MA BROWS AND HAIR
HEALTHY HAIR STARTS HERE
MEET MELISSA
I am a hairstylist that has been in the industry 24 years and a hair loss practitioner. About 7 years ago about half of my clients started mentioning they were dealing with some form of hair loss. Being diagnosed with Hashimotos and PCOS myself, I was also dealing with hair loss. So for the last four and a half years, I have been doing extensive research with the help of my personal doctor on hair loss, the underlining causes, and what you can do to help hair loss and regrow your hair. In the last Three years I have been working with clients on a personal and virtual level to help improve their hair loss and growth.
Women Should Not Have To Suffer In Silence
Hair is known as a nonessential body part. Hair loss can often go overlooked because technically, you will still live a "healthy" life without your hair. But, what about the psychological damage that comes with hair loss by not feeling confident or attractive. "Good" and "bad" hair days can play a significant roll in a woman's self esteem. It's estimated that more than half of women will deal with some form of hair loss by age 50. So let's stop suffering in silence. Let's work together to show others they are not alone and there is hope.
VITAMIN D LEVELS AND ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA
Inside each hair follicle, in the outer root sheath, is a group of stem cells called the hair bulge. The bulge is responsible for regulating the growth cycle. The metabolism of these cells is different than other cells in the skin. And these stem cells need Vitamin D in order to do their job. When the bulge is not able to regenerate cells and hair like normal, it can possibly present itself like Androgenetic Alopecia. This can be why women can show signs of Female Pattern Hair Loss and have normal to low Androgen levels in blood work. Ideal Vitamin D Serum levels are between 50-80 ng/mL.
It's estimated that 75% of people on Earth are deficient in Vitamin D. and Vitamin D can be hard for some people to absorb because of a gene mutation. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin so most brands have to be taken with food. My favorite Vitamin D is from Mary Ruth's. And if you are one that struggles to bring your serum levels up it can be beneficial to take Bile Salts or Digestive Enzymes. It can take some time to raise your serum levels so consistency is key!
60% OF WOMEN WILL DEAL WITH ONE OR MORE TYPES OF HAIR LOSS
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SOME HAIR LOSS IS ABNORMAL BUT, MOST CAUSES CAN BE TREATED
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WHILE TOPICAL TREATMENTS CAN BE EFFECTIVE, TREATING HAIR LOSS INTERNALLY IS MORE EFFECTIVE
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IT IS POSSIBLE TO REDUCE HAIR LOSS AND REGROW HAIR AND SEE RESULTS WITHIN WEEKS
WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS?
There are many causes of hair loss.
They include :
Stress
Hormone imbalance
Surgery
Medication
Weight Loss
Anemia
Childbirth
Autoimmune Issues
Chronic Illness
Vitamin Deficiencies
Thyroid Issues
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The first and most important step in finding the actual cause of your hair loss starts with your doctor. Blood work is essential to determining possible Thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies like Vitamin D3 and Anemia, an imbalance in hormones including cortisol caused by chronic stress. I am excited to now have a hair loss panel to off both men and women!
What Is Included Checked In The Hair Loss Panel
Anemia Panel (Ferritin, Folate, Iron, Reticulocyte Count, TIBC, B12), C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (CRP, HS), Cortisol, DHEA-Sulfate, DHT, Estrogen (E1,E2,E3), Glucose, A1C, Fasting Insulin, Lipid Panel, Magnesium RBC, Progesterone, Free and Total Testosterone, SHBG, Full Thyroid Panel, Vitamin D, Zinc RBC
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DIFFUSE ALOPECIA
Hair Loss Caused From Stress
Diffuse Alopecia is commonly diagnosed as Telogen Effluvium. Telogen is the name of the resting phase of hair growth. Diffuse Alopecia happens when some form of stress sends a percentage of hair follicles to the resting phase prematurely. This can be acute or chronic. When the body experiences a "shock to the system" 30-70% of hairs can be sent to he resting phase. This explains why it feels like hair is coming out in handfuls. Common causes include childbirth, chronic illness, surgery, thyroid issues, medications, rapid weight loss, drastic changes in diet, physiological stress, and vitamin deficiencies. Blood tests may be necessary to determine an underlying causes like any thyroid issues, if you are anemic, if your cortisol is high or low, or vitamin D deficient.
ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA
This is a common form of hair loss in women and men. Also known as female or male pattern baldness. It is most likely caused by an imbalance in hormones. When there is excess testosterone there is excess Dht. Dht is a derivative of testosterone. Dht causes a shorter growth phase and changes the type of hair that grows, from a healthy strand, to a fine peach fuzz like hair. If you control levels of Dht you can stop abnormal shedding. There is a connection between Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, PCOS , and this type of hair loss. Topical treatments like Rogaine are often recommended but Dht blocking supplements are more effective. And I have found that one of the best food sourced Dht blockers is Pumpkin Seed Oil and Stinging Nettle. When you control the production of DHT it prolongs the growing phase stopping hair from shedding prematurely.
Vitamin Deficiencies and Hair Loss
Is your hair loss caused by a deficiency? Vitamin D deficiency is a big cause of hair loss. As well as Anemia. Vitamin D is made from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to sunlight. It is also found in fortified foods. Most of the symptoms go unnoticed. But, hair loss is a big symptom. Vitamin D plays a big role in our immune system. And a healthy immune system helps avoid autoimmune disease flare ups including Alopecia Areata. Hair loss associated with anemia looks very similar to male or female pattern baldness. When you don't have enough Iron your body struggles to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to your cells for growth and repair. Including the cells that stimulate hair growth. Magnesium is a common deficiency that will interrupt more than 300 chemical processes in the body but it will also impact Vitamin D levels in the body, and can contribute to hair loss as well. Zinc deficiency can make a huge impact on Thyroid Function as well as hair loss. B12 and Folate deficiency are actually types of Anemia that will lead to hair loss as well as Iron Anemia if you are deficient long enough. I recommend the Mary Ruth's Vitamin D3 and D3+K2, Liposomal Zinc, and Liposomal Magnesium, and the liquid Iron. There absorption is amazing!
Why are liquid vitamins better?
Have you ever felt like you have tried every kind of vitamin out there and you never see any kind of a difference? My research with vitamins started shortly after I was diagnosed with Hashimotos. I read numerous articles about supplements that were beneficial for thyroid issues and spoke to my doctor about them. My doctor has always stressed the importance of getting vitamins and minerals from your diet first and then use vitamins to get any missing nutrients and when picking a vitamin the source of the ingredients and the form of the vitamin are the most important. I was immediately impressed with Mary Ruth Organics. The research that has gone into their vitamins is so impressive to me. There is no sugar, artificial, sweeteners, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. A majority of their vitamins are liquid. Liquid vitamins don't require a lot of work from your stomach to break them down before they can be absorbed. I quickly saw a huge difference in how I felt overall but also the health of my hair after I started taking Mary Ruth's. I loved them so much that I started recommending them to clients and they have quickly become my number one recommendation to clients that want to start their hair journey whether it is improving their hair health, growing their hair long or working at reducing their hair loss. My clients continue to see an amazing difference in their hair. It is so nice to have found a vitamin that is great quality, that can be taken by clients and their family as well, and can quickly become part of a great health routine.
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Want to save 20% on your order? Use the code MA20 every time you check out! You can also use the code MROMELISSA20 on Amazon.
PUMPKIN SEED OIL
Pumpkin Seed Oil has been proven in a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to stop the production of DHT. DHT is a derivative of Testosterone. The enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase converts Testosterone into DHT. DHT blocks the hair bulb from the capillary inside the hair follicle causing male and female pattern baldness (Androgenic Alopecia). DHT causes a shorter growth phase and changes the type of hair that grows, from a healthy strand, to a fine peach fuzz like hair. I recommend this Pumpkin Seed Oil to clients for a DHT blocker.
WHAT SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
WILL ACTUALLY HELP MY HAIR?
P.H. LEVEL
A good shampoo and conditioner have the same ph as your hair and skin 4.5-5.5. Too high of a ph will lift your cuticle, the outermost layer of your hair. When your cuticle is lifted you have more tangles, you lose moisture, your color fades quicker, and the hair has an overall dull appearance.
THE CUTICLE LAYER
The outermost layer of the hair is the Cuticle. It is a protective layer that is meant to seal in protein, amino acids, moisture, and artificial color. There is very little room in between each layer of the cuticle. The molecular weight of proteins needs to be 150-300. Hydrolyzed Keratin (human hair) is the best source of protein and amino acids. The molecules are small enough for the hair to actually absorb. improving the condition of the hair each time you wash your hair.
YOUR ACID MANTLE
You have a layer on your skin called your acid mantle. When your shampoo and conditioner have a ph above 4.5-5.5 it can throw off the levels of sweat, oil, and bacteria that make up the acid mantle causing dry skin that most people mistake for dandruff or really oily skin.
PRODUCT LINES I RECOMMEND
There are quite a few lines that meet all of these requirements. But, I most comonly recommend Kevin Murphy, Lanza, Alterna, Pureology, Enjoy, Joico, and Vegamore.
LEADING CAUSES OF MALE AND FEMALE PATTERN BALDNESS
The estimated percentage of women that have dealt with female pattern hair loss by the age of 50 is 40%. Here is a few common reasons why you can experience this type of hair loss.
Birth Control
Birth Control will likely cause an imbalance in sex hormones. An imbalance in sex hormones can lead to female pattern loss. As long as you are on birth control it can be beneficial to utilize a DHT inhibitor.
Insulin Resistance
In my opinion this is a new leading cause of AGA. When dealing with Insulin resistance you can end up with a stagnant amount of insulin in the body that can be converted into Androgens like Testosterone. An increase in Testosterone can lead to an increase in DHT. DHT is the cause of AGA.
Survival Mode
When we deal with constant stress we can be in survival mode also known as Adrenal Fatigue. Constant production of Cortisol can impact sex hormone production. An imbalance in Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone will lead to AGA.
