Let's Talk About Hair Loss
By Kate Gardner
There are some things we don't like to talk about, right? Maybe they're embarrassing or reveal more about us than we want others to know. Hair loss in women is one of those topics. While guys don't like to lose their hair, it isn't unusual. But we hardly ever talk about how many women experience hair loss or what they can do about it. This leads to many women feeling bad about something over which they have little to no control.
Women's Hair Loss
First, lots of women will experience hair loss in their lifetime. Fifty percent of them to be exact, according to ClevelandClinic.org. Women's hair loss can be temporary or permanent. The most common causes are:
Female pattern hair loss - Also known as androgenetic alopecia, this type of hair loss is hereditary. Hair loss is seen across the top of the head.
Traction alopecia - Hairstyles that pull the hair tight, such as ponytails and braids, can cause hair loss as well. This type of hair loss can potentially be permanent if the hair follicles are damaged.
Stress - Called telogen effluvium, hair can fall out when the body goes through stress, such as illness, injury, or the birth of a child. This is a temporary hair loss.
We all lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. If you find you are losing more than that or noticing thinning or bald patches, you may want to be evaluated by a dermatologist. Dermatologists don't just care for our skin, they help take care of hair too.
Solutions
The solution for your hair loss depends on the cause. Female pattern hair loss may respond to the medication Minoxidil, just like male pattern baldness does. Styling your hair in different ways can help reduce traction alopecia. Time is the best cure for telogen effluvium, as it is temporary.
If you can't stop or reverse your hair loss, women have a number of hair replacement options. Hair replacement surgeries can help and there are many high-quality wigs on the market. Some wigs are even made in a special way so that the hair falls more naturally and most can be styled to fit and look their best.
Hair loss is not fun to talk about, but if you're going through it, it's important to know you're not alone!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Huntington Beach, Calif.