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[H16]Hair Loss For Women Causes

by Sarah Rowe, Sar

1. Androgenetic Alopecia, this is exactly the same condition that men suffer from. However, with women rather than losing your hair completely and having bald patches appear on the scalp, the hair becomes thinner and diffused. In a number of cases, rather than women suffering from just one sort of hair loss with this particular problem, you may find it made up of a combination of different hair loss factors.

Normally the main reason for a woman to suffer from this form of hair loss will be that the hormones within their body are not functioning properly. In many cases their levels of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) has increased and when this happens, it prevents hair growth from taking place.

However, along with a woman's hormones playing a role in them suffering from this form of hair loss it may be something that they have inherited from their parent. So do not think that just because your father lost his hair that you will do so as well. It needs to be a gene that both your parents carry in order for you to suffer from this form of hair loss.

2. Telogen Effluvium is not as common as the above mentioned but can occur at any stage in a woman's life. It happens when they have undergone some traumatic event. Mostly this will occur in women during the birth of a child, when they have undergone some kind of major surgery, or they are suffering from high levels of stress.

The only difference between this type of hair loss and that mentioned previously is that usually a woman will notice a difference about 6 weeks to 3 months after the event has occurred. For some women the condition may be so severe that they begin to lose clumps of hair from particular areas of the scalp, rather than a general thinning of hair over the scalp as a whole. Nevertheless, with the right diagnosis and treatment, this can be brought under control and in most cases, they may find the condition goes into remission.

However, for some women the condition of Telogen Effluvium can be so severe that it becomes a chronic disorder and will persist for months or years. Unfortunately, for these women actually finding and understanding what is causing the problem to occur is the most difficult thing that they will face.

Above we have looked at what are considered to be the two most common of all hair loss women causes. However, if diagnosed correctly then the right kind of treatment can be provided and this will then reduce the chances of the condition becoming far worse. Not only will the right treatment help to prevent further hair loss, but is also likely to help hair regrowth in the future.

SYMPTOMS OF HAIR LOSS

The pattern of hair loss and baldness are different for men and women. On men special areas on the head begin get totally bald. These areas are usually at both sides of the front, and the top back side of the head. The hair loss then progresses with these areas extending, and at last most of the head can be totally without hair. However, a great area in the neck uses to remain unaffected and keeps a thick hair cover. The same is usually true about the area in front of each ear.

On women all the hair on the head begins thinning, and then gradually progress over the whole head for many years. Women seldom get totally bald areas on their head, but the hair often gets so thin that the scalp is clearly visible through the hair.

THE CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS

The skin has there layers: The outer layer, called epidermis, consists of epithelial cells. Under this lies the dermis consisting of connective tissue. At the bottom there is a layer called the hypodermis consisting mostly of fat cells.

The skin has narrow pores, hair follicles, extending from the surface down to the top of the sub-dermis, called hair follicles. A hair extend from a growth zone in the bottom of each hair follicle and out at the skin surface

By the common form of hair loss, a substance in the body, dihydroxy-testosterone (DHT), gives a signal to the cells in the hair follicles that make these cells divide less so that the production of hair slows or stops.

DHT is a metabolic product from testosterone, the male sex hormone. Also women have some amount of testosterone and DHT in their body, and therefore hair loss also affects women.

Only cells that are susceptible to the influence from DHT will slow the growth process. This susceptibility is inherited from the parents by some individuals, and not by other. Follicle cells in the lower parts of the head are usually also resistant against the influence from DHT, and therefore these areas seldom get bald.

The effectiveness of hair growth will not only be affected by DHT. Other substances found in the tissue may give the cells signals to divide more, and nutrients like vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids may make the growth process more effective. Some substances in the tissue may also block the DHT or ease the removal of this substance. Therefore all individuals susceptible to the influence of DHT will not lose hair in the same extent.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Having a good diet giving the body vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants in the right amount may slow down the speed of hair loss.

There exist pharmacological products on the market that can help against hair loss, but usually not 100% effectively. Medicines used to treat prostate hypertrophy also have been proven to stop hair loss and to get hair to regain, because these drugs block the substance DHT. Propecia is a prescription bound drug to take by mouth based on an original prostate medicine.

Rogain is a topical drug to apply 2-3 times each day that does not block the DHT, but stimulates the hair follicles cells to proliferate better.

There are many natural products on the market to help against hair loss. These products often contain several substances working together by different principles.

They may contain vitamins or minerals that are necessary for hair growth. Other substances give signals to the hair follicles to increase hair growth, for example procyanidin B2. Some ingredients work as anti-oxidants that inhibit oxidative attack on the follicle cells, like L-arginine.

Some natural products also contain substances to block DHT. Saw palmetto extract contains substances acting as DHT blockers by much of the same mechanism as prostate medicines.
Still other ingredients can reduce the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Grean tea extract have shown itself to contain substances with this effect.

Surgery is an effective treatment against baldness in limited areas. By surgery hair follicles from parts of the scull immune to DHT are moved to bold areas. The hair in the treated areas will however not get as tight as naturally growing hair.

It is also possible to implant artificial hair into the scalp. By this method, large bald areas can be covered, but the treatment implies a certain danger for infection, requires good hair hygiene afterwards and requires a regular refill to replace lost hairs.

Article Source : Pg. 21

About Author

Both Sarah Rowe & Knut Holt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Sarah Rowe has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hair Care. Visit for more information on hair loss. I have found this great site dealing with hair loss,. Sarah Rowe's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.

Knut Holt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Dieting and Affiliate Programs. Knut Holt is an internet consultant and marketer focusing on health items. TO FIND innovative medicines against hair loss, acne, eczema, scars, wrinkles, other skin problems and natural anti-aging supplements for the skin and the whole body, VISIT THIS SI. Knut Holt's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.