6 minute read
Everyone’s talking about alopecia! Here’s what you need to know
The 2022 Academy Awards ceremony will go down as one of the most infamous events in Hollywood history. It will forever be remembered as the night in which renowned actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith’s, shaved head.
By Sunpac
Had she shaved her head to make a beauty or fashion statement, the night may have taken a completely different turn, but in the hours following the ceremony, the public learnt that the reason for her shaved head was alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes severe hair loss.
In the days that followed, the word “alopecia” was on everyone’s lips. Did you know that following the incident, the phrase “what is alopecia” was the number one searched question on Google in South Africa, for the entire month of March?
But what exactly is alopecia and how does one get it? According to WebMD: “Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes your hair to come out, often in clumps.” It can affect the hair on the head as well as the hair on the body and it can be permanent or temporary.
An autoimmune disease is one in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s healthy cells. In the case of alopecia, the body attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
4 Main causes
While there is still a lot that doctors don’t know about alopecia, they’ve been able to identify four main causes:
1. Genetics and hormones
Androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, is the most common type of alopecia and this is often times genetic or attributed to hormonal changes.
2. Stress
This type of alopecia is called telogen effluvium, and it refers to sudden hair loss due to the excessive shedding of resting or telogen hair after a shock to the system. Causes may include things like childbirth, medication, excessive stress, and physical trauma.
3. Nutrition
Nutritional deficiencies, including that of very low iron and vitamin D, could cause alopecia.
4. Thyroid problems
The thyroid is a gland in the neck that controls metabolism-related hormones.
Both an overactive and an underactive thyroid can cause hair loss and trigger alopecia.
Be gentle with your hair
The rougher you are with your hair, the more likely it will break or fall out. The key is to be gentle, always. Never brush your hair when it is wet (as that is when it is most vulnerable), pat your hair dry with a towel rather than rubbing it dry and use heat styling tools sparingly.
Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb or a brush designed for gentle detangling, to prevent breakage and pulling at the root. We love Evolve’s Detangling Brush. It safely detangles hair with minimal tension and is effective on textured, curly, coily and wavy hair.
If you’re going to blow-dry or heat style your hair, always apply a thermal protection product before you do so. We recommend Hask Biotin Boost 5-In-1 Leave-In Spray. This leave-in spray thickens and adds body, provides thermal protection, controls frizz and adds shine, prevents breakage, and detangles and moisturises. It’s normal to lose around 50 to 100 hairs per day. If your hair is falling out in clumps or if you notice bald patches or a receding hairline, it’s best to consult your medical practitioner. They’ll be able to determine the cause of the hair loss and assist with treatment options.
While many types of hair loss (such as hair loss caused by genetics or hormones) are not preventable, some types of hair loss are preventable. Taking good care of your hair and scalp and avoiding friction and tugging can go a long way in preserving your hair and follicles. The following tips may help you avoid preventable types of hair loss.
Care for your scalp
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in caring for the lengths of our hair, that we forget about our scalps. A healthy, happy scalp is essential for healthy hair growth. A weekly scalp scrub helps stimulate blood flow to the area and removes dead and dry skin cells that can cause irritation and flakiness.
Try Umberto Giannini Scalp Scrub Exfoliating Anti-Dandruff Treatment. Packed with natural exfoliants from super fruit enzymes and micro grains of natural walnut shell, this 97% natural clinically proven formula removes dead skin cells, bacteria, and excess oils to prevent flakes and restore a clear and healthy scalp.
To nourish the scalp, we recommend following your scrub with a scalp mask or treatment. Marc Anthony Scalp Detox Roller Treatment provides instant cooling relief for a dry and irritated scalp. This scalp treatment contains peppermint oil and witch hazel, which leave your scalp feeling refreshed.
If you prefer an oil formulation, try Cantu She Butter Tea Tree & Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil. It uses the power of some of nature’s most moisturising oils to help protect dry and damaged hair from breakage, and conditions the scalp to support healthy hair growth.
Use growth-promoting hair care products
Protect your hair from friction
Over time, tension hairstyles such as braids can lead to hair loss along the hairline. If possible, try to minimise the frequency in which you wear tension hairstyles, and ask your stylist to be careful not to braid too tightly.
You might also want to invest in a good quality satin bonnet or hair wrap to protect your hair at night. Evolve Wide Edge Satin Bonnet features a fitted "edge" band to keep edges smooth and secure at night. Satin material is secured on inside of the bonnet to protect natural and relaxed styles, roller sets and braids. A good quality shampoo, conditioner and weekly hair treatment will go a long way in keeping your hair and scalp healthy.
Invest in a regime specifically designed to promote hair growth, like The Perfect Hair’s Grow On The Go range. This hair care range is dedicated to promoting and stimulating hair growth whilst taking care of your hair needs with deeply nourishing natural ingredients.
Marc Anthony’s Grow Long Shampoo and Conditioner contains caffeine, ginseng, and vitamin E to nourish and repair each strand of hair, and to promote longer, stronger, healthier hair that is soft, silky, smooth and shiny.
Hair Res-q Shampoo and Conditioner uses clinically tested peptides and proteins to address thinning hair with natural ingredients, without the use of harmful chemicals. Use with Hair Res-q Follicle Stimulator, which uses clinically tested active peptides to block DHT, which can cause hair loss. These plant-based peptides combine with natural ingredients like Biotin and Caffeine to energise the scalp and promote healthy hair growth.
While not all forms of hair loss can be prevented, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and hair care regime can go a long way in promoting healthy hair growth and minimising the risk of preventable hair loss.
Win • 1x Umberto Giannini Scalp Scrub Exfoliating AntiHair Care Hamper worth R1389.85 Dandruff R170.00 • 1x Evolve Wide Edge Satin Bonnet From R170.00 (Colour may vary) • 1x Cantu Tea Tree and Jojoba oil From R170.00 • 1x Hair ResQ Shampoo R189.95 • 1x Hair ResQ Conditioner R189.95 • 1x Hair ResQ Follicle Stimulator R499.95
To ENTER scan the QR code with your phone and complete the entry form online at www.mediaxpose. co.za/babys-and-beyond-publication-page/ competitions/ T&Cs apply. Competition closes 31 August 2022.
