The Dangerous Truth About Minoxidil and Finasteride

Hairloss is a problem that over 60% of men have to deal with before their 30th birthday.  It's one of those things that you don't realize the effect it is having on your life until it gets very bad, or until you fix it.  People associate hair loss with being unhealthy or old, and worse yet this is a bias they they apply unconsciously.  There is no mental stepping process that sees someone, notices they are bald and then categorizes them as old, the middle step is skipped by the subconscious and you are in the 'old man' category before you even have a chance to slap a hat on.

Now, modern society has conditioned us to look for a medical treatment for baldness, and there are two popular treatments - finasteride and Mioxidil - which have a reasonable success rate.  It is also possible to look for a natural treatment which can be equally effective and we will discuss later in this article.

Minoxidil is basically a hair growth accelerant which needs to be applied daily and can start getting visible results within a few months.  It has been shown to work in both men and women and is often used in conjunction with Laser Therapy.  There are two unfortunate negatives associated with minoxidil.  The first side effect of minoxidil is unless the root cause of the baldness is address(lack of circulation of blood from the scalp to the papilla - usually due to DHT blockage) then any hair gain will be lost as soon as the minoxidil use is discontinued - meaning you are pretty much on it for life.  Secondly it has been shown to have possible blood pressure consequences - especially dangerous in pregnant women.

Finasteride is mostly commonly recognized under the brand name propecia(Propecia is generally finasteride in a 1% concentration, although higher doses are possible).  This pill has had some very good success in growing peoples hair out, but in my opinion the side effects are not worth it.  Hair loss is a confidence thing, and even if you completely grow your hair back the confidence can take a serious knock from the known side effects of propecia - namingly impotence, infertility and gynecomastia(growing man breasts). The reported chances of these side effects is very small, but I disregard the stats for a couple of reasons.  Firstly they come from the company making the stuff, so they want to play things down and their figures certainly don't match up with the number of people I have talked to who have tried the drug and experienced problems.  Secondly - I don't care. No matter how small the chance is, I don't want to take it when there are realistic natural options.  It doesn't matter if there are 10,000 successful parachute jumps for every fatality - if it's my shute that doesn't open then the stats mean nothing to mean.

As I have hinted at - these drugs are not necessary. Both of them are long term solutions anyway - meaning you have to commit to a long term program to get results.  If you have the resolve to do that then why not try a natural hair regrowth solution that doesn't have you forking out money every month for new medication that messes with your blood pressure or hormone balance.  It's possible for this combination of exercises and techniques to regrow your hair just as quickly as Finasteride or Minoxidil without the dangerous and embarrassing side effects.

Discovering The Reason For Your Hair Loss Before Looking For Treatments

Hair Loss can be caused under different situations. There is not just one single cause for hair loss but many that may be causing you to lose your hair. Some hair loss is genetic, but other hair loss can be caused by things such as stress, medication, illness, hormonal issues, or even environmental causes. Hair loss is also not confined to the male gender. Men and women can both experience hair loss. Just as there are many types of hair loss patterns and many reasons for hair loss, there are also many hair loss treatments. It is important to understand why you are losing your hair so that you can better investigate your hair loss treatment options.

Looking For A Personalized Hair Loss Treatment

As each of us are unique individuals, the reason for you losing your hair is unique to you. That is why some hair loss treatments work better for some individuals than they do for others. Before experimenting with every hair loss treatment on the market, take the time to investigate the reasons why you are losing your hair. The first thing you should do when considering hair loss treatments, is see your doctor and let him determine if you are losing your hair due to a health reason such as a vitamin deficiency. He can also determine if any of the medications you are taking have been known to contribute to hair loss.

When your doctor has ruled out health problems, then you should take a look at your family history and learn what patterns of baldness may have occurred. The type of balding pattern your hair follows can make a difference in the hair loss treatments that you choose.

Inexpensive Hair Loss Treatments

FLuckily, there are many great hair loss products on the market and most can be purchased without a prescription. If you are suffering from hair loss and you have ruled out health causes you might consider trying one of the following remedies.

- Rogaine can be purchased in local drug stores and shows promise in the increase of hair growth.

- -Propecia works to lower the production of DHT in your body. It has shown promise in helping men and women alike to slow the loss of hair as well as grow new hair. Please note that It is dangerous to take when pregnant, so if a woman is thinking about having a baby, she should avoid this drug.

- There are also several great hair loss shampoos on the market that help to thicken your existing hair. Most of these remedies are quite inexpensive and as a result much more affordable alternatives to expensive procedures such as plugs or implants.

Diabetes and Hair Loss

Diabetes and Hair Loss: Don’t Lose Your hair Because of Diabetes. Quite often, significant hair loss can alert an individual to the possibility of the development of diabetes. If an individual is losing hair in larger than normal quantities, and the loss does not appear to be common pattern hair loss, evaluation by a medical professional would be warranted. The reason is this: diabetes is a disease that is hormonal related, and this imbalance can often be seen first in loss of hair. The links between [tag-tec]hair loss and diabetes[/tag-tec] are as follows:

1. Diabetes causes poor blood circulation. Poor blood circulation can affect the ability of hair follicles to operate normally. Under normal conditions, hair grows for 2-6 years; then it goes into a period of dormancy, and eventually it dies and falls out as a new strand is produced in the follicle to push it out. When blood circulation is poor, the follicle is not producing a new strand as normal, the old strand dies and falls out, and there is no replacement hair. Further, strands tend to die and fall out more quickly when blood circulation to the head area is poor. Therefore, more hair falls out and is not replaced, creating much thinner hair.

2. Diabetics are more susceptible to skin conditions, and skin conditions on the scalp can cause hair loss. Both bacterial and fungal infections of the scalp can interrupt the normal growth process of hair.

3. The medication often prescribed and taken for diabetes can interrupt the normal cycle of hair growth. More often, this is reversed as the body adjusts to the medication, but anyone beginning medications should be aware of this.

4. Diabetes causes both physiological and psychological stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are direct factors in hair loss. Dehydration is a factor as well. When coupled with stress, it can be a killer for hair.If you have hair loss related to diabetes, here are some helpful suggestions: a. Wait to see if the condition will right itself once you have been on your medication for some time. This may take a few or more months. b. Keep your body hydrated. Eight glasses (8 0z. each) should be consumed daily, no matter what other liquids you consume. c. Exercise regularly. Exercise increases blood circulation, and your head will be a recipient of that increased circulation. Your follicles will love you for it. d. Try Yoga or some other form of relaxation to relieve stress and anxiety. Diabetes is a significant diagnosis and a life-changing illness. Follow your physician’s instructions carefully and continue to do those things that you know are good for your general health. Hair health is affected by all that you do and consume. For more information visit: Diabetes and Hair Loss

Hair Loss

Hair Loss Help : How Much Can I Lose and Still Be Me?

Hair loss sufferers wake up in the morning and check their pillows for amounts of hair that have fallen out. Hair loss sufferers check their combs and brushes after every use and try to count the number of hairs contained therein. Hair loss sufferers put on their glasses and check the number of hairs in the shower or sink after each wash. Hair loss sufferers grow anxious, nervous, and scared. How much will go today, and how soon will I begin to look bald to others? They worry about the impressions they will make on bosses, future bosses, friends, co-workers, and even strangers who see them in public places. What a horrible way to live!If hair loss is beginning to be a daily worry for you, do something about it! Check with your physician to ensure that there is not some physiological cause which can be remedied. Some diseases have hair loss as early symptoms, and certainly you want to know if you are diabetic and suffering from Lupus. Bacterial and fungal infections can cause hair loss, and can certainly be cured. Worry, anxiety, stress, and major life traumas can cause it. Surgery can cause it. Pregnancy can cause it. All of these are either temporary or controllable, and that should bring you relief.If, however, you are among the millions of adults who are simply the products of your heredity and/or hormones, you must look in other directions. 1. First and foremost, take care of your body with good diet and exercise. These things affect hair health and can slow down the loss of your hair. 2. Find ways to reduce stress and anxiety. Exercise, Yoga, meditation, etc. are good activities for this. 3. Take care how you treat your hair. Do not pull at it, comb or brush it harshly, or use harsh shampoos. Reduce use of colorants and other harsh chemicals. Try to manipulate your hair as little as possible. Reduce the use of blow dryers and curling irons. 4. Investigate and experiment with the wide variety of products available to reduce hair loss. The earlier in life you begin this investigation and experimentation, the better your results will be. Products like Provillus, for example, should be used with the first signs of more than normal hair loss. 5. Try natural remedies, such as Saw Palmetto(primarily for men), essential oils and herb solutions. These are available at health/nutrition retailers or on many Internet sites. Again, you will have to experiment to find what works best for you. Every body is unique and will respond differently to different treatments.Whatever the level of your hair loss, if it bothers you, you owe it to your own peace of mind and well-being to explore your options. Do it early on and find what is right for you. For more information visit: Hair Loss Help

How to avoid Hair Loss

Hair Loss in Women: When Every Day Is a Bad Hair Day

Television commercials for hair products can throw women into the depths of despair. Long beautiful trusses are swaying from side to side on some gorgeous model’s head, shiny, thick and beautiful. Most of us wish we had hair like that but will get by with our own, as long as we can style it in a manner acceptable by society. Normally, humans lose about 100 – 150 strands of hair a day.

This is the natural cycle of hair growth, hair dormancy and then hair loss. Only about 10 percent of our hair is actually dying or falling out at any one time. For women who are losing significant amounts (handfuls at a time) or whose hair loss is creating such thinning that the scalp is clearly visible, leaving the house can often become a major trauma. On come the hats, scarves or wigs and the worry that one will come off and expose the ugliness beneath. Add to this the loss of self-image and the constant worry about more hair loss, and there is one miserable person under that head camouflage. Social life is affected – who wants to attend parties and functions when she is miserable about how she looks?While significant hair loss is somewhat due to heredity, there are a number of treatable or temporary conditions which cause it as well.

A woman facing this condition needs to have it evaluated by a physician, to determine the root (pardon the pun) cause. While heredity may be a factor, there are hundreds of other causes, most of which are treatable. For hair loss that is permanent, there are yet the additional methods of replacement.Medical research is rapidly “closing in” on prevention measures, and it is quite possible that there will be some wonder drug available in the near future. As we speak, there is this very effective hair regrowth herbal supplement that goes by the name Provillus.

Provillus is an oral supplement, which works to block DHT, a form of testosterone that is responsible for 95 percent of hair loss. It also works to stimulate the scalp and bring dead follicles back to life. You can use Provillus as a preventative tool, starting the program before hair loss becomes severe, or you can use it after DHT has already begun to take hold of your hair and scalp. You can get it at www.provillus.com. However, a lot of money is going into the research, the most promising being in the areas of cloning or reversing the process.

The good news is the hair follicles are still there; the problem is they have become so tiny, new hair cannot grow. If researchers can find a way to open the follicle up again or to block the process of shrinking, hair loss can be both prevented and reversed. In the meantime, splurge with some wigs while treating with Provillus. They are far more acceptable than toupees for men, and are often considered a fashion accessory. Hair extensions are also a temporary “fix” but be careful not to cause damage to what hair is left. Fortunately, the common patterns of hair loss for women are not the same as for men. It usually begins at parts (they get wider) or in the frontal area of the head. This allows for creativity in hairstyle, by parting or styling differently. For more information visit: Hair Loss in Women

Is Vitamin Deficiency A Cause For Temporary Hair Loss?

We all need a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements to provide us with a balanced diet for good health.

For those whose hair lines are receding the search goes on to find the cure. What they might not understand is that in most cases, it is completely normal for hair to fall out.  Permanent hair loss, or pattern baldness, occurs when genetics prevent new hair from growing sufficiently to replace the ones that fall out.

It must be recognized that there are other cases when hair loss can be a sign of a serious medical problem.  This condition is known as temporary hair loss, because genes did not predetermine the loss of hair.  A major cause of temporary hair loss is vitamin deficiency.

Are There Vitamins That Prevent Hair Loss?

Vitamins are extremely important to maintaining a healthy head of hair.  Hair loss could be caused by a deficiency of one or several vitamins in any of these nutrients.  Fortunately, all that is necessary to reverse the temporary hair loss is following a helthy diet!

For example, vitamin A promotes the healthy growth of both cells and tissue in various parts of the body, including the cells in the scalp and hair.  A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to hair loss and dandruff, especially if the deficiency occurs for an extended period of time.  We recommend that you get the vitamin A you need by consuming lots of leafy vegetables, colorful fruits, liver, eggs, and fish oil.

If you are suffering from anyone of three vitamin B deficiencies, (more specifically folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) are important to the creation of red blood cells and hemoglobin.  The hemoglobin transports oxygen to various body tissues, including the hair cells.  A deficiency in vitamin B may cause hair loss due to the resulting reduced blood and oxygen supply to the hair.  We suggest you eat plenty of chicken, fish, whole grains, beets, and orange juice to strengthen your intake of vitamin B.

Also being deficient in biotin could cause hair loss.  Though deficiency in biotin is rare, it has been observed in some cases.  Biotin is found in select foods, it is also produced in the intestines by good bacteria.  Most people who eat a healthy diet would never experience hair loss as a result of deficiency in this vitamin.  However, if this does occur, vitamin supplements can be taken.

Is There Anything Else You Should Know?

The following vitamins and minerals are important to the growth and maintenance of hair.  These vitamins and minerals include zinc, iron, vitamin C, and copper.  If you do not receive an adequate amount of these vitamins, make sure to look for food sources rich in these vitamins and minerals or begin taking supplements.

Is It Really Thatt Easy!

If you are suffering from hair loss, you are no doubt willing to go to any extent to find a cure. For some, it’s as easy as making changes to their diet.  Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could simply change their eating habits to get the results they want to see?  

As modern medicine continues in research and development, it is not to hard to conceive that some of the hair loss treatments available today do actually work in stimulating re-growth of the hair follicles where once there was none. No individual is the same and each may react differently to different treatments therefore, it may require you to try different treatments before finding the one that works for you.

Why Me ... Information On Hair Loss

Modern medicine is progressing at warp speed and intensive research is being carried out in the area of hair loss. Herewith we include some basic information on hair loss as a starting point for someone who is seeking assistance in this important personal matter.

Alopecia is The official term for hair loss and it can mean either the total or partial loss of hair. If your are suffering from hair loss you need proper hair loss information before you can accurately start treating your hair loss. There are several considerations that hair loss information will give you which you should use to determine the severity of your hair loss and also help you to understand what treatment options are available to you.

What To Consider

There is a lot of information on hair loss and first you need to determine what type of hair loss you have. Hair loss can develop gradually and it may also be patchy or it may occur all over the body. Every day nearly one hundred hair are shed from the healthy human head. An average human scalp will contain about a hundred thousand hairs. Hair will survive for about four and a half years while growing at about half an inch each month. Then in the fifth year the hair will fall out to be replaced by a new one within six months. The genetic form of hair loss results when the body fails to produce sufficient new hairs whilst being accompanied by excessive hair loss.

As people age they tend to lose the same amount of hair thickness and volume be they men or women. Men are more likely to have inherited pattern baldness then women. By the time they turn thirty about 25% of men will start to go bald and about two-thirds of men will be either completely bald or have balding patterns by the time they turn sixty. The typical pattern baldness will have a receding hairline along with thinning around the crown. If men do not have testosterone as a result of a genetic abnormality or castration then they will not develop pattern baldness since the pattern baldness needs testosterone.

Other Causes

Before assuming you have the common kinds of hair loss if is important to consider other causes of hair loss. While baldness is not typically a result of any single factor it can be related to aging, heredity and testosterone levels. Other possible causes of hair loss include hormonal changes, a serious illness, medications, excessive shampooing or blow-drying, emotional or physical stress, nervous habits, burn or parasites such as ringworm.

Other Things To Consider

Another important part of hair loss information is to determine when you need to visit your doctor. You should visit your doctor under several conditions. First is you have an atypical balding pattern. Also if you are losing hair rapidly or at an early age. If your hair loss is accompanied by any pain or itching. If you have red, scaly or otherwise abnormal skin on your scalp. If there are other acne, facial hair or menstrual irregularities. If you have bald spots on other areas of your body such as the beard or eyebrows.

Will your doctor be able to help you? If you are suffering baldness as a result of another ailment, your doctor will no doubt be able to provide you with medication to overcome these ailments and as a result you may experience hair re-growth.

If your doctor cannot diagnose any ailment that might be contributing to your hair loss he or she will probably refer you to a hair clinic for further treatment.

Vitamins That Help With Hair Growth

Loss of hair, or baldness, is the result of not having enough vitamin B supplements. Vitamin B is very important, as it contains B3 niacin, which is very important for growing hair. Vitamin B6 is another important vitamin, containing nutrients such as sulfur, biotin, magnesium, and zinc. Without these vitamins, your body won’t be able to grow hair as much, which commonly results in balding or hair loss as we get older.

What many people fail to realize, is the importance of vitamin B. Research has shown in the past that vitamin B is very important to hair growth. Men who consume foods that are rich in vitamin B are less likely to experience hair loss. Vitamin B is an essential vitamin, and also one that enriches the overall quality and thickness of hair.

Vitamin A is also important with hair growth. To get the proper amount of vitamin A, you should consume fatty acids. Some examples include flaxseed oil, primrose, and salmon oil. If you consume these types of fatty acids, you’ll get the right amount of vitamin A that is needed to enhance the growth of your hair. If you are worried about hair loss, you should make sure that you are getting enough vitamin A and vitamin B.

Vitamin E is also important for hair growth, as it stimulates your intake of oxygen and helps to improve your blood circulation as well. If your blood is circulating properly, then the growth of your hair will be enhanced. The proper circulation of blood is very important with hair growth, as the blood is what helps your hair to grow, and the necessary vitamins to flow through your body.

Another necessary vitamin for hair growth is biotin. You can find this essential source in rice, green peas, soybeans, oats, yeast, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. It is also found with some types of shampoos as well. If you are using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll be getting into your root tips faster, which will help to promote the growth of your hair. Even though you may be using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll still need to take the necessary vitamins and supplements as well.

Before you take any vitamins or supplements, you should always consult with your doctor and get his opinion. There may be some vitamins and supplements that you shouldn’t be taking, which is why you should always consult with your doctor before you make any decision. Your doctor will be able to run tests and go through your history with you, letting you know what you can and can’t take. This way, you can choose your vitamin supplements accordingly – and know without a doubt that there will be no long term side effects or problems.