“Hair Growth Formula D-2653-B” and “Hair Growth Tonic E-0583-D” are regulated as Chinese Proprietary Medicines (CPM) and declared to contain natural herbs. Such products are not allowed to contain western medicinal ingredients or substances controlled under the Poisons Act.

However, one batch of “Hair Growth Formula D-2653-B” (B/N 20091201) and “Hair Growth Tonic E-0583-D” (B/N 20091201) were found to contain the western medicinal ingredient minoxidil during HSA’s regular product quality sampling programme. The affected batches of the two products, which were manufactured by Beijing Zhangguang 101 Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd in Beijing, China, have been recalled from Beijing 101 haircare centres.

Minoxidil is classified as a pharmacy-only medicine and is used to treat hair loss. Some of the side effects of using topical preparations containing this medicine include rashes, skin irritation, itching and exacerbation of hair loss in susceptible individuals.

HSA urges those who have purchased the affected batch of the products to stop using them. Those who develop any unexpected reactions to these products are advised to seek medical advice.

The mass head shaving event started in 2003 to raise funds and awareness of childhood cancer, as baldness was one of the most obvious side-effects of a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy.

The campaign aims to raise $750,000 this year and is already more than halfway towards reaching its target.

Guest-of-honour President S R Nathan kicked started the campaign by giving foundation chairperson Ravi Sivalingam a close shave.
Said Mr Ravi: ‘Children with cancer are very aware of how they look when they lose their hair, so it sends a powerful message when they see so many people coming here to shave themselves too.’

Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body, second only to bone marrow.

A single hair can support up to 100 grams in weight and a whole head of hair could support up to 12 tonnes – the equivalent of two African elephants!

A hair grows by 0.3 to 0.5mm per day – about 1 to 1.5cm a month and 12 to 15cm a year.

African hair grows more slowly and is more fragile than European hair. Asian hair grows the fastest and has the greatest elasticity.

The word shampoo comes from the Hindi ‘champna’, meaning to massage or knead.

Early hair remedies read like witches’ potions. One sixteenth-century doctor claimed to restore hair by applying a mixture of boiled slugs, olive oil, honey, saffron, soap and cumin to the head. But nobody knows if it worked.

Children lose an average of 90 hairs each day, which increases to 120 by old age.

Hair loss in AA results from “collapse of immune privilege” in hair follicles, such that a person’s own immune system attacks and destroys cells of their hair follicles. Interestingly, AA attacks pigmented hairs more actively than nonpigmented hairs. Thus, selective loss of pigmented hair, causing people to become “gray overnight,” could actually result from acute AA onset during intense stress or grief.

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) involved international researchers, led by a group at Columbia University Medical Center, New York City. Genotypic analysis of 1054 patients with AA and 3278 control individuals found more than 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AA at a GWAS-significant level (P = 5 × 10-7). The majority of these SNPs were concentrated in 8 regions, most containing 1 or 2 genes with recognized immune function.

“Finding the initial genes underlying [AA] is a big step forward, but the nature of the genes is even more exciting,” observed senior author Angela M. Christiano, PhD, professor, Dermatology and Genetics & Development, and director of the Center for Human Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, in a Columbia University news release.

The FDA ruling was based on a study performed by Dr. Grant Koher which showed that low level laser light, specifically with a precise wavelength, provides a medically significant treatment for women’s hair loss.

Dr. Koher is the first physician to conduct a study resulting in 510k FDA clearance for a medical device for the treatment of female pattern baldness.

Dr. Koher conducted a three phased medical study to confirm that females with androgenetic alopecia, when exposed to scheduled applications of low level laser light, would have a reduction in hair loss and promotion in hair growth.

This study was conducted over 18 months with 82 qualified participants. Each participant was scheduled to receive 52 treatments of 20 minute duration, over a period of 26 weeks.

All study procedures included clinical protocol, clinical tracking, and clinical analysis approved by the Western Institutional Review Board (WIRB).

The first thing I tell my clients with thinning hair is that I understand, says Priano. It’s an emotional experience and as a ROGAINE® user myself, I understand exactly what they’re going through.

Hereditary hair loss is very common in men. In fact, up to one third of all men experience it — and for many men, it starts in their early 20s.

An expert in men’s grooming and treating thinning hair, Priano offers the following advice to his male clients with thinning hair / hair loss:
Caring for Thinning Hair

For my clients with hair loss, I suggest Men’s ROGAINE® Foam. It helps stop hair loss and is the only FDA-approved foam that is clinically proven to regrow hair. My clients who use it consistently twice a day everyday have seen improvement in as quickly as four months and I have been using it myself for two years and I definitely notice the difference, adds Priano.

Fine, thinning hair is already fragile and can be further damaged by over washing, over brushing or over combing, says Priano. Try these surefire tips to keep the hair you have healthy and strong:

Natrol® Esselence Classics Hair is a revolutionary hair-energizing nutraceutical that helps combat age-related hair-loss, and helps reduce hormone-driven hair thinning the natural way. Designed to help promote hair health, re-growth, thickness, and youthfulness, this dietary supplement contains a powerful blend of herbs, such as He Shou Wu and Horsetail Extract, along with vital co-factor nutrients such as B Vitamins, Biotin, and more. Average U.S. SRP is $9.99 for a 50-count bottle of tablets.

A team headed by Yashwanth Kamath, who used to head the Textile Research Institute in Princeton, New Jersey, tested samples of hair for four characteristics that determine healthy hair – thickness, tensile strength, shine, and smoothness. Caucasian, Asian and Indian hair samples were put to the test for the World’s Best Hair study.

Their results put an end to any splitting of hairs over the issue: in terms of health, the Indian hair is the best, topping other ethnic groups on all four counts. So, are we only genetically endowed, or do we even do a better job of grooming?

S. Sugandhan, consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist, MIOT Hospitals, says other studies in the past have proved that Indian hair is also the densest  in terms of number of hairs per follicle. Hair health depends both on several physiological, pathological causes and grooming. The latter is more to do with preventing breakages and split ends, he says.

The HeadStrong initiative, run by Breast Cancer Care Scotland and Marie Curie, has opened at the charity’s city hospice.

The service will be staffed by seven volunteers, including several who have suffered cancer and hair loss.

Broadcaster Kaye Adams, a long-term supporter of Breast Cancer Care Scotland and Marie Curie, said: I’ve spoken to lots of people who have had treatment for breast cancer, both in my private and professional life, so I know just what a devastating impact hair loss can have.

HeadStrong is great as it offers direct and immediate support at a time when people need it most. Knowing that this service is out there will give those set to undergo cancer treatment a real confidence boost.

More than 4000 women in Scotland are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Most women suffering from cancer go through the traumatic experience of losing their hair due to the side-effects of chemotherapy treatments.

Procter & Gamble has revealed Formula One World Champion Jenson Button as the brand ambassador for Head & Shoulders

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver will be used to encourage more men to use the Procter & Gamble brand, which is the UK’s number one selling shampoo.

The Somerset-born racing driver said he has used the product for years and it is an essential part of his grooming regime.

He will appear in future advertising campaigns for the brand but marketing plans are still being decided.

James Nunn, head&shoulders brand communications manager, said: “Head & Shoulders is the number one selling shampoo in the UK so it seemed natural to team up with Jenson as he is a style icon that the everyday man on the street can relate to. British men aspire to him as he has a natural, relaxed approach to grooming which is exactly what head&shoulders is all about.”