Dr Edmond I Griffin
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.
Is seasonal hair-loss normal? Dr. Griffin Provides the Answers
With warmer weather comes less clothing, and often a desire to have less body hair. But one place we don’t typically want to decrease the amount of hair is on our heads. While direct seasonal influences on normal amounts of hair loss are still being studied, it’s relatively common for individuals to report increased shedding starting in the spring and peaking in the fall.
While scientists have not been able to pin point direct environmental causes that lead to increased hair-loss beginning in the spring, many speculate that exposure to sunlight is directly related. As we know from research findings regarding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the amount of sunlight we’re exposed to during the day can directly affect hormone levels and emotions. Findings from experimental studies suggest that hair-loss might be controlled by limiting amounts of direct sun exposure, thus changing the melatonin secretion rate and its effects on the hormone receptors located in the scalp. Probably a wise decision as over-exposure to Ultraviolet light can have less than favorable dermatological effects.
One thing that is scientifically known is that shedding hair is a completely normal part of the hair growth cycle. The hair growth cycle is composed of three phases: anagan (growth phase), catagen (degradation phase), and telogen (resting phase.) Normally, individuals shed anywhere from 50-150 strands of hair on a daily basis. The rate of seasonal hair loss varies greatly from person to person, but like hair loss during any other part of the year can usually be minimized by maintaining a proper diet, not smoking, avoiding harsh chemical hair treatments, and seeking medical attention for any known hormonal imbalances.
If you have any questions about hair-loss or hair restoration, call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Edmond Griffin, or visit our website.
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.
Become a fan of The Griffin Center and Dermatology Associates of Atlanta on Facebook!
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.
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.
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