In the news
Causes of Alopecia Areata Related Hair-loss: Is It Genetic?
Alopecia is the medical term that is used most often to convey any type of hair-loss. There are numerous types and causes of each respective type of alopecia. Alopecia areata most commonly refers to hair-loss in men, women, and children whose symptoms are perfectly round, smooth, bald patches on the scalp or body. These symptoms sometimes, but very rarely, present themselves along with other auto-immune disorders such as: thyroiditis, diabetes, and vitiligo.
While not previously attributed directly to genetics, a July study released by Columbia University and published in The New York Times links 8 genes to the hair-loss condition alopecia areata. According to the study’s report, one of the genes, ULBP3, was found in high concentrations within the hair follicles of the study’s alopecia areata patient participants and is thought to be the “messenger” gene that signaled the body to assail its hair and signal its fall-out.
While scientist can’t yet attribute all of alopecia areata’s symptoms to actions of these genes, they are hopeful that the study has revealed a promising discovery about the condition that may facilitate development of future medical treatment options for hair-loss: the alopecia areata related genes behave much like the genetic messengers involved in other auto-immune conditions such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Therefore, dermatologists and hair-restoration specialists like Dr. Edmond Griffin may soon be able to better treat the historically unpredictable condition and its symptoms more effectively. If you’re interested in learning more about hair-loss or the treatment of hair loss visit The Griffin Center for Hair-Loss Restoration and Research’s website, subscribe to their blog, or become a fan on Facebook.
Part 2 of Dr. Griffins Series on PRP Technology: Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Used in Skin Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck
Published in the May issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has proven itself effective in face and neck rejuvenation. As we discussed in our introduction to our blog series on Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, PRP utilizes the healing power of isolated platelets from a patient’s own blood (much like the autographs used in the effective treatment of male-pattern baldness) to aid in the rejuvenation of soft tissues and bone several body systems. Dr. Griffin is especially hopeful about the potential benefits PRP therapy may bring to hair restoration patients.
During the course of the three month study, 23 patients were given monthly injections of their own centrifuge-obtained platelets into areas of depression or small wrinkles on their faces and/or necks. The results of the PRP injections were chronicled through a series of photographs taken with a dermoscope camera: allowing study coordinators to highly magnify the treatment areas progress. The results of the study show exciting promise for future use of PRP therapy in skin rejuvenation procedures. The study’s participants (whose results were a mixture of ratings derived from self assessment and doctor observation) showed best results in the improvement in skin homogeneity and texture (a 33% increase) and reduction in priocular wrinkles (30% reduction of crow’s feet.)
The study’s results are not only of interest to Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Specialists like Dr. Griffin, but also point to potential refinement in the facial fillers (like Botox® and Dysport®) and dermal injectables (like Restylane® and Juevederm®) cosmetic surgeons use to relax wrinkles and fill-in areas that naturally lose volume with age. This emerging research field is changing daily so stay in the loop by reading Dr. Griffins blog or visiting his website regularly.
Part 1 of Dr. Griffins Series on PRP Technology: Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Explained
Deeply committed to education, Dr. Griffin of the Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research has been on the forefront of hair restoration research and technology since 1976; and the recent advancement in the study of platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been no exception. While PRP technology is most commonly hailed as an aid in healing, Dr. Griffin has been working to explore the ways in which PRP technology can aid in more effective hair restoration.
PRP technology is a subsection of Orthobiologics, which looks at various ways to help the body to help itself. In this case, platelet rich plasma is taken from the body by first drawing the blood that contains these platelets. Then using centrifuge, the platelets are isolated from the other matter and then re-injected into the body for various uses. The platelets isolated and utilized in PRP technology are special in their ability to release proteins called “growth factors” which help to accelerate tissue regeneration and heal the body.
For the skin care industry, PRP is promising in its ability to promote collagen growth in skin, helping to eliminate wrinkles and promote overall skin health. For orthopedic physicians, PRP technology is promising in its ability to accelerate healing of muscles, tendons, etc.
But for Dr. Griffin and other hair restoration specialists, the hope is that this new technology will improve follicular grafting, the hair-by-hair restoration technique. Because each strand of hair must be grafted and transplanted into the scalp one-by-one, physicians and scientists are hopeful that PRP technology will accelerate the healing of tissue for faster and more reliable acceptance of the new stands of hair.
While practical uses of PRP technology are still in the clinical trial phase, these advancements are very promising for the field of hair restoration. Dr. Griffin will keep you abreast of any updates with PRP technology that could affect you with a series of blog posts on the subject.
For more information about PRP technology or specific hair restoration techniques, we invite you to explore the Griffin Center website or contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Oily Hair- It’s a Good Thing: A Revolutionary Addition to the Clean-Up Efforts for the Gulf Shore Oil Spill
Petco, a national chain of 1,000 pet supply and grooming stores, vowed to continue its daily donations of 1 ton of pet hair from its grooming operations to further the oil-spill cleanup efforts along the Gulf coast.
Petco has partnered with “The Matter of Trust”, an eco-focused non-profit group out of San Francisco, in making hair booms to absorb the wayward oil floating towards the Mississippi and Louisiana coastlines. Pet and human hair fibers are naturally oliolific (oil-loving) – thus the need for regular shampooing. The Matter of Trust volunteers create the booms by stuffing recycled nylons with the hair, floating them in the water allowing the oil-loving hair to absorb some of the mess, then rinsing and reusing the boom up to 100 times.
After the booms have reached their absorption capacity, the hair fibers are then digested by worm farms to create compost- an entirely “green” process. While the whole process does have a little bit of the ick factor, this resourceful, productive, and cost-effective cleanup method has EPA officials very interested.
Make sure to keep reading our blogs to stay up-to-date on hair related new stories, and the latest advancements in hair restoration therapy and research. If you have any questions visit The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research’s website or call (404) 256-4369.
Calling All Sun Bathers- Deadly Skin Cancer Rates Soar For Generation Of Baby Boomers
If you’ve read any of our past blogs, you’ve probably noticed how adamant the professionals at Dermatology Associates are about protecting your skin from sun exposure. Hopefully readers will now heed their warnings- SunSmart, a UK based Skin Cancer research organization, has compiled findings which show that adults of the Baby Boomer generation are now five times more likely to develop Melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) than previous generations.
The UK group attributes this trend to the rise in popularity of low-cost package vacations and the introduction of tanning beds in the 1970’s. Baby Boomers, who as a group were in their 20’s and 30’s during this period, remember a culture where “burning before tanning” was the norm for everyone. Even more astounding, the study also found that of the Baby Boomer cohort, men in their 60’s and 70’s were seven times more likely to develop Melanoma than men of the same age 30 years ago.
The most important thing to remember about sun damage is that it is preventable. Wearing a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF for your complexion (no lower than SPF 15) and remembering to re-apply sunscreen every couple of hours while outdoors are imperative. The information from this study isn’t just a call to Baby Boomers, this trend could very easily repeat itself with Generation X, Y, and Z’ers if proper preventative sun protection is ignored.
If you have a fair complexion with light hair, light eyes, freckles, or have lots of moles you are naturally more susceptible to sun damage. If you have a history of sunburn you are also at an increased risk for developing Melanoma or other forms of skin cancer. So, when it comes to sun exposure remember- lather with sunscreen and repeat!
To learn more about preventative skin care or to schedule a consultation with one of Dermatology Associate’s professionals, visit our website or call (404) 256-4457.
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
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