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Hair Loss News Archives
October 2005
Tips for Preventing, Fixing
Female Hair Loss
Some 30 Million American Women Suffer From Condition
Oct 2005 —
Hidden beneath Elline Surianello's beautiful hair is a woman few
ever see.
Since she was 14, Surianello has suffered from a condition called alopecia,
commonly known as hair loss. She wears a wig to hide the bald spots.
"To be like this all the time and think that this is how you have to be all the
time, every day a little part of you dies," she said.
Surianello is among 30 million American women, about 1 in 5, living with female
hair loss.
"Very few men are shocked that they are losing their hair," said Dr. Mark
Kaufmann, a dermatologist. "With women, there's a complete shock and disbelief."
Surianello agreed to walk outside without her hairpiece with "Good Morning
America" cameras following her.
"How do I function in the world knowing that everyone's paying attention to
this," Surianello said, pointing to her hair. "Now they're not going to say
anything to me because this is not a conversation, but they're going to ignore
me. I become a nonentity. I become not a person that makes a statement. And I
don't want to live my life that way."
About 70 percent of female hair loss is genetic. Other causes include stress,
illness, medication and diet. Crash diets, tight
ponytails/braids/weaves/extension, thyroid disorders, pregnancy, going off birth
control and general anesthesia can all result in hair loss.
Dermatologist Susan Taylor had the following advice for preventing female hair
loss.
• Don't ignore the problem. Get help soon.
• Hair care should be gentle, not painful. If it hurts, it's going to harm your
hair.
• Avoid tight pony tails.
• Use gentle shampoos, nothing that itches.
• Don't skip conditioner.
• Don't over brush.
For those who have already lost a significant amount of hair, Taylor said
Rogaine and cortisone injections or creams may help stabilize growth and in some
cases regrow it.
Rogaine costs about $25 per month. Cortisone requires a doctor's prescription and may be covered by insurance.
Without insurance, the treatments cost approximately $50 to $150, Taylor said.