You can’t stop Mother Nature — but yes, you can slow down hair loss.  Here’s how.

To a degree, hair loss is totally normal. In fact, most men typically lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day, says Dr. Robert Glatter, MD, an attending emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital who has frequently consulted with men about hair loss.

By far the most common cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, which is caused by increased sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While “nearly 50% of men will experience some degree of hair loss by the time they turn 50, hair loss can also begin earlier in life,” says Glatter, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition to early hair loss.

But if you're younger than 50 and you're constantly seeing strands of hair on your pillow, in the shower, or on your favorite sweater, you might want to take note, particularly if your hairline isn't actually receding (the most common sign of male pattern baldness). It could mean you’re losing hair at an abnormally fast rate. You’ll need to speak to a physician to figure out what’s stressing out your head, but here are 6 surprising reasons why your hair might be falling out.

1) Dandruff
Up to 40% of men have dandruff, a.k.a. seborrheic dermatitis. “Dandruff occurs when the scalp sheds its skin, so whitish flakes or scales may appear on your back or shoulders,” says Glatter. “Causes stem from hormonal changes or fluctuations, excessive oil or sebum production in the skin."

The good news is, seborrheic dermatitis is highly treatable. If seborrheic dermatitis is contributing to your hair loss, and it’s treated right away, you’ll likely notice significant hair regrowth 8 months after starting treatment, says Glatter.

2) Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes excessive skin cell turnover, as well as a thick white scaly patch on the scalp that can potentially bleed if removed.
“Scalp psoriasis can result in hair loss, [because] you may scratch your head to relieve the itching caused by scaling. That could cause your hair to fall out,” Glatter says.

To reduce scalp itch and potential hair loss, limit use of blow dryers or styling irons, which heat the scalp. It may also help to apply an ice pack or cool wet towel against the irritated area of the scalp. There are also a number of shampoos on the market (like Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo Plus Conditioner, $6.67, buy it here) which can help treat the condition.

In more severe cases, a dermatologist can prescribe you "oral medications, topical creams, and ointments, along with use of ultraviolet light therapy to reduce and treat flare-ups,” Glatter says. “While you can’t completely prevent psoriasis breakouts, you can manage the condition. Talk with your doctor about ways to manage your stress, alcohol intake, medications, and other changes in your health."

3) Ringworm
Ringworm, a.k.a. tinea, is a fungal infection that produces scaly red patches on the skin. While you can get ringworm anywhere on your body, if you get it on your scalp or beard it can lead to patches of hair loss, says Glatter. “Once the area is treated with an oral anti-fungal medication, hair typically should regrow within 6-12 months. But it is still possible that some of the hair loss may be permanent,” he cautions.

4) Hypothyroidism
While it's much more common among women, hypothyroidism (or inadequate thyroid function) in men can cause fatigue, constipation, unexplained weight gain, difficulty concentrating, depression, and yup, you guessed it, hair loss.

“Hair, nails, and skin may become weaker and thus break more easily,” says Glatter. You might notice your hair thinning or difficulty growing facial hair.

If you suspect you might have reduced thyroid function, talk to your doctor.

5) Excessive Styling
If you have long hair, excessive tension from tight braids, man buns, and ponytails can lead to weakening of the hair follicle and subsequent hair loss and volume, Glatter says. That's why it's important not to keep your hair in a super tight up-do. You should also avoid using chemicals and hot tools as much as possible. (It's also worth noting that apparently, only 23% of women think man buns look good.)

If you do use hair products often, “gels and waxes don’t directly contribute to hair loss, but they can weaken the hair shaft with longer term use, leaving hair brittle and more prone to damage and breaks,” Glatter says. “Polyethylene glycol and alcohols may both dry your hair out and make it quite brittle, so products that are water-based [like this pomade for $12.99, buy it here] are much healthier for your hair."

6) Dyeing Your Hair
Approximately 7% of men color their hair, according to 2012 marketing research firm data. If you're one of them, your hair dyeing habit might be weakening your hair: many hair dyes contain paraphenylendiamine, which may raise the risk of hair loss. While this is relatively rare, Glatter suggests taking a break from dying your hair every few months to make sure you're not weakening your hair follicles.

This article first appeared on Men's Health

​Hair care formulators turn to skin care for the latest concepts in shampoos and conditioners.

They’re already loaded with good-for-you ingredients that promise to give your hair sheen, body and manageability. But today’s shampoos and conditioners promise more than clean, shiny locks. Some of the newest formulas make skin-caring claims; specifically, scalp-caring claims to appeal to health-savvy consumers.

“Consumers now view their hair as an extension of their skin, especially the scalp,” explained Hannah Symons, research manager, beauty and fashion, Euromonitor International. “Scalp health is a growth segment for hair care.”

The move comes at a time when consumers more than ever care about their hair. A mane attraction is the first thing most people notice about each other and looking one’s best often starts at the top. In the US, nearly everyone already shampoos nearly every day; yet, according to IRI data, US mass market shampoo sales, including dandruff formulas, rose more than 3% during the past year to more than $3 billion. Meanwhile, sales of conditioners rose less than 1% to $2.1 billion. The biggest gains, albeit from a smaller base, were in the shampoo and conditioner combo pack category, where sales surged more than 30% to over $230 million, according to IRI.

Within the regular shampoo category, Procter & Gamble dominates with more than 23% of the market. It’s a blowout in the dandruff shampoo segment, where P&G controls nearly 73% of the category, well ahead of private label’s 9.5% share. P&G is tops in conditioners, too, with a market share of more than 19%.

Euromonitor International takes a global approach to the $72 billion hair care market. It predicts that the $16.2 billion conditioner category will post a CAGR of 2% during the next five years, which is faster than 1.5% CAGR expected for the $26.8 billon shampoo market.

The best regions for growth in terms of absolute value are Asia-Pacific, Latin America and North America. But winners and losers in the shampoo and conditioner category are changing, according to Symons.

“We see a change at the top, as P&G is losing share on the global level,” she told Happi.

New Players in a Global Market

Specifically, Procter is falling behind in India and China, where local players that know the consumer’s habits, are making strides. For example, in India, Patanjali is an Ayurvedic company that operates across a range of sectors including food and personal care. Founded by Baba Ramdev, arguably India’s most famous yoga guru, Patanjali’s global sales rose 34% last year, according to Euromonitor International. It’s grabbing market share at the expense of P&G’s Head & Shoulders and Pantene brands.

Also out of India is Dabur, which calls itself the fourth-largest FMCG company in India with sales of more than $1 billion. Products are available in more than 60 countries around the world and international sales account for more than 30% of Dabur’s total revenue.

“Dabur is moving beyond India and into the Middle East, where its products are very popular,” noted Symons. “They understand the consumer market in the Middle East.”

Another example comes from China, where See Young has posted triple-digit gains during the past two years. Thanks to that surge, the Korean brand has pulled ahead of the likes of Neutrogena and John Frieda in Euromonitor’s global rankings.

As fragmentation takes a toll on multinationals’ market share, Euromonitor notes that indie startups have leveraged social media and e-commerce to expand beyond their traditional borders.

“In the future, the winners in the hair care category will be local players who understand the needs of the local population,” asserts Symons. “Instead of trying to crack the US market, they stay closer to home where they better understand the consumer.”

Fast-growing companies to watch, according to Euromonitor, include Ouai, Verb, Form and Deva Curl. Trends to keep an eye on include Halal, which has become a big part of so many consumer product categories and Symons expects the same to happen in hair care. As a result, more companies are expected to cater to the specific needs of hair covered by religious headwear.

“Only local players understand these needs,” concludes Symons. “We expect locals to continue disrupting the hair care category.”

But that doesn’t mean multinationals are ready to give up their hold on the top spots in the global shampoo and conditioner markets. For example, Unilever’s new DermaCare Scalp is an anti-dandruff shampoo that features “the perfect blend of powerful skin-focused technology with the mild care of Dove,” according to the company.

The six-item line includes 2in1 and shampoo, Invigorating Mint 2in1 and shampoo, and Dryness & Itch Relief shampoo and conditioner. All contain zinc pyrithione to banish flakes, but they also contain a blend of oils to nourish and protect the scalp.

Next month, Unilever launches Love Beauty and Planet, a planet-friendly hair and skin care brand “built on a commitment to do good through small acts of love,” according to the company. Love Beauty and Planet is the result of Unilever’s commitment to its Unilever Sustainability Plan and incorporates distinct purpose into the entire product lifecycle and beyond: giving careful thought to ingredients, formulas, product packaging, value chain and social partnerships, according to the company.

Neutrogena didn’t add any new shampoos or conditioners to its lineup during the past year, but parent company Johnson & Johnson did acquire Vogue International 18 months ago for $3.3 billion. The deal included the OGX collection of shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments, as well as Proganix and Maui Moisture hair care products, and FX hair styling products.

In the third quarter of 2017, sales of OGX helped offset a decline in baby care products at J&J. With shampoo and conditioner formulas such as Biotin & Collagen, Brazilian Keratin Therapy and Bamboo Fiber-Full, OGX was one of the first brands to make hair strengthening a key marketing message. It’s certainly paying off for the brand and for J&J, as OGX has become the leading shampoo and conditioner brand in the US mass market.

Consumers are getting the message when it comes to ingredients that are good for their hair, said Seven Haircare flagship educator Travis Clay.

“Consumers are savvy about ‘bad’ ingredients and are searching for the most nurturing products for their hair. They expect shampoos to lather well and get hair squeaky clean, hydrate and repair while conditioners must proteinize, add moisture, and repair damage too,” he said. “Products that work, smell great, and cover all of these bases are very few and far between. I know we’ve found a game changer with our Kente Bond collection.”

The Kente Bond shampoo, conditioner and reparative spray promise to deliver sustained benefits to damaged hair. The shampoo contains guar, pro vitamin B5 and green tea to intensely hydrate and soften dry damaged hair. The conditioner contains B5, amino acids and lotus to seal split ends and aid reconstruction of broken disulphide bonds, infuse moisture into hair’s cortex and create volume. Finally, the spray is said to target points of damage on the cuticle to protect hair from future harm, add shine and reduce blow dry time.

“The interest for products that do more was inspired by consumers getting older and having drier, more fragile hair. But the real truth is that they wish they had stayed ahead of it before this happened,” explained Clay. “That’s why younger generations are so careful with what they use. They are a more informed group with all the internet information and know they must stay ahead of the game to prevent their hair from ever becoming fragile or dry.”

To help maintain hair, Clay avoids harsh sulfates like SLS and SLES as well as heavy fragrances as they can sometimes trigger allergies.

“Things I definitely look for in products are coconut oil, aloe and amino acids. Seven hair care uses superoxide dismutase, which has anti-aging benefits to the scalp and actually helps to prevent premature graying—an obvious concern for most of my clients.”

Clay called sweet almond extract in the new Bond system a “smart ingredient,” as it is magnetically attracted to points of damage on the hair shaft, giving the formula “unparalleled healing properties.”

Babies’ hair may not need healing, but formulas have to be gentle. According to a new study by ReportsnReports, the global baby hair care products market post a CAGR of 6.20% from 2017 to 2021, driven in part by BRIC demand. The study ’s authors note that babies require special, but simple, hair care. As the scalp of infants is fragile and the hair follicles are in the developing stage, they require gentle hair care.

And there it is; whether you’re a middle-aged balding man showing too much scalp, or a newborn babe with cradle cap, good-for-your-skin hair care is the new normal in the multibillion dollar shampoo and conditioner market.
 
This article first appeared on happi

(from Dr Axe - Food is Medicine)
 
Have you ever wondered, “what is a hair mask and do I need a hair mask?” First, let’s be clear that it isn’t something you wear on your head. But it is something you put on your hair, and it can help you have the locks you’ve longed for. A hair mask is an easy and simple way to improve shine and manageability while providing nourishment to the cuticle, and it can be done right at home.

But who needs a hair mask? Well, it’s great for just about anyone, but can definitely offer hair health benefits for anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun, pool or adds color or other chemical products to their hair.
 
How to Make a DIY Hair Mask for Dry or Curly Hair

1 application (double the recipe if you have very long hair)
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
      (optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon coconut oil)
½ ripe avocado
2 eggs
1 tablespoon raw honey
5–10 drops rosemary essential oil
5–10 drops lavender essential oil

​Directions:

• Place coconut oil and avocado in the blender. (For curly hair, you may want to try the olive oil per the ingredients list above.)
• If you are using the whisk method, you will need to soften the coconut oil first by slightly heating it.
• Add the eggs and honey and blend.
• Add the rosemary and lavender oils and blend.
• To apply, dampen your hair, then apply the mask evenly throughout, making sure to cover all of the hair, especially the ends.
• Once you have applied it, cover the hair with a shower cap or towels so that you do not get it on your clothes. (If you have long hair, tie it up first, then cover it.)
• Allow the mask sit for 45 minutes to an hour.
• Wash out the mask with all-natural shampoo and conditioner.
• For best results, try applying this mask once a week.

Precautions
Most have no problem using any of these ingredients; however, if you notice any irritation, stop using immediately. One or more ingredients could cause an allergic reaction. Also, be careful avoid getting the mixture in your eyes. Make sure your essential oils are 100 percent certified organic for best results. 
 
This article first appeared on Dr. Axe - Food is Medicine

Your Ultimate Guide to What All Those Ingredients on Your Shampoo Bottle Mean

Considering it’s something we use every single day (or every eight days, depending on how serious your dry shampoo habit is), it’s kind of crazy that we don’t really know what’s in the shampoo we’re pouring all over our hair. Sure, it smells good, and there’s a kind that works best for every hair texture and need, but what’s actually doing the work? We did a little investigating. Consider this your glossary to all the weird and impossible-to-pronounce words commonly found on the back of your shampoo bottle.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate:

This molecule, which often goes by SLS, is a surfactant, a.k.a. a cleansing agent. Its most important use is to cleanse the hair and scalp—and, as a bonus, it produces that foamy lather that makes a good hair-washing seem so luxurious. However, this family of sulfates has also been the topic of controversy. “Though sulfate-based shampoos do effectively clean the hair, they can also strip the hair of essential oils as well as irritate the skin,” explains Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat. Think of how a too-strong face cleanser can strip skin and thus irritate it—same thing happens with sulfates. They can be harsh enough to fade hair color, so go for a sulfate-free formula to keep your color fresh and vibrant.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate:

Nope, not a typo. While sodium laureth sulfate (SLES, for short) is in the sulfate family, it’s not the same thing as SLS. “SLES has molecular attachments that make it bigger than SLS,” explains cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson. Because of that, SLES tends to cause less scalp irritation than its smaller sibling.

Dimethicone:

This silicone-based polymer is also common in complexion products like primers, since it gives skin that velvety slip. It serves pretty much the same purpose in your shampoo. “Dimethicone both conditions the hair and makes it feel smoother even before you add conditioner,” explains Robinson.

Panthenol:

Probably one of the better-known—and more crucial—shampoo ingredients, panthenol is a form of vitamin B5. It’s basically the moisturizer of your hair care regimen, says Robinson, and is used to hydrate and condition hair.

Citric Acid:

“Citric acid is an inexpensive yet highly effective ingredient to adjust the pH of the shampoo,” says Wilson. A low pH matters for skin, but what’s the big deal with your hair? Actually, the conditioning agents in both shampoos and conditioners work better under acidic conditions—so, in a low-pH environment.

Parabens (Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben):

You’ve probably heard of parabens already, because, like sulfates, they’re a serious point of contention in beauty products. “Parabens are preservatives used to prevent bacteria from growing in the product,” says Wilson. And while that sounds like a good thing—because who wants moldy shampoo?—parabens aren’t exactly innocent. “Certain forms have been shown to have the estrogen-like effects,” explains Wilson. This is definitely an issue, since high estrogen levels have been linked to multiple forms of cancer. However, Wilson says that it’s still much weaker than the phyto-estrogen effect of soy—so if you’re comfortable ordering edamame, you’re probably fine using parabens.

Zinc Pyrithione:

The #1 dandruff destroyer, this additive is more about your scalp than hair. Since it slows the production of skin cells, explains Wilson, it also puts a stop to flakes (which are essentially clumps of those skin cells). A few hair care brands use it in their non-dandruff formulas just to ensure scalp health, but there’s really no need for it unless you actually have flakes.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine:

This molecule, derived from crowd-favorite coconut oil, is kind of like a gentler version of SLS and SLES. “It’s a mild cleansing agent with conditioning properties,” says Wilson. The benefit is that it cleanses and softens hair, but it can still cause slight irritation.

 
This article first appeared on Glamour