Reasons Why Your Hair Is Thinning
Everyone loses hair everyday. It’s part of the normal cycle of hair growth. But when you begin finding far more hair than usual in the shower drain, or you can see more scalp than you used to, you may be experiencing thinning hair.
At Osteopathic Center for Healing in Rockville, Maryland, Neil Spiegel, DO, and Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, understand that hair loss can affect your self-confidence and that it may signal an underlying health issue.
We can help you understand why you’re losing more hair than usual and offer options to reverse the problem.
Common reasons for thinning hair
As you age, your hair naturally thins, but there are a few other reasons you may experience hair loss. For example, your genetic makeup plays a big role in whether you lose your hair prematurely.
Genetics
In men, hair loss for genetic reasons is called male-pattern baldness, and in women it’s female-pattern baldness. The pattern is different, with men tending to have a receding hairline and hair loss at the crown, and women experience thinning overall. But in both cases, it’s related to your genes.
Stress
Another common issue is chronic stress. Hair loss due to stress is called telogen effluvium, and often it resolves on its own.
Childbirth, surgery, an illness, or grief are all situations that bring about hair loss in some people. Recently, with the extended pandemic and all of the related stress, telogen effluvium has been remarkably prevalent.
Thyroid issues
If your thyroid produces too much or too little hormone, you may have hair loss. When you come to Osteopathic Center for Healing because you’re losing hair, this is one thing we check.
Style
Do you wear your hair in tight braids? A ponytail? Styles that pull on your hair can damage your follicles and lead to hair loss. Loosening the style and changing it regularly can help.
Dietary concerns
Proper nutrition is important for keeping your hair. Nutritional deficiencies are common and can lead to hair loss. Aim for a diet rich in vegetables, lean sources of protein, iron, and whole grains.
Treating hair loss
Regardless of the reason you’re losing hair, we may be able to help. We do a complete physical and blood work to check for thyroid issues or nutritional deficiencies that could be contributing to the problem. We also discuss your overall health.
If chronic stress seems to be the root of the problem, we can help you find ways to lower your stress levels. We can suggest supplements and dietary changes if necessary.
For those who are experiencing hair loss for genetic reasons, we can offer services such as microneedling or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Topical solutions are also available.
We provide treatment suggestions based on your specific situation, after we understand your overall health and goals. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about how we can help you reverse your hair loss.