Archive for the ‘Hair Loss’ Category

 

Hair Thinning Treatments For Every Hair Loss Cause

Perhaps one of the worst things that women have to deal with is their hair falling out. Nobody wants to deal with losing hair and whether it is thinning hair or bald spots, it is a distressing thought. To make matters worse it seems like every celebrity out there has a full head of hair, as if thinning hair or bald spots would never dare plague them.

One of the problems with hair loss is that many women are under the impressions that it is something that just happens as they get older. Thinning hair and bald spots are not a natural part of getting older; usually there is something else behind it. Knowing what is causing the hair loss in the 30 million women who suffer from thinning hair or bald spots is the first step to treating it. Not to mention that treating the hair loss is the best way to get back the lifestyle that you deserve. While you might not notice it now hair loss can affect your self-esteem, relationships, and your self-confidence.

Hair Loss Types
When it comes to hair loss there are four main types of hair loss, female pattern hair loss, traction alopecia, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium. Each of these types of hair loss is caused by genetics or some kind of disorder, such as a medical condition. The biggest difference between these types of hair loss is how the hair is lost. With female pattern hair loss, the crown and vertex are of the head suffer thinning or even hair loss. Traction alopecia, which is the most popular type of hair loss, causes thinning hair or hair loss because of the hair itself breaking. Alopecia Areata doesn’t just cause thinning hair; it actually causes bald spots to develop all throughout the hair. Telogen effluvium causes hair loss all over the head, but it usually starts in a certain place and spreads out from there.

Hair Loss Causes
While there are numerous hair loss causes the most common one is hair breakage. Hair breakage occurs for a variety of reasons, but overusing heated styling tools, wearing the hair pulled back too tight, and chemical treatments are the most common reasons for hair breakage. Luckily, any hair loss from traction alopecia can be reversed, but it has to be caught early enough. If the breakage isn’t caught early enough the hair follicles can become damaged, which leads to permanent hair loss.
Female pattern baldness is another common cause of hair loss. Women who suffer from this type of hair loss do so because of genetics, but also because of postmenopausal factors. Alopecia Areata is caused by stress, while the causes of telogen effluvium are pregnancy, thyroid disease, anemia, and even a poor diet. Other causes of hair loss can include surgery, medications, testosterone supplements, or scalp disorders. Scalp disorders can include seborrheic dermatitis, scarring alopecia, cicatricial, and psoriasis.

Common Hair Loss Treatments
With how big of a problem hair loss is it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of treatment options available. However, how good those treatments are varies, just like everything else some methods are better than others are. Surgery for hair implants and transplants is one of the methods that many people turn too. The problem with the surgery is that if further hair loss occurs it can leave you with irregular patches of hair on your head, not to mention the cost of the treatment. A Nioxin Three Part Hair and Scalp System is another treatment option for women. This method is designed to help restore your hair back to a healthy condition by cleaning, restoring, and activating the hair follicles. The biggest problem with this system is that even though it is custom-made based on a person’s specific needs once the product is no longer being used the hair loss can come back.

Wigs are another popular treatment for hair loss, no matter what the cause is. Wigs are a popular choice because you can easily hide any hair loss, but you also don’t have to worry about taking medications or using medicated shampoo day in and day out. However, not all wigs are going to be the best solution, some will cause more pain ad embarrassment than the hair loss itself. Traditional wigs, like the kind your grandma wears are to be avoided at all costs. If you plan to wear a wig, you want to find a high quality lace wig. Lace wigs offer you the chance to hide the hair loss, and nobody will even know you are wearing one. Lace wigs are made to be virtually undetectable, and they can comfortably be worn for an extended period of time.

*WomenPatternBaldness.com was created by SWIGCH’D to alleviate the painful and sometimes embarrassing side of effects of Women Pattern Baldness by providing women with gorgeous and undetectable hair solutions.

Visit SWIGCHD.com to view the entire collection.

 
 

causes of Female Hair Loss

30 March;  Author: Hair Wigs

causes of Female Hair Loss

Article by Brennan Howe







You can find umpteen reasons for Female hair loss. Above all you’ll want to know the causes for female hair loss in order that treatment can be undertaken in order to get rid of it. When female hair loss appears the women not only is physically embarrassed she additionally experiences mental stress and embarrassment. There’s tension and shame because hair increases the beauty of women. Soft, shiny locks cascading behind are a sure sign of delicate beauty and feminine seduction. A pretty face along with long, thick hair increases the beauty of a woman. When you see girls with long hair open, proudly showing off their mane a twinge of regret occurs for girls who don’t have long hair. There are lots of reasons for female hair loss.

Female hair loss can be of two kinds. The first is temporary that grows back naturally and the other is permanent hair loss. The explanations can differ from puberty to pregnancy and menopause. Also if there is any depression or bipolar disorder, this may result in female hair loss. Hormonal disturbances cause female hair loss. The DHT (Dihydro testosterone) reduces within the body that makes the hair follicles die thus causing female hair loss. Thyroid, diabetes, birth control pills, pre menstrual stress, imbalance nutrition levels in body, dieting to lose weight and look slim and thin are all reasons for female hair loss.

Female hair loss that comes about as a result of pregnancy and child birth can be rectified. The hair grows back on its own. Even after a short illness hair grows back. Typhoid can cause female hair loss. If correct care and attention is given later, it grows automatically. Anorexia, bulimia, lupus, polycystic ovary syndrome are all other causes for female hair loss. Prolonged illness, surgery, loss of a loved one are also reasons for female hair loss. Whenever a woman is under great strain the hair goes into a ?resting phase?. Once the phase passes, all hair fall at the same time causing female hair loss. It is indeed unexpected that women also have hereditary hair loss. Though uncommon it is one of the reasons for female hair loss.

Serious medical conditions like cancer can cause female hair loss. Chemotherapy that is used to cure cancer cause hair fall and women do go bald then. But at that time your interest is more in getting rid of cancer, a dreadful disease. Looks hardly matter. Diabetes a lifestyle disease also causes both male and female hair loss. The insulin level in your body lowers causing hair loss. An imbalanced body and mind can be reason for female hair loss.

Minoxidil and Tricomin spray help in treating female hair loss. These are frequently used and are safe products. Both these products are growth stimulant and help in hair growth. There are also natural female hair loss products using herbs and minerals to stop hair loss in women. Better to use products that do not have any unwanted side effects.



About the Author

At KeepingYourHair.com we provide hair loss prevention information, products and reviews. Come find the best solution to prevent your hair loss and how you can regrow your lost hair.

 
 

Hair Loss Remedy – Vitamins, Minerals and Natural Supplements For Hair Loss – Nurse’s Report

Hair loss refers to the loss of hair due to an increase in the rate of hair falling out and its not being replaced by new hair growth. Seeking natural treatment is the best remedy and vitamins, minerals and other supplements may or may not be taken safely as a hair loss solution. Many of the hair loss drugs on the market today require a daily dose for a lifetime. Besides being expensive, they all come with side effects and the benefits may not outweigh the risks.

It’s important to get diagnosed and know what is causing your hair loss. If you’re an older man, chances are it may be male pattern baldness. You can also have your testosterone levels checked to see if they may be implicated. Decreasing them may not be possible though or advisable.

If the hair follicles are still alive and functioning then it may be worth a try to take some supplements that you may be missing in your diet to help stop losing your hair. Two things to remember though – a natural healthy diet of living foods (raw foods – fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds) and lots of them is the best approach; wherein you have plenty of vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients naturally available to help you grow your hair back and return yourself to your optimum state – it’s the best hair loss diet.

Secondly, it’s not known if vitamins, minerals and other supplements work if they’re not working in conjunction with nature’s natural chemicals – those that are a part of the living foods that the vitamins and minerals are also a part of. And the quality of the supplements is important also.

Cheap supplements may not be of the best quality and may not do you any good and may do you more harm as your body needs to get rid of them.

Keeping this all in mind I’m going to list the vitamins and minerals that are reported to be the best for enhancing or stimulating hair growth, again if the hair follicles are still alive. Make sure to get advice from your hair loss doctor or naturopathic doctor before you start taking any supplements. Some supplements can be harmful if you’re taking certain drugs or medications for example.

Take the following information with a grain of salt. New studies and research come out often and any new study or report can refute what has been reported in the past.

First of all the amino acids, arginine, cysteine, lysine and tyrosine, are used in hair loss treatment.

Arginine deficiency has been reported as one reason for hair loss.

Cysteine at dosages of 1,000 mg. to 2,000 mg. per day has been reported to spur hair growth and help stop hair loss. It’s supposed to help prevent free radical damage to the hair follicles. Some reports show that cysteine causes a noticeable improvement in hair growth. Eight percent of human hair is made up of cysteine. Many people who have thin or slow growing hair have reported they’ve noticed considerable improvement in their hair growth when they used 3,000 mg. to 5,000 mg. of cysteine per day.

Lysine deficiency can result in hair loss. Lysine is often used for herpes-related infections or prevention.

Tyrosine – when hair loss is caused by a low thyroid condition, called hypothyroid, tyrosine has been known to alleviate it.

Other supplements –

Enzymes in the form of superoxide dismutase (SOD) are supposed to decrease hair loss by inhibiting superoxide free radicals on nitric oxide.

A linoleic acid deficiency may result in hair loss, research suggests.

Minerals –

The important minerals to consider are copper, iron, silicon and zinc. Minerals need to be in balance with each other. Too much of one mineral in some cases can cause an imbalance in another. Make sure to get help from an informed health professional.

Copper can help stimulate hair growth if a copper deficiency is present and is involved in the prevention and possibly treatment of hair loss. Too much copper can actually cause hair loss. I have wondered whether the copper bracelets that used to be in vogue and may still be, for arthritis, would be worth a try.

Recently there have been good studies on iron deficiency as a possible cause of hair loss. Taking iron supplements is not a good idea though. Getting iron naturally in food would be a better choice. Too much iron can cause some serious health problems.

Potassium deficiency can be a cause of hair loss it’s thought.

Silicon is supposed to be able to stimulate hair growth. Silicon is present in cucumbers among other foods.

Early or premature hair loss may be a result of zinc deficiency so says some research. Again zinc can cause hair loss.

The sulfuric compound methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) may help hair growth due to its sulfur content.

Vitamins –

Many vitamins may be involved in hair loss. Research suggests that hair loss or hair growth may be a result of deficiencies of these vitamins – biotin, folic acid, inositol and PABA (para aminobenzoic acid) and PABA may help to prevent hair loss due to its antioxidant properties.

The nicotinic acid form of vitamin B3, which is applied to the scalp, may help to improve blood circulation to the scalp (and may help stop the loss of hair) – you must have live hair follicles present. The suggested dose has been about 35 mg. of nicotinic acid daily.

Vitamin B5 deficiency causes hair loss in animals but hasn’t been proven in humans.

Vitamin C may help hair growth by improving the circulation of blood to the scalp.

Taking too much vitamin A can cause temporary and reversible hair loss it’s reported.

These are the vitamins and minerals and other supplements that have been researched, reviewed, studied or reported on in various medical journals. Before starting any hair loss treatment or remedy to help stimulate your living hair follicles and/or to prevent further loss, make sure you see your doctor first. If your hair follicles are not alive than it is unknown today what will help them short of hair transplant. Some cases of hair loss are reversed once the cause is known. Some cannot be reversed with what we know today. And be patient for whatever method you may decide to use.

For more information on hair loss remedies and hair loss products go to http://www.HairLossRemedy.us a nurse’s website specializing in hair loss treatments, causes and resources for men, women and children including information on hair transplants and hair loss natural treatments

 

 
 

Hair Loss : Busting the Myths

30 March;  Author: Hair Wigs

Hair Loss : Busting the Myths

Hair loss in men is as old as time itself it would seem. DNA experts have recently found that male pattern hair loss is not uniquely a modern problem. The findings are the result of a number of scientific tests performed on a 4,000 year old caveman. The results of the findings lend more weight to the idea that male pattern baldness is not a modern condition that has come about as a result of stress and diet but rather has a genetic base. Despite all the research and discoveries in the field of hair loss, a number of myths continue to be passed on from one generation to the next. Here we look at some of the more popular ones.

1. Hair loss is inherited from your mother’s side

While hair loss has been show to have a genetic basis it is not only restricted to genes passed on from your mother’s side of the family. Both parents are equally as likely to pass on genetic information that may have an influence on their children experiencing hair loss later in life. Pattern baldness can be inherited from the mother’s side. But it can also be inherited from the father’s side.

2. Frequent ejaculation promotes hair loss

As much an urban myth as any other you are likely to hear, this one still gives many a teenage boy pause for thought. However you can all relax boys as there is no scientific evidence to show that frequent ejaculation results in hair loss.

3. Washing your head in cold water can cure baldness

The idea here seems to be one of increasing blood circulation beneath the scalp. While washing your head in cold water does indeed produce an increase in blood flow it is important to remember that an increase in blood flow has no effect on reducing or curing hair loss.

4. Losing a little hair each day means I’m starting to go bald

It is natural for all of us to lose a little hair each day ( approximately 20-50 according to latest research ). These hairs normally grow back. If you find your self loosing more than this amount it might be a an early sign of hair loss.

5. It is normal to lose more hair from early 30’s onwards.

True. As we age our hair becomes finer, weaker and sparser. It is generally accepted that most men will begin to see an increase in hair loss from their early to mid 30’s.

6. Hair products cause hair loss.

False. Hair products have not be shown to have a direct link on hair loss. Shampoos, gels, creams etc are safe to use on a regular basis without fear of promoting hair loss.

7, Standing on your hair can cure baldness.

I’m not sure where this one originated from. I suspect that like washing your head in cold water it is supposed to increase blood flow and therefore slow down hair loss. Once again, remember blood flow itself is not a cure for hair loss. My friend actually suggested standing on your hair might actually increase hair loss as it works with gravity to increase the tension on the follicles ! He was talking in jest of course.

8. Wearing hats all the time increases hair loss

Some people believe the increase in tension on the scalp that a hat creates might be a reason for hair loss. If you just can’t step out of the house without your favorite baseball cap, hunting cap, top hat, whatever, be not alarmed ! Wearing hats does nothing to increases hair loss or cause baldness.

9. Massaging your scalp can prevent hair loss.

It’s the old blood flow theory 101 at work again here. Once again, there is no scientific evidence that suggests massaging one’s scalp with reduce or stop hair loss. By all means massage away as it feels awesome but don’t expect any miracle overnight regrowth.

10.A bad diet causes hair loss

While it is obviously important to eat a health, balanced diet to provide ultimate conditioning for your body’s various systems, there is no evidence that particular foods increase or reduce hair loss.

11. Stress is an important factor in hair loss

True. This one has been shown again and again through countless studies and scientific research to be a factor in hair loss. Stress can cause a short term decrease in hair production but is not directly related to male pattern baldness. If you are experiencing hair loss and have no hair loss within your family tree , you might see some benefit from trying to reduce stressful situation in your daily life if and when possible.

12. Hormone issues can result in hair loss

This one is still undergoing a fair amount of research and is currently hotly debated on the internet. Certainly thyroid issues have shown in the past to cause some amount of hair loss. It is also worth noting that some women may experience a degree of temporary hair loss after giving birth.

13.

Steroid usage causes hair loss

For all you gym junkies out their with your steroid fueled arms as big as a truck – ever wondered why you suddenly went bald ? Steroids have been shown to have a direct cause of hair loss in users. Research has shown that an increase in levels of male hormones such as those contained in popular sport enhancing drugs can induce baldness.

Norman Ozo is host of the Nizoral Shampoo review site. If you are interested in hair loss and anti dandruff solutions or anti dandruff shampoo visit the nizoral shampoo website today. There you can read reviews, information, tips and tricks about controlling dandruff and hair loss.

 
 

Hair Loss in Women: Myths and Truths

30 March;  Author: Hair Wigs

Hair Loss in Women: Myths and Truths

Hair Loss: one of the most confounding conditions men and women have ever struggled with. People consider their hair as kings consider their crown; an important part of one’s identity, an important part of one’s self. Hair and hair loss are often considered as indicators of one’s youth. That is why people are always appalled whenever faced with the possibility of hair loss. Hence we often do whatever they can and believe whatever we hear just to make sure that we get to keep that precious hair of ours as thick and as healthy as can be.

Hair loss can be common in females and is more common following the menopause; however, alopecia will not manifest in all cases. In many cases the sufferer will simply notice increased hair loss and thinning of the hair; early treatment can improve the outcome. Although alopecia tends to be socially accepted in males it is unacceptable in females and in many cases it can have devastating effects on the sufferer’s emotional state and confidence. But you should not despair – hair loss can be prevented and stopped once you know what causes it and what you should do.

The real causes of hair loss or alopecia, as it is clinically known, have already been explained by science, however, before we proceed to know the real causes of hair loss, let us first see and examine the prevalent myths about why hair loss occur in women.

There are many websites that try to dispel the “myths” of womens hair loss but some of these so-called “myths” do have a basis for truth. Let’s now examine many of these popular “myths” and provide a balanced response.

Myth Number One: Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss. Many websites say this is “rubbish”, however, in textbooks of trichology it is recommended that “extra care” should be taken for fragile and thinning hair. These measures include using gentle shampoos as heavily medicated shampoos can affect the scalp and brushing should be gentle as well. Any tangles of hair should be separated without pulling of the hair. So, it’s not so much how frequently you wash your hair but what you wash your hair with!

Myth Number Two: We often hear that bad blood circulation starves the hair follicles which make them fall out. Although patients with poor blood circulation do not appear to be more likely to suffer from alopecia, tight fitting hats and wigs may cause hair loss in a very small minority of people. The mechanism is still unclear but if it occurs, this may be due to the impairment of blood flow in the scalp. That is why extreme care should be taken by alopecia sufferers who wear these garments on their heads.

Myth Number Three: Hats and wigs cause hair loss. This is untrue on the whole, all hats and wigs do is just cover your hair. Hats may even help shield your hair against the damaging causes of direct sunlight. However, if you are a sufferer of alopecia you should avoid tight fitting hats and wigs in our opinion.

Myth Number Four: 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair. Brushing your hair does stimulate the glands on your scalp to produce oil that will keep your hair healthy. However, a hundred brush strokes does more damage to your hair than what you wish intend. A hundred brush strokes on thinning and fragile hair will be more devastating than helpful. It is important to look after thinning and fragile hair and gentle brushing should be sufficient to maintain the condition of your hair and can be of benefit. Tangles should be separated by fingers without pulling the hair.

Myth Number Five: Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments. Whilst treatments on hair can damage the nutrients and make it less healthy it will not lead to permanent alopecia. However, should hair loss be experienced after perms etc. then you should avoid them. That is why you have to scrutinize whatever you use in your hair since improper use of products may cause potential hair loss.

Myth Number Six: Women are expected to develop significant hair loss if they are healthy. Utter rubbish.

Myth Number Seven: Shaving one’s head will cause the hair to grow back thicker. This is just not true. In fact, if you are suffering from androgenetiic alopecia, this will actually severely quicken your hair loss.

Myth Number Eight: Standing on one’s head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth. We’re afraid not; although poor blood circulation may cause some hair loss, increasing blood circulation just does not stimulate hair growth either.

Myth Number Nine: Dandruff causes permanent hair loss. This is simply not true. Dandruff is a condition of the scalp, not the hair. Dandruff occurs because of the excessive shedding of cells on your scalp skin. For dandruff sufferers, the natural process of scalp-cell renewal is accelerated when fighting off P. ovale, a normal fungus found on every human head.

Myth Number Ten: We often see TV personalities and even some doctors say that stress makes your hair fall out! Although it is unclear whether stress coming from severe life events can cause alopecia, there are case reports indicating that this may be so. It is however very rare and frequently no cause can be found for severe and rapid developing alopecia. Patients who have suffered hair loss following a stressful event may still benefit from specific treatment to assist in hair re-growth.

Myth Number Eleven: Hair loss does not occur in the late teens or early twenties. Whilst fairly rare this is not true. Alopecia or hair loss may happen to anyone regardless of their age.

Now what really causes androgenetic alopecia or hair loss in women?

The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and sides of the head. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as early as puberty. Normal hair fall is approximately 100-125 hairs per day. Fortunately, these hairs are replaced by the mechanisms in the body. True hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not re-grown or when the daily hair shed exceeds 125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss can come from either parents’ side of the family.

There are two different types of hair loss, medically known as Anagen effluvium and Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium or loss of hair that is in the anagen or growing phase is generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicles. Telogen effluvium on the other hand, is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage. The most common causes of Telogen effluvium are: (1)Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, rapid weight change; (2)Emotional stress: mental illness, death of a family member; (3)Thyroid abnormalities; (4)Medications: High doses of Vitamin A, Blood pressure medications, Gout medications; and (5)Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause. When the above causes of telogen effluvium are reversed or altered you should see the return of normal hair growth.

Hair loss in women: androgenetic alopecia, anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium can be lessened and reduced, even stopped. All you need to do is know the right information about alopecia and do the right things to combat these conditions. There are lots of hair loss treatment medicines available out there; all you need to do is to know which one is the right one for you, depending on the extent of the hair loss. Remember, that the longer you wait to treat your hair loss, the harder it will be to achieve good results. So if you want to win this hair loss battle, stand up and do it now! The quicker you take action the easier it’s going to get.

The Author works for www.combat-hair-loss.co.uk. A site dedicated to fight what ever forms of hair loss or alopecia through proper knowledge and medicine. The site also gives you several tips on how to prevent and combat hair loss as well as charts and drawings to properly evaluate your hair loss and treat them accordingly. The site also recommends some of the best hair loss treatment medicines and alternatives available out there.

 
 

Alopecia (baldness or Hair Loss)

30 March;  Author: Hair Wigs

Alopecia (baldness or Hair Loss)

What is Alopecia?

Alopecia (also known as baldness or hair loss) refers to loss or lack of hair on part of or the entire scalp and in some cases, other parts of the body. Hair loss can be temporary or permanent and can affect people of all ages. Although alopecia can occur anywhere on the body, it is most distressing when it affects the scalp. It can range from a small bare patch, which is easily masked by hairstyling to a more diffuse and obvious pattern [3, 4].

Causes of Alopecia
Causes of alopecia include,
1. Genetics
2. Prolonged fever
3. Hormonal changes, such as childbirth, use of birth control pills or thyroid disease
4. Treatment for cancer, such as chemotherapy
5. Continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing
6. Burns or radiation therapy
7. Emotional or physical stress
8. Ringworm of the scalp (Tinea capitas)
9. Some prescription medicine

(To mention a few)

Types of Alopecia
The different types of alopecia associated with loss of hair on the scalp include,
1. Androgenetic alopecia (Genetic hair loss)
Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern hair loss is a major problem affecting men and is such that by the age of 50, up to 50% of men who are genetically predisposed will be affected. It is characterised by progressive, patterned hair loss from the scalp and its prerequisites are a genetic predisposition and sufficient circulating androgens (steroid hormone such as testosterone or androsterone, which promotes male characteristics). According to Sinclair (1998) every Caucasian male possesses the autosomal inherited predisposition, and as such, 96% lose hair to some degree. Sinclair also mentions that Caucasian men are four times more likely to develop premature balding than Black men. Hair loss does not usually start until after puberty with an extremely variable rate of progression [1, 5].

The condition is also fairly common in women and is referred to as female pattern hair loss. In women, â??it is characterised by a diffuse reduction in hair density over the crown and frontal scalp with retention of the frontal hairlineâ? [6]. Birch et al (2002) make mention of the fact that in some women, the hair loss may affect a small area of the frontal scalp whilst in others the entire scalp is involved. In advanced female pattern hair loss, the hair becomes very sparse over the top of the scalp bit a rim of hair is retained along the frontal margin. The vertex (crown or top of the head) balding seen in men is rare in women; however, a female pattern of balding is not uncommon in men [6]. The androgen-dependent nature or the genetic basis of female pattern hair loss has not been clearly established, although a study carried out by Sinclair et al (2005) showed that androgens play an important role in the development of female pattern hair loss.

2. Alopecia areata (AA)
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, immune-mediated, nonscarring form of hair loss, which occurs in all ethnic groups, ages (more common in children and young adults), and both sexes, and affects approximately 1.7% of the population [8, 9]. Alopecia areata is unpredictable and patients usually present with several episodes of hair loss and regrowth during their lifetime. Recovery from hair loss may be complete, partial, or nonexistent. It is thought that 34 to 50% of patients with AA will recover within a year whilst 15 to 25% will progress to total loss of scalp hair or loss of the entire scalp and body hair where full recovery is unusual [8, 11]. It usually presents as a single oval patch or multiple confluent patches of asymptomatic (without obvious signs or symptoms of disease), well circumscribed alopecia with severity ranging from a small bare patch to loss of hair on the entire scalp. Frequent features of AA patches are exclamation mark hairs, which may be present at its margin; the exclamation mark hairs are broken, short hairs, which taper proximally. The hair loss from AA may be the only obvious clinical abnormality or there may be associated nail abnormalities. Other less common associated diseases include thyroid disease and vitiligo [4, 10, 11].

Clinical presentation of AA is subcategorised based on the pattern and extent of the hair loss. If categorised according to pattern, the following are seen;
a. patchy AA, which consists of round or oval patches of hair loss and is the most common,
b. reticular AA, which is a reticulated (networked) pattern of patchy hair loss,
c. ophiasis band-like AA, which is hair loss in parieto-temporo-occipital scalp (middle-side-back of scalp),
d. ophiasis inversus, which is a rare band-like pattern of hair loss in fronto-parieto-temporal scalp (front-middle-side of scalp), and
e. diffuse AA, which is a diffuse decrease in hair density.
[Taken from Shapiro J and Madani S, 1999]

If categorised according to the extent of involvement, the following are seen;
a. alopecia areata, which is the partial loss of scalp hair,
b. alopecia totalis, which is 100% loss of scalp hair, and
c. alopecia universalis, which is 100% loss of body hair.
[Taken from Shapiro J and Madani S, 1999]

3. Telogen Effluvium (TE)
Telogen effluvium is an abnormality of hair cycling, which results in excessive loss of telogen (resting phase of hair cycles) hairs and is most common in women. Women with this disorder would usually notice an increased amount of loose hairs on their hairbrush or shower floor. Daily loss of hair may range from 100 to 300 hairs. It is thought that TE may unmask previously unrecognised androgenetic alopecia. The most common underlying cause of TE is stress; other causes include certain diseases such as thyroid and pituitary diseases, some medication and child birth, to mention a few. In many cases however, no cause can be found. TE usually begins two to four months after the causative event and can last for several months [4, 12]. Unlike some other hair loss conditions, TE is temporary and hair regrowth is possible [4]. Telogen effluvium presents in about three forms;
a. Acute telogen effluvium, where shedding of hair is expected to cease within 3 to 6 month
b. Chronic diffuse telogen hair loss, which is telogen hair shedding persisting longer than 6 months. Common causes include thyroid disorders, acrodermatitis, profound iron deficiency anaemia, and malnutrition.
c. Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) is the most common cause of hair loss in women, affecting 30% of females, between the ages of 30 and 60 years old, in the UK. CTE is such that there is a relative change in the proportion of growing to resting hair and in most cases, excessive shedding of hair has been present for at least 6 months. According to Rushton et al (2002) studies have shown that 95% of CTE cases arise from a nutritional imbalance involving the essential amino acid L-lysine and iron. Other common causes of CTE include drugs, thyroid disease and childbirth [1, 11].

4. Cicatricial alopecia (scarring alopecia)
Circatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, refers to a group of rare hair disorders resulting from a condition that damages the scalp and hair follicle. They present as areas of hair loss in which the underlying scalp is scarred, sclerosed, or atrophic. In other words, the disorders destroy the hair follicle and replace the follicles with a scar tissue consequently causing permanent hair loss. Conditions associated with circatricial alopecia include autoimmune diseases such as discoid lupus erythematosus, scalp trauma, infections such as tuberculosis and syphilis, and radiation therapy. Circatricial alopecia affects both adults and children, and may present as primary or secondary circatricial alopecia [4, 13].

5. Chemotherapy-related alopecia
Alopecia caused by chemotherapy may vary from slight thinning of the hair to complete baldness. The extent of alopecia depends on the choice of drugs and its dose. Drugs which cause severe alopecia include methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, ifosphamide, vincristine, and taxoids to mention a few. When drugs are used in combination, which is usually the case with many treatment regimes, the incidence and severity of alopecia can be greater than usual. According to Randall et al (2005) â??chemotherapy-related alopecia has been rated by patients as one of the most severe, troublesome and traumatic chemotherapy-related side effectsâ?. Hair loss due to chemotherapy is not permanent and as such, the hair will grow back once treatment has ended [14].

6. Traumatic alopecia
This is usually a very common cause of hair loss in women of some ethnic backgrounds (particularly women of African/Caribbean descent). It is caused as a result of hair grooming techniques by the use of hair reshaping products such as relaxers, straighteners, hot combs, foam rollers and permanent wave products, as well as hair braiding methods. These techniques damage hair follicles over time [15]. Traumatic alopecia is divided into three categories;
a. Traction alopecia, which results from persistent pulling of the hair by tight rollers, tight braiding or ponytails. The use of blow-dryers, vigorous combing or brushing and bleaching of the hair can also contribute to hair breakage. Thinning begins above the ears and the forehand, and if the causative styling methods are not stopped, irreversible hair loss can result as the hair follicles are destroyed [15, 16].
b. Chemical alopecia, which results from the use of commercial relaxer and styling products. These products contain chemicals such as thioglycolates, which create curls or straighten the hair by destroying the disulphide bonds of keratin. Apart from curling or straightening the hair, these chemicals may have irritant effects on the scalp, which can result in hair shaft damage, inflammation of the scalp and loss of hair roots. All these can lead to irreversible damage of the hair follicles [15, 16].
c. Hot-comb alopecia, also known as follicular degeneration syndrome, results from the excessive use of pomades with a hot comb or iron, which leads to a gradual destruction of hair follicles. When pomade comes in contact with a hot comb or hot iron, it liquefies and drips down the hair shaft into the follicle. This results in chronic inflammatory folliculitis, which can lead to scarring alopecia and consequently permanent hair loss. Thinning usually begins at the crown and then spread evenly throughout the head. The condition is irreversible [15, 16].

Common baldness/hair loss myths
Several myths about hair loss exist, some serious, others not so serious. These myths include;
1. Male pattern baldness (as well as female pattern baldness) is inherited from the motherâ??s side of the family: This is not true as studies have been conducted, which conclusively suggest that it can come from either side of the family.
2. Cutting the hair can make it grow faster and stronger. When hair grows longer, it is worn down by normal wear and tear and as such gets slightly thinner around the diameter of the shaft. Cutting the hair cuts it back to where there is less wear and tear and subsequently the hair shaft is slightly thicker, giving the impression that cutting the hair makes it thicker. It would also not grow faster as hair grows almost exactly half an inch per month regardless of whether it is cut or not.
3. Wearing a hat can cause hair loss. This can only happen if the hat is prohibitively tight as any form of pulling or tightening of the hair can have some effect on hair loss; however, wearing a hat on its own cannot cause hair loss.
4. Towel drying your hair rigorously will make your hair fall out faster. This can only occur if the hair was due to fall out anyway; however you wonâ??t be promoting additional hair loss by towelling rigorously
5. Rubbing curry on the head will help hair loss. Not only will it not work, youâ??re likely to smell afterwards as well.
6. Split ends can be repaired. This is not true as split ends cannot be repaired and should be cut off immediately to avoid them splitting higher and causing more damage to the hair.
7. Having a cow lick the top of your head can help hair loss. This would not help your hair loss, but might be entertaining to watch.
8. Standing on your head, or hanging upside down will increase the blood flow to the head and reduce hair loss. It is true that standing on your head or hanging upside down will increase the blood flow to the head; however, it wonâ??t do anything to hair loss.

Quality of life and psychological aspects
The hair constitutes an integral part of our self and our identity and as such hair loss may cause a wide range of psychological problems related to our identity. Alopecia in itself has few physically harmful effects; however, it may lead to problems such as high levels of anxiety, social phobia, paranoid disorder and serious depressive episodes. The extent of alopecia is one of the predictors of the severity of psychological distress [12, 17].

There is an important link between hair and identity, especially for women. Feminity, sexuality, attractiveness, and personality, as reiterated by Hunt et al (2005), are symbolically linked to a womanâ??s hair and as such hair loss can seriously affect self esteem and body image. Hunt et al (2005) also stated that about 40% of women with alopecia have had marital problems as a consequence whilst about 63% claim to have had career related problems [18].

Psychological problems can also be experienced by children affected by alopecia.

Management of Alopecia
Alopecia can be managed in different ways, depending on type and severity. The various methods of management include;
1. Medical treatment such as the use of topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, topical tretinoin, exogenous estrogen, spironolactone and anti-androgens for androgenetic alopecia. The type of treatment and dose may vary depending on gender and age (i.e. adult or children).
2. Medical treatment such as the use of immunomodulatory agents (e.g corticosteroids, 5% minoxidil, and anthralin cream) and topical immunotherapeutic agents (e.g dinitrochlorobenzene and diphenylcyclopropene) for alopecia areata.
3. For hair loss caused by telogen effluvium, the underlying cause is usually treated first.
4. Cicatricial alopecia is sometimes managed using both systemic and topical therapy, this includes the use of hydroxychloroquine, topical immunomodulators (e.g tacrolimus and pimecrolimus), intralesional injections of triamcinolone, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, and isotretinoin, to mention a few.
5. When hair loss is extensive, wigs may be worn; there is also the option of hair transplantation (using minigrafts).
6. To reduce the risk of traumatic alopecia, techniques for hair grooming should be used with caution bearing in mind the sensitivity of the scalp and hair follicles. Discontinuance of styling practices may result in an abatement of hair loss and partial hair growth; this depends on the length of insult to the roots. Complete re-growth is possible if hair loss is managed early [15].
7. The use of laser phototherapy, which offers a respite from drugs, chemicals, lotions, visits to hospitals, dermatologist centres and surgery, is non-toxic, safe and can be used at home (see our new Hairbeam Phototherapy product).

Recommended Products for Hair loss

References
1. Rushton DH, Norris MJ, Busuttil N.Causes of hair loss and the developments in hair rejuvenation. Int J Cosmet Sci 2002; 24: 17-23.
2. Biondo S, Goble D, Sinclair R. Women who present with female pattern hair loss tend to underestimate the severity of their hair loss. Br J Dermatol 2004; 150: 750-752.
3. Anonymous. What should I know about hair loss? Am Fam Physician 2003; 68(1):107-108.
4. Thiedke CC. Alopecia in Women. Am Fam Physician 2003; 67(5): 1007-1014.
5. Sinclair R. Male pattern androgenetic alopecia. Br Med J 1998; 317: 865-869.
6. Birch MP, Lalla SC, Messenger AG. Female pattern hair loss. Clin Dermatol 2002; 27: 383-388.
7. Sinclair R, Wewerinke M, Jolley D. Treatment of female pattern hair loss with oral antiandrogen. Br J Dermatol 2005; 152: 466-473.
8. Tosti A, Bellavista S, Iorizzo M. Alopecia areata: A long term follow-up study of 191 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol 2006; doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2006.05.008.
9. Kaelin U, Hassan AS, Braathen LR. Treatment of alopecia areata partim universalis with efalizumab. J Am Acad Dermatol 2006; doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.05.062.
10. Olsen et al. Alopecia areata investigational assessment guidelines. J Am Acad Dermal 1999; 40: 242-246.
11. Shapiro J, Madani S. Alopecia areata: diagnosis and management. Int J Dermatol 1999; 38 (Suppl. 1): 19-24.
12. Harrison S, Sinclair R. Telogen effluvium. Clin Exp Dermatol 2002; 27: 389-395.
13. Whiting DA. Cicatricial Alopecia: Clinico-Pathological Findings and Treatment. Clin Dermatol 2001; 19: 211-225.
14. Randall J, Ream E. Hair loss with chemotherapy: at a loss over its management? Eur J Cancer Care 2005; 14: 223-231
15. Goodheart HP. Hair and Scalp Disorders. Womenâ??s health in primary care 1999; 2(5): 338, 343.
16. Womenâ??s Institute for Fine and Thinning Hair. Traumatic Alopecia. Rogaine 2003. Available via: http://www.womenshairinstitute.com/th_wcth_ta.asp [Accessed on 05/07/2007].
17. Schmidt S, Fischer TW, Chren MM, Strauss BM, Elsner P. Strategies of coping and quality of life in women with alopecia. Br J Dermatol 2001; 144: 1038-1043.
18. Hunt N, McHale S. The psychological impact of alopecia. BMJ 2005; 331:951-953.
19. Understanding hair loss. Hair loss myths. Available via: http://www.understanding-hair-loss.net/hair-loss-myths.htm [Accessed on 05/07/2007].
20. Hair Styles. Top 10 Hair Myths. Available via: http://www.hair-styles.org/top-10-hair-myths.html [Accessed on: 05/07/2007].

Disclaimer

This article is only for informative purposes. It is not intended to be a medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for all your medical concerns. Kindly follow any information given in this article only after consulting your doctor or qualified medical professional. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from any information obtained from this article.

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Hair Loss Remedies–All Hope Is Not Lost With Modern Hair Loss Remedies

Article by DR Mosher







Hair Loss in both males and females can have a negative effect, physically and psychologically on any patient, young or old. Estimates are that 70% of combined men and women, will lose their hair sometime in life, according to medical studies. And people will go to virtually any length to reestablish and re-grow hair. But hope is not lost with modern hair loss remedies and cures.

Reasons for Baldness

Hair loss remedies are not really a thing of fiction or even a fantasy of the potential patient. Should you be losing your hair there’s hope, but you must first contact your doctor to obtain the best hair loss product for your personal situation. There are lots of factors that can result in the loss of hair. Heredity can be a major factor in hair loss; if your father and his father had Male pattern baldness chances are that you will likely experience a similar trait. Bad nutrition is another reason behind baldness, and so is excessive alcohol consumption, drug interactions, both prescription and non prescription, Medications used for chemotherapy and radiation treatments may cause hair to fall out, even so the hair may return, however the color and texture of the hair may change. Stress is another factor proven to cause hair thinning, especially women since they have taken on a new role of financial provider for the family. Sickness, trauma, together with tightly bound hairstyles could cause hair to fallout, in addition to contraception; pregnancy and childbirth can also be an issue.

Hair loss remedies

One of the most commonly used hair loss remedies are Minoxidil and finasteride. The most common hair loss products are both oral and topical solutions used for re-growth of hair. Anti-inflammatory and anti-depressants can also be used to combat both stress and skin irritations, which can lead to hair loss. In addition there are natural hair loss remedies that can be used without the unwanted side effects which are sometimes noted with prescription cures. Vitamins especially the b vitamins may combat thinning hair if they are deficient in what you eat. Additionally, there are homeopathic cures that happen to be also noted and established as a front running hair loss product.

Covering up the hair by comb over is a popular hair loss remedy, and is used to cover up balding, sprays giving the illusion of hair is also another popular hair loss remedy. Another popular baldness cover-up, are wigs and hairpieces which cost less and possess no negative effects for the wearer. Hair extensions and weaves are glued or sewn to existing hair that makes the hair look thicker and longer, and much more robust. Nevertheless these can sometimes make the scalp itchy, irritate the scalp and may cause hair loss.

Next

Hair thinning no longer needs to become an issue with modern hair loss remedies, modern science has come along way in the past decade with new treatments and cures, you ought to speak with your physician to discover the cause of your thinning hair and find the right cure suited for you and you needs.

I was searching for a hair treatment for my 16 year old Son, who had no genetic predisposition for hair loss, After months of research and testing different solutions, I finally came up with a natural solution that actually grew back and reversed my sons lost hairhair loss remedies



About the Author

I was searching for a hair treatment for my 16 year old Son, who had no genetic predisposition for hair loss, After months of research and testing different solutions, I finally came up with a natural solution that actually grew back and reversed my sons lost hairhair loss remedies

 
 

Causes and Treatment for Hair Loss

30 March;  Author: Hair Wigs

Causes and Treatment for Hair Loss

Article by Peter Davies







Hair loss can not only reduce a persons looks it may result in low confidence. It is expected in today’s society that people will suffer from hair loss as they age. With an increased consciousness of appearance and a wish to appear youthful, this natural hair loss with age has become less desired. Unfortunately many people are also suffering from hair loss at an early age; this is common in both women and men.

Temporary measures used to be the only solution for hair loss sufferers. These temporary measures included the use of wigs, fancy hair styles and spray on hair in order to camouflage hair loss. These techniques used to be satisfactory in today’s society they could never replace actual hair and the feeling of normality. Fortunately for all there is now hair loss treatment available in many forms. These developed treatments can attack, treat or avert hair loss.

When taking into consideration which hair loss treatment is appropriate for yourself you must first determine the primary cause for your hair loss. There are many websites online offering quiz’s to help you determine the primary cause of your hair loss. There are three major causes of hair loss: Natural, Lifestyle and illness related. Each cause of your hair loss will be treatable in a different method. The three main causes of hair loss are listed below along with potential treatments.

Natural Cause – Hormones

Women often suffer from hair loss when their hormone levels differ due to pregnancy and menopause. Men will also experience hair loss due to hormone changes.Treatment of hair loss due to hormone level changes is in the form of hormone replacements or alternatively time and patience. When your hormone levels are back to normal after pregnancy you will see increase levels of hair growth. Testing your hormone levels allow you to keep your levels on track so that you can avoid hair loss during menopause.

Hair Loss Due To Lifestyle– Poor Nutrition

Nutrition is a vital part of leading a healthy lifestyle. A lack of Iron and Protein plus other nutrients can result in hair loss. By consuming a balanced diet you are capable of solving your hair loss issue due to poor nutrition. As soon as you resolve you eating issues and lead a healthier lifestyle you will see a decrease in your hair loss and increased hair growth. Vitamins and minerals are crucial for your body’s well being.

Illness Related Hair Loss and Hair Loss Treatment– Diseases

When suffering from diseases such as Lupus, Syphilis and Cancer you may suffer from hair loss. Once cured from the illness you may see an increase in hair growth but unfortunately a lot of the medication used to fight these diseases may also cause hair loss. There are now many natural hair loss treatments available to help you fight hair loss as a result of disease. There are a lot of natural hair loss treatments which use natural ingredients such as Saw Palmetto or Dong Quai which are DHT blockers.

These are just a few of the underlying reasons for hair loss. As well as natural treatments there is now laser hair treatment, the most famous one being Advanced Hair. Although Laser hair replacement can lead to good results it can also be very invasive and pain full. When deciding on the hair loss treatment for you, make sure to check the ingredients in a treatment as well as side effects.



About the Author

Peter has suffered from hair loss from a young age. How ever he has overcome this with Hair Loss Treatment. Peter wishes to share his experiences and hair loss advice with you.

 
 

Female Hair Loss – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Article by Oscar Klein MD







Female Hair Loss — Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

When men lose their hair it is really a difficult thing for them to handle. For women, it’s totally a devastating experience. Female hair loss is known to create feelings of self doubt, because society believes a woman is not beautiful without a crown of rich luxuriant hair. So, when a woman begins to lose her hair, she begins to feel unattractive.The occurrence of hair loss in women is a lot higher than a most people think. A large number of women will experience hair loss at one time in their lives. For a lot of women, hair loss is simply marked by the thinning of their hair. In other situations, female hair loss is as a result of changes in a woman’s hormonal functions which actually occur in every woman at a certain stage in their lives. The two common examples are:

• Post partum hair loss• Post menopausal hair loss

About 50 percent of women suffer hair loss after menopause. The reason for this is, after menopause, many women produce less of the female hormone estrogen. Keep in mind that both men and women’s body’s produce the female hormone estrogen and the male hormone testosterone. What distinguishes men from women is women produce relatively more estrogen than testosterone while the opposite is true for men.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced as testosterone is metabolized. The current thinking within the scientific community is DHT has the effect of shrinking the hair follicle thus contributing to hair loss.

As women age, they typically produce less estrogen and as a result testosterone becomes more hormonally influential. Women in this group begin to experience a process of hair loss very similar to that of men.

Causes Of Hair Loss In Women

The causes of hair loss in women are usually physical stress, hormonal imbalance, anemia, hair styles that put too much tension on the hair follicles and rapid weight loss. Women can suffer hair loss as a result of emotional stress which includes mental illness, death in the family and depression. There are other medical health conditions that may be the cause of hair loss in women. Particularly abnormalities caused by thyroid and pills used for the treatment of high blood pressure and gout can lead to female hair loss. Other causes include;

• Lupus• Diabetes• Child birth• Certain medications used in the treatment of illnesses such as cancer• High fevers• Serious (acute) trauma• Pills for birth control

Signs Of Female Pattern Hair Loss

• There is a general thinning of the hair; however the thinning hair is a lot more noticeable at the back of the head where hair growth is no longer luxuriant or where the hair begins to grow back in little fine strands.• The scalp suffers a complete neutral thinning of the hair, although the thinning hair is very noticeable at the front the head, but does not affect the women’s front hairline.• The scalp suffers a complete thinning of the hair, although the thinning hair is very noticeable at the front of the head while it also affects the frontal hairline.

Female Hair Loss Treatment

There are several ways female hair loss can be dealt with and/or treated depending on the particular causative factors. These include:

• Wearing hair styles that are less stressful to the hair follicles• Using hair thickening products• Massaging the scalp to increase blood flow Personalised wigs• Hair extensions• Exercises• Plenty of rest• Losing weight gradually • Hair transplant — this should be your last resort.• Topical hair growth Medical treatments containing FDA approved hair loss ingredients

Now that you have an overview of the causes and treatments for female hair loss it’s time to seek the help of a qualified medical professional. Saving your hair is too important to rely on guesswork or over hyped claims. Dr Oscar Klein MD has helped thousands of hair growth clients since he opened his hair growth clinic in 1998.

Dr Klein offers a FREE No Obligation, Private, Confidential hair growth Consultation. You can consult with Dr Klein in person at his clinic or by phone by calling 1 800 994-2474 from the US or 1 845-723-4334 from overseas.



About the Author

Dr. Klein has helped thousands of hair loss sufferers since 1998. For more information about ProMox, Dr. Klein’ hair growth products for women, premature hair loss or your F.R.E.E. no obligation private consultation just visit: http://www.HairGrowthMD.com or call 1 800-994-2474 (US) or 1 845 723-4334 (International).

 
 

Prevent Hair Loss By Reducing Stress In Your Life

Article by Naomi Mannino







Reducing Stress Prevents Hair Loss

Feeling stressed out? It may show up as hair loss or thinning (which might stress you out even further!), but only a qualified hair loss professional can diagnose and guide you to the perfect hair loss prevention solution for you.

Stress can affect your hair the same way it affects other major organs, such as the heart. According to Dr. Howard Levy, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins, one of the most normal, reversible causes of thinning hair and hair loss for both men and women is common, everyday stress. Physical and mental traumas can cause hair loss and thinning – many times three to six months after a traumatic event has occurred. And noticing that your hair is thinning or falling out can even add to the stress.

If you’re aware of some hair thinning and fall-out, it could be something common and treatable; there are many reasons for these conditions, which can be diagnosed and resolved by your doctor or the problem may simply resolve on its own over time. Try to identify if you have had a traumatic event during the past year, or if your life is just too busy, seek treatment and solutions from a hair loss professional and make some changes. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can minimize or reverse the hair loss entirely, says Dave Barker, owner and hair replacement specialist of IHRS, International Hair Restoration Systems, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Terri Johnston, owner and hair replacement specialist of The Inspiration Salon in Rockford, Ill., says, “I’ve definitely seen this in my day-to-day clients. One women had her hair fall out all around the front of her hairline because of mental and financial stress, in addition to having a new baby (another reversible reason for hair loss, in this case a hormonal one), but after her life settled down, it grew back again.”

Why me?

Barker explains that some people are genetically predisposed to hair loss and thinning at a certain time in their life, and stress can accelerate the rate at which they lose their hair. Stress can be the initial cause, or it can cause the condition to occur earlier in the life of someone predisposed to pattern balding or thinning. “We tell the difference by looking for specific patterns, something only a trained professional can do,” he says, “so be sure to always consult with your doctor and then further with a hair loss specialist. Since hair loss or thinning is not a life-or-death situation, patients may feel like doctors are not sympathetic. If you notice that’s the case with your doctor, you should always take it a step further and find a qualified, experienced hair loss professional,” Barker adds,” because there is much that can be done about your hair thinning or loss.”

What will it look like?

Hair loss caused by stress will usually show up as a general thinning, but many times it can be more localized, explains Barker. “In fact, many times alopecia areata is attributed to stress as an initial trigger – we still don’t know for sure why it happens – but even when it recurs in a new area, it can be attributed to stress or a traumatic event in your life.”

What should I do?

One thing you should definitely not do, agree both hair loss experts, is to diagnose and treat this problem yourself. Johnston says, “One client came to me after she had extensions put into her thinning hair and it started falling out more! She actually made her situation so much worse because the extra weight of the extensions and the way they were applied caused more stress to her already stressed hair follicles and weakened hair.” Barker adds that as soon as you are concerned about your hair loss, you should see a professional who can explain your hair loss treatment options to you. And there are so many of them: prescription medications, laser hair therapy, wigs, hair restoration processes and transplants, non-surgical hair systems and skin grafting, correcting product regimens and more. Both experts advise being certain that a hair loss specialist or company offers multiple solutions, so they can recommend one that would be best for your particular hair type, budget and hair loss situation – because a proper diagnosis and a proper solution are the keys to a greater chance of success.




About the Author

Naomi Mannino is a freelance writer who writes about health, beauty, and fashion, with a specialty in writing about hair extensions and hair loss prevention. She is a contributing writer for HairLoss.Com who writes about hair loss condition and hair loss solutions.