Sunflower and Jojoba Oil Light Conditioner – (No.6)
This is a light conditioner containing sunflower oil, jojoba oil and glycerine to aid the spread of natural oils over the surface of the hair and leave it feeling softer and more manageable.
Directions for use: Apply a little conditioner after shampooing. Work well into the hair, avoiding the scalp, then rinse well.
Answer: Certain hairstyles can contribute to hair loss, most notably styles involving tight braids or pull-backs. This form of hair loss is called traction alopecia. This occurs when the hair is pulled tightly back and fastened at the base of the skull, or braided into tight braids or rows. Exposure to this type of hairstyle over long periods can result in a scarring alopecia, with no potential for regrowth.
We recommend the use of Vitastim, in all cases for best results.
Why children who braid it like Beckham risk losing hair
David Rose
Girls who plait their hair too tightly or scrape it back in braids or a ponytail may be at risk of permanent hair loss, researchers suggest.
Hairstyles such as corn rows or braids and those that require chemical straighteners, weaves or hair extensions can damage hair and cause bald patches over time, the British Journal of Dermatology reports today.
Related diseases of the scalp, skin and hair are thought to affect people of African descent particularly. However, dermatologists have underlined the dangers of excessive treatment or scraping back for any hair type.
The tight bun styles favoured by ballet dancers, the corn rows once sported by David Beckham or the dramatic “Croydon facelift” look parodied by Vicky Pollard, the Little Britain character, could all potentially cause problems, they said.
A study of nearly 2,000 adults and children in South Africa found that one in seven schoolgirls and a third of women were suffering from “traction alopecia”, hair loss thought to be caused by excessive and prolonged pulling of the hair.
One in ten African men was found to have a skin disorder known as “acne keloidalis nuchae”, which can cause pimples, scarring and hair loss at the back of the head.
The researchers, from the University of Cape Town, linked the condition to the frequent close-shave haircuts that are popular among black men, but said that they could also increase the risk of blood-borne infections.
Hair loss was found to be more common in children whose hair had been chemically “relaxed” or straightened to form a ponytail. One in five children with relaxed hair had traction alopecia, against just one in twenty of those with natural hair.
In adults, hair loss was found to be more likely among women with either “relaxed” hair or braided natural hair, as against natural hair without braids; and it was most common when the hair was relaxed and also had extensions (such as braids or weaves) attached. “This suggests that relaxed hair may be weakened and less resistant to traction, such as is caused by attaching extensions to the hair,” the researchers write.
Men’s haircuts were found to be shorter, more frequent and more likely to cause accidental cuts and bleeding, which could lead to skin problems or infections, the researchers said.
One of the authors, Dr Nonhlanhla Khumalo said: “Traction alopecia is common in women and girls, particularly when relaxed hair has braids, extensions or weaves attached. This can cause unsightly hair loss.
“AKN [acne keloidalis nuchae] appears more common in men who frequently cut their hair, and is linked to haircut-associated symptoms, such as pimples, crusts and bleeding. To achieve the shortest possible haircut, electric shavers are often dug into the scalp. The possible risk for blood-borne disease transmission, such as viral hepatitis and HIV, associated with such haircuts needs to be quantified and nonmechanical methods of cutting hair may be safer.”
The study found that a further 7 per cent of women aged over 50 years had central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia – permanent hair loss that spreads from the centre of the scalp. While hair relaxers are thought to play a part in this, the exact cause is unknown.
Andrew McDonagh, a consultant dermatologist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, said yesterday that the findings confirmed previous anecdotal evidence that traction alopecia could be caused by particular hair styles.
“We see a number of black patients with traction alopecia each year and it’s recognised to be a major problem, especially in the US where there is a large black population,” he said. “But you see other patients with the condition, who may have treated their hair or worn it pulled back from the scalp.”
I have recently given birth and my baby is 3 month old. I am experiencing some hair lost problem. I am told this is temporary due to the hormone changes in my body but I kind of worry as I generally do not have thick hair. Can you advise me what can I do to reduce the hair fall lost during this period.
During pregnancy, because of hormonal changes, your hair is probably at its best.The growth (Anagen) stage is normally prolong. Henceforth after childbirth, the hormonal changes reverse back, thus the accumulated amount of hair falls; that should have fallen during pregnancy. The hair that are due to fall, will fall, but your concern should be on the regrowth. Clean, healthy scalp with balanced diet would help, however, telephone and speak directly to one of our Trichologist in The Hair Centre for advise and they will assist to strengthen and nourish hair roots, giving your hair the best texture.
Answer: Hair is made in tiny pockets in the skin called hair follicles. Each scalp hair has a normal life cycle. Most scalp hairs last about three years and grow about 1 cm a month. After a period of time: approximately three years, each hair on the scalp comes to the end of its life cycle and falls out. The hair follicle rests for a short while. It then starts to generate a new hair.
All the hairs on the scalp are at different stages in their life cycle. At any one time about 1 in 100 scalp hairs are at the end of their life cycle and are ready to fall out. This is why you will commonly find a few hairs on your shoulders and pillow, and some hairs fall out each time you wash your hair: on average about 80 to 120 a day can be seen by the naked eye.
If you are concerned about the amount of hair that you are currently losing why not call 0207 976 6868 and speak to one of our trichologist who will be happy to help and advise you.
