Hair loss affects women tremendously on both the emotional and physical level.  And while it's commonly known that we lose up to 100 hairs daily through grooming and brushing, the real problem occurs when the hair is not systematically replaced, reslting in thinning and baldness, which specialists call alopecia.

Why does it occur? To what extent? Is there there a solution? And if so, is it quick?

"The previous questions go back and forth in the minds of most girls who come to specialists expecting a magic wand to transform the sitiuation. Unfortunately, this is never the case," says Dr. Mona Soliman, professor of dermatology at Cairo University.

Alopecia areata occurs when a person loses small patches of hair from the head, alopecia totalis is when it extends to baldness, and, more severely, alopecia universalis is when hair loss extends to all body hair. Each hair on the head goes through three stages: A growing stage, a stage where the hair can't grow any further, and a resting stage in which the hair falls and the follicle is left empty.

All three stages are standard and inevitable, but the problem occurs when the third stage occurs prematurely. Reasons for this vary and can be rather complicated. They include:

Stress: It can't be emphasised enough how much it contributes to hair loss. Stressful intervals or incidents may include hectic jobs, post surgeries or post traumas, emotional disturbances, and pregnancy and delivery. It is also common to encounter a child complaining of hair loss with no apparent reason, only to find out later that their body was under the hidden stress of, say, the birth of a new baby brother or sister.

Malnutriton:  A common contributing factor, as in cases of iron deficiency or a lack of trace elements (such as copper and zinc), which are required in miniscule portions.

Genes and immune system: The entire problem could be hereditary, or what we call genetic alopecia - an autoimmune disease where the body's overactive immune response causes it to attack its own cells, in this case hair follicles.

Illness or medication: Cancer, chemotherapy, anticoagulants, amphetamines and some thyroid medications are all examples. Certain phases of a woman's life can also be linked to hair loss resulting from fluctuating hormones. These include puberty, childbirth and menopause.

Bad hair treatment: When you're not kind to your hair, through excessive colouring, heating or straightening, it breaks down under the tension. Give your hair a break every now and then.

Everyone should remember that losing hair is usually something temporary and that things will return to normal eventually. But if the symptoms presist, then it might be better to consult a doctor or a dermatologist. Soliman emphasises relaxation and patience, and many women resort to trichologists (hair specialists) to treat stressed scalps.

Hair loss treatements usually take a period of three to six months to yield significant results. A good start is to determine whether psycological factors are contributing to the problem.

In most cases of alopecia universalis, where hair loss extends to the entire body, a psychiatrist should be consulted. If the stress is minor, medical reasons may be sought. Blood tests will indicate malnutrition, illnesses or hormonal imbalances, and a course of action can be prescribed accordingly. It may, of course, also be helpful to analyse the hair itself.

A major compound with proven good results and used in many medications is minoxidil, which helps treat thinning hair.  Vitamin B3, in the form of the compound niacin, is also used to nourish hair follicles in the scalp.

In Egypt, mothers typically tell their daughters that their hair is an invaluable crown, but recent research and statistics indicate an increase of complaints regarding hair health. Never panic, consult a physician and address the problem correctly, and always be kind to your hair.