Hair Pulling- Trichotillomania

Most of us love hair. Hair is associated with beauty, youth and vivacity. The more hair we have, the better we feel. But there are some individuals who are so emotionally tormented that they pull their hair. Known as Trichotillomania, this emotional disorder induces an irresistible urge to pull out one’s own hair. While in most cases it is pulling out hair from the scalp, some may even pull the hair out of their eyebrows, groin and extremities. Hair pulling from the scalp is readily visible and some individuals go to great lengths to disguise this behavior.

Trichotillomania is more of an impulse control disorder rather and an obsessive or compulsive disorder. Individuals who have this disorder simply can’t resist the urge to perform an act that is harmful. While hair pulling is usually done with the fingers, it may occasionally be removed with instruments like razors, blades, combs, brushes or tweezers.

For some individuals the hair pulling is intentional and focused. They are aware of what they are doing, but for other individuals, hair pulling is an automatic event and they may not be aware of it.

The cause of this bizarre condition is not fully understood. Scientists have identified mutations in some brain neurons that may trigger the urge to pull out hair. In others, changes in the neurotransmitter serotonin and dopamine have been identified. But these discoveries are academic and have not helped treatment.

It is estimated that about 1-3 percent of the population may have some degree of trichotillomania. The disorder can affect both adults and children and may be seen as early as age 2-3. Why people pull hair is puzzling. Some individuals pull the hair out because the hairs may not be of a particular color, texture or shape. Others develop delusional thinking that certain color hairs are bad. Sometime hair pulling is done during a mood disorder like anger, frustration or tension. Other individuals pull their hair when they are lonely. There are individuals who find that that pulling hair makes them feel good and they continually try to seek that kind of positive reinforcement. Others claim that when they pull hair, it is way of distracting them from negative thoughts, stress or tension.

Even more puzzling is that these individuals almost never pull other people’s hair.

Electrolysis: permanent hair removal Part 3

Who performs electrolysis?
Hair removal can be done in anyone of the spas and cosmetic clinics in any large city in North America. However, one should be aware that not only is the training of all electrologists not standardized, but many States do not even require certification for someone to perform the procedure. Before one embarks on this treatment, it is best to inquire about the training and experience of your electrologist

What are other options for hair removal?

Electrolysis may be good and a cheaper alternative when it comes to permanent removal of hair from small areas of the body, but today laser is a better option for hair removal from larger areas of the body. Laser hair removal is not only faster, but requires fewer sessions and is slightly cheaper.

Is hair removal covered by Medical Insurance?

Hair removal is strictly a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by any medical insurance. Because of the lure of easy money, there is a bandwagon of people who do this procedure. For safety, select a professional who is credentialed to perform the procedure. Electrolysis when performed by an experienced technician is a safe and effective way to eliminate the embarrassing problem of excessive hair

Electrolysis: permanent hair removal Part 2

What does the procedure involve?
Electrolysis is generally performed in a spa or a clinic. During the actual procedure, the individual is asked to be in a comfortable position. The majority of individuals who undergo the procedure complain of pain during the procedure and the time it takes to perform the procedure. The pain is variable and dependent on which part of the body is treated. To counter the pain, the technician may apply a local anesthetic ointment 20 minutes before the procedure.

Are there any side effects of electrolysis?
While electrolysis is a safe technique when practiced properly, problems can arise from improper electrolysis procedures. Besides the pain and unsightly cosmesis, scarring is a major complication seen when the technique is not done properly.

However, in most instances the procedure is safely done and the few short term side effects include:

- pain during the procedure
- swelling at the sight
- redness
- skin color changes (either too dark or too light)

These side effects subside in a few days and are not noticeable. However, the results of hair removal do not become obvious for some time. It may take a few weeks for all the hair to fall out after the procedure.

What is the cost of electrolysis?

Electrolysis is not a light hearted undertaking. It requires time, money and commitment. The cost of electrolysis ranges from $50-100/hour, depending on whom you go to. The procedure can take hours, depending on what part of the body is being treated. Hairs around the nipple may take 30 minutes but the arm may take anywhere from 20-40 hours. So before you undergo the treatment, get some idea about the number of hours and the possible cost.

Electrolysis: permanent hair removal Part 1

For those individuals who are tired of plucking out hairs from odd parts of the body, electrolysis may be just the right treatment. In general, electrolysis is most useful for removal of small amounts pockets of hair that may be located on the chin, axilla (arm pit), bikini line, groin, nipples or upper lip. Because the treatment is very time consuming and painful, it may not be the best therapy for hair removal from the arms, legs or chest. Numerous sessions are required and the cost can be prohibitive.

The technique of using electrolysis to remove hair permanently has been around for at least the past 20 years. The procedure involves insertion of a very fine needle into a hair follicle and stimulating it with an electrical pulse.

The electrical pulse destroys the hair growing ability of the follicle. With electrolysis, hair can be removed from practically anywhere on the body, except inside the nose or ears.

How is hair removed with electrolysis?

Hair removal by electrolysis is done in several ways: galvanic or thermolytic method.

The galvanic method of hair removal has been used for a long time and is the simplest to use. The method involves placing a needle in the hair follicle and transmits a DC current into it. The resulting electrical reaction destroys the hair and its root, resulting in permanent hair removal. For those individuals who have medical implants such as pacemakers or have metallic implants (IUDs), the galvanic technique is not recommended.

Thermolysis is essentially the same, except that an AC current is transmitted down the hair follicle. Most newer versions of electrolysis machines combine (blend) these two techniques into one and offer a quick, effective and safer way to destroy the hair follicle.

IS there a Treatment for Hair loss? Part 2

Medications

Despite all the razzmatazz about medications by the drug industry, they are all ineffective and expensive. It is the very rare individual who will regain hair growth after use of these medications and this is more pure luck than any credit to the medications. None of these medications work if there is baldness. It is hard to find any one individual (who is honest) to have any sort of significant hair growth after using these medications.

The drugs approved for the treatment of alopecia are:

Minoxidil (Rogaine). This medication was associated with a lot of hype but never lived up to its expectations. It can be used to treat both types of alopecia. It comes as a liquid and is applied on the scalp twice a day. It is available over the counter in strengths of 2-5%. It is approved for the treatment of androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. It is difficult to find anyone (at least those not paid by the industry) who has evidence of any hair growth after use of this medication.

The industry claims that new hair after application of minoxidil is thinner and shorter than previous hair. The hair growth stops once the use of the mediation is stopped. The only side effect is an irritation or dryness of the scalp.

Finasteride (Propecia). Finasteride is another medication which has been approved for male pattern baldness. It is taken as an oral pill. Some individuals do claim hair growth and the results take at least 2-4 months to show. Finasteride works by inhibiting the conversion of the male testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that decreases hair growth. For some men there may be some hair growth but the medication also causes a decrease in sex drive- a high price to pay for some hair follicles. As with minoxidil, the benefits of Finasteride stop if you stop using it. The drug is only approved for use in men.

Corticosteroids. For alopecia areata, some physicians may inject corticosteroids. These injections are performed every month for a few months. Some physicians also recommend topical corticosteroid creams. The results are not great. Some individual show a response and many do not. In most cases of alopecia areata, the hair growth will recover after some time and the need for corticosteroid injection is questionable. Corticosteroids do nothing for androgenic alopecia.

Anthralin (Drithocreme). Available as either a cream or an ointment. This is a tar like chemical which is used in the treatment of psoriasis. It is not effective in all individuals and the results are mild, at best. The drug also stains bed sheets, clothes and makes a real mess.

Herbs/nutrients; everyday on the internet and popular medical magazines, there are new drugs/nutrients advertised as the latest to cure hair growth. Individuals from every ethnic background have their own version of folklore tales and myths about hair growth. The things recommended for hair growth are wild and beyond the realms of one’s imagination- from crow’s feet, bears penis, scorpions arse, snakes gall bladder, meditation, yoga, et etc. There is not one iota of proof that any of these work. There is no herb or nutrient that can grow any hair.

The hair growth industry is a big scam and the best advice is to avoid these products and save one’s money.

IS there a Treatment for Hair loss? Part 1

Every drug, chemical postulated to cure hair loss, has in most instances been just that- a false claim prying on desperate men trying to counter an irreversible process. From drinking one’s urine to eating a tiger’s penis- all have been claimed to be the magical cure. And the drug industry does not fair any better. They are the biggest charlatans among them all.

The two drugs available today for hair growth, do little more than grow a hair here and there, and they are not only expensive but have to be applied or taken in orally for a life time- hair loss sure sucks.

The big question everyone wants to know “is there a treatment for hair growth?”. Unfortunately no. The medications available today may grow a hair here and there in a few people and that is about all the hair one will ever see.

Todate, there are no cure for hair loss. There are temporary solutions, some of which may help. For those with alopecia areata- one does not need any treatment as the hair will grow back sometime in future.

Coping with hair loss part 2

Today, baldness has been glamorized and been made to look cool by personalities like Yul Bryner, Michael Jordan and Telly Salavas. Hell, these guys made millions of dollars flaunting their looks only after they became famous. I bet these same guys would still be surfing the net like the rest of us if they had not made it. For even one hundredth of the money these guys made, I would have flaunted my naked body- forget the bald head.

While current research efforts are making some headway, a cure for baldness is light years away. Various drugs are available but less than 2% of individuals have any significant hair growth. The treatment can become expensive in the long run with no guarantee on the results.

While accepting baldness may not be appealing solution to all men, it may save one the aggravation of searching for an illusive cure.

The best advice is save one’s money and know that big, blonde or bald- it is not the hair that makes a men but the soul.

Coping with hair loss part 1

Losing hair is a miserable experience and one filled with anxiety, depression and loss of confidence. Hair loss typically occurs to males in their prime and is a very frustrating disorder to deal with. No matter what others say, hair loss is the Achilles heel of most men and coping is difficult. Many suggestions have been made to cope with hair loss and this includes joining a support group, discuss with family and friends and learn more about the disorder. Only time heals the pain of hair loss.

Conclusion

For those intent on having hair, the time to start drug therapy is when there is still some hair left on the head. For completely bald people, the options are limited to wigs and wearing a hat or accept a hairless scalp. Few insurance plans cover drug therapy and one needs to take the drugs forever to get the benefits and maintain them. The drugs are not cheap and there is no guarantee of hair growth. For a years supply, Rogaine may cost $200-$300 and Propecia can cost $700-$1,000. Neither of these medications is covered by any medical insurance.

Myths about Hair loss

Hair loss has been associated with more myths and folklore all which are based on superstition and ignorance. Everyone has an idea about how hair loss occurs. The internet is inundated with so called hair experts who speculate on why hair loss occurs.

Some of the nonsense speculated about why hair loss occurs include the following: Excess shampooing (esp. with head and shoulders shampoo), daily washing of hair, the type of shampoo, use of hair dryer, the type of soap, use of towel, the hardness or softness of the water, the geographical area where one lives, ethnicity, eating herbs, cleansing the bowels once a week, not cleaning the backside after poop and even excessive masturbation has been blamed on hair loss.

Like I mentioned before-bad genes, bad hormones and a lot of bad luck are the real answers to hair loss.
How does hair loss occur?

At any one point in time, the majority of hair on the scalp is in a growth phase anagen). This growth phase lasts anywhere from 2-6 years. About 10% of the scalp hair is in a resting phase (telogen) which lasts about 2-4 months. After this time, the hair is shed and a new cycle begins. Most individuals shed about 30-150 hairs everyday. After a single hair is shed, a new hair follicle replaces the same hair and the cycle begins again. Most hair grow at about 10 mm per month

In any individual who sheds hair faster than the hair regrowth, then baldness will occur. Initially the hair loss is gradual and then suddenly increases.
Types of hair loss

Hair loss is known as alopecia. The most common type of hair loss is known as male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). This is the most common type of hair loss in men and affects nearly 40-50% of males. The hair loss is permanent. The other type of hair loss is called alopecia areata- which commonly affects hair growth on different parts of the body besides the scalp and the disorder is temporary.

Two Major Causes of Hair Loss Part 1

Male pattern baldness (Androgenic alopecia)

Those individual who develop androgenic alopecia may experience hair loss as early as the early teenage years. The hair loss gets more progressive through the ensuing years and the results become more noticeable on the scalp. The hair loss typically begins at the temples and crown. The end result of the hair loss is partial or complete baldness by the 30s to early 40s. This is an irreversible process-permanent.

The androgenic variety of alopecia has a familial connection but the actual pattern of genetic inheritance remains unknown. This type of hair loss is common in both males and females, but females rarely go bald. If anyone in the family is bald, then one can rest assured that other male members of the family will have the same unfortunate event occur sometime. In most cases, when there is male pattern baldness in the family, the hair loss typically occurs at a much younger age and a lot faster.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is associated with temporary hair loss from the face and other areas of the body. The condition happens suddenly and results in patchy hair loss. The hair loss may be on the face or parts of the scallop. The area becomes completely devoid of hair follicles and appears smooth and white.

The cause of alopecia areata is unknown. But there are many speculations. Some claim that it is related to stress, a viral infection and other claim that it is autoimmune (your own body’s cell react and kill the hair cells) or bad luck. The hair loss occurs suddenly and most men are in good health and young.

It is not known if there is a genetic link with alopecia areata. The good thing about the disorder is that the condition is temporary and the hair does grow back. In most cases, the hair loss persists for a few months and then all of a sudden the hair reappears. The condition can recur a few times.