Understanding Hair Loss

There are many different causes of hair loss, some are thankfully only temporary while others may have longer lasting effects. The only causes of permanent hair loss are where the follicles or the roots of the hairs are damaged, in fact breakage or damage to the hair shaft has no effect on the health of the follicle or root.

The process by which our hair grows can be broken down into two phases. A hair follicle grows it’s hair strand over a period of four to six years and this growing phase is called the Anagen phase.

The hair then rests for between two to four months and is then pushed out by it’s replacement. This resting phase is called the Telogen phase.

Telagen Effluvium or Stress Alopecia

When a ‘break’ in this cycle occurs there can be considerable ‘all over’ hair loss as the hairs either have a short Anagen phase or the number of follicles going into the Telagen phase is increased. This condition is referred to as Telagen Effluvium or Stress Alopecia.

Such a break in the cycle can be caused by a number of things such as -

• A sudden drop in hormone levels e.g. after giving birth
• Stopping the use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
• Acute trauma both physical and psychological
• High fever
• Severe dieting causing inadequate protein and iron intake
• Under-active/Overactive thyroid
• Diabetes and Lupus
• Chemotherapy
• Some medications
• Some birth control pills and some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills
• Burns or radiation therapy

If there is any good news from all of this it is that once the cause is established and dealt with the normal growth of your should start again and continue without interruption.

Androgenetic Alopecia (Patterned Hair Loss In Women)

Unlike our male counterparts, Androgenetic Alopecia tends to produce thinning of the hair across the top of the scalp in women rather than a ‘bald patch’. This type of hair loss is quite common in women as they age with only around 20 percent of women developing moderate or severe hair loss.

Androgenetic Alopecia is generally thought to be a condition relating to genetics, ageing and increased levels of endocrine hormones, in particular Androgens or male sex hormones.

There are a number of treatments available for sufferers of Androgenetic Alopecia which include Topical Minoxidil Lotion and Antiandrogen medication. Speak to your doctor or chemist regarding these treatments as they require medical supervision and Minoxidil Lotion is not suitable for pregnant or breast feeding women.

Traction Alopecia

This condition relates to hair loss particularly around the temple area and is usually caused by constantly pulling your hair tight in a ponytail or tight braiding or even the repeated traction used for hair extensions.

Another form of this is Trichotillomania where the hair is pulled or chewed when the person is nervous, similar to nail biting.

Hair Weathering is also another consideration. The hair shafts can be broken by rough handling, brushing too vigorously, over-bleaching and the use of harsh dyes and chemicals. Although the hair shaft may be damaged the root is usually unharmed and normal growth will start once adequate care is taken of the hair.

These conditions need to be corrected as soon as possible as you risk damaging the hair follicle and causing permanent damage.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata refers to the condition where the hair loss is more in patches than all over the scalp. This condition is thought to be brought on by an autoimmune disease where antibodies attack the hair follicles.

In rare cases this can result in complete loss of head and body hair and the inability to regrow the hair, but in mild cases this condition can be treated with cortisone creams, injections or tablets.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are known to cause ‘patchy’ hair loss in both women and men. Ringworm and even Syphilis can cause such a condition but these can be treated with anti-fungal antibiotics.

Reasons For Hair Loss After Pregnancy

After child birth there are very low levels of Estrogen in a woman’s body and this decrease in Estrogen is one of the major causes of hair loss. During pregnancy there is a heightened level of both Progesterone and Estrogen but after delivery these levels drop significantly which can trigger the hair strands into the Telagen (resting) phase of their cycle and begin to fall out.

Another reason for hair loss after pregnancy is if the woman was taking birth control medication and stopped to fall pregnant, the hormone imbalances that result are often to blame for hair loss. As it takes some time for the levels to change and the hair loss may begin around the same time as child birth, the woman puts two and two together and thinks that the birth of the child is the cause of her hair loss. In actual fact this may not be the case at all and it is more likely that stopping the birth control medication is the cause.

What Can Be Done About Hair Loss After Pregnancy?

The reason that the hair strands begin to fall out is that the replacement strand is already growing from the follicle and as such hair loss after pregnancy is only a temporary condition in the majority of cases. Naturally if the hair loss continues long after child birth you should consult a doctor, however time and patience is all that is needed in most situations.

The first step in finding a suitable treatment is to have your doctor give you a check-up to determine exactly where the problem lies. Being patient is very important also, getting stressed out by your condition has the potential to make things worse and any treatment may take a while before results are seen.

Also discuss with your doctor weather or not your current thyroid medication could be contributing to your hair loss. In this case it may be possible to look at an alternative thyroid treatment such as natural methods.

Natural treatments for hyperthyroid hair loss include vitamins, shampoos, lotions and supplements. There are also products such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and concealers such as Toppik that help keep your hair looking thick until your hormone levels return to normal.

Undertreatment of your thyroid condition can also be a cause of thyroid hair loss. Once again your doctor should be able to establish if you are presently being treated correctly. An increasing number of doctors believe that a TSH of around 1 – 2 is optimal for most patients to feel well and not have side effects such as hair loss. Once again your doctor should be able to advise you on this and possibly even look at a combination of thyroid disease drugs.

Another thing to consider is the possibility of other causes and their possible remedies. It has been documented that around 90 percent of women with thinning hair were found to be deficient in iron and the amino acid Lysine and the thinking is that when the lysine and iron levels are low the body switches off some hair follicles to increase the levels elsewhere. Meat, fish and eggs are the only food sources of lysine but there are also supplements that contain lysine.

There are a number of natural ways of dealing with your hair loss and these include Arginine, Cysteine, Green Tea, Polysorbate 80, Progesterone, Saw Palmetto (a very popular remedy), Trichosaccaride and vitamin B6.

Of course there are also drug treatments available although neither of the more popular ones are considered to be safe during pregnancy.

Rogaine seems to be the more popular one for hair loss interferes with DHT’s (dihydrotestosterone – a less useful form of the hormone Testosterone) ability to destroy hair follicles. Rogaine is the brand name for Minoxidil.

The other of the more popular hair loss drugs is Propecia which is the brand name of Finasteride. Propecia is taken in pill form and is not considered to be any more effective than Rogaine and it can take up to a year to see results and to maintain regrowth it must be taken for life.

Finally, if different thyroid treatments or drugs or natural supplements do not alleviate your hair loss problem there are still a couple of options you have, although more ‘drastic’ and usually more expensive.

The first of these is hair transplant surgery. The technology involved in regrowing thinning hair from donor follicles from another area of your head has come forward in leaps and bounds and it is now considered to be quite a successful treatment, although more useful for patches of lost hair rather than general hair thinning.

Hairpieces and falls offer you a natural looking full head of hair that can be styled how you like.

A hair weave should also be considered. This process adds artificial hair to the existing hair and once again can be done with a good degree of success.

Biotin is found in a number of different foods such as liver and eggs, however to receive the recommended dose needed for healthy hair these foods would have to be consumed in large amounts. This is where a Biotin supplement can be very useful.

The ability of Biotin to strengthen hair and promote healthy strands is one of it’s most potent uses, however it also assists the body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, protein and is a critical element in several enzymes within the body.

Many hair loss specialists will recommend a Biotin supplement or topical treatment alongside other hair loss treatments and because it is safe to use there is no reason not to try out this remedy, with supervision from your doctor of course.

Some other effects of a Biotin deficiency include reduced growth of eye brows and eye lashes, weak brittle nails and unhealthy looking skin, although most of these symptoms are only seen in severe cases.

Biotin is typically used in a supplement form but there are also shampoo’s formulated with Biotin that are used just like a regular shampoo and there is also the option of a doctor prescribed Biotin injection.

There are a number of scalp conditions that can cause both itchiness and hair loss. If you notice that your scalp is in any way different from normal, i.e. red patches of skin or welt’s that are appearing, often in the same area where the hair is thinning out, then it is wise to pay a visit to your doctor who then may forward you on to a dermatologist.

Some of the medical/skin conditions known to cause these symptoms are Psoriasis, Scalp Ringworm and an Allergic Reaction. Psoriasis is often identified by white patches on red skin and can often result in severe itching. Scalp Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection where the skin can become red with itchy rash like patches. These two types of conditions need medical attention to control.

Allergic reactions can result in a number of symptoms and if severe can damage the hair follicles which is why it is important to find the cause early and take whatever action is needed to remedy the situation. Often times an allergic reaction can be caused by chemicals that we use on our hair such as certain shampoo’s, dies, color’s etc and it is usually a case of taking a look at what products have been used before the condition became apparent and discontinuing the use of them.

If your itchy scalp is the result of previous hair loss then it may be a case of the old hair follicles dying and new ones taking their place. While this is a perfectly natural process, it can become quite distressing and there are ointments and lotions available to help soothe the itchiness. A very dry scalp can also be an annoyance and Olive Oil in particular is useful for returning your scalp back to normal.

Treatment is something that not many people are aware of until they have to be. Finding what you need is something that requires a little bit of knowledge and usually a bit of research. You will need to speak to your doctor to find out the cause obviously, but once you have that under control, you can consider options for treatment.

Most of the time, your doctor will be able to help you but if you’re worried and need another opinion, it’s always worth searching the web. Just remember to take what you read with a pinch of salt unless it was written by a professional or a GP. Don’t forget that there are a lot of horror stories on the web and you don’t want to freak yourself out.

If you have a good look around on the internet you should find that there are plenty of options available. Have a browse and do some searches on Google to see what comes up. You’ll probably be surprised at the amount of choice for such a simple purchase.

Expert Sofia B Fry talks about finding hair loss treatments online. www.hairreplacementspecialists.co.uk has a big range of options available, you will easily get what you need.

Do you feel as though you’re losing your confidence and self esteem and your head of hair?

Then take a couple of moments to read beneath concerning an excellent product named Provillus!

Provillus is thought to be the Number One baldness solution available on the market which is becoming more well-known by the day.

It’s an all-natural solution and is made up of no chemical substances whatsoever which makes it completely safe and sound to use and doesn’t have unwanted side effects.

The main constituents of Provillus are nutritional vitamins, and natural supplements for instance: Vit . b and E that are important for healthy hair growth and which will additionally play a huge role in supercharging your immune system, consequently not merely assisting together with your hair but taking care of your body as well.

Say as an example you’re a man or woman who is experiencing a B6 deficiency or have little or no Biotin in your diet then these issues will unquestionably add to your hair thinning.

As well as the essential vitamin Bs and E, nutritional foods such as: walnuts, peanut butter, brown rice, wheat germ etc all combined together give a strong and healthy head of hair.

An all natural supplement called “Saw Palmetto” is used in Provillus, this supplement helps to stop the production of DHT, that’s a hormonal by-product of Testosterone, which could cause balding in men.

Much like numerous other products such as Provillus there are no guarantees, nevertheless if you do as instructed for Provillus and follow a proper diet you’ve got a good chance of success.

Something that you should realise is that this treatment is not really an over night sensation! It might take anything from 2-3 months for you to observe any kind of indicators of hair re-growth so the main factor here will be patience, so stay with it and your persistence can be rewarded.

Ultimately, at all times consult your own General practitioner or Health-care professional ahead of treating your hair with Provillus or any other such like solution to make certain you are able to do so safely.

Learn more about how to buy provillus. Stop by Jean Picard’s site where you can find out all about provillus and what it can do for you.

The Provillus Hair Regrowth Treatment is the first and only hair loss treatment of its kind. Designed and formulated to offer a dual-action remedy for hair loss, the Provillus Hair Regrowth Treatment fully deserves all the praise and positive feed-back it gets and is quickly becoming one of the most popular hair regrowth treatments available today.

User feedback has been excellent with the overwhelming majority of users raving about the results they are getting from using the Provillus Hair Regrowth Treatment. To see why the feedback is so good, let’s take a look at the science behind the product.

Hair loss is rapidly becoming one of the most widespread cosmetic problems facing men and women of all ages. Some of the main reasons behind hair loss in both men and women are:

Hereditary Diet and Lack of Proper Nutrients

Other factors also affect hair loss such as physical and mental stress for example. These are outside the scope of this article so we will be concentrating on the two from the list above.

Hereditary hair loss is usually quoted as being the main cause of hair loss. What is actually passed along is a susceptibility to DHT or Dihydrotestosterone. DHT is a synthesis of the normal type of Testosterone and is produced by an enzyme called 5-alpha Reductase.

DHT is basically a follicle killer. It strangles your hair follicles, shortening their life cycle and their ability to produce hair. As the DHT affects the follicles, the hair produced gets weaker and thinner, eventually leading to hair loss and baldness.

To combat this the Provillus Hair Regrowth Treatment includes a topical solution for external use on the scalp, which is formulated using Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a tried and tested ingredient in the fight against hair loss and has been shown in several clinical studies to be highly effective against the formation of DHT. In fact, Minoxidil is so effective it has been approved by the FDA as a constituent in hair regrowth treatment. Provillus is the only hair regrowth treatment to use Minoxidil.

Our fast-paced lifestyles have bought about changes to our diets and nutritional habits. Some of these changes have been for the better but some have been directly linked to the increase of hair loss across all age brackets in both men and women.

To function properly our bodies need to be balanced. The proper combination of nutrients in the correct amounts. If we starve our body of the vital building blocks it needs to develop properly, our hair will suffer. Without the right vitamins and minerals our hair follicles will suffer which means a reduced ability to grow hair.

Growing hair goes hand in hand with shedding hair. In the course of our normal daily activities we shed around 130 – 150 hairs, which are replaced in a natural cycle of regrowth. If our follicles lose their ability to grow new hair to replace the ones we shed, then we start to see visible signs of hair loss.

The Provillus Hair Regrowth Treatment is more than an excellent topical solution. Included in the treatment is a nutritional supplement, carefully blended from from a selection of vitamins, minerals and herbs, which brings back the balance to our follicles. Proven ingredients such as Vitamin B, Magnesium, Biotin, Ginseng and saw Palmetto, known for their hair restoration properties and all highly prized in traditional and herbal medicines.

These ingredients are formulated and blended into preparations specific to male and female hair loss. This is where Provillus really pulls away from the competition. Not one but two distinct products. Provillus for Men and Provillus for Women.

Feedback on the Provillus Hair Regrowth Treatment has been universally positive, with most users reporting visible regrowth in a matter of weeks. As with anything in life however, it won’t work for everyone. That’s why Provillus is backed up by one of the best guarantees on any health product. Try Provillus for 90 days and if not satisfied with the results, exercise the guarantee. That and the clinically tested and FDA approved ingredient and blend of supplement nutrients make Provillus a highly effective hair regrowth treatment.

Hair loss doesn’t have to be a fact of life anymore. With the correct balance of science and tradition, the Provillus Hair Regrowth Treatment packs a powerful punch and that punch translates into stronger and thicker hair for men and women of all ages.

For special deals on Provillus plus free Hair Regrowth Treatment Articles & Videos, head over to our site.

Male pattern baldness is probably the most common form of alopecia. It is something that men have as part of their genetic code. When they get older (some even as young as their teen years) can start losing their hair or find their hair thinning. It cannot grow back–or needs medical assistance to do so.

Medication can also sometimes cause baldness. Stress is another factor which can contribute. If you talk to your doctor he or she can point you in the right direction of the cause and, thereby, the cure.

Most men take baldness as just another part of getting older. Some men try to fight it by building their hair around the problem in a comb over. If you are balding, combing a few hairs over the problem will not trick anyone. It is better for your own emotional health to just admit that you are going bald and try to find better solutions if it bothers you that much.

One such better solution is buying a toupee. The quality of toupees has gotten much better over recent years. Buying one made of real hair that very closely matches your own is a great way to keep it clean and to trick others. Make sure you can put it on right so it does not blow off in the wind! Another option–a permanent one–is to get hair implants. A doctor can take a live follicle and put it on your head so hair will grow naturally there. It is not cheap, though.

Other treatments include medical creams or stimulation to get your follicles growing again. Some of these work, some do not. Take recommendations from your doctor and then do research on your own. What works for one person will not work for all.

For more information about alopecia hair loss visit our webiste. Also visit the Medical Supply Industries blog for information about the medical industry and health in general.

The oil from the saw palmetto plant, which is a dwarf palm tree that grows in North America, contains the herbal remedy’s active ingredient. The plant grows from between 2 and 4 feet high and is found in the U. S. States of Georgia and Florida. The oil comes from the plant’s berries.

It is popular as an all natural remedy for the health of the male prostrate gland but lately, new research indicates that it is also influential in promoting hair growth for a specific type of hair loss at the top of the head, referred to as androgenic alopecia. The jury is still out on how saw palmetto exactly works, but popular thought believes that it stops an enzyme from allowing testosterone to be converted to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. It is this hormone that may be a key factor in the development of androgenic alopecia.

It must be noted that thorough scientific studies haven’t been conducted to affirm this hypothesis. Clinical trials have been done involving small groups of test subjects but there isn’t sufficient evidence from these trials. However, the results are encouraging, so much so that news of the potential success of saw palmetto in treating hair loss is spreading across the globe and saw palmetto is flying off the shelves.

Just by taking saw palmetto twice a day, you will likely see results in two to four months. Consult your neighborhood pharmacist and ask if 200 mg soft gels taken twice daily would be of benefit to you. Some people have reported a 60% improvement after 120 days.

Remember, hair grows slowly. If you can grow half an inch per month, you’re doing well. If you’re recovering from thinning or hair loss, it may be a couple of months before you see any improvement.

Herbs can be effective when taken correctly. They can also be toxic if not taken correctly. Saw palmetto has been known to cause stomach upsets, changes in sexual desire and impotence. People taking blood thinners and women on the pill or taking hormone supplements should avoid saw palmetto.

Women who are pregnant or nursing, children and those with liver or kidney disease should steer clear of saw palmetto until further scientific studies have been done.

For further information on possible side effects of saw palmetto hair loss click here Regaine is another hair loss remedy that works for many.