If you have ever run your fingers through your hair and come away with more than one or two fallen strands, then you know how isolating and upsetting hair loss can be. While it may feel like you’re all alone in your struggle, up to 50% of women experience hair loss in their lifetimes, and most of the time it’s completely beyond your control. While certain behaviors and habits can lead to hair loss, very often genetics, hormonal imbalances and medications are to blame. Let’s take a closer look at some of these underlying causes to hair loss.
Medical Hair Loss – Officially called Anagen Effluvium, medical hair loss is caused by medications that poison a growing hair follicle, causing it to die. Toxic substances such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and certain medications including betablockers, thyroid medications and even NSAID pain relievers can all cause sudden hair loss anywhere on your body. This occurs during the hair growth stage and often only continues while the patient continues to take the medication, but it can be permanent if the follicles are damaged.
Stress-Induced Hair Loss – Part of the Telogen Effluvium family, stress-induced hair loss occurs during extreme physical or emotional stress to your body. This can include surgery, giving birth, mental illness, and loss of a loved one. This kind of hair loss does not damage the follicle and typically ends when the stress is overcome.
Hormone-Induced Hair Loss – Also part of the Telogen Effluvium family, hormone-induced hair loss is caused by changes in your body’s hormonal makeup. This often includes postpartum hair loss, menopausal loss, and birth control pills.
Genetic Hair Loss – Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) or Androgenetic Alopecia is akin to Male Pattern Baldness and is an inherited genetic challenge. Hair loss due to FPHL is typically seen as a widening around the part, leaving the front of the hairline unaffected until the most advanced stages of loss.
Traction Alopecia – Also known as Alopecia Areata, traction alopecia is one of the only causes of hair loss that is caused by a woman’s behavior. Caused by repeatedly pulling the hair too tight in the same pattern or area – for example in braids, ponytails or buns – traction alopecia can be reversed with a simple change in hairstyle or habit.
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of reasons that you may be experiencing hair loss at this time in your life – you may be experiencing a vitamin deficiency or you may have a chemically damaged scalp from overprocessing your hair, for example. Regardless of the cause of your hair loss, you will notice a few telltale signs that you are experiencing loss:
Increased fall out in the shower, on your pillow, in your hair brush, etc.
A widening of your part
Being able to see your scalp through your hair
Smaller ponytails
If you are noticing any or all of these indicators of hair loss, treatments and solutions are available. That’s where Jackie Sturgeon can help you recover your confidence and fall in love with your appearance. Jackie knows that this is an emotionally charged issue and he wants you to know that you’re not alone. Invite him into your challenge and together, you can find a solution.
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