We’ve tackled the topic of hair loss in previous articles, where we briefly took a brief glance at possible causes and treatments. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at hair loss, the different conditions that can cause it, treatments, and how it affects your overall health.
Hair Loss, Hair Thinning, and Everything in Between
According to Medihair.com, an estimated 85% of men and 33% will experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is a condition where the growth of hair on your body is disrupted. Hair loss can affect any part of the body, but most often occurs on the scalp, which leads to balding. Depending on the circumstance, hair loss can be temporary or permanent.
Hair Fall
You may notice from time to time strands of hair falling from your head or getting caught in your hairbrush. These strands of hair are no cause for alarm, and most likely are a result of normal hair fall. An article by healthline states that losing around 50-100 strands per day is a completely normal occurrence that is part of the life cycle of hair.
Hair Shedding
In some cases, hair fall can become excessive and turn into shedding. As mentioned previously, the normal amount of hair loss ranges from 50 to 100 hair strands per day. Exceeding this amount may be considered telogen effluvium, or the rapid loss of hair. Factors such as stress can contribute to this condition.
Hair Thinning
May people confuse hair thinning with hair fall, but these are two different conditions. Hair fall, as mentioned earlier, is a normal process your hair goes through in its life cycle. Hair thinning, on the other hand, is a gradual decrease in hair density, causing it to fall out, become brittle, and appear thinner. Oftentimes, hair thinning leads to the appearance of receding hairlines.
What Causes Hair Loss?
There isn’t one clear cause for hair loss. Multiple factors can contribute to hair loss, and these factors also vary from person to person. The best way to pinpoint the cause of hair loss is to consult your local health care professional.
It is Hereditary
Both men and women are susceptible to hereditary hair loss. Hair follicles with this condition shrink and cease to grow as a result of inherited genes. Male symptoms include bald spots or a receding hairline, while female symptoms include general thinning or widening. Hormone changes, aging, and heredity all contribute to hair loss as people age; more men than women experience hereditary hair loss.
Aging
As you age, hair changes due to natural processes. Noticeable changes include hair color, thickness, and growth. Hair follicles, which produce melanin, cause gray hair, which often begins in your 30s and as you age, your graying hairs get lighter and eventually turn white. Body and facial hair usually grays later than scalp hair. Overtime, hair follicles stop producing new hairs, and men may start showing signs of baldness by 30 years old.
Medical Conditions and Stress
An article published by the National Institutes of Health looked into stress related hair loss. In this article, researchers found that stress hormones could impair the stem cells necessary for hair growth. In other cases, the stress is directly linked to underlying medical conditions that cause the hair loss.
Telogen effluvium
The National Library of Medicine describes this condition as “the excessive shedding of resting or telogen hair after some metabolic stress, hormonal changes, or medication.”. This condition is also known as club hair because of the shape of the hair follicle.
Alopecia Areata
Unlike alopecia, alopecia areata is not simply hair loss. It is an autoimmune disease that causes patches of hair loss. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, an estimated 2% or almost 160 million people globally will experience the condition at some point in their life.
While alopecia areata is most often attributed to genetic factors, more recent research has found a connection between stress related factors triggering the condition.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a psychological condition characterized by recurrent hair pulling, leading to hair loss. While the exact cause of this condition remains unknown, the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) states that it often develops following the onset of puberty, with an estimated 1.7% of individuals in the United States suffering from trichotillomania.
Hormonal Changes
Hair health is greatly influenced by hormones, with specific hormones like thyroid hormones and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) particularly significant. Both men and women produce DHT, which can lead to hair loss by shortening the development phase and making hair strands weaker and thinner.
Numerous hormones that control bodily processes, such as metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature, are produced by the thyroid. Noticeable hair loss can result from thyroid disorders that interfere with the natural cycle of hair development.
Women’s hair may thin temporarily or permanently as a result of natural fluctuations in hormones like progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause. Preventing hair loss and preserving hair health depend on understanding and controlling these hormones.
Treatments and Medication
In certain cases, hair loss can occur as a direct result or side effect of treatments, medication, or a combination of both. In these situations, the chances of regrowing one’s hair are significantly better, with the help of a licensed physician. According to the mayo clinic, individuals who had undergone chemotherapy can expect hair to grow back around 3 to 6 months after their final session.
Hair Loss Treatments
Treatment for hair loss is a complex procedure that includes treatments like medication, surgery, and therapy. A medical professional can assist in identifying the reason behind your hair loss and suggest a treatment strategy that matches what you want for hair growth. In certain cases, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair loss may return on its own within a year, while in other cases, certain therapies can reverse or reduce hair loss.
Medications
Treatment options for hair loss include topical medications like cream, lotion, or shampoo that can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) or with a prescription. Hair loss may be caused by underlying conditions in which case the condition in question must be treated. Patients may be advised to cease taking a medicine for a few months if it is causing hair loss.
Minoxidil
The FDA-approved drug minoxidil can be applied directly to the scalp to treat pattern baldness. In liquid, foam, and shampoo form, it is available over-the-counter (OTC) and is recommended for use once a day for women and twice daily for men. It decreases and prevents hair loss, but takes at least six months for it to promote hair regrowth and prevent further hair loss. If the treatment is effective, it should be carried out indefinitely. Unwanted facial and hand hair growth, as well as scalp irritation, are potentially adverse effects. It can take several additional months to assess the efficacy of the medication.
Finasteride
Finasteride is a prescription medication for men, approved by the FDA to treat pattern baldness. It is taken daily as a pill, and men who take it experience slowing hair loss or new hair growth. It may take a few months to see results, and it may not work as well for men over 60. Side effects include diminished sex drive and sexual function, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Finasteride is not FDA approved for women’s use due to adverse health effects, such as irregular menstruation and decreased libido. Finasteride should not be taken if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant because it can also result in serious birth defects.
Other Medications
While Minoxidil and Finasteride are the most common medications offered to those suffering from hair loss, there are alternatives for those who find these two popular medications ineffective.
Spironolactone
A medication more commonly used to treat hypertension and heart failure, spironolactone in more recent years, is being researched to be an alternative medication to treat hair loss. It should be noted that further research must still be taken to fully understand the efficacy of spironolactone on hair loss.
Dutasteride
Much like spironolactone, dutasteride is not a medication that directly treats hair loss. Instead, it is prescribed to treat the condition benign prostatic hyperplasia. Although studies indicate that dutasteride is a more effective treatment for hair loss than finasteride, the FDA has not approved it for this purpose.
Corticosteroids
These types of medications are prescribed to treat inflammation. Also known as glucocorticoids, or simply steroids, these are synthetic (man-made) drugs that are meant to mimic cortisol. Hair loss treatment requiring corticosteroids are usually prescribed to individuals suffering from alopecia areata.
In Summary
Hair loss, also known as alopecia, affects 85% of men and 33% of women, often affecting the scalp and leading to balding. Hair loss can be temporary or permanent and can be caused by various factors; causes of hair loss can be determined by consulting a medical professional. Treatments for hair loss include topical medications, surgery, and therapy.
Disclaimer
Power Your Curls Pty Ltd. and all of its content are for informational purposes only. All information is believed to be accurate at the time of posting and should NOT be taken as professional medical advice. Please seek a medical professional in the event of pain or injury.
