Hair Extensions- A Girls Best Friend! Or is it?

Hair Extensions- A Girls Best Friend! Or is it?

There are many methods of applying hair extensions. These methods are as varied as hair extensions themselves. Some hair extensions are attached with clips, while others are attached with glue (keratin) or tape. Although, hair extensions vary in many shapes, forms and methods, many would argue that glued in extensions are the most detrimental.

Let's take a look at each method beginning with clip- on extensions. Clip- on extensions are great for anyone who wants a quick fix that they can manage on their own without the help of a professional stylist. Clip- on's can be ordered online or at local beauty supplies. One of the greatest benefits to clip- on's is that they're convenient.their convenience. You clip them in when needed and snap off when ready to remove. They do not require any special instructions, tools, or knowledge because they are self- explanatory, so you just place them where needed. The disadvantage is that if the clips are constantly worn daily and are clipped in the same area on your hairs, your hair can become worn and thin in those particular areas. Average Cost $50+

Tape extensions are wefts of hair that has been pre- taped on a thin skin- like strip. This type of extension actually requires a professional to strategically place them in the correct format for to achieve optimal results. The benefit to this type of extension is that its is more permanent but and can still be easily removed. Most people who wear tTape extensions usually have them installed for a special occasion such as: a wedding, vacation or, party, etc.. The downside is that if not properly removed, you can experience some hair breakage. Average Cost $300+ for installation. Hair product sold separately  

Fusion Extensions are pre-tipped hairs that are bonded to your own existing hair, several strands at a time. A licensed professional who has been certified in this technique is/and should be well sought after for proper installation & removal. The benefit of fFusion eExtensions is that they can last between 4-6 months with very little maintenance in between. The downside is that if the bonding isn't properly removed, clients can experience hair breakage. I find this process to work best on normal to oily hair (less longevity)  because the hair has some lube which serves as a protection barrier . Average Cost $400+ for installation. Hair product is usually sold separately. The hair product is sometimes included in larger ticket prices.

In my 17 years of experience in working with women's hair enhancement techniques, I've come across the good, the bad and the ugly. To keep yourself from finding out the hard way what the bad and ugly look like, do your research.

1. Always have your hair extensions done at a professional salon by a licensed stylist. 
2. If your stylist is certified in hair extensions, that's always a plus
3. Referalls are always a good way to find the right stylist to apply your extensions. 
4. Ask your stylist, how often should you come in for regular maintenance. This will ensure that your hair remains in good health. 
5. Always inquire about longevity. In my opinion, extensions should be removed within 3-5 months. Anything longer than that just gets ratty, detectable, and unhealthy for your hair.
6. Ask your stylist if the process is safe for your hair. If not, ask about other options for increasing volume and length that are a better fit for your hair type
7. If shopping for the cheapest price ticket, be prepared for the outcome. If it turns out to your expectations, then you've done well.
8. Never have your hair done for the very first time one day before going on a vacation. Timing is everything. You may need to the have your hair tweaked within the first week of application; Whether it's having a shorter cut, shaped, thinned out, more hair added, or better blending, it's better to be safe than insecure.

Just like with hair chemicals such as perms, relaxers, other hair straighteners, and hair colors requires proper maintenance, so does all types of hair extensions. There is a price to pay for beauty and it's called, "MAINTENANCE." If the shoe fits, continue wearing it. If not, opt for clip-on hair extensions or wigs.

Michelle Tyner

The Art of More Hair

www.theartofmorehair.blogspot.com

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Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium occurs after any insult to the hair follicle that impairs its mitotic or metabolic activity. This hair loss is commonly associated with chemotherapy. Since chemotherapy targets your body’s rapidly dividing cancer cells, your body’s other rapidly dividing cells such as hair follicles in the growing (anagen) phase, are also greatly affected. Soon after chemotherapy begins approximately 90 percent or more of the hairs can fall out while still in the anagen phase.

The characteristic finding in anagen effluvium is the tapered fracture of the hair shafts. The hair shaft narrows as a result of damage to the matrix. Eventually, the shaft fractures at the site of narrowing and causes the loss of hair.

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Telogen Effluvium Alopecia

Telogen Effluvium

When your body goes through something traumatic like child birth, malnutrition, a severe infection, major surgery, or extreme stress, many of the 90 percent or so of the hair in the anagen (growing) phase or catagen (resting) phase can shift all at once into the shedding (telogen) phase. About 6 weeks to three month after the stressful event is usually when the phenomenon called telogen effluvium can begin. It is possible to lose handful of hair at time when in full-blown telogen effluvium. For most who suffer with TE complete remission is probable as long as severely stressful events can be avoided. For some women however, telogen effluvium is a mysterious chronic disorder and can persist for months or even years without any true understanding of any triggering factors or stressors.

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Hair Regeneration Method is First to Induce New Human Hair Growth

The source of new hair: For the first time, researchers have been able to take human dermal papilla cells (those inside the base of human hair follicles) and use them to create new hairs. (Credit: Claire Higgins/Christiano Lab at Columbia University Medical Center.)

Oct. 21, 2013 — Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have devised a hair restoration method that can generate new human hair growth, rather than simply redistribute hair from one part of the scalp to another. The approach could significantly expand the use of hair transplantation to women with hair loss, who tend to have insufficient donor hair, as well as to men in early stages of baldness. The study was published today in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

"About 90 percent of women with hair loss are not strong candidates for hair transplantation surgery because of insufficient donor hair," said co-study leader Angela M. Christiano, PhD, the Richard and Mildred Rhodebeck Professor of Dermatology and professor of genetics & development. "This method offers the possibility of inducing large numbers of hair follicles or rejuvenating existing hair follicles, starting with cells grown from just a few hundred donor hairs. It could make hair transplantation available to individuals with a limited number of follicles, including those with female-pattern hair loss, scarring alopecia, and hair loss due to burns."

The source of new hair: For the first time, researchers have been able to take human dermal papilla cells (those inside the base of human hair follicles) and use them to create new hairs. Image: Claire Higgins/Christiano Lab at Columbia University Medical Center.

According to Dr. Christiano, such patients gain little benefit from existing hair-loss medications, which tend to slow the rate of hair loss but usually do not stimulate robust new hair growth.

"Dermal papilla cells give rise to hair follicles, and the notion of cloning hair follicles using inductive dermal papilla cells has been around for 40 years or so," said co-study leader Colin Jahoda, PhD, professor of stem cell sciences at Durham University, England, and co-director of North East England Stem Cell Institute, who is one of the early founders of the field. "However, once the dermal papilla cells are put into conventional, two-dimensional tissue culture, they revert to basic skin cells and lose their ability to produce hair follicles. So we were faced with a Catch-22: how to expand a sufficiently large number of cells for hair regeneration while retaining their inductive properties."

Read the full story at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131021104242.htm

FEMALE PATTERN BALDNESS

Androgenetic Alopecia

The majority of women with androgenic alopecia have diffuse thinning on all areas of the scalp. Men on the other hand, rarely have diffuse thinning but instead have more distinct patterns of baldness. Some women may have a combination of two pattern types. Androgenic alopecia in women is due to the action of androgens, male hormones that are typically present in only small amounts. Androgenic alopecia can be caused by a variety of factors tied to the actions of hormones, including, ovarian cysts, the taking of high androgen index birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause. Just like in men the hormone DHT appears to be at least partially to blame for the miniaturization of hair follicles in women suffering with female pattern baldness. Heredity plays a major factor in the disease.

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TREATING WOMEN'S HAIR LOSS

In the U.S., minoxidil 2 percent (Rogaine and generic) remains the only FDA-approved treatment for female pattern hair loss. "Topical minoxidil is the gold standard treatment for women," said Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a dermatologist with the Permanente Medical Group in Vallejo, Calif., and adjunct professor at the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine.

If you're a woman with thinning hair or significant hair loss, talk with your doctor about referring you to a specialist to look for underlying causes, such as iron deficiency, lupus, skin disorders, and hormonal conditions, including thyroid disease. If other conditions are ruled out, the specialist may suggest treatment with minoxidil. Experts recommend using 2 or 5 percent minoxidil products for 12 months before judging its effectiveness, although benefits may appear sooner.  Note that evidence also shows that once the minoxidil is stopped, all those new hairs (and there aren’t all that many really) fall out within 3 to 4 months.

Editor's Note: These materials are made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by the multi-state settlement of consumer-fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin).

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Female Pattern Hair Loss

Female Pattern Hair loss

The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and sides of the head. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as early as puberty. Normal hair fall is approximately 100-125 hairs per day. Fortunately, these hairs are replaced. True hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not regrown or when the daily hair shed exceeds 125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss can come from either parents side of the family. For more information on hair loss, see androgenetic alopecia on our hairology/ hair loss page.

Solution

These are only a few of the common myths heard by physicians and other hair loss specialists on a daily basis. The AHLC suggests that you first have your hair loss diagnosed by a competent dermatologist who sees hair loss patients on a regular basis. Once you know the diagnosis you will have a better understanding of exactly which treatment option may be best for you.

American Hair Loss Council

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