3 Components to Treating Hair Loss

More than fifty percent of men and women across the United States experience hair loss at some time in their lives. Hair loss, also medically referred to as alopecia, can be caused by a number of different factors. A common cause of hair loss in women is hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during pregnancy and menopause.

Many women also experience hair loss as a result of a malfunctioning thyroid gland. In male pattern baldness, testosterone and its counterpart dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is responsible for attacking and destroying the hair follicle. Other non-hormonal causes include prescription drugs such as birth control pills, antidepressant medications, as well as various over-the-counter drugs. Additionally, allergic reactions to chemicals found in hair products can result in hair loss.

Before treating your hair loss, it is important to determine what combination of the aforementioned causes may be contributing to your alopecia. Keep in mind that there may be a multiple elements contributing to your hair loss. Even so, a regimen to re-grow hair should contain three important components to ensure that you are maximizing your hair growth potential.
The 3 Components to Treating Hair Loss

Anti-inflammatories
It is hypothesized that the inflammatory process plays a large role in hair loss. In androgenic alopecia, which is the hormonal variation, inflammation sets in surrounding each hair follicle. Inflammation leads to tissue remodeling which will eventually result in the permanent loss of the hair. There is data that would suggest that inflammation plays a part in most types of alopecia. Therefore, one of the best ways to naturally combat hair loss is to apply an anti-inflammatory.

One of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory agents that can be used for hair loss is emu oil. It is superior to other natural anti-inflammatories because it is so permeable to human skin; which means that it is more likely to penetrate to the hair follicle. Emu oil is also non-irritating and may target androgens, which are known to contribute to hair loss.

Anti-androgens
Androgens are the reason for genetic pattern hair loss in both men and women; particularly, the androgen DHT. Increasing the levels of DHT in at the hair follicle can result in shortened hair growth cycles as well as thin strands of hair. Moreover, the growth of new strands of hair to replace the damaged strand is delayed. For this reason, it is important to minimize the amount of androgens that are available to attack the hair follicle and cause baldness.

Anti-androgens keep DHT, testosterone, and 5-alpha reductase from being able to bind to their receptors and cause hair loss. Saw palmetto is a powerful natural anti-androgen that is widely used in hair loss supplements. Fortunately, it is available in most grocers, vitamin shops, and drug stores. One study showed that saw palmetto might have the same anti-androgen effects as the prescription drug finasteride used to treat hair loss.

Growth stimulator
Growth stimulators are a popular way of combating hair loss. Minoxidil, branded as Rogaine, is one such product. Though, as with most drugs, minoxidil can have some undesirable side effects. Using an all-natural hair growth stimulator will help to encourage and speed up hair growth where hair loss is taking place.

Castor oil is an oil taken from the castor seed. It has been used for its many different medicinal purposes. It is very rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. There has been quite a lot of buzz surrounding this oil recently because of its hair growth stimulating properties when rubbed on the scalp (and eyebrows).


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Treatments for Female Hair Loss: The 3 Coping Mechanisms

For us women, losing our hair at a young age can make us vulnerable. Indeed, losing our precious crowning glory may bring about feelings of despair that would create a terrible impact on our lives.

In truth, coping with hair loss and hair thinning problems is not an easy feat. Although there are various treatments for female hair loss, we still feel alarmed and concerned about our hair problems since the hair is one of the most noticeable parts of our physical attractiveness.

When we start experiencing hair loss, oftentimes we don’t feel good about ourselves. We tend to become irritable, aloof, lonely, and depressed, which would not have been the case if the scalp remained full with healthy hair.

That being said, the best things to do in order to cope with hair loss problems is to learn to accept the fact and to deal with the condition whole-heartedly and in a positive state of mind.

For those who don’t know, treatments for female hair loss may come in various forms. They do not only come from topical, oral, non-surgical and surgical options, but treating female hair loss can be done emotionally as well.

Hence, the first step toward recovery from the psychological and emotional impact brought about by hair loss is to avoid the feeling of self-pity and learn to be motivated. You need to deal with your problem, embrace it, and do something about it.

If you are suffering from hair loss-permanently or temporarily-you need to acknowledge the fact and learn to cope with your problems with open arms.

Here are three coping mechanisms that can help women all over the world with hair loss to deal with the problem in a broader prospective:

1. Open up and talk about it.

You need to discuss and talk with your family and friends about your hair loss and hair thinning problem. By doing this, they will understand your condition and they will know how you feel about it.

You can also rely on the comfort and support that these people can give you, making you at ease and loved that can keep you motivated to fight against the problem.

2. Acknowledge the truth and learn to accept it.

Although it can be difficult at times to accept the truth, you need to come to terms with your hair loss and hair thinning problem.

A great way to divert your attention from the distress and frustration you feel about your condition is to focus your energy on your other good attributes and qualities which can boost your confidence level.

3. Join a support group and become involved.

There are various groups in the community where you can meet and socialize with other people. You can talk to people by joining online forums, blogs, and live chat rooms which deal with this certain issue.

By talking to people who share the same condition such as yours, you can share your fears knowing that they can understand you better. By joining a support group, you will learn of other people’s past experiences and you will be given important guidelines to overcome the worries that you may feel regarding your hair loss and hair thinning problems.

Unlikely as it may be, the aforementioned coping mechanisms that also function as treatments for female hair loss have been effective in its methodology of tapping the emotional and pyschosocial aspects of a woman’s life.

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