Hair loss

Hair loss can have many causes and lead to hairlessness. But what leads to hair loss, and what can stop it? Where are the boundaries between normal and abnormal hair loss? Here is your overview, on what you need to know on the common forms of hair loss.

First: What is hair loss?

A single hair on the pillow, three more in the sink and five in the hairbrush - this is hardly hair loss, instead it is completely normal. Each hair has a limited life span, stops growing, falls out and a new one grows back. And: with increasing age, most people's hair becomes a little thinner.

If more than 100 hairs are lost every day - in children: more than 50 to 80 - over a period of several weeks, or if individual hairless areas develop, then it is appropriate to speak of hair loss. It is all too understandable that it is a great burden on those affected, especially at a young age.

Hair loss can lead to hairlessness. The technical term for this is alopecia or alopecia. The hair loss itself (technical term: effluvium) can be temporary, then the hair grows back on its own. However, if the hair roots have been irrevocably damaged, for example by burns or diseases with scarring hair loss, then no new hair will grow in the affected area.

Hair loss: the most common forms and causes

Hereditary hair loss is the most common hair loss in men and women and affects about two thirds of men and almost every second woman, each with a typical appearance. With a presence of 95 percent in both sexes, it is the most common form of hair loss of all.

Hereditary hair loss in Men

Hereditary hair loss for men can be seen by very typical symptoms: a receding hairline at the temples and/or thin hair on the top of the head. Over time, this can develop into a bald patch on the forehead and back of the head until only a crown of hair remains. The first signs usually appear in young people. As they get older, the hair thinning increases. The earlier the beginning - this is genetically determined - the more pronounced the course.

The underlying causes are: Progressive shrinking of the hair roots, which react hypersensitively to the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT, an androgen) and over teime no longer form strong hair, even with normal hormone levels.

Hereditary hair loss in Women

Usually the symptoms are: Loose hair, especially in the parting area on top of the head. The loose hair can thicken backwards and sideways. But baldness does should not occur. Most people affected only notice a tendency towards finer hair on the top of the head as early as teenage, androgenetic hair loss usually only becomes more noticeable after menopause.

It is still unclear, why women suffer from hereditary hair loss. It is not clear, by why extent the same hormonal dynamics are responsible for hair loss in women as they are in men.

How to treat hair loss?

Hair loss can have many different forms and many different causes. Therefore, it is difficult to suggest a therapy for hair loss. It is best to talk to your General Practitioner before taking steps to combat hair loss.

Hair loss doesn’t need to be caused by age or an underlying illness. Often it is caused by a nutrient deficiency such as iron or vitamin deficiency. Different causes need to be treated differently. One form of hair loss can also overlay another. Therefore, a visit to the doctor is always advisable.

If you worry about your hair loss, you should visit your GP as soon as you can. The earlier the correct diagnosis is made and a therapy is started, the greater the chance of "saving" and maintaining as many hairs as possible. Once the hair roots died, they will not grow back. In such a case, the only remedy would be a hair transplant.

In principle, the motto should be First the diagnosis, then (if necessary) the treatment. Also, there is not one therapy for every hair loss, and not every hair loss needs to be treated. In some cases, the hair also grows back on its own.

Androgenetic alopecia in men is extremely widespread and does not automatically warrant extensive medical examinations. Nevertheless, expert advice can be helpful if a therapy is desired.

How to treat your hair well

With the right care the hair looks better immediately. Here are eight basic tips:

• Shampoo is for cleaning hair and scalp, do not use too much, shampoo only once per wash, and rinse hair well afterwards

• Hair care products should be adapted to hair and scalp

• From time to time the hair is happy about conditioners and cures, so the hair is easier to comb

• Do not rub hair dry after washing, but gently "press dry" and leave it in the towel for a few minutes

• Only blow-dry lukewarm, do not hold the blow-dryer too close to the hair, alternatively let the hair dry in the air

• Protect hair and scalp from UV radiation

• Do not use styling procedures such as bleaching, straightening or perming too often - this can stress the hair and make it more brittle. Hair loss does not usually occur.

• Use brushes with rounded bristles and combs with widely spaced prongs

When do you need a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is necessary, when your hair roots have died. In that case, the hair in the affected areas will never grow back – and a hair transplant is the only remaining option. There are various methods, that you can look into.

A hair transplant works by moving hair follicles from one part of the body to another, usually to the head. In most cases it is used to treat male pattern baldness with great success. It is a minimally invasive procedure with little to no risk.