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problems in females (of any age) is almost always a reflection of internal deficiency or disturbance, and can be broadly categorised from nutrient, metabolic, hormonal and (sometimes) autoimmune origins,” he said. Women, he adds, “are more prone to deficiency in certain critical nutrients than are males, and they’re also more likely to develop an autoimmune thyroid (or other) issue affecting their hair, weight and energy”. Due to hair continuously growing, Mr Pearce says, “it’s usually the first tissue to have support withdrawn when body levels become depleted”. “Shedding and/or thinning of scalp hair density or the activation of an autoimmune condition is often an initial symptom of internal disturbance or deficiency,” he said. Do long-term treatments exist? “Overwhelmingly yes,” Mr Pearce said. “Most hair thinning in women is termed ‘continuing until corrected’. This means establishing the true nature of the condition and what the causes are.” Due to the fact that, as Mr Pearce points out on his website, “the causes of female scalp hair loss may be the result of multifaceted nutritional, metabolic or autoimmune disturbances”, it’s important for health professionals to understand the “underlying cause of the presenting problem”. He adds that this can be typically done “through history evaluation of the client \[and\] specific ‘evidence gathering’ pathology”. Once a cause is determined, Mr Pearce says, “appropriate treatments may be suggested to aid in correcting the underlying disturbance and to provide optimal outcomes for the client”. Treatments offered include topicals, which are also available at hair salons and even some supermarkets, medical/ surgical procedures, oral natural and nutrient treatments, and laser light therapy. Nutrients in the spotlight Mr Pearce says vitamin D, zinc, iron and iodine (essentially in that order for hair growth) are considered the most important nutrients for optimal metabolic functioning. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to alopecia, a technical term for hair loss. Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, cod liver oil, some mushrooms and fortified foods.1 Zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair. It also helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working properly. Foods high in zinc include oysters, beef, spinach, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and lentils.1 Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to the cells. This makes it an important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth. Foods that contain high iron levels include clams, oysters, eggs, red meat, spinach and lentils. Iodine is an essential mineral commonly found in seafood. The thyroid gland uses it to make thyroid hormones, which help control growth, repair damaged cells and support a healthy metabolism. Foods high in iodine include seaweed, cod, yoghurt, iodised salt, shrimp, egg, tuna and dried prunes.2 Short-term options For some patients, however, a short-term option may be all they seek, which may also be more affordable. Podium Hair and Beauty’s Ms Booth says, in her experience, some of her clients use certain products to create the illusion that their hair is thicker. The first tip, she adds, is to use a coloured dry shampoo, as this not only hides regrowth, but “it makes your hair seem thicker by giving it texture and also colouring the scalp, so you create the illusion of a fuller head of hair”. BEAUTY BUZZ 55 Approaching alopecia: an RPA’s perspective Ms Booth says that generally a pharmacy assistant may not have much experience with hair and how it works exactly, so it’s important to remember that if the issue seems severe, it’s best to advise patients to see a dermatologist – and that if the customer would like other style changes made to their hair, it’s best they speak to a hairdresser before making such changes. “... Especially with the embarrassment that comes with talking to an absolute stranger about their hair problems – unless they’re there because their dermatologist has given them a script – it should always be recommended to speak to a professional hairdresser or to seek out medical help, if required,” Ms Booth said. “Retail pharmacy is a good start for short-term treatments and beauty products. However, if the issue is ongoing or more serious, it may be best to seek medical attention to find the underlying reasons.” However, it’s still important that pharmacy assistants feel confident in supporting and advising customers on hair management, as it’s generally a first step for curious customers. Ms Rossow, Pharmacy Assistant, explained: “If a customer was looking in the hair care aisle, I’d ask them if they need assistance, what their main concerns are, if they’re on medication, and what their hair routine is like, then I’d go from there.” Additionally, she said: “Retail pharmacy is a good start for short-term treatments and beauty products, as we offer more and better- quality service than supermarkets can. However, if the issue is ongoing or more serious, it may be best to seek medical attention to find the underlying reasons.” References 1. McDonell K. 2016. Healthline. ‘The 5 best vitamins for hair growth (+3 other nutrients)’. Accessed 7/4/20. healthline.com/nutrition/best- vitamins-hair-growth 2. Raman R. 2017. Healthline. ‘10 signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency’. Accessed 7/4/20. healthline.com/nutrition/iodine-deficiency- symptoms Ms Booth’s other suggested tips include: • “Strategically tease your hair.” • “Use volumising shampoos/ conditioners and products (eg, root lift sprays). These products contain few conditioning ingredients, so it helps with not weighing your hair down.” • “When blow drying your hair, flip your hair over and blow dry from every direction, taking the root off the base of where it naturally sits, so it has lift from every angle.” • “Good quality extensions are also used to create thickness.” • “Add highlights to your hair, to create a bit more dimension.” • “Colour/spray wands also help make the hair look fuller and cover the scalp.” RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAY 2020