Last week we discussed causes of hair loss amongst older women. This week we address possible solutions.
Solutions
The first thing you should do is see your dermatologist to evaluate the situation and determine a possible course of action.
“If you’re prone to hair loss, you may need to modify the way you take care of your hair. Avoid pulling on your hair with tight buns or ponytails or over-processing your hair (with coloring, straightening, or other treatments). It also means treating your tresses with TLC, including using a leave-in conditioner to moisturize hair and a satin pillowcase to prevent stress to hair while you sleep”, says Dr. Valerie D. Callender, founder and medical director of the Callender Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland, and a professor of dermatology at Howard University.
If a nutrient deficiency—involving iron, vitamin D, or protein—is at the root of hair loss, taking specific supplements may remedy the situation. “If you have low levels and you get them back to normal, you’ll get a greater volume of hair, and you won’t shed as much,” says Dr. Mary Lupo, a dermatologist based in New Orleans.
For genetic hair loss issues you may want to investigate a more natural or organic solution such as changing your diet or performing a Thyroid Detox.
For Alopecia sufferers, it depends on what type of Alopecia you have. As mentioned in last week’s article, there are 2 types of Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, which causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles and Scarring Alopecia which is an autoimmune condition that destroys your hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue. The former is potentially curable with new medications, but the latter is devastating because once the hair follicles are gone, “you can’t get the hair back,” says Lauren Eckert Ploch, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina.
Regardless of the approach you decide to take, understand that you are not alone. Community and support groups are available as well. They are a great source of information, comfort and comradery.
Source:
Causes of Hair Loss in Women and Potential Treatments
8 Reasons Women Lose Their Hair