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.
Tag Archives: hair loss treatment
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.
How many grafts do you need for your hair transplant surgery?
This is a question that is often asked on the message boards and over the phone by potential patients. Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered without a consultation with an experienced hair transplant surgeon. The reason is: everyone’s case is different.
There are many factors that go into the graft number. The stage of hair loss, the quality of the donor area, the number of follicles that can be received from the donor area, the goals of the patient, and the medical history all play a role in the estimated graft number. During a consultation, the doctor can evaluate the scalp and these various factors and develop an estimated graft count for surgery.
Sometimes, a very high number of grafts is needed to achieve the patient’s goals. In this case, the doctor may suggest multiple surgeries.
An important thing to keep in mind when getting graft quotes from hair transplant surgeons, is that not all grafts are created equal. Some doctors (or machines) boast of high graft extraction numbers. Having an excessive amount of grafts is of no benefit if the grafts have been damaged during extraction (such as when they are suctioned out). Damaged grafts do no grow once transplanted.
If you would like to find out more about the hand extracted methods of surgery used at Modena Hair Center, give us a call today.
Oils for Natural Hair Loss Prevention
Natural health remedies are all the rage as of late. Coconut oil seems to be the front runner, boasting such health benefits as improved brain function, improved immunity, promotion of heart health, improved digestion, boosts energy… the list goes on. Some homeopathic sources are promoting oils for hair loss. Let’s evaluate the research to see if there’s any truth to this claim.
Natural oils contain excellent nourishing properties. Coconut oil, in particular, has been shown to penetrate well within the hair shaft. This acts as a sealant and prevents hair from losing moisture. Well moisturized hair is strong and less likely to suffer damage.
Almond oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that our hair craves. These vitamins nourish the hair and cause increased growth. Olive oil, castor oil, and lavender oil also have hair benefits. Olive oil’s natural fats play an important role in hair growth. Castor oil contains anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties which nourish the follicles. Lavender oil increases blood circulation.
To see any benefits from natural oils on your hair, you should massage the warmed oil (or combination of oils) on your hair every day. Let it soak for a couple of hours or overnight, and shampoo and rinse the next morning.
These natural oil remedies for your hair will most likely improve the texture and appearance. Whether they improve hair loss is still up for debate. The fact is, there just isn’t enough research either way. They won’t harm your hair so if you’re looking to improve your hair overall appearance and feel, natural oils can be beneficial.
Dr. Yazdan Offers Capillus™ Laser Cap for Hair Loss
IRVINE, CA (PRWEB) DECEMBER 16, 2015
The Modena Hair Institute welcomes patients to learn more about laser hair therapy with the Capillus272™, a nonsurgical hair loss treatment option that is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat androgenetic alopecia, or hair loss, in adults.
“We offer the Capillus272™ because it is an additional option for patients experiencing hair loss,” explains Dr. Amir Yazdan. “Because the device has FDA clearance, proven efficacy, and minimal side effect profile, we find it is a great tool for patients experiencing hair loss.”
Capillus272™ is a wearable laser therapy cap that patients can use at home. Cool laser light shines across the scalp when worn, stimulating blood flow and oxygen delivery directly to the hair follicles. In clinical trials, this simple yet effective method of nonsurgical hair restoration demonstrated the ability to improve hair count by 51% among study participants (study made available on ClinicalTrials.gov).
“We have seen fantastic results in patients who are both experiencing hair loss, and thinning, as well as patients who have had hair restoration procedures and would like to help maintain their natural hair,” Dr. Yazdan explains. By using Capillus™ for about 30 minutes every other day following transplant surgery, patients improve the flow of blood, oxygen, and growth factors to the scalp. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests such application of laser therapy post-procedure shortens healing time while also promoting thicker and fuller hair growth across the entire scalp.
Capillus™ is particularly popular among women who suffer with hair loss. Whereas male pattern baldness affects specific areas of the hairline and crown, female hair loss occurs in a more diffuse and spread-out manner that can be difficult to treat with a traditional hair transplant procedure. “We have seen exceptional results in women,” says Dr. Yazdan. “Especially [among] those who are not candidates for hair restoration procedures.”
Advanced Technology. Excellent Results.
Modena Hair Institute is a world class hair transplant facility with locations in Orange County and Las Vegas. Each physician is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) and trained in the latest methods of hair loss diagnosis and restoration. Patients trust Modena Hair Institute for hair loss treatment that is comprehensive, personalized, and enhanced with the industry’s leading techniques and technologies.
To learn more about hair loss or to schedule your confidential consultation, visit http://www.modenhair2.wpengine.com online or call 949-374-2563.
