There is many a female hair loss treatment that can be found, to solve or improve upon symptoms of thinning, balding, total or partial hair loss - known as Alopecia.
I wrote this article to outline just a few of the options available to sufferers of female hair loss, please note though that it is not intended to replace any advice that you have received from your dedicated Health Professional.
What Can Cause Alopecia in Women?
Listed below are examples of the possible causes of female hair loss, most of these causes are temporary:
. Genetics
Inheriting genes from dominant parents, in most cases the male (Father or Grandfather) can be the cause of hair loss. Sometimes the gene will skip a generation, in which case the gene is passed down through one parent from a Grandfather. Some opt to have surgery, though a cure is unlikely.
. Ageing
Growing older can cause your hair to change colour and fall out. It generally begins to get thinner and thinner with age, although it may not fall out at all. The pigment in the hair that makes up the natural colour begin to fade, this is when we see grey/silver/white hair. We do often see older ladies that have cut their hair short to counteract the thin appearance of the hair. Surgery can assist, although most find that herbal remedies and a change in diet can also aid improvements.
. Hormonal Imbalances
The natural balance of hormones can be disturbed, causing the body to react by losing hair from the head and other parts of the body. Often this is temporary, although some people do suffer from permanent imbalances that are normally corrected through prescription drugs.
. Drug Treatments (chemotherapy / brain radiation, medication for Parkinson's disease)
Strong drugs can have a side effect which means the person taking the medication can lose their hair partially or completely. If the drugs do not have to be taken for life, hair growth often returns to normal once the course of drugs has ended.
. Stress
Stress itself is not usually the cause, although the results of stress (poor diet/high blood pressure/pulling out of hair) can result in hair loss. In most cases, providing the symptoms of stress are treated, then the diet and blood pressure can be returned to normal. In cases where you are pulling hair out, over time scar tissue can form and hair is unable to grow back - surgery can help but not cure the problem.
. Diet
Skin and hair problems are the first thing that will indicate a person is unwell or has a poor diet. Psoriasis and eczema can result from following a poor diets, although can be hereditary too. Topical treatments (applied directly to the area) are usually prescribed instead of oral medication, and quite obviously the diet is corrected. The body can return itself to normal quickly in most cases, and results can often be seen in a week or two. Medicated shampoos' and salon treatments can often help whilst the body repairs the damage.
. Major Surgery and illness (distress to the body)
Distress and shock to the body can result in shedding hair and greying, and drying out of skin. Again, because the skin and hair are the first things we see changing when a person has suffered an illness, once the person is over the illness or surgery the body will correct itself in most cases although colour differences will not change over time.
. Pregnancy
Women in pregnancy will usually see the hair thicken as a result of increased levels of progesterone and oestrogen. After child birth, sudden alteration in hormone levels will make the body react by shedding the extra hair grown during pregnancy. This is normal and is not usually anything to worry about.
When to Seek Advice
You must sought advice when you are highly concerned that the appearance of the scalp, skin or hair is changing. If your hair is thinning dramatically, hair is being lost from the rest of your body, or loss of hair continues over a long period.
Doctors can offer support, solutions and further advice. They can also refer you to a specialist for treatment, as well as being able to provide medicines to help solve or improve the problem.
Quite often if a condition is treated early enough, then symptoms may disappear completely.
Even if you have to visit your Doctor, you must not worry as - in the majority of cases - the problem is temporary. Professionals can just help rule out more serious underlying problems and can reassure you and help you understand IF you do have a condition that is causing your loss of hair.
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