Hair Loss - The Bane Of Both Men And Women

by Carol Evans

Hair loss had long been the bane of men, although it can also effect women and in that case, the effects can be even more emotionally devastating.
Since ancient times, hair loss has been associated with lack of virility and advancing age, even sinister overtones. The claim that bald men are actually les virile than these with hair is actually patently false, as men experiencing hair loss are actually doing so due to large amounts of testosterone in their bodies. Ironically, the hair loss process often slows down around the age of 50, when most men experience a significant drop in testosterone levels.
There are many people looking to make some money off of a mans fear of losing his hair. The advertisements run the gamut from natural remedies to tablets, to surgery. Some of these claims are true, and some will force a balding man to shell out a lot of cash for a hair loss remedy that simply does not work. The following are some methods that do work.
Propecia finestride is a tablet that is taken daily by men experiencing hair loss. It is prescribed by a doctor after a discussion of possible side effects. Remember that there will be side effects inherent with any working medicine, and that not all and sometimes none of them will come to pass, they are simply a possibility. As propecia finestride is designed to block testosterone development in part, side effects can include a loss of sexual appetite and fatigue. Propecia finestride has been show to re-grow some amounts of hair in 20% of men. In 60% of men, it stops the hair loss process, and in the last 20% it has no effect at all. If the pill is discontinued, men will experience hair loss at increased levels.
Rogaine is also used by men to slow down or halt hair loss. It is more inconvenient than finestride as it is a cream that must be applied to the hair twice daily. It has the same results as finestride, although the side effects are not as pronounced.
A third option for anyone experiencing hair loss is surgery. Laser surgery and hair replacement surgery are both available, and of the two the replacement surgery is the best option as it uses the patients natural hair to replace the hair that has been lost. As with any cosmetic surgery, however, there is significant cost involved and a large number of scam artists. People wishing to go this route must do their homework before selecting a doctor and should always verify credentials.
Copyright?2006 hairlosswebguide.com. Visit for more hair loss articles. Youll find hair transplant resources and more about hair replacement.

[tags]Hair Loss[/tags]

Hair Loss and Supplements

by Mary Desaulniers

Copyright 2006 Mary Desaulniers
It wasnt until his mid-fifties that my father started losing his hair. I remember the boxes of lotions, creams, heating massage pads that kept coming to his house (much to my stepmothers chagrin). But his hairline kept receding and a decade later, only a well-greased tuft remained on the crown of his head.
Genetics had a lot to do with his situation. My older brother, almost 60 now, is showing the same pattern of thinning hair. But, unlike my father, he has a lot more treatment options at his disposal.
Causes for hair loss can run the gamut from genetics, medical treatments like chemotherapy, skin eczema or allergies, excessive stress, poor nutrition, hormonal changes like menopause and “andropause”, under-active thyroid, immune disorders to trichotillomania, a psychological disorder in which people are compelled to pull out their hair. A study in England has also shown a direct connection between smoking and hair loss. It also showed that smokers were 4 times more likely to have gray hair than non-smokers.
Some conditions can be treated medically through drugs like minoxidil and corticosteroids. Others might require something more drastic, like follicular hair transplant, a form of surgical hair restoration that does provide lasting benefits. The cost, however, can be prohibitive.
But for us normal folks in our 30s, 40s, even 50s, who are just starting to notice our thinning hair, what preventative measures or supplementation can we take to minimize hair loss?
Because healthy hair is dependent on the health of the scalp (hair requires a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich blood to nourish the hair follicles in the scalp) it makes sense that eating nutritionally balanced meals will promote healthy follicles and healthy hair growth. In a recent interview, Dr. Shari Lieberman Ph.D CNS, a nutrition scientist and exercise physiologist at the University of Bridgeport, CT, claims that crash diets have been responsible for many cases of hair loss: “Im seeing a lot of women not eating enough protein. A lot of them are eating vegetables; theyre eating carbs. Theyve really gone off a lot of protein and sometimes Ill see hair loss in women for that.”
There is no doubt that a daily diet rich in protein, good carbs and essential fats is important for hair health. Hair is very sensitive to vitamin or mineral imbalances in the body. A flaky scalp can be caused by too little vitamin A; however, too much vitamin A can also bring about hair loss. Supplements, when taken on a consistent basis, at the average or standard dosage suggested below or at a dosage recommended by your physician, can be a strong deterrent to premature hair loss. Consider the following:
a) Evening Primrose Oil and Flaxseed Oil. Both of these are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for strong, healthy hair. Evening primrose oil contains a special fat called gamma-linolenic acid( GLA) which the body converts to hormonelike compounds called prostaglandins. The GLA in evening primrose oil is directly converted to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins which are effective against eczema and skin allergies. Taking evening primrose oil (1000mg 3 times a day) will prevent hair loss that is caused by excess flaking and shedding of skin on the scalp.
b) Flaxseed Oil (14 g a day) provides substances called lignans which may help fight cancer, bacteria, viruses and fungi. Flaxseed oil boosts the health of hair and nail and speeds the healing of scalp lesions that may contribute to hair loss. A recent study involving 10 men between the ages of 20 and 70 in varying stages of male pattern baldness ( AGA) showed that 8 of the subjects reported modest improvement of their hair loss condition, one reported much improvement and one subject reported no effect. Throughout the study, the daily numbers of hair loss decreased and 50 percent of the subjects noticed a decrease in oil secretion in their scalp.
c) Zinc (30mg) can boost thyroid function and reduce hair loss that comes from an underactive thyroid. Zinc must be taken with its companion Copper (2 mg a day) in order to maintain proper mineral balance in the body. Copper also contains melanin, the pigment that colors hair and skin and can help reverse or delay premature graying. Zinc can also affect the levels of androgens, the hormones involved in some form of genetic hair loss.
d) Biotin (1000 mcg a day) and Vitamin B-50 Complex (1 tablet twice a day) can also reduce the oiliness and flakiness of the scalp and strengthen the condition of the hair.
Other preventative procedures could include a weekly scalp massage to stimulate blood flow and reduce stress which can contribute to hair loss, wearing a hat to protect hair and scalp from sun damage and avoiding abrasive hair treatment like permanents or coloring.
A runner for 27 years, retired schoolteacher and writer, Mary is helping people reclaim their bodies. Nutrition, exercise, positive vision and purposeful engagement are the tools used to turn their bodies into creative selves. You can visit her at http://www.greatbodyat50.com/ or learn how she lost her weight at http://www.greatbodyproteinpower.com/

[tags]Hair Loss, Hair Loss and Supplements[/tags]

Gastric Bypass Causes Hair Loss: Can It Be Avoided?

by Kaye Bailey

Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative patients sit on the fence before deciding to have gastric bypass surgery. Obese people, particularly obese women, often have lush gorgeous hair. Of course they do ¨C it¡¯s well fed and nourished! How many of us have been described as the woman with ¡°beautiful hair and a pretty face¡±? What person in their right mind would give up one of their beautiful features?

Hair loss usually occurs in the fourth of fifth month following weight loss surgery. During the phase of rapid weight loss, caloric intake is marginal. This puts the body in a state of panic called starvation. Think about the pictures of prisoners of war. Most victims of this atrocity are without hair because they are literally starving to death. A healthy body normally sheds ten percent of hair follicles at any given time. When a body is starving roughly thirty to forty percent of hair follicles are sacrificed as the body channels nutrition to more vital areas. During this phase hair loss is dramatic, often patients find clumps of hair on the shower floor. Remaining hair becomes drab and lifeless.

I knew hair loss was a potential result of weight loss surgery, but because I¡¯m a ¡°cup-half-full¡± person, I didn¡¯t believe that hair loss would happen to me! That just happens to other people, I told myself! Imagine my surprise when my blonde locks were littering the bathroom floor like hair saloon. I shed some tears over that.

The hair loss is a transient effect of your gastric bypass surgery and will be resolved when nutrition and weight stabilize. When my hair began falling out, my husband, who has been a proponent of vitamin supplements all his life, found a vitamin specifically formulated for building strong healthy hair. The vitamin I take for healthy hair and nails is Silica Complex by Puritan¡¯s Pride¨°. It contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, betaine and horsetail extract. Consumption of this supplement almost immediately retarded my hair loss and renewed my dull lifeless hair. I will continue taking this supplement throughout my life. Three years after surgery my hair is long, full and lustrous ¨C one would never know I had suffered significant hair loss. In hindsight, I would certainly begin taking this supplement prior to my surgery. In the very least I would begin taking it soon after surgery before the signs of hair loss were apparent.

Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved. Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com/ and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com/ - Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.Provided By: Health and Fitness

[tags]Hair Loss[/tags]