Maintaining Healthy Hair

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• QHow can I keep my hair healthy?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  

  Healthy hair always looks shiny and young. Want to know how you can keep your hair young?
  
  Watch the video to find out from Dr. Oz what you can do to keep your hair healthy.
  
  
  

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• QWhat can I expect during recovery from hair transplant surgery?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  After hair replacement surgery, you may experience some pain or discomfort. Doctors say this will be mild and should respond to pain medication. Most surgeons tell you to refrain from wearing a wig or hairpiece, at least for the first two weeks after surgery.
  
  Hair transplant veterans say the toughest part is being patient. It will take time to see the full results of your surgery. Because of the manipulation involved, hairs in the larger grafts usually are shed. Re-growth then usually begins in two to six months. The hairs in smaller grafts usually continue to grow immediately after surgery and will keep growing as if they were in their original, non-balding location.
  
  All hair replacement surgery patients need to be realistic. Don't expect a "full head" of hair. Surgery has only redistributed the hair remaining on your scalp to the best cosmetic advantage. Sometimes, a few grafts can produce fewer hairs but almost all will produce some hair.
  
  It can take several weeks for the grafts to become firmly anchored. Be very careful while grooming your hair. Three days after the procedure, gentle daily shampooing may begin. For the first few weeks, use only a very mild, non-medicated shampoo.
  
  Getting back to your normal daily routine depends on the length of your surgery, the complexity of the surgery as well as the type of surgery you've had. Some patients feel well enough to head back to work and to resume normal, light activity in a matter of days.

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• QWhat is electrolysis?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Electrolysis is a hair removal system that works by inserting a thin needle into the skin, targeting hair follicles. During galvanic electrolysis, direct-current electricity flows through the needle directly into the hair follicle. In thermolytic electrolysis, or thermolysis, heat, which is produced via high-frequency alternating current, handles the task. The two methods can also be used in tandem.
  
  Seek a physician’s assistance for medical concerns.

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• QWhat foods can help strengthen hair?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Any well-balanced diet should contain a substantial amount of protein but this is particularly true for those looking to improve the state of their hair. Try eating protein-rich beans for stronger, healthier hair that won’t break.
  
  This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com

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• QWhat can a doctor do to treat unwanted hair?

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  A Dr. Ellen S. Marmur, MD , Dermatology, answered

  First a doctor will rule out any medical condition that may be causing hormonal hair growth. The growth of lots of vellus hair, for example, can be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
  
  Dermatologists employ nonablative lasers (the kind that don't damage the epidermis) to dramatically reduce hair permanently. Most people see a reduction of 80 percent. (Some become 100 percent hairfree, but that's not the norm.) But hair is tenacious and continues to develop over time. Laser hair reduction is remarkably effective, depending upon the color of the patient's skin and hair and the texture of the hair. Because the laser zones in best on dark pigment in the hair matrix, the ideal patient has fair skin with dark hair. Lighter skin has less melanin to absorb the laser energy, and all the heat can go straight to the follicle without burning the skin. Coarse hair is also much easier for the laser to target since it's larger and has more pigment. Fair, fine hair doesn't respond well to laser removal. Because the laser energy targets melanin (in both the follicle and the skin), it can cause pigmentation problems for darker, more melanocytic complexions. For olive or darker skin tones, a laser with a longer wavelength and a longer pulse duration (such as an Nd:Yag) has less potential to harm or discolor the skin.
  
  For people with fine hair that's either blond or red and won't respond to a laser, electrolysis is a viable option. A very fine needle is inserted into the individual hair follicle and emits an electric current that literally destroys it. The results are permanent, but the process is painstaking and painful. If you have three or four hairs or a small patch of hair to address, this can be a great alternative.
• QWhat damages hair?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  It's all too easy to damage your delicate hair, especially when it's exposed to the cruel world -- and a bunch of harsh, everyday practices that people partake in without realizing how hostile they're being to the innocent (and precious) hair on their head. Specifically, many people damage their hair during the maintenance and styling process, often without even knowing it. Here are the four major damagers:

  • Excessive combing -- Over time, excessive combing and brushing, especially on wet hair, can cause the delicate cuticle scales to lift and, in extreme cases, peel away. Forget those 100 strokes a night. The idea was to move oil from scalp into hair to give it shine. But if you comb aggressively when hair is wet, it will be damaged.
  • Using the wrong tools -- Using the wrong combs and brushes (a wide-toothed comb is best), especially on fragile, chemically treated hair, can remove the cuticle layer in large portions, creating porous and dull hair strands.
  • Backcombing and teasing -- Backcombing and teasing are extremely harmful, since they tug in the opposite direction of the cuticle scales, which can eventually rip them off, leaving the inner cortex exposed.
  • Heated Appliances -- When too hot, or used on wet hair, heated appliances can actually cause hair to boil, creating permanent welts that weaken and dull the hair shaft and set the stage for breakage. Never use ceramic appliances on wet hair. If possible do not blow dry hair.
• QHow often should I cut my hair?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Hair grows out in a linear fashion from the depths of the hair follicles. Consequently, the end of each hair represents the oldest part of the hair shaft. It stands to reason that, as the oldest part of each hair, the ends have been exposed to more damaging circumstances than the younger parts. Over time, hair tends to break down, particularly at these oldest terminal ends. This occurs more quickly and completely in chemically treated hair and can result in fraying of the ends of hair shafts, generally termed "split ends." Since damaged hair cannot be repaired, removing these split ends every three or four weeks can help with overall hair health and appearance. In the absence of obvious hair damage, the frequency with which one cuts his or her hair is largely a matter of preference.

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• QHow much does hair replacement surgery cost?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Costs for hair transplant surgery can vary from $4,000 for a mild case of hair loss to over $20,000 for extensive hair loss. Cost depends on the amount of surgery required. In other words, flap surgery, scalp reduction surgery and tissue expansion surgery will cost more. Still, some surgeons claim the cost of hair replacement surgery is comparable to the cost or maintenance and replacement of good hairpieces.
  
  Some patients need surgical touch-up procedures to create more natural-looking results. This will be clear after the incisions have healed. Sometimes, this involves filling-in of the hairline using mini-grafts, micro-grafts or slit grafts. If you've had a flap procedure, sometimes a small bump called a "dog ear" might remain visible on the scalp. The doctor can surgically remove this after complete healing. It's usually best to anticipate the need for a touch-up procedure. That way, your surgeon can predict how extensive follow-up surgery is likely to be. You can factor all this into your estimated cost.
  
  Typically, medical insurance will not cover hair replacement procedures. Check with your insurance company regarding possible reimbursement. Many surgeons offer payment plans. Some companies specialize in loans for hair replacement surgery.
• QWhat can I do about split ends?

  2 Answers

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  The hair shaft grows in a linear fashion from the depths of the hair follicle. Consequently, the end of each hair represents the oldest part of the hair shaft. It stands to reason that, as the oldest part of each hair, the ends have been exposed to more damaging circumstances than the younger part of the hair shaft nearer to the hair follicle. Over time, hair tends to break down, particularly at these oldest ends. This occurs more quickly and completely in chemically treated hair and can result in fraying of the ends of hair shafts, generally termed "split ends." Since damaged hair cannot be repaired, removing these split ends every three or four weeks can help with overall hair health and appearance.

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• QIs hair replacement surgery for me?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Hair replacement surgery can improve appearances and boost self-confidence. Still, the results won't necessarily measure up to your ideal. When deciding whether to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations. Discuss them with your surgeon. It is very important to understand, all hair replacement techniques use your existing hair. Surgical procedures can help find the most efficient uses for the hair you have.
  
  Hair replacement surgery cannot help everyone. If you have a patchy hair loss called alopecia areata (which can include total scalp hair loss or total body hair loss) you are not a candidate for hair transplant surgery.
  
  Generally, hair replacement candidates need healthy hair growth at the back and on the sides of the head to serve as donor areas. Grafts or flaps of scalp and hair will be taken from those areas. Hair color, texture and waviness or curliness also can be factors that affect the outcome of hair replacement surgery.
  
  If you are concerned about hair loss or baldness, see a qualified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon or plastic surgeon. This will determine the cause of the hair loss. Knowing the cause will eliminate certain replacement strategies. At that point, an experienced surgeon can help you to decide which procedure will be best for you.