Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments and Prevention Tips

Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments and Prevention Tips

Hair fall or hair shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. It happens in the telogen (exogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. It’s normal for an individual to lose up to 100 hair strands daily if new hair strands are taking their place.

When someone starts to lose more than 100 strands daily and few or none of them are replaced with new hair growth- the condition is called hair loss or alopecia. Hair loss or extensive hair fall can be temporary or permanent and of varying extent. Individuals of any gender and age can lose hair from their head or body.  There are different types of hair loss resulting from varying reasons.

Hair loss can show up in different people, depending upon the type of hair loss and hair fall reason. The common symptoms of hair loss are receding hairline (typically seen in male pattern baldness), hair thinning all over the head (typically noticed in female pattern hair loss), hair loss in small patches on the scalp, and hair loss/widening part on the scalp and body. Hair loss can affect one’s aesthetics, drop down one’s esteem and confidence, and can be emotionally difficult. Luckily, there are many Hair Fall Treatments in Ludhiana performed by dermatologist Dr. Shikha Aggarwal at Bliss Aesthetics. She is an expert in managing hair fall/ hair loss issues and even helps people suffering from these issues using the state of the art technology, proper lifestyle tips, and dietary changes. One can get in touch with her if they want to regain back their confidence, overcome baldness and get back thicker and dense hair growth.

What causes hair to fall out?

There are many reasons for hair falling out. The hair loss causes can be determined by knowing whether the hair is falling out gradually or abruptly, thinning, can regrow on its own, hair regrowth treatment is needed, or there is immediate medical attention required to prevent permanent hair loss.

The most common hair fall reasons in females and males include:

• Hereditary- This is the most common reason worldwide. Androgenetic alopecia is a hereditary type of hair loss wherein hair loss takes place in a specific pattern. In men, the first noticeable sign of pattern baldness is a receding hairline or bald spot at the top of the head. In women, pattern hair loss is usually seen as overall hair thinning or widening part of the scalp.
• Infections- Tinea capitis, commonly known as scalp ringworm infection, is a fungal infection that can cause hair loss in children. Folliculitis by staph bacteria, a fungus, or a parasite; a Seborrheic Dermatitis; and Piedra can all contribute to hair loss.
• Nutritional deficiencies- It has been found that biotin, riboflavin, folate, and Vitamin B12 deficiencies have an association with hair loss.
• Tight hair styling- Women who tightly style their hair into braids or ponytails or wear hair extensions can cause their hair to tightly pull and hair to become weak and fall out easily.
• Poor hair care- Some people go for hair perming or bleaching, dry their hair by rubbing it with a towel, brush wet hair, use blow dryers/curling irons/hot combs on their hair, or use harsh hair products. All such practices can lead to temporary hair loss.
• Hormonal changes- The rise in androgen levels and decline in estr-ogen and prog-esterone at the time of puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can cause hair to thin out or fall.
• Certain medical treatments- Cancer treatment with chemotherapy or any radiation therapy can cause temporary hair loss.
• Stressful events- Recovering from a serious illness, head surgery, experiencing a traumatic event, or losing a loved one can all contribute to hair loss. Alopecia areata or patchy hair loss is an autoimmune condition that usually occurs because of stress.
• Thyroid disorders- Severe and prolonged hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause diffuse hair loss on the scalp.

How to reduce hair fall?

If hair loss is caused by medication side effects, thyroid disease diet, or hormonal imbalance, a hair or skin doctor will address the cause. Fixing the underlying problem with medications and proper lifestyle is often all that is required to stop hair loss.

For permanent hair loss like androgenetic alopecia, a skin specialist in Ludhiana, Dr. Shikha Aggarwal usually recommends the following:

Hair mesotherapy- This therapy involves microinjecting a cocktail of ingredients like vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, botanical extracts, and other hair-growth-stimulating nutrients and medications into the mesoderm of the areas of hair thinning or balding. It works to delay hair loss and promote healthier and thicker hair growth by increasing the scalp’s microcirculation and enabling more nutrients to reach the hair follicles to strengthen them. Multiple sessions are usually needed spaced two weeks apart to get optimal results. The results last for about a year.

Scalp micro needling- This therapy can help regrow hair on the scalp of someone experiencing moderate hair loss (pattern baldness). The procedure involves rolling or pressing over a device with multiple microneedles into the scalp skin to create multiple micro-punctures that induce collagen growth and renew hair cells, thereby promoting healthy hair growth.

GFC treatment- In this hair loss treatment in Ludhiana, the patient’s blood is taken, and processed through centrifugation to separate the blood components, and then the growth factors released by activated platelets are extracted to be injected into the scalp. The highly concentrated growth factor preparation is administered into the scalp sites with a widening part or hair thinning. The growth factors help reduce hair fall, improve hair thickness, improve hair count or volume, revitalise hair follicles, strengthen hair shaft, and stimulate hair regrowth.

Hair transplant- This is a surgical hair restoration procedure wherein healthy hair follicles are transferred from the back or sides of the head to the hair-thinning or balding sections of the scalp. There are two techniques for harvesting hair grafts: Follicular Unit Strip Surgery and Follicular Unit Extraction.

Prevention Tips for Most Types of Hair Loss (Except Pattern Baldness):

• Use a detangler and do not tug when brushing or combing, especially wet hair.
• Avoid hot oil treatments, curling irons, hot rollers, and other harsh treatments on the hair.
• Do not get tight hair styling.
• Speak to the hair expert about your current intake of medications and supplements that might be causing hair loss.
• Protect hair from sunlight and other UV light sources.
• Manage stress by practising stress relieving techniques.
• Have a healthy lifestyle, a proper hair care regimen, and a proper diet including enough proteins, iron, and vitamins.
• Ask for a cooling cap during the chemotherapy session to avoid hair loss.
• Regularly massage the scalp with essential oils.
• Keep your body well-hydrated by drinking enough water.

Struggling with excessive hair fall? Schedule a consultation with the best hair fall doctor today!

Dr. Shikha Aggarwal is the best skin doctor currently practising at Bliss Aesthetics, best hair loss treatment clinic in Ludhiana. She is highly experienced in performing a variety of hair fall/loss treatments and even gives proper advice and suggestions on hair care routines and hair care products to her clients.