Hair loss, thinning or changes are very common with the aging male or female. Did you know it can be reversible? It is important to get to the root cause of hair loss or thinning, give the body the correct nutrients, balance hormones that are declining naturally as we age. Just know that treatment can take up to 1 year to see complete hair restoration. The aging scalp and hair follicles go thru their own growth stages. Most commonly we see hair falling out with the root bulb attached. In some cases, hair can be brittle and break just at the new growth stage or at different lengths. It is vital to see what the cause is and treat it. Aging hair loss may be associated with hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies or toxins in the environment.
Hair loss associated with hormone imbalances are as follows:
- Low Thyroid – Poor Hair quality- diffuse hair loss over all head, thinning hair along the temples, low body hair and loss of hair on the outer 1/3 corners of eyebrows. Hair may be brittle and break at any length.
- Low estrogen, progesterone and low testosterone – In menopausal women, low hormone levels can cause- thinning seen on the top- crown of head or diffuse loss.
- Excess testosterone causing high DHT levels (androgens) – hair thinning or loss on the front of the head
- Male pattern baldness- low testosterone affect – see hair that is thin with long hair and no bald areas (low testosterone with low DHT levels) or smaller hair follicles with some bald areas (low testosterone with high DHT levels)
- Cortisol deficiency – see bald patches or hair loss in plaques
Hair loss associated with nutritional deficiencies are due to:
- Iron deficiency- hair loss seen on the front of the head
- Zinc deficiency
- Vitamin A, B or D deficiencies
- Omega 3 or 6
- Biotin
- Amino acids or protein deficiency.
Hair loss associated with conditions, toxins or infections:
- Fungal infections- white plaque or flakes with circular hair loss
- Chemo therapy related hair loss
- Psoriasis
Know that if you do have any form of hair loss, it is important to investigate what the cause is. Simply getting a blood test for a full blood works up- full thyroid panel, testing your male/female hormones, vitamins D, B and iron along with a blood count may show any imbalances or deficiencies. Getting a hair mineral analysis from a reliable company can show mineral imbalances that are at the cellular level that may be affecting your hormones and hair quality. Treating any underlying infections can also restore hair.
Know that the hair cycle can take 3 months or longer to see result once the underlying cause is treated. There are so many treatments and supplements, topical creams, serums, and vitamins that claim they will help with regrowth but if you don’t treat the underlying cause, you may be wasting your time and money.
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