Postpartum Alopecia

By John Tulley

Childbirth can be a stressful time and for some women, it can result in a temporary hair loss condition called postpartum alopecia (also known as postnatal alopecia). The condition usually starts around two to three months after childbirth, gradually worsening for up to three months then recovering over the next three months until the hair starts to re-grow. Postpartum alopecia is characterized as a general thinning (also known as diffuse thinning) over the whole scalp. This is unlike male pattern hair loss where the hairline recedes and a completely bald patch appears on the top of the scalp. Postpartum Alopecia can affect up to 90% of all mothers and the extent of hair loss can vary considerably from mild to excessive shedding.

Why does it occur?

The exact cause of postpartum alopecia is still not fully understood but it is linked to the hormonal changes that occur during childbirth. During pregnancy, there are increased levels of estrogen in the body which keeps the hair in the anagen growing phase resulting in temporarily thicker hair. After childbirth, a withdrawal of estrogen switches off the extended growing phase and switches the hair to the catagen shedding phase resulting in sudden excessive hair loss. It has been suggested that modern lifestyles and poor nutrition are major factors for postpartum alopecia, but research has shown that these factors do not play a part in this condition.

Can it be treated?

Since postpartum alopecia is a temporary condition where the hair fully recovers there are few effective treatments available. You can consult with your local GP for advice but you will probably be advised that there is nothing to worry about due to it being part of the natural postpartum process. The best that can be done is to try not to exacerbate the condition so that no more hair loss than necessary occurs. To help maintain your hair during this period you should try and avoid hairstyles with plaits, pigtails, braids and use tight hair rollers that tend to pull the hair. Also, avoid using hot blow dryers and heated hair strengtheners as these can also put excessive stress on the hair. After washing always try to pat the hair dry with a good quality bath towel, hair is always more fragile when wet so try not to rub the hair vigorously.

Eating a healthy diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables can also play an important part in trying to maintain the hair. Fruit and vegetables contain flavonoids that are thought to encourage stronger hair growth by strengthening the small blood vessels supplying the hair follicles. Diet supplements are also known to help with hair growth and can be used to help treat postpartum alopecia. The most effective vitamin supplements are Biotin, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc and these are readily available in multivitamin capsules. Finally, there is a range of hair loss shampoos that may help to reduce hair loss in some cases but these are not generally guaranteed to help with postpartum alopecia.

The most important thing to remember about postpartum alopecia is to try not to worry too much, it is only a temporary condition and it will eventually stop.

Please visit our website for more information about the causes of alopecia

John Tulley has written many articles on the subject of hair loss treatments and remedies. 

 "Hair Loss Treatments: How to Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Your Hair!".

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tulley

Hair Loss in Women - Postpartum Hair Loss

By Calvin Yeo

Most people have the conception that genetic hair loss like Pattern Baldness is exclusively targeted at men only. So you think that if you are a woman you are safe from this wrath of God? Think again.

Although almost 40% of men will start to face some receding hairline by their early 20s and 30s, there are a lot of hair loss conditions that can specifically affect women. Male Pattern Baldness is caused by the accumulation of Dihydro-Testosterone (DHT) at the hair follicles, causing shrinkage and reducing the hair growth cycle. DHT is an advanced male hormone formed with another lower-level male hormone, Testosterone that binds with the enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase. The combination of these two creates DHT, which is also important for male characteristics. Needless to say, DHT is also present in females, but in such small quantities.

One of the main protection women has against Pattern Baldness generated by DHT is the female hormone Estrogen. This hormone primarily found in females acts as a barrier to block creation and the domination of DHT. It is also responsible for beautiful and thick hair found in most women. However, during some events in your life, these hormones can be unstable or reduced significantly allowing exposure of the hair follicles to DHT. As you are much more sensitive to the effects of DHT, your hair loss condition might accelerate faster than in men.

One of the most common hair loss conditions that exclusively affect women is

Postpartum Hair Loss

Usually, during pregnancy, your hormones level will fluctuate to adjust with the new baby. Your body will produce extra hormone Estrogen during this period. As Estrogen nourishes hair, expect your hair to look radiant and better during pregnancy. Estrogen also prolongs your hair growth phase, also known as the ANAGEN phase, thus reducing normal hair loss throughout this time frame.

However, after giving birth, your Estrogen levels will usually tumble below normal levels for a short period. This condition is totally normal because, after birth, your body is exhausted and needs to shut down to recuperate. With low levels of Estrogen coupled with post-pregnancy Stress, your hair will usually look pale and lifeless. In some more severe cases, you might experience a period of heavy hair shedding occurring 3 months after pregnancy. This is normal due to the drop in your hormone levels and additional stress pushes more of the hair follicles to the resting phase (TELOGEN). This condition can sometimes be known as Telogen Effluvium.

However, it's safe to say that this condition is usually temporary and you can expect your hair to grow back to a normal pace after 6 months. So if you are facing such a condition, do not panic as it happens to a huge percentage of other new mothers too.

If you are looking for alternatives to instantly improve your condition, you can always try

• Hair concealers like Toppik and Couvre can temporarily provide cover for your balding area. It's effective and usually mess-free
• Cutting your hair short By cutting your hair short, you can reduce the appearance of hair loss and thinning hair by focusing more on your facial characteristics.
• Taking vitamin B supplements Vitamin B Complex that contains Biotin and B12 is essential for healthy-looking hair.
• Volumizing shampoos Shampoos that contain volumizing effects like Wheat Grain Protein and Soya Protein can increase your hair's volume.
• Wearing caps and scarves One of the best solutions for you if you are facing Postpartum Hair Loss, just grab a cap and go out!

All these remedies can provide you with temporary relief from your hair loss condition. As your hair should grow back over time, there is no need to look for drastic measures like medical treatments or considering a hair transplant. Just keep cool and relax, as stress itself can further affect your condition.

If you are looking for answers and solutions to hair loss problems related to women, please feel free to seek it out from my Hair Loss in Women page.

http://www.surviving-hairloss.com - All the information you will need regarding your hair loss condition

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Calvin_Yeo

Hair Loss After Pregnancy - Is it Serious?

By Brendon Wivel

Hair loss after pregnancy is a common occurrence in a majority of post-pregnancy women. The conception and subsequent birth of a child lead to hormonal changes in the body. After the birth of the baby, the estrogen levels in the woman's body become very low and this is a major factor in hair loss.

What is the relationship between pregnancy and hair loss? When a woman is pregnant there are changes in the chemistry and hormones in the body and estrogen and progesterone hormone levels are heightened. Once the delivery is complete, the levels of progesterone and estrogen drop dramatically. This has the effect of causing hair to fall into the resting stage and soon the hair follicles start dropping out. Losing hair after pregnancy usually occurs between 3-6 months after delivery.

Women who have given birth to a child tend to start taking oral contraceptives to prevent another pregnancy from happening too soon; then they stop taking the medication and this is a cause of hair loss after pregnancy

There really is no cure for this type of hair loss which is at best temporary. Once the hormonal balance in the body rights itself hair should stop falling. Further, hair that is in the resting stage has to fall out for new hair to grow. Women need not be concerned because hair is always in one state or another of growth.

Since hair loss after pregnancy is unavoidable for most women the best thing to do is get a brand new hairstyle to cover up the loss of hair, make you look good and feel good. Some things in life are inevitable and the best way to counteract something negative is to find ways to work around it.

We cannot stop the hormonal changes that take place in the body and hence cannot stop the hair from falling out. The main thing to remember is that hair loss is only temporary.

Is it possible to stop losing your hair? And re-grow your hair? Yes, it is. Looking far and wide to find the best hair re-growth solution I found this Hair regrowth formula. Literally, tens of thousands of people all over the world have used it successfully.  Why not take some positive action and Click Here and finally have a full head of hair

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New Mum Losing Your Hair? That'll Be Postpartum Hair Loss

By Paul Elms

"Since having my first child I've noticed that my hair is falling out. He's 4 months old now and it shows no signs of stopping. What can I do?"

Hairloss following birth is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, there is even a scientific term for it - postpartum hair loss. The good news is that most new mums find that this is a temporary phenomenon and their once luxuriant hair will return after 6-12 months.

Normally hairs can last around 3 years. They go through a growing phase, then enter a short resting phase before being shed. We lose about 100 hairs a day from our heads.

After giving birth the change in the hormone levels cause more hairs to enter the resting phase and then be shed. You may notice that there are more hairs on the pillow when you wake up, or in the basin, after you have washed your hair. It is particularly noticeable if you have long hair.

Once the hormones level out again, most new mums find that their hair loss also subsides. But even knowing this fact, many young women still suffer some anxiety. This is quite understandable for any woman. Here are some things that you can do.

There are no quick fixes but you could try using some products that give your existing hair a thicker look. Special shampoos, sprays, and mousses are available from pharmacies for this purpose. You could also speak with your hairdresser about trying different styles that would suit you. Some women find shorter hairstyles and layered techniques work well at this time.

If you are able to cope using these cosmetic measures for a few months, your hair should start growing back normally by the time your youngster is 6-12 months old.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Elms

Causes And Treatment Of Hair Loss After Pregnancy

By Angel E. Murray

Hair loss after pregnancy is the most common change that is experienced by every woman after giving birth. It has been experienced and is still been experienced by many women today. These changes occur sometimes after six to seven months of the birth of the child. It sometimes comes as a shock to new mothers because they haven't experienced it before, and they wouldn't want to go bald because they had a baby.

This sometimes becomes depressing and can make the woman become too emotional and have very low esteem. What they think is that they will lose their beauty, and they will be an eyesore. The fluctuation of estrogen in the body after pregnancy brings about weight loss, and I have noticed that pregnant women have more hair when they are pregnant than when they are delivered to their children. The high amount of estrogen in the body determines the number of nutrients that will be made and given to the body, and when the nutrients are delivered successfully to the body, the hair begins to grow rapidly.

Note that the level of estrogen reduces after giving birth that is why the woman must eat enough healthy foods so that they will be able to feed the kid with the necessary meal, which is breast milk. After pregnancy, the intake of contraceptives, abortions, miscarriages, and the imbalance of hormones can worsen the situation. Do you know that hair loss after pregnancy can be treated without the use of medicine? If you are experiencing such hair loss, note that it is not a big problem, and it can be solved in no time. A few months after the encounter, you will regain your hair and your good look. All you need to do is wait. If you had very rich and healthy hair before, it will increase in ten folds.

Proper care of the hair is very important, and the appropriate treatments should be used. Please, do not use shampoos and conditioners that have harmful substances in them because you might end up damaging your hair and you will have yourself to blame.

To overcome these, you need to leave it as it is and do not try to add or subtract to the hair. You can try other hairstyles to make the hair look beautiful, and it will be okay as you continue to do it. Hair loss after pregnancy is not a very serious matter; so do not get yourself in a bad mood because your hair is falling, okay?

You can quickly and easily learn about hair loss after pregnancy by going to a website that contains several hair loss and growth tips. that answers 5 MOST asked questions/problems about hair loss and how to overcome by visiting: http://www.hairgrowthtipshq.com

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