Hair today gone tomorrow

Dear Betsy,

I am so worried about my hair falling out. I am in my thirties with three children and my hair was long and thick when I got married. Now it is falling out every time I wash or brush it.

My husband says it looks the same to him, but I know I am soon going to be a baldy lady. I feel embarrassed to go to work each day as I feel people are looking at my hair. What can I do to stop it falling and make it thick again.

Gita J.

Dear Gita,

Hair loss is a worry for lots of men and women and over the last five years or so, I have noticed an increase in premature hair loss in younger people.

Before we talk about the reasons for it, let me reassure you by telling you that it is normal to lose around 100 hairs a day. This varies from individual to individual and between blondes, redheads and brunettes, and if you have long hair it is obviously more noticeable and therefore more alarming.

If your husband does not notice any change in your hair, then you may be worrying for nothing.

There are many health issues that can cause hair loss in women, including hormonal changes, especially in the two or three months after giving birth and pre and post menopause.

More serious hair loss such as alopecia, where there are definite bald patches on the scalp, can appear and disappear of their own accord and without any reason. If you are in doubt about your health then visit your general practitioner or your gynologist to seek advice.

Your diet is or paramount importance and should be well balanced and constant. Taking a multivitamin can help and you will find specific supplements for hair loss and to promote healthy hair and scalp in your local pharmacy.

How you handle your hair on a daily basis can make a big difference too.

Choose a non-detergent shampoo and for maximum health benefits, one that does not contain SLS,( sodium lauryl sulfate) chemicals, that have been linked to hair loss and allergies. They are basically cheap foaming agents that have a de-greasing action and are commonly used in garages to degrease car engines.

Having pointed out how cheap they are, I should point out that you will still find them in even the most exclusive and expensive hair and beauty products. Read your labels and avoid anything with the letters 'SLS' or 'SLES' in the ingredients list.

If you shampoo every day, then use a mild shampoo and shampoo only once. If you prefer to wash your hair only two or three times a week, then shampoo, rinse well and repeat. Follow this with another good rinse and apply a conditioner. If your hair is fine and tends to be limp and lifeless, then apply the conditioner only to the ends.

If you have damaged, dry or frizzy hair then apply the conditioner all over and leave for ten minutes or so. Rinse your conditioner and finish your final rinse by using sweet water.

How you handle your hair, especially when it is wet, is very important. Wet hair is very elastic and can stretch up to around 50% of its length. Always use a wide toothed comb on wet hair to detangle it and prepare it for styling.

There are many protective hair creams and gels that when applied to damp hair before drying, will protect them from the dehydrating effects of blow drying. Look out for the excellent Nectar Thermique from the L'Oreal Kerestase range, found only in exclusive salons.

Eat lots of oily fish and/or take a fish oil supplement and sleep on a pure silk satin pillowcase.

I hope Gita, that at least some of these tips will help you to restore your hair to its former crowning glory.