How Common Is Hair Loss In Women
Many people think that hair loss only affects men. However, it is estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss. The most significant cause of hair loss in women is female-pattern hair loss , which affects about one-third of susceptible women, which equals out to some 30 million women in the United States.
An Unhealthy Scalp Leads To Unhealthy Hair
There is ample evidence from data involving collections and characterization of hair samples from various unhealthy scalp conditions to help establish a link between scalp health and hair growth and quality. Most of the published data are epidemiological in nature comparing hair obtained from individuals with dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis with that from a control group of healthy scalp individuals. The results are summarized in .
So Why Is Dandruff And Hair Thinning A Common Myth
Many men and women will experience varying degrees of dandruff throughout their lives. As people get older they will experience some level of hair thinning or hair loss depending on their genetics. In later years it can be common that dandruff and hair loss become issues around the same time leading people to draw the conclusion that they are related in some way. Taking care of your scalp with the proper hair products, exfoliation, and hygiene can prevent dandruff and hair loss.
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Sandalwood Mask Hair Dandruff Hair Loss
The cause of hair loss is not dandruff itself, but it is an indirect causing hair loss.
Can Dandruff Shampoo Cause Hair Loss – If dandruff is left untreated, the scalp can become itchy and inflamed, causing temporary hair loss. While some shedding of hair is normal, on a daily basis, the presence of seborrhoeic dermatitis or dandruff, by itself leads to a lot of hair loss. It is caused by an excess of a type of fungus on the scalp. Take care when use products. The last time i was so happy was maybe 10 years ago or so : Anti dandruff shampoos contain fungicide .
What Can Cause Both Dandruff And Hair Loss
Any condition that causes skin flakiness or makes the outer layer of skin shed at an unusually fast rate may cause dandruff.
If a person does not seek treatment, these conditions may also damage the scalp and cause hair loss.
The following conditions can cause both dandruff and hair loss:
Any condition that causes the scalp to itch or burn may cause hair loss when a person scratches their scalp or twists their hair. Children in particular may respond to scalp pain by pulling the hair.
In people with both dandruff and hair loss, there is no guarantee that the two are linked. Some people may have dandruff, perhaps due to dry skin, as well as a condition that causes hair loss, such as:
- male pattern baldness, a hormonal type of hair loss that both men and women can develop
- telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss caused by infection, injury, or stress
People with a history of dandruff may experience occasional flares of dandruff, even after successfully treating it.
The following are some strategies that can prevent dandruff-related hair loss:
Some people may find that their dandruff shampoo leaves the hair dull or dry. Dry, damaged hair breaks more easily and may fall out. Use a high quality conditioner after dandruff treatment.
If the damage persists, try alternating dandruff shampoo with another shampoo.
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Whats Hair Loss In Women
Hair loss in women is just that when a woman experiences unexpected, heavy loss of hair. Generally, humans shed between 50 and 100 single hairs per day. Hair shedding is part of a natural balance some hairs fall out while others grow in. When the balance is interrupted when hair falls out and less hair grows in hair loss happens. Hair loss is different than hair shedding. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia.
Hair grows on almost all of your skin surfaces not the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, lips or eyelids. Light, fine, short hair is called vellus hair. Terminal/androgenic hair is thicker, darker and longer.
Overstyling Weakens Your Hair
Blow drying, using a flat iron, coloring, bleaching, even over-brushing — all can damage the outer layer of your hair. When the inner core of hair is exposed, your locks become dry and dull. Although it doesn’t cause any permanent health damage, you can overstyle to the point that your only option for healthy hair is to cut it off and start over. When it comes to your hair, doing less leads to healthier tresses.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Alopecia Areata
While alopecia areata often causes hair loss on the scalp, you can have hair loss on any part of your body. Some people develop hair loss on another area of the body, such as the eyelashes, eyebrows, or beard area . Wherever the hair loss occurs, it happens without any signs of a rash, redness, or scarring.
A common sign of alopecia areata
The first sign of alopecia areata is often a round or oval bald patch on the scalp.
White Flakes Pose No Health Risk
Dandruff isn’t contagious. So how do you get it? Doctors aren’t sure, but one theory is that it may be due to an overgrowth of a fungus. Other possible risk factors include oily skin, stress, obesity, cold, dry weather, and having eczema or psoriasis. Although it’s embarrassing — and the itching can be bothersome — dandruff isn’t harmful.
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Diffuse Thinning In Girls
Depending on the cause, males and females can typically lose their hair in very different ways . As we saw, boys often show their first sign of hair loss at the hairline and temples.
While women can also recede in the temples, their hair loss is more often diffuse. In other words, they retain a relatively intact hairline but thin all over the top of the head. The main sign of this is a wide part.
At first, such thinning can go unnoticed. By the time girls realize that their hair is thinner and the part wider, they might have lost most of the hair on their head. Unlike males, however, it is extremely rare for girls and women to go completely bald.
Mental And Physical Stress
Stress is a problem commonly faced by people throughout the world. It can take on many forms and have various triggers including traumatic injury, surgery, or loss of a loved one.
The most common symptoms of stress include:
- Low energy
- General aches and pains
- Overall discomfort
It can also manifest as panic attacks, which include accelerated heart rate, quickened breathing, and feelings of chest tightness.
Another symptom of stress can be thinning and hair fall. It is most commonly classified as TE, and it can occur months after the triggering event.
But exactly how strongly is stress linked to hair loss? This question was answered in a 2017 study .
The study included 33 female college students. Eighteen of the students were in the midst of exams, while the other 15 were not.
Throughout the study, the researchers used various tests to measure stress. They include:
- Self-reported distress and coping strategies (Perceived Stress Questionnaire
- Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress
- Cytokines in supernatants of stimulated peripheral blood mononucleocytes
- Trichogram
The study was then split into three periods: T1 , T2 , and T3 .
As the results showed, the stress perception of the exam students increased significantly in T2. There was further evidence of this stress, though, and that was cytokines.
The good news is that in many cases, this form of hair loss resolves itself.
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Luscious Locks Need Nutrients
Could a crash diet cost you your hair? In extreme cases, it could. Your hair needs protein and iron to stay healthy, along with omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A, but not too much — which can promote hair loss. Very low-calorie diets are often lacking in sufficient nutrients and can stunt hair growth or leave hair dull and limp. If the nutritional deficiency is big enough — like for someone with an eating disorder — hair can fall out.
But Don’t Wait To Seek Medical Help
“In the majority of cases, dandruff does not require medicine or a medical treatment. However, if over-the-counter dandruff shampoos aren’t helping, or if the scalp becomes severely red or swollen, I would advise seeing a GP for a check-up. If the symptoms suggest a more concerning condition, such as psoriasis, then a specialist referral may be advised,” Wong concludes.
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Hair Takes Longer To Grow
Because pattern hair loss comes from hair follicles entering a resting phase, as well as often being starved on nutrients and minerals, quite often your hair will take longer to grow after a hair cut.
There are other factors involved as well and it can be hard to tell for sure but this often an early warning sign.
How Can You Get Rid Of Dandruff
Some cases of dandruff are mild and can be treated with an over-the-counter shampoo. Its best to see a dermatologist if you are experiencing dandruff, especially if its causing some degree of hair loss. They may prescribe you a more potent shampoo depending on the cause.
Other ways to prevent dandruff include:
- Shampoo your hair more often. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Caucasian and Asian people should wash their hair daily. African Americans should wash their hair on a weekly basis.
- Dont scratch. Try not to irritate your scalp by scratching it. This can worsen dandruff and increase the risk of temporary hair loss.
- Avoid hair products you may be sensitive to. If you experience irritation after using a particular shampoo, gel, or pomade, its best to shelve it and stop using it. These hair products may irritate the skin and worsen dandruff.
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What Causes Telogen Effluvium
A shock to your system — surgery, vaccinations, giving birth, some medications, crash diets, severe stress, thyroid problems — can push hair into its resting, or telogen, state. About two months later, you may see hair falling out and thinning — a condition called telogen effluvium, sometimes described as hair “coming out in handfuls.” In most cases, new hair starts growing right away.
When It Leads To Hair Loss
Patient’s content producer Gemma had been experiencing issues with a flaky scalp for several years. She’d been told by her GP that this was a form of psoriasis but the treatments she’d been prescribed weren’t working and she was worried it was leading to significant hair loss. We sent her for a consultation with Wong at London Bridge Hospital to try and get to the bottom of her symptoms.
After examining Gemma, Wong described her condition as ‘pityriasis amiantacea’ which means scaling of the scalp. It’s most common in people who have a pre-existing skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema, and was responsible for the hair loss Gemma was experiencing.
“Dandruff is not a serious condition but if left untreated for a long period of time, thick layers of scale can be stuck on to the surface of the scalp, a condition called pityriasis amiantacea. This can disturb the growth of the hair and cause temporary hair loss,” adds Wong.
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Does Dandruff Cause Hair Loss
Dandruff is a skin condition that causes white or yellow flakes on the scalp, which fall off on the shoulders.
Dandruff directly does not cause hair loss. The itching due to dandruff impacts the hair follicles, which can lead to a certain amount of hairfall . Loss of 50-100 strands of hair on a daily basis is considered normal. If you have excessive hair loss, you will need medical intervention.
Dandruff can increase hair fall in people with androgenetic alopecia .
The Standard Balding Process
Hair follicles, which are tiny pouches under the skin, are responsible for creating hair.
Each follicle grows a hair for about 3 years. When the 3 years are over, the hair is shed and a new one is grown.
In the case of male pattern hair loss, the affected scalp follicles gradually grow smaller.
As they shrink, the new hair that grows from the follicle is thinner than the last one.
At the same time, the follicles hair growth cycle grows shorter and hairs are grown and shed in a lesser time frame than the previous ones.
With time, all that is left is a very small follicle and only a thin hair stump that doesnt even make it out to the surface.
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Treatment For Hair Loss Is Out There
Most cases of increased shedding will gradually resolve on their own without treatment, Dr. Schlosser says. But if your hair doesn’t return to its normal fullness within nine months, see a doctor for an evaluation to find out whether something else is going on. And if you have other worrying symptoms, like itching, pain, burning, flaking, or redness, you should seek help sooner.
See your primary care provider or go directly to a dermatologist who specializes in treating hair loss. They can determine what type it is and what the right treatment approach is for you based on which therapies are currently available for your specific issue.
In addition to changes in products and hairstyling habits, your doctor may prescribe topical treatments to treat hair loss, like minoxidil, or direct you to an over-the-counter version, like Rogaine . They might also recommend treatments like platelet-rich plasma injections , which can be helpful for some patients, SELF explained previously. If youre curious about your options, check in with your doctor or dermatologist.
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Find The Hair Loss Treatment That Is Right For You
If youve noticed hair loss and want to stop it, one of the most effective ways is to block the androgen dihydrotestosterone the hormone that causes hair loss using a combination of finasteride, minoxidil and a hair thickening shampoo.
The most effective hair loss treatments, such as 5-reductase inhibitor finasteride, are designed to stop further hair loss. This means that the earlier you start taking them, the more of your hair youll be able to preserve.
In some cases, drugs like finasteride and minoxidil can cause you to regrow some of your lost hair, although theres no guarantee that this will happen.
Our guide to DHT and hair loss explains more about how hair loss treatments like finasteride work, and the potential effects you can expect from starting the treatment.
If you are worried about whether or not you can grow your hair back, a hair transplant may be the option for you.
You can also complete an online consultation with our healthcare providers to learn more about whats causing your hair loss and how you can encourage hair growth.
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