Hair loss

Select the topic

• What causes hair loss?
• The signs and symptoms of hair loss
• How is hair loss diagnosed?
• How is hair loss treated?
• What are the preventions of hair loss?
• What foods should you eat if you are losing a lot of hair?

Hair loss

Hair loss occurs on the scalp or the skin on various skin surfaces according to the hair's life cycle, which deteriorates with age, falls out, and grows again. Hair loss can also be due to heredity, hormones, illness, age, and stress, resulting in hair loss, thinning, Alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, or premature hair loss, which has a negative impact on personality, confidence, and stress. Those experiencing abnormal hair loss, thinning hair, or baldness should seek a thorough, systematic diagnosis and appropriate treatment to encourage new scalp hair growth with strength and quality.

What causes hair loss?

Hair loss can be due to several factors, which can occur in childhood to adulthood, regardless of gender or age. In addition, hair loss can be a warning sign of an underlying disease or the starting point for future permanent hair loss or baldness, which can have a negative impact on the personality and mentality. Hair loss is primarily of two types, as follows:

1. Scarring alopecia is a type of hair loss in which the cells of hair follicle cells are damaged permanently to the point they are unable to produce new hair cells. Scarring alopecia includes the following conditions:
   • Chronic dermatitis due to autoimmune disorders, such as DLE or Lichen planopilaris (LPP)
   • Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) causes scalp inflammation, redness, and flaking, destroying the hair follicle cells until finally causing baldness. FFA is more common in females than in males.
   • Bacterial infections such as
     • Dissecting cellulitis, or dissecting folliculitis, is caused by the abnormal skin formation of hair follicles, resulting in obstruction and inflammation.
     • Folliculitis decal vans are due to an abnormal response of the body to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
     • Tuberculosis, or syphilis
   • Viral infections such as shingles (herpes zoster) and herpes simplex
   • Fungal infections such as tinea capitis
   • Some chemical substances, such as highly acidic or alkaline chemicals, cause scalp erosion.
   • Appendage tumors, or skin tumors on the scalp
2. Non-scaring alopecia is a type of hair loss in which the hair follicles are not permanently damaged, resulting in patchy, circular, or oval hair loss with distinct edges. Non-scaring alopecia can be caused by immune cell dysfunction of unknown causes. This type of hair loss is curable, as the hair follicle cells are not completely lost. However, if left untreated, the cells may be permanently destroyed, rendering the hair unable to regenerate. Non-scarring alopecia includes the following conditions:
   • Hereditary (Androgenic alopecia): a family history of hair loss, thinning, or premature baldness. Hereditary hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss, which usually occurs in a gradual and predictable pattern and is more common in males than females.
   • Alopecia areata is a hair loss condition due to an autoimmune disease, causing sudden hair loss on the scalp and body.
   • Telogen effluvium is an unusual sudden hair loss that occurs within a short time, such as
     • Certain diseases, such as thyroid disease and hyperthyroidism, anemia, thalassemia, or HIV infection
     • Sudden hormonal changes, such as postpartum conditions
     • Illnesses such as high fever or post-surgery may result in temporary hair loss.
     • Side effects from certain medications
     • Rapid weight loss
   • Anagen effluvium is a condition that causes rapid hair loss as a result of factors such as chemotherapy, which may result in the side effects of hair loss and thinning hair.
   • Infections such as fungal or bacterial infections of the scalp, such as syphilis
   • Certain medications, such as drugs for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart disease, gout, high blood pressure, and birth control pills, may cause hair loss side effects.
   • Aging may decrease hormone production with shortened hair's life cycle, resulting in more hair loss and lowering hair density on the scalp.
   • Stress, or exposure to traumatic events with psychological impact, causes the body to produce cortisol, a stress hormone that causes hair loss and thinning.
   • Some behaviors, such as unintentionally pulling one's hair (Trichotillomania)
   • Nutritional deficiencies, such as low iron or protein levels
   • Too-tight hairstyles, such as a ponytail or braid, can cause traction alopecia.

What are the signs and symptoms of hair loss?

Hair loss can occur suddenly or gradually for several reasons and factors. The signs and symptoms of hair loss are as follows:

1. Gradual thinning on the top of the head is the most common type of hair loss due to aging. This type of hair loss is the cause of male-pattern baldness that begins at the hairline and progresses to the top of the head before thinning to the point of baldness. Female-pattern baldness starts with hair gradually thinning out from the top of the head, spreading to the entire head but not involving the hairline, as in men.
2. Circular or patchy bald spots, or patchy hair loss in circular spots on the scalp, beard, or brows, can be itchy or painful before the scalp and body's hair falls out.
3. Sudden loosening of hair is caused by a physical and mental shock, resulting in excessive hair falling out when combing, shampooing, or gentle pulling. This type of hair loss tends to be a generalized hair thinning.
4. Full-body hair loss is due to certain diseases or medications, such as chemotherapy, which can cause generalized hair loss of the scalp and body. However, it is only temporary; the hair can regrow.
5. Scaling scalp patches are patchy hair loss with dandruff-like flaking all over the head that could be due to fungi or ringworm.

How is hair loss diagnosed?

The dermatologist will make a diagnosis of hair loss by taking a history, inquiring about the foods or medications, as well as any underlying disease, including a family history of hair thinning or baldness, and performing a physical examination to determine the root cause of hair loss and thinning hair by conducting the following diagnostic steps:

• Medical history: if there is excessive hair loss (more than 200 strands per day), which can be noticed from hairs on your hands while shampooing, combing, or doing daily activities.
• Scalp examination to look for signs of an infection on the scalp.
• Comb test and pull test: The dermatologist will perform the test by gently pulling the hair several times and counting the number of hairs that come out with the hand. Alternatively, comb your hair for 1 minute and count the number of shed hairs to evaluate the life cycle of the hair.
• Blood tests: Checking for thyroid gland function and measuring the level of iron in the body.
• Skin and hair biopsy: The dermatologist will take a scalp sample and send it for pathological examination under a light microscope to look for abnormalities such as infection or inflammation of the hair follicle.

How is hair loss treated?

• Medications
  • Minoxidil is a topical and oral medication used by dermatologists to treat hair loss and thinning in both males and females, stimulate hair follicle cell regeneration, help blood vessel growth reach the hair roots, and stimulate hair to regrow vigorously and healthily.
  • Finasteride is an oral hair growth medication for men that works by blocking the formation of the hormone DHT and stimulating hair follicle cells to grow new hair to treat hair loss and thinning hair caused by heredity. Its use should be under the supervision of a dermatologist to prevent potential side effects.
• Hair transplant surgery: For those with hair loss, thinning hair, or permanent baldness, hair transplantation is a good treatment option for those who have thin hair on top of their heads due to heredity, with cost-effective and good long-term results. The dermatologist will perform surgery to transplant hair from the dense hair areas, such as the back or the side of the head, to the thin or bald scalp for transplanted hair to take root.
• Fractional laser: is a hair regeneration procedure that uses a low-energy laser to stimulate hair follicle cells to grow stronger new hair faster and is thicker in the long run.
• Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses a low-energy laser beam on the scalp to activate hair follicle cells, which helps reduce hair loss and promote new hair to grow faster and stronger.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the most effective and safe hair loss treatments; the dermatologist injects concentrated platelet-rich plasma into the scalp to slow hair loss and stimulate the growth of new, healthy hair.
• Regenera Activa is a treatment in which stem cells derived from the patient's hair follicles are injected onto the scalp to strengthen hair follicle cells, stimulate the growth of new thick hair, solve hair loss issues, and treat thinning hair effectively.

What are the complications of hair loss?

• Psychological Effects: Hair loss, thinning hair, and baldness can have long-term psychological effects, such as a loss of social confidence. For those whose physical appearance is essential to their image, scalp thinning can be a barrier to pursuing a dream career, leading to stress or depression.
• Skin cancer: Those with hair loss, thinning hair, or baldness should wear a hat, hood, or sunscreen when out in the sun to avoid direct sunlight exposure, which can increase the risk of skin cancer.

What are the preventions of hair loss?

Although not all hair loss is preventable, proper care to prevent hair loss is crucial to keep your hair on the scalp for as long as possible to reduce hair loss. Here are some methods for preventing hair loss:

• Those with conditions such as thyroid or other diseases should consult a dermatologist for preventive treatment for hair loss.
• Choose hair care products that are safe for your scalp and will not cause allergies, dandruff, or itching.
• Consume foods from all five food groups that contain complete nutrients such as calories, protein, and iron.
• Those undergoing chemotherapy should wear a hat to keep out sunlight.
• Do not tie your hair too tightly.
• Stay relaxed and stress-free.

What foods should you eat if you are losing a lot of hair?

Those with a lot of hair loss should eat foods high in protein, biotin, zinc, and selenium, among other nutrients, to help nourish their hair, such as:

• Marine fish high in omega-3 and vitamin D, such as salmon, mackerel, or tuna
• Eggs contain protein, vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, and iron, helping to strengthen hair and reduce hair loss.
• Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, are high in beta-carotene, folate, and iron, which promotes hair growth.
• Berries, oranges, and fruits are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that aids in iron absorption.
• Cereals and legumes high in biotin, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium, such as almonds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.

Stop Hair loss & thinning; Regrow & Refill healthy, full heads of hair.

Typically, a healthy person sheds approximately 50–100 strands of hair daily and then regrows to replace the lost hair. Those with excessive hair loss lose more than 200 strands per day while the number of replacement strands is substantially lower to the point the scalp is discernable as balding, affecting personality and mental well-being.

Those who have excessive hair loss, patchy hair loss, sudden hair loss, or hereditary baldness should be seen by a specialized dermatologist at a state-of-the-art hospital with full complements of medical technology to plan an effective treatment that is suitable for everyone to stimulate new hair to grow stronger and healthier, filling the scalp, and regaining full self-confidence.