If you have been noticing hair in your shower drain or your hair is thinning you are not imagining things. A lot of people are dealing with hair loss. Two thirds of men in America start losing their hair by the time they are thirty five years old.. About forty percent of women start losing their hair when they reach menopause. This is according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The good news is that hair loss does not have to be permanent.. It is not usually a mystery. Once you know what to look for you can figure out what is going on. This guide will help you understand why hair loss happens. It will also tell you which treatments work.. It will show you which popular remedies are not worth trying. You will learn how to take care of your hair every day.. You will learn how to protect your hair from damage.
What Causes Hair Loss
Hair loss is usually caused by genetics, hormonal changes, stress not getting nutrients, autoimmune conditions or damage from styling and hair care products. If you know what is causing your hair loss you can find a treatment that will really work.
Lets look at each of these causes in detail.
1. Genetic Hair Loss
This is the common cause of hair loss in the United States. It affects both men and women. It is caused by a hormone called DHT. This hormone makes your hair follicles shrink over time.
In men it usually starts with a receding hairline and a thinning crown.
In women it usually causes thinning over the top of the scalp. The hairline usually stays the same.
If your parent or grandparent had pattern baldness you are more likely to get it. This kind of hair loss gets worse over time if you do not treat it.. There are a lot of treatments that are approved by the FDA.
2. Hormonal Changes
Sometimes hair loss is caused by changes in your hormones. This can happen when you are pregnant after you have a baby when you are going through menopause or if you have a thyroid disorder. This kind of hair loss is usually temporary.. It can last if you do not fix the underlying hormonal issue.
A lot of women think that hair loss after having a baby is permanent.. Usually it stops within six to twelve months after the baby is born.
3. Telogen Effluvium
This is a kind of hair loss that happens when you are under a lot of stress. It can be caused by surgery, illness, losing a lot of weight or emotional stress. When this happens a lot of your hair follicles stop growing and go into a resting phase. Then a months later you will start losing a lot of hair.
The good news is that this kind of hair loss is usually temporary. It will stop on its own within six to nine months.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies
If you are not getting nutrients you can start losing your hair. This is especially true if you are not getting iron, zinc vitamin D or protein. This can happen if you are on a restrictive diet or if you are a vegetarian or vegan who is not taking supplements.
You can get a blood test to see if you have a nutritional deficiency. This is one of the causes of hair loss to fix.
5. Autoimmune and Medical Conditions
Sometimes hair loss is caused by a condition. This is when your immune system attacks your hair follicles. This can cause hair loss. Other conditions like lupus or scalp psoriasis can also cause hair loss.
You will need to see a dermatologist to get a diagnosis and treatment.
6. Hair Care and Styling Damage
If you are styling your hair in a way that pulls on your hair follicles you can cause hair loss. This is called traction alopecia. It can be caused by ponytails, braids or extensions.
This kind of hair loss is usually preventable. You just need to be gentler with your hair.
Proven Hair Loss Treatments That Actually Work
There are treatments that have been proven to work.
- Minoxidil is a treatment that works for both men and women. It is approved by the FDA. You will start to see results within four to six months.
- Finasteride is a treatment that works for men. It is approved by the FDA. You will start to see results within three to six months.
- Spironolactone is a treatment that works for women with hair loss. It is not approved by the FDA for this use. It is sometimes prescribed by dermatologists. You will start to see results within six months.
- Low-Level Laser Therapy is a treatment that works for mild to hair loss. It is approved by the FDA. You will start to see results within four to six months.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma is a treatment that works for early-stage hair loss. It is a procedure that is done in a doctors office. You will need to have sessions.
- Hair Transplant is a surgical procedure that works for advanced hair loss. It is a solution.
What to Realistically Expect
These treatments are not fixes. They take time to work. You will need to use them for four to six months before you start to see results.. It will take about a year to see the full results.
If you stop using the treatment your hair loss will probably start again.
Everyday Hair Care Habits That Protect Your Hair
There are some things you can do every day to protect your hair.
- Use a sulfate- shampoo if you have a sensitive scalp.
- Do not use heat styling tools much.. Always use a heat protectant.
- Massage your scalp every day to help your hair grow.
- Choose hairstyles that are not too tight.
- Get regular trims to prevent breakage.
There are also some things you should avoid.
- Do not brush your hair much when it is wet.
- Do not wash your hair much.
- Do not use chemical treatments much.
- Do not wear hairstyles all the time.
- Do not go on a restrictive diet.
Supplements and Natural Remedies
There are some supplements that can help with hair loss.
- Biotin can help if you have a deficiency.
- Saw palmetto may help block DHT.
- Iron and vitamin D supplements can help if you have a deficiency.
- Pumpkin seed oil may help with hair growth.
There are also some supplements that do not have much evidence to support them.
- Rosemary oil may help,. There is not much research to support it.
- Rice water rinses do not have much evidence to support them.
- Onion juice treatments do not have much evidence to support them.
- "Hair vitamins" that are marketed with proprietary blends and no dosage transparency are not worth trying.
When to See a Dermatologist
You should see a dermatologist if you notice any of the following.
- Sudden or patchy hair loss.
- Scalp pain, itching, redness or scaling.
- Hair loss that is accompanied by fatigue, weight changes or irregular periods.
- Hair loss that continues despite treatment.
- bald patches that appear overnight.
A dermatologist can run blood tests perform a scalp biopsy and prescribe treatments that are not available over the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hair loss reversible
It depends on the cause. If your hair loss is caused by stress or nutritional deficiencies it is usually reversible.. If it is caused by genetics it is not always reversible.
How much hair loss per day is normal
It is normal to lose fifty to one hundred hairs per day. If you are losing more than that you should talk to a doctor.
Does wearing hats cause baldness
No wearing hats does not cause baldness. Unless you wear a hat that's very tight it will not cause hair loss.
Can stress really cause hair loss
Yes stress can cause hair loss. It can cause a condition called telogen effluvium.
What is the best shampoo for hair loss
There is no shampoo that can reverse hair loss.. Some shampoos that contain ketoconazole or caffeine may help support scalp health.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss can be scary. It is usually manageable. If you understand what is causing your hair loss you can find a treatment that will work. You can also make some simple changes, to your hair care routine to protect your hair. If you are not sure what is causing your hair loss you should see a dermatologist. They can help you figure out what is going on and find a treatment that will work for you.
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