Let’s first talk about some of the common myths physicians and hair loss specialists hear on a daily basis where hair loss is concerned. Some of these we have discussed before, others you may be reading for the first time.

• Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss
• Wearing hats and wigs cause hair loss
• 100 strokes of brushing hair daily creates healthier hair
• Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments
• When women lose their hair, it will come back significantly thicker (from chemo, or medications)
• Shaving one’s head will cause the hair to grow back thicker
• Standing on one’s head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth
• Dandruff causes permanent hair loss
• There are cosmetic products which will cause the hair to grow thicker and faster
• Stress causes permanent hair loss
• Hair loss does not occur until late teens or early twenties
• Hair loss affects only intellectuals
• There is a cure for androgenetic alopecia

The reality is this. There are two types of hair loss, medically they are known as anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is typically due to internally administered medications such as chemotherapy, which poisons the growing hair follicles. Telogen effluvium is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage.

Here are the most common causes of temporary hair loss or, anagen effluvium:

• Medication - Drugs used to treat cancer, blood thinners, antidepressants and high blood pressure medications. Also birth control pills and extreme doses of vitamin A may cause hair loss.
• Diet - Too little protein and too little iron in your diet can lead to hair loss. This is why extreme diets are not a good idea.
• Stress or illness - You may begin losing hair in one to three months after a stressful situation such as major surgery or an illness of a loved one. High fevers, severe infections or chronic illness can result in hair loss.
• Childbirth - You may lose large amounts of hair within two to three months after giving birth.
• Alopecia areata - A condition in which hair loss occurs only in certain areas, resulting in hair loss patches the size of a coin or larger.
• Thyroid disease - An over-active or under-active thyroid can cause hair loss.
• Ringworm - If this fungal infection occurs on your scalp, it can cause small patches of scaling skin .

It is not as easy to determine the cause of baldness, or failure to grow new hair. It is generally associated with genetic predisposition, aging and levels of endocrine hormones. Changes in the levels of androgens can affect hair production. For example, after the hormonal changes of menopause, many women find that the hair on their head is thinned while facial hair is growing coarser.

Genetic hair loss and moult or increased hair shedding, or chronic telogen effluvium accounts for by far, the majority of all hair loss complaints in women, up to 95%.  Unlike men, who tend to lose a lot of hair in a particular area, like the temple and crown - male pattern baldness; women are more likely to thin diffusely from behind the front hairline to the crown.

By far, the most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also know as female pattern baldness. This affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women and although it’s most commonly seen after menopause, it may begin as early as puberty. True hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not regrown or when the daily hair shed exceeds 125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss can come from either side of the family.

Whatever the reason for your hair loss, Fantasia is here to help you find the right solution for you.