-2%
Minoxidil is used for hair loss. It is most effective in treating hereditary hair loss or thinning at the top of the scalp, not in front. Rarely, it may be used to treat high blood pressure.
People typically shed about 50 to 100 hairs daily as part of a natural process where old hairs fall out and new ones grow. Hair loss, or alopecia, occurs when this balance is disrupted, causing more hair to fall out than is replaced.
Hair loss affects men, women, and sometimes children. It can manifest as thinning hair, a receding hairline, widening parts, and bald patches. Factors such as age, genetics, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, diseases, and medications can cause hair loss. Stress, tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, and excessive styling product use can also trigger hair fall.
While hair loss doesn’t have significant physical health impacts, its psychological effects are substantial. For many, their hair is tied to their self-esteem. As hair loss progresses, it can lower self-confidence. Various treatments are available to manage hair loss.
Home remedies and oral supplements are common initial treatments. However, visiting a dermatologist or trichologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is advisable. Treatment options include topical agents like Minoxidil, injections, oral medications, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and hair transplants.
Key Facts
Commonly Affects:
- Adults over 30
- Children under 18
Genders:
- Both men and women, though more prevalent in women
Involved Areas:
- Hair
- Scalp
Health Tests:
- Blood tests: thyroid and vitamin profiles
- Pull test
- Light microscopic examination
- Scalp biopsy
Treatments:
- Nutritional supplements: Vitamin B12, Biotin, Zinc, Iron
- Minoxidil
- Finasteride
- Topical corticosteroids or steroid injections
- PRP therapy
- Hair transplantation: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
- Laser treatment
Specialists:
- General physicians
- Dermatologists
- Trichologists
Causes of Hair Loss
Hair follicles undergo three phases:
- Anagen Phase: The active growth phase lasts 2-6 years and involves 85-90% of scalp hair.
- Catagen Phase: Transitional phase lasting 2-3 weeks, involving about 1% of hair.
- Telogen Phase: Resting phase, involving about 13% of hair, ending with shedding and replacement by new hair.
Hair growth cycles can be influenced by age, diseases, hair care routines, and diet. Common causes of hair loss include:
- Age: Common in both men and women, resulting in receding hairlines and thinning.
- Genetics: Known as androgenic alopecia or hereditary hair loss, affecting both genders.
- Stress and Illness: Childbirth, chronic illness, and traumatic events can trigger hair loss.
- Medications: Treatments for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure can cause hair loss.
- Tight Hairstyles: Styles like braids can cause permanent traction alopecia.
- Scalp Infections: Scaly, inflamed scalp infections can result in hair loss.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions like PCOS and birth control pills can trigger hair loss.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of protein, zinc, biotin, or iron can lead to hair thinning.
- Diseases: Conditions like thyroid disorders, diabetes, lupus, and STIs can cause hair loss.
- Trichotillomania: Habitual hair-pulling can cause permanent hair loss over time.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
Symptoms vary and include:
- Gradual thinning on the top of the head
- Receding hairline
- Widening part
- Circular or bald patches
- Clumps of hair falling out while combing or washing
- Thinning ponytail
- Visible scalp
- Full-body hair loss due to conditions like chemotherapy
Hair loss can be gradual or rapid, with signs such as thinning, widening parts, and sudden clumps of hair falling out. Additional symptoms may include:
- Intense itching and redness
- Scaly bald patches with sores
- Burning and tingling sensations
- Pus-filled sores from conditions like folliculitis
Types of Hair Loss
Hair loss is categorized into cicatricial (scarring) and non-cicatricial (non-scarring) alopecia:
Non-cicatricial Alopecia:
- Androgenic Alopecia: Hereditary hair loss, known as male pattern baldness in men and female pattern baldness in women.
- Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disorder causing hair loss on the scalp, face, trunk, and extremities.
- Anagen Effluvium: Rapid hair loss due to treatments like chemotherapy.
- Telogen Effluvium: Sudden hair loss due to stress, illness, or medications.
- Traction Alopecia: Hair loss from tight hairstyles.
- Trichotillomania: Hair loss from habitual hair-pulling.
Cicatricial Alopecia: Inflammatory hair loss disorders causing scarring and permanent hair loss. Causes include fungal infections, chemicals, and inflammatory conditions like lupus and lichen planopilaris.
Risk Factors for Hair Loss
Risk factors include:
- Hereditary
- Stress
- Hormonal Changes
- Medications
- Chemotherapy
- Significant Weight Loss
- Medical Conditions
Diagnosis of Hair Loss
Diagnosis involves a detailed history, physical examination, and specific tests:
- Pull Test: Pulling hair strands to see if more than 10% come out, indicating active shedding.
- Light Microscopy: Examining pulled hair for fractures and irregularities.
- Scalp Biopsy: For cicatricial hair loss and undiagnosed cases.
- Blood Tests: Checking for thyroid levels and nutrient deficiencies like iron, zinc, and biotin.
