Hair loss can happen to any one of us and for a variety of reasons. Something that might seem like a cosmetic issue has far deeper causes from a health and well-being perspective. This blog post explores the common causes and suggests ways to manage and prevent hair loss.
The main causes of hair loss
Medication: When you think of cancer and chemotherapy, you might instantly think of hair loss. It's not as prevalent as it once was, with chemotherapy drugs being more targeted, but it is still an issue for a large number of those receiving this type of treatment. Medications for a range of other conditions list hair loss as a side effect as they interfere with the growth cycle of the hair.
Genetics: The hereditary condition Androgenic Alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss, diagnosed in both men and women. Each shows up differently, with men noticing a receding hairline and women thinning through the parting.
Hormones: Imbalances in hormones can cause hair loss, with lower levels of estrogen (such as during peri-menopause and menopause) being a contributing factor. Estrogen prolongs the growth stage of the hair cycle, so with a shorter cycle due to estrogen dropping, hair falls out sooner than it used to. Estrogen also offers protection around the follicle, so without this, testosterone becomes more prevalent, which is known to cause miniaturisation and finer/thinner hair over time.
Stress and illness:Â A sudden change to a person's physical or emotional well-being can trigger sudden (but usually temporary) hair loss. This is a condition called Telogen Effluvium. It often rights itself after 6 months however it causes great distress at the time. Stress causes imbalance and inflammation in many areas of the body, the scalp is no different.
Nutrition:Â The lack of nutrients such as biotin, iron and vitamin D can cause hair to weaken and fall out prematurely.
What should I do if I start losing my hair?
When it comes to the early signs of hair loss, time is of the essence. By recognising the issue and seeing either a GP or Trichologist to investigate the underlying causes, you could prevent further loss. What makes this tricky is that there are often several causes at play, so this may be more of a process of elimination.
Someone undergoing Chemotherapy will have been warned about the potential hair loss and offered support, but this support can be lacking for other conditions where hair isn't seen as the most important concern at the time.
You must advocate for yourself and keep going until you feel you are being listened to. There are also support groups out there who can help, and online communities where you can voice your concerns freely and in a safe space.
A professional, whether that's a GP, Trichologist or Dermatologist will be able to advise you on lifestyle changes, preventative treatments and treatments to slow down the rate of hair loss. Cosmetic professionals such as Hair Replacement Specialists pick up the baton at this point to assist with helping to replace the hair you have lost by way of clip-in toppers and scalp micro-pigmentation to name a couple of examples.
What happens next?
In the first instance, getting a diagnosis for your hair loss is the most important thing to pursue. Hair loss can indicate an underlying health condition so taking the first step towards an answer is essential. Check out my other blog post How to reduce the risk of hair loss too, there’s a wealth of information in that article.
Later down the line, you may be looking for a cosmetic hair replacement solution. This is where Hair Replacement Specialists such as Glow with Alison can step in to help.
Offering a safe space to talk about your hair journey and the possible options open to you can help you come to terms with your hair loss and give you some reassurance that there are methods that can help.