Hair Loss & Hair Growth FAQ

(For Mila Foy Results & Hair Test Report Readers)

1. What is hair loss and how much daily shedding is normal?

Most people lose around 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of a normal hair growth cycle. Shedding beyond that, or visible thinning on the scalp, receding hairline, widening part, or bald patches, can signal hair loss (alopecia) rather than normal shedding. 

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2. What are the most common causes of hair loss and thinning hair?

The biggest causes of hair loss are:

• Genetics: male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss

• Hormones: DHT, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, PCOS, thyroid changes

• Stress and illness: physical or emotional stress, infections, surgery

• Scalp problems: dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp inflammation

• Lifestyle and nutrition: crash dieting, low protein, iron or B12 deficiency

• Hair practices: tight styles, harsh chemicals, heat damage, relaxers

Your Mila Foy report is designed to highlight some of these risk factors, then suggest a more targeted routine. 

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3. What is the difference between male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, and alopecia areata?

• Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia): recession at the temples and thinning on the crown, driven mainly by genetics and DHT.

• Female pattern hair loss: gradual diffuse thinning, usually along the parting and top of the scalp, often starting in the 40s, 50s or around menopause. 

• Alopecia areata: autoimmune hair loss that creates round bald patches on the scalp, beard, or brows.

Some forms are reversible, some are not, which is why a professional diagnosis matters.

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4. Can stress really cause hair loss?

Yes. Significant physical or emotional stress can trigger telogen effluvium, where a higher percentage of hairs enter the shedding phase at once. You might notice heavy shedding 2 to 3 months after a stressful event, illness, crash diet, or major life change. The good news, most telogen effluvium is temporary once triggers are addressed. 

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5. Can hormones, pregnancy, or menopause cause hair loss in women?

Yes. Hormonal shifts in pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, PCOS, thyroid disease, and contraception changes are classic triggers for female hair loss and thinning hair. Postpartum hair loss usually improves within 6 to 12 months, while menopause related hair loss can be longer term and may need ongoing treatment. 

Always involve a GP or dermatologist if you suspect hormone issues.

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6. Is hair loss only inherited from the mother’s side?

No. That myth is lazy. Genetic hair loss can come from either side of the family and can skip generations. What matters is your own pattern, age of onset, and family history overall, not just your mum’s dad. 

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7. Can diet or nutritional deficiencies cause hair thinning?

Yes. Hair is a high nutrient demand tissue. Low protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and B12 deficiency are all linked with increased shedding and diffuse thinning. Crash diets and rapid weight loss are well known triggers. 

On the flip side, overeating certain foods, like high mercury fish every day, may also harm hair follicles over time. 

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8. Do hats, frequent washing, or shampooing cause hair loss?

No. Hats do not cause baldness. Washing and shampooing do not cause genetic hair loss. What happens is you see all the loose hairs at once in the shower, so it looks dramatic. Washing simply removes hairs that were already going to fall. 

Aggressive scrubbing, scalding hot water, or harsh products, however, can irritate the scalp and worsen breakage.

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9. How important is scalp health and clogged follicles for hair growth?

Scalp health is a big deal. Oil, dead skin, product build up, and pollution can clog follicles, trigger inflammation, and weaken hair anchoring, which speeds up shedding. 

Regular gentle exfoliation, scalp cleansing, and massage help keep follicles clear and support a healthier growth environment. That is why many hair growth routines focus on scalp care plus actives, not just lengths.

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10. Can tight hairstyles, braids, wigs, or protective styles cause hair loss at the edges?

Yes. Tight ponytails, sleek buns, braids, cornrows, weaves, and some wig attachments can cause traction alopecia, which often attacks the edges and temples. This is especially common in Afro and textured hair when tension is constant. 

Early traction alopecia can often improve once tension is removed. Long term traction can lead to permanent follicle damage, so do not play with this.

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11. What is CCCA and why is it talked about so much in Black women’s hair loss?

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) is a scarring type of hair loss that often starts at the crown and slowly spreads outward. It is most common in women of African descent and can cause permanent loss if not treated early. 

Inflammation destroys the follicles and replaces them with scar tissue, which is why early diagnosis by a dermatologist is critical.

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12. Can lifestyle, smoking, sleep, and stress really affect hair density?

Yes. Poor sleep, heavy smoking, chronic stress, and sedentary lifestyle can all influence hormones, circulation, and inflammation, which then affects hair growth cycles. A decent hair plan includes sleep, stress management, and movement, not only products. 

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13. Can hair loss be reversed naturally?

It depends on the type of hair loss:

• Telogen effluvium from stress or illness often improves once the trigger is removed.

• Some traction alopecia can recover if tension is stopped early. 

• Genetic pattern hair loss typically cannot be fully reversed naturally, but early intervention and consistent care can slow or partially improve it. 

• Scarring alopecias like CCCA are not reversible once follicles are destroyed, only progression can be slowed. 

So anyone selling you a “natural cure for baldness” is selling fantasy.

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14. Which hair loss treatments are scientifically proven?

The best studied treatments for pattern hair loss are:

• Topical minoxidil

• Oral finasteride for men only

• Some anti androgen treatments in women under specialist care

• Procedures like PRP and hair transplantation in selected cases

These can help slow or partly reverse genetic hair loss in many people but they do not work for everyone and need ongoing use. 

Always speak with a doctor before starting medication.

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15. Do natural oils like rosemary, peppermint, or batana actually regrow hair?

• Rosemary oil: Several small clinical trials suggest rosemary oil can support hair growth in some people with pattern hair loss, with results roughly similar to low strength minoxidil in those studies. But research is still limited, and dosing, formula, and long term data are not fully clear. 

• Other essential oils (lavender, thyme, cedarwood, peppermint): some evidence in alopecia areata and scalp health, but overall data is still classed as “promising but not conclusive”. 

• Batana oil: good for softness and dryness, but current medical reviews say there is no strong evidence that batana oil directly treats hair loss. It may reduce breakage rather than regrow follicles. 

So oils can support scalp condition and hair quality, and may help some forms of hair loss, but they are not magic and they are not a replacement for medical treatment where that is needed.

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16. How long does it take to see visible hair growth results?

Hair grows slowly, around 1 to 1.25 cm per month. Most clinical and cosmetic hair growth routines quote:

• First signs: 8 to 12 weeks

• Clearer improvement: 4 to 6 months

• Maximum visible change: 9 to 12 months plus

Any routine promising “new hair in 7 days” is lying to you. 

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17. Why did my shedding increase after I started a new hair growth routine?

When you start something that genuinely stimulates follicles, some hairs shift from resting to growth phase, which can kick out older weak hairs. This “shedding before regrowth” phase is very common with minoxidil and sometimes with actives that wake up follicles. 

If shedding is severe, painful, or patchy, you should stop and speak to a professional.

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18. Will I lose my hair again if I stop treatment?

For genetic pattern hair loss, yes. Most proven treatments and many supportive routines only work while you use them. Once you stop, the condition usually continues at its natural pace and you gradually return to where you would have been without treatment. 

Think of it like gym for your follicles. Stop the workouts, results fade.

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19. Is it safe to combine growth serums, oils, and medical treatments?

Many people combine:

• A prescribed treatment from their doctor

• A cosmetic growth serum or scalp oil

• Scalp exfoliation and gentle cleansing

There is early evidence that combining minoxidil with certain natural actives, such as rosemary oil, may support results, but robust data is limited. 

You must check for irritants, allergies, and drug interactions, and get medical advice if you are using prescribed treatments.

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20. Can I keep my protective styles and still fix my hair loss?

Yes, but only if you fix the habits causing tension and friction. To protect your edges and crown:

• Use looser braids, looser ponytails, looser wigs

• Avoid heavy extensions on already thin areas

• Give your scalp breaks between installs

• Focus on low tension styles that allow direct access to the scalp for cleansing and treatment 

If your Mila Foy results highlight traction risk or obvious thinning at the edges, do not ignore it. Traction alopecia can become permanent.

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21. When should I see a doctor or dermatologist about my hair loss?

You should seek medical help if:

• Hair loss is sudden, patchy, or scarring

• Your scalp is painful, itchy, scaly, or inflamed

• You have other symptoms like fatigue, heavy periods, acne, weight change, or irregular cycles

• There is a strong family history of early hair loss

NHS and dermatology guidelines are clear: get proper assessment rather than self diagnosing everything as “stress” or “bad shampoo”. 

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22. What does my Mila Foy Hair Results Report actually tell me?

Your Mila Foy report is not a medical diagnosis. It is a hair and scalp insight report that looks at things like:

• Visible density and thinning patterns

• Areas of shedding, breakage, or miniaturised hairs

• Signs of scalp build up, dryness, or irritation

• Your lifestyle, stress, and hair care habits based on your answers

It connects these findings to known hair loss triggers, then recommends a more intelligent routine, not a random guess.

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23. How do I use my Mila Foy results to choose the right hair loss routine?

Use the report to make decisions in this order:

1. Identify likely drivers: genetics, traction, scalp issues, lifestyle, hormones.

2. Fix the basics: tension, harsh products, scalp hygiene, nutrition, sleep.

3. Layer targeted support: growth oils, scalp serums, protective styling guidelines, and, if appropriate, a discussion with a professional about medical treatments.

4. Track progress: photos, notes, and periodic Mila Foy re tests or check ins.

Your report is a blueprint for a routine that fits your pattern of hair loss, not a copy paste plan.

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24. How often should I review my results and adjust my plan?

Hair grows slowly, so obsessing every week is useless. As a rule:

• Reassess routine and photos every 8 to 12 weeks

• Consider a new Mila Foy results review at 4 to 6 months

• Rework your strategy if: shedding spikes, new bald patches appear, or scalp symptoms worsen

If your report and photos show no improvement at 6 to 12 months, or progression is fast, that is your signal to get a medical opinion rather than just buying more products. 

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