Is Baldness Preventable?

Losing your hair isn't the end of the world, but for most people it certainly isn't ideal. You may be wondering what you can do to prevent hair loss (alopecia) from happening to you. According to NYU Langone Health, as many as 80 percent of men and 50 percent of women will experience some form of hair loss in their lifetime. But are there things you can do to prevent baldness from happening altogether?

There are certain factors to take into consideration. “As people age, their rate of hair growth slows. Some people, however, due to genetic makeup or underlying medical conditions develop alopecia, which is also known as hair loss or baldness,” Ricardo Castrellon, MD, a plastic surgeon at Mercy in Miami Hospital tells ishonest Connect to Care.

In most cases, hair loss actually can be prevented, but taking early action is important. “Baldness is preventable, but early intervention is key. If a person starts to notice thinning and shedding or hair loss of any kind, it is important to get on a regimen as soon as possible. Hair loss is a progressive condition and only gets worse with time, and there is a point where it is not treatable,” Jared Reynolds, BIOCHEM, founder of Zenagen Hair Care says.

Is All Hair Loss Preventable?

According to Mayo Clinic, the majority of baldness is caused by genetics, usually known as male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness, and cannot be prevented. This type of hair loss is called androgenic alopecia, which is a genetic condition. While androgenic alopecia cannot be prevented, it can be treated and its progression can be slowed.

“Androgenic alopecia can start at any age. Unfortunately, by the time hair loss is noticeable 50 percent of hairs have already fallen from the scalp. The earlier you begin treatment, the more effective non-surgical treatments can be,” Matthew Lopresti, MD, chief surgeon at Leonard Hair Transplant Associates says.

Alopecia areata is also a genetic disease and usually first appears during childhood. The good news is that when someone has alopecia areata, their hair can grow back even after it has fallen out. So while hair loss from alopecia areata cannot be prevented, it can be treated. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, your hair follicles remain alive even during active periods of alopecia areata and you can experience hair regrowth even if you have already lost more than 50 percent of your hair.

If your hair loss is not due to a genetic condition, it’s likely that it can be prevented. According to NYU Langone Health, hair loss from stress, menopause, pregnancy, smoking, or other lifestyle or medical conditions can be prevented and sometimes even reversed once it starts happening.

How To Prevent Balding

One of the best things you can do to prevent hair loss is to take charge of stress. Exercising and finding time to relax can keep you healthy and help you prevent hair loss by lowering your stress levels. Especially if you are experiencing a major life event, such as the loss of a loved one or the end of a relationship, it’s important to find outlets to relieve your stress so that you do not experience stress-induced hair loss.

If you want to prevent hair loss, you can also prioritize a diet high in healthy proteins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’re trying to prevent baldness, you can take vitamins such as iron, biotin, vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc. It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before taking any new vitamins or supplements.

Don’t Wait. Get Help Today.

The sooner you address the symptoms of hair loss, the more likely you are to prevent irreversible damage. Speak to a medical professional today to begin your journey to a fuller head of hair.

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