Many people assume that hair loss is an issue with which only men struggle.
In reality, though, it affects millions of women, too. In fact, 40 percent of women experience significant hair loss by the time they reach the age of 40.
Are you struggling with hair loss? Are you feeling self-conscious about the change in your appearance? Are you worried that your hair loss is a symptom of a more serious health issue?
Before you start panicking, it’s important to do some research and gain a better understanding of your situation.
Read on to learn more about the causes of and treatments for hair loss. You’ll also learn what doctor to see for hair loss and when you ought to consider seeing one.
Causes of Hair Loss
There are a number of different issues that can contribute to hair loss in both men and women. Some common causes of hair loss include:
Genetics
Some people have a genetic predisposition to hair loss. If you have a family history of balding, you’re more likely to experience it yourself.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes associated with menopause can also cause the hair to thin and fall out. Your hair loss may also be associated with hormonal changes brought on by conditions like thyroid disease or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Medications
Certain medications come with hair loss as a side effect. This is especially true of medications used to treat conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, depression, and gout.
Stress
Stress can trigger hair loss in many people. If you’re going through a particularly emotionally taxing time, such as a divorce or a death in the family, you may notice that you start to lose hair at a more rapid rate.
Weight Loss
Losing a significant amount of weight in a short period of time can also be a form of physical stress on the body. This, in turn, can result in hair loss. This is especially true of individuals who use unhealthy means to try and expedite their weight loss.
Over-Styling the Hair
Sometimes, your hair loss is the result of over-styling. If you’re constantly brushing, combing, or pulling your hair up into different styles, you may notice more hair loss. This is especially true of people who dye their hair or have it chemically treated on a regular basis.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Finally, nutrient deficiencies can contribute to hair loss. If you are deficient in nutrients like protein, iron, or vitamin B12, you may notice your hair falling out.
Remember that nutrient deficiency can be a symptom of a more serious health issue, or they can be the result of rapid weight loss.
When to See a Doctor for Hair Loss
As you can see, there are a lot of different explanations for why you’re losing hair. So, how do you know when it’s appropriate to see a doctor?
Start by ruling out any lifestyle factors that may be causing your hair loss. For example, if you think over-styling your hair or wearing it in tight buns or ponytails is contributing to the issue, start by changing the way you style your hair each day.
If there don’t seem to be any lifestyle factors that are contributing to your hair loss, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
What Doctor to See for Hair Loss
You don’t necessarily need to see a hair loss specialist right away.
Start by paying a visit to your GP to get some blood work done. These tests will help you to figure out if your hair loss is being caused by any kind of nutrient deficiencies or other health issues.
From here, your GP can refer you to a specialist if it appears that your hair loss is the result of something more serious, such as a thyroid problem.
If your medical tests don’t yield any questionable results, you may want to consider seeing a hair loss specialist.
This useful page will provide you with more information on these specialists and the tools they use to help determine the cause of your hair loss and figure out the most appropriate treatment.
Hair Loss Treatment Options
Once you’ve identified the reason for your hair loss, you can start taking steps to stop it. Some of these strategies may even help to restore hair growth:
Reduce Stress
One of the best things you can do to stop hair loss is to work on relieving stress. Take up yoga, meditation, or another calming practice.
Change Your Styling Routine
Stop putting so much stress on your hair with dyes, products, and styling tools. Give your hair a break and try to limit the amount of heat and chemicals it is exposed to.
Take Some Supplements
If you find that nutrient deficiencies are the cause of your hair loss, try supplementing to fill in the gaps.
There are lots of supplements out there that will help to restore your hair growth, strengthen your immune system, and improve your overall health.
Red Light Therapy
There’s a lot of research that suggests red light laser therapy can help to stimulate the hair follicles and restore hair growth.
There are at-home tools you can use to expose your scalp to red light, or you can visit a special clinic and receive red light therapy in a more controlled setting.
Need More Health Advice?
If you’ve started losing hair, it’s easy to start panicking and frantically trying to figure out what to do and what doctor to see for hair loss.
There are a lot of different reasons for hair loss, though, and not all of them require you to work with a doctor. Keep this information in mind to make sure you’re taking the right approach to treat your hair loss.
Do you need more help managing your health and assessing your symptoms?
If so, take a look at the lifestyle section of our website. You’ll find all kinds of helpful information in this section on everything from weight loss to nutritional supplements.