Men: How bald are you? Find out using the Norwood scale

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on December 5th, 2013

When considering treatment for your hair loss, it is important to understand how far your hair loss has progressed. The Norwood scale is a useful tool for diagnosis of male pattern baldness as it classifies the progression into seven stages.

These stages are depicted in a series of helpful pictures – click on the main image above– which enable you to accurately determine where you are on the scale.

There may be times where you will need to describe the extent of your hair loss to your practitioner via telephone or internet for treatment purposes – the Norwood hair loss scale can be a handy tool in this regard! Early detection is key as most treatments for typical male pattern baldness are most effective if you suffer from Norwood stages 1- 4.

For this reason, as soon as you notice your hair falling out it is important to recognise your position on the scale and seek treatment accordingly.

Causes of female hair loss – post-pregnancy

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on November 22nd, 2013

According to Josh Wood, celebrated colourist and John Vial, expert hair stylist, post-pregnancy hair loss isn’t something that is very often discussed in anti-natal classes, but maybe it should be! In a recent article in the Sunday Times Style magazine, John tells us that it’s normal to shed about 100 hairs a day, because hair has a natural lifespan, but that during pregnancy the shedding process stops, meaning that hair can become beautifully thick. Many post-birth women then notice their hair falling out as the hair that would have been shed during the pregnancy is lost all at once. John says that according to trichologist Ricardo Vila Nova, the scientific causes of hair loss post-pregnancy include the rebalancing of the hormones post birth coupled with the loss of nutrients which are transferred to the newborn via breastfeeding. Josh notes that post-pregnancy hair thinning usually happens along the hairline. In the case of dramatic hair loss Josh recommends: colouring hair a lighter shade to reduce the contrast between the hair and visible scalp, using multi-tonal colouring to create density, and keeping fine shorter hairs at the front lighter so as to soften the hairline.

Causes of Male Hair Loss

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on November 19th, 2013

40% of men will have noticeable hair loss by the age of 35 and 65% by the age of 60

The Sunday Times Style magazine recently printed some surprising statistics about male hair loss, figures which Style’s resident hair expert, John Vital, finds particularly alarming when there are now more ways than ever to slow hair loss or even stop it in its tracks.

6.5m men experience hair loss in Britain alone; 40% of them will have noticeable hair loss by the age of 35 and 65% by the age of 60.

Causes of hair loss in men:

The article explains that hair loss in men, or specifically male-pattern baldness, is caused by an inherited sensitivity to male hormones in the hair follicles – the more testosterone a man produces the more likely he is to find that it is having a negative impact on his hair growth. The male body releases an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a hormone which essentially attacks the base of the hair follicle.

According to Style magazine, every man starts out with 100,000 – 150,000 hairs with each individual hair living for three to six years. If the average follicle produces approx. 25 hairs in a lifetime then this should mean that the average man should keep most of his hair for 75 years! In some cases, however, DHT speeds up the cycles, shortening the lifespan of hair – the set number of cycles makes it important to take action once this process begins!

For men who have already started to see their hair thinning, it may be desirable to disguise thinning patches. As recommended by Style magazine, Viviscal Volumising Hair Fibres, provide an interim cover-up solution to conceal thinning hair and add volume to fine hair.  Easy to apply, each ultra fine fibre made with keratin has an electrostatic coating which binds to the hair shaft building density to create the appearance of thick fuller-looking hair in seconds.

Hair facts and statistics

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on September 30th, 2013

Watch our Viviscal infographic video to find out some interesting hair relating facts and statistics. 

Botox for your hair

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on May 7th, 2013

‘The Daily Mail published an amazing article about the statistically significant results from the latest Viviscal clinical study presented at the World Congress for Hair Research 2013. The study is one of the world’s largest double-blind, multi-site, placebo-controlled clinical studies on women’s hair supplements.

Read the full article here

The difference between male and female hair loss

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on April 16th, 2013

An interesting article on the Huffington Post website outlined the major differences between male and female hair loss.

First, some facts about the fundamental differences between male and female hair loss:

• Frequency: Serious hair thinning (defined as more than the typical 50-100 strands we lose daily) occurs for about 60 percent of men by age 50 and 40 percent of women by age 40. While baldness may be perceived as a male phenomenon, these numbers suggest that more women suffer hair loss than we think. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 27 million women, as compared to 40 million men, face some degree of hair loss by the time they are 80. Hair thinning most often becomes noticeable at midlife — usually later for females than males — but can begin as early as age 15.

• Appearance: Females typically lose hair more diffusely, which means it thins all over. Male hair loss is more obvious, because it starts with a receding hairline and often results in complete or near baldness. Women’s hair loss, while diffuse, impacts the crown of the head more than the hairline. Women may notice that their part gradually becomes wider when their hair is pulled back or more scalp is exposed throughout their head. But rarely does women’s hair thinning progress to complete baldness unless caused by illness.

• Causes: There are three major reasons behind hair loss. The most common is changing hormones, specifically the rising levels of dihydrotestosterone — DHT. These hormonal shifts are genetically-determined, occur naturally throughout life, start earlier for men and are exacerbated by menopause for women. Another cause is trauma. Certain stressful life events can lead hair follicles to prematurely stop growing. It is most often temporary and hair begins to grow again six months following trauma. Lastly, some medical issues can lead to hair loss, like thyroid problems, nutritional deficiency, autoimmune disorders, medications and cancer treatments, but if treated, hair growth sometimes returns.

• Psychology: Males who begin losing their hair, especially in their 20s and 30s, tend to feel anxiety about premature aging and have concerns about maintaining their attractiveness. Some explore medications and hair transplants, but most seem to gradually accommodate to their baldness without taking radical measures. Women, on the other hand, have strong visceral reactions when they see their hair thinning at any age. Anxiety, even panic, can set in as more hair is found on brushes or left in sinks. Embarrassment and shame is also not uncommon. Women not only worry about their attractiveness and desirability, but about their social status and job security.

To understand the gender hair gap, we can look at the role hair has played for men and women throughout history.

• Evolution: The importance of healthy hair in female identity is probably based on its role in the survival of the species. Even though the function women play in today’s culture has broadened dramatically since the Women’s Movement, we are probably hardwired to value the one we had for hundreds of thousands of years — to attract a mate and procreate. The male role — to protect and defend — has never been (and probably will never be) as connected to his hair or his appearance in general. Healthy, youthful looking hair is an integral part of fulfilling a traditional feminine imperative, one that is not likely to disappear anytime soon.

• Biology: Curves, smooth skin, thick lashes and long hair are among the visible physical features that are typically associated with femininity. When any of these change, it impacts a woman’s identity. During adolescence, pubic hair growth is viewed as a sign of fecundity. When hair begins to thin — as it often does at menopause — it signals the opposite, the loss of procreative possibility. And, while there are physical changes that all men and women face with age, they aren’t all associated with lack of health or vitality. Wrinkles, weight gain or age spots, for example, show up on almost all aging bodies at some point. Hair loss doesn’t. There are people living well into their 90s with a full head of hair, so those women who lose theirs before 50 are more often viewed as ill, not just old.

• Self-Esteem: Men may not be happy about hair loss, but women report much deeper feelings of fear, shame and humiliation. Generally, women spend more time, money and effort to defy visible signs of aging. But as they watch their hair thin, most women are left feeling helpless. There are just not many good solutions available for hair regrowth. Some products are used to delay hair loss. Some can thicken eyelash growth. There is also hair transplantation, but it’s complicated and expensive. The result? As hair thins, women suffer thoughts like, “Something must be really wrong with me, and there’s little I can do to stop it.” Many fear, “Not only will I lose my looks, but possibly my job and even my mate.”

• Role models: Female beauty icons throughout history have had long, thick, rich-looking hair, often portrayed as windswept and wild. Think Elizabeth Taylor, who was known for her black, silky locks. Poster girl Farrah Fawcett was all about those blonde waves. Jennifer Aniston’s career has been tied closely to the latest toss of her enviable mane. Medusa and Rapunzel are mythical figures whose hair served as the symbol of power. Classic portraits and sculptures almost always portray women with beautiful, luscious hair, even when depicted nude. While men have many role models (past and present) for how to go bald in a confident way, there are only a handful of contemporary women (like Moore and Theron) who provide females that kind of inspiration. It’s just not considered feminine or stylish — and may never be.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Unhealthy, Dry Brittle Hair Saved by Viviscal

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on April 5th, 2013

I had been teaching overseas in Europe , Kuwait, Kosovo and Afghanistan for over seven years, and when I returned to the States, my hair was like straw! It had been long and fairly healthy, but now it was dry and brittle. I cut it in a bob, hoping to refresh it, but it was still lack-luster and it would not grow. Two years later, it had not even grown an inch! I started reading about models using Viviscal, and I decided I wanted that.  I searched the web, and found it was available, of all things, at Walgreens.  That was the first time I ever bought it and immediately saw benefits!  My hair started growing again, almost immediately, and it was shiny! I’ve ordered it on-line since then, and I get it at Ulta.  I buy it for my sisters and my Mom, and we are NEVER out of it! Even when I went off to China to teach last year, I made sure I had my stash of Viviscal with me!!   Your Loyal Devotee,  Deborah A.

Nearly 50% of women experience some degree of hair loss after pregnancy

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on April 5th, 2013

I had an issue a couple of years ago with a birth control pill; needless to say it caused a lot of medical issues! One of which was hair loss. I went off that pill and my body was slowly getting back to normal, but my hair didn’t seem to be recovering. I don’t have a lot of hair to begin with and it’s fine, but Viviscal helped the hair grow back AND my hair is much stronger. There is less in my brush too. My eyelashes and nails are also thicker! I love it and still use it.

Health Issues, Hysterectomy and Hair Loss

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on April 5th, 2013

I was suffering from an abundance of over enlarged tumors in my uterine. For years I was losing hair at a rapid speed. I was finally diagnosed and needed complete hysterectomies.  Still afterwards the hair loss continued during menopause. The hair fell out in handfuls, completely thinned out and never really grew. I was watching the news one day when a hairstylist was sharing her Viviscal product info. It has been 7 months now and not only does absolutely no hair fall out, but it grows long, I feel great! I’m so happy to have pretty hair again! I thank you, WGN news, and the pretty hair stylist from the show.

New research that proves just how devastating hair loss can be

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on January 14th, 2013

Celebrity hair stylist James Brown is the latest famous face to talk about the profound impact losing his hair has had on his life.

The hairdresser – whose clients have included Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Emma Watson – first noticed his hair was starting to thin on top in his early twenties.

But it took another 20 years for him to find the confidence to seek professional help.

Now, following a successful hair transplant, Mr Brown has talked openly about the agonies he suffered losing his locks – and how he hid his bald spot for years under his trademark hat.

He admitted: ‘I live [my life] going through airports, from LA to London, and I used to panic about having to go through airport security.

‘It got to the point when it was so bad, I didn’t want to take my hat off. Those minutes before going through security and taking my hat off, they were torture for me.’

I’ve written before about the trauma of losing one’s hair – and how I credit celebrities with a sea change in attitudes towards the treatment of hair loss.

Not everyone reacts badly to losing their hair, but for some, like Mr Brown, it can be a genuinely troubling experience.

Don’t just take it from me.

A major new study has revealed that hair loss can in fact trigger serious psychological breakdown – something my colleagues and I have believed for a long time.

Furthermore, researchers found it could even lead to exaggerated feelings of ugliness and, in the worst cases, trigger body dysmorphic disorder, where sufferers experience acute anxiety about their looks.

Doctors found that the ‘enormous emotional burden’ of going bald could lead in some cases to low self-confidence, mental disorders and even impaired quality of life.

The study is a major, and very welcome, piece of research into the psychological impact of hair loss.
Male pattern baldness (MPB), the main cause of hair loss, affects an estimated quarter of men by the age of 30 and two-thirds by the age of 60. So it is not necessarily someone else’s problem for many British men – and, indeed, some women.

Don’t misunderstand me, some men are happy losing their hair. Indeed, many wear their baldness as a badge of honour, feeling it suits them or reflects their personality. Others do not.

And until now the links between hair loss and mental issues among these men and women has been mostly anecdotal – shared via patient experiences, and in discussion among my colleagues in the hair replacement community – rather than scientifically proven.
Researchers at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin – one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious teaching hospitals – studied hair growth, hair disorders and changes in hair density and quality among patients.

I have previously argued that the impact of baldness has been ignored or dismissed by many in the medical establishment.

I concede, of course, that losing one’s hair is not in the same category as experiencing, say, a heart attack or stroke. The affects may not be immediately life-threatening.

The new research makes clear the impact of hair loss can have equally far-reaching, and, sadly, devastating consequences.

Recent successful hair transplants on celebrities like footballer Wayne Rooney, actor James Nesbitt and X Factor judge Louis Walsh have helped make the procedures more socially acceptable.

But solid research like that from the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin will help educate those who see hair loss as a purely cosmetic issue.

Men and women alike go through a series of psychological stages when their hair thins. It might be difficult to measure, but there are all sorts of side-affects of that trauma on day-to-day life.

And the researchers also found that initial natural thinning could trigger self-inflicted conditions like trichotillomania – where sufferers exacerbate hair loss by repeated twisting or pulling.

Again, these so-called ‘psychotrichological’ disorders might be accompanied by feelings of disfigurement, depressive and anxiety disorders including social avoidance.

Sadly hair transplants are not available on the NHS except in the most acute circumstances. And they are not cheap.

Wayne Rooney’s operation, where follicles are painstakingly matched over two days to the surrounding hair for a totally natural procedure, cost in the region of £15,000 – though there are cheaper procedures in the region of £4,000.

It is thoroughly commendable that people like James Brown are willing to talk about their own hair loss and treatment in public. It lends credibility to my own experience as a surgeon and, I hope, will help others muster themselves to take action.

As Mr Brown admitted: ‘I have the confidence now, it’s mine, it’s not going to fall out – it’s my hair, it’s incredible and I really wish I’d had it done it ten years ago to save me those years of hell. It’s incredible.’

The good news is that treatments will become cheaper over time as the procedures advance. The results will be even better and they will become more widespread.

Until then, hair transplants should not be seen as mere vanity measures.

Hair loss can have far reaching consequences – and an underlying impact on well-being – as this important new research has shown.

Dr Asim Shahmalak

SOURCE: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

Bald men are seen as more dominant

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on October 1st, 2012

It’s a problem that has always plagued men, but there is an upside to hair loss according to new research which has found bald men appear tougher and more powerful than others.[...]

Guys with shaved heads are also seen as taller, stronger and having greater potential as leaders, researcher Albert Mannes has found.

The University of Pennsylvania lecturer, and a balding man himself, carried out three experiments to delve into how men who shaved their heads were perceived by others.

Mannes told Time.com: ‘I was surprised that perceptions of dominance and masculinity extended to concrete, physical characteristics such as height and strength.’

In the first experiment nearly 60 participants were asked to look at a series of photos of men who were similar in age and attire but with differing amounts of hair.

When the results were averaged, shaved men topped the ratings in terms of how powerful, influential and authoritative they looked, Time.com reported.

In the second study each man was shown twice – one with hair and once digitally balded. Not only were the bald men perceived as more dominant, but they were also viewed as nearly an inch taller and 13% stronger.

In the final experiment participants were given written and verbal descriptions – where shaved men again got the highest marks for masculinity.

But Mannes, whose study was published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, warned that while men with shaved heads topped the masculinity table, those with a full mane of hair were still voted more attractive.

‘So, whatever a man gains in dominance directly by shaving his full head of hair will be offset to some degree by his diminished attractiveness’ he continued.

‘The shaved look is more attractive than the visibly balding look. So men suffering natural hair loss may enhance both their dominance and attractiveness by shaving.

‘These men might better improve their well-being by finishing what Mother Nature has started.’

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Identical twins, but only one has alopecia

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on September 1st, 2012

As girls, they insisted on matching outfits, right down to the ribbons in their blonde pigtails. And as teenagers, identical twins Gwennan and Elin Thomas were inseparable, even going to the same university.

We were, and are, best friends,’ says Gwennan. ‘I had a freckle on my forehead as a baby – which disappeared – and that was how our parents told us apart. Looking at some childhood photos, we still argue about who is who.’ Yet, in 2002, a shocking, inexplicable event would mark the sisters apart.

That year, Gwennan, then 25, was diagnosed with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. She suffers from the most extreme form, alopecia universalis, and has lost all body hair, including her eyebrows and eyelashes. Ten years on, she can still remember the morning she woke to find clumps of hair on her pillow. ‘I burst into tears,’ she recalls. ‘My hair had been thinning for a while but then it started falling out in clumps pretty much overnight.’

Identical, in every way but one: Gwennan was diagnosed with alopecia in 2002, while her twin is unaffected.

Alopecia, which is thought to affect about one in 100 Britons at some point, occurs when the body’s immune system starts to attack its hair follicles. This can be limited to just a patch, but some patients go on to develop alopecia totalis, where the entire scalp is affected, or alopecia universalis.

What makes Gwennan’s experience extraordinary is that her identical twin sister Elin remains completely unaffected, even though the sisters share exactly the same genes.

Historically, because alopecia is clustered within families, it was thought to be an inherited condition. However, the experience of Gwennan and Elin points to strong non-genetic causes. Experts believe theirs, and a handful of similar cases, are proof that environmental factors are a major risk in developing the condition – and that this discovery will pave the way for a new understanding of this devastating, difficult-to-treat problem.

‘In identical twins with alopecia, about 50 per cent both have the condition. That means roughly half of the contributing causes of alopecia are non-genetic and may be environmental,’ says Dr Angela Christiano, a world leader in the study of alopecia based at Columbia University Medical Center.

‘Looking at my sister, I saw my loss’

‘Twins provide the perfect platform to study these environmental causes, because it’s likely most things about their environment and upbringing are the same. So, for science, twins such as Gwennan and Elin are fascinating.’

For the twins, the effect was devastating. Gwennan admits she struggled with feelings of jealousy and resentment towards her sister, while Elin experienced intense guilt that she had escaped the condition that threatened to destroy her sister’s confidence.

‘I’d look in the mirror and recoil at my reflection – I thought I looked like an alien,’ says Gwennan, 35, an office manager who lives in Cardiff.

‘Losing my eyebrows and eyelashes was even more traumatic as those define your facial features. And it made it worse having a sister who was the mirror image of me – but with hair. Of course I didn’t want Elin to suffer too, but every time I looked at her I was reminded of what I’d lost.’

Elin, a catering manager, says: ‘I knew I was the lucky one and that compounded my feelings of guilt.’

Gwennan remembers her hairdresser pointing out a bald patch the size of a 50p piece on the back of her head in April 2002.

‘I told myself it was probably nothing but I went along to my GP anyway,’ says Gwennan. ‘He told me it was probably a skin infection and prescribed an anti-fungal cream. But a few weeks later I noticed my hair was noticeably thinner. Elin and I both had the same hairstyle, but while her hair was thick, mine was really thin and bald patches were starting to appear.’

By October, most of Gwennan’s hair had fallen out, and she was referred to a dermatologist. ‘He immediately identified it as alopecia,’ she says. ‘I’d been having problems at work and he said it could be stress-related or there could be a genetic reason, but that was unlikely as my twin was unaffected. He told me my hair was unlikely ever to grow back. He was very blunt about it.

‘I was so upset but I felt relief I finally had a diagnosis. That night I shaved off all my hair, which I decided was preferable to seeing it fall out. In a way it was liberating as it gave me some control.’

But the twins did not realise their experience would add weight to the research being carried out by Dr Christiano, herself an alopecia sufferer who is now in remission.

‘Twins are usually raised in a similar environment so we can rule out causes such as diet or exposure to toxins,’ she says.

‘The most likely factors include infections, viruses, bacteria, or one’s response to stress. While a person’s response to stress is to a degree genetically determined, how identical twins process stress as individuals may be different.

‘People would ask me if I had cancer. Even my friends could be incredibly insensitive, talking about “bad hair days”. It made me realise how much people judge you by your appearance’

‘Both may carry an identical set of genes predisposing them to alopecia, but the degree to which those are expressed may differ. There may be something, for example reaction to stress, that causes the gene to express itself in one twin but not in the other.’

Dr Andrew Messenger, consultant dermatologist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield and an expert on alopecia, says: ‘We now know alopecia is not 100 per cent inherited, but there is clearly a genetic component. Unfortunately, the more severe the disease, the less likely the patient is to recover. The average age of onset is 25 to 30 and it seems to affect men and woman equally.’

The twins suffered eczema and a dairy allergy as children – both of these diseases are thought to be due to problems with the immune system, although immunologists have assessed Gwennan and found nothing unusual.

Dr Christiano says: ‘In families where these autoimmune genes appear to cluster, we can say their immune systems are generally susceptible, but we don’t yet understand why in one their joints may be affected and in another, their hair follicles.’

For four years, Gwennan concealed her baldness with headscarves and a £4,000 wig. ‘My confidence hit rock bottom and I just wanted to feel normal again,’ she says. She also had to contend with stares and hurtful comments. ‘People would ask me if I had cancer. Even my friends could be incredibly insensitive, talking about “bad hair days”. It made me realise how much people judge you by your appearance.’

Counselling helped Gwennan come to terms with her condition, and in 2009 she ditched the wig for good during a holiday in Cyprus.

‘I wasn’t going to hide any more. I had a long heart-to-heart with Elin and admitted I’d struggled with resentment and bitterness in the past, while she revealed how guilty she had felt that it hadn’t happened to her. I haven’t worn a wig or a bandana since. It’s been a very emotional journey but I’m not even sure I’d want my hair to grow back now. Losing my hair has made me the person I am today.’

Elin remains mindful that, given the genetic link, she too could well experience alopecia. ‘I’m prepared for that,’ she says.

‘I’ve seen how amazingly Gwennan has coped and she’s a real inspiration. She’s living proof that you can have alopecia and still hold your head up high.’

Joanna Rowsell looks to be an Olympic inspiration

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on August 5th, 2012

Having lived with the hair loss condition alopecia since childhood, Joanna Rowsell says her hair loss has helped drive her on to greatness.

And her win in the women’s cycling team pursuit could not have come at a better time – it fell on International Alopecia Day which seeks to raise awareness of the condition.

She said a fan contacted her on Twitter on Saturday to tell her about the special day: “I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a bit spooky that our Olympic final is the same day’.”

She added: “I hope I can be an inspiration to other girls with the condition and help raise awareness of it.

The 23-year-old said: “When I was younger I used to focus really hard on my school work. I wasn’t really confident on going out and doing the usual teenage things. I didn’t have much confidence in my appearance and I became very, very focused on my studies.

“But when cycling came along that was another thing for me to focus on and suddenly it didn’t matter what I looked like, it was about how I performed on the bike and that’s what I was judged on. That was great. When I started winning that was the best feeling ever.

“I wasn’t going to stop; I wasn’t going to let it hold me back. You only live once, so go for it.”

SOURCE: www.itv.com

Hair loss effect on female confidence

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on August 1st, 2012

Viviscal has released new research that shows that hair loss can strongly affect a woman’s overall confidence and her sex life. According to the recent survey, 96 percent of women suffering from hair loss feel that their hair is connected to their sense of beauty. In addition, 55 percent of women who participated in the survey feel they are negatively judged as a result of their thinning hair.

Study findings indicate that hair loss has other effects on a woman’s life, as well. For example, 39 percent agreed or somewhat agreed that their hair loss negatively affects their sex life and 65 percent of women indicated that noticeable hair loss inhibits them from participating in normal activities, including swimming, going to the hairdresser, or having their spouse or significant other caress or touch their hair. A startling 79 percent of women stated that hair loss makes them less happy than they otherwise could be.

“Our hair defines us and it’s understandable that the research findings would show a correlation between a full head of hair and a sense of confidence in the bedroom,” said Dr. Laura Berman, LCSW, PhD, the star of In The Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman on OWN and director of drlauraberman.com. “Women are bombarded with media images of lustrous long locks that are supposedly the key to our beauty and sexiness. As a country, we spend billions of dollars on products and services, colouring, cutting and styling our hair. How can it not have a great impact on our disposition and sense of confidence?”

It’s not only those already experiencing hair loss, however, that worry about a thinning crown. According to Viviscal’s research, 58 percent of women who do not experience hair loss, still worry about it.

New cause of hair loss amongst women

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on July 6th, 2012

New female woe

Hair loss is becoming more of a woman’s problem, no thanks to changing lifestyle patterns.

ACTORS Yul Brynner and Telly Savalas were bald, yet attractive. When you spot a man with no hair on the street, you wouldn’t give two hoots but when you see a woman with balding patches, it’s only natural to do a double take.

It’s a rare sight indeed to spot a woman with anything less than her crowning glory, but these days, more and more women are complaining about losing hair.

According to findings by 101 Hair Care, which celebrates its 38th anniversary this year, more women are suffering from hair loss problems compared to males. More alarming is the fact that teenagers and children as young as seven are losing hair as well.

“Women are balding at a faster rate than men,” says Fanny Ling, 101 Hair Care’s nutritionist. “In the past, we saw plenty of male pattern baldness but now due to lifestyle changes, hormonal imbalances arising from stress and post-pregnancy, hair loss has become a woman’s problem.”

Common hair problems are caused by alopecia universalis (abnormality in the immune system), oily scalp, dandruff, as well as male and female pattern baldness.

“Female pattern baldness happens in the parting areas and usually arises during the postnatal period when mothers do not take care of their hair. They listen to their elders and don’t wash their hair for a month. For the Chinese, confinement involves eating a lot of ‘heaty’ stuff, which makes the body temperature rise. This increases the metabolic rate and causes a faster dead skin cycle, more dandruff and oil blockages,” explains Ling.

A normal, healthy person should not lose more than 30 strands of hair daily. If the amount of shedding is more than the growth of baby hair or there is no new growth, or the new hair is growing slower than 0.03mm a day, then it is defined as hair loss.

“With emerging societal trends, lack of nutrition, weather and lifestyle changes, the body is affected, especially the hair. We’ve also discovered new hair loss problems such as demodex, which are parasites living in the scalp. They steal the scalp’s nutrition and damage the cell walls, causing hair loss. After mating, they burrow into the skin, lay eggs, introduce bacteria and infection to the skin,” says Ling.

These mites come from pets, are contagious, and can only be detected by a microscope. One of the obvious signs of mite activity is itching, crawling or tickling sensation on the face and/or scalp. However, a lot of times, there is no itching and most people are not aware they are infested with demodex mites.

She adds, “The solution is to use different tonics and infrared energy to kill the mites. Since they feed on oil, we have to eliminate the oil on the scalp and starve them. We have seen a lot of these cases in the past three years.”

These days, one out of 10 clients are below the age of 12, says Ling, and seven are female.

“Parents of teenagers bring them over because of a condition called trichotillomania, whereby they pluck or tug their hair unknowingly due to shyness, anxiety or inferiority complex. If they keep plucking, the follicle will be damaged and it’ll be hard for the hair to grow back. We have to remind parents to provide encouragement to their children,” says Ling.

Trichologist Rozanna Chung says from the early 90s, more women have been seeking treatment for hair loss. The quick solution was hair replacement or hair rejuvenation.

“The former fell out of favour because it requires a lot of maintenance, money and time. With people being more active nowadays, they don’t have time to do their hair,” says Chung, who used to run a clinic but operates from home now.

The lifespan of a healthy strand of hair is 1,000 days. If you suddenly lose a patch of hair, it could be due to trauma or shock. But if the loss is in the centre, chances are it’s genetic.

“Every one of us goes through a period of hair thinning. The only question is whether it’s reversible or non-reversible. The job of a trichologist is to tell the difference. If you’re destined to look like an egghead like your father, that’s how you’ll look! Science can only go that far,” she states matter-of-factly.

Hair loss is something very emotional, Chung reckons. People occasionally live in denial and allow themselves to fall prey to sales talk.

“It’s also a problem with teens due to popping antibiotics and anti-acne pills, and inadequate sleep. Your hair is the barometer of your health so the first thing I do is to check their lifestyle before examining them physically,” says Chung, who writes for several magazines and speaks on radio shows about hair topics.

Source: http://www.asiaone.com

How hidden hairs can strangle babies’ toes

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on June 16th, 2012

Mothers suffering from post-pregnancy hair-loss are being warned of the little known danger to their new-born’s toes and fingers from stray hairs that end up on babies mittens and clothes.

A single strand of hair can wrap itself around a child’s toe, cutting off circulation and potentially leading to amputation because of a rare condition called ‘toe tourniquet syndrome.’

Affecting all appendages such as fingers, penises and ear lobes, the syndrome causes inflammation as the circulation is cut off and infections can develop as the hair cuts into the flesh as it tightens like cheese wire.

A toe freed of a hair tourniquet. The toe has had to be cut longitudinally to divide the hair

While toe tourniquet syndrome is uncommon, doctors nationally observe around 60 or so cases a year and most are resolved without the loss of the appendage

One review reported that 43 percent of cases of children with the syndrome had their toes affected, 24 percent their fingers and 33 percent involved external genitalia.

The hair is wrapped around the digit by a repetitive movement of the appendage in a confined area such as hands in mittens or feet and legs in pyjamas.

Because human hair is so thin and in the instance of colours like blonde almost invisible to the naked eye, medical professionals can diagnose the swollen area as a foreign body reaction or infection.

Displaying classic signs of toe tourniquet syndrome the swelling caused by the errant hair is visible

Most children who suffer from toe tourniquet syndrome are four days to 19 months old and usually present to doctors inconsolably crying and in obvious distress.

The reason why such a young age group is at risk is down to the postpartum hair loss which 90 percent of mothers experience.

However, some intentional cases have been cited in countries other than the United States.

Kimberly Grubb of Temple Terrace Florida was perplexed when her daughter Norah Saed’s toe became seriously swollen.

The infection caused by toe tourniquet syndrome is clearly visible (left) while the swelling (right) caused Norah Saed to cry uncontrollably

Baby Norah made a complete recovery after four days

‘I’ve treated about three or four of them myself, but a lot of people are not aware of it, even some doctors,’ said Dr Muhammad Ali Hussain, senior plastic surgery registrar at Canberra Hospital to the Canberra Times.

Toe Tourniquet Syndrome

- Is a medical condition where a hair or thread becomes tightly tied to a finger, toe or other appendage cutting off circulation and potentially causing amputation.

-The problem usually affects young babies when hair ends up in their socks and is most common when mothers are shedding hair post-pregnancy.

- Identified with magnification and cut away usually with small scissors, the rare condition is missed by some doctors

 ‘They get entangled and the mother doesn’t notice what has happened until the time they start crying and they don’t know exactly what is happening, why they are crying.

‘By the time they present it’s already a couple of days and it has been cutting through the toe.

‘In a fair-coloured child and with blonde-coloured hair you can’t identify there is a hair.

‘Even under a microscope it’s difficult.’

In some cases the hair has wrapped around the child’s toe so tightly that it has folded under the skin, making it difficult to detect.

If the loss of circulation is not corrected by doctors quickly, the child may lose the toe, finger or appendage to amputation.

The condition is most commonly caused by hair inside babies socks or mittens which wraps around their toes or fingers

‘Four nurses came in, held her down,’ said mother Kimberly Grubb, whose baby Norah Saed almost lost her toe to the syndrome last year to WTSP

‘They had scissors and tweezers to open it up.

‘They had to hold her down and she was screaming and I was crying from that, just from her screaming.’

Luckily, doctors removed the offending hair and Norah did not lose her toe, although it took three days for the swelling and dis-colourisation to subside.

To remove the hair, doctors traditionally use a magnifying glass and small scissors, although a chemical depilatory such as Nair could be used to dissolve or weaken the hair.

Doctors have advised all young and first time mothers to beware of toe tourniquet syndrome

Doctors advise parents to wash their clothes separately to their children’s and to check their mittens and clothes thoroughly for stray hairs.

Former Miss Ireland talks about becoming a ‘Mum’ and her subsequent hair loss

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on May 23rd, 2012

IT’S not easy being beautiful and a mum-of-six – but former Miss Ireland Emir Holohan certainly makes it look that way. 

Emir (32) made a return to the spotlight this week for a cause that’s close to her heart — post-partum hair loss — which oftenAnd although she happily stepped back in front of the lens while promoting natural nutritional supplement Viviscal Maximum Strength, which she says helped restore her hair’s condition and improved skin, the return is just temporary.

Brits losing their jobs and losing hair

by Viviscal Hair Expert, originally posted on May 31st, 2012

THOUSANDS of Brits are losing their jobs AND their hair. Money worries and anxiety during the recession are leading to an increased rate in hair loss in the UK.

A huge 41 per cent have lost their locks or are suffering from thinning hair, according to new research.

Trichologist Trisha Buller says: “A lot of it is to do with the environment and the pressures we are all under today.

“It is very difficult to reduce stress in this day and age. We have to go to work and, for many people, the recession has made work very demanding. There is a lot of anxiety because of the economic climate.”

A cold and sleep deprivation can lead to shedding too, as can over-styling with straighteners and hair products.

Here, we speak to three people who have suffered from hair loss. Plus, Trisha gives us her top tips for luscious locks.

Joanna’s story

Joanna Wojick, from Hatfield, Herts, is the manager of a cleaning company. She has stress-related alopecia. The 28-year-old says:

“Two years ago I was going through a period of intense stress. I was having problems with my partner and I couldn’t find work so money was tight.

Normally I am a very bubbly, extrovert person but I was really stressed and unhappy.

I began to notice that my hair was falling out. If I touched it or shook my head there would be a fine mist of hair. Occasionally it would come out in clumps. It came out when I washed my hair and my pillow would be covered in hair in the morning. I ended up with very defined bald patches, which was absolutely horrible.

I didn’t want to go out and see my friends. I stayed in the house as I was so embarrassed and upset about my hair loss. I had no idea that stress could make your hair fall out like this. It really dents your confidence.

I have been told my hair is very unlikely to grow back. I have invested around £1,300 in an artificial hair system with a company called Hair Solved. Attachments of real hair, shaded carefully to look like my hair, are woven to my head using a form of mesh. It’s very secure and I don’t worry about going out in a high wind and I can wash it normally.

I have tried wigs and they were awful. I felt that people were staring at me in the street.

Baldness really affects you psychologically. I felt so awful about myself when I had the terrible bald patches on my head.

Now I am back to my usual cheerful self and I am happy to go out with my friends. The problematic relationship ended and I am happily single.”

Adrian’s story

Adrian Goulden, 53, married to Collette, 45, runs a hairdressers in Lowestoft, Suffolk. When his last business failed he became bankrupt. He says:

“In 2009 everything in our lives was going so well. We lived in a five-bed barn conversion and I ran a hair-dressing business employing 35 staff.

I’d put my life savings into the business but then our client base fell because of the recession – and then our landlord put up the rent.

Our business went to the wall and over the next two years my life fell apart.

I was made bankrupt so we lost our beautiful home.

Overall I lost more than £250,000. The stress was unbelievable – I only got through it because of the support of my wife, Collette.

After my business started to fail I began waking up to find clumps of hair on my pillow.

Having a shower, I noticed the drain was clogged with hair – clumps of it were coming out.

Previously I’d been proud to have a full head of light brown hair and I realised it was falling out because of the stress of losing my business. This wasn’t normal hair loss – it was so sudden and dramatic – and it became extremely noticeable.

I was embarrassed about it. I do think that a man’s virility is linked to his hair as I noticed a loss of libido, too. I was taking anti-depressants.

My hair thinned at the crown and my formerly low hairline on my forehead began to dramatically recede.

One friend said to me, rather cruelly, ‘How is the leukaemia therapy going?’ because my hair was so thin.

I could have gone for the buzz cut, like a lot of men do, but instead I have chosen to grow it a bit longer and try to hide how thin it is. I’m not going to go for the comb over, though.

I’m speaking out about this as I think many others are going through it, worrying about the double-dip recession.

Men don’t like to admit it but losing their hair threatens their masculinity.

A lot of guys will be suffering and feeling isolated, as it affects us deeply – though we may pretend it doesn’t.

I do think that going bald makes you feel less of a man.”

Kerrie’s story

Kerrie Boardman, 30, an IT sales executive from Swindon, Wilts, suffered hair loss in her twenties, following the sudden death of her mother. She says:

“My mum and dad separated when I was 18 so I moved from Manchester, where I’d been to school, to live with my mum, Pam.

I’d got on an art course at Swindon College so I could be closer to her. But after a few months, out of the blue, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the brain and was told she had just six months to live.

Almost overnight my world fell to pieces – when she died I felt so alone. I had to give up my course and my part-time hotel job became full-time because I had to pay all the bills.

Mum’s death made me anxious and stressed. Then, when I was 22, my fiancé of five years and I split up. The stress affected me physically, too – I developed the skin condition psoriasis and lost confidence.

Then, about three years ago, I noticed my hair was thinning on top. I went to see my GP who said that, like the psoriasis, it was related to stress and there was nothing he or I could do.

Whenever I was invited out by my friends I’d decline because I felt so unattractive.

Then, about two years ago, I broke down crying in front of my hairdresser. She recommended the supplement Viviscal, which claims to naturally thicken and strengthen hair by nourishing the follicles, so I bought some.

Slowly my hair did thicken – and my anxiety disappeared. I’ve started going out with my friends again and life really is on the up.

The best thing is having my confidence back and being the happy Kerrie again.”

8 tips for a healthy crown

GO FOR THE CHOP: First and foremost, the secret to long, thick healthy hair is strong hair. Trim off any split ends you may have.

No matter what a product claims, nothing will repair split ends except a trim. If split ends are left uncut, they will continue to split up the shaft and damage more of your hair. Get rid of them to keep the damage to a minimum.

WASH DAILY: You should wash your barnet every day. This keeps the scalp clean and creates a healthier environment for your hair to grow.

COLD RINSE: If you use cooler water to wash and rinse your hair it closes up the hair cuticles, locking in moisture which creates amazing shine and softness.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT BRUSH: Never brush hair when it is still wet as this will create breakage. Use a wide-toothed comb and brush from the ends up to the top.

You can also buy detangler sprays to help keep hair knot-free. Buy a new brush every now and then, too. It should have all the teeth. If there are some missing it can lead to damage.

DRY NATURALLY: It’s best to let your hair dry on its own. If you do need heat make sure you use a heat-protection spray first. If you don’t, it’s like putting an iron straight on to your skin.

SUN PROTECTION: We all think about our skin in the sun but lots of us forget about our hair. When you expose your hair to the sun it can dry the outside layer removing moisture making it look dull.

You can buy products now that have UVA and UVB filters to protect the hair from the sun and the sea if you go swimming. Some people think a hat is enough but it’s not.

EAT WELL: Your nutrition is essential in making your hair look young and vibrant. Eat plenty of protein – milk, fish, nuts and eggs – and essential fatty acids, which are found in olive oil and walnuts.

GET HELP: You need to see a registered consultant trichologist. Make sure you don’t see someone who has only had four days of training and calls themselves a “hair doctor”.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk