Call Us On 0207 152 4473

For a FREE Hair Assessment Call

PLEASE CALL 0207 152 4473


Blog

Scalp Cooling to Prevent Chemotherapy – Induced Hair Loss.

24.09.2007 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Hair loss, a side effect of some types of chemotherapy, is a very negative experience for some patients.

Scalp hypothermia (scalp cooling) is one approach used to prevent hair loss. The most common types of scalp hypothermia involve the use of either a pre-cooled cap or a cooling system that con-tinuously cools a cap. Cooling must be started approximately 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy and must continue for 30 to 90 minutes after the conclusion of treatment. The target group for scalp hypothermia is estimated to be at least 2 000 patients per year, ie, patients with metastatic cancer who receive the types of chemotherapy associated with a high risk for hair loss.

PRIMARY QUESTION:

This assessment is based on a systematic literature review. Does scalp hypothermia prevent, or reduce the extent of, hair loss from chemotherapy?
 

PATIENT BENEFIT: 

Several studies, most of which included a very small number of patients, found that scalp hypothermia helped prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Several different types of chemotherapy, in various combinations, were studied. Different degrees of hypothermia were used, and different assessment criteria were applied. The percentage of patients in the study group who were able to keep their hair ranged from 10 percent to 100 percent, while the corresponding figures in the control group ranged between 0 percent and 19 percent. Apprehension about increased risk for scalp metastases has restricted the use of the method. This risk appears to be small, but the evidence is limited. Theoretically, the method could create a reservoir in the cooled scalp where circulating cancer cells might avoid the effects of chemotherapy. The magnitude of this risk is unknown since patients in the studies have not been followed up for a sufficient period to make this determination. Although the method causes some discomfort to the patient, most patients accept this in order to avoid hair loss.

ECONOMIC ASPECTS:

The costs for scalp hypothermia are comprised of equipment costs, particularly devices for continuous hypothermia, and costs related to additional working hours and longer treatment sessions. No studies were identified that addressed the cost effectiveness of the method. 

SBU’s appraisal of the evidence
There is moderately strong scientific evidence that scalp hypothermia reduces the extent of hair loss when treating solid tumors with various non-taxane chemotherapies alone or in combination (Evidence Grade 2)*. There is limited scientific evidence showing that the method also reduces the extent of hair loss in taxane or taxane-based combination chemotherapy (Evidence Grade 3)*. There is no scientific documentation on the cost effectiveness of the method. Further studies of patient benefit, risks, and cost effectiveness are needed.

*Grading of the level of scientific evidence for conclusions.
The grading scale includes four levels;
Evidence grade 1 = strong scientific evidence,
Evidence grade 2 = moderately strong scientific evidence,
Evidence grade 3 = limited scientific evidence,
Evidence grade 4 = insufficient scientific evidence.
sbu alert – early assessment of new health technologies • www.sbu.se/alert

Direct link to Assessment Of New Health Technologies:

http://www.sbu.se/Filer/Content0/publikationer/3/SBU_Alert_Scalp_Cooling_to_Prevent_ChemotherapyInduced_Hair_Loss_200506.pdf

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Please like & share:
no comment

Hair Loss: Does Saw Palmetto Work In The Battle Against Hair Loss?

30.08.2007 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Question: Does Saw Palmetto Work?

Answer: Saw Palmetto botanical name is Serenoa Repens. This plant extract is also known as Sabal or Permixon. Saw Palmetto has been used to treat an enlarged prostate in the same way as Proscar. Biostim has a strong Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) base. It is used in the Biostim formulations to treat Androgenetic Alopecia.

Link to further information on Saw Palmetto and Biostim:

http://www.thewestminsterpractice.com/medical_breakthrough.asp

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Please like & share:
no comment

What is Tretinoin? Does It Prevent Hair Loss?

30.08.2007 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Question: What is Tretinoin?

Answer: Tretinoin is the generic term for Retin A, a vitamin A derivative. Tretinoin was first used with Minoxidil back in the 1980’s as an early but reasonably effective hair regrowth stimulant. The two medications were blended together for early testing of topical application for hair loss and were FDA approved before the advent of Regaine over the counter. Tretinoin causes heavy scaling and dandruff amongst all patients and was quickly superseded by the next generation of private prescription drugs which used a combination theraphy on Minoxidil plus MPG (Medroxyprogestrone).

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Please like & share:
1 comment

What is DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)? How Does It Cause Hair Loss?

30.08.2007 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Question: What is DHT?

Answer: DHT is the conversion of the male hormone Testosterone into DHT or Dihydrotestosterone in the skin tissue of the body. The enzyme 5 alpha reductase converts testosterone into its more potent form DHT. DHT is responsible for causing hair loss known as Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia) and for stimulating the growth of body hair in general. Genetic hair loss can be treated successfully by the us of treatments like Propecia (which has side effects) or Biostim (which does not have any side effects).

Read Medical Breakthrough link for further information on Biostim:

http://www.thewestminsterpractice.com/medical_breakthrough.asp

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Please like & share:
no comment

Healthy Hair – We are what we eat!

08.08.2007 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Healthy Hair Diet Sheet  

IMPROVEMENT DIET FOR INCREASING YOUR VITAMIN INTAKE
BY TARGETING NATURAL SOURCES.

The following is a list of foods which are particularly rich in certain important vitamins and is an aid to improving your general diet and thereby the health of your hair.

You should attempt to eat several of the foods listed here in any given day, and a food from each category at least three times in any one week.

Each food listed here is an extraordinarily rich source of at least one vitamin.  Variety is the key to dietary success.

Vitamin A

Pig
Sheep
Ox liver
Fortified margarine
Eggs
Herring and salmon
Butter
Cheese

Vitamin D

Kippers
Butter
Fortified margarine
Tuna
Sardines
Pilchards
Eggs

Vitamin C

Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Broccoli tops
Cauliflower
Spinach
Tomatoes
Green peppers
Watercress
Mustard cress
Parsley
Oranges
Grapefruit
Strawberries
Blackcurrants
Raspberries
Blackberries

Vitamin B1

Pork and beef
Fish
Peas
All green vegetables
Eggs
Lamb 

Vitamin B2

Spinach Eggs Beans Pork
Beef
Lamb
Cheese
Marmite
Bovril
Liver
Kidney
Breakfast cereal

Nicotinic Acid

Beef
Pork
Cheese
Fish
Broccoli
Maize
Tomatoes

Vitamin B5

Pork Peas Beef
Eggs Potatoes

Vitamin B6

Salmon Bananas Eggs
Liver
Spinach
Potatoes

Pantothenic Acid

Beef Eggs
Pork
Potatoes
Fish
Peas
Beans
Orange juice

Folic Acid

Ox kidney
Eggs
Spinach
Cabbage
Lettuce
Broccoli
Asparagus
Beets

Vitamin B12

Ox liver Ox kidney
Herrings
Egg yolk
Pig’s heart

Biotin

Chicken Rice
Pork
Lamb
Beef
Eggs
Fish

Potatoes are mentioned only when the absence of better sources makes them of significant importance.
Vitamin contents of potatoes vary greatly with variety, season, storage and cooking methods.

Occasionally, one of the above foods may not actually be a very rich source of the particular vitamins under which it is listed, but is included to provide an adequate variety or choice.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Please like & share:
no comment