Image details: The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner served by picapp.com

Did you know that for every hair transplant being performed in the United States, there are 5 breast augmentation surgeries being performed.

Now I know a lot of men, from all walks of life. White collar professionals, blue collar workers, students, bald headed, hairy…you name a group, and I know someone in it. I asked all of the men that I know, if they would encourage their wife or girlfriend to have breast augmentation surgery…..75% of the men asked, said no – not even if it would make their partner feel better about herself. When I asked them the same question, but inserted the word “mother” or “sister” for “wife or girlfriend”, that number went up to about 90%.

I know of one woman who has had this surgery done, and she did it so she could feel younger – and so that men would be more interested in her. I think perhaps she should meet some of the men I know. None of them would be interested in that scene.

So now I ask you this question. If women are having breast augmentation surgeries because they think this is what will attract men….why are men having hair transplants (although at a much less frequent rate). Is it because they think that women wouldn’t be attracted to a bald man?

If that is actually the case, then maybe these men, should spend a lot more time reading this blog.

Post from: Blisstree

Boobs vs. Baldness

Did you know that pharmaceutical companies spend more than $200 million a year on trying to cure baldness. In fact I have also heard rumblings that figure is upwards of $300 million. Honestly, I think that amount is way too high. We do not die from baldness. This is about how vain our society has become.

What would you like to see that money being spent on instead. How about pharma companies donating that money to schools where children can be taught self esteem classes – and how to celebrate our differences.

Wouldn’t that be a more positive way to spend that money, instead of making us feel like there is something wrong with us for living without hair.

Your thoughts?

**Picture  Soure – flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Did You Know….

I am always looking for simple reasons to explain why some people are bald, and some aren’t. I know that genetics are involved. But there are lots of other reasons to. This morning, I came across an article by Darren Wong in the Los Angeles Chronicle, which gives fairly simple explanations – that are accurate.

Here is his breakdown

1. Major Illness or Surgery – It’s true! And usually the hair loss is temporary. Illness is the reason why my hair falls out. I am not bald, but I do have hair loss issues. It is due to long bouts of mono and chronic fatigue syndrome. My hair always grows back, when I am feeling better. But when my health is on the downside – the hair kind of falls out.

2. Hormonal Problems – got an under or over active thyroid? Both can cause havoc with your hair. It’s easy to fix though. Go see your doctor – they can help even things out.

3. Autoimmune Diseases – like alopecia areata, and chances are you already know about this – since you found your way to this blog.

4. Post Pregnancy – now I just heard about this a couple of weeks ago, when a friend of mine was telling me that her her hair fell out after she had her baby. It took about 3 months after the loss of her hair, for it to grow back in. Makes sense really. Pregnancy and post pregnancy can do some weird things to a woman’s hormones.

5. Fungal Infections – I don’t know enough about this subject to comment on, but I am sure that it’s treatable with some anti-fungal medication you can get from your doctor.

6. Medication – medication can definitely do some damage to the hairline. Anti-depressants, birth control pills, too many vitamins – the list is ongoing – can cause temporary hair loss. Always talk about the side effects of medications with your doctor and pharmacists. It makes dealing with unexpected symptoms, much easier.

If you would like to read what Darren Wong had to say on his choices for reasons of hair loss, go here.

**Picture Source – flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Six Simple Reasons for Baldness

Anyway, so adored was Mr Liszt, that his fans would beg for locks of his hair.  The demand was so great, that in order for him  to keep his many fans happy (and I suspect to keep him from going bald), he would substitute the fur cuttings of dogs – and pass it off as his own.  Crafty don’t you think?

Remember that I said this man was vain, and very fond of his long flowing locks.  This is not a man who would deal well with male patterned baldness.

Thanks to mental floss for reminding me of this little story.

Post from: Blisstree

Wacky Hair Facts

Last week on Oprah, a very special episode was aired. For the first time in 22 years, the audience was completely comprised of men. I know…unheard of, right. The reason for this was, Dr Mehmet Oz hosted the show entitled 300 Men Ask Dr Oz. One of the subjects discussed on this show was baldness.

According to Dr Oz (from The Oprah Winfrey Show),

Hair loss happens when two hydrogen molecules DHT (dihydrotestosterone) attach to testosterone. This poisons the hair follicles and causes them to change from making normal hair to peach fuzz like material, which is what going bald is all about.

Here is a brief rundown of what was talked else was talked about on the subject.

• MYTH – the baldness gene does not come from only your mother. You have two parents, the gene can come from either side.
• MYTH – if you cut your hair short, it won`t grow back any faster. Hair only grows about half an inch per month.
• Losing hair can be directed by the weather. Springtime, which is when your testosterone levels are at your lowest point, is when you will lose the least amount of hair.
• Home remedies such as baking soda or lemon (or the ashes of chicken dung and lye) do NOT work.
• The only solutions to hair loss are medications that block DHT production – and they will not help you grow new hair – but will only prevent the hair that you do have to stop falling out.

Image Source – Rolfing – Structural Integration

Post from: Blisstree

Baldness and its Myths Are Discussed on Oprah

Did you know, that more than 30 million females in the United States have problems regarding baldness. 30 million!!! While that is still much less than the male statistic, it is quite significant.

For most women hair loss causes a huge emotional issue (which causes more stress = more hair problems).

Women tend to be vain about their hair. We are always fussing, brushing, and grooming it. We get upset when the men in our lives don’t notice our new hairstyles….and most of us are suckers for any kind of hair accessory: such as a hairband, barrette, or some kind of clip. We spend way too much money on good shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. Why are we like this? Because we are obsessive creatures.

So when we start to lose our hair – we start questioning other things. Will my boyfriend notice, and will he have a problem with me – am I losing my feminine wiles? Even the most secure women out there, are going to be thrown for a loop. It’s just not something that is talked about. OK I talk about it – but not many others do.

According to Fox News, there are some things that you can do to stop (and possibly reverse) the baldness. Here is a brief run down of the options available to you.

• Monoxidal -better known as Rogaine. It’s a topical liquid that you apply directly onto the thinning area of your scalp. It needs to be applied twice a day. Statistics show that it has stopped hair from thinning in about 70% of its cases ~ and shows regrowth by 50%.
• Low Level Laser Light Therapy – try saying that 3 x fast! Laser light is used to stimulate blood flow in the skin layer, where the hair follicles are. The treatment converts 70% of hair that’s in the resting stage of the hair growth cycle back into the growth stage.
• Hair Restoration Surgery – Skin grafts from the donor area (usually the sides and back of the head) are transplanted to areas that are bald. The new hair follicles will take, and start growing – this is not affected by female pattern baldness. The transplanted hair can be coloured, curled, and cut. This is because it is our own!

Of course there are non invasive options…start working on your accessory collection. Head scarves, hats, even fun wigs. I once had a roommate who has beautiful hair, who insisted on wearing a mauve wig a few times a month, because -well I am not exactly sure why – but she was (and am sure still is) a really fun girl.

Post from: Blisstree

Baldness – Not Just for the Men

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Post from: Blisstree

Happy Mother’s Day, Baldie!

Every Three Seconds No One Dies from Baldness

That stat is inspired by the ONE Campaign, who remind us that every three seconds someone does die… a child… of causes directly related to extreme poverty. They remind us that around the world ONE in seven goes to bed hungry each night because they lack access and mean to acquire food. They remind us that One is seven lack access to clean drinking water, perhaps the single greatest boon to health.

A while back I saw a stat that 96% of Caucasian men will experience some hair loss during their life time. I have yet to read about a single hair loss related death.

It seems I give the impression that I am completely against hair replacement and restoration therapies altogether. I’ve been called out in a couple recent comments. I have or will respond directly to those individuals, but in the mean time let me say here that this perception is not true. It’s very rare that you’ll find be taking an extreme, absolute position on anything, and hair replacement is no exception.

I get the psychological and self-esteem issues. I understand how hair loss as a side effect can be the last straw, the last thing a person battling a serious illness just can’t deal with. I also understand how everyday, ordinary age related hair loss can weigh a person down… the messages from the culture… romantic attraction… the reality of aging…. Trust me I get all that. I started losing my hair at age sixteen and was fortunate enough to find an amazing woman who didn’t love me for my luxurious locks. I understand.

At the same time, I am compelled to try to interject a greater scope, a broader perspective into the conversation. Hair loss can be a shock. It can be a difficult adjustment. But for most of us it will never be the end of the world.

A Round up of all Topic du Jour posts can be found over at Veggie Chic.

Post from: Blisstree

Every Three Seconds No One Dies from Baldness

Test your knowledge of hair loss with the following five questions:

1. Hair loss can be predicted by looking at your mother’s father.
2. Hair loss stops after a certain age.
3. Special shampoos that “unclog” hair follicles can prevent baldness.
4. Wearing a hat or helmet can cause hair loss.
5. Brushing or massaging the scalp can reduce hair loss.

Answers after the jump…

Let’s see how you did.

1. FALSE – While there may be a genetic component, it’s more complex than that.
2. FALSE – It just seems to because over time there is less to lose.
3. FALSE – Hair follicles don’t clog; they shrink and eventually disappear.
4. FALSE – It will cause hat hair, unless your already bald.
5. FALSE – But you don’t have to tell your significant other that.

Didn’t say it was a hard test.

source | photo

Post from: Blisstree

Easy Hair Loss Quiz

Perhaps what’s more interesting is that age-range was correctly identified more than two-thirds of the time! Something to keep in mind next time you plan nefarious deeds to be performed under cover of darkness…

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Post from: Blisstree

I Recognize that Bald Silhouette!