Understanding Hair Loss: Types, Causes, and Treatments

Are you experiencing hair loss and feeling stressed about what to do? This blog will talk about types of hair loss, their causes, and available treatments to address this common issue. Hair is a common concern that affects individuals at different stages of life. While losing approximately 50 to 100 hairs per day is normal, excessive hair loss can be a distressing experience.

This blog is drafted by taking insights from skin experts like Dr. Nivedita Dadu, a renowned dermatologist at Dadu Medical Centre. The expert doctor is widely famous for offering the Best Hair Loss Treatment in Delhi. Read on for more details. 

Common Types of Hair Loss

To effectively diagnose and treat hair loss, one must be aware of the various symptoms of the condition. The three main types of hair loss dealt with are:

Androgenetic Alopecia

Male or female pattern baldness is the most common kind of hair loss. Usually, it happens after 40 years of age, but new research indicates that environmental factors and changes in lifestyle may cause an age decrease. In men, it starts with a receding hairline, but in women, it starts as gradual thinning.

Causes

Hormonal abnormalities and heredity are two of the factors that cause androgenetic alopecia. The chance of developing hair loss is higher in families with a history of it. In menopause and conditions such as PCOD, hormonal imbalances, characterized by elevated androgen and decreased estrogen levels, are frequently observed triggers.

Treatments

Both the cause and the effects of androgenetic alopecia must be addressed in treatment. It could take six or nine months. Options for treatment consist of: 

• Topical Medications: In order to stimulate blood flow to the scalp, induce hair growth, and induce the anagen (growth) phase of hair development, dermatologists recommend hair serums.
• Oral Medications: These are prescribed to treat vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances that cause hair loss.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy: In order to improve blood flow to the hair follicles, laser treatment stimulates epidermal stem cells. This encourages healthier, stronger, and thicker hair.
• Human Growth Promoters: The inherent growth promoters in human blood have the ability to stop hair follicles from shrinking and return them to full health.

Telogen Effluvium

Sudden hair loss over one to two months, leading to thinning and decreased density of hair, is the sign of telogen effluvium. Although some people may experience temporal recession, it frequently results in diffuse recession. In the telogen effluvium, about half of hair shedding happens, which can result in baldness and less visible scalp.

Causes

Telogen effluvium can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Stress: Both physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss. Factors like poor diet, major surgeries, long-term illnesses (e.g., typhoid, dengue), and emotional stress contribute to hormonal imbalances, which in turn result in hair loss.
• Genetics: Genetic predisposition plays a role in this type of hair loss.
• Pregnancy and Childbirth: Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can lead to temporary hair loss.
• Medications: Certain drugs, such as hypertensive medications, birth control pills, antidepressants, and blood thinners, can cause hair loss.
• Long-term Illness: Conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and anemia may also contribute to hair loss.

Treatment

Identifying and eliminating the causative factor can often reverse telogen effluvium. Under expert supervision, medical professionals can identify the cause through investigations and prescribe medications, oral supplements, and topical serums like minoxidil. Additional treatments may be recommended if necessary.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. It can manifest as small, round or oval patches of hair loss on the scalp, beard, mustache, eyebrows, or even the body.

Causes

Although the exact etiology of alopecia areata remains unclear, severe stress and genetic factors are frequently linked to the condition.

Treatment

Anti-inflammatory medications are commonly used in the treatment of alopecia areata in order to reduce the immune system’s response. Dermatologists can stimulate the growth of new hair by injecting localized corticosteroids.

Conclusion

Hair loss, regardless of the cause, can be emotionally draining. Consult your doctor about the possible causes of your hair loss. In many cases, effective treatments are available to help reduce hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. To get an appropriate treatment it is important to first find out the type of hair loss and its underlying cause. All varied types of hair loss including telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and androgenetic alopecia all have their certain treatments as the causes of these conditions also differ. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and following a balanced diet also aid in treating hair loss to an extent. If it still persists one can consult a hair specialist for treatment options. It may include GFC, OTC-medications, PRP, and hair transplant procedures.
To find a skilled specialist, one can consult a dermatologist. Dermatologists are the professionals who are skilled experts in treating hair loss, hair thinning, baldness, and related issues. One looking for an effective hair loss treatment can consult Dr. Nivedita Dadu, the Best Dermatologist in Delhi at Dadu Medical Centre. The centre located in Delhi has two branches one residing at Rajouri Garden (West Delhi) and Vasant Vihar (South Delhi). To begin your journey towards healthier and fuller hair pay a visit as per your convenience.