After receiving a cancer diagnosis, the last thing on your mind is your hair and skin. However, hair loss and skin changes are a very real and emotion-filled part of cancer treatment for most women. Women who think ahead and plan for these changes may find themselves less stressed and surprised than those who are not prepared. Follow the tips below to stay ahead of the wave and keep your hair and skin healthy.

Revitalize your skincare routine. The American Cancer Society discusses the possible skin changes that may occur during treatment, which include color changes, redness, itching, peeling, dryness, rashes, and acne. In light of these changes to your skin, your skin care routine should shift accordingly. Chemocare.com suggests staying away from perfumed products, bubble baths, and lanolin-based creams and lotions. These ingredients dry out your skin. Check the ingredients of the products you currently use. If one of your favorite products contains ingredients that may further irritate your skin, don't throw it away! Just place the products aside until your cancer treatment is over. Temporarily replace these products with more gentle scrubs and cleansers. Substances that keep your skin hydrated include petroleum and mineral oil. Use bath oils instead of soap to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy on a daily basis

Choose a hair care expert. Do your research before heading to any old store to purchase a wig. It’s important to find a professional hair loss expert in your area who will take the time to consider the options with you. Jan Ping, Emmy-winning TV cosmetologist, hairstylist and cancer survivor, says, “going to a professional experienced in hair loss and hair replacement is important because they can help you and guide you through all the stages of hair loss. Trusting someone else can be a relief when you’re not feeling well.

Choose a wig early. When it comes to selecting a hairpiece, it’s best to take care of as much as you can pre-treatment. Women who visit a hair loss professional before losing their hair will find it much easier to select a hair loss solution that matches the color and style of their natural hair. Also, making decisions when you’re feeling healthy is much easier than choosing a wig or hair prosthesis during cancer treatment, after you have already begun to lose your hair. Your skin color and tone may look different during treatment, which may call for a hair color adjustment that may be slightly lighter or darker than your natural color. When you meet with a hair loss professional whom you trust, you can speak candidly with that person about exactly how you’d like for your hair to look.

Caring for your skin and hair is caring for yourself. Many women have kept the same skin and hair care routine for years. Even though shifting a pattern is difficult, it is essential to change your routine when your skin and hair undergo changes. If you’re coping with symptoms that are expected during cancer care, remain patient with the process and treat yourself gently.
Let Transitions of Indiana help give your hair what it needs to grow strong and healthy. We encourage you to take the time and review your options then come in for a no cost, no obligation private hair loss consultation.

“We Restore More Than Just Your Hair!”

Transitions of Indiana is a premiere hair replacement center. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Speedway, Carmel or anywhere in the surrounding Indiana area, we offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which customized treatment option is best for your individual situation.  Our hair replacement solution options include Sensigraft, Reallusions, Graduated Enhancement, Laser Hair Therapy, Hair Extensions, and hair loss control products. Take the first step to a new you and schedule your free hair loss evaluation.

References
American Cancer Society. Understanding Chemotherapy. A Guide for Patients and Families. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/understandingchemotherapyaguideforpatientsandfamilies/understanding-chemotherapy-more-side-effects-skin-and-nail-changes
National Cancer Institute. Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects. Skin and Nail Changes. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemo-side-effects/skin-and-nail


Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss in which certain hair styles, harsh chemicals (for hair straightening and styling), and thermal styling tools cause significant damage to hair follicles that leads to hair loss. This damage can be severe enough to pull the hair root out completely or effectively destroy the root to the point where the hair falls out
There is good news and bad news concerning traction alopecia. The good news is that it is a preventable and treatable condition. Modifying the ways in which you style your hair or your child’s is one of several solutions to the problem. The bad news about traction alopecia, though, is that hair thinning and balding may have already occurred. In that case, some preventative steps are in order to ensure that no more damage is done. Our Transitions staff sees cases of traction alopecia all the time and its important to know that the sooner you come in and see our hair loss experts, the better.

Who Has Traction Alopecia?
Anyone can develop traction alopecia. The leading cause of traction alopecia is tight hair styles that constantly pull on the hair shaft. The longer the tight hair style is worn and the hair is pulled, the more damage is caused to the follicle which could lead to permanent hair loss.

Besides tight hairstyles, traction alopecia can also be caused by chemical and thermal treatments. For instance, dyes, bleaches, and straightening products have been known to severely damage hair follicles to the point where they fall out. These products contain harsh chemicals that are not healthy for a full head of hair and if used consistently over a long period of time, can lead to permanent hair loss. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, reports that 17% of African girls and almost 32% of African women develop Traction Alopecia.

How can I prevent Traction Alopecia?
It’s important to realize some hairstyles are harmful to the integrity of your hair. Many people style their hair in tight ponytails or braids to ensure that they stay in place throughout the day and night. Rather than pulling your hair into the same tight styles everyday, consider varying the way that you wear your hair. Stop braiding your hair daily and wearing tight ponytails! At least a few times per week wear your hair down.

How can I treat Traction Alopecia?
For most women, traction alopecia occurs in the temporal region of the hair. This is often where the hair is pulled tightest, causing damage to the follicles. There are several treatment options that are available for traction alopecia. You can use creams and ointments to soothe affected parts of the scalp and facilitate hair growth. Although creams may be helpful in the short-term, the most important change you can make is how you’re caring for your hair and styling it. Changing your styling routine is the way to make long-lasting change.

Stopping traction alopecia before it begins is crucial. If thinning or baldness has already begun, consider a hair system. A hair system is a way to have a thick, full head of hair while your natural hair is growing in. Purchasing a hair system is a decision that requires planning and consideration. Call Transitions of Indiana to discuss your options.
Let Transitions of Indiana help give your hair what it needs to grow strong and healthy. We encourage you to take the time and review your options then come in for a no cost, no obligation private hair loss consultation.

“We Restore More Than Just Your Hair!”


Transitions of Indiana is a premiere hair replacement center. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Speedway, Carmel or anywhere in the surrounding Indiana area, we offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which customized treatment option is best for your individual situation.  Our hair replacement solution options include Sensigraft, Reallusions, Graduated Enhancement, Laser Hair Therapy, Hair Extensions, and hair loss control products. Take the first step to a new you and schedule your free hair loss evaluation.
Sure, winter is here, but with a little extra care, your hair can remain as healthy and great-looking as ever–whether it’s natural growth hair or a custom human hair addition. There are proactive ways to make sure your hair always looks its best. This month, Transitions hair experts dive into the 5 don’ts for keeping your hair healthy this winter.

1. Don’t Forget to Deep Condition Your Hair Regularly
Static electricity isn’t your friend. To keep it under control, deep condition your hair to keep it smooth and moisturized.

2. Don’t Rub Your Hair Dry.
Pat it dry instead. Rubbing your hair dry with a towel can cause damage when your hair is at its most delicate state. The same can be said about rubbing your face with a towel when you get out of the shower. It’s best to pat it dry or let it dry on its own, especially hair additions. Hair additions can require an especially gentle touch to avoid pulling the hair from the base. Keep in mind, your hair is gentle so treat it with ease.

3. Don’t Blow Dry if You Don’t Have To.
An ionic hair dryer is a great investment if blow-drying your hair is a must for your hectic lifestyle. This type dryer will dry your hair faster with less damage, less frizz and more shine as it flattens and tightens the hair cuticle simutaneously. We find these very useful in Indianapolis due to our long winters. Additionally, use leave-in conditioners and Hair Frizz Eliminators to help strengthen hair when using blow dryers.

4. Hot Oil Treatments
Grab a single-use bottle at the beauty supply store, or grab some Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the cupboard. It will help heal your hair from daily wear and tear. Apply directly to damp hair, and put on a plastic cap and/or a hot towel.

5. Don’t Settle for Static.
Avoid clothes that generate static electricity. It helps to brush your hair with wooden combs or brushes to reduce the static. And the more your hair is moisturized, the less you’ll suffer from static!

If you have any questions, contact us at Transitions of Indiana. Let Transitions of Indiana help give your hair what it needs to grow strong and healthy. We encourage you to take the time and review your options then come in for a no cost, no obligation private hair loss consultation.

“We Restore More Than Just Your Hair!”


Transitions of Indiana is a premiere hair replacement center. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Speedway, Carmel or anywhere in the surrounding Indiana area, we offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which customized treatment option is best for your individual situation.  Our hair replacement solution options include Sensigraft, Reallusions, Graduated Enhancement, Laser Hair Therapy, Hair Extensions, and hair loss control products. Take the first step to a new you and schedule your free hair loss evaluation.
Whether a woman believes reaching menopause is something to be happy or sad about, many start experiencing hair thinning where hair is wanted, and hair growth where it is not; one of life’s little jokes. Though finding a way to laugh about it helps, it is a problem that negatively affects women’s self-esteem and emotional well-being. Here’s a brief look at alopecia. Although it can begin anytime after puberty, alopecia is a common form of hair loss after 50.

Alopecia areata affects about 5 million people in the United States. We see it very frequently at Transitions of Indiana. This type of hair loss is considered an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system attacks its very own hair follicles. Other onset factors include a person’s genetic makeup, other illness, pregnancy, and stress.

The first sign of alopecia areata is typically a small, round, and smooth patch of baldness on the scalp. Those with alopecia areata eventually experience complete baldness, or alopecia totalis. Others may lose hair over their entire body, called alopecia universalis. The course of alopecia areata is unpredictable, and hair may grow back only to fall out again. 
Androgenic alopecia refers here to the female version of male pattern baldness. It has been linked to an inherited sensitivity to the male sex hormone, androgen. Women may experience diffuse hair thinning over their entire scalp instead of the actual baldness that develops in men.
Menopause and After
At menopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels drop, and this seems to be responsible, or partly so, for hair thinning (and that cheeky peach fuzz that seems to appear overnight). Other factors related to hair loss are high levels of stress, illness, hormonal imbalances, harsh hair products, and a genetic disposition.

Blood-sugar levels, thyroid tests, and an evaluation for rheumatoid disease may be suggested by your doctor to rule out other possible causes for any hair loss. A test for excessive androgen in your system is appropriate if the loss is sudden. As for managing the unwanted loss or growth, it is recommended you see a doctor to discuss possible lifestyle changes and medication options.

Lifestyle Changes
Suggested life style adjustments are a healthy diet, getting plenty of B vitamins (especially B6), enjoying a cup of green tea every day, losing some pounds, and trying shampoo that contains hyaluronic acid. These changes may help restore hair growth although it will take three to four months before you know. Even if taking these suggestions does not restore your hair, they are good habits for general well-being.

Stress hormones and insulin, if the levels are high, can cause an excess of androgen in the body. Reducing stress may lower the androgen enough to stop intrusive hair from peppering the chin. Walking, meditation, yoga, visualization, shooting some hoops, caring for a pet, swimming, playing with the grandchildren, and gardening are suggestions. 

Medication
Medicinal options for menopause and post-menopause hair loss include a limited-term prescription for estrogen, Rogaine (minoxidil), steroids, or metformin (a drug often used with type 2 diabetes). All of these medications carry possible side-effects and should be discussed with your doctor.

Low Level Laser light treatments may be utilized to control hair loss and to promote healthy hair growth.   Laser therapy treatments can be conducted in an office environment with a hair loss professional. An FDA cleared portable laser can also be purchased for at home use.  Meet with a qualified hair loss professional to learn more about your options. 

Let Transitions of Indiana help give your hair what it needs to grow strong and healthy. We encourage you to take the time and review your options then come in for a no cost, no obligation private hair loss consultation.


Transitions of Indiana is a premiere hair replacement center. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Speedway, Carmel or anywhere in the surrounding Indiana area, we offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which customized treatment option is best for your individual situation.  Our hair replacement solution options include Sensigraft, Reallusions, Graduated Enhancement, Laser Hair Therapy, Hair Extensions, and hair loss control products. Take the first step to a new you and schedule your free hair loss evaluation. www.transitionsindy.com
A common misconception concerning gray hair is that graying occurs as a result of aging. In fact, whether a person will gray and the age that graying will occur is completely determined by genes. According to Dr. Helmenstine and other medical experts, the age when graying begins is the same age when graying began for your parents and grandparents. We don’t have much control concerning whether we gray or the age that graying will begin. However, we often have some control over how fast graying occurs.
Slowing and Gray Hair: According to LiveStrong, a partner of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, women may begin a vitamin regimen in order to prevent and/or slow the graying process. Before you begin the routine, visit a health food or nutrient store and consider the following vitamins: Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Vitamin B9, and PABA. When you eat breakfast, take 2mcg of vitamin B12. Include meats in your breakfast to ensure that the vitamin was absorbed into your body. During lunch, take 200 IU of vitamin E. Vitamin E will work against dryness, which is associated with gray hair, as well as increase hair follicle strength.

During the course of the day, LiveStrong recommends consuming between 400 and 800 mcg of B9. Insufficient amounts of folic acid, also known as B9, may be causes of gray hair. Lastly, take 400 mcg of PABA with other PABA rich foods like liver, grains, or molasses. According to health-care-clinic.org, PABA, which is related to folic acid, can prevent the graying of hair and restore hair color to hair that has already become gray. There are no randomized clinical trials that support the usage of vitamins to prevent/slow graying. Before you begin taking vitamins, it is important to talk to your doctor to ensure that it is a safe option for you.

Covering Gray Hair: If you’ve given up reversing your gray but you’re not quite ready to accept it, there are options. Covering gray hair can be done in many ways. However, there are two that are especially appealing for a woman who wants to hide her gray. Demi-permanent hair color is a hybrid between semi-permanent and permanent hair color. Often, permanent hair color is too harsh, especially since graying hair is often dry. Semi-permanent is less harsh, but it only lasts a few washes. Demi-permanent color lasts 28 washes, which could last anywhere from one month to six weeks for most women. "It's a great solution for someone who's just starting to go gray and wants to experiment with color," says Lisa Evan, a colorist at Mario Russo Salon in Boston. "It gives a very natural result because the grays will take the color differently from the other strands, which means hair ends up with an almost highlighted look." Another option that gives you the exact style you want plus the agency to go natural is purchasing a 100% human hair wig. A wig is just what some women need when they are working to accept their gray (or if they are suffering from alopecia). You get to choose your style and decide when to wear it and when to go gray. Find a professional near you for a consultation.

Accepting Gray Hair: If you’ve accepted your gray hair in all of its silver beauty, congratulations! Wear your hair gray and proud by experimenting with highlights and lowlights, cutting it short and sassy, or wearing it long and wavy. Many female celebrities are showing off their gray locks on the red carpet. Next time you flip on the TV or read a celebrity magazine, look out for the celebs that embrace their age with their hair. There’s no reason to change or hide what’s natural for you. Be proud of who you are and wear your hair gray to prove it.

Graying is a natural part of life. While you’re working to slow down the graying process, make sure to embrace and accept your beautiful hair as part of the beautiful person who you are.
Let Transitions of Indiana help give your hair what it needs to grow strong and healthy. We encourage you to take the time and review your options then come in for a no cost, no obligation private hair loss consultation.

“We Restore More Than Just Your Hair!”

Transitions of Indiana is a premiere hair replacement center. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Speedway, Carmel or anywhere in the surrounding Indiana area, we offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which customized treatment option is best for your individual situation.  Our hair replacement solution options include Sensigraft, Reallusions, Graduated Enhancement, Laser Hair Therapy, Hair Extensions, and hair loss control products. Take the first step to a new you and schedule your free hair loss evaluation.

References
YOU: The Owner's Manual, Updated and Expanded Edition: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger; Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen; 2008

After receiving a cancer diagnosis, the last thing on your mind is your hair and skin. However, hair loss and skin changes are a very real and emotion-filled part of cancer treatment for most women. Women who think ahead and plan for these changes may find themselves less stressed and surprised than those who are not prepared. Follow the tips below to stay ahead of the wave and keep your hair and skin healthy.

1. Revitalize your skincare routine. The American Cancer Society discusses the possible skin changes that may occur during treatment, which include color changes, redness, itching, peeling, dryness, rashes, and acne. In light of these changes to your skin, your skin care routine should shift accordingly. Chemocare.com suggests staying away from perfumed products, bubble baths, and lanolin-based creams and lotions. These ingredients dry out your skin. Check the ingredients of the products you currently use. If one of your favorite products contains ingredients that may further irritate your skin, don't throw it away! Just place the products aside until your cancer treatment is over. Temporarily replace these products with more gentle scrubs and cleansers. Substances that keep your skin hydrated include petroleum and mineral oil. Use bath oils instead of soap to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy on a daily basis

2. Choose a hair care expert. Do your research before heading to any old store to purchase a wig. It’s important to find a professional hair loss expert in your area who will take the time to consider the options with you. Jan Ping, Emmy-winning TV cosmetologist, hairstylist and cancer survivor, says, “going to a professional experienced in hair loss and hair replacement is important because they can help you and guide you through all the stages of hair loss. Trusting someone else can be a relief when you’re not feeling well.

3. Choose a wig early. When it comes to selecting a hairpiece, it’s best to take care of as much as you can pre-treatment. Women who visit a hair loss professional before losing their hair will find it much easier to select a hair loss solution that matches the color and style of their natural hair. Also, making decisions when you’re feeling healthy is much easier than choosing a wig or hair prosthesis during cancer treatment, after you have already begun to lose your hair. Your skin color and tone may look different during treatment, which may call for a hair color adjustment that may be slightly lighter or darker than your natural color. When you meet with a hair loss professional whom you trust, you can speak candidly with that person about exactly how you’d like for your hair to look.
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Caring for your skin and hair is caring for yourself. Many women have kept the same skin and hair care routine for years. Even though shifting a pattern is difficult, it is essential to change your routine when your skin and hair undergo changes. If you’re coping with symptoms that are expected during cancer care, remain patient with the process and treat yourself gently.

Let Transitions of Indiana help give your hair what it needs to grow strong and healthy. We encourage you to take the time and review your options then come in for a no cost, no obligation private hair loss consultation.

“We Restore More Than Just Your Hair!”

Transitions of Indiana is a premiere hair replacement center. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Speedway, Carmel or anywhere in the surrounding Indiana area, we offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which customized treatment option is best for your individual situation.  Our hair replacement solution options include Sensigraft, Reallusions, Graduated Enhancement, Laser Hair Therapy, Hair Extensions, and hair loss control products. Take the first step to a new you and schedule your free hair loss evaluation.

References
American Cancer Society. Understanding Chemotherapy. A Guide for Patients and Families. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/understandingchemotherapyaguideforpatientsandfamilies/understanding-chemotherapy-more-side-effects-skin-and-nail-changes
National Cancer Institute. Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects. Skin and Nail Changes. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemo-side-effects/skin-and-nail


When pregnant, hormonal changes in a woman’s body prevent her hair from shedding as it did before pregnancy. So, her hair thickens and for a few months she enjoys having more luxurious tresses than before.

One to five months after delivering the baby, surprise! Some women experience a large amount of hair shedding, or hair falling out in clumps, as their hormones return to pre-pregnancy status.

While the hair loss may be disappointing or scary, it is a normal response to the body’s readjusting post-pregnancy chemistry. About 40 to 50 percent of pregnant women experience this type of extreme shedding known as Telogen Effluvium or TE, but fortunately it is a temporary condition.

Why some new moms return to their regular pre-pregnancy hair cycle immediately after birth and others do not, is unknown.

Why Hair Loss after Pregnancy occurs

1.      At any given time, other than pregnancy, around 90% of our hair is in a growth, or anagen phase. The other 10% is taking a break from growth and resting in what is called the telogen phase.
1.   Every eight to twelve weeks, the resting hair sheds. We find it in our brushes and shower drains. Once hair is lost, the “empty” hair follicles can begin to produce a new shaft.

2.      During pregnancy the increased estrogen keeps hair growing strong. The hair does not rest and fall out as before, leaving some moms-to-be with hair so thick it might be difficult to comb.

3.      When estrogen levels plummet after birth, up to 60% (usually less) of the mother’s hair can enter the resting phase and be lost through shedding. It may take six to twelve months for the hair cycle to return to its pre-pregnancy routine. Women who breastfeed may keep their extra locks a bit longer.

Any time a woman’s estrogen levels change there is a possibility of hair loss. Besides pregnancy, other triggers are miscarriage, stopping any hormonal form of birth control, or out of balance hormones.

For Healthy Hair During and After Pregnancy

• Eat three to four servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Make sure that some of the daily veggies are dark green and leafy.

• Talk to your doctor about supplementing your diet with Vitamins C, E, the B complex, biotin, and zinc.

• Shampoos containing biotin and silica are recommended, followed by a good conditioner.

• Be gentle with your hair. If you blow dry your hair, use the dryer’s cool setting. Use wide tooth combs after shampooing, and do not stress-out your hair with tight rollers, curling irons, pigtails, weaves, or cornrows. Consider putting off chemical treatments such as perms, dyes, or straightening.

Women should inform their doctors of excessive postpartum hair loss since there is a possibility of other underlying causes for it, especially if the shedding does not resolve within a few months. For example, a vitamin deficiency can trigger hair shedding as can changes in the thyroid after giving birth.

Let Transitions of Indiana help give your hair what it needs to grow strong and healthy. We encourage you to take the time and review your options then come in for a no cost, no obligation private hair loss consultation.

“We Restore More Than Just Your Hair!”

Transitions of Indiana is a premiere hair replacement center. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Speedway, Carmel or anywhere in the surrounding Indiana area, we offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which customized treatment option is best for your individual situation.  Our hair replacement solution options include Sensigraft, Reallusions, Graduated Enhancement, Laser Hair Therapy, Hair Extensions, and hair loss control products. Take the first step to a new you and schedule your free hair loss evaluation.


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