Alopecia refers to hair loss. This can be one of the most traumatizing experiences in life. Waking up one day to notice that a lot of your hair is falling or has fallen off can be very scary. Often, most people panic and try some cosmetic options to deal with hair loss. But how can you deal with something without knowing its origin? Instead of dealing with the symptoms, it is best to get to the root. That way, you safeguard yourself against future occurrences of the same.
So, what exactly causes hair loss?
Genetics
This is one of the major causes of hair loss. It is commonly referred to as androgenic alopecia. In order to diagnose this, the first thing you have to do is look at your lineage. Did your mother and grandmother have a lot of hair? Did they end up losing a lot of their hair over time? Some of these situations can help you identify why you are losing so much hair. Afterward, you can see a doctor and mention the pattern in your family through different generations. The doctor will then confirm or refute your hypothesis.
Sadly, for androgenic alopecia, you can only try to manage the hair loss. The good thing about noticing such trends early enough is that you get to take better care of your hair which slows down the process or stops it altogether.
Stress
Stress can be a major cause of hair loss. This is accompanied by a major trauma to the body such as surgery or prolonged illness. Stress is often accompanied by poor eating which then results in low levels of essential nutrients. It is not a wonder then that you are more likely to lose hair when you are stressed. This combination of factors creates a convenient environment for alopecia to occur.
Medical Conditions Or Diseases
Medical conditions such as skin and autoimmune diseases, thyroid problems, and even pregnancy can lead to hair loss. The change in hormone levels interferes with your system which in turn triggers hair loss. Some of the effects such as those of pregnancy are only temporary. Once you have given birth and gotten back to your normal self, the hair loss will stop. It is reversible and this comes as good news to many.
Self-inflicted
Tight braiding and pulling will lead to hair loss. If you also regularly opt for heat styling, this makes your hair brittle and more likely to fall off. While this kind of alopecia is reversible, it does take a lot of time and effort to achieve satisfactory results.
Conclusion
Alopecia can be caused by different factors. The causes often help you know whether the process is reversible or permanent. This acts as a guide for the various treatments that are available to cure hair loss. These cures include serums and creams for re-growing hair. For some, there must be changes in the diet to include more minerals and nutrients that are necessary for hair growth.
Our hair salon experts can help you deal with your hair loss problems in many ways. We also provide other beauty services such as a nail salon and spa, and a barbershop in & near Ann Arbor, MI.