Leg hair could be used for transplants on the head

Men who find that inexorable receding of the hairline could now have help not from the back of the head, which is what most hair transplants use, but from a rather novel location; the legs! In a report published in the Archives of Dermatology, hair was taken from the legs of men and the follicles were then transplanted onto the head to ‘re-grow’ the hair lost from there.

This is the first time that hair transplants used leg hair successfully and could offer hope to millions of men worldwide who face the issue of a balding pate.

The report also said that since leg hair is typically softer and less coarse, it can offer an aesthetically more pleasing appearance.

This new technique is now able to offer men additional options when combating with hair loss.

A back to nature movement for African hair

African-American women have always been at pains to straighten their hair, to remove the frizz from it, color it and generally make it into something that nature never intended. Emon Fowler and her Harriet Experiment is a call to women of African descent to embrace their own natural hair.

She calls for the rather extreme measure of cutting off all the hair in what she calls the ‘Big Chop’ so that all of the old processed hair is gone and women can start with a fresh slate so to speak, giving up on chemical relaxers, wigs and weaves. This is to reject the obsession that so many African American women have with straight hair to abandon their daily hair rituals and to embrace their own natural hair.

Even celebrities such as British actor Thandie Newton wants to let her naturally curly hair free reign, because she wants to set a good example for her own daughters. She is going to give chemical relaxers the go by, so that her daughters will also learn to appreciate their own natural beauty and ancestry. She also appreciates that the amount of lye women use in their hair to relax the curl, could dissolve a coke can!

Dandruff is not only visually displeasing, causing self esteem or social problems, it may also be accompanied by other troublesome symptoms such as redness, itching and irritation of the scalp. So treatment may be required for physiological as well as psychological reasons.

What causes dandruff?

Some individuals are more susceptible to dandruff and there is seen to be a genetic element with this disorder (you are more likely to have dandruff if either of your parents did).

Certain yeast infestations of the skin and overproduction of sebum (oil produced by the skin) are what cause those typical white flakes and clumps of dead skin.

Sometimes the dandruff is a symptom of a skin condition called seborrhoeic dermatitis which also has other symptoms such as redness, itching and flaking in other areas such as the eyebrows, other facial hair and folds of the nose.

Certain seasons can exacerbate dandruff because the condition is seen to be sensitive to temperature changes. In fact even hot water can increase symptoms of dandruff such as increasing the itching and the flaking.

Do dandruff treatments really work?

Most of us who have chronic dandruff find that shampoos and other anti-dandruff products can help get rid of the flaking and the scalp itching to an extent. However in many cases, there seems to be no permanent solution and the symptoms return as soon as we stop using the shampoo or product.

Whether dandruff can really be got rid of permanently or not, depends upon the type of dandruff as well as the underlying skin condition that causes it. This explains the fact that dandruff shampoos and other OTC products that we use seem to have limited, if any, efficacy.

However the common solutions for dandruff are:

• Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) is the ingredient in most antidandruff shampoos that will control symptoms while the product is used.
• Selenium Sulfide is another solution for dandruff and is also known to have anti-seborrheic effects and which reduces cell turn over to control flaking.
• Steroids (topical corticosteroids) can also help control dandruff particularly inflammatory types of dandruff.
• Antifungal medications such as Imidazole topical antifungals, ketoconazole, etc. can also control dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

There has been a lot of work done in the field of Alopecia Areata over the last decade, and a lot of progress has been made during this time that can be very helpful to those who suffer from this unfortunate condition.

The area of the body that is usually most affected by Alopecia Areata is the scalp, but other areas of the body may also lose their hair in later stages of the illness.

Although much research has been done on the possible Alopecia Areata causes that exist in the world today, there is actually little definitive evidence of what causes most cases of this hair loss disease.

In the early stages of this illness, you can expect parts of the scalp to lose hair and eventually see a case of “spot baldness” begin to appear.

The strange thing about Alopecia Areata is that it only affects the hairs on your head that are currently in the development stage. In other words, if your hair is not growing then it is not going to be affected by this hair loss condition. The main objective of any treatment of this condition is to try and make sure you lose the least amount of hair as possible on the top of your head.

Types of Alopecia Areata causes to look for

There are many different versions of this illness and each type of this hair problem has their own Alopecia Areata causes. One version of this illness is known as alopecia areata monolocularis, and the good thing about this variation is that it only causes baldness in one spot on your head. Since it only causes baldness in one small area, you can actually wear hats to cover up the spot without having to shave your entire head.

The main problem with this type of hair loss is that the body basically starts treating one’s hair as if it were some foreign object. The body will then begin to remove as many of these foreign hairs as possible because it will feel like these hairs should not be on your head. With Alopecia Areata, the body basically starts destroying its own hair because it thinks it does not belong.

More details regarding Alopecia Areata

The good thing about the main Alopecia Areata causes is that they are definitely not contagious. While you don’t have to worry about catching this condition from someone else, new mothers around the world should worry about passing this problem down to their child because there is some evidence that it could be hereditary.

Nonetheless it is important for people to know the truth about hair growth with biotin before they actually start using it.

How biotin works

The main ingredients of it are yeast and bacteria. The interesting thing is that people produce biotin in their own body, which is then used for a number of purposes, like bones, muscles and tissues.

Hair growth with biotin is also possible and new skin cells also benefit from it. This way they will become more abundant and healthier.

Those people who have to face hair loss, the extra biotin for hair growth will help them grow longer, thicker and healthier hair. This is why people should buy biotin.

Topically or orally?

There is a lot of information available regarding whether biotin should be taken topically or orally, and all this information seems to be contradictory. According to professionals, biotin cannot be absorbed through the skin. It is somewhat like collagen that is available in a number of topical creams, it is normally thick and even though it is absorbed by the skin, it is not easy.

On the other hand, in case biotin helping hair growth is taken orally, it gets right into the bloodstream, and so the chances for it to work are higher. This way it will be possible for the body to use the extra biotin and prevent the hair loss.

Biotin Deficiency

Those people for whom biotin helps for hair growth may have a biotin deficiency, and in their case the hair loss could be a symptom. If the body receives the biotin that it needs, it will be able to function normally again. There are some other signs of biotin deficiency as well, such as brittle fingernails, chronic fatigue, depression and others. In this case the hair growth with biotin is more than sure to work.

Tips to know about

Before starting to take biotin for hair growth you should talk to your doctor to make sure that you aren’t allergic and in case you are taking medication, you have to make sure that biotin doesn’t interact with it.

Also it might be useful to read some reviews regarding biotin helping hair growth to see how it helped people and see whether it really worked. Don’t forget to read about side effects either to know what to expect in the moment when you start taking biotin, if you decide to take it.

Biotin for hair growth seems to be working like magic in case of some people, but it is possible that for others it won’t do a thing. You have to try it in order to know for sure.

So how is female hair loss different from that of men and are there similarities as well?

• Hair loss is considered to be a part of the aging process and both men and women experience it; though in different ways and it is seen that some animals also experience similar hair loss with age.
• Hair loss in women is not as easily identifiable or visible as in the case of men and the loss may not be evident until it is quite advanced and a significant amount of hair is already lost.
• Women tend to lose hair equally all over their scalp where as men generally lose hair in a pattern with a receding hair line. Typically the top of the head loses more hair than the sides among men.
• Causes for hair loss among women could be temporary, such as pregnancy and childbirth. Women may also experience hair loss due to stress, or bereavement. Health conditions such as anemia could also be responsible for hair loss. Hormonal imbalances such as thyroid problems or the kind of hormonal changes that come with age such as menopause are common hair loss causes among women.
• Women are also more likely to have disorders such s trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) that result in hair loss.
• However both men and women are likely to suffer hair loss as a result of cancer therapies such as chemo, radiation and so on.
• Another significant way in which hair loss among women is different than men, is the fact that it may be more traumatic for women to lose hair than men – issues of body image, self esteem and confidence may arise from female hair loss more than male hair loss. Hair loss among women is more likely to cause negative impact on quality of life than in the case of male hair loss.
• Since the type of hair loss and the reasons for the hair loss treatments may also differ. Many times women’s hair loss is temporary and may resolve itself if the underlying cause is resolved. The chief antidote to hair loss for women is Minoxidil; in fact this is the only approved hair loss solution for women.

Now however researchers from UCLA and the Veterans Administration, may have accidently stumbled upon a hair loss remedy for long term hair re-growth. The discovery for re-growing hair was made by researchers when they were studying interactions between the brain and the digestive tract.

In the process, the researchers came upon a chemical compound that had the impact of blocking a stress related hormone. 

Stress is known to cause hair loss and by blocking this stress hormone, hair can be induced to re-grow.  This was an accidental discovery made when tests were being conducted on stressed mutant mice.

The mice were altered genetically to produce excess levels of the stress hormone corticotrophin-releasing factor. In the process of the mice study, it was found that the astressin-B peptide was responsible for bald mice having a hair re-growth spurt.

The findings of this study have been “confirmed unequivocally” and researchers found that just one shot per day, for 5 days, could result in effects that last up to 4 months.

Lice are very common especially among women with long hair. These parasites survive in the human body by feeding on small amounts of blood that they draw from one’s scalp.

Although they are not dangerous and do not spread disease, lice are still quite a nuisance, but thankfully there are options available for treatment for lice.

Lice commonly affect children ages 3-9, hence treatment for lice should also be child-friendly.

Doctors can recommend a variety of over-the-counter treatment options for children such as medicated shampoo, cream rinses, or lotions that are effective in killing lice and their eggs. Lice also commonly afflict adults, but there are also many treatments available.

Although treatment for lice kills them instantly, it may still take a few days until the itching has completely disappeared.

Other popular methods used for treatment for lice in the head are the following:

• Insecticides

Over the counter insecticides, such as malathion and phenothrin, come in lotion form, shampoo, or liquids that are usually washed over the infested area.

Insecticide treatment for lice needs at least two applications spread over 7 days in order to effectively kill the adult lice and those that come out of the eggs. Any course of insecticide medication should only have a maximum of 3 treatments.

However, if you are pregnant you will need to check with your doctor or pharmacist which insecticide option is best for you. Insecticides come in either alcohol or water based forms, and alcohol forms may have some allergic side effects so it’s also best to ask first.

• Shampoo

Common treatment for lice are head lice shampoo, which, in order to be effective, needs to be diligently followed by sessions of removing nits with a special lice comb. If the infestation is light, the nits can be removed individually through the use of the comb.

It is important that when using any shampoo as treatment for lice, the directions should be followed fully in order for this to work. Each brand or product may have its own concentration and individual advice that should be taken.

• Non-chemical treatments

Non-chemical treatment for lice is also available, and is just as effective when it comes to eliminating lice. Dimethicone or Hedrin is a coating solution that covers the lice, and has no smell or color although comes in a slightly oily texture.

This should be poured on the hair when wet and by leaving it, only to be rinsed out 8 hours later. It is also an effective treatment for lice because it is safe and gentle, and works without irritating the scalp.

• Fine comb and hygiene

In some cases, running a very fine toothed comb can remove lice. After bathing, try combing your hair with this kind of comb. Lice stick to your scalp and hair when your head is still wet.

Another effective treatment for lice is avoiding contact with the infected member of the family or your friends. Don’t use the same pillows, wear their clothes, or even borrow their combs.

Anybody is prone to getting dandruff from infancy to adulthood. About 5% of the total population has dandruff, most of these are men.

This skin disease is not very alarming because dandruff treatment may be done at home using natural remedies. Here are some treatments you can use to get rid of dandruff without using harmful chemicals:

1. Tea tree oil: This oil that comes from the leaves of melaleuca alternifolia is an effective dandruff treatment. They thrive in Australia and used by the aborigines since the olden days.

The market is now flooded with shampoos containing tea tree oil as the main ingredient. This is an effective dandruff treatment because it has a strong anti-fungal element.

2. Apple cider vinegar: This cooking essential found in our cupboards is believed to have a therapeutic effect on dandruff. It is best as a dandruff treatment when mixed proportionately with water.

Simply store the mixture in a spritzer and spray a generous amount in the scalp and thereafter wrap the head with warm towel. Doing this everyday can remove those ugly flakes.

3. Fenugreek seeds: These spices commonly used in Indian cuisines can be substituted as a dandruff treatment. Begin preparing a fenugreek paste by mixing two tablespoons of the spices into warm water. Soak overnight and apply in the scalp.

4. Lime: Freshly squeezed lime has been known as a dandruff treatment long before the advent of dandruff shampoos. After taking a shower, it can be used as a final rinse. In fact, it does not only work as a dandruff treatment but it also leaves the hair glowing.

5. Beets: This root crop is not only great for salads but a good dandruff treatment as well. Even the tops can be used during the treatment. Boil the tops and the root but do not discard the water because this is to be used in massaging the scalp. While white beet is more preferred, red beets may also be used.

6. Snake gourd: Ever since, this plant has been known for its many healing properties and as an effective dandruff treatment. All you have to do is squeeze the juice of the gourd and apply on scalp to get rid of dandruff.

7. Anti-dandruff shampoos: There are many available shampoos that can be used as dandruff treatment and does not need any prescription from doctors. Using this kind of shampoo will either eliminate or prevent dandruff from developing.

Having dandruff can be very embarrassing. It makes one’s scalp itchy and flaky. However, this can be avoided by eating biotin-rich foods such as egg yolks, barley, liver and milk. Biotin is responsible in breaking down carbohydrates and fats which cause dandruff. This water soluble B-vitamin is also produced naturally by the intestines.

In fact, the reason for its cause is given less attention compared to its treatment. This is a worrisome condition since it causes itchiness in the scalp brought by head lice bites. If this becomes infected, children suffer from swollen lymph glands in the neck.

Pre-school children are the most commonly infected by head lice. Of this age group, mostly girls acquire head lice because of their hair’s length and thickness. African-Americans rarely get infested by these parasites though.

Head lice treatment comes in different forms. Here are some of them:

1. Shampoo

There are natural means of treating it or by using chemical-based hair care products. Primarily, head lice treatment by the use of specially formulated shampoo is the most convenient way. However, if the scalp is lightly infested, constantly combing the hair removing the nits manually prove to be an effective head lice treatment.

In some cases wherein the nits continue to appear, do not despair as they are not totally eradicated overnight.

On the contrary, it must be emphasized that head lice multiply fast. Nits hatch in seven days and they lay eggs up to a hundred per day. Thus, before getting into any chemical-based head lice treatment, patiently get rid of the nits first.

2. Wash your child’s stuff in warm water

Having your child’s clothing, beddings and towels washed in warm water constitues part of head lice treatment. In fact, even before the treatment is initiated, these procedure must be observed including vacuuming the carpets wherein nits might have stayed.

3. Natural oils

Other head lice treatment such as the use of olive oil and tea tree oil must not be used outright. It is better to consult your child’s pediatrician before resulting to any of these natural remedies.

Having head lice must not be a cause of panic for parents. This might even worry the child because of the embarassment that it will bring them.

Although head lice treatment shampoos are readily available, prevention is the key to getting rid of these parasites. Here’s how to prevent them:

• Avoid contacts with other children already inffested with head lice especially during playtime, sports, slumber parties and the like.

• Applying head lice treatment is not always a guarantee that lice have been treated. Thus, children who are under treatment must also excuse themselves from such activities.

• Head lice treatment shampoos come with a specialized combs. These combs must not be used by other people to avoid infestation.

• Lying on beds and sofas vacated by somebody infected must also be avoided as a part of head lice reatment.

• Avoid staying out in the sun or let your child wear a cap or bandana when outdoors

Head lice treatment promises results but it takes time to completely get rid of the lice. If you don’t want your child to be infected, be sure to apply the necessary preventive measures.

This article takes the opportunity, this August, which is Hair Loss Awareness month, to talk about hair loss:

• There are many reasons for hair loss, including chemo and alopecia. In alopecia, you can literally lose your hair overnight.
• Hair loss is more traumatic for women.
• There are non surgical ways of replacing lost hair, where the hair appears to be naturally growing but is not actually so; it is more like a hair ‘contact lens’.
• The hair transplant procedure is also possible, which takes the hair from the back of the head and transplants it to the top. This is generally because hair loss typically occurs on the top of the head rather than the sides or the back, where it continues to grow more thickly.
• There are also ways in which counseling and treatment can be obtained to actually prevent hair loss, before it actually starts to shed or fall.