Looking like a miniature soil aerator with needle-like spikes, this latest hair loss ‘accessory’ is sold for around $60 (or more) - or supplied as part of some extortionately overpriced treatment ‘program’.

I would strongly advise consumers NOT to purchase these gadgets - or use them if supplied. There is a high potential risk of scalp irritation or infection -particularly when used with topical Minoxidil or Minoxidil/Retin A solutions.

These spiky rollers damage the scalp’s outer layer of skin protection (termed epidermis) by causing microscopic cuts and abrasions. A contra-indication to using Minoxidil is it should not be applied to damaged skin.

I have seen an increasing number of young males with irritant reactions from this practice. If this is happening to you - immediately cease both the Minoxidil and the roller’s use - no matter what the sales consultant says.

I’d also advise consumers to seek out modern, low irritant Minoxidil formulations that contain non-propylene glycol (PG-free) absorption enhancers.

In my opinion, this useless (and potentially harmful) device should be scrutinised by the Dept. of Fair Trading with a view to banning its sale.

All too frequently women relate a negative consultation experience where they feel they’ve been dismissed as ‘stressed’, pre-menopausal, post-menopausal, or simply neurotic.

Whilst this remains a valid censure in some cases, I now understand just how much pressure Medicare exerts on Medical Practitioners NOT to test for potential health issues in patients.

Apparently every pathology test a Doctor orders for her/his patients is recorded against the Practitioner’s name and profile. Restrictions – understandably – are placed on how often a test may be ordered for an individual patient or what tests may be ordered for that patient. But should the Doctor move outside their ‘profile’ of pathology requests, they may be ‘red flagged’ and investigated for over-servicing.

Essentially we now follow the US system where medical practice is determined by bureaucrats and ‘bean counters’ in place of the treating Doctor’s clinical judgment and investigation through pathology testing. Practitioners aren’t questioned if they continue ordering the generic ‘overview’ pathology – cheap for Medicare to fund – but of limited diagnostic value.

(In the opinion of many) Doctors are also not compensated for the time it truly takes to obtain a thorough clinical history from the patient. As a Trichologist I ask an hour of a new client’s time for history taking and scalp assessment – and this is for a non life threatening hair loss or scalp problem. I defy the best clinician to glean all the information required in a fifteen minute consultation.

As I suggest in my Blog ‘Medicare or care only about the $$’, skewed Government funding for health care encourages the practice of “band-aid” medicine in place of a more far-sighted, healthier – and ultimately more economical – preventative medicine.

Dr. John Lee – my hormone mentor and arguably Australia’s most progressive thyroid researcher – has found 40-60% of all patients who consult him are – at 1^st encounter – Iodine and Vitamin D deficient. My own client statistics concur with this although I find greater than 80% of all clients I see over autumn-winter have Vitamin D levels ranging from insufficient to severely deficient. I believe other forward thinking (ACNEM) Doctors around the country see similar high statistics.

Iodine deficiency profoundly influences thyroid gland hormone production and function. It’s known to be a factor in breast disease in women (Wright: 2000, Zava: 2007); slow brain development and lowered IQ levels in children (Eastman et al: 2006).

Professor Creswell Eastman from the Council of Control (Iodine Deficiency Disorders) – has been publicly urging food manufacturers to again add Iodine to their products. His concerns arise from a recent national study which found almost half of all children of primary school age show Iodine deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency is known to be associated in osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, ‘stroke’, and heart disease; autism in children, depression, and body muscle mass wasting, gum disease, & certain forms of cancer. The neuro-degeneration of Alzheimer’s disease is believed associated with Vitamin D deficiency (Sutherland et al: 1992).

The potential to develop autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, & inflammatory bowel disease is thought to increase with Vitamin D deficiency.

Lee (2007) has found ‘sufficient’ Vitamin D (>100nmol/L) is required for optimal Triiodothyronine (active thyroid hormone – T3) ‘receptor expression’. I regularly see clients with Vitamin D levels less than 20nmol/L.

Any example one could cite: smoking, alcoholism, the benefits of an active lifestyle and healthy eating to resist heart disease, have all shown ‘prevention’ is infinitely more desirable than allowing the disease to develop.

Past public health awareness campaigns aimed at ‘prevention’ or early detection for Melanoma, Tuberculosis (TB) and Polio – even compulsory seat belts - greatly diminished deaths and illness from these causes in our society.

Allowing potentially preventable illness to fester into chronic, debilitating disease increasingly burdens our nation’s ability to fund the expensive surgery and hi-tech medical interventions which are then usually necessary.

The personal cost to individuals and their families – and therefore our nation – is incalculable. The individual’s private pain, suffering, and stolen future; as well as their families’ misery, grief and loss is an intangible cost that no $$$ figure may be calculated for.

The ‘Catch-22’ for Iodine and Vitamin D testing is they are not bulk-billed by Medicare so Doctors (generally) don’t test for them. Worryingly, I’ve spoken with two or three health practitioners who had little idea how Iodine influences body functioning (or how to interpret Iodine results).

My clinical experiences……

This past year I’ve been consulted by three elderly women with advanced Parkinson’s disease who’d experienced telogen effluvium hair fall from changes to their medication. Having read the many published articles linking Parkinson’s disease and Vitamin D deficiency – www.vitamindcouncil.org - I requested these women’s Vitamin D levels be tested. All three women were found to be severely deficient; between 10-14nmol/L respectively.

The obvious question is: Were these women Vitamin D deficient before they developed Parkinson’s disease or are they now deficient because of impaired mobility and are essentially housebound? In all three cases there was no record of their Vitamin D levels ever being tested.

Two of my clients have undergone breast removal (mastectomy) and are currently taking the drug Tamoxifen. Another client’s sister and mother both died from breast cancer. (A Doctor whom I greatly respect told this woman my testing to establish her hidden Iodine deficiency had probably saved her from her sister and mother’s fate - heady praise indeed!!).

In consulting these women for their respective hair loss issues, it was found ALL THREE were severely Iodine deficient Again there was no record of their Iodine levels – a simple urine sample - ever being tested.

These are not elderly women; their ages range from 35-45 respectively. They are – or should be – in the prime of their lives.

In his text, ‘Iodine: ‘Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live without It’ (3^rd Edition) - leading expert and author Dr. David Brownstein firmly believes Iodine deficiency to be a factor in breast disease in women.

This leaves me to wonder about the highly publicised illness and recent early deaths of two prominent Australian women from breast cancer – did any treating practitioner ever think to test their Iodine levels.

Obviously Iodine deficiency is one risk factor in female breast cancer. Heredity, oestrogen-progesterone balance, Vitamin D levels, or taking synthetic hormone therapy for extended periods of time is just some of the many other considerations. But with 100,000 Australian women being sought to participate in a national breast cancer study that’s just been announced – we ask them to reflect on ‘easy to test’ nutritional issues such as Iodine.

(My next Blog will attempt to explain why women are more ‘at risk’ of Iodine deficiency and how this increases the threat of breast disease)……

Photographs of this young man (taken by his Mother) showed eyes so swollen he could not open them. Blisters around his eyes, forehead and on his scalp - all heavily oozing yellow serous fluid … he honestly looked as if he’d been doused with petrol and set alight.

What happened to him? As with the young woman I mention in my Blog ‘Consulting a trained + experienced practitioner …’ he was also given a dozen bottles Minoxidil + Retinoic acid solution and told to come back in twelve months.

No information (of course) about the risks and adverse reactions from such a potent topical solution. Remember the young woman was told (in the presence of her Mother) ‘even babies can use it …’

This solution was totally inappropriate for him because he has a pustular form of ’scarring’ (permanent) alopecia termed Folliculitis Decalvans. Applying this lotion was akin to pouring petrol on a fire.

He intends to tell his own story on my Blog but informs me that when he telephoned this charlatan to complain about his burning scalp he was told ‘there were no such side effects from using this Minoxidil’.

Those of you who know whom I’m speaking of will also know he openly says he “adds special curries” to these prescription medications - illegal to alter a prescription medication except if you are a Medical Practitioner or Registered Pharmacist.

He suffered 2nd degree chemical burns from his ordeal; parts of his forehead have been left permanently discoloured, and he now experiences a constant and chronic itching (urticaria) all over his body (as diagnosed by his Dermatologist).

I have been accused of harping on about unqualified salesmen in this industry, as well as over-dramatising the potential for fatal consequences arising from their actions. Anyone who heard this young man’s story, viewed his scalp and photographs would not think so…

I urge anyone who has had a similar experience ….PLEASE make your story known so we may put some pressure on the Department of Fair Trading and the Health Department to begin regulating this industry and run the shonks out of town.

For many consumers however, LLLT’s results often fell far short of marketing hype as a single treatment ‘cure-all’ - but within its limitations - LLLT can be a useful + efficacious tool in a COMBINED therapy approach.

In my experience of working with LLLT manufacturers, training other operators, and treating my own clients, LLLT’s principal benefits are vaso-dilation (blood flow increase), anti-inflammatory, and its ability to enhance hair shaft integrity and quality. I have also always found it effective in slowing the rate of telogen effluvium hair shedding - likely due to its vaso-dilatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

I do however state the above with certain qualifications. To be therapeutically effective these laser appliances should be classified ‘3A/3B’; be in the wavelength vicinity of 660-780nm & with a power output of 60-400mW (minimum 60mW).

Some hand held units (1.5-5mW) are little more than placebo gimmicks in my opinion.

For the information of appropriately qualified practitioners, I have found LLLT to be particularly valuable in the treatment of facial bruising and swelling (assaults, accidents, facial/scalp sporting injury, cosmetic surgery, POST-hair transplantation procedures etc).

LLLT sessions of approximately 10 minutes duration AS CLOSE to the event as possible can result in total lack of bruising/swelling expression. Three or four sessions under a hooded laser device are usually sufficient (face client backwards under the appliance).

LLLT is an appropriate additional therapy in any condition where:

• there is an inflammatory response
• non-thermal vasodilation to skin area is desirable
• the skin is dry, itching and/or irritated
• normalisation of skin oil balance is sought

LLLT is a surprisingly successful treatment for Herpes Zoster (Shingles) and migraine headaches. Investigation and care must be exercised to ensure there is no underlying pathology such as tumor, aneurysm or CSF shunts before commencing LLLT to migraine headache sufferers.

When used correctly - and not just as a marketing gimmick - LLLT is a capable and multi-purpose treatment modality which patients/clients readily accept. Think about what you as the practitioner are seeking to achieve with LLLT. Understand its capabilities and limitations - and convey this to your client.

Although manufacturers recommend ‘blanket’ exposure times, I have found different hair and scalp problems respond better to individualised LLLT time exposure and numbers of sessions required.

Be flexible, bold - and always be be ready to ‘think outside the square’ of conventional treatment! LLLT is a safe, non-invasive light therapy (when used appropriately) that will be as adaptable as its operator!

Commence with six bi-weekly sessions of 10-15 minutes duration (Class ‘3A) and then evaluate. I never suggest more than twelve bi-weekly sessions in one block before evaluating its effects with the client. As with many other therapies - LESS is MORE.

As a consumer - be aware of your consultant’s qualifications. I have always found it ‘interesting’ that the hair loss industry is the only field where LLLT operators are not Registered Nurses, Physiotherapists or Doctors.

I saw a new male client this week who was (allegedly) being exposed to a 90 minute LLLT session once weekly at a commercial hair loss centre here in Sydney. Not only is this an over-saturation of cell and receptor exposure, but they risk long-term, permanent eye damage being inflicted on this man. I guess that’s why their clients have to pay the full fee ‘up front’ …

An Italian study in the 1990’s found LLLT over-saturation (sessions too long and too frequent) caused further hair loss in alopecia areata patients.

I’ve worked hard to build up my reputation + that of Trichology to the extent that I’m now internationally recognised as a women’s hair loss expert.

However I’m now becoming a prisoner of my own success! My practice is becoming too large for one person to cope with - and I’m getting older + slower!

I’ve also been offered some opportunities in the Trichology educational course area, as well as overseeing the setting up and training for Trichology clinics overseas.

I’m seeking mature, enthusiastic, + ethically-minded people who might be considering a a fresh professional direction in Trichology.

You should possess formal training in a medical, para-medical or other science background. Nurses, naturopaths etc would be the ideal candidates as you will require sound diagnostic and pathology interpretation skills.

Appropriate + successful applicants will receive:

• Full practical + theoretical Trichology training within the model I’ve developed.
• Guaranteed area exclusivity as a National Trichology practitioner.
• Full access to my research pharmacist - arguably the world’s leading formulator of sophisticated Minoxidil solutions + specific nutritionals.
• Referral options to some of Australia’s leading metabolic + nutrition-medicine specialists.
• Full access to National Trichology’s website material for local advertising and resource material. Personal contributions of researched, evidence-based articles welcome!
• Assistance with clinic set-up + getting started.
• At some time you will be expected to undertake The Trichological Society’s (TTS) full Degree or Post-Graduate Diploma course in pure trichology (at own cost).
• Training + National Trichology Practitioner all-inclusive fee disclosed on application.

Practitioner applications are invited from August 1st 2008 - Australia only at this time.

Causes for hair loss may be an inherited ‘genetic’ condition, hormonal, nutritional, metabolic, physiological, autoimmune, psychological, or environmental, the taking of certain medication, the actions of a third party, or any combination of these.

Some hair loss problems may be temporary and self-correcting whilst others are corrected with nutritional, hormonal or lifestyle interventions.

Conditions such as genetic thinning can be stabilised but not cured – whilst others cause permanent hair loss due to follicle destruction.

With all these issues to consider - the training, experience, and depth of clinical understanding of your chosen practitioner is essential to a successful outcome for you.

Salespersons being paid commissions to ’sign you up’ to a ‘one treatment fits all’ hair loss program do not have these skills.

Whilst males can (and do) experience different forms of hair loss, overwhelmingly the most commonly seen problem is Male Androgenic Alopecia – male ‘pattern’ balding.

When a male has the genetic inheritance to exhibit androgenic alopecia, it’s a natural part of the same hormonal changes that gives him his facial & body hair, muscle bulk, & deepening voice. Statistics suggest it’s more common for mature-age males to exhibit some degree of androgenic alopecia than not.

Treating younger males is quite straightforward; the two legitimate approved medications being topical Minoxidil and oral Finesteride. I suggest these - and so do the commercial hair loss centres.

However I also fully assess the client for allergies/sensitivities, dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as some ‘hair-specific’ blood pathology before recommending or commencing treatment.

I regularly find - even in the young + fit - nutritional or metabolic disturbance that must be corrected for hair to grow optimally.

Establishing the cause/s of excessive hair loss in a woman can test the diagnostic skills of even the most experienced practitioner.

Nutritional-metabolic disturbance are the most common issues for younger females, whilst the hormonal-metabolic shifts of menopause can ravage the ‘crowning glories’ of senior ladies.

Female hair loss is often multi-factorial, and will sometimes require comprehensive blood testing - particularly for thyroid hormones. Sex and steroid hormone testing may be indicated, or functional liver detoxification profile, or complete digestive stool analysis - BEFORE any treatment is even considered.

If many medicos struggle with this - what hope for a successful outcome would you have consulting a ’salesperson’ for hair loss?

Because scalp hair loss in women is almost always an indication of internal dysfunction; a collapsing of body homeostasis to the point where hair growth can no longer be supported - ONLY suitably trained and experienced hair loss practitioners should be allowed to treat female hair loss.

In my years of Trichology practice I’ve spoken with many women (and males) who’ve wasted thousands of dollars on useless and inappropriate commercial treatments.

On the subject of cost I pose the following questions:

• Why do commercial hair loss treatments always seem to cost $$$thousands? Do you honestly believe this is the true cost of the treatment - treatment you can obtain from your local pharmacy - or is it just excessive profit return to these companies?

I suppose it could be argued they need to keep fees inflated to pay the six figure endorsement fees of their celebrities…

• Paying all or part of your ‘treatment’ up front - how necessary is this? You lose all financial bargaining power with respect to the course and success of your treatment by doing so.

If you were being treated by your family Doctor would you expect them to demand all fees for the next six, eight or twelve months ‘up front’? You’d be outraged - and rightfully so. What’s the difference?

• This incident always sticks in my mind, and is the perfect example of why this industry should be regulated: sending a young girl away with a year’s supply of Minoxidil (and told to come back when she’d used it all) … how irresponsible and dangerous is this?

This particular girl experienced an allergic reaction from the FIRST bottle, and never received a refunded cent of the $4000 she’d paid. Her hair loss was the result of a very inexpensively treatable Vitamin B12 deficiency.

]]> http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/05/02/consulting-a-trained-experienced-practitioner-for-hair-loss-10-reasons-why-you-should/feed/ http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/04/27/pre-post-natal-hair-care-for-new-mums/ http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/04/27/pre-post-natal-hair-care-for-new-mums/#comments Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:45:18 +0000 clinic General http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/04/27/pre-post-natal-hair-care-for-new-mums/ Every woman knows her hair is her ‘crowning glory’ – and an essential feature to her femininity. For most Mothers-to-be, this is especially important when her body is changing shape and her weight and size are increasing. She may feel less attractive – and if her hair is falling out – even more so.

National Trichology Services now offer a simple ‘hair check’ for new Mums, as well as ‘after childbirth’ support to minimise post-partum hair shed.

Normally – as a woman progresses through pregnancy her hair is silky, shiny and easy to manage. This is due to her increasing levels of female hormone. For many women – their hair is never lovelier than during pregnancy. But if the mother is nutritionally compromised at her babe’s conception – and this is not addressed – her hair will be one of the first to show signs of dietary distress.

The nutritional status of a Mother-to-be should always be assessed, for the needs of her developing bub come directly from her own nutrient stores. She has a greater need for all nutrients – particularly iron, iodine, calcium, folate, zinc, protein and Vitamin D. It’s estimated that a substantial amount of the Mother’s own iron storage is utilised during pregnancy.

Why hair sheds after childbirth:

Post-partum* excessive hair fall is a natural consequence of giving birth. This form of hair shed is considered the only true moult in human beings.

Approximately two months after giving birth – this varies with individual women and/or breast-feeding – the hair begins to progressively and excessively shed in a diffuse (‘all over’) way. This distressing hair loss (at a most vulnerable time) would normally continue for 2-3 months from onset before beginning to settle. The shed is essentially self-correcting in nature, and is termed (Post partum) Telogen Effluvium.

The reason for hair fall after pregnancy has to do with elevated hormone levels (oestrogen + progesterone predominantly) which steadily rise during pregnancy – peaking in the last trimester. This causes the percentage of the hair in the growing (termed anagen) phase to be artificially high. Normally the anagen percentage is 80-85%, but in pregnancy may rise to 95%

Post partum hair fall is the result of a combination of hair returning to normal growing-falling percentage ratios AND the fall in sex/steroid hormones after childbirth.

When a woman is not pregnant she will usually produce 10-20mg Progesterone (P4) per day from the corpus luteum of her ovaries. During pregnancy P4 production (from the placenta) can rise to 300mg /day!

Providing post-partum Mothers with a low-dose natural Progesterone cream (1%) has been shown to prevent post-partum hair fall AND minimise the risk of post-partum depression.

A practitioner’s role in treating post-partum hair shed is to assess the woman’s nutritional/metabolic status to ensure they have the wherewithal in these areas to affect a settling of the hair fall and return to normal hair phasing and hair regrowth.

Pre-natal hair check:

1. Evaluating nutrient status that is specifically related to hair growth.
2. Offering hi-quality, comprehensive and sophisticated nutritional supplements (where appropriate) that have been formulated by Australia’s leading nutritional pharmacist** - guaranteed safe for Mother and baby.
3. Improve the quality, shine and manageability of your hair with a pure, natural, topical nutrient therapy – Activance Rhodanide. Activance Rhodanide is totally safe for pregnant or nursing mothers.

Post partum hair loss prevention:

If a Mother-to-be’s nutrient levels are optimally maintained during pregnancy, her risk of excessive hair loss after childbirth is greatly diminished. Regular use of Activance Rhodanide has been shown to greatly reduce effluvium following childbirth AND chemotherapy (Source: HC Foundation, 2007).

*’Post partum’ means events occurring after or following childbirth.
**With attending Physician’s permission.

Read more of this important article here…

Promoting wellness is of itself illness prevention; far more idealistic - and economically astute than waiting for sickness to develop and then attempting to mend it.

I doubt that the ‘everyday’ patient who consults his or her family Doctor are aware just how much pressure Medicare exerts on Practitioners to minimise investigative testing and time spent with their patients. Many Doctors feel a sense of professional frustration, but stay quiet so not to attract the intimidating attention of this bureaucratic ‘Big Brother’.

A perfect case in point to the ‘illness prevention’ argument is preliminary testing for Iodine deficiency. The test is a very simple, non-invasive urine ’spot-screen’. It is NOT covered by Medicare, and retails to the patient as an ‘out of pocket expense’ of $20.

Because Iodine is not covered under Medicare, Doctors rarely test for it unless requested. Even then it seems some have been conditioned to hesitate as “Medicare doesn’t like it”.

Next to iron - Iodine is considered the most important (trace) nutrient to body metabolic function.

It has been known for some time that the Australian general population is thought to suffer a mild Iodine deficiency. Some individuals don’t; others show severe deficiency.

Low Iodine results in an under-functioning thyroid - perhaps that’s why hypothyroidism is so endemic. There is also a studied correlation between Iodine deficiency and reduced IQ in children, and breast disease in women.

At the time of writing – Australian Professor Creswell Eastman from the Council of Control (Iodine Deficiency Disorders) – is urging food manufacturers to again add Iodine to their products. His statement arises from a recent national study which found almost half of all children of primary school age show Iodine deficiency.

What’s the more desirable outcome in human AND economic terms - declining health levels in mid-life because of a simple nutrient deficiency? People suffering chronic illness or possibly avoidable breast disease for the reason that no-one thought to test their Iodine sufficiency? I believe the answer is self-evident.

Scandalously - Iodine is not the only test essential to good health that is disallowed or restricted by Medicare.

]]> http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/04/11/medicare-or-medi-care-only-about-the/feed/ http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/02/26/setting-the-record-straight/ http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/02/26/setting-the-record-straight/#comments Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:26:51 +0000 clinic General Mens Health Issues http://www.hairlossclinic.com.au/blog/2008/02/26/setting-the-record-straight/ A number of people seeking my services had told me of the ‘Ricky Ponting’ article (http://www.gothetahs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26236) which I was supposed to have contributed to, but I’d not come across it till now. This is what really transpired:

One of the two names ascribed to this piece of rubbish – which sounds more like ‘advertorial-by-stealth’ for Advanced Hair Studios (AHS) - telephoned for my comment on the Aussie cricket captain’s apparent increased hair density.

I remarked I’d noticed this in a recent interview of Ricky, and I assumed he’d undergone a hair transplantation procedure in past months. I was asked to view some further pictures of Ricky and write a detailed comment for the newspaper. I declined, stating it was Ricky’s business, and – in my opinion – unprofessional for me to do so.

I’m outraged over the false comments attributed to me. I agree that taken at ‘face value’ they don’t amount to much - but I do have a significant number of high profile clients under my care - and if they felt I couldn’t be discreet and confidential they’d have every right to be very cautious about continuing with me.

I take exception to being described as a ‘rival hair loss therapy company’. I have recognised formal trichology and health care qualifications. I have given lectures around the world to Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons and other medical practitioners on trichology. I practice my discipline in close association with two of Australia’s leading health researchers.

I don’t glue mass-produced Asian-made hair pieces on to client’s heads nor – after a few days’ sales coaching – do I flog a sole laser ‘treatment’ program that is supposed to correct every hair loss problem known to science.

Any pretence at credibility was totally demolished when the expert ‘opinions’ of Mark Geyer and Max Markson were apparently canvassed. As both have been on the payroll of AHS at one time or another - where’s the objectivity? Geyer – a lesser known relic from the AHS museum of sporting has-beens - wouldn’t know the first thing about treating hair loss. Markson is a publicity agent – that just says it all…