Interview 2/15 with The Marilu Henner Show

I've been asked to be a guest on The Marilu Henner Show on Monday, February 15 at 2:15 ET. We'll be discussing female hair loss, including causes, new treatments, and preventative tips. 

You can listen to the interview via local affiliates, or via live stream, at www.MariluShow.com. 

About Female Hair Loss

• More than half of all women over 40 experience hair loss.
• Women can inherit a ‘hair loss gene,’ just like men.
• Hair loss occurs differently in women than in men - i.e., “thinning.”
• Iron and protein deficiencies are among the most common nutritional triggers for unhealthy hair, while vitamins, especially B, are important to the overall health of your hair and preventing hair loss and thinning. 
• Female hair loss can be caused by hormonal changes, age, medications, genes, bad health, etc. It can also be a sign of a more serious illness like anemia, diabetes, autoimmune disease, or a thyroid condition, among others. 
• There are special treatments for women: Rogaine For Women, PRP Cell Therapy, laser therapy, vitamin supplements, micro-surgical hair transplants and even Latisse (the Brooke Shields eyelash drug).
• A new genetic test can predict a woman’s risk of hair loss so they can begin preventative treatments early. 
• Hair extensions and weaves are extremely harmful to the hair follicles. Because they add extra weight and pull on the hair strands, they can cause permanent damage - including a type of baldness called 'traction alopecia.'

O, Magazine's Hair Extravaganza!

I was recently asked to discuss female hair loss with O, Magazine for their September issue, which is available on newsstands now. The 'Hair Extravaganza' issue is packed with info on all things hair related, look for it today, it shouldn't be hard to spot since Oprah is on the cover sporting a reported 3 1/2lb. wig! 

Key facts about women’s hair loss: 

• Over 30 million women in the US suffer from hair loss
• More than half of all women over 40 experience hair loss
• Women can inherit a ‘hair loss gene,’ just like men
• Hair loss occurs differently in women than in men - i.e., “thinning”
• Hormonal changes and nutrition often play a key factor in women’s hair loss - due to menopause or perimenopause, pregnancy, medications, crash diets and bad health
• New genetic tests can predict a woman’s risk of hair loss and their response to treatment

Lady Gaga Continues to Battle Hair Loss

Photo by PR Photos

It was first reported last summer that music sensation Lady Gaga was suffering from hair loss. She soon confirmed that her hair was damaged from constant dyeing and bleaching and that she was taking Rogaine in an attempt to reverse the damage. 

Now, new reports are speculating that her ongoing battle with hair loss is one of the reasons she has retreated from the public eye in recent months. While hair loss is nothing to be ashamed of, it can be especially hard for women to cope with, especially young women like Gaga, who are under constant media scrutiny. Not many realize that Gaga is a natural brunette, because she has been a platinum blonde since launching her career. While this kind of routine is no doubt harmful to hair, it is unlikely that this alone is behind her hair loss. There are many other factors to consider, such as genetic predisposition, diet, medications, etc. 

While Rogaine may help her grow healthier hair, there are other steps she should be taking to optimize her results. I would recommend combining her Rogaine treatments with a regimen of low level laser therapy which is known to stimulate growth and help create thicker, fuller, healthier hair. Hair vitamins, such as Viviscal, can also aid those suffering from hair loss or thinning in achieving stronger, healthier hair. 

Real Housewife Jill Zarin Partners with Viviscal

Nearly 40 million women in America suffer from hair loss or thinning, a process that can be particularly devastating for females. But despite how common the condition is among women, it is still often seen as a taboo subject - something Bravo TV personality and former Real Housewife Jill Zarin is trying to change.

Zarin has partnered with Viviscal natural hair supplements to help raise awareness on hair loss and encourage women to talk openly about the condition. She joins Reese Witherspoon, Finola Hughes, and Carey Mulligan, and fellow Bravo star Tabatha Coffey who have all endorsed Viviscal, which they credit to helping keep their hair full and healthy.  

Viviscal nutritional supplements are clinically proven and tested as an effective tool to improve hair quality and stimulate healthy hair growth. While Viviscal and other nutritional supplements are available over the counter, I recommend Viviscal Pro to my patients, it is a stronger version of the vitamin supplements, which can only be prescribed by a physician. Most patients say they notice an improvement in hair quality and texture within about 6 months of starting the regimen. 

The bottom line is, one of the best things you can do for your hair is preventative care, and Viviscal is a simple and effective way to help keep your hair healthy.

Tomorrow: Live Miami Interview on Female Hair Loss

When it comes to hair loss, we hardly ever think of women - but did you know women are almost just as at risk as men? 

To learn more about female hair loss, including new treatment options for women, tune in tomorrow morning for my interview with Live Miami at 11am on NBC Miami. 

• More than half of all women over 40 experience hair loss 
• Women can inherit a ‘hair loss gene,’ just like men
• Hair loss occurs differently in women than in men - i.e., “thinning”
• It can be caused by hormonal changes, due to menopause and pregnancy along with age, medications, dieting, bad health, etc.
• There are special treatments for women: Rogaine For Women, vitamin supplements, micro-surgical hair transplants and even Latisse (the Brooke Shields eyelash drug)
• A new genetic test can predict a woman’s risk of hair loss

New Research Links Divorce to Hair Loss in Women

If divorce wasn't already hard enough, a new study suggests it can also trigger hair loss in women. The research found that, genetics aside, marital status is the next strongest predictor of midline hair loss in women, noting that the loss of a spouse (through either divorce or death) raises the risk for thinning hair above that of married or single women. But marital status isn't the only influencing lifestyle factor the research uncovered, sun exposure, excessive drinking and/or smoking also appear to raise the risk of hair loss in women. 

The study, which examined 84 female identical twins, found those who were divorced or widowed exhibited more hair loss than married women. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption led to higher levels of female hair loss along the front of the head. Heavy smoking was a significant contributor to female hair loss in the temple area. However, women who drank moderately - two alcoholic beverages a week - experienced significantly less temporal hair loss than their twin. 

The research was presented recently at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual conference. 

While these findings may seen surprising to some, it confirms what experts already know, that stress and other lifestyle choices can impact how and when we lose our hair. 

More than half of women over 40 will experience hair loss, but thanks to medical advances and new technology, hair loss is now a treatable condition. There are special treatments available for women, such as FDA-approved Rogaine For Women, vitamin supplements, such as Viviscal, Low Level Laser Therapy, micro-surgical hair transplants and even Latisse, the celebrity eyelash drug.

The bottom line is, hair loss can be treated - but early detection is key for optimal results, so if you have questions or concerns, don't wait to call a board-certified hair restoration physician.

Kat Von D Reportedly Losing Her Hair

The Daily Mail is reporting that LA Ink Star Kat Von D is losing her hair. Constant dyeing and styling, combined with the stress of her recent breakup and cancellation of her tv show, have been named among the reasons behind the 29-year old's hair woes.

Kat has reportedly been wearing wigs and hair extensions to cover up the bald and thinning patches. While it is true that extreme styling can be harmful and damaging to the hair follicles, it doesn't result in hair loss.

While her beauty routines and stress levels may not be helping, if Kat is really losing her hair, there is likely another reason behind it. Nearly two-thirds of women face hair loss at some point in their life. The causes of hair loss in women can vary from heredity, hormones, diet,  certain medications to an underlying medical condition. 

Whatever is behind Kat's hair loss, there is good news, there are options available that can help her grow healthier hair. Hair vitamins, such as Viviscal, which is endorsed by such stars as Finola Hughes and Reese Witherspoon, can aid those suffering from hair loss or thinning in achieving stronger, healthier hair.

However, if Kat wants to optimize her results, which as a young star I'm sure she does, I would recommend combining the supplement with a regimen of Low Level Laser Therapy which is known to stimulate growth and help create thicker, fuller, healthier hair. 

Dr. Bauman Featured on WPBF

When it comes to hair loss, we hardly ever think of women - but did you know women are almost just as at risk as men?

• More than half of all women over 40 experience hair loss
• Women can inherit a ‘hair loss gene,’ just like men
• Hair loss occurs differently in women than in men - i.e., “thinning”
• It can be caused by hormonal changes, due to menopause and pregnancy along with age, medications, dieting, bad health, etc.
• There are special treatments for women: Rogaine For Women, vitamin supplements, micro-surgical hair transplants and even Latisse (the Brooke Shields eyelash drug)
• A new genetic test can predict a woman’s risk of hair loss

Click here to see Dr. Bauman discuss female hair loss on WPBF: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZdRPdXs4V0