What is Hair Loss?

Discover the causes and types of hair loss, from genetic factors to vitamin deficiencies. Learn about treatments and solutions for both men and women.

Hair loss is a must for our hair health. Weakened hair falls out to renew itself, and healthy hair emerges from the hair follicles. However, it must be a certain percentage. Scientifically, when the rate of hair loss exceeds ten percent of the total rate of hair, it means that unhealthy shedding is experienced, and it is helpful to consult a dermatologist.

Hair Loss Causes

Hair loss in men begins to appear after puberty. Since male genetics are more suitable for hair loss, baldness problem occurs at later ages. Although hair loss in women is rarer, it is caused by individual gene differences. Stressful life, imbalance of thyroid hormone, use of birth control pills, the birth process, breastfeeding process, and menopause trigger hair loss in women. Perm, blow dryer, etc., made under the name of hair care. Other methods lead to excessive heat exposure of the scalp and long-term hair loss.

Types of Hair Loss

Male Pattern Hair Loss
Hair loss that occurs with the effect of androgens on a genetic basis is called "Androgenetic hair loss." It is seen in about half of men and 20-25% of women. Although patients say that hair loss is severe occasionally, it is generally insidious, unlike telogen hair loss, and the picture settles over the years.

Alopecia Type Hair Loss
Alopecia areata; It is a frequently observed disease characterized by one or a few round, completely balding areas of varying diameters that appear suddenly. It is popularly known as "ringkıran"; contrary to its name, it is not a fungal disease nor contagious. It can be seen not only in the hair but also in the beard area.

Hair Loss Due to Thyroid Hormones
In the case of an underactive thyroid gland, namely hypothyroidism, widespread hair loss or loss of body hair can be seen. After the thyroid hormone treatment, the hair returns to its normal state in an average of 8 weeks.

Hair Loss After Pregnancy and Vitamin Deficiency
Hair loss may start due to hormonal changes, especially from the 1st-4th month after birth, and it usually lasts less than six months. In female patients, it is necessary to control the level of sex hormones when there are problems such as thinning, acne, menstrual irregularity, and increased hair growth, especially in the front areas of the hair.

Zinc, biotin, vitamin B12, folic acid deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency also cause hair loss. Hair loss may occur approximately 1-6 months after starting strict diets.

Hair Loss Due to Medicines and Stress
Some blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, thyroid hormone-lowering drugs, birth control pills, drugs used in psychiatry, vitamin A, and derivative drugs can cause hair loss. Hair loss itself can increase the stress level and cause a vicious circle.

Hair Loss in Men

Hair loss is more common in men than women. Hair loss is higher in men than in women because the enzyme called five alpha-reductase, which causes hair loss, is less in the body structure of women. In women, the aromatase enzyme is more in place of this enzyme. Since men are more affected by the problem of hair loss, women can be considered unlucky in this regard since the products sold in the market are for men. Because of the aromatase enzyme, these products cannot be effective in women. However, since hair transplantation methods are pretty advanced, it will be a solution to everyone who has this problem, both men and women.

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Hair Loss in Women

The most significant cause of hair loss in women is genetic factors. Due to these factors, the hair becomes thinner and tends to fall out. This situation can lead to problems that can go up to baldness in the later stages.

Anemia due to iron deficiency, hormonal imbalances, a stressful life, thyroid hormone problems, postpartum experiences, pregnancy, breastfeeding period, menopause process, and use of birth control pills are periods of increased hair loss in women. Factors such as perm, highlighting, and blow-drying in dyeing processes frequently applied to hair cause hair loss in women.

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Symptoms of Hair Loss

People experience it differently depending on the type of hair loss and what is causing it. They also experience hair loss. Common symptoms include:

Receding hairline (typical male pattern baldness).
Thinning hair all over the head (typical female pattern hair loss).
Loss of small patches of hair on the scalp.
Hair loss on the scalp and body.

Living with Hair Loss?

See a doctor (your GP or a dermatologist) if you are worried, if hair falls out suddenly or in patches, or if your scalp is itchy or sore - many causes can be treated. Medicines such as finasteride or minoxidil can slow pattern hair loss but have side effects and are not right for everyone - talk to your doctor. For permanent pattern hair loss, a hair transplant can move hair to thinning areas: hair transplant: what to expect · cost · compare clinics.

Sources: NHS - Hair loss; ISHRS - Finasteride; ISHRS - Minoxidil; NHS - Hair transplant.