Concealing Hair Loss For Women: The Hidden Risks

Whereas hair loss in men is nearly always due to an inherited genetic predisposition, for women it is often the case that lifestyle factors such as illness, stress and hormone imbalance can be behind the excess shedding, although female pattern hair loss can also be the cause.

For many women, their first worry when faced with the stressful realisation that they're losing hair is: how do I conceal the hair loss? This is a completely understandable response, although it's important to know the risks involved when covering up thinning patches.

Wig Way Forward?

It's generally untrue that a wig can cause further hair loss, and whilst this can be a costly option, there are charities or organisations out there that provide free wigs or wig styling services for women undergoing certain types of hair loss, for instance hair loss from cancer treatment.

Wearing a wig shouldn't hinder hair regrowth, as long as it isn't so tight that it restricts the flow of blood to your hair follicles, something that shouldn't be a problem. However, hair extensions can cause problems when attached to existing hair, as can weaves and certain hair pieces.

Any type of hair attachment that is braided, clipped or attached in any way to existing hair can cause a condition called traction alopecia, where excess tension is put on the hair shaft leading to the hair follicle becoming damaged over time and subsequently struggling to produce new, healthy hair.

If you experience traction alopecia on top of your hair loss, a high strength minoxidil cream can help hair to return to its previous density and strength when used as part of a hair loss treatment plan. Of course, discovering the root cause of the original hair loss is also extremely important.

Establishing The Cause

Visiting a doctor for blood tests can help determine why you're losing your hair, as everything from allergies to serious illnesses, vitamin deficiencies and chronic stress can be factors. Whilst you're waiting for your results, and providing that your hair loss is not due to cancer treatment, which sadly cannot be treated (though this should always be temporary loss) a hair loss treatment programme that includes minoxidil can help to regrow hair.

Minoxidil is the only hair loss treatment for women that has been licensed by the MHRA and approved by the FDA, the UK and US medical regulatory bodies respectively. The topical treatment, which is applied directly to the thinning areas twice a day, stimulates hair regrowth.

Belgravia also adds certain ingredients to their minoxidil formulations that appear to block DHT, the hormone that damages hair follicles atop the scalp in those with a genetic predisposition to hair loss, ensuring that all possibles angles are tackled with your treatment. Of course, all round hair health is important, too, and our hair growth boosters ensure that hair is kept at its healthiest and looking great.