Avoid   Baldness

Yes, says many of the researchers in the medical field. Stress is defined in the Oxford dictionary as “demand upon physical or mental energy.” One study suggests that severe stress can be caused by an injury, surgery or an illness. If you are experiencing thinning or loss of hair, take a look at your stress level.

Three types of hair loss are associated with stress. Under the alopecia areata condition where white blood cells attack hair follicles stopping hair growth and causing hair to fall in batches within weeks. The trichotillomania where there is an urge to pull hair all over the body including your scalp is caused by stress, anxiety and other conditions. Under the telogen effluvium, a less severe type of stress could cause to stop the hair growth and lies dormant, and after about two months hair begins to fall.

If managed properly stress levels in our bodies can be reduced. If you can feel that you are under severe stress or experience thinning of your hair, it may be time to see your doctor. Find ways to cut down your stress. It may be time to revisit your lifestyle and make adjustments to reduce your stress level.

Hair grows all over your body except palm of your hands and sole of your feet. Some hair is visible but some are so fine, so hardly visible.

90 percent of your hair follows a two to six year growth cycle. This is known as Anagen phase of hair growth. The balance 10 percent is in a two to three month resting phase known as Telogen. After the rest period, it sheds and new hair starting to grow. The loss of hair could be of 80 to 150 hairs a day based on your age, hair type, decease, and other genetic conditions. Hair can grow up to six inches a year. But as you age, growth rate of your hair is slowing.

So, gradual thinning of your hair with age is natural. More and more hair goes into Telogen phase with age. However, males can experience thinning of hair as early as their teens or twenties, while women may experience this in their 40s. This condition is known as Androgenic alopecia (for men it is commonly known as Male Pattern Baldness and for women it is Female Pattern Baldness). If you experience non age related condition, seek help from a professional.

Baldness does not happen only in men. Women may develop female pattern baldness as well and this can cause thinning of the hair in the entire scalp. This can be a very stressful experience for anyone. Here are some reasons that cause hair loss in women.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

It is a condition that is caused by a hormone imbalance. This can cause loss of hair on the scalp while there will be extra hair growth elsewhere in the body, especially the face.

Alopecia Areata

This is an auto immune disease which causes hair loss in patches. The hair will grow back but the process will repeat several times.

Cicatricial Alopecia

This causes permanent hair loss and is caused by inflammation and scarring of the hair follicle. This condition can be seen in patients suffering from diseases such as lupus.

Hormonal changes

Pregnancy, childbirth, onset of menopause or the use of contraceptive pills causes hormonal changes in the body. These changes often cause hair loss, though not permanent.

Medical treatments

Treatment for cancer such as chemotherapy and radio therapy can cause severe hair loss as can other medications used to treat depression, gout and heart problems.

If your curly hair is eternally being frizzy and difficult to manage, many a time would you have wished to have straight hair. But with proper care, the curly hair will be your crowning glory. What should a daily care routine for curly hair be?

First go to a good hair dresser who can advise you on a cut to suit you. He/she should take in to consideration the amount of curl, thickness and volume of the hair when choosing a style. Have the hair trimmed every two months to prevent split ends which cause further damage.

Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair. Excessive washing can remove the natural oils leaving hair dry and frizzy. If possible avoid using shampoo altogether, if not wash hair only two to three times a week using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for curly hair to allow hair to retain more moisture.
Avoid using the hair dryer. Allow hair to dry naturally as much as possible as a dryer would dehydrate the hair. Pat dry hair after a bath and if necessary use the diffuser attachment on a cool setting.
Do not brush hair, especially when dry. Use a wide toothed comb when hair is still slightly wet.

Individuals either men or woman who experience hair loss also experience a societal type of anxiety while undergoing this process. People handle hair loss differently, and while some see this process as nature taking its course, others try and resist it at all cost. Concealing hair loss is one way people deal with losing hair. The use of a wig or toupee is also employed by people suffering from the effects of cancer treatment due to chemotherapy. There are people who have embraced baldness with a healthy dose of humor and dignity instead of trying to resist hair loss; many well know actors are among these. 

Being bald has turned some to art for a solution. In the UK permanent tattooing of the scalp is “growing,” with men taking advantage of artful designs some as intricate as a wall mural. Not only artfully stylish tattoos are appearing on heads, but realistic tattoos of hair. That’s right, hair tattoos that look amazingly like closely shaved or cropped hair. 

Another less “permanent” fad seems to be taking off is head painting or decorating. A young man in the UK by the name of Philip Levine who himself suffered from baldness refused to conform to what he calls a “stereotype bald man” image. He began using the extra space on top of his head as a canvass of sorts. Using mostly body paint and various stylish stick on decorations Mr. Levine seems to be very creative and has really made art from baldness.