It’s not just men who have to deal with extreme hair loss and baldness! Female Pattern Baldness is a condition that has been troubling women for centuries now. Since it is often swept under the carpet and not talked about as openly as male pattern baldness, we give you everything you need to know. Read on to learn how to treat your hair loss woes.
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What is Alopecia?
Alopecia is a condition that can affect men, women and children. It is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own hair follicles and suppresses hair growth. It is mainly caused by genetic factors (you can inherit it from your mother or your father) and early detection and care is necessary to treat it.
A few causes of hair loss and balding
No, your hairline won’t start receding and there won’t be bald spots on top of your scalp like you commonly see in men. For women, hair visibly starts to thin around the crown. Wispy hair that doesn’t grow beyond a certain length, a much smaller ponytail and widening of the parting are the most obvious telltale signs of extreme hair loss and baldness. A few causes are:
- Hormonal changes, particularly an increase in testosterone and androgens (male hormones)
- Ageing
- Hereditary factors
- Lack of iron
- Menopause
- Temporary hair loss after pregnancy or surgery
- Vitamin deficiency
- Skin diseases and fungal infections
- Rough handling of hair
Dealing with major hair loss
Wassup Doc?
Like we said, early detection is super important to figure out the cause of hair shedding so you can jump into damage control, ASAP. Visit a dermatologist to understand whether the cause is genetic, hormonal or diet-related. The problem can be treated accordingly.
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Mane manipulation
A major cause of hair breakage is self-inflicted; rough handling of your hair over long periods of time can stress your tresses. Vigorous towel drying, mauling through your strands with your hairbrush (especially when wet), too much heat while styling and pulling your strands back into super tight ponytails and braids WILL cause hair loss. Remembering to handle your hair with care is the biggest way to prevent and deal with hair loss.
Topical medication
Rogaine (Minoxidil) is the only topical medication commonly prescribed for hair regrowth. Use it under the guidance of a trusted doctor, who will typically ask you to apply it once a day. It’s important to be patient as it takes a few months for visible results.
Essential Oils
A few essential oils like lavender, thyme and rosemary can help your hair grow back stronger and healthier. Massaging the oil into your scalp and help it get absorbed by wrapping a warm towel around your head. The massage will also help stimulate your hair follicles by encouraging blood circulation.
Avoiding fungal infections
Scaly bald patches and hair thinning are a stressful consequence of fungal infections and ringworms. Luckily, they are very treatable and their effects are just temporary. Visit your doctor at the earliest to treat them.
Home remedies
Apart from essential oils, castor oil also works wonders when it comes to hair growth and regrowth. Massaging aloe vera gel onto the scalp is also a great idea. A few homemade hair packs to accelerate hair growth and combat balding are:
- A mixture of hot olive oil, honey and cinnamon powder applied regularly for 15 minutes.
- A paste of crushed fenugreek (methi).
- Boiling Indian gooseberry (amla) or curry leaves in coconut oil is an effective mixture for hair loss.
- A mix of beetroot leaves with henna massaged into your scalp.
Remember, a dash of perseverance and patience goes a long way when trying these age old home remedies.
Keep stress at bay
Stress not only affects your overall health but contributes hugely to the health of your locks. Hair loss and stress have a direct relationship so make it a point to relax and rejuvenate regularly. A hot oil treatment at your neighborhood parlour, a relaxing massage by your maalish wali or a day doing absolutely nothing but watching movies can go a long way. Also, remember that your diet plays a large role too. So, load up on iron, calcium and foods rich in vitamins and Omega 3. Even drinking a simple spinach and lettuce juice regularly can majorly put an end to hair loss and lead to stronger locks.
Images: Shutterstock
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