The Washington Post conducted a survey and found a staggering statistic; Americans spend over 3.5 billion dollars every year on trying to solve the problem of balding. Furthermore, it was found that 99% of the options used by the people led to no solution. The market today is flooded by treatments available for hair loss but few of them ever work. As a measure to control the sale of these products, awareness is generated amongst people to use only those products that pass FDA clearance and are supported by the Hair Loss Association.
The most successful way to treat hair loss is to capture it in its initial stages. Once the hair loss process has hit the later stages, surgery remains as the only viable option. Of course there are various medicines that promise hair regrowth, but unless used with regular discipline, they wouldn’t yield good results. Luckily for those suffering from the problem of baldness, medicine and research have gone a long way and now there are solutions to the problems. Especially the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors which have taken the process of hair loss treatment to a new evolutionary phase.
For many, hair loss occurs because of genetic mark-up. It is impossible with the current technology to remove that gene or to render it as non-functioning. Hence the only way around the problem is to capture it once it has begun and to stop it there on. Medicines such as Finasteride have proven to be effective in curbing the problem of hair loss in men. Being the only oral medicine to have FDA approval speaks volumes about the medicine’s effectiveness. Since the only truly effective way to stop the problem of hair loss it to somehow lower the volume of DHT levels, all FDA approved drugs do the same. There are inhibitors which prevent the conversion of free testosterone to DHT.
Similarly there is the drug Minoxidil. This drug was originally used to control high blood pressure. But the users of oral minoxidil started gaining hair as a side-effect. It led to hair growth on foreheads and back of hands. Observing this, the drug was applied tropically to the scalp and it produced results in the form of hair growth. Today the drug is popularly known as Rogaine. With regular use of Rogaine, hair loss can be treated and the new hair growth can be sustained. However, if usage is stopped, long-term effects are minimal.
The statement “Hair Loss Solutions” creates the same amount of distrust in our minds as does “Win a Million Dollars NOW!” Somehow, they just don’t seem to work. All the too good to be true schemes aside, there are luckily quite a few solutions out there that do provide a solution to hair loss. So before a patient gets distracted enough to click on a button that is screaming Hair Loss Solutions, he should do proper research and realize that magical solutions don’t work. Medical solutions do.
Hair loss can be a very emotionally tormenting situation for many. Even though there those who would take it up proudly to seek resemblance with the charismatic likes of Bruce Willis and more, there are millions out there who suffer depression and low self-image as a result of balding. The situation is even worse with women, for whom hair is of utmost importance and being bald is socially unacceptable. With such circumstances it wouldn’t be wrong to state that the general masses are in desperate need of a solution to hair loss. Capitalizing on the very same emotion, the fake-experts and merchants present options to the people that would never work and only go the length of purging money from the pockets of many.
To understand which hair loss solution would work best for someone, they must first analyse the cause of the same. Most baldness occurs due to genetic flaws. Passed on from generation to generation the inheritance of a receding hairline is one gift everyone would gladly give away. Sadly though, there are no medical options to solve the genetic problem at present. Since there is no way to stop the baldness from happening, the only thing to do here is that when it does happen, use medicines and drugs that inhibit DHT which is the main cause behind baldness. If one is certain that the baldness has been initiated by genetic mark-up then this is the best solution.
In many cases it is post-traumatic stress and symptoms that cause baldness. Even general psychological stress can lead to such baldness. To solve the problem in such situations, meditation, stress-relievers and exercises can prove to be exceedingly useful. Even though they also indirectly are working towards the lowering of DHT, they work in a far more natural way and hence leave no side effects. Their results are also long term and permanent.
Woman today is far more independent than she was a few decades ago. She is setting new standards. This has added responsibility on her shoulders. As a result problems of depression, stress etc has taken a toll over her. It is a root cause of hair problems. With age hairs tend to become thinner. At least 5% of women suffer from it. Dust, pollution and changing whether also affect their hair.
Few years back research found out that men and women hair were different in many ways. Their care and treatment also required different considerations. Although treatment is not very different from that of men but there are a few things that should be kept in mind. Long hairs require more care. In the era of glamour, uses of color (and different chemicals) also have an effect. But there is nothing to worry. Just a bit of care and precautions can still keep your hair glossy and manageable at all times.
Causes of hair loss
Root cause of hair loss is dandruff. It happens when head skin remains dry. However excessively treating hair with water can also be the reason of dandruff because it evaporates it also takes away the existent moisture. Slow growth of hair is another reason for hair loss in women. Sometimes causes may be genetic. Ageing and constant exposure to dust, pollution and chemicals are other reasons for hair loss in women.
Growing importance of herbal products
Treatment of hair loss is somewhat similar to that in men, only difference is the active ingredient used in shampoos, lotions etc. Most of the women hair care products contain herbal supplements. They are lighter. They apart from strength they are more significant in giving shine and smoothness to hairs. Shampoos for men are more important for strength. Herbal products are soon becoming very popular for they have shown amazing results in hair care. Now a day’s even men’s hair remedies are being dealt by herbal products.
Some tips to prevent hair loss
Coconut oil massage for 10 to 15 minutes can help fight scalp. Hairs should be washed regularly once in a day. It is recommended to use shampoo not more than 3 or 4 times in a week. Massaging hairs with honey mixed with egg yolk helps strengthen the hair my fulfilling the protein requirement of hairs. Eating healthy, staying away from junk food and exercising can also prevent any hair problems.
Balding is commonly associated with men. And why shouldn’t it be, after-all it is the 50% male population around the world who are suffering from it. And one of the most prominent genes associated with balding is X-linked. But in certain situations it is women who suffer from balding too. With over 30 million women in the Unites States alone suffering from this problem.
The American Academy of Dermatology has noted in its report that hair loss normally occurs in women only after they have reached the age of 50. It may occur earlier as a result of stress, crash diets, pregnancy or chronic illness. However in today’s times, this problem is occurring with women as young as 15-16.
The reasons why female balding occurs is completely different from those of male balding. Baldness in males occur by increase in the amount of DHT or free testosterone. These hormones are present in very small amount in women, hence they cannot be directly associated with balding in women.
In women the process of hair loss is different from that in men in also the way it progresses. In men it occurs around a fulcrum position and grows from that epicentre. However in women the balding pattern is diffuse. It goes all around the top of the head and can hence affect women at any point in their life.
Sexual milestones can also lead to hair loss. Menopause and pregnancy have shown to be a reason for such hair loss. Ovarian cysts also have similar effects. Many women use birth control pills which have a high androgen index. This can cause an increase in baldness. Thyroid disorders, chronic illness, medications with side effect, anaemia and chemotherapy can also lead to baldness.
The psychological effect associated with baldness is exceptionally pronounced in the case of women. Primarily because of the society’s viewpoint. The society does not accept female balding as comfortably as it does male balding. For women the concept of looking-good goes a long way with the way their hair is dressed. As a result, female balding can cause serious loss of self-image and lead to various psychological disorders. Increased anxiety and depression can result out of such situations as well. It is important for women in such situations to be strong willed and to utilize all available methods of hair growth and recovery. Their families too need to be supportive so that they can cope up with this problem.
4 in 7 people carry the balding gene. Over 25% of teenagers will hit receding hair-lines before they turn 20. In short, the world is going bald! And to solve this problem that is touching the lives of so many people, there are various options available for baldness treatment. The industry in itself has grown to over a billion dollars annually. With extensive research and innovative ideas, one can finally fight back baldness.
The first treatment to baldness is a major lifestyle change. Since baldness is stimulated by DHT which is created by conversion of free testosterone to DHT, one can do exercises that reduce free testosterone. Vigorous aerobic exercises when done daily along with a moderate fat and calorie intake diet can reduce the baseline of free testosterone. This also lowers the insulin baseline. A lower insulin level combined with lower stress levels increase the levels of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. This binds to the free testosterone thereby limiting the production of DHT.
The second method of treatment is to use FDA approved drugs. There are currently two major drugs available in the market that have been approved by the FDA. The first one Is Minoxidil which is a vasodilator. It was originally developed to help patients with high blood pressure but when the side effect of excessive hair growth was noted it was immediately marketed in the form of a topical solution to help with baldness. Today this drug is famous as Rogaine. The problem with Rogaine is that it is a temporary solution to the problem; hence it needs to be used every day to maintain the effect. The second drug is the oral medication of Finasteride, which is a DHT inhibitor. By inhibiting the growth of DHT it significantly solves the problem of balding. However Finasteride should only be used by men since it can cause severe birth defects to foetuses.
As further treatment options, laser therapy and scalp massages are available. Laser therapy utilizes low-level laser light to stimulate hair growth. The hair follicles are photo-bio stimulated to this effect. In case of scalp massage, exotic oils along with massages help relax the scalp and increase blood flow to the follicles which helps in increasing hair growth.
The advent of genetic technology has led to recognition of the specific genes associated with balding. In the near future we can expect to have medications that shall target these genes in particular.
With 4 in 7 people carrying the gene that leads to balding, it comes as no surprise that the baldness therapy industry is a whooping one billion US dollars industry. The advancement of science and technology has led to various breakthroughs. Ever since the role of dihydrotestosterone has been understood, various drugs for therapy have come into the market. Research has truly made baldness a thing of the past and baldness therapy a gigantic market.
The Food & Drug administration in the US has approved two medicines for the treatment of balding. One of them is Minoxidil, more popularly known as Rogaine. Originally used exclusively as a treatment to high blood pressure owing to its properties as a vasodilator, it wasn’t long before its side-effects showed no light. Increased hair growth was a common effect seen as a usage of Minoxidil. It was then that Minoxidil in the form of a topical solution was marketed to treat balding. It does so by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels. This allows more blood, oxygen and nutrients to reach the follicle. Finally leading to new thicker hair. Sadly though the effect is only temporary, necessitating the usage of this drug on a regular basis to maintain the hair regrowth.
The other drug available for therapy is the Finasteride. This works on the research that shows the importance of DHT in the process of balding. By inhibiting conversion of free testosterone to DHT this drug reduces balding. It is an oral drug and statistics show that it is effective in over 83% of the cases it was tested on.
In further therapy options available, laser therapy is also used. Certain devices utilize low-level laser light to stimulate the hair follicles. This photo-bio stimulation leads to hair growth. Therapy for baldness also extends into the realm of massages and exotic oils which claim to be increasingly effective in stopping and reversing balding. These oils essentially inhibit DHT and provide the hair follicles with nutrients necessary for new hair growth.
As one of the more common method of baldness therapy, special shampoos are also available. These shampoos contain ketoconazole. This increases hair density, production and size. With effectiveness comparable to Rogaine, this shampoo needs to be used only 2-4 times weekly. By treating the malaseezia fungus that inhabits the scalp, this drug prevents hair loss and increases hair growth. The only issue here being the fact that many of these shampoos have not yet received FDA clearance and hence aren’t available to the general public.
In a society that is predominantly driven by a desire to look attractive, anything that seriously hampers that look can lead to increased psychological suffering. Baldness has a similar effect on people. In a world where the mind-set is such that the hair-care industry is a phenomenal multibillion dollar enterprise, being one of those few with no hair at all can have serious repercussions. By understanding the psychological impact and the physiological impact of balding we can come a step closer to understanding what exactly does balding result to.
Every person has a self-concept or a body image. This psychological backup of a person determines a lot of variables for them. This determines their mood-swings, their way of talking and interacting and their social awareness. However alopecia, or balding, especially in the sudden cases such as those initiated by chemotherapy or infection can cause changes in a person’s body image and self-concept.
The body image of such a patient does not return to normal even after the hair growth starts again. This leads to difficulties in expressing feelings and an increased exposure to family conflicts.
While on the other hand there are many who take balding as a sign of resemblance to various other charismatic and enigmatic bald men of the likes of Ben Kingsley, Sean Connery, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham and more. For these men, this likelihood is more of a proud moment than a psychological distress. Using this mind-set families can help solve the psychological stress problems found in the individuals who are having trouble coping up with the concept of balding. This process is called embracing baldness. By embracing the situation one can become more tolerant of it and hence will have less response to the negative side of it. This helps people with balding to stop leading a hollow life.
Since the society has become acceptable of shaved heads, people suffering from balding can resort to this accepted norm to turn their problem into a fashion statement. They can also capitalize on the various misleading myths about being bald. Many of which link up baldness to a person’s intelligence, job, social status, class, wealth, virility and more. Various comedians even use their baldness for self-depreciatory humour.
One way or the other, baldness results in a psychological change in a person. It is up to him and his family now to make this change a positive one.
More than often this phenomenon is limited to our heads for that is where most of the hair on our body is found. However in extreme situations such as the Alopecia Universalis, the entire body becomes devoid of hair. Baldness isn’t an overnight condition and usually occurs under the male pattern baldness where it is a progressive hair thinning exercise.
The statistics are staggering in this scenario. With over 73% men suffering from the same it isn’t a surprise to see people with receding hairline walking around. Almost 25% men start balding even before they hit 20. But research shows that balding takes little stimulus from the environment conditions. It seems to be more driven by the genetic mark up of a person. And when the genetic reports are seen, we can see that there is a 4 in 7 chance of carrying the specific balding gene.
To understand the concept of balding in detail it is essential to see the various factors that contribute to it. Increased or excessive force on hair can lead to traction alopecia. This form of balding is prevalent in people who tie their hair into ponytails. The force exerted on the hair while pulling on them in this knot can lead to balding. Traumas which include but are not limited to poisoning, surgery, chemotherapy and childbirth also contribute to baldness. Psychological traumas such as severe stress also has a similar effect on a person. Mycotic infections and iron deficiencies also cause hair loss.
When the genetic mark-up is studied in extensive detail it is clear that there are various genes involved in the process of balding. A very prominent one among these is an X-linked gene, this triggers the male pattern balding. Even though there are other genes lined to this problem which are specifically not sex-linked; research has shown that the most prominent one is the X-linked gene. With a second most important position going to a gene on the chromosome 20.
Genetic or non-genetic, hair loss or balding is a severe problem that is faced by millions of people around the globe. It can have serious psychological impacts on certain few and this can lead to pronounced stress and other such problems. Extensive research is being conducted in the field today to ensure that those suffering from balding can regrow or thicken their hair.
Sometimes what is beneficial for one person may not be for another. Therefore finding out the cause behind your hair loss is of utmost importance. There is not one magical method for reversing thinning hair.
There are medical treatments that can help cure hair loss however the risk of side effects is always attached. Muscle soreness and headaches can be caused by the chemicals that are contained within these medicines. Added to this is the fact that hair loss medication burn a hole in your pocket.
On the contrary natural hair loss remedies work along with your body to reverse the cause of hair loss. The major benefit of using natural medication is that they do not have any side effects therefore are much safer than allopathic medicine. Moreover their cost is much less. The only downfall is that the results are not instantaneous and the medication has to be taken for a longer period of time.
The reason behind the hair loss woes of men and women worldwide is androgenic alopecia more commonly referred to as male/female pattern baldness. This condition results when there is an excess amount of dihydrotestosterone hormone in the body. This in turn destroys the follicles and causes hair strands to fall off at a surprising rate.
Another common cause of thinning strands is inadequate nutrition. Inadequate nutrition may be another added factor leading to hair falling off. Hair needs vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C to keep healthy and glowing.
If the blood circulation is poor then too hair strands can fall off at an alarming rate. Massaging the scalp ten minutes before taking a bath will ensure that the blood is well circulated and ward off an hair trouble. Scalp massage everyday will prove to be good remedy in the long run.
Vitamin A and C are contained in the extract of the Nettle root. It helps drastically reduce DTH levels and promote hair growth. Boiling the herb and applying to your scalp will be very beneficial as well as inexpensive.
It is vital that you consult your physician and treat your falling hair before it leads to further damage. If your hair follicles sit on your scalp hairless then they will get filled with dirt and grime which will further affect their ability to grow hair. Be wise, if you see your hair strands falling off at an abnormal rate then don’t sit and crib or blame the season cycle but act and act fast.
The many products available make choosing the right one exceedingly difficult. As a result of which it has become important to read reviews and to do a good amount of research before investing time and money to a product of this sort. However a piece of advice common to all the products is that once chosen, the product should be regularly used so that the product itself has enough time to actually work. The top 3 products for hair loss have been reviewed below.
Provillus: One of the trusted names in the market of hair loss products, Provillus utilizes the drug Minoxidil to treat hair loss. It is a two-step treatment system utilizing a 5% Minoxidil topical treatment along with which one has an oral supplement too. The application frequency is twice daily. The topical gel prevents the DHT from reaching the healthy hair follicles on the scalp; this prevents the spreading of baldness to healthy scalp. The oral supplement on the other hand, controls the overall production of DHT in the body, there by controlling the problem at the root cause. It also has nutrients to help the regrowth of hair and the entire package comes with a 90 day money back guarantee. It can be used by men as well as women
Profollica: The three step system of the Profollica includes a shampoo, topical gel as well as oral supplement. This system too works by targeting the DHT. The system works its way around balding by firstly decreasing the amount of DHT produced in the body by the oral supplement. The second step involves preventing DHT from reaching the healthy follicles by utilizing the topical gel. This helps control balding, and finally the shampoo helps stimulate the follicles affected by DHT to increase hair growth. The key ingredient is not Minoxidil but instead is Trichogen. The product comes with a 67 day money back guarantee.
Procerin: The System developed by Procerin is a two-step solution that includes an oral supplement and a topical serum. The system works by blocking the DHT from reaching the scalp and by reducing the overall production of DHT in the body too. It provides a healthy condition for the affected follicles to grow new hair. A 90 day clinical study supports the product which as an 88% effective count. The topical serum is not a gel but foam that extends its usage to not just preventing DHT but also providing essential conditions for hair regrowth. The product comes with a 90 day money back guarantee.
