This article is from Health Review Magazine, published quarterly by
Clearbrook
publishing*.
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HAIR LOSS, Treatment and Proper Care
 
BY  DR. JAMES  FREEMAN*
 
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD). there are over
100,000
hairs on the average head. To understand what scientists now know-how hair
thins and
eventually dies out completely-it's necessary to first know how hair grows.
Hair-a protein made from tiny cells lining a hole in the scalp called a
follicle-goes through
three phases during its lifetime: anagen , telogen and catagen. In the anagen
phase,  about
90 percent of the total scalp/hair population is actively growing at any one
time. This
growth cycle is followed by a telogen phase. During this period. 10 percent
of the hair
rests for three months, then falls out. When the new hair underneath pushes
the old one
from its longtime home in the scalp, it enters the catagen phase. Most
doctors agree that
losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is required for hair to continue replacing
itself.
It is now known that hair grows fastest in the summer, slowest in the winter,
speeds up
under heat and friction (massage), but slows down when exposed to cold. Hair
grows the
best between the ages of 15 to 30. But, hair growth begins to wind down
sometime
between the ages of 50 and 60.
Thinning hair, where the hair withers in its follicle to show more scalp than
when a person
was younger, can begin at any age after puberty and can precede actual
baldness-where
the follicle atrophies stops producing hair altogether-by as much as 10 years
or more.
What is the causes of post-pubescent thinning hair other than genetic trait?
In some
people, problems with hormone - producing organs including the adrenals,
pituitary,
ovaries, testes and thyroid is the cause of thinning. Your diet is very
important for proper
hair growth. According to the AAD, inadequate protein can cause protein
malnutrition,
especially among some vegetarians, people on crash diets that exclude
protein, and those
with severely abnormal eating habits. Hair sheds within two to three months
as person's
body tries to save protein by shifting the hair growth cycle into the
resulting phase. Too
much protein can also cause problems. Scientists have found that when protein
exceeds 15
percent to 20 percent of the daily diet, the body enters a negative mineral
balance, causing
hair to fall out in much the same way as if it had too little protein.
Disease can also be another cause. High fever, severe infecting, thyroid
disease or even a
severe case of the flu can cause hair to enter the resting phase as the body
seeks to heal
other areas. Cholesterol can build up in the follicle openings, causing clogs
of hardened
lipids that choke hair at the scalp line.
In addition , medications including beta blockers, blood thinners and and
drugs used to
treat gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure can
shut down
hair growth altogether.
On the other hand, medical researchers in Asia believe that hair loss is
caused mainly by
insufficient blood supply to the scalp, thus causing malnutrition in the hair
root. The so-
called 101 hair regrowth lotion is formulated based on this theory. 101 had
won several
international awards. According to Dr. Zhao, the inventor, 101 promotes blood
circulation
by removing blood stasis. The active compounds in this lotion are isolated
from plans.
Unlike other products, it has no side effect. According to Newsweek report in
March/28,
1988, there is no questioning its popularity with the 3 million bald folks in
Japan. Masashi
Sada, a popular Japanese singer, said recently on the radio that the product
worked
wonders on his head. But still there are reasons to doubt the benefits of the
product. Chief
among them is that scientists apparently have not yet collected enough clinic
data on this
product. (editor's note: you can obtain a brochure from PS Co., 2333 West.
13th St.,
Brooklyn, NY 11223, or e-mail: [log in to unmask]).
 
Perhaps the most promising studies come from diligent genetic researcher,
Mary "Marty"
Sawaya, M.D., at the University of Florida, For years Sawaya has searched for
the genetic
key that would unlock the cure for baldness. Finally, she thinks she is close
to locating the
baldness gene, expecting a treatment to be available within the next five
years if everything
goes right.
        Sawaya foresees her therapy as working one or two ways. She could make a
chemical compound-suspended in a cream or lotion that is rubbed onto the
scalp-which
would target itself to the hair loss gene inside individual follicle cells.
The compound
would fit itself securely over the gene, nullifying any further power the
troublemaker could
have over hair growth-or the lack thereof. Another option would be to place a
minuscule
copy of a normal hair growth gene into a cream or lotion and rub it into
target sites on the
scalp.
Whichever solution she pursues, many researchers believe Sawaya is the
strongest
contender for devising anything close to a complete cure for baldness.
 
TIPS FOR PROPER HAIR CARE:
 
Your hair requires gentle handling: use natural bristle brush, not a
synthetic one, the latter cuts hair.
Brush the hair gently from the scalp to disperse scalp oil over the hair. if
you prefer a comb, use a
wide-toothed comb to avoid injury to your hair.
 
Avoid excessively tight braiding, buns, or ponytails. do not roll your hair
too tightly in curlers.
 
To much exposure to sun, wind, or swimming-pool chemicals will dry out your
hair and cause it to knot.
 
The quality of your hair reflects in part the adequacy of your diet: regular,
well-rounded meals are best for
you and your hair. Consuming extra protein and amino acid preparation will
not promote hair growth.
Crash diets and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa can damage hair
dramatically.
 
For proper washing, wet your hair completely with warm water. Put shampoo on
with your hand and
massage gently, using your fingers instead of your nails as you work the
lather outward from your scalp.
Rinse thoroughly. Buy shampoos tailored to your hair type- oily, dry or
normal. Permanent-waved,
straightened, or dye hair needs low pH shampoos. Towel dry by patting gently.
Whenever possible, let
your hair dry naturally in the air. If a blower is necessary, use it on a low
setting and leave your hair
slightly damp. If you brush or comb your hair while it is wet, you pull out
much more hair than you would
by gently untangling it with your fingers and waiting until it is damp or dry
before you carefully brush or
comb it.
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* this article is from Health Review Magazine, published quarterly by
Clearbrook
publishing. For a one-year FREE trial subscription (no obligation), e-mail
your name &
address to: [log in to unmask]