hair growth Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Articles Tagged with: hair growth

April 5, 2021

Can Olive Oil Stimulate Eyelash Growth?

Lots of people (yes, mostly women) spend lots of time trying to grow thick, lustrous eyelashes. Mascara and other cosmetics can do the trick, at least temporarily. But some very preliminary research (as well as beauty bloggers and YouTubers) suggests that the road to fuller eyelashes doesn’t run through the make-up aisle. Instead, head over to the olive oil section.

While it is important to note that there is no definitive proof that applying olive oil to eyelashes will stimulate eyelash growth, it is an intriguing approach that doesn’t pose any downsides or risks.

Why Would Olive Oil Help Grow Eyelashes?

Olive oil’s potential benefits for eyelash growth come from its abundance of fatty acids, including linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. With potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, plenty of people around the world swear by olive oil for fatty acids’ alleged benefits to hair and skin.

Here is how olive oil’s fatty acids may help hair growth:

Oleic acid helps regulate sebum production, which keeps away bacteria and hydrates the eyelids leading to healthier eyelash follicles.
Palmitic acid acts as an emollient that can help soften the skin or eyelashes.
Linoleic acid helps keep hair follicles healthy by encouraging skin cell turnover to prevent clogged or dead hair follicles.”

Research On Olive Oil and Eyelash Growth

Some research, including a 2018 study of mice, suggests that safflower oil, which like olive oil, is high in linoleic acid, may also encourage hair growth.

Another study from 2015 concluded that applying oleuropein to the skin of mice helped regulate their hair growth.

But these effects on humans are inconclusive and need further research. Additionally, the processing olives undergo after picking can impact the amount of oleuropein any given bottle of olive oil contains.

How To Use Olive Oil On Your Eyelashes

If you want to give olive oil a go on your eyelashes, here’s how to do it:

Before going to bed, lightly dip a clean mascara brush in some olive oil.
Lightly coat the top layer of your lashes from root to tip along the lash line.
Wash it off when you wake up in the morning.
Repeat daily (or as directed by your dermatologist) for several weeks.

The typical eyelash growth cycle lasts between 30 to 60 days, at which point hair rests before falling out. That means you can expect to see results within two to four months. Please note: we do not advocate trying this without consulting a hair loss physician first!

Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation Today

At the Miami Hair Institute, our world-renowned hair restoration physicians diagnose and treat hair loss using the most effective and cutting-edge approaches. We have helped tens of thousands of patients regain their hair and their confidence through advanced hair restoration surgical techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments.

To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

November 18, 2019

Top 5 Benefits of Using Lemon For Hair Growth

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or, instead of quenching your thirst, you could use those lemons to strengthen and improve the health of your hair, stem hair loss, and even help your hair grow.

Those little yellow packages contain a lot of beneficial elements that promote hair health. By applying lemon juice directly to your hair and scalp, you can take advantage of nature’s power in a way that can help you in your fight against thinning hair.

How Lemons Promote Stronger Hair & Potential Hair Growth

Here are the top five reasons you should start squeezing those lemons if you want healthier hair:

Robust collagen production is essential to hair growth, and vitamin C can help ensure that you have a healthy amount. Lemons contain tons of vitamin C which boosts collagen production.
Lemons contain many other nutrients that strengthen the hair follicles and encourage new hair growth.
Naturally acidic, lemon juice can deeply cleanse the scalp and hair follicles, restore healthy pH levels, and remove build-up of product, oils, and pollutants.
Dandruff, in addition to being annoying and unattractive, can interfere with normal hair growth. Lemons have natural anti-fungal properties that can keep dandruff under control.
The anti-oxidants and other nutrients present in lemon juice also help to grow hair from even from dormant hair follicles.

How to Use Lemon For Hair Growth

To harness the power of lemons for hair growth, cut a fresh lemon in half and squeeze out the juice from one of the halves. Mix the juice with a little bit of water, apply to the scalp, and gently massage into the scalp and hair for five minutes. Let the juice mixture sit on your scalp for eight to ten more minutes before rinsing it off, shampooing, and conditioning. Repeat once or twice a week.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

While lemons are wonderful and can certainly help improve the strength and appearance of your hair and encourage hair growth, it likely won’t be the cure-all if you are experiencing significant hair loss. At the Miami Hair & Skin Institute, our world-renowned physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering from hair loss regain their hair and their confidence.

To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

Most Common Causes of Hair Loss & Hair Thinning

January 14, 2019

Hair Loss Basics – Hair Anatomy

Hair Loss Basics – Hair Anatomy The human body is an incredibly complicated machine, and its myriad processes and functions are still being researched and understood. Look beneath the surface of even the seemingly simple aspects of our anatomy and you’ll find intricate structures and multipart growth and development cycles. There is no better example of this than the human hair. One hair may not seem like much, but there is much more going on than it may appear.

Hair Structure

Each human hair consists of three distinct parts:

The shaft. This is the part of the hair we can see above the surface of the scalp. Each shaft has three layers. The innermost layer, the medulla, doesn’t have any particular function. But the second layer, the cortex is extremely functional and vital. It is comprised of the durable protein keratin which gives hair its strength and durability, as well as its ability to uptake water. The outer layer, the cuticle, protects the shaft and helps it repel water.
The follicle. This tube-like pouch laying just below the surface of the skin anchors the shaft and attaches it to the skin.
The hair root. The hair root attaches hair to the base of the follicle. The root is where hair actually grows and is nourished by blood capillaries.

Hair Growth Cycle

Like every other part of the body, hairs are comprised of cells. As new cells form at each hair root, they push the hair further out of the follicle. As new cells form at the root, the hair is gradually pushed further and further out of the follicle, and farther away from the nourishing blood needed for cell growth. Without this nourishment, hair dies.

As hairs die, they are transformed into a hard protein called keratin. It is the follicle, which lies deep in the skin, that is indispensable for growing hair.

Hair growth is not a continuous or steady process. Instead, the growth of hair ebbs and flows in a cyclical pattern made of three distinct phases:

Anagen phase. The first phase is the growing stage. Hair grows at about one cm each month, and the anagen phase can last between two and five years.
Catagen phase. As this phase begins, the bulb detaches from the blood supply and pushes the hair shaft up. The catagen phase can last several weeks.
Telogen phase. During this resting stage, which last about five months, there is no hair growth. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair sheds, and the follicle starts to grow a new one. At any moment, about 90% of the hair follicles of the scalp are growing hairs in the anagen phase while only about 10% are in the resting phase.

Any disruption to hair’s natural growth cycle can contribute to hair loss. For example, if follicles shut down and stay in the resting phase instead of growing new hairs, there will be less hair on the scalp. Interference with the formation of new hair cells at the root during the anagen phase can also be a cause for hair loss, as can the destruction of follicles due to trauma or burns.

Fortunately, there are effective ways to treat hair loss no matter what the cause. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our world-renowned hair restoration physicians have an unmatched understanding of the causes and treatment of hair loss and offer the most advanced and effective options for men and women alike.

Schedule an appointment with the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami today by calling 305.925.0222. We look forward to assisting you.

August 28, 2017

The Effects of Caffeine on Hair

For many people, coffee is as essential to daily life as water; there’s a reason you can find a Starbucks on every other corner. The eye-opening effects of the caffeine in a cup (or three) of java is the kickstart a lot of us need to start our day. But alertness or jitters aren’t the only way caffeine effects our bodies. Studies suggest that coffee and the caffeine it contains can have a positive impact on the health of our hair, strengthening follicles and reducing hair loss.

There are two primary ways that caffeine can have beneficial effects on hair health:

It’s rich in antioxidants. Healthy hair follicles start with healthy cells. Antioxidants are substances which stimulate and encourage healthy cell production by fighting biological byproducts known as free radicals. These free radicals can damage our cells and stunt hair growth. Since caffeine contains significant amounts of antioxidants, it can limit the damage free radicals cause to our hair follicles. If you are looking to up your antioxidant intake when ordering your next cup of coffee, look to darker roasts such as French Roast or espresso which contain higher levels of these healthy compounds.
It fights the chemical which can cause hair loss. Men and women who suffer from pattern baldness have a genetic sensitivity to a hormonal byproduct called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks hair follicles which ultimately stop producing viable hair to replace the hair that we all lose on a regular basis. A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that caffeine works by blocking the effects of DHT and that “caffeine alone led to a significant stimulation of hair follicle growth.”

Coffee, sodas, tea and other beverages are the way most of us get caffeine. But the study which found that caffeine can fight DHT involved applying caffeine directly to hair follicles. A similar study involved applying a shampoo containing caffeine, and many shampoos and other hair care products now contain caffeine and claim to promote hair growth. While these products are by no means a magic bullet for hair growth, they can be part of an overall effort to improve the strength of your hair follicles. However, before you decide to up your coffee intake or buy hair products containing caffeine, you should consult with a physician or experienced hair restoration professional.

Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation Today

At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our skilled physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home or through changes in diet. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering with hair loss.

To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call or office directly at 305-925-0222.

July 24, 2017

Superfoods to Boost Hair Growth

20 Superfoods for Stronger Hair There is no doubt that what is inside of us when we’re born – our genes – plays a large role in determining whether we will have a full head of hair or whether we will experience thinning or hair loss. In fact, a recent study found nearly 300 genetic ties to hair loss. But what we put inside ourselves throughout our lives – the foods we eat and beverages we drink – can also impact the health of our hair and scalp.

A healthy, balanced diet rich in key nutrients can help boost hair growth in addition to improving your overall health and sense of well-being. Whether as an adjunct to hair restoration treatments or just as part of a healthy lifestyle, incorporating a wide range of readily available “superfoods” into your diet will result in positive change from head to toe.

Next time you hit your grocery store or farmers market, load up your cart with these hair-positive foods:

As you may recall from high school biology class, protein and their amino acids are the “building blocks” of the body – and hair. A diet which includes a healthy amount of protein from various sources can be a key to strong and growing hair. Few foods are as rich in protein as nuts and legumes. Nuts also contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Try to make nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews a regular part of your diet.
Salmon and other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. For hair health, omega-3 fatty acids keep the scalp hydrated to stimulate follicle function while enriching strands for a shinier glow. Foods such as salmon, sardines, and trout are great resources for boosting your omega-3 intake.
Spinach and other leafy greens. A lack of iron is one of the chief causes of dietary-related hair loss. Low iron levels limit proper blood flow – something follicles need to receive growth-stimulating nutrients. Iron-rich foods such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and other leafy greens can boost your iron intake and help feed your hair. As a bonus, spinach contains antioxidants, vitamins B, C and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which can help your hair and scalp.
Vitamin C acts as a catalyst for iron to absorb into the blood stream. Eating these two hair boosting nutrients together fosters hair growth. In addition, the antioxidants found in vitamin C, along with its collagen-boosting properties, keep skin, hair and nails looking and feeling nourished. Grapefruits as well as other fruits such as oranges, strawberries and blueberries, contain high levels of Vitamin C necessary for hair growth.
Not only are lentils a good source of protein, they also contain ample amounts of iron, zinc, and biotin which promote a healthy scalp and strengthen hair.
Next time you make guacamole, you’re also whipping up a tasty mix of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B and E which can help protect and strengthen hair. Vitamin B is essential for hair growth, while vitamin E protects your skin and hair from environmental pollutants and sun damage.
Sunflower seeds.This healthy snack or salad topping contains a cornucopia of hair boosting nutrients such as protein, zinc, selenium, biotin, potassium, copper, iron, B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium and calcium.

Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation Today

Of course, dietary improvements alone may not stop hair loss or restore your hair to the fullness it once had. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our skilled physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering with hair loss.

To receive a personalized evaluation and treatment plan, contact us online or call or office directly at 305-925-0222.

December 11, 2014

Discovery of New Stem Cells May Hold Future Hair Loss Cure

Researchers have long pursued the discovery of stem cell that could quickly and easily reverse the signs of hair loss. Such a cell would function as a proverbial “on/off switch,” giving hair loss physicians the ability to induce new hair growth across areas of bald skin. Men and women who suffer with androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) would not be the only benefactors; individuals who suffer hair loss following severe injuries, burns, or illnesses could also benefit from a quick and easy hair loss treatment protocol directed through a specific stem cell.

This December, a discovery at the University of Calgary indicates that researchers might be closer to this dream. Dr. Jeff Biernaskie, a Veterinary Medicine professor, published research findings in the December 2014 issue of the Developmental Cell journal that identify certain self-renewing cells located in the dermal sheath that play an integral role in managing hair growth. One day, hair loss professionals may be able to target these cells with specially formulated drugs to induce new hair growth in a precise and controlled fashion. Says Dr. Biernaskie, “We hope that we can ultimately stimulate these cells with drugs to replenish or rejuvenate the cells that are responsible for inducing hair growth,” (i). To understand how these self-renewing cells might someday cure hair loss, it’s helpful to first understand the role dermal papilla plays in overseeing normal hair growth.

The dermal papilla is a cluster of cells located at the base of the hair follicle. Dermatologists have long understood that this cluster of cells stimulates new hair growth via epidermal cells and the hair follicle. Exactly how the dermal papilla oversees this process, however, has largely remained a mystery until recently. Moreover, research indicates that dysfunctional dermal papilla are common among individuals with pattern baldness.

“When you lose your hair, particularly in male pattern baldness, we know the reason you go bald is because of dysfunction of[…] dermal papilla,” explains Dr. Biernaskie.

But what if certain neighboring cells could be used to resuscitate dormant dermal papilla? This question became the inspiration for the central hypothesis tested by Dr. Biernaskie and his research team. To identify these potential cells, the team used genetic markers to label individual cells within the dermal sheath. While monitoring the cells, the team made an exciting discovery: A small number of cells within the dermal sheath exhibited the ability to self-renew, creating new cells in each hair follicle. Those new cells included new dermal papilla, which ultimately have the power to facilitate new hair growth.

Commenting on the discovery, Dr. Biernaskie says, “We know that there is a small group of dermal stem cells in each follicle, we know where they reside[…] down the road, we might be able to look at different drugs that activate these cells[…] in order to stimulate new hair growth.”

Sources

(i) http://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2014-12-10/stem-cell-discovery-sheds-new-light-hair-growth

December 18, 2013

To Cure Baldness, Turn-on Your Hair Follicles

A new study indicates that hair follicles might have turn-ons and turn-offs, just like the men and women. Unlike men and women, the recently discovered on/off switches have nothing to do with preference for the personality, physical features, or proximity of a potential mate. Instead, these turn-ons involve stem cells and a special pathway that delivers a protein referred to as Wnt.

The study was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. There, a team of scientists has discovered that “turning on” a special pathway known to regulate adult stem cells can trigger the release of Wnt proteins and cause even dormant (hairless) follicles to grow new strands of hair. On the other hand, scientists believe the pathway can also be “turned off” to prevent Wnt proteins from causing hair to grow.

Stem Cells, Wnt Protein, and Hair Growth

The discovery that hair follicles might be able to be “turned on” or “turned off” via manipulating a specific pathway has become a topic of much discussion this winter. Reporting to the journal Cell Stem Cell, Sarah Millar explains:

While more research is needed to improve our understanding of this pathway, our results suggest that therapeutics capable of decreasing levels of [Wnt action] in the skin could potentially be used to block growth of unwanted hair[…] Conversely, agents that activate Wnt signaling might be used to promote hair growth.

Nourishing the Hair Follicle

Hair follicle health is essential for the growth of full and beautiful hair. Follicles support the growth of each strand, serving as a foundation through which oxygen, protein, and other vital nutrients are delivered. When follicle health suffers, hair can become brittle, fine, and can stop growing altogether.

For these reasons, scientists have become fixated on the study and improvement of hair follicle health. The discoveries made by the research team at the University of Pennsylvania noted above are just one example. Around the globe, other research institutions and scientists are studying additional ways to improve the health of hair follicles. Ultimately, the goal is to find a way to wake dormant follicles and nourish them until they can support a normal hair growth cycle. In doing so, scientists believe a cure for baldness will be achieved.

Low Level Laser Therapy

One way scientists believe hair follicles can be nourished is through Low Level Laser Therapy, or LLLT. This special treatment exposes areas of bald scalp to FDA-approved lasers that are designed to stimulate blood flow to dormant hair follicles. The lasers are cool to the touch and safe to use in conjunction with other hair loss treatments, like hair transplant surgery, Rogaine®, or Propecia®.

Low Level Laser Therapy at Our Institute

The Hair Transplant Institute of Miami is pleased to offer the Capillus 272, a new and completely portable form of LLLT treatment that fits underneath your favorite baseball cap or hat. Patients who use the Capillus 272 enjoy a comfortable, convenient, and personalized treatment at home, in the office, on a morning run, or even on the golf course.

To learn more about this new and exciting treatment for hair loss, watch the video below.

The Capillus 272 is designed for men and women who want to reenergize their hair with safe, FDA-approved laser therapy. The Capillus may deliver exceptional results when used in conjunction with hair transplant surgery, Rogaine®, Propecia®, or stand-alone.

Hair Loss Evaluation. To learn more about hair loss evaluations at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

September 11, 2013

Temporary Hair Loss: Is It Normal?

Is there such a thing as temporary hair loss? The question itself seems counter-intuitive. Thanks largely to the myths and half-truths of American pop culture, hair loss is something we typically associate with old men, and it’s a condition that seems to be permanent and irreversible. This is only partly true, however. Thinning, shedding, and balding affect both men and women of various different ages. Moreover, not all hair loss is permanent. In some cases, hair might begin to re-grow naturally.

Still, it is imperative that men and women learn the difference between temporary hair loss and permanent pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. On the one hand, research indicates that individuals who suffer with pattern baldness might also be genetically predisposed to other serious health conditions, like coronary heart disease. On the other hand, those who experience temporary hair loss are smart to diagnose it as such to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Join Dr. Bernard Nusbaum is the video below for a brief overview of the four main causes of temporary hair loss. Then, scroll to the temporary hair loss FAQ section to review these concepts in greater detail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Temporary Hair Loss

Below are a few of the most common questions regarding temporary hair loss and shedding. After taking a moment to review each, we invite you to leave additional questions or comments in the Comments section of this post.

What is seasonal hair loss?

If think you’ve experienced “seasonal hair loss,” you are not alone. Women in particular report experiencing symptoms of thinning or shedding hair in late September and October. To better understand this phenomenon, it helps to take a moment to review the hair growth cycle.

Hair grows in 3 distinct phases: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. Each phase lasts about 2-6 years, 2-3 weeks, and 2-3 months, respectively. Hair actively grows during the Anagen phase, and the Catagen phase is a separate and distinct growth phase that transitions hair into the Telogen phase. Once in the Telogen phase, hair experiences a period of rest. It is during this resting period, however, that hair can fall out.

According to Swedish researchers, the reason for seasonal hair loss that occurs in the fall might be attributed to the fact that the hair and scalp experience a great deal of stress during summer months. As a consequence, the extra stress might “shock” hairs that are naturally in the Telogen phase, causing them to fall out 2-3 months later. And although the hair loss is perceived in the autumn, it might actually begin to occur in the summer.

Can hair loss occur after pregnancy?

Hair loss is a common occurrence after pregnancy. Many women experience this type of temporary hair loss due to 2 underlying causes: Hormones, and stress. New moms experience a rapid decline in estrogen following childbirth, which might trigger thinning or shedding. New moms are also predisposed to stress-related hair loss after pregnancy, which is referred to as telogen effluvium. One need not go through pregnancy and childbirth to experience telogen effluvium, however (see below).

For more information, visit this article on hair loss and pregnancy.

Can stress cause temporary hair loss?

Stress-related hair loss, or telogen effluvium, can also occur after certain events that “shock” the body. These events might include:

Surgery
Severe illness
Medications
Sever emotional stress

For more information, visit this article on female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium.

Consult a Medical Professional About Hair Loss

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of thinning, shedding, or balding, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami to schedule a comprehensive hair loss evaluation. Our team proudly represents South Florida’s top surgeons, registered nurses, technicians, and technologies. We understand the agony and frustration that accompanies hair loss, and we are committed to helping you develop a customized plan that will create natural results.

January 10, 2013

New Hair Loss Gene Discovered: APCDD1

Scientists have identified a new gene that may help future hair transplant surgeons provide non-hormonal treatments for hair loss. The discovery is a culmination of efforts from research teams across America, including those from Columbia University, Rockefeller University, and Stanford. Researchers have named the gene adenomatosis polyposis down-regulated 1, or APCDD1.

The discovery of the APCDD1 gene is important to researchers, surgeons, and individuals who suffer with a variety of hair loss conditions. The gene seems to play a role in the progressive hair loss experienced by individuals with hereditary hypotrichosis simplex, a rare condition that may manifest itself in the early years of childhood.

Commenting on the study, lead author Angela M. Christiano, Ph.D. explains:

Through their analysis the research team found a common mutation in the APCDD1 gene that is located on a specific region of chromosome 18. Previous studies have shown chromosome 18 to be involved in other forms of hair loss including alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. (i)

Dr. Christiano is a professor of dermatology, as well as genetics and development, at the Columbia University Medical Center. For additional information, readers may visit Dr. Christiano’s faculty page on Columbia.edu.

Although the gene seems to play a causal role in a very different type of hair loss, researchers believe studying the APCDD1 gene may eventually aid in the treatment of male and female pattern baldness, as well as other types of hair loss. This is due to the fact that APCDD1 causes hair loss through a process called hair miniaturization, which is the same process through which male pattern baldness progresses.

APCDD1, Hair Miniaturization, and Hair Loss Treatment

To understand the concept of hair miniaturization, it is helpful to first understand how hair grows. Throughout our lifetime, hair grows from follicles located just below the skin. Follicles are the foundation through which hair receives the support, oxygen, and nutrients to grow. Hair grows in three distinct cycles: The growth phase, the shedding phase, and the resting phase. Hair loss professionals may refer to each of these stages as the anagen phase, catagen phase, and telogen phase, respectively. It is estimated that each strand of hair goes through a full cycle of growing, shedding, resting, and re-growing about 10-20 times over the course of a person’s lifetime.

Hair miniaturization is a phenomenon in which hair becomes thinner and finer each time it progresses through the growth cycle described above. Eventually, the hair follicle may even become dormant, in which case new hair growth will cease entirely.

In this study, researchers found that the gene APCDD1 inhibits a specific signaling pathway through which hair growth is directed. Researchers refer to the pathway as Wnt, and it is believed that inhibiting this signaling process may prevent hair miniaturization and pattern baldness from developing. Moreover, Dr. Christiano believes the discovery could make advanced hair loss treatment a reality for a much broader number of individuals:

Unlike commonly available treatments for hair loss that involve blocking hormonal pathways, treatments involving the Wnt pathway would be non-hormonal, which may enable many more people suffering from hair loss to receive such therapies. (ii)

Connect with the Hair Transplant Institute

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Sources for this report include:

(i) Scientists Identify New Hair Loss Gene – APCDD1. Blog.americanhairloss.org. Accessed January 8, 2013.

(ii) See above.

October 2, 2012

Exclusive: Researchers Find Vitamin D May Stimulate Hair Growth

In an effort to find a cure for baldness, research teams from around the world are investigating ways to reawaken dormant hair follicles. These tiny bulb-shaped structures are located just beneath the surface of the skin (pictured left), and they supply growing hair with blood, oxygen, and other life-sustaining nutrients. When hair follicles become traumatized, damaged, or otherwise inactive, the growth of new hair stops and pattern baldness begins. In this way, an individual’s head of hair (quite literally) lives and dies by the health of the follicles beneath the skin. New research suggests that vitamin D, along with the receptors in the skin that bind to the nutrient, may play a significant role in promoting healthy follicles and hair growth.

Got Milk? Researchers Say Vitamin D is “Crucial for the regeneration of hair”

Thanks in part to wildly successful 1995 “Got Milk?” advertising campaign by Goodby Silverstein & Partners, we all know that the calcium and vitamin D in milk help develop strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. The health benefits of vitamin D were studied long before that campaign, but traditional research focused primarily on vitamin D and bone development.

Now, however, new research shows vitamin D may be “crucial for the regeneration of hair,” (i). Hair transplant surgeons have also credited the receptors for vitamin D—the tiny “keyholes” in which the vitamin “keys” fit when being utilized by the body—as critical in promoting healthy hair follicle function.

Researchers report that creating a vitamin D supplement to prevent hair loss is tricky, however. For one, too much vitamin D may cause calcium accumulation in the blood. In turn, calcium accumulation may cause weakness or problems with the kidneys. For this reason, researchers are “really aiming to manipulate vitamin D or vitamin D receptors only in the skin,” explains Dr. Oda of the VA Medical Center in San Francisco. This would help individuals better utilize the vitamin D in their system, rather than introduce more vitamin D at the risk of developing other health issues.

And while a vitamin D supplement that cures baldness may seem futuristic and fanciful, there are technologies available today that are designed to promote natural hair growth by stimulating hair follicles.

Enter: Low level laser therapy (LLLT) for hair.

Promoting Follicle Health and Hair Growth with LLLT

LLLT stands for low level laser treatment, and it is a relatively new and exciting technology for the medical world. LLLT uses safe, FDA certified lasers to stimulate cellular respiration by way of phototherapy. In turn, this increases the cell’s ability to produce energy. But how do laser-light exposure, enhanced cellular respiration, and increased energy production help to reverse hair loss?

According to new research, an improvement in cellular respiration leads a series of biochemical reactions that stimulate the delivery of oxygen and nutrients directly to the hair follicle (vi). Most important is the ability of the patient to receive comprehensive LLLT exposure on a regular basis—usually 3 times per week for about 20 minutes per session.

The Hair Transplant Institute of Miami is pleased to offer the LaserCap™ LLLT device for thinning hair. To learn more about LLLT for thinning hair, please join Dr. Nusbaum as he explains the effectiveness of the treatment and the LaserCap™ device in the video below:

Learn More About the LaserCap™

To learn more about hair restoration or low level laser hair therapy with the LaserCap™, please schedule an appointment with the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. Readers are also invited to call our front desk at 305.925.0222 to speak directly with a friendly member of our office.

At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, we understand that hair loss can impact your personal, social, and professional life. We’re committed to making a difference in the lives and well-being of our patients, and we look forward to exceeding your expectations with only the best technologies and most effective procedures.

Sources for this article include:

(i) Wang, Shirley S. “The Search for a Baldness Cure.” 12 September 2012.

(ii) Brosseau, L.; Welch, V.; Wells, G. A.; De Bie, R.; Gam, A.; Harman, K.; Morin, M.; Shea, B. et al. (2005). Brosseau, Lucie. ed. “Low level laser therapy (Classes I, II and III) for treating rheumatoid arthritis”. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4): CD002049. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002049.pub2. PMID 16235295.

(iii) Jamtvedt, G.; Dahm, K. T.; Christie, A.; Moe, R. H.; Haavardsholm, E.; Holm, I.; Hagen, K. B. (2007). “Physical Therapy Interventions for Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: an Overview of Systematic Reviews”. Physical Therapy 88 (1): 123–136. doi:10.2522/ptj.20070043. PMID 17986496.

(iv) Chow, R.; Johnson, M.; Lopes-Martins, R.; Bjordal, J. (Nov 2009). “Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials.”. Lancet 374 (9705): 1897–1908. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61522-1. PMID 19913903.

(v) Hamblin, Michael R. “Mechanisms of Low Level Light Therapy.” (2008): n. pag. Web. 17 Sept. 2012.

(vi) Hamblin, Michael R. “Low Level Laser Light Therapy.” (2012). n. pag. Web. 17 Sep. 2012. Click Here to Read This Article.