Hair Loss in Women Article

[Natasha26]

Find dozens of hair in your brush or on your pillow paralyzing you? This is normal hair loss is an inconvenience usually reserved for men!

Indeed, if a bald head is nothing shocking in our male colleagues, this is much more embarrassing for a woman, the canons of femininity often with large mane and shimmering ...

Fortunately, it is possible to find a treatment against hair loss occurring in a woman, previously provided to pinpoint the cause.

Contents of this file:
> Why does hair fall out?
> The different types of hair loss and treatment,
> The psychological consequences,
> Interview with Dr Pascal Reygagne, dermatologist,
> Testimony of Virginia, 31 years

As soon as we notice the presence of some hair trapped between the teeth in our brush ... there arises the question of why hair falls out?

In fact, losing her hair, it's normal!
Indeed, the hair goes through a cycle of three phases: a growth phase "anagen" (for about 5 years), a phase transition "catagen" (for a few weeks), then a phase of falling "telogen".
This growth cycle is directly related to genetic and hormonal factors. Thus, a sharp decline, abnormal or excessive hair is often explained by a genetic hormone imbalance.

It is considered that beyond a loss of 100 hairs per day, the fall is pathological. If there is a patchy hair loss that seems important, or in case of localized hair loss, it is advisable to consult a specialist. The latter will determine the cause of the fall.

Sometimes the cause of hair loss is evident for the woman who gets treated for cancer, for example, due to chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to the skull. But in other cases, the doctor that you consutera ask many questions, particularly about any medications that the woman takes.

In consultation
In case of abnormal hair loss, is certainly the best specialist dermatologist. Be aware that some of them are very specialized in the treatment of hair loss. In addition to being a general examination (disease history, medication ...), the doctor will examine your hair so careful, he may even make further investigations (levies on the scalp, hair), but also a blood.

After this consultation (sometimes through physical examinations), the doctor will indicate the origin of hair loss. Sometimes the cause is mechanical: by taking on too their hair in her hair, making braids - we talk about alopecia "hot comb" ... then it may be a loss of hair follicle degeneration.
> What is it?
A transient diffuse hair loss is called telogen effluvium, as it accelerates the passage of the hair in the telogen phase (shedding phase). This type of fall for the occasional hair loss or reaction that occur following a sudden change (birth, strict diet with a risk of deficiency) or shock (stress, grief, depression ...).

> How is she?
It is characterized by a diffuse hair loss throughout the scalp, acute but transient. Moreover, it is reversible, that is to say that the hair will grow back spontaneously and completely.

> Causes:
The causes for this diffuse hair loss and fortunately transient are:
- A seasonal hair loss: also called "physiologic effluvium." In autumn, for example, it would seem that the hair falls more than the rest of the year.
- A dietary deficiency: hair loss is sometimes due to a lack of vitamins and minerals, so it may be advisable to follow a course of dietary supplementation, with vitamin B, iron, zinc ... to limit its importance.
- Stress, fatigue being too stressed, it is not good for your health! And hair either ... In fact, all psychological disorders like stress, depression, grief, fatigue, can cause hair loss.
- Hair loss after delivery: as explained previously, hormones play a vital role in the life of our hair. During pregnancy, estrogen levels increase dramatically and is generally a beneficial effect on stimulating hair growth. After delivery, the rate will decrease sharply, and then cause a drop more or less hair. But this is temporary alopecia, and local treatment in the form of lotion can reduce its severity.
- The use of hair products too aggressive.
treatments

First, the doctor will conduct a general clinical examination. He will also observe the scalp of the patient, and eventually proceed to further tests as a hormone dosage.

Different solutions will be proposed if it is nothing unusual was found and whether this is a temporary hair loss:

> Applying a special lotion with vitamins that may have a beneficial effect. The product is applied directly to the scalp surface.

> A course of dietary supplements can sometimes be indicated in cases of hair loss. We may recommend dietary supplements containing vitamin B, iron, zinc, trace elements, minerals ...

Caution, however, not to ruin you with products and lotions not always useful. Ask your doctor or pharmacist. And especially if it does not solve, do not hesitate to consult again.

> What is it?
Androgenic alopecia for a man most often, but may also involve a woman. This alopecia is directly related to the influence of hormones, specifically androgens, male hormones present also in women.

> How is she?
The female androgenic alopecia is manifested by a progressive decrease in well-defined areas. A progressive lightening appears on the middle stripe, accompanied by an overall decrease in the density of the hair. This female alopecia is chronic and irreversible hair fell not grow back.

> Causes primarily related to hormones
In men as in women, hair growth depends directly on the levels of androgens (male hormones). This rate varies among individuals, and if too high, it will promote hair loss.
Hypersensitivity of the hair follicle to androgens may also cause abnormal hair loss.
Moreover, a thyroid dysfunction (hyper-or hypothyroidism) may also be explored, based on symptoms.

- Menopause can also cause hair loss, because the female hormone estrogen fall sharply.

- An inherited predisposition:
Each has a "hair capital" genetically predetermined, which will run out sooner or later. If in your family, androgenic alopecia is common, it is likely that you are as concerned by this problem.

treatments

A classification system divided into three stages, called "classification of Ludwig", will assess the severity of the fall.
First blood sampling can be performed in women, with the assay of serum iron, but also hormonal assays for possible hyperandrogenism.

> If the diagnosctic androgenic alopecia is confirmed, your doctor may prescribe a treatment with minoxidil: a lotion that is applied two times a day on the scalp. This treatment should not be interrupted, even if the hair continues to fall, which is normal the first days of the application. Minoxidil is not reimbursed by health insurance.

> Hormonal treatment can also be prescribed.

> If no treatment is working, it is possible to resort to hair transplants. This technique involves removing hair where the hair is thick, and reimplant them where they are more sparse. The result is pretty good for patients, especially with new techniques, but the effects are visible only after about a year.

What is it?
Alopecia areata is a disease that can affect a man or a woman, causing hair loss in certain areas of the scalp, in the form of "plaques" or "holes". However, the hair follicle is not destroyed, and the fall is not irreversible. Alopecia areata can occur at any age, especially in childhood and adolescence, and may recur.

> How is she?
Alopecia areata is in the form of plates without hair, and in some cases diffusely on the head.

> Causes
Alopecia areata is a disease whose exact causes are still unknown, but it seems that it is linked to an autoimmune phenomenon: the immune system attack hair follicles by blocking their development.

> Treatments
In case of alopecia areata, an immunosuppressive therapy will be offered: corticosteroids. They can be administered by injection into the bald area, but sometimes with risks of side effects such as atrophy of the skin over the area.
Another treatment, only for adults, is applying an ointment diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) or squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE). But again, side effects like itching, or erythema (redness) may occur.

While baldness in a man is rather common and relatively well accepted, in women, hair loss often leads to a real complex. Face of beauty conveyed by our society, it is understandable that the psychological consequences can cause alopecia.

Women concerned often have great difficulty in crossing the threshold of a specialist to talk about it, and shame, discomfort, lowered self-esteem, accompany their daily lives.

So we can only advise, at the first sign of abnormal hair fall, consult a doctor who can find as soon as possible origins of this disorder, and prescribe appropriate treatments.

To hide a bald spot, different tricks, different solutions are possible. These solutions can, for example, be considered in case of significant loss and temporary hair.

> There are now particularly realistic wigs that allow people not wishing to go through the box medication or surgery to disguise their hair loss.

> A scarf tied around her head, a headband, and other bands can also be good subterfuge to hide hair loss. And contrary to popular belief, the regular wearing of a hat or a cap does not promote hair loss.

> If you comb your hair always following the same line, they will tend to clairsemer at this level. So change your regular stripe side!

> Of all the solutions available, doctors recommend to stay wary of products sold in supermarkets, supposed to slow hair loss. Indeed, they are often expensive and inefficient.
The interview with Dr Pascal Reygagne, dermatologist and director of the center Sabouraud specializes in skin and hair, to the St. Louis Hospital in Paris.

Faced with an abnormal hair loss, which must be consulted first?
Faced with an abnormal and prolonged fall of hair, consult a dermatologist who specializes in skin but also the scalp and hair. Escape the institutes' pseudo-scientific ", without doctors, who will sell you care and ineffective products at exorbitant prices.

In case of androgenic alopecia, apart from the minoxil, that the doctor may prescribe medications or hormonal treatments like?
The Propecia ® in humans, and appropriate contraception or an anti-male hormones (cyproterone acetate) in women, but only if periods are irregular or if hirsutism, acne or oily hair. Furthermore, this treatment must be associated with a conventional pill or female hormones. In all cases, these treatments are by prescription only.

How is the hair implants?
This procedure is painless and takes place under local anesthesia. It is practiced by dermatologists or plastic surgeons. However, the hair implants is not reimbursed by health insurance.

TESTIMONY OF VIRGINIA
Virginia, 31, was treated for a fall exaggerated hair. She gives us his testimony ...

When does your hair have they started to fall? How old were you?
I started losing my hair, at the age of 16 years. This was reflected by a transparency that has gradually emerged at the top level of the skull, around the middle stripe. My hair was very thick which have gradually matured, and other symptoms like itching frequent, and the scalp regraissait quickly.

Have you seen a doctor quickly? If yes, who?
Yes I have consulted many doctors and dermatologists. I did a blood test to check my iron level which proved quite correct. The doctors have prescribed medications that have all been in vain: Minoxidil ®, bulbs of all kinds, made from placenta shampoo, vitamins B6 tablets or injections, iron supplementation, mask of castor oil on the leather Hairy ... Given the ineffectiveness of all these products and significant cost, I stopped taking them after a few years, in 2004.

What has happened next?
I just abandoned the idea of ​​this hair loss treatment, but during my pregnancy, they started to push and again became beautiful! I again had a mass of normal hair! Same for the second pregnancy. However, after each delivery (after feeding), they fell again in large quantities. Suspecting a hormonal cause, I went to see an endocrinologist who performed an assessment proving to be quite normal.

And you have finally found a solution?
Yes, last year I supplemented with yeast that I bought in a supermarket. I take two tablets with each meal, and folic acid that I buy in pharmacies. I also stopped taking my birth control pills, and I use another method of contraception. After 9 months, the results were conclusive: my hair fell much less, and after a year, they started to grow back! My parting is much less sparse, although the volume of my hair is still not quite that of my youth ... but I am hopeful.

Authors: Clementine Fitaire and Dr. Nicolas Evrard.
Last update: March 2011.

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