Hair loss — also known as alopecia — has many causes. Many people lose hair on just their scalp, but some people with alopecia also lose hair on their face or other parts of their bodies. Hair loss can take several different patterns including:
- Thinning at the temples and top of the scalp
- Circular bald patches
- Sudden loosening or coming out in handfuls
Some amount of hair thinning is normal for everyone. A strand of hair usually grows for two to six years before it sheds. Most people have about 100,000 strands of hair on their respective heads, and the average person loses between 50 and 100 hairs per day. Washing causes loss of about 150 hairs.
Excessive hair loss has many causes, including:
- Aging
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Hair trauma from wearing tight hairstyles
- Medical conditions such as thyroid problems or major infections
- Pattern baldness due to genetic and hormonal factors
- Poor nutrition, particularly when characterized by low iron or protein levels
- Rapid or significant weight loss
- Severe stress
- Side effects of medication for birth control, depression, gout, and heart problems
- Skin conditions like psoriasis or folliculitis
Remedies and Treatments for Hair Loss
When new hair doesn’t grow fast enough to replace the amount of your hair that falls out daily, alopecia occurs. Hair loss can be a temporary reaction to certain conditions, but it can also be permanent.
If you’re experiencing rapid hair loss and want to remedy the situation, there are several ways to encourage new hair growth or make your hair strands stronger and healthier.
Biotin Supplements
Biotin is a B vitamin that helps hair loss, according to doctors. Many foods naturally contain biotin, including:
- Fish
- Meat
- Nuts and seeds
- Sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
However, taking a supplement with biotin may also help hair loss. For the best effect, doctors recommend taking biotin, vitamin C, zinc, and folic acid together.
Scalp Massages
One preliminary study showed that receiving a scalp massage for four minutes every day for six months improved hair loss symptoms. At the end of the test period, the test subjects had greater hair thickness.
Another survey of men experiencing hair loss supported these results. More than 65% of those who tried daily scalp massage reported hair regrowth or at least a slowing down or halting of hair loss.
To enhance your scalp massage, you can use lavender, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils. Early studies done on mice show that peppermint oil may enhance hair growth with few negative side effects. The same can be said for lavender oil. Further research with human subjects is needed to prove the viability of these oils as hair loss remedies.
Giving up Smoking
One of the negative side effects of smoking cigarettes is hair loss. Some of the toxins in cigarettes can damage your hair follicles. Additionally, smoking can affect your hormones — and hormonal imbalance is one possible cause of hair loss. Studies have also shown that smoking leads to early hair loss.
When to See a Doctor
Talk to your doctor if you find your hair loss distressing. You should also talk to your doctor if you notice a sudden and significant hair loss, as this may be a sign of an underlying condition. Remedies your doctor may recommend include:
- Liquid or foam Rogaine, an over-the-counter treatment
- Prescription medication like Aldactone (spironolactone), Avodart (oral dutasteride), Carospir (spironolactone), oral Loniten (minoxidil), and Propecia (finasteride)
- Hair transplant surgery
- Hair supplements like Nutrafol and VIviscal
- Light cap therapy
- Platelet-rich Plasma, injections that prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth.
- Radio frequency microneedling stimulates the scalp and hair follicles, causing hair growth.
