You lose approximately 50 to 100 hairs from your scalp every day, which is normal. You might not notice this since new hair usually grows to replace the lost one. However, if you lose excess hair on your scalp, you might be balding. Baldness mostly occurs as you grow older and is mainly a hereditary condition. Some people may let the hair loss run its course, but others resort to alopecia consultation & medical management Lakewood Ranch to prevent further hair loss and restore growth.
What are the symptoms of hair loss?
The symptoms of hair loss differ depending on the cause. Hair loss can come on gradually or suddenly and affect your scalp or entire body. Most of the time, people notice gradual thinning on the top of the head as they age. For men, hair may recede at the hairline on the forehead, whereas for women may have a broadening of the part in the hair. A receding hairline is a typical hair loss pattern in older women.
Some people lose hair in patches on the scalp, beards, and eyebrows. The affected area may become itchy before the hair falls out.
Causes of hair loss
Hair loss is associated with different factors, including
- Family history
Androgenic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss with aging. It often develops gradually and in predictable patterns – receding hairline in men and widening hair part in women.
- Medications
Certain medications, such as those used to treat cancer, depression, heart problems, arthritis, high blood pressure, and gout, can cause hair loss. Treatments such as radiation therapy to your head can also cause hair loss.
Hairstyles that pull your hairlines, such as cornrows and ponytails, can cause traction alopecia. Some people experience hair loss after a stressful event. Most of the time, hair loss in such cases is temporary. Hormonal changes caused by thyroid problems, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can also cause hair loss.
How can I prevent hair loss?
You cannot prevent baldness caused by natural factors such as heredity. But the following tips may help you avoid preventable types of hair loss.
- Be gentle with your hair. You may want to avoid tight hairstyles such as braids and ponytails that pull your hairline. If you need to braid your hair, ask your stylist to lessen the tension. After applying a detangler, use a wide-toothed comb to avoid pulling out hair.
- Avoid harsh treatments such as curling irons, straighteners, hot rollers, and hot-oil treatments since they contribute to root damage.
- Quit smoking. Some research shows some association between smoking and male baldness. Besides causing hair loss, smoking can cause other health problems such as chronic pain and lung cancer.
- If you are undergoing chemotherapy, consider using a cooling cap to reduce your risk of hair loss with your doctor.
- Avoid exposing your hair to direct sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.
- If you are taking medication or supplements that cause baldness, ask your doctor for an alternative.
Consult with your specialist at Honest Hair Restoration to learn about different treatments for hair loss.