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Secrets
HEALTH
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If you're alarmed about the amount of hair in
your brush or comb, remember that it's normal
to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. But if you're
fnding that the hair on your head is suddenly
noticeably thinner in patches or all over, there's
probably an underlying medical cause, says
Dr. Joyce Davis, a New York dermatologist
and spokesperson for the American Academy
of Dermatology. A more gradual thinning along
the part in your hair, on the other hand, is usually
a sign of hereditary female-pattern baldness.
A:
The real truth
about what
hair loss means
Help! I'm losing my hair—
what's going on?
Q:
A:
Q:
If my hair loss is from female-
pattern baldness rather than
a medical condition, is there
anything I can do about it?
The Food and Drug Administration has
approved minoxidil (Rogaine) for men and
women. It's an over-the-counter liquid or foam
that can help you grow hair and keep you from
losing more hair. Low-level laser therapy has
also been cleared by the FDA as a treatment
for pattern baldness, although research is
ongoing about its long-term effect.
A:
Q:
How can I keep my remaining
and future hair on my head
as long as possible?
Start by eating a good, well-balanced diet with
plenty of protein, says Dr. Davis. "If you're not
getting enough protein, the body has to select
what it's going to make, and hair is usually the
frst thing the body eliminates," she says.
You'll also want to avoid hairstyles that pull
tightly at your hair, and frequent use of hot rollers
and curling irons. If you're using elastic bands
for ponytails or braids, make sure the bands are
coated with fabric so they don't pull at your hair.
And invest in a sturdy wide-tooth comb to help
ease daily wear-and-tear on your hair.
A:
Q:
But how do I stop my hair from
falling out?
The frst step is determining what's causing your
hair loss. Start with a dermatologist, advises
Dr. Davis, who will take a thorough medical
history and screen for medical conditions such
as thyroid disease, anemias and autoimmune
disorders. "The good news is that when a
cause is found, the [hair loss] is generally
reversible when the underlying medical
problem is treated," she says.
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