For many young adults, especially teenage girls, the way their hair looks matters. It is important to take any type of sudden change of a person's hair seriously. A good place to start when this happens is with the teen's doctor. There are many factors that can play a role in hair loss even in teens. And, in many ways, it is not that uncommon. Yet, for parents and for teenage girls, seeing a lot of hair loss is scary. There is no doubt that having the right information can help to treat and prevent this from occurring. But, what is it happening?
First, Is It Really That Much?
One of the most common mistakes that many people make about hair loss is knowing just how much hair they are losing. Did you know it was very common and very normal for people to shed between 50 and 100 strands of hair every day? This is normal because it is part of the hair's natural growth cycle. Your hair will go through this growth and rest cycle ongoing. If you are losing that amount of hair, it may not be significant hair loss that needs to be concerning.
When to Take Action
In other situations, though, there are reasons to worry and take action. Take a look at these four very common causes of hair loss in teen girls.
#1: Vitamin Deficiency
Unfortunately, many teens do not eat a well-balanced diet. And, this is at the heart of the reason why many teens will lose more than normal amounts of hair. The key to remember is that your hair needs a solid amount of nutrients on an ongoing basis – every day. It is these nutrients that provide the fuel for your body's cells, including those that help to grow hair, to function the way they should. The most common concerns include Vitamin B1, B2, C, and iron. If you are deficient in these areas, this may cause hair loss. Improve your diet and speak to your doctor about supplements that can help.
#2: Hormonal Changes
Hormones are another key reason why hair stops growing at the normal pace or why some girls will lose a significant amount of hair. Teenage girls will have a lot of changes throughout their lives that will cause hormone imbalances. When this is the case, it is likely that there will be some level of hormone-related hair loss. Hormones help regulate the follicle's production of hair. So, when there is an imbalance present, this can cause hair to fall out more than normal. When the hormones are rebalanced, though, this can correct the problem. Speaking to a family doctor about hormone levels is a good place to start here.
#3: Illness
Teens who face some type of significant, severe, or chronic illness are at a higher risk of developing hair loss. Hair loss in these situations can range from significant clumps of hair falling out to a short-term thinning. It is important to speak to any doctor assigned to your case if you are experiencing hair loss. Do this after you've been diagnosed or when you start taking a new medication. Talk about the options for reducing this, when possible. Illnesses such as thyroid conditions, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease can be triggers.
#4: Alopecia
Some teen girls will experience a form of alopecia. This may be a temporary condition or it may last their entire lives. Those who have it will experience patches of hair falling out. This is often a rounded circle of hair loss. It may go away for a few months and then come back. Alopecia areata, the most common form, can impact hair on all parts of the body. There are treatment options that can slow this or make it less dramatic. However, diagnosis is key. If you notice hair that is thinning or falling out complete and in a circle pattern, that could be this condition. Speak to your doctor about the options available for treating your hair loss situation.
Teenage girls with significant hair loss should not just wait it out. Seek out the care of a doctor to ensure the proper treatment is always selected and applied. To learn more about treatment options for your teen, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts.
