It is normal for people to lose at least a hundred strands of their hair on a regular basis. This is because in the normal cycle of a person’s hair growth, a cycle which is expected to last for at least two to six years, strands of hair fall out regularly to be replaced by new ones that the scalp will grow in about 12 weeks. However, some people lose more than the expected number of stands in a day, more than the scalp can keep up with. In fact, there is a growing number of people today who experience the burden of hair loss.
If you think you are one of those people who are prone to hair loss, the first thing that you need to know is what specific types of hair loss there are. This will help you know if you are really into losing your hair for good or not.
The first type is the “androgenetic alopecia” or commonly known as pattern baldness. Males and females who are prone to this experience slow growth of hair combined with weaker stands of hair that are more likely to fall out. In this condition, the primary cause is a hormone called DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which adversely affects hair located on the head. This condition is genetic and can be passed on from either or both parents, it was previously thought to be passed on by only the paternal grandfather. The rate of hair loss seems to speed up with age but can occur anytime from puberty onwards.
Another type is called, “cicatricial alopecia” or scarring alopecia, which is a type of permanent hair loss. Its occurence is poorly understood but always involves inflammation directed at the hair follicle. In this condition, the inflammation damages the hair follicle and replaces it with scar tissue, resulting in permanent hair loss. The infalmmation and scarring are usually beneath the skin so do not result in visible scars. Scarring alopecia can be caused by certain skin conditions like lupus erythematosus and lichen planus wherein experts are yet to discover what is it that causes the inflammation.
The next type “alopecia areata” is the type of hair loss, which is considered as an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own hair follicles and suppresses or stops hair growth. Although there is already a classification for this, the cause of the condition is not yet clear. People who suffer from his condition are those who are generally healthy and have no skin disorders. General opinion is that the condition can be caused by autoimmune disorders like thyroid illness, genes, or a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. In up to 90% of cases hair grows back normally
Another type of hair loss that is represented by a change in the normal hair cycle, is called “telogen effluvium”. This condition presents itself as a general thinning of the hair, more hair than normal might fall out and is most noticeable when you wash your hair. However, the rest of your hair and scalp arrear normal and healthy. There are no noticeable "bald patches". Its occurrence is usually associated with a major stressfull event such as child birth or a major accident or operation.It can also be caused by major emotional events such as the death of someone close. This major event can interrupt the natural hair growth cycle so older hairs, at the end of their cycle are not replaced.Other causes may be nutritional or dfective thyroid operation which your doctor should test for. There is no treatment, normally the hair thickness returns over time.
Another type of hair loss which is becoming more prevalent today, is "traction alopecia". This specific hair loss is usually caused by hairstyling that puts too much pressure on the scalp. The pulling inherent in wearing hair in a tight ponytail or braids causes the roots of the hair to be weak and stops it from growing healthily. It is reversible if detected early on, but will lead to permanent hair loss over a long period of time.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Boost your self-confidence despite hair loss
Many people are confident in handling themselves in front of other people because they are satisfied with the way they look. But for people who are experiencing hair loss, being confident in front of others can be a difficult thing. This is because they cannot help but think that the people they are dealing with only focus on their falling crown of glory and not on what they are saying.
While it's true that hair loss can greatly affect one's overall physical appearance, this is not enough reason to lose self-confidence totally. If you are one of those people who are slowly losing their self-confidence due to hair loss, one of the best things that can be done is learning how to cope with it.
Coping with hair loss can start with the acceptance that you might really be suffering from a condition that is really our of your control. Experts say that baldness or hair loss can be categorized into two—permanent hair loss and temporary hair loss. People who are suffering from permanent hair loss are those who have the condition in their genes. Since it is hereditary, one cannot really do so much about it but to learn how to accept it, and try to seek for alternative remedies that can slower the pace of losing hair. Other conditions where one cannot really do something about hair loss is if they are suffering from autoimmune illnesses such as cancer, thyroid complications or lupus.
People who have to undergo treatments are also in greater risks of losing hair fast.
People who are suffering temporary hair loss are those who undergo hormonal changes such as pregnancy in women or taking birth control pills as well as those who put too much pressure on their scalp by changing hairstyles often or those that are using hair products that are harmful to the hair.
Knowing the cause of your hair loss can help you cope with it easier. Of course, you cannot determine this on your own so you have to visit your doctor to address your concern. Once he or she had the final diagnosis, you can now ask for available treatment or options that will work for you.
Tips to be more confident
People who are losing their hair can still look good despite their condition. Since not so much can be done about their hair, they should try focusing on other aspects of their body and personality to look beautiful and be confident in facing others. The following are some beauty tips and regiments that can be done to boost beauty and self-confidence despite hair loss.
1. Maximize the potentials of make-up.
For women, make-up greatly affects their overall appearance. If you are losing your hair, try to get your confidence from your beautiful face with the aid of some cosmetics. To do this, knowledge in the proper use and application of eyeliner, eye shadows, lipsticks, blush ons and foundations is a must to help you flatter your features and enhance your overall aura if done properly.
2. Take good care of your skin.
Since the skin is the largest organ of the body, having radiant and youthful skin despite hair loss can make a lot of difference. To achieve good skin and fair complexion, make it a habit to use sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun, avoid smoking, get enough rest and proper nutrition, learn to relax to avoid too much stress, and get regular exercise.
While it's true that hair loss can greatly affect one's overall physical appearance, this is not enough reason to lose self-confidence totally. If you are one of those people who are slowly losing their self-confidence due to hair loss, one of the best things that can be done is learning how to cope with it.
Coping with hair loss can start with the acceptance that you might really be suffering from a condition that is really our of your control. Experts say that baldness or hair loss can be categorized into two—permanent hair loss and temporary hair loss. People who are suffering from permanent hair loss are those who have the condition in their genes. Since it is hereditary, one cannot really do so much about it but to learn how to accept it, and try to seek for alternative remedies that can slower the pace of losing hair. Other conditions where one cannot really do something about hair loss is if they are suffering from autoimmune illnesses such as cancer, thyroid complications or lupus.
People who have to undergo treatments are also in greater risks of losing hair fast.
People who are suffering temporary hair loss are those who undergo hormonal changes such as pregnancy in women or taking birth control pills as well as those who put too much pressure on their scalp by changing hairstyles often or those that are using hair products that are harmful to the hair.
Knowing the cause of your hair loss can help you cope with it easier. Of course, you cannot determine this on your own so you have to visit your doctor to address your concern. Once he or she had the final diagnosis, you can now ask for available treatment or options that will work for you.
Tips to be more confident
People who are losing their hair can still look good despite their condition. Since not so much can be done about their hair, they should try focusing on other aspects of their body and personality to look beautiful and be confident in facing others. The following are some beauty tips and regiments that can be done to boost beauty and self-confidence despite hair loss.
1. Maximize the potentials of make-up.
For women, make-up greatly affects their overall appearance. If you are losing your hair, try to get your confidence from your beautiful face with the aid of some cosmetics. To do this, knowledge in the proper use and application of eyeliner, eye shadows, lipsticks, blush ons and foundations is a must to help you flatter your features and enhance your overall aura if done properly.
2. Take good care of your skin.
Since the skin is the largest organ of the body, having radiant and youthful skin despite hair loss can make a lot of difference. To achieve good skin and fair complexion, make it a habit to use sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun, avoid smoking, get enough rest and proper nutrition, learn to relax to avoid too much stress, and get regular exercise.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Coping With Hair Loss
Hair loss is one of the most difficult things to cope with especially to people who are very particular about the appearance. But this doesn’t mean that one should give up his or her life just because he or she lost the crowning glory!
The best way that people can go about hair loss is to know what causes it. Experts say that hair loss can either be permanent or temporary depending on the overall status of the person. Permanent hair loss or pattern hair loss is common to those people whose parents had the same thing. This is because the condition can be hereditary.
Temporary hair loss on the other hand is usually caused certain medical conditions and illnesses, which weakens the immune system and eventually, affects the growth of the hair. This can also be caused by taking in medications and undergoing treatments that use drugs that can be harmful to the hair as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy in women. This type of hair loss can also be brought about by changing hairstyles that put too much pressure on the hair follicles and using too many hair products that hinder healthy hair growth.
Dealing with male hair loss
In men, the most common type of hair loss is thinning brought about by "adrogens" or "male hormones". Experts say that men experience pattern baldness even at an early age. And as they grown older, hair loss becomes more and more obvious especially when thinning starts at the front and sides of the head.
Many men who experience this condition say that the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way cope with hair loss is to ignore it. Since male pattern baldness is inevitable due to the genes, it can be useless to worry too much on something that is inevitable. This will work for those who have mustered enough confidence not to care too much on what other people would say about them. But there still those who cannot ignore the effects of hair loss on their lives.
For those who are bothered by hair loss, the best way to go about it is to take an action, a positive one. In fact, you can do something to fix it through drug and other treatments. Although these will not totally cure it, these can somehow slow the rate of hair loss. Topical medicine such as minoxidil or oral medication like finasteride can be used. But, before you take in any medication, make sure that you consult your doctor first to avoid further complications.
Going about female hair loss
More than the men, women feel more burdens when they lose their hair. This is because they are more conscious about how they look and their confidence greatly depends on their physical appearance. To avoid a feeling of shame, there are many ways to cope with it.
But, before doing anything, make sure that you know what is the cause of the hair loss. Visiting the doctor to know the status of the condition and to ask for available treatment options that might work on you.
One of the best ways to cope with hair loss among women is to increase the circulation to the scalp using a soft and multi-tipped scalp massager everyday. You can also use milder shampoos or those that are formulated to treat thinning hair and receding hairline. To look more fashionable, women can also use hair accessories such as hats to cover bald spots or areas that are already showing the scalp.
The best way that people can go about hair loss is to know what causes it. Experts say that hair loss can either be permanent or temporary depending on the overall status of the person. Permanent hair loss or pattern hair loss is common to those people whose parents had the same thing. This is because the condition can be hereditary.
Temporary hair loss on the other hand is usually caused certain medical conditions and illnesses, which weakens the immune system and eventually, affects the growth of the hair. This can also be caused by taking in medications and undergoing treatments that use drugs that can be harmful to the hair as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy in women. This type of hair loss can also be brought about by changing hairstyles that put too much pressure on the hair follicles and using too many hair products that hinder healthy hair growth.
Dealing with male hair loss
In men, the most common type of hair loss is thinning brought about by "adrogens" or "male hormones". Experts say that men experience pattern baldness even at an early age. And as they grown older, hair loss becomes more and more obvious especially when thinning starts at the front and sides of the head.
Many men who experience this condition say that the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way cope with hair loss is to ignore it. Since male pattern baldness is inevitable due to the genes, it can be useless to worry too much on something that is inevitable. This will work for those who have mustered enough confidence not to care too much on what other people would say about them. But there still those who cannot ignore the effects of hair loss on their lives.
For those who are bothered by hair loss, the best way to go about it is to take an action, a positive one. In fact, you can do something to fix it through drug and other treatments. Although these will not totally cure it, these can somehow slow the rate of hair loss. Topical medicine such as minoxidil or oral medication like finasteride can be used. But, before you take in any medication, make sure that you consult your doctor first to avoid further complications.
Going about female hair loss
More than the men, women feel more burdens when they lose their hair. This is because they are more conscious about how they look and their confidence greatly depends on their physical appearance. To avoid a feeling of shame, there are many ways to cope with it.
But, before doing anything, make sure that you know what is the cause of the hair loss. Visiting the doctor to know the status of the condition and to ask for available treatment options that might work on you.
One of the best ways to cope with hair loss among women is to increase the circulation to the scalp using a soft and multi-tipped scalp massager everyday. You can also use milder shampoos or those that are formulated to treat thinning hair and receding hairline. To look more fashionable, women can also use hair accessories such as hats to cover bald spots or areas that are already showing the scalp.
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