Healthy hair is as much about diet and environment as heriditary factors. Hair condition can deteriorate, for example, as a result of of iron deficiency. Iron absorption is also assisted by vitamin C and the amino acid lysine, which is also found in meat. Those who eat little red meat should consider taking a supplement. A variety of vitamins should be obtained by eating fresh fruit and vegetables. It is also essential to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water. A doctor should be consulted if any particular symptoms persist as these may suggest other health problems.

If you decide that you need an expert diagnosis then you should consider visiting a trichologist (trichos means hair in Greek). A trichological evaluation would include a full range of mineral and microscopic hair testing, nutritional guidance and referrals for medical testing. A good trichologist can tell all about your hair, what kind of hair loss you have, based on the stage of growth the hair or follicle is in at the time of loss or breakage. If necessary they will also refer you to a medical doctor.

If you’re interested in learning more about trichology, or finding a trichologist near you, check out these web sites:

The International Associaton of Trichologists
The Institute of Trichologists

The Trichological Society provides lists of practitioners in professions associated with hair and scalp health including chemists, hair restoration surgeons, homeopaths, medical herbalists, nutritionists, phsicians, trichologists and wig suppliers.

NEWS August 2008

Banishing Baldness?

Scientists are closer to discovering how human hair grows. Scientists at Stanford in the US, using mice, that a molecule, called laminin-511, sends a signal to cells urging hair follicles to grow.

Stanford lead researcher, Jing Gao, MD answers: “Now we have a signal protein that can support the microenvironment for hair development, and maybe also for hair renewal.”

This signalling protein may also play a role in how other body parts develop.
For the study, the researchers genetically engineered mice embryos so they lacked laminin-511.

As mammals develop, the molecule laminin-511 brings together two cell compartments of the skin, triggering a cascade of biological sequences that leads to the creation of hair follicles.

It may be possible to inject laminin-511 into the skin to promote hair growth. And if that happened it could be turned into a drug, according to an article pubished in the August 1, issue of Genes & Development.