Is Hair Loss Reversible?

Watching those strands of hair fall or strewn all over the floor and pillowcase is something that can make anyone feel sad and worried. Not to mention, getting the load of hair out of the drain is something that no one looks forward to.

However, seeing that happen, many people worry whether the hair loss is permanent or just temporary. If it’s the latter, there’s not much cause for concern, but if it’s the former, you should look into getting a sapphire blade hair transplant for a permanent restoration.

But how do you know what kind of hair loss it is? That’s what we’re here to tell you, so let’s take a look at the different types of hair loss.

Genetic

Is your father or grandfather (maternal and paternal) bald? Chances are you also have the baldness gene and you’re likely to lose your hair because of your genetics.

However, if you look deep down, your hormones are also involved in this. A by-product of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone binds to the hair follicles on the top and in front of your scalp and miniaturizes them.

This goes on until you eventually lose the follicle forever and end up bald permanently. Curiously enough though, this kind of hair loss doesn’t affect the hair on the side of the head. And that makes it possible to restore hair through transplant surgery.

Hormonal Imbalance

Many women experience hair loss due to this very reason. Take hair loss during pregnancy, for instance.

The main reason why it happens is that the hormones are fluctuating drastically. This kind of “shocks” the body and sends the hair follicles to a stage where they first rest and then shed.

This kind of hair loss is known as telogen effluvium and you will start growing your hair back a few months after the “stressful” event has passed. So, you don’t really need to get a hair transplant for any such hair loss.

However, it is important that you take good care of your health with proper diet and nutrition. And it’s always a good idea to further consult a professional.

Aging

Your hair doesn’t just go white because of aging, it also starts to get wispier and thinner. Additionally, the quality of your hair will change.

If you once had thick strands of hair, they’re likely to get much thinner and weaker. However, these are all inevitable age-related changes that occur.

And you’re unlikely to have hair like you used to as you age even more. In this case too, it’s important to have a good diet and you should make sure to be gentle with your hair as it’ll get weaker.

Tight Hairstyles

This is oft-overlooked but it is also a very common cause of hair loss. That’s because tight hairstyles can lead to what’s known as traction alopecia.

This happens when your hair is under a lot of duress and tension because of how tightly it’s bound. While if you catch it early on, it can be reversed.

But if it’s been happening for too long, the hair loss can be permanent. Many people of African descent experience this kind of hair loss because of weaves, cornrows and dreadlocks.

Medications

It’s also possible to lose hair as a side effect of certain medications. For instance, antidepressants, NSAIDs, and hormonal drugs can do that.

Fortunately, though, this kind of hair loss is usually reversible. The hair starts to grow back once you stop taking the medication (which you shouldn’t do without consulting your doctor).

Rarely though, drug-induced alopecia can also be permanent.

Conclusion

There are several other types of hair loss such as seasonal hair loss or hair loss due to radiotherapy/chemotherapy, but most of these types of hair loss are temporary.

Certain scarring alopecias and genetic hair loss are usually irreversible. But no matter what, you should always, always talk to your doctor about it. Treatment will depend on the cause of the problem and your doctor may need blood tests or further examination for that.