Hair loss can be a distressing experience for anyone, affecting both men and women. Both my husband and I now suffer with it and it can come as a bit of a shock.

One common concern is whether your own treatment of your hair has caused this issue. This could be wearing a hat or headset or over washing. Many people do worry if this could be contributing to hair thinning or baldness.

What Does Natural Hair Loss Look Like?

As someone who has always had a lot of hair, it's stressful when this starts to change. But what is normal?

It’s important to recognise that some degree of hair loss is routine and happens every day. On average a person sheds between 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of their own natural cycle. Hair follicles go through different stages, so finding a few strands of hair in your brush or on your pillow is completely normal.

If you start noticing excessive shedding, or thinning patches, I have these at the crown; or areas of your scalp becoming more visible, that’s when it’s time to consider the possibility of extra reasons for hair loss.

Do Headsets or Hats Really Cause Hair Loss?

I've realised this is one of the most pervasive hair loss myths. The fear is that wearing a hat for long periods of time may cut off circulation to the hair follicles or cause friction that leads to hair loss. However, there's no scientific evidence to support this.

Hair follicles get their nutrients from blood circulation beneath the scalp, not from the air outside. As long as your hat isn't excessively tight or pulling on your hair there’s no risk of it causing baldness.

Similar to hats, headsets are often a worry especially among gamers or people who wear them for hours at a time for work. While prolonged headset use may cause pressure or friction on certain areas of your scalp, leading to some hair breakage, it is highly unlikely to cause permanent hair loss.

What really causes hair loss

The most common reasons you may start to lose your hair are below, however it's important to always visit your GP with any issues you may be worrying about.

• Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, which is unfortunately hereditary and affects both men and women. In men, we often see it as a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. Women may experience diffuse thinning over the top of the scalp. Although I also have this at the crown so everyone is different.

• Telogen effluvium is temporary hair shedding due to by stress, illness, hormonal changes, or certain medications.

• Alopecia areata - more unusual, an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss.

• Traction alopecia this is caused by constant pulling on the hair due to tight hairstyles like overly using buns, tight ponytails or high hair styles which put the hair under strain.

How can you treat Hair Loss

If like me you thought that this was a problem you can't solve, think again. If you're experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, there are various real scientific treatments that can help slow the process or stimulate new growth.

Here are some we've found:

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Minoxidil is an over-the-counter solution that is applied directly to the scalp. It has been clinically proven to promote hair growth by widening blood vessels and increasing circulation to the hair follicles, extending the growth phase. It’s effective for both men and women but works best when started early.

Finasteride (Propecia)

Finasteride is a prescription medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles in androgenetic alopecia. It's primarily used in men and has shown great results in slowing down or even reversing hair loss, particularly on the crown and mid-scalp.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Low-level laser devices, such as laser combs or helmets, have been approved by the FDA for stimulating hair growth. These devices use red light to boost blood flow to the scalp and enhance cellular activity in the hair follicles, promoting hair growth.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting it into areas of thinning hair. Platelets contain growth factors that can help stimulate hair growth and improve hair density.

Hair Transplant Surgery

For those with more advanced hair loss, hair transplant surgery may be an option. This is an extreme way to deal with the issue and it may be worth consulting a doctor first about how the condition makes you feel before embarking on a surgery.

Why Hair Loss is Concerning for Both Men and Women

Hair is often tied to personal identity and self-esteem, so losing it can be emotionally challenging for both men and women. While male pattern baldness is more widely discussed, women are not immune to the emotional toll of hair loss. Thinning hair or bald patches can deeply affect one's confidence, leading to anxiety, stress, or social withdrawal.

In women, hair loss is often less expected and can be more distressing due to societal pressures that associate full, healthy hair with femininity. Men, though they may face more cultural acceptance around baldness, can also struggle with the changes in their appearance and the feelings of aging that may accompany it.

Genetics, hormones, and lifestyle, play a large role in hair thinning so it’s important to consult a dermatologist or hair specialist to determine the underlying cause and explore treatments that are right for you.

In the meantime, be gentle with your hair. Avoid overly tight hairstyles, limit excessive heat styling, and maintain a healthy scalp to help preserve your natural hair. With the right treatment and care, you can often slow down hair loss helping you regain confidence.

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