Alopecia , or hair loss , and perception of a transitory or permanent reduction in the number of hairs, is a frequent complaint. Depending on the cause it can: Involve the entire head, or only certain areas; Occurs suddenly and evolves quickly, or being slowly progressive; Be located in the head only, or affect the entire body; Be associated with hair follicle problems, more general health issues, medications or other treatments. What is the cause of hair loss The most frequent types of alopecia are: Androgenic alopecia or baldness: it is the most common, has a different pattern in men and women and is due to genetic and hormonal factors; Telogen effluvium : especially frequent in women, it can be due to stimuli that alter the hair growth and renewal cycle; Alopecia areata : in which there are localized areas of hair loss without destruction of the follicles, it is more frequent in children and young people, and is currently considered an autoimmune disease with genetic influences and environmental triggers. Do not delay medical care Seek the c are from a dermatologist if your hair loss is greater than usual and especially : If it happened suddenly; If it is associated with itching or pain; If you do not feel well or are tired; If you have risk factors for hair loss, for example: Family history of baldness; Severe weight loss; Stress; Nutritional deficits; Diabetes, lupus, among other diseases. Many people who have hair loss problems, even when it is important, tend to try solutions suggested by non-specialists, often ineffective, without scientific support or based on myths or non-current concepts about hair diseases. There is usually a long delay in seeking the care of dermatologists, who are the experts in diagnosing and treating hair disorders . This delay can result in worse results even after the correct treatments are performed, or even an irreversible evolution of some forms of alopecia. Hair care Treat your hair well . Keep it clean, untangled and well brushed; Protect it from aggressions, such as excessive traction, repeated treatments with high temperatures or chemicals; Protect it from the sun; Maintain a good hydration; Do not smoke. How hair growth and renewal take place The hair follicle is the structure inside the skin that surrounds the underside of each hair or and from which hair develops. All hair follicles are present at birth and throughout life they cyclically produce strands of hair . The phases of this cycle are: Anagenesis or growth; Catagenesis or transition; Telogenesis. In normal situations: Approximately 90% of hair follicles are in the growth phase. The growth phase of a hair lasts 2-3 years; 3% of follicles are in the transition phase, which lasts 3-4 months; About 7% of the follicles are in the telogenesis, and the hair will fall out. In humans, the hair renewal process occurs in an unsynchronized way . Thus, at any given time, only a small percentage of hair falls, up to around 100 hairs per day, and the same number enters a new growth phase. Author : Vasco Vieira Serrão Meet the dermatology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
