Hypnotherapy has absolutely no side effects, as well as decreases overall stress and anxiety levels in clients. In this case, not only is hypnotherapy effective at promoting significant hair growth, it is a non-side-effects method to decrease stress and other symptoms of alopecia areata.
We can use Hypnosis to bring about both psychological and physiological changes, so, naturally, we can use it to promote hair growth. As you may remember, the power of hypnosis for hair growth can be in part due to the effect that it has on your stress levels. According to researchers, the hypnotically treated patient can experience a regular process in growing his or her hair.
Lists on Natural Hair Growth usually just mention that hypnotherapy may cause changes in hair, without explaining why. We have also briefly noted the potential for increased hair growth through increased blood flow to the hair follicles, but even more importantly, there is an effect hypnosis may have on the subjective experience you get from hair. Note that you may even want to combine hypnosis with other treatments for hair loss.
Stress-related hair loss is usually temporary, so it is possible to treat it through hypnosis. There are some people who find their hair does not regrow, regardless of the underlying cause, but it is always beneficial to use relaxation techniques to help you cope with your anxiety, in order to help lower the risk of experiencing further hair loss related to stress, as well as reduce anxiety you are experiencing due to hair loss. If stress and anxiety are a primary reason why you are losing your hair, then decreasing this stress or anxiety may help you get your hair back.
The relaxed state created during a hypnotherapy session allows the power of hypnotic suggestions to dispel any negative, limiting beliefs a person might have about their hair and hair loss. Further analysis has shown that while the patient is in a relaxed hypnotic state, his or her negative beliefs regarding his or her hair loss are replaced with positive beliefs. While in a hypnotic state, we can tell the subconscious mind to block out all fears of losing hair, feeling just calm, and peaceful, and knowing it is easier to encourage and maintain long, thick, strong, beautiful hair.
The thing to keep in mind though, about hypnosis, as well as any therapy, be it medical or holistic, is that it is more effective if used together with something else. While it is true that hypnotherapy can reverse hair loss, we still lack enough evidence to know for sure, or believe in with any degree of confidence. Another issue is that, for ethical reasons, most patients in this trial were already using conventional treatments for their hair loss.
Twelve participants showed a marked improvement following the hypnotherapy treatments, and four had completely lost their hair. After three to eight sessions, the patients with alopecia (baldness) showed a substantial increase in their hair growth (75%-100%), as well as decreased levels of overall anxiety and depression, which also might have caused hair loss. Alongside hypnosis treatment to restore hair, participants were given therapies that helped alleviate stress.
The data confirmed that experiencing hair loss is psychologically devastating, causes great emotional distress, and frequently leads to problems with self, society, and employment. The available evidence supports the notion that the experience of hair loss is psychologically devastating, causing intense emotional suffering, and leading to personal, social, and work-related problems.
There is a significant connection between hair and identity, particularly for women. About 40% of women who suffer from alopecia report having marriage problems as a result, and approximately 63% report having work-related problems.
The degree of hair loss is one predictor of psychological distress. This relationship between alopecia and psychosocial consequences may be complicated, as alopecia may arise as the result of a stressful experience, which in turn causes additional distress. Clearly, although alopecia may have a psychosocial impact, it is possible there are also psychosocial consequences resulting from treatment itself.
The link between hair loss and psychosocial consequences can be complicated by hair loss occurring as the consequence of a stressful experience or life event, thereby leading to additional distress, anxiety, and depression . Even if it has limited effects on an individuals physical health, hair loss may result in substantial psychological consequences and significantly interfere with their quality of life. Compared to the general population, individuals who suffer from hair loss experience a higher prevalence of mental disorders, including a major depressive episode, anxiety disorder, social phobia, or paranoid disorder . Compared with the general population, increased prevalence rates of mental disorders are associated with alopecia (Koo et al., 1994) suggesting that individuals with alopecia may be at increased risk of developing a major depressive episode, anxiety disorder, social phobia, or paranoid disorder. Individuals may experience significant problems with self-esteem. One limitation of research is that associations between alopecia and depression or anxiety can be muddied by stressful life events, which may cause both alopecia and depression or anxiety. Those who suffer from male pattern baldness or another form of alopecia can experience problems with self-esteem, or even conditions like body dysmorphic disorder. Those with thinning or balding hair are more likely to experience serious mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Studies have found that significant hair loss can result in lack of self- esteem, as well as a variety of other mental health issues, from stress and anxiety, to, in extreme cases, suicidal tendencies. Those suffering from significant hair loss are more likely to suffer from negative psychological side effects, like depression or lower self-esteem, compared with those who experience no hair loss or little. Many who suffer from progressive hair loss are able to cope, but for others, hair loss can take a devastating toll, leading to depression and anxiety. Ironically, hair loss may be causing the anxiety, but the same condition may be trigger–or make the hair loss worse–leading to a vicious cycle. Hair loss frequently causes heightened psycho-emotional and psychosocial distress, especially with regards to anxiety, depression, social phobias, and personality disorders. Individuals who suffer from a limited amount of hair loss are better able to mask their losses with remaining hair, and are therefore less likely to suffer from psychological problems, such as PTSD (with alopecia being a painful traumatic event), anxiety, or depression. Diffuse hair loss may also occur due to alopecia areata, medications, and a variety of systemic diseases including anaemia, hyperandrogenism, and thyroid disease. There are also more serious versions of alopecia such as Alopecia Areata (AA), which refers to the loss of hair in patches on the scalp, as opposed to overall thinning. As a result, men with androgenetic alopecia typically experience a receding hairline that may progress to partial or total baldness, whereas women typically experience a hair loss at the top and sides of the scalp. Another cause of alopecia is telogen effluvium, where patients may lose significant amounts of hair all at once, typically after three to six months following a psychologically or physically stressful event. Other causes of hair loss include traction alopecia — hair loss caused by hairstyles that pull at your hair — and alopecia areata, where your body’s immune system attacks your own hair follicles, leaving bald, flattened patches on your scalp. Beyond the physical effects, which might not be as apparent at first, losing hair for many causes devastating physiological effects such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Research published in The BMJ has shown that losing hair can cause an overall sense of being ugly, and can even, in some extreme cases, cause a form of body dysmorphic disorder, in which an individual has an overwhelming amount of anxiety over how they look. A 1992 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that women suffered more emotionally and psychologically, and were more likely to have negative body images, as a result of losing their hair, than men dealing with the same problem. Body hair loss seemed to pose less problems to patients compared to hair loss on the scalp and face, as it is less noticeable to others, however, one male described feeling less masculine without his leg hair.
A study published in Brazilian journal Anais Brasilerios de Dermatologia noted that those suffering from androgenetic alopecia (male- or female-patterned baldness) had lower quality of life compared with those suffering patchy hair loss, or no hair loss whatsoever. Loss of hair, another female trait, among women undergoing mastectomy has been reported to cause greater psychological effects compared with alopecia related to chemotherapy for lung cancer . In medical terms, loss of hair may induce antisocial personality disorder, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, adjustment disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia. Anxiety and depression caused by hair loss may be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy and support groups, and medications, such as antidepressants . A solid theoretical understanding of the psychological effects of alopecia is required, including an awareness of the immune system, the stress response, and the psychological responses to hair loss. Knowing that medical treatments are limited in their effectiveness will influence how psychologists approach alopecia, as this is usually a matter of helping a person learn how to live with the alopecia, not seeking some means to make the hair grow back.
The increasing number of women experiencing hair loss has become a growing concern for me as a professional. When treating these issues as a specialist, I was never convinced that it was an inherited condition.
Almost two decades in the field of trichology, I have come across many practitioners who still regard all hair loss issues as a single issue. At the very least, its usually divided into two categories: alopecia and genetic hair loss.
This approach is not always effective due to the complexity of the body’s complex mechanisms. In fact, it is very common for practitioners to mistakenly believe that a single treatment will cure all hair loss issues. Recently, a group of entrepreneurs started marketing a line of pills that combine the two most common blood pressure drugs: Minoxidil and Spironolactone.
The increasing number of women experiencing hair loss has become a growing concern for me as a professional. When I started treating these issues as a specialist, I was never convinced that it was an inherited condition.
Over the years, I have come across many practitioners who still regard all hair loss issues as a single problem. At the very least, it’s usually divided into two categories: alopecia and genetic hair loss.
This approach is not always effective due to the complexity of the body’s complex mechanisms. The body is constantly changing and adapting to its needs. This is why it is very common for practitioners to mistakenly believe that a single treatment will cure all hair loss issues. Recently, a group of entrepreneurs started marketing a line of pills that combine the two most common blood pressure drugs: Minoxidil and Spironolactone.
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) defines the use of certain medicines, such as Minoxidil and Spironolactone, outside of their intended use as “Off-label.” This means that the doctor is only authorized to use the medicine if he or she has informed the patient.
Informed consent is a requirement that patients be informed about the risks and benefits of taking an off-label treatment compared to the other available treatments. It should be noted that women do not suffer from an anti-androgen deficiency. They may experience hormonal-metabolic-autoimmune imbalance or nutritional deficiency.
Following the recommendations of leading medical researchers, I believed that most hair loss cases in women are caused by a complex hormonal-metabolic disturbance. This issue, which can be triggered by a combination of factors, can lead to elevated Testosterone levels.
The pathology results of my patients’ cases were the basis of my “acquired pattern hair loss” diagnosis. It is now widely accepted that obesity and hyperinsulinaemia are also contributing factors to the increasing number of hair loss cases.
This condition can lead to various health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and orthopaedic issues. One of the most insidious effects of this issue is elevated insulin levels.
High blood glucose and insulin levels are the main symptoms of a type of metabolic syndrome. This condition can lead to the loss of body cells’ ability to respond to Insulin, which is required for the production of energy.
The stress response can also affect the activity of insulin. For instance, prolonged exposure to cortisol can trigger functional insulin resistance. Another issue that can cause this issue is the disruption of the effects of synthetic hormone therapy.
Although it’s not yet clear if obesity and hyperinsulinaemia are related, it’s widely believed that high sugar diets and refined carbohydrates are the causes of both conditions. Since the 1970s, the rise of obesity has been attributed to the introduction of Fructose, which is a cheap and sweet ingredient used in soft drinks and refined food products.
Studies in the US have shown that Fructose acts as a suppressive agent on the action of Leptin, which results in the immediate storage of fat instead of being utilized as energy for the body. In younger women, hyperinsulinaemia is also associated with a higher risk of developing polycystic ovarian syndrome.
A study conducted in 1995 revealed that obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) had similar levels of Testosterone compared to those with normal levels. The results of the study showed that the higher levels of Free Testosterone, as well as the thinning of the scalp, could lead to hirsuteness and hair loss. The effects of hyperinsulinaemia and obesity on the body’s sex hormone binding protein, known as SHBG, were also studied.
The effects of SHBG on the availability of Oestrogen and Testosterone can be controlled by manipulating its levels. This substance is produced in the liver and is a 2nd tier carrier for both Testosterone and Oestrogen.
The levels of SHBG and the hormones that it carries are influenced by various factors. Some of these include the diet, lifestyle, age, sexual and physical activity, and hormonal therapy. These factors can affect the availability of Oestrogen-Testosterone.
Overuse of synthetic oestrogens, which are found in various HRT and contraceptive products, can lead to elevated SHBG. Other factors such as liver disease and diabetes can also affect the development of this condition.
When SHBG levels are elevated during pregnancy, it can trigger low thyroid function. This condition is caused by how the SHBG partially binds to the thyroid hormone T4. Some of the factors that can increase this condition include the age of the thyroid hormone, the consumption of high fibre, and the low protein diet. On the other hand, those who are experiencing a period of menopausal transition may experience low P4 levels.
The effects of insulin on the production and control of Testosterone and other hormones can be studied. However, the physiology of this process is not explained in this article.
The interested reader should refer to Peter Baratosy’s excellent book entitled “You and Your Hormones.” The precise way and where TT is produced and stimulated varies between men and women. In females, about 50% of the substance is produced by the Adrenal glands, while the rest is taken up by the ovaries.
In females, the production of adrenal androgens is not regulated by the Luteinizing and Follicular Stimulating Hormones. Instead, they are produced by the Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and the Luteinizing Hormone (LH). In most cases, the aromatase activity is converted back to Oestrogen after the release of FSH and LH. It is important to note that in insulin-sensitive individuals, the high blood insulin concentrations do not activate aromatase. This is because hyperinsulinemia, which is found in PCOS, can suppress aromatase activity.
In hyperinsulinaemia, the levels of insulin resistance are varying. The target to minimize inflammation is around 6-7 mU/L. This condition is caused by how the negative feedback loop of the brain is disrupted, which is related to the activity of FSH and LH. In response to low Oestrogen levels, FSH stimulates the production of ovarian TT. However, the aromatase activity is not activated, and the levels of TT continue to rise.
Androgenic follicle miniaturization and the inability to aromatase back to Oestrogen can result in the development of facial and body hair loss. This condition can also affect the skin’s pores.
One of the most important factors that can contribute to the development of this condition is the level of Testosterone-DHT ratio. This is because the amount of this substance that is produced by the hair follicles and the male reproductive and adrenal glands is greater than that of total Testosterone.
Although these two hormones have potential problems, they play a vital role in the development of sex-specific characteristics for men. It’s important for males to maintain their levels of aromatase activity and retain their TT.
