Mr. Barry Stevens, the founder of Stevens Trichology Practices, UK was in India to update Indian trichologists about the latest technological advances in trichology and the latest hair related issues worldwide. Mr. Barry Stevens conducted the training session with the doctors at Dr. Batra’s Positive Health Clinics as a part of the association between Stevens Trichology Practices, UK and India's leading name in homeopathic practices and research, designed to bring in world-class hair treatment to India.

During his visit, Mr. Stevens revealed startling new research findings that suggested correlations between hair loss and several diseases such as HIV/ AIDS.  He mentioned that recent studies have shown that the incidence of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (a severe form of dandruff) among HIV patients is as high as 30%, as compared to a mere 3% amongst the general population and that Seborrhoeic Dermatitis on the ears is often a presenting feature of AIDS!

Similarly, Mr. Stevens elaborated on the link between hair loss and heart disease. Quoting a study conducted by Harvard Medical School, he stated that hair loss, particularly on the crown, indicated a threefold greater risk of heart disease in men. He also shared the discovery of the correlation between hair diameter and diabetes.  Apparently the mean hair diameters of IDDM (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) patients has been found to decrease 5 months prior to the onset of IDDM. Thus a sharp decrease in the hair diameter in high-risk individuals can prove useful in predicting the onset of IDDM.

Another unusual finding cited by Mr. Stevens is the relationship between dense body hair and intelligence.  A study conducted by American psychiatrist, Dr Aikarakudy Alias over a period of 22 years shows that the most intelligent and highly educated people have hairier chests than the general population. The study showed that hairier men got better grades. A part of the study conducted in South India on medical and engineering students and manual laborers showed that the student groups had more body hair on an average than the manual laborers. Mr. Barry Stevens has been an expert witness and has been instrumental in solving many criminal and civil cases in UK as hair plays a very important part in testimony for cases like drug abuse, robbery, identification of suspect etc.

Contd on page 2.....