Hair Falling Out? Don’t Panic!

May 5, 2011 · Posted in hair replacement · Comment 

Hair loss can be extremely difficult to accept and deal with especially for women. However, if you understand the common causes of this condition you can take steps to prevent it or reduce its severity. Hair loss in women can be absolutely devastating for the sufferer’s self image and emotional well being.

Treatment of this type of hair loss includes immunomodulating therapies such as glucocorticoids, topical immunotherapy, or anthralin, or biologic-responce modifiers such as Minoxidil. The choice of treatment depends on the patient’s age, as well as the extent of hair loss. Milder cases often see a greater improvement with treatment than severe cases. In no case does treatment restore full hair in patients with 100% scalp or body hair loss.

Even more unfortunately, the medical community also treats the issue of women’s hair loss as if it were nonexistent. Since hair loss doesn’t appear to be life threatening, most physicians pay little attention to women’s complaints about hair loss and essentially tell their patients that “it’s no big deal” and that “you’ll just have to live with it.”

Stress and some illnesses such as anemia and infections, can also lead to hair loss. Stress can lead to an increase in hormones circulating through the blood stream and can also cause problems with the body systems responsible for hair growth. Infection can disrupt the normal operations of the body’s system and cause problems with normal hair growth and patterns.

The only proven treatment for female-pattern baldness is minoxidil. Most users see improvements, including a halt to the balding or slowing down of it, as well as thicker hair. Up to 25% of women experience hair regrowth. Other solutions include wigs, hair transplants (taking hair from the sides and back of the head) and plastic surgery (such as scalp reduction, where the bald area is removed and the bit with hair on is stretched forward).

Unfortunately many conventional doctors downplay hair loss as an inevitable part of aging for both sexes, treating it with topical products like Rogaine that enhance existing hair but offer no real solution to the causes of hair loss, and therefore no prevention of continued hair thinning. This leads many women — especially those in menopause — to think that there is nothing they can do to stop their hair loss.

Experts say our tresses usually grow at the rate of about one-half inch per month – with each hair having a growth phase of two to six years. At that point the hair “rests” for a period of time, then falls out – and the follicle from which it sprang soon starts growing a new strand. And so the cycle continues, usually well into our senior years.

Hair Loss In Women – Six Causes

January 21, 2011 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

Hair loss in women differs from hair loss in men in the following ways:

Signs of hair loss in men:

  • Receding hairline
  • Moderate to extensive hair loss, particularly on the crown of the head

Signs of hair loss in women:

  • General thinning of hair all over the head
  • Moderate hair loss on the crown of the head or at the hairline

In summary, hair loss in women can start around 30 years of age and usually involves overall thinning rather than a bald patch. It often becomes more noticeable around 40 years of age.

Here are six causes of hair loss in women which can help you identify the possible cause and decide whether to just wait for the hair to regrow, or if it is a more serious reason, get professional advice and take appropriate action:

#1. Hair loss in women is often connected to pregnancy. Three to six months after delivering a child, many women notice a degree of hair loss as the hair goes into a resting phase because of the physiological impact of the pregnancy on the body.

#2. A woman’s body can also be greatly affected by intensive diets and losing a lot of weight in a short period of time.

#3. Severe illnesses and infections can put great stress on the body thus triggering the hair into a resting phase which result hair shedding. Often the body recovers naturally within 3 to 9 months and the hair begins to regrow until it almost resembles its original condition.

#4. Hair loss in women can be aggravated further by improper use of chemical hair treatments such as dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, and permanent waves.

Generally, healthy hair can undergo these treatments without showing signs of stress, if they are not done too often. However, if hair is breaking or if it becomes brittle it is best to stop these procedures until the hair has grown out.

#5. The constant pulling of hair with styles such as ponytails and braids can sometimes cause hair loss in women. Avoid pulling the hair tight with these styles.

#6. Rough combing and brushing of the hair and vigorous rubbing with a towel after shampooing can cause it to break, adding further to the problem of Hair loss in women. Wide toothed combs and brushes with smooth tips are recommended to minimize hair breakage.

Conclusion:

Although hair loss is distressing for everyone, hair loss in women is perhaps a cause of more anxiety as it can lead to feelings of lack of confidence and femininity.

In many cases, proper care and attention to hair can greatly reduce the danger of hair loss.

In other cases involving illness or heredity, consulting with a professional hair stylist can result in a hair style that minimizes the effect of hair loss in women.

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Author: Mike Jones
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Facts And Figures About Hair Loss Patterns

October 2, 2010 · Posted in hair replacement · Comment 

Loss of hair from some or all parts of the head can eventually lead to baldness. This health condition is medically known as alopecia. Both men and women may experience baldness at any age. It is even possible that an individual experiences baldness in youth.

A lot of people lose hair everyday. It is a fact of life for them. While some seek effective treatments, most of them accept it as a part of their life. There are many reasons why men lose hair. The male hormone testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Several tissues in the body, including the scalp have DHT, which affects the hair follicle adversely. It slows down hair production, and produces weak and shorter hair. This leads to gradual hair loss. Some causes of male and female pattern baldness are as follows:

  • Ageing
  • Fluctuation in hormone level
  • Hereditary factor
  • Severe illness

While there are many reasons for hair loss, teenage hormonal disorders are major contributors to this problem.

Some facts about baldness

  • We lose more than 40% of our total hair before we notice it and that is why it is important to start treatment as soon as possible
  • We lose around 100 hair everyday on an average
  • Zinc, B6 and biotin are very important for good hair growth
  • An excess of DHT causes hair loss

Hair loss pattern in men – Different from hair loss in women

Male pattern hair baldness follows a typical pattern. You can start losing hair in different areas, but it usually starts around the crown of your head. The hairline recedes and forms a “M” shape. The remaining hair may become thinner and shorter. Hair starts becoming thin initially, and gradually, it may lead to baldness over the top of your head. If you lose hair suddenly, you should visit a doctor and take expert advice. Hair loss can occur because of many reasons, and it can be treated successfully. Almost 50% of the men experience hair loss at some point in their life. Female hair loss occurs in more than one pattern and you may be surprised because of the sudden hair loss. Hair loss patterns in females are not easily recognizable as they are in men. Female hair loss usually starts at the back of the head and hair starts thinning before you even notice.

Treatment process

For those who are happy with the way they look, no treatment is necessary. But those who wish to enhance their looks can do so by opting for various hair loss treatments available on the market. Propecia, an effective FDA approved oral medication is used for treatment of male pattern baldness. When you use any hair loss treatment, do not expect results very fast. You have to learn to be patient. Propecia needs to be taken for a year at least, to get the desired results. It can even help you to re-grow your hair.

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Do you want to know about the baldness and how to stop hair loss using various types hair loss treatments, please visit the website.

The Cause Of Hair Loss In Women

September 10, 2010 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

Hair is often considered one of the most valuable physical assets of a woman, as it characterizes female beauty, and defines her sense of personal grooming. Every woman goes to great lengths to maintain healthy and beautiful hair.

That is why hair loss can often be depressing and demoralizing for most women. It is thought, stress is the cause of hair loss in women, and women are stressed further because of their falling hair, which can result in a vicious cycle of hair fall.

Generally, at any one of point of time, around ten percent of hair on the scalp stays in a resting position, which falls after two or three months. New hair then starts growing in its place.

This cycle continues for about two to six years. ‘Alopecia’, the medical term for hair loss, is a tendency that is usually prevalent in men, but surprisingly about two-thirds of women suffer from premature hair fall. There could be several reasons for the cause of hair loss in women.

Types Of Hair Loss:

There are four main types of hair loss that lead to thinning of hair in women. They are as follows:

Androgenetic Alopecia: It is one of the most common types of hair loss in women, which often appears prominently on the forehead, top and back of the head. Women do not lose all their hair, but it starts thinning slowly. Hair loss in this category begins on the crown of the head and then moves forward. Generally, the androgenetic hormone affects women with androgenetic alopecia.

Alopecia Areata: It is a disease of the immune system, which causes a severe patchy kind of hair loss. Generally, people suffering from this type of hair loss may have small bald spots, or lose all of the hair on their scalp. Although it can strike at any age, it usually begins in early childhood. When the immune system of the body attacks the hair growing cells, it leads to this cause of hair loss in women. It can affect adults and children of both sexes, but can be treated using immunotherapy drugs.

Telogen Effluvium: It is a sudden kind of hair loss, which is impermanent in nature. It is often caused by emotional stress, for example the death of a relative, or physical stress caused by chronic illness or surgery. Women generally notice the hair loss on their hairbrush or the shower floor. It is caused because the hair roots become inactive, and consequently hair from these roots starts falling. After a period of a month or two, new hair begins growing when the inactive hair roots become active again.

Traumatic Alopecia: This type of hair loss problem occurs because of many hair care practices, such as braiding the hair very tightly, or constant twisting and tugging of the hair.

Causes:

A number of factors can contribute to the cause of hair loss in women. They are:

Hormonal problems: Hormonal problems often lead to hair loss in women. If hormones such as androgens and estrogens are not in proper balance, or the thyroid gland is overactive or under active, it may lead to excessive hair loss. However, the correction of the hormonal imbalance can help in stopping the hair loss.

Pregnancy: Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of hair loss in women. Usually, they start noticing the hair loss after three or four months of delivery. This form of hair loss is also related to hormones, as during pregnancy certain hormones prevent the falling out of hair. However, the normal cycle of hair growth resumes after four to six months of delivery.

Medication: Medication can also lead to hair loss in women. Some of the drugs that generally lead to hair loss could include blood thinners, medicine used for gout, chemotherapy to treat cancer, birth control pills, anti-depressants, and vitamin A if taken in an uncontrolled quantity. However, the hair loss could lessen if these medications are stopped.

Infection or underlying disease: Fungal infections of the scalp can be one of the major reasons for the cause of hair loss in women. It could even occur because of an inherent disease.

Telogen Effluvium: A change in the normal hair growth system followed by childbirth, crash dieting, operation, trauma or stress could also be one of the causes of hair loss in women.

Hair loss in women can often become a reason for their bad health and poor performance at work. Hair is a delicate part of the body that demands proper care and maintenance in order to remain healthy. Therefore, it is very important to discuss your hair loss problems with qualified doctors and hair specialists, to treat the root cause of hair loss, and your hair breathes life and shines with new vigor again.

Author: Mike Herman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Women Hair Loss Treatment

September 8, 2010 · Posted in hair regrowth · Comment 

Women Hair Loss Treatment History

It’s a well known and an almost accepted fact that men begin to lose hair sometime during their adult life. Women have hair loss issues as well. Over forty percent of the Americans who have hair loss issues are women, but somehow society overlooks that fact and women are left to deal with the devastating emotional and self image complications alone and they find themselves suffering in silence. Doctor’s don’t pay much attention to women who are losing their hair, so women hair loss treatments have been almost non-existent until recently. Losing hair is not a life threatening scenario, so women who do complain about the problem get answers like, “You just have to deal with it, or it’s no big deal.”

Hair loss in women is serious and it’s a life changing experience. The psychological damage, as well as the stress related to hair loss, has a dramatic affect on women. Eventually other health conditions surface that must be treated and in a lot of cases the original problem that resulted in hair loss may go undetected, which can create a huge medical fiasco for the hair loss patient. The primary medical task is to identify the psychological cause that is creating an imbalance in the physiological make up of the patient and begin an effective women hair loss treatment that deals with the cause, as well as the effect. Women can experience temporary hair loss or long lasting loss, so it’s important to find the cause as quickly as possible, so the hair loss is not long lasting.

Even though female hair loss is still misunderstood, several factors have been identified as the villains that initiate hair loss. Women may create an enzyme imbalance that acts as hormone blocker, which means the bloodstream is not providing enough energy in the form of vitamins and minerals to hair follicles and the result is the follicles go into a dormant state or they completely close and no growth is possible. The lack of B vitamins and amino acids like Para-Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA), which circulate in the bloodstream are not available to the follicles and hair begins to fall out. One women hair loss treatment that focuses on supplying the body with all-natural supplements that increase the amount of depleted minerals and vitamins is Sephren.

Why is Sephren such a Good Women Hair Loss Treatment?

Sephren is an excellent women hair loss treatment product, because it contains all natural ingredients that will stimulate the body to do what it does naturally. Sephren not only contains Biotin, B6, Magnesium oxide and PABA, it also contains Horsetail Silica, as well as antioxidants, so the follicles are stimulated. Sephren understands that in order for any women hair loss treatment to function it needs minerals plus skin conditioning and moisturizing properties. Sephren contains amino acids, which are the fuel that’s needed to help the pituitary gland produce more Human Growth Hormone, which activates hair follicles. Sephren is the women’s hair loss treatment that works because of its all natural active ingredients. Sephren is the women’s hair loss treatment that restores confidence by activating dormant hair follicles, so hair can grow naturally.

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Learn more about women hair thinning and hair loss treatment at Sephren.com

Video of Female Hair Transplant – Treatment for Hair Loss in Women

July 31, 2010 · Posted in baldness · Comment 


Interview on the Early Show: Female Hair Transplant Patient treated for Hair Loss in Women at Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration in New York: www.bernsteinmedical.com

Dealing With Female Hair Loss – Some Solutions For The Problem Of Hair Loss In Women

July 16, 2010 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

As difficult as losing ones hair can be for a male the affect of hair loss in women can be much more devastating. The pressure on women, both culturally and socially to look a certain way makes the affects of female hair loss a situation that is very difficult for a woman to come to terms with.

A woman’s response to losing her hair can run the gamut from generalised anxiety to full blown depression. Female hair loss creates within the woman a dramatic loss in self image and feelings of confidence. Hair loss in a woman goes against one of the primary requirements that are expected of a beautiful woman, that she have a full head of healthy, flowing hair.

The incidence of female hair loss is much higher than most people think. Most women at one time or another in their life will experience hair loss. For many women the hair loss is marked by dramatic thinning of the hair. In other cases female hair loss can be a side affect of changes in hormonal function and levels that occur at various stages of their life. Two examples are post partum hair loss and post menopausal hair loss. It is estimated that hair loss in women after menopause runs at approximately 50%

There can be a number of causes of female hair loss. As we have discussed hormonal levels can be a causative factor. However the biggest contributing factor to hair loss in women is genetic factors. At present there are hair loss treatments that can help with genetic female hair loss. These need to be checked with your doctor of course as there are new developments constantly occurring in the treatment of genetic hair loss in women.

Irrespective of the specific cause of female hair loss, there are a number treatment options that can help.

As simple as it sounds a woman’s hair loss can be helped with a visit to a hair stylist. Various ways of cutting and styling can make a big difference to the appearance of thinning hair. One of the more interesting styling tips is the use of colour. For example thinning black hair can be disguised by simply applying black colouring to the hair and scalp giving the illusion of increased hair thickness and growth.

A hair perm can also give body and thickness to thinning limp hair, as can any one of the many different hair sprays, shampoos and conditioners, gels and mousses that are available today. Every case of female hair loss is different and so consulting a professional hair stylist can help you decide on what hair loss treatment would be most appropriate and give you the best result.

Hair extensions are another very useful way to disguise hair loss in a woman. The visual affect of these extensions is in marked contrast to the “everyone can see it’s a toupee” that many men are unfortunately forced to wear.

It is very easy to create more length or volume with an attractive hair extension that defies detection

Another way of adding hair is with a hair weave. A hair weave is where human hair, or in some cases synthetic “fake” hair are semi permanently attached directly to the scalp. Getting a hair weave involves the “hair” being attached to the scalp with gluing or heat bonding. An alternative depending on the state of the natural hair already present is to knit the hair weave into the normal hair on the head. A hair weave can stay in place for 2-3 months usually, before another weave is needed.

Wigs are an ever popular standard for women suffering with hair loss. For female hair loss associated with cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, where the hair loss is often great, a wig is often the only option available. Whatever the specific cause of the hair loss or thinning, a personalised wig creates a virtually undetectable head of hair and is a popular option for many women.

At present the only permanent solution to female hair loss is a hair transplant. A hair transplant increases volume and hair thickness that is permanent. Micro clusters of hair known as follicular units are grafted onto the scalp, giving a natural and permanent solution to a woman’s hair loss and thinning.

Hair loss in women is an unfortunate occurrence that is becoming more common. But there are hair loss treatment options available. Determining the specific cause of female hair loss is important as there are many options besides the purely cosmetic discussed here. Nutritional aspects as well as mental and emotional factors may also need to be considered for a permanent female hair loss solution.

Author: Glenn A. Turner
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The Causes of Hair Loss in Women

June 7, 2010 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

You’re not alone if you’re experiencing breakage, increased hair shedding or significant hair loss.
Hair loss in women is most often very gradual and is more easily affected by hormonal changes, medical conditions, and external factors. Hair loss in women is no less distressing than in men. More often women s hair loss is limited to the thinning of the hair especially around the crown area. A receding hair line is rare in women. It usually starts with the hair follicle becoming thinner, revealing more skin.

Hair loss or hair shedding is consistent within the hair growth cycle and it is normal to lose some scalp hair each day. The average human scalp has roughly 100,000 to 150,000 individual hairs and the normal hair growth cycle results in the loosening or shedding of about 100 to 150 hairs on a daily basis. New hair growth then emerges from these same previous dormant hair follicles, growing at the average rate of about half an inch per month.

Baldness or Alopecia happens when the normal pattern of hair growth is disrupted. The normal pattern of human hair growth is growing, resting, shedding and growing again. For a woman, thick, vibrant hair is our crowning glory, our vanity visible. Our culture strongly identifies femininity with a thick, silky head of hair. Society unfairly identifies dry, lack luster and thinning hair with old age, sickness and poverty.

Reasons for hair loss include physical, emotional, and genetic conditions. Hair loss can occur from many common causes that most women do not even think of. The number of women who suffer from stress and hair loss is growing. Stress leads to various health conditions which cause hair loss.

A woman’s hair is at its thickest by age 20. Once we pass 20, however, our hair gradually begins to thin, shedding more than the normal 100-150 hairs a day. For even the elderly woman, significant hair loss can threaten self image.

Female pattern baldness or Androgen tic Alopecia is the most common type of hair loss in women and is genetic in nature. The result is a shorter hair growth cycle, finer hair and excessive hair loss from shedding and breakage.

Coming off birth control pills and pregnancy can cause hair loss. Women may experience hair loss 2 – 3 months after having a baby.

Progesterone is another hormone that precisely targets the hair during menopause. It compensates by producing extra androstenedione, which prevents hair growth. Usually hair will return to its original thickness following menopause.

A healthy balanced diet, regular exercise, hydration and rest can go a long way towards preventing hair loss and maximizing the potential of your hair growth cycle.

Nutrition

Poor nutrition is often an underlying cause of hair loss as the hair is a reliable indicator of nutritional well being. Dull hair color or dry and brittle hair may be indicators of a deficiency in essential fats in the diet, oily hair may be a sign of a B vitamin deficiency.

Low-fat foods that rank high in protein, low in carbohydrates, can play a vital role in sustaining healthy hair growth and aid in preventing hair loss. Harsh chemicals may strip the natural oils from your hair and lead to breakage and poor hair growth. Dye, hair straightening and permanent solutions are highly destructive to the hair shaft and follicle as well as the delicate sebum balance of the scalp.

Be gentle with your hair. Allow hair to dry naturally rather than using a hair dryer. Wet hair is weak hair so handle with care.

Try not to constantly run your fingers through your hair, tug at the hair and avoid hair clips or rubber bands that pull at and break off the hair. Minimize the usage of mousse, gels and hair sprays. These products dry and weigh down the hair shaft and dull the natural luster of your hair.
Harsh hair treatment such as pulling with brushes, tight braiding and styling with irons and strengtheners can be a cause of female thinning hair.

Sun worshippers should make sure that hair care products have sunscreen properties to protect hair from the damaging affects of UV rays.

Hair loss is traumatic, however our hair is only part of who we are. Remember, that for some hair grows back as mysteriously as it disappeared

Finding what has caused your hair loss will greatly increase your chances of finding the right treatments to help re grow your hair.

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Causes Of Hair Loss In Men

May 29, 2010 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

Most people don’t want to lose their hair. Sure, some people are more comfortable with the process of balding than others but it can be emotionally trying for millions of Americans. To add insult to injury, the causes of hair loss are different for men and women and can affect many people differently.

The major causes, though, stem from circulatory, hormonal, genetic and nutritional factors. Although they all occur in various forms, all of these causes share a common denominator. They all lead to nutrient deprivation of the hair follicle, which in turn, leads to damaged hair and eventual loss.

Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Many issues can lead to men’s hair loss, and it’s important to try to pinpoint the cause of your specific hair loss. Severe trauma, illness or even surgery can contribute to hair loss as bodily functions often get disrupted when the body undergoes any intense stress. Diseases or fungal infections can also lead to hair loss, regardless of one’s age; if you suspect your hair loss may be due to any of these problems, you should see your physician.

Thinning hair could also be a side effect of taking a particular medication, or it could be caused by hormonal changes; however, the most common causes of men’s hair loss are DHT buildup and genetics. While genetics used to be on the forefront of the male pattern baldness topic, experts believe they still factor in but aren’t the primary issue at hand. Researchers have found that DHT, more formally known as dihydrotestosterone, can block hair follicles from growing new hair.

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

The causes of hair loss in women are slightly different from those in men. Because women produce significantly less testosterone than men, DHT buildup is often not as big a factor as for their male counterparts. However, it is a part of the overall umbrella of causes of hair loss in women and can be seen as a contributing factor.

One of the other causes of hair loss in women is hormonal imbalance. During the periods of puberty, menopause, pregnancy and post-menopause, women’s hormones can change quite dramatically and for extended periods of time. This can lead to significant changes in the hair’s composition and density.

Other causes for hair loss in women include surgery, prescription medications, stress, environmental pollutants, chemicals used in hair styling processes and certain cosmetic procedures. Poor circulation, diseases, and malnourishment are also, less common, causes of hair loss in women. In general, though, losing your hair can be prevented, slowed or reversed altogether with products from Kevis.

The Main Cause: DHT

DHT is a potent hormone that triggers hair loss, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia. For those genetically predisposed to hair loss, DHT dwarfs the hair follicle, which causes the scalp hair to regress to a vellus state which renders the hair virtually nonexistent. The extent and severity of an individual’s hair loss condition can be gauged using a widely accepted measurement known as the Hamilton-Norwood scale.

For many people, DHT hair loss is not simply a matter of unjustified vanity. For some, the condition can be psychologically devastating as well as physically uncomfortable. While there are topical and oral medications designed to aid hair’s natural regrowth phase, results are sometimes far from foolproof and can be accompanied by unwanted side effects of the aiding treatment.

Kevis Treats the Major Causes of Hair Loss Naturally

Kevis researchers believe that DHT, a post-conversion product of the hormone testosterone, is one of the leading causes of hair loss, particularly for men. When DHT binds itself to receptor cells in your hair follicles, it weighs the hair down and keeps it from growing over time. Our products treat all causes of hair loss by attacking DHT with our own blend of amino and other organic acids.

By targeting DHT, we can nip hair loss at its source. We use an HUCP compound to gently yet effectively cleanse the scalp. This works organically to simultaneously wash away DHT debris, buildup and chemical residue. When the hair starts to grow again, it can benefit from this new, cleaner follicle path and the abundance of fresh nutrients available to promote healthier, fuller strands.

Hair guru Brian Bennett, also known by his patients as “The Hair Doctor,” started in the beauty and hair care field over thirty years ago as a licensed Cosmetologist and Aesthetician, and is now a board certified Trichologist. For more information on our products please visit: Hair Loss Products & Treatments or Kevis Hair Regrowth Products

Hair Loss in Women – Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments

May 7, 2010 · Posted in baldness · Comment 

Until recently, the problem of hair loss in women was believed to be uncommon. Recent research, though, has revealed that it is far more widespread than previously thought. Some estimates say as many as 25 million American women (or more) experience noticeable hair loss and the distressing effects that often go along with it. Female hair loss causes are somewhat different than those typically found in men, and the emotional effects can be quite different as well.

Appearance of Hair Loss in Women

The appearance of hair loss in most females is usually different from its appearance in men. Women usually do not go bald or partially bald, and they generally do not have bald spots on the crown of the head. In women, hair loss typically shows up as overall thinning of the hair, both the quantity of hair on the head and the thickness of each individual hair. Some women do have a receding hairline, but rarely as pronounced and noticeable as what many men experience.

Emotional Effects of Hair Loss in Women

A woman’s self esteem and sense of self are typically much more dependent on the way they look than is generally the case for men. Of course, men find it distressing to lose their hair, but for females the emotional effects can be particularly devastating.

When you think of how much money and effort goes into advertising women’s hair care products, styling products, cosmetics and hair care appliances such as blow dryers and curling irons, it is easy to understand why women find it so distressing to experience hair loss. Our society places so much emphasis on looks, especially for women, that female hair loss can lead to a great deal of emotional pain, anxiety, and even trigger episodes of depression.

Medical Causes of Hair Loss in Women

The most common female hair loss causes are related to medical conditions and hormonal changes. While many are similar to those experienced by men, many more are specific to women.

Hormones – Women experience far more hormonal issues than men do, and at a much greater frequency. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause are all conditions unique to women that can affect the amount and permanence of hair loss and cause balding.

Medication – Several medications can cause or contribute to female hair loss, including anti-depressants, blood thinners, birth control pills, anti-cholesterol drugs and chemotherapy drugs.

Illness/Surgery – Many common illnesses can cause female hair loss, such as diabetes and thyroid over- or under-activity, as can conditions that put the body under stress such as high fevers or major surgery.

Other Causes – Anemia, anorexia, bulimia, excess vitamin A, fungal infections, and zinc or fatty acid deficiency can also be the cause of hair loss in women.

Genetic Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is estimated to occur in 15% or less of American women. The chemical process in the body is similar, in that hormones and dehydrotestosterone (DHT) combine to cause hair follicles to shut down. Even though the chemical process is the same, the appearance of the hair loss in females is generally different, with women experiencing general thinning of hair rather than the bald spots or pronounced receding hairline so common in men.

Some experts theorize that differences in hair follicles between males and females may contribute to differences in the appearance of hair loss. In men, hair tends to grow straight up out of the follicle, causing oil and other secretions on the scalp to build up and block follicles. In women, however, hair tends to grow out of the follicle at an angle, allowing oil and secretions to flow more readily out of the follicle.

Everyday Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Women subject their hair to many everyday stresses that can lead to hair damage and hair loss. A few such female hair loss causes include:

o Harsh shampoos o Hair coloring o Hair bleaching o Permanent waves o Frequent use of blow dryers, curling irons and other heated appliances o Improper or harsh brushing and/or combing o Frequent wearing of tight ponytails, braids, and other hair restraints

While these things generally do not cause immediate or permanent hair loss in females, they do often lead to dry, damaged hair that is more likely to break off and thus appear thinner and more brittle. In women whose hair is already thin due to hormonal changes that come with aging, actions such as these can have a large impact on hair appearance.

Proper Diagnosis

Women experiencing hair loss should consult their doctor for an accurate diagnosis of what is causing them to lose hair. In the case of an undiagnosed condition such as diabetes or thyroid problems, treating the medical condition can often stop and even reverse hair loss problems. If the doctor finds that hormonal issues related to menopause and aging are the cause, then he or she is the best resource for information and advice on effective female hair loss solutions.

Topical Hair Loss Treatment

There is only one topical female hair loss treatment approved by the FDA for use by women – minoxidil. This medication is marketed under the name Rogaine and is readily available over the counter in most drug stores, grocery stores, and online.

Rogaine is effective at restoring hair growth and decreasing the appearance of thinning hair in women, but it often takes several months for results to become noticeable in most females. It is quite easy and convenient to apply in the privacy of home, but must be continued indefinitely in order to maintain hair regrowth. If Rogaine use is discontinued, any hair that has regrown will be lost once again.

Surgical Hair Restoration

Surgical hair loss treatments such as hair grafting are quite effective for male pattern baldness, but because the nature of hair loss is different in women, females are generally not good candidates for such treatment. Hair grafting is a process of harvesting hair from actively growing parts of the head and transplanting them to areas of thinning and dormant growth. Because females tend to lose their hair all over the head instead of in a concentrated location, grafting does not usually have much effect. For those women who do have definite balding spots or patches, though, surgical treatment may be an option. It is best to consult an experienced hair restoration surgeon who will diagnose the cause and suggest a suitable solution.

Author: Julie-Ann Amos
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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