Female hair loss and menopause

Menopause is one of the most common causes of female hair loss and one of the least happily endured symptom. Female hair loss can be pretty devastating to any woman in today’s modern society, which emphasizes the importance of an attractive hairdo. Just think on the thriving multi-billion dollar in the hair care industry and the numerous advertisements on shampoo, styling products and hair loss treatments.

Like childbirth, menopause is a natural occurring state for women and – also like childbirth – the changes manifested in the body can be traumatic. Women begin menopause between the ages of 30 and 70, with most beginning between the mid 40s and mid 50s. However, menopause can occur unnaturally, that is, after surgery or medical treatment. In this case, the symptoms may be much more severe and female hair loss is much more likely.

Female hair loss is not a guaranteed symptom of menopause. It is less common than, for example, hot flashes and mood changes. Women experience female hair loss to varying degrees and some don't experience at all.

Exactly what causes hair loss is still not clear. But many experts have said that the most common cause is androgenetic alopecia or genetic balding. This refers to a genetic process whereby individual hair follicles metabolizes the sex hormone testosterone. Menopausal women experiencing hair loss experience a higher rate of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. It is the effect of DHT on hair follicles that results in heair loss.

In the same respect, women who have abnormally high levels of male sex hormones can also experience thinning of scalp hair. Signs that these women display include plenty of body and facial hair, abnormal menstrual patterns and enlarged clitoris.

In addition, factors like anemia, thyroid disorders, fungal infections and stressful life situations can cause hair loss in menopausal women.

In the same way that female hair loss shows itself as a manifestation about three months after the originating cause begins, so too does female hair loss take about three months to show the effects of treatment. Estrogenic treatments like soy isoflavones or hormone replace therapies, will need to be implemented for about three months before you can determine whether or not it's working for you.

How negative a menopausal woman feels towards her hair loss differs from individual to individual. In situations where it affects her quality of life and self esteem, it is best to address the problem quickly. A proper evaluation by a professional for causes of hair loss is necessary to determine the underlying medical conditions and an appropriate course of treatment that produce the condition.

2006 hairstyles

Most current fashion comes directly from the runway to the streets, and the 2006 hairstyles are no exception. When spectators watch the models, they are not only looking at the clothes they are wearing, but also their hairstyles, which is also an important component of their entire look. Judging from today’s models, 2006 hairstyles emphasize casual elegance with some sassy touches here and there.

Most of these looks involve hair that is pulled up with smooth sides or messy tendrils. Loose waves and curls seem to be making a comeback in 2006 hairstyles, not that the super-straight sedu look is out of fashion yet. Still, if you want to stand out from the crowd with the most trendy 2006 hairstyles, it might pay to put just a bit of wave into your medium or long locks.

The casual elegance of the 2006 hairstyles can be sleek or sassy. One popular look for this year is the messy bun, which can be created several ways.

• Shampoo and condition hair, preferably the day before an occasion, since freshly shampooed ponies are more difficult to deal with.

• Add leave-in conditioner or mousse to your hair

• Blow dry your hair with a large, round brush

• Gather your hair into a neat pony tail, smoothing in the sides. Fasten with an elastic that is the same shade as your hair.

• Divide your pony into three sections and, with a large or small barreled curling iron (depending on how curly your want your messy bun to be) curl the sections and pin them curls until they dry.

• Brush out the curls and pin portions of the messy bun to your head until you achieve the desired style. Leave one curl pinned to cover the base of the ponytail.

• Tease out hair from the side if you want tendrils. Curls these, if desired.

For a straight messy bun, use a flat iron rather than a curling iron.

The elegant pony, always in fashion, has been enjoying the spotlight in fashion shows as an ideal 2006 hairstyle. Elegant ponies are placed lower on the head, close the nape of the neck. Make the side smooth or tease out a few tendrils, if desired. Use a finishing spray for extra shine. You may want to transform your elegant pony into a classy chignon by curling the pony and tucking it into the elastic. Let the chignon hang freely, or pin it to the nape of your neck.

Just when you though it was safe to throw away your curling iron, be prepared for subtle waves and loose curls for long to medium 2006 hairstyles. You can create more body in your hair by using a body building shampoo and conditioner. Large curls can be created by putting in large curlers (hot curlers or the foam curlers for wet hair) or using a large-barreled curling iron. When you dry your hair, use a large, round brush to coax your hair into large curls or waves. Ironically, your flat iron can be used to create subtle waves and curls if you wrap sections of hair around it. Don’t go overboard, though. Straight hair is still the “in” style, and loose curls and waves are a highlight, rather than the main focus, of 2006 hairstyles.