What Is Diffuse Hair Loss and How You Can Treat It?

Diffuse Hair Loss

Is your hair starting to thin? If you’re noticing more hair remaining on your brush, or if it comes out when you pull it slightly, then you may have diffuse hair loss. 

Diffuse hair loss is a medical condition in which hair density decreases all over the scalp due to more hair falling than is growing. It is also called diffuse alopecia or sometimes telogen effluvium (TE).

This condition is reversible and usually lasts for about four months, after which the affected hair grows back. However, in one condition called chronic diffuse alopecia, it tends to recur every six months or so.

Women are the most common victims of this humiliating problem. Although men are also sensitive to hair loss, it is much worse for ladies. For them, it forms more of an identity and feminine pride. Thus, losing their hair can rob them of their pride and esteem.

We shall explore the types of diffuse hair loss, what causes it, how it can be treated, as well as how it can be avoided altogether. We also present solutions to diffuse hair loss of all kinds.

What is Diffuse Hair Loss

The general definition of diffuse alopecia does not help in understanding what it is. The condition is best explained by considering the normal life cycle of a human hair follicle. 

Normally, a healthy strand of hair passes through three stages in which it goes from growth to death. These are the anagen phase, the catagen phase, and the telogen phase.

• Anagen - Also called the ‘growth’ phase. The hair grows about 1 cm per year and can last from three to five years. At any one time, between 85% and 90% of hair strands are in this phase.

• Catagen - Also called the transition phase. Over two weeks, the hair detaches from its nourishing blood supply. The hair is also pushed outward and starts to lose its melanin pigment. Only about 1% of hair follicles on a typical head are in this stage.

• Telogen - Also called the shedding phase. The follicle remains dormant for one to four months. At first, it is anchored to the skin to continue its natural function, but the base soon breaks off as a new follicle starts to grow. About 10-15% of hair strands are in this phase at any time.

These phases follow each other sequentially in that order. However, in diffuse hair loss, hair strands suddenly shift to the telogen phase and are shed immaturely. That is why the condition is also called telogen effluvium.

This shedding tends to occur in the whole scalp instead of being concentrated on one patch or area, hence the term 'diffuse.' While it can occur anywhere on the body, it affects the scalp most and especially the top of the head.

Types of Diffuse Alopecia

Dermatologists classify diffuse alopecia into the following categories.

• Telogen effluvium - Despite being another name for diffuse hair loss, it specifically refers to shedding that occurs during the telogen/resting phase.

• Anagen effluvium - Hair sheds during the growth phase.

• Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) - Hair loss tends to recur at regular intervals.

• Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) - Also called female pattern hair loss, it is the women's version of male baldness and is usually caused by genetics or hormones. However, the hairline does not recede.

• Alopecia areata - This is when hair falls in patches as a result of an underlying medical condition such as anaemia, low vitamin levels, chemotherapy, or protein deficiency.

A more in-depth understanding of the causes of this condition will help in understanding and treating it.

Causes of Diffuse Alopecia

Alopecia, or hair loss, is caused by many factors. A hospital study carried out between 2011 and 2013 highlights some of the major causes of this condition and draws links to common factors.

1. Emotional/Psychological Stress

The study found that about 36% of the subjects tested had a strong linkage to past emotional distress. Telogen effluvium has been proven to occur about three months after a particularly stressful event and typically becomes worse as the person gets stressed about the loss of hair.

1. Deficiency in The Diet

The next biggest correlation had to do with low amounts of iron, protein, and vitamins in the blood. Hair needs a lot of nourishment to grow and is one of the first to suffer when the diet lacks a major component. 

1. Childbirth

In a condition known as postpartum telogen effluvium, hormonal changes in women tend to cause hair loss about three months after childbirth. 

1. Menopause

While about 30% of young women experience some form of hair loss, up to 60% of those in menopause can go through diffuse hair alopecia. It also occurs as a result of hormonal changes.

1. Drugs

Some recreational drugs can cause hair loss such as cocaine and heroin shocks the body and can cause hair loss. Some medications such as warfarin, ACE inhibitors, among others, can also cause this condition.

1. Sudden Weight Loss

Losing weight too fast for whatever reason can trigger telogen effluvium. That is mostly due to calorie restriction.

1. Toxic Chemicals and Radiation

When hair comes in contact with harmful chemicals found in cosmetic products, it can start to fall off long after the product was used. 

More commonly, radiation treatment such as chemotherapy also kills hairs and causes it to fall off. Up to 90% of hair can be lost this way and is called anagen or dystrophic alopecia.

Signs of Diffuse Hair Loss

Hair is always falling off in the ordinary course of life, so it may be difficult to tell if one has diffuse alopecia or not unless the hair loss is very prominent. However, there are many indicators of the condition.

You may have diffuse hair loss if:

• When you grasp about 20-60 hair strands between your forefinger, index finger, and thumb, more than 10% come off. This test is also used as a medical diagnosis and only requires moderate strength to be used.

• It occurs all over the scalp instead of being localized.

• It happens about 3-4 months after a major traumatic experience or disease.

• The hair regenerates naturally after about four months since the condition is not permanent. However, it may recur in some people forming chronic telogen effluvium.

• The hair loss is acute, i.e., a lot of hair falls out in a short time.

Medical professionals also have various blood and serum tests they carry out to determine the type and cause of this condition. However, due to a lack of research in it, these factors are enough for a diagnosis.

How to Treat Diffuse Hair Loss

Diffuse hair loss is treatable with a wide range of products, both natural and artificial. For one, the condition is not permanent and should resolve itself even if no action is taken.

That is especially true when diffuse alopecia occurs as a result of external factors such as harsh creams, physical or emotional trauma, and even poor diet. Once these factors are resolved, the hair will get back to its healthy condition within 4 months.

However, even if the condition lasts the course of a few months in its mildest form, it can cause intense emotional and social effects. That is why these treatment procedures are beneficial.

1. Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a medically accepted and widely used topical cream used for reversing hair loss in both men and women. It is applied directly to the affected part for regrowth to occur.

This drug comes in the form of a cream containing 2-5% Minoxidil. It is to be applied twice a day to the scalp. Minoxidil is particularly effective in treating chronic diffuse alopecia. The strength is increased depending on the seriousness of the condition, and it can cause dense regrowth of affected hair.

However, the drug also has its side effects, including exacerbated alopecia (increased hair loss), severe reactions, swelling, rashes, and even difficulty in breathing. It is also highly toxic to cats.

1. Laser Therapy

Mobile laser devices with a low power application are used on the affected areas of the scalp. Together with scalp massage and various exercises, it helps to improve the blood circulation to the scalp, thus encouraging hair growth.

Blood circulation brings essential minerals to the hair follicles so that more growth occurs. With improved nutrition, the cells around the follicle will divide more and add to new hair growth.

1. Autologous Growth Factor Concentrate

Blood contains growth factors, and when these factors are concentrated, they can stimulate more hair growth than would otherwise occur naturally. 

What happens is that a doctor will take a little bit of your blood, then inject it directly into your scalp. There, the growth factors bind to the hair follicle bulge in the skin epidermis.

After blood is drawn, it is spun at high speeds in a centrifugal machine. This process separates the platelets.

Blood platelets are known for their function in stopping bleeding, but they are also rich in growth and anti-inflammatory factors.

When the blood is injected into the scalp, these factors are already activated. They act to encourage new hair growth and cure diffuse hair loss. Studies show that this method is effective in more than 80% of people in whom it is used.

It is especially useful in patients with alopecia areata, chronic diffuse alopecia, and other severe hair loss conditions. However, some of its side-effects include soreness at the site of injection, tightness of the scalp, and small bleeding areas. 

It also takes quite a long time before you can start seeing results, up to six months. Hence, this is one of the treatments that is used as a last resort.

1. Micro needling

Microneedling is a more direct route to hair loss treatment. In this method, a special roller with tiny needles is passed over the scalp to cause minor injuries on the skin. 

Despite the seemingly counterintuitive effects, what happens is that the body directs more collagen productive and blood flow in the affected area to repair the skin. In this case, the increased flow and cell growth also positively affects the skin.

Because of the increased collagen production, microneedling is also used as a treatment against skin aging. For hair loss, however, it is more often used in conjunction with Minoxidil to improve the latter’s efficiency.

1. Finasteride

Finasteride is an oral drug that goes by brand names such as Propecia. It is similar to Minoxidil in that it promotes hair growth. It works in almost the same way as Minoxidil by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT(7).

The drug is effective at treatment of male balding as well as diffuse hair loss in women. However, there are concerns that the drug can affect male sexual health.

Natural Treatments for Diffuse Hair Loss

All these treatments for diffuse hair loss, while they work, all have unpleasant effects. However, there is one more highly effective and safe method to treat diffuse hair loss or diffuse alopecia.

Kapyderm USA has a host of hair loss solutions depending on the type and cause. Our treatments rely on 100% natural ingredients to restore lost hair to its former glory.

Our treatment therapy is available in two options. You can opt to visit our centers for professional treatment, or you can purchase the home care kit and follow instructions as advised.

Center Treatment

This option involves monthly sessions until your hair grows back. Here, you get to work directly with experts in the field and receive guidance. During such a session, the expert will do the following.

1. Apply K1 for oily skin or K2 for dry skin.

2. Apply Cell Activation (Turba), EBC 50%, and Ampoule N.

3. Let it rest for 20 minutes.

4. Wash the hair with a Hair Loss Base Cleanser.

Currently, Kapyderm USA has few professional centers, even though we are working with various experts to remedy this. The second and more popular option involves home therapy.

The home kit consists of all the necessary supplements and topical medicines you need to get back your hair. You will be educated on how to use them depending on the severity of your condition.

Get Back Your Hair With Kapyderm

Kapyderm hair loss treatments are now available at Cranberry-Sturgeon USA. You don't have to watch as your hair falls away and your confidence goes with it. Take a step forward and get your hair back with effective, natural solutions with no side-effects.

Visit Kapyderm USA to view and order the various treatments available. If you would like any assistance, please feel free to contact our experts.

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