Are weight loss drugs causing hair loss? Doctors weigh in
Table Of Content
There are many other potential causes of hair loss in women. It can be helpful to keep a hair diary to track any changes you notice or symptoms you experience and to look for patterns. See a GP to get an idea about what's causing your hair loss before thinking about going to a commercial hair clinic. We can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing.
Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Tell them if your hair loss is affecting your wellbeing, and ask what treatments are available. The medication works by prolonging the growth phase of hair, giving your hair more time to grow out. A person can also take certain supplements to help slow hair loss.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia
Minimize the use of high-heat styling tools, hair extensions and harsh treatments like perms. Avoid hairstyles like tight buns and braids that pull on your scalp, potentially causing traction alopecia. A variety of treatments have been developed to help regrow hair and thicken existing hair on patients with alopecia, dermatologists say.
Traction alopecia
For example, within a couple of weeks to a few months, a person’s circulation may improve. In particular, the systematic review notes that nicotine narrows blood vessels, which lowers the amount of blood flow to the scalp. Moreover, nicotine also causes inflammation of the hair follicle and makes neurotransmitter receptors less sensitive.
Telogen effluvium refers to the excessive shedding of hair follicles, and it occurs when hair follicles prematurely skip to the end of the hair growth cycle, she adds. Prescription medications, like finasteride (Propecia), may help prevent further androgenetic hair loss, especially for male pattern baldness. You take this medication daily to slow hair loss, though some experience new hair growth when taking finasteride.
Postpartum Hair Loss: What to Know About Losing Hair After Pregnancy - Allure
Postpartum Hair Loss: What to Know About Losing Hair After Pregnancy.
Posted: Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
One in 10 men worried their hairline will end their relationship - Yahoo Lifestyle UK
One in 10 men worried their hairline will end their relationship.
Posted: Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:49:05 GMT [source]
To avoid damage, use lukewarm water instead of hot, avoid brushing and stretching your hair while it’s wet, and use a deeply moisturizing conditioner regularly. But if you experience more sudden loss, loss in patches, or overall thinning, you may want to see a doctor. However, you may need to use the medication for as long as 12 months before you’ll see any results. It also has various side effects, including loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. Possible side effects include scalp irritation and acne at the site of application.
Another cause of hair loss is called telogen effluvium (TE), which is typically temporary. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), TE isn’t actually defined as “hair loss,” but rather as excessive hair shedding. Although it’s more common in men, hair loss regularly affects women and people of other genders. You may experience any one of several types of hair loss, such as hair thinning, a widening part, or patchy hair loss. If the hair loss is caused by a deficiency in one or more nutrients like zinc or iron, correcting the deficiency or deficiencies may stop the loss and lead to hair regrowth (1). As mentioned, hair loss during weight loss can be caused by nutrient deficiencies or rapid weight loss.
They can identify the underlying cause of hair loss and recommend suitable treatment options. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance present in cigarettes. Tobacco products containing nicotine can negatively influence health and lead to hair loss. In particular, nicotine can result in hair loss due to damaging hair follicles.
Menopause can also lead to uncomfortable systemic symptoms such as night sweats, weight gain, and vaginal dryness, which may raise your overall stress levels. If you have a deficiency, your doctor may suggest multivitamins or supplements like iron and biotin. Don't take any supplement before checking with your doctor.
If you think you have age-related hair loss, talk to your doctor about treatment early on. Sometimes hair loss is a sign of a condition called hyperandrogenism, which happens when your body makes too many androgens (male hormones). In women and others with female reproductive organs, its most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Along with hair loss, other signs of PCOS include weight gain, acne, and irregular periods.
A review study published in 2022 found that it significantly increases hair diameter and hair count in patients with several types of alopecia. It typically isn’t covered by insurance, and it can be expensive, Mirmirani says. Dozens of over-the-counter supplements and products purport to reverse hair loss, making it tough for patients to know which ones work and which don’t. “As soon as you notice hair loss is happening, you should come in,” says Lauren Eckert Ploch, a dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina. Advanced treatments are available for more serious hair loss. With minoxidil, you might also see hair growing in places other than your scalp (cheeks and forehead, for example).
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out suddenly. The immune system attacks hair follicles, along with other healthy parts of the body. After 12 weeks of treatment, the patients treated with minoxidil and microneedling had significantly more hair growth. While your hair may regrow on its own, your dermatologist may recommend treatment to help it grow more quickly. Sometimes, treatment is essential to prevent further hair loss. If your dermatologist suspects that the cause of your hair loss could be a disease, vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalance, or infection, you may need a blood test or scalp biopsy.
Comments
Post a Comment