Are you losing your hair too? Let's learn more about hair loss!

When you wake up in the morning, do you find hair all over your pillow? Does your hair fall out of your hair when you shower? Maybe your comb is getting more hair than usual. This is something that really bothers many people and reduces their self-confidence. For some, even a little hair loss makes them feel very sad. For others, even if they go bald, it is not that big of a deal. However, this hair loss can happen to anyone. So let's talk about this exactly today, with a light heart.

Let's first see, what is this hair?

Simply put, we have hair, or as we call it, vellus hair, almost everywhere on our bodies, except for a few places like our palms, soles of our feet, and eyelids. However, most of this is so fine that we cannot see it.

Hair is made of a protein called keratin . These are produced in small follicles in our skin called hair follicles. As new hair cells grow from these follicles, old cells are pushed out to the surface of the skin. The hair you see is actually a chain of dead keratin cells that are connected together. On average, an adult has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs on their head. It is normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. So there is no need to worry if there are a few hairs on the comb.

The life cycle of a hair follicle

Think about it, each of our hairs has its own unique life cycle. This is divided into three main stages.

• Anagen: This is the period of active hair growth. This can last anywhere from two to eight years. At any given time, about 90% of the hair on your head is in this phase.
• Catagen: This is a short period of about two to three weeks during which the hair follicle stops growing.
• Resting phase (Telogen): This lasts about two to three months. At the end of this phase, the hair follicle falls out, and a new hair follicle begins to grow in its place. And so the cycle begins again.

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

What are the main types of hair loss?

Hair loss is medically known as alopecia . There are different types of this. Let's look at some of the main types.

Why is this hair falling out? What are the reasons?

Doctors still don't know exactly why some hair follicles have a shorter growth cycle than others, but there are several main factors that contribute to hair loss.

• Genes: Genes from both your mother and father's sides can predispose you to baldness.
• Hormones: Hormonal imbalances, especially changes in the levels of male hormones called androgens (which are also produced in small amounts in women's bodies), can affect.
• Stress, illness, and childbirth: As we discussed earlier, these things can cause temporary hair loss (Telogen Effluvium).
• Certain medications: Chemotherapy drugs, blood thinners, and some medications for high blood pressure can cause temporary hair loss.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Insufficient intake of iron, zinc, biotin, and protein are also major causes of hair loss. Vitamin D deficiency can also be a factor.
• Other medical conditions: Thyroid disease, diabetes, immune system diseases like lupus, and fungal skin infections (ringworm) can also cause hair loss.
• Harmful things to do to your hair: Frequent shampooing, bleaching, dyeing, and perming can weaken your hair and cause it to break. Using excessive heat is also not good.

How do you recognize hair loss? Should I see a doctor?

Yes. If you feel like you're losing more hair than usual, especially if you're starting to see patches of baldness, definitely see a doctor. The sooner you find the cause, the easier it will be to treat.

Here are some things you can expect when you see a doctor:

1. Medical history and examination: You will be asked about your health, whether anyone in your family has had similar problems, and what medications you are taking. Then your skull will be carefully examined.

2. Blood tests: Blood tests may be given to check things like iron levels (Serum Ferritin), thyroid hormones (TSH), and vitamin D levels.

3. Trichoscopy: This is a test that uses a special camera-like device to magnify the scalp and hair follicles.

4. Biopsy: This is a very rare procedure. A small piece of skin is taken from the scalp and sent to a lab to check for an underlying medical condition.

What are the treatments?

Treatment depends on the cause of the hair loss. Treating the cause often resolves the problem.

• Medicines:
• Minoxidil: This comes as a liquid or foam. It is applied directly to the scalp. It can be used by both men and women.
• Finasteride: This is a pill for men. It should only be taken on the recommendation of a doctor.
• Other medications: Creams or injections containing corticosteroids may be prescribed for conditions like alopecia areata. Some birth control pills may also be prescribed for women with hormonal problems.

• Special treatments:
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Treatment: In this, plasma is separated from your own blood and the growth factors in it are injected into the scalp. This stimulates hair follicles and helps hair grow.
• Hair Transplantation: A surgical procedure in which hair follicles are taken from an area of ​​the body that has good hair growth (usually the back of the head) and transplanted to areas where there is no hair.
• Light Therapy: Low-level laser therapy is used to stimulate hair follicles.

Can hair loss be prevented?

Some causes, such as genetic influences, we cannot prevent. However, there are many things we can control.

• Eat a balanced diet: Include foods rich in protein, iron, zinc, and biotin (eggs, fish, greens, nuts) in your diet.
• Be gentle with your hair: Avoid styles that pull your hair tightly. Be gentle when combing and washing your hair. Do not comb wet hair.
• Avoid excessive chemicals and heat: Reduce frequent dyeing and bleaching. Use a cool setting on your blow dryer to dry your hair.
• Manage stress: Try things like yoga and meditation. Get enough sleep.

If hair loss is bothering you, don't be ashamed of it. It happens to many people. The best thing to do is to talk to a doctor to find out the cause and get the right treatment.