So stop the hair loss

Early tackle hair loss

20/11/2014

Every person naturally loses up to a hundred hairs per day, whereby the hair follicles regenerate practically from the inside out and the hair then grows back evenly. However, many suffer from increased hair loss, which can lighten the head hair with time to bald head. Hair loss is often accompanied by significant mental health problems. Anyone who acts early, however, can slow down the hair loss significantly and even stop them, reports the news agency „dpa“.

Full, shiny hair is a common beauty ideal. The self-confidence suffers accordingly, if suddenly the hair is dwindling. If the hair falls out in tufts, it is advisable to consult a specialist in order to determine the cause of the hair loss and to initiate a treatment if necessary. Different methods to stimulate hair growth and to reduce hair loss are available here. If the available funds do not help, a so-called hair transplantation can also be considered.

Limited hair loss is normal
The loss of up to 100 hairs per day falls in the face of the 80,000 to 150,000 hairs that every person, according to the announcement of the „dpa“ relying on the Bremen dermatologist Uwe Schwichtenberg on the head has, hardly significant. The number of scalp hair stands, for example, in connection with the hair color. So Blondes would have the most hair on the head and redhead the least. „Brunette and black haired lie in between“, quotes the „dpa“ the dermatologist from Bremen. Of the hair that fails, usually also the hair roots remain in the scalp, so that subsequently regrow hair and compensate for the loss, the news agency explains „dpa“ citing Nusret Cikotic of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists.

Count on unusual hair
If there is a suspicion that more hair will fail than regrow, advises hairdresser Thomas Vetterlein, board member of the Federal Association of Secondary Hair Specialists, according to the „dpa“, to closely monitor the development over a longer period of time. „It may also help to count fancy hair in detail“, the news agency quotes the expert. It turns out not infrequently that the hair loss is not as strong as initially feared. If the count shows that significantly more than 100 hairs are lost each day, countermeasures can be taken at an early stage.

Women also affected
At a gender perspective, at first glance, men seem to be more affected than women, yet „that is only partially correct“, said Nusret Cikotic to the „dpa“. Although it can be seen in men sometimes even at a young age hair loss with increased receding hairline or the formation of a partial balding, which is hardly observed in women. But at a later age many women also suffer from hair loss. However, they are usually active faster than men, reports the „dpa“ citing Thomas Vetterlein. „For men, hair loss is also a mental burden, but they tend to be silent about it“, Vetterlein is quoted by the news agency.

Causes are often unclear
Regarding the possible causes of hair loss, the dermatologist Uwe Schwichtenberg explained to the „dpa“, that this could be hereditary, but also other causes are discussed. For example, circular hair loss, in which one or more circular bald spots occur in the scalp, is believed to be due to an autoimmune disease. According to Thomas Vetterlein, the so-called diffuse hair loss can be caused by a thyroid disorder or by stress, according to the announcement of the „dpa“. Furthermore, hair loss is increasingly due to radical diets, but also with strong hormonal fluctuations such as after pregnancy or menopause.

Hair coloring as a cause of hair loss?
Regarding frequent hair washing and dyeing as possible triggers for hair loss, Vetterlein explains in the statement of the „dpa“, that washing poses no danger. Dyeing is also not risky as long as the instructions are followed carefully and are not stained too often or too excessively. However, it could lead to hair loss, for example, if „somebody wants to change from dark-haired to platinum blonde and often dyes the hair for this goal in a short time“, quotes the „dpa“ the barber master. In addition, increased discomfort may occur in hair coloring when the scalp is damaged by eczema. In any case itchy scalp should therefore be dispensed with the dyeing, because otherwise according to the dermatologist Uwe Schwichtenberg is also expected to hair loss.

Controversial hair restorer
The treatment options for hair loss are complex and numerous remedies promise relief, but in fact, these are usually very limited. If the hair loss is due to a disease, the therapy is geared to this and often can be the hair loss in this way completely stop. If no obvious causes of hair loss can be determined, the possibility remains to use so-called hair restorer. In the contribution of „dpa“ However, the experts are skeptical about the effects of drugs such as special shampoos and caffeine tinctures. Here the available studies often do not meet scientific demands, reports the „dpa“. However, two remedies - finasteride and minoxidil - are available for which an effect is indeed detectable.

Two effective remedies available
Finasteride inhibits the so-called 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT and thus less of the sex hormone is formed in the body, reducing hair loss „dpa“. However, the use of finasteride is not uncontroversial due to the expected side effects. So is according to the „dpa“ In rare cases, for example, a decrease in libido determine. The alternative Minoxidil threaten fewer side effects, as this is not taken orally, but applied as a tincture on the scalp and massaged, the release of the „dpa“. For both means, the earliest possible applications lead to better success. Before use should generally „but only with a doctor the treatment be discussed“, quotes the „dpa“
Nusret Cikotic. Depending on the need of these tablets or tinctures can prescribe.

Wig or hair transplant as last option
If the hair is already cleared by larger bald spots or shows a bald head, offers a wig in case of doubt. The costs put Thomas Vetterlein at 380 to 3,000 euros. Here, for example, the residual hair as well as the occupation and the hobby of the customers play a role. However, according to Uwe Schwichtenberg, there are also patients who can not cope psychologically with a wig. For her, hair transplantation offers a not-so-risk-free option. As part of the procedure, the hair roots are transplanted from a still overgrown area to the bald areas. The cost of the intervention is estimated by the expert at € 1,500 to € 8,000 - depending on the extent of the bare areas. However, should „Such intervention should only be performed by truly experienced transplanters“, quotes the „dpa“ Thomas Vetterlein.

Prevent hair loss
Preventive can be loud communication from the „dpa“ Strengthen healthy hair in different ways. For example, help a balanced diet. „If you are on a diet because you are overweight, you should have your doctor prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements“, is the dermatologist Schwichtenberg of the „dpa“ cited. The hairdresser Vetterlein also recommends to wash the hair only with mild shampoo and to dye the hair only with a healthy scalp. In general, it is also necessary to closely observe the growth of hair and to seek the advice of experts in the case of changes, said Vetterlein in the article „dpa“. (Fp)