It is more common nowadays for women to be more outspoken about their hair loss and
celebrities are no different. Regardless of whether they have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy or because they have alopecia, more and more people are becoming educated about female hair loss and it is hoped that this will encourage women to notice to signs that could potentially lead to them losing their hair.

For some women such as Bernie Nolan and Jade Goody, they lost their hair as a result of their battle with cancer. Most women who suffer hair loss during and after chemotherapy and radiotherapy do find that their hair returns, however this can take some time but you need to be patient. The hair will only return once the hair follicles have recovered from the treatment and provided that you are not putting yourself under an undue amount of stress.

However, for others such as Gail Porter and Erin, the former wife of Tiger Woods they are suffering with hair loss as a result of alopecia. Although there are many forms of alopecia, most are caused by stress and events, which are going on in their lives. Going through a divorce, not having a good work life balance or a trauma in your life can all cause hair loss.

Alopecia is a medical condition, currently believed to be an auto-immune disorder, characterised by loss of hair.

Sufferers find that the hair on their scalps or other parts of the body starts to fall out in patches. This is called alopecia areata. However, this condition is just one in a series of alopecia conditions which only differ in terms of how much hair is lost. Alopecia totalis is where the hair falls out on the entire scalp, whilst alopecia universalis, the most advanced of all similar conditions, affects the entire body.

For many women who fear hair loss, alopecia universalis is considered to be a worst-case scenario. There is no cure and no certainty over whether the hair will grow back or not. More importantly, having no hair at all on your body can strip you of your self-confidence, self-esteem and even your identity.

Currently, the most well-known sufferer of alopecia universalis is Scottish TV presenter Gail Porter. She has experienced a lengthy battle with hair loss, as has been well-documented in the press due to Gail’s attempts to raise awareness of the issue.

The good news for alopecia universalis sufferers is that Gail’s hair has started to grow back. Her struggle and ultimate triumph over female hair loss shows that the condition isn’t always permanent, nor does it have to ruin your life.

There are many myths which surround female hair loss, with most of them being an old wives tale or a complete misconception of a hair loss condition. You should not feel like you are any less of a woman just because you are experience hair loss and you should feel reassured that hair loss occurs for many women regardless of their age and ethnicity.

One of the most common hair loss myths is that it is caused by washing your hair too much. Although washing your hair every day isn’t recommended by hair dressers, washing your hair does not make you lose your hair. A similar myth is that brush or stylish your hair also makes your hair fall out. Although over styling your hair can be damaging, it is only damaging to the ends of your hair and will lead to you having dry hair that is difficult to control rather leaving bald patches on your scalp. In addition, dyes, perms and other such treatments that you receive from your hairdresser should not make your hair fall out and is therefore another myth.

If you are worried about the condition of your hair and you have noticed that it has started to thin or you have bald patches, then you will need to visit your doctor for a formal diagnosis.

If you are suffering with a form of hair loss, don’t despair, there are many options available to you in terms of treatment. However, prior to starting treatment for your hair loss condition, you will need to find out what type of hair loss condition that you suffer from.

There are many reasons why women lose their hair, but the most common form particularly in women is called telogen effluvium. Not only do you lose the hair on your scalp, it is also common for other body hair such as eyebrows to fall out too.

Telogen Effluvium is usually caused by an intense amount of stress being placed on the body. This can be both physically and mentally and it affects your physical and hormonal systems in your body. It is your body’s way of reacting to the stress that is being put on it and it is normally a sign that you are putting too much strain on your body.

Thankfully though, this type of hair loss does get better with time and more often than not, women don’t necessary experience bald patches, but more that their hair thins and becomes very wispy. You will find that provided you reduce the amount of stress in your life that your hair will return over time once the hair follicles start to produce hair again.