Several years ago I attended the VIP opening of Planet Hollywood Nashville with my best friend, Christian Dickens. I was approached by a beautiful, tall, slender woman dressed all in white, topped with a large brim hat trimmed in red fringe. I vividly recall the most striking physical attribute of this woman was her closely shaved head. As this woman extended her hand to me, all I could think about was how beautiful she was—not that she had no hair or even why she had no hair. Then this lovely creature said to me, “Has anyone told you—you are the best dressed man here this evening. And by the way, who are you?” I knew I was in trouble when I heard Mr. Dickens sigh in embarrassment as I introduced myself and quipped, “And who are you?”
It doesn’t seem to matter if you are a guy or a gal—hair loss can be a touchy subject for anyone who notices that his or her hair is thinning or receding. I guess the importance we place on hair has biblical roots, most notably, Samson and Delilah. Do we view hair as representing our strength, sexiness, or popularity? When I noticed my hair thinning, a friend suggested I use Rogaine®; this suggestion caused me to question my insecurities about hair loss. Ironically, my hair loss seems to bother my friends more than it does me. Maybe I am secure enough to know that hair loss will not make me any less of a person
The average scalp has about 100,000 hairs, and on average sheds between 50 and 100 hairs per day. Gradual thinning of the hair is a normal part of the aging process. Our hair goes through cycles of growth and rest, and of course, these cycles vary and are individualized. The typical growth phase of scalp hair lasts between two and three years; hair grows approximately ½ inch per month. The typical resting phase lasts about three or four months. At the end of the resting phase, the hair strand falls out and the cycle repeats itself.
It is important to discuss hair loss early with your healthcare provider, because early treatment usually has the best results. Proper nutrition is important in maintaining healthy hair; inadequate amounts of protein and iron can cause hair loss, so use caution if considering fad diets. Certain medications used to treat arthritis, depression, gout, birth control, and other medical conditions may contribute to hair loss. Hormonal changes and imbalances may also cause temporary hair loss; sometimes this can be associated with pregnancy, the discontinuation of oral contraceptives, menopause, or having an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. Hair loss may be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or lupus. Nothing will replace regular check-ups; therefore, it is imperative not to change or discontinue any medications or treatments without consulting your healthcare provider.
Other things besides health problems and medicine can damage hair and lead to hair loss: over-styling, the use of excessive heat, and the incorrect application of chemicals used to tint, dye, bleach, or perm hair.
Who was the woman with the shaved head and the white hat trimmed in red fringe? Well, it proves that hair doesn’t make the woman or the man—it’s the beauty inside that makes us sexy and appealing. Demi Moore was filming GI Jane at the time and sported her new “do” for the world to see. The beauty of self confidence will add more to your appearance than comb-overs, wigs, or toupees. So take yourself seriously by being confident.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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