Hair loss affects many men as well as 30 percent of women. No matter the gender, the first thing you want to do is determine the cause of loss so you can better understand how to treat it. While typically genetic, hair loss can also be triggered by stress, malnutrition or chemical and heat-based hair treatments.
The beginning stages of hair loss may look different for men and women. Typically the first sign is excess hair coming out when brushing and washing and eventually, the hair no longer feels as thick and dense as it once was. Men may begin to see areas of recession in the temporal areas and hairline.
Health
Long-term diets or restrictive calorie diets can be related to hair loss and are typically reversible if actions are taken early on. Restrictive diets can cause stress both emotionally and physically which can result in temporary hair loss. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Most individuals who experience this type of hair loss do not notice until two to four months after hair loss has started since hairs that enter the telogen phase rest for approximately three months. Hair loss is primarily on the top of the scalp and can last about six months.
Iron and Vitamin B12 deficiencies can also cause hair loss. Both of these vitamins are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body (including the scalp). Oxygen is transported through our blood and a good blood supply to the scalp means less hair follicles will die and fall out.
It’s important to incorporate healthy foods into your diet that are rich in Vitamin B12 and Iron. A balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables and healthy carbohydrates and proteins. A multi-vitamin is also good to take to ensure you receive the proper amount of vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Alopecia
Androgenic alopecia is also known as pattern baldness. This is the most common type of hair loss and affects more men than women. Unlike stress or excessive hair treatment related hair loss, this type of hair loss is typically permanent and progresses if actions aren’t taken to slow down the process.
Interventions to slow and often stop androgenic alopecia include topical or oral finasteride as well as minoxidil (Rogaine), which can be purchased over the counter. Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription that is given in-office for either the oral or topical medication. Additional treatments to combat adrogenic alopecia include low-laser light therapy and medical-grade injections to stimulate shrinking follicles to produce healthier, thicker hair. Once a follicle has gone completely dormant, there is no way to bring hair back to that area other than with hair transplant surgery.
To learn more about treatments for hair loss in SLC, Utah, please call our office (801)776-2220 or contact us HERE.