Use Olive Oil as a remedy for Hair Loss

There are people who believe that the natural properties in Olive Oil can help those suffering from hair loss.


Olive oil is mostly a kind of fat. Fat is a chemical composition, called an ester, of the alcohol glycerol and fatty acids. A fatty acid has a molecules consisting of a long hydrocarbon chain and a carboxylic group. The most abundant fatty acid in olive oil is oleic acid which is a mono-unsaturated acid, meaning that the hydrocarbon chain has one double bond. 76 % of the fatty acids in olive oil is oleic acid. Oleic acid has 18 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, and the double bond between the 9th and 10th carbon atoms in the hydrogen chaine, counted from the non-carboxylic end in the molecule. It is therefore called an omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid. 8 % of the fatty acids in olive oil is linoleic acid, which is a poly-unsaturated acid, meaning that there are more than one double bond in the hydrocarbon chain. Linoleic acid has two double bonds. Linoleic acid has 18 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbone chain, a double bond between the 3th and 4th carbon atoms in the hydrocarbone chain, and a double bond between the 6th and 7th atom, counted from the non-carboxylic end in the molecule. It is therefore called an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid. 15 % of the fatty acid content of olive oil is stearic acid, which is a saturated fatty acid with 16 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. A saturated fatty acid has no double bonds. Olive oil also contains some other fat-like substances. One of these is squalane. This is a saturated hydrocarbon with 30 carbon atoms. Squalane is good for the skin health and is often used in cosmetics and skin care products.


So how does that help fight hair loss?

Olive oil seems to have anti-inflammatory properties. People suffering from inflammatory ailments, for example rheumatism, will generally gain from including oilve oil in their diet. However, olive oil should be combined with fish oil or fat fish to optimize the anti-inflammatory effct. Olive oil contains omega-9-poly-unsaturated acids, while fish oil contains- omega-3-poly-unsaturated acids. Both of these seem to reduce inflammation.

If you read previous posts, you will find out that scalp inflammation is a contributor to hair loss.

Make sure to choose extra virgin olive oil. Massage the oil onto the scalp and leave on for about an hour, unless you plan on making a salad on your head. Do this on a regular basis.

One individual applied olive oil along with a combination of garlic and onion juice. He noticed results within a few weeks.

As always if you have used this remedy or know someone who has, please post your comments.

Remove Gray Hair

So you wake up one morning looking in the mirror and say "what the hell are these gray hairs doing here?' Face it you're getting old buddy so take it like a man or a woman. You're doomed. Or are you?




First let's us find out the reasoning why our hair turns gray. In a nutshell the body produces a pigment known as melanin. As we grow older the body produces less melanin resulting in gray
and white hair.

For the full article click here


Now lets discuss your options


COLOR ME

You can always use hair color, which personally is a pain. I've ruined many towels and a few bathroom rugs. You also need to be careful with hair colors. Some just color the hair which is fine. Others color the root which increases the length of time the color stays on. That coloring which is usually done in a hair salon can damage your hair if done too often.


CUE BALL EFFECT

Shave it off. That might going a bit overboard but if you're already losing your hair and
read my previous post, it could be beneficial.

EAT MR. HE's ROOT (HE SHOU WU)

As the story goes a long time ago an old man (Mr. He) got lost in a forest. While trying to find his way back he ate only the roots of a common vine.

Upon his return to the village everyone was amazed to see Mr. He's once white hair now black.
The herb Mr. He ate was named after him. The herb is called He Shou Wu (Old Man He).

Now there aren't any clinical studies to back up this story. But neither is the existence of King
Arthur, and yet we all want to believe it's true.

At the price of a movie ticket it's worth a gamble to try it. He Shou Wu is sold at most vitamin
shops.

So go and eat some root.

Peanut Milk for Hair Loss?

Ok I know what you're thinking "are you kidding me?" I'm not here to judge, I'm just the messenger. I came across another article that talks about how peanut milk reverses hair loss and other maladies.

This supposedly magical elixir was concocted by Jack Chang as a means to consume peanuts. His gum disease prevented him from chewing peanuts and thus Peanut Milk was born.

He soon realized that the product cured his gum disease and also slowed down his balding. It's other benefits include healing wounds faster, preventing colds, reducing symptoms of menopause and soothes psoriasis. It’s also said to be a hangover cure. Some drink it at bedtime to help them sleep; others choose it as an alternative to caffeine.

Although there is no medical proof that this concoction does any of the above, his company Trinity Products LLC produces close to a quarter million bottles a year. That's not peanuts

The product is only available in a few retailers in California. Click here for locations.

Who said peanuts are just a bar snack.

For the entire article go here.

Free Hair Fibers

Thats right this site will give you free hair fibers, similar to the product Toppik. There's gotta be a catch right? Well the guy is a hair transplant surgeon, so I think he hopes to get your info and try to sell his services.

There's no commitment, at least I didn't see one. So go ahead and try it

Using Dong Quai as a hair loss remedy

Today we look at the natural Chinese herb Dong Quai. This herb has been used traditionally in China to prevent the hair loss and graying that come with age. The exact mechanism is unknown, but may be related to a mild estrogenic effect.



Dong Quai contains phytoestrogens that have been known to stabilize and even reverse genetic hair loss. Scientists believe phytoestrogens work by blocking androgen-receptor sites and reduce the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Androgens are produced by the male sex organs and are a major factor in inherited baldness.

Dong Quai is believed to be nontoxic. Allergic reactions and mild gastrointestinal distress have been noted in a small percentage of people using Dong Quai. In some cases, Dong Quai can cause sensitivity to sun. One case report has shown Dong Quai to interact with Coumadin (warfarin), increasing the risk of bleeding. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known. Although it is not certain, conceivably, Dong Quai could interact with any blood-thinning products, natural or otherwise. If you are taking Coumadin, heparin, Trental, or aspirin, you could be at risk for increased bleeding when using Dong Quai.


Clinical Research: I counld not find any clinical study that provides evidence that Dong Quai actually cures hair loss.

Price: You can get 50 capsules for around $10.00

Summary: Ancient Chinese secret. Only your neighborhood Asian doctor really knows if the stuff works. So use it at your own risk.

Inflammation can lead to hair loss

Does your scalp ever feel tender to the touch? Well it's quite possible that scalp inflammation is contributing to your hair loss. Don't blame Rogaine or topical minoxidil as your source for inflammation. Users refer to it as "minoxidil burn". There is no scientific study which shows that topical minoxidil or Rogaine is the cause of scalp inflammation. Retin-A is also known to be associated with scalp inflammation.

Dr. Razack, a hair specialist in the U.S and author of the book "Conquering Hair Loss", says many researchers have suggested that scalp inflammation is closely related to hair loss. Another reseacher reseacher, Young et al conducted a clinical study in 1991 showing that 96% of the participants in the study who have androgenic alopecia have also demostrated some kind of inflammatory response on their scalps. Another study conducted by Abell et al., inflammation was shown in over 75% of the scalp biopsies obtained from close to 700 patients with androgenic alopecia.

Here are a few shampoos to deal with scalp inflammation:

Neutrogen T-Gel - I think the first thing that everyone should try is Neutrogen T-Gel. It is the least expensive of all treatments, about US $8 a bottle and virtually any drug store sells it as an over-the-counter shampoo. No prescription is required. Although it doesn't work for everyone, some have repoted good results without having to turn to other more expensive alternatives. So I would definitely give T-Gel a try before anything else. However, not everyone responds to T-Gel. In fact, some, like myself, really dislike the shampoo. It dries up my hair and leaves stains on my scalp.

Nizoral Shampoo - If T-Gel fails, the next thing that I recommend is Nizoral shampoo. It is more expensive than T-Gel and a prescription is required for U.S residents. Nizoral costs well over US $30 for one bottle in New York City and I guarantee you can find a much better deal ordering over the internet. The active ingredient in Nizoral is 2% ketoconazole which in addition to being an anti-fungal agent, is also an antiandrogen and immunosupressant. All these attributes are beneficial to hair growth. Nizoral is intended to be used only once or twice a week. So it is important that you alternate Nizoral with another shampoo for hair loss.

Dermovate - If both T-Gel and Nizoral fail, then your last resort is Dermovate, or sometimes called Temovate in North America. It is a topical scalp lotion that is available by prescription only for U.S residents. Dermovate is not cheap. A 50ml bottle costs over US $60 in New York City. However, you are supposed to place only a few drops on affected areas and a 50ml bottle should last you more than two months. The active ingredient in Dermovate is Clobetasol 17-propionate 0.05%, which is a kind of cortisone. Dermovate is extremely effective and it works almost instantaneoulsy. Depending on the severity of your conditions, continuous application for up to six weeks may be required before your scalp is clear of all flakes and crust. Once your conditions have been stablizied, then you use Dermovate only when needed. For those who use Rogaine or topical minoxidil, Dermovate should be applied shortly after you put on Rogaine. Also, for best results, it is highly recommended that you include both Nizoral shampoo and Dermovate in your regimen.

RK19 - RK19 isn't a shampoo. It's a high potency vitamin and anti-inflammatry combination. It's specifically formulated to stop inflammation DHT. Price is under $100 for a 6 month supply.

Can Folligen grow hair?

Today Im reviewing Folligen. It was invented by Dr. Loren Pickart. Folligen is a topical. It comes as a cream, spray or lotion. It contains copper peptides to stimulate hair growth. It can be used in conjucntion with Minoxidil, and DHT inhibitors like Propecia.


Folligen rebuilds the protective acid mantle of the scalp that shampoos and conditioners remove. The acid mantle is the combination of sebum (oils) and perspiration, on the skin's surface that protects the skin and renders the skin less vulnerable to damage and attack by environmental factors such as sun and wind and less prone to dehydration. The mantle also has strong anti-oxidant properties and is itself oxidized to protect the skin from oxidation. Sebum is naturally white but air oxidation turns it black (this is why "whitehead comedos" turn into "blackhead comedos"). Normal skin and scalp pH is somewhat acid and in the range of 4.2. to 5.6. It varies from one part of the body to another and, in general, the pH of a man's skin is lower (more acid) than that of a woman's. The acid mantle inhibits the growth of foreign bacteria and fungi and the skin remains healthier, and has fewer blemishes. Acne, allergies and other skin problems become more severe when the skin become more alkaline. Folligen adjusts the scalp pH into the acid range of optimal scalp health at about pH 5.0.

The ingredients are designed to help create an environment that improves scalp health, hair health, vitality, reduce hair loss and shedding. Folligen products are used both by women for stress and estrogen-related hair loss and men for male pattern baldness caused by DHT.

The product claims to do the following:

* Markedly reduces hair loss in about three weeks
* Improve scalp health and reduce irritation
* Thicker head of hair in about four months
* Often reduces itching and flaking associated with scalp
inflammation

Clinical Studies - None were found
Side Effects - Makes scalp itchy if using the spray. The cream and lotion are a bright green color so are not suited to be used in the morning. They should be used at night with some pillow cover as the green color can rub off on pillow cases. Folligen is easily washed off in the morning, but some people with very light blonde hair do report having a greenish tinge on their hair. If you have this hair color you should not use this product.

Cost - $99 for a 2 month supply. Can be bouhgt at Folica
FDA Approved - No

Summary - Found 1 small photo on their site showing results. Also found a few testimonials in hair loss forums stating that users were pleased with results. The price is about $100 for a 2 month supply for the whole kit. For best results you should be under 45 and used in conjuction with other hair loss treatments such as Rogaine or Minoxidol.

Based on my research the product doesn't show enough evidence of actual hair growth. It's more of a scalp cleanser in my opinion.