All posts by miriam

Hair loss does not occur because of one condition. It is a symptom of many different conditions and the biological reasons can be varied. If you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to consult your GP. By getting correctly diagnosed, you can then try different treatments or hair management options to see what works for you.

Some causes are easier to diagnose than others. Hair may thin during pregnancy or shortly afterwards and if you are undergoing chemotherapy, then it is likely that this is the cause of any hair loss you may be experiencing.

Stress
Stress can often be the cause of hair loss, whether physical or emotional. Telogen effluvium is the specific condition that often develops. In these cases, your hair is effectively lying dormant, in the ‘rest phase’ of the growth cycle. If a greater percentage of your hair is in this phase than normal, your hair will thin. Even once you have overcome this condition, it will obviously take a while for your hair to regrow.

Auto-immune disorders
In some cases, the body’s immune system will attack the hair follicles, preventing them from producing hair. When this happens, it is more likely that hair will be lost in patches. This is known as alopecia areata.

With there being so many different causes of hair loss, a number of different tests have to be carried out by a GP or dermatologist to establish which one is affecting you.

Iron
Iron levels are often tested as research has shown that low iron is often associated with loss of hair. It is not simply a matter of taking iron supplements, however, as this may not be the issue and you can have too much iron.

Thyroid check
Research has shown that hypothyroid and hyperthyroid can cause hair loss. This may be checked and you can be put on thyroid replacement medication. However, if you are already on such medication, there is a chance that this is the cause of hair thinning or loss as this can be a side-effect.

Hormone levels
High levels of testosterone can cause hair loss. The level of testosterone in women will tend to rise after the menopause and this may well trigger hair thinning.

Many women worry about female hair loss, which is why it’s easy to panic if you see a few hairs on the pillow or on the floor of the shower cubicle. However, it is perfectly normal to lose some hair; it is only excessive hair loss or breakage you need to worry about.

Experts say that on average, we lose about 50 – 100 hairs a day. This is natural and normal, and is nothing to be worried about as your hair constantly grows back and replenishes itself. Losing more hair than this could be caused by numerous things, such as:

• The time of year – we tend to shed more body hair at the end of summer
• Wearing your hair tied up for a few days and letting it down – the loose hair has accumulated as it’s not had a chance to shed
• Pregnancy – many women suffer some level of hair loss after giving birth
• Diet – nutritional deficiencies and sudden weight loss can cause thinning hair and shedding
• Illnesses such as low thyroid levels, lupus or anaemia

After these potential causes of your hair loss have been ruled out, it may be time to start considering alopecia areata as the cause of your problem. Alopecia areata generally causes patches of hair loss on the scalp, possibly spreading to the whole skin (this is called alopecia universalis). If you suspect you have this condition, consult your GP or a female hair loss specialist.

Minoxidil has been heavily tested and is now widely used for treating certain forms of hair loss for both men and women. Originally produced as a treatment for high blood pressure, one of the side effects was the promotion of hair growth.

The mechanism causing this is still not yet known, but there is around an 80 per cent chance that the rate of hair loss will slow or even stop in both men and women. Studies are currently taking place at Bradford University looking at how the drug acts on the body.

Minoxidil is applied as a lotion. It is used twice a day on a dry head. A small percentage of people develop an allergic reaction, but generally it is free of side effects. Minoxidil foam is also available for men and is known as Rogaine.

Minoxidil is used in dilute form with different strengths recommended for men and women. An extra strength five per cent solution is what is advised for men, while a two per cent solution is advised for women. The effects of Minoxidil are lost if its use is discontinued.

The life cycle of hair is ordinarily around two to three years. It will differ according to the person and their stage of life, but whatever the rate, not all your hair is growing at any one time. Around ninety per cent of hair follicles will be growing. Hair is lost as part of the natural growth cycle.

Hormones
Certain hormones can affect hair growth. Overactivity or underactivity of certain glands may lead to more hair being lost than normal. The balance between testosterone and oestrogen can play a part and it is sometimes the case that women will lose hair after giving birth as hormone levels may be out of balance at this time.

Disease
Diabetes can cause hair loss, but skin problems are a major cause as hair follicles are situated within the skin. Many skin problems can be easily treated with medication, although it is also the case that certain other forms of medication can actually cause hair loss.

In any case of hair loss, it is important to get a proper diagnosis before undergoing any form of treatment. Your GP may refer you to a dermatologist who may be better able to advise you.

There is only one method guaranteed to overcome hair loss permanently where the person can once again have a head of growing hair and that is hair transplantation. Hair transplantation is now so sophisticated that the results look completely natural to the extent that even hair stylists will not know.

The technique can be used anywhere, including the scalp, hairline, eyebrows and eyelashes. Facial hair can also be restored with this method and hair can even be grown in scar tissue.

The most refined form of hair transplantation is known as ultra-refined follicular unit transplantation. This involves hair roots being taken from an area where hair is still growing and moving it to where hair is thinning or absent. Around the hairline, hairs are placed individually to create a completely natural look.

Great results can be seen after just one session. An anaesthetic is used to prevent pain and the procedure will take between two and eight hours depending on how much hair is being transferred. You can go home within half an hour of finishing and no bandaging is required.

The hair will obviously take time to grow, but within three to four months, you should start seeing results and from then on, the hair will grow as normal.