We’re on TV – Talking about Hair Loss (Part 1)

We were on TV here in Columbus this past week, talking about hair loss, hair loss treatments and what can be done about thinning hair and balding in men and women.  Here’s the first part of our interview.  We hope you enjoy it.

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It’s a Question of How Much | Men’s vs. Women’s Hair Care

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Hair Care WhatnotsMen have been puzzled for years as to how much women spend on hair care products. They don’t understand the amount it cost to keep up on the style, keep long hair healthy, and everything else that goes into it. On average, women spend around $700 a year on just their hair. Surprised? Something that isn’t so surprising is that men spend about one third that, or even less, than women do.

To help men understand what women go through, lets pull back the veil for a second. Women do everything they can to keep those pesky grey hairs from peaking through. And blondes do whatever they can to maintain those roots. So hair coloring adds to the price per year a good amount. Then there are all the other products that go with hair. There’s curling irons, straighteners, blow dryers, and more that can range from $20-$300 each. And we can’t forget about how expensive it can be to find the right shampoos (organic, sulfate-free products).

If a woman has beautiful hair, she will regret nothing about the cost. To many people, keeping their hair maintained and looking great is just the same as staying in shape and eating right. In the grand scheme of things, it evens out because hair loss is more common in men than it is in women. So looking good and keeping hair healthy becomes more of a priority to men when they see it leaving.

With saying that, hair loss is a big issue with both men and women. From alopecia to trichotillomania, or thinning hair to effluvium, Van Scoy Hair Clinics can help with any needs in hair loss you might have. Contact us HERE, and our trained professionals can meet with you at our free consultation, and plan out what the best course of action will be. Let us help restore your hair and your smile!

Photo Credit: Christina Saint Marche via Flickr Creative Commons

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5 Stages of Hair Loss Grief

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When we experience a major loss, grief is a perfectly normal process that we undergo. The grief process is complex and circular. Unlike many descriptions of the grief process having a beginning and end, with several parts in the middle, the process is not always linear. Grieving includes psychological, emotional, and physical reactions that have an impact on individuals, friends, and family. Read below to learn about some of the common phases that individuals move through as they grieve.

The death of a loved one is not the only cause for grief. Any major change can incite feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. If you have recently begun losing your hair, you might be feeling any one of these emotions or a combination. It is likely that individuals at any stage of the hair loss process will grieve their previous life. Even though your hair loss may not be permanent, you may miss the time before your hair loss began.

Denial– “I feel fine.”; “This can’t be happening, not to me.” Denial is usually a temporary defense for an individual. When you first begin losing hair or notice your thinning hair, you may not believe it is happening. In fact, you may convince others that you are not losing your hair.

Anger– “Why me? It’s not fair!”; “How can this happen to me?”; ‘”Who is to blame?” Anger is sometimes an emotion that follows denial. Once you’ve acknowledge that hair loss is something that is happening in your life you might become enraged. It doesn’t seem fair that you have to undergo this difficult burden while others do not.

Bargaining- “I’ll do anything.”; “I will give my life savings if…” This stage involves an individual hoping that they can postpone hair loss if they negotiate. Usually, the negotiation is made with a higher power in exchange for the head of hair they once had.

Depression — “I’m so sad, why bother with anything?”, “Why go on?” During this stage, the individual begins to understand and feel the effects of hair loss. Because of this, the person may withdraw and isolate. It’s completely normal to feel sadness and fear in this stage.

Acceptance — “It’s going to be okay.”; “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.” The acceptance stage is one where the person begins to accept their hair loss and prepare for it. This stage also might include educating others about hair loss and findings solutions for the problem. Grieving is a process that takes time.

Don’t discount your emotions about hair loss. Allow yourself to grieve and reach out to others for support. If you want professional support as you work through this difficult time in life, contact a counselor or support group for guidance. Often, sharing your emotions with others who understand what you are going through is a powerful first step.  Call Van Scoy at (419)-289-6665.

Schedule a private consultation with an expert or see our locations near you.

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Beauty Hurts and May Cause Thinning Hair

Women's Hair Loss Women always want to have gorgeous hair and will just about anything to achieve it, including trying all the latest hair products or gadgets to get the look you want. Flat irons, hair product chemicals and harsh hair brush bristles are doing real damage to your hair. As women get older, their hair goes through changes and hair thinning is one of them especially has they enter their 50’s and 60’s. Hair experts believe this happen because of hormonal changes, but haven’t determined the exact cause of thinning hair as we age.

Thinning hair may also have another factor and that is how you treat your hair. Intense heat from curling irons and chemicals can affect your roots and in turn cause female pattern baldness. Wearing cornrows, tight hair braids or weaves can also cause hair los and often it may not grow back.

Here are some simple tips to help avoid damaging your hair:

  • Use brushes with soft bristles.
  • Often condition your hair after shampooing it with proper pH balanced products.
  • Use hair products that don’t contain sulfates or parabens.
  • Try not to overexpose your hair to highlighting or hair coloring chemicals.
  • Cut down on weekly use of flat or curling irons.
  • Trim your hair regularly to get rid of split ends.
  • Taking Biotin and vitamins on a regular basis may also increase healthy hair growth.

If you’ve found yourself suffering from hair loss and it may be self-inflicted, come meet privately with a hair loss specialist at one of our Van Scoy Hair Clinic locations. Contact us today and we’ll set up a hair and scalp consultation.

Photo Credit: Artur Chalyj via Flickr Creative Commons

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October 1 Begins Trichotillomania Awareness Week

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Trichotillomania is a prime example of the type of hair loss disorder that can benefit tremendously from an awareness week. Despite notable prevalence in the United States (2-4% of the population), Trichotillomania remains under the radar for most individuals, including many quality stylists and medical professionals. This lack of awareness fuels misunderstanding and shame while simultaneously impeding personal progress and community support. So let’s spread the awareness!

First, what is Trichotillomania?

  • Well, this mouthful of a disorder is pronounced trick-oh-till-oh-MAY-nee-ah, but most people shorten it to simply trich or TTM. What a relief, right?
  • Trich involves the BFRB (body-focused repetitive behavior) of chronic, compulsive hair pulling. It can include hairs on the scalp, face, arms, legs, and pubic area and can feel like anything from a strong, distracting urge to an entirely unnoticed action. There is a lot of variation in its manifestation.
  • People of all ages have been diagnosed with Trichotillomania. It impacts both males and females, but by adulthood, prevalence is much higher in women. Trich is found in happy, well adjusted individuals as well as those whose pulling began as a result of high levels of anxiety or stress. According to the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC), “preliminary evidence indicates TTM is a nuero-biological disorder and that genetics may play a role in its development.”
  • Treatments and solutions vary from coping mechanisms and resource support to therapies and medication applications. A definitive cure does not yet exist.

How can you participate in Trichotillomania Awareness Week?

  • Understand the need for awareness. Like the TLC, we want to “envision a world where BFRBs are not a source of shame, and treatment that works is accessible to everyone.” The more we talk about trich, the more it becomes part of a norm rather than an embarrassment or affliction to hide, paving the way for those suffering from Trichotillomania to find a support system and resources for improvement.
  • Share a video. How about this one (shown below) from last year’s campaign?
  • Tell one person a day what you have learned. Set a goal to do your part in spreading awareness about trich by telling one person about the disorder each day during Trichotillomania Awareness Week, starting a week from tomorrow, October 1 – 7. It can be a friend, a family member, or a coworker and is as easy as opening with, “Hey, I read that today is the first day of Trichotillomania Awareness Week. Are you familiar with the condition?”
  • Print and post these cards. The TLC created small cards that can be printed and shared on public bulletin boards at your place of work, church, gym, or community center.

For more ideas on how you can get involved, visit the TLC’s website at trich.org. If you or someone you know is struggling with Trichotillomania, there is help available. Reach out and open the lines of communication today.

Restore Your Hair. Restore Your Life!

With more than 40 years experience, Van Scoy Hair Clinics has offered the latest advances in hair restoration for men and women in our state-of-the-art facilities in Cleveland, Columbus and Ashland, Ohio. Schedule a FREE hair loss and scalp analysis today.

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Three Men’s Hair Styles for Fall 2014

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Fall is upon us, and with the change of seasons comes a change of styles. Yes, green leaves are turning orange, hot summer days are cooling into enjoyable autumn ones, and short-sleeved shirts are being covered by sweaters. Why not go with the flow of the shifting seasons and their sweeping transformations this year and opt for a new do to usher in the autumn months? Today we highlight three trendy men’s styles to consider for this coming fall. If you are struggling with hair thinning or loss and are seeking a way to keep your look current, schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists today.

Go for Lift

The pompadour has been popular all year (and worldwide, as we noted during this summer’s Cup), and the style is still going strong as we swing into fall. Consider an undercut of any variety, which allows for whatever combination of lift and length you prefer. This prohibition cut featured on Behind the Chair is a slick look for the working man while the looser version shown on Men’s Hair Style Trends can be perfect for a relaxed evening. Already rocking an undercut? Try pairing it with a beard as the months get cooler.

A Caesar with Bangs

If a typical Caesar is your go to style, make the jump from average to awesome this autumn by simply allowing a bit more length in front. This small shift can make a man look stylish without much styling, and your hairdresser can work the change in over time by allowing for more drama every time you come in for your next cut. Perhaps you will decide you are happy with just a little bit of additional length, or maybe by the time winter rolls in you will be sporting a cool side swept look like this GQ style or something more rock-n-roll like this D’Marge favorite.

Alright, we get that this is a stretch for most men, but for those who do have long manes, fall is the time to let the ponytail down and feel the wind in your hair. As Esquire says in this Game of Thrones based hair guide, “It’s hard to pull off long hair, but if you can, it’s perfect for fall, adding a rich, hearty element to your overall style.” If you go this route though, “keeping it clean, without letting it get dry and brittle is a must”. Guys who are especially focused on styling their locks can take some notes from Schwarzkopf here. For everyone else, at least make sure you take care of any damage or thinning you have been able to hide by pulling it back all summer!

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Another Alopecia Areata Drug Breakthrough

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Top 10 Ways July is More Fun with Hair

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It’s summer and it’s hot, but you’re avoiding the pool. You worry about what sweat and wind will do to your thinning hair while out at barbeques. Getting caught in the rain would be tragic. It is no surprise that July would be more fun with hair. Here we have selected the top ten ways that the month would be more enjoyable after restoration.

1. Swimming

The typical avoidance of wet locks in public by those with thinning hair or bald spots puts the kibosh on classic summer fun in the pool. Whether you swim for exercise, to cool off, or just for the fun and games, being comfortable diving into the water is a wonderfully positive attribute for anyone’s summer.

2. After Swimming

Swimming isn’t the only fun part of taking a dip though. Jumping out of the water and doing a quick self-dry with a flip of the mane or a full head shake inspires a youthful energy that should grace every summer.

3. Summer Rains

Spontaneous showers and summer thunderstorms can spell tragedy for an individual with thinning hair. Jumping in puddles or spur-of-the-moment rain dances are things of the past. With a full head of hair though, getting caught in the rain can be a laughable inconvenience at worst and movie-esque romantic at best.

4. Going Hat-Free

From beach bonnets to baseball caps, there are some really great summer hats out there. Having to wear one for the entire duration of the hot bright months though is a total drag. Next July, make hats an option rather than a crutch.

5. Fewer Scalp Burns

Maybe you’ve already said goodbye to the everyday cap. Instead, you rely on your sunscreen and suffer through the scalp burns when it fails to properly protect your bald spots. Hair restoration certainly gives the scalp a bit of relief in hot, sunny months like July.

6. Outdoor Activities

July is a great time for outdoor activities with the kids during their break from school. Hiking, exploring a nearby creek, camping, and bonfires are all summer highlights for nature lovers that need not be weighed down, avoided, or less fun due to worries or anxieties about the number the elements are going to do on an already struggling head of hair.

7. Looking Good at Summer BBQs

Even if you don’t intend to be the most fashion forward attendee at your next barbeque, you definitely have more fun when you feel good, and you feel good when you look good. Even more importantly, you feel good when you feel like yourself!

8. Natural Highlights

For a full head of hair, July comes bearing gifts. In addition to seemingly intolerable heat, the sun’s rays offer lovely natural highlights that take an individual’s base color and give it a sun-kissed summer glow.

9. Changing Style with Summer

New Do, New You! Those with thinning hair or hair loss are usually constrained to a single hair style that works for them to best adapt to their weakening locks. After hair restoration, the chance to try a new style with the changing seasons becomes an option. A fun option!

10. Ponytails

Sure, this one is not for everyone. But for those with longer locks, winning the battle against thinning strands or receding hairlines means being able to pull hair back in the summer. Whether it’s a ponytail through the back of baseball cap or a cute half-up do, July is a nice time to be able to pull your hair back out of your face.

Don’t wait until next summer. Choose to make a change now! Visit your local hair restoration specialist for a free consultation and prepare to have way more fun in July in these top ten ways and more.

 

Photo credit: Schjelderup via Flickr Creative Commons

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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Hair in the 2014 World Cup

The World Cup: An international celebration of soccer and athleticism, camaraderie and cultural exchanges, national pride and long-remembered heroes. And hair too, of course. Though naturally media focus on talented players revolves around showcasing their prowess on the pitch, the men performing on this worldwide stage have certainly not overlooked their pregame grooming. In some ways, the styles on the field are both a display of global male hair trends and also country specific dos. At other times, certain players’ looks are so unique and conspicuous that many viewers walk away remembering more about the guy’s mane then about his contributions to his team. In any case, the combination of great hair and great soccer has not disappointed over the past few weeks, and we’re looking forward to seeing who takes the Cup home after the final a week from Sunday. First, we take a look at some notable hair highlights.

The Good

These smooth guys are rocking it at all times. They are drenched in sweat after 90 minutes of hard, top level play, and their hair still looks completely GQ. The pompadour is an easy favorite among popular mens styles in 2014, and variations of it and other long hair styles have certainly made their presence felt in the Cup. A great look for futbolers and business men alike, these full manes are definite winners. Think Portugal’s Christiano Ronaldo and Chile’s Alexis Sanchez who have gone long on top with cleanly trimmed sides, or Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani and the US’s Graham Zusi who let their glorious locks grow free enough to be tied back.

Alexis Sanchez

The Good

 

The Bad

For the most part, the 736 men who make up the 32 teams battling for the 2014 Cup seem to take their appearance into consideration. There are of course a few though who seem unaware of the enormity of the stage and sadly miss the style boat. Rather, their locks are just devoid of personality altogether and entirely blah. Take Greece’s Dimitris Salpingidis for example, or Russia’s Alan Dzagoev, Spain’s Andres Iniesta, and Switzerland substitute Tranquillo Barnetta. What can one even say? Yawn…

Dimitris Salpigidis

The Ugly

 

The Ugly

Ah, the ugly. A World Cup wouldn’t be complete without a few guys who seem to make a special effort to showcase ‘what not to do’ with your hair. The first player who comes to mind here is the US’s Kyle Beckerman. Some people like his nest of dreads. More power to them. In terms of taking style onto the pitch though, this gigantic mass is a miss and a heavy hindrance too. It’s not all outrageous manes making the ugly list though. Algeria’s Saphir Taider, Ghana’s John Boye, and Croatia’s Danijel Pranjic all brought their own versions of less than desirable Mohawks to the show. These loud dos are similar enough to the globally popular pompadour that they appear to be poorly executed attempts at hitting the trend, even if they’re not.

Kyle Beckerman

The Bad

What would a World Cup be without a bit of variety in style? At the end of the day, we enjoy watching them all: the Good, the Bad, and yes, even the Ugly.

 

All photos are hyperlinked to sources. Click to view.

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Finding Your Solution: Micro Point Extensions for Thinning Hair

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There are a number of solutions available for specific types of hair loss and styling needs, and speaking with a specialist is the best way to decide which hair restoration avenue is the best for you. Today, Van Scoy takes a look at Micro Point Extensions for Thinning Hair.

The use of extensions for fullness and length can actually seem a bit counterintuitive once you start doing some research. Not surprisingly, glue and other chemicals used to attach older types of extensions can cause damage to both your follicles and your scalp. Heavy extensions, regardless of application style, can pull on and weigh down natural hairs that are more lightweight than the added pieces, causing strain, stress, and breakages. Of course, a less-than-excellent stylist can add to the issues too by causing hair and scalp damage with careless application and removal, not to mention the extra tension from the additional styling that follows in an attempt cover up the shoddy work. Putting already weak hair into a damaging system in an attempt to make it thicker is kind of illogical, right?

Right. Fortunately, glue and chemicals, heavy strands, and inexperienced stylists aren’t requirements for modern extensions. In fact, breakthroughs in synthetic hair technology and contemporary application practices actually make certain extensions, such as Micro Point Solutions®, into healthy, successful, and recommended hair restoration options instead. Micro Point Solutions® is a practically invisible solution to thinning or fine hair. It is a non-surgical procedure that utilizes micro-mini extensions to create a fuller head of hair without causing damage. No damaging glues or solvents are used and the system as a whole doesn’t cause any additional hair loss or breakages. This is more like it!

Micro Point Solutions® is offered by and made with CyberHair®, a top choice for non-surgical hair restoration. CyberHair®, which uses state-of-the-art technology to mimic human hair, succeeds impressively in looking, feeling, and behaving like human hair. It even absorbs water, reflects light, and holds style while being two times stronger but lighter in weight than human hair! That means that the problem of heavy extensions is gone and so is any worry about the Micro Point Solutions® looking less than natural. Many individuals with thinning hair avoid situations in which their locks will get wet, forcing them to miss out on what could have been fantastic memories or even unexpected opportunities. With CyberHair® extensions from Micro Point, one can run in the rain, answer the door before their hair is styled, and even go for a swim every single day.

It is still imperative that a highly-trained, experienced, and talented stylist applies the extensions and tailors them to the needs of the individual. With Micro Point Solutions®, only certified studios can apply or refresh extensions. In Ohio, the Van Scoy Hair Clinics in Ashland, Cleveland, and Columbus are all certified studios that employ the finest hair replacement and wig stylists in Ohio. Get in touch today for a free consultation to learn more about Micro Point Solutions® and if CyberHair® extensions are a good fit for you.

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