When To See A Doctor For Thinning Hair
Although its common to lose hair throughout the day, its a good idea to speak with your doctor if youre losing more than 100 hairs per day.
You should also talk with your doctor if youre worried about persistent hair loss or a receding hairline, or if you notice sudden patchy hair loss. Patches of hair loss could signify an underlying medical condition.
Can You Take A Multivitamin And Vitamin D Together
You can, but it may be best to take them at different times of the day. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it does not dissolve in water and is stored in body fat. Because of this, it can build up in your body if you take too much.
Taking too much vitamin D can lead to harmful side effects. These include kidney stones, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. If you take too much vitamin D, you may also experience more serious side effects like bone loss and high blood calcium levels.
You should talk to your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements, especially if you have a history of kidney stones or are at risk for them. If you take vitamin D, be sure to monitor your calcium intake from all sources to avoid harmful side effects.
Are There Treatments To Help Thinning Hair
It is possible to manage most cases of thinning hair at home through products and simple techniques.
Scalp massage is an easy way to begin this process as it stimulates the blood flow in the scalp.
Anti-thinning shampoos help to make your hair look thicker whilst also using vitamins and amino acids that can make the scalp healthier.
These can be used on a daily basis to gradually promote normal hair growth over time.
You may want to speak to your doctor before taking anything new to check that it is safe to do so and work out why you might be deficient in anything in particular.
2 October 2020
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Hair Loss Prevention: How To Stop It Falling Out And Thinning With Stress
Causes, prevention and treatment… we speak to an award-winning hair doctor to get some advice on preserving your precious locks
e are living in stressful times.
For some the mask wearing, hand washing, food hoarding and job uncertainty will cause sleepless nights, for others it might trigger, or exacerbate existing, hair loss.
Its well established that hair loss can be related to emotional stress or anxiety, award-winning dermatologist Dr. Serkan Aygin tells the Standard. When youre stressed or anxious, your body produces whats known as the fight or flight response. This is when your body is making extra hormones to prepare it to deal with whatever it thinks of as being a potential threat. This change in your hormone levels can have effects all around your body. When these extra hormones are made, they can affect the growth patterns of the hair follicles on your scalp.
Theres usually about a three-month delay between the stressful event or time period and the moment your hair starts falling out. So anyone feeling the Covid-19 anxiety, might not actually notice any hair loss until the end of summer.
The good news though, is that hair loss due to stress tends to be temporary. Unless theres another underlying medical reason for your hair loss, it should only last for as long as youre going through that particular period of stress or anxiety, says Dr. Aygin, who has treated over 10,000 patients for hair loss at his eponymous specialist hair clinic.
The First 10 Things You Should Do When You Notice Your Hair Is Thinning
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How Can I Restore My Thinning Hair
Does your hair growth seem stalled? Your scalp may be oily. Humidity triggers sebaceous glands on the scalp to release excess oils that can build up and clog follicles, halting new hair growth. Whats more, research shows that hot temperatures can cause hair follicles to prematurely enter the telogen phase, contributing to slowed growth and increased shedding for a thinner-looking head of hair.
To help thicken and regrow your thinning hair, try apple cider vinegar. Its alpha-hydroxy acids dissolve oil buildup on the scalp and in pores, while its acetic acid stimulates blood flow to follicles to encourage growth. Plus, the vinegars astringent properties help tighten pores to reduce the amount of oil that is secreted.
To make an apple-cider vinegar hair solution: In a small spray bottle, combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water and shake. Spritz onto hair and scalp, and massage in circular motions. Let sit for 15 minutes, rinse with cool water, then shampoo as usual. Repeat twice a week for results in four weeks.
This article originally appeared in our print magazine.
How To Stop Damaging Your Hair
The good news is that simple changes can prevent further hair damage. On this page, youll find 10 common hair-care practices that can damage hair and dermatologists tips that can help you to stop damaging your hair.
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Consider Using A Caffeinated Shampoo
If you dont already use a caffeinated shampoo, consider switching to one. Caffeine applied directly to the scalp has two beneficial effects. It relaxes smooth muscle fibres surrounding the hair to improve blood flow. More importantly, it also inhibits the enzyme, 5–reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone within scalp hair follicles and which is associated with male and female pattern hair loss.
A growing body of evidence supports the effects of caffeinated shampoos in stimulating hair follicles, and Ive certainly noticed a dramatic improvement in hair thickness since starting to use one. Just two minutes contact with the scalp during shampooing allows the caffeine to penetrate into hair follicles, where it remains for up to 48 hours after washing.
Plantur 39 combo Shampoo, conditioner, and scalp tonic.
Leave-on caffeine solutions are also available and have been shown to increase the cross-sectional area of scalp hairs by 10%.
Drinking caffeinated beverages such as tea or coffee does not have the same effect, as the caffeine must penetrate into the hair follicles itself to inhibit 5- -reductase.
Treatments For Hair Loss
When it comes to treating hair loss, theres really no “one size fits all treatment, but you do have some options.
Treatments vary depending on cause but can include OTC Rogaine, intralesional steroid injections for certain types of inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, oral medications and treating underlying diseases, Parks said.
For androgenetic alopecia, in particular, treatments include minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma and low-level laser therapy. Telogen effluvium, Shah said, has a whole different set of treatments.
In the majority of cases, telogen effluvium resolves spontaneously, so treatment may not be necessary unless a treatable underlying cause is identified, such as thyroid disease or nutritional deficiency, then that would of course be treated, she said. Autoimmune or immune-mediated alopecias usually require treatments that can mediate the immune response.
It’s not always easy to find a legitimate solution for hair loss, but you can definitely arm yourself against false claims.
“It’s first important to identify the type of hair loss and then choose treatments that are FDA-approved, FDA-cleared or have supporting data behind them,” Shah said. “As we are still discovering new things about hair loss, there are some lesser-studied therapeutic options that may help some people. Generally, if a treatment promises overnight results or seems too good to be true, it’s probably not legit.”
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Nutrients That Promote Hair Growth
Although hair is primarily made up of a protein called keratin, certain other nutrients play a critical role in stimulating hair growth and reducing hair fall.
The best way to get your recommended intake of these nutrients is through a wholesome diet, but if that is proving difficult, ask your doctor to put you on a supplement.
Heres a list of some vital nutrients that help fight hair thinning:
Solution: Get To Know Your Hair
Educate yourself on your own hair so you have a better idea of its limits, advises Smart. Get a good grasp of its physical characteristics such as density and diameter . As well as how it behaves, for example, its porosity levels and elasticity. By learning more about your hair, you can learn to avoid doing things that it doesn’t like.
Then, be mindful of how you handle your hair, which means once it’s in that ponytail, loosen it just one last time to ensure it isn’t too tight and avoid doing any intricate styling when you are in a rush,” continues Smart. “Insist that braids, extensions and weaves are installed loosely and if they prove too tight, remove them without hesitation. Resist the urge to constantly ‘slick’ hair tightly into a style and finally, change it up. One of the key issues with traction is the repetitive tension so attempt to avoid this by varying styles.
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Androgenetic Alopecia Only Affects Older People
Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male- or female-pattern baldness, can start at any age. However, it generally sets in earlier in men than in women. For instance, men can develop it as early as their 20s, but women are typically affected as they near menopause. What begins as a receding hairline eventually paves the way for bald patches.
The American Hair Loss Association reports that nearly 66% of American males develop some degree of male-pattern baldness by the time they turn 35 years of age, which worsens as time passes. Moreover, about 85% of American men experience considerable hair thinning by the age of 50 years.
As previously mentioned, male-pattern baldness in 20-year-olds is not unheard of, but it is relatively rare. Younger males are more prone to other forms of hair loss.
Can Hair Grow Back After Thinning
The good news: You absolutely can regrow thinning hair. In fact, the answer may already be in your pantry. Read on to find out how typical items in your kitchen honey, apple cider vinegar, and even an avocado can help thicken hair naturally and solve some common age-related hair problems that may have you feeling less than confident.
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Keto Hair Loss: Why Its Happening And How To Stop It
Starting a new diet can be an adjustment for your body. While youre trying your best to make a positive change in your life, you might experience some unwanted side effects along the way. The keto diet is no different. Although the keto flu is the most commonly mentioned side effect, some keto newcomers report temporary hair loss.
Hair loss typically happens three to six months from first starting the keto diet but only a small percentage of your hair might actually fall out. While this symptom can be frustrating, theres no cause for alarm since it will be short-lived .
Lets take a closer look at what could be causing keto hair loss and how to prevent it.
How Can I Stop My Hair From Thinning
Luckily, there are some easy lifestyle changes sufferers can make to combat thinning hair.
If your hair is looking lacklustre and thin, then make sure to up your protein and vegetable intake by whipping up some healthy meals.
So next time you’re doing the weekly shop, stock up on enough eggs to slather on your scalp and to one to cook up afterwards.
One medium-sized egg contains a a hefty 6g of protein – thin-haired ladies, take note.
Not only is it great for your overall health to eat a diet rich in protein and vitamins, but the nutrients also strengthen hair and prevent it from thinning.
And as basic as it may sound, never skip the conditioner after shampooing – your locks will love you for it.
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Can I Prevent Hair Loss
Although you can’t reverse natural balding, you can protect hair from damage that may eventually lead to thinning.
Many people put tremendous stress on their hair. Hair dryers, hot curlers, hair dyes, permanents, tight braids, and hair straightening products, and chemical-laden cosmetics may cause dry, brittle, and thinning hair.
To prevent hair damage that may cause hair loss, follow these tips:
- Go natural: Leave your hair its natural color and texture. If that is not an option for you, give hair time to recover between blowouts and chemical treatments. Don’t style your hair with tight braids.
- Choose products wisely: Use a basic shampoo designed for your hair type. When curling your hair, choose less-damaging sponge rollers. Also, brush using a moderately stiff, natural-bristle brush, which is less likely to tear your hair.
- Brush properly: Proper hair brushing can do as much for the condition of your hair as any over-the-counter product. Using a proper brush, apply full strokes from the scalp to the tips of your hair to distribute the hair’s natural oil. Be gentle, and avoid brushing your hair when wet, when it is especially fragile. It is best to use a wide-toothed comb on wet hair.
Is it really possible to prevent going bald if you notice it early enough? Read more about ways to help halt hair loss before it starts.