Unbiased Hair Loss Information - Hairloss Treatments, Advice & Medical Facts
Stages Of Genetic Hair Loss
About Hair
- Hair is made of proteins called keratins
- All hair follicles are present at birth; no more are made through life
- Hair follicles have a continuous cycle of growth (anagen lasting 2-8 years), degradation (catagen 2-4 weeks) and resting (telogen 2-4 months)
- Hair is shed when a new growing hair shaft pushes out the old one
- An average of 50-100 hairs are lost every day
- If you have greater loss, you have started thinning
Are You Losing Your Hair?
- Have you started thinning?
- Do you know why you are losing your hair?
- Do you know where to obtain relevant medical/scientific facts about your condition?
- Do you know how to differentiate a "sales pitch" from genuine medical advice?
- When seeking advice, demand specialist knowledge
- Hair loss is a medical condition and medical treatment results vary between individuals
- There are no guarantees in medicine; be cautious of companies or clinics offering guarantees of treatment outcomes
Advice
- Before you act - do your homework! Are you aware of all the effective options available to you?
- Don't believe everything you hear or read. You must aggressively seek the facts. It is available if you know where to find it, what to ask, when to act and whom to trust
- Think about your expectations. Are they realistic? Can your expected outcome be achieved?
- Are you looking for a short, medium or long term solution?
- Make sure your final decision is unemotional
- An initial mistake can result in unnecessary trauma and expense. Many hair loss sufferers have made pressured decisions that proved to be disappointing, expensive, inappropriate or irreversible
- Have you estimated the costs for the suitable options?
- Find satisfied customers, learn from their experience and try to follow their footsteps if they were satisfied with the results
- Apart from the genetically inherited male pattern balding process, diet, stress, smoking, illness, steroids, excessive sun or an undiagnosed medical condition could also contribute to rapid hair loss
- Don't confuse temporary with permanent solutions
- Be aware and informed of the choices available before making any decisions
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE FROM A HAIR LOSS MEDICAL SPECIALIST FIRST!
Cost Comparison of Various Treatments
Locate a reputable Hair Transplant Surgeon near you
Hair Loss - The Medical Facts
Essential Reading By All Hair Loss Sufferers
Hairloss
- Is a medical condition. It may be due to hormonal, physiological, physical, environmental or genetic reasons, or a combination of these.
- The most common cause in both men and women is pattern hair loss or baldness due to genetic factors.
- Genetic pattern hair loss is irreversible.
- Hair loss may be continuous throughout life and can affect self esteem and confidence.
- Hair loss affects about 70% of males and 50% of females.
- The extent, rate of loss and its impact on individuals varies greatly.
- Non-surgical treatment options available range from unproven, untested treatments to clinically trialled treatments such as oral or topical medications and laser hair therapy.
- Effective treatments will show a range of outcomes. If treatment is discontinued, hair may revert to its original state.
- The only permanent solution is hair transplantation. This is your own hair and it will grow without maintenance. It is natural and the surgery undetectable.
- All other treatments must be continuous to show results and these will always remain a temporary solution. Long-term outcomes, on-going cost and level of maintenance required should be clearly understood and closely examined.
- Do your research thoroughly.
- Understand the process of hair loss and its ongoing nature.
- Appreciate the limitations of each available treatment.
- Knowledge is power. Take control of your hair loss with well-informed decisions.
Clinically Proven Options
Hair Loss - The Long Term Outlook
A. Medical
Topical - Minoxidil 2% and 5%, the active ingredient in RogaineŽ, may enhance scalp blood flow. Sometimes only effective for about 2 years, it has a generalised effect on the hair. It may slow down hair loss and stimulate hair growth. It requires daily application. Scalp irritation may be a problem. Minoxidil is available over the counter.
www.rogaine.com
www.keypharmaceuticals.com.au
Oral - Finasteride, the active ingredient in PropeciaŽ inhibits the development of male hormones (dihydrotestosterone, DHT) that can cause male pattern hair loss. One 1mg tablet is taken daily. It is available on prescription only, so it requires a consultation with a doctor.
This can stabilize hair loss and encourage growth in the mid scalp and crown areas. It helps about 90% of the patients, half of whom will show increased growth. This product may have some side effects and can only be used by men.
Effect of Propecia after 5 years's use
Laser - Recently approved by the United States' FDA, low level laser stimulates hair growth and prevents further loss. Low frequency laser is safe and effective. The HairMax LaserComb needs to be used 10 - 15 minutes twice per week. Treatment must be ongoing.
Effects of Lasercomb after 6 months use
Hair Transplant - Follicular unit hair transplantation is the only known permanent solution to hair loss. In skilled hands, the outcome is completely natural, undetectable, and very cost-effective over long term. The procedure causes little discomfort or inconvenience. Scarring is minimal.
Choose a surgeon who is familiar with and practises the latest techniques. Speak to and see past patients to confirm claims made. Today there is no excuse for mediocre surgical work. Shop around; try conducting a Google search.
Strong, proven scientific international track record is a good start for your surgeon selection process. Seek medical advice to ensure that this is the suitable option for you at your stage of hair loss.
www.ishrs.org
www.hairtransplantnetwork.com
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6590766/
Cloning - At the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 13th Scientific Meeting held in Sydney (24-28 Aug 2005) researchers reported to 335 international hair transplant surgeons the following::
- Laboratory tests on a very small scale to replicate follicles have been encouraging.
- Phase 1 bench top trials are expected to commence towards end of 2006.
- Phase 2 and Phase 3 are not expected to be completed until end of 2012.
- FDA approval may take a further 5 - 7 years.
- If all the planned activity is completed on schedule, this option may become available by 2012 at the earliest.
B. Artificial
Hair Pieces - instant hair, most of them are easily noticeable, requires regular maintenance.
Plastic Hair Implants - FDA no longer approves this process. Implanted foreign material will be rejected by the body. Medically not recommended.
CAUTION: Hair loss is a medical condition, and results of treatment cannot be predicted for an individual. Although many available treatments will show temporary improvements, they may ultimately fail. There are no guarantees in medicine, so be cautious of any companies making such claims.
