Hair Care

Hair Care

1. Alopecia:

  • What is it? Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss. This can happen in patches (alopecia areata), all over the scalp (alopecia universalis) or even affect the entire body (alopecia totalis).
  • Symptoms: Patchy hair loss, sudden hair shedding, smooth, bald patches on the scalp, complete hair loss on the scalp and body.
  • Causes: The exact cause of alopecia is unknown, but it's believed to be triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
  • Treatments: There's no cure for alopecia, but various treatments can help manage hair loss and stimulate regrowth.

2. Hairfall:

  • What is it? Hairfall is the shedding of hair, which is a natural process. However, excessive hair loss can be a cause for concern.
  • Symptoms: Losing more than 100 hairs per day, noticeable thinning of hair, visible scalp through hair, receding hairline.
  • Causes: Hairfall can be caused by various factors, including stress, hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, thyroid issues), nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin D), certain medications, scalp conditions (dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis) and genetics.
  • Treatments: Identifying the underlying cause is crucial to address hairfall. Treatments can include dietary changes, stress management techniques, addressing underlying medical conditions and using hair loss shampoos or topical medications.

3. Hair Thinning:

  • What is it? Hair thinning is a gradual decrease in hair density, resulting in less voluminous and fuller hair.
  • Symptoms: Overall reduction in hair volume, hair seeming less dense, scalp becoming more visible through hair.
  • Causes: Hair thinning often overlaps with hairfall and can be caused by similar factors like stress, hormonal imbalances, aging and genetics. Additionally, certain hairstyles that put a lot of tension on the scalp (tight braids, ponytails) can contribute to thinning.
  • Treatments: Addressing the underlying cause is key to prevent further thinning. Treatments may involve hair loss shampoos, scalp treatments to stimulate growth and lifestyle changes like managing stress and incorporating a healthy diet.

4. Premature Hair Greying:

  • What is it? Premature hair greying is the loss of pigment (melanin) in hair follicles at a younger age. This typically occurs before the age of 30 for Caucasians, 35 for Asians and 40 for Africans.
  • Symptoms: The appearance of grey or white hair before the typical age for greying.
  • Causes: The exact cause of premature greying is not fully understood. However, genetics, stress, oxidative stress, vitamin B12 deficiency and certain medical conditions are believed to play a role.
  • Treatments: While there's no cure for premature greying, some treatments can help manage it. These include using hair dyes, taking supplements like vitamin B12 (if deficient) and addressing underlying medical conditions.

Remember: It's important to consult with a dermatologist or trichologist (hair loss specialist) to diagnose the specific cause of your hair loss and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. They can perform a scalp examination and may recommend blood tests to check for underlying medical conditions. Early diagnosis and starting treatment early can be crucial for successful hair regrowth and management.