What Is The Difference Between Thinning Hair And Receding Hair
When it comes to hair loss and balding, it can happen in a few different ways, primarily thinning hair, a receding hairline, or both.
If you’re noticing that your hairline is inching back toward the crown of your scalp, that’s receding hair. This will usually begin at the temples and then move across the entire hairline.
A receding hairline is a common symptom of male pattern baldness.
In a receding hairline, the hair follicles are becoming dormant and dying off, and this can be difficult to reverse, so it’s important to act quickly.
On the other hand, thinning hair occurs all over the scalp. You may notice that your hair isn’t as dense or thick as it used to be, and your scalp may become visible through your hair.
This kind of diffuse hair loss can be the result of male pattern baldness, as well as telogen effluvium, medical conditions, medications, nutritional deficiencies and more. Depending on the cause, this type of hair loss may be temporary or reversible.
Using The Wrong Hair Products
Certain hair products do harm to your hair because chemicals in these products could cause your hair to be brittle. For example, shampoos with sulfates are harmful to hair by stripping moisture from your hair. If possible, minimize or eliminate the use of shampoos with sulfate, but instead use sulfate-free shampoos.
Facts & Figures On Hair Loss
You may feel alone if you are experiencing hair loss, but after looking at statistics, we hope youll see that almost everyone is affected by some type of hair loss in their lifetime.
For women, thinning hair and hair loss affects roughly one in four women, and 95% of those affected suffer from androgenetic alopecia. On average, women dealing with hair loss are between 25 and 35 years old.
This is a big contrast from the perception that thinning hair and hair loss is only related to older men and women.
Furthermore, 24% of women equate losing hair to losing a limb. This is how deeply emotional thinning hair and hair loss can be, especially for women.
By the age of 35, 66% of American men will experience some type of hair loss, and by the age of 50, about 85% of men will have significantly thinning hair.
For men with male pattern baldness, 25% will begin to see thinning hair or hair loss before they reach the age of 21.
These numbers prove that hair loss is not just an issue for older men and women, but in fact affects many men and women in their early twenties and thirties as well.
There may be a silver lining to thinning hair and hair loss at a younger age though your body may be more receptive to hair growth products and hair loss cures because hair follicles may still be capable of regrowth at this earlier age.
Next well take a look at the different causes for hair loss, and why they might be happening at a younger age
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Start Hair Loss Prevention Care For Your Hair And Scalp
The way you treat your scalp and hair can make a huge difference. Here are some tips to consider.
- Daily gentle scalp massage can help to increase blood flow to your scalp.
- Replace your shampoo and conditioner to provide advanced hair care for thinning hair. The GRO+ Advanced Replenishing Shampoo & Conditioner Kit, with vegan b-SILK protein, calms the scalp, lifts away impurities and sets the stage for well-functioning hair follicles, which are the key to healthy hair growth.
- Avoid tight hairstyles and excessive use of hot tools, which can stress hair and cause breakage and/or hair loss.
- Consider biotin supplements to nourish your hair from the inside out. GRO Biotin Gummies have the full recommended daily value of biotin, plus a host of other hair-healthy vitamins and minerals. All you have to do is take one delicious, strawberry-flavored gummy per day to experience maximum results.
Whats Causing Hair Loss In Your 20s Or 30s
1. Hormones. Women, especially, have a very precise balance of hormones, and things like stress, pregnancy, and even new medications can throw it off. If youre noticing hair thinning post-pregnancy, thats entirely normal.
Whether youre a man or a woman, experiencing high levels of stress can trigger high cortisol levels that force other hormones to struggle to keep up. When these hormones get imbalanced, hair begins to fall out or thin. Once the hormones are balanced again , hair will begin to grow back.
2. Telogen effluvium.This condition is very common but can be hard to track. Its a temporary thinning of the hair, triggered about 3 months after a stressful event, crazy diet, or change in medications. Fortunately, once the cause of telogen effluvium is addressed, the hair will begin to grow back.
3. Dandruff and dry skin. Did you know that dandruff is more than just embarrassing? It indicates that your scalp is dry, which can lead to itching, scarring, and hair loss. Dandruff can just happen, but sometimes its evidence of a fungal infection, psoriasis, or other conditions. You can use dandruff shampoo or talk to a dermatologist if you need more support.
5. Smoking. Did you know that about 30% of adults aged 18-44 smoke? If you smoke, the nicotine could be a major cause of hair loss. It causes vessels to dilate, which leads to pores loosening their grip on hair. To address this issue, you might want to stop smoking or start suffering young baldness.
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How Do I Tell If My Hair Is Shedding Or Thinning
Its the question I ask myself most mornings: How exactly do you figure out if your hair is actually thinning or if youre just shedding a little more than usual? You lose about 50 to 100 hairs every day, which is about 0.001 percent of your hair, says Burg. Now, when you notice that amount doubling or tripling, thats an indication that your hair cycle is too short. Reminder: If your hair cycle speeds up, it goes through its resting and falling stages too quickly, which can lead to less hair on your pretty little head.
Other than monitoring the amount of hair you lose in the shower or on your hair brush, youll want to check your ponytail , your part , and your scalp . If you are noticing any of the above, dont freak, heres what you can do next:
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Causes Of Hair Fall In Young People
1. Heredity: Hair loss is normal with ageing, but if the hair loss begins in the 20s and 30s, it may be a sign of hereditary-pattern baldness. It runs in families and is one of the most common causes of hair loss in young people. It is medically known as androgenetic alopecia in men, it is commonly called male-pattern baldness. In women, this kind of hair fall is usually noticed after menopause.
2. Medical illness: Some medical conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus , syphilis , hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and imbalance of sex-hormones can lead to severe hair fall.
Some people may also present with an unusual psychiatric disorder known as trichotillomania, in which the patient compulsively pulls and twists their hair which in turn may lead to bald spots on the head.
3. Nutritional deficiencies: In some cases, a nutritional imbalance can lead to excessive hair fall. People who have been on a super limiting diet or women with heavy menstrual flow tend to have a deficiency of protein, minerals and vitamin B7 which may cause persistent hair fall in them.
4. Telogen effluvium: During the hair cycle, a strand of hair grows in the anagen phase for two to four years, then enters the telogen phase where it rests for about two to four months and then falls out. This strand of hair is then replaced by a new, growing hair.
6. Diseases of the scalp: Some diseases that affect the scalp are also responsible for patchy or complete hair fall. These include:
Is It Normal To Lose Hair In Your 20s
There are many studies currently out there that point to the fact that millennials are now experiencing hair loss, and it is occurring at an earlier stage than generations before them. So, unfortunately, if you are in your 20s and you are losing hair, then it is safe to assume that it is normal. Millennials are constantly doing multiple things at a time just to stay afloat. They may hold two or three jobs while pursuing a degree or doing freelance work. All of these events cause mental and physical stress. This stress will always interrupt the hair growth process.
Another reason why it is now considered normal for hair loss to be occurring during your 20s is due to the fact that it was found that millennials have a harder time successfully coping with stress when compared to earlier generations. Without a set way of dealing with everyday stressors, millennials will have a more difficult time keeping and regrowing hair.
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How To Tell If Your Hair Is Thinning
Some people will instantly know if their hair is losing its volume. But, for others, it might be a little trickier. For example, those with thick and curly hair are likely to naturally lose more hair when brushing anyway.
Common symptoms of hair thinning and loss in your 20s include gradual thinning on the top of your head, patchy bald spots, sudden loosening of hair, and hair loss elsewhere on the body. Women may also notice more hair strands than usual on their hairbrush or in their hands when they run their fingers through.
Of course, you know your own hair though. Just because you havent got the typical bald patches doesnt mean your hair isnt thinning. Instead, you might just recognise that it’s lost its volume and character.
Diet And Regular Exercise
Diet is widely acknowledged as a cause for hair loss in your mid 20s. The media is full of articles and findings about diets, side-effects and the negative aesthetics of poor health choices. However its very much true if youre not getting enough regular nutrients into your digestive system, youre not getting them anywhere near your hair follicles either.
On the other hand, extreme dieting, anorexia nervosa or general physical trauma may also be a reason for hair loss in your mid 20s. Care should always be taken to ensure a balanced diet and gradual, healthy weight loss with the support of a dietician, if needed.
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The Causes Of Hair Thinning At The Crown
In women, hair thinning at the crown could be a sign of alopecia. Most commonly, there are two types of alopecia: androgenic and alopecia areata , says Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, the chief medical officer of Ideal Image. Hair loss in this region can also be associated with certain medications, medical conditions andbelieve it or notthe hairstyle you choose to wear.
Female Pattern Baldness In Your 20s
Everyone adores their hair. But what if you start noticing losing more than the usual hair fall in your 20s? Now, this can be quite disturbing because hair fall is okay but losing your hair to a major extent is not. This may be a warning sign of balding which directs to female pattern baldness. It is true that women shed certain strands of hair but then if you see the strands everywhere in your 20s then it might just be a problem that needs to be addressed immediately by a doctor.
Signs of female pattern baldness
One needs to know about the early signs of female pattern baldness because you will consult your doctor accordingly.
- Overall hair thinning
- Facial hair may get coarse in few females
- Excessive hair loss
- Many strands of hair everywhere
- Widening of the hair partition
- Hair shedding
Causes of female pattern baldness in your 20s
Hair loss can happen to any woman for all sorts of reasons, for example, it can be related to exercise, illness, diet, lifestyle, stress, hereditary causes, or any diseases and disorders. For younger women, thinning hair is usually a result of stress, diseases, poor nutrition, or changes in the medications, like birth control pills. Crash diets, weight loss schedules, low iron levels are some of the common reasons where you will notice hair fall or changes in your hair growth. A poor diet is very common when it comes to hair loss. That is why one needs to check up on the diet and schedule the intake of foods accordingly to prevent hair loss.
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How Male Pattern Baldness Happens
While several different things can cause hair loss, the most common form of hair loss in men and as such, the most likely culprit if youre beginning to lose your hair in your early or mid-20s is male pattern baldness.
Male pattern baldness is caused by a combination of your genetics and the effects of male sex hormones. More specifically, its caused by the effects of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.
DHT is created as a byproduct of testosterone. Like other hormones, it binds to receptors within your body. When DHT binds to the receptors in your hair follicles, it can damage the follicles and stop them from producing new hairs.
The effects of DHT on your hair arent immediate. Instead, DHT can gradually damage your hair follicles over the course of months or years, leading to everything from a receding hairline to full baldness.
Its common to notice the first signs of male pattern baldness during your 20s. If youre prone to male pattern baldness, you may notice mild recession in your hairline as you enter your 20s, or significant hair loss that worsens over the course of several years.
Weve talked more about the relationship between DHT and male pattern baldness in our guide to DHT and hair loss.
Reasons For Hair Loss In Men Under 25
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Losing your hair can be a stressful, difficult experience, especially when you first start to notice it early in your life.
Although we usually associate hair loss with middle age, its quite common to begin to lose hair before the age of 25.
In fact, research shows that approximately 16 percent of men between 18 and 29 years of age are affected by moderate to extensive hair loss.
If youre below the age of 25 and have already noticed some level of hair loss, its important not to panic. Hair loss is treatable and preventable.
However, its important to take action as quickly as you can to prevent your hair loss from worsening.
Below, weve explained how and why hair loss can happen in men under the age of 25. Our list covers male pattern baldness and five much less common causes of hair loss, including certain medical conditions and lifestyle-related causes.
To help you keep your hair well into your 30s, 40s and beyond, weve also explained what you can do to treat, prevent and even reverse hair loss.
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Manage Stress And Try Supplements
When you go through a heightened period of stress, you might notice many emotional and physical changes in your body, including hair thinning at the crown, Dr. Lee says. In addition to finding a way to manage your symptoms through therapy or exercise, she also recommends taking supplements. These include biotin, zinc, iron, and magnesium. “Ashwagandha, biocurcumin, saw palmetto, and collagen can also help promote hair growth and stability for the follicles,” she says.
Tight Ponytails Or Buns
Though you may like sporting a high ponytail or bun, these styles might be doing some serious damage to your scalp’s crown area. Too-tight looks might result in breakage and hair loss, something called traction alopecia. Luckily, this is very treatable, affirms Dr. Robinson. “If you switch up your style and are gentle on the affected hair, it will likely regrow and recover fully,” she says.
It’s important to also keep in mind that our hair is more vulnerable when wet, so it is best to manipulate it when it’s dry, when stands have more elasticity and resiliency, Dr. Robinson adds.
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Is Thinning Hair Normal In Your 20s
While most men experience some degree of hair loss in their lives, it can be confronting when it happens in your 20s.
It’s normal to lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair a day, but if you’re losing more than this, noticing thinning hair, a receding hairline or even bald patches, it may be a red flag that something else is going on.
There have also been reports that millennials are losing their hair at an earlier age than previous generations, due to high-stress levels.
So is your hair loss normal, or something that requires attention? Let’s look at the signs that are cause for concern.