6 Answers to Questions You Haven’t Asked

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 4 years ago · 4 min read

If you have noticed a lot more hair on your pillow recently or you have had to clean out around the shower drain because of a wad of tangled hair, you might be worried about what’s going on at the top of your head. Maybe you have never had any problems with losing hair, and now, it appears just about everywhere you look. Strands in your hairbrush or on the collar of your shirt might be more frequent, and you are starting to panic. Is there something wrong with me? Do I have a disease? Why is this happening? These questions, although they seem to induce panic even if you aren’t suffering from shedding, are things that everyone asks. Having a beautiful, healthy head of hair is a bucket list priority for those care deeply about their looks, and most of the time, this isn’t difficult to produce. However, losing hair can be a normal part of life, and identifying the cause can help you find a treatment.

Moving Past the Emotions

For those who deal with baldness or thinning hair, these conditions can produce a range of negative emotions. Men are usually stereotypes as the biggest victim of hair loss, but given their stoic and controlled-emotions, it can be hard to judge the effects of the situation on their mental health. Conversely, almost 40% of women around the world deal with losing their hair, and with this comes a flood of identity challenges concerning their femininity and personality. However, women are more likely to talk to a healthcare provider about the condition in hopes of finding answers. Some men might open up to their spouse or partner, but the majority of them will try to just bury the thoughts and hope the problem goes away. For those of you who have been nervous or embarrassed about talking to someone, especially a physician, here are some of the most common questions asked to doctors who specialize in hair loss1.

1. Is my age affecting my hair loss? Don’t automatically assume that you will lose double the amount of hair each day as you age, but age is a factor. Hair gets thinner and grey as an individual grows older, which means it will break more easily. A loss in key nutrients such as protein can cause hair follicles to shrivel and stunt new hair growth. This is what makes the shedding more visible.

2. How do I know if I am growing strong hair? If you grasp a handful of hair between your fingers and pull, it is normal to have about five to eight hairs come loose. If more fall out or you notice substantial loss after brushing your hair or styling it, you could be losing more than the normal amount.

3. How do I know if I am going bald? You won’t become bald overnight, as it is a slow process that can take time before becoming noticeable. If you are noticing your hairline starting to form an M shape or a horseshoe-shape, this could be an early indicator of the condition. The signs of hair thinning and extensive loss when brushing your hair or showering can also be warnings signs.

4. Can I stop baldness before it gets too bad? Men and women around the world deal with baldness, and for some, it is brought on by a hereditary, genetic condition. If you can get to the root cause of the condition, there ways to stop its progression. The key is taking action as soon as possible. One of the most widely accepted treatments is the use of DHT blockers to reduce the effects of hair loss.

5. Is it safe to blow dry my hair? The opinions and results of the research are still varied with regards to damage done by a blow dryer, even for people who are suffering from thinner hair or baldness. However, too much strain on the hair roots can be a reason for the roots to let go and cause the strand to fall away. Too much heat can create dry hair, which would create a void in vital nutrients needed for healthy hair.

6. Is it possible for me to grow more hair? If you have been losing your hair, the easiest solution to the problem would be to grow more. While your body has the ability to grow more hair, a problem with the hair follicles might keep that from happening. The purpose of most treatments for those who are balding or shedding hair is to stimulate the hair follicles into doing their job, which is to produce more hair. If your follicles and scalp have been damaged by harsh chemicals, hormone changes, or bodily trauma, the road to growing hair might be more difficult.

These six questions have answered the basics about your hair concerns, but they haven’t covered everything. If you have been worried about the amount of hair you have been losing, talk to a healthcare provider about what can be done.

Nu Image Medical® offers a new and futuristic approach to achieving optimal health and wellness. The company has been a weight loss, anti-aging and wellness provider since 2004 and offers medically supervised programs for medical weight loss, peptides, erectile dysfunction, scream cream, and hair loss (NuDew) 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.