What Are The Causes And Treatments For Thinning Hair- Part 1?

Why Is Thinning Of Hairline Observed?

Their hair may start to lose volume and thickness as people get older. 

Thinning hair is linked with diet, nutrient deficiencies, or hereditary hair loss in some cases. 

Thinning hair is not linked with overall health concerns in most cases as it can however affect people’s mental health and self-esteem. 

To boost hair health, thickness, and strength, people can try several treatments and home remedies. 

Here we introduce causes of thinning hair as well as some of the treatments along with home remedies available. 

Causes

• Experiencing some degree of hair loss is normal as people get older.
• Where some degree of hair loss is normal, the hair may naturally start to lose volume and strength as people get older. 
• Losing 50 -100 hairs each day according to the American Academy of Dermatology is normal. From the same hair follicles, new hair then regrows. 
• Some follicles stop producing hair over time and the hair shafts become finer as hair starts to lose its colour. 

They may be experiencing hair loss when a person notices significant hair thinning or the development of bald patches. People can stop or treat most causes of hair loss according to the ADD. 

We take a look at the possible causes of thinning hair in the following sections: 

Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss

Together called androgenetic alopecia is male pattern baldness as well as female pattern baldness. The cause of androgenetic alopecia is genes and hormones. 

A frequent cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. In the US alone, it affects an estimated 50 million women and 30 million women. 

The likelihood of experiencing androgenetic alopecia increases with age according to the Genetics Home Reference. Over half of males aged 50 and older have some degree of hair loss although it can also affect teenagers. Following menopause, it is most likely to affect females. 

It is observed that with family members with the same condition comes most of the people with alopecia. 

Hair thinning tends to occur from the hairline to the back of the head in males. It tends to affect the crown of the head in females. 

Alopecia Areata

A condition that causes hair loss in round patches on the scalp is called Alopecia Areata. Affecting the eyebrows, beard as well as other areas where the hair is present in this condition. 

With a 2.1% chance of developing alopecia areata in their lifetime, come the people in the US with often occurring during childhood. The main causes are the genes and environmental factors. 

The hair follicles are still alive and the hair can regrow in alopecia areata. Every 4-6 weeks for up to 6 months, the doctors may treat alopecia areata with an injection into the scalp. 

Diet

To create new hair strands and maintain healthy hair follicles, the body needs nutrients.

An essential component of hair is protein. Playing a key role in the hair follicle growth cycle are micronutrients including vitamins and minerals.

Causing hair loss is malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. Helping promote the continued growth of strong healthy hair is by eating a healthy varied diet.  

Preventing the following signs of damaged hair is done by eating a nutritious diet. 

• Brittle hair shafts
• Dull appearance
• Problem of dryness
• Dandruff
• Vitamin D deficiency

Resulting in the hair growth vitamin D stimulates the hair follicles. They may experience hair loss along with other symptoms when a person doesn’t get enough vitamin D. 

Studies have linked vitamin D deficiencies with alopecia areata. 

The Case Of Stress

People may notice that their hair feels thinner than usual after a long period of significant stress. This condition is called telogen effluvium. 
People usually notice their hair returning to the normal volume once the stressful situation begins to pass when stress causes thinning hair. 

Helping manage significant times of stress are the healthcare professionals where talking and behavioural therapies can help. Trying natural remedies for dealing with stress and anxiety are those people who are affected. 

Pregnancy

During or after pregnancy, people may notice hair loss. Without any treatment, the hair grows back.

Treatment

To treat thinning hair, people can try taking prescription medication. For treating androgenetic alopecia called minoxidil and finasteride, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially approved those drugs. 

Minoxidil

Coming in 2% and 5% treatments are Minoxidil where people apply the product directly to the areas of thinning hair. 

For androgenetic alopecia, this is a safe and effective treatment taking 6-12 months for hair growth to improve. As hair loss can reoccur, people taking minoxidil will have to keep taking it permanently. 

There are certain side effects of taking minoxidil including

• A condition called Contact Dermatitis
• Skin irritation
• Excessive hair growth

Finasteride

Oral medication is finasteride also called Propecia. It helps to take 1 milligram daily for people experiencing hair loss. For men who have already tried minoxidil without success, this is a prescription drug. 

The side effects of finasteride intake include:

• A condition called Erectile Dysfunction
• Decreased libido
• The case of gynecomastia, or growth of breast tissue

The Continuation 

There are still more to be taken into account when it comes to treating baldness in men and women.