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SALT LAKE CITY — Hair loss in women is growing in a society where we live longer, have more health concerns and practice unhealthy lifestyle habits. As a general rule, what is happening on the outside of your skin is directly linked to what is happening on the inside — in this case, the hair follicle.
In many ways, a woman's hair defines her identity to the world. If she loses it, loss of self-esteem and depression can occur. Identifying what is causing the hair loss, and then treating it, is very important.
Causes
Normally a person will lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair each day. You can also lose up to 250 strands every time you wash your hair. Most women will start to notice more significant hair loss as they near menopause age, but it can happen at any age.
There are many things that can contribute to hair loss. Here are just a few:
- Damage: The loss of hair has increased with new hair styles, extensions and products to change hair color or texture. Hair that is constantly dry will break off and increase the rate of hair loss.
- Hormonal changes: This is the most common cause of hair loss, in both women and men. “In genetically susceptible people, certain sex hormones trigger a particular pattern of permanent hair loss,” the MayoClinic.com staff explains.
1. Stress: Large amounts of stress can trigger a change in the cycle of a person’s hair growth. Noticeable hair loss can occur three to six months following the traumatic event, Dr. Jerry Shapiro of NYU Langone Medical Center recently told the Huffington Post. The good news here is that any lost hair will usually grow back. 2. Medical conditions: Hair loss is a symptom of some medical conditions, including thyroid problems, diabetes, malnutrition, skin disease, burns, etc. Even if the condition is identified and treated, a patient may not be able to regrow the lost hair. 3. Medications**: Some medications can contribute to hair loss. For example, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments typically lose their hair because the drug attacks rapidly growing cells — both cancer cells and hair follicle cells. A chemotherapy patient’s hair will return once treatment is over, but the texture, thickness and color may all be different. 4. Alopecia areata:** This is a condition in which “your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles,” putting a halt to hair growth, according to WebMD.com. The hair then falls out, leaving smooth patches of skin. This balding can occur in spots and is not limited to just the head. Treatment Options
Treatment for hair loss varies. No miracle cure has been found, and what works for one person may do nothing for another. Effective treatments include, but are not limited to:
- Changing the patient’s diet.
- Moisturizing the hair and scalp.
- Finding ways to reduce stress.
- Medications — though doctors are often reluctant to prescribe them because of the possibility of complications and harsh side effects. Consult with your physician about medications he or she recommends, as well as the pros and cons of each.
- Hair transplant surgery seems to be the best and most permanent fix yet for hair loss. However, the surgery can be expensive and does carry permanent complications if not done correctly.
Always consult a dermatologist before using any product with chemical components.
Contributing: Jordan Ormond
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
