For women, the experience of losing your hair can be both unexpected and scary. There are several different types of hair loss, but with innovations such as human hair wigs, there are solutions out there.
Facts and Figures
No matter how old you are, losing your hair as a woman can be particularly difficult; especially for those of us for whom it has been a key part of our appearance. With the way in which society perceives baldness, there can sometimes be a stigma attached to those with thinning hair. In the UK, around 8 million women suffer from hair loss, or alopecia. The most well-known cause of alopecia is chemotherapy, but up to 50% of females tend to shed hair after they have given birth too. The problem is, perhaps, not as rare as it may seem.
Uncover Your Type
One of the best ways to arm yourself against hair loss is to know all there is about the condition you are suffering from. There are several different types of alopecia, all of which vary in severity and have different causes:
- Alopecia areata – This tends to occur with young females, with teenagers and young adults being the primary sufferers. Due to a problem with the immune system, hair follicles can become damaged. As a result, hair falls out in patches. Within a few months, the majority of sufferers witness some re-growth.
- Alopecia totalis – Re-growth does not tend to occur with this condition, in which all the hair on the head is lost.
- Alopecia universalis – Hair is not only lost on the head, but across the body too.
- Female-pattern baldness – Otherwise known as androgenetic alopecia, this condition shows itself through the gradual thinning of the hair. As the name suggests, this form of hair loss often runs in families. It also sometimes occurs when a women has undergone menopause.
- Telogen effluvium – After experiencing a shock, undergoing stress, illness or childbirth, hair can start to thin and shed itself. This condition tends not to be permanent, with hair growing back. Sudden weight loss and an adverse reaction to medication are also causes.
Whichever form of hair loss you are suffering from there are ways to cope with the situation, from hair lotions for less extreme conditions to human hair wigs for those suffering from alopecia totalis.
Savvy Solutions
For those suffering from a thinning or temporary loss of hair, the most important thing to do is visit your doctor or a dermatologist. They will be able to prescribe a treatment adapted to your lifestyle and needs. A proven treatment for many people is to use hair products which contain the ingredient minoxidil, which works to slow down the loss of hair and promote growth. The majority of women who have used minoxidil in the treatment process notice some small level of improvement.
If you have lost your hair permanently, or are suffering from a lack of confidence, covering up may be the way forward. There are many options out there, from scarves and hair extensions to wigs. If you are hoping to purchase a wig, opt for a high quality product. Products such as human hair wigs look and feel more realistic and give a confidence boost. Spend time selecting a style that is perfect for you; with many wigs, there is the option to colour and cut it to your taste. After some tweaking, the wig can look just how you want it to. Most importantly, if you are struggling to cope with alopecia, there are support groups out there where you can meet with contemporaries and speak about issues. Whichever form of hair loss you are suffering from simple methods such as talking about it really can help.
Your author Emily Starr specialises in medical conditions such as alopecia. Follow her on Google Plus for more information about treatments, from hair lotions to human hair wigs.
