Natural Hair Treatments and Natural Remedies

January 2, 2010 · Posted in hair loss · Comment 

Ayur means Life, and Veda means Knowledge. Ayurveda is the 5,000-year old system of holistic healing that originated in India. Ayurveda is about a whole lifestyle of health and well-being. Hair is the crowning glory of the body, and at the same time it is an indicator of the bodys overall health. Ayurvedic herbs that help hair health include Eclipta Alba and Gotu Kola. Eclipta Alba is called Bhringaraj — literally, king of tresses. It nourishes the hair and helps resistance to stress as well. Brahmi, sometimes called Gotu Kola, also helps balance the mind and nourishes the hair and scalp. Vitamin C is considered to be the best nutrient for the health of hair. For this reason, Amla is widely used in most Ayurvedic hair preparations because it contains the highest amount of vitamin C in natural form.

Hair Fall: –

1. Soak some Amla (Indian gooseberries) powder in water overnight. In the morning, this powder will have softened. Then add the juice of a lemon in the water. This is a very vitamin C rich solution. Wash your hair with this solution. Apply a lot of pressure, and apply the solution just as you do with a shampoo.

2. Massage the scalp gently with coconut or almond oil daily for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Boil Neem leaves in water. Cool, strain and rinse hair with it.

4. Increase green leafy vegetables, salads, milk, fruits and sprouts in the diet. Take more proteins, milk, buttermilk, yeast, wheat germ, soya beans, whole grains and nuts.

Dandruff: -

1. Add 1 teaspoon of camphor to half a cup of coconut or Neem oil. Massage this oil into the scalp before bed.

2. Mix 1 teaspoon of castor, mustard and coconut oil each and massage into the scalp.

3. Mix one part of lemon juice with two parts of coconut oil. Massage into the roots of the hair regularly. Wash with warm water after three to four hours or leave overnight.

Ayurveda normally addresses dull hair by suggestive of various types of oils to be used during scalp massages. Massaging the scalp and hair with warm, herb infused oil is the best way to nourish the scalp and hair externally. A warm oil massage, done at least once a week for normal hair and two to three times for dry hair, can help strengthen the roots of the hair and nourish the hair shafts, soften and condition the hair, replenish and rejuvenate dry, damaged hair, and help prevent excessive brittleness and split-ends.

Dull Hair: -

1. Almond oil and sesame oil are very nourishing for the scalp and hair and help reduce stiffness and tightness in the scalp.

2. Coconut oil can delay hair problems such as thinning and premature graying.

Although there are many hair-friendly herbs used to infuse oil, the following list shows those most commonly found in Ayurvedic preparations: -

Brahmi helps calm the mind and nervous system and promote hair thickness and body.

Amla is cooling, nourishing, purifying, and helps prevent dry scalp and flakes.

Rosemary helps stimulate hair follicles and promotes growth.

Bhringaraj, king of tresses is very nutritious for the hair.

No matter what type of hair nature blessed you with, there are things you can do to keep it healthy, lustrous, looking its best. If you’re looking to enhance or start your all-natural hair care regimen- Ayurveda can help you get there!

You may be interested in reading Natural Hair Treatments and Hair Loss Treatments. Also visit Herbs for Hair Growth

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Hair Loss and You – Rogaine Hair Treatment

December 27, 2009 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

What is Rogaine?

Rogaine, also known as minoxidil, is an FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. An over the-counter drug, it is applied to the scalp twice daily. It is available in 2% and 5% solutions. Only the 2% solution has been approved by the FDA for use with women.

Rogaine works by extending the time that the hair follicle uses to grow. When first using Rogaine, you may first notice an acceleration of hair loss. This is normal and will last for up to a month. After new follicles take root, however, you will begin to re-grow your hair. (This will occur after four to six months of continuous use.) Hair growth caused by Rogaine will start off thin and dry, but after six to eight months the new strands will be as strong and vibrant as the rest of your hair.

The Risks of Rogaine

Because Rogaine is applied to the scalp, you can expect to have some scalp-related afflictions such as itching, dandruff, or even a burning sensation. Usually, the side effects are not severe and will be nothing more than an inconvenience. However, if you experience unusual pain in your scalp, wash off the solution with running water and inform your doctor, as you might be having an allergic reaction.

Rogaine and Propecia

Most hair-loss experts believe that Rogaine should be used with Propecia, as it will produce better results. Some people who have had disappointing results when it comes to Rogaine supplement their treatment with Propecia, often with great results.

Author: Tim Bock
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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How Hair is Harvested from the Scalp in a Hair Transplant

December 17, 2009 · Posted in hair loss · Comment 

There are two processes that occur simultaneously in the balding individual. One is androgenetic alopecia — the patterned balding or hair loss programmed to affect only certain hair follicles in susceptible individuals. The other is hair loss due to aging itself, which to some degree affects all hair in everyone.

The donor region in the back of the scalp where hair is traditionally harvested from has been optimistically called the “permanent zone;” however, this zone is far from permanent. It may be spared from the process of genetic balding, but it is surely affected by the aging process itself. It seems that, on average, the donor site thins at least 30% over one’s lifetime due to simple aging.

In some men with extensive balding, the permanent hair seems to be affected by the genetic process as well. When these two processes occur together, the decrease in donor density can be marked with counts occasionally falling below one hair/mm2. This process is probably analogous to the extensive diffuse thinning seen occasionally in women. The continued loss of hair in the permanent zone over time must, of course, be accounted for in the planning of the hair transplant and in giving a realistic prediction to the patient of the long-term stability of the transplanted hair.

Two major factors determine the amount of hair that can be safely removed from the donor area. The first is donor density, and the second is scalp laxity.

The importance of accurately assessing donor density cannot be over emphasized. At the initial consultation, density determinations are made from a representative area in the permanent zone where the donor strip might be harvested. If there is significant clinical variability in the donor density or scarring due to prior surgery, then multiple measurements are taken. These numbers are used in the initial planning of the procedure. At the time of surgery, the density is measured again, calculations are taken to determine the length and width of the donor strip and the area is then prepped and shaved. The shaved donor site is then inspected for irregularities of density due to natural variability and those resulting from scarring due to past procedures. Multiple determinations are made again and averaged to accurately assess the density. Our experience has shown that the gross visual impression of density is often at variance from the true density by a factor of up to 35% and is far too imprecise to be useful in surgical planning.

Scalp laxity is a more subjective measurement, but with experience can be estimated with a reasonably high degree of accuracy. Judging scalp mobility by simply moving the scalp up and down with the hand or tenting of the skin between the fingers are the two obvious means of assessing laxity. Also useful is noting the thickness of the scalp (an abundance of subcutaneous fat makes for a mobile scalp) and observing the configuration (contour) of the cranial bones. Prominent mastoid processes and occipital notches decrease the ability to easily close a horizontal incision.

Many hair restoration facilities use a Rassman knife that, when fully loaded with 8 blades, produces a donor strip 21mm in width. By removing blades, hair restoration surgeons can harvest strips of 18mm, 15mm, 12mm, 9mm and so on. Generally, the widest strip that can be harvested without producing undue tension during closure should be used.

If a donor strip is too narrow, then its length must be increased to yield the same amount of hair and a longer incision produces more donor site scarring and distortion. If a strip is too wide, then tension on the wound edge may result in dehiscence, infection, excessive post-operative discomfort, prolonged wound healing or a hypertrophic or spread scar. In general, the greatest degree of tension occurs over the mastoid processes, and great care should be taken when estimating scalp mobility in this location. If it is anticipated that this area will be a limiting factor in the harvest, then it is best to use a more conservative width and excise a longer strip.

In patients having a very prominent occipital protuberance, the greatest tension may be at the midline. In this situation the surgeon may remove a blade to narrow the width as he or she extends medially. Or, the hair transplant surgeon may harvest an additional strip on one or both sides freehand. On occasion, when a patient with a prominent ridge has had multiple previous surgeries, the strip is harvested in two separate pieces neither extending to the midline.

The plane of dissection should be just below the hair follicles in the superficial fat to avoid damaging the larger nerves and blood vessels which lie deep in the subcutaneous layer, just above the galea apounurotica. If possible, the galea should not be violated as this fibrous band serves as the structural support of the wound closure and prevents its spread. Suturing a transected galea will never approach the strength of the membrane left intact. In addition, dissection in the subcutaneous layer avoids the necessity of a layered closure and its associated foreign body reaction.

In very large hair transplant sessions where up to 50 square centimeters of scalp may be removed and the incision length can be 30 cm, the importance of superficial dissection and leaving the galea intact cannot be over emphasized. In addition, a hair restoration surgeon must never undermine. In the rare instance where the wound edges cannot be approximated, it is better left to heal by secondary intention rather than to risk damaging hair follicles, blood vessels or nerves. It is important to remember that, during a hair transplant, any cosmetically unacceptable scar can easily be removed in the future after the scalp tension has decreased.

Additionally, many hair restoration facilities are abandoning the process of electrodessication: a process using a small electrode to seal lesions, vessels or wounds. Bleeding generally occurs at the wound edges and is controlled with a running cutaneous suture. On rare occasion, a larger vessel is ligated using 4-0 Vicryl, if it would not be incorporated easily in the closure.

As a licensed dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology, I recommend using a single running suture of 2-0 polypropylene. The sutures are generally left in place for two weeks. However, if there is significant tension during the closure then these sutures may be left in place for three or more weeks as polypropylene produces little tissue reactivity. The entire length of the suture line is kept covered continually with a topical antibiotic in an ointment base (Bacitracin).

At the time of suture removal, the sutures should protrude slightly above the scalp surface which indicates that edema and inflammation have significantly subsided. This is in sharp contrast to sutures left in glaborous skin, which become progressively more embedded the longer they are left in place. In patients without penicillin sensitivity, I recommend pre-medicating with Dicloxacillin 1gm PO, 1 hour prior to surgery, and then a second dose of 500mg PO 6 hours later if there was excessive bleeding, or wound tension.

In determining the position of the donor incision, it is best to assume that the patient may become a Norwood Class VII (class VII patients have extensive hair loss with only a wreath of hair remaining in the back and sides of the scalp). Therefore, the hair transplant surgeon should place the upper blade of the rake at least 1cm below the lowest point of possible hair loss. This will allow for coverage of the scar in the worst case scenario. As the incision extends laterally, it should be at least 1 cm superior to the top of the ear. It is important to stay very superficial in this area, especially as one extends the incision towards the temples, as the parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery and vein as well as branches of the auriculotemporal nerve lie very close to the undersurface of the dermis in this location. The excision should not extend anteriorly to a position closer than 3 cm from the hairline. Some patients may have extensive bitemporal recession, and this should be anticipated by carefully assessing the extent of the patient’s current recession, the degree of miniaturization at the free edge, and the family history of balding and hair loss.

Traditional surgical techniques have often left a “step-ladder” pattern of scarring in the donor area. When there is a preexisting horizontal linear scar (or scars), the scar may be totally avoided, totally incorporated into the new strip, or incorporated into one edge of the new incision. If the scar is in a position where it is already placed too high and may possibly be exposed with further balding, it is best avoided. If the scar had been placed too low, it is also best avoided to reduce the chance of hypertrophic scarring. Also if the donor area is relatively tight from prior surgery and if the scar is not visible, it may be left in place, as removing it will only increase wound tension.

Avoiding the scar will maximize the yield of hair for that particular hair restoration procedure. One may totally incorporate the scar if it is clinically visible and if there is enough laxity to remove it and still obtain the desired amount of hair. It is critically important to ascertain why the patient scarred in the first place. If the scar was a result of poor surgical technique and the problem can be identified and corrected, then excising it may be appropriate. If the scar (either stretched or hypertrophic) was due to the intrinsic healing properties of the individual (as seen in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), then the scar is best avoided, because removing it will further increase wound tension, and the problem will most likely reoccur.

It is important to assess the impact of the scarring on the average donor density as small amounts of scarring can significantly decrease hair yield due to distortion of follicles in the surrounding area. In the majority of instances, I recommend hair restoration surgeons opt for the third choice (i.e., using the previous scar as the upper or lower boarder of the new excision). The surgeon will remove all but approximately 1.5 mm of the width of the scar to allow the suturing to be limited to the scarred area and not to extend into viable hair bearing scalp. In this way the amount of distortion and possible damage to existing hair is limited to only one free edge.

Dr. Bernstein is Clinical Professor of Dermatology and is recognized worldwide for pioneering Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation. Dr. Bernstein’s hair restoration center in Manhattan performs hair transplants and other hair restoration procedures. To read more publications on balding and hair loss, visit http://www.bernsteinmedical.com/.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/how-hair-is-harvested-from-the-scalp-in-a-hair-transplant-1594021.html

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Simple At Home Ideas for Preventing Hairloss

December 15, 2009 · Posted in hair loss · Comment 

Despite the innovations in medicine there has been very little advancement in the area of balding. I can assure you it hasn’t been due to the lack of effort either. Have you seen the receding hairline’s of many of the male researchers working on this project? I can tell you first hand that they need a cure just as bad as the average joe running around with the commonly seen symmetrical loss of scalp hair surrounded by hair on the sides. This article titled “Simple At Home Ideas for Preventing Hairloss” is all about attacking the most common type of balding and/or thinning hair before it gets out of hand. Let’s look at a few ideas that just might help you save your hair at the first signs of balding.

Don’t put it off: The most common type of balding shrinks hair follicles to a point where hair re-growth is no longer possible. You may have already lost as many as 20,000 hair follicles when you first notice balding, many of which will never be able to re-grow hair again. Once the number of damaged follicles moves into the 50,000 range you will have lost half of your hair and your treatment options will be limited dramatically.

Maintain a healthy diet: Diets high in proteins, B vitamins, and certain minerals such as magnesium can help keep your hair healthy and growing.

Scalp circulation: Blood caries nutrients to the scalp and maintaining good scalp circulation is very important in preventing hairloss. Now is a good time to add a daily scalp massage to your shower routine. You might consider using natural oils such as lavender, peppermint, or pumpkin seed to your daily scalp massage routine to reinvigorate any already damaged follicles. 

Reduce stress when possible: When under stress your body channels all of its energies to what it considers essential organs such as the heart. This pulls blood flow and nutrients away from the scalp. Taking time to learn about, and implementing, stress reduction techniques such as yoga and controlled breathing just might be the subtle magic bullet for preventing hairloss.

Watch those shampoos: While shampoos have made some progress in recent years, many still contain harsh lathering agents called surfactants. Surfactants can cause itchy, scaly, and dry scalps which accelerate the balding process. Additionally, you might consider natural shampoos containing ingredients known to support hair and scalp health such as horsetail extract, jojoba oil, bhringaraj oil, wheat germ oil, or aloe.

What Next? There are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for both men and women) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated treatments can be used both as a preemptive tool for preventing hairloss, starting before balding becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/simple-at-home-ideas-for-preventing-hairloss-1585683.html

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Exploring the Different Hair Loss Treatment Alternatives

December 12, 2009 · Posted in hair loss · Comment 

Hair loss is a natural part of the aging process, and is something that happens to virtually every man – and even some women – as they grow older. More than half of all men will suffer from some form of male-pattern baldness by the time they reach 50. While in past years, baldness was seen as something to be ashamed of; in recent years it has become seen as increasingly less of a liability due to the popularity of bald actors such as Bruce Willis, Jason Statham and Ben Kingsley. Despite this, many men still seem to have trouble accepting their baldness and this may eventually lead to psychological problems such as loss of self-esteem. This explains why the hair loss treatment industry is one of the largest in the US, with $1 billion in annual sales.

At present there are only two FDA-approved treatments for baldness – minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil, which is sold over-the-counter under the brand name Rogaine, is reportedly effective in addressing both a receding hairline and baldness at the crown of the head. However, Rogaine has serious side effects, the most common of which are itchy scalp and dandruff, when the drug is applied topically, and rapid and irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness and swelling of the face and extremities when taken orally.  Finasteride, on the other hand, is available only by prescription and has sexual side effects that include impotence and abnormal ejaculation.

If you can afford the cost, you can consider laser hair loss treatment. These procedures use lasers to stimulate hair growth in the scalp and increase blood flow to the scalp. At least 25 treatments will be required, one a week, and each treatment will cost around $80. In addition, your dermatologist may recommend the use of a ‘laser-comb’ device at home to supplement in-office treatments. This device is brushed through the hair and administers additional phototherapy.

Those concerned about the side effects of medication can consider natural alternatives, which are not only safe but considerately less expensive than drugs. Omega-3 oil, for example, will reduce swelling and inflammation in the scalp and thus, treat baldness. You can apply it by putting Omega-3-rich canola oil or soybean oil directly to your scalp, take fish oil supplements, or increase the amount of fish such as tuna, salmon and trout in your diet.

Herbs such as rosemary and sage are also effective in addressing baldness and are applied topically. Rosemary reduces dandruff outbreaks which can lead to baldness while also improving blood circulation in the scalp. Saw Palmetto, on the other hand, is taken orally but is recommended only for men; nettle root extract is used to treat women’s baldness. Other herbs that can be used as an effective hair loss treatment include Aloe Vera (rub broken leaves directly onto your scalp); ginger (boil five slices of ginger in water for ten minutes then rinse your hair with the resulting solution) and cucumber (drink a couple of glasses of cucumber juice every day). As a preventive measure, you can also massage your scalp for ten to fifteen minutes right before you go to bed, starting from your hairline and working your way to your nape.

Are you looking for the best Hair Loss Treatment cure? Visit http://www.baldness-prevention.com today for more information!

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My Experience With Rogaine

November 24, 2009 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

Rogaine is perhaps the best known balding solution. It’s scientific name is Minoxidi, Rogaine is the brand name produced by the company Upjohn. In studies, Rogaine has been shown to stimulate hair growth in about one third of those experiencing male balding.

Rogaine is a liquid and is applied topically to the balding areas on your scalp. It comes with a dropper as well as a spray for those who have experienced significant balding. You apply it twice daily to your scalp every day. One bottle of this balding solutions costs $50-$60 and is supposed to last for a month.

I tried Rogaine in the first year I realized I was experiencing male balding. My efforts were not consistent or long lasting enough to warrant a judgment on Rogaine as a balding solution, but what I experienced was enough to make me stop using it. There are several characteristics of Rogaine that I never read about, and I’d like to share them with you so you can make a better decision.

First, Rogaine is pretty expensive. Especially for me, $55 is a lot to spend on something every month. I was buying it as a college student and really had some trouble justifying the cost. But perhaps $55 a month isn’t a big deal for you. Just realize that you’ll be spending that every month for the rest of your life if you want to keep using Rogaine.

Once I started using Rogaine, I discovered that it has a very unpleasant smell and feel to it. I would drop it into my balding areas after showering as instructed and would immediately feel itchy and slimy. Since it is a liquid, it drips down your scalp too and I would often feel it sliding down my neck or across my scalp.

Then, once Rogaine dried, my scalp would get very itchy. The balding solution formed a flaky mess on my head, making it appear that I had a terrible case of dandruff. I guess it makes sense, but I had no idea this would be happening. It caused a couple embarrassing moments at parties when people would ask what was in my hair (thanks Rogaine for drawing more attention to my balding head). Rogaine also gets in your hair and dries, sort of like an unwanted hair gel.

I don’t really know if Rogaine caused my hair loss to slow down. You are supposed to use it for at least six months before you see any effects and a year may be more realistic depending on how long you have been balding. For me, the cost of this treatment combined with the uncomfortable effects that came along with it convinced me that I didn’t want to continue treatment. I know Rogaine has been successful with many men and women, but for me it just wasn’t worth it.

Author: Ben Bird
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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