Crowning Glory

By: Ruth Kerrison
Created on 09th November 2009

Hair loss is as common in women as it is in men. Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Magazine investigates what can be an incredibly distressing condition 

For a woman, more so than for a man, hair is a crucial part of their personal style, and therefore losing hair can be a traumatic experience. The psychological damage caused by hair loss and feeling unattractive can be just as devastating as any serious disease and can take an emotional toll that directly affects physical health.

Women are more susceptible to many more external factors that can result in temporary and permanent hair loss. It can be a regular side effect of taking ordinary medicines such as ibuprofen, antidepressants and blood pressure medication. As well as being hereditary, hair loss is proven to be a result of common complaints such as stress, poor diet, environmental pollutants, anaemia, hormonal imbalance, the menopause, polycystic ovaries, post-pregnancy or an inactive thyroid.

Female pattern baldness

Hair loss in women can be hereditary, similar to male hair loss, but that is about the only similarity. Female hair loss is usually all over the head with less likelihood of the frontal hairline being lost, whereas men lose it on the temple, crown and the bald spot at the back of the head. Although some women may notice hair thinning as early as their twenties, the pace of hair loss tends to be gradual, often taking years to become obvious to others.

Another important difference is that while balding in men is almost always the result of genetic predisposition coupled with age, in women it can happen at any time and can also be caused by underlying medical conditions.

The non-surgical alternative

Hair thinning and loss of hair is very traumatic, so it is important to create the best conditions to maintain a healthy head of hair. Scalp hairs grow at a rate of approximately 1.25cm per month. After a resting phase of around 90 days, new hair replaces the old hair which has been shed. Most individuals lose between 50-100 hairs a day (This need not be alarming as the average head of hair has 100,000 individual shafts of hair.)

Hair loss takes place over several years and by the time many women realise that their hair has stopped growing, the hair loss is already in a progressive state. The acclaimed LA Hair Science Anti-Hair Loss products have combined two innovative, progressive technologies to combat hair loss and promote a healthy environment for hair growth

Firstly, a unique cutting-edge patented Nano-encapsulated delivery system which infuses the base of the hair follicle with active ingredients to produce healthier hair and extend the growth phase of the hair cycle.

Secondly, the active ingredients themselves help improve blood supply to the scalp, revitalise the hair follicle, strengthen the hair shaft, normalise the hair growth cycle, inhibit depigmentation and activates the stem cells of the hair follicle.

Hair transplant surgery

New technologies in cosmetic hair transplantation and scalp reduction procedures mean that you often can't tell when someone has had treatment. In hair transplantation the surgeon, under local anaesthetic, will take hair from a donor area (usually the back or sides of the head) and then it is implanted into the thinning areas. Once repositioned the hair rests for up to 16 weeks and then starts its natural growth cycle - six to eight months later you should notice a distinct improvement in the density of the hair in the treated area.

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HAIR LOSS

• Longer hair puts a strain on roots. They don't. And wearing hats doesn't cause hair loss either
• Shampooing does not accelerate balding; it just removes those that were ready to fall out anyway
• 'Poor circulation' does not cause hair loss, and massaging doesn't stop it
• Colouring, perming, and conditioning the hair does not usually cause hair loss.

CS&AM