The Hair Loss Cure, Revised Edition: How to Treat Alopecia and Thinning Hair PDF
Preview The Hair Loss Cure, Revised Edition: How to Treat Alopecia and Thinning Hair
HOW TO TREAT I ALOPECIA AND I THINNING HAIR ft ELIZABETH STEEL 1 - Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Kahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.0rg/details/hairiosscurehowtOOOOstee HAIR LOSS How to treat alopecia and thinning hair Elizabeth Steel Unooln Park Public libiQit 13S1 Soutbiiold, RA Lincoln Park. MI 48148 Thorsons An Imprint of Yi^-rptrCoWmsPuhlishers While the author of this work has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this book is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publication, medical and pharmaceutical knowledge is constantly changing and the application of it to particular circumstances depends on many factors. Therefore it is recommended that readers always consult a qualified medical specialist for individual advice. This book should not be used as an alternative to seeking specialist medical advice, which should be sought before any action is taken. The author and publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors and omissions that may be found in the text, or any actions that may be taken by a reader as a result of any reliance on the information contained in the text, which is taken entirely at the reader's own risk. Thorsons An Imprint of HarperCollinsPwbZisbers 77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JB First published by Thorsons 1988 Revised edition published 1995 This revised edition published 1999 10 987654321 ©Wendy Jones 1988, 1995, 1999 Elizabeth Steel asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 0 7225 3829 4 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Creative Print and Design (Wales), Ebbw Vale All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. Contents About the author 4 Acknowledgement 7 Introduction 8 I Why? 1 When I Lost My Hair 31 2 What Causes Alopecia Areata? 45 3 What Causes Alopecia Androgenetica? 66 II Victims 4 When It Happens to a Woman 83 5 When It Happens to a Man 112 6 When It Happens to a Child 127 7 When It Happens to Those Who Are Single 143 III Treatments 8 The Great Alternative: Getting Your Own Back 167 9 What Medical Treatments Are Available? 190 10 What About Surgery? 214 11 Hair Loss and Your Diet 219 12 Are You Sure You Have Alopecia? 228 13 The Future: What Hope Is There? 233 14 When Hair Grows Back 241 Postscript 245 References 249 Index 251 Elizabeth Steel writes from bitter experience. She lost her hair through scalp disease and found that she was not alone . . . that it was happen¬ ing to thousands of others. She founded Hairline International, The Alopecia Patients' Society, as a self-help network for those who have lost - or are losing - their hair. After eight years in wigs and headscarves, her hair grew back. Other alopecia sufferers, she says, can be equally fortunate. Elizabeth Steel is the pen name of Wendy Jones, the former Midlands TV presenter and producer. Hairline International can be contacted for advice and information at the following addresses: Hairline International - The Alopecia Patients' Society Lyons Court 1668 High Street Knowle, West Midlands B93 OLY (Please enclose A4 size SAE.) or 3 9082 07588 0123 Wayside House 191 Station Lane Lapworth Solihull, West Midlands B94 6JG (Please enclose A4 size SAE.) A lay organization for alopecia sufferers has long been needed in view of the general ignorance surrounding many types of hair loss - a field in which anxiety and fear can be profound and in which many pseudo-scientific experts abound, often with little more than financial motives. Elizabeth Steel deserves enormous credit for attempt¬ ing to fill this medical void. She has solicited advice from a great array of medical and scientific experts and lis¬ tened with the utmost patience and understanding to the problems of hundreds of sufferers. One hopes that this succinct book will in some way be a help to the very many individuals who suffer from alopecia. Dr Rodney Dawher, MA, MB, Ch.B., FRCP Consultant Dermatologist, John Radcliffe Hospital and clinieal lecturer, Oxford Loss of hair can cause profound emotional difficulties. I have long felt that such a patient society would help suf¬ ferers of hair-growth disorders, particularly alopecia areata. Dr Andrew G. Messenger, MD, MB, B.Se., MRCP Consultant Dermatologist, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield There can be few more distressing situations in life than finding that you are suddenly losing your hair. To dis¬ cover there is little by way of effective treatment and that 6 The Hair Loss Cure the ultimate prognosis depends more on fate than med¬ ical intervention is enough to make even the most resilient of characters somewhat despondent. In such situations the support of others who have been down the same road and the availability of a ready supply of information on current treatments and research is an essential support service. Hairline is therefore a long overdue concept and one which will, I am sure, have the enthusiastic support of doctors and alopecia sufferers. Dr John D. Wilkinson, MB, MRCP Consultant Dermatologist, Wycombe General Hospital, High Wycombe 'A very readable and useful book.' Nursing Standard 'Both informative and emotionally reassuring.' Essentials 'Terrific little book' TV Times Acknowledgement This book could not have been written without the sup¬ port and guidance of many doctors. I hope they will accept that some criticisms apply not to the individual specialist so much as to the system, and I thank them for all they have done to make this book possible. Introduction My hair has grown back. Only five words, but the sweetest I have ever written. Words I once thought I would never write. For when I lost my hair I thought I was bald for life. Today my hair is often a mess: casual to the point of untidiness and frequently in need of a blow-wave. Not an object of great beauty. But hair is there, growing in the normal way. I am so happy to see it! Not a big deal to anyone else. But to me: stunning! To lose my hair was hell. To have hair again ... well, it really is heaven! I am ridiculously pleased. I am also very lucky. Millions of women are losing their hair today and many are not regrowing it. The Two Main Types of Hair Loss Hair loss can be bewildering because there are several different types. Basically they can be divided into two groups: the scalp disease alopecia areata, and the thin¬ ning hair of alopecia androgenetica. Both cause misery and heartache. • Alopecia androgenetica - the 'male pattern bald¬ ness' which has always plagued older men and to some extent also older women. But it now happens in many younger women.
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