Crowning Glory

Fills up spaces beautifully
By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

In a society that puts a premium on physical appearance, hair loss or alopecia can take a heavy toll on any individual, causing a host of emotional and psychological woes. One study, “The Psychological Impact of Alopecia,” published by Nigel Hunt & Sue McHale and published in the British Medical Journal showed that hair loss often led to marital issues, social problems and troubles at the work place.
As revealed by the authors of the study, hair loss can lead to personal, social and work-related problems. The study pointed out further that there is an important link between hair and identity, especially for women. About 40 percent of women with alopecia have had marital problems as a consequence, and about 63 percent claim to have had career-related problems. The extent of alopecia is one of the predictors of psychological distress. People with severe hair loss are more likely to experience psychological distress.
The reason behind most cases of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness (MPB). This is an inherited condition that causes 95 percent of hair loss in men. This often begins at age 32 but some may experience it before the age of 21! People with MPB have hair follicles that are sensitive to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a by-product of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Testosterone is converted to DHT because of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha-reductace which is found in the hair follicle’s oil glands. DHT shrinks hair follicles, leading to thinning hair and baldness.
MPB is neither life-threatening nor painful but it can cause psychiatric disorders in many people, including high levels of anxiety and depression. Since hair loss treatments are unusually limited and take time to work, researchers said many patients are distressed and experience intense emotional suffering because of this. This makes them prone to serious depressive episodes, anxiety disorders, social phobias and paranoia.
Since hair loss is sometimes viewed as an abnormality and the inability to conform to the norms of physical appearance in society, patients often have serious problems with self-esteem, have a poorer quality of life, and poorer body image than other people. While bald people are mistakenly perceived as intelligent, the truth is that many victims of MPB, especially in the Western Hemisphere, are extremely unhappy with their condition and often change careers because of this. Although the disease is not fatal, MPB can be psychologically damaging and cause intense emotional suffering. This is why victims often fall prey to phony hair growing schemes that have no scientific basis.
Local experts like Dr. Bernadette Manalo-Arcena, publicity officer of the Philippine Psychiatric Association, say the problem is more pronounced in the Philippines because Filipinos are generally more conscious about their appearance; sometimes to the point of being vain. This explains why losing one’s hair can be a devastating experience.
Dr. Manalo-Arcena, who holds clinic at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, said the effects of hair loss are even more pronounced in women. While there are no local studies as yet, she added that many Filipinos are troubled by this. “In women, the effect of hair loss is greater since the hair is their crowning glory. It makes them look beautiful. Your appearance is entirely different if you don’t have hair. Having tresses increases your self-confidence and improves the way you look. The more you have nice hair, the better you feel about yourself.
“For men, it also has a big impact. A man with hair and one who is bald would look and feel differently. Hair loss has a great emotional effect. A person’s sex appeal decreases, he becomes the butt of cruel jokes and people make fun of him. Although a person with thinning hair laughs at these jokes, he is really sad deep inside because of this condition.”
One way of dealing with the problem is to use topical or oral hair loss treatments. However, these take time to work and produce varying results. For men and women with thinning hair who need a quick and easy solution to their problem, there’s Crowning Glory – a simple, safe and natural way to have fuller and thicker hair in seconds. This quick fix can be used together with prescribed hair loss treatments so you don’t wait long to look good. With just one application, you can improve your appearance, look younger and restore your confidence.
Crowning Glory’s hair building fibers are made of keratin protein and instantly fill in balding and/or thinning areas. Since the micro-fibers are charged with static electricity, they bind naturally to hair and produce dramatic density, volume and natural looking hair instantly.
To use, simply hold the Crowning Glory container 3-6 inches above your head and sprinkle liberally on the thinning area. The fibers blend naturally with your hair. Gently pat the area to distribute the fibers evenly throughout the area and use Crowning Glory hair mist (that comes with the pack) should you need extra hold, for instances when going out for outdoor activities. In just seconds, you’ll improve your appearance, look years younger and regain your confidence. It’s like getting two years of hair growth treatment in a matter of seconds.
“This works even on dyed hair as it goes well on the static of our hair. It won’t stain your clothes so simply dust off the excess fibers. If you want to be doubly sure, get a masking tape and stick them on the fibers that you think are stuck on your clothes and voila, there will be no trace left!” advised beauty columnist and model Bianca Valerio, who gamely did a demo during the product launch.
The fibers are undetectable and can withstand wind, rain and perspiration especially when used with the accompanying hair mist. At the end of the day, you can easily remove the fibers with any shampoo. You can style your hair anyway you want with an open, plastic, non-bristle brush.
“Crowning Glory is not compatible with hair tonics or other hair loss remedies since the latter products come in various formulations and take a while to work; at times in four to 12 weeks with no guarantee that you will be pleased with the results. With Crowning Glory, you have control to what you really want your hair to look like,” shared Angelo Valenton, managing director of Connect Research Corp., distributor of the brand in the Philippines.
“Crowning Glory is made from plant extracts that contain anti-microbial properties so it has no side effects or irritations. But, don’t throw caution to the wind as different people react differently and not the same way so it is best to get clearance from your dermatologist.
“The technology is a few years old and introduced first in the US. Crowning Glory is made in Asia. The formulation is made outside the country and Connect Research Corp brought it to the Philippine market,” Valenton added.
Researchers say that hair loss has many causes. It may be triggered by aging, the use of certain medications or extreme stress.
Initially available in the brunette colors of black and dark brown, Crowning Glory can be purchased at leading drugstores, supermarkets and salons nationwide. Use Crowning Glory to give your thin hair a natural boost and benefit from its immediate thickening effect or apply it while waiting for more permanent hair loss treatments to take effect. Either way, you’ll look great! For more information, simply call tel. nos. 637-5181, 633-6165, 6384234 or email helpdesk@connectplace.com.