Ask the experts
Every month our resident doctor Deborah McManners or trichologist Eoin Wright will directly answer 5 selected questions related to the topic of hair loss from those submitted.
New questions and answers from trichologist Eoin Wright - 10th August 2009
I am a mobile hairdresser and I have a customer of 87yrs who is suffering hair loss, not in clumps just thinning, it is coming out quite a lot when I brush the set out, she is not as well as she used to be but is needing a perm and I'm a bit worried about doing this, do you think it would harm the hair or even break the hair and make matters worse?
Hair thinning is a common complaint in older clients. The cause can be contributed to many reasons,both physical and medical. As your client is unwell there could be an underlining medical reason for the hair thinning. With regards to perming your clients hair,there is no reason not to as long as the correct procedures are followed ie a patch test to check for contact reaction,correct choice of lotion for the hair condition,timing aplication of product. Follow up treatment and maintenance of the hair.
My name is Sara. When I gave birth 4 months ago my hair started falling in chunks - it became thin and i have bald patches on both front sides. I want to braid and sew full headed weave - will it harm me?
Hair shedding after birth is common place. The severity demands on the individual. Stress related hair thinning is also a foctor to take into consideration along with the natural cycle of hair shedding. Great care must be taken to avoid Traction Alopecia as it can be a result of canstant weaving of additional into tight braiding
My wife has got problems with thinning hair on the crown of her head, her blood pressure is OK and her diet is fine. Every time she washes it more comes out, are there other reasons?
It is difficult to answer this question as there are so many variables and information I would need to make a proper assesment of your wives thinning hair. But as a starting point I would recommend that she gets a full set of blood tests done to make sure that there are no imbalances present or underlining medical problems responsible for hair thinning.
Take a look at previous questions and answers:
Eoin Wright
How can I stop androgeneic alopecia? I have thinner hair each year and much less of it, all that shows is scalp and more scalp, what is tgf beta expression.
Many women show increased shedding of hair after they stop taking "the Pill". This diffuse alopeia is normally mild and varies from person to person, and the recovery period is spontaneous. "Pills" with " net androgenir activity" may induce common baldness in genetically disposed women. If you are prone to this you should consult with your doctor for an alternative.
You would have to look at your diet to make sure you were getting enough iron, (check your blood test). A bad diet or crash dieting is associated with diffuse shedding and changes in the thickness of the hair.
A supplement can be taken to assist filling in the blanks that are not being supplied by your diet.
How can I stop androgeneic alopecia? I have thinner hair each year and much less of it, all that shows is scalp and more scalp, what is tgf beta expression.
Unfortunately you cannot stop Androgenetic Alopecia; there are different forms of therapy that may be undertaken but should only be considered after consultation with your GP who is fully aware of the pitfalls of treatments. Androgenetic Alopecia is stressful for anybody and if approached or treated with a lack of insight it may lead to a depressive illness, which may require treatment.
TGF Beta (Transforming Growth Factor Beta) controls proliferation, cellular differentiation, and other functions in most cells. This is quite a complex subject matter and you would need to be more specific about which exact area it is you wish to research. I suggest you go online, as there are many papers to be found there on the subject.
I am 49. In 10 years I have lost my daughter, had meningitis x 2; minor stroke; diabetes (on insulin + tablets) and major brain surgery to repair a hole in the dura - the cause for recurrent meningitis. I had my hair shaved off and it grew back ok but now 6 years on my hair is thinning out very badly over the top and upsetting me. Can you advise?
You have been through an awful lot of stress and sickness in the past few years so, firstly I would suggest that you get a full set of bloods done with your GP to make sure there is no underlying reason for your hair thinning. Based on an "OK" result from your GP, possible reasons for your thinning could be Androgenetic Alopecia or stress-related hair thinning. I have covered Androgenetic Alopecia above. As for stress-related hair thinning, you must try to remove the stress. Identifying the stress triggers is always a problem but this can be aided via a consultation with a tricologist who can examine the regrowth patterns of the hair and provide a time line for the hair shedding, thus helping identify the stress that may have caused the shedding episode.
3 years ago my GP prescribed 20mg of amitriptyline at night to treat IBS although this drug is more commonly used for depression and my dosage is quite low but later I noticed that my hair was thinning out quite a bit not bald patches. I have read that antidepressants can cause hair loss. I have weened myself off it but will my hair grow back?
The side effect of hair loss with antidepressants is extremely rare, but it does occur. Stopping Antidepressant that cause hair loss might stop the problem, but the benefits of taking them may be better for the individual. Consultation with your GP is vital if you are thinking of taking such measures. Discuss the problem with your GP instead of taking the hair loss issue into your own hands.
You should get a full set of bloods done with your GP to make sure everything else is ok and then look at your diet to address what may be missing. A supplement can help to boost your hair if your diet is lacking.
I have been diagnosed with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia. I have been prescribed a topical steroid, a Trichologist has prescribed Aloe Vera Juice and shampoo, is there anything else I can do?
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is an irrerversible process with a slow course and there is no clearly defined line of treatment for the condition. Findings of a scalp biopsy, information of the type of inflammation present, location and amount of scalp therapy assist in the diagnosis of FFA. It can be slowed with the use of topical steroids but this is not a definite finding.
Unfortunately there is nothing else I could suggest but just to look after and maintain what hair has been unaffected with a good shampoo and conditioner and not forgetting treatments at least once per week.
Dr Deborah McManners
Will my doctor think I'm vain if I make an appointment to see him or her about my hair loss?
Not at all. Doctors have a duty of care to both our emotional and physical health and hair loss can often be a symptom of both. Sometimes hair loss can be a side-effect of medication you are taking and it's important to discuss this with your doctor.
You may be sent for a blood test to check for nutritional deficiencies and other potential causes such as under-active thyroid.
My family has a history of hair loss. Will that make me more likely to suffer from it too?
Hair loss can be hereditary so your chances may well be increased if you have family members who have a tendency to thinning hair. This makes taking care of your hair all the more important both in terms of managing it and taking care of your health.
Why does chemotherapy make your hair fall out?
The drugs used to treat cancer can shut down the hair follicle making the hair fall out. People undergoing treatment for cancer also tend to be weakened physically which means their hair often suffers too. Hair usually takes up to six months to grow again after treatment has finished.
Why does stress affect hair loss?
When we are stressed, we often eat badly which prevents our bodies from getting the vital nutrients needed. Some people find themselves twisting or tugging their hair when they are under pressure which can cause breakages and weaken hairs in vulnerable areas. It is also worth remembering that it is common for emotional feelings to come out in a physical way even though doctors are not always sure why.
How common is it for prescribed medicines to cause hair to thin as a side effect?
Drugs which treat a variety of conditions including diabetes, epilepsy, angina, and an over-active thyroid have been known to cause hair to thin as a side effect. As with any medication it is important to discuss potential side effects with your GP when taking a new drug. No prescription drug should be suddenly stopped or reduced without consultation with the prescribing doctor.
I am a 58 year old widow and have been suffering from hair loss for over a year. There are no bald patches but it gets thinner. My doctor has ruled out clinical cause and puts it down to stress, lifestyle and diet. I am also a recovering anorexic. Please could you suggest a good diet for me? I was vegetarian but am now trying to re-introduce meat.
For anybody who has a history of inadequate dietary intake, it can certainly have a detrimental affect on the quality of hair and hair growth. You could certainly help to nourish your hair by ensuring your diet consists of some of the following nutrients…
Iron – as well as red meat, good sources include soya, dark green vegetables such as spinach and wheat bran. Iron is more easily absorbed if it’s consumed alongside food containing vitamin C such as orange juice.
Dietary protein is essential for healthy hair. Amino acids are the building blocks for keratin which hair is made of and found in sources of dietary protein such as meat, eggs, nuts and seeds
Zinc is essential for healthy hair and good sources include sardines, brown rice, rye bread, cheese
The antioxidant mineral Selenium is also important for healthy hair – good sources include cheese, carrots, brazil nuts.
It’s important that you get lots of variety from your diet but you may also find that taking a nutritional supplement may help to improve the hair quality and hair growth.
My Polycystic Ovary syndrome leads to hair loss and thinning - what can I do?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a complex hormonal disorder affecting many women who may experience a range of problems including excessive facial hair, scalp hair loss, weight gain and acne. PCOS is caused by a sensitivity to male circulating hormones and should be diagnosed by a GP.
If you are experiencing hair thinning or loss as a result of PCOS you should get your GP to examine the scalp to determine the pattern of hair loss. If it is clearly female pattern baldness with thinning over the crown and temples then specialist advice about medical treatment options should be sought.
Nevertheless, it is vital for all women experiencing PCOS to eat a balanced diet which contains the essential nutrients to encourage hair growth. Please take a look at our healthy hair diet in the lifestyle section of the website for more advice.
I had an operation 6 months ago, anurism on my auorta, plus emergency operation soon after. My hair has thinned all over, maybe not helped by having an overall tint in Thailand, went very orange so a friend applied a blondish colour,still orange. Back in the uk now, another colour on, maybe ok colour wise, but very, very thin.need help please
Any major operation is likely to cause both physical and emotional stress and hair loss can certainly occur for some months in the convalescent period. The cycle of hair growth includes the growing phase, resting phase and falling phase and the stress reaction results in greater hair fall known as Telogen Effluvium. In addition, excessive hair dying will dry the hair, lift the cuticle and render the hair brittle.
You should ensure that you eat a diet full of nutrients known to healthy hair (see our healthy hair diet in the lifestyle section of this website) and/or you could also consider taking a nutritional supplement to help improve hair quality and hair growth.
To avoid further accelerated hair fall and to maintain hair quality, you should shampoo and condition daily with high quality products. Rinse shampoo fully to hydrate the hair follicles and condition afterwards running the product to the end of the hair to flatten the cuticle and lock in moisture. You should also squeeze water out of the hair rather than rubbing dry. Minimise use of a hairdryer and avoid high heat – especially straightening irons - to reduce damage to the hair shaft and split ends. Avoid tying hair up as this causes traction alopecia and can break the hair shaft.
I am a woman of 46 and believe my hairloss is due to stress.Are there any particular foods or vegetables that can prevent further loss or encourage new growth?
Also,does smoking make the situation worse?
Many thanks
When we are stressed, our diet and lifestyle tends to suffer and we might not have time to eat properly or pay attention to living a healthy lifestyle. As well as following our diet for healthy hair (see the lifestyle section of this website), remember to eat regularly and don’t skip meals as this will disrupt the supply of nutrients to the scalp.
Smoking reduces blood flow to skin and hair slowing the rate of hair growth so it certainly makes the situation worse and in times of stress, we tend to increase our nicotine intake.
Many women will tend to pull or touch their hair habitually when stressed which can promote breakage of the hair shafts so it’s worth being mindful of this too.
Has there been any research into why more women are losing hair these days? Is it the water, or is it pollution, or what?
While there is a lack of in depth high quality research, there are several factors which could contribute to more women losing their hair these days.
It has been well recongised that modern living is becoming more stressful and many women have little time to plan their daily diet so tend to eat on the run which can limit their nutrient intake. Chronic low-levels of stress may impair hair growth and the rise of veganism or vegetarianism - whilst both healthy ways of eating if done properly - may limit nutrient consumption. As there is also a tendency for fewer and later pregnancies these days, most women spend the majority of their child bearing years on the pill and some women are sensitive to the hormones in some contraceptive pills which can result in hair thinning or loss.
