In our fast-paced world, students face a great deal of demands associated with their academics, digital media, social and cultural pressures, and for many, poor lifestyle habits. With these stressors, hair loss has become a growing concern, particularly among teenagers and young adults. What once was a concern of middle-age adults, hair loss has become increasingly common in the student population. From hormonal changes to nutritional impacts, there are many factors contributing to this alarming issue.
In this blog, we will look at the main reasons for hair loss, what students can do to prevent it, and treatment options for younger people.
Reasons for Hair Loss in Students
1. Genetics (Androgenetic Alopecia)
DNA causes this genetic condition to cause hair thinning and hairline recession slowly over time.
In boys, this is frequently characterized by manifesting changes to the frontal hairline in an “M” or “V” angle, followed by baldness at the crown.
In girls this is frequently characterized by a widening part or overall thinning of hair.
Although this type of hair loss typically starts in adulthood, many teens will usually have a predisposition toward this due to a strong genetic load.
2. Alopecia Areata
This autoimmune condition impacts the immune system, which subsequently attacks hair follicles. As such, hair may thin or fall in patches from the scalp and sometimes from the eyebrows or other body parts. Alopecia areata may begin in childhood or during the teenage years. These patches of hair loss often occur suddenly.
3. Nutritional Deficiencies and Malnutrition
Students often do not eat, eat fast food, and limit their food intake with fad diets. This eventually makes them undernourished. Nutrients are necessary on a continual basis for hair follicles to maintain a healthy state.
Deficiencies of iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B7 (biotin), folate, and selenium undermine hair roots and dislodge the hair and/or cause hair loss.
A diet lacking in protein can also push the hair into the telogen, or resting, phase of growth too early, which causes thinning of the hair.
4. Thyroid Disorders
Either an overactive, or an underactive thyroid upsets the normal balance of bodily hormones, causing hair to become brittle or to thin diffusely. Hair loss from a thyroid imbalance often doesn’t take a specific pattern but may just be evenly distributed over the scalp. Hair usually regrows with the treatment of the thyroid condition.
5. Lupus and Other Autoimmune Conditions
Lupus is another autoimmune disorder that is marked by inflammation in the body’s systems. Involvement of the scalp and hair follicles is possible; students who are dealing with lupus may certainly find thinning or bald spots that may or may not regrow depending on whether scarring has taken place. Every now and then, inflammation can cause scarring within the permanent hair follicles, resulting in scarring alopecia. Effectiveness of treatment is possible through a combination of medication, management of stress, and lifestyle changes that can minimize the severity of flares and loss of hair.
6. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
This hormonal imbalance results in the secretion of excess androgen (a male hormone), resulting in several signs such as facial and body hair growth, hair loss at the frontal, temporal, or top of the skull, and usually with that comes acne and irregular menstrual cycles. Hormones aren’t the only treatment for PCOS; there are also treatments for hair loss.
8. Stress and Psychological Conditions
The academic demands, tests, and social obligations can result in long-term stress leading to telogen effluvium, which is hair loss that may occur months following the onset of either a physical or emotional stressor.
Trichotillomania is another condition whereby people cannot stop pulling out their hair as a result of anxiety or stress.
9. Fungal Infections
Tinea capitis may present itself as discoloration of the scalp, or scaling and itch, with the possibility of scarring loss if left untreated. Infection spreads quickly among children and adolescents via combs, hats, and towels.
What Are the Different Symptoms of Hair Loss
Below are some of the symptoms of hair loss:
| Hair Loss Type | Pattern Hair Loss | Patchy Hair Loss | Complete Hair Loss | Hair Thinning | Hairline Recession |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alopecia areata | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Androgenetic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Hair treatment, coloring, and styling | ✓ | ||||
| Lupus | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Malnutrition | ✓ | ||||
| Medications | ✓ | ||||
| Polycystic ovary syndrome | ✓ | ||||
| Ringworm of the scalp | ✓ | ||||
| Telogen effluvium | ✓ | ||||
| Thyroid conditions | ✓ | ||||
| Traction alopecia | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Trichotillomania | ✓ | ✓ |
How to Prevent Hair Loss
Though there are limits to preventing hair loss; Sure, some of it isn’t your fault and is largely genetic. However, there are measures that students can implement to take care of their hair as well as their hair health going forward.
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- Eat a healthy and nourishing diet. Consider including biotin and collagen in your diet plan.
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- Stress Lessening through Yoga, meditation, journaling.
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- See a doctor if required.
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- Avoid tight hairstyles.
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- Limit the use of hair dye, relaxers, and bleach.
Protect your hair from damage by putting on a swim cap when you go swimming in the pool with chlorine. Also wash your hair with a mild shampoo specifically for the scalp, and consider drying it immediately. Keeping your hair wet for a long time can be harmful.
For individuals who are receiving treatment, such as chemotherapy, wearing a cooling cap is beneficial, and it will help limit hair loss.
What Are the Various Treatment Options?
Let’s walk you through the treatment options:
| Hair Loss Type | Treatment Options |
|---|---|
| Alopecia Areata | Oral treatments, ointments, or corticosteroids using an injection |
| Lupus | Healthy diet, take less stress, avoid exposure to the sun, and rest properly |
| Genetic | Medications like Minoxidil might help |
| Medications | Consider adjusting your dosage |
| Malnutrition | Nutrient deficiencies must be treated properly |
| Telogen Effluvium | Get rid of stress, use hair supplements, eat a healthy diet |
| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome | Medicines like birth control and Glucophage |
| Traction alopecia | Avoid buns and tight ponytails |
| Thyroid | You can take medicines like tapazole |
| Trichotillomania | Behavioral therapy |
Final Thoughts
It is now more common to observe hair loss among students than it has ever been, yet most of such conditions are not irreversible. Early diagnosis, proper nutrition, stress management, and the right treatments restore healthy hair.
If you are a student and suffering from hair thinning or shedding, then don’t panic; understanding it will lead you toward the very recovery. It’s time to make small and potential steps today to keep your hair strong, healthy, and full of confidence for many more years.
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