The Hair Loss Medicine Show and Smart Consumerism
Buyer Beware
Television is packed with them, the Internet is bursting at the seams with them, and print ads and junk mail bring them into your home en masse. They are hair loss snake oils, gimmicks promising products that will cure, stop, or otherwise end hair loss. Sadly, most companies offering such hair loss products and services are unethical and their ultimate goal is not to cure hair loss, but to finagle money out of your wallet.
Smart Consumerism: Three Simple Rules
The first rule of smart consumerism is don’t believe everything you hear. Many companies will tell you their product is “the number one cure” or “top selling” item in the industry. Saying something doesn’t make it so. While there are some rules and regulations about how companies can represent products through advertising, there are endless loopholes and ways in which these companies can manipulate language to present their products as effective or useful when in fact, they are neither.
The second rule of smart consumerism is don’t believe everything you see. Before and after photos are often used as selling points to try and convince you to purchase products. Keep in mind that a skilled photographer or photo manipulating software can completely alter an image to make it seem as through hair loss has been minimized or that hair regrowth has been achieved. Some before and after shots are the exact same image with slightly different lighting or angles. Some are even touched up after the photo has been processed.
The third and final of rule of smart consumerism is research. It only takes moments to get online and conduct a little research into any company or product. However, it’s crucial to be wary when using the Internet.
One way to make sure you’re not being fooled by a glamorized medicine show is to check with The American Hair Loss Association, the nation’s foremost non-profit organization. The American Hair Loss Association works to educate the public, the media, health care professionals, and legislators about hair loss and they are a trusted and credible resource for hair loss sufferers.
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, Hair loss treatments, hair loss–scams, Provillus, Scalp MedThe History of Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant surgery originated in Japan. In 1939, Dr. Okuda, a Japanese dermatologist developed a breakthrough process to restore hair loss caused by scalp injuries and for burn victims. He used a punch technique, which involved extracting small sections of hair-bearing skin and implanting these into even smaller holes in the areas where skin had been damaged. Once these grafts healed, they produced hair in areas that were previously bald.
Just a few years later another Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Tamura, improved upon Okuda’s method by minimizing the size of the grafts down to one to three hairs each. He was working with women and restoring hair in the pubic area. The surgery that Dr. Tamura developed is quite similar to surgeries that are still performed to this day.
Because these innovative developments in hair restoration surgery occurred around the time of World War II, they did not become accessible in the U.S. until many years later.
During the early 1950s, New York dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich completed the first hair transplant in the United States for a man who had male pattern baldness. Orentreich faced much criticism for the procedure that he’d developed. His technique was similar to Dr. Okuda’s, and did not render attractive or natural looking results. He did, however, establish that hair on the back and sides of a man’s scalp was not prone to balding.
Hair transplants became a more sought after cosmetic procedure by the 1960s, but because the early procedures were largely ineffective and extremely unnatural in appearance, hair transplant surgery developed a negative reputation which unfortunately plagues the field to this day. It took almost three decades for hair transplant surgeons to develop significant improvements to these early methods.
In the 1990s, follicular unit transplantion was introduced and changed the hair transplant field forever. Finally, the old stigmas could be dismissed and hair restoration could become a viable option for hair loss sufferers.
Today, surgeons continue to improve upon hair transplant techniques. Today’s techniques produce stunning results and are increasingly embraced by hair loss sufferers.
To learn more about what to look for when considering hair transplant surgery, visit the what to look for when considering hair transplant surgery section at The American Hair Loss Association website.
And remember, never underestimate the importance of choosing the right hair transplant surgeon. Make sure your doctor is a member of The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS.ORG).
~Spencer Kobren
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, hair transplant, hair transplant surgery, history, iahrs.org, spencer kobrenMoney for Nothing Hair Loss Treatments
The idea behind hair loss treatments is that you give money to someone, preferably an ethical, qualified professional, and they help you arrest your hair loss. Ideally, they will help you regrow some of your hair.
In the real world, this isn’t what usually happens. Frequently, hair loss sufferers are so desperate to stop the balding process or trigger regrowth that they’ll put their scalp and their money on the line and in the hands of just about anyone who promises to fix the problem.
In a recent article titled Hair Growth Treatment Leaves Big Hole in Woman’s Wallet, the Chicago Tribune reports that Shelley Lindsay, a forty-year-old hairdresser, paid almost eleven thousand dollars for a hair loss treatment in which she was offered a money back guarantee. Sounds promising, doesn’t it?
The regimen was strict. It involved sitting under a futuristic laser device, applying tonics to her hair twice daily, and taking three pills plus dietary supplements every day for six months.
At the end of the treatment period, Lindsay saw no results. Steven Bennis of the Natural Hair Growth Institute in Deerfield extended treatments for another month. Still no results.
Lindsay wanted her money back. Of course, Bennis refused. Unfortunately, Lindsay had signed a contract that gave Bennis the power of deciding whether or not the treatment worked and ultimately, he had final say in whether a refund was warranted. He ruled that it was not.
What we have here is a typical he-said-she-said scenario. Bennis says the treatment worked. Lindsay says it did not. Each has their own photos and other evidence to support their claims. However, this is a case that is unlikely to go to court since Lindsay signed that contract and agreed to give Bennis the power of judgment over the success of the treatment.
The Natural Hair Growth Institute might be nothing more than a scam. Shelley Lindsay might be the con artist in this situation. It’s doubtful we’ll ever find out the true before and after hair count for Shelley’s treatment. But there is something we can learn.
There are a countless number of unethical people out there trying to provide you with hair loss treatments. Sure, a couple of of them work. However, the vast majority are nothing more than snake oils. And nothing says snake oil like a service provider who offers a money back guarantee in which the snake oil provider gets to decide whether that refund is deserved.
Hair loss sufferers and other people who are looking for products and services that alter one’s appearance must arm themselves with the realization that there are companies and so-called professionals who lie for a living. They will take your money, wave their arms around and utter some magical babble then hold out a mirror and insist you now have twice as much as hair on your head.
Don’t believe the hype. Do your research, get referrals, and don’t sign any contracts that fail to protect you or require you to give up your consumer rights. In other words, don’t let the frustration of hair loss drive you to make foolish decisions.
Be a smart hair loss treatment consuemer and remember to check with The American Hair Loss Association before buying any product or service to treat your hair loss.
~Spencer Kobren
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, hair loss, hair loss treatment scams, Hair loss treatments, low level laser light therapy, spencer kobrenHair Loss in Children (Part Two) – Additional Causes and Treatments
In a previous article, we looked at the two most common causes of hair loss in children, tinea capitis and alopecia areata. Although those are the most likely causes, they are not the only ones. Trauma and a condition called telogen effluvium can also cause hair loss in the young.
Trauma
Trauma to the hair shaft is often caused by traction, which is the result of tight braids and ponytails worn consistently. Trauma may also be caused by friction, such as when the head is constantly rubbing against a bed or wheelchair. Chemical burns are another form of trauma.
Trichotillomania is the habit of twirling and plucking the hair. It’s considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is difficult to treat. It also causes trauma to the hair shaft.
If the actions that are causing trauma to the hair shaft can be eliminated, hair will usually re-grow.
Hair follicles have long growth phases (two to six years), which are followed by brief transitional phases in which the follicle degenerates. Next, there is a resting phase (about three months) when the follicle is dormant. This is the final or telogen phase. After the telogen phase, the growth cycle starts all over. New hairs grow and push out old hair shafts.
At any given time, eighty to ninety percent of the follicles are in growth phase and five percent are in the transition phase. Ten to fifteen percent of follicles are in the telogen phase, which means 50-150 hairs are shed daily.
Children suffering from telogen effluvium have a hair growth cycle that is being interrupted, causing many or all hairs to be in the telogen (final or shedding) phase.
Telogen effluvium can be caused by high fevers, surgery under general anesthesia, an excess of vitamin A, severe stress or injuries, and use of certain prescription medications (such as accutane for acne).
While telogen effluvium is devastating and can be difficult to cope with, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. After whatever is causing the hair loss has passed or been eliminated, full and normal hair growth should begin again within six months to a year.
If your child is suffering with hair loss, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention and remember, contact The American Hair Loss Association before buying any product or service for the treatment of hair loss.
~Spencer Kobren
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, children, hair loss, spencer kobren, telogen effluvium, treatments, TrichotillomaniaHair Loss in Children – The Most Common Causes
If you think hair loss in children is extremely rare, you’ll be surprised to learn it’s not that uncommon. Approximately three percent of all pediatric visits in the U.S. are related to children’s hair loss. Hair loss is difficult for most adults. When it comes to children, it’s heartbreaking.
The good news is that most children who suffer from hair loss can be successfully treated. The key is early and accurate diagnosis. That’s why it’s crucial to get pediatric advice from a medical professional as soon as hair loss is noticed.
There are a number of conditions that cause hair loss in children. Tinea capitis and alopecia areata are the most common.
Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)
Tinea capitis is the single most common cause of hair loss in children and is brought on by a fungal infection. It causes patchy hair loss and broken hairs. Patches are usually round or oval but can take various shapes. Gray flakes may also be present.
It is treated with an oral antifungal medication taken for eight weeks along with Nizoral shampoo, which is used on the scalp 2-3 times per week. For treatment to succeed, this regimen must be followed precisely. Children using the treatment are not contagious.
Alopecia Areata
With alopecia areata, oval patches appear suddenly and they are completely bald and smooth. There is no inflammation, flaking, or broken hair. This condition affects one in a thousand children and twenty-five percent of these children will also have pitting and ridging of the nails.
Treatment is usually provided by a dermatologist and a large percentage of children will have all of their hair back within a year. None of the treatments currently available cure alopecia areata but they can help reverse the symptoms.
Other Conditions
Other conditions that may cause hair loss in children include trauma and telogen effluvium. These will be explored in a later article.
~Spencer Kobren
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, Children’s hair loss, hair loss, spencer kobren, telogen effluvium, Tinea capitisThe National Alopecia Areata Foundation
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) has one thing on its mind: hair loss. The NAAF focuses exclusively on one type of hair loss, alopecia areata, and provides various support for both sufferers of alopecia areata and those who are seeking to cure and treat the disease.
What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia Areata is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss. Two in a hundred people suffer from alopecia areata and it can affect anyone – men, women, and children are all susceptible. Hair loss is sudden and can occur literally overnight, appearing in oval, circular or irregularly shaped bald patches on the scalp.
You can learn more about presentation, diagnosis, and treatment at the American Hair Loss Association’s Alopecia Areata page.
What is the NAAF?
The NAAF is a non-profit organization that is led by an all-volunteer board of directors and a scientific advisory council. The NAAF was founded in 1981 and is the biggest and most influential foundation that works on behalf of researchers and hair loss sufferers who deal with alopecia areata.
The organization’s mission is clearly stated on their website, which you can visit at www.naaf.org:
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) supports research to find a cure or acceptable treatment for alopecia areata, supports those with the disease, and educates the public about alopecia areata. The mission is accomplished by:
• Funding research and research workshops that add to the scientific knowledge about alopecia areata, its causes, and different treatments.
• Providing local support and education for people with alopecia areata and their families.
• Informing the public about alopecia areata.
• Advocating the concerns of people affected alopecia areata.
• Creating and distributing educational materials to health professionals as well as those affected, so that all may better understand alopecia areata.
Support
The NAAF has established support groups all across the globe, as well as an extensive support network. The support is provided to individuals with alopecia areata as well as their families and friends. You can learn more by visiting the NAAF’s support page.
The extensive support network offers a pen pal program, online message boards, telephone contacts, and several other ways that people who are dealing with alopecia areata can connect, share information, and provide support. The NAAF website has a network page you can visit to get more information about joining a network.
Getting Help
Dealing with alopecia areata is trying and can be quite devastating. The NAAF works toward finding a cure and viable treatments while providing much-needed support for those who have been affected by this disease. If you or someone you love is suffering from alopecia areata, get in touch with the NAAF and find out how they can help you.
Also remember to check with The American Hair Loss Association before you purchase any product or treatment to treat your hair loss.
Technorati Tags: alopecia areata, American Hair Loss Association, hair loss, National Alopecia Areata FoundationHow To Help a Loved One Cope with Hair Loss
Many people think hair loss is a laughing matter but most hair loss sufferers do not agree. The experience is different for everyone. For some, it’s a mild annoyance; for others, it’s traumatic.
When someone you love is dealing with hair loss, you can step up and become part of their support system. The worst thing you can do is make hair loss more difficult than it already is.
What to avoid
First and foremost, you should never mention a person’s hair loss or baldness in a moment of anger. Using hair loss as an insult is hitting way below the belt and referring to it in a negative or derogatory manner borders on abusive.
Some people who are bald or balding will make fun of their own hair loss. Using humor as a coping mechanism can be beneficial and laughter is excellent medicine. However, when it comes to teasing, tread carefully.
It’s one thing to laugh at yourself. It’s another thing entirely when other people are laughing at you. Some people are more sensitive to this than others. A good rule of thumb is to never tease a hair loss sufferer, even if they tease themselves.
What you can do
When a person complains about hair loss, the best thing you can do is downplay the effects of balding on the person’s appearance or self worth and focus on the positive. Sometimes a hair loss sufferer needs to be reminded that you love them but not just for their hair. With this said, don’t discount the realty of how hair loss affects a person’s self esteem.
Keep in mind that how a hair loss sufferer deals with balding is ultimately up to him or her. Some will decided to seek treatment through medicine or surgery. Others will use a wig or hairpiece to deal with their hair loss. Some will not do anything at all.
Whatever a person decides as the best course of action for dealing with hair loss, be supportive of that decision. Do not encourage a person to seek a treatment such as surgery or use a wig unless they discuss their desire to look into these options. Commit to being a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.
Technorati Tags: American Hair Loss Association, Coping, hair loss, hair loss treatment, hair transplant, wigs
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