Hair loss: causes and what you can do about it
Losing your hair can be very, very scary. For many women, their hair is their go-to accessory to make them feel great. So you’re having a wardrobe malfunction, or you’re having a fat day – that’s ok, your hair’s looking thick, luscious and shiny. Good hair is indeed something a lot of us rely on.
First off, let’s find out a bit more about hair loss.
Known as alopecia, hair loss can appear as female-pattern baldness which causes hair to fall out in the same manner as a receding hairline, but hair also thins out around the crown and temples. The cause can be linked to a woman’s hormones – if she has too much dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in her body, hair follicles can be negatively affected.
Genetics can also be to blame for hair loss – so if your family members suffer from alopecia you may be more susceptible to the condition.
Anemia – where the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells – can also cause hair loss, so if you’ve noticed you’re losing your hair, or have any of the symptoms associated with anemia, ask your GP to check for it.
Stress can also cause hair loss – typical since you are likely to feel more stressed the more your hair falls out. It can be a vicious cycle, but the way to treat stress-related hair loss is to take all measures you can to de-stress. How about meditation, exercise or just taking more time out to relax?
What can you do about hair loss? You could view your options under two categories: ways to make it appear thicker and ways to make it thicker.
Make it appear thicker
A layered haircut like the one Cheryl Cole wears could really make your hair look thicker. It’ll give it more movement, making it look bouncy and full of life, and it’ll create the illusion of more depth.
There are products that have been specially created to add fullness – mousse for example. Just run a handful through damp hair and blow-dry with the head upside down for a big difference.
Make it thicker (fingers crossed!)
Caffeine shampoo is becoming an increasingly popular way to address hair loss. It works in two ways, both slowing down hereditary hair loss and stimulating new growth at the roots. You will need to use it long term because of the way it works but, as Alpecin, the makers of one caffeine shampoo, say: “Increased hair loss should noticeably decrease after a period of about three to four months.”
New York-based fashion designer Rachel Roy told Harper’s Bazaar her secret to thick hair, and not only should it help, it’s an excuse for an indulgent treat, too! “I pay someone to come to my house once a month and give me a 40-minute hot-oil scalp treatment,” Ms Roy said. “The massage stimulates growth.”
