When you talk about genetic hair loss most people think about the most common form of hair loss: male-pattern baldness. This is the type of hair loss that is passed on genetically to offspring from their mothers. Most often the recipients of this type of hair loss are men, but sometimes the gene can result in female hair loss.
While genetic baldness in men is identified by a receding hairline or balding crown, genetic hair loss in women is a bit different. In most cases, a woman will not lose her hair in spots only but will thin out evenly throughout the head. Sometimes, this thinning can be quite severe and result in the woman having to wear a wig to cover up her thinning tresses. While female hair loss almost never results in a completely bald head, it can be extreme enough to expose the scalp quite plainly.
For the woman facing this type of hair loss, there are a few hair loss treatment options that can be explored. They include shampoos, conditioners and topical treatments, such as Rogaine for women, which stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss; vitamin supplements; and stimulatory treatments such as massage and infra-red therapy. The most successful of these hair loss treatments are the topical treatments. While they are quite expensive, they produce the best results.
Hair loss due to chemical processes
No matter how healthy and strong your hair is today, you could experience severe hair loss after undergoing a harsh chemical process such as a perm or color. While almost all chemical hair fallout is due to operator error, the chance of it occurring is multiplied by chemical services that you perform on your hair at home. I’ve seen more than one case of female hair loss in clients who have bleached their hair at home, colored it over and then came to the salon for yet another bleaching. Not knowing this past history, the stylist used too strong a chemical, and the process resulted in hair loss.
Since most of these cases do not result in complete hair loss, the hair loss treatment options include protein treatments and other conditioning treatments to strengthen the remaining hair; a good hair cut that will remove most of the damage; and a gentle hair-care routine that will minimize further hair loss due to breakage. You should also refrain from using thermal styling tools and undergoing any further chemical procedures until the hair is completely grown out.
Hair loss due to stress
Cases of severe stress can literally cause handfuls of hair loss at a time. Women experiencing stressful conditions can experience female hair loss represented by thinning all over the head or in spots called alopecia areata. Alopecia areata means “Hair loss in spots or areas,” and can result in bald circular patches on one or more spots of the scalp. While this type of hair loss is alarming, it is not permanent. After the stress is removed, most sufferers of this type of hair loss regrow all of the hair that they lost.
In most cases, the hair loss treatment for stress-related hair loss is minimal. After ruling out other causes of hair loss, your doctor will likely recommend changes in your diet or ideas to help alleviate your stress. Keep in mind that it can take months for your hair to grow back even after the stressors have been eliminated.
Hair loss due to illness
Any type of extended illness or surgery can result in hair loss. Medications taken to combat certain types of illnesses can also cause your hair to become brittle and break or fall out altogether. The most identifiable type of hair loss is the loss associated with chemotherapy treatments. In most cases, this hair loss is complete and affects all areas of the body. While there is little that can be done to prevent this type of hair loss or promote growth during illness, surgery or chemotherapy treatments, this type of female hair loss is also temporary. In most cases, full recovery of hair is made after the illness is over.
You can promote hair growth after the illness by getting regular trims and using growth enhancing shampoos and conditioners. Vitamin supplements may also be beneficial.
As you may have already guessed, hair loss in women is more common than we might think. And many may be experiencing hair loss and dismiss it as a natural occurrence that comes along with age. A lot of these women fail to seek the necessary hair loss treatment that can help them keep their remaining hair and regrow new hair. So, if you are experiencing hair loss, do not think that it is just because you are getting older. There may be something that you can do to keep the hair on your head from clogging your drain.
Stress and Hair Loss Female
Have you ever noticed that when a person feels stressed-out, their hair often looks frazzled and fried? Or that a depressed persons’ hair often looks dull and lifeless, as if to match the way they feel. This is no coincidence. Our hair reflects our emotional state. There is no denying that stress affects the condition of our hair and can ultimately lead to hair loss.
Stress causes actual physiological changes in our body. These changes throw off our entire equilibrium, and affect every system of our body. Hair is very sensitive to any disturbances or changes within our body.
If the disturbance is severe or prolonged the hair growth cycle becomes disrupted, causing excessive hair loss and delaying new growth.
Healthy hair growth is dependent on an intricately balanced hormonal system. An over or under production of certain hormones is a common cause of hair loss. When our body perceives stress, our glandular system responds by producing additional stress hormones.
Our body is well equipped to handle stress as long as there is plenty of time to recover between incidents. Unfortunately our busy hectic lifestyles provide little, if any recovery time between stressful events. This type of chronic, cumulative stress causes harmful effects to the body. Hair loss is often the first symptom.
Cortisol is one of the main hormones involved in combating stress. Too much or too little cortisol can cause hair loss. Cortisol is produced from the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands can become dysfunctional trying to keep up with the demands of stress. Any adrenal gland disorder can lead to hair loss.
Another stress hormone involved in hair loss is corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). When stress is perceived, CRH signals the sebaceous glands to produce excessive oil. This oil called sebum creates a waxy substance on the scalp, making it difficult for new growing hairs to permeate. Excess sebum can create weak, thin, slow growing hair and hair loss.
Long-term, chronic stress weakens the entire immune system. When the immune system is suppressed the body is less able to fight off bacteria, yeasts, parasites, viruses, and other invading pathogens. This produces a hazardous environment within the body. Under these conditions the hair often responds by falling out.
Stress can also cause the immune system to lose its ability to turn off when it is no longer needed to fight off invasions. An over-activated immune system can trigger or worsen autoimmune conditions and inflammatory conditions. Hair loss is a symptom of many of these types of conditions.
Stress is known to decrease the release of acid in the stomach and to impair digestion. Hair loss is a symptom of gastrointestinal disorders such as Chrons and Celiac. When the digestive system is not functioning properly we may not absorb the nutrients needed to support hair growth. Large amounts of vitamins, minerals and proteins are secreted in the urine before they have a chance to reach our scalp. Extreme stress depletes important nutrients such as selenium and zinc. A deficiency of these nutrients can lead to hair loss.
Stress hinders proper circulation. Muscles become tense and stiff, restricting blood from flowing to the scalp. The scalp depends on blood flow to bring oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles, and to remove toxins and environmental pollutants from the scalp.
Cumulative stress can cause cells to age faster and to eventually stop dividing. Hair is formed from cells at the base of each follicle. These cells multiply and differentiate to form each individual strand of hair. Cellular regeneration must occur in order for new hair to form.
Stress is a major factor in many of the medical conditions in which hair loss is a symptom.
Acute stress, when dealt with effectively has no negative effects on hair growth. It is the chronic, cumulative, prolonged stress that is so destructive to our system. This type of stress causes hopelessness, anxiety, depression, insomnia and bad habits. Often the first place this harmful stress shows up is in our hair. Significant changes in hair can be a warning sign of stress that has gone out of control. Hair loss caused by stress responds well to natural therapies such as massage, aromatherapy or reflexology.
Scalp Massage to Improve Hair Loss!
Scalp massage for hair loss has been used throughout history by many different cultures. Massaging the scalp should be part of every hair loss regime. One of the most obvious benefits of scalp massage is increased circulation. The scalp, being an extremity is one of the hardest places for blood to flow. The increased blood flow helps to nourish the follicle. The scalp depends on blood flow to bring oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.
Tension causes tightness in the scalp, which restricts blood flow. Scalp massage restores pliability and relieves tension, helping to create an ideal environment for new hair growth.
Massaging the scalp also helps loosen and remove dead cells and excess sebum on the scalp, which can hinder new hair growth. Scalp massage helps to distribute the hairs natural oils to protect and condition the hair.
The benefits of scalp massage go beyond hair loss prevention. Seventy percent of our nervous system is in the head. A scalp massage activates neural pathways to the brain and stimulates unused brain cells. Besides that, scalp massage feels good! It is nurturing and relaxing to the whole body.
Scalp massage should include the face and neck. You can perform it yourself or have someone do it for you. Slide your fingertips under your hair and onto your scalp. Use the balls of your fingertips. Use gentle circular motions to stimulate your entire scalp.
Below are several variations of scalp massage to try.
HAIR PULLING MASSAGE
Glide fingers under scalp. Grab hair close to scalp. Pull gently. Relax grip then pull again. Do this 3 times and then move on. Repeat over entire scalp. This is stimulating to the scalp and it feels wonderful, especially if you have someone else do it for you!
INDONESIAN SCALP MASSAGE
Stand with your feet apart. Breathe slow and deep in and out. Gently lean forward from the waist, curving your spine until your head is just below your waist. Keep legs straight. Gently tap your scalp all over with your knuckles for 30 seconds. Slowly raise your body and repeat in an upright position.
ORIENTAL SCALP TAPPING MASSAGE
Place fingers at the center of the skull base and begin to tap about 30 times. Work your way outwards towards the ears and continue tapping. Then go back to the center of the skull, a little higher up and repeat process in this manner until entire scalp is tapped.
TAPPING WITH BRUSH
Tapping your scalp gently with a boar bristle brush is an easy way to provide energy and circulation to the scalp.
AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE
Adding essential oils or nourishing herbal infused oils can increase the effectiveness of scalp massage. Dab a small amount of the prepared formula onto fingertips. Place fingertips under hair, directly onto scalp and massage in circular motion. Continue until scalp has been massaged, paying extra attention to thinning areas.
Female Pattern Hair Loss: The Bald Truth
For a long time most people had the belief that female hair loss was related to the hereditary factor only. However, due to an increase in hair loss amongst women this condition is getting a lot more exposure
and acknowledgement in the medical community.
The hair loss in women is not exactly the same as that suffered by men. Also the notion that female hair loss is only hereditary related has now also been proven to be inaccurate. There are many factors that can cause female hair loss and these are a lot more complex then the male factors.
Women in general experience hair loss due to stress, drug therapies and menopause. Although the first two factors mentioned here are also related to hair loss in men, they are more frequent in women.
In general, women tend to be more concerned about their daily life than men. This increases the level of stress and one of its manifestations in the female organism is the hair loss. In this case, the treatment
should not only stimulate hair growth, but also treat stress. Otherwise, even if hair growth is stimulated, hair loss can occur again.
The use of drug for therapy is a complicated issue. Hair loss due to this is frequent in the treatment against cancer. The drugs used in chemotherapy are too aggressive and hair loss may be the slight side effect.
Menopause is another problem. Besides all the unbalance in the organism that it causes, menopause can cause hair loss as an indirect consequence of it. The onset of menopause can often lead to hair loss and has long been a part of aging that many women fear the most. These days many more women are also experiencing thinning and bald spots as they mature, and both men and women are reaching out for new solutions. Even though there is no real ‘cure’, there are many things that can be done to help. Some products claim to help revive weakened hair roots and promote healthy hair growth.
Both hormones and genes are to blame for menopause causing acute hair loss, as is the aging process. Confirming the causes of your loss with a competent and experienced dermatologist is the first step in
determining your best treatment options.
Most women also experience hair loss after pregnancy. This is due to the level of certain hormones in the body. This hair loss can be especially depressing as after pregnancy and birth most women are extremely tired both mentally and physically.
Another factor is also hair styling amongst women. We don’t realise the damage that is being done by the excessive heat and chemicals that we use whilst styling our hair. These harsh chemicals tend to build up on the scalp and suffocate the hair follicles and block precious nutrients getting to them.
Although there are many factors that contribute hair loss in women there are also some great new products that can have amazing results. These products have been through years of clinical trials and are 100% natural without side effects. If you would like to learn more about the latest product that can restore your hair and is currently being used by many celebrities worldwide.
