Okay, those amongst you who come to see me on a regular basis cannot failed to have noticed that all this year I have been regrowing my hair, more out of curiosity than anything else since it has been a a long while since I graced waist length black locks back combed to within and inch of its life and then long flowing blonde mane, so, after years of keeping it cropped when I noticed it thinning, I was intrigued to learn what would emerge.
The result has been better than expected (though no where as thick as it once was. And I'm going to be keeping it for the forseeable future. Spookily too, there was a discussion at the gym about hair loss especially menopausal hair loss and I started thinking about male pattern hair loss that my paternal grandfather had so decided to find some basic info with which to jot down here.
We take for granted the hair on our heads and as for all the hair over our bodies, if we don't want it there we can wax or shave it off but how must it feel if our hair starts to vanish and we are not in control of it.
Alopecia is the general medical term for any type of hair loss which can be broken down into groups of people suffering from hair loss with different causes. The most common, Male pattern baldness affects 50% of men by age 50. We've all seen it, receding hair line, leaving the horseshoe shape of hair around the sides and back. Causes? Usually hereditary, caused by over sensitive hair follicles to certain male hormones. A female variant normally affects the hair on the top of the head, a thinning takes place of the hair whereas the male version can leave the scalp totally bald. Female pattern baldness is still pretty much a mystery, it's not sure if it is hereditary, but is more noticeable among women who have gone through the menopause. Which brings us to the menopause proper, why does it affect the hair on alot of women's heads?
It's a cliche but the answer lies with "the hormones".Oestrogen levels drop which affect, among a multitude of other things (moods, hot flushes etc) the ability of the hair to grow, while at the same time testosterone levels rise out of control, so that hair becomes thinner, sometimes weaker, skin becomes drier and itchy. The latter may benefit from increasing the intake of foods rich in Omega 3 eg oily fish, flax. An unwanted effect of falling oestrogen levels can be the development of facial hair.
Another form of alopecia causes hair to vanish in patches anywhere on the body and can affect anyone regardless of age or gender. Usually this lasts a few months before regrowth occurs but can develop into total hairloss on the head or all over the body. Sufferers of an overactive thyroid, diabetes or down's syndrome can be predisposed to this condition. In addition stress, trauma, diet and other lifestyle factors can also trigger a loss of hair either to the head or across the whole body.
In most cases a loss of hair is a temporary situation (except the hair pattern variety) and over time it will regrow. If it doesn't, the psychological effects of losing it can be devastating to people and looking into a cure or some solution becomes a priority. Doctors can subscribe medication to try and get the hair to regrow, surgery can be used to extract hair from where it is plentiful and replant it into the bald/thinner areas or the easiest solution is to invest in a natural looking wig, like a number of clients I see. Over the years, as they have gotten over any feelings of trepidation, fear, or embarrassment, now all whip their wigs off before settling down for their treatment. It can be devastating to see your pride and joy start vanishing, but help is out there if you choose to seek it.
Til next week, good health to you.
For any enquiries, email Michael at synergy_therapies@icloud.com
The result has been better than expected (though no where as thick as it once was. And I'm going to be keeping it for the forseeable future. Spookily too, there was a discussion at the gym about hair loss especially menopausal hair loss and I started thinking about male pattern hair loss that my paternal grandfather had so decided to find some basic info with which to jot down here.
We take for granted the hair on our heads and as for all the hair over our bodies, if we don't want it there we can wax or shave it off but how must it feel if our hair starts to vanish and we are not in control of it.
Alopecia is the general medical term for any type of hair loss which can be broken down into groups of people suffering from hair loss with different causes. The most common, Male pattern baldness affects 50% of men by age 50. We've all seen it, receding hair line, leaving the horseshoe shape of hair around the sides and back. Causes? Usually hereditary, caused by over sensitive hair follicles to certain male hormones. A female variant normally affects the hair on the top of the head, a thinning takes place of the hair whereas the male version can leave the scalp totally bald. Female pattern baldness is still pretty much a mystery, it's not sure if it is hereditary, but is more noticeable among women who have gone through the menopause. Which brings us to the menopause proper, why does it affect the hair on alot of women's heads?
It's a cliche but the answer lies with "the hormones".Oestrogen levels drop which affect, among a multitude of other things (moods, hot flushes etc) the ability of the hair to grow, while at the same time testosterone levels rise out of control, so that hair becomes thinner, sometimes weaker, skin becomes drier and itchy. The latter may benefit from increasing the intake of foods rich in Omega 3 eg oily fish, flax. An unwanted effect of falling oestrogen levels can be the development of facial hair.
Another form of alopecia causes hair to vanish in patches anywhere on the body and can affect anyone regardless of age or gender. Usually this lasts a few months before regrowth occurs but can develop into total hairloss on the head or all over the body. Sufferers of an overactive thyroid, diabetes or down's syndrome can be predisposed to this condition. In addition stress, trauma, diet and other lifestyle factors can also trigger a loss of hair either to the head or across the whole body.
In most cases a loss of hair is a temporary situation (except the hair pattern variety) and over time it will regrow. If it doesn't, the psychological effects of losing it can be devastating to people and looking into a cure or some solution becomes a priority. Doctors can subscribe medication to try and get the hair to regrow, surgery can be used to extract hair from where it is plentiful and replant it into the bald/thinner areas or the easiest solution is to invest in a natural looking wig, like a number of clients I see. Over the years, as they have gotten over any feelings of trepidation, fear, or embarrassment, now all whip their wigs off before settling down for their treatment. It can be devastating to see your pride and joy start vanishing, but help is out there if you choose to seek it.
Til next week, good health to you.
For any enquiries, email Michael at synergy_therapies@icloud.com
