Christie Brinkley's Anti-Aging Hair Secret

Photo by PR Photos

Forget wrinkles, it could be your hair that betrays your age, or, in Christie Brinkley's case, helps keep you looking young! 

The 59-year old supermodel still looks great, and at a recent launch for her new Hair2Wear collection in New York City, she let her fans in on a little secret - she wears 16-inch clip-in hair extensions almost every day. Brinkley said she uses the hair pieces to add body and highlights to her thinning locks, which instantly reverses the signs of aging hair.

But while Brinkley's hair looks great today, the frequent use of extensions can put your hair at risk of serious damage. Hair extensions are actually extremely harmful to the hair follicles. Because of the excess weight and pulling, hair extensions, when worn too much, can lead to a type of hair loss called "traction alopecia." Traction alopecia is a form of "scarring alopecia" and characterized by an obliteration of the hair follicles. Hair transplantation is the most effective way to reverse this condition.

If you are a regular user of hair extensions, weaves, braids or wigs that attach to the hair, your hair follicles are in danger of permanent damage. 

If your hair is suffering from signs of aging, which can include unruly grays, dryness, lackluster color, thinning, breakage, split ends, and frizz, there are healthier ways to address the issue. For starters, there are a number of hair super-foods that can boost your strands - salmon, which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acid, dark  green vegetables for vitamins A and C, and nuts, which are a terrific source of zinc. In addition to a healthy diet, low level laser ‘combs,’ nutritional supplements like Viviscal and biotin, and prostaglandin analogs can all boost the vitality of your hair.

Can Cold Caps Stop Chemo-Caused Hair Loss?

Anecdotal evidence is pouring out that a new product called the Penguin Cold Cap can prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy. Read this story from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCallPlus/cold-cap-therapy-women-chemotherapy-hair/story?id=11985624


This is no doubt interesting, but to-date there is no independent medical survey to confirm these effects are to be attributed to the cold caps. However, if testing proves it effective - and it doesn't pose a risk of preventing chemotherapy from reaching the scalp - then it would certainly be a breakthrough treatment.


As most people know, it is quite common for chemotherapy patients to lose their hair during the treatment process. The hair typically grows back once the treatment is finished. However, I've noticed in my own practice that cancer survivors often have permanent changes to their hair, including "thinner" hair after treatment as well as different color or curl. Treatments like low level therapy (using LaserCap or in-office devices) and the topical application of prostaglandin analogues or minoxidil can help.


Recently at the ISHRS 18th Annual Scientific Meeting, a case was presented where a man undergoing chemo for colon cancer used the LaserCap after his hair started to fall.  Even while undergoing chemo, his hair grew back thicker. More research is needed to determine if this will be a viable option.