Archive for November, 2009
A Griffin Center Series: Myths and Truths about Hair Loss Part II: Can wearing a baseball cap cause me to lose my hair?
Increased hair loss from wearing a baseball cap is one of the oldest myths in the book – and it is just that, A MYTH! There is absolutely no evidence that wearing a baseball cap will make you go bald.
Wearing a baseball cap without adequately shampooing can be unhealthy for your hair and scalp though. Especially in the warmer months, wearing a hat leads to a buildup in sweat, dirt, and dead skin, which over long period of time, may lead to scalp irritation or clogged pores. Shampooing everyday and wearing a clear cap will help prevent any problem and will not increase your chances for going bald.
If you are a man losing your hair, it is most likely the cause of male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, which is a trait frequently seen in men due to the influence of the hormone dihydrotestosterone. Patten baldness in men most frequently causes balding on the top and or front of the head, while the hair on the back and sides remains intact. This type of baldness can be attributed to genetics, and unfortunately is progressive, and permanent. Baldness is very common, with at least 80 percent of all men affected by at least some degree of it.
If you are experiencing baldness or would like to ask questions about some other hair loss myths you have heard, contact Dr. Edmond Griffin of the Griffin Center for Hair Restoration & Research.
A Griffin Center Series: Myths and Truths about Hair Loss: Part I: Can Hair Products be the Source of My Hair Loss?
While some types of hair products can be damaging to your hair, hair products are not the likely to be the source of your hair loss. The most common cause of hair loss in men is due to genetics. For women, in additional to the inherited female pattern hair loss, there can be hormonal problems, reactions to medications, and diseases such as lupus and lichen planus, which can lead to permanent hair loss.
While most hair products will not lead to hair loss, some products can severely damage the hair and scalp. For instance, harsh hair products, which are used to strip the hair of color as well as straightening agents, can cause severe damage to the dead strands of hair – causing them to break and even fall out. For black patients, chemicals added to heat treatments can result in a skin reaction pattern that can produce a permanent scarring problem which is very difficult to treat.
Hair products, especially those made up of harsh chemicals like permanent hair dye, perm solutions, and hot oil treatments can cause damage to the stands of hair, making then easily breakable and likely to fall out. Some patients are much more sensitive and are easily bothered by these products. Usually the skin will become inflamed and give a warning signal that something is wrong so you can stop use of the product before permanent damage can occur.
Normally though, styling products do nothing to stop the hair follicle from growing hair. The loss of hair from the products and harsh chemical treatments generally is temporary and the damaged hair will re-grow if just left alone lone enough.
Patients with fine hair are also at high risks of breakage from combing and chemicals. Mid shaft breakage makes their hair have even less volume and, due to the damage of the cuticle of the hair shaft, the hair loses its shine. Fine hair is easily tangled and can be damaged by the use of a black plastic comb which is used to strip out the tangles. The use of detanglers and cream rinses may aid in preventing the maddening tangles.
In some instances, hairstyles like tight braiding on the scalp, cornrows, or tight fitting ponytails can results in traction alopecia, a condition that causes the scalp to scar and results in permanent hair loss. This traction loss is seen most commonly in black women, but is also seen in men. Once a person recognizes that thinning is occurring, stopping the cornrows will stop the loss.
Each person differs in their hair strength; some people lose hair easily with little pressure on the follicles, and others are much more resistant to pressure on the follicles. Extensions, which have risen in popularity recently, also put follicles under constant pressure and can lead to hair loss.
Even though most hair products do not cause permanent hair loss, they can be very damaging to your hair. Try to avoid treating your hair with harsh chemicals or wearing hair styles that put excessive strain on the hair follicle. If you are experiencing abnormal hair loss, make an appointment to see a Dr. Griffin as soon as possible.
Can you lose your hair if you get Seborrheic dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition, commonly occurring on the scalp that results in flaky, white or yellow scales to form on oily areas of the body. While this condition on the scalp is not specifically associated with the hair follicle, if hair follicles are near the inflammatory cells of the scalp, a person can experience some temporary hair loss. Basically, the inflammation causes the scalp to be unhealthy; and this unhealthy scalp results in some temporary hair loss. In short, as long as you treat your seborrheic dermatitis when present, you will not experience any long lasting hair loss.
Seborrheic dermatitis is common in infants and is called “cradle cap.” The condition is not caused by bad hygiene and can be cleared by gentle regular shampooing.
Luckily seborrheic dermatitis can be easily treated with over the counter shampoos. For more severe cases, medicated shampoos containing fluconazole or anti-yeast medicines to reduce inflammation and speed healing may be recommended.
Getting the right diagnosis and most effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis is the key to maintaining a healthy scalp. If you are experiencing symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis unresponsive to the usual shampoos, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
For All You Elvis Fans Out There…
In a recent Elvis Presley memorabilia auction in Chicago, one buyer went home with a $18,300 clump of hair. The hair, advertised as being from the head of the King himself, allegedly came from his haircut upon joining the US Army in 1958. While the hair was not DNA-tested, it was said by auctioneers to be authenticated by “an expert in celebrity hair.”
Although I would personally demand DNA evidence if I was shelling out over $18,000, the verification seemed to be enough for the item winner and president of the Tankers Fan Club for Elvis devotees.
Other hot ticket items included Presley wedding photos, sweaty scarves, and a cotton shirt with the monogram “EP” that sold for an outstanding $62,800!
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