Have You Got What It Takes To Flaunt A Dude-Bun?

David Beckham, Jake Gyllenhaal, Orlando Bloom and Jared Leto have all played iconic roles in putting the dude-bun back on the cool-hunk look trend. The style is not only a quick and practical solution for the longer-haired set, it has also become a coveted and buzzed about panache on the red carpet; thank you Leto.

One coal and ice requirement to sport this desiderate look is a full set of hair with cascading locks. Male pattern androgenetic alopecia can throw a real monkey wrench into the budding hair-bun plans dreamt by any beau suffering from this hormonal hair tribulation. Follicularly challenged folks with thinned out crowns, I want your attention specifically today. We can part ways here and leave the cool hair-do out of our discussion and focus on what’s going on under the hormone ravaged pates of the hair challenged and what latest options modern medicine is promising to make dude-buns a free choice.

Bald Truth:

Many men who experience hair loss may feel emasculated by the thinning, but truth be told they are too sexy for their own hair. The pathogenesis behind androgenic alopecia is in fact, an overproduction of testosterone converters and an underproduction of estrogen converters.

Skin cells, brain cells, and yes hair, all have natural growth cycles. They grow, die and are frequently replaced by newer models. But in the case of the 80% of men who develop male pattern baldness at some point in their lives, the hair follicles just stop re-growing.

Androgenic alopecia does not cause the whole scalp full of hair to fall out at once, but rather causes hair follicles to shrink to near microscopic size after each shedding cycle. This happens under the influence of male hormone (testosterone) leading to the progressive shortening of the anagen phase, causing each hair follicle to become thinner and smaller during each cycle until no re-growth.

Women can also experience androgen alopecia; however, their thinning is typically well distributed throughout the scalp and they very rarely reach complete baldness.

Reversing Your Loss:

Currently the approved treatments of male pattern baldness are a lotion containing Minoxidil and a pill containing Finasteride. PRP, low level lasers and FU hair grafting are some of the other choices listed on get-your-hair-back treatment menu. But glabrous tellurians are still yearning for something more, a game changer perhaps to halt their hair affliction in its tracks and perhaps a miraculous way to repopulate a bald mane.

Hair Raising Research:

Research done at the University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Luis Garza, currently assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins, showed that during the natural cycle of hair growth, levels of a molecule called Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) increase around a hair follicle just before it gives up the ghost. This suggests that PGD2 naturally inhibits hair growth.

When those scientists turned their sights on bald men’s noggins, they found men with male pattern baldness had higher levels of PGD2 than their hirsute brethren and realized that the molecule, when told by bum genetics to overproduce, was most likely the cause of men’s receding hairlines.

To test their theory, the scientists isolated hair follicles from face and brow-lift tissue obtained from plastic surgeons and hit them with PGD2. The more PGD2 the follicles received, the balder the skin got. Luckily, these scientists were successful in identifing a receptor that triggers the molecule’s destructive habits. Now all the scientists would have to do is use this receptor to create a treatment that will allow men in the early stages of baldness to hold on to their proud manes.

A handful of treatments focusing on the receptor are already in clinical trials, like the drug Ramatroban. PGD2, seems to be a very busy nuisance in general, not only is it the enemy of hair, it causes the bronchial contractions experienced by asthmatics too. So chemists are now at work trying to figure out a way to turn oral and inhalable drugs into topical ones.

So, how long before bald men see some relief? Unfortunately, there’s no timetable. They have to figure out dosage and safety before clinical trials even begin — and those could take years.

Conjuring Mullets From the Backs of Mutant Mice:

Does anyone remember the episode of South Park from 2008 called "Eek, a Penis!" in which Mrs. Garrison, having had her gender reassigned, decides she doesn't want to be a woman after all, so a new penis is grown for her on the back of a mouse. Most people thought the whole premise of that episode was something the show's writers dreamt up. Apparently, they were wrong. It seems scientists really are growing human parts on the backs of mice. And in this case at hand, we have a mullet grown from human skin implanted on the back of the mice.

A joint team of scientists, from the University of Durham in the U.K and Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, took on the quest of growing new hair from scratch. Using cells from the base of a hair follicle, the scientists were able to create new hair follicles in human skin, essentially curing baldness. Hopefully in few years time we will be looking at this mullet on the mouse back as one small step for man, but one giant leap for the balding mankind. The success story was published in the September 2013 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

With the success of this trials hope for a cure for baldness has been established, but it is still too soon for men to be tossing out their Rogaine, or planning Leto inspired hair-bun parties. On that note let’s just sit back and imagine how some of our fav celebs would look in their top-buns ;)

Looking For Safe Skin Lighteners? – Look No Further

Do you know what is the most commonly discussed skin condition in my Jeddah based dermatology practice? — Skin Pigmentation. Doctor why is my skin marred with dark patches and spots? Why my skin tone is not clear? Am I suffering from melasma? Do I have pigmented skin type? What is pigmented skin type? And this list of complexion concerns doesn’t end with the face only they creep downwards involving different areas of body too. Pigmentation related skin concerns like: melasma, uneven skin tone, dark elbows and knees are hot concerns among Middle Eastern and Asian skin. Horror tales speaking about misuse and abuse of legit and non-legit bleaching and skin whitening agents are too familiar across these regions, yet more chapters are continuously added to this book of cautionary tales.

I thought it’s be nice to get you acquainted with some of the newer and relatively safer ingredients, including some derived from plants, which are now being used in topical treatments for hyperpigmentation. Next time you are out shopping for a new skin blending and bleaching product look for these names in the ingredients list:

Soy

• Derived from the soybean plant, it is one of the most commonly used skin-lightening ingredients in moisturizers and a combination of products and cosmeceuticals.
• It works by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes (small “packages” of melanin) into the top layer of the skin, which causes skin darkening.
• Studies have shown its effectiveness as a skin lightening ingredient in cosmeceuticals and its ability to suppress additional pigment from coming to the surface of the skin.

Niacinamide

• It is a form of vitamin B3 that acts like soy by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes into the skin’s upper layer. 
• It is used in many cosmeceuticals for its skin lightening effects and its potential to prevent additional pigment from coming to the surface of the skin.

Ellagic Acid

• It is a natural substance derived from strawberries, cherries, and pomegranates.
• It works as an antioxidant and also inhibits an enzyme needed for melanin production.
• Studies show it is more effective at skin lightening than kojic acid or arbutin, which are both discussed below.

Lignin Peroxide

• It is an enzyme derived from a fungus that can break down melanin in the skin. 
• Lignin is found in wood pulp and when it breaks down, it can lighten the wood pulp. This is how wood pulp is whitened for use in paper and how lignin was discovered as a skin-lightening agent.
• Currently it is available in an over-the-counter product range called Elure.
• Studies have not been completed, but anecdotal reports have highlighted its skin-lightening properties.

In addition, studies have shown that these four ingredients pose little or no allergy risk, so they might be more tolerable to consumers who are allergic to other natural lightening agents. If an allergic reaction occurs, you should discontinue use and see a certified dermatologist for treatment. 

The following three ingredients have also shown promise as skin lighteners, but they can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals:

Arbutin

• A natural derivative of hydroquinone derived from plants, including bearberry, blueberry, and cranberry.
• It is usually available in combination with other skin-lightening agents in over-the-counter cosmeceuticals.
• Some cosmetic products available at high-end department stores contain 3% concentrations, which studies show can significantly lighten the skin. 

Kojic Acid

• It is an antioxidant derived from a fungus rather than a plant. It works by breaking down melanin in the skin and preventing its production in the skin.
• Found in cosmecuticals in 1% to 4% concentrations either combined with other skin-lightening agents or by itself.
• Clinical studies show improvement in skin lightening. 

Licorice

• There are a number of different licorice extracts derived from licorice root.
• Liquirtin is available over the counter and has been shown to lighten skin.

DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED EXPERT ADVICE:

Those affected by hyperpigmentation who would like to use a topical treatment to lighten their skin should consult a certified dermatologist who can help, separate fact from fiction in terms of product claims. It’s important to remember that even topical treatments backed by science do not work overnight because it takes time and consistent use to produce a noticeable improvement. You should also be cautious about ordering skin-lightening products via the Internet, because the country of origin for the active ingredients might be unknown, raising questions as to the purity or effectiveness of these ingredients, as well as the product’s overall quality. 

Kicking Cottage Cheese Legs To The Curb

Frieda Pinto may have perfect derrièr and gams, but the rest of us mostly need a boost from time to time to brave a short-short dress or a skirt sans elastic support. Cellulite the archenemy of smooth stemmed legs showcased in a cute pair of shorts has dampened many a spirits across the globe, as it spares no race even skinny girls tremble and fall prey to its bumpy knobby pits. To beat cellulite you have to understand what’s going on under the skin and what remedies can actually alter and make a positive change.

What causes cellulite?

Having cellulite doesn't necessarily mean you are overweight. Even thin people can have the curse of the unsmooth-legs. If you are overweight, however, losing weight may reduce cellulite to some degree. Another gender inequality fact that we need to swallow with grace here is that: cellulite plagues women more than men. If other women in your family have cellulite, consider your self partially doomed coz there's a good chance you will too. Apart from gender and genetics other factors that influence how much cellulite you have and how visible it is include:

·      Poor diet

·      Fad dieting

·      Slow metabolism

·      Lack of physical activity

·      Hormone changes

·      Dehydration

·      Total body fat

·      Thickness and color of your skin

Anatomy Of The Cellulite

We are already familiar with the reality that cellulite is the commonest topographical alteration seen mostly in females. I’d even go as far as saying, “if you’ve estrogen you’re bound to get cellulite too”. That being said, looking at cellulite means you have the skin surface changes in the form of orange peel or mattress appearance plus you also have deeper under the surface changes in the fat-cells and connective tissue fibers linking the skin to the muscles. Disturbances in blood and lymphatic microcirculation cause fibro-sclerosis (loss of elasticity) of the connective tissue resulting in non-inflammatory, degenerative phenomenon that provokes alterations to the hypodermis producing irregular undulations on the skin overlying the affected areas. Changes in the size of the fat cells in the under skin connective tissue pockets leads to worsening in cellulite over time.

Quick Fix - Assume Camouflage Mode On

Cellulite tends to be less noticeable on darker skin. If you have light skin and plan to be out in a bathing suit or short shorts, applying a self-tanner may make the bumps and dimples on your thighs less noticeable.

Gurl Brush That Body

Brushes made of prickly cactus bristles can help tame cellulite to some degree by sloughing off dead skin, stimulating skin collagen bundles supporting the skin as well as by improving lymphatic and blood circulation. Dry Buff your skin from feet upwards before shower, it’d hurt guaranteed but it will smooth out the cellulite riddle skin too – worth trying!

Waging A Roller Attack

No pain no gain gurls – Treating cellulite means waging war on the wobbly bits with full conviction. There are professional devises with rolling and kneading action as well as home use gadgets. They pinch, knead, and stimulate leaving behind red track marks but they do help in improving the surface contours to some degree. LPG is a popular endermologie device most commonly used in spas and clinics.

Smooth On A Blubber Tamer

Creams that claim to help cellulite contain caffeine, asiatic centella, ginko biloba, melillotus offincinalis extract, ruscus aculeatus, aminophylline, and vitamin A, the names are more than a mouthfuls but these agents work precisely. Coupled with massage, creams and mesotherapy incorporating these agents can reduce the appearance of lumps and bumps, but don’t expect any miracles in short term. Only time and patience along with healthy lifestyle can bring in the satisfactory rewards.

Technologies To The Rescue

Fat blasting, skin renewing and micro-circulation altering technologies are the only true and tested, body streamlining options when it comes to kicking cellulite to the curb. Body shaping technologies which give irrefutable results include lasers, radiofrequency, and ultrasound treatments coupled with vacuum massage. Optimal results are generated, by combining these technologies with Mesotherapy (fat busting medicine injections). Multiple treatment sessions are generally required to see quantifiable results and maintaining these results is only possible by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Laser-lipo is another bold treatment option, which can blast fat and renew and tighten the connective tissue underlying the skin, giving nice smooth results within a short period of time.

Real Skinny On Results

Although such remedies hold promise for keeping the skin look smooth and lump-free, but for staying cellulite free on long term, the best option exercise, and, if needed, weight loss. Experts agree that the most effective exercise routine for cellulite is one that incorporates aerobic exercise and strength training along with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber.