Tag Archive for: hair transplant

Your Holiday Hair Loss Guide

‘Tis the season for parties, spending time with family and friends, and traditional holiday meals.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right?  Well, not for everyone.  Some people dealing with hair loss find that the holidays bring a whole new level of angst about their appearance.  You may plan to visit friends and family members you haven’t seen since last year, or even longer.  And, for sure, you’ll end up in some of those pictures posted on Facebook or Instagram.  Finding the perfect outfit is one thing, but trying to camouflage your thinning or balding hair is a whole different story.  Is that even possible?  Before you RSVP “no” to your next invite and pull out the flannels, take a deep breath and check out the following tips.  You can find joy during the holidays, even when battling male or female pattern baldness or another type of alopecia.     

Give Yourself a Break

It can be hard to accept that your looks are changing.  You may not look like you did last year.  Or, even like you did a few months ago.  That’s okay.  It’s time to stop comparing the new you to the old you.  You’re probably harsher on yourself than others would be.  When you see balding, thinning hair in the mirror, others may not even notice or care.  They’re more likely to remember the funny story or joke you told.  It’s true.  While someone may remember what you look like, research indicates that others are more likely to remember how you make them feel when you’re around. (01)  Do the best you can to turn off your inner critic, and remember that how you interact with others makes you uniquely attractive, not your hair.   

Go Out and Stay Involved

Arg.  Every time you look in the mirror, it seems like there’s more hair missing.  You’re grumpy and don’t feel like talking to or seeing anyone.  How can you go out looking like that?  So, instead of going to your friend’s holiday party, you put on your baggiest sweats and start binge-watching Dahmer while downing a pizza.  Good idea, right?  Nope.  According to the American Psychological Association, that’s the worst thing you can do. (02)  Social isolation can not only affect your sleep, but also cause depression and lower your immunity.  It can have long-lasting psychological effects.  You’re better off rallying and forcing yourself to go to the party.  Socializing will get your mind off your hair loss, even if it’s for a bit.  Talking to other people will also help you feel less alone and put you in a better mood.  

De-stress

Controlling stress is important for everyone’s health and well-being.  It’s especially important if you’re dealing with hair loss.  If you’re already experiencing male or female pattern baldness or another type of alopecia, you definitely do not want stress-induced hair loss too.  The holidays are a particularly tricky time for managing stress, though.  Family drama and searching for the perfect gift when there’s limited inventory can push anyone over the edge.  The good news is that there are ways to manage.  Here are some ways to help you de-stress:

1. Get enough exercise

Get outside or to the gym if your hair loss is giving you the holiday blues.  Physical activity not only makes your body feel better, but it’s also good for your mind.  Exercising may help increase your endorphins, putting you in a better mood after.  Bonus is that exercise increases the blood flow to your scalp.  This means that more oxygen and nutrients are helping kick your hair’s growth phase into full gear.  

2. Sleep

Not only does sleep calm and restore your body, but it can also help hair growth.  Your body produces melatonin primarily at night.  Some studies even suggest that melatonin supplementation helps promote hair growth among people with male and female pattern hair loss. (03)

3. Pamper yourself

We’re going to put this out there.  Sometimes the best way to relieve stress is to pamper yourself.  Whether that’s a massage, listening to holiday music, or reading a book doesn’t matter.  Whatever makes you let go and relax works.  

4. Set a budget and stick to it

It’s easy to get burdened with extra debt and associated worries about how you will pay for all of those gifts during the holidays.  Prevent that from happening by setting a budget and making sure that you stick to it.  

5. Set a schedule

So much to do and so little time.  The holidays will be here before you know it.  How are you going to get everything done in time?  Writing your to-dos down will help you manage your time and expectations.  You’ll find time for the most important tasks, and you might even schedule some downtime.  

6. Accept imperfections

Acknowledge that the holiday may not go as planned, and remember that imperfections are healthy and normal

7. Remember what’s important

Keeping perspective when you’re stuck in a long line or annoyed with a relative can go a long way toward keeping you calm.  Will another 10 minutes really change your day?  Does it matter that your sister wants to bring stuffing instead of pie?  

8. Be patient

You can’t change others’ behavior, but you can choose how you respond.   If a situation gets tense, take a few deep breaths and focus on an appropriate response versus a quick reaction.  

Get a New Do

Maybe you’ve been letting your hair grow out, hoping to cover the balding or thinning areas.  Or, perhaps you’ve been afraid to cut your hair because you’re worried it might not grow back.  The holidays are the perfect time to visit your stylist and try out a new look.  Remember, androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss.  Millions of people are experiencing the same condition you are.  Your barber or stylist probably has a few tricks to help you get party-ready. 

Consider Treatment Options for Your Hair Loss

Accepting that your hair is thinning or balding isn’t easy, especially when you’re active and social.  The good news is that you don’t have to accept your fate.  The best way to deal with hair loss is by fighting it.  Fortunately, medications with high efficacy have been tested and are available.  

The most effective hair loss treatments are vasodilators and DHT blockers. Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which increases blood flow to your scalp and hair follicles.  More oxygen enlarges the hair follicles allowing existing hair to remain stable and healthy.  It also allows new hair to emerge.  

Prescription DHT blockers serve a different purpose.  Male and female pattern baldness occurs when testosterone converts to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  DHT is what attacks your hair follicles and makes your hair fall out.  DHT blockers prevent the conversion.  The most commonly prescribed DHT blockers are Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Spironolactone.  Because Minoxidil and  DHT blockers treat hair loss from different angles, the two medications are often used simultaneously.  Retinol may be prescribed as well to increase the absorption of the other medications.  If irritation is a concern, low doses of cortisone can be added.  All-in-one topical formulas prevent side effects and can be more convenient than oral medications.

Research Alternative Hair Loss Solutions

Prescription medications are a great choice for many people; however, there are alternative hair loss solutions that can help camouflage your hair loss and give your confidence a boost.

Hairpieces

Looking for a quick fix?  Today’s hair pieces come in a wide variety of materials, textures and styles.  Testing them out can be fun and can give you a fresh new look that will make you ready to rock the room.

Scalp Concealer

Some people with male and female pattern baldness swear by cover-up sprays and powders.  The tint of color is just enough to conceal balding or thinning areas.  A wide variety of colors are available to make a good color match, and the concealers are designed to be long-lasting.  

Hair Transplants

If your hair loss is stressing you out and you don’t have the patience to wait for other treatments to work, you can always treat yourself to a hair transplant.  Hair transplants are surgical procedures where healthy hair is moved from the back of your head to the front.  Hair transplant practices have evolved over the years and produce a more natural look than ever before.  Transplants can be pricey and aren’t usually covered by insurance since they’re considered cosmetic procedures.

Talk About It

It’s normal to be upset about losing your hair, but if your hair loss is starting to interfere with your holiday plans, you may need a support system.  Using a therapist, meeting up with a group locally, or even joining a Facebook group for people with alopecia can help you feel less alone and develop coping skills.  Finding a way to talk about your feelings may be one of the best gifts you give yourself this holiday season.

If the idea of stopping your hair loss and regrowing your hair brings you happiness and joy, what are you waiting for?  It’s time to get more information on customized hair growth solutions.  The best part about our prescription-grade solutions is that ingredients can be added or removed based on your particular needs.  Get started now and check out our special edition holiday pack.

Resources:

(01) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25750481/

(02) https://www.uvu.edu/news/2020/04/04072020_isolation_mental_health.html#:~:text=The%20American%20Psychological%20Association%20reports,have%20long%2Dlasting%20psychological%20impact.

(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681103/

 

Dealing with Bald Spots and Male Pattern Baldness

Whether it’s a slow realization or a sudden awareness, discovering that you’re losing your hair is a difficult event. Every hair on the pillow or on the floor of the shower comes back to haunt you, and you’re at a loss for what to do. Fortunately, there’s steps you can take to slow – or sometimes even stop – your hair loss.

What Causes Bald Spots?

Men don’t have the monopoly on bald spots; women can have them, too! Everyone is at risk for developing a bald spot at some time in their lives, for a variety of reasons. However, some people are at a higher risk than others. 

The most common cause of bald spots in both men and women is the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.  Both men and women produce DHT, but some people have higher levels of DHT than others. Male pattern baldness (MPB), also called androgenic alopecia, results from a combination of DHT and variation in the androgen receptor (AR) genes. Androgen receptors allow hormones like DHT to bind to them, and men with AR genes tend towards male pattern baldness. (01)

High levels of DHT can damage or shrink hair follicles, preventing hair from growing normally. The hair follicles most sensitive to DHT are located at the hairline and at the crown, which is why these areas are often the first to experience hair loss. And although DHT can also cause hair loss in women, 

But it’s not just DHT that can cause bald spots. Other factors that trigger hair loss are: (02)

  • Severe emotional stress
  • Physical stress or illness
  • Hormonal Shifts
  • Medications
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Age
  • Hairstyling 
  • Hairstyling products
  • Repeated physical trauma (tight hats or headbands)

The First Signs of Balding

If bald spots or male pattern baldness runs in your family, you’ve probably been on the lookout for hair loss for awhile now. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if it’s really a bald spot or just a bad hair day. Here are a few signs that you may be experiencing bald spots or male pattern baldness:

A Receding Hairline

Hair loss typically starts at the hairline. A receding hairline may occur so slowly that you might not notice it until you have something to compare it against. For example, you might spot your receding hairline when you start looking at old photos and see that your hairline looks  different today. Your hair loss may occur incrementally, making it tougher to see.

Reduction in hair thickness

Do you notice less hair on top? Does your hair feel different when you run your fingers through it? If your hair feels finer and more airy, then it might be due to male pattern baldness or hair loss.

Loss of hair at the crown

A growing crown area is one of the first signs of hair loss, especially male pattern baldness. Most people don’t look at the back of their head, so seeing differences in your crown can be challenging. Check your crown every so often using two mirrors to check for bald spots.

How Can I Manage Hair Loss?

Experiencing balding or male pattern baldness is tough, but you do have options. The following are steps you can take to slow down hair loss.

Surgical Treatments

Surgical treatments are typically reserved for advanced cases of balding or male pattern baldness. A hair transplant, for example, is an outpatient surgery that utilizes donor hair follicles. These donor follicles are implanted into sparse or bald areas, allowing new hair to grow. These implants, called follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or follicular unit extraction (FUE), leave little to no scarring. The donor follicles typically come from your own head, but the process still requires recovery time and post-surgical care. (03)

Because surgical options are invasive, there are contraindications that may keep some people from obtaining FUT or FUE treatments, like blood disorders or the tendency toward heavy scarring (keloids). Furthermore, surgery may result in adverse side-effects like swelling, folliculitis, numbness, and infection.  (04)

Scalp Reduction 

A scalp reduction is exactly as the name implies. To perform scalp reduction, areas of the scalp without hair are surgically removed, and the areas with hair are stretched to fill over the bald portions. If you’re wondering how much of the scalp can be removed, you might be surprised to find that scalp reduction can remove up to half of the scalp. 
The skin that’s meant to be stretched is prepared and loosened, prior to stretching gently. Scalp reduction may be combined with other treatments such as FUT or FUE treatments. Some people find the recovery period from scalp reduction surgery highly uncomfortable, due to a scalp tightness that lasts for a few months as skin adjusts. Hairline lowering surgery, for example, is a kind of scalp reduction surgery. To lower the hairline, the receding portion is removed and the portion with hair is pulled forward. (05)

Platelet-Rich Plasma

A procedure called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses an individual’s blood and separates out the plasma using a centrifuge. This platelet-rich plasma (hence the name) is then injected into bald patches and areas of thinning hair. The plasma stimulates growth and repairs damaged blood vessels, helping hair to regrow. Although effective, the PRP process is very involved, costly, and is the newest hair loss treatment option, therefore more research is still necessary to evaluate the ideal therapeutic levels. (06)

Non-surgical Procedures

Scalp micro-pigmentation creates the look of thicker hair through the application of pigmentation that appears like hair follicles. The process includes stippling a tattoo in small dots to mimic hair follicles. Men who have thinning hair or shave their head short are the ideal candidates for scalp micro-pigmentation. However, micro-pigmentation does not grow new hair, nor is it recommended for people with large bald spots or who have major hair loss and wish to regrow hair. (07)

Least Intrusive Procedures

Once you see the signs of male pattern baldness or bald spots, it might warrant considering the least intrusive method for managing hair loss. Medicinal treatments like minoxidil and finasteride are two FDA approved medications for hair loss. When used together, minoxidil and finasteride can slow – or even stop – hair loss and regrow hair. Better yet, when minoxidil and finasteride are customized for each individual, common side-effects can be avoided. 

Dealing with Bald Spots or Male Pattern Baldness: What to Choose?

How you manage your hair loss depends entirely on what’s best for your situation. Bald spots and male pattern baldness can be a distressing event, and making a choice isn’t easy. Talk to people you know who have opted for hair loss treatments and get some perspective. Determine what’s financially feasible and speak to professionals to evaluate with options that will work with your health and lifestyle. At Happy Head, we’re ready to answer any questions you may have about our hair loss products. Let’s talk!

Resources:

(01) https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/hair-loss/symptoms-of-high-dht

(02) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes

(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/

(04) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547740/

(05) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24017989/

(06) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4622412/

(07) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382144/