STOP HAIR LOSS BLOG

Herbal Medicine: Cure or Disease?

October 30, 2006

The herbal medicine industry is not immune to the manipulation of imposters in the field. People seeking treatment for their ailments are sometimes deceived by practitioners who prescribe harmful herbal medicines and concoctions. An extremely competitive lucrative business has appeared on the markets in Saudi Arabia of late, evidence of which may be seen in the newspapers and pamphlets that advertise remedies claiming to be able to succeed where the jinns and Aladdin’s lamp have failed. Those afflicted are easily manipulated by confident claims to cure diseases that the doctors could not, forking out large sums of money in the vain hope of being relieved of their symptoms. Imposters in the field use plants of an inferior quality and mix them with chemicals to provide immediate positive results. The effects soon wear off however, and it can sometimes be difficult to save the lives of people whose health is severely affected by these bad treatments.

Dr. Mohamed Bin Abdullah al Tufail, head of Toxicology and Bioanalysis section in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine department of Riyadh’s King Faisal’ Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, explained that there is a wide variety of natural herbs, the benefits of which have been known for many centuries. Herbs like anise, caraway and mint are renowned for their ability to maintain a healthy digestive system, while stevia is used for slimming and to help quit smoking. He cites the example of the black caraway [nigella sativa], whereby the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said, “There is a healing in black caraway for all diseases except death.�

When using herbal remedies, Dr. al Tufail emphasizes the importance of noting that, “There are certain conditions that must be present before people can use natural herbs for treatment. One must take into account the type of the herb used, its planting location and ensure that it is irrigated using clean water. Upon harvesting, the plants must be free of insects and pests and should be stored appropriately so as not to lose their properties.� He stipulates the importance of the qualification of those who prescribe natural and herbal remedies in administering the right doses. He stated that analyzing some of the herbs available on the market has led to the discovery that they contain chemical additives that could be detrimental to health and could lead to serious diseases, and in some cases, may even cause death. For example, some of the herbs that are used for potency and as aphrodisiacs were mixed with Viagra pills, which could cause serious complications and side effects.

After conducting pathology tests on some of the mixtures used as hair dyes, it was found that they contained substances that were harmful to the skin, as well as lead and mercury additives which have side effects such as hair loss and skin infection, and in some cases have been proven to be carcinogenic. He adds, “Unfortunately, what we see now is deception. Some herbal medicine dealers add Voltaren or Panadol, among other analgesics which tricks consumers into thinking that the remedies are effective. Also, some have been known to contain narcotic drugs, such as amphetamine, which is addictive when used for long periods.�

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Salim Abdullah, a victim of such circumstances relates his experience, “My wife suffers from renal failure and has often endured pain from kidney dialysis. One of my acquaintances advised me to go to a prominent doctor in Jeddah who practices herbal medicine. I bought a remedy that was, according to the doctor, made of honey and other natural additives. I was surprised to find that the price was 600 Saudi Riyals and managed to bring the price down to 150 Riyals hoping that it would be effective. Two days after taking it, my wife went into a coma and we had to rush her to hospital. She recovered from the coma and her condition stabilized, thank God. Doctors informed us there had been a substantial rise in potassium levels in her blood due to the fact that she had taken herbs containing unknown ingredients.� He also remembers another experience in which a herbal therapist who people referred to as ‘doctor’ once tried to sell him a mixture for his wife’s condition and insisted that he buy a large amount for 1600 Riyals. Despite negotiating and paying 300 Riyals, the medicine proved to be equally as ineffective. He asked, “How are these imposters allowed to put people’s lives at such risk, exploiting them and making business of people’s suffering?�

Other experiences include selling a ‘special mixture’ made in Lebanon for weight loss, while others claim to be able to increase potency. Neither achieves the desired results, and the only outcome is being conned of large amounts of money.

Liver and gastroenterology specialist, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Moghni al Sayyed at the Jeddah National Hospital stresses the importance of the medical certification and licensing of practitioners. He cites a case in which a patient arrived at the hospital suffering from acute liver inflammation, only to discover that the lab tests revealed an alarming rise in liver enzymes. The patient had allegedly been using natural medication that was prescribed by an unlicensed practitioner.

Education supervisor at the Saudi Ministry of Education, Sulayman al Khalil maintained that, “the task of treating this phenomenon should be assigned to the media. Specialists must address these issues on programs and talk shows to warn people of the danger of these prescriptions and make people aware of so-called curers and imposters in the field. Additionally, a large share of the responsibility falls on the Ministry of Commerce to help curb the spread of these prescriptions in places where they are sold without medical licenses.� Al Khalil supports imposing fines to help stop such activity and save human lives, adding that the Ministry of Health must monitor the manufacturing of these medicines.

Yet the question remains, can the sale of natural herbs be regulated after running lab research and analysis to ensure their safety?

Posted by toshko under Hair Loss News | Comments (0)

Dealing with female hair loss

October 27, 2006

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Cheryl Brewster was the envy of every gym rat, with her hard body and shoulder-length, sun-kissed locks.

So when her hair began falling out two years ago, the personal trainer was devastated.

“My part was getting wider, I could see more of my scalp and it was no coincidence that clumps of hair were falling out in the shower,” said Brewster, 40, of Orinda, Calif.

A slew of vitamins and thickening shampoos later, Brewster’s dermatologist diagnosed female-pattern baldness and started her on Rogaine — the drug minoxidil — which initially caused Brewster to shed more hair. It is only recently, after a year of use, that Brewster is seeing regrowth.

“I was horrified,” recalls Brewster, who went on antidepressants. “I didn’t want to be the trainer with the bald head.”

It’s likely that stress and anemia exacerbated Brewster’s genetic condition. In fact, there are endless triggers for the millions of women who suffer from hair loss — from medications and crash dieting to thyroid problems and autoimmune disorders, said Dr. Alexander Lewis, a dermatologist. Millions more suffer from traction alopecia, a hair-loss epidemic caused by cornrow braids and other tight hairstyles.

Unlike male-pattern baldness, which is triggered by a known hormone, women with the condition often find themselves on a frustrating journey with more dead-ends than answers.

Often they become depressed, coping with the loss of their crowning glory in a society that favors full, youthful heads of hair. For that reason, many don’t seek help. But a growing online community is now spreading the word on what works and where to get help.

“Women have camouflaged their hair loss for a long time,” said Dr. Alan Bauman, a Florida hair transplant surgeon whose clientele is 40 percent female. “But it is definitely coming out of the closet, thanks to new treatments.”

Age brings normal hair loss

Hair loss is perfectly normal. The average woman sheds 50 to 100 hairs daily, experts say. With age, follicles produce less high-quality hair, particularly after menopause. Regardless, dermatologists see just as many women in their 30s and 40s as they do post-menopausal women, said Lewis, a Stanford University adjunct associate professor of dermatology.

Like most dermatologists, he performs scalp biopsies and blood tests to rule out medical conditions and usually follows with Rogaine, the only medicine known to slow hair loss. Many who take it stop too soon because it can cause flaking and some initial shedding. But doctors urge them not to.

“You have to give it at least four months,” said Dr. Kelly Hood, a dermatologist in Lafayette, Calif.

Cortisone treatments usually follow or are used in conjunction with Rogaine. All treatments work the same way: strengthening follicles to prevent further loss and stimulate new growth.

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But when your immune system rejects your hair, strengthening is irrelevant.

Going bald at 19

Miranda Gardner suffers from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that affects 5 million Americans. The body acts like it’s allergic to the hair, pushing it out in large, circular patches. Gardner, of Concord, Calif., first noticed it two years ago, shortly after giving birth to her son.

“I started a new job and this girl kept asking me what was wrong with my head,” Gardner recalls. “She thought I had cancer.”

A local dermatologist recommended cortisone scalp injections, which were painful and yielded few results. Next, Gardner saw Dr. Vera Price, a dermatologist specializing in hair disorders. Price put Gardner on cortisone pills, which she finished in May. She has yet to see significant growth.

“Whoever thinks this isn’t a big deal doesn’t know what it’s like to be 19 and have 65 percent of your hair gone,” said Gardner, now 21.

Today, Gardner’s hair hides three softball-sized bald spots. She spends her mornings fanning it out and hair-spraying it down before tying it in a bun. Most of the time she feels hopeless and depressed, she said, and fears even visiting the salon for a trim.

“I told my mom the other day that I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose any more hair,” Gardner said.

High-quality human-hair wigs cost thousands and, like most remedies, aren’t covered by insurance. Despite the psychological effects of alopecia areata, it is considered a cosmetic issue.

Unfortunately, even hair transplantation surgery is not an option for those with active alopecia areata, because, post-transplant, the body still sees the hair as foreign, and ejects it.

But for women with thinning hair and about $5,000, surgery can yield significant results.

“Ten years ago, the grafting was not microscopic enough for women,” Bauman said. “Today, the technology is such that we can graft between follicles.”

Some surgeons, including Bauman, also perform a series of light-based, low laser treatments on patients, which is said to hit metabolic centers of the hair and, through a photochemical reaction, create better-quality hair.

“I see it as a nonchemical minoxidil,” he said.

Posted by toshko under Hair Loss News | Comments (0)

Hair loss hits women, too

October 24, 2006

WALNUT CREEK, CALIF. — Cheryl Brewster was the envy of every gym rat, with her hard body and shoulder-length, sun-kissed locks.

So when her hair began falling out two years ago, the personal trainer was devastated.

“My part was getting wider, I could see more of my scalp and it was no coincidence that clumps of hair were falling out in the shower,” said Brewster, 40, of Orinda, Calif.

A slew of vitamins and thickening shampoos later, Brewster’s dermatologist diagnosed her with female-pattern baldness and started her on Rogaine - the drug minoxidil - which initially caused Brewster to shed more hair. It is only recently, after a year of use, that Brewster is seeing regrowth.

“I was horrified,” recalls Brewster, who went on anti-depressants. “I didn’t want to be the trainer with the bald head.”

It’s likely stress and anemia exacerbated Brewster’s genetic condition. In fact, there are endless triggers for the millions of women who suffer from hair loss - from medications and crash dieting to thyroid problems and autoimmune disorders, said Dr. Alexander Lewis, a Walnut Creek, Calif., dermatologist. Millions more suffer from traction alopecia, a hair-loss epidemic caused by cornrow braids and other tight hairstyles.

Unlike male-pattern baldness, which is triggered by a known hormone, women with the condition often find themselves on a frustrating journey with more dead-ends than answers. Often they become depressed, coping with the loss of their crowning glory in a society that favors full, youthful heads of hair. For that reason, many don’t seek help. But a growing online community is spreading the word on what works and where to get help.

Hair loss is perfectly normal. The average woman sheds 50 to 100 hairs daily, experts say. With age, follicles produce less quality hair, particularly after menopause. Regardless, dermatologists see just as many women in their 30s and 40s as post-menopausal women, said Lewis, a Stanford University adjunct associate professor of dermatology.

Like most dermatologists, he performs scalp biopsies and blood tests to rule out medical conditions and usually follows with Rogaine, the only medicine known to slow hair loss.

Many who take it stop too soon because it can cause flaking and some initial shedding. But doctors urge them not to.

“You have to give it at least four months,” said Kelly Hood, a Lafayette, Calif., dermatologist.

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Cortisone treatments usually follow or are used in conjunction with Rogaine. All treatments work the same way: strengthening follicles to prevent further loss and stimulate new growth.

But when your immune system rejects your hair, strengthening is irrelevant.

Miranda Gardner suffers from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that affects 5 million Americans. The body acts like it’s allergic to the hair, pushing it out in large, circular patches. Gardner, of Concord, Calif., first noticed it two years ago, shortly after giving birth to her son.

“I started a new job and this girl kept asking me what was wrong with my head,” Gardner recalls. “She thought I had cancer.”

Gardner recalls feeling “cold breezes back there,” but she couldn’t see anything. That night, she used a hand mirror to look at the back of her head. There, she found a bald spot the size of a golf ball.

“I cried for three days,” she said.

A local dermatologist recommended cortisone scalp injections, which were painful and yielded little results. Next, Gardner saw Dr. Vera Price, a UCSF dermatologist specializing in hair disorders. Price put Gardner on cortisone pills, which she finished in May. She has not seen significant growth.

“Whoever thinks this isn’t a big deal doesn’t know what it’s like to be 19 and have 65 percent of your hair gone,” said Gardner, now 21.

Today, Gardner’s hair covers three softball-sized bald spots.

“I told my mom the other day that I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose any more hair,” Gardner said.

Quality, human-hair wigs cost thousands and, like most remedies, aren’t covered by insurance.

Despite the debilitating psychological effects of alopecia areata, it is considered a cosmetic issue.

Posted by toshko under Hair Loss News | Comments (0)

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis - How To stop hair Loss Caused By Seborrhoeic Dermatitis?

October 19, 2006

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- what is it?

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is a kind of eczema that affects the body. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis especially affects the scalp, face and the trunk are. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis derives the name Seborrhoeic Dermatitis because it normally occurs on areas on your body, which are rich in sebum. Scalp is one such area. If you get severe Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, your scalp skin and hair follicles are affected. The severity can cause permanent damage to the hair follicles and permanent hair loss. Please stop this loss. Let me talk to you about that.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- cause

No particular cause is known for Seborrhoeic Dermatitis except that it may be caused by yeast. In this disease this yeast multiplies and skin becomes red and flakes with itching. The yeast loves warm areas full of sebum. Scalp is one of its favorite places.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- how it different from other dermatitis?

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is more concentrated on body areas that are rich in sebum production. As scalp, face and trunk are rich in sebum, Seborrhoeic Dermatitis occurs more on these places. Other dermatitis do not occur only on sebum rich areas.

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Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- how hair may be lost?

If Seborrhoeic Dermatitis continues to affect the scalp unchecked, it can cause damage to hair follicles in a large area. Once this loss is permanent, all hair from that area may be lost.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- how to control?

Use of anti fungal shampoos is one of the remedies. Steroids are used more on face and trunk. For scalp unless the diseases is sever steroids are not used. Anti fungal shampoos can treat the disease if used properly.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- What to do?

Anytime you suspect that your scalp is not only itchy but is becoming flaky, consult your doctor. A proper medical examination can tell you if you have any other dermatitis, psoriasis or Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. Your doctor will then treat you according to the diagnosis. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis can cause permanent loss of hair. Please stop this loss. Please click here to know more about Seborrhoeic Dermatitis.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advice and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for all your medical concerns. Please follow any information given in this article only after consulting your doctor or qualified medical professional. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from any information obtained from this article.

Posted by toshko under Hair Loss News | Comments (0)

Female hair loss not so rare

October 16, 2006

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Cheryl Brewster was the envy of every gym rat, with her hard body and shoulder-length, sun-kissed locks.

So when her hair began falling out two years ago, the personal trainer was devastated.

“My part was getting wider, I could see more of my scalp and it was no coincidence that clumps of hair were falling out in the shower,” said Brewster, 40, of Orinda, Calif.

A slew of vitamins and thickening shampoos later, Brewster’s dermatologist diagnosed her with female-pattern baldness and started her on Rogaine — the drug minoxidil — which initially caused Brewster to shed more hair. It is only recently, after a year of use, that Brewster is seeing regrowth.

“I was horrified,” recalls Brewster, who went on anti-depressants. “I didn’t want to be the trainer with the bald head.”

It’s likely that stress and anemia exacerbated Brewster’s genetic condition. In fact, there are endless triggers for the millions of women who suffer from hair loss — from medications and crash dieting to thyroid problems and autoimmune disorders, said Dr. Alexander Lewis, a Walnut Creek, Calif., dermatologist. Millions more suffer from traction alopecia, a hair-loss epidemic caused by cornrow braids and other tight hairstyles.

Unlike male-pattern baldness, which is triggered by a known hormone, women with the condition often find themselves on a frustrating journey with more dead-ends than answers. Often they become depressed, coping with the loss of their crowning glory in a society that favors full, youthful heads of hair. For that reason, many don’t seek help. But a growing online community is now spreading the word on what works and where to get help.

“Women have camouflaged their hair loss for a long time,” said Alan Bauman, a Florida hair transplant surgeon whose clientele is 40 percent female. “But it is definitely coming out of the closet, thanks to new treatments.”

Hair loss is perfectly normal. The average woman sheds 50 to 100 hairs daily, experts say. With age, follicles produce less quality hair, particularly after menopause. Regardless, dermatologists see just as many women in their 30s and 40s as post-menopausal women, said Lewis, a Stanford University adjunct associate professor of dermatology.

Like most dermatologists, he performs scalp biopsies and blood tests to rule out medical conditions and usually follows with Rogaine, the only medicine known to slow hair loss. Oftentimes, he prescribes the 5 percent intended for men, not the 2 percent for women.

“There was some increased facial hair with the 5 percent, so they took it down to 2,” he said. “But I haven’t seen a lot of that in my practice.”

Many who take it stop too soon because it can cause flaking and some initial shedding. But doctors urge them not to.

“You have to give it at least four months,” said Kelly Hood, a Lafayette, Calif., dermatologist.

Cortisone treatments usually follow or are used in conjunction with Rogaine. All treatments work the same way: strengthening follicles to prevent further loss and stimulate new growth.

But when your immune system rejects your hair, strengthening is irrelevant.

Miranda Gardner suffers from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that affects 5 million Americans. The body acts like it’s allergic to the hair, pushing it out in large, circular patches. Gardner, of Concord, Calif., first noticed it two years ago, shortly after giving birth to her son.

“I started a new job and this girl kept asking me what was wrong with my head,” Gardner recalls. “She thought I had cancer.”

Gardner recalls feeling “cold breezes back there,” but she couldn’t see anything. That night, she used a hand mirror to look at the back of her head. There, she found a bald spot the size of a golf ball.

“I cried for three days,” Gardner said.

A local dermatologist recommended cortisone scalp injections, which were painful and yielded little results. Next, Gardner saw Dr. Vera Price, a UCSF dermatologist specializing in hair disorders. Price put Gardner on cortisone pills, which she finished in May. She has yet to see significant growth.

“Whoever thinks this isn’t a big deal doesn’t know what it’s like to be 19 and have 65 percent of your hair gone,” said Gardner, now 21.

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Today, Gardner’s hair covers three softball-sized bald spots. She spends her mornings fanning it out and hair-spraying it down before tying it in a bun. Most of the time she feels hopeless and depressed, she said, and fears even visiting the salon for a trim.

“I told my mom the other day that I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose any more hair,” Gardner said.

Quality, human-hair wigs cost thousands and, like most remedies, aren’t covered by insurance. Despite the debilitating psychological effects of alopecia areata, it is considered a cosmetic issue.

Unfortunately, even hair transplantation surgery is not an option for those with active alopecia areata, because, post-transplant, the body still sees the hair as foreign, and ejects it.

But for women with thinning hair and about $5,000, surgery can yield significant results.

“Ten years ago, the grafting was not microscopic enough for women,” Bauman said. “Today, the technology is such that we can graft between follicles.”

In other words, the pluggy look is a thing of the past. Surgeons transplant hair from the lower back of the head to the front and crown. Sessions typically run $4,000-$7,000 and most women need one or two sessions, said Lewis, who also performs transplant surgeries. In the past decade, his female clientele has grown from 1 in 25 to 25 percent of his practice.

Some surgeons, including Bauman, also perform a series of light-based, low laser treatments on patients, which is said to hit metabolic centers of the hair and, through a photochemical reaction, create better-quality hair.

“I see it as a nonchemical minoxidil,” he said.

But, Bauman said, this treatment is best for women who are just starting to thin. He encourages anyone interested in transplantation to research a surgeon’s background. A good source is the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery at www.ishrs.org.

As with any disease, there are varying degrees of alopecia. Marty Monroe lives with the most severe kind.

The San Francisco mother of three has alopecia universalis, a rare form of alopecia areata that causes hair loss on the entire body. She was diagnosed with alopecia areata at the age of 8, and by 18, it had advanced to universalis.

“This is the whole enchilada,” said Monroe, who is now 51 and said that humor is what carries her through. “No nose hairs. No underarm hairs.”

When she was little, Monroe’s mother told her it fell out because of nerves. “That’s what they said back then,” she said.

And even though Monroe has traced the autoimmune disorder to her mother’s side, she does believe trauma plays a critical role in hair loss.

For 17 years, she has led a support group for alopecia areata sufferers. Sure enough, most of the people she’s met connect their hair loss to a time of severe stress. The death of a loved one. A major life transition.

She gives them all the same piece of advice: “Fake is fabulous. Get a good hairpiece.” Hers is long and brown and wavy.

“I’m really happy with what I have,” she said. “I’ll never go gray.”

Posted by toshko under Hair Loss News | Comments (0)

Female hair loss not so rare

October 11, 2006

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Cheryl Brewster was the envy of every gym rat, with her hard body and shoulder-length, sun-kissed locks.

So when her hair began falling out two years ago, the personal trainer was devastated.

“My part was getting wider, I could see more of my scalp and it was no coincidence that clumps of hair were falling out in the shower,” said Brewster, 40, of Orinda, Calif.

A slew of vitamins and thickening shampoos later, Brewster’s dermatologist diagnosed her with female-pattern baldness and started her on Rogaine - the drug minoxidil - which initially caused Brewster to shed more hair. It is only recently, after a year of use, that Brewster is seeing regrowth.

“I was horrified,” recalls Brewster, who went on anti-depressants. “I didn’t want to be the trainer with the bald head.”

It’s likely that stress and anemia exacerbated Brewster’s genetic condition. In fact, there are endless triggers for the millions of women who suffer from hair loss - from medications and crash dieting to thyroid problems and autoimmune disorders, said Dr. Alexander Lewis, a Walnut Creek, Calif., dermatologist. Millions more suffer from traction alopecia, a hair-loss epidemic caused by cornrow braids and other tight hairstyles.

Unlike male-pattern baldness, which is triggered by a known hormone, women with the condition often find themselves on a frustrating journey with more dead-ends than answers. Often they become depressed, coping with the loss of their crowning glory in a society that favors full, youthful heads of hair. For that reason, many don’t seek help. But a growing online community is now spreading the word on what works and where to get help.

“Women have camouflaged their hair loss for a long time,” said Alan Bauman, a Florida hair transplant surgeon whose clientele is 40 percent female. “But it is definitely coming out of the closet, thanks to new treatments.”

Hair loss is perfectly normal. The average woman sheds 50 to 100 hairs daily, experts say. With age, follicles produce less quality hair, particularly after menopause. Regardless, dermatologists see just as many women in their 30s and 40s as post-menopausal women, said Lewis, a Stanford University adjunct associate professor of dermatology.

Like most dermatologists, he performs scalp biopsies and blood tests to rule out medical conditions and usually follows with Rogaine, the only medicine known to slow hair loss. Oftentimes, he prescribes the 5 percent intended for men, not the 2 percent for women.

“There was some increased facial hair with the 5 percent, so they took it down to 2,” he said. “But I haven’t seen a lot of that in my practice.”

Many who take it stop too soon because it can cause flaking and some initial shedding. But doctors urge them not to.

“You have to give it at least four months,” said Kelly Hood, a Lafayette, Calif., dermatologist.

Cortisone treatments usually follow or are used in conjunction with Rogaine. All treatments work the same way: strengthening follicles to prevent further loss and stimulate new growth.

But when your immune system rejects your hair, strengthening is irrelevant.

Miranda Gardner suffers from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that affects 5 million Americans. The body acts like it’s allergic to the hair, pushing it out in large, circular patches. Gardner, of Concord, Calif., first noticed it two years ago, shortly after giving birth to her son.

“I started a new job and this girl kept asking me what was wrong with my head,” Gardner recalls. “She thought I had cancer.”

Gardner recalls feeling “cold breezes back there,” but she couldn’t see anything. That night, she used a hand mirror to look at the back of her head. There, she found a bald spot the size of a golf ball.

“I cried for three days,” Gardner said.

A local dermatologist recommended cortisone scalp injections, which were painful and yielded little results. Next, Gardner saw Dr. Vera Price, a UCSF dermatologist specializing in hair disorders. Price put Gardner on cortisone pills, which she finished in May. She has yet to see significant growth.

“Whoever thinks this isn’t a big deal doesn’t know what it’s like to be 19 and have 65 percent of your hair gone,” said Gardner, now 21.

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Today, Gardner’s hair covers three softball-sized bald spots. She spends her mornings fanning it out and hair-spraying it down before tying it in a bun. Most of the time she feels hopeless and depressed, she said, and fears even visiting the salon for a trim.

“I told my mom the other day that I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose any more hair,” Gardner said.

Quality, human-hair wigs cost thousands and, like most remedies, aren’t covered by insurance. Despite the debilitating psychological effects of alopecia areata, it is considered a cosmetic issue.

Unfortunately, even hair transplantation surgery is not an option for those with active alopecia areata, because, post-transplant, the body still sees the hair as foreign, and ejects it.

But for women with thinning hair and about $5,000, surgery can yield significant results.

“Ten years ago, the grafting was not microscopic enough for women,” Bauman said. “Today, the technology is such that we can graft between follicles.”

In other words, the pluggy look is a thing of the past. Surgeons transplant hair from the lower back of the head to the front and crown. Sessions typically run $4,000-$7,000 and most women need one or two sessions, said Lewis, who also performs transplant surgeries. In the past decade, his female clientele has grown from 1 in 25 to 25 percent of his practice.

Some surgeons, including Bauman, also perform a series of light-based, low laser treatments on patients, which is said to hit metabolic centers of the hair and, through a photochemical reaction, create better-quality hair.

“I see it as a nonchemical minoxidil,” he said.

But, Bauman said, this treatment is best for women who are just starting to thin. He encourages anyone interested in transplantation to research a surgeon’s background. A good source is the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery at www.ishrs.org.

As with any disease, there are varying degrees of alopecia. Marty Monroe lives with the most severe kind.

The San Francisco mother of three has alopecia universalis, a rare form of alopecia areata that causes hair loss on the entire body. She was diagnosed with alopecia areata at the age of 8, and by 18, it had advanced to universalis.

“This is the whole enchilada,” said Monroe, who is now 51 and said that humor is what carries her through. “No nose hairs. No underarm hairs.”

When she was little, Monroe’s mother told her it fell out because of nerves. “That’s what they said back then,” she said.

And even though Monroe has traced the autoimmune disorder to her mother’s side, she does believe trauma plays a critical role in hair loss.

For 17 years, she has led a support group for alopecia areata sufferers. Sure enough, most of the people she’s met connect their hair loss to a time of severe stress. The death of a loved one. A major life transition.

She gives them all the same piece of advice: “Fake is fabulous. Get a good hairpiece.” Hers is long and brown and wavy.

Posted by toshko under Hair Loss News | Comments (0)

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis - How To stop hair Loss Caused By Seborrhoeic Dermatitis?

October 10, 2006

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- what is it?

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is a kind of eczema that affects the body. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis especially affects the scalp, face and the trunk are. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis derives the name Seborrhoeic Dermatitis because it normally occurs on areas on your body, which are rich in sebum. Scalp is one such area. If you get severe Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, your scalp skin and hair follicles are affected. The severity can cause permanent damage to the hair follicles and permanent hair loss. Please stop this loss. Let me talk to you about that.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- cause

No particular cause is known for Seborrhoeic Dermatitis except that it may be caused by yeast. In this disease this yeast multiplies and skin becomes red and flakes with itching. The yeast loves warm areas full of sebum. Scalp is one of its favorite places.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- how it different from other dermatitis?

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is more concentrated on body areas that are rich in sebum production. As scalp, face and trunk are rich in sebum, Seborrhoeic Dermatitis occurs more on these places. Other dermatitis do not occur only on sebum rich areas.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- how hair may be lost?

If Seborrhoeic Dermatitis continues to affect the scalp unchecked, it can cause damage to hair follicles in a large area. Once this loss is permanent, all hair from that area may be lost.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- how to control?

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Use of anti fungal shampoos is one of the remedies. Steroids are used more on face and trunk. For scalp unless the diseases is sever steroids are not used. Anti fungal shampoos can treat the disease if used properly.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis- What to do?

Anytime you suspect that your scalp is not only itchy but is becoming flaky, consult your doctor. A proper medical examination can tell you if you have any other dermatitis, psoriasis or Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. Your doctor will then treat you according to the diagnosis. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis can cause permanent loss of hair. Please stop this loss. Please click here to know more about Seborrhoeic Dermatitis.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advice and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for all your medical concerns. Please follow any information given in this article only after consulting your doctor or qualified medical professional. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from any information obtained from this article.

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