With 50% of women experiencing loss of hair in their lifetime and 60% of men experiencing it by age 35, the subject is a common and sensitive one. However, with the right treatments and approaches, many types of hair loss aren’t permanent, so going partially or totally bald isn’t a done deal.
Keep reading to learn how to identify the early warning signs of hair loss and find out what you can do about them!
First Signs of Hair Loss
Hair loss usually, but not always, occurs in stages. If you recognize the early warning signs of hair thinning and loss and start treating it quickly, you stand better chances of slowing down the process, keeping the hair you still have, and potentially even seeing healthy regrowth.
- Receding Hairline
A receding hairline is one of the first signs of hair loss, and it’s characterized by the hair on the front and side of your head starting to thin and “move away” from your face.
Often, the hair on the side of the head recedes faster than the hair in the middle, resulting in an ‘M’ shape. A receding hairline is more common in men than in women.
- Thinning Temples
Hair starting to thin around your temples is another hair loss early warning sign. Sometimes this is accompanied by hair thinning at the crown or back of your head.
- Hair Thinning On Top of Your Head
Hair thinning on top of the head is also an early sign of hair loss. This type of hair loss is usually limited to the top of the head, and it’s not usually accompanied by the hair on the sides of your head receding or thinning.
- A Widening Hair Part
A widening hair part line is a type of hair loss that sees the line of your natural hair part start to widen. If you’ve noticed that your part line is looking wider than it did before, it may be a hair loss early warning sign.
- Hair Thinning Across the Whole Head
In some people, an early indication of hair loss is their hair thinning equally over their whole head. There are no patterns or shapes associated with this type of hair loss, which tends to be more common in women.
- Hair Falling Out In Clumps
While hair loss usually is a slow process, hair falling out in clumps can be an early sign for some people. That said, your hair falling out in large clumps may indicate an underlying health condition. So, if this happens to you, it’s best to see a healthcare professional and find out what’s actually causing it.
How To Treat Hair Loss
There’s no need to panic if you’ve noticed one or more of the early signs of hair loss. You can try a number of proven treatments that could slow down your hair loss, stop it altogether, and boost hair regrowth.
- Topical Hair Loss Treatments
Try using a topical hair loss treatment such as the FDA-approved Rogaine®, which is a brand name for the drug minoxidil. The drug can promote hair regrowth in women with thinning hair and in men with male pattern baldness. The best way and time to apply Rogaine is to apply the foam or the solution to the area of your scalp where you are experiencing hair loss, rubbing it in with your fingers, twice a day (morning and evening). It’s best to wash and dry your hair before application.
- Biotin Vitamins
Biotin vitamins aren’t a treatment for hair loss, but they are an important building block for new hair. Research shows these vitamins may help your body grow healthy new hair, especially if you have a vitamin deficiency.
- Hair Thickening Shampoo
Hair thickening shampoo that’s rich in nutrients can nourish your scalp, promote hair regrowth, and keep your locks looking good. Ketoconazole shampoos made with saw palmetto can improve hair thickness. An ISRN Dermatology study found that 15 men who used a shampoo containing minoxidil, finasteride, and ketoconazole for 90 days experienced noticeable hair growth.
Hope For Hair Loss
As distressing as it can be to notice the first signs of hair loss, the signs don’t mean that you’re on a one-way trip to baldness. Try the treatments mentioned above and speak to your healthcare provider about potential causes and other possible treatments to stop hair loss in its tracks.
