Hair loss in women can be particularly devastating. For years, our society has idealized long, full, thick hair. Those women suffering through hair loss have often hidden their condition under hats and wigs, and experience great discomfort when their problem is revealed to others. Even when the problem is not revealed, in the workplace there is often a feeling that others are aware of it and whispering their sympathy or comments to others. It’s hard to imagine how this feels until it happens to you.
Treatments vary widely, dependent upon age, cause and general body condition.The first step is to see a physician. Hair loss can be an early sign of some diseases, like Diabetes, and these need to be ruled out. As well, if your scalp is itchy and scaly, it is possible that a bacterial or fungal infection is at work. Fortunately, these can easily be resolved. Women who experience hair loss during or immediately following pregnancy or after surgery should not be alarmed. Chances are, these are temporary conditions and will right themselves. Poor diet and lack of exercise can be culprits as well. The important thing is to rule out any of the simpler, temporary causes and set your mind at ease.
For some though, hair loss is progressive and permanent if something isn’t done about it. These cases are usually caused by hormonal or genetic influences, and steps can be taken to reduce the rate of loss. Here are a few things that you can begin to do right away that will help stem hair loss:
1. Don’t use harsh shampoo – the lathering ingredients in some of these irritate the scalp and can increase hair loss.
2. Stop using dry heat methods of drying and styling. Get a hair style that does not require so much blow-drying or, worse, curling irons.
3. Don’t color and treat your hair excessively. More caustic treatments lead to more damaged hair and – you guessed it: more hair loss.
4. Eat a well balanced diet. A diet rich in proteins and essential oils will help promote a healthy head of hair.
5. Get more exercise. Exercise leads to increased circulation. Increased circulation in turn leads to better blood flow in the scalp, among other areas. This assures that hair follicles get the nutrients they need to promote new hair growth.
6. Try to reduce your reactions to stress and anxiety. If you have normal stressors that are typical in your day, find time to relax and get peaceful. Yoga and other forms of meditation can help to reduce your stress and anxiety.
7. Use natural hair remedies to strengthen hair. Herbal treatments and oils are available that you can apply directly to your hair. These stimulate the scalp and increase hair retention.
To stimulate new hair growth, in addition to the steps above you should consider some of the medical options that are available today. Products for hair loss are prevalent today, they can be shopped in the privacy of your home on the Internet, and a few have been shown to have dramatic effects on hair loss and regeneration of hair. Some good sound investigation on your part, followed by carefully experimentation, will help you find the solution that works for you. Products such as Provillus have been found to work in large cross-sections of hair loss sufferers, and are available in formulations for women as well as men.
Wigs and hair extensions can provide relief, and some women accept these as their permanent solutions. Surgery is expensive, but many opt for it every day. Female pattern baldness responds best to this method, because hair is still relatively thick in the back and can be transplanted to front and crown areas. Hair grafts are also an option when there is an overall balding concern.Fortunately, a great deal of money is being poured into this problem. Research labs across the world are working continuously to develop medical preventions and cures. Progress is being made, and the wise sufferer of hair loss will keep abreast of any new research which surfaces.
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