The Trichology Clinic offers a wide array of services in hair diagnostics, treatments and surgeries.
Both men and women have always struggled to get rid of unwanted body hair. Skin City, India's largest skin and hair restoration centre, offers the solution for complete, permanent body hair removal. This technique is apparently so efficient, that the process is called Super Hair Removal. Today people are very aware and particular about their looks; they take every possible step to look presentable. You can get clean and smooth skin, which includes face, under arms, legs, arms, chest and back and bikini area. With the festive season fast approaching, the season for backless cholis, sleeveless gowns and the little black dress is around the corner. The conventional and temporary methods of grooming like waxing and shaving regularly are time consuming and unreliable. People want a permanent solution to unwanted hair problems.
Laser technology is the answer to your need. The latest, state of the art technology for painless, swift and permanent hair removal is called Super Hair Removal. This technology takes a fraction of the time as compared to other laser technologies to treat a given area. This is because of the speed of the machine and the fact that the treatment is painless, so large body parts can be covered quickly with no discomfort to the client. Because of the speed and comfort experienced with this technology, clients are able to take treatments on large body parts comfortably. This is especially beneficial for clients who opt for full body hair removal. This is also a special boon for male clients who wish to remove excess body hair which is the trend now. With older technologies local anesthesia was required due to the density and thickness of hair in males which made it a very painful experience.
However with Super Hair Removal the process has become quick and painless. Skin City has attractive laser packages for both male and female clients. A single sitting of Super Hair Removal for the full body requires 3-4 hours; as against other lasers which require the treatment to be done in stages which can take upto 3 days due to the pain and the time it consumes. The technology is quick and efficient and Skin City has highly trained practitioners to carry out the treatments. Super Hair Removal is a safe method of permanent hair removal. It targets the hair follicles in the superficial layer of the skin without any side effects to the skin or body.
Skin City has a team of highly trained professionals who impart customized treatment based on individual requirement for safe and efficacious results. The treatment cost for Super Hair Removal is on par with other laser hair removal treatments, but is more quick and efficient. However it works out more economical to have Super Hair Removal done for permanent freedom from unwanted hair than to adopt the lifelong conventional temporary methods like threading and waxing. For permanent hair removal a client may require up to 8 to 12 sittings, depending on the hair growth. Skin City advocates a clear expectation alignment with the client to ensure client satisfaction with excellent results.
Dr Niteen Dhepe—leading dermatologist in India as well as the Medical Director, SkinCity PG Institute of Dermatology—about how to get rid of body hair at SkinCity with the Super Hair Removal process. “Oh, God! I need to wax…” is something we women keep saying at regular intervals. Well, not anymore—courtesy Suprano Laser installed at SkinCity, you will be hair-free and carefree permanently. This technique is apparently so efficient that the process is called Super Hair Removal. Out of sight We all want a body that is hairless and smooth as silk. However, we are all lazy as hell to go and get ourselves waxed. Besides waxing, threading and shaving are painful and have to be done time and again. Well, shaking hands with technology, SkinCity’s Suprano Laser is painless, quick—and yes, it’s permanent too! Your body hair is absolutely not visible and you could put on that sexy, backless dress whenever you feel like. Nothing like it It’s a rare facility available in the city and we all know how rare is precious. Suprano Laser barely takes time, maybe a fraction of the time as compared to other laser technologies to treat a given area because of the speed of the machine.
Since the fact that the treatment is painless, large body parts can be covered quickly with no discomfort to the client. Super benefits Dr Dhepe says, “It’s the speed and comfort experienced with this technology, which allows our clients to treat large body parts.” This makes full body hair removal a cakewalk. It’s happy time for the men as there is no local anesthesia required to due to the thickness and density of hair. It’s no more painful. That’s how it works It’s just as easy as it sounds. A single sitting of Super Hair Removal for the full body takes about three-four hours with highly trained practitioners to carry out the treatments. About eight to twelve sittings does it all. Be assured that this super treatment has no side-effects of any kind. Don’t be pricey Super Hair Removal costs are at par with other laser hair removal treatments, and the speed is another feather added to the hat. “However it works out more economical to have Super Hair Removal done for permanent freedom from unwanted hair than to adopt the lifelong conventional temporary methods like threading and waxing,” adds Dr Dhepe. So now we exactly know where to go head when we are absolutely fed up of hitting the parlor.
The fact is that having or developing any trait that makes an individual not conform to norms detaches him from normal life and makes him self-conscious. Excessive hairiness in men is one such trait that makes them feel self-conscious. Thick coarse hair on face – beard and mustaches – and on arms and legs add […]
Baldness, especially in males, has been a topic of discussion and research for years. The degree and pattern of baldness varies, but it’s most common cause is androgenic alopecia, alopecia androgenetica.
More than 95% of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness. Its incidence varies from population to population and is based on genetic background. Environmental factors do not seem to affect this type of baldness greatly. Approximately 25 percent of men begin balding by age 30; two-thirds begin balding by age 60. Apart from the genetic factor, baldness can be caused by other factors such as lifestyle, health problems and stress. Men typically associate a full head of hair with youth and vigor. Although they may be aware of baldness in their family, many are uncomfortable talking about it as it is a sensitive issue. For sufferers, it can represent a loss of control and feelings of isolation. People experiencing hair thinning often find themselves in a situation where their physical appearance is at odds with their own self-image and commonly worry that they appear older than they are or less attractive to others. Psychological problems due to baldness, if present, are typically most severe at the onset of symptoms. A decline in one’s confidence is the most common psychological effect of baldness. Skin City has one of the very few expert teams in hair transplantation proficient in FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) & FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) methods. The Mantis Stereo microscope is the hallmark and benchmark for quality in hair transplantation, and Skin City is one of the few centers in India to use the mantis microscope lab for the preparation of hair grafts in hair transplantation surgery. Dr. Niteen Dhepe, Director - Skin City, answers some of the most asked questions pertaining to hair transplantation, the most reliable and sought after treatment for baldness :- Q: Why does baldness occur? A: Causes of baldness are different for males and females. In males, who predominantly suffer from it, mostly it's the effect of hormones on the hair follicle that is responsible. Apart from that, there could be other medical conditions responsible for baldness. Q: What are the treatments for baldness? A: There are several options for treatment of baldness depending on the extent and severity, like:The unique Caslite microscopic hair analysis offers a detailed investigation of hair thickness miniaturization and hair length at various scalp areas it is an excellent tool for hair research and diagnosis. Caslite microscopic hair analysis offers a detailed investigation of hair thickness miniaturization and hair length at various scalp areas it is an excellent tool for hair research and diagnosis.
Dark circle refers to conditions that present with relative darkness of the periorbital skin or eyelids. It can affect individuals with a wide range of age, both sexes and all races. It worsens with the aging process of skin sagging and altered subcutaneous fat distribution. It has significant cosmetic concern for female patients and males as well now days.
Excessive Pigmentation
Excessive pigmentation is due to dermal melanocytosis or post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation secondary to some disease like atopic dermatitis. It is seen as slightly brownish curved band along inferior orbital rim. Dermal melanocytosis is due to congenital causes like Nevus of Ota or environmental causes like excessive sun exposure and drug ingestion. Histologicaly characterized by the presence of melanocytes in the dermis.
Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation is due to rubbing or scratching the periorbital area. The causes are air born contact dermatitis, fragrance allergy, atopic dermatitis etc.
Other causes of periorbital hyper pigmentation include Erythema dyschromicum perstans, fixed drug eruption Familial conditions - genetically determined form of hyper-pigmentation involving the periorbital area.
Thin, Translucent Lower Eyelid Skin Overlying The Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Because of thin, translucent lower eyelid the subcutaneous vascular plexus or vasculature contained within the muscle become prominent. The violaceous appearance is more prominent in the inner aspect of the lower eyelids and is usually accentuated during menstruation in females.
Shadowing Due To Skin Laxity And Tear Trough
Another cause of infraorbital dark circles is shadowing due to skin laxity and tear trough associated with aging. Collagen and elastin present in the eyelids and periorbital skin undergo ultraviolet induced and age related degeneration. In addition the damaged epidermis releases collagenases, which further contributes to collagen degeneration resulting in dermatochalasia and periocular rhytides which are common manifestations of aging. Skin laxity due to photo ageing imparts a shadowing appearance on the lower eyelids that results in infraorbital dark circles.
The tear trough is a depression centered over the medial side of the inferior orbital rim. It is also an age-related change due to the loss of subcutaneous fat with thinning of the skin over the orbital rimligament that confers hollowness to the orbital rim area. Combination of the hollowness and the overlying pseudoherniation of the infraorbital fat accentuate the shadow in the tear trough depending on the lighting conditions.
Treatment Options for Dark Circles
Topical Agents:
Chemical Peeling
Chemical peeling is defined as the application of one or more chemical agents that lead to controlled destruction of the skin, resulting in the removal of lesions localized in the epidermis or in the upper dermis.
Peels can be superficial, medium, or deep.
Different peels use around eye for periorbital pigmentation are:
Refinity Peel (Glycolic acid 70%) and Cosmederm Peel (Glycolic acid 50%)
Biphasic Peel: it is composed of two phase in one peeling session. The first phase active ingredients contain a mixture of alpha-hydroxy & beta- hydroxyl acids that help in removing facial blemishes, leaving fresh skin, improving surface and skin tone. The second phase helps in absorption of specific active ingredients effective against pigmentation or controls the progression of premature ageing.
Lasers
Safety should be emphasized when treating dark circles with lasers, because the eye is particularly vulnerable to laser injury. Therefore, use of proper eyewear (goggles, wrap-around glasses, or preferably internal metallic eye shields) is crucial. The retina and the choroid contain the highest concentration of melanin in the body, and eye damage is possible even through closed eyelids. When treatment is necessary near the eyes, a large metal eye shield should be inserted over the Autologous Fat Transplantation And Fillers This modality of treatment is useful when the cause for periorbital darkness is thin and translucent lower eyelid skin overlying the orbicularis oculi muscle. It hides the vascular areas and reduced the transparency of the skin. Use of hyaluronic acid gel to fill the periorbital hollows and restores volume has emerged as a less invasive procedure with good results.
Surgery – Laser Blepharoplasty Trans-conjunctival blepharoplasty is done to remove pseudoherniation of the orbital fat as well as lax skin which reduces the shadowing effects. Removal of excess skin of upper eye lid improves dark circle considerably. Blepharoplasty assisted with Ultra Pulse CO2 Laser is the latest trend in this surgery.
Summary:
1. Multi-factorial in etiology hence find out the cause before you treat.
2. The brown and blue-grey color caused by dermal melanin deposition.
3. Bluish color secondary to the visible dermal capillary network, and shadowing secondary to skin laxity and bulging.
4. When excessive pigmentation is cause, treat with topical bleaching agent, chemical peels and lasers.
5. Dark circles mainly due to the eyelid bulging caused by orbital fat pseudoherniation should be corrected primarily using transconjunctival blepharoplasty.
6. If dark circles are combined with prominent skin laxity, skin tightening or excision is recommended.
7. Autologous fat transplantation may be a treatment option for patients with infraorbital darkening due to prominent vascularity and thin skin.
Scalp coverage is the name of the game in the treatment of baldness. Thicker hair even if less in number have more volume and hence better scalp coverage. The problem arises with thinner hair and a lighter scalp
Micro pigmentation is a technique used to implant small amounts of pigment into the upper layer of the scalp in a dot or line pattern, and this creates an optical illusion of a full scalp even without hair restoration. This is a painless walk in-walk out procedure which takes a few hours and is performed without any anesthesia. Skin City is one of the very few centers to launch this procedure.
In patients with significant hair loss being treated with mesotherapy/ PRP or even hair transplantation, scalp micro pigmentation can be added at the completion of these procedures to give maximum scalp coverage look.
What is Scalp Micropigmentation:
Scalp Micropigmentation (medical hairline tattoo) is the ultimate in non-surgical male and female scalp grooming; an incredible life-changing treatment where natural pigments are applied at the epidermal level of the scalp to replicate the natural appearance of the real hair follicles or strands – depending on your hair loss extent, and desired look.
The human head has on average 2,000 hairs per square inch. When thinning occurs, it can be a depressing time, stigmas attached to balding & premature ageing in both men and women can affect confidence and mood. Scalp Micropigmentation can restore even a completely bald head to look like a full head of well-groomed hair.
The follicle/strand build up of Scalp Micropigmentation normally takes place over 2- 3 sessions, each taking approx 2-3 hours with at least 2 weeks to 1 month between sessions. The process allows for a very gradual and subtle rejuvenation/infill of the hairline, rarely identified even by close friends and family.
During the procedure, topical anaesthetic cream is applied over the area to be treated prior to starting micropigmentation, hence the procedure becomes completely painless. A cartridge containing few very fine needles working in symphony gently inject natural pigment into the 2nd dermal skin layer and Skin City uses the latest innovative technology and the Pigment spacing is determined by replicating the remaining natural hair follicles.
Benefits of Scalp Micropigmentation :
Though there are many types of hair loss treatments available, not all of them work, leaving men suffering hair loss with few options. That’s why scalp micropigmentation is the best course of action for those in this position, because of the numerous benefits this procedure can offer to those suffering from hair loss.
While hair loss may not usually be a threat to your health, it can have devastating effects on your self-image and sense of well-being. Your hair has much more significance than the physiological purpose of regulating your temperature and providing protection for your scalp. For most people, it is a definition of their personality, style, and fashion. When hair loss occurs, it has a damaging effect on our psyche. Your dermatologist is a highly skilled medical professional that diagnoses and treats a wide variety of conditions that can affect the scalp and cause hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss?
The medical term for hair loss is Alopecia but there are many different types and causes. Both men and women may experience it in varying degrees from a slight thinning of the hair to complete baldness.
Examples of the most common hair loss disorders are:
Hair loss may also be the result of underlying health issues such as anemia or thyroid abnormalities. Changes to your hair and scalp might indicate health problems such as diabetes or lupus or any number of other conditions, therefore, it is important that you take sudden changes in your hair seriously.
So, What Should You Do If You Start Losing Your Hair?
The first step in the treatment of hair loss is to determine the cause. Visit your dermatologist to have them examine your hair and scalp and diagnose your disorder. Many forms of hair fall are temporary or can be reversed with the proper medications or therapies. Other forms may cause scarring which can lead to permanent baldness but can be slowed significantly through regular treatment sessions if the process is started early.
To properly diagnose your type of hair fall your dermatologist will ask about your medical history, any recent illnesses you may have had and any medications you may be taking including over the counter medicines. Are you experiencing hair loss on your body as well as your scalp? Your hair care routine is also vital information to share with your doctor. Such things as the hair care products you use, how often you shampoo and whether you color your hair or use a hair dryer are valuable bits of information that can help with your diagnoses. It is useful to bring these products in when you see the dermatologist for a consultation. They will also ask questions about other family members who may also have experienced hair loss to determine your genetic predisposition to baldness. Most diagnoses’ are made through skillful evaluation of your scalp, hair and medical history but occasionally further medical testing is necessary. Again, these tests may include blood work to rule out underlying medical conditions, examination of a hair sample under a microscope or a skin biopsy to evaluate the scalp tissue of the affected area.
Skin City has expertise in using a combination approach to hair fall to minimize the side effects and to improve the safety of the therapies adopted. Skin City is one of the very few centers to give excellent results in hair fall.
‘Hair loss’ the most dreaded words today. Not only because of systemic or physiological reasons like aging, family history or poor diet, but normal life variations such as stress, restlessness, and tension also result in subsequent hair fall; horrifically leading to baldness. Cutting to the chase, let’s talk about overcoming hair fall naturally.
Hair loss can be temporary or long lasting, based on its identification, cause and treatment. However, when the cause isn’t clear, hair loss that was first temporary may become permanent as a result of incorrect diagnosis.
Alopecia is the medical term for excessive or abnormal hair loss. There are different kinds of alopecia. As hair loss is fairly common with both the sexes, symptoms show that there’s something that is going wrong in the body. Hormonal imbalance, stress, pregnancy, medications , diseases or something as fairly simple as genes can be the cause of baldness, also known as Areata. In this situation, hairs often, but not always grow back when the event has passed. There are many types of hair loss, also called alopecia.
Involutional alopecia
The rate of hair growth slows as you age, causing the thickness as well as volume to reduce. In this type of hair loss, the hair follicles gradually go into the telogen (resting) phase and the remaining hair become shorter and less in number, sometimes even brittle.
Telogen effluvium
You may experience temporary hair loss after a stressed episode like childbirth, fever, severe illness, stress or sudden weight loss, which decreases gradually. This happens due to changes in the growth cycle of hair, when a large number of hair go into the resting phase (telogen) at the same time.
Anagen effluvium
Hair shedding and thinning usually occur as the result of exposure to chemicals or toxins (such as cancer treatments) during anagen, the growth phase of the hair lifecycle.
Traction alopecia
Pressure on hair because of particular hairstyles causing small, localized areas a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.
Trichotillomania
Some people have the habit of twisting or pulling their own hair from the scalp and eyelashes. This is referred to as trichotillomania or hair pulling disorder.
Trichorrhexis Nodosa
A defect in hair fibers characterized by fraying and swelling nodes along the hair shaft is the cause of hair to break off easily.
Let us now see the difference in male, female & children baldness pattern is:
For male:
If you experience a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown, you may be suffering from androgenic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness). In this condition, you may experience hair loss in your teens or early 20s. Men may notice hair loss at the top of the scalp and a receding hairline particularly along the temples. The typical pattern forms an ‘M’ shape. Lastly, the hair becomes finer, shorter and thinner creating a U-shaped pattern around the sides of the head. It is a genetically predisposed condition that can affect both men and women.
For female:
If you experience a general thinning of the hair over the entire scalp, extensive hair loss at the crown with your hairline at the front intact, you may be suffering from female pattern baldness. Your hair parting may become wider with time due to hair thinning. You may notice hair thinning in your 20s but you are not very likely to experience noticeable thinning until your 40s or later because the pace of hair loss tends to be gradual.
For children:
When a child or a young adult experiences one - two totally smooth, round patches of hair loss mostly on the scalp, they may be suffering from alopecia areata. The hair loss may also be seen in the eyebrows, arms, legs or facial hair. It is often sudden in onset and the hair usually grows back in six months to a year. However, when the hair grows back in one area, it may fall out in another. In some cases, the hair becomes thinner, while in others, it may grow and break off, leaving short stubs. Alopecia areata is generally considered an autoimmune condition, while alopecia totalis, an extensive form, the entire scalp goes bald.
Scalp conditions and its causes:
Scarring alopecia
It is a permanent loss of hair. Inflammatory skin conditions and other skin disorders often result in scars that destroy the ability to regenerate hair. Hot combs and hair too tightly woven or pulled can also result in permanent hair loss.
Lichen Planopilaris
It is a type of scarring in the scalp that occurs from a skin disease known as lichen planus, which affects areas of the skin with hair. It can cause redness, irritation, and in some cases, permanent hair loss.
Tinea Capitis
In simple words, it’s the ringworm of the scalp, a fungal infection. Hair usually breaks off at areas that are infected causing bald scalp with small black dots. The skin is inflamed, round, scaly areas with pus-filled sores called kerions. It is contagious and can spread from sharing combs and hats. Once the infection is cured, the hair grows back.
If you happen to experience any of the above symptoms, our expert dermatologists at Skin City will aid to your concerns and implement effective treatments.
Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from the head or body. Baldness can refer to general hair loss or male pattern hair loss. Alopecia affects hair growth and can lead to permanent hair loss. Hair loss can be difficult to come to terms with, especially when it comes to your self-esteem. When you lose your hair, you are losing your self-esteem as well. This can affect your confidence and sometimes lead to depression. Let’s understand hair loss in a gist.
Some signs and symptoms are such as:
When to see a Dermatologist?
See a dermatologist, when you are distressed by hair loss and want to pursue treatment. Also, talk to us if you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your hair. Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.
What you can do?
For hair loss, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Before making a diagnosis, your doctor will likely ask you to perform tests, such as the following:
Effective treatments for some types of hair loss are available. But some hair loss is permanent. Treatments for hair loss include medications, surgery, laser therapy, and wigs or hairpieces. The goals of treatment are to promote hair growth, slow hair loss or hide hair loss. Contact Skin City for further clarifications.
Hair grows everywhere on the human skin except on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but many hairs are so fine, that they're virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, which is produced from the hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. As follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about six inches a year. The hair you can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells.
The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hair and it loses up to 100 of them a day; finding few stray hair on your hairbrush is not necessarily a cause for alarm. That's normal, and in most people, those hair grow back. But many men and some women lose hair as they grow older. While daily shedding is normal, people who notice their hair shedding in large amounts after combing or brushing and those whose hair becomes thinner , should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
At any one time, about 90% of the hair on a person's scalp is growing; each follicle has its own life cycle that can be influenced by age, disease, and a wide variety of other factors. This life cycle is divided into three phases:
As people age, their rate of hair growth slows.
Causes of hair loss
Causes of hair loss, some of which are temporary, include:
Psychosocial impact of hair loss
Treatment of hair loss
When you experience acute hair loss and want to pursue a treatment, talk to us and at Skin City, we can help you in regaining lost hair with our wide range of advance services in hair diagnostics, treatments and surgeries.
Mistakenly thought to be a strictly male disease, women actually make up 40% of hair loss sufferers. Hair loss in women can be devastating for the sufferer's self-image and emotional well being.
Unfortunately, it is considered far more acceptable for men to go through the same hair loss process. Since hair loss doesn't appear to be life threatening, most physicians pay little heed to women's complaints .Of course what these physicians don't seem to realize is that it can be just as devastating as any serious disease, and in fact, can take an emotional toll on physical health. Female pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in women.
Causes
Each strand of hair sits in a tiny bulb in the skin called a follicle. In general, baldness occurs when the hair follicle shrinks over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. Eventually, the follicle does not grow new hair. The follicles remain alive, which suggests that it is still possible to grow new hair.
The reason in female pattern baldness may be related to:
Natural history
Without treatment, Female Pattern Hair Loss is a progressive condition; however, it is highly variable. Hair shedding is often episodic. The condition’s unpredictability and relentless progression contributes greatly to the distress of affected women.
Symptoms
Hair thinning is different from that of male pattern baldness. In female pattern baldness:
Diagnosis
Female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on:
The doctor will examine you for other signs of too much male hormone (androgen), such as:
A skin biopsy or other procedures or blood tests may be used to diagnose skin disorders that cause hair loss in some cases. Looking at the hair under a microscope may be done to check for problems with the structure of the hair shaft itself.
Treatment
Hair loss in female pattern baldness is permanent, if not treated. In most cases, hair loss is mild to moderate. You do not need treatment if you are comfortable with your appearance. Treatment for hair loss includes medical management, advanced treatments like mesotherapy, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy and laser stimulation of hair roots. Hair transplant can be done in select patients, though it is more uncommon than in men.
To summarize, Female Pattern Baldness is an under-recognized entity. Significant hair loss is seen in over ¼ of females over the age of 50. Satisfactory cure of this condition requires knowledge of underlying causes, physical co-morbidities, psychological effects, possible differential diagnoses, and the various therapeutic modalities available.
The condition is progressive without treatment, regardless of medication, the response is slow, and requires patience and persistence in both patient and clinician.
Androgenetic alopecia or common male pattern baldness (MPB) accounts for more than 95% of hair loss in men. By the age of 35 two-thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss, and by the age of 50 approximately 85% of men have significant thinning hair. Approximately 25 % of men suffer MPB process before they reach the age of 21.Hair loss affects every aspect of sufferer's life, it affects interpersonal relationships as well as the professional lives of those suffering.
While there are many possible reasons men lose their hair, like serious disease, reaction to certain medications, and in rare cases extremely stressful events, most hair loss in men can be blamed on heredity. What MPB sufferers are actually inheriting their hair follicles with a genetic sensitivity to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT begin to lessen, shortening the lifespan of each hair follicle affected. Eventually, these affected follicles stop producing cosmetically acceptable hair. MPB is generally characterized with the onset of a receding hairline and thinning crown. This pattern eventually progresses into leaving only a rim or "horseshoe" pattern of hair remaining in the more advanced stages of MPB. For some men even this remaining rim of hair can be affected by DHT.
What is DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a derivative or by-product of testosterone. Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha-reductace, which is held in the hair follicle's oil glands. While the entire genetic process of male pattern baldness is not completely understood, it is known that DHT shrinks hair follicles, and that when DHT is suppressed, hair follicles continue to thrive. Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT must be exposed to the hormone for a prolonged period of time in order for the affected follicle to complete the miniaturization process. Today, with proper intervention this process can be slowed or even stopped if caught early enough.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Classic male-pattern hair loss begins above the temples and vertex, of the scalp. As it progresses, a rim of the hair at the sides and at the rear of the head remains. This is referred to as 'Hippocratic wreath', and rarely progresses to complete baldness.
Diagnosis
Typical MPB is usually diagnosed based on the appearance and pattern of the hair loss, along with a detailed medical history, including questions about the prevalence of hair loss in your family. An experienced medical hair loss expert will examine the scalp under magnification, in order to assess the degree of miniaturization of the hair follicles. This assessment is very important when recommending the proper course of treatment.
Treatment
In the past few years, medicine has made tremendous strides in the treatment of men's hair loss. With the advent of medicines and the evolution of surgical hair restoration, for many, living with noticeable hair loss is no longer inevitable. For the first time in the history of mankind, it is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and to replace lost hair through surgery with completely natural results.
Remember, successful treatment of hair loss is greatly dependent on early intervention. It is critical to begin treatment with an effective product as soon as you notice the onset of hair loss.
Hair-raising literally means extremely alarming, astonishing or frightening. It aptly describes the emotions we experience when we first notice the receding hairline or visible scalp in the mirror. Thanks to the huge hair restoration market that has emerged, everyone is now aware of how to restore lost hair. It is, in fact, the most accessible, affordable luxury available on the market, in the looking good department, today says Smita Gautam of SkinCity
People are spoilt for choice as far as the availability of places for hair replacement treatments is concerned. However, when shopping for a suitable place, it is important to go with a reliable surgeon rather than the best price offering. There is a price war waging in the market today and everyone is talking about the cost per graft and not quality assurance. Just getting a bunch of grafts transplanted on your head doesn’t assure you of achieving what you need. Hair transplantation has become a commodity. Many places offering the same are thriving on numbers based on rock bottom prices, much to the detriment of gullible people and to the dismay of an ethical surgeon.
NEW THERAPIES
There are several new treatments available for hair restoration and a good doctor will advise you accordingly. It is important to choose a clinic where all these treatments are available. If you choose a place that offers Hair Transplantation exclusively, that is what you will be sold. Once you have done your research and decided on the place you wish to go to for your hair replacement treatment, the difficult part is over. The treatment itself is as simple as ordering a bag of French fries and coke. In the hands of a good surgeon, you get the best quality grafts and a good follow up routine to give you the best results.
EXPERT ADVICE
Dr. Niteen Dhepe, Medical Director Skin City India is of the opinion, every individual should be treated with a customized approach, following a treatment plan. Surgery is not the first line of treatment for any other problem, then why should it be the first approach in this case? For those of you who have not yet seen that moment of truth in the reflection in the mirror, he says, prevention is better than cure. Nourish your hair with lots of care, oil massages, vitamin supplements, iron rich diet, good cleansing and conditioning. Avoiding stress, chemicals and heat treatments will help you defer or completely avoid balding if it is not a hereditary problem. Good luck on raising your hair, either way! Why have hair-raising days?
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a procedure where hair is transplanted from the permanent zone, the area in the back and sides of the scalp where hair is more resistant to balding, to the bald or balding areas of the scalp. This is accomplished using naturally-occurring groups of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hairs, called follicular units. After the patient’s scalp is anesthetized, the doctor removes a strip of tissue from the donor area, an area within the permanent zone, and, once extracted, the donor strip is cut into many individual follicular units using microscopic dissection techniques. As these follicular unit grafts are being prepared, the doctor makes tiny holes.in the scalp, called recipient sites, where the grafts are placed.
STEPS OF THE PROCEDURE:
First and the most important step as in any surgery is obtaining a detailed Informed consent from the patient and relatives of the patient.
Anesthesia in Hair Transplantation
The ideal placement of the donor incision is in the mid-part of the permanent zone located in the back and sides of the scalp. This area lies in a band that starts above the occipital protuberance (the bump felt in the middle part of the back of the scalp) and extends to either side in a gentle, upward sloping curve that follows the contour of the scalp.
Trichophytic“Tricho” Closure
In a Trichophytic closure, the surgeons makes the initial incision parallel to the hair follicles and then trims away 1 to 3-mm of tissue of either the upper or lower wound edge (or both), so that the top of the hair follicles at that wound edge are removed. During the “Tricho” closure, the trimmed wound edge is pulled towards the opposite edge so that the bottom parts of the cut hairs are pointing slightly towards the incision (rather than parallel to each other). The goal is that these hairs will eventually grow through the incision and thus decrease the visibility of the scar.
Slivering
The first step in stereo-microscopic dissection is a process called “slivering”. In slivering, the dissector divides the long donor strip into smaller sections of approximately 2-2.5mm in width. The sectioning is accomplished by passing a scalpel blade through the spaces around follicular units, rather than merely cutting directly through the block of tissue. This technique generates smaller pieces of hair bearing tissue without breaking up follicular units and without transecting (cutting) hair follicles.
Graft Preparation:
The dissector then isolates the individual follicular units from these small sections by trimming away excess dermis and fat. The photo shows 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hair follicular units. Hundreds of these individual units are sorted according to the numbers of hairs they contain. They are then stored in Ringer’s lactate solution and refrigerated while waiting placement into the scalp.
Role of Magnification:
One of the most important aspects of Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation is stereo-microscopic dissection. This allows follicular units to be removed from the donor strip without being broken up or damaged. During the dissection, it is critical that the whole follicular unit is kept intact as this will maximize its growth. Intact follicular units will also give the most fullness to the hair restoration, as they contain the full, natural complement of 1-4 hairs. Skin city has the most advanced stereo microscopes named “mantis” which helps us to increase the yield of grafts as well as offers the best graft preparation for FUT.
Recipient site creation
The recipient sites in all of our hair transplant procedures are made using lateral slits (also called coronal or horizontal slits). Generally, there are three different types of incision:
Both men and women have always struggled to get rid of unwanted body hair. Skin City, India's largest skin and hair restoration centre, offers the solution for complete, permanent body hair removal. This technique is apparently so efficient, that the process is called Super Hair Removal. Today people are very aware and particular about their looks; they take every possible step to look presentable. You can get clean and smooth skin, which includes face, under arms, legs, arms, chest and back and bikini area. With the festive season fast approaching, the season for backless cholis, sleeveless gowns and the little black dress is around the corner. The conventional and temporary methods of grooming like waxing and shaving regularly are time consuming and unreliable. People want a permanent solution to unwanted hair problems.
Laser technology is the answer to your need. The latest, state of the art technology for painless, swift and permanent hair removal is called Super Hair Removal. This technology takes a fraction of the time as compared to other laser technologies to treat a given area. This is because of the speed of the machine and the fact that the treatment is painless, so large body parts can be covered quickly with no discomfort to the client. Because of the speed and comfort experienced with this technology, clients are able to take treatments on large body parts comfortably. This is especially beneficial for clients who opt for full body hair removal. This is also a special boon for male clients who wish to remove excess body hair which is the trend now. With older technologies local anesthesia was required due to the density and thickness of hair in males which made it a very painful experience.
However with Super Hair Removal the process has become quick and painless. Skin City has attractive laser packages for both male and female clients. A single sitting of Super Hair Removal for the full body requires 3-4 hours; as against other lasers which require the treatment to be done in stages which can take upto 3 days due to the pain and the time it consumes. The technology is quick and efficient and Skin City has highly trained practitioners to carry out the treatments. Super Hair Removal is a safe method of permanent hair removal. It targets the hair follicles in the superficial layer of the skin without any side effects to the skin or body.
Skin City has a team of highly trained professionals who impart customized treatment based on individual requirement for safe and efficacious results. The treatment cost for Super Hair Removal is on par with other laser hair removal treatments, but is more quick and efficient. However it works out more economical to have Super Hair Removal done for permanent freedom from unwanted hair than to adopt the lifelong conventional temporary methods like threading and waxing. For permanent hair removal a client may require up to 8 to 12 sittings, depending on the hair growth. Skin City advocates a clear expectation alignment with the client to ensure client satisfaction with excellent results.
Dr Niteen Dhepe—leading dermatologist in India as well as the Medical Director, SkinCity PG Institute of Dermatology—about how to get rid of body hair at SkinCity with the Super Hair Removal process. “Oh, God! I need to wax…” is something we women keep saying at regular intervals. Well, not anymore—courtesy Suprano Laser installed at SkinCity, you will be hair-free and carefree permanently. This technique is apparently so efficient that the process is called Super Hair Removal. Out of sight We all want a body that is hairless and smooth as silk. However, we are all lazy as hell to go and get ourselves waxed. Besides waxing, threading and shaving are painful and have to be done time and again. Well, shaking hands with technology, SkinCity’s Suprano Laser is painless, quick—and yes, it’s permanent too! Your body hair is absolutely not visible and you could put on that sexy, backless dress whenever you feel like. Nothing like it It’s a rare facility available in the city and we all know how rare is precious. Suprano Laser barely takes time, maybe a fraction of the time as compared to other laser technologies to treat a given area because of the speed of the machine.
Since the fact that the treatment is painless, large body parts can be covered quickly with no discomfort to the client. Super benefits Dr Dhepe says, “It’s the speed and comfort experienced with this technology, which allows our clients to treat large body parts.” This makes full body hair removal a cakewalk. It’s happy time for the men as there is no local anesthesia required to due to the thickness and density of hair. It’s no more painful. That’s how it works It’s just as easy as it sounds. A single sitting of Super Hair Removal for the full body takes about three-four hours with highly trained practitioners to carry out the treatments. About eight to twelve sittings does it all. Be assured that this super treatment has no side-effects of any kind. Don’t be pricey Super Hair Removal costs are at par with other laser hair removal treatments, and the speed is another feather added to the hat. “However it works out more economical to have Super Hair Removal done for permanent freedom from unwanted hair than to adopt the lifelong conventional temporary methods like threading and waxing,” adds Dr Dhepe. So now we exactly know where to go head when we are absolutely fed up of hitting the parlor.
The fact is that having or developing any trait that makes an individual not conform to norms detaches him from normal life and makes him self-conscious. Excessive hairiness in men is one such trait that makes them feel self-conscious. Thick coarse hair on face – beard and mustaches – and on arms and legs add […]
Baldness, especially in males, has been a topic of discussion and research for years. The degree and pattern of baldness varies, but it’s most common cause is androgenic alopecia, alopecia androgenetica.
More than 95% of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness. Its incidence varies from population to population and is based on genetic background. Environmental factors do not seem to affect this type of baldness greatly. Approximately 25 percent of men begin balding by age 30; two-thirds begin balding by age 60. Apart from the genetic factor, baldness can be caused by other factors such as lifestyle, health problems and stress. Men typically associate a full head of hair with youth and vigor. Although they may be aware of baldness in their family, many are uncomfortable talking about it as it is a sensitive issue. For sufferers, it can represent a loss of control and feelings of isolation. People experiencing hair thinning often find themselves in a situation where their physical appearance is at odds with their own self-image and commonly worry that they appear older than they are or less attractive to others. Psychological problems due to baldness, if present, are typically most severe at the onset of symptoms. A decline in one’s confidence is the most common psychological effect of baldness. Skin City has one of the very few expert teams in hair transplantation proficient in FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) & FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) methods. The Mantis Stereo microscope is the hallmark and benchmark for quality in hair transplantation, and Skin City is one of the few centers in India to use the mantis microscope lab for the preparation of hair grafts in hair transplantation surgery. Dr. Niteen Dhepe, Director - Skin City, answers some of the most asked questions pertaining to hair transplantation, the most reliable and sought after treatment for baldness :- Q: Why does baldness occur? A: Causes of baldness are different for males and females. In males, who predominantly suffer from it, mostly it's the effect of hormones on the hair follicle that is responsible. Apart from that, there could be other medical conditions responsible for baldness. Q: What are the treatments for baldness? A: There are several options for treatment of baldness depending on the extent and severity, like:The unique Caslite microscopic hair analysis offers a detailed investigation of hair thickness miniaturization and hair length at various scalp areas it is an excellent tool for hair research and diagnosis. Caslite microscopic hair analysis offers a detailed investigation of hair thickness miniaturization and hair length at various scalp areas it is an excellent tool for hair research and diagnosis.
Dark circle refers to conditions that present with relative darkness of the periorbital skin or eyelids. It can affect individuals with a wide range of age, both sexes and all races. It worsens with the aging process of skin sagging and altered subcutaneous fat distribution. It has significant cosmetic concern for female patients and males as well now days.
Excessive Pigmentation
Excessive pigmentation is due to dermal melanocytosis or post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation secondary to some disease like atopic dermatitis. It is seen as slightly brownish curved band along inferior orbital rim. Dermal melanocytosis is due to congenital causes like Nevus of Ota or environmental causes like excessive sun exposure and drug ingestion. Histologicaly characterized by the presence of melanocytes in the dermis.
Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation is due to rubbing or scratching the periorbital area. The causes are air born contact dermatitis, fragrance allergy, atopic dermatitis etc.
Other causes of periorbital hyper pigmentation include Erythema dyschromicum perstans, fixed drug eruption Familial conditions - genetically determined form of hyper-pigmentation involving the periorbital area.
Thin, Translucent Lower Eyelid Skin Overlying The Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Because of thin, translucent lower eyelid the subcutaneous vascular plexus or vasculature contained within the muscle become prominent. The violaceous appearance is more prominent in the inner aspect of the lower eyelids and is usually accentuated during menstruation in females.
Shadowing Due To Skin Laxity And Tear Trough
Another cause of infraorbital dark circles is shadowing due to skin laxity and tear trough associated with aging. Collagen and elastin present in the eyelids and periorbital skin undergo ultraviolet induced and age related degeneration. In addition the damaged epidermis releases collagenases, which further contributes to collagen degeneration resulting in dermatochalasia and periocular rhytides which are common manifestations of aging. Skin laxity due to photo ageing imparts a shadowing appearance on the lower eyelids that results in infraorbital dark circles.
The tear trough is a depression centered over the medial side of the inferior orbital rim. It is also an age-related change due to the loss of subcutaneous fat with thinning of the skin over the orbital rimligament that confers hollowness to the orbital rim area. Combination of the hollowness and the overlying pseudoherniation of the infraorbital fat accentuate the shadow in the tear trough depending on the lighting conditions.
Treatment Options for Dark Circles
Topical Agents:
Chemical Peeling
Chemical peeling is defined as the application of one or more chemical agents that lead to controlled destruction of the skin, resulting in the removal of lesions localized in the epidermis or in the upper dermis.
Peels can be superficial, medium, or deep.
Different peels use around eye for periorbital pigmentation are:
Refinity Peel (Glycolic acid 70%) and Cosmederm Peel (Glycolic acid 50%)
Biphasic Peel: it is composed of two phase in one peeling session. The first phase active ingredients contain a mixture of alpha-hydroxy & beta- hydroxyl acids that help in removing facial blemishes, leaving fresh skin, improving surface and skin tone. The second phase helps in absorption of specific active ingredients effective against pigmentation or controls the progression of premature ageing.
Lasers
Safety should be emphasized when treating dark circles with lasers, because the eye is particularly vulnerable to laser injury. Therefore, use of proper eyewear (goggles, wrap-around glasses, or preferably internal metallic eye shields) is crucial. The retina and the choroid contain the highest concentration of melanin in the body, and eye damage is possible even through closed eyelids. When treatment is necessary near the eyes, a large metal eye shield should be inserted over the Autologous Fat Transplantation And Fillers This modality of treatment is useful when the cause for periorbital darkness is thin and translucent lower eyelid skin overlying the orbicularis oculi muscle. It hides the vascular areas and reduced the transparency of the skin. Use of hyaluronic acid gel to fill the periorbital hollows and restores volume has emerged as a less invasive procedure with good results.
Surgery – Laser Blepharoplasty Trans-conjunctival blepharoplasty is done to remove pseudoherniation of the orbital fat as well as lax skin which reduces the shadowing effects. Removal of excess skin of upper eye lid improves dark circle considerably. Blepharoplasty assisted with Ultra Pulse CO2 Laser is the latest trend in this surgery.
Summary:
1. Multi-factorial in etiology hence find out the cause before you treat.
2. The brown and blue-grey color caused by dermal melanin deposition.
3. Bluish color secondary to the visible dermal capillary network, and shadowing secondary to skin laxity and bulging.
4. When excessive pigmentation is cause, treat with topical bleaching agent, chemical peels and lasers.
5. Dark circles mainly due to the eyelid bulging caused by orbital fat pseudoherniation should be corrected primarily using transconjunctival blepharoplasty.
6. If dark circles are combined with prominent skin laxity, skin tightening or excision is recommended.
7. Autologous fat transplantation may be a treatment option for patients with infraorbital darkening due to prominent vascularity and thin skin.
Scalp coverage is the name of the game in the treatment of baldness. Thicker hair even if less in number have more volume and hence better scalp coverage. The problem arises with thinner hair and a lighter scalp
Micro pigmentation is a technique used to implant small amounts of pigment into the upper layer of the scalp in a dot or line pattern, and this creates an optical illusion of a full scalp even without hair restoration. This is a painless walk in-walk out procedure which takes a few hours and is performed without any anesthesia. Skin City is one of the very few centers to launch this procedure.
In patients with significant hair loss being treated with mesotherapy/ PRP or even hair transplantation, scalp micro pigmentation can be added at the completion of these procedures to give maximum scalp coverage look.
What is Scalp Micropigmentation:
Scalp Micropigmentation (medical hairline tattoo) is the ultimate in non-surgical male and female scalp grooming; an incredible life-changing treatment where natural pigments are applied at the epidermal level of the scalp to replicate the natural appearance of the real hair follicles or strands – depending on your hair loss extent, and desired look.
The human head has on average 2,000 hairs per square inch. When thinning occurs, it can be a depressing time, stigmas attached to balding & premature ageing in both men and women can affect confidence and mood. Scalp Micropigmentation can restore even a completely bald head to look like a full head of well-groomed hair.
The follicle/strand build up of Scalp Micropigmentation normally takes place over 2- 3 sessions, each taking approx 2-3 hours with at least 2 weeks to 1 month between sessions. The process allows for a very gradual and subtle rejuvenation/infill of the hairline, rarely identified even by close friends and family.
During the procedure, topical anaesthetic cream is applied over the area to be treated prior to starting micropigmentation, hence the procedure becomes completely painless. A cartridge containing few very fine needles working in symphony gently inject natural pigment into the 2nd dermal skin layer and Skin City uses the latest innovative technology and the Pigment spacing is determined by replicating the remaining natural hair follicles.
Benefits of Scalp Micropigmentation :
Though there are many types of hair loss treatments available, not all of them work, leaving men suffering hair loss with few options. That’s why scalp micropigmentation is the best course of action for those in this position, because of the numerous benefits this procedure can offer to those suffering from hair loss.
While hair loss may not usually be a threat to your health, it can have devastating effects on your self-image and sense of well-being. Your hair has much more significance than the physiological purpose of regulating your temperature and providing protection for your scalp. For most people, it is a definition of their personality, style, and fashion. When hair loss occurs, it has a damaging effect on our psyche. Your dermatologist is a highly skilled medical professional that diagnoses and treats a wide variety of conditions that can affect the scalp and cause hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss?
The medical term for hair loss is Alopecia but there are many different types and causes. Both men and women may experience it in varying degrees from a slight thinning of the hair to complete baldness.
Examples of the most common hair loss disorders are:
Hair loss may also be the result of underlying health issues such as anemia or thyroid abnormalities. Changes to your hair and scalp might indicate health problems such as diabetes or lupus or any number of other conditions, therefore, it is important that you take sudden changes in your hair seriously.
So, What Should You Do If You Start Losing Your Hair?
The first step in the treatment of hair loss is to determine the cause. Visit your dermatologist to have them examine your hair and scalp and diagnose your disorder. Many forms of hair fall are temporary or can be reversed with the proper medications or therapies. Other forms may cause scarring which can lead to permanent baldness but can be slowed significantly through regular treatment sessions if the process is started early.
To properly diagnose your type of hair fall your dermatologist will ask about your medical history, any recent illnesses you may have had and any medications you may be taking including over the counter medicines. Are you experiencing hair loss on your body as well as your scalp? Your hair care routine is also vital information to share with your doctor. Such things as the hair care products you use, how often you shampoo and whether you color your hair or use a hair dryer are valuable bits of information that can help with your diagnoses. It is useful to bring these products in when you see the dermatologist for a consultation. They will also ask questions about other family members who may also have experienced hair loss to determine your genetic predisposition to baldness. Most diagnoses’ are made through skillful evaluation of your scalp, hair and medical history but occasionally further medical testing is necessary. Again, these tests may include blood work to rule out underlying medical conditions, examination of a hair sample under a microscope or a skin biopsy to evaluate the scalp tissue of the affected area.
Skin City has expertise in using a combination approach to hair fall to minimize the side effects and to improve the safety of the therapies adopted. Skin City is one of the very few centers to give excellent results in hair fall.
‘Hair loss’ the most dreaded words today. Not only because of systemic or physiological reasons like aging, family history or poor diet, but normal life variations such as stress, restlessness, and tension also result in subsequent hair fall; horrifically leading to baldness. Cutting to the chase, let’s talk about overcoming hair fall naturally.
Hair loss can be temporary or long lasting, based on its identification, cause and treatment. However, when the cause isn’t clear, hair loss that was first temporary may become permanent as a result of incorrect diagnosis.
Alopecia is the medical term for excessive or abnormal hair loss. There are different kinds of alopecia. As hair loss is fairly common with both the sexes, symptoms show that there’s something that is going wrong in the body. Hormonal imbalance, stress, pregnancy, medications , diseases or something as fairly simple as genes can be the cause of baldness, also known as Areata. In this situation, hairs often, but not always grow back when the event has passed. There are many types of hair loss, also called alopecia.
Involutional alopecia
The rate of hair growth slows as you age, causing the thickness as well as volume to reduce. In this type of hair loss, the hair follicles gradually go into the telogen (resting) phase and the remaining hair become shorter and less in number, sometimes even brittle.
Telogen effluvium
You may experience temporary hair loss after a stressed episode like childbirth, fever, severe illness, stress or sudden weight loss, which decreases gradually. This happens due to changes in the growth cycle of hair, when a large number of hair go into the resting phase (telogen) at the same time.
Anagen effluvium
Hair shedding and thinning usually occur as the result of exposure to chemicals or toxins (such as cancer treatments) during anagen, the growth phase of the hair lifecycle.
Traction alopecia
Pressure on hair because of particular hairstyles causing small, localized areas a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.
Trichotillomania
Some people have the habit of twisting or pulling their own hair from the scalp and eyelashes. This is referred to as trichotillomania or hair pulling disorder.
Trichorrhexis Nodosa
A defect in hair fibers characterized by fraying and swelling nodes along the hair shaft is the cause of hair to break off easily.
Let us now see the difference in male, female & children baldness pattern is:
For male:
If you experience a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown, you may be suffering from androgenic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness). In this condition, you may experience hair loss in your teens or early 20s. Men may notice hair loss at the top of the scalp and a receding hairline particularly along the temples. The typical pattern forms an ‘M’ shape. Lastly, the hair becomes finer, shorter and thinner creating a U-shaped pattern around the sides of the head. It is a genetically predisposed condition that can affect both men and women.
For female:
If you experience a general thinning of the hair over the entire scalp, extensive hair loss at the crown with your hairline at the front intact, you may be suffering from female pattern baldness. Your hair parting may become wider with time due to hair thinning. You may notice hair thinning in your 20s but you are not very likely to experience noticeable thinning until your 40s or later because the pace of hair loss tends to be gradual.
For children:
When a child or a young adult experiences one - two totally smooth, round patches of hair loss mostly on the scalp, they may be suffering from alopecia areata. The hair loss may also be seen in the eyebrows, arms, legs or facial hair. It is often sudden in onset and the hair usually grows back in six months to a year. However, when the hair grows back in one area, it may fall out in another. In some cases, the hair becomes thinner, while in others, it may grow and break off, leaving short stubs. Alopecia areata is generally considered an autoimmune condition, while alopecia totalis, an extensive form, the entire scalp goes bald.
Scalp conditions and its causes:
Scarring alopecia
It is a permanent loss of hair. Inflammatory skin conditions and other skin disorders often result in scars that destroy the ability to regenerate hair. Hot combs and hair too tightly woven or pulled can also result in permanent hair loss.
Lichen Planopilaris
It is a type of scarring in the scalp that occurs from a skin disease known as lichen planus, which affects areas of the skin with hair. It can cause redness, irritation, and in some cases, permanent hair loss.
Tinea Capitis
In simple words, it’s the ringworm of the scalp, a fungal infection. Hair usually breaks off at areas that are infected causing bald scalp with small black dots. The skin is inflamed, round, scaly areas with pus-filled sores called kerions. It is contagious and can spread from sharing combs and hats. Once the infection is cured, the hair grows back.
If you happen to experience any of the above symptoms, our expert dermatologists at Skin City will aid to your concerns and implement effective treatments.
Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from the head or body. Baldness can refer to general hair loss or male pattern hair loss. Alopecia affects hair growth and can lead to permanent hair loss. Hair loss can be difficult to come to terms with, especially when it comes to your self-esteem. When you lose your hair, you are losing your self-esteem as well. This can affect your confidence and sometimes lead to depression. Let’s understand hair loss in a gist.
Some signs and symptoms are such as:
When to see a Dermatologist?
See a dermatologist, when you are distressed by hair loss and want to pursue treatment. Also, talk to us if you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your hair. Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.
What you can do?
For hair loss, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Before making a diagnosis, your doctor will likely ask you to perform tests, such as the following:
Effective treatments for some types of hair loss are available. But some hair loss is permanent. Treatments for hair loss include medications, surgery, laser therapy, and wigs or hairpieces. The goals of treatment are to promote hair growth, slow hair loss or hide hair loss. Contact Skin City for further clarifications.
Hair grows everywhere on the human skin except on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but many hairs are so fine, that they're virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, which is produced from the hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. As follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about six inches a year. The hair you can see is actually a string of dead keratin cells.
The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hair and it loses up to 100 of them a day; finding few stray hair on your hairbrush is not necessarily a cause for alarm. That's normal, and in most people, those hair grow back. But many men and some women lose hair as they grow older. While daily shedding is normal, people who notice their hair shedding in large amounts after combing or brushing and those whose hair becomes thinner , should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
At any one time, about 90% of the hair on a person's scalp is growing; each follicle has its own life cycle that can be influenced by age, disease, and a wide variety of other factors. This life cycle is divided into three phases:
As people age, their rate of hair growth slows.
Causes of hair loss
Causes of hair loss, some of which are temporary, include:
Psychosocial impact of hair loss
Treatment of hair loss
When you experience acute hair loss and want to pursue a treatment, talk to us and at Skin City, we can help you in regaining lost hair with our wide range of advance services in hair diagnostics, treatments and surgeries.
Mistakenly thought to be a strictly male disease, women actually make up 40% of hair loss sufferers. Hair loss in women can be devastating for the sufferer's self-image and emotional well being.
Unfortunately, it is considered far more acceptable for men to go through the same hair loss process. Since hair loss doesn't appear to be life threatening, most physicians pay little heed to women's complaints .Of course what these physicians don't seem to realize is that it can be just as devastating as any serious disease, and in fact, can take an emotional toll on physical health. Female pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in women.
Causes
Each strand of hair sits in a tiny bulb in the skin called a follicle. In general, baldness occurs when the hair follicle shrinks over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. Eventually, the follicle does not grow new hair. The follicles remain alive, which suggests that it is still possible to grow new hair.
The reason in female pattern baldness may be related to:
Natural history
Without treatment, Female Pattern Hair Loss is a progressive condition; however, it is highly variable. Hair shedding is often episodic. The condition’s unpredictability and relentless progression contributes greatly to the distress of affected women.
Symptoms
Hair thinning is different from that of male pattern baldness. In female pattern baldness:
Diagnosis
Female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on:
The doctor will examine you for other signs of too much male hormone (androgen), such as:
A skin biopsy or other procedures or blood tests may be used to diagnose skin disorders that cause hair loss in some cases. Looking at the hair under a microscope may be done to check for problems with the structure of the hair shaft itself.
Treatment
Hair loss in female pattern baldness is permanent, if not treated. In most cases, hair loss is mild to moderate. You do not need treatment if you are comfortable with your appearance. Treatment for hair loss includes medical management, advanced treatments like mesotherapy, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy and laser stimulation of hair roots. Hair transplant can be done in select patients, though it is more uncommon than in men.
To summarize, Female Pattern Baldness is an under-recognized entity. Significant hair loss is seen in over ¼ of females over the age of 50. Satisfactory cure of this condition requires knowledge of underlying causes, physical co-morbidities, psychological effects, possible differential diagnoses, and the various therapeutic modalities available.
The condition is progressive without treatment, regardless of medication, the response is slow, and requires patience and persistence in both patient and clinician.
Androgenetic alopecia or common male pattern baldness (MPB) accounts for more than 95% of hair loss in men. By the age of 35 two-thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss, and by the age of 50 approximately 85% of men have significant thinning hair. Approximately 25 % of men suffer MPB process before they reach the age of 21.Hair loss affects every aspect of sufferer's life, it affects interpersonal relationships as well as the professional lives of those suffering.
While there are many possible reasons men lose their hair, like serious disease, reaction to certain medications, and in rare cases extremely stressful events, most hair loss in men can be blamed on heredity. What MPB sufferers are actually inheriting their hair follicles with a genetic sensitivity to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT begin to lessen, shortening the lifespan of each hair follicle affected. Eventually, these affected follicles stop producing cosmetically acceptable hair. MPB is generally characterized with the onset of a receding hairline and thinning crown. This pattern eventually progresses into leaving only a rim or "horseshoe" pattern of hair remaining in the more advanced stages of MPB. For some men even this remaining rim of hair can be affected by DHT.
What is DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a derivative or by-product of testosterone. Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha-reductace, which is held in the hair follicle's oil glands. While the entire genetic process of male pattern baldness is not completely understood, it is known that DHT shrinks hair follicles, and that when DHT is suppressed, hair follicles continue to thrive. Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT must be exposed to the hormone for a prolonged period of time in order for the affected follicle to complete the miniaturization process. Today, with proper intervention this process can be slowed or even stopped if caught early enough.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Classic male-pattern hair loss begins above the temples and vertex, of the scalp. As it progresses, a rim of the hair at the sides and at the rear of the head remains. This is referred to as 'Hippocratic wreath', and rarely progresses to complete baldness.
Diagnosis
Typical MPB is usually diagnosed based on the appearance and pattern of the hair loss, along with a detailed medical history, including questions about the prevalence of hair loss in your family. An experienced medical hair loss expert will examine the scalp under magnification, in order to assess the degree of miniaturization of the hair follicles. This assessment is very important when recommending the proper course of treatment.
Treatment
In the past few years, medicine has made tremendous strides in the treatment of men's hair loss. With the advent of medicines and the evolution of surgical hair restoration, for many, living with noticeable hair loss is no longer inevitable. For the first time in the history of mankind, it is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and to replace lost hair through surgery with completely natural results.
Remember, successful treatment of hair loss is greatly dependent on early intervention. It is critical to begin treatment with an effective product as soon as you notice the onset of hair loss.
Hair-raising literally means extremely alarming, astonishing or frightening. It aptly describes the emotions we experience when we first notice the receding hairline or visible scalp in the mirror. Thanks to the huge hair restoration market that has emerged, everyone is now aware of how to restore lost hair. It is, in fact, the most accessible, affordable luxury available on the market, in the looking good department, today says Smita Gautam of SkinCity
People are spoilt for choice as far as the availability of places for hair replacement treatments is concerned. However, when shopping for a suitable place, it is important to go with a reliable surgeon rather than the best price offering. There is a price war waging in the market today and everyone is talking about the cost per graft and not quality assurance. Just getting a bunch of grafts transplanted on your head doesn’t assure you of achieving what you need. Hair transplantation has become a commodity. Many places offering the same are thriving on numbers based on rock bottom prices, much to the detriment of gullible people and to the dismay of an ethical surgeon.
NEW THERAPIES
There are several new treatments available for hair restoration and a good doctor will advise you accordingly. It is important to choose a clinic where all these treatments are available. If you choose a place that offers Hair Transplantation exclusively, that is what you will be sold. Once you have done your research and decided on the place you wish to go to for your hair replacement treatment, the difficult part is over. The treatment itself is as simple as ordering a bag of French fries and coke. In the hands of a good surgeon, you get the best quality grafts and a good follow up routine to give you the best results.
EXPERT ADVICE
Dr. Niteen Dhepe, Medical Director Skin City India is of the opinion, every individual should be treated with a customized approach, following a treatment plan. Surgery is not the first line of treatment for any other problem, then why should it be the first approach in this case? For those of you who have not yet seen that moment of truth in the reflection in the mirror, he says, prevention is better than cure. Nourish your hair with lots of care, oil massages, vitamin supplements, iron rich diet, good cleansing and conditioning. Avoiding stress, chemicals and heat treatments will help you defer or completely avoid balding if it is not a hereditary problem. Good luck on raising your hair, either way! Why have hair-raising days?
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is a procedure where hair is transplanted from the permanent zone, the area in the back and sides of the scalp where hair is more resistant to balding, to the bald or balding areas of the scalp. This is accomplished using naturally-occurring groups of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hairs, called follicular units. After the patient’s scalp is anesthetized, the doctor removes a strip of tissue from the donor area, an area within the permanent zone, and, once extracted, the donor strip is cut into many individual follicular units using microscopic dissection techniques. As these follicular unit grafts are being prepared, the doctor makes tiny holes.in the scalp, called recipient sites, where the grafts are placed.
STEPS OF THE PROCEDURE:
First and the most important step as in any surgery is obtaining a detailed Informed consent from the patient and relatives of the patient.
Anesthesia in Hair Transplantation
The ideal placement of the donor incision is in the mid-part of the permanent zone located in the back and sides of the scalp. This area lies in a band that starts above the occipital protuberance (the bump felt in the middle part of the back of the scalp) and extends to either side in a gentle, upward sloping curve that follows the contour of the scalp.
Trichophytic“Tricho” Closure
In a Trichophytic closure, the surgeons makes the initial incision parallel to the hair follicles and then trims away 1 to 3-mm of tissue of either the upper or lower wound edge (or both), so that the top of the hair follicles at that wound edge are removed. During the “Tricho” closure, the trimmed wound edge is pulled towards the opposite edge so that the bottom parts of the cut hairs are pointing slightly towards the incision (rather than parallel to each other). The goal is that these hairs will eventually grow through the incision and thus decrease the visibility of the scar.
Slivering
The first step in stereo-microscopic dissection is a process called “slivering”. In slivering, the dissector divides the long donor strip into smaller sections of approximately 2-2.5mm in width. The sectioning is accomplished by passing a scalpel blade through the spaces around follicular units, rather than merely cutting directly through the block of tissue. This technique generates smaller pieces of hair bearing tissue without breaking up follicular units and without transecting (cutting) hair follicles.
Graft Preparation:
The dissector then isolates the individual follicular units from these small sections by trimming away excess dermis and fat. The photo shows 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hair follicular units. Hundreds of these individual units are sorted according to the numbers of hairs they contain. They are then stored in Ringer’s lactate solution and refrigerated while waiting placement into the scalp.
Role of Magnification:
One of the most important aspects of Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation is stereo-microscopic dissection. This allows follicular units to be removed from the donor strip without being broken up or damaged. During the dissection, it is critical that the whole follicular unit is kept intact as this will maximize its growth. Intact follicular units will also give the most fullness to the hair restoration, as they contain the full, natural complement of 1-4 hairs. Skin city has the most advanced stereo microscopes named “mantis” which helps us to increase the yield of grafts as well as offers the best graft preparation for FUT.
Recipient site creation
The recipient sites in all of our hair transplant procedures are made using lateral slits (also called coronal or horizontal slits). Generally, there are three different types of incision:
