The ManeGain Effect Explained

July 16, 2011

The ManeGain Effect™ – Explained

This article will explain how the ManeGain Hair Rejuvenation Therapy™ affects and corrects the root causes of hair loss, and offers an all natural process to maximize the abundance, thickness, strength, and luster of a person’s hair.

How Hair is Made: A Hair Follicle

Simply put, a hair shaft is made in the Hair Follicle and is comprised of thousands of strands of keratin wrapped around a mass of cells called a medulla. This bundle of keratin strands is then wrapped with a cuticle protective layer.  The keratin is produced in a mass of 1,250 to 1,500 stem cells located in the base of the hair follicle called the Papilla (see Figure 1 left).  The papilla is located in the dermis and is the only place where there are actually live hair cells. Once the hair shaft leaves the dermal layer of skin, nothing can be done to correct any problems. The thickness, strength, and luster of the hair can only be affected in the papilla.

Life Cycle of Hair

A typical scalp has between 110,000 and 120,000 hair follicles, and at any given time about 10% of these hair strands are dormant and can possibly be shed as part of the normal human hair growth cycle.

There are three phases in the hair growth cycle: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen and Early Anagen sometimes referred to as the Exogen phase.  As seen in Figure 2 above, the Anagen phase involves hair growth.  This phase can last anywhere from 6.5 to 8 years, depending on age and genetics, and involves rapid production of keratin in the papilla and can produce about ¼ to ½ inch of hair per month.  At any given time, about 85% of the hair on your scalp is in this phase.

The Catagen phase, also known as the transitional phase, allows the follicle to, in a sense, renew itself. During this time, which lasts about two weeks, the hair follicle shrinks due to disintegration and the papilla detaches from the dermis and “rests”, cutting the hair strand off from its nourishing blood supply.  At the same time, the follicle shrinks to about 1/6th its original length, causing the hair shaft to be pushed upward. While hair is not growing during this phase, it does look like hair is getting longer due to the hair fibers being pushed upward.

During the telogen, or resting phase, the hair and follicle move into a dormant state lasting anywhere from 1–4 months. Ten to fifteen percent of a person’s hair is in this phase at any given time. The anagen phase begins again once the telogen phase is complete. The preceding hair strand is pushed up and out by the new, growing strand. The process causes the normal hair loss known as shedding and is sometimes referred to as the Exogen phase.  Normally, you lose about 100 hair strands a day.

Hair Loss and Thinning (Alopecia)

Now that you understand how head hair is produced, let’s explore what causes hair loss and thinning and how to address these “root causes.” There are two things that are necessary to have either male or female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia: Genetics and Hormones, primarily testosterone.

Testosterone is a powerful hormone found in both men and women.  Individuals who are genetically susceptible (parents or grandparents) to the effects of DHT (DiHydroTestosterone) will start to experience hair loss sometime in their life.  Fifty percent of men by the age of 50, and forty percent of women by the age of 40 experience alopecia, or genetic hair loss.

DHT affects the production of keratin in the papilla as the hair shaft is formed.  The DHT attaches to hair producing stem cells and signals them to stop producing keratin. Over time and through the growth cycle of hair, your hair will get progressively thinner, shrink, and eventually not be able to produce keratin at all.

Figure 4 and Figure 5 demonstrate the effect of DHT on the mass of hair producing cells in the papilla.  As more and more cells reduce their keratin production, less and less hair is produced.

Weak, Tired, Fatigued Hair and Normal Hair Loss

As we age, all the cells in our body start to slow down their metabolic rates, this includes the fastest growing cells in our body: our hair follicles.  As such, there is a normal amount of hair loss and thinning that happens as part of the aging process.  Of course, there are many variables to this including racial makeup, general health, illnesses, stress, nutrition, drug usage (prescribed or otherwise), and environment (pollution, climate, etc.).  What this means is that just as DHT affects individual cells with receptors on them to produce less keratin, a lower metabolic rate in hair follicle cells results in an overall deterioration in the quality, abundance, strength, and thickness of hair strands.  Unlike genetic hair loss which is usually constrained to certain parts of the scalp, this malady affects all the hair follicles on your scalp.  You may notice hair that easily breaks, or less luxurious hair, or flat hair, or just less luster and volume.  Whatever it might be, it is caused by a decreased production of keratin and cuticle throughout the scalp hair.

Closely related to weak or fatigued hair, is normal hair loss due in part to your hair follicles’ inability to produce any more keratin.  Hair follicles that do not have enough energy stored within them to manufacture keratin will start to make less and less hair over an ever shrinking Anagen growth phase.  The end result is a general loss or thinning of hair all over your head.  Yes, aging is not pleasant, and most of us will have hair problems or issues during our lifetimes.

Remedies – Whole Hair Health

So, what can you do if you have one of the hair conditions named earlier?  The answer depends on which of the two camps you are in: Are you currently experiencing the effects of alopecia or susceptible to them, (genetic hair loss or thinning) or are you just experiencing normal diminishing hair (hair loss due to aging).    Figure 6 below shows a graphical representation of typical hair loss conditions for men and women who are experiencing a range of hair maladies.

There are three lines you should be aware of in the diagrams above. The first is the red dashed line representing typical alopecia hair loss, the next is the solid blue / pink lines indicating normal hair loss due in part to decreased metabolic hair production (aging), and finally the gold dashed line labeled The ManeGain Effect™ represents the gain in  production of more abundant, luxurious, thicker, stronger hair starting from the root up.

So, looking at the graph, you see that if you are experiencing hair loss or thinning hair, and begin the ManeGain Therapy, that over a period of 1 to 2 years you can recover your hair loss (the green line), and then move past just normal hair loss to actually start producing more abundant, richer, fuller hair. Looking at it another way, the broken golden line is just a “delayed response” to normal hair loss.  So, if you begin using the ManeGain Therapy say at 35, your hair may not look like it did at 18, but it will look like it did at 28 or more specifically, what “normal” hair would look like at 28 years of age.  We like to say we are a time machine for your hair, but in actuality we are just energizing your scalp to produce the maximum, strongest, most robust hair possible.

As an aside, there is a point of no return for people experiencing alopecia.  That is a place where the damage done by DHT and aging is too far gone.

How can ManeGain do this?

The ManeGain Hair Rejuvenation Therapy® addresses the health of an individual’s hair from the inside out.  This revolutionary new product addresses beauty and health from underneath the skin and will add luster, youthfulness, radiance, abundance, thickness and strength to the external look of hair.

In looking at Figure 7 below, not ONLY does ManeGain correct the BIG problems of hair loss and thinning hair, it PREVENTS and DELAYS Hair Loss & Thinning, as well as strengthens the skin, follicle, roots, and hair shaft resulting in a more youthful look of vitality.  Our Therapy also acts as vitamins for the scalp to address a whole series of hair maladies for individuals who DO NOT have hair loss issues, but have other problems with their hair.

So, how is this done? Remember, we are dealing with two problems here, one is genetic hair loss and the other is weak, and fatigued hair due to age.  In order to explain what the ManeGain Therapy does, it is best to start with the worst case scenario: Hair Loss / Hair Thinning.

The ManeGain Therapy is comprised of three energies: Low Lever Lasers, Photonics (visible light), and magnetic pulses. To combat hair loss and thinning due to alopecia, we need to break the bond that DHT has on the hair follicle cells.  This is done naturally with the low power red lasers employed by the ManeGain Therapy.  As shown in Figure 5, this will only prevent you from moving further down the dotted red line but it will not get you the total ManeGain Effect™. To do that, we need to resuscitate and bio-stimulate the hair cell follicles, and that is done with visible light combined with our Dyna-Pulse® technology.

In the same vein, if you know that you might lose your hair (look at your parents and your grandparents), ManeGain also offers a Preventative Therapy so you can stop worrying.

Finally, what most people want is beautiful hair.  What they normally get is various shampoos and conditioners that just cover up the problems.  But that does not solve the problem; the weak hair is still all you have.  Solving the problem means growing strong, lush, resiliant hair from the inside out. Thicker, stronger, more abundant, radiant, luxurious hair: This is the essence of what makes The ManeGain Effect™ so unique and viable.  Whole Hair Health, naturally and organically for a younger looking and better feeling you.

Hair Loss Facts

December 8, 2010

Currently the FDA has only approved two non-surgical hair loss pharmacological treatments and one non-invasive hair loss treatment. The two drugs are finasteride, most common as Propecia® and minoxidil, most common as Rogaine®. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the only other FDA approved method of reducing and reversing hair loss.

  • There is a difference in hair loss and male and female pattern baldness.  Most hair loss is normal and temporary. A combination of hormones and genetic factors are responsible for male and female pattern baldness (hair loss).
  • More than half of men and women in the United States experience hair loss. Forty percent of all women have female pattern hair loss by the age of 40, and 50% of all men by the age of 50.  About 30% of people have hair loss by age 30 years, and about 50% have hair loss by age 50 years.
  • Male pattern hair loss is caused by DHT (Di-Hydro Testosterone), and female pattern baldness is caused by a variety of hormones including DHT.
  • Angrogen is a steroid hormone that is responsible for body hair and to a large extent is what is transmuted into DHT.
  • Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body, second only to bone marrow.
  • Typically, 50 to 100 hairs fall out everyday normally. These dead hair follicles are called “club hairs.”
  • A typical scalp contains 100,000 to 150,000 hair follicles.
  • Hair grows at an average of one-fourth to one and a half inches per month.
  • Blondes have the greatest number of scalp follicles followed by brunettes. Redheads have the fewest number of scalp follicles.
  • Many drugs (both recreational and prescribed) and chemicals can cause hair loss and accelerate male or female pattern baldness or hair loss.
  • Thyroid imbalance and iron deficiency are reversible causes for hair loss and should NOT be confused with male or female patterned baldness.

    • Hair Regrowth With New Laser Technology

    November 30, 2010

    This is actually a pretty good video of the history of the Low Lever Laser Technology from a doctor at the California Skin Care Clinics. She states they see 98% success rates of people regrowing hair within 6 months.

    Comparision of Hair Growth Treatments

    November 17, 2010

    This is actually a pretty good video about what causes hair loss and some of the solutions (chemical, drug, natural) to correct them…Bottom line, DHT is the culprit, and when you address that with increased blood flow, then your hair WILL regrow…just what ManeGain says it does!.

    Discussion of Laser Light Stimulation

    July 8, 2010

    This document goes into some detail of how Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)  effects cell, who it does what it does, the processes or chain of reactions that happen, what sort of side effects there are and other general topics of energy transfer between photons and cells.

    To read the paper in its entirety, please click here

    Regrow Your hair with Laser Hair Restoration

    June 29, 2010

    Author: Tim Vincent
    Laser hair restoration involves a range of treatments that all use laser light to promote the existing hair follicles to become productive again after going into their dormant phase. The Laser Luce LDS 100 is one example of this sort of application that has provided some good data in customer tests. Some of these trials have been done on a clinical basis using controls involving comparisons with placebo treatments. Most trials use a six month baseline to judge their effectiveness. The Laser Luce trials have results of treatments extending up to 1 year.

    Laser hair restoration procedures all utilize low level power lasers at specific wavelengths of light. It is the frequency or wavelength that gives the specifics of each method. LCD 100 uses laser light in the Infra red range of light frequencies. The power is strategic in relation of the laser light also. Larger power lasers are used in industry to cut metals such as steel panels. It is important to understand that the laser light in such hair treatment devices is of such a low power that it will not even burn the skin let alone cut into it.

    The laser light in the LDS 100 procedure actions by stimulating the skin cells in the scalp and in particular those that make up the hair follicles. At thecell level it has been displayed that respiration is promoted making the cells more active. Cell membranes become more active in the movement of mineral ions across them. The production of proteins is activated at the gene level and metabolic activity is increased. The increased transfer across membranes seems to allow these conditions to be spread from one area to another. At the tissue level all this new activity stimulates the increase of the blood capillary networks connecting the skin cells. The net result of all this greater activity is that the supply of oxygen and food to the hair follicles is greatly improved. It is thought that this can make hair follicles, which have started to wither away, to reawaken and begin to make healthy hair once again. Hair manufacture is therefore stimulated and there should be an increase in the amount of hair and the over all thickness. Continued treatment can maintain the hair production that has been made.

    For the client the treatment couldn’t be simpler. It means sitting under a device shaped like a dome. The inside of the dome is covered in special emitters that produce the laser light. These flash regularly illuminating the skin with the laser light. The scalp takes up the light, which stimulates the hair follicles. During the treatment there is no pain and the patient can study a news paper to pass the time. At the end of the session the client doesn’t have to recover and can return home straight away.

    Medical trials have to establish if new hair has been produced and that the procedure being tested is responsible for the results seen. The use of clients taking a placebo treatment is the method used to make sure that the laser treatment is the causative agent. These clients follow the same treatment but no LDS 100 is really used. Hair counts, before and after photographs and patient self assessment are methods used to establish the amount of hair regrowth. Results from recent trials have shown that Laser Luce hair counts increased over a 6 month term and that these results were maintained over the following 6 month period. In contrast, those using the placebo made sure the natural loss of hair that you would expect. The results of photographic evidence show that the peak of hair restoration takes place between 6 and 12 months of treatment.

    Laser hair restoration using the Laser Luce procedure offers a pain free way for men and women to regain hair that has been lost. The results of trials have shown that the laser light not only stimulates new hair but then proceeds to maintain it by providing the best conditions for the hair follicles to survive.

    There are a number of laser hair restoration treatments that claim to regrow hair. Only with all of the facts at hand can people be expected to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages without having to just accept sales hype. Further information on the alternatives for people looking into hair replacement and hair treatment can be found on T J Vincent’s web site.

    Bald Men Look Older Than Their Age?

    June 14, 2010

    Here is a blog that debates the fact that men who are bald just look older.

    I’ve been noticing this lately, that all the bald men (NW6-7) look way older than their age. And I’m not talking about older in the sense that they have less hair, I mean their skin usually looks wrinklier etc – it’s just the face in general looks more aged. E.g. Dr. Mercola, Moby etc. What do you guys think is the reason for this?

    Click here to see the whole blog.

    NASA Study of Electromagnetic Fields on Human Cells (2003)

    April 1, 2010

    The present investigation details the development of model systems for growing two- and threedimensional human neural progenitor cells within a culture medium facilitated by a time-varying electromagnetic field (TVEMF). The cells and culture medium are contained within a two- or three-dimensional culture vessel, and the electromagnetic field is emitted from an electrode or coil. These studies further provide methods to promote neural tissue regeneration by means of culturing the neural cells in either configuration.

    To read this study in its entirety, please click here

    Scalp Massage Oils

    March 23, 2010

    This post goes into some detail on oils that help reinvigorate the scalp. A pliable, stimulated, and invigorated scalp is a truly healthy scalp, and regular scalp massages are great for increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to this region. However, a scalp massage is not truly a scalp massage without the help of essential oils. This article will offer information on these essential oils and explain the benefits of using essential oils for your scalp massages.

    What Are They?
    Essential oils are lightweight, volatile oils with high capabilities for scalp and skin penetration These special oils stand apart from their heavier oil counterparts because of their small molecular sizes and structures. Many essential oils have wonderful scalp stimulating properties that together with your own manual scalp stimulation, enhance the results of your regular scalp massages. Examples of common essential oils include: peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and thyme.  Massaging the scalp and hair with warm oil, preferably infused with hair-friendly herbs, is the best way to nourish the scalp and hair topically. Not only does the massage work wonders for your hair, but it also relaxes the mind and nervous system.

    Essential oils have been used for centuries to cure illnesses and heal common ailments. They are not only good for massage, but work well added to regular products in your healthy hair care regimen. A few drops of an essential oil can spice up a drab shampoo or a boring moisturizer. Essential oils work by stimulating your sense of smell as well as your sense of touch and feeling. Essential oils produce a gentle warming sensation on the scalp that increases circulation to that area. This increased circulation nourishes the hair follicles in the region by encouraging the flow of nutrients from the blood. Because essential oils evaporate easily and penetrate the scalp skin unlike other oils that are made of larger, non-penetrating molecules, essential oils do not work very well for sealing in moisturizers.

    Whatever oil you choose for your scalp message, each can be customized by hair and body type. There are three basic types of hair when considering which oils are best for you: a) Thin, dry and frizzy and prone to split-ends, b) Very fine hair prone to premature thinning or graying, and c) thick and oily hair.

    The Benefits

    A warm oil massage, done at least once a week (if you have more dry hair, you would want to try to do it two to three times a week), has the following benefits:

    • It lubricates and conditions the scalp, helping to prevent flakes and dry scalp without the use of harsh chemical shampoos.
    • It helps enhance blood circulation in the head and neck area. When the scalp is “tight” from stress, circulation and hair growth are impeded.
    • It helps relax the scalp and increase pliability.
    • It helps strengthen the roots of the hair and nourishes the hair-shafts, promoting new hair growth and strengthening current hair.
    • It helps soften and condition the hair, making it more manageable.
    • It helps protect hair from the damaging effects of the sun and harsh weather by improving resiliency over time.
    • It is replenishing and rejuvenating for dry, damaged hair, and helps prevent excessive brittleness and split-ends.
    • When fortified with cooling, pacifying herbs, the hair and scalp massage can help balance help prevent problems such as premature graying or thinning of hair.
    • It also helps reduce body heat in general, especially if you have been up late a few nights or your eyes are smarting from too much close work on the computer or reading.
    • A massage also helps promote emotional balance. The massage helps relax the muscles in the neck area.
    • The hair and scalp massage can help promote sound sleep at night.

    Choosing a Massage Oil

    If you have dry frizzy hair, choose almond oil or sesame oil as the base oil. Both of these oils are very nourishing for the scalp and hair and help reduce stiffness and tightness in the scalp.

    For very fine hair, messages with coconut oil is the ideal choice.

    If you are thick oily hair, sesame or olive oil are good choices. Olive oil has purifying properties that help keep pores open.

    While massaging with a appropriate base oil can be helpful, oils designed for hair and scalp massage typically include one or more hair-friendly herbs to augment the benefit of the massage. Traditionally, these herbs are slow-cooked with the oil, and the oil is then strained and ready for use.

    • Brahmi helps calm the mind and nervous system, and is very nourishing for the hair. It helps promote hair thickness and body.
    • Amalaki is cooling, nourishing and purifying all at the same time, so it is wonderful for all types of hair. It helps ward off premature thinning and graying of hair. It also helps prevent dry scalp and flakes.
    • Hibiscus is cooling and helps maintain hair color and vitality.
    • Neem is good for thick hair; it has purifying and cleansing properties.
    • Rosemary helps stimulate hair follicles and promotes growth, helps retard premature thinning and graying, and soothes and conditions the scalp.
    • Lavender stimulates hair growth, balances oil production and replenishes the hair and scalp.
    • Jasmine helps alleviate stress.
    • Jojoba is such a great choice as a hair conditioner and moisturizer is that the molecular structure of Jojoba is very similar to the natural oil that is produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp.  This natural scalp oil is known as “sebum”.
    • Tea Tree Oil – helps with dandruff and relaxes the scalp.
    • Lemon Oil – makes the hair feel extremely clean and is also a good cleanser.

    Scalp Message

    March 5, 2010

    Below are instructions on how to perform a scalp message to help condition your scalp in order to maximizes the benefits of the ManeGain Hair Restoration Therapy.  There is another separate email involving oils if you so choose to use them.

    Massage it the act of kneading rubbing and putting pressure on the skin with your fingers and hands can provide many benefits for the body. The biggest benefit to massage is increased blood circulation at the surface of the skin. This benefit, and many others, is why many individuals suffering from premature hair loss or other hair problems turn to scalp massage for help.

    The Benefits of Scalp Massage

    A properly done scalp massage can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, increase relaxation, decrease stress, condition the scalp, and boost the strength of the hair roots and hair follicle. The kneading pressure applied by massage warms the skin and opens up blood vessels to increase flow and boost circulation. In addition, it helps reduce collagen buildup which restricts the hair follicle aperture. Increased circulation means that the cells of the hair follicle will receive more of the nutrients necessary to optimal hair growth function. The rubbing motion promotes relaxation and feels good, thus increasing the production of “feel good” chemicals that work to lower levels of stress hormone in the body. Lowering stress levels allow your organs to function more efficiently, thus boosting your hair follicle’s ability to grow hair.

    If you use nourishing oil during scalp massage the oils will condition the scalp, reducing the occurrence of dandruff and dry skin that can interfere with the hair growth process. Oils also condition the hair shaft and root lessening the chances of brittleness, hair strand breakage, and split ends.  Look for separate email on what oils are conducive for healthy scalp and hair promotion.

    How to Correctly Perform Scalp Massage

    While any stimulation to the skin of the scalp can increase circulation, a properly done scalp massage can deliver all of the benefits needed for increased hair and scalp health. Begin by choosing a massage oil that is appropriate for your particular hair problem. Warm the oil by placing a small amount in a dish and placing that dish over a bowl of hot water. Dip your fingers into the oil and apply it to your scalp by using your fingers to part different section of your hair. Once your scalp is covered in oil you can begin the massage.

    For the most benefits begin massaging your scalp at the hairline above your forehead and work your way back to the base of your skull. Use medium pressure while moving your fingers in a tight circular motion in order to promote relaxation and thoroughly condition the scalp and hair. Once you have reached your neck, begin the process again for the sides of your head by massaging from above the temple to the back of your head.

    Once you have massaged your entire scalp with circular motions you can begin the process again, only this time use a little more pressure and more vigorous movements. This step in the massage will increase circulation for better blood flow and help remove dry or dead skin cells that can inhibit hair growth. Once the massage is finished leave the oil on your hair for at least thirty minutes to get the best conditioning benefits. After thirty minutes wash and style your hair as usual.

    « Newer Posts