Many factors can cause hair loss in both men and women. These all have something in common. Hair follicles that are affected by hormones and experience poor blood circulation of nutrients have a smaller chance of a healthy hair cycle.
Certain questions about hair loss come back regularly. Questions about possible solutions such as scalp micro pigmentation are some examples. Below you will find an overview of the most frequently asked questions. The questions are provided with short answers.
1. What is the difference between hair loss and excessive hair loss?
It is normal to lose an average of between 50 and 100 hairs daily. This is part of a healthy hair growth process. If you lose significantly more hair, there may be excessive hair loss.
2. How is excessive hair loss caused?
Prolonged excessive hair loss can have a variety of causes. It can be caused by an altered hormone balance, heavy blood loss during your period, in the period after childbirth, or exposure to severe stress. But also a shortage of certain nutrients such as minerals and vitamins can result in hair loss. In addition, hair loss can be a result of an underlying disease, medication use, medical treatments, or a heredity factor.
3. How do I find out the cause of my hair loss?
If you suspect that you are dealing with excessive hair loss, contact your doctor. This can determine the cause. If necessary, you will be referred to a dermatologist where additional blood and hair tests can be performed. To make treatment possible, determining the cause of hair loss is important.
4. What is typical male hair loss?
Male pattern baldness is hereditary and is also called androgenetic alopecia. This form of hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Men can already be confronted with unwanted hair loss and a thinning head of hair as early as puberty. This form of hair loss is caused by the hair follicles being sensitive to the male DHT hormone. The hair growth process accelerateccelerates, so that the hair follicles eventually shrivel and new hair growth is no longer possible.
5. Do all men have to deal with hair loss due to androgenetic Alopecia?
No, not all men suffer from male pattern baldness. About 65% of all men will have to deal with hereditary hair loss at some point. In some, the hair begins to fall out at puberty, while others between the ages of20 and 50 see that, among other things, the hairline begins to withdraw.
6. Does hereditary hair loss make me completely bald?
The pattern and course of hereditary baldness are different for everyone. Some men eventually become bald, while in others the hair loss stabilizes prematurely.
7. Can women also have to deal with hereditary hair loss?
Yes, contrary to what you might think, “male pattern baldness” also affects women. About 30% of women notice that their hair becomes thinner from the age of 40. Androgenetic alopecia has a different pattern in women than in men. The hair falls out over the entire head. This will make your hair thinner. Androgenetic alopecia rarely leads to complete baldness in women.
8. Can hair loss be treated with a hair growth agent?
The effect of proven hair growth agents depends on the cause of hair loss. That is why it is advised to always first determine the cause of your hair loss. Among other things, male pattern baldness that is not yet too advanced can sometimes be treated with hair growth agents such as Finasteride and Dutasteride. Both drugs should not be prescribed to women. Female hair loss can be treated with the Diane pill and Minoxidil. Are you considering using a hair growth agent? Always be informed by your general practitioner and/or dermatologist. In addition, always weigh the pros and cons well against each other, because hair growth agents can have serious side effects.
9. How can stress cause hair loss?
Hair loss caused by prolonged, severe stress is also called telogen effluvium. Stress can be a result of a variety of factors. You can think of a major operation, major weight loss, emotional problems, physical infections, and exposure to external pressure. Because of the stress hormone, your body goes into the ‘survival mode’. This does not include the hair growth process, which results in hair loss. It is important to eliminate or reduce the stress factor as soon as possible. Your body can restore functions on its own and your hair loss decreases. Eventually, hair growth returns on its own.
10. Can hair loss due to stress be treated?
Stress is a difficult factor to treat. Your body benefits from adequate rest and sleep. Removing the stressor is important. Treatments and/or solutions such as the use of a hair growth agent usually have hardly any effect. Be kind to both your body and hair. Choose more often for a relaxing scalp massage and skin-friendly care products.
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11. Can smoking cause hair loss?
That smoking affects your health should not be news. The use of tobacco products hurts, among other things, your blood circulation. The level of oxygen in your blood is reduced. Your hair follicles benefit from oxygenated blood. The moment your blood circulation and your blood vessels constrict, hair loss can occur. Heavy smokers have a high chance that hair growth is affected by the regular use of nicotine. Do you suffer from hereditary baldness? Then tobacco products may accelerate hair loss. Quitting smoking can reduce hair loss.
12. How long does unwanted hair loss last?
Hair loss can be both temporary and permanent. Your hair growth is influenced by both the body’s conditions and external factors. From the climate and sun exposure to the wrong use of a hair dryer, straightener, or curling iron. Your hair has to endure a lot on a daily basidailybasicallys, which can cause damage. In addition, temporary hair loss can be caused by medication use or medical treatment. In most cases, hair loss is not permanent. Therefore, always have the cause of the hair loss determined.
13. How is permanent hair loss caused?
The most common cause of permanent hair loss in men and women is androgenetic alopecia. Under the influence of the male DHT hormone, the hair follicles shrivel and hair growth is no longer possible. This form of hair loss can be treated by the use of hair growth agents. However, the results achieved with this are temporary. If you stop using the remedy for hair loss, the hair loss returns. In addition, you can undergo cosmetic treatment. For example, a hair transplant gives lasting results. Permanent hair loss can also be caused by so-called Cicatricial alopecia. Baldness with scarring destroys the hair follicles. This is caused by inflammation. The bald spots that arise are usually permanent.
14. My hair loss causes bald spots, why is this?
In a condition like Alopecia areata, hair loss can cause bald spots. The spots are scattered over the head and are recognizable to doctors. Your GP will refer you to a dermatologist. What causes Alopecia areata is not (yet) entirely clear. Doctors assume it’s an autoimmune disease, in which your body attacks the hair follicles.
15. How can spot-by-spot hair loss be treated?
If you are dealing with Alopecia areata which causes bald spots, specialists will usually adopt a wait-and-see attitude. The condition can stabilize itself. The duration of this differs per person. For one this is after a few months and for the other, it can take years. Sometimes treatment with anti-inflammatories and/or light therapy can be chosen.
16. How can I hide hair loss?
Hair loss and a thinning head of hair damage your self-confidence in many cases. You no longer look with pleasure in a mirror. Nowadays it is perfectly possible to camouflage hair loss. Wigs, hairpieces, and hairpieces are available in a varied range. Men and women wear temporary and permanent hairpieces that are made of synthetic materials or real hair. Due to the high quality of the materials, it is hardly visible that you are wearing a hairpiece or wig. Would you like to ask a recognized hair work specialist about the possibilities that suit your situation?
17. Are the costs for a hairpiece or wig reimbursed?
Yes, if you have a medical indication for a hairpiece or wig, your health insurer will reimburse an annual amount from the basic insurance. The amount of this compensation is adjusted every year. You may be entitled to an additional reimbursement if you have taken out additional insurance. The amount of the (additional) fee can be found in your policy conditions.
18. Are there any lasting treatments for hair loss?
Permanent hair loss can be treated with micro hair pigmentation and a hair transplant. If your hair loss is already too advanced, micro hair pigmentation is a great treatment. With the help of sophisticated equipment, so-called hair stubble is applied to your skin. This gives you a tough ‘shaven look’. Do you still have enough donor material of your own? Then a hair transplant may offer a solution. Hair transplants offer lasting results, using hair follicles from your hair ring, at the back of your head. These hairs have a different structure than the other hairs and are not sensitive to the DHT hormone.
19. Are cosmetic treatments for hair loss reimbursed?
Health insurers only reimburse cosmetic treatments in several cases. Often you undergo such an operation for cosmetic reasons. Unwanted hair loss caused by an illness, medical treatment, an accident, and / or burns is in some cases eligible for compensation. For this, you must meet various conditions. The amount of the reimbursement differs per insurer and is partly determined by any additional insurance that you have taken out.
20. What else do I need to know about hair loss?
Unwanted and excessive hair loss can affect your life. It affects both men and women of all ages. Contact your doctor to have the cause determined. You can then possibly use an available treatment.