Over 80 million men and women in the United States alone are currently affected by some form of hair loss. Hair loss can lead to various psychological issues, such as loss of confidence, anxiety, and depression. Just as there are many causes of hair loss, there are also numerous treatments that can help prevent hair loss or restore hair.
Before exploring the different types of hair loss, what causes them, and how you can treat them, let’s first examine what causes hair loss in the first place.
There are many different reasons that can cause hair loss, ranging from genetic factors to injuries, diseases, and certain types of medications. Depending on what causes your hair loss, the solution might be as simple as changing your habits. In other cases, you will need medical treatment to address the hair loss.
If you notice some hair loss, keep in mind that losing about 50 hairs a day is normal. This means that weak hairs need to fall out to be replaced by new, stronger hairs. However, if you are experiencing severe hair loss and believe it is abnormal, you should consult with Dr. Resul Yaman, who can provide advice on this matter.
It is completely normal to experience hair loss after the age of 40. As you age, your hair will start to fall out more. However, age does not cause significant hair loss; so if age is not to blame, what is?
In the section below, we will examine the most common types of hair loss and what causes them. Hopefully, you will be able to relate to at least one of them and understand why you are experiencing hair loss in your case.
This type of hair loss causes your hair to start thinning. It can be the result of nutritional deficiencies and imbalances in sex hormones. Certain diseases, such as anemia and thyroid disorders, can also cause telogen effluvium. Other causes include injuries, pregnancy, genetic factors, and the use of hormonal medications like beta blockers.
Male pattern baldness is called androgenetic alopecia. Some men suffer from this condition at an early age, causing their hair to start falling out. Considering all this, androgenetic alopecia is also a common cause of hair loss in women.
One of the most common causes of localized hair loss is alopecia areata. When affected by alopecia areata, the borders of the hair loss area are sharp. The primary cause of this disease is stress. When you are stressed, antibodies in your body attack the hair follicles. To treat alopecia areata, a low dose of cortisone is injected into the area. Immunotherapy or UV treatment are two other popular options for treating this condition.
Traction alopecia is a form of temporary hair loss caused by frequent blow-drying or tension from tight braids, ponytails, braids, and other hairstyles. To stop hair loss as a result of traction alopecia, one must actively stop applying pressure to the hair follicles. Failure to do so can lead to permanent hair loss.
Trichotillomania is a mental health disorder common in children that involves repeatedly pulling one’s hair. Over time, this behavior leads to visible hair loss in certain parts of the scalp. Some individuals suffering from this condition also pull their eyebrows and eyelashes. Individuals with this disorder need psychiatric support.
Those suffering from fungal infections of the scalp have nothing to worry about. Although fungal infections need to be treated, hair loss is not permanent. Once the type of fungus is identified and treated appropriately, hair loss will stop.
Before undergoing hair loss treatment or deciding on hair transplant methods (e.g., Manual FUE Hair Transplant), the doctor must first determine what is causing your hair loss. To do this, Dr. Resul Yaman will use three methods: dermoscopic examination, blood tests, and a simple hair pull test. It will take about an hour to diagnose the cause of hair loss, and you will receive your blood test results as soon as possible.
After Dr. Resul Yaman identifies what is causing your hair loss, he will review different types of treatments you can apply and help you make a decision. Below, you can find more information
about each treatment that may be applied to you.
There are many different ways to treat hair loss. Depending on your individual circumstances, different types of medical treatments are more suitable than others. To give you an idea, here are four different types of medical treatments for hair loss.
Hair transplant in Turkey is the most invasive procedure and is used for patients seeking a permanent solution to hair loss. For this treatment, Dr. Yaman will take hair follicles from your donor area and implant them in the recipient area (the area where we want more hair to grow). See the hair transplant before and after results.
During radiation therapy, a laser will be used to strengthen your thinning hair. It is a painless procedure and FDA-approved. You will need to attend one to two sessions per week, and you will start seeing results in a few months.
When done alone, this type of treatment does not treat hair loss. However, it is recommended to be used in conjunction with one of the above treatments to achieve the best results.
Below, we will discuss the two most effective medications against hair loss for both men and women.
Finasteride is one of the few medications recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent hair loss. This medication is taken orally in tablet form and is particularly effective for male pattern baldness. While this medication not only stops hair loss, it also thickens thinning hair. Keep in mind that although Finasteride prevents hair loss, it cannot help hair growth in bald areas. You will start seeing results within the first few weeks of starting the medication. For some patients, this period may take six months or longer.
Considering all this, Finasteride has some side effects such as decreased libido, reduced sperm count, and erectile dysfunction. It is worth noting that these side effects are rare and occur in only 2% of people taking Finasteride.
The second medication is called Minoxidil, and like Finasteride, it is also FDA-approved for the medical treatment of hair loss. This particular medication is mostly used for hair loss in women but is also used in the treatment of androgenic alopecia in men.
Minoxidil is available in foam and spray forms. To use it, you need to apply it to your scalp. You will start seeing results in about four months. This medication also has some side effects, but they are nowhere near as severe.
The side effects of Minoxidil can include dry skin, irritation, and flaking. If not used carefully, Minoxidil can cause unwanted hair growth on other parts of your body, such as the tops of your neck and fingers.
Before explaining which shampoos are good for hair loss, it is worth noting that shampoos do not treat hair loss. Instead, certain types of shampoos can help clean your scalp’s pores if they are clogged, which can be a cause of hair loss. If you suspect that your scalp’s pores are clogged, opt for shampoos that are paraben-free.
There are two main supplements that are excellent for treating and preventing hair loss. The first of these is Saw palmetto. The use of Saw palmetto in medical treatments has increased over the last decade. Scientific studies show that Saw palmetto can be an alternative to Finasteride. As part of your medical treatment for hair loss, Dr. Resul Yaman recommends starting to use Saw palmetto. However, there are a few side effects, but even then, the pros far outweigh the cons.
The second supplement is biotin vitamin. It is essential for the development of skin elements such as hair and nails. When you combine Saw palmetto and Biotin, the combination of the two is excellent in preventing hair loss. These natural supplements are also very suitable for pre- and post-surgery use.