11 Causes of Hair Breakage

1) Overstretching the hair: Do you stretch your hair prior to styling? If so, be sure you are using one of these least harmful methods: twists or loose braids. Banding is another option as well, depending on the tension.  On the other hand, tight banding or tight braiding can overstretch the hair and lead to weakened strands. Also, be sure you are stretching on damp hair instead of wet hair.  Wet hair will be more susceptible to breakage under tension. Lastly, refrain from using rubber bands or any other harmful hair tie (e.g., cotton) during the drying process.

2) Styling on wet or drenched hair: Hair is most fragile when wet or drenched with water.  Styling the hair in this state may lead to mechanical breakage.  Depending on the manipulation required for the desired style, it may be better to wait until the hair is damp or damp-dry.

3) Diet low in protein: Hair largely consists of protein (i.e., keratin) which is built from amino acids extracted from foods we put into our body.  A diet low in protein can translate into weaker, thinner hair strands (and thus breakage) or even hair loss.  Mitigate this issue by incorporating more nuts, chicken, fish, and beans into your diet.

4) Diet low in zinc, iron, and/or Vitamin B-12: A deficiency in any of these nutrients can result in weaker strands (and thus breakage) or even hair loss.  Taking a good multivitamin on a daily basis can ensure that you are receiving a sufficient amount of these nutrients. If you are severely deficient in zinc or iron (e.g., anemia), I highly recommend that you see a doctor.

5) Use of sulfate shampoos: Certain sulfate shampoos (e.g., shampoos containing SLS and ALS) can be harsh on the hair thus weakening the strands. Switching to a more gentle sulfate shampoo or a natural shampoo can mitigate this issue.

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8 Ways You're Damaging Your Hair

Dull Hair

Hair Structure - Causes of hair damage

The most common causes of damaged hair are:

• Excessive brushing: using a hard brush and brushing hair violently or when wet can damage it.
• Chemicals: chlorine from swimming pools, bleach, hair dyes and other salon treatments can damage the structure of your hair.
• Sun/heat exposure: exposure to the sun or excessive use of hairdryers and/or hair straighteners can dry out and damage hair.
• Poor diet: an unhealthy diet or a state of dehydration can affect the function of the hair follicles which disrupts hair growth.
• Disease or illness: there are several diseases or illnesses which can damage hair structure or cause thinning of the hair strands.
• Medication: certain medications especially those used in chemotherapy treatment damage hair structure and ultimately lead to hair loss.
• Male pattern baldness: a genetic condition in which changes within the male hormones or androgens damage the hair follicles which prevents them from producing more hair.

Following a good hair care routine can mitigate against some of these but if you do notice that you are losing an excessive amount of hair then seek medical attention.

Read More

Related articles:

8 Ways You're Damaging Your Hair

Hair Damage – Causes and how to avoid

Express Recovery for Your Hair

Affordable and Effective Treatments for Scalp Clarifying or Hair Strengthening.

LaoFoYe Express uses all natural herbs to combat your hair problem, leaving your hair fresh and healthy at theend of the treatment. Tested, Proven and Recommended by all our customers.

The best thing is, there is no need for you to sign a package to commit to the treatment so just come any day any time!

Give your hair the nutrients it needs with LaoFoYe’s treatment and have more time for a carefree lifestyle without worrying about your hair.

Complete Human Hair Cycle

Complete Human Hair Cycle

Know it all about the mood-swings of your hair!!

The complete Hair Cycle

Hair is the most hard-working part of your skin. They are highly exposed to sun, sweat, pollution, and chemicals that come from shampoos, conditioners, perms, colors and yet they continue to grow throughout the life.

Hair is genetically predisposed to follow a particular growth pattern i.e. grow, rest, fall and so on. This phenomenon is essentially an extraordinary one as in a lifetime; a hair follicle goes through the hair cycle 10 to 20 times, with each cycle comprising certain embryological changes.

The hair growth cycle is composed of three different stages: Anagen (growth) phase, Catagen (involution) phase, and Telogen (resting) phase. There is also a shedding phase, Exogen, which is a sub-phase of Telogen, during which the hair falls out. Anagen lasts from three to six years, catagen phase two to three weeks, and telogen phase three to four months. Normally at any one time, up to 80-90% of the hair is in Anagenphase, 10-14% inTelogen and only 1-2% % is in Catagen phase.

Let’s have a closer look at the hair cycle!

Anagen is the active growth phase of hair follicle. During this stage, protein and keratin are made. It is in this stage that the hair shaft is developed and expands to its natural length which primarily depends upon genetics. The reason being, dead cells of Keratin are pushed out through the scalp. An oily substance is produced by the sebaceous glands, which protects the hair and conditions them.  Generally, approximately 80-85% hair on a human head is in the anagen phase at any given time.

At the end of the anagen (growth) phase, the hair follicle receives an unknown signal to enter the catagen phase. This period lasts for two-three weeks. During this stage, the hair follicle shrinks, a part of it is destroyed and the dermal papilla breaks away, leading to the formation of club hair. Due to this, blood flow to the hair is ceased which hinders the supply of nourishment to the hair also.  Thereafter, the hair falls into Telogen phase.

In Telogen stage, hair doesn’t grow and dermal papilla is in resting period. Hair remains in follicle for about three months which gradually are followed by hair shedding. Primarily, hair fall occurs in this stage only. On an average 50-100 telogen hair fall is accounted as normal hair loss. If your hair is in Telogen phase then it’s likely that you may notice hair in your comb or in the shower.

By the end of this phase, new hair shaft grows from the same opening and a new hair cycle begins again with the descent of Anagen phase.

AK Clinics have conducted extensive research in this field. Often we hear patients saying ‘I have a very good diet & no stress; yet extensive hair fall’. A range of reasons can induce temporary or permanent hair loss that include stress, radiation, hormonal changes, skin diseases, nutritional deficiency, and chemotherapy. But one doesn’t need to worry anymore, at AK Clinics not only the doctors are highly qualified but they also use the most advanced & absolutely harmless way to medication consisting vital nutrients that help in controlling hair fall.

So, when the next time your hair put you in a momentary frenzy, you know it just a passing phase!! You Just need advice from doctors of AK Clinics!!

Source from: http://www.akclinics.com/blog/hair-growth-cycle/#more-449

Alopecia Areata Successful Story

by: Mrs. Ellen Loh

Since mid of year 2012, my daughter's hair has dropped day by day from the top of her head like mysterious crop circles.

I started from small spot.  We went to a lot of hair care centre. But no result. Day by day it got worse and worse.  My daughter was complaining to me because I couldn't  find right hair care centre that can solve her hair problem.  Until she cried so hard and said that she don't want to go to school anymore, that time I was so upset because I can't help her.

Day by day we search and try. We wasted a lot of money and time. Finally, God bless us. We found LaoFoYe Hair Care Centre by introduction of my friend's friend.  He had same experience.  His daughter was recovered within a year now, nobody can say that she had hair problem before.

So I went to LaoFoYe Hair Care Centre quickly with no doubts, without thinking anymore about the money and I don't want to waste the time. We are very lucky to found LaoFoYe and able to let them cure my daughter's hair problem.

LaoFoYe's hair consultant told me that my daughter's hair problem is Alopecia Areata and that they have treated a lot of customers successfully with this condition.  I told them that what ever it is I don't want to know, I only want to see is my daughter's hair to regrow.

Now within 3 months I see the results.  The pictures are approved, her hair is growing quickly, the forehead is almost full.  She no more say, she don't want to go to school.

Thanks to LaoFoYe. You are a savior.

I almost forgot.  My daughter is 13 years old.  Going to join Secondary School this year 2013.  She is happy on what she have now.  She is going under treatment at LaoFoYe every Saturday.

P.S. The photos given by LaoFoYe Hair Care Centre are approved.

Alopecia: A Problem Gaining Int'l Attention, Say Experts at Millenium Clinic

(MENAFN Press) (EMAILWIRE.COM, September 29, 2012 ) Sydney, NSW -- Although hair loss, and particularly alopecia, have gained a great deal of attention worldwide in recent years, Olympian Joanna Roswell brought the condition to the forefront of international media headlines last month, when the 23 year old cyclist collected her gold medal without her helmet, and without hair.

Roswell is nearly completely bald, because of alopecia, which is a condition she has suffered from since the age of 13. It is reported that Alopecia Areata, the most common form of the condition,Millennium Clinic affects 1 in 100 people, and Roswell became a symbol of inspiration for sufferers of this condition, particularly for women who suffer from the condition that leads to hair loss.

Although the condition isn't life-threatening, it often has a very difficult impact on the life of the affected person, particularly when it comes to self-confidence and self-esteem.

According to the experts at Millenium Clinic Alopecia Areata is baldness that typically begins with patchy hair loss on the scalp. This condition sometimes progresses to complete baldness and even loss of body hair. The hair loss tends to be rather rapid and asymmetrical and is different than male pattern baldness. Alopecia Areata affects both males and females. It tends to occur most often in children and young adults but older individuals can also be affected. The most common pattern of Alopecia Areata is one or more spots of hair loss on the scalp. There is also a form of more generalized thinning. When all of the scalp hair is lost, it is referred to as Alopecia totalis. Millenium Clinic offers alopecia treatment as well as other hair loss treatments and hair rejuvenation in Sydney CBD ,


Source From: http://www.menafn.com/menafn/1093564245/Alopecia-A-Problem-Gaining-Intl-Attention-Say-Experts-at-Millenium-Clinic

Homemakers: Growing up with alopecia

By Kerri Gooding

At the young age of three, Afiyah Cumberbatch’s life was turned topsy-turvy. She was just three years old when her mother Natasha Cumberbatch found some patches in her hair and the doctor diagnosed her with Alopecia Areata. From then, life has never been the same but at age nine now, some six years later, Afiyah is becoming more confident and bolder as she takes the world and alopecia in stride.

Faced with the challenges of bullies in school and harsh stares from children, young people and adults, it is no wonder that Afiyah is finding her voice, and defending herself already. It is no easy feat, however, for Afiyah nor her mother.
Natasha said “When the doctor diagnosed her with Alopecia Areata, I thought, ‘What is Alopecia?’ I’d never heard about it before. Then he explained it to me.”

Even to this day, though Afiyah would frankly state her condition, she admits it’s very hard to explain, especially because children ask so many questions.
But, it’s never easy to explain something which has no cause.


source from: By Kerri Gooding

At the young age of three, Afiyah Cumberbatch’s life was turned topsy-turvy. She was just three years old when her mother Natasha Cumberbatch found some patches in her hair and the doctor diagnosed her with Alopecia Areata. From then, life has never been the same but at age nine now, some six years later, Afiyah is becoming more confident and bolder as she takes the world and alopecia in stride.

Faced with the challenges of bullies in school and harsh stares from children, young people and adults, it is no wonder that Afiyah is finding her voice, and defending herself already. It is no easy feat, however, for Afiyah nor her mother.
Natasha said “When the doctor diagnosed her with Alopecia Areata, I thought, ‘What is Alopecia?’ I’d never heard about it before. Then he explained it to me.”

Even to this day, though Afiyah would frankly state her condition, she admits it’s very hard to explain, especially because children ask so many questions.
But, it’s never easy to explain something which has no cause.
Source from:http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=lifestyle&NewsID=27092

5 Home Remedies for Hair Loss

Losing a few strands of hair on a daily basis is normal, but when you see clumps of it falling off is when the problem starts. There are a number of ways to treat hair loss, but before you go for the more radical measures, why not try the remedies that you can find at your own home first. Here are five hair loss remedies that just might help you restore good hair health and volume.

1. Cinnamon and Honey

Who would have thought that the some of the ingredients for dessert are the sweets that your hair need. Cinnamon is known to increase blood circulation to the scalp, while honey contains natural sweeteners that nourish the hair and help retain its moisture.

You mix a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon and apply it on your scalp and leave it on for 15 minutes. These two can create a synergistic effect that promotes hair growth.

2. Garlic

In a study that was released by the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology, and Leprology in 2007, garlic can actually help get rid of hair loss. This proves those folk remedies to have a sliced garlic rubbed on the affected area on the scalp. This promotes better scalp circulation and removes toxins, in effect it keeps the hair and scalp strong and healthy. You can massage olive oil and leave it on for a couple of hours or overnight, after rubbing the garlic to enhance its effects.

3. Rosemary and Olive Oil

These are not just kitchen essentials but they can also stimulate hair follicles to grow back. According to a study that was done at the University of Maryland Medical Center, this particular herb stimulates hair growth. Olive oil on the other hand is known as a natural cleanser and it prevents the formation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is the hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

You can prepare this oil by adding in a handful of rosemary into warm olive oil, then apply it on the head and leave it on for 15 minutes. You have to continue doing this for a week or more before it starts giving results.

4. Neem Leaves

Neem leaves are popular hair loss and skin conditions in Asia, and research has proven that this is because of its antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antifungal action. It protects the scalp and promote the growth of string and healthy hair as it stimulates blood circulation and strengthens the immune system.

You can make a paste out of these leaves by pounding it. You need to follow this with an apple cider vinegar hair wash to help restore the alkaline environment of the scalp. Read more

Stop Hair Problems

Do your hair become ummanageable immediately after a wash? Do they keep on getting worse if you try to comb them repeatedly? It is a very common problem that every person with frizzy hair faces. If you got frizzy hair, then everyday is a bad hair day. You need to use the best hair care solution to fight with such a problem.

Frizzy hair are the result of absence of oil and moisture in the hair. When the essential oils get removed from the hair, they become dry, coarse, and difficult to manage. Excessive heat from curling irons and blow driers can also cause damage to the hair, making them frizzy. Such hair can even be a genetic trait or a result of using strong chemicals. The wrong choice of hair care products can also result in lifeless, frizzy hair. It is always recommended to use top hair products. Keranique hair product reviews reveal that its products are the best in controlling frizz.

It is easy to get rid of frizzy, dry hair. Your hair can become lustrous and manageable by following some of the best hair care techniques. These methods may not work for everybody, though are good for many.

Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by sudden, non-scarring hair loss of varied distribution that is often recurrent. AA is common; the lifetime risk of AA in the general population is estimated to be 1.7%.1 Between 1990 and 2000, there were 2.4 million office visits for AA in the United States.2 The disease occurs in both genders and in all age groups, including children. AA presents before 16 years in approximately 20% of patients, with few occurrences prior to 2 years.3

 Read More

Researchers Inch Toward Baldness Cure

Treatments like Rogaine work best for those trying to stop further hair loss—but what about people who are already bald? Researchers worldwide are inching closer to treatments that could restore hair growth, the Wall Street Journal reports. The market is huge, with 35 million men suffering from male-pattern baldness in the US, for instance, and $2 billion spent yearly on related surgery. Scientists are now investigating the major role of vitamin D, which binds to a receptor that prompts hair growth.

Researchers in California last year pointed to one molecule that works against the receptor and another that activates it—with no need for vitamin D. Meanwhile, in Japan, scientists found that rat stem cells were more likely to turn into hair follicles if treated with vitamin D. But the body can't just be flooded with the vitamin; too much of it can be dangerous. "We're really aiming to manipulate vitamin D or vitamin D receptors only in the skin," says a researcher. Unfortunately for hair loss sufferers, it could be "many years" before such research brings treatments to market, says the Journal. Read the full story here