Hair Replacement Restores Your Natural Appearance

Though hair loss has many treatments but few cures, many consider the nonsurgical hair replacement procedure superior to others.



Also known as "hair systems" the hair replacement procedure is a nonsurgical means to restore the look of the hair and scalp, as if there had been no significant hair loss. But interestingly, the best, highest-quality hair replacement systems account for age and other inherent characteristics of the client -- enabling the system to take on a much more natural and convincing look as a result.

Alternative approaches are hair transplant surgery, the application of a topical hair restorative (e.g., Rogaine) or taking an internal medication (e.g., Propecia). Each is invasive in varying degrees, as is each approach's effectiveness in creating an inconspicuous, no-hair loss appearance.

With a high quality hair replacement procedure, each individual client's system is developed with artistry and skill, specifically for the head shape, hair color and age of the client. A durable mesh base, also colored to match his or her skin tone, is woven with hair that is selected to best match the client's remaining hair. The replacement hair is expertly knotted to the mesh to convincingly create the illusion of natural growth.

In addition to shaping the mesh base from a mold of the wearer's head, the hairline is set according to where it typically would fall for a person of that age. Cowlicks and the natural part are important elements. Studios that specialize in nonsurgical hair replacement also have specially trained technicians who utilize liquid or tape adhesives (in some cases, clips) for adherence to the scalp. This final phase is crucial and not to be undertaken by individuals who lack professional training.

A growing number of celebrities and other public figures have undergone nonsurgical hair replacement procedures to counter their own hair loss. Without the illusion of their natural growing hair, their careers might face limitations. For millions of non-celebrities, the benefits can include career and relationship success, as well as a general sense of increased vigor and vitality.

Hair Systems: The Best Hair Loss Solution

Hair Systems: The Best Hair Replacement Solution



For those who still have some hair, hair systems can be the best hair loss solution for you!

Just like fashion and technology, hair replacement techniques have become so sophisticated that each can be perfectly tailored to your look, lifestyle and hair loss needs. So the real decision becomes: which method is right for me? There are choices for men and women with predictable, diagnosed hair loss, hair loss in patches where follicles are dead and those that still have certain amounts of hair, as in the case of alopecia areata.  One of the biggest advantages of non-surgical hair replacement--sometimes referred to as a hair system--is that it delivers fullness and density immediately and will work for most people of either gender.

Are hair systems for me?

• I still have hair around my hairline
  
• I have male pattern baldness
  
• I'm missing hair in patches that have remained constant
  
• I'm missing hair only on the top of my head
  
• What is my budget?
  

High-end hair systems
 
A hair system is another word for hair made to take the place of missing hair. On men it can be at the crown, the hairline, or in some combination thereof. In women (usually called "hair augmentation") it can be on the top of the head at a thinning part or wherever there is missing hair such as in the case of alopecia areata where patches of thinning are apparent. This type of hair replacement is not to be confused with toupees or wigs, since this is not something that "comes off" at the end of the day.  The hair that is applied is semi-permanent in that it is only removed for replenishing or revitalization at the provider's service facility. ??No matter what your hair loss situation, there are many ways available to find as natural-looking solution as possible to cover the thinning or denuded areas. The quality depends on the type of hair and the application methods; you'll want to consult with a professional in person to make the choice that's right for you.?? "We will usually choose this route if hair follicles are already dead and would not respond to Propecia, minoxidil or laser light therapy treatments", Shelly Beatty, owner of StyleMakers Salon in Fort Worth, Texas.

"Volumizer" hair systems 
 
These hair integration hair systems, as they can be called, are great if you still have existing hair and don't want to shave it or wear a scarf to cover your hair loss. "It's an excellent choice if you have diffused hair loss which means your hair is thinning and even if you have chunks or patches missing," says Shelly Beatty, owner of StyleMakers Salon in Fort Worth, Texas.  A 'Reprieve' is another term for this sort of non-surgical hair augmentation technique in which your existing hair is pulled through the holes of a matrix and is permanently attached so it provides for a very natural looking scalp.  You can sleep in it, wash it and partake in normal activities without anyone knowing about your hair loss, says Beatty. "We will usually choose this route if hair follicles are already dead and would not respond to Propecia, Minoxodil or laser light therapy treatments."  These units must be professionally applied and maintained at least monthly by a hair loss professional.

Mail order hair systems 
 
Mail order services exist for you if you're looking to reduce expenses associated with your hair replacement system or you want the privacy of doing everything yourself.  These work best if you have already had your hair loss diagnosed by a professional and have already previously visited a hair replacement/hair loss specialist and had a custom hair system designed. This way you are a knowledgeable consumer.  But caution must be observed if you choose to go the "mail order" route: this is a "do it yourself" solution and the results are frequently far less than optimal.  If all you seek is a tape-on toupee or a wig, this could be a viable alternative.  But for those looking for true hair replacement, it really isn't something to be contemplated.

The bottom line on hair systems 
 
Every hair replacement option has its own pros and cons that can be best answered by a hair replacement or hair loss professional because all the options depend or your own personal needs and desires. Hair replacement is serious business, since your appearance is at stake.   If that matters to you, and you certainly wouldn't be seeking a hair loss solution if it didn't, consult the very best professional help available.

The Right Hairbrush for Thinning Hair

Choosing the Right Hairbrush Can Prevent Hair Loss

If you are losing hair, brush up on your hairbrush knowledge to prevent further hair loss.

With all the hairbrushes on store and salon shelves today, it's hard to know what each brush does. But when you add a hair loss or thinning issue to your hair care needs, you really need to pay attention to certain features of hairbrushes that can help or hurt your situation. So, brush up on these brush facts gleaned from hairstylists and hair loss treatment providers.

• Invest in a natural-bristle paddle brush. It doesn't have to be an expensive boar-bristle brush -- any brush made of natural bristles or even combined with some nylon bristles will do the trick. This is the basic hairbrush, around for centuries and responsible for grandma's advice of "a hundred brushstrokes a day." This type of hairbrush is good for your thinning hair because the natural bristles gently reach to the scalp to stimulate circulation while distributing natural oils down the hair shaft to make hair as resilient as it can be. Also, the natural bristles cut down on static that can be caused by plastic brush bristles. Just skip the 100 strokes part because overuse would be damaging to fragile hair and scalp.

• Look for molded ball-tips. Most plastic-bristle styling brushes will have ball-tips to protect scalp from stiff, pointy bristles. When choosing a plastic-bristle vent brush or paddle brush for styling or blow-drying, look carefully at how the balls on the ends of the bristles are manufactured. Choose bristles with ball-tips that are molded, not simply glued on, because those catch the hairs and cause breakage -- and you definitely want to keep all the hair you have!

• Look for the cushion. A good-quality hair brush and one that is safest for use on fragile hair types will have a cushioned base that bristles are attached to, which provides the "give" when hair gets stuck to avoid pulling and breakage.

• Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair. Never use any type of brush on wet hair, because it will pull tangled hair. Use a good conditioner to detangle hair in the shower; then, after gently pressing hair dry with a towel, use fingers first to separate hairs and detangle. If further detangling is required, use a wide-tooth comb.

• Reduce heat time. In order to cut your exposure to high-degree heat and to eliminate such extra steps as using a curling iron or flatiron, try a brush with a ceramic or metal base for straightening or a metal or ceramic core for round-brush styling and curling. When these brushes are used with the heat of a hair dryer, the core or base heats up to style the hair quicker, and possibly eliminate steps, and to limit heat exposure.

• Try an hourglass-shaped round brush. Another option in reducing heat exposure is to try a natural-bristle round brush with an hourglass shape. These brushes pull hair tauter in the center to create a tighter curl faster and might work easily for your fine hair, especially if you don't want to expose fragile hair to the metal- or ceramic-core curling brush or a curling iron. The natural bristles also let hair slide easily around the brush without tugging, catching or breaking hair. Use the larger-barrel brushes for longer hair and the smallest ones for short hair.

• Hold before you buy. Get a feel for how the brush moves in your hand. Look for brushes that have ergonomically designed handles made of wood or silicone that facilitate correct usage and make styling easier. You can do this research at the drugstore or the salon. Your hairstylist will be happy to show you which brush does what and give you styling tips with specific brushes for your specific hairstyle.
  

If you are suffering from hair loss, taking the time to educate yourself about myriad of different choices when it comes to hairbrushes can help you to keep the hair you have. A good hairbrush can be an effective tool for preventing hair loss.

Hair Types for Hair Extensions

Learn the Hair Types Used in Manufacturing Hair Extensions

 

Hair extensions can be created from several types of hair including human hair, synthetic hair or a mixture of both.

When selecting hair extensions, you will need to choose from human hair, synthetic hair or a combination of the two. By understanding the benefits of each type of hair, you will be able to pick the right hair extensions for you.

Human-hair extensions

Whether you want hair extensions to help disguise hair loss, add volume to thinning hair or just make a fashion statement, most experts recommend hair extensions created from natural human hair. Human-hair extensions can be washed, colored, styled and otherwise treated like your own hair. Of course, since they are made of human hair, these hair extensions look more authentic than synthetic extensions do.

"We use real 100 percent human hair," says Giovanni Mele, owner of Giovanni & Pileggi salon in Philadelphia. "Most reputable salons use human hair because it looks and feels more realistic and is easier to maintain and care for. Synthetic-hair extensions also are an option but are more limiting in what you can do with them."

The hair for human-hair extensions comes from all around the world. New York City trichologist Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips says, "The most common type of human hair used in extensions tends to be European, followed by Indian and Asian."

European hair is thin and shinny, making it a top choice for hair extensions. Asian hair can sometimes be too thick, so it is processed and thinned out using chemicals that can damage the hair, resulting in lower-quality extensions. Indian hair is usually similar in structure to the hair from Europe and therefore a popular option.

"Remy hair is the most often used and is the highest-quality hair," says Ron King, L'Oreal Professionnel stylist and spokesman and creator of Ron King Invisi-Tab Hair Extensions. "Remy hair still has the cuticle layer that all flows in the same direction as natural hair would."

Remy hair is often considered the best quality for hair extensions because the cuticles are not stripped. With other types of hair, an acid bath is used, which strips the hair cuticles, and then a layer of silicone is added to give the hair a shiny, smooth look. But the silicone eventually wears off when the hair is washed, causing the hair extensions to get dull, matted and tangled. Preserving the cuticles in Remy hair allows the manufacturer to create beautiful, natural-looking hair extensions that are extremely shiny, silky and soft -- as well as tangle free. Although Remy hair can be found in a variety of places around the globe, Indian Remy hair is the most popular.

Synthetic-hair extensions

In recent years, some concerns have developed about how the human hair in hair extensions is being procured. Horror stories exist about hair being harvested from corpses, young girls in Russia being forced to shave their heads and women in India not knowing their sacrificed hair is being sold by Hindu temples to be used for extensions. Because some of these stories are actually fact and not fiction, the ethics of hair extensions have been called into question.

While many hair extension distributors and manufacturers have developed ethics policies, reportedly only about 25 percent of hair imported into the United States for hair extensions is considered ethical. Because the origins of most hair extensions are untraceable, the only way you can be assured that ethical hair extensions are being attached to your head is by purchasing synthetic-hair extensions.

Synthetic-hair extensions have come a long way over the past decade. Created from synthetic (man-made) fibers, synthetic-hair extensions are far less expensive than their human-hair counterparts. Keep in mind, however, that maintenance costs will be pricier. Synthetic hair can be burned with heated styling tools and can tangle easily if not cared for properly.

For a period of time, some hair extension companies were making hair extensions out of a mix of both human and synthetic hair. Unfortunately, this was not a wise option, since the different hair types demand different care and treatment.

In most cases, to get a realistic, full head of extensions, you should stick with high-quality, ethical human hair. For hairpieces or short-term wear, synthetic hair can look authentic and be a more affordable option.

Hair Loss Concealers

Hair Loss Concealers Work On Small Thinning Areas of Hair

Spray or brush-on hair is not as silly as it sounds. For people with thinning hair, it can be a quick, convincing solution.

People experience degrees of hair thinning, often on the crown or top of the head. It may not be noticeable except when they expose that particular area. Their degree of hair thinning may not be so noticeable as to warrant hair transplant surgery or nonsurgical hair replacement, but may be addressed by use of a hair loss concealer.

Since hair loss occurs by degrees, the decision to use a concealer is a personal judgment call. As with concealers used on the skin to hide a blemish, hair loss concealers work to smooth out density differences over a small area, but is less convincing at hiding large and obvious thinning spots.

Such concealers are typically fibrous pigments that attach to existing hair or to the scalp itself, made up of polymers, keratin fibers, lanolin or other materials. In some cases, the fibers are electrostatically charged, drawn to existing hair as metal fibers are to a magnet. Otherwise, the concealer is in lotion or semi-solid form.

Hair loss concealers come in several forms to meet different needs: granular sprinkles applied with a shaker; aerosol, applied similarly to hair spray; brushed or wiped solids that coat and thicken longer shafts of hair to cover a thinning spot; and lotions that expand the volume of the hair itself.

Hair loss concealers work only when the haircut and hairstyle are appropriate. Most appealing, hair loss concealers and volumizers are a five-minute solution. With practice, the individual can incorporate the application of a concealer into daily grooming routines.

Hair Loss Condition: Female Pattern Baldness

Female Pattern Baldness Is a Typically Preventable Disease

The good news is that female pattern baldness can be successfully treated if you catch it early enough.

Overview of female pattern baldness

While natural hair loss in women is generally referred to as female pattern baldness, (or androgenetic alopecia ) women's hair loss is rarely classified as true baldness, nor does it often resemble the patterns of hair loss so often seen in men. With diffused thinning of the hair all over the head, hair loss, for women, can have a devastating affect on self-esteem. After all, a woman's hair isn't supposed to fall out. That problem belongs to men. Right? Well, not exactly. In fact statistics say that by the age of 80, some 57% of women will experience some level of female pattern baldness.

Causes of female pattern baldness

• Hormone imbalance -- Scientists have still not reached a consensus about the genetic and hormonal mechanisms that trigger hair loss, but DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) an androgen (male) hormone, is one of the main culprits in hair loss. In women, hormone imbalance often comes with age. Menopause might be the trigger for this extra dose of male hormone that causes hair to thin on the scalp and grow coarser on the face because the body begins to produce less estrogen.

• Genetics -- Heredity can play a part as well, though scientists are only now identifying the genes responsible. Tendencies for female pattern baldness are inherited through your maternal line. If your mother lost her hair, there's a good chance you will, too.

• Pregnancy -- Women have often experienced some hair loss at some point in their lives because of hormonal imbalance, such as after a pregnancy. Hair grows thicker because of the extra estrogen, but sheds after childbirth. Still, that lost hair usually grows back normally after a few months. With androgen linked hair loss, the thinning of a woman's hair can go unnoticed for a time. She can attribute her hair loss to stress or diet or even health before the real reason becomes clear. By the time she becomes truly concerned, she's seeing white scalp through her hair.

• Medical issues -- Women experiencing hair loss should check with their doctor to make sure there are no medical reasons for their hair loss. Eliminate illness such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, stress induced alopecia, or prescription medication as the cause.

• External causes -- Female pattern baldness can also be confused with tension alopecia from over-styling or wearing too tight braids or extensions. Some women have even found certain IUD's to be suspect in their sudden hair loss.

The life cycle of hair

To understand the process of hair loss, it's important to understand how our hair reproduces in the first place. Hair grows from tiny hair follicles or living roots. The first phase of hair growth can last anywhere from two to six years. Those with a longer phase can grow long hair, those with a short growth phase can never grow hair past their shoulders before it falls out and starts over. The next phase is a resting phase. The hair stops growing as a new hair begins to replace it in the follicle and push its way up. When that new hair reaches the top of the root, the old, long hair will fall out or shed.

For reasons not fully understood, DHT chokes off the supply of blood and oxygen to the follicle.

So when a new hair sprouts, it is weaker, thinner, and unhealthier than its predecessor. This process is called miniaturization and it happens over and over until those miniaturized hairs can no longer reproduce themselves. Then the follicle dies. You have less hair regrowing, thus, thinner and thinner hair. Suddenly, you have female pattern baldness.

Take action against female pattern baldness now

Once you have determined that your hair loss is has no medical origin, it's time to address the problem. Give yourself a kick out of the depression that's settled in and realize that you must take action. Once hair follicles die, they'll never produce another hair for you. So the faster you try to stop your hair loss, the better your results will be.

Treatment options for female pattern baldness

First, there are DHT inhibitor over-the-counter products that might help stop the shedding and revitalize your strangling hair follicles. Results vary, but like Propecia for men, products like Provillus for women show promise in stopping shedding, regrowing and thickening hair.

Another recent development in female hair loss has been low light laser hair therapy. Laser hair therapy, applied in thirty minute sessions, stimulates blood circulation around the root and nourishes those dying follicles. Studies show nearly 90% of clients trying laser hair therapy showed visible improvement. With any of these methods, patience is a virtue. You won't see results immediately because, remember, the hair growth cycle has its own rhythms. Expect anywhere between four and ten months before you see a real difference.

Another option, a more expensive, but permanent one, is follicular transplantation. Hair is harvested from a donor site on the back of the head and implanted where the hair has thinned. The harvested hair is taken from an area not prone to female pattern baldness and will not be subject to the same genetic hair loss triggers as the original hair was. And the hair that regrows will be your own, living hair. Results are excellent with this new follicular technology.

Female pattern baldness: A summary

If you are experiencing female pattern baldness, don't give up. You owe it to yourself to explore all the possibilities. Make an appointment with a reputable hair restoration clinic and let them help you find your best options. As you try new methods, be patient and allow treatments a chance to work and keep expectations realistic. Along the way, you may just find yourself again.

Hair Loss Website Releases Trichotillomania Hair Pulling Disorder Video

HairLoss.com, the world�s most comprehensive website providing unbiased consumer information about hair loss and its treatment, has released the third animated video in their �True Beauty� series. The latest video release concerns Trichotillomania (TTM), or �Trich�, a disorder whereby one compulsively pulls out one�s own hair. �True Beauty� offers a message of hope to young women suffering from the hair pulling disorder, challenging them improve their overall health and perform simple acts of kindness to themselves.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, May 5, 2011 � HairLoss.com, the world�s most comprehensive online resource providing unbiased consumer information concerning hair loss conditions and their treatment, has released the latest video in their True Beauty series. Titled �True Beauty: Trichotillomania�, the presentation is the third release of a planned series of minute-long animated public service announcements created to raise awareness of conditions and disorders such as Alopecia areata and Cancer-related hair loss.

�Trichotillomania is not a hair loss disease even though the end result is hair loss,� explains Michael Garcia, Spokesman for HairLoss.com. �Rather, Trich is understood as an impulse control disorder, along the same lines as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, nail biting and even compulsive overeating, often triggered by depression and stress. But because it ends in hair loss and often treated by the hair loss industry, we wanted to make a statement on this often-misunderstood disorder.�

Produced by Bright Bulb Solutions, a boutique Internet marketing firm based in Los Angeles, the animated presentation features original illustration, music and animation. Recited by voice actor Wesley Horton, the sensitive narration is meant to appeal directly to young women suffering from the hair pulling disorder:

�True Beauty is attained when we feel good about who we are. But with the stress of modern life we think less of ourselves and - in one way or another - we pick and pull ourselves apart. But the trick to picking ourselves up and pulling ourselves together lies in nourishing our bodies with healthy food and exercise; by nurturing our minds with healthy thoughts; by cultivating healthy friendships. And ceasing comparing ourselves to others. We may find that the most effective treatment for Trich lies in simplifying our lives and in performing simple acts of kindness to ourselves.�

The storyline follows the experience of a young, crestfallen Trich sufferer, depressed and isolated in her darkened bedroom, drinking a soda and pulling at her hair and scalp. She realizes her ability to create any life she wants and envisions a better, brighter and more colorful existence typified by a healthy body and mind, as well as the earned love and security of true friendship.

�Trichotillomania is a complex disorder that demands sensitivity. Our challenge was to create a minute-long message that was meaningful and that didn�t trivialize the suffering of those affected by it,� stated Garcia. �We focused on the base message of HairLoss.com that is the heart of our progressive brand, which is: �If you suffer from any hair loss condition, improve your overall health through diet and exercise, dabble in fashion and style, practice creativity and cultivate meaningful, joyous relationships.��

�Will this approach help a young person to stop pulling her hair out? We�ll bet the farm it does.�

View "True Beauty" Trichotillomania video here: http://youtu.be/ffMJ4nePsvI

The True Beauty video series is available for free viewing and download on HairLoss.com as well as readily available for no-cost syndication on YouTube and other major online video sharing networks, notes Garcia. �Any Trichotillomania-treatment provider or hair loss provider specializing in treating Trich who wishes to assist in our efforts to raise public awareness of the sensitive issues surrounding this hair pulling disorder are being granted free license to embed the videos on their own websites and blogs.