The most common hair loss or Alopecia is baldness which affects over 95% of people with hair loss. Common baldness is hereditary, but can be as a result of hormonal changes in the body, mainly male hormones called androgens. Women also have androgens therefore both males and females can experience this type of baldness.
Hair loss can be due to different medications, gout, chemotherapy, stress and anxiety, hypertension, heart conditions, to name but a few.
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease causing loss of hair. Hair loss can occur anywhere on the body but the scalp is the most commonly affected area.
Alopecia areata affects about 1 in 100 people. It can occur at any age but is most common in teenagers and young adults. In 60% of people the first patch of baldness develops before 20 years of age. Men and women are equally affected.
The underlying cause of alopecia areata is unknown.
It is thought to be an auto-immune disorder triggered by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person’s own immune system, causing the follicles to shrink. The hair becomes weak and breaks very easily and does not grow out of the scalp. It is not known why certain areas of the scalp are affected and not others. The affected hair follicles remain alive, however, and are capable of making normal hair again. Any hair-bearing area can be affected, either on its own or along with scalp involvement.
It is believed that certain triggers cause the immune system to attack the bodyÂ’s own tissues. Possible triggers include: viruses, infection, medicines, sunlight, or other environmental factors.
Recent research indicates that alopecia areata and the degree of severity of the condition have a genetic basis.
About 1 in 5 people with alopecia areata have a close relative who is also affected.
People who develop their first patch of alopecia areata before the age of 30 are more likely to have another family member with the condition. Familial incidence is 37% in patients who had their first patch by 30 years of age.
Alopecia areata often occurs in families with asthma, hay fever, atopic eczema, or other auto-immune conditions such as thyroid disease, early-onset diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, vitiligo, pernicious anaemia, or Addison’s disease.
Alopecia Totalis (AT), Total loss of the hair on the scalp.
Alopecia Universalis (AU), Total loss of all hair on the body.
Regardless of the causes of hair loss the effect it can have ones self esteem can be devastating. It can be a source of embarrassment and even shame. This can be compounded by the failure of friends, family, medical professionals and society as a whole to recognise the utter devastation and anxiety it causes.
In recent studies both women and men with hair loss reported feelings to quote
“Loss of self esteem”
“I feel people are always looking at me”
“I feel unattractive and Undesirable”
“Losing my hair has been for me the most disturbing event in my life”
“I go out less, it has effected my career, my social life and my sexuality”
“Even my doctors and other medical professionals often ignore the impact it has had on me. Treating it like any other medical condition- which of course it is not”
In some ways the loss of ones hair is in itself a grieving process. It is important to remember that we do not just “get over grief”. It has to be gone through. It is about experiencing the emotional reactions to the loss. Overtime coming to terms with and accepting the loss and learning to live again.
As you go through the early stages you might experience shock, disbelief, anger, fear and denial.
At the letting go stage, there will be acceptance and hope.
At the rebuilding stage you might find yourself exploring options, alternative medicines, new diets, ointments and indeed hair pieces or wigs.
As this is a vulnerable time in yourself make sure you have all the support you need.
Ask for and accept help
Let yourself feel the pain
Take time to laugh and cry
Accept your feelings
Be gentle with yourself.
By introducing permission & compassion into your life, when we learn to do this, it often helps to lift depression.
Remember that itÂ’s a process and when the time is right for you (and each person will be different) why not avail of the wonderful service that we can provide you at the Wig Clinic.
The consultation is free of charge, – we offer an extensive range of hair pieces, fringes, eyebrows and eyebrow stencils and an impressive collection of headwear. We also now custom make dermalites. Call us for more detail on this unique service that moulds the clients very own scalp thereby producing a very unique hair piece.
At the Wig Clinic, we offer this and more, but more importantly we offer our compassion, style, confidence, a listening ear, a smile and support.
Our professional stylists, wig consultants and trained therapist will be at hand to guide you through what can be for some, a daunting experience.
The Wig Clinic sponsors the Munster Alopecia Support Group.
Call us for information on details of the next meeting near you.
The Wig Clinic – A good hair day everyday