hair loss women

To all bald-headed men.

When you drive at night do you have to turn your head down to low beam?

Yes
there are many such thoughtless jokes about baldness
in both males and females. However
loss of head hair really is a problem
which causes a great deal of worry and unhappiness
to those afflicted.

Hopefully
there may be some help and answers for you
within this web site. It is often easier to reduce the ageing and thinning of healthy hair
than to regrow into follicles that are already dormant.

Reversing and preventing further hair loss may also be possible. Some products and techniques could be:

Topical ketokonazole
an anti-fungal/5-alfa inhibitor of reductase.
Finasteride and/or minoxidel
known in the United States as propecia and Rogaine
or Rogeine
respectively.
Placebos have average results
but not usually as high as other specific products
Hair cloning
or multiplication
using self replenishing follicle stem cells.
Hair transplants have been used for many years.
To lower androgen levels
aerobic exercises may be beneficial. This may also help stress reduction which can be an aid to slow the loss of hair.
Senanoa repens/saw palmetto
a DHT inhibit talk and a herb. Fewer side-effects and less expensive than products such as dutasteride
or finesteride.
Resveratrol is a lipase inhibitorl
made from grape skins.
Chinese herbs and Chinese medicine may be tried. Seek help from qualified acupuncturists
herbalists and holistic medicine practitioners.
Beta Sitosterol
found in oils of seeds
may also help by lowering cholesterol. Use an extract
as the heavy consumption of oils can aggravate the hairloss problem.

As we all know
baldness in males
is more common than females – thank goodness!

Baldness can be caused by a number of factors
including the trigger
an enzyme called 5-alfa reductase
which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone - DHT
which can inhibit growth in genetically fine hairs. Some female baldness may be a result of an oestrogen reduction. Oestrogen usually counteracts testosterones balding action. Tight ponytails and corn rows
could also contribute to female hair loss
as may constantly wearing a hat.

This short article can
in no way
cover the wide spectrum of causes and treatments for hair loss. Search the internet through search engines such as Google
etc and seek help from alternative health practitioners
as well as traditional western medicine.

As a female
if you are facing thinning and losing hair
you are probably pretty stressed by it. However
you will not be worrying and causing more hair to drop once you understand some facts about female hair loss.

You see
in many cases
female hair loss is just a temporary occurance and hence
finding a hair loss solution to it is relatively easy.

Androgenetic alopecia is the hereditary form of baldness that affects 50 percent of men
and some women after 40. Female hair loss usually starts after menopause although it can begin earlier. The main reason for this is that estrogen levels decline. Hormonal changes cause hair to thin.

It is comforting to note that other than androgenetic alopecia
the most common cause of hair loss in women
is a result of metabolic and hormonal changes. Thus
the hair loss is usually temporary. Also
unlike men
women rarely become totally bald. However
what females generally experience is the thinning of their hair.

For example
in the case of pregnancy
hair loss is temporary and should stop about 6 months after birth. When a woman is pregnant
a large amount of oestrogen is produced causing the hair follicles to go into their growth phase. Once the baby is born
the woman’s hormonal balance is restored. The reverse now happens with the hair follicles going into a hair loss phase. While nothing much can be done to prevent hair loss during this period
applying hair tonic to hasten hair re-growth can be a helpful solution.

Crash diets leading to rapid weight loss over a short period of time prompts excessive hair loss.

Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs after a prolonged period of time and in extreme cases.
Once stress levels are restored to normal levels
hair loss should stop. Thus
a good hair loss solution is to find ways to reduce stress!

Certain drugs can also cause hair to shed. The most common medical treatment that causes hair loss is chemotherapy. The drug medication attacks the hair cells
causing hair loss from the scalp. Certain prescription drugs (for thyroid hormone deficiency
diabetes and lupus) and dieting supplements are also causes of hair loss. Once these drug medications are stopped
the hair loss problem should disappear.

Other stresses to the hair may include frequent dyeing and chemicals eg. perming solutions applied to the hair. Generally
healthy hair can undergo these treatments without showing signs of stress
if they are not done too often. But if hair is not allowed a chance to recover from the constant application of hair chemicals
then it becomes brittle and starts to break off. Hair loss treatment products to help strengthen the follicles should help when applied to the scalp.

Once you understand what is happening to your hair
then seek out the right hair loss solution. In most cases
if the cause is temporary
then you can be assured that your problem will pass with the right remedy actions. However
for the more serious cases
do seek the professional help of a licensed dermatologist for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.

As a female
if you are facing thinning and losing hair
you are probably pretty stressed by it. However
you will not be worrying and causing more hair to drop once you understand some facts about female hair loss.

You see
in many cases
female hair loss is just a temporary occurance and hence
finding a hair loss solution to it is relatively easy.

Androgenetic alopecia is the hereditary form of baldness that affects 50 percent of men
and some women after 40. Female hair loss usually starts after menopause although it can begin earlier. The main reason for this is that estrogen levels decline. Hormonal changes cause hair to thin.

It is comforting to note that other than androgenetic alopecia
the most common cause of hair loss in women
is a result of metabolic and hormonal changes. Thus
the hair loss is usually temporary. Also
unlike men
women rarely become totally bald. However
what females generally experience is the thinning of their hair.

For example
in the case of pregnancy
hair loss is temporary and should stop about 6 months after birth. When a woman is pregnant
a large amount of oestrogen is produced causing the hair follicles to go into their growth phase. Once the baby is born
the woman’s hormonal balance is restored. The reverse now happens with the hair follicles going into a hair loss phase. While nothing much can be done to prevent hair loss during this period
applying hair tonic to hasten hair re-growth can be a helpful solution.

Crash diets leading to rapid weight loss over a short period of time prompts excessive hair loss.

Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs after a prolonged period of time and in extreme cases.
Once stress levels are restored to normal levels
hair loss should stop. Thus
a good hair loss solution is to find ways to reduce stress!

Certain drugs can also cause hair to shed. The most common medical treatment that causes hair loss is chemotherapy. The drug medication attacks the hair cells
causing hair loss from the scalp. Certain prescription drugs (for thyroid hormone deficiency
diabetes and lupus) and dieting supplements are also causes of hair loss. Once these drug medications are stopped
the hair loss problem should disappear.

Other stresses to the hair may include frequent dyeing and chemicals eg. perming solutions applied to the hair. Generally
healthy hair can undergo these treatments without showing signs of stress
if they are not done too often. But if hair is not allowed a chance to recover from the constant application of hair chemicals
then it becomes brittle and starts to break off. Hair loss treatment products to help strengthen the follicles should help when applied to the scalp.

Once you understand what is happening to your hair
then seek out the right hair loss solution. In most cases
if the cause is temporary
then you can be assured that your problem will pass with the right remedy actions. However
for the more serious cases
do seek the professional help of a licensed dermatologist for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.

The effectiveness of modern hair loss treatments is clear for all to see
but many people simply prefer not to use strong chemicals or non-natural substances.

If you fall into this category
does this mean you'll just have to accept an ever-decreasing head of hair? The answer to this is an unequivocal NO!

Many natural hair loss remedies
both traditional and contemporary
have shown their worth in reducing and reversing hair loss. They are also perceived as being free from side effects and even deliver additional health benefits.

Why then
don't we hear a lot more about these natural hair loss remedies? Simply because claims of cures cannot be made without FDA approval
and obtaining the FDA seal of approval involves lengthy and expensive scientific research that only major companies can afford. Even the biggest companies could not recoup the costs of such a process as no-one can control the rights to common natural substances such as basic foods and vitamins.

The big question however is
do natural hair loss remedies work? Firstly
hair growth at root level is a living part of the body that depends on sound nutrition
just like any other part of the body. The importance of vitamins
minerals and other nutritional elements in maintaining healthy hair cannot be disputed.

Secondly
the role of herbs and plants in treating numerous ailments is receiving increased recognition after years of neglect
and hair loss is no exception. Many herbal remedies for both internal and external use are offering new hope to people suffering from premature hair loss.

Thirdly
traditional hair loss remedies may still have something to offer. Ancient literature and folklore reveal that our ancestors went to great lengths to treat thinning hair. Some of the more acceptable traditional approaches are now being incorporated into many potential treatment regimes.

The fact you are reading this probably indicates you have concerns about the rate of your hair loss. Baldness may sometimes be a source of amusement to those with a full head of hair
but premature hair loss at any age can be the cause of intense concern to those affected.

But you can do something about this! By following the guidelines suggested in this article you will place yourself in a position to identify a hair loss treatment that not only works but also fits in with your lifestyle and preferences.

To achieve this you must truthfully answer four simple questions:

1. What is the true cause of your hair loss?

Most instances of hair loss in men
for example
can be attributed to androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) but you must be certain as this will influence your choice of hair loss treatment. To be completely certain you should consult with your physician.

2. How far has your hair loss progressed?

It is crucial to realize that the sooner you start treating hair loss
the greater your chances of success. You need to identify the pattern of hair loss as this will help establish both the cause and most effective treatment option.

3. What hair loss treatment options are you prepared to consider?

Your answer to this question will depend on a number of factors including the type and extent of hair loss
what treatments have been tried previously
your personal preferences with regard to using medications or natural remedies and the amount you are prepared to spend.

4. Do you have sufficient patience and determination to succeed?

There really are no miracle cures for premature hair loss. Equally
there are treatments that can halt and even reverse this condition
but none of them will work overnight. Treatments take time to work and there is no such thing as a remedy that suits everyone.

When you have given proper consideration to these questions you will find yourself in a better position to choose the hair loss treatment that best suits your circumstances. It you're still not sure
talk to your physician or carry out more research. But you need to be clear on one point - the longer you delay
the more difficult your path to hair regrowth will be.

One of the most worrying aspects of hair loss treatment is the tendency of so many people to seek solutions without first determining what has caused their loss in the first place.

At best
sufferers may waste money on inappropriate 'wonder cures' or even legitimate treatments that unfortunately are not suitable for their particular needs. At worst
some people may be risking their health by self-prescribing powerful pharmaceutical drugs. I don't have a problem with hair loss sufferers saving money by purchasing cheap generic drugs on the internet
but I feel strongly that they should at least seek confirmation from their physician that a given drug matches their individual needs.

Before examining the most common causes of premature hair loss we need to understand that some shedding of hair is perfectly normal. Hairs grow from follicles that are tiny organs in the skin designed to grow a single hair that follows this repetitive cycle:

1. Lengthy growth period (Anagen Stage) - this phase usually lasts between two and seven years with an average growth rate of six inches (15cm) each year.

2. Short transition period (Catagen Stage) - this period of transition lasts for roughly two to four weeks. During this phase the hair shaft becomes detached and moves upwards within the follicle.

3. Resting period (Telogen Stage) - this phase lasts about three months allowing the hair to detach itself prior to falling out.

At this point a new hair begins to grow thus repeating the normal cycle of hair growth. Unfortunately a number of factors can interfere with the natural hair growth process leading to forms of hair thinning or premature baldness.

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss
probably accounting for as much as 95% of pattern hair loss for both men and women. It is usually associated with aging and develops in predictable stages over varying periods of time. Each follicle follows a genetically programmed growth cycle with some follicles coded to remain active for a shorter time than others. This results in the development of the hereditary baldness patterns that are so familiar to us all.

For this type of baldness to occur
the following factors must be present:

1. A genetic predisposition for hair loss to occur (as explained above).

2. The presence of male hormones.

3. Aging - in other words
enough time for the first two factors to exert an influence.

All men and women produce male hormones such as testosterone and DHT. These have a useful role to play in both sexes but obviously occur in widely differing concentrations. It is the higher levels of androgens found in males that explains why this form of hair loss affects men more than women.

In brief
these hormones affect the hair growth cycle as follows:

1. High levels of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme occur in some cells of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.

2. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT.

3. DHT causes the terminal hairs to miniaturize.

4. This leaves short
soft
fluffy vellus hairs that provide inadequate scalp coverage.

5. The growth phases gradually become shorter until these hairs are lost for good.

Alopecia areata is thought to be an immune system disorder that causes follicles to stop producing hairs in patches on the head. In severe cases it can advance to the stage where all hair on the head is lost (alopecia totalis) or even a complete absence of body hair results (alopecia universalis).

In most cases the hair will reappear on its own but until then
the condition can be very distressing to sufferers particularly as its cause can be difficult to determine. If you feel you may be suffering from this form of hair loss
seek the advice of your physician who will carry out a physical examination and conduct blood tests to help determine the cause.

Telogen effluvium is characterized by a general thinning or shedding of hair over a period of months and is most commonly found in people who have recently experienced trauma. Common causes include childbirth
major surgery
severe illness
psychological stress and chemotherapy. The good news is that the abnormal growth behavior associated with telogen effluvium is temporary and reversible.

There are numerous other less common hair loss causes that need to be discounted before a course of treatment is chosen. Traction alopecia is the loss of hair from constant pulling
usually as the result of hair styling. Broken hairs can result in thinning
often caused by excessive styling or exposure to chemicals and sun. Finally
severe illnesses or nutritional deficiencies can cause side effects that may include degrees of hair loss.

I hope this brief article has gotten across the message that diagnosing the real causes of hair loss is not always a straightforward process. Once you and your physician have identified a cause
then you can work towards restoring your hair to its former glory. And the good news is
most forms of hair loss can be treated successfully. The next article in this series will look at some of the best hair loss treatments currently available.

The hair loss industry is not one that inspires great confidence in most people. I have to admit this is perfectly understandable given the damage caused by the many rogues and charlatans who have abused the trust of far too many vulnerable people - people who have received worthless and even dangerous products or advice in exchange for their hard earned cash. The end result is the prevalance of a stigma that the industry is hard pressed to shake off.

But is this perception really justified nowadays? Are there no genuine treatments that sufferers can turn to in a bid to treat the ravages of premature hair loss? The simple answer is YES
there are several safe
affordable
accessible and effective hair loss treatments currently available. Some have even been approved by FDA for the treatment of hair loss conditions while others draw on natural remedies as the basis for commercially available products. Whether or not any of them are suitable for a given individual depends on a number of important factors.

First and foremost
every individual must determine the exact cause or causes of his or her hair loss. This may appear to be an over-simplistic statement but the truth is
most people undergoing a course of treatment for hair loss have proceeded on the basis of self-diagnosis. Given the fact that premature or excessive hair loss is often associated with underlying medical conditions
this is perhaps not the most sensible course of action.

My advice in all cases is to seek the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner because the consequences of not doing so may be serious in a small number of cases. Even where all the evidence points to the onset of hereditary male pattern baldness it would probably be best to seek advice
if only to rule out other factors.

Once the cause of hair loss has been properly diagnosed you will be in a position to choose a suitable form of treatment. This may range from the prescription of drugs aimed at balancing disrupted hormone levels to the topical application of minoxidil to reduce the symptoms of male pattern baldness.

Hair loss may be caused by many factors including changing hormone levels
illness
stress
overuse of strong chemicals
excessive traction
poor grooming practices
side effects of medical treatment
poor nutrition
weak immune system and the effects of aging. The good news is
all of these can be tackled with reasonable hope of success but only if you choose the right treatment.

The next article in this series will look closely at the various causes of excessive hair loss and outline suggested treatments that are both affordable and accessible. If you take only two things from this article
please take these suggestions on board:

1. Always seek the advice of your physician before undergoing a hair loss treatment regime.

2. Don't despair
there's often a simple explanation for excessive hair loss and even hereditary loss or male pattern-type baldness can be treated successfully for most people nowadays.