What is Good for Hair Loss? How to Treat Hair Loss?

A certain amount of hair loss per day is considered normal during the hair growth cycle. In most people, new hair strands grow in place of the lost hair and the hair grows back. In people with hair loss and baldness, the amount of hair loss is greater than normal and the lost hair does not grow back. Hormonal changes, stress, aging, genetics or some chronic diseases are among the main causes of hair loss. The scalp needs to be protected after excessive hair loss. The use of hats, headscarves, scarves and sunscreen products while in the sun helps protect the scalp from sunlight. In this way, the risk of skin cancer is reduced.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Healthy individuals lose up to 100 strands of hair daily. This is considered normal for the hair growth cycle. These shed hairs are replaced by new hair over time. In this way, there is no decrease in the amount of hair. The phenomenon of hair falling out more than the required amount and not being replaced by new hair is called hair loss. The causes of hair loss are listed as follows:

• Genetic predisposition
• Fungal infection of the scalp
• Using tightly gathered hairstyles such as braids and ponytails
• Expose the hair to damaging chemicals (perm, bleach)
• Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, birth and menopause
• Medical treatments such as chemotherapy and the use of medications that cause hair loss
• Malnutrition of iron and protein
• Stress
• Thyroid disease factors cause hair loss.

What are the Types of Hair Loss?

Hair loss may be due to a disease or due to seasonal or stress-related reasons. There are many types of hair loss. Permanent or temporary hair loss may occur. The most common types of hair loss are as follows:

• Androgenic Alopecia: Androgenic alopecia is hair loss due to genetic predisposition. Some hair loss, which is called male pattern and also seen in women, are examples of this.
• Alopecia Areata: Alopecia areata is an immune system (autoimmune) disease. It progresses with the loss of hair and body hair.
• Telogen Effluvium: In telogen effluvium type hair loss, hair falls out suddenly and quickly. This condition usually occurs approximately 1-2 months after a stressful period. It can be said that it develops due to sudden hormonal changes.
• Anagen Effluvium: Anagen effluvium usually occurs as a result of medical interventions such as chemotherapy. This type of hair loss also occurs suddenly and for a short time.

What is Good for Hair Loss?

Hair loss may occur due to reasons such as thyroid disease, medication, hormonal changes, diet and anxiety. Things that are good for hair loss vary from person to person. In order to apply methods that reduce or stop hair loss, the problem causing the hair loss must first be determined. Treatments and methods that are good for hair loss are listed as follows:

• Medicines: Medicines containing the active ingredient minoxidil, which are not sold by prescription, aim to reduce and stop hair loss. Medicines containing the active ingredient finasteride, prescribed by the physician and taken orally, are recommended.
• Plateled Rich Plasma (PRP): After the person’s own blood is taken, the blood plasma is separated by healthcare professionals. Platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the scalp by healthcare professionals. In this way, hair loss slows down or stops completely. PRP treatment also aims to regrow lost hair.
• Scalp Massage: Regular scalp massage can reduce hair loss by accelerating blood circulation in the scalp.

What is Good for Hair Loss in Women?

The most common treatment for hair loss in women is medications based on the active ingredient “minoxidil”. It is recommended to use medication containing 2% and 5% minoxidil, depending on the shedding rate. In addition to minoxidil, PRP treatment can also slow down hair loss and support the growth of new hair. Other supplements that are good for hair loss in women are as follows:

• Iron Supplements: Iron deficiency has been detected in 10% of women experiencing widespread hair loss. Iron deficiency is among the factors that cause serious hair loss in women. Especially women who follow a vegetarian diet, have heavy menstrual bleeding, and have a history of anemia are likely to have iron deficiency. In this case, taking iron supplements can stop hair loss. If the iron level is normal, too much iron medication taken into the body may cause discomfort such as constipation and stomach diseases.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency has been detected in approximately 30% of women experiencing hair loss. In order to reduce or stop hair loss, it is recommended to take vitamin D supplements as much as the body needs.

What is Good for Hair Loss in Men?

Hair loss may occur in men due to genetics or stress. There are various drug treatments that can be used to stop or reduce this hair loss. The most important of these are drugs with the active ingredient “minoxidil” sold without a prescription and “finasteride” prescribed by a physician. Apart from this, “plasma-rich plasma (PRP)” treatment also aims to reduce and stop hair loss.

“Hair transplantation”, which is a permanent solution recommended by the physician to male patients experiencing serious hair loss, is among the recommended treatment methods. Hair transplantation, which is widely used today, is carried out by taking hair from a certain hair area and transplanting it to the hair loss area.

Nowadays, there are also laser devices that can be good for hair loss. FDA approved laser devices are effective in hair loss. The most important factor is that the laser to be applied is FDA approved.

What is Good for Hair Loss in Children?

Hair loss in children is usually seen as a result of “alopecia areata” disease. There is no definitive treatment for alopecia areata. Steroid treatments, which are a treatment recommended and applied by the doctor, help the lost hair to grow back. However, this is not a definitive solution. Hair loss may occur again.

In addition to alopecia areata, telogen effluvium (a type of hair loss due to stress), tinea capitis (hair fungus), bacterial infections, trichotillomania (hair pulling disease), iron, zinc and vitamin D deficiency may also be caused.

One of the best things to do for hair loss in children is to identify the condition that causes the hair loss and create an appropriate treatment plan to eliminate the condition. Regular and balanced nutrition is also among the factors that will reduce hair loss in children.

What are the natural methods that will be good for hair loss?

Hair loss affects a person’s physical appearance as well as their mental health. Therefore, in order for hair loss treatments to be more effective, it is necessary to support the treatment with natural methods. Natural methods that are good for hair loss are listed as follows:

• Using shampoo suitable for your hair type
• Consuming nutritious foods rich in iron and zinc
• Cleaning split hair ends regularly
• Staying away from chemicals that damage and weigh down hair
• Avoid using hair dryers, straighteners and curling irons on high settings.
• Getting away from stress that causes hair loss
• Vegetable oils such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil, olive oil, castor oil, avocado oil and soybean oil are good for hair loss.

What are the foods that are good for hair loss?

Nutrition is very important to reduce or stop hair loss. In addition to a healthy and regular diet, consuming foods that are good for hair loss can stop hair loss. Foods that are good for hair loss are listed as follows:

• Dead nettle
• Onion
• Garlic
• Green tea
• Henna
• gooseberry
• Rosemary
• Sage

How to Treat Hair Loss?

The most definitive treatment method for hair loss is hair transplantation. Apart from hair transplantation, other treatment methods that aim to reduce or stop hair loss are the use of drugs containing the active ingredient “minoxidil” and “finasteride”. In addition to medications, PRP treatment is also among the treatments that reduce or stop hair loss. These treatments vary from person to person. It may not have the same effect on everyone.

If you or your relatives are experiencing hair loss problems, they should be examined by a physician. As a result of the examination, the factors causing hair loss are determined. If there is any disorder that causes hair loss, a treatment plan tailored to the individual is made by the physician. Hair loss may stop after this treatment. People with stress or genetic predisposition also need appropriate treatment planning by the physician. Therefore, it is recommended that people who have hair loss problems be examined by a specialist physician as soon as possible.