September is Alopecia Awareness Month!
Although we believe alopecia awareness is something that should be practised all year round, it is great to have a month dedicated to spreading the word. Alopecia Awareness Month is about being aware of the causes, types and solutions to hair loss.
Contributing to Alopecia Awareness Month 2024
If you would like to take part this year, the best thing you can do is share your story. Whether it’s submitting your story to our fabulous wig-wearing community, or on your own social media. Your story and voice are valuable additions to the cause!
Or, if you’re looking to raise some valuable funds this September, Alopecia UK is calling on individuals to challenge themselves to ‘Go the distance‘. This could include taking part in a park run, running 5k or 10k, or skydiving or cycling! Funds to Alopecia UK go towards providing invaluable support and guidance for the alopecia community.
Is there a colour theme for Alopecia Awareness Month?
Blue is the colour most associated with Alopecia Awareness Month, so rocking a blue outfit, blue accessories or even a blue wig can be a fun way to show your support!
Learn More About Alopecia:
What Can Cause Hair Loss in Women?
1. Genetics
There can be many various reasons for hair loss, but one of the most common main causes of hair loss amongst women is genetics. This can lead to conditions such as female pattern hair loss.
2. Menopause
If you’re going through or about to enter the menopause, changes in your body may also have an effect on your hair. It’s important to realise that our hair ages, and as we get older, hair naturally gets finer. It’s a totally normal part of the ageing process. See our previous blog post for guidance on helping prevent hair loss from the menopause.
3. Hormone levels
Hormone levels can have an effect as well. So if you have thyroid-related problems or a condition such as PCOS, you may experience hair loss. If you have a genetic predisposition to follicle sensitivity, a hormonal imbalance can affect your hair more than it would someone who does not have a predisposition.
4. Diet
Your diet is another thing to keep in mind when considering the causes of hair loss. Particularly a lack of iron and certain vitamins, combined with stress, can all play a role in your hair loss. Those following a vegan diet, for example, are more prone to iron deficiency, so it’s important to ensure that you have sufficient sources of iron.
5. Stress
Stress can play a role in women’s hair loss. Stress can raise androgen (the male hormone) levels, which then in turn can cause hair loss. Stress may also trigger scalp problems, such as dandruff, disrupt eating habits and mess with the digestive system.
If you notice that you are losing hair, we advise you see your doctor, they should then be able to determine what could be causing your hair loss.
The three main types of alopecia:
1. Alopecia Areata
This can be seen when round patches of hair loss are present.
2. Alopecia Totalis
This is when hair loss occurs across the entirety of the scalp.
3. Alopecia Universalis
Identifiable when hair loss is experienced completely, both on the scalp and body.
See a detailed guide to the different types of alopecia on our blog.
I have hair loss – can you help me?
At Simply Wigs, we can advise you on all the fantastic possibilities and solutions that are available with wigs, hair enhancers and hairpieces, but we also think that you may find it useful to talk to your doctor, research your hair loss condition, and connect with others in the alopecia community.
We believe some of the best help can come from reaching out to discuss and explore your hair loss. We have fantastic customers that are ready, able and willing to share and provide you with their own knowledge and their own personal stories.
‘Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is fairly common. It’s estimated, for instance, that around half of women aged 70 years or over experience female-pattern baldness – the most common type of hair loss, which is thought to be inherited.’
NHS DIRECT
My hair began to thin drastically. Eventually diagnosed as Alopecia, I never thought of wearing a wig, a friend sent me a wig from yourselves, after gaining full confidence I feel so happy, people say that I look so much younger.
Everyone at Simply Wigs has been wonderful, nothing is too much trouble for them, it is a pleasure dealing with them. Thank you
There was a very interesting piece on BBC about alopecia just before 8am on Saturday morning (31 August) which was produced by a male journalist based in Scotland – excellent content. It was detailed and moving, reducing me to tears, because the visible evidence of hair loss does not go away – ever.
Without Simply Wigs I could not function in the way that I do – end.