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Most women who experience hair loss try to hide it secretly, changing their hairstyle to cover thinning or spots. It affects as many as 5% of women under 30 and 60% of those over 70. Although it can happen to anyone regardless of age and for various reasons, most women notice it in their 50s or 60s.
Most people are unaware of their hair thinning until 50% of their hair has already fallen out. Baldness is more acceptable for men. But for women, it takes away their confidence.
This post will teach you how to prevent and control hair loss.
Hair loss is an excessive and unnaturally quick loss of hair. The condition could be brought on by hereditary factors, hormonal changes, illnesses, or the natural aspect of aging.
Depending on what is causing it, there are many distinct ways that hair loss can manifest. It can affect only your scalp or the entire body, and it can start suddenly or gradually.
Women typically notice thinning on the top third to one half of the scalp, whereas men’s hair tends to retract from the forehead or the crown of the head. Women’s frontal lines may occasionally remain intact.
Three phases make up our hair development cycle: Anagen, which is the growing phase, Catagen, which is the transitional phase; and Telogen, which is the resting period. After the Telogen phase, the hair follicle begins the growth phase once again. At this point, many hair loss issues may start to manifest.
Approximately ninety percent of the hair on the scalp is in the anagen phase, which can last from two to eight years. The hair follicle shrinks during the Catagen, which generally lasts two to three weeks. And the hair rests for roughly two to four months during the telogen phase.
There are many classifications of hair loss known to science.
Hereditary baldness – this hair loss can start as early as one’s teens and is more common in men than women. It can be inherited from either parent. The majority of women experience general hair thinning, while men experience receding hairline.
Although there is no cure, there are medical remedies.
A 2020 article in Experimental Dermatology says a complex interaction between hormones and genes triggers this type of baldness.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), derived from testosterone, is the main offender. Your hair starts to fall out and stop growing due to DHT’s attack on your hair follicles. Male baldness may be more prevalent since men typically have higher testosterone levels than females.
However, women can’t always say they are safe from this aesthetic malady.
Alopecia areata is a typical autoimmune condition that frequently causes erratic hair loss. Most of the time, hair thinning occurs in little patches about the size of a quarter. However, alopecia areata can also affect more significant scalp regions.
Alopecia total is the name doctors give to a total loss of hair on the scalp. Alopecia Universalis is the name for the disorder when there is hair loss on the entire body.
The causes of alopecia areata are unclear, though genetics plays a part. No matter how much or how long the hair has been lost, the hair follicles are still alive and typically continue to develop new hair.
The temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium typically occurs after stress, shock, or a traumatic experience.
On any area of the body, but typically on the scalp, metabolic or hormonal stress, drug side effects, or other factors can occasionally result in severe hair loss. In most cases, hair regrows on its own within a few months.
A fungal infection often results in a rash known as ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis). The result is typically bald spots on the head that are itchy and scaly. There’s no actual worm, but professionals named them ringworms due to their round shape.
This infection is contagious. Children are most likely to experience this. Oral medicine is often prescribed for this illness.
A variety of dermatological problems, from autoimmune diseases to severe inflammation with no known cause, can induce inflammation around the scalp hair follicles, which results in permanent scarring and hair loss. Your dermatologist will need to request blood tests and a skin biopsy to decide the best course of action if you are experiencing this type of hair loss.
Women who noticeably lose hair may find it incredibly upsetting. Preventing hair loss is more manageable than reversing it.
According to a 2018 study, a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet that includes fresh herbs and raw vegetables may lower the incidence of androgenic alopecia or delay its development.
The best outcomes were seen when participants ingested these foods in large quantities – more than three days a week. This diet contains greens such as basil, parsley, and salad greens.
Taking protein is also essential. Keratin, a protein type, makes up most hair follicles. Amino acids, the primary building blocks of protein, were among the numerous nutritional deficits in participants in a 2017 study of 100 adults with hair loss.
Although additional research is required, consuming a protein-based diet may help prevent hair loss. Eggs, almonds, fish, low-fat dairy products, chicken, and turkey are examples of healthy foods rich in protein.
Sometimes food cannot fulfill your nutritional needs, so you need supplements.
For hair loss, it is good to take multivitamins. Iron, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, C, and D are crucial for hair development and retention.
Daily hair washing can prevent loss by maintaining a healthy, clean scalp. Use a mild shampoo that won’t strip your hair of all its natural oils. Also, avoid tight braids and ponytails since they could cause excessive shedding by pulling on the hair at the root.
There are other options for medical treatments: laser therapy, Platelet-rich plasma, hair transplantation, and more. These options help you prevent or recover from hair loss.
To help you look your best at any age, we at Kay Dermatology offer clinical and cosmetic dermatology, plastic surgery, and histopathology laboratory services. We help you have control over your hair loss. You can contact us at 818-238-2350, through our contact form, or visit us directly at 201 S. Buena Vista, Ste. 420, Burbank, CA 91505
