Did you know that more than 50% of men
have what is called male pattern hair loss by the time they
are 50? Or that 30 million women face hair loss or hair thinning
problems themselves? Hair growth (and some loss) is a natural cycle,
but infection, chemicals, ill health and even medication can disrupt
that cycle and the results can be devastating. If you are one of the
sufferers of hair thinning or loss, here's some information we at
Believe hope you
will find helpful:
How Hair Grows
Hair grows in three different cycles:
anagen, catagen, and telogen. About 90% of the
hair on the head is in the anagen, or growth phase, which
lasts anywhere from two to eight years. The catagen, or
transition phase, typically lasts 2-3 weeks, during which the hair
follicle shrinks. During the telogen cycle, which lasts around
two to four months, the hair rests. Only about 10% of your hair is in
transition or resting at any time. Mostly it is growing—about 6
inches a year is the average.
Are You Losing It?
Everyone loses between 50-100 strands
each day. You lose even more—up to 250 strands--on the days you
wash your hair (No, don't stop shampooing! You'll lose the hair
anyway and, in the meantime would have to suffer from oily, lank
hair.) But you might notice a more than usual amount of hair on your
pillow in the morning or stuck in your comb or brush. Men's hair
seems to recede from their forehead or crown. Women may notice
thinning on the top third or half of their scalp (you may actually
see that your part is becoming wider or you are seeing more of your
scalp when you pull your hair back). If thats the case, you might
want to make an appointment with your doctor.
Diagnosis
Your doctor may take blood work to make
sure your thyroid is working properly and that you don't have another
autoimmune disease. You'll be asked about your family history—did
your mom, grandmother or Aunt Bertha have this problem of hair
thinning or loss? The doctor may look at your scalp with a magnifying
lens to see if your some of your hair follicles are thick while
others are thin— a tell-tale sign of female pattern hair loss
called androgenetic alopecia, a condition that happens to 50 %
of women, particularly if you are in your 50's or 60's. Skin
conditions like psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis might also be the
cause, as may stress, dramatic weight loss, physical trauma (like
surgery or a long illness). You may just be taking too much Vitamin
A. Be sure to be thorough when listing your history with your doctor
and follow his or her other recommendations.
What You Can Do Yourself
Take it easy on dyes and chemical
treatments (follow your Believe
stylist's advice—we always keep a close eye on the state of your
scalp and hair). Beware of towel drying too aggressively, blow drying
too hot or too close, overuse of flat irons and stay away from bad
brushes (we have a great selection of good brushes at Believe.)
And while you are waiting for your new healthy hair to grow in, we
have a little secret to share: XFusion Hair Building Fibers.
These all-natural Keratin “hairs” bind to your existing hair to
make your hair look thicker and fuller instantly.
Here's how XFusion works: Shake
the product gently over thinning areas. In seconds, thousands of tiny
color matched hair fibers intertwine with your own hair. They are
“magnetized” with static electricity so they stay securely bonded
and in place all day and night. XFusion lasts through
rainstorms, windy conditions and even all that sweating you do at the
gym. It even works well with all your favorite hair products (and
even hair transplants!)
XFusion can't be detected, even
from two inches away and gives natural looking fullness and thickness
that lasts till your next shampoo. It is a safe effective product and
one we are happy to sell at Believe.
Come by for a consultation and a demonstration of how XFusion can
be used to solve your thinning or hair loss problems. We are
delighted to help.