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Beauty and woman are closely interlinked like fish and water. Hair is a woman’s crowning glory that makes up almost sixty per cent of her looks. Hair loss among women is a matter of serious concern and not many women are able to cope up with this problem even if they have a history of hair loss in their family. Contrary t general belief that baldness is a problem for males, women too can suffer from this disease at any point of time. Female hair loss is only accepted when women are old and it is hard to find hair loss treatments specifically aiming at females.
Main causes for female hair loss:
There are certain causes of female hair loss which are different for every woman. It is sometimes possible to stop hair loss by refraining from using a specific hair treatment product or method anymore. Other causes of hair loss among females include poor nutrition, lack of essential vitamins and minerals in diets. Hair loss in women can also occur during pregnancy or in the post natal period but the hair usually grows back.
Some medications can also cause hair loss. A scalp infection can be the cause of hair loss, jut temporarily. Some hair treatments using acids or heat can damage the hair and follicles to a certain extent. In such practice, the hair stops its rapid growth.
Medicinal Reactions
Medications that include birth control pills, blood thinners, thyroid hormone, blood pressure medicines, corticosteroids, high-dose vitamin A, and many drugs of abuse (amphetamine, cocaine, narcotics) could result in hair loss among women. But in case of most treatment medications, hair growth is resumed once the medication is discontinued.
Mechanical Stress
Another major cause of hair loss among women is tugging or mechanical stress on the hair. This problem is commonly seen in African-Americans due to the fashion of wearing the hair in tight braids, pigtails, or cornrows. It also could occur because of wearing hair weaves and other ‘hair systems.’ This sort of hair loss is often permanent, yet very amenable to treatment with transplantation. Tight ponytails and use of clips that tend to pull the hair backwards can also result in female hair loss.
Trichotillomania
This is a particular type of hair fall which is the outcome of a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder in which hair loss results from constant hair twirling, tugging, and actual pulling out of the hair. In this case, hair transplantation is also very effective. But it would happen only after psychotherapy and antidepressant medications have the condition under prolonged control.
Diagnosis of female hair loss:
Medically, hair loss can be diagnosed on the basis of your medical history and other facts which are based on regularly checking the pattern of your hair, hair biopsy, and blood tests. In case, you are experiencing more than usual hair loss, it is recommended that you consult a registered medical practitioner or dermatologist to get to the root of the problem.
Psycho-emotional Issues and hair loss:
Hair loss can be an emotionally devastating for men as well as women. Female hair loss is more of a trivial issue and is not taken lightly by most women, even elderly women. It tends to threaten a woman’s self confidence, feminity and sexuality and also her place in the family and society.
Androgen Reception
Women have fewer androgen receptors on the frontal hair follicles. That’s the reason why they are less susceptible to the effects of DHT. Finally, the enzyme aromatase is found in much higher concentrations in women’s hairlines. This important enzyme converts testosterone to estrogens (just as 5-alpha-reductase converts it to DHA), and estrogens are not likely to contribute to hair loss. Thus, if a woman experiences excessive hair loss it is important for her to see a good doctor at the earliest.
Hair Care Tips to prevent female hair loss:
It is important to take good care of your hair in order to avoid hair loss. It is necessary to intake a healthy diet rich in all the essential vitamins, minerals and proteins necessary for hair growth to sustain beautiful hair for a longer time.
Use shampoos that are mild such as baby shampoos as they are less harsh on the hair in comparison to the stronger ones. Do not change your shampoo on a regular basis. Shampooing more than once in a day leads to hair damage. Lather your hair gently and do not dry it vigorously with a towel.
Let your hair dry naturally; avoid using a blow drier every now and then. Regular use of blow drier results in hair damage and the hair loses most of its natural luster.
Style your hair only when it’s dry. Brushing or combing wet hair can cause it to stretch and break.
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