Whether you straighten your curls into submission daily or spend each morning with your head upside down trying to inject some bounce into your lacklustre barnet, hair; and all its associated issues is the one thing that unites women everywhere.
We spend huge amounts of money styling it and countless hours stressing and talking about it but when your hair starts to fall out it can feel like you’re the first woman in the world to go through it.
So what to do? Step one: don’t panic. The truth is, up to 25% of women and 40% of men suffer from some form of hair loss. It happens… and for all manner of weird and not so weird reasons. From genetics (some of us are simply unlucky, thank Mother Nature) and pregnancy to stress and overstyling, our feeble little follicles are fighting a constant battle to remain in situ. At any one time, only around 90% of your hair is actively growing. 10% of your gruaig is enjoying a resting phase and every ten weeks or so this 10% falls out and the cycle begins again. Meanwhile it is completely normal for up to 100 hairs to fall out every day.
Although there is no research to back it up, many hair stylists recommend applying cinnamon oil (available here) to your roots to encourage hair growth in thinning patches. The antioxidant rich oil can stimulate the follicle and increase blood flow to the area, which may help boost growth (do a patch test first to ensure it won’t cause irritation). If it’s a daily treatment you’re after, Vichy’s Dercos Energising Shampoo (available in pharmacies) is designed to reduce the rate of hair loss and maintain the density of thinning hair. Nioxin is another trusted brand, their Scalp Renew Density Protection at-home treatment is clinically proven to reduce loss by an average of 54%, simply apply over a clean scalp every evening – stock up here.
Many women have also enjoyed real results by using Viviscal Maximum Strength supplements, which contain AminoMar C a rich compound of marine extracts, blended with other naturally derived ingredients, zinc and biotin to nourish hair from within.
Meanwhile the latest research has linked hair loss to a lowered immune system. Just last month, researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre revealed they had discovered a way to manipulate white blood cells called macrophages to encourage them to reactivate dormant hair follicles. According to the study, published in the online science journal PLOS Biology, mice treated with anti-inflammatory drugs exhibited accelerated hair regrowth. The treatment has not yet been developed for humans but take heart: more permanent solutions are on the way.
Hair loss: Common causes
Pregnancy
Up to 50% of women experience hair loss after they give birth. Commonly known as Telogen Effluvium, it can be put down to those good old hormones: while you’re pregnant, hormones cause more of your hair to enter the resting phase. After delivery, this hair begins to fall out all at once, which can be quite a shock to some. Rest assured this usually lasts for no more than six months.
Stress
We’ve all referred to ‘tearing our hair out’ when confronted with frustrating situations, but if you find yourself fighting an urge to literally pull on your hair until it comes out, you may be suffering from Trichotillomania, a condition that can be brought on by stress, anxiety or feelings of loneliness or boredom. More common in girls, around four in 100 people suffer from Trichotillomania. Habit-reversal therapy can be effective in helping sufferers resist the urge so seek out emotional support from family and friends and look at joining a support group. For information visit OCD Ireland.
Immune system imbalance
Usually, the immune system attacks the cause of an infection, but in the case of alopecia areata, it damages the hair follicles instead. The hair follicles are not permanently damaged, and in many cases the hair grows back within a few months. According to the HSE, alopecia areata is more common in people who suffer from asthma, diabetes, vitiligo or thyroid problems but there are countless potential triggers. Many companies specialise in natural looking hair pieces for alopecia sufferers but speak to your doctor first to rule out any underlying health conditions and discuss your options.
