 | Ernestine Curtis
is a local hair stylist and native Wichitan. An owner of Tres Chic Salon. She has 23 years in the business and has been doing hair extensions for 20 years. Tres Chic is located at 959 S. Rock Road. You may contact Ernestine at 686-4333 to schedule an appointment or consultation. |
Beauty & Fashion
2003-12-01 09:52:00
Hair extensions for thinning hair?
QUESTION: Is there anything I can do for thinning hair?
ANSWER: We've discussed hair extensions for glamour and fun (Oct. and Nov. issues of The Q&A Times). Now, let's talk about thinning hair and balding, and the many reasons that these conditions may occur.Heredity Pattern balding roughly corresponds to age. By the age of 35, about 35% of males will show hair loss. Incidence of baldness and hair loss in women is 1/2 to 1/3 this, at least before menopause, when the incidence of hair loss greatly increases. The inheritance of pattern hair loss is complicated. You can inherit pattern balding from mom or dad and hair loss expresses itself variably. Alopecia Areata is a common autoimmune disease that results in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere. It usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches. It occurs in males and females of all ages and races, but onset most often occurs in childhood. The affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked in groups by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. These affected follicles become very small, drastically slow down production, and grow no hair visible above the surface for months or years. It is estimated that approximately 2% of the population will be affected at some point in their lives, or over 4.5 million people in the United States. The scalp is the most commonly affected area, but the beard or any hair-bearing site can be affected alone or together with the scalp. Some people develop only a few bare patches that re-grow hair within a year. In others, extensive patchy loss occurs, and in a few, all scalp hair is lost (Alopecia Totalis). No matter how widespread the hair loss, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal. In all cases, hair re-growth may occur even without treatment and even after many years.Loss of hair due to Chemotherapy Chemotherapy administers drugs that destroy rapidly reproducing cancer cells. Cancer cells are some of the most rapidly reproducing cells in the body, but other cells, such as those which contribute to the formation of the hair shaft and nails, are also rapidly reproducing. Unfortunately, while chemotherapy drugs destroy cancer cells, the drugs also can destroy those cells responsible for normal growth of hair and nails. Cancer patients sometimes shed the hair and nails during treatment. Chemotherapy drugs are poisonous to the cells of the hair root responsible for hair shaft formation. Usually, the hair is lost rapidly in large quantities during treatment. No hair growth stimulants, shampoos, conditioners or other cosmetic treatments can prevent or retard the hair loss. However, once chemotherapy is completed, the hair usually grows back. There are Integration Systems designed to work with thinning hair, especially popular with women. Color and curl techniques are available to help conceal the thinning hair or balding areas. This system looks very natural because the natural hair is used. There are many methods that work well in any number of situations. Hair extensions can be as easy to take care of as natural hair. They hold a curl longer, and come in a variety of colors. A consultation with a professional stylist will answer any questions that one might have regarding thinning hair or balding. When choosing a stylist, look for one that has taken advanced training in hair addition or hair extension techniques.
