Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Products for Hair Loss Can Stop the Horror

By Louis Levinthall

Millions of people, both men and women, are frightened of going bald. Often just the site of a few hairs at the bottom of the sink can cause distress. As a matter of fact, taken alone this shouldn't be a source of concern; both men and women typically lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. Hairs that you shed during the course of a day often stay there until you shower or wash your hair - then you see them in the sink and panic!

It can be really hard to tell if your hair is starting to thin. Bald spots may be one of the signs but there is no guarantee that it will show up that way. There is a way to find out if your hair is starting to thin - the so-called "tug test". Using your thumb and index finger, hold about 15-20 strands of hair, and pull it firmly and slowly. If more than 6 hairs were removed, it might be safe to assume that your hair is starting to thin.

Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors including illness and heredity. It is more prevalent in the elderly, but in some cases can start in an individual as early as the teenage years. This early onset is usually a sign of illness or improper diet. Medical treatments or procedures such as chemotherapy can cause hair loss in individuals at any age.

Wearing hairstyles that pull hair also causes hair loss, like braids, because there is tension on it. Losing hair is really a great worry especially for teenagers that are concerned with their appearance. The good news is, in the adolescent stage once the cause of it is found and corrected, hair usually grows back.

Here are common mis-beliefs or misconceptions about hair loss:

* When you brush your hair about 100 times it will be stimulated. Not so. It might only cause you hair injury.

* Hairs need to breath. Wrong again. Individual hairs get their oxygen supply from the scalp. Hair will not be damaged by wearing wigs, hats or other head covering unless any of those are too tight on the head.

* Frequent cleansing and shampooing of hair can cause hair loss. This is only true if the cleansing becomes an irritant to the scalp. Most hairs that are removed by shampoo are the hairs that have already fallen out in the course of the day.

* Protein-containing conditioners and shampoos help our hair grow. Wrong again. They only fill the surface of the hair shaft, making your hair look thicker and much smoother. If you want a product that promotes new hair growth, they are available - but most protein based shampoos don't fall into the hair loss prevention category!

It is important to take care of your hair to prevent hair loss. Avoid too much styling, and don't wear anything that can put excessive tension on your hair. Also, avoid unnecessary gadgets in your hair to help maintain its natural beauty. If you really are concerned about your hair loss and feel that it might be due to your age or heredity, then there are several very effective over-the-counter hair loss treatment products that have been proven to work in most people. Find one that works for you as quickly as you can, use it, and stick with it.

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