We've established on numerous occasions that losing your hair can be a real soul-sapping condition. Going bald is probably the single worst thing any man or woman can go through in life, and the scariest thing of all is, there isn't a cure for hair loss...yet.

Losing your hair as a man or woman, especially if you're young or at a vulnerable time in your life, can badly affect your confidence. Most of us consider hair to be the important part of how you look, so losing it is almost like losing a part of your identity.

Types of Hair Loss

There are many different types of hair loss, and they all depend on the individual.  Thinning hair can occur gradually, which in turn leads to a total loss of hair.  But it can also be quite sudden, which gives you less time to treat it effectively.

Hair loss can be genetic, or as a result of extreme stress, a medical condition or treatment.

Hair loss is also a well-known side effect of chemotherapy or other illnesses, and it's also common for women to lose more hair than usual up to three months after they've given birth.Other temporary hair loss conditions include seasonal hair loss, stress-related thinning, and menopausal baldness.  Although temporary, these types of hair loss can lead to longer term baldness.

Treating hair loss

Hair loss can't be cured, but there are viable treatments on the market than can help reduce the thinning and increase the rate of growth.  Be careful though, because a good treatment is hard to find, and there are many products out there that simply do not work.

Before you find your treatment, it is important to address the psychological impact of hair loss. If you've lost your hair, even temporarily, life will be easier if you can accept what's happened and learn to live with your altered appearance.  The more content you are about your hair, the better chance you will have of treating it.

How well you cope with your hair falling out depends on your coping strategies, personality, and self-esteem. It's really important to try to promote positivity in your life, and always stay optimistic when searching for hair loss treatments.

Coping strategies for hair loss

Coping with hair loss isn't an easy thing, but it can be achieved, and once you do this, life will seem like a much better place to live in. Have you ever considered joining a support group? There are groups and events around the country where you can meet and socialise with like-minded people with baldness issues.

Find your nearest Alopecia UK support group and see how it goes from there.  It can help you deal with the problem better, and you'll also be able to learn how other people are tackling hair loss with different treatments. 

If you're unsure about joining a group, then at least discuss your hair loss with your friends, family and loved ones, preferably early on. Let them know how you feel about it and what kind of support you need. It can do the world of good being open about your hair loss.

Look into disguising and covering up your hair loss with things like wigs, hair extensions, scarves, hairstyles, and make-up. There is no shame in covering up your thinning hair.  Millions of men and women do it every single day.  Hair building fibres can be particularly beneficial for those of you who are suffering from bald patches. 

Try hair supplements.  What we put into our body is absolutely crucial to how our strands function.  Multi-vitamin hair supplements can help reduce the effects of thinning, and promote healthy hair growth. What's more, they're safe and free from the unwanted side-effects that you would associate with the harsher chemically based treatments.

Be patient: Many cases of hair loss in men and women are temporary. That said, regrowth is unpredictable and can take years. Remember that your new hair can be any texture and colour, so stick with it, remain positive, and don't forget to keep living life.