Are you worried about hair loss? Let's find out exactly what's going on! (Hair Loss)

Have you ever noticed that you have more hair than usual on your comb, in your bathroom, on your pillowcase, etc.? How many hairs is it really normal to lose a day? What are the causes of hair loss? Can't you stop it? You probably have many questions like this. Don't worry, today we will talk about all this simply and clearly. Some people experience a lot of stress even if they lose a little hair, but for others, it is not so much even if they lose a lot of hair and become bald. This varies from person to person.

First, let's see what hair is.

Simply put, our hair is made up of a special type of protein called keratin . These are produced in small hair follicles inside our skin. As new hair cells are produced from these follicles, old cells are pushed out to the surface of the skin. The hair shaft that you see is actually a collection of dead keratin cells.

On average, an adult has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs on their head. It's normal to lose about 50-100 hairs a day. So, there's no need to worry about a few strands of hair on your comb.

Every hair follicle has its own lifespan, or life cycle. This is divided into three main stages.

As you age, the rate at which this hair grows gradually slows down.

Main types of hair loss (Types of Alopecia)

There are different types of hair loss, or medically known as alopecia . Let's take a look at the most common types.

• Androgenic Alopecia: This is a hereditary form of baldness . It can affect both men and women.
• Male Pattern Baldness: Can start as early as your 20s. The main symptoms are a receding hairline and balding on the top of the head.
• Female Pattern Baldness: It usually becomes more noticeable after the age of 40. Rather than balding in patches like men, the hair on the entire head becomes thinner and the scalp begins to appear bald. The parting in the middle of the head, in particular, becomes wider.

• Alopecia Areata: This is a condition that can start suddenly. It is caused by our own immune system mistakenly attacking hair follicles . This causes hair to fall out in patches, in a circular pattern. Sometimes it can even lead to complete baldness (Alopecia Totalis). However, in about 90% of cases, hair grows back within a few years.

• Telogen Effluvium: This is a temporary condition. A sudden, large amount of hair starts falling out a few months after a severe fever (like dengue), major surgery, childbirth, or extreme stress . What happens here is that many hair follicles suddenly enter the resting (Telogen) phase.

• Traction Alopecia: This is something we can do to ourselves. Styling our hair in a way that pulls it very tightly (tight ponytails, tight braids), using rollers, and hot combs can damage the hair follicles and cause hair loss. If this continues, it can lead to permanent hair loss.

• Scarring Alopecia: Certain scalp infections (cellulitis, folliculitis), and conditions such as lupus can permanently destroy hair follicles, leaving scars in those areas, and hair loss that never grows back.

What are the common causes of hair loss?

There is no single reason why some people's hair grows faster than others. There can be many factors at play.

• Hormonal imbalances: Thyroid problems, PCOS in women, and changes in the levels of male hormones called androgens are the main causes.
• Genes: Hereditary predispositions from the mother or father.
• Stress, illness, and childbirth: These can cause the condition called telogen effluvium that we discussed earlier.
• Some drugs: Cancer treatments (Chemotherapy), blood thinners, some high blood pressure medications, and birth control pills can cause temporary hair loss.
• Nutritional deficiencies (Diet): A major cause of hair loss is a lack of iron, zinc, protein, and certain vitamins (especially vitamins D and B) .
• Hair styling and cosmetic procedures: Frequent hair bleaching, dyeing, and rebonding weaken the hair shaft and increase breakage.
• Other medical conditions: Immune system diseases such as diabetes, lupus, and skin diseases can also cause hair loss.

How does a doctor detect this?

When you go to see a doctor about your hair problem, he or she will run several tests to find the cause.

1. You will be asked about your medical history: They will ask you if anyone in your family has this condition, what medications you are taking, and if you have been sick recently.

2. Physical examination: The doctor will carefully examine your scalp. He will check for signs of infection, scarring, and redness.

3. Blood tests: You may be asked to take a blood test to check things like iron levels, thyroid hormones, and vitamin D levels.

4. Trichoscopy: This involves examining the scalp and hair follicles with a camera with a special magnifying lens (dermatoscope).

5. Biopsy: Very rarely, if the cause cannot be determined, a very small piece of skin is taken from the scalp and sent to a laboratory for testing.

What are the treatments for hair loss?

Treatment depends on the cause of hair loss. Therefore, before seeking treatment based on what you read on the internet or what your friends say, be sure to consult a qualified doctor.

• Medications:
• Minoxidil: A liquid or foam that is applied directly to the scalp. It can be used by both men and women.
• Finasteride: An oral pill for men. It is very effective in treating male pattern baldness.
• Corticosteroids: Injections or creams given for immune system problems like alopecia areata.
• Medical Procedures:
• Hair Grafting / Transplant: Taking hair follicles from another part of the body (often the back of the neck) and replanting them in areas where there is no hair.
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Treatment: This is a very popular procedure now. The nutrient-rich plasma is extracted from your own blood and injected into the scalp. This stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth.
• Light Therapy (LLLT): Low-level laser light is directed at the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

A few tips to prevent hair loss

Not all hair loss can be prevented (e.g. hereditary factors). However, we can control some factors by changing our lifestyle.

• Eat a balanced diet: Include foods rich in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins (legumes, eggs, fish, nuts) in your diet.
• Be gentle with your hair: When combing and washing your hair, do it gently, without pulling it too hard. Do not tie your hair tightly.
• Avoid chemicals and high heat: Reduce frequent dyeing, rebonding, and high heat straightening of hair.
• Manage stress: Keep your mind relaxed through things like meditation, exercise, and hobbies.