Normally, the hair cycle consists of 3 main phases: the growth phase, the resting phase, and the shedding phase. Our hair constantly grows and sheds in alternating cycles. However, for those who experience abnormally excessive hair fall, it can negatively affect their appearance and self-confidence, and may also indicate other abnormalities in the body. Let's first do a simple self-check.
What kind of hair loss is abnormal, and when should you see a doctor?
- Patchy hair fall
- Hair fall exceeding 100 strands per day
- Hair fall accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, such as weight loss, body rashes, or diarrhea
When a patient visits a doctor for hair fall treatment, the doctor will take a preliminary history, such as whether the patient notices an unusually large amount of hair on their pillow after waking up, or whether they can gather less hair than before. The doctor will also examine the scalp, hair, and check for other organ system abnormalities to find the true cause of hair fall.
For some patients, additional laboratory investigation may be required, such as microscopic examination of hair strands or a scalp biopsy for pathological analysis and to look for other abnormalities as well.
What kind of hair loss is abnormal, and when should you see a doctor?
After identifying the cause of hair fall, the doctor will focus on treating the underlying disease first. For example, if the patient has hyperthyroidism contributing to hair fall, treating that condition will be the primary approach, with supplementary hair fall medications such as topical scalp treatments. In some cases, hair transplant surgery may be considered. The treatment method depends on the individual patient's condition, and ongoing treatment is important for complete recovery.
For those with general hair fall that is not severe enough to require a doctor's visit, you should still not ignore it. If we allow the scalp to weaken and hair roots to lose strength, hair may fall more and more until baldness occurs.
If you are not sure where to start, you may try scalp care products that help stimulate blood circulation and the function of hair follicles, producing thick, strong hair that is less prone to breakage and fall — free of chemicals, such as AloEx Shampoo and Serum, formulated with over 30 natural herbal extracts to help nourish your hair and scalp for strength and good health.
