Before anything else, here are some facts about zinc that you should know. First, zinc is a trace mineral that is found in the body. It plays a vital part in many bodily processes and functions such as in cell reproduction, hormonal balance, proper absorption of vitamins, and in protein synthesis. All these processes are vital for proper hair growth such that an adequate amount of this mineral is needed to prevent hair thinning and loss.
Causes of Hair Loss
You must know that a certain amount of hair loss everyday is normal. We usually shed off about 50 to a hundred hair each day, and this should not be a cause of alarm since it will not necessarily lead to permanent hair loss. This shedding is equivalent to the number of hair that grows. But, if you happen to shed more than average, you may want to find out what causes this shedding. Hair loss can be caused by various reasons such as hormones, genetics, poor diet and nutrition, age, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, stress, infections, chemicals, rapid weight loss, or other diseases. The most common cause of hair loss is poor nutrition.
Zinc and Hair Loss
Deficiency in zinc can contribute a lot to hair shedding because without zinc and other related minerals, you hair shafts get weakened, causing hair breakage and very slow hair regrowth. Zinc benefits for hairinclude promotion of cell reproduction, tissue growth and repair of broken tissues. It also maintains the oil-secreting glands that are attached to your hair follicles, thus decreasing their chances of falling off.
Zinc Hair Treatment
There are various zinc supplements now available in the market. They are usually used to counter zinc deficiencies, but one of the secondary uses of zinc supplement is to fight hair thinning and hair loss. Usually, zinc gluconate at a dose level of 50 or 60 milligrams per day for two weeks is recommended. Other forms ofzinc supplements are zinc oxide, zinc chloride and zinc sulfate.
Zinc Selenium Hair Loss Treatment
Aside from zinc, the mineral selenium is also associated with hair loss. Selenium, along with zinc, can help your body properly utilize proteins and hormones to produce more hair. It has also been found that vitamin A , C, E and vitamin B6 aid these two minerals in promoting hair regrowth.
Excess Zinc and Hair Loss
Well, there is a certain truth in the studies that claim that zinc can also trigger hair loss. BUT! Hair loss can only be triggered by too much zinc in the body. The recommended daily amount of zinc is only about 11 milligrams. To counter hair loss, a dosage of 60 milligrams is effective. Taking too much or taking zinc supplements longer than recommended (more than three or four weeks) would do more harm than good to your hair. This is very probable because too much zinc in the body can hinder the absorption of other minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium and manganese, all of which may also take part in maintaining healthy hair. For instance, copper helps in forming blood vessels so that lack of it may be detrimental to the scalp and may limit the growth of your hair. In summary, there is a close knit relationship between zinc and hair loss. The bottom line is that too much zinc in your body would cause hair loss, but too much of it and you lose hair, as well. Thus, for safety and better results, take them only as prescribed.
Doctors may also test for levels of ferritin (a protein that indicates the amount of total body iron stores). New research suggests levels may be low in women with hair loss. Iron supplements may help.
Also new is the HairMax Laser Comb. It’s a red light therapy hairbrush-like device that increases circulation and the biological march that makes hair. It’s only approved in men (though some women are using it) and in my experience, is not as good as minoxidil. But in one study, 45% of users reported improvement after eight weeks, and 90% saw improvement after 16 weeks.
In some cases, a hormonal abnormality, such as excess male hormones known as androgens, may be responsible for hair loss in women. One clue that hormones are involved is if the hair loss pattern resembles that of a man’s hair loss. This can be treated with prescriptionmedications such as spironolactone or oral contraceptives.
In men, finasteride (originally marketed as Proscar) is approved for hair loss associated with androgens. In one study, 62% of women also taking oral contraceptives containing the synthetic progestin drospirenone reported improvement. So it may be effective for female hair loss in the setting of increased androgen. But studies are limited and it is harmful to the male fetus so should not be used by women thinking about becoming pregnant or who are pregnant.
Another treatment option is hair transplantation, in which tiny hair follicles taken from one area of the scalp are transplanted into the affected areas. It can be very effective and produce permanent results that are natural looking.
Should I change my hair care regimen?
No. Since there is no structural problem with the hair with female-pattern hair loss, women should continue their regular hair styling regimen. Sometimes women think they should stop washing, coloring, or perming their hair, but these things won’t impact the course of hair loss or speed up the process.
Wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo that contains ketoconazole (an antifungal) or zinc pyrthione (an antifungal and antibacterial).
Can hair loss be a sign of a more serious problem?
Yes. Hyperandrogenism, a medical condition characterized by excessive production of male hormones called androgens, can cause hair loss in affected women. The most common cause of hyperandrogenism in women is functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, also known as polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition to hair loss, other signs include obesity, acne, and irregular menstruation, and it is one of the most common causes of infertility.
Medication is designed to treat a variety of health conditions, but sometimes they can have unwanted side effects – including changes to your hair. Certain medicines can contribute to excess hair growth, changes in hair colour or texture, or even hair loss. Medication-induced hair loss, like any other type of hair loss, can have a real effect on your self-esteem. The good news is that in most cases, it’s reversible once you stop taking the medication.
Medications can lead to two types of hair loss:
Telogen effluvium is the most common form of medication-induced hair loss. It usually appears within two to four months after taking the medication. This condition causes the hair follicles to go into their resting phase (telogen) and fall out too early. People with telogen effluvium usually shed between 100 and 150 hairs a day.
Anagen effluvium is hair loss that occurs during the anagen phase of the hair cycle, when the hairs are actively growing. It prevents the matrix cells, which produce new hairs, from dividing normally. This type of hair loss usually occurs within a few days to weeks after taking the medication. It’s most common in people who are taking chemotherapy medications and is often severe, causing people to lose most or all of the hair on their head, as well as their eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hairs.
The severity of medication-induced hair loss depends on the type of medication and dosage, as well as your sensitivity to that medicine.
What types of medications cause hair loss?
Many different types of medicines are thought to cause hair loss, including some of the following types of medications:
Chemotherapy medications often lead to the anagen effluvium type of hair loss. As these kill cancercells throughout the body, they can also damage healthy cells, including hair matrix cells. The hair typically starts to fall out after the second cycle of chemotherapy. Hair loss is more common and severe in patients taking combinations of chemotherapy medications than in those who take just one medication.
How is medication-induced hair loss diagnosed?
If you are experiencing hair loss, your GP will ask you several questions, including:
When did the hair loss start?
How quickly has the hair been falling out?
What other symptoms do you have (scalp itching, burning or tingling)?
What medications were you taking in the four months leading up to the hair loss?
What other illnesses do you have?
Have you made any changes to your diet or hair-care routine?
The doctor also will examine your scalp to look at the pattern of hair loss.
Tests that may be done include:
Thyroid function tests – to test for thyroid disorders, which can sometimes cause hair thinning and hair loss
Full blood count – to test for iron deficiency anaemia, which can sometimes cause hair thinning
Hair shaft exam – to look at the shape, length and fragility of the hairs
Pull test – gently pulling on about 60 hairs to see how many come out
Biopsy – removing a piece of scalp tissue for examination
Hormone tests
It can be difficult to prove which medication is causing the hair loss, or even that one is to blame. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking one medication at a time and see whether your hair stops falling out, but it can take two to three months after stopping a medication for the hair loss to end.
How is medication-induced hair loss treated?
It’s important to review any medications you take and discuss their potential side effects with your GP and pharmacist. When hair loss does occur from a medication you’re taking, there is a good chance that the hair will grow back on its own after you stop taking it. If stopping the medications does not improve hair thinning, you may need to be treated with a medication that stops hair loss and can stimulate new hair growth.
One technique is available to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. It’s called scalp hypothermia, and it involves placing ice packs on the scalp a few minutes before, and for about a half-hour after chemotherapy treatment. Cooling the scalp reduces blood flow to the hair follicles, making it harder for the chemotherapy medications to get into the follicular cells. Cooling also reduces biochemical activity, making the hair follicles less susceptible to damage from chemotherapy drugs.
After chemotherapy treatment, the hair usually grows back very quickly, but it may change in texture. In rare cases, the hair will stay thin even after treatment has been stopped. Hair growth medication may help re-grow hair that is slow to return. Some chemotherapy patients wear a wig or hat to cover their hair loss until their hair grows back. (http://www.webmd.boots.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/medication-induced-hair-loss)
Here is a more detailed list of prescription drugs that cause hair loss:
Acne
All drugs derived from vitamin A as treatments for acne or other conditions, including:
Accutane (isotretinoin)
Blood
Anticoagulants (blood thinners), including:
Panwarfin (warfarin sodium)
Sofarin (warfarin sodium)
Coumadin (warfarin sodium)
Heparin injections
Cholesterol
Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including:
Atronid-S (clofibrate)
Lopid (gemfibrozil)
Convulsions/ Epilepsy
Anticonvulsants, including:
Tridone (trimethadione)
Depression
Antidepression drugs, including:
Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride)
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Janimine (imipramine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Tofranil PM (imipramine)
Adapin (doxepin)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Surmontil (trimipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Ventyl (nortriptyline)
Elavin (amitriptyline)
Endep (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pertofrane (desipramine)
Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride)
Asendin (amoxapine)
Haldol ( haloperidol)
Diet
Amphetamines
Fungus
Antifungals
Glaucoma
The beta-blocker drugs, including:
Timoptic Eye Drops (timolol)
Timoptic Ocudose (timolol)
Timoptic XC (timolol)
Gout
Lopurin (allopurinol)
Zyloprim (allopurinol)
Heart
Many drugs prescribed for the heart, including those known as the beta blockers, which are also used to treat high blood pressure, and include:
Tenormin (atenolol)
Lopressor (metoprolol)
Corgard (nadolol)
Inderal and Inderal LA (propanolol)
Blocadren (timolol)
High Blood Pressure
See Above list of beta blockers under “Heart”
Hormonal Conditions
All hormone-containing drugs and drugs prescribed for hormone-related, reproductive, male-specific, and female-specific conditions and situations have the potential to cause hair loss, including:
Birth Control Pills
Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) for women (estrogen or progesterone)
Male androgenic hormones and all forms of testosterone
Anabolic steriods
Prednisone and other steroids
Inflammation
Many anti-inflammatory drugs, including those prescribed for localized pain, swelling and injury.
Arthritis drugs
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs including:
Naprosyn (naproxen)
Anaprox (naproxen)
Anaprox DS (naproxen)
Indocin (indomethacin)
Indocin SR (indomethacin)
Clinoril (sulindac)
An anti-inflammatory that is also used as a chemotherapy drug:
Methotrexate (MTX)
Rheumatex (methotrexate)
Folex (methotrexate)
Parkinson’s Disease
Levadopa / L-dopa (dopar, larodopa)
Thyroid Disorders
Many of the drugs used to treat the thyroid
Ulcer
Many of the drugs used to treat indigestion, stomach difficulties, and ulcers, including over-the-counter dosages and prescription dosages.
There are several prescription medications that cause hair loss, but it seems as if the doctors never disclose the information until after the side effects are prominent. When we first start to notice hair loss the best thing to do is to immediately address the issue. The first thing that we should do is talk with a doctor and let them know about the problem because one of the first signs that something is going on in our bodies is hair loss. If you are taking medications it is wise to read the side effects that is always attached to the prescription bag. Below we are discussing Coumadin and Rythmol which are blood thinners. They both can cause alopecia (hair loss).
Coumadin, or warfarin, is a drug used to treat blood clots. Coumadin can be a life-saving medication for people who have blood clots near their lungs or heart, but taking the medication may lead to unpleasant side effects. Side effects can include flu-like symptoms, itching, chest pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, numbness, prickling, or burning of the skin, fever, skin ulcers and purple spots developing on the skin, which may signal necrosis, or death of skin in that area. Hair loss is also possible when taking Coumadin.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor to determine if hair loss could be the result of an illness. Autoimmune diseases, diabetes and poor nutrition can all cause hair loss.
Step 2
Take 30 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily. While this treatment has not been studied extensively, Dr. Stephan Moll, director of the Thrombophilia Program at the Carolina Cardiovascular Biology Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, states that it shows promise in treating hair loss related to Coumadin therapy. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/273648-how-to-prevent-hair-loss-when-taking-coumadin/)
Rythmol (propafenone) is a class Ic anti-arrhythmic medication used to treat illnesses associated with rapid heartbeats such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. The most common side effects reported with Rythmol include constipation, dizziness, heartbeat abnormalities, nausea, unusual taste in the mouth, and vomiting. Another reported side effect of Rythmol includes alopecia (hair loss). Coumadin (warfarin sodium) is used to help prevent and treat blood clots in the legs, lungs, and those clots associated with heart-valve replacement or an irregular, rapid heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. The most common side effect of warfarin is hemorrhage (bleeding). Other side effects of Coumadin may include: headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, itching, and rash. Another infrequently reported side effect with Coumadin includes alopecia (hair loss). A search of the prescribing information for both Rythmol and Coumadin did not specifically identify reports of weight gain. These are not all the possible side effects of these medications. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Shereen A. Gharbia, PharmD (http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-questions/side-effects/do-coumadin-and-rythmol-cause-hair-loss-and-or-weight-gain)
If the hair loss persists or worsens, you may wish to contact a dermatologist. Also, depending on the reason for taking warfarin, an alternative therapy may be possible. For some conditions aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications may be appropriate and for others low molecular weight heparin, which is administered as an injection under the skin, may be appropriate.
Additional information and perspective on this issue is available on the FVL Support site and on the Warfarinfo site. Dr. Stephan Moll, who is the Director of the Thrombophilia Program at UNC Chapel Hill in North Carolina, addresses this question athttp://www.fvleiden.org/ask/22.html. Mr. Al Lodwick, a pharmacist who specializes in anticoagulation management, also addresses this issue and provides some patient stories athttp://www.warfarinfo.com/hair-loss.htm. (http://www.clotcare.com/faq_warfarinhairloss.aspx)
Trichology is the branch of dermatology that deals with the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp. Trichologists are hair and scalp specialists (one type a skin specialist) who diagnose the causes of hair fall, hair breakage, hair thinning, miniaturization of hairs ; diseases of the scalp and treat according to cause.
The World Trichology Society is an organization dedicated to educating, supporting and promoting trichologists worldwide. It was first formed to help the modern trichologist become better equipped to deal with the continued evolvement of the field of trichology into the 21st century.
The Society works to achieve these goals by promoting the science of trichology and educating future trichologists to exacting standards. Furthermore, it supports its members by helping them stay up-to-date with the latest research, and so enhancing the care of people who suffer from hair loss.
The Society is also diligent in helping the public through education about the possible causes of hair loss and informing them about the choices of hair loss treatments. It is also committed to provide the public with access to certified trichologists through the World Trichology Society as a helpful step towards receiving qualified advice for a hair loss or scalp condition.
Source: Hamilton JB. Patterned loss of hair in man: types and incidence. Annals of the N.Y. Academy of Science, 1954; 53: 708-728Source: Ludwig E. Classification of the types of androgenetic alopecia (common baldness) occurring in the female sex. British Journal of Dermatology, 1977; 97: 247-254.
Reasons To Consult A Trichologist
Hair Loss
Hair loss can cause great distress, and there are many misunderstandings about its causes and treatment.
Probably the most common type of hair loss is the so-called ‘male pattern baldness’, which, despite its name, can affect women as well as men, and for which, in men, there appears to be no specific, readily-available treatment. This is a problem that requires sympathetic handling, and a qualified trichologist has to understand the patient’s anxiety and help him come to terms with the loss of hair. Some women suffering from this condition can be helped with medical assistance and the use of hormonal treatment.
There are many other types of hair loss which can and do respond to treatment and advice without medical assistance. There are also some types of hair loss which can have a natural or spontaneous recovery. Excessive hair loss can often be a symptom of some other problem or variation in the metabolism of the body, and for this reason, co-operation between the patient’s doctor and the trichologist is often necessary.
Problems of the scalp
Problems of the scalp, ranging from dandruff to more inflammatory conditions, occupy much of a trichologist’s time. As with the hair, these problems can be symptomatic of some other metabolic variation. Stress, poor diet, or even some allergies to certain foods, can be responsible for the build up and shedding of dead skin cells.
The management of hair and scalp that are excessively greasy is another area in which the advice of a qualified trichologist is often sought. Here, guidance on the right type of shampoo for any particular individual, and on its frequency of use, might be particularly relevant.
Hair texture problems
Problems with hair texture can be caused by over exposure to heat or strong chemicals, or by many of the other stresses and strains to which we subject our hair. In such cases, co-operation with the hairdresser is obviously important, and it indicates that trichologists’ training overlaps both the medical and the cosmetic in areas not normally covered by either doctors or hairdressers.
Hair texture problems usually respond very well to appropriate advice and treatment, as the cause(s), once discovered, can often be reduced or eliminated altogether.
Pharmaceutical preparations
In cases of scalp disorders in particular, it is possible that your trichologist will prescribe treatment creams and shampoos for use either in the clinic or at home. These will either be manufactured by the trichologist (if he or she holds a Medicines Control Agency licence) or by other licensed trichologists who specialise in manufacturing such preparations. These products should always be used in strict accordance with instructions.
Additional services
Where appropriate, the trichologist can give advice to those patients wishing to be referred to members of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons, for hair grafting (hair transplant).
For those seeking to gain added hair (sometimes referred to as ‘hair replacement’) in the form of wigs, extensions or weaving, guidance and appropriate referrals can be offered.
Advice and support can be given to those people who habitually pull their hair. Likewise, information, guidance and support is also given to those people who have lost hair through chemotherapy treatment. (The Institute has published a booklet entitled Chemotherapy and Hair Loss, available from the Institute of Trichologists.)
For details of registered trichologists in your area, or to check that your trichologist is a member of The Institute of Trichologists, and thereby bound by the Institute’s Code of Professional Practice and Ethics, either click here or contact the Institute of Trichcologists. Reference: http://www.trichologists.org.uk/index.php/about-us/what-is-trichology
There’s so many-a girls I hear you been running from the beautiful queen that you could be becoming you can look at my palm and see the storm coming read the book of my life and see I’ve overcome it. Just because the length of your hair ain’t long and they criticize you for your skin tone wanna hold your head high because you’re a pretty woman, get your runway stride home and keep going, GIRL LEAVE YA LIFE #MaryJBlige
Should you care that your husband/boyfriend doesn’t like you wearing weave? This is a very debatable topic. Before we can discuss men not liking their significate other wearing weave we must first discuss how some men are in relationships with women and they don’t have a clue that she’s even wearing weave! The question to be answered is how many of those women allow him to believe it’s her hair? There are some women who have been in their relationship for years and have never let their man see their real hair. This is not what I was told. I’ve actually had this conversation with a couple of women who have never let their husband/boyfriend see their real hair! Is this a lie or should it be in the same category as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell? Some people say it’s not a lie unless he ask if it’s her real hair and she says yes, but some people feel allowing him to believe that it’s her real hair is just as bad as verbally saying yes this is my hair. There are a lot of men who can’t tell if it’s her real hair and she can have an invisible part as wide as the Nile River and he still wouldn’t know.
It’s crazy that this can become an issue in some relationships but how can a woman get upset if he gets mad when he finds out that she’s been living a lie or should I say she’s been lying to him? Think about it, she didn’t trust him enough to believe that he would fall for her without the weave or is it that she doesn’t have enough confidence in herself to know that if a man can’t love her without the weave then he’s not the man for her? Should we actually care what our husband/boyfriend likes if it makes us feel beautiful? We should be able to wear weave when we feel like we need a change, or to see how a short look would on us before we decide to get our real hair cut, or just to give our real hair a break.
Weave shouldn’t be worn on a continuous basis and you should wear weave because you want to not because you have to. The damage that weave is causing in the African-American community has become an epidemic. Weave is causing high school girls to fight over the phrase, “That’s why you ain’t got no edges bitch”. Weave damage is just another thing to add to the vicious circle among black women that started way back in the days of slavery. Weave is causing conflict in some black relationships. Weave is causing black women to have low self-esteem after their hair and scalp has become damaged from wearing weave. Take a listen to Mary J. Blige below….
I found the article below on http://nommomagazine.com/2013/12/18/black-men-and-weaves/
Following the publishing of my latest article, “Natural or Not: A Discussion on Natural Hair vs. Weaves,” many female students of color on campus approached me to further discuss this phenomenon among the Afrikan American community. In our talks, the subject of Black men and their feelings toward our hair entered the conversations frequently. Many of the women I spoke to expressed their confusion about what Black men really want in regards to their woman’s physical appearance. Besides assumptions on their preferential body type and skin tone, many of these ladies felt that a woman of color’s hair was also important to a Black man, especially when it comes to weaves. The ladies even went so far as to request that I discuss this in a published article.
The question of the Black male’s feelings towards Black hair has experienced a new found popularity as the Natural Hair Movement progresses. Black women want to know, What do Black men want? The media has also given breadth to this discussion with its relaying of news stories related to the question.
Recently, a preacher banned weaves in his church. Pastor A.J. Aamir, founder of Resurrecting Faith in Waco, Texas expressed his feelings about weaves in a statement to AmericanPreachers.com, “Our Black women are getting weaves trying to be something and someone they are not. Be real with yourself.”
With a sudden influx of questions regarding Black men and weaves, I decided not to wait to fill in my ladies on what Black men want. I approached three of our very own Black male Bruins who, although asserting that they are not speaking for all Black men, were kind enough to share their thoughts on the subject.
Here’s what Donte Miller and Lamar Greenwood, third year Sociology Majors and Education Minors and (Anonymous), third year Philosophy major had to say about Black women and their hair.
Among yourself and your Black male peers what do you believe is the general feeling towards weaves?
Donte: The general feeling towards weave is very black or white. Most guys that I know find that weaves take away from the actual beauty of a woman because she feels a need to put in some type of extra hair to try to impress us. Other guys feel that it is extra, but if it is kept up and makes a woman look good, feel better and presentable then they’re fine.
Lamar: I believe the general consensus amongst Black men, concerning weaves, is a negative one. I do not understand, nor have an idea, where it may stem from, but I do believe that the general Black men population think of weaves lower than natural hair.
Anonymous: I can’t really speak on everyone’s behalf, but I don’t particularly like weaves. I’d assume (in my bias) that Black men in general don’t like the thought of weaves, but are intrigued by the end results… Reminds me of a Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air episode: Will gets locked in the attic with his gorgeous prom date. As the episode progresses she begins taking off her fake nails, then her fake eyelashes and eventually her fake hair. It’s sort of like the episode; the way it makes women look is intriguing to Black men in general (I think), but the idea/knowing that it’s fake is what turns us away.
Do you prefer your female partner to wear her hair in a specific way, i.e. natural or weave?
Donte: If I had a girl I’d prefer her to wear her hair whichever way is going to make her look presentable and taken care of. There are some women with bomb natural hair, but there are some who just don’t treat it right and the same goes for weaves.
Lamar: I personally don’t have a preference. If there is a preference, it is much more related to my first interaction with a woman, rather than her having a weave or natural hair. If I met a female with a weave, and found her attractive, then I usually prefer that she looks as she did then. But, if I met her with her natural hair, I would prefer for her to look like that.
Anonymous: I’d prefer my women to wear her hair naturally. Again I’m biased in my response because the woman this question brings to mind has an abundant amount of natural hair. If she’s my partner, I need to be able to run my hand over her hair, grab her hair from the base – admire her natural beauty. Natural’s my preference.
Why do you think that Black women have this perception that Black men hate weaves?
Donte: They have that perception because they have been chastised by guys about their hair for years and don’t feel accepted by the men they’re trying to impress. However, many do assume and generalize all guys. They feel like they must wear their hair a certain way or no one at all will like them, which is wrong. They also feel like it’s just them fighting, but guys worry too about always having to have fresh shoes or a lineup, fade, or fro. If its not attractive to a girl they feel a certain way at times. I don’t think it’s as extreme, but it’s there.
Lamar: I think Black women feel like that because of the way that weaves are presented. A lot of Black women believe that Black men prefer straight hair. Although weaves can be straight, it is less likely to be so (at least from my perspective). So, since weaves are presented in forms such as braids, twists, etc., Black women believe that Black men despise weaves. There may be some overlap, but that is a different issue stemming from outside of my statement.
Anonymous: Hate is a strong word, but we do.
Author: Mia Brumfield
I’m going to end Part 4 with India Arie I am not my hair…….Make sure you share your thoughts and please share this post!
A Black Woman’s Hair…….That phrase alone can transpire into so many different conversations, but we are going to continue our conversation on hair weave and the impact it has on black women and our communities. Many women and young girls are taking wearing hair weave way to lightly and some so called professionals are doing the same. Black women are putting their hair on sale meaning that they are looking for the cheapest hairstylist to install their weave, instead of a well educated licensed professional who cares about the health of the hair. If you can’t go in the salon and get the proper maintenance such as shampooing every 2 weeks, then you can’t afford to wear weave. If you can’t afford to have it taken down in a timely manner (6-8 weeks max) then you can’t afford to wear weave. If you don’t have any edges left and your hair is 5 different lengths, you can’t afford to wear weave 🙂
If you need to have major surgery do you look for the cheapest surgeon or the best surgeon? If you were accused of a crime that you didn’t commit do you look for the cheapest attorney or the best attorney? I know that most of you have seen how women are getting botched up trying to look like someone other than themselves because they are unhappy with who they are and what they look like. They can’t afford the best doctors so they search for the bootleg doctors and self-made plastic surgeons and risk their lives by letting an untrained person inject them with anything and letting them do it any where. Sometimes they get lucky and God spares their life and sometimes they never even make it to look in the mirror!
Well if you’re going to wear weave you shouldn’t be looking for the cheapest hairstylist because your hair is not on sale and it is a woman’s glory and that goes for any race of women! Cheap products and an untrained hairstylist=hair loss, brittle hair, no edges, breakage, low self-esteem, shame and so on. Just because your nephew best friend’s cousin charges $50 and knows how to sew hair in because he/she watched a few YouTube videos doesn’t mean that they are qualified to install hair in your head. Why pay $300 for hair and pay $50 to have it installed? Now that’s dumb! The thing is your hair will only hold up so long before you start seeing breakage and hair loss and most of the time women wait until the problem gets way out of hand and then they want to run to a professional and expect a miracle on 34th street talking about I don’t want it cut, bye Felecia! Hair loss is a serious issue because it can lead to all types of problems such as stress which only makes it worse, depression and low self-esteem. Hair loss can make going to work stressful as well as cause relationship problems. Head2Toe Magazine is on a mission to help black women get back to wearing weave because they want to not because they have to! Make sure you share this article! If you have a hair weave story please email us head2toemag@gmail.com. Read the relationship between hair loss and self-esteem below and stay tuned for Part 3! Hit that follow blog button on the sidebar to keep up with all of our controversial post!
“If you look in the mirror and you don’t like what you see without weave, you have more serious issues than you think”
When hair loss starts…..
The loss of the hairline can change a person’s appearance substantially. Hair loss changes the appearance of the face by shifting the balance of the face to the forehead, resulting in an aged appearance.
A study revealed that men who had more profound hair loss were more dissatisfied with their appearance and were more concerned with their older look than those with minimal hair loss. This effect cut across all age groups but was more prominent in the younger individuals.
The research also indicates that women tend to be more upset than men by their hair loss. A 1992 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology that compared the psychological impact of hair loss on men and women found that women had a more negative body image and were less able to adapt to the loss.
In fact, it has been scientifically proven through studies that women tend to suffer more emotionally and psychologically than men on losing hair. The results of these tests showed that women were much more worried about the way they looked than men. They tend to feel insecure about their appearance and how the world and the people around them will accept them.
Low self-esteem
Physical beauty is one of the cornerstones of self esteem and it is one of the most vulnerable. The self-esteem levels and other measures of self-worth drop significantly when hair loss occurs.
Loss of personal attractiveness and fear of not looking attractive to others
Hair is an important determinant of physical attractiveness and a mean of expressing individuality. Hair loss affects the individual’s feelings of attractiveness.
For balding women it is especially hard to live in a society that places great value on youthful appearance and attractiveness.
Because women are famous for spending a lot of time and money grooming, dying, curling, drying, and styling their hair to make it look its best, when they begin to lose their hair, it is extremely traumatic. This cosmetic setback is quite intense when a woman is used to having hair and suddenly finds herself losing it. They can have a lot of trouble dealing with the reality of hair loss.
Embarrassment, Loss of confidence, Shyness
Although full head of hair cannot guarantee instant confidence, studies have shown that in men who suffer from hair loss, nearly 75% of them feel less confident since the onset of the hair loss, especially in dealing with the opposite sex.
And it isn’t just men. Statistics regarding female hair loss are so difficult to compile mainly because of a tendency on the part of women with hair loss to camouflage and hide a condition that they feel stigmatized by.
Social teasing and humiliation
When hair loss reaches a stage of visible condition it can make the person the object of teasing or scorn.
Feelings of depression and introversion
In extreme circumstances, some people really take hair loss badly and get highly distressed about it, up to the point of getting into depression.
Some people make assumptions that they are losing something about their control of their life, things they really can’t reverse when they start losing their hair.
Subconscious emotions of envy and jealousy
Those suffering from hair loss often experience feeling of jealousy of women with full, healthy heads of hair, because they desperately covet what non-bald people have.
Work-related problems
Hair loss may affect someone who is in front of the camera or who needs to be in the public in a very devastating way professionally.
Negative effects on social life
Hair plays an important role in our social lives. Upon meeting someone, one of the first things you notice is their hair. Before a social engagement, it is very important for us to look good, and a good lock of hair is what completes our appearance. Those affected by hair loss become aware of how important hair is in our social lives quickly.
Hair loss may cause the person to limit social activities. Some people avoid seeing friends and stop going out except to work.
Deficiency in zinc can contribute a lot to hair shedding because without zinc and other related minerals, you hair shafts get weakened, causing hair breakage and very slow hair regrowth. Zinc benefits for hairinclude promotion of cell reproduction, tissue growth and repair of broken tissues. It also maintains the oil-secreting glands that are attached to your hair follicles, thus decreasing their chances of falling off.
