Dr. Swetha T

Similar to blackheads are whiteheads, which develop on our skin. Both blackheads and whiteheads are caused due to clogged pores. However, as opposed to blackheads, whiteheads cannot be extracted. Whiteheads are a form of acne that is referred to as closed comedones. They appear on the skin as small round white-coloured bumps. When excess oil is secreted in the skin, oil along with dead skin cells clog the pore area and block the pore opening resulting in whitehead formation. Unlike blackheads that keep the pore open, whiteheads, on the other hand, keep the pores closed.

However, they may evolve into a pustule or other acne lesion when bacteria gets involved.

Causes of whiteheads
Clogged pores are the prime reason that causes whiteheads, and they can occur due to any of the following reasons:

• Excessive oil secretion or sebum
• Hormonal changes occurring due to puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation
• Birth control pills
• Sweating and humidity
• Use of certain cosmetics or products that are harmful
• Eating excessive oily or greasy foods
• Genetic predisposition

Treatment of whiteheads

With extreme conditions, oral medications like isotretinoin may be prescribed, but these come with potential side effects. Here are some remedies you can try to get rid of whiteheads: Tea tree oil: Dab a cotton swab with tea tree oil and apply it on the whiteheads to prevent bacterial infection.

Self-care tips 
Practising some of the following preventive self-care measures will prevent the formation of whiteheads:

• Wash your skin twice daily with lukewarm water and mild soap.
• Don’t squeeze pimples.
• Practice caution while shaving.
• Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight.
• Use oil-free skin products.
• Remove makeup before going to bed.
• Opt for non-comedogenic or non-pore-clogging products.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing made of non-synthetic fabrics to let your skin breathe.
• Wash your hair regularly.
• Change of pillow covers periodically is essential as oil and dirt may accumulate in the covers.

Here are some remedies you can try to get rid of whiteheads:

The above are just some measures to avoid whiteheads. If the problem persists, then it's time to seek medical assistance and schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to eradicate these pesky whiteheads.

Mesotherapy is a hair growing technique that is non-invasive. Superficial micro-injections are made below the epidermis of the skin to specific tissues. The term meso has originated from mesoderm which is the second or middle layer of the skin. This treatment can successfully trigger the mesoderm thereby relieving an array of ailments and symptoms. The injected solution is a combination of co-enzymes, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. The solution is tailored to suit each patient’s condition and their treatment plan.

How is mesotherapy used for hair regrowth?
Mesotherapy is used around the world for successful hair regrowth. It is a painless procedure when performed by an expert. Local anesthesia and dressing are not required for this procedure. Some of the broad objectives that could be achieved via this procedure include the regrowth of hair follicle, neutralization of excess dihydrotestosterone and the stimulation of blood circulation around the skull area.

Highlights of the mesotherapy procedure:
This procedure involves the application of both chemical and physical stimulation. A small dose of a variety of medications is administered by a hair expert in certain areas of the skull. The dosage and the area of administration would be decided based on the condition of the person getting treated. The solution acts like a bullet and targets the specific areas of the skull.

• Mechanical: A needle is used to create a microspore into the skull. This helps to create elastin and collagen- the two most important ingredients for hair growth. This process doesn’t interfere with the hair already present but ensures the growth of new hair follicles.
• Chemical: A chemical solution is injected into the skull to stimulate hair growth. This solution helps in improving the blood circulation, reducing inflammation and increasing collagen and elastin. The composition of the solution is made based on the specific issues of each patient and therefore varies between patients.

Duration of the treatment:
Each session of mesotherapy lasts for around 10 to 30 minutes. The timing is purely based on the surface area of the skull that is being treated. On an average, it requires around 10-12 sittings or sessions with an expert to stimulate hair growth. To start with, an intensive treatment plan is required for the first couple of months to see visible results. Once the patient starts responding to the treatment, the frequency of treatment gradually decreases. To ensure that the hair grows naturally and there is no hair fall after the treatment is complete, a maintenance treatment might be necessary every quarter.

Price involved:
The price of the treatment is dependant on the number of sessions required to stimulate hair growth. Some experts also charge based on the extent of hair fall and the chances of hair revival. There are experts who charge on an hourly basis as well. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

What is PRP?

Platelet rich plasma. Plasma is a component of blood that contains special “factors,” or proteins, that help blood to clot. It also contains proteins that support cell growth. Researchers have produced PRP by isolating plasma from blood and concentrating it.

How does prp work?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) works by promoting wound healing, it activates platelet granules which then releases numerous growth factors. It is proposed that growth factors released from platelets when injected into scalp may act on stem cells in the bulge area of the hair follicles, stimulating the development of new follicles.

Who is it beneficial for?

For those with thinning of hair, wide hair partition line especially in women, visible scalp in both men and women and for more volume and strengthening of the hair follicles in general. Apart from its uses in hair it is also used for facial rejuvenation and it gives excellent result. It is well known in the commercial market as vampire face lift and is a big hit among celebrities.

Benefits:

1. It is a progressive healing treatment that doesn't require surgery.
2. Simple, rapid and highly effective system.
3. Autologous (from patient's own blood).
4. The system is biocompatible and xeno-free, so there shouldn't be any safety concerns.
5. Increase in the concentration of platelets can be observed.
6. It helps in the elimination of undesired erythrocytes, which significantly decrease the fibroblast proliferation.
7. Contains growth factors that help in the stimulation of growth of the hair follicles.
8. Can be performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, or post operatively.

The Science of PRP 
There are special cells called platelets used in PRP, that have been theoretically proved to stimulate hair follicles growth by stimulating stem cells and other important cells in the ecosystem of the follicles. They are instrumental in promoting the healing ability and regeneration of cells, formation of new cells and response to injury. PRP stimulates inactive or newly implanted hair follicles, and makes them active by inducing them into a growth phase.

Platelets are known to contain various structures, which are crucial for blood clotting and cell regeneration, and are released during the repair process by the body. Some of these structures are: glycogen, alpha granules and lysosomes.

Who should not go for PRP Treatment?

Those with heavy drug and smoking issue should avoid PRP. Also those who drink a lot of alcohol should avoid PRP. Those suffering from platelets related ailments, sepsis, chronic liver disease, thrombocytopenia, hyperfibrinogenemia, systemic disorders and cancer should also stay away from PRP.

Conclusion
At length, PRP is a boon for all those who aren't fans of surgery or the ones who prefer a more aggressive but non-surgical approach for treatment to their ailments. The results might vary from patient to patient, but it is certainly one of the most promising technologies to stimulate hair growth and rejuvenate your skin, and the results are quite convincing. So decide wisely! In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

1. Pull out a grey and 2 more will grow?
Myth!
A single follicular unit may consist of 1 to 3 hairs or even more. Repeated pulling out of hair from the same follicle will induce trauma to the entire unit damaging and scarring the follicular unit as a whole - losing its ability to produce hair.
However, pulling out a grey in no way has the ability to convert an otherwise normal dark hair into a grey one unless there is involved.

2. Stress cannot induces hair fall?
Myth!
Well if stress burned calories, all of us would be supermodels isn't it? 

Stress is blamed for many skin and hair problems and hair loss is generally one of them. But understand that
 - unless you were bedridden from high fever or infections
- you just delivered a baby
- you had a major surgery
It is not considered stress enough to induce hair fall! and there is absolutely nothing to worry as the excessive and sudden hair fall induced by stress called telogen effluvium is reversible- yay! with the right supplements and support therapies off course.

3. All patients need to be tested for hormonal imbalance?
Myth!
Hormone levels are usually tested on suspicion of hyperandrogenism which is seen in approximately 30-40% of female patients with receding hair line or widening of central partition (female pattern hair loss).

Only if you have other symptoms of androgen (testosterone) excess like excess hair growth on face, disturbed menstural cycles, recurring acne and thick hyperpigmented skin on your neck and axilla, hormonal testing is adviced.

Of course there are other hormones like thyroid which when disturbed can also contribute to hair fall or hair thinning. 

4. Treat your hair well and hair will not fall?
Myth! 

Oil well, massage well, use mild shampoos, go paraben free, deep condition your hair. Wow! imagine doing all of that…so much luxury!

But does that stop your hair fall?
Noooooo, even if you did all those things hair will still fall because hair is constantly in a cycle of growth (anagen), rest (catagen), dormant (telogen) and fall off (exogen).

Facts:
* as much as we love for our hair to be in the anagen phase, it has to fall off for the newer follicle to kick in.
* the telogen phase usually lasts for 4-6 weeks after the growth has begun and at any given time, we find 10% -15% of the hair in our head in this stage.
* there are normally about 100, 000 hair follicles in our scalp going through this cycle replacing all the hair on our scalp every 3-6 years. Yessss! 

When there is a disruption to this hair growth cycle in terms of telogen effluvium or damage done due to altered water, pollution, excess sun (uv damage), aggressive combing, vitamin deficiencies, more hair will enter the telogen phase resulting in a greater and significant hair loss (>150 hairs/day). 

So what do you do? 
Stay calm & treat on

Just invest your time and money in the right and essential products for your hair and do what you do with oiling and massaging etc.