Problem Hair Loss

How Do Normal Hair Growth Patterns Relate To Hair Loss?

It is sometimes helpful when dealing with hair loss issues to understand what normal hair growth looks like so that you can understand more of the complexities of hair loss causes and treatments for them.

You have two cycles for normal hair: the growth cycle and the resting cycle. Hair normally grows for 2 to 6 years at approximately 1 cm (centimeter) each month during this growth cycle. The individual can have 90% of the hair on the scalp in this growth cycle at any one given time and 10% of hair on the scalp in the resting cycle. Your hair is in the resting cycle for anywhere from two to three months. After this resting cycle the hair falls out. This falling hair is considered to be normal hair loss because everyone with normal hair experiences it. When the amount of hair that is loss is excessive (more than the normal amount), this is what is termed as having “hair loss”. Hair loss can affect children, men and women.

Why is it than that individuals experience excessive hair loss?

There can be several causes for hair loss including hormonal changes such as what occurs during pregnancy or menopause, major stresses to the body in a physical or emotional manner, certain medications taken for medical conditions or diseases can have side effects that include hair loss and also infections can lead to hair loss. These various causes can lead to excessive hair loss. Hair loss can be permanent or it can be temporary depending on the cause and on the treatment.

Medications that can cause hair loss include blood thinners, medications taken for gout, birth control pills, antidepressants, taking too much vitamin A, and also medications taken in the course of chemotherapy for the treatment of cancers can also contribute to hair loss.

Fungal infections can lead to hair loss as well as if you have an infection and have a high fever, the high fever can lead to hair loss.

If your excessive hair loss is due to a side effect from a medication that you are taking your doctor can either adjust your dosage or put you on a different medication so that you can avoid the side effect of hair loss.

Usually if the hair loss is due to an infection, once the high fever subsides, the hair loss will stop too.

Hair loss can also be attributed to improper hair care such as brushing too vigorously on a regular basis or using hair accessories such as those items used to make braids, ponytails or corncribs in such a manner as to have the hair too tight. Prolonged hair that is kept too tight can lead to damage and irritation of the scalp, which can lead to hair loss in the area in which the hair is being pulled.

Speak with your doctor or professional hairstylists if you have any questions regarding proper hair care or if you notice hair loss when you look in the mirror.

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Dealing With Hair Loss

Men and women can experience hair loss due to many reasons. They may notice as kids that one or both parents are balding and wonder if they too will suffer hair loss as an adult. Hair loss can also be a result of poor diet, an illness or a side effect of certain medications. You can lose hair while still quite young or you can lose hair as you age ever so gracefully into your senior years. Coping with hair loss can be made easier if you explore all your options.

Certainly one of the first options that may cross your mind is to visit your doctor. This is a wise decision because hair loss can be a symptom of a disease that you would want to catch early on so that a treatment can be effective. Treating the disease often will also treat the symptom of hair loss. Your doctor will physically examine you, question your hair care routine, ask you about your diet, and ask for a list of all medications you have taken in the recent past as well as all medications or drugs (street or OTC) that you are presently taking. You will also be asked to fill out a family history. A doctor can help you to identify the cause of your hair loss, which can lead you to a more effective treatment. Certain treatments can slow the progress of hair loss and may even be able to prevent further hair loss.

You may consider getting a perm. A perm adds curls to your hair, which can help, hide thinning or balding hair. You want to be sure to use a perm solution that is gentle so as not to cause further damage to your scalp. Curls from a perm can add fullness and a “look of full hair” that is desirable when you are trying to cope with hair loss.

Another suggestion for how to cope with hair loss is to consider adding color to your hair that will help distract eyes from your thinning areas. Adding color to your hair shaft may also help to make the hair thicker. The appearance of the hair to be thicker and fuller that highlights can do for you is a plus when you want to look your best. Getting a perm and also adding highlights can be a wonderful solution to hair loss especially when it occurs at an early age. You will however wish to moderate the use of these two options because getting too many perms or highlights too close together can damage your hair and scalp and actually contribute to hair loss.

Styling your hair differently can also hide thinning hair such as combing it over any areas of your scalp where you have noticed thinning hair. Combing hair from the sides to over the top of your head can give you the appearance of having fuller hair on top. You can use many hair products to keep this combed over hair in place including hair gels and moose. After using one of these products you can make sure that your hair stays in place by using a hair spray.

While washing your hair be sure to use hair products that are labeled for “full bodied hair”. Shampoo and conditioner should both be for “fuller hair”. These products will give your hair more body.

Your doctor or local hair stylist may be able to give you more advice regarding how to cope with hair loss.

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Understanding The Facts About Hair Loss

Hair loss information can be confusing and getting a good understanding of what hair loss is and the different types of hair loss is critical to arriving at a diagnosis for your particular hair loss. Once the correct diagnosis is made than you can discuss different treatment options with your doctor or dermatologist.

Hair loss is actually a normal part of the hair growth cycle. First the hair grows and then it rests, after it rests it falls out. Typically 90% of the hair on your head is in the growth part of the cycle and 10% is in the resting part of the cycle. After the hair rests for a few months it falls out. This is the hair that you see in your comb or hairbrush and also in your shower or tub drain. When the amount of hair loss is an excessive amount (more than the normal hair cycle amount) it is termed a “hair loss problem”.

Hair loss can occur for various reasons. The causes can include hormonal imbalances, improper diet or hair care, side effects from medications, or hair loss can actually be a symptom of a medical condition or disease such as diabetes or lupus. You can also suffer hair loss as a result of medical procedures such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Certain events in your life can also contribute to the hair loss that you are experiencing including extreme physical, emotional or mental stress such as when a loved one dies, an important long-term relationship ends, you undergo major surgery, or you suffer from a severe mental experience such as finding out you are adopted instead of a biological child or you suffer from long-term financial crisis. Pregnancy, menopause and even monthly menstruation can contribute to hair loss.

Hair loss can be categorized into different types such as male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, and hair loss from having a baby.

You can suffer from temporary hair loss or permanent hair loss. Alopecia universalis is temporary hair loss that looks like small, round, and smooth patches of scalp without hair. It can occur on any body part that normally has hair such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, facial area for men, and also the public area. Hair loss can also happen suddenly in patches. Thinning hair can also be a temporary hair loss situation.

Your doctor or dermatologist is your best source for information about hair loss in general and your hair loss in particular. Make sure you ask questions when you see your doctor, give all details asked for such as the medications you are currently taking or have taken recently, any illness you have had and what your diet usually consists of. Lifestyle information that your doctor may ask for is what your hair care habits consists of, what types of hair care products and hair care equipment you use and how long you have been noticing the hair loss symptoms.

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The diagnosis and treatment of Hair Loss

Doctors can diagnose and determine the cause of and treat hair loss by looking at your head, scalp and hair, and by asking medical questions regarding recent and current illnesses and also  medications that you have used. Doctors use both the Hamilton and the Ludwig classification charts when classifying the hair loss. If the doctor is uncertain about the cause of the hair loss there may be blood tests ordered or a biopsy of the scalp. Skin problems can lead to hair loss, so the doctor may have to do further evaluation regarding skin conditions. A microscopic examination of tissue from your scalp may help the doctor to diagnose a fungal scalp infection. Lupus is another skin condition that may affect hair loss.

Treating hair loss will depend upon the cause. Causes can vary as well as present several factors such as stress, poor appetite, medication adverse effect, and the presence of disease. If illness is a factor, treating the disease usually will clear up the hair loss.

Treatment may include medications, therapy for stress, proper diet, and also medications. Hairpieces, new hairstyles, replacement hair and artificial hair are all options. Your doctor may prescribe Propecia, Proscar, Rogaine, Loniten, even testosterone depending on the diagnosis. It is important to read all medication labels, follow advice from the doctor or pharmacist. You may want to speak with your doctor about hair transplants where the doctor take a plug of hair from other areas of your scalp and transplant the hair to the thinning area. Scalp rotation can be done for children but not for adults, as adults do not respond well to scalp rotation. Your doctor will ask you to make follow-up appointments to gage how you are responding to treatment.

Your doctor may speak with you about preventing future hair loss. You may be able to make lifestyle changes that may improve the condition of your hair such as changing to a shampoo that does not contain soap, not overusing hair dryers, hair dyes, styling products or curling irons which can all irritate or inflame the scalp, or cause breakage to your hair.

Your doctor may also speak with you about your diet and any stress in your life as these two factors can also influence hair loss. If your diet is lacking in nutrition, your doctor may refer you to a licensed dietician or a nutritionist. Psychological counseling may be prescribed for you if stress is determined to be causing your hair loss.

Your doctor can guide you when it comes to self-help changes such as what hair care products to use, minimizing damage to your hair when using styling equipment and treatments, and improving your diet. If need be, your doctor can explore other medical possibilities for the cause of your hair loss.

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