Posts Tagged ‘Growth Phase’
“Yeeee gads! My hair is falling out!” This is a cry that can affect your whole family for long, awkward moments. What is it with your hair? Is it gone forever?
Let’s clear up some confusion and try to notch down some panic about this kind of a look in the mirror.
About Hair
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Healthy hair simply looks good. The healthier your scalp and hair follicles, the better your hair will look. If you’re starting to experience some hair loss and a general decline in the overall health of your hair and scalp, it has probably been deteriorating for a while, and you’re only now seeing the effects.
Hair grows in a cycle of three phases. Each individual hair is in a growth phase (anagen phase) for 2-6 years, before it enters a transition phase (catagen phase) for 1-2 weeks, and then a resting phase (telogen phase) for 5-6 weeks. After that, the hair dies and falls out. Then the follicle returns to the growth phase, and a new hair begins to grow.
In normal, healthy adults, the approximate percentages of hairs in these three different phases are:
• 84% in the growth (anagen) phase
• 0-1% in the transition (catagen) phase
• 14-15% in the resting (telogen) phase
Returning your hair follicles to the anagen growth cycle is the objective of any plan to regrow healthier hair.
DHT Effects On the Hair Follicle
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The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. This is defined as a state where 20% or more of a person’s hairs are in the telogen (resting) phase.
In cases of alopecia, the hair growth cycle has been altered so that the anagen (growth) phase is shortened. This results in an increased percentage of hairs in the catagen and telogen phases.
The enzyme conversion of testosterone creates a compound called Di-Hydro Testosterone (DHT). The effect of DHT on the hair follicles and oil glands of the scalp can be detrimental to the anagen phase that you want to lengthen.
In areas of hair thinning or loss, the follicles have more sites to which DHT can attach, and more DHT at those sites. This buildup of DHT near the follicles can shorten their growth phase and increase the numbers of hairs in the transition and resting phases. A continuation in this buildup of DHT will actually shrink the hair follicles, which causes their hairs to become thinner, weaker, and look less healthy.
Reality Check: No product known today will grow a hair without a viable hair follicle. Only a healthy hair follicle can grow a hair.
A healthy hair follicle can resist the negative effects of DHT buildup and continue in a normal growth cycle longer than an unhealthy one can. Hair care products that seek to lessen DHT work by binding to the same sites on the hair follicle to which DHT attaches. This blocks the abnormal response of the follicle to DHT, so it blocks the harm that is causing the weakening and loss of the hair.
The nutritional supplements recommended by a naturopathic physician work by helping the body to normalize its hormone levels, while increasing the circulation of nutrients and elimination of waste products from the hair follicle. This increases the strength of the follicle and protects it from further damage.
The amounts of the conversion enzymes that create DHT from testosterone, as well as the amounts of testosterone or cortisol, are thought to be genetically determined. This is why some people tend to have less of a problem with DHT than others.
The good news is that a person’s genetic expression (i.e., how their body is now) can be changed by what that person does in the upcoming weeks, months, and years, as well as how they do it. With advances in the scientific understandings of these physical events, you can arm yourself with the right information and learn to make the changes necessary to stop a hair loss problem. We’ll next explain how.
Hair Loss
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A variety of health conditions and environmental factors can cause hair loss. Likewise, many different approaches can be taken to stop hair loss and even grow hair back.
Certainly, having great hair is important to us, but the body has many other important things to do on a continuous basis. Some are higher priorities than maintaining lustrous hair — things like breathing, eliminating waste, absorbing food, protecting itself from infections, fleeing from danger, and so forth. If the body has a limited budget of energy, nutrients, and strength, it starts to redirect its resources to the tasks it deems most important. This is fortunate for us.
If stressful events occur to lower that ‘budget,’ the body may find it necessary to prioritize other functions more highly than hair growth.
For example, if a person undergoes a series of radiation treatments to kill cancer, the treatments incur a major stress on the body. The body’s first priority then becomes to live and breathe to grow nice hair another day. As a result, hair loss is often the consequence of radiation treatments. Hair regrowth after this type of trauma is possible, however, depending on the state of the hair follicles and the person’s overall capacity to return to health. Naturopathic doctors call this their “vital force.”
Major Causes of Hair Loss
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Hair loss might also be caused by various types of injury to the scalp, such as burns, radiation, acid spills, or scrapes. If the follicles are destroyed and replaced by smooth skin or scar tissue, a lotion or vitamin routine won’t very likely restore hair growth. At this point, it may be time for an implant, a weave, a wig, or a toupee. Or maybe it’s just time to accept the reality of a lack of hair. Bald can be beautiful, too.
Furthermore, various diseases, genetic tendencies, and auto-immune disorders can direct the body to neglect the health of the hair follicle, or even attack it directly. Some of these attacks might be triggered by environmental toxins, the side-effects of drugs, nutrient deficiencies, irregularities of hormone metabolism, or poor elimination of wastes. Here, we could discuss lifestyle choices and explanations of natural sciences such as nutrition, physiology, and biochemistry until your eyes glaze over.
If you have been taking anti-depressive medications like Zoloft or Paxil, you should be aware that the known side-effects of these types of drugs can include hair loss. The vicious cycle of compounding one’s depression by having to deal with hair loss makes these drugs a thing worth trying to avoid. Work with your doctor and be smart about your use of any medications, because many drugs have negative effects on hair growth.
If you are a “stress puppy,” and the slightest disruption in your plans tears you to pieces for hours or days at a time, your body’s response to those stress hormones can be yet another factor in hair loss and graying. Some training in stress management or anger resolution would be your best bet, while treating the resultant hair loss with physical medicines and lotions.
Sudden Hair Loss
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Sudden hair loss can occur after severe psycho-physical stresses like illness, childbirth, menopause, losing a job, or loss of a loved one. This type of hair loss appears within a few weeks or a month of the trauma, depending on its severity. It is often reversible with time, emotional healing, and the principles of physical support described here.
Hair Loss in Women
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Women seldom lose their hair for reasons of genetic predisposition. They do, however, experience hair loss from the other causes we’ve already mentioned. In addition, women are more commonly the consumers of hair treatments which are known to damage the hair and cause breakage and thinning. Rough handling, harsh commercial shampoos, perms, hair color, bleach, and cosmetics all can damage the hair follicles. Hormone fluctuations through life events of men or women also contribute to stress on the physical condition of the hair follicle.
Factors to Consider
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What does your body need to keep your hair looking good? Factors include good nutrition, effective elimination of wastes, exercise affecting the circulation, a good attitude, use of safe non-toxic products, and sensible protections from injury. These contribute to healthy glandular functions, especially of the thyroid, adrenals, gonads, and liver. If the links in this chain of hormone functions are weak or broken, your hair will probably be the least of your problems. It might just be the most visible one in your mirror, though.
Before you spend significant amounts of money on lotions or supplements to treat hair loss, try to figure out what is causing your hair to fall out, and change what you can about that underlying situation.
Enlist the help of your doctor to figure out any internal causes. Have your hormone levels tested for thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, and functions of the ovaries or testes. Make sure your nutritional intake and digestive functions are up to par. Again, this is a complex issue. It may take some study about the lotions and natural medicines available to find a plan that works for you, but the benefits to your health and appearance will be worth the effort.
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What is Propecia?
Propecia is a medication that is used to treat male pattern baldness at the crown and in the middle of the scalp. It should be used by adult men only.
Finasteride, the main ingredient in Propecia, works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Propecia reduces the amount of a natural body hormone (DHT). The hair follicles are then not affected by this hormone, and can enlarge back to normal. A significant decrease in the DHT levels lead to increased hair re-growth and slower hair loss. However, hair growth on other parts of the body is not affected by finasteride.
With Propecia there is a good chance that hair will re-grow, or at least stop any further hair loss.
• It takes about 4 months before any Propecia effect is noticed and may take about 1-2 years for full hair growth.
• If Propecia treatment is stopped, all the regained hair is lost within twelve months. Therefore, treatment must be continued to sustain hair growth.
• Side-effects with Propecia are otherwise rare but about 2 in 100 treated men report loss of sex drive (libido).
• Propecia is not known to work in women with male pattern baldness.
• Propecia is expensive and can only be bought with a private prescription from a pharmacy.
Why Propecia for hair loss treatment?
Propecia helps in lowering the levels of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp and the blood by blocking the enzyme that metabolises DHT. It is believed that male pattern hair loss is more often than not rooted in heredity and DHT levels. DHT is known to be a major contributor to shortening of the growth phase and thinning of the hair resulting from increased levels of DHT in the scalp.
In order for a successful turn around, Propecia must be taken daily for three months or more before any benefits are visible. Because hair grows very slowly, about half an inch a month, most men only begin to see the benefit of Propecia after 3-6 months of continuous use. Generally, all the hair that is lost will not grow back, yet the results are quite promising. In case the treatment has not worked for you in 12 months, continuing the treatment is unlikely to be of any further benefit. But if you stop taking Propecia, you are likely to lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping the treatment.
How effective is Propecia over other hair loss products?
Propecia works to inhibit the formation of DHT in the system. Reducing the overall DHT levels on a constant basis diminishes the adverse effects of the DHT on the hair follicles, resulting in cessation of hair loss.
Propecia is the newest clinically proven treatment on the market for men experiencing severe hair loss. In addition, Propecia also has the longest, most successful run of any treatment that has undergone FDA trials successfully wherein majority of people still maintain healthy hair counts.
The statistics further reveal the efficacy of Propecia.
Propecia
• 17% Improved
• 66% Maintained
• 1% Visible Loss
Other Products
• 7% Improved
• 30% Maintained
• 33% Visible Loss
Propecia precautions
Propecia is not designated for use in pediatric patients. Safety and effectiveness of Propecia has not been established in pediatric patients.
Women must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets when they are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant because of the possibility of absorption of finasteride and a potential risk to the male foetus. However, Propecia tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided the tablets are not broken or crushed.
Caution should be used in the administration of Propecia in patients with liver function abnormalities, as finasteride is metabolized extensively in the liver.
As it is not known whether finasteride is excreted in human milk, lactating mothers should also not handle finasteride tablets.
Clinical efficacy studies with Propecia have not been conducted in men aged 65 and over. Based on the pharmacokinetics of finasteride 5 mg, no dosage adjustment is necessary in the elderly for Propecia. However drug efficacy in the elderly has not been established.
Further precautions include:
• Prior to Propecia use, inform your doctor about allergies to ingredients in the drug or about any other allergies that you might have.
• Prior to Propecia use, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have any liver disease, prostate cancer, infections, or urinary problems.
Where to buy Propecia?
Propecia is a prescription medicine and supply can be arranged from any genuine online pharmacy on the prescription of a registered doctor. Regulations for dispensing medicines allow a maximum of three months to be prescribed at one time. When the initial supply of Propecia has been taken, a repeat consultation is available at a reduced price.
When participating in an online consultation procedure, a doctor reviews your information and if found appropriate for your condition a prescription for Propecia is issued. This prescription is processed and dispatched directly to you. Parcels containing your medication are delivered at your doorstep in a discreet packaging.
Propecia, a prescription drug, is commonly used for the treatment of male pattern baldness in men. While Propecia does not cure hair loss, it effectively stops hair loss and aids in hair re-growth. Available in tablet form, Propecia comes as a single strength dosing option.
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According to most women, one of the most emotionally painful situations that can be is to suffer from hair loss. Nowadays, it is very important to maintain the glorious beautiful hair. A hair full of volume and shine is a big attraction. This is one reason why most women take care of your hair. Hair loss among women is not a new issue; in fact, millions of women around the world are already suffering from it.
Be appealing and maintaining a good appearance can only be achieved with the presence of healthy hair. The rule of society requires that women have healthy shiny hair. Losing hair suddenly can cause social isolation, marital discord, and other frustrating situations.
Compared to men, women are less prone to hair loss but with the presence of hair loss factors, they are still required to lose a significant amount of hair. If your hair cycle is not disturbed, lose hair is not really a problem. The problems will start to rise once the hair cycle is disrupted.
Normally the hormones produced by the female body will protect a woman’s hair loss. However, some times a woman can be sensitive when their standard hormonal changes. Many women experience some thinning after menopause, the loss to others is a temporary, as after pregnancy or when leaving the contraceptive pill.
Hair loss can be experienced by regularly using hair tight in a style that puts tension on the hair roots. By changing the style of the problem will get worse and may even improve.
The most widespread disease such as diabetes, low levels of thyroxin, high fever, crash dieting, emotional shock or bad treatment for cancer can lead to hair loss all. Can also be the first symptom of polycystic ovaries, a common hormonal condition that can affect fertility? In each case, the cause is more than the hair that needs attention first. Often this treatment means that there is no need for specific solutions hair loss.
Normally, hair grows in a cycle that consists of a growth phase, which can last several years, then there is a rest phase and finally the hair falls. It is when this cycle is broken that problems occur.
I never used to be thought that the causes of hair loss in men and women are basically the same except that the pattern of hair loss in women is more diffuse throughout the scalp than usual in men. More recently, experts are concluding that loss in women is more likely to be due to a number of different factors. Many types of enzymes and hormone receptors and blockers can be the cause of female hair loss. This is why male pattern baldness tends to be associated with age, but hair loss in women can occur at any time.
Sometimes people loose hair in spots. This is known as alopecia aureate and is the result of a problem with the body’s autoimmune system that causes hair follicles to be attacked by white blood cells. In most cases it is a condition leading rights itself after about a year or so. Only does not cause loss total and irrevocable loss.
Women have the advantage over men, in which the loss is generally lower than in male pattern baldness. They also have a greater variety of styles to choose from hair in order to make the best of their remaining hair. Finally, in many cases, whatever the cause of female hair loss is usually a temporary condition and will eventually be overcome.
According to most women, one of the most emotionally painful situations that can be is to suffer from hair loss. Nowadays, it is very important to maintain the glorious beautiful hair. A hair full of volume and shine is a big attraction.
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With hair loss becoming a common cause of concern amongst millions of people across the world, every year a large number of medications, herbs, spices, nutritional supplements, oils, shampoos etc comes up in the market each claiming itself to be the panacea for hair loss
But before you decide for any expensive treatment plan or hair loss treatment medication, it is advisable to understand what hair loss is and the types and benefits of medication available for hair loss treatment to ensure effective and desirable results.
Hair loss in woman can generally be seen evenly across the scalp, without definite bald patches. Diffuse hair loss is a gradual thinning of the hair as opposed to a straightforward bald patch and is the most common type of hair loss in women. The replacement of old hairs by new hairs is slowed down so that the hair becomes sparse and the scalp can be seen clearly through the hair.
Androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness) in women is often linked to hormonal changes with the hair loss following events such as the menopause, childbirth or as a result of stopping or starting oral contraceptive pills. Pregnancy will also affect hair production. Hormone levels increase as the pregnancy begins and slows down the hair growth cycle. Hairs that should stop growing continue to grow beyond their usual life cycle. Often this means that the hair appears to grow thicker as more hairs are present than normal.
The hair loss is generally more uniform over the scalp than in the male counterpart, but also results from a complex chemical reaction when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts the testosterone in the system into DHT or dihydro-testosterone
The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be over sensitive to the DHT and become smaller and smaller with time, leading to the eventual hair loss.
The scalp hairs are divided into two phases, growth phase and resting phase. Almost 90% of our hairs are in growth phase, which lasts for approximately four to five years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter per month during this phase
Telogen effluvium occurs when the growing phase of the hair is interrupted prematurely causing the hair follicles to enter the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle earlier than normal. Two to four months later, following the normal cyclic pattern, diffuse shedding of the hair begins. When this happens there are not enough hairs left in the anagen phase, or growing phase, and the result is diffuse thinning of the hair.
Chemical trauma can be caused to the hair by bleaching, relaxing, perming or even dying the hair. The chemicals involved in these processes can damage the hair’s protein structure, making the hair dehydrated and brittle and often causing hair loss.
If you are going bald you should seriously consider hair loss medication treatments to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no “Hair Loss Cure”, hair loss drugs can often stop or even reverse alopecia aerate in most people. Medication for treating hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs.
Today there are two FDA approved medications for hair growth – minoxidil which is sold over the counter as Rogaine, for both men and women, and Finasteride, a prescription pill sold as Propecia, for men only. Two other drugs have been recently approved for hair growth and include a high-estrogen oral contraceptive and Aldactone (spironolactone). However, these two medications are only for women due to their feminizing side effects.
Propecia (Finasteride) is proven to be the most effective hair loss treatment medicine to treat male pattern baldness. Propecia works by blocking the enzyme, Type II 5 alpha-reductase from converting testosterone to its active form DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body. DHT plays a major role in inherited male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). In this process, it reduces the level of the hormone in the scalp which shortens the hair growth cycle and allows hairs to revert to a normal growth cycle.
Also remember that Hair Loss Treatment Medicine is a prescription with certain side effects and should be taken after consultation with the doctor
If you are going bald you should seriously consider hair loss medication treatments to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no “Hair Loss Cure”, hair loss drugs can often stop or even reverse alopecia aerate in most people. Medication for treating hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs.
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