Archive for the ‘ Hair Loss Care ’ Category

Darren* was constantly worried about his hair loss when he went outside and wanted a hair loss cure.  Not only was he self conscious of others seeing his hair loss, but his thinning hair was exposing his scalp to the elements.  Over the last decade Darren’s hair had shed steadily, his once thick hair was losing density in the crown and each year he noticed his temples recede a little further.

It had taken 2 years, but after a lot of thought and research into a hair loss cure the 41 year old footy fanatic went to Ashley and Martin’s website to submit an internet enquiry.

The consultant who looked after him at his free consultation asked Darren about his medical history and family history of hair loss.  Darren’s grandfather had gone bald and to try and avoid this himself Darren had tried using over the counter remedies with no success.  The consultant looked at his pattern of hair loss and together with the family history diagnosed him with Male Pattern Hair Loss, Norwood III vertex.

A week after his initial appointment Darren came back to the clinic to enrol on a RealGROWTH^® program.  Darren’s life choices involved being fit and eating well and with no dietary factors impacting his hair loss or contraindications to commencing a RealGROWTH^® program, the doctor prescribed his topical solution and anti-androgen tablets.

Darren continued to come to the clinic regularly for Low Level Laser Therapy to get the best results from his medications program.  Sixteen weeks in to his program Darren was amazed he had found his hair loss cure.  He could not believe how much thicker his hair was all over and the amount of new growth in his temples.  Even other people had noticed the difference in his hair.  A friend had noticed his new hair was growing through making his hair look darker and his wife had noticed it was looking thicker.  The self esteem issues Darren had been experiencing had left him and he no longer thought about his hair when leaving the house.

Have you ever tried to read the ingredients on the back of a bottle of shampoo and conditioner?

A long list of long words with innumerable z’s and y’s doesn’t look worthy of bed-time reading. But you will be doing yourself a favour understanding these ingredients and what they do because, in most cases, you’ll find that they can actually do more harm than good to your hair.

Let’s have a look at some of the most common ingredients in supermarket shampoos and conditioners.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (aka sodium lauryl ether sulfate)

What is it? As well as taking the top spot in most shampoos, SLS is also commonly found in dishwashing detergent. Why? It makes foam; it has an emulsifying action which separates molecules, creating an effective lather for cleaning.

Why should you avoid it? We should be careful with SLS because it is a known skin irritant, and can cause corrosion. Ouch.

Amodimethicone

What is it? Amodimethicone is a family of modified silicones that make great conditioning and agents, and they are attracted to areas that are in need of moisturising more than others. They help hold the cuticle flat, so you can comb wet or dry hair with ease.

Why should you avoid it? Once this silicone is on the hair, it stays latched on through several washes. This means moisture and protein aren’t able to get to the hair shaft.

Isopropyl Alcohol

What is it? Isopropyl alcohol is used in shampoos because it dissolves grease.

Why should you avoid it? The basic fact that this petroleum-derived chemical compound is an alcohol should be enough to ward anyone off from letting it go near their hair. Because isopropyl alcohol is so good at cutting through oil, it can strip your hair of its moisture if you regularly use a product that contains it.

It’s helpful to remember than when picking a good shampoo, you can’t have your cake and it eat too: there will never be an effective product that doesn’t contain at least one not-that-great ingredient. But armed with the right information, you’ll be able to pick your battles better.

Hair loss is most definitely not an issue that exists solely in men. Many women will experience some form of it in their lifetime, which is reason enough to get the facts. While the things that cause hair to shed are many and varied, adhering to good hair care advice will always be beneficial.

Below are 5 tips to make that easier.

Stop Over-Brushing

Brushing does help to keep hair healthy, but over-brushing can become an issue, as it creates split-ends, the result of damage and breakage. Of course, this is not to suggest doing away with any method for untangling hair; a comb with wide teeth would be suitable for removing knots following a shower.

Take Care of Yourself

This seems like a bit of a vague tip, but it’s an important one! The body’s processes are mostly connected in one way or another, so wellbeing is as crucial to maintaining great hair as the other tips on this list. This goes beyond simply eating right and exercising; it’s also about avoiding stress where possible, and getting a healthy amount of sleep.

Take Note of Styling Tools

There are a great number of heat-based styling tools available for use, which are ubiquitous in salons and homes alike. Occasional use of these tools is fine, but daily exposure to high heat like blow dryers, straightening irons and curling wands can dry out and damage hair, leading to breakage.

When to Wash

When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, select products that are designed for your hair type. This brings in a range of factors, such as scalp condition, and colour. Choosing can be a little tough, and requires some research. But remember, the most expensive products are not necessarily the best! For most people, washing hair two times a week is sufficient, which can then be air-dried rather than using a blow dryer.

Hair loss is something many women will experience in their lifetime, and a good hair care routine can go a long way toward minimising the risk of it. The core of that routine is regularly washing hair with high-quality products. By the same token, it should be noted that in some circles, foregoing conditioner, or hair products altogether, is popular.

However, when it comes to hair loss, that is definitely not the best course of action. Below, you’ll find some of the essential pointers for establishing a good hair routine.

Selecting hair products

Selection of shampoo and conditioner can be a daunting task, with so many different types available. This choice is actually a good thing, with the potential to have a product more closely cater to your hair type. Certain types add volume to hair, which is especially helpful for thin or limp hair. In other cases, hair can be dry, which means a moisturising conditioner is absolutely essential.

A deep massage

Washing one’s hair is not solely about removing dirt and other impurities; it’s also very much about stimulation. Most hair products come with instructions to massage them deeply into the scalp while washing, and there’s a reason for that. Outside of washing, we rarely stimulate our own scalps, which is good for blood flow and, in turn, hair growth.

When washing hair, shampoo should be deeply rubbed into the scalp, as well as the length of hair. Conditioner, on the other hand, does its work solely in the hair, and so need not be massaged in.

The Benefit of Conditioner

High-quality conditioners are designed to help strengthen hair and prevent breakage, which is a form of hair loss. That familiar feeling of smooth hair that comes after conditioning is not only pleasant to the touch; it also makes brushing and combing much easier. That goes a long way to stopping hair from being pulled out in the process.