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For the past years, a number of hair loss treatment options have emerged in the market.

However, only two products for treating hair loss and hair thinning problems were recognized and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — minoxidil and finasteride.

Although there is no question that these products can help prevent androgenic alopecia or pattern hair loss from getting worse, the real question lies on the safety of the people who are using these medications.

Like other drugs for the treatment of certain conditions, both these products for hair loss have potential side effects that can harm the health of the users.

With that being said, most people still favour natural means to stop the progression of their hair loss and hair thinning conditions. You might be wondering why, but the answer is clear — natural or alternative hair loss treatment options offer safe and inexpensive means to stop hair loss and stimulate the growth of stronger and healthier hair follicles.

Indeed, unlike its commercialized hair loss treatment counterparts, an alternative treatment for hair loss provides a non-drug and risk-free approach to reverse the hair loss process at the same time encourage the production of thicker, fuller and healthier hair strands.

The following are three alternative methods of treating hair loss and hair thinning problems in both men and women:

1. Acupuncture. This alternative hair loss treatment works by manipulating thin, solid needles that are inserted into acupuncture points on the scalp.

The concept of treating baldness using acupuncture is to restore the normal flow of qi (energy) and blood in the scalp, encouraging proper growth of the hair follicles and thus producing healthier hair strands.

Etymology: The word acupuncture is from the Latin words acus which means ‘needle’ and puncture which means ‘to pierce’, ‘to break through’ or ‘to tear a hole’.

Example: Xuan Lu, the Suspended Skull — Acupuncture Point (GB-5)

This acupuncture point raises the qi to the scalp to treat premature hair loss. Its intersection points are the gall bladder channel along the triple energizer (central body cavity), large intestine and the stomach channel.

Its location is on the temporal region, the scalp area above the temples and at the midpoint of the curved line connecting the acupuncture points Qubin (GB7) and Touwei (ST8).

2. Aromatherapy. This alternative hair loss treatment makes use of aromatic oils taken from the barks, seeds, flowers, fruits, roots and leaves of various herbs.

This conventional science of treating hair loss helps nourish, moisturise and energize the scalp and the hair follicles, encouraging the growth of healthier hair strands.

Etymology: The word aromatherapy is taken from two Greek words, aroma and therapeia.  Aroma means ‘scent’, ‘perfume’ or ‘fragrance’ while therapeia means ‘care’, ‘healing’ or ‘treatment’.

Example: Aromatherapy for Hair Loss Prevention

Ingredients – cedarwood essential oil (5 drops), sandalwood essential oil (5 drops), lavender essential oil (5 drops) and rosemary essential oil (4 drops)

A mixture of the oils is then massaged on the scalp for 3–5 minutes.

3. Scalp Massage. This alternative hair loss treatment involves kneading and rubbing soft tissues to create a calming effect and to increase the blood circulation in the upper areas of the body such as the scalp.

Proper blood flow in the scalp helps deliver enough supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair roots, promoting the growth of stronger, thicker, and healthier hair strands.

Etymology: The word massage is a French term which means ‘friction of kneading’. It can also mean ‘to touch, feel or handle’, which is taken from the Arabic word massa.

Example: Friction Massage

A type of scalp massage involving the use of vigorous rubbing movements using the thumb, fingertips and pads of the fingers.

When hair loss occurs to a menopausal woman, it not only becomes very stressful but the impact can be very devastating which can affect her physically, socially and psychologically. It may diminish her body image, thereby making way for lower self-esteem and altering her quality of life.

Some people view menopause as a disease or a health problem, but it is a natural cycle of the female lifespan which all women have to go through. Almost 50 percent of menopausal women suffer from hair loss and other symptoms including hot flushes, reduced libido, mood swings, extreme emotional outbursts, anxiety, and depression.

During the menopausal stage, it is common for many women to experience hair loss in varying degrees. This hair loss is usually caused by hormonal changes in the body.

The pre-menopausal women have higher levels of estrogen and progesterone which keep the small amount of testosterone at a minimal level. However, during the menopausal stage, the estrogen levels fall and the body starts to produce another type of hormone called 5-alpha reductase. When the 5-alpha reductase combines with a small amount of testosterone, then dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced.

When DHT is produced in larger amounts, it may clog the hair follicles causing them to shrink and produce finer and thinner hair. It slowly kills off hair follicles by attaching to its androgen receptors, inhibiting hair growth and coloration, thus resulting in the eventual loss of the hair. DHT is believed to be the culprit of 95 percent of hair loss in men and women.

Fortunately, hair loss during menopause is almost always temporary and there are some ways to reduce its effect. First, though menopausal stage brings about a symptom of anxiety and depression, you need to be very careful not to succumb to stress. If you become stressed during menopause, this would make things worse. Hence try not to become overly stressed and look for ways to deal with this.

Next, you can opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the symptoms associated with menopause. HRT is a proven method that effectively relieves the symptom of menopause. HRT works by introducing estrogen into your body which then restores this hormone to its pre-menopause level. However, it is important to note that hair loss and other symptoms will resume if you stop with this treatment.

Finally, if you don’t want to have HRT, then a more low-key approach for hair loss treatment is to make a few changes in your lifestyle. Try eating more foods that contain estrogen, including rice, potatoes, wheat, yams, apples, alfalfa, and soy products. Regular exercises, yoga, meditation and scalp therapy will also help you to feel better, hence reducing your stress levels. Avoiding bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking can also help prevent hair loss.

Image taken from livestrong.com.

Our fixation on the search for the right hair loss remedy is not a new phenomenon.

Indeed, historical data prove that many years ago, we were in the hunt to find the best cure for hair loss. From the Egyptians of the 1300 BC who have tried to treat hair loss by applying fats from lions, ibex, snakes, geese, crocodiles, and hippos on their scalp to the hair loss treatment of the 12th century, where spells and incantations were believed to help regrow hair.

During the ancient times, many have tried to come up with the perfect hair loss remedy in an attempt to regrow their crowning glory. Some of them were promising and interesting; however, some were outlandish and bizzare methods that can surely raise a brow among many hair loss treatment skeptics of the present.

The lack of knowledge about the nature of the hair made way for assumptions and theories. Without scientific basis and proofs, myths and misconceptions about hair loss emerged. Below are some of them and why they’re not true:

Many believe that wearing tight hats causes hair loss.

False: This myth probably started in the military where young men entering the service were required to wear hats and soon showed signs of going bald, or at least of hair thinning. This is due to coincidental timing. The age that young men enter the military is also the same age that male pattern baldness begins. Pattern baldness is caused by too much dihydrotestosterone (DHT) buildup in the scalp and not merely by wearing tight hats.

Many people shave their head or trim their hair short when undergoing serious hair loss.

False:  Cutting or shaving your hair does not have any effect on hair loss. In fact, hair generally grows an average of half an inch per month with growth predetermined by a person’s genetic code.

Sleeping with wet hair causes scalp fungus.

False: Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp infections require prior involvement with infected sources such as humans, tainted hair care tools or animals. Scalp fungus (tinea capitis) mainly affects children, whose immune systems make them more susceptible to skin infections.

Brushing your hair 100 strokes per day will make it healthier and grow faster.

False: The only thing brushing your hair 100 strokes per day will do, is to create breakage and more damage to your hair. Brushing hair that much can damage the hair follicles, thereby causing split ends.

Sharing combs and brushes can spread scalp diseases.

True: Lice and other parasites can be transported from scalp to scalp through the sharing of combs, brushes and other hair care tools.

Hair loss is due to vitamin deficiencies.

True / False: In some instances, this very well may be the case. Certain vitamins are critical to the body’s ability to produce and maintain healthy hair growth. Taking vitamin supplements ‘alone’ however will not stop or prevent hair loss if the individual is already genetically predisposed to hair loss.

Diet is related to hair loss.

True: It’s important to eat right in order to be generally healthy. A proper diet ensures the intake of essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to a healthy head of hair. A good hair loss remedy is to eat the right kind of foods to keep your hair healthier and shinier.

Stress causes hair loss.

True: Severe stress can affect the hair’s normal growth cycle, causing large numbers of hair to shift from the growing to the resting phase. People typically notice sudden loss of hair from all over the scalp 3 to 6 months after the stressful event. In most cases, this loss is temporary.

Surgical techniques such as hair transplantation, scalp lifts, flap surgeries, among others are recommended in restoring severe cases of hair loss.

The art of hair transplantation is as important as the mechanics of this surgical technique. As a surgical hair loss treatment, it is important to remember that every case varies from the other, and each procedure should be looked at with precision and on an individual basis.

In your first meeting, your hair transplant surgeon will evaluate your hair growth and loss, review your family history of hair loss and ask about any previous hair replacement surgery. Your surgeon will also ask you about your lifestyle and discuss your expectations and goals for this surgical hair loss treatment.

This surgical treatment is generally an all-day procedure performed under local anaesthesia and light sedation. During the procedure, patients rest comfortably, watch TV, or take a nap.

After the administration of the anaesthesia, the doctor removes the donor hair via a long, thin strip or through tiny round incisions. The strips (or extracted grafts) are placed under microscopes for further dissection into individual follicular units of 1-4 hairs each. After all the hair is harvested, tiny recipient sites (needle-size incisions) are made in balding areas of the scalp. The follicular unit grafts are then placed into these sites using very fine instruments. Once all the grafts are placed, the scalp is cleaned, a tennis-band dressing is applied and the patient is set to go home.

For most hair transplant patients, the result of the procedure is a “doll’s hair” look. This is usually the result of work using grafts that are too large, either performed years earlier or more recently with outmoded techniques. Hair transplants can appear unnatural also for such reasons as improper angling of grafts, improper hairline placement, or scarring of the donor site and transplant areas.

The transplant is visible for about a week to ten days after the procedure. Some patients cover the area with their existing hair and others choose to wear a hat when they are in public. Patients can resume normal activities the second day following their hair restoration surgery, although there are some restrictions on certain exercises and in smoking and drinking. New hair growth starts to appear 2 to 3 months after the hair transplant and the hair restoration is usually fully grown out in about a year.

Surgical hair loss treatment involves the highest risk and often the highest costs especially that hair loss is a chronic problem. These entail a great deal of time and money as a hair loss surgery needs to be done upwards of 3 sessions to cover continuing hair loss.

The truth is that good hair oil works as an excellent hair conditioner, giving you soft, shiny healthy hair. It also penetrates the hair shaft making the hair more flexible and silky.

For those whose hair is thinning or balding, the application of essential oils promotes hair regrowth. These essential oils are organic treatments that promote hair regrowth and prevent or stop hair loss.

Tea tree oil is one of the most versatile essential oils for hair regrowth when it comes to hair loss treatments. This oil moisturizes the hair and minimizes oil production of the scalp, preventing greasy-looking hair and leaving the scalp clean and dandruff-free. A few drops of tea tree oil can be added to olive oil for a mild but effective weekly treatment to deal with dandruff problems.

The healing properties of jojoba oil are useful for extremely damaged or breaking hair. This is truly one of the finest essential oils for hair loss due to breakage. Apply the oil to towel-dried hair and leave on for at least half an hour.

Basil is a beneficial herb that promotes and stimulates hair regrowth. One can easily make basil hair oil to massage into the scalp. This massage promotes healing, health, and improves blood circulation in the scalp which, in turn, promotes hair regrowth. Basil is good when used together with ivy burdock and fenugreek herbs.

Other natural hair loss treatments include essential oils of southern wood and cedar wood. Dilute 3 drops of each oil in 1 teaspoon of base oil then massage onto the scalp. These oils are beneficial for those looking for effective hair loss treatments.

Burdock essential oil is good for the scalp. It also encourages hair regrowth. It stimulates blood flow to the root of the hair, thus help with the problem of hair loss.

Rosemary and castor oil are two of the finest natural hair loss treatments. Mix 2 tablespoons of castor oil to 4 drops of essential oil of rosemary. Massage the warmed oils onto the scalp and hair, cover and leave overnight. Wash the next day using a mild shampoo. This is a healing conditioner to prevent hair loss after illness.

The estrogen levels of a woman’s body after childbirth is very low and the decreased level of estrogen is one of the major causes of hair loss occurrences especially in women.

Sure it is a very noble thing to give birth to a new life in this world. Every woman dreams of having a child or two but then pregnancy is another story. It could be a tough process as new things happen inside the woman’s body. A sigh of relief is not exactly that easy to let out even after delivery because the processes and changes still continue and the results could even be more drastic.

When a woman gets pregnant, the chemistry and hormones of her body would also change. Pregnant women have this heightened level of progesterones and estrogens. Upon delivery, the levels of these hormones suddenly drop and this causes the hair to slip into the resting or telogen stage. After childbirth, the hair shafts inside resting hair follicles would start to fall out. The most common times that hair loss after pregnancy occurs are between three and six months after the pregnancy.

Also, women who are using birth control pills or oral contraceptives are prone to hair loss. This association of hair loss and pregnancy happens because women who are planning on their pregnancy or those who are using the oral contraceptive method are taking in pills that control the hormones. If one discontinues the usage of the pill, the hormones would also change and this is when hair loss happens. But of course it is not really the pregnancy itself but the act of discontinued pill intake that is responsible for the hair loss.

If you are experiencing hair loss after childbirth, then you have to be aware that there is no cure for this type of hair loss. You have to know that in most cases, hair loss in women who have given birth naturally occurs and the hair is expected to grow back naturally as well. Eventually, the old hair will be shed and new hair will grow in its place, therefore remedying the condition itself.

You have to be more careful about your choices as well. Even if the baby is already out, your product choices could still affect him or her especially if you are a lactating mother. Some chemical-based products have harsh ingredients that could potentially harm the baby when it is taken in when you are breast-feeding.

Before you purchase and try on whatever product to remedy hair loss in women, you must first consult a doctor. Aside from expert insights regarding your condition, the doctor is the only person who could advise you regarding products that could not harm the baby.

Image taken from pinoycooks.ning.com.

Healthy and delightful locks are barometers of the inner health. If the body is healthy, hair will probably be your shinning glory. Healthier hair isn’t just a pleasure to behold; it’s pleasing towards the individual who has it.

Minerals and vitamins make the body healthy and the hair flowing with life. However, deficiency of these vitamins can result in weak and thinning hair. It can even result to greater problems like hair loss. Hence, to maintain a beautiful head of healthy hair, it is important to obtain proper diet that is rich with vitamins and minerals which are good for hair loss treatment and stimulating hair regrowth.

There are many vitamins and minerals for hair loss treatment. Vitamins A, B, C and E are crucial for the health and growth of the hair. However, these vitamins cannot be properly absorbed by the body without the trace mineral, silica. Hence, if you’re looking to promote hair regrowth and prevent hair loss, silica will need to be on your menu.

Silica is one of the main minerals that you need when it comes to healthy hair growth and getting the nutrients you need for hair loss treatment and prevention. Supplementing your diet with silica alone will probably help you more than any other vitamin or mineral. Silica plays an important role in absorbing many vitamins and minerals. If you’re not consuming silica, eating foods rich with vitamins for hair loss might not be helping much.

Recent research has identified silica as one of the most essential minerals required for keeping hair healthy and strong. It helps stopping hair fall because it stimulates cell metabolism and new cell formation in the body including that in the scalp. Boron, copper, manganese, magnesium, fluorine, phosphorus, zinc and strontium all benefit from silica supplementation.

Food sources of Silica are skin of potato and cucumber, peppers (red and green), bean sprouts, brown rice, onions, cabbage, oats, asparagus, lettuce, strawberry and cauliflower. It’s very difficult to get the silica you need because many vitamin supplements are absorbable and cooking often removes the silica from the food you eat.  However, when you eat these foods raw, as opposed to cooked, you’re getting more nutritional value out of them.

Image taken from hairstylesandnails.com.

Perhaps more than any other single feature of your body, it is your hair that contributes to the image you project to others. When a person experiences significant hair loss, it can be damaging to his or her self-esteem.

Hair loss, whether mild or severe, causes most of us to try any menthod of hair loss restoration that we can find, in the hope that we will regain our hair, and thereby our self-esteem. But some restoration techniques work better than others, and here are a few of those techniques:

Scalp Reduction Surgery

Good candidates for scalp reduction surgery are those people who have adequate amount of hair and healthy follicles surrounding the perimeter of the balding spot.

Scalp reduction or Alopecia reduction - a surgical hair loss restoration procedure that stretches a hair-bearing scalp area upward to replace the bald part that has been removed. It is very effective when performed by a skilled and experienced hair restoration specialist. Scalp reduction is often combined with micrografting techniques to conceal any scarring and fill in any additional balding or thinning areas.

Patients experiencing pattern baldness and burn-related hair loss have all been able to achieve good results with this hair loss remedy.

Scalp Expansion

Some patients who do not have enough hair-bearing scalp tissue to complete scalp reduction surgery may opt for a scalp expansion surgery. Suitable candidates for scalp expansion have good hair density around the bald area and good skin elasticity.

Scalp expansion is a surgical hair loss restoration technique that involves the insertion of silicone bags underneath the skin to expand a hair-bearing portion of the scalp. After the skin has been expanded, flap surgery is performed to move the hair to a balding area of the scalp. There are two types of scalp expansion namely volumetric expansion and non-volumetric expansion or scalp extension. Volumetric expansion involves using a balloon-type device implanted under the scalp while non-volumetric expansion or scalp extension involves using implanted physical instrumentation.

Flap Surgery

Burn victims and other hair loss patients challenged by reduced skin elasticity or extensive baldness may be encouraged to undergo flap surgery as an alternative option.

Skin flap surgery is a state-of-the-art method of moving a “flap” of skin and underlying tissue from one area of the body to another. It is surgery performed to repair a non-traumatic cosmetic defect such as male pattern hair loss, repair a site of traumatic injury to restore its functionality and cosmetic appearance, or repair a skin defect caused by a congenital malformation.

The type of flap used to complete this procedure will depend upon the condition of the available tissue. Pedicle flaps, which are used in the majority of flap transplant procedures, still have the main stem of the skin’s vascular framework attached to the tissue, whereas free flaps contain more superficial veins and arteries. Both types of flaps can yield good results; however, pedicle flaps have the best chance of survival after transplantation. Flap surgery has been a successful hair loss remedy for patients with both genetic and acquired hair loss.

When performed by an experienced surgeon, these three state-of-the-art methods of surgical hair loss restoration can bring back your hair with remarkably natural results.

Numerous hair loss products in the market claim that they can restore your hair without the side effects. But only a few of them can give a true guarantee to what they claim, as opposed to what the product can realistically provide.

Science, however, has something cost-effective in store for us. Laser therapy in the form of a laser comb is a hair loss treatment that utilizes the principle of photo-bio-stimulation — the natural process by which light energy is converted into cellular energy. This entire system transmits stimulating light energy into your thin lifeless hair to restore and improve its condition, resulting to a fuller, thicker, and healthier head of hair.

Laser Comb is an electrical device that is based on Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to induce hair growth as it improves blood circulation to the scalp, aids in the formation of new hair follicles by a nourishing laser light and restores the health of hair and scalp with no side effects.

Laser comb is similar to the regular hand-held comb, but equipped with additional features. In using it as a hair loss treatment at home, this device is plugged to an electric socket. The teeth of the laser comb are placed over the affected scalp area for 4-5 seconds, or as suggested in the user manual. Then it is moved to the adjacent scalp portion until a safe laser therapy is given all over the scalp. This safe device helps promote thicker and healthier hair to people of all ages.

The popularity of a laser comb as a safe and convenient treatment for hair regrowth is attributed to the fact that it is a non-invasive therapy. It is definitely an effective yet inexpensive approach to stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth, as compared to visiting a hair salon repeatedly for laser treatments.

A laser comb gives prompt results of healthy hair growth and thickening within 6-12 weeks of usage. It is recommended to be used two to three times per week until such time that you’ll notice a gradual improvement in your hair as this will look full, strong and dense. To maintain the positive results, laser therapy must be used on a maintenance mode to keep hair thicker and shinier. This product can also be used with any proven hair loss treatment products.

Massaging the scalp should be part of every hair loss regime. Hair experts believe that scalp massage can help in hair re-growth.

Massage is the act of kneading, rubbing and putting pressure on the skin with your fingers and hands. One of the most obvious benefits of scalp massage is increased blood circulation. This benefit, and many others, is why many individuals suffering from premature hair loss or other hair problems turn to scalp massage for help.

The Benefits of Scalp Massage

A properly done scalp massage can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, increase relaxation, decrease stress, condition the scalp, and boost the strength of the hair roots to stimulate healthy hair re-growth. The kneading pressure applied by massage warms the skin and opens up blood vessels to increase flow and boost circulation. Increased circulation means that the cells of the hair follicle will receive more of the nutrients necessary to optimal hair growth function.

Here are two scalp massage procedures you can do by yourself for healthy hair maintenance. They are easily done each day while showering and washing the hair.

Scalp Massage No. 1: The Friction Massage (This vigorous action will make the scalp tingle and relaxed.)

• For this massage, use the balls of the fingers (not the fingertips) in rapid movements over the scalp.
• Move the fingers in circular movements firmly over the whole scalp starting from the front of the head and moving back to the nape of the neck.
• From the nape of the neck, use the same motion to move forward to the front of the head.

Scalp Massage No. 2: The Kneading Massage

• Use the balls of the fingers of both hands (not the fingertips) and spread them out over the scalp.
• Press firmly and rotate the skin. Do not move the fingers over the scalp. Rotate the skin in one area then move to another area of the scalp until the whole area is covered. This should be a slow, firm, kneading movement.
• Rotating Action: The fingers of one hand can move in one direction (e.g., clockwise) and the fingers of the other hand can move in the other direction. Keep the fingers of one hand still while the other rotates and vice versa.

Here is a suggested route:

• Start at the nape of the neck
• Then around to the ears
• Then around to the front hairline
• Then across the top of the head back to the nape of the neck

Tips on how to choose a good massage oil:

The particular hair ailment that you are trying to treat will determine which massage oil you need for your scalp massage.

If you have brittle hair that is prone to breakage and split-ends, you can use almond, sesame, or lavender oil to nourish the hair shaft and skin. Lavender is also a great choice for thinning hair since its properties help stimulate the hair growth process and balance oil production. Individuals with thinning hair can also benefit from rosemary or coconut oil. Coconut oil helps slow down the hair shedding process and rosemary stimulates hair follicles to the hair re-growth process while inhibiting the natural shedding process.

However, as much as we love to experience the advantages of having a beautiful head of hair, lots of us experienced the problems of hair loss.

The search for new ways to help those suffering from hair loss has captured word-wide attention. Somehow the industry is in tumult to find the ultimate cure for hair loss.

Although there is still no sure cure for hair loss problems, the market offers us some new non-surgical hair loss treatment techniques and alternatives to stop hair loss and prevent its progression. One of the newest non-surgical techniques discovered in the 21st century is the laser hair loss treatment.

The laser hair loss treatment offers a unique alternative to other more invasive treatments. With this kind of treatment, there will be no downtime, no side effects, and more importantly, it is effective at stimulating hair regrowth. Moreover, the treatments can be completed both at home (laser comb) and in the doctor’s office.

Furthermore, this treatment is designed around a scientific concept known as photo-bio-therapy. This involves the use of low level laser lights to stimulate cell growth. Unlike high power lasers, low level laser lights do not give off heat and do not have the thermal component to cut, burn or vaporise. The absorption rate of this laser is so low that it can be considered safe and painless when used. This low level laser light stimulates the hair follicles on the scalp and reverses the process of thinning and shedding.

For many years, leading hair restoration clinics and salons around the world have been using laser hair loss treatment technology for individuals suffering from pattern baldness. Laser hair therapy treatments or low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a revolutionary, non-surgical breakthrough for both men and women suffering the devastating effects of hair loss.

LLLT works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, encouraging hair regrowth. It also energises the hair roots and induces proper function in the cells. In addition, laser therapy helps to keep a normal blood circulation in the scalp, hence strengthening the hair follicles.

Even though patients may see varying levels of results in terms of hair regrowth, laser hair loss treatment does seem to stop hair loss in most cases. Not only does the hair grow thicker, fuller and stronger, the hair is usually much healthier as well.

There is a long list of hair loss treatments that have been proven to work and have already helped thousands of hair loss sufferers to stabilize their hair loss condition and encourage renewed hair growth. Although results of the treatment vary from person to person, it is good to know that there are plenty of different options to try in case some of them do not produce satisfactory results for you. Your goal should be to seek the hair loss treatment that works for you in order to achieve optimum results.

Some people have found that they have been effectively able to reverse their thinning hair by employing the use of laser hair therapy. As a hair loss treatment, laser therapy is 100% safe and tested for accurate results. The laser is used to energize the cells in your scalp. By energizing these cells, they are stimulated to get back to their growth phases and hair indeed becomes thicker and healthier. You can have this done in a professional facility or at home with products such as laser combs.

In laser therapy, the laser comb is what is known as a low-level laser device. The device emits gentle, red beams of light which make contact with your scalp, and provide numerous therapeutic benefits both to your scalp and hair. Experience has shown that stimulation of hair regrowth by low level laser therapy is more likely to occur when hair loss is minimal to moderate, less likely when hair loss is major and/or long standing.

This product is a hair loss treatment for men and women who are struggling with moderate to severe shedding of hair or dealing with androgenetic alopecia. It can also be used by those women who are experiencing short-term or temporary hair loss due to recent pregnancy, birth control, menopause, or any other medication or medical condition-related loss.

As a hair loss treatment, the laser comb works to cause a stimulation of the hair cycle into the growth phase. The gentle low level beam encourages the follicle to restart its growth phase, and produce a new hair. Treatment must be repeated at intervals to maintain hair regrowth results.

Image taken from gev.com.

Your diet deeply affects the health of not only your internal systems and organs, but external ones as well, including the hair, skin, and fingernails.

Vitamins can be helpful in addressing a variety of concerns like hair loss and hair thinning. Since hair is part of the overall body system, we must be sure to obtain proper nutrition to maintain its beauty and health.

Proper nutrition is vital for hair loss prevention since the hair is a living and growing part of the body’s system. A healthy balanced diet, with vitamins and minerals, can help aid in fighting hair loss problems. Through returning the body back to its natural state, hair loss can be prevented and restored. With the help of these vitamins, you are a step away towards regaining your beautiful head of hair.

Vitamin A: Plays a vital role in maintaining healthy hair, skin, and vision. But it also plays an important part in hair loss prevention by promoting healthy cell growth around hair follicles, keeping them from becoming dry and brittle. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, tomatoes, oily fish, dark green leafy vegetables, apricots, peppers and salads as well as eggs and organ meats like liver.

Vitamin B: The B vitamins are not only important for the health and growth of the hair and scalp, but also it promotes overall health of your body. Eating foods that contain vitamin B like beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, soy beans, nutritional yeast, bran, nuts and eggs is also helpful for faster hair loss treatment.

Vitamin C: This type of vitamin helps in hair loss prevention and encourages hair regrowth. Vitamin C is a natural part of healthy hair and an important dietary addition. Food sources of vitamin C are oranges, lemons, limes, grapes, guava, strawberry, peppers, spring greens.

Vitamin D: Taking vitamin D helps stop hair loss. Vitamin D reduces hair loss by stimulating the hair follicle and the cells that form the hair shaft. Also, vitamin D is necessary in order for the body to absorb calcium, which is essential for healthy follicles. Good sources of Vitamin D are tuna, cold liver oil, egg, cheese, milk, margarine and sardines.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E stimulates hair growth by increasing circulation to the scalp. It also hydrates and improves the hair condition and prevents the progression of hair loss.  It also aids in circulation which helps feed blood and nutrients to the roots of the follicles. The most important sources of vitamin E are plant oils such as soya, corn, olive, wheat germ oil, green leafy vegetables, dried beans, soya beans, nuts, raw seeds and green leafy vegetables.

Remember, the restoration of hair growth is not an overnight process. It takes a great deal of time so you need to be patient. Don’t give up, be optimistic and change your lifestyle by learning to de-stress, exercise, have a proper diet and maintain a positive outlook in life!

Image taken from ayurveda.iloveindia.com.

Did it ever cross your mind to use natural stimulants for hair regrowth? If not, then you are totally missing out on something that might be your ticket towards overcoming hair loss problems.

Many people overlook small details and end up paying a ton of money on some worthless type of hair loss product that only gives minimal results while natural hair growth stimulants have the capacity to stimulate hair regrowth with little expense from you. Although it cannot do anything to stop the root cause of hair loss, it can produce efficient and positive results when combined with DHT inhibitors.

When it comes to stimulating hair regrowth, a proper diet should be taken into consideration. It is always advisable to have a daily intake of protein, lots of water and vitamins in order to support the growth of your hair follicles. Protein is the only thing that constitutes our hair, so if you eat foods that are rich in protein, your hair is likely to benefit from it.

For vegetarians, tofu and soybean are invaluable protein sources which are equal to the more common meat and eggs. The best synthetic vitamin products to use are prenatal vitamins. These contain a host of vitamins and minerals needed to encourage faster-growing tresses.

Furthermore, you can use herbal and natural hair growth stimulants. The most used ones are rosemary and sage oil as excellent hair growth stimulants. If you apply them regularly, their effect will show in a short period of time.

The following are some of the best natural hair growth stimulants:

Habanero - This is one of the most powerful herbs that helps stimulate hair regrowth. The stimulation increases blood flow to the hair follicles which gives hair follicles new life, nutrients, reactivates dormant hair follicles. Habanero also stimulates cell division and encourages new and accelerated hair growth.

Ginger – Ginger is a circulatory stimulant for the hair follicles and a stimulant for hair growth. It is also high in fatty acids. Fatty acids are recommended for hair loss, stunted growth and thinning of hair.

Ginkgo biloba - The leaf extracts act as good tonic for hair growth. They help to increase and maintain peripheral microcapillary circulation, ultimately improving or maintaining hair growth. The hair growth is stimulated through combined effects on proliferation and apoptosis (cell death) of the cells in the hair follicle.

Aloe Vera - This is a natural herb most commonly used for treating alopecia. Aloe Vera contains Aloenin, a potent stimulant which promotes rapid hair growth without any irritation in the scalp. The best thing is Aloe Vera has few known adverse side effects.

Sage - Salvia officinalis also called ‘common sage’ or ‘garden sage’ is generally used as hair rinses or skin lotions. It is especially helpful for maintaining the sheen of dark curly hair. When blended with rosemary, it stimulates hair growth. The constituents which are responsible for its hair-growth-stimulating effects are the tannins, saponins, borneol and camphor.

Malnutrition and improper diet can take a toll on hair health and will one way or another lead to hair loss or thinning hair.

The importance of protein on hair can never go unrecognized since hair in itself is made of a kind of protein called keratin. A diet rich in protein is one way to encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss. This can be found in food sources like eggs, meats, and dairy. Eggs are also rich in biotin—an essential nutrient to promote a healthy head of hair. The following are good foods that can help fight against hair loss and promote healthy hair growth:

Bean Sprouts - Bean sprouts contain an essential nutrient for hair health known as silica which is indispensable in preventing hair loss. The body uses silica to help it absorb vitamins and minerals so even if you’re eating plenty of vitamins but not consuming silica, they might not be helping much. Hair grows from follicles within the scalp at the base of the hair root and needs nutrients to form new cells and generate new hair growth. This natural hair loss treatment can also be found in the skin of cucumbers, green peppers and red peppers.

Red Meat - Lean red meat is included in the list of foods that prevent hair loss. It is a good source of iron, which is needed to create haemoglobin that carries oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. Red meat also contains sulphur, a natural hair loss treatment which maintains hair health by decreasing inflammation and improving blood circulation in the scalp to consequently stop hair loss.

Oats - This food provides energy, assists in maintaining the natural hair color by aiding the creation of melanin and most importantly, prevents hair loss. Oats are a useful source of easily absorbable iron. It also has the side benefit of being an abundant source of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Nuts - Walnuts, almond, cashew, and Brazil nuts are packed with iron, sulphur and biotin. It is also a great source of vitamin E, a natural hair loss treatment, which enhances blood circulation in the scalp and inositol which maintains healthy hair follicles. Brazil nuts are one of nature’s best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts are also a great source of zinc, as are cashews and almonds.

Your body needs an appropriate amount of vitamins and nutrients in order to produce healthy hair. If any of these are lacking, your hair shafts can become weak, resulting to massive shedding of hair or even hair loss.

Androgenic alopecia is commonly known as male and female pattern baldness.

Androgenic alopecia definitely targets people in varying ages, genders and nationalities and this condition brings an unpleasant feeling and discomfort in a person who is enduring it and greatly affects his or her social and emotional status. Pattern baldness is evidently popular in males; having this type of hair loss condition is something a man cannot hide and certainly cannot avoid. Androgenic alopecia shows a visible patch on a man’s head that affects both the temples and the sides of the head. Gradually, the hairline starts to recede, displaying a visible “M” pattern; in other cases, hair starts to get thinner at the crown area which is inevitably progressive and successively creates patches on the human head or, even worse, leads to complete baldness.

Androgenic alopecia in both males and females results from a by-product of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is naturally synthesized in the human body and is obtained by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, transforming testosterone—which is also known as the male hormone—into a much potent hormone called dihydrotestosterone. Hair miniaturization or shrinking is caused by the DHT production in which the hair follicle starts to get extremely small, resulting to hair with less volume and breaking the cycle essential for healthy hair growth. DHT takes over the healthy scalp cells, leading to the reduction of the hair follicles which can result to excessive hair fall.

85% of hair loss cases has been clinically proven to be due to the gradual miniaturization and eventual deterioration of the hair follicles caused by the dihydrotestosterone and there are more than 50% of males and 30% of females affected by androgenic alopecia.

Androgenic alopecia in men and women is considerably inherited either from the mother’s side or from the father’s side of the family and primarily, men start to suffer this in their late teenage years and age 25 to 50. However, it is also a fact that women are also experiencing this condition, although the display of the hair loss pattern in women is totally different and unusual than in men. There is a reported 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States of America alone who endure this kind of unfavorable condition and it is truly inescapable.

Androgenic alopecia is a serious matter that causes physical and emotional havoc in a person. It is indeed imperative to pro-actively acquire an effective hair loss treatment for such condition to hinder distressful moments of a person’s life and to be able to obtain a fuller and a healthier head of hair.

Image taken from stemcellbaldnesscures.com.

Growing up in a technology-oriented society means opening up your horizons for greater possibilities of the future.

The 21st century offers us a wide variety of choices. When it comes to movies and featured films, there are high-tech cinematic experiences like 2D, 3D, and IMAX animations which cater to the viewers’ or audiences’ satisfaction.

Modern technology offers us a chance to rediscover and re-explore boundaries which were not possible before. When it comes to the medical field, the advancement in science and technology offers us a variety of ways to solve conditions, maladies and ailments.

In the hair loss treatment field, we are on the verge of discovering a solution to the growing hair loss condition. There are basically no limits of what technology can do for us. The future of hair loss treatment revolves around the theory of stem cell research, follicle cloning and gene therapy.

Stem Cell Research:

It is an exciting theory which has the potential to cure a whole range of conditions which include terminal cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury and hair loss.

Stem cell research has established a workable theory on how adult stem cells can be used to generate new hair growth in individuals suffering from androgenetic alopecia and other forms of hair loss.

According to medic8.com, the theory behind this is that these cells will ‘self-renew’ and transform themselves into specialist cells which include the ones found at the base of the hair follicles. If the current follicles are damaged or dead, then these stem cells will replicate them and create healthy new follicles from which hair will grow.

Although at present, scientists were able to transplant healthy stem cells on the skin of mice, some work needs to be done before it can be applied on humans for further trials.

Follicle Cloning:

Hair follicle cloning is the future of hair loss treatment surgery. It is under active development by doctors and medical researchers, and encouraging signs of success are already beginning to appear.

Hair follicle cloning goes by other names as tissue engineering or cell therapy. These terms are used to describe the process by which large numbers of hair follicles can be manufactured in a laboratory using a single hair follicle donated by an individual.

According to hairscientists.org, cell therapy consists of inserting into an embryonic cell all the genes which create an organism. These ‘cultured cells’ are exact copies of the organism and may be placed into a patient to correct a particular condition. It is anticipated that this process will one day enable hair follicles to be multiplied in the laboratory and placed back into the balding scalp. It may be possible to create thousands of hair follicles from a snigle donor follicle.

Gene Therapy:

According to ehow.com, gene therapy is an advanced technique under scientific development for the treatment of hair loss problems. It is a procedure that works to change the genes of current body cells. It is a theory which revolves around a method in which follicles with dihydrotestosterone DHT (a hormone produced from the combination of testosterone and 5-alpha reductase that causes hair loss) attractor cells are changed into follicles with DHT-resistant cells. This process is in its early stage of development and more work is being carried out to see if it is a viable hair loss treatment of the future.

This problem is mostly considered to be emotionally distressful to adults in any age, gender, and ethnicity.

Hair loss is truly devastating and picking the right hair loss treatment can be very difficult and annoying. The most extensive form of hair loss is commonly known as the male and female pattern baldness.

Pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia in both male and female results from a by-product of testosterone known as Dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is naturally synthesized in the human body and it is obtained by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, transforming testosterone into a much stronger hormone called dihydrotestosterone. The hair miniaturization is caused by this hormone and it eventually degrades the hair follicles’ ability to produce more healthy thick hair, resulting in excessive hair fall.

Androgenic alopecia is more observed in men than in women which afflicts approximately 50 percent of the male population globally. Men enduring this certain type of hair loss are bothered with a distinct pattern—horseshoe shape—of denuded scalp and a very obvious bald spot that is seen at the top or crown area of the head.

There are a lot of treatments for this and majority of the products are DHT inhibitors or blockers.

A hair loss treatment that consists of an ingredient that inhibits dihydrotestosterone production is said to be a very accurate and potent defense against male and female pattern baldness. It is clinically proven that the prime culprit of genetic balding is DHT and scientists say that the only way to improve or perhaps stop the progression of pattern baldness is by using a treatment for hair loss that can stop DHT production in the scalp.

Numerous solutions and even drugs are being marketed as cure for androgenic alopecia just like the minoxidil topical solutions and the drug finasteride. Both are perceived to work well in battling the condition and are viable options for regrowing the lost hair, though the two treatments can also provide side effects which are considerably harmful.

Recently, natural or organic hair loss products are actually getting a lot of buzz as efficient and safe in the treatment of hair loss in men and women. A great example of an herb that is extensively utilized in almost all hair loss treatment bottles as their main ingredient is the saw palmetto extracts. This active ingredient is scientifically proven and tested to slow down DHT production in the scalp if applied topically and is also capable of stimulating hair regrowth on the affected balding areas.

Image taken from dhtshampoo101.org.

“Heroines in movies are generally portrayed with beautiful, shiny, luscious curls.”

True enough, a healthy head of hair is often one of the first things people look to when assessing the beauty of a person. They say, beauty and healthy hair go hand in hand. That said, it is only natural to take good care of your crowning glory to avoid problems like hair loss that may lessen or diminish its beauty.

Finding the best shampoo for hair loss requires you to define what you are looking for in a product. There are some shampoos that contain ingredients that may be harmful to your scalp, hence leading to further hair loss problems.

The best shampoo for hair loss does not only cleanse the hair of dirt and grimes but also neutralise the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — which is believed to be the main contributor to hair loss both in men and women. A good hair loss shampoo should contain essential vitamins that are helpful for stimulating hair regrowth. In addition, a shampoo with herbal extracts may also stimulate the dormant hair follicles into growing new hair.

Here is a list of shampoos for hair loss that may be helpful to prevent hair thinning and may also help revive your hair to its former shine and health:

1. COUVRe Thickening Shampoo: This is specially formulated to make your hair thicker and fuller, and to remove any harmful build-up of sebum and other elements that make your hair look weak, thin and limp.
2. Energizer Treatment Shampoo: This shampoo contains vitamin B-5 and wheat protein that helps add volume to each hair shaft.  It also penetrates deeply into the hair follicles to destroy harmful dirt and oil build-up and soften layers of sebum from the scalp.
3. Fabao 101 Shampoo: A mild herbal shampoo that helps remove dandruff and stops itchiness.
4. Lavenir Pro-Tress Nourishing Shampoo: A luxurious solution with pure and complete nutrients that provides volume, shine and healthy hair from the bulb to the tip.
5. LEIMO Bio-Cleansing Shampoo: A specially formulated shampoo that contains essential bio-active nutrients that nourish, moisturise and improve the hair and scalp condition, thereby creating a healthy environment for hair growth. It also helps gently cleanse and remove sebum and DHT in the scalp.
6. Nisim: A unique deep-cleansing shampoo that guarantees to reduce hair loss.
7. Progaine 2-in-1 Shampoo: A shampoo that is specially formulated for Rogaine users to gently cleanse and condition thinning hair.
8. Shen Min Vitalize Shampoo for Thin, Fine Hair: This shampoo contains botanical extracts that cleanse the scalp while nourishing the follicles to help hair appear thicker, fuller and healthier naturally.
9. Thomas Protein Shampoo Hair Cleanser: A shampoo that contains powerful proteins that help repair your hair on a microscopic level.
10. Tricomin Revitalizing Shampoo: This revitalizing shampoo for hair loss stimulates and restores health, structure, and vitality to thinning, fine, or damaged hair.

The most important thing is that you should be able to find the right product for your specific hair type and hair condition. You need to consider the right shampoo ingredients in order to achieve a better hair result. Also remember, an ideal hair loss shampoo must always address a solution for the root cause of hair loss.

Image taken from flatbreadco.wordpress.com.

“God must have been a . . . genius.  Their hair, they say that the hair is everything, you know?  Have you ever buried your nose in a mountain of curls, and just wanted to go to sleep forever? ” — I will always remember this line from the movie Scent of a Woman, something in reference to our beautiful head of hair.

Millions of men and women all over the world suffer from hair loss problems and the number is growing year after year. Luckily, there are numerous approaches used for the treatment of this condition. Although there is no sure “cure”, there are topical or oral medications, radical surgical approaches or natural herbal remedies to prevent and stop you from rapidly losing your hair.

There are a wide variety of herbs and fruits which can help to stop hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth. One of the best and the most popular fruits which is very helpful in promoting hair growth is the cucumber.

Cucumber is scientifically known as Cucumis sativus. It belongs to the same family as watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, and other types of squash. Cucumbers were thought to originate over 10,000 years ago in southern Asia.

Early explorers and travelers introduced this vegetable to India and other parts of Asia. It was very popular in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, whose people used it not only as a food but also for its beneficial skin healing properties.

Varieties of cucumber are grown either to be eaten fresh or to be pickled. Those that are to be eaten fresh are commonly called slicing cucumbers. Cucumbers such as gherkins that are specially cultivated to make pickles are oftentimes much smaller than slicing cucumbers.

Drinking cucumber juice will help you deal with any nutritional deficiencies that might be causing your hair loss. Cucumber contains ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and caffeic acid, fiber, along with minerals like silica, potassium and magnesium.

Silica helps stopping hair fall because it stimulates cell metabolism and new cell formation in the body including that in the scalp. It also helps in absorption of vitamins and minerals which stimulates hair growth. Magnesium contributes to protein synthesis as it improves hair growth.

On the other hand, increasing potassium intake will remove excess sodium and eliminate potassium deficiency, which results to hair loss. Hence, eating cucumber as part of a healthy diet will be good for the body and hair in general.

Cucumbers help assist in minimizing and alleviating a variety of health issues and concerns. For those wishing to decrease their blood pressure, drinking this fruit in the form of juice may provide a noticeable amount of relief as the blood pressure slowly declines. For cosmetic purposes, cucumbers are useful in removing eye bags and promoting healthy development of skin and nails to serious concerns such as potentially decreasing the risk of cancer development.

There are a variety of ways to prepare cucumber juice, including simply running a freshly washed cucumber through a juicer. However, you may also combine this great, refreshing fruit drink with other juices such as carrot juice. Try adding sugar and honey to your cucumber beverage to sweeten it to taste.

Many people prefer to add ginger to the drink mix for a spark of flavor. Regardless of which cucumber juice mix you use, drinking and eating these healthy cucumbers will definitely help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, proving to be highly beneficial to your hair and body!