Most commonly, Hair Loss is a hereditary condition, though there are certain factors that will cause us to lose our hair sooner, and at a greater rate, than normal. These factors can include vitamin deficiency, poor diet, drug abuse and skin disease.

Going bald is an embarrassment for both men and women and can have a devastating effect on their self esteem and self confidence. Naturally, people will go to great lengths to hide their Hair Loss and undergo various treatments to restore their hair.

Laser Treatment is presently available in many areas, although dermatologists still have concerns about the safety of this particular Hair treatment. Laser Treatment for Hair Loss is generally performed in exclusive hair clinics that are equipped with large laser devices and which usually require a number of sittings per month.

Hair transplants can ultimately be performed if the Laser Treatment for Hair Loss does not show positive results. In cases of male pattern baldness and Hair Loss due to scarring of the scalp as a result of accidents and operations, then a transplant may be in order.

To improve the condition of their hair a lot of people are using a Laser Comb in the hope of establishing a Hair re-growth pattern.

The HairMax LaserComb, is a low-level laser device, which has been developed in Australia and designed for the general public to use at home. It is currently being manufactured in the USA with patents pending in a number of countries.

Most people suffering from Hair Loss are pleased with the results that they have received from using the Laser Comb Treatment.

The main advantage of Laser Comb is that it saves money on laser treatments. Laser comb is a Laser Treatment for Hair Loss that has been designed for personal home use.

Laser Treatment in a private Hair clinic may cost hundreds of dollars for one sitting. Laser Comb is not expensive and is approved by FDA as a cosmetic device for thickening Hair appearance. Laser Comb can be used as a Laser Treatment for Hair Loss in conjunction with other Hair Loss Treatments and many hair transplant surgeons are using it to complement their transplant procedures.

Although laser comb is already approved by the FDA for the purpose of hair thickening, the FDA is also conducting numerous trials and giving approval for it’s success as a Hair growth stimulation tool. Laser light therapy is also being used for anti inflammatory effects and wound healing on the skin.

Laser Comb utilizes low level Laser therapy (LLLT), which emits photo energy. Low-level Laser Treatment for Hair Loss is painless and non-toxic. Most people that use Laser Comb can achieve a healthier and thicker head of Hair.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Balding is humiliating for most people, but for women the realization that they are losing their hair can be absolutely devastating.

Typically, Women lose Hair evenly from all parts of the scalp, as opposed to men, who tend to show thinning and balding in the front (receding hairline) and on the top. The back and sides remain thicker and intact.

Men’s pattern baldness, serves to make Hair transplanting a more viable alternative since there are stable areas of the scalp from where the grafts can be acquired. By comparison, Women’s Hair thins out over the entire scalp area, which means that there is no stable area from where Hair follicles can be procured for grafting.

Unfortunately, because of these circumstances, most Women are not suitable subjects for a successful Hair Transplant. Hair Transplants don’t actually increase the volume of Hair, the process only moves Hair from a densely populated area of the scalp to balding areas of the head.

Women that are suitable subjects for a Hair Transplant include those who have Hair Loss due to trauma, from surgical scars or those with a baldness pattern similar to male pattern baldness. In fact, only 2% to 5% of Women are suitable subjects for a Hair Transplant.

A large percentage of Women that experience Hair Loss will find that the condition is reversible. Finding out the reason for your Hair Loss can lead to treatment options that will successfully establish new hair growth for you.

Your general practitioner will put you in touch with a doctor who specializes in women’s Hair Loss, the specialist will begin treatment by drawing a complete blood work panel to establish the following levels:

Hormone levels (DHEAS, testosterone, androstenedione, prolastic, FSH, and leutinizing hormone)

Serum iron, serum ferritin, TIBC, total iron binding capacity

Thyroid stimulating hormone

VDRL, CBC

Additionally, a clinical history should be gathered to include such information as:

Current medications

Family history

Hair fall out type(intact or breaking)

Recent trauma

Approaching menopause

Once the blood work is examined, if the hormone levels are within normal limits, Hair should show re-growth within a year. There is a condition known as “female telogen effluvium”, which simply put, means that numerous Hair follicles are in a resting phase at the same time.

If hormone levels are not normal, treatment should begin to address the underlying condition and re-adjust the hormone levels. Upon the return to normal hormone levels, Hair should begin to grow again, as per normal.

There are numerous re-growth treatments on the market, some of which are not recommended for use by women. Your doctor can help determine the various benefits and drawbacks of the available medications.

Minoxidil is widely recommended as a Hair growth stimulant.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Hair Loss

Telogen Effluvium is triggered by physiologic stress or hormonal change and the Effect is diffuse shedding of the Hair. It is a form of nonscarring alopecia that induces a large portion of Hairs to enter the telogen phase simultaneously.

This condition can last for several months and generally affects the Hair on the scalp, although it can affect Hair growth on all parts of the body.

Telogen Effluvium affects those who have recently undergone some form of trauma such as: childbirth, chemotherapy, major surgery, severe illness and psychological duress. It is directly related to the normal Hair growth cycle.

The normal Hair growth cycle consists of three stages, which are:

The Anagen stage, when the Hair consistently grows for a period of about three years. During this period, all of the Hairs grow at the rate of about six inches per year. This may depend on one’s hereditary traits, health and age.

The Catagen stage, lasts for about three weeks and is the time when the Hair shaft becomes detached from the dermal papilla and moves upward through a contracting follicle.

The Telogen stage, is the resting stage that lasts for about three months. During this period the Hair detaches itself from the follicle and falls out. The cycle then repeats itself.

The shedding of Hairs is by no means an unnatural occurrence as anything from 100 to 300 Hairs are normally shed from the scalp each day. Telogen Effluvium occurs when large numbers of Hairs are prematurely pushed from the growth (anagen) phase into the resting (telogen) phase. These Telogen Hairs are only loosely attached at the roots and therefore fall out readily.

The good news is that generally, recovery is spontaneous and occurs within 6 months.

The symptoms of Telogen Effluvium include the rapid thinning of Hair throughout the scalp, the onset of which can be quite acute.
If this condition has been preceded by any kind of trauma then chances are that you are suffering the Effects of Telogen Effluvium.

As the Effects of the trauma are overcome, the the condition will pass and normal Hair re-growth will return. There is no treatment for Telogen Effluvium, apart from rest and a healthy diet, however Minoxidil is recommended to stimulate Hair re-growth.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Hair Loss

Well if you’re like me, middle aged and have a hairline that is rapidly receding, you may be asking yourself, “should I think about having a hair transplant?”

As far as I can tell there are basically two major factors that will determine if and when you should have a hair transplant.

The first thing that you must determine is whether or not your hair loss is permanent

Obviously if your hair loss is not permanent then a hair transplant isn’t something for you to even consider. This article isn’t able to tell if your hair loss is permanent or possibly a temporary situation, only you and your doctor are in a position to determine this.

If you’re looking for an example of a possible temporary hair loss situation, then one consideration is that people with poor blood circulation can sometimes experience hair loss at a more rapid pace than the average person. If a blood circulation problem is apparent and you can have it improved, then quite often hair growth may be restored for these individuals. In such a situation, no hair transplant would be needed.

Doctor and patient need to find the root cause of hair loss before any decision can be made as to when a hair transplant should be done. Your current health condition plays a major role in the health of your hair, sometimes improving your health either through diet or exercise, or doctor approved medication will take the whole hair transplant question right out of your life.

The next big factor in determining when you should have a hair transplant, is to decide if having a hair transplant is going to actually improve your life. Some men can answer this question with a resounding “yes”, without hesitation.

But what are your reasons for looking at a hair transplant? If it’s simply because society thinks someone of your age should have hair, maybe that’s not a good enough reason.

Do you think you’ll be a more confident person with more hair? Do you think you’ll look more attractive to that special someone?

If you don’t really know if having a hair transplant is going to change your life dramatically, then now is not the time to be considering one. As time goes on, when you can answer some of these questions with a strong yes, then it’s time to get more serious about a hair transplant.

So if you and your doctor have come to the conclusion that your hair loss is permanent and you know without hesitation that a hair transplant is going to change the way you view yourself, then a hair transplant is worth looking into.

If you can’t determine the cause of your hair loss or the motivating reasons to have one done, you need to keep digging for answers before a hair transplant is an option for you.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Prior to your Hair Transplant you must make thorough preparations.

There are a number of important decisions to be made in your doctors consultation rooms in Preparation For Your Hair Transplant. Careful Preparation will ensure that the results of the operation will be that of a successful Transplant and one that you will be happy with for the rest of your life.

From an aesthetic, cosmetic point of view, probably the most crucial issue will be where to place your new hairline and what shape to make it. What you decide however will depend on a number of factors including what age you are, what type of hair you have, your individual pattern of Hair Loss and how much hair has been lost at the time of the transplant.

A 25 year old will have a totally different expectation of where he wants his Hair line than say a 45 year old, but a responsible Doctor will need to find a solution that will still look good at 70 years or more.

To do this he will need to take into account the potential for further Hair Loss behind the Transplant area, and possibly the need for additional procedures, at a later stage. This will mean careful conservation of the donor area to ensure there will be sufficient permanent hair left.

To be able to have a more meaningful input in the planning process, the more you understand about your particular Hair type and the stages the balding process is likely to go through, and the causes behind it, the better.

The greatest risk with transplant procedures is in things not turning out the way you expected. The best way to eliminate this risk is to thoroughly understand what to expect, and why.

Once you have a grasp of what is needed and why, you will want to discuss with your doctor the exact process you will go through during the procedure. He should be able to provide you with a detailed plan of the day and what to expect at every stage.

One factor which can limit the available quantity of hair for transplanting is how tight or loose the scalp is on the scull. The looser the better as far as ease of harvesting the donor strips is concerned.

One group of surgeons recommends the patient perform a simple exercise to promote this scalp “laxity” which involves interlacing the fingers on the back of the head where the permanent Hair is located and pressing firmly enough to slide the scalp forward and back for about 5 minutes at a time several times a day.

This can also be done to the sides of the head as well. This practice should begin as soon as possible once the decision to go ahead with the transplant is made.

Deciding to use a surgical Hair Transplant technique is something that is going to effect you for the rest of your life so this is a decision that must be entered into thoughtfully and reasonably and with a working knowledge of the procedures and the possible risks.

Who you choose to carry out the procedure is obviously of crucial importance. Technical expertise is vital but so also is the aesthetic understanding and long term vision to help you make the right decisions that you will be happy with for the rest of your life.

Taking this step towards boosting your self esteem and refining your image could be the most profound step you ever take in improving your physical appearance and emotional wellbeing. Enjoy it!

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Many women find bald men attractive and sexually alluring. And indeed there are men who actually live happily with their baldness.

However, the fact remains that a good number of men are seriously preoccupied with the thinning, and subsequent loss of their hair. They are eager to stop the unhappy process and would readily consider any means to keep a good crop of hair on their head.

A positive way to replace your lost hair is that of hair transplanting, which entails surgery. This procedure consists of transplanting a strip of skin, filled with follicular units, from the back of the scalp and grafting it into the area of the scalp that is balding.

Wherever such a strip of hair is planted, the follicular units of hair on it will keep growing just as they did at the back of the scalp. Hair from this transplanting method lasts a lifetime and will not be affected by male pattern baldness.

There are certain factors that you should be aware of before you consider adopting the hair transplant procedure.

Keeping these pointers in mind is a good guide for you, if and when you decide to get a hair transplant.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Which of the following statements is true?

1-You have an 85% chance of winning the lottery when you buy only one ticket.

2-You have an 84% chance of living to age 120 if you eat a pickle a day.

3-You have an 85% chance of keeping all the hair you currently have by taking a pill every day.

Well, if you picked number 3, then you are correct.

The pill is called propecia and it is a product of scientific serendipity, which is another way of saying that it is a fortunate, accidental consequence.

Over 20 years ago, Merck Pharmaceuticals brought a drug called proscar onto the market, proscar was approved for the prevention of BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia).
The active ingredient in proscar was 5mg of finasterade.

The medicine was taken daily by a group of men that were over 60 and suffered from the condition, BPH.

Finasterade was not only found to inhibit the formation of prostate cancer, but was also found to inhibit hair loss.
Further testing by Merck indicated that the lowest effective quantity of finasterade was 1mg.

Overall, a two year test, conducted on 1,553 men, showed 83% maintained or, in fact, increased their hair count from the baseline.

This original test began in 1997, and it was reported that the original test subjects actually maintained successful results for another 4 years after the trial was over.
This 1 mg of finesterade was marketed under the brand name, Propecia.

A further consequence of taking propecia is that it affects the levels of testosterone (male hormone) in the body, and therefore is available only by prescription.
The advice of a Physician should be sought and the recommended dosage followed without custom modification.

Hormonal balances can be delicate and keeping to a regular dosage helps to ensure stability.

When should I start taking propecia?

The shedding of hair may not be a sign that you immediately need to start treatment with propecia. There is a natural three stage process of hair growth and renewal that sometimes, can be literally shocked into premature shedding.

This seemingly spontaneous shedding, also known as Telegen Effluvium, is not a permanent condition and usually results in replacement hair growth.

Propecia treatment is a very gradual process and requires patience on the part of the user. One should not expect results for about three months, with typical regrowth not appearing until the 8th month.
Optimum results do not appear until at least a year after commencement of the treatment.

The cost of drugs today, varies from place to place and brand to brand, so it’s also advisable to shop around before choosing which brand of medication you are going to use.

Relatively speaking, proscar and propecia both contain the same active ingredient, finasterade, but the dosage amounts vary. There is 5mg of finasterade in proscar, but propecia only contains 1 mg of finasterade.

So, in a prescription of proscar, you conceivably can obtain five times the number of doses for a similar prescription for propecia. If the two prescriptions are priced closely, obviously getting the proscar and splitting the pills would be the most cost effective way to go.

Taking the time to research this aspect of which preparation that you choose, may be worthwhile.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Most of us are used to seeing bald men, but did you know that approximately 30 million women in the United States alone are losing their hair?

Hair grows at the rate of about 1/2 inch per month. The average person loses about 100-125 hairs per day which are then replaced with new hairs. Baldness occurs when the hair falls out but is not replaced with a new hair.

Just as men and women differ in so many other ways, they also differ in the way they lose their hair. A man tends to lose his hair as a result of a genetic predisposition associated with aging. He usually loses hair on the temple, the crown and the bald spot in the back of the head.

On the other hand, a woman rarely loses her hair due to genetic factors. And, you will likely never see a totally bald woman unless she suffers from the more severe side effects of chemotherapy.

Women tend to have thinning hair predominantly over the top and sides of the head. Although many women find that their hair thins after going through menopause, balding can happen at any time and often results from an underlying medical condition.

Certain types of auto immune disorders create a hair loss problem known as alopecia areata. This inflammatory condition causes the hair to come out in clumps or patches as the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles.
Various methods of treatment are available but currently no definitive cure exists.

Telogen effluvium, another common condition, is a temporary hair shedding problem. It often follows childbirth, crash dieting, surgery or a traumatic emotional event.
This condition usually resolves on its own after the precipitating event ends.

Other medical conditions such as lupus, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid problems, anemia or hormonal imbalances can often result in hair loss.

Even taking certain medications can cause hair loss. Some of the more common culprits are ibuprofen, antidepressants, hypertension drugs, anticoagulants and chemotherapy.

When treating hair loss in women a correct diagnosis is essential so that any underlying physical problem can be corrected first.

Fortunately for a large percentage of women, hair loss is reversible for them.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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If you study biology very deeply you will find that there are two phases to which hair follicles are subject.

The anagen phase and the telogen phase.

The anagen phase is the active phase where signals are sent to the upper or outer layer of the skin to cause it to become active and generate an appendage which then grows and becomes a hair follicle.

The telogen phase is the opposite of that and is where the hair follicle receives a message causing it to shut down and no longer produce the hair.

As you may have heard and understood, these hair growing cells are also known as stem cells prior to having their solid identity. Stem cells evolve into whatever their job and position in the body requires them to be.

An estimated 52 million
Americans suffer from
some degree of hair loss.
Courtesy of (CNN)
The question, as far as hair loss and the treatment of hair loss is concerned, then becomes divided: What signals the stem cell to become a follicle, what signals it to grow a hair and what signals it to stop growing a hair?

Good question and the answer has not yet been fully answered.

Dr. Richard Lee has spent his career looking at various treatments to cause the growth of hair and has spent considerable time and research hours attempting to answer this question.

So, far it has been confirmed that certain amino acids or mesodermal proteins called Wnt can and do in fact, have the ability to turn on the genes in the nucleus of the cell to produce the nodule that becomes the hair follicle.
After the follicle is formed the Wnt sends the signal to the matrix cells and causes them to become a hair producing follicle.

Subjecting laboratory mice to this process, researchers were able to cause the mice to grow an incredibly thick coat of fur. The problem with that is that over stimulating the cells in this fashion created a backlash of sorts.
It caused benign lumps on the epidermal layer similar to human scalp tumors called pilotricoloma.

While these bumps may have some benefits to those that read other’s bumps on their heads this is not a desirable result from attempting to grow hair.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be bald than have something called pilotricoloma.

Still the challenge for researchers, is to find a way to apply this Wnt so that the application mimics mother nature in terms of amount and timing.

If successful they will have dealt a blow to male pattern baldness.

When One Treatment Falls Short, Another is Tried

In the treatment above using Wnt the researchers basically inhibited the chemical beta-catenin in the epidermal cells.

So, other researchers examined a different path by focusing on stimulating the hair keratin genes.
A protein called lymphocyte enhancer factor or LEF1 was used to stimulate the hair follicle after finding that this protein is present in follicle formation during the embryonic stage.

The bottom line here was they genetically manipulated mice to be born with an excess of LEF1 in their systems. The result was a truly hairy species of mice.

Other researchers found that mice with no LEF1 in the system were basically devoid of hair. Aha, I need more LEF1 you might say.
Well, not necessarily so.

As with the first treatment idea the above has not proved to be completely satisfactory.

Then, along comes the “sonic hedgehog” or Shh.
I suppose they named this after the spiny-haired animal the hedgehog.
Shh, a secreted morphogen, has been found to be an extremely important factor for growing hair.

Researchers have found that this solution plays an important factor in developing the embryonic follicle into maturity. The treatment has had success in adding follicles between other dormant follicles as well as causing some dormant follicles to come out of their telogen (inactive) phase and begin to produce hair again.

But, as we know it’s not nice to mess with mother nature and she reacts by growing very unwelcome cells called basal carcinomas.
Again I’d rather be bald.

All of these directions in research have promise.
The problem is truly uncovering what it takes to mimic mother nature so that a correct and safe result is attained.

Perhaps the answer is in another direction as described in “The Biology of Belief” by Bruce Lipton, Ph.D. who maintains that cells are influenced by their environment and our thought processes more than externals.
His research does more than indicates this. Give it some thought.

For further information on the cause and treatment of hair loss, visit our websites at: Hair Hunter

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Before deciding to replace your lost hair with a hair piece, perhaps the first thing to consider is the emotional aspect of losing your hair.

Hair loss is traumatic. Don’t let those who aren’t afflicted with the condition fool you with their casual attitude and off-the-cuff advice, such as “just get a wig” or “it’s only hair.”
Hair loss can affect our self-esteem and our self-image and destroy our confidence.

Hair is very much a part of society’s image of beautiful people. Just take a look at the magazines, TV, movies and all types of advertisements.
Of course all those stars and models are young, society “worships” youth, and a sign of youth is a full head of hair. So it follows that as we start to lose our hair, we start to lose ourselves and our youth, regardless of our age.

As with any loss in life, you will and should go through some phases of loss and grieving.
These phases are generally portrayed by signs of denial, anger, depression, bargaining and finally acceptance.

Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s just hair because it’s not, it is also your ego, the “self” that you have always known.

Don’t be overcome by fear or panic as the realization that you are losing your hair dawns on you, there are many helpful resources at your disposal.

The first step is to simply talk to someone you trust about your hair loss. This may be a spouse, your doctor, or a friend who has also experienced the trauma of hair loss.
You may find that a friend has overcome his emotional reactions, been able to shift his paradigm and display a completely different outlook on hair loss than you do, because at this stage, you are in a state of shock.

This simple act of discussing your problem with someone else may reduce your driving need to just replace your loss with an irreversible procedure that, possibly, will not provide total satisfaction.

Take your time and calmly research all the hair replacement options available to you, then make a considered decision, not a panicked one.

It follows then that your next step in your intention to cope with losing your hair by buying a hairpiece will be to determine what options are available for you.

You need to find a hair piece provider with experience, compassion and integrity. Ask the potential provider to have some of his past purchasers get in touch with you, so that you can discuss with them their experiences and the supplier’s products.
If at all possible, set up a personal meeting so that you can see how the hairpiece actually looks.

You will need to consider the type of hair piece that is most suitable for your needs.
You will want to discuss with your hair piece provider the types of materials that he will use to create your hair piece. These points, along with the actual attachment process, whether skin, adhesive or a surgical method, will help determine the cost of the hair piece.

These are just a few of the considerations you must give thought to when you begin to experience hair loss and decide to disguise the fact.

Do not shortchange the first step of accepting the fact that you are losing your hair.
When you have decided that a hairpiece is the alternative that you are looking for, weigh up all of the options before taking action.

For more information visit our websites at: hair Hunter

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