How to Tell if Your Hair is Thinning

Look Out: How to Tell if Your Hair is Thinning

Overview

Hair loss is a general term associated with gradual thinning on top of the head, receding hairline, and patchy bald spots.

Unlike widespread hair loss such as male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), thinning hair refers to minor to moderate hair loss.

Thinning hair may be caused by environmental factors, lifestyle habits, or genetics. Although not openly discussed, hair thinning and hair loss generally cause psychological distress to people experiencing it.

4 Tell-Tale Signs Your Hair is Thinning

Some hair loss is normal. In fact, it is part of the natural hair cycle. However, knowing how to tell if your hair is thinning can help address its root cause in its early stages. Here are some signs to look out for:

1. Visible Scalp

A visible scalp is one of the most evident signs of thinning hair. When your air starts thinning, you may start to notice that your scalp is more visible between the hair you have left.

This effect is often more noticeable at your hairline, crown, temples, or along your hair parting.

2. There is Hair Everywhere

Sure, it is normal to shed between 50 to 100 hairs a day. However, when you see more hair on your pillow, in the shower, and hairbrush, this might be a call for concern.

This excessive hair shedding condition is referred to as telogen effluvium. You may lose 300 to 500 hairs a day, and hair may look visibly thin, particularly at the crown and temple area.

Medical events such as thyroid imbalance, surgery, nutrient deficiency, and certain medications usually trigger this type of hair loss.

3. The Appearance of Distinct Patterns

Different types of hair loss may exhibit distinct and noticeable patterns.

For instance, a receding hairline with an “M” shape androgenetic alopecia or female (or male) pattern baldness. An inverted widow’s peak or reversed “V” shape may also happen due to a receding hairline.

Meanwhile, Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL) primarily affects the top and front of the scalp, often presenting itself as loss of hair on the crown, receding hairline, and sometimes both.

4. Itchy and Flaky Scalp

An itchy and flaky scalp is generally caused by dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition.

An itchy and flaky scalp does not necessarily cause hair loss; however, aggressive scratching can damage the scalp and hair follicles. This may lead to bleeding, temporary hair loss, and scabbing from the scratching.

4 Solutions for Thinning Hair in Men

Several preventive measures can be used to manage or slow down hair loss in its early stages:

1. Healthy Diet

Proper nutrition is just as important for hair growth as in overall health. Deficiency in protein, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals has shown to contribute to hair loss.

Consuming food high in vitamins A, B, C, D, iron, selenium, and zinc are essential for hair health.

2. Manage Stress

Severe stress is linked with hair loss, specifically alopecia areata, a condition that causes hair to fall out in small patches. This happens when the body is under chronic stress, and its immune system attacks the hair follicles — causing hair loss.

To manage stress, try to allocate a few minutes for meditation, do physical exercises, and aim for at least seven hours of quality sleep.

3. Scalp Massage

Aroma oil, such as lavender oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil, extracts mixed with a carrier oil (jojoba, olive, coconut, and argan oil) are excellent for scalp massage.

Lavender oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that promote healthy hair. Peppermint oil has resulted in hair growth effects, a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth without any toxic signs. Rosemary oil, on the other hand, has shown a similar beneficial effect as minoxidil, a common drug for hair growth but with less scalp itching as a side effect.

4. Medications

Several over-the-counter and prescription drugs for hair loss are available such as minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia) that treat hair loss in men and enlarged prostate.

Always consult your doctor before taking any medications to avoid complications and unforeseen side effects.

Some signs of thinning hair may be caused by biological factors such as thyroid imbalance, wherein the thyroid may produce too few or too many hormones. If you notice the sign of hair thinning or hair loss, consult your doctor for advice before taking medications.

Knowing how to tell if your hair is thinning is the first step; let us know how we can help you regain confidence and youthful vigor. Opt Health offers personalized support from top-tier health experts. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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