Showing posts with label alopecia areata causes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alopecia areata causes. Show all posts

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Condition That Affects Men – Alopecia Barbae

Patches of hair loss in the beard is a special type of hair loss known as Alopecia Barbae . This situation is characterized by little circular shaped spots of facial hair loss. It is a kind of alopecia and falls in the same class of hair loss as male pattern baldness. It is not harmful but can be upsetting to men who suffer through it. It often occurs that men who experience patches of facial hair loss, experience it again at another point in time. Though the condition does not harm your physical health, culture commonly thinks that spots of baldness to signify significant illness and responds by avoiding that individual. Remedies can help many men regenerate all or part of their beard. Many men choose to shave their face so it is not so visible to others.

There are a number of treatment options for hair loss, the most often being cortisone shots. Little amounts of cortisone are injected into the area of the baldness. It's for the most part seen as a safe therapy although negative effects can include skin thickening or sunken areas in the skin at the area of the injection that generally heals itself over time. Minoxidil is another topical treatment that diluted to 5% is ideal for stimulating hair growth.

The factors responsible for Alopecia Barbae have not been clearly identified yet. Some studies show that heredity and autoimmune diseases might be responsible for causing this condition, since large number of people has a family history of this condition are found to be affected by it. Scientists suggest that our body produces antibodies with the advent of Alopecia Barbae . The antibodies get collected in one patch and attack the hair follicles or cells causing hair loss. Some of the medicines are effective against it, but these should be availed strictly under doctor's supervision.

Minoxidil is found to be an effective medication. It comes in a liquid form and needs to be rubbed onto the affected area at least twice in a day. This medicine helps in re-growing and also preventing further hair loss. Minoxidil medication can sometimes cause irritation.

Corticosteroid is a slightly painful treatment conducted usually by a dermatologist. Injections of corticosteroids are inserted onto the skin where hair loss is prominent. Injections are given on a monthly basis, which can result in hair growth. In some severe cases dermatologists can also prescribe corticosteroids pills to work along with the injections. Creams and ointments containing corticosteroids are available, but they are not as effective as the corticosteroid injection.

Anthralin (Drithocreme) is available in the form of a cream or ointment which is synthetic and tar based. This cream or ointment is to be applied on the bald patches of the skin. This cream can lead to irritation of the skin, so should be applied only in appropriate quantity.

Marbo Activator is made by the 100% natural formula that activates growth of new hair on thinning and bald regions. Effective in most cases of alopecia areata from mildest to alopecia totalis, which results in total hair loss . This product can be effectively used for loss of all body and facial hair. Using regularly Marbo Activator stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, while your hair becomes firmer and healthier.

Alopecia Areata in Children and Adults

A virus infection can be countered with vaccines while antibiotics work great with bacteria and funguses but like many kinds of autoimmune disorders, Alopecia Areata is hard to cure because the root of the problem is created by your own body instead of an external factor.

Children with alopecia areata usually grow their back without any treatments. They react very little to their alopecia areata, having very little impact if any. The preschool child is so busy exploring their world, acquiring skills and gaining independence, that his appearance is insignificant to himself and his peers. Between the age of six and twelve, children have gained experience and interacted with enough people to grasp the idea that views of the world differ, and that it is important to pay attention to what others think and feel. While this ability to see things as others do helps children become more empathetic and considerate, it also tends to make children more self-conscious.

Children at this stage of development are much more concerned about how others view them, how they may differ from others, and whether others might be making fun of them. Since children at this age have become so aware of individual differences, they unfortunately are more likely to poke fun at those who don’t’ fit their definition of ‘normal’. Even if a child has had alopecia areata since infancy, he now faces new problems of adjustment. Peers are becoming a more significant part of his life and the desire to ‘fit in’ is becoming stronger. Even a child with a very healthy self-concept may feel threatened. However if a child feels good about herself and has at least one skill she enjoys and is passionate about, the odds are increased that she will deal successfully with these difficulties.

When Alopecia Areata occurs to an adult, situation is little bit different, since adults are more conscious about their self-image. If it occurs that your body is attacked by its own immune system, it often requires more than just medications or other forms of treatment to heal it. Most of the time, the only real way to turn off the disease is by your own body itself. Therefore, if you are suffering from AA, you should need to know your chances and follow only the recommended treatments. The success rates of the treatments vary by individual but here are some statistics:

- Around 75% of people with patchy alopecia Areata within the first year will respond better to treatments. - People who don't respond to treatments after two years are highly unlikely to benefit from any further treatments. - The longer and more serious Alopecia Areata persists, the slimmer the chances of treatments will be. There is no clear way to foresee the outcome of the treatments at all because some people who do not respond to treatments at all can have their hair growing back the soon after while people who respond very well to hair loss treatments might find the disease reoccurring and regressing further.

Marbo Shampoo against hair loss contains herbal ingredients from different medicinal herbs. Active ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Prevention and Treatment of Alopecia Areata


Alopecia Areata is a medical condition where a person is losing hair in patches, or in case of severe form of the disease – all of the body hair. It is autoimmune disease, where a person’s own immune system attacks hair follicles making hair fall. The affected skin appears normal and smooth, with no scars. The hair around the patch is soft and with little or no color. A lot of people, who have bald patches in some period of their lives, grow back the hair within 6 months to a year.

It is very important to be proactive in preventing hair loss as this condition causes emotional disorders and physical havoc in an individual. Prevention includes good hair hygiene, regular shampooing, and good nutrition. Try not to wash your hair with the water that is too hot, use mild shampoo, avoid brushing your hair too much, do the oil massage from time to time and use conditioner after washing your hair.

Taking care of your nutrition can be of great help. Eat food that contains grains, beans, nuts and seeds; the one rich with calcium, such as tofu, soy products, nuts, nut milks, soymilk and certain leafy greens; healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, walnuts, flax seed and hemp seed; omega-3 fatty acids, found in herring, mackerel, trout, sardines, tuna and salmon; fresh fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins B, A, C and E as well as antioxidants are vital to increase circulation and oxygenation of the blood.; vitamin B rich foods, like nuts, carrots, chard, romaine lettuce and tomatoes; lean meats including chicken and fish and other protein sources such as nuts and drink lots of water to help the body stay hydrated and help grow healthy hair.

There are several treatments for alopecia :

• Corticosteroid shots that are injected directly into the bald spot. The treatment is effective but also painful. The aim of this approach is to suppress the autoimmune reaction but it has been proven to work only on small bald spots.
• Treatment for small bald spots is the application of topical anthralin. Anthralin is a tar-like substance used to treat psoriasis.
• Topical immunotherapy is the form of treatment for extensive alopecia areata that is most common. It consists of usage of immunosuppressant such as cyclosporine, that causes a skin reaction similar to mild eczema, which in some cases may lead to regrowth of hair. It’s the most drastic form of treatment,that causes an array of negative side effects.
• PUVA - psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation consists of a topical or oral application of psoralen, followed by ultraviolet radiation. This method is better tolerated than topical immunotherapy but is also less effective.

Mild shampoos and lotions that are 100% made from different medicinal herbs so it can activate growth of new hair on thinning and bald regions. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation. Marbo Activator stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, and benefiting your hair so it becomes firmer and healthier. It quickly stops hair loss regardless of its cause.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

What are Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis?


Hair loss affects a great number of people throughout the world to both male and female. The loss of hair can be a devastating experience for a lot of people. One form of hair loss that affects both men and women is Alopecia Areata. It is a common form of hair loss and it usually signified with small round patches on the scalp. Some people may suffer from a severe case which is called Alopecia Totalis where the scalp is totally bald. However, there is also Alopecia Universalis where the person loses all of their body and scalp hair. It is actually thought that the cause of alopecia areata is where the immune system attacks the hair follicle. However, it is not contagious, although, it does seem to be hereditary. One of the comforting things about this condition is that it is not painful and does not make people physically sick. It should be remembered it has no effect on life expectancy and it should not stop the sufferer from achieving their life goals, dreams and doing anything that a person without the condition can do. However, this hair loss condition can be hard to deal with, especially from an emotional aspect. Many of the suffers join support groups where others with the same condition can express the hopes, fears and how they deal with the condition on a day to day basis. This can be very reassuring for other hair loss suffers as they begin to understand that they are not alone and there are others who also understand what they are going through. Other sufferers will research the condition to try and educate themselves into all aspects of the disease. A loss of hair on the head clearly signals a change in appearance. But when hair disappears all over the body, it can be emotionally alarming. This condition is called alopecia universalis. It is considered a skin disease, because it is the visible portions of the hair shaft that are lost, not the follicles themselves. Just as with alopecia totalis and alopecia areata, the hair follicles remain alive and some individuals grow their hair back. But there is no treatment that is known to work – regrowth is stimulated from as of yet unknown signals in the body, allowing the hair to somehow overcome the autoimmune response. Cortisone pills or injections may cause regrowth, but only while receiving those treatments. Those suffering from this particular condition can suffer emotionally. There are a few treatments for Alopecia Totalis as well as few good aesthetic solutions, including hair systems, a nonsurgical solution that has so improved over the years, that they provide much hope and comfort to those suffering from all alopecia conditions. Mild shampoos and lotions that are 100% made from different medicinal herbs so it can activate growth of new hair on thinning and bald regions. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation. Marbo Activator stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, and benefiting your hair so it becomes firmer and healthier. It quickly stops hair loss regardless of its cause.

Therapeutic Modalities For Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a common, autoimmune disease that can affect any hair- bearing area. Alopecia areata is a lymphocyte cell-mediated inflammatory type of hair loss, but its pathogenesis is not fully understood. The disease can present as a single patch of hair loss, multiple patches, or extensive hair loss in a form of total loss of scalp hair (alopecia totalis) or loss of entire scalp and body hair (alopecia universalis). A number of treatments can induce hair regrowth in alopecia areata but do not change the course of the disease. Treatment is more effective in patchy alopecia areata than in alopecia totalis/alopecia universalis. Therapy for alopecia areata should be tailored in light of severity of the condition and the patient’s age.

Many therapeutic modalities have been used to treat alopecia areata, with variable efficacy and safety profiles. The treatment plan is designed according to the patient’s age and extent of disease. Several studies have shown the efficacy of intralesional corticosteroid injections. For limited scalp alopecia areata, intralesional corticosteroid therapy is considered as the drug of choice by many experts. The most widely used agent is triamcinolone acetonide. The injections can be repeated at 4–6 weekly intervals. The use of mesotherapy multi-injectors with 5–7 needles is an alternative approach to decrease injection pain and to make the procedure more homogenous. Side effects include skin atrophy and telangiectasia which can be minimized by the use of smaller volumes and avoiding superficial injections.

Many forms of topical corticosteroids have been prescribed for alopecia areata, including creams, gels, ointments, lotions, and foams. Topical corticosteroids are far less effective in alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. A highly potent topical corticosteroid under occlusion is the preferred method when using topical corticosteroids. Folliculitis is a common side effect to topical corticosteroids.

PUVA is a method of administering a dilute psoralen solution selectively to the scalp for 20 minutes using a cotton towel as a turban. The patient’s scalp is then exposed to ultraviolet A radiation. Treatment sessions are performed two or three times per week. PUVA-turban therapy lacks the systemic side effects of oral PUVA and can be considered as alternative therapy for patients with alopecia areata.

One important step that should not be overlooked during the course of management of alopecia areata is offering psychological support to foster increased self-esteem and adaptation to this disease. Helping patients with alopecia areata cope with depression and an unpredictable disease like alopecia can be achieved by several ways, including education of the patient about the nature of disease, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, antidepressants and support groups. Hypnotherapy may significantly improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life, but not hair regrowth .

If these therapies fail or are not tolerated, third-line therapeutic options can be discussed with patients in terms of the expected outcome of therapy and possible side effects. These agents include methotrexate with or without a systemic corticosteroid, azathioprine, cyclosporine, and pulse therapy of corticosteroids. While using these drugs, close monitoring of patients is important to avoid possible side effects.

Marbo Shampoo 03 is a product for totally natural, mild and hygienic hair wash, which is still used by many of our customers. It is also recommended as preventive measure in treating colored and natural hair. Dermatologists have proven the efficacy of Marbo hair loss shampoo . It is effective against hair loss because it contains ingredients from different medicinal herbs.

Monday, September 3, 2012

3 Classes of Cicatricial alopecia


Cicatricial alopecia causes bald spots on the scalp and in some cases it also shows, scaling and redness. People who suffer from cicatrical alopecia usually experience gradual hair loss. Other people with cicatricial alopecia report having intense itching, burning or pain at the site of hair loss. There are two forms of cicatricial alopecia: primary and secondary. Primary cicatricial alopecia causes aren't understood well, but it occurs when the hair follicle becomes inflamed around the, sebaceous gland. Once this gland is destroyed along with the hair follicle stem, hair re-growth is not possible. Secondary cicatricial alopecia is caused by direct damage to the hair follicles from things, such as burns to the scalp, radiation, severe skin infections and tumors. Diagnosis is determined by biopsy and clinical evaluation. A biopsy will tell your physician the location of the inflammation, the amount, type, and if there are any changes in your scalp. These results will help him determine the amount of activity present so he can prescribe the correct treatment for you. In order for your doctor to create an image of your health condition, he will ask you about your symptoms and the possible factors that might have caused it. Additionally, you will be given what's called a hair pull test, to determine how easily your hair comes out of the follicles. The hairs pulled are then put under a microscope and evaluated for further evidence of the disease. Treatment for primary cicatricial alopecia depends on the classification. There are three classes: - lymphocytic - neutrophils - mixed inflammatory cells. If you have the lymphocytic class, you will be treated with anti-inflammatory medications. This type of medication is used to irradiate or minimize the lymphocytic inflammatory cells that attack hair follicles. Some medications that are prescribed for this are hydroxychloroquine, doxycycline and corticosteroids. You may also be prescribed topical medications such as triamcinolone acetonide. The latter is a corticosteroid that is injected into the inflamed lesions on the scalp. In the neutrophilic class, treatments are given to rid microbes that inflame the area. For this, oral or topical antibiotics are given. Lastly, treatment for the mixed group of cicatricial alopecia consists of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. If the hair follicles are not destroyed, hair will grow back. You can treat the surrounding areas for inflammation to keep those hair follicles from being destroyed. This treatment consists of a Minoxidil solution of either 2 or 5 percent. This solution is applied to the unaffected areas twice daily. Mild shampoos and lotions that are 100% made from different medicinal herbs so it can activate growth of new hair on thinning and bald regions. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation. Marbo Activator stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, and benefiting your hair so it becomes firmer and healthier. It quickly stops hair loss regardless of its cause. It is made by the 100% natural formula that activates growth of new hair on thinning and bald regions.

The Importance Of Prevention – Alopecia Areta

Hair is made of protein called keratin, so when follicles produce new cells, old cells appear on the surface making strings of hair. Normally, adults have on their head about 100,000 - 150,000 hairs, averagely losing hundred a day. More or less, all of our bodies are covered with it. If the cause is some other factor, that number can be greater.

Hair regrowth in alopecia areata can seem like a constant battle. There is no cure for autoimmune disorders at this time, only ways to suppress them. This means that it will be something you will battle for the rest of your life. Some commonly known facts about the condition are: for the first lesion that appears within 24 hour period, patients may experience a sensation of pain in the affected area, the scalp is usually the area that is affected but Alopecia Areata can also be present in other parts of the body, 25% of children with Alopecia Areata condition also experience ridging of the nails, 5% of Alopecia Areata patients are likely to develop a more advances condition such as total loss of hair in the head, Alopecia Totalis, while others develop Alopecia Universalis or the total loss of body hair, hair pull test is usually performed to determine if the particular area is actively affected or if further loss of hair can be expected. People, who are affected by the disorder despite losing hair, are perfectly healthy.

The best thing to do in order to stop hair loss is to address it as soon as you notice increased hair loss. The longer it goes untreated the more difficult it is going to be stopped. There are medications that can be taken to help restore hair. It is important to stress that consultation with your doctor after first signs of hair loss is crucial for treating it. There are numerous Treatments for alopecia areata that you may want to try, although their effectiveness varies for everyone. Some treatments for alopecia areata may encourage your hair to grow back, although none of these can completely cure the condition. Natural formula that is effective in most cases of hair loss is called Marbo Activator. It can be used for loss of all body and facial hair. Using regularly Marbo Activator stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, while your hair becomes firmer and healthier.

Specialist physicians in "Marbo Hair" dermatology wards performed over 15,000 screenings of patients who suffered from various types of Alopecia . The patients included adults and children and physicians monitored the effect of the Marbo products – Activator, Lotion and Shampoo. The results clearly demonstrate that Marbo Activator is one of the most effective natural hair care products for growing new hair and that its effect is the fastest when applied together with Lotion and Shampoo. Marbo products are current the only natural products for hair growth prescribed by physicians.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Androgenetic Alopecia


Androgenetic Alopecia is the most frequent cause of hair loss in the world, affecting both men and women. It is genetically determined and generally becomes visible in men at an age of 20 while in women at an age of 30 onwards. It is really necessary to understand the phases of hair growth when we discuss hair loss. Hair growth has three phases: anagen (the growth phase), catagen (the regressing phase) and telogen (the resting or quiescent phase). Androgenetic Alopecia in women, the hair loss in women because of Androgenetic alopecia is likely to be first noticed throughout 30s and early forties. It happens because of the hormonal changes in women. The institution or discontinuation of contraceptive pills can cause hormonal changes leading to Androgenetic Alopecia. Women rarely go bald and the end result of Androgenetic Alopecia is a visible decrease in density of hair. This condition can go worse because of iron deficiency or low thyroid activity leading to further thinning of the hair. Because of the influence of androgens, the follicles in the temporal, frontal and vertex area of the scalp progressively show a shortening of the Anagen phase, accompanied by miniaturization of the hair follicles. A greater proportion of hair on the scalp enters into telogen phase leading to accumulating loss. Androgenetic alopecia affects the hair cycle of the scalp in both men and women. It affects the percentage of hairs in Anagen phase and the duration of Anagen diminishes in areas affected by Androgenetic alopecia which results in shorter hairs. Because of these developments, more hairs are in the Telogen phase and much more subject to hair loss affecting the apparent density of the hair. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. The hair loss in men with Androgenetic Alopecia may begin at any time after puberty and it happens when serum androgen levels rise above the low level found in young boys. It starts with a bitemporal recession of hair and the density of hair tends to diminish with age. Although it is difficult to predict the pattern of hair loss in young men, it is proven that men losing hair in their early 20s will lose their hair most extensively if it is because of alopecia. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern in some men, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic "M" shape. Hair also thins at the crown (near the top of the head), often progressing to partial or complete baldness. The condition is associated with several medical conditions including coronary heart disease and enlargement of the prostate. Additionally, prostate cancer, disorders of insulin resistance (such as diabetes and obesity), and high blood pressure (hypertension) have been related to Androgenetic alopecia. Marbo Lotion quickly stops hair loss regardless of its cause. This product is very easy to use and you can expect fast results. We highly recommend use of this product together with Marbo Shampoo 03 for best results. It is recommended in case of different scalp problems: dandruff, oily hair, seborrhoeic dermatitis, scalp itching, thin and weak hair, hair loss for hormone imbalance, pregnancy, occasional seasonal hair loss, for hair damaged by chemical treatments etc.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Nutritional Deficiency As a Reason Of Hair Falling


Alopecia areata is an acquired skin disease that can affect all hair-bearing skin and is characterized by localized areas of non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata is rarely associated with any other external or internal medical problems. Most often these bald areas grow back their hair spontaneously. It is an autoimmune disease, when the person’s immune system attacks the body, in this case, their hair follicles. When this happens, the person's hair begins to fall out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The extent of the hair loss varies; in some cases, it is only in a few spots. In others, the hair loss can be greater. You may be able to address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements: • A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium. • Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1-2 capsules or 1 tablespoonful of oil daily, to help decrease inflammation. Fish oils may increase bleeding in sensitive individuals, such as those taking blood thinning mediations (including aspirin). • Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg 2 times daily, as an antioxidant. • L-lysine, 500 - 1,000 mg daily, for hair loss. • B-complex vitamins, 1 tablet daily, for symptoms of stress. Biotin, often called vitamin H, is B complex component. Biotin is a proven hair growth vitamin and a preventative to excessive hair loss. It appears to metabolize fatty acids. Fatty acids are a valuable growth factor in numerous processes in the body including the hair. Biotin is also seen as an aid in preventing hair turning grey. Egg yolks contain biotin. Raw egg whites actually hinder effectiveness, but when the albumen (egg white) is cooked, the culprit - a substance called avidin is destroyed by heat. Biotin is also present in liver, milk, yeast and kidney. Protein is a basic ingredient in many hair shampoos and conditioners and is also the major ingredient of hair itself, which is at least ninety per cent protein. Whilst this should not necessarily be the main ingredient in your diet, its importance should not be ignored. In controlled tests volunteers, supplementing their diets with protein in the form of 14g of gelatine daily, found it increased the thickness of individual hair strands by as much as 45 per cent in only two months. Diet can influence both hair growth and quality and gelatine has exhibited one of the highest specific dynamic effects of any food or supplement. Given that a strong hair is a healthy hair, the study noted that the gelatine induced increases in the diet constituted an improvement in the mechanical properties of the hair, including strength. When the volunteers stopped eating the gelatine, their hair returned to its original diameter within six months. Marbo Hair Loss Shampoo is effective against alopecia because it contains herbal ingredients from different medicinal herbs. Active ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation. Thin and scarce hair becomes stronger, and in many cases, especially in women, thicker.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Autoimmune Diseases Connected To Alopecia Areata


Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder of the skin that results in partial or total hair loss. It is unpredictable, although often genetic and it usually begins in childhood. The disorder occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's hair follicles as if it were a disease, squeezing the follicles so that hair can’t grow. It affects only the growing hairs. Resting follicles escape the destruction. Therefore truncating the growth phase of hairs avoids the complete destruction of hair follicles. Often the alopecia areata causes the hair follicles to enter into a telogen resting state to avoid the worst effects of the disease. And this triggers significant shedding. The hair follicles usually stay in this resting state for prologner periods of time. If the hair follicles try to return to an anagen growth state the immune system retargets the hair follicles and forces them back into a resting state. This disease can also be connected to other autoimmune diseases: - lupus (chronic disorder that usually affects skin, joints or kidneys) - thyroid disease (impaired function of the thyroid gland) - vitiligo (condition causing depigmentation of patches of skin) - rheumatoid arthritis - some allergic disorders and - diabetes The hair usually falls out in spots on the scalp and in most cases the rest of the hair thins out. In the similar condition alopecia totalis, all the hair is lost on the scalp and alopecia universalis signifies the total loss of hair on the entire body. Depending on the severity of the alopecia, treatments may vary. Alopecia occurs when the hair follicles become inflamed which causes the hair to fall out. Alopecia treatments can be effective for some people but finding a suitable treatment will take time and to begin with you may not find any that seem to work. Persist with looking and you will find a treatment that suits you. If you are worried or if you feel down, know that you are not alone, many people suffer with this problem and the feelings you have regarding your hair loss are normal. If you are getting a bit down consider a support group or counselor. It is only your hair that has changed not you as a person. There are several available treatments for Alopecia. Minoxidil and finasteride promote hair growth in a significant minority of patents. UVB is generally used to treat skin conditions but is also used for people with severe hair loss. Steroid injections are commonly used in sites where there are small areas of hair loss on the head or especially where eyebrow hair has been lost. Corticosteroids can be given as an injection into the scalp or other areas, orally as a pill or applied topically as an ointment, cream, or foam. Some people will even try hair transplantation, which is completed by taking tiny plugs of skin, each containing one to several hairs, from the back side of the scalp.

Why Do Women Experience Hair Loss After Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman's life, but it can take its toll on her body as well. Eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep and taking prenatal vitamins can prevent some of them or at least lessen their impact. One thing that plagues many women that has little to do with a woman's health is hair loss after pregnancy .

Hair normally goes through an anagen cycle, which is the growth phase and telogen, the resting phase. The anagen cycle lasts four to seven years, when you will experience hair growth of about half an inch per month. After the growth period, the hair enters the resting phase, which usually last about three months. Then follows anagen again, growing a fresh hair and pushing the old one out of the follicle, so that it falls out. Some hair follicles can be in telogen all the time, and it is considered normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. Once the baby is born and the pregnancy is eliminated, hormones start to change their course rapidly. You will enter in the telogen phase immediately that lasts for about three months. So after the baby comes into the world, you lose the entire safe and secure hair strands at the same time.

Pregnancy period is an extreme state of stress and since extreme stress has been known to be one of the cause of hair loss it can enhance it. Several mental and physical transitions maybe experienced after pregnancy. This is due to alterations in the woman's body hormone that occurred during the pregnancy period. These alterations vary from woman to woman, depending on the care taken during this period and the body type. Statistics show that about 75% of women experience loss of hair after this period. It is natural to lose some hair after pregnancy. While it isn't something that any woman would like to have happen, it need not be an unexpected surprise, as long as she understands the reasons behind it.

The hormonal situation in a woman's body while she is pregnant keeps the hair in a strong growth phase. This is due to the fact that she is not losing hair that she would normally be losing and so the density of her hair increases during her pregnancy. Not only do you have above average normal hair growth during pregnancy , you also do not lose hair during pregnancy that you normally would.

Taking excellent care of yourself is essential to minimizing hair loss. Not only do you need proper nutrition, but you also need an adequate amount of rest. However, getting plenty of sleep with a new baby in the house is almost impossible, but if you can get a friend or a relative to stay with the baby to give you a few extra hours of sleep, you should try to arrange it. You can also try to rest any time the baby rests.

Marbo Shampoo is effective against hair loss, because it contains herbal ingredients from different medicinal herbs. Active ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Minoxidil and PUVA Treatment


Alopecia areata is a disease that affects the hair follicles, which are part of the skin from which hairs grow. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. Many people with the disease get only a few bare patches. A person’s hair is a general reflection of their current overall health. If you find that you are losing hair this can be a good indication that there could be a health condition that needs to be addressed. Hair loss can be caused by a sudden illness, ailments, psychological or physical stress. On the other hand, there are temporary reasons for hair loss, like giving birth, ending a pregnancy, starting or stopping birth control pills, taking diet pills and therapy. Keep in mind that it can take months before you notice the hair loss from these events, and it can take a few months for it to stop. Understanding how important a proper diet is will for sure help you to find the way to help your body heal itself. Good nutrition can help us deal with stress, psychological problems and other diseases. When we are stressed or ill our body is being depleted of the needed minerals and vitamins that are important to our daily life. Many doctors treat alopecia areata with minoxidil. An alternative to minoxidil is diphencyprone (DPC), a chemical also used in developing film. Workers that were developing films for a longer period found that it caused hair to sprout in unwanted places if they failed to wash after using it. While DCP is not a prescription drug, it is in no way a natural alopecia treatment, and applying it requires the use of protective garments and special ventilation under professional supervision. Minoxidil is a topical medication that the FDA has approved to treat alopecia areata. It stimulates hair growth within six months. It helps stop balding and reverses some of the changes in the hair follicles. It takes several weeks to notice the results. Side effects include scalp dryness, itchiness or scaling. Minoxidil must be used continuously in order to maintain the results. PUVA is a photo chemotherapy that involves a topical or oral application of psoralen plus followed by a measured dose of ultraviolet radiation. Psoralen plus is found in many plants and contains a chemical 8-methoxypsoralen or 8 MOP - sensitive to ultraviolet rays. It enhances the effect of the ultraviolet rays on the skin by making the skin photosensitive. Prior to its application in alopecia areata PUVA was used for treating skin disorders such as psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis and pruritis or itching. Marbo hair loss Lotion quickly stops hair loss regardless of its cause. This product is very easy to use. It gives even better results when used Marbo Shampoo 03. The use is recommended in case of different scalp problems: dandruff, oily hair, seborrhoeic dermatitis, scalp itching, thin and weak hair, hair loss for hormone imbalance (problems with thyroid gland, cystic ovaries, pregnancy), occasional seasonal hair loss, cytostatic therapy and radiation and for hai r damaged by chemical treatments.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Alopecia Universalis – Rapid Loss of Hair, Eyebrows and Eyelashes

Alopecia Areata is a medical condition when the person that suffers from it, loses hair. Although it’s benign and it does not live scars, it can cause enormous stress for the patient. It can manifest itself in many different patterns. Types of alopecia areata are: diffuse alopecia, alopecia monolocularis, alopecia areata multilocularis, alopecia barbae, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. The last two types are the rarest and the hardest forms of this disease. Alopecia areata totalis is total loss of hair on the scalp and Alopecia Universalis is the loss of hair over the entire scalp and body.

There was a study about a family which was affected with Alopecia Universalis . Three consecutive generations had it. Children with the disease were otherwise healthy, without any inflammatory processes that could inhibit hair growth. Research showed very few hair follicles, they were born without eyebrows or eyelashes, without any hair in general and never developed them.

Research contained analysis of the chromosomes of seven affected members from the family that had this condition in order to detect any genetic similarities that would show that the disease is genetically predetermined. They found a marker at the location 8p12, persistent in all seven family members, but they were not able to determine the exact gene that was at this location.

Researchers conducted experiments with mice, so they can determine if there is genetic similarity in hairless mice with the ones they found in human. The good thing is that they found several examples of alopecia in mice. They identified a cDNA sequence that gave them the coding sequence of the human "hairless" gene. This gene is expressed in the skin and brain in humans and mice. It appears to encode a zinc-finger transcription factor. The results of the research showed that there is mutation in the "hairless" genes of all the affected individuals in the family that was studied.

There are a large number of hair loss products out there that claim to help men deal with hair loss. You should make sure you do some research before you decide which one to use. Herbal shampoos for natural hair care have several advantages over commercial ones: they are easy to procure, inexpensive, and safe since they are natural and have no side effects.

Marbo Alopecia Universalis is effective against alopecia, because it contains herbal ingredients from different medicinal herbs. Active ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation. Using both the lotion and shampoo guarantees clearing all types of dandruff, chronic seborrhoeic dermatitis, scalp redness and itching. Thin and scarce hair becomes stronger, and in many cases, especially in women, thicker. At the same time, Marbo Shampoo 03 is a product for totally natural, mild and hygienic hair wash, which is still used by many of our customers. It is also recommended as preventive measure in treating colored and natural hair.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Henna As a Natural Hair Coloring Alternative

Women like to color their hair to either change their look or cover up grays, but they don't like the harsh chemicals found in commercial dyes going on their heads once every few weeks. Consumers are becoming more concerned about their health and are increasingly looking for healthier alternatives to the current chemical-laden options commonly available.

Some of the more prominent natural hair dyes you may have heard of is henna, which is a pigment derived from a natural plant commonly found in the dry, arid parts of Africa. It is a tall shrub, and when it is dried, it can be ground into a fine powder and used to dye the skin and hair. Henna tattoos and body art are popular in the Indian culture, and so this powder is often used for that purpose. It is also used as a popular alternative to chemical hair dyes.

Henna alone will always result in a very red color, so you can mix henna with other types of natural, vegetable and plant derived ingredients and arrive at several different beautiful shades of color. It is free from many of the chemicals that make harsh over the counter hair coloring kits and salon formulas that are toxic. Their ingredients often contain numerous known carcinogens and irritants. Many people think that when they are just using something topically, it doesn't matter what it contains, which is a huge misconception. Since the skin is the largest organ on the human body, it is capable of absorbing, and passing along to the blood stream, anything that comes into contact with it. Anything that you put on your skin or your scalp will absorb into your blood stream.

The chemicals you may find in a typical over the counter hair dye kit or at a salon are peroxide, a chemical called PPD, resorcinol and ammonia. That is just a handful of the toxic, irritating ingredients in most hair coloring products. Not only are they known irritants which give of noxious fumes as well as cause allergic reactions, but they also are known carcinogens.

When shopping for henna or any other plant based hair dye, it is important that you do your research to ensure you are not buying an adulterated product. Some brands may lace their "natural" color with toxins or heavy metals without telling you. There are a few reputable brands that you usually can find by paying attention to what is written about them by unbiased parties.

Some people like to use a combination of henna and indigo to get the color they desire, such as a darker brunette, black or light brown. Indigo is a very deeply pigmented blue plant. When mixed with henna, it can produce lovely shades of color for those with darker hair. Often times henna and indigo dyes are mixed with something acidic to help the color take, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. While the process is a bit more time consuming than traditional commercial hair colors, it is usually well worth it. Many who use natural dyes feel that it makes their hair look shinier and healthier.

Marbo Hair Loss Shampoo contains herbal ingredients from different medicinal herbs. Active ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Who Can be Affected By Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is a malfunction of the immune system when the body begins to attack its own hair follicle. However it is very selective in which areas it attacks, so that circular / oval shaped bald patches develop. These are silky smooth to the touch, because all hair including vellus hair (soft downy hair) has been lost. Currently there is no medical explanation as to why the patches are selected in the manner in which they are. Accordingly there is no test that can be done to determine if the patches will stay contained in the given area or spread to another area.

If you know hair loss problems that few people suffer, than alopecia areata is one of hair loss types. Alopecia Areata

(AA) is common form of hair loss, unpredictable and not painful disease. Usually people who have this condition are losing their hair in small, round patches from areas of the body, usually the scalp. Some people even lose all their scalp hair or known as alopecia totalis. Almost 2% of population in the U.S. is affected with this condition - both female and male and in variety of ages. Most case is found in children or young people, the immune system, for unknown reason attacks the hair root and causes hair loss.

Alopecia areata is a fairly common autoimmune disorder affecting over five million Americans. It affects males and females equally and is present in all races. People who are genetically predisposed to alopecia areata are usually unaware of it until the first bald patch appears. It is believed that something "triggers" the alopecia areata in those who are predisposed to the condition. Possible triggers include viruses, infection, high fever, trauma, extreme prolonged stress, allergies, etc.

To know whether the 'exclamation point hairs' are really what they appear to be, your doctor may decide to gently tug on them. If they were indeed caused by Alopecia areata, then they would be pulled off quite easily. The whole situation might be hard on you, but there's bright sunshine after all, because in more than ninety percent of all cases of Alopecia areata, the symptoms disappear on their own without medical intervention. For some reason, certain environmental triggers such as stress cause the occurrence of AA in patients. Remove the stress, the AA goes away.

There are a large number of hair loss products out there that claim to help men deal with hair loss. You should make sure you do some research before you decide which one to use. Herbal shampoos for natural hair care have several advantages over commercial ones: they are easy to procure, inexpensive, and safe since they are natural and have no side effects.

There is a lot of product for natural hair care on the market today. Marbo Hair is one of the products who are 100 % natural. This product can be effectively used for loss of all body and face hair. Using regularly Marbo Lotion and Marbo Shampoo stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, while your hair becomes firmer and healthier.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The Impact Alopecia Areata Has On People


There are a variety of different reasons why men and women suffer from hair loss. If you are suffering from sudden hair loss you should see your doctor immediately. This could potentially be a sign of a serious medical condition. Hair loss also might be a side effect of taking a prescription drug. Hair loss is usually caused by hereditary factors. The term male pattern baldness is often used to describe this type of hair loss. It is important that sufferers diagnose their condition correctly by visiting their doctor and undergoing a series of blood tests to check factors such as hormone levels. This will allow your physician or dermatologist to accurately diagnose your condition and recommend an appropriate treatment regime. Hair loss treatment will depend on the causes identified by the blood tests as any underlying problems must be addressed first. In severe forms of alopecia areata successful treatment may prove problematic. In other cases the problem may rectify itself without external treatment. At present successful treatment regimens are somewhat limited but the following may prove useful in stimulating hair growth. People, who are affected by the disorder despite losing hair, are perfectly healthy. Recent researches show that some people have genetic markers that increase both their susceptibility to the condition and to its severity. One in five people with the condition has a relative who is also affected. This is especially true in those who develop the condition before the age of 30. It is more common in families whose members also have conditions such as asthma, hay fever, eczema, thyroid disease, Addison’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, vitiligo, Addison’s disease or pernicious anaemia. The good news is that around 50% of patients affected with this condition grow back the hair in one year. Only 10% have a more serious condition, when the hair follicles do not form the hair again. There are some treatments available, prescribed according to the condition of the patient. It’s important to inform yourself about the condition as much as you can in order to approach it in a calm matter. Having the disease can impact people differently, but there are some well-known experiences among the ones affected. It can be very frustrating and can cause a variety of feelings, like sadness, depression, hopelessness, anger, the need for isolation, fear that others might find out that you have the disease, embarrassment, irrational behavior when searching for a cure, guilt related to the way it affects your family and friends, the feeling that no one understands what you are going through. That’s why people feel enormous relief when they meet someone in the same situation. It’s also challenging for the parents because they can’t help their child, for the siblings because it also affects their life as well and for the emotional partners involved. Marbo Hair is a very popular supplement for people looking for a natural alopecia cure. This product can be effectively used for loss of all body and facial hair. Using regularly Marbo Activator stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, while your hair becomes firmer and healthier.

Proper Diet Can Prevent Hair Loss

You must understand how vital a proper diet is to maintaining healthy hair. A good diet can help you deal with other diseases, physiological problems and stress. When we are under stress our body is depleted of the nutrients we need for healthy hair growth. Everyone deals with stress, it’s just a regular part of life. Having a diet that will help your body deal with stress will also help you to maintain healthy hair growth.

You should make sure that vitamin B is included in your diet. This will help stop hair loss that is caused by stress. Free radicals will hurt your overall health as well as hair growth. So providing antioxidants for your body is a good idea. You should treat hair loss as soon as you notice it. If you create an actionable plan for dealing with hair loss and carry it out as soon as possible you can get the best possible results. You should talk to your doctor at the first sign of hair loss.

One popular way to deal with hair loss is natural supplements. If you’re looking to maintain healthy hair there are many different supplements that might help you. In most cases, you can find all of the stuff that you need at your local grocery store. Most of those natural hair loss treatments that you see advertised on the Internet are supplements that you can buy in the store.

You need certain nutrients to maintain healthy hair growth. Calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B, and folic acid are some of the key vitamins and minerals that you need for hair growth. You should look into the following supplements if you’re having problems maintaining healthy hair. Supplements with essential fatty acids like fish oil, flaxseed oil and supplements with antioxidants like grape seed extracts are good for maintaining healthy hair growth. Kelp is also good for getting you the nutrients you need for hair growth .

Biotin comes from the b-complex of vitamins. It’s also called vitamin H or vitamin B-7. Biotin helps with the synthesis of amino acids and fatty acids. Amino acids help provide the body with protein. You need protein for strong healthy hair. A lack of biotin can cause hair damage and fragile nails. You get enough biotin in your diet by eating chicken, cauliflower, shellfish, and chicken breast. In some cases, you might want to consider taking silica to help you absorb biotin and other vitamins.

You should always eat a variety of different foods to get all of the different nutrients you need for healthy hair. You should consider eating some if not all of your vegetables raw so you can get more of the necessary vitamins and minerals for hair growth. Most of those nutrients are lost because of cooking. If you don’t like your vegetables raw try steaming them using a good steamer. That works just as well.

Marbo Lotion is 100% natural for hair loss prevention . Quickly stops hair loss regardless of its cause. This product is very easy to use and expect fast results. Recommended in case of different scalp problems, like dandruff, oily hair, seborrhoeic dermatitis, scalp itching, thin and weak hair, occasional seasonal hair loss, cytostatic therapy and radiation.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

You Don’t Have to Suffer From Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia, unlike other forms of hair loss conditions, is not the result of age or genetics, so actually no one has to suffer from it. Traction Alopecia mainly affects African-American women. The condition seems to affect more and more young people. Good hair care does take time, but the final results are often worth it. You'll maintain a full head of healthy hair that's not damaged.
Hair style can cause hair loss. Ponytails are convenient, but they can also significantly damage your hair. They are good for your hair's ends, but not always so good for the delicate hair around your temples. It's alright if you wear it from time to time and switch them up by changing the parts of your hair and by loosening your hair at night before going to sleep. Find several styles you like and that work with your face shape and change them based on the seasons or your mood. Not only will you enjoy a style switch, you'll also take care of your hairline in the process.
The rise in the number of sparse hairlines seemed to coincide roughly with the advent of home relaxer kits. This occurs even with the children in their teen years with that have bald hairlines. Although relaxers are easy and affordable to buy, it's preferable to have a professional apply these straightening chemicals. People don't always follow the directions on the box, or they use a stronger formula than they need. Leaving relaxers on longer than the recommended time is also a surefire way to eventual damage.
You should never feel pain due to your style. If it hurts, it's an indication that your follicles are being pulled beyond what's safe for them. Once follicles are dead, it is hard to bring them back to life. Elastic ponytail holders with metal pieces are huge culprits in damaging children's hair. Too often, the hair is pulled too tightly in order to create a neat style. Year after year of tight ponytails, and possible relaxer use, leads to damage and hair loss in the very young. Instead of relying on these damaging elastics, try styles with pulled-back ponytails being more of an exception instead of the norm.
You can try natural hair care products as a treatment method. Their ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. They are easy to procure, inexpensive, and safe since they are natural and have no side effects. Marbo Activator is 100% natural formula that activates growth of new hair on thinning and bald regions. This product can be effectively used for loss of all body and facial hair. Using regularly Marbo Activator stimulates new hair growth on thinning scalp and bald regions, while your hair becomes firmer and healthier.
Marbo hair growth shampoo contains herbal ingredients from different medicinal herbs. Active ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation.

Autoimmune Skin Disease – Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is a highly unpredictable, autoimmune skin disease that may lead to the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This disease affects males and females of all ages and races, but it often begins in childhood. This disease affects approximately 2 percent of the population, or about 4.5 million people in the United States alone.

The exact cause of Alopecia is unknown. It is thought that a combination of genes predisposes certain people to this disease, and some trigger-or possibly the confluence of several things-sets the disease off. The immune system then mistakenly attacks hair follicles, which shrink in size, arresting visible hair production.

Hair loss could also occur by mechanical means. One of them is caused by habit, like pulling hair unconsciously from the scalp when watching television or during inactivity. Another is from the use of cosmetics like hair dyes and other hair treatment products. It could also be caused by too tight a ponytail or other hairstyles that pull the hair. Iron deficiency could also cause Alopecia, chemotherapy treatment is the most common cause of hair loss in people suffering from malignancies. Treatment for alopecia seen in these examples is simply removal of the offending causes.

Many doctors treat alopecia areata with minoxidil. An alternative to minoxidil is diphencyprone (DPC), a chemical also used in developing film. Workers that were developing films for a longer period found that it caused hair to sprout in unwanted places if they failed to wash after using it. While DCP is not a prescription drug, it is in no way a natural treatment, and applying it requires the use of protective garments and special ventilation under professional supervision.

The advantage of DCP is that hair does not fall out immediately when treatment is discontinued, as is the case with minoxidil. In Alopecia universalis (total hair loss), DCP produces cosmetically acceptable results only about 17 percent of the time, but when hair loss is less than 50 percent, DCP is 100 percent effective. Hair typically begins to reappear after 3 months of treatment, but it is sometimes necessary to take the drug for as long as 2 years before hair regrowth occurs.

When hair loss is less than 50 percent, hair restoration typically takes about 10 months. Side effects are common, including blistering (45 percent of users), freckling (12 percent), vitiligo (2 percent), and swollen lymph glands (2 percent). Hair that grows back during DCP treatment usually lasts 2-3 years before resumption of treatment is necessary. DCP must be applied weekly to be effective. It is available from dermatologists.

Marbo hair growth shampoo contains herbal ingredients from different medicinal herbs. Active ingredients full of vitamins and mineral salts stimulate local circulation and hair root renewal. Sage and rosemary extracts regulate sebum secretion, prevent scalp greasing and soothe scalp itching and irritation. The results clearly demonstrated that Marbo Activator is one of the most effective natural hair care products for growing new hair and that its effect is the fastest when applied together with Lotion and Shampoo.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Alopecia Barbae can be Treated


One form of Alopecia Areata that affects only male population is called Alopecia Barbae. It appears in a form of bald patches on the beard. It can be very stressful, especially for people who have their beard and consider it to be a part of their personality. Seeing patches of hair missing can be a shocking experience. The main concern of the men affected is how they are going to be perceived in the society, if they are going to be seen as less healthy and desirable and it can be very stressful. Conventional medicine still has not worked out the underlying cause of an auto-immune attack; however, it is commonly believed that there is a genetic weakness and environmental factors cause that weakness to be expressed in the form of an auto-immune attack. Genetics do play an important part in this and families that suffer atopic illness see a higher percentage of this problem. Bald patches in the beard can come about very quickly. Initially when a patch develops you may not pay that much attention to it. As the patch gets larger, that is when the person takes notice and gets worried. The earlier that you start to treat such patches in the beard the greater chance you have of reversing the problem. When alopecia does occur, the onset of spot baldness is usually sudden and unexpected. It is not usually accompanied by pain, scarring or any other physical symptoms beyond beard hair loss, although some do report feeling a slight itching sensation or spotting redness in the area when the condition initially develops. Like other autoimmune diseases, inflammation beneath the surface of hair follicles does occur, but it is rarely ever visible on top of the skin. After alopecia barbae has resulted in facial hair loss, what remains is a small patch of bare, smooth skin. In some men, these patches are temporary and, as inflammation beneath the skin’s surface subsides, the hair missing from the beard begins a process of regrowth. In some men, alopecia barbae is recurring. In men who experience this as a recurring condition, areas of hair loss may become larger each time the condition occurs. Baldness is widespread across the globe, affecting 50% of males and a similar percentage of females above the age of 40 years. However, in this group of females, 13% of premenopausal patients express only slight signs of the disease. The chances of falling prey to Alopecia Barbae increases after menopause that 75% women over the age of 65 years of age get affected by this problem. Before reaching the age of 40 years, the sufferers bear signs of Alopecia Barbae, and some depict this even before they turn 30. There are many treatments on the market, conventional and unconventional. It’s important not to choose the treatment yourself, but to ask for professional help and advice from your doctor, who will give you the best one for you, just be sure to follow the instructions he gives you. Marbo Activator has been helping people all over the world for last twenty years with hair loss. It gives results in the fight against alopecia areata and hair loss.