Hair loss is a widespread problem throughout all parts of the world, affecting men and women alike. Women may start to notice significant hair thinning in their 40s and 50s, while men may first notice hair loss as young as their 20s.
There are many causes of hair loss – but there are also many different ways to treat it. Before hair loss can be treated successfully, it’s important to understand what is causing the problem.
Why Am I Losing My Hair?
Some of the most common hair disorders that people experience include the following:
Androgenetic Alopecia
More commonly known as pattern baldness, this refers to genetic (or hereditary) hair loss, accounting for more than 95 percent of cases. It occurs in men and women in somewhat predictable stages, and it has been shown to be more advanced as a person gets older.
Male pattern baldness usually starts at the temples, so the hairline forms an “M” shape. This type of hair loss also leads to baldness at the crown of the head.
Female pattern hair loss typically begins with thinning and slight balding where the hair is parted. This can progress to all-over hair thinning on the head.
Alopecia Areata
Also known as patchy hair loss, this is an immune disorder in which your body attacks your own hair follicles. It results in a sudden loss of hair in small spots around the scalp, face, or other areas of your body.
Alopecia totalis is the scientific name for an advanced form of this disorder, where all the hair on your head is lost. Alopecia universalis refers to the loss of all body hair.
Traction Alopecia
This refers to the loss of hair from constant pulling, which can result from tightly braided hairstyles, weaves, barrettes, and other hair accessories that can put stress on the follicles. It can also occur due to compulsive pulling of the hair due to anxiety, a nervous habit, or an impulse-control disorder.
Telogen Effluvium
A highly stressful experience can trigger temporary hair loss. That’s because the stress induces a high proportion of hair follicles to enter the otherwise-natural telogen (shedding) stage. Fortunately, normal hair growth resumes with the next hair growth cycle.
Anagen Effluvium
This refers to the sudden loss of hairs from follicles which are in the anagen (active or continuously growing) stage. This is a common occurrence in people who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer. This is because the treatment seeks to destroy cells that divide and grow quickly, like cancer cells, but hair cells also tend to divide and grow quickly.
Sudden and significant hair loss over the course of several months or years can also be a side effect of some medications, such as blood thinners, diuretics, acne medicine, and birth control pills.
Hair Shaft Breakage
This occurs when part of a hair breaks off, but the growing end remains in the follicle and continues to grow, resulting in thinner hair. Hair shaft breakage can be caused by excessive hairstyling methods, chemicals in hair treatments (such as coloring, straightening, or perming), overexposure to sunlight, chlorine in swimming pools, or nutritional deficiencies.
Treatment for Hair Disorders in Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma
Diagnosing hair disorders is a complex process requiring a medical consultation with a specially trained physician. That includes taking a personal health history, family health history, examining the condition of the scalp, and assessing the hair loss pattern. Once a proper diagnosis is made, treatment can begin to alleviate symptoms or cure the specific condition.
Dr. Robert Niedbalski and his team here at Northwest Hair Restoration have many effective solutions available, and we will provide a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs.
If you’re tired of watching your hair loss worsen, contact us today by calling us at (253) 572-2949 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to seeing you here!
