According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, 811,363 men and women worldwide suffer hair loss. Also from the same data, hair loss happens early at 30 to 39 years old.
Hair loss happens even if it is not noticeable. However, noticeable or not, hair loss is a widely shared concern and must be treated as early as possible. What causes hair loss and what can be done to treat it?
Of the many different causes of hair loss, heredity is the most common. Genetic hair thinning or androgenetic alopecia happens as a person ages.
Hereditary hair loss in men starts happening at the crown. It is first evidenced by a receding hairline or a frontal recession, followed by baldness at the vertex, then near-total baldness. Once only a rim of hair is left on the sides of the scalp, it means that hair loss has already advanced.
Hereditary hair loss is different for women. It is more hidden compared to men, but tends to be more widespread. It usually starts in the hairline and spreads overtime as the stage advances. Only then will the bald area be truly noticeable.
If it runs in the family, hair loss should be expected. There are no tests needed to confirm it, but there are different ways to slow down hair loss and promote new hair growth. Minoxidil and finasteride are examples of over-the-counter medications that can treat genetic hair thinning. Minoxidil is applied on the scalp, while finasteride is ingested.
Other treatment options include surgical procedures such as scalp reduction, hair flaps, and hair transplants. If you want to be practical about it though, wear wigs or toupees for a temporary, yet reliable way to cover bald areas.
Hair growth occurs in two stages – the growing stage and the resting stage. The resting stage can last up to four months. When a stressful event suddenly enters a person’s life, the resting stage can extend to more than 4 months. Once all the hairs in the resting stage shed, the hair loss is immediately noticeable, potentially creating even more stress on the person.
Realizing how stress can disrupt the cycle of hair growth, this only means that we should always be wary and take control of our daily stressors. The good thing about hair loss due to stress is that it is not permanent. Hair temporary lost can be grown back as stressful events are temporary in itself – unless we keep it that way.
Aside from emotional stress, physiological stress can also lead to hair loss. Examples of physiological stresses are crash diets, major surgery, infections, illness, and low estrogen levels after pregnancy.
If stress is confirmed by your dermatologist as the cause of your hair loss, learn how to manage it then. Although it is impossible to avoid all stressful events in life, it can be managed by keeping a positive outlook in life, seeking a therapist, talking to a friend, eating healthy and exercising often, among other things.
Certain medications have hair loss as one of its side effects. Blood thinners, arthritic medicines, heart medicines, birth control pills, anti-depressants, anabolic steroids, and anti-seizure medicines can cause temporary hair loss.
It is important to remember that this is just a side effect; hair loss that results from taking these medicines is temporary. More often than not, your doctor will tell you of the side effects to prepare you for what’s to come. If you want to avoid hair loss, ask your doctor for an alternate medication that won’t have hair loss as a side effect.
Vitamin D deficiency
It is important to single out vitamin D hair loss. The relationship of vitamin D deficiency and hair loss or telogen effluvium is more common among younger women. Vitamin D regulates hair follicle growth, and if vitamin D is lacking, this leads to hair thinning and loss.
Get ample sun exposure during the day and incorporate food in your diet rich in vitamin D such as eggs, milk, liver, cheese, cereals and nuts. If you think you need a supplement, ask your doctor for a recommended daily dosage.
Did you know that wearing tight ponytails can lead to traction alopecia? It is a form of hair loss that happens due to damaged hair follicles caused by tight ponytails and hair extensions.
Of course, it is natural to want to look tidy with the hair up, but as a preventive measure, use fabric hair ties to reduce the pressure on your scalp. Wear a high and low ponytail alternately to give your scalp a rest. Similarly, lessen your use of hair straightening irons.
Do you blow dry your wet hair every morning? Research shows that excessive heat can cause hair breakage leading to hair loss and fall.
At its best, air dry your hair before stepping out of the house, and limit your use of a hair dryer and similar tools such as curling irons.
Hair loss is caused by different factors where majority can be easily avoided. Manage stress, be cautious about the side effects of certain medicines you take, load up on vitamin D, and break bad hair habits that can cause hair loss. However, if you are still worried about your hair loss, seek the advice of your doctor.