Hair loss in healthy women

The importance of good haircare

It should be noted that some disturbances may be an artefact of incorrect shampooing or hairdressing procedures. Perming and colouring can cause hair loss due to hair breakage. The scalp, like the skin, undergoes cyclical renewal where dead surface cells are constantly being shed or rubbed away. Sometimes a scalp condition can affect the rate of hair shedding. It is important therefore to ensure that the scalp is free from any dandruff-like condition. Inadequate or infrequent shampooing can alter the apparent amount of hair being shed. Unfortunately, many sufferers with hair loss tend to shampoo less frequently, believing (incorrectly) that shampooing adversely affects the amount shed.

A few tips and suggestions

 

Opinions vary as to how often we should shampoo and it is not an easy question to answer. Here are a few guidelines which should be of help. If you live in a city or large town, shampoo at least three times a week. Since you cleanse your face daily there is a good argument for shampooing daily. Individuals with fine or thinning hair find shampooing gives the hair more volume and lessens the effect of hair loss, so shampooing daily can make a real difference to how the hair looks. If you use conditioner try to apply it only to the ends of your hair. Comb your hair before going to bed and start at the tips working from tip to root. Don't drag the comb through the hair from root to tip. If you like brushing your hair, comb it first.

 

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This information is produced in association with
Dr Hugh Rushton PhD FIT,
24 Harmont House, 20 Harley Street, London W1.

Dr Rushton is Honorary Senior Lecturer, Trichological Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Portsmouth. He has a PhD in "Chemical & Morphological Properties of Scalp Hair in Normal and Abnormal States", a BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and has published over 25 papers and several book chapters relating to scalp hair problems. In addition his interests in forensic science have seen him giving expert evidence in criminal cases in the UK and New Zealand.

Dr Rushton's interest in hair related sciences continues to this day and he is a fellow of the Institute of Trichologists, Royal Society of Medicine and member of the European Hair Research Society, Society of Cosmetic Scientists and New York Academy of Science. His academic base is the University of Portsmouth, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences where he holds an Honorary Senior Lecturer post.