Are you worried about hair loss? Let's find out everything about it (Hair Loss)

On your comb, on the bathroom floor, or on your pillowcase when you wake up in the morning... It's normal to feel a little scared and worried when you see more hair than usual in these places. "Oh, will I lose all my hair?" "Will I go bald?" Questions like this arise in the back of your mind. But don't worry. Hair loss is a common thing for many people. Sometimes there are people who are very upset by even a little hair loss, and there are also those who don't care much about it even if they lose a lot of hair and go bald. So, today we'll talk about this hair loss, or in medical terms, alopecia.

Let's see first, what is this hair?

Simply put, we have hair almost everywhere on our bodies, except for places like our palms, soles of our feet, eyelashes, and navels. But some of it is so fine that we can't see it.

Our hair is made of a special protein called keratin . This is produced in the hair follicles in the skin. As these hair follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are pushed out from the surface of the skin. The hair that we see and touch is actually a collection of dead keratin cells. On average, an adult has between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on their head. It is normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. So, there is no need to be afraid of a few hairs on the comb.

The most important thing is that each of our hairs has a life cycle. Just like a plant, it has three main stages:

• Anagen Phase: This is the period when the hair shaft is actively growing. This phase can typically last from two to eight years.
• Catagen Phase: This is a short, transitional phase. The hair follicle stops growing and prepares for the next phase. This lasts about two to three weeks.
• Telogen phase: This is the 'resting' phase. It lasts about two to three months. During this time, the hair follicle separates from the hair shaft. At the end of this phase, the hair follicle falls out and a new hair follicle begins to grow in its place.

This cycle slows down a bit as we age. That's why hair thins as we age.

What are the main types of hair loss?

There are different types of hair loss. You may have heard of some of these. Let's understand them simply with a table.

Why do we lose our hair? What are the reasons?

There is not just one reason for hair loss, there can be many reasons. Let's look at the main ones.

Hormones and Genes

Sometimes, hormonal imbalances in our bodies, especially changes in the levels of male hormones called androgens (which are also produced in small amounts in women), can cause hair loss. Also, we can inherit the tendency to baldness from our parents, that is, through our genes.

Illnesses and Medications

Thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, lupus, and iron deficiency can all cause hair loss. Also, chemotherapy for cancer, blood thinners, and some medications for high blood pressure can also cause temporary hair loss.

Our Lifestyle and Nutrition

Also, following a low-protein diet or a very calorie-restricted diet can also cause temporary hair loss. Deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and minerals like zinc and iron can also contribute to this.

Hair care

Frequent shampooing, bleaching, dyeing, and straightening your hair can weaken the hair shaft and cause it to break. Also, tying your hair up, using rollers, and applying excessive heat are not good for your hair.

How do you find the exact cause of this?

The best thing to do if you suspect you're losing your hair is to see a doctor, especially a dermatologist. The sooner you find the cause, the sooner you can start treatment.

Your doctor will do these things:

• Medical history and physical examination: You will be asked about your health, whether anyone in your family has had this condition, and what medications you are taking.
• Examination of the skull: The skull is checked for infections and inflammation. Sometimes, the skull can be enlarged using a special instrument called a trichoscope.
• Blood tests: You may be asked to take a blood test to check things like your iron levels, vitamin D levels, and thyroid hormone levels.
• Biopsy: Sometimes, a small piece of skin is taken from the scalp and sent to a lab for testing, which can help diagnose conditions like scarring alopecia.

What are the treatments for hair loss?

The good news is that there are many treatments for hair loss, depending on the cause.

Types of drugs

• Minoxidil (similar to Rogaine): This is a liquid or foam that is applied directly to the scalp. It can be used by both men and women.
• Finasteride (similar to Propecia): This is a pill given to men.
• Other medications: Your doctor may recommend steroid injections or creams for conditions like alopecia areata, and some birth control pills for hair loss caused by hormonal changes in women.

Medical procedures and surgeries

• Hair Grafting/Hair Transplant: Hair follicles are taken from another part of the body (usually from the back of the head) and replanted in areas where there is no hair.
• Light Therapy: Low-level laser therapy is used to stimulate hair follicles.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Plasma is extracted from your own blood and injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. This is now very popular in Sri Lanka.