Healthy hair is an indicator of internal health as well. Dull, lifeless hair can signal a health problem. Hair responds to outside elements and tends to grow faster in warmer climates. Excessive cold can dry hair and reduce its luster. Disease, drug use and aging can affect growth and hair appearance.

• Hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth that may involve hair of the vellus, terminal, or lanugo type, apparent at birth and occasionally lasting up to adolescence. This is a congenital or genetic abnormality.

• Hirsutism is hair growth in a male pattern (ex. sideburns) affecting about 8% of adult women. Women who have hirsutism, would be referred to a endocrinologist for testing of hormonal imbalance. Possible other causes could be due to pregnancy, vitamin deficiency, diseases, drugs, emotional shock, stress, or menopause.

• Endocrinologists are medical physicians that deal only with the hormone system in the body. Usually Testosterone, a male hormone, may be playing havoc in most hair disorders. Progesterone is the female hormone, which may have been overpowered by the Testosterone. Have a business card of an endocrinologist handy for your clients needs.

• Alopecia – hair disorder resulting in hair loss due to an inflammatory reaction in hair follicles on the scalp that causes redness (erythema) and pus-filled blisters (pustules). It leads to scarring and permanent hair loss.

• Hair loss – Contributing factors can be improper hair care, prolonged styling techniques, braiding, certain cancer treatments, emotional or physiological stress, various drugs, heart problems, illness, hormonal changes, seborrheic dermatitis, iron deficiency, lack of protein, ringworm,

• Male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia): the most prominent type of hair disorder affecting, to varying degrees, half of all men over 50 years of age.

• Hair shaft disorders – usually hereditary abnormalities

• Folliculitis or Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) – ingrown hairs caused from sebaceous gland not producing enough oil, or shaving with a razor, or other factors – Laser Hair Removal can significantly help or eliminiate this.