Do you notice that your hair is growing thinner as time goes on? Are there far more hairs in the shower or on your brush than before? It's common for people to sense their hairline is thinning, but since baldness has become an emotional subject, we prefer to dismiss the problem and look for methods to cover it. If you believe that your hair is fading, it most likely is.

If you are experiencing hair loss, you are certainly not the only one. Involutional alopecia is a typical disorder that affects our hair development as we get older. The condition is known as androgenetic alopecia, which has hereditary roots and affects both men and women. This frequent disorder may begin surprisingly early in your teens or early twenties, and it progresses. Your baldness will become worse if you don't do something about it.

These warning signs of hair thinning indicate that you need to take action immediately. Doing it sooner rather than later will give you a more comprehensive range of alternatives.

 

First Signs of Hair Thinning

It is essential to have a good knowledge of the most basic signs of hair loss to enable you to take corrective action as soon as possible. It is crucial to consider how quickly or slowly the early symptoms may develop and become evident.

1. Excess hair on your pillow and shower- Pay attention to the quantity of hair on your pillow every night or in the bathroom the next minute you wake up or soon after you shower. Although some hair is lost each day, the amount that falls out in massive clusters indicates that you suffer from severe hair loss.

2. Noticeable shift in your hairline: If your hairline has changed in recent photos, it's time to take another look. The first signs of a receding hairline appear around the temples. 

3. You begin to notice hair thinning throughout your head, or only in certain places such as your crown or temples, which might be affected. For males, the thinning of the hair starts on the forehead. Over time, the hairline resembles the letter M. For women, the hairline may not change, but the line separating them may get more prominent, making the scalp look bigger.

4. Your combs and brushes are filled with excess hair. When vast clumps of hair become trapped in your brush every time you use it, you're losing a lot of hair.

5. You see patches of baldness. There may be little patches of hair loss on the scalp in instances of alopecia areata. This illness may also affect mustache, beard, and eyebrow hairs.

6. You suddenly begin to lose your hair - When a person is going through a lot of stress, their hair may thin down rapidly. 

7. You may lose all of your hair on your body. An abrupt loss of hair throughout the body might come from some therapies, such as chemotherapy.

8. Scaling may be seen on the scalp in certain areas. Ringworm and other fungal illnesses may cause hair loss. The redness and irritation of the scalp and the brittleness of the hair are also common. 

9. itchy or dry scalp: Itchy, flaky scalp can be caused by dry, irritated skin and an overproduction of sebum (oil). Dandruff may cause these symptoms as well.

The sooner you get help as soon as you notice any signs, the better. Detection is half the fight won, but the right therapy can only be chosen if the underlying reason is known. Speak with your doctor if you have any more questions.

 

Causes of Hair Thinning

An average person sheds between 50 and 100 hairs each day. In most cases, new hair grows over it, so this isn't obvious. If you want to avoid hair loss, new hair must be grown to replace the one that has been lost.

In most cases, thinning hair is caused by any one of the following:

1. Genetic (heredity): Most people experience hair loss due to thinning hair due to a genetic problem that worsens with age. This condition is known by several names, including androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness, and female-pattern baldness. In men, a receding hairline, bald patches, and thinning strands on the top of the scalp are common symptoms. In women, the top of the scalp gets thinner.

2. Changes in a patient's hormones and other medical issues: The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid issues are just a few of the factors that may lead to hair loss, whether it is permanent or temporary. If you're experiencing hair loss, you could be suffering from an immune system disorder known as alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss and scalp infections like ringworm. You could also be suffering from trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder), which causes you to pull your hair out.

3. Supplements and medications: If you're using medication to treat one of the conditions mentioned earlier, you may have hair loss as a side effect.

4. Head-to-toe radiotherapy: Some hair may never come back the same. 

5. Stress: It is common for individuals to notice a gradual loss of hair following a traumatic event for many months. This form of hair loss will go away in a few weeks or months.

6. Hairstyles and hair care products: Tight hairstyles like pigtails and cornrows may lead to traction alopecia, which causes hair loss. Permanents and hot-oil hair treatments may also cause hair loss. Scarring may lead to permanent hair loss.

 

Treatment

It is possible to cure certain forms of thinning hair in your own home. But talk to your doctor first before making any decisions. 

1. Scalp Massage

Scalp massage is one of the cheapest ways to attempt to grow thicker hair. As long as it is done correctly, it does not do any damage.

Use your fingers to gently push on the scalp while washing your hair to stimulate blood flow. A mobile scalp massager may also be used to exfoliate the skin of the scalp.

2. Essential Oils for Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine, natural oils are liquids that come from certain plants and are used to help people.

Some people who suffer from pattern baldness have found success with lavender oil. Human trials are required to validate the impact of the 2016Trusted Source's animal study. Lavender is often used with other essential oils, like rosemary and thyme to make a more complex smell.

However, there isn't enough data to support the use of essential oils to cure baldness or hair loss. "You should dilute your essential oil in a carrier oil if you decide to try this therapy. 

Observe for 24 hours to see whether any response occurs after applying a small quantity of the oil. A rash, hives, or other signs of an allergic reaction might suggest a problem.

3. Shampoo with Thinning-Preventing Properties

Anti-thinning shampoos use a two-pronged approach. Firstly, these products give your hair more volume, making it seem fuller. People with thinning or fine hair may benefit from this.

In addition to vitamins and amino acids, shampoos for hair loss and thinning include keratin and biotin. Use these items as indicated to achieve the most significant results.

Prescription shampoo may also be obtained from your doctor.

4. All-in-one Multivitamins

The health of your hair depends on the health of your whole body. Hair follicles may stop producing new hair if a person is malnourished or has an eating issue. A blood test may tell you whether you're deficient in a certain vitamin.

Your doctor may recommend a daily multivitamin if you are deficient in certain essential nutrients. Iron, vitamin b12, and zinc are necessary for healthy hair growth. For men and women, look for daily vitamins that match these requirements.

There is no need to take more vitamins if you already receive all the nutrients your body requires. It's not sure whether this will help, and consuming too much of some nutrients may do more damage than good.

5. Supplements

Folic acid, a B vitamin, is essential for forming new cells. Research suggests that a lack of folate in the diet may be linked with some forms of hair loss. 

However, there isn't enough proof that folic acid will help you grow thicker hair, much like with multivitamins.

6. Biotin.

It's a water-soluble ingredient found in nuts, lentils, and even the liver. Biotin is also known as vitamin B-7.

Biotin deficiency is unlikely if you consume a well-balanced diet. Biotin supplements have become more prevalent in the last few years, in part because of marketing claims that these supplements can boost energy and make hair grow faster.

Hair thinning may be helped with biotin, which helps dissolve enzymes in the body.

If you are using vitamin B-5 pills, you should avoid taking biotin as well. They may each lessen the other's effectiveness if they are combined.

7. Fatty acids: omega-3 & omega-6

Essential fatty acids include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This is because the human body is unable to produce them.

It helps your body battle inflammation, which contributes to many health issues, such as heart disease and arthritis. Inflammation may also play a role in premature hair loss.

While Omega-6 is vital for the skin's general health, it may also assist the scalp.

When it comes to omega-6 fats, the best sources are vegetable oils, whereas the best sources of omega-3 fats are marine life and a few seeds. Consult a doctor about administering the medication if you don't generally eat these meals.

8. Minoxidil

Hair loss therapy minoxidil is best known by its brand name, Rogaine, authorized by the FDA.

Minoxidil may help thicken hair in weakening areas when applied twice daily to the scalp. The product comes in either liquid form or foam to suit your needs.

Results from Rogaine may be seen for up to 16 weeks. In order to see results, you must use the product regularly. 

Possible side effects include scalp irritation and hair growth on the face and neck that you don't want.

9. Aldactone

People with hair loss due to androgen production may be administered Spironolactone (Aldactone). Aldactone is both a water tablet and an anti-androgen. 

This medicine may help women who have thin hair and eventually lose their hair because of hormonal changes.

10. Finasteride

It's possible to get Finasteride (Propecia) without a doctor's prescription. Propecia, unlike minoxidil, is a daily tablet that men use to combat hair loss.

Women should steer clear of this medicine because of its potentially life-threatening adverse effects. Pregnant and lactating women are also advised against using the drug. 

11. Cytokines

Prescriptions such as corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation-related illnesses. Several inflammatory disorders may cause hair loss, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Is Hair Thinning Reversible?

In some instances, thinning hair may be re-grown, depending on the reason for the thinning. Hair regrowth may be possible for those whose hair has thinned for reasons other than genetics, such as nutritional deficiency, stress, or pregnancy.

The best thing to do if you notice new hair reduction or thinning is to see your doctor. Hair thinning may be a symptom of several medical problems.

 

When to consult a doctor?

Hair thinning often has nothing to do with one's general well-being. You may consult your doctor if you're worried about your hair loss and it's affecting your mental health. 

You should consult a doctor when you lose a great deal of hair, and there is no obvious explanation. If they've recently changed their diet or begun taking supplements, this is significant.

A dermatologist, or skin expert, may be called in by a doctor to help them figure out the best way to treat thinning hair.

 

Final Thoughts

If you're suffering from hair loss, you're not the only one who is. Treatment for hair loss and prevention of additional balding may lie within your reach.

There is a natural reduction in the strength and volume of hair as one age. Treatments and home remedies can frequently help people improve the health and stability of their hair.

You can prevent or delay hair loss by taking prescription medicine, topical treatments, and natural therapies such as herbal extracts. Hair loss may be cured in certain circumstances by addressing an underlying medical problem.