"If you learn from a loss you have not lost. "
With the London Olympics in full gear, this is the spirit many of the Olympians and their supporters are probably abiding by, or persuading themselves to abide by in the name of good sportsmanship.
This is a good principle to bear in mind for many kinds of losses, but when it comes to hair? Most likely not. Hair loss is a very hairy issue (no pun intended). Once a person starts losing hair, he/she's in danger of balding unless something effective is done about the problem before it gets out of hand.
Hair loss is often associated with men. Looking at the myriad of hair loss advertisements out there, majority of them have men endorsing the products. But ladies, don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. Women too, suffer from hair loss problems.
For men, hair loss is more obvious, as it usually begins from the crown of the head. Women suffer from receding hair lines at the temples of the head and thinning of hair at the crown area. As such, for those who are not very conscious about your appearance, it may take you awhile to notice that you're losing hair.
Causes of Female hair loss
There are 100,000 hair follicles on our head and if we lose more than 100 strands of hair a day, it is considered a hair loss problem.
It is probably too tedious to count the number of strands of hair you lose everyday. But there are some simple ways to tell whether you are suffering from hair loss.
Are you noticing a lot of hair on your pillow, or on the floor around the place you often sit? Are you getting a lot of loose hair on your hands or the bathroom floor even though you're just shampooing your hair gently? If the answer is 'yes' to any of these, it's time you start giving better care to your hair.
1. Hereditary – If your grandma has it; your mum has it; your aunt has it, most probably you will develop hair loss as well. This may be a problem of female-pattern baldness.
2. Hormonal factors – When there is an imbalance of hormones in your body, this may lead to temporary hair loss. Pregnancy, discontinuation of birth control pills and the onset of menopause can lead to temporary hair loss.
3. Medication – Certain types of medicine for illnesses such as Cancer, Depression, High Blood Pressure and Heart Problems can lead to hair loss.
4. Medical Conditions – Scalp infections, thyroid problems and other skin diseases can result in hair loss.
5. Other Factors – Constantly tugging your hair, tying your hair into a tight ponytail or bun, and stress.
Prevention
Oily hair is a bane. Keep that conditioner away from your scalp!
Shampoos cleanse the scalp and remove any dirt or oil that clogs up the hair follicles. Your hair follicles work the same way as the pores on your skin; if they get clogged, bacteria grows. The difference is that on the scalp, a pimple may not appear, instead, your hair will fall out. If you have to use a conditioner, use it only on the ends of the hair. Conditioners contain oil to soften the hair, but will make your scalp oilier. Conditioners are meant to feed your hair with moisture, and should not be used on the scalp.
Wash your hair daily. Ignore the old wives' tales.
Stories telling you that washing hair once a week is healthy are myths. Washing your hair everyday after you get home from the day's activities ensures that all the dirt accumulated during the day on your scalp is removed. This allows your hair follicles to breathe and new hair to grow.
Keep your tools clean.
Always wash your comb or hair brush before and after each use. This will prevent you from putting more dirt or bacteria onto your scalp.
Treatment
Treating hair loss is not an overnight matter. In fact, hair loss can takes months to recover. Typically, doctors will prescribe oral medication, medicated shampoo and medicine to be applied on the scalp.
If you prefer more natural methods, try reputable hair restoration specialists like Beijing 101 and Yun Nam. Although they they use alternative remedies, they do conduct a scientific scalp analysis and prescribe treatments based off it.
Undoubtedly, some hair loss problems cannot be solved in the short term if you are on long term medication or cancer treatment. However, if your hair loss is not attributed to such issues, there is hope to regain hair growth early. Do consult your doctor or a hair specialist once you notice your hair loss problem. The longer you put it off, the longer it takes for you to regain your thick crown of hair.
References:
http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/SkinBeauty/Pages/Getting-to-the-Root-of-Female-Hair-Loss.aspx
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/06/female-hair-loss-causes-treatment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/hair_loss_women.shtml
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/ds00278/dsection=causes
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