Hair Loss : What is normal?

Hair Loss: What is normal?

Hair loss is usually an issue that affects men, but it can also be quite problematic for women if not treated early and properly. While some amount of hair thinning is normal for all women, it is important to understand the difference between normal hair loss and abnormal hair loss.

The three stages of hair growth are as follows: Anagen phase, lasting 3 to 5 years in which hair grows around 1.5 cm per month. Catagen phase, lasting 10 days at the end of Anagen phase in which the hair follicle detaches from the skin. Telogen phase, the resting phase in which the old hair is in the process of being pushed out by the new hair.

Telogen Effluvium is the term used for "excessive hair shedding" and refers to a condition in which a woman will lose more than 200 hairs on a given day. There are many factors that can cause Telogen Effluvium so it is important to pay attention to your body in order to pinpoint the cause of the problem. These factors can include post pregnancy hormonal shifts, stress, weight issues, and adverse affects from birth control medication. Any one of these factors can impact the normal hair cycle as a normal hair loss, but if detected early and treated properly will not do permanent damage to your hair.

There are other more serious illnesses that could cause excessive hair loss in women, such as alopecia, autoimmune disease, Trichotilomania or an adverse effect from chemotherapy. It is very important to seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing what appears excessive hair loss, which might result from any one of these more serious conditions. Early detection and treatment is essential as a first step toward recovery.

I’d like to spend a bit more time discussing Androgenetic Alopecia because it is unlike most of the other conditions we have discussed. It is a genetic condition where the hair becomes progressively thinner. The onset of this type of  Alopecia can occur any time after puberty, but is most often experienced after menopause. Signs can be a widening partline, or obvious visiblity over time of  scalp. While full regrowth of hair with Alopecia only happens in a small percentage of the cases, there are a number of treatments options that are available. The best course of action is to consult a hair and scalp specialist known as a trichologist.

Then there is Alopeacia Areata which is an autoimmune disease and very easy to recognise due to small round bald patches appearing. It can be genetic. For most patients the condition resolves without treatment within a year , but the hair loss can be permanent.

The most commonly used treatment is Minoxidil, which is the only FDA approved treatment for female normal hair loss. Other options include laser treatment, Finasteride, a treatment in pill form, and hair transplant. Only a qualified professional can determine which of these treatments is best in your individual case.

Thickening tricks

Most treatments take time to activate growth, usually 3 months to one year. In the meantime, use some of these tips to make your hair appear thicker and stronger:

The best cut is a one length blunt cut like a shorter bob. The one length adds weight to the overall thinning of the hair. It’s also a very practical cut if you wanted to clip in some extensions to add more thickness for special occasions. Do visit your hairdresser to have your extensions colored to match perfectly and to have them cut to suit your bobbed length. I would suggest clip on over permanent fused in extensions, to avoid damaging your existing fragile hair.

Coloring hair will often help. Blondes for example could add some soft highlights. The coloring will slightly swell the hair giving a thicker texture. If you’re a brunette, go a touch richer like dark chocolate brown; this will always make the hair appear denser to the eye.

Be sure to use the best possible hair care treatments. Iles Formula has sulfate-free shampoo, one of the best high performance conditioners on earth delivering instantly a sumptuous spun silk texture and a finishing serum that is full of protectors, including protection against heated tools, protection against UV and color fade protection. It’s also laced with a cocktail of vitamins. The finishing serum can be appled daily without ever weighing the hair down. These “care” products will not grow back your hair but will protect the hair you have from further excessive dryness and breakage.

If you are unsure about your normal hair loss, seek medical attention early .