Hair Loss: Characteristics, Causes & Treatment

What is Hair Loss?

You tend to lose 50-100 hairs every day. (x) Of course, that loss is insignificant, as your scalp has more than 100,000 hairs. New hair usually replaces lost hair, but that’s not always the case. Hair loss can progress gradually over several years or happen suddenly. It can be temporary or permanent.

About 80 million people in America have congenital hair loss (alopecia). (x) It may only affect the hair on your head or all hair upon the entire body. While excessive hair loss is more common in older adults, it can also occur in kids.

It’s impossible to know how much hair you’ve lost on any given day. You could lose more than the usual amount if you see hair clumps in your brush or lots of hair in the drain. You may also see thinning areas of hair or even baldness.

If you notice you’re shedding more hair than is normal, be sure to discuss the issue with your physician. An expert can identify the underlying cause and recommend the right treatment program. You might want to supplement your diet.

Hair Loss Characteristics

Signs of hair loss vary between adults and children, but everyone can see more hair gathering in the drain, brush or comb.

The symptoms of hair loss in men can include: (x)

• Receding hairline
• Decreasing hair on the head
• Horseshoe-shaped pattern that exposes the top of the head
• Symptoms of hair loss in women can include (note that it’s very rare for women to develop total baldness):
• Widened hair parting
• General hair decrease, especially at the crown (top) of the head
• Symptoms of hair loss in young adults and children can include:
• Total loss of all body hair
• Sudden loss of areas of hair
• Incomplete loss of hair on the scalp or eyebrows and areas of broken hairs
• Excessive hair shedding, but not total baldness, after various ailments and drug treatments, stress, anemia or rapid weight loss

When to Call Your Doctor

Sudden loss of hair can indicate an underlying medical problem that needs diagnosis and proper treatment. Always visit a reputable hair restoration specialist or hair loss clinic. Call your doctor if:

• You notice you’re losing areas of hair rapidly rather than gradually
• You experience an unexplained hair loss on any area of the body
• You’re concerned about losing hair and want expert advice on your treatment options

Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss doesn’t only occur on the scalp. Certain medications and illnesses can lead to balding over the whole body, although genetics are responsible for most hair loss cases on the scalp. (x) Other causes include:

1. Genes

Genes from both parents can affect your predisposition to male/female pattern baldness.

2. Hormone Imbalances

In women, hormonal changes from pregnancy, birth control pills, childbirth, hysterectomy or menopause can induce more than usual hair follicles to enter the dormant stage.

3. Harsh Hair Treatments or Styles

Hairstyles that always use rollers, barrettes or rubber bands or pull your hair into taut styles like cornrows can scar and inflamed hair follicles. Wrongly used chemical products like straighteners, dyes, bleaches, or permanent wave solutions can also exacerbate the problem. Based on the extent of damage, the resulting hair loss may be permanent.

4. Injuries, Burns and X-rays

These may trigger a temporary loss of hair. In such situations, normal hair growth typically returns when the injury heals, as long as there’s no scar.

5. Illness or Surgery

Sickness or surgery may cause stress, which can cause the body to suspend nonessential tasks like hair production. Certain conditions can also trigger hair loss, including syphilis, thyroid disorders, lupus, severe infection or iron deficiency. An incurable autoimmune disease known as alopecia areata causes rapid hair loss all over the body.

6. Nutritional Deficits

Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can temporarily make hair follicles stop growing, which may also occur because of inadequate protein, mineral or vitamin intake.

7. Medications and Vitamins

Chemotherapy is a common cause of hair loss. (x) It attacks hair follicles when attempting to get rid of all fast-growing cells all over the body. Other side effects of medications include hair shedding, like some that treat gout and high blood pressure. Excessive amounts of vitamin A can also contribute to hair loss. (x)

8. Aging

Slowed hair growth is a natural consequence of aging. Women rarely go completely bald, but they generally lose hair on the crown or temples. Men tend to go totally bald and lose hair on the temples.

9. After Pregnancy

Hair loss also occurs after your pregnancy because the hormones go back to normal. While pregnant, your body increases the amount of hair on your head because of hormones. The condition happens to about 50% of pregnant women. After the baby is born, your hormones go back to normal with excessive shedding. It’s nothing to worry about but happens within five months of your baby’s delivery. (x)

Living with Hair Loss

It can be devastating to lose your hair. Many people see a healthy mane as a symbol of vitality and youth. So losing your hair — no matter your age — can leave you feeling old and less attractive. It may knock your overall self-esteem.

Keep in mind that it’s alright to feel the way you’re feeling. It’s also fine to find a way to stop or even reverse your hair loss. Loving your hair doesn’t mean you’re conceited. You shouldn’t feel guilty about wanting to sort out your loss of hair.

If you don’t find the proper treatment for your kind of hair loss, it may be wise to try different wigs or hairstyles, hair weaves, hairpieces or synthetic hair replacement.

Hair Loss Treatment

There are many different hair loss treatments out there. Dermatologists recommend treating it right away before you lose a large amount of hair. It’s more difficult to treat hair loss if it is a significant case.

One or a few of these treatments can be part of your hair loss treatment plan:

1. Non-Prescription Treatment 

• Minoxidil

Use this medication on the scalp. It may stop hairs from becoming thinner and induce hair growth on the crown of the head. The FDA approves minoxidil to treat hair loss in men and women. Your dermatologist can combine it with another treatment.

2. Laser Devices

Combs, brushes and other hand-held gadgets that release laser light can encourage hair growth. These gadgets can make hair look younger in some people. Since the FDA classifies these products as medical devices, they don’t undergo the thorough testing that medications go through. The long-term safety and effectiveness of these devices have no known documentation. 

3. Prescription Medicine

• Spironolactone

As a pill, take it once a day to stop the male hormones under the skin that trigger hair loss. Women sometimes take spironolactone to treat pattern hair loss.

• Corticosteroid

If inflammation within your body causes your hair loss, a dermatologist might inject a corticosteroid medication into your scalp to stop the inflammation associated with alopecia areata.

• Finasteride

The FDA approves this medicine to treat hair loss in men. It’s available as a pill and helps slow down hair loss in the majority of men. It helps induce hair re-growth in around 65 percent of men. Finasteride stops the body from producing a male hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that infamously disrupts hair growth. (x)

4. Medical Procedures

The procedure that your dermatologist suggests will depend on the extent of your hair loss. For the best results, your dermatologist might use at least one of these procedures.

5. Scalp Reduction

In this procedure, the surgeon removes the bald scalp and brings the part of the scalp with hair close together to decrease balding. Doctors can perform scalp reduction surgery along with hair transplantation or do each alone.

6. Scalp Expansion

It involves inserting devices below the scalp for 3-4 weeks to stretch out the skin. Doctors perform scalp expansion before scalp reduction to relax the scalp a bit more. Or the doctor performs it exclusively to stretch areas with hair, which decreases balding.

Natural Hair Loss Remedies

You can also quickly improve your hair growth with dietary improvements, lifestyle changes to combat stress and other natural remedies.

Dietary Changes

A nutrient-rich, whole food diet is vital for supporting the healthy growth of hair. There are lots of food options that may help to stave off hair loss, including:

1. Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are one of the main foods loaded with zinc for healthy hair growth. Research also shows that deficiency in zinc corresponds to hair loss and hypothyroidism. (x) Super seeds like hemp, flax and chia seeds contain plenty of healthy fats and fiber that can also help stimulate hair growth.

2. Fish

Wild-caught fish such as salmon contain lots of omega-3 fats, which lowers inflammation while promoting hair growth and thickening.

3. Tea 

Tea helps with detoxification and has antioxidants that support hair growth. It can also stop male hormones from being converted into DHT.

4. Organic Foods 

Organic foods contain no chemicals, so be sure to choose them over “normal” foods. Chemicals can interfere with hair growth.

5. Caffeine 

Caffeine is technically not a food but promotes hair growth. Research shows that caffeine helps hair shafts grow faster by neutralizing the effects of DHT. (x)

6. Reduce Emotional Stress

Emotional stress can cause hair loss. Get adequate sleep and schedule periods of fun and rest into your week. You can also try therapeutic massage as much as possible, as well as other natural ways to relieve stress.

Massage not only helps lower your stress levels but also helps improve your circulation in general, including blood flow to the scalp. Improved blood flow to your scalp helps stimulate hair growth.

7. Remove Dandruff

Removing your dandruff problem can help your hair grow naturally. Dandruff contributes to increased hair loss, so solving any dandruff issues can positively impact your hair growth. (x) Fortunately, there are plenty of effective natural remedies for dandruff. (x)

Supplements for Hair Loss

Take a look at these supplements for hair loss. Talk with your health care provider before starting any new supplement, making sure there are no side effects. While none promise instant results, in time, you may just achieve them. Supplements include:

1. Pure Biotin (Vitamin B7)

This essential nutrient benefits hair, nail and skin health. Take 1 mg daily of pure biotin powder. Use a milligram scale for an accurate measurement.

2. Pure L-Methionine Powder

This amino acid boosts digestive health and has antioxidants that fight off harmful free radicals. Take 500 milligrams of pure L-methionine powder once or twice daily.

3. Pumpkin Seed Extract Powder

This supplement inhibits DHT formation all over the body and has fatty acids that promote thick hair. Take 550 milligrams of pumpkin seed extract powder daily or as instructed by your healthcare provider.

4. Saw Palmetto

A 24-month study found that taking saw palmetto assisted men with pattern baldness to increase their hair growth. (x) The subjects took 320 milligrams of the supplement daily for the entire period of the study. After the study, the subjects experienced hair growth mainly in the back, the vertex, or the top of the scalp. Many men go bald in these areas. Take 500 mg of saw palmetto daily, or according to your doctor’s directions. 

5. Ginkgo Biloba

This antioxidant enhances your focus, mood and overall mental health. Take 175 milligrams of ginkgo biloba up to thrice daily. Never exceed 525 milligrams under any circumstances.

6. Vitamin A and C

Both vitamins A and C contain antioxidant properties. In particular, vitamin A may promote skin health. Take 30 milligrams of vitamin A once daily. As for vitamin C, take 1,000 milligrams a day to benefit from its actual healing effects.

7. Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil helps boost overall cardiovascular health, which is vital for hair growth. Take 1-3 soft gels (1,000-3,000 milligrams) of flaxseed oil daily with food or according to your physician’s instructions. Take lots of water, too.

8. Zinc

Hair loss is one of the symptoms of a lack of zinc. (x) Zinc also supports your gut health and strengthens your immune system. Take 90 milligrams of zinc glycinate powder daily with food or according to your doctor’s directions.

9. Folic Acid

Folic acid helps maintain a healthy nervous, digestive, and immune system. Take 500 micrograms to 1 mg of this supplement daily. Don’t exceed 1 mg under any circumstances.

Where to Buy Supplements for Hair Loss?

You can purchase these supplements to help with your hair loss at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements. 

BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.

Are you interested in trying any of these supplements mentioned in this article as a possible solution to help you with hair loss? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.

The Bottom Line

We all lose hair at an estimated 50-100 hairs daily. If you see lots of thinning or bald patches, you may have hair loss. Many triggers can cause hair loss. People under loads of stress may notice it visibly. Women may lose their hair after giving birth. Some medical treatments and diseases can trigger it as well.

Symptoms of hair loss vary from person to person. However, anyone may notice lots of hair collecting in the drain or hairbrushes. The most common traditional hair loss treatments include oral finasteride, minoxidil, oral or topical steroids and hormones, hair transplants and even surgery. (x)

Making use of some natural remedies and looking after your hair can help increase its growth and thickness. If you’re worried about your hair growth or loss, make sure to talk to a dermatologist.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.