Help For Hairpulling (Trichotillomania) #2

The best help that I can give to any hair puller is education. Trichotillomania has recently been categorized as a psychocutaneous condition. Psychocutaneous medicine is the marriage of Dermatology and Psychiatry. Physicians within this type of medicine claim that the diagonistic terminology refering to this self inflicting nervous condition is potentially insulting to the patients/clients that have it.

The term “Trichotillomania” in itself has a general negative connotation. When a patient/client is diagnosed with this self inflicting nervous condition, it results in denial and resistance to treatment. Physicians are proposing to eliminate the term and replace it with ” Neuromechanical Alopecia (NMA)”. NMA accurately describes the nature of the condition without the undesirable negative connotation.

What do you think of the revised name?

Accurate Alopecia Analysis

 Dermatologist have the ability to analyze the scalp for most hair disorders. My recent  customer consultations have alerted to the lack of care by medical professionals. During my consultation, I asked  rountine diagnosed questions. I was astonished by the reactions. The potential clients did not know any answers to the questions. This prompted me to write this post which will discuss the composition of a complete diagnosis by a Dermatologist.

There are several things that Dermatologist should test before giving you an accurate alopecia analysis:

1) You must have blood work done to see if  the hair loss is caused by an autoimmune problem, genetics or forceful extraction.

2) They should take a sample of your hair around the area of hair loss to test.

3) The should perform a biopsy or ” Scalp Scraping” to test the cells is area of hair loss.

After Receiving all of these results, the Dermatologist should be able to give you a clear, concise and complete diagonosis.

Information provide by Sweet Serenity LLC 

Triumph Over Traction Alopecia #1 (Braids)

Traction alopecia is forceful extraction of hair fibers out the scalp. This common hair loss condition can be caused by tight ponytails, braids, weaves, wigs, certain hats and even Trichotillomania. It can be found on many adults and as well as children. In this post, I would like to start to move toward victory by first discussing Braids. I definetly believe that cornrows, box braids, flat twist, single twist etc. are all healthy hair style choices for your hair.

With that being said, now you ask ” How do these healthy hair style choices produce hair loss?”

It actually depends on the person performing the braiding service. Both licensed and non-licensed cosmetologist can cause traction alopecia to start because of the tension that is used while making the braid. Some people have the notion ” The tighter the braid, then the longer the style will stay”.That statement is completely false. Braids can be secure without harsh pulling or extreme tension on the hair fibers and scalp.

It is unfortunate that even children can get traction alopecia, but there are ways to prevent it. Below are a few tips to help Triuph over Traction Alopecia:

1) Try not to braid hair back all the time.

2) If adding extensions, try to avoid tight braiding around the hairline. The follicles are more porous and fragile in this area.

3) There should be a cushion of hair under each individual corn row you do.

4) Do not keep braided extensions intermingled with your own hair over a long period of time ( More than 2 months). It is supposed to be a temporary  hair style.

Help For Hairpulling ( Trichotillomania)#1

Obsessive compulsive hairpulling or best known as Trichotillomania is more common than most people think. It is a self inflicted form of stress relief. The majority of my clientele has this nervous condition. My clientele is the inspiration for new combative techniques to help cope with Trichotillomania. I am not an advocate of medications and personally do not think that work for people with Trich.

The best way, I know, to deal with Trich is behavioral therapy. Basically retraining someone’s mind to do something else to gain stress relief that will not result in self harm.

My newest suggestion is Bubble Wrap. I don’t know a single person that doesn’t like to play with bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is the free bonus gift with any package delivery you receive.

You can buy Bubble Wrap from any office supply store ( Staples, Office Depot, etc.). Once purchased, you can cut into little squares and keep it in your bag or pocket. Whenever you get nervous, stress,anxious etc. pull it out or keep concealed in your bag and pop away! I honestly believe this will calm you down.

For more information,Go to www.SweetSerenityLLC.com and www.Trich.org

If you have any other suggestion,please post it. I would appreciate all new information.

Dandruff Dilemma

Moisturizing your mane is very important. More importantly, knowing the correct products to use. Use (in small amount) a product that has the consistency of oil or spray that usually leaves no residue. If you are currently using cream, pomade, heavy greases or gel, these products leave residue on the hair, which can cause dandruff.

Common Sense:

All skin cells die and flake off everyday. These cells are usually too small to be visible. You ask “ Where Do They Go?” The flakes are brushed or combed out daily into the environment. If there is a sticky substance on the scalp, this will prevent dead skin cells from flaking off. Everyday more and more flakes will appear and attach to the flake from the previous day. This causes a build up. The size of the flakes increases and becomes more noticeable. Thus, the birth of Dandruff.

Trichology Explanation:

Dandruff a.k.a Scurf or historically known as Pityriasis Capitis is the inability of proper exfoliation of scalp’s dead skin cells, salt from perspiration, sebum (oil from sebaceous gland), environmental pollutants and containment particles. If there is a blockage of the pores in the scalp, it is very difficult to remove dead skin cells, salt and sebum from the hair. It would need a small amount of chemical found in most shampoos or astringents to wash and rinse dead cells, salt and sebum away.