Hair Loss

The boom in alternative medicine has not passed by the market for baldness ‘cures’: there are now more tonics available than ever, with advertising shouting of ‘natural’, ‘herbal’ and ‘aromatherapy’. Many people’s first response to hair loss is to purchase a tonic, and it is always possible that, from amongst the vast and varied range of tonics available in the shops and by mail order, you might be lucky enough to come across one that does some good. Many, however, make wildly exaggerated claims, which they ‘prove’ with testimonials and ‘before and after’ photographs with changes of angle, exposure and even hairstyle to create a false impression of hair growth.

Scientific proof requires controlled double-blind trials - that is, trials in which one group uses the product and another uses a placebo, and neither they nor their doctor knows until the trial is over which they used. Of course, we do not generally require such a high level of proof before we make everyday decisions (nor are double blind trials easily applied to testing the individualistic prescriptions of much alternative medicine), but given the price of some tonics it is a good idea to question what ‘proof’ means in their advertising: it may mean little more than that the advertising standards people haven’t caught up with this one yet!

If in doubt, you could contact the company asking for more evidence to support their claims. Testimonials may, of course, be falsified, or selectively edited; in any case, many types of hair loss can cure themselves spontaneously, and even the loss leading to male pattern baldness can stop for a few years of its own accord. If the treatment being sold involves rubbing the scalp, or requires more frequent washing, it may be this rather than the product that is having the beneficial effect - hence the use of double-blind trials.

Before you buy a tonic, check the ingredients (mistrust any that insist on the secrecy of their formula) and see whether you cannot in fact produce something similar at home for a fraction of the cost. Also check whether the tonic actually claims to promote growth: many ‘tonics’ contain alcohol (though it may be hidden - for example, herbal tinctures are made with alcohol), which has a drying effect that may irritate more sensitive scalps and coarsens the hair; these are in fact simply intended as a sort of emergency shampoo. Unfortunately, although alcohol does dissolve the oils that make hair greasy, it does not remove them, merely spreads them along the hair shaft - which is unlikely to improve the appearance of greasy hair. Dry shampoos are a better alternative. Other products actually adhere to and thicken individual hairs rather than stimulating any new growth.

For natural recipes to make your own hair tonics - and other highly effective treatments to cure dandruff and prevent hair loss - see http://www.NaturalHairHealth.com.

Tags: hair tonics, hair loss, hair regrowth, scalp health

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Hair loss usually occurs because of hormonal factors. As a consequence, biological events like puberty, pregnancy and menopause that effect female hormone levels can also cause female hair loss. In the case of pregnancy, hair loss is simply a consequence of the stress the body undergoes during labor and should stop approximately 6 months after birth. Discontinuation of taking birth control pills can also cause temporary female hair loss.

The most common type of female hair loss is androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is associated with hair thinning predominantly over the sides and top of the head. Female hair loss affects about one-third of all susceptible women and usually onsets after menopause although it can begin earlier.

Other causes of female hair loss include dieting. Rapid weight loss over a short period of time promotes hair loss and some supplements such as excessive vitamin A also contribute to hair loss. Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs when the trauma is excessive and of a long duration. Everyday stress does not promote hair loss.

Some common myths related to female hair loss are that frequent washing and shampooing, and wearing of wigs and hats all cause hair loss. In addition, rumors abound that permanents, coloring, and other cosmetic treatments can cause permanent hair loss. Other myths are that brushing your hair everyday will create healthier hair, that shaving your head will cause hair to grow back thicker, and that stress causes permanent hair loss. Finally, other myths are that there is a cure for female-pattern baldness and that dandruff causes permanent hair loss.

These are just a few common myths associated with female hair loss. If you experience excessive hair loss, you should see a licensed dermatologist for a thorough diagnosis and treatment options.

Hairloss Info provides detailed information about the cause of male and hair loss, as well as products, treatments, remedies, and more. Hairloss Info is the sister site of Snoring Web.

Tags: hair loss, hair loss products, hair loss treatments

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There are so many hair growth treatments on the market that you have many to choose from if you are starting to see that you are losing your hair. Some people swear by certain treatments while others do not find them any good. For example, you can buy a comb that is supposed to help hair growth. This comb has a low-level cold laser beam that you plug in and run through your hair for 10-15 minutes three times a week. Other advertised hair growth treatments are in the form of shampoos and conditioners designed to spur your hair follicles to produce new hair growth.

Whether or not these products actually do work depends on who you ask. Doctors advise that you should search for the underlying causes of hair loss before you spend any money on hair growth treatments.

The recommended hair loss treatment for men is often different from that recommended for women because of hair growth. When evaluating any treatments for hair growth, you should make sure that the FDA has approved them. This agency tests the treatments to make sure they are safe to use, but it doesn’t make a recommendation of whether or not they work. That is up to you to decide.

You shouldn’t really expect to see substantial new hair growth if you use topical solutions as hair growth treatments, even with those prescribed by the doctor. In some cases men have seen a 50% new hair growth, but the usual percentage is much less than that.

Proscar and Rogaine are the hair loss treatments for men that doctors will prescribe and Minoxodil is suitable for both men and women. With these hair growth products you cannot just go into a pharmacy and select them off the shelves as you can with shampoos. These products are carefully controlled and are available only with a prescription. This is because they do have side effects and you should be under a doctor’s care when using them.

One of the common hair growth treatments involves hair transplants. Although this is regarded as a hair loss treatment for men, it is also available for women. Women are better candidates as well because they often have healthier swatches of hair remaining to make hair grafts. However, if this is the hair loss treatment that you want to use, you’d better have a fat wallet, because it is expensive.

There are many hair growth treatments, not all work well. Be discriminating.

For a website totally devoted to hair loss and hair replacement visit Peter’s Website The Hair Replacement Guide, and find out about Female Hair Loss as well as Hair Restoration and more, including Male Hair Loss and Hair Transplants.

Tags: hair growth treatments, hair loss treatments for men, treatments for hair growth

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