Am I shedding too much hair?
Your scalp has about 100,000 hair follicles. About 90 percent of these follicles are in the “growth” phase, which continues for two to seven years. The other 10 percent of the follicles are going dormant and will eventually shed the hair. If you are losing in the range of 100 to 150 hairs per day, the shedding is in the normal range. However, if you see clumps of hair in the shower or bath drain or more significant amounts of hair in your hairbrush, you should visit with Dr. Wise to help you determine the cause of your hair loss and resolve it.
What diseases or illnesses can lead to hair loss in women?
Some cases of hair loss are the result of a medical condition such as thyroid disease or anemia (low iron). Before your hair restoration treatment, you may undergo blood tests to discover whether you have a physical condition contributing to your hair loss.
Can medication cause me to lose my hair?
Some medications can trigger excessive hair loss in some people. The drugs that are known to have this side effect including cholesterol-lowering medications, blood pressure medications, acne medications, antibiotics and antifungals, antidepressants, birth control pills, immune-suppressive drugs, epilepsy medications, and some others.
Is my hair loss due to stress?
Certain types of life events can shock your system to the degree that you lose hair. Childbirth, fevers, illnesses, a death, or loss of relationship or job can have this effect on some women.
Can hair products make your hair fall out?
Shampoos and conditions will rarely have this effect, but harsher chemical formulas such as in a perm could lead to weaker hairs that are damaged and will then fall out.
Should I be using an organic or natural shampoo to avoid hair loss?
While it is true that commercial shampoos contain chemicals, but generally these chemicals are mild and will not trigger hair loss. Most commercial shampoos strip away the essential oils, and may over time, weaken your hair.
Does washing your hair every day lead to hair loss?
No. Washing your hair every day has benefits, including helping you shed the hairs that are no longer in the growth phase. If your hair seems too dry, it could be you are using the wrong shampoo.
My part is getting wider – what can I do?
At the Wise Institute for Hair Restoration, we help women who are noticing a wider part or thinning hair around the temples and crown, or other types of hair loss. Loss of hair at the part is often the first place women notice their hair is thinning. Various hair restoration treatments are available, including medications, hair transplants, and regenerative therapies, such as PRP injections. The main issue is to act quickly before the hair follicles become unable to produce hair at all.
Does using a hairdryer damage your hair?
If you use an extremely hot hairdryer, straightener, or curling tool, you may damage the hair shaft, particularly when the device is used close to your scalp. Use these tools on a medium rather than a high setting.
What does it mean if you are losing your hair in patches?
Some skin conditions can lead to hair loss, including eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis. These conditions can be treated with various medications, which can help you avoid further hair loss. Other reasons you may lose hair in patches include an inflammatory response to an environmental toxin, drug, or a reaction to extreme dieting.