Hair Loss and Hair Biology

30Jun08

I see a lot of people asking about hair loss so I figure I do a post about what I’ve researched. I hope this helps those who need answers to their questions. I know how devastating possible hair loss can be.

Hair Biology

In order to fully understand hair loss you must understand the biology of hair. There are three stages of hair growth: the Catagen phase, the Telogen phase, and the Anagen phase. You can get a better understand of these phases on this website, about.com

Most people lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. The average head has 100,000 hairs so this shouldn’t be noticeable amount of hair loss.

Hair Loss Due To Medical Problems/Surgery

• Illness and Surgery After a battle with a serious illness may also be the reason why you are experiencing excessive hair loss. The stress of the illness may cause hair loss and is only temporary. Some people may experience hair loss three to four months after having major surgery.
• Hormonal Issues A underactive or overactive thyroid gland may cause hair loss. Androgens, male hormones, and estrogens, female hormones, are out of balance when you have a thyroid problem. This can be corrected by getting treatment. Once you’ve been treated then your hair loss should stop. Pregnancy and Post-Partum pregnancy [not taking any prenatal vitamins] can also be a cause.
• Medicines Some medicines can cause hair loss. From what I’ve read, such medicines include blood thinners, medicines used in chemotherapy, birth control, and anti-depressants.
• Diseases It is very important to see a doctor if your excessive hair loss continues because this can be an early sign of an underlying disease. Some diseases are diabetes and lupus. Make sure that you get treated as soon as possible.

Improper Hair Care

If you’re the type of person that wears their hair in cornrows, pigtails, or uses tight rollers, then you definitely need to read this section. Traction alopecia [pronounced all-oh-pee-sha] is one of many types of hair loss associated with constant pulling of the hair. Scarring of the scalp develops, but if the pulling is stopped then your hair will grow back normally. Scarring can cause permanent hair loss. Chemicals used in perms and hot oil treatments may cause swelling of hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

Many men and women use chemical treatments on their hair, including dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, and permanent waves. These treatments rarely damage hair if they are done correctly. However, the hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often. These treatments rarely damage hair if they are done correctly. However, the hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often. If hair becomes brittle from chemical treatments, it is best to stop until the hair grows out.

Products Can Be Too Strong For Your Hair

Products that are too strong for you hair, like a gel, a mousse, or a shampoo and/or conditioner may be too strong for you hair. Try investing in a different brand and see if there’s a difference.

Male- and Female-Pattern Baldness

Yes, female-pattern baldness does exist. Hair can become thin over the entire scalp in this form of hair loss. Male-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Men who have this type of hair loss usually have inherited the trait. Men who start losing their hair at an early age tend to develop more extensive baldness. Hair loss typically results in a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head.

Please keep in mind that there may be other reasons for your hair loss. These are not all the solutions for hair loss. It is best if you see a doctor for a more professional answer or check out my other post, hair loss remedies

If you have any questions, comments, tips, anything, then feel free to comment or email me at raechelecee@gmail.com

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Tags: causes, excessive, female, hair biology, Hair Care, Hair Growth, hair loss, hair not growing, male, pattern baldness, questions, stages