Female
Hair Loss Baldness – Alopecia baldness, thinning hair loss
Female
Hair Loss Baldness – Unfortunately female hair
loss has steadily been increasing in the past decade. The hair
loss was predominantly a man’s problem although affected a
minority of women. New statistics show that one in every five
women in the United States experiences hereditary hair loss,
called female pattern hair loss, also referred to as Alopecia
baldness, thinning hair loss. Hair loss is very traumatic for
women. A woman does not have the role models the male has
with hair loss and often feels as though she is the only one on
earth with a hair loss condition
HAIR LOSS DUE TO DIET - Most
Dermatologists state that diet plays a minimal role in female
pattern hair loss. Although the various hormones and antibiotics
present in our food do adversely affect our hair adversely in
the same manner as the occurrence of various cancers have
increased in the past decades. As far as the diet itself, normal
diet will insure you of enough proteins and nutrients to
adequately provide the nourishment needed for hair growth.
Actual studies have been done on World War II concentration camp
victims and even those near death from malnutrition did not
experience any excessive amount of hair loss. Diet can however
effect the condition of the hair such as dry, dull, shiny, etc.
HAIR LOSS DUE TO AGING -
Women lose estrogen with aging. Estrogen stimulates
hair growth. More androgens are present as we age which again
are the main cause of the hair loss. As women age, longer hair
becomes less flattering and with it's increased weight, often
makes hair appear thinner rather than thicker. That is why hair
stylists usually recommend shorter styles to add a thicker look
to the hair along with adding gels, etc. It is a fact that, even
those without female pattern hair loss begin to see changes in
their hair as early as their thirties. Women begin getting Grey
hairs as well as their hair begins to gradually get dryer and
thinner in texture as we age. With hair loss it is important
that precautions are taken to avoid excessive exposure to the
sun.
HOW HAIR LOSS IS
FIRST NOTICED - when a typical head of hair
contains 100,000 individual hairs, most women do not notice
their hair loss until they have already lost up to 25% of the
total number of hairs on their scalp. Even though it is normal
to lose up to a hundred hairs a day, each lost hair now noticed
is often chipping away at self esteem. One asks her self the
following questions: Why me? Am I ill? Am I eating the right
food ? Have the products/blow dryer I'm using on my hair caused
this condition.
Over twenty-two million
females in the U.S. alone, lose hair due to the same reason as
men. It is due to genetic predisposition and the medical term is
androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is believed to be
the effect of male hormone levels that both men and women have
in their body. Androgenetic alopecia is the cause of over 90% of
ALL hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia can be inherited from
either parent. Female pattern hair loss exhibits different
traits than the male. Most women are fortunate enough to be able
to retain frontal hairlines. (Although no amount of hair loss is
acceptable to most women.) Women do not usually exhibit the
totally bald areas as does the male. Most pattern hair loss in
women is a diffuse thinning which can reach further down into
the temples and lower back of the head.
There are other causes for
women's hair loss due to pregnancy and during menopause. At
these times the male hormones tend to have more of an effect
because there's less estrogen in a woman's body. Three to six
months after delivering a child, many women will notice some
degree of hair loss. This can also occur quite commonly in women
who are on crash diets and lose a great deal of weight over a
short period of time, or after acute illnesses, such as an acute
infection. In most cases except after menopause, hair re-growth
will resume after patient returns to normal diet or health.
women who have genetic predisposition to hair loss can
experience more hair loss while on various medications.
There is another hair loss
type , a clinical condition called alopecia areata, sudden round
bald spots will be noticed. Its cause is believed to be an
imbalance of the immune system. There can be a total body hair
loss, alopecia areata is the patchy form of hair loss. Alopecia
totalis is total hair loss of the scalp. Alopecia universalis is
loss of all body hair. For many, the hair will re-grow back by
itself. For more information on these types of hair loss check
with
http://www.naaf.org the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Trichotillomania
- A known obsessive compulsive disorder which
involves the pulling out of one's own hair. This condition is
usually seen in pre-teen and teenage girls and is often
unconscious to the individual. The condition can effect women of
all ages. To properly diagnose this condition a biopsy can be
performed by a competent dermatologist. Trichotillomania can
appear as alopecia areata and is in fact, often mis-diagnosed as
such. New medications and treatments are available for the
condition. For more information on these types of hair loss
check with the Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc. at
http://www.trich.org
DO NOT WAIST YOUR
MONEY ON MAGIC LOTION & POTIONS - Hair loss has
always invited many opportunists to capitalize on weakness and
sensitivity of hair loss victims. In recent years, just as in
ancient history, there have always been magic elixirs in many
forms from cosmetic firms; herbal based concoctions that are
supposed to assist you in "farming" a new full head of hair,
products with impressive sounding ingredients such as
polysaccharides and biotin. Almost all are produced naturally in
the body in more than ample supply with average diet.
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR
HEALTHY HAIR -Most important, respect the gift of
having any type of hair, be it too curly or too straight, too
flat, not blonde, not highlighted etc.
Do not abuse your hair so you look more attractive, you
can do so while being gentle with your hair.
Do not aim very hot blow dryer close to your scalp and
hair follicles while pulling your hair roughly. Long
term affect of these daily activity will be permanent
breaking of your hair follicles for good. Reduce heat.
Avoid hot setting on the blow dryer. keep the blow dryer
as far from your scalpas possible
Avoid constant re-coloring, curling and highlighting of
your hair, too much peroxide and other chemicals in
perms and colors are harmful to your hair.
Use of wide toothed combs is strongly suggested. In
longer lengths always begin at ends and work up to scalp
while hair is wet.
Avoid excessively hot showers. (They dry out the scalp
and promote dandruff).
Avoid sharp, fine tooth combs when hair is wet.
Don't share combs and brushes with others family members
or friends. Use the appropriate shampoo and conditioner
(For dry oily or normal hair).
Avoid hair weaving, tight pony tails or braids which
keep a tension on the hair. (This too can cause
permanent hair loss).
Don't use regular rubber bands in the hair.
Chemicals such as perms and colors damage the hair. The
less chemical usage the better for healthy hair. Consult
with a professional for perms, color, bleaches, etc.
Always use patch tests on the skin prior to chemical
applications to insure against allergic reactions.
Texture and condition are the two main
essentials in determining your hair care products. Texture is
usually divided in three stages: fine, medium and coarse. Hair
that is chemically treated should be classified as dry.
Condition also is divided in three main categories: dry, normal
and oily. Many experts advise individuals to switch shampoo
types periodically. One week use a conditioning/moisturizing
shampoo to treat dry, dull hair. The next use a protein formula
to add body to the hair.
Fact - In
warm weather hair grows faster due to the blood circulation
increasing. Experts say the difference can be significant (up to
15% faster).
