Alopecia is the scientific name for hair loss
It’s completely normal to shed hair, actually, you should be shedding hair every day. 25-100 hairs per day. If you have long and/or thick hair that can seem like a lot! When you notice that the hair left on your head is much thinner or you have bald patches it’s time to seek the help of a professional.
The most common form of alopecia is Androgenetic Alopecia.
This is male or female pattern baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is more likely to happen as a person ages but can start anytime after puberty. Men usually start to notice in their 30’s or 40’s and women generally notice after going through menopause. Male or female pattern baldness can be stopped, even reversed with the proper treatment. I always recommend seeking the help of a professional because it’s imperative to rule out other causes of hair loss as well. We recommend a multi-therapeutic approach to achieve the best results. We like to use high-quality specialized products for healthy scalp hygiene along with supplements and low-level light lasers.
Another very common reason people lose their hair is Medication.
Not all medications will cause people to lose their hair and even the culprits don’t affect everyone. If you suspect your hair loss is due to a medication we recommend that you contact your physician. They may be able to reduce the dosage or switch the medication.
Some common culprits are blood thinners such as warfarin. Accutane, which is used to treat acne. Some anti-depressants, including Prozac and Zoloft, and some cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as Lopid.
General anesthesia can cause hair loss. It usually happens a few weeks after surgery and hair will resume growth on its own in 4-6 months. This can be accelerated with LLL therapy. (laser)
We would still recommend the multi-therapeutic approach and recommend a nutritional therapist who may be able to help regulate your system through a healthy diet so some medications may not be necessary or the dosage can be reduced.
You know I’m going here…Nutritional Deficiencies. Many people across the world are nutrient deficient, even the well-fed people. To know if you truly are, you should see a doctor for a blood test. We recommend eating a balanced diet and managing stress levels.
Many forms of alopecia can be a result of Auto-Immune Disease. This is when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells. There are many contributing factors to auto-immune disease but the bottom line is that researchers don’t know exactly what causes it. Genetics, diet, infections, and exposure to chemicals might be involved.
Alopecia Areata is when there are patchy bald spots on the head. Usually found behind the ears or at the nape of the neck but can be anywhere on the scalp.
Alopecia Totalis is when all of the hair on the head is gone.
Alopecia Universalis is total hair loss on the body and head.
There is no cure for auto-immune diseases but there are some therapies that can help. We would recommend LLL therapy and a natural system for home use for 6 months and then as needed.