Sep 3, 2008

How to Cope With Female Pattern Hair Loss



from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Every day, about 100-135 hairs are shed from the scalp and about the same number enter the growth cycle for most people. When the number of hairs lost exceeds the numbers of hairs growing, hair thinning occurs. Female hair loss can cause a feeling of self-consciousness. Here are some ways to cope.

Steps


  1. Female pattern hair loss is usually genetic; chances are you have female relatives with the same problem. However, it is always important to rule out any other cause for hair loss.
  2. Have you had a recent illness or surgery? If the answer is yes, your hair loss may be only a temporary reaction to the stress your body has endured.
  3. Are you eating a well-balanced diet? Even though hair is itself not alive, your hair follicles are and they need proper nutrition same as any other part of you.
  4. How is your overall health? Thyroid conditions can lead to thinning hair. Have you had any other physical symptoms lately? It may be time for a physical examination to rule out any underlying imbalance in your body.
  5. Have you started on any different medications, including birth control? Certain medications can contribute to hair loss.
  6. Are you pregnant or recently had a baby? This also can contribute to thinning hair, and is usually temporary, although the hormonal changes of pregnancy can sometimes lead to chronic thinning hair.
  7. If you find you are losing hair all over your body you may be experiencing alopecia, which is different than scalp hair loss. See your doctor.
  8. What is your stage of life? A significant number of women will find their hair thinning as menopause approaches. By age 65 about 35-40% of all women will have thin hair.
  9. And, have you been to a dermatologist? There are bacteria that live on your scalp that could be causing your hair loss and as unpleasant as the idea may be to contemplate there are also microscopic parasites that may causing your hair loss.
  10. After you have ruled out any physical cause of hair loss, there are certain things you can do to make the hair you have look fuller.
  11. Contrary to what many people believe, washing your hair frequently will not make it fall out faster - it may look that way when you see all the hairs in the drain, but actually cleaning your scalp is one of the best ways to promote hair growth. You want to keep your scalp clean because that is the best way to allow the hair that you have to thrive and to give the hair you are still producing a fighting chance.
  12. Sebum, an oily substance that occurs naturally in your body, may be clogging your hair follicles, narrowing them and blocking off hair growth. Go online and locate a source for an anti-sebolytic scalp cleanser and use it regularly.
  13. Increase the circulation to your scalp. Use a soft, multi-tipped scalp massager daily. Scalp massagers are usually found in places that sell hair products. Use your hands to massage your scalp.
  14. There are several shampoos specifically formulated for thinning hair. None of them are going to work miracles but some do promote follicular heath and therefore hair growth. Others contain protein and fibers to coat the hair shaft and thicken it.
  15. Unlike male pattern hair loss it is the rare woman who loses all her hair. It is more likely you will have hair on most of your scalp, but spread thinly. Some areas of your scalp will have more hair than others so capitalize on that with a change in hairstyle. If it's thick enough in the front but thin at the crown, grow it longer in front and sweep it back. Sweep it up from the sides. Use headbands to cover areas, or mini-clips to arrange hair, or bows and wraps.
  16. If you are really young (about 25 and under) and you feel adventurous, try doing something really crazy with your hair, like dyeing it an unnatural colour, spiking it, shaving part of it (but not too much), etc. Not only will this hide any noticeable thinning, people will be too focused on how crazy it is than if it's a little thin.
  17. For mild to moderate thinning, try to decrease the shine of your scalp and your hair loss will be less noticeable. Use a hair powder on your scalp, or use shake-on hair building fibers. Yes, they really do work!
  18. Experiment with caps, kerchiefs, and hats.
  19. There are over-the-counter drugs for hair loss but before using any kind of drug, see a specialist.
  20. The main treatment for female-pattern hair loss is Minoxilil. A 2% Minoxidil should be applied twice a day to dry hair. Follow package directions.
  21. Before buying the product, check the packaging. If the packaging says that it will not be effective on certain hair loss patterns, and you have one of those hair loss patterns, save your money. Usually there is a drawing on the box.
  22. If you do try the products, do not expect results for at least 6-8 weeks, and continued use of the product is required to maintain any new growth. Note: check the store brand for the percentage of active ingredients. If they are comparable to the name brand, go with the less-expensive brand as this is an expensive and long-term commitment.
  23. You may have seen advertisements for "hair clubs" that seemingly overnight give someone a full head of hair. These are actually hairpieces that are glued to your scalp with surgical glue. As your natural hair grows out the hairpiece is pushed away from your head, so these are better suited to men who are truly bald in certain areas, not women who will continue to have some hair growth.
  24. Wigs are always an option if your hairloss is severe and it makes you uncomfortable. Human hair wigs are very heavy and somewhat hot; a synthetic wig is more comfortable. There are also wigs that have netting that allow your own hair to be pulled through to give a more natural mix. Before you buy a wig, do some research and try different types on.
  25. For those determined to grow more hair there are surgical methods for hair restoration using grafts of your own hair, however these methods are not always satisfactory, they may have complications and they are expensive. Research this very carefully and make sure your surgeon is certified.
  26. Think positively about the situation; if you were always teased about your thick hair in grade school, have a laugh about the irony. Think about your new hair possibilites, also. For example, if you've always wanted to try a really short hairstyle but you thought it would look like an afro or a Jellicle Cat's hair, try it now and you might enjoy the results!
  27. Lastly, try to keep your hair loss in perspective: you are the same person as you've always been. What's inside of your head is much more important than what's on top of it!


Warnings


  • Use only products specifically made for women. Finastride is not suitable for women because of the potential for the drug to cause abnormalities in the genitalia of male fetuses.
  • Male Minoxidil has 5% active ingredient, but it is not any more effective for women than the 2%, but it has more side effects.
  • If you go with crazy hair, keep in mind the rules of your school/job. While it may be fine if you go to an art school or work at Hot Topic, beware if you go to a private/religious/strict school or work somewhere that strives to be business-like.


Related wikiHows




Sources and Citations





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Cope With Female Pattern Hair Loss. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)