Certain questions about the causes of hair loss come up regularly. Below you will find an overview of the most frequently asked questions. The questions are provided with short and concise answers.
- When does hair loss occur?
It is normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs per day. This is hair loss that is part of the body's own hair growth process. The loss of these hairs does not cause baldness. The moment you lose more than 100 hairs a day or the hairs that grow back become weaker and weaker, there may be hair loss. This form of hair loss is often undesirable and affects a large group of women in addition to men. Hair loss can have various causes. For example, a simple deficiency of iron can cause hair loss, but you can also suffer from a so-called hair disease.
- Why do I suffer from hair loss and someone else does not?
In most people, hair loss is caused by a hereditary factor. This ensures that you can suffer from it and someone else does not. In addition to hereditary factors, there are many other causes that can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.
- Do only men have to deal with hair loss?
New. Both men and women face unwanted hair loss. In cases of Androgenetic Alopecia, hereditary hair loss, millions of Dutch men and about 1 in 3 women suffer from hair loss. Hair loss can occur at any age and can manifest itself as early as puberty.
- How can hereditary baldness be recognized?
If you have excessive hair loss, it is important to have the cause determined. Your general practitioner and/or dermatologist can assist you with this. Nevertheless, androgenetic alopecia has a number of characteristics that you can pay attention to. The pattern in which hereditary hair loss occurs is gradual, with differences between men and women. Do you suddenly have a lot of hair loss, which quickly causes bald spots? Then it is unlikely that your hair loss is caused by hereditary baldness.
- What other causes can hair loss have?
Excessive hair loss can be caused, among other things, by a bad condition of your scalp. If your scalp doesn't have enough blood flow, both the skin and your hair follicles don't get enough nutrients. Hair loss can also be caused by the use of certain medications and medical treatments. Vitamin A poisoning and a deficiency of iron can also be the causes of your hair loss. It is therefore recommended that the cause of hair loss be determined so that an appropriate treatment can be started.
- Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Stress can possibly cause hair loss. If you are exposed to severe stress for a long time, which also causes complaints such as fatigue, increased blood pressure and even hyperventilation, hair loss can occur. Your body can no longer sufficiently break down the amount of adrenaline, which disrupts other body processes. In addition to affecting the scalp, hair growth can be adversely affected. Stress in itself will not usually cause hair loss, but it can speed up this process.
- Does the way I care for my hair affect hair loss?
Yes, of course. Both your scalp and your hair benefit from the right care. This is not only due to the use of suitable care products. For example, always pay attention when drying your hair with a hair dryer. Do not put the hair dryer directly on the hair and do not set the hair dryer on the hottest setting. Your hair can be damaged by this. The same goes for using straighteners and curling irons. Using the medium heat setting also dries or curls your hair, but treats it better. Do you color, dye or perm your hair? Then use the products you use wisely. If you are not sure how to use a coloring product, see your hairdresser. He or she can inform you directly about the hair products that suit good hair care.
- I have thyroid problems, could this be the cause of my hair loss?
Yes. Both an underactive and an overactive thyroid can cause hair loss. Thyroid problems cause more hair loss in some people than others. If you have hair loss due to a malfunctioning thyroid gland, this can often be reversed with the right medication. It is important that you are properly adjusted to the thyroid medication, so the treating doctor will check your blood regularly.
- I recently had surgery, now my hair is falling out. Could this be caused by the surgery?
Yes. Major surgeries and the impact they have on your body can certainly cause acute hair loss. Your hair follicles are disrupted and your hair falls out. The hair loss that occurs after surgery is usually only temporary and your hair will grow back afterwards.
- Since I've been on a strict diet, I've noticed that I'm losing more hair than usual. Is this normal?
Diets in which you consume little protein on a daily basis can result in a protein deficiency. As a result, the hair growth process enters the resting phase. If the protein deficiency lasts for a long time, you sometimes even have to deal with heavy hair loss. Your hair will then simply let go. When the protein deficiency is replenished, the hair loss stops.
- Which types of hair loss are temporary?
Hair loss does not always lead to complete baldness and does not have to be permanent. In particular, hair loss caused by medication and medical treatments is temporary. With certain hair diseases that are under control, the hair loss is also not permanent. Your treating doctor can tell you more about the nature and duration of the hair loss.
- When will my hair grow back?
This depends on the cause and the extent to which your hair has fallen out. The moment the causative factor is removed, the natural hair growth process can be restored. As a rule, results are visible the fastest after medical treatments. However, it can also take a few months before your hair starts growing again.
- Can hair loss be treated?
To effectively treat hair loss, it is necessary to know the cause. In some cases, there is no solution (yet) and doctors let the hair loss run its course. For example, hair diseases can sometimes stabilize themselves. A healthy lifestyle with a varied diet is often part of a treatment. You can camouflage the hair loss with a hairpiece or a hairpiece. These do not damage your own hair and match your hairstyle and appearance.
- Are there differences in the causes of hair loss in men and women?
Hair loss in women has more causes than in men. In addition, a male hair loss pattern looks different than in women. Male hair loss usually starts at the front, showing a receding hairline and deepening coves. Hair loss in women has a more widespread pattern. The entire head of hair then becomes thinner.
- Why do I see few women with hair loss?
Percentages and numbers vary, but it is estimated that about 25 to 40% of women suffer from unwanted hair loss in one way or another. Most women are perfectly capable of hiding their hair loss from the outside world. Many women opt for a hairpiece or camouflage the thinning hair with updo locks. In addition, there are various temporary effective hair thickening products.
- I have been told I have Androgenetic Alopecia, what treatments are available for me?
Male pattern baldness that is in its early stages can be treated with the use of hair growth products. Your doctor can prescribe an effective hair growth agent. The hair loss gradually decreases. If you find the daily use of a medicine difficult, a permanent solution in the form of a hair transplant is an option.
- Are there different solutions to treat the causes of hair loss in men and women?
How hair loss can be treated depends largely on the cause. You can sometimes reduce hair loss by using Minoxidil. This prevents further hair loss. Men can also rely on hair growth agents such as Finasteride and Dutasteride. However, these agents are unsuitable for use by women. Women sometimes benefit from taking the Diane pill. Always approach your (family) doctor in case of unwanted hair loss. Together with you, he strives for a solution in which the hair loss can be reduced and limited.
- Is a hair transplant also suitable for women?
Male pattern baldness can also be a cause of excessive hair loss in women. The techniques used in hair transplants have been improved and refined over the years. Your hair does not (any longer) always have to be trimmed to undergo a treatment. This also makes a hair transplant a suitable treatment for women with androgenetic alopecia. The hair-saving hair transplant is offered by several clinics. Request a quote from various providers, so that you can compare the options and results already achieved.
- Can hair loss be prevented?
Hair loss caused by medication, medical treatment or a hair disease is difficult to prevent. However, a healthy lifestyle with a varied and responsible diet can reduce the chance of losing your hair. Avoid prolonged exposure to stress and be kind to your scalp and hair. Let your hair dry naturally after washing, avoiding using a hair dryer that is too hot. Choose the right care products and treat yourself every now and then with a scalp massage. This improves the blood circulation in the skin, which benefits the hair follicles.
- Does the way I care for my hair affect unwanted hair loss?
Yes. Hair care definitely affects the condition of your hair. Treatments such as perms and hair coloring that are carried out regularly leave their marks. At the same time, with age, your hair also dries out and loses bounce. In combination with improper care, the hair can break faster, look brittle and even fall out. For the best hair care, an experienced hairdresser is the right person. At the hairdresser you will also receive advice about the care products that suit your hair type.