Hair loss is a disorder that can influence the way we see ourselves when we look in the mirror and can bring down our self-esteem. The HPA Health Group has a highly-motivated team that seeks to support patients suffering from these pathologies. In this regard, Dr. Manuel Calzado, Internist and Specialist in Trichology at HPA Health Group, sheds light on hair loss.

Trichologists are known as the doctors of the hair. In fact, Trichology is the medical specialty that studies diseases of the hair and scalp. Although there are several conditions, namely genetics that can lead to hair loss, there is one thing that they all have in common: the sooner patients begin treatment, the better results they can expect.

Trichology is considered aesthetic medicine, but for patients undergoing hair treatment it is much more than just looking good. It's about self-esteem and confidence, which obviously affects mental health as well as several aspects of their lives.

When should I see a Trichologist?

It's normal to lose some hair, but when does it become a concern? “A person under normal conditions loses hair, but up to the age of 25 we produce more hair than we are losing. From the age of 25 we start to lose more than we produce”, he said. However, there are teenagers suffering from severe hair loss and they have heard comments from colleagues, which can be heart breaking and affect their relationships. “We're talking about people who don't want to go out,” the doctor told The Portugal News.

As we have just seen, hair treatment can be necessary at any stage of life. However, Dr. Manuel refers that the critical age is between 35 and 38 because that's when normally “hair loss is much more visible compared to hair that is growing or renewing”.

And when that happens we should not just sit and wait. “People usually come to the consultation when they have very significant hair loss, but the best time to seek help is when there is loss of hair density”, he added.

Scarring Alopecia V Non-Scarring Alopecia

If you are not familiar with this medical term, alopecia is the clinical designation for any type of hair loss. There are two main types of alopecia: scarring alopecia and non scarring alopecia.

According to the doctor, while scarring alopecia is more complicated to treat (even it is not impossible), non scarring alopecia gives more guarantees with regards to treatment success. In this regard, “the younger the patient, the easier it is to treat. Youths respond very well to medication.” In this sense, “the most common of non-scarring alopecia is Androgenetic alopecia, where treatment is very effective in both early and moderate stages. Also, in the most advanced stage, a hair transplant can work very well,” he said.

If you have one of these types of alopecia, you're not alone. According to Dr. Manuel, it is estimated that about 80 percent of men will suffer from hair loss at a certain stage of their lives, while when we talk about women this number drops to 40 percent.

The HPA Health Group follows the most advanced medical developments and offers a wide variety of solutions to patients. Whatever your case, scheduling the first appointment is the key to a successful outcome.


Author

Paula Martins is a fully qualified journalist, who finds writing a means of self-expression. She studied Journalism and Communication at University of Coimbra and recently Law in the Algarve. Press card: 8252

Paula Martins