Hair Loss: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Hair loss is the constant shedding of hair and its non-regrowth. You normally lose about 70 to 100 strands of hair per day. They can then be found, for example, on the pillow, hairbrush or shower. They usually grow back. However, almost everyone’s hair gets thinner as they age. However, if you lose more than 100 hairs a day over a long period of time, this may indicate hair loss. Hair loss is first seen in a few hairless areas that grow larger over time. The cause of this so-called alopecia can often be determined by a dermatologist. In addition, hair loss after hair transplant events are also experienced. In these cases, a special examination is required and the procedure should be repeated. For this reason, be careful who you are operating on while having hair loss surgery. As a result of a correct operation, you will not encounter such bad results.

Hair Loss Types

There are different types of hair loss. These are the most common forms:

• Hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)
• Circular hair loss (alopecia areata)
• Diffuse hair loss (alopecia diffusa)
• Other forms, for example due to inflammation or constant pressure and pulling on the hair

Causes of Hair Loss in Women and Men

Various triggers can be responsible for hair loss on the head. One of the most common causes in both women and men is genetic hair loss. Almost two-thirds of men and about one in two women are affected. In men, the hair follicles on the head gradually become smaller. They react hypersensitively to the DHT hormone (dihydrotestosterone) so that strong hair no longer develops.

It is not yet clear why women suffer from hereditary hair loss. Hereditary high androgen sensitivity of hair follicles is also suspected.

Many people in the world are affected by circular hair loss. Children and young adults (up to about 30 years old) especially suffer from it. This type of hair loss is an autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s own tissues. These are hair follicles either on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. The disease is much more common in women of all ages than in men.

Diffuse hair loss has different triggers. These include thyroid dysfunction and iron deficiency, but certain medications and stress can also cause thinning hair. It is known that hormone treatments such as hormone therapy or taking birth control pills during menopause can also be effective in hair loss. Women are affected much more often than men. There may also be widespread hair loss in children.

Hair loss as a result of inflammatory diseases: If the scalp becomes inflamed, this can also cause local hair loss. The sooner treatment is given, the better the chance of avoiding scarring and permanent hair loss.

Hair loss due to too tight hair in a ponytail: If high pressure or tension is constantly applied to the scalp while wearing a ponytail, this can cause hair loss.

Hair loss due to pathological shedding (trichotillomania): In this impulse control disorder, the patient pulls his own hair. This can cause the hair on your head to become very thin. In some cases, the scalp is injured and prevents hair from growing there.

Pseudopelade Brocq Hair Loss: The cause of this rare form of hair loss is unknown. It mostly affects women between the ages of 30-55.

Hair loss after hair transplant is an issue that needs to be examined and examined. In this case, your doctor should perform an examination and investigate the cause of the treatment. In this case, much more positive results can be obtained for you.

Hair Loss in Women and Men

Symptoms

Depending on the specific type of hair loss, different symptoms occur:

Hereditary hair loss

If the hair loss on the scalp is hereditary, the symptoms are different in men and women.

Men lose their hair first in the forehead (distant hairline) and upper temple area. The hair on the top of the head is thinning. In the long run, a bald head may occur, leaving only a tuft of hair on the forehead and back of the head. The earlier hereditary hair loss starts, the more pronounced the symptoms become with advancing age. Teenagers are often affected.

Hereditary hair loss in women is especially evident in the crown area, but it can also continue backwards or sideways. Rarely, this leads to bald spots, as in men. However, the scalp may become visible. This so-called androgenetic hair loss usually only becomes apparent after menopause.

Circular hair loss

Symptoms are equally pronounced in men and women. However, women of all ages are affected more often than men by the condition known as alopecia areata.

Circular hair loss usually starts suddenly. Then, in a short time, bald spots appear on the head, sometimes on the eyebrows, eyelashes or beard. These round or oval bald spots then appear as if they were pierced. Circular hair loss usually begins in childhood and adolescence.

Diffuse hair loss

Symptoms are the same in both sexes. However, women get the so-called diffuse alopecia much more often than men. Children are also affected. – The hair here usually falls out at the same time. First, they stop growing, go into a dormant state, and then come out. Some areas are not affected, instead the hair on the head is generally thinner. Diffuse scarring is rare.

Hair Loss – When to See a Doctor?

If you notice severe hair loss, you should see a dermatologist (skin doctor) as soon as possible. In some forms of hair loss, the success of treatment increases with early diagnosis. Some hospitals also offer private hair consultations. Hair loss is a concern only if more than 100 hairs are shed each day. Regular hair loss is normal. However, this is usually limited to around 70 to 100 hairs per day. That doesn’t mean you have to count the shed hair. You often notice on your own that the hair on your head is thinning.

Hair Loss Diagnosis

To treat hair loss, the dermatologist must first determine the cause. For this purpose, a detailed interview is made with the patient (anamnesis). The doctor treating you will ask the following questions, among others:

• How long has the patient had hair loss?
• How bad is hair loss?
• Did other symptoms occur (e.g., itching)?
• What is your previous medical history?
• Do relatives also suffer from hair loss?
• Which drugs are taken?
• Is the patient suffering from a particularly high level of stress?

Female patients are also asked about the menstrual cycle, contraceptive use, pregnancy and childbirth, and the onset of menopause, if any.

The physical examination follows a detailed discussion of the diagnosis.

• The doctor will look at the area affected by the hair loss. He or she may use a dermatoscope (light magnifying glass) to help. The pattern left behind by the hair shedding often gives information about the cause of the hair loss on the head.
• Additional tests such as blood or hair analysis may be necessary. If a fungal disease of the scalp is suspected, it may be necessary to take a swab from the hair or hair stumps and establish a culture of the pathogen. In rare cases, the dermatologist will also take a tissue sample from the scalp (including hair follicles).
• A plucking test is also possible. The dermatologist tests how much hair can be removed by gently pulling.
• The doctor will check the bald spots to see if there are still pores in the hair follicles. In this case, the scar has not yet formed and therefore the hair can in principle grow back.

Hair Loss Treatment

Treatment of hair loss depends on its specific cause

Treatment of hereditary hair loss:

• For men: Usually a solution (2% or 5%), possibly a mousse (5%) is prescribed. The solution is applied to the scalp and can stop hair loss in most users. Even thickening of the hair is sometimes possible. Some drugs stimulate hair follicles, but can temporarily increase hair loss after a few weeks. The effect is called shedding and indicates that the treatment is working well. Other side effects may include a red or scaly scalp, and allergic reactions may also occur. If the drugs are stopped, the hair may fall out again.

Another treatment option is tablets. It is reserved for men only. Women, children and adolescents should not take the active substance. These tablets reduce the conversion process from testosterone to DHT. It is ineffective against a receding hairline. Impotence can occur as a side effect. Here, too, the shedding of the scalp starts again as soon as the drug is discontinued.

In many cases, hair transplantation is also possible. The treating dermatologist can best evaluate individual possibilities.

• In women: Some drugs are also used in women, mostly as a hair tonic. The blood vessels dilate and the blood circulation in the scalp is stimulated. However, a side effect can increase hair growth on the face and forehead. When the drug is discontinued, its effect ends and the hair may fall out again.

Hair transplantation is also an option for women. It is best to consult your dermatologist.

Circular Hair Loss Treatment

Women are affected by circular hair loss significantly more often than men. Therapeutic approaches do not differ by gender.

Circular hair loss is usually treated with anti-inflammatory medications such as cortisone. Targeted irritation of the scalp to improve blood circulation is also effective for many. Hair growth usually starts again later. However, the result only lasts as long as the treatment lasts. If it stops, the hair will fall out again.

So-called topical immunotherapy and light therapy are also used to strengthen hair follicles. Both can help stop hair loss.

Diffuse Hair Loss Treatment

Diffuse hair loss can be attributed to many reasons. If a disease triggers it, it must be treated first. If widespread hair loss occurs as a side effect of a drug, the active ingredient should be changed if possible. But deficiencies such as iron deficiency can also be responsible. Then you can already stop hair loss with diet change. Limiting nicotine and alcohol consumption often has a positive effect. A 2% solution for rubbing into the scalp is also often recommended.

Widespread hair loss affects women more often than men. Hormonal treatments, birth control pills and menopause are effective on this type of hair loss. If hormonal changes are responsible for this, a solution can be sought together with the relevant gynecologist or endocrinologist.

Acupuncture For Hair Loss

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, certain energy flows in the body are blocked when there is an illness. These blockages can be removed with the help of acupuncture. How an experienced acupuncturist stimulates hair growth depends entirely on the cause of hair loss. Good treatment results are promised, especially in the case of circular hair loss.

Hair Loss in Women

About one in every two women suffers from hereditary hair loss. It can already occur in teenagers, but usually only occurs after menopause. The thinning hair is mainly located in the crown area, but also on the sides and back of the head. Hair loss usually does not happen.

Circular hair loss is much more common in women than men. Children can also suffer from this autoimmune disease. The disease usually gets better without treatment.

Diffuse hair loss is also more common in women than in men. The hair becomes increasingly lighter, so the scalp shines. This form of hair loss can occur as a result of hormonal changes, for example, after childbirth. But this will soon pass on its own. Other causes include metabolic diseases, side effects from taking medications, malnutrition, or radiation therapy for cancer.