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The Heartache of Hair Loss in Women
Being bald or balding sometimes drives people to desperate measures; unproven hair loss products and the comb-over technique are just two. Given the prevalence of pattern baldness, you might think our society would more readily accept hair loss, but, in fact, hair loss can have serious psychological ramifications. "For most people, hair is an integral part of themselves, so hair loss really represents losing a part of themselves and their self image," says Jerry Cooley, MD, of the Carolina Dermatology Hair Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. "Hair is also associated with youth, vitality and energy, so, for right or wrong, most people consider people with hair more attractive." Studies have linked pattern baldness not only to dissatisfaction with one's appearance, but also to lowered self-esteem and other measures of self-worth.
A 1992 study from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that most men regard hair loss as an "an unwanted distressing experience that diminishes their body image." Likewise, a 1999 study published in the Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine found that hair loss in women was associated with self-consciousness, jealousy and a feeling of powerlessness about hair loss. Not surprisingly, gender tends to affect the degree to which people are bothered by their hair loss. "With men, we can accept a certain amount of recession and thinning," says Sharon Keene, MD, of the Physician's Hair Institute in Tucson. "With women, no degree of thinning is acceptable." Age also influences the way hair loss affects an individual. "When men start to lose their hair at 19 or 20, they're blindsided," says Stanley Teitelbaum, PhD, a psychotherapist in New York City. "And for men in middle age, hair loss is an external marker of what they're already beginning to feel internally: a feeling of decline. This may be a loss of beauty, or a decline in their physical functioning or sexual prowess." Although people who are concerned about their hair loss are sometimes accused of vanity, experts suggest that this characterization is unfair. "The curiosity shouldn't be that people losing their hair have difficulty with it, but that we expect people not to care," Dr. Keane says. "We don't think twice about people having braces or wearing contact lenses. Hair is just another object of cosmetic appeal for men and women." Some people accept their baldness, and as Dr. Teitelbaum points out, it's in vogue to shave your head. Many celebrity athletes and actors, for example, are proudly bald. Bald-R-Us and Bald-Headed Men of America (BHMA) are organizations that encourage men to revel in their baldness. People who choose this route might also consider attending BHMA's annual Bald Is Beautiful conference. For those who want to change their hair loss situation, there are a number of options. Some may choose to use a wig or hairpiece or camouflage products such as Toppik, a power that makes the scalp less noticeable. Others may choose medical therapy, such as Propecia, which is only approved for men, or Rogaine, which is available to men and women. Surgery is yet another option for those seeking treatment. Hair transplantation has improved dramatically over the last decade, and, if performed by a qualified hair transplant specialist, can leave people with undetectable results. So don't feel bad about feeling bad about your hair loss. "It's OK to want to do something about your hair loss," Dr. Cooley says. "It's a valid condition to seek treatment for." Further Reading Rapunzel Envy - Hair Loss in Women Womens hair loss Womens hair loss - Thyroid Hair Loss in Women - Why Does It Happen? Hair Loss takes most women by surprise. For some, the effects can be embarrassing and depressing. Here to explain the causes and warning signs of hair loss are two experts in the field. Though hair loss can be embarrassing and unpleasant for anyone, our society considers hair loss in women a sort of cosmetic disaster. One out of every four women in the United States experiences hereditary hair loss, and for that one woman, hair loss can feel like a first class cosmetic disaster. Womens Best Selling Hair Loss Products A listing on the sites best selling hair loss products for women The Heartache of Hair Loss in Women "For most people, hair is an integral part of themselves, so hair loss really represents losing a part of themselves and their self image," says Jerry Cooley, MD, of the Carolina Dermatology Hair Center in Charlotte, North Carolina When we think of hair transplantation, we often think of balding men. But women lose their hair too, and more and more of them are turning to hair transplants. Medical Treatments for Hair Loss in Women Although hair loss can seem a permanent condition, and devastating to many women, there is hope, and there are treatments out there for women, even if you never do see the ads. "What you eat or do not eat can affect your hair and skin," says Doug Kalman, RD, a nutritionist with Miami Research Associates. This is important for dieters to keep in mind, Kalman says, particularly those who choose diets that severely restrict calories or eliminate groups of food. Rogaine for Women - A Snapshot For years, only men were acknowledged when it came to hair thinning and hair loss, but now we know that hereditary hair thinning is almost as common for women. In fact, one in four women in the United States experiences hair thinning.
A 1999 study published in the Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine found that hair loss in women was associated with self-consciousness, jealousy and a feeling of powerlessness about hair loss.
Hair loss for a woman can be devastating. The problems seems to be increasing every year. It is estimated that six out of ten woman will suffer some degree of hair loss.
Where hyperthyroid people make too much thyroid hormone, hypothyroid people don’t make enough.