Hair Loss: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Hair loss, or alopecia, is the partial or complete loss of hair from areas of the body where hair normally grows. It occurs when genetically programmed hair-growth cycles are interrupted or when the hair follicle itself is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.

Though it most often affects men over 50 years old, anyone can develop hair loss. It may be triggered by hormonal changes, stress, poor nutrition, or even certain medications (especially chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer). The condition can also run in families.

Overview

It is vital to know that hair loss, also known as alopecia, can affect your scalp and entire body. It can either be temporary or permanent. Furthermore, hair loss can result from a medical condition, hormonal changes, heredity, or even just a part of aging. Both men and women may experience hair loss, but it is more common in men.

Causes of Hair Loss

Heredity

One of the most common causes of hair loss is family history or heredity that usually comes with aging. This type of condition is called androgenic alopecia. Moreover, it usually happens gradually and in foreseen patterns – bald spots in men, a receding hairline, and a thinning hair through the crown of the scalp in women

Hormonal changes and medical conditions

Several conditions can cause temporary or permanent hair loss. This includes menopause, pregnancy, thyroid problems, and childbirth. Furthermore, medical conditions also include alopecia areata- an immune system-related condition that can cause patchy hair loss, a hair-pulling disorder, and scalp infections. Most of the above-mentioned conditions plus much more can be detected by medical testing. To help you prevent hair loss and thyroid changes, one interesting company to explore is Winona.

Medications and supplements

It is possible that the hair loss you are currently experiencing is due to a side effect from taking medication. Prescription drugs for arthritis, cancer, gout, heart problems, and high blood pressure may cause hair loss in some cases.

Radiation therapy to the head

If you experienced radiation therapy to the head, your hair might not grow back the same way it was before.

Stress

Several people tend to experience thinning of hair for several months after an emotional or physical shock. However, it is vital to know that this type of hair loss is only temporary.

Excessive Hairstyling

Most of the time, excessive hairstyling or tight hairstyles like cornrows or pigtails can cause a certain type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Moreover, hot-oil hair permanents and treatments can also cause your hair to fall out. If scarring happens, this type of hair loss could become permanent.

Tips To Prevent Hair Loss

Below are some tips you can consider if you want to prevent hair loss

Mediterranean Diet

According to a study conducted in 2018, a diet that contains fresh herbs and raw vegetables, like the Mediterranean diet, may help lower the risk of androgenic alopecia or slow its onset. Furthermore, the best results were seen when the participants in the study consumed loaded amounts of these foods- salad greens, basil, parsley- more than three times a week.

Protein

Your hair follicles are mostly made of keratin (a type of protein). That is why maintaining a diet full of protein can help prevent hair loss. You may consider eating eggs, beans, nuts, peas, turkey, low-fat dairy products, and chicken.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A has retinoids that are considered to help increase your hair growth rate. It is essential to know that this vitamin can also boost your sebum production, which keeps your scalp healthier and can retain more hairs in your scalp.

Treatment

The following are hair loss treatments you can try:

Taking Hair Loss Medication

Many types of medication can help treat or prevent hair loss. They are mostly available over the counter. Some of the most common are finasteride and minoxidil. If you want to know which one is better for you, research more on finasteride vs minoxidil.

Low-level Light Therapy

A study suggests that low-level laser light therapy (LLLT) can help increase your hair density. This makes sense to people with genetic or chemotherapy-related hair loss. Moreover, it is vital to know that in-depth research is needed in order to determine the proper duration and wavelengths of the treatment.