by: Hair News Magazine
Some over the counter shampoo manufacturers have made a fortune convincing consumers that they have dandruff, and require their products to be viable candidates on the dating scene.
It is rumored that many of these manufacturers actually add ingredients that through a complicated process, result in the symptoms they describe as dandruff, compelling you to keep using the product.
A sort of perpetual motion machine, like adding yet more nicotine to cigarettes.
In truth, very few people have clinical dandruff and chances are that if you believe that you do, you probably don't.
Clinical dandruff comes in many degrees and those who actually have it, know it, and they are under medical supervision and receive prescription shampoos.
More often than not what people perceive as dandruff, is nothing more than dry scalp from nervousness or not using a good shampoo and conditioner.
Until I got into this business I used 'Head and Shoulders' for two decades. When I married a hair stylist she just laughed and put me on a professional product line.
Sure enough, after about one month of using good products the "dandruff" went away and has remained away for eight years now.
So how do you know? Well, dandruff usually appears as an oily gray or yellow stuff that clumps together in little balls, or is real powdery and fine. Flakes are usually just dry scalp.
by: Dr. Alan J. Bauman, M.D.,
Bauman Medical Group,
and Damien Richard V. Dahlem,
CEO, hair-news.com
Your hair could be thinning for any number of reasons or combination of reasons, and without a thorough medical examination by a physician, it is impossible to tell which is which with any degree of certainty.
Our goal in this article is to address the most common questions that we receive from our readers and to answer those questions in a very non-scientific manner, and perhaps even answer some questions that might be on your mind too.
To follow, is a brief discussion on the known causes of hair loss and how it can be treated medically.
In general terms, some of the most common reasons for hair loss or thinning are:
1. Genetics.
2. Illness.
3. Poor Diet.
4. Stress.
5. Medications.
6. Post-partum Alopecia.
Hair loss can actually be caused by many factors including genetics, diseases, poor nutrition, stress and even medications, but by far the most common cause of hair loss in men and women is hereditary male and female pattern baldness or 'androgenic alopecia.' This accounts for 99% of all prematurely thinning or balding scalps.
According to conservative estimates, hair loss affects over 60 million Americans, two thirds of which are men.
So, if you seem to be getting a little 'thin on top,' you are not alone! Approximately 50% of all men over the age of fifty are experiencing this type of hair loss.
Thankfully, medical science has made some dramatic breakthroughs that can help you maintain the hair you've got left and possibly restore some of your lost locks. While it is important to mention what causes hair loss, it is equally important to cover what DOES NOT cause hair loss.
Scientists have now determined that genetic male and female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) is NOT caused by poor scalp circulation, 'clogged' hair follicles, microscopic scalp mites, the wrong shampoo or wearing hats or helmets, despite what the late-night infomercials may say.
by: Damien R. von Dahlem
MYTH! What utter nonsense. Not only does shampooing NOT make your hair dry, to the contrary, that is exactly how hair receives moisture, no matter what your ethnic or cultural background is.
Having said that though, there are some inferior shampoos on the market that use chemicals which can indeed dry your hair out.
Sadly, these are some of the most popular brands that you can buy at the drugstore or grocery store. To be safe, spend a few cents more and buy quality salon products.
Salon products contain much better ingredients and should not dry out your hair. Its not shampooing that dries out the hair, but it can be the shampoo.
Blow Drying Hair
Since sometime in the 80's, a myth has been circulating that blow drying your hair and other heat applications, is bad for your hair. What a load of hot air.
Your body vents tremendous amounts heat through your scalp 24 hours a day. Short of igniting your hair with blow torch, heat is not bad for your hair.
Frequently people report seeing smoke come off of their hair while blow drying. Rightly so, but its not smoke, its the hair products evaporating. What you see is condensation, not smoke.
