Tag Archive for: female hair loss

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the tissue of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma. The majority of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma. Sometimes breast cancer can begin in other regions of the breast, but primarily it begins in the ducts or the lobules. Invasive breast cancer means that the cancer has spread from the milk duct or lobule to other breast tissue. Non-invasive breast cancer means that cancer is called “in situ” and has not yet spread. Read below to learn about symptoms of invasive breast cancer.

Symptoms

Early stage breast cancer usually does not have any symptoms. For this very reason it is very important for you to complete regular breast examinations, which might facilitate the discovery of breast cancer earlier than if you fail to do breast examinations. As breast cancer grows and advances in stages, there might be a breast lump in your breast or armpit that is hard, with uneven edges, which does not hurt. Your breast or nipple might change color, size, shape, or feel. Your breast may excrete fluid, such as blood or pus. Bone pain, breast pain, skin ulcers, swelling of one arm, and weight loss are also indications that breast cancer may be present.

Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer there are numerous treatments that are available to you. However, treatment is dependent on the type and stage of cancer, whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones, and whether the cancer overproduces HER2/neu, a particular gene. Cancer treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and/or targeted therapy. The type of treatment that is most appropriate will be decided upon by you and a team of doctors and surgeons who will work with you.

Hair Loss Treatment Options

If you’re currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer or are preparing to undergo treatment, inquire about the likelihood of hair loss. Even though hair loss might seem like the last thing to worry about right now, maintaining some aspect of your sense of self is possible. Purchasing a hair system that resembles your exact natural head of hair is a helpful preventative measure that could provide you with some comfort during difficult times. If you’re not ready to think that far ahead, it is possible to attend a consultation with a hair loss expert after you have begun to lose your hair.

Preventing and treating breast cancer requires commitment not only from you but also from your friends, family, and doctor. If you suspect that you might have breast cancer, make an appointment with your doctor and bring a friend or partner with you. Attending a doctor’s appointment, especially regarding a serious medical issue, can be very stressful. Write down your symptoms and a set of questions that you have for your doctor. If you discover that chemotherapy is in your future, schedule an appointment with a hair loss consultant prior to your first chemotherapy treatment.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001911/

It is a widely accepted misconception that hair thinning and balding are problems that are unique to the male gender. Though still not desirable, there is an expectation of sorts that hair loss comes with age for men, but not for women. In actuality, hair loss does not discriminate and a notably high percentage of women will experience some degree of thinning or balding during the course of their lifetime.

The single largest cause of hair loss in women has hereditary origins and is known as Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL). This type of loss is usually identified by thinning along the part rather than the thinning at the hairline that is frequent in its male counterpart, Male Pattern Hair Loss. The degree of a woman’s hair loss with FPHL is measured using the Savin Scale. According to a 2013 study conducted by the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami, some 21 million women in the United States alone are suffering from FPHL with 12% of women seeing signs by the time they are 30 and upwards of 30-40% of women dealing with FPHL in their 60s. These numbers are astounding when one considers how little female hair loss is discussed and acknowledged in today’s society!

In addition to FPHL, hair loss in women can also be attributed to a number of other causes including hormonal changes such as postpartum, birth control, or menopausal hair loss, extreme stress, regular overstyling, medications including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, underlying medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism or lupus, other known hair loss conditions, such as alopecia areata and trichotillomania, and the list goes on and on. It can seem a bit daunting to pinpoint a specific cause with so many possibilities, but a doctor or specialist can help individuals to understand their unique diagnoses and the potential solutions that are suited to their condition.

It is true that certain medications or procedures that are successful in men are not as broadly applicable in women. For example, some medications simply do not treat FPHL and others have female specific side effects that deter doctors from prescribing them. This is not to say that there aren’t a range of options for women dealing with hair thinning and loss, because there absolutely are. From hair transplantations and medications to laser therapies and high quality human hair wigs, opportunities for female hair restoration have never been so plentiful. Like diagnoses though, these prescribed treatments require the expertise of a specialist who understands how to accurately match the unique details of a woman’s hair loss with the dynamic impact and effectiveness of various solutions.

Last, but certainly not least, the social and emotional impact of hair loss in women is a fundamental piece of the challenge faced by females who are enduring ongoing thinning and baldness. For centuries, hair has played an enormous role in defining self-image, femininity, youthfulness, and beauty, and despite how one categorizes things like beauty and femininity, losing the opportunity to decide for oneself can be remarkably difficult to overcome. Frequently women seek to hide their thinning scalp with a new style or limited public exposure, and these temporary solutions leave them feeling vulnerable and isolated. By increasing awareness and initiating conversations about hair loss in women, there is potential to not only limit the loss and commence restoration, but also to minimize the negative social and emotional strains on females that are caused by unwanted hair-based changes. Women struggling with hair loss are not alone!

With more than 40 years experience, Van Scoy Hair Clinics has offered the latest advances in hair restoration for men and women in our state-of-the-art facilities in Cleveland, Columbus and Ashland, Ohio. Schedule a FREE hair loss and scalp analysis today.

consultation

birth control hair loss solutions ohio

You have probably read a headline somewhere or maybe you have even experienced it yourself, there is no doubt that birth control can have side effects like hair loss. Some women when they are taking the pill experience hair loss, while others don’t until several weeks after they stop taking it.

As with any medication, it can be difficult to determine if contraception is the culprit for the hair loss. Here are some possible connection and what you can do about it.

How can the birth control pill cause hair loss?

The American Hair Loss Association says that birth control pills have clinically proven to be safe and effective. However, they do recognizes the negative effects they can have on normal hair growth, especially for those women that have a history of hair loss in their family.

If a woman is sensitive to the hormones contained in contraceptive pills, that can create a hair loss issue. The reason for that is it can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle of your hair.

Your hair grows in phases which are: Active, Transitional, and Resting. Birth control pills can cause your hair to move from the active growth phase to the resting phase much sooner than it should. This results in a large portion of hair growth but also the hair falls out at a pace that is far too quick for the hair regrowth.

For women that are sensitive to hormonal-related hair loss, the pill suppresses the ovulation, the hormonal changes taking place in the body can increase the chances of hair loss weeks or even months after a woman stops taking the pill.

When hair loss is the result of high levels of estrogen, that increases the cell turnover and speeds up the entire cycle, it’s medically termed telogen effluvium. Often treatment isn’t required as your body will eventually adjust to the higher estrogen levels.

What can you do about hair loss?

If you suspect you are having hair loss that is due to taking the contraceptive pill, you should talk to your doctor before stopping. It might be possible that simply changing to a lower-dose pill or finding another form of contraception might resolve your issue.

By taking pro-active steps to take care of your hair and avoid chemical-based treatment and taking care when styling your hair can all help as your body adjusts to your body adjusts hormonally. You can help promote healthy hair growth by making changes to your diet and eating sufficient minerals, and vitamins like zinc and B vitamins.

If you are looking to do something about your hair loss to get your hair back there are a number of treatments available like EHT Hair Loss Treatment therapy, hair extensions, human hair wigs. Talk to one of hair loss specialists to see what options are right for you and the hair loss you have.

Every day’s a good day to celebrate your mother, but Mother’s Day is a particularly great time to show the maternal figure in your life just how much she means to you. One of the best ways to show your mom gratitude on Mother’s Day is by pampering her — and treating her to her very own spa day! If your mother suffers from thinning hair, which is common in postmenopausal women, you can throw her a spa celebration that is both relaxing, but also healthy for her hair. Check out some great DIY spa activities for Mother’s Day that can help make for a fun, rejuvenating celebration of motherhood.

Start With a Scalp Treatment

One of the best ways to boost head and scalp health is by using a Jojoba Oil treatment. To make the treatment for your mother, combine 4 ounces of Jojoba oil with 10 drops of rosemary oil and lavender oil, 5 drops of basil oil, and 2 drops of Thyme and Cedarwood essential oil. Then, massage the tonic into her scalp. The tonic should soak into the scalp for about an hour. You can offer your mother a shoulder massage while she waits! Scalp tonics can help stimulate blood flow to the scalp and ensure your mother’s head is properly moisturized.

Shampoo With a Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Once the scalp treatment is completed, you can rinse your mother’s hair out in the sink using a healthy shampoo. Choose a shampoo that is free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a common ingredient in many shampoos), since sulfates are known to be harsh on locks — particularly those that have already started thinning. Then, gently massage the shampoo into a lather. Rinse it out with warm water in order to ensure all of the shampoo and tonic have been removed. Your mother’s hair should now be moisturized and clean — and smell delightful, too!

Sip Cucumber Water

No spa day would be complete with a healthy, refreshing glass of cucumber water. An added benefit of cucumber water is that cucumber is traditionally believed to boost hair health. Make the cucumber water the night before by slicing one cucumber, placing the slices at the bottom of a pitcher, and filling the pitcher with water. Refrigerate overnight. Then, when you’re wrapping up your spa day, you can take advantage of the delicious crisp taste, as well as the healthy benefits.

The benefits of throwing a spa day for your mother who is experiencing hair loss is threefold. You can make her feel rested and refreshed, you can help boost the health of her thinning hair, and you can spend some quality time getting closer to someone who deserves to be celebrated!

We all want the best for our moms and if your mom is suffering from hair loss Van Scoy Hair Clinics can help her restore her hair. To schedule a private consultation today call us at (419) 289-6665 or to contact us via email click here.
Photo Credit: Unique Hotels Via Flickr Creative Commons

Women's Hair Loss Women always want to have gorgeous hair and will just about anything to achieve it, including trying all the latest hair products or gadgets to get the look you want. Flat irons, hair product chemicals and harsh hair brush bristles are doing real damage to your hair. As women get older, their hair goes through changes and hair thinning is one of them especially has they enter their 50’s and 60’s. Hair experts believe this happen because of hormonal changes, but haven’t determined the exact cause of thinning hair as we age.

Thinning hair may also have another factor and that is how you treat your hair. Intense heat from curling irons and chemicals can affect your roots and in turn cause female pattern baldness. Wearing cornrows, tight hair braids or weaves can also cause hair los and often it may not grow back.

Here are some simple tips to help avoid damaging your hair:

  • Use brushes with soft bristles.
  • Often condition your hair after shampooing it with proper pH balanced products.
  • Use hair products that don’t contain sulfates or parabens.
  • Try not to overexpose your hair to highlighting or hair coloring chemicals.
  • Cut down on weekly use of flat or curling irons.
  • Trim your hair regularly to get rid of split ends.
  • Taking Biotin and vitamins on a regular basis may also increase healthy hair growth.

If you’ve found yourself suffering from hair loss and it may be self-inflicted, come meet privately with a hair loss specialist at one of our Van Scoy Hair Clinic locations. Contact us today and we’ll set up a hair and scalp consultation.

Photo Credit: Artur Chalyj via Flickr Creative Commons