How To Tell If You’re Going To Go Bald
This isnt as silly a question as it sounds. Losing your hair isnt the same as going bald. Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition whereas hair loss per se can be caused by a variety of factors.
If you are losing patches of hair in an apparently random manner you may have alopecia, a condition where a person loses patches of hair from parts of their body. In extreme cases this may affect all of the hair on the body. Alopecia is thought to have hereditary and autoimmune factors . It is not the same as male pattern baldness.
If your hair loss occurs in a more regular receding pattern, usually from the temples and crown of the head, then it is more likely you have male pattern baldness. But remember most men go bald. Its nothing to be afraid of or embarrassed about.
Naturally By Adapting Your Lifestyle
Eating a healthy and nutritious diet can help you maintain your gorgeous locks. For example, a deficiency in trace minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium is essential for hair growth. Moreover, essential fatty acids are vital for healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Limit the use of harsh hair treatments like perms and hair colors. But also hair straighteners, curling wands, and hair dryers may contribute to hair loss when you use them often.
Its important to keep stress at bay Consider doing yoga and regular walking exercising as they will help to reduce stress.
Could Your Hair Loss Be Stress
Excessive levels of stress can cause hair loss in men and women. Many people do not realize that stress can have a physical impact on your body. Severe stress over the course of a few months can lead to extreme fatigue during the day and hair loss.
If you start to notice your hair thinning, eliminating stress is a great first step. You can start engaging in more activities you enjoy and try to decrease the number of extreme stressors in your life. If stress was the cause of your hair loss, then when your stress level decreases, it’s likely that your hair will grow back.
Also Check: Is Olaplex Good For Thinning Hair
Emotional Stress And Your Hair
When you’re dealing with a life-altering event, like a divorce or break-up, bankruptcy or other financial problems, the loss of a home, or the death of a loved one, significant emotional stress can also disrupt the normal cycle of hair growth. Significant emotional stressors can cause temporary hair loss, but once stress is brought under control, normal hair growth is usually restored.
Hair Loss Trigger: Childbirth
You might notice your hair seems fuller during pregnancy. Thatâs because high hormone levels keep resting hairs from falling out. But after the baby comes, things go back to normal and those strands will fall out quickly. You could lose a lot of hair at once. It could take up to 2 years for your locks to return to normal.
Don’t Miss: How Much Biotin For Thinning Hair
You Have Female Or Malepattern Baldness
You might already know about malepattern baldness, a type of hair loss caused by a combo of genes and male sex hormones that usually makes the hair on a man’s head recede at the temples, leaving an Mshaped hairline.
But hormone-related hairloss for femalesor femalepattern baldnessis also a thing, according to the US National Institute of Health. This type of hair loss occurs when the hair follicle shrinks so much over time that it doesn’t grow new hair. In women, the symptoms of femalepattern baldness includes a widening of the center hair part, and, sometimes, coarser hair on the face.
The only FDAapproved treatment for female and malepattern hair is minoxidil , but if that doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe oral medications such as finasteride that can halt hair loss or even cause some to grow surgery to transplant or graft hair is also an option.
Famous International Hairstylists Explain Why They Recommend Viviscal Hair
Ted Gibson Lead Hairstylist New York Fashion Week,Ted Gibson salons in NYC and Fort Lauderdale
This is the time when I older women clients start to tell me, My hair isn’t quite how it used to be. The biggest complaints: thinning and gray tresses. A daily supplement like Viviscal is fantastic for growing hair.
Trisha Buller Leading Trichologist, Clinic and Salon Owner
Our hair is a barometer of our inner health. Nutrition, minerals and vitamins play an important role in maintaining healthy hair growth, so a balanced diet is essential. When were under stress or have experienced ill health, it will have an adverse effect on our hair. I am seeing more and more people complaining of fine, weak, limp hair lacking in shine and luster. Supplements such as Viviscal include Biotin and Zinc, as well as other key ingredients crucial for healthy hair.
Tabatha Coffey Hairstylist and TV Host of Bravos Tabatha Takes Over
I cant believe how well Viviscal hair growth supplements have transformed the look and feel of my hair! The results Ive experienced have allowed me to regain confidence in my hair and appearance. Im excited that Viviscal can help other women experience the same success that Ive had.
Adam Reed Creative Director of Percy & Reed London
Errol Douglas President of Fellowship for British Hairdressing
Specific results are not guaranteed and results may vary.
Based on Nielsen AOC L52 wks ending 12/30/17 Existing hair growth
Recommended Reading: Why Does Hair Thin During Menopause
Other Factors Of Hair Thinning
There are a host of factors that cause hair thinning. Consider if you have recently experienced any of these triggers:
- Hormonal or Chemical Imbalance — hair thinning can occur when your hormones are being produced in different quantities. Think: new medicine, cessation of prescription, etc.
- Thyroid Problems — if you have also noticed memory loss, depression, sudden weight gain, dry skin, or fatigue and frequent muscle aches, your hair thinning might be due to a thyroid problem.
- Vitamin B or Iron Deficiency — hair thinning can happen when you’re not getting enough of certain vitamins.
- Dramatic Weight Loss — hair thinning is normal when you have dramatically lost a lot of weight.
- New Hair Product — if you are using a new hair product, it might be too harsh for your hair.
Remember, hair grows in cycles, so if you are only noticing heavy hair loss now, the catalyst might have happened up to three months prior.
If you can attribute one or more of these factors to your hair loss, your hair is probably just thinning, and you’re likely not going bald.
You’ve Been Super Stressed Or Ill
Stress or illness can cause hair lossit’s a process known as telogen effluvium, or the excessive shedding of hair induced by stress, Michelle Henry, MD, a dermatologist based in New York, previously told Health.
“Our bodies perceive mental stress the same way it perceives physical stress, and any dramatic stressor on the body can cause hair growth to become arrested,” Dr. Henry said. “And when hair growth is arrested, it sheds.” Specifically, when the body is stressed it released the hormone cortisol, which can then affect the hair follicle and result in shedding or hair loss. That shedding typically occurs at least three months following a stressful event, Angelo Landriscina, MD, a Washington, DC-based dermatologist, previously told Health.
Of course, preventing stress is the easiest way to help prevent stress-induced hair lossbut that’s not always an easy thing to do. If you experience hair loss of any kind, it’s wise to check in with your dermatologist. Should they determine that your hair loss is stress-related, your derm may recommend a treatment called minoxidil, a vasodilator that improves circulation around the hair bulb at the base of the hair follicle, to help grow hair back that you’ve lost. Also important: having patience and allowing time for hair growth.
Read Also: Does Health Insurance Cover Hair Loss
You Lost A Lot Of Weight Very Quickly
Sudden weight loss is a form of physical trauma that can result in thinning hair. This could happen even if the weight loss is ultimately good for you. It’s possible that the weight loss itself put unnecessary stress your body, or that not eating right can resulted in vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Loss of hair along with noticeable weight loss may also be a sign of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
This type of hair loss, too, will correct itself once after a while. “Sudden weight loss seems to shock the system and you’ll have a six-month period of hair loss and then it corrects itself,” says Dr. Hammonds.
Can Thinning Hair Grow Back
Thinning hair can grow back depending on what caused it to thin in the first place. Individuals who experience thinning hair due to nutrient deficiencies, stress, pregnancy, and other non-genetic reasons could experience regrowth.
If youre experiencing new hair loss or hair thinning, its best to consult your doctor. Some medical conditions can be associated with thinning hair.
Also Check: Does Kidney Disease Cause Hair Loss
Infections That Cause Hair Loss
A number of infections and illnesses can lead to hair loss. An infection that causes a high fever, a fungal skin infection, and bacterial infections like syphilis can all be responsible for balding or thinning hair. Treating the underlying infection can restore hair growth and prevent future hair loss. So your first step is to seek medical attention for the primary health problem.
What’s The Difference Between Hair Thinning And Receding
If your hair is thinning primarily on your frontal scalp versus the entire head, you may be dealing with a receding hairline. With a thinning hairline, its a reduction of hair fibers in each hair follicle, which creates the appearance of less density, Florida-based trichologist Bridgette Hill has told Cosmo. But with receding, its a reduction of actual hair follicles that become dormant and die off, leading to a higher hairline and the forehead becoming more obvious.
Just like hair loss and thinning, there are a number of factors that can contribute to a receding hairline , which is why it’s so important to meet with a dermatologist or trichologist who can assess your scalp and hair and give you a clear plan of action before you do an-y-thing.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Thinning Hair Thick Again
How Will A Healthcare Provider Diagnose Hair Loss In Women What Tests Are Done
The tests performed to diagnose hair loss in women can be simple or complicated:
- Gently pulling on your hair to see how many hairs come out.
- Blood tests. These check for vitamin and mineral levels and hormone levels .
- Scalp examination under a microscope and trichoscopy.
- Scalp biopsy to remove and examine a very small piece of scalp skin.
Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia may occur as a result of hair products or styling techniques that damage hair follicles. The use of hair relaxers, blow dryers, curling irons, and hair extensions can cause central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, as can the process of creating a permanent wave, or a perm.
The frequent application of oils, gels, or pomades can also cause this condition, which may be reversible if you stop using these hair products or styling techniques. Our dermatologists may recommend taking medication to help hair grow back.
Recommended Reading: Does Collagen Help With Thinning Hair
A Change In Your Hairline
The most obvious first sign of balding is a noticeable change in your hairline that you can clearly see.
Baldness often begins in the hairline, with the flat or mildly receded hairline you previously had turned into a more obvious M-shaped hairline.
For most people, this begins around the temples and the crown and often starts with thinning hair rather than total hair loss.
If you can compare two photos taken years apart and see that your hairline has receded, its an obvious sign that youre suffering from hair loss.
One important thing to be aware of is that lighting conditions can affect the appearance of your hairline.
Hair may appear thinner in bright downlighting .
This makes it important to compare photos with similar lighting conditions, not one photo taken in natural light and another taken in bright artificial light.
If youre really concerned about hair loss, you can photograph your hairline or the top of your head every few months in the same lighting conditions to see if your hairline is receding.
Over the course of a year or two, you should be able to determine whether or not youre losing hair around your hairline.
If you notice hair loss, its important that you take action as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse.
Conventional Treatment For Thinning Hair
Conventional treatments for thinning hair include medications and surgery.
When hair is caused by an underlying disease, conventional medicine likely includes drugs like prednisone to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Common side effects of prednisone include confusion, headache, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, thinning skin, acne, sleep problems and weight gain.
There are also two drugs on the market today that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat pattern baldness or thinning. The first one is minoxidil, commonly known commercially as Rogaine, and it can be used by both men and women. You may experience hair regrowth or a decreased rate of hair loss, but the growth is not permanent and will stop if you stop using it. Some common side effects may include severe scalp irritation, undesirable growth of facial hair, chest pain, rapid heart rate and more.
Another conventional option in pill form is called finasteride. Again, you need to keep taking it to retain benefits. Additionally, women who are or may be pregnant need to avoid touching crushed or broken tablets. Side effects may include impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, abnormal ejaculation, swelling in your hands or feet, feeling faint,headache, runny nose, and skin rash.
Precautions Regarding Natural Treatments for Thinning Hair
Read Also: What Is The Best Nioxin Product For Thinning Hair
Haircare Tips For Older Women By Famous Hairstylists
The experts weigh in on the best hair care tips for older women
1. As hair ages, torture it less not more. Youll be tempted to break this rule but hairstyles for older women should involve less teasing, heat-styling and hair color. Hair loss in older women can be minimized by protecting fragile, thinning hair from excess styling damage.
2. Avoid a haircut rut. The long, stick-straight hairstyle of your youth will age you now. Instead, hairstylists recommend haircuts for older women with graduated layers kept close to the face. As our faces lose collagen and become more angular, long hairstyles for older women with layers will soften angular cheekbones and jawline.
3. Use moisturizing products to soothe dry scalp and hair.Thinning hair in older women is often dry, brittle and graying with dryer, flaky scalp. Maintain healthier scalp and hair with an invigorating hair thickening serum for women plus a moisturizing conditioner with Argan oil and hazelnut oil to nourish dry, aging hair.
4. Channel your inner Mia Farrow. The pixie cut is one of the best short hairstyles for older women because it spotlights your face. Boomer trendsetter Isabella Rossellini plus Robin Wright, Halle Berry and Sharon Stone have all embraced the modern pixie cut. Keep the cut soft, slightly longer around the ears, and wispy at the forehead and neckline.
What causes hair loss in older women?