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Hair Loss Awareness Month: Things You Should Know About Hair Loss

man looking in mirror at his hair loss

August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month! Here are a few things you may not know about hair loss:

Hair loss impacts more than 55 million men and women in the United States

For men and women 35 years and older, there were 56 million who experienced a hair loss problem in 2013, according to research by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. However, many people under the age of 35 can also experience the problem. This is important in realizing that you’re not alone if you are experiencing hair loss.

Hair loss is not just a men’s issue

An estimated 21 million women deal with hair loss in the United States. Women now have more information and options than ever before when it comes to hair loss. But unfortunately, women seem to consult a physician less often than men when confronted with hair loss. If you’re a woman and you notice hair loss, see your doctor as a first step.

Check the products you use on your hair

Some hair care products can be damaging to your hair. Carefully check your shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, hair spray, and other products to make sure you aren’t hurting your hair. Be aware that blow drying with heat is almost always bad for your hair. Weakening your hair can make you more susceptible to hair loss. Start a discussion about your options with your hair care specialist, stylist or physician.

During National Hair Loss Awareness Month, perform an inventory on your hair and find out ways to see warning signs of hair loss. In addition, be certain that you are treating your hair well so it stays vibrant and healthy.  Contact us today if you’re interested in discussing hair transplant options.

Hair Loss in African-American Women

african american woman hair loss

Hair loss in African-American women is a very real concern that too few people seem to really know about. Because hair is so strongly tied to not only our perception of ourselves but to the way people feel about a particular person, hair loss can be absolutely devastating for women if left unchecked.

Getting to the bottom of this phenomenon will help you both understand why it occurs and help you understand the steps that you can take to correct it as quickly as possible.

Identify the cause of hair loss

One of the most important things to understand about hair loss in women has to do with the difference between alopecia and traumatic alopecia.

Traditional alopecia is a term that is used to describe hair loss of any type. A woman who is experiencing hair loss is experiencing alopecia – these two terms are essentially synonymous.

Traumatic alopecia, however, is a much more specific situation where strands of hair become shorter and shorter as time goes on due to trauma or injury that the strand has experienced. This is also commonly referred to as hair breakage. In her series on the subject via the Huffington Post, Dr. Susan Taylor explains that traumatic alopecia is usually caused by excessive use of chemical relaxers or dyes, excessive heat application, and heavy frictional forces. Brittany Gatson of BlackDoctor.org also explains that hormonal changes – thyroid, PCOS, childbirth, and hormonal birth control – can contribute to changes in hair texture and breakage.

Not sure what kind of hair loss you’re suffering from? Madame Noire covers a few different kinds with accompanying images.

How to prevent hair loss

In order to combat hair loss in women, there are a number of very important practices to observe. Here are some tips we picked up with some info from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

  • For starters, hair should only be washed either once per week or once every other week. This helps make sure that hair care products don’t build up on your scalp, which will only lead to the hair drying out and breaking over time.
  • Use conditioner each and every time you wash your hair for the best possible results. When using conditioner, African-American women should always pay close attention to the ends of the hair as these areas are the oldest and most fragile part of each individual strand.
  • When using hair care products on your hair, you’re always going to want to use ones that contain natural ingredients. Not only do hair care products with natural ingredients not lead to hair drying out, but they can actually help maintain moisture for longer periods of time. Natural hair care ingredients that you should always be on the lookout for include aloe vera juice, aloe vera gel, olive oil, shea butter, and glycerin.
  • Stay away from shampoos that contain sulfates and similar ingredients. These types of ingredients can lead to a woman’s hair drying out, which will lead to breakage and long term damage if a person washes her hair on a regular basis.

Treating existing hair loss

When dealing with hair loss in African-American women, one of the keys to treatment is catching the condition as early as possible. If hair loss isn’t identified quickly and properly treated, hair follicles can be replaced by various levels of scar tissue as time goes on. As a result, these types of hair loss can be not only permanent but disfiguring, as well.

Some of the main types of products used to treat these types of hair loss in African American women include anti-inflammatory medications. Topical corticosteroids are also often used to help get to the root of an issue and get it corrected as soon as possible.

Always consult your dermatologist on a regular basis to help identify any small issues that you may be experiencing before they become big ones. Oprah’s web team did a thorough run-down of some helpful medications and treatments here.

Identify your hair loss now and give your hair some love. You’ll prevent any further damage – and might even be able to restore your hair! Contact us today to discuss your options.

“Salon-Style” Cosmetic Surgery: What You Need to Know

Close-up of a Woman's Lips Receiving Cosmetic Surgery from a Syringe New trends in women’s fashion and beauty present themselves every year. Prepare yourself to hear a lot about “salon-style” cosmetic surgery and makeovers throughout the rest of 2016. So what is “salon-style” cosmetic surgery and why should you know about it?

Types of salon-style cosmetic surgery

Some injections, laser treatments, and medical peels are now offered more commonly as “appointment” and “salon-style” cosmetic procedures. This is opposed to having a consultation appointment and a separate procedure appointment, which is a longer process. Most of these procedures and treatments are highly effective and can often be administered relatively quickly and affordably.  It’s almost as simple as calling a salon to make an appointment for a haircut or manicure. A few of the specific treatments that don’t require the patient to go “under the knife” include:

Some salon-style cosmetic procedures do not require a physician to perform them. While that may seem like a good thing, it can be cause for concern. A board-certified plastic surgeon is trained to treat patients and is legally obligated to do so only after explaining all of the risks involved in any treatment. Salon-style cosmetic procedures may require a shorter consultation and little or no recovery. However, it’s still necessary to be guided by a trained physician through the process, even if he or she doesn’t actually perform the procedure.

More affordable

Salon-style cosmetic procedures usually cost much less than intrusive plastic surgery procedures like a tummy tuck or a breast augmentation. They are paid for at the appointment or easily charged to a credit card.

Non-surgical option

While some people may never opt for a surgical procedure, they may choose a non-invasive procedure which can be administered in an office setting. This is a popular option for many people. There is always some level of risk when undergoing any medical procedure or treatment, which is why we recommend that an experienced physician thoroughly explain the process to you in all cases.     A plastic surgeon’s role is to consult with a patient and ascertain whether they are appropriate for surgery. They’ll talk with you about the psychological impact that comes with changing something on your body. Even relatively simple techniques like peels and laser procedures can result in changes you may expect. An experienced plastic surgeon will help educate and guide you through the decision-making process.   Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon when considering any cosmetic procedure, either surgical or non-surgical. Their training, credentialing and experience will ensure you optimum results. Dr. Tim Love has over 25 years of experience in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. His nationally-recognized state-of-the-art practice offers the latest technology and products. Contact him today to schedule a consultation online or at 405-751-LOVE (5683). Dr. Tim Love offers many in-office non-surgical procedures such as Fraxel Dual,Thermage CPT, Botox/Xeomin, Dermal Fillers, and Kybella. Additionally, his practice offers physician-grade skincare regimented from SkinMedica, Alphaeon Beauty and SkinCeuticals.   Learn more about what we offer…

What is Ear Surgery and Who is a Good Candidate For It?

what-is-ear-surgery

Otoplasty, or ear surgery, is used for patients who have misshapen, out of proportion, or out of position ears in relationship to the face. This can be a problem that has been present since birth, or an issue that is a direct result from an accident or injury.

Otoplasty can return the ear to a more normal shape, and fix congenital defects that are bothersome to a growing child. Even fixing a small problem can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem.

Good Candidates for Plastic Surgery of the Ear

Children are solid candidates for plastic surgery once they are five years old. At five, the cartilage of the ear is stable enough to be fixed with plastic surgery. The child must also be healthy, and not suffer from any chronic health conditions that would inhibit healing. Untreated chronic ear infections will also make a child a poor candidate for surgery. A young child must also be able to understand instructions and be cooperative, as the healing process will require an adherence to instructions regarding the aftercare once the surgery has been completed.

Adults and teens are good candidates for surgery if:

  • They are healthy and do not suffer from life-threatening or chronic conditions that would impede healing.
  • They do not smoke. Smoking causes problems with the healing process, and an otoplasty candidate will not be considered if they smoke cigarettes.
  • They can identify specific goals for the surgery and have an optimistic outlook on what they can expect from the procedure.

How Ear Surgery is Completed

Depending on the level of reconstruction needed, your doctor may choose a local anesthetic, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. The goal will be to make you as comfortable as possible as you undergo the procedure. Once the proper sedation has been used, the surgeon will make incisions on the back of your ear to reshape the cartilage. If incisions must be made to the front of your ear, the surgeon will place the incisions within the folds of your ears to reduce visibility. Your surgeon will use sutures that don’t need to be removed in order to shape your ear correctly, allowing your ear to heal in the correct position.

Stitches are Used Externally

You will have stitches externally on your ear after the procedure, and as your ear heals you will need to take care not to ruin the stitches. How many stitches you have depends on the length of the incision, and no two ear surgeries are exactly alike.

Once your dressings are removed, you will be able to see the new shape and position of your ear immediately. While healing will take several weeks, the effect of a newly shaped or positioned ear can be seen immediately. When you get ear surgery, your physician will be careful to avoid creating any noticeable scars, and they will not be seen by a casual observer. As you heal from your surgery, listen to your physician and remember that it will take a few months for your ears to completely heal.

If you think Otoplasty might be right for you, contact us to schedule a consultation.

What are the risks associated with a face lift?

should-i-get-a-face-lift

As you age, your skin becomes less elastic. This loss of elasticity creates skin that sags, causing wrinkles to form. Many people turn to facelift procedures to reduce and remove the wrinkles that have formed, tightening the skin once again. There are a number of facelift options to consider, based on the area you are trying to treat and the extensiveness of the facelift that you seek.

The Traditional Face Lift Procedure

In a traditional facelift, the neck and lower portion of the face are treated. An incision is made that begins above the ear in the hairline. This incision goes behind the ear, going around the ear and stopping at the base of the ear, still at the hairline. The skin is then separated from the underlying muscle tissue by the surgeon, so that sutures can be put into place to tighten the muscles below. The muscles are tightened to make the face lift last longer. Once the muscles below have been sutured, the surgeon will then remove any excess skin and close the sutures back up.

Face Lift Procedure without Muscle Involvement

A less invasive procedure, the skin-only face lift allows the surgeon to tighten and remove excess skin without treating the underlying muscle tissue. The procedure is similar to the traditional face lift, as the incision is made behind the ear at the hairline. The incision goes around the back of the ear, and ends at the base of the ear, remaining in the hairline to ensure that any potential scars will be covered by your hair.

This is the first type of face lift procedure created, and is less effective than what is now considered the traditional face lift. In this procedure, only the skin is touched. Skin is elastic, and the effects of this type of face lift do not last as long as when the muscles below are also tightened. The surgeon will tighten the skin, remove any excess skin, and close up the incisions.

Eyebrow, or Temporal Face Lift

In this type of procedure, the eyebrow area is treated using cosmetic surgery. The brow lift is for patients who have a slightly drooping brow, and it is used instead of a full brow lift procedure which is more extensive. Small incisions are made on both side of the brow, and the skin is lifted slightly to reduce wrinkles. Surgeons may also remove excess fat from your face and neck areas when performing a face lift procedure with the use of liposuction. This helps the surgeon reshape your face, and smooth out wrinkles. Liposuction will not have an effect on how elastic your skin is, and may cause further drooping if you try liposuction only on your face.

Risks Associated With Face Lift Procedures

While the risks associated with face lift procedures can be minor, risks can include:

  • Swelling or bruising as you heal from the procedure. This should be expected as you recover from a face lift procedure and it will last up to several weeks.
  • Potential numbness in your cheeks, neck or scalp that can last several months to years.
  • Hair loss may occur at the incision sites, but this is not expected to last more than a few months.
  • Facial nerve injury. While this is rare, sometimes your facial nerves can be affected by a face lift procedure.

Most face lift procedures only take a few hours and are done either with a local anesthetic or under general anesthesia. The recovery process can take several weeks, but in smaller procedures patients recover more quickly. Patients who want to look more vibrant, and those that feel their outward appearance does not match how they feel on the inside, can benefit from the use of face lift procedures to smooth out wrinkles.

If you think a facelift might be right for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

What are the risks associated with a face lift?

should-i-get-a-face-lift

As you age, your skin becomes less elastic. This loss of elasticity creates skin that sags, causing wrinkles to form. Many people turn to facelift procedures to reduce and remove the wrinkles that have formed, tightening the skin once again. There are a number of facelift options to consider, based on the area you are trying to treat and the extensiveness of the facelift that you seek.

The Traditional Face Lift Procedure

In a traditional facelift, the neck and lower portion of the face are treated. An incision is made that begins above the ear in the hairline. This incision goes behind the ear, going around the ear and stopping at the base of the ear, still at the hairline. The skin is then separated from the underlying muscle tissue by the surgeon, so that sutures can be put into place to tighten the muscles below. The muscles are tightened to make the face lift last longer. Once the muscles below have been sutured, the surgeon will then remove any excess skin and close the sutures back up.

Face Lift Procedure without Muscle Involvement

A less invasive procedure, the skin-only face lift allows the surgeon to tighten and remove excess skin without treating the underlying muscle tissue. The procedure is similar to the traditional face lift, as the incision is made behind the ear at the hairline. The incision goes around the back of the ear, and ends at the base of the ear, remaining in the hairline to ensure that any potential scars will be covered by your hair.

This is the first type of face lift procedure created, and is less effective than what is now considered the traditional face lift. In this procedure, only the skin is touched. Skin is elastic, and the effects of this type of face lift do not last as long as when the muscles below are also tightened. The surgeon will tighten the skin, remove any excess skin, and close up the incisions.

Eyebrow, or Temporal Face Lift

In this type of procedure, the eyebrow area is treated using cosmetic surgery. The brow lift is for patients who have a slightly drooping brow, and it is used instead of a full brow lift procedure which is more extensive. Small incisions are made on both side of the brow, and the skin is lifted slightly to reduce wrinkles. Surgeons may also remove excess fat from your face and neck areas when performing a face lift procedure with the use of liposuction. This helps the surgeon reshape your face, and smooth out wrinkles. Liposuction will not have an effect on how elastic your skin is, and may cause further drooping if you try liposuction only on your face.

Risks Associated With Face Lift Procedures

While the risks associated with face lift procedures can be minor, risks can include:

  • Swelling or bruising as you heal from the procedure. This should be expected as you recover from a face lift procedure and it will last up to several weeks.
  • Potential numbness in your cheeks, neck or scalp that can last several months to years.
  • Hair loss may occur at the incision sites, but this is not expected to last more than a few months.
  • Facial nerve injury. While this is rare, sometimes your facial nerves can be affected by a face lift procedure.

Most face lift procedures only take a few hours and are done either with a local anesthetic or under general anesthesia. The recovery process can take several weeks, but in smaller procedures patients recover more quickly. Patients who want to look more vibrant, and those that feel their outward appearance does not match how they feel on the inside, can benefit from the use of face lift procedures to smooth out wrinkles.

If you think a facelift might be right for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation.