What’s the truth behind hair loss (alopecia)? Is it essential to nurture your hair? Nowadays, many women suffer from too much hair loss. It’s sickening to see your comb full of hair in just one brush. If you’ve noticed more hair fall than usual when you comb or brush your hair, it’s time to check the reasons behind it.
Hair loss is a pretty common occurrence. While it is more common in older people, it can affect anyone, even children. It chooses no age.
In this blog, I will discuss a couple of reasons why we’re losing our hair.
Firstly, how will we know that we’re experiencing hair loss? Does it have symptoms? Yes, it has. Below are some of the signs that can give you a clue.
- Clogged Drains. Do you see your shower drains or sinks clogged with hair? If yes, that could be a sign that you’re losing hair.
- Combs/Brush With Too Much Hair. This is very common. Oftentimes, we disregard this one. But, the truth is we should not. Hair loss can be a sign of a more serious health risk.
- The hairline is receding. If your hairline seems higher than usual, it might indicate thinning hair.
- Itching or Pain in the Scalp. You may feel discomfort or itching on your scalp if you have an underlying skin issue that is causing your hair loss.
- Bald Patches. These might be small or large, and they can grow over time. Excessive hair loss from the scalp is commonly referred to as baldness. The most prevalent cause of baldness is hereditary hair loss as people become older. Some people may rather leave their hair loss untreated and unnoticed. Hairstyles, cosmetics, caps, and scarves may be used to conceal it. Others choose from one of the various treatments to help stop further hair loss or restore hair growth.
These are only some of the symptoms that we usually see. If you’re experiencing any of the abovementioned, it is significant that you know what products are best to help you lessen hair loss.
Nutritional Deficiency, such as Potassium Deficiency or otherwise known as Hypokalemia can influence hair loss. Low potassium (hypokalemia) is a condition in which your blood potassium level is lower than usual. Potassium aids in the transmission of electrical signals between cells in the body. It is essential for neuron and muscle cell activity, notably in heart muscle cells.
What causes this to happen? If you consume a lot of salt in your diet, sodium will build up around your hair follicles. When this happens, your hair has a hard time absorbing the nutrients it requires to grow and flourish.
Another thing is Telogen Effluvium. What is this? Telogen effluvium is a type of sudden hair loss that results from emotional or physical shock, like a traumatic event, period of extreme stress, or a serious illness. It can also happen because of hormonal changes, like those that happen during pregnancy, childbirth, and the menopausal period. It can also be caused by malnutrition, endocrine problems, and hormonal birth control (beginning or quitting). Women are mostly affected by telogen effluvium than men. It disturbs the hair cycle and accounts for more than 30% of all hair loss cases.
However, nutritional deficiency doesn’t have that instant effect. It won’t make your hair fall out pretty quickly. It might take three months or longer for your hair to start falling out.
Because there are so many factors that may cause hair loss, it’s important to consult a doctor if you find any irregularities in your hair. To narrow down the causes, they’ll most likely utilize a mix of your medical history and a physical exam. A biopsy of the skin on your scalp may be taken if they suspect an autoimmune or skin problem. A little portion of the skin is carefully removed for laboratory testing in this procedure. It’s critical to remember that hair development is a complicated process. They may also conduct blood tests to look for evidence of an underlying ailment or nutritional deficiencies.
But, don’t worry that much. There’s good news. Within six months of addressing your potassium deficiency, your hair growth rate will return to normal. Furthermore, hair loss caused by a nutritional deficiency (such as Hypokalemia) is short-lived.
What are the other types of hair loss?
Hair loss may affect any part of the body, but the scalp is the most frequent. On average, the scalp has 100,000 hairs that go through cycles of growing, resting, falling out, and regrowth.
There are three stages to a hair growth cycle. Hair develops rapidly during the anagen period. This stage might endure for a long time. Hair stops growing and separates from its follicle, the structure beneath the skin that maintains the hair in place, during the catagen phase. The catagen phase lasts for around ten days. The follicle rests for two or three months during the telogen phase, after which the hair falls out. As new hair develops in the same follicle, the next anagen phase begins. This natural cycle causes most people to shed 50 to 100 hairs every day.
Hair may begin to fall out more quickly than it is regenerated if this cycle is disturbed or if a hair follicle is injured, resulting in symptoms such as a receding hairline, hair falling out in patches, or general thinning.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes abrupt hair loss. Hair follicles, like other healthy body components, are attacked by the immune system. Small clumps of hair from the scalp, as well as brows and eyelashes, may come out. If you have this problem, you should consult a doctor or a hair loss expert. Medication may be prescribed by a doctor to assist the hair to regrow.
Folliculitis Decalvans
Hair loss caused by folliculitis decalvans, an inflammatory illness that destroys hair follicles, is frequently accompanied by redness, swelling, and pustules, which are painful or pus-filled sores on the scalp. Although this form of hair loss is irreversible, doctors can prescribe medicine to alleviate symptoms and, in some cases, stop hair loss from progressing.
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia is the most frequent kind of hair loss in the United States, affecting more than 50 million men and 30 million women. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern hair loss, is a hereditary condition that can be treated with surgery or medication.
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is a kind of hair loss caused by medicinal treatments like chemotherapy. These powerful and quick-acting drugs target cancer cells, but they also have the potential to stop hair follicle creation in the scalp and other regions of the body. Hair normally comes back on its own after chemotherapy. Dermatologists can prescribe medicines to help hair regrow faster.
Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
Hair products or styling procedures that damage hair follicles can cause central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Hair relaxers, blow dryers, curling irons, and hair extensions, as well as the process of generating a permanent wave, or “perm,” can induce central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.
Lichen planopilaris
When a common skin ailment called lichen planus infects the scalp, it causes lichen planopilaris, a kind of alopecia. Lichen planopilaris can create a dry, flaky rash on the skin, causing hair to come out in clumps on the scalp. Small white or red itchy, painful, or burning bumps may appear on the scalp, which is red, inflamed, and covered with small white or red uncomfortable, painful, or burning pimples. Lichen planopilaris is a rare fungus that mostly affects women. To halt hair loss, a doctor may prescribe medication.
What are the hair loss treatment options?
Hair loss may be treated in a variety of ways, but the best option for you will depend on the cause of your hair loss. Medications will almost certainly be the first line of defense. The majority of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are topical creams, gels, solutions, or foams that are applied directly to the scalp. Minoxidil is a common component found in most medications.
Finasteride (Propecia), a prescription medicine, may assist with male pattern baldness. Finasteride is a drug that you take every day to help halt hair loss. Even so, some people who use it enjoy fresh hair growth. If hair loss appears to be linked to an autoimmune illness, your doctor may give anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids.
Is there any way to prevent hair loss?
The answer is a BIG YES. There are some things you can do to lessen hair loss.
- Hairstyles should be loose. If you wear your hair in braids, buns, or ponytails on a daily basis, keep them loose to avoid putting too much strain on your hair.
- Aim for a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Foods you intake should include lots of iron, protein, and potassium. The following are best:
- Fruits such as figs, apples, peaches, melon, and bananas
- Beans such as refried beans, Lima beans, and black beans
- Dried fruits such as dried apricots and raisins
- Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, yams, kale, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms
- Brown rice, wheat, bran
- Lean proteins such as salmon, ground turkey, and chicken breast
- Keep your hands away from your hair. Try not to rub, pull, or twist your hair as much as possible.
- Allow hair to air dry. After bathing, gently pat your hair dry with a towel. It’s best not to massage your hair with a towel or twist it within the towel.
Don’t you know that hair loss can also be caused by styling products and tools?Examples of these are hairdryers, heated combs, hair straightening irons, bleaching substances, perms, relaxers, and coloring products. If you want to use hot tools to style your hair, wait until it’s completely dry and use the lowest setting possible. If you’re experiencing hair loss, wash your hair with mild baby shampoo. Unless your hair is really greasy, limit yourself to washing it every other day or fewer.
Hair loss may be distressing. Many individuals consider their hair to be a vital part of their identity. If you’re worried about your hair loss, a professional trichologist might be able to help you. Joining a support group or talking to other individuals in similar situations on internet forums may also be beneficial.
To sum it up, SELF-CARE plays a significant role in addressing hair loss. Try to change your lifestyle and avoid stress.
A certain quantity of hair falls out every day, which is natural. Each day, people might lose up to 100 hairs. A person may have an underlying issue if they realize they are losing more hair than normal. In that case, individuals should consult a doctor for guidance on the best treatment alternatives. In many circumstances, once a doctor has addressed the underlying issue, a person’s hair will return to its normal state.
In a Nutshell
Hair loss is sometimes an issue that we tend to overlook, not knowing that it can be a cause of a more serious illness. The treatment for hair loss differs depending on the cause of thinning or hair loss. Fortunately, there are various therapy options available.
If you are currently experiencing hair loss, it is vital that you act quickly. The first step is to figure out what’s causing the problem. Your hair will grow back if you can treat the root of the problem.
Furthermore, do not wait until it’s too late. The most efficient way of detecting the reason for your hair loss and finding a treatment that is right for you is to find a competent and experienced trichologist. This way you will be able to know whether you need simple changes to diet and lifestyle or specific hair loss treatment. Treat your hair like an asset that brings you a fortune. Your hair represents you. The way you take good care of your hair reflects how you take good care of yourself.
If you are experiencing hair loss and want to know more about your condition, consult with a Certified Trichologist
Other Articles
Does Semiglutide Cause Hair Loss?
