Blog : Hair health guides
Evidence-based articles, comprehensive guides, and actionable insights for your hair health journey
Essential Guides
Comprehensive, evidence-based articles covering everything you need to know about hair loss
Hair Loss 101: Causes, When to Worry & What Tests to Run
Hair loss is one of the most common concerns people bring to dermatologists, affecting millions worldwide. But understanding what's normal, what's concerning, and what to do about it can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know: from normal daily shedding to red flags that require immediate attention, common causes, essential diagnostic tests, and what happens after diagnosis.
Telogen Effluvium vs Androgenetic Alopecia: How to Tell the Difference
Telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia are the two most common types of hair loss, but they're fundamentally different conditions with different causes, patterns, and treatments. Understanding the distinction is crucial because misdiagnosis leads to ineffective treatment. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know to tell them apart and get the right treatment.
Lab Tests for Hair Thinning: What to Order and What Results Mean
Lab tests are essential for diagnosing the underlying causes of hair loss, but understanding which tests to order and how to interpret the results can be confusing. Many correctable causes of hair loss—from nutritional deficiencies to hormonal imbalances—are detectable through blood work. This comprehensive guide covers the essential tests, what they mean, and why "normal" ranges might not be optimal for hair health.
At-Home Plan After Kesho AI Scan: 0–3 Months, 3–6 Months, 6–12 Months
You've received your Kesho AI Scan results and personalized plan from our dermatologist. Now what? This comprehensive guide walks you through what to expect and what to do in the first year after your scan, broken down into three key phases: the foundation period (0-3 months), progress and adjustments (3-6 months), and optimization (6-12 months).
Hair Transplant: Timelines, Expectations & Evidence
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that can restore hair in areas of thinning or baldness, but understanding what to expect—from the procedure itself to the timeline for results—is essential for making an informed decision. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about hair transplants, including who's a candidate, procedure types, realistic timelines, success rates, and evidence-based information to help you make the best decision for your situation.
Supplements & Topicals: What Trials Say
The supplement and topical treatment market for hair loss is vast and confusing, with countless products claiming to regrow hair. But what does the actual research say? This comprehensive guide reviews the evidence for supplements and topicals, separating what works from what doesn't, and providing evidence-based guidance on safe and effective supplementation.
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Browse all our articles on hair health, treatments, and evidence-based insights. Showing 28 articles.
The Psychological Impact of Hair Loss and How to Cope
It's "just hair," right? Wrong. For many, hair is a core part of identity, vitality, and self-expression. Losing it can feel like losing a part of yourself. Acknowledging this emotional weight is the first step toward healing.
Aging and Hair: What's Normal and What's Not
We expect wrinkles on our skin, but we often forget our hair ages too. Even without genetic balding, your hair at 50 will be different from your hair at 20. Recognizing these natural changes prevents unnecessary panic while highlighting when you should intervene.
Scalp Inflammation and Hair Loss: The Connection
If your scalp is red, itchy, or tender, your hair follicles are under siege. Inflammation produces free radicals and cytokines that can signal hair follicles to stop growing. Understanding this "soil" problem is key to growing the "plant."
Natural Hair Growth Remedies: Science vs. Myths
The internet is flooded with DIY hair growth hacks. While we all want a natural solution, relying on ineffective remedies allows hair loss to progress unchecked. Let's look at what the clinical trials actually say.
Post-COVID Hair Loss: What You Need to Know
You survived the fever and the fatigue, but months later, you're finding clumps of hair in the shower. You're not alone. "COVID hair loss" is a well-documented phenomenon that affects nearly a third of recovered patients.
Hair Loss in Men vs. Women: Key Differences
While the biological mechanism—sensitivity to hormones—is similar, hair loss manifests very differently in men and women. These differences dictate how we diagnose and treat the condition.
Early Signs of Balding: What to Look For
Hair loss is progressive. The earlier you catch it, the more hair you can save. Unfortunately, denial is common, and many people wait until they've lost 50% of their density before seeking help. Knowing what to look for can save your hairline.
Hair Care Habits That Cause Damage and Breakage
Sometimes hair "loss" isn't about the root—it's about breakage. You might be growing plenty of hair, but if it snaps off before it gets long, your hair will look thin and sparse. Many of our daily grooming habits contribute to this structural damage.
Scalp Massage for Hair Growth: Fact or Fiction?
It feels great, relieves tension, and costs nothing. But can rubbing your head really save your hair? While it sounds like an old wives' tale, there is actually emerging scientific evidence suggesting that mechanical stimulation of the scalp can have positive effects on hair thickness.
Finasteride vs. Dutasteride: Which is Right for You?
Finasteride and Dutasteride are the two main oral medications for male pattern baldness. Both work by blocking DHT, but they have different potencies. Here is a comparison to help you decide.
Minoxidil 101: How to Use It for Best Results
Minoxidil, widely known by the brand name Rogaine, is one of the most researched and effective topical treatments for hair loss. Available over the counter, it's often the first line of defense for both men and women. But effectiveness depends heavily on how you use it.
Nutrition for Healthy Hair: Best Foods and Nutrients
We often look for the perfect shampoo or serum, but the foundation of healthy hair starts from within. Your hair cells are some of the fastest-growing cells in your body, demanding a constant supply of energy and nutrients. When your diet is lacking, your body prioritizes vital organs, and your hair is often the first to suffer.
Stress and Hair Loss: Understanding Telogen Effluvium
We often hear that stress turns hair gray or makes it fall out. While the graying link is more complex, the connection between stress and hair shedding is real and well-documented. If you've noticed significant shedding of hair 2-3 months after a stressful event, illness, or surgery, you might be experiencing telogen effluvium.
Hormones and Hair Loss: A Comprehensive Guide
Hormones play crucial roles in hair growth and loss. Understanding how different hormones affect your hair helps explain why hair loss occurs, when it happens, and how to address it. From DHT in pattern hair loss to thyroid hormones, estrogen, and stress hormones, the hormonal landscape significantly influences your hair's health.
The Hair Growth Cycle: A Deep Dive into How Hair Grows
Understanding how hair grows helps explain why hair loss occurs and how treatments work. Hair doesn't grow continuously—it follows a cycle with distinct phases. When this cycle is disrupted, hair loss can result. Learning about the hair growth cycle provides insight into your hair's natural rhythm and what happens when things go wrong.
Hair Loss Myths Debunked: Separating Fact from Fiction
Hair loss is surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can lead to confusion, wasted time, and ineffective treatments. Separating fact from fiction helps you understand what actually causes hair loss, what doesn't, and where to focus your efforts for effective treatment.
Stress and Hair Loss: The Science Behind the Connection
You've probably heard that stress can cause hair loss, but how exactly does this happen? Understanding the connection between stress and hair loss helps you recognize the signs, manage expectations, and take steps to support recovery. The relationship is real, but the good news is that stress-related hair loss is usually temporary.
Hair Loss Medications: Side Effects and What to Know
Medications like minoxidil and finasteride are among the most effective treatments for hair loss, but they come with potential side effects. Understanding what to expect, which side effects are common versus rare, and how to use these medications safely can help you make informed decisions about treatment.
PRP Treatment for Hair Loss: What the Evidence Says
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy has gained popularity as a hair loss treatment, with many clinics offering it as a "natural" alternative to medications. But what does the research actually say? Understanding the evidence, how it works, and what to expect can help you make an informed decision about whether PRP is right for you.
Hair Loss After COVID-19: Recovery and Treatment
If you've experienced significant hair shedding months after recovering from COVID-19, you're not alone. Post-COVID hair loss has affected many people, causing understandable concern. The good news is that this type of hair loss is usually temporary and reversible. Understanding what's happening and how to support recovery can help you navigate this challenging period.
Scalp Microbiome and Hair Health: The Hidden Connection
You've probably heard about the gut microbiome, but did you know your scalp has its own microbiome too? Emerging research suggests that the balance of microorganisms on your scalp may influence hair health and potentially contribute to hair loss. While the science is still evolving, understanding this connection can help you make better choices for scalp and hair care.
PCOS and Hair Loss in Women: Causes, Patterns, and Treatment
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, and hair loss is one of its most distressing symptoms. Unlike the gradual thinning many women experience with age, PCOS-related hair loss often starts earlier and can progress more rapidly. Understanding the connection between PCOS and hair loss helps you seek appropriate treatment and manage expectations.
DHT and Hair Loss: Understanding the Mechanism
If you've researched hair loss, you've likely encountered DHT—dihydrotestosterone. It's often called the "hair loss hormone," but what exactly is it, and how does it cause your hair to thin? Understanding DHT's role helps explain why some treatments work and why hair loss patterns differ between individuals.
Iron Deficiency and Hair Health: What You Need to Know
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional causes of hair loss, especially in women. But not all iron deficiency shows up the same way, and ferritin levels matter more than you might think. Here's what the research says about iron, ferritin, and hair health.
Winter Hair Care Tips: Protect Your Hair from Cold Weather Damage
Winter weather can be harsh on your hair. Cold temperatures, dry indoor air, and frequent temperature changes can lead to increased breakage, dryness, and even more hair fall. Here's how to protect your hair and scalp during the winter months.
Vitamin D and Hair Loss: What You Need to Know
Vitamin D plays an important role in hair follicle health, and deficiency is more common in people with hair loss. But does supplementing actually help? Here's what the research says and what you really need to know.
How to take good photos of your scalp
Taking clear, well-lit scalp photos is essential for accurate AI analysis and allows dermatologists to see important details. Follow these simple tips to capture photos that help us give you the best possible assessment.
Why hair fall isn't solved by shampoos
If you've tried multiple shampoos for hair fall and nothing changed, you're not alone. Most shampoos address scalp symptoms like dandruff and oiliness, but they can't address the underlying causes of hair loss. Here's what actually makes a difference.