12 November 2009

Hair Loss Treatment Medication

Hair Loss Remedy

Hair Loss Remedy : Hair Loss Treatment Medication - Author: Katie

Hair loss is one of the most common and bothersome conditions for people. Tension sets in as soon as one notices thinning of hair or excessive hair loss and everyone starts advising all types of treatment plans. But before you decide for any expensive treatment plan or hair loss treatment medication, it is advisable to understand what hair loss is and the types and benefits of medication available for hair loss treatment to ensure effective and desirable results.

Hair loss
Hair loss and male pattern baldness are embarrassing conditions for men. Before you go for any other hair loss treatment medication it is important to know about the process of hair loss.

The scalp hairs are divided into two phases, growth phase and resting phase. Almost 90% of our hairs are in growth phase, which lasts for approximately four to five years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter per month during this phase. Once the hairs are fully grown, the resting phase starts, which lasts for up to four months. After this period, the hairs fall out naturally and are replaced by new hair in its place. This is an ongoing process and as a result of which we can lose up to 100 hairs daily. However, this is a normal occurrence and is not deemed as hair loss.

Hair loss process starts if the rate of hair fall increases at an alarming rate. Moreover, if the new hairs that replace the old one come slowly or are thin, it may be onset of hair loss. Male pattern hair loss (male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss but there could be some other reason behind your hair loss. Hence it is important to discuss your particular hair loss with your doctor before you buy Propecia or begin any other hair loss treatment.

Benefits of medication over other types of treatments
With hair loss becoming a common cause of concern amongst millions of people across the world, every year a large number of medications, herbs, spices, nutritional supplements, oils, shampoos etc comes up in the market each claiming itself to be the panacea for hair loss. Each year, men suffering from hair loss spend billions of dollars in an attempt to treat their hair loss. Unfortunately, 99% of all products being marketed in the less than ethical hair loss treatment industry are completely ineffective for the majority of those who use them.

If you are going bald you should seriously consider hair loss medication treatments to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no "Hair Loss Cure", hair loss drugs can often stop or even reverse alopecia aerate in most people. Medication for treating hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs.

Types of Medications for Hair loss Treatment
Today there are two FDA approved medications for hair growth - minoxidil which is sold over the counter as Rogaine, for both men and women, and Finasteride, a prescription pill sold as Propecia, for men only. Two other drugs have been recently approved for hair growth and include a high-estrogen oral contraceptive and Aldactone (spironolactone). However, these two medications are only for women due to their feminizing side effects.

Both these medications slow thinning of the hair and increase coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs. However, the effectiveness of finasteride or minoxidil depends on your age and the location of hair loss. These medications do not work for everyone, and you should not expect to re-grow a full head of hair.

Propecia as Hair Loss Treatment Medicine
Propecia (Finasteride) is proven to be the most effective hair loss treatment medicine to treat male pattern baldness. Propecia is for men only, and is not approved by the FDA as a hair loss treatment for women or children.

Propecia works by blocking the enzyme, Type II 5 alpha-reductase from converting testosterone to its active form DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body. DHT plays a major role in inherited male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). In this process, it reduces the level of the hormone in the scalp which shortens the hair growth cycle and allows hairs to revert to a normal growth cycle. This can result in stopping further hair loss and increasing new hair growth in men with male pattern baldness.

A single 1mg Propecia tablet is to be taken everyday continuously for 3-6 months before benefit is seen. When Propecia is discontinued, the hair loss process resumes so continuous use is recommended to sustain benefit.

Also remember that Propecia is a prescription only medicine with certain side effects and should be taken after consultation with the doctor.

About the Author:

Author related with hair loss medication site. Get many more information on hair loss medicines online. Know about hair loss and hair loss treatment medication.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Hair Loss Treatment Medication

10 November 2009

Whatever the cause and symptom, hair loss is a source of dejection

Hair Loss Remedy

Hair Loss Remedy : Whatever the cause and symptom, hair loss is a source of dejection - Author: Anthony Delar

Hair loss is a difficult matter to face for both men and women. It is the thinning of hair on the scalp. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. Alopecia can be either temporary or permanent. Heredity and hormonal imbalance can cause gradual hair loss that is referred to as ‘androgenetic alopecia’.

Define Hair Loss

Hair is made up of a keratin, a protein that is produced in the hair follicles. When new cells are produced the old cells are pushed out through the surface of the skin. This cycle of new hair growth and losing old hair is termed as ‘natural hair loss’. When hormonal changes and heredity are the cause for hair loss then it is termed as ‘androgenetic alopecia’. Patches of baldness that normally grow back are termed as ‘alopecia areata’. Rapid shedding of hair after childbirth, fever, or sudden weight loss is termed as ‘telogen effluvium’ and thinning of hair from tight braids or ponytails is normally referred to as ‘traction alopecia’. Hair loss is generally age-related and occurs gradually in both males and females, but is more pronounced in males.

The average adult head has about 100,000 hairs at any given time and loses up to 100 of them a day. So a few stray hair here and there cannot necessarily be termed as a problem.

Each hair usually grows in repeated cycles — that is growth, rest, falling out and re-growth. Usually this cycle repeats itself yearly and as a result 90% of the scalp hair is growing at any given time; this phase lasts between two and six years. 10% of scalp hair is in the resting phase, lasting between two and three months. At the tail end of the resting phase, the hair goes through the shedding phase. When a hair is shed, it is replaced by a new hair.

Symptoms of Hair Loss

Male-pattern baldness is hereditary and therefore runs in families. It usually sets in around the late twenties or thirties. Following a set pattern, the first stage is usually a receding hairline, followed by thinning of the hair on the crown and temples. It can even progress to complete baldness, although it is rare. The symptoms of hair loss in men include:

  • Thinning hair on the scalp
  • A receding hairline
  • A horseshoe-shaped hair loss pattern leaving the crown exposed

With age, women generally notice thinning of hair, but they tend to lose hair mostly from the top of the head. This becomes more noticeable after menopause. It is also called androgenetic alopecia, or female-pattern hair loss. Baldness in females also runs in families. In women it includes:

  • Thinning of hair in general
  • Thinning of hair at the crown

In addition other symptoms may be:

  • Sudden loss of patches of hair in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles and can affect all body hair – alopecia areata
  • Complete loss of all hair on the body – alopecia universalis
  • Patches of broken hair or bald patches because of the hair being pulled out – trichotillomania.
  • Excessive shedding of hair after various illnesses or drug treatments, rapid weight loss, anemia, stress or pregnancy – telogen effluvium
  • Inherited hair loss – androgenetic alopecia
  • Hair loss because of fungal infection – tinea capitis

Hair being an important part of our appearance, its loss can result in loss of self-esteem and a feeling of unattractiveness, especially in women and teens.

Causes of Hair Loss

Although hair loss causes vary from person to person, there are various causes that result in scalp hair loss. However, most hair loss is not associated with systemic or internal disease or poor diet. Apart from genetics, hormonal changes as well as aging in men, women mostly lose hair due to poor circulation, hormonal changes after menopause, childbirth and poor diet.

Other causes of hair loss include stress, diabetes, certain drugs, chemicals and hair dyes and vitamin deficiencies.

In addition, disease like thyroid can also result in hair loss. Many medications also list ‘hair loss’ as one of their side effects. Moreover, cancer treatments like chemotherapy and immune suppression medications can result is loss of hair. Similarly, fungal infections may also result in hair loss.

Normally, each scalp hair has a life of around three years when in the growing (anagen) phase. Then the hair enters the resting (telogen) phase. Normally, about 10% of scalp hairs are in the telogen phase. In this three-month period, the hair root shrivels up into a small white ‘club’ a then falls out. Therefore, it is considered to be normal to lose about 100 hairs every day and more on days when the hair is shampooed. Shampooing loosens the hair root of the hairs that are ready to fall out. These hairs are then replaced.

Our circumstances or certain life altering evens may also ‘shock our system’ into altering our hair growth rhythm. This may put 30-40% of our hairs in the telogen phase. This normally happens after:

  • Childbirth
  • High fever
  • Sudden weight loss (crash dieting)
  • Surgery
  • Emotional trauma

Hair loss may or may not follow these events, depending on individual threshold. Strangely enough, the more dramatic the hair loss, the better is the prognosis. This is so because once the body gets back into shape almost all the hair will come back.

Other probable causes of hair loss are follicular deterioration, zinc or iron deficiency and use of steroids.

About the Author:

MHRA reviewed online clinic HealthExpress in UK for male pattern baldness. Get free hair loss consultation online and benefit of propecia next day delivery.


Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Whatever the cause and symptom, hair loss is a source of dejection

Curly Hair – Usage Of The Right Shampoo!

Hair Loss Remedy

Hair Loss Remedy : Curly Hair – Usage Of The Right Shampoo! - Author: Vijay Koragappa Shetty

Shampoo is required to remove dirt and oiliness of the scalp. People with curly hair must look for a shampoo that consists of wheat germ oil, shea butter and nut oils. Oil in the scalp does not reach the hair shaft and hence shea butter based ones are good. The secret is to lock out humidity and keep hair moisturized and well hydrated. Keeping hair hydrated is very important to avoid frizziness and split ends.

People with curly follicles need flattening shampoos. You need products which have corn, rice base or wheat protein in them. These are rich in amino acids and are required to strengthen follicle shaft. Jojoba oil, panthenol can add moisture to your shafts and maintain the bounce. Even after removing grime and dirt, they still retain the moisture in them.

Products that contain rice, corn or wheat proteins contain amino acids that strengthen protein bonds in the follicle shaft. Use of Panthenol and Jojoba Oil add volume and body, but more importantly, help cellular structure to maintain shape and pliability - the ability to return and keep its original form and shape. Aloe, Hydrolyzed Collagen and Chamomile are great to lock out humidity. It helps retain molecular health and forms protective shield against humidity. Make sure that it does not have a wrong alkaline balance, although it gives your follicles additional body and volume, it may cause your follicles to fall out by making them brittle and hence will drop out eventually. Change in its colour will also be damaging as alkaline can make your follicles dry. Avoid shampoos which have lot of chemicals, choose one that is mild for your hair.

After cleaning your head follow it up with conditioner. Conditioners are meant to add shine, protect hair from drying out and allow for easier combing. The job of your conditioner is to protect the cuticle layer and maintain a proper balance for healthy and shiny hair. Unnatural and chemical conditioners are just as damaging as shampoo. Try and use aloevera, beer, fenugreek seeds paste (soaked and grinded in water is formed a thick paste) can be applied as natural conditioners, they can make your follicles soft and cause no damage to your hair.

Experts say that shampoo, hair moisturizers, mousses and gels, as well as other products will actually provide better results if the acid balance is pH 4.5 - pH 5.5. Choose it carefully!

About the Author:

Vijay Koragappa Shetty, Expert author, platinum status. For more information: Hair Treatment


Get more information on: Male Hair Loss Treatment

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Curly Hair – Usage Of The Right Shampoo!

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