Alopecia

 

A particular hairloss condition which usually results in total hairloss

Botox tests for alopecia go ahead

New York: Scientists are investigating whether Botox, the brand name for botulinum toxin, can be used to treat the common cause of hair loss – alopecia areata.

The disease which can affect the scalp and parts of the body, affects adults and children and is the cause of sudden hair loss.

Patients suffering from the disease are to be given Botox injections in the scalp in a six-month trial at British Columbia University.

It is thought that Botox will work by blocking the action of neurotransmitters which will block the chemical reaction that attacks the hair follicles.

Transplant pioneer launches new hair loss site

New York: Robert M. Bernstein M.D., F.A.A.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Columbia University in New York, announces the launch of BernsteinMedical.Com providing comprehensive answers to the most frequently asked questions of alopecia sufferers.

Using photos, diagrams, helpful links, video and animation, Dr. Bernstein has presented a virtual multi-media encyclopedia for hair loss and baldness related issues.

Though hair loss affects approximately 35 million men and 21 million women in the United States alone, few understand exactly how or why they are losing their hair. Most know that there are treatments for hair loss, but many have no real understanding of how these treatments actually work or when they are appropriate. There is now a reliable source for untangling fact from fiction regarding hair loss treatments. BernsteinMedical.com demystifies the complex field of surgical hair restoration and explains, in an easy to understand way, the newest hair transplant techniques.

Dr. Bernstein is recognized worldwide for his pioneering work in hair transplant surgery. His landmark publications on Follicular Unit Hair Transplants, which give results that mimic nature, and Follicular Unit Extraction, a new non-invasive hair replacement technique, have earned him international recognition and make him arguably the foremost authority on hair restoration and hair transplantation in the world. Known to Television audiences from his appearances on NBC’s Today Show with Matt Lauer, CBS’s The Early Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Discovery Channel and other nationally syndicated programs, Dr. Bernstein has been providing answers and solutions for hair loss from his Manhattan facility for over 20 years.

BernsteinMedical.com answers questions on hair loss treatments ranging from the simple “Will wearing a baseball cap make my hair fall out?” or “Is true that hair loss comes from the mother’s side of the family” to the more complex “What causes hair loss in women?” or “When will cloning be available to help with baldness?”

With over 500 patient photos, videos of Dr. Bernstein’s television appearances, graphs and illustrations, BernsteinMedical.com clears up the confusion regarding baldness with expert information from the leading authority on the subject.

Dr. Bernstein’s contributions to the field of hair transplantation and devotion to patient care have earned him the honor of “Surgeon of the Month” in Hair Transplant Forum International, Connolly Guide’s “ America’s Top Doctors,” and New York Magazine’s “The Best Doctors in New York” from 2000 through 2005. Dr. Bernstein has also been selected for New York Magazine’s special issue “Best Beauty Docs in New York” for his pioneering work in Follicular Unit Transplantation and Follicular Unit Extraction.

New hair-loss clinic for women opens

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New York: A new clinic offering state-of-the-art hair restoration techniques for women has opened in New York.

The clinic is fronted by Dr. Jeffrey S. Epstein MD, FACS, board- certified facial plastic surgeon and one of the foremost experts in the field of hair restoration. The Women’s Center for Hair Loss in New York City www.womenscenterforhairloss.com offers specialised hair care and treatments for women suffering from hair loss.

Epstein, is a recognized leader in the hair restoration field and founded the Foundation for Hair Restoration in 1994, which currently has offices in Miami, Boca Raton and Tampa, Florida. The New York City office marks the fourth addition to his growing practice.

The Women’s Center for Hair Loss, like its counterpart the Foundation for Hair Restoration, offers specialized care and expertise to patients suffering from hair loss. The Women’s Center for Hair Loss provides women with a destination where they can discuss their hair restoration options in a non- intimidating environment and under the direct care of Dr. Epstein. The center will also offer the latest information on the various types of hair loss that occur in women such as genetic, medical and temporary types of hair loss, and address the most widely recognized treatments. Using exclusively the all- microscopic technique of follicular unit grafting, in addition to treating pattern genetic hair loss, procedures in which Dr. Epstein specializes include: reparative procedures for patients who have had prior procedures with less-than-aesthetic results, body and facial hair transplants including particular expertise in eyebrow restoration, and the repair of scarring and hairline distortion from prior plastic surgery.

“With ten percent of the female population experiencing cosmetically bothersome hair loss, I felt it was best to showcase my expertise in treating these different types of hair loss through a specialized practice. The Center is the only office I know of specifically designed to meet the special surgical requirements of women seeking to treat hair loss,” says Dr. Jeffrey S. Epstein. “Opening the Women’s Center for Hair Loss was a natural extension of the care I have been providing for both men and women suffering from hair loss.”

Sifting and sorting through the thousands of web sites in cyberspace to find a respected physician who can answer questions on hair loss can be a tiresome and endless task. However, key in the words “hair loss” on any competitive search engine and you will eventually be directed to various sites endorsing the work of Dr. Epstein and the Foundation for Hair Restoration.

“I personally respond to every e-mail,” says Dr. Epstein. “I believe in trying to educate as many of those I can about hair loss and treatment options. There is so much inaccurate information disseminated out there, and I realize how appreciative individuals are when provided trustworthy advice by an expert. The great majority of my surgical patients travel to me to make sure they have their procedure performed properly, and online communication is the first step in the process. The decision to have a hair restoration procedure is a major decision, eclipsed only by the choice of a surgeon.”

For further information on Dr. Epstein’s practice, please contact Paula Conway at (203) 557-3301. The Women’s Center for Hair Loss can be reached directly at (212) 759-3484 or toll free at 800-370-2883.

About Dr. Epstein

Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS, is a diplomate of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is considered one of the foremost specialists in the field of hair restoration, and is one of fewer than 40 doctors worldwide to be accepted into the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons.

A graduate of Swarthmore College and the University of Vermont College of Medicine, Dr. Epstein then trained for five years in head and neck surgery and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) at the University of Miami. He was then awarded a fellowship by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to train in surgical hair restoration and facial plastic surgery in the San Francisco area. For attaining the highest score in the nation on his board exams, Dr. Epstein was awarded the Jack Anderson Memorial Award by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Upon completion of his training, Epstein established the Foundation for Hair Restoration in Miami in 1994. Over the past 11 years, he has treated thousands of men and women for hair loss. His unique area of expertise amongst hair replacement physicians as a board-certified facial plastic surgeon provides him with an invaluable aesthetic background. This aesthetic approach is combined with the state of the art technique of microscopic follicular unit grafting.

Information can be found on the following web sites:

www.foundhair.com
www.womenscenterforhairloss.com
www.eyebrowtransplantation.co
www.bodyhairtransplants.com

Alopecia

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Genetic hair loss or increased loss (chronic telogen effluvium) can happen to both sexes but the incidence increases in women prior to menopause. Men loose hair from their temples and crown and this is known as male pattern baldness, while women are more likely to loose hair from front hairline.

Around 10% of women suffer from genetic hairloss prior to menopause, compared with 60% of men in their lifetime. Female hair loss can increase at menopause (menopausal alopecia) because of an increase in a type of male hormone, androgen, similar to testosterone (dihydrostestosterone -DHT) and the fact that the usual protection of female hormones decreases at this time. Anti-androgen therapy can help prevent further loss but is unlikely to restore new hair growth.

Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, related to autoimmune disease also accounts for hair loss problems in women under the age of 45 and the likelihood also increases at menopause. Stress makes these problems worse and can also be a direct cause.

About 50% of women have post-natal hair loss in pregnancy which returns to normal without intervention. HRT can cause loss, particularly if it contains androgenic progestin. Other causes are emotional shock and physical stress, such as a serious accident, a lack of sleep and rest, chemotherapy and radio therapy for cancer; certain drugs such as cortisone, sedatives, tanquillises, barbituates, amphetamines, antibiotics; immunisation – either in childhood or for holidays, yo-yo dieting, a poor diet, smoking, eating disorders, misuse of hair products such as colourants, central heating, pollution, drandruff-like conditions that affect the rate of shedding.

There are a number of over the counter preparations and natural remedies but these tend to work by improving the condition of existing hair and the scalp and are not necessarily successful in regrowing hair. For women these include Cyproterone Acetate (brand name Diane), Minoxidil (Regaine) and Spironolactone (Spiroctan, Diatensec). For men – Finasteride (Propecia), Minoxidil and Dutasteride (Avodart). Hair grafting can be carried out by a specialist surgeon using micro-grafting techniques. Cloned hair follicles which can also be surgically implanted may be available in the next few years. The Trichological Society – www.hairscientists.org has lists of specialists in all areas of hair care and health.