Losing one's hair is one of the many things that makes chemotherapy difficult. In fact, it is estimated that six percent of cancer patients will refuse to get chemotherapy because they do not want to lose their hair.

Hair loss is an outward sign that one is sick. When many people lose their hair, they feel as though they lose their identity. They often look in the mirror and are not able to recognize themselves. That is why it is upsetting for many patients.

The good news is that there is a new device designed to help reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

The device is called the DigniCap Cooling System, and it was first approved by the Food And Drug Administration back in December 2015.

It works by circulating a coolant through a silicone skull cap. A person will need to wear the cap for at least half hour before, during and after a chemotherapy session.

The Digni Cooling System was created by a Dignitina, which is a Swedish company. The device is a lot like an air conditioner for one's head. It helps prevent hair loss by keeping one's head within the optimal temperature range. The temperature of the coolant ranges from 37 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The DigniCap Cooling System does not cause discomfort or skin damage if it is used properly.

Bill Cronin is Dignitina's chief operating officer. He has stated that the studies done to test the effectiveness of the DigniCap Cooling System have been promising. Seventy percent of women who received this hair-saving treatment were able to go outside without wearing a scarf or hat. The patients lost some hair, but the hair loss was not severe enough for them to feel the need to cover it.

Many patients are pessimistic and depressed after losing their hair. Those feelings can have a negative effect on one's outlook. Because the DignitiCap Cooling System can help patients keep their hair, it can have a positive effect on a patient's attitude. It is important to note that cancer patients who maintain a positive outlook typically have better outcomes.

Solutions for Hair Loss

At Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas / Fort Worth, we take pride in being able to offer you both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions. By introducing new and innovative technologies, we can provide our clients with the widest array of hair loss solutions.

We understand what it's like to be frustrated in the search for answers. At Apollo of Dallas / Fort Worth that frustration ends! We strive not only to solve your hair loss problem, but to provide the most positive, comfortable, and confidential service in the hair replacement industry.

Call us now for a FREE consultation! Get your life back!

Concerned about your hair going gray, the thickness of your head hair or the lack of separation between your eyebrows?

Researchers may have isolated a host of genes that are associated with human hair growth and color, including individual genes that are associated with unibrows, beard and eyelash thickness, hair consistency and color, and potential for baldness later in life.

Breakthrough Scientific Discovery in London

Researchers working at University College London under Kaustubh Adhikari released their findings in a recent report that identified the gene IRF4, which was already associated with melanin production, as potentially responsible for the greying of human hair. The presence of this gene in a person's genetic structure was linked in studies to an increased propensity for early hair loss. It was previously associated with paler hair shades, and scientists had previously hypothesized that IRF4 was indicative of lower melanin production in a person.

Painstakingly Detailed Trials

Dr. Adhikari and his team looked at the genetic data for a diverse pool of over 6,300 people across Latin America, and compared physical traits like hair color and consistency to genes that they had already identified as potential influencers. Although the research was not theoretically complicated, the process was extremely painstaking and took a large team of graduate students and doctoral candidates a very long time to complete.

What Does This Discovery Mean For Me?

The implications of this research are wide ranging in many different fields of science, including cosmetics. Standard hair products are typically only available to people after they have already begun balding or greying -- if doctors can show conclusively that the presence of a particular gene like IRF4 leads to baldness or premature greying, then scientists can target the hair as it is being produced. Obviously, combating baldness in infants or toddlers seems like a silly idea, but genetic manipulation in young age could potentially change the story on balding.

The research also has potential uses outside of the insular world of cosmetics. Dr. Adhikari claims that, with a bit more research, forensic scientists could actually build facial profiles and determine certain aspects of a suspect's appearance by using DNA left at the scene. Either way, the isolation of a gene that influences hair color is exciting -- thanks to scientific discovery, we're now closer to avoiding expensive coloring treatments at the hairdresser altogether!

Solutions for Hair Loss

At Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas / Fort Worth, we take pride in being able to offer you both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions. By introducing new and innovative technologies, we can provide our clients with the widest array of hair loss solutions.

We understand what it's like to be frustrated in the search for answers. At Apollo of Dallas / Fort Worth that frustration ends! We strive not only to solve your hair loss problem, but to provide the most positive, comfortable, and confidential service in the hair replacement industry.

Call us now for a FREE consultation! Get your life back!

Reverse Baldness By Blocking Enzymes

With all of the scientific advances that the medical community has been making lately, it is somewhat surprising that there hasn't been much of a focus on one of the most common issues for men and women—hair loss. For many people, hair loss can be devastating. It can affect everything from work prospects to romantic self-confidence. Finally, however, it seems like science is catching on and doing some research about how to prevent this problem.

Some exciting new discoveries have been made when it comes to hair loss, and although the experiments have only been done with mice, the results are extremely promising. Researchers from the University of Columbia set out to discover what happens when the JAK enzyme is blocked with a drug. When applied to the mice's skin, they were surprised to see that the drug caused rapid hair growth, even reawakening old follicles that were thought to be out of service.

So, what's the implication for human beings? Well, researchers are still working on that. They've tested human hair follicles and so far it appears as though the mechanism does function in the same manner for human hair. In a laboratory setting, the human hair follicles reached the same way. Whether or not this will work outside of a lab setting remains to be seen, but the results are extremely promising. Although a practical drug—that blocks the JAK enzyme to treat hair loss—may be off in the distance, it seems as though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration might take into account some other JAK-blocking drugs it has already approved. For instance, Tofacitinib (an arthritis drug) and Ruxolitinib (a blood disease drug) both block JAK and are already on the market.

Still, more tests need to take place in order to determine whether or not such a drug would work for people in the real world. But for the millions of people across the world who suffer from hair loss, these findings provide something that many of them haven't had for years—the hope that they can abandon more artificial fixes and that their natural hair will grow back.

Hair Pulling Disorder

Hair is often a source of vanity for many individuals, and sometimes, it can be a source of frustration. However, for some people, their hair is a way to relieve anxiety and tension. Individuals may obsessively pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows or other areas of the body, in an effort to make themselves feel better. This disorder, clinically called trichotillomania, can cause bald spots and may lead to infection from the damage to the scalp or skin.

Symptoms of Hair Pulling Disorder
Individuals with this condition may exhibit a number of behaviors:
Pulling out hair from the scalp or other areas of the body, either individually or in clumps
Experiencing an increase of tension that leads up to the hair-pulling episode
A feeling of relief after the hair pulling
Certain rituals that accompany the hair pulling
Preference for certain types of hair pulling
Biting or chewing the pulled-out hair
Playing with the pulled-out hair or rubbing in on the face or lips
Resulting bald patches on the scalp, which the individual may try to cover with a variety of methods

Causes
Researchers believe that hair-pulling disorder is a result of genetic factors and environmental conditions. The individual may be predisposed to certain behaviors because of their genetic make-up. They may not produce a sufficient amount of serotonin or dopamine, important brain chemicals that are involved in mood regulation. This predisposition, combined with environmental tensions, can lead to the behavior. Both men and women can experience the disorder, but it is much more common in women.

Complications
Hair-pulling disorder can cause the individuals extreme embarrassment and distress. In some cases, the guilt and fear of discovery can cause the individual to avoid working or social activities. The bald patches can become permanent and can cause an unnatural appearance. Skin infections can occur from open wounds causing by pulling out clumps of hair.

Treatment for Hair Pulling Disorder
Treatment for this disorder may include cognitive behavioral therapy to help control pulling impulses, as well as anti-depressants to regulate mood. Hair replacement can help to restore the appearance to help the individual so that they can resume work activities and social engagement without embarrassment.

Causes and Solutions for Hair Loss Concerns

The hair plays a major role in a person's overall appearance. Both men and women spend a lot of money and time on their hair. Research has found that that it is closely connected to a positive self-image. Most people expect to have "bad hair days,” but hair loss has been shown to have a negative impact on a person's self-esteem. The problem of thinning hair or more severe hair loss is a distressing one that affects men and women. Forty percent of people experience some hair loss in their life. The causes are numerous and should be addressed as soon as the problem appears.

Common Causes for Hair Loss
Thinning hair may be attributed to medical conditions such as hormonal changes that occur slowly over time. Both men and women are susceptible to the hormonal process that changes testosterone to DHT, which can harm hair follicles. Even though women do not have the testosterone levels that men have, they can still experience thinning and loss of hair. When women reach menopause age, the levels drop significantly which increases the risk of hair loss developing. While men usually have distinct baldness patterns, hair loss in women is closely related to heredity and traumatic life events such as childbirth, extreme stress, or poor nutrition.

Medical Conditions that May Trigger Hair Loss
Abnormal hair changes may signal certain medical problems that should be addressed by a medical professional. There are approximately thirty different medical conditions that can trigger hair loss. One of the most common is associated with the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces essential hormones that regulate many of the body's major functions. Even though hair loss is one of the symptoms of a low-functioning thyroid, it is not the only sign. Birth control pills, scalp conditions caused by the body's own immune system and scalp ringworm infestation can also contribute to hair loss and thinning.

Treatments and Solutions for Hair Loss
Not all hair loss in women results in complete baldness. Even though about two-thirds of all women suffer from some hair loss, there are solutions that can help slow down the loss and restore healthier hair. There are permanent solutions such as hair transplants that very effective for the forty percent of women with thinning hair. Some temporary solutions include several prescription drugs that doctors can prescribe for women with a high success rate for about fifty percent of those with female pattern hair loss problems.

FDA Approval Hair Growth Treatments 
If you are a victim of hair loss, you may be willing to do anything to reclaim a full head of hair. Beware of false claims that surround you. The market is inundated with home remedies and products that will not improve your hair growth. Worse yet, products that are not regulated could actually be dangerous for your health. Take a close look at the alternatives below that do not work and stay away from them. 

A Variety of Herbs
Herbal supplements have gained in popularity and many promises have been made to treat virtually any condition, including hair loss. Hair loss is generally due to an imbalance in hormones in your body or for genetic reasons. No type of herb will fix these problems. You need to diagnose why you have lost hair and find the appropriate, FDA-approved treatment method or surgery may be your only option.

Special Brushes
You're sure to find brushes that are intended to stimulate your hair follicles in order to promote growth of new hair. Anything that involves brushing or massage is not going to work. You have to address the underlying cause of your hair loss.

Special Shampoos and Conditioners
If you see an advertisement for a shampoo or conditioner that promises to help you grow more hair, forget about it. You can't wash away the root of your hair loss problem and these products are more examples of false advertising.

An Oil Massage
Take a look at natural remedies and you'll find many sources offering you hope with the use of natural oils. You're given free reign to choose any type of oil, from avocado oil to coconut oil or olive oil, to massage into your scalp on a weekly basis. The only result you are going to get is a oily head.

An Abundance of Indian Gooseberry
Another oddball remedy involves the use of a tablespoon of mashed, Indian gooseberries and lemon juice. You're supposed to cover your head with it, put on a shower cap, and wear it all night. Not only will this fail to promote hair growth, but you'll wake up with a mess.

What Actually Works?
According to the American Hair Loss Association, two FDA-approved products have been shown to have effective results. Propecia, also known as Finasteride, and Minoxidil have been approved. Results vary and depend on when treatment begins. Hair transplants or hair grafting are also used, but can result in scarring and infection.

Individualized Hair Loss Solutions

At Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas / Fort Worth, we take pride in being able to offer you both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions. By introducing new and innovative technologies, we can provide our clients with the widest array of hair loss solutions.

We understand what it's like to be frustrated in the search for answers. At Apollo of Dallas / Fort Worth that frustration ends! We strive not only to solve your hair loss problem, but to provide the most positive, comfortable, and confidential service in the hair replacement industry.

Call us now for a FREE consultation! Get your life back!

In mouse study, scientists say they've used stem cells to grow large numbers of active follicles

TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists might be able to offer "hair-challenged" males a new glimmer of hope when it comes to reversing baldness. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania say they've gotten closer to being able to use stem cells to treat thinning hair -- at least in mice. The researchers said that although using stem cells to regenerate missing or dying hair follicles is considered a potential way to reverse hair loss, it hasn't been possible to create adequate numbers of hair-follicle-generating stem cells -- specifically cells of the epithelium, the name for tissues covering the surface of the body.

But new findings indicate that this may now be achievable.

"This is the first time anyone has made scalable amounts of epithelial stem cells that are capable of generating the epithelial component of hair follicles," Dr. Xiaowei Xu, an associate professor of dermatology at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine, said in a university news release.

Those cells have many potential applications that extend to wound healing, cosmetics and hair regeneration, Xu said.

In the new study, Xu's team converted induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) -- reprogrammed adult stem cells with many of the characteristics of embryonic stem cells -- into epithelial stem cells. This is the first time this has been done in either mice or people, the researchers said.

The epithelial stem cells were mixed with certain other cells and implanted into mice. They produced the outermost layers of skin cells and follicles that are similar to human hair follicles, according to the study, which was published Jan. 28 in the journal Nature Communications. This suggests that these cells might eventually help regenerate hair in people, the researchers said.

Xu said this achievement with iPSC-derived epithelial stem cells does not mean that a treatment for baldness is around the corner. A hair follicle contains both epithelial cells and a second type of adult stem cell called dermal papillae.

"When a person loses hair, they lose both types of cells," Xu said. "We have solved one major problem -- the epithelial component of the hair follicle. We need to figure out a way to also make new dermal papillae cells, and no one has figured that part out yet."

Experts also note that studies conducted in animals often fail when tested in humans.

Both men and women tend to develop thinner hair as they age, however smoking can accelerate this process.

Cigarette smoke enters the bloodstream through the lungs and is carried by the circulatory system to every part of the body. The result is that the cells of the smoker’s body are bathed in the more than 4,000 chemicals and gasses found in cigarette smoke. No part of the body is truly exempt from the toxins in cigarettes, and even hair follicles can suffer from damage.

Smoking Damages Your Hair

Experts think the toxic chemicals in smoke can damage the DNA in hair follicles causing them to shrink and wither. Unhealthy follicles simply cannot produce healthy hair, making smokers much more likely to have damaged and thinning hair or go bald.

Smokers Go Gray Quicker

Smoke restricts the blood flow to the follicles, prematurely aging them and causing gray hairs to appear earlier in life than they otherwise would.

Smokeing Can Cause Hair Loss

Cigarettes also increase the amount of the hormone DHT in the body – a hormone known to contribute to hair loss.

Smoker Hair Smells

The odor of cigarette smoke is also easily held by the hair and skin, causing even clean hair to smell like stale smoke - yuk!

News is Worse for Men that Smoke

Men who smoke are about twice as likely to lose their hair as nonsmokers, after taking into account factors that increase the risk of baldness, such as aging and genetics, according to a 2007 study in Taiwan.

The Real Facts About Hair Loss

Hair Loss Myth: Hair loss is inherited from your father.
Fact: Genes from parents are a factor. Androgenetic alopecia is genetically-linked hair thinning.

Hair Loss Myth: Female pattern hair loss causes abnormal bleeding.
Fact: Menstruation is not affected. Hair loss typically begins between the ages of 12 and 40.

Hair Loss Myth: Extensive hormonal evaluation is required.
Fact: Hormonal evaluation is only required if the patient is also experiencing irregular periods, infertility, hirsutism, cystic acne, virilization, or glactorrhea. Androgenetic alopecia usually doesn't cause menstrual issues or interfere with pregnancy or endocrine function.

Hair Loss Myth: Teasing, using hair color, other products, or frequently washing hair increases hair loss.
Fact: Normal hair care doesn't affect hair loss. The only drug approved for promoting hair growth in women is Minoxidil.

Hair Loss Myth: Pluck One Grey Hair And Two Grow Back
Fact: Pulling out grey hairs won't make more grow back.

Hair Loss Myth: Over-Shampooing Can Make You Lose Hair
Fact: Each day 100 to 200 hairs shed and these hair follicles are replaced by other hair follicles entering the growth phase.

Hair Loss Myth: Standing On Your Head Makes Your Hair Grow
Fact: Hair loss is not a blood flow problem, but instead can be caused by other factors like age and genetics.

Hair Loss Myth: There's No Cure For Baldness
Fact: While there is no "miracle cure" there are certainly many treatments like government-approved drugs, laser therapy procedures or hair transplants. Let us help you find the right procedure for you.

Hair Loss Myth: Hats Can Cause Baldness
Fact: Keep your hat on. Hats do not cause hair loss in any way or form. Period.

Hair Loss Myth: You Can Grow Back Dead Follicles
Fact: Medications or laser therapy, for example, can help hair follicles grow thicker and healthier, but once the follicle is dead and gone, the only option for regrowth is a hair transplant.

Hair Loss Myth: Losing hair every day means you're balding
Fact: It's normal to lose as many as 100 hairs a day. But if you are losing more hair than normal then it is advised to consult a dermatologist.

Hair Loss Myth: Smoothening or straightening can cause hair loss
Fact: Hair care products don't cause hair loss. However, if you notice that you are losing too much hair, it is better to go slow on such treatments as it can aggravate hair fall.

Hair Loss Myth: Massaging the scalp can reduce hair loss
Fact: Blood circulation doesn't boost hair growth. Too much brushing is not good for your hair as it may lead to hair breakage, leading to loss of hair.

Hair Loss Myth: Cutting your hair will make it grow back thicker
Fact: Cutting your hair will not help your hair grow, follwoing a haircut your hair feels thicker because hair is thicker at the base.

Hair Loss Myth: Daily use of blow dryers cause thinning hair
Fact: Too much heat from the blow dryer can dry your hair and cause brittleness and breakage. It will not, however, make your hair thinner.

Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas-Fort Worth has been specializing in hair loss solutions for more than 30 years.

Producing a hair system requires expert skill in the design and production, using only the highest quality hair and the most state-of-the-art technology to create the part, hairline and density that allows a woman’s hair to behave just llike her own natural growing hair. Then, it’s up to our exceptionally talented stylists to apply the solution to the client so that it seamlessly blends with their own hair.