Why does hair thin?
The average person has about 100,000 hairs on their head and loses about 100 of them everyday. If those hairs do not grow back at the same rate, or more than 100 hairs fall out, it may be a sign of thinning hair. A whopping 40% of women have visible hair loss by age 40.
Reasons for thinning hair
- Genetics: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss and affects over 80 million people in the US.
- Diet: Mineral and vitamin deficiencies can affect hair loss.
- Hormones: Pregnancy and menopause can stir up hair issues.
- Stress: Alopecia areata is a form of sudden hair loss that is often caused by stress.
- Illness: Lupus and thyroid diseases can cause hair loss.
The hair growth cycle
- Anagen Phase, lasts 2-6 years. Growing phase where the cells in the root of each hair divide, pushing the previous strand out to make room for a new one.
- Catagen Phase, lasts 2-3 weeks. Hair takes a break from growing and prepares to shed so it can eventually renew.
- Telogen Phase, lasts 3 months. Resting phase, during which hair is fully formed- if one is pulled from the root, you’ll see a hard, white substance on its tip.
How to Treat thinning hair
Supplements: Viviscal, a daily supplement strengthens weak, thinning hair with biotin, helps encourage healthy growth and prevent breakage and is perfect for hair loss.
PRP Treatments: Platelet Rich Plasma is a newer biotechnology used to treat early androgenic alopecia or thinning hair by drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood and putting it through a centrifugation process to extract the blood plasma. The plasma is then injected into the scalp to encourage hair growth.
Hair Care: Thinning hair demands extra TLC, so any products used should have scalp health and growth properties. Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved OTC ingredient to produce thicker hair.
Still need help?
Schedule an appointment with one of our providers here at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center to resolve your hair loss or thinning.
703-356-5111.
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