The shedding and loss of hair are common in both men and women; the issue being a result of varying factors. Hair loss caused by diffuse thinning is very much the same. In this blog post, you’ll learn about diffuse hair loss is, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
What Is Diffuse Hair Loss?
Diffuse hair loss is the shedding of hair on the scalp caused by the disruption of the regular life cycle of the hair. Hair growth occurs in three phases: the anagen, catagen, and telogen phase. The anagen phase is also known as the active phase, in which hair begins to grow from the follicles. Then, during the catagen phase, the hair strands go into a resting or dormant stage. They stay in their follicles, but detach from the papilla and stop growing. Next, during the telogen phase, the follicle remains dormant, and strands will be shed.
Diffuse hair loss occurs when a large amount of your hair follicles enters the telogen phase resulting in shedding. Telogen effluvium is a type of diffuse hair loss or alopecia in women. Telogen effluvium is a condition in which the hair prematurely enters the telogen or resting phase due to a high level of stress without scarring or inflammation.
What Causes Diffuse Hair Loss?
Diffuse hair loss or thinning hair can be a result of several triggering factors that include:
- Stress: Prolonged stress periods can force the hair follicles into the telogen phase or resting phase. You begin to lose hair a few months after the stressful event.
- Poor Diet/Nutrition: The hair requires certain nutrients like iron, proteins, and vitamins for growth, strength, and flexibility. Lack of these nutrients may result in loss of hair quality and quantity.
- Medications/Drugs: Certain drugs or medications may cause hair loss by interfering with the normal hair cycle. Patients may experience hair loss as a common side effect of many drugs and medicine.
Your hair loss may also be due to an underlying health issue or condition, such as an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid gland.
What Are The Symptoms Of Diffuse Hair Loss?
Diffuse hair loss or thinning hair can easily be recognized. Its symptoms include; an increased amount of hair loss on the pillow or while washing, thining of the natural hairline, and a general thin-feel of your hair.
How To Treat Diffuse Hair Loss?
Hair loss does not have harmful physical effects but can be distressing and affect a person’s emotional well-being. Diffuse hair loss is a non-scarring hair loss condition, meaning it can be corrected with the right treatments. This part of the article discusses the treatments to help treat diffuse hair loss. Treatment for diffuse hair loss is solely dependent on the cause. Below are some effective treatments for diffuse hair loss:
Topical Minoxidil Solution
Minoxidil is an over the counter medication that is sold under generic brand names like rogaine. Manufacturers deliver minoxidil in liquid or foam form and are available in 2% and 5% solution. It works effectively for treating hair loss conditions such as diffuse hair loss and pattern hair loss.
Minoxidil affects follicular cells by stimulating hair growth and reducing diffuse hair loss. It thickens the hair, reduces the appearance of thin and diffuse hair. The 2% solution is to be applied on the scalp twice daily and is proven to be the most effective solution for diffuse hair loss treatment. The 5% solution can be used once daily.
Hair regrowth starts typically after 6 months of consistent use of minoxidil. You should continue using this treatment if it works for your hair loss without any adverse side effects. Discontinued use of minoxidil solution would result in recurring hair loss.
Oral Finasteride
Finasteride is a 5alpha reductase inhibitor, an excellent alternative for those who do not find minoxidil useful for their hair loss. It is also sold under generic brand names such as Propecia. Finasteride prevents hair loss by halting the production of hormones that causes damages to the hair follicles. It acts as a barrier preventing your hormones from binding to your hair follicles and causing any damage. Finasteride can enhance hair regrowth in patches of hair that are starting to thin.
Low-level Laser Therapy
Low light laser therapy increases blood circulation to the scalp and works to prevent the production of hormones that contributes to hair loss. Low light laser therapy stimulates circulation that encourages hair follicles to grow hair. Low light laser therapy also helps to strengthen the hair strands. This method of hair restoration is widely accepted and considered safe with no side effects. Scientists have also shown that hair growth in individuals who used low-level light therapy increased by an average of 18 normal-size hairs per square centimetre. This makes LLLT a very effective treatment for diffuse hair loss.
Seeking Professional Help For Diffuse Hair Loss
Getting to the bottom of your hair problem is paramount if you are going to succeed in restoring lost hair. Professional help from a dermatologist or trichologist will help with diagnosing the cause as well as finding the right treatment. The hair restoration experts at Vinci Hair Clinic will help in every aspect of your hair recovery journey. Get in touch to book your free hair and scalp examination today.
