Losing hair daily is completely normal. It's part of the natural hair cycle and, in many cases, doesn't indicate any problem. However, there comes a point when this hair loss ceases to be normal and can become the first sign of developing alopecia.
World Health Day is a good time to stop, observe changes in your hair and ask yourself something as simple as it is important: Is my hair changing more than it should?
In this article we discuss 5 key signs that indicate your hair needs medical attention.
Dr. Raquel Amaro Silva
SURGEON PONTEVEDRA
Collegiate No. 362607457
Graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Santiago de Compostela with a Master's Degree in Aesthetic Medicine and Trichology and Hair Micrograft. She currently works as a doctor and hair surgeon in Hospital Capilar as head of the headquarters Hospital Capilar Pontevedra.
One of the first warning signs is a change in the hairline or crown area.
It's important to differentiate between a natural hairline—which we all have—and a progressive receding hairline. When hair starts to thin at the temples or the crown becomes more visible, it can be a sign of androgenetic alopecia.
To understand it practically, the Hamilton-Norwood scale is used, which classifies the progression of male pattern baldness from initial stages (slight receding hairline) to advanced stages (extensive hair loss on the top of the scalp). It is not a self-diagnostic tool, but it is a useful reference for identifying progressive changes.
It's completely normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day as part of the hair growth cycle. The problem arises when this hair loss increases and persists over time.
Here it is key to understand two concepts:
It is also important to consider the call seasonal hair lossThis is a completely physiological phenomenon that usually manifests more intensely during autumn and, to a lesser extent, in spring. During these periods, the hair cycle can be temporarily altered, causing a greater number of follicles to enter the telogen phase simultaneously.
As a result, it is common to observe a more pronounced hair loss, which can reach up to 100-150 hairs per day, without this necessarily implying a problem of alopecia.
However, when hair loss lasts longer than 6 to 8 weeks, shows no signs of stabilization, or is accompanied by an obvious decrease in hair density, it could indicate another type of underlying hair disorder.
Another common sign is a gradual loss of density. The hair doesn't just fall out: in many cases, it thins before disappearing completely.
This process is known as capillary miniaturization This is characteristic of androgenic alopecia. DHT (the hormone responsible for hair loss) attacks the hair follicle, producing increasingly thinner, shorter, and weaker hairs, until they finally stop growing.
A simple way to detect it is to compare current photographs with images from 3 or 4 years ago. If the scalp appears more visible or the hairstyle has lost density, there may be an active miniturization process and, consequently, androgenic alopecia.
There are reactive hair loss types, known as telogen effluvium, that can occur after:
This type of hair loss is usually diffuse and, in most cases, resolves on its own. The key is time: if after 3 or 4 months there is no clear improvement, it is advisable to have a medical evaluation to rule out an underlying alopecia that may be causing the problem.
The genetic component is one of the most determining factors in androgenetic alopecia.
If your father, brothers, or close relatives have baldness, your risk of developing it increases significantly. This doesn't mean it's inevitable, but it does indicate a greater genetic predisposition.
In these cases, early detection is especially important, as it allows action to be taken in the initial stages and slows down and stabilizes the progression of alopecia.
Hair loss is a progressive process. And that has a key implication: the earlier it is detected, the greater the chance of slowing follicular loss and preserving your own hair.
When action is taken early, the goal is clear: to stabilize hair loss, strengthen the remaining active follicles, and prevent further progression. At this stage, medical treatments and hair therapies can make a real difference.
The problem is when it's too late. Once the follicle is lost, there's no treatment that can recover it.
In these cases, when established baldness exists, hair transplantation becomes the only effective solution to restore density in the depopulated areas.
Therefore, beyond the treatment itself, the key is always the same: knowing exactly where you stand through a precise hair diagnosis.
If you've noticed any of these signs, don't let it get worse. A timely hair assessment can make all the difference.
En Hospital Capilar We offer a free hair diagnosis to analyze your case, assess your degree and type of hair loss, and explain the real treatment options.