Professionals in the world of hair care, along with their array of medical weaponry, recommend the use of a household item to help in the battle against hair loss and much more besides. We look closer.  

Hair Loss Help 

At the first sign of hair loss, that terrible moment of discovery, many will do the right thing, if worried, and head for professional advice. In the consulting room of their doctor or dermatologist, they will receive appropriate advice. For some, this might involve blood tests to rule out a number of potential issues. For the vast majority, however, the advice will be centred around the fact that the hair loss is down to unavoidable hereditary factors. For these people, there is an increasing range of tools available to help with the condition. The basis of which is the now almost traditional Rogaine and Propecia, FDA approved treatments that can halt the advance for many – though require a lifetime commitment and come with some side effects. 

For an increasing number of men and women though, the first course of action is not to head to a professional. It is to reach for a connected device and search Google. Where a search for “hair loss” will return you nearly a billion results. To describe it as a minefield would be an understatement. There are thousands of snake oil treatments available, try making one up and searching for it, it probably already exists. So the importance of finding good information at a critical time has never been more challenging.

Professionally Recommended

Before you immerse yourself in that google search, which might take so long your hair loss battle will be over before it began, try this simple addition to your hair care routine. It comes with the promise of a range of benefits, a cheap and natural tool that can cleanse your scalp, balance the pH level and exfoliate. All of which will promote hair growth and healthier hair.

This simple product is quite possibly in your kitchen already, and if it isn’t then it can be picked up on the next grocery run. Get yourself to the condiments aisle… and look for a label that says Apple Cider Vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Rightly lauded for its many properties, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is mildly acidic. As is our hair, due to the build-up of oils and sebum. Individual hairs have their cuticles disrupted through the use of many products, which tend to be alkaline. By closing the cuticle ACV can make the hair visibly healthier adding smoothness to individual strands and an overall shinier appearance. It may even result in an improvement for those who suffer from breakage and split ends. The same acidic properties of ACV mean it is an effective exfoliant. Tests have shown that even in a dilute form, 1 part in 4, it can protect against a range of scalp infections, though it needs to be applied in more concentrated form to be effective against yeast and fungal infections. 

HIS Hair Clinic

Apple Cider Vinegar would seem like another sensible, occasional, addition to a good hair care routine. All the more so if you are at the early stages of hair loss. It also has the important virtue of being genuinely respected in the medical world for its antimicrobial properties. What it is not is a replacement for the conversation with a professional, though it is likely to be more rewarding than many google searches on the subject. 

  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.

Cristiano Ronaldo, rarely out of the headlines for long, has been back in the press for a wholly unexpected reason. Portugal’s favourite son has announced his involvement in a new Spanish venture, a hair transplant clinic. We look closer.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Since bursting onto the football world at the tender age of 17, Cristiano Ronaldo has established himself as one of the great players in the history of the game. Indeed, had it not been for the simultaneous emergence of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo would have stood head and shoulders above anyone in the modern era. His record as a goalscorer and creator of goals for team-mates have seen him win every honour in the game, including having five Ballon d’Or trophies in the cabinet… the highly coveted annual award for the world’s best player. Apart from Lionel Messi, who also has five, no player in history has won more than three. 

As legend has it, Ronaldo was spotted by the greatest manager in the history of football, Sir Alex Ferguson, during a pre-season match against Sporting Lisbon. Two years earlier, growing up on the Portuguese island of Madeira, he had been diagnosed with a “racing heart”, a condition that required surgery. Clearly, that operation was a complete success, and Ferguson did not leave Lisbon until he had secured the services of a highly talented young player, with much still to learn. 

Manchester

During his time with United, Ronaldo would find himself alongside the “Class of 92,” that remarkable group of players who all emerged from the United academy within a couple of years… Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, both Neville brothers, and Butt. They would go on to win the league title and pick up the Champions League trophy. During his 6 years there Ronaldo would consistently score at the rate of almost a goal every other game. His growing powers caught the attention of Real Madrid, probably the world’s biggest club, and he was added to their roster of “Galacticos.” Joining a team which would go on to win every major honour and dominate Spanish and European football for years. His goalscoring record there was phenomenal, 311 goals in 292 games. 

Record Breaker

His exploits have seen him own many records. Most goals scored in Europes top 5 leagues (414), most goals in the Champions League (124), and in the UEFA European Championship (9). He also holds the records for the most assists in the Champions League (34) and the UEFA European Championship (34).  He was the first player to win the Golden Boot, given to Europe’s top goalscorer, four times and has won a total of an incredible 27 trophies with club and country. 

A Journey Into Hair

Ronaldo surprised us all recently when he announced his involvement in a new hair transplant clinic in Spain. Collaborating with an established Spanish provider, Insparya Group, Ronaldo has taken a 50% stake in a huge six-storey clinic in Spain. 

He certainly seems excited about his involvement, telling the press “Alopecia is a very big problem in Europe and around the world and we want to help people improve their self-esteem and not to be ashamed to come to us. Everyone likes to take care of their image and I am a very clear example of this, and that is why when Paolo (Ramos, CEO of Insparya Group) told me about this project I immediately realised that it was something unique. This project is going to be a success, as we want to help the Spaniards and the Spanish economy.”

HIS Hair Clinic

These days Ronaldo plays his football in Turin, Italy, at another of the world’s great clubs, Juventus. Hard to imagine him getting too much time to spend at his new Spanish transplant clinic. Nonetheless, it is an interesting venture for him and one he has made a significant investment into. There is always room in the market for a professionally run transplant clinic with high standards and great outcomes. 

Media Contact: Kelli Wright
Phone: (240) 235-2204 | kelli.wright@curesearch.org

CureSearch for Children’s Cancer Launches Groundbreaking IMPACT Series Forum

Collaborative forum will provide academic pediatric oncology leaders with early industry insights to accelerate the development of new pediatric cancer treatments

Bethesda, MD – March 28, 2019 – CureSearch for Children’s Cancer announces its inaugural IMPACT Series Forum, a closed-door session that will provide first-of-its-kind insight for leading academics into pharma’s early development pipeline. This highly proprietary information is typically shared only once research is made public in the clinical phase, a timeline that puts the discovery process for pediatrics three to five years behind adults. The IMPACT Series will allow academics to engage in and potentially expedite the pediatric development timeline, bringing new treatments to children in an accelerated timeframe.

The RACE for Children Act, signed into law last year as Title V of the 2017 FDA Reauthorization Act, requires industry to evaluate all new potential treatments for adult cancers for pediatric relevancy early in the drug development process. The new guidelines will go into effect in 2020.

“CureSearch has stepped up to create an innovative, novel approach to convening academia and industry towards implementation of the RACE Act. It is our hope that this IMPACT Series will serve as a model for engagement that will lead to a global shift in drug development, ensuring that children are in the forefront of advancements in cancer research,” stated Kay Koehler, CureSearch CEO. “With this effort, we are aiming to expedite access for those in the field and, ultimately, the children who need them most.”

The inaugural forum will take place on March 28 in Atlanta, GA where Industry leader AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma, AstraZeneca’s Hematology development arm, will meet with a select group of global academic and research experts in an opportunity to gain critical insights into their targets and mechanisms that are currently being developed for cancer, allowing earlier consideration for pediatric activity for therapeutics that may be entering clinical trials in the next three to five years or already in the clinic for adult cancers.

“Research into pediatric cancers brings its own set of challenges and, with blood cancers among the most common in children, AstraZeneca and Acerta are proud to be working with CureSearch on the IMPACT Series,” stated Davy Chiodin, Vice President, Regulatory Science at Acerta Pharma. “Bringing both parties together for such a dialogue around the development pipeline is unprecedented, and it takes true multi-stakeholder collaboration to make these critical conversations happen.”

CureSearch Board Chairman Stuart Siegel, M.D, added, “We’re energized by the support of industry leaders like AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma and the participation of global pediatric oncology leaders in our inaugural IMPACT Series Forum. We know this is a vital first step in making pediatric cancers a priority in drug development, and the frank and transparent exchange of information will give both sides the opportunity to align pediatric research sooner.”

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About CureSearch for Children’s Cancer

CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a national nonprofit organization based in Bethesda, Md., works to end childhood cancer by driving targeted and innovative research with measurable results in an accelerated time frame. CureSearch focuses on advancing the strongest research out of the laboratory and into clinical trials and development, where better, less-toxic treatments can quickly help children.

For more information, visit curesearch.org, follow CureSearch on Twitter @curesearch or join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/curesearch.

The post CureSearch for Children’s Cancer Launches Groundbreaking IMPACT Series appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

Marianne Salsberg Maintains Optimal Health and Adds Meaning to her Miles by Supporting CureSearch

A quest for health and wellness was the basis of a beautiful synergy with an important goal – end children’s cancer. Marianne Salsberg ran her first 5K in the fall of 2012, months after having gastric bypass surgery. As she developed a fitness regimen, much to her surprise, she discovered that she really enjoyed running. So, she kept on running, which helped her achieve and maintain a 120-pound weight loss! It was at a 5K that her path first intersected with CureSearch, when she walked over to our information booth at the event.

Two people dear to her heart are survivors of children’s cancer – her nephew and a friend’s son. When Marianne learned about CureSearch’s history and mission that day, she was determined to join our efforts to save children, adolescents and young adults NOW and enable them to live long, healthy lives.

Marianne first took on the challenge of our CureSearch Ultimate Hike and has now completed four hike events! This year, Marianne is trading in her hiking boots for running shoes as a member of our CureSearch Challenge team at Grandma’s Marathon.

“This will be the second time I’ve run the Grandma’s Half. I am thrilled to run to raise funds for this organization that is helping to find cures and safer treatments for children’s cancer,” Marianne shared. “No one, especially a child, should have to battle cancer. Children are not small adults and their treatment should not simply be a smaller adult dose.”

Marianne is part of our team of inspiring CureSearch Challenge runners and walkers throughout the country who are dedicated to raising funds to cure children’s cancer. CureSearch has a handful of entries left into the sold-out Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon with fundraising active until May 1. To join our team at Grandma’s Marathon, click here.

Learn more about our other featured CureSearch Challenge races, or how add meaning to miles at the event of your choice, visit www.curesearchevents.org/challenge or contact us at challenge@curesearch.org.

The post Marianne Salsberg Maintains Optimal Health and Adds Meaning to her Miles by Supporting CureSearch appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

Overview Sea buckthorn oil has been upheld by folk medicine for centuries. Given this history of usage, it’s no surprise that this antidote has become the subject of scientific investigation to verify its real potential. Many people over the past centuries have touted the health-promoting promise of this plant, and recent research provides further support. […]

The post Is Sea Buckthorn Oil Good for You? appeared first on Top 10 Home Remedies.

A 14 strong team of respected medical experts have come together to issue a stark warning. They want to highlight bad practice in a growing stem cell industry and urge the public towards doing their homework.

Stem Cell Therapy

Make no mistake, stem cell therapies are making their way into serious medical applications. They are already making a difference to lives and providing doctors with new therapies and alternative, improved options for treating their patients.

For well over a decade, stem cells have been used in recuperative medicine for their ability to enhance rates of recovery. That last decade has seen a jaw-dropping range of stem cell-based therapies come to market. While some, like platelet-rich plasma, have been well researched and have the authority of clinical trials to support their use, many others do not. 

One treatment, widely available, came in for specific criticism. The practice of selling non-viable birth tissues as live “stem cell” products to cure chronic disease. It is a market populated by naturopaths and acupuncturists as well as chiropractors and doctors… not to mention what are described as “mid-level” providers. 

Fighting Back

A team of 14 highly regarded doctors, scientists, and regulatory experts came together to amplify their voices. They delivered a damning indictment on sections of the stem cell business. In regard to the selling of amniotic and cord blood products to desperate patients looking for an effective treatment, they were damning. Marketers were scathed for taking full-page newspaper ads and delivering seminars to promote their use, and distributed sales material that cites clinical data to claim efficacy and safety. In fact, no such clinical evidence exists. Worse still, examinations of the contents of commercially available amniotic and blood cord products showed no live or functional stem cells. There were growth factors present, but in much smaller quantities than are found in platelet-rich plasma and other orthobiological products. 

HIS Hair Clinic

Sufferers from hair loss are invariably targetted by these edge of the envelope treatments. Little wonder, given the huge demand and lack of serious and positive treatment options, and absolutely nothing that holds even the glimmer of a hope that it will return you to a full head of hair.  In the words of one doctor on the subject, “If ever there was a case of buyer beware, this is it. There are so many unscrupulous clinics out there…”

So there you have it. From a group of industry heavyweight experts. More than a warning, actually pointing out the degree to which bad practice has already become endemic in their young industry. So do your due diligence carefully, there are some very well presented, qualified even, people out there hoping to separate you from your cash.

 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.

Tragic news from India where a patient has died the day after going through hair transplant surgery. We look at the case and explore the implications for the industry.

Hair Transplantation

It has become the generic name for a set of surgical techniques which all, in various ways, aim to move living hair follicles from one site, usually the back of the head, to another part of the scalp where the in situ follicles have ceased to produce hair. While they began as relatively primitive, associated with unconvincing outcomes and large scars at the donor site, they have improved significantly since. 

Modern techniques have evolved to relocate groups of 4 follicles, which is how they naturally grow, at a time. So the graft incisions have become ever smaller and the density of relocated follicles increased. The current high standard is up around an impressive 50 follicles per square centimetre. 

Limits

The procedure remains a surgical one. That despite reports from less well-regulated territories where the people performing the surgery are technicians, with a surgeon overseeing many technicians at the same time. In any territory where standards govern practice you should not expect to be asked to have more than 2,500 grafts performed in a single session, with an upper limit at around 3,000. Beyond that and the dangers associated with bleeding increase significantly along with the risk of infection and the possibility of an allergic reaction to either the anaesthetic or the sedative. 

An Avoidable Tragedy?

It has been widely reported that a 43-year-old Indian man, Shrawan Kumar Choudhary, owner of a logistics firm, endured a lengthy procedure to transplant at his own insistence to relocate an incredible 9000 grafts. Dermatologist Dr. Vikas Halwai performed the treatment at a private clinic in Mumbai. He said his patient began to have complications, breathing trouble and neck pain, after 3,700 grafts. He was already over 20% beyond the recommended safe limits and not yet halfway through an operation that would last a total of 12 hours.

Mr. Choudhary would succumb to an allergic reaction within 24 hours. So far the police have listed the death as accidental while a probe has been launched to the exact cause. Doctors are apparently predicting the result will be that he died from a severe allergic reaction. 

HIS Hair Clinic

This terrible story has no bearing on well-regulated clinics in environments where the statutory controls are in place. It does serve to highlight the importance of due diligence on the part of the patient. With so many travelling abroad to take advantage of ridiculously cheap pricing, some will always fall victim to clinics which favour aggressive marketing and pricing over building a reputation through quality. 

 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.

Biotin is one of the new kids on the block on vitamin counters everywhere. Touted as a must-have supplement by the likes of Kylie Jenner and credited with being able to restore, well… just about everything cosmetic. We take a closer look.

Biotin 

Biotin is a vitamin. A deficiency is extremely rare but the symptoms, when it does occur, can be pretty unpleasant. They include red rashes on the skin, dry eyes, brittle hair, fatigue, and insomnia. It is found in foods, in small amounts, like eggs milk and bananas. As a supplement, it is sold to improve brittle nails, mucous membranes, skin, hair, and even nerve damage. 

Given that list of symptoms, it would seem an easy sell for health food shops to convince us to invest in a regular supply. If its availability is anything to go by then it would seem they are right. That is backed up by the number of articles we have seen touting its virtues across the web over recent months. And of course, there is the world’s youngest “self-made” billionaire, Kylie Jenner, regularly touting the stuff on her Instagram pages.

Note of Caution

Little wonder then that Biotin has become the success story it has. Seemingly good reasons to take it and being pimped by celebrities and health food stores will usually have that impact. When it comes to side-effects these do not seem to get a mention, maybe there aren’t any? It is a water soluble vitamin and so is easily excreted, in the normal manner. That said, there is most definitely a facet of Biotin that make it a foe when it comes to taking it regularly in some circumstances…

A lack of evidence for exactly how long Biotin stays in the system means it is necessary to be aware of its potential to interfere with important medical testing. Check the label on pretty much any supplement aimed at hair, skin, or nails, and you will see that they have something in common. They all carry the threat of interfering with lab results for medical tests, particularly on thryoid and hormone levels. They have the potential to lead to bogus results and misdiagnosis. For example, in the test for cardiac troponin levels, which is used to diagnose heart attacks. 

HIS Hair Clinic

It would appear that adding Biotin to your supplement routine is, in most cases, harmless. While a case can be made for why they might improve your situation in regard to hair skin and nail condition there is no hard evidence to support it, and the threat of altering the outcome of important medical tests should be remembered at all times. If you are taking Biotin and have an upcoming test then consult with your doctor, who will most likely to tell you to stop taking the tablets a few days before the test. 

 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.

Overview There has been an overwhelming buzz about probiotics. Brimming with a diversity of microbial strains, probiotics have carved a place in every fitness enthusiast’s kitchen cabinet. Water kefir is one such probiotic that has made its way in the drinks section of our menus. Water kefir is a vegan water-based version of the centuries-old […]

The post Water Kefir: Benefits, Nutritional Value, and Precautions appeared first on Top 10 Home Remedies.

Propecia, with its active ingredient Finasteride, is going from strength to strength. We take a closer look.

Finasteride

Finasteride is used by millions to combat hair loss. Sold under the brand names Propecia and Proscar it has become the medication of choice for millions around the world. Since its original FDA approval as a treatment for prostate enlargement in 1992 and subsequent approval for use as a hair loss treatment by the same authority in 1997, it has become the 75th most prescribed drug in the USA. That success has been tempered by persistent concerns about side effects. 

We have, over the years, written about these side effects. Concerns about breast enlargement (gynecomastia), loss of libido and erectile dysfunction, and more serious worries that the drug was associated with an increased rate of high-grade prostate cancers have undoubtedly stopped many men from choosing to use. Indeed, Propecia carries a warning label with regard to the cancer threat.

More recently we reported on a Korean study that followed 126 patients for 5 years looking at both efficacy and side effects, click here to read that article. The results were overwhelmingly positive in both regards. The issues around libido were found to be temporary, with no difference between the drug and the placebo after a couple of years of use. More importantly, the link to high-grade prostate cancers was found to be non-existent. An enormous relief to users of course though the label does still carry the warning. 

Market Dominance

The hair loss market in the US was estimated to be worth around $2B in 2015, and globally around $7B. That global figure is expected to rise to $11B by 2024, with the value of finasteride at a shade under $1B by then.

The growth in Finasteride sales is driven by factors beyond hair loss, factors which may actually encourage many more men to turn to the drug for their hair loss concerns. Pilot projects in Europe are screening for its benefits in reducing the risk of cancer in the colon and lung as well as the prostate. It remains in use for its original application, where it is used to reduce the size of the prostate. 

HIS Hair Clinic

While we wait optimistically for some of the interesting research projects on new treatments to start delivering results, and marketable treatments, the reassurances on the efficacy and safety of this popular drug are great news for hair loss sufferers everywhere. 

 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.

Super CC: Strong and Brave

Our family’s childhood cancer journey

Written by Emily Powell, CC’s Mom

Our daughter CC was normally a bubbly, vivacious child, but when she was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in October 2016, she was so sick that she made no effort to even leave her hospital bed. She was just two years and nine months old at the time.

When we received the news, we were devastated, but as parents with military backgrounds, we approached it as we would any other critical mission. What other option was there but to become expert caregivers and advocates on behalf of our sweet child? We tackled treatment one day at a time, with the support of our extended family and friends.

The treatment for ALL was absolutely heartbreaking to watch and utterly exhausting to endure. CC’s very young age (too young to reason with) and strong spirit made her a feisty patient. She fought against every single treatment that delivered the “poison” that made her so sick while saving her life. Although her chemotherapy just ended, the worry remains. We worry about relapse and the late effects of the chemotherapy.

CC is five years old now. She’s a very kind and loving child who enjoys dancing, singing, making people laugh and giving big hugs. She has a huge heart for others and is happiest when the people around her are happy. She never ceases to amaze us with her spirited response to challenges. She truly brings light and love to every situation!

Childhood cancer is not personal until your own child is diagnosed. I wish the general public understood that it is not as rare as they think it is; that treatment is longer and harsher than they think it is; and that childhood cancer survivors often experience negative effects from the treatment later in life. We count ourselves extremely fortunate that CC is in remission now and doing well, but our lives are forever changed by this experience.

As a family, we are taking action to rid the world of childhood cancer. CC, her big sister Reagan, our friends, family and community participate in our local CureSearch Walk with our team, Super CC. Together, we raise funds and strive to make a difference for other families battling this horrible disease.

CureSearch shares our passion for funding more research to cure childhood cancer, and relentlessly pursuing better, less toxic treatments for our precious children, and they give families a voice to share our stories and advocate on behalf of our children so we can make a difference in the future of childhood cancer.

Find Team Super CC on Facebook, and learn more about CureSearch Walks and other events at curesearch.org.

The post CC, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) appeared first on CureSearch for Children's Cancer.

Results of a study on peer to peer lenders and the influence of looks on the process have highlighted an age-old issue. Does it suggest that men need to catch up with women when it comes to their beauty regime? 

Peer To Peer Irregularities

In an interesting study, researchers looked at the influence of attractiveness in the world of peer to peer lending. What they found was that, with the development of online finance, lenders have limited information on which to base their investment decisions. This increases the influence of other factors. The study in question focused on how the facial attractiveness of borrowers influenced attitudes towards their repayment behavior. 

They found that there is a clear “beauty premium” where lenders were more tolerant of the dishonest behavior of more attractive borrowers. With an equally clear intolerance towards the unattractive ones. 

Human Nature

There is something quite basic about these results. Another study found that attractive faces, especially men’s, are better remembered than unattractive ones. Economists have documented both a beauty premium and an ugliness penalty in earnings. It seems that in the workplace, as in life, there are benefits to being beautiful. 

A Canadian study found, maybe expectedly, that attractiveness diminishes with age. But it found that the effect is significantly more marked for women than for men. That is not to say men are not affected, they found that the younger man’s face was considered most attractive, more so than the young woman. 

In the recession of a decade ago, when the US job market shed 6,000,000 jobs, three-quarters of those jobs lost were by men. Trying to get back into the workplace beyond the age of 40 has always been a challenge but against that backdrop of a beauty premium, it has only become more difficult. 

HIS Hair Clinic

It would seem we are heading towards a world where men will face some of the same prejudice women have complained of for decades. A world where your appearance will have a significant impact on your ability to succeed. No doubt part of the reason why we are seeing spiraling amounts of cash spent on male grooming, and why we anticipate Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) taking center stage for a generation of men looking to keep themselves looking youthful.

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.

Overview Gone are the days when aloe vera was just a potted plant sitting on your windowsill, jazzing up your home décor. Conventionally used to soothe the skin of rashes and burns, aloe vera has etched its place for good reason in our daily lives. Aloe vera is a succulent plant with thick green leaves […]

The post Different Ways to Consume Aloe Vera for its Health Benefits appeared first on Top 10 Home Remedies.

News from England that a young girl got a face tattoo to avoid “normal jobs” plays into old stereotypes about tattoos. We want to offer another perspective. 

Kayleigh Peach

Kayleigh is a 26-year-old up and coming tattoo artist from Birmingham in the UK. Kayleigh got her first tattoo at the age of 18, her best friends surname on her ankle. Since then she has gone to have 60% of her body inked. 

At the age of 24, she started her apprenticeship to become a tattoo artist herself. On her first day she had a tattoo put on her face, with the word “cursed” inked over her right eyebrow. It was, she said, an attempt to completely commit her to her new career. A determined effort to prevent her ever being able to apply for a regular job. She went on to have a rose on one side of her face, with leaves on the other side… to symbolize new beginnings. 

Her story is redemptive, she is now a highly regarded artist with her boss describing her as one of the best junior artists he has ever seen. Possibly just as well given her limited options beyond her work in the studio. 

Tattoos in the Workplace

There was a time when you could be confident that the tattooed man stood next to you was from a particular class or profession. Popular with maritime sorts, sailors and dockers for example. But turn up for a job interview in almost any other environment with visible tattoos and it was likely to be a short interview. 

Tastes have changed with sportsmen notable leading the way and changing attitudes with bold statement tattoos. David Beckham sticks out as someone who many followed with angel wings adorning the back of his neck. But above the neck tattoos largely remain, for most, an aesthetic step too far… and one which most career advisors would counsel against. 

HIS Hair Clinic

The idea that a tattoo above the neckline might actually help you find work, any work, is a relatively new one. Since HIS Hair Clinic opened their doors in 2005 we have been using tattoo-type techniques to do just that. Returning clients to a more youthful hairline and adding the appearance of density to the remaining area affected by hair loss. We see clients who have, along with their hair, lost varying degrees of self-confidence, it is probably the single most common comment from prospective clients. With high quality $30K transplants beyond the scope of most, SMP is a wonderfully cost-effective method of regaining a hairline, and with it the self-confidence. And if there is one commodity that is required by a job candidate in an interview it is self-confidence. 

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.

The widely reported news that a British member of parliament received a diagnosis of skin cancer highlights one important benefit of buzz cut hair. We look closer.

Chris Bryant MP 

Chris Bryant has been a vocal member of parliament for his Welsh constituency in Rhondda. The one time Church of England vicar also worked at the BBC before entering politics. Since being elected as a Labour party candidate back in 2001 he has held a number of senior positions.  His time in politics has seen him spend time as the Shadow Minister for the Arts, Minister of State for Europe, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Most recently he was Shadow Leader of the House of Commons until resigning from that role in 2016. An openly gay politician he has campaigned tirelessly for LGBT rights… surviving a scandal that involved posting a picture of himself in underwear on the gay dating site, Gaydar. 

Shocking Discovery

Speaking to Sky News, during a tearful interview, he showed presenter Kay Burley a scar on the back of his head. It was the legacy of the removal of a melanoma and he spoke about his journey of discovery, the shock of diagnosis and his treatment. 

The story began when he buzz cut his hair for a holiday. His husband, Jared, noticed a “tiny mole” at the back of his head. “We really didn’t think anything about it” Chris said. Nevertheless, in January he visited his GP to get it checked out and was referred to a dermatologist. 

That dermatologist immediately told him she thought they were dealing with melanoma. Although Chris knew melanoma to be an aggressive type of skin cancer he assured himself that the vast majority, caught at an early stage, can be dealt with successfully. 

Unfortunately for Chris, on his return to the dermatologist, he was told that it was at stage 3B… he knew immediately that this was bad news since there are only four stages. Chris said “It feels like being punched in the stomach and I know I’m nobody special. Hundreds and hundreds of people go through this all the time. You know, there’ll be people having this exactly today.” 

HIS Hair Clinic

For so many people, SMP is about aesthetics. About improving our appearance and, in so doing, improving self-confidence. Chris Bryant’s story and in particular his remark about how many people will be receiving the same terrible diagnosis every day should remind us all of another benefit. Clear visibility of our scalp gives us all the opportunity to identify, at an early stage, the development of melanoma. 

 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.

A British biomedical startup has grand designs on your hair. They want to take some, put it in a vault and offer it back to you when you are losing your own. 

HairClone

This ambitious young business has two therapies in development, both aimed at treating hair loss but at different stages. The first aims to increase the thickness of thinning hairs at the start of the process. The second, more ambitious in scope, hopes to regenerate new hair follicles for patients with extensive hair loss. Needless to say, though it does still say it on their website, these treatments if successful, would “dramatically revolutionize” the market. 

What really caught our eye about them though was not either of those treatments… though they need the second treatment to work if this interesting idea is to catch on. What really caught our attention was their plans to open the world’s first “follicle bank.”

Follicle Banking

The plan is to open this bank later this year. Once open patients will be able to attend a short surgery where up to 100 follicles will be removed and placed into storage until such time as the patient requires them back to replace hair loss. The recommendation is to have the harvesting done at an early age when the follicles are in their best condition. Particularly true if there is a history of hair loss in the family. At the point where the patient returns in need of more hair, the donated follicles would be replicated before being injected back into the scalp. As one of the executive team, transplant surgeon Dr. Farjo, described, “The point of hair cloning is to create as many hairs as we need, at any point in time, without worrying we’re going to run out in the future. Many may see this as an insurance policy for later life.”

State of Play

At this point in time, the team at HairClone are waiting to receive the necessary permissions from the regulators before they can begin testing on patients… but they are raring to go.  Early indications are that the treatment will come at a fairly hefty price, around £2.5K for the initial treatment, £100 a year to store the follicles, and a need to return for a refresh every 3 to 5 years. 

HIS Hair Clinic

There is no shortage of ambition in this project, and why would there be given a hair transplant market worth billions a year waiting to be cracked. We don’t doubt that if they are successful, in completing their research and delivering their therapies, that they would make a big difference. But they are some very tough nuts they are trying to crack. Maybe keeping a hundred or so follicles in deep freeze might appeal to some, while they are waiting. Visit their fundraising page on Capital Cell here to see how they are getting on with raising the capital to pursue their plans.

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.

A team in the US have conducted a medical review of all the studies done so far on Platelet Rich Therapy.  They just presented their findings at the annual American Academy of Dermatology, we take a closer look.

Platelet Rich Therapy (PRP)

PRP was developed in Europe a little over a decade ago. It was a procedure at the bleeding edge of science which saw blood taken from the patient prior to separating out the plasma… rich in platelets that contain the essential growth factors.  Platelets are involved in clotting and healing wounds, so the hope was that “more is better.” That adding more of the platelets would encourage a natural stimulation of the healing processes and lead to, for hair loss sufferers, improved hair condition.

Initially, the technique was used to treat inflammations but these days it can be found in so many places… vets use it to address equine lameness, some shameless racketeers are offering it as an “O Shot” or “Orgasm Shot” where it is directly injected into the vagina where they claim it can improve orgasms. More on that later. 

American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD)

Jeffrey Rappaport MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with a private practice in New Jersey presented the findings of the literature review at the most recent annual gathering of the AAD. He told them “The anti-inflammatory and multi-factorial capabilities of PRP could be advantageous in the treatment of a wide array of dermatology-based applications.” He went on “A general body of evidence has recently emerged demonstrating a positive response fro mPRP treatments… With consensus forming around treatment protocols, studies are indicating that PRP is a safe, effective hair loss treatment that has the potential to greatly improve the quality of life of millions of people.”

His team gathered a total of 58 studies for their work, with 23 of them examing androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness of the hereditary kind). They offered advice on best practice for dermatologists looking for protocols around dosage and intervals. 

Note of Caution

Dr. Rappaport expressed his team’s concerns that they are increasingly seeing non-dermatologists offering the treatment. He warned, “Only board-certified dermatologists have the medical training to identify if you are a good candidate because this treatment will not work for everyone who experiences hair loss.” 

HIS Hair Clinic

Dr. Rappaport’s warning seems all too appropriate given the fact that there are some out there offering to inject vaginas. Why on earth would that help a woman achieve an improved orgasm? And why on earth would anyone elect to go to an untrained person for such a complex procedure? If you would like to know more please click here to visit MD Mag, a professional medical site, for details of those dosage and interval recommendations. 

 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.

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