Hair Loss Archives * Style Chicks

Ask The Expert: Doctor Sharon Wong from Get Ahead of Hair Loss

September 17, 2019 · 12 Comments

Since we launched our blog in 2007, Style Chicks has covered women’s hair loss. It is a subject that isn’t openly discussed. This leads to viable solutions not being considered for both men and women who are suffering hair loss who do not need to be.

That is why Doctor Sharon Wong founded Get Ahead of Hair Loss. This annual conference is a public education event that brings together leading experts from the UK in the field of hair loss.

Get Ahead Of Hair Loss Speakers

We had the opportunity to ask Doctor Wong a few questions:

1) From your standpoint, what is the most exciting new development in the fight against hair loss?

For me, cell regeneration technology will transform the way hair loss will be treated in the near future, regardless of the cause of hair loss. There are a number of different techniques but essentially they all involve harvesting cells which have the ability to form new hair follicles, expanding the number of those cells and reinjecting back into that person’s scalp. These cells could be stem cells or dermal papilla cells from the hair follicle or stem cells derived from fat.

2) What would you say to the women reading this that are experiencing hair loss and feel too embarrassed to talk about it?

Hair loss is common and you are definitely not alone. It is important to recognize that when hair loss is starting to have a negative effect on you/your life then it’s time to do something about it and there is absolutely no shame in having or talking about hair loss. More often than not there will be something that can be done to support someone with hair loss whether this be medical, cosmetic and or psychological support.

Get Ahead of Hair Loss 2019

Are you interested in attending Get Ahead of Hair Loss?

Regular ticket price is £89, but Style Chicks readers can get the special rate of £69 with the code GAOHL2019.

Learn more at https://www.GetAheadOfHairLoss.com and if you will be in the UK on September 22nd, definitely consider attending!

PRETTY IN A CUP: RejuvaBlend K-Cups with Biotin For Strong Hair & Nails

April 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Women under stress often notice their hair and nails often become lackluster and brittle. Biotin remedies this problem, kicking hair & nail growth into high gear and even skin glows again. But not just any Biotin pill gets results: the key to lush hair, eyelash, eyebrow, and nail growth is finding a high-absorption, bioavailable form of Biotin and then to take it daily. RejuvaBlend developed a way to sneak a daily dose of a high-absorption Biotin into…wait for it…a rich, smooth coffee. RejuvaBlend coffee is like pretty in a K-Cup.

Starting my morning with Rejuvablend Coffee with Biotin

Starting my morning with Rejuvablend Nature Cups K-Cup Coffee with bioavailable Biotin

The only thing better than a quick beauty fix? A quick beauty fix included in your coffee. Like a magic beauty potion, RejuvaBlend coffee remedies a big beauty complaint of many busy women: stress taking a toll on their appearance. Burning the proverbial candle at both ends often leads to the depletion of the body’s reserves, leading to lackluster hair and nail growth.

WHAT IS BIOTIN?

Biotin is a water-soluble B Vitamin (B7) which is associated with glowing skin, thicker, fuller, and longer hair and the growth of longer and stronger nails. Biotin also supports the health of the nerves, digestive tract, metabolism, and cells. Because it is water soluble, it should be taken daily.

WHAT DOES BIOTIN DO FOR HAIR GROWTH?

According to Dr. Richard K. Scher, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College has spoken extensively about Biotin. Hair that is brittle, damaged, not growing or even experiencing hair loss can have many causes, and Biotin seems to have the ability to halt various types hair loss and encourage regrowth in most women, regardless of the reason behind the loss. Whether hair loss is due to postpartum, stress or poor diet, a bioavailable Biotin can help. Want to regrow overly thinned out eyebrows? Biotin can help with that too.

How Biotin works is unclear. Dr. Scher believes Biotin supports the building of the keratin structure of hair and nails. I thought that sounded promising since my hair looks so much better after a Keratin conditioning treatment.

WHO CAN USE MORE BIOTIN?

Almost everyone. Unlike some B-Vitamins, Biotin is considered safe even in larger doses. But a multi-vitamin and even many B-Complex supplements often do not contain even the minimum daily requirement of Biotin, much less the amount that enhances hair and nail growth.

HOW MUCH BIOTIN IS NECESSARY FOR HAIR GROWTH?

The daily recommended dosage of Biotin required to grow hair is at least 2.5 mg (or 2,500 mcg). Rejuvablend contains 2928mcg.

I was surprised to see that my highly reputable brand and rather expensive daily multi-vitamin pill only contains 33% of the daily requirement of Biotin! After some research, I see my daily multivitamin is not the only one that does not supply as much Biotin as might benefit me. Even a well-known hair-growth vitamin contains only about 60% of the daily recommended dose of Biotin.

ABOUT BIOTIN DEFICIENCY

Few people have a severe Biotin deficiency, but it can occur if you take antioxidant supplements such as Lipoic acid (AKA Alpha Lipoic Acid). If you consume lots of antioxidants in the form of white tea, green tea or as a supplement, these can all increase your need for biotin. Lipoic Acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement that is an anti-aging insider beauty secret, made famous by Yale celebrity dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone within his beauty/health and anti-aging diet. Since Alpha Lipoic Acid is such as wonderful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement, it makes sense to supplement with more Biotin than to cut back on beauty supplements like ALA.

Certain medications and medical conditions can impair or block the absorption of Biotin within your system. If you have such medical problems, a bioavailable Biotin such as found in Rejuvablend can be an excellent daily Biotin source.

WHY BIOTIN IN YOUR COFFEE?

While reputable brand Biotin vitamins are available, there are several advantages to getting Biotin from RejuvaBlend coffee:

EASY AND CONSISTENT: You likely drink coffee every day, so it not only makes it easier to get your Biotin, you will likely not miss a daily dose of Biotin. Consistency is key with Biotin: if you’re serious about growing your hair out, don’t skip doses.
BETTER ABSORPTION: As a B Vitamin, Biotin has better absorption as a liquid that a pill or capsule. Liquid consumption of B Vitamins has twice the absorption rate of pill or capsule form vitamins. Rejuvablend has a proprietary delivery system that maximizes the absorption of Biotin into the body, making the most out of this beauty-making B.
EASY TO SWALLOW: Many Biotin vitamin pills or hair growth vitamins are big, chalky and hard to swallow.
COST: Rejuvablend K-Cups are a comparable price or less expensive than standard K-Cups but with the bonus of a high-grade, proven effective, bioavailable Biotin.
TASTE: Rejuvablend is Tasty! Made with 100% Arabica coffee. It is a medium-dark roast that is not bitter and has a caramel note.

Rejuvablend K-Cups

HOW MUCH BIOTIN IS TOO MUCH BIOTIN?

While it’s hard to have too much Biotin, it is possible. The recommended usage is one to two cups of RejuvaBlend coffee which is enough Biotin to amp up both hair and nail growth, more than that is not necessary.

Drink one to two cups of RejuvaBlend Coffee a day for optimal Biotin levels

ABOUT REJUVABLEND K-CUPS

RejuvaBlend Nature Cups K-Cups are 100% recyclable and work with any Keurig Brewer machine, old or new. They come 16 K-Cups to a box.

HOW DOES REJUVABLEND COFFEE TASTE?

I like it! A smooth, dark, rich taste with no afterbite. There is a note of caramel but it is not too sweet.

RejuvaBlend coffee with Biotin has a rich, smooth taste with a hint of caramel

CONCLUSION

I found RejuvaBlend coffee to be tasty, smooth and delicious without an aftertaste; there is nothing medicinal tasting about this coffee! Hair, skin, and nails all respond well to Biotin, especially when taken with a balanced meal containing other B Vitamin rich foods like eggs, whole grain, cheese, and soy. Having my Biotin in my morning coffee with breakfast ensures that I get this water-soluble vitamin daily. Longer hair, fuller eyebrows, batworthy lashes, and healthy nails, here I come!

Find RejuvaBlend K-Cups at http://rejuvablendcoffee.com

RejuvaBlend is like a pretty potion in your morning cuppa!

Style Chicks received Rejuvablend K-Cups with Biotin in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Beauty Gadgets: Lift Care Lift Wand Pro

June 27, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro

I’ve been on a beauty gadget binge lately. I was impressed by the other gadgets I have tried from Lift Care, so I am happy to have tried their flagship product, the Lift Wand Pro.

The Lift Wand Pro is a very powerful gadget. It is a high-frequency tool to clarify and refine the skin. After having used it a few times, I am thrilled with the results.

This tool treats a broad range of beauty woes, ranging from hair loss to acne to the signs of aging. The underlying mechanism of high-frequency skincare is a)bringing circulation to the skin, and b)killing bacteria. In addition to the seven high-frequency electrode attachments, the kit contains a 540-needle derma roller. I am a huge fan of derma rollers to increase collagen production. The one that comes with this kit is well made and precise. I use it twice a week, and I haven’t had any issues with pinpricks that led to bleeding. It gives my skin a lovely glow and smoothes out my skin.

There are seven electrode attachments to use with the device. Each has a gas inside it (I believe Argon) which emits a glow when the electric current reacts with it.

I found the hair comb electrode fascinating. It causes circulation to increase on your scalp (and therefore in your hair follicles) much the same way a peppermint shampoo would. There is also a tingle that goes along with this increase in circulation, also like peppermint shampoo has when it brings circulation to the scalp.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Comb

I had a recent weight loss, so I was eager to try out the body roller electrode to prevent sagging skin. This is more of a preventative step, but I was surprised (and thrilled) by how much tightening I have had on my upper arms. If you aren’t thrilled with how your arms look in short sleeves, this attachment makes the whole kit worth it!

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Body Roller

The undereye (Spoon) attachment produces a peppy, wide awake look by tightening the undereye and bringing fluid-draining circulation to the area, great for late nights, early mornings, and allergy season!

The neck electrode is a powerful anti-aging tool and probably one of the most recognizable electrodes if you have gotten high-frequency facials in a spa. It improves circulation to the thin skin on the throat and tightens jowls. It makes a noticeable difference.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Neck Attachment

Next to the neck electrode, the most recognizable attachment would be the Face Electrode, commonly called a Mushroom Attachment in spas. By running this attachment over the face, skin is smoothed and left with a dewy, rosy glow to it.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Facial Electrode

The most impressive result for me came from the Acne Electrodes. One is for use behind the ears for sagging in the area and for acne, and the other is just for acne is areas like the nose. They are more powerful wands than the rest, with more concentrated energy than the rest of the electrodes. They work by killing bacteria and creates an environment that is unfavorable to acne. I had a few blemishes last week, two that were red and visible, a whitehead, and one that had not yet shown up on my skin, but I could feel forming under my skin. I followed the directions and lightly tapped the Acne Electrode on each of the blemishes a few times. They were each immediately tighter and drier. Over the next 24 hours, the two red, visible blemishes were slightly lighter in color and reduced by about 75%. They were flat by the next day, and one of them returned to normal flesh tone within 72 hours. The whitehead dried out and was gone in 48 hours. The blemish that hadn’t shown up on my skin came to the surface and dried up in less than 72 hours. I am thrilled with the results of these attachments! Results come faster than if I went to the dermatologist to get a blemish injected, and less expensive in the long run if your insurance doesn’t cover acne.

There are several warnings in the instructions of those who shouldn’t use the Lift Wand Pro due to medical conditions, so take a look at that before you use it. The gadget comes with a 1-year warranty, which is great!

The whole kit comes in a sturdy aluminum briefcase style box, which is fantastic for storage of these delicate items. I wish more beauty gadgets came with good storage like this, and it definitely adds value to a great kit.

Lift Care Lift Wand Pro Case

Find this great kit at Amazon.com.

I received this item at a discount for testing and unbiased review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

The Kermax Hair Loss System: Three Months Later

May 13, 2016 · Leave a Comment

It’s been three months since I started using the KerMax Hair Loss System – time flies! I am quite impressed with the KerMax line in reducing my hair loss issue.

The great part about the regime is the ease of use. The shampoo and conditioner are no-brainer replacements for your standard shower routine, and the day and night treatments are simple and non-greasy. In fact, using them takes far less time than futile attempts to style your hair into looking fuller and covering thinned out spots.

Let’s talk about the shampoo and conditioner first. The first time I used the shampoo, I squirted out way too much. Give the bottle a gentle squeeze: it is a lightweight formulation, not a thick, heavy cream. You also don’t need much of the shampoo to get your hair clean. It doesn’t lather, but you can feel it in your hair, so don’t worry about missing spots. It also washes out quickly and cleanly: no rough scrubbing is necessary, just gently massage it out of your hair. It won’t give you a squeaky clean feel, but really, that isn’t good for your hair whether you have a hair loss issue or not. My hair felt clean and soft from the first use.

The same goes for the conditioner. It is a lightweight formula, but it gets the job done. My hair was shiny and bouncy after using this conditioner, and it didn’t take long to wash out. It also washed out cleanly and didn’t leave residue behind. So not only did my shampoo and conditioning routine leave my hair in great condition, but it shaved time off of my shower in the morning. Can’t beat that!

The two treatment products are just as easy to use. The Essential Day Foam is a quick and easy morning treatment on areas that need some rejuvenation. It dries down with no stickiness or residue, which surprised and delighted me. I put it on when my hair is wet to get maximum coverage of the scalp, and then proceed with styling. The hair it gets on looks just as clean and shiny as the rest of my hair, which is nice. The nighttime treatment, the Thickening hair serum, is a little thicker and leave a bit more residue behind, but it isn’t significant, and it didn’t affect the appearance of my hair on the mornings where I used it at night and wasn’t able to wash my hair in the morning.

Of course, the ease of use means nothing unless the product line delivers results. KerMax absolutely does! In the first month and a half or so I knew that I was gentler on my hair since I didn’t have to be as rough on my hair in the shower, and that would help slow my hair loss. Then I started noticing something: there was far less hair left in my brush after I used it. I went from a disturbing amount of hair coming out in the shower to virtually none. I didn’t have to use a lint brush to remove hairs from my clothes during the day. In short, my hair shedding reduced dramatically. WOW!

Top: My hairline before I started using KerMax. Bottom: My current hairline thanks to the Kermax System!

I am very impressed with the KerMax line. While my hairline has not returned to its full former glory, it is making its way back to healthy hair, and KerMax has been a huge part of that. Really, to have ANY restoration in a short three month’s time is practically unheard of, so I am really looking forward to seeing what happens with continued use, and the fact that KerMax is an all natural line is a significant bonus for me. For anyone suffering hair loss or thinning, I wholeheartedly recommend the KerMax line!

KerMax available in Canada at all Shoppers Drug Mart locations, and in the United States at all CVS locations, and CVS online. Find more information about KerMax at Kermax.com! Also, learn more about KerMax on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!

KerMax Product Line

I was compensated for my time and effort; however, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

The KerMax Hair Loss System

February 19, 2016 · 10 Comments

I hope if you saw me on the street you wouldn’t think “she has a problem with hair loss.”

ME AND MY HAIR

For many people, thick full hair equates to beauty and youth. The women in my family have always had thick, strong, full, and silky hair. Strangers regularly compliment my hair. Well into her 80’s, my Grandmother’s hair was silky, dark and thick – you would never have guessed her age from her hairline, practically no thinning, sparseness, or loss of density. I always considered my hair one of the best, if not my best, feature. I always take good care of my hair with quality brushes, shampoos, treatments and avoided damaging treatments. No styles that pull on my hair, and no hot irons or harsh chemicals on my scalp.

So you can imagine my surprise when otherwise healthy and looks conscious me started to lose my thick, full hair – I had hair thinning in spots that became hard to conceal.

MY HAIR THINNING STORY

We don’t hear much about women losing their hair: but it is common, as many as 40-50% of women experience hair thinning (also known as FPHL or Female Pattern Hair Loss). And many of these are not older women who are experiencing hair loss as a normal part of aging: it happens to younger, active women even in their thirties, like me. Some women lose for known medical reasons, others due to stress, medications, pregnancy or even rapid weight loss.

The reason for my hair loss is a common stressor that at some point affects almost all of us: the death of a loved one. In my case, my hair loss happened after the sudden illness and death of my beloved father. After nearly two months of staying at the hospital with him nearly around the clock, subsisting on coffee, barely eating or sleeping through the ups and downs and all the stress, I rapidly lost weight from my poor diet, and my hair became noticeably thin in spots.

I went to the doctor. The bloodwork and tests showed nothing hormonally or otherwise wrong with me that would cause hair loss at my age and my health – but he did tell me about the impact of all that stress, the physical exhaustion, and the grief. The same stress that caused the loss of sleep and poor nutrition that resulted in the rapid weight loss caused my hair to become thinner in a way that became hard to conceal by just by altering my hairstyle to conceal the thinning sections. I thought that it would improve over time, like how I got my back to my normal, healthy weight. But the hair loss hasn’t markedly improved over time. I began to investigate my options.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY HAIR LOSS?

I knew what I didn’t want: I was not interested in any kind of hair extension or makeup to conceal the scalp skin; I wanted to deal with the problem, not cover it. I didn’t want to do anything risky with medications or treatments. I wanted a treatment that was safe for women, preferably natural because I didn’t want to involve hormones or chemicals. I wanted it to work quickly. And I wanted to be able to read the research and science behind the solution.

I knew I did not want side effects like scalp redness or irritation, and I didn’t want it to cause inflammation that affected healthy hair follicles. If a product had natural ingredients, it would be fantastic.

So as you might guess I was thrilled when I heard about the KerMax Hairloss System.

HOW KerMax WORKS:

Keramax is four products system: a shampoo, a conditioner to replace your current shampoo/conditioner regiment, plus a nighttime hair thickening serum and a daytime foam treatment. It is safe to use, and I haven’t had any bad reactions in the few days I’ve been using it so far. The foam and serum absorb nicely and is undetectable when dry. No greasy treatment area!

In the scientific study, participants used this regiment for 12 weeks, and all the participants experienced less hair loss. Pretty nice to be able to stop hair loss in its tracks!

I’m really excited to try out the Kermax line and see if I can get my healthy hair back to its’ former glory! I’ll be updating you on the result in 12 weeks, so stay tuned!

The Entire KerMax Line

Here’s a video of me applying the foam for the first time:

WHERE TO GET KERMAX:

In Canada: Available at all Shopper Drug Mart Locations and in the United States at all CVS locations and CVS online.

Learn more about KerMax on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!

GIVEAWAY:

We’ve teamed up with KerMax to give away the four products (a $150 value) to a Style Chicks reader! There are two ways to enter:

1) Instagram: Follow Style Chicks on Instagram (if you aren’t following us already, find us at https://www.instagram.com/stylechicksdotcom/) and like the giveaway post. If you can’t find it immediately, search under the hashtag #StyleChicksKerMaxGiveaway.

2) If you aren’t on Instagram, you can send us an email at [email protected].

The Giveaway will run from today, February 19th at 7 PM to Friday, February 26th at 7 PM EST. We won’t publish your name, and will only pass your information onto the company to send you your KerMax System!

This post was written by me. While I was compensated for my time and effort, all opinions remain 100% mine.