Losing your hair can be a huge shock whether you’re male or female, young or old. There’s no denying that our crowning glory forms an integral part of how we see ourselves and also how we think the world perceives us. So what happens when it starts falling out?
What causes hair loss?
Hair loss can happen for a number of reasons, some of which have a temporary effect, whereas others are permanent. Temporary loss could stem from an illness, stress, cancer treatment, other drugs, sudden weight loss, an iron deficiency, or an unwelcome post-partum side effect after having a baby. Permanent hair loss is more usually due to inherited male and female pattern baldness or forms of alopecia. And it’s not just on our heads either, hair loss can affect eyebrows and eyelashes too.
Ways to cope with temporary hair loss
#01 Cover up and make up
Wigs, hats, scarves, bandanas and turbans are the most obvious ways to cover bald patches or overall head hair loss. Plus they have the added bonus of helping to keep your scalp and head warm and protected from the sun. Scalp massage also improves blood circulation and promotes follicles health, as this article from Hair Guard explains.
Cancer Hair Care has some very helpful advice and links for various suppliers. When my beloved mother lost her hair during chemotherapy, she wore a wig that her hairdresser helped her to style so as to look as natural as possible. And carefully applied make up can help with eyebrows and eyelashes too.
#02 Eat, exercise, sleep
It can be really hard to stay positive when your hair is falling out, for whatever reason. But eating well for healthy hair means you’ll be looking after your body as well. A diet rich in iron, vitamin C and omega 3 can do much to encourage healthy hair regrowth in due course.
Similarly, exercise, even gentle exercise like some forms of yoga, will get the blood oxygenated and flowing, which is important for overall body health.
And sleep is so important. Cell renewal takes place while you sleep (something I learned while training as a Beauty Specialist many years ago), which also includes hair regrowth.
Both the NHS and Macmillan Cancer Support have some useful practical tips on how to look after your thinning hair, which are equally applicable to non-cancer sufferers too.
Ways to cope with permanent hair loss
#01 Learn to love the bald look
We’re more used to seeing bald men than women, although women such as Gail Porter are amazing role models. The British TV presenter lost most of her hair in 2005 as a result of alopecia areata, but she still looks stunning. Other actresses who shaved their heads for film roles and also rocked the bald is beautiful look include: Sigourney Weaver, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett.
Where men are concerned, just how much more attractive is Bruce Willis’ shaven pate compared with a certain American President’s flyaway toupee? (!)
#02 Hair transplants
Who springs to mind first when you think of a hair transplant? Wayne Rooney? It’s worked very well for him however, hair transplants aren’t right for everyone. With a hair transplant you need some hair in order to carry out the procedure. And, depending on the type of alopecia, some sufferers could find their new hair simply falls out again.
#03 Advanced Tricho Pigmentation
Most people will have heard of semi-permanent make up or microblading. The technique involves inserting small amounts of pigment into the dermal layer of the skin using incredibly fine and accurate probes in order to enhance or recreate features.
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Harley Street Hair Clinic‘s * Advanced Tricho Pigmentation treatment is the next generation of this solution. It can be used on completely bald heads to simulate closely cropped hair, partially bald patches, or to fill in and create the illusion of thicker and fuller hair. It can also be used to achieve natural looking eyebrows and, in some cases, even cover scars.
ATP was designed from the ground up to mimic hair and offer the finest, most natural pigment hair restoration system possible. So it’s not simply a modified tattoo or ink delivery system. The technology and products used are more advanced and can create the most natural looking and realistic results.
Which option is right for you?
Technology is always advancing and many of the solutions available now simply weren’t around when my mother was undergoing chemotherapy. I remember how sad she was to lose her beautiful naturally black hair and how it bruised her self-esteem. So, if you or anyone you know is experiencing hair loss, I hope these suggestions on where to look for more information and about some of the options available may be of help.
* This is a sponsored post.
Thats a great blog Lisa!! Moreover external beauty is always short lived. What matters is how beautiful person you are with or without hair ?
Thank you, Prachi! And yes, you’re absolutely right 🙂 x
This is a really well written and informative post Lisa. I didn’t realise there were so many options available and it’s really interesting that yoga, sleep & healthy eating can encourage hair re-growth. ATP sounds incredible, it’s so amazing how technology is advancing all the time! Thank you for sharing this useful post, I’m sure it will help many people <3 xx
Ah, thank you, Bexa, so kind. I was surprised about the exercise part too, as I’m so incorrigibly lazy, haha. But yes, it’s great about the advances in technology, fingers crossed they continue xx
This is a really great post! Not many people talk about hair loss for woman and it can be a really hard for people so this is a really great post I’d recommend it to people who are going through this! Very well written! X
Oh, thank you! Yes, I think you’re right, female hair loss, for whatever reason, seems to be a bit of a taboo, sadly xx
This is such an informative and helpful post, I know that so many people suffer so I bet that you’ve helped a lot of people with this! Sleep is one of the tips that I definitely don’t have an issue with haha!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Thank you Sophie! Haha, I wish I could sleep as well as you 🙂 xx
I’ve always known cells regenerate regularly, but I didn’t know it usually happens when you sleep! No wonder, I always feel refreshed after an hour-long nap or a sufficient 7-hour sleep. The more you know 🙂 I love how you’ve included practical tips and also inspiring ones like, yes, learning to love how you look and knowing that what matters more is the beauty within is super important!
xx Kate | https://allthetrinkets.wordpress.com
Oh, teach me your ways, I would LOVE to feel refreshed after a nap or sleep, haha! Thank you so much for your lovely comments, and yes, beauty within is definitely the most important factor! xx
I don’t really have a routine haha! But I do drink water before going to bed and rather than using alarm, I rely on my body clock and work my sleep schedule around it so I’d wake up when my body wants to wake up, if that makes any sense ? Your welcome!
xx Kate | https://allthetrinkets.wordpress.com
Hi Lisa! This is really an amazing blog post. We don’t realize this but there are so many people who are struggling with hair loss due to various reasons, and losing hair is emotionally very difficult for them. It changes the way they look at themselves. You did a wonderful job in the awareness of hair loss and the treatment options available. 🙂
Ah, thank you so much, so kind. Yes, I was drawing on personal experience (of my mother) so this was quite a personal post. I’m so glad you think it was helpful xx
Although I’m very lucky to not be poorly, my hair started falling out early last year due to the stress of my old job. I had bald patches at the back of my head and it would come out in clumps 🙁 luckily a lot of it has thickened out again now and grown back, but my hair became so thin and you could see little bald bits at the back. It wasn’t nice at all 🙁 x x
Ellis
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that – but silver linings, you have the most amazing small business now, which will hopefully keep growing and growing! xx
Such an informative post Lisa! Some great options. I thought hair transplants are a great option if you are loosing hair, but did not know it does not work well for everyone. Lovely post as always. 🙂
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
Thank you! I learned a lot while I was researching this post so I’m very glad it’s informative 🙂 x