According to Ayurveda, dandruff is a condition of the skin where shiny, silvery scales separate from the scalp and collect amidst the hair. It is then categorized in “shodra roga”. It is named as “darunak” which appears due to an imbalance of all three doshas. The primary doshas involved are pitta and vata.

The primary doshas involved are pitta and vata. Pitta is an Ayurvedic humor which symbolize heat or fire and vata is dry and rough in nature. The increase of Vata and Pitta in the body leads to destruction of Raktadhatu thus giving rise to impurities in the blood. This in turn leads to poor nourishment of the scalp.

In an aggravated state, both doshas cause production of specific impurities. These impurities are dry and heating in nature. These impurities accumulate in the deep tissues of the scalp and cause contamination of these tissues. Contamination of the deep tissues and aggravated vata-pitta dosha cause itching and patches on scalp. Due to these factors, the scalp sheds larger than normal amounts of dead epidermal cells, which leads to the dandruff problem.

Vata associated dandruff has pain as a symptom, while the Pitta associated dandruff has a burning sensation in the scalp hence the line of treatment is to generally pacify both pitta and vata.

The main causes of dandruff are impairment of general health, development of a toxic condition mainly due to taking of wrong foods, constipation, and a low vitality due to infectious diseases. Other factors contributing to this disorder are emotional tension, harsh shampoos, and exposure to cold and general exhaustion. One should take care to avoid all these mentioned above.

Ayurvedic herbal preparations like Karanj (Pongamia pinnata), Backuchi (Psoralia coryfolia), Tulsi (Ocimum snctum), Giloya (Tinospora cordifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica) are recommended.

Cobra (Bhujanga Asana) and Vajrasana are the recommended yogic practices which go a long way in treating emotional imbalance thereby preventing dandruff.

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system has a promising remedy for dandruff, in which the dry skin flakes off the scalp resulting in itchiness. It believes that aggravation of Vata is its main causes and suggests the following modified diet and lifestyle to pacify doshic imbalance.

Include plenty of green vegetables and fruits in the diet.Drink mineral water, herbal teas and unsweetened fruit juice.Spicy, greasy fermented foods and baked products must be avoided.

Strong tea, coffee and processed foods should be avoided. Intake of alcohol,milk, dairy products, sea foods, animal proteins and fatty foods are also to be avoided.

Foods that are high in vitamin C such as tomatoes, oranges, lemons, tamarind, etc. which contain acidic content, must be avoided. Exposure of the head to the rays of the sun is also a useful measure in the treatment of dandruff. Develop a regular exercise regimen as it stimulates the circulatory system.

Take care while using some contraceptive pills – some products deplete the vitamin B-complex and zinc which could bring dandruff. Use any herbal shampoo for cleaning the hair. Create a herbal pack by mixing henna powder, curd and ritha powder together. This pack is very effective.

Keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimize the accumulation of dead cells. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. Keep hair well oiled. Have a regular mild shampoo then, dry your hair and brush it in order to remove the flaky dandruff from it.

Stress affects your overall health and triggers dandruff or exacerbates existing symptoms. Take care to do meditation or yoga to bring down your stress level.

The statistics are quite staggering, by the time they reach the age of 50, 50% of the worlds’ male population are affected by male pattern baldness. Many men just accept this and get on with life, but more men are learning about the newly affordable male pattern baldness treatments and want to keep their crowning glory. These new treatments started becoming available over fifteen years ago, but unless you were quite well off cost was always a major prohibiting factor (John Travolta was reported as spending around $1000 a month for his treatment). Now prices are down to a level where most people can afford high quality treatments and if started early enough there is no reason why you should ever go bald. Having said that it should be made clear that there are still no miracle cures, if you are now completely bald there is still very little that can be done apart from wearing a hairpiece. But treatments can be very effective in re-growing hair for some people. It is a matter of learning what is possible and setting your expectations accordingly. There are a few things you should know before seeking a particular type of treatment. It is firstly important to understand why male pattern baldness occurs and how it develops before deciding which of the currently available treatments is right for you.

Why Hair Loss Occurs

Male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia is a genetically predetermined condition. The main contributing factor for causing it is the male hormone testosterone, hence this is why few females suffer from the condition and why castrated males never go bald. But testosterone does not directly cause hair loss, it interacts with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase to produce the real culprit, a derived hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is widely acknowledged to be the main cause of hair loss in men. Men lucky enough not to go bald have hair that is resistant to the effects of DHT.

Topical Application

Now that it is known what causes male pattern baldness many hair loss shampoos have been developed specifically to remove DHT from the scalp. These types of products are deep cleansing agents known as DHT blockers and have been used effectively to stop further hair loss and provide the optimum conditions to stimulate new hair growth. You may have heard of Minoxidil male pattern baldness treatment, this is not a DHT blocker, it is thought to work by directly stimulating cell growth in the hair follicle thereby giving it a resistance to DHT. The results though are the same and because they work differently, Minoxidil and DHT blockers can be used together for an even more effective hair loss treatment.

Internal Drugs

One of the most effective oral medications for treating hair loss was discovered accidentally when developing a cure for enlarged prostate gland in men. This drug was finasteride and it was found that in low doses finasteride was effective in preventing of male pattern baldness. It is now one of very few drugs with FDA approval for the prevention and treatment of male pattern baldness and only available on prescription.

As a natural alternative to Finasteride, a herb called Saw Palmetto is often claimed to be able to reduce DHT and therefore prevent male pattern balding. There are now many natural male pattern baldness treatments that contain saw palmetto and while only small scale clinical trials have been conducted results have been positive.

Transplants

As a last resort hair transplantation may be the only option for men with a bald patch greater than about ten centimetres (4 inches). This generally involves removing a doner strip of scalp from the neck area and grafting doner follicles to the bald patch. Scalp reduction is another surgical procedure where the bald scalp area is removed altogether with the remaining scalp skin pulled together. While this may seem quite drastic it can be a quite effective procedure in removing small bald patches

Conclusions

For many men baldness is accepted as part of the aging process and they adapt gracefully to their new look. But with many new male pattern baldness treatments available, men now have a choice in preventing hair loss altogether if they act early enough. The treatment is often needed for life but for many men that could be one of the best investments they ever make!

Please visit our web site for more information and advice on how to stop thinning hair.

Provillus Liquid: Does Provillus Work?

Provillus Liquid is a popular hair loss formula that has been heavily advertised on the internet over the past couple years. My review will look deeper into the formula of Provillus Liquid and establish an answer to the question Iâ??m sure youâ??re all asking yourself.

Does Provillus Liquid work? Provillus Liquid could be a great option for men and women that are dealing with hair loss problems if it works effectively. Provillus Liquid is advertised to stop hairloss at the roots, which represents a full way to combat the problem. But, what should we expect from Provillus Liquid? Provillus Liquid is a product that allows both men and women to treat hair loss. You will never have to be extra careful when brushing or combing your hair, in fear that strands might go along your bush or comb. No need to be ashamed of bald patches on your scalp any longer.

Provillus Liquid can help you grow back hair. Provillus Liquid is a powerful hair loss treatment which really helps grow your hair back. Provillus Liquid works by stimulating the scalp to encourage faster hair growth. With continuous use, you will notice that the hair on your scalp will begin to thicken again. Provillus Liquid also works on making the hair healthier inside and out. Provillus Liquid features an FDA approved ingredient, Minoxidil, which is the main solution that can help spur the growth of missing hair. Minoxidil is known to go to work at the root of a hair folical and induce growth.

Surprisingly, even though Provillus Liquid features this powerful ingredient, no prescription is necessary, and the product can be readily obtained online. Provillus Liquid works to attack MPB, or male pattern baldness. The minoxidil in Provillus Liquid goes to work to increase the strength of existing hair and grow new hair. Typically, hair loss issues are genetic, and any medical solutions for hair loss can help address those inherited issues. DHT is what causes hair loss, and DHT can be combated with Provillus Liquid.

Provillus Liquid is marketed to be extremely safe, and all reviews Iâ??ve seen online suggest the same. In my experience in benchmarking this product, everything Iâ??ve read supports that Provillus Liquid is safe and healthy for your scalp. Provillus Liquid is made with powerful ingredients that make it a good choice for fighting hair loss.

More online documentation about Provillus Liquid is available by clicking here

There is growing interest in the effectiveness of green tea (Camellia Ainensis) stopping hair loss. This natural hair loss fighting treatment is found in increasingly popular drinks and is packed with antioxidants to fight harmful free radicals, provide cancer-fighting flavonoids and disrupt the production of bacteria. These same antioxidants also benefit from the hair and scalp in several ways. Integration of green tea in your diet can help control or prevent hair loss. One of the most powerful antioxidants in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies conducted by the Saitama Cancer Center Research Institute in Japan and Seoul National University College of Medicine both evidence that EGCG stimulates hair growth. The Saitama study reports that green tea inhibits the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a molecule that is linked to cancer, arthritis and hair loss. In Seoul study hair follicles were treated with EGCG in a lab environment. Test cultures showed increased hair growth and hair follicle elongation compared with control cultures.

A green tea of 10 percent EGCG was also applied to the scalp of humans volunteers, Same results. A high intake of green tea leads to higher levels of six hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to testosterone. Free testosterone travels through the bloodstream is able to come and hair follicles are converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes male pattern hair loss. But testosterone that is bound to SHBG can not be converted into DHT.Research also suggests that green tea can help with scalp conditions like dandruff and psoriasis by soothing skin and reducing inflammation.

Using a hair loss shampoo that contains green tea may have benefit for hair loss. Using green tea or green tea rinse after washing can help reduce scalp irritation. Green tea contains vitamin C, vitamin E and panthenol, which are all common ingredients in conditioner. Vitamin E restores dry or damaged hair, while vitamin C protects against damage by UV radiation. Panthenol, a provitamin, softens and strengthens hair and prevents split ends.

Male pattern baldness makes up about 95 % of all hair loss in men. Hair loss can affect every aspect of a man’s life. It can affect everything from intimate relationships to professional life. Men have the illusion that hairiness is a manly quality. Lack of hair because of balding may make a man feel feminine. But on the other there are many women out there that find balding sexy too. So the sooner you start feeling better about your self the sooner you’ll start to feel like a man.

There are many possible reasons for the loss of hair in men. Serious illnesses, reactions to medications, and extremely stressful times can all cause hair loss, but most hair loss in men can be blamed on heredity.

Men with male pattern baldness inherit hair follicles that have a certain genetic sensitivity to DHT (dihydotestosterone). These sensitive hair follicles get smaller and shorten the lifespan of each affected follicle then the affected follicles stop producing hair. Hair that is sensitive to DHT has to be exposed to it for a long period of time.

The patterns that male pattern balding create are normally a receding hair line and thinning that starts from the crown and proceeds toward the back of the scalp. The temples and the top of the head are most sensitive. This pattern creates almost a circle around the head or a horseshoe shape around the head, often times there will be a patch on the top that is not sensitive and leaves a little thinned patch of hair on the top along with the horseshoe shape around the head.

Let’s clear up some of the myths about men’s hair loss. Wearing hats won’t make a man loss his hair, so don’t let your wife tell you other wise just because she doesn’t like your favorite hat. Any hair products and playing with your hair isn’t going to make it fall out either. And being in the sun will not cause your scalp and hair any harm either. There has also been myths about viral infections that cause hair loss, well this isn’t true either. 

There is also many different types of treatments and options for male pattern baldness. First of all, it is not a medical condition that is going to kill you or harm you in any way, so choosing to do something about it strictly up to you. There is hair transplantation, this is where productive healthy hair follicles are taken from an area and put in another area to slowly reconstruct the balding areas. Some scarring can occur. Scalp reduction is when balding areas of the scalp can be removed surgically to make the appearance of balding lessen or appear gone. There is a lot of risks involved with both procedures. Putting a lot of thought into it before is recommended.

There is also ways you can hide the appearance of balding if surgery seems a little extreme. A hair Piece or toupee can be made custom for covering the areas you need. Hair pieces can fade and loosen over time however. So it is very important to clean, color and tighten your hair piece if that’s the route you’re going to take.

There is also a product that is all natural that will prevent balding and make your existing hair healthier. Alterative Health Supplements offers Hairmax MD for men. It is applied to the scalp and it will promote good conditions on the scalp for hair growth. There are no chemicals, fillers, or steroids in Hairmax MD. There are no side effects from using Hairmax MD for men so it is perfectly safe and natural to use. Some of the natural ingredients in Hairmax are jojoba oil, lemon oil, aloe vera, and tea tree oil. These natural botanicals have been recognized for there great health benefits and providing nutrients to your scalp and follicles. Its as simple as massaging a few drops of Hairmax MD in the scalp where your hair is balding twice daily and get healthy great hair.

The primary kinds of vitamins used for hair loss are those considered antioxidants. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that can help produce healthy sebum in the scalp, while vitamin C is also an antioxidant that helps maintain general skin & hair health. Vitamin C is available in common foods such as citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables and, therefore, should be a natural inclusion in your suite of vitamins used for hair-loss-prevention.

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation, however, it can raise blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. If you are taking high blood pressure medication or anticoagulants you should check with your doctor before taking Vitamin E for hair loss care. An alternative to Vitamin E is Niacin (Vitamin B3). This vitamin also promotes scalp circulation, however, there are some slight side effects that have been documented that may reduce your use of this vitamin for treating hair.

Not all vitamins are called vitamins and biotin is one such example, and as it aids in producing keratin, it may actually help prevent graying and loss of hair. Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) also may prevent graying and hair loss.

Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 are both recommended for preventing hair-loss and, therefore, should be used in your application of vitamins for hair loss treatment.

Treating HairLoss with Natural Products

In addition to applying vitamins for hair loss treatment, there are additional natural remedies. For instance Ginkgo biloba is a very popular herbal remedy that some believe delivers more nutrients to the hair follicles and so promotes hair re-growth. Although not a vitamin treatment for hair loss, shou wu, is an ancient Chinese herb that has been used for centuries for hair-loss and baldness. It is frequently available in both tea and capsule form and is one of the main ingredients found in many commercial remedies for the treatment of hair loss.

Two other natural remedies are popular. Saw palmetto has the ability to protect the prostrate and can slow loss of hair down as well as re-grow it. Finally, it is well known that the chemical DHT attacks the hair follicle and causes hair loss in males and sometimes in women. It is, however, not known that the stinging nettle blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This natural remedy can be purchased in both pill and capsule form. In conclusion, using a combination of a vitamin treatment for loss of hair and other natural remedies, is becoming a more acceptable form of alternative medicine as vitamins for hair-loss is itself, becoming better documented and as a result, is regarded as safe.

The Truth About Hair Loss

It is normal to shed hair every day and the truth is we loose between 100-125 hairs on any given day. Hair that is shed falls out at the end of growth cycle. At any given time 10% of our hair is in what is called a “resting phase” and after 2-3 months resting, hair falls out and new hair grows in its place. Some people, however, experience more hair loss than is normal.

As we get older, both men and women experience some hair loss. It’s a normal part of the aging process. Called Androgenetic Alopecia, it accounts for 95% of all hair loss. Androgentic Alopecia often runs in families and affects some people more than others. In men it is often referred to as Male Pattern Baldness.

It is characterized by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of head. Women, on the other hand, don’t go entirely bald even if their hair loss is severe. Instead, hair loss is spread out evenly over their entire scalp.

Hormones play the dominant role when talking about Androgenetic Alopecia. Simple put, both men and women produce testosterone. Testosterone can be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT shrinks hair follicles causing the membranes in the scalp to thicken, become inelastic and restrict blood flow. This causes the hair follicles to atrophy. As a result, when a hair does fall out, it is not replaced.

Needless to say, men produce more testosterone than women and experience more hair loss.

While Androgenetic Alopecia is the number one reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is not the only one. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections can cause hair loss. Certain medications such as blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or abnormal hair loss as can following a crash diet, sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and radiation.

Emotional stress, pregnancy, or surgery can also cause our hair to fall out and is usually not noticed until 3-4 months after the stressful event has taken place. Stress can cause a slowing of new hair growth because a larger number of hair follicles enter into the resting phase and no new hair growth is experienced.

Another way in which individuals experience hair loss is due to mechanical stressors on the hair and scalp. Wearing pigtails, cornrows or tight rollers that end up pulling on the hair can scar the scalp and cause permanent hair loss. Hair products such as hot oil treatments and chemicals used for permanents can cause inflammation to the hair follicles which can also result in scarring and hair loss.

If you are losing your hair, you know that the process doesn’t simply affect the way you look; it can also affect the way you feel about yourself. If you are interested in slowing down the results of male pattern baldness and stimulating new hair growth, then you’re ready for the amazing results of Provillus.

The majority of products on the market make use of a variety of chemicals that can have harmful side effects and actually cause damage to your hair and scalp. Moreover, most of these chemicals are inconsistent at best when it comes to stopping hair loss. Provillus, a safe and all-natural hair loss solution, blocks the hormone DHT, which has been linked to 95 percent of hair loss. It also provides your scalp with nutrients that are essential to stimulating hair growth.

Saw palmetto, an essential active ingredient in Provillus, is one of the few natural substances that have been approved by the FDA for use in hair loss programs. When you use our hair loss supplements, the saw palmetto will lower DHT levels by blocking receptor sites on cell membranes. As DHT levels subside, hair loss will subside as well.

Along with saw palmetto, Provillus utilizes vitamins such as B6 and natural extracts that provide your scalp and hair follicles with vital nutrients. This means that you will not only keep the hair you have, you can actually gain back some of the hair you have lost! The process is easy and effective. We have had so much success with our product that we are willing to give you a money back guarantee when you order. Why wait another day when you can have healthy hair with Provillus?

Wigs: When all have failed and one is tired of further medications, wigs can be used to disguise the situation. When well done, it appears natural and fits very well. They come in all sorts of texture, length and color to correct the deformity.

Different Hair Styles: In situations where not all the hair has falling off, different hair styles are created to make the head look like one which is fully grown. Synthetic hair are mostly used to add on to the existing ones and styled to give out the needed appearance and effect.

Hair Transplant: As the term depicts, hairs are removed from other parts of the head and then planted into the scalp by means of surgery. Like any other surgery in that category, it takes time to heal the needed effect. It is comparably expensive.

Lotion Application: With this method, a special lotion available from the pharmacist is regularly applied to the scalp. Its effect is to slow down the process of hair loss. It also enhances hair growth. The disadvantage here is the situation where it has to be applied all the time otherwise it will be ineffective.

Herbal preparations containing vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, iron, and other substances in various combinations can help. This method is applied if your doctor has been able to identify that there is a deficiency of the above nutrients in the body.

In conclusion, don’t despair if you are losing your hair. Don’t be nervous, there is a way to stop fighting with your feelings .Be confident.

Everyone has a favourite myth about hair care, and we usually never let the truth get in the way of a good legend! This article examines some of the most widely known – and the reality behind the myths.

1. Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss/dryness

FALSE: Frequency of washing doesn’t harm hair. Wash it as often as you like, although the recommendation is three times a week. The right shampoo for your hair type and texture will actually add moisture, body and beauty to your hair.

2. More shampoo = cleaner hair

FALSE: Don’t waste your shampoo! A dollop of shampoo, about the size of a quarter is usually enough for long hair. Very long hair may take a little more.

3. Conditioner helps repair split ends

FALSE. No conditioner can ‘repair’ damaged hair. What it can do is smooth down the cuticle and make hair seem in better condition. A good conditioner can also prevent damage from occurring in the first place.

4. Blow-drying produces hair loss

FALSE. Blow-drying can damage, burn or dry hair, which can cause it to fall, but the hair will grow back immediately. This is not permanent hair loss.

5. Sleeping with wet hair causes scalp fungus

FALSE. Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp infections require prior involvement with infected sources such as humans, tainted hair care tools or animals. Scalp fungus (tinea capitis) mainly affects children, whose immune systems make them more susceptible to skin infections.

6. To get your hair to grow, brush 100 strokes each day

FALSE. Brushing that much can damage the hair cuticle. NOT recommended! Actually, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage.

7. Sharing combs and brushes can spread scalp diseases

TRUE.Lice and other parasites can be transported from scalp to scalp through the sharing of combs, brushes and other hair care tools.

8. Cutting hair makes it grow faster and/or thicker

FALSE. This common misconception comes from the fact that hair is thicker at the base than it is at the tip, so shorter hair appears thicker at first. Cutting your hair does not affect its normal biologically determined growth rate or overall texture. Thin, limp or fine hair will not ever grow thicker in response to a haircut. Plump up your hair by using volume enhancing hair care products, experimenting with a hair fattening blunt cut or getting a texturizing perm or color treatment.

9. Color treatment causes hair loss

FALSE. Most hair coloring products contain chemicals that can do serious harm to the hair itself if not properly used, but it wont instigate hair loss.

10. Salon products are identical to drugstore products

FALSE. Although there are exceptions, salon products generally contain higher quality, more expensive ingredients that are designed to consistently provide more intensive cleansing, moisturizing and conditioning results. The quality ingredients found in salon products are not usually found in drugstore brands. If in doubt, read the labels.

11. Long sun exposure favors hair loss

FALSE. Your hair acts as a shield against the sun. Hair loss appears at the follicle level and so the sun would have to penetrate at this depth to do any damage.

12. Diet is related to hair loss

TRUE. it’s important to eat right in order to be generally healthy. However, no individual food has been proven to be beneficial or detrimental to hair.

13. Stress causes hair loss

TRUE, Severe stress (e.g. surgery or a death in the family), can shut down hair production, causing temporary hairloss (alopecia areata). The scalp usually recuperates, though, and hair grows back

14. Wearing tight braids, ponytails or buns causes baldness

TRUE. Traction alopecia is a very real hair loss condition that is quite common amongst older African American women. It results from wearing tight ponytails, cornrows or buns over an extended period of time. Over time, hair breakage or loss as the result of tight, stressed styles, can become permanent. Avoid this potential problem by opting for looser styles that minimize scalp tension.

15. Smoking causes gray hair

TRUE. According to J. G. Mosley of the Leigh Infirmary in Lancashire, England in an article in Science News (January 11, 1997) smokers are four times more likely to have gray hair than non-smokers. Even worse, smoking has been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.

SUMMARY

Heard another myth about hair? Do your research, ask an expert! This doesn’t include your grandmother, best friend or local barmaid. Instead, talk to an experienced hairdresser or a trichologist. Always get the real facts before you act on any hair myths, you owe it to your hair.