Male Cosmetic Surgery

Celebrity Hair Transplant: Virender Sehwag on the Spot

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 05:06:00 +0000

Hair loss affects a lot of men yearly, with a large chunk of that population consisting of aging men who are in their 50’s to 60’s.

When this happens to men around this age, we often attribute it to aging. But 20% of the total number consists of the guys who are still in their twenties to early thirties and are already losing a significant amount of hair.

Virender Sehwag is among these unfortunate individuals and had to be placed in a position where his condition is uncomfortably discussed in public.

There are a number of ways to treat this problem and it includes medications, laser, hair pieces and even the tacky comb-overs. But hair transplant is the treatment option most widely known to be an aggressive approach which is able to create a dramatic improvement.

This surgical method entails having to remove donor hairs at the back of the scalp which are then implanted to the bald or recipient area. Two known approach for removing hair donors are the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) or the strip method and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction).

Unlike the other well-publicized hair transplant of Bollywood’s Salman Khan, the one that Sehwag had is different than the popular methods used.

"You sell good when you look good", says Virender Sehwag concerning his hair transplant result in 2010. Sehwag is battling androgenetic alopecia.

For his case, DHI or Direct Hair Implantation method is used. DHI is known as the “no touch” technique which utilizes a small pen-like instrument which is able to implant hair follicles without having to resort to force or excessive handling from the surgeon. Therefore it limits the chances of follicular damage. Furthermore, it also allows the surgeon to control the placement, direction and depth of the hair grafts.

This procedure is able to create a natural-looking hairline, widow’s peak and crown swirls. It also eliminates the need for scalpels, holes and excessive pain because it is done on the topmost layer of the skin. With that only a small amount of local anesthetic is even required.

Today Virender Sehwag is most definitely impressed with his hair transplant results. This can also be evidenced by the improvement of his facial profile.

However this procedure can cost you more than the usual FUT and FUE method of hair transplantation. If budget is a concern but quality is top priority, the usual procedures are just as good when creating a natural-looking outcome. The secret here is that whether if it is FUT, FUE or DHI, it is best to choose a certified and highly skilled hair transplant surgeon.

Like Virender Sehwag, you can have a successful hair transplant of your own when you trust the right people to do it. Photo credit: public.resource.org via Small Kitchen / CC BY

A Look into Salman Khan Hair Transplant

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 05:44:00 +0000

One of Bollywood’s biggest actor and bad boy, Salman Khan was one of the few celebrities who are open about his battle with hair loss and his hair transplant.

As a person whose career is hinged largely on his looks, he certainly used the aggressive approach to relieve the problem. And today, his results became one of those that people look on to as a perfect example of a successful hair transplant.

Hair loss is a condition that is suffered by men, usually those who are aging. But unfortunately for 20% of these men, experience hair loss during their twenties. Salman Khan who is still in his early thirties was already showing signs of a receding hair line. And for someone who had a good volume of hair and whose image was defined by it, a hair transplant is a good option.

Compared to other treatments, hair transplant is considered to be the best viable choice because it gives good coverage and permanent results.

Unfortunately not all hair transplant services result to success, and Khan found this out in his first procedure back in 2003. He had another work done in Dubai back in 2007 to correct the botched results. It was said that it was an American doctor who performed the procedure, but no name was revealed to the public.

To Khan’s advantage, the results were highly favorable as evidenced by the excellent hair coverage. But what approach was used on Salman Khan?

As a public figure, it is important that the outcome provided good aesthetic results. This means that as much as possible it should be natural-looking and free from scars. That is why he opted for FUE or the Follicular Unit Extraction technique.

In hair transplant there are two approaches used to remove the follicular units or the donor hair grafts, and these are FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) and FUE. FUT is the traditional technique which removes a strip of the scalp containing the hair grafts. Each donor graft is then extracted by hair technicians using a high-powered microscope before it is implanted back to the head.

But the major drawback with FUT is that it causes a large scar at the back of the head, which is exactly what Khan was most certain to avoid. This led him to choose the more lengthy and expensive but aesthetically pleasing FUE.

FUE was developed in order to answer to the aesthetic drawback with FUT. Using a special tool; individual grafts are removed using a punch technique. As a result this leads to less detectable scars that also heal faster.

Reports claim that Khan’s donor grafts were taken from his body hair. This was to maintain the number of hairs in his head. And this is also possible and has been the method used by some patients. Body hair is also a viable option to treat baldness.

Some reports also claimed that due to the scarcity of donor hairs, some synthetic hair was also used to improve volume.

Today Salman Khan graces the screen with a head full of hair and an image crisis is fully averted with a good hair transplant.

Photo credit: ilovebolly.com via RemodelBlog / CC BY-ND

Did Lebron James Get a Hair Transplant?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 09:24:00 +0000

There have been speculations whether NBA’s most valuable player Lebron James joined the pool of celebrities who have gotten hair transplants. This spurred when a Nike Diamond Collection Apparel catalogue for the Holiday season came out with him sporting a much rather fuller head of hair.

James, who garnered a remarkable streak during last basketball season have impressed a lot of fans and even critics. However, no matter how much he shines on the court, he can’t veer away from the locker room jokes and comments from reporters about his receding hair line.

Has Lebron James finally had enough?

If the rumors were true, James is not the first famous athlete who had some hair transplant done. The English striker for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney was also candid about his surgical hair restoration procedure. At the ripe age of 26 Rooney’s battle with hair loss have also been catching media attention. James, who is now 27, is also observed to have a slowly progressing hair loss, which he conveniently conceals with a headband while on the court.

But some have started to suspect that his hair loss could be progressing as he was seen wearing two headbands during games. Unfortunately for him, he cannot wear it off the court without looking silly, leaving him with no choice but to brazenly sport his receding hairline. With a 14 million dollar paycheck, it comes as no surprise if he had some work done.

People are suspecting that he had the work done a little over two months ago, which is why we should be expecting the headband to go down a bit more to conceal those growing hair plugs. But we’ll just have to wait and see soon.

Hair loss and men in their 20's

The number of men who are starting to lose hair in their twenties is increasing every year. Back in the day, we only equate this with aging but we see younger males experiencing receding hairlines. Genetic predisposition, diet, stress, medications, and lifestyle are the factors that could be shifting the demographic affected to those who are much younger.

There are different ways to manage hair loss, from medications, laser treatment and the more invasive and expensive hair transplant surgery. Surgical hair restoration seems to be the best resort, but some bow out of it because of its hefty price tag.

These are well suited for those, like Lebron James who have more than enough to cash out on a very good procedure. But if you have the means and determined to get the kind of coverage a hair transplant is able to produce, the first important step is to find you a certified and reputable hair transplant surgeon. You could end up with something like Wayne Rooney’s impressively natural-looking results.

Another ingenious method to conceal the hair loss problem is to shave it off. Studies even show that those with shaved heads are considered to be appear more dominant, masculine, taller, and strong and even exuding leadership potential. This is much more preferable compared to the ingenious comb over and less appealing toupees.

Photo credit: Keith Allison via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Fixing and Repairing Hair Transplant Scars

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:27:00 +0000

Hair restoration surgery has long been proven to be a viable option for male pattern baldness. Not only does it help restore hair coverage, but it also helps augment a man’s confidence. However, hair transplant scars that may occur after the surgery is one of the issues that patients face.

Fortunately, new developments available today provide a lot of ways to treat the problem. It is important for men who underwent hair transplant surgery to manage the scars properly.

Some might not want others to know that they had something done, while others simply want to have a clean cut look when wearing their hair short. The degree of scarring in a hair transplant will depend on two factors that are controllable and uncontrollable.

First is the manner on which the doctor creates and closes the scar. The location should neither be too high or too low, and it should be closed properly using the right technique. An uncontrollable factor in scar formation is the patient’s genetic healing capacity.

Some may heal better than others, showing a very thin and faint scar that is barely visible. Some, on the other hand, may tend to have thicker and wider scars. In the recipient area the scar formation can be evident around the grafts. These can be in the form of bumps or dents, but these are not as visible as the linear scar at the donor site.

Scar Treatment Options

The easiest and cheapest way to manage a hair transplant scar is to grow the hair longer. For the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) technique in particular, the linear scar over the donor area at the back of the head can be visible. But with longer locks, this can be concealed easily. However, not all men who underwent hair transplant would go for longer hair, which is why experts look for other possible options.

One way to conceal hair transplant scarring is to use a concealer. It comes in different colors so patients can match based on the surrounding the skin. It has to be applied every day because this is only a temporary method, and it can last until your next shower sometimes even shorter. Brands such as DermMatch and ProTHIK are the ones most patients swear by.

DermMatch is prepared as a compacted powder concealer, while ProTHIK is more known to have superior water resistant and rub-resistant capabilities. The problem with concealers is that not everyone is keen on taking the time to apply it every day, and even several times daily for some. Micro hair tattooing (MHT) is also another way to hide hair transplant scars.

Compared to concealers, this is a more permanent solution. The tattoo is made over the scars to cover it up, and it is made to look as close as possible to the person’s natural hair color. The cosmetic tattoo artist will use several needles of varying sizes and different pigmentation to create a realistic effect. There are companies who develop their own brand of scalp pigmentation inks to perfectly camouflage the scar tissue. It recognizes the tough nature of a scar tissue making it less sensitive in receiving pigmentation or even retains it.

A particular service such as Good Look Ink Scalp Micro Pigmentation first provides a pre-treatment procedure before the actual tattoo is applied. It makes the scar retain the ink better because the process induces the natural production of collagen beneath scarred area. It makes it more vascularized causing the tissue to be healthy and for the ink to stay better.

The company also claims that the pre-treatment method can break down the scar tissue which causes the collagen fibers to realign and stimulate the production of melanin. As a result, both color and texture of the scar is improved allowing the tattoo to match the surrounding scalp more closely.

The Dermaroller is also a possible solution for hair transplant scars that is being observed lately. Even though it is primarily intended for acne scars treatment, stretch mark reduction, and anti-aging purposes, there are some patients who use it for hair transplant scars.

The Dermroller is a roller that is lined with needles which you roll over your skin in order to stimulate collagen production in the area. There is no definitive answer yet on whether it can help with the strip scar in a hair transplant, but some clinics are saying that they see no reason not to try it for this specific purpose.

However, there are some patients who share their positive experience with Dermroller because this product can actually be used at home. In forums they supported their claims with photos saying that the appearance of the strip scar has improved.

Another treatment that is also used on surgical scars is Fraxel. It is a non-invasive fractional laser treatment that is used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, sun spots, acne and melasma. It is believed by some clinics as a viable option for hair transplant scars because it works for any skin color without targeting melanin (the substance that causes the skin to darken). It works great for scars that are either flattened or elevated.

For some instead of just covering it up, they just want to get rid of the problem entirely, that is why they opt for scar revision surgery. In this procedure, the scar is removed and the scalp is pulled back together. There will still be some scarring but it will be much smaller than the original. The downside to this surgery is that as the person ages and the scalp loses its elasticity there is a good chance that the scar can widen, making it visible again.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is also another method of concealing hair transplant scars. It can be rather costly since you basically have to go under another hair transplant surgery. This time, the donor grafts are taken from the beard or chest hair and then implanted on the scar. Those with a high hair density in other areas of the body are considered to be the best candidates for this treatment.

Trycophitic Closure Technique Before your hair transplant surgery, discuss hair transplant scar treatments available to your surgeon. Your hair transplant surgeon can help minimize scarring by using a certain closure technique. Most surgeons use the trycophitic closure technique (TCT). Through the TCT the scars can be concealed well because the hairs can grow right through them.

5 Reasons Why am I Losing so much Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:57:00 +0000

So you think that you are doing everything you can to keep your hair as healthy as possible. But why is it that it doesn't seem to grow the way you hope it to be? This often boils down to two factors, and these are the hair care techniques and the products that you use. But let us go to five specific reasons that hamper healthy hair growth.

Hormones

Did you know that you are also producing some amounts of male hormones? In addition to estrogen, your body also produces testosterone. The outcome of hair growth depends on the critical balance between these two hormones.

Estrogen is the hormone that aids in the growth process, and even elongates the growth cycle when a woman enters pregnancy. When a woman has higher levels of testosterone in the body it can cause the hair to become thin and eventually shed, however it tends to grow thicker in areas such as the chin and the chest.

So if you notice that your hair is starting to get thin and shed in excessive amounts, it might be a sign that you should get your hormone levels checked.

Supplement overkill?

Taking supplements gives a boost to the health. The good thing about this is that they are easily available giving everyone the chance at optimum body function. However, a lot of people self-prescribe which lead to large doses of the nutrients. Too much of the good thing may actually be no longer beneficial for the body, and one side effect of this is hair loss.

If you think that you are falling short on some vitamins or minerals, it pays to get yourself checked by your doctor so that you can be prescribed with a blood workup.

Eating disorders

Your diet is one of the very things that you have to assess when you start to notice hair fall. If you are suffering from certain eating disorders, it also follows that hair can eventually suffer. For instance forgoing a lot of foods particularly those rich in protein can make the hair prone to breakage, slow growth and even hair loss.

If you sense that you have an eating disorder, it is best for you to seek counseling. The physical symptoms will also start to improve once the root cause of the problem is also resolved.

Low Iron Levels

A very important mineral for hair growth is iron, and when you have low levels of these there is a tendency for you to lose hair excessively. A blood workup can check your iron levels, and results can tell you if you need iron supplementation.

However, it doesn’t always follow that low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Some individuals don’t necessarily go through with this. If iron is an issue when it comes to your overall health, it is best for you to consult your doctor. Although it has a handful of benefits, iron is something that you also should not take in excess.

Thyroid heath

The hormones that your thyroid produce affects the growth and health of your hair, that is why if you have an under active thyroid, you would notice your hair that grows slower and sheds faster. Experts suggest that supplementation using synthetic hormones can help regain balance which also restores the normal growth phase of the hair. Again a blood workup is needed to check for thyroid function. Medications or supplements can be taken to reverse or halt any process of hair loss that could occur.

The Latest Trends in Cosmetic Surgery for Men

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:40:00 +0000

In a recent report by Fox News men are pining for more masculine features making it the latest trend for male cosmetic surgery for 2013. Gone are the days where the guys go for rounded chins and pert noses similar to that of Zac Efron or Leonardo Di Caprio.

Today, ethnic features are in particularly those with the likes of Daniel Craig, Jon Hamm or Michael Fassbender. According to Dr. Steven Teitelbaum, who is an associate professor of plastic surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine, “There’s less of a desire now for conventionally beautiful white-bread face. People are embracing strong features like ethnic, non-traditional noses.”

With these demands, people are opting for combination procedures that complement each other such as chin implants and nose surgery. Along with the square and defined jaws, it would indeed look better with a nose that would suit it perfectly for an overall improved result.

But one concern that men have is fitting these procedures into their tight schedules. With everything being so hectic they want something that would give them faster results.

Experts address this problem through smaller instruments which create finer incisions that also heal faster. Adding to that procedure such as micro-liposuction can help define the jawline which is often a problem area, particularly for those men in their thirties.

This is because of sun exposure and excess fat. With just mild sedation and half an hour of surgery with no sutures, one can already get the sculpting that they want with only very minimal bruising. Other options which are non-invasive in nature include Ultherapy.

This is known to be a non-invasive treatment which requires ultrasound technology that provides heat to the skin. It then heats up the collagen layers stimulating the skin tissue to tighten and generate new ones as well.

Less invasive procedures are more suitable for men in their 30's, who are not yet showing significant signs of aging. They don’t have much skin laxity to address that is why they don’t require too many alterations. This also allows them to go back to work the next day.

But one concern that is raised with non-invasive cosmetic treatments is that they can be addictive. With it being so easy to get and fast to recover from, some men can find themselves hooked into it. Take for instance the human Ken doll, Justin Jedlica, who just made a total artwork out of his face by using dermal fillers which is just one of the 113 cosmetic surgeries he had.

This can make you question whether the men today have gone extremely vain.

There are a lot of factors at play as to why male cosmetic surgery cases have increased in the past year. The media is one major influence and the highly competitive nature of the workforce also pushed some of these guys to get the enhancements needed. On that note, men are also becoming more critical on looks when it comes to their female counterparts. In a recent survey, men are saying that they would like their girl to get cosmetic surgery to improve their looks.

Procedures that they would want their girlfriends had done include liposuction, breast enhancement, nose jobs and Botox.

Hair Problems Men Face in the summer and How to Deal with It

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:29:00 +0000

Summer not only gives you salty skin and load of fun memories, but this season can also give you a string of hair problems. This can also be a problem to men as the very hot weather makes them vulnerable to it. The damage can be substantial with hair loss that is 3-4 times than usual, or it could be create significant shedding.

The summer can create more hair loss because this season can result to an abnormal secretion of the hormones that are responsible for hair growth. But this would also be affected by the state of your hair. For example, if your locks already have low density you are definitely more at risk for hair shedding. With the heat of the sun at its peak during the summer, one reason that could cause hair loss is dehydration.

When our system is unable to get enough water, it can leave the hair to become malnourished. Not enough water also means fewer nutrients which eventually cause the hairs to fall in excessive amounts. Another problem that most guys encounter during the season is flaky scalp due to the inflammation caused by the summer heat. If ever you start to notice flake formation the only way to combat this is to choose the right shampoo. Use one that is formulated particularly for dry hair and contains the ingredient ketoconazole.

This has an anti-yeast action since dandruff may be caused by an overreaction of the normal yeast that is found on the skin. Other ingredients that work the same way include zinc, selenium sulphide, tar, and salycilic acid. If one product does not work for you, you can shift to other brands with a different active ingredient.

But if ever the dryness and flakiness persists, it would certainly help to make an appointment with your doctor because you might already need a prescription-strength dandruff shampoo.

It is also inevitable to get exposed to too much sunlight during the summer which causes the scalp to get burnt. Men are more prone to get sunburn on their scalp because this area is often not protected. The characteristic of sunburn can come in small patches particularly in areas near the hairline, or it could affect larger areas that don’t have that much hair. You can treat sunburn to the scalp by massaging the affected area with a UV-healing shampoo which also has a cleansing action. Aloe Vera extract applied to the burnt area can also relieve the problem, but you have to make sure that it doesn't contain any alcohol.

For thinning or bald spots apply sunscreen over it with an SPF of 30 for proper protection. A spray form would be easier to apply. If the degree of sunburn already results to blisters, you can apply an antibiotic ointment to those that have ruptured and opened. This promotes immediate healing and prevents the introduction of infection.

The summer season can also bring in textural changes to the hair due to the hot temperature. You can apply petroleum base to the scalp to promote deep conditioning to the scalp. It improves blood circulation to the area and restores moisture. Those products that add extra body can also give your hair better coating making it shinier. But if your hair is too short or naturally straight you can do away with conditioners and opt for a combination shampoo/conditioner instead.

You can enjoy summer without having to worry about hair loss, you just have to learn how take care of your scalp and hair during the season. These are simple precautions which can leave you with a healthy head of hair you can enjoy for the rest of the year!

Unsuitable Shampoos Result to Hair Loss

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

In a recent statement released by doctors from Taiwan, they advised the public to opt for shampoos that are appropriate for their scalp conditions. This is to reduce the incidence of hair loss and other symptoms.

This came about when a man was reported to suffer from severe hair loss after sharing a bottle of shampoo with his girlfriend which was actually formulated to revitalize permed and damaged hair. The shampoo was said to have contained a number of nutrients which are not suited for the man’s condition therefore clogging his scalp follicles.

The symptoms did not appear right away and it took months before it was finally noticeable. It was the man’s use of inappropriate shampoo that exacerbated any pre-existing conditions that he has. This means to say that shampoos are not simply for cleansing, but you should also learn to look at the ingredient most especially if you have certain hair and scalp conditions.

In this particular case where the man used his girlfriend’s shampoo, it is important to know that the dermal sebaceous glands in men function at twice the rate as those in women. That is why it is advisable not to share shampoos between genders.

Aside from the biological makeup, there are ingredients that are in shampoos which lead to hair loss. This includes sulphates, sodium chloride, and formaldehyde. Sulfates, often listed as sodium lauryl sulphate and ammonium lauryl sulphate (ALS) are formulated in large quantities in certain shampoos so that they produce more foam. But according to research this doesn’t necessarily create benefits but in fact they are found to be irritants as evidenced by patch tests. In studies that are conducted on rats, it was shown that SLS and ALS were able to cause damage to hair follicles which potentially result to hair loss.

Sodium chloride, which many of us know as table salt, is actually mixed into shampoos as well as conditioners which contains sodium lauryl sulfate. This can result to dry and itchy scalp and can even cause a certain amount of hair loss. Another option would be to use shampoos that contain ammonium-based surfactants because these use ammonium chloride. Formaldehyde is also formulated in a lot of shampoos, even those used for babies. This is for the purpose of increasing its shelf life with its preservative action.

Formaldehyde is actually an ingredient that is most commonly used for embalming, and if exposed to excessive amounts this can result to DNA damage and even hair loss. In some cases, such as in Taiwan, the reason for most male hair loss is the humid climate. This can also have a negative effect on the scalp particularly for those who are already experiencing itchiness, dandruff and excessive oiliness of the scalp and hair.

If left untreated this promotes bacterial and fungal growth. That is why doctors urge patients to always visit hair doctor immediately before a simple hair dilemma results in widespread damage. For all you know, your hair loss could simply be remedied by just choosing the right shampoo.

Secrets to Curing Your Hair Loss with Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Losing hair in excessive amounts daily can be very alarming. But this isn't always a lost cause because there are so many solutions available today. And you might be surprised that you can even find a cure with the help of leaves.

To be more specific about it, this solution can be obtained through Ayurvedic treatments. According to Ayurveda, the root cause of hair fall is the excess of Pitta Dosha. This is due to an unhealthy lifestyle such as excessive intake of alcohol, coffee, oily or fried foods, excessive smoking, too much sun exposure, mental tension, stress, anemia, and excessive intake of medications.

The practice of Ayurveda makes use of elements such as fruits, flowers, leaves, and herbs. But today, let us focus on leaves and how it can work its miracle to treating hair loss.

Coriander or Cilantro Leaves

For excessive hair loss, you can try using coriander or cilantro leaves. Just pound or boil two handfuls of coriander leaves in order to make a paste. Then, you add just a few drops of almond oil and boiled hibiscus flowers, and viola! You have yourself a natural hair mask that prevents hair fall and improves hair growth. For the best results, apply this preparation once or twice a week.

Neem leaves

Neem leaves are also a great cure for hair fall. You prepare it by boiling the leaves in water and then allow it to cool for a few minutes. Afterwards, make a paste by pounding the leaves and add a few drops of honey and coconut oil. These are essential to improving hair strength and moisture. Apply this solution to your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash it with warm water followed by a cool rinse then use a mild shampoo to cleanse the scalp.

Leaving your scalp too oily can gather dust easily which eventually leads to other problems which could also contribute to hair loss.

Licorice leaves

Licorice leaves also has hair growth benefits. By squeezing the leaves or pounding them, you eventually release natural juices. Apply the juice once or twice a week and leave it on for a few minutes to aid in putting a stop to hair loss.

You can also grind licorice leaves with milk to form a paste and slather it over bald patches to promote hair growth.

Grinding spinach and lettuce leaves

Grinding spinach and lettuce leaves to extract their juices can give you a natural hair loss drink. Take this regularly and you’ll be fending off hair loss in no time.

Along with leaves you can also massage your scalp regularly with mustard oil or coconut oil and this can already help in halting hair loss. Arnica oil and Amala oil, which you can find in specialty stores or even in your own supermarket can also help in preventing excessive hair shedding. All these coupled with a soothing and gentle head massage can also stimulate good circulation which promotes hair growth and strength.

If you are having doubts about these methods, always consult your doctor. Although side effects are not always a concern with these Ayurvedic solutions, but it is a fact that there are certain hair loss problems that may be too advanced for this kind of treatment. Therefore always get prompt medical advice if you want the appropriate course of action done immediately.

How to Avoid Hair Loss in Women?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 05:14:00 +0000

The hair is one of the defining features of beauty in women. Losing a few strands a day is normal but there are instances where it can shed in alarming amounts. Since women are big on hairstyles and hair products, this places them at risk for hair thinning, breakage and excessive loss. To avoid these hair catastrophe here are some tips that can help you keep a healthy head of hair.

Avoid Tight Hairstyles

Tight hairstyles pose strain to the hair follicles. This includes tight ponytails, braids, cornrows and even hair weaves. Constantly wearing such hairstyles eventually leads to hair loss because it pulls the hair out of its roots. There are some female celebrities, like Naomi Campbell, who suffered from traction alopecia, or hair loss caused by a constant pulling force applied to the hair.

Comb Gently

Some women swear by doing 100 brush strokes daily to keep hair healthy. This may help stimulate your scalp to produce natural oils and improve circulation, but this also places your hairs at risk for damage. If you must comb, do it gently. Invest on a good brush or comb, specifically those that have wide teeth and smooth tips. It is also important that you go easy on brushing when the hair is wet because this is the time when it is most sensitive.

Go easy on Styling Tools and Products

There may be so many tutorials on Youtube making it easier for any girl to style the hair. But you should be very careful not to do this frequently because the abuse can be very bad for your hair. When using curling or straightening irons, make sure that you apply some protective coating over your hair first.

Get hold of your stress levels

The usual cause for hair loss in women is stress. Hormones can go haywire when you are under stress which can eventually lead to excessive hair fall. Know to manage your stress and strive to keep your body healthy through exercise, proper sleep and nutrition. Over time, this will reflect on the health of your hair.

Limit or avoid bad vices completely

Smoking and alcohol is also a significant contributor to hair loss in women. Those who smoke regularly are at a higher risk of female hair loss in the temple are, while heavy drinking can pose problems at the front of the head. If you want to give your hair the best chances at being lustrous and healthy, try to keep these vices at bay.

Take Supplements

Sometimes the main cause of hair loss is simply the lack of nutrients in the body. One of the important minerals for hair health is iron, and this is something whose numbers often suffer due to the monthly menstrual cycle. To be sure you can always approach your primary care physician before taking any iron supplements to know if you really need it. Too much in your system can also be detrimental for the body.

Four Tips to Manage Hair Loss

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 05:33:00 +0000

Are you seeing more and more hair go down the drain than on your head? If so then it is high time that you reassess your hair care regimen. If you don’t want to sport any bald spots anytime soon, let me give you the top 4 tips to manage excessive hair loss.

Watch Your Diet

If you want to keep your hair in place you have to look at what you eat. Most of the time people overlook the fact that your nutrition largely dictates the condition of the body. Diets that will benefit your hair in particular are those that are rich in antioxidants, tissue repairing proteins and B vitamins.

Antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E which can be found in oranges, carrots and apples will help your body get rid of harmful free radicals, which can create inflammatory responses causing your hair to fall off. Proteins promote hair growth and help to keep it strong and healthy, and you can get these from fish, eggs, lean meats and nuts. Meanwhile the family of B vitamins which you can get from bananas, spinach, milk cheese, brown rice and whole grain cereals improves the strength and thickness of your hair.

Since our diets don’t usually contain all the recommended nutrients that we need to keep our locks in the best shape, it is advisable that you take supplements to fill out those nutritional gaps.

Keep your Stress in Check

It is normal to go through different stresses every day, but it is also important that you keep these in check because eventually it can lead to negative physical symptoms. One of these symptoms is excessive hair loss, which is caused by the changes that stress creates to your hormone levels. This type of hair loss can be easily reverted once the stressor is promptly managed.

Check your Hairstyle Products

If you are fond of using a lot of hair products, you might want to reassess these to check if it is still doing your hair good. Some of the chemicals that you have to watch out for are hair dyes and perming solutions. These can be rather harsh both on your scalp and hair causing it to become flimsy and eventually start falling off.

It is also important that you wash your hair after using products such as gels, sprays and mousses because when these build up on your scalp, along with dirt and natural oils, it causes your hair follicles to weaken. So make sure that if you apply some hair styling products on your hair, promptly wash it before going to bed.

Change your Hairstyle

If you have seen the recent paparazzi shots of supermodel Naomi Campbell, this is the very example why you should check the kind of hairstyle that you wear. She basically lost a good amount of hair at the front of her scalp causing her hairline to recede.

Hairstyles that create significant strain to the hair follicles can eventually lead it to be uprooted off your scalp. For Naomi’s case, she was always known to wear weaves, which can be very tight and harsh to the roots of the hair, this is called traction alopecia. Tight braids and ponytails can also do the same. So to avoid this, try to let your hair down for a change.

Although it would be most unfortunate if the type of hair loss created leads to scarring. This can lead to permanent hair loss because the scars created blocks the hair follicles. The only answer to this type of problem would be hair transplant. Since hair transplant cost can be a little steep for most budgets, why not simply use more pressure relieving hairstyles instead.

Viagra for Propecia Sexual Side Effects?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 03:17:00 +0000

Hair loss is a condition that not only affects the sufferer’s physical appearance, but their self-esteem and confidence as well. They experience body image disturbance along with the feeling of hopelessness that they are losing control over what they are losing.

And this is where hair loss medications come in.

Unfortunately these too have risks, and one that has been making headlines today is the sexual side effects that it creates on men. Propecia is one of the most popular and trusted brands out in the market to treat cases of mild to moderate male pattern baldness. It comes with a generic name Finasteride, and this is manufactured by Merck, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies today. The action of Propecia is that it prevents the conversion of testosterone into the more active form DHT or dihydrotestosterone. With increased amounts of DHT in the blood, hair loss is sure to follow. But Propecia can help stop this action at its tracks, and then trigger the hairs to grow back.

The success of Propecia in combating hair has been slowly overshadowed by one problem, and that is the negative sexual side effects that it creates. A lot of males have been complaining that it causes them to lose their libido, experience erectile dysfunction and it also affected their sperm count. This problem has taken a toll not only on their confidence but their relationships as well.

Men are expressing concerns over the internet on how they are not doing well in bed, making their partners think that they are losing interest.

That is why for those men who want to keep a good head of hair and a normal sexual life at the same time, they are looking at treatments to combat the sexual side effects of Propecia. This is where Viagra comes into the picture.

Viagra is a drug that is manufactured by another pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer. It was indicated to treat erectile dysfunction.

Now, men are asking if Propecia and Viagra can be taken together. Yes, there are no contraindications of taking Viagra in order to stop the sexual side effects of Propecia.

There are no noted interactions between the two, which makes them safe to use simultaneously. But the problem here is that Viagra only treats erectile dysfunction by enhancing the strength of an erection and not the loss of libido. And in order for Viagra to work, one must also be aroused. This can be a concern since Propecia is also known to affect sexual arousal. But there are more reports which support the fact that taking the two medications can actually help relieve erectile problems.

You may also have to get yourself checked for other conditions like diabetes, because this can also cause erectile dysfunction. Taking Viagra would not solve the problem if there are pre-existing health problems, so you may need to get yourself checked first. Aging should also be factored in when it comes to assessing erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that 50% of men in their fifties experience erectile dysfunction.

There are reports of dizziness when taking Propecia and Viagra, but this was nothing serious. So if you want to ensure your safety in treating hair loss and other related problems, it is best that you get yourself evaluated first. Don’t start taking any medications without consulting your doctor first.

5 Things to Remember in Choosing your Hair Transplant Surgeon

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:24:00 +0000

Hair transplant surgery has been around for many years, that is why it is not surprising if hair transplant clinics are sprouting everywhere. As much as this may sound like good news for those unfortunate enough to experience balding, this should in fact raise concern.

There are so many surgeons out there who are now claiming to perform hair transplant surgery even without the right competencies. And with the limited amount of hair to start it, don’t gamble what you can’t afford to lose. So to help you out, here are 5 qualities of a hair surgeon that you should avoid.

Too Good to Be True

It is best to avoid surgeons who heavily use advertising and infomercials. Most of the time, those that comes in the best packages doesn't always bring the best results. Don’t give into these flashy advertising because there is a good chance that these could very well be just advertising, and could not even deliver the best results. You also shouldn't look for a hair transplant surgeon on the yellow pages or get your referrals simply through word of mouth. Remember, each have their own standards of quality, so take the time to research the facts on your own.

Offers low price relative to other clinic

It not advisable to trust a surgeon who gives a very low price for a hair transplant surgery, if you see that the price that the surgeon quotes you on is much lower compared to the rest of the cost within your area, this should raise red flags because this surgeon could give you a haphazard result. A surgeon who has the credibility and the name would not sell themselves short because they know when to put premium on their work.

Promise results in the fastest time possible

Steer clear from surgeons who promise to give you results in the fastest time possible. It is in the nature of a good hair transplant procedure to take time since it requires meticulous effort to ensure that the hairs are removed carefully and properly. This is something that can be done in haste. So go for a surgeon who takes the time to perform procedures, and not even do it in just one sitting. A good tip is to ask how many patients he takes in a single day.

Never trust someone who is simply a cosmetic surgeon

Sadly the practice of hair restoration surgery is not strictly guarded, that is why there are surgeons who can pretty much claim that they can do it. This s the reason why hair transplant surgery earned a negative reputation, but you can avoid this by ensuring that you go for those who had extensive training particularly on hair transplants.

No proof and evidence of previous works

Avoid a hair transplant surgeon who will not provide you with before and after photos of his work. Remember that this is the only way for you to peek through what he can do, and the quality in which he can do it. It is also important that he has a good amount of clients with successful results, because this can assure you that he runs a practice that has quality.

How Exercise Results to Excessive Hair Loss?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 07:24:00 +0000

As the old saying goes, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. This is very much applicable when it comes to exercise. If you think spending hours on the gym will make you a big ball of health, you could be wrong. An excess of high level exercise is discovered to cause hair loss. So if you want to spare your hair and have a healthy physique at the same time, you better start improving your habits.

Exercise, of any type, is an activity that is also considered to be a stress to the body. But this is a good stress nonetheless, which is why we are advised to do this every day. But the problem arises when this is done in excess; of course the degree of stress experienced by the body is also increased which can now result to hair loss.

Another reason why exercise is linked to excessive hair loss is because it can also affect hormonal balance. It results to testosterone levels being increased, and this is true for men and women.
Unfortunately for the ladies the change in hormone levels creates more reactions in their system. It results to an altered menstrual cycle and even places them at risk for brittle bones.

The increased levels of testosterone increase the likelihood of hair loss because this very hormone is the one that is turned into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT is the very chemical that is responsible for hair loss. It first causes the hair follicles to thin, shrink and then fall off in excessive amounts.

Another reason why exercise promotes hair loss is that it causes the follicles to enter the resting phase earlier than they are expected to. The problem here is that it affects a large amount of locks resulting in a bulk of it shedding off. This is a condition that is called Telogen Effluvium.

The good thing about Telogen Effluvium is that the effects are temporary. By improving your exercise regimen, and cutting back on the intensity and length, you could very well prevent the progressive hair loss.

You can determine whether you are doing your exercise regimen excessively if you notice that it is ineffective, you feel fatigued, and if you experience sleeping disorders. Dr. Mannoj Khana says that if you experience any of these symptoms and is accompanied by excessive hair loss, you should cut back on your exercise.

If you really don’t know how to go about with your exercise regimen, you can always ask the help of a certified trainer. This way you can get a personalized plan that would suit your energy level. In fact, a person simply needs 30 minutes of exercise every day to be healthy.

You should also check on your hair care regimen after exercising. We all know that working out can cause us to sweat in buckets, and your scalp is no exception. Due to the salt content of your sweat, this can be bad for the hair. The buildup of this salty fluid on the scalp can cause it to dry, which can eventually lead to dandruff and hair loss.

Keep everything in moderation, because when you keep a proper exercise regimen, hair loss can very well be prevented. You could even improve the health of your hair as the circulation in your body is improved.

But if hair loss persists even with the alterations and improvements made, it could be that you are genetically linked to shed excessive amounts of hair. For this type of problem, you can take medications or restore hair volume through a hair transplant surgery.

Latest Hair Loss News: Hair Loss Drug May Cause Severe Depression?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:37:00 +0000

In a retrospective study, researchers found that the hair loss drug Propecia is linked to depression. This is not the first time that the drug is in hot water for certain side effects that it causes. Just recently Propecia is also dragged into the news because of the sexual side effects that it creates. Incidentally so this particular side effect is also associated with depressive symptoms.

Months with Propecia lead men to develop sexual side effects such as a loss of libido, inability to achieve erection, infertility and poor semen quality. And the worst part here is that these side effects don’t even relieve even after the drug has been stopped.

Studies showed that those who suffered with these side effects were discovered to be at risk for severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

The study was conducted by Dr. Michael Irwig, who is an assistant professor of medicine at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He interviewed 61 men who are within the age of 25 who have used Finasteride, the generic name for Propecia. These men have not experienced sexual side effects for three months at before the treatment was started and with no history of mental illness.

During the initial study a lot of men reported that the men reported of depression and memory problems and other problems in cognition. Irwig speculated that the emotional and cognitive changes were due to action that Finasteride has on the brain.

The researcher also included interviews with 29 men suffering from male pattern baldness who have not taken Finasteride.

The mean scores of those men who are treated with Propecia were 23.67, while those in the control group were 5.93. Within these numbers, a total of 39% of those former Finasteride users answered that they thought of having suicide, while 5% claimed that they agree on the statement, “I would like to kill myself.”

In the control group only one case reported to have suicidal thoughts.

With this Irwig also surmised that aside from the depressive reaction that a man has when they lose their sexual abilities, there is also a chemical reaction that goes in the brain that can perfectly explain why this is.

He claims that Finasteride blocks a certain enzyme in the brain which is responsible in controlling the level of neuroactive steroids. And when these are in low amounts in the system, symptoms of depression can be observed. But Irwig suggests that this needs further research so that those prescribing the medications would give the patients a list of the complications that it can create.

The potential side effects of Finasteride or Propecia has on the nervous system can be very alarming and of course distressful to the one affected, that is why they should know what they could be exposing their body into. This should also be made clear in the product label.

But in a statement Merck, which is the company responsible for the production of Finasteride, claims that during their clinical studies the drug showed good safety and efficacy profiles. They added that the labelling of the product appropriately describes the risk and benefits to inform the prescribing physician and the patient.

So if you are looking for a relief to that balding head, make sure that you talk this through with your doctor. Never take anything without the proper consultation because with findings like this, you can expose yourself to serious complications later on.

What To Do When Hair Loss Strikes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:32:00 +0000

Try looking at pictures of the young Elton John circa 1970, maybe Donald Trump’s rather unflattering comb over, or Bruce Willis’ hairless top then you get the different types of baldness. You now see that hair loss presents itself in many ways, from receding hairlines, bald areas on the crown, to a totally barren head. This leads sufferers to question the probable causes that resulted to this excessive hair loss.

What are the Causes of Hair Loss?

Hair loss can spring out of a list of causes. Drugs, stress, medical treatments, certain diets and hairstyle, these are just the less serious reasons. You will have a more serious problem on your hands if your hair loss is brought about by genetic causes.

Male pattern hair loss, also known as genetic hair loss affects a significant number of males of any age every year.

One primary cause that can be associated with excessive hair shedding is due to changes in hormone levels. With male pattern baldness in particular, the hormone that gives them their basic male characteristics such as facial hair, a deep voice, etc, is the same culprit that causes hair loss.

Testosterone is the hormone to watch out for because it can become dangerous to your hair follicles when it comes in contact with the enzyme, 5-alphareductase. What results when the two react is a more aggressive hormone called DHT or Dihydrotestosterone. With DHT in your system, it can lead to your hair roots to weaken and shed out of their places. It is normal to lose a few strands of hair everyday, but with DHT, the number can reach alarming amounts.

Physical and Emotional Concerns in Hair Loss

The moment you observe that your hair is becoming flimsy, thinner in distribution, and the hairline starting to move back not only will this affect that way you look but it inevitably changes your emotional health. This can even result to an impaired body image.

Expectedly, a person who is affected by this would have difficulty handling both physical and emotional strain associated with the problem. Aside from taking a strike at the victim’s confidence, it also impairs one’s self-esteem. To those who are affected by this, thankfully there are a number of options that can be employed to treat the issue.

Others try to live with the problem and just accept their lot, while there are those who take a more aggressive approach to regain their original hair coverage.

What are the hair loss treatments available?

In this modern times, innovation in technology and continuing studies can give the roster of treatment options in order to treat excessive hair shedding or prevention balding. The choices can range from medications, laser treatment, wigs to hair transplant surgery.

Pharmaceutical treatment for hair loss is the easily attainable resource to handle the problem. Although the outcome may take some time, but this measure has definitely provided effective results. But the drawback here is that they need to be taken continuously for the rest of your life to maintain the results. Unfortunately, along with its benefits are accompanying side effects which you also have to consider. And in some cases, even hair loss is also an untoward reaction to the long term use of these medications.

Another modern technology that is also able to restore hair is laser treatment. This equipment emits laser energy to the scalp that promotes proper circulation in the area which can improve hair growth.

Wigs, toupees, and hair extensions are also some of the effective measures to temporarily conceal hair loss. However, for a more aggressive treatment, hair loss sufferers who have the budget can opt for hair transplant surgery. This surgical process takes hair from the back of the head or donor area, and transferring them to the bald spot at the top or front of the scalp.

But once you notice that your locks are starting to fall off at an alarming rate, it is wise to assess your lifestyle and diet. checking these out first just might be the solution you’d ever need without having to resort to medications or surgical treatments. However, if you notice an absence of any relief to the problem, you should immediately get yourself evaluated by a reputable physician. In that way, you can work out a treatment plan.