Hair retail therapy at home, indulge yourself in the best haircare products.

Our scalp is an extension of our facial skin. We often treat our facial skin with products to prevent the effects of aging. In much the same way, the scalp must be treated properly to maintain a healthy scalp environment and keep hair healthy-looking and strong. And like facial skin, the scalp is susceptible to everything we come into contact with every day - things of which most of us may not be aware. Toxins, air pollutants, chlorine, sunlight, minerals and water pollution can affect the scalp skin and contribute to the problem of thinning hair. For example, excessive exposure to sunlight allows harmful UV rays to penetrate the skin including our scalp. This causes skin cells to age, which thickens the scalp skin contributing to follicle instability. Most shampoos, conditioners and styling products are formulated to clean, condition and support styling of the hair fiber/strand. Unfortunately, many of these products have damaging alcohols and PVP film formers that coat the hair and create buildup on the scalp. In some cases, buildup can clog the follicle and may further aggravate the overall problems associated with thin-looking hair. Causes Genetic predisposition of hormonal levels as well as the conversion of testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can be inherited from either your mother's or your father's side of the family. A common family predisposition involves natural, age-related hormonal changes that can cause hair loss. Six major reasons that you might experience premature hair loss. Acne is the inflammation of the sebaceous glands from retained secretion and is associated with hormone byproducts. Acne is an indication of hormonal imbalances that often lead to premature hair loss. Seborrhea is a functional disease of the sebaceous glands that produces excess sebum, which builds up on the scalp. An over production of sebum is a warning sign indicating the same hormonal imbalances that lead to hair loss. Alopecia areata is a systemic, non-hormonal cause of hair loss triggered by genetics, diet and stress and is characterized as bald spots that inadvertently come and go and can include permanent hair loss. Excessive daily hair loss is when 50 or more hairs per day are lost and not replaced at the same rate, indicating potential hair loss problems. Excessive body hair for men indicates a greater chance of premature hair loss; 50% greater risk if a man has complete chest hair; 70% greater risk if a man has chest, shoulder and back hair; and 90% greater risk if a man has total body hair. Excessive or sudden appearance of body hair in women can indicate an imbalance in hormones. This same hormonal imbalance can cause premature hair loss. Other contributing factors Stress and trauma are prone to produce increased levels of testosterone, which converts to DHT, and interrupts the hair growth cycle [constricting the blood supply, oxygen and nutrient uptake and vitamins to the hair follicle]. Nutrition and diet play a significant role in hair loss whereby a high consumption of animal fats, rapid weight loss and liquid protein diets can create a lack of amino acids, biotin, iron, protein and zinc - all of which are essential to healthy hair. Health issues such as a malfunctioning of the hormone producing thyroid and natural hormonal changes in women due to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, can trigger hair loss. Medications such as birth-control or any hormone therapy can contribute to hair loss as the hair follicle is incredibly sensitive to changes. Steroids, specific chemotherapies as well as many blood pressure, diabetic, heart disease and acne medications can cause temporary or permanent hair loss. Environmental factors such as toxins, air and water pollutants, chlorine, metals and minerals may be left on the scalp and hair as we wash with water every day. Pollutants such as pseudo-estrogens and toxins from within our body can also contribute to hair loss. Styling Volume NIOXIN® Volumizing ReflectivesT adds virtually weightless volume to fine hair and is formulated with natural botanicals and rich humectants and ingredients free from damaging alcohol, animal proteins and PVP film formers.