Hair transplantation is needed when we experience too much hair loss, but what causes hair loss? There’s a myriad of reasons for hair loss; some are caused by genetics, health issues or even stress.
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Androgenic alopecia
More commonly referred to as hereditary hair loss, it usually presents itself as male or female pattern baldness. Another common name for this is pattern alopecia. It affects both males and females equally and is also one of the most common forms of hair loss.
Androgenic alopecia tends to occur gradually and can start as early as puberty, while other people can start to have it only in later adulthood or when they’re middle-aged. For females, it usually results in thinning hair in the middle of the scalp and gradually widens and spreads to the rest of the scalp. It usually starts around the age of 65 for females but can be earlier for others.
Alopecia areata
It is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles. This results in bald patches that can vary in size from small to large. And in some cases, it can result in total hair loss. In more severe cases, hair loss can extend to other parts of the body, including the eyebrows and eyelashes.
Anagen effluvium
Anagen effluvium usually occurs as a result of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, where a rapid loss of hair is observed. The condition is reversible, and hair usually grows back when the treatment stops.
Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium usually arises from sudden emotional or physical shock. Examples can be from a sudden traumatic event, periods of extreme stress or serious illness.
In women, it can occur from hormonal changes as well they usually occur during the following:
- Childbirth
- Postpartum
- Menopause
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Some other causes are:
- Malnutrition or deficiency in vitamins and minerals
- Some endocrine disorders
- Taking hormonal birth control
- Acute illnesses or severe infections like the coronavirus
Hair transplantation
There are prominently two hair transplantation procedures to treat hair loss. They are Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Both are good methods for treating hair loss though there are some differences between them.
DHI is usually recommended for patients that are no older than 35 and with mild cases of hair loss because this can lead to a better result.
Although both safe and effective, FUE carries some side effects that DHI doesn’t. Scarring is a main concern when it comes to FUE, as it can leave small white scars from the donor areas where hair follicles have been removed. But the advantage of FUE is that, unlike DHI, it can be performed on large areas whereas DHI can only be performed in small areas and is limited to a maximum of 4000 skin grafts.
Recovery periods between both are similar, and patients can usually expect their hair to grow back between 3 to 4 months after the procedure. Within 1 -2 years, patients can expect 100% new hair growth in the transplanted areas.
Bangkok Hair Clinic has extensive experience in treating hair loss in adults. Contact us today for a consultation and be on your way to a better-looking you.