Everyone loses hair. It’s natural. But many lose more hair than they’d like. About 80% of men show signs of male pattern baldness by age 70, and more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss in their lifetimes.
Although hair loss is real, thanks to modern medicine, there are actually many ways you can combat it. Read on to learn what causes hair loss and when it can be reversed.
What causes hair loss?
Pick a head at random, and it should hold about 100,000 hair follicles. While the average person loses around 50 to 100 hairs per day, as part of the normal hair growth cycle, you typically don’t see this loss due to new hair growth. If the hair growth cycle is disrupted, however, that new growth stops. That’s when you get noticeable hair loss.
Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in the U.S., affecting more than 50 million men and 30 million women. It’s almost always hereditary, and occurs with aging.
Pattern baldness tends to show up in predictable ways (hence the “pattern” part), explains Dr. Nicole Ruth, a Manhattan-based board-certified dermatologist. “Women present with a widened part and generalized thinning,” she says. “For men, it’s a receding hairline or hair loss at the crown of the head.”
Stress or lifestyle factors can trigger conditions like telogen effluvium (TE), a temporary issue that causes people to shed more hair than usual. “This usually happens to postnatal women, or those who recently experienced intense emotional stress due to traumatic events,” says Dr. Michael May, a London-based surgeon.
Other common causes of hair loss include medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, birth control pills and others, and alopecia areata, a stress-induced autoimmune disorder that attacks hair follicles, causing patches of baldness. Harsh hair treatments or hairstyles can spur a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.
Can you reverse hair loss?
You need to see a dermatologist or hair restoration specialist for a clinical assessment to see what’s possible. Some conditions respond well to treatment, while other times your hair might just grow back on its own. In some instances, due to issues like traction alopecia, you’ll suffer permanent damage and the best treatment is prevention.
While a primary care doctor may be able to help initially, hair loss diagnosis is best performed by a dermatologist. Diagnosing the cause of hair loss usually involves a physical exam and questions about your diet, hair care routine and family medical history. It might also involve certain tests, such as a blood test and a scalp biopsy.
What treatments are used for hair loss?
There are a number of different ways you can either treat or prevent hair loss. These fall into three categories: medical procedures, medications and lifestyle changes.
Medical procedures:
Currently, there are three main procedures done to reverse hair loss:
- Hair transplantation, or surgically moving hair from one part of your body to your scalp, where it will continue to grow and shed normally throughout your life. “This procedure has grown famous for its high success rate,” says May. “It also gives a permanent, natural-looking result.”
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, in which blood is extracted and the PRP is separated out, then injected into the scalp. While it’s used widely, there needs to be more research conducted on its effectiveness.
- Red light therapy, in which the scalp is exposed to red light in order to stimulate hair growth.
Lifestyle:
Changes to your diet and hair care routine typically have the most impact. Studies show the mediterranean diet and certain supplements (like biotin, iron, and omega-3) can help combat hair loss.
It’s also important to treat your hair gently. Dr. May recommends avoiding any heat styling or harsh brushing/pulling of your hair, as well as protecting your strands from the sun by using hair products with UV protection or wearing a hat when you go outside. If you typically wear your hair in tightly-pulled styles like cornrows, it’s smart to opt for looser braids or change your hairstyle every 3-4 months.
Medication:
Minoxidil (the generic name for Rogaine), finasteride and olumiant, which specifically targets alopecia areata, are the most popular medications for hair loss. Each of the helps regrow hair and prevent further hair loss.
Hair loss comes for most of us, but fortunately, there are things we can do to save our strands. With the knowledge above, you have what it takes to keep a lock on your locks if it comes for you.