Health Blog

Distribute Hair Loss

Every hair grows in cycles. It grows, rests and finally falls out. Most often, this cycle repeat it self roughly annually. Normally, about 90% of a person’s scalp hair is growing, a phase that lasts between 2 to 6 years. 10% of the scalp hair is in a resting phase that lasts for about 2 to 3 months. At the end of this stage, the hair undergoes a shedding phase.

Shedding about 50 to 100 hairs a day. When a hair is discarded, it is replaced by a new one from the same follicle. The scalp hair grows approximately about one-half inch a month.

The hair consists of a form of protein, the same material that is located in the fingernails as well as toe nails. Everyone should consume an adequate amount of protein to maintain normal hair production. Protein is available in meat, fish, eggs, cheese, beans and so on.

Irregular hair loss can be as a result of several different causes but an approximately 50 percent of people experience normal hair loss by the time they reach 50.

People who become aware of their hair shedding in large amounts after combing or whose hair becomes thinner or falls out should consult a dermatologist for assistance.

Hair Loss Causes and Risk

Childbirth. When a woman is heavy with child, her hair continues to grow. The normal 50 to 100 hairs per day are not shed in these circumstances. Though, after she delivers, majority of her hairs will enter the resting stage at once. Within a couple of months to three after delivery, these hairs may all fall out together and be seen as large amounts of hair coming out each time she combs.

High fever, infection, surgery, significant life stressor. Shortly after a person has a high fever, severe infection, surgery, or significant life stressor such losing someone very dear, he or she may be shocked to notice massive hair falling out. This condition usually corrects itself but you can still take medication.

Thyroid problem. An overactive and underactive thyroid can cause hair shedding. The shedding associated with thyroid issues can be reversed with adequate medication.

Lack of protein. Some vegetarians as well as people, who go on crash diets that rule out protein, and individuals with abnormal eating culture, are likely to develop protein malnutrition. When this occurs, the individual body will help to save protein by shifting growing hairs into the resting phase. Immense hair shedding can take place two to three months after. This condition can be reversed by consuming the right amount of protein.

Medication. Prescription drugs can cause impermanent hair shedding in a little percentage of individuals. Examples of such drugs are blood thinners, drugs used to treat gout and arthritis, pimples, or psoriasis, and some medications for heart related issues.

Cancer drugs. The majority of drugs used in chemotherapy will cause hair cells to cease dividing. Hair shafts become thin and fall off as they leave the scalp. This can happen one to three weeks after starting chemotherapy. The patient may most of his hair but this usually re-grows after treatment comes to a stop.

Birth controlpills. Ladies who lose their hair when taking birth control pills often have a genetic tendency towards hair thinning.

Low serum iron. Iron deficiency sometimes generates hair loss. Low iron can be identified by laboratory tests and corrected through the use of iron pills.

Alopecia areata. In this case the hair often falls out, resulting in completely smooth, round patches about the size of a coin or even larger. This disease can affect kids, women or men irrespective of their age.

Androgenic alopecia. This is the most popular kind of hair loss and is called “male- or female-pattern baldness”. The hair thins out first in the front of the scalp and moves gradually to the back as well as top of the head. It tends to be a gradual process. This kind of hair loss can also be genetic.

Infections. Ringworm or tinea capitus is a common fungal infection in kids. Patches of hair may be lost and replaced with pink scaly skin.

Visit your doctor if you experience hair loss with these issues: skin disorder, breathing problems, poor appetite or weight loss without any good cause, vomiting, fever, pain, constipation or diarrhea.

Hair Loss Treatment

If hair loss is triggered by an impermanent situation such as medication, stressor lack of iron, it will cease when its cause ends. Hair loss due to infection may need oral antibiotics or antifungals in take. Alopecia areata can be treated with injections of steroids such as triamcinolone. Take note, early treatment works the best for each of the causes.

When it is caused by androgenic alopecia, there is no guarantee cure, although there are lots of treatments. Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription treatment prescribed for men only. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is massaged onto the scalp and works for both men and women. It usually works best for hair loss at top with back of the scalp, where there is still some remaining hair. This is can be found at most pharmacies.

Well chosen hairstyles can also do the magic (disguise). Partial hairpieces or wigs are recommended if your case is severe.

Lastly, hair transplantation has improved dramatically over the last few years. During a transplant, healthy hairs are harvested from an area of the scalp with normal growth. The person hairs are then placed into appropriate areas. When done correctly, the result looks natural.

Best Wishes,
John Benjamin

Although genetic hair loss can seem like a curse, it isn’t. It’s inherited from one’s family and is passed down through the generations. You may experience male pattern baldness at the age of twenty-seven, but your twin brother may not!

Another hair paste can be prepared at home by grinding and mixing fenugreek seeds with water. You must apply the pate on your scalp and leave it for sometime before rinsing it off with water. Are you eating healthy and consuming meals that are rich in protein? Proper nutrition consisting of proteins such as lean meats, fish, and lentils is one of the best natural remedies for treating your condition. You can also start with drinking a healthy cocktail every morning that consists of alfalfa juice, lettuce (make sure it’s some sort of green leafy lettuce), and carrot juice. In addition to your diet, you may also want to contact your physician to rule out any underlying conditions that may be responsible for your excessive loss of hair.

The gel within the aloe vera plant can be used not only to cure hair dryness but can fight hair loss as well.

After shampooing your hair, liberal application of fresh aloe vera to the scalp will stimulate hair growth and nourish dry hair. Drinking aloe vera juice also helps to flush out the body and stimulate healthy hair from within.

The ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine also prescribes the use of the herb gotu kola for slowing or stopping hair loss which is stress related. Gotu kola can be found in Asian markets and the dosage instructions are listed on the label.

Jojoba oil has been used traditionally for centuries by Mexicans and southwestern Native Americans to promote hair growth and control dandruff. Ayurvedic (Indian) herbal remedies for hair loss include a combination of oral supplements, topical oils, and lifestyle changes. While treatments are tailored to an individual based on their constitutions by an Ayurvedic physician, some remedies are universally useful. Bhringraj oil is an extremely popular topical in the Indian market. See the resource section for more information. In terms of oral supplements, Ashwagandha, and Amla are recommended for hair loss.

There are tons of home made remedies to arrest hair loss. Applying mixture of olive oil, rosemary, lemon juice and an egg yolk on the scalp is a great way to stimulate hair growth naturally. Applying red henna on the scalp also stimulates hair growth.

People that suffer from hair loss find that one good remedy can be found in hair styling and cosmetic techniques. Hair coloring, waves, and haircuts alone can make a big difference in the way you look and feel, making hair loss much less apparent.

Did you know that the main cause of hair loss in men and women is partly caused by the male hormone testosterone? Testosterone along with the enzyme, 5 alpha reductase, will produce DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This DHT hormone will attach to a hair follicle. By doing this, it blocks nutrients from getting to the hair strand and the hair follicle. This will eventually cause the hair strand to fall out and the follicle to die. This type of hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness (MPB) and/or female pattern baldness (FPB).

In men, testosterone is created in the testes. This production will begin in the fetus at about the eighth week. This hormone is responsible for the development of the male’s deep voice, and the growth of his hair, muscles and bone. Also it is the key hormone responsible for a man’s sex drive.

In women, testosterone is made in much smaller quantities in the ovaries.

It is mainly responsible for a woman’s sex drive

Controlling Testosterone And Hair Loss - In my research I did not find any medicines or drugs that targeted testosterone to stop MPB or FPB. Most of what I found targets the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme. This enzyme is produced in the prostrate gland and adrenal glands.

I found that two herbs, Saw Palmetto and Pygeum will block DHT. Saw Palmetto is probably the best known of the two. It is believed to act in two ways. First it lowers DHT by blocking the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme. The second way it helps with controlling androgenetic alopecia, is by blocking receptor sites needed to absorb DHT.

Pygeum comes from the African continent and is the bark of the African evergreen. It acts by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, thus helping to stop the development of DHT.

If you are going to use either Saw Palmetto or Pygeum, you will have better luck in stopping MPB or FPB by using the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug Minoxidil. This is approved for use by both men and women dealing with MPB or FPB.

Another FDA approved drug is Propecia. This is taken in pill form, but is not approved for use by women since it may cause birth defects.

Conclusion - Testosterone plays a major roll in causing MPB or FPB by interacting with the enzyme, 5 alpha reductase. This creates DHT which blocks nutrients from reaching the hair follicle and hair strand. Those herbs and drugs used to control pattern baldness do not attack testosterone but mainly the 5 alpha reductase enzyme.

There are many treatments out there for you to purchase, to help stop hair loss and re-grow it. Many are frauds and do not even come close to stopping hair loss. In fact, they do not even re-grow hair. All that they have accomplished is removing money from your wallet. But there are some proven treatments that have stopped it and even re-grown hair.

There are two Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved hair re-growth medications. One is an approved treatment for men only. Another is approved for use by both men and women, dealing with hair issues.

Propecia - Is the authorized treatment for men with male pattern baldness (MPB). Men who had enlarged prostate first used it. While using this product, some men noticed that while using Propecia, they grew hair.

In the 1990s it was approved to be used as a hair loss remedy. Women should not use this, or even handle the product, because it has been related to birth defects.

Minoxidil – Is also approved for use to control MPB and for the first time, to be used in female pattern baldness (FPB). It was initially used by people with high blood pressure. While using this, the patients noted that they started growing hair. When converted to liquid form and applied to a bald spot, it was found that hair would re-grow. It was eventually approved by the FDA for use by both men and women. Minoxidil is different from Propecia, in that it is applied externally to the scalp. Propecia is taken orally in pill form.

Both of these medications can be obtained over the counter. But, if women want to use Minoxidil, they are only approved to use the 2% strength. Men are approved to use 5% strength. It works well for women at the 2% strength, but if they want to use it in 5% strength, they should use it when under a doctor’s care.

If you are using one of these two products, look at boosting your hair growth, by taking the herbal supplement Saw Palmetto. This herb has been studied in Europe and used both as a means to control an enlarged prostate and to stop hair loss and promote hair growth. This is also available over the counter.

So if you are suffering from MPB or if you are a women and have FPB, you should look at using these proven hair loss remedies.