Major autohemotherapy might sound like a mouthful, but it's a treatment that could have a significant impact on your hair. In simple terms, it involves using ozone to improve the health of your hair. In this article, we'll explore what major autohemotherapy (MAH) is, take a peek into the stages of the human hair cycle, and see how this treatment can make a real difference for people dealing with hair loss, specifically androgenetic alopecia.
Luckily for you, we have MAH IV therapy here at PIH! Our IV Nurse Specialist Falecia has years of experience with IVs, and is passionate about finding scientifically-backed ways to support patients' health journeys.
What is Major Autohemotherapy?
Let's break it down: "Autohaemotherapy" is a bit of a tongue twister, but it simply means that a person's own blood is treated with ozone and then put back into their body. So, ozonized autohaemotherapy is a treatment where your own blood is mixed with ozone and then given back to you.
At PIH, we call this Major Autohemotherapy Intravenous (MAH IV), and we treat patients to improve chronic fatigue, immune function, among other symptoms. As always, we take a personalized approach and every patient is fully examined before taking any IVs.
Hair loss in Women
Female hair loss refers to the unexpected and excessive shedding of hair in women. Normally, people naturally lose around 50 to 100 individual hairs daily, with a constant cycle of hair falling out and new growth. Hair loss occurs when this balance is disrupted, leading to more hair falling out than growing in. Medically, this condition is known as "alopecia."
Hair grows on most areas of the skin except for the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, lips, and eyelids. It can be categorized into vellus hair, which is fine and light, and terminal/androgenic hair, which is thicker, darker, and longer.
Hair loss can affect any girl or woman, but it tends to be more common in the following groups:
- Women over the age of 40.
- Women who have recently given birth.
- Women who have undergone chemotherapy or taken certain medications.
- Women who frequently wear hairstyles that put stress on the hair, such as tight ponytails or braids, or use harsh chemicals on their hair.
- Menopausal women.
So, what are some common causes of hair loss in women?
- Hairstyles: Styles like tight ponytails or braids can lead to traction alopecia, potentially causing permanent hair loss by damaging follicles.
- Vitamin Deficiency.
- Rapid Weight Loss or Restrictive Diets.
- Over-processed Scalp Hair (breakage).
- Anagen Effluvium Hair Loss: Due to toxic substances like chemotherapy or radiation, resulting in sudden hair loss, potentially permanent if follicles are harmed.
- Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss: Caused by physical or emotional stress, abnormal thyroid, medications, hormone changes, or certain life events.
- Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL): Linked to genetics, aging, and menopause.
- Conditions: Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss, often temporary.
The Stages of the Human Hair Cycle
Before we dive into how ozonized autohemotherapy affects your hair, it's essential to understand the stages of the human hair cycle. Your hair doesn't just grow forever; it goes through different phases:
1. Anagen (Growth Phase): This is the phase where your hair is actively growing. The longer this phase, the longer your hair can grow. On average, this phase lasts about 3-5 years.
2. Catagen (Transitional Phase): After the growth phase, your hair enters a transitional phase. During this time, your hair follicles start to shrink, and your hair stops growing. This phase lasts for about 1-2 weeks.
3. Telogen (Resting Phase): This is a resting period where your hair follicles are dormant. If you ever notice hair falling out when you brush or wash it, you're probably shedding hairs in the telogen phase. This phase lasts for about 2-3 months.
Current Research and Findings
Now, let's talk about what happens when you combine ozonized autohaemotherapy with the human hair cycle. A study observed 42 people (aged 17-40) with androgenetic alopecia, which is a common cause of hair loss [1]. These folks underwent cycles of ozonized autohaemotherapy, following a specific scientific protocol from Europe.
Here's the exciting part: The treatment involved taking a small amount of each person's blood, mixing it with ozone (around 2500-3000 micrograms), and then putting that treated blood back into their bodies. Each cycle included 16 treatments.
So, what did the results show? They revealed a marked improvement in the human hair cycle. Let's break down what that means:
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Anagen Phase Extension: One of the most significant findings was that the growth phase (anagen) of the hair cycle extended. Remember, the longer this phase, the more time your hair has to grow. So, longer anagen phases mean the potential for longer and thicker hair.
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Less Hair Falling Out: When your hair is in the telogen phase, it's more prone to falling out. The treatment seemed to reduce the number of hairs in this resting phase. This means less hair shedding, which is excellent news for people with thinning hair.
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Improved Hair Health: With a more extended growth phase and less hair shedding, the overall health and thickness of the hair improved. Subjects saw their hair looking and feeling healthier and more robust.
Conclusion
Essentially, MAH IV is a treatment that can help your hair grow better and thicker. It works by extending the growth phase of your hair cycle and reducing the amount of hair that falls out. So, if you've been dealing with hair loss, especially due to androgenetic alopecia, this treatment might offer you a glimmer of hope for healthier, more voluminous locks.
If you're interested in trying ozonized autohaemotherapy for your hair, it's essential to consult with a medical professional who can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.
In the quest for luscious locks, science is always coming up with new ideas and treatments, and ozonized autohaemotherapy is just one example of how we're continually learning more about our bodies and how to keep them in tip-top shape – from head to toe!
Questions? Call PIH at 609.512.1468 for more information.