I AM LOSING HAIR !!!!

I am losing hair !!!

Hair loss is indeed an alarming condition. Both ladies and men who are extremely anxious about their hair loss and wanting a fast fix to their problem have approached me and the usual questions I get are “ Is this a serious problem?, “ Am I going to lose more hair?”, “Will hair transplant help?”

There has been much ado about hair transplantation especially in Malaysia in the recent years with both men and women becoming more aware of the treatment options for hair loss and the increasing number of clinics in Malaysia offering hair loss treatments and hair transplants.

    

It is normal to lose between 50-100 scalp hairs over a 24-hour period (assuming there is a full head of hair). Hair loss can become a cosmetic problem when it occurs in the wrong place at the wrong time in the wrong individual.

The cause of hair loss differs in men and women and there are a few treatment options for hair loss.

Common Causes of hair loss:

Hair disorders

•    Hereditary thinning or baldness (also called androgenetic alopecia): This is the most common cause of hair loss. It affects men and women.

•    Alopecia areata: this is an autoimmune disease wherein the body attacks itself, in this case, the body attacks its own hair. This causes well defined patches of hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body.

•    Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia: This rare disease develops in otherwise healthy people. The disease destroys a person’s hair follicles. Scar tissue forms where the follicles once were, so the hair cannot re-grow.

•    Central centrifugal cicatricial (scarring) alopecia: This type of hair loss occurs most often in women of African descent. It begins in the center of the scalp. As it progresses, the hair loss radiates out from the center of the scalp. The affected scalp becomes smooth and shiny. The hair loss can be very slow or rapid.

Disease

•    Underlying medical condition: Hair loss can be the first sign of a disease such as thyroid disease and anemia etc.

•    Illness: Significant hair loss can occur after an illness. A major surgery, high fever, severe infection, or even the flu can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss is termed “Telogium Effluvium”

•    Certain cancer treatments: Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may cause hair loss. This hair loss is often temporary and the hair growth is restored upon stopping treatment.

•    Ringworm of the scalp( Tinea Capitis): This disease is contagious and common in both adults and children. If left untreated it may cause balding.

•    Trichotillomania: This medical disorder causes people to repeatedly pull out their own hair. They often feel a constant urge to pull out the hair on the scalp. Some sufferers say they feel compelled to pull out their eyelashes, nose hairs, eyebrows, and other hairs on their bodies.

Hormones and stress

•    Childbirth: After childbirth some women experience hair loss. Falling estrogen levels cause this type of hair loss. The hair loss is temporary. In a few months, women see their hair re-grow.


•    Menopause: Hair loss is common during menopause. Post menopausal women should not expect to have the  same fullness that of hair as before.

•    Stress: Experiencing a traumatic event (e.g., death of a loved one or divorce) can cause hair loss.

Dieting and poor nutrition

•    Weight loss: Hair loss many be seen  patients undergoing vigorous weight loss programmes. It often appears 3 to 6 months after losing the weight. This hair loss is common. The hair re-grows without help.


•    Vitamin A: Too much vitamin A can cause hair loss.. Once the body stops getting too much vitamin A, normal hair growth resumes.


•    Protein: When the body does not get enough protein hair loss will result. Eating more protein will stop the hair loss. Meats, eggs, and fish are good sources of protein. Vegetarians can get more protein by adding nuts, seeds, and beans to their diet.


•    Iron: Not getting enough iron can lead to hair loss. Sources of iron are iron-fortified cereals, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils, and spinach. Clams, oysters, and organ meats top the list of good animal sources of iron.


•    Eating disorder: When a person has an eating disorder, hair loss is common. Anorexia (not eating enough) and bulimia (vomiting after eating) may cause hair loss.

Medicine

Some prescription medicines can cause hair loss. These include:

•    Blood thinners 
•    High-dose vitamin A
•    Medicines that treat arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems, and high blood pressure
•    Birth control pills: Some women who take the pill may experience hair loss.
•    Anabolic steroids (steroids taken to build muscle and improve athletic performance) may  
   cause hair loss.

Hair care

Your hairstyle and even some of the products you use on your hair may cause hair loss.

•    Products: Frequent bleaching or permanents can cause the hair to break. Regular or improper use of dyes, gels, relaxers, and hair sprays also can cause hair breakage.

•    Blow dryers, flat irons, and other devices: Frequent use of a blow dryer tends to damage hair. The high heat from a blow dryer can dehydrate the hair shaft leaving the hair brittle and prone to breakage.

▪    Hairpins, clips, and rubber bands: When used to hold hair tightly, hairpins, clips, and rubber bands can break and damage hair.

Useful Tips:

Hairpins: Use hairpins that have a smooth, ball-tipped surface.

Hair clips: These should have spongy rubber padding where they touch the hair.

Rubber bands: Try scrunchies made of fabric instead. Rubber bands often cause the hair to break. Scrunchies should fit loosely. To prevent hair loss, you should wear them in different areas of the scalp. This can prevent lots of hair breakage in one area.

Hairstyles
Years of wearing hair in a style that pulls on the hair such as a ponytail, cornrows, or braids can cause a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. 

Improper washing, drying, and combing
The following practices often cause the hair to break:

•    Too much shampooing, combing, or brushing (100 strokes or more a day).

•    Rubbing wet hair dry with a towel.

•    Brushing or combing wet hair (especially in Asians and Caucasians).

Hair is more elastic when wet and breaks off more easily than dry hair.     When hair breakage occurs, the hair appears shaggy or too thin.

Treatment for hair loss will take into consideration the cause of the hair loss.

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