Stop scratching - It’s tempting to scratch an itchy scalp, and doing so may relieve the itch, but it can make things worse. That’s because scratching releases flakes of skin and increases visible dandruff. It can also weaken hair, making it prone to breaking.
Dandruff can have several causes, including:
New Hair Growth Study Has Promising Results
The secret to restoring and regrowing hair has long been an elusive one, but Angela Christiano may have found the secret. A long-time sufferer of alopecia areata, a condition well-known for causing hair loss, Christiano has found a way to grow a full head of hair in a laboratory setting.
Christiano, a researcher at Columbia University, was not satisfied with the limited options for women's hair growth. Instead of settling for 20-year-old medications, Christiano decided to take matters into her own hands by using a patient's own stem cells to grow hair which could later be transplanted to bald spots.
Christiano is on the forefront of a movement in the biotech community to treat severe hair loss as a medical condition. While this may sound intimidating, it means that those suffering from hair loss may finally get some current and effective medical treatments for their issues.
How is this different from current treatments? Well, many people mistakenly treat hair loss as a cosmetic issue rather than a medical concern. Part of this misconception comes from how flat-out difficult it has proven to try to regrow hair.
And unfortunately, there are no shortages of ways for men and women to lose their hair. One of the most common ways is through alopecia areata, a condition which causes that immune system to see hair as a virus and subsequently attack the hair follicles.
Seasonal Hair Loss
What You Can Do About Seasonal Hair Loss
Seasonal hair loss refers to the ways in which hair is lost. Hair is often thicker in the summer to protect the head from the sun. The two times that you will most often experience hair loss are the end of July and beginning of August and the end of November and beginning of December.
Women experience higher levels of telogen during July, though the reasons for this are not known. Telogen is associated with the resting phase for the hair growth cycle, which is why women tend to lose more hair during this period.
Sun Exposure And Hair Loss
Exposure to the sun leads to the production of melatonin. This chemical not only changes the color of the skin, but also encourages hair growth. When this is produced in smaller quantities as you are exposed to less sun, you will begin to notice the hair loss more because the hair falling out is not replaced by new strands of hair.
Some Hair Loss Is Normal
The great news about seasonal hair loss is that the hairs that are shed are extra hairs that were grown for temporary reasons. If you are not experiencing hair loss that occurs in a pattern, such as seeing hair loss around your ears, you will not need to have your hair loss treated. However, if you are suffering from more severe hair loss, this may become more apparent during seasonal hair loss periods. Also, if you notice that the regrowth is very slow, this is also an indication of a problem.
Hair Loss Solutions
Fortunately, hair loss can be reduced through lifestyle changes and medications. For example, you may be able to reduce your hair loss by reducing the stress in your life. The best way to find out how you can reduce hair loss is to meet with a hair loss specialist.
You may need a medication that will increase blood flow to the scalp to facilitate more rapid hair growth to replace lost hair. There are also some drugs that can cause hairs to switch from their growth to resting phase more quickly. But seeing a hair loss specialist is recommended because each patient is different and will need their own customized treatment plan.
Hair Loss in African Americans
Hair loss affects people of all races by making them lose their hair, and this can take a toll on a person's self-esteem. Though African Americans are not genetically predisposed to lose hair, their unique curl patterns and traditional hairstyles make them particularly likely to develop certain forms of hair loss.
The most common cause of hair loss worldwide is male pattern baldness, which happens when men gradually lose the hair on the top of their head. However, this is a hereditary condition caused by a susceptibility to DHT, and most black men do not have the genes that cause extreme hair loss. Instead of age-related baldness, a lot of hair loss in the African American community is caused by traction alopecia. This happens when tight twists, braids, weaves, and updos put pressure on the hair follicles. Over time, this causes scarring and damage that makes it difficult for hair to grow along the hairline. Women are more likely to suffer from this type of hair loss, but it can happen to men too. Though it is rare, some hair loss may be caused by health conditions, including high fevers, imbalanced thyroid glands, or even excessive stress.
How to Treat Hair Loss
The first step to treating hair loss is determining the cause. Men suffering from male pattern baldness can get a prescription for Rogaine or any other drug that halts hair loss. People who have hair loss due to tight cornrows or weaves will need to stop wearing tight hairstyles and start nourishing their hair with aloe vera, castor oil, and vitamin B supplements to encourage new growth. It will take a lot of time and patience, but eventually traction alopecia may be reversed.
How to Prevent Hair Loss
Though it might be possible to treat hair loss, it is normally more effective to prevent it from happening in the first place. African Americans can take biotin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 supplements to strengthen their hair as it grows. Regular scalp massages with essential oils such as rosemary and lavender can stimulate blood flow and prevent fungal infections. African American hair also has a tendency to get dry, and this can make hair snap off. Proper moisture will make hair bend instead of breaking, so you can enjoy a full, thick head of hair.
Rosemary & Sage for Hair Growth
Hair loss is a common condition among women and men of all ages. One of the most common varieties is alopecia--a form of hair thinning or loss. Alopecia causes patches of hair to fall out, specifically from one's scalp. Alopecia differs from male pattern baldness, which, as its name implies, only affects men. Thankfully, there are many treatments for hair loss that don't require expensive store-bought chemicals.
Did you know that rosemary and sage have been shown to benefit people with alopecia? It's true--these herbs are commonly used in cosmetics and numerous hair care products. If you're currently suffering from hair loss, sage and rosemary might be just what the doctor ordered.
Rosemary's Hair Growth Benefits
Rosemary is a popular herb with a distinct flavor, but it's also widely used in consumer products. Historically, rosemary has been used to treat a variety of ailments and health concerns, such as respiratory conditions, menstrual cramps, kidney colic, and, as we said before: hair growth.
Its active chemicals, caffeic and rosmaricinic acid, were shown by a double-blind trial published in the "Archives of Dermatology" to be effective, safe methods to combat alopecia. 44% of the study participants who used rosemary oil to massage their scalps everyday achieved significant hair growth.
Sage and Hair Renewal
Sage gives sausage and stuffing their distinct flavors, but sage is another herb that is commonly used in cosmetics, and specifically in hair care. In addition to being an effective dandruff control method, sage can prevent hair loss and even stimulate new growth. Its effectiveness in this area is related to sage's high levels of nutrients, including Vitamins A, B, and C.
Incorporating Sage & Rosemary
It's easy to incorporate these herbs into your diet--rosemary makes an excellent addition to pasta sauces, as well as rubs and seasonings for meat. Sage has a more distinct flavor, one that combines particularly well with poultry.
Another way to experience the hair growth benefits of rosemary and sage is to emulsify a handful of the herbs into a small amount of olive oil. Simply apply the oil to the affected areas, gently massaging the oil into parts of your scalp on which you've experienced hair loss. The effects aren't immediate, but if you keep applying the oil to your scalp, you'll be amazed by the results.
Taxotere Can Cause Permanent Hair Loss
Most cancer patients realize that hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment. They also expect that their hair will grow back once they finish with their treatment. Unfortunately, that is not always the case with one chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat certain forms of breast, lung, prostate, and gastric cancer.
The drug manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis is currently at the center of 33 lawsuits claiming that its chemotherapy drug Taxotere, which is the brand name of the drug docetaxel, can cause permanent hair loss in female patients. The lawsuits claim that Sanofi-Aventis knew of the risk of permanent baldness and failed to notify doctors and patients or change the drug’s labeling until January 2016. One lawsuit alleges that the company’s own research shows that they knew of the risk as far back as 2005 and that the company was warned by the Food and Drug Administration in 2009 for “false and misleading statements concerning unsubstantiated claims of Taxotere’s superior efficacy.”
Drug manufacturers have a legal duty to warn consumers about any potential side effects of a medication. Companies that fail to provide warnings or that provide false or inadequate warnings can be sued and held financially accountable for any injuries resulting from the drug.
Can Dry Shampooing Cause Hair Loss?
Many individuals look at dry shampoo as a godsend. Literally, all you have to do is shower a few sprays over your hair, fluff it a bit, and the fine powder contained in the spray absorbs the excess oil in your hair and refreshes it almost immediately.
With its ease of use and effective “cleansing” power, it’s no wonder that this convenience product has been making a vast comeback in recent years. But, is there a downside to this seeming “wonder product”?
According to recent research and the shared experience of several individuals, it’s possible that dry shampoo isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, some individuals are even experiencing hair loss that may be related to dry shampoo use.
As early as last April, doctors and dry shampoo users alike began spreading word that the product may be the cause of hair and scalp issues. One user in particular Nicole Baxter of Belfast shared a post on Facebook warning her friends that regular use of a popular brand of dry shampoo had led to her own hair loss, giving her a bald patch and developing a sore, itchy, flaky scalp. News traveled fast, and the post was shared more than 30,000 times. According to the post, the young woman’s doctor suggested that the dry shampoo she had been using regularly was to blame for her hair and scalp concerns.
The use of powder to “clean” the hair is no new concept. The Victorians used arrowroot to sprinkle on their hair and absorb grease. Likewise, powders such as cornstarch and even ground oatmeal have been used in the past. Today, dry shampoos are composed of ingredients such tapioca starch, powdered rice protein, and even clay. Each of which is dispensed the form of an aerosol.
The real issue, though, is that dry shampoo is really not shampoo at all. While shampoo is in the name of the product, it’s really a misnomer. Typical shampoos clean the scalp and hair with detergent-like ingredients, effectively breaking down and removing dirt. Dry shampoo doesn’t actually cleanse the scalp or hair at all. All that dry shampoo does is absorb the oil on the scalp so that the hair looks and feels fresher.
With that effect, dry shampoo does not clean the hair or scalp and is really just a cosmetic product that needs washed out regularly. If it isn’t, then it can cause issues such as blocked pores, skin irritation, and scaling. The product can even lead to seborrheic dermatitis, involving such issues as red, flaky, itch, inflamed skin and even hair loss.
So, is dry shampoo safe to use? It is when used for its intended purpose – buying your hairstyle an extra day. But, it’s really not a safe alternative for regular hair washing and shouldn’t be used as one.
A little hair loss while shampooing is normal, but recently women using the WEN line of hair care products have lost more than a stray strand or two in the shower. These women have reported excessive breakage, burning and balding after shampooing their hair with the supposedly mild brand of cleansing conditioner. What exactly is causing the reactions is unknown to the makers of WEN and, at this point, the FDA.
Wen, the hair care line popularized by Chaz Dean's late night infomercials, has come under fire following more than 21,000 adverse reactions reported directly to the company. Complaints about the cleansing conditioner, which markets itself as a natural, gentler alternative to conventional shampoo and conditioner, have led the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to launch an investigation into the product line. In addition to complaints filed directly with Guthy Renker and Chaz Dean, Inc., the FDA has received 127 independent reports of adverse reactions from consumers.
Reactions have been reported in response to the Sweet Almond Mint, Lavender and Pomegranate formulations of Wen Cleansing Conditioner. The investigation follows the initiation of a class action lawsuit levied against WEN in 2014 that details six women's experiences with the product. These women allege that WEN products caused scalp itching, rashes, hair breakage and the loss of clumps of hair.
The FDA has requested data, manufacturing locations, measures taken to guarantee ingredient quality and recent formulation changes to the product, information which may be useful for its investigation. It is inspecting WEN facilities in an attempt to pinpoint the cause of these reactions. In the meantime, the FDA has advised consumers to stop using WEN Cleansing Conditioner if they experience any symptoms such as rash, itching or hair loss. If you suspect WEN products have caused hair loss of balding, contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
"Through this experience, we have learned that there is an immediate need for more education about hair health and common hair concerns in the industry, unrelated to WEN," Chaz Dean Inc. claimed in a statement. "There is no evidence that WEN products cause hair loss and the ingredients and formulations meet or exceed safety and quality standards set by the cosmetics industry. We stand behind them." This reassurance was not enough to satisfy the FDA, whose investigation into the hair care line continues.
Cosmetic Reconstruction
Apollo Hair Replacement, the world's leader in nonsurgical hair replacement is proud to introduce Apollo Cosmetic Reconstruction (ACR), the next generation in hair replacement. Apollo Cosmetic Reconstruction is the latest technological advancement that redefined Apollo's place as the innovative leader in hair replacement.
Apollo Cosmetic Reconstruction is an extraordinary non-surgical hair replacement solution. Created to the exact site of the client’s thinning/balding area, the graft is infused with human hair, matching the client’s own hair color, texture, density, and wave. It is so realistic that most people can't tell it isn't your own natural hair even when running their fingers through it! As the name suggests it is entirely cosmetic, meaning non-surgical. And although at first glance it may just seem like a really, really high-quality wig or toupee, it's in fact a one-of-a-kind custom fitted hairpiece carefully crafted especially for you using real human hair.
Once applied, it can be left in place for weeks at a time and treated as your own hair. This is because it's cosmetically applied directly to your scalp rather than merely sitting on your head like a standard wig. Wear it to bed, in the shower, even swimming. Wash it, style it, blow dry it!
Approximately 80% of men and about 95% percent of women with excessive thinning and pattern baldness are candidates. Candidacy can only be determined by a 10 to15-minutee diagnostic evaluation at our office.
BENEFITS
Contact Us to Find Out More
At Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas / Fort Worth, we take pride in being able to offer you both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions. By introducing new and innovative technologies, we can provide our clients with the widest array of hair loss solutions.
We understand what it's like to be frustrated in the search for answers. At Apollo of Dallas / Fort Worth that frustration ends! We strive not only to solve your hair loss problem, but to provide the most positive, comfortable, and confidential service in the hair replacement industry.
"I'm very lucky to be one of the people who responded so well to laser hair loss therapy. I went into it with faith, but not expecting much.
My hair began to regrow after only a few months and now my bald spot which caused so much
embarrassment in social situations is getting harder and harder to notice. I only wish that everyone responded so well.
There wouldn't be any baldness and the sad feelings that go along with hair loss".
Stacy Giller, Fort Worth, TX
FDA Cleared Laser Hair Restoration Treatment is available for men and women suffering from thinning hair. Using therapeutic low-level lasers, Laser Hair Restoration treatment delivers light energy directly from laser positions designed to cosmetically treat the appearance of thin, fine and damaged hair.
Cellular Benefits
Physiological Benefits
Real Results
At Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas / Fort Worth, we take pride in being able to offer you both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions. By introducing new and innovative technologies, we can provide our clients with the widest array of hair loss solutions.
We understand what it's like to be frustrated in the search for answers. At Apollo of Dallas / Fort Worth that frustration ends! We strive not only to solve your hair loss problem, but to provide the most positive, comfortable, and confidential service in the hair replacement industry.
"As a 55-year-old man, I only wanted enough density of hair to improve my face's balance.
I didn't need a full head of hair so I elected to skip hair systems and surgery and try the laser treatment. It worked!
Along with Propecia, I grew enough hair back to be more than happy with my treatment at Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas".
Steve Sommers, Dallas, TX
FDA Cleared Laser Hair Restoration Treatment is available for men and women suffering from thinning hair. Using therapeutic low-level lasers, Laser Hair Restoration treatment delivers light energy directly from laser positions designed to cosmetically treat the appearance of thin, fine and damaged hair.
Cellular Benefits
Physiological Benefits
Real Results
At Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas / Fort Worth, we take pride in being able to offer you both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions. By introducing new and innovative technologies, we can provide our clients with the widest array of hair loss solutions.
We understand what it's like to be frustrated in the search for answers. At Apollo of Dallas / Fort Worth that frustration ends! We strive not only to solve your hair loss problem, but to provide the most positive, comfortable, and confidential service in the hair replacement industry.