Hair loss Information - for Women

Nutritional deficiencies:

Nutritional deficiency is more often the cause of hair loss in women than it is in men, though it is still quite rare. The following conditions can lead to various degrees of hair loss in women:

Pregnancy

During pregnancy many women have noticed that their hair was somewhat thicker and their complexion more radiant, although this phenomenon remains unexplained. In addition, during the first three months after pregnancy, more than 50% of these women have indicated a significant loss of hair caused by an apparent lack of sleep and additional stress brought about with their new way of life. While, the exact causes remain unknown, it has been demonstrated that during pregnancy the hormonal disruption affects the anagene/telogene (A/T) ratio, which leaves a large part of the hair in the anagene phase. During this phase, the pilose follicles produce more hair than usual, resulting in greater hair density.

After the pregnancy however, the hormones return to their normal production and the A/T ratio falls drastically below normal levels. The reason is that a large proportion of hair is now in telogene phase, or a rest phase during which fabrication stops. In time the A/T will find its own equilibrium and the hair will take on its normal volume. A three-month period is realistic.

Iron Deficiency

An iron deficiency in the body will result in anemia, characterized by a reduction in the quantity of red blood cells, which may result in hair loss. Generally a woman having experienced significant blood loss during menstruation will lose a large quantity of iron. If she does not take a vitamin supplement to make-up for the loss, she risks seeing her hair thin. Anemia can easily be diagnosed with a laboratory blood test, which we offer.

Anorexia

A severe nutritional deficiency may result in major hair loss because at this stage the follicles will stop their re-growth in order to preserve the energy required to make the transition to the rest phase. Usually, hair loss occurs after 3 to 4 months and the hair will grow back only if the body receives all the required vitamins and proteins.

Illness

Some hormonal and thyroid disorders can lead to significant hair loss in men. Other health & wellness factors include mental illness, and hair loss due to cancer treatment. The following physical conditions can lead to significant hair loss:

Tricotillomania

Trichotillomania is a compulsion or an irresistible urge to pull the hair from the scalp. The word Trichotillomania is derived from three words of greek origin: Thrix for hair, tillein for pulling and mania for mental disorder.

Tricotillomania is not a sickness but rather a compulsive disorder much like Kleptomania or pyromania. Of course the action of pulling out hair will cause significant hair loss but the hair will grow back in time. However the action of pulling out the same hair constantly can cause permanent hair loss in the long term.

Alopecia Aerata

Alopecia aerata is defined as a loss of hair in a “roundish” shape located on different parts of the scalp. The size of these regions will vary from one case to the next but in general they measure about 2 square cm. The loss of hair is generally temporary as these will almost totally grow back eventually. However, neither the size, nor the number of regions, nor the growing back time can be predicted.

The exact cause of alopecia aerrata remains unknown although researchers believe it is a self defense reaction of the immune system. In effect, the immune system responds as if the hair was a foreign tissue that must be eliminated from the body. The white blood cells attack the hair follicles thus provoking the growth to stop. Additionally, there are no other symptoms, only the hair is affected.

Unfortunately, there is no effective cure against alopecia aerata. Certain treatments and injections can be useful, but since the hair will eventually grow back after a certain time, the best treatment remains patience and camouflage of the rest of the hair regions which are most affected. Also, a capillary prosthesis can be worn to cover the scalp while waiting for the hair to grow back. The prosthesis can be either partial or complete to hide the scalp in part or as a whole.

Alopecia Totalis

Alopecia totalis is characterized as a total loss of hair.

Alopecia Universalis

Alopecia universalis for its part implies not only a total loss of hair but a total loss of all other body hair as well.

Effluvium Anagen

Effluvium anagen is defined as a sudden loss of hair as a result of strong radiotherapy treatments or cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. The radiations provoke a total stoppage of hair growth, which fall rapidly after the treatment, between 1 to 3 weeks in unequal forms.

The objective of these treatments is to annihilate the cancerous cells. Notably, one of the side effects of these treatments is the destruction or the weakening of other cells in the body, including hair follicles, which entails a loss of hair. Effluvium anagen is a temporary condition, implying that the hair will grow back within a 6 to 12 month period after the treatments. However the new hair to appear will be more delicate and paler than the original hair were. Understandably, the use of any hair salon products, decolourants, dyes and the like are to be avoided in order to avoid damaging fragile hair from the first re-growth. In addition, hair should not be washed often and with special care using extremely soft shampoo.

Eventually, the new hair will replace the original more fragile hair and not only they will grow stronger but they will return to their original colour as well.

Effluvium Telogene

Effluvium telogene occurs after an intense stress situation either psychological or physical (mortality, divorce, loss of employment, heart attack, major surgery, sudden loss of weight, heavy fever, etc.). The loss of hair is caused by intense stress which in turn will stop the growth phase prematurely (anagene phase) and begin the rest phase (telogene phase) immediately afterwards.

The hair will begin to fall during a period of 3 to 6 months after the event having caused the stress, in other words at the moment when the follicles are preparing for a new re-growth cycle. The effluvium telogene entails a loss of hair that is spread out and not always apparent for the entourage, but the person experiencing it knows full well that a change is taking place. While the hair will grow back normally in the following months , it is often difficult to accept this situation.

One way to temporarily remediate this problem is to wear a volume enhancer made of natural hair, which generate the required volume in little time. This device is custom made and is adjustable to the particular needs of each person.

Hormonal Changes

Hormones are specialized proteins secreted by different glands in a manner so as to regularize bodily functions. Irregularities in regards to the production of hormones can affect bodily functions including pillous follicles, which will entail a loss of hair.

This type of condition can be resolved with the help of different treatments; therefore it is important that a physician be consulted to obtain a precise diagnostic. A hyper or hypo production of the thyroid gland can also be the cause of hair loss, not to mention menopause and replacement of hormones therapy. A medical consultation is therefore necessary before engaging in any treatment whatsoever.

Hair loss Information – for Women

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