Hair Loss |

Hair Loss and why you lose hair

Unfortunately excessive hair loss is one of the health related problems that many people experience, as they grow older. Understanding why there is hair loss can help you discover if it will be a problem for you, and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

At any given time, approximately 10% of the hair in your scalp is in a resting phase. Two to three months later the resting hair will fall out and be replaced by new hair. This growing phase can last between two to six years. During this phase, each hair strand grows on average one centimeter each month. 90% of the hair on your scalp is growing at any given time.

It is quite normal for you to shed a few hairs every day during this cycle. Some people however may have hair loss at a greater rate than normal. This can affect men, women and children at any stage in their life.

The following are the most common reasons for hair loss

Hair Loss and Genetics

The first major reason for hair loss is related to genetics. This gene is a dominant trait that is usually present through the male gene. If you have a father, who is bald or lost hair, then you will most likely lose your hair as well. However, it is important to realize that while you may lose hair from the gene, you can take care of yourself through nutrients to prevent this from happening.

The genes may also relate to the make-up of a male’s hormones, which causes hair loss to be a larger factor. The hormones may interact in a different way. As they age, the hormones will change how they function and interact. The focus for hormones to supply specific chemicals will not be on the head area, and may cause less growth of hair in this area. If you are a woman, an imbalance of hormones may also affect hair growth and cause hair loss. This is important to keep in mind while your hormones change and, as you need different nutrients.

Hair Loss and Pregnancy

It is quite common for hair loss approximately three months after a woman has had a baby. This hair loss is due to hormonal changes occurring in her body. When a woman is pregnant, she produces high levels of hormones that enable her body to keep the hair that would normally fall out. Once the hormones have returned to the pre-pregnancy levels, the hair will begin falling out again and the body will resume the normal cycles of hair growth and loss.

Stress and Hair Loss

Hair loss is also known to occur from those who are under stress. Some people may suddenly lose considerable amounts of hair approximately three to four months following surgery. This is usually due to the stress of their illness and is usually only temporary. However it can be upsetting and unsettling for the person involved. Being under stress will cause the muscles in your scalp to restrict. As this happens, the circulation to the scalp is cut off. If this happens often and for longer periods, then it may cause hair loss. However, stress is one of the smaller factors that relate to hair loss.

Hair Loss and lack of hair care

Another major reason for hair loss is from the way that you may care for your hair. Improper care to the hair can also cause hair loss. Hairstyles such as pigtails or cornrows, tight rollers all pull on the hair causing a condition known as traction alopecia. However, this condition can be prevented if the pulling is stopped prior to the scalp scarring. It is important to note that scarring can cause permanent hair loss. Hot oil treatment and chemicals that are used in permanents (perms) also cause the hair follicle to swell, resulting in scarring and loss of hair.

There is a natural hair growth cycle for each hair. If the hair dies, it is important to brush out the hair. If it is removed, it will allow another hair to grow underneath it. However, if it is kept in the hair for a long period, it will suffocate the root of the hair and another hair will not be able to replace the dead hair in the same area. This will also be a problem if you do not regularly wash your hair to remove the dirt that stops the hair root from growing. If you wear a hat regularly, it may cause the same effect.

Hair Loss and Medication

Certain medicines can cause Hair loss. People often find their Hair Loss slows down when they stop taking the medication. Medications such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines used to treat gout, chemotherapy medications, excessive amounts of vitamin A, antidepressants and birth control pills can all cause Hair Loss.

Hair Loss and Infections

Certain bodily infections can also cause hair loss, such as fungal infections to the scalp in children. Infections such as these can easily be treated with antifungal medications and the growth soon reoccurs. Certain bodily infections can also cause hair loss, such as fungal infections to the scalp in children.

Infections such as these can easily be treated with antifungal medications and the growth soon returns. Problems relating to hormones may also cause hair loss. An overactive or under-active thyroid gland may cause hair to fall out. This can usually be controlled by treating the thyroid disease with medication. Hair loss can also be caused by male or female hormones (androgens and estrogens) which become out of balance. The hair loss can be controlled by treating the imbalance.

Hair Loss – summary

Knowing why hair loss occurs will help you in taking preventive measures to eliminate hair loss. By taking care of your hair, as well as understanding how different things will affect hair loss, you can make sure you take the right steps from preventing it from happening. Gaining the right information about hair loss and knowing how it will affect you are the first step to keeping healthy hair.

Research material on Hair Loss provided by K. Standerline, State Registered Nurse. UK

Male Pattern Baldness | Natural Hair Care | Causes for Hair loss | Hair Loss Solutions I Hair Loss Treatments