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Hair Loss: What It Is And What Can Be Done

Hair loss is usually a problem that mostly only grownups experience, but the condition may occur in some teens as well. This can be a sign of a potentially serious health condition, one that will need some medical attention.

Hair loss in teens

When a teenager begins to lose hair, it may simply be because of poor eating habits or a more serious illness. Medications such as the drugs used in chemotherapy may also cause hair loss in teens, and even a hairstyle that causes stress on the hair strands can be the culprit.

As alarming as hair loss is for most people, it can be particularly devastating for teenagers that are typically concerned about their appearance. The adolescent years are a time of great emotional changes, and losing one’s hair may make an already awkward situation even worse.

The good news is that hair loss in teens is often temporary, and the condition usually corrects itself after the root cause is removed.

Hair composition

Hair is actually composed of a type of protein known as keratin. A single strand is made up of a hair shaft with a root just below the skin. The root itself grows out from the hair follicle, at the lower end of which is a bulb that produces melanin. Melanin is primarily responsible for the color of the hair.

A hair loss of about 50 to 100 strands a day can be considered normal, and many of these are typically replaced. Any more hair lost is not normal however, and should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist.

Seeing a doctor for hair loss

A doctor may be able to help you solve your hair loss problems…but then again, he or she may not be able to. For hair loss that is caused by diet, medication, or illness, your doctor may be able to prescribe a course of treatment that will make the problem go away. For alopecia however–which is by far the most common form of hair loss–the best your doctor will be able to do is prescribe a treatment procedure using Minoxidil or Propecia. Both medications have been proven effective for most people, although there is no guarantee that it will work for you.

Alternative hair loss treatment options

In cases wherein the previously mentioned hair loss treatment medications are not effective, your only options may be to go for a hairstyle that better flatters your appearance, the use of a wig or a partial hairpiece, or to go for a hair transplant. Considerable strides have been made in hair transplant technology in recent years, and they have been particularly effective for people that have not had much look with other methods.

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