Not All Hair Loss Is Permanent

About 90% of the hair on a person's head will be growing at any one time. The rest of their hair will stay in a resting state for two to three months before falling out and then start the growing process from the start. People will shed their hair at a rate of about 50 to 150 hairs a day with a new hair growing from the same follicle at a rate of about a half inch each month. People are considered having hair loss when the rate of loss exceeds the rate of re-growth.

There are many causes of hair loss including hereditary, medications and an underlying medical condition. Many times the hair loss is temporary and it will grow back. Some conditions, such as Androgenetic alopecia, which is hereditary, affects men more than women, although women also suffer from this due to its hereditary nature. Some researchers believe people are targeted by nature to suffer Androgenetic alopecia and a trigger event begins the process. It is possible for the hair to fall out and then grow back, several times.

Androgenetic alopecia is considered an autoimmune disease, triggered by a virus or some environmental occurrence setting it in motion. People with a family history of hair loss will most likely experience it. How they handle it will be up the individual as some accept it and lets it run its course, while others turn to medications and even surgery hoping to reverse the course of the condition. Others may use dyes and the technique called the comb-over to hide the hairless spots on their scalp.

External Forces At Heart Of Some Hair Loss

There are some conditions that can attribute to hair loss such as diabetes, lupus and thyroid problems as well as poor nutrition. Lack of iron, protein and fad and rapid diets can also affect your nutrition, sparking hair loss in many people. A recent high fever may attribute to losing hair as will a severe flu or surgery. Some medications can put your re-growth on hold while shedding still occurs. Over time, the balance will return and your hair will grow back.

Certain drugs used to treat common ailments are also known to cause hair loss. Drugs for gout, arthritis and high blood pressure may have the unappreciated side effect of causing hair loss and some women will lose hair while taking birth control pills. Undergoing chemotherapy will usually cause hair loss, but once treatment ends and the chemicals work out of the body, the hair typically grows back.


Roland Jefferson is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free resources covering Vitamins for Hair Loss, please visit our Vitamins for Hair Loss Resource.


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Common treatments of hair loss in women.

Much has been said and written about modern day hair loss treatments but this tends to relate almost exclusively to men. Do these same treatments offer solutions to women suffering from hair loss or is there a completely different category of remedies available? It really depends on what is causing hair loss in the first place and as the most common causes of hair loss are the same as those that affect men, the treatments available are pretty similar.

In an earlier article we concluded that the three most common causes of hair loss in women are female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. We'll now look at each of these in turn and examine the best treatments available, bearing in mind the specific needs of women:

1. Treatments for female pattern baldness.

In most instances minoxidil (Rogaine) is the first treatment used. This is one of only two FDA approved hair loss treatments and it remains the only one approved for use by women. Minoxidil comes in the form of a topical solution that works by tackling the symptoms of hair loss and helping to generate new hair growth. It does not target the causes of hair loss and will not work for everyone. The women's version of minoxidil is a 2% solution but the 5% version marketed for men can be used if necessary.

The most popular drug for treating male pattern baldness is of course finasteride (Propecia). Women of child bearing age should not use this drug due to the severely damaging effects it can have on unborn male fetuses. Any women considering using Propecia should discuss it first with their physician. In some cases your doctor may prescribe a different androgen blocker called spironolactone as a means of stopping the hormone activity that is causing hair loss. Spironolactone is normally used as a diuretic and results may be variable.

There is a bewildering range of commercial products available, most of which are aimed squarely at men but many are also suitable for women to use. Whether they work or not is another question but some products containing ingredients like saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pygeum and green tea have shown their value. You can find out more about these and other poential hair loss solutions by visiting the site listed at the end of this article.

2. Treatments for telogen effluvium

This is a hair loss condition that generally does not require any specific treatment. Once the effects of the trauma that caused hair loss in the first place have subsided, the hair will regrow of its own accord. Some patients like to encourage the regrowth process by using minoxidil but this isn't necessary. Implementing a good nutritional regime and supplementing with B-vitamins may help to create a hair friendly environment.

3. Treatments for alopecia areata.

This is another hair loss condition that may resolve itself spontaneously. In some cases one of the following treatments may prove useful:

- Daily application of minoxidil (Rogaine).

- Injection of cortisone into patchy areas of the scalp (this must be administered by a physician). Creams and lotions containing cortisone can also be used but results are variable.

- Dithranol can be applied to the scalp in mild or early cases.

- Application of 100% aloe vera gel.

- Massage the scalp with rosemary and lavender essential oils in a jojoba base.

- Use of a hair loss product containing the Chinese herb He Shou Wu.

- A product called Calosol has recently generated positive feedback.

Please note, however, that none of these is guaranteed to work due to the unpredictable nature of alopecia areata. It is this uncertainty that offers opportunities for scamsters to make outlandish claims. The fact remains, there are no miracle cures for advanced forms of alopecia areata so sufferers may wish to consider other options such as head coverings and wigs.


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Don't Lose Hair Because Of Poor Grooming

One of the most common reasons why men and women lose their hair is due to poor cosmetic grooming. The unfortunate thing about this is the fact it is so preventable. Fortunately there are some steps you can take to put right some of the damage caused.

Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's 2004 summer conference, Dr Zoe Draelos offered a number of recommendations to improve the hair care regime:


1. Itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis can weaken and damage hair over a period of time so seek medical help if your scalp skin is itchy, red or scaly.


2. Long hair is more easily damaged. People with extensive hair damage should therefore consider a shorter style.


3. Hair growth slows with age and hair becomes thinner in texture. Older people should therefore ensure that only weaker chemicals are applied.


4. Take care when choosing grooming tools. Use a comb made from flexible plastic with smooth, rounded and coarse teeth. Use a brush with bristles that are smooth, ball-tipped, coarse and bendable. In addition brush as little as possible and avoid brushing wet hair.


5. Don't use tight rubber bands for ponytails as these cause excessive trauma and breaking of hairs. Likewise use hair clips loosely.


6. Understand the nature of your hair and adjust the intensity of your grooming to match. For example, curly hair tends to crack more easily than straight hair so be careful.


7. Make sure the hair is always cut with sharp scissors as crushing the end of the hair will encourage split ends.


8. The less that is done to hair in terms of styling, the healthier it will be. It follows then that care should be taken not to over-style with cosmetic products.


9. Hair coloring and bleaching are damaging to hair. If you must change hair color, try to stay within three shades of the natural color to minimize damage.


10. Hair relaxing and permanent waving are both damaging to hair and should only be used on a very limited basis.


You can find out more about treating hair loss by visiting the site listed below.


About The Author


Richard Mitchell is the creator of the www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss.


richard@myhairlossadvisor.com


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