From the Guidelines
Treatment for hair loss caused by tension should prioritize eliminating the source of tension and may include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, as it has shown significant increase in hair density and thickness, particularly when combined with minoxidil, as seen in studies such as 1. To address hair loss from tension, the following steps can be taken:
- Change hairstyling practices to avoid tight hairstyles and use gentle hair accessories.
- Apply minoxidil (Rogaine) 5% solution to affected areas twice daily to stimulate regrowth.
- Consider prescription anti-inflammatory treatments like topical steroids to reduce inflammation.
- Use nutritional support with biotin supplements to strengthen remaining hair.
- For persistent hair loss, consult a dermatologist for evaluation and possible advanced treatments like PRP therapy or hair transplantation, as suggested by studies such as 1 and 1. Key considerations for PRP therapy include:
- Using a manual double-spin method for preparation.
- Performing a minimum of 3-5 sessions with a 1-month interval between sessions.
- Recommended dose is 5-7 mL PRP, using 0.05 to 0.1 mL/cm2, as outlined in 1.
- Activation of PRP is not required for androgenetic alopecia treatment.
- Platelet concentration should be around 1 to 1.5 million platelets per uL, as recommended by 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Hair Loss Caused by Tension
- Hair loss caused by tension can be attributed to various conditions, including telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and trichorrhexis nodosa 2
- Telogen effluvium is a nonscarring, noninflammatory alopecia of relatively sudden onset caused by physiologic or emotional stress, and once the precipitating cause is removed, the hair typically will regrow 2
- Trichotillomania is an impulse-control disorder, and treatment is aimed at controlling the underlying psychiatric condition 2
- Trichorrhexis nodosa occurs when hairs break secondary to trauma and is often a result of hair styling or overuse of hair products 2
Available Treatments
- Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride have been the standard of care for androgenetic alopecia, yielding mixed results 3
- New treatments such as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and others have been extensively studied in the literature 3
- Novel therapies such as oral minoxidil, topical finasteride, topical spironolactone, botulinum toxin, and stem cell therapy offer interesting alternatives to standard of care therapies for patients 3
Importance of Correct Diagnosis
- Correctly diagnosing the type of alopecia a patient is experiencing is crucial to ensure tailoring of treatment 4
- A comprehensive approach to diagnose alopecia based on current clinical practice and standards is necessary to address the varied causes of hair loss 4
Psychosocial Impact
- Hair loss can provoke anxieties and distress more profound than its objective severity would appear to justify, reflecting the profound symbolic and psychosocial importance of hair 5
- Stress has long been implicated as one of the causal factors involved in hair loss, and insights into the negative impact of stress on hair growth may lead to enhanced therapeutic modalities 5