What is Alopecia? Alopecia refers to a medical condition characterized by hair loss, typically on the scalp but can also affect other areas of the body. It is a relatively common condition that can affect both men and women of any age. The severity and pattern of hair loss can vary widely, ranging from small patches to complete loss of hair on the scalp or body.

There are several types of alopecia, including:

1. Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, resulting in patchy hair loss.
2. Androgenetic alopecia: Also known as male or female pattern baldness, this type of alopecia is usually hereditary and is more common as people age. It typically leads to gradual hair thinning and receding hairlines in men and overall hair thinning in women.
3. Alopecia totalis and universalis: These are more severe forms of alopecia areata where there is complete hair loss on the scalp (totalis) or on the entire body (universalis).

The exact cause of alopecia is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. There is currently no cure for alopecia, but there are several treatment options available to manage the condition and promote hair regrowth. Let’s learn about some common treatments that include:

1. Medications: Topical or oral medications such as minoxidil and finasteride may help slow down hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
2. Corticosteroids: Injections of corticosteroids into the affected areas can help suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation, allowing hair to regrow.
3. Immunotherapy: This involves applying a chemical irritant, such as diphencyprone (DPCP), to the scalp to provoke an allergic reaction. This reaction can stimulate hair regrowth in some cases.
4. Hair transplantation: In cases of permanent hair loss, hair transplantation surgery can be performed to transplant hair follicles from unaffected areas to the balding areas.

Living with alopecia can be challenging, both emotionally and socially. Here are some thoughts for individuals dealing with alopecia:

1. Consult a healthcare professional: If you notice hair loss or changes in your hair, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the cause and explore available treatment options.
2. Reach out for support: Joining support groups or connecting with others who have alopecia can provide valuable emotional support and help you cope with the challenges of the condition.
3. Experiment with hairstyles and accessories: Many individuals with alopecia find creative ways to style their remaining hair or use wigs, scarves, or hats to enhance their appearance and boost their confidence.
4. Consider wearing wigs: Wigs are a popular option for individuals with alopecia as they provide a natural-looking and customizable solution to hair loss. There are various types of wigs available, including synthetic wigs and human hair wigs. It’s important to find a wig that matches your desired style, comfort, and budget. Consult with a wig specialist or visit a wig salon to find the right wig for you.
5. Practice self-care: Taking care of your overall well-being, both physically and mentally, can have a positive impact on your hair and overall health. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and get enough sleep.
6. Consider counseling or therapy: Dealing with hair loss can have a significant impact on self-esteem and body image. Seeking professional help can assist you in managing these feelings and building self-confidence.

At Strut Hair Solutions, we understand that hair loss is a personal matter. We offer a warm, safe environment with private fitting rooms. Strut is dedicated to helping our clients with alopecia find solutions with wigs or hair pieces, so they can look and feel like themselves again. Strut has volunteered, donated, and been a great supporter of local alopecia groups. If this is something you would like help with, please let us know.

One of our favorite things to do is help with getting the right wigs for women with hair loss. We have the best wigs in San Diego and the best wigs in Fresno. Browse our high quality wigs first. Or, just give us a call and set up an appointment to get help from experts who are passionate about helping you feel and look your best.

Please know that you are not alone in the fight for self confidence over this disease. Please contact us today and start your road to recovery now!

Hair Loss and Menopause-How does menopause affect my hair?

We have clients tell us often that once they were in menopause, they started losing hair. This can be very hard for a woman as our hair is part of our identity. Here we are going to give you some information about menopause and how it may affect your hair. 

Menopause typically happens to women between the age of 45 and 55, about 12 months after a woman’s last period. Menopause is a normal part of aging for women, as it can typically last about 7 years but can be as long as 14 years. The duration of menopause is different for every woman depending on the woman’s lifestyle factors, such as smoking, age, race and ethnicity. Many women have trouble with menopausal symptoms, such as loss and thinning of hair, hot flashes, weight gain, trouble sleeping and more.

Menopausal hair loss vs hair shedding:

Humans typically lose on average about 50 to 100 strands of hair a day.  This is known as hair shedding. Hair shedding is a natural process of hairs falling out and new hairs growing in. When menopausal hair loss begins to occur, it is when hair shedding starts to become more evident. 

Some signs of menopausal hair loss:

– Your hairbrush filling with hair more frequently

– More hairs collect in the shower drain

– Finding your hair around the sink or on your pillow or clothes 

– Hair breakage becomes more common

When symptoms like these continue you may notice your part widening, your ponytail looking thinner, and thinning patches on your scalp.

How we really feel: 

For many women, having control over our hair, such as how we choose to style, cut and wear it, is a big factor in our self-expression and personality. Losing hair can mean that we may feel less ourselves, as having control over our hair can be a lot harder with less of it.

It is important to remember that when losing hair during menopause there is nothing medically wrong, unless accompanied by other symptoms. Experiencing hair loss and thinning during menopause is completely normal to most women. Fortunately, there are solutions to being able to have a full head of hair during menopause and to decreasing the amount of hair you lose and keeping your hair from thinning and this is where we can help.

Solutions:

• Visiting with an expert at STRUT Hair Solutions about the types of products such as wigs, hair toppers, hair pieces and extensions that are available can help you recover with confidence overnight. STRUT is dedicated to helping women who are experiencing hair loss. We are committed to doing our small part to help you regain your confidence! 
• Topical solutions such as thickening serums can help improve hair appearance. Products such as Unveil No. 3 Hair thickening serum helps to produce a fuller, thicker head of hair. Unveil’s Thicker Hair Serum is easy to use and is only to be applied to your scalp once a day and you’ll see results in as little as 4 weeks. 

•  Reducing the use of heat damaging tools such as straighteners and hair dryers can also improve hair appearance. Less heat = less damage.
•  A healthy diet means a healthy body. Having a healthy diet can also help to improve hair appearance. It is important that you take care of your body during menopause as your body is undergoing a lot of changes. The best way to do so is maintaining a healthy diet.
•  Many medications have an abundance of side effects. Checking any medications that you use can help reduce hair loss and thinning. Medications that can cause hair loss include:
  •  Antidepressants
  •  Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases
  •  Epilepsy medications
  •  Heart medications (blood thinners and beta-blockers)
  •  Medications used to treat hyperthyroidism 

In Summary:

Hair loss during menopause is a difficult symptom for many women. Having the creative freedom to style, cut and wear our hair makes us a part of who we are. When hair loss is experienced from menopause this can take a toll on our mental health and confidence. Fortunately, there are solutions to helping improve hair appearance, such as visiting with an expert at STRUT Hair Solutions and choosing a hair product that is perfect for you, Unveil’s Thicker Hair Serum, reducing the use of heat damaging tools, a healthy diet, and the use of medications. Remember to be kind to your body during menopause and encourage healthy practices that can reduce hair loss and thinning.