| What Are The Common
Hair Loss Causes?
by: Richard Mitchell
One of the most worrying aspects of hair loss treatment is
the tendency of so many people to seek solutions without first
determining what has caused their loss in the first place.
At best, sufferers may waste money on inappropriate 'wonder
cures' or even legitimate treatments that unfortunately are
not suitable for their particular needs. At worst, some people
may be risking their health by self-prescribing powerful pharmaceutical
drugs. I don't have a problem with hair loss sufferers saving
money by purchasing cheap generic drugs on the internet, but
I feel strongly that they should at least seek confirmation
from their physician that a given drug matches their individual
needs.
Before examining the most common causes of premature hair
loss we need to understand that some shedding of hair is perfectly
normal. Hairs grow from follicles that are tiny organs in
the skin designed to grow a single hair that follows this
repetitive cycle:
1. Lengthy growth period (Anagen Stage) - this phase usually
lasts between two and seven years with an average growth rate
of six inches (15cm) each year.
2. Short transition period (Catagen Stage) - this period
of transition lasts for roughly two to four weeks. During
this phase the hair shaft becomes detached and moves upwards
within the follicle.
3. Resting period (Telogen Stage) - this phase lasts about
three months allowing the hair to detach itself prior to falling
out.
At this point a new hair begins to grow thus repeating the
normal cycle of hair growth. Unfortunately a number of factors
can interfere with the natural hair growth process leading
to forms of hair thinning or premature baldness.
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss,
probably accounting for as much as 95% of pattern hair loss
for both men and women. It is usually associated with aging
and develops in predictable stages over varying periods of
time. Each follicle follows a genetically programmed growth
cycle with some follicles coded to remain active for a shorter
time than others. This results in the development of the hereditary
baldness patterns that are so familiar to us all.
For this type of baldness to occur, the following factors
must be present:
1. A genetic predisposition for hair loss to occur (as explained
above).
2. The presence of male hormones.
3. Aging - in other words, enough time for the first two
factors to exert an influence.
All men and women produce male hormones such as testosterone
and DHT. These have a useful role to play in both sexes but
obviously occur in widely differing concentrations. It is
the higher levels of androgens found in males that explains
why this form of hair loss affects men more than women.
In brief, these hormones affect the hair growth cycle as
follows:
1. High levels of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme occur in some
cells of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.
2. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT.
3. DHT causes the terminal hairs to miniaturize.
4. This leaves short, soft, fluffy vellus hairs that provide
inadequate scalp coverage.
5. The growth phases gradually become shorter until these
hairs are lost for good.
Alopecia areata is thought to be an immune system disorder
that causes follicles to stop producing hairs in patches on
the head. In severe cases it can advance to the stage where
all hair on the head is lost (alopecia totalis) or even a
complete absence of body hair results (alopecia universalis).
In most cases the hair will reappear on its own but until
then, the condition can be very distressing to sufferers particularly
as its cause can be difficult to determine. If you feel you
may be suffering from this form of hair loss, seek the advice
of your physician who will carry out a physical examination
and conduct blood tests to help determine the cause.
Telogen effluvium is characterized by a general thinning
or shedding of hair over a period of months and is most commonly
found in people who have recently experienced trauma. Common
causes include childbirth, major surgery, severe illness,
psychological stress and chemotherapy. The good news is that
the abnormal growth behavior associated with telogen effluvium
is temporary and reversible.
There are numerous other less common hair loss causes that
need to be discounted before a course of treatment is chosen.
Traction alopecia is the loss of hair from constant pulling,
usually as the result of hair styling. Broken hairs can result
in thinning, often caused by excessive styling or exposure
to chemicals and sun. Finally, severe illnesses or nutritional
deficiencies can cause side effects that may include degrees
of hair loss.
I hope this brief article has gotten across the message that
diagnosing the real causes of hair loss is not always a straightforward
process. Once you and your physician have identified a cause,
then you can work towards restoring your hair to its former
glory. And the good news is, most forms of hair loss can be
treated successfully. The next article in this series will
look at some of the best hair loss treatments currently available.
In the meantime, please visit http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com/hair-loss-causes.html
to learn more about the issues addressed in this article.
About The Author
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com
website that provides information and guidance to those suffering
from premature hair loss.
richard@myhairlossadvisor.com
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