Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

According to the experts, here are the main causes of hair loss in women:

• Iron-deficiency or anemia
• Thyroid problems
• Lupus and other diseases which affect connective tissues
• Diseases from reproductive system such as ovarian tumors
• Post-menopausal stage
• Post-partum stage
• Over-stressed conditions and other extreme emotional problems
• General anesthesia (some people develop adverse reactions to this)
• Surgical procedures which damage the scalp
• Eating problems including bulimia and anorexia
• Unhealthy diet (deficiencies in zinc, essential fatty acids as well as other important vitamins and minerals.)
• Malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals by the body
• Hypervitaminosis A (rare)
• Heredity

Also, according to the experts, there are certain medications which may cause moderate to severe hair loss:

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as Prednisone
• Street drugs such as methamphethamine and cocaine
• Some drugs used to lower blood cholesterol and lipid levels
• Some drugs used for seizure treatments
• Drugs used as blood thinners or anti-coagulant such as Heparin and Warfin.
• High doses of Vitamin A
• Drugs used in chemotherapy for cancer patients
• Medications used to alter moods and treat depression such as Prozac Tri-cyclics Elavin, Lithium, etc.)
  Some drusgs used to normalize blood pressure levels , particularly the B-blockers
• Oral medications particularly those which are high in Progestins
• Some diet pills

If you or a loved on has suffered with hair loss or thinning hair due to any of the above mentioned reasons, one of the Hair Replacement Specialist at Fantasia would love to work with you to find the ideal solution for you. Call us 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.

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!

Thinning hair is only a problem for older women, right? Absolutely and positively NOT! Many women in their late teens and early twenties experience thinning hair and hair loss. Contrary to popular belief, hair loss in women is not always associated with menopause.

There are numerous causes for hair loss including cystic ovaries, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, psychological or physical stress and dietary deficiencies. Chemotherapy, birth control pills, beta-blockers, coumadin, anti-depressants and others can cause thinning hair in women. It’s always wise for a woman to visit the doctor to determine the underlying cause for her hair loss problem.

The loss of hair can be an emotionally devasting experience for any woman. And to make matters even worse, those around her don’t understand how she feels which only exacerbates the problem. Unless you work in the industry like we do at Fantasia, there’s not a lot of sympathy for women dealing with thinning hair and hair loss.

For women, hair loss can lead to serious emotional and psychological problems. Granted, there are many emotional issues for men who are losing their hair, but, as a whole, men tend to get a lot more support from their family members, their friends and society as a whole.

Women typically do not actually develop bald spots like men do. In women, when hair regrows as part of the normal hair life-cycle, it may grow back thinner and shorter than it used to be. Hair loss in women results in thinning and sparsely growing hair. Eventually a woman’s hair may look like “peach fuzz”.

Because thinning hair in women is not as obvious as bald spots, people in a woman’s life tend to not take it so seriously. A woman may become very self-conscious about her appearance. She may be too embarrassed to even mention it to her doctor. And we’ve even heard stories of women mentioning it to the doctor and the doctor has the attitude that since this isn’t a life-threatening condition, she should just “live with it”.

But, when a woman’s family and friends don’t understand how devasting the problem is for her, and she feels there is no one to turn to for help, her self-esteem can plummet and she can experience anxiety and depression.

This is what we do at Fantasia, we are here to help these women. If you or a loved one can relate to any of this, please call and schedule a consultation with one of our Hair Support Specialist. We understand what you are going through and can help you find a solution.

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!

Because Fantasia specializes in hair loss solutions for women (and men and children), we obviously discuss hair loss a lot. In this post, let’s define the different terms used for various forms of hair loss as there are several.

Diffuse hair loss: This is a gradual thinning of the hair as opposed to bald patches and is the most common form of hair loss in women. The replacement of old hairs by new hairs is slowed down so that the hair becomes sparse and the scalp can be seen clearly through the hair. Causes for diffuse hair loss can be numerous and can include stress, restriction of the blood supply, a poor nervous system and hormonal influences.

Androgenetic alopecia, also referred to as female pattern baldness: This is often linked to hormonal changes with the hair loss following events such as menopause, childbirth or as a result of stopping or starting oral contraceptive pills. The hair loss is generally more uniform over the scalp than in the male counterpart. If you remember our discussions on DHT being the hair loss culprit, that is the cause for this type of hair loss. The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be over sensitive to DHT and become smaller and smaller over time, leading to eventual hair loss.

Telogen effulvium: This occurs when the growing phase of the hair is interrupted prematurely causing the hair follicles to enter the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle earlier than normal. Two to four months later, following the normal cyclic pattern, diffuse shedding of the hair begins. When this happens there are not enough hairs left in the anagen, or growing phase and the result is diffuse thinning of the hair.

Pregnancy: Hormone levels increase as pregnancy begins and slows down the hair growth cycle. Hair that should stop growing continues to grow beyond the usual life cycle. Often this means that the hair appears to grow thicker as more hairs are present than normal. After the birth, hormone levels change very quickly, the hairs that were growing beyond their normal life span enter the telogen or resting phase and begin falling out. This can sometimes appear to happen all at once and cause concern to the new mom.

Late onset thinning: This is diffuse hair loss across the scalp as density is reduced gradually. This is due to age-related hormonal changes as the natural reduction of oestrogen/progesterone production results in the hair follicles becoming smaller and smaller. These follicles then produce finer and finer hair until there is a general reduction of over all density.

Alopecia areata: This loss is very common and will affect 1-2% of the population at some point in their lives. Typically the hair loss is patchy and most sufferers are children and young adults (less than 40 years of age), though, it can affect people of all ages. The hair loss is usually sudden and manifests itself in small, smooth-skinned patches that are likely to gradually widen with time. It can also affect the sufferer’s nails, giving them a pitted, ridges or brittle appearance. The exact cause is unknown, although current theories are that it is an auto-immune disease, stress or that it has a genetic basis. If the hair loss progresses until all the scalp hair is lost, it is known as alopecia totalis or- alopecia universalis if all body hair is lost.

Psuedopelade: is characterised by the development of small, smooth patches without any clinical changes other than transient erythema (redness.) The initial patch is usually on the crown of the head, but can occur anywhere on the scalp. It’s generally regarded as a clinical syndrome, which may be the end result of any one of a number of different pathological processes due to a weakened immune system.

Hopefully, if you hear these phrases or terms discussed by a doctor, health professional or anyone; you will now have a better understanding as to what they are talking about. Should you or a loved one suffer with hair loss for any reason, Fantasia Salon is here to help you find the best solution for your situation.

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.

Most of us know that each part of the body is nourished by vitamins and minerals. We are dependent on vitamin/mineral supplements to maintain our health. This is because our food choices do not always provide our body with all of the vitamins and minerals needed in order to keep it strong and healthy. At Fantasia, most of us rely on the Isagenix products for total health and wellness.

Well, what about our hair? If our body is not getting enough vitamins and minerals, it will pull them from our hair for other more critical parts of the body (such as heart, brain, etc.) So, we need to provide more than we actually need so that the hair doesn’t suffer. Here is a list of vitamins which will help combat hair loss in women and men.

Vitamin A (Retinol) This is an anit-oxidant that encourages the production of sebum in our scalp. The recommended daily dose in 5,000 IU’s daily. Vitamin A is found in apricots, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, peaches, eggs, milk, cheese, meat and fish oil.

Vitamin B Complex The B vitamins such as B2 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (Pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalt) assist is fighting hair loss. Recommended daily doses are 15 mg, 4-7 mg, 1.6 mg and 2 mg, respectively. Niacin promotes the circulation of blood in the scalp area. It is found in fish, chicken, turkey, pork, beef and wheat germ. If you overdo it with niacin you will get what is known as a niacin flush. Pantothenic acid helps in reducing hair loss and premature graying of the hair. Food rich in this are meat, whold grain cereals and egg yolks. Pyridoxine aids in the creation of melanin wich is what gives our hair it’s color and prevents hair loss. It is found in liver, vegetables, whole grain cereals and egg yolks. Cobalt also prevents hair loss and is found in fish, eggs, chicken and milk.

Vitamin C Is an anti-oxidant that maintains the health of our skin and hair. Citrus, kiwi, melons, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers and green vegetables are rich in vitamin C. The mininum daily dose recommended is 500 mg.

Vitamin E Just like B3, vitamin E promotes scalp circulation. Dried beans, green leafy vegetables and raw seeds and nuts are rich in vitamin E. The recommended daily dose is 400 IU. Those on blood pressure medications or anti-coagulants should consult their physician before taking vitamin E as it can heighten blood pressure and decrease blood clotting.

Vitamin H (biotin) This is actually part of the B complex group. It is considered one of the most important hair loss vitamins. An inadequate supply of vitamin H may cause hair thinning and loss. Vitamin H aids in the metabolism of fats, which are essential in hair growth. It also aids in keratin production and helps prevent premature graying. Foods rich in vitamin H include milk, eggs, liver, kidney and yeast. The recommended daily dose is 300 mcg. It should be taken with the B complex family to be more efficiently absorbed in the body.

So, as you can see, unless you are making a conscious effort to consume all of the above mentioned foods daily, it’s a really wise idea to take supplements. Think of it as cheap insurance to assure wonderful hair for a long, long time!