Electrolysis uses electric current to fry the hair follicles. It is painful and tedious, with weekly treatments that sometimes stretch on for years. The effectiveness is only as good as the electrologist. There are competent electrologists and there are those who go through the motions, plucking the hairs at the end of the treatment. Electrology cannot treat ingrown hairs, and it can result in dreadful scarring if not performed correctly. I believe that this technique will be relegated to the removal of blond and white hairs, since laser hair removal is so much more efficient on darker hairs.
Maintaining Healthy Hair
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredIt'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.
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersA split end develops when the hair's cuticle layer is severely weathered or missing, causing the exposed shaft to fray like a piece of yarn. Wind can cause hair to tangle and make it hard to comb, which can eventually lead to split ends. Give your hair a dose of protection and intense moisture, by using conditioner daily. Regular trims help, too.
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered
Daily environmental wear and tear and a buildup of styling products both contribute to hair looking dry and dull. A mild shampoo will remove residue. But be careful you don't overdo it and strip the hair of all its natural oils. A deep conditioning (leaving the conditioner on for 10 minutes) will give you softness as well as shine.
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Dr. Ellen Marmur, MD , Dermatology, answeredFirst 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. -
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Dr. Arthur W. Perry, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredSee All 2 AnswersAfter hair transplant surgery, the hair follicles will not be sturdy for a few weeks. Most of the hairs will initially enter a resting phase for several months and fall out, but then will start growing again. Results cannot be evaluated before one year. At that time, a second procedure to further increase density can be considered.
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Discovery Health answeredCosts 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. -
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Discovery Health answeredResearchers at a small biotechnology company called AntiCancer, Inc., say it might soon be possible to resuscitate gray hair and even recover hair follicles that have become dormant. These researchers, whose primary work is with cancer patients, are growing types of cancer cells as part of this research.
When the researchers tried to grow normal human skin, they were surprised to see they also produced hair. Then they began to screen for molecules that modify hair growth. The researchers found that liposomes (which are synthetic microscopic phospholipid spheres) selectively and efficiently target molecules to the hair follicle cells.
The results show that highly selective, safe gene therapy for the hair growing process is feasible. Methods might be possible to treat baldness or to artificially darken hair that has turned gray -- all with a safe and relatively straight forward procedure. -
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Discovery Health answeredHair 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. -
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Lisa Marie Rosati , Herbal Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersHair health has many determining factors. Hair should look shiny and without split ends. Some ideas on how to attain healthly air are:
- Eat a varied and healthy diet rich with fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Drink lots of water every day.
- Avoid over processing hair with chemicals or hair color, such as checmical straightening, hair bleaching or too many highlights.
- Excessive washing of hair and high heat blowdrying and/or straightening irons will damage hair if not used properly.
- Get regular trims to remove split ends.
- My personal secret for healthy and shiny hair is to massage Coconut Oil into my hair and leave it in for approximately 1 hour. Then I shampoo and style as usual. I do this once a month.