Avoid hair loss in stressful – and other – times

Mount Pleasant, S.C. – People go partially or fully bald for any number of reasons – hormones, genetics and aging, among others – but since National Hair Loss Awareness Month arrives in August in the middle of a pandemic-fueled recession, one factor is taking center stage. Stress.

“Stress certainly can contribute to hair loss because it can affect hormone levels,” Dr. Patrick Angelos, author of “The Science and Art of Hair Restoration: A Patient’s Guide,” said. “Any number of stressful events can lead to a sudden loss of hair, although in those cases the hair typically will grow back over time.”

For more permanent hair-loss concerns, Angelos, a plastic surgeon who specializes in hair restoration, uses robotic treatment to help patients regain their hair. The process involves an advanced, minimally invasive hair transplant system that uses technology driven by artificial intelligence.

“Among the reasons patients consider hair restoration is that they want to get back some of their youthful look and feel better about themselves,” Angelos said. “Helping them accomplish that is one of the great satisfactions I get from being a plastic surgeon.”

But for those who want to keep their hair healthy and full now and who hope to avoid ever reaching the point where they need hair-loss intervention, Angelos offered a few tips.

Maintain good hair care and hygiene habits.

The way a person washes their hair could undermine their efforts to prevent hair loss, Angelos said. As they wash, avoid pulling back on the hair because that can put traction on the follicles.

“The same goes for combing,” he said. “It’s less stressful on the follicles to wash and comb your hair forward, toward your face, instead of toward the back of your scalp and neck. Also, long hair weighs more, so on its own, it can put more traction on the follicles.”

Brushing hair regularly, however, is good because it massages the scalp and helps improve blood flow and circulation. The condition of the hair should also be in balance – not too oily, not too dry.

“Finally, don’t overuse a hair dryer because that can make hair weak and brittle, which can lead to more hair loss,” Angelos said.

Treat health issues.

Hormonal imbalances and other medical conditions such as low thyroid and iron or iodine deficiency can contribute to hair loss, Angelos said.

“Avoid overuse of supplements and medications,” he said. “Since supplements such as testosterone, human growth hormone, whey and DHEA can cause thinning and hair loss, especially avoid excessive use of these.”

Be aware of personal nutritional needs.

Some fad diets may have a nutritional impact on hair loss.

“It’s really important to eat a healthy balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fat,” Angelos said.

He also recommends taking a multivitamin that includes vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E, along with the minerals zinc, iodine and iron, all of which help with hair health.

Avoid unhealthy environments. 

The negative health effects of smoking are well known, especially related to lung cancer. But one more reason to avoid smoking, Angelos said, is that it can affect hair loss. In addition to smoking, other environmental factors that can contribute to hair loss include environmental exposures like radiation and air pollution.

When efforts to prevent hair loss fall short, those who prefer to avoid baldness can explore the possibilities that modern science provides.

“Not every patient needs hair transplantation, though,” Angelos said. “Especially when it comes to younger patients, it may be best to start with other options. Since the reasons for hair loss vary from person to person and are unique to their circumstances, a good place to start is by determining the cause of hair loss in the first place, and then go from there.”

Dr. Patrick Angelos, author of “The Science and Art of Hair Restoration: A Patient’s Guide,” is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose primary surgical interests include hair restoration and facial plastic surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. For more information, visit http://drpatrickangelos.com.