Archive for November, 2006
While hair transplant surgery is now a proven treatment for
restoring hair where it has been lost, Hair loss medication such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride), have made real contributions toward stopping and even reversing hair loss.
During the late 70’s and early 80’s it was discovered that minoxidil, used as a heart medication, had hair growing side effects. Minoxidil was tested for use as a topical scalp treatment for hair loss and proved to inhibit hair loss in many test subjects.
It has proven to be effective to some degree in slowing the hair loss process. For a minority of people it can even grow back lost hairs in the crown area (back of the head). However, Rogaine (minoxidil) does not slow or reverse the balding process in the frontal hairline area.
Rogaine is typically applied topically on the scalp twice a day, morning and evening. But once usage is discontinued the hair loss which had been inhibited will resume and the hair that was saved will be lost.
Rogaine originally required a prescription, but in 1995, it became available in 2% strength Rogaine over-the-counter. Today, men and women can buy 5% strength lotion over-the-counter as Rogaine or as generic minoxidil.
To date Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) are the only hair loss medications with FDA approval. Propecia’s active ingredient, finasteride, was originally used to treat enlarged prostate glands. It was discovered that, like minoxidil, it had the “side effect” of stopping male pattern baldness and for some even regrowing hair.
Propecia is taken as a pill once daily and acts to inhibit the body’s ability to create dyhydrotestosterone or “DHT”. DHT acts as the active ingredient or catalyst in the balding process.
Rogaine and Propecia
The 90’s brought great advances in hair restoration, both surgical and non surgical. Now most people can realistically halt and reverse their hair loss with truly natural results.
In 1988 minoxidil, Rogaine, became the first hair loss medication to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss.
In 1998 the FDA approved Propecia for the treatment of hair loss.
Propecia (finasteride) should NOT be taken by woman or children for any reason.
Learn about all your hair loss treatment options.
November 30th, 2006
Currently the only solution for regrowing hair, particularly in the hairline area,
is hair transplant surgery, an advanced surgical hair restoration technique.
Done right, a hair transplant is so natural that even a hair stylist cannot detect that a person has had hair transplants.
The days of the “corn row” or “Barbie Doll” hair transplants are long gone.
To achieve such truly natural results requires a dedicated and highly skilled staff doing a state of the art hair transplant procedure. The state of the art micro hair transplant procedure that our member physicians perform is called “Ultra Refined Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation”.
Hair transplant surgical hair restoration involves relocating (transplanting) the bald resistant hair follicles from the back of the head to the balding areas on the top and front of the head.
This process is effective and will last a lifetime because the hair follicles taken from the back of the head are genetically resistant to baldness, no matter where they are transplanted.
This procedure is regarded by most hair restoration physicians to be the “gold standard in hair transplants”. Learn more about this hair transplant procedure.
Because this very refined procedure is difficult to perform at the highest quality level only a minority of all hair restoration surgeons perform it successfully. Our member physicians have extensive experience performing this advanced and very refined procedure with excellent proven results.
Today hair transplant surgical hair restoration is an out-patient procedure requiring only local anesthesia. Most patients are surprised by how little discomfort they experience during and after their surgery. Many patients watch TV or sleep during their procedure.
Hair transplant surgery is the only certain way of restoring significant amounts of hair in balding areas. View hair transplant photos of actual hair loss patients.
Sharing information in the Hair Loss Learning Center forum with patients who have successfully restored their hair is a good way to begin the process of selecting a hair transplant surgeon with a proven record of restoring a natural hairline. Online consultation can put you directly in touch with one of the world’s top hair restoration physicians in your area who can help you assess your options.
November 30th, 2006
Today hair loss sufferers have several legitimate and proven treatments for restoring their hair.
Over the past decade in particular, treatments for hair loss have made huge advances. Hair loss medication like Propecia (finasteride), Avodart (dutasteride), and to a lesser degree topical treatments like Rogaine often can stop or even reverse hair loss in most people.
However, neither Propecia nor Rogaine has been proven to restore hair in the frontal areas. Only hair restoration surgery has been successful in restoring hair in the frontal hairline area once it has been lost.
Done right, hair transplants are so natural that even a hair stylist cannot detect that a person has had a hair transplant. The days of the “corn row” or “Barbie doll” hair transplant are long gone.
Hair replacement systems or “hair systems” have also improved and become more refined. Those who are extensively bald and want to restore a full looking head of hair may find a hair replacement system to be appropriate.
There are also topicals, such as sprays and applications, which can do a surprisingly effective job of giving a person the appearance of having a much fuller head of hair.
Future hair loss treatments also hold the promise of making baldness a disease of the past.
Each hair loss treatment has its advantages and disadvantages. We believe in empowering you with the tools and assistance to explore and evaluate all your treatment options. Ultimately the best hair loss treatment is the one that works best for you.
We encourage you to take your time and explore all your options before committing to any hair loss treatment.
Explore this and other web sites and compare notes with other hair loss sufferers about what does or does not work.
Our hair restoration discussion forum has over 30,000 searchable postings by other hair loss sufferers.
If you post your question or concern, typically several people will reply with helpful advice and suggestions.
To get expert medical advice and review all your hair loss treatment options, consider doing a free consultation with one of our quality member physicians.
To learn about our physicians, or to arrange a consultation, visit our physician finder.
November 30th, 2006
The Scalp Scripts line of products has been formulated to work together to maximize good hair and scalp cleansing.
The Scalp Scripts components are available individually or in Treatment Programs where they are part of the solution to providing a better and healthier hair and scalp environment.
• Scalp Scripts Shampoo Cleanser has been scientifically formulated without DEA/MEA and/or Sodium or Aluminum lauryl sulfate (SLS) derivatives as a part of its active ingredients.
• Dexpanthenol Scalp Therapy helps Minoxidil to work better by cleansing the scalp, unclogging follicles of sebum, and increasing the permeability of the scalp for gases and liquids.
• Coenzyme is believed to stimulate production of protein at the follicle level, reduce activity of the sebaceous glands and neutralize the activity of Alpha-Reductase (the enzyme responsible for the transformation of testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone or DHT).
• Scalp Scripts Vitamin Plus Conditioning Treatment provides over 40 essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids to the hair shaft, adding fullness and shine to all hair types.
November 30th, 2006
There are many different reasons why people color their hair.
Some wish to lighten or darken their current color, cover gray hair, or follow various fashion trends by coloring their hair with unusual colors. Others may not like their natural hair color desire a change. Whether you color you hair yourself or go to a professional salon for coloring is a personal choice. There are different types of coloring processes that vary in the length of time that the color will last. Some people only color certain section of their hair, a process known as highlighting, while others prefer to color all of it. Temporary colors come in mousses, gels, and rinses that will shampoo out and generally produce less drastic results and damage to the hair than permanent hair color. Semi-permanent coloring, which is fairly easy to use, lasts through four to six shampoos and can enrich natural hair color and cover some gray. Permanent hair coloring products penetrate the cortex of the hair, lifting out the natural hair color and depositing new color. This type of hair coloring cannot be washed out and needs to be touched up every four to six weeks. If permanent hair coloring is used incorrectly or too frequently, it can damage your hair.
©2004 Bluestreak Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
November 28th, 2006
Hair problems can include hair loss, brittle or fine hair, oily hair, or dandruff.
All hair problems are treated differently, but most remedies treat both the hair and scalp. Excessive hair loss or thinning can be a result of poor nutrition, abuse of heat styling tools, or extreme pressure from hair clips. By over-processing your hair with the chemicals found in permanent waves, hair coloring, and hair straightening, you subject it to drying and breaking. Chemicals used in these processes open the hair shaft in order to add color or change the texture of the hair. When this shaft is opened, moisture is lost, which causes hair to become brittle and break easily. While dry and brittle hair may be aggravated by the overuse of heat styling tools and chemicals, oily hair is caused by the same overproducing oil glands that are found in the skin. Complete cleansing with a shampoo made for oily hair will keep oiliness under control. Another common hair problem is dandruff, which occurs when skin cells on the scalp reach the surface before they are fully mature, causing the skin to flake off. Although there is no cure for dandruff, mild cases may be controlled through the use of over-the-counter dandruff shampoos. Baldness, especially in men, is hereditary and cannot be prevented. However, it can sometimes be corrected by surgery.
©2004 Bluestreak Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
November 28th, 2006
There are various kinds of permanent waves that yield different results.
Curly or spiral perms produce tight, spiral-shaped curls and usually looks best when the hair dries naturally or is dried with a diffuser. Body waves produce looser curls and add volume and fullness. The tightness of the curls depends on the shape and size of the rod that the hair is wrapped around. It’s important to research all of your options before deciding which permanent wave is right for you. Permanent waving solutions work by penetrating the cuticle and breaking down the bonds in the cortex, causing the hair to give up its original shape and conform to the rod that it’s wrapped around. A solution called a neutralizer is then applied to reform the bond, helping the hair hold the new curl. However, not all perm solutions work the same way. Cold wave perms work through chemical action alone to produce the longest lasting results. Acid perms, the most widely used, work in combination with heat and are gentler than cold wave perms, but they tend to relax more quickly. In addition, there are permanent waving formulas for different types of hair, special formulas for color-treated hair, and soft perms for in-home use.
©2004 Bluestreak Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
November 28th, 2006
The type of hair you have depends on how much oil, also called sebum, your sebaceous (sih-BAY-shus) glands produce.
These glands open into each hair follicle, and their flow and distribution is influenced by the same factors that affect skin. As a result, many people have the same hair type as their skin. Hair types are: normal, dry, and oily. Normal hair is usually soft and shiny, containing enough moisture in each strand to keep it from breaking, and having enough oil coating the shafts to protect against moisture loss. If cared for properly, normal hair is relatively resistant to damage. On the other hand, dry hair has too little moisture and not enough oil. Some people have naturally dry hair, while others acquire it from over-processing and styling or from a slowdown in the sebum process that may occur as one gets older. To treat dry hair, wash it less frequently, condition after each wash, and deep condition it once a week. Oily hair is caused by excess sebum production and should be washed more frequently than normal or dry hair with a shampoo made especially for oily hair.
©2004 Bluestreak Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
November 28th, 2006
With the shock of discovering that you need bifocals or that your eyes have weakened over the past year.
Comes the need to sort through a huge array of eyeglasses frames to find a shape that works with your hair, the shape of your face and your personality.
There is completely no doubt, that eyeglasses should complement, but not compete with your hairstyle; be sure not to get carried away with a fussy frame if you favor big hair.
The most suitable frame shape is the opposite of your face shape. Angular-shaped faces look better with rounder frames. Softer, fuller faces are enhanced with sharper-edged frame shapes.
Here are few guidelines to keep in mind while going in for the choice of glasses. Check them out-
BALANCE THE ACT
The main consideration is balancing the volume and shape of your eyeglasses with your hairstyles. Identify the strongest elements of your hairstyle and then choose a frame that matches.
COMBINE CLASSICS
A classic hairstyle is one, that need minimal styling and is, one length over all the head, is best suited to frame shapes that have also stood the test of time. Simple round or square eyeglasses are good options.
MEASURE THE EXTREME
A strong trendy style, demands eyeglasses that can hold their own. For example, bangs that are little more than a high fringe require eyeglasses with, strong lines. Ovals squares with triangular edges, the ones you might have worn as a kid, work wonders.
PULL BACK YOUR HAIR
A classic chignon or ponytail at the nape of the neck gives you many choices for eyeglasses frames. Merely choose a style that suits the shape of your face.
REPEAT THE GEOMETRY
Continue the circular motifs or curly hair in your eyeglasses. Round or oval frames look beautiful. Square frames on the other hand, are too much of a contrast. Since, even short curly hair has movement, choose frames that don’t have a lot of detail.
SHOW YOUR FACE
Large eyeglasses cover quite a bit of the face. This isn’t a problem, as long as you keep your hair under control. Otherwise people will ask who’s hiding behind those glasses and all that their. One simple step is, cutting off long bangs. Very small frames are unflattering on older faces - look for a medium or larger-size frame which will help camouflage the eye area and its wrinkles and bags.
Tone the frame colour to your hair
Silver, gold, grey, tortoiseshell, etc. Some may like funky colour combinations - try them on and see how they suit. Opt for one that enhances skin tone and hair shade.
The focus should be to keep hairstyles, simple. Complicated curls and fussy accessories give a cluttered look to the face. A good hairdresser will take the wearing of glasses into consideration when suggesting a hairstyle.
November 28th, 2006
The time passes and as it does, it takes away some of the wonderful things. Hairs, for instance.
As we grow old they tend to leave us alone and retire. So, if you are a male of over 50 years of age, chances are that your hairline would be receding too fast for comfort, making you look for ways to make them stay. This is male pattern balding and is hard to arrest. No matter what hair care product you use, they’ll keep falling.
That, however, doesn’t mean you have no hope. Medical hair restoration is one of the ways. Also known as hair transplant, the method has worked with many people and is fast gaining acceptance across the world like never before.
Alopecia, another name for male pattern baldness, is not exactly a problem related to the scalp, but is a result of the reaction between the oil glands in hair follicle and testosterone (male hormone). The transformation of the testosterone into DHT causes a reaction that makes the follicle shrink.
Happily, there are products that effectively prevent the DHT production. Go for those products that have zinc, saw palmetto and pro-vitamin B5. They help a great deal in keeping the hair where they should be.
Now, if you are not among those who can actually be helped with falling hair. Meaning, if your hair have already gone for good, medical restoration of hair may well be your only option.
Still, to your respite, things have improved dramatically in this area in the past few years, and now you can have a wholly natural hair on your head without it being overly painful. However, you might still experience mild discomfort and a little bit of swelling. That’s how little you pay, except for the bill, for a head of natural, flowing hair.
So, there are a number of options available for you depending upon your stage of hair loss. Just visit your dermatologist, and ask him to introduce you to the whole new world of hair retention and hair regeneration. Surely, there is a lot to be surprised about– of course, pleasantly.
To get more information on hair loss, hair loss remedies and hair loss treatment visit http://www.hair-loss-updates.com/
November 23rd, 2006
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