Causes.

Today, the World Health Organization defines health as more than the absence of sickness and physical disability. It is also a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Usually, a healthy diet, exercise, a balanced lifestyle and a positive mental attitude are sufficient for attaining this ideal we call health. Sometimes, however, the strongest will power and the healthiest of lifestyles are not enough to overcome the inconveniences of nature.

In the traditional medical sense, inconveniences such as an unattractive face, obesity, or premature baldness do not fall under the heading of sickness. They do not, after all, pose a threat to one's life. They can though, lead to a deterioration of one's self image, and result in decreased productivity.

In fact, appearance has become important in all our lives. For both men and women, an attractive, youthful appearance can provide the confidence needed to fully develop our personalities, to motivate us to instill in us the psychic and physical vigor that gives us a zest for our everyday activities. In short, it can be crucial to our success both socially and in business.

Appearance related deficiencies traditionally forsaken by medicine are not without remedies. Specialist in cosmetic medicine and surgery can now correct these harmful flaws and, in most cases improve the health and psychic balance of their patients. Therefore it is unacceptable that correctable deficiencies be permitted to lower self-esteem and create feelings of inferiority. Loss of hair, because it is so common and obvious, tops the list of defects, which have a damaging effect on personality. Fortunately, important progress has been made in this area, as in all fields of medicine and even though the long awaited "magic hair potion" has yet to be discovered, new technologies have emerged.

Today most men and women suffering from abnormal hair loss can be helped.

TYPES OF HAIR LOSS (Alopecia) The patters of incidence, etiology, and physical dynamics of Alopecia are well established in scientific literature. Predisposition to hair loss is usually inherited, though other physiological and behavioral characteristics as well as certain disease factors undoubtedly influence the degree to which the inherited trait is expressed. They may, in fact, cause hair loss themselves. While most people are familiar with the so called male pattern Alopecia there are other causes of hair loss and increasing number of women and teenagers suffer from Alopecia. Because the causes are so numerous, our discussion will be limited to the most common ones.

MALE PATTERN BALDNESS (MPB) Affecting nearly 75% of the males in North America, "Male Pattern Baldness" is by far the most common form of Alopecia. MPB also affects a fair amount of women, though they are more likely to suffer a more diffuse form of hair loss called "diffuse Alopecia." In either case, inherited factors are involved.

ETIOLOGY (Causes) Male hormones and heredity: Primarily affecting males, MPB is caused by the destroying effect of male hormones (androgen) on the hair follicle in a very typical area of the scalp known as the male pattern baldness area. Different stages can be observed, but when the last stage has been reached the head can be compared to a billiard ball with a fringe of hair. Why that fringe persists and is not also destroyed by the male hormones is a mystery. It does, however help explain the success of hair transplants involving the relocation of hairs from the fringe region to some denuded area of the MPB. Once transplanted these hairs never fall out again.

Since many sufferers of MPB were observed to exhibit strong masculine characteristics (hairy chests, muscular bodies, and above average sexual performance) it was once believed that MPB resulted from excess production of male hormones. This theory was weakened though, when medical research showed that, while 30% of MPB sufferers indeed had above average androgen levels, 70% did not. From these and later studies, it became obvious that both male hormone levels and heredity play major roles in MPB. To suffer from MPB, one must inherit from the paternal and or maternal side, genetic factors which make hair follicle in the MPB area more vulnerable to the negative action of male hormones present in blood circulation through the scalp. Genetic predisposition acts as the dominant trait. That is when the hair is present in an individual genetic structure some degree of excessive hair loss will almost certainly occur. At the present time the hormone heredity theory is universally accepted in medical circles as the underlying cause of

MPB the hormone heredity theory is reinforced by the following medical observations: even though women often damage their hair with strong colorants' too frequent or too strong perms and excessively long and hot drying sessions, they rarely suffer from MPB these abusive habits usually give women's hair a very unhealthy look and can cause abnormal hair loss, however the most logical explanations that women do not produce many male hormones, and that with normal production of female hormones, they are somewhat protected from MPB During menopause or following an ovariectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries), though, production of female hormones is lowered, and if no compensating hormonal therapy is prescribed, women also tend to suffer from MPB Certain attempts to fight abnormal hair loss in males have met with some success.

Through the use of substantial amounts of female hormones, male hormones have been neutralized. Except in rare cases of sex change, however, the feminizing side effects likely to occur from this treatment are unacceptable. While it may not be immediately recognizable, MPB usually appears and continues to develop shortly after puberty. This is related to the tremendous increase in male hormone production at this age. In fact, hair loss is at its peak when the highest levels of male hormones flow through the body, typically between the ages of 18 and 30. After age 45, the hormone level decreases and the rate of abnormal hair loss appears to diminish as well, returning to normal around the age of 50. At this age, MPB may be said to be stabilized by nature. That is, if there is any hair left by then.

A sudden stop in abnormal hair loss is achieved in males when treatment for cancer of the testicles or prostate involves castration. Administration of a new anti male hormone drug, which suppresses the production of male hormones) achieves similar results. These measures are extreme and their serious side effects are not justified by cosmetic objectives.

DUE TO DISEASES Specific diseases of the scalp In many cases, diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis (characterized by too oily hair, dandruff and or puritis (itchiness) psoriasis, eczema and the mysterious Alopecia. aerata or totalis can cause abnormal hair loss. Usually, once an exact diagnosis is made appropriate treatment can be recommended.

SYSTEMIC DESEASES In cases of systemic disease, the underlying cause must be corrected by an appropriate treatment. It should be noted that most such cases are temporary in nature, and once abnormal conditions are alleviated, the hair may be expected to grow again within a short period of time.

SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS Defined as excessive secretion by the sebaceous glands of the scalp and skin. Seborrheic Dermatitis is always associated with MPB Normally functioning to lubricate the skin, scalp, and hair, these glands can over do it", and become serious aggravating factors in the evolution of MPB There are typically two main reasons why these glands become overactive.

INFLUENCE OF MALE HORMONES Male hormones stimulate the activity of the sebaceous glands and this is why for example male teenagers suffer more severely from acne and are left more deeply scarred than females.

DRYING OF THE SCALP The scalp may undergo a continuous drying effect as the result of detergent shampoos, electrical blow drying, perms and strong colorants, and often a well known physiological reaction is triggered. Called the "Compensation Mechanism", this reaction is best exemplified when after the removal of one lung from a patient, the other lung hypertrophies to compensate. This same reaction is seen in the scalp. If the scalp becomes too dry, its' sebaceous glands will try to compensate and will activate themselves in order to lubricate the dry scalp.

The patient then reacts by attempting to wash this ugly, oily invasion from the hair, thereby perpetuating a vicious circle. In the end the scalp becomes the equivalent of a producing oil well.

The over production of oil forms a coating on the scalp that, at the same time, blocks the skin pores. At a deeper level, the oil accumulates around hair follicles, acting as fatty barrier and interfering with the proper nutrition of the follicles. If already weakened by the destroying action of male hormones, the follicles will be even more susceptible to this new complication and the hair loss process will be accelerated. Detergent shampoos will be responsible for drying of the skin, but while they are an unhealthy habit, they are a habit we become use to because they are inexpensive, pleasant to use, and bring a result that, at least for the short term, is satisfactory.

Today multiple forms of detergent shampoos - for dry, normal, and oily hair - have created an entirely new breed of Seborrheic dermatitis. There is a saying "Detergent shampoo is to hair loss what sugar is to tooth decay."

AGGRAVATING FACTORS IN MPB Factors including scalp disorders, stress, systemic diseases, drugs, deficient diet, and others can all contribute to the acceleration of already abnormal hair loss.

PREVENTION AND CORRECTION OF ABNORMAL HAIR LOSS Because no Magic hair potion has yet been discovered, we now choose to attack the problem of hair loss from many angles. This global approach utilizes all the efficient but safe methods and medications known to the world today, and with them we achieve the following objectives:

To reduce and arrest abnormal hair loss To restore, maintain and or improve the quality of hair and scalp.

In many instances we have improved upon these methods of treatment while, at the same time creating our own. As a result our system required years of research, study, and testing. Indeed we have evaluated numerous methods, which have claimed any degree of success, and we have established the true measure of their effectiveness and safety. And because our system involves such comprehensive therapy, we believe it is unique in its' ability to control abnormal hair loss.

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