In my first post on hair loss I looked at two genetic types Androgenic Alopecia and Involutional Alopecia (aka aging). In my second post on hair loss I further explored genetic predisposed types; Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Universalis and Telogen Effluvium. Here I will cover three types that I have become increasingly aware of through clients, colleagues and friends.
HORMONAL HAIR LOSS
The Menopause
Research suggests that hair loss during menopause is the result of a hormonal imbalance. Specifically, it’s related to a lowered production of oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones help hair grow faster and stay on the head for longer periods of time. When the levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop, hair grows more slowly and becomes much thinner. A decrease in these hormones also triggers an increase in the production of androgens, or a group of male hormones. Androgens shrink hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the head.
For women going through menopause, the cause of hair loss is almost always related to hormonal changes. However, there are many other factors that can contribute to hair loss during menopause. These include extremely high levels of stress, illness, or a lack of certain nutrients. Diagnostic blood tests that can help rule out other causes of hair loss include thyroid tests, and/or a complete blood count.
For many women making the decision to take HRT is a big one and not to be taken lightly. For many the treatment has been found not only to help with the symptoms of the menopause but also to benefit the skin and hair.
Thyroid Problems
This butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck pumps out chemicals that keep your body humming along. If it makes too much or too little thyroid hormone, your hair growth cycle might take a hit, for example abnormal levels of androgens (male hormones normally produced by both men and women). This can affect men and women at any age. As a starting point, hair loss experts suggest you get tested for thyroid problems and hormone imbalances. Once the imbalance is addressed the hair will often grow back.
Thinner hair is rarely the only sign of a thyroid problem. You might lose or gain weight, become sensitive to cold or heat, or notice changes in your heart rate.
Treatments:
Yes, there are many depending on the type and severity of the hormonal imbalance, you will need to seek medical advice.
Professional tip:
Be observant, if from month to month you notice a thinning or changes in a client’s hair, talk to them. I have observed changes in regular clients and brought it to their awareness even before they noticed it themselves. The hair is normally only one piece of the total picture and they are probably experiencing other symptoms. Reassure them that there are options available and to seek medical advice. I have yet to have a client that has informed me they were unhappy that I made them aware of their hair changes, especially when they were able to act and address the cause.
Do throw it some good hair care tips; have a look and my 11 New Years Hair Resolutions for some good hair practices that would be helpful for anyone.
If you would like more scientific research on thyroid, hormones, mitochondrial functioning in hair loss please click here.
Chemotherapy and Hair Loss
When one of my close friends went through cancer treatment, I did a lot of research on the subject in order to be her hair angel. Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in our body — including those in our hair roots. Chemotherapy may cause hair loss all over the body — not just on the scalp. Sometimes eyelashes, eyebrows, armpit, pubic and other body hair also falls out. Some chemotherapy drugs are more likely than others to cause hair loss, and different doses can cause anything from a mere thinning to complete baldness.
Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. Hair will start to regrow three to six months after the treatment ends, though the hair may temporarily be a different shade, texture, curlier or even grey/white until the melanocytes begin functioning again.
Professional tips: During the Treatment
You can help during the treatment, advise on how to be gentle with the hair, using a soft brush or a gentle shampoo. When washing the hair and scalp, use the towel to squeeze moisture from the hair and not to rub it as this will pull or snap the hair. Cutting the hair shorter, helps to take some of the weight bearing stress from the hair; I gave my friend a pixie cut when the first round of treatment thinned out her hair.
Consider shaving the head and it is so much nicer to have a professional do it. A shaved scalp will help with symptoms such as itchiness, sensitivity and irritation. Advise on how to protect the scalp; sunscreen or a head covering. To get you started click here for a YouTube tutorial on how to tie a head-wrap.
If you are cutting a lot of length, you might like to donate the hair for wigs for children who are also suffering with cancer click here for the Locks of Love charity (US) or here for the the Little Princess Trust (UK). Where ever you are located you could contact local cancer organisations for advice on where to donate hair for those that cannot afford expensive wigs.
Many men and women do choose to wear a wig and one of the most difficult things they face is how to make the wig look as natural as possible. I love to help by offering a service to cut, texturize and style the wig, showing them tips and tricks they can do at home like using a bristle brush to style the look.
Professional Tips: After the treatment
The new hair will initially be fragile and vulnerable to damage and the scalp will probably feel quite sensitive, ease back into styling and chemical services slowly. I normally recommend clients to keep their hair short and play with different hair cuts while the hair strengthens. Semi-permanent colours are a great reintroduction to colour and toning, allowing a bit of non-commitment fun. Have a look at my blog on semi-permanent colour and the science of semi-permanent colour.
Scarring Alopecia
Also known as Cicatricial Alopecia is caused either by external factors or skin conditions that can result in permanent hair loss. Inflammatory skin conditions (cellulitis, folliculitis, acne), and other skin disorders (such as some forms of lupus and lichen planus) often result in scars that destroy the ability of the hair to regenerate. In the past decade I have witness an increasing amount of hot tools damage or chemical reactions and burns can also result in permanent hair loss.
While there are many forms of scarring alopecia, the common theme is a potentially permanent and irreversible destruction of hair follicles and their replacement with scar tissue. Most forms of scarring alopecia first occur as small patches of hair loss that may expand with time. The patches usually look a little different from alopecia areata in that the edges of the bald patches look more “ragged.”
In some cases, the hair loss is gradual, without noticeable symptoms, and may go unnoticed for a long time. In other instances, the hair loss is associated with severe itching, burning, and pain, and is rapidly progressive.
Treatment
You will need to seek medical diagnosis. Depending on the cause and the extent of the damage it may be possible to treat with corticosteroids in topical creams and by injection into the affected skin or antibiotics if the scaring is caused by inflammation.
Other Causes of Hairloss
Hair loss is a symptom of more than 30 diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome, ringworm on your scalp, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune diseases. You can also lose hair when you have the flu, a high fever, or an infection.
Treatments:
Generally, once the disease is being treated or you have recovered from the illness your hair will return to its normal growth cycle.
Click here for more information on different hair and scalp conditions Institute of Trichologists.
Next week I will cover Trichotillomania and Traction Alopecia.
Caroline
