Causal Factors of Female Baldness

A human hair grows for two to six years. At any one time, 90 per cent of our hair is growing, while the remainder is in a resting state (known as the telogen stage) for between two to six months, before it falls out.

The hair follicle itself then rests for three months before the whole process is repeated.

AUTUMN

Researchers found that women had the highest proportion of resting hairs in July — with the telogen state in most of them ending around 100 days later, from October onwards.

This pattern is thought to be evolutionary: the body holds on to hair to protect the scalp against the summer’s midday sun.

Autumn is not the only cause of unexpected hair loss.

Hair is an incredibly sensitive barometer. Hair cells are the second-fastest produced cells in the body (after bone marrow), so hair is often the first thing to suffer from any bodily upset. It can even forewarn you when there are no other symptoms of illness.

That’s because we don’t need our hair for survival, so if it’s a choice between your hair growing or keeping blood going to the vital organs, the former will suffer.

MEDICATION

A number of medications can trigger hair shedding. It is thought that drugs switch more hairs from the growing into the resting phase, and these hairs are then shed a few months later.

Certain prescriptions for acne are thought to cause unexpected hair loss in 16 per cent of people taking it.

Beta-blockers (for high blood pressure), anti-coagulant (blood-thinning) drugs, antidepressants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have also been linked with hair loss, although why isn’t clear. However, for blood-thinning drugs, it is probably a question of balancing how bad the hair loss is against the reason they are on the drug in the first place. Usually the drug wins.

IRON DEFICIENCY

In premenopausal women, lack of iron is the most common cause of hair loss. Most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin — a protein which helps in the production of hair cells and guards against hair shedding.

The three main causes of iron deficiency are a lack of iron in the diet, heavy periods and childbirth (because of blood loss).

Shedding between 40 and 120 hairs a day is normal; if you’re shedding more than usual, ask your GP for an iron test as well as a ferritin test. The normal range for iron is between 2 and 150 nanograms per millilitre, but we need a level of at least 70 to get good, healthy hair growth.

So you may show up as fine on a test, yet there isn’t a sufficient store for hair growth. It’s worth having both ferritin and iron levels checked for anaemia, as this is a specific marker for female hair loss.

Iron deficiency can also be triggered by coeliac disease — an intolerance to gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye). This affects the gut’s ability to absorb food properly, so the body lacks nutrients including iron.

The good news is that hair growth resumes once the coeliac disease has been diagnosed and treated.

Good food sources of iron are red meat, egg yolks and green, leafy vegetables. Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, so have a glass of orange juice when eating.

However, the tannins in tea can stop iron being absorbed properly, so don’t drink tea with meals or at the same time as taking iron supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Systems

No discussion about treatments and remedies for hair loss and baldness can be complete without a mention of wigs or toupees. And there’s a reason. Besides obviously coughing up the obvious, that is, covering up a balding head, wigs also work at giving the wearer an easy solution. More often than not, they are also low on cost in terms of both availability and maintenance, as opposed to other hair loss solutions.

Wigs are things of the past now, only used in tasteless comedies and in flash-backs. The wigs of today are not called wigs. They are called hair pieces, hair solutions, hair systems and a host of other technical-sounding terms. The basic idea remains the same though. Human, animal or artificial hair, woven onto a net or other substratum, is worn to cover a bald or thinning spot.

Who?

Wigs go back thousands of years and have been used both to improve aesthetics and indicate rank. In some countries, the judiciary still sports powdered wigs.

Wig and toupees are still widely used in theatre and performing arts. Toupees are generally smaller than wigs. These are patches worn to cover a bald or thinning spot. People with conditions that cause hair fall and people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer also require wigs.

How?

As with hair extensions, adhesives may be used to harness the wig. Some wigs are to be simply worn like a cap. It is advisable to go to a stylist so he can blend the wig in. Very rarely do wigs look inconspicuous. To get a natural look, a skilled stylist is required and for that, you need to spend money. A wig can be woven into existing natural hair if enough of it remains. In this case, it would be called a hair weave.

Where?

The only place you would remember wigs being sold would be costume shops but these are not the ideal places to make your purchase. You will find wig shops but most will not look current enough to you. This is where modern ‘studios’ score. Be sure to do your research before you make your purchase. This feature aims to help you do precisely that.

How Much?

Some wigs come really cheap, but it won’t be far from looking like a dead raccoon on your head! You can get a decent wig that is custom-made for you. Some international trichology centres will provide you solutions that can be very pricey. These are essentially wigs but named more agreeably. Feedback has varied so far.

Some people feel that the same wig is being sold to you at an extra-ordinary mark-up. Others see value in going for something that seems to have some research behind it and is endorsed by famous people. Recently, one such company was asked to stop airing its ads in the UK as the country’s regulatory watchdog deemed it misleading. So, due diligence is called for.

Prior to Remedying Hair Loss, Pinpoint the Reason behind the Condition

Millions of dollars are spent annually on remedies for hair loss with varying degrees of success. Remedies for hair loss have ranged from complex and intricate to downright ridiculous and absurd. There are few FDA-approved systems for the remedy for hair loss which are backed by solid research results confirming benefits.

It is normal to lose between 50–100 hairs a day with some reasons for hair loss being reversible. If hair loss is occurring beyond this point, it becomes a problem. Certain medications may contribute to hair loss. Remedies for hair loss have a sketchy history at best. Hair loss itself is caused by several factors. Pinpointing the reason behind hair loss is a good first step to devising an effective treatment.

Common reasons for hair loss range from genetics to stress. Hormonal factors play another key role in hair growth or lack thereof. This extends to women, who generally experience milder forms of hair loss. High fever, infection, the flu, certain medications, thyroid disease, dietary deficiencies, fungal infections of the scalp, major surgery and chronic conditions are other factors that may impede hair growth. Hair loss is a condition not limited to males. Women experience degrees of hair loss in much the same way men do.

A fuller head of hair is not just for cosmetic reasons or a lesson in vanity. Studies show men and women are more confident when they have a fuller head of hair. Self-confidence is a big part of self-image. Treating hair loss can lead to confidence in many other aspects of life, both personal and professional. Confidence leads to making more decisions without hesitation. Several studies link hair loss to depression and some level of dysfunction. Some people with hair loss issues may avoid social interactions due to self-confidence issues.

Remedies for hair loss that do not work can also lead to depression and confidence issues. It can also be downright frustrating to try remedies that do not produce results. That is why it is important to have realistic expectations and do a little research before trying any hair loss solutions. Do your homework and ask the right questions of any product that offer remedies for hair loss.

How to Stop the Sneakiest Cause of Female Hair Loss

Not to belittle what men go through when it comes to thinning or balding hair, but it’s about time someone started studying/talking about the topic as it relates to women. Female hair loss can be incredibly devastating, and shockingly, there really isn’t all that much attention given to the cause. Thankfully, new studies shone some light on a few things that can trigger hair loss in women: excessive drinking and/or smoking and divorce.

We all know drinking and smoking won’t exactly do anyone’s health a favour, so that’s no surprise. But divorce? Clearly, that’s an illustration of how women’s hair loss is often attributed to stress — something so many of us, dealing with divorce or not, face on a daily basis but can’t necessarily put words to or ‘treat’ all that easily.

The study also found that ‘excessive sleeping patterns’ and other stressful situations such as ‘having multiple children and/or getting married’ can spark hair loss in women. Wow, assuring, right? In other words, being a mom and/or wife and/or tired is basically a recipe for a hair loss disaster. The key here shouldn’t be some kind of hair transplant treatment I’m sure plastic surgeons would love to sell women on. It’s obvious from these findings that stress management is really the solution. Unfortunately, that’s something that’s easier said than done.

It’s something women personally grapple with every day of their life (even for those who are not moms yet!), and something that has taken a toll on their hair from time to time. When there are more strands in the hairbrush or making their way down the shower drain, it’s probably because of being stressed out about work or something else going on in their life.

Hair loss isn’t the only thing that freaks women out about stress, but it is something very physical that can illustrate a woman’s state of mind. It really does show what a strong connection there is between mind and body, and it’s a relief to hear researchers discussing it and considering it. With hope, the idea of a ‘solution’ — sustainable, holistic stress relief — is treated with the seriousness it deserves, as well.

Triggers and Treatments of Alopecia

Alopecia is the medical term for ‘hair loss’, which can affect people of all ages. There are different types of alopecia.

Androgenic Alopecia

This type is caused by the androgen Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is made from testosterone. It is more common for men to be affected by this type of hair loss, but women can get it too, usually after menopause.

Alopecia Areata

This is when hair loss may come and go. It occurs mainly in young people (teenagers and young adults) and is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system.

Telogen Effluvium

This is hair thinning, rather than hair loss. It is caused by stress or by an adverse reaction to medication. It usually corrects itself.

Scarring Alopecia

This is when scarring of the scalp destroys the hair follicles. Without follicles, hair cannot grow. This can occur as a result of various medical conditions, for instance, shingles.

Hair loss can also be caused by chemotherapy.

Treatments for Hair Loss

Your treatment will depend on the type of alopecia you have. If you have androgenic alopecia, you may be given a DHT-blocking medication called finasteride that works by preventing testosterone from converting into the hormone dihydrotestosterone. This oral treatment is only suitable for men.

There is also a lotion that you can rub into your scalp to promote hair growth. It is called minoxidil. Minoxidil was originally developed to treat high blood pressure, but doctors noticed it had a side effect of inducing hair growth so it began to be used as an alopecia treatment. It can be used by women too.

If your alopecia is caused by scarring, it may be permanent but can sometimes be corrected by surgery.

Alopecia areata is normally treated with corticosteroids to suppress the over-active immune response. This can be given as an ointment to put on the affected area.

Corticosteroids can be given by injection and this is thought to be more effective for treating mild to moderate cases of alopecia.

Male Alopecia: Solving the Hair Loss Crisis

There is hardly anyone who hasn’t had to deal with a hair problem at some point or another in their lives. It could be a bad haircut, rapid hair loss leading to thinning, or balding. In each of these cases, the objective is a common one: quick and healthy hair growth. It may come as a surprise, but men are no less concerned about this aspect of their looks than women. No wonder, ‘hair loss treatment for men’ is such a popular search term. However, before opting for any complex treatment, you could make use of these simple and natural tips.

Keep Your Hair Healthy

It is logical to infer that healthy hair will grow faster. So the first objective should be to keep your hair healthy. If you think that your hair is dry or it has split ends and breaks, the first thing you can do is trim it slightly. Trimming off the top quarter of an inch is the crucial part, because that is the unhealthiest part of damaged hair. Once that is done, your hair has a better chance of growing healthily once again.

The Right Diet

Diet is also an important factor for ensuring healthy hair. Omega-3 fatty acids — found in certain nuts, fish oil and fish — do wonders for the hair. The proteins found in lean meats and beans will also promote healthy hair growth, as will the vitamins and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables.

Things to Avoid

To keep hair healthy, staying away from heating hair tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and the curling iron is crucial, since these products are damaging to the hair. Also be careful in the way you brush your hair. Rather than forcing your way through those irksome tangles, and damaging delicate hair in the process, start brushing at the bottom of those tangles, then moving upwards gently. The tangles will come free.

Other Strategies

Some of the other simple strategies for male hair loss treatment include taking multi-vitamins and massaging the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles.

Causes and Treatments of Male Hair Loss

Losing one’s hair is a problem that multiple males are faced with upon reaching their third decade or later; some even lose their hair at a younger age. In spite of why men experience hair loss or the age that they begin to lose it, truthfully, not many men are happy to be having the condition. Thus, copious amounts of hair loss concoctions and plans are created. Some of these are more effective than others, and in this article we’ll be taking an honest look at hair loss treatments for men and how well they work.

It’s nothing new to say that stress can be a cause of hair loss. When somebody goes through a period of immense stress caused by a specific event, like being laid off from work or losing a loved one, hair loss tends to ensue. Very often, people in such situations will see their hair rapidly turn grey, and in some cases, hair will start falling out. In the case of a traumatic event, you may need counselling of some kind, but in the long run, if you can reduce your level of stress, your hair loss may also be reversed. The majority of people, however, will experience hair loss partially due to everyday stress.

For men suffering from mild to moderate cases of hair loss, there are several options. Hair transplants or laser therapy can be expensive. If you cannot afford these modes of treatment yet, then for the time being, you might want to consider having a new hairstyle that can give you the appearance of having thicker hair. A good hairstylist can suggest ways to conceal your bald patches or scalp areas of thinning hair. Sometimes you can make bald spots less visible by just changing your hair colour to a slightly lighter shade.

Some herbs assist in reversing and preventing the loss of hair. They may be found in some types of hair conditioners and shampoos, or they might be put straight into the hair. One of these herbs is aloe vera. This plant contains powerful enzymes that are very effective in combating male pattern baldness.

Nettle root is also useful for fighting hair loss, and you can take it in tea or as a capsule form. Drinking green tea is also useful at stimulating hair growth. Green tea contains lots of useful antioxidants that are not only good for your hair but also for your whole body.

The hair loss remedies we’ve looked at in this article may prove helpful for you, so they’re certainly worth trying. However, it is best to talk to your doctor prior to trying any of the mentioned treatments. Whether it’s simply making hair loss easier to live with or reversing it, in most cases there is a way to deal with it better.