Hair Foundation Blog

Here at the Hair Foundation, we have a lot of great partners doing great things. Many of them produce top hair products that are constantly in the news. Today, we’d like to gave a shootout to some of them if they’re not already on your radar.

From our partner P&G, Good Housekeeping gives a thumbs-up to their products as part of its 30 Best Drugstore Cosmetics Under $25.

• Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Style Straighten & Smooth Crème ($6) – This has been cited as a top pick for blow-outs for coarse, kinky hair.
• Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Shampoo ($4.99) – It fights flakes first and comes in different formulas.
• Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo ($7) – This is old school but it still works well as a dry shampoo and a volumizier after a blow-out.
• Clairol Nice ‘n East Root Touch-Up ($7) – Keeps single-process color lasting a little longer. It’s good for use between salon appointments.

From Good Housekeeping’s Anti-Aging Products

• Clairol Natural Instincts ($9.36) – This took the top spot for Good Housekeeping’s lab tests for its initial and final gray coverage as well as shine retention. At-home testers also applauded it for its their hair color matching the box’s color swatch and a less offensive smell.

From More’s SOS for Thinning Strands

• Pantene Age Defy Advanced Thickening Treatment ($19) - This product fills hair follicles with vitamins and caffeine, thickening current and future hair strands.

Do you have any favorite products from our partners? Please let us know.

On Tuesday, Apri 16, Restoration Robotics, Inc. announced the installation of their Artas TAS® System into the Hair Foundation’s Board of Trustee Dr. Marc Avram’s private New York City dermatology practice. Avram specializes in hair transplantation and cosmetic skin procedures.

Used for hair transplantation, the ARTAS Robotic System represents the first and only FDA-cleared, physician-controlled, computer-assisted technology, according to its press release. We wrote about this approval in 2011.

It is minimally invasive and patients will find permanent results without a linear scar. From the system’s robotic precision, hair restoration physicians and patients will find unprecedented safety, efficacy, and patient comfort.

Avram said of the installation, “I am very excited by what the ARTAS System brings to our practice. I look forward to being able to offer our patients a highly sophisticated and minimally invasive option for their hair restoration needs.”

Jim McCollum, CEO & President of Restoration Robotics added, ”The ARTAS System will be a great asset for hair restoration leaders and dermatologists like Dr. Avram who prides themselves on offering their patients the most advanced hair transplantation options. The system is designed to give patients the most precise, effective and comfortable treatment.”

Along with Avram utilizing the system, another Hair Foundation Board of Trustee, Dr. Paul Rose, spoke about this recently; he also utilizes it in his practice.

This year, the seventh annual World Congress for Hair Research will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from May 4-May 6, 2013. The Congress is a joint meeting of hair research societies worldwide (European, North American, Japanese, Korean, Indian and Australasian Societies). It is considered a major event for hair professionals such as specialist physicians, dermatologists, surgeons and scientists from academia and the industry.

Some of the Hair Foundation’s doctors will be presenting at the event and this includes the following:

May 5: Dr. Vera Price – Psychology and Hair Disorders workshop (4 p.m.)

May 6: Dr. Russell Knudsen - The surgical Management of Cicatricial Alopecias (10:30 a.m.)

In addition, following the World Congress event, is the International Investigative Dermatology Conference. It will be held from May 8 – May 11, also in Edinburgh.

On the agenda for May 9 is Dr.Kurt Stenn of the Aderans Research Institute, Inc. He will participate in a discussion on the full-thickness skin with mature and cycling hair follicles using tissue culture expanded human cells.

The Hair Foundation’s Vice Chair, Dr. Ken Washenik, is the Chief Executive Officer of Aderans.

We hope to see you in Edinburgh next month.

Recently a new study came out linking men’s baldness and its increasing risk for having a heart attack. From the higher amount of hair loss by a man, there’s a greater risk on his heart.

This study had been published in the online journal BMJ Open by a group of University of Tokyo researchers from its graduate school of medicine’s department of diabetes and metabolic diseases. Dr. Tomohide Yamada was the lead for the research project.

The team found that men suffering from hair loss at both the front and the crowns of their heads had a 69 percent higher risk of a non-fatal heart attack as compared to those men carrying a full head of hair.

For those men who had only crown-top hair loss (vertex baldness), they had a 52 percent chance to have a heart attack as compared to those men with full heads of hair. Researchers also found that men with receding hairlines had a 22 percent higher risk for heart attacks.

From the team’s findings, they suggest balding men visit their doctor’s office and have a check-up. Yamada also said that cardiovascular risk factors should be looked over for the men with vertex baldness, notably with men who are younger. It may be advised for them to seek ways to their improve their cardiovascular risk profile.

Yamada said via NBC.com, “We recommend adapting a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes a low fat diet, exercise and less stress [since] classical coronary risk factors such as age, hypertension, dislipidaemia and smoking might influence both conditions.”

The research team also reviewed six large studies for the relationship between hair loss and cardiovascular disease. This evolved into a larger study (called a meta-analysis) that ended up including 36,990 men.

The study did find a rising risk of heart disease in older men and for men under 60-years-old. Among this group, baldness increased a risk for a heart attack by 44 percent.

The researchers wrote of these findings, “The present meta-analysis provided useful evidence regarding the potential influence of baldness on coronary heart disease. Patients and physicians should consider the possibility that baldness is associated with an increased risk.”

Here at the Hair Foundation, we like to promote different hair initiatives and partnerships that we believe do good things.

One entity is Beauty Changes Lives (BCL). This is a non-profit initiative that raises awareness in hair, beauty and wellness industry careers that transform lives both personally and professionally. It was created by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), a partner of the Hair Foundation, and it has the support from a coalition of beauty professionals including educators, product manufacturers, celebrities and industry icons.

From public events, educational outreach and partnerships, BCL exposes beauty school graduates to the expansive number of career opportunities awaiting them.

At BCL, its treasurer is John Halal, the director of education at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. Halal has served as an industry expert for the Hair Foundation and has provided some guest posts for our blog.

Our partner, Proctor&Gamble, also participates with Beauty Changes Lives by providing funding for beauty school scholarships.

And from the Hair Foundation, we enjoy participating at their events with our hair loss experts.

We’re fans of this initiative and we encourage you to check out its website including the blog for some honest, empowering posts on beauty.

Take a look. We think you’ll agree this is special.

In a recent ABC News story, “After Hair Loss at 11, Shame Ruins Woman’s Singing Career,” the Hair Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) member, Dr. Valerie Callender, offers some background on hair loss and treatment experiences from her dermatology practice.

The story begins with a young woman who has suffered from hair loss since age 11. It came from a heredity condition and it was quite traumatizing for her.

According to the American Hair Loss Association, hair loss has been called a ”devastating disease of the spirit.”

For Dr. Callender, she has experience with patients suffering from hair loss. She said, “As a dermatologist, the longest office visit I have is when I have a hair loss patient in the room. We think of it as our crown and glory. In Western civilization being attractive is having healthy, thick, long hair and when you start losing it, it’s devastating.”

Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors including aging, heredity, or allergies. Recently actress January Jones from AMC’s “Mad Men” spoke out about her thinning hair on top after utilizing hair dye.

Callender said, “As a clinical dermatologist, the first thing I think about with allergies and hair loss is the chemicals in hair grooming procedures or treatments. The number one reason for an allergic reaction to a chemical is hair dyes.”

Additional reasons for hair loss can come from scalp dermatitis, allergies to fragrances found in skin care products, soaps and lotions, and mold and yeasts on the scalp.

But the most common hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia. This comes from aging.

Callender explained, “Basically, what men have is pretty easy. In contrast, women are more complicated. We can have so many different causes of hair loss. A work-up in women is really, really important. You need to see a dermatologist to determine the cause.”

For the ABC News story, Callender said the woman’s hereditary hair loss is “rare, but not uncommon.” Women will suffer from thinning hair after menopause due to losing estrogen and progesterone while male hormones (“androgens”) are “unmasked.”

She explained of men, “They lose it not only on their scalp, but on their body and we get hair on our face and chin where we don’t like it.”

Hair loss treatments include over-the-counter hair products such as Rogaine but it must be done on a continuous basis or hair will again fall out.

Other options include low-light treatment using a laser comb, hair transplants, hair pieces and hair systems.

If you have any questions about hair loss treatments, feel free to contact us at info@thehairfoundation.org.

In a new study from the University of Pennsylvania, researchers have found a connection in African-American men for baldness and a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Conducted by a team from the university’s Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the study found from surveying 537 African-American men (318 had prostate cancer with 219-person control group) any kind of baldness had been correlated with a 69 percent greater chance of prostate cancer risk, notably for African-American men.

But why focus on this audience?

According to Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, Ph.D., research assistant professor at the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics,  ”We focused on African-American men because they are at high risk for developing prostate cancer and are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than other groups in the United States. Although this is a high-risk group for poor prostate cancer outcomes, no published study had focused on evaluating baldness as a potential risk factor in a sample of African-American men.”

The data has been published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. This is a journal from the American Association for Cancer Research.

Other findings in the study included that African-American men with frontal baldness as opposed to vertex baldness, were more than twice as likely to receive an advanced prostate cancer diagnosis. This tie-in was even higher for the men diagnosed when they were younger than 60. There is a sixfold rise in high-stage prostate cancer and a fourfold jump in high-grade prostate cancer.

For those men with prostate cancer who are younger, those who have frontal baldness have a greater likelihood to have a high prostate-specific antigen level when diagnosed.

Zeigler-Johnson added, “Early-onset baldness may be a risk factor for early-onset prostate cancer in African-American men, particularly younger men. Pending future studies to confirm our results, there is a potential to use early-onset baldness as a clinical indicator of increased risk for prostate cancer in some populations of men.”

This comes as African-American men have the  highest incidence rate for prostate cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. In addition, as compared to white men, they are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.

Here at the Hair Foundation, we get lots of different questions about various hair topics including hair loss, hair disease and hair products–just to name a few.

Recently, we’ve had some questions on dandruff. It is a sensitive topic for sufferers but there are many different treatments for it.

In this post, we’ve compiled some recent questions and answers regarding dandruff. One of our partners, P&G, helped us with the answers. Take a look.

Q: Does putting oil (olive, linseed, mineral, etc.) on my scalp make dandruff better or worse? (Note: this question was asked on behalf of African American men and women suffering from dandruff).

A: We have no specific data on whether topical application of olive oil makes dandruff worse or not. There is however a rationale for why it would worsen it as it could provide a food source for Malassezia fungi.

We recommend avoiding oils such as olive oil; instead you should use mineral oils.

Q: If my scalp is dry and flaky, do I need to add moisture and condition it?

A: A dry and flaky scalp is indicative of dandruff, which is the result of skin responding to the Malassezia fungi. The best way to address dandruff is to use an anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner which includes an effective anti-dandruff active such as ZPT. ZPT gets to the source of dandruff, which is fungi. It will then fight dandruff and address the dry, flaky scalp symptoms.

One recommended shampoo is Head&Shoulders.

Q: How many washes using Head&Shoulders can turn this around if I have made a treatment mistake?

A: Fortunately, it can be rectified after just one wash. Head& Shoulders includes the signature ingredient ZPT. It has been optimized over more than 50 years of scientific research to be highly efficient for its deposition during and retention on the scalp after the wash.

The ZPT technology actually adapts its activity according to a scalp’s needs. It will release more ZPT molecules as the risk of dandruff symptoms returning increases during the day.

Q: Is there an active ingredient in Head&Shoulders that can help with the delivery of topical hair loss treatments? Meaning, why did my doctor recommend using this if I either undergoing hair loss or I am thinking about having hair surgery?

A: The doctor’s rationale is likely based on a published clinical study that demonstrated that a 1% ZPT shampoo showed a significant net increase in total visible hair count.

This comes from the British Journal of Dermatology 2003; 149: 354–362.

In a new post on Marie Claire, “Healthy Hair Report,” Hair Foundation’s chairman and president Dr. Matt L. Leavitt discussed hair length. The question had been posed on why it grows slowly.

What’s the answer? Genes play a role as well as the gentle handling of your hair.

Leavitt suggested finding your hair’s “inner strength’ by starting your day with protein in your breakfast. He explained, “Hair is made of a protein called keratin, so not having enough in your diet could eventually cause hair to weaken.”

This means hair could prematurely break off. Good sources of protein include eggs, meat, fish, and cheese.

Previously, Dr. Neil Sadick, a member of the Hair Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Council, commented on hair breakage in another blog post.

The Marie Claire post also discussed the Viviscal Hair Growth Program as a treatment. This comes in a protein-heavy pill and is a twice-a-day treatment. Back in August, the Hair Foundation partnered with Viviscal to promote Hair Loss Awareness Month.

In addition, to kick-start inactive follicles, the topical, FDA-approved minoxidil treatments such as like Rogaine has been the standard. But according to Leavitt, “the first set of clinical trials to use the same lash-enhancing ingredients found in Latisse on the scalp have been completed.”

This means the FDA is next.

The piece also addresses the hair challenges of volume and repair. But don’t worry, with some TLC and some good decisions, your hair will be on the road to good health in no time.

Just as we try to eat super foods for overall good health, there’s another reason to do so. It’s good for your hair.

Dr. Neil Sadick, a member of the Hair Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Council, discussed vitamin deficiencies that affect hair health in a recent Malay Mail article.

He said, “Deficiencies of B vitamins can lead to brittle, listless hair. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to hair breakage. Lack of protein and essential fatty acids in the diet can lead to dry, lusterless hair.”

So what can you do to improve your hair’s health? Add variety to your diet for some key minerals. Two are good for healthy hair: zinc and silicon.

First there’s oysters for your zinc source. It has been recommended for those suffering from hair loss. Zinc also helps hair pigmentation as it boosts cell reproduction, tissue growth and repair.

From one oyster it has about 37 milligrams of zinc which is good for the daily recommendation. If oysters aren’t your thing, look to red meat, whole grains and shellfish for zinc.

The second product to help hair health is silicon and you can get that from beer, which provides a natural source. This will help hair become thicker and stronger and improve dry and brittle conditions.

You don’t need to drink a lot of beer as women has been advised to not have more than one a day and for men, it’s two beers. This is based on a 12-oz. serving, according to the U.S. Government’s Dietary Guidelines.

If you’re not a beer drinker, bananas, root vegetables and whole grains are also good sources.