There are many reasons why women loose their hair. Whatever the reason, we understand here at Wigged out Women how emotional hair loss can be. It can be difficult to navigate through the unexpected journey of hairloss. We are here to help you feel normal again. Although we cannot give you your original hair back, we can find you an amazing alternative! And, that will give you something to smile about 🙂
Common Reasons for Hairloss:
Chemotherapy – Drug therapy/ chemotherapy to treat cancer is the leading cause of temporary hair loss. The hair loss is usually temporary, but can take up to six months before the drugs are out of the body for natural hair growth to return. Usually, the hair returns to its former state but may come back in a different color or texture. Wigs are available, and also, as hair grows back in, wiglets, hair pieces, and add-on hair.
Alopecia- Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks hair follicles. It affects about 4.7 million people in the United States and occurs equally in men and women. The cause is unknown, but it may be triggered by stress or illness. The condition can occur in three forms. Alopecia areata commonly causes round, smooth patches of baldness on the scalp, eyebrows, or legs. Total hair loss on the head is known as alopecia totalis, while hair loss that occurs all over the body is called alopecia universalis.
Genetic Pattern Baldness – Androgenetic alopecia is quite common in both females and males, For women, it occurs mostly as they. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this is the most common cause of hair loss. The gene can be inherited from either your mother’s or father’s side of the family, though you’re more likely to have it if both of your parents had hair loss.
Hypothyroidism – Millions of people, most of them women, suffer from thyroid disease. When your body produces too little thyroid hormone, the hormone responsible for metabolism, heart rate, and mood, you are said to have hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. If your body makes too much of the hormone, you’re said to have hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. Thyroid hormone is responsible for everything from your basal metabolic rate—the rate at which your body uses oxygen and energy to function—to the growth of your hair, skin, and nails. But when you don’t have the right amount, you may notice changes in bodily functions. This deficiency may cause a host of symptoms, including unexplained weight gain, fatigue, constipation, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Hair, nails, and skin may become more brittle and break more easily. It’s more common in women, especially over the age of 50,
Telogen effluvium – Massive hair loss as a result of early entry of hairs into the telogen phase; this phenomenon can occur after pregnancy, major surgery, drastic weight loss, or extreme stress, in which large amounts of hair are shed every day, usually when shampooing, styling, or brushing. It can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants, beta-blockers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. During telogen effluvium, hair shifts faster than normal from its growing phase into the “resting” phase before moving quickly into the shedding, or telogen, phase. Women with telogen effluvium typically notice hair loss 6 weeks to 3 months after a stressful event. At its peak, you may lose handfuls of hair.
Trichotillomania – This is a hair-pulling disorder that involves an irresistible urge to pull out one’s own hair. This behavior occurs to the point of noticeable hair loss. The most common areas for hair pulling are the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows but may involve hair anywhere on the body. Trichotillomania is a type of impulse control disorder. People with these disorders know that they can hurt themselves, but they cannot stop themselves. In children, trichotillomania occurs equally in males and females. In adults, it is more common in women than in men.
Other Miscellaneous Causes – Lupus, Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, certain vitamin deficiencies, etc.
Ongoing information added periodically.