.
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Posted by Paul, on November 29th, 2012, under COMBAT HAIR LOSS
HAIR GROWTH – THE POSITIVE FACTORS
We come now to the second group of factors, those with a positive effect, the “boosters”, which we need to consider now that we have eliminated as many as possible of the negative group, but do not underestimate the boost that can be achieved in hair growth and condition by getting all the correct elements in place and simply eliminating the negative factors.
In the positive group we must genuinely take a holistic approach to our own well being, and a simple regime of a good, varied diet (especially the fresh fruit and vegetables), moderate exercise and controlled stress levels will optimise our hair growth and condition. Within that genetic blueprint you really can produce substantial improvements in this way.
What then of the hair growth products, the would-be chemical “Exorcets”, do they work? Can they assist? There are a surprisingly large number of agents known that are clinically proven to produce hair growth, not always it might be said in the required place, and not usually at the rate that would be wished by the recipient. The central problem lies in the invariable genetic nature of the hair loss which provides a slightly tilted horizon, a downward sloping background, which, short of genetic engineering, we will have to live with, and even if the baldness gene or genes can eventually be identified, which one can be sure will eventually happen, it is not clear whether the loss for everyone of this marker of maturity and hopefully wisdom would really be such a good idea.
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Posted by Paul, on November 28th, 2012, under COMBAT HAIR LOSS
THE EXTERNAL FACTORS
The next group are the external factors. Among the most obvious external influences are a wide range of, not necessarily uncommon, genetic shaft defects, i.e. faults in the structural make up of the hair shaft, that lead to subsequent problems of hair breakage, poor hair condition and the inability to grow a full head of hair. These genetic shaft defects are invariably impossible to resolve and the effect is usually, but not always, detrimental. The ‘spangled’ hair in cases of ‘pili torti’, for example, gives a wonderful sparkle and shine particularly for longer female hair.
Ailments of the hair and scalp listed here under ‘External Factors’ occupy an enormous area of breadth and diversity and require specialist treatment by a Dermatologist or Trichologist. Psoriasis, seborrhoeic eczema, pityriasis, ringworm are all distressing ailments, although with expert supervision they can be treated and reversed or controlled. It is very unlikely that one can obtain healthy hair growth, whilst these conditions pre-exist.
External damage can, of course, be self-induced and damage and scarring following cosmetic treatment is relatively common. Heavily bleached and weathered hair will be dry, brittle, and probably have some structural damage. The central cortex and outer cuticle layer may be damaged, and the hair structure will be unwinding, rather like the end of a piece of rope, which the dead, keratinised shaft structure quite closely resembles. This structural collapse will not stop the hair growing at the active growing root end, but it will cause extensive hair breakage and the resultant appearance of hair loss. The hair shaft may also be damaged or destroyed by professional treatment, particularly perming, straightening or hair colouring which has not been correctly performed. Again, the hair should re-grow normally unless permanent damage or scarring has occurred to the scalp. The legal pursuit of the perpetrators is usually lengthy and unsatisfactory resulting in further hair loss.
Hair breakage and loss may also be quite literally self induced, sucking, pulling, twiddling and plucking your own hair will inevitably lead to hair damage and loss, giving the characteristic cropped patches of almost bald scalp. Like any habit, this can be extremely difficult to stop and there may well be a problem, even with “acceptance”, for this condition. Watching the television or driving the car are two of the most common times for this to occur. Cessation of the activity will invariably result in the return to full hair growth, but breaking the habit can prove very difficult. Help should be sought from a friend, or family member, or, in more serious cases where psychosis may be present, expert guidance should be obtained.
More gentle external factors include seasonal variations where there is a greater fall in Spring and increased hair growth in Autumn, rather like the other mammals where the effect is pronounced. This change in growth rate in human hair is significant, and all clinical trials of hair growth products need to extend to a minimum of one year to allow for these seasonal variations.
Increasing age reduces the growth rate, with reduced hair texture and condition, as well as the loss of pigment in the hair shaft, and the onset of greyness. The failure of melanin production in the dermal papilla is considered by some researchers to be a highly significant mechanism and to be involved in the progress of Androgenic Alopecia. This is still the subject of further research but may explain why young men in their 20s and 30s who become prematurely grey do not appear to suffer from Androgenic Alopecia.
Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help
Posted by Gary Heron, on November 27th, 2012, under GENERAL HAIR LOSS, TRICHOLOGIST
The Hair Centre is experienced in dealing with every type of hair or scalp problem. For example, we help people suffering with scalp disorders such as psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, folliculitis or from hair loss and thinning caused by genetic baldness, dietary deficiency, alopecia or through chemical or physical damage.
When you visit the practice you will be seen by an experienced trichologist who will examine your hair and scalp closely and check through your hair loss history thoroughly. Once the diagnosis has been made, if treatment is recommended, we will be able to provide you with the most effective and up-to-date trichological treatments for home use.
All treatments and products supplied are formulated especially for the Hair Centre by our own trichologist and chemist. They have been specially designed to ensure we can target disorders of the hair and scalp effectively. All ingredients are extensively researched and meticulously sourced to make sure that our treatments and products are of the highest standard.
We are open for appointments Mondays to Fridays 9am – 6pm.
Just telephone our FREE HAIR LOSS AND SCALP DISORDER HELPLINE on 0207 976 6868 and speak directly to a trichologist TODAY.
We look forward to seeing you in the practice soon.
Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help
