Hair Loss Pal » About Hair Loss

Chemotherapy can harm the cells that make hair

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:56:41 +0000

Chemotherapy can harm the cells that make hair. This means that hair on your head and anywhere on your body may fall out. Hair loss is called “alopecia.” For many people, their hair starts to falling out 2 to 3 weeks after they start the chemotherapy. Unlike most hair loss such as male pattern baldness, your hair will grow back. Most likely your hair will grow back in 2 to 3 months after chemotherapy. Sometimes your new hair can be curlier or straighter – or even a different color. In time it may go back to how it was before treatment.

Although the chemo related hair loss is the last thing you need to worry about when it comes cancer treatment, many people, especially women are bothered by it. You don’t have to. You can wear a wig or a scarf during the day and night. Be sure to use a hat or scarf to protect your head from Sunburn. Once your treatment is finished, the hair will start coming back.

Source: The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov)

There’s still no cure for male pattern baldness

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:16:30 +0000

Despite that there are millions of men affected by male pattern baldness every year, there’s still no cure for this. Although it’s not painful, nor does it affect your daily life, most men are embarrassed by it. It’s an annoying condition and yet there’s no cure. No prevention available either. Unless it’s accompanied by itching, skin irritation or other medical problems, there’s no need to see a doctor since they can’t help much. There are over the counter solutions and shampoos that promise hair regrowth. The FDA approved two hair loss treatments. One of them is Minoxidil. Around 20% – 25% of its users have reported hair loss slowing down or regrowth. But that doesn’t mean you will regrow hair. Plus you have to use it continuously otherwise hair loss will resume.You can buy these treatments over the counter, but they’re not cheap. Also it’s really annoying to apply it on your head twice daily.

Another popular treatment is the hair transplant. It’s expensive, painful and there’s a risk of infection. If you are considering it, watch a youtube video on hair transplant procedure. You’ll think it twice after you watch the video. The guys who got them must have not watched the video. Or they could have been desperate enough to go through that.

Do most hair loss treatments work?

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:11:24 +0000

Hair loss can happen to men and women. It’s stressful for most adults to experience hair loss. Hair loss can be partial or full or just hair thinning. Hair loss that is not cause by medication or medical treatment does not yet have fully effective treatments. Most of the treatment on the market is not effective as they claim. Other than the costly and painful hair transplant treatment, most sufferers give up on other forms of treatment before they see dramatic results. You might get lured into the solutions and gels, or even shampoos, but they won’t do you much good, or harm.

The FDA has only approved two drug-based treatments that are Propecia and minoxidil. Stress reduction has been shown to help slowing down the hair loss. Wear hats, caps, and wigs are other century solutions.

Is hair transplant worth the trouble?

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:12:47 +0000

Hair loss is annoying and it damages your self esteem. Many men and women have considered getting hair transplant to restore their youthfulness. But is transplant worth the cost and trouble? Most hair transplant will cost you anywhere from $4000 to $15,000 or more. These costs usually don’t include the blood tests or anesthesia fees. So expect to pay more on top of the base fee.

The trouble that comes with the transplant doesn’t end with the high costs. The pain and inconvenience can be more than you planned. Not every patient will have the same successful results which vary from patient to patient. However, if you’re in a industry that puts pressure on your look or you simply can’t stand the look of your hair in the mirror, consider one and it might worth the risk. But be sure to do enough research before signing up.

Cope with alopecia hair loss

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:22:11 +0000

Chemotherapy can harm the cells that make hair. For patients who need to have chemotherapy, it’s likely that hair on their head and even anywhere on their body might fall out. This type of hair loss is called “alopecia.” This can be hard for most people, especially women. But there some ways you can cover it. If your hair starts to fall out, but it really short. Usually short hair looks better when it’s thin. If you are a man, shave your head. Then it looks clean and even. For ladies, wearing a wig is always a good option. Just make sure to keep the wig matches your own hair color.

If you choose not to wear a wig, always keep a hat to stay out of the sun. Also keep your head warm by using a scarf or hat. Unlike many other kinds of hair loss, the good news about alopecia is that your hair will likely to grow back. Most likely your hair will grow back in 2 to 3 months after chemotherapy. Sometimes your new hair can be curlier or straighter – or even a different color. In time it may go back to how it was before treatment.

Source: the National Cancer Institute

Will hair grow back with alopecia areata?

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:57:06 +0000

With people who have alopecia areata, there is every chance that their hair will regrow, but it may also fall out again. Even doctors and researchers cannot predict when it might regrow or fall out. The course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people lose just a few patches of hair, then the hair regrows, and the condition never recurs. Other people continue to lose and regrow hair for many years. A few lose all the hair on their head; some lose all the hair on their head, face, and body. Even in those who lose all their hair, the possibility for full regrowth remains.

In some, the initial hair regrowth is white, with a gradual return of the original hair color. In most, the regrown hair is ultimately the same color and texture as the original hair.

Source: National Institutes of Health

Hair loss’ symptom is not a serious disease?

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 03:48:29 +0000

Alopecia areata is not a life-threatening disease. It does not cause any physical pain, and people with the condition are generally healthy otherwise. But for most people, a disease that unpredictably affects their appearance the way alopecia areata does is a serious matter.

The effects of alopecia areata are primarily socially and emotionally disturbing. In alopecia universalis, however, loss of eyelashes and eyebrows and hair in the nose and ears can make the person more vulnerable to dust, germs, and foreign particles entering the eyes, nose, and ears.

Alopecia areata often occurs in people whose family members have other autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anemia, or Addison’s disease. People who have alopecia areata do not usually have other autoimmune diseases, but they do have a higher occurrence of thyroid disease, atopic eczema, nasal allergies, and asthma.

Source: National Institutes of Health

Alopecia Areata patient may grow their hair back

admin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:07:38 +0000

If you have Alopecia Areata, the chances for your hair to grow back are high. But the bad news is, it may also fall out again. No researchers have been able to predict when hair might regrow or fall out. Every person is different. If you are lucky, you might just lose a few patches of hair, and the hair grows back on the same spot and you don’t see another condition.

Other people continue to lose and regrow hair for many years. However, researchers have found a few people who actually lose all the hair on their head. Although it’s possible that some people lose all the hair on their head, face, and body.

It is not impossible for people to regrow their hair even after they lose it all. The regrew hair can have the same color and texture, all it might be light color in the beginning and turn darker later.

Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

What causes alopecia areata hair loss?

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:27:11 +0000

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. In alopecia areata, immune system cells called white blood cells attack the rapidly growing cells in the hair follicles that make the hair. So your hair follicles become small and you will see a dramatic slowing down of hair production. Although the exact cause is not known to the scientists, a combination of genes and other life events or viruses can trigger it.

Alopecia areata is not a life-threatening disease. You will not feel any pain and can live a normal life. However, because it affects people’s appearance, it is a problem for many patients emotionally. Many people seek counseling to help build a positive self-image. Joining a support group and talk to other people who have the same problem can definitely help.

Source: National Institutes of Health

Male and female pattern baldness

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:44:19 +0000

Male pattern baldness or hair loss is really common. But there are also female pattern baldness. Just like male pattern baldness, female baldness also can lose hair at the crown or hairline. In most cases, female baldness is thinning of hair all over the head.

It is permanent and unfortunately there are still not many treatment options available for female pattern baldness. The FDA has approved minoxidil 2% for female pattern baldness treatment. It work 20% of the time. However, it is costly and time consuming. Many women use hair weaving, hairpieces, or wigs to cover the baldness. Like the male pattern baldness, this is also caused by genes plus hormone changes. In most case, it is part of aging process.