How Do I Know if I Suffer From Hair Loss?

A normal person can lose between 100 to 200 strands of hair naturally every day. This is because at any one time, 90% of your hair is in a growth state, and the remaining 10% is in a resting state. The hair in a resting state falls out and this hair fall is part of the typical hair cycle experienced by everyone. However, if you are experiencing more than expected hair fall, you should take measures to prevent further hair loss, before it leads to balding.

Hair loss is a common problem faced by both men and women around the world. This problem is distinctly identifiable in men, but not so obvious in women in the early stages. Men usually experience hair thinning at the temples, which gradually leads to balding at the temples and frontal scalp area. When left untreated, thinning and baldness continue towards the middle of the head, until only the sides and back of the head have hair left on the scalp. In women, hair loss and balding is not so obvious. Women experience hair thinning all over the head, which is why they are not able to detect hair loss at an early stage. They only do so when they have lost a considerable amount of hair from all over the head, and notice overall hair thinning.

Hair loss is best prevented and treated effectively when diagnosed at an early stage due to the unique growth cycle of hair. Once the hair falls out and is not treated on time, it can lead to the hair follicles becoming inactive and dead over time. When the hair follicles become dead, then oral and topical medications become ineffective in bringing back the lost hair. This usually happens over a period of 4 to 6 years or more if the hair loss problem is left untreated for a longer period of time. At this stage, patients are only left with the option of going with hair transplant surgery to restore their lost hair.

Diagnosing hair loss at an early stage is very important. However, for some people, this diagnosis can be difficult or tricky. Some people may simply ignore the fact that they are experiencing hair fall. Others might treat it as part of their normal hair loss cycle, and hence not pay much attention to their hair loss or thinning problem. Some people simply confuse hair loss with the maturation of the hairline and are not able to tell the difference between the two. In such a case, the best option is to consult a dermatologist, who will examine the scalp of the sufferer closely to see any signs of miniaturization. Since hair loss is also caused by factors such as poor diet, ill health, severe illness, as well as stress and anxiety, some people might just consider their hair loss due the result of any of these or other environmental factors. Continued neglect will only lead to baldness which can be irreversible in extreme cases.

If you are taking a healthy and balanced diet, following a daily exercise plan, have not been in a serious illness or undergone any surgery, are not taking any prescription drugs or medications and are still experiencing hair loss, chances are that your hair loss is hereditary. This means that you will experience hair loss, and continue to experience it, due to genetic reasons. In such a case, you will have to start treatment for hair loss on time. Rogaine, Avodart, Nizoral, and Propecia are non-surgical, medical hair restoration treatments which are specially designed to grow back any lost hair. Diagnosing your hair loss problem at an early stage and starting any of these treatments after consulting with your dermatologist will not only help prevent further hair loss, but it will also encourage the lost hair to grow back. In extreme cases, some patients prefer to use these medical hair restoration treatments along with hair restoration surgery to get the best results.

If you think you are experiencing more than normal hair loss, it is always best to seek professional help so you can get the right treatment at the right time. When it comes to taking care of your hair, negligence is not a good idea.

This article has been contributed by Yasir Chaudhry who blogs on hair transplantation in Pakistan procedure.