New shedder needs advice and questions answered

[Bostonian]

Over the past month or so Ive seen a gradual increase in the amount of hairs around my sink and when I run my hands through my hair.

1) Does this mean Im starting my balding process or is it normal??
2) Is it true if you use hair gel or wear hats this can promote hair loss?
3) Is it true brushing your hair and scalp frequently unclogs follicles and prevents hair loss?
4) Are there any supplements: Fish Oil, Biotin? that help?
5) Does a lot of B5 pantothenic acid lead to hair loss?
6) What should I start with for hair loss treatment?

 

[HairlossTalk]

Does this mean Im starting my balding process or is it normal??

Both. People who aren't losing hair due to male pattern baldness go through shedding phases where seemingly more hair is falling out. You have to look at other indicators like aesthetic appearance of your hair, family history, age, etc to determine if its male pattern baldness.

Is it true if you use hair gel or wear hats this can promote hair loss?

Any extremely unhealthy scalp condition can make male pattern baldness worse by a little bit, but that alone wont initiate male pattern baldness, and stopping it wont stop male pattern baldness... and... wearing a hat/hair gel doesnt create a hostile scalp environment. Women do it too.

Is it true brushing your hair and scalp frequently unclogs follicles and prevents hair loss?

No. Totally unrelated to treating hair loss.

Are there any supplements: Fish Oil, Biotin? that help?

Supplements are called supplements because they supplement a deficiency. If you're nutritionally deficient, supplements are helpful for overall health. They can't stop or reverse male pattern baldness on their own though, no.

Does a lot of B5 pantothenic acid lead to hair loss?

Not Androgenetic Alopecia / Traditional Male Pattern baldness, no. You might do some research using Google for hair loss being a side effect of it however. Im not well versed.

What should I start with for hair loss treatment?

Start by reading the Guide to Men's Hair loss here:
http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/men

HairLossTalk.com

 

[Bostonian]

Thanks

Thank you very much...

 

[The Gardener]

Bostonian, there are a lot of things that can cause hairloss or shedding like you describe. Does Male Pattern Baldness run in your family? How old are you and how old were your relatives when they started losing their hair?

Hairloss as you describe can also be a factor of high levels of stress, or poor nutrition. When I say 'stress', I'm not talking about getting a chewing out from the boss or having your car throw a timing belt at 70mph, I'm talking about something REALLY traumatic, like losing a job, a loved one, or going through a divorce or something of the like. Have you had any 'jolts' in your life in the last couple months? I've read that your hair will start shedding about 1 or 2 months after the event occurs, whether it be an event of traumatic or nutritional stress. Other possible causes might be a regular and very severe overdose of vitamin A, or regular exposure to a few possible environmental toxins (rare) or a few other even rarer factors.

If this is not the case, then you might have male pattern baldness. If it is male pattern baldness, there are only two proven treatments for it, Minoxidil ("Rogaine") and Finasteride ("Propecia").

 

[Bostonian]

My father is bald (not completely but on the top) but my mother's father isnt nor is my mother. My 2 brothers dont seem to be balding and they are 3-4 yrs older...

Ive had nothing that tramautic happen to me.

The only thing I changed a month ago was getting off coffee and starting to drink an herbal tea each morning which has the following: Echinacea purpurea° root, pau d'arco, dandelion root (raw° & roasted), sarsaparilla and cinnamon bark°, ginger° and burdock° roots and , a pinch of sassafras bark and sweet leaf.

Would that do anything. Its supposed to flush out the liver. I lose about 6-7 hairs a day. Is it time to start on something or should I try a supplement first

 

[Stingray]

"Would that do anything. Its supposed to flush out the liver. I lose about 6-7 hairs a day. Is it time to start on something or should I try a supplement first"

When you are up to 100-200 a day come back and start worrying. The average human loses 50-250 hairs a day normally. The thing you need to worry about is when the hair is thinning from tip to root. If there is a noticeable discoloration and change in density of the hair shaft, then you need to get on something. But I would suggest waiting to see if things progress or not. It's more than likely just normal hair shedding.

 

[Bostonian]

6-8

Well thats just what I see on the sink in the morning I guess... But you've put me a bit more at ease...Its just that its increased of late

 

[Stingray]

How old are you?

 

[Bostonian]

28...

28...

 

[Bostonian]

and..

It does appear thinner in the front-center

 

[Cassin]

Re: 6-8

Well thats just what I see on the sink in the morning I guess... But you've put me a bit more at ease...Its just that its increased of late

Look at anyones brush with long hair. That thing will be packed with hair. Everyone sheds.

 

[The Gardener]

Re: and..

It does appear thinner in the front-center

I'm not sure where your hairline is right now, but, you are at the age where most all men, even those who are not destined for complete pattern baldness, to start receeding a bit. I think you need to look at your relatives, their hairlines, and think about the fact that you are gettin' up there, bud. It is very common for even for men who do not end up going bald to have a little hairline recession.

This being said, I would not worry yet unless you are dead set on keeping a really youthful hairline. I'd keep an eye on it, and if the shedding turns into real thinning and then starts showing signs of really showing some significant scalp underneath, then you can introduce some medication?