Your hair can be a great barometer of your general overall health. Although we all lose 50 to a 100 hair shafts every day, it is only natural. However, you need to be alarmed if you lose more than that amount.
Hair thinning can be a temporary condition caused by grief or stress, improper nutrition, iron deficiency, or thyroid disease. It can also be brought about by hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, or as a side effect of certain medications or medical treatments like chemotherapy. Or it may be – for those reaching middle age – simply a condition inherited from a parent.
Prior to any treatment, the underlying cause must first be determined. Before treating the condition, it is thus necessary to find its cause diagnosis. Try to define the main reason for hair thinning, this way you will know the measure of the problem you are faced with. Moreover, once identified, you’ll be able to both treat and prevent it from getting worse.
Read more on Common Causes of Hair Loss in Both Sexes
Should the Hair Be Blow-dried
After our daily hair washing routine, we are always faced with a pressing question: Should our hair be blow-dried or air-dried?
And since most of us don’t have the luxury to devote extra time in styling our hair, we usually tend to opt for a blow-dryer to hasten the hair drying process; thus, giving us sufficient time to start working on our preferred hairstyle.
However, while blow-drying can give us an extra 5–10 minutes to create a gorgeous-looking hairstyle, the frequent use of the blow-dryer can damage our mane, making it dry, dull, brittle, and lifeless.
That being the case, before you pick up the blow-dryer and start drying your mane, think again! Be sure to learn some of these facts in order to prevent your hair from getting frizzy, dry, and lifeless due to the overexposure of heat released by the blow-dryer.
Read more on Should the Hair Be Blow-dried
And since most of us don’t have the luxury to devote extra time in styling our hair, we usually tend to opt for a blow-dryer to hasten the hair drying process; thus, giving us sufficient time to start working on our preferred hairstyle.
However, while blow-drying can give us an extra 5–10 minutes to create a gorgeous-looking hairstyle, the frequent use of the blow-dryer can damage our mane, making it dry, dull, brittle, and lifeless.
That being the case, before you pick up the blow-dryer and start drying your mane, think again! Be sure to learn some of these facts in order to prevent your hair from getting frizzy, dry, and lifeless due to the overexposure of heat released by the blow-dryer.
Read more on Should the Hair Be Blow-dried
Hair Loss in Black Women
Generally, hair loss is not a really a notorious problem in women as much as it is in men. However, in black women, it is a different story. Many black women suffer from terrible hair loss. One of the most common conditions is called central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia or C.C.C.A. Initially, experts thought the main culprits include hair extensions, hot combs, chemical straighteners, tight braids, and weaves. However, it was later known that follicular degeneration is the cause. It is marked by inflammation and scarring around the hair follicles, which may never produce hair again.
In effort to evaluate its prevalence in black women, researchers have found out that more than 100 out of 326 women have centrifugal cicatricial alopecia or C.C.C.A. Interestingly, the condition appears to be almost exclusively in black women. A study published in Archives of Dermatology suggests that with severe hair loss comes an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and bacterial scalp infections. Those with hair loss due to harsh hair grooming practices experience a more extensive hair loss condition.
Read more on Hair Loss in Black Women
In effort to evaluate its prevalence in black women, researchers have found out that more than 100 out of 326 women have centrifugal cicatricial alopecia or C.C.C.A. Interestingly, the condition appears to be almost exclusively in black women. A study published in Archives of Dermatology suggests that with severe hair loss comes an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and bacterial scalp infections. Those with hair loss due to harsh hair grooming practices experience a more extensive hair loss condition.
Read more on Hair Loss in Black Women
3 Common Synthetic Ingredients in Hair Loss Products
Studies revealed that ninety-five percent of hair loss cases are due to the overproduction of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp.
DHT, which is produced by the interaction of the male hormone testosterone and the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, causes the hair follicles to shrink, resulting to the growth of smaller, finer and thinner hair strands. When the build-up of DHT is not properly controlled, the hair follicles may become inactive or dormant, leading to their eventual death.
Luckily, the advancement of science and technology made way for the rise of thousands of hair loss products in the market. These products are specially formulated with active ingredients to hinder the onset of hair loss and hair thinning problems by blocking the formation of DHT.
Apart from finasteride and minoxidil, which are the only FDA-approved substances for hair loss treatment, three of the most common active ingredients found in various hair loss products are copper peptides, dutasteride, and ketoconazole.
Read more on 3 Common Synthetic Ingredients in Hair Loss Products
DHT, which is produced by the interaction of the male hormone testosterone and the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, causes the hair follicles to shrink, resulting to the growth of smaller, finer and thinner hair strands. When the build-up of DHT is not properly controlled, the hair follicles may become inactive or dormant, leading to their eventual death.
Luckily, the advancement of science and technology made way for the rise of thousands of hair loss products in the market. These products are specially formulated with active ingredients to hinder the onset of hair loss and hair thinning problems by blocking the formation of DHT.
Apart from finasteride and minoxidil, which are the only FDA-approved substances for hair loss treatment, three of the most common active ingredients found in various hair loss products are copper peptides, dutasteride, and ketoconazole.
Read more on 3 Common Synthetic Ingredients in Hair Loss Products
Attain Shinier and Healthier Strands with Stinging Nettle
For hundreds of years, stinging nettle served as a natural agent to promote the growth of shinier and healthier hair strands. In fact, the ancient Greeks have long recognized stinging nettle’s ability to promote healthier locks, as well as enhance the luster of the hair strand.
Origin
Urtica dioica, commonly known as stinging nettle, is a perennial flowering plant which is native to Europe, Asia and the northern parts of America and Africa.
Components
Stinging nettle is rich with nutrients like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, silica, and beta carotene, as well as vitamins E and C. It also contains active compounds such as flavonoids, riboflavin, amines, and thiamine which are all necessary for proper hair regrowth.
Read more on Attain Shinier and Healthier Strands with Stinging Nettle
Origin
Urtica dioica, commonly known as stinging nettle, is a perennial flowering plant which is native to Europe, Asia and the northern parts of America and Africa.
Components
Stinging nettle is rich with nutrients like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, silica, and beta carotene, as well as vitamins E and C. It also contains active compounds such as flavonoids, riboflavin, amines, and thiamine which are all necessary for proper hair regrowth.
Read more on Attain Shinier and Healthier Strands with Stinging Nettle
Can a New Hairstyle Fix My Balding Head
Men also tremble at the sight of the early signs of hair loss. In fact, when they do, they tend to panic and then resort to measures that are completely inappropriate, not to mention unnecessary. A new hair cut alone can fix the damaged caused by hair loss on the appearance. Here are some hairstyles which could actually help.
Smooth-Shaven
Have you heard the news? Well it’s not exactly news to everyone but Bruce Willis finally did it. Not that he was in a rush to show his entire dome. In fact, he advises, ‘Before you shave your head, you better know what it looks like under there. Unless you know for sure, you could end up walking around with “nothing but zucchini”, as Jon Stewart so eloquently put it’. So when should you get completely shaven? A completely bald look is actually a great option for men with very thin surrounding hairs and with severe hair loss. A clean shaven look will not only eliminate the hassles of styling your hair again, it also presents a personal statement.
Read more on Can a New Hairstyle Fix My Balding Head
Smooth-Shaven
Have you heard the news? Well it’s not exactly news to everyone but Bruce Willis finally did it. Not that he was in a rush to show his entire dome. In fact, he advises, ‘Before you shave your head, you better know what it looks like under there. Unless you know for sure, you could end up walking around with “nothing but zucchini”, as Jon Stewart so eloquently put it’. So when should you get completely shaven? A completely bald look is actually a great option for men with very thin surrounding hairs and with severe hair loss. A clean shaven look will not only eliminate the hassles of styling your hair again, it also presents a personal statement.
Read more on Can a New Hairstyle Fix My Balding Head
What Are the Alternatives to Finasteride
When the Food and Drug Administration approved the hair loss drug Propecia in late 1997, male hair loss sufferers thought Propecia was the wonder drug they always needed. It was when researchers discovered an epiphenomenon - which was hair growth - while the drug finasteride was being tried out in the management of enlarged prostates.
However, users cannot deny the side effects they experience. According to one recently published study, 23% of patients experienced sexual dysfunctions. Additionally, the study reported that many users continue to experience the same side effects although they already weaned off the medication. Hair loss sufferers are not unaware of its side effects which is why much of the balding population are clamouring for alternatives and of course, for a cure. But since there is no cure for hair loss . . . yet, patients can only go for alternatives.
Non-surgical and non-drug treatments
There is a wide array of choices when it comes to non-surgical and non-drug treatments. Low level laser therapy, for one, is a good choice. It is based on the principle of using a therapeutic artificial light source, particularly low level laser, for treating mild to moderate cases of male pattern baldness. Laser treatments are safe and not gender selective (unlike finasteride).
Read more on What Are the Alternatives to Finasteride
However, users cannot deny the side effects they experience. According to one recently published study, 23% of patients experienced sexual dysfunctions. Additionally, the study reported that many users continue to experience the same side effects although they already weaned off the medication. Hair loss sufferers are not unaware of its side effects which is why much of the balding population are clamouring for alternatives and of course, for a cure. But since there is no cure for hair loss . . . yet, patients can only go for alternatives.
Non-surgical and non-drug treatments
There is a wide array of choices when it comes to non-surgical and non-drug treatments. Low level laser therapy, for one, is a good choice. It is based on the principle of using a therapeutic artificial light source, particularly low level laser, for treating mild to moderate cases of male pattern baldness. Laser treatments are safe and not gender selective (unlike finasteride).
Read more on What Are the Alternatives to Finasteride
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