A receding hair line is best treated by hair plugs because of the importance of a good hair line if you want to comb your hair straight back. You can’t have some funky toupee or other hair piece here because it just doesn’t look right. You will be much happier with hair plugs which will grow right out of the scalp and look completely natural. They look natural because they are actually the patient’s hair which has been transplanted from one area of the scalp to another.

Hair plugs were originally tried in the 1950’s with not very good results. At that time there was no such thing as micro-surgical techniques so it was necessary for the surgeons to actually remove entire portions of scalp with growing hair and then place these scalp chunks into the balding area where incisions had been made. The surgeon would use a tool which removed a round plug of scalp with about 10 to 15 hair still growing in it. These plugs were removed from the back or the scalp where there is less hair loss and the removal is less noticeable.

If you notice the majority of men who have hair loss do so above the forehead, which is called the receding hair line, or on the vertex of the head which is called a classic bald spot. This is because of the cause of the hair loss in the first place. 95% of men who suffer from balding issues are suffering from a condition called male pattern baldness. MPB is a genetically derived medical condition in which the man’s own body attacks his hair follicles (hair roots) and causes them to stop producing hair shaft material. There is a substance in the body called DHT or dihydrotestosterone which is a metabolite of the male testosterone hormone. This DHT bonds with receptor on the hair roots and causes a stoppage of the nutrients and oxygen flow to the root. This causes the root to slowly stop producing keratin and thus the hair shaft gets thinner and thinner. Eventually the shaft is just a wisp of hair. Eventually it falls out and the hair follicle goes dormant. Eventually the follicle is encased in fibrotic material and will never function again.

Once the hair falls out, the chances of getting the hair follicle to start producing hair again is close to or at zero. The only option if you want to have growing hair again is to replace these dead roots with vibrant ones from the back of the head. When a man suffers hair loss from male pattern baldness he does not generally lose the hair on the sides of the head and back or posterior section. This is because of how the DHT attacks the hair. For some unknown reason, the substance will not kill the follicles in these two areas which is good news because it means you have a good donor site for the hair plugs.

Actually, the term hair plugs is really a misnomer any more. Surgeons do not remove entire sections of scalp using either the hair plug or hair strip methods. Instead, they will generally use the hair follicular unit extraction method to remove individual hairs and their support structures and then insert these into groups of one to three follicles into the bald area. This is much less messy and allows the patient to leave the office at the end of the day without bandaging. There is usually some irritation for a few days but it quickly goes away.

A more common name used today for this procedure is hair implants or hair transplants. These are both based on the follicular unit extraction and placement method of hair restoration and really are the same procedure under a different name.

Getting hair plugs as a way to treat your receding hair line is a great idea because you can actually have the hair growing right out of your scalp. Hair piece manufacturers claim that you can comb their hair straight back with no problems but you still have fake hair on your head. No, I think the only way to get hair growing in this area is to have hair plugs inserted and allowed to grow naturally.

If you are looking for a natural hair loss remedy then there are two options that have really shown to have some affect on keeping the hair growing that a person already has. The first remedy is an extract of the Saw Palmetto palm which is located along the US gulf coast. This plant has been used for centuries by the Native Americans of the area to treat problems with male urinary tracts. Hair loss and urinary tract problems seem to go together so treating one is often times treating the other. This extract can be taken in pill form for the best results.

The second natural hair loss product is Nettle Root. The root of this plant is also active in native medicine to treat urinary problems. It seems as thought this extract works like the Saw Palmetto but it does not appear to be as potent.

Best Remedy For Hair Loss

The remedy for hair loss that seems to work the best is a drug that has been approved by the FDA. Finasteride is a drug that was in clinical trials for the treatment of enlarged male prostate. During the trials it was determined that men with hair loss in the study were seeing an improvement in their hair situation. Further studies indicated that the drug did seem to stop hair loss and actually increased some hair growth depending on how long the person had bee suffering the loss of hair. This is an example of science following natural medicine. Saw Palmetto and Nettle Root are both natural remedies for male prostate problems and also help with hair loss. This is the same thing the government researchers found with Finasteride.

Sometimes the best hair loss remedies are not necessarily only the drugs that come out of expensive labs. Sometimes it can be just as effective to look toward natural medicine.

]]> http://hairplugsguide.com/best-hair-loss-remedy/feed/ 1 http://hairplugsguide.com/prevent-hair-loss-with-these-tricks/ http://hairplugsguide.com/prevent-hair-loss-with-these-tricks/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:45:19 +0000 Albert http://hairplugsguide.com/?p=83 If you are experiencing some thinning hair and you want to prevent hair loss before it gets too bad then you are on the right track. It is much easier to deal with hair loss and keep what hair you have than it is to try to do something after all the hair has fallen out and you are bald. There are many things you can do to keep your hair but once it is gone about the only thing you can do is get a hair implants procedure.

Hair Loss Prevention

Before we look at how to prevent hair loss lets find out what is causing it. The vast majority of hair loss, particularly in men, is caused by a condition known as male pattern baldness. This hair loss condition is passed down from one of your parents by genetics. It was believed for years that the gene for baldness was passed on the mother’s side but recent genetic research has indicated that the gene responsible for this condition can be passed from either side of the family.

Preventing hair loss is really all about dealing with the causes of pattern baldness. The main culprit is a build up of DHT in the body that eventually blocks the blood flow to the hair follicles or hair roots. Without the proper oxygen and nutrients these little hair factories can not work properly to make hair shaft material. The hair becomes thin and whispy. Eventually it withers away and breaks off. The hair follicle then becomes encased in fibrotic material and will never produce again. This build up of DHT is the main culprit and either the DHT itself or the effects must be dealt with if you are going to prevent hair loss.

Preventing Hair Loss

There are two attacks a person can take when dealing with a thinning hair or balding problem. The first is to limit the cause of the hair loss and the second is to treat the effects of the buildup of DHT. The FDA drug approved to treat the levels in the blood stream is Finasteride. This drug is taken by tablet. It originally was developed to treat male prostate gland problems but it was found to also treat hair loss. These two conditions have a very close tie in. This drug works very well but it is only for men as it can cause birth defects when women handle the drug.

How To Prevent Hair Loss In Women

There is an FDA approved drug that is OK for women to use. Minoxidil is a vasodilator which means it enlarges the small blood vessels in the body. This allows more blood to flow to all parts but in particular it means a better supply to the hair follicles. A 5% solution of this drug is applied topically to men’s hair loss areas and a 2% is applied for women. This drug is effective but not quite as good as Finasteride. But, it is the only FDA hair loss drug approved to prevent hair loss in women.

Tips To Prevent Hair Loss

I call these tricks because they seem to make a difference but they are not approved by the government. One way to get more blood to the follicles is to massage the head. Many people do this with essential oils to enrich the scalp. Olive oil is also popular because it appears to help clean the pores and follicles of dirt and buildup. There are two natural extracts that also seem to make a difference. Saw Palmetto and Nettle Root have both been used as natural remedies for male urinary problems and recently for hair loss in men. Henna is an Indian natural herb that has been used for centuries to keep hair healthy.

Exercise and a well balanced diet along with cleaning have all been used. If your hair loss is caused by toxic chemicals, which it could be, then this could have a dramatic effect.

The fact is, trying to prevent hair loss is really much easier and cheaper than dealing with the loss after you have bald spots. Like most everything, hair loss prevention is much more cost effective than baldness treatments.

For example, it has been determined that male pattern baldness is caused by a buildup of DHT in the blood stream. This does two things, it causes the hair follicles to stop producing hair and it also causes problems with male prostates. Surprisingly enough, there are two natural hair loss remedies that have been used for years to treat male urinary tract problems and apparently they have an effect on hair loss also.

Natural Hair Loss Remedy

The Saw Palmetto extract is derived from this low growing palm that is found in the South Eastern US and Gulf states. Native Americans have known about its health benefits from before Europeans arrived on these shores. The Nettle root extract is another hair loss remedy that has been used for centuries to treat male problems. The nettle is found in both Europe and the Americas. It also has been shown to decrease the levels of DHT in the blood.

Female Hair Loss Remedies

Neither of these herbal hair loss remedies, Saw Palmetto or Nettle root, should be taken by women without consultation of a doctor. The FDA approved drug that limits DHT in humans, Finasteride, is not prescribed to women due to the fear of birth defects. Before starting any hair loss treatments you should consult with your physician or health care provider.

One of the remedies for hair loss that seems to be safe for all people is massage. It appears as though the DHT buildup inhibits the healthy flow of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles by the tiny blood vessels in the scalp. Massage seems to excite the tissues below the skin line and thus allow more blood to flow naturally. Many people combine massage with some type of oil. For example, Jojoba oil has been used extensively by natives in the US Southwest to treat hair and keep it healthy. Essential oils from herbs have also been applied along with the massaging techniques. This increased blood flow is actually what another FDA approved drug is designed to do. Minoxidil is a vasodilator which means it causes an enlargement of the tiny blood vessels in the body which would allow better flow to the hair follicles providing them with what they need.

Aloe vera has been one of the best hair loss remedies as used by Native Americans is the warmer parts of the country, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It was often combined with Jojoba. From the Indian sub-continent we get Henna. This traditional herb has been used to condition hair and stop if from becoming brittle and breaking off.

Lastly a person can take care of his or her overall health in order to help with hair loss. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is important along with ridding the body of toxins. Some people claim rubbing the scalp with olive oil will help to cleanse the pores and follicles allowing the hair to grow. Exercise is another important ingredient to help with keep a good blood flow to all parts of the body.

I hope these ideas will help you in your quest to treat your hair loss. Not all natural remedies for hair loss may work but many of them seem to be close to what the FDA has approved.  Sometimes the best hair loss remedy is something that has been used in local medicine for years.

]]> http://hairplugsguide.com/natural-hair-loss-remedy/feed/ 3 http://hairplugsguide.com/what-are-hair-implants/ http://hairplugsguide.com/what-are-hair-implants/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:08:44 +0000 Albert http://hairplugsguide.com/?p=75 Hair implants are also known as hair plugs, hair grafts, and hair transplants. Once a person has lost all the hair on an area of the scalp it is the best, and mostly only, method to get hair re-growing once again. The great thing is the hair is your own so it will match the other hairs around the balding treatment area very well. In theory, the hair implantation procedure is quite simple but it does take a very skilled surgeon for a great result.

Hair Implant Surgery

The hair implant procedure involves removing hair follicles from one area of the scalp and implanting them into the bald area. This is usually done by removing a strip of scalp from the back of the head and then removing the follicle from that strip in groups of one to three follicles. A technician will prepare the follicles for implantation by removing any excess material and cleaning the associated support structures. The surgeon then creates very small slits or holes in the scalp at the bald spot and inserts the hairs into these very tiny holes. Within a few weeks the hair has started to re-establish itself as it begins to connect to the blood supply in the scalp. Hair implants for men are usually harvested from the back of the head as this area does not generally experience balding like the top of the head does. When the hair all dies in a particular area about the only option is to get hair implants. Women can also be helped with hair implants for women with just a little different procedure.

Direct Hair Implants

Direct hair implants, also known as Follicular Unit extraction, is a step above the standard hair transplantation procedure. With this method the individual hair follicular units are removed with a special surgical instrument. This means there is no scarring from the removal of scalp material because the scalp stays intact. This method allows for the removal and implantation of hair from other parts of the body also. This body hair is utilized only as a filler usually because it is of a different texture than scalp hair. Thus the surgeon will use transplanted scalp hair at the hair line and can fill in the bald area with body hair.

Artificial Hair Implants

Artificial hair implants are just what they sound like. Man made fibers are inserted into the bald spot instead of hair follicular units. Since these are not living hair but instead artificial hair strands they do not grow. This means if you style them short they will be short forever. Styling becomes very important when you have artificial hair implants. There is also more possibility for infection with this method

Overall, hair implants are the best way to get hair growing in a bald spot because the hair is your own so it matches the surrounding hairs perfectly. Also, you now have hair that is growing and will continue to grow for years to come.

]]> http://hairplugsguide.com/what-are-hair-implants/feed/ 10 http://hairplugsguide.com/hair-loss-remedies/ http://hairplugsguide.com/hair-loss-remedies/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:11:41 +0000 Albert http://hairplugsguide.com/?p=59 There have been home remedies for hair loss around for ages. Probably as long as we knew what baldness was we have been worried about hair loss and how to stop it. If you are looking for a natural hair loss remedy then you need to understand what causes baldness so you can know if you are getting something that even makes sense. For example, a lot of natural hair loss remedies involve raw eggs. The thinking is that hair is made of protein and eggs have a lot of protein so rubbing raw eggs on your head should help your hair to grow. Even if that would work there is no way for the omelet to get through your skin and into the scalp where it could do some good, which it won’t because lack of protein is usually not the problem.

The number one cause of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness. This also affects many women but of course in this case the condition is known as female pattern baldness. This is a genetically caused medical condition that can be passed down from either the mother’s side of the family or the father’s side. Basically, the hair loss is caused by a build up of DHT in the blood stream which tends to bond with certain hair follicles at the roots and cut off the supply of blood. With the nutrients derived from the blood supply the follicle weakens, withers, and then finally stops production of hair material and is surrounding by fibrotic tissue. Once a person has become completely bald on part of his or her scalp you can be assured the follicles will not come back.

Hair Loss Remedy

Any remedies for hair loss that are going to be affective must deal with this build up of DHT. Notice it is not a lack of protein that causes the problem, which is the basis for most home remedies, instead it is a build up on the roots that causes all the nutrients to not be able to supply the hair roots.

One remedy that does seem to help with hair loss is the Saw Palmetto palm. The extract from this plant does seem to affect the levels of DHT and will thus help to prolong the life of the hair follicles. Be advised though, this will not repair damaged follicles nor will you see much new hair growth. This extract is mostly used to keep the hair you still have from falling out. Since this is a natural extract of a plant it falls under the heading of a natural remedies for hair loss.

Another hair loss remedy that may help is massaging oils into the scalp. The actual addition of oil doesn’t make a whole lot of difference instead it just helps with the massaging process. Instead, the manipulation of the scalp seems to be what is effective. This makes sense because massaging is known to increase blood flow to the area and that is what is needed for the hair follicles to continue to produce hair shaft material. Again the re-growth of hair will not be very great but you can slow down the loss of the hair you still have.

Most home remedies for hair loss are not any more effective than rubbing butter and garlic on the scalp. The reason is the root problem is not addressed. To be effective, the hair loss remedies must treat the actual cause of the problem not what we wish was the cause of the problem.

Male and female pattern baldness are both caused by a build up of DHT, dihydrotestosterone, at the hair follicle or hair roots which eventually causes the follicle to whither away. DHT is a metabolite of testosterone known as the male hormone. A metabolite is a compound that is formed from the metabolism of another compound. Thus when the hormone is metabolized in the body it forms DHT and this free DHT then travels around the blood stream. One of the places it bonds is on hair follicles located at the classic pattern areas of the front, top , and crown of the head.

There are two ways to attack the problem of DHT buildup. One is to limit the amount of the metabolite in the blood stream. Unlike scalp med, which is topical, this is how the FDA approved drug Finasteride works. It is taken in pill form and then works to limit the compound in the blood. This drug is not approved for use by women and can have serious side effects so I wouldn’t use it.

Scalp Med Hair Treatment

The other method to treat DHT build up is what the product Scalp Med uses. This method involves actually increasing the blood flow to the hair follicles in spite of the buildup. The main ingredient in scalp med is Minoxidil which is also a FDA approved drug that has shown an ability to stop hair loss and allow some of the dormant hair follicles to begin to manufacture hair once again. Minoxidil is a vasodilator medication which means it increases the size of the tiny blood vessels that feed the hair follicles. This allow the blood to reach the hair follicles and stop the process of withering of the hair roots. If the blood flow is not reinitiated then the follicle will become encapsulated in fibrotic tissues and then nothing can be done to get the hair growing again.

Minoxidil is also the main ingredient in Rogaine. Rogaine is a very popular hair loss treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating hair loss and is sold over the counter. The formulation for men usually contains 5% Minoxidil while the female formula only contains 2%. For some reason not understood formulations with more than 2% don’t seem to have any better effect on women but they do on men. Med scalp contains the same formulation that is allowed by the FDA which is 5% for men.

Along with the Minoxidil, scalp med hair treatment also contains Sabal Serrulatum also known as Saw Palmetto. The extract of the Saw Palmetto palm has been used for centuries by native people in the South Eastern US as a treatment for male urinary problems and has recently shown its ability to help with hair loss. Several studies have shown that this extract can have a positive effect on hair follicles suffering from the condition of male pattern baldness. The Scalp Med also contains beta sitosterol which is thought to be the active ingredient is Saw Palmetto extract.

Scalp Med Reviews

Looking at the anecdotal evidence it appears that the addition of the last two ingredients have a positive effect on the Minoxidil treatment. It is very common for men to say they had OK results with Rogaine but when they used Scalp Med as directed they saw more hair growth and stopped the loss of any more hair in the balding areas. It would make sense that using more than one method of treatment in solution would be more effective than only applying the Minoxidil.

Some people worry about a scalp med scam but that does not appear to be the case. The product contains ingredients that are known to help with hair loss. That said, you can not expect miracles from any product. If you are completely bald on top then no topical solution is going to help you to re-grow the hair. The only options at that point are hair implant surgery or a hair replacement system.

I hope this Scalp Med Review has been a help to you in deciding what to do about your hair loss. Hair is very important to a person’s looks and many people don’t want to go through life with a bald spot. If you are interested in more information there are several good websites devoted to this subject.

The most common cause of hair loss is pattern baldness. This is caused by a build up of DHT on the hair follicles, the hair roots, that causes the blood flow to be inhibited. Dealing with this loss of nutrients and oxygen is the key to getting hair to re-grow and to stop any more hair from falling out. If you let the balding problem go on too long then you will not be able to rejuvenate the hair with any products for hair loss you may use. You will be forced to either cover up the bald spot or get a hair transplantation surgery.

Hair Loss Products

If you are already bald then the only two options are coverage or surgery. If you are going to cover up the problem then you will be looking at a loss hair product known as a hair replacement system or, more commonly, a toupee. These got a real bad wrap in the old comedy movies but the new attachment systems and base materials make them almost completely unnoticeable. For a small charge of about $400 you can have hair coverage within a few weeks. The second treatment for complete hair loss is transplantation. This surgery involves removing hair from one area of the scalp, usually the back of the head, and inserting those follicles into the bald area. This is not cheap with costs ranging from a few thousand to several thousand dollars. But it does work and it works well for years to come.

If you still have some hair growing in the balding area then there are other treatments that can be used to keep what hair you have and hopefully rejuvenate some of the hair follicles that have recently gone into dormancy. One of these is a medical device known as the Laser Comb. This device uses laser hair restoration techniques to stimulate the hair follicles and get them to produce more hair. The DHT that builds up on the hair roots stops the hair flow. It appears as though the red spectrum light from the low intensity laser actually causes more blood flow to the follicle by exciting the tissues surrounding it. The increase flow of nutrients and oxygen allows the hair follicles to continue to produce hair shaft material.

FDA Approved Loss Hair Products

There are two drugs that have been approved by the US FDA and both of these are more valuable as hair loss prevention treatments but they do seem to help rejuvenate hair that has recently stopped growing. The first of these is an oral medication called Finasteride. You probably know it more by the trade name Propecia. This drug actually helps to limit the amount of free DHT in the blood stream which means there is less to bond with the hair follicles. Although affective for men, this drug is not recommended for women because of the potential for birth defect. In fact women are not even allowed to touch the tablets because of the possibility of ingestion through the skin.

Women Hair Loss Products

If you are looking for a FDA approved to treat hair loss in women then the only option is Minoxidil which is the active ingredient the trade product Rogaine. This is a vasodilator medication which means it increases the size of the small blood vessels feeding the hair follicles and thus allows more nutrients and oxygen to reach the roots and keep the hair growing. This is a good hair product. Hair loss can be limited while using this and in fact some hair will start to grow again but not really much.

These are the four classifications of hair loss products that can be used to treat your balding or hair thinning problems. Everything else is just a variation on these themes.  Find out more information by looking at our hair loss product facts post.

]]> http://hairplugsguide.com/hair-loss-products/feed/ 2 http://hairplugsguide.com/how-to-prevent-hair-loss/ http://hairplugsguide.com/how-to-prevent-hair-loss/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:09:49 +0000 Albert http://hairplugsguide.com/?p=42 Millions of Americans suffer from hair loss every year. The effects of hair loss can be devastating – most people derive a great deal of their self image from their personal appearance. If you’re concerned about this condition and want to know how to prevent hair loss, read on. In this article we’ll discuss a couple of things you can do to prevent hair loss as well where to go for help if you have noticed that your hair is indeed thinning.

Prevent Hair Loss Naturally

If you want to know how to prevent hair loss naturally, this is one of the best things to try. Wearing your hair in pigtails, tight pony tails or cornrows , or if you use tight curlers, you can develop a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. If you stop these types of styles before scalp scarring happens, chances are the hair loss is temporary. However, if scarring does develop, it can cause permanent hair loss.

Prevent Female Hair Loss

How to prevent female hair loss often has a lot to do with stress. For some reason, there is connection between stress levels and hair loss in women. For some women, the hair loss is temporary and normal hair growth will resume after the stressful time period has passed. For others, it can develop into a more permanent condition. If you can, find ways of reducing stress. Go for walks, spend quality down time with your family and try not to dwell on negative events. Look for the positive in every day and be sure to build in your schedule just for you. How to prevent hair loss in women can be just a matter of reducing your stress level. If you are concerned about your hair loss however, be sure to see your doctor.

Where to Get Help to Prevent Hair Loss

If you have noticed that you are suffering from hair loss, the best thing to do is consult with your doctor. He or she can help you determine the exact cause of your particular hair loss and can help you find the best treatment. Hair loss can be a sign of a serious illness, so it is a wise idea to see the doctor about this condition.

There are several ways you can reduce your risk of hair loss. Changing your hairstyle and avoiding stress are two of the best ways. Hopefully this article has given you some tips on how to prevent hair loss. Be sure to see your doctor if you’re concerned about losing your hair. With the information in this article you should have a good idea of a few things to try to prevent hair loss.

]]> http://hairplugsguide.com/how-to-prevent-hair-loss/feed/ 0 http://hairplugsguide.com/what-is-the-best-hair-loss-treatments/ http://hairplugsguide.com/what-is-the-best-hair-loss-treatments/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:56:04 +0000 Albert http://hairplugsguide.com/?p=38 It is not easy to determine exactly what the best hair loss treatments are, simply because there are so many different options to choose from and what may work well for one person may not be suitable for another. In going over the best treatment for hair loss, I will break it down by category, according to each specific treatment and only list those that are known to work.

By far the most common type of hair loss for both women and men is androgenetic alopecia, commonly referred to as male pattern or female pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is genetic, and is linked to the presence of the male hormone, DHT. Thus, men tend to lose their hair starting earlier in life than women, who usually only experience hair loss after menopause. Other types of hair loss, such as trauma related hair loss or stress related hair loss for example, require different types of treatment. Thus it is important to first of all determine the cause of hair loss and from there decide on what treatment will work best. Also, the best hair loss treatment for women may be different than the best hair loss treatment for men.

Best Hair Loss Treatments

Drug based hair loss treatments, such as the topically applied Rogaine Hair Growth Treatment, slows down hair loss and in some cases actually encourages new hair regrowth. When combined with Propecia, an oral medication, results are significantly higher. This combination is commonly thought to be the best hair loss treatment for men. It should be noted, however, that women cannot take Propecia because of the risk of birth defects. Thus they have to stick to using Rogaine alone, or combine the Rogaine with another shampoo or treatment.

Another well-known and often used treatment is ketoconazole, which is found in a topical shampoo primarily used to treat dandruff. The over-the-counter shampoo, with one percent ketoconazole is not as effective as the two percent shampoo, which must be prescribed. While not as worthwhile as the other treatments when used alone, it is a help when combining it with other treatments and it seems to enhance the results.

Doctors sometimes prescribe other off-label treatments for baldness, particularly some drugs that are used to treat an enlarged prostate in men. It is not as easy to treat female hair loss by prescription drugs, however, as the drugs used to treat prostate problems and help with hair loss, are generally not recommended for women. Oral contraceptives have been found to encourage hair loss in women, however, and while not often prescribed for this reason alone due to possible side-effects, they do help. The best hair loss treatment for women seems to be using Rogaine Treatment.

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