A magic remedy for the growth and density of hair has not yet been invented: in this area, the body is still too complex a system, which is almost impossible to crack. Therefore, the surest way to avoid hair problems is to properly care for them, lead a healthy lifestyle and contact specialists in time. Only at an appointment with a trichologist can you figure out what the hair lacks and what procedures can and cannot be performed.
Vladimir Pinegin
Candidate of Medical Sciences, dermatologist, trichologist, creator of the Instagram account @vladimirdoctorbeauty
When to go to a trichologist
Many people suffer from hair loss. But how do you know if the situation is getting out of control? If more hair falls out per day than usual, this already indicates disruptions in the functioning of the body. Normally, a person can lose about 100–150 hairs: a significant part of them is lost when washing the head, and the rest during the day, when we comb our hair or accidentally cling to our clothes. At the same time, when assessing the volume of lost hair, the owners of long curls always exaggerate the scale of the disaster, but men often underestimate the problem, delaying its solution.
Another sign worth paying attention to is the thinning of the hair. If its volume has visually decreased, this may signal thinning and a decrease in hair diameter, which is quite typical for androgenetic alopecia, or breaking of the hair shaft. The cause may be improper diet or daily routine. To diagnose the problem, it is necessary to take a blood test, as well as undergo an examination of the scalp, which is performed using a trichoscope. In some cases, it is recommended to conduct a more complex study and make a phototrichogram - one way or another, these procedures are prescribed directly by the doctor at a personal appointment at the clinic.
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Hair Loss Causes
Hair loss can be indicative of various medical conditions. Most patients are diagnosed with two problems: androgenetic alopecia and diffuse telogen hair loss. The first is progressive hair thinning in the fronto-parietal or other areas of increased individual sensitivity. Androgenetic alopecia can be characteristic of both men and women of any age - the process depends on the genetic predisposition of a particular patient. Unfortunately, to one degree or another, alopecia is expressed in almost every person, just someone is more fortunate, and someone less. Until the age of 20, the hair behaves well, and then gradually begins to thin, first by 30, then by 40. Although genes are also not a constant, but a variable that can transform depending on external influences:bad habits, unfavorable environmental factors, sleep disorders and diet.
Diffuse telogen hair loss is a systematic process associated with some provoking factor, such as major surgery, hormonal changes, or medication. Loss develops after 2-3 months, which is associated with the cycle of hair growth, after which there is a massive loss of hair, which lasts for several months. In some cases, it can drag on, but more often it will soon return to normal on its own.
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Why can't I grow my hair
Sometimes girls say that they cannot grow long hair, attributing it to genetics. In such cases, patients often complain of split ends. However, there can be a whole variety of reasons and they must be sought. For example, in patients with chronic anemia, the hairstyle is somewhat reminiscent of a voluminous “cap” at the roots: due to increased fragility, the hair grows only to a certain length and then breaks off. In general, the normal length at which hair can break is 20-24 cm, it is reached approximately by the end of the second year of growth.
A possible cause of increased fragility is the thinning of the hair follicle under the influence of the same mysterious androgenetic predisposition. Hair does not grow to the desired length and falls out. After a while, new and subtle ones appear in their place, which live a shorter cycle. So the process can be repeated over and over again until the hair condition worsens dramatically.
How to give your hair strength
In addition to genetic factors, our habits affect the condition of our hair. One of them is nutrition: those at risk are those who consume insufficient amounts of protein. It should be remembered that protein is one of the most important components and everything is built from it, including hair. Also, for a healthy head of hair, it is necessary to maintain normal levels of iron in the blood. The main source of protein, iron, and beneficial amino acids is meat, so dietary restrictions can lead to a deterioration in appearance. It even happens that deviations remain invisible for a long time. Yes, for the first few years, patients are happy that their skin and hair keep looking neat when they switch to plant-based nutrition. But more often than not, hair becomes more brittle and thinner over time.
As for the mechanical impact, then there is nothing safe. Of the two evils, we choose the lesser: since any drying damages the hair shaft, including natural, it is worth using a hairdryer in the cold blowing mode. You need to care for your hair carefully and regularly. For example, in summer, it is more common to moisturize them with natural oils to create a lipid mantle that envelops the hair and protects it.
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Plasma therapy and other treatments
The treatment regimen is always prescribed individually. Before you go to any procedure that stimulates hair growth, you need to realize that it can only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. This applies, among other things, to the popular plasma therapy - obtaining growth factors from one's own blood and introducing them into the problem area. Today, this method of combating alopecia is considered one of the most effective and efficient. It is prescribed by trichologists in addition to general local therapy. The procedure itself lasts about 20-30 minutes: first, the patient donates 20 ml of blood, then it is processed in a centrifuge, resulting in the release of platelet-rich plasma, which contains growth factors. It is this plasma that is injected into the scalp.
Before prescribing a procedure, the doctor needs to make sure that the therapy will not harm the patient's health. For this, the trichologist, firstly, examines the blood test for abnormalities. Secondly, he collects anamnesis - this is important if the patient's relatives suffer from skin diseases, because in this case the problem may worsen against the background of trauma to the surface of the head. Thirdly, the doctor must make sure that the patient does not have serious contraindications in the form of infectious or severe somatic diseases. The course of treatment takes at least three months, and after that the first positive results can be observed. Usually, the procedure is carried out for three to four months, from once a week to once a month, depending on the intensity of hair loss. A single procedure will have almost no effect on solving the problem. Of course, plasma therapy can be recommended by a trichologist as a prophylaxis, however, it is almost never prescribed independently, without the use of additional local drugs.>