Throughout our lives, many of us will experience hair loss for a variety of reasons – not only does this affect the way we look, but it also has a negative impact on our mental health, self-esteem, and confidence. Usually, hair loss is not something to worry out medically, unless you notice it alongside other symptoms, and most hair loss is temporary. But if you’re worried about the amount of hair you’re losing, talking to a specialist can be helpful. They can help with solutions, from a hair transplant turkey to adding nutrients to your diet that can help promote growth. Read on to find out more.
Types of hair loss
You may not realise it, but there are many different types of hair loss. If you’re finding that more of your hair is falling out, or your hair is thinning rapidly, you may be suffering from one of the below. The main types of hair loss are:
- Androgenetic Alopecia: This is also known as male or female pattern hair loss. It tends to be more common in men and progresses over years, sometimes even decades. It typically begins to thin around the temples and continues to the top of the head. Eventually, men that suffer from this will become bald. Female hair loss rarely leads to overall baldness and can be seen as a general thinning of hair all over the head.
- Telogen Effluvium: This type of hair loss often occurs when large areas of hair fall from the scalp and do not grow back straight away as normal. Usually, this is caused by an event like childbirth, the use of various medications or an iron deficiency. This is not permanent, and hair will grow back in time.
- Alopecia: This type of hair loss is a chronic autoimmune condition, which leads to the body’s immune system attacking hair follicles. This means hair falls out and is prevented from growing back. This type of hair loss can happen suddenly and without warning, and although not painful, it can also lead to total hair loss.
Causes of hair loss
As we discovered above, hair loss can happen for many reasons. If you are a man that has gone through puberty, male pattern baldness can occur throughout your life, which is caused by your hormones and genetics. If you have suffered any kind of trauma, your body may react with temporary hair loss that will rectify itself in due course. Many other conditions could lead to hair loss, like stress and anxiety and if you’re having treatment for illnesses like cancer. Various types of hair loss cannot be treated, like alopecia – however, if you’re suffering from hair loss due to genetics or ageing, there are a few things you could try which we will look at in more detail below.
Treating hair loss
If you suffer from hair loss due to genetics or illness, there are a few things that you can try to help promote growth. You could ask your pharmacist for medication that is available over the counter that could help, like shampoos and oils to be applied directly to the scalp. You could also make a few changes to your lifestyle, making sure that you’re eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins – managing stress can also be advantageous when it comes to preventing hair loss. Hair transplants are a great, permanent solution for those of us that are losing hair due to genetics or ageing. Some clinics can offer simple, pain-free procedures that can restore your hair to its former glory and with a single consultation, they can tell you which procedure would work best for you. The results are natural, so no one would ever know the difference.
When to get help
If your hair loss is becoming a cause for concern, there is no harm in talking to your pharmacist or doctor, this way you’ll be able to pinpoint what is causing this rapid change within your hair follicles and most importantly, put your mind at rest. If you’re experiencing other symptoms along with your hair loss, this may mean that something else is wrong, and though it may not be serious, there are a few conditions which can cause hair loss including diabetes, psoriasis, poor nutrition, deficiencies, and celiac disease to name a few. Talking through your issues with a physician means you can address the problem head-on.
