Hair loss and male-pattern baldness is an affliction suffered by thousands of men, and can be a real source of insecurity and embarrassment for those not ready to lose their hair or shave their head. Even worse, and more devastating are the younger cases where the hair loss process begins long before a man even reaches his thirtieth birthday. So what are your options if you are one of these men, uncontrollably losing your hair before your time?
Well, you can do what many others do ? shave your head for the sake of uniformity. Lots of men look great with a shaved head ? it just fits their personality and style, and they seem comfortable that way. For those unwilling to give up on their hair, there are hairpieces or plugs, neither of which have been perfected to the point of being undetectable, and both having a societal stigma as being somewhat tacky and undesirable.
The other option, of course, is to try one of the hair loss products that several reputable manufacturers now offer, both in prescription and nonprescription form. While there is still no "magic pill" that can unflinchingly promise every man (and woman) who takes it will re-grow their hair, there are some very promising and effective hair loss products and treatments currently on the market and also in development.
Propecia, Rogaine (Monoxadil), Avacor and Proxiphen are just a few of the top prescription and nonprescription hair loss products on the market today, and they've all had varying degrees of success in re-growing their client's hair. Since the demand for hair loss products is so great, there have been many non-prescription hair loss alternatives recently introduced in an effort to offer men (and women) a more economical and convenient alternative to re-grow hair and prevent further hair loss.
There are also several vitamins that have been specially formulated both for thinning hair and to promote the speedy growth of healthy, shiny hair. Vitamins for thinning hair and faster hair growth and re-growth are usually a varying combination of several key amino acids, biotin, vitamins B6 and E, and zinc. Many who take vitamins of this nature do report thicker, more lustrous and healthy hair, but if your goal is to actually re-grow hair and not just thicken thinning hair, then you would probably want to consider a more serious hair loss supplement or treatment that specifically targets balding and hair loss.
Here's a little tip to help stimulate hair growth ? massage the scalp. This is an age-old hairstylist tip to help stimulate the hair follicles, unclog any blocked oil glands in the scalp, and help promote a healthy scalp and new, healthy hair growth. Plus, it's relaxing and it feels good, so it's not such a chore!
Hair loss supplements can range from pricey to reasonable, tested and untested, and clinically proven vs. not clinically proven. You have to use good judgment and do a little homework on the internet, or by reading consumer reviews, testimonials and surveys to see what really should work best for your situation. Some even offer money back guarantees or some sort or money back for unused portions.
Now, let's talk about being proactive in preventing future hair loss. Many times, the underlying cause for premature hair loss and male pattern balding is hereditary, but it can also be brought on by a hormonal imbalance of the male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens. Correcting a hormonal imbalance many times can stop hair loss. This example can be seen in women who notice hair loss shortly after they've had a baby. The cause for this is a drop in hormones that kept much more hair on the head than normal during pregnancy because the levels of this hormone are unusually high at this time.
Some medications can also cause or aggravate hair loss. Typically these medications are blood thinners, gout medication, chemotherapy medications for cancer, too much vitamin A, birth control pills and antidepressants. Avoid tight or "pulling" hairstyles like high or tight ponytails and cornrows, and also stay away from harsh chemical treatments such as perms and other potentially volatile, damaging hair treatments.
Typical hair loss treatments, prescription and nonprescription, usually take about six months before you can tell they are working, so patience is a must. There is no overnight fix to hair loss unfortunately. As long as you are comfortable with your chosen hair loss remedy, and have planned a preventative and maintenance course of action, that's really all that matters.
Danna Schneider is the founder and webmaster of Herbal-Therapeutics.com http://www.Herbal-Therapeutics.com , an herbal and nutraceutical product information site for people looking for life improvement products without a prescription and with no side effects. The most effective all natural supplements on the market.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Hair Loss, Hair Care Tips, Home Remedies and Products!
A healthy lifestyle supplemented with proper diet is the magic key for healthy and beautiful hair. But our fast paced life generally doesnt allow us to follow it. But these hair care tips along with some hair care products might just do the trick for you.
Hair Care Tips and Products
. Hair Spray: Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with two cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in refrigerator. If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce of alcohol as a preservative and thenthe spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.
. Hair Cocktail:
. For instant shine: Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throuigh your hair. Leave on for five minutes, rinse and you will see a shine instantly.
. For Dandruff: Dissolve two aspirins in your dandruff shampoo and watch how it clears up. Use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward.
. For greasy hair: Use face powder. Put a little at the root of your hair before straying. If it is a serious problem, put the powder on heavily for 15 minutes wash completely, condition lightly, and style.
. Sweet shine: Honey applied in a small amount while washing the hair will give you a great shine.
Must Visit: 10 Skin Care Tips a women must know at http://www.weightloss-health.com/skin%20care%20treatment%20tips.htm
. For Dry Hair:
For dry hair, increase the intake of polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower oil, margarine and eat food rich in Vitamin B like pulses, brown rice, bananas etc
Tip: Avoid Salty foods.
. For Oily Hair:
Mix equal amounts of aloe vera gel and shampoo, plus a tablespoon of lemon juice. Diet for Oily Hair: Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, salads and fresh fruit.
Tip: Avoid fried and greasy foods. Also say no to red meat.
. Home remedy for Falling Hair:
Take 10-15 leaves of the large Ber fruit. Burn them in mustard oil, make a paste and apply on your hair for 1 hour and then wash it. This remedy surely works and prevents hair loss for almost everyone.
Tip: Never sleep in a tight braid or ponytail. Never brush wet hair too. It is always advisable to let your hair dry naturally than to use any heating equipment. These practices can cause hair breakage or loss of hair over time.
Must Visit: Quick Fix your dandruff and hair care tips in summer at http://www.weightloss-health.com/hair%20loss%20hair%20care.htm
About the Author:
Ashley Green: for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.
Look out for more hair loss and hair care tips at Hair Loss, Hair Care Tips and Products
If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website.
Hair Care Tips and Products
. Hair Spray: Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with two cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in refrigerator. If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce of alcohol as a preservative and thenthe spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.
. Hair Cocktail:
. For instant shine: Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throuigh your hair. Leave on for five minutes, rinse and you will see a shine instantly.
. For Dandruff: Dissolve two aspirins in your dandruff shampoo and watch how it clears up. Use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward.
. For greasy hair: Use face powder. Put a little at the root of your hair before straying. If it is a serious problem, put the powder on heavily for 15 minutes wash completely, condition lightly, and style.
. Sweet shine: Honey applied in a small amount while washing the hair will give you a great shine.
Must Visit: 10 Skin Care Tips a women must know at http://www.weightloss-health.com/skin%20care%20treatment%20tips.htm
. For Dry Hair:
For dry hair, increase the intake of polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower oil, margarine and eat food rich in Vitamin B like pulses, brown rice, bananas etc
Tip: Avoid Salty foods.
. For Oily Hair:
Mix equal amounts of aloe vera gel and shampoo, plus a tablespoon of lemon juice. Diet for Oily Hair: Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, salads and fresh fruit.
Tip: Avoid fried and greasy foods. Also say no to red meat.
. Home remedy for Falling Hair:
Take 10-15 leaves of the large Ber fruit. Burn them in mustard oil, make a paste and apply on your hair for 1 hour and then wash it. This remedy surely works and prevents hair loss for almost everyone.
Tip: Never sleep in a tight braid or ponytail. Never brush wet hair too. It is always advisable to let your hair dry naturally than to use any heating equipment. These practices can cause hair breakage or loss of hair over time.
Must Visit: Quick Fix your dandruff and hair care tips in summer at http://www.weightloss-health.com/hair%20loss%20hair%20care.htm
About the Author:
Ashley Green: for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.
Look out for more hair loss and hair care tips at Hair Loss, Hair Care Tips and Products
If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website.
Male Hair Loss Treatment - What Options Do You Have?
Male hair loss treatments are big business. That is because for many men, losing their hair as they age is a devastating experience. It can happen at any age following puberty and has a number of causes. For these reasons there are huge numbers of men looking for an effective male hair loss treatment. If you are looking for a male hair loss treatment what options do you have?
The first thing you should do before even considering buying a male hair loss treatment is to consult your doctor. A doctor can ask all the necessary questions to try and determine the cause of your hair loss. There are many causes of male hair loss which are reversible and not a cause for worry. And pinpointing these causes is the first step before even considering any form of male hair loss treatment.
For example there are both medical conditions and medical treatments which can cause hair loss. Often when the medical condition is treated the hair can grow back or when the medical treatment is stopped the hair can grow back. In both cases the use of any form of male hair loss treatment is unnecessary.
However it is true that the vast majority of cases of male hair loss are caused by hereditary factors ? male pattern baldness. Currently there is no prevention for male pattern baldness. Men who are diagnosed with this condition may need to consider some form of male hair loss treatment.
However there are some preliminary decisions to make. How concerned are you about losing your hair? There are large numbers of men who lose their hair and are not sufficiently concerned to seek treatment. And baldness is almost a fashion now. This may have started with Yul Brinner, but a bald head makes a statement.
And how prepared are you for the downside of using various forms of male hair loss treatments? They can be invasive, expensive, impermanent and for many men just do not work.
Notwithstanding, there are many men who still want to find methods of replacing their hair. And there are male hair loss treatments which work, but not for everyone.
The effective male hair loss treatments can be broken down into types. Firstly there are the topical applications. There is minoxidil, which is known by various trade names. It is applied directly to the scalp, and slows hair loss or promotes hair growth in some, but not all men. There is also finasteride which is taken as a tablet and also has an effect on slowing hair loss and promoting hair growth in some but not all men.
It should be understood that these results only continue as long as the product is used and so many question whether they are a really effective male hair loss treatment when it is realised that to continue to receive the benefits it is necessary to continue on the product indefinitely.
Then there are the surgical methods. They are all a form of plastic surgery. You can opt for hair transplant surgery where individual hairs are taken from the other parts of the head and replanted onto the affected areas. Or scalp reduction which is a method of taking out a small part of the affected area, or flap surgery which takes an area of scalp with good hair growth and over time stretches it to take over from areas which are affected by the hair loss.
All are effective male hair loss treatments when done correctly but are not suitable for all men. And they are usually expensive.
So, if you are suffering from male hair loss, see you doctor and find out the cause. Next, spend some time thinking about how prepared you are to live with it. And for those who are sufficiently motivated to do something about it find out more about effective male hair loss treatments. They do exist, they do work, but not for everyone.
For a website totally devoted to hair loss and hair replacement visit Peter's Website The Hair Replacement Guide, and find out about Hair Replacement as well as Male Hair Loss and more, including Female Hair Loss and Hair Loss Treatments
The first thing you should do before even considering buying a male hair loss treatment is to consult your doctor. A doctor can ask all the necessary questions to try and determine the cause of your hair loss. There are many causes of male hair loss which are reversible and not a cause for worry. And pinpointing these causes is the first step before even considering any form of male hair loss treatment.
For example there are both medical conditions and medical treatments which can cause hair loss. Often when the medical condition is treated the hair can grow back or when the medical treatment is stopped the hair can grow back. In both cases the use of any form of male hair loss treatment is unnecessary.
However it is true that the vast majority of cases of male hair loss are caused by hereditary factors ? male pattern baldness. Currently there is no prevention for male pattern baldness. Men who are diagnosed with this condition may need to consider some form of male hair loss treatment.
However there are some preliminary decisions to make. How concerned are you about losing your hair? There are large numbers of men who lose their hair and are not sufficiently concerned to seek treatment. And baldness is almost a fashion now. This may have started with Yul Brinner, but a bald head makes a statement.
And how prepared are you for the downside of using various forms of male hair loss treatments? They can be invasive, expensive, impermanent and for many men just do not work.
Notwithstanding, there are many men who still want to find methods of replacing their hair. And there are male hair loss treatments which work, but not for everyone.
The effective male hair loss treatments can be broken down into types. Firstly there are the topical applications. There is minoxidil, which is known by various trade names. It is applied directly to the scalp, and slows hair loss or promotes hair growth in some, but not all men. There is also finasteride which is taken as a tablet and also has an effect on slowing hair loss and promoting hair growth in some but not all men.
It should be understood that these results only continue as long as the product is used and so many question whether they are a really effective male hair loss treatment when it is realised that to continue to receive the benefits it is necessary to continue on the product indefinitely.
Then there are the surgical methods. They are all a form of plastic surgery. You can opt for hair transplant surgery where individual hairs are taken from the other parts of the head and replanted onto the affected areas. Or scalp reduction which is a method of taking out a small part of the affected area, or flap surgery which takes an area of scalp with good hair growth and over time stretches it to take over from areas which are affected by the hair loss.
All are effective male hair loss treatments when done correctly but are not suitable for all men. And they are usually expensive.
So, if you are suffering from male hair loss, see you doctor and find out the cause. Next, spend some time thinking about how prepared you are to live with it. And for those who are sufficiently motivated to do something about it find out more about effective male hair loss treatments. They do exist, they do work, but not for everyone.
For a website totally devoted to hair loss and hair replacement visit Peter's Website The Hair Replacement Guide, and find out about Hair Replacement as well as Male Hair Loss and more, including Female Hair Loss and Hair Loss Treatments
Everything You Wanted To Know About Hair
In order to treat hair loss successfully, it is necessaryto know about hair. This article discusses general factsabout human hair, hair structure and growth.
The average human adult body has an astounding 5 millionhairs of which 100,000 to 150,000 are on the scalp. Trueblondes have more hair on the scalp - 140,000 hairs thanbrunettes (105,000 hairs) or redheads (90,000 hairs). Hairis made up of a protein called Keratin. Keratin is also aconstituent of our nails.
* Hair around the world
Hair color and texture differ around the world. Asians havejet-black hair whereas Scandinavians have varying shades ofbrowns and reds to the pale blonde. There are generallythree racial groups with three types of hair.
1. Oriental - People from Japan and China have straight andblack hair.
2. Caucasoid - This group is varied and a mixture ofseveral racial groups. The hair colors range from black toblonde. The hair can be wavy or straight.
3. African - African people have black hair that is tightlycurled. It is woolly and dry. Heat or chemicals can easilydamage this type of hair.
* Hair structure
Some part of hair is hidden under the skin, while the restis seen outside the body. The part of hair hidden under theskin is the hair follicle. There are tiny blood vessels atthe base of the follicle that provides nutrition to thehair.
Sebaceous glands secrete sebum that keeps the hair shinyand waterproof to some extent. At the root of the hairfollicle is the papilla, which is where the hair grows.Hair follicles are formed when the baby is still in thewomb.
After birth, there is no new growth of hair follicles. Thehair strand itself consists of three layers. The outermostlayer called the cuticle is thin. The middle layer calledthe cortex is thick. The cortex provides the hair itsstrength, color and determines whether hair will be wavy orstraight.
* Hair Growth
The hair grows at the rate of 12 millimeters every month.Hair grows the best between 10 AM to 11 AM and againbetween 4 PM to 6 PM. It is also generally known that hairgrows faster in summer than winter. Hair grows the bestbetween the ages of 15 to 30 and slows down from the age of40 onwards. Both genders start natural hair loss in 50s.
Hair rejuvenation takes place on a daily basis. Hair growsand sheds. You normally shed 50 to 100 hairs per day. Anyloss above that or visible patches of baldness are a causefor worry and can be classified as hair loss.
Find out what causes hair loss, and discover latesttechniques and ideas for effective hair loss treatment.
For lots of valuable information and articles, clickhttp://www.hair-loss-treatment-101.com/
The average human adult body has an astounding 5 millionhairs of which 100,000 to 150,000 are on the scalp. Trueblondes have more hair on the scalp - 140,000 hairs thanbrunettes (105,000 hairs) or redheads (90,000 hairs). Hairis made up of a protein called Keratin. Keratin is also aconstituent of our nails.
* Hair around the world
Hair color and texture differ around the world. Asians havejet-black hair whereas Scandinavians have varying shades ofbrowns and reds to the pale blonde. There are generallythree racial groups with three types of hair.
1. Oriental - People from Japan and China have straight andblack hair.
2. Caucasoid - This group is varied and a mixture ofseveral racial groups. The hair colors range from black toblonde. The hair can be wavy or straight.
3. African - African people have black hair that is tightlycurled. It is woolly and dry. Heat or chemicals can easilydamage this type of hair.
* Hair structure
Some part of hair is hidden under the skin, while the restis seen outside the body. The part of hair hidden under theskin is the hair follicle. There are tiny blood vessels atthe base of the follicle that provides nutrition to thehair.
Sebaceous glands secrete sebum that keeps the hair shinyand waterproof to some extent. At the root of the hairfollicle is the papilla, which is where the hair grows.Hair follicles are formed when the baby is still in thewomb.
After birth, there is no new growth of hair follicles. Thehair strand itself consists of three layers. The outermostlayer called the cuticle is thin. The middle layer calledthe cortex is thick. The cortex provides the hair itsstrength, color and determines whether hair will be wavy orstraight.
* Hair Growth
The hair grows at the rate of 12 millimeters every month.Hair grows the best between 10 AM to 11 AM and againbetween 4 PM to 6 PM. It is also generally known that hairgrows faster in summer than winter. Hair grows the bestbetween the ages of 15 to 30 and slows down from the age of40 onwards. Both genders start natural hair loss in 50s.
Hair rejuvenation takes place on a daily basis. Hair growsand sheds. You normally shed 50 to 100 hairs per day. Anyloss above that or visible patches of baldness are a causefor worry and can be classified as hair loss.
Find out what causes hair loss, and discover latesttechniques and ideas for effective hair loss treatment.
For lots of valuable information and articles, clickhttp://www.hair-loss-treatment-101.com/
What Are The Common Hair Loss Causes?
One of the most worrying aspects of hair loss treatment is the tendency of so many people to seek solutions without first determining what has caused their loss in the first place.
At best, sufferers may waste money on inappropriate 'wonder cures' or even legitimate treatments that unfortunately are not suitable for their particular needs. At worst, some people may be risking their health by self-prescribing powerful pharmaceutical drugs. I don't have a problem with hair loss sufferers saving money by purchasing cheap generic drugs on the internet, but I feel strongly that they should at least seek confirmation from their physician that a given drug matches their individual needs.
Before examining the most common causes of premature hair loss we need to understand that some shedding of hair is perfectly normal. Hairs grow from follicles that are tiny organs in the skin designed to grow a single hair that follows this repetitive cycle:
1. Lengthy growth period (Anagen Stage) - this phase usually lasts between two and seven years with an average growth rate of six inches (15cm) each year.
2. Short transition period (Catagen Stage) - this period of transition lasts for roughly two to four weeks. During this phase the hair shaft becomes detached and moves upwards within the follicle.
3. Resting period (Telogen Stage) - this phase lasts about three months allowing the hair to detach itself prior to falling out.
At this point a new hair begins to grow thus repeating the normal cycle of hair growth. Unfortunately a number of factors can interfere with the natural hair growth process leading to forms of hair thinning or premature baldness.
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss, probably accounting for as much as 95% of pattern hair loss for both men and women. It is usually associated with aging and develops in predictable stages over varying periods of time. Each follicle follows a genetically programmed growth cycle with some follicles coded to remain active for a shorter time than others. This results in the development of the hereditary baldness patterns that are so familiar to us all.
For this type of baldness to occur, the following factors must be present:
1. A genetic predisposition for hair loss to occur (as explained above).
2. The presence of male hormones.
3. Aging - in other words, enough time for the first two factors to exert an influence.
All men and women produce male hormones such as testosterone and DHT. These have a useful role to play in both sexes but obviously occur in widely differing concentrations. It is the higher levels of androgens found in males that explains why this form of hair loss affects men more than women.
In brief, these hormones affect the hair growth cycle as follows:
1. High levels of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme occur in some cells of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.
2. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT.
3. DHT causes the terminal hairs to miniaturize.
4. This leaves short, soft, fluffy vellus hairs that provide inadequate scalp coverage.
5. The growth phases gradually become shorter until these hairs are lost for good.
Alopecia areata is thought to be an immune system disorder that causes follicles to stop producing hairs in patches on the head. In severe cases it can advance to the stage where all hair on the head is lost (alopecia totalis) or even a complete absence of body hair results (alopecia universalis).
In most cases the hair will reappear on its own but until then, the condition can be very distressing to sufferers particularly as its cause can be difficult to determine. If you feel you may be suffering from this form of hair loss, seek the advice of your physician who will carry out a physical examination and conduct blood tests to help determine the cause.
Telogen effluvium is characterized by a general thinning or shedding of hair over a period of months and is most commonly found in people who have recently experienced trauma. Common causes include childbirth, major surgery, severe illness, psychological stress and chemotherapy. The good news is that the abnormal growth behavior associated with telogen effluvium is temporary and reversible.
There are numerous other less common hair loss causes that need to be discounted before a course of treatment is chosen. Traction alopecia is the loss of hair from constant pulling, usually as the result of hair styling. Broken hairs can result in thinning, often caused by excessive styling or exposure to chemicals and sun. Finally, severe illnesses or nutritional deficiencies can cause side effects that may include degrees of hair loss.
I hope this brief article has gotten across the message that diagnosing the real causes of hair loss is not always a straightforward process. Once you and your physician have identified a cause, then you can work towards restoring your hair to its former glory. And the good news is, most forms of hair loss can be treated successfully. The next article in this series will look at some of the best hair loss treatments currently available.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss.
At best, sufferers may waste money on inappropriate 'wonder cures' or even legitimate treatments that unfortunately are not suitable for their particular needs. At worst, some people may be risking their health by self-prescribing powerful pharmaceutical drugs. I don't have a problem with hair loss sufferers saving money by purchasing cheap generic drugs on the internet, but I feel strongly that they should at least seek confirmation from their physician that a given drug matches their individual needs.
Before examining the most common causes of premature hair loss we need to understand that some shedding of hair is perfectly normal. Hairs grow from follicles that are tiny organs in the skin designed to grow a single hair that follows this repetitive cycle:
1. Lengthy growth period (Anagen Stage) - this phase usually lasts between two and seven years with an average growth rate of six inches (15cm) each year.
2. Short transition period (Catagen Stage) - this period of transition lasts for roughly two to four weeks. During this phase the hair shaft becomes detached and moves upwards within the follicle.
3. Resting period (Telogen Stage) - this phase lasts about three months allowing the hair to detach itself prior to falling out.
At this point a new hair begins to grow thus repeating the normal cycle of hair growth. Unfortunately a number of factors can interfere with the natural hair growth process leading to forms of hair thinning or premature baldness.
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss, probably accounting for as much as 95% of pattern hair loss for both men and women. It is usually associated with aging and develops in predictable stages over varying periods of time. Each follicle follows a genetically programmed growth cycle with some follicles coded to remain active for a shorter time than others. This results in the development of the hereditary baldness patterns that are so familiar to us all.
For this type of baldness to occur, the following factors must be present:
1. A genetic predisposition for hair loss to occur (as explained above).
2. The presence of male hormones.
3. Aging - in other words, enough time for the first two factors to exert an influence.
All men and women produce male hormones such as testosterone and DHT. These have a useful role to play in both sexes but obviously occur in widely differing concentrations. It is the higher levels of androgens found in males that explains why this form of hair loss affects men more than women.
In brief, these hormones affect the hair growth cycle as follows:
1. High levels of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme occur in some cells of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.
2. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT.
3. DHT causes the terminal hairs to miniaturize.
4. This leaves short, soft, fluffy vellus hairs that provide inadequate scalp coverage.
5. The growth phases gradually become shorter until these hairs are lost for good.
Alopecia areata is thought to be an immune system disorder that causes follicles to stop producing hairs in patches on the head. In severe cases it can advance to the stage where all hair on the head is lost (alopecia totalis) or even a complete absence of body hair results (alopecia universalis).
In most cases the hair will reappear on its own but until then, the condition can be very distressing to sufferers particularly as its cause can be difficult to determine. If you feel you may be suffering from this form of hair loss, seek the advice of your physician who will carry out a physical examination and conduct blood tests to help determine the cause.
Telogen effluvium is characterized by a general thinning or shedding of hair over a period of months and is most commonly found in people who have recently experienced trauma. Common causes include childbirth, major surgery, severe illness, psychological stress and chemotherapy. The good news is that the abnormal growth behavior associated with telogen effluvium is temporary and reversible.
There are numerous other less common hair loss causes that need to be discounted before a course of treatment is chosen. Traction alopecia is the loss of hair from constant pulling, usually as the result of hair styling. Broken hairs can result in thinning, often caused by excessive styling or exposure to chemicals and sun. Finally, severe illnesses or nutritional deficiencies can cause side effects that may include degrees of hair loss.
I hope this brief article has gotten across the message that diagnosing the real causes of hair loss is not always a straightforward process. Once you and your physician have identified a cause, then you can work towards restoring your hair to its former glory. And the good news is, most forms of hair loss can be treated successfully. The next article in this series will look at some of the best hair loss treatments currently available.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss.
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