What is telogen effluvium? Part 2

Symptoms

The biggest complaint by all individuals affected with telogen effluvium is that hair is shedding at a high rate. Further most individuals will also complain that the remaining hair is less dense. The hair loss can occur in patches but compete baldness is rare. The entire episode of hair loss lasts about 6 months. Most individuals will give a history of emotional turmoil or some physical health problem a month or two preceding the problem.

The diagnosis of telogen effluvium is not difficult but one needs to see a skin doctor. An average family physician will have no clue about this disorder. The most important fact about this disorder is that there is no scarring.

Known stressors that can cause telogen effluvium include a change in medications, change in diet, pregnancy, delivery of a baby, immunization, acute illness, or major injury.

Other causes of telogen effluvium include:

- Crash diets
- chronic iron deficiency
- heavy metal poisoning
- medications like beta-blocker, blood thinners,
excess use of retinoids and various vaccines

The most definite way to make a diagnosis is a scalp biopsy but often an astute dermatologist can make a diagnosis without the biopsy. If a metabolic cause is suspected, blood work may be required.

All individuals who develop telogen effluvium have to understand that the disorder is transient and will resolve in 6 months. The only treatment for telogen effluvium is reassurance. If you have telogen effluvium from an identifiable cause like diet, iron deficiency or use of medication, your physician will recommend changes.

Many young people hate being bald for a few months. for them it is better to cover the head with hat, wig, or a scarf. The use of minoxidil or propecia has not been shown to promote recovery. The medications almost never work, are expensive and are useless.

What is telogen effluvium?

Some people start to lose hair all of a sudden and this type of non-scarring hair loss is often referred to as telogen effluvium. In the majority of cases, the hair loss is related to stress, a metabolic problem in the body or a reaction to a medication. Almost all individuals recover spontaneously within 4-6 months.

Telogen effluvium can cause hair loss on any part of the body, but it is hair loss on the scalp that is most obvious.

Hair grows in various cycles and the resting phase of hair growth is known as telogen. This resting phase usually lasts about 3 months but can vary few weeks on either side. During the telogen phase, the hair is already inside the hair follicle but has not yet pushed itself onto the skin At anyone point in time, about 10% of hair is in telogen stage. Whenever stress or a physical problem occurs, the telogen phase can be affected. The hairs which are expected to come out of the hair follicle, do not show up and a bald patch appears.

Telogen effluvium is quite common and many adults experience this hair disorder at some pint in their lives. The disorder is only of cosmetic significance and is not life threatening. All races, cultures and both gender can be affected.

Women tend to experience telogen effluvium more than men and this is most obvious just after pregnancy. Women and young adult males also are most alarmed by the hair loss and commonly seek some type of medical help.

Telogen effluvium can occur at any age but is uncommon in infants < 6 months)

IPL for hair removal part 2

Is the treatment painful?

Definitely yes, try touching your skin with a burning cigarette. It hurts. IPL also stings but only for a few seconds. However, the treatment is repeated many times and is not fun

How long between each IPL session?

Most people need several sessions and each session is spaced 4-6 weeks apart

Does IPL work on all skin types?

No. In people with dark skin like Africans, Asians, Orientals, or Latinos, the treatment generally does not work

Can all types of hair be removed with IPL?

Not always. Darker hair responds best. Those with blonde or white hair show a poor response

Does IPL have side effects?

Yes anytime you fool around with heat and skin, side effects can occur. The transient side effects of IPL include redness, mild pain, and swelling. These side effects usually resolve in a few days.

Can complications occur with IPL?

Sure, IPL can hurt, cause scarring, skin discoloration and blisters. Skin discoloration and scars sometimes can be permanent complications

Is IPL treatment permanent?

The therapist and physicians always says yes. The factual evidence from patients says NO. Hair will disappear for 3-9 months.

Does IPL work in men?

Yes, it works the same in men. However, since men’s hair is a little more sturdy and durable, it needs longer treatment and hence more expensive

Can IPL be used on all body parts?

Yes, it can be used on the back, shoulders, arms, legs, neck, nose, beard, lips, and armpits

What happens after treatment?

The therapist will apply a skin moisturizer and you will be off home. Once you get home, just keep away from the sun for 4-6 weeks. If you do go out wear a sunscreen.

Can IPL remove all the hair?

No at best, you will see 60%-80% hair removed

What is cost of IPL?

Definitely not cheap. Each session can cost anywhere from $300-$700 depending on area of skin being treated. There is absolute no guarantee that it will work and there are no refunds.

Is it covered by insurance?

No, Medicare and health insurance plans do not cover any cosmetic procedure

Final point

IPL can remove hair but it is not permanent, neither is it painless. it is also very expensive. For those who have money to spend, perhaps it may be worth giving it a try. For those who have little money and am not sure, save your money and continue with whatever you have been using. Just to get all the facts- many testimonials on cyberspace are negative about IPL

IPL for hair removal

For years, people have been trying to remove hair using light. In the 70s and 80s, there were very crude devices known as flash lamps, which essentially removed hair by burning the hair as well as skin. These devices never caught on but now we have much fancier and sophisticated devices known as intense pulse light therapy (IPL).
IPL is not very different from a laser. The device emits a beam of light that passes through skin and enters the hair follicle. The heat generated then destroys the hair follicles.

What do the doctors say about IPL?

Vendors of this therapy say the treatment is gentle, long lasting and painless (for the consumer two facts two remember- never believe what a vendor or doctor says about cosmetic therapy, and secondly if the price of a therapy is not listed on the website- it means that the treatment is expensive and most likely does not work).

Where is IPL performed?

IPL is usually performed at a spa or a clinic. Prior to IPL treatment, the skin is covered with a topical anesthetic or a cold ice pack for about 20 minutes. The eyes are covered with special goggles and then the device is held close to skin and activated. As the device is rolled over skin, one can see light flashes being emitted. The light penetrates the skin and damages the hair follicle. Some of the hair is removed at the time of the procedure but the majority of hairs take about 2 weeks to fall off.

How long does treatment last?

Each IPL treatment session can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. This duration of time depends on how much hair you need removed and what your threshold for pain is.

How many sessions are required?

Well, in all of cosmetic surgery, nothing is ever accomplished in one session. Almost everyone requires many sessions.

Does IPL work in everyone?

NO, the treatment does not work in everyone. Those with fair skin and dark hair respond the best.