Find out what could be behind the problem, which affects both men and women, and when it is advisable to consult a specialist doctor
Our hair is constantly increasing and decreasing. To give you an idea, it is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day. However, health problems, lack of nutrients and even stress can directly affect hair health and cause increased hair loss, leading to scalp defects and even the dreaded baldnesswhich affects both men and women. In some cases it may be temporary while in others it requires medical monitoring.
The Einstein Agency has separated the main doubts on the subject and explains everything from the most common reasons to the most worrying ones. Check out below what could be behind the loss, when to worry and what treatments are available.
1. Why does hair fall out every day?
The life cycle of each hair strand has three phases. Most of them are normally in anagen, the growth phase that occurs with the proliferation of cells in the hair follicle. This can take anywhere from two to eight years and is what determines the overall length of the hair.
After this period there is a break in activity and a rest of a few weeks: this is the catagen phase. Finally, in telogen, the hair detaches from the follicle before the cycle begins again. Therefore, there is always hair that grows and others that fall out naturally. However, when some conditions cause a large amount of hair loss, the condition is called alopecia and must be studied.
2. When to worry?
Because hair grows and falls out constantly, it is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. “When in the morning many strands appear on the pillow or a very large tuft comes out when you pull or run your hand over it, or if the person notices that they have lost volume or that their hair is increasingly thin, the scalp is more visible or you notice bald patches, these are signs of concern that we must investigate,” explains the dermatologist Barbara Miguel, of the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital.
Additionally, it is worth paying attention and consulting a doctor if you experience any scalp symptoms, such as lesions, itching, flaking or pain.
3. Are all falls the same?
No, on the contrary. The most common alopecias are the so-called non-scarring alopecias, those in which the hair grows back. And within this group there are different types and causes.
One of the best known is telogen effluvium, when there is a sudden fall, associated with an increase in daily hair loss. “It occurs three or four months after a trigger, because there is a sudden passage of the hair from the anagen to the telogen phase,” explains the dermatologist. It can be acute, for a temporary cause, or chronic, when the hair grows but falls out again, affecting both volume and length.
Androgenetic alopecia, popular baldness, is determined genetically and affects both men and women. It can begin in adolescence or adulthood and, while in men it manifests itself more on the crown and the doors, in women it usually affects the central region of the top of the head.
There is also alopecia areata, which is associated with an autoimmune condition and causes irregular hair loss, leaving large areas bald. It is a chronic disease with unpredictable progression, with periods of improvement and worsening.
Cicatricial alopecia occurs when an inflammatory process in the scalp leads to the death of the hair follicle and the formation of scars. There are several types, but in all cases the loss can be irreversible. Treatment is more difficult and follow-up should be done as soon as possible.
4. Can stress cause hair loss?
Yes. Wear and tear on the body in situations such as loss, bereavement, job changes or some important life moment can lead to temporary hair loss. This is called acute telogen effluvium, when the hair quickly enters the final phase of life and falls out, which will be observed about three to four months after the telogen event. stress. But then they grow back.
5. What diseases or conditions can cause hair loss?
Infectious conditions, such as COVID-19dengue or syphilis, drain the body’s resources and affect hair health. In addition, nutritional deficiencies – such as anemia or low levels of vitamin D – and changes in the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism, may be behind the decline.
Other situations that lead to loss are surgical interventions (especially bariatricwhich involves both surgical stress and nutritional problems), the excessive use of certain drugs, the so-called “beauty chips” and hormonal changes, such as in the postpartum period.
The postmenopausal phase and the aging They also lead to changes in the strands, making the hair thinner and slower to grow.
6. Is it possible to reverse the loss?
It depends on the type of alopecia. In non-scarring cases it is possible, with early diagnosis and adequate treatment; Scars may be irreparable.
Doctors have observed an increase in cases of frontal fibrosing alopecia, characterized by a progressive receding of the frontal hairline, creating the appearance of a higher forehead, which may be associated with loss of eyebrows.
“This disease must be treated as soon as possible, since there is no cure, but we have managed to slow down its progression,” reports Barbara Miguel. Although the cause is not yet known, there may be genetic, immunological, hormonal and external factors behind the phenomenon.
7. Does every fall require treatment?
It depends on the cause. When it’s something temporary, like a stressor or an infectious condition, the hair will return to normal in a few months. “In chronic cases, we need to investigate triggers, including anemia, changes in the thyroid, diseases like syphilis, and even if there’s an autoimmune condition,” the dermatologist explains. “It’s a case-by-case basis.”
In androgenetic alopecia, treatment is lifelong. “The person will be followed up and, depending on the time since diagnosis and progress, they may be able to achieve good hair coverage.”
8. What treatments are recommended?
Treatment depends on the type of alopecia. First, it is necessary to exclude triggering factors to know if it is a self-limited condition, that is, it resolves on its own. Some chronic cases and androgenetic alopecia are treated with topical or oral medications. Other remedies and therapies may also be indicated, such as mesotherapy, laser, hair transplant, among others.
9. Can hair procedures cause hair loss?
Coloring and using heat-generating tools, such as straighteners, do not cause hair loss, but they can cause so-called chemical cutting – sudden hair breakage due to heat or chemicals. “Patients who have undergone procedures such as bleaching or straightening, for example, are at a very high risk of hair breakage,” warns the dermatologist.
10. Does the way you comb and cut your hair affect it?
Hairstyles that are too tight can cause traction alopecia. “Pulling your hair so much can even become irreversible,” notes doctor Einstein. Therefore, he suggests varying your hairstyles and not regularly wearing buns or anything too tight. The lack of cuttings does not affect growth, which is genetically determined and depends on the period of the anagen phase. It simply improves the overall appearance of the yarn.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
