Hair Loss
Did you know that the most common forms of hair loss have nothing to do with hair extensions? Imagine waking up and looking in the mirror each day at a bald spot you can't explain--you haven't braided or pulled your hair any tighter however, this spot keeps getting larger and larger! You run to the hair store to buy hair growth products and use it religiously only to find that there is no change. So you repeat the same process with a new product and repeat and repeat. You tell a friend who swears by the product that they recommend you try-only to find that it yields no results for you! You tell your mother who swears that you do too much to your hair so she tells you to put braids in to grow it back, meanwhile, you know that is not the case so you politely nod and leave knowing that you won't follow her advice. Morning after morning you watch the bald spot morph into something that you now need to reach out to your doctor about--is this normal you ask yourself while you blame yourself and start to feel ashamed and less pretty. You book your appointment and bravely declare that " I am not my hair" but deep down you don't buy it , you're embarrassed and ashamed and you contemplate calling in sick to work until you make that doctors appointment. It is then that you realize you have that 9am meeting and start to panic at the thought of the unwanted attention. You assume they will all be concentrating on your bald spot instead of the killer presentation you planned so in a panic you run back to the hair store after you're made up our mind that a wig is your only option!
While this might not be your exact experience there are women (and men frankly) that are dealing with this scenario. There self esteem is suffering and they are tired of being side eyed for wearing a wig or wearing hair extensions to mask their condition. Lets explore some of the conditions that cause hair loss so we can be knowledgeable and informed.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes the hair to fall out in round patches.
It occurs when your immune system attacks the hair follicle, which is where hair growth begins. There is no cure but with treatment the hair can grow back quickly and prevent future hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen Effluvim is considered to be the second most common cause of hair loss that causes more than the normal amount of hair to fall out. It occurs when the body undergoes stress or shock which pushes the hair into the telogen (resting) stage of hair growth, causes the hair to stop growing and fall out. Telogen Effluvium is usually temporary as the cycle could runs its course within 6-9 months.
Hormonal Hair Loss
Hormonal Hair loss often the most common cause of hair loss which can be caused by pregnancy, menopause, poor diet, stress, anxiety, medication. It is suggested that common fixers are to keep stress levels low, maintain a healthy diet. Get enough sleep and other dietary changes like increasing your Omega 3/ Omega 6 intake.
Hair loss is personal as is the decision to explore other options. We might not understand the why's and how's but it's important to understand that there are many things under the sun for which we have no explanation. Lets allow others the space to feel comfortable in their own skin though we might not understand the circumstance.
