If you’re suffering from hair loss, you’ve probably spent hours on Google trying to diagnose the cause and find a treatment. Maybe you’ve spent a fortune on pills and potions that promised to help your hair grow back and they haven’t worked. It can be hard to separate the fact from fiction when it comes to hair loss help and advice, so I wanted to cover the most frequently-asked questions that I come across in the salon.
What causes hair loss?
There are a lot of possible causes of hair loss in women including:
- Physical stress to the body: Like illness childbirth, or surgery.
- Emotional stress: Like a bereavement, big life event, stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Thyroid problems
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Medications and treatments: Some medications have hair loss listed as a side effect. If you feel that your medication is causing hair loss, speak to your GP. If you have cancer and are getting chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, this can attack the hair follicles and cause hair loss.
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, menopause, and taking the pill can all cause hair thinning and loss.
What is the most common type of hair loss in women?
The most common cause of hair loss in women is a hereditary type of hair loss known as female pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia. There is no cure for this, though there are treatments that can slow down/prevent further hair loss and help new hair regrow.
How much hair loss is ‘normal?’
It’s completely normal to lose around 100 hairs per day. That might seem like a lot, but there are around 100,000 hair follicles on your head!
But if you start to notice clumps of hair in the shower drain, in your hair brush, and on your pillow, it might be time to get it checked out.
Can a poor diet cause hair loss?
Yes it can! Even though your hair is not technically ‘alive’ its building blocks are protein, so you need plenty of lean protein in your diet as well as vitamins (especially B12 and D), minerals (iron is crucial for healthy hair growth), and healthy fats. Quit the fad diets now!
Can normal hair styling cause hair loss?
Aggressive styling is unlikely to cause permanent hair loss, but it can cause hair thinning, dryness, and weakness, which makes it more likely to break. Over-processing the hair, using too much heat on it, wearing tight ponytails, and backcombing all put a lot of stress on the hair.
Should I go to my GP about my hair loss?
Any sudden dramatic hair loss or thinning should be investigated as it could be a sign of a thyroid problem, iron deficiency, or skin disease.
What should I expect from my GP?
They will ask questions about your hair loss like when it started, what you’ve noticed, whether it’s happened before, and if there’s any family history of hair loss.
Your GP will most likely send you for a blood test to check for and rule out any underlying health conditions that might be causing hair loss. If it’s suspected that a medication you’re taking is causing hair loss, they might recommend an alternative or if it’s safe to do so, stop the medication for a while.
They might also prescribe a topical treatment like Minoxidil which comes in a liquid, foam, or shampoo. This can help to slow down hair loss and encourage regrowth. It can take several months to work though and it doesn’t work for everyone.
A steroid injection in the scalp may be suggested if you have patchy hair loss.
Will my GP refer me to a specialist?
Most GPs will refer you to a dermatologist if they feel it’s needed and your hair hasn’t started to regrow after you’ve tried other treatment options and lifestyle changes.
You could also see a trichologist privately (their services are not available on the NHS).
What is the difference between a dermatologist and trichologist?
A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specialises in the skin all over the body and not just the scalp. They can prescribe medication, carry out biopsies, and other procedures if your hair loss is caused by a medical condition.
Trichologists are not medically qualified, but they are specialists in the scalp and hair, and will look at everything from your blood tests to your lifestyle before suggesting treatment options for your hair loss.
What services does a dermatologist provide?
Diagnosis and Treatment of Common and Rare Skin Conditions- including biopsies and skin scrapings.
Skin Checks- biopsies, monitoring of suspect moles or skin lesions.
Mole Removal-whether it’s suspect or for cosmetic or comfort reasons.
Phototherapy-light treatment that is used for some skin conditions like severe eczema.
Cosmetic Procedures-laser removal of birthmarks etc.
Patch Testing-diagnosis and treatment of conditions like contact dermatitis.
What services does a trichologist provide?
A thorough consultation in which they’ll ask questions about your health, lifestyle, allergies, medications you’re on, and your family history.
Hair and scalp examination.
Blood tests.
Diagnosis and treatment of certain types of hair thinning and loss with creams, ointment, and cleansing products.
Bespoke hair loss treatment regime.
How much does it cost to see a trichologist?
Prices tend to vary depending on where you live. You will usually have to attend a consultation first, which can cost anything from £50 and above, depending on where you are. Treatment costs vary because your hair loss treatment regime will be bespoke.
What can I do about hair loss?
First of all, get a proper assessment to determine the cause then we can look at solutions that will suit your type of hair loss and your lifestyle. Knowing why you are losing your hair is the first step on your journey back to healthy hair.
If cost is a concern, don’t forget that if you have a doctor’s letter and a diagnosis, you can get a discount on your hair loss treatment/solutions.
At Salon La Reine, we specialise in hair loss solutions like wigs, toppers, and hair systems, that can help you disguise any hair thinning or loss while your natural hair grows back. We also offer an amazing scalp treatment, Nioxin Scalp Renew which can restore the health of your scalp and encourage healthy hair growth.
If it’s your child or teenager that is coping with hair loss, whether it’s because of an illness or medical treatment, The Little Princess Trust donate free real hair wigs to help them feel confident again.
We know how distressing hair loss can be, and that you want to feel confident, feminine, and beautiful, and we can help.
If you’re suffering from hair loss, get in touch to book a consultation and we’ll help you find your perfect hair loss solution.