There are many misconceptions related to hair loss. Lets look at some hard truths about hair loss.
For one, it is normal to shed hair every day and we loose between 100-125 hairs on any given day. Hair that is shed falls out at the end of growth cycle. At any given time 10% of our hair is in what is called a “resting phase” and after 2-3 months of “resting”, the hair falls out and new hair grows in its place. For some people, however, hair loss is more than is normal.
As they get older, it is common for both men and women experience some hair loss. It’s a normal part of the aging process. Called Androgenetic Alopecia, it accounts for 95% of all hair loss. Androgentic Alopecia often runs in families and affects some people more than others. This is often referred to as Male Pattern Baldness in men. This is characterized by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of head in men.
Women, on the other hand, don’t go entirely bald even if their hair loss is severe. Instead, hair loss in women is spread out evenly over their entire scalp.
Hormones also play the dominant role when talking about Androgenetic Alopecia. Simply put, both men and women produce testosterone. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT shrinks hair follicles causing the membranes in the scalp to thicken, become inelastic and restrict blood flow. This causes the hair follicles to atrophy. As a result, when hair does fall out, it is not replaced.
And as we know, men produce more testosterone than women and hence experience more DHT related hair loss.
While Androgenetic Alopecia is the major reason why individuals experience hair loss, it is not the only one. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, ringworm and fungal infections can also cause hair loss.
Certain medications such as blood thinners, gout medication, birth control pills and too much vitamin A can cause sudden or abnormal hair loss. As can can crash diets, sudden hormonal changes, chemotherapy and radiation.
Emotional stress, pregnancy, or surgery can also cause our hair to fall out but this is usually not noticed until 3-4 months after the stressful event has taken place. Stress can cause a slowing of new hair growth as well because a larger number of hair follicles enter into the resting phase and no new hair growth is experienced.
Another way in which individuals experience hair loss is due to mechanical stresses on the hair and scalp. Wearing pigtails, cornrows or tight rollers that end up pulling on the hair can scar the scalp and cause permanent hair loss. Hair products such as hot oil treatments and chemicals used for permanents can cause inflammation to the hair follicles which can also result in scarring and hair loss.
Now that you know some facts about hair loss, you can take preventive steps. Avoid any non hereditary stresses and products to avoid hair loss. Making use of products that inhibit hair loss due to DHT will help you prevent baldness for a long while.
