Stress and Hair Loss

An In-Depth Discussion with a Leading hair Loss Doctor about Hair Loss Causes, Baldness & More

An In-Depth Discussion With A Leading Hair Loss Expert

(1) Hair loss expert defined

A hair loss expert; or specialist hair loss doctor, is a highly trained individual who work in the hair loss industry. Their specialty focuses on diagnosing and treating hair loss problems such as, but not limited to, hair thinning, alopecia and other hair problems that clients might experience and the use of conventional treatments to treat these problems.

(2) What do hair loss experts do?

A professional hair loss expert is a trained and qualified individual that deals with hair loss complications and other hair loss related problems. The following are just some of the problems that they work with:

• Hair breakage, hair patches or baldness, excessive hair loss, thinning of hair
• Problems involving the scalp, such as dry scales and dandruff
• Greasy and oily hair
• Itchy scalp

Each Hair loss expert is a professional trained to give clients advice relating to hair problems, with the ability to perform hair analysis to determine the health condition of the client’s hair and how best to deal with the problem(s). Should the client need other hair related assistance, the Hair Loss Expert can give recommendations and advice including wig fittings, hair weaving, hair colour and other hair treatments.

(3) When should a client visit a hair loss expert

Clients who experience the following signs and symptoms should consider consulting a Hair Loss expert:

1. Bald patches forming in their scalp
2. Itchy and painful scalp
3. Greasy and oily hair or extreme scalp dryness
4. Scaly patches on their head
5. Scalp becoming more visible to the naked eye
6. Excessive hair loss
7. Hair loss or breakage due to chemical treatments

The Hair Loss Expert might take hair samples to check for the causes of the problems. They may also check the condition of the client’s scalp and suggest treatments to help the client fix the problem. In some cases, the Hair Loss Expert would recommend clients to seek a medical doctor if required.

(4) Can a client’s lifestyle cause hair loss?

A client’s lifestyle can greatly affect the overall health of their hair and scalp. As with a person’s health, the physical and mental stressors of everyday activities can upset the body’s balance and lead to hair loss or thinning.

(5) Can a client’s diet cause their hair loss?

One of the key factors that causes hair loss is a incorrect diet. When one lacks certain food groups, their body suffers from a lack of vitamins and minerals that the particular food group contributes and this manifests itself in the look and overall health of one’s hair. People who eat a well-balanced meal normally have shiny and healthy hair as the body absorbs the nutrients that they need from the food. Other underlying factors such as lack of sleep, drinking alcohol and smoking, can contribute to hair loss and aggravate the symptoms as well.

(6) Can frequent washing result to hair loss?

Although some myths might indicate that frequent hair washing contributes to hair loss, the truth of the matter is that what really causes hair loss are the hair products that one uses. Most hair products contain chemicals that might weaken or cause damage to the hair and scalp. Some hair products might also stunt the growth of a person’s hair, which can lead to thinning of the hair for some clients.

(7) Are there any distinctions between male and female hair loss?

Ninety-nine percent of the time, male hair loss is due to genetics. Androgenetic Alopecia, more commonly called as “male pattern baldness”, is a hereditary condition. The androgen hormone of males, particularly the DHT hormone, causes the hair follicles to thin.

Although genetics play a major role in hair loss for men, women also experience hair loss though the causes for the condition differ greatly. Women who experience hair loss are, more often than not, suffering physical and emotional stressors, medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, or poor nutrition.

(8) Are there different types of hair loss that one should take note of?

Hair loss comes in different types although the most alarming is permanent hair loss. There are hair losses that are caused by medical conditions, shedding of hair, and short-term hair loss.

(9) Alopecia Areata – Defined

Alopecia Areata is the most common hair loss type. Patches of hair loss that forms a distinct circle in the client’s head characterize this type of hair loss. Severe Alopecia Areata can lead to permanent baldness. The condition is caused by the body’s auto-immune system, as the body attacks its own anagen follicles and suppresses the follicle’s growth. People who experience this condition can recover without the intervention of any medical treatments; however, to accelerate the recovery, one can request for medical treatments.

(10) Is hair loss common?

One of the most common problems for men and women alike is hair loss. It is estimated that almost half of the population experience certain types of hair loss before they reach the age of fifty. Health factors such as diseases and the intake of medicines can adversely affect the health of the person causing one to lose more hair than normal. Although hair loss is a common problem and can cause negative feelings to the person experiencing it, there are now several safe and effective hair loss treatments available. Finding out which treatment is best for one’s condition is the best option that one can take to deal with their hair loss.

(11) How hair loss can affect your life

Dealing with hair loss is difficult especially for those who experience it for the first time. The condition can readily affect us not only physically, but also emotionally. Although hair loss problems seem to affect men more than women, women’s hair loss is also significant. Here are some ways that men and women alike are affected by hair loss:

• Affects the Person’s Self-Worth. Many men and women consider their hair as their“crowning glory” . With that said, the loss of their hair can affect their self-esteem.
• Cause of Unhappiness and Worry. People who worry about their hair loss tend to become psychologically and emotionally unhealthy to the point of affecting their everyday activities.
• Social Dilemma. Many who experience extreme hair loss tend to withdraw from social activities to the point where they avoid venturing outside their home.
• Lack of Emotional Control. People who become obsessed with their hair problems can develop obsessive-compulsive behaviours such as collecting hair already lost.

(12) Does genetics play a major role in hair loss?

According to medical experts, ninety-nine percent of male baldness can be attributed to genetics. This is because the male chromosome inherited through the genes that affect the hair follicle’s growth. The follicles are affected by the DHT hormone, which is passed down from one generation to another.

With female hair loss, thirty-five percent of this is contributed to genes, while the remaining sixty-five percent is contributed by other factors that might be medical or non-medical by nature.

(13) Can young people experience hair loss?

Although hair loss is often attributed to old age, this is not always the case as young people do experience hair loss in varying degrees. While hair loss can affect young, it is often not noticeable in the younger group because of their body’s capacity to replace the hair follicles. There are some hair loss problems, however, that can affect any person of any age group such as ‘male pattern baldness’.

Many men, even younger ones, experience ‘male pattern baldness’ and in truth, twenty-five percent of them will experience the condition while they are still in their early twenties. One culprit it seems is that young people do not eat properly causing nutritional deficiencies in their body. Young people who use drugs or subject themselves to nicotine use are also susceptible to this condition. Another common hair problem with the younger generation is ‘Alopecia Areata’ and ‘Trichotillomania’.

(14) Why is hair loss often associated with old age?

The hair follicles are the part of the body where hair is constructed and people with healthy hair follicles tend to have healthy hair. Our hair follicles need plenty of protein to maintain healthy output. While we are young, our body is capable of absorbing these protein molecules from the food that we eat. However, as we age, our digestive tracts no longer works the same and as such the body absorbs an increasingly limited amount of the protein that it needs. The reduction of these needed elements affects the growth, weight and look of the hair follicles. As we age, our hair becomes lighter in complexion due to the reduced pigments, thins and becomes shorter.

(15) Why do people experience sudden hair loss?

The cause for hair loss is still relatively unknown, although there are some who point to two major factors:

• Psychological. Psychological causes include emotional factors such as anxiety, fatigue and emotional stress. These factors often contribute to hormonal imbalances and emotional instability of the person reducing their body’s ability to function well. This type of hair loss is temporary and can be cured once the main contributing factor is solved.
• Physical. Physical causes on the other hand are attributed to changes in the environment as well as in the person themselves. These factors would include contracting illnesses or becoming sick, experiencing major physical trauma such as childbirth, intake of prescription drugs, and even changes in one’s meal intake.

(16) Is hair loss permanent?

The vast majority of hair loss is not permanent at all; although there is one type of hair loss that is permanent called Cicatricial Alopecia. Cicatricial Alopecia, or Scarring Alopecia, occurs when the hair follicles are permanently damaged or destroyed and can often happen when one is accustomed to wearing turbans or braiding their hair too tightly. Scarring alopecia occurs most often in women in their sixties (60’s) although this condition also affects men.

(17) Can stress cause hair loss?

Stress is one of the major factors that cause hair thinning or hair loss. This is because stress raises cortisol levels in the body which then induces several hormones. These hormones then cause the person to lose hair. It is important for people with hair loss problems to take time out and de-stress as this can alleviate the problem and even solve it in the end.

(18) Can frequent shampoo and conditioner prevent hair loss problem?

Unless you have dry and brittle hair, the use of hair care products such as shampoo and conditioner will not affect the hair’s condition. Specially formulated hair care products include protein ingredients to coat the hair, and though they do not help alleviate the problem, can improve the hair’s appearance.

(19) What product is the most effective to treat hair loss problem?

There is no single product for everyone. Each hair product is specifically designed to treat a particular hair problem. If you want to solve your hair loss problem, you should consult a hair loss expert who will help you find the right product for you.

(20) Which hair loss treatment is best for me?

Hair loss is a serious problem and there is no one single cure for all hair loss problems. If you want to find the best hair treatment, consider consulting a hair specialist. They will provide scientific analysis of your problem and find the most effective treatment to cure it.

(21) Do I have to combine several treatments?

Your Hair Loss Specialist might recommend one or more treatments after the diagnosis of your problem. This is because some treatments might not be able to single handily solve the problem. In this type of situation, you can talk with your Hair Specialist on what is best for you.

Hair loss that is genetic or hereditary by nature might require some form of medical prescription or surgery. However, there are other options should you wish – such as wearing hairpieces, wigs, or arranging the remaining hair on your head to hide the affected area. For treatable hair loss problems, getting the appropriate treatment is by far the most effective way to regain your hair.

When talking with your Hair Loss specialist, you might want to consider asking some of the questions below:

1. What type of treatment would work best for my condition?
2. The length of time treatment will take
3. Will the treatment totally cure my problem?
4. What risks or other factors should I need to consider?

(22) Are there any side effects or complications that one should know about concerning the treatments?

Complications rarely occur, though reactions might be noted especially if one has any allergic reactions to food or medicine. The Hair Loss Expert will conduct a series of test and consider medical history to reduce the risks and complications brought about by the person’s medical condition if there are any.

(23) What type of test does one have to take?

To ensure that each client’s welfare is taken into consideration, the Hair loss Expert might require the client undergo a series of tests such as blood tests to check the over-all health status of the person. In some instances, other tests including thyroid, iron deficiency and hormone count might also be requested.

(24) Can the hair loss expert bring my hair density back to normal?

Depending on the diagnosis and analysis by the Hair loss expert, one can discuss this during the consultation period.

(25) How long will it take to see results?

Results can be noticed between four to six months after client’s treatment.

(26) What recommendations can you give to help prevent hair loss?

1. It is best to eat well-balanced meals. Ensure that you combine a mix of carbohydrates, low fat content, and proteins, and avoid food that has high sugar content.
2. Crash diets can cause hormonal imbalances and cause you sudden hair loss. If you want to lose weight, consult a medical health provider for healthy advice.
3. Iron deficiency is one of the leading causes of hair loss; take multivitamins fortified with iron.
4. Stress can cause hair loss. Try to engage in activities such as yoga, meditation or exercise to release and manage stress.
5. Some common hair activities can cause hair loss. Examples include pulling your hair, using hot curling irons, blow-drying, use of chemicals and braiding them tightly.
6. Use hair colour products that are safe and do not contain ammonia or peroxide.
7. Some medicines or drugs can cause hair loss. If you have naturally thin hair, you might want to talk with your health care provider or doctor about this.
8. Hair loss can be hereditary. If you suspect that you have family history of hair loss, you can talk with your hair loss specialist about taking steps to mitigate this.
9. Professional hair experts can detect hair problems. As such, it is beneficial for you to have your hair care done by a trained and experienced professional.
10. Yearly physical examination can help you stay aware of your overall health. By undergoing a yearly physical examination, your doctor can advise or treat your health problems, especially those relating to vitamin deficiencies or have hormonal imbalances.