Your hair is a big part of your image!! So it’s natural to worry if you look at the receding hairline in the mirror or find a clump of hair in your hand when you touch your head. But before hitting the panic button, take a deep breath and relax since you are not alone. Hair lossHair loss is one of the most common problems, and treatment is possible in most cases. While hair loss is often seen as a problem for men, at least one-third of women experience thinning hair at some point in their lives. The first step is to understand why this happens, and the key is to start treatment early.
There are many leading causes of hair loss in both men and women. Unlike men, women usually have thinning hair without getting bald. In many cases, this hair loss can be stabilized, and hair growth can be reversed through treatment. If not, several new cosmetic approaches can help.
Whether you are just starting to see thinning, or have suffered for a while, or want to prevent hair loss< read this article provided by experts from Hairsure ClinicHairsure Clinic. This article gives information about the list of leading causes of hair loss.
The Leading Cause Of Hair Loss:
It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hair strands a day. More than this can mean there is excess fall of hair. Read on to find out more about common causes.
Age:
Almost everyone will see hair loss and thinning hair with age. Our cells grow and die at all ages, but as we get older, our cells die faster than they regenerate. That’s why we get weaker bones and thinner skin. And that is a similar process for our hair. As we get older, we also produce less oil on the scalp, which makes our hair thinner and brittle. This can also cause hair loss. Some people may experience severe hair loss with age, and this condition is known as androgenetic alopecia.
Genetics:
The most common form of hair loss is sometimes related to hereditary. This is often referred to as male or female pattern hair loss and affects men more as compared to women. This is a more extreme form of hair loss that usually starts at a young age and gradually develops with age.
In men, this type of hair loss often starts at the temples and extends to the ends of the scalp. There may be a slight thinning at the top of the head. In women, it is usually noticeable where they divide the hair, but there is gradually thinning throughout the scalp. Researchers have found that several genes influence the likelihood of hair loss.
Hormonal changes:
People with diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have higher androgen levels, which can cause female hair loss. If you are a woman with the following symptoms, you should ask a doctor to test your hormone levels:
- Acne
- Excessive hair growth on the face or body
- Irregular periods
Many other factors can cause dramatic changes in your hormone levels – such as pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and hypothyroidism. These causes affect hair growth. Even changing your treatment procedure can cause hair loss if your medication affects your hormone levels. For example, some women who stop taking birth control pills may experience hair loss. Fortunately, in most cases, with the right treatment, you can slow down or reverse the hair loss.
Stressful life events:
You notice a lot of hair loss everywhere. You can see it on your pillow, on the floor, in your clothes or in the bathroom drain. It looks like hair comes out easily, so you are afraid to wash it. The medical term for this is Telogen Effluvium.
You might feel bald when telogen effluvium occurs. Rest assured, you will not. Telogen effluvium is a stress reaction. Excess hair fall starts 2 to 3 months after a tense physical or emotional event and peaks about 4 to 5 months later. Over time, your body adapts, and your hair gradually stops falling. Everything will return to normal in 6 to 9 months.
Stressful life events such as losing a loved one, surgery or diagnosing a severe illness can increase the risk of hair loss. Hair loss itself can also create stress. Remember: Telogen effluvium is temporary – you won’t be bald and your hair will come back. In most cases, no treatment is needed.
Malnutrition:
Hair loss due to malnutrition starts slower and takes longer (more than six months). Possible causes are often related to nutritional deficiencies. Low iron levels, vitamin D, and zinc are associated with hair loss. Vitamin deficiencies can usually be easily corrected with food supplements. You must always talk to a doctor before taking any supplements.
Autoimmune diseases:
Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss categorized under autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks healthy hair follicles and allows it to fall out. Most often, alopecia areata manifests itself as one or more coin-sized hairless patches. This can affect the hair on the body. In rare cases, this can be more severe. With alopecia totalis, hair loss occurs on the entire scalp. In alopecia, Universalis affects the whole scalp, face and body.
The good news is hair follicles are still alive. In most cases, the hair will return by itself over time. However, there is no cure, and it is common for alopecia areata to come back over and over again. Cortisone injections into your scalp can accelerate recovery. Laser therapy and medications are offered for people who experience severe hair loss.
Infection:
Infection can affect the scalp and cause hair loss. This occurs when bacteria, yeast, or fungus grow and penetrates hair follicles. You can see pus, redness and scaling. The scalp can feel itchy or even painful. If you see any of these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. Fungal scalp infections are very contagious and a significant cause of hair loss in children. To prevent this, children should avoid sharing hats and scarves.
When you see a doctor for treatment, they need to understand what type of disorder is causing it. They take a swab sample and send it to a laboratory to find out for diagnosis. Proper treatment depends on whether you are dealing with bacteria, yeast or fungus. Most scalp infections can be treated with appropriate antibiotics or antifungals. Without treatment, this infection can cause permanent scarring.
Certain medications:
Hair loss is a side effect caused by certain medications. Not everyone who uses medications may experience hair loss, but it can occur with several popular ones, including:
- Some blood pressure medications
- Some cholesterol-lowering medications
- Acne medication
- Gout medication
- Antacid medications
- Testosterone and progesterone steroids injections
Contact a doctor if you notice hair loss when you start taking new medications. They can tell you if other drugs are better for you and give you instructions on how to stop taking the medication now if needed.
Traumatic hairstyles and inflammation:
So far, we have discussed harmless types of hair loss where hair follicles can still live and hair growth. This is different from the sign of hair loss, where hair follicles are destroyed, and hair cannot grow anymore. Inflammation is the leading cause of scars. The scalp can look red. Common symptoms include itching, burning, and pain. Infection and some inflammatory skin diseases can damage hair follicles. Traumatic hairstyling practices such as thermal styling, chemical hair care, and tight hairstyles can also cause signs of hair loss.
Most often, doctors give certain medications, depending on the cause and level of hair loss. Cortisone injections, along with topical minoxidil, can stimulate hair growth. If the scar is large, hair transplantation might be an option.
Chemotherapy and radiation:
Hair loss can be a real fear for many patients diagnosed with cancer who need chemotherapy or radiation. Cancer is caused by cells that grow too fast. Chemotherapy drugs are often used to destroy these cells, so they do not form tumours or spread. However, because the cells in your hair follicles also grow quickly, chemotherapy can also affect your hair.
Radiation therapy, which is also used to treat cancer, can also cause hair loss. While chemotherapy can cause hair loss throughout the body, radiation therapy usually only affects the area being treated. With both treatments, hair loss is usually temporary, and you can expect your hair to grow in a few months.
Conclusion:
If you suffer from hair loss, don’t panic. Your first action should be to visit a certified doctor as soon as possible. It is best not to waste time on home care and hair accessories that may or may not work. They can do more damage than good.
When you see a doctor, they must first determine the cause of your hair loss. This can include a physical examination of the hair and scalp; Blood tests to identify problems such as thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies; or scalp biopsy if a small piece of scalp is removed under local anaesthesia and sent to a laboratory for examination.
As soon as your doctor knows the cause, they will give you treatment options. The sooner you start the right treatment, the more likely you are to return your hair. Hair loss may not always cure, but in many cases, medication can help if used early enough.
Whether you currently have thinning hair or are recovering from an illness that causes hair loss, Hairsure Clinic will develop a personalized approach to help you achieve your goals. To learn more, please contact us at +91-40- 42 02 02 02.