There are millions of people - women and men - who are frightened out of their wits of going bald. They see it coming, and it scares them silly, and I used to be one of them. To us, just the site of a few hairs at the bottom of the shower drain can send the day into a downward spiral of self-pity. really, it shouldn't be that way. I mean, taken alone the hairs on the drain are a pretty normal occurrence and no real indicator of hair loss. But there may be other signs...
It can be rather difficult to accurately judge whether or not hair loss is accelerating in an individual. Bald spots or noticeable thinning are definite signs but hair loss can sometimes be temporary - should you be concerned? One old test for hair loss is the "tug test" - take ten or twenty hairs between your thumb and forefinger, and tug firmly but slowly. If more than six come out in your hand it may be a sign that your hair is starting to thin out.
Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors including illness and heredity. It is more prevalent in the elderly, but in some cases can start in an individual as early as the teenage years. This early onset is usually a sign of illness or improper diet. Medical treatments or procedures such as chemotherapy can cause hair loss in individuals at any age.
Another cause of hair loss that many people overlook is excessively harsh treatment of the hair or scalp. Severe hair styles such as tight ponytails or pigtails can place tension on the scalp and hair and cause damage to both. Hair loss of this type is common among teenagers and can be very distressing. Fortunately, once the cause is recognized and corrected, hair usually returns quickly.
There are a number of misconceptions surrounding hair loss. Here are just a few of the more common ones:
* 100 strokes with a brush every night will stimulate your hair and promote growth. Not true. As a matter of fact, depending on the severity of brushing, harsh treatment may in fact inhibit growth and lead to hair loss.
* Hairs need to breath. The do, but they get their oxygen from the blood in our scalps. Hats or wigs will only impact hair growth if they are too tight and limit circulation in the scalp.
* Frequent washing or cleansing of hair can cause hair loss. Not true, as long as shampooing or cleaning the hair isn't a source of irritation to the scalp. Your scalp contains hair follicles, and they're responsible for new hair growth. If you irritate the scalp, you can slow new hair growth. Wash as frequently as you want, but ,i>wash gently.
* Protein shampoos can promote hair growth. Wrong again. Hair treatments that just contain protein coat and fill the surfaces of individual hairs, making your hair fuller, shinier and smooth, but they don't promote new growth. If you want to promote new hair growth, find a product specifically designed to do so.
It is important to take care of your hair to prevent hair loss. Avoid too much styling, and don't wear anything that can put excessive tension on your hair. Also, avoid unnecessary gadgets in your hair to help maintain its natural beauty. If you really are concerned about your hair loss and feel that it might be due to your age or heredity, then there are several very effective over-the-counter hair loss treatment products that have been proven to work in most people. Find one that works for you as quickly as you can, use it, and stick with it.