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Claude Thomas Salon and Spa specializes in Trichotillomania ... learn about it...be informed

What is Trichotillomania? 

Also called TTM or "Trich". It is a disorder that causes people to pull out the hair from their scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or any other parts of the body, resulting in noticeable bald patches, Hair pulling varies greatly in its severity, location on the body and response to treatment. For some people, at some times, TTM is mild and can be quelled with a bit of extra awareness and concentration. For others, the urge may be so strong that it makes thinking of anything else nearly impossible.

TTM is defined as an impulse control disorder but there are still questions about how it should be classified. It may seem to resemble a habit, an addition, a tic disorder or an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Most recently, it is being conceptualized as part of a family of "body-focused repetitive behaviors" (BFRBs) along with skin picking and nail biting.

How did Trichotillomania get its name?

It was named in 1889 by a French dermatologist, Francios Hallopeau, from the Greek word for hair (trich) and to pull (tillo). Mania is defined as Excessive and intense interest in or enthusiasm for something.  

Who gets Trichotillomania?

People of all ages, gender, ethnicity, nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds.  TTM seems to occur as frequently in boys as girls. By adulthood 80 to 90% of reported cases are woman. It is estimated to affect one to three percent of the population or three to nine million Americans.

Will it go away?

It is impossible to predict the duration of TTM.  Without treatment, TTM tends to be a chronic condition, that may vary in severity throughout a lifetime. However in some cases especially infants and early childhood TTM maybe  very temporary that begins and ends quite mysteriously.

What does Trichotillomania look like?

Most people pull enough hair that they have bold spots on their head, which they go to great lengths to cover with hairstyles, scarves, wigs or makeup.  Others may be missing eyelashes, eyebrows, or other body hair, which may be camouflaged with makeup, clothing or other means.

What causes Trichotillomania?

As with many other disorders, such as alcoholism, TTM may develop due to a combination of genetics, emotional and enviromental factors. It is possible that hair pulling may have a number of different causes, just as a cough can be caused by many different illnesses.

When does Trichotillomania start?

TTM can start at any age.  Most commonly starts in late childhood or early puberty (11 to 13). This suggests that it may be triggered by hormonal shifts in some cases. However it can start as young as infancy, when an infant is first able to reach a hand up to tug on hair.

In some cases hair pulling begins during a time of stress but in many others the behavior is triggered for seemly no reason. Once begun,the TTM behavior may play a role in regulating emotions such as boredom or anxiety.

**More detailed info about treatments are available from TLC at www.trich.org.**

Does it hurt?

Hair pulling sounds like it would be painful, however individuals with Trich have different answers to that question. Many report that pulling the hair from specific sites feels good -in fact, the pleasurable feelings contribute to their difficulty in stopping the behavior. Others describe the sensation like scratching an itch which provides a feeling of relief. Still others say it is painful but feel compelled to pull anyway. 

People with TTM trying to injure themselves? 

Generally they are not trying to hurt themselves, just as people that bite their nails are not trying to hurt themselves. Most people with TTM are upset by the resulting damage to their appearance and make great efforts to control or stop the behavior. Disorders that are labeled self-injurious (self-cutting or head banging, normally have different causes and treatments

Is Trich a sign of abuse or emotional  disturbance?

TTM occurs in people who are happy and well-adjusted and it may also occur during time of anxiety, stress, trauma or other emotional disturbances, but it does not exclude such problems either. Depression is very common in people with Trichotillomania and should be screened for at the start of treatment.

Is Trichotillomania a form of OCD?

TTM is currently categorized as an "impulsive control disorder' not elsewhere classified. However,there is still much debate over how to best categorize TTM. Within a single individual with TTM there is usually a great variety of methods and reasons for pulling. TTM at time resembles OCD in the feeling of compulsion and repetitive behavior, but the two disorders have different symptoms and require different treatments.  Sometimes, TTM resembles a tic disorder, as the action of pulling feels automatic and is preceded by an uncomfortable sensation that must be relieved.

Is Trichotillomania a "nervous habit"?

TTM is not purely a nervous behavior though it sometimes can be triggered or exacerbated by stress. Hair pulling is just as often associated with other emotions, such as boredom. The strong compulsion to pull exceeds the normal idea of a "habit' that can be controlled through simple will power.

Is swallowing hair part of Trich?

Biting or swallowing all or part of the pulled hairs is not uncommon. This behavior can range from harmless when hair roots are nibbled and swallowed to dangerous when entire hair is ingested.  The formation of hairballs can lead to intestinal blockage and may require surgery. This is a rare but serious condition than can even be fatal if not treated properly. The danger is amplified by the fact that many people with TTM are too embarrassed to seek medical help.

How does TTM affect the them and  their families?

For some TTM is a mild problem, a mere frustration. But recent research has shown the overall impact on the sufferers and their family tends to be more severe.

Feeling of shame about this condition are exacerbated by how poorly it is understood by the general public and medical professionals. TTM often causes painful isolation. Shame leads many to drastically curtail work, social and educational pursuits. Fear of exposure also leads some individuals to avoid vital medical care of all kinds. Hair puling can lead to  great tension and unhealthy dynamics with family. The time and expense spent covering up hair-loss and seeking treatments are also significant.

What treatments are available?

Treatment for TTM has grown steadily over this last decade. No single treatment has been found that to be effective for everyone however, a number of treatment options show great promise for people with TTM. We will be discussing the treatment option next. This will include a brief overview of the most well established treatment approaches.

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy  CBT

CBT therapy seeks to alter behavior by identifying the precise factors that trigger hair pulling and learning the skills to interrupt and redirect responses to those triggers.   CBT should be performed by a psychologist trained in this method and well versed in Trichotillomania. There are not an abundance of psychologists with this specialty but TLC will provide referrals to any local providers and is working to train more therapists in this field.

Medications

A number of medications have shown promise by reducing the severity of the TTM symptoms in some individuals. The antidepressant, clompramine and the amino acid, N-acetyl cysteine, have shown the strongest benefit.  A category of medication of medications referred to as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) the most commonly known of which is Prozac, have shown mixed results.  A small percentage of people find these drugs stop their hair pulling completely while others feel no result..

Support Groups ans Sharing

Many hair pullers have discovered that the shame of being alone and hiding the condition can make it even harder to focus on the strategies to reduce pulling. Joining a support group can go a long way toward easing their shame and putting their TTM in perspective. TLC maintains a database of support groups around country for people with TTM and referrals are free

Alternative Therapies

There are scattered reports that some people with TTM have been helped with a variety of alternative therapies. Such as Hypnosis, Biofeedback, Dietary changes and exercise, among others. While interesting, these therapies have yet to be subject to systematic scrutiny and thus remains to be questionable about their use fullness.  

FEATHER/MICROBLADE EYEBROW TATTOO, LIP TATTOO & LASH LIFT REVIEW!!

Whats up for Summer?

Claudia owner of Claude Thomas Salon versions of California Dreaming color cut and hair extensions

Spring and summer is upon us....YEA! And this starts the Keratin Treatment and Thermal Reconditioning season

Keratin Treatment

Thermal Reconditioning

Thermal Reconditioning is a permanent hair straightening system that transforms frizzy, curly, wavy hair into straight hair while preserving the hair integrity. This straightening system creates a softer feel to the hair and delivers sheen and shine to the hair while providing a drastic improvement in hair manageability. This system creates sleek, smooth, shiny hair. 

Restrictions:  not recommended to use on extremely damaged hair, High lifted color treated hair or hair previous straightened with systems that contain sodium or hydroxide.

Thermal Reconditioning straightening is a cornstarch-based system that creates a non-coating straightening system that uses heat oxidation to seal and rebuild it from the inside using the formulations and special irons that reach an approximately 350 degree.  60% of the straightening process is in the precise manual flat ironing process. The hair that was straightened by the thermal reconditioning will not revert back to it's curly or frizzy state. This means that the straighten hair is permanent.

A touch up can be done to the hair that has grown out, not the previously treated hair. Touch ups can be done within a 6 month frame up to a year. The touch up time is determined by the intensity of the curl and frizz.

Benefits: Your result;  which is straight, silky, shiny, manageable hair. The hair that was processed is now permanently straight. Your styling time will be cut in half or more. Any type of humidity will not impact you, nor your hair. 

Keratin Treatment  is a hair straightening system that can be used on any type of curl, frizz, or hair condition, even damaged hair or bleach blonde hair. The Keratin treatment uses the natural keratin protein that is in the hair and uses a precisely heated iron in a specific technique to seal the keratin into the hair.  

Some Keratin treatment systems have designed formulation to give customized results. We at Claude Thomas Salon use Global Keratin which is formulated to give customized results.

 

From keeping the curl but eliminating the frizz  

 or 

 straightening the curl and eliminating the frizz.

Claude Thomas salon has over 16 years experience in Thermal Reconditioning and 12 years experience in Keratin Treatments. We have certifications in over 11 different system in keratin treatments and thermal reconditioning treatments

Benefits: Silky smoother hair devoid of FRIZZ. A Time Saver.  Styling your hair can be 40% to 60% less time.  Light Rain or humidity will not effect your hair. No Frizz factor. Curl factor is not a factor any more. This treatment can be used on hair that isn't even curly but has some frizz or just damaged hair. Keratin can be used as a restorative treatment. On any type of hair, it will strengthen the hair shaft, smooth the cuticles of the hair and make the hair more resilient. 

How long does it last?

Dependent on how often you wash your hair and using the proper  Shampoo and conditioner recommended by the stylist, it can last 3 to 5 months.

With these straightening systems you will never have to experience the dreaded "FRIZZ FACTOR' again.

Hairy Scenarios!