Hair loss and baldness – causes and treatment

A growing number of people are suffering from alopecia – hair loss. Many men will notice signs of hair loss in middle age – or even earlier – and hair loss is also affecting women.

Pharmacies and websites offer numerous preparations that promise to regrow or stop hair loss – but before reaching for one of the preparations, it is important to know that there are numerous causes of hair loss, as well as treatment methods for each individual case.

The first step in successfully combating baldness must always be a diagnosis by a dermatovenerologist, who will first diagnose the cause of hair loss and only then suggest the most effective methods for each individual case.

Timely response and professional help from a dermatovenerologist can stop hair loss or improve its quality.

Why does hair loss occur?

Each of our hairs has its own lifespan, a growth, resting and shedding phase. After a hair falls out, it gives way to a new hair, which immediately starts growing in its place. Losing 50-100 hairs a day is completely normal, but anything over that indicates one of the many forms of alopecia (baldness).

There are many factors that lead to hair loss. The most common causes are:

1. Hereditary factors cause hair loss, which is called androgenic alopecia . This genetically programmed shrinkage of the follicles leads to the growth of increasingly weaker hairs, until growth stops completely. Androgenetic alopecia is more common in men, but it also affects women.

It usually does not cause health problems and is not associated with diseases or disorders in the body. It usually manifests as gradual hair loss – in men first in the sideburns and on the scalp, and in women in the parting area.

2. Various diseases and disorders can lead to focal hair loss in the form of alopecia areata, i.e. in larger or smaller regions in a circular or oval shape. Therefore, it is important to perform a comprehensive diagnosis to exclude the possibility that the hair loss is caused by diseases such as tumors, lupus, late-stage syphilis, autoimmune diseases, pituitary diseases, or infections of various types. Hair loss due to disease is temporary, and hair usually grows back after treatment.

3. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and thyroid disorders are also common causes of hair loss. As with hair loss due to illness, this hair loss manifests itself in the form of alopecia areata, or patchy hair loss. This type of hair loss is usually temporary – once the illness or hormonal imbalance is gone, the hair will grow back.

4. Stressful events or long-term exposure to stress can also result in hair loss. The most common form of baldness is called telogen effluvium – thinning hair or hair loss over the entire scalp, or alopecia areata – patchy hair loss. In most cases, hair will grow back after the stressful event or period has passed and the body has recovered.

5. Psychological disorders can also be the cause of hair loss – a condition called trichotillomania is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder in which a state of discomfort and restlessness is channeled through hair pulling. If the disorder persists for a longer period of time, it can lead to more severe hair loss and visible patches of hair loss. In addition to cosmetic treatments that can alleviate the unsightly appearance and stimulate hair growth, it is important to seek out a psychologist who can help treat the primary cause of this type of hair loss.

6. Mechanical factors that lead to hair loss can be tight hairstyles, buns, braids, or frequent wearing of ponytails or fishtails. If hair is often tied up and very tight, the follicles are stressed and over time they weaken and consequently hair loss occurs. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the hairstyles we wear are gentle on the hair and the health of the follicles.

7. Medications and toxins can lead to hair loss. Chemotherapy, medications for cardiovascular disease, depression, arthritis, and other medications are the most common groups of medications whose side effects can be hair loss. Heavy metals and various chemical substances are also on the list of possible causes of baldness.

8. Nutrient deficiencies weaken follicles and can be a factor in hair loss. These usually include iron, zinc, vitamins A, D, and C, and some experts believe that hair loss can also be caused by a reduced protein intake. This type of hair loss usually manifests as telogen effluvium, a thinning of hair across the entire scalp.

How to prevent or reduce hair loss?

1. See a dermatologist – a timely response is very important. The doctor will identify the causes and instruct you on how to eliminate these problems, and then, with a set of carefully selected treatments, alleviate the effect of hair loss, stop it or stimulate regrowth. Bagatin Polyclinic provides you with a comprehensive and professional approach to this problem, so contact us as soon as you notice increased hair loss.

2. Eliminate the cause of hair loss – stress, inadequate hairstyles, illness or hormonal disorders that are behind hair loss must be treated and eliminated in order to enable the recovery of the body, and thus the scalp and hair. If you are suffering from stress, it might not be a bad idea to seek out a psychologist and learn some relaxation methods (meditation, autogenic training, yoga, etc.).

3. Nourish the scalp, restore hair with mesotherapy or stem cells

At our Bagatin Polyclinic, you can help your hair with modern mesotherapy treatments and hair thinning therapy using your own blood. These treatments are among the rare and proven methods that have a positive effect on hair recovery and scalp revitalization. Both treatments involve the injection of high-quality ingredients that stimulate follicle renewal, nourish and regenerate hair directly into the scalp.

The mesotherapy cocktail consists of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, while stem cell treatments use plasma from your own blood, rich in stem cells and nutrients. These minimally invasive and safe treatments accelerate scalp recovery, strengthen hair and accelerate hair growth, and do not require any special preparations or recovery period. That is why they are very practical even for people who have many obligations and do not have time to come for demanding and long-term treatments.

If you have noticed increased hair loss, contact our team at the Bagatin Polyclinic with confidence. Our experts will diagnose the cause of the problem and then offer you the best treatment. We have a number of successful mesotherapy treatments and therapies for thinning hair with our own blood, which have helped people regain their confidence and youthful appearance.