When I turned 40 last year, my sudden, gradual hair loss made me quite upset! You could feel similarly if you are mid-aged, with former beautiful hair that turned into something you can barely recognize.
Seeing your hair falling out in large quantities, and discovering patchy baldness can be quite shocking! For this reason, I have done a bit of research in terms of causes and effective methods, which could help you save your hair and the remaining roots!
Although on average we naturally lose 50-100 single hairs daily, this shedding process is balanced by the regrowth of new hair. This is not the case when your body’s balance is disturbed which results in significant hair loss.
It is called alopecia with medical terminology. We differentiate shorter hair (arm, leg, eyelashes, and eyebrows) from longer hair (scalp) growing on various parts of the body.
Shorter hair’s growing phase only lasts about a month, while the longer hair’s growing phase can last up to six years, or longer. There are three main types of hair losses:
1, Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Hair Loss – Fphl), or Baldness.
This is the most common form of hair loss, when the hair is thinning from the top of the scalp, and on the sides.
2, Anagen Effluvium.
Caused by strong medication or medical intervention, such as chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. These can be quite toxic to growing hair follicles.
3, Telogen Effluvium.
This happens when a growing number of hair follicles reach the telogen phase, in which hair falls out.
When to Take Hair Loss Seriously
1, When more of your hair starts to fall out suddenly, and it does not stop. You can see hair everywhere, significantly more on your brush, on the floor, in your bathroom, and bedroom.
2, You can see noticeable patches of thinning or missing hair, these usually happen on the sides of your head, as well as on the top of your head.
3, You could see your scalp appearing through your hair.
4, Having significantly smaller ponytails, and hair buns.
5, Seeing your hair break off, dry texture of hair, and more split ends.
What Generally Causes Hair Loss
Strict diets and quick weight loss. Vitamin deficiency is caused by not taking the right or enough amounts, or your body doesn’t absorb vitamin supplements well. Your hairstyle can lead to hair loss if it is pulling your hair roots, such as tight ponytails, or braids.
The hair loss caused by this is called traction alopecia, can cause permanent hair loss if your hair follicles are damaged. If you overtreat, dye, and dry it, your hair can easily break, even from its root.
Anagen Effluvium Hair Loss
can be caused by medical, and toxic substances which can occur anywhere on your body. It affects the hair in its growth phase, at times it can lead to permanent hair loss, in case your hair follicles are damaged.
Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss
can be triggered by major physical stress, or shocking body experiences, which generally cause temporary hair loss. Examples: significant weight loss, illness, surgery, anemia, giving birth.
Of course, not only physical stress but strong emotional stress can also cause it, including mental illness, losing someone, or something important.
Medications to treat blood pressure, gout medicines, and high doses of Vitamin A. Hormone changes due to birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause, etc.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
(FPHL) can be caused by your genes, in this case, it is best to check and discuss your hair loss history with your family members. You should ask who at what age possibly started having thinning hair, notable hair loss, and even baldness.
Make sure to check the head area where problems occur for each of you. Aging can cause hormone changes that can lead to balding. And when estrogen is lost during menopause this type of hair loss frequently gets worse.
Conditions (Often Autoimmune) Can Also Affect Hair Loss
such as Alopecia areata, an autoimmune skin disease, that causes patchy hair loss on the head and possibly other places on the body. It’s not permanent generally.
What Medical Tests Can Be Run
1, Pull gently a section of your hair to check how strong and resistant it is.
2, Detailed blood tests to check all your important vitamin and mineral levels, (Vitamin B, Vitamin D, zinc, iron) as well as hormone levels (including thyroid and sex hormones).
3, Hair and scalp evaluation. Microscopic scalp examination and trichoscopy.
4, Scalp biopsy, a 10-20 min surgery procedure that removes a small bit of hair and surrounding skin to get a proper diagnosis.
What Questions Can You Expect?
1, What kinds of food do you usually have? Do you have enough protein?
2, Have your family members experienced hair loss as well?
3, How much stress do you have in your life? Do You have a chronic condition?
4, Have you been on any medication? What supplements do you take?
5, How long have you been experiencing hair loss? Any improvements or declines?
6, Is your hair loss continuous or occasional? Has your hair growth, and breaking changed?
Possible Solutions to Reduce Hair Loss
1. Leave All Chemical Products
From your hair routine completely, including any shampoo, conditioner, mask, leave-in cream, mousse, sprays, hair colors, and hair treatment you may purchase in drug stores or shops.
2. Opt For Strictly 100% Herbal Hair Products
From high-quality, trusted brands. Check reviews, and ask what professionals may suggest using.
3. Only Wash Your Hair With Water
You may add your homemade herbal ingredients. This option is becoming more and more trendy.
4. Hair Loss and Scalp Treatments
You should see a hair specialist first, after they check your scalp, they could suggest the best treatment for you. They are usually done with needles, injecting various growth stimulating ingredients into your scalp, depending on your problem.
Vitamins, herbal ingredients, medication, or even a combo mix with your blood can be effective. It is crucial to be patient and consistent to get the desired result.
5, Hair Growth and Scalp Treatments
Plenty of treatments are available, depending on how serious your hair loss is, these could also stimulate your hair growth. These are a good initial choice, but after no serious improvement, you should discuss your hair loss with specialists!
6. Hair Transplantation
It is best to have an appointment with both a hair treatment (injection) specialist and a hair transplant specialist. You may visit a dermatologist, an endocrinologist (or an alternative therapist who specializes in hormone treatments.
7. Vitamins and Supplements
Various types of Vitamin B, biotin, selenium, zink, collagen, iron, and the right multivitamin for your body, as well as DHT blocker supplements, can support rebuilding stronger hair roots.
Endnote
No matter how scary or shocking your hair loss may seem, usually, there is a way for improvement if you have the patience to go after it. Maybe you won’t have the same rich hair as earlier, but I found, supplements, a detailed blood test, doctors, therapists, and hair professionals can all add to your knowledge, and testing to see what works for you! Don’t give up!