But did you know that smoking can cause hair loss? Which often leads to another question that we are not as clear about – can vaping also cause hair loss?

How Does Smoking Affect Hair?

Much like how a cookie is not good for weight loss, smoking is not good for the human body. All the various ingredients mixed together can cause different types of problems… creating a multi-factored problem for your hair. Tobacco smoke is known to cause premature graying and nicotine, according to this study, might be responsible for accelerating androgenetic alopecia (or age-related hair loss).

Smoking can also cause your blood vessels to constrict, making it harder for blood to get to the hair follicles. The hair follicles need nutrients carried in the blood stream for hair growth and hair health. Tobacco smoke and nicotine accumulation in hair strands may also play a role in oxidative stress. Recent studies have shown that skin in areas with hair loss are more vulnerable to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is thought to cause damage to the hair follicle at DNA level and can contribute to hair brittleness. So, even if the hair does not fall out, it breaks off. That is bad for hair health in general and makes hair look thinner.

Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss?

The science is not clear yet, but the short answer is probably.

A 2018 study showed that cigarettes have different combinations of as many as 7,000 different chemicals that are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While many of those chemicals are not present in vaping, other chemicals are present. And one of the most dangerous substances to your health is sort of the point: tobacco smoke.

According to this study from the National Institutes of Health, tobacco smoke can lead to hair loss and premature graying. So much for smoking making you look cool… It does make you look older though.

Will Hair Loss From Smoking Grow Back?

While hair loss from smoking is not a myth, it has been difficult for scientists and hair restoration specialists to address because it can cause hair loss in many different ways. If you are having all-over hair loss, you may simply have upset the delicate balance of nutrients that your hair needs and knocked it out of its normal cycle of loss and regrowth. In that case, hair regrowth could begin as soon as three to six months after stopping smoking.

But hair loss might also be caused by damage from the free radicals, and that stress oxidation requires a much different treatment approach. Finally, as we discussed, some smokers simply see age-related alopecia start at a much younger age. In that case, since the body has just responded earlier than usual to something it would have done anyway, the hair is unlikely to grow back. In this case, you may need a transplant to restore the area.

Since smoking can create more negative outcomes in hair transplants, smoking cessation before starting a hair loss restoration process is a good idea. Because it helps your overall health, it will also facilitate good recovery.

Reef Hair Has Solutions for All of Your Hair Loss Concerns

No matter what kind of hair loss you are experiencing, Reef Hair can help you find a solution. Our dedicated team will work with you to find the treatment options that best suit your specific needs surrounding your hair loss and thinning. Call us today to get started looking better!

The post Does Smoking Cause Hair Loss? first appeared on Reefhairca.

What Ethnicity Loses Hair the Most?

It has been shown in studies that the average onset of graying varies across race. Caucasians generally start going gray sometime in their mid-30s, Asians in their later 30s, and Black people in their mid-40s.

There is also a difference in the type of damage the hair suffers as Asians and whites usually see it occurring to the hair shaft while in Black people the damage is usually closer to the hair’s roots. Of the various ethnicities, Caucasians have the highest rates of hair loss while Native Americans have the lowest.

Is Hair Loss Common in Black Women?

When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss, it not only made the news across the country but it also opened the larger conversation about alopecia in black women. It is not a small issue, a survey of black women made in 2016 noted that 47.6% of the those surveyed were afflicted with alopecia.

While genetics plays a factor, many traditional styling practices for ethnic hair also contribute to the issue. Tight weaves, dreadlocks, straightening with heat, and other common styles contribute to traction alopecia, which occurs when a continuous pulling force is applied to the hair roots – as happens with tight braids, extensions, and many other common hair styles. It is most commonly encountered in Black women with tight and curly spiral hair. On the good side it is preventable and can usually be reversed.

Another form of alopecia that black women are particularly susceptible to is Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) which is a type of scarring alopecia resulting in permanent hair loss. It is the most common form of scarring hair loss seen in Black women. Early professional treatment is vital in these cases as there is a chance of reversing the hair loss if caught early before scarring makes it permanent.

Reef Hair – Your Hair Preservation and Restoration Resource

At Reef Hair, we offer an array of treatment options for people of all races and ethnicities suffering from hair loss. Our individualized approach will ensure that we develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific issues and needs.

Modern advances have provided a vast array of effective, non-invasive treatments for hair loss that can arrest or, in some cases, reverse hair loss. Whether the cause is genetic or otherwise, Reef Hair has the tools and experience to get you back on the road to a full, luxurious head of hair. Set up an appointment today and let’s begin your hair replacement journey!

The post Ethnic Hair Loss Patterns first appeared on Reefhairca.

What Causes Anagen Effluvium?

One of the most persistent images associated with cancer treatment is hair loss. Anagen effluvium as a direct result of chemotherapy treatments is often referred to as chemotherapy-induced alopecia. This is especially true for those treatments that are high dose or that employ alkylating agents.

Some of the chemotherapy drugs shown to have a direct relation to hair loss include (but are not limited to): 

• Bleomycin,
• Dactinomycin,
• Daunorubicin,
• Doxorubicin,
• Cyclophosphamide,
• and high-dose Methotrexate.

Other medications (such as colchicine) and poisons (such as thallium and arsenic) can also be responsible for anagen effluvium. This is due to them causing the same kind of chemical damage to the hair and follicles.

What Does Anagen Effluvium Look Like?

Usually beginning within a few days or weeks of starting chemotherapy treatments, anagen effluvium presents at first as diffused shedding of the hair. While the severity of the case varies from person to person, it is common for the patient to have complete hair loss within the first few months of chemotherapy. The diffuse shedding that anagen effluvium presents is visually quite similar to that presented by telogen effluvium.

However, when considering anagen effluvium vs telogen effluvium, there are fundamental differences between the two. Anagen effluvium is caused by chemical damage to the hair shaft. Meanwhile, telogen effluvium is caused by physical or emotional stresses disrupting the growth cycle. As a result, it is not uncommon to encounter overlapping cases of telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium, since chemotherapy causes significant emotional and physical stress.

Does Hair Grow Back After Anagen Effluvium?

While hair loss from chemotherapy is inevitable, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The majority of anagen effluvium cases are reversible. In the majority of cases, the hair will grow back once the course of chemotherapy ends.

Reef Hair Helps You Manage Telogen Effluvium

At Reef Hair, you have options when it comes to hair preservation and replacement. Whether your problem is derived from anagen effluvium or another type of hair loss we can diagnose and develop a customized treatment plan geared to your specific needs. Set up a consultation today and let’s begin your journey toward a restored and vibrant head of hair!

The post What Is Anagen Effluvium? first appeared on Reefhairca.

As we get older, our hair – along with the rest of our body – also experiences changes. It can thin, fall out, change color, or even change texture in some cases. Understanding why and how to manage our hair as it changes along with us can help us navigate the stress of “aging gracefully.”

Why Does Aging Cause Hair Loss?

As we age, the size of your hair follicles naturally begins to shrink… or stop producing altogether. Your body will produce less sebum (the body’s natural oil) which helps hair appear shiny, soft, and smooth. Also, the anagen phase – the growth phase of the hair cycle – will shorten. All this combines to give hair a thinner and more sparse appearance.

Can I Stop Hair Thinning As I Age?

In the same way it is impossible to stop all the sand as it falls through the hourglass, so too is it impossible to stop all the signs of aging. But there are things you can do to mitigate the effects of aging on your hair. You can start by maintaining a balanced diet and talking with your healthcare provider to see if taking vitamin supplements might be the right path for you.

Maintaining the health of your scalp is important, and part of that is learning and understanding the specific needs of your hair type. For example, if you have straight or wavy hair it may have a tendency to become oily and washing your hair too often can cause the scalp to overproduce oils.

Can Hereditary Hair Loss Be Reversed?

While the effects of genetics can’t be completely reversed, the condition can be managed… and the progression can be slowed. In addition to diet and possible medication, hair transplants can also be an option to help people regain a fuller head of hair.

What Age Does Hair Start Thinning?

Most people start experiencing some thinning in their 30s. Some even start seeing hair loss as early as their late teens. This can depend on many factors, but is primarily affected by your genetics, lifestyle, and health. More noticeable thinning tends to happen in your 50s and 60s.

What Causes Hair Loss in Elderly Women?

The most common genetic condition for hair loss in women is androgenic alopecia, or female-pattern hair loss. Women in their 40s and 50s might begin to notice their hair part widening. They can inherit the genes from either of their parents and the hormonal shifts that happen during menopause can jump-start the condition.

Experiencing Hair Changes? Contact Reef Hair Today.

Aging happens… but looking old doesn’t have to! If you are experiencing changes to your hairline or hair volume as you age, contact the professionals at Reef Hair. Our team offers a full range of hair restoration treatments for hair loss and thinning. We offer minimally invasive device assisted ARTAS® and NeoGraft® hair replacement procedures, in addition to classic manual transplants.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation for a full hair and scalp analysis, and discuss potential treatments to help you achieve the hairline you desire!

The post Hair Loss And Aging first appeared on Reefhairca.

Whatever the reason, medical tourism is a global, multibillion-dollar phenomenon that is projected to drastically increase over the next ten years. In fact, it has become so common that the American Medical Association has issued guidance for doctors whose patients have received medical care like this. Why? Because often patients who engage in medical tourism need follow-up care at home… especially if something went wrong.

As rocketing healthcare costs stateside cause more people to embrace medical tourism, the pros and cons bear examination. For those considering medical tourism for hair restoration procedures, the advantages are obvious – cheaper care, the ability to combine it with an overseas vacation, and so on. When making a decision of this magnitude, one should look at more than just the obvious.

What Risks Are Associated With Medical Tourism?

The most important concern about medical tourism is the inconsistent quality of the medical care. While there are accredited providers, many are not. Without accreditation you have no real guarantee that the staff and facility adhere to basic safety standards… or that they have the training and equipment needed to properly perform the procedures offered.

For that matter, what do you know about any accreditations they cite? Here in the U.S., you will recognize accreditations your doctor may display. But do you know if the ones listed by a doctor overseas are legitimate or something that sounds impressive but means nothing? It takes research.

With hair restoration procedures, this brings up a variety of questions about the quality of care you will receive and its final outcome. Do they overharvest follicles? Are their hairline designs of good quality and natural looking? What if I have an aftercare issue? When traveling abroad, your options are much more limited should complications arise. Infections, the need for further surgery to correct unsatisfactory results, and other issues are a legitimate concern.

In this information-driven age it is also vital to be aware that HIPAA privacy laws only apply in the United States. There are no such guarantees protecting your health and payment data when engaging in medical tourism. Another consideration is distance. If you have follow-up appointments you will have to stay in that country, fly back for them, or miss them entirely.

What Are the Ethical Issues Associated With Medical Tourism?

Going to another country for medical care means that you will be subject to that country’s laws while there. Many countries do not have malpractice insurance and getting traction with a legal action (should one be required) may also be problematic… especially for a non-citizen.

A more general concern from an ethical standpoint is the effect it can have on policy and healthcare in the host nation. An influx of money from wealthy medical tourists can help to enhance and expand the disparity between the care they receive and the care the vastly less affluent general population receive.

Reef Hair, Great Results With No Travel Required

While worth considering and researching, there are often options stateside that can provide comparable results without breaking the bank or requiring international travel, Before considering a flight out of the country for treatment, contact us to schedule a consultation for your hair and scalp analysis. You will find that Reef Hair can get you back on the road to a full, thick, and healthy hairline!

The post What You Need to Know About Medical Tourism for Hair Restoration first appeared on Reefhairca.

Our state of mind and mental health affect every part of our bodies. Those who experience stress, anxiety, or other psychological conditions are more likely to experience physical symptoms and side effects than those with higher levels of mental wellbeing. This even extends to the health of our hair. As Mental Health Awareness Month approaches, it’s a good time to examine the connection between mental health and hair loss.

Can Your Mental Health Affect Your Hair?

Your mental health has a significant impact on the health of your hair. Stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, OCD, and other psychological issues can contribute to excess shedding or permanent hair loss. As well as possibly triggering behaviors that have a negative effect on your hair.

In turn, hair loss – whether from mental health issues or some other cause – can lead to stress, anxiety, and decreased self-esteem. This creates a vicious cycle of counterproductive emotional and physical reactions that wreak havoc on your scalp.

Can Stress and Anxiety Damage Your Hair?

Stress and anxiety are primary causes of telogen effluvium – a type of excess shedding occurring when the hair’s growth cycle is disrupted by physical or emotional stressors. In telogen effluvium, larger than usual numbers of follicles are pushed into their resting phase. With increased shedding and slower regrowth, one’s hair appears significantly thinner. 

Mental illness, anxiety, and stress are also triggers for alopecia areata and other autoimmune responses that cause hair loss. Autoimmune hair loss occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in excess hair fall and bald patches on the scalp or elsewhere on the body.

Stress may also cause individuals to develop behaviors that are detrimental to their hair and scalp. The most obvious of these is failing to care for one’s health. Inadequate sleep, lack of exercise, and poor diet multiply the effects of telogen effluvium and other types of stress-related hair loss. Stress may even cause sufferers to literally pull out their hair. Trichotillomania is a condition where an individual nervously pulls on a section of hair on their head, eyebrows, or other location on the body. If left unaddressed, it can cause permanent bald spots in the affected area.

Can Depression Mess with Your Hair?

Depression hair loss is similar to that of stress and anxiety. It may trigger telogen effluvium, hair-related autoimmune issues, and negative or hair-damaging behaviors. Additionally, some antidepressant medications have been implicated in excessive hair shedding and slow regrowth. Both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications and bupropion may cause or worsen telogen effluvium.

At Reef Hair, We Care for Your Hair While You Focus on Your Mental Health

Fortunately, many types of mental health related hair loss will grow back if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and address the root cause of the issue. This process can take months, but in the meantime, there are steps you can take to preserve your hair and stimulate its growth.

While you focus on your mental health, Reef Hair can protect your hair and maximize its growth with minimally invasive procedures like platelet rich plasma therapy and other hair preservation or replacement options. To learn how you can get slow or reverse hair loss and get a thicker, fuller head of hair… contact us today to set up a consultation. We look forward to guiding you on your hair replacement journey.

The post The Link Between Mental Health & Hair Loss first appeared on Reefhairca.

Telogen effluvium occurs when a physical or emotional stressor disrupts the hair’s growth cycle, forcing too many follicles into their non-productive resting phase. This results in hair loss in excess of the 50-100 strands an average person sheds each day.

What Does Telogen Effluvium Look Like?

Telogen effluvium appears as diffuse hair shedding across the entire scalp, particularly on the top of the head. Your hair may look less dense overall, and you may notice a widening of your part.

While your hair loss may not be obvious to others, you might find a larger than normal number of hairs in your brush or comb, on your pillowcase, or in your tub or shower. This can be especially noticeable if you have long, dark, or curly hair.

What Causes Telogen Effluvium?

Some common telogen effluvium causes include psychological stress, weight loss, physical injury, illness (especially with a high fever), childbirth, surgery, dietary or hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, and certain medications. In up to a third of telogen effluvium cases, no cause can be determined. This is due in part to the delayed nature of this type of hair loss. Hairs typically shed two to four months after entering their telogen (resting) phase. So, excess telogen hair loss may happen several months after the triggering event occurred. 

How Long Does Telogen Effluvium Last?

Fortunately, telogen effluvium typically resolves in six months or less. Afterwards, most hair strands begin growing again. In some cases – particularly in the case of prolonged stress or illness – telogen effluvium hair loss can last for years.

Does Biotin Help with Telogen Effluvium?

While there is no magic-bullet food or supplement to immediately reverse telogen effluvium, there are a number of nutrients that may lessen its impact and aid in healthier regrowth. The optimal telogen effluvium diet will include healthy proteins; amino acids like lysine, L-cystine, and L-methionine; B vitamins, particularly B7 (biotin), and minerals like iron, zinc, and selenium.

Do Telogen Effluvium Hairs Grow Back?

Hair lost to telogen effluvium usually grows back over time… especially after the triggering stressor is removed. In the meantime, we offer our clients suffering from telogen effluvium treatments like platelet rich plasma therapy to preserve existing hair and to accelerate regrowth. If sufficient regrowth cannot be achieved, we can fill in sparse areas with scalp micropigmentation or replace hair with ARTAS® or NeoGraft® transplantation procedures.

Reef Hair Helps You Manage Telogen Effluvium

Reef Hair offers a wide variety of hair preservation and replacement options to manage telogen effluvium and other types of hair loss. Set up a consultation today to learn more about how you can get the thicker, fuller head of hair you desire. We look forward to guiding you through your hair replacement journey!

The post What Is Telogen Effluvium? first appeared on Reefhairca.

Eyebrow transplants are a long-lasting, natural-looking alternative to cosmetics, tattoos, and other methods used to fill in thinning or missing eyebrows. While the procedure is more common among women, it is appropriate for men as well.

Who is a Good Candidate for Eyebrow Transplants?

Individuals who have adequate donor hair, are in otherwise good health, and haven’t experienced complications from a previous surgery are excellent candidates for an eyebrow transplant. Eyebrow transplants are minimally invasive with a low risk of complications so – unless the patient has a serious health condition – this procedure is considered very safe.

As long as there is a healthy donor site, surgeons can harvest hair follicles (typically from the scalp but sometimes from other areas of the body) and transplant them to the brow. Because follicles are collected individually through follicular unit extraction, even a small donor area can produce enough follicles for a successful transplant.

If your brow loss is due to alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia, or other conditions caused by an immune system issue; you will need to address the underlying issue before considering transplantation. Likewise, if you suffer from trichotillomania (a psychological disorder that results in hair pulling) you will need to control the condition before considering surgery.

How Long Do Eyebrow Transplants Last?

Because full regrowth isn’t apparent for at least several months after the procedure, one might wonder… “are eyebrow hair transplants permanent?” The answer is yes! Much like transplants on the scalp, this procedure is permanent. It is possible some of the hairs will fall out over time, but results are generally long-lasting.

Do Eyebrow Hair Transplants Look Natural?

Because eyebrow transplants utilize your own hair, they look completely natural. A skilled surgeon can arrange the transplanted follicles to grow in the same direction and pattern as your natural brows – making the hairs nearly indistinguishable from any existing brow hairs.

A common question about the results is, “Do transplanted eyebrows grow long?” It’s true that the transplanted scalp hairs (unlike regular brow hairs) are programmed to continue growing indefinitely, but they are easily trimmed and maintained with basic grooming tools.

Find Out if You Are a Candidate for an Eyebrow Transplant

If you are considering eyebrow restoration, set up a consultation with Reef Hair to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Take the first step to fuller, natural-looking brows. For more information, contact us today to make an appointment.

The post What You Need to Know About Eyebrow Transplants first appeared on Reefhairca.

Rest assured, losing some hair each day is a natural part of your hair’s growth cycle. Knowing what is and isn’t normal shedding can help you determine if you need to pay closer attention to what is happening with your hair and scalp.

How Much Hair Loss is Normal?

The average person loses between 50 to 100 strands of hair each day. This may seem like a lot – especially if you have dark, curly, or long hair that makes shedding more obvious – but it is completely normal.

There are some circumstances where it is typical to lose more hair than this average. If you experience severe stress, contract a virus, undergo surgery, give birth, or are prescribed certain drugs… expect additional hair loss that should resolve after several months. While this may be typical, it isn’t necessarily “normal,” and you might consider looking into treatments to preserve and regrow hair while you manage these life events.

How Do You Know If You’re Losing Too Much Hair?

If you lose an excess of 100 strands each day, you may be experiencing telogen effluvium. This is a type of stress-related hair loss that forces larger-than-usual numbers of hairs into a resting phase… causing them to fall out within several months.

Other signs that you may need to take action are:

• visible hair thinning,
• a receding hairline,
• a widening part,
• patches of hair loss,
• hair that pulls out easily,
• scaling on the scalp,
• or loss of hair elsewhere on the body.

How Long Does the Hair Shedding Phase Last?

The hair growth cycle consists of four stages: anagen (growth phase), catagen (transition phase), telogen (resting phase), and exogen (shedding phase).

Length of the shedding phase depends on the individual and varies from two to four months on average. In a healthy scalp, new hairs grow in and push out the old ones. If you are experiencing telogen effluvium, the shedding phase can last several months longer – with less robust regrowth.

Should I Be Worried About Hair Shedding?

Normal shedding is not a cause for concern. If you are experiencing new or continued shedding of more than 50-100 hairs each day, it may be time to determine and address the underlying cause. When it comes to hair loss, early intervention is key… and the sooner you begin treatment the better the potential outcome.

Reef Hair Offers A Full Spectrum of Hair Preservation Options

Many forms of excessive hair loss are reversible with non-invasive treatments. Other types of hair loss can be delayed or minimized, especially with early intervention. Even permanent hair loss need not end in baldness, thanks to today’s safe and natural-looking hair replacement procedures.

Reef Hair offers a full spectrum of hair preservation and replacement options. Set up a consultation today to learn more about how you can get the thicker, fuller head of hair you desire. We look forward to guiding you through your hair replacement journey!

The post What’s Normal Shedding? first appeared on Reefhairca.

Is Proper Hydration Good For Your Hair?

Water is even important for the growth of your hair. Drinking sufficient amounts of water:

1. Nourishes hair follicles. Water allows the flow of minerals and other nutrients to reach your scalp, providing it with the nutrition it needs to grow healthy hair.
2. Allows proper absorption. Healthy hair has a high water content. When it is deprived of the water it needs, hair becomes dull and lifeless. When it receives proper hydration, hair looks fuller and more vibrant.
3. Flushes toxins. Toxins accumulate in the hair, causing it to become brittle and easily broken. Adequate water consumption removes these toxins and allows them to be excreted.
4. Improves overall health. If one is in good overall health, it’s more likely hair will be fuller, stronger, and healthier… and less prone to the excess shedding and poor growth of health-related telogen effluvium.

Can You Lose Hair from Lack of Water?

Dehydration can absolutely lead to hair loss. Hair follicles are among the fastest-growing tissues in the human body – and they require hydration to function properly. Being dehydrated can cause new hair fall or accelerate existing hair loss.

What Does Dehydration Hair Loss Look Like?

Minor dehydration can cause hair to look dull and unhealthy. More serious dehydration causes hair to become dry, thin, brittle, and easily broken. It may even lead to excess shedding and thinning hair throughout the scalp.

How Do You Know If You’re Chronically Dehydrated?

Dehydration symptoms may include excessive thirst; dry mouth, lips, tongue, or eyes; sunken eyes; infrequent urination, often with dark-colored urine; fatigue; dizziness, and confusion. While excessive thirst is one of the signs of dehydration, be aware that you can be dehydrated and not feel thirsty.

If you suspect you may be dehydrated but are unsure, try the skin turgor test. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand and release it. If it remains loose or raised – and doesn’t return to normal – there is a good chance you are experiencing significant dehydration. If you experience frequent or constant dehydration, we strongly suggest visiting your physician to find and address the underlying cause.

Can Hair Loss from Dehydration Be Reversed?

Unless your hair loss has an additional cause, dehydration-related hair loss typically is reversible. If the cause of your dehydration is resolved, you should see renewed hair growth within several months.

The easiest way to stay properly hydrated is to drink more water, and to avoid liquids that contain caffeine or sugar. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as these contain water and electrolytes. If this doesn’t help, you may need to drink water with added minerals and electrolytes. In certain cases, IV hydration may be helpful or even necessary.

Reef Hair Addresses the Root of Your Hair Loss

If you’re dealing with hair loss, Reef Hair can help you determine the cause and choose the treatment that is right for you. We offer both non-invasive procedures and transplantation options – including device-assisted ARTAS® and NeoGraft® hair replacement, as well as classic manual FUE and FUT transplants. Contact us to set up a consultation, where we will perform a hair and scalp analysis, and discuss potential treatments to help you achieve the hairline you desire!

The post 4 Ways Drinking Water Improves Hair Growth first appeared on Reefhairca.