Reason Number One Why You are Losing Hair

The Number One Most Common Reason For your Thinning Hair

The first signs of thinning hair can put many people into a tailspin. At first, it starts off with the thought that maybe this is a short-term phase.  And, in some cases, that can be true—that’s called telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss). But, there is another reason for hair loss that is more common. You will discover the number one most common reason for hair loss in men and women, what the name of the diagnosis is and if is it treatable. We also want to help those who are new to discovering hair loss and avoid some of the initial pitfalls can be when searching out a remedy.

What is the Best Remedy for Hair Loss?

Understanding the root cause to your particular hair loss is key to successful treatment. To start, there are many reasons why hair loss can happen.  That fact alone can not be underscored enough.  With that understanding, we can go into potential remedies knowing that success depends on the underlying reason for your particular hair loss.

How Many Hairs is Normal to Lose in a Day?

Many people start off discovering hair loss by seeing an increase of shedding hair while brushing or in the shower. You can also see hairs on your pillow or on your clothing. This visual reminder can be psychologically unnerving.  But seeing some hair loss is normal.  In fact, shedding about 100 hairs a day is considered normal. Apart from the accepted number which is routinely offered by medical professionals, you are the best judge to know when your hair loss rate is outpacing your hair growth rate.

If your rate of hair loss is outpacing your hair growth you might do things—even subconsciously—such as:

• Change your hair part line to minimize the widening area of scalp.
• Wear your hair up in a ponytail because when it’s down it looks “straggly.”
• You may cut your hair shorter because hair tends to look fuller.
• You may perm your hair because curly wavy hair looks fuller.
• You may get highlights to minimize the contrasting color between your hair and exposed scalp.

If any of the above workarounds sounds familiar to you, your first stop should be to a dermatologist or trichologist (hair loss specialist).

What is the Most Common Causes of Hair Loss?

There is not a big distinction between the reason why women and men lose hair. But, men are more often studied in clinical cases than women.  This effects the drugs that are developed and leaves women at a disadvantage when trying to understand potential side-effects of these drugs. Also, women have the added nuance of medications that alter hormones. Common drugs and devices like Intra Uterine Device (IUD), birth control and hormone replacement therapy can have a direct impact on hair loss.

We will start by highlighting the number one reason for both men and women’s hair loss: Androgenic Alopecia.

“Androgenetic alopecia, or hair loss mediated by the presence of the androgen dihydrotestosterone, is the most common form of alopecia in men and women. Almost all persons have some degree of androgenetic alopecia.⁷ The hair loss usually begins between the ages of 12 and 40 years and is frequently insufficient to be noticed. However, visible hair loss occurs in approximately one half of all persons by the age of 50 years.”

https://www.aafp.org

Androgenic Alopecia is a condition that affects men and women similarly even though it is often called Male Pattern Baldness. Most people who suffer from Androgenic Alopecia will notice hair loss on the crown and sides of the head, particularly around the hairline. The hair in the back of the head typically remains intact. Females will generally present with a more diffuse, overall hair loss pattern but the same places—crown and sides of the head—are the areas more frequently affected.

Why does Androgenic Alopecia happen? The main culprit behind Androgenic Alopecia is a hormone called Androgens—hence the name Androgenic Alopecia. When the Androgens comingle with other hormones, particularly Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) it creates a hostile environment for hair growth. The follicle’s exposure to this hormonal compound results in hair loss.

Is there a remedy? There are things you can do to minimize the hair fall. Since you know the root of the problem with Androgenic Alopecia is the presence of androgens and DHT, you can search out ways to minimize or combat the effects of those two hair-killing hormones. There are natural remedies that are effective at minimizing DHT.  Some popular options are pumpkin seed and rosemary oil. Look for DHT-blocking shampoos to help minimize shed during your hair washing routine. There are also medicated options like minoxidil that helps to reduce the presence of DHT.

To learn more about hair loss and remedies, make sure to follow our blog to as we discuss other reasons why hair loss could be happening to you. As always, if you have a topic you would like our team to cover in a blog post, feel free email us at service@thinhairthick.com. Curious about your thinning hair and want to know what some options are? We have video consults that we offer with a specifically trained hair expert on our team.