Alexis talks candidly about experiencing alopecia and female hair loss beginning in high school.
Wyoming High School Student Goes Bald for Cancer Research
“Are you sure?” her parents asked.
Most of her friends said they wouldn’t do it. But Suzanne Savoy will spend the last week of her freshman year at Kelly Walsh High School in Caspar, Wyoming bald.
Unlike the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Bernice Bobs her Hair,” Savoy’s not talking about a drastic style choice just for attention. Yes, she wants as many people as possible to know about it. She might even dye her hair a funky color just to get more people to ask her about it before she’s shaved bald at a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event next week.
Her hair loss will raise money and awareness for research to cure childhood cancer.
Posted in Childhood hair loss
Tagged cancer, caspar, childhood cancer, human hair wigs, wyoming
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Powerful Women Like Short Hair?
Have you ever noticed that some of the most powerful and wealthy women in the world have short hair? A great example is Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign. If you notice, Hillary’s hair was often shoulder length or longer until right before she announced her campaign to run for the first female president of the United States. If you start to look deeper at some of the world’s wealthiest women you’ll also notice that many of them keep their hair well above their shoulders. Here a few examples:
(1) Liliane Bettencourt, founder of L’Oréal, one of the world’s largest cosmetics and beauty companies is on the list of wealthiest woman. She is worth over $24 billion. She decided to cut her hair at the end of World War I when short hairstyles became fashionable, and still has short hair today.
(2) Susanne Klatten inherited a stake in automaker BMW from late father Herbert Quandt and is worth thirteen billion dollars. She has made slight changes to her hair over the years, occasionally adding or removing a bang or part, but has always kept it quite short and strikingly blond.
(3) Rosalía Mera Goyenechea is one of the richest women in Spain and is listed on Forbes.com as one of the wealthiest people in the world. She is a clothing and lingerie designer whose net worth is $4.5 billion. Even with her sandy blond highlights, her hair has never been longer than a few inches!
(4) Politician Mayawati is the President of the Bahujan Samaj Party in India and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most populous and influential states. She is one of the most powerful women in the world. Her style remains masculine as she combs her hair back with a simple side part.
On the Forbes list of 100 most powerful women in the world, about two thirds of the women have short hair. Could this be a coincidence? Certainly hair-length is not a measure of power. The US magazine has measured “power” as a composite of public profile, calculated using press mentions, and financial heft. So the question becomes why does short hair seem to go hand and hand with power? Do women cut their hair on the road to success?
There are several possibilities. There is a trend that encourages women to dress conservatively, wear only light make-up, and to wear little or no perfume in the business world. Perhaps the hair cut is among these features that tend toward masculine norms. Those more masculine tendencies are often more closely associated with authority. Additionally, long hair is often associated with beauty, as we see with most of our celebrities, actresses, singers, and models. Thus to distinguish themselves, businesswomen may opt for an alternative short look. Some may even say that these powerful women prefer to keep their hair short just for the sake of convenience. As long hair requires more maintenance, the women in the corporate world choose something short for its ease. What have you found in your experience? Does short hair help you in your career?
References:
Forbes.com, Economic Times
Posted in aging, hair styles
Tagged aging and hair loss, hair styles, personal attitude, professional women
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Turn Hair Loss into Your Dream Come True
When we talk about hair loss it is often in the context of how to survive it, to recover from it, or deal with the physical and emotional impacts of it. However, hair loss can actually be viewed as an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
Jennifer Lopez, eat your heart out! Think about it. Many women simply accept the hair they were born with and remain confined to the color, texture or length with only minor alterations here and there—an occasional cut, dye or straightener. But if you are a woman experiencing female hair loss (whether genetic or medically realated), you have the chance to go drastic with a beautiful investment in a full cap 100% human hair wig, hair additions, or hair extensions.
You can even go for that daring cut you’ve been thinking about for months or years. Now you can go for that celebrity style you’ve always dreamed of but were too nervous to experiment with.
Jennifer Lopez’s long and lush look: Jennifer Lopez’s hair is well known for being golden blond, long and wavy. She often achieves this look by layering hair extensions at different levels in her hair depending on whether she is going for big and bouncy, straight and sleek, or wavy and round. But to get that J-Lo look, you needn’t spend hours at the salon or risk further damage to your hair if you are already in some stage of hair loss. There are many options for full cap custom made 100% human hair wigs that still allow you the Jennifer Lopez fullness. Whether you choose a full lace or a suction cap you can create a custom wig designed to your specifications, to fit your head with your styling choices. Search for a hairloss expert in your area who can decide which wig is the right choice for you.
Ashley Simpson and the short look: Last year, Ashley Simpson made many appearances with a short blond haircut. This is a sleek and simple look with a side part, hair long at the top, with a nice swooping bang combed to the front. It can work with any color and is a style perfect for women with fine, thinning hair, or female pattern hair loss mainly at the crown of their head. You are able to manipulate the part and lengths at different points on your head. This way you can take full advantage of those areas where your hair is thickest and camouflage those areas that might be thinning.
Alek Wek and the extremely short look: The bald look for women can be truly striking. Supermodel Alek Wek started her career with a completely bald head and hasn’t let her hair exceed more than a ¼ inch long since. Alek’s great bone structure has allowed her to don this distinct look. But she is in company with many actresses who over the years have opted to keep their bald heads as a high fashion statement after removing their hair for one role or another. The most popular are Sigorney Weaver, Demi Moore and more recently Natalie Portman. Even the partially shaved head on celebrities like Cassie and Rihana are gaining popularity. Admittedly, these styles are on the edgy-side of the spectrum. But if you are in the position to be bold and in the mood to be experimental this look could be an option for you.
Regardless of what you ultimately choose, remember to stay open to the possibilities and enjoy the process. Remember, hair is supposed to be fun! Hair loss doesn’t have to be painful. On the contrary, the experience can be entirely transformed if you transform your perspective!
Posted in alopecia, Female Hair Loss, Human hair wigs, wigs
Tagged alopecia, female hair loss, hair loss, human hair wigs, wigs
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Kayla Martell Has Alopecia
If you thought that hair loss would stop you from achieving your dreams, you should take a look at beauty queen Kayla Martell. Kayla Martell was Miss Delaware in the 2011 Miss America contest, held in Las Vegas on January 15th. In addition to being among the top ten finalists in that competition, Kalya also has been diagnosed with alopecia areata, inexplicable and incurable hair loss. She has been living with alopecia areata since she was 10 years old and thus pays special attention to supporting children diagnosed with the disease. Her dedicated cause during the pageant was the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. She is committed to raising awareness of and support for the disease and the individuals that suffer from it.
Kayla Martell had competed five times for the title of Miss Delaware. The first three times she competed without a wig and the final two times she competed with a blond wig, including the final competition in which she was crowned Miss Delaware. In her interview with CBSnews, Miss Martell stated, “when I competed without the wig it was great because I was really representing who I am.”
She often expresses that she feels as comfortable with her wigs as she does without them. In fact, she states that she didn’t even own a wig until she began wearing it for competition. On a daily basis, doing things like shopping, spending time with friends, and working out, Kayla proudly sports her clean-shaven head, or the very short fuzzy style that grows naturally. For this reason she felt no conflict in competing with her wig in the National Miss America contest. She easily removes and reaffixes her wig on television and claims that family support and her position as a role model is what gives her the confidence to compete and be herself.
Just as she appears in public spaces both with and without her wig, she encourages women and girls to make that decision for themselves with no moral right or wrong attached to their choice. Her blog, Kalya’s Corner, aims to create “a safe space,” entertain and also raise awareness about “the many causes of women’s hair loss.” She offers advice, insights, and creates a forum for women and children who suffer from hair loss to ask questions and benefit from her experience. Also in her blog, she addresses varied topics from whether or not there should be a bald Barbie, to interviewing women undergoing chemotherapy.
This young woman shows us that we’re able to pursue our passions and desires fearlessly. Once you are able to embrace your hair loss and view yourself as beautiful, desirable, even a role model to other women, others will be able to view you in that light. It’s not only a matter of inner beauty it’s also a matter of letting what is inside, how you feel about yourself, show through on the outside.
External Links: Kayla’s Corner Blog
Postpartum Hair Loss
During pregnancy, your body transforms itself into an incubator, providing food, shelter and nourishment to a brand new life. After childbirth, you might be relieved to have it all over! No more morning sickness, no more hormone imbalance and the mood swings that come with it, no more weight gain…it’s finally over. After all those months you deliver and welcome the opportunity to reclaim your body as a familiar entity once again. But after delivery, over the next few months, you might start to notice more hair than normal is falling out in the shower and showing up on your hair brush. Then you look in the mirror and see that in fact you have significantly less hair then you used to. It may feel as if your hair has been coming out by the handfuls. You could be flooded with emotions and questions: Is this stress? Have I developed an illness? What’s wrong with me? What you might be experiencing is something called postpartum hair loss.
What is Postpartum Hair Loss? Postpartum hair loss is a form of telogen effluvium. It occurs suddenly and the hair loss is diffuse. This type of hair loss is not uncommon for many women. It often occurs one to six months after giving birth.
What causes Postpartum Hair Loss? In the normal cycle of hair growth, women tend to loose hair in what is called the resting stage. The hair in the resting stage, around 10% of your hair, often comes out during normal processes of maintenance. However, during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes in your body, fewer hairs actually enter that resting stage which allows it to naturally shed. For this reason, some women’s hair actually becomes fuller during pregnancy. However, after delivery, once your estrogen levels return to normal levels more hair enters the resting stage and becomes ready to shed. The telogen hairs tend to shed over a short time, around three to six months, and in large quantities. Don’t worry. This is a temporary state.
Will my hair grow back? Yes! Generally speaking, your hair will return to its normal growth cycle. The telogen hair sheds because the newly growing hair pushes out of the follicle. So shedding hair, in a sense, is a sign of recovery. In a year or less, you should make a full recovery.
What measures can I take? There aren’t many measures you can take to prevent this type of hair loss. Since it is temporary, you can try to avoid hairstyles that pull or strain you hair such as cornrows, pigtails and hair weaves after delivery. Be gentle with your hair; be conscious of the shampoos and conditioners you use, avoid fine tooth combing, blow drying and other instruments that require heat. You are also encouraged to eat healthy and balanced meals including healthy servings of fruits and vegetables with antioxidants and to take supplemental vitamins. Lastly, you should try as much as possible to reduce stress in your life.
References:
American Pregnancy Association
Coupe, Robert L.M. “Diagnosis of Hair Loss”. Canadian Family Physician. 1992 April, vol. 38 pp863-936
What’s the difference between Male and Female Pattern Baldness?
Among the many biological occurrences that manifest differently for men and women, one that is especially different is cycles of hair loss. The idea of male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is widely known and often discussed. But just as there are measurable configurations of male baldness, there exist patterns for female hair loss as well. In fact, over 55% of women experience some measure of hair loss throughout their lives.
Just as Hamilton and Norwood developed a scale for male hair loss (developed by Hamilton in the 1950’s then updated by Norwood in the 1970’s), in 1977 Ludwig developed a similar scale for female pattern baldness.
Though there are other scales for both MPHL and female pattern hair loss (FPHL), these two are the most popular among practitioners and researchers when attempting to classify hair loss.
The Hamilton-Norwood scale: The Hamilton-Norwood scale has seven types of classifications and several stages within those classifications. For example, within stage 5 there are 3 levels of progression including 5, 5A, and 5V, which show variations on a receding hairline with hair loss also in the crown of a man’s head. Androgenetic alopecia, or MPHL, can begin for some men even in their teens and continue on throughout their life. The rate and onset of androgentic alopecia is highly individualized. However, it is widely accepted that there are biological determinants for hair loss and the best indicator of a man’s potential for hair loss is in his family history.
The Ludwig scale: The Ludwig scale has three primary classifications that display thinning hair, diffuse hair loss, as well as frontal hairline recession. Each image in the scale display a woman’s head with her hair parted down the middle. As an example, images I-1 through I-4 show the progression as a woman goes from no hair loss to increasingly thinning hair as indicated by a widening part. Further along in the scale, the hair loss becomes increasingly drastic. As compared to male hair loss, FPHL is not as wildly expected or accepted in society. Thus, women affected by androgentic alopecia can experience emotional and psychological distress over their condition. This scale helps to normalize their condition and provide a point from which to discuss treatment with professionals in the field of hair restoration, dermatology, and other medical professions.
The comparison: The same process of miniaturization of hair follicles and development of terminal follicles is present for both male and female pattern hair loss. Many, but not all, treatment options are comparable for men and women including medications that contain androgen enhancers, hair replacement accessories, and surgical options. Though there are similarities between MPHL and female androgenic alopecia the primary differences are that women tend toward early detection and thus early treatment; males have a higher rate of progression and earlier average age of onset; there is lower percentage of women affected by FPHL compared to the percentage of men affected; and finally, the patterns themselves are different as displayed in the two scales. Research continues to be performed on both male and female and androgenic alopecia. For now, the best way to combat it is through early detection. In both cases, treatment options are more effective and available when you begin early. Is it best to consult your physician on which treatment options might be best for you. You can also contact a hair care expert in your area to learn about hairpieces as you navigate these difficult waters.
References:
Dinh QU and Sinclair R. “Female pattern hair loss: Current treatment concepts”. Dove Medical Press Limited, 2007 Jun, 2(2): 189-199
Camacho FM, Garcia-Hernandez MJ, Fernandez-Crehuet JL. “Value of hormonal levels in patients with male androgenetic alopecia treated with finasteride: better response in patients under 26 years old”. British Journal of Dermatology. 2008 May;158(5):1121-4.
Does Being Bald Hurt You in a Job Interview?
Don’t lose out over hair loss: Nail the job interview and get the job. In our tough economic climate, landing job opportunities has become more difficult and competitions for positions have become increasingly fierce. Therefore, when you are invited for a job interview it is even more important to look you best – in every way possible. If you are experiencing hair loss, it is easy to let that fact make you self-conscious or insecure, which can affect your performance in your interview.
It’s not all in your head! According to a report by Fox News in Phoenix, Arizona, balding men (and women) are less likely to be selected for positions after job interviews than men with full heads of hair. And it doesn’t stop there! As reported in an article for Business Insider, 63% of men report that hair loss has negatively affected their career. But why? According to David Mackenna of National Hair Centers in Phoenix, Arizona, many people don’t even realize that they have biases against bald or balding individuals. A possible explanation for this unconscious discrimination is that hair loss is often associated with aging. In our youth obsessed culture, signs of age can work against you.
The good news is that you can do something about it. Today’s modern, state-of-the-art hair restoration and men’s hair replacement techniques can make hair loss a distant memory in your professional and personal life. Many men and women report that hair replacement was one of the most significant events in their professional lives, with positive carry-over effects in their personal lives – including greater self-confidence and a more positive outlook on life.
When it comes time for the interview, express your personality in the interview. Do all of the standard preparation — research the company and professional history of your interviewer, think of stories or examples for how you’ve dealt with situations similar to those that you may face in the position, and make sure you arrive early. But more than that, show off your personality. Be charismatic and fully present.
Another important factor is your clothing and presentation. In short, dress impeccably (but don’t over-dress)! A polished professional look goes a long way to impress your interviewer, to make you stand out from other candidates, and to make you feel secure. ‘Professional’ does have to mean expensive. The fit of your clothes and neatness are far more important than expensive name brands. Display a memorable signature style that conforms to the norms of the office you will enter while still having elements of modern fashion that express your personality. Your goal is to make sure that the interviewer can picture you as member of his or her team from the moment you walk in. Let your professionalism show through your appearance.
If you choose to make a personal investment in hair replacement, it is important to achieve as natural a look as possible. It may hurt you more in the process if you look like you are covering something up, creating just the opposite effect of what you desire. It is therefore important to seek our a hair replacement specialist you can trust, and with whom you feel comfortable, both technically and personally. Above all, ask to see samples of their work and ask for references. This is an investment in yourself, and the goal is a totally natural, age-appropriate look, that is matched to not only your own hair, but your own lifestyle as well.
As you prepare for your all-important interview, an interview with a professional hair loss consultant can yield very long term results indeed.
Chemotherapy Wigs: Human Hair or Synthetic
Human Hair Wigs vs. Synthetic Hair Wigs: How to make the right choice while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Hair loss resulting from chemotherapy can be a distressing matter for women, especially as you seek to create as much normalcy in your life as possible. A wig, properly chosen, fitted and styled, is a great way to feel like yourself again – or to create a whole new you.
You can choose a wig that is similar to your natural hair, one that is your dream hairstyle, or you can express your individuality and just have fun with it! Aside from the style, you have two main options when it comes types of wigs. You may choose one made of synthetic materials or a wig made of 100% human hair. Human hair wigs are usually more expensive then synthetic wigs, however in the long run, they are well worth the expense. When deciding between the two, don’t let price be the sole determining factor. Also consider these factors when making your choice:
Longevity: It is a plain fact the synthetic wigs are often less expensive, and as a result are a more popular initial choice. However, after a few months of daily wear, a synthetic wig can begin to tangle and knot, and look like what it is – a wig. With proper care, human hair wigs can a very long time without the visual impact of wear. Though chemotherapy treatments may last only a few weeks, it might take 12 – 18 months for your hair to regrow to a comfortable and of sufficient length to be styled again. So for those who may need to go to work everyday during or after a cycle of chemotherapy, having a beautiful wig that doesn’t look like a wig, but instead looks like their own natural growing hair can make a big difference. It can make you feel good about yourself when you look in the mirror, as well as help you maintain a professional appearance and give you comfort and confidence in the workplace and while you are out in public.
Natural look/Natural style: Another benefit to human hair wigs is their completely natural look. With a properly fitted and styled natural human hair wig, no one would suspect that it wasn’t your own natural growing hair. Additionally, if you plan to wear your wig for a long period of time, you can style, cut and color your human hair wig just as you would your natural hair. Synthetic wigs, by comparison, come pre-styled and generally cannot be colored due to the nature of the synthetic materials used. Synthetic wigs also tend to have more shine, which often isn’t as natural a look as women are hoping for.
You may consider purchasing several wigs, allowing you to alternate between looks, for special occasions or everyday errands. If you want the best of all worlds, go for the human hair wig and you won’t be disappointed.
Maintenance: Another factor to consider is that with all the benefits of human hair, comes all the maintenance of human hair. Unlike synthetic hair wigs that are pre-styled, human hair wigs require washing, combing and styling. So if you are a shake and go type, consider purchasing a human hair wig and styling it in a way that will allow for the ease that you want.
The physical and resulting emotional side effects of chemotherapy treatments can be taxing for anyone. Hair loss, for women especially, is likely the most visible physical impact of the treatment and thus tends to be a major concern for women who want to maintain a public life while keeping their treatment private. A wise investment is in a hairpiece that is appropriate for your lifestyle. The right answer is the one that works best for you and leaves you feeling like the empowered and like the courageous person you are!
References:
LiveStrong.com, National Cancer Institute “Hair Loss: Alopecia”
Posted in Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy, Female Hair Loss, hair loss causes, hair styles, wigs
Tagged breast cancer, chemotherapy, human hair wigs, medical hair loss, wigs
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Traction Alopecia: Is it Preventable?
Traction Alopecia is a common but preventable hair loss condition.
We often think of alopecia as naturally occurring based on biological or genetic factors. However, one common form of alopecia, traction alopecia, can develop over time and is based on how we treat our own hair. Pulling your hair into tight hairstyles over long periods of time can cause traction alopecia. The refreshing fact is that this form of hair loss is entirely preventable.
Who can develop Traction Alopecia? The reality is that anyone can develop traction alopecia if you are not careful. It can be caused by tightly pulling hair into a ponytail on a consistent basis; by very tight braids, especially cornrows or French braids; or by having any other hairstyle that necessitates tightly pulling your hair, and causing it to be under constant tension or traction where it emerges from the scalp. The constant pulling damages the hair follicle and over time this can lead to hair loss or limited hair growth.
Traction Alopecia presents at a higher degree of incidence among African and African-American women (and men) who more frequently choose braided hairstyles. According to a study found in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 17% of African girls and almost 32% of African women develop Traction Alopecia. The situation can be exacerbated for women with chemically relaxed hair. When your hair is relaxed, the strands are already weakened and stripped of their natural elasticity due to the chemicals used in relaxers. So if you tightly braid or otherwise tightly style hair in this state, you are putting yourself at higher risk for traction alopecia.
How can I prevent it? The biggest step toward prevention is awareness! Many women just don’t realize the long-term effect of continuously styling your hair tightly. Some choose tightly styled hair, especially for young girls, to ensure that the hairstyle will stay in place and remain neat looking throughout the day or week. To reduce the risk of traction alopecia, consider changing out hairstyles on a regular basis. Rather than pulling hair into a ponytail every day, wear it down with a loose decorative hair clip, use a headband or elegant scarf to lightly hold your hair back. For relaxed hair, the safest way is to avoid braiding, avoid weaves that sew in directly to your hair and avoid ‘microbraid’ extensions. The simplest way to put it is, loosen up! Don’t braid or style tightly. The benefit of not having to style every day is not worth the cost and emotional trauma of preventable hair loss.
What should I do to treat my Traction Alopecia? For most women, Traction Alopecia most often occurs at the hairline especially in the temporal region of your head where hair is pulled tightest. There are a few treatment options available to you depending on the severity of the condition. It is best to see your dermatologist for advice on topical and other treatments. Cosmetically, hair additions and wigs made from 100% human hair can create a stunning, beautiful, and natural look while undergoing treatments.
References:
Khumalo NP, Jessop S, Gumedze F, Ehrlich R. “Determinants of marginal traction alopecia in African girls and women.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008 Sep;59(3):432-8.