Hair loss (alopecia) can be a distressing experience, affecting both men and women. While shedding some hair daily is normal, excessive thinning or bald patches can signal an underlying issue. This post, aims to shed light on the common causes, symptoms, and when it’s crucial to seek professional help.
Types and symptoms of hair loss
Hair loss isn’t always a uniform experience. It can manifest in various ways, including:
Gradual thinning on top of the head: This is the most common type, affecting both men and women as they age. Men typically experience receding hairlines and bald spots, while women often see widening of their hair part.
Circular or patchy bald spots: This type can occur on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows. The skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
Sudden loosening of hair: A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing.
Patchy scaling that spreads over the scalp: This could be a sign of ringworm or another skin condition and may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling, and oozing.
Common causes of hair loss
Several factors can contribute to hair loss, ranging from genetics to medical conditions:
- Heredity: The most common cause, also known as male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness, is genetically determined.
- Hormonal changes and medical conditions: Pregnancy, childbirth, thyroid problems, and menopause can trigger hair loss.
- Medications and supplements: Certain drugs used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure can have hair loss as a side effect.
- Stress: A significant physical or emotional shock can lead to temporary hair loss.
- Hairstyles and treatments: Tight hairstyles that pull on the hair, like braids or cornrows, and harsh treatments like hot-oil hair treatments, can cause traction alopecia.
- Radiation therapy to the head: The hair may not grow back the same as it was before.
- Trichotillomania: This psychological disorder compels individuals to pull out their hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or other areas.
When to see a doctor?
While some hair loss is normal, it’s important to consult a doctor if you experience:
- Sudden hair loss.
- Hair loss that’s causing you significant distress.
- Patchy hair loss accompanied by itching, skin irritation, or other unusual symptoms.
Treatments for hair loss
For those seeking to reverse the effects of hair loss, several hair restoration options are available.
Hair transplant surgery, offered at specialized hair transplant clinics involves transplanting hair follicles from a donor area, typically the back of the head, to the recipient area experiencing thinning or baldness. Techniques like follicular unit extraction (FUE) and direct hair implantation (DHI) are commonly used, leveraging high-tech surgical equipment to ensure a safe procedure.
FUE hair transplant is a minimally invasive procedure that harvests individual hair follicles (transplanted hair), while DHI implants them directly into the recipient area without creating incisions, often leading to faster healing and increased hair density.
The goal of hair transplantation or hair medical restoration is to achieve natural-looking results with healthy hair.
Visit an experienced hair clinic
If you’re experiencing unusual hair loss, don’t hesitate to consult a certified specialized doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan like capillary PRP or hair transplant. Early intervention can often lead to better outcomes.
We are one of the top hair transplant clinics that provide hair procedures tailored to individual needs such as androgenetic alopecia. I’m Dr. Héctor Treviño and I invite you to schedule a free online consultation and recover your confidence.