Common Hair Loss Concerns

Hair loss or hairloss or alopecia, however you want to spell it, is a concern to many of us, and a huge embarrassment to many sufferers. And don’t think that females get away easily. Hair loss can occur in both males and females and it is not restricted to older people either, as some unfortunate teenagers of either sex do lose their hair.

This is especially hard on teenagers, whose self-esteem is often very fragile in the teen years. It can have devastating effects on one’s life. This is why, should you notice an unusual number of hairs in the shower after you have washed your hair, you should investigate, see if this happens daily, and then see your medical professional about the problem.

There are some medical conditions which lead to hair loss. For example, an under-active thyroid can have a symptom of hair loss, but the best person to help you test for this is your medical professional, of course. See them as soon as you discover a problem with hair loss, and they may be able to find the cause, and put it right. Thyroid problems can generally be dealt with through medication on a daily basis, so the sooner you ask for help, the better, and the sooner you could clear up your hair loss problem.

Unfortunately, not everyone takes hair loss seriously. Because there is (usually) no pain involved with hair loss, it doesn’t seem as serious as many conditions, but it can affect the mental health of the person suffering from this, and can even send them into depression. In many ways it is easier for men to deal with the hair loss problem than women, but then again, it is perhaps more socially accepted for women to wear wigs, than for men.

There are hair loss prevention products out there that state they can help with hair regrowth. Depending on the amount of hair loss and the reason for it, you may have to go for medical hair replacement where skin and hair is removed from another part of the body and attached to the head. This is not for everyone! Hair transplants where the hair follicles are moved is a time- and money-consuming option, so hair loss prevention is best if you have a hair loss condition that can be treated this way. Your treatment for hair loss may also depend greatly on the state of your finances, as some procedures can be costly.

Cause of Female Hair Loss: Divorce, Study Suggests

Divorce is not always a pleasant thing, and you don’t really need a study to tell you that.

While the end of a marriage isn’t an entirely abnormal circumstance, it seems that women who have endured the circumstance may be at risk for another, less expected result — hair loss. Loss of spouse through divorce isn’t the only factor that triggers hair loss — death of a spouse can cause the symptom as well. And while stress seems to be the connecting thread for the two, a new study indicates both may have a strong impact on hair loss in women.

Genetics remains the biggest factor for hair loss in women, but the second strongest predictor of the symptom of thinning hair is loss of a spouse. One hair loss expert commented on environmental factors versus life stressors and female hair loss:

‘Most likely, stress is the aspect of a troubling divorce that appears to lead to hair loss among women. What we can say is that we identified factors that appear to both raise risk and lower risk, for both men and women, independent of genetic disposition’.

A doctor commented on the study, and was unsurprised that stressors like divorce influenced female hair loss:

‘It’s not a shock to suggest that various kinds of stress can lead to hair loss. Or that men and women don’t experience stress in the same way, so that their hair loss patterns may be different. I am a big proponent of the idea that it’s how you handle the stress that can make a difference’.

The doctor adds:

‘Of course, you can still get treatment. You can still go for hair loss medications or laser hair treatment, for example. There are always medical things that can be done, and one does not preclude the other. But patients also need to try and control what they can control in terms of the way they approach stress and handle situations’.

The study included 84 female identical twins, and found that in addition to divorce, heavy drinking and smoking also contributed to hair loss in participants.

A Healthy Head of Hair with Alternative Hair Loss Solutions

There are many ways to promote hair growth without using medication or having surgery. Natural alternatives can be just as effective. In fact, natural remedies are often less expensive than the traditional treatments for hair loss. Also, they’re quite simple to use.

Hair Loss Shampoos

One way to promote hair growth is to use shampoos which contain only natural ingredients. Some shampoos contain chemicals which are designed to thoroughly cleanse the strands. The problem with these products is that they’re so harsh, they strip away natural protein from the strands. This makes the hair weak and causes breakage. Look for shampoos which are made from natural ingredients such as biotin, rosemary, horsetail, or chamomile. These ingredients are gentle on the strands and provide protein which will stimulate growth.

Vitamins for Hair Loss

Certain vitamins can also promote hair growth. The strands must receive vitamin B or else they can’t grow healthily. A lack of this vitamin will cause the body to go into a survival mode in which it’ll have to use the limited supply of vitamin B to support the bodily functions which are more necessary. Other functions which aren’t crucial for survival, such as growing hair, will cease to function. You can get vitamin B from supplements or by eating eggs, wheat germ, liver, or potatoes. Vitamins A, C, and E also stimulate growth.

Herbs which Promote Hair Growth

Saw palmetto is an herb which can help to promote hair growth for people who have androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness. This herb blocks the production of a hormone which causes the strands to fall out by destroying the follicles. Green tea, rosemary, and nettle root extracts also help the hair grow.

It’s very important for you to begin treatment for your hair loss as soon as you notice that your strands are thinning. This will significantly increase your chances of getting your strands to grow back. If the follicles sit there for too long without strands, the follicles will lose their ability to function and the hair loss will become permanent.