What is trichology ? - A guide to Hair Loss NYC New York NY

Trichology is the medical term for the study of the hair (and scalp) and all problems related to them. A ‘trichologist’ is someone who specialises in hair loss problems such as baldness, hair breakage and itchy/flaking scalp. He or she will also treat all forms of alopecia.

Think of a trichologist as a ‘hair doctor’: as someone you may wish to consult instead of visiting your GP. Many people choose to see a hair specialist rather than their GP as they are either too embarrassed or feel that they would be wasting his/her time.

If you choose to see a trichologist then you will have a thorough consultation – up to an hour long, which is not available at your local GP’s surgery. He or she will discuss all aspects of your lifestyle which includes your diet, stress and any other external factors as well as taking a full medical history.

And he/she will carry out an examination of your hair and/or scalp.

The condition of your hair is an indicator of your general health. Hair which is dull and lifeless can suggest a stressed, unhealthy lifestyle whereas hair which is full and shiny is a sign of being healthy. This is one of several factors considered by a trichologist when deciding upon suitable treatment. If he or she feels that there is an underlying medical cause then he/she will advise you to visit your GP.

You don’t have to have a hair problem to consult a trichologist: many people choose to do so because they want advice on keeping their hair and scalp in tip top condition and so reduce the risk of hair loss.

Prevention is better than cure and doing this can save time and money in the long term.

However, this service has to be paid for which means shopping around until you get the best deal for you. And make sure that your trichologist is a member of The Institute of Trichologists. He or she will have the following letters AIT, FIT or MIT after their name and has to abide by a professional Code of Ethics.

As with any business; most are reputable but there are a few charlatans out there so research this carefully. Draw up a shortlist of possible candidates and visit each of them in turn. Check that the clinic is a member of this institute and ask for a breakdown of the cost of your treatment. If the fees seem too high then obtain another quote.

Do not pay any fees before treatment has taken place.

If you don’t want to go down this route then visit your GP. Even though you will not get an hour long consultation, he/she will still examine your hair and suggest a course of treatment.

ANDROGENIC HAIR THINNING NYC New York NY

Hair thinning, i.e. a gradual reduction in the diameter of individual hairs, can be caused by a number of factors, the most common being ‘androgenic thinning’. With androgenic thinning, the growth (anagen) phase of your hair cycle becomes shorter and shorter, and the hair also grows back progressively finer. Hair thinning can occur on its own or alongside increased hair shedding. 

Androgenic thinning is related, as the name implies, to androgens (male hormones) and is genetically determined. What may (or may not!) suprise you is that both men and women have androgens. However, the levels are higher in men.

Androgenic hair thinning is usually more common, and noticeable, in men than in women due to the higher levels of male hormones. The pattern of loss can also be different. However, genetic hair thinning is not only related to how high your male hormone levels are, but also to how sensitive your follicles are to them. For instance, even sub-normal amounts of androgens in women can cause hair thinning if they have high follicle sensitivity. 

GREY & AGING HAIR NYC New York NY

Unfortunately, grey hair is an inevitable part of ageing. However, ‘grey’ isn’t actually a hair pigment in itself – it’s a colour caused by a combination of normally pigmented hairs interspersed with white ones. Your hair colour turns from the appearance of ‘grey’ to completely white when all hair pigment cells stop being produced.

It’s thought dark-haired people turn grey earlier than others, but this is just because greying is more obvious. If you are fair-haired or blonde, you probably won’t notice grey hair until you have quite a few white ones, as white hairs blend in easily with your natural colour.
WHY HAIR TURNS GREY


By the age of 30 most people have a few ‘grey hairs’, and by 50 at least half of your hair will have turned grey. The cells that produce hair colour are formed at the bottom of the hair follicle, and the exact mechanism that causes the pigments to change is still not fully understood.

However, genetics play a huge factor in terms of when you will turn grey – if either of your parents turned grey early, it’s probable that you will too. Nutritional and hormonal factors can also affect hair colour, as can illness and stress. One of the reasons for this is because stress, illness and an improper diet can deplete your body of vitamin B, and various studies have shown that a lack of vitamin B can turn hair white prematurely.

Other studies show that certain B vitamins, when taken in large doses, start to reverse the graying process within 3 months and that the hair goes back to being white when the vitamins are stopped.
GREY HAIR TEXTURE

Contrary to popular belief, grey hair is not coarser – it is usually finer, as everyone’s hair gets finer with age. The reason why grey hair seems coarser is because oil glands produce less sebum when you’re older, which results in drier and more roughly-textured hair. This can also be due to the fact that most people chemically process and colour their hair more as they get older.

Philip Kingsley Trichologist, Glenn Lyons: "The hair tends to become finer as we age, so more styling aids are used to create body and volume. These can further dry out the hair if used incorrectly. However, reversing this damage can be achieved by using scalp and hair masks. They should be used on a weekly basis to start with and then twice a month. We advise our clients to knead the scalp for 30 seconds before shampooing, and then apply the mask, massaging it in for 5 minutes. It’s also advantageous to use a protective styling aid when blow-drying. Your hair may also ‘feel’ coarser if you pull out your first few grey hairs. This is because constant pulling-out of hair can distort your follicles, resulting in more crinkly hair."
CARING FOR GREY HAIR

Grey hair is often finer and drier, so you might want to change your hair products. A volumizing shampoo and more moisturizing conditioner can be very effective. Grey hair should be handled the same way as naturally pigmented hair. If you want to perm it, do so. But just be aware that perms can cause discolouration and turn grey hair slightly yellow, as can smoking. If discolouration occurs, use a blue/purple-coloured shampoo, conditioner or rinse to camouflage it.

Dirt shows up faster on greying hair than any other hair colour. Shampoo and condition daily to get the best out of your hair. Grey hair is more vulnerable to sun damage because it lacks melanin – a pigment that protects your hair and skin from the sun. This is also the reason why fair-skinned people burn more easily. If you have grey hair, it’s very important to use a hair product containing SPF on a daily basis. And if you’re sitting in the sun for a prolonged period of time, use a Swimcap Cream for extra protection

BLOOD TESTS ARE A GREAT WAY TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF HAIR LOSS NYC New York NY

The amount of information blood tests can give is often crucial in the treatment of falling and/or thinning hair. It is usually best for blood to be drawn after a fast of 12 hours, ideally in the morning before 11am, without having breakfast.

Subsequent tests should be taken at approximately the same time and under the same circumstances for accurate comparison as your hair condition is monitored and improves. This is so that any supplements or medications prescribed can be accurately adjusted. Philip Kingsley trichologists have a number of ‘blood profiles’ that they recommend in relevant cases during consultations.

The tests are administered by a doctor who sends the blood to a laboratory for analysis according to the recommended profile. Alternatively, you might be sent directly to the laboratory. Within a week or so, we receive the test results for our trichologists’ analysis as to how blood levels might be affecting your hair.

A typical profile, and one we recommend most, looks at all iron levels, including ferritin (iron stores), white and red blood cells, zinc, vitamin B12, folic acid and thyroid. Sometimes, hormonal and full blood chemistries are also run. The problem with hormone tests, i.e. oestrogens (female hormones) and androgens (male hormones), is that they may be within the normal reference range and still affect your hair.

So much depends on the sensitivity of your hair follicles to circulating hormones. If you have a genetic predisposition to hair loss, normal or even sub-normal levels of oestrogens and/or androgens can cause problems. 

However, if you don’t have genetically susceptible hair follicles, even high levels of circulating hormones may not little effect. Similarly, readings of thyroid, iron, ferritin, B12, folic acid, etc. in the normal reference range effect some people’s hair follicles more than others’. Biochemistries are also sometimes required. These measure various liver and kidney functions, proteins, cholesterol, triglycerides, potassium, sodium, etc., all of which can have an effect on your hair.
HOW TO READ BLOOD TEST RESULTS

If you are experiencing hair loss, you might have asked your doctor to arrange blood tests and in many instances your results may come back within the normal reference range. While your doctor may well say that everything is normal and not to worry, chances are that you will still be concerned because you know that something is amiss.

Also, there is always an underlying cause for hair loss. The reason for confusion is frequently this: your GP will read your blood test results differently than a trichologist will. He or she is looking for levels that might affect your general health, but not your hair – a non-vital tissue. 

For instance, there can be low normal, mid-normal and high normal readings, and the high and the low normals can often cause hair problems, but won’t affect your general health. For example, ferritin may have a reference range of 10-130 ug/L (micrograms per litre), with your results showing a reading of 30 ug/L.

While this level is fine in terms of the well-being of vital organs, optimum ferritin levels for hair should be at least 80 ug/L and anything less can trigger increased hair fall, or decreased growth. Thyroid and haemoglobin levels are other examples of this and can be quite complex. If you are losing your hair, have spoken with your doctor and are still concerned by your blood tests, it’s best to speak with a trichologist for further analysis. 

You could also go directly to a ist for a consultation and blood tests. It is our practice to always consult with your general doctor and any other relevant medical specialists about your blood work results.

HYPOTHYROID/HYPERTHYROID & HAIR LOSS NYC New York NY

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system and is frequently referred to as a butterfly shaped gland. Situated in the lower neck just below the Adam's apple and wrapped around the windpipe, it is composed of two lobes surrounding the isthmus (the bridge between both lobes). Each lobe preforms the same function, and like the kidneys can take over the work load should anything go wrong with the other lobe. Though small in size, weighing approximately 1oz, it plays a vital role in body function as it affects every cell in the body.

The single function of the thyroid is to produce hormones which are released into the blood stream. Thyroid hormones regulate energy levels and reproduction of all cells. For instance, it helps the body stay warm and keeps the heart, brain, muscles and all organs fully operational so that we can feel well and remain in good health.

THYROXINE (T4) AND TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3)

Your brain (more specifically, the hypothalamus) signals your pituitary gland (a pea size master endocrine gland below the base of the brain) to produce the hormone TSH. This in turn tells the thyroid gland to makes two hormones, thyroxine ( T4 ) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are collectively called ‘thyroid hormone’. T3 and T4 ultimately control metabolism and how much energy is required by different systems in the body. The pituitary gland reads the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood stream and increases or decreases production of T3 and T4, based on the levels detected.
As mentioned earlier the thyroid affects every cell in the body, it therefore follows that there are numerous symptoms that could indicate imbalance.
HYPOTHYROIDISM (UNDER ACTIVE THYROID)


Hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid, is considered one of the most common health problems in the US. Simply put, it means that there is not enough thyroid hormone (T3 and/or T4) in the body. Hypothyroidism can present in varying stages from mild and moderate to severe.

The low levels of thyroid hormones reduce the activity and the ability of the body to regenerate cells. Iodine insufficiency in the developing world is a primary cause of hypothyroid. In the developed world, Hashimotos' disease is responsible for up to 80% of cases according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Women are five times more likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism and the odds increase with age.

Hashimoto's disease is caused by abnormal auto bodies, whereby white blood cells attack your thyroid cells. This is often a very slow progression, and frequently goes undetected for years. Many of the symptoms can be attributed to aging and as result the condition goes undetected. This is why information and self-advocacy can lead to the detection of these anomalies that can hinder optimal health, and in turn cause further health complications.

Listed below are some of the many symptoms of an under active thyroid.
Cardiovascular changes
Cold Sensitivity
Depression and/or anxiety
Weight gain in the absence of dietary or exercise changes 
Enlarged Thyroid Gland frequently referred to as ‘Goiter’
General Fatigue even when you have slept
Brittle nails, and ridging may present
Hair Changes. The hair frequently becomes dry and brittle with obvious sings of thinning, these symptoms are what brings many women in particular to seek the help of a Trichologist. Detailed questioning can yield further information about changes in body hair growth, for example eyebrow, leg, arm and pubic hair.
Elevated Cholesterol
From the perspective of the Trichologist the concern is that while this is never ideal for normal body metabolism the possibility of anemia or low iron (due to heavy periods) could greatly contribute to hair loss and density changes.
Muscle Cramping
Memory changes and difficulty concentrating
Dry, rough and itchy skin

HYPERTHYROIDISM (OVER ACTIVE THYROID)

Hyperthyroidism, or over active thyroid, is as a result of the overproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.

A very large percentage of all hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves' disease - an autoimmune disease. This condition occurs when your immune system considers the thyroid as a danger and starts to attack it. Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin antibodies are produced with no controlling factors and unlike TSH which responds to the levels of T3 and T4 in the blood, TSI causes and signals the thyroid to produce too much T3 and T4 hormone.

Listed below are some of the many symptoms that could signal an overactive thyroid.
Weight loss in the absence of dietary restrictions and exercise
Hand Tremors
Difficulty focusing and concentrating
Frequent bowel movements/ typically loose
Thinning hair and excess loss/shedding
Increase in sweating
Heart palpitations
Dry eyes
Thyroid growths called Goiters
Enlarged protruding eyes
Sensitivity to light
Insomnia
Menstrual problems

General and conventional wisdom suggests that if you can say yes to three or more of the symptoms on either list it is time to speak with your doctor and discuss the need for a thorough evaluation.

Some general dietary advice that not only speaks to general health but is thyroid specific includes avoiding where possible artificial chemicals and toxins found in processed foods. It is not the single serving that is the issue but long term accumulation and ingestion that can impede thyroid function, a classic example of this is mercury. Because mercury is chemically similar to iodine the thyroid will store it and it can potentially trigger a thyroid autoimmune disease such as Graves' or Hashimoto's.
As is the case with all potential health challenges, getting a proper diagnosis, establishing a treatment protocol, and following up is particularly important with a thyroid condition.

CONSULTATIONS NYC New York NY

Your first consultation will last 2 hours as it will include an initial hair and scalp treatment. Conditions we commonly treat include:
Telogen Effluvium
Male Pattern Hair Loss
Female Pattern Hair Loss
Alopecia Areata
Traction Alopecia
Post-Partum Hair Loss
Dry, damaged, Overly-Processed Hair
Hair with severe breakage
Psoriasis
Dandruff
Trichotillomania
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
Seborroeic Dermatitis
Neurodermatitis

HAIR COLOURING & HAIR LOSS NYC New York NY

Contrary to what you may have heard, hair colouring in itself does not cause hair loss. However, it can cause substantial hair breakage if you don’t look after your hair correctly, which gives the appearance of reduced volume over time.

The exception to this rule is if you experience a chemical reaction to a hair dye, or burns to your scalp from bleaching or straightening agents. Both chemical and allergic reactions are capable of causing hair loss characterized as traumatic, cosmetic, or in some cases, permanent scarring alopecia. 

The best way to help safeguard yourself against chemical burns is to choose an experienced stylist, and to make it known quickly if you ever experience discomfort. In terms of allergic reactions to dyes, it is always advisable to have a patch test.

TRICHOTILLOMANIA NYC New York NY

Trichotillomania is a self-inflicted hair loss resulting from repeated pulling of the hair. It is usually not caused by psychological factors or life events – but these are possibly the triggers of its onset. It is much more prevalent than was initially thought. And is most common in girls at puberty or peri menopausal women, which tends to indicate that it can be connected to hormonal or sexuality issues.

Some individuals connect trichotillomania with stressful events making the patient more conscious of the situation and their hair. In some circumstances they may connect their hair pulling with a feeling of infestation of their scalp. But others just experience a feeling of pleasure through hair pulling.

Trichotillomania can be confused with alopecia areata (patchy hairloss) and often the person may not voluntarily admit to doing it, therefore leaving the condition misdiagnosed. It is important to understand that the constant pulling of the hair may eventually prevent hairs from re-growing. Hair pulling can take place whilst watching television, talking on the telephone and is usually a solitary activity. The areas of the scalp being affected tend to be easily camouflaged and covered with the hair that is left.

There is no magic treatment which will help to treat trichotillomania. Often psychological therapy is needed. However, positive steps can be taken in order to address it. These include:

Acceptance – a willingness to acknowledge the problem and identify the possible causes.
Substituting the hair pulling behaviour with a positive alternative.

It is difficult to break the habit of hair pulling. But by doing so, there is a good chance that the hair will grow back. Although some people affected by it find that the hair grows back with a different texture. Applying conditioner to the affected areas may help to interrupt the habit as the hair is not easily gripped. Wearing gloves, particularly during the evening when the habit is usually at its height, is another alternative.

HOW TO ENSURE HEALTHY HAIR NYC New York NY

There are two basic considerations to be made when trying to ensure a healthy head of hair. The first is to be aware that as hair is forming it is alive. Each follicle, the pocket within the scalp where the hair is growing from, has its own network of nerves , blood and muscles. The capillaries in the follicle are delivering nutrients to the live cells as they become the keratinized protein that frown outward from the scalp. The nutrients that the hair needs come from what an individual consumes in their diet, therefore a proper diet, and supplementation is the most important.

Because the cells in the scalp are so prolific, they are sensitive to any changes that are going on in the body. General body health and keeping the body functioning in tip-top shape will benefit the hair, and any internal problems or imbalances may create a hair that is less healthy than it could be. Therefore medical issues must be addressed.

Once the hair is formed and it grows away from the scalp, external factors must be taken into account to maintain healthy hair. These factors include being aware that since every individuals hair and scalp are unique, it is important that appropriate products be used that specifically targets ones needs. A shampoo, conditioner, and scalp tonic must be formulated for each individual with the intent to be used daily. A weekly intensive conditioning treatment is typically very beneficial. Care should be taken in one’s drying and styling of the hair. Though hair fiber is resilient and strong, constant abuse, even if moderate, will cumulatively take a toll as a hair ages and grows longer. Therefore avoid being rough when towel drying, keep a blow dryer at lower setting both with velocity and heat, and use the proper aids for styling, brushing and combing. As the ends of the hair are the oldest and most susceptible to dryness and breakage, trimming the hair on a regular basis, though seemingly will shorten the hair length, will actually ensure that the hair can grow longer because it won’t split or fray. Most hair grows on an average of one half inch p

HAIR BREAKAGE NYC New York NY

Hair is a remarkably strong fiber – a single healthy hair is actually stronger than a steel wire of the same diameter and can stretch up to 30%. However, this only applies if your hair is in good condition!

Hairs’ strength and elasticity (stretchability) comes from the presence of disulphide bonds (strong bonds which hold the keratin protein in your hairs’ cortex together) and is also dependent on moisture (water) content. This is because moisture allows the disulphide bonds in your hair to stretch and retract to normal again – without this, your hair would snap off every time you brushed, blow-dried or changed its style.

Things that reduce your hairs’ strength and elasticity, and cause it to break more easily, include chemical processing (such as bleaching and highlighting), keratin straightening treatments, perms and overuse of heated styling aids. Chemical processing might be the worst culprit, however, as it permanently raises the hair cuticle, allowing for continuous excess water evaporation from the hair cortex.

While you can never completely close the cuticle back to where it was, use of the correct products and daily shampooing and conditioning can do a pretty good job of it. Pre-shampoo conditioning treatments can be especially helpful to restore elasticity and shine and reduce breakage.
OUR TOP TIPS TO REDUCE HAIR BREAKAGE
Apply a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment to your hair at least once a week
Use a daily protective conditioning spray
Gently remove tangles with a wide-tooth comb, starting at your ends and gradually working up towards the roots 
Blow dry your hair correctly
Don't pull your hair back too tightly into a style, or for too long
Try not to wrap hair ties too tightly around your hair
Protect your hair from the sun in the summer
Don't brush your hair too often just because it feels satisfying! 
Limit your use of hair straighteners to twice a week
If you bleach your hair, try not to overlap previous applications
Trim split ends - if you leave them they can break further up your hair shaft

FOLLICLE MINIATURISATION NYC New York NY

Male pattern hair loss usually occurs over a long period of time and you may not notice extra hair fall. What may be happening is that your individual hairs are becoming finer and thinner in diameter, and also shorter after each subsequent hair cycle. Follicle miniaturisation can occur in both men and women, but is more common and also pronounced in men.

Thinner hairs take up less space on your scalp, which gives the appearance of reduced volume, as well as visible spaces of scalp between your hairs. In extreme cases, individual scalp hairs can get so thin and short (miniature) that you can’t see them. This miniaturization affects the hair papilla, the matrix and, eventually, the hair shaft.

When a hair reaches a diameter of 40 microns, it rarely grows longer than 80mm (3.5 inches). This is when hair loss appears to happen rapidly. However, sometimes thinning stops and the number of hairs on your scalp remains the same for months or even years.

Follicle miniaturisation can often be slowed, and sometimes reversed, with topical and/or oral treatments. For more information, please contact our Trichological Clinic.

SPLIT ENDS NYC New York NY

You can mask split ends with leave-in conditioners to temporarily glue them together, but as soon as you pass a comb or brush through your hair or shampoo it, your split ends unglue.

TOPICAL ANTI-ANDROGENS NYC New York NY

Topical anti-androgens can be very beneficial to hair loss. Anti-androgens are drugs that reduce or block testosterone – and therefore DHT/5a-reductase - from reaching your hair follicles. Taken orally, the amount of anti-androgens needed to help with hair loss can cause side effects – loss of libido, a lower sperm count and, in women, tender breasts. And sometimes even large doses do not sufficiently reach the scalp.

Applied topically to your scalp and in the right mixture, anti-androgens can be very effective. With men, a dilute solution containing cyproperone acetate (a strong anti-androgen) and medroxy progesterone acetate can have great results. Minoxidil can also be added. While minoxidil on its own usually isn’t helpful, it dilates capillaries on your scalp. This makes absorption of anti-androgens into your scalp easier. The use of topical anti-androgens is long-term, but there is no doubt about their therapeutic effect. Hair loss is at least slowed, often stopped and sometimes improved in thickness.

Many men want to try a combination of all treatments: Propecia, minoxidil and topical anti-androgens. This can be good, but not because of their combined effect. Knowing you are doing everything possible can be satisfying and reassuring.

MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS NYC New York NY

Hair loss and hair thinning are unfortunately experienced by the majority of men as they age. It’s natural and inevitable, like grey hair or wrinkles. However, as with the signs of ageing, there are things that you can do to improve thinning hair.

These include promoting new growth, reducing loss and increasing the diameter of individual hairs. Caucasian men are most likely to have male pattern hair loss, and a degree of hair thinning probably occurs in 100%. This ranges from a slightly receding hairline, a thinning crown, an overall reduction in thickness, advanced receding from the forehead and very thin hair, to being left with a ‘horseshoe’ of hair that grows around the scalp from ear to ear.

The size of the horseshoe can vary, depending on genetic predisposition and the age thinning started. Hair loss occurs less frequently in black men, by about 50%, and the degree of loss also tends to be less. Asian men and American Indian men are least prone to hair loss.

Male pattern hair loss can occur in both men and women, but is more common and also pronounced in men.
MALE PUBERTY

Male pattern hair loss doesn’t start before puberty, except in extreme cases where genetic predisposition is strong. This is because you can’t have male pattern baldness without having androgens (male hormones) – the most important being testosterone - which don’t increase until puberty. Androgens also cause your voice to deepen, your sexual organs to mature and your facial, body and pubic hair to grow.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SCALP HAIR AND BODY HAIR

You may notice that men with obviously thinning hair, and those that are bald, have more hair on their body, particularly their chest and back. There is a reason for this. The same hormones (androgens) that cause body and facial hair to become longer and stronger cause scalp hair to fall out in those with a genetic predisposition and follicle sensitivity.
MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS AND GENETIC PREDISPOSITION

Male pattern hair loss only occurs if you have a genetic predisposition - that is, if your follicles are sensitive to the action of androgens. The medical term for male pattern hair loss is androgenetic or androgenic alopecia. Alopecia is hair loss, and androgenic is androgens (male hormones) plus genetics.

Hair loss can be passed down from either your mother or father’s family. The exact mechanism that causes androgenic alopecia is the conversion of testosterone, by the enzyme* called 5-alpha-reductase, to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This enzyme is found in your dermal papilla cells, as are the androgen receptors that bind DHT. The amount of androgens produced, testosterone being the main one, doesn’t need to be excessive in order to cause hair loss.

Normal levels of circulating androgens, or even sub-normal levels, can cause hair loss if you are genetically predisposed and have androgen-sensitive follicles. The more sensitive your hair follicles are to androgens, the more they will affect your hair.

However, if your follicles aren’t sensitive to androgens, only excess amounts will cause hair loss.

*Enzyme: a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in your body.
MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS: WHY THINNING OCCURS

We lose hair every day - losing up to 70 hairs a day can be normal. However, hair loss or thinning hair occurs when you lose more hairs than you replace, or the replacement hairs grow back finer or not at all.

If you have androgenic sensitivity, androgens can shorten the growth cycle of your hair. And your hair doesn’t remain in the scalp unless it’s growing. On average, a hair should grow from your scalp for four years, but the action of androgens can reduce this over time.

Male Surgical Hair Restoration NYC New York NY

There are many pitfalls to this speciality (sorry to start on a negative!) there is an amazing amount of skill involved in this type of surgery, which needs to blend not only surgical know how but a real grasp of how hair works and moves. Without this aesthetic quality you will be left with something which resembles hair but does not act like it.

(quick note on the word permanent: There is no such thing as a permanent hair transplant, a person cannot have this type of work then walk away and the hair will never change, genetic influences throughout the life of the patient mean you will also need to use medical maintenance (minoxidil and/or Finasteride) to ensure the hair is not affected as much as possible)

Flashy marketing and high-pressure sales pitches dominate the field, making truly objective and rational decision-making by the patient nearly impossible. This area is really a buyer beware area, below we plan to give you some questions to ask in your research.

The Iain Sallis Trichology Clinic only recommends one hair surgeon in the country, this company can be found in the links page, along with the International society for surgical hair restoration, the governing body who over sees this speciality.

FAQ:

Whose hair will be transplanted onto my head? Your own, anyone else's hair would be rejected and die.

Where does the hair come from? The usual areas are the sides and back of your head.

Some people have naturally thick hair, and some don't. How does this factor into your ability to have a successful hair transplant? No, a good surgeon will work with what you have, but the expected outcome may need to be speaking about as there may not be enough donor hair to make it 'perfect'

Other considerations? Future hair loss, shape of the hair line, density, uniformity of the grafts and a natural out come all need to be talked about before signing up to anything.

How many procedures will I need? The number of procedures depends upon the extent of your hair loss, the projected hair loss rate, the amount of donor hair you can spare, and other artistic and medical considerations. Men can often have the results they're looking for in just one or two hair transplant sessions in which thousands of hairs are transplanted in follicular units of one to four hairs each.

Is it right for me? For the right person surgical hair restoration is an excellent way to improve your appearance and self esteem

Remember there is a finite amount of donor hair that can be moved to the thinning areas of the scalp. If that hair isn't used in an efficient manner the outcome of the procedure might not meet your expectations.

Finding the right surgeon:

"Avoid turning to the yellow pages when seeking out a hair transplant surgeon.

"Avoid referrals from your hair stylist". In many cases hair stylists receive 'fees' from hair transplant surgeons for referrals. Be careful.

Avoid large hair transplant groups or practices that employ or contract physicians to perform hair transplantation under a common umbrella.

"Avoid practices advertising through the use of television infomercials. A lot of these companies are run by 'business men' instead of surgeons who care about their craft rather than cash.

Remember, just because a "company" or "practice" claims to be one of the largest, does not mean that they are one of the best. Again, in most cases this could not be further from the truth.

International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.

The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) is a non-profit voluntary organisation of over 700 hair transplant doctors. The ISHRS provides continuing education to physicians specialising in hair transplant surgery.

Membership in the ISHRS does not constitute competence in the field and should not be looked at as a qualifying credential, but the ISHRS can be contacted for information in the surgeon who you are thinking of going to.

Male Hair Problems NYC New York NY

Androgenic Alopecia or male pattern baldness is responsible for the majority of hair loss in men. While there are many possible reasons men lose hair including serious disease, underlying conditions, certain medications and in some cases extremely stressful events, most hair loss in men can be blamed on genetics.

Female Teleogen Effluvium NYC New York NY

 female hair loss clinics' are located in ten cities throughout the UK so whether you are suffering from female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, hirsutism, alopecia areata, or scarring alopecia professional advice will be near by.

Telogen Effluvium (excessive shedding) may be caused by a number of problems.

Acute (Quick onset) diffuse hair loss can be caused by Pregnancy, medication, a physical or emotional shock to the system, an illness, fever or narcotics.

Chronic (Ongoing) diffuse hair loss is caused by an underlying illness (medical problem) or the medication which you are taking. The main problem with the chronic hair loss is that the trigger which initially caused the diffuse hair shedding may have happened many years ago.

Sufferers from both types notice a thinning of hair on the scalp, and little 'broken' hairs around the fringe and poking out around the parting, Chronic Telogen effluvium is a problem which usually carries on indefinitely until the problem is rectified so it is important to seek help as soon as possible, Women who suffer from Telogen effluvium do not go bald!! It gets so bad and stays at that level; a person does not lose all their hair from this problem because the hair is always being replaced.

Diagnosis of Telogen Effluvium

For Acute Telogen effluvium the disorder will simply rectify itself after 6 months or so, the shedding will slow and the hair will gradually get back to normal.

For chronic Telogen effluvium the underlying condition must be corrected before the hair cycle corrects itself. This is a common complaint which (if caught early enough) can be rectified, because this is really a side effect of 'something else' which is affecting the hair directly or indirectly, we have to find out what the underlying problem is, which when corrected allows the hair to grow back normally. A battery of specific diagnostic tests should be performed when attempting to pinpoint the hair loss trigger and any underlying conditions which may be exacerbating the problem.

Though in some cases specialists often choose topical treatments , the use of medication for Telogen effluvium helps the disorder rectify itself quickly, though if the underlying causes are not corrected the shedding will continue.

As always, treatments have the best chance of being effective if they are geared to the cause of the hair loss as well as to triggering hair growth.

We understand that hair and scalp disorders can be traumatic and can have a severe affect on a women's well-being, which in turn affects the patient's health in general, after all hair is well documented as the barometer of health. Our telogen effluvium clinics provide a service encompassing both the medical and cosmetic issues relating to scalp and hair health. Each clinic is dedicated to providing expert advice and treatment for all types of hair loss and scalp problems, to cosmetic damage.

Types of Alopecia NYC New York NY

Hair loss comes in a number of different forms. Listed below are the main types of hair loss and the characteristics of each type:

Alopecia Areata Used to describe hair loss occurring in patches anywhere on the body.

Alopecia Totalis Total loss of the hair on the scalp.

Alopecia Universalis Total loss of all hair on the body.

Alopecia Oophiasis A band of Alopecia which encircles the hair line, usually a marker of a more severe onset.

Alopecia Barbae Loss of facial hair (for a man) especially in the beard area.

Alopecia Mucinosa A type of Alopecia which results in scaly patches.

Androgenetic Alopecia Also known as male pattern baldness. It is a thinning of the hair to an almost transparent state, in both men and women. It is thought to be a hereditary form of hair loss.

We understand that hair and scalp disorders can be traumatic and can have a severe affect on a person’s well-being, which in turn affects the patient’s health in general, after all hair is well documented as the barometer of health. Our alopecia clinics provide a service encompassing both the medical and cosmetic issues relating to scalp and hair health. Each clinic is dedicated to providing expert advice and treatment for all types of hair loss and scalp problems, to cosmetic damage.

female hair loss nyc new york ny

he Hairmedic female hair loss clinics' are located in ten cities throughout the UK so whether you are suffering from female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, hirsutism, alopecia areata, or scarring alopecia professional advice will be near by.

Hair loss in women can be anything from a slight thinning of the hair which can be felt when you tie your ponytail back to the scalp being able to be seen through your scalp to severe and noticeable hair shedding/ loss.

It can be absolutely devastating for the sufferer's self image and emotional well being, Women's hair loss is usually in a more diffuse pattern and so initially less noticeable than general male hair loss. The bad thing about this is that approximately 1: 3 women will suffer from hair loss in one form or another at some point of their life but do not recognise it as a problem, rather something that just happens as you get older. Unfortunately, society has forced women to suffer in silence. It is considered far more acceptable for men to go through the same hair loss process. Even more unfortunately, the medical community also treats the issue of women's hair loss as if it were nonexistent. Since hair loss doesn't appear to be life threatening, most doctors pay little attention to women's complaints about hair loss and essentially tell their patients that "it's no big deal” and that "you'll just have to live with it."

Of course what these doctors don't seem to realise is that most conditions can be easily treated, but the psychological damage caused by hair loss and feeling unattractive can be just as devastating as any serious disease, and in fact, can take an emotional toll that directly affects physical health.

Hair loss in women is very common and can be divided into acute (temporary) or Chronic (long lasting). Acute hair loss can be easy to fix when its cause is identified and dealt with. It can become chronic when it is not immediately clear what the cause is. Hair loss that could have been merely temporary may become long lasting as a result of an incorrect diagnosis. The potential for such misdiagnoses is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of hair loss for women. A Qualified Trichologist is the best person to investigate all of the different aspects of hair loss, so you have a better chance of finding out what the underlying problems is!

We understand that hair and scalp disorders can be traumatic and can have a severe affect on a women’s well-being, which in turn affects the patient’s health in general, after all hair is well documented as the barometer of health. Our female hair loss clinics provide a service encompassing both the medical and cosmetic issues relating to scalp and hair heal

Laser Therapy Hair Loss NYC New York NY

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in hair restoration utilizes cool lasers to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss. LLLT is based on the scientific principle of photo-biotherapy. Photo-biotherapy occurs when laser light is absorbed by cells and stimulates cell metabolism and protein synthesis. Although the exact mechanism by which laser light promotes hair growth is still unknown, it appears to stimulate the follicles on the scalp by increasing energy production and by reversing miniaturization (the process leading to thicker hair shafts and a fuller look).

Laser light is in the visible red light spectrum and is generated in a laser diode. The energy level is far below that of laser beams that cut or burn tissue. The low-level red laser light has a very low absorption rate in human tissue making it safe for use in the treatment of hair loss.

Low energy lasers have been used for over thirty years to accelerate healing after wounds or burns and to reduce pain. In 1992, Pontinen published the first paper discussing its possible use in promoting hair growth. Since then there has been much progress is defining the exact parameters necessary to accomplish this. In 2007, the FDA cleared for marketing the use of low-level lasers for the treatment of androgenetic hair loss in men. This clearance was based on the device’s safety, and not on its effectiveness in treating hair loss.