Written by Melodie Garcia, Hairdresser at Golden Ocala.

Ladies, if you are losing locks, you are not alone. In fact, 80 percent of ALL women are losing strands every day!

If you’re over 30, you may not know it but your hair is most likely already thinning. Societal pressure among women to look young—forever— can make hair loss seem detrimental. Facing the facts, the American Hair Loss Association reports:

• 30 million women in their 30’s experience excessive hair loss
• 40 percent of premenopausal women face abnormal hair loss
• HALF of menopausal women notice thinning

“Why is this happening to me!?”

There is no single answer for why hair loss occurs in women and men. The reason could be medical, genetic or biological, but below are the most popular diagnoses.

Chronic Scalp Inflammation: For 70 percent of women who suffer from inflammatory scalp condition such as dandruff or seborrheric dermatitis, thinning can be more pronounced. Hair loss caused by the physical stresses of styling becomes one of the most common causes of thinning I see at the salon:

• Tight buns
• Cornrows
• Hairpieces

Reverse the Thinning: If the scalp is itchy and flaky, it helps to use a medicated shampoo daily, to help curb inflammation. Flakes are often the result of an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast on the scalp. Left untreated these invaders inflame the follicles and hinder hair growth.

Low Estrogen: For women whose follicles rely heavily on estrogen, problems tend to crop up around premenopausal, when the hormone breaks its predictable monthly pattern and a downward trend. Don’t you fret! Thankfully, estrogen replacement can stop hair shedding. Make an appointment with a physician if you think menopause could be the cause of your hair loss.

Genetics: Family genes CANNOT be returned, exchanged, nor can you re-gift them on Christmas. Lucky for you, hair loss is the gift that keeps on giving…Thanks mom, thanks dad! The AR gene is associated with androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss, beginning above both temples that can affect both men and women.

OTHER ISSUES

• Life Events
• Stress or Trauma
• Medications
• Poor Diet
• Lack of Nutrients
• Pregnancy
• Medical Operations

Getting Back to a Healthier Head of Hair

There is no quick fix to treating hair loss. Your best bet is to seek medical advice from a physician and professional advice from your hair dresser. At Golden Ocala Spa & Salon, our stylists are educated on the issue and available to answer any questions. Treatments they often recommended to their clients include:

• Keratin Treatments: Keratin is a key protein in hair.
• B complex Consumption: Research suggests that vitamin B12 and biotin play key roles in strength and growth.
• Silica Application: Scientists say silicon in this compound is a building block for the hair follicles.

Once the cause of your hair loss is diagnosed by a physician, the stylists at Golden Ocala know the best products and styling tips to help improve your look as you undergo treatment. Be patient and remember that you are not alone.