Hair Loss
2010
The Most Effective Hair Regrowth Treatment – Editor's Tip
You must have heard of various, often highly sophisticated and complex combinations of treatments that your fellow hair loss sufferers follow as their daily regimen. Some people will swear by these combination treatments, as they usually show improved results over any single product you can buy in the pharmacy. The fact is that no single pill or topical exists...
2010
Seasonality of Hair Loss
Many people, especially women, complain about increased, seasonally-determined hair loss. This applies to women who suffer from female hair loss as well as those who don't. A recent study tried to determine whether there was any truth behind such claims. The study was conducted over a period...
2010
Scalproller: Microneedles May Help You Grow Thicker Hair
A recently presented therapeutic device for treating hair loss through scalp stimulation, causing scalp injuries, called Nanogen Scalproller may seem unconventional in its way of approaching the hair loss problem but its scientific background sounds quite reasonable. It has been known for some...
2010
Should Women Use 5% Minoxidil?
Rogain for women, which contains 2% minoxidil, is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of female hair loss today. The main reason why women should exercise caution when using minoxidil is the fact that it can induce undesired facial hair growth. However, it does not seem to be such...
2010
Choosing the Best Treatment for Hair Loss
The main existing approaches to combating hair loss include a) antiandrogen treatment, which addresses the leading cause of hereditary baldness – dihydrotestosterone's (DHT) negative effects on hair follicles and b) promoting new hair growth with hair growth stimulants. Hereditary hair loss in both...
2009
Analysing Consumer Reviews of DermMatch and Toppik
Hair thickeners and hair loss concealers are a relatively affordable and simple method of concealing hair loss for people with a thinning but not yet completely bald scalp. They do nothing to stop hair loss, though. The main difference between a hair thickener such as DermMatch and a hair loss concealer such as Toppik is in the art of covering...
2009
Examining Flutamide's Hair Growth Promoting Properties
Flutamide is a non-steroid antiandrogen binding to androgen receptors and thus competing for this place with follicle-harming dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is a very powerful antiandrogen, available only by doctor's prescription. Oral flutamide is used in women to treat hirsutism (excess body hair) and acne and in men to treat prostate cancer. One clinical study...
2009
Sulfasalazine for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an unpredictable, autoimmune, hair loss disease affecting about 2% of the population. There are several existing treatments for alopecia areata but none of them offers stable and satisfactory results. A recently-conducted study with sulfasalazine shows that there is some hope of regrowing hair, even in patients with severe cases of alopecia...
2009
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Speeding Up Hair Growth
It is often said that you cannot speed up your hair growth but it does not seem to be absolutely true. Many people who have tried a dietary supplement called methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for longer than two months report faster hair growth and in some of them this extra intake of organic sulphur leads to improving the thickness...
2009
Latest Study Results of HairMax LaserComb's Safety and Effectiveness
The use of low levels of visible or near-infrared light for reducing pain, inflammation and oedema, promoting the healing of wounds, deeper tissue and nerves, and preventing tissue damage has been known for almost 40 years, since the invention of lasers. The HairMax LaserComb is a hand-held, lower level, laser therapy device...
2009
Adenosine Stimulates Hair Growth and Thickens Hair in Women
Adenosine is a nucleoside naturally occurring in all cells of the human body. It plays an important role in biochemical processes such as energy transfer and signal transduction. In one small clinical study conducted a few years ago, adenosine was shown to thicken miniaturised hair...
2009
Different Sensitivities of Hairs to DHT within the Follicular Unit in Women
The balding pattern in women suffering from androgenetic alopecia is different from the male pattern, which makes it more difficult to diagnose. Women lose their hair throughout the whole scalp, which is known as diffuse hair loss, and in the early stages it is less recognisable.
2009
Beta-Sitosterol for Hair Loss
Beta-sitosterol is a plant-derived phytosterol found in saw palmetto, pygeum africanum, pumpkin seeds, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, soybeans, etc. Due to its ability to emulsify fats, it is widely used as a cholesterol-reducing supplement. Studies have shown that the use of beta-sitosterol also improves urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
2009
Topical Finasteride Gel as Effective as Oral Drug?
A recently published clinical study from Iran shows that topical finasteride in the form of a topical gel is as effective in treating male pattern baldness as oral use of this drug. This double blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted over a period of 6 months on 45 male subjects who had been balding for 1.5 - 2 years.
2009
Pygeum Africanum as a Natural Hair Loss Treatment
Pygeum africanum is an evergreen tree growing in the higher elevations of Africa. The extract from its bark is rich in derivatives of natural fatty acids and is used in herbal medications to relieve urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although the mechanism of its action is unknown, it is assumed...
2009
Use of Topical Sironolactone in Treating Male Pattern Baldness
Spironolactone (trade name Aldactone) is a diuretic causing increased amounts of sodium and water to be excreted from the body, while potassium is retained. Because of its ability to promote potassium retention in the body, its uncontrolled intake can lead to hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia, an abnormal increase...
2009
Is Drinking Green Tea Good for Slowing Hair Loss?
Green tea is made from the dried leaves of the tea plant (camellia sinensis), whereas black tea is made from leaves of the same plant that have gone through a fermentation process before being dried. Green tea is rich in catechins, which are known to have anti-oxidant properties and it is, therefore, often claimed to help prevent cancer.
2009
Vitamins and Minerals
Reader's feedback from Mark
I would beg to differ on your comments that claim that hair loss cannot be caused by a vitamin/mineral deficiency. About a year ago, I was in a health shop for some calcium and I noticed a new herbal hair loss product. I researched it on the web and found out this incredibly expensive product was just simply vitamins and...
2009
Use of Stinging Nettle in Hair Loss Remedies
Stinging nettle (urtica dioica) is a common perennial plant, native to the temperate and subtropical zone of the northern hemisphere. As its name suggests, it is best known for its ability to deliver a considerable sting, which occurs when small hairs on its leaves and stem brush against skin, causing a burning sensation and a rash which can last up to 24 hours.
2008
Why Do We Like Natural Hair Loss Treatments?
The sales of natural hair loss treatments are breaking historical highs these days and new products are emerging every day. This swing to all-natural products seems to be a general consumer trend not confined to the hair loss industry.
2008
Five Major Rules to Follow When Treating Hair Loss
1) Start early
The greatest mistake many hair loss patients make is denying they are suffering from hair loss. Typically you have to lose about 50% of your hair in the thinning area to notice that you are balding. Many sufferers are extremely pessimistic about being able to regrow lost hair and do not want to try anything.
2008
Have You Ever Been the Victim of a Hair Scam?
It is an accepted fact that at least 90% of all hair loss products available on the market today are a scam. However, this general knowledge does not prevent many of us from falling into the same old marketing trap and buying some. Billions of dollars spent annually on useless rubbish confirm this statement. Although some hair frauds have been brought to court, most of the fraudulent businesses continue as usual.
2008
Hair Thickeners and Hair Loss Concealers
Hair thickeners are, besides wigs, the quickest method of replacing lost hair. Whether we call these products hair thickeners or hair loss concealers, they do the same job and that is to make thin areas on our scalp appear fuller. All of these products have the reputation of coming off on the pillow case at night and of not having the ability to withstand rain or wind.
2008
Treatment Options for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata (spot baldness, patch baldness) is an autoimmune disease in which the person’s immune system decides to attack its own hair follicles. It is an unpredictable but reversible condition and there is no treatment at the moment that delivers reliable results. Sometimes hair grows back after a few years with no treatment necessary and it stays, and sometimes it fall out again.
2008
Treating Hereditary Hair Loss in Women
Hereditary hair loss in women is more common than most of us seem to think. At first look, it may not be as visible as it is in men due to its different pattern but it is no less challenging to treat than male pattern baldness. The typical female balding pattern is a diffuse hair loss affecting almost the entire scalp, although the thinning is more pronounced on top of the head rather than on the back and the sides.
2008
Will Dutasteride Ever Get Approved for Hair Loss?
Dutasteride, better known under its trade name, Avodart, is considered by many dermatologists and hair loss sufferers to be the most effective treatment for male pattern baldness available today. In its activity it is similar to finasteride (Propecia) but more powerful since it is a dual 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.
2008
Can Saw Palmetto Help Treat Hair Loss?
Saw palmetto is an extract from the fruits of serenoa repens, a small palm tree endemic to the southern part of the US. It has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat urinary conditions in men and in the past few decades it has become a very popular alternative remedy for treating enlarged prostates (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
2008
Are Herbal Hair Loss Remedies Just Another Scam?
Herbal hair loss remedies account for well over 50% of all hair loss cures sold. Their popularity stems from the general belief that they are an adequate alternative to medicinal treatments but without any negative side effects. Though such claims may not reflect the truth they surely help boost the sales volumes.
2008
Causes and Symptoms of Hereditary Baldness
The main cause of hereditary baldness is, as its name says, genetic. However, some people believe that losing hair is the result of poor circulation in the scalp, elevated stress, wearing hats and long hair or masturbation, which obviously is not true. Such rumours are also spread by the marketers of hair scams, who are trying to exploit our lack of knowledge.
2008
Confusing Hair Loss Treatments
If you go to see your dermatologist about your hair loss, you probably come back with a prescription for Propecia (or other form of finasteride), advice to try Rogaine (minoxidil) and, where appropriate, with a basic introductory knowledge to hair transplantation. Some doctors may also recommend other things but the choices are limited. However, there are thousands of hair loss products sold as hair cosmetics out there...
2008
Hair Loss Concealers
Growing back lost hair might be mission impossible for many of us who started treating their baldness after many years of losing hair. If you are not convinced about the benefits of hair transplantation yet and only need quick fixes for certain occasions, hair loss concealers might be a reasonable option. There are many different kinds of camouflage but fibres are by far the most natural-looking solution.
2008
Is HairMax Only for Full Heads of Hair?
In January 2007, Lexington International's HairMax LaserComb received FDA clearance, allowing it to be used safely as a treatment promoting hair growth in males. It employs a technology that has been in use for several years to accelerate healing and hair growth after hair transplant surgery. There are other laser combs on the market that are less expensive than Lexington International's HairMax, and which claim to be as effective...
2008
Rogaine, Regaine or Minoxidil?
Rogaine was the first medicinal product in history approved by a major national health supervisory authority such as the FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) to treat male pattern baldness. Now, generic Rogaine has been approved by the health authorities in many countries around the world. To this day it is the only FDA-approved topical for treating hair loss and the most powerful hair growth stimulant available...