Soon after the Middle Ages wigs became popular for women. Then in the 1600’s the flamboyant and incredibly vain King Louis XIV of France lost his hair from a severe illness and took to wearing gigantic wigs thus setting the fashion for most men of his day.
These enormous creations featured such items as cages with live birds and could weigh up to 20 lbs.!
By the 1700’s England made another contribution to bad hair loss concealers. This was the age of the long, curly, and powered wigs. Even today, English judges and lawyers continue this practice. Thus the expression for those in authority – “Big Wigs.”
The“Snake oil” Years
The early 1800’s is renowned in hair loss circles as the age of the con men. There were hundreds of so-called “hair loss solutions” and many lasted well into the late 1900’s.
These treatments were marketed by fast-talking “doctors,” skilled only in bravery and possessing nerves of steel considering they were conning hardened cowboys and outlaws!
The salesmen hawked their products from the safety of their side shows and “Wild West” spectaculars. They used endless tricks to get people to buy their products, including rubbing grease into their hair to make it look thicker.
The “Modern” Era of Hair Loss Solutions
During the past several decades, superstition, old wives tales, and guess work has gradually been replaced by science.
In 1939, a Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Okuda, published a revolutionary method in a Japanese medical journal that would lay the ground work for modern hair transplantation.
This method involved using hair transplant grafts to correct lost hair from various areas, including the scalp, eyebrow, and moustache areas. However, this study didn’t make an impact in the Western Hemisphere due to the interruption of World War II.
Hair transplants are born.
In the late 50’s one physician in particular, Dr. Norman Orentriech, began to experiment with the idea of relocating or transplanting the hair on the back and sides of the head to the balding areas.
Dr. Orentriech’s experiments showed that when bald resistant hairs from the back and sides of the head were relocated, they maintained their bald resistant genetic characteristic regardless of where they were transplanted.
This principle, known as “Donor Dominance”, established that hair could be transplanted from the bald resistant donor areas to the balding areas and continues to grow for a life time. This laid the foundation for modern hair transplantation.
During the 60’s and 70’s surgical hair restoration grew in popularity. However, the standard procedure used large grafts that were removed by round punches and often contained many hairs.
Completed Result after Multiple Sessions of Large Grafts
This now outdated technique could achieve a full look if a patient completed all planned sessions. However, a patient was typically limited in the manner they could style their hair.
Patients who stopped short of completing all planned sessions were left with hair loss solutions that looked obvious and unnatural.
Such uncompleted hair restoration results are some times referred to as “barbie doll hair” or “corn rows”.
Many who have had these older techniques now refine or complete their hair transplants with today’s very refined techniques to achieve a natural look that they can style in any manner.
From big wigs to surgical hair restoration
The Era of the big Wig
Soon after the Middle Ages wigs became popular for women. Then in the 1600’s the flamboyant and incredibly vain King Louis XIV of France lost his hair from a severe illness and took to wearing gigantic wigs thus setting the fashion for most men of his day.
These enormous creations featured such items as cages with live birds and could weigh up to 20 lbs.!
By the 1700’s England made another contribution to bad hair loss concealers. This was the age of the long, curly, and powered wigs. Even today, English judges and lawyers continue this practice. Thus the expression for those in authority – “Big Wigs.”
The“Snake oil” Years
The early 1800’s is renowned in hair loss circles as the age of the con men. There were hundreds of so-called “hair loss solutions” and many lasted well into the late 1900’s.
These treatments were marketed by fast-talking “doctors,” skilled only in bravery and possessing nerves of steel considering they were conning hardened cowboys and outlaws!
The salesmen hawked their products from the safety of their side shows and “Wild West” spectaculars. They used endless tricks to get people to buy their products, including rubbing grease into their hair to make it look thicker.
The “Modern” Era of Hair Loss Solutions
During the past several decades, superstition, old wives tales, and guess work has gradually been replaced by science.
In 1939, a Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Okuda, published a revolutionary method in a Japanese medical journal that would lay the ground work for modern hair transplantation.
This method involved using hair transplant grafts to correct lost hair from various areas, including the scalp, eyebrow, and moustache areas. However, this study didn’t make an impact in the Western Hemisphere due to the interruption of World War II.
Hair transplants are born.
In the late 50’s one physician in particular, Dr. Norman Orentriech, began to experiment with the idea of relocating or transplanting the hair on the back and sides of the head to the balding areas.
Dr. Orentriech’s experiments showed that when bald resistant hairs from the back and sides of the head were relocated, they maintained their bald resistant genetic characteristic regardless of where they were transplanted.
This principle, known as “Donor Dominance”, established that hair could be transplanted from the bald resistant donor areas to the balding areas and continues to grow for a life time. This laid the foundation for modern hair transplantation.
During the 60’s and 70’s surgical hair restoration grew in popularity. However, the standard procedure used large grafts that were removed by round punches and often contained many hairs.
Completed Result after Multiple Sessions of Large Grafts
This now outdated technique could achieve a full look if a patient completed all planned sessions. However, a patient was typically limited in the manner they could style their hair.
Patients who stopped short of completing all planned sessions were left with hair loss solutions that looked obvious and unnatural.
Such uncompleted hair restoration results are some times referred to as “barbie doll hair” or “corn rows”.
Many who have had these older techniques now refine or complete their hair transplants with today’s very refined techniques to achieve a natural look that they can style in any manner.
Men and women who have the impulse to pull their own hair out may be suffering from trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to and behavior of pulling out one's own hair. Impulse control disorders resemble substance addictions because the patient feels out of control of his or her own behaviors. Men and women with trichotillomania live relatively normal lives but typically show signs of hair loss, thinning, and bald spots all over the scalp and body from pulling it out.
Treating trichotillomaniagoes far beyond trying to stimulate hair regrowth.Even if Rogaineor laser therapy for hair losswere to regrow hair, there is a strong possibility that trichotillomania patients will continue to pull their hair out. Patients with trichotillomania therefore, should be treated at the source of the disorder in conjunction with using proven hair loss treatments.
In addition to medication, Habit Reversal Training (HRT) by a trained counselor has proven to be successful in treating trichotillomania. With Habit Reversal Training, the individual is taught to recognize and redirect their impulse to other more constructive activities. Often times, trichotillomaniapatients are asked to keep a journal of their hair pulling episodes. This can help the counselor and patient to identify and develop strategies to avoid situations that might trigger hair pulling episodes. Journals often include the location of the incident, number of hairs pulled, date, time, and their feelings and thoughts during the episode.
Treating a trichotillomania patient's baldness may be done simultaneously or after proper treatment of the disorder. Rogaine (minoxidil)can be a helpful aid to HRT by stimulating the follicles underneath the scalp, potentially facilitating or expediting hair growth.Treating a patient’s hair loss while they continue to pull their hair out is not constructive. Since this type of balding is not genetic due to the production of DHT, Propecia (finasteride)won't likely help.
Patients who've suffered from trichotillomania for awhile may damage or even remove the hair roots by excessive pulling, making non-surgical hair regrowth next to impossible. Surgicalhair restorationmay be an option for trichotillomania patients whose hair roots are too damaged to produce new hair on their own. Hairrestoration surgeryshould be reserved only for patients who've been successfully treated and no longer suffers from trichotillomania.
Catching and treating trichotillomania early will most likely reduce damage done to the hair follicles and eliminate the need for hair loss treatment, since undamaged hair will return on its own.
Contained in Several Popular Hair Loss Treatments for Men
Nettle root extract can be found in a number of popular hair loss treatments, such as Provillus and Procerin, and at your local health food store as a standalone product. Conjectured to effectively inhibit the production of DHT, below we examine whether or not nettles are as effective as Propecia (finasteride) in blocking DHT and stopping the progression of male or female pattern hair loss.
Description
“Nettles” is the common name for Urtica Dioica, an herbal plant also known as the Stinging Nettle. This perennial herb is often eaten in many parts of the world and is often added to soups, salads or cooked as greens, though less frequently. Nettle leaves are long and pointy, but only the shoots and top of the plant are eaten. Nettle plants have dark green leaves and typically grow about 2 or 3 feet tall and its flowers are covered with tiny stinging hairs that contain an irritant. Allergic reactions are common if they come in contact with human skin.
Use of Nettles
Nettle root extract was found to partially block 2 enzymes by researchers such as R. Hartmann. The first is 5-alpha-reductase that when combined with testosterone, produces DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is the hormone responsible for androgenic alopecia hair loss. The second enzyme is aromatase, which makes estrogen. Combining nettle root extract with another herbal agent pygeum has been found to inhibit these two enzymes more effectively than either one alon It was shown that nettle root extract had to be used at high dosages in order to effective whereas lower doses of pygeum worked well. Prostatonin, the combination product of nettles and pygeum have been used to treat BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy).
Studies by researchers JJ Lichius and others have shown a reduction in prostate growth in mice when large doses of nettle extract were taken orally. Combining nettle root extracts with saw palmetto berries in BPH patients reduced the amount of testosterone and estrogen. Conversely, it has been conjectured that nettles can block testosterone from binding to the sex hormone globulin, a carrier protein that binds testosterone and limits its bioavailability in the body. As a result, nettles have been called an aphrodisiac since it may help maintain testosterone levels.
Other uses of Nettles include treatment for arthritis, asthma, kidney, urinary tract infections, and last but not least, baldness.
Nettle Root as a Hair Loss Treatment
Like many other herbal supplements with some clinical evidence suggesting efficacy in treating enlarged prostates (BPH), some have claimed that nettle root extract may stop hair loss and maybe even aid hair regrowth. Because Propecia (finasteride) works to stop the progression of male pattern baldness by inhibiting the production of DHT, it is conjectured that nettle root extract may be of similar benefit.
Nettle root is a popular ingredient taken orally in a couple big name hair loss products such as Provillus and Procerin. Some have also conjectured that applying nettle root extract topically to the scalp may also facilitate new hair growth. Because many topical irritant type products are used to treat alopecia areata hair loss, some suggest nettle root extract applied topically may be effective in treating it. Those who conjecture its efficacy to treat baldness recommend doses of 500mg or more daily.
Though some have declared that nettle root extract may be an effective hair loss treatment, no clinical controlled studies have been performed proving its efficacy for androgenic alopecia (genetic female hair loss and male pattern baldness) or alopecia areata.
Possible Side Effects of Nettles
Despite claims made that “all natural” herbal supplements are free from side effects, nettle root has its share of warnings. When topically applied, irritation of the scalp or an allergic reaction can occur. When taken orally, it can cause upset stomach, burning, difficulty with urination, bloating and edema. Nettle root extract should not be used in patients with heart or kidney problems, due to fluid retention properties.
Those who want to try nettle root extract as a hair loss treatment should proceed with caution and consult their doctor before using it.
Hair loss is a universal condition, affecting all ages, races, genders and nationalities. It’s estimated that “androgenetic alopecia,” or male and female pattern baldness affects 35 million men and 21 million women in the United States alone. This section examines how race, age and gender affect hair loss.
Race and Hair Loss
In physiological terms, human beings are all composed of the same bones, muscles, and everything else down to the cellular level. But there are specific differences.
Hair, in all of its variations, is one area in which human beings display their differences. Hair follicles can widely vary in terms of color, length, shape, thickness, strength and various other factors.
There are many ethnic groups to consider. But we will focus on the special considerations of Asians, Blacks (of African descent) and Caucasians.
Asian Hair Loss Considerations
Asian people typically have very straight hair. Their scalps contain fewer hairs per square centimeter, they actually have a lower hair density than that of Caucasian hair follicles. But because the individual hair follicles of East Asians are thicker, this gives the look and impression of greater hair density.
For these reasons, hair restoration techniques for East Asians, much like other races, must be sensitive to a variety of anatomic and cultural differences. For instance, East Asian females often have an increased likelihood of developing “diffuse alopecia,” or hair that thins evenly over the entire head than Caucasian females.
Even though it’s not a definite requirement, it’s very helpful for Asian patients to seek out doctors with experience in Asian hair.
Another consideration for East Asians considering hair restoration surgery is the increased chance of developing keloid scars. A keloid is a thick, irregularly shaped and elevated scar with uncontrolled growth that results from excess fibrous skin tissue. East Asians typically have a greater likelihood of keloid development than Caucasians, but less than that of people of African descent. Therefore, before undergoing surgery, East Asians may want to consider being medically evaluated for keloids.
African Hair Loss Considerations
People of African descent usually possess naturally curly hair. This curly hair gives the visual impression of increased hair density for a given amount of hair, which is beneficial in hair restoration surgery.
The hair follicles beneath the skin of people of African decent also typically curve more than Caucasians. This can make harvesting the donor hairs, without severing or transecting the hair follicles beneath the scalp, more difficult. A hair restoration physician needs to be very aware of this difference and adjust to its requirements.
As in the case of East Asians, people of African descent possess some unique hair and skin characteristics. Some of these medical conditions are more common in black skin than in white skin. This may increase the risk for post-surgical complications.
Those of African descent have a higher chance of developing keloid scarring when injured. This in turn leads to a greater chance of noticeable donor scars. Keloids aren’t a widespread problem. But those with a history of them are carefully evaluated in regard to their existing scars. The evaluation usually involves a small "test procedure" to determine if there’s a normal healing rate.
Another issue is that of postoperative skin discoloration. With darker skin, there’s often a greater risk of both increased and decreased skin color after injury or surgery. These risks can be determined by the patient’s medical and family history.
Ingrown hairs are also a more common problem in darker skin. If a patient has a history of ingrown hairs or other minor skin infections, this may signal a higher risk for ingrown hairs post-hair restoration surgery. Again, this risk can be determined by a small test procedure.
Caucasian Hair Considerations
Caucasians (white people) may have a wide range of hair and skin types. However, if someone has dense and or coarse hair, as well as skin color similar to their hair color, they will generally achieve the best results for a given amount of restored hair.
Dr. Steven Gabel is dedicated exclusively to performing ultra-refined follicular unit hair transplantation and follicular unit extraction with excellent results performed in the Portland area.
Of all the hair loss concealers available, like topical powder applications or "sprinkle solutions," Toppik is amongst the most popular. What's more, of all the "shaker" options currently available to hair loss suffering men and women, Toppik is one of the most recognized and trusted.
Since its inception, Toppik has been featured in various media outlets, including Time magazine, the Oprah Winfrey show, Fox News, NBC, and Eyewitness news. Throughout this media exposure and positive word of mouth, this hair loss product has been utilized by an estimated 3 million balding men and women worldwide. So what makes Toppik so popular? How does it work? How does it compare to other types of concealers? Most importantly, what are real consumers saying about Toppik and where can interested parties purchase this popular concealer?
Toppik Hair Loss Concealer: What is it, and how does it work?
Toppik, like many other concealers available today, is a topical powder application. The powder formula is comprised of a series of charged, keratin-based, "hair binding fibers" that, when sprinkled on thinning hair, tightly adhere to individual hair strands. With each "shake" of the Toppik product, thousands of these particles are applied to the head and bind to hair shafts via opposing electrical activity (much like the way magnetized material attracts metal).
By tightly binding to hair shafts in such significant numbers, Toppik naturally recreates the appearance of a thick, dense head of hair. According to the makers of Toppik, the bond created by the hair shaft and keratin particle is so strong that it will withstand wind, rain and perspiration, and will continue to naturally thicken and volumize the hair until "washed out" by shampoo. Additionally, because Toppik is available in a variety of different tones, the product is able to precisely match any hair color/texture and still remain completely undetectable.
What Benefits Does Toppik Offer Over Other Concealers?
Although Toppik is popular and well known within the hair restoration community, hair loss sufferers should still ask one crucial question: what benefits does Toppik offer over other, similar concealers? According to the manufactures, Toppik offers a variety of benefits that other, comparable products simply cannot match. First, Toppik's keratin fibers are completely safe, organic, all natural, and utilize electric energy to adhere to hair fibers with unmatched efficacy.
Next, not only is Toppik available in a variety of colors, but these tones can also be "mixed" to match any color and can even cover gray hair and new growth from hair transplant surgery. Toppik colors include black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, medium blonde, blonde, auburn, gray and white.
Furthermore, Toppik can be used in conjunction with other hair styling products (though the powder needs to be applied to dry scalp, and styling products should be applied before usage), will not "rub off" on clothing or pillows, can be safely utilized with other hair restoration products and medications, will not clog pores or dry out the scalp, is equally effective in balding men and women, and is easily applied via the shaking method or by applying the popular "spray applicator" to the shaker apparatus.
Why is Toppik so Popular in the Hair Loss Community?
Because of its innovative design, positive "track record," ease of use, and effective nature, Toppik has developed a trusted reputation and large fan base in the hair restoration community. Hair loss sufferers not only trust the history behind the Toppik brand, but appreciate the product's single use longevity and lasting strength of the fiber-hair shaft bond. The fact that the product is effective for male and female hair loss sufferers and can be easily used with other styling and hair restoration products makes Toppik an even better option for any individual considering a topical concealer.
What Real Consumers are Saying About Toppik?
To see what real hair loss suffering men and women are saying and to read helpful tips about applying Toppik in a variety of situations and in conjunction with other hair loss treatments, visit our Hair Loss Forum and Social Community. You can also read our product review by visiting "Product Review: Nanogen Versus Toppik".
Dr. Patrick Mwamba is one of the early developers of the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method and is the most experienced body hair transplant surgeon in Brussels, Belgium.
Nioxin is an excellent product including both a shampoo and conditioner formulated specifically for men and women with thinning hair."> While neither the shampoo nor conditioner hasn't been proven to have any effects on DHT (the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness); Nioxin's ability to strengthen follicles and energize cellular activity can improve the overall health of your scalp and hair. Nioxin therefore may have the ability to delay the effects of hair loss. For best results, use both the shampoo (refered to as Nioxxin Shampoo Scalp Cleanser) and conditioner (referred to as Nioxin Scalp Therapy) in conjunction with one another.
Nioxin Scalp Cleanser's cooling properties refreshes and cools the scalp promoting maximum cleanliness and freshness. Because of this, Nioxin shampoo, especially when combined with the conditioner also significantly reduces scalp itchiness and tenderness after hair transplant surgeryin both the recipient and donor areas.
Nioxin Scalp Therapy is an excellent volumizing scalp and hair conditioner that moisturizes and improves your hairs' natural resilience, while promoting a healthy scalp environment for optimal hair growth. Nioxin Conditioner is the perfect conclusion to the Nioxin Shampoo Scalp Cleanser.
Nioxin Scalp Therapy's minty fresh cooling sensation literally refreshes and cools the scalp promoting maximum cleanliness and freshness. Because of this, Nioxin also significantly reduces scalp itchiness and tenderness after hair transplant surgery in both the recipient and donor areas.
We strongly recommend using Nizoral shampooevery 2 or 3 days in conjunction with Nioxin. Its active ingredient ketoconazoleat 2% concentration has proven to be a moderate DHT inhibitor and has growth properties approximately as effective as Rogaine2%.
Developing Realistic Expectations:
Men and women sometimes suffer from hair loss for different reasons. Thus, diagnosing its cause is necessary to facilitate and promote proper treatment.
The Nioxin product line is an excellent scalp and hair cleansing shampoo and conditioning therapy but is not proven to stop hair loss. Thus, we strongly recommend using Nioxin in conjunction with the "Big 3" (Propecia, Rogaine, and Nizoral.
Dr. Bernard Nusbaum performs highly artistic ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation with very natural looking results.
Nettle Root as a Hair Loss Treatment
Dr. Steven Gabel is dedicated exclusively to performing ultra-refined follicular unit hair transplantation and follicular unit extraction with excellent results performed in the Portland area.
Dr. Patrick Mwamba is one of the early developers of the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method and is the most experienced body hair transplant surgeon in Brussels, Belgium.