Atlanta
Original Herbal Compound Promising for Hair Re-growth In Women
Dr. Edmond Griffin, the founder of The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research, devotes much of his time to researching non-surgical options for hair restoration treatments. Women’s hair-loss, like hair loss in men and hair loss in children, has numerous causes; women’s hair-loss is often the result of genetics (Androgenetic Alopecia), stress resulting from injury or illness, or hormonal imbalances. Recent case studies with his patients have led Dr. Griffin to develop a topical compound that has proven effective in re-growing the hair of women in which many other non-surgical treatments were unsuccessful.
As Dr.Griffin detailed in a previous blog on topical botanical Alopecia treatments, scientists are recognizing the powerful promise of several compounds in treating hair-loss. Among the effective ingredients in Griffin’s compound is melatonin: the hormone secreted by the brain’s pineal gland that is most widely known to control an individual’s sleeping cycles (circadian rhythms.) Not so well known is the fact that melatonin is also largely responsible for cycling reproductive hormones in females.
As previously noted, one of the causes of hair-loss in women is hormone fluctuation or imbalance. While melatonin consumption does not directly address the causes of hormonal problems, it (along with the oral compound’s other four ingredients) does seem to positively affect the hair-growth cycle in some females and re-grow some of their lost hair. It’s important to note however, that Dr. Griffin’s compound is produced exclusively by reputable compounding pharmacies. Even though the positive results and potential of hair-loss compounds are exciting, it takes qualified physicians working with qualified pharmacists to produce a safe, effective product.
If you are interested in learning more about the hair-loss treatments and hair restoration procedures Dr. Griffin provides, contact his office, visit his website, or subscribe to his blog. For up-to-the –minute news on hair restoration research and treatment you can also join Dr. Griffin on Facebook and Twitter.
A Griffin Center Series: Myths and Truths about Hair Loss Part III: Do over-the-counter, topical hair loss products really work?
There is a huge market for over –the–counter topical medications that claim to be the miracle solution to hair re-growth. But do these hair restoration products really work? The best answer I can give to this question is that “other products work better.”
The majority of these hair tonics, shampoos, and lotions available in drug stores prove to be ineffective. In fact, the only proven effective topical drug on the market is Rogaine® (5% Minoxidil), which has actually worked in some cases to restore hair. However, these results were almost always seen in patients that are just starting to lose their hair, and work better to slow down hair loss instead of re-growing more hair. There are also other effective topical prescription compounds for hairloss such as Rogaine 5% mixed with Retin-A that may be prescribed by Dr. Griffin. It is important to note, that restoring hair, especially through topical medications, is a very gradual process – taking anywhere from 6 months to a year of daily application.
Non-topical medications, such as Propecia ® and Avodart®, can be a more effective medical solution for hair re-growth. The oral medication Propecia ® contains Finasteride, which is actually FDA approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Propecia ® and oral medications like it have shown better results however, in conjunction with topical products, like Rogaine®, that contain Minoxidil (namely the 5% Extra Strength formula). Avodart® is usually only prescribed for patients who have not had favorable results with Finasteride. Additionally, your doctor may choose to increase your Finestride dose from the typical 1mg to 2.5mg (for women who cannot become pregnant and men) if favorable results aren’t obtained in a timely manner.
While over-the-counter options continue to evolve, and may seem like the easy fix, it’s important to note that the best hair restoration results are obtained through a customized treatment plan along with a proper evaluation by a certified professional.
For more information about these medications, or other hair restoration options, contact The Griffin Center.
Researchers Make New Discovery About Graying Hair – Though Claim that Heredity is Still the Root Cause
A recent article in the NY Times detailed a new study about graying hair – linking the presence of gray hair to the natural build up of hydrogen peroxide in hair cells. Especially after the recent media speculation linking Obama’s new gray hairs with his stress level as president, many people still believe that gray hairs are directly linked with stress, when in fact this has not been proven. A new study however, may bring scientists closer to unlocking the real relationship between stress and more “salt and pepper’ color to people’s hair.
While studying the genetic defect vitiligo (a condition marked by patches of bleached skin that lack pigment), European scientists noticed that bleached skin was essentially caused by elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide in the skin that was negatively affecting and blocking the enzyme catalase. The scientists began to wonder if the same was true of graying hair. It was found that the natural build up of hydrogen peroxide in hair cells can similarly work to block pigment (melanin) in the hair – ultimately bleaching it and turning it gray or white.
Scientists are hopeful that this may help explain the link between gray hair and stress, but they are careful to note that heredity is still the number one influencing factor in graying. They are also careful to note that, while gray hair may make people look older, there is no link whatsoever to graying and premature aging.
For more information on hair, hair restoration, and/or hair loss contact Dr. Edmond Griffin of the Griffin Center of Hair Restoration & Research.
Are Hair Loss and Wrinkling directly related?
There are several inevitable things in life, wrinkling is one of them. A natural part of the aging process, wrinkles are lines of varying depth that develop most commonly on the face, backs of hands, and the forearms of most mature adults.
Believe it or not hair loss affects wrinkling and aging in addition to a variety of other factors like exposure to Ultraviolet light and whether or not an individual is a smoker, as well as, genetic factors like skin pigmentation and family history of wrinkling.
It might be strange to think of wrinkling in terms of the amount of hair you have – but there is a definite connection. Just like protective clothing, hair can protect areas of the head and neck from sun damage. Those who often wear longer hair styles or styles with bangs tend to develop fewer wrinkles because these styles shield the wrinkle-susceptible skin on the back of the neck and on the forehead from direct exposure to the damaging Ultraviolet rays from the sun. Once the hair begins to thin, the development of skin cancers and precancers begin to rise in number.
Both skin and hair are elements of the human body’s integumentary system. Designed to protect the internal body systems from trauma, regulate temperature, and receive and send sensations to the nervous system – the integumentary system is the body’s first line of defense from outside damage. It makes sense then that the individual elements of the system would serve to protect each other. Thus, an individual experiencing hair loss will probably start to notice wrinkling sooner as the sensitive skin covering their head, face, and neck (normally shielded by hair) is more exposed. He/she should also become more vigilant about the early development of skin cancers.
Even though it provides some protection, it is important to note that hair cannot and should not serve as your only line of defense from sun; thus you should always practice safe sun exposure.
If you are concerned about your hair loss, you may consider hair restoration therapy to slow, prevent, and in some cases, even reverse the symptoms of the conditions. If you have questions about hair-loss or hair restoration, visit our website or call our office (404)256-4369 to set up a consultation.
Dr. Edmond Griffin featured on CNN as Women’s Hair Loss Expert
If you are familiar with CNN, you are familiar with their “Health Minute” segment, a 60-second long televised segment highlighting an important health issue of the day. This week’s segment was titled, “Treating Women’s Hair Loss.” When looking for a renowned hair loss specialist to provide information on the topic, CNN turned to Dr. Griffin, founder of The Griffin Center for Hair Loss and Restoration and Dermatology Associates of Atlanta.
The segment featured a patient of Dr. Griffin’s, Judy Butler, a real estate broker that was troubled by her excessive hair loss. Concerned about her appearance and frustrated with her progressive hair thinning, Butler even considered scalp prosthesis before she decided to consult with Dr. Griffin.
“What might be very acceptable to men – not acceptable to women,” said Dr. Griffin, when reflecting on Judy’s situation. “Even a slight amount of loss is not acceptable.”
Dr. Griffin says that many women experience hair loss before menopause, but when that hair loss becomes excessive; it is considered a medical condition, known as alopecia. While the root cause of women’s hair loss is often genetic, it can be caused by many factors including a thyroid problem, anemia, reaction to medications, or an autoimmune problem that often requires blood tests or biopsies to diagnose. According to Dr. Griffin, for each cause of hair loss, there is a different treatment approach that can include everything from oral medications, topical creams, and surgery involving follicular grafting techniques.
For Judy, the recommended treatment was oral medications and topical creams; and she is thankfully experiencing hair growth. However, as the CNN video states, each patient has to be individual diagnosed in order to recommend a treatment plan. If you are a woman experiencing hair loss, contact The Griffin Center to schedule a consultation with Dr. Griffin and discover the best treatment option for you.
Click here to view CNN Health Minute:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2010/01/06/hm.women.and.hair.loss.cnn
Attention Patients: Are you a fan of The Griffin Center? Then Join us on Facebook!
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Why? Not only will The Griffin Center and Dermatology Associates of Atlanta post links to interesting hair restoration/dermatology news and information, but as a fan, you will be privy to exclusive specials not available to the general public! Fans of The Griffin Center and DAA will be given opportunities enter into contests/drawing for gift certificates and and/or receive special discounts on Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s most popular procedures. Becoming a fan is also an easy way to ask our Dr. Griffin and the experienced staff at The Griffin Center and DAA any questions you may have via the wall and/or discussion page! Even if you are not a facebook user, the Griffin Center and DAA fan page is public, meaning you can click on the link below and still view these pages. The Griffin Center and DAA fan pages are the ultimate resources for specials, dermatological and hair news, skin care tips and more! We invite you to become a fan and invite your friends and as always, we thank you for your support!
Click here to access The Griffin Center fan page and here to access Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s fan page.
Dr. Griffin offers Eyebrow Hair Transplants
Eyebrow shape is one of the most important contributing factors to the overall aesthetics of the face. People with an excess of unruly eyebrow hair, can attest to the pains of plucking and overall eyebrow maintenance. On the other hand, people with insufficient eyebrows often complain that there is “nothing to work with” and are displeased with the artificial look of penciled in or tattooed eyebrows as a substitute.
Hair loss of the eyebrows can be caused by several factors including hair loss from chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer, alopecia areata, congenital inability to grow eyebrows, genetic tendency for thin eyebrows, facial burn injuries, or trauma. However, the most common cause of permanent eyebrow hair loss is damage to the hair follicles from repeated plucking.
For patients who wish to have fuller eyebrows or who need their eyebrows reconstructed after permanent hair loss, Dr. Griffin offers eyebrow hair transplantation. Using the most up-to-date follicular grafting techniques, a patient’s own hair is surgically inserted into each follicle strand by strand, yielding the most natural results possible.
The technique for eyebrow transplantation is different from hair restoration on the head, because unlike hair on the head, the follicles on the eyebrows contain only a single strand of hair. Eyebrows also have a very distinct growth pattern, sharply angled out and flat against the face; so the surgeon must use a special, very fine needle to control the direction of the hair and make the results natural.
Hair for eyebrow transplantation is taken from other parts of the body, usually the head, which obviously grow naturally longer than eyebrow hair. Thus, eyebrow transplantation patients must trim their eyebrows more often to maintain a natural look.
Because the eyebrows are prominent on the face, it is important that only an experienced and board certified hair restoration specialist performs this procedure. Unlike other practices that split the work between surgical assistants and other physicians, at the Griffin Center for Hair Restoration and Research, Dr. Griffin implants every single hair, personally, for the best results possible.
Visit our website or call our office (404)256-4369 to set up a consultation.
Griffin Center News Trend: Chest Hair is Making a Comeback!
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted the popular reemergence of a trend for deeper cut shirts in men – revealing chest hair. While revealing the chest and chest hair was recently a fashion faux pas, unbuttoned shirts and deeper cut V-necks have made a comeback on New York runways and with mainstream American fashion.
The WSJ Article quotes a New York-based men’s style consultant, Tyler Thoreson who said, “The low-cut look is better if you have a little chest hair.”
Some say that the rising popularity of “man cleavage” also affectionately coined “heavage” is a throwback to legendary pop icons such as Marlon Brando (Streetcar Named Desire), Sean Connery as James Bond, and John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.
Luckily for men experiencing pattern baldness on their head, hair loss is not typical to occur anywhere else on the body, including the chest.
If you have any questions about hair care or hair loss, visit our website or call The Griffin Center to set up a consultation.
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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