Frequently Asked Questions
General Hair Loss Discussion
There are many reasons why people experience hair loss. Many times when hair loss begins all of a sudden, the cause may be due to illness, diet, medicine, childbirth, medical treatments and medications. If the hair loss starts out gradually then becomes more noticeable with each passing year, a person may have hereditary hair loss.
Another major reason people experience hair loss is due to bad styling practices.
The following are some of the many reasons for hair loss:
Hair disorders / diseases: Hereditary thinning or baldness (medical term: Androgenetic Alopecia): This is the most common cause of hair loss. It affects men and women. About 35 million men and 40 million women in the United States have hereditary thinning or baldness. When men have hereditary hair loss (Male Patten Baldness – MPB), they often get a receding hairline. Many men see bald patches, especially on the top of the head. Women, on the other hand, tend to keep their hairline. They see noticeably thinning hair. The first sign of hair loss for many women is a widening part (Also known a Female Pattern Baldness) . In rare cases, men see noticeably thinning hair. And in rare cases, women can see a receding hairline or bald patches.
Alopecia areata: Researchers believe that this is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means the body attacks itself. In this case, the body attacks its own hair. This causes smooth, round patches of hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body. People with alopecia areata are often in excellent health. Most people see their hair re-grow. Dermatologists treat people with this disorder to help the hair re-grow more quickly.
Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia: This rare disease develops in otherwise healthy people. The disease destroys a person’s hair follicles. Scar tissue forms where the follicles once were, so the hair cannot re-grow. Treatment tries to stop the inflammation, which destroys the hair follicles. This type of hair loss occurs most often in women of African descent. It begins in the center of the scalp. As it progresses, the hair loss radiates out from the center of the scalp. The affected scalp becomes smooth and shiny. The hair loss can be very slow or rapid. When hair loss occurs quickly, the person may have tingling, burning, pain, or itching on the scalp. Treatment may help the hair re-grow if scarring has not occurred.
Poor Diet: Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased. Persons with anemia may feel tired and fatigue easily, appear pale, develop palpitations and become unusually short of breath.
Autoimmune conditions such as: Lupus, an autoimmune disease, happens when the immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage. Lupus symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, fever, and a lupus rash.
Burns: Hair loss can occur from chemical burns as well as from burns involving heat.
Certain infectious diseases such as: syphilis, Lyme disease, HIV-AIDS
Excessive shampooing and blow-drying
Hormone changes in Men – You’ve probably heard of testosterone and, while it certainly plays an important role in men’s health, it’s only one of several hormones at work. Male-produced hormones each fuel a complex endocrine system that sends signals to organs throughout the body, from the brain to the testes. These hormone levels change from hour to hour [source: WebMD]. And, if hormones get out of balance or begin to decline (which happens at about age 40, sometimes sooner), the body begins to store too much fat and prompts a person to eat when he is not really hungry. This slippery slope leads to metabolic syndromes, such as diabetes. A hormone imbalance also hampers a man’s ability to fight stress, while making him feel exhausted, anxious, irritable and less interested in sex.
Hormone changes in Women – Every month, the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced. When estrogen and progesterone levels do not balance, this may have a dramatic effect on your health. The gonadotrophin releasing hormone, also affects the functioning of the hypothalamus which in turn affects the pituitary gland, which then affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. The imbalance of estrogen hormones can also cause menopause and all the symptoms associated with it, including hair loss. These hormones are influenced by certain factors such as nutrition, diet, lifestyle, exercise, stress, emotions, age and ovulation.
Mirena IUD: Mirena is a contraceptive device that contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel. It is an intrauterine system (IUS) that is inserted into the womb in a similar way to a contraceptive coil. Once inserted it steadily releases the levonorgestrel into the womb (uterus). Levonorgestrel is a synthetic form of the female sex hormone, progesterone. Hair loss is one of the many side effects of using this IUD.
Thyroid diseases: The thyroid gland helps regulate hormone levels in your body. If the gland isn’t working properly, hair loss may result.
Nervous habits such as continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing
Radiation therapy: Hair loss from cancer patients is not caused by cancer, but from the radiation treatment. Any type of overexposure to radiation may cause hair loss. Radiation exposure is a cumulative effect from exposure to the sun, cell phones, radioactive treatments, nuclear fallout, radiation contaminated fish, atmospheric radiation and environmental disasters.
Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)
Tumor of the ovary or adrenal glands
Many medications, including retinoids, birth control pills, beta-blockers, certain antidepressants, NSAIDs (including iburpofen) and calcium channel blockers may cause hair loss.
Some women ages 30 – 60 may notice a thinning of the hair that affects the entire scalp. The hair loss may be heavier at first, and then gradually slow or stop. There is no known cause for this type of hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium – This condition is casued by sudden physical or emotional stress. This may cause one-half to three-quarters of the hair throughout your scalp to shed. You will notice hair coming out in handfuls while you shampoo, comb, or run your hands through your hair. You may not notice this for weeks to months after the episode of stress. The hair shedding will decrease over 6 – 8 months.
Cause of this type of hair loss are:
- Severe emotional stress
- High fever or severe infection
- Childbirth
- Major surgery, major illness, sudden blood loss
- Crash diets, especially those that do not contain enough protein
The first step in fighting hair loss is to determine why it is falling out. There are numerous reasons why hair falls off the scalp.
At Nuvida Hair Studio, a health hair and scalp program called Head First is a service that does three things:
- Examines the scalp to look for possible causes on the microscopic level.
- Provides a scalp cleansing that is designed to remove excess oils, debris, silicone, and hair products from the scalp. This cleansing is enables the hair follicles to breathe and be in a condition for healthy hair growth.
- Uses natural products to balance the scalp pH and to provide hair growth stimulation similar to finasteride, without the harmful side effects.
Hair Maintenance
When washing your hair, start out by wetting the hair, then pour a quarter sized amount of shampoo for every 4 inches of hair length you have. Work the shampoo into the hair and gently massage the scalp while you are washing your hair.
If you have straight hair, DO NOT comb it wet. Sometimes, however, you will need to comb it during conditioning.
Hold the hair at the roots and comb gently to remove tangles, but DO NOT pull your hair! It will break. Pick small amounts of hair to untangle while holding the hair at the base.
General Cosmetology Topics
Ingrown Hair Causes:
Anyone can get an ingrown hair. But the problem is more common in people who have very curly or coarse hair. Curly hair is more likely to bend back and re-enter the skin, especially after it’s been shaved or cut.
Also, people with high levels of certain sex hormones can have excessive hair growth, which makes it more likely to get ingrown hairs.
Many African-Americans, Hispanics, and people with thick or curly hair develop a type of ingrown hair called pseudofolliculitis. More commonly known as “razor bumps,” this collection of little bumps is common on the beard area after you’ve shaved, waxed, or tweezed to remove unwanted hair. The hair that grows back in has a sharper edge, so it can more easily poke back through the skin and get trapped under the surface.
To prevent razor bumps, be sure to clean your razor before and after shaving, or if at a barber shop, insist that the barber disinfect the razor before using it on you!
Man weaves are not really a service offering. Man weaves are usually a misnomer for a man unit.
Alternative and Natural Hair Loss Products
Of all the compounds so far recommended in our treatment protocol topical Emu Oil has consistently gotten the most positive feedback in regards to frontal regrowth, with many users experiencing the initiation of vellous (fuzz) growth within weeks.
It is a given in hair loss treatment that frontal regrowth is much more difficult to attain than regrowth in the vertex or crown. This especially holds true of the “FDA approved ” compounds Rogaine and Propecia, as test data have shown them to be of virtually no use in stimulating frontal regrowth. Why this is the case is unclear, and has been a source of frustration to those who respond well in the crown , only to have their hairline stay in its receded state.
The essential oils used to stimulate hair growth are Rosemary Essential oil, Peppermint oil, Ylang Ylang
You can also take curry internally . Include some curry leaves in your daily diet to get rid of your various hair-related problems. You can consume finely shredded curry leaves with milk or buttermilk. You can also add curry leaf powder to your rice and dals.
Essential oils are concentrated, so dilution is important. Take 2 -3 drops of one or more essential oil and mix with 1/2 teaspoonfull of carrier oil ( Grapeseed or jojoba oil) in a small bowl then add the essential oils. massage into scalp for 2 to 3 minutes every night.
Essential oils can also be added to your favorite shampoo ( 2-8 drops of each oil used).
Popular essential oils for hair health:
Almond Oil | Almond oil soothes and moisturizes the scalp. |
Cedarwood Oil | Cedarwood oil stimulates the scalp and promotes hair growth |
Chamomile Oil | Chamomile oil adds shine and softness to hair, and soothes the scalp |
Clary Sage Essential Oil | Clary sage oil promotes hair growth and stimulates the scalp |
Coconut Oil | Coconut oil softens hair and increases shine |
Geranium Essential Oil | Geranium oil strengthens hair |
Jojoba Oil | Jojoba oil moisturizes the hair, adds nutrients, and stimulates the scalp |
Lavender Essential Oil | Lavender oil deep conditions the hair, keeps it shiny, and helps control dandruff |
Moroccan Argan oil | Moroccan argan oil moisturizes, nourishes, and provides antioxidants to hair |
Rosemary Essential Oil | Rosemary oil stimulates the roots, improves hair growth, and increases circulation in the scalp |
Sandalwood Essential Oil | Sandalwood oil helps with dry ends, and adds fragrance to the hair |
Hair Loss Products
If hair growth is going to occur with the use of minoxidil, it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for several months and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. Hair loss will begin again within a few months after minoxidil treatment is stopped. In the U.S., this medicine is available without a prescription.
Important information about finasteride.
Finasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child. Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle finasteride tablets.
Although finasteride is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Finasteride tablets should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a broken or crushed tablet, wash the area with soap and water right away.
Before taking finasteride, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, or to a similar medicine called dutasteride (Avodart).
Using finasteride may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using finasteride.
Hair loss medication, Propecia (finasteride) may be linked to a side effect of sexual dysfunction, a problem which may not go away after treatment has stopped, researchers from George Washington University reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Propecia is a popular medication taken for male pattern hair loss.
Product information: Triaminocoptinol™ – an advanced dermatological hair growth compound. PureZero™ – sulfate free. Nutracell™ – a transdermal natural vitamin B, microvascular metabolic uptake complex. Estolin™ – a natural anti-androgen DHT inhibiting complex. Rinses 100% clean. Radiant shine enhancer. Available at Nuvida Hair Studio
Oleanolic acid (olive leaves), aids in inhibiting 5 alpha Reductase, reducing the formation of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the primary cause of male and female hair loss.
Peptide Biotinyl-GHK (vitamin H/Botin), stimulates cell metabolism, increases hair bulb structure, anchors the inner hair shaft, increasing the number of anagen (growth) hairs vs. telogen (falling) hair.
Apigenin (natural citrus flavonoids), improves micro-capillary perfusion thereby increasing hair cell metabolism.
Styling Products
Apply to hair when hair is wet or damp, not dry. Apply all around and comb hair afterwards to make sure that the mousse is evenly spread.
Finishing Spray is a hairspray with medium hold used on a finished style to maintain shape and hold. it usually has an ingredient to add shine.