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:

 Platelet Rich Plasma for Hair Loss
PRP is an all-natural, minimally invasive treatment option for men and women with hair loss.

Androgenetic alopecia, or AGA, is the most common cause of hair loss among both men and women, affecting up to 40% of women and 70% of men. Visually, it's characterized by decreased hair density, diameter and length as thick, terminal hairs transition into thin, vellus hairs.

These changes often occur in a characteristic, gender-specific pattern. AGA has been associated with negative social implications and psychological conditions affecting quality of life. Current Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment options include oral finasteride for men and minoxidil for men and women, which are associated with potentially irreversible side effects, and linked with low patient compliance and suboptimal results. Due to limited effective therapies for AGA, platelet rich plasma – or PRP – has become an effective alternative treatment. PRP is an all-natural, minimally invasive treatment option for men and women with hair loss.

PRP is an autologous concentration of platelets in plasma with numerous growth factors that contribute to hair regeneration. The growth factors contained within platelets act on stem cells in the hair follicles and stimulate development of new follicles along with growth of new blood vessels. Since the early 2000s, PRP has been used across medical specialties such as neurosurgery, orthopedics and maxillofacial surgery for its wound-healing properties. Orthopedics has had success using PRP in joints after surgery and injuries, where they found there was less pain and faster healing due to its regenerative properties.

PRP is a volume of blood plasma that's concentrated (more than 1 million platelets/μL) with platelets. It's rich in growth factors contained in platelet granules. These growth factors bind to their receptors in the hair follicle, in turn helping to activate the growth phase of the hair follicle. Platelet-rich plasma has multiple actions at the hair follicle, leading to alterations in the hair cycle and improvement in hair growth.

Most of the literature and research supporting PRP for hair loss is with male or female pattern hair loss, or AGA. At the initial consultation, a doctor will discuss personal and family history of hair loss, along with dietary and lifestyle habits. It's important to discuss expectations and expected treatment outcomes with your provider, too.

Ultimately, PRP works best in combination with other therapies, both topical and oral, in order to address all the factors that can cause hair loss. It's also recommended to avoid NSAIDs, blood thinners and herbal supplements (such as garlic, ginko, vitamin E and St John's wort) for two weeks prior to treatment in order to decrease the risk of bruising and ensure the platelets are not affected. And it's advised to not color or dye the hair 48 hours before and after treatment. Hydration is also essential for 24 hours prior to injection, in order to ensure the maximum amount of plasma will be collected for each treatment. The procedure involves drawing blood, spinning it in a centrifuge for 10 to 15 minutes and then separating and preparing the PRP. Once it's prepared, it's injected into the thinning areas of the scalp through numerous injections.

From clinical experience, I recommend the use of PRP as a co-adjuvant treatment for AGA and encourage patients to continue topical and/or oral therapies (such as minoxidil, spironolactone and finasteride), as PRP does not suppress the hormonal component of AGA.
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Overall, our male and female patients have had positive results from PRP injections in AGA in terms of regrowth, increased hair density and improved quality of life. One are athat requires more research is how effective PRP is beyond one year of treatment. While many prospective and randomized controlled trials show benefit at three to six months of treatment, it's unclear when peak hair density is reached, how long treatment effects last and how often treatment must be continued after the short term. Longer-term, controlled studies examining these questions could eventually assist clinicians in establishing standardized treatment protocols.

It can be alarming to look at your comb or the shower drain cover and see a clump of hair. Not only could it clog your pipes, it can cause you to worry that it’s a sign of serious hair loss. But chances are what you’re seeing isn’t anything to be concerned about—and if you want to be sure, there are easy ways to check for abnormal hair loss without visiting a doctor.

The average person loses somewhere between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Yes, that’s a lot, so don’t panic if you see a few strands in your bathroom.

Hair shedding versus hair loss

While we’re on the topic, there is a difference between hair loss and hair shedding. The AAD notes that hair shedding—or temporarily losing a little more hair than usual—is completely normal, and usually occurs after a major life stressor or body change, like losing 20 pounds or more, giving birth, having a high fever, going off birth control pills, or caregiving for a loved one. Excessive hair shedding usually lasts for six to nine months, and then your hair growth and hair loss returns to normal levels.

Hair loss, on the other hand, is when something happens that actually stops your hair from growing, the AAD explains. Examples of this include hereditary hair loss, losing hair because of a medication like chemotherapy, using harsh hair care products, or having a compulsion to pull out your own hair. In these cases, the hair will not regrow until the cause stops—though that’s not possible in every case (i.e., if genetics are to blame). If you still have questions about the difference between hair shedding and hair loss, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor.

That said, if you want to test your own rate of hair loss, here are two ways to go about it:

Pull test

​For a simple at-home test, Dr. James C. Marotta suggests you take about 60 hairs between your fingers and pull a little bit as you run your fingers through your hair. It’s normal to see five to eight hairs in your hand. If you have 15 to 20 hairs, though, you could be losing more hair than normal. Marotta explains:
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Comb test

Here’s another test to try: Before shampooing, comb from the back of the top of your head forward to the front of the scalp for one minute. Do this while leaning over a lightly colored bed sheet, then count the hairs on the sheet. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Dermatology, you should see about 10 hairs. If you see more, you might be experiencing excessive hair loss.

Of course, there are a few caveats to both of these methods, including that these numbers are approximate and may differ between people with different types of hair. Also, we tend to lose more hair as we age, which, again, is normal. But the general idea is to get a baseline for your own head so you can tell when your hair loss has gotten worse.
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This story was originally published in November 2016 and updated on Dec. 2, 2020 to perform a copyedit and align the content with current Lifehacker style guidelines. 

This year are started a section 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 I have another article for you about

 8 Early Signs of Male Pattern Baldness

​If you’re a man and losing your hair, you are probably not feeling your best. You want to curb your hair loss before it really gets out of control.

You want to avoid going bald. You want to keep an eye out to see if you are going bald so you can know if and when to take action.

So how do you know that you might be going bald? What causes baldness and is there anything you can do to avoid it?

We’ve put together this guide on the early signs of male pattern baldness.

1. Hereditary
Hereditary influences is the most common reason for hair loss. You should ask if anyone in your family was bald if you don’t know already.

Beware, however, this reason comes with many myths. The most popular is that the ‘baldness gene’ comes from the mother’s side of the family. 

The fact is that bot much research has not been done in this area and it is still a relatively new field of discovery. You should meticulously analyze if baldness has been common on both sides of your family before you worry about whether or not you might lose your hair.

2. Receding Hairline
If you notice that your hairline is receding, this is a sign that you might go bald. This starts with your hair thinning at your temples as well as your forehead.

A receding hairline means that your hair will thin and then fall out. You are left with a horseshoe aesthetic on your head. A receding hairline can also lead to baldness, though not necessarily. If you are experiencing a receding hairline, you can speak to a doctor on whether they think this will lead to baldness.

3. Your Crown
You should also keep an eye on the crown of your head. You can also lose hair on your crown. If you do, this can lead to eventual baldness.

You want to check if there is any thinning at the crown of your head as soon as possible. You can ask your doctor if they feel this will lead to baldness.

4. Curly Hair
Having curly hair, believe it or not, can lead to baldness — if your hair is naturally straight. If you find that you see curly hair near your hairline, this can lead to you losing your hair.

You might see curly hair appear once your hair on your crown begins to thin. If this happens, then you should seek solutions to prevent balding as it is now much more likely to happen.

5. Aging
As you age, the chances of going bald increases. Once you go past the age of 50, you can expect your hair to thin. This doesn’t mean that you will go bald, but the likelihood increases.

You want to make sure that you eat healthily, have a healthy lifestyle, and try to avoid using damaging hair products if you want to avoid baldness at a later age. Hair thinning is natural and inevitable, but this doesn’t have to mean that you will lose your hair altogether.

6. Wide Parting
If you notice that your hair has wide partings, this can lead to balding. When you comb or part your hair, take a close inspection at the parting. If you find that the parting is wider than normal, then you want to start focusing on regrowing your hair.

When you see a wide parting, you should also pay attention if your hair is thinning. If both occur, then this increases the likelihood of balding.

7. You Have Dandruff
If you have dandruff, this can cause more serious issues in the future. Most men see dandruff as an inconvenience that will one day disappear. But if you have dandruff for long enough, it can lead to baldness.

Dandruff means that there is a lack of hydration and oil production in your scalp. It leads to poor scalp health which, in turn, can lead to baldness. If you do experience dandruff, you want to take the steps to fight against it. You want to invest in an anti-dandruff shampoo, for example.

If the problem persists, you should speak to your doctor about how you can deal with dandruff. Even if this never leads to baldness, you want to make sure your scalp is as healthy as possible so that you never increase the risk of balding.

8. Sensitivity and Pain
Do you ever feel a sensitivity or a vicious pain on your head? When the weather is hot or cold, do you feel an unbearable pain at the top of your head? This might lead to balding.

This happens when your hair is thinning. When your hair is thinning, it cannot serve as adequate protection for your head. As a result, the pain and sensitivity continues to increase when you go out in hot or cold weather.
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If you notice this sensitivity and/or pain, then it might mean that your hair is thinning. If you find that it is, then you need to take action. One simple precaution is to cover your head when you go out so that you can prolong your hair and scalp health.

As a heads up, if you do find out you are experiencing the possibility of going bad, we want you to find a way to stop this. To start, You can check out these helpful vitamins to combat your baldness.

Alopecia, or hair loss can affect your scalp as well as body hair. It can be temporary or permanent. This can result due to hereditary reasons, medical conditions or ailments, or aging.

Look After Your Hair

Now that you know the early signs of male pattern baldness, you are better prepared to prevent and treat balding. Make sure to share this guide with other men who are worried about balding.

From Fashionably Male

This year are started a section 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 I have another article for you about

 12 Most Common Causes of Hair Loss
in Women

We all want to feel healthy and happy, especially in today’s world where we are surrounded by uncertainty and change. If you’re like me and many other women who have experienced unexpected hair loss, it can increase your anxiety. There is good news, however. There are many reasons why you may be experiencing sudden hair loss, most of which are temporary and reversible. Here are 12 of the most common causes of hair loss in women.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women?

Hopefully, these causes for hair loss in women will ease your worries and help you change your routine to reverse hair shedding.

#1: Stress

For many of us, stress has become a significant factor in our daily lives. Unfortunately, when left unchecked, stress can lead to many health-related issues, including hair loss. According to experts, the average human scalp has about 100,000 hair follicles. At any given time, each of your hair follicles is in a different phase of this cycle: Anagen phase (growth), Catagen (transition) phase, Telogen phase (resting), and Exogen phase (shedding). If your hair loss has been triggered by stress, managing your stress could be the key to returning to a healthy rate of hair growth. So, next time you’re starting to feel that stress level rise, remember to take deep breaths and look for healthy stress relievers. Your hair will benefit and so will you.

#2: Weight Loss

I have personal experience with this one. When I recently lost about 35 pounds in three months, I started to notice I was losing more than my normal amount of hair on a daily basis. I was eating a balanced diet, but it was restrictive in calories and resulted in fairly rapid weight loss. The research shows that rapid weight loss can cause hair loss by causing your hair to go into its resting phase, also known as telogen effluvium. According to Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff, “The stress to one’s system from sudden or excessive weight loss can throw hair follicles into their resting phase. This is when many hairs are shed…This resting phase usually lasts two or three months. Hair growth returns to normal after that.”

#3: Childbirth

Known as one of the most physically and emotionally charged times in a woman’s life, it’s no wonder that some of us experience sudden hair loss during and directly after childbirth. According to the medical experts, this is often due to hormonal shifts brought on by pregnancy. During the nine months of active pregnancy, our hair stays in its growth, or Anagen, phase, and does not get shed like it normally would. Therefore, when hormones shift again postpartum and the hair enters its resting phase, the excess hair is shed, which can seem alarming. However, it is usually temporary and a natural part of the childbirth process.

#4: Hot Oil

How many of you love a good hot oil treatment for your hair? I know there’s something extremely relaxing about the heat and feel of it as it sits on your scalp. While there are some great benefits to it, you may want to be careful when indulging in this activity. It has been found that excessive use of this and other chemical treatments, such as permanents and dyes, can cause scarring to your hair follicles, which may result in hair loss.

#5: Hair Styling

As may be expected, if you engage in excessive hair-styling techniques that put extreme stress and pulling on your hair, such as tight braiding, pigtails or cornrows, over time, that could result in some hair loss. So, the next time you try one of these styles, you may want to give your hair a little grace and loosen the braid just a bit. Your scalp and hair will thank you.

#6: Genetics

Sometimes, the cause of our hair loss is as simple as genetics. Experts at the Mayo Clinic state, “The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women.” If you find yourself experiencing the same hair loss as others in your family, this may be the cause.

#7: Scalp Health

We all love a good dry shampoo or leave-in conditioner, right? While they have some great benefits for our hair, excessive use may cause inflammation and/or clogging of our hair follicles. Because most hair loss is related to the condition of our scalp and follicles, clogging them can lead to hair loss. The key to preventing this loss is to find a hair-care regimen that works for you and one that also promotes a healthy scalp. Shampooing, rinsing and scalp treatments can help prevent this loss and lead to a healthier you.

#8: Shrinking Follicles

According to experts at WebMD, 30 million American women experience a hereditary condition that causes hair loss, affecting about 50% of all women. It is known as female-pattern baldness. According to WebMD, “Typically, each time a normal hair follicle is shed, it is replaced by hair that is equal in size. But in women with female-pattern hair loss, the new hair is finer and thinner — a more miniaturized version of itself…” What eventually happens is the follicles shrink and can even quit growing altogether. You should visit your doctor or dermatologist, if you think you may be experiencing this type of hair loss, as they can help determine a treatment regimen.

#9: Menopause

While many women may experience increased hair loss when going through menopause, experts say this may be more an effect of aging than the actual menopausal process. For many of the reasons above, as women get older, they experience changes in their hair follicles around the ages of 50 to 60. This could be due to hormone changes, stress, diet or other health conditions.

#10: Vitamins

We all know that good nutrition and proper supplementation are keys to a healthy lifestyle. They are also vital to the health of our hair. Nutritionists have found the most influential nutrients which can be linked to healthy hair are Vitamin B12, Biotin, Folate, and Riboflavin. Many of these can be found in the food we eat, as well as in well-rounded multi vitamins.

#11: Medications

Some medications may cause hair loss, especially if stress on the hair follicles is a known side effect. Prolonged stress may result in hair loss. It is always best to consult with your doctor about prolonged medication use of any kind.

#12: Diet

Finally, indulging in a healthy, well-rounded nutrition routine is crucial to overall health, including your lustrous strands. One commonly misunderstood part of our diets is fat. Some have found that a lack of healthy fats in a person’s diet may lead to hair loss. Experts state that adding healthy fats to your diet is extremely important for hair growth. Fat helps the body assimilate vitamins that are essential for healthy hair. Focus on eating unsaturated fats like Omega 3s.

So, there you have it, my top 12 causes for hair loss in women. Whatever the reason, if you are experiencing unexpected hair loss, you should contact your health-care provider for more information and resources. Here’s to less stress and shining strands of luxurious hair in 2021!

On average, hair tends to grow between 0.5 and 1.7 centimeters per month. This is equivalent to around 0.2 to 0.7 inches.

This estimate comes from The Trichological Society. However, lots of different factors affect the speed of hair growth.

Males, for example, may find that their hair grows faster than that of females. Other things that influence the speed of hair growth include genetics, age, health, and pregnancy.

Bone marrow, which is the soft substance present inside the bones, is the only part of the body that grows faster than hair.

The lips, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet are the only parts of the body on which hair does not grow. The main purpose of hair is to protect the body and keep it warm.
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Keep reading for more information on how hair grows and the various factors that affect the speed of its growth.

People are born with around 5 million hair follicles. These are little pockets in the skin that hair grows out of.

Around 100,000 of these follicles are on the scalp. People with oval shaped follicles have very curly hair, while those with round follicles have straight hair.

The stages of hair growth are as follows:

1. Each follicle contains a hair root, which is made of cells of protein.
2. As blood circulates around the body, it delivers oxygen and nutrients to the protein cells, which they need to multiply.
3. As the protein cells multiply, they build hair, which pushes up through the skin.
4. As the hair grows out of the skin, it passes an oil gland. This lubricates the hair with the oil it needs to stay soft and shiny.
5. By the time the hair is long enough to come through the skin, it is dead. As a new hair grows underneath, it pushes the dead hair out of the skin. The hair then falls out or is shed.

Not all hair follicles are in action at the same time. Follicles on the scalp, for example, will grow hair for a few years before becoming inactive for a period. This inactive part of the hair growth cycle is called telogen.

People lose around 50–100 hairs from their body every day as part of the normal hair growth cycle.

Factors That Influence Hair Growth

Everyone’s hair is different, and lots of factors can influence how quickly it grows.
These include:

• Genetics: A person’s genes will dictate how quickly their hair will grow.
• Sex: Male hair grows faster than female hair.
• Age: Hair grows fastest between the ages of 15 and 30, before slowing down. Some follicles stop working altogether as people get older. This is why some people get thinner hair or go bald.
• Nutrition: Good nutrition is essential for the growth and maintenance of healthy hair.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium occurs when stress prompts the hair roots to enter the telogen stage of the hair cycle too early. It can mean that as many as 70% of scalp hairs fall out within about 2 months.

People experiencing telogen effluvium often find that their hair comes out in handfuls. It is usually most noticeable on the scalp but can affect any part of the body.

Common causes of telogen effluvium include:

• childbirth
• high fever
• severe infection
• severe illness
• surgery
• overactive or underactive thyroid gland
• not eating enough protein

Several medications can also cause telogen effluvium. These include:

• retinoids
• beta-blockers
• calcium channel blockers
• antidepressants
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen

Telogen effluvium will usually clear up on its own once a person has sought treatment for the cause. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the amount of shedding tends to decrease over a period of around 6–8 months.

Can You Make Hair Grow More Quickly?

According to The Trichological Society, there is little evidence to suggest that using special shampoos or taking supplements can make hair grow any quicker.

​Good nutrition is an important part of healthy hair growth. This is because the living part of the hair (the root) receives its nutrients from the blood.

Adopting a healthful diet containing fruit, vegetables, grains, and an appropriate amount of fat will promote healthy hair.

Specific foods that can promote healthy hair include:

• Fish: Fish contains essential omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin B-12, and iron, all of which prevent a dry scalp and stop hair from looking dull in color.
• Dark green vegetables: These contain high levels of vitamin A and C, which help keep hair in good condition.
• Legumes: These are full of protein, which promotes hair growth and helps prevent weak and brittle hair.
• Biotin: A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair or hair loss. Whole grains, liver, egg yolk, soy flour, and yeast all contain biotin.
• Nuts: These are a good source of selenium, which is important for a healthy scalp. Some nuts also contain alpha-linoleic acid and zinc. These help condition the hair and prevent shedding.
• Low fat dairy products: These are good sources of calcium, which is another key component in hair growth.

Factors That Slow Hair Growth

Factors that can slow the rate of hair growth include:

• crash diets
• eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
• stress
• smoking
• vitamin deficiencies

Summary
 
Everyone’s hair grows at different rates. Many factors — including genetics, sex, and age — can influence the speed of hair growth.

Hair grows out of follicles, which are small pockets inside the skin. Each follicle contains a hair root, which is made of protein cells. As the blood vessels feed the roots with oxygen and nutrients, they multiply and grow into hair.
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There is little evidence to suggest that specialist shampoo or supplements can speed the rate of hair growth. Instead, eating a nutritious diet that includes plenty of protein is essential for healthy hair.