Researchers Discover Cause of Male Pattern Baldness
This article seems to propose that we will be able to cure baldness in the next 5 years. It will be interesting to follow this closely.
Meanwhile, the most effective way to prevent hair loss or even reverse hair loss is through treatment using low level laser therapy. See my other post on the subject.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Low Level Laser Therapy to Grow Hair! Is It Just Hype???
Searching the internet I came across various reviews from people who have tried low level laser therapy to grow back their hair. Some people went to hair restoration centers and others purchased an at home treatment. I didn't read all the reviews but I would say that it was evenly distributed between those that say it works and those that say it doesn't work. The problem I had with the ones I read is that no one provides a before and after picture. Why is that important? Let me explain.
First, let me tell you why lasers don't work. Most of these reviewers purchased a hand held laser treatment online and received no follow up. They probably did not follow the manufacturers instructions and did not use a support product (specialized shampoo and other scalp solutions) to enhance the effects of the laser. The other reason it didn't work could be that they didn't have enough hair to begin with. Lasers do not grow new hairs. They improve the quality and thickness of hair. (Read on, I'll explain how that works further on.) That's why a before picture would help evaluate their review. If they have no hair or very little, then you know why it didn't work.
Laser therapy requires hair to begin with. If you have no hair, don't expect any hair to grow back. If you have hair, why would you need laser therapy to grow back what you already have, you ask? For hair to die permanently, the hair follicle must also die. Luckily with hair loss, the hair follicle shrinks before it dies. This is why hairs look like fine or baby hairs. The size or diameter of a hair is directly related to the size of the hair follicle. If we can reverse the hair follicle and bring it back to its full size, the hair will be thicker and healthier.
So, the laser treatment does two things. First, it stimulates microcirculation of blood supply. This increases the energy available to the cells so they can take in nutrients faster. It also removes toxins and cellular waste bi-products including DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and removes calcification and blockages around cells. Excessive levels of 5-alpha reductase and DHT are also removed which in turn accelerates hair growth.
Side effects are beneficial. LLLT, through anti-inflammatory effects, improves scalp conditions such as psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Within 3 to 6 weeks, some user have reported an increase in hair shedding. That is actually a good indication. The Laser activates growth and the new hair pushes the old hair out. The increase in shedding is from hairs that were going to fall out anyway. As the new hair grows in it becomes thicker than the previous one.
Within 2 to 3 months there is a significant reduction of hair loss. Continued thickening of hairs and fullness of scalp will be noticeable in 3 to 6 months. Maximum improvement can be reached within 18 months.
Searching the internet I came across various reviews from people who have tried low level laser therapy to grow back their hair. Some people went to hair restoration centers and others purchased an at home treatment. I didn't read all the reviews but I would say that it was evenly distributed between those that say it works and those that say it doesn't work. The problem I had with the ones I read is that no one provides a before and after picture. Why is that important? Let me explain.
First, let me tell you why lasers don't work. Most of these reviewers purchased a hand held laser treatment online and received no follow up. They probably did not follow the manufacturers instructions and did not use a support product (specialized shampoo and other scalp solutions) to enhance the effects of the laser. The other reason it didn't work could be that they didn't have enough hair to begin with. Lasers do not grow new hairs. They improve the quality and thickness of hair. (Read on, I'll explain how that works further on.) That's why a before picture would help evaluate their review. If they have no hair or very little, then you know why it didn't work.
Laser therapy requires hair to begin with. If you have no hair, don't expect any hair to grow back. If you have hair, why would you need laser therapy to grow back what you already have, you ask? For hair to die permanently, the hair follicle must also die. Luckily with hair loss, the hair follicle shrinks before it dies. This is why hairs look like fine or baby hairs. The size or diameter of a hair is directly related to the size of the hair follicle. If we can reverse the hair follicle and bring it back to its full size, the hair will be thicker and healthier.
So, the laser treatment does two things. First, it stimulates microcirculation of blood supply. This increases the energy available to the cells so they can take in nutrients faster. It also removes toxins and cellular waste bi-products including DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and removes calcification and blockages around cells. Excessive levels of 5-alpha reductase and DHT are also removed which in turn accelerates hair growth.
Side effects are beneficial. LLLT, through anti-inflammatory effects, improves scalp conditions such as psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Within 3 to 6 weeks, some user have reported an increase in hair shedding. That is actually a good indication. The Laser activates growth and the new hair pushes the old hair out. The increase in shedding is from hairs that were going to fall out anyway. As the new hair grows in it becomes thicker than the previous one.
Within 2 to 3 months there is a significant reduction of hair loss. Continued thickening of hairs and fullness of scalp will be noticeable in 3 to 6 months. Maximum improvement can be reached within 18 months.
"HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR HAIR"
A lot of us love a hot shower, but what we don't realize is the damage that it's doing to our scalp, hair and skin.. Hot water can explode the hair shaft if done often, which can cause it to be dry and brittle. We should then follow with a cool to cold rinse to seal the cuticle. You can always shower with warm water then just rinse your hair and scalp with cool to cold water, if you can't handle it on your body.
Always showering with hot water can cause dry brittle hair and lead to split ends. See picture of healthy hair verses damaged hair.
"Remember you don't need hot water to have clean hair!!!"
We want a healthy scalp and healthy hair shaft.
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