Different types of hair loss

Hair Loss

There’s no denying that our hair is one of the most prominent features that other people notice. Not only is it instrumental to the overall first impression we make, but it also largely impacts our confidence and self-esteem.

At Medical Hair Restoration Australia, our mission is simply help you treat hair loss. If you are trying to discern the cause of your hair loss or are looking for a solution, our professionals are here to help.

Unfortunately, hair loss is a very common condition; in fact, it affects around 70% of men and 50% of women at some stage in their lives. It may initially seem harmless, but its physical, mental and social effects on your daily life and confidence can be significant. If you are experiencing hair loss, researching the various treatments and solutions (both surgical and non-surgical) on offer is crucial to making the right choice.

Male Hair Loss

The majority of men seeking treatment are affected by inherited male pattern baldness, known medically as androgenetic alopecia. In these cases, the baldness typically begins at the temples or crown. The dihydrotestosterone (or DHT)-sensitive hair thins, weakens, and eventually falls out.

Female Hair Loss

Similar to men, the most common form of permanent female hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, although its connection to a hormonal imbalance is less clear. This condition has a hereditary link, meaning you may have a genetic predisposition if there is a family history.

What can cause Hair Loss?

Hair needs a healthy diet and a well-functioning endocrine system to grow and stay healthy.

To understand how different hair loss treatments and solutions work, we must first educate ourselves on the various causes.

Genetics

Hereditary hair loss can affect any gender, however, it is more common in men and is referred to as ‘pattern baldness’. Male pattern affects almost half a billion men worldwide. It occurs when the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to receptors in the hair follicles and causes them to shrink. Over time, the follicles produce thinner hair until they no longer produce hair at all. In men, pattern baldness is characterised by a receding hairline or bald patch, and in women, it is characterised by gradually thinning hair.

Auto-immune conditions

There are a variety of hair loss conditions that are caused by the immune system attacking the follicles and/or the stem cells around the follicles. These conditions can be temporary, such as Alopecia Areata, or permanent, causing scar tissue, such as Lichen Planopilarius. Proper diagnosis is required prior to any treatment.

Chemotherapy

The drugs used in chemotherapy are extremely powerful and attack not only cancer cells, but hair cells too. Chemotherapy can cause hair loss all over your body, affecting your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, and underarms. Some drugs used are more likely than others to result in hair loss, and various doses can cause anything from thinning to complete baldness.

Stress

Stress can manifest in many physical symptoms, including increased shedding of hair. If your hair loss is stress-related, this is temporary and your hair will typically grow back over time, although the rate of regrowth will differ for everyone. Managing your stress and considering speaking to a mental health professional can be extremely helpful.

Ageing

As we age, the rate of hair growth slows down until it eventually stops. During this process, the hair strands become thinner and less pigmented, often resulting in fine, light-coloured hair.

Traction Alopecia

If you regularly wear a hairstyle that requires your hair to be pulled back tightly, this can lead to permanent hair loss. Braids, dreadlocks or a tight ponytail are all examples of hairstyles that can lead to this type of hair loss. This is because the repeated strain on the hair follicles pulls out the strands. If detected early, traction alopecia is completely reversible and the hair can regrow. 

Hormonal Disturbances

Hormones play an important role in our body’s function, including hair growth; this means any hormonal disturbance can lead to hair loss. As previously mentioned, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone that commonly causes male hair loss when produced in excessive amounts. In women, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome results in a hormonal imbalance that can result in hair loss.

Scalp Infection

Several scalp infections, such as tinea capitis, result in itchy, scaly skin. This inflammation can cause hair to break off at the scalp’s surface, leading to hair loss. Treating the infection with steroids antifungals can help stop hair loss.

Nutritional Deficiency

One of the major causes of hair loss in our population is nutritional deficiencies. Micronutrients are essential for normal hair growth and maintenance. For example, perhaps you eat processed foods as your staple food, which are devoid of essential micronutrients. Deficiency in the intake of protein, zinc, or biotin can also cause or aggravate hair loss.

do these common hair loss treatments work?

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a synthetic drug that many people try to stop hair loss and grow new hair. It is a vasodilator, which means it opens up the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the body. 

Minoxidil is often used for hair loss conditions such as androgenetic alopecia and female pattern hair loss. Unofficially, it is sometimes used for beard growth enhancement, alopecia areata, eyebrow enhancement, and hair loss caused by chemotherapy.

Some people may experience side effects from topically applied minoxidil, and should take caution before taking. We recommend first speaking with your health professional to get the right advice based on your circumstances. 

Finasteride

Finasteride is an oral tablet that decreases the production of DHT, which as we mentioned before, is the hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink. Finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT and in some cases, can help prevent hair loss in men.

Finasteride should be taken daily for at least three months before you can expect to see some results. As with all medications, it’s important to be aware of any potential side effects.

Hair Transplant

One of the most popular treatments for hair loss that people try is hair transplantation. There are various procedures for hair transplants, but all of them feature taking a graft of hair from an area that is still rich in hair (such as the back of the scalp) and implanting it on the balding area.

Hair transplants do not prevent or slow down hair loss; they simply cover up the bald area. If you have very little hair on your head, the results might not be as you expected. It is also important to be mindful that the growth of hair after the transplant takes several months. You might have to go for a follow-up after the transplant several times.

Important points about Hair Transplants

  • If you have thick hair, the results may be more satisfactory than someone with thin hair.
  • If you have a high density of hair on your donor site, you may get better results. If you have low density, less than 40 Follicular Units, this may not be the right option for you.
  • The results vary depending upon the pattern and degree of baldness. If you have frontal baldness, you can possibly see amazing results.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma is a medical treatment that claims to boost hair growth. Blood is extracted from your veins and put into a centrifuge machine; here, the platelet-rich plasma becomes separated from the rest of the blood during this process. This fluid is then administered into the affected area.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy may require several sessions to achieve optimal results.

Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy is used as a non-invasive method to treat hair loss. It is said to stimulate hair follicles and improve circulation. There are some portable devices also in the market which can be used at home.

The results of laser therapy are inconsistent, meaning it works for some people but not for others.

Scalp Micropigmentation

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is an advanced cosmetic procedure that resembles hair tattooing. It is performed by a needle injecting microdots of pigment into the scalp, creating a look that mimics a buzzcut look. Skilled SMP artists will ensure the pigment precisely matches your skin tone and natural hair colour for a seamless result.

Procedure

The SMP artist will use specialised needles and equipment to deposit the pigment into the scalp. One session can take anywhere from one to three hours depending on the size of the area to be treated, and the number of sessions depends upon your degree of hair loss. Typically, two to four sessions are required with a gap of 7-14 days in between.

Every patient has a different complexion and scalp type, which is why the practitioner will use different types of needles and different shades of pigment depending on the scalp. 

Guidelines for the treatment

  • Avoid swimming, saunas, or steam baths between sessions.
  • Don’t expose your scalp to the sunlight for at least four days after each treatment. Less sun exposure results in longer-lasting effects.
  • Sleep with a clean pillowcase.
  • Try not to touch your scalp unless your hands are clean.
  • Tenderness and redness in the treatment area are normal during the day following your session.

Things to avoid after the treatment

  • Do not swim in a pool or seawater for at least two weeks
  • Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and direct sunlight whilst the scalp is healing
  • Once your SMP is healed, always use sunscreen when outdoors
  • Avoid excessive sweating for at least five days after each session
  • Keep your scalp moisturised with a good quality moisturiser and cleanser

Contraindications

If you have acne on your scalp or other skin problems like psoriasis, you should delay the procedure until the skin is healed.

Pricing and Effectiveness

Pricing depends on many factors, such as the degree of hair loss, the client’s desired look, and the recommended number of sessions. It is also essential to remember that as with all cosmetic procedures, you get what you pay for. Make sure you research different providers to discern their expertise, training, and health and safety measures. 

If delivered by a skilled SMP artist and cared for properly by the client, SMP can look fresh for up to three to five years. After this time, touch-ups may be required.

Dietary Supplements

The modern diet tends to be devoid of essential micronutrients and is rich in carbs and fats; an imbalanced diet can result in hair loss in many individuals. In some cases, hair loss can be treated with the right supplements.

Biotin

Biotin is a B-vitamin that plays a crucial role in hair growth. If hair loss is due to biotin deficiency, it can be prevented with biotin supplements or by eating biotin-rich foods such as wholegrains, almonds, fish, meat, and dark leafy vegetables.

If you rely solely on a plant-based diet, it is recommended that you take supplements as your diet will not fulfil the daily requirement of biotin. Biotin supplements can reverse hair loss in biotin-deficient patients, however there is no evidence that it will enhance hair growth in healthy individuals.

Zinc

Zinc is another micronutrient and falls in the category of minerals. It is essential for the proper functioning of sebaceous glands around the hair follicles; this means zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss. Supplementation with zinc may treat this type of hair loss; beef, spinach, oysters, and lentils are also good sources of zinc.

Protein

Protein is one of three macronutrients important for the human body, the other two being fats and carbs. Almost everything in our body is made of protein, including our hair. Hair is composed of a special protein called keratin.

Adequate protein intake is crucial for normal hair growth as protein molecules are the building blocks of hair. Protein deficiency is associated with hair loss and poor hair texture.

what hair loss treatment is right for you?

The difficulty with exploring treatments and solutions to hair loss is that many of them are not absolute and will work for some individuals but not for others. Their effectiveness also largely depends on the cause of the hair loss, of which there are many. 

A good first step is to ask a doctor or trichologist to perform a thorough examination, diagnose the cause if possible, and recommend a suitable treatment accordingly. If the variable nature and possible side effects of oral and surgical options such as Minoxidil or Hair Transplants concern you, it is highly recommended that you opt for a cosmetic, non-surgical alternative, like Scalp Micropigmentation.

restore your confidence with foli sim

If you would like a reliable, non-surgical and non-invasive solution for your hair loss, Scalp Micropigmentation has already helped thousands of people in Australia regain the appearance of a full head of hair. Foli Sim is Australia’s leading SMP provider with three clinics around Australia; best of all, they provide free initial consultations either in their studios or online. To talk to one of their highly trained Scalp Micropigmentation practitioners, visit the Foli Sim website today.