Tag Archive for: Stress

How Does Happiness Lead to Hair Growth?

Man looking over his hair in the mirror while combing it back. He's excited about the hair growth results he's seeing with Happy Head topical solutions.

Does your hair feel thinner during times of severe stress? If it does, you can rest assured that you’re not imagining things. According to medical research, stress can cause hair loss. So if you want to keep as much hair on your head as possible, it’s essential to maintain your happiness and keep your stress levels to a minimum. 

The Science Behind Hair Growth

Hair plays a significant role throughout lore. From Samson and his power-imbued hair to Repunzel and her long braids, hair has always been the stuff of magic and mystery. However, current research has cracked the code about human hair. It turns out that there’s no sorcery behind how hair grows. Hair growth is all about science. 

What is Hair Made of?

Human hair is not alive. The hair shaft that we see and touch is made up of dead, keratinized cells that have been pushed up and out of the hair follicle. On the other hand, the hair follicle and scalp are living structures responsible for producing and nourishing the hair shaft. 

The scalp contains blood vessels and nerves that provide nutrients and sensation to the hair and skin. Furthermore, the scalp includes sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles. These follicles are structures responsible for producing hair.

Therefore, while the hair strands are not alive, they’re affected by a variety of factors, such as diet, medical issues, environmental factors, and chemical treatments, which can impact the hair’s health and growth. 

Your Hair’s Growth Cycle 

A person grows and loses hair strands through a natural growth cycle. The growth cycle of hair consists of three primary phases (01):

  • Anagen Phase
  • Catagen Phase
  • Telogen Phase

During the anagen phase, which may last from two to eight years, hair grows from the follicle. The length of this phase determines the maximum length of hair growth. At any give time, about 90% of the average person’s hair is in the anagen phase. In the catagen phase, which lasts about two to six weeks, the follicles shrink, and hair growth slows.

Finally, during the telogen phase, which lasts about three months, the hair is shed, and the follicle remains dormant until the next anagen phase begins. New hair then replaces the hair shed during the telogen phase, starting the cycle anew.

Good overall health and nutrition allow hair to grow at its peak rate and maintain its natural growth cycle. Each strand of hair on the head can be at any differing point of the growth cycle, limiting the shedding that can occur at once.

What is Typical Hair Loss? 

On average, it is normal to lose between 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of the typical hair-shedding process from the growth cycle. (02) However, if hair loss exceeds this amount, it may indicate an underlying condition such as alopecia or telogen effluvium. 

Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss and is due to a variety of factors, some of which include genetics, autoimmune disorders, or hormonal imbalances. Telogen effluvium is a condition where atypical hair shedding occurs due to a disruption in the hair growth cycle. This can be caused by severe nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, illness – or significant stress.

The Link Between Happiness and Hair Growth

The connection between mental and physical health is undeniable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for example, depression ups the risk for chronic medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Similarly, these same chronic conditions can increase the risk of mental health problems. (03)

As evidence of this connection, a study was published in the American Psychological Association’s research journal Health Psychology. The study of 15,000 participants found that participants with severe cases of anxiety and depression were: (04)

  • 65% are more likely to have heart condition 
  • 50% are more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure
  • 87% are more likely to develop arthritis

So, because of this close interplay between mental and physical health, it’s no surprise that mental health can affect hair growth. 

How Does Stress Impact Hair Growth? 

Stress is a common experience that can affect many aspects of our health, including our hair growth. Stress can affect hair growth in a variety of ways, including altering the hair growth cycle, causing hair loss or thinning, and affecting the quality and texture of the hair.

Stress Disrupts the Hair Growth Cycle 

One of the ways that stress can affect hair growth is by affecting the hair growth cycle. During periods of stress, the body releases stress hormones such as cortisol, which can interfere with the normal functioning of the hair follicle. Stress can push the hair follicle to enter the telogen phase earlier than usual, leading to increased hair shedding and thinning. 

Hair Follicles Under Stress 

Experiencing chronic stress can also directly impact the hair follicle’s health. For example, stress can cause inflammation in the scalp, which can damage the hair follicle and inhibit hair growth. Stress can also affect the blood flow to the scalp, impacting the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicle, leading to weaker and thinner hair.

Stress Weakens Your Strands 

In addition to affecting the hair follicle, stress can also impact the quality and texture of the hair. Stress can cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage and split ends. This can be exacerbated by hair care practices such as excessive heat styling or chemical treatments, which can further damage the hair.

It is also important to note that stress can exacerbate existing hair conditions, such as alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss. Stress can trigger or worsen this condition, leading to more severe hair loss. 

Stress May Cause An Urge to Pull Out Hair 

Have you ever heard anyone say they were so anxious that they were “pulling out their hair”? The saying stems from a condition called trichotillomania. This condition is an irresistible urge to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or other body parts. For people diagnosed with trichotillomania, pulling out hair reduces feelings of anxiety, discomfort, or frustration. (05)

Uncontrolled stress adversely impacts health in general. Specifically, though, it may also cause you to lose hair. Happiness can’t cure everything, but it may help prevent hair loss. In short, managing stress and fostering happiness can prevent or slow hair loss. 

Tips for Cultivating Happiness and Healthy Hair

Managing stress is vital to maintaining healthy hair growth. The following are several strategies that can help to reduce stress and promote healthy hair growth. 

Exercise. Not only does regular physical help to manage stress, but it also improves blood flow to the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth.

Mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness practices such as meditation can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which may benefit hair health.

Adequate sleep. Getting enough sleep is essential for overall health, including hair health. Sleep deprivation can increase stress levels and lead to hair loss.

Healthy diet. A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and biotin can help to promote healthy hair growth.

Avoiding harsh hair treatments. Excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, and tight hairstyles can all damage the hair and exacerbate stress-related hair loss.

Seeking professional help. If you are experiencing excessive hair loss or other hair concerns, it is important to seek professional help from a dermatologist or hair specialist who can get to the root of the issue. They’ll help you find a solution that works for you, whether it’s a topical treatment, oral solution, or a combination of both. Furthermore, your mental health can also benefit from speaking with a therapist to help manage chronic stress.

Managing stress and fostering happiness isn’t just good for your hair, it’s good for your health. Making lifestyle changes that create calmness, promote physical health, and allow for sufficient rest encourages happiness and keeps more hair on your head.  

Get Happier With Happy Head 

A healthier head of hair can boost your self-confidence and improve your well-being. Happy Head’s proprietary hair formula is customized to fit each and every customer. Developed by our in-house world-renowned dermatologists, Happy Head’s formulas improve hair growth with minimal side effects. Contact us and fill out our questionnaire to start growing your hair back now and get happy with Happy Head! 

 

Resources: 

(01) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/

https://journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/119/3/391/29231/The-hair-cycle

(02) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/shedding#:~:text=It’s%20normal%20to%20shed%20between,this%20condition%20is%20telogen%20effluvium.

(03) https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm

(04) https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-63710-001

(05) https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/expert-answers/stress-and-hair-loss/faq-20057820

 

The Impact of Hair Loss on Mental Health

Man concerned about his hair loss and how it has effected his mental health. At Happy Head, we understand that experiencing hair loss can be a struggle but our board-certified dermatologists are here to help you find a solution.

“My hair is my everything. When I started seeing it get thinner, it destroyed me. I was really nervous about taking Finasteride orally. Happy Head’s topical solution gave me my confidence back!” – Jordan

Why is losing your hair so tough psychologically? Guys aren’t supposed to care about their looks. But, the truth is that we care about our appearances just as much as women do. Not that we would ever admit it. Here’s proof, though. A survey conducted by Men’s Health magazine found that 70 percent of men believe that their physical appearance affects their overall happiness and well-being. When we look good, we feel good. When our hairline starts to look like Grandad’s, well, we stress. 

If you’ve spent more than 30 minutes trying to distinguish a cowlick from a bald patch or parted your hair three different ways before meeting your friends for a drink, this one’s for you. It’s time to get real about the impact of hair loss on your mental health and what you can do to regain your confidence. 

Hair Loss Is More Common Than You Think, Especially Among Men

Odds are that most of us will have to deal with hair loss at some point after puberty. Here are the stats according to the American Hair Loss Association. (01) 25 percent of men start losing some hair before their 21st birthday. By the age of 35, two-thirds will see some thinning or balding. By age 50, that number jumps to 85 percent. That’s just for male pattern baldness. Those numbers jump even higher once you add alopecia areata, cicatricial alopecia, and other hair loss conditions.  

Why is Hair Loss Feel Like Such a Big Deal?

Given that hair loss is almost a rite of passage for us, why does it feel like something we should hide? Why the shame? Because in our society, we view aging as a stigma. Looking, feeling, or being perceived as old is negative. I’m 53, but when I look in the mirror, I still expect to see a 25-year-old me staring back. When I see my hair thinning and shiny spots glaring at me where my thick dark curls used to be, I think “huh, who the heck is that guy?” Let’s just say that it’s not exactly an ego boost. 

Male Pattern Baldness Can Mess With Your Head

Hair loss takes us out of our comfort zone. It can trigger insecurities about our looks. It makes us think that people will judge us based on our lack of hair. We feel like we’re losing our youth and that others won’t find us attractive. Worst of all, there’s not much we can do to control our fate. As much as we want the shedding to stop, it takes time. It’s not a quick, snap-of-the-fingers proposition. It’s no wonder that men with hair loss have a higher risk of anxiety and depression compared to those without any type of alopecia. (02)

How Can You Feel In Control When You’re Not?

I have some friends who proudly shave their heads and end up strutting around with the looks and bravado of Vin Diesel at the first sign of recession. The rest of us, well, we don’t fare quite as well. With my luck, shaving my head would leave me looking more like an eraser cap than the Rock. Not to mention that I might pass out the minute I hear the buzzer near my head. So what else can we do to feel like we’re in control of our thinning hair when in reality we aren’t? 

First, Stop Stressing

Sure, staying calm is easier said than done, especially when you’re staring down at a shower floor covered in your precious strands. Fretting won’t help, though. Stress can actually contribute to hair loss by producing adrenaline and cortisol that can push your hair follicles into a resting phase and halt your hair’s growth. Over time, your hair can fall out more easily. Instead, try these activities to help you calm down:

Go Outside

If you’re bummed about your hair loss, grabbing your sneakers and getting outside can help you keep your wits about you. According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, participants in a study who went on a 90-minute walk reported lower levels of repetitive negative thoughts than people who walked in a city. (03) 

Hit the Gym

When you’re feeling insecure about your appearance, the last thing you may feel like doing is going to the gym. Here’s a good reason to grab your bag and go anyways. A study conducted by the University of Maryland School of Public Health found that exercise helps you better manage stressful situations immediately after and for an extended time after your workout. (04) Exercise can actually buffer the negative effects of emotional events. 

Write it Down

Many of us go through a grieving process when we lose our hair. After all, we’re losing a part of our image and identity. It makes sense. So how can we get out of our heads and into a better emotional space? Make a list to help you keep perspective. Make one column to write down the negative stuff you tell yourself. Write down alternative things you could say in a column next to it. When you see how you’re beating yourself up, you’ll realize it’s time to think differently. 

Get Your Zzzzs

When you’re tired, the parts of your brain that contribute to excessive worrying and anxiety go into overdrive. A good night’s sleep helps you stay calmer so you can put your hair loss into perspective. 

Take a Deep Breath

You may not be able to control your genetic predisposition to hair loss, but you can control your breathing. And, when you feel in control of even one thing, it can help you feel better overall. Try deep, controlled, slow breathing to relax the physiological symptoms of stress.  

Play With Your Pet

Did you know that petting a dog can lower your cortisol (a stress hormone) and increase oxytocin, the feel-good hormone? It’s true. When 84 percent of patients experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder were paired with service dogs, not only did they report a significant reduction in symptoms. Forty percent were able to decrease their medications. (05)

Have a Jam Session

Ever hear of the Mozart effect? It’s real. Although scientists don’t understand why, music has been proven to help reduce anxiety and depression. (06) So, the next time you feel down about your changing hairline, pump up the jam to help you feel calmer and more centered. 

Research Hair Loss Treatments

If you aren’t aware of the hair loss treatments that are available, getting up to speed might help you feel more in control. If your hair follicles are still viable, prescription medications have been proven to help reduce hair loss and promote growth within six months to a year. Top treatments include:

  • Minoxidil – Increases blood flow to the hair follicles to help stop shedding and stimulate hair growth.
  • Finasteride – First-line DHT blocker. DHT blockers prevent testosterone from converting to Dihydrotestosterone which is to blame for hair loss. Oral Finasteride is FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss. In one study, Finasteride stopped hair loss in 83 percent of men who took the medication. Over two years, 66 percent of men experienced growth. (07)
  • Dutasteride – A stronger DHT blocker used off-label for male pattern hair loss. Because Dutasteride blocks two enzymes, whereas Finasteride blocks one, Dutasteride is more effective for many men. (08) Dutasteride may cause more side effects, so many men opt to try Finasteride first.  

Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride all come in both oral and topical formulas and are commonly prescribed by dermatologists. Topical Finasteride and Dutasteride have been proven to work as effectively as pills, so you can use either. (09)

Hair supplements containing biotin, keratin, saw palmetto, and vitamins like A & D3 can also help curb shedding while giving your hair a healthier appearance. The right hair loss shampoo and conditioner can help as well. 

If your dermatologist has determined that you’re not a candidate for hair loss medications, hair pieces or a permanent hair transplant may be an option. Thanks to advances in the field, both solutions can give you a natural look to help you feel ready to face the world.

Find What Works Best for You… Mentally and Aesthetically

Remember that grieving process we mentioned earlier? It really does happen when you lose your hair. It’s normal to be anxious or depressed, and it will take a minute to accept your evolving look. Taking care of yourself and exploring different treatment options are good ways to help you cope. Over time, you’ll find what works for you.

Meanwhile, Happy Head is here to help with hair loss solutions. Simply fill out a brief questionnaire and one of our board-certified dermatologists will make recommendations based on your hair loss history and goals. The process is easy, and best of all, completely private. Give Happy Head a try and get 50% off your first order with code GOHAIR at checkout. 

 

Resources:

(01) www.americanhairloss.org

(02) www.sciencedirect.com

(03) www.pnas.org

(04) sph.umd.edu

(05) www.hopkinsmedicine.org

(06) journals.plos.org

(07) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(08) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(09) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Stressed man on the computer in his kitchen, looking into hair loss solutions.

People often joke around about how stress causes hair loss.

“I was so stressed I was losing my hair.” 

“All these bills have me pulling out my hair.” 

“This new job is making my hair fall out.”

But for many, stress causing hair loss is no laughing matter. So does stress really cause hair loss? Yes, stress can cause you to lose your hair. And when you’re trying to keep as much hair on your head as possible, managing stress becomes a top priority. 

Stress: The Good and the Bad

When you feel your heart rate rise because you’re running late or you start to sweat during a work presentation, what you’re feeling is stress. This emotional and physical tension is part of the body’s natural response to potentially dangerous or new situations. 

Known as the body’s stress response or the “fight-or-flight” response, stress can be positive. This emotion keeps you alert and driven, pushing the body to work harder and think faster. Stress works well for short periods, giving you enough energy to power through a challenging event. Long-term (chronic) stress, however, compromises your well-being – and may cause you to lose your hair. (01)

The Physiological and Psychological Effects of Chronic Stress

The stress response comes from your body’s autonomic nervous system, the same system responsible for your heart rate, vision changes, blood pressure, and breathing. 

During a stressful situation, you may experience the following: 

  • Increased heart rate
  • High blood pressure
  • Faster breathing
  • Sweating
  • Tremors

With chronic stress, you can see these additional symptoms: 

  • Headache
  • Muscle tension or pain
  • Chest pain
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Stomach upset

Chronic stress can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, skin conditions, obesity, and heart disease. (01)

Why Stress Causes Hair Loss

To understand why stress causes hair loss, you first need to know the basics of hair growth. Hair grows in a cyclical pattern, with new hair growth to replace older hair once it falls out. Every healthy strand of hair typically grows in three primary stages: 

  • Anagen Phase
  • Catagen Phase
  • Telogen Phase

Anagen Phase 

The anagen phase is also known as the “Growth Phase.” During this phase, a strand of hair grows from the hair follicle. As it grows, sebaceous glands condition and lubricates the hair. Hair grows at an average rate of six inches a year for most people. At any given time, about 80% of hair is in the anagen phase. This phase of rapid growth usually lasts about 2 to 8 years. 

Catagen Phase 

Unlike the anagen phase, the catagen phase lasts only briefly. The catagen phase lasts about ten days, though some people may have hair that remains in the catagen phase for up to 4 weeks. This phase accounts for about 1 to 2 percent of a person’s hair. It is at this point that growth stops, and the hair follicle shuts down to rest. (02) 

Telogen Phase

Hair falls out of the follicle during the telogen phase. The telogen phase is aptly named the “resting phase” because the hair follicle shuts down for a short rest. During this phase, the follicles no longer supply nutrients, which causes the air to fall out. 

The hair that’s lost is usually hairs that are at the very tail end of the telogen phase, called the exogen phase. Approximately 15% of hair is in the telogen phase at any given time. The scalp sheds an average of 100 hairs a day. With about 100,000 hair follicles on the scalp, the daily loss of 100 hairs is negligible. (03)

Hair Loss and Stress 

Hair growth is determined by the stem cells within the follicles. Chronic stress affects the adrenal glands. A recent study published in the journal Nature–with support from the NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), showed how the hormone corticosterone is impacted by the adrenal glands, which respond to stress. (04) 

Stress increases corticosterone levels. Corticosterone prevents the stem cells within hair follicles from activating hair growth. Instead, hair follicles remain in an extended resting phase – in the telogen phase. 

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is the primary condition responsible for hair loss during stress. Stress can cause a greater than usual amount of hair to suddenly shift to the telogen phase all at once. During telogen effluvium, many strands stop growing, and hair follicles become dormant. Fortunately, hair typically regrows within 6 to 9 months. (05)

Signs of Telogen Effluvium 

With telogen effluvium, hair loss is often abrupt. However, hair loss may begin only a few months after experiencing significant stress. Hair follicles prematurely enter the telogen phase, and the follicles may take up to 3 months to start regrowing hair. 

Unlike other hair conditions, like alopecia areata, the hair loss pattern typically experienced by individuals with telogen effluvium is diffuse hair loss. In other diagnoses like female pattern hair loss or alopecia areata, hair falls off in a patchy pattern, or they may experience a widening of the hair part. In telogen effluvium, hair loss occurs throughout the head resulting in an overall thinning rather than bald spots. (05)

Other Hair Loss Conditions Caused by Stress

Telogen effluvium is the second most common type of hair loss for men and women, but it’s not the only hair loss condition due to stress. Chronic stress may also indirectly cause the following conditions:

Alopecia Areata

Although alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease, It results in hair loss. In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss throughout the scalp. Stress may be a trigger for the immune sustain, resulting in further hair loss. There’s no cure for AA, but some prescription hair medications can help manage hair loss. (06)

Trichotillomania

During a bout of trichotillomania, known as “hair pulling disorder,” an individual may feel compelled to pull or tug at their hair. People with trichotillomania have episodes of the disorder during times of significant stress. Trichotillomania causes patches of bald areas where the hair pulling occurred. (07)

Does stress cause male pattern baldness? 

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is not caused by stress. The condition is caused by genetics. Unlike telogen effluvium, androgenic alopecia is not temporary. With early treatment, however, individuals with androgenic alopecia can slow hair loss or regrow hair. 

In general, hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors. Finding the reason for your hair loss is important in addressing the issue. Our Happy Head licensed, board-certified dermatologists can help you determine the best approach to your hair loss including a custom topical hair regrowth treatment that’s made for you. Our hair regrowth products are made for both men and women, so there’s a solution for everyone. Contact us to learn what Happy Head can do for you.

Resources: 

(01) https://medlineplus.gov

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(03) https://www.nejm.org

(04) https://www.nih.gov

(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(06) https://www.niams.nih.gov

(07) https://www.sciencedirect.com

REJUVENAGING® with Dr. Ron Kaiser Podcast Featuring Dr. Ben Behnam

 

Dr. Ben Behnam was recently invited to participate in the inspirational podcast Rejuvenaging, hosted by Dr. Ron Kaiser.  Dr. Kaiser is a psychologist, keynote and TEDx speaker, and author of the triple award-winning book Rejuvenating the Art and Science of Getting Older with Enthusiasm.  He likes to think of his podcast as a mental gym, a place for information about wellness, positive psychology, and, what he likes to call, goal-achieving psychology.  During the podcast, Dr. Ben and Dr. Kaiser discussed healthy ways to cope with hair loss, from both a physical and psychological perspective.  If you didn’t get a chance to tune in, here are some highlights that you won’t want to miss.  

The First Step in Coping with Hair Loss is Realizing that You’re Not Alone

Whether you’re male or female, if you’re in life’s second half-century, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re experiencing some type of hair loss.  According to American Hair Loss Association, 85 percent of men and 50 percent of women lose a significant amount of hair by the age of 50.  So when you look at the numbers, you’ll find that most people are experiencing some sort of hair loss by age 50. 

Dr. Ben defines hair loss in two ways:  thinning and balding.  When someone’s hair is thinning, you can see their scalp through the remaining hair.  When people are balding, hair is completely missing, and you can see their heads.  

Female Hair Loss No Longer Carries a Stigma

A couple of years ago, no one talked much about female hair loss. It was taboo. But now, over 50 percent of Dr. Ben’s patients are women with hair loss issues. Hair loss is becoming much more accepted in society.  When women talk about their hair loss, it’s good because putting the conversation out there benefits both men and women.  

It’s Important to Identify the Underlying Reason for Your Hair Loss

There are different reasons why people lose their hair.  Three common reasons include nutritional deficiencies, anxiety, and genetics.  Treating hair loss means understanding the cause.  

Common nutritional deficiencies Dr. Ben often finds in his patients are low Vitamin D, iron, and biotin.  Those vitamins are necessary for hair growth.  Vegetarians who don’t get enough protein in their diets also tend to experience issues with hair loss.  When Dr. Ben finds that patients are lacking vitamins or protein, he supplements their diets with additional proteins and collagen. He also adds Vitamin D and iron.  

Many times, Dr. Ben’s patients have already seen another doctor and are on medication for hair loss, but their hair still isn’t growing.  By the time they go to him, he doesn’t need to add another medication.  He’s just helping with lifestyle changes, so the medication works better.  Without the proper foundation, hair loss medication can’t work.  What you eat affects how you look.    

Hair Loss and Mental Health are Closely Intertwined

Anxiety can lead to hair loss in a few different ways.   One, when people are anxious, they are more likely to pull on their hair.  Physical manipulation will lead to more hair loss. Unfortunately, patients can also experience a lot of different stressful situations that can lead to hair loss.   One example is an 18-year-old patient with alopecia who did not go on birth control and could not use condoms for religious reasons.  She got pregnant and had to make difficult choices.  She hid her pregnancy from her parents and experienced great stress from the ordeal.  In situations like this, where stress is a hair loss trigger, Dr. Ben offers support by giving referrals to a therapist.  

Diagnosing Hair Loss Requires a Specialist

When someone experiences alopecia, Dr. Ben uses a holistic approach to treatment.  He looks at mental status, home life, stress levels, metabolic, and other health issues.  He believes that he should look at everything when he’s making a diagnosis and developing a treatment plan.  

Seventy to 80 percent of men are relatively easy to diagnose.  They don’t have nutritional deficiencies, mental issues, or any factors that would cause alopecia. They have clear-cut cases of male pattern hair loss.  But then there’s that 20 percent that doesn’t fall into that category.  Women are also a bit more challenging to diagnose.  Every case is different, and he believes that you have to evaluate each case individually.

People with Androgenetic Alopecia Can Regrow Their Hair

Depending upon the cause of your hair loss, treatment is available to help regrow your hair. People who experience male and female pattern hair loss tend to get good results with available medications.  Medications used include Finasteride, which is Propecia, a prostate medication that’s used to block testosterone.  Dr. Ben has seen excellent results with patients who use Finasteride.  Rogaine, which is a topical product sold over the counter, is also called Minoxidil.  Minoxidil is an oral medication used to control high blood pressure.  Since Minoxidil dilates the blood vessels, more oxygen reaches the scalp and causes hair growth.  

Finasteride, Minoxidil, and other hair loss treatments take about 6 months to start seeing results.

You Don’t Have to Experience Side Effects Associated with Oral Hair Loss Medications

One of the side effects of Propecia is erectile dysfunction.  So, a couple of years ago, Dr. Ben and Dr. Sean developed a Finasteride alternative.  It’s a topical Finasteride, meaning that you’re not ingesting it.  Clinical studies have proven that topical Finasteride has a lower risk of sexual side effects, yet it is still effective.  The dermatologists were quite excited about the discovery, so they developed Happy Head, their own formula of topical Finasteride combined with prescription-grade Minoxidil.  They tested Happy Head with patients and found that patients who experienced sexual side effects with oral Finasteride did not have the same side effects with the topical.  The product was researched for two years before being launched nationwide.  

It’s Time to Get Rid of the One Size Fits All Mentality When it Comes to Hair Loss

Dr. Ben and Dr. Sean set out to change the hair loss field.  After two years of launching Happy Head, it’s still the only company in the U.S. with a customizable prescription hair loss solution that’s available nationwide.  Most products on the market are mass-produced.  With Happy Head, however, patients can change the concentrations of ingredients, remove ingredients, and replace ingredients.  For example, the change can easily be made if you need .25 percent Finasteride rather than one percent.  A month later, if the .25 percent isn’t strong enough, the dose can be increased.  Traditional corporate thinking is to produce in large volumes to reduce cost.  With Happy Head, the needs of individuals are unique, so the product is customized to meet those individual needs. 

Fast, Easy Access to Prescription Hair Loss Treatments is Available

Happy Head is a telemedicine website with licensed doctors and pharmacies in every state.  It works by going on the Happy Head website to submit photos and complete a medical questionnaire.  The process takes about five minutes.  Within 24 hours, a doctor reviews the information you provided and writes a prescription.  You receive a bottle in three days.  There isn’t a charge for the consultation.  If the doctor who reviews your case determines that you’re not a candidate, your money is refunded.  

If you’re over 50 and experiencing hair loss, you’re not alone.  Eating well, managing stress, and living as healthy of a lifestyle as possible all contribute to the quality of your hair.  If you are experiencing male or female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), medications are available to help regrow your hair.  Simply visit happyhead.com and complete a brief survey.  A licensed dermatologist will review your case and determine whether you are a candidate for prescription hair loss medication.