WOMEN HAIR LOSS
Types of female hair loss:
Female Androgenic Alopecia (Female Pattern Baldness)
Androgenic alopecia is caused by testosterone which is carried by the blood to the hair follicles of the scalp. There it is converted to a more active form called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which inactivates the follicle. The hair follicles still produce hairs but they are too tiny to be visible. This process is called miniaturization. This condition appears predominately throughout the upper part of the scalp. It is usually a slow progressive problem for this reason, and the sooner treatment can be started the better.
Falling oestrogen is the main cause of alopecia in menopause and beyond. If alopecia begins in the forties or later, there is good chance that it is due to lower oestrogen levels, though occasionally the effect of androgens does not show up until this age. Sometimes both are involved.
Alopecia Areata
An extremely common condition and will affect 1% to 2% of the population at some point in their lives. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. The hair loss is sudden and manifests itself in small, smooth-skinned patches that are likely to gradually widen with time. It can also affect the sufferer’s nails, giving them a pitted, ridged or brittle appearance. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an auto-immune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis.
Alopecia totalis
When the hair loss progresses until all the scalp hair is lost
Alopecia universalis
When all the body hair is lost as well.
Diffuse AlopeciaSustained thinning of hair throughout the entire scalp, narrowing hair shafts and lack of hair growth are distinct signs of such a condition. Persistent hormone problems and iron deficiency can often cause this problem.
Anagen EffluviumThis is a dramatic and immediate release of hair from the active growing stage of the hair growth cycle. This condition is caused by toxic abuse of the hair follicles, chemotherapy is a common example. Once the cause is removed, hair will re-grow.
Telogen EffluviumTelogen is the final stage of the hair growth cycle. Normal telogen shedding results in 80-100 hairs being shed from the scalp on a daily basis and under normal circumstances a brand new hair is evident soon after. During telogen effluvium this daily quota of shed hair can double for some months to come without hair re-growth occurring for around a further three to six month period. This results in up to a 40% reduction in overall hair density. Common causes are severe shock, childbirth and excessive weight loss.
Sudden Hair Loss
This can often be linked to many different factors, e.g. illness, nutritional deficiencies, stress or medication.
Cosmetic-Linked Hair ProblemsOver abuse of hair chemicals is widely seen. Highlighting the hair, colouring the hair and daily blow-drying and use of straightening irons can all reduce its strength
Sustained thinning of hair throughout the entire scalp, narrowing hair shafts and lack of hair growth are distinct signs of such a condition. Persistent hormone problems and iron deficiency can often cause this problem.
It is important to establish the cause of hair loss before embarking on any form of treatment or surgery.
Female Androgenic Alopecia (Female Pattern Baldness)
Androgenic alopecia is caused by testosterone which is carried by the blood to the hair follicles of the scalp. There it is converted to a more active form called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which inactivates the follicle. The hair follicles still produce hairs but they are too tiny to be visible. This process is called miniaturization. This condition appears predominately throughout the upper part of the scalp. It is usually a slow progressive problem for this reason, and the sooner treatment can be started the better.
Falling oestrogen is the main cause of alopecia in menopause and beyond. If alopecia begins in the forties or later, there is good chance that it is due to lower oestrogen levels, though occasionally the effect of androgens does not show up until this age. Sometimes both are involved.
Alopecia Areata
An extremely common condition and will affect 1% to 2% of the population at some point in their lives. Most sufferers are children and young adults (below 40 years old), though it can affect people of all ages. The hair loss is sudden and manifests itself in small, smooth-skinned patches that are likely to gradually widen with time. It can also affect the sufferer’s nails, giving them a pitted, ridged or brittle appearance. The exact cause is still unknown, although current theories include an auto-immune disease, stress or suggest a genetic basis.
Alopecia totalis
When the hair loss progresses until all the scalp hair is lost
Alopecia universalis
When all the body hair is lost as well.
Diffuse AlopeciaSustained thinning of hair throughout the entire scalp, narrowing hair shafts and lack of hair growth are distinct signs of such a condition. Persistent hormone problems and iron deficiency can often cause this problem.
Anagen EffluviumThis is a dramatic and immediate release of hair from the active growing stage of the hair growth cycle. This condition is caused by toxic abuse of the hair follicles, chemotherapy is a common example. Once the cause is removed, hair will re-grow.
Telogen EffluviumTelogen is the final stage of the hair growth cycle. Normal telogen shedding results in 80-100 hairs being shed from the scalp on a daily basis and under normal circumstances a brand new hair is evident soon after. During telogen effluvium this daily quota of shed hair can double for some months to come without hair re-growth occurring for around a further three to six month period. This results in up to a 40% reduction in overall hair density. Common causes are severe shock, childbirth and excessive weight loss.
Sudden Hair Loss
This can often be linked to many different factors, e.g. illness, nutritional deficiencies, stress or medication.
Cosmetic-Linked Hair ProblemsOver abuse of hair chemicals is widely seen. Highlighting the hair, colouring the hair and daily blow-drying and use of straightening irons can all reduce its strength
Sustained thinning of hair throughout the entire scalp, narrowing hair shafts and lack of hair growth are distinct signs of such a condition. Persistent hormone problems and iron deficiency can often cause this problem.
It is important to establish the cause of hair loss before embarking on any form of treatment or surgery.