Hair Restoration Options for Medically-Related Hair Loss

Including: Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Alopecia

Chemotherapy drugs destroy rapidly reproduc­ing cancer cells, but other cells, such as those that create hair shafts and nails, also rapidly repro­duce. While cancer drugs destroy cancer cells, they can also damage cells responsible for normal hair growth.

Usually hair is lost rapidly and in large quantities during treatment. Once chemotherapy is completed, the hair usually grows back. This process may take from six to 12 months.

Radiation Therapy uses high-energy radiation to stop cancer cells from growing and reproducing. Radiation destroys all cells that it contacts. Cancer cells, especially when they are about to reproduce, are more sensitive to radiation than healthy cells. If treatment is given at that time, radiation will prevent the cells from dividing and they will die.

Hair may be lost temporarily in the area being treated. In some cases, hair loss may be perma­nent. In most cases, your hair will start growing again after treatments are completed.

Genetic and Other Types of Hair Loss

Alopecia is a term applied to several different types of hair loss which are not caused by medical treatments. The most common are:

Androgenetic Alopecia is a thinning of the hair. In women, it is called female pattern alopecia and usually occurs over the top and sides of the head. It affects nearly one third of all women, but is most common after menopause.

Although Androgenetic Alopecia is usually an inherited genetic trait, other common causes of hair loss include physical stress (surgery, illness, anemia, rapid weight change), emotional stress, thyroid abnormalities, certain medications, hormonal changes, or compulsive disorders.

Alopecia Areata is extreme hair loss in patches or spots on the head. The hair loss patches can regrow and/or reappear in different areas on the scalp. This type of hair loss appears to be an auto-immune reaction by the body.

Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis are a continuation of the extreme hair loss symptoms outlined above. With Alopecia Totalis, you lose the hair on your entire scalp. With Alopecia Universalis, you might lose your eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair. These forms of hair loss are usually caused by the body rejecting, for as yet to be defined reasons, the growing hair follicle. Rarely does the hair regrow to its original degree.

What Are My Options?

With medically-induced hair loss, some people, especially men, choose to shave their scalp at the first signs of hair loss. For women, another choice can be a simple scarf or head wrap.

A state-of-the-art hair prosthesis offers the latest technological advancements for replacing lost hair. Form-fitting and styled as though it were your own hair, it is lightweight, secure, comfortable, and requires minimal care. In many cases, it is wise to obtain a prosthesis before the effects of therapy are obvious.

Depending upon your type of hair loss, a professional hair loss specialist can offer a wide range of choices and options including:

•  Cool Laser Treatments to minimize excessive hair loss, giving your hair a thicker, fuller appearance and in some cases, helping to regenerate hair growth.
• Hair Loss Prevention Programs, using topical products designed to minimize hair loss, can help substantially.
• Hair Prostheses can offer the most dramatic results. There are many options available, from integrations (to give you some increased volume) to full hair additions to restore all of your lost hair. A state-of-the-art hair prosthesis offers security, comfort and a totally natural appearance that defies detection.

Start Living Your Life Again

Medically-related hair loss can be devastating, but the more you know and understand its causes and your options, the more effectively you can manage the stress and concern surrounding your hair loss.
Given the facts and being prepared will make your hair loss more manageable.
We want to help you understand your hair loss and your options.

To learn about the latest women's hair loss treatments and find the solution that's just right for you, contact Transitions at 732-282-0020.  Transitions is located at, 1860 Highway 35, Suite 3, Wall, NJ  07719.
www.transitionshairsolutions.com