Hair loss is something that torments us since adolescence, since we become aware of our surroundings and begin to perceive ourselves in the future. Seeing our parents or our grandparents and uncles with bald spots is relatively normal, but it does not stop scaring us as if it were the end of the world. Hair loss has several causes, and that is what we have come to decipher in this text.
Baldness is more common in men than in women, but the causes are the same and the solutions, of course, are few and the sooner we act, the better results will be obtained. It is true that when a woman loses a lot of hair, the follicle can regenerate hair, however, in men when it falls out, there is rarely a way back. Hence the importance of acting quickly with the first symptoms of hair loss.
Main causes of hair loss
We are going to make a summary of the main causes of hair loss, we are not going to make a distinction between the sexes, since as we say, hair loss affects both sexes, only that in men it ends up being more evident.
Genetics and background
Genetics is sometimes very capricious, it can give us all the good, only the bad, or make an almost perfect balance. Hair loss depends to a large extent on genetic inheritance and is the most common cause that is accentuated in aging.
This disorder is called androgenic alopecia and it exists in both a male pattern baldness and a female pattern. The best thing is these cases is that if we see that we have a high probability, act as soon as possible and usually anti-loss treatments, and check-ups with the dermatologist are usually at 18 or 20 years of age.
In this case, hair loss is progressive, so it gives us time to act and remedy it. The first symptoms are receding in men, that is to say that the hairline begins to move further and further away from the end line of the forehead. In women, the hair becomes thinner and weaker in the crown area, and its density also decreases.
Side effects of medications and treatments
Many times we take medications without reading the side effects or their accumulation in the body. One of the most abrasive medications and the ones that cause hair loss the most are antidepressants, sleeping pills, pills for heart problems, gout medication, high blood pressure pills, cancer treatments or palliative medication or medicine for arthritis and osteoarthritis.
They are pills and treatments that we sometimes take without giving it importance and if we have genetics prone to hair loss, then we are playing the lottery with all the winning numbers.
Hormonal changes
This is truly common and common in women. In fact, the change in weather, especially in autumn, hair loss intensifies a lot to the point of triple Google searches on Why does my hair fall out?, What do I do so that my hair does not fall out? ?, Tips to prevent hair loss, etc.
In addition, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, postpartum, the menstrual cycle, menopause, thyroid problems, etc. tend to increase hair loss in women of all ages. This is known as alopecia areata and is related to the weakened immune system causing uneven hair loss.
Medical problems
Medical conditions are also some of the causes of hair loss. Some of the most common problems that hair loss results in are: excessive dandruff, lack of hygiene, scalp infections, stress and anxiety, circulation problems, seborrheic dermatitis, wounds, allergies, etc.
If we have some of these problems or other medical conditions, we should put ourselves in the hands of our dermatologist to solve the problem as soon as possible and thus reduce the problems of early alopecia.
Excess hairdressing or hair treatments
This is also very typical of women, but you guys don't escape either. Going to the hairdresser a lot is good, not that it is not so good, it is having abrasive treatments on the scalp such as dyes with ammonia, doing hairstyles where the hair is very tight such as African braids, using many products loaded with chemicals, doing Japanese straightening, abusing the use of the iron every day, changing our hair color every few weeks, doing bleaching, etc.
Abrasive treatments and bleaching are not highly recommended for sensitive scalps, those with a tendency to fall or with medical problems, since they tend to accelerate hair loss and multiply its speed.
Physical or emotional stress
The stress to which we are subjected in our day to day does not do our body any good. But we have to differentiate punctual stress due to an exam, a change of work or residence, for example, than a situation of stress and continued anxiety over time due to a family, economic, personal or health situation.
Physical and emotional stress can make hair falling out on more than half of the head. This type of hair loss is known as telogen effluvium and it occurs when the hair falls out in clumps, either by combing our hair, stroking our hair, washing it, etc.
Treatment for hair loss
Although many people think that hair loss has no solution, it is possible to find an appropriate treatment. Sometimes medicines are not enough to stop hair loss. There are also other therapies and surgical procedures to treat baldness.
Medicine
Medications are likely to be the first course of treatment for hair loss. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications generally consist of topical creams and gels that are applied directly to the scalp. The most common products contain an ingredient called minoxidil.
A doctor may recommend minoxidil along with other hair loss treatments. Minoxidil side effects include scalp irritation and hair growth in adjacent areas, such as the forehead or face. Prescription medications can also treat hair loss. doctors prescribe finasteride for male pattern baldness.
The doctor can also prescribe corticosteroids like prednisone. People with alopecia areata can use this to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids mimic the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. However, the side effects of these drugs must be carefully monitored.
hair transplant surgery
Hair transplant surgery involves moving small plugs of skin, each containing a few hairs, to the bald parts of the scalp.
This works well for people with hereditary baldness, as they typically lose hair on the top of their head. Because this type of hair loss is progressive, multiple surgeries would be needed over time.
scalp reduction
In a scalp reduction, a surgeon removes part of the scalp that is devoid of hair. Then he closes the area with a part of the scalp that has hair on it. Another option is a flap, in which your surgeon folds the hair-bearing scalp over a bald patch. This is a type of scalp reduction.
Tissue expansion can also cover bald areas. It requires two surgeries. In the first surgery, a surgeon places a tissue expander under a part of the scalp that has hair on it and is next to the bald spot. After several weeks, the expander stretches the part of the scalp that has hair. In the second surgery, the surgeon removes the expander and pulls the expanded area of the scalp with hair over the bald spot.
How to prevent hair loss?
There are things that can be done to prevent further hair loss. For example, it is recommended do not wear tight hairstyles such as braids, ponytails or bows that put excessive pressure on the hair. Over time, those styles permanently damage hair follicles.
We must make sure we carry a balance diet that includes adequate amounts of iron and protein. Also, if we are currently losing hair, it is advised to use a mild baby shampoo to wash your hair. Unless we have extremely oily hair, we should only wash our hair every other day. And always pat your hair dry, without rubbing it.
Styling products and tools are also common culprits for hair loss. Some of them are hair dryers, heated combs, hair straighteners, coloring products, bleaching agents, and perms. If you decide to style your hair with hot tools, only do so when your hair is dry.