Hair Loss

Normally, hair goes through a regular growth cycle. During the anagen phase, which lasts two to six years or longer, the hair grows. During the telogen phase, which lasts about three months, the hair rests. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls out and is replaced by new hair.

The average person loses about 100 hairs each day. Hair loss also can have other causes, including drugs or disease.
 

As they age, men tend to lose the hair on top of their head, which eventually leaves a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides. This type of hair loss is called male-pattern baldness. It’s caused by genes (from both parents — the idea that men take after their mother’s father is a myth) and it’s fueled by the male hormone, testosterone. In female-pattern baldness, the hair loss is different — it thins throughout the top of the scalp, leaving the hair in front intact.
 

A number of disorders can cause the hair to fall out. People who have an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata lose hair on their scalp, as well as on other parts of their body. Other health conditions that can cause excess hair loss include:
 

• Medications such as antidepressants, retinoids, NSAIDs, blood thinners, birth control pills and other hormonal treatments, high blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, and radiation

• Severe infections

• Major surgery

• Overactive or underactive thyroid

• Other hormonal problems

• Severe stress

•  Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus

• Fungal infections of the scalp

•  Pregnancy and childbirth

• Exposure to chemicals such as thallium, boron and arsenic

  
  Certain hair care practices, such as wearing tight ponytails or weaves, or regularly bleaching or perming the hair, can also lead to hair loss. Some people compulsively pull out their hair. This psychological disorder is called trichotillomania.

  When hair loss is related to a medication, stopping the drug usually prevents further hair loss, and the hair will eventually grow back. Hair also tends to grow back after most illnesses, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Wearing a wig or hat can hide the hair loss until the hair returns. Hair transplants are a more permanent hair-replacement solution.
   

  Hair lost to male-pattern and female-pattern baldness won’t grow back on its own, but there are medications that can help slow hair loss and even regrow hair. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a topical medicine that is available over the counter to treat men and women. Finasteride(Propecia) is a pill that is available to men only by prescription. Injectable cortisone may also help regrow hair lost to certain conditions.

Hair Damage

Blow-drying, straightening, highlighting, and perming regularly can wreak havoc on hair, leaving it brittle, broken, and unmanageable. Split ends and dry hair are just two casualties of overstyling.
 

Excessive styling and heat can cause split ends, which occur when the protective outermost layer of hair (the cuticle) is damaged and peels back. Some treatments for split ends include:
 

• Brush gently with a soft, flexible hairbrush; don’t overbrush.

• Avoid towel-drying. If you do dry your hair with a towel, rub it gently.

• Use a conditioner, and leave on a deep conditioner about once a week.

• Hair needs moisture and a certain amount of oil to keep it looking healthy. A number of things can dry out hair, including:

  
  To keep the moisture in your hair, try these tips:

  • Washing it too often

  • Using a harsh shampoo

  • Excessive blow-drying or use of a curling iron or straightening iron

  • Exposure to sun, wind, and dry air

  • Perms and dyes

  • Poor nutrition

  • Certain medications

  • Don’t wash your hair every day unless you have a scalp condition such as dandruff which needs daily shampooing for control. When you do wash your hair, use a gentle shampoo that’s designed to infuse moisture into dry hair. Also, use a conditioner daily.

  • Limit blow-drying and use of hot irons, hot rollers, or curling irons.

  • Increase the time between hair treatments, such as dyes and perms.
     

Wear a hat on cold, windy days and put on a bathing cap when swimming.
 

Greasy Hair

The scalp contains a natural oil called sebum, which helps keep the skin lubricated. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. Sometimes these glands work overtime and produce too much oil, leading to a greasy scalp. Greasy hair can look dull, limp, and lifeless, and it may be more difficult to manage. To treat greasy hair, try washing with a gentle shampoo that is specially formulated to control sebum.
 

The simplest and best solution is a color glaze to bring out the shine and warmth of your natural hair color. Want more of a change? Add a little or lots of highlights, depending upon how much of a change you want.
 

Want To Go Lighter?

Your own hair color is too dark so we would highlight it with a combination of red, honey, and bronze shadings to create a more intriguing look.

Want to Go Darker?
 

You feel washed out and feel that a darker color would bring out your eye color… A darker glaze would add a subtle depth or, if you want to go further, we would lowlight your hair with deeper shades.