Monday, November 9, 2009

Hair Removal Methods



Hair Removal with Shaving
Shaving is the most temporary method of hair removal because it merely cuts the hair off at the skin surface. Shaving does not make the hair shaft thicker, darker, or grow faster or slower. However, the short hair shaft may be more noticeable as it grows out because it has a blunt tip instead of the normal tapered tip. Shaving should be done after applying some type of moisturizer to the skin to help the razor glide over the skin, not cut or scrape it. Common moisturizers include water, shaving cream, hair conditioner, or body wash.

Physical Hair Removal
Physically pulling the hair out of the follicle is a common and fairly inexpensive method of hair removal. None of these methods changes the color, texture, or density of the hair. The hair takes longer to grow back because it must grow to the surface of the skin before it is noticed. Because hair grows at different rates, some of the hair that has been physically removed may take more time to grow back in. Repeatedly pulling hair out of the follicle may damage the follicle enough over time to keep it from producing more hair.

Physical Hair Removal - Plucking
Plucking hair with tweezers is an effective way to remove hair but can be very time consuming. The hair shaft must be long enough to grasp with tweezers.

Physical Hair Removal - Waxing
Waxing is an effective method of removing large amounts of hair at one time. In this method wax is warmed to allow it to be spread easily over the skin in the direction of hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the wax, which cools and firms up grasping the hair. The wax is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hairs out of the follicles. Cold waxes are available usually attached to strips, which are patted onto the skin. Wax that is still left on the skin must be peeled or scratched off. Caution must be used when heating wax so as not to burn the skin.

Hair Transplant Clinic

Need to Visit a Hair Transplant Clinic

Hair Transplant is a technique by which you can regain your lost hair. Basically it is a surgical process where
surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia wherein doctors remove hair from other part of body and place it on the place required. These surgeries can be performed only at specific places designed to do so. These places which perform this task are called hair transplant clinics. These treatments cannot be performed in normal hospitals; there are special machines and techniques to do them. These are generally done in private clinics by professionals in this particular field.

Care should be taken while choosing your hair transplant clinic. Clinics for hair restoration are specially designed with special machines for restoring hair. While choosing your clinic it’s better to be aware of the doctors who are going to perform the surgery. Doctors should be professionals and well versed with the whole surgical technique. Generally the doctors in such clinics are well qualified and well informed.

Hair transplant is generally done for the problem of alopecia, balding, itchy scalp, or hair loss due to major illness etc.

Getting hair transplant done can surely enhance your looks and give you confidence. They can also make you look many years younger.

It is a safe treatment with few side effects. It can be done by people of all ages.

Herbal Hair Loss Treatments - Right way to Regrow Hair

Hair loss is a problem that is quite prevalent around the world. Most commonly, it is seen in adults, but in some cases, adolescents are also suffering from hair loss problems. Many individuals do prefer to let their baldness show it to the world, hence prefer to keep it untreated and unhidden, whereas there are many who really bother about their hair loss and prefer to get a hold with various strategies and possible treatment policies. Among all other treatments such as chemical-based medications or surgical intervention, herbal hair loss treatment is known as best possible solution.

Since ages Ayurveda is recognized to offer best herbal therapy for a wide range of diseases, so is true for hair loss problems. In particular, subcontinents of India are highly rich with varieties quality herbs that have the power to enhance hair follicles from its root. Herbs like Amla, Tulsi, Basil, Yasthi Madhu, Bringraj, Henna, Brahmi, and Neem are well-recognized for their abilities to nourish hair and ideal ingredients for herbal hair loss treatment. These herbs are particularly beneficial for producing various hair supplements, hair oils and hair tonics for providing you protection from possible hair loss by strengthening health of your hair roots. Below is a brief description of these herbs.

Amla

Amla, rich with vitamin C, works as a great nourishing tonic for hair. In the course of herbal hair loss treatment, it is believed to be used to protect hair from premature graying. It also protects our system internally by lowering cholesterol, enhancing vision, strengthening lungs and respiratory system. The scientific name of amla is Emblica officinalis.

Tulsi

Tulsi is used as the effective measure for hair loss and it is considered as one of the essential ingredients of herbal hair loss treatment. It is extensively used for protecting hair from falling and early graying. Tulsi seed in combination with castor oil is a useful remedy for hair lice. It also helps making the hair root stronger, thus reducing hair fall.

Basil

Basil is an effective herb used in the herbal hair loss treatment. If it is applied on the hair and scalp, it stimulates hair growth. Also it has the ability to condition hair.

Yasthi Madhu

Yasthi Madhu is a multi-purpose utility herb that is used as one of the essential elements of herbal hair tonic and in the herbal hair loss treatment. Hair fall is also caused from liver malfunctioning. Yasthi Madhu has the ability to make you healthy from internally as well by providing you a relief from gastrointestinal and liver malfunctioning.

Bringraj

Since ancient times, Bringraj is recognized as the best ingredient in herbal hair loss treatment. This is the major herb used in the Ayurvedic hair treatment. Considered as an essential element for herbal hair supplements, it rejuvenates hair follicles, strengthens the hair roots, and hence provides protection against hair fall. It also prevents premature graying of hair and bald. It promotes re-growth of hair.

Henna

This is the second best essential herb used in Ayurvedic hair treatment. It helps growing your hair than normal if you can use it regularly. You can use it twice monthly as herbal pack on your scalp or you may use it processed within hair oil. In both of the cases, you will get good results and eventually you will be free from your hair loss problems.

Brahmi

Brahmi brings wonder to mental health. It has the ability to work on an individual’s cognitive ability. Apart from that, it can induce a feeling of peace and calmness when used. Brahmi oil is effective for protecting from hair fall and premature graying. It also helps in re-growing of hair. It has the ability to make the hair root stronger. It is beneficial to enhance the health of hair.

Types and differences of laser hair removal

Numerous lasers and light sources are currently available for use in laser hair removal. Different lasers may be better suited for different skin types and hair color. Lasers and light sources used in hair removal include:

  • Ruby. Uses a wavelength of 694 nanometers (nm) and a pulse duration of 1.2 to 3 milliseconds (ms). Aqueous gel, cool contact glass or sapphire cooling systems are used to cool the skin before delivery of laser pulses.

  • Alexandrite. A wavelength of 755 nm and a pulse duration of 2 to 40 ms is used. Aqueous gel, cold air flow or dynamic (cryogen spray) cooling systems are employed.

  • Diode. A wavelength of 800 nm is used with a pulse duration of 5 to 30 ms and a sapphire cooling system.

  • Nd:YAG (neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet). Employs a wavelength of 1,064 nm and a pulse duration of 10 to 100 ms with a cool contact glass cooling system. This is the only laser proven safe and effective for all skin types.

  • Pulsed light. These are not lasers but employ a wide spectrum of light. Wavelengths are between 590 and 1,200 nm and pulse durations are variable. A variety of cooling systems may be used.

About laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a relatively new method of removing unwanted hair. It is faster and less painful than electrolysis (uses electric current to damage hair follicles) but more expensive. Multiple treatments can permanently eliminate some hairs and delay the growth of others. It is particularly useful for treating excessive hair growth conditions (e.g., hirsutism, hypertrichosis) but may be used to eliminate nearly any unwanted hair.

Human hairs may be either terminal (darkly pigmented, coarse and long) or vellus (lightly pigmented, fine and short). Laser hair removal typically targets terminal hairs. Both forms share the same anatomy. The lowermost part of the hair follicle is the bulb. Located in the dermis, this bulb is responsible for the formation of the hair. Damage to the bulb may make it unable to produce hair, resulting in permanent hair loss.

Hair growth occurs in cycles, including an active growing cycle (anagen) and a dormant cycle in which the hair does not grow (telogen). It is only in the active growing cycle that the bulb can be damaged to make it incapable of producing hair.

Because hair growth cycles are staggered throughout the body (some hair is in anagen while some is in telogen), multiple laser treatments are necessary to produce maximum permanent hair reduction.

During laser hair removal, laser light energy passes through the skin and targets the pigment melanin in the hair follicles. Melanin absorbs the energy and the hair follicle is heated and destroyed without harming the skin and surrounding tissue. This temporarily halts hair growth and permanently reduces, thins and lightens hair in the treatment area.

Some individuals experience long-term hair removal which lasts for several years. Others will require regular treatments every one to three months to maintain the hair loss. The degree of permanent hair reduction depends on several factors, including the color and coarseness of the patient's hair, and the fluence (density of light) used. Multiple treatments (usually around four) are necessary for maximum hair reduction and may be staggered by weeks or months. The highest tolerated fluence is required for optimal results and treatment responses vary among individuals. It is impossible to predict the number of treatments a peson will require or the length of time their hair will remain absent.

Generally, patients with light skin and dark hair have the best results. The treatment is more effective on light skin because there is less melanin in the skin to compete for laser energy, so the energy more effectively targets the hair follicle instead of the skin. Patients with dark skin tend to experience more side effects because of the higher levels of melanin in the skin. There are newer methods of laser treatment that can be used for patients with dark skin (e.g., Nd:YAG lasers).

Conversely, the darker the hair, the more energy is absorbed and the more effective the treatment. Individuals with light hair (e.g., blonde, red) do not respond to laser hair removal because their hair follicles lack the pigment needed for the hair to absorb the laser's energy.

Laser hair removal can be used in any area other than around the eyes. Commonly treated areas include the upper lip, chin, ears, chest, back, armpits, legs and arms. Areas of thin skin (e.g., armpits, bikini area) tend to respond better than areas of thick skin (e.g., back, chin), requiring fewer treatments.