Expert tips to help deal with the effects of hair loss

Last week, Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha shared an video detailing her struggles with hair loss caused by pre-menopause that went viral. In an emotional post, Sawalha admitted, “It sounds awful saying it as people lose all of their hair to alopecia or cancer treatment, but it doesn’t make it any easier, the fact that I’m losing my hair. It just makes me feel old and I know I should feel grateful. I do try to and I do say I’m grateful, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t miss my hair.”

According to consultant dermatologist Dr Wong, Sawalha’s reaction isn’t uncommon. “Hair loss is often trivialised as ‘just hair’ or ‘cosmetic’ because it isn’t life-threatening. I commonly encounter patients who aren’t taken seriously and are made to feel guilty for being upset about their hair loss,’ says Dr Wong. “Yet the psychosocial effects of hair loss due to any cause can be profound and are grossly under recognised. Many patients spiral into depression, anxiety and social avoidance behaviour.”

Almost half of all women over the age of 65 experience hair loss, and 1 in 8 women suffering from alopecia are below the age of 35. Changes in hormone levels are a common cause of hair loss. “Oestrogen has a protective effect on hair growth, while androgen can exacerbate hair thinning and loss,” explains Dr Wong. “In addition to hair loss, lower oestrogen levels can cause texture to become drier and brittle, which can make the hair difficult to style and camouflage the areas of thinning.”

While Sawalha’s video has high-

lighted the issue for women, Dr Wong stresses that it is a very common issue for men and myths regarding baldness don’t help, such as it can only be inherited from the maternal grandfather. “The truth is that genetic hair loss anywhere in the family is a risk, and can affect both males and females alike, and the genetic trait is stronger the younger you develop hair loss,” says Dr Wong.

That’s not to say all is completely lost though, as Dr Raghu Reddy explains, “If you’re able to get to the cause of the problem, then it is likely that the hair loss you experience will reduce or even stop altogether. Underactive thyroid, anaemia, hormonal disorders, including polycystic ovaries or even lupus are all conditions that can cause hair loss. If you are diagnosed with one of these conditions, seek medical help and more often than not hair loss can be reversed.”

Here are the experts tips for dealing with hair loss:

Look out for products containing minoxidil, which can be purchased over

1 Increase hair density:

the counter and can help to improve blood flow to hair follicles and prolong the growing phase of your hair cycle. With continued use, the progression of hair loss is slowed and in some users, additional thickening is also noted. Also, look for formulations that combine minoxidil with anti-androgen and oestrogen drops, which directly target the hormones causing the problem.

For those with more advanced or rapidly progressing hair loss, hormonal tablets may be required. Some forms of the combined oral contraceptive pill contain anti-androgen effects and are protective against FPHL. If menopause-related, HRT can be considered although in both situations the potential risks of long term hormonal therapy needs to be discussed and weighed against potential benefits. Spironolactone, a diuretic medication, also has an anti-androgen effect and is used off-licence by dermatologists for women suffering from hormonal acne and hormonal hair loss. It’s always best to consult your doctor before taking

2 Try hormonal tablets:

any hormone tablets.

If you’re battling with genetic hair loss, platelet rich plasma or PRP, which has been famously coined as the ‘vampire face lift’ thanks to Kim Kardashian, can be a good option. For the treatment, a small blood sample is taken from the individual, similiar to having a blood test. “The growth factors in the blood are separated using a machine called a centrifuge which is then re-injected back into the area of hair thinning,” explains Dr Wong. “Small case studies and lab studies have shown positive growth-enhancing effects, although large scale studies are still required to assess how effective the treatment is compared to more established therapies.”

3 4 Consider PRP:

Menopausal changes to the hair not only makes it thinner, but also individual strands more brittle and dry. Chemicals, such as dyes, damage the hair cuticles, while heat styling, especially on wet hair can cause weak points along the shaft,

Avoid excessive trauma:

“It is often said that regular washing is bad for the hair, but in actual fact hair should be washed regularly to keep it clean and healthy,” says Dr Reddy. “Evidence has indicated that using an SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) free shampoo can be instrumental in preventing hair loss. Using conditioner can also be effective, but make sure you apply it to the hair shafts rather than the scalp to make the hair softer.”

5 6 Washing is good: Maintain a healthy lifestyle:

Eating a balanced diet is essential. Your hair follicles have some of the quickest dividing cells in the body and you need all the nutrients (carbs, lean proteins, good fats, vitamins and minerals) to maintain this. While hair loss is a stressful experience, the stress itself can exacerbate hair loss through shedding — a process known as telogen effluvium. Engaging in activities such as yoga and meditation can help with de-stressing and reduce the chances of falling into this vicious cycle.