Two fold increase in hair loss among women
http://www.hair123.co.uk/articles/articles/36/1/Two-fold-increase-in-hair-loss-among-women/Page1.html
Susan Whitford
Susan Whitford has twelve years experience as a health and beauty journalist in the United Kingdom. Susan has worked as a staff writer and features editor on a number of consumer magazines. By Susan Whitford
Published on 26th September, 2008
According to the latest study, the number of women suffering from stress-related hair loss has doubled in the last ten years.
In the last ten years, the number of women suffering from stress-related hair loss has doubled.
The statistic, which was released by the charity Hairline International, is the result of a study by Dr Hugh Rushton of the University of Portsmouth's school of pharmacy. He surveyed 800 women and found that nearly one-third of them had experienced considerable thinning or loss of hair. The results were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Sometimes the problem is androgenic alopecia, which can be caused by genetic factors. The increase in the number of hair loss sufferers, however, is more likely caused by hormonal imbalances and stress.
Trichologist Philip Kingsley said: "Stress causes a rise in adrenaline, which can be converted by the body into cholesterol and then dihydrotestosterone, a substance that causes hair loss in both men and women."
Factors that can help slow down or prevent hair loss include getting plenty of sleep and introducing stress-busting activities into one's lifestyle (e.g. yoga). Diet is also important: "Because hair is made of protein, it is also vital to eat low-fat protein foods like cheese, milk and dairy, preferably for breakfast, as hair follicles have their lowest energy supplies first thing in the morning," said Kingsley.
The statistic, which was released by the charity Hairline International, is the result of a study by Dr Hugh Rushton of the University of Portsmouth's school of pharmacy. He surveyed 800 women and found that nearly one-third of them had experienced considerable thinning or loss of hair. The results were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Sometimes the problem is androgenic alopecia, which can be caused by genetic factors. The increase in the number of hair loss sufferers, however, is more likely caused by hormonal imbalances and stress.
Trichologist Philip Kingsley said: "Stress causes a rise in adrenaline, which can be converted by the body into cholesterol and then dihydrotestosterone, a substance that causes hair loss in both men and women."
Factors that can help slow down or prevent hair loss include getting plenty of sleep and introducing stress-busting activities into one's lifestyle (e.g. yoga). Diet is also important: "Because hair is made of protein, it is also vital to eat low-fat protein foods like cheese, milk and dairy, preferably for breakfast, as hair follicles have their lowest energy supplies first thing in the morning," said Kingsley.