| |
| |
|
Hair Loss Information |
|
|
|
What Are The Common Hair Loss Causes?
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. Richard Mitchell is the creator of the www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss.
MORE RESOURCES:
Hair-Loss - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Hair Loss: Getting to the Root of the Problem It's fair to say when you started losing your hair you asked "why me". Maybe after seeing your dad and older brother join the hair less community you figured it was only a matter of time. How To Reduce Stress That Causes Hair Loss and Bad Hair Your hair will be radiant and shining if you are healthy physically as well as emotionally.Your hair becomes dull and lifeless if you are upset emotionally. Female Hair Loss: Research shows that up to two thirds of women experience hair loss at some stage in their life and this can often be a very stressful time for women and is an integral part of their self image.The most common causes of hair loss in women is not related to inherited genes but usually associated with other factors such as pregnancy, stress, chemotherapy, certain diets, thyroid hormone deficiency, some drugs or infections. Stop Hair Loss! Are you losing more than 20-100 strands of hairs a day? If your answer is yes; you are part of 50 percent of the population experiencing hair loss, but before you get alarmed there are some changes in your body either conscious or unconscious that maybe causing your hair to shed. Did you make a change in your diet, Are you eating enough proteins and amino acids, Is your body going trough a hormonal change (postpartum, thyroid), Anemia, stress, medications etc. Dont Lose Hair Because Of Poor Grooming One of the most common reasons why men and women lose their hair is due to poor cosmetic grooming. The unfortunate thing about this is the fact it is so preventable. Top Nutritional Tips To Support Healthy Hair Growth 1. Eat adequate amounts of protein. Finding Information On Different Hair Growth Systems Many people who experience balding or thinning hair often search in vain for the perfect hair growth systems that will restore their full head of hair. While there are hair growth systems available that will encourage some hair growth on bald spots, don't you think that if the perfect system existed, you would have heard about it before now?A condition known as alopecia affects young people and results in total hair loss on the entire body. Hair Loss Is a Cause for Concern Losing hair is not only a cosmetic problem though it can't be denied that it can bring down your self-confidence and self esteem to a worrying degree. Hair loss can be indicative of more serious problems as well. Are Your Searching In Vain For The Causes of Hair Loss? Trying to find out what causes hair to fall out is often very hard to do. This is because there are so many different causes of hair loss, there is no one common denominator that one can look to. Hair Cloning As A Solution For Hair Loss One of the most exciting recent developments in the search to find new solutions for hair loss has been research investigating hair cloning. Properly known as follicle cloning or multiplication, it involves taking a sample of a person's hair follicle cells, multiplying them in a lab and injecting them back into the patient's scalp. Do Natural Hair Loss Remedies Have Any Real Relevance? The effectiveness of modern hair loss treatments is clear for all to see, but many people simply prefer not to use strong chemicals or non-natural substances. If you fall into this category, does this mean you'll just have to accept an ever-decreasing head of hair? The answer to this is an unequivocal NO! Many natural hair loss remedies, both traditional and contemporary, have shown their worth in reducing and reversing hair loss. A Guide to Hair Loss Products Hair loss is a genetic/hormonal process that can affect both men and women. Hormones that bind to hair follicles can cause an imbalance in the biological processes that cause hair growth. Hair Transplant Surgery - Do You Need It, Do You Want It? Hair transplant surgery is very common these days. As hair loss is such a big problem for so many people, and as hair transplant surgery becomes more and more effective, it is more in demand. Which Hair Regrowth Product Will I Use Today? When you decide to select a hair regrowth product off the store shelves without first doing research about it, you could be throwing your money away. Every one of these products advertise that they are clinically proven to be successful. Homemade Hair Dressing to Naturally Grow Your Hair There's plenty you can do to hang on to what hair you have and encourage healthy regrowth without spending an arm and a leg for it. You can start by taking a look in your very own kitchen. Body Hair Removal: Solutions for Today As we as a race become increasingly conscious of the way others look at us and not just the way, we look at ourselves, personal grooming has never been more important. And top of the list for many men and women today is to gain a superior attractive quality by getting rid of unwanted body hair. Guide to Shaving Pubic Hair Getting the decision to start shaving your pubic hair is easy. Doing it is a bit more difficult. You Need To Know The Possible Hair Loss Causes Hair loss causes range from simple to complex. Some of the simple causes of hair loss include recovery from major surgery. Diet, Nutrition and Hair Loss One key factor in maintaining a growing protein on a part of one's biological body is obvious: one must maintain a healthy diet. Although certain factors have been definitely identified as contributors to hair loss, we must keep in mind that hair is part of the complete biological system of the human body. Non-Approved Drugs That Can Help Hair Loss At present only two medications have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss, namely finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine). While both of these continue to prove their worth to many patients, some individuals are disappointed with their results and seek other forms of treatment.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
