If you train in any sort of grappling art like wrestling or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, then you know how important personal hygiene is. As a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu myself, I take great care to wash my gi after rolling and I disinfect my mouthguard diligently. Of course, to mitigate the possibility of getting a skin infection or rash, I shower after every session as well.
The need for grapplers to protect themselves from skin ailments has spawned an entire industry of products designed specifically for such issues – take rash guards, for instance. But a rash guard – or any garment for that matter – won’t protect your hair or your scalp.
“Why would I worry about my hair or scalp?”, you ask. I’ll tell you why – your scalp is a layer of skin that can get conditions such as acne, folliculitis, or even ringworm! Most grapplers don’t even consider the ramifications of contracting disorders such as these – they can prevent you from training (to protect others from catching it from you), be devastating to your confidence (visible signs of blemishes and/or hair loss), or worse – be potentially life threatening, such as a staphylococcus aureus infection (“staph”). Without any protection, your scalp is exposed – the equivalent of grappling without a cup, mouthguard or gi!
Now, I don’t advise you run out and cover your head with swim cap or a helmet! The solution is to get a shampoo that is formulated not only to clean your hair, but to deep clean and purify your scalp. The best ingredient to accomplish this task is Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, or simply Zinc PCA. Zinc is an essential trace element that occurs naturally in our bodies, and studies have shown that it can inhibit fungal and bacterial growth – including staphylococcus aureus – something many grapplers should be extremely careful to avoid.
Zinc PCA can treat a multitude of scalp conditions, including scalp acne, seborrheic dermatitis, sebum build-up in follicles, and other scalp related bacteria issues. In reality, there are so many potential problems grapplers face with respect to the head and scalp that a shampoo with Zinc PCA could effectively treat or prevent.
Look for a shampoo that contains Zinc PCA and other healing ingredients or moisturizers such as panthenol (provitamin of B5). The best solution for you depends on the level of hair loss and hair type. Learn more about scalp cleansing shampoo and related products at EMERGE For Men, a leading provider of solutions for men suffering the effects of male pattern baldness.
by R.J. Dee
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Want to slow hair loss? Cleanse your scalp!
It’s well known that staying healthy and in shape can help slow the effects of aging. To that end, more and more people are exercising and eating right – so much so that the phrase “50 is the new 40” has been coined.
It’s not just exercising – it’s a complete regimen of care and protection. Using the proper soaps, drinking enough fluids, and applying skin care products to hydrate and exfoliate the skin are some of the ways you can stave of “Father Time”!
If it works on the skin, shouldn’t the same principles apply to your hair? The scalp is really just a layer of skin, so keeping your scalp healthy should be a part of any health and anti-aging routine. The end result will be a clean scalp with unclogged follicles, which could help in slowing hair loss.
To better understand how this works, we have to understand what causes hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced in the scalp by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which stimulates sebaceous glands to secrete an oily, waxy substance called sebum. This sebum builds up within the follicle, and combined with the production of DHT (which shrinks the follicle) can negatively impact hair growth. Sebum build up on the scalp is very similar to acne on the skin, so it is imperative that it is not left to accumulate over a long period of time.
Therefore, the obvious solution would be to find a shampoo that not only inhibits production of DHT but also cleanses the follicles clogged with sebum. Luckily for us, there is something that will do just that: Zinc PCA. Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) is a zinc compound that has been shown to not only suppress sebum secretion, but limit the production of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. As noted, these are the primary causes of androgenetic alopecia – the hair loss experienced by men, typically between the ages of 20 – 45.
Look for a shampoo that contains Zinc PCA and other healing ingredients or moisturizers such as panthenol (provitamin of B5). The best solution for you depends on the level of hair loss and hair type. Learn more about follicle cleansing shampoo and related products at EMERGE For Men, a leading provider of solutions for men suffering the effects of male pattern baldness.
It’s not just exercising – it’s a complete regimen of care and protection. Using the proper soaps, drinking enough fluids, and applying skin care products to hydrate and exfoliate the skin are some of the ways you can stave of “Father Time”!
If it works on the skin, shouldn’t the same principles apply to your hair? The scalp is really just a layer of skin, so keeping your scalp healthy should be a part of any health and anti-aging routine. The end result will be a clean scalp with unclogged follicles, which could help in slowing hair loss.
To better understand how this works, we have to understand what causes hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced in the scalp by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which stimulates sebaceous glands to secrete an oily, waxy substance called sebum. This sebum builds up within the follicle, and combined with the production of DHT (which shrinks the follicle) can negatively impact hair growth. Sebum build up on the scalp is very similar to acne on the skin, so it is imperative that it is not left to accumulate over a long period of time.
Therefore, the obvious solution would be to find a shampoo that not only inhibits production of DHT but also cleanses the follicles clogged with sebum. Luckily for us, there is something that will do just that: Zinc PCA. Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) is a zinc compound that has been shown to not only suppress sebum secretion, but limit the production of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. As noted, these are the primary causes of androgenetic alopecia – the hair loss experienced by men, typically between the ages of 20 – 45.
Look for a shampoo that contains Zinc PCA and other healing ingredients or moisturizers such as panthenol (provitamin of B5). The best solution for you depends on the level of hair loss and hair type. Learn more about follicle cleansing shampoo and related products at EMERGE For Men, a leading provider of solutions for men suffering the effects of male pattern baldness.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Cost Effective Methods for Concealing Male Hair Loss
For millions of men, going bald is a fact of life. If you are between the ages of 20 - 45, and you are starting to lose your hair, then chances are you are suffering from male pattern baldness, the most common form known as androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is a progressive hair thinning condition that typically occurs in adult males, and is distinguished by hair receding from the sides of the forehead or a bald patch on the top of the head.
For many men, losing their hair is a blow to their confidence and damages their self-image. Help can be found in the many solutions on the market that purport to stimulate hair growth and restore what time (and genetics) so cruelly took away. These include shampoos, topical ointments, creams, and pills. A recent trend has men tattooing hair on bald patches to mask areas that have thinned!
Unfortunately, some solutions may be more effective than others. Some may work for one person, but not another. One thing is certain – nearly all of them can get expensive, and in this economy, paying for them may not be a risk a man would take without a 100% guarantee of results.
A more cost-effective way to address hair loss is through the use of hair enhancement products. Sometimes referred to as hair thickeners or concealers, they bond to existing, thinning hair and thicken it to appear as if unaffected. In some cases, these enhancement solutions can be applied to the scalp to color it and further hide hair loss or cover up graying hair to promote a more youthful look.
A good hair enhancement solution will be fully waterproof, yet wash out with shampoo and reapplied as necessary. Once applied, you can brush or comb the affected area after application. The benefit is that the hair enhancement solution can be used continually, as needed, and the products can last 2-3 months or more.
The best solution depends on the level of hair loss and hair type, but hair enhancement products are among the most cost effective ways to address hair loss, with a high rate of satisfaction. Learn more about hair enhancement and related products at EMERGE For Men, a leading provider of solutions for men suffering the effects of male pattern baldness.
For many men, losing their hair is a blow to their confidence and damages their self-image. Help can be found in the many solutions on the market that purport to stimulate hair growth and restore what time (and genetics) so cruelly took away. These include shampoos, topical ointments, creams, and pills. A recent trend has men tattooing hair on bald patches to mask areas that have thinned!
Unfortunately, some solutions may be more effective than others. Some may work for one person, but not another. One thing is certain – nearly all of them can get expensive, and in this economy, paying for them may not be a risk a man would take without a 100% guarantee of results.
A more cost-effective way to address hair loss is through the use of hair enhancement products. Sometimes referred to as hair thickeners or concealers, they bond to existing, thinning hair and thicken it to appear as if unaffected. In some cases, these enhancement solutions can be applied to the scalp to color it and further hide hair loss or cover up graying hair to promote a more youthful look.
A good hair enhancement solution will be fully waterproof, yet wash out with shampoo and reapplied as necessary. Once applied, you can brush or comb the affected area after application. The benefit is that the hair enhancement solution can be used continually, as needed, and the products can last 2-3 months or more.
The best solution depends on the level of hair loss and hair type, but hair enhancement products are among the most cost effective ways to address hair loss, with a high rate of satisfaction. Learn more about hair enhancement and related products at EMERGE For Men, a leading provider of solutions for men suffering the effects of male pattern baldness.
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