A four-year-old cancer sufferer has penned a letter to Father Christmas, which features a heart-wrenching request for curly hair. 

Zac Oliver

Zac is your typical four-year-old boy, he enjoys all the things any four-year-old boy enjoys. When he sat down to write his letter to Father Christmas he marked himself out as different, and Zac is different. He suffers from a rare form of cancer, called near-haploid strain of lymphoblastic leukaemia. Fortunately, since his diagnosis in May, following a fund-raising effort led by UK newspaper the Daily Mail, which included a single anonymous donation of £100,000, the £500K needed to fund his treatment was raised. In fact, the total raised to date stands at over £600K with any surplus, once Zac’s own needs are met, being used to fund research into childhood cancer. 

The huge costs involved are due to Zac having to travel to Philadelphia in the USA to receive a course of revolutionary immunotherapy, a new way of treating cancer that is highly efficacious for some types of the disease. The chronology of Zac’s treatment has been, since his diagnosis back in May, one of a particularly harsh form of chemotherapy. In November he made his first visit to Philadelphia where some of his T Cells were harvested. They are currently being “modified” in the lab and will, in about 5 weeks time, be reinfused back into his system.

Christmas Appeal

Around the time the family put up their Christmas tree this year, Zac’s hair began to fall out faster than it had been, a process which started back in June with the chemo. 

When it came to dictating his letter to Father Christmas he opened by asking after Santa’s health. He then reassured Santa that his mum had said he should be on the good list before setting out his requests for presents. The first two, predictably, were dinosaurs and an age-appropriate game called PAW Patrol. Then there was the third and last request, for hair. which he added he would like to be curly. 

HIS Hair Clinic

It is impossible not to feel for this lion-hearted boy, who has never uttered a word of complaint since the day of his diagnosis, and his poor mum and step-dad. Through it all, and even at the tender age of 4, it is losing his hair that prompted the single complaint. Even then Zac did not really complain, just made an honest request of someone who, for all he knows, might actually be able to deliver him from hair loss. 

I’m sure our readers will join us in wishing Zac and his family a wonderful Christmas,  and many more. Good luck through your journey.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic.

If you find yourself or any other person scratching their head a lot, be alert as it can be a sign of a lice infestation. Lice are minuscule, blood-sucking insects without wings that attach themselves to human hair and feed like parasites on human blood. There are 3 varieties of lice depending upon the part […]

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With some oncologists suggesting that immunotherapy is, for some patients, the most effective cancer cure available, we ask the question can it cause hair loss?

Immunotherapy

The range of treatments that fall under the umbrella of immunotherapy all have something in common. They are an attempt to replace previous methods of treating cancer, where the use of harsh chemicals and radiation make the experience, already emotional and challenging, deeply unpleasant. One aspect in particular, the hair loss associated with these treatments, is especially unwelcome…with a small but shocking proportion of women even declining treatment on that basis alone. 

Immunotherapy, rather than directly attacking the cancer, is a biological solution that works in one of two ways. Either by boosting the immune system – with the aim of assisting the body in forming its own successful defense against the disease. Or by marking the cancer cells, which are notoriously good at hiding from the body’s defenses, in such a way that they are then attacked by the immune system.

Although not as widely implemented as a treatment as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, immunotherapy is now available for several types of cancer. 

Does It Cause Hair Loss? 

It seems a very reasonable question, given that a faulty, and over-aggressive, immune system is held to blame for many types of hair loss, from alopecia areata all the way up to the most common form, androgenetic alopecia… the genetically inherited form of hair loss that the majority of us will experience, sooner or later as dictated by those genes. 

Well, to start with it seems unlikely that the type of immunotherapy which simply marks cancerous cells for attack by the immune system are likely to have any effect… depending on how they target those cancerous cells in the first place. Chemotherapy drugs, for example, are deliberately designed to target fast-growing cells, a category which hair unfortunately falls into, and why it is so regularly a casualty. But the type which boosts the immune system might well give cause for concern. In fact, we are delighted to report that no study has hair loss featured as a reported issue. This has been backed up with a complete lack of anecdotal evidence from patients, of whom there are now many thousands, none of whom have posted or complained of the problem.

HIS Hair Clinic 

It must be an enormous comfort to so many cancer sufferers to learn that their treatment need not involve any of the three “traditional” methods, nobody wants surgery and both chemotherapy and radiation are horrendous for all involved. As previously mentioned,  there are several types of immunotherapy. Some are delivered intravenously, some come in pills, one is a cream and another is intravesical… meaning it is put directly into the bladder. All are outpatient appointments. The worst of those strikes us as better than the best of the other choices… and with no risk to hair. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic.

In an unusual move, at least to us and the hair loss industry, a large number of hair transplant surgeons have combined to fund some research aimed at delivering a brand new hair loss treatment. We just had to look closer. 

HairClone

Under the name HairClone, a large number of hair transplant surgeons have collaborated to underwrite research into an original technique aimed at improving the lot of the average hair transplant patient, by raising the bar on the amount of bald scalp they can take on almost regardless of the quantity and quality of the donor area.

It’s a novel course of action, akin to the tail wagging the dog… but we applaud the clarity of purpose and their inclination not to wait for some science lab to come up with something on their behalf. 

In their cross-hairs is addressing the most common form of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia. Better known as male (or female) pattern hair loss it is the type that comes, inevitably, with age at the precise moment our genetics dictate… while there are some medications that can, for some, stave off the advance there remains no meaningful cure. 

Methodology

The intention is to perfect the techniques required to be able to take a few cells, from an area on the scalp not affected by the hair loss, from the patient, in a simple and swift outpatient procedure. These cells then have the potent cells isolated and these, in turn, are multiplied in the laboratory before being re-injected back into the patient’s scalp. Where it is hoped they will settle and become healthy growing hairs. 

There are also plans to develop a bio-bank in early 2019, where patients will be invited to store a small number of hair follicles for some future use… a bit like freezing eggs with the same idea. 

HIS Hair Clinic

We realize the project is designed to end up providing these surgeons with additional income from being able to exclusively deliver the new treatment, indeed that this is the principal objective. Nevertheless, is successful they will bring into reach a whole rank of potential clients that are currently beyond their help. So, while not a cure for hair loss it is possibly an important addition to the choices available in the near future. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Bronchitis is an infection or inflammation of the lining of a child’s bronchial tubes. These tubes are the air passageways that connect the trachea, or windpipe, to the lungs. The lining of the bronchial tubes is extremely fragile and secretes pathogen-fighting mucus, which helps safeguard your child’s respiratory system by warding off the threat of […]

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Remembering Sydney the Superhero

Sydney was just 5 years old when she was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor – a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys. Sydney immediately started on a grueling treatment process that would span over multiple years. However, she did not let it take away from her happy and positive spirit that touched everyone around her.

Sydney’s first round of chemo was proving to get rid of the cancer, but after her 12th cycle of chemo, the doctors ran a scan and found out she had relapsed the first time. The doctors started a new form of chemo treatment and prepared Sydney for a stem cell transplant. The stem cell transplant was initially successful, but after just one year, she relapsed again. They did another round of chemo treatments and for four months she was cancer free before the cancer returned and doctors told her family that she was out of options.

Sadly, Sydney passed away in February of 2018. Sydney’s mom remembers her as an extremely loving child. She loved music and arts and crafts and when she was told that she only had months to live, she made a bucket list. The number one thing on that list was to collect 1,000 toys for kids in area hospitals. She would go on to collect more than 4,600 toys!

“Childhood cancer isn’t like adult cancers. Without organizations like CureSearch, who actually fund children’s cancer research, there will never be better treatment options or a cure,” said Dana, Sydney’s mom.

Help us give hope to families like Sydney’s – the hope that better treatments and cures are possible for our smallest cancer-fighting superheroes. Donate and help fund critical childhood cancer research today.

The post Sydney, Wilms Tumor appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it gets exposed to a wide range of environmental factors and irritants every day. Sometimes the skin reacts to these irritants and this result in a rash. A rash is defined as a noticeable change in the texture or color of your skin. Rashes can […]

The post 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies to Heal a Skin Rash appeared first on Top 10 Home Remedies.

Having a dog as a pet is an amazing experience, but dealing with a dog suffering from diarrhea is definitely not. A dog with soft stool is one of the most common reasons behind veterinary visits. This common but troublesome problem can be quite distressing and potentially dangerous for your furry friend. Causes There can […]

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Having an incessant itch in the ear that no amount of scratching can shake off can take a real toll on you. It keeps you from concentrating on anything else, sucks the fun out of everything, and makes you want to rip your ears off. Sounds a bit extreme for a little harmless itch in […]

The post How to Treat Itchy Ears: 10 Tips and Remedies appeared first on Top 10 Home Remedies.

A Season of Hope for Childhood Cancer Cures

Harlan, was an active and happy toddler when his world changed forever. At just two-years-old, Harlan was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer for which there was no cure.

With no new treatments in over 20 years, Harlan bravely endured standard therapies – radiation, chemotherapy and brain surgery. Yet even in pain, his infectious giggle and big smile captured the hearts of everyone he met.

For his family, daily life revolved around Harlan’s cancer and holding him tightly as he courageously fought his battle for nearly two years. And then, just before his 4th birthday, Harlan lost his fight. Harlan had spent half of his little life battling cancer.

Sadly, we know Harlan was not alone. Each day, approximately 43 kids are diagnosed with cancer and 43 families’ lives are turned upside down as they embark on a new life affected by this terrible disease.

Harlan’s family vowed to do everything in their power to change this outcome for other kids, to eliminate the pain of cancer and bring hope to families affected by it. They became involved with CureSearch and rally annually to raise funds to support childhood cancer research.

Join Harlan’s family and CureSearch to help make this a season of hope for every child and family experiencing a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis. Give for kids like Harlan, and for the hope that together we WILL change the future by advancing new, less-toxic childhood cancer treatments and cures. Make your end of year contribution today.

The post A Season of Hope for Childhood Cancer Cures appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

Cigarette smoking is injurious to health! We’ve all heard that before, but what about chewing tobacco? Chewing smokeless tobacco products, although less talked about, is just as bad as smoking – if not more. Rather than being inhaled, smokeless tobacco is consumed orally and has been in use for as long as other forms of […]

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Three ways to give holiday hope to kids with cancer

At CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, this holiday season is about giving hope – the hope that every childhood cancer patient can live the long, healthy life he or she deserves. That’s why we’re sharing three ways you can help give hope to kids with cancer including:

1. Start your own Facebook fundraiser and encourage holiday donations towards our mission to end children’s cancer.
2. Use your klout to be a CureSearch digital advocate – follow us on social media at the links below and share our patient stories, resources, asks for donations and more.
3. Make your tax-deductible donation today and help fund critical childhood cancer research.

Without you, our dedicated CureSearch community, we couldn’t provide the necessary funding for research that propels new treatments and cures to the children and families who need them most.

Get involved or donate today and give hope to every child fighting cancer.

The post Three ways to give holiday hope to kids with cancer appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

In this, the penultimate in our series of articles taking a look at the worldwide efforts to produce a hair loss cure, we take a closer look at the work of RepliCell and their huge partner in Asia, Shiseido. 

RepliCel

Back in 2003 a couple of European researchers, Kevin McElwee PhD and Rolf Hoffman MD, published the results of their work studying the cell biology of the hair follicle. Since then they have grown a lean business that leads development through a network of established partners. That lean structure leaves them free to focus their energies on ongoing research, the quality of that research has led them into partnership with some serious players around the world but particularly in Asia, where their relationship with Shiseido, signed in 2013, is of special interest to us… with its focus on a new hair loss treatment.

Shiseido

While many of the companies we have been looking at are young biotechs that you are unlikely to have heard of, unless like us you spend ridiculous amounts of time trawling newsfeeds for anything hair loss related. Shiseido is different. For a start they were founded in 1872, which makes them by some distance the oldest company on our list. While they are more readily associated with being a skincare company, they have obviously recognized the merging of skincare and hair loss treatments through the development of several topical approaches to the problem. The 2013 deal with RepliCel saw Shiseido sign an exclusive license, covering the whole of the Asian market, to work on RepliCel’s product RCH-01. Shiseido is carrying out it’s own, separate work on taking the treatment through trial. 

RCH-01 

RCH-01 is described as an autologous cell therapy making use of dermal sheath “cup cells.”  Follicles are taken from the patient using a small punch biopsy, from the back of the scalp where, as transplant surgeons have taught us for decades, the hair is immune from the ravages of hair loss. The cup cells are first separated from the follicle and then replicated in the lab. The plan is to take the genetic benefits of that immunity and bring those traits to existing follicles in the region affected by hair loss. 

HIS Hair Clinic

Though there are undoubtedly some huge technical challenges to bringing this to market we are encouraged, once again, by the gravity of the firms involved. RepliCel has built an interesting business based purely on really smart research results… testified to by the quality of partner they have acquired. The fact that the list of partners includes Shiseido gives further weight to the story, one that we hope runs and runs. Again, the delivery method suggests that you will find yourself in a surgical suite being treated by a surgeon.., so the cost will surely be a block for many potential clients. But the cost has a way of coming down over time and we will continue to monitor their progress closely. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

As we near the end of our tour around the smart biotech companies working on a hair loss cure, we take a look at Kyocera’s impressive work on stem cells.

Kyocera

Kyocera might, at first glance, seem an unlikely candidate to deliver a hair loss cure. The company was founded in Japan in 1959 as a specialist in fine ceramics and steadily built the business, expanding to become an international player with offices in the USA and Germany. By 1972 they were using their skills around ceramics to enter the brave new world of information technology, delivering multi-layered ceramic packages for large-scale integrated circuits. The early eighties saw a series of mergers with electronics companies, it would set the tone for the next decade or more as the business used acquisitions to enter many new markets where they saw an opportunity to use their R&D abilities to carve out market share. 

The 3M Yen that it required to set the company up, back in 1959, is now dwarfed by annual revenues today in excess of 1.5 trillion Yen. They are a major player in more industries and market sectors than you could shake a stick at. Fortunately, for hair loss sufferers the world over, on Kyocera’s to-do list is to produce a hair loss treatment based on some breathtakingly twenty-first-century science.

Collaboration

Kyocera has teamed up with two very young, very smart Japanese biotechs. One is Organ Technologies, a small research company that has its focus on regenerative medicine… they have taken out patents on reproduced teeth… which you would think might make sprouting some new hair a relatively simple task. The second is an outfit called Riken Center for Developmental Biology, like Organ Technologies they are focussed on regenerative medicine and have a phenomenal catalog of innovation behind them.

The three, Kyocera, Riken and Organ Technologies, have been collaborating on some stem cell research aimed at a hair loss cure… or at the very least to make hair transplants a thing of the past. The limitations of transplants are well-known, harvest scars chief among them. But even if you find your way, with deep enough pockets, to a good surgeon, they are only able to relocate a limited number of follicles… and they will take 6 months to “settle” before you can judge the success of the treatment. Even then there are issues with size and orientation, where the relocated hairs are mature and taken from the back of the head they look substantially different from the fine hairs normally seen at the hairline. In addition, the original orientation of the follicle may be lost in relocation so that they grow out in odd directions, further adding to the slightly wrong finish. 

Hair Follicle Primordiums

We know, it was a new word on us when we first saw it in one of their press releases, but that is the nature of groundbreaking medicine… the need to create new words for never seen before products. In this case the product is arrived at by taking follicles from the patients own head. Just a few though. These follicles have their stem cells isolated which are then multiplied in the lab. These cells are combined in what they describe as a 3D environment before being “packaged” ready for delivery back into the same patient’s scalp… via a series of injections. 

HIS Hair Clinic

This work is at the very early, pre-clinical, stage. But the quality of the achievements already made by both Riken and Organ, combined with the smarts and financial muscle of Kyocera should give everyone cause for hope that something meaningful will come out of it. Their prognosis is that the treatment will be able to deliver impressive density over a similar timescale to a modern FUT transplant, though it is likely to be the job of a surgeon to administer the injections suggesting cost will be a barrier for many. At least in its early years. We will continue to watch their progress and report back on any momentum.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

Our tour of the smart young companies, some not so young, researching the next generation of hair loss treatments continues with a look at the work of Cassiopea.

Cassiopea

Not to be confused with the constellation that appears in the northern sky and is named after a Greek queen who boasted of her unrivaled beauty. That is Cassiopeia, completely different. This is a biotech company, trading on the Swiss exchange where they went public in 2015, with its focus on developing topical treatments for skin diseases, to which they recently added hair loss to their target list. 

Cassiopea has an impressive and cosmopolitan group of individuals at its helm, people with a great deal of experience in the worlds of pharmaceutical and research. Board member Dr. Jan De Vries PhD (immunology), in particular, has an eye-catching CV. This multi-award winning former head of Novartis Autoimmunity has written over 200 papers, had 20 patents granted and bought 15 compounds to clinical trials. 

Breezula

For the last couple of years, the team at Cassiopea have been developing a hair loss treatment they call Breezula. Like everything else they have in development, Breezula is a topical treatment. It works, or at least the idea behind the science on it working, is that it can interfere with the negative effects of the dreaded DHT and androgen receptors by blocking that interaction. 

Trial Success

Cassiopea announced earlier this year that their Phase II dose-ranging trial results were “very positive.” Which in plain English means that they were able to evidence an improvement but also to identify the optimum dosage for maximum benefit. These results will be the platform, they hope, for a successful transition to the next phase of trials and ultimately to a tube of ointment on the pharmacy shelf. 

HIS Hair Clinic

It is a mix of those impressive individuals and the pure common sense in their approach that gives us some hope for Cassiopea. As a topical treatment, it will not be subject to the rigors of clinical testing that we rightly expect for anything to be taken internally… simply because it avoids so many of the interactions by being topical. We will continue to watch their progress and hope that great things can be achieved by Breezula. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

‘Unimaginable battle’: 12-mile York County hike helps fight childhood cancer

(www.heraldonline.com) Hikers will lace up their boots to trek 12 miles Nov. 17 at Baxter Village Trail in Fort Mill to honor and remember local children affected by childhood cancer. It touches particularly close to home for one York County family.

“Our main concern is knowing that childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded,” said Jonathan Sullins. “And our goal is to raise as much as awareness and money for that and to help out families.”

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As we near the end of our tour of those companies working towards a hair loss cure we turn our attention to Aclaris. There is something about them we really like…

Aclaris Therapeutics

Not unlike the other companies we have visited during this tour, Aclaris describe themselves in twenty-first-century terms. In fact, it would be closer to the truth to say they drive the development of innovative solutions to underserved skin conditions.

Founded in 2012 their early work was on finding an original treatment for seborrheic keratoses, a program was started in 2013. Fast forward to 2016, by when Aclaris had also begun a clinical program for the use of that seborrheic keratosis treatment on common warts, and they took an important step in our direction…

Hair Loss

In 2016, Aclaris bought intellectual property from Colombia University where a team had been working on Janus Kinane (JAK) inhibitors. These JAK inhibitors play an important role in the development of alopecia so the acquisition effectively introduced Aclaris as a new, and important player, in the world of hair loss. 

A year later saw two more important developments for the business. First, because it is our list, was the initiation of two clinical programs for a topical JAK inhibitor (ATI-502 JAK1/JAK3) – one was looking at alopecia areata and the other at vitiligo. The other significant moment in the Aclaris year last year was the purchase of Confluence Discovery Technologies Inc… who now operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. They are a full-service drug discovery and early developmental contract research organization. Which strikes us a very neat fit.  

Chasing The Grail 

This year came the news that they were broadening their horizons and elevating their ambitions for their topical JAK inhibitor, with the implication that it turns out to be more potent than might have been thought. There is now a clinical program based on using it as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia… that awful version of baldness generally known as “typical.” The sort that comes to you through your genes and has proved historically almost impossible to reverse. 

HIS Hair Clinic

A new addition to the suite of products available to challenge hair loss would be most welcome. The topical nature of the Aclaris offering means that it will take considerably less time to come to market that some of the other more exotic treatments we have looked at in this series. 

Aclaris themselves seem to go from strength to strength and are worth in the region of $0.5B today… Which we hope will also add some impetus to the development of their treatment. We will certainly report progress here. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

We all are familiar with the term “cough.” Coughing is perhaps one of the most common health problems that frequently affects both children and adults. A cough is basically a voluntary or involuntary act, which helps your breathing passage and throat get rid of foreign particles, mucus, irritants, microbes, etc. It involves rapid air expulsion […]

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We continue our look at the leading runners and riders in the race for a hair loss cure, Histogen has been drawing investment and interest for a while now…

Histogen

Since they were founded, in 2007, this San Diego based startup has raised nearly $50M over five rounds of funding, enough to suggest that some deep-pocketed people have done due diligence and thought them worthy of significant investment. Although we should always bear in mind the scale of the market for any sort of winner in this race.

Histogen’s proposition is based on some smart patents involving the production of multipotent stem cells in the lab, from regular connective tissue rather than embryos. The technology is the basis for two principal areas of research, with one aimed at creating a hair loss treatment and the other at producing an insoluble extracellular matrix – which has potential in wound healing and cancer care. 

Current State of Progress

Since registering their first patent in 2012, which covered the Company’s new method for growing cells, they have added another 7 US patents along with 40 issued foreign patents and a further 30 active applications. 

They have already gone to market, in partnership with Allergan, on a skin rejuvenation product available through dermatologists… but that is low hanging fruit compared to an injectable hair loss treatment. Any injectable treatment needs to pass a far more stringent set of medical trials than any cream. 

So far they have conducted a couple of small studies on an earlier version of their compound, HSC660, which showed a “marked improvement” in terminal hair count. 

The company has been encouraged by these results, and those of another small study which showed, they tell us on their website, excellent efficacy for women. Plans are for a Phase 1 Clinical Study in the US using the latest version of their compound. 

HIS Hair Clinic

The fact that the research is based on a patent which sees them capable of producing their own supply of pluripotent stem cells is exciting. They have also proven adept at generating cash to fund their research, with any luck they will also be generating some income through their skincare product. That will only help compress the time to market for their hair loss treatment, which if it successfully negotiates the various clinical hurdles must still be some 3 years away at least.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

The next in our series of articles looking at the latest news from across the world of hair loss research, is a study of progress at one of the most valuable healthcare startups in the world.  

Samumed

Some of the companies we are looking at in this series are young, very young. Others have been around a few years and struggle through the stages of clinical study through a lack of funding. Samumed are different. Since they began work in 2008, they have developed several stem cell research projects with each aimed at a different, underserved, market all in the age-related disease arena.  The list of ailments they are aiming to remedy is impressive, it includes some of the most widespread and damaging illnesses including Alzheimer’s Disease and Osteoarthritis. In fact, they have no less than eight compounds in development at various stages. 

Hair Loss

Their compound SM04554 reached the end of its Phase 2 clinical trials earlier this year, with results that were solid rather than impressive. Along with their Osteoarthritis treatment it is at the most advanced stage of development. The early phases of these clinical trials have to demonstrate efficacy, usually in mice. Phase 2 is where the developer aims to prove safety along with efficacy. So we are currently to hear more detail on the Phase 3 clinical trials that they pretty much immediately moved on to. Signs are good and there seems every reason to be optimistic. Lessons are learned about dosage and other factors during Phase 1, which inform the team ahead of Phase 2 and hopefully lead to improvements… the same is true of lessons learned during Phase 2 when it comes to those Phase 3 trials. 

HIS Hair Clinic

We have followed the work of Samumed for years. They have a super smart executive team and some seriously exciting products in development. You don’t even have to take our word for it. The fact is that they started out well-funded, but success has seen them raise an incredible $650M in equity over their time…  including an impressive $438M Series A (when a private company invites external funding for the first time) in August. That level of funding is not easy to attract for any business at any time, it certainly testifies to the credibility of Samumed. We can only hope it translates into meaningful treatments for them, any one of their eight compounds holds the promise of improving the lives of millions of sufferers. 

We should finish with a reality check, despite its intended use as a topical application those Phase 3 trials are still extensive. Do not expect, even with Samumed’s deep pockets, anything approaching a marketable product this side of 2022. Even then, the likelihood is that this will be a replacement for minoxidil… something that might halt your hair loss progressing and, with luck, add somewhere around 10% to the number of follicles. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

We continue our look at the leading candidates for producing the much-heralded cure for hair loss, this time looking at the work of Follicum.

Follicum

The origins of Follicum started out in conducting research into arteriosclerosis, they noticed an increase in hair growth in the laboratory mice and chose to pursue the importance of that outcome. They had been using a modified human protein, osteopontin, and worked to expand their understanding of how human proteins might impact on our ability to grow, or regrow, hair.

Their work resulted in a specific peptide, FOL-005, being taken to trial as their favoured candidate. They have since developed FOL-005. Both are protein-based but it is FOL-005 that is further down the path towards becoming a product on the shelves. News from a study conducted in Germany, which injected volunteers to the study with the drug, is that it has been declared as well-tolerated… positive news for the drug’s development since it means they are working on a treatment that has been declared safe. Efficacy results, at first glance, might be slightly less encouraging. Their website tells us that the study was evaluating the improvement based on the effect versus baseline, so individual changes and not versus the placebo. Nevertheless, they declared an improvement of 7 hairs per square centimetre, The study also showed “a clear increase” of the number of hair follicles in the growth phase, a result that improved with a larger dosage. 

How Long Till A Product? 

It is important to note that these results were for a first phase 11A study, essentially performed to test a drug’s safety and to evidence some therapeutic effect. The results are enough to encourage the team to start developing a topical version of the treatment, one which would have to undergo significantly fewer legislative hurdles and so lead to a product sooner rather than later… though Follicum admit they are still seeking a commercial partner they are understandably optimistic that this set of results will drive that conversation. 

More studies are planned, with increased dosage and treatment rates, to try and improve on the existing set of results. Lower doses were shown to have no effect and a wide variety of results were seen even with larger doses.

HIS Hair Clinic

Follicum was founded in 2011 with just $650,000 if seed capital. Understandable then that their pace of progress is limited by that lack of finance. Great to read that these results are encouraging their efforts and we wish them well… while recognising that 7 hairs per sq cm are nothing to get too excited about then you really need around 250. But let us not underestimate the value of any research that has managed to grow even one new hair… they may very well be onto something. We will continue to watch them closely. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

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We started our tour of young pharmaceutical companies, developing new hair loss treatments, with a look at the work of Rivertown. Today we look at the second firm on our list, Follica, with their own unique slant on hair loss prevention and cure. 

Follica

We will see, later in our search, businesses that have been developed with less cash but Follica are one of the lower funded outfits on the hunt for the cure to hair loss. To date, since they were founded in 2005, Follica has raised $24.1M and none at all since 2010. We are taking the benevolent view that this lack of cash-raising is due to some commercial success with products already on the market. Today, they are part of a larger group operating under the PureTech Health banner, PureTech themselves are a pioneering pharma group developing therapeutics based on the biology interactions between the brain, the gut and the immune system. 

The Follica Approach

Their website opens with a quote from the firm’s scientific co-founder, Dr. George Cotsarelis, Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. “The dogma was that you were born with the total number of follicles that you were ever going to have. their loss was considered permanent. Now we know it is now.”

It is an ambitious statement, designed to turn the head of any hair loss sufferer but what is that claim based on? Well, Follica is using proprietary technology from the University of Pennsylvania which is based on using stem cells to trigger new growth. The public appetite for stem cell applications is seemingly limitless, as is the optimism for their potential to cure pretty much anything. The team at Follica have a process which starts with “disruption” of the scalp, which sounds painful and quite probably is. But it is a necessary evil since the cure lies in manipulating how the body reacts to that disruption. Follica tell us that cells migrate to the site of the disruption to make repairs and that on arrival they need to make a decision on whether to become skin cells or hair cells. They claim that at this point it is possible to push those cells towards deciding to become hair, we are told on their site “There is a window of opportunity in which we can potentially push them to chose the latter, and we believe there are multiple biological pathways to target to enhance this outcome.” 

How It Works

Because the first step in the process is that painful sounding skin disruption, which creates the essential damage that triggers the arrival of the stem cells, the first appointment is with a trained medical professional. From there you switch to using a device at home which delivers “a range of compounds” on a daily basis. There is a smartphone app which makes sure you stay on plan, and reminds you when to order fresh compounds. 

HIS Hair Clinic

Follica is certainly working in an interesting area. The implications of the gut on our wider health are only beginning to be understood, along with our ability to manipulate stem cells. Like others in the series, Follica is operating in an area that might well hold the key… we will continue to watch their progress closely to see how their product improves. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

We are covering ever more stories about young pharmaceutical firms, and some not so young ones, with ambitions in the hair loss sector. So we ask the question, just how far off is a hair loss cure?

Up To Date On Hair Loss

Over a series of articles, we will bring you right up to date on the progress of some of the most exciting and ambitious projects in the hair loss sector. In recent times we have seen come to market of just a handful of genuinely original contributions to men and women sufferers. Laser caps and cooling caps address very different problems but with the same aim, to help the patient hold on to hair against the odds. On the medical front, we have seen PRP take it’s place, with its blend of new science and what seems like a common sense approach. The results on all these are not necessarily what we, as sufferers have in mind when we imagine a cure… that still involves sprouting fantastic, Gerard Depardieu style locks. 

When we ask the question, how far off is that stellar and simple cure, we will look at efforts of the latest research by teams at the bleeding edge. We hope that by doing so, we will build a picture of our current level of understanding, which seems to be improving at an ever accelerating rate, and, just maybe, how much longer we might have to wait.

Today, in our first of this series, we will take a look at the work of Rivertown Therapeutics Inc. The youngest of all the companies we will be looking at, Rivertown has a unique approach which involves a topical treatment… as a direct consequence of which they can accelerate development time by avoiding some of the more demanding regulations around medications designed to be swallowed or injected. 

Rivertown Therapeutics Inc.

Only founded three years ago, in 2015, by neurologist and scientist David Weinstein MD, Rivertown was established to bring to market a specific product. We like Dr. Weinstein, unfazed by his own hair loss he took the opportunity to try out a molecule he had developed for peripheral nerve regeneration. He had seen it grow unexpected hair on mice in what was called, at the time, a side effect as they explored the properties of the molecule. 

Unfortunately, for Dr. Weinstein, the molecule did nothing for his hair loss. Undeterred, he went on to create a brand new molecule, RT1640… which he has further developed into a topical treatment. 

Microbiological Approach

Dr. Weinstein’s idea was to combine his existing molecule with some additional ones to produce a combination with what he claims is a robust approach to the problem.

Described as “involving “a complex set of interactions that require the recruitment of stem cells, their differentiation and incorporation into the growing hair shaft. Along with melanin and growth-factors this triple whammy on hair loss can be enough, claims the Dr., to not only regrow hair as if that isn’t enough but that it will grow pre-grey hair in your original colour. 

HIS Hair Clinic

It’s a great place to start, Rivertown embodies the bold, lone scientist with an idea… and who would bet against the cure being found by just such a person.

The prediction for RT1640 is to become both a scalp lotion for hair loss and a cream for use on overplucked eyebrows. 

We will certainly keep a close eye on the current and planned trials for Dr. Weinstein’s super-smart sounding molecule. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss treatment with one of our team of friendly experts simply complete the contact form on this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Acne is a very common skin disease. In fact, it is the most common skin condition in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.[1] People of all races and ages get acne; however, it is most common in teenagers and young adults. As per the U.S. National Library of Medicine, an estimated … Continue reading 5 Simple Ways of Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

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The appetite of a certain section of the media, for bashing David Beckham and his hair, shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

A Life In The Spotlight

From a very young age, David Beckham was marked out for special attention. As a junior schoolboy, his prodigious talents as a footballer had already caught the eye of a number of the country’s biggest clubs. Before he was in his teens he joined the set up at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, the richest football club in the world at that time. United had sent in their biggest gun to make a personal approach to the young boy and secure the deal, in the shape of none other than legendary manager Alex Ferguson (before the knighthood). 

It would have easily gone to the head of most boys. But several years later he burst, still in his teens, into the United first team and was still the humble, rather shy, and far from eloquent lad that had spent his formative years in the granite tough east end of London. 

Superstar 

Initially in the UK, but then further afield, Beckham’s exploits on the field began to attract serious attention. Then there was the film star looks, then the globally famous pop star wife. He would become one the Galactico’s, that assembly of the world’s very best players who came together at Real Madrid and captain his country in one of the most remarkable football careers enjoyed by any Englishman. Off the field that success was mirrored with a happy marriage, several children and lots and lots of tattoos. 

The Worm That Turned

But such is the British media, or a section of it, that this seemingly flawless idol has endured serial attacks over the years. For haircuts, or clothing choices, or those tattoos… or just about anything they can think of. 

Recent weeks have seen a veritable splurge of hair loss stories, rumours that David has had a transplant, or is using spray-on hair. The Sun, market leaders at this sort of thing, went so far as to run a huge article around the theory that he is having a mid-life crisis based on some pretty thin evidence – mostly around the apparent improvement to his hair.

HIS Hair Clinic

 He may well have had something done to improve the appearance of his hair and he has definitely bought a motorbike. It hardly amounts to a crisis in the life of an extremely wealthy and very young 43 year old. His looks, and in particular his hair, have been an important part of his global appeal so it makes sense to take steps to retain them, while a motorbike strikes us as a great way to travel around Miami. Especially a fast one.  

Hopefully one day, when the time comes, he will take the decision to go for scalp micropigmentation… in which case he will surely find his way to the doors of the inventors and world-leading provider, HIS Hair Clinic.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form at the side of this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

Meet Superhero Cash

“Babies don’t get cancer, what is going to happen now?” were the words of Cash’s grandmother when at just 7 months old he was diagnosed with stage two hepatoblastoma, a rare type of liver cancer. While Cash was too little to understand what was happening, the rest of the family was confused and devastated, hearing the life altering and heartbreaking words, ‘your child has cancer.’

Cash underwent a grueling treatment process – starting with a procedure to remove part of his liver just three days after his diagnosis. He was scheduled to start chemotherapy a week later when he went into septic shock following an infection in his drain tube. Doctors were unsure if he would survive. Cash was intubated for almost a week, his condition was touch and go. Fortunately, during the next few days he was slowly weaned off ventilation and eventually the pain medications and antibiotics as well.

Cash’s journey has taught his family that life is short and precious and to always cherish the time you have with kids. His family hopes that through the childhood cancer research programs funded by CureSearch, no parent will ever have to hear those four words that forever changed their lives: ‘your child has cancer.’ They also hope that the world will start acknowledging that children with cancer are just as important as adults.

“My hope is that everyone would read our posts, listen to our pleas for help and start acknowledging that children as just as important as adults with cancer. Please don’t look away, if put in this same position, you would want everyone fighting for your child, too,” said Lisa, Cash’s mom.

Cash, an identical twin and Elmo lover, is an amazing little guy who fought so hard to get where he is today. Consider donating today to help children and families like Cash’s.

The post Meet Superhero Cash appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

It’s a regular question on the forum so we know there are plenty who will appreciate seeing just what can be achieved.

Scalp Micropigmentation

Since inventing the procedure, well over a decade ago now, HIS Hair Clinic has consistently provided leadership to the rapidly growing industry. Whether in terms of equipment, pigments or technique, HIS have been at the forefront of developments.

The Need To Shave 

For clients who had never previously shaved their scalp it could be a daunting prospect. Shaving the scalp prior to treatment has always been considered a necessity – providing not just the clean blank canvas for the practitioner to work on, it is the style choice for anyone considering Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) to address a hair loss situation that has seen all hair lost from the top of the head. 

For some clients however, like the gentleman in question here, their hair loss is not so advanced that this is their only style option. As you can see, the ability for SMP to add the appearance of density to thinning hair is truly impressive. For some men, it might stave off for several years the point at which they have, or feel they have, no option but to shave down. Bear in mind this is what was achieved in just one session, this is not even a complete treatment yet. 

Leading The Way

HIS Hair Clinic had the market to themselves for several years. In fact, it is only very recently, though ferocious marketing efforts, that any other competitor clinics have begun to appear. More recently still in the USA, where the first SMP clinic was opened by HIS in New York less than a decade ago… it is truly amazing to see just how many brands have established themselves there in that short space of time. While this testifies to the power of the treatment to change lives, it is entirely reasonable to question where the depth of experience they lay claim to has come from. 

HIS Hair Clinic

So this article comes with a health warning. SMP for clients who still have hair and do not want to shave is entirely possible. However, it must follow a consultation with an experienced practitioner who is capable of visualising the outcome. Then, of course, they must be technically capable of flawless delivery.

Get it right and the promise of several years of holding onto your hair awaits. Get it wrong and you may well be forced into an early shave… along with some remedial work to improve the SMP which is now in full view. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly hair loss experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

Note: Consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Use home remedies only as an adjunct to treatment. Pneumonia in children is something that you should not take lightly. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death caused due to an infection among the children under five, killing about 2,400 children a day. … Continue reading Calming Children’s Pneumonia Symptoms Naturally

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Trish Murphy, a phsycotherapist, hosts a letters page in the Irish Times. A letter from a couple of anxious parents regarding the devastation wreaked on their son’s life by his hair loss was a tough read… we look closer.

Trish Murphy 

Trish is the resident psychotherapist at the Irish Times, a daily broadsheet in the Republic of Ireland with its headquarters in Dublin. In her letters page she answers questions sent in by members of the public on issues affecting their mental wellbeing.

A letter published, from his concerned parents, detailed the tragic history of their son, now 33 years old. They told Trish that he lost his hair at the challengingly young age of just 16. Unbeknown to them he went through several unsuccessful transplant procedures… earning, they said, good money as a qualified professional. His situation now is that he has transplanted hair growing on the front of his head but that the damage and scarring at the back means he describes himself as having ‘half a head.’

Impact Of Hair Loss

Their son is now in a state of severe depression. He has not worked for three years and, having spent all his money, has become lonely and dependent on coffee and social media. 

The desperate parents arranged for him to have an appointment with the family doctor, described as sympathetic, with a view to paying a fee for a consultation at “an expert hair clinic.” Unfortunately, their son backed out of the doctor’s appointment claiming that he was not going to be told anything he did not already know. 

What Next? 

The son has a plan, unfortunately it is not very sophisticated or practical as he intends to wait for five years in the hope that transplant techniques will improve to the point where he can be helped. 

The sensible advice from Trish was to stop focussing on a transplant as the possible cure, instead treat the depression. Get him back to work, maybe with some simple local volunteering to begin with. 

HIS Hair Clinic

We can only hope that his time spent on social media will mean that, at some point, he will discover the power of scalp micropigmentation and it’s ability to transform lives in difficult situations like his. Remedial work on transplants that have gone wrong is bread and butter for the team at HIS, treating even old and keloid scars and improving their appearance is entirely possible. There is absolutely no reason why a young intelligent man should need to suffer like the son of these poor, desperate parents. 

You can see the original letter, and full details of Trish’s reply by clicking here.

As a parent they have my sympathy, as a man who lost his hair in his teens I have empathy for their son too. But as a writer on all things hair loss for many years I know it is not necessary to suffer.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

Vomiting, or throwing up, is the forceful discharge of stomach contents through the mouth and is very common in children. The muscles in the abdomen contract and exert what seems like all of your life force to eject the contents of your stomach. No wonder then that even a short vomiting spell takes a heavy … Continue reading Vomiting and Nausea in Children: Cure it the Natural Way!

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We are not normally given to promoting products on these pages, but this one came with a ringing endorsement and offers a wholly organic approach to restoring thickness for women experiencing hair thinning.

Female Hair Loss – A Hidden Problem

There are an estimated 6 million women in the UK alone suffering from hair loss.  For some it is the upsetting but temporary experience of post-partum hair loss, the type experienced just after delivering a baby as your endocrine system settles back down. For others, though a tiny proportion of the total, it can be one of the rarer forms of alopecia… areata (small circular patches of hair loss), totalis (losing hair from scalp and face), or universalis (complete loss of all hair from the entire body). There are other triggers for hair loss too, thyroid issues for example. Again, a treatable condition that will hopefully, in time, see the patient make a complete return to a healthy head of hair. 

For the vast majority of women hair loss will come in the form of the hereditary type that sees hair thinning across the top of the scalp, but not the hairline which usually stays intact. That is the principal difference between hair loss for men and women… that and the options for treatment. Men always have the option to shave down completely, but it is the treatment options where women come up short. Currently, there are only two FDA approved medications and only the topical one is available to women. 

Hair Envy

Hair Envy is a treatment made from 15 different plant extracts. absolutely no ridiculous medical claims, no sneaky active ingredients. If your Grandma was going to make a hair loss tonic, and had access to a great garden, it is the one she might have come up with. 

The list of ingredients certainly gives it a luxurious aspect. Juniper berry, lemongrass, eucalyptus, jojoba, castor… and many more. Each ingredient picked for its own properties. One, in particular, caught our eye… Cedarwood is reputed to enhance circulation and of course, is closely related to another aromatic wood, Sandalwood – which featured in a recent article on here when a team of researchers discovered a hitherto unknown ability to promote hair growth simply by smelling it. 

HIS Hair Clinic

There is no doubt that our diet and how we treat our hair, in terms of maintenance, plays an important role in our hair health. We have seen claims that the Hair Envy treatment has the ability to produce thicker healthier hair even for women of a certain age. It certainly does not belong to that class of hair loss products that are essentially repackaged minoxidil, heavily marketed to appear like a genuine new entrant to the market.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

In one of the more surprising hair loss news stories we have read in a long while, a young girl who, having suffered from alopecia areata since the age of 2, suddenly began to grow hair after treatment for eczema. 

Case Study

Published in the journal JAMA Dermatology, we read details of a remarkable study with possibly profound implications for some hair loss sufferers. A team at the Massachusetts General Hospital were working on a new treatment for eczema called dupilumab. Their patient was an unfortunate 13-year-old girl whose own eczema had proved resistant to treatment. We say unfortunate because not only was she afflicted with that miserable condition but she had suffered from alopecia totalis, that version of alopecia that sees all hair lost from the scalp and face, since the tender age of 2.

Unexpected Outcome

Published pictures of the girl’s scalp, taken at 6 weeks after her first dose, show her in her original state, with her eczema clearly visible through the complete absence of any scalp hair. However, pictures taken at 11 months into her treatment show a transformation. She now has fine hair growing all over the scalp, and what can be seen of the scalp itself seems to show a huge improvement of the condition of the skin.

Hair Loss Hope

The senior author of the study, Maryanne Makredes Senna, told JAMA “We were quite surprised since this patient hadn’t grown scalp hair since the age of two, and other treatments that can help with hair loss did not help in her case.” She went on “As far as we know, this is the first report of hair regrowth with dupilumab in a patient with any degree of alopecia areata.” 

This remarkable story had one more surprise to come, the link between the sudden growth of hair and the use of dupilumab might still have been dismissed by some as coincidence. Fortunately for hair loss sufferers everywhere this took place in the USA, where issues with the patient’s insurance coverage meant the treatment was withdrawn for two months. During that period without treatment the patient shed the new hair, and then re-grew it when treatment recommenced. 

HIS Hair Clinic

This made for great reading, yet another avenue of exploration in the hunt for a hair loss cure… something for the sufferers of eczema and alopecia areata to look forward to – though with the usual caveat of a long wait while it passes through the various trial stages. We will follow their progress closely as the author did mention an application to begin those trials had already been lodged. Our thanks go out to the American Medical Association for the use of the image. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page. Or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

Two very different women experienced a dramatic version of the same illness, but chose very different solutions. We look closer.

Female Hair Loss In The Media

There has been a noticeable uptick in the number of articles we see covering the issue of hair loss for women. Celebrities have inspired many by publicly sharing their own experiences that run the whole gamut of potential hair loss – from those that suddenly appear without warning like alopecia areata to the self-inflicted trichotillimania and problems created by hairstyling. 

We came across two articles featuring women who went through incredibly difficult hair loss experiences, but who both came through it and found their own, very different, solutions. 

Trichotillimania

It was assumed for a long time that “trich”, as it is called, was associated with stress and anxiety. Thinking has moved on however and these days it is considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder… like biting your nails. Even the name is up for review with the word mania getting a makeover to better reflect the nature of the illness… we are to call it “hair pulling disorder” in the future. 

Regardless of what it is called, or even what causes it, the fundamentals will stay the same. Trich will affect mostly teenagers and young adults with girls disproportionately suffering. The condition sees them pulling out their own hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and even pubic hair. It triggers feelings of low esteem which doubtless create a cycle of behaviour that can make it very difficult to live with. There is no treatment.

Sara Meucci

Sara is a 28 year old Italian model who began pulling her hair out as a 12 year old. She wore wigs and headscarves to mask the problem but has now accepted, embraced even, her baldness and wants to inspire others to do the same. 

Sara posts on her Instagram page talking about life without hair and recently took the bold step of posing naked without her wig… “In the end, your ultimate goal is not to feel beautiful without hair, it is to understand how much your smile has far more power than your hair” she says. 

Siobhan Kenny

Siobhan’s trich troubles started later in life, she puts the blame on the cumulative effect of several stressful events… though she did have a brief experience with it in her teens. For Siobhan, a hard-working cancer nurse, the problem resurfaced when she became a single mum following her divorce. The result was a large bald patch slightly off centre from the crown of her head. 

Her solution turned out to be a fairly expensive meshed hair system. It returned her to her pre trich state and gave her the confidence to step out of the house with her head held high, quite literally. 

HIS Hair Clinic

So two women with the same problem, one embraces it to the extent of taking her clothes off to be photographed and then posting the results on her social media. The other just wanted to be able to return to “normality”. It goes to show that the problem is not one where a single solution (unless it is a cure) will do the trick. Our best wishes go out to both of these ladies, along with our thanks for sharing their stories. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

If your dog is showing signs of excessive scratching, head shaking, and ear discharge, it means your pet is suffering from ear mites. Ear mites are a common and relatively mild parasite infection in dogs. As the name suggests, ear mites are caused by mites, which are microscopic eight-legged creatures that feed on the oils … Continue reading Home Remedies for Ear Mites in Dogs

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George Windsor, a 23 year old from Cannock in the UK, has featured in a BBC article sharing his story of how a wig changed his life.

Early Hair Loss

It’s hard not to feel for George Windsor, a young man who began to lose his hair following the death of his mother. The sudden release of huge amounts of stress hormones can have a devastating effect on many of the body’s systems. In that stressed state decisions are made about which of your systems are considered vital and resources devoted to them… unfortunately you have no conscious input on those decisions, or else you would get the chance to argue the case for the protection of your hair follicles. As it is they are among the very first processes to be starved of supply… although other processes can be starved at exactly the same time it is the relative speed with which your hair normally grows that means it can be an effective early warning system for any number of ailments.

George’s story

George tells us that he began to lose his hair three months after the death of his mother, initially he noticed extra hairs in the plughole and on his comb. Quickly it became obvious to George that rather than a simple case of increased shedding he was experiencing something more long term and dramatic.

Like many young men he chose not to accept his fate. he got along to a clinic where his condition was ascertained to be permanent and untreatable leaving him only with cosmetic options. George decided that a transplant was not for him, to our enormous relief –  it can be a lifetime commitment to go through a transplant as a young man, with additional treatments in the future guaranteed to avoid a strange appearance developing through further hair loss. Or the prospect of slowly appearing scar tissue as your remaining hair becomes every more sparse.

George’s Solution

George went with a hair system, albeit a fancy one where the system is attached to a “second skin”. The transformation in appearance available to a hair system wearer is second to none.. it is still the only way to return yourself to your previous state… though most choose to go for an improved version. The downsides are numerous, too many to list here – but revolve around restrictions to lifestyle and the stress associated with the potential for discovery.

HIS Hair Clinic

We are always happy to read about young men who have faced up to their hair loss and done something about it which has left them in a better, happier, place. So we are delighted for George. The great news about a hair system is that it still leaves the door wide open at any point to go back and choose again… this time for a Scalp Micropigmentation treatment, this would have given George a sharp contemporary look without any of the stress or the chunky maintenance costs. You can see the original BBC article here, it features a short video showing George wearing his system… there absolutely no doubting the additional confidence it gives him.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our hair loss experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Advantage Hair Salon Shines Bright with DIY Gold Event

If you ask Joyce Reed why she helps organize an event that raises more than $20,000 for kids with cancer, she’ll tell you it’s because she can’t stand to see kids in pain. Joyce is the organizer of the Advantage Hair Salon DIY Gold event that benefits CureSearch’s mission to end children’s cancer. In its sixth year, the auction-style event had a record-setting year, raising more than $22,000. They are setting their sights high to raise even more critical funds for childhood cancer research in 2019.

The Advantage Hair Salon team in Sevierville, Tennessee first became involved with CureSearch when they found out two different customers had children with cancer. One child survived and the other ultimately lost their life to cancer. As a parent, Joyce felt it was her responsibility to help other children in need. The whole salon works together to make the event happen each year. Joyce creates gift baskets based on donations from the local community and, by word of mouth, the event has continued to grow.

The auction is a major community event with banners and signs hanging up all around town to help promote the event; each year, approximately 200 people attend the event. Joyce even prints out posters and takes them to the local children’s hospital cancer unit for patients to color. Their support doesn’t stop there, the salon employees also has a team that is raising money for the Ultimate Hike – a life-changing adventure on some of the country’s most beautiful trails.

“I saw how little funding goes to childhood cancer and knew I had to do something. I’m motivated to keep doing this for the children who need our help. My hope for the future of childhood cancer is that every child is cured of cancer so they don’t have to go through all of this pain,” said Joyce Reed, event organizer.

The next Advantage Hair Salon auction benefitting CureSearch will take place in March of 2019. Inspired by their story? Consider starting your own DIY Gold event or donating for the kids who so urgently need your support.

The post Advantage Hair Salon Shines Bright with DIY Gold Event appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

A Japanese device has been launched which might just take the prize for the best looking hair loss cure on the market. But does it work? We look closer.

LED

Light emitting diodes, to give them their proper name, have been amazing us ever since they first appeared.. on the faces of the first pocket calculators. It is not a laser, which sends “coherent” light with the same frequency and phase to produce powerful penetrating light. In comparison, LED lights produce “incoherent” light with multiple phases and light scattered in all directions. Today LED’s are revolutionising the way we light our homes and social spaces, capable of producing huge amounts of light from relatively small amounts of electricity at the same time producing almost no heat. Remarkable.

LLLT

Another acronym, this one stands for Low-Level Light Therapy. It has long been known that red light at a wavelength near to infra-red can stimulate cellular activity. This property has seen it used in medical environments to aid post-operative tissue repair. The same property is credited for bringing this technology to the hair loss market.

Japanese Cool

Japanese manufacturer Aderans have launched their version of the LED hair loss helmet, others are available. As are combs and brushes using the same technology and all will claim their delivery method is preferable and superior. 

This one caught our eye because the designers set out to make sure it did. Putting you in mind immediately of the cycle helmets the professionals wear on the Tour De France it is, for us, undoubtedly the best looking device on the market. To be used, and this can be done at home or in a salon, a Microgen paste must be applied to the scalp prior to the helmet being worn… and the 80 LED lights do their work.

Does It Work?

It certainly seems to on mice, but then how many times over the years have we reported that story only to never hear any more from the research. LED benefits from being a treatment that is external and so not subject to the rigours of clinical trials aimed at seeking FDA approval… though the upside there is that these products can come very quickly to market.

In fact there have been no studies of a significant enough size for the medical bodies to put their support behind them in any official capacity. Those that have been conducted indicate some measurable benefit and suggest they may be able to help in some way with reducing progress… but even that is a dubious claim given that with small scale studies it is impossible to have a good enough control to be sure that these were not just sufferers for whom the advance of their hair loss is not entering a natural pause.

HIS Hair Clinic

We see these devices as being of benefit as part of a broader strategy, unless you have made the decision to go with Scalp Micropigmentation… in which case it is rendered unnecessary. If your plan is to improve your diet, exercise regularly and quit smoking and drinking… then an LED helmet would seem to make a sensible addition to your routine. On a final note, we are not sure how much value looking cool adds to an LED helmet… it’s not as though you are going to wear it when you are stepping out.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page. Or click here to find your nearest clinic.