By using this website you agree to our policy of using cookies. For more information consult our privacy policy and use of cookies, where you can disable them.

OK
en
pt fr it es de
Menu
Whatsapp

First signs of alopecia

The first signs or causes of alopecia can come mainly from genetic causes, hormonal changes, medical conditions or natural causes of aging. 

Some people prefer to let alopecia occur naturally, instead of looking for a solution to reverse or stabilize it. Anyone can lose hair and it is more common in men.

When alopecia begins, it manifests itself with a more accentuated hair loss, visible on pillows, excessive hair loss when showering or simply a large amount of hair falling out with the passing of a hand. A normal hair loss is considered to be between 50 and 150 hairs per day.

Hair loss can occur in many ways, depending on the cause. It can appear suddenly or gradually, affecting only the scalp or the whole body. 

It can be a transitory process due to certain diseases, nutritional deficiencies or stressful situations. 

What are the first signs of alopecia? 

Early detection of the first signs of alopecia is the first step to fight alopecia, that is why we want to explain what signs and symptoms you have to take into account.

Receding frontal hairline

In men, the hair begins to recede at the frontal hairline, they also tend to suffer hair loss and less density in the crown area.

More pronounced receding hairline

The most obvious sign that we are experiencing the first signs of alopecia is more pronounced receding hairline. 

The fact that we are starting to see more receding hairline is an obvious sign of hair loss.

We can stop hair loss with advanced hair treatments, we can also recover the lost hair with a hair transplant by implanting hair in the alopeciated areas. 

Loss of hair density in the upper zone or crown of the head

This is the most common type of hair loss and affects people as they age. 

Irregular bald patches appear

Hair loss begins in circular or patchy areas on the scalp, also affecting the beard or eyebrows. Sometimes the skin may be itchy or sore before the hair falls out.

Scalp scaling

Tinea capitis is one of the signs of alopecia that may be accompanied by broken hair, redness and swelling.

Miniaturization of the hair

Miniaturization is the result of hair becoming fuzzy and changing its thickness and color. The hair becomes thinner and lighter. The hair is difficult to see because of its fineness and has a lightened appearance. 

Loosening of the hair

When combing or washing the hair, even after gentle combing or washing, the hair may fall out. This type of hair loss usually results in an overall thinning of the hair.

Excess dandruff and oil 

Although dandruff and hair grease are not a major sign of alopecia, continued persistence is a sign of alopecia and can eventually affect the health of the hair.

Alopecia is a continuous and progressive situation with an annual loss of approximately 5%. 

Baldness that begins early in life (around 20 years of age) will probably be a progressive alopecia, with more rapid and more extensive hair loss leading to miniaturization, thinning and follicular atrophy.

In addition to the signs of baldness already mentioned, the signs of alopecia in women, also called female alopecia, include reduced hair density. 

Factors that cause the first signs of alopecia

Inheritance

In the case of androgenetic alopecia, this is the decisive factor. The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary disorder that occurs with aging. It usually results in progressive and predictable patterns of receding hairline and bald spots in men, and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women.

Stress

In some people, stress can affect hair health and therefore promote hair loss. This type of hair loss is temporary.

Hair pulling

Hairstyles that pull the hair tightly (such as ponytails or braids) can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.

Recent studies have found that rough, harsh or excessive styling can cause non-infectious irritating mechanical folliculitis, also known as traction folliculitis of the hair.

Medication use

Hair loss can be caused by the side effect of some medications, 

The use of hair products: 

The use of treatments and medications to take care of your hair, some products such as silicone and alcohol can affect your scalp.

Diseases

Chronic conditions are often the cause of the first signs of hair loss. Diseases such as lupus, syphilis, hypothyroidism and psoriasis.

Diseases can directly affect the immune system and cause patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm and trichotillomania.

Tobacco use

Tobacco users tend to have a higher rate of androgenetic alopecia than non-tobacco users.

Clear symptoms of alopecia in Women 

In women there is never total alopecia of a particular area, there is a thinning and shortening with discoloration of the hair in the central and upper area of the head.

Women's hair often widens into the shape of a Christmas tree. An increasingly common pattern of hair loss in older women is receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).

In addition to the above-mentioned early signs of alopecia, the symptoms of alopecia in women, known as female alopecia, also include reduced hair density.

Symptoms of alopecia in young people

There is no specific age at which young people can begin to detect the first symptoms of alopecia. 

It all depends on the individual's personal situation. However, we can detect some early signs of alopecia that indicate a possible evolution of baldness in the future.

The following symptoms of alopecia in young people can lead to early hair loss, such as excessive formation of dandruff, sebum and seborrheic dermatitis.

All the above symptoms or causes produce an acceleration of hair loss in the shower and in bed, there is a miniaturization of the hair becoming thinner.

It is recommended that young people suffering from early alopecia get in the hands of a trichologist, seeking help and advice is part of the solution. 

At Clínica de Freitas we want to offer you the best solution and the best treatment for your hair, do not hesitate and ask for an appointment.

What do you do at the first signs or causes of alopecia?

There is no single cause that affects the appearance of the first signs of alopecia. If we continuously find ourselves in stressful situations, we are destined to suffer more excessive hair loss than usual. 

Sometimes it is not necessary to resort to any hair treatment, it is enough to address the root of the problem. 

In other words, reduce or control stressful situations to reduce hair loss.

On the other hand, it is important to make a timely hair diagnosis. For this health problem as for others, early detection is essential to find the right solution.

The good news is that there are hair treatments that can fully restore hair health.

Although we know there is no cure for baldness, it can be stabilized or controlled. Acting in time is part of the solution, before the first signs of hair loss appear, the ideal is to consult a trichologist.

At Clínica de Freitas we want to offer you the best solution and the best treatment for your hair, do not hesitate and make an appointment.