Hair Loss Caused By Pollution

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Research results have been presented at a major conference confirming a cause for hair loss. Korean funded research has shown that hair loss caused by pollution is very real. We take a closer look.

Air Pollution

Whether or not hair loss caused by pollution is a real thing seems almost rhetorical. Our hair is sensitive to changes in our diet or environment so it is hard to imagine it would not be negatively affected. But until now nobody had done the research.

We are a busy, messy species. The result of all our activity is evidenced in our air and oceans. The air we breathe contains billions of particulates made of polycyclic aromatic carbons. These soot-like particles are particularly hazardous when they are extremely small, less than 10 microns. Diesel engines spill these particulates along with gases and other chemicals. Then there are nitrogen oxides, from the burning of fossil fuel, and carbon monoxide, from incomplete combustion.

They are firmly associated with a long list of ailments. Top of that list are respiratory diseases, cardiovascular damage. and damage to the reproductive organs. They can also cause harm to the liver, spleen, and blood. Fatigue, headaches, and anxiety are all linked. Then there is irritation caused to the eyes, nose, and throat.

It is understandable, given the scale and severity of the list, that it has taken a while for someone to get around to looking at hair loss caused by pollution. But that is exactly what a South Korean cosmetics firm has funded. The results were presented at the 28th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in Madrid recently.

Hair Loss Research

Hyul Chul Kwok, who led the research team, described what the team had set out to do. He said: “Our research looked at the science behind what happens when the cells found at the base of hair follicles are exposed to common air pollutants.”

Their method was to expose human follicle cells to different concentrations of pollutants. the pollutants were in the form of fine dust particles, 10 micrometers or smaller.  Kwok’s team then measured the presence of four key proteins involved in the hair growth and retention process.

The team observed decreases in all four proteins. Decreases which were more pronounced when the cells were exposed to higher levels of pollutants. As Kwok put it “The more pollutants that the cells were exposed to, the bigger this impact seemed to be. Therefore the results suggest that particulate matter may cause hair loss.”

Avoiding Pollution Related Hair Loss

If you live in a modern city, and most of us do, avoiding pollution is impossible. To give your hair its best chance of coping a sensible hygiene regime is essential. But for many, simply choosing a good shampoo and conditioner might not be enough.

Fortunately, there have never been so many options for treatments that can give your hair a boost. While it is true we are not quite there with a cure for hair loss just yet, modern science-based products and procedures exist. One or more, according to your personal circumstances, will be appropriate.

HIS Hair Clinic

It seems amazing that we have had to wait this long for someone to do some research on hair loss caused by pollution. This small study did not distinguish between age and gender for example. Much more work will need to be done to fully understand the issue. But Kwok’s team has undoubtedly taken an important first step.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Tech Solution To Trichotillomania

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 Trichotillomania is a disorder that sees sufferers pull out their own hair or eyebrows. Easy to diagnose but incredibly challenging to treat, the problem does now have a weapon with which it can be taken on.

 

Trichotillomania

More commonly known as Trich, this condition affects around 3% of the population in the USA. Make no mistake, that is a lot of people. Typically, sufferers are compelled to pull at hairs, usually in patches on the scalp but also from the eyebrows and eyelashes. 

There is no defined cause. genes may play a part but it is generally thought to be a response to some sort of anxiety. Most common in young children between the ages of 9 and 13 it could be that anything from a very wide range of potential factors could be the trigger. From parental divorce or abuse to pressures at school and plain old boredom. The only therapy available until recently had been a combination of medication and help with behaviour. 

New Kid On The Block

Enter HabitAware. A sufferer herself, HabitAware co-founder Aneela Idnani, had hidden her trich from husband, Sameer Kumar, for two decades until one day he saw her without eyebrows. During one of the conversations that followed in the weeks after Aneela had said to her husband that she wished she had something that alerted me when she was pulling at her hair. 

The pair teamed up with a couple of techs to start their business in 2016. Their flagship product is a smart bracelet they have called Keen, it takes 30 seconds for the user to train the software to recognise the movements that are made when exhibiting the unwanted behaviour. When it sees that movement again it vibrates to turn the moment into a conscious one, as opposed to the previously unconscious act of pulling at the hair. 

Keen 

Beyond trich, Keen can be repurposed to help people with other repetitive habits like nail-biting and thumb-sucking. Aneela herself has experienced great success with her bracelet, declaring herself 99% pull free and has completely regrown her eyebrows. 

Among several awards for her product, Time Magazine named Keen one of the best inventions of 2018.

HIS Hair Clinic

Congratulations to Aneela and her husband for bringing something important to the market. The age of the victims of trich means they are often going through school, a particularly difficult time to go through patches of baldness… increasing the likelihood of getting bullied and making the problem worse. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Woman Shares Scalp Cooling Experience

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We have written several times about the impact these scalp cooling devices have made since hitting the market. Now we share one woman’s delightful account of her experience. 

 

Scalp Cooling

The idea was a relatively simple one. That by reducing blood flow to the scalp during chemotherapy, it might be possible to reduce exposure to the harsh chemicals used during the treatment. These chemicals specifically target any fast-growing cell in the body, and unfortunately hair cells are among the fastest. 

So caps were developed, to be fitted before, during and after treatment. They proved efficacious enough to be given medical approval but even ahead of that were appearing in hospitals around the world.

We wrote about the caps extensively, they filled a vital gap in the market as there was no current offering for anyone going through chemo that offered them any hope of holding onto their hair. That bald appearance stigmatized the patient and many find the experience extremely distressing… a significant proportion of women actually decline the treatment on that basis alone. A statistic that is as tragic as it is shocking. 

Victoria Derbyshire

Victoria is a well-known face to millions of UK television viewers where she hosts a daily morning show that carries her name. When she received a diagnosis and found herself headed for chemotherapy she elected to share the experience with her audience. The process, for her, included a scalp cooling cap which she spoke about at length, and of her optimism about the chances of keeping her hair. 

Unfortunately for Victoria, the cap did not do the trick in her case and she resorted to wearing a wig.

Tracy Savage

We had not lost faith in the caps, but realised that Victoria’s experience would have seen judgement drawn by many of her viewers.

So we were delighted to find the account by Tracy Savage, a UK mum from the north-west. Tracy was diagnosed with stage 2 ovarian cancer and had been shocked to learn hair loss was in her prognosis. In her own words “… There was no way I was going to lose my long hair without a fight.”

She researched and discovered the Paxman cooling cap. A decision she looks back on with delight as she managed to keep most of her hair. She told the local press at Warrington Worldwide “I didn’t want to be seen as a cancer victim, especially in front of my children.” 

HIS Hair Clinic

It is such a simple and easily understood sentiment and outlines why the cooling cap is such an important adjunct to chemotherapy treatment. We’re delighted to share Tracy’s story. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here for your nearest clinic. 

Aesthetic Services From Dr. Camilla Hill

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Here, as promised, a selection of the aesthetic treatments on offer at Dr Camilla Hill’s beautiful clinic in Worcestershire. Or rather, a slightly more digestible selection of the problems that can be fixed there…

 

Dr Camilla Hill

As you would expect from any partner of HIS Hair Clinic, Dr. Hill operates at the very top end of her industry. Let’s face it, this is an industry with a broad spectrum of operators. From the chancers offering treatments in your own home on the basis of a certificate they downloaded from the internet and some YouTube training, to high street salons that started out offering tanning and now provide everything from whiter teeth to glittering fingernails, oh and the occasional medical procedure. Dr. Camilla Hill is a fully qualified medical and aesthetics doctor with 17 years experience as a local GP. That background qualifies her perfectly to make robust assessments during her consultations, which are free, taking into account all existing medical conditions. The result is a treatment plan that is entirely appropriate, every time. For some that will mean no treatment plan, just reassurance. But what you get, and in perfect keeping with the ethos of HIS Hair, is an honest appraisal of your condition and the right advice on what needs to be done. If anything does. 

What Do You See First In The Mirror

Our eyes are drawn to our perceived shortcomings. Whether it is the bags under your eyes or those ever deepening frown lines on your forehead, we all have something we would put top of our list if we were offered a free fix for one thing. By partnering with HIS Hair, Dr. Hill’s clinic has completed that list of options to include addressing hair loss. In return, HIS Hair have gone from having a fantastic hair loss treatment to being able to offer a solution for just about every conceivable aesthetic shortcoming you can think of, or look at, every day, on your own face, in your own mirror.

A Younger You

We are almost certainly preaching to the converted when talking to our SMP clients, they are already convinced about the ability of a treatment to make a profound change to both how they look and how that makes them feel about themselves. The fact is that relieving yourself of the burden that is fixating on a perceived shortcoming is a liberating experience.

Once you have had your free consultation the details of appropriate treatments will be explained to you. It is possible that more than one might be recommended to achieve optimum results.

Younger clients are increasingly both aware of the potential for improvement and willing to do something about it – including the boys. They might report with acne, warts, moles or skin tags. All are very treatable. As is Rosacea. Patients present with the full range of conditions associated with the passage of time.  They will point to scraggy necks, crows feet, bags under the eyes, jowls… or some combination of those. Even some surprising, to us, conditions can be addressed. Those dark circles under the eyes, along with the hollows they sit in, can be rejuvenated. Eyelids that have, over the years, developed their own gravity and become hoods for the eyes can be improved. As can lips that have lost their fullness. Oh, and you can get tattoos you have fallen out of love with removed. 

HIS Hair Clinic

We cannot overstate how delighted we are to partner with Dr. Camilla Hill. Her reputation as an outstanding aesthetic doctor is rooted in her extensive GP experience, the expertise and understanding gained there perfectly shapes her to make sympathetic but accurate assessments on what might achieve the best possible outcomes.

We have covered the clinic and the conditions they treat, which leaves the treatments on offer… stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, please click here to visit Dr. Hills site.

FDA investigate Monat hair care products

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FDA investigation hair lossThe latest bad news to hit the US hair industry is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) investigation into the trendy Monat hair care company. Nearly 200 women have raised complaints about the products which claim to promise “long, fuller, stronger” hair.

Class action lawsuit against Monat

A customer of the product, Dana Sohovich has launched a class action lawsuit against the company claiming that, far from achieving the promised results the products have caused her to lose hair and left her with bald patches.  She’s not alone it would seem either as nearly 200 other women have reported similarly adverse reports.  Those who complained to the company were apparently told initially that this was normal and part of the detox process, although it seems that’s no longer proffered as a reason.

At this stage the FDA haven’t reached a conclusion and are still in the investigation phase.  Their latest statement asks for anyone else who may be experiencing problems with the product to get in contact.

Wen settled for $26,250,000

It’s less than a year since Wen Hair Care Products settled a class action for a total of $26,250,000 with its customers who raised similar complaints about their products. (That means $20,000 for up to 6 million people). Interestingly the initial complaint there was raised by only 127 customers so the Monat investigation could result in an expensive outcome.  The company still disputes that its products were responsible for the various problems its customers reported but the settlement means we’ll probably never get a clear picture.

As a general rule it’s probably best to avoid any products that claim to have miraculous benefits.  If you’re concerned about hair loss then speak to your GP or an independent hair loss clinic.  There are a number of clinically proven treatments that do work but be wary of buying online, particularly imported products.

hair loss

Some reasons you might be losing it.

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hair lossIt’s quite normal to shed up to 100 hairs a day but what if you’re losing more than that?  Well the first thing is DON’T PANIC.  By the time they reach 30 up to 80% of all men are showing some signs of hair loss so it is perfectly normal.  Also, more often than not it can be treated if you seek out some expert advice.  Here we list a few of the reasons you might be losing your hair:

  1. Either a single stressful event or a build up of chronic stress over time can both have detrimental effects on your hair.  Whilst it may not be easy to simply remove all the stresses of modern living this could be the wake up call to make some lifestyle changes.  Men’s yoga is becoming quite popular these days.
  2. Another result of modern living can be too many skipped meals and too much junk food.  It goes without saying that this is bad for you general health.  Your hair and skin are like a barometer of well being so missing out on essential vitamins and minerals will often result in some hair loss
  3. Traction alopecia. Less common in men but if you’ve got a longer style and tie it up in a man bun or a pony tail be aware that the stress this puts on the roots can cause permanent damage.
  4. Androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. This really is the most common cause of hair loss and there’s no cure. The good news is you can treat it with a variety of things.  Transplants and medications are helpful if you’ve caught it early enough and SMP is a great new treatment that can create the impression of volume or a crew cut on a completely bald head.

If you think you might be losing more hair than normal then don’t hesitate to speak to one of team of friendly experts who’ll be able to advise you in confidence and for free.  Complete the form on the right or call  +44(0)845 604 4618

 

omega 3

Could omega 3 be the answer to hair loss?

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omega 3Omega 3, found in fish oil has long been seen as a health supplement.  If you read the list of disorders it can apparently tackle it does indeed seem like a truly amazing thing.  According to Albawaba It can be used to treat heart disease, depression, hypertension, ADHD and arthritis.  It doesn’t stop there though as it can also apparently help with weight loss, fertility, pregnancy and now you can add hair loss to the list.

How does omega 3 work?

One of the leading hair product manufacturers in India, Dabur Amla have just launched a new shampoo containing Omega 3, claiming it will  “strengthen hair strands from roots to tips and resist breakage and fallout”.  The claim rests on a few different factors.  Apparently it will help balance hormones which can be a cause of hair loss and it will also reduce inflammation in hair follicles as well as add protein.  The company also refers to a 2015 study by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology which reported nearly 90% of the 120 female participants seeing an improvement in the condition of their hair and reduction in shedding.

It’s not a panacea

The fact of the matter though is that Omega 3 isn’t generally recommended as a hair loss treatment.  Like most dietary supplements it’s probably good for your general health and well being which, in turn benefits your hair but it’s not a panacea.

If you’re suffering from hair loss the best thing you can do is turn to a GP or a specialist hair loss clinic who’ll be able to advise on proven clinical treatments that would be best suited to your particular condition.  These might range from medications like minoxidil and finasteride to the increasingly popular scalp micropigmentation.  Whilst fish oil may not exactly be snake oil it’s unlikely to solve a hair loss condition on its own.

terry jenkins

Terry Jenkins gets to the point about his hair loss

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terry jenkinsDarts fans were shocked at the 2018 qualifiers, when former star Terry Jenkins returned as a PDPA Associate Member. Sporting a new, totally bald look, it didn’t take long for fans to start questioning what had led to his sudden hair loss. To clear up the confusion, Jenkins revealed his new bald locks were a result of a car accident the star suffered a year ago.

The trauma from the accident led Jenkins to develop Telogen Effluvium, a temporary for of hair loss often brought on by stress. Here, you’ll discover more about this form of hair loss and the treatments available to solve it.

What is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen Effluvium is a temporary form of hair loss triggered by sudden or long-term chronic stress. The body’s reaction to the stress causes the hair to shed and the hair’s follicles to stop growing. This causes more of the hairs to enter the resting phase where they will eventually fall out altogether, usually within three months.

The condition doesn’t always result in total baldness, but it can in severe cases. The good news is, once the stress has gone, the hairs cycle will usually return to normal and the hair will begin to grow back.

Is it treatable?

Obviously, any amount of hair shedding can be distressing even if it is only temporary. The good news is, there are treatments available which can help encourage the hair to grow back.

Minoxidil is a great temporary hair loss treatment. It’s a topical solution which needs to be applied directly onto the scalp. Alternatively, there’s also a hair loss drug known as Finasteride which can prove extremely helpful in mild to moderate hair loss cases.

For those who do go completely or almost completely bald, there’s also SMP which could be used to cover up the problem until the hair does grow back. To find out which treatment is best suited to you, it’s important to seek advice from a  a hair loss specialist.

future hair loss

Is this the future for hair loss treatment?

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future hair lossHope for a hair loss cure has been provided once again after researchers develop a new hair restoration technique. There’s been a lot of developments in hair regeneration in recent years, and this latest one from Japanese scientists is definitely one of the most exciting.

Understanding the study

A team of researchers from Japan, have developed a new method to mass-produce hair follicle germs (HFGs). The results of the study were published within the Biomaterials journal and highlight the new form of hair loss therapy that could be used in the future.

Hair regenerative medicine itself isn’t new. There have been several studies carried out in recent years which have revealed hair regenerative methods prove successful at combatting hair loss. However, large-scale production of HFG has so far been challenging. That’s why this new study is so promising. The researchers have managed to mass produce the HFG using a fairly simple method.

They tested the HFG on mice and it showed successful at re-growing the hair.

Could it be the future of hair loss?

The new hair regeneration method is certainly promising in the future treatment of hair loss. However, it’s unlikely to be ready to be used as an actual treatment for quite some time. Further studies, especially on humans, will need to be carried out.

In the meantime patients do have quite a few effective hair loss treatments to choose from. Both temporary and permanent hair loss conditions can be treated either through medications, surgery or unique alternative treatments such as SMP.

Before any treatment can be started, the cause of the hair loss will need to be diagnosed. Different treatments work for different hair loss conditions so identifying the root cause is essential. You can book a free and confidential consultation today to discover the cause of your hair loss worries and to determine the best treatment going forward by completing the form on the right.

mullet hair style

The Mullet makes a comeback in Australia

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mullet hair styleJust when you thought the mullet had been consigned to the history books of horrible hair it’s suddenly making a resurgence down under.   The style (if you can call it that) made famous by Waddle, Hoddle and Bono and many others in the 80s is the subject of a brand new festival in Kurri Kurri, a mining town west of Newcastle.

Mulletfest 2018 in Kuri Kuri

Mulletfest 2018 was the brainchild of a local hotel owner and hairdresser and has attracted international media attention.  Winner of the junior mullet category, 12 year old  Alex Keavy decided to donate his $50 prize money to his girlfriend so she could buy a pie whilst declaring profoundly “It’s not a hairstyle, it’s a lifestyle.” That’s as maybe but the reality is that it never has been and never will be anything other than a VERY BAD STYLE.

It’s even worse if you’re thinning on top, thinking Michael Bolton here.  If you spot the first signs of Male Pattern Baldness, usually a thinning crown and receding hairline.  Then it’s time to ditch the mullet.  Nothing draws attention more than a bald patch with shoulder length hair hanging below it like a back to front beard.

Cut it short

The best advice with thinning hair is to cut it short.  The buzz cut is universally acceptable now and no longer the preserve of the skin head movement.  It shows you’re confident and bold and if you were wearing the mullet to make a statement then shaving it all off is as powerful a statement as you can make.

Once you’ve made that decision then Scalp Micropigmentation SMP could be the next stage to really define your new look.  Maintenance free, it’ll continue to create the illusion of a real layered cut even if you lose all your hair.  It might be time to get rid of the neckwarmer and move into the 21st century.

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