Alopecia (Hair Loss)
Hair loss due to alopecia
Hair loss can be a challenging and emotionally distressing experience, impacting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. In this article, we explore the various aspects of hair loss due to alopecia, including its causes, available treatments, and most importantly, how to embrace it and live your best life!
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia is a broad term encompassing different forms of hair loss, each with its own characteristics and causes. Whether it's the sudden onset of patchy hair loss, gradual thinning over time, or complete loss of hair on the scalp, alopecia can have a profound impact on a person's confidence and self-esteem.
Different types of Alopecia
There are several types of alopecia, each characterised by specific patterns of hair loss and underlying causes.
The most prevalent form of alopecia, characterised by sudden and patchy hair loss is Alopecia Areata. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, resulting in the hair falling out. The extent of hair loss can vary, ranging from small, coin-sized patches to larger areas on the scalp.
Dealing with Alopecia
Some forms of Alopecia are very easy to avoid or improve symptoms. For example, Traction Alopecia is caused by excessive tension or pulling on the hair due to hairstyles that put constant stress on the hair follicles. Tight braids, ponytails, or hair extensions can lead to gradual hair loss, particularly along the hairline and so it may be a good idea to avoid these.
Manage your stress
Some types of Alopecia (such as Telogen Effluvium) are triggered by physical or emotional stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medication side effects, or major life events. So keeping stress levels to a minimum, eating healthily and keeping hormones in balance with supplements are a good idea.
Consider using wigs, toppers or hair pieces
Some people recover from alopecia with time or with medical help, but what about maintaining your appearance during a severe period of alopecia? Many people choose to wear wigs as a hair loss solution to cover the bald patches that come about by alopecia.
In fact, there are many people who wear wigs on a daily basis and you presume that they are their real hair! This is because the wig industry has become so advanced that they look extremely natural, realistic and affordable
If you are going to wear a wig, decide if you will keep your own hair and use a wig cap to contain it, or simply shave it off. This is likely to depend on the severity of your alopecia - some people do end up being naturally bald, and choose a wig or a selection of wigs for daily use.
Realistic Lace wigs
The most realistic wigs include lace front wigs and human hair wigs. Lace wigs are a type of wig constructed with a sheer lace base that mimics the appearance of a natural scalp. The base is typically made from a fine lace material that is either hand-tied or machine-sewn, creating a realistic and breathable foundation for the wig. The hair strands are individually hand-tied to the lace base, allowing for a natural-looking hairline and the illusion that the hair is growing directly from the scalp.
A human hair (rather than synthetic) lace wig will last you a long time, give a seamless look and is likely to go unnoticed. Whether you want a curly hair wig or straight hair wig, there are plenty of style options to choose from. You can also get coloured wigs, and so the fantastic thing about choosing a wig is that you can go for any colour or style you like. In fact, why not consider having a wig collection!
