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Hair Care - DermaAmin

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<strong>Hair</strong> physiology 19<br />

rapid fluctuations in weight may precipitate continuous hair loss, since the body never<br />

achieves a 3-month period of stability when hair can regrow. These rapid fluctuations in<br />

weight are also seen in young<br />

Figure 1.20<br />

The typical pattern of female pattern<br />

hair loss.<br />

persons with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulemia.<br />

Fad dieting may also be a problem when the diet is intentionally unbalanced to<br />

promote weight loss. Such diets include eating only grapefruit, which will result in<br />

weight loss, but also hair loss, due to the inadequate protein intake. Another fad diet is<br />

eating foods that are rich in protein while avoiding fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates<br />

to put the body into a state of ketosis to decrease the appetite. Prolonged ketosis will also<br />

result in hair loss. It is best if the dieting can be done in a gradual manner, losing no more<br />

than half a pound weekly, while maintaining a balanced intake of protein and nutrients.<br />

This type of weight loss will spare the patient unnecessary hair loss.<br />

b. Are hormonal abnormalities precipitating hair loss?<br />

Hormonal causes of hair loss deserve special attention in the female patient. Many<br />

women do not realize that hair loss can present postpartum or following discontinuation<br />

of oral contraceptives. It is important to remind the female patient that hair loss may be<br />

delayed by 3 months following a hormonal status change and another 3–6 months may be<br />

required for regrowth to be fully appreciated.<br />

Perimenopausal and menopausal women with decreased ovarian estrogen production<br />

may also experience diffuse hair thinning, generally more prominent over the top of the<br />

head with bitemporal recession. A thin strip of hair at the anterior hairline is usually<br />

spared (Figure 1.20). Obtaining a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level can be<br />

helping in determining if the patient is in menopause. However, many women will begin<br />

to experience significant hair loss, even though the FSH level is within the normal range.<br />

In this case, it is still advantageous to begin estrogen hormone replacement therapy,<br />

provided that there are other symptoms of menopause, such as irregular menses, hot

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