Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Loss

At Riviera Hair Replacement, our professionals specialize in providing non-surgical hair replacement solutions. If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning and want to restore your scalp hair to its fullest potential, call today for a free, confidential consultation.

Our culture places great importance on hair. How it looks can affect the way people perceive you as well as how you feel about yourself. We want our clients to look their best and feel confident and secure knowing they portray themselves in their best light.

Despite millions of people experiencing hair loss or hair thinning for various reasons, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Here, we share with you some of the most frequently asked questions about hair, and hair loss, along with some answers we hope you will find helpful.

Is it true that people lose hundreds of hairs every day?

Yes. People typically lose between 50 and 150 hairs each day. This is not an indication of anything unusual. With more than 100,000 hair follicles on the average scalp constantly producing hair in various stages, losing 50-150 hairs a day is considered unremarkable.

Is hair loss a symptom of a disease?

Sometimes, but not often.
Generally, hair loss is the result of hereditary factors and the natural aging process.

But, experiencing sudden hair loss or noticing that your hair appears significantly thinner can indicate you have an underlying condition that might need attention. For example, thyroid disease and iron deficiency anemia can cause hair loss. Digestive disorders that affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals can also cause hair loss.

If you experience hair loss that is severe or sudden, it is important to exclude any serious underlying conditions.

Is baldness inherited through your mother’s male relatives?

Not necessarily. It is actually a myth that baldness always comes from your mother’s male relatives.

You can inherit it from either side of the family. Your best bet? Take a look at both sides of your family tree to get an idea of what you might expect when it comes to hereditary hair loss.

What is traction alopecia?

Traction alopecia is a condition caused by tight hairstyles. It is usually characterized by localized (a small area) hair loss that results from persistent pulling on the roots of the hair. The repeated tight pulling causes the hairs to fall out.

Traction alopecia is usually the result of wearing tight braids or ponytails. Choosing some looser styles and being mindful of the pressure you put on your hair when pulling can help avoid permanent damage.

Can you explain the cycle of hair growth and shedding on the head?

There are four stages in the cycle. The first three involve the growth and development of hair, and the last involves shedding.

Anagen: hair growth begins here. It is the longest phase of growth, lasting anywhere from 3-7 years. During this phase, your hair follicles are pushing out hairs that will grow until you cut them, or they fall out at the end of their life span. At any given time, the vast majority of your scalp hair is in this phase.

Catagen: this is the second phase, known as the transition stage. At the end of the anagen phase, there is a period of about ten days during which the hair follicle shrinks, growth slows, and the hair begins to separate from the bottom of the hair follicle. About 5% of your hair is in this phase at any time.

Telogen: this phase is also called the resting phase. During telogen, which involves about 10-15% of your scalp at a given time, your hairs are neither growing nor actively falling out. There might be new hairs forming follicles during this time.

Exogen: the shedding phase. It is important to note that some experts consider Telogen and Exogen phases to be indistinguishable. During the shedding phase, 50-150 hairs fall from the scalp. New hairs are growing in the follicles as the old hairs fall away.

Internal and external factors can affect this cycle, how long the stages last, and the amount of hair involved. Changes or disruptions to the cycle can affect hair loss and hair thinning.

Why do I have coin-sized and shaped patches of hair loss?

This could be a condition called Alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness, that affects millions of people. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder characterized by small, round (coin-sized and shaped ) localized patches of hair loss. The hair often grows back in a few months, but new bald circles might form.

Alopecia areata affects men and women, can occur in areas other than the scalp, and usually affects people before the age of 30.

Who should I speak to If I have unexplained hair loss?

Unexplained hair loss is hair loss or thinning that occurs for no obvious reason. For example, can you attribute your hair loss to chemotherapy, age, or hair pulling?

If there is no clear reason for your hair loss and you are concerned, consider discussing it with a medical professional. A dermatologist or physician can take steps toward understanding what is causing your hair loss, concluding that it is normal and directing you toward possible solutions.

Can stress, anxiety, or life events cause hair loss or thinning?

Yes. A shock to the system can result in 30-40% of your hair cycling into the telogen phase. A few months later, all of those hairs shed at once. This often occurs to hairs at the front of the scalp.

This massive shedding (also called telogen effluvium) can occur from things like illness, childbirth, the death of a loved one, moving, divorce, high fever, or any stressful event or trauma.

What is “hair-pulling disorder?”

“Hair pulling disorder” is trichotillomania. It is a hair-pulling or hair-twisting compulsion that often results in thin or bald spots on the head, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Medical professionals relate trichotillomania to OCD and treat it similarly with medication and therapy.

What does androgenic alopecia mean?

Androgenic alopecia means pattern baldness. It includes male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. It is a genetic condition responsible for most of the “normal” hair loss experienced by men and women as they age.

Can medication cause hair loss?

Yes. Chemotherapy, in particular, can cause hair thinning and complete hair loss that occurs quickly and soon after treatments begin. Radiation can cause hair loss as well.

There is some evidence that oral contraceptives, retinoids, antidepressants, steroids, beta-blockers, thyroid medications, and more can contribute to hair loss.

Can my hair loss be related to Covid-19?

Yes. There are reports that many more people are experiencing hair loss and hair thinning since having covid-19. It does not, however, appear that hair loss is a symptom of the virus itself. Rather, the hair loss is likely the result of the stress, anxiety, and physical symptoms associated with having Covid-19 and living under pandemic conditions.

Can hormones affect hair loss?

Yes. Hormonal changes can affect hair growth and hair loss in all individuals.

This list of questions is not comprehensive, but we hope the answers help you understand some important information related to hair loss and hair thinning. Remember, millions of people experience hair loss during their lifetime. You are not alone.

Call Riviera Hair Replacement for your Free, Confidential Consultation

Ask yourself some questions:

“Is my hair noticeably thinner?”
“Do I want to look myself while battling cancer?”
“Should I do something to help my hair look fuller?”
“Do I have to just accept my pattern baldness?”

Riviera Hair Replacement has a non-surgical solution to your hair loss and hair thinning concerns. We are here to help you find the best solution that suits your needs and works with your lifestyle. Do you want to maximize the hair you have? Do you want a wig for full coverage? Do you want to try out a new hairstyle with no commitment?

You tell us your hair replacement goals, and we will help design and create the solution. We want you to leave here feeling and looking your best, most confident self!

Call Riviera Hair Replacement today at 516-364-0110 to schedule your free, confidential consultation.

You will be glad you did. We are here for you, ready to answer your questions.