The bald truth about hair loss
YOUR HEALTH MATTERS
By Dr STEVEN KW CHOW
FROM the shaved heads of hip-hop artistes to the wavy long-haired tresses of Bollywood stars, hair has always made a personal statement in our society. Hair, as our crowning glory, is one of the main ways that people use to establish their individuality and express their style, and has had sociological significance throughout history.
Because of its perceived importance, anything that happens to our hair that we can’t control – falling out or turning grey, for instance – can be the source of much anxiety and in severe cases, can lead to depression.
If you are one of the many men and women who feel you are losing hair, look around you and you will notice that hair loss is not uncommon. In Malaysia, one in two men over the age of 50 are losing or have lost their hair from a condition called male-pattern hair loss (MPHL), according to the Malaysian Society for Hair Sciences. A similar proportion of women also experience some degree of hair loss (from female-pattern hair loss) by the time they reach the age of 60 years and a smaller proportion will lose their hair due to other causes.
Like it or not, hair loss is more than a cosmetic problem. While it does not present any vital structural problems, it has deep psychological effects on one’s social life, perception of self and confidence. This classifies hair loss as a medical health issue which should, for effective results, be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
So, what causes hair loss? And more importantly, what has science got to do with it? Quite a lot it turns out. Read on to learn more.
The basics
Hair is produced by hair follicle-indentations of the epidermis (outer skin layer) that contain the hair root, the muscle attached to it, and sebaceous glands. Hair is made up of dead cells filled with proteins, most of which are known as keratins. The cells are woven together like a rope to form the hair fibre.
The hair fibre, in turn, has three layers: the outer cuticle with its fish-scale like structure; the cortex, which contains the bulk of the fibre; and the centre, or medulla. Hair colour is determined by melanocytes, cells that produce pigment. When these cells stop producing pigment, hair turns gray.
Although it seems as if the hair on your head is always growing, hair actually has active and rest phases. The growth phase, known as anagen, lasts for two to six years. At any given time, about 90% of scalp hair is in the growth stage. The remainder is in the rest phase, known as telogen; this lasts from two to three months.
Once the rest phase is over, the hair strand falls out and a new one begins to grow. As a result, it’s considered normal to lose from 20 to 100 hairs a day. Only a change in your regular pattern of loss is considered abnormal – but many things, including genetic factors, diet, stress, and medications, can change that pattern.
Baldness: Manifest destiny
The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is rooted in genetic factors. Called androgenic alopecia, it is known as male-pattern baldness (MPHL) in men and female-pattern hair loss in women. (Alopecia is the scientific term for baldness.) In fact, genetics accounts for 95% of all cases of hair loss in this country.
Baldness results from a combination of genetic factors and levels of testosterone (a hormone produced by the adrenal gland in both sexes and also by the testes in men).
If hormone levels are right, then the hair follicles will express their genetic destiny by growing for shorter periods and producing finer hairs. In men, who have higher levels of testosterone than women, this eventually results in a bald scalp at the crown of the head and a horseshoe-shaped fringe of hair remaining on the sides.
In women, the hair thins all over the scalp; the hairline does not recede. This type of hair loss doesn’t usually show up in women until menopause; until then, oestrogen tends to counteract the effects of testosterone.
Other causes of hair loss
In addition, hair loss can also be caused by:
Situations of stress – many women lose hair after giving birth while both genders can experience hair loss after surgery or after a particularly stressful situation. In medical terms, this cause of hair loss is called telogen effluvium and is temporary. While patients can lose up to 30% of their hair, it would usually also grow back once the body and its systems recover.
Condition of the scalp – fungal infections of the scalp or hair root can lead to hair loss. So can psoriasis of the scalp.
Autoimmune suppression – known as alopecia areata, hair loss here is due to a reaction of the immune system which suppresses the growth stage of the hair follicle. Alopecia areata causes hair to fall in patches and can sometimes affect the whole body including facial hair like eyebrows and even pubic hair.
Existing medical conditions – people who suffer from thyroid disease or iron deficiency can also experience hair loss as a result of the effect the diseases have on the body. Internal fungal infections such as syphilis can also cause hair loss.
What your doctor has to do with it
Medical science has made significant strides in recent years to get to the root of the problem and there are now a number of effective treatment options available to help those suffering from hair loss.
A common misconception in hair loss is that there is no cure. This myth is particularly misguided because the fact is that there are approved, medically proven ways to treat the condition, depending on what causes hair to fall out in the first place.
For instance, if you discover that your hair loss is due to a fungal infection of the scalp, then appropriate medication can be prescribed to kill the invading fungi and restore the health and function of the scalp.
If, in a similar vein, your hair loss is caused by thyroid disease or anaemia, then treating the disease will also treat the hair loss.
If you find that it is telogen effluvium that is causing your hair loss, then you can only be patient because the hair will grow back once the stress period is over.
Where hair loss is caused by MPHL, which is most likely the case (it being the commonest cause for loss of hair), drugs such as the oral treatment finasteride have been an effective treatment for the condition. This drug has been scientifically proven in studies to tackle the very root of MPHL and inhibit the disruptive action of DHT in the hair follicle.
The conclusion is obvious. The key to effectively treating hair loss lies in a proper and accurate diagnosis of the cause of the problem which should only be carried out by a trained medical professional like your family doctor or a dermatologist (physicians who specialise in treating diseases of the skin, nails and hair). A misdiagnosis can, at worse, exacerbate the problem, or, at the very least, take you on a frustrating goose chase.
A doctor will evaluate a patient’s hair problem by asking questions about diet, medications including vitamins and health food taken in the last six months, family history of hair loss, recent illness, and hair care habits. Hormonal effects may be evaluated in women by asking about menstrual cycles, pregnancies, and menopause.
After examining the scalp and hair, your doctor may check a few hairs under the microscope. Sometimes blood tests or a scalp biopsy may be required for an accurate diagnosis. It’s important to find the cause and whether or not the problem will respond to medical treatment.
Note: This article was contributed by Dr Steven KW Chow, consultant dermatologist and president of the Malaysian Society for Hair Sciences. For more information on hair loss or the MSHS you can log on to www.hairscience.org. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Monday, August 24, 2009
Best Products for Hair Loss
Best Products for Hair Loss
Best Products for Hair Loss: My Sink is Full of Hair – Give Me Something!!Heredity, hormones, stress, diet, illness, poor hair care – all are factors in hair loss.
Stress, diet and illness are more temporary conditions and usually the hair loss is reversed when the anxiety-producing conditions dissipate, when the diet is improved, when hair care improves and when an illness is cured or gotten under control.
Heredity and hormones are different matters, however. Heredity is an irreversible condition. You are a product of your parents, and hair loss is often inherited. Hormones are tricky, hidden things, however, and they have different effects on an individual basis. In a male, testosterone abides abundantly. There are also enzymes working on testosterone which product a substance called DHT. DHT is now known to circulate in the blood and cause other conditions, one of which is the shrinking of hair follicles. When hair follicles shrink enough, they are unable to produce and push a new hair through. As old hair dies, it is then not replaced.
In women, hormonal imbalances can also cause hair loss. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause all cause significant hormonal change and imbalances with both physical and mental effects. These changes can also cause hair loss, both temporary and permanent.
Hair loss and re-growth products have been around for centuries. In ancient times, a variety of herbal and oil-based remedies were concocted and used by Egyptians, Aztecs, Mayans, and American Indians, all with some degree of effectiveness for some people.
Modern medical research has focused on ways to re-open and stimulate “dead” hair follicles, so that hair growth can re-occur naturally, as well as keep the healthy follicles healthy. Thus, a number of products have become available, both by prescription and over-the-counter. They are advertised on radio and television and all over the Internet. One need only do a “google” search on hair loss, and there are literally thousands of sites and products for investigation.One ingredient in many hair loss products is minoxidil. Research studies have shown that in about 80% of the participants, products containing this ingredient are effective in slowing hair loss and, in some, causing regrowth to occur. Probably the most well known is Rogaine, available at any drug store, in varieties for both men and women. Most scientifically-produced products do have separate products for males and females, because, of course, hormones in each are different and of different levels.
An additional product containing minoxidil is Provillus, and, again, studies have shown it to be effective. The difference between Provillus and other similar products is that the makes have added Azelaic Acid, an additional ingredient which appears to enhance the follicle repair in both men and women. Provillus has been the subject of many studies, just as the other products, and level of effectiveness may be higher. Provillus is available for both men and women, and the treatment is a combination of a topical liquid applied to the balding areas, as well as a pill or capsule to be taken in conjunction with the liquid. The critical key to effectiveness, according to its makers, is the addition of the azelaic acid, however, the correct amount of this acid is most important piece of this treatment. As with most hair loss products, the makers recommend patience. It may take from 3-6 months for improvement to occur, however, there is a money-back guarantee up to 180 days if one is not satisfied that it is working for him/her.
Medical research is far from finished in its exploration of products which will stop hair loss and promote regrowth of “permanent” loss. As this research continues, existing producers will undoubtedly alter their products accordingly. Fortunately, a lot of money is being poured into the research, so hair loss sufferers, take heart!
For more information visit: http://www.provillus.com/
Best Products for Hair Loss: My Sink is Full of Hair – Give Me Something!!Heredity, hormones, stress, diet, illness, poor hair care – all are factors in hair loss.
Stress, diet and illness are more temporary conditions and usually the hair loss is reversed when the anxiety-producing conditions dissipate, when the diet is improved, when hair care improves and when an illness is cured or gotten under control.
Heredity and hormones are different matters, however. Heredity is an irreversible condition. You are a product of your parents, and hair loss is often inherited. Hormones are tricky, hidden things, however, and they have different effects on an individual basis. In a male, testosterone abides abundantly. There are also enzymes working on testosterone which product a substance called DHT. DHT is now known to circulate in the blood and cause other conditions, one of which is the shrinking of hair follicles. When hair follicles shrink enough, they are unable to produce and push a new hair through. As old hair dies, it is then not replaced.
In women, hormonal imbalances can also cause hair loss. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause all cause significant hormonal change and imbalances with both physical and mental effects. These changes can also cause hair loss, both temporary and permanent.
Hair loss and re-growth products have been around for centuries. In ancient times, a variety of herbal and oil-based remedies were concocted and used by Egyptians, Aztecs, Mayans, and American Indians, all with some degree of effectiveness for some people.
Modern medical research has focused on ways to re-open and stimulate “dead” hair follicles, so that hair growth can re-occur naturally, as well as keep the healthy follicles healthy. Thus, a number of products have become available, both by prescription and over-the-counter. They are advertised on radio and television and all over the Internet. One need only do a “google” search on hair loss, and there are literally thousands of sites and products for investigation.One ingredient in many hair loss products is minoxidil. Research studies have shown that in about 80% of the participants, products containing this ingredient are effective in slowing hair loss and, in some, causing regrowth to occur. Probably the most well known is Rogaine, available at any drug store, in varieties for both men and women. Most scientifically-produced products do have separate products for males and females, because, of course, hormones in each are different and of different levels.
An additional product containing minoxidil is Provillus, and, again, studies have shown it to be effective. The difference between Provillus and other similar products is that the makes have added Azelaic Acid, an additional ingredient which appears to enhance the follicle repair in both men and women. Provillus has been the subject of many studies, just as the other products, and level of effectiveness may be higher. Provillus is available for both men and women, and the treatment is a combination of a topical liquid applied to the balding areas, as well as a pill or capsule to be taken in conjunction with the liquid. The critical key to effectiveness, according to its makers, is the addition of the azelaic acid, however, the correct amount of this acid is most important piece of this treatment. As with most hair loss products, the makers recommend patience. It may take from 3-6 months for improvement to occur, however, there is a money-back guarantee up to 180 days if one is not satisfied that it is working for him/her.
Medical research is far from finished in its exploration of products which will stop hair loss and promote regrowth of “permanent” loss. As this research continues, existing producers will undoubtedly alter their products accordingly. Fortunately, a lot of money is being poured into the research, so hair loss sufferers, take heart!
For more information visit: http://www.provillus.com/
Anti-Hair Loss Shampoos
Anti-Hair Loss Shampoos
Anti-Hair Loss Shampoos : Rub-a-Dub Dub – But Gently Please One easy-to-try option is a shampoo specifically designed to increase the health of existing hair and to reduce the rate of hair loss in both men and women.
There are several sources to investigate specific shampoos, research studies which can be accessed to determine the effectiveness of many of these products.
Good professional sources include dermatologists and licensed cosmeticians who see hair loss conditions frequently and have had the opportunity to observe the efficacy of a variety of shampoos.
As well, an Internet “Google” search will provide hundreds of products, complete with testimony and small research studies. It’s easy to get confused when investigating the hundreds of shampoos available.
With some background knowledge of what has shown to be effective in larger, previous studies, however, you can make more intelligent choices about the shampoos you choose for experimentation.
And that is the great thing about shampoos – they are relatively inexpensive in this maze of hair loss/regrowth methods, so you can try lots of them without breaking your budget!
1. Surfactants: People feel good when their shampoos lather up nicely. Lather, however, is just for psychological effect. Somehow we believe that the more lather a shampoo produces, the cleaner our hair must be getting. Hogwash! The ingredient that causes lather is call a surfactant and does not have cleaning properties. Other ingredients in shampoos actually do the cleaning. Surfactants are, however, pretty harsh, and, for someone who is experiencing more-than-normal hair loss, surfactants should be avoided. There are lots of shampoos out there without it – try some.
2. Herbal Ingredients: The most notable herb with some success in hair loss difficulty is Saw Palmetto. Shampoos with this ingredient are certainly worth a try. Saw Palmetto seems to inhibit the production of DHT in men, for example, and DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and close up.
3. Nettle and bay have also been helpful to some people. Shampoos which include these might help you too.
4. Essential Oils: These oils are concentrated ones which come from plants such as lavender. From ancient times, these have been used to stimulate healthy hair and to decrease the rate of hair loss. We know that we have much to learn from early medicine men and healers. Perhaps this is another example.
5. Tea Tree Oil: Many swear by this ingredient, and there are several brands of this on the market. So popular are these shampoos, you can find them at most any drug store as well as health product retailers. As an aside, tea tree oil has also been found to be effective in the prevention of head lice infestations.
There are no definitive studies to show that shampoos can actually result in regrowth of hair that is caused by what we all “permanent” conditions, largely the result of heredity and hormones. However, early prevention is important, and experimenting with shampoos during these early stages may provide invaluable help in reducing the rate of loss.
For more information visit: http://www.provillus.com/
Anti-Hair Loss Shampoos : Rub-a-Dub Dub – But Gently Please One easy-to-try option is a shampoo specifically designed to increase the health of existing hair and to reduce the rate of hair loss in both men and women.
There are several sources to investigate specific shampoos, research studies which can be accessed to determine the effectiveness of many of these products.
Good professional sources include dermatologists and licensed cosmeticians who see hair loss conditions frequently and have had the opportunity to observe the efficacy of a variety of shampoos.
As well, an Internet “Google” search will provide hundreds of products, complete with testimony and small research studies. It’s easy to get confused when investigating the hundreds of shampoos available.
With some background knowledge of what has shown to be effective in larger, previous studies, however, you can make more intelligent choices about the shampoos you choose for experimentation.
And that is the great thing about shampoos – they are relatively inexpensive in this maze of hair loss/regrowth methods, so you can try lots of them without breaking your budget!
1. Surfactants: People feel good when their shampoos lather up nicely. Lather, however, is just for psychological effect. Somehow we believe that the more lather a shampoo produces, the cleaner our hair must be getting. Hogwash! The ingredient that causes lather is call a surfactant and does not have cleaning properties. Other ingredients in shampoos actually do the cleaning. Surfactants are, however, pretty harsh, and, for someone who is experiencing more-than-normal hair loss, surfactants should be avoided. There are lots of shampoos out there without it – try some.
2. Herbal Ingredients: The most notable herb with some success in hair loss difficulty is Saw Palmetto. Shampoos with this ingredient are certainly worth a try. Saw Palmetto seems to inhibit the production of DHT in men, for example, and DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and close up.
3. Nettle and bay have also been helpful to some people. Shampoos which include these might help you too.
4. Essential Oils: These oils are concentrated ones which come from plants such as lavender. From ancient times, these have been used to stimulate healthy hair and to decrease the rate of hair loss. We know that we have much to learn from early medicine men and healers. Perhaps this is another example.
5. Tea Tree Oil: Many swear by this ingredient, and there are several brands of this on the market. So popular are these shampoos, you can find them at most any drug store as well as health product retailers. As an aside, tea tree oil has also been found to be effective in the prevention of head lice infestations.
There are no definitive studies to show that shampoos can actually result in regrowth of hair that is caused by what we all “permanent” conditions, largely the result of heredity and hormones. However, early prevention is important, and experimenting with shampoos during these early stages may provide invaluable help in reducing the rate of loss.
For more information visit: http://www.provillus.com/
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