Alpecin Caffeine shampoo – the science behind the shampoo

 

Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo is not a hair restoration product. This product actually works by thickening the hair shaft thus giving hair a thicker and more lustrous appearance. So how exactly does it do this?

Being oil-based, Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo locks moisture onto the hair shaft causing it to thicken for a period of several hours after use and offering a temporary solution to the problem of thinning hair. In terms of appearance and self-confidence this can be exactly the kind of short-term boost the user is looking for if they have a date or an important business meeting for instance. In fact, many people who have used Alpecin have remarked on not only feeling boosted in the appearance and confidence stakes but also perceiving their energy levels as higher – could it be the caffeine or just a knock-on feel good effect?

A number of Alpecin users have also remarked on experiencing a tingling sensation on their scalp following usage, so maybe this is part of the energizing effect? Or could it be that often initially unreported effect of increased self-confidence, where the individual embarks on a healthy eating or exercise program and does actually increase their own energy levels and sense of well-being?

However it works, the verdict is fairly split on Alpecin, with many of those who have tried it claiming it did nothing to alter the appearance of their thinning hair, while others claim that it causes scalp dryness and they gain the best effect using it intermittently with another shampoo, whilst still others are claiming that as well as providing a boost to their hairs’ appearance they can also see an improvement to thinning areas and wouldn’t be without it!

So Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo isn’t a long term solution to thinning hair given that it works primarily on a cosmetic level. However, anecdotal evidence and product review content seem to indicate that it is an effective solution for some who are starting to notice the effects of hair loss and it could well be the right product for you at this point in time.

Rogaine — hair transplant surgery hair loss

For men and women diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (a form of genetic hair loss known as male or female pattern baldness), finding the right treatment requires expert advice. Androgenic alopecia causes hair follicles on the scalp to shrink and in some cases die completely, making it essential that the correct treatment be identified and administered as quickly as possible to limit overall hair loss.

Not only that, the number of solutions on offer can often be confusing to someone who has just received a diagnosis of androgenic alopecia so here we’ll look at just two of the most effectively proven solutions that are available to those diagnosed with genetic hair loss – Rogaine (or Minoxidil) and hair transplant surgery.

What is Rogaine and how does it work? Rogaine is an over the counter product whose active ingredient (Minoxidil) was found to encourage blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair follicle growth whilst blocking further hair loss during HBP trials. Rogaine is applied twice a day topically to the scalp and is effective for as long as it is used which means if use is discontinued then hair loss will resume. Rogaine is also not without side effects in some patients who have reported rashes, dizziness and in rarer cases, increased bleeding. It goes without saying that sufferers of angina, HBP and abnormal heartbeat should discuss its use with a physician. Women who are breastfeeding, pregnant or trying for a baby are advised likewise.

A more permanent solution for both sexes is of course hair transplant surgery but even though techniques in this area have moved on exponentially since the 1980s, many are still unsure as to whether follicular transplant is a safe and effective way of dealing with genetic hair loss. A hair restoration surgeon can advise about current practice which includes the breakthrough FUE (follicular unit extraction) techniques that currently make it possible to obtain extremely high graft yields from a small donor area. Most hair restoration clinics encourage potential patients to attend a free, no obligation consultation that can explain possible procedures in depth and dispel confusion about follicular transplantation techniques.

Rogaine then can be viewed as an effective temporary solution for many people diagnosed with genetic hair loss while hair transplant surgery remains the only real option for those seeking long-term solutions.

Diagnosis of Hair Loss

 

There are many underlying reasons for hair loss in both men and women and it is important for anyone who feels they are experiencing an accelerated form of hair loss to seek an early diagnosis. Everybody sheds hair on a daily basis but many people at some point in their lives begin to lose excessive amounts. For women this can often be linked to pregnancy and childbirth or other hormonal fluctuations. For both sexes a number of conditions such as alopecia areata, cicatrical alopecia and androgenic alopecia can be the cause of hair depletion. Hair loss in both sexes is categorized as either focal or non-focal (generalized).

Focal hair loss is characterized by large identifiable patches and can be caused by a number of treatable conditions such as alopecia areata, tinea capitis and cicatricial alopecia.  Alopecia areata is characterised by smooth oval patches of hairlessness and can be caused by a number of autoimmune conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis. It can sometimes be effectively treated with steroids. Tinea capitis is characterized by scaling on and around the patches of hair loss, is caused by a fungal infection and can be treated with anti-fungal agents. Cicatrical alopecia is characterized by scarring along the hair loss areas, is caused by an autoimmune disorder and can be treated with steroids.

Generalized hair loss such as androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) is caused by a genetic condition that causes testosterone in the body to weaken the hair follicles in certain areas of the scalp. This condition is far more aggressive in males due to higher testosterone levels but both sexes can suffer unduly due to this condition. Treatments for men and women include Minoxidil (Regaine), laser therapy and Hair transplant surgery. Women can also benefit from hormonal therapy and men from Finasteride. Generalised hair loss can also be caused by stress, poor diet or illness.

It is important to seek a diagnosis of hair loss at the earliest possible opportunity because it is only then that appropriate treatments can be discussed and sought.

 

Is there a minimum age for receiving a hair transplant?

Young men experiencing hair loss in their teens and early twenties often feel they’ve been dealt a double blow. Not only is their hairline starting to recede before they have finished experimenting with hairstyles never mind scaled the career ladder but the number of solutions and “cures” on offer can often be so profuse as to seem overwhelming.

So how does a young male suffering from hair loss and the accompanying loss of self-confidence that inevitably accompanies this go about finding out what the right treatment is for their particular set of circumstances?

The best course is to visit your GP for an initial diagnosis. Depending on that diagnosis, it may then be a good idea to book a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon who is qualified to further assess the situation and offer recommendations. There are a number of reasons why this dual course of action is recommended.

Firstly, it’s crucial to find out what’s causing the premature hair loss. Stress and illness can both cause accelerated hair loss; although the most common cause is androgenic alopecia which is a genetic condition more commonly known as male pattern baldness. This condition affects around 50% of Caucasian men at some point in their lives and is caused by the male hormone testosterone shrinking the hair follicles until they eventually die off. It can, in rare cases, affect males as early as their mid-teens.

For this very reason many hair restoration surgeons set a minimum age for hair transplant patients and there are excellent arguments in favor of this. Young men experiencing initial hair loss often feel devastated by this first sign of the aging process and this can affect their judgement as to what is in their best interests. If a hair restoration surgeon sets a minimum age for transplant patients then he is avoiding any future comeback from somebody who may be carrying unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved.

The other side of the coin is, of course, that a younger man is likely to have more hair remaining on his head than an older male who is considering a hair transplant and this is a valuable asset in terms of both follicle donor potential and long-term scalp coverage.

This leads us to the second reason for consulting with a hair restoration surgeon (or two) before embarking on any particular course of action and that is getting expert opinion on the long-term options are for your particular case and whether an earlier or later transplant procedure is advisable.

A hair restoration surgeon is also expertly qualified to discuss the alternatives to hair transplant procedures and can advise on a range of non-surgical hair restoration treatments as well as on the pros and cons of each one.

Lastly, a hair restoration surgeon can tell you whether they adhere to a minimum age for surgery as well as how many procedures you are likely to require over the course of a lifetime if you choose this route.

 

Katona Hair Restoration Mark Blake’s Procedure

Katona Hair Restoration- Olly Morgan

6 Tips To Prevent Hair Loss

Hair is an important part of the body; its original function has long since vanished and its current use is to enhance a person’s image. It affects how they feel and react in the world; it plays a large part in how confident a person feels. It has become a way of life with many people, spending a lot of money on different cuts, styles and colours. Many of the modern techniques used can damage the hair and this can lead to hair falling out.

1. Head massages with oil. This technique is used a lot in India as a way to promote hair growth and improve the quality of the hair. Choosing the right oil for the hair is important, as well as the length of time the oil is left on the hair; too long and it can cause more problems than it solves.
2. Diet is important in retaining your hair. Foods that are rich in calcium encourage hair strength and growth.
3. Reduce the damage inflicted on your hair, reduce the amount of heat from straighteners, colour from dye and chemicals that you are putting on your hair. These products over time are damaging the quality of the hair and this could lead to premature fall out.
4. Exercise is important for your hair as well as your body. Some poses in yoga stimulate the blood flow to your head. This allows the blood to reach your head and scalp; increasing the blood flow to your head increases the blood supply to the hair follicles promoting growth.
5. Illnesses can cause hair loss and it is important that you have your health checked to rule out any possible medical reason as to why your hair is falling out.
6. Dramatic weight loss can cause your hair to fall out, you are depriving your body of the nutrients that it needs. This is one reason why crash dieting can do more harm to your body than you might realise. Eating a healthy well-balanced diet is important in helping to maintain your hair’s health.

Women and men will experience hair loss differently but there is a likelihood that sometimes hair loss is hereditary in both men and women. It is not something solvable without medical intervention.

There are many reasons as to why you experience hair loss and it is important to address those issues in the first instance, in case these is a medical reason as to the hair loss. If there is no medical reason as to the hair loss then looking at your diet and your hair care routine could explain some of the loss. If there is no evidence that indicates a health reason or a practice that is damaging your hair, it could be the result of an inherited condition or a change in the body after an event, for example giving birth can make your hair thinner or having medical treatment like radiotherapy can affect the hair on your body.