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August 28th, 2024.

What Causes Hair Loss and How to Address It: A Comprehensive Guide

Hair loss is a common concern affecting millions of people worldwide. While it’s often perceived as a cosmetic issue, it can have deeper emotional and psychological impacts, affecting self-esteem and confidence. Understanding the various factors that contribute to it and exploring effective ways to address it can empower you to take control of your hair health.

The Differences Between Temporary and Permanent Hair Loss

A woman's head with hair loss on the edges

Loss of hair can manifest in different forms, primarily categorized as temporary or permanent. Temporary hair loss, often referred to as telogen effluvium, is typically triggered by factors like stress, illness, or dietary deficiencies, and can often be reversed once the underlying cause is addressed. Permanent hair loss, on the other hand, is usually linked to genetic factors or long-term health conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). Recognising whether what you are experiencing is temporary or permanent is the first step in determining the appropriate treatment plan.

Signs and Symptoms of Hair Loss

Hair loss doesn’t always happen suddenly—it can start subtly and progress over time. Some common signs to watch for include:

1. Gradual Thinning on Top of Head:

A black man's head, shot from the top to show his thinning hair

This is the most common , particularly in men. Women may also experience a broadening of the part in their hair.

2. Circular or Patchy Bald Spots

A coin-sized bald spot on a black woman's head

Some people may develop small, coin-sized bald spots, which are typically a sign of a condition known as alopecia areata.

3. Sudden Loss of Hair

A woman looking at her damaged shedding hair in a comb

 You may notice more hair falling out more than usual, either when brushing or washing your hair. This could be a response to physical or emotional shock, illness or medication.

4. Full-Body Hair Loss

A black woman with her arm raised looking at her armpit

 Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, can you to lose hair across the entire body, not just the scalp.

5. Patches of Scaling on scalp

This is often accompanied by broken hair, redness, and swelling, indicating a possible fungal infection on the scalp.

Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss can be caused by many factors, often interlinked. Some of the most common causes include:

  1. Genetic Predisposition: Family history is a significant factor, especially in cases of pattern baldness.
  2. Hormonal Influences: Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or thyroid problems can be a trigger.
  3. Health Conditions: Autoimmune diseases, such as alopecia areata, and chronic illnesses can be a cause.
  4. Medications and Medical Treatments: Certain drugs, including those for cancer, arthritis, depression, and heart problems, can result in losing hair.
  5. Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients like iron, protein, and vitamins can weaken hair follicles.
  6. Physical and Emotional Stress: Severe stress can push hair follicles into a resting phase, causing hair to fall out.
  7. Hair Care Practices: Frequent use of harsh chemicals, tight hairstyles, and excessive heat styling can damage hair and scalp and lead to loss.
  8. Environmental Factors: Exposure to pollutants, UV radiation, and harsh weather conditions can also contribute to hair loss.

Practical Solutions for Hair Loss

Tackling hair loss involves a multi-faceted approach. Here are some practical solutions:

  1. Optimizing Diet and Nutrition: Make sure your diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins essential for hair health.
  2. Adopting Healthy Hair Care Habits: Use gentle, nourishing products, avoid harsh treatments that can damage hair and steer clear of tight hairstyles. 
  3. Stress Management Techniques: Practice relaxation methods like meditation, yoga, or regular exercise to reduce stress levels.
  4. Medical Interventions and Treatments: Depending on the cause, treatments like minoxidil, stem cell therapy, mesotherapy or platelet-rich plasma therapy may be effective.
  5. Professional Consultation: Consulting a dermatologist or trichologist can help diagnose the cause and guide you toward the most appropriate treatments.

Professional Hair Loss Treatments at Tresses Lagos

 Low-Level Laser Light Therapy (LLLT) is a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment designed to combat hair loss. Using low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), this therapy stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth. The absorbed light extends the growth phase of the hair cycle, improves cellular function, modulates hormone levels, and maintains life in the hair follicles.

Specifically designed for women experiencing signs of ageing, stress, and hair loss. This powerhouse formula combines vitamins and DHT (a hormone linked to hair loss)-suppressing herbs to stimulate progressive hair growth at the base of the hair stem.

This treatment is specifically designed to address the root causes of thinning and damage. Unlike conventional repair masks, this advanced formula penetrates deeply into the hair fiber, targeting and rebuilding its molecular structure at the peptide level. By restoring strength and integrity from within, our treatment offers a profound solution to hair thinning, providing an instant transformation you can see and feel.

4. Stem Cell Therapy

 A minimally invasive procedure using wound healing technology where punctures are created on the scalp at a controlled depth allowing for collagen production and for easy and deeper entry of products into the follicles. This treatment is recommended only after consultation with a six months treatment plan.

5. Oral Solutions

 We recommend alopecia supplements containing powerful extracts and nutrients renowned for their effectiveness in inhibiting DHT and supporting hair growth. We also recommend supplements designed to target hair loss caused by nutritional deficiencies, thyroid issues, stress, anaemia, low vitamin D, medications, hormones and poor diet.  This treatment is recommended only after consultation.

6. Topical Solutions

 Our advanced hair growth formulas are designed to harness the power of melatonin, niacin and natural DHT Blockers, clinically proven to reverse the effects of hair loss.

7. Custom Hair Restoration Programs

 Our experts at Tresses Lagos will assess your specific needs and create a personalized treatment plan combining various therapies for optimal results.

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