Worried About Hair Loss? 7 Early Signs of Alopecia You Need to Know
Have you noticed more hair in your shower drain lately? Perhaps the number of strands left behind in your hairbrush is growing? You may be experiencing alopecia, a condition that causes your hair to fall out faster than normal.
If you’ve noticed you’re losing more hair than usual, read on to learn about some of the most common early signs of alopecia and which hair loss solutions actually work.
1. Receding Hairline or Thinning Ponytail
In men, a common early sign of alopecia is a receding hairline, characterized by hair loss around the forehead. In women, having to wrap a hairband around a ponytail more times than usual can be an early sign of the condition.
Whether your hair appears to be thinning at the front of your head, along your natural part, or in small areas throughout your head, scalp micropigmentation can help. The procedure fills in areas of sparse hair with specialized pigment to create the appearance of hair follicles.
If you’re not sure you’re ready to commit to a permanent hair tattoo, tricopigmentation, a temporary hair loss solution, is a great way to test the waters.
2. Sudden Patches of Hair Loss
If you notice a sudden patch of hair loss, that’s usually a sign of alopecia. Slower-growing patches of hair loss also signify the condition. That said, if your scalp feels tender or experiences blistering or itching where the hair loss occurred, you should see your doctor.
Your hair loss may be caused by a scalp infection, which requires prompt treatment.
3. Thinning Beard, Eyebrows, or Eyelashes
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, can affect more than just the hair on your head. Because this condition can attack hair follicles anywhere on the body, if you have it, you might experience hair loss in your eyebrows, eyelashes, or beard.
Some people who suffer from alopecia areata lose hair all over their body, a condition known as alopecia universalis. Others lose all of the hair on their head (alopecia totalis). If you think you might have alopecia areata, a doctor can diagnose the condition with a biopsy, blood tests, or by visual exam.
Effective hair loss solutions for the condition include scalp micropigmentation and PRP hair restoration.
4. Unusual Changes to Your Nail Beds
Did you know your nails give clues about your body’s health? It’s true — and if you’re suffering from alopecia, your nails might give you an early warning sign in the form of white spots, tiny craters, or pitting.
Keep in mind, though, that several health issues can cause your nails to change. However, if you’re experiencing unusual hair loss in conjunction with nail changes, there’s a high likelihood you’re seeing the early signs of alopecia.
5. More Hair Than Usual in Your Drain or Hairbrush
If you start to see more strands lodged in your hairbrush than you’re used to seeing or more hair accumulation in your shower drain after washing your hair, that may be an early sign of alopecia. But that’s not always the case, as unusual hair loss can also result from hormonal fluctuations, stress, insufficient dietary nutrients, autoimmune conditions, and several other causes.
If you’re worried you may have any form of alopecia, pay close attention to whether or not the hair accumulation in your brush or shower drain increases over time.
If it does, consider scheduling an appointment with a hair loss doctor who can provide you with expert insight and accurately diagnose the culprit behind your thinning strands.
6. Hair Regrowth in Previously Bald or Thinning Areas
If you’ve experienced hair loss on a particular area of your scalp or somewhere else and you notice that fledgling strands are beginning to reappear, you may have alopecia areata. But this is not necessarily an early sign of the condition (the hair loss you initially experienced definitely is, though).
You may notice that hair starts to regrow in totally bald spots or in areas that only experienced thinning rather than complete balding. Or, you may see that hair begins growing in bald spots while hair simultaneously begins falling out in new areas.
Gray or white hairs may still remain even in areas that have experienced significant thinning or near-complete balding.
7. More Hair Loss During Colder Months of the Year
Research suggests that individuals with alopecia areata, totalis, and universalis tend to lose more strands when it’s particularly cold outdoors.
One study found that alopecia sufferers tend to lose the most hair during the colder months of the year, with more flares occurring in October and the most hair loss occurring throughout November.
The study also found that periods of significant hair regrowth were quite common during the summer months.
Minimize the Appearance of Thinning Hair With Scalp Micropigmentation
If you’ve noticed you’re losing more hair than normal, it may be time to consider scalp micropigmentation. At Medical Tattoo & Cosmetic Centers of America, we’re dedicated to providing effective, lasting hair loss solutions to help men and women look and feel their best.
To learn more about micropigmentation and whether it’s the right treatment for your needs, give us a call today at 612-770-0000, schedule a free consultation, or contact us online.