PopSugar

How Much Hair Do You Lose in the Shower?

BellaSugarUK — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:00:00 -0700

According to a study, more than four million British women (and one in ten adults) suffer from so much stress that it's causing their hair to fall out. So if you find yourself pulling gobs of hair that has become weaved between your fingers and the drain in the shower, don't panic (and definitely don't stress), you're not alone.

After an intense shampoo, I'm always horrified at the amount of hair that falls out. It scares me because I've noticed that my hair is definitely starting to thin. I've tried using shampoos and conditioners for thinning hair, brushing 100 times before bed and even pricey scalp massages, but nothing seems to help. I guess it's time for a holiday! Do you have the same problem?

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8 Foods That Strengthen Your Hair

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Aside from cleaning, conditioning, and using products to make your hair silky and shiny, your diet also plays a huge role in its health. Here are some essential vitamins and minerals you'll need for strong tresses.

Iron-rich foods such as lentils, potatoes with skin, peanuts, sunflower seeds, tofu, molasses, flaxseed, oysters, beef, chicken, shrimp, and trout are necessary for strong hair.
Foods rich in zinc such as walnuts, salmon, cashews, pecans, almonds, and oysters can help prevent hair loss.
Foods that contain biotin such as beans and eggs can prevent brittle hair.
Foods rich in selenium like nuts are necessary for a healthy scalp.

To see the other four foods read more.

Foods rich in vitamin B12 promote healthy hair, so get at least 2.4 micrograms a day by including foods such as chicken, shellfish, yogurt, cottage cheese, and eggs.
Carbs such as whole grains and fruit are necessary every day. Low-carb diets can contribute to thinning hair.
Foods rich in vitamin A such as cheese, eggs, carrots, spinach, and foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits and tomatoes are needed to produce sebum, your body's natural conditioner.
Calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, sesame seeds and spinach are needed for hair growth. They also contain protein which prevents brittle hair.

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Symptoms of Omega-3 Deficiency

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Health magazines and websites are constantly talking about omega-3s, which makes us concerned about getting enough in our diets. For women, the RDI of omega-3s is 1.1 grams (1,100 mg) a day. Since our diets are often too high in omega-6s - foods such as corn oil, soy oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil - many people can end up with an omega-3 deficiency. The symptoms are:

Fatigue
Poor memory
Immune weakness
Dry skin, eczema, or hair loss
Heart problems
Reproductive problems
Mood swings or depression
Poor circulation

If you're experiencing these symptoms and think it may be caused by a lack of omega-3s in your diet, talk to your doctor. Increasing your consumption of omega-3 eggs, canola oil, walnuts, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, soybeans, and cold-water fish such as mackerel and sardines will relieve these symptoms. If you don't eat enough of these foods, then you may want to take fish oil capsules. Aside from preventing omega-3 deficiency, getting enough omega-3s can also reduce inflammation, decrease joint pain, fight obesity, reduce exercise-induced asthma, and lower blood pressure.

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Reader Review of the Day: Organic Root Stimulator Fertilizing Serum Herbal Scalp Formula

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:00:35 -0800

Whether you're male or female, hair loss is quite common. My sister has had recurring problems with alopecia areata for years, and through finding the right combination of products to treat it, she's pretty much alopecia-free. But in case it sneaks back into her life, I'll have to tell her about Organic Root Stimulator Fertilizing Serum Herbal Scalp Formula ($13), a relatively inexpensive treatment recommended by Bruce from Virginia. Take it away, Bruce:

"I have tried several products down to having the barber cut my hair very close to try and hide the receding hair. I puchased [this] product two weeks ago and my wife and my co-workers are telling me that they are starting to see new hair growing in the front and back of my balding spots. At first I thought that they were being kind, but I looked in the mirror, and for sure my bald spots are showing new growth. I wish I had taken pictures before I stated using [this] product."

Would you like to be featured in this daily post? Just head over to Product Reviews site and submit your opinion. Perhaps you'll see you're review here in the future!

DrSugar: Dieting and Hair Loss?

DrSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
During the past six months I've lost a lot of weight. I began to work out six days a week and switch it up doing cardio, weight lifting, yoga, and Pilates. I also changed my diet and cut out red meat. I went from 140 to 118, feel great, and love working out. However, I feel like my hair is falling out. Am I stressing my body with too much exercise or am I not taking the right vitamins since I don't take a multivitamin? I do take a vitamin for energy and support of muscle tissue and J.F. Lazartigue Hair Loss vitamin. Should I also be taking liquid iron? Please help.
Thanks,
Unhappy About Hair Loss

To see what the doctor has to say about this and if hair loss is a common side effect of weight loss, read more.

It sounds like you are very dedicated to your health. Hair loss can certainly be related to dietary issues and vitamin deficiencies. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency causing hair loss in premenopausal women. Eliminating red meat alone will not usually cause iron deficiency because iron can be found in chicken, fish, beans, and many other foods. Our health guide contains detailed information regarding iron deficiency and dietary sources of iron. Other deficiencies that can lead to hair loss include zinc and the B vitamins. Other dietary factors can contribute to hair loss, including extreme diets and eating disorders. Carbs, protein, and fats are all necessary for a healthy diet, and strict low-carb diets have been reported to result in hair thinning and a host of other health problems.

Exercise is not usually associated with hair loss; however, any major stress on the body can cause hair thinning. This could include severe anxiety or stress, rapid weight loss, and a variety of medical problems such as hormonal imbalances. I am not familiar with the products you mentioned, but a daily multivitamin is never a bad idea, especially with restricted diets. Iron supplements can be constipating, so it is probably a good idea to verify iron deficiency with a doctor visit and blood tests. Other tests such as thyroid tests might also be helpful if your hair loss problem continues.

If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: I Need a Wig

babysugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:00:05 -0700

Pregnant ladies often have a glow about them. Prenatal vitamins get credit for helping strengthen a woman's hair and nails. Unfortunately, hormones take over after baby arrives and the fabulous hair is no more.

To see why this happens, read more.

Many new moms lose clumps of hair almost immediately after birth. Others, like myself, may experience a period of time where the silky locks stay in place only to be surprised months later when the brush reaches maximum capacity on a daily basis.

During pregnancy, the higher levels of hormones help women retain more hair than usual – often making the hair appear thicker and fuller. Postpartum, the significant decrease in hormones causes women to shed the threads at a rapid rate.
Source

Hair Loss From Swimming

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

I have heard many excuses for avoiding swimming. Since it is one of my favorite workouts, I defend it vigorously. One excuse I have heard over and over is that swimming in chlorine makes your hair fall out.

If this is the reason you talk yourself out of swimming laps, just take the quiz and see if it is a legitimate excuse or not.

Source

Take the quiz

The 411 on Thinning Hair

BellaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:59:21 -0700

Ever get completely freaked out by all of the hair in your drain at the end of a shower? Or how about the excessive amount of strands that are left in your brush each day? Here's the scoop on that will hopefully shed some light onto the subject of thinning hair.

Glamour magazine reports that about 43 million American women in their 20s and 30s suffer from substantial hair loss. Due to all of the over-processing, (i.e., coloring, ironing, straightening, blow drying), people are putting way too much stress on their strands.

Oh and extensions? Fuggetaboutit-those are the enemy if your hair is thinning. They can cause serious breakage at the roots where regrowth occurs.

The average person should lose about 100 strands of hair per day. Stress, going off of birth control, wearing tight ponytails and having a baby can all cause hair loss, as can poor nutrition. Since there is such a strong desire to be thin, many young women aren't eating a well-balanced diet. But don't panic. Here's what to do.

Remember that hair is fragile, so if you can, skip using hot tools. Only when necessary, dry hair on a warm setting and don't tug on your hair with a harsh brush. Eat more foods that contain iron, protein, zinc and biotin, and take the necessary measures to reduce your stress level.

If these tactics aren't helping, I suggest consulting a dermatologist. Ask for a hair and scalp analysis when you make your appointment. Also, please keep in mind that while thinning hair is not the end of the world, it could be a symptom of a more serious health condition. Please listen to your body and take care of your hair.

Source

Locks of Love

FitSugar — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:35:00 -0800

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides wigs to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 with long-term medical hair-loss.

The hair pieces are made from real hair that people donate - from men, women, and children too.

If you're interested in donating your hair, it must be a minimum of 10 inches (tip to tip). The hair can be permed or dyed, but not bleached or chemically damaged. It must be clean and dry.

Just put your hair in a ponytail or braid, place it in a plastic bag, and mail it to Locks of Love - 2925 10th Avenue North, Suite 102 – Lake Worth, FL 33461.

If your hair isn't long enough, you can also donate money. Some hairdressers will donate their time and give you a free hair-cut, if they know you're donating it to Locks of Love.

Your hair can always grow back, so why not give it to a child for a new beginning, so they can restore their self-esteem and confidence.

Hair loss

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:07:48 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Partial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.

Alternative Names

Loss of hair; Alopecia; Baldness

Considerations

Hair loss usually develops gradually and may be patchy or diffuse (all over). Roughly 100 hairs are lost from your head every day. The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs.

Each individual hair survives for an average of 4-1/2 years, during which time it grows about half an inch a month. Usually in its 5th year, the hair falls out and is replaced within 6 months by a new one. Genetic baldness is caused by the body's failure to produce new hairs and not by excessive hair loss.

Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. Inherited or "pattern baldness" affects many more men than women. About 25% of men begin to bald by the time they are 30 years old, and about two-thirds are either bald or have a balding pattern by age 60.

Typical male pattern baldness involves a receding hairline and thinning around the crown with eventual bald spots. Ultimately, you may have only a horseshoe ring of hair around the sides. In addition to genes, male-pattern baldness seems to require the presence of the male hormone testosterone. Men who do not produce testosterone (because of genetic abnormalities or castration) do not develop this pattern of baldness.

Some women also develop a particular pattern of hair loss due to genetics, age, and male hormones that tend to increase in women after menopause. The pattern is different from that of men. Female pattern baldness involves a thinning throughout the scalp while the frontal hairline generally remains intact.

Common Causes

Baldness is not usually caused by a disease, but is related to aging, heredity, and testosterone. In addition to the common male and female patterns from a combination of these factors, other possible causes of hair loss, especially if in an unusual pattern, include:

Alopecia areata -- bald patches that develop on the scalp, beard, and, possibly, eyebrows. Eyelashes may fall out as well.
Autoimmune conditions such as lupus
Burns
Certain infectious diseases such as syphilis
Chemotherapy
Emotional or physical stress
Excessive shampooing and blow-drying
Fever
Hormonal changes -- for example, thyroid disease, childbirth, or use of birth control pills
Nervous habits such as continual hair pulling or scalp rubbing
Radiation therapy
Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)
Tumor of the ovary or adrenal glands

Home Care

Hair loss from menopause or childbirth often returns to normal 6 months to 2 years later.

For hair loss caused by illness (such as fever), radiation therapy, or medication use, no treatment is necessary. The hair will usually grow back when the illness has ended or the therapy is finished. A wig, hat, or other covering may be desired until the hair grows back.

For hair loss due to heredity, age, and hormones, the topical medication Rogaine (minoxidil) can be helpful for both male and female pattern baldness. Expect to wait 6 months before you see results. The oral medication Propecia (finasteride) is effective in some men. This medicine can decrease sex drive. When either medication is stopped, the former baldness pattern returns.

Hair transplants performed by a physician is a surgical approach to transferring growing hair from one part of the head to another. It is somewhat painful and expensive, but usually permanent.

Hair weaves, hair pieces, or changes of hair style may disguise hair loss. This is generally the least expensive and safest approach to hair loss. Hair pieces should not be sutured to the scalp because of the risk of scars and infection.

Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor if:

You are losing hair in an atypical pattern
You are losing hair rapidly or at an early age (for example, teens or twenties)
You have any pain or itching associated with the hair loss.
The skin on your scalp under the involved area is red, scaly, or otherwise abnormal
You have acne, facial hair, or menstrual irregularities
You are a woman and have male pattern baldness
You have bald spots on your beard or eyebrows
You have been gaining weight or have muscle weakness, intolerance to cold temperatures, or fatigue

What to expect at your health care provider's office

A careful medical history and examination of the hair and scalp are usually enough to diagnose the nature of your hair loss.

Your doctor will ask detailed questions such as:

Are you losing hair only from your scalp or from other parts of your body as well?
Is there a pattern to the hair loss like a receding hairline, thinning or bald areas on the crown, or is the hair loss throughout your head?
Have you had a recent illness or high fever?
Do you dye your hair?
Do you blow dry your hair? How often?
How often do you shampoo your hair?
What kind of shampoo, hair spray, gel, or other product do you put on your hair?
Have you been under unusual stress lately?
Do you have nervous habits that include hair pulling or scalp rubbing?
Do you have any other symptoms like itching, flaking, or redness of your scalp?
What medications do you take, including over the counter drugs?

Tests that may be performed (but are rarely needed) include:

Microscopic examination of a plucked hair
Skin biopsy (if skin changes are present)

Ringworm on the scalp may require the use of an oral drug, such as griseofulvin, because creams and lotions applied to the affected area may not get into the hair follicles to kill the fungus.

Treatment of alopecia areata may require topical or injectable steroids or ultraviolet light.

References

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:844-845.

Rakel P. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005: 897.

Review Date: 7/18/2007

Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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PopSugar

How Much Hair Do You Lose in the Shower?

8 Foods That Strengthen Your Hair

Symptoms of Omega-3 Deficiency

Reader Review of the Day: Organic Root Stimulator Fertilizing Serum Herbal Scalp Formula

DrSugar: Dieting and Hair Loss?

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: I Need a Wig

Hair Loss From Swimming

The 411 on Thinning Hair

Locks of Love

Hair loss

Overview

Illustrations

Definition

Alternative Names

Considerations

Common Causes

Home Care

Call your health care provider if

What to expect at your health care provider's office

References