HAIR LOSS

It is completely normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. However, losing more than this is a sign of alopecia, or hair loss.

This can occur in females, as well as males.

If it seems like your hair is becoming thinner by the day or if you obvious bald patches, then you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or medical doctor to determine the main cause.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON TYPES OF HAIR LOSS?

Pattern Hair Loss/Androgenic Alopecia – This type of hair loss commonly occurs with age. It is usually seen in men, but some women can suffer from it as well. Pattern hair loss is genetic, and can be passed down through both your mother’s and father’s sides of the family. On women, the most obvious signs of this type of hair loss include obvious thinning on the front part of the scalp, especially where the hair is parted in this area. On men, it usually occurs at the temples, or at the top of the scalp. This type of hair loss can be treated with prescription medications like Propecia or spironolactone; although over the counter treatments like Rogaine foam have been known to work as well. If none of these treatments work, then a hair transplant may need to be done.

Medical-related Hair Loss – Hair loss can be caused by certain medical issues, such as hormonal imbalances, anemia and thyroid problems. Unlike pattern hair loss, this form results in the loss of hair all over the entire scalp. It can occur very quickly – in some cases overnight – instead of slowly over time. In order to treat this form of hair loss, a dermatologist or medical doctor must request some simple blood work to determine the cause. Once the cause has been singled out, a series of supplements and prescriptions can correct the problem. However, it might take up to a year for your hair to fully recover and go back to its former thickness.

Stress-related Hair Loss/Telogen Effluvium – This form of hair loss usually occurs after a woman has given birth, although any type of extremely stressful event can cause it. Some of the known stressors that can cause this type of hair loss include a change in medications, surgery, sudden weight loss, following a crash diet, very high fevers, and extreme emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one. Like medical related hair loss, this version can cause the hair all over your entire scalp to thin. Unfortunately, there are no treats for stress related hair loss, besides a full recovery from the stressor.

Autoimmune Hair Loss/Alopecia Areata – Alopecia areata is characterized by either round patches of baldness on the scalp or face (facial hair) or total hair loss over the entire body. In the former version, these bald patches may grow back and then disappear again over a period of time in an unpredictable manner. The latter version is more extreme, and results in the loss of your eyebrows, eyelashes and all body hair over a very short period of time. This version is harder to treat; however, the milder versions of alopecia areata can be treated with steroid injections.