Thin Hair…You Could Be Anaemic, Stressed or Just Hungry

Hair loss can have a profound effect on self-esteem, triggering depression and so, ironically, hindering recovery

As a trichologist I have spent decades studying and treating hair problems. Sadly, many cases are self-inflicted  -  brittle, dry and irreparably damaged hair is the result of years of heat-treating, dyeing and styling. Yet the state of our hair is also a visible barometer of our internal health. Illness  -  and certain medications  -  cause locks to lose their lustre, becoming dull, limp and fine-looking.

Indeed, today I see more cases of hair loss than I have ever done before. Perhaps it is because we are more stressed, or simply because we are living longer  -  as both anxiety and the natural ageing process can result in the hair falling out.

Whatever the cause, hair loss can have a profound effect on self-esteem, triggering depression and so, ironically, hindering recovery. It is by no means a shallow act of vanity for someone in the throes of ill-health to worry about their hair.

If anything, finding ways to address the problem can actually be a huge boost to self-esteem and therefore only help the speed at which we get better.

You cannot diagnose illness just by looking at the hair. But it is possible to be completely unaware that you are suffering from a health problem that is causing poor hair growth, and if you are worried visit your GP.

ANAEMIA

We need iron to produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency leads to anaemia, meaning fewer red blood cells. Less oxygen is carried to the scalp, starving the follicles, and eventually causing gradual, uniform hair loss. The hair will appear wispy, and the scalp may be more visible than usual.

Other symptoms include pale skin, lethargy and fatigue. An iron supplement may help. Lack of Vitamin C and consumption of caffeine and alcohol can also hinder iron absorption. Drinking a glass of orange juice with iron-rich food aids absorption, helping hair grow back.

EATING DISORDERS

The growing phase of the hair cycle is prematurely halted by reduced food intake, which makes blood flow sluggish to the scalp. Hair loses its shine and falls out. Those who lose weight suddenly, or limit their calorie intake to maintain a low weight, may well also have wispy, dull-looking hair.

The hair loss is rarely permanent but eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein is vital. Hair is made from protein, and it is particularly important to eat protein at breakfast as this is when levels are at their lowest in the hair follicles.

Also make sure the diet is rich in vitamins  -  especially the B complex  -  zinc and essential fatty acids.

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women is caused by an excess of male hormones which can trigger thinning at the front and top of the scalp. This happens only in PCOS sufferers with a family history of genetic hair loss.

The condition causes increased hair growth on the face and body. Drugs to reduce the amount of male hormone should help hair regrowth, as will head massage, which increases blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles.

THYROID PROBLEMS

The first sign of a thyroid disorder can be hair loss. Too much or too little thyroid hormone in the body affects the metabolism and the hair-growth cycle. Hair loss is generalised  -  back, sides and top  –  as every follicle is affected.

Drugs or other treatments can be given to manage the condition. To help hair grow back, have plenty of protein and massage the head every morning.

STRESS

Stress can cause premature greying. Hormones released in the body during stressful events affect the absorption of B vitamins needed for pigmentation. Emotional stress can also lead to alopecia in which the immune system attacks the hair cells, resulting in clumps of hair loss, often starting with a small bald patch on the head or in facial hair in men.

As well as relaxation techniques, taking a B vitamin complex supplement could help deal with premature grey. Alopecia can be treated in various ways including steroids or UV light therapy  -  but in some cases it is simply a matter of waiting for the hair to grow back, which can take years.

Why chemotherapy does not always mean hair loss

The signature image of cancer is the bald-headed chemotherapy patient, so fear of hair loss often adds to the horror of the diagnosis. I have had first-hand experience of this, as my wife, Joan, was treated for breast cancer in June 2006.

Chemotherapy drugs target fast-growing cells, with the aim of preventing cancer cells from rapidly dividing and reproducing. But hair follicles are second only to bone marrow in terms of reproductive activity, so hair loss can be the unwelcome side effect.

Wearing a cold cap during treatment may help prevent it.

Cool fluid is pumped through the soft silicone cap, and the cold constricts the tiny capillaries that feed the hair, reducing the amount of drugs reaching the follicles. But it can be uncomfortable and most patients can usually wear it for only about 20 minutes.

Hair normally starts to regrow, at about half an inch a month, around ten weeks from the end of treatment. It may come back wavy instead of straight or vice versa, though we are not sure why, or turn white as chemotherapy can destroy melanocytes, the pigment cells that give hair its colour. By Philip Kingsley, The Daily Mail