Hair loss is a unanimous concern: it may indicate the onset of baldness or some dysfunction of the body. That is, always worries! Losing just over 100 wires a day is normal. Of course you won't be counting, but you can tell by feeling the amount that goes away when you comb, wash and run your hand through the strands. When more hair falls out than usual, it is a sign that something is wrong. And yes, you need to seek help.
When is hair loss temporary?
The normal variations of life? include stress, changes in diet and hormones? may cause a reversible hair loss. Some medications also cause hair loss, especially those to treat arthritis, gout, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure.
If you have hair loss associated with tiredness, problems with concentration and sleep, see a doctor for a thyroid function test.
Medical treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy cause the development of alopecia (the scientific name of the fall) as they attack the fastest growing and dividing cells in the human body (hair follicle cells are part of this group). After the treatment is over, the strands grow back as before and the old hair pattern is restored.
Another common reason for hair loss is aesthetic habits that, without proper care, can cause damage to the hair. Chemical treatments can lead to thinning of the hair through breakage and loss of the protein layers of the hair. This does not usually cause permanent damage, but if you notice that after stopping these treatments, your hair has not grown back in three months, you should consult your dermatologist.
Other causes of hair loss: excessive hair traction (caused by hair styling or prosthesis fixation), diseases such as diabetes, lupus, polycystic ovary, immune system disorders, hyper and hypothyroidism, improperly used hair dyes and straighteners, stress physical or psychological, childbirth, diets without medical assistance and recent surgery.
When is baldness permanent?
It is normal for hair to thin because of genetic factors or the natural aging process. This is far more common with men: many notice a slight increase in hair loss and thinning related to physiological processes, usually beginning in their early 40s.
This process is called androgenetic alopecia and occurs when hair growth periods slow and the hair loses its vigor and diameter. With each growth cycle, hair roots more superficially and falls more easily. Heredity plays an important role: If you have a history on either side of the family, there is an increased risk of developing baldness. The loss is different according to sex. In men it can start around 20 years, reaching the highest intensity at 40 years.
Women are most affected after menopause. When it occurs, the loss usually begins later and to a lesser extent. In women, follicles programmed to stop growing are scattered diffusely on the scalp. They get thinner, but no entrances and bald areas appear. The issue in women is the lack of estrogen, the female hormone that decreases in menopause, as they have more of this hormone than men, are better protected. Therefore, the ideal is to have medical monitoring at this stage. Only your doctor will know whether or not hormone replacement is necessary.
Alopecia: causes and treatment of hair loss explained (April 2024)
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