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.
Tag Archives: hair loss treatment
DHT – Is it causing your hair loss?
The majority of hair loss is caused by androgenic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness. To understand and treat this condition, we must first understand how it works.
Testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone or DHT by an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase that resides in our cells. DHT has many jobs but one of which is to control hair growth. It does this by binding to receptors on hair follicles.
We find that individuals with androgenic alopecia often have DHT bound to their scalp’s hair follicles. This binding actually causes hair loss by shrinking the follicles and suffocating the healthy hair so it is no longer able to survive. Eventually, it will shorten the hair growth cycle and prevent new hair from growing at all.
While the majority of DHT is found in our blood, it can also be found in sweat and sebum. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to wash your hair regularly, especially after sweating. This prevents the amount and length of time DHT sits on your scalp. DHT on the scalp clogs your pores and wreaks similar havoc on your hair follicles as it does when it is in your blood and binds to the receptors via cell transportation.
There are a few targeted treatments for hair loss caused by DHT; Nizoral shampoo, minoxidil (or Rogaine), and finasteride (or Propecia). These treatments have been shown to be effective in the majority of individuals who have DHT-caused hair loss and who use them properly and regularly.
Think you may have hair loss caused by DHT? If so, you’ll want to get started with medical management as soon as possible. Dr. Yazdan specializes in the medial management of hair loss and believes the best way to fight hair loss is to take an aggressive and consistent course of action. Give us a call for a medical management consultation today.
How does Minoxidil (Rogaine) work to stop hair loss?
Minoxidil or Rogaine is an anti-hypertensive vasodilator (high blood pressure) medication. In its topical form, its used to treat hair loss caused by androgen alopecia (male or female pattern baldness).
Minoxidil works by widening the hair follicles. This in turn creates thicker hair strands. Further, it prolongs the anagen state of hair growth which allows more hair strands to develop grow. Overall this increases hair density and creates thicker, fuller hair.
The efficacy of the medication ranges from 40%-60%. In other words, 40%-60% of individuals who use the medication see results. Minoxidil should be used on a consistent and regular basis to see noticeable results. It must be used indefinitely in order to continue seeing the results the medication provides.
Side effects have been reported such as itching, burning, redness, irritation, and allergic reactions. Some individuals have reported an increase in hair loss symptoms. But in general, minoxidil is safe and effective when used properly.
Minoxidil is a great treatment method to help stop the progression of hair loss. Dr. Yazdan believes when you’re in the throes of hair loss, the most important thing to do is protect and maintain the hairs you still have. This is because once a hair follicle dies, there is no bringing it back. Therefore, minoxidil nor any other medication can reverse hair loss in individuals whose hair follicles have died (in other words, someone whose hair loss has progressed).
Minoxidil is also a great treatment method used in conjunction with PRP therapy, laser therapy, and hair transplant surgery. The medication can increase the efficacy of the treatments, allowing you to see more results faster.
If you are suffering from hair loss and would like to learn if you’re a candidate for minoxidil or a more intensive course of treatment, give us a call for a medical management consultation.
Is your hair a lost cause?
What’s next for those who are not candidates for hair transplant surgery or medical management?
Losing hair and balding can take a toll on even the most confident man’s self-esteem. Not only does it cause some to have embarrassment, it can also age you tremendously. Hair restoration surgery allows us to regain the confidence and youth we lost some years ago with our hair. And medical management can be a great tool to stop and reverse recent hair loss.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for medical management or even hair transplant surgery. Whether it’s due a poor donor area, a potential complication with the surgery, or hair loss that’s progressed too far. This can be heart-breaking news to anyone searching to solve their hair loss problems.
Fortunately, there is an option for those non-candidates to take back control of their scalp. Laser hair removal for the scalp has been a great tool for those who are balding. While it may be hard for some to part with what hair they have left, others find liberation and confidence in a polished look.
Laser hair removal is fast, effective, and affordable. If you’d like to learn more about laser hair removal for the scalp, give us a call today for a free consultation.
Finasteride (Propecia) for hair loss – what is it and who can use it?
Finasteride (or Propecia) is most commonly used to treat urinary problems that are the result of an enlarged prostate gland. Finasteride is considered a steroid reductase inhibitor and works by reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. Less DHT means a smaller prostate gland, which in turn resolves the urinary problems.
For individuals that have hair loss caused by an excess of DHT in the body, finasteride can prove useful. In these cases, the reduced DHT allows hair growth to increase and hair loss to slow.
Finasteride should be used by adult men only. While the drug hasn’t shown that it causes harm to women, it also hasn’t shown enough evidence that it helps them either. The most recent research still deems the efficacy of Finasteride in female pattern baldness controversial.
As with any medication, there are some important side effects that should be noted. The most prominent is a decreased sexual drive. Additionally, the drug may also affect fertility.
When deciding whether to start a medication, one should always weigh the pros and cons with an experienced and certified doctor. Together, you can come to a conclusion as to whether the benefit is greater than the risk of side effects.
Here at Modena, we specialize in the medical management of hair loss. Upon evaluation of your scalp and hair loss history by Dr. Yazdan, a determination can be made as to if you would be a good candidate for finasteride treatment.
If you’re experiencing hair loss and would like to explore your options, give us a call for a medical management consultation today.
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.
Is stress causing you to lose your hair?
We’ve all heard that stress can cause our hair to fall out – but is this actually true? According to the Mayo Clinic, yes! There are three types of hair loss that are correlated with high stress levels. They are telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata.
Telogen effluvium – this condition causes hair follicles to be converted into a resting phase. The affected hairs can then fall out suddenly during brushing and washing.
Trichotillomania – this condition has more to do with hair pulling as a coping mechanism for stress. Some individuals utilize hair pulling as a way of dealing with negative feelings, such as stress.
Alopecia areata – although there are many factors that can cause this condition, severe stress is thought to play a role in some patients. Stress can affect our immune system which then attacks our own hair follicles causing hair loss.
The good news about stress related hair loss is that it isn’t permanent for most patients IF you can get your stress under control. Of course, that’s easier said than done. But, the important thing to keep in mind is that living a healthy lifestyle involves more than just adding vegetables to our dinner and going for a walk occasionally. Our mental health plays a huge role in our complete wellbeing. If we don’t take care of all aspects of our wellbeing, we may find that our bodies are negatively impacted.
Here at Modena, Dr. Yazdan specializes in the medical management of hair loss. Our clientele often face extremely stressful environments. We are skilled in evaluating the condition of your hair loss and determining the exact cause, utilizing tests and lab work. Once we know the cause we can begin working towards correcting the problem.
If you think stress is causing your hair loss and you aren’t sure how to reverse or stop the process, give us a call for a consultation.
Laser therapy for hair loss
Although half of all men experience hair loss, many don’t see a hair transplant surgeon until much of their volume is gone. This is unfortunate because once a hair follicle has died, there is no bringing it back to life. That’s why it’s so important protect the hair we have now.
Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to treat hair loss is to be as proactive as possible. As soon as you start noticing thinning or hair loss you should be taking steps to maintain and protect your current volume and density from future and continued hair loss. Laser therapy can be a great tool to prevent future hair loss, even reversing hair loss and thinning in the right candidates.
Laser therapy is a great option for those looking for a treatment with no known side effects and a high success rate. The treatment is extremely easy to use – simply put the laser cap on and let it do its work! Dr. Yazdan likes to use his laser therapy cap while working on the computer or driving to work. Instructions are easy to understand and you can multi-task while getting the treatment.
Perhaps you’re interested in taking a more aggressive course of action towards your hair loss… Laser therapy can be used in conjunction with PRP treatments, medications, shampoos, and even hair transplant surgeries. In fact – it often increases the efficacy of these treatments and procedures.
If you’re interested in learning more about laser therapy for hair loss and want to know if you’re the right candidate for it – give us a call for a free consultation today.
Does it really matter which hair transplant surgeon performs your surgery?
The answer to this question is a resounding – yes! Not all hair transplant surgeons are created equal. The last thing anyone who is seeking a hair transplant surgery wants is to come out of the surgery with a worse situation than before. We’ve seen this time and time again: quality matters. It is much more difficult to fix a botched surgery than it is to do it right the first time. This can happen if you don’t do your due diligence in researching an expert hair restoration surgeon.
So how we can make sure our potential hair transplant surgeon is the right fit?
First and foremost, do your research. A qualified surgeon with expertise will have before and after pictures, plenty of information on their practice, and positive reviews.
Next, ask lots of questions. It is important to know what types of surgeries your doctor performs, if he does them by hand or machine, and what his success rate is. A qualified hair restoration surgeon will be more than happy to answer any questions, making you feel comfortable and confident in proceeding with surgery.
Above all else, utilize your resources. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons is the leading authority on hair loss. If your potential doctor isn’t a member of the ISHRS, there may be a reason; it’s possible they may not be certified as a hair transplant surgeon.
Dr. Yazdan is not only a member of the ISHRS but he has over 10 years of experience with hair transplants and has conducted thousands of successful surgeries. There are a plethora of case studies, before and after pictures, and testimonials available right here on our website.
While hair transplant surgery is minimally invasive, it is important to realize that is a surgery requiring extensive medical expertise. Protect your hair and appearance and ensure your surgeon is qualified, has had proper training, experience, and certifications.
Do hair growth vitamins really work?
We’ve all seen them on the shelves at our local store as well as advertisements on television. But do hair growth vitamins really help us achieve healthy, longer, thicker hair?
To answer this question we must first educate ourselves on what exactly is in these vitamins. Though exact ingredients and profiles vary brand to brand, most hair growth vitamins contain some combination of vitamin c, vitamin a, vitamin b3, fatty acids, collagen, folic acid, and biotin.
These nutrients are essential to hair growth in humans. According to manufacturers’ claims, these vitamins can stimulate hair growth, prevent hair loss, promote healthy texture, fight dryness and damage, decrease scalp flaking, and prevent breakage.
Sounds great but do they actually work? While there is promising research that these nutrients are beneficial to our hair as well our skin and nails, some of the doses needed to see results are much higher than any found in an over the counter capsule. That being said – they don’t hurt. If there is a vitamin deficiency at the root of your hair problems, increasing your vitamin intake can be a good place to start.
Just don’t be unrealistic about the results. While hair growth vitamins can help some people, they aren’t a miracle cure for hair loss and won’t help in more severe clinical hair loss cases. If you fall into the latter category, we suggest meeting with a qualified hair transplant surgeon who specializes in medical management to figure out where to begin.
Can a medical condition be causing your hair loss?
While most hair loss is caused by a hereditary condition called male-pattern and female-pattern baldness, some cases may be caused by more serious medical conditions.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many medical conditions that can be at the root of your hair loss problems. I’ve outlined some of the more common hair loss causing medical conditions below.
Thyroid problems/Hormonal imbalance: Many individuals don’t realize the important role hormones play in hair growth. When our hormones are imbalanced or going through rapid changes, this can cause our hair to thin, fall out, and even stop growing all together! Constant hormone imbalance can be a sign of a thyroid condition.
Alopecia Areata: Alopecia is a medical condition in which a patient’s immune system attacks their own hair follicles. This causes smooth bald patches to present on the scalp.
Infection: Although we don’t often think of our scalp being the same thing as our skin, our scalp is in fact made up of epidermis and dermis. Our scalp is therefore susceptible to infections, just like the rest of our skin. Infections can penetrate the scalp and cause patches of hair loss.
Chronic illnesses: Any ongoing chronic illness can cause hair loss. More serious conditions such as heavy metal poisoning, sarcoidosis, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and lupus can cause hair to become brittle and fall out.
Medications: Hair loss can be a side effect of certain medications. Drugs used to treat arthritis, depression, heart issues, high blood pressure, and even birth control have been shown to cause hair loss.
Think your hair loss might be caused by a more serious underlying condition? Dr. Yazdan specializes in the medical management of hair loss. Upon reviewing medical history and patient records, as well as testing and analyzing a small sample of the patient’s hair follicle and scalp tissue, he can determine the cause of your hair loss. Give us a call for a consultation and find out what’s causing your hair loss today.
PRP – Who benefits from it?
Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP Therapy has been gaining popularity recently. For those who are unfamiliar with the therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma is derived from your own blood. This plasma contains growth factors and healing agents. Using a small amount of blood, the doctor separates the platelets and activates them. These platelets are then injected into the scalp and get to work decreasing inflammation and promoting healing and hair growth.
We know PRP is an effective treatment for hair loss, but who is it most effective on? The great thing about PRP Therapy is that it is effective on both men and women. Unlike certain prescription medications that are reserved only for men, PRP does not discriminate. We have seen amazing results on both our male and female patients. PRP also works on people of all ages. Some of you may have seen Dr. Yazdan on the Doctors TV show performing PRP on an eight year old patient with trauma scarring.
While PRP Therapy can be used in conjunction with hair transplant surgery, it is also a great solo tool for those who may not be ideal surgery candidates. You are an ideal PRP candidate if you are experiencing ANY thinning or hair loss, even if just a small amount. PRP decreases inflammation around thinning hair follicles which leads to thicker and denser hair. In addition, it prevents the dying off of follicles, which means PRP can actually save your hair and stop hair loss in its tracks, thus making it an ideal treatment for anyone who is just beginning to notice hair loss and thinning.
So, what can you expect after starting your PRP Therapy at Modena Hair Institute? Results begin to be visible after about three weeks and gradually increase over the following months. Dr. Yazdan recommends patients do at least four sessions to see desirable results. You can also increase results at home by utilizing dermal rolling.
Dr. Yazdan believes the best defense in fighting hair loss is preventing it. So start fighting back against your hair loss and give us a call, today!
How often should you wash your hair?
There are a lot of differing opinions on this topic for both men and women. There are many factors that contribute to how often you should wash your hair. For example, if your hair is curly vs straight, long vs short, thin vs thick. Further, how often you sweat and what products you use can also play a role in how often you wash your hair.
There are benefits to washing your hair everyday as well as washing your hair less frequently. If you are using gels, hairsprays, and other products, washing your hair everyday can be beneficial. Letting these products sit on your scalp can cause irritation and dryness since they clog your pores.
If you sweat often or exercise daily, you may also want to wash your hair daily. Sweat contains lactic acid and DHT which can cause hair loss in some people.
If your hair is naturally oily, this would also be ideal for daily washing. Oils or ‘sebum’ can build up on the scalp and clog the pores. Sebum also contains DHT, the potential hair-loss causing hormone.
The type of hair you have (curly, long, thick, etc.) can determine how sebum moves through and builds up on your hair. Straight, thin hair often shows oil more significantly.
So now we know when we should wash our hair, but can washing it too frequently be bad for us?
Yes. The oils our hair secretes are our body’s way of naturally conditioning our hair. If we’re constantly stripping our hair of its natural oils it can dry out and appear frizzy and unhealthy.
Additionally, if we’re not using quality shampoos, we can be stripping our hair of its nutrients. Many cheap shampoos contain harsh chemicals such as sulfates. These chemicals are known to cause hair and scalp problems.
If you are experiencing any hair loss, considering investing in a good shampoo and washing more often. Ease up on the gels and products that can clog our pores and constrict the hair follicles. Here at Modena, we stand by prevention as the best way to fight hair loss. If you have begun noticing hair loss or thinning and would like to learn more about ways to protect your hair and prevent future hair loss, give us a call for a hair loss management consultation.
Are women good candidates for hair transplant surgery?
Women can experience hair loss similar to men. It is often genetic and known as female pattern baldness or FPB. This often occurs during hormonal changes, like during menopause.
The difference between male and female hair loss is that women’s hair loss appears differently. Men often experience receding hair lines and balding of the crown. Women often experience diffuse thinning, meaning, the hair becomes very thin throughout the entire scalp. This can make it difficult to transplant hair follicles. If all the hair follicles (including in the donor area) are thinning and becoming weak, they are not going to be strong enough to sustain transplantation.
There is another type of hair loss that women commonly experience. It is known as traction alopecia. This is a fancy term to describe hair loss as a result of tension. This tension can be caused by braids, weaves, and hair ties. The constant tension created by pulling on the hair causes strong new hairs to not grow back. Unfortunately, this damage is permanent. But the good news is, hair transplant surgeries are effective on this type of hair loss.
If you are a woman experiencing diffuse thinning hair loss, you may not be the best candidate for surgery. Thankfully, here at Modena Hair Center, Dr. Yazdan is skilled in utilizing alternative methods of hair growth, specifically for women experiencing hair loss. We have seen fantastic results with PRP therapy and laser therapy on our female patients. If you would like to learn more about how to reverse your hair loss, give us a call today.
Depression caused by hair loss
The appearance of our hair plays a big role in our overall appearance. It’s no surprise to many that our self-esteem is directly tied to our mood and self-worth. For those who have experienced hair loss, it is not uncommon for them to suffer from low self-esteem, low self-worth, and depression.
This is especially common in individuals who would not expect to be experiencing the hair loss they are. This can be because they are too young or female, it can also occur when the hair loss is a result of an underlying medical condition. Regardless of the cause of hair loss or demographic of the patient, hair loss can have a tremendous effect on our overall well-being.
If you are experiencing hair loss and are suffering from depression as a result, know that you’re not alone. We all like to look and feel our best. In fact, looking and feeling out best is directly tied to our happiness.
The first step in addressing your hair loss is to visit a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. After all medical conditions have been ruled out, take comfort in knowing you have options. There have been tremendous advancements in hair restoration both surgical and nonsurgical.
Here at Modena, we specialize in more than just hair transplant surgeries. Dr. Yazdan is skilled in the medical management of hair loss and alternative methods to stimulate hair growth. The best way to fight hair loss is to be proactive. Hair loss, if not treated, often continues to get worse over time. Give us a call today to see what options you may be a candidate for.
Does hair coloring damage men’s hair?
Hair dying is extremely popular among both men and women. In fact, the Huffington Post states “it drives the beauty industry.” But what is hair dye really doing to our hair?
In order for hair dye to effectively color your hair, ammonia is used to lift up the hair’s cuticle (the protective covering around your hair’s shaft). Peroxide is then used to destroy the current color of the hair. This is when the damage begins. You’ve lost your protective covering and harmed the hair. Then the dye is placed. Once it’s been placed your hair begins absorbing it and the cuticle seals again.
But for most people, the damage has been done. The longer the cuticle is lifted the more dried out the hair becomes. The peroxide actually strips your hair of its nutrients. When someone has hair that feels brittle and straw like, it is often the result of a bad dye job. Not as common, but still a situation that happens to some individuals who dye their hair, is hair thinning and hair loss. This can occur when the chemicals come in contact with the scalp and cause a reaction.
So what is the solution? If you are concerned about your hair and are sensitive to treatments and dyes, it may be best to avoid hair coloring all together. For those who don’t want to give up hair coloring just yet, there are some things you can do to ensure the health of your hair through the hair coloring process. Many salons now offer options to add protein treatments to the hair coloring process. These proteins (often keratin) work to add nutrients back into the hair while the cuticle is open. This reduces the amount of harm hair coloring can have and can leave your hair feeling nourished, soft, and shiny.
It is important to take care of and protect our hair to the best of our ability. Dr. Yazdan believes the best way to treat hair loss is to prevent it. The things you do now to take care of your hair will influence your future hair’s health and appearance.
