I Started Losing My Hair: What to Do With Hair Loss?

Our hairs have a unique developmental cycle. Most days, we lose hair, but it isn't apparent because a new strand regrows almost immediately, and we retain our average hair mass. However, when we shed more strands with little or no regrowth, there may be an underlying problem. 

Hair loss is a common phenomenon in men and women. It's normal to get confused and maybe even embarrassed when faced with thinning hair and potential baldness. This doesn't make it easier to deal with. What is more important is tracing the cause to remedy or stop the damage to your hairline.
Read on to know the actions you can take to stop, treat, or manage hair loss. First, let's briefly explore why you are experiencing hair loss.

Potential Causes of Hair Loss

There are different reasons why you could be experiencing hair loss, but the major factors are:

Deficiency or overconsumption of vitamin A

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, vitamin A deficiency and overconsumption of foods containing vitamin A can trigger hair loss. If you consume below 5,000 and more than 10,000 Internation Units of vitamin A daily, it may cause hair loss.

Sickness or stress

Our bodies react to illnesses and stress differently, including hair loss. When you're ill or stressed, you can experience excessive shedding of hair, aka telogen effluvium. This may continue for about three months after a sick or stressful event.

Pattern baldness

Male and female pattern baldness is a type of hair loss related to aging, genetic factors, and hormones. Pattern baldness causes the hair follicle to shrink and not grow. It leaves the hair thinning by the sides, front, and center.

Medications and treatments

Hair loss is a common side effect of medications used to manage lupus and cancer. For instance, excessive scarring on the scalp with lupus may stop the hair follicles from replacing lost strands.

How to Treat Hair Loss

Adjust Your Diet

Changing your diet can be beneficial to your hair health. Some ways you can modify your diet include:

* Add more proteins: this includes salmon, egg, nuts, seafood, and sweet potatoes.

* Introduce Mediterranean meals: this includes meals mostly made of herbs and vegetables.

* Stop crash eating: crash meals are very low-calorie meals that do not have essential nutrients.

Consider Using Supplements 

Supplements, especially multivitamins, are very efficient at improving hair growth and stopping hair loss. 

Some vitamin supplements you can use include selenium, zinc, vitamins A, D, E, and C, and iron. Visit a doctor to know which supplement product has the needed vitamins and minerals in the right proportions.

Use Medication (under a doctor's orders and supervision)

Several hair loss medications prevent and manage hair loss regardless of the cause. The commonly tested and trusted hair loss medications include:
Minoxidil: This topical over-the-counter medication is most effective for androgenetic alopecia in men and women. The drug is commonly sold as "Rogaine." It is available in foam, liquid, and soap. 

Apply minoxidil to your scalp once or twice a day for the best results. If your condition has progressed extensively, we advise you to continue using this drug indefinitely.

Finasteride: This oral medication is commonly known as Propecia. Doctors prescribe it for men experiencing pattern baldness. It causes hair loss to slow down and induces new hair growth. 

However, it could take months for you to observe a noticeable difference. It works best for men aged below 60 and must be used indefinitely.

Use Essential Oils

Applying essential oils, like coconut oil and rosemary oil, may restore your hair's health and improve its previous length and mass. Some scientists pointed out in 2021 that pumpkin seed oil can induce hair regrowth in ladies suffering from pattern baldness. Another trial posited that rosemary oil is as effective as minoxidil.

Similarly, coconut oil helps strengthen hair strands and remedies the effect of hair loss in men and women. Other essential oils that may improve your hair health include tea tree oil, peppermint oil, jojoba oil, and lavender oil.

Make a Few Lifestyle Changes

Unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking could be the reason for your hair loss. Quitting this habit will improve not only your lung health but your hair's health. It also helps to reduce your intake of sweets and carbonated drinks. 

Eat more fruits, unsaturated fats, and whole grains to minimize hair loss and keep your hair in perfect shape. Most importantly, drink water!
Introduce new habits like daily exercises, yoga, meditation, and listening to podcasts/music into your lifestyle. Additionally, reduce your stressful activities.

And whatever you do, ensure you get enough sleep.

Try scalp massages

Regular scalp massages may stimulate hair growth and reduce thinning or breakage. The concept of scalp massages focuses on hair follicles. The gentle movements stimulate the follicles to produce more hair. It also improves blood circulation beneath the scalp causing hair regrowth and added length.

Apply caffeine-infused products and antioxidants 

Hair technicians believe caffeine works as well as minoxidil to prevent hair loss. Some caffeine-infused hair gel products come in topical forms like shampoo, gels, and conditioner. Antioxidant-containing shampoo and scalp treatment can also improve the scalp's health and encourage hair growth.

* Practice Better Hair Care

* Good hair care practices you can engage in include:

* Using a silk or satin pillowcase/ hair bonnet

* Using conditioner after each wash

* Avoiding tight hairstyles

* Using only mild treatments

* Using less heat, dyes, and chemicals on hair

Get a Hair Transplant

If you have tried all the above without noticeable changes, consider getting a hair transplant before you lose most of your hair. But before you get one, you must consult a skilled dermatologist, medical practitioner, or hair technician for proper checkups. 

Your medical officer may run tests to eliminate other suspicions like syphilis, diabetes, celiac disease, eating disorders, thyroid conditions, and lichen planus. Once you receive the go-ahead from your doctor for a hair transplant, contact us. 

HairTransplant Pro can get you booked with one of many skilled doctors and hair technicians from about 25 hair clinics worldwide to restore your hair's health. HairTransplant Pro further offers one-on-one support before and after your hair transplant.