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Posts Tagged ‘Female Hair Loss’

Overcoming Hair Loss

People all over the world see hair as important. In the west, for instance, almost all brides are prepared for their approach to the altar by the hands of an expert stylist. On that supreme day, their hair style may be the most elaborate they will ever have in their lives. At the opposite extreme, when a young girl of one of the aboriginal tribes of the Amazon jungle reaches puberty the women of the village ceremonially remove all the hairs from her head, one by one. The ritual significance and mystique of hair on these occasions are undeniable.

We use our hair to express our personalities – to conform, to make a statement, to help us feel good, to attract other people. Sometimes our hair even seems to reflect our mood, especially when we are sad or depressed. Our hair is perhaps our most distinctive feature. Any sudden change in its color or style startles our friends and produces comments from our family. Hair is an amazing material.

In the hands of an expert and with the use of modern hair products, it is soft and shining and seems full of life. Strangely, however, hair is dead. Hair, if properly looked after, made to shine with ‘health’.

Yet all too often this ‘crowning glory’ of ours is neglected. And then it can look shoddy, dull and lifeless. It becomes a constant disappointment, all the worse because we know that, however expensive and beautiful our clothes, if our hair looks a mess we won’t be seen as well-groomed, poised and fashionable.

Hair so often fails to do for us exactly what we expected. Its behaviour raises endless questions, sometimes almost despairing: Why did my hair suddenly look such a mess just before that vital interview? Could I have done anything to avoid that happening?

Why did it look fine when I walked out of the salon yesterday, and terrible this morning?

Why, when it had so much volume and ‘body’ when I was on that Mediterranean holiday, has all that gone now I’m at home in November?

Why was the results of that home color so disappointing?

Why does a woman’s hair so often ‘fall out’ after she has had a baby?

Why do so many men (and some women) go bald?

Why does so-and-so’s lovely red hair never perm very well? Why does my hair go out of condition so easily? What can I do to restore it?

All hairs naturally fall out at the end of the growing period. You can lose between 50 and 80 hairs a day. They tend to come out with brushing and shampooing. So if you wash your hair only once a week, it is perfectly in order for you to lose several hundred hairs at one go!

However, it is possible, a person may start to lose more hairs than usual. If this hair loss is significant, and if it persists, then sooner or later the scalp may become visible through the thinning hair. The condition is called alopecia. The name comes from the Greek word alopekia, which means ‘fox’: foxes (and also dogs) sometimes suffer from bald patches due to an unpleasant disease called mange. (Fortunately, humans do not get mange!) http://www.overcominghairloss.com

The External Factors

November 22nd, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

The next group are the external factors. Among the most obvious external influences are a wide range of, not necessarily uncommon, genetic shaft defects, i.e. faults in the structural make up of the hair shaft, that lead to subsequent problems of hair breakage, poor hair condition and the inability to grow a full head of hair. These genetic shaft defects are invariably impossible to resolve and the effect is usually, but not always, detrimental. The ’spangled’ hair in cases of ‘pili torti’, for example, gives a wonderful sparkle and shine particularly for longer female hair.

Ailments of the hair and scalp listed here under ‘External Factors’ occupy an enormous area of breadth and diversity and require specialist treatment by a Dermatologist or Trichologist. Psoriasis, seborrhoeic eczema, pityriasis, ringworm are all distressing ailments, although with expert supervision they can be treated and reversed or controlled. It is very unlikely that one can obtain healthy hair growth, whilst these conditions pre-exist.

External damage can, of course, be self-induced and damage and scarring following cosmetic treatment is relatively common. Heavily bleached and weathered hair will be dry, brittle, and probably have some structural damage. The central cortex and outer cuticle layer may be damaged, and the hair structure will be unwinding, rather like the end of a piece of rope, which the dead, keratinised shaft structure quite closely resembles. This structural collapse will not stop the hair growing at the active growing root end, but it will cause extensive hair breakage and the resultant appearance of hair loss. The hair shaft may also be damaged or destroyed by professional treatment, particularly perming, straightening or hair colouring which has not been correctly performed. Again, the hair should re-grow normally unless permanent damage or scarring has occurred to the scalp. The legal pursuit of the perpetrators is usually lengthy and unsatisfactory resulting in further hair loss.

Hair breakage and loss may also be quite literally self induced, sucking, pulling, twiddling and plucking your own hair will inevitably lead to hair damage and loss, giving the characteristic cropped patches of almost bald scalp. Like any habit, this can be extremely difficult to stop and there may well be a problem, even with “acceptance”, for this condition. Watching the television or driving the car are two of the most common times for this to occur. Cessation of the activity will invariably result in the return to full hair growth, but breaking the habit can prove very difficult. Help should be sought from a friend, or family member, or, in more serious cases where psychosis may be present, expert guidance should be obtained.

More gentle external factors include seasonal variations where there is a greater fall in Spring and increased hair growth in Autumn, rather like the other mammals where the effect is pronounced. This change in growth rate in human hair is significant, and all clinical trials of hair growth products need to extend to a minimum of one year to allow for these seasonal variations.

Increasing age reduces the growth rate, with reduced hair texture and condition, as well as the loss of pigment in the hair shaft, and the onset of greyness. The failure of melanin production in the dermal papilla is considered by some researchers to be a highly significant mechanism and to be involved in the progress of Androgenic Alopecia. This is still the subject of further research but may explain why young men in their 20s and 30s who become prematurely grey do not appear to suffer from Androgenic Alopecia.

Gary Heron is one of Europe’s leading trichologists for the past 20 years dealing directly with every type of hair loss and scalp disorder for both men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Gary has had over twenty years’ experience in dealing with every type of hair or scalp problem. For example, he helps people suffering with scalp disorders such as psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, folliculitis or from hair loss and thinning caused by genetic baldness, alopecia or through chemical or physical damage.http://www.thewestminsterpractice.com

Gary says,” Everybody will experience some degree of trouble with his or her hair or scalp at some time. However, if you are experiencing hair loss or an irritating scalp problem you do not need to just tolerate it. You can take an active step today and seek help from The Hair Centre”. All treatments products supplied are formulated especially for The Hair Centre by leading trichologists and chemists. They have undergone exhaustive clinical trials and testing to ensure we can target disorders of the hair and scalp effectively.

Shampoo for Gray Hair, Provide Some Food To Your Hair For Improvising Growth

November 11th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

As the ageing process goes on, our hair slowly starts to lose moisture, strips color, and strong strength is also missing. This eventually results to the intrusion of rapid hair graying, and the victim starts to panic or simply pays no attention.

However, as you have taken care of you hair in younger times, now with effective hair shampoos available for gray hair the same extra care can be conveniently taken.

So, what shampoo for gray hair should be used? Experts after extensive research suggest using shampoos as well as conditioners that contain Emu Oil. As experimented this can work best for gray hair. Emu Oil is a very popular ingredient that is utilized for hair as well as skin care. Having this oil present in your shampoo, it will efficiently assist in increasing the insufficient moisture while boosting the moisture to the normal level. Furthermore, Emu Oil will also improve scalp health, pliability, and most significantly it will accelerate hair growth whilst assisting to stabilize loss of color.

Emu Oil when mixed with other essential vitamin and supplements in a shampoo, then this eventually provides you topical and oral nutrition invigorating the scalp health which promotes hair growth.

Upgrading Growth Rate

In case, you seek for faster growth rate, then it is recommended to use shampoos or hair conditioners which contain Trichogen. Combined with 14 different herbal extracts, Trichogen is an ingredient that efficiently upgrades blood flow to the scalp, enhances the bonding of protein with amino acids as well as rice proteins.

If you are looking for a shampoo for gray hair that moisturizes as well as increases hair growth, then Trichogen should be the primary ingredient in that hair product which can fully solve your problem. Apart for gray hair supplements, Trichogen is located in many other hair products where thinning hair or slow growth is confronted as a problem. Moreover, many such gray hair products containing Trichogen also includes Emu Oil to take the advantage of lessened breaking and damage that is usually found in gray hair.

Forget about the worries with growing out gray hair, and get a revitalizing shampoo that contains effective ingredients.

More information: Gray hair treatment, Female hair loss

Women and Hair Loss- The Truth Behind the Myths

November 4th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

It’s hard to imagine that women and hair loss can be closely associated with each other. After all, who would think that women can suffer from hair loss too? Aren’t women supposed to traditionally have thick, beautiful locks? The truth is that women can lose their hair too. The bad news is that hair loss can happen even to young women, although older women at their menopausal stage are more prone to female hair loss. Perhaps hair loss in women often goes unnoticed mainly because women do not have the same pattern of hair loss as men. Men often end up bald or with large hairless areas. Women who suffer from the most common form of female hair loss do not become bald. What they usually suffer from is diffuse hair thinning. Hair loss becomes apparent though if you take a closer look at the scalp. Women with hair loss conditions have partially visible scalps. There are many possible contributory reasons for hair loss in women. In the past, it was thought that the major reason for female hair loss is that some women are just more genetically predisposed to the follicle shrinking effects of the hormone DHT. This may remain true for men but hair loss research results show that there may be other reasons involved for women. Aside from genetic propensity, female hair loss may happen because of low estrogen levels, stress and illness. Regardless of the real reasons for hair loss, the emotional impact on affected women can be tremendous. Losing one’s hair can affect one’s self esteem and ability to relate well with others socially. This is especially when the loss is sudden. A female with this problem may panic, try a variety of solutions and go through depression before being able to accept the condition. Unfortunately, many hair loss product manufacturers know how desperate women can become. This is why there are now so many product solutions that offer to help with hair loss issues. Some of them may be for real but some are also nothing more than scam products. Suffering from hair loss is bad enough, getting lured in by a fake product can make you feel even worse. Before you try out any product solution, make sure you take the time to research about it. Find out about its ingredients, how it says it can help you and what its reputation is among consumers and hair experts. Taking the time to research extensively about women and hair loss can save you a lot of money and emotional distress.

The Unspoken Effects And Hidden Scars Resulting From Female Hair Loss

October 30th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

Approximately 25 million women in the United States are suffering from female hair loss, and unfortunately, they are suffering in silence. Society quietly accepts male hair loss as a natural part of life, but by some unspoken rule, the idea of a woman with thinning hair is strictly taboo. It isn’t just the idea that the hair is falling out that causes the most damage; it is the emotional scarring and pain that these women suffer even after a hair loss treatment has been found.
Alienation From Society And Helplessness
An estimated 13% of these cases occur in women between the ages of 40 and 60 and the number rises significantly as women reach menopause and beyond. Until the last decade, researchers and other medical professionals virtually ignored female hair loss. The experts saw it as insignificant, and some even denied that the problem existed.
With no new treatments on the market at the time, women resorted to poorly made wigs, hid behind a hairstyle to cover up the problem, or simply lived with it. Unfortunately, a lot of women still believe this is true today and fail to consider that hair loss treatment is an option.
The Degradation Of Self-Esteem And Body Image
Even the most successful and confident woman can falter with the onset of female hair loss. In a society where looks play such an important role in daily life, even the slightest hair loss can permanently change the way someone sees themselves and how they present themselves to the world. Sufferers often feel less worthy of success and less capable of being loved. Even their self-respect diminishes, leaving them feeling depressed and alone.
A successful hair loss treatment can cure the problems with their hair, but many women never completely heal emotionally. The same effects are often seen with male hair loss, however the effects are commonly less severe because it is seen as more socially acceptable.
Anxiety And Relationship Issues
One of the most common effects women notice with thinning hair is the anxiety that comes with the affliction. When women discover their hair is falling out faster than normal, they often get the feeling that everyone is staring at them. Many of them also experience the same feeling after receiving treatment; they are constantly wondering if anyone can tell.
For some, this feeling diminishes after they discover how good a successful treatment looks, but others continue to carry on that feeling. Worst of all, these feelings combined with the depression and self-esteem issues begin to affect relationships with their partners, friends, family, and even co-workers.
For women suffering from female hair loss, the condition is significantly more than missing hair. Male hair loss has always seemed more acceptable whereas women feel ignored and alone in their battle. A successful hair loss treatment can replace their hair, but the devastating emotional effects take time to ease and never truly go away.

Buying a Hairpiece

October 10th, 2009 hair extensions pro No comments

A hair system can be any type of borrowed hair in the form of a full wig, hairpiece, weave, hair extension or a toupee, which replaces your own missing hair. Hair systems are often the only remaining option to replace the lost hair and to regain the appearance of a full head of hair. The quality and the price of hair systems depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of hair used, the production process used to weave the wig, the foundation of the hair system and how it is attached to the scalp.

The type of hair is the first thing many buyers will ask about. Both natural and artificial hair can be used. The natural hair can be of human or animal origin. Some hair systems blend human hair with animal hair to save on cost. The human hair can be of Asian origin (the least expensive option), Indian origin or European origin (the most expensive option). Asian and Indian hair must be often bleached, which makes it brittle and less durable. Considering the harvesting methods, virgin hair is the most expensive and hair gained from combs and hairbrushes the least expensive option. Human hair requires more care than artificial hair but it looks much more authentic, lasts longer and is more comfortable to wear. Its downside is its higher cost and the fact that it can lose its colour when exposed to direct sunshine for long hours or break, as normal human hair does.

As far as the manufacturing process is concerned, hair systems can be hand-tied or machine-tied. Hand-tied wigs can also be custom made, which happens to be the most expensive alternative. The foundation of a hair system can be either a polymer or a mesh. The polymer foundation is a more affordable but also a less comfortable option. A mesh structure breathes better than polymer structures and is therefore more comfortable to wear but, besides being more expensive, it is also a less durable alternative and more difficult to maintain. Mesh is suitable for creating authentic-looking hairlines, so many wigs combine both technologies, mesh for the hairline and the polymer structure for the inside of the wig.

The method of attaching a wig to your scalp and blending it with your existing hair is an immensely important factor (more info: http://www.greyhairloss.com/hair-replacement.html). There are semi-permanently attached hair systems that are either glued to your scalp or woven into your existing hair and these can only be removed in a hair salon once every five or six weeks for cleaning. These systems cling tightly to your scalp and can be unhealthy and uncomfortable to wear after a couple of weeks of use. The temporarily-attached hair systems use double-sided sticky tape or clips to fix the hairpiece to your scalp and existing hair. They can be removed and cleaned any time you wish but can also be easily and unexpectedly removed, leading to embarrassing situations.

The final, determining factor when deciding on buying a hair system is the price. Any hair system is temporary in nature, it will not last for ever like hair transplants do. Nevertheless, they can be quite expensive. Hair transplants can cost as much as ten thousand dollars or more. Although you can get a wig for a few hundred dollars, the more authentic pieces cost a few thousand dollars and require regular maintenance costing a couple of hundred dollars a month. In addition, you have to buy at least two identical pieces, one to wear while the other is being maintained by your hair salon. Though not cheap, hair systems are often the only option to replace the lost hair for many alopecia areata patients, as well as a large percentage of female hair loss sufferers.