Posted by Admin, on February 25th, 2010, under CELEBRITY HAIR LOSS
The TV presenter and comedian Graham Norton advises readers
Dear Graham,
I was rummaging around in my husband’s sponge bag the other day, looking for a razor, and came across some ominous-looking pills. I made a mental note of the name and looked them up on Google when I got to work. It turns out they’re anti hair loss pills. I’ve always known my husband is sensitive about his receding hairline. We’ve never spoken about it but it’s obviously worrying him much more than I thought. Should I try to tactfully talk to him about it? Tell him I love him regardless? Laura A, Edinburgh
Dear Laura
You share razors with this man and yet you don’t talk about his hair loss? I can’t begin to understand how you could be married to someone and not talk about something so basic.
I’m not sure it is worth starting a dialogue about his forehead growth at this late stage. He’ll be embarrassed that you have stumbled upon his vain little secret, annoyed that you are in his wash bag, and even more paranoid about how noticeable the problem is. I really don’t see the point.
Ultimately this isn’t about you and how you feel about your husband, it’s about how he feels about himself and how he thinks the rest of the world sees him. Hair loss is for men what sagging bosoms and cellulite are for women. Like Samson in the Bible, men feel they have lost some of their virility as they wave farewell to their boyish locks down a plug hole.
Happily men are shallow and lazy so he’ll probably stop bothering to take the pills, and if you pay him a few compliments he’ll forget all about it. Like your husband’s hair, I doubt this problem will be around long.
Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help
Posted by Admin, on February 25th, 2010, under HAIR LOSS HEALTH NEWS
MARION KERR
What can cause hair to fall out? Although I’m used to seeing some hair loss after brushing it or in the drain after a shower, lately the amounts have increased. My hair doesn’t look noticeably thinner, but I’m getting worried I could end up bald. Help!
There are quite a number of causes of excessive hair loss. These can include hormonal problems, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid or an imbalance of sex hormones (androgens and oestrogens). Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss.
Hair loss is a common problem after pregnancy and during the menopause. For those who experience a major illness or surgery, hair loss can occur after the event, and is usually the result of stress.
Certain medications including anticoagulants (blood thinners) and treatments for high blood pressure, gout and cardiac conditions can cause hair loss. Certain antidepressants,
high doses of vitamin and oral contraceptives may also result in hair thinning.
In addition, fungal infections of the scalp, particularly in children, can cause hair to fall out. Hair loss can be a sign of other conditions such as diabetes or lupus.
And let’s not forget the use of hair products that contain harsh chemicals that can damage the scalp and lead to hair loss.
I had my baby four months ago, but the problem is only happening now. Is this normal?
It’s perfectly normal to lose more hair than usual in the months following delivery, with the problem affecting between 40 and 50 per cent of postpartum women.
Normally, about 90 per cent of our hair is in the growing stage while the remaining 10 per cent is in the resting stage.
Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place – these we usually notice in our brushes or in the drain after hair washing.
During pregnancy, increased levels of oestrogen prolongs the growing stage, leaving fewer hairs resting and is the reason why during pregnancy our hair tends to look thicker and more luxuriant.
However, after giving birth, oestrogen levels plummet, causing more hair to enter the resting phase. This results in a large proportion of hair falling out at the same time.
But don’t panic, your hair will grow back as hormone levels return to normal. Within six to 12 months it should be back to its pre-pregnancy condition.
Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help
Posted by Admin, on February 22nd, 2010, under HAIR LOSS HEALTH NEWS
By Dr Ellie Cannon
Strands of evidence: Hair loss can point to worse problems
Hair loss may sound relatively minor but it is both distressing and common. It should always be investigated, as it can be revealing in regard to your general state of health.
Q: I knew I would lose hair after the birth of my child but it’s still falling out nearly a year on – why?
A: General diffuse hair loss after pregnancy is normal and usually occurs between four and ten months after giving birth as oestrogen levels drop. It can continue for longer, but do see your GP as it may be a sign of an iron deficiency or thyroid problem.
Q: My hair is coming out in patches. Is this stress?
A: Not normally. Stressrelated hair loss tends to be general, not patchy. More likely causes would be fungal infections such as ringworm or hairstyles that pull the hair too tight – known as traction alopecia. A relatively common cause of patchy hair loss is alopecia areata, which can also result in total baldness.
Q: I think I have alopecia areata. What can be done?
A: While distressing, this resolves spontaneously in three to six months, so many GPs would advocate watching and waiting. If treatment is to be started, you can use lotions containing minoxidil (Regaine) or your doctor may prescribe topical steroids. Many will try an antifungal shampoo first, as fungal infections can mimic this type of alopecia.
Q: My hair is thinning and my skin is dry – do I have a thyroid problem?
A: Thyroid disorders do cause hair and skin problems. An underactive thyroid tends to cause hair to grow much more slowly and become coarse. Hair loss can be patchy and the skin dry and scaly. An overactive thyroid would be more likely to cause diffuse hair loss. Thyroid problems can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.
Q: Could my blood-thinning tablets cause hair loss?
A: Yes – it is associated with the blood-thinning drugs warfarin and heparin. Many medicines can cause hair loss, including those that treat gout and thyroid problems, as well as the contraceptive Pill.
Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help
