There are many reasons that people go partially or completely bald. Some are related to illnesses or injuries, while others are the result of the natural aging process. Our hair has a huge impact on our self-esteem, and it can be difficult to lose it, no matter what the cause.
Illness-related causes of loss are sometimes temporary, and sometimes permanent. People going through chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer often lose some or all of their hair. Autoimmune conditions can result in the destruction of the follicles, and skin conditions that are present on the scalp can impede normal growth. Usually, cancer patients experience a full regrowth after treatment ends, but the prognosis for other conditions may be more uncertain.
Age-related loss is more common in men, but can also occur in women. A certain genetic predisposition towards turning normal testosterone in the blood into another form which is associated with balding occurs in many men, but there can also be other conditions responsible for the problem, as well. Some women experience changes in their hair, either in the form of increased or decreased thickness, after menopause.
Treatment depends on the expected duration of the loss, and the reason for it. Many cancer patients prefer to shave their heads so that they do not have to watch it gradually fall out. While this kind of loss can be difficult to handle, it will grow back, and many take comfort in this fact. Patients with more permanent conditions need to consider longer-term solutions, and may have a harder time coming to grips with their situation.
Wigs and scarves can be used to cover up the loss in both temporary and permanent cases. But wigs can be hot and itchy, and scarves cannot conceal complete baldness. Some men prefer a shaved head to the partial coverage that often results from male pattern baldness. Fewer women favor this option, but it can be attractive on the right person.
Shorter styles are often more flattering on people who are dealing with thinning. While growing out the neighboring hair a bit often provides coverage for a small bald spot or thinning area, after a certain point it just draws attention to the area. Especially in cases where the thinning is more uniform instead of confined to one area, a short crop or crew-cut can be flattering.
Transplants are a possible, if expensive option for loss that is expected to be permanent. Modern transplants have gotten less obvious and look more natural than previous ones. However, having head hair that is sufficient for transplantation is necessary, so this option is only realistic for patients with small to moderate bald spots on the scalp.
Hair loss can be devastating to a person's self-esteem. Unfortunately, in many cases, there is no cure for the condition. Learning to live gracefully with the loss means accepting the condition, and managing it in such a way as to make yourself as confident as possible in your appearance. There are many functional ways of covering up the issue, and while it isn't fun, it doesn't need to consume all your attention.
If you are suffering from hair loss and would like to learn more about hair loss restoration, visit Hair Loss Informer where we talk about the various options available. One of the choices we discuss is the use of medical hair restoration as a means for restoring your hair to it's previous best.
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