Hair loss, regrowth

A double-blind comparative study of laser treatment with placebo laser (LED). The duration of hairloss and baldness, according to Hamilton classification, were recorded. A skin biopsy for histological examination was taken before and after treatment. In addition, a photograph was taken of the patients at the same time. Hair shaft thickness was measured with hair stretching equipment where the hairs can be stretched on a graded scale from 0-10. Normal value of hair shaft stretching is set at 5. All patients with the exception of one, in the laser treated group showed a complete stop of hair loss. All patients, except 3 showed a clear regrowth of hair with a reduction of at least one category in the Hamilton classification. The results were confirmed by histological examination. Pre-treatment typically showed the dermas with large, relatively normal amounts of follicles. Most of them were in the telogenphase and did not show any real hair. Some of the follicles were widened with keratin taps and follicle opening, post treatment showed the dermis with almost the same amount of hair follicles as pre-treatment, although a number of new follicles could be seen with clearly noticeable hair growth. 50% of the follicles are now in the anagenphase. A clearly visible regrowth of hairs were found in most treatment sample comparisons. When comparing the histological findings, transformation into more agnogenic hair follicles could be observed in 83% of the patients on laser treatment but in none of the placebo patients. Out of the 19 patients, 14 showed an increase in hair thickness, and all 18 showed improvement in general hair shaft quality measured with the hair stretcher. The results showed no improvement in the placebo group or any adverse effects of the treatment. The present double-blind study definitely showed that regrowth of new hairs can be achieved in most middle-aged and younger males with typical male baldness when the scalp is irradiated with Laser for 5 weeks, with follow up maintenance treatments. Material for the growth of the hair comes from the papilla. As long as the papilla is not destroyed, the hair will grow. If the hair is pulled out from the roots, it will nevertheless grow again. Should the papilla be destroyed, it will never grow again.

What causes hair loss?

A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary.

Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.

Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they've had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again.

Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills and antidepressants.

Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.

Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated.


Alopecia (al-o-pe'sh-ah) is the technical term for any abnormal form of loss of hair. The natural falling out of the hair should not be confused with alopecia. When hair has grown to its full length, it comes out by itself and is replaced by a new hair. The natural shedding of hair occurs most frequently in spring and fall. On the other hand, hair lost in alopecia does not come back unless special treatments are given to encourage hair growth. Certain hairstyles such as ponytail and tight braids may be contributing factors in constant hair loss or baldness. Alopecia senilis (se-nil'is) is the form of baldness occurring in old age. This loss of hair is permanent. Alopecia prematura (pre-mah-tu'-rah) is the form of baldness beginning any time before middle-age with a slow thinning process. This condition is caused by the first hairs falling out and being replaced by weaker ones. Alopecia areata (ar-e-a'tah) is the sudden falling out of hair in round patches or baldness in spots, sometimes caused by anemia, scarlet fever, typhoid fever or syphilis. Affected areas are slightly depressed, smooth and very pale, due to a decreased blood supply. Patches may be round or irregular in shape and they may vary in size from one-half inch to 2-3 inches in diameter. In most conditions of alopecia areata, the nervous system has been subjected to some injury. Since the flow of blood is influenced by the nervous system, the affected area is also poorly nourished.

How to achieve and maintain a healthy head of beautiful hair

Three main things are needed for a good-looking head of hair - haute hair - good health, the right attention to cleanliness, and caution when using cosmetic treatments.

1. Adequate Diet

Hair growth depends on an adequate diet. A widespread diet problem which causes loss of hair is iron deficiency Anaemia. The cause is too little iron in blood, brought on by a diet containing too little meat, eggs, cereals or peas and beans. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also needed to provide vitamin C, which enables the body to absorb iron.

2. Cutting the hair

Although cutting the hair is not essential to its well-being, it is easier to keep the scalp clean if the hair is kept reasonably short. Regular cutting does not make the hair grow strong or faster.

3. How hair can be damaged

Although scalp hair is hardy, and can withstand a lot of abuse, it can be damaged by too much or inexpertly applied perming, dyeing - Blonde to Brunette, bleaching and massage. The amount of beautying the hair can take varies from person to person. Occasionally the scalp is allergic to the dye and becomes inflamed and swollen. To prevent this occuring, the dye should be tested by applying it to a small area on the arm. If a patch of inflammation has developed, the dye must not be used on the hair.

Most people who bleach their hair do so with hydrogen peroxide. If the peroxide is repeatedly applied, it may make the hair brittle. Hair SOS If this happens the hair may turn rough, develop split ends, or become thinned or shortened

Right Way To Wash Your Hair

Most of us think we have this all down pat, but for all we know, we might be wrong. After all, we have been washing our hair all our lives. How could we go wrong with something like washing our hair? However, we might be washing our hair the wrong way and contribute to its damage without actually knowing it.

What we should remember about our hair is that the individual strands of our hair, no matter how thick or strong it looks, is actually very delicate. So we cannot just tug and pull at it, or else it would break. We would not want to have hair breakage, would we?

So, what is the right way of washing the hair?
The first thing you should do is to comb the tangles out of the hair before you wet it so the hair would wash easily and the tangles would not worsen. And then, wet your hair thoroughly under the shower. You can use either warm or cold water if you like, but for best results, you can wet your hair with warm water to open the scale-like cuticles of the hair and wash all the oil and dirt off. And then, you can rinse your hair with cold water afterwards to close the cuticles and add to the shine of your hair.

Rinse your hair under the shower to rid it of the leave-on conditioner and styling aids you have used previously, using gentle strokes of your fingertips. Then, pour a dollop of shampoo in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, and then apply the shampoo to your scalp. Take note that you should put the shampoo on your scalp and not at the ends of your hair, as the shampoo would dry your hair's ends and cause it to weaken and split. Also, do not mix your hair all over your head as you shampoo because it will get all tangled up. After this, rinse the shampoo off.

More often than not, we need to shampoo our hair for a second time. The purpose of the first shampoo is to clean the oil and dirt off; the second shampoo is supposed to let the shampoo treat our hair. So, repeat the process, but let the shampoo sit on for around a couple of minutes. Rinse the hair completely after this.

To get the excess water off your hair, just squeeze the water out. Do not pull or tug at the hair because the hair is at its most delicate when it is soaked. When the excess water is out, apply a dollop of conditioner - mane event - and apply it along the hairline, the nape and the ends of the hair. Pile your hair then inside a shower cap and let the conditioner stay there for around ten minutes. And then, rinse it off completely.

The process described here does seem tedious and time-consuming. But remember, having great hair takes time and effort. And it is definitely worth it for a picture perfect hair.

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal

Techniques for Dry Skin

There are a number of things you can do for effective dry skin care. Baths and showers should be taken in warm, instead of hot, water, and should be kept as short as possible. Soap should be used sparingly. Mild cleansers and pure soaps are better. When drying your skin, use patting motions and avoid rubbing the skin too much. Try massaging your skin to increase the flow of natural oils.

Because cold and heat exacerbate the problems of dry skin, people with dry skin should protect their face and skin when going out into the wind or sun, and they should always wear a sunscreen.

Exercise, a good diet and enough sleep will all help keep your skin healthy.

NATURAL TECHNIQUES

1. Instead of using a commercial cleanser, use a vegetable oil like olive oil or almond oil.
2. Aloe Vera is very good for dry skin and it has healing and soothing properties.
3. Calendula and comfrey soften the skin. They may be used in a facial sauna.
4. Cold compresses can help alleviate dry itchy skin. Add a few drops of essential oil.
5. Milk baths are very effective in the treatment of dry skin on the body. Add powdered milk and almond oil to a warm (not hot) bath.
6. Herbal teas like chamomile, dandelion, peppermint, borage, fennel, coltsfoot or calendula help improve the skin.
7. A good home remedy for dry skin is to make your own beauty mask. Combine an egg, honey, olive oil and rosewater. Apply onto your skin and leave it there for fifteen minutes before washing off.
8. Another home remedy for dry skin is to mash some avocado and apply onto your face. Mashed banana also works well.

Dry Skin is

Dry skin care is important as damaged and dry skin needs to receive the proper treatment. Dry skin lotions can help, but there are lots of other things people can do to minimize dry skin and the damage that it does. Here are some effective tips for caring for dry skin. Dry skin (or xerosis) has a low level of sebum, which is the skin's natural lubricant. As it does not have enough sebum, it dries out easily and is unable to retain the right amount of moisture needed for healthy skin.

A number of factors may cause dry skin. It is more common in winter when the cold outside and the heat inside contribute in drying up the skin. It can also be caused by hot water or harsh soaps. Poor diet or smoking can also cause or aggravate the problem. Dry skin may also be a symptom of other conditions, including dermatitis, eczema, ichthyoids, psoriasis, an under active thyroid and diabetes. Dry skin becomes more common as people age.

Problems Faced by People with Dry Skin

People with dry skin may find their skin cracks and peels or becomes flaky. Dry skin may look parched and feel tight after washing. It can also become red, irritated and inflamed. Dry itchy skin is a common problem for people with dry skin. In extreme cases, there may be deep fissures that bleed.

Dry skin ages more quickly than other types of skin. Wrinkles and fine lines can often become a problem.

Herbal Remedies for Sensitive Skin

Herbal remedies are very good for sensitive skin, because they are free from the harsh chemicals that can cause skin problems. Generally, products that contain natural ingredients will be better for your skin and less likely to cause a sensitive skin reaction. Try the following remedies for some special sensitive skin care.

• Use almond or jojoba oil to cleanse your face.
• Comfrey steeped in water can make a good toner.
• Make a facial exfoliate by mixing grapefruit with oatmeal.
• Make a face mask out of fruit.
• Cucumber and yoghurt also makes a good face mask for sensitive skin.
• Licorice is a good product for sensitive skin. Look for skin care products that contain licorice.
• Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help prevent sensitive skin reactions.
• Aloe Vera can soothe skin that is red, irritated and blotchy. Apply directly to the skin.

Even when using natural products, people with sensitive skin need to be careful. As some sensitive skin reactions are caused by allergies, even organic products may cause an adverse reaction in someone. Check every product on a small area of your skin first, and stop using a product if it seems to be triggering the symptoms associated with sensitive skin.

Tips for Sensitive Skin Care

Sensitive skin care is more than just choosing the right sensitive skin care product. Sensitive skin has a low tolerance level to certain products or environmental conditions. People with sensitive skin may react quickly to chemicals, heat or wind by developing red, blotchy and irritated skin. Sensitive skin care is more than just choosing the right sensitive skin care product. To provide the best sensitive skin care, you need an overall approach to providing the best possible care.

Sensitive skin has a low tolerance level to certain products or environmental conditions. People with sensitive skin may react quickly to chemicals, heat or wind by developing red, blotchy and irritated skin. Different people have different levels of skin sensitivity. Some people may react to a product, while for others it produces no effect. Similarly, some people may have a very severe reaction, while others only have a mild reaction.

Dealing with Sensitive Skin

NATURAL METHODS

Natural skin care can be an effective way of treating sensitive skin. Natural products are less likely to trigger the reaction that other products may have on sensitive skin. Here are some of the best natural ways to treat sensitive skin.

Food Intake and Hydration

Diet can play a big part in sensitive skin break outs. A healthy diet (containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables) will help skin look healthy. People with sensitive skin should pay attention to their diet and take note if any foods seem to trigger a sensitive skin reaction. Even some healthy foods may cause a reaction in some people, so do not discount these when you look at possible triggers. Hot and spicy foods are particularly likely to cause a negative effect.

People with healthy skin should also drink lots of water, which will help keep their skin hydrated. When skin is adequately hydrated, it is healthier and better able to fight off skin irritations.

Reduce your acne

Tips to reduce your acne:

• You shouldn’t squeeze, pick, scratch, or rub your skin as it makes the problem worse, and it might even cause scarring.
• Regularly shampoo your hair, and try to keep it off your face if possible - especially at night.
• Keep a food diary to work out if you are one of the few people whose acne gets worse if they eat certain things.
• Exercise regularly to get the old blood flowing, and make sure you get a wash as soon after as possible.
• Avoid unnecessarily touching your face.
• If possible, try to minimize your stress levels.
• Avoid getting sunburned.
• Change your wash cloth every day, as bacteria can grow on damp cloth.
• Wash your face twice a day with a gentle soap.
• Always rinse really well with lots of water.
• Only wear mkaeup on special occasions, and then make sure you remove it completely.
• Granular facial scrub can make acne worse by aggravating the skin.

Acne problems

What’s Acne?

Acne is a term that’s used to describe whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. (You may well recognize slang terms like spots, or zits). Most teenagers get the type of acne called acne vulgaris, which can show up on the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. Skin pores contain oil glands which naturally lubricate your skin. But sometimes if a pore gets clogged beneath the skin with excess oil and bacteria, the dreaded acne is caused...

Whiteheads happen when a pore gets clogged, closes, and then bulges out. If a pore gets clogged but stays open, the top may darken and you've got a blackhead. A pimple happens when dead skin and bacteria work their way under live skin. This leads to a small infection that makes your skin look red.

Your acne may be cause of :

• Natural hormones. These are particularly active in your teens.

• Plugged skin. Lots of skin cells can close the oil glands or pores, creating blackheads or whiteheads, (as mentioned earlier).
• Bacteria. Bacteria can easily infect oil glands and pores and grow very quickly.
• Family background. If you have acne, your kids are more likely to have it too.

Bath & Beauty

After an exhausting day your body needs to be relaxed and pampered in order to get a good night's sleep. You must take care of your body not only in the day but in the night as well. While you sleep at the night, the body is resting and replenishing itself. There are a few things that you can do to relax the body to help in the replenishing process. Here are a few ideas for bath and body care in the night:

• Take a warm, soothing bath. Fill your bathtub with warm water and some lavender that helps in calming and relaxing the body and reduces muscle tension. You can add chamomile, which is a skin soother and helps in reducing swelling and pain in the skin. Lie in the bath for some time and let these herbs relax your body and mind.
• If you want to wake up with a tan you can use a self-tanning lotion overnight. Exfoliate your skin with a scrub and moisturize. Once the moisturizer is fully absorbed spread the self-tanning lotion evenly all over your body, working on one portion of the body at a time. Use wipes to wipe the tanner off your palm and fingers as you apply the lotion. Today there are many self-tanning lotions that dry in five minutes.
• Your hands are the first to show signs of aging and often neglected as well. Give your hands a new lease of life. Apply a generous amount of rich hand cream to restore lost moisture. This is an important part of night body care.
• Ingrown hairs block pores and can cause bacteria to develop, resulting in redness and swelling. Use a cream that has glycolic and salicylic acid that removes the bacteria. Make it a part of your night care routine for a few nights and you will get rid of ingrown hairs.
• Your feet support the weight of your entire body. Find time to take care of them. If they are callused and cracked moisturize them well. If they are cracked use a foot cream that has glycolic acid. Apply this cream before you sleep and slip on a pair of clean cotton socks. This should be another important part of your body care routine every night.
• Light aromatic candles in your bedroom. These candles will provide a soothing atmosphere and relax your senses. Just remember to blow them out before you sleep.
• Use a "hot stone massage" to heat your heart. This treatment that is common in spas can be done at home too. You need a smooth flat stone as large as the human hand. You can find one on the beach or buy one in a skin care boutique.