Hair loss can have a number of different causes. These could be related to your genetics, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medications or certain medical conditions. Here, we’ll explore the more common types of hair loss, what causes hair loss and what you can do about it.
Take an assessment to order Finasteride online from £13.95
Androgenetic Alopecia
This is the most common form of hair loss. It includes male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. Male pattern baldness is incredibly common. It affects more than 50% of men over the age of 50. It can start at any time, including shortly after puberty, and can continue for many years afterwards.
Not all men with androgenetic alopecia will become completely bald, although many do. Some men only experience a receding hairline and hair loss around the top of the head.
Male pattern baldness is strongly influenced by your genetics – certain genes can influence the sensitivity of your hair follicles to a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is made from testosterone and is the hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia. Men have much more testosterone than women, so hair loss is more common in men.
In women, androgenetic alopecia causes a gradual thinning of the hair, but this is not usually associated with a receding hairline. Female hair loss commonly occurs after menopause, when hormone levels change. Female pattern hair loss rarely leads to baldness.
Finasteride and minoxidil are the first-line treatments for androgenetic alopecia in men. Finasteride is a tablet that helps to reduce hair loss. Minoxidil is a solution applied directly to the scalp. It helps to stimulate hair regrowth. Women cannot take finasteride but can use minoxidil.
If the hair loss is extensive, some people choose to wear wigs or hair pieces. For a more permanent solution for extensive balding, some opt for hair transplants.
Take an assessment to order Propecia online from £41.65
Telogen Effluvium
There are four stages of hair growth: anagen, catagen, telogen & exogen. Anagen is the growth phase of hair, which leads into the catagen phase. In catagen, the hair is cut off from the blood supply and hair growth stops. Telogen is the third stage; during telogen, the hair has stopped growing, but it remains embedded in the scalp. Exogen is the final phase, in which the hair falls out.
In a healthy scalp, the hair undergoes all four stages, but the stages balance out so that you don’t lose more hair than you produce. In telogen effluvium, too many hairs enter the telogen phase and stop growing. This means that more hairs will progress onto the final stage and fall out, without appropriate replacement. Telogen effluvium does not usually cause baldness, but it does cause hair thinning.
Telogen effluvium is usually triggered by a specific event. Childbirth, stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies (including iron deficiency) and certain medications (isotretinoin and warfarin) can cause telogen effluvium.
Usually, your hair will regrow after telogen effluvium. It can take about 6 months after the triggering event or illness for your hair to return. In some cases, this can take much longer.
If the hair loss lasts for more than 6 months, it is known as chronic telogen effluvium. Speak to your doctor if your hair does not grow back after 6 months.
Order Regaine for Men Solution Today from £29.99
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is a rapid hair loss caused by certain medications, toxins, radiation exposure, infections or autoimmune diseases. It is also the type of hair loss associated with chemotherapy side effects.
In anagen effluvium, hair production is switched off. This interruption to hair growth causes the hair to become brittle at the roots, and makes it more likely to break off and fall out. As the hair cycle is interrupted, you do not produce enough hairs to compensate for this hair loss, resulting in thinning of the hair and baldness.
After chemotherapy, hair grows back within 3 to 6 months, although it may be different than it was before.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a sudden hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body. In alopecia areata, the immune system attacks the hair follicles. This causes hair to fall out.
In alopecia areata, hair loss usually occurs in small patches on the scalp. However, hair on other parts of the body can also be affected including the eyebrows and eyelashes.
Over time, the hair loss can progress causing total baldness. This is known as alopecia totalis. Hair may regrow over time.
Order Regaine for Men Foam Today from £47.49
Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection affecting the scalp. It is particularly common in children, and can lead to patches of hair loss.
The affected areas of skin can appear reddish or scaly, and may also be itchy. An affected person may also have a fever as the immune system tries to fight off the infection. Tinea capitis is treated by antifungal medication; most people with tinea capitis will experience full regrowth of the bald spots over time if treated quickly.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a psychiatric condition in which people feel compelled to pull out their hair. People most commonly pull out the hair on the scalp but can pull out hair anywhere on the body.
As the hair follicles are still healthy, most people who experience trichotillomania can experience full hair regrowth after the hair-pulling behaviour is stopped. However, if the hair pulling continues for many years, the follicles may become damaged, meaning hair loss can be permanent.
Trichotillomania is treated with a type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This therapy helps you to work out what triggers your hair pulling, and helps you to redirect your behaviour away from this so your hair can regrow naturally.
Order Regaine for Women Today from £24.95
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss caused by tension on the hair. This is common in women who tie their hair up tightly in ponytails or braids. The tension damages the hair, causing it to fall out. The hair loss occurs in the area under the most tension, usually where the hair is tied up.
Traction alopecia is usually a temporary hair loss. Changing your hairstyle should relieve the traction on the hair follicles allowing the hair to regrow.
What Simple Online Pharmacy Can Do For Hair Loss
Here at Simple Online Pharmacy, we stock a number of hair loss treatments.
Finasteride, and its branded version Propecia, are designed for me experiencing hair loss. These drugs reduce the amount of testosterone in your body, meaning they may cause some side effects. This also means they are not suitable for women experiencing hair loss.
We also stock Regaine, available as a foam and solution. These contain minoxidil, and are applied directly to the scalp. Regaine also has a formulation specifically for women experiencing hair loss.
For hair thinning, or less severe forms of hair loss, we also stock a wide range of Alpecin shampoos. These claim to make hair appear thicker, which can help with the appearance of your hair while you wait for temporary hair loss to pass.
For those who are not seeking medical intervention, we also supply Toppik Hair Building Fibres. These fibres can be applied to the scalp to thicken existing hair, creating the appearance of a full head of hair. If you experience bald spots, or patterned hair loss, these fibres can help rebuild the look of your hair.
Take an assessment and see your hair loss options today
Sources
