Every race suffers from hair loss, although the causes may be different. Women of African-American descent suffer from very specific forms of hair loss, often due to their grade of hair and basic maintenance, although there can be other causes. Treatment depends upon the reason for hair loss.
Types of Hair Loss
Hair loss treatments are successful only if they are used for the correct condition, so before trying any hair regime, get a professional evaluation of the cause of your hair loss. Different types of hair loss, also known as alopecia, may look the same, but they are caused by different things.
Traction alopecia, one of the most common forms of alopecia, causes hair loss and hair thinning from the hairline due to traction on the scalp caused by tight hairstyles such as cornrows, extension braid, and tight ponytails. Another common form of hair loss is central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, or CCCA, which was once known as "hot-comb alopecia." This form of hair loss comes from scarring of the scalp from the use of a hot comb to straighten the hair. Sometimes, a hot comb, it touches the scalp, causing a burn, and then a scar that prevents further hair growth in that area. CCCA causes spotty, flat and shiny bald spots. A third form of alopecia is androgenic hair loss, better known as male-pattern hair loss. If you have this form of hair loss, you will not lose your hair in its entirety, but you will notice thinning or hair loss on the areas of the scalp controlled by androgens, or male hormones. This is caused mainly by medical conditions that cause hormonal imbalances such as diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome and menopause. Signs of androgenic alopecia are hair thinning starting from the hairline and receding back to the crown.
Treatments
The choice of treatment for early traction alopecia and androgenic alopecia is FDA-approved Minoxidil. This topically applied medication can be prescribed or purchased over the counter as Rogaine. In early stages, this treatment is quite effective in treating traction alopecia, but you will not regrow hair if you have cicatricial alopecia or late-stage . Many women who use Minoxidil have fine hair, but are trying to grow terminal, or thicker, hair. This is the goal of Minoxidil. It normally takes about 16 weeks to notice any significant regrowth. Minoxidil must be used twice a day or the hair will revert to its previous state.
If you have androgenic alopecia caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome, you may have to take oral contraceptives in addition to Minoxidil to correct hormonal imbalances. If you are of reproductive age, your physician may prescribe you low-dose oral contraceptives. These release small amounts of estrogen and progesterone in order to create hormonal balance. Androgenic alopecia caused by menopause is treated by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). These pills, cream, or suppositories release small amounts of estrogen and progesterone into your bloodstream to slow hair loss and relive symptoms of menopause.
Late-stage traction alopecia and cicatricial alopecia have no chance of regrowth. When hair falls out from the follicles in these conditions, the hair in the follicles is replaced with scar tissue. When this happens, hair regrowth is not possible.
Hair growth is more successful when coupled with the use of hair-strengthening over-the-counter products, such as shampoos, conditioners and serums.
Tags: hair loss, traction alopecia, androgenic alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, form hair, form hair loss, alopecia androgenic