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How to Treat Hair Loss

While thinning and balding hair are often associated with the aging process, hair loss can occur in very young adults. In fact, male pattern baldness has been known to show its first signs in men as young as 15 years old. While it’s most commonly seen in middle-aged men, it is not at all rare to see many cases of male pattern baldness in men in their 20s and early 30s.

Generally, genetics may play a large role in an individual’s thinning hair timeline. If you have several relatives who experienced hair loss in their younger days, then it’s likely that you’ll be prone to a similar experience. While it used to be widely believed that the balding trait was passed down from the material side, experts now trust that it is inherited from both parents.

Regardless of your age, you probably want a straightforward, non-invasive treatment for hair loss. Many hair loss treatments on today’s market offer unfortunate side effects or major procedures. It’s no wonder that so many individuals feel frustrated with the treatment for hair loss options available.

Male Hair Loss Treatment

As DHT buildup is one of the main causes of thinning hair, it’s imperative that the male hair loss treatment you choose tackles this specific problem. So, why is DHT such a common predicament for male scalps? Well, it’s simple; DHT is short for dihydrotestosterone, which is a converted form of the male sex hormone testosterone.

Of course, all males produce testosterone so it’s no surprise that so many men have issues with DHT buildup. Basically, DHT becomes an issue when it makes itself comfortable in your hair follicles. When it resides there, it essentially blocks the follicular openings, making it difficult for hair to pass through them. If new hair cannot easily grow through the follicles, then the entire growth cycle is assaulted. Over time, if the follicles aren’t freed from the DHT blockages, hair growth may simply cease.

Female Hair Loss Treatment

If you’ve been researching hair loss treatments and you’re a female, you may feel a little overlooked. Male pattern baldness is far more common than female baldness—approximately 35 million men live with this condition, as opposed to 21 million women—and what’s more, men are generally more comfortable discussing this matter. However, Kevis has designed a line of hair rejuvenating products that won’t make you feel like you’re raiding the men’s locker room.

Of course you want to protect and revitalize your hair—but you want beautiful, glossy hair as well. Unlike some harsh treatments that strip your hair, leaving it dull and limp, our lotions and shampoos are formulated with HUCP, a form of hyaluronic acid, a substance that keeps cells hydrated and well lubricated. This makes our products the perfect hair loss treatment for the discriminating female.

DHT Blocker

While reasons for hair loss can encompass a variety of factors, such as illness or trauma to the hair, the most common culprit is the DHT hormone. DHT essentially inhibits normal, healthy hair growth, causing the follicle to enter dormancy and possibly ending in its demise. Because of this, those suffering from hair loss can benefit from a DHT blocker, which can help promote healthy hair in a scientific and safe way.

One cutting-edge DHT blocker is hyaluronic acid, also known as HUCP when it carries a specific high molecular weight. Patented by Kevis, and present in our product line, HUCP promotes hair strength and longevity by creating robust, hydrated hair as it permeates the scalp, preventing follicles from filling with DHT. Ultimately, by using natural ingredients which capitalize on established human biochemical interactions, the Kevis Hair Improvement System creates an environment in which your hair can strive and thrive.

Hair Loss Medication

Hair loss is a problem that affects a wide variety of people from all walks of life including both men and women. Consequently, there have been many different products and programs created to address the needs of those who wish to stop or prevent hair loss. Prescription hair loss medication is widely available these days, and in many cases it has produced reliable results.

Unfortunately, most types of hair loss medication carry the risk of possible side effects that users have to worry about. These side effects may include itchy scalp, headache, blurred vision, hypotension, acne, sexual dysfunction, chest pain and increased hair loss. There may also be a risk of drug interaction with other medications taken at the same time. All types of hair loss medication should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.

Hair Loss Drugs

Due to the pervasive issue of hair loss in both men and women, many hair loss drugs have become available. Certain hair loss drugs require a doctor’s prescription but it’s wise to consult your doctor even before you begin taking any non-prescription hair loss drugs. Most hair loss drugs may cause side effects in users, such as itchy scalp, headache, facial swelling and decreased sexual desire.

Natural Treatments for Hair Loss

In an ideal world, we’d all never have to take any medication of any kind. We’d all like to keep our bodies as natural and free of toxins as possible. While this ideal is not always achievable, our Kevis team has taken you one step closer to it; we offer natural treatments for hair loss so you don’t have to take hair loss drugs to get the full head of hair you want.

What Are Natural Treatments for Hair Loss?

While there are other natural treatments for hair loss available, few have been shown to be as effective as the Kevis system. In clinical studies, we have shown an extremely high success rate –92%. The timeframe for results does vary from individual to individual; however, most of our clients see positive changes in their hair’s texture and appearance within a few weeks.

Other natural treatments for hair loss include vitamins, aromatherapy, massage and certain natural herbs. If you are taking extra vitamins to aid hair growth, make sure to consult your physician; taking too many vitamins can be detrimental to your health. In fact, a possible side effect of taking too many vitamins is thinning hair so you certainly want to make sure you aren’t working against yourself!

The Kevis system is one of the most natural treatments for hair loss since every single one of our products is completely drug-free. You don’t have to even think about possible side effects since you won’t get any with Kevis.

- Dr. Hair

Kevis products contain no drugs and so require no medical supervision. Also Kevis shampoos, conditioners, and lotions contain no harmful chemicals, produce no side effects and are safe and effective for men and women of all ages. They are easy to use and get results. Kevis products promote healthy hair growth, increase your hair’s beauty and health, and intensify its strength.

For more information on our products please visit:

Hair Loss Products & Treatments

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Kevis Hair Regrowth Products

Hair Loss and a Healthy Diet

Nutritionists say you can improve your hair’s health by feeding hair what it needs to be healthier from the inside out.  While the quality, quantity, and distribution of your hair is genetically pre-determined and cannot be changed, solving hair malnutrition problems can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your hair.  •    Is your hair breaking more easily?•    Is your hair duller than normal?•    Is your hair more limp than usual?•    Are you noticing more hair fall-out than normal?Since your hair is often a barometer of your body’s health, if you notice hair thinning and fall-out, consult a board-certified dermatologist for an accurate diagnoses of your hair loss and consult your primary care physician in case hair loss is a symptom of a larger systemic health issue. In addition, evaluate your own diet and keep a food diary for about seven days to identify if you are falling into any of these bad hair diet traps.Also, beware of ‘vitamin-enriched’ masks and conditioners that sit on top of hair because they can’t improve hair’s health. Stylists and doctors alike agree that applying proteins like collagen to your hair won’t change hair’s structure because hair is composed of dead cells, like fingernails, that don’t absorb and can’t ‘use’ the nutrients. You need to “feed” your hair what it needs to be healthy from the inside out!•    Appetizers:  Steer clear of sugary, fatty foods. “Junk food is the worst offender,” advises dietitian Joanne Larsen, M.S, R.D. of askthedietitan.com. “Junk food fills you up with empty calories that have no nutritional value and your body can’t use the calories for building and maintaining healthy tissue, like skin and hair, let alone overall health.”•    Main Course:    According to Larsen, hair is made of keratin protein and a diet deficient in protein will show up in hair thinning and loss along with dulling and breakage. The United States Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) Food Guide Pyramid advises that at least 15% of daily calories should come from high-quality protein-rich foods like lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, soy, nuts, grains and seeds.  According to the USRDA, Depending on weight, age, and physical activity level, adult men aged 25-51+ need 63 grams of protein (around six ounces of protein per day). Women aged 25-51+ need 50 grams (around five ounces).•    Side dishes: Be sure all eight essential amino acids which are included in ‘complete proteins’ are eaten every day. Some complete proteins include milk, egg whites, and a variety of legumes like beans, peas and nuts. If a person eats a variety of legumes, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and grains, they will get all eight essential amino acids an adult needs, as directed by the USRDA. In addition ‘essential fatty acids’ are not produced within the human body and must be taken from your daily diet are essential to shiny, vibrant, healthy hair and the cellular function necessary for hair growth. The use of cold-pressed nut and seed oils, such as flax seed oil, daily on salads and in any dishes that do not require heating contain the essential omega-6 fatty acids while omega-3 fatty acids are contained in fish.•    Drinks anyone?  Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks because they leach important vitamins and minerals from your body. These poor drink choices also take the place of healthier choices like water, green or black teas or fresh, all-natural fruit juices.  In addition the human body needs about 64 ounces of water (eight, 8-oz. glasses) to maintain health. Are you getting enough? After urinating the first time after waking up, your urine should be colorless and odorless for the remainder of the day. If it is a concentrated yellow, or has a strong odor, increase your water intake, explains Larsen.•    Desserts: Don’t crash diet because a diet very low in calories (less than 600 calories per day) also deprives hair, as well as the rest of your body, of the necessary nutrients for health.If you want more information on serving sizes of actual food choices, portions, and menu plans, go to mypyramid.gov to view a great chart that makes the information clear and easy to use in your daily diet, as recommended by the USRDA. Also, a good, whole food multi-vitamin and mineral supplement can help when your diet is out of balance.  Larsen says beware hair analysis services that have not yet been determined appropriate for general nutritional evaluation. “Even though businesses in hair analysis operate, they are a waste of money,” she says.

How To Prevent Hair Loss

Most of the human population consider hair loss as a social embarrassment. Occurrence of hair loss in mid twenties of either sex will definitely affect one’s self-confidence. There are various therapies available to prevent hair loss. Most people are having this question in their mind- How to prevent hair loss?
To prevent hair loss, an individual should select an appropriate treatment that will help him or her. Natural products and conventional drugs are readily available to prevent hair loss. Products like Rogaine and Propecia are used to prevent hair loss.
Nowadays the product Rogaine is used to prevent hair loss, but earlier it has been extensively used to treat high blood pressure. Do not use Rogaine if your scalp has been subject to irritation, or sunburn. Moreover don’t use Rogaine on any other part of the body except your head. To see positive results you will need to continue treatment for at least 3 months.
Propecia was used to treat prostates in its early days. Pregnant women should not take Propecia, because it may cause neonatal anomalies. In fact Propecia should not be taken by women at all! Propecia should be used continuously for three months to prevent hair loss. But this may have a side effect of lack of sex drive and impotency.
Hair Renew is the only product used to prevent hair loss specifically for women. Hair Renew provides three effects viz., nourishes the hair follicles, cleanses the scalp of debris and cleanses the scalp of dirt. Hair Renew neutralizes the DHT found in the scalp to prevent hair loss.
The main effect of the DHT, produced from the hormone testosterone, is hair loss and baldness. In order to prevent hair loss, the level of DHT needs to be reduced. During puberty DHT is found in higher level, which is responsible for secondary sexual characteristics in human.
Other useful products to prevent hair loss are Follicare, Nisim, FNS (Follicle Nutrient System), Tricomin, Vitalizer, and Revivogen. Follicare is used to prevent hair loss especially in men. Follicare hair re-growth treatments can be achieved with Minoxidil or without Minoxidil. Nisim, Tricomin, and Revivogen are available in the forms of shampoo, sprays and conditioner to prevent hair loss.
Tricomin supplies copper directly to the hair follicles to improve hair development. All these products are available separately for oily and dry hair. For best results you need to find out if your hair is dry or oily.
In order to prevent hair loss, select the appropriate drug that has a minimum of side effects. It is always better to consult your doctor before chosing a hair loss products on your own.

Women Hair Loss – the Causes and Treatments Are Discussed

There is a general belief that hair loss only happens to men. Women are expected by society to carry a full head of hair all their lives. People believe that men are the only ones susceptible to hair thinning or balding, especially if there is a family history.
Hair loss statistics, however, can disprove this theory. A survey done by the American Academy of Dermatology shows that at least 30 million women are facing hair loss issues in the United States. Another study published in Dermatologic Surgery says that a lot of young and middle-aged women suffer from hair loss problems. Moreover, the incidence of female hair loss is continually increasing.Causes of Women Hair Loss
But what causes hair loss in women? To best understand that, it is important to know the hair growth cycle. Scientists say that our hair usually grows at the rate of half an inch a month. This growing phase, called Anagen, usually lasts for two years but it can last as long as six years. After this long period of growth, the Catagen phase comes. This is the transitional period in which the hair stops growing. Finally, Telogen occurs, which is the last resting stage of the hair. This lasts for about five to six weeks. Near the end of Telogen, new strands of hair in the Anagen phase develop and pushes out the old Telogen hair. Around 90 percent of our hair are in Anagen, while the remaining 10 percent are in Telogen.
In those with a genetic predisposition to hair loss, hormones called androgens interfere with the normal hair growth cycle. These androgens are found in men in large amounts and in women in smaller amounts. When testosterone, an androgen, comes in contact with the enzymes found in our hair, it is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen that disturbs the hair growth cycle. DHT induces hair loss since its build up causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually die. For a long time, scientists believed that this is the cause of balding for both men and women.
However, more experts now believe that other types of enzymes and hormones are involved in female balding. What gave rise to this new theory is the difference in the balding pattern between men and women. In females, balding begins at the top of the head and spreads out. In males, however, balding occurs in the different spots – the crown, sides, and back of the head. Moreover, it has been found that male hair loss is usually the result of family history. With women, hair loss can occur at any point of their lives.Treatments for Women Hair Loss
Thus, hair treatments for women are different than those for men. Hair loss drugs, such as finasteride or dutasteride, are commonly prescribed for men. Hair treatments for women, on the other hand, lean more on surgical procedures, such as hair transplantation, and other methods, such as hair extending or weaving. This is because prescription drugs usually have harmful side effects on pregnant or potentially pregnant women; they may bring about deformities in male fetuses. It is thus recommended that permanent hair loss in women be treated through hair weaving (addition of hair by braiding synthetic or human hair to root of original hair) and hair transplantation (transferring bald-resistant scalp areas to a bald area). But before you consider any procedure for hair loss treatment, it is a must to consult your physician.

Hair Transplant – 3 Types of Hair Transplantation Methods

Hair loss remains one of the primary concerns of millions of people worldwide, especially men. It is caused by various factors such as hormonal changes, aging, family history, and trauma such as burns. It usually is the case that the earlier hair loss starts, the more severe it will become. Hair replacement surgery or hair transplantation may be a good option to consider as a reconstructive treatment for baldness.
Hair transplantation involves taking some parts of the scalp that are bald-resistant and transferring them to a bald area. Bald-resistant areas of the scalp are those that are found at the sides and at the back of the head. These transplanted areas will generally grow hair throughout your life since they are proven to be genetically resistant to becoming bald. The transplant would look more natural if only a few hairs are relocated per session. This is because of the fact that human hair grows in one to four strands of hair per grouping of follicle.
In general, there are 3 types of hair transplantation methods.1. Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS)
In this procedure, a strip of hair from the donor region is taken and implanted on the thinning or balding area. Sutures are then used to close the donor area. The area would take several days to heal. This procedure is best for average to extreme balding cases since it allows several grafts to be transplanted in a single session.2. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
This procedure is more recent and more popular than the first one. What happens here is that the strands of hair are transplanted from the back and sides of your head in groups of one up to four, since this is how hair naturally grows. Because it mimics how human hair actually grows, the procedure delivers results that look more natural. Another advantage that this procedure has over the other is that it does not involve major and deep cuttings. Thus, the recovery time is shorter and the scars that arise are fewer.3. Scalp Reduction
This type of hair transplantation is rarely performed. The bald area is surgically removed and the hair-bearing scalp is stretched in order to replace what has been removed. This method is very costly. It could also increase the possibility of the tightening of the scalp, which would only lead to its thinning.
If you’re considering having a hair transplantation procedure done, you should first understand that the coverage that you had prior to hair loss will never be brought back. What this surgical procedure can do for you is to make your scalp achieve more fullness and cover the thinning areas. Moreover, it is important to know that as with other forms of surgery, hair transplantation carries with it several risks and complications. It is possible that like in other transplant procedures, the skin graft may “die”, thus requiring a repeat of the process. Also, small bumps may form on the scalp. Hair transplantation is normally safe when it is done by a qualified doctor. Still, each case is unique and the reaction to the transplant may differ from case to case. Make sure you understand the whole process before you consider undergoing it.

Thin, Fine, Or Thinning Hair?

Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an immune disease that affects almost 2% of the population in the US. This type of hair loss appears in various degrees of severity from small, round patches of hair loss that regrow without medical treatment to chronic, extensive hair loss that can involve the loss of all hair on the scalp or body hair. This type of hair loss affects both genders equally and can occur at any age, although it occurs most often in children and young adults.
Orthodox Treatments for Hair Loss
Doctors aim to treat the underlying cause. If a patient has iron deficiency anaemia they’ll be given iron tablets. If current medication seems to be causing hair loss, GPs may consider prescribing alternative medication or changing the dosage. In certain cases, they may also suggest minoxidil liquid to encourage hair growth or recommend hair transplants.
Thin, fine or thinning hair?
These three terms are often used in the same breath when talking about thinning hair. However, they each mean something different.
1. Thin hair
If you have thin hair, it means you physically have a small number of hair follicles on your scalp. Blondes normally have the most hairs, around 140,000, with redheads having fewer, around 90,000.
2. Fine hair
Although blondes have more hair follicles, the actual diameter of their hair strands are normally smaller, making it appear ‘fine’. Hairs that are coarse have wider, ‘thicker’ hairs.
3. Thinning hair
When hair is thinning, it means that the scalp is in the process of losing hair. This can be due to a variety of conditions. The most common cause is androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss).
Treatment for Alopecia Areata
Treatment of this type of hair loss includes immunomodulating therapies such as glucocorticoids, topical immunotherapy, or anthralin, or biologic-responce modifiers such as Minoxidil. The choice of treatment depends on the patient’s age, as well as the extent of hair loss. Milder cases often see a greater improvement with treatment than severe cases. In no case does treatment restore full hair in patients with 100% scalp or body hair loss.
Due to a lack of credible information, many women are still confused about the reason for their thinning hair and hair loss. So, get your Hair Loss Facts straight at http://www.hairlossfact.info

The Right Shampoos For Hair Loss Treatment

Did you know that nearly 30 million people around the world suffer from hair loss? That’s why this is considered to be a billion dollar industry because both men and women feel social embarrassment. Even though thousands of hair loss products are available on the market, hair loss shampoo is the widely used product.
Hair loss is very often heritable. It may also occur due to aging or hormonal imbalance. Since hair loss is heritable, it may be from your father’s side or mother’s side. There is a common view that the hair loss is mainly from mother’s side but it is not true. Different hair loss treatments are available for different hair loss patterns. One among them is hair loss shampoo.
Many people suffering from hair loss are using hair loss shampoo, because it is the easiest way of treating hair loss. But in a lot of cases not the best! There are numerous varieties of hair loss shampoos available in drugstores.
One among them is Dr.Proctor’s hair loss shampoo, which consists of natural ingredients, no chemicals are added. Statistics show that this product is the favorite hair loss shampoo. The second most popular hair loss shampoo is called Life
Extension Shampoo.
Other commonly used hair loss shampoos are Viviscal, Hair Genesis, Thymuskin, Revivogen, nisim, and Tricomin. A research study confirms that Thymuskin hair loss shampoo is 95% effective in female and 67% in the male pattern baldness. Viviscal shampoo is also very popular. It treats thinning hair, hair loss, and proclaims overall health of the hair.
Viviscal is also available as tablets, scalp lotion and conditioner apart from hair loss shampoo. Viviscal is extracted from marine, which provides the essential amino acids to the hair follicle to keep it healthier.
Hair Genesis is not only available as hair loss shampoo, but also as an oral supplement, topical serum, and conditioner. This natural hair loss product helps to block the DHT by using the botanical DHT blockers to impede hair loss. It has to be used for at least 3 months before any positive effect is seen as a result of this treatment.
How does a hair loss shampoo work? Hair loss shampoo cleans the hair follicle from debris, dirt, oil, and other wastes. These hair loss shampoos have thymus peptides that will diffuse deep into the hair follicles to remove the adhered dirt.
Hair Renew is one of the hair loss shampoos that are specially made for women. This hair loss shampoo cleanses the scalp, neutralizes the DHT in the scalp and also nourishes the hair follicles. DHT in the hair follicles blocks the available nutrients to the hair follicle which results in hair loss.
Be careful in selecting a hair loss shampoo, because some shampoos may harm your hair and may even provoke more hair loss than preventing it.

Commonly Available Hair Loss Treatments

An individual will lose 100 hair per day and hair rubbing, too much brushing or excessive washing may result in an increase of hair loss. Losing 100 hair per day is conisdered absolutely normal! Normal hair loss may increase as age advances. Male pattern baldness is a normal hair loss, which is genetically predetermined.
Many women and men are looking for help to cure hair loss. It is a problem affecting one’s social life. Most of us feel that the outer appearance is an important thing to be successful. Hence there is great need for hair loss products.
Hair loss treatments are available in different forms such as medicines, lotions, and shampoos. To choose the drug that is right for you, you first need to figure out the cause of your hair loss.
There are many reasons for losing hair: aging, heredity and hormonal imbalance. DHT, Dihydrotestosterone is an important precursor for hair loss. DHT will block the flow of essential nutrient to the hair, which in turn stops healthy hair growth.
Saw Palmetto is a powerful herb that lowers the DHT in the body by 5 alpha-reductase blockades. Saw Palmetto stops hair loss by blocking the cell membrane receptor sites in the hair follicle where DHT might get absorbed.
Another herb called Nettle Root also provides hair loss cure by preventing two enzymes viz., aromatase and 5 alpha-reductase, which makes estrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) respectively. Research confirmed that these two enzymes have been blocked completely by the Nettle Root extract.
A cure of hair loss can also be achieved by choosing the medications that block DHT. Hair Genesis, NuGen, and Revivogen are the most suitable medications to block DHT in the scalp. Out of these three products, Revivogen is the most popular one. It fights against the thinning of hair by minimizing the DHT level in the scalp.
Viviscal, Nisim, Folligen and Tricomin are the commonly available shampoos, scalp lotions and conditioners that help to stop hair loss. Viviscal is used extensively for curing hair loss. It is available in tablet form also. Folligen is available with copper peptides to treat hair loss. Tricomin is available in three forms as spray, shampoo and conditioner. It also contains copper.
Trace minerals such as Zinc and magnesium also help to stop hair loss. Zinc is mainly helpful in fighting against skin problems such as boils, sore throats and acne. In addition to this, Zinc plays a crucial role in cell division.
Though there are so many medicines are available to help treating hair loss, only two medications (Rogaine and Propecia) have been approved by the FDA. Rogaine and Propecia are used by men oll over the world to stop hair loss.

Hair Loss Disease: What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss.  Alopecia Areata is the most common form of an unusual auto-immune skin disease resulting in patchy hair loss on your scalp.  It usually starts with a small patch of hair loss and continues with one or more small, round patches of hair loss on your head.Alopecia Areata affects approximately 2% of the overall population, including more than 5 million people in the United States, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF).  Alopecia Areata is considered a skin disease because it occurs on the skin of the hair, or scalp, and is usually diagnosed by your dermatologist. Luckily, agree experts, it includes no rashes, hives or itching, although exposed scalp areas do require extra care.  In the 1990’s, Alopecia Areata was classified as an auto-immune disease. Researchers found that the disease is the result of the body producing an inappropriate immune response against itself. However, “I find that most patients report a history of acute stress which precipitated the condition,” says Sara Wasserbauer, M.D., a Board Certified, California-based hair transplant surgeon.The Normal Hair Growth CycleDr. Wasserbrauer explains that the normal growth rate of scalp hair is about a fourth to a half an inch every month. Hair growth is a repeating cycle that can be disrupted by genetics, diseases, medications, infections or other more common factors that may cause hair loss. During the anagen growth phase, a follicle actively grows hair until the catagen phase in which the follicle slows down growth. During the telogen phase, the follicle rests prior to the start of a new anagen phase or growth of a new hair shaft. As the new hair shaft pushes out the ‘dead’ hair shaft, the old hair is shed. “About 50 to 100 telogen hairs are normally shed every day and you find them in your comb, brush and shower drain,” says Dr. Wasserbrauer.  About 10 percent of scalp hair follicles are normally in telogen phase at any given time if the scalp is healthy and not affected by any condition that causes hair loss.What Does “Autoimmune” Mean?According to The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Autoimmune Disease Research Center, a healthy human body uses an effective set of weapons, the immune system, against viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can attack your body.  Unfortunately, this powerful immune system sometimes mistakenly attacks the body itself. Misdirected immune responses are called auto-immunity.  In Alopecia Areata, it’s your hair follicles that are mistakenly attacked by your own immune system, resulting in the disruption of the hair growth stage.Types of AlopeciaThe NAAF classifies three types of Alopecia.  The first is Alopecia Areata which presents as random patches of hair loss. When hair loss involves the total head, it is called Alopecia Totalis and when it extends to the total body hair loss it is called Alopecia Universalis, There is no sure cure for the conditions but many doctors prescribe medications to help control the episodes. In all forms of Alopecia, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal from the body. In all cases, hair re-growth may occur even without treatment and even after many years, according to the NAAF.Do You ‘Catch’ Alopecia…or is it Genetic?Experts believe there is a genetic component to Alopecia Areata, because one out of five people who have the symptoms, have a family-member also affected by hair loss, according to the NAAF. Current research has found that if onset begins after age 30 you are less likely to have an affected family member. When onset of the first patch of Alopecia Areata begins before age 30, it is more likely other family members are affected.  The NAAF has focused a lot of its research into investigating the genetic elements of the disease to finally identify who is most susceptible to the disease and why.  “Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) is the name for the inherited condition neither associated with a specific gene (or genes) nor yet identified with certainty,” says Dr Wasserbauer.Alopecia Treatment OptionsAccording to the NAAF there are no FDA-approved treatments specifically for Alopecia Areata, however, many medical professionals are willing to try treatments off-label. There are treatment options available for mild, patchy Alopecia Areata (less than 50% scalp hair loss) however none of the acceptable treatments work in all cases. Many hairstylists are using low-light laser therapy to stimulate the follicles to create new hair which only works on clients who still have active hair follicles at the beginning stages of hair loss.

Hair Loss: Talk to Your Doctor

“In formal medical training, few physicians hear a word about Androgenic Alopecia, yet it affects 20% of women up to age 40 and even more after that,” says endocrinologist Geoffrey Redmond, M.D. Because hair loss problems are often dismissed as trivial, women are frequently thwarted in their quest for help. Too often they are brushed off with remarks such as, “Your tests are normal; there’s nothing wrong with you.”He further explains that Alopecia falls in between specialties. Hair is part of the skin so it is included in dermatology. Yet the cause of the most common form, Androgenic Alopecia, is internal; a result of the actions of hormones which are the focus of a different specialty – endocrinology. You may need to visit many doctors to get to the root of your problem!Jan Ping, Emmy-winning TV hairstylist and cosmetologist has first-hand experience with losing her hair due to chemotherapy, having been a Cancer survivor herself. “In my volunteer work with the American Cancer Society’s ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ Program, I found that women’s fear of losing their hair actually tops the fear of losing their life to the Cancer!”Since you don’t know why you are losing your hair you need to visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis because your hair loss may be treatable and reversible like hormone imbalances, side effects to medications, scalp and follicle infections, stress and nutritional deficiencies.  Identify the Diagnosis•    Is your hair just ‘thinner’? •    Is your ‘part’ wider? •    Is your hairline receding or different in some way? •    Do you have any bald spots or patches that appeared recently?•    Does thinning or hair loss run in your family? Obviously if you’re having a problem with hair thinning, get to your hairstylist first.  There are some routine and normal reasons for thinning and hair loss in both men and women. Your hairstylist can identify those stemming from improper use of styling tools or too much styling product build-up on the scalp and can teach you how to avoid and solve the problem.  If you notice marked signs of hair loss, a general rule of thumb would be to head straight to your physician and a dermatologist to rule out any scalp and serious systemic health issues advises the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. If you get no satisfaction, your doctor may refer you further to an endocrinologist or other specialist.  But only your doctor can help diagnose whether your condition is serious and treatable.  Assess Your Overall Health There are many other simple reasons aside from hair follicle diseases that you may find your hair thinning or falling out from that can be resolved by your doctor and successfully treated. According to a recent article by Dr. Howard Levy, an internal medicine specialist at Johns Hopkins, the main causes of thinning hair for both men and women are hormonal abnormalities, local trauma, medications, stress, scalp inflammation, and normal age variation. Your doctor may ask you about your diet, your lifestyle, medications you are taking and how you are feeling in general to determine your overall health and any other clues to your hair loss.  Blood tests will also identify specific causes of hair loss.Prescribe Medication, Treatment and Help … Depending upon the diagnosis, most hair follicle problems are reversible and treatable with medication. And when the diagnosis is simple, your hair loss can be totally reversible and treatable.  If the results are more complicated your doctor may refer you to further specialists for treatment including support groups.  Get Insurance to Pay For the Wig!“First of all don’t call it a wig,” cautions Shelly Beatty, owner of Stylemakers Salon in Fort Worth, Texas who deals extensively in medical hair loss issues for her clients. “The medical term for it is ‘Cranial Prosthesis’ and you’ll need your doctor to write a prescription for it.”  Many insurance companies that cover prostheses of any kind will also cover a medically necessary wig for those who experience total hair loss due to medical reasons, she advises.  Once you have the prescription, you can work with your hairstylist to determine what your insurance will pay for and decide on a type of wig or treatment that fits the parameters. Give You Peace of MindYou may find that your hair loss is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about or that you have a follicle infection or that it’s something more serious. But at least you’ll be on the right path to doing something about it!