*** The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use only and is not intended to constitute any professional advice or to substitude for any medical advice provided by your physician or other medical professional. You should not use information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your physician or health care provider. ***

Hair Regrowth - Effect of Hair Loss on Appearance and Self-Esteem

When people realise they are suffering from some form of hair loss, people instantly wonder what effect this will have on their appearance and whether this means they will look unattractive or older as a result. It is no wonder then that plenty of men and women will consider hair transplantation to overcome what they perceive to be an age-inappropriate appearance.

People that unfortunately suffer from hair loss do not want to appear older than their present age, or even older than they wish to portray. This is not necessarily people being vain and many factors may affect their decision to take such a step.

Reasons for people to get a hair transplant to avoid age-inappropriate appearance can be personal, work-related, or a combination of both. In both personal and work environments, age-inappropriate appearance can substantially influence one's self-regard, self-esteem, interpersonal and work-related relationships.

A person’s age is objectively measured in years, however a person’s appearance can lead to people making assumptions as to how old they may be.

Most people who are encountered in the workplace or in social environments probably do not know your calendar age unless you revealed it to them, but they quickly make judgments regarding your appearance of age. Along with their assessment of your apparent age as seen through their eyes, they may make some judgments regarding what may be called age-related values.

Believing that people may be making these assumptions have a dramatic impact on us and the way we feel. Believing that people may deem us to look older or less attractive can cause us to have lower self-esteem and in some cases can cause us to withdraw into ourselves.

The emotional aspects of living with hair loss can be challenging. Discovery of hair loss is a stressful experience for both sexes, but substantially more distressing for women.

Physical beauty is one of the cornerstones of self-esteem and it is one of the most vulnerable. The self-esteem levels and other measures of self-worth drop significantly when hair loss occurs.

Hair is an important determinant of physical attractiveness and a mean of expressing individuality. Hair loss affects the individual’s feelings of attractiveness. For balding women it is especially hard to live in a society that places great value on youthful appearance and attractiveness.

Because women are famous for spending a lot of time and money grooming, dying, curling, drying, and styling their hair to make it look its best, when they begin to lose their hair, it is extremely traumatic. This cosmetic setback is quite intense when a woman is used to having hair and suddenly finds herself losing it. They can have a lot of trouble dealing with the reality of hair loss. In extreme circumstances, some people really take hair loss badly and get highly distressed about it, up to the point of getting into depression.

Some people make assumptions that they are losing something about their control of their life, things they really can not reverse when they start losing their hair.

Correcting hair loss may not be merely a matter of halting loss of hair or replacing lost hair. Well-planned and long-term management of hair loss requires professional attention such as that offered by a physician or hair restoration specialist.

If you are suffering from hair loss, and are concerned at all about the effects this may have, it is essential that you consult your GP for their diagnosis as to whether it may be temporary or likely to continue to and progressively get worse.

Hair Regrowth - Most common reasons cause to hair loss

There are many ideas on why hair loss occurs and it would seem that everyone you talk to has a reason for why it may be happening to you. There are of course only a few scientific proven reasons for hair loss and many of the other reasons are just merely old wives' tales.

The most common reason for hair loss are:

1. Dihydrotestosterone/DHT

The major cause of hair loss is of course DHT. DHT is a hormone. DHT is directly related to and affected by the level of testosterone in the bloodstream. DHT blocks the growth of hair in men and is the cause of most baldness. And even though this is a male hormone, women also have a small amount that runs through their blood, some higher than others.

When a female inherits hair follicles that are supersensitive to DHT, they start to lose hair just like men do. Men generally have hair loss concentrated in a specific pattern from the front through to the crown, while women have an overall thinning of the hair throughout the scalp. About half of all people have inherited hair loss by about 50 years of age.

What is Dihydrotestosterone/DHT?

Dihydrotestosterone (read more about Dihydrotestosterone/DHT from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), or DHT, is the leading cause of hair loss. Whilst we know what the leading cause of hair loss is, unfortunately there is no miracle cure to completely block its effects and solve the problem of hair loss forever.

 DHT cause the hair follicle to shrink and restricts the follicles ability to produce hair growth. This is how DHT is responsible for about 95% of hair loss. In addition to all this, DHT tends to create a wax like substance around the hair roots and it is this accumulation of DHT in the hair follicles and roots that gives rise to male and female pattern hair loss.

DHT is responsible for more than just hair loss in males as well. It plays a major role in the growth of facial hair, the deepening of the voice during puberty, sex drive, and muscle growth. Because of the important role it plays in helping men look and act like men, the hormone cannot be completely blocked or eliminated in the body.

The production of DHT in the scalp is the primary problem for men and women experiencing hair loss, which means that it is actually possible to have plenty of DHT to keep your body in balance, while at the same time virtually eliminating hair loss as a problem.

Dihydrotestosterone/DHT and How It Affects Hair Loss

Many people feel that genetics is what causes hair loss, which is only partially true. People from the same blood line will of course have many similar physical characteristics. However, this is not the only cause.

If DHT were not part of every human in the world today, hair loss would not be nearly such a big problem as it is now. DHT is a hormone. DHT is directly related to and affected by the level of testosterone in the bloodstream.

Because there have been plenty research into hair loss, we are now aware what causes DHT, how this effects hair loss and how the effects can be reduced.

DHT in men is mostly a result of a decrease or depletion of testosterone in the male body. As for women, it is caused by a depletion of oestrogen (read more about Oestrogen from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) , causing the woman to have more testosterone in her body than she should.

The effect of DHT varies in men and women. DHT hair loss in men occurs in patches while women it happens through thinning of the hair. This is more common in male than in females because men have more testosterone. It is a main cause of balding among men.

Anyone that suffers from hair loss may find that by stopping the production of DHT will cause their hair loss problem to diminish. Whilst there is no quick miracle product that will immediately stop the production of DHT there are a number of products that will help to reduce the amount of DHT that is produced.

2. Genetics

Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) is a genetic trait. It’s called Androgenetic Alopecia (read more about Androgenetic Alopecia from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). It’s inherited from your family. If the men in your family are showing a bald spot on the crown, it’s likely you will too.

MPB results from genetic traits, and hormonal causes. Although MPB not the primary cause of male-pattern hair loss, genetics does have a significant role in male-pattern hair loss. It is unclear whether having an affected mother or an affected father predisposes descendants to greater risks. When hair loss is related to hormones (androgens (read more about Androgens from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) ) and genetics, it is known as Androgenetic Alopecia, or more commonly just balding. Androgenetic Alopecia is an extremely common disorder.

3. Poor Blood Circulation

Hair loss can be attributed to overall poor blood circulation. Studies have shown that the blood flow to the scalp of men and women suffering from hair loss was significantly lower than those not experiencing hair loss.

4. Environmental Pollutants.

Further studies have indicated that pollutants in the atmosphere have contributed to the production of "environmental hormones" which can also contribute to hair loss.

SUMMARY: As you can see there are many factors that can cause hair loss in both men and women but they all have one underlying theme in common, hair follicles that are affected by hormonal "clogging" agents and poor blood and nutrient circulation are less likely to experience a healthy growth cycle.

Hair Regrowth - Hair Loss Development

Other causes of hair loss

Some are due to high fever, serious infections, major surgery, and in some cases emotional and physical stress causes hair loss. Another causes of hair loss include thyroid disease (read more about Thyroid disease from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) , lack of protein in dirt, low iron, and prescriptive drugs given for blood thymes, acne arthritis, and heart disease. Hair loss can also occur in women who take contraceptives; as well as, after giving birth.

Possible causes of hair loss comes from family genes and hormonal patterns. The developing of bald patches on the beard or on the scalp also causes hair loss. Men and women who often visit barber shops and beauty salons can contact ringworms (read more about Ringworm from PubMed Health U.S. National Library of Medicine - The World's Largest Medical Library) , which also causes hair loss. In some cases adolescence experience hair loss from an illness or not eating properly.

In pregnant females the normal shedding of hair per day is put on hold. Within 3 months the hair starts shedding rapidly. For most teens hair loss is temporary. Thyroid disease, teen medications, and skin disease are a few causes of hair loss in teens. When hair grows-it grows in cycles and eventually falls out. Even though hair sheds 50 to 100 hairs a day, scalp hair grows at about 6 inches per year.

Hair is made up of protein which is required to help produce normal hair. Illnesses like thyroid disease, kidney and liver, cancer and lupus causes hair loss. Medications like Lithium, diet pills with amphetamines, and chemotherapy drugs are major risks of hair loss too. Alopecia Areata (read more about Alopecia Areata from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) is a skin disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and other places on the body.

Trichotilloomania (read more about Trichotilloomania from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) , a disorder that results in pulling on the hair also causes hair loss. People with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia suffer hair loss. Chemically treated hair and hairstyles worn too tight damages the hair follicles that causes the hair to thin.

Hair Regrowth | What Products for Hair Loss?

My Sink is Full of Hair – Give Me Something!! Heredity, hormones, stress, diet, illness, poor hair care – all are factors in hair loss. Stress, diet and illness are more temporary conditions and usually the hair loss is reversed when the anxiety-producing conditions dissipate, when the diet is improved, when hair care improves and when an illness is cured or gotten under control.

Heredity and hormones are different matters, however. Heredity is an irreversible condition. You are a product of your parents, and hair loss is often inherited. Hormones are tricky, hidden things, however, and they have different effects on an individual basis. In a male, testosterone(read more about Testosterone from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) abides abundantly. There are also enzymes working on testosterone which product a substance called Dihydrotestosterone/DHT (read more about Dihydrotestosterone/DHT from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

DHT is now known to circulate in the blood and cause other conditions, one of which is the shrinking of hair follicles. When hair follicles shrink enough, they are unable to produce and push a new hair through. As old hair dies, it is then not replaced.

In women, hormonal imbalances can also cause hair loss. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause all cause significant hormonal change and imbalances with both physical and mental effects. These changes can also cause hair loss, both temporary and permanent. Hair loss and re-growth products have been around for centuries.

In ancient times, a variety of herbal and oil-based remedies were concocted and used by Egyptians, Aztecs, Mayans, and American Indians, all with some degree of effectiveness for some people. Modern medical research has focused on ways to re-open and stimulate “dead” hair follicles, so that hair growth can re-occur naturally, as well as keep the healthy follicles healthy.

Thus, a number of products have become available, both by prescription and over-the-counter. They are advertised on radio and television and all over the Internet. One need only do a “google” search on hair loss, and there are literally thousands of sites and products for investigation. One ingredient in many hair loss products is minoxidil (read more about Minoxidil from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Research studies have shown that in about 80% of the participants, products containing this ingredient are effective in slowing hair loss and, in some, causing regrowth to occur. Most scientifically-produced products do have separate products for males and females, because, of course, hormones in each are different and of different levels.

The critical key to effectiveness, according to its makers, is the addition of the azelaic acid, however, the correct amount of this acid is most important piece of this treatment. As with most hair loss products, the makers recommend patience. It may take from 3-6 months for improvement to occur.

Medical research is far from finished in its exploration of products which will stop hair loss and promote regrowth of “permanent” loss. As this research continues, existing producers will undoubtedly alter their products accordingly. Fortunately, a lot of money is being poured into the research, so hair loss sufferers, take heart!

Hair Regrowth | Stop Hair Loss

Each strand of hair grows for a period of two to six years – pretty amazing, actually. During this 6 years, hair will grow about ½ inch a month, so any terrible haircut will soon be a thing of the past. After its growth period, a strand of hair will go dormant and eventually die, as it is pushed out by the growth of a replacement from the hair follicle.

Under normal conditions, 90 per cent or your hair is in the growth period, and only 10 per cent is dormant or dying. So, you should lose about 100-150 strands a day – no problem! If you are experiencing greater than normal hair loss, take a look at several things. It is easier to diagnose and correct now than to wait until it is horribly noticeable by others and embarrassing to you.

1. Check your diet. If you are not eating a balanced diet, your entire body will be affected, and your hair is a part of your body. Certain proteins, minerals, and oils are critical for normal hair health.

2. Check your stress levels. Anxiety (read more about Anxiety from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) and stress are common causes of hair loss. Some stress cannot be avoided – death of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, financial worries – but you can take steps to reduce their affect on your body. One of these is regular exercise. As well, you need to develop relaxation techniques, such as breathing therapy, Yoga, or meditation. Whatever works for you, increase it!

3. Hair loss can be a symptom of a disease – Lupus (read more about Lupus from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) and Diabetes are two common causes. When hair loss appears to have no other cause, you need to check with your doctor. Diabetes and Lupus are more dangerous than the hair loss they cause.

4. How about mom and dad? Hair loss, particularly pattern hair loss, is partially a result of heredity, and heredity from both sides. Unfortunately, this one can’t be reversed.

5. Fungal infections (Mycosis) (read more about Fungal infections (Mycosis) from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) of the scalp can cause hair loss. Usually, you will see the signs of these on your scalp. Have them diagnosed and get them treated! Keeping the skin clean and dry, as well as maintaining good hygiene, will help larger topical mycoses. Because fungal infections are contagious, it is important to wash after touching other people or animals. Sports clothing should also be washed after use. Wearing flip-flops if using a community swimming pool or shower will also help prevent topical infections.

6. Harsh shampoos can cause increased hair loss. There is an ingredient in shampoo which causes it to lather – Surfactant (read more about Surfactant from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, or that between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants. Too much of this can cause itchy, dry, and scaly scalps, and those conditions can cause hair loss.

7. Other hair treatments will increase hair loss. Frequent dyes, perms, and dry heat (blow dryers and curling irons) can damage hair. Your follicles are still operating well, but your live hair is fried and falling out.If you find that you are doing everything right and have no diseases or scalp conditions, you will want to try other remedies, which fall into three categories.

■Medicines developed specifically for hair loss. There are a multitude of creams, pills, and ointments available to try. Everyone is different and what works for one will not necessarily work for you. You will need to experiment to find one that seems to work best for you or consult your health care provider.

■Natural remedies are available as well. Most of these include essential oils, that is, concentrated oils from specific plants. Provillus is a very good example of this method of hair loss treatment. Provillus is an oral supplement, which works to block DHT, a form of testosterone that is responsible for 95 percent of hair loss. It also works to stimulate the scalp and bring dead follicles back to life. You can use Provillus as a preventative tool, starting the program before hair loss becomes severe, or you can use it after DHT has already begun to take hold of your hair and scalp.

■Surgery: There are a wide variety of procedures available to you, however, they are quite costly. Any type of permanent hair replacement will take several months, several visits, and several trips to your bank account. Research your options, and get several consultations before a final decision.Try the least expensive and lifestyle change options first. If they work, you have saved yourself time and money. But don’t sit on the situation too long – hair loss can be a symptom of something more serious.

Hair Regrowth - Anti-Hair Loss Shampoos

One easy-to-try option is a shampoo specifically designed to increase the health of existing hair and to reduce the rate of hair loss in both men and women. There are several sources to investigate specific shampoos, research studies which can be accessed to determine the effectiveness of many of these products.

Good professional sources include dermatologists and licensed cosmeticians who see hair loss conditions frequently and have had the opportunity to observe the efficacy of a variety of shampoos. As well, an Internet 'Google' search will provide hundreds of products, complete with testimony and small research studies. It’s easy to get confused when investigating the hundreds of shampoos available.

With some background knowledge of what has shown to be effective in larger, previous studies, however, you can make more intelligent choices about the shampoos you choose for experimentation. And that is the great thing about shampoos – they are relatively inexpensive in this maze of hair loss/regrowth methods, so you can try lots of them without breaking your budget!

1. Surfactants:People feel good when their shampoos lather up nicely. Lather, however, is just for psychological effect. Somehow we believe that the more lather a shampoo produces, the cleaner our hair must be getting. The ingredient that causes lather is call a surfactant and does not have cleaning properties. Other ingredients in shampoos actually do the cleaning. Surfactants are, however, pretty harsh, and, for someone who is experiencing more-than-normal hair loss, surfactants should be avoided. There are lots of shampoos out there without it – try some.

2. Herbal Ingredients:The most notable herb with some success in hair loss difficulty is Saw Palmetto (read more about Saw palmetto extract from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) . Shampoos with this ingredient are certainly worth a try. Saw Palmetto seems to inhibit the production of DHT in men, for example, and DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and close up.

3. Nettle: Nettle (read more about Nettle from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) have also been helpful to some people. Shampoos which include these might help you too.

4. Essential Oils:These oils are concentrated ones which come from plants such as lavender. From ancient times, these have been used to stimulate healthy hair and to decrease the rate of hair loss. We know that we have much to learn from early medicine men and healers. Perhaps this is another example.

5. Tea Tree Oil:Many swear by this ingredient, and there are several brands of this on the market. So popular are these shampoos, you can find them at most any drug store as well as health product retailers. As an aside, tea tree oil has also been found to be effective in the prevention of head lice infestations.

There are no definitive studies to show that shampoos can actually result in regrowth of hair that is caused by what we all 'permanent' conditions, largely the result of heredity and hormones. However, early prevention is important, and experimenting with shampoos during these early stages may provide invaluable help in reducing the rate of loss.

Hair Regrowth - Hair loss and Herbal Remedies

Many people care a great deal about their condition of their hair and some people spend a lot money on shampoos, conditions, treatments in order to help it look its best and to stay in the best condition. A lot of people would almost do anything to prevent further hair loss or to seek hair re-growth.

Much hair loss and baldness is related to DHT or genetics; however, other factors may play a role such as hormonal problems, poor nutrition, medication, chemotherapy and thyroid disease.

There are a variety of pharmaceutical products that claim to promote hair growth and prevent thinning hair and help combat the causes of the hair loss. Some, however, can cause dangerous side effects and often do not work. It is always hard to know which products are the safe ones that actually do show results and it sometimes can take a lot of researching to find the right product.

Herbal treatments, however, have been used for centuries to treat the scalp and hair, and many are effective in the prevention of baldness, keeping hair looking healthy and can even help in restoring hair pigment to its original color.

Some natural alternatives to help restore your hair and slow down the hair loss problem are:

Ginkgo biloba - Rich in antioxidants, Ginkgo biloba (read more about Ginkgo biloba from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) provides increased blood flow to the hair follicles in the scalp, strengthening and stimulating the hair shaft.

Polygonum Multiflorum (Fallopia multiflora) - Also known as Fo-ti or He shou wu, Polygonum multiflorum (Fallopia multiflora (read more about Fallopia multiflora from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) ) is a Chinese herb used for centuries to slow hair loss, promote new hair growth, restore hair to its original color and to slow the aging process. It is often mixed in with other herbs to create a tonic that stimulates the scalp and hair growth.

Topical aromatherapy applications - Using aromatherapy mixtures topically on the scalp may help regrow hair in some cases. A mixture of essential oils including rosemary, cedarwood, lavender and thyme can be applied to the scalp to stimulate blood flow and hair growth.

Reishi mushroom - Reishi mushroom, or Ganoderma (read more about Ganoderma from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) lucidum is another well-known Chinese herb with many health benefits. Reishi mushroom is often combined in hair tonics along with Fo-ti and other Chinese herbs to promote hair growth and prevent balding. Find it at Chinese herbal shops where you would also buy Fo-ti.

Pumpkin extract – Pumpkins extract (read more about Pumpkins from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) are widely grown for commercial use, and are used both in food and recreation. The main nutrients are lutein and both alpha and beta carotene, the latter of which generates vitamin A in the body

Saw palmetto extract –Saw palmetto extract (read more about Saw palmetto extract from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Saw palmetto extract has been suggested as a potential treatment for male pattern baldness.

Gotu kola –Gotu Kola the creeping, umbelliferous plant Centella asiaticus or preparations of its leaves and stems, which are used to promote wound healing and to treat the lesions of leprosy; also widely used in ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine. Gotu kola has a positive effect on the circulatory system. It improves the flow of blood while strengthening the veins and capillaries. These compound ingredients help prevent thinning hair follicles form becoming thinner-leading to baldness.

Summary – the same as taking any pharmaceutical products it is always best to check that the product is safe. If you experience any side effects then you must stop taking the product immediately. It is always best to consult a medical professional if you are experiencing hair loss to ensure there is no underlying health issues that are the cause.