Changing Your Behavior Can Save Your Hair
November 27, 2009
Many men and women who suffer from hair loss cannot control their genes. After all, hair loss is mainly a genetic trait passed down from generation to generation. For instance, male pattern baldness is an inherited trait that simply begins at a certain age, regardless of the behavior of the sufferer.
However, there are people who suffer hair loss due to poor behaviors – poor eating habits, bad hair treatment practices, and even birth control pills can cause unneeded and unwanted hair loss. So what can you do?
First, you should recognize if one or more of your behaviors are the cause of hair loss. The second and most important thing you can do is change your behavior. Here are some tips:
- Change your diet – Did you know poor nutrition can cause hair loss? If you are not eating the right foods, you may be suffering from deficiency in vitamins, iron, and/or protein which can ultimately cause hair follicles to wither. Start by changing your diet to eat more balanced meals. Consume foods that are high in protein. Take vitamin supplements if necessary, particularly vitamin B-12. In addition, you should increase your fatty omega-3 acids found in fish, nuts and soy.
- Change your hair treatment – Constant chemical treatment and traumatic hair use is also a cause of hair loss. Start by giving your hair a break from constant coloring or permanents. Reduce the amount of stress on your hair from curlers, rollers, and other heating elements. Soon you may find that proper and less traumatic hair treatment will stop hair from falling out, and old lost hair will begin growing again.
- Change your birth control prescription – If you are a woman suffering from unexpected hair loss, your birth control prescription could be the cause. Certain hormones are known to cause hair thinning. If you suspect that your hair loss is attributed to your birth control prescription, talk to your doctor about the problem and ask for a different prescription.
Those who suffer from controllable causes of hair loss are at an advantage. They can change their behaviors and experience hair regrowth. If you are one of these types of sufferers, learn to alter your habits so you can confidently display your healthy hair.
New Research: Mice May Help Your Hair Regrow
November 25, 2009
Did you know that mice may hold the key to your natural hair re-growth? Scientists have discovered how to regenerate dead or dormant hair follicles in mice. This research could provide helpful data that may one day create the technology necessary for human hair re- growth.
What the University of Pennsylvania Discovered
The tests were conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine with stem cells, which were placed on damaged skin. It was observed that damaged hair follicles actually began regenerating. The newly regenerated hair follicles grew hair normally, although hair pigmentation was absent.
Scientists believe the reason for the hair follicle regeneration is due to a signaling protein in the stem cells. In fact, epidural cells that were not normally part of the hair growth process started making hair follicles. That led scientists to believe that the properties of the stem cells signal the existing epidermal cells to change its programming and start making new hair follicles.
What the Research Means for Your Hairline
This discovery is in the early stage, and we can’t expect a product out on the shelves this holiday season for revolutionary new hair growth. Stem cell research is still heavily regulated and human testing is likely years away. In fact, some researchers say that this type of hair regeneration is only possible in mice and may not be possible on other mammals. These skeptics believe that if it ever does arrive to the human testing stage, the results of new hair growth would probably be sparse.
To further explore the potential of this discovery, the lead researcher from the study at the University of Pennsylvania has helped create a new company called Follica. Follica is a hair loss company that heavily relies on follicle regeneration research, and it is expected to announce some exciting new hair loss control products soon related to follicle growth. It has conducted trial tests of new products in 2009 and is in the process of evaluating the results.
However, until those results are announced, men and women with hair loss still must make choices about products and processes currently available to them. Keep your browser posted here for more information in the future about new announcements in hair loss technology and products!
