Women find it incredibly tricky to deal with hair loss. It’s never easy losing your crowning glory. In this blog, we share different ways to cope with hair loss. Losing hair, especially for young women, can often lead to a loss in confidence. Society considers appearances essential in so many different ways, and hair plays a vital role in perception.
According to a dermatology specialist nurse, “For women, there’s a social stigma attached to going bald,” she says. “Hair loss can affect your sensuality and how you perceive yourself. There are usually emotional trials and tribulations when it happens.”
If you are suffering from hair loss and feel it’s starting to affect your self-esteem and confidence, read the rest of the article to find ways of coping with the condition.
The Different Types Of Hair Loss
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Around 70% of women over the age of 70 suffer from female-pattern baldness (FPB), a genetic hair loss condition. FPB is the most common type of hair loss.
Hair loss takes different forms such as “thinning” or total loss of hair. It can also come on suddenly, although in most cases it occurs gradually. Women of all ages can suffer from hair loss.
Other causes of hair loss include stress, hair loss post-childbirth (postpartum hair loss), due to medical conditions, or as a result of cancer treatment. Women will lose more hair than average up to 3 months after giving birth due to hormonal changes that happen during this time.
Traction alopecia is a hair loss condition common in women of African heritage. The typical cause is the hairstyling preferences of African, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-American women such as hair extensions, cornrows and weave.
Hair Loss Treatments
Treating the physical aspects of hair loss, such as attempting to regrow or understand the cause, is vital. Getting a diagnosis from a specialist if you are experiencing increasing shedding or thinning is usually the first step. Acting early and catching hair loss in its early stages increases the chances of finding the right treatment to stop it.
Minoxidil is a proven treatment for female-pattern baldness, and it comes in different forms such as a lotion or hair foam. Many women report a slowing down of hair loss or even reversal and thicker hair. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist when starting or stopping medication for alopecia.
6 Ways Of Coping With Hair Loss
Dealing with the psychological impact of hair loss is just as important. Losing your hair, even temporarily is often hard to bear. The change in your appearance and the insecurities that come along with it sometimes lead to feelings of inadequacy. How you cope will depend on personality, self esteem, and the support you have from family and friends.
Here are a few more coping strategies you can turn to when facing hair loss.
- Accept it – easier said than done, but accepting that you are losing your hair will allow you to move forward. List all other positive attributes about your appearance and shift your focus to these.
- Join a support group – nowadays there are many support groups available, especially on Social Networking platforms such as Facebook. You may even find a local support group where you can meet and socialise with other women dealing with hair loss.
- Talk about it – talk to friends and family and be open about your hair loss and how you feel about it. Ask for their support, especially from partners as you may feel they will find you less attractive because of the hair loss.
- Be patient – many women experience temporary hair loss, but growth may take months or even years. Avoiding a cycle of worry and being patient as the new hair comes through is essential to prevent further stress-related hair loss making the situation worse.
- Adapt your look – change your style and look by embracing your hair loss. This could be by adopting new headgear such as wraps or turning to wigs, extensions or even makeup. Not covering up is also an option if you find you can rock the bald look.
- Stay away from miracle cures – avoid the temptation to jump onto every miracle shampoo or hair growth formula you come across. Many of these products are just marketing gimmicks which will not only give you false hope but a waste of your money, too.
There is no right or wrong way when it comes to coping with hair loss. Any of these strategies may be the difference between dealing with hair loss alone or finding peace with the new you.
This article gives you some ideas for dealing with the psychological impact of alopecia. Finding the root cause and understanding your options when it comes to treatment is essential, too. Vinci Hair Clinic specialises in treating hair loss in women from all ethnic backgrounds. If you are experiencing excessive hair loss, it’s time to act and find the right treatment to keep it in check.
