Most individuals experience some degree of hair shedding throughout their lives. While every individual experiences a different amount of shed hair each day, it is common for anywhere from 1-100 hairs to be shed per day.
While some shedding is normal and can be a normal part of the hair growth cycle, it can also be an early sign of hair loss.
In order to determine if the shedding is normal or a sign of hair loss, it would need to be determined if the shedding is outside the normal range of shedding you personally experience. Since everyone is different and loses a different amount of hair each day, there isn’t a set number to determine hair loss.
Many things can cause hair to shed. Medications, stress, and underlying medical conditions, and early signs of hair loss are all common possibilities. You should meet with an experienced and certified hair restoration surgeon to determine the cause of the shedding.
Once any underlying medical conditions have been ruled out and the cause is determined, you can begin the process of protecting and maintaining your hair. Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to fight off hair loss is to be as proactive as possible.
If you are beginning to see early signs of hair loss, now is the perfect time to start managing it. There are many treatments available for hair loss maintenance such as medication, topical products, and even PRP and laser therapy.
Here at Modena, we specialize in the medical management of hair loss. During a medical management consultation we can help you determine the best course of action to stop your hair loss in its tracks and even reverse it. Give us a call today.
Tag Archives: hair fall out
Vitamin E for hair growth
Thanks to a recent study conducted by Tropical Life Sciences Research, we now have a new home remedy for minor hair loss.
According to the study, individuals in a double-blind study were given either vitamin E or a placebo to determine if vitamin E fights hair loss. The results showed that the individuals that were given vitamin E had a 35% increase in hair growth.
How does it work?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant. That means it has healing properties. Vitamin E can help prevent tissue damage as well as hair follicle damage. This in turn promotes healthy hair growth.
When vitamin E is applied to the scalp, it gets to work reducing inflammation and repairing tissue damage deep in the follicles.
How do you use it?
Vitamin E is sold in capsule form at most drug stores. These capsules are soft and can be punctured with a pin to release the gel from the inside.
This gel is safe to use as a topical skin or scalp treatment. It can be combined with olive, coconut, grapeseed, sesame, or carrot oil. Once the gel and oil are combined, apply the oil mixture onto clean hair. Massage into the scalp to promote blood circulation for added benefits.
To see desired results, you should apply vitamin E to your hair at least 2-3 times a week. You can also take the vitamin in its original capsule form to promote healthy skin and hair from the inside.
If you have noticed very minor hair loss, thinning, or just want to improve the texture and health of your hair, using vitamin E may help. Be sure to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the change in your hair.
If you have more aggressive hair loss, it is unlikely using vitamin E will show any real benefit. Once hair loss begins, it almost always continues to progress and worsen as time goes on. Therefore, if you wish to save your hair, it’s very important you begin preventative measures now.
Here at Modena, we specialize in the medical management of hair loss. Give us a call for a consultation today and discover your options.
Are protein shakes causing your hair loss?
Many individuals who are active in the fitness world choose to follow up their work outs with a protein shake. Protein shakes are beneficial post-work out because they aid in muscle recovery quickly and efficiently.
Unfortunately, recent research has shown that whey protein (the main component in most protein shakes) raises testosterone levels. This is problematic because testosterone has a direct impact on hair growth. And it’s not a positive one.
When testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme, it can suffocate hair follicles, causing miniaturization and progressive hair loss. It is believed that the higher amount of testosterone in your blood, the higher amount that is converted to DHT, and the more hair loss you may experience.
One contributing factor to the whey protein – hair loss connection, is the amount of whey protein fitness-minded individuals consume in an average day. Studies showed that the less whey protein consumed the less effect it had on testosterone and hair loss. But, active whey protein drinkers are consuming on average about triple the necessary amount of protein our bodies need. This excessive whey protein consumption is believed to cause hair loss rather quickly.
The good news is that when individuals stopped or reduced their whey protein intake, the hair loss virtually stopped and even regrew. If you regularly consume whey protein shakes and are concerned it may be causing your hair loss, consider pausing your post-work out protein shake routine and see how your hair reacts. Opt instead for lean turkey, quinoa, lentils, and vitamins which have shown to nourish and promote healthy hair.
While dietary adjustments can help some individuals who are experiencing recent and sudden hair loss, it is unlikely a diet change will have an impact on those with progressed or severe hair loss. If this is you, you may want to schedule a consultation with a hair transplant surgeon who specializes in the medical as well as alternative methods of regrowing hair. Give us a call today.
Hair growth in scar tissue
Many people who have had injuries on their scalp or face find that there is a lack of hair growth where the scar resides. But, why is that?
The scalp is similar to the skin in that it is made up of layers of dermis. When the tissue is damaged as a result of a trauma, the underlying hair follicles that reside in the tissue endure damage as well. This is why individuals who have scars on their scalp often complain of a lack of hair growth in that area.
Over time, as the tissue heals and repairs itself, we can sometimes see new hair growth in the scarred area in some patients. But, this process can takes years, if it happens at all. Unfortunately, what usually happens is the scarred area is left with no hair, which can highly affect the overall appearance of our hair and beard.
This can be particularly upsetting to individuals with large and apparent scars. These scars can be a result of a fall, a poorly done weave, or even an FUT strip hair transplant procedure. The scar is made more obvious due to the absence of hair in that area.
The important thing to keep in mind is that every body heals differently. Some individuals may be prone to deep scar tissue and keloids, while others rarely scar. Additionally, various factors can play a role in the healing process such as the depth and severity of the scar tissue.
Thankfully, there are options for those who are suffering from scar tissue on the scalp or beard. A hair transplant procedure known as scar revision surgery involves transplanting hair follicles into the scarred area. The newly transplanted follicles grow in the scar tissue, coming in naturally and covering the visibility of the scar.
Here at Modena, we’ve seen great results with scar repair surgery. If you’d like to learn more about this procedure, give us a call.
How to keep your hair healthy in and out of the shower
Did you know hair is weaker when its wet? It’s true. Water weakens the keratin (hair’s protein) causing the hair to be more fragile and prone to breakage.
Unfortunately, this is often when we’re roughest with our hair. Washing, scrubbing, towel drying, blow drying, hot tools, and the application of products all take their toll on our hair.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to protect your hair’s health in and out of the shower.
Washing – make sure you’re using a sulfate-free shampoo. Many of the cheaper shampoos contain sulfates which wreak havoc on our hair. Additionally, you should be gently massaging your scalp during each wash. This not only cleans hair effectively but stimulates blood flow to the follicles as well. Lastly, use luke-warm water when washing. Hot water damages the cuticle while cold damages the scalp. Luke-warm water is your best bet for healthy strands and follicles.
Conditioning – don’t skip it! Conditioner plays an important role in moisturizing your locks. If your hair isn’t moisturized your hair may overproduce oil causing buildup. No one wants that, so make sure to condition your hair after every wash.
Drying – vigorously rubbing our hair damages the fragile strands. Try gently patting dry instead. This will soak up any excess water. If blow-drying is a must that can’t be avoided, switch the heat setting to a warm or cool level. This will help to take the edge out of the harsh heat on your freshly washed hair.
Styling – use hot tools in moderation. Hot tools cause breakage. If you need to style your hair with hot tools, try applying a heat protecting serum first. Additionally, use a wide-tooth comb instead of fine brushes. Regarding styling and care products, always opt for organic. These products sit on our hair and scalp all day. Harsh chemicals cause build up and irritate the scalp.
Does consuming more protein prevent hair loss?
Our hair is affected by many factors – genetics, age, environment, and medical history. But did you know your diet plays a role as well? If your diet is lacking key nutrients, your hair will show it.
When your diet lacks necessary components, your body begins prioritizing and rationing. Fortunately (or unfortunately) your hair is not as important as proper organ function and efficient large muscle group movement. When individuals engage in unhealthy or unbalanced diets, the body can neglect the hair altogether in favor of keeping us alive. This can cause hair loss over time.
We often see hair damage and hair loss in diets lacking substantial protein. Protein is a necessary macro our body needs to function and fuel itself properly. Further, protein is an essential component of our hair. Each hair strand is composed of a protein known as keratin which is crucial to our hair’s health. When our hair lacks keratin, it becomes brittle, weak, and thin. Overtime, substantial hair loss can develop.
Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to treat hair loss is to prevent it. A healthy balanced diet will not only make you feel and look better, but it’ll promote beautiful, healthy, strong hair and prevent hair loss. The USDA recommends at minimum 46 grams of protein per day. Nutrition and fitness experts typically suggest double or triple that amount. If you need help getting more protein in your diet, consider adding the following protein-packed foods to your diet: chicken, turkey, beef, seafood, eggs, nuts.
If you are experiencing hair loss and think your diet may be playing a role, give us a call for a consultation. Here at Modena, we offer diagnostic testing to address the root of your hair’s problems.
Using the sauna to promote hair growth
Saunas offer many health benefits such as flushing toxins, boosting the immune system, and aiding in recovery post-work out. But did you know they can also stimulate and promote faster hair growth?
An additional benefit of saunas is that they increase blood flow to the skin. Increased blood flow to the skin also means to the hair follicles. Blood is known as a transporter, meaning it carries nutrients we need such as oxygen and minerals. When there is more blood flowing to our skin and hair providing the nutrients our bodies are craving, we see an increase in hair growth.
One downside saunas may have on our hair has to do with the heat. Extremely hot environments can cause our hair to lose moisture. This means the hair can feel brittle and dry and we can see an increase in breakage. If you are going to use to sauna regularly to stimulate hair growth, you will also want to make sure you’re taking care to retain your hair’s moisture.
To prevent damage to your hair as a result of loss of moisture, consider applying a deep conditioner prior to entering the sauna. The conditioner acts a barrier to the heat while also giving your hair a deep conditioning treatment. When you’re finished with your sauna session, simply rinse out the conditioner.
While saunas may be a great natural way to stimulate hair growth, they are not a miracle cure for hair loss. When we experience progressing or sustained hair loss, our follicles actually die off. Unfortunately, there is not yet a cure to revive dead follicles. When our hair loss gets to this more advanced stage, our options turn to surgical and nonsurgical methods of hair restoration, such as PRP therapy and laser therapy.
If you are experiencing hair loss and would like to learn more about the surgical and nonsurgical options available to you, give us a call. We have over ten years of experience in advanced hair restoration techniques.
Natural ways to prevent hair loss
While there are many medical methods to prevent hair loss thanks to advancements in hair restoration, there are also natural ways you can prevent hair loss in your everyday life.
Some of the biggest contributors to hair loss besides genetics and age are stress, environment, products, and diet.
Reducing stress in your everyday life can help reduce and prevent hair loss. Meditation, walking, yoga, and daily exercise can lower cortisol levels and in turn prevent hair loss.
The environment you create for your hair and the products you use on it contribute to the health of your hair. Tight hair styles that pull on the hair can harm the hair follicle. Additionally, hair ties can cause damage and breakage. Further, excessive use of hot tools like curling irons and straighteners can damage your hair.
A healthy diet with lots of water contributes to overall health and well-being. A healthy diet that provides the nutrients and vitamins your body craves will not only prevent hair loss but prevent other ailments as well and just plain make you feel better.
While improving stress levels and maintaining a healthy diet will help you prevent hair loss as well as promote a healthy life, tightening up these areas of your health won’t do much to reverse hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss at a rate you’re uncomfortable with, you may need to utilize some more advanced medical treatments to restore your hair. There are many nonsurgical methods such as PRP therapy, laser therapy, and shampoos and medications.
If you would like to learn more about reversing your hair loss and re-growing your hair, give us a call. Here at Modena we specialize in the medical management of hair loss.
Does hair shedding play a role in hair loss?
Hair shedding during brushing, washing and throughout the day is a normal process that happens to everyone.
To understand hair shedding, we first need to understand the hair growth cycle. Hair grows in phases. There’s the anagen (growth), catagen (regression), telogen (resting), and exogen (shedding) phases. It can take months or even years for our hair to cycle through these phases. Once the hair is shed, the process begins again with new growth.
There can be a wide range in the amount of hair loss each individual experiences. Some may experience minimal fall out when brushing while others may experience handfuls of hair falling out each time they wash their hair. Both of these scenarios can be considered normal fall out.
So when does fall out become something we should be concerned about?
Excessive and abnormal shedding could be a sign of progressing hair loss. It can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition. If you are experiencing more than your normal hair shedding for a prolonged period, consider seeing your doctor to rule out any medical conditions. Once those have been ruled out, you should immediately begin maintaining and protecting the hair you have. Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to fight hair loss is to be as preventative as possible.
If you would like to learn more about how maintain the hair you have, give us a call for a consultation. We specialize in alternative methods to protect and keep your hair.
Is hair gel causing your hair to fall out?
Hair gel on its own does not cause hair loss. But, not keeping your scalp and follicles clean and healthy can.
If you use hair gel regularly, you should be washing your hair daily. Gel builds up on the scalp and clogs pores. This can constrict the follicles and interfere with the growth process.
To understand how gel interferes with the growth process, we first have to understand the cycle our hair grows in. Each hair grows for several months and years. It then goes into a resting period for a couple of weeks before it falls out. Once it falls out, a new hair grows in its place. If there is gel or sebum build up on the scalp, the follicles can become blocked. This blockage cannot be resolved with regular shampooing methods. Over time, the hair follicle miniaturizes and eventually dies.
Unfortunately, once a hair follicle dies there is no bringing it back to life. This is why its so important to take good care of our hair.
While hair gel does not directly cause hair loss, it can definitely contribute if you’re not taking care of your hair and scalp. Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to fight hair loss is to prevent it. Before you begin noticing build up on your scalp, consider switching to an organic, all natural hair gel or wax. Limiting the harsh chemicals that sit on the scalp will improve the health of the scalp and follicles.
If you are experiencing any type of hair loss and would like to learn more about managing it and re-growing it, give us a call. Here at Modena, we’re experts at utilizing alternative methods to restore and reverse hair loss.
Shock loss – what is it and can it happen to you?
Shock loss is a condition which can occur after a hair transplant surgery. The pre-existing hair in the recipient and donor areas fall out, causing new and increased hair loss. As you can imagine, this is upsetting for many people, as they feel they look worse-off than pre-surgery.
Why does the hair fall out? Anytime we put our bodies through the stress of a surgery, our bodies experience a degree of trauma. Our bodies have different ways of dealing with this trauma such as fatigue and pain. With hair transplant surgeries, the surrounding and existing follicles can be traumatized (or shocked) by the transplantation of new follicles and can respond by falling out.
For most individuals that experience shock loss, the condition is temporary and the hairs return during the next growth cycle. This can take anywhere from 2-6 months. But for others, the shock loss is permanent. This is the case when the hairs that have fallen out were on their way out anyways, meaning, they were due to fall out soon. The trauma of surgery gave them just the push they needed to fall out permanently and create new areas of hair loss.
There are many factors that play a role in whether you will experience shock loss. Firstly, the condition of your existing hair. Hairs that are weak are more likely to fall out. Secondly, the type of hair and hair loss you have. If you have hair that is thin and thinning throughout, you are more likely to experience shock loss. Those who are experiencing receding hair loss are less likely to get shock loss.
Regardless of your predispositions, a certified and experienced hair transplant surgeon can evaluate your hair and give their suggestions and expectations for surgery. Dr. Yazdan believes maintenance and prevention are two of the best tools in fighting hair loss. Treatments such as PRP therapy, laser therapy, and medications can work in conjunction with surgery to protect and nourish the existing and newly transplanted hair follicles and prevent future hair loss.
If you would like to learn more about surgical and nonsurgical hair loss options, give us a call.
