| Female Hair Loss FAQ's |
| Melanie |
| Date: 6/16/2001 |
Introduction It has been said that hair is a barometer of one’s health. Healthy hair is intimately connected to the overall health of the entire body. Any change in hair should be taken seriously as it could be the first warning sign of a more serious physical condition. Any person experiencing excessive, unexplained hair loss or a dramatic change in hair texture should consult their health practitioner. There are many possible causes for hair loss and it’s often difficult to pinpoint the problem. The three main types of hair loss are telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, and alopecia areata. Telogen Effluvium Telogen effluvium, also know as diffuse hair loss can be suspected if there is an overall thinning of hair from the entire scalp. The many possible causes include nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, extreme or prolonged emotional stress, illness etc. Telogen effluvium does not lead to total baldness and can correct itself once the underlying cause is corrected. Androgenetic Alopecia Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by thinning on the top and crown areas. The follicles in these areas begin to shrink causing finer hair with a shorter lifespan. Eventually the cells within these affected areas finally stop producing hair. This type of hair loss will not cause total baldness. Women with this predisposition may delay and minimize the effects by keeping their cells young and healthy. This type of hair loss may first show up during hormonal changes such as pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause or hormonal changes which occur during periods of extreme stress.
Alopecia Areata Alopecia areata usually starts as round bald patch and may progress to total hair loss from entire scalp and body. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder which can be triggered by many factors such as illness, high fever, bacterial or viral infection, extreme stress, trauma, allergy, fungal infection etc. The follicles under the scalp lie dormant but remain alive for an indefinite period of time, making a good possibility for re-growth to occur. Whatever the reason for hair loss, as long as the follicle has not been destroyed there is always a possibility for re-growth. Remember it is important to deal with the underlying issue that may be contributing to hair loss as it may be a symptom of a greater problem. |