Most people have a very strong sense of image consciousness particularly during their early years which include: the teens, the twenties and thirties. Dating and social outings are usually of prime importance. And the media often conveys very strong messages about the importance of personal attractiveness. This is not only seen among celebrities, but also on the sites and imagery associated with fashion brands. So when hair starts to fall out, this can be enormously distressing, particularly for younger individuals who are more likely to compare themselves to these standards. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when considering options for restoring hair
(1) Start Early
You may have heard that average people lose around a hundred hairs a day. This is based on the estimated percentage of hairs that are in resting phase. But a research study published in 2008 by the Archives of Dermatology actually found that 10 hairs was considered to be the norm.
And if anyone should know what is a higher than usual rate of shedding, it should be you. If you are noticing more hairs on your pillow, or more hair lost in the bath or shower, this would be the best time to start looking for help.
If you do have inherited baldness, seeking early treatment can help you avoid the struggles of more serious stages of hair loss.
(2) Talk to a Doctor to Determine the Causes
At first the thought of seeing a hair restoration doctor may seem a little extreme and unnecessary. But it is a wise choice. A physician can perform blood tests to determine if you have some other medical condition causing your hair loss (i.e. imbalanced thyroid) or even a nutritional deficiency.
This information is essential for choosing the right treatment.
(3) Invest Wisely
The search for hair restoration cures has been around since recorded history began. And we continue to do so today. The most common pitfall made by hair loss sufferers is to use trial and error to experiment with different products and hair growth procedures. Making a habit of trying things out and hoping for the best can be very expensive. And this can be disappointing when desired results don’t happen.
Therefore, spending money on reliable hair restoration treatments based on actual causes will be the best way to go.
(4) Make Long Term Healthy Choices
Nutrition alone will not reverse hair loss. But it can help give your body the tools and resources it needs to function properly in order to keep the follicles as healthy as possible. And in the long term, this can actually help slow down the rate of shedding and thinning. Likewise, research also shows that heavy drinking and smoking can speed the process of hair loss. Therefore, lifestyle habits do matter.
Hair restoration surgery can produce amazing results. But younger individuals are often still losing their hair. Therefore, these procedures need to be scheduled when hair loss has stabilized. A doctor can provide the best guidance on when to have an operation if this is strongly desired.
Sanusi Umar, M.D.
