Does Sweating Cause Hair Loss?

The human scalp has poor ventilation due to its carpet of hair, making it both warmer and sweatier than other parts of the body. This can contribute to hair loss in several ways.

• The heat and humidity of the scalp is an excellent petri dish for growing microbes of various sorts. Perspiration then traps dead skin cells and other detritus providing food for these microbes allowing them to reproduce and lead to scalp infections.
• Since sweat has a high native salt content, it can have a drying effect on the hair which can make the strands brittle and more likely to break.
• More perspiration means increased production from the sebaceous glands, oils which are the perfect food for a fungus called Malassezia Furfur. This unpleasant little fungus contributes to increased dandruff, which in turn weakens the roots of the hair increasing the chances of breakage. 
• As excess perspiration is retained on the scalp, it can clog the pores of the hair follicles disrupting the hair growth cycle. This is also one of the main reasons for having an itchy scalp.

While there is no direct causation of hair loss, sweat can be a contributing factor in numerous ways.

Should I Wash My Hair If I Sweat?

Yes, you should wash your hair regularly in order to remove the sweat and oils from your hair. You also should avoid over washing, which can have a drying effect on your hair and damage it. When you do wash, use gentle hair products and lukewarm to cool water temperatures. For the best results wash immediately after a perspiration inducing event such as a workout.

Reef Hair – Your Hair Preservation and Restoration Resource

At Reef Hair, we believe in taking a bespoke approach to hair loss cases. Each situation is as unique as a snowflake and demands a similarly unique approach. Factors ranging from ethnicity to lifestyle and beyond must be taken into account in order to provide the most effective possible treatment plan. Our combination of experience and cutting-edge technologies enable us to slow, stop, or, in some cases, reverse the appearance of hair loss. We also offer a selection of hair replacement procedures for the more extreme cases.

Our team at Reef Hair knows how important a good-looking head of hair can be to one’s self esteem and are ready to work with you on your journey back to a luxuriant mane! Contact us today to set up an appointment and initial diagnosis!

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What Autoimmune Disease Affects the Scalp?

Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes the scalp to produce new skin cells at roughly ten times the normal rate. That creates thick patches of skin potentially leading to alopecia, a.k.a. hair loss.

What Autoimmune Diseases Can Cause Hair Loss?

In addition to scalp psoriasis, alopecia areata causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles… which causes hair loss. This particular condition affects approximately two percent of the population and causes patchy and sometimes complete loss of hair.

Crohn’s disease is a variety of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causing chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. While usually linked to physical pain, weight loss, extreme diarrhea, and malnutrition… it is becoming increasingly linked to hair loss. A 2021 research review is one of a growing body of work suggesting this connection.

Hashimoto’s disease is another autoimmune disease, this one affecting the thyroid and its ability to regulate the body’s physiological functions. Hair loss is only one presenting symptom – along with fatigue, temperature sensitivity, constipation, and many other unpleasant symptoms.

Lupus is an autoimmune condition that attacks the skin, joints, and internal organs. Hair loss is a common symptom – as well as a common side effect of the medications used to treat it. 

Is Autoimmune Hair Loss Reversible?

That all depends on the severity of the disease. Many cases can be treated with medications or other methodologies. But extreme cases may fail to respond to treatment.

In addition, research is always developing new methodologies and more advanced treatments. In fact, new advances are being made specifically in the arena of autoimmune disease based hair loss at MIT, where they are experimenting with a microneedle patch that can teach T cells not to attack hair follicles.

Contact Us Today and Begin Your Journey Back to a Full Head of Hair

Reef Hair offers a wide array of treatments and transplantation options for those suffering autoimmune disorder driven hair loss. From non-invasive products and procedures for milder cases, to robot assisted ARTAS® and NeoGraft® hair transplant procedures (as well as manual FUE and FUT transplants for the more severe cases), we have both the tools and the experience needed to give you the best possible results. Contact us today for a full hair and scalp analysis, and let’s start planning your roadmap to a restored hairline!

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What Causes Anagen Effluvium?

One of the most persistent images associated with cancer treatment is hair loss. Anagen effluvium as a direct result of chemotherapy treatments is often referred to as chemotherapy-induced alopecia. This is especially true for those treatments that are high dose or that employ alkylating agents.

Some of the chemotherapy drugs shown to have a direct relation to hair loss include (but are not limited to): 

• Bleomycin,
• Dactinomycin,
• Daunorubicin,
• Doxorubicin,
• Cyclophosphamide,
• and high-dose Methotrexate.

Other medications (such as colchicine) and poisons (such as thallium and arsenic) can also be responsible for anagen effluvium. This is due to them causing the same kind of chemical damage to the hair and follicles.

What Does Anagen Effluvium Look Like?

Usually beginning within a few days or weeks of starting chemotherapy treatments, anagen effluvium presents at first as diffused shedding of the hair. While the severity of the case varies from person to person, it is common for the patient to have complete hair loss within the first few months of chemotherapy. The diffuse shedding that anagen effluvium presents is visually quite similar to that presented by telogen effluvium.

However, when considering anagen effluvium vs telogen effluvium, there are fundamental differences between the two. Anagen effluvium is caused by chemical damage to the hair shaft. Meanwhile, telogen effluvium is caused by physical or emotional stresses disrupting the growth cycle. As a result, it is not uncommon to encounter overlapping cases of telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium, since chemotherapy causes significant emotional and physical stress.

Does Hair Grow Back After Anagen Effluvium?

While hair loss from chemotherapy is inevitable, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The majority of anagen effluvium cases are reversible. In the majority of cases, the hair will grow back once the course of chemotherapy ends.

Reef Hair Helps You Manage Telogen Effluvium

At Reef Hair, you have options when it comes to hair preservation and replacement. Whether your problem is derived from anagen effluvium or another type of hair loss we can diagnose and develop a customized treatment plan geared to your specific needs. Set up a consultation today and let’s begin your journey toward a restored and vibrant head of hair!

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Serious (or potentially serious) illnesses like cancer or COVID-19 can cause significant hair loss, and chronic illnesses – especially autoimmune diseases – can wreak havoc on your hair and scalp. Autoimmune illnesses can cause chronic telogen effluvium or lead to permanent baldness.

Is My Immune System Attacking My Hair?

If you have a known autoimmune condition and are experiencing unusual or excessive hair loss, your immune system may be responsible. It’s also possible that your hair loss may be due to side effects from biologic medications used to treat autoimmune disorders, from the stress of dealing with an autoimmune condition, or some combination of these factors.

It you haven’t been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and are experiencing excessive hair loss that can’t be attributed to age, genetics, or stress… it may be time to consult your physician. Many people with autoimmune diseases have mild symptoms (or are asymptomatic) and are unaware of their condition, especially in its early stages.

What Autoimmune Disease Can Cause Hair Loss?

Some of the autoimmune illnesses that can cause hair loss include:

• Alopecia areata: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune illness where the body attacks the hair follicles. Alopecia areata usually results in patchy hair loss, but it can lead to alopecia totalis (the loss of all the hair on the scalp) or alopecia universalis (which is full body hair loss).
• Celiac Disease: Along with other disorders of the digestive tract like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, celiac disease (a genetic intolerance to gluten) can inhibit proper absorption of the nutrients required for healthy hair.
• Chronic Kidney Disease: Hair is made up of proteins and individuals who have kidney disease lose unusually large quantities of protein in their urine. A shortage of properly distributed proteins in the body leads to hair loss or breakage.
• Lupus: Lupus is an inflammatory autoimmune response that attacks healthy body tissues, including the hair follicles. It can cause brittle, easily broken hair shafts as well as patchy hair loss.
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is when an overactive immune system causes scaly plaques to form on the skin. When it affects the scalp, this scaling can cause hair breakage and changes to the shaft’s diameter – leading to overall hair thinning and poor regrowth.
• Thyroid Problems: Hair loss can be caused by autoimmune conditions of the thyroid like Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease. In the former, an underactive thyroid slows down the hair’s growth cycle and leads to less growth. In the latter, an overactive thyroid speeds the cycle – causing excess shedding.

How Do I Treat Autoimmune Hair Loss? Contact Reef Hair Today

Autoimmune hair loss can be treated in many cases and even reversed in some individuals whose illnesses are well controlled. If autoimmune issues are affecting your hairline, the team at Reef Hair can help. We offer a full spectrum of treatments that create optimal conditions to slow hair loss, regrow shedding hair, or reverse permanent hair loss associated with a variety of conditions. Among our specialties are device assisted ARTAS® and NeoGraft® transplantation procedures, as well as classic manual FUE and FUT transplants. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

The post Diseases and Hair Loss first appeared on Reefhairca.

Can Stress and Anxiety Cause Hair Loss?

Stress, anxiety, and a host of other mental conditions can wreak havoc on the hair and scalp, causing disruptions in the hair’s growth cycle that lead to excess shedding and hair loss. These conditions may cause behavioral or autoimmune issues that affect the hair as well.

What Does Stress Hair Loss Look Like?

Stress-related hair loss typically presents as telogen effluvium. That’s the term for when large numbers of hair follicles are pushed into their resting phase – with diffuse, all-over shedding in excess of a hundred strands per day.

Stress may also trigger alopecia areata, an autoimmune response that causes patchy hair loss. It may also lead to trichotillomania… a nervous habit of pulling out strands of hair, resulting in thin or balding patches on the scalp or elsewhere on the body.

Is Hair Loss from Stress Permanent?

Fortunately, stress-related hair loss isn’t always permanent. If you reduce or remove your stressors and find ways to manage stress levels, there’s a good chance your hair loss will stop and that your hair will grow back. It may take six to nine months for your hair to return to normal… but a healthy, low-stress lifestyle and non-surgical hair restoration treatments increase the likelihood of that happening.

For some men though, periods of stress may accelerate an existing form of permanent hair loss like male pattern baldness. If your hair isn’t regrowing at desired levels, we offer surgical hair restoration options that can restore your hairline. 

What Does it Mean When a Man Loses Hair?

Male hair loss is more the rule than the exception, and around 80 percent of men will experience some form of hair loss during their lifetime. Even though it’s an incredibly common issue, hair loss can have a psychological impact on those who live with it.

A full head of hair often is seen as a sign of youth, vitality, and attractiveness – so losing one’s hair can lead to declining confidence and self-esteem. Men who experience hair loss are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. In a cruel irony, depression or anxiety may further accelerate one’s hair loss… creating a vicious cycle.

How Can I Stop My Hair Falling Out Due to Stress?

The surest way to decrease stress-related hair loss is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get adequate sleep, and lower your stress levels.

You may wish to consult your physician or a therapist to treat any underlying issues and to help you develop practices to reduce stress. In the meantime, we can address your hair loss with a variety of treatments to optimize your scalp’s ability to regrow hair.

Set Up a Hair Restoration Consultation Today

Reef Hair offers a full spectrum of treatments and transplantation options – including device-assisted ARTAS® and NeoGraft® procedures, as well as classic manual FUE and FUT transplants. Get in touch with us today to set up a consultation. We will perform a full hair and scalp analysis, as well as discuss potential treatments, so you can choose the right procedure to help you achieve the hairline you desire!

The post Male Psychology & Hair Loss first appeared on Reefhairca.

Androgenic alopecia is also referred to as male pattern baldness (MPB) or female pattern hair loss. It is caused by a group of genetic factors linked to heightened sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a testosterone byproduct. DHT causes hair follicles to constrict, which produces thin hairs that fall out more easily. This condition progresses as one ages and one’s hormone levels fluctuate.

What Does Androgenic Alopecia Look Like?

In those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), androgenic alopecia is characterized by a receding hairline that develops in a distinctive M-shaped pattern. This may be accompanied by hair loss at the vertex of the scalp, which eventually leaves a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides and back of the head.

Androgenic alopecia may progress further, ultimately causing complete baldness. This process occurs in seven different stages that can be tracked on the Hamilton-Norwood scale.

Androgenic alopecia in those assigned females at birth (AFAB) is quite different. It occurs as diffuse thinning across the entire scalp. The first signs of female pattern baldness are a widening part and a sparser, less-defined hairline.

What Age Does Hair Loss Start?

Signs of androgenic alopecia in men may begin to appear as early as one’s late teens. By age 20, nearly 20 percent of men experience some visible hair loss. By age 30, that number is approximately 25 percent. The likelihood of hair loss in one’s 30s and 40s increases dramatically, with nearly half of men reporting obvious hair loss by age 50. By age 60, two-thirds of men are either bald or have significant hair loss.

Onset for women typically begins much later. Most women do not have noticeable hair loss until they are in their 40s… but the percentage of women experiencing hair loss grows quickly. By age 50, around 40% of women have noticeably thinner hair.

Is Hair Loss from Your Mother or Father?

A common belief is that androgenic alopecia is passed down from the mother’s side of the family and that female pattern baldness comes from the father’s side. Those popular myths contain only a kernel of truth.

While the dominant gene that controls hair loss may come from the opposite-sex parent, androgenic alopecia is caused by multiple genes passed down from both sides of one’s family. At least 12 genomic regions are implicated in hair loss. So, it’s almost a certainty that some of those genes come from one’s mother and some from one’s father.

Can You Reverse Hereditary Hair Loss?

Androgenic alopecia is irreversible. Certain hair loss treatments may be able to stave it off for a few years or to slow down the rate of hair loss… but once the hair is gone, it will not grow back. The best, most effective androgenic alopecia treatment is hair replacement surgery. The good news is that today’s procedures are safe, permanent, natural-looking, and more accessible than ever.

Reef Hair Can Help You Achieve the Hairline You Desire

Reef Hair offers a full spectrum of treatments and transplantation options for androgenic alopecia in all genders. We provide device-assisted ARTAS® and NeoGraft® procedures, as well as classic manual FUE and FUT transplants.

Contact us today to set up a consultation. We will perform a full hair & scalp analysis and discuss potential treatments so you can choose the one that will help you achieve the hairline you desire!

The post What is Androgenic Alopecia? first appeared on Reefhairca.

Is All Hair Loss Hereditary?

Not all hair loss is genetic. Excess shedding and hair loss occur for many reasons. While heredity is by far the most common cause of hair loss… your health, your lifestyle, and even your hair styling practices may play a role. Read on to learn about five of the top reasons for hair loss.

The Top Five Causes of Hair Loss Are:

1. Genetics:

Androgenic alopecia is commonly referred to as male pattern baldness (or MPB) even though it’s not limited to men. However, in men androgenic alopecia causes a distinctive M-shaped receding hairline – often accompanied by thinning or balding at the crown of the scalp. Female pattern baldness (the term for androgenic alopecia in women) causes diffuse thinning across the scalp and is most frequently noticed as a widening part.

Both forms of pattern baldness are hereditary and typically progress with age. It may be slowed down with treatment, but it is irreversible. Most hair replacement procedures are undertaken by those who experience male pattern baldness.

2. Stress:

Psychological stress is a common cause of telogen effluvium – a type of diffuse hair loss that occurs when too many follicles are pushed into their resting phase. Stress also may be responsible for alopecia areata, a type of patchy hair loss that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Depending on the type and extent of hair loss, some regrowth is possible if the stressor is resolved.

3. Illness:

A wide variety of diseases and health conditions cause excess hair shedding and hair loss. Anemia, autoimmune conditions, folliculitis, thyroid diseases, viruses, and vitamin deficiencies are just some of the health problems that can affect our hair.

Even pregnancy and hormonal changes can contribute to hair loss. In recent years, hair loss after COVID has been a common problem. Fortunately, in many cases, once the health issue is resolved then hair may regrow.

4. Medications:

Medical treatments, some medications, and even certain nutritional supplements can disrupt the hair’s growth cycle or damage the hair and scalp. Chemotherapy is probably the most well-known of these but medications for depression, acne, and many other conditions are also implicated in hair loss. Depending upon the medication, this kind of hair loss may resolve over time… especially if use of the medication is discontinued.

5. Hair styling:

Traction alopecia is a form of hair loss caused by hairstyles of styling techniques that pull on the hair, causing it to fall out or break. Ponytails, braids, buns, cornrows, locs, extensions, weaves, and rollers can lead to traction alopecia. In many cases, if you change your styling routine then this type of hair loss is reversible. Otherwise, it may result in permanent damage to the hair follicles. 

How Do I Know What Type of Hair Loss I Have?

Based on whether your hair loss is patterned, patchy, or diffuse; it would be easy to make assumptions about its cause. Because there may be underlying issues that aren’t immediately apparent, it’s wise to get a confirmed diagnosis from a hair loss expert.

When you visit us for your initial consultation, we will ask questions about your hair loss, your family history of hair loss, and your medical history. We will assess your hair and scalp, run any necessary tests, determine the cause of your hair loss, and suggest a plan to help you achieve the hairline you desire.

How Do I Know If My Hair Loss is Normal?

It’s normal to lose up to a hundred strands of hair from throughout your scalp each day. While this may seem alarming, it’s not a cause for concern. If your hair loss exceeds a hundred strands per day, had a sudden onset, or occurs in a noticeable pattern then you should consider having a doctor assess your hair, scalp, and overall health to determine the cause.

Reef Hair: Guiding You on Your Hair Replacement Journey

Some forms of hair loss are reversible without surgery. Other types can be delayed or minimized with early intervention. Even permanent hair loss doesn’t have to end in baldness thanks to today’s safe, natural-looking hair replacement options. Reef Hair looks forward to guiding you through your hair replacement journey. Contact us today to set up a consultation.

The post Top 5 Causes of Hair Loss first appeared on Reefhairca.

The good news is that some kinds of hair loss are temporary… and that cosmetic medicine has greatly advanced. Which means that even permanent hair loss may be rectified with hair replacement procedures. Before addressing hair loss, it’s crucial to determine what condition you’re experiencing and what’s causing it.

How Do I Know What Type of Hair Loss I Have?

Androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata are easily identifiable because of their distinctive patterns, but other types of hair loss may require a physical examination. We strongly suggest you book a consultation so you can receive a proper diagnosis.

Diagnosing the reason for your hair loss involves taking a medical history and performing an exam. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, your family history of hair loss, and your lifestyle habits. They will then examine your scalp for inflammation, scarring, or any other issues that could cause hair loss.

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Your doctor may perform a pull test to see if hair releases from your scalp too readily, and a tug test to see if your hair shafts break too easily. They may also order cultures, biopsies, or blood tests if a basic examination doesn’t uncover a definitive cause.

What Are the Common Types of Hair Loss?

While there are many types of hair loss, these are five of the most common ones we see, what they look like, and why they occur:

• Androgenic alopecia
  Androgenic alopecia is by far the most common type of hair loss. In men, it is referred to as male pattern baldness and results in a receding, M-shaped hairline that can progress to full baldness. Female pattern baldness is more diffuse, with overall thinning throughout the scalp. Both types are genetic and increase with age-related hormonal changes. The condition can be slowed with proper treatment but cannot be reversed without hair replacement surgery.

• Telogen effluvium
  Telogen effluvium is diffuse hair loss that exceeds the average of 50-100 lost hairs per day. It is extremely common and is caused by a physical or psychological stressor that interrupts the hair’s normal growth cycle. Typically, hair returns to normal several months after the stressor is removed. In the meantime, there are treatments that may help retain and regrow hair.

• Alopecia areata
  Alopecia areata is characterized by circular patches of hair loss on the scalp and body that can eventually grow and overlap. It results from the immune system attacking hair follicles and is often triggered by stress, illness, or an injury. If the underlying cause is addressed, alopecia areata may be reversible – especially if one undergoes regrowth treatments.

• Scarring alopecia
  Scarring alopecia, or cicatricial alopecia, results in shiny bald patches – possibly accompanied by redness, blistering, or scaling. It is often caused by burns, chemical exposure, infections, or autoimmune issues. The condition isn’t reversible but may be treatable with hair replacement surgery.

• Traction alopecia
  Traction alopecia is characterized by broken hairs, inflammation of the hair follicles, redness, itchiness, or bumps that resemble small pimples. It is caused by wearing severe styles that pull on the hair’s roots or consistent wearing of tight head coverings. Traction alopecia may be reversible if addressed early. If not, hair replacement surgery may be an option.

How Do I Know If My Hair Loss is Normal?

It’s normal to shed between 50-100 hairs per day. If you are losing more than this, it is considered excessive shedding and may be a cause for concern.

If you are experiencing overall hair thinning (or if your hair loss occurs in clumps or in a discernible pattern), you may have a progressive condition that should be addressed sooner rather than later. With the wide range of treatments available, hair loss may be common, but it doesn’t have to be your “new normal.”

Set Up a Hair Restoration Consultation Today

Reef Hair offers a full spectrum of treatments and transplantation options, including device assisted ARTAS® and NeoGraft® procedures, as well as classic manual FUE and FUT transplants.

Contact us today to set up a consultation. We will perform a full hair and scalp analysis, as well as discuss potential treatments so you can choose the one that will help you achieve the hairline you desire!

The post Types of Hair Loss first appeared on Reefhairca.