A Hair Loss Reality
-you might have to face
I love to share tips about how to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth, as shown in more recent posts. Dedication to a good hair care routine can stop hair loss and grow our hair.While taking care of all the things within our power to control, it can grow abundantly with healthy and strong roots.
An important point to remember is that some hair loss is normal. ‘The average scalp has 100,000 hairs. Each follicle produces a single hair that grows at a rate of half an inch per month. After growing for two to six years, hair rests awhile before falling out. It's soon replaced with a new hair, and the cycle begins again. At any given time, 85% of hair is growing, and the remainder is resting.’1 Hairs at rest fall out regularly, at a rate of about 50-100 strands daily. So don’t freak, you find evidence of normal hair loss in your hairbrush or on clothing.
However, we might find ourselves feeling perplexed, frustrated and hopeless, because nothing appears to be effective in our case. We work so hard at applying all the great tips we learn about for growing a healthy head of hair. Sooner or later we might have to acknowledge what appears to be a very harsh reality: our hair loss might be caused by conditions that are beyond our control. (Please note that while men suffer from hair loss, this article is focused on women’s hair loss).
Hair Loss Conditions Beyond Our Control
Our hair can be likened to a plant that needs nourishing care to enable it to bloom and flourish. Conversely, an unhealthy plant could ‘sicken’ and fail to grow, even after receiving tremendous care. The real cause of the problem needs to be identified. After all, there might be a pest or disease that may be wrecking havoc on our precious plant. Once we know the true source of the problem, we can proceed to handle the issue properly.
Did you know that women’s hair could be triggered by lifestyle factors, as well as approximately 30 different medical conditions?1
Possible Hair Loss Triggers1
- Thyroid problems
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Alopecia areata
- Ringworm (and other scalp infections)
- Skin disorders
- Childbirth
- Birth control pills
- Crash diets
- Certain hairstyles that pull the hair (tight braiding, cornrows, pony tails, etc)
- Cancer
- Physical or emotional shock
- Extreme stress
- Medicine (used to treat: cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure)
- Hair-pulling disorder2
- Laser devices
- Hair transplants in women
- Bogus hair-loss products and devices
- The aging process; (the follicle is in a much longer resting phase, instead of the growing phase).
If you are concerned that your hair loss is excessive, then it’s best to visit a dermatologist. In fact the American Hair Loss Council suggests the following:
“First have your hair loss diagnosed by a competent dermatologist who sees hair loss patients on a regular basis. Once you know the diagnosis you will have a better understanding of exactly which treatment option may be best for you.”3
It’s best to visit and work with your physician for optimal care if you suffer hair loss due to a medical or aging issue. Continue to maintain a nourishing hair care routine in conjunction with work with your dermatologist and/or physician.
Resources
1WebMD. Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD, Thin Hair Causes and Solutions -See slideshow.
2Mayo Clinic. Hair Loss –Causes.
3American Hair Loss Council.
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