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Hair Loss News
Ashley and Martin's take on this latest news story on hair loss and what it actually means
The media is portraying the headline "Scientists accidentally discover possible cure for hair loss" as quoted by Dr Mario Terri from Ashley and Martin, it is just another hair loss scam story. The headline is exaggerated and creates false hopes for people with hair loss.
The essence of this story is related to stress related hair loss only. If the technology is developed, it would be a fantastic new weapon to use with hair loss caused by Telogen Effluvium.
For people with genetic hair loss, which makes up around 95% of patients that Ashley and Martin treats, this new development, is not a story that should excite them too much.
Scientists accidentally discover possible cure for hair loss
UCLA scientists may have found a possible solution to an age-old problem - hair loss.
The researchers, along with the Veterans Administration that was investigating how stress affects gastrointestinal function may have found a chemical compound that induces hair growth by blocking a stress-related hormone associated with hair loss.
"Our findings show that a short-duration treatment with this compound causes an astounding long-term hair regrowth in chronically stressed mutant mice," said Million Mulugeta, an adjunct professor of medicine in the division of digestive diseases.
"This could open new venues to treat hair loss in humans through the modulation of the stress hormone receptors, particularly hair loss related to chronic stress and aging," he added.
With age, mice produced a stress hormone called corticotrophin-releasing factor, or CRF that is associated with hair loss. The Salk Institute researchers had developed the chemical compound, a peptide called astressin-B, and described its ability to block the action of CRF.
About three months later, the investigators found that they had regrown hair on their previously bald backs.
"When we analyzed the identification number of the mice that had grown hair we found that, indeed, the astressin-B peptide was responsible for the remarkable hair growth in the bald mice," Mulugeta said.
Just one shot per day for five consecutive days maintained the effects for up to four months.
The team added that only further studies would tell if the effect would be seen in humans too.
Christchurch Earthquake
The destruction caused by the Christchurch earthquake has stopped any further new patients from being accepted with Ashley and Martin. The existing client base for Christchurch will be handled by our Wellington office.
Moving forward, we are determined to rebuild and have a strong presence in Christchurch.
Ashley and Martin - Hair loss cost
We receive many phone calls from people requesting what an Ashley and Martin treatment program will cost or what are the prices to fix their hair loss problem.
Each hair loss condition needs to be diagnosed to determine the cause and what form of treatment or hair replacement option will be most suitable. This is why we conduct a free consultation, to allow us to diagnose the condition. Until a diagnoses is made, costing is unknown.
Hair treatment can range from a vitamin supplement to a guaranteed RealGROWTH program. We just don’t know until we see you.
Hair replacement options will also vary massively regarding pricing. Surgical hair replacement options differ with the type of graft (FEU or SFG) and how many grafts need to be completed. Non-Surgical hair replacement (strand by strand, units, hair systems) also vary due to the quality of the hair used, types of bases and fronts. To see more, click onto www.justhairsystems.com.au
Every day we also see patients who have self-diagnosed their condition and have decided the best option for themselves. Generally the self-diagnoses is done incorrectly, without full knowledge of what the industry can do or false information (usually through the internet) or diagnoses received by non-medical companies . As we are a one stop medical hair loss centre (all options covered). We have no benefit to state false options. If you want treatment and you are not suitable, you will be informed as such. We have patients telling us that surgery is the only option for them and then we find out that they have only just started to thin or they have no donor area for harvesting.
A correctly conducted consultation needs to be under taken and then all suitable options can be discussed, with all applicable pricing advised. Then you choose what to do to treat your hair loss problem.
Ashley and Martin Scam watch
The hair loss industry has been around for thousands of years and now more than ever the consumer needs to know what to be aware of. Unfortunately not all hair loss companies act in the best interest of the consumer.
Here is a list from 2010 of products or companies that are bending the facts to suit their own needs.
Hair cloning scam - Hair cloning (non-medical companies) - This was a new one for 2010. Essentially a consumer is told that a hair sample will be taken and sent off to the USA. They will then clone 50,000 new hairs which will take around 8 weeks. Once cloned, you come back where it will be attached to your scalp. This is the same system as strand by strand. At this stage hair cloning is still many years away.
Hair loss laser treatment scam - Laser treatment has been around for a while now. The majority of companies selling laser are in fact also selling over the counter minoxidil. The standard lasers in use are a 5mW 635Nm output red laser. There have been some interesting clinical studies on them. Unfortunately they have been conducted by the companies selling them. The hair loss industry is split on the benefit of this system. Some stating it is a waste of time and some stating that it is the best thing in the history of the industry. The Doctors at Ashley and Martin feel that there may be some benefit to this technology however the proven medications are the vital components to a decent treatment option. As such we do not charge for laser sessions in our clinics. The scam on this technology is where the laser is made out to be the main technology where in fact the Minoxidil is.
Hair loss medical scam - Non-medical companies using medical products. Any minoxidil usage in a treatment program should only be conducted via a pharmacist or a Doctor. Nearly every company in this industry that is non-medical is combining laser treatments with Minoxidil. This is illegal and should be reported to your state health department.
Sam Cohen IHRB scam - Sam Cohen IHRB story. Here is a classic example of a non-medical person being involved in the medical hair loss arena. In this instance a non-medical person handing out incorrect medications, having no prescriptions, selling other peoples medications and tampering with prescription medications. All of these things are dangerous and illegal. Fortunately the NSW Health Department have stopped him trading awaiting a review.
Hair loss Internet Blog scam - Internet blog sites. This is fairly new area. Internet blog sites from the USA or UK stating that they are independent when in fact they use blogs to entice people to buy their product. These blogs mostly sell medications which are not authorised in Australia or New Zealand, which makes them dangerous to use and illegal to import.
Herbal tablets for hair loss scam - Herbal Tablets. This involves Aust L listed herbal products being sold in pharmacy. The TGA has cleared these products for sale as a Hair Nutrient Complex. The products have brochures attached stating that they are clinically proven to stop hair loss in 80% of cases. The TGA has not cleared the brochure and they would not either as the claims made do not match the approved benefits.
Hair loss shampoos scam - Current TV and magazine adverts promoting shampoos that are claiming to stop hair fall. Hair fall is another word for hair snapping. It has nothing to do with hair loss.
Surgical hair restoration scam - Very rare but it does happen. This happens when a young male patient presents with a slightly receding hairline. The surgeon takes the money knowing full well that by doing the procedure the patient will lose more hair and need further procedures. The problem by doing the procedure is that it traps the patient into requiring more surgery, however more concerning is that later in life the patient will have an unrealistic hair line.
Laser Comb scam - A few laser combs on the market have been attempting to use other companies success rates or clearances by the FDA. The facts on this are very simple. If the laser in question is not using 5mW at 635 Nm then it is worth next to nothing. Some lasers are 1.5mW whilst others go up to 100mW. The higher powered lasers are not tested for safety and maybe dangerous.
Hair Loss pricing for 2011
Due to the continual growth of the Ashley and Martin Company there will be no need to increase our pricing structures in 2011. We will strive to maintain the existing pricing structure for many years to come.
Patents and the misuse of them in advertising
Recently two companies in the hair loss industry have been claiming to have patents on items they are selling. This is a very common way of confusing the consumer into believing they can only purchase off these particular companies. The devil though is in the detail.
The largest company to do this has the word strand in the trademark.
The patent in question does exist although it is not titled using the word Strand.
The title of the patent is: An improved hair piece and a method of attaching a hair piece to the head of a person.
For the full patent details please use the hyperlink.
http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=AU&NR=2004205309A1&KC=A1&FT=D&date=20040923&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP
This is one of many current and expired patents claiming better ways to do hairpieces. The reason behind the patent is to try to convince the consumer that no other company can do this hair replacement system. Presently in Australia there are around 20 other companies who can do same system.
This practice and the practice of celebrities misleading the consumer is frowned upon by the A.C.C.C. please click onto the link for further information.
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/815331
Just Hair Systems
Ashley and Martin would like to welcome the new company on the block for non-surgical hair replacement. Just Hair System is a sister company to Ashley and Martin. The formation of the company is to handle all of the non-medical/surgical hair replacement aspects of the hair loss industry. It is managed and staffed by experienced hairdressers. To read more please go to. http://www.justhairsystems.com.au
New Zealand Growth 2010
This year we have experienced massive growth in New Zealand. The new Christchurch and Wellington offices have been successful this year and a new centre is likely to commence in Hamilton in 2011. Due to the high growth in business, Ashley and Martin have decided to not pass the 2.5% increase in GST to our clients. We will entail to maintain our present pricing structures for many years to come.
With this growth we have employed a new consultant Mr Kyle Jack-Medgley. Kyle is an existing Ashley and Martin patient who is very passionate about the hair loss industry. As Kyle has had a hair loss condition, not only does he understand the science behind what we do, he also understands how it feels as well.
Moving forward, Ashley and Martin will be requiring more staff to meet the demand that is currently occurring. If you believe that you have what it takes to service our patients to the highest degree then please send through your particulars to karina@ashleyandmartin.co.nz The positions available will be for Doctors, Consultants and Administration roles.
Education for the hair loss consumer
In the last few years we have seen a greater number of stories from tabloid television programs concerning the hair loss industry.
The reason behind this is that as competition has grown in the hair loss industry, companies have started to make larger and more outrageous claims.
For the consumer it is difficult to choose who you can trust.
The hair loss industry is broken into three separate categories, surgical, medical intervention and non-surgical hair replacement. The problems arise when non-medical companies try to work in the medical arena. To make this as simple as possible, if you are being told that you can grow hair back by using a laser program, you can bet that the program also contains Minoxidil. The lower grade Minoxidil is an over the counter medication available in pharmacy. This does not mean that they can be dispensed from a non-medical hair loss company. They can only be dispensed under the control of a pharmacist or a doctor. Companies that are operating this way are breaking the law and are risking the health and wellbeing of their clients.
In Australia, the NSW Health Department has recently audited one such company that was operating in the medical arena without right or justification. This company has now been suspended until their review is completed.
Hopefully this information helps the consumer understand that companies that offer treatments to grow hair are generally non-medical companies breaking the Health Department guidelines and the Poisons Act. More importantly, they are just plain dangerous.
Dr Mario Terri,
Medical Director
Ashley and Martin
Medical Hair Loss Centres.
Overview on 2009
New projects in 2010
With continuing the theme of improving your experience with Ashley and Martin, we are conducting the early stages of what we will name a HairPOINT platform. This platform will enable you the patient to view your file online at home or on your mobile phone. This system will replace our present system of using film cameras and having the photo's placed in a manual folder. The new HairPOINT system will continue to provide you with the security that no changes have been made to your photo's as all photo's will have security that logs any alterations. This log can't be deleted.
2010 Pricing
In the current inflationary economy, Ashley and Martin is demonstrating its commitment to our patients by keeping the price of our products and services at 2009 prices.
SMS appointment reminders
SMS reminders will also come online for any appointments with your Hair loss Doctor and consultant. This should come in around February.
Email reminder system
Patients who have used the 8 month email reminder system have informed us that they love this system. We will start doing the same with the 12 month RealGROWTH maintenance programs shortly.
RealGROWTH
Medical hair loss programs will essentially stay the same as no new medical breakthroughs have shown to surpass the new hair re-growth our RealGROWTH program can obtain. We have noted that some other companies are claiming the same success rates. Whilst we consider this to be very flattering it is however very false. As we are not a consumer we can't go ourselves to A.C.C.C regarding this.
RealHAIR
We will continue with reviewing the latest surgical techniques and hair transplant surgeons in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. This has been a standard practice to ensure that the patient is getting the best and safest surgical option.
DNA testing for hair loss
Our specialist hair loss Doctors have this available, however the results are not the same as have been advertised by other companies. The present DNA hair loss test is 70% accurate on predicting if a male is going to have a hair loss problem. This is a new technology is improving. We have been involved with some new genetic markers for hair loss which should increase the accuracy to over 90%. Advanced warning on hair loss will be beneficial on early interception.