It’s very common for hair to change in texture and thickness throughout a lifetime, but finding out that every strand is getting thinner as time goes on can be overwhelming. It’s usually caused by genetics and stress.
Not everyone will go bald or have a receding hairline, but if you find yourself increasingly worried about hair loss, here are some things you need to know about the types of hair loss.
Understanding Normal Hair Loss
This may surprise you, but hair is meant not to stay on the scalp for long. There is a natural length for each strand of hair, after which it falls out naturally. We all lose about 100 hair strands per day. This takes place due to a few factors:
- Aging: After 30, both men and women begin to lose hair, though men tend to do so faster.
- Lifespan: A single strand of hair grows and falls out every 4.5 years, replaced by new hair within six months.
- Styling: Shampooing, blow-drying, and brushing hair can cause a few hairs to fall out. We should all avoid regular practices like these.
Understanding Hereditary Hair Loss
A common misconception is that genetic hair loss is not caused by excessive amounts of hair falling out. Instead, it results from hair failing to regrow in areas that have been shaved, causing a balding appearance. Baldness appears in specific regions, forming characteristic patterns. Hereditary baldness is associated with a few factors:
- Age: By age 30, one in four men has started to lose hair; by age 60, two in three men has started to lose hair or are already bald.
- Gender: Men are much more likely than women to experience hereditary or pattern baldness.
- Hormones: Pattern baldness is associated with testosterone in both men and women. Women with higher levels in their systems tend to lose hair in a particular pattern: at the temples and on top. This is also true for healthy men, but the pattern is less specific.
How Stress Can Lead to Hair Loss
Stress can cause hair loss, but it is not the only cause. The first two causes of hair loss have genetic roots, but physical and emotional stress can also cause hair loss. This stress-related hair loss can be avoided or minimized if the stress can be managed. Physical or emotional stress may lead to either temporary or permanent hair loss.
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Alopecia areata:
Stress-induced hair loss occurs when stress triggers white blood cells to attack the hair follicles. When this type of hair loss occurs, the hair also falls out within a few weeks (usually in patches), and in extreme cases, the body may lose all of its hair. In most cases, the hair grows back on its own, but treatment may be needed in some cases.
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Telogen effluvium:
For this type of hair loss, the hair will stop growing and fall out after 2 or 3 months. After 6 to 9 months, the hair will begin to grow back.
Conclusion
There is nothing that we can do to prevent hair loss completely. Even the healthiest practices can’t completely protect our hair. The good news is that there are a few things that we can do that can help cut down on the amount of hair we lose.
NULUK Aesthetics is a patient-centric service, custom-crafted, solutions-oriented med-spa. Led by Dr. Shah, who has completed advanced certifications in mesotherapy training, advanced Botox and dermal fillers, Botulinum toxin training, and more. If you want to get hair loss treatments in New Jersey, get in touch with us today! Schedule an appointment at your most convenient time!
