This section is for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. 

This month's article

Digestive Problems & Hair Loss:
How IBS & IBD Can Cause Hair Thinning

Hair loss is something a lot of people struggle with and it’s caused by a multitude of factors. Some of the most common are hereditary factors, aging, medication, hormone changes, and diseases like Alopecia areata. One of the less obvious factors involved in hair thinning is the disruption of the digestive process.

Your body needs certain molecules in order to grow hair. So, hair loss can be one of the consequences of any serious digestive problem. Afflictions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can impede digestion. This means that your body might not get the proper nutrients it needs from the food you eat. Not having the necessary nutrients means no building blocks for hair growth.
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In this article, we will discuss how your gut health can play a role in hair loss, and explore some of the ways you can improve your hair and scalp health. Read on to find out more.

Your hair is made out of protein, lipids, water, and some trace elements. But the process of hair growth requires a lot of energy and involves other important elements, such as hormones, minerals, and vitamins. If the body doesn’t have sufficient quantities of any element involved in this complex process of hair growth, then hair loss may become a real threat.

Your body gets all the nutrients it needs in order to function by digesting food. Everything you eat ends up in your digestive tract. Once there, your enzymes and gut bacteria break it down into simple elements that are absorbed and transported for further processing or immediate use. This is why any digestive problems may indirectly lead to hair loss.

How Poor Gut Flora Can Lead to Hair Thinning

Getting the proper nutrients out of food requires having a functioning digestive tract and a healthy gut flora. The bacteria and microbes in your gut are essential for the production of certain elements like amino acids, triglycerides, and vitamins (B1, B9, B7, B2, B5, K). Some imbalances in gut bacteria are also associated with diseases like IBD.

A healthy gut flora represents a true ecosystem with a diversity of over 400 species of microorganisms. Most of these bacteria live in the large intestine, and they play an important role in digestion and the general health of the body, like protecting against harmful microbes. The balance between these types of germs is essential to our health, and any imbalance can lead to problems like colon cancer, and liver fibrosis.

Unhealthy gut flora may cause disruptions in the process of food digestion and absorption. So even if you eat the right things, your body may not be able to extract the molecules it needs. This can, in turn, lead to deficiencies in certain elements the body uses to grow hair. It seems that gut bacteria and hair loss are interconnected. Studies have shown that improving a patient’s gut may stimulate hair growth in patients with Alopecia areata.
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The Link Between Gut Permeability & Hair Loss

After being digested, the micronutrients obtained from food have to pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. The intestinal wall represents a barrier between the billions of bacteria and the rest of the body. But this barrier has to be permeable to allow nutrients to pass.

A change in diet, gut bacteria, or inflammation in the intestine can alter the permeability of the intestinal wall. While there is no direct relation between gut permeability and hair loss, changes in the intestinal wall disrupt the digestive process and impede the absorption of nutrients. And without the proper nutrients, hair growth is slowed down or stops entirely.

How Malabsorption can Lead to Hair Loss

Nutritional deficiencies can be a consequence of poor diet choices, or they might be a consequence of malabsorption. In certain pathological situations, even if you’re eating healthy food, your body might not be able to break down and absorb the nutrients from the digestive tract.

Malabsorption can be a consequence of certain food type intolerance, local inflammation, bacterial overgrowth, autoimmune diseases of the digestive tract, or parasites. There also appears to be a strong correlation between hair loss and patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy procedures. This type of intervention may cause malabsorption of micronutrients like zinc and iron, both of which are necessary for hair growth.

In periods of nutrient deficiencies, your body uses all its resources to keep your organs functioning properly. A process like growing hair is not a priority, so your hair might take longer to grow or it can start to thin out.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Hair Loss

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a chronic medical condition that affects over 7% of the general population. Symptoms like pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation can severely affect life quality for patients and are often associated with the disruption of the digestive process.

There is no primary cause for this disease, but factors such as intestinal infections, parasitosis, alterations in serotonin levels, gut flora imbalances, and psychosocial factors have been associated with IBS. The effects of IBS are often local inflammation, food sensitivity, and carbohydrate malabsorption.

One study has shown that patients with IBS have reported hair loss, hair thinning, and brittle hair as part of the accompanying non-digestive symptoms.

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and Hair Loss

Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD is a term that includes Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, and other noninfectious inflammations of the bowel. The main factor associated with IBD is an overreaction of the immune system to the normal gut flora.

Symptoms can vary, but most patients report abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue. Hair loss in patients with IBD is associated with nutritional deficiencies and adverse reactions to medication. Recent studies have also uncovered shared risk factors with Alopecia areata and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
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How to Improve Hair and Scalp Health

Change Your Diet to Improve Hair Health

You can improve your hair’s health and prevent hair loss caused by nutritional deficiencies by changing your diet. Changing your diet enables you to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to grow hair.

Some of these nutrients are the actual building blocks, such as proteins, and others like zinc and iron are necessary for the chemical reactions taking place inside the cells that synthesize the hair fibers.
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• Protein – this is an important nutrient in any diet and you can get it from animal and vegetable food sources. Some healthy sources of protein are meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, whole grains, and legumes like lentils, beans, soybeans, peas, and peanuts.

• Omega 3 fatty acids – are considered essential fats because the body can’t produce them on its own, which means that you must acquire them from food. They are part of the cell membrane, and your body uses them for proper cell function and the synthesis of important molecules, such as hormones. Fatty acids are also important for skin and hair health. Great sources for Omega 3 fatty acids are fish and other seafood, nuts and seeds, and plant oils (canola oil, soybean oil, flaxseed oil).

• Vitamin B12 – or cobalamin is an important factor in cell replication. This vitamin can be found in abundant quantities in meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Unfortunately, people with vegan diets are predisposed to B12 deficiencies.

• Iron – deficiencies in this mineral are quite common, the main causes being blood loss or insufficient dietary intake. Some important iron sources are red meat, liver, nuts, fortified cereals, dried fruits (apricots), and beans.

• Zinc – an important mineral involved in many chemical reactions in the body, involved in the functioning of the immune system, and known to support hair growth. Some important zinc sources are oysters and other types of seafood, meat, dairy products, peas, beans, pumpkin seeds, and oatmeal.

• Glutathione – General hair loss is often associated with low glutathione levels. Supplementing your glutathione consumption can help prevent or treat hair loss.

How Stress Can Lead to Hair Loss

Stress can have severe effects on a person’s health by causing both psychological and biological damage. Stress can damage the autonomic nervous system and affect the immune system. It can also play a role in the pathology of various diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and cause alterations in the body’s hormone balance. All of these factors may have a negative effect on hair growth.

• Regular exercise may help protect against the harmful consequences of stress and have positive effects on the circulatory system and metabolism. Studies also show that physical exercise has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.

• Aromatherapy might also be a great way to manage stress levels. One study has shown that aromatherapy can reduce stress, anxiety, and reduce pain. Its effects will probably be more powerful if paired with sessions of mindful meditation.

• Having unhealthy sleeping habits can cause insomnia and amplify the effects of stress on the body. Getting enough sleep and having good sleep hygiene are essential practices for stress level management.

Other Methods to Treat Hair Loss

• Probiotics are made of live yeast or bacteria. You can take probiotic supplements as a way to add good bacteria to your body. Your doctor might recommend probiotic supplements after antibiotic treatments. Studies have shown that there might be a connection between the administration of probiotics and hair growth. One clinical study has shown the improvement of hair counts, hair thickness, and hair growth in patients with androgenic alopecia.

• Limiting hair product use can be beneficial to your hair health. Most products like shampoos contain a lot of chemicals that can dry out your scalp and hair if used too often.

• Using brushes and combs on your wet hair can damage hair fibers. When you’re drying your hair with a towel, try to be gentle and use patting motions instead of a vigorous scrub.

• Avoid pulling out your hair with rough combing or tight hairstyles such as braids, buns, or ponytails. Using very tight hair ties can damage the hair fiber and hair follicles.

• Try to limit the use of curling irons, straightening irons, hot rollers, or hot oil treatments. High temperatures can be very damaging for the hair fiber, and it may cause irreparable damage to your hair.

Conclusion

Hair loss is a condition that affects both men and women, and often has a huge emotional impact on those who are affected. It can be caused by a multitude of factors, and some of them are related to digestive tract issues. Any disturbance in the digestive system has the potential to cause a deficiency in the nutrients your body needs in order to grow hair.

Hair loss may be prevented with proper care for gut flora health, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress.
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Most importantly, make sure to consult a medical specialist. Get assessed by a Naturopathic Doctor to find the root cause for your condition with natural medicine solutions.  

​This section is for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. 

FUE is a type of hair transplant that requires physicians to change tools to accommodate different hair and scalp types. Now, a recent study highlights a single device aiming to treat all types of hair situations.

The Dr.UGraft Zeus device is a tool used in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a treatment for hair loss. It was created by Sanusi Umar, MD, a dermatologist in Manhattan Beach, California, to help address patients who may have been turn away because of their hair texture or hair loss severity.

For an article published in the Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology Journal, Umar and colleagues detail the device and its capabilities of extracting hair follicles in all types of FUE situations. The device uses a single punch design to perform FUE on body hair, textured hair—including kinky or curly hair, and long hair, according to the release. This expands the donor pool and hair supply for hair transplantation.

“When I got into the hair transplant field, FUE in Afro-textured hair (such as my own) was considered the most challenging FUE scenario,” Umar said.“Dreaded by FUE practitioners, all existing tools typically fail to deliver results in this demographic consistently. So, I set out looking for a solution to this most difficult FUE challenge. It led to a different way of looking at FUE altogether."

The article describes several patented and patent-pending inventions that led to the development of an "Intelligent Punch," and its driver called the Zeus, the press release explained. This journey led to the discovery of the importance of skin thickness and firmness as a primary cause of inconsistent performance by prior FUE tools. The device auto navigates changing skin textures and curly course texture of hair follicles deeply into their subsurface paths.

"With the Zeus, doctors will no longer turn away patients on account of their skin, hair type, or race as all humans can now benefit from this new FUE device," Umar said.

Reference:
1. An all-purpose hair transplant harvesting device - a first. Cision PR Newswire. Press Release. Published December 29, 2021. Accessed January 3, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/an-all-purpose-hair-transplant-harvesting-device---a-first-301451389.html ​

This section is for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. ​

Does COVID cause hair loss? The short answer is yes! As a clinical trichologist, I have encountered an influx of diffuse shedding concerns from April 2020 to the current day, and there are more and more people sharing their disdain over the lost clumps of hair with the hashtag #covidhairloss.

Let’s see what the connection between COVID and hair loss is and how you should deal with the issue.

Let’s back up a little, and see what happens to the body during periods of illness, stress, and shock. Think of your body as a huge manufacturing plant, producing everything from hormones to excreting waste. When one of the manufacturing lines, in this instance the virus COVID-19, interrupts or disrupts the manufacturing line/the body’s natural equilibrium (homeostasis), the body makes a choice and stops feeding its Z – organs, the ones we can live without, to maintain the main organs – A, such as the heart and lungs.

So, if the energy is being redirected to protect the fundamentals of our inner mechanisms, the Z, or lesser important organs such as skin hair and nails are halted. A bit like turning the lights off at home to save energy! The lights don’t become obsolete, but once they are not needed and the energy is saved, then so be it.

Now you may understand a touch better why hair loss happens when infection, illness or even stress affects the body. Our body is redirecting energy to its main manufacturing needs, aka keeping you breathing and beating. The same hair shedding, or telogen effluvium according to its medical term, happens after childbirth, an operation, or trauma.

If we need to direct energy, hormones or antidotes, in the case of COVID-19, the body will disrupt the balance and direct these to help the A organs fight the cause. This is why the blood analysis and the disruption of the balance that doctors spot in the blood analysis allows determining a correct diagnosis and swift treatment pathway.

Back to shedding, we tend to notice the “shed” around 3 months after people recover from COVID-19. This is due to the hair coming out of its natural growth cycle and slipping out of the little sheaths that grow and protect our hair shafts as they evolve. These hairs that fall out are very likely to already have a new hair growing in this dermal growth pocket, called a follicle.

Everyone is unique and has a different growth cycle, and hairs shed and grow naturally according to a predisposition that is affected by things such as age, and hormones. Because we can have around 100,000 hairs, it’s normally virtually unnoticeable; those fallen hairs are replaced by brand new hairs that grow from the same follicle. Some growth cycles can be as short as a year, some as long as 9 years. You will see this from long you can grow your hair without the very ends or the bottom lengths looking finer than say the mid-length.
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The disruption of the growth cycle due to Coronavirus makes strands come to the shedding phase all at once, this is why losing hair after COVID-19 is quick and abrupt. This hair loss is not permanent, but it is noticeable, and it takes time for new hairs to grow from the follicle. Mind that noticeable hair loss causes much stress, which can further promote stress-related hair loss. This is why it is so important not to panic over post-COVID hair loss. Here is what you should do instead.

If COVID-19 had a high toll on your hair, the key response should be patience, patience, and more patience. Imagine you just have to grow out those bangs or a bad haircut. Hair grows approximately 15cm a year, and some people have slower growth phases, so it’s going to take months to regain the density you have lost.

Try popular hair regrowth methods, but set realistic expectations. No amount of oil from the gods will make it grow quicker than your DNA cell renewal allows, and we certainly can’t clone our hair (no, it’s not that it is not possible today, but still out of reach for the general public). Also, consider getting haircuts more frequently to thicken the areas left finer or go shorter to give back some bounce to your hair.

NUTRITION is another key to growing hair and improving the overall health, your entire manufacturing plant. A well-balanced diet is the cornerstone of all things healthy; supplementation is fine, but it is not a replacement. If you are on a strict diet or have dietary needs or preferences, look for professional guidance on the subject, your body will thank you in the end, and so will your hair.

Let’s not forget that trichologists take the holistic approach to our patients’ needs, and sometimes those needs are lifestyle-induced or environmental effects! For more help and guidance, here is a list of worldwide organizations you can approach to find a trichologist near you:

• World Trichology Society (WTS)
• International Association of Trichologists (IAT)
• The Association of Registered Trichologists (ART)

After all, why not take this time of “hair awareness” and really get some great advice and styling tips from a trichologist and an experienced stylist, especially one that understands the sensitives surrounding hair loss and shedding! 

This section is for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. 

This month's article is from
News - Medical
Life Sciences
 
Low-level laser treatment can
stimulate hair follicles
​and hair growth, expert finds

​A world-renowned hair loss expert from Chula has discovered that low-level laser treatment can stimulate hair follicles and hair growth. Guaranteed by a world-class award, this treatment for thinning hair and hair loss can deliver results in 24 weeks.

Thinning hair, hair loss, and baldness can sabotage the self-confidence and quality of life of people of all genders and ages. Those who suffer these problems struggle to find the right treatments, like changing shampoos, cutting their hair short, taking supplements, avoid using chemicals on the scalp, etc., to no avail. One of the reasons for the failure is not tackling the problem at its root cause, especially in the case of genetic hair thinning, and hair loss.
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Assoc. Prof. Ratchathorn Panchaprateep, M.D., Head of the Hair and Scalp Center, Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society and lecturer of the Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, in her research on "Proteomic Analysis in Derma Papilla from Male Androgenetic Alopecia after Treatment with Low-Level Laser Therapy" that received an award from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) proves that the use of low-level laser therapy can stimulate the scalp and hair growth in 24 weeks.

Warning signs of "unusual hair loss"

"Normally, you can lose some hair when shampooing, blow-drying, or combing every day. However, if you encounter unusual hair loss during the day, e.g. during meals or walking around at work, that is another sign of abnormality, and you should see a hair-and-scalp specialist. Men have short hair, and it's hard to notice hair loss during the day. You should pay attention right after you wake up to see if there is any hair on the pillow."

For men, thinning hair, and hereditary hair loss usually starts in the front and recedes into an M-shaped hairline. Some develop a bald patch in the crown that gradually spreads out. For women, thinning tends to start at where the hair parts, and gradually worsen as time passes.

"Hair thinning and genetic hair loss are different from thinning hair caused by an abnormal immune system (Alopecia Areata) that causes round patches of hair loss the size of a 10-baht coin," Assoc. Dr. Ratchathorn, M.D. added.

Cause of thinning hair, hair loss, and baldness

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratchathorn revealed that, statistically, up to 40 percent of Thai people have thinning hair, hair loss, and baldness problems. The number is on the upward trends every year, with the current environment -; stress, weather conditions, and bad diet. Hair problems and baldness can occur in both females and males, but in the latter, the problem starts at a young age and the conditions are more severe than in females. The main causes of hair and scalp problems are as follows:

1. Genetics – Outstanding genes from the father or mother with thinning hair, or scalp problems;
2. During puberty, the male hormone testosterone will stick to the hair follicles, causing both the follicles and the hair to become thinner, and fall off easily;
3. Environmental factors such as stress, sunlight, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, etc., can also be the culprit. Nowadays, hereditary hair loss is increasingly found in younger people.

Low-level laser therapy – a new alternative to restore life to your hair

Currently, there are three popular treatments for genetic hair loss: Taking Finasteride medication to stop testosterone from sticking to the hair follicles and to slow down hair loss; applying Minoxidil topically and continuously to the scalp to plump up and thicken the hair, and hair transplant surgery by transplanting the hair from the denser area. This method is suitable for severe and advanced cases. The advantage of this method is that the hair will last a lifetime, and can be permed, dyed, and washed. People with hair transplants can engage in any sports activities with confidence.

Recently, low-level laser therapy -; a new treatment that is effective with fast results became available. There are two types:

1. Laser cap or comb – the accessories that emit red laser light 'Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)' to gently stimulates hair follicle cells. Suitable for those who have thinning hair in the initial to moderate stage, this device is portable and can be used at home. Using this device continuously for 15 minutes a day will strengthen the hair and hair follicles, as well as generate new and thicker hair growth. However, patients should consult the doctor for directions on use, and device type.
2. Low-level laser adapted from the laser used for hair removal. It is a low-energy laser to stimulate the hair follicles all over the scalp.

"This low-level laser therapy is suitable for patients with an early stage of hair loss i.e. with mild to moderate symptoms, but not suitable for those in an advanced stage, or already have baldness. Patients should undergo the therapy continuously at least 5 – 10 times, every two weeks. They will start to see the result after the 5th treatment. Clearer results can be seen after three months. Patients will have new growth of stronger hair," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratchathorn said.

This is the first research in Asia to confirm the efficacy of low-level laser therapy for genetic hair loss, making Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratchathorn the first Thai female doctor to win the highest Platinum Follicle Award 2019 from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) for her professional excellence and research on hair.
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"Even though genetic hair loss cannot be cured, the current treatment can extend the hair's life and scalp health. Most important is to keep your body strong with a healthy diet especially protein, get enough sleep and avoid stress," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratchathorn concluded.

This section is for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. ​

This month's article is from
Eat This, Not That!
 
One Major Effect of Vitamin D on Hair Loss, New Study Suggests
Dermatologists point to one more possible reason to behold this powerful supplement.

When you think about ways to manage hair loss, some of the medicated or even surgical options might seem risky… not to mention, expensive. If you've considered what to do about balding, a new study could save you some cash and concern: With all the health buzz around Vitamin D these days, dermatologists were interested to see whether the supplement could address hair loss—an issue that currently affects more than 80% of men and 50% of women around age 50, according to NYU Langone Health.
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Keep reading for more about the possible link between Vitamin D and some cases of hair loss, and don't miss One Surprising Effect Coffee Has on Your Hair, According to a Dermatologist.

In a new study published this week in The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, a duo of dermatologists in India stated: "Vitamin D is intricately involved in various signaling pathways of growth and differentiation of hair follicles."
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Recognizing that Vitamin D has been shown to affect the hair cycle, they set out to conduct their own investigation of Vitamin D as "a potential therapeutic modality in hair loss."