This practial guide is for any female who is experiencing the problem of hair loss. Read on if you want to know what might be causing the problem and what you can do to help regain your hair. For more technical information please refer to specialist sites on the internet as this guide is intended as an overview only.

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Hair loss (alopecia) in women is common, but it is not as well publicised as male baldness. It can be an extremely distressing condition, leading to anxiety and depression. For men, losing the hair is mostly expected (although not wecommmed!) but for women hair loss is considered to be unacceptable.

Hair grows on the head from the roots (follicles). The number of follicles on the scalp will vary in each of us. It is normal to lose about 100 hairs per day. Losing up to this amount is natural and part of the growth cycle.

The cycle is divided into three stages -

• the anagen phase (active hair growth period which lasts from two to seven years) 

• the catagen phase (transitional stage which lasts two to three weeks)

• the telogen phase (when hair growth is at rest)

At the end of the resting stage which lasts two to three months, the hair is shed and a new hair replaces it. The cycle then starts again.

Hair loss often creeps up on you. At first, you may just have a vague thought that your hair is bit flatter and thinner than it used to be. Or you might become concerned when you notice more hair than normal in your hairbrush, around the bath or shower, in your hand when you put your fingers through your hair, on your coat lapel, or on the pillow. It's also time to take action if you notice a bald patch or recession of the hair line.

Here are the common causes...

• Hereditary reasons - known as androgenetic alopecia. Occurs in the general female population rate of between 20 and 40% and is the most common reason for female hair loss - approx 43 million women worldwide.

• Hormonal changes - including thyroid disease, menopause, pregnancy, endocrine disorders.

• Medication or drugs -  the contraceptive pill, blood thinning or blood pressure medication, thyroid hormones, cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, coricosteroids, high dosage vitamin A, amphetamines, cocaine drugs. (Please note that hair loss does not necessarily occur with these medications).

• Serious illness - such as tumours of the ovary or adrenal glands, anaemia, adrenal or pituitary disease, connective tissue diseases like lupus or Dermatomyositis.

• Diet - improper or extreme dieting, eating disorders, malnourishment or lack of essential vitamins and nutrients

• Emotional or mental stress - hair loss usually only happens in very extreme cases over an extended period.

• Traction alopecia or hair pulling - occurs with excessive pulling on the hair in hairstyles like weaving, cornrows, tight ponytails etc.

• Tricotillomania or the pulling out of the hair due to nervous habit - an obsessive compulsive disorder as a result of constant hair twirling or tugging. (Patients sometimes feel compelled to eat the hair which can give rise to hair balls the digestive tract).

• Improper hair care - excessive shampooing and drying of the hair.

• Tinea Capitis (Ringworm).

• Physical trauma - scarring, childbirth, burns, accidents, general anaesthesia, surgery.

• Alopecia areata - sudden hair loss in patches causing smooth bald areas, sometimes covering large areas of the head.

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What to do about the problem of hair loss.

Firstly try not to worry about it. In many cases, hair loss can be arrested quickly and often reversed. Deciding on a couse of action and acting quickly is a positive first move, remembering that hair loss can be a symptom of an underlying health condition. Be aware that some hair loss patients respond better to treatment than others, but don't give up hope. There may be more than one reason for your thinning hair e.g. having recently had a baby and, say, being anaemic. Once you have selected a course of action, give it time to take effect, but if one approach isn't working, try another. There is a lot of information on the internet about female hair loss. Your pharmacist / health food shop will be able to advise you on over the counter medications and supplements which may help, depending, of course, on the cause. To discuss this issue you will need to seek help from an expert. If you are lucky, your GP will be sympathetic and helpful. However, many admit to not being very knowledgeable in this field. A blood test may be offered to check for aneamia, thyroid problems etc. If poor diet is considered the cause, you may be referred to a dietitian.  Having seen a GP to check on your general health, I recommend visiting a hair and scalp specialist (a trichologist). This is normally done by private consultation and fees may vary. He (she) will not only study your hair and scalp but may also supply special medications to use at home, in addition to offering advice and support. Look in your local telephone book or contact in the UK the Institute of Trichologists.

In the meantime, a good hair cut will help to keep your morale up and can help disguise any thinning areas. Avoid hair extensions, corn rows, braids or any other technique that puts stress on the hair follicles.  While you are at the hairdressers, do discuss with them a sensible hair care regime. Headscaves, wigs and hats are obvious 'quick fixes', but the more you get to rely on these, the less likely you are to seek a solution the problem. 

To sum up

• don't despair

• get specialist advice without delay

• take all the help that is on offer

AND GOOD LUCK!

The information given is to the best of my knowledge, but I may not be held responsible for any action taken on account of it. I give permission for it to be reprinted for personal reference only.

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From Dressing-2-Kill