What causes hair loss: causes and treatments. What diseases cause severe hair loss Rapid hair loss

Every hour our head loses a few hairs. Normally, daily loss of up to a hundred pieces is permissible. Hair that has stopped growing leaves its place to give way to new ones. Thus, the cover is constantly renewed without a noticeable loss of density.

When the head vegetation replacement mechanism is disturbed for some reason, a person notices that the hair has begun to fall out strongly, and the hair has thinned noticeably. If the situation is serious, its logical outcome is complete or partial baldness. Whether it is possible to prevent it, and what to do if hair falls out very much, depends on the cause of the pathology. In most cases, hair loss is a reason for a medical examination.

The hairline is an organ that is sensitive to the state of the body. Hair reacts to poor nutrition, diseases, hormones, external influences and stress: from changes in the structure and appearance of the hair to the appearance of visible foci of baldness.

Let's single out the main groups of reasons why hair falls out a lot:

1. Errors in the care of hair and scalp. The use of unsuitable cosmetics, aggressive coloring, frequent drying with a hot hair dryer and other factors negatively affect the hair shafts and roots, disrupt the nutrition and blood circulation of the scalp. Minimizing the negative impact and hair restoration measures help to eliminate increased hair loss, which in this case is more related to cosmetic defects than to ill health. The same group includes exposure to cold, wind, sun - the head must be protected from climatic factors so as not to expose the skin to hypothermia, overheating and harmful ultraviolet radiation.
2. Diseases of the scalp. Dermatitis, seborrhea, fungal infection often lead to weakening of the roots and hair loss.
3. 
   Chronic diseases and unhealthy habits. Poor blood supply to the bulbs is the result of vasospasm that occurs both for objective reasons, for example, due to cardiovascular pathology, osteochondrosis, and as a result of smoking, caffeine and alcohol abuse.
4. Weakened immunity. Long-term illnesses, taking antibiotics, disturbed intestinal microflora are not the best way to affect the condition of the hair.
5. Deficiency of vitamins and microelements. The main reason for this condition is malnutrition, diets, seasonal beriberi.
6. Physiological reasons. Active hair loss can occur due to natural causes. In particular, in women, fluctuations in the hormonal background associated with pregnancy, taking oral contraceptives first lead to an increase in the density of hair, and then to “molt” against the background of the so-called withdrawal effect. So, at the time of bearing a child, female hormones slow down the development of follicles, delaying them in the growth phase. Hair falls out strongly after childbirth, when the action of estrogens returns to normal, and all the hair that has not fallen out begins to “crumble” with a vengeance. Contraceptive hormones work on a similar principle.
7. 
   Hormonal disorders. Unlike natural hormonal fluctuations, endocrine pathologies are not the norm, and baldness caused by one of these diseases can be irreversible. Problems with the thyroid gland, an imbalance of sex hormones in both men and women contribute to thinning hair. Hair falls out strongly in a woman with hyperandrogenism, in a strong half of humanity, the male hormone dihydrotestosterone is also the culprit of alopecia. In hormonal alopecia, a large role belongs to the hereditary factor.
8. medicinal effect. A number of drugs cause a negative reaction of the body, from allergic to toxic, resulting in damage to the hair follicles. Antihypertensive drugs, antidepressants, chemotherapeutic substances have a strong effect on the follicles.
9. Anemia. Pathological lack of iron in the body is accompanied by low hemoglobin, weakness, increased fatigue and drowsiness. Outwardly, this disease is expressed by dull, pale skin and sparse hair.
10. Stress. Chronic stress is one of the factors of spasm of the vessels of the head and poor nutrition of the follicles.

What to do if hair falls out a lot?

Treatment for baldness is aimed at 2 goals: stop hair loss and activate hairline restoration. To solve these problems, first of all, it is necessary to determine the cause of alopecia. In addition to a trichologist (dermatologist), it is necessary to be examined by a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist and other specialists according to indications. In some cases it is required:

• correction of the hormonal background - with endocrine disorders, menopause in women;
• the use of medications (for example, antifungal drugs);
• other specific treatment that only a doctor can prescribe.

Pharmacology against baldness

Today, there are quite serious drugs against alopecia, the use of which is justified only in difficult situations:

1. Minoxidil is a topical steroid for men and women. Stops age-related and hormonal hair loss, slowing down their life cycle, as a result of systematic rubbing into the scalp for six months or longer. Sold in two versions - 2 and 5% of the active ingredient. After discontinuation, a withdrawal effect follows.
2. Spironolactone is an effective drug for the treatment of female alopecia during menopause. The first results appear after a few weeks from the start of treatment. The drug has a number of serious side effects, including teratogenicity, so it is prohibited for use by women of reproductive age. Sold by prescription only.
3. Propecia (Finasteride) is an expensive pill for the treatment of male pattern baldness. It stops hair loss and promotes the growth of the cover on the head, but at the same time it negatively affects the sexual function of a man. Reduces the production of dihydrotestosterone - the male sex hormone responsible for the reduction of active hair follicles. It is used in combination with Minoxidil.
4. Cimetidine - a drug with the effect of blocking histamine in the body, is prescribed for women with androgenic alopecia, since it has an antiandrogenic effect.
5. Oral contraceptives are a series of pills that help normalize hormonal levels in women. Reduces the production of male sex hormones in the ovaries and increases the blood levels of estrogens, which helps to stop hair loss associated with excess androgens. They are prescribed by a gynecologist, the most common pills from this group are Zhanin, Yarina, Diane-35.
6. Hormone replacement therapy is a course of treatment with steroid drugs intended for menopausal women. Replenish the estrogen deficiency in the body, fight the manifestations of menopause, including hair loss.

Reviews of doctors about the treatment of severe hair loss with hormonal drugs indicate the lack of effectiveness of this method, since there is a high risk of serious side effects and continued baldness when the course of therapy is stopped.

vitamin therapy

Taking vitamins is a prerequisite for the effective treatment of alopecia. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals in itself can provoke increased hair loss. If hypovitaminosis is the main cause of the disease, vitamin therapy can stop thinning and strengthen hair follicles.

In other types of baldness, saturating the body with the necessary substances is just as important. Since nutrition is not able to quickly and effectively compensate for the deficiency, vitamins are used in a medicinal form - in the form of tablets and injections:

• A, F and B5 help strengthen the hair roots;
• B1 - helps to resist stress;
• B2 - restores damaged follicles;
• B3 and B6 - improve metabolic processes in the scalp;
• biotin - activates hair growth;
• B8 - helps the absorption of other vitamins;
• B9, E - accelerate cell renewal;
• B12 - enriches hair roots with oxygen;
• C - strengthens the immune system.

It is possible to take complex preparations and bioactive additives designed specifically for hair density:

1. INNEOV - the ingredients that make up the dietary supplement prevent hair loss, activate dormant follicles. Contains taurine and other substances beneficial for hair.
2. Hair expert - a line of products from the company Evalar based on keratin, yeast and vitamins. Stimulates hair growth.
3. Pantovigar - treats baldness by strengthening the bulbs. In the composition - yeast, vitamins, minerals, keratin.
4. Revalid is a multivitamin complex that has a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair.

Transplantation is a radical treatment for baldness. It is used in cases of irreversible alopecia, mainly in men, but can also be shown to ladies. The procedure consists in obtaining material from the area with preserved hair (occiput, beard) and implanting it in the area of ​​baldness.

The operation is long and expensive, but effective. There are other methods of surgical treatment of baldness - patchwork, removal of bald spots, but they are more traumatic and limited to a small number of indications.

With hair loss, regular procedures are recommended to activate the blood supply to the hair follicles. In order for the follicles to receive oxygen and nutrition in sufficient volume, it is necessary to improve microcirculation in the scalp with the help of massage, physiotherapy and salon procedures:

• frequent combing with a massage brush;
• self-massage of the scalp with fingers dipped in burdock, castor, almond and other oils;
• the use of a laser comb that acts with light beams directly on the hair follicles;
• ozone therapy - deep oxygenation of the scalp and follicles;
• cryotherapy - activation of the activity of follicles due to shock exposure to low temperatures;
• : hyaluronic acid, vitamins, vasodilators, antioxidants, etc.;
• plasmolifting - the introduction of altered plasma into the scalp, which leads to the enrichment and purification of the bloodstream;
• iontophoresis - delivery of medicinal substances to the deep layers of the skin by exposure to a weak current;
• myostimulation - "charging" for the skin and muscles of the head with low-pulse currents to restore their tone, enhance microcirculation and improve metabolic processes.

Folk methods are an effective weapon in the fight against severe hair loss. Their main secret is the regularity and systematic use, the ability to use at home. Trichologists also approve of alternative treatment if the patient has previously been examined and consulted with a doctor.

• After washing, it is better to rinse your head not with water, but with herbal infusions. St. John's wort, sage, nettle, burdock root, marigold, immortelle and other plants are famous for their strengthening properties.
• Regular application of oils helps to moisturize and nourish the scalp, eliminates flaking, restores damage. Burdock, castor, jojoba and other oils have a positive effect on the hair if they are rubbed into the roots in a heated form and left as a compress for several hours or overnight. It is better to wrap your head with a warm hat over polyethylene.

• Aromatherapy has a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair and scalp. A few drops of essential oil added to a comb or hair mask help strengthen the bulbs and prevent hair loss. Ylang-ylang, rosemary, mint, petit grain, lavender, etc. are suitable for these purposes.
• Indian natural dyes and Ayurvedic powders (henna, basma, brahmi, amla) strengthen hair well. These products can dry out hair, so it is better to apply them only to the roots.
• With strong hair loss, numerous masks, shampoos, and lotions prepared with your own hands from homemade and herbal ingredients help to fight. Their meaning is in restoring blood circulation in the scalp, in enhanced nutrition and strengthening of the roots.

Mask recipes for severe hair loss

Hair masks have a dual effect: therapeutic and cosmetic. Regular treatment with nutrients stops hair loss, makes the hair thicker, stronger, shiny, and gives it a healthy look.

For the greatest effect, the mask should be applied to a clean head, rubbed into the roots with massage movements and left under the film and insulation for a long time, from half an hour to the whole night. The course consists of 8-10 or more procedures every 2-3 days.

So the recipes:

• Grate the head of the onion and squeeze out the juice. Add 1 tbsp. l. castor oil, 1 tsp. liquid honey, cognac, calendula in alcohol, beat in the yolk. Mix well, apply to hair. If the onion smell bothers you, rinse with acidic water and lemon juice. Onion activates blood circulation in the scalp.
• Yeast mask. A bar of pressed yeast (50 gr.) Dilute with warm water to a state of thick sour cream, leave for 30 minutes. Then pour in a small spoonful of honey, the same amount of cognac and yolk. This mask saturates the skin with B vitamins, helps to strengthen the roots.

• Keep a fresh leaf of aloe in the refrigerator for a day, squeeze out the juice, mix with castor and burdock oils, honey - all 1 tbsp. l.
• Cognac mask. Add 1 tsp to a tablespoon of an alcoholic drink. honey and yolk. Rinse without shampoo, rinse with lemon water. The mask nourishes the scalp and activates microcirculation.
• Mustard mask. Dilute 2 tbsp. l. mustard powder with boiling water, stir until the consistency of sour cream, add butter, egg yolk, honey. Apply to the hair roots and hold until the burning sensation is tolerable. A mustard mask is one of the best remedies for activating hair growth, it helps to cope with very strong hair loss and restore the density of hair. The tool warms the skin, irritates the nerve endings, causes a powerful rush of blood to the follicles.

Baldness prevention

To prevent early baldness, you should pay attention to the amount of hair falling out and the appearance of the hairstyle. If visible changes occur, it is necessary to identify their cause and try to stop thinning. It is better to do this together with the doctor, but a lot depends on the patient himself:

1. Take care of your hair and take good care of it. Use suitable shampoos, avoid aggressive coloring and drying.
2. Do not overtighten your hair, do not make tight hairstyles.
3. Take vitamins.
4. Eat well, don't go on a strict diet.
5. Try to wash your hair no more than once every 2 days for oily skin types and even less often for dry ones.
6. For washing, use water at a temperature of 36 - 42 degrees. The fatter the hair, the cooler the water.
7. Consult a doctor in a timely manner for the treatment of chronic diseases, do not treat yourself with antibiotics, regularly take tests for hormonal levels.
8. With the onset of loss, do not start treatment with strong medications. Try to strengthen your hair with folk recipes.

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Everything in our body is interconnected. And if our hair began to fall out, first of all we need to find the cause.

website found the most common causes of hair problems and shares them with you.

1. Thyroid problems

2. Strict diets

How to be?

Do not forget about a good rest, find your own way of relaxation. And if emotional problems do not go away on their own, contact professional psychologists.

4. Improper care

Why?

Inappropriate hair products, frequent use of hair dryers, flat irons and flat irons can exacerbate an existing problem by physically injuring the hair.

How to be?

Try to limit your use of hair dryers, curling irons, and chemicals, and consult with professionals about which care and styling products are right for you. By the way, despite numerous speeches about the dangers of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), its effect on hair loss has not been proven. On the contrary, modern research insists that sulfates are not involved in hair loss.

5. Medications

Why?

Some high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, etc. have the side effect of causing hair loss. After taking the drugs, the hairline is restored, but you cannot interrupt the course of treatment on your own.

How to be?

Contact your doctor for advice.

6. Anemia

Why?

The cause of hair loss may be hidden in a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins. It is especially important to restore the deficiency of vitamin C, which helps to absorb iron and stimulates the production of collagen (it strengthens the capillaries that nourish the hair). Also, with a deficiency of vitamin B, the hair becomes brittle and brittle. Vitamin B is abundant in whole grains, eggs, yeast and liver.

How to be?

Eat a varied diet and include foods rich in vitamins C, B and other beneficial micronutrients. Also, after consulting with a therapist, purchase a complex of vitamins.

8. Temperature change

Why?

A sudden change in temperature can be one of the factors for hair loss. Winter hypothermia and exposure to ultraviolet radiation in summer thin the hair.

How to be?

Wear a hat depending on the season. If you go to the sauna, cover your hair too.

9. Hereditary baldness

Hair loss is one of the problems that people often face. It is equally characteristic of men and women of all ages. Hair loss can have different causes:

• stressful situations;
• heredity;
• illness;
• rigid diets;
• chemotherapy procedures;
• nervous exhaustion;
• major surgeries, etc.

Hair loss is a natural and physiological phenomenon. Therefore, you should not wonder why the hair on your head falls out and worry if a small bunch remains on the comb. It is considered normal if 50-100 hairs fall from the head daily.

If hair loss is intense, the hairline thins quickly, and this is noticeable after washing, combing, it is worth seeing a trichologist. After the examination and examination of the tests, the doctor will determine why the hair on the head falls out and recommend treatment.

natural fallout

Natural hair loss is common to all people. It is present in both adults and children. At the same time, men have more severe hair loss, and this is the norm, taking into account the physiological characteristics of the male body. Male hair growth averages 25 cm per year.

Women are characterized by less abundant hair loss during the day, however, unlike men, the fair sex can quickly grow hair of the desired length, since the annual growth to the existing length can reach up to 12-70 cm (taking into account the type, health of the hair, proper care).

The average amount of hair on the scalp is:

• blond hair -90-100 thousand;
• red hair - up to 60 thousand;
• black hair - 70 thousand.

The density of curls depends on the thickness of the hair shaft. Long hair falls out less intensively.

Pathological prolapse

Every person who regularly cares for hair, monitors the health of the hairline and its density, quickly discovers an atypical condition, namely excessive thinning. Why does hair fall out? The causes of hair loss are as follows:

• heredity - hair loss is typical for men and is called androgenetic alopecia.
• external, physiological factors. Many people believe that baldness is inherited exclusively, which is why many questions arise as to why hair falls out. The condition of the hairline depends on many factors that can contribute to hair loss, such as protein deficiency, stressful conditions, toxin poisoning, illness, chemotherapy treatments, hormonal imbalance.
• Injuries or previous surgeries.

Hereditary and other forms of alopecia

Hair loss due to hereditary causes is typical mainly for men. The first symptoms may appear as early as 14-16 years of age. The sign of hair loss is passed from mother to son. Therefore, if her brothers and father have sparse hair on the mother’s side, then the boy’s hair will most likely also thin out very quickly.

The second reason why hair began to fall out may be hidden in the presence of such a pathology as focal alopecia. This disease is inherent in both men and women. In humans, hair falls out in local areas, as a result of which “nests” appear on the head without hairline. You can stop such hair loss if you start treatment on time, and after six months the hair will begin to recover. If within 2 years the existing foci do not overgrow, but new ones do not appear, then they can be closed by resorting to hair transplantation.

Also, often patients are worried about why hair falls out all over the head, and not in some areas. This is diffuse alopecia, when the hairline thins evenly. In some cases, you can do without treatment. With scarring alopecia, the hair disappears in a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin, where scar tissue has formed after injuries or operations - this is the most common opinion. In fact, there are many more causes of scarring alopecia. An appeal to a trichologist will allow you to establish the cause and eliminate it. But in any case, only a transplant will help restore hairline after cicatricial alopecia.

Diseases that can cause hair loss

To find out why a lot of hair falls out, you should see a trichologist who will conduct a full examination. It is often found that the causes of hair loss in a girl or a man can be associated with diseases:

• stress is a negative condition in which physiological well-being is disturbed, and hair loss is also activated. If the stress is constant, the hairline can become very thin with the formation of obvious bald spots;
• endocrine diseases - often in many patients who want to know why hair falls out what to do, the reasons are hidden in hormonal imbalances caused by the pathological state of the endocrine system. It is enough to undergo a full treatment and you can restore the natural density of the hairline;
• dysbacteriosis - a pathological condition of the intestine caused by the reproduction of negative microflora that interferes with normal digestion, the absorption of nutrients, and timely metabolism;
• seborrheic dermatitis is a fungal infection of the skin that looks like dandruff. It can develop with reduced immunity, as a result of stress;
• circulatory problems - they are typical for people with heart vascular diseases, and for coffee lovers, patients who are concerned about osteochondrosis.

Also, the reason why the hair began to fall out strongly can be: diabetes, colds, major operations, chemotherapy procedures.

Hair loss with bulb

Often patients are worried about why hair falls out after masks. Why a girl's hair falls out can be found out from a trichologist or after a comprehensive analysis of how the scalp is cared for.

Why does hair fall out with a bulb? The main factor lies in the aggressive chemical effect on the scalp. For example, frequent dyeing, perms, with the use of chemicals lead to this result. If hair loss with bulbs is not associated with this, the following can lead to a similar condition:

• imbalance of hormones;
• oncology;
• menopause;
• the beginning of an intimate life (which often explains why hair falls out in adolescents);
• psychological herbs;
• taking medications;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, blood, thyroid gland;
• skin fungus.

If it is established why hair falls out strongly and often, then you need to undergo a full treatment of the underlying problem.

Profuse thinning hair

Why hair falls out, the reasons for this are different. More often, if the patient is concerned about why the hair began to fall out abruptly, this is due to the presence of severe stress, serious physiological problems.

Do not be surprised why hair falls out when washing, and if you do not eat right. In order for the hairline to be thick and healthy, a variety of foods must be present in the daily diet to ensure the supply of vitamins and nutrients to the body. If a person adheres to a strict diet, a deficiency of useful elements gradually forms, the hair follicles weaken, the hair becomes thinner and falls out. As a result, the question arises: why does the hair on the head fall out?

At the same time, in order to get rid of the problem, it is necessary not only to use specialized shampoos and masks, but also to put the diet in order. Only then can the density of the hairline be restored, while simultaneously removing the main factor why hair falls out after masks (incorrectly selected care products can also lead to this condition).

Hair loss in certain areas

Why does baldness appear on the head? Among the causes are heredity and external, physiological problems. If there are no bald men in the family, the reason why the hair on the head falls out may be a pathology of a nervous nature. From strong experiences, hair often begins to climb strongly in “tufts”, and as a result, excessive thinning of the hairline may occur.

If there are no visible reasons why the hair began to fall out abruptly, you should see a trichologist, a therapist who will prescribe an examination by narrow specialists. Only a comprehensive study of the body will help determine why the hair began to fall out sharply, and prescribe a full-fledged treatment.

If everything is normal with a nervous state, but the hair is thinning, oncology, gynecological pathologies can affect this. Often the reason why the hair began to fall out is: AIDS, gonorrhea, STDs, etc. After the doctor establishes why the hair is thinning and falling out, you should undergo a complete treatment of the underlying problem.

male hair loss

Why does baldness appear in men? There are quite understandable explanations for this phenomenon:

• hormonal disruptions;
• age;
• bad habits - smoking, alcohol;
• overtime work;
• malnutrition;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, fungal, infectious pathologies, etc.;
• rigid diets;
• heredity;
• vitamin deficiency.

To stop baldness, you need to find out why hair falls out so much. Only a medical examination can help with this.

female hair loss

Women are often worried about why hair falls out on their heads, because luxurious curls are one of the main advantages of the fair sex. Why hair is thin and falling out:

• improper care - blow-drying, frequent shampooing, perms, permanent coloring, highlighting, extensions, etc .;
• skin fungus;
• oncology;
• vitamin deficiency is one of the reasons why hair falls out in the fall;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, weakened immunity;
• stress;
• bad ecology;
• menopause, childbirth, etc.

If a woman notices a strong thinning of the hairline, it is not enough just to find out why hair falls out in the fall. You need to undergo treatment to restore the natural density and attractiveness of the curls.

Hair loss in children

Why does a child's hair fall out? One of the questions that often worries parents. The problem of falling out is typical for people of all ages, including children. To find out why the girl's hair falls out, you need to see a doctor. Perhaps the reason is in tight hairstyles, and maybe in a serious pathology.

After the examination, it will be precisely established why the hair falls out in children, and it will be possible to proceed to a full-fledged treatment. The main factors leading to thinning of the hairline can be:

• hair shaft injury;
• skin fungus;
• internal illnesses;
• ringworm;
• nervous state.

Why a child’s hair falls out, you must definitely find out in order to stop the pathological process and restore the natural appearance and density of the hairline.

Long, short, voluminous, shiny - for most women, hair is much more than a bundle of fibers.

It is an expression of their style and personality. Research also confirms that hair and self-esteem are closely intertwined. If even a rare "bad hair day" can make a woman feel bad, hair loss can be a horrific sight she faces every morning in front of the mirror.

The notion that thinning hair is a problem for men is wrong. 40% of people who experience temporary or long-term hair loss are women. In some of them, the hair thins evenly, while in others it falls out of the central part. The third develops a clear baldness at the top of the head. Unlike men, women rarely develop a receding front hairline (bald patches).

On average, the scalp has 100,000 hairs. Each follicle gives rise to one hair, which grows at a rate of 1.3 cm per month. After growing for 2-6 years, the hair remains dormant for a while and then falls out. These are soon replaced by new hairs and the cycle begins again. At any given time, 85% of the hairs are growing and the rest are dormant.

Because resting hair falls out regularly, most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. You can usually find a few in your hairbrush or on your clothes. Abnormal hair loss can occur in several ways. You may notice impressive shedding in whole strands while washing or styling. Or your hair is thinning slowly over a long period of time. If you are worried about changes in the condition of your hair, check with your doctor.

Hair loss in women can be caused by about 30 different medical conditions, as well as certain lifestyle factors. Sometimes no specific cause can be found. As a starting point, hair loss experts recommend getting tested for thyroid problems and hormonal imbalances. In most cases, the hair will grow back once the cause is corrected.

The Savin Scale is a widely used measurement that ranges from normal hair density to crown baldness (which is very rare). It is useful in documenting the pattern of female pattern baldness, which affects an estimated 30 million American women. Experts believe that heredity and aging play a role in the development of androgenetic alopecia, along with hormonal changes during menopause. Hair can thin out over the entire area of ​​the scalp, and the most pronounced loss is observed along the central part. Bald patches are rare in women.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate many processes throughout the body. If the gland produces too little or too much hormones, the hair growth cycle can be disrupted. But hair loss is rarely the only symptom of a thyroid problem. Other symptoms include weight gain or loss, very dry skin or eczema, increased sensitivity to cold or heat, and changes in heart rate.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have chronic hormonal imbalances. The body produces higher levels of androgens than necessary. This often causes excess hair growth on the face and body, while thinning hair on the scalp. Polycystic ovary syndrome can also lead to problems with ovulation, acne, and weight gain. But sometimes thinning hair is the only visible sign.

Alopecia areata causes hair to fall out in spectacular patches. The cause is the body's own immune system, which mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles. In most cases, damage is not permanent. In areas that have fallen out, hair usually grows back within 6 months to a year. In rare cases, people can lose all their hair on their head and body.

When ringworm affects the scalp, the fungus causes hair loss of a special nature - itchy, round patches of baldness occur. These areas may become flaky and red. Ringworm of the scalp is treated with antifungal agents. The fungus spreads easily through direct contact, so family members should also be checked for symptoms.

Some women may notice that their hair appears thicker during pregnancy. This is due to the high levels of hormones that keep dormant hair from falling out. But it can't last forever. After the baby is born, when hormone levels return to normal, this hair falls out quickly. This can lead to severe hair loss in a short period of time. It can take up to two years for hair to return to normal.

A little-known side effect of birth control pills is potential hair loss. Hormones that suppress ovulation can cause hair thinning in some women, especially those with a family history of hair loss. Sometimes hair loss starts after you stop taking birth control. Other medicines associated with hair loss include blood thinners, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and depression.

When following extreme diets, you can lose more than just weight. People may notice hair loss after 3-6 months of weight loss of more than 7 kg, but they should grow back with a healthy diet. Be prepared for some degree of hair loss if your diet contains too little protein or too much vitamin A.

This is not a myth: tight braids or ponytails can irritate the scalp and cause hair loss. The same is true for using tight curlers. Let your hair down and it will usually grow back. Remember that long-term use of such hairstyles can lead to scarring of the scalp and permanent hair loss.

Hair loss is a notorious side effect of two cancer treatments, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Both of these treatments can damage the hair follicles, causing sudden hair loss. But this damage is almost always short-lived. Once the treatment is over, the hair will usually grow back.

Extreme physical or emotional stress can cause half to two thirds of the hair on your head to fall out suddenly.

Examples of stress include:

• Serious illness or major surgery
• Injury with blood loss
• Severe emotional trauma

Hair loss can last 6-8 months.

Minoxidil 5% (Rogaine) is approved for the treatment of female pattern hair loss. Taking this drug once a day can slow or stop hair loss in most women and can help it grow back in a quarter of those who use it. Useful properties of this tool are lost after the termination of its use. For women with alopecia areata, corticosteroids can help regrow hair. And if you have any medical condition that causes hair loss, it will grow back on its own once the condition is under control.

Devices that emit low energy laser light can stimulate hair growth to help with hair loss. They are used in some clinics and as handheld devices for home use. At least one device has received FDA approval for use in men and women, based on a small study that showed efficacy in some of the people who used it. It takes 2-4 months to see results. The safety and efficacy of long-term use of laser devices is unknown.

This procedure consists in transferring hair to the scalp from donor areas. The problem is that female-pattern hair loss causes hair thinning over the entire surface, so the number of good donor areas is limited. The exception is women with male pattern baldness or hair loss caused by scarring.

A quick internet search can turn up dozens of products designed to stop hair loss and regrow hair. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if the before and after photos of these products have been tampered with. To evaluate these treatments, you may want to consult a dermatologist.

Ask your stylist to give you some advice - short hair or, on the other hand, gentle curls. Styling products for sparse hair can help hide hair loss. You apply it to the roots of your hair and blow-dry it gently to create volume (let your hair partially air-dry before blow-drying). Special cosmetics can camouflage visible areas of the scalp. Maybe you should try keratin fibers. They are sprayed over an area with thinning hair, where their static charge makes the hair look thicker.

Adapting to permanent hair loss is challenging for most women. If areas of thinning hair are very visible, braid them, wear a chignon, scarf, or hat to hide them. Good quality wigs are very comfortable and don't have bad days. If your hair loss is interfering with your work or social life and making you reluctant to leave the house, consider seeing a psychologist.

Dear visitors of the site Farmamir. This article is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a physician.

Trichologist Vladislav Tkachev told in an interview with Yulia when it's time to run to the doctor if your hair is falling out

Vladislav Tkachev is a leading trichologist of the DSD de Luxe brand, a dermatologist, candidate of medical sciences, vice president of the Scientific and Practical Society of Trichology, head of the RUDN University medical trichology course, lecturer at the International Association of Trichologists and developer of the TrichoSciencePro diagnostic program. We talked with him about what types of prolapse generally exist, what are their causes and how to distinguish whether you got an appointment with a good specialist or not.

- First question. How to understand when you just need to drink and rub it into the scalp, and when is it time to run to the trichologist?

- If the loss began acutely, for no apparent reason, while the hair falls out diffusely (evenly) all over the head, then in 90% of cases this is temporary and will pass by itself. An acute onset indicates that the prolapse is not caused by a chronic deficiency or disease, but by the action of some acute factor - for example, you have been ill with a high fever, used some kind of strong medicine. The impact has already subsided, and after three to four months the hair begins to fall out.
So the first thing to do is remember what happened 3-4 months ago. And if you remember such a factor, then that's it, there is nothing to treat here. The person is already healthy, and these are just consequences. And after another three or four months, everything will pass by itself, you don’t have to worry.

If the loss began acutely, while the hair falls out evenly throughout the head, then in 90% of cases this is temporary and will go away on its own.

"So what, do nothing?"

- Therapeutic measures in such a situation will be ineffective. Do not fuss, do not panic, calmly wait. Rubbing cosmetics here will not have an effect. But their use can help the newly growing hair in place of the fallen out feel good, not be thinned.

- That is, all the drugs that we see on sale - shampoos, rubbing, masks - this is more ...

“It's more for complacency. This is the "gastronomic" phase of treatment - this also includes rubbing all sorts of kitchen products: honey, cognac, eggs, salt.

The main task of the trichologist is to understand whether new hair of normal size grows in place of the fallen hair, or whether there is a progressive thinning of the hair: this is already a problem.

When is it time to see a trichologist

- But if the loss is acute and foci of baldness begin to form, then you need to go to the doctor. The second factor is if the fallout is too intense, when no matter how you take it, everything remains in your hands. Then, too, you don’t have to wait for anything, you need to go to the doctor. Or the process of loss already exceeds 3-4 months.

In this case, it is necessary to start with a diagnosis by a trichologist. Its main task is understand if hair loss is reactive, diffuse(that is, in place of the fallen hair, hair of normal diameter grows); then it is not a serious problem. Either progressive hair thinning- that is, in place of the fallen hair, hair grows thinner than the previous ones. This already requires serious attention. Next, you need to look for the cause.

In 90% of cases, it's all about male hormones.

There are more than 200 reasons for hair loss. And in the first place in chronic hair loss, the leader is androgenetic alopecia (AGA) - in 9 cases out of 10. The bottom line is that hair follicles are too sensitive to the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone. At the same time, deviations in the work of internal organs may not be detected, because the process is autonomous, does not depend on anything.

— One of the trichologists I went to thought that AGA is one of the signs of aging.

- You can say so, because this process appears only with age: AHA does not happen, for example, before puberty. But there is also a counterargument: I meet AHA as early as 11 years old, especially in girls, because they have earlier puberty than boys. And here aging does not fit in any way.

In any case, AGA appears at or after puberty. Therefore, it should be associated rather with the appearance of male hormones in the body. It progresses with age, of course.

At the same time, in 9 cases of AGA out of 10, there are no hormonal disorders in the body. But still, they occur in 10% of women. They may have excessive levels of male hormones as part of polycystic ovaries or adrenal hyperandrogenism, etc. It also works with skin with acne and seborrhea, the mechanism is very similar, different targets of attack: in one case - the hair follicle, in the other - sebaceous gland.

Androgenetic alopecia is not a disease

If we look at androgenetic alopecia from the point of view of biology, then this is not a disease.

- Why?

- Because it does not cause any deviations. The body does not think that it is not working properly. You think so.

Look at the leadership of the country - since Alexander III, every second is bald. This is a widely known fact - for more than two hundred years, bald and non-bald leaders of the country have alternated. Starting with the king and through the general secretaries to the president.

- And why?

“No one knows. Russian paradox. But what he is talking about is that 50% of men have baldness by their middle years (women have the same statistics, they just don’t have obvious baldness, but there is thinning hair). And there is no relationship: sick people with wonderful hair die, healthy people go bald.

That's why it's not a disease. Therefore, AHA is only a reaction of the interaction of hair with a normal level of hormones. God sent this sensitivity to someone. When we treat androgenetic alopecia, we are essentially fighting nature, not some disease.

Other causes of hair loss

The second most common factor causing hair problems: chronic stress, depression, neuroses. The hair follicle has a direct relationship with the central nervous system. The hair is all innervated. Everything that is in the head is reflected in the hair. The detailed mechanisms for this have already been more or less described.

The next reason is endocrine diseases not associated with hyperandrogenism; such as hypothyroidism. Excess insulin and insulin resistance.

Scarce Factors: deficiency of protein, amino acids, zinc, iron. Often have to treat iron deficiency. Although here we must understand that sometimes people die of hunger, but with quite good hair. This suggests that the hair is well adapted to deficient conditions, well compensated. Therefore, a deficiency of something in the body is not the cause of baldness, but the cause of the deterioration of the hair structure, their thinning.

There are, of course, much more rare conditions that cause hair loss, such as celiac disease, when a person does not absorb gluten protein well. There are many such rare conditions.

Seasonal factors- a common cause of hair loss, the peaks occur in the spring and - the largest - in the fall.

What causes children's hair to fall out?

- The first reason is a congenital anomaly, these are genetic diseases of the hair. This is a fairly large group of patients with little prospect of cure. Another part of newborns in the second or third month begins to lose hair on the back of the head - this is a natural process. Children aged five years and older have a tendency to pull out their hair, this is called trichotillomania. And the most common cause of real baldness in children is alopecia areata. This is an autoimmune disease in which hair falls out in foci not only on the head, but throughout the body. A malfunction in the interaction of the immune system with the hair, when the immune system attacks its own hair. The problem is serious, it also happens in adults, it requires serious analysis and treatment.

Thus, when the diagnosis is not AGA, prolapse can be: in newborns, after childbirth in women, in the post-pubertal period, for toxic, drug reasons, after acute factors that go away on their own as a result of stress, and due to a number of endocrine diseases and deficient conditions.

And another big group - cicatricial alopecia. It's quite difficult. Hair falls out in patches in patients, but an irreversible process of follicle death occurs. But this is rare. And it's just about stopping the progression.

Have you been in the hands of a specialist?

— How to understand if your trichologist is a good specialist? Are there any professional associations?

- There are professional associations, but any doctor can join them, so this is not a guarantee. There is an international association of trichologists IAT: to join it, you need to pass exams. But in Russia it is not very common, because you need to spend 5,000 dollars on it. Another association is the European EHRS, the Hair Research Society. You just have to pay fees. It is also not a guarantee that a specialist is good, but at least it says that a person is really interested in trichology, reads international studies.

There is nothing wrong when a doctor has a line that he most often recommends. We cannot know all the thousands of funds on the market.

- What then to focus on the signs in communication at the reception?

– The trichologist must be proficient in the methods of trichoscopy ( when, with the help of a special video camera with multiple magnification, they examine the scalp, take pictures and evaluate various hair parameters on a computer - Approx. ed.), and not just show-see, but also tell the patient what he sees.

Bad tone - when a trichologist pulls out a couple of hairs, looks at them under a microscope and says that you have fat around the bulbs, this fat blocks the nutrition of the hair, it needs to be cleaned and then everything will be fine. It's not, and it's bad technology.

- That is, pulling out hair is an alarming factor?

- Hair plucking is necessary in some situations - when it is necessary to distinguish anagen alopecia (rapidly progressing). In this state, the hair falls out while still alive, they have not had time to go into the telogen phase. For this, you need to pull out the falling hair and look at the bulb; it will be clear in which phase the hair falls out.

- That is, it fell out, not torn out?

- I had a trichologist who pulled out my hair and said that I have beautiful roots.

- Not entirely correct. The fact is that everyone who does not have problems with hair has up to 20% thinning hair on their heads. I can pull out the thinning hair and say, "Look, what a problem," or I can pull out the healthy hair and say, "Look, how good." Therefore, for several hairs, it is impossible to evaluate something in this way; then you need to pull out 30 pieces of hair or more. What usually no one does - and it is not necessary. We see much more with a trichoscope. There, the percentage of thinning hair is obvious, as well as all the parameters associated with the diameters of the hair. If this is not enough, the trichologist makes a phototrichogram.

— How else to distinguish a good doctor?

— A normal doctor, in my opinion, can't work without camera - it should be on his desk ( photograph parting and bald patches, tracking changes in their size and width from appointment to appointment - approx. ed.). This allows you to track the dynamics. The same can be done on phototrichograms, but also on photographs. For me, a camera is more important than a phototrichogram.

The next step - a good trichologist should send you for tests. At a minimum, thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, and other deficiencies should not be overlooked, because even if the diagnosis is AGA, these factors may be present and worsen the condition of the hair.

In my opinion, trichologist should understand endocrinology issues at that level, so as not to prescribe unnecessary tests, but also not to miss situations when they are needed. And to understand who should be referred to an endocrinologist, and who should not. After all, according to statistics, we have about 10% of patients who need to consult an endocrinologist. So it's important to know at least the basics.

The doctor must know the basics of gynecological endocrinology, because ovarian pathologies play a big role.

Note, does the doctor work on any one line, which is sold in his clinic. This is not good - he is limited by his drugs. Although, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong when a doctor has a line that he most often recommends. Because we cannot know all the thousands of funds on the market. I know my line and I know what to expect from it. But I never dwell on it. If I see that a drug from our line is suitable, of course, I will prescribe it first. But if it is expensive for the patient, then I am obliged to prescribe him another drug. I should know a few more good lines that will cost less.

In trichology, there are three methods with proven effectiveness: minoxidil, finasteride and laser.

A good doctor must be honest with the patient. One can speak of “more or less honest” only when it is necessary to psychologically support the spirit of the patient, because he is depressed. If you say to a depressed patient “Don’t waste your time, everything is bad with you, you will soon be bald” - then such honesty is not needed. And yes, we can help you to some extent. Somewhere radically, somewhere - at least to suspend the process.

“Only our remedies will cure you”

- When you start looking for where to treat hair loss, you often find yourself on advertisements for clinics in Moscow that promise to cure everything. But you can only buy drugs from them.

There are a lot of stories about how people profit.

What drugs can you trust?

- To the trichologists who study with me, I am talking about the list of components and drugs that have a proven effect. In trichology, there are three methods with proven effectiveness: minoxidil, finasteride and laser. There is no doubt that they work, although not in 10 0% of cases. And when I prescribe minoxidil to a patient, I have to tell him that the success rate of the treatment is high, but it is still 60-70%, not 100.

But we cannot limit ourselves to these three means. Someone is not shown, there is intolerance or pregnancy is planned, there are a lot of factors. Therefore, no matter how much I would like to work only with drugs with proven efficacy, in trichology this is impossible, unlike, for example, in cardiology. The wishes of the patients must always be taken into account. Therefore, there is a list cosmetic ingredients(not means, namely ingredients), which also have proven effectiveness. These components need to be paid attention to in the composition, there are positive studies on them.

And the last level is when we are in a situation where there is nothing left with proven effectiveness. Here the doctor's experience plays a role, and it is necessary to mention "Based on my experience", "I believe", "I have such and such observations."

I believe that a good trichologist should demonstrate cases of successful treatment with the methods that he recommends, show photos with similar situations, say “Look, this is how the treatment went in this case, in this case it was like this.” I have about 1,000 photos on my computer (including the fact that I lost a few thousand because computers sometimes break down and glitch). But I can present this thousand photographs of patients with different diagnoses and show how and with what the treatment went.

Are minoxidil, finasteride and laser effective in AGA or in general?

- First of all, with AGA, especially finasteride. But minoxidil read about) is a non-specific drug, it stimulates the bulbs, thereby accelerating hair growth, not only with AGA, it can work with any options. Another thing is that other options are usually treated differently. And with AGA, minoxidil is most often needed, because other methods do not work well there. The laser is also a non-specific stimulant, and he does not care what the problem is. It is used - and the hair grows better, but after the abolition, everything will return. Therefore, when it comes to the laser, we choose the application tactics - for example, 3 times a week for 6 months, and then support - 1 time per week.

A popular trend now is mesotherapy. And there are trichologists who treat only by this method, without resorting to anything else. This is a significant limitation of their own capabilities.

But is it effective?

- It can be effective. There is evidence based on it that says so. But there is also negative evidence that there may be complications (it can cause inflammation, infection, scarring) and hair loss during mesotherapy. It depends on the cocktail of ingredients, on the technique of drug administration, and there is always an individual factor that is difficult to take into account. In general, I have a positive attitude towards mesotherapy, because with its help it is often possible to reduce hair loss very quickly.

"Everything hurts, nothing helps" (c)

The most difficult to treat are hair diseases that have a genetic background, and unfortunately, most of them in trichology. And this often causes discontent in general on the part of trichologists, which can often be found in discussions on the Internet. This is because most patients have androgenetic alopecia areata or alopecia areata, both of which are genetically based, and are extremely difficult to deal with.

With androgenetic alopecia, there are few helping agents, mainly minoxidil saves. But I have experience with other drugs with very stable results, where you can say that the patient is cured of AGA.

Although it's not a disease.

Although it's not a disease. Wordplay.

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