Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

Traction alopecia is also known as “nurse’s cap” or “hot comb” alopecia. It is a hair loss condition that is usually caused by strong tensional forces exerted on the hair as a result to some ethnic, traditional or modern practices of hair styling. It is often associated with the use of hair rollers, twists, locks, braids, extensions, etc. Typically women are the ones who suffer with traction alopecia.

Traction alopecia is usually localized. Prolonged tensional forces on hair can lead to damaging of its roots and follicles and to the development of permanent hair loss. To prevent irreversible hair loss, the condition needs to be recognized in it’s early stages.

In 1907, young women from Greenland who preferred to style their hair in tight ponytails, were the first people reported to suffer with this condition. The same hair loss pattern was also described in traditional Japanese females wearing particular hairdos. Indian men who observe Sikhism, are prone to traction alopecia because they grow their hair long and pull it tightly into a bun. Todays modern fashion of some types of hair extensions and dreadlocks is mostly associated with this condition in young people.

The prolonged trauma exerted on the scalp hair causes it to gradually loosen from its roots and develop secondary inflammation and subsequent atrophy. Hair loss is usually symmetrical and affects frontal or temporal areas of the scalp. The initial stages are excessive scaling and seborrhea, then the degeneration of hair that starts growing thin, short and fine instead of thick and long. If the tension is not removed, folliculitis develops which leads to irreversible balding.

There are different degrees of traction alopecia depending on the styling practices which created it. Marginal alopecia is usually due to the use of rollers or curlers in children which provoke hair loss in the temporal area of the scalp. Another contributing factor could be strong and repeated facial muscle contractions. Another type of traction alopecia called chignon, or non-marginal alopecia, usually happens in the occipital area and is due to the styling hair into a tight bun.

Traction alopecia exists in many regions of the world. In the US, the most affected categories are African American women, who straighten their hair or style it into braids. Female atheletes, cooks and nurses, who secure their hair tightly for the sake of hygiene or comfort can find themselves dealing with this condition. Sikh men and Japanese women also suffer with traction alopecia.

If traction alopecia can be caught in the early stages, before permanent damage to the roots has developed, it is possible to turn it around. Letting hair stay loose is the best solution for the problem. However, if irreversible hair loss has occurred, one of the Hair Replacement Specialist at Fantasia would love to help you find a solution. Amy’s Presence Cyberhair Wigs are fabulous and come all kinds of styles and textures, including an ethnic line. Call today to schedule your free consultation.

We’ve talked many times about outside factors which might cause hair loss in women such as medications, surgery, trauma, illness, childbirth and various diseases. Exposure to elements and chemicals might contribute to the problem but these are rare cases and are normally easy to diagnose right away.

Obviously, some hair loss is perfectly normal. Hair grows for between two and six years, so, one hair might grow continuously and then fall out. The natural cause of hair loss in women is at the end of this cycle when the strands fall out. Normally, the follicles then grow another strand to continue the cycle. Each strand has a different growth cycle which is why we lose strands of hair every day and never lose a lot of hair in any given day.

There are some women who prefer a particular hairstyle which could be responsible for their hair loss. I personally know of one, who always has her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail with a rubber band, can irritate the hair follicles by continually pulling on the hair. This makes the hair follicle die out and release the hair. Cornrows are another style which can do the same thing. The solution for this type of hair loss is to simply choose a different style and wear the hair loose. If you are presently wearing or considering extensions, make sure they are good ones and are applied by a professional as they too, can damage the hair causing traction alopecia. Sometimes this is reversible, sometimes not.

Childbirth is another natural cause of female hair loss, one I have previously written about. In many cases, being pregnant releases hormones that can enhance the woman’s skin and hair. after childbirth, the loss of these hormones is the cause of female hair loss. some women may experience losing several strands of hair at a time while, for others, the hair loss is minimal and they may not even notice it.

Nobody gives a second thought to a balding male. But, as rude as it may be, people will stare at females with sparse or patchy hair. The reason is because as prevalent as it is becoming in our society, it is still considered by some to be very unusual. The truth is that more women suffer from female hair loss than you can imagine.

But, that said, there are so many non-surgical solutions today for women suffering with thinning hair or hair loss. It is not as it once was where you were forced to endure it and perhaps change your life because of it. If you’d like more information about this, call Fantasia, we are here to help.

Obviously hair loss is unpleasant, for anyone, male or female. We focus on female hair loss because we are confronted with it daily but we also deal with men’s hair loss at Fantasia. We have Hair Replacement Specialist who deal with both male and female hair loss.

With men, typically the hair at the temples begins to recede and the crown area begins to thin. Eventually, a horse shoe pattern around the sides of the head appears.

Moderate to extensive hair loss occurs, particularly on the crown of the head. Along with that, the hairline begins to recede. Approximately 95% of hair loss in men is attributed to androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. There are three factors contributing to this condition: the male hormone testosterone; heredity; and age.

With men, there is generally a progression to their hair loss: the hair becomes thinner, does not grow very long and the bald spot at the crown widens.

Finally, the thinning crown and the receding points may meet, forming the horse shoe pattern mentioned above, with hair growing only around the sides of the head.

Men’s hair loss can begin as early as age 20 and becomes more noticable from the ages of 35-40. For some men, they take it in stride. Others are very self-consious and probably need to do something about their hair loss as it affects their quality of life.

There are non-surgical options hair replacement options for men as well as the women. MicroPoint links are popular with both male and female because they allow people to go on living life as normal. Hair Support System is also important to condition the scalp and take care of the hair you have. Integrations are another option popular with the men.

If you or a loved one have hair loss or thinning hair, talk to a Hair Replacement Specialist at Fantasia and find out more about your options. I’ve read about something refered to as the Northwood Scale; which allows you to map out the various stages of male pattern baldness. There are eight stages, the eighth is the last and the most severe.

So men, you have a decision to make. Will you keep everything as is is or will you call to find out about your options? If self confidence is an issue, just know that there are good solutions for you.

Did you know that women can experience sudden hair loss when approaching menopause? As many as 40% of women will have to deal with this condition. While there are actually many causes for female hair loss, menopause is the time most women are affected.

Changes in hormonal levels are the reason for increased hair loss and thinning hair in women during the time of menopause. In fact, hair loss can be one of the first signs that a woman is experiencing menopause. In part, it is caused by a drop in estrogen levels produced by the ovaries, creating an imbalance between androgen (male hormones) and estrogen hormones. For men, testosterone is the hormone commonly associated with causing male pattern hair loss. In women this is produced in much lower quantities but creates a similar hair loss condition. This process started by testosterone combining with an enzyme called Alpha5 reductase to create a substance called DHT. The DHT is responsible for the hair loss. After menopause, the ovaries may continue to produce even more androgens than estrogen and this can result in further hair loss. It doesn’t just affect hair on the scalp but body hair can also become thinner, just the opposite of men who tend to get more body hair as scalp hair thins. Some women experience no menopausal hair loss or excessive thinning, and reasons for this are not fully understood.

Many women are prescribed hormone replacement treatment (HRT) to counter some of the more severe symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, lack of sleep, mood swings and sensitive skin. HRT works by increasing the levels of estrogen to pre-menopausal levels. HRT can also be an effective hair loss treatment but is not without side effects. This is something you should discuss with your doctor.

There are a number of non-drug based alternatives that can be used to slow down menopausal hair loss. Something as simple as gently massaging the scalp when shampooing to increase blood flow to the hair roots. Use quality products containing natural ingredients. And, as we’ve discussed many times, it’s important to eat a well balanced diet as healthy hair requires the minimum daily intake of the right minerals and vitamins. Try to eat plenty of fish, liver, dairy products, eggs, poultry, meat, etc, for vitamin A, vitamin B6, folic acid, and vitamin B12. Be sure to eat leafy vegetables, orange juice and avocados. Broccoli and beets are a good source of folic acid which is important for hair health.

If you find you are loosing hair as you go through menopause, you may want to keep your hair short to help prevent any breakage. Ask your stylist to layer it to give you the appearance of more volume. Try to avoid damaging your hair with hot dryers and heated hair straighteners. And, avoid bleaching if possible.

If you need help with your thinning hair call for a consultation with one of the Hair Replacement Specialists at Fantasia, they would love to work with you.

By now, you know that hair loss affects millions of men, women and children. This is something which can destroy the self-esteem, confidence and dignity of a person- any person. But, if it is a woman, if can be even more traumatic. We think of most women as beautiful but excessive hair loss tarnished tarnished a woman’s beauty. Hair loss in women shatters the personality and can cause a great deal of humiliation at the same time.

If you feel you are losing excessive hair, you should be concerned and see a professional. Pattern hair loss in women is different from the type of hair loss a man will experience. For men, hair loss is often localized at the top of the head. For women it can be the top of the head as well as the sides of the head.

Women have a tendency to resort to inappropriate treatments such as coloring, perming and pull the hair back which can cause even more hair loss in some instances. Furthermore, women are more susceptible to hormonal imbalance which can make them more prone to hair loss. Post pregnancy or prolonged illness or surgery all can contribute to female hair loss. The use of antidepressant medications and birth control pills which contain anticoagulant can also lead to hair loss in women. Thyroid, whether over-active or under-active, can lead to hair loss in women.

While there are some home hair loss remedies that are actually good for the scalp, a better plan would be to use something specifically formulated for hair loss such as Hair Support System. You can call Fantasia for more information on this product.

Other things you can do naturally would include consumption of protein rich foods as your hair is comprised of a protein called keratin. And, drink lots of water to stay well hydrated as dehydration can also cause hair loss.

If hair loss continues and you know you are not dealing with any serious health issues, there are many solutions available for you to chose from today. While it is still a traumatic experience for any woman to have to deal with, you can continue living your life to the fullest despite the hair loss issues.

Girsl learn from their older siblings or their mom just how they are supposed to look and to behave. When a girl sees older girls or mom fussing over her hair and spending an inordinate amount of time on her appearance, she will grow up to believe this is the correct way for a woman to behave.

This same young girl will feel terribly self-conscious if she looses her hair when she grows up. She looks in the mirror and does not see the woman she’s supposed to be.

Hair loss in women is very common. This has caused a great deal of research and many treatments to be developed for female hair loss. Women will lose their hair for many different reasons than men as we have discussed. Men typically lose their hair based on genetic factors and in women it is generally different reasons.

For women, some of the main causes are illness, diet, stress, hormones and medications. Stress is probably one of the biggest reasons for a woman to esperience hair loss.

Today’s women live very stressful lives. From trying to hold down a full time job to taking care of the needs of their family they are facing very busy and demanding schedules. Keeping everything on an even keel and well balanced is a struggle that many woman battle every day. Sometimes women fine it difficult to take care of themselves while they are trying to take care of everything and everyone else. Many times her diet will suffer and she does not get the proper rest her body requires.

Hair needs nutrition to be strong and healthy. If you neglect the nutrition in your diet, your hair will begin to suffer the consequences. At Fantasia, we realize the importance of balance in the diet and knowing that most of us do not get what we need on a daily basis, is one of the reasons we promote Isagenix Nutritional products. We have a nutritionist on staff if you would like to discuss this further.

As a woman ages, her hair will begin to thin. Many times the hair will also fall out. This hair loss will usually begin to happen around age 50. There are options and solutions for this type of hair loss. Today, we are doing a lot of MicroPoint Links and finding that women absolutely love this technology because it lets them go about their busy lives. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about this, call and schedule an appointment with one of our Hair Support Specialist, they would love to help you!

Did you know that being stressed out can cost you? It can cost you in terms of health and it can cost you your hair. Stress is one of the huge factors for female hair thinning and hair loss. I saw this first hand with my mother when my father became terminally ill with cancer. She always had luxurious, thick hair. Dad suffered with cancer for a year before passing away and about six months into his illness, Mom had lost so much hair that you could see her scalp.

There are also medications which can cause hair loss. Of course we all know that chemotherapy treatments for cancer can cause complete hair loss but there are medications for other ailments which can also cause problems. If you are on a medication- you should keep track of any side effects or symptoms. You might be able to change your medications to something which will not cause you to lose your hair.

Poor diet can be a huge contributing factor for female hair loss. Your hair requires specific nutrients to be healthy and strong. If you go day after day with out getting proper nutrients, your hair will suffer. You should find out what nutrients are required for healthy hair. If you don’t eat the proper foods daily, make sure you supplement to get these nutrients. It could be cheap insurance for you.

Aging is another reason why women experience hair loss. Usually around 50, a woman’s hair begins to thin and may fall out. There are some great solutions for this type of hair loss that will keep it to a minimum. If this is you, your someone you care about, a Hair Support Specialist at Fantasia can help you find the perfect solution for you.

Hormonal changes a woman experiences in her life can contribute to hair loss. Consult your physician to help you get your hormones in better balance.

In summary, stress, illness, diet, age, medications and hormones are typically the reasons for hair loss in women. For men it’s different. Usually they lose their hair because of genetic reasons.

We’ve said this before but far better to be dealing with thinning hair and hair loss today as a woman than in years gone by. Today we have solutions which allow you to live confidently and have an active lifestyle. If you have questions, call us!

According to a specialist in hair restoration, hair breakage, thinning and loss is very common in women of all ages. Thinning hair can be related to diet, stress, hormones and heredity. According to the American Hair Loss Association, women make up approximately 40% of all reported hair loss conditions.

One main cause of female hair loss is iron deficiency or anemia. Anemia is one of the major  conditions which affects one in five women, or 10 million women in the US. It could be one of the most widespread health issues facing women today.

By the time you notice significant hair loss, you have probably lost about 50% of your hair. Here are other leading causes for hair loss, some well know, some not so much so.

• Stress: For up to 6 months after a stressful time, a women can lose her hair.
• Low thyroid: very common cause for thinning hair
• Nutrient deficits: Biotin, zinc, essential fatty acids all contribute to healthy hair
• Toxic exposures: Mercury, arsenic
• Parasitic and allergic reactions
• Hormonal imbalance: Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone all have to be in balance.  Childbirth and environmental pollutants can trigger hormonal changes.

We’ve talked many times about DHT being a culprit as is is a natural compound known to clog the hair follicles, thereby restricting blood flow to the hair root. If you have thinning hair and are growing hair on your face, more than likely you have an elevated testosterone level.

Would you believe that hair thinning and breakage are such a problem today that the biggest names and salons are taking special measures to help their clientele combat hair loss? The celebrities have issues just like the rest of us. Many salons, such as Fantasia, have shampoos and treatments where the hair is analyzed under a microscope allowing us to see the problems and recommend specific products such as Hair Support System, which nourishes the scalp.

The good new is that today, there are many treatments available for hair restoration from correcting metabolic issues, to non-surgical solutions to surgical solutions where the follicles from the back of the head are transplanted to the crown and the frontal regions of the head. While Fantasia doesn’t provide surgical solutions, we can make recommendations to professionals who do.

There is truly something for everyone which will allow you to go on living life to the fullest!

When it comes to hair loss in women, there are many myths out there. As we have previously discussed, hair loss in women is very common and over 30% of women will experience thinning hair at some point in their life.

When you research female hair loss, you should determine what is real and what are the myths when talking with your girlfriends. That is if you are even discussing these things with your girlfriends. I’ve heard women say things like: I know your salon could really help my friend who is going bald but it’s not something I’m comfortable talking with her about. Hopefully this friend will find out about Fantasia some how, some way.

Let’s explore the top 10 myths about hair loss in women.

• Hair loss is a male only problem
• Female pattern baldness doesn’t really exist
• Only elderly women have thinning hair
• Brushing and combing hair too often causes hair loss
• Washing your hair too often causes hair loss
• Hair loss is a result of too much dyeing and bleaching of the hair
• Standing on your head will grow new hair
• Shaving your head will make it grow back thicker
• Wearing hats can cause hair loss
• There is no help for female pattern hair baldness

If you believe any of these, you need to continue your research because you are off track. Part of the reason treating female pattern baldness is such a problem is that there are so many misconceptions out there as to why, when and to whom it occurs.

The DHT hormone is produced by both the sexes. In the men it’s produced in the testicles and the adrenals. In women it’s produced in the ovaries and the adrenal glands. In the men, DHT, can become the villain as it binds to the hair follicles, thereby retarding their growth and cutting of their blood supply. What happens then is the hair thins and eventually falls out.

In women, hair loss is usually caused by hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, stress or diseases. Illness and medications can cause hair loss. Thyroid, diabetes, kidney failure and lupus can all lead to hair loss. Polycystic ovary syndrome in adult women and teenage girls can lead to hair loss.

Medications such as acne medications can cause hair loss. Amphetamines in diet pills and chemotherapy are widely known to cause hair loss. Alopecia areata causes hair loss on the scalp and sometimes the body. This is an autoimmune disease, which means one’s own immune system causes damage to it’s self.

Once you understand the causes of thinning hair in women, you can then learn how to end the hair loss and reverse the effects. At Fantasia, we specialize in providing solutions for hair loss in men, women and children. We would love to work with you to help you find the best solution so you can get back on track with your life.

Many women have either thought or said this. But, I’m perfectly healthy, how can I be losing my hair? Typically we think female hair loss only happens to sick people, or those being treated for cancer with chemotherapy. Or perhaps those on medications for other things. Perfectly healthy women don’t experience hair loss…or do they?

All women will lose some hair at some point in their lives. Most of them will be healthy, middle aged women. It is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Today, there are many solutions and options for female hair loss, otherwise known as alopecia. All alopecia means is more hair loss than is usually experienced.

Yes, we typically think of hair loss in men, but it can and does happen to women, although usually not to the same degree. In women, hair loss rarely if ever leads to baldness. Baldness for men is accepted and even celebrated today with the younger generation of males shaving their heads, celebrities sporting bald heads, etc.

There are two main causes of hair loss in healthy middle - aged women and they are psychological and physical. If you are too psychologically stressed, have lots of anxiety, burnout or extreme fatigue, it’s going to show up somewhere and it just might be in the form of hair loss. It’s important to control these things as they can cause your body to be unbalanced which produces the changes which can cause hair loss. Estrogen controls DHT, which is the hormone responsible for the malfunctioning of hair production in certain areas. It is produced by testosterone, but, as I just stated, it is controlled by estrogen.

So, what can you do about hair loss? Well, the first thing would be to determine the cause. Is it physical or is it psychological? If it’s psychological, you probably need to schedule some rest and free time. You may even want to consult a licensed psychologist or a psychiatrist, particularly if you are having difficulty understanding underlying your psychological issues.

Physical causes are different. Perhaps you are dealing with hormonal imbalance with is the leading cause of hair loss in middle aged women. It is probably caused by estrogen imbalance. Maintaining healthy amounts of hormone in your body would be the most important thing to consider. There are natural options to chose from today with regard to hormone balancing.

There are non-surgical solutions for your thinning hair issues such as MicroPoint Links, where your hair can be increased by 400% in volume by tying cyberhair in with your own hair. Prior to having MicroPoint links, a good hair replacement specialist would put you on Hair Support System, which is a natural, vitamin plant based product providing nutrients to your hair and scalp.

There are reams of information regarding hair loss on the Internet, I personally have done over a hundred blogs on the topic. As with anything, keep in mind that your life needs to be in harmony, body and spirit. These are stressful times we live in and we have to work at staying positive. If you realize you are too stressed, take time for yourself. If you feel down, do something uplifting - go for a walk, take the dog with you, go for a bicycle ride and just be outside for awhile. Sometimes being inside all of the time is depressing, especially when it’s beautiful outside.

Never give up and don’t despair! There are good solutions for you which will give you your life back. Far better to be dealing with this today than years ago when there were very few options!