Laser Hair Therapy

The complete guide to hair loss & treatments

This article will cover the basics of everything you need to know about hair loss and its treatments. From here, you can explore each topic in more detail.

 

According to a recent study, hair loss affects over half of men over the age of 50. Hair loss can affect not just your scalp hair, but also the rest of your body. The human scalp sheds 50 to 100 hairs every day during the hair development cycle, which is completely natural. Hair loss can occur, however, if new hair does not replace the hair lost during this procedure. Hair loss can occur slowly over time or quickly in days or weeks. Hair loss can be permanent or temporary.

Hair Loss Symptoms

Depending on the reason for hair loss, the symptoms might differ greatly. Here are some hair loss symptoms to watch out for?

 

  • Hair loss near the crown of the head is a characteristic symptom of androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness), the most prevalent kind of hair loss. The hairline of the forehead is where most men notice thinning.
  • Temple and crown hair loss is another typical indication of male pattern baldness, with progressive thinning around the temples, between the forehead and ear, and at the top of the head. It can cause a widow’s peak, which is a receding, V-shaped hairline. Male or female pattern baldness can produce gradual thinning at the crown, but if it occurs quickly, it could be due to another factor.
  • A widening of the hair parting or a receding hairline are frequently noticed in women who are suffering hair loss
  • Sudden Hair Loss: Hair can come out unexpectedly after emotional or physical stress. When gently tugged, or other activities like washing and combing, this kind of hair loss can cause a substantial volume of hair to fall out. While this type of hair loss might cause general thinning, it usually only lasts a few months.
  • Having patches: Hair falls out in circular circles or patches on the scalp, eyebrows, and beard in some forms of hair loss.
  • Total body hair loss: this is the entire loss of hair from the head to the toes; it is usually induced by chemotherapy and is a transient kind of hair loss. An autoimmune condition may be the cause in some situations.

Causes Of Hair Thinning

Here are some possible causes hair loss or thinning:

  • Testosterone
  • Genetics
  • Medical disorders
  • Hormonal changes
  • Drugs
  • Stress
  • Hairstyles
  • Hair treatment
  • Radiation

Types of Hair loss

The various types of hair loss include:

 

  • Alopecia Areata – Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes this type of hair loss. The immune system attacks healthy tissues, resulting in hair loss and the inability to develop new hair.
  • Cicatricial Alopecia: also known as scarring alopecia, is an uncommon kind of hair loss caused by inflammation, which causes hair follicle destruction and scar tissue development. Scar tissue makes it impossible to regenerate hair.
  • Androgenetic Alopecia: The most prevalent kind of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, often known as male or female pattern baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is a hereditary disorder that can be passed on through the ‘baldness gene,’ however, it can be managed with medicine or surgically reversed in some cases.
  • Telogen Effluvium: Thyroid abnormalities, surgery, or delivery can all cause telogen effluvium, which is a kind of hair loss caused by medical illnesses and events. Mineral deficiency, as well as several drugs, can induce it. Telogen effluvium is defined by daily hair loss of 300 to 500 hairs, as well as thinning around the crown and temples.
  • Anagen Effluvium: this is a kind of hair loss that occurs quickly as a result of medical intervention. Chemotherapy, which destroys cancer cells, might cause hair follicle output to be stunted. The hair will generally regrow when the treatment is done.
  • Tinea Capitis: often known as ringworm, is a fungus that creates scaly bald areas or patches on the scalp.
  • Traction Alopecia: Hair loss that is caused by tight hairstyles.

How to Prevent Hair Loss

Below are some essential tips to help prevent hair loss:

 

  • Examine and address any health issues that may be causing hair loss.
  • Hairstyles such as cornrows, braids, and pigtails are examples of tight hairstyles that can lead to traction alopecia hence they should be avoided.
  • Supplement your diet with hair-growing vitamins.
  • Maintain a balanced diet that is low in processed foods and sweets.
  • Get enough sleep, exercise, and engage in stress-relieving activities to reduce your stress levels.

Hair Loss Supplements

Numerous hair growth supplements can help you improve your hair’s health and growth. Although studies show that vitamins like biotin, iron, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc can help prevent hair loss, their effectiveness has yet to be verified, and not everyone will have the same results. People who are experiencing hair loss due to a lack of vitamins, on the other hand, will benefit from them.

Hair Loss Treatment

Hair loss may be treated with a variety of surgical and nonsurgical procedures, but their effectiveness varies depending on the severity, type, and cause of hair loss.

Non-surgical Hair Loss Treatment

Some of the most effective Non-surgical hair loss treatments are:

  • Finasteride
  • Finasteride, which inhibits the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, is an effective therapy for male pattern baldness. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes hair loss in males, is produced by this enzyme. Instead of regrowing any hair that has been lost, this medicine is particularly successful at preventing future hair loss.
  • Minoxidil
  • Minoxidil is commonly available as a topical solution. Hair regeneration products with minoxidil should be used regularly to see results. By increasing the time hair develops, minoxidil can boost hair vitality. Before utilizing a minoxidil product, speak with your doctor or a hair salon.
  • Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment
  • PRP treatment is a regenerative medication that promotes healing and hair restoration. Five PRP sessions spread out over a year is generally advised. We recommend getting a top-up every 12-18 months after the first year.

Hair Transplant

Hair transplants might be the most effective treatment option for hair loss if you want full hair regeneration and replenishment. They are excellent long-term therapy for hair loss since they may restore hair and give individuals a more youthful appearance, but they should only be explored after the underlying cause of hair loss has been addressed.

Hair transplants are divided into two categories: FUE and FUT. Similar procedures are used in both techniques:

  • FUE
  • Hair grafts from the back of the head are harvested as individual follicles using the FUE procedure. Hundreds of microscopic punches are produced, and the hair follicles are delicately put in little holes in the recipient region. After that, the hair takes a year to grow back.
  • FUT
  • The FUT procedure involves removing a strip of hair from the back of the head that is often several inches long. The transplant is divided into smaller portions using a surgical instrument after the donor site is sewn up. After that, these parts can be implanted in the recipient site.

Schedule Your Consultation

When you’re ready to take the next step toward addressing your hair loss, the specialists at Northwestern Hair are here to help. We’ll work with you to evaluate your level of hair loss and to find the most effective treatment for your needs.