Hair loss

The hair growth cycle

There are approximately 100,000 hairs on the head. A hair grows about 1 cm per month and stays on the head between 2 and 6 years . After that, it falls out and is replaced by a new hair.

In healthy hair growth, every hair goes through 3 phases :

1. growth phase
2. transition phase
3. rest period

Typically, around 85% of all hair on the head is in the growth phase. The transition phase only lasts a few weeks: the hair root gradually shrinks because it is no longer supplied with nutrients. The subsequent rest phase lasts about 3 months. After that, a new hair begins to form , which pushes the old hair out of the follicle. Eventually, the old hair comes off and is combed out, brushed out, or simply comes off by itself in the shower.

Hair loss symptoms

Hair loss in men is usually indicated by the hairline “creeping” upwards. The temples become more pronounced and a receding hairline develops . Over time, the hair around the crown of the head also becomes thinner and thinner.

In women, hair loss is usually less noticeable. Their hair tends to gradually become more sparse, which manifests itself, for example, in a much thinner braid . Later, hair loss can also show up because the scalp at the crown of the head shines through more than before.

Hair loss is when the hair that falls out does not grow back. Visible clearing or visibly thinning hair on the head is referred to as alopecia .

Causes of hair loss

There are different causes of hair loss: internal and external factors . Internal factors are not controllable. External factors are influenced by lifestyle and any illnesses.

Causes of Hair Loss: Internal Factors

• hormonal changes
• autoimmune diseases, e.g. B. Psoriasis
• metabolic diseases, e.g. B. Hypothyroidism
• Mental illness
• Genetic Prerequisites

Hormone-related changes are often the cause, especially when women experience hair loss. After pregnancy , the young mother may lose more hair than usual for a few months. Women who have gone through menopause often have thinner hair too.

Genes are the most common cause of hair loss in men. Androgenetic alopecia, i.e. hereditary hair loss , is the most common form of hair loss. Some men’s hair starts to thin between the ages of 20 and 30 due to genetics.

Causes of hair loss: External factors

• Intensive or low-nutrient diet or fasting cure
• Lack of vitamins and minerals
• Stress
• poisoning
• Chemical loads, e.g. B. hair bleaching
• Pulling on the hair roots, e.g. B. by a tight ponytail
• Radiation therapy for cancer
• medication

Medications that can cause hair loss in both men and women include: B. blood thinners (anticoagulants) and medicines that regulate the heart rate (beta blockers). The birth control pill or antidepressants are also possible causes of hair loss. In addition, hair loss often occurs as a result of cytostatics administered as part of chemotherapy.

Hair loss: In these cases, see a doctor

• You have already lost bald spots or most of your hair.
• You’ve lost a lot of hair that won’t grow back.
• You have hair loss and possibly other symptoms that indicate a disease.
• You think your hair loss is due to medication.
• Your scalp is red, sore, or irritated.
• You want to know which hair loss remedy is most suitable in your case.
• In women: You have hair loss on your head and at the same time increased hair growth on your body.

Diagnosis of hair loss

In order to find out what form of hair loss it is and what the underlying cause of the hair loss is, the doctor will combine a detailed survey with a physical examination . Depending on how these turn out, further tests can be considered, such as a blood test or an analysis of hair growth on the computer .

You can do this yourself if you have hair loss

Before experimenting with over-the-counter hair loss treatments, consult a doctor to determine the nature and cause of your hair loss. For example, it has not been proven that caffeine shampoos can counteract hair loss. In particular, seek medical help if you suspect your hair is falling out from an illness or from taking medication.

Basically, it can’t hurt if you try to reduce stress and make your diet more balanced and nutritious . Especially with alopecia, you can also get advice from the hairdresser about which haircuts are particularly advantageous. If that is not enough for you, you can of course also use a toupee or a wig .

Therapy options for hair loss

There are prescription medications for hair loss in both men and women . Which can be effective in individual cases is decided individually by the doctor. The medication usually has to be taken or applied permanently – if you stop taking it, the hair becomes lighter again.

Private clinics offer hair transplants . Small parts of the hairy scalp are removed from the back of the head and transplanted to balder areas. Hair transplants are primarily suitable for men with hair loss. They are not covered by health insurance.

Hair is an important part of our self-image. Especially in women, hair loss can be an enormous psychological burden. Talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy can give you the tools to deal with hair loss confidently and to feel comfortable in your own skin again.

This is how Med-Healths can help with hair loss

Through Med-Healths you can get advice from a doctor about hair loss and alopecia . To make it easier for him to assess your hair density, you can also send him photos via the Med-Healths app .

The doctor may give you a prescription for hair loss medication. They can also refer you to a specialist : a dermatologist if they suspect a skin condition, or an endocrinologist if there is evidence of a hormonal cause.

Androgenetic alopecia: receding hairline and tonsure

Androgenetic hair loss is the most common type of hair loss affecting up to 80% of men and 20% of women as they age. Hereditary hair loss is mainly influenced by the male sex hormones . Although these hormones lead to increased hair growth on various parts of the body, such as under the armpits and lower legs, the hair-forming follicles on the scalp can become oversensitive to the hormones, which leads to a changed hair cycle and subsequent hair loss.

As the name suggests, androgenetic hair loss is genetic , meaning it runs in the family. Even if many men do not discover the typical pattern of receding hairline and tonsure until they are 20 to 30 years old, hair loss often begins at a young age. In women, hereditary hair loss usually only occurs after the age of 40 and is more likely to appear as general hair thinning without complete baldness. In rare cases, however, women can also show the typical pattern of failure, which is then usually associated with a more generally masculine hair type.