Education

What Is Hair Loss?

All people, men and women, lose hair. It's natural to do so. A normal person loses about 15 to 40 hairs every day.

Hair goes through three cycles. The Anagen phase is when the hair will grow. This cycle last approximately three years. The second phase is called the Catagen phase. During this time, hair growth ceases and no pigment is produced for about 10 days.
The third stage is the Tologen phase, when hair is shed. This cycle lasts about three months.

In those individuals with healthy follicles, about 90% of the hair on the scalp grows at one time. Because the majority of follicles are in the Anagen phase, and only a small percentage of them are in the Tologen phase, a normal amount of hair fall out isn't noticeable. When a follicle is unhealthy, the hair growth cycles are suspended and the follicle stays in the Tologen phase, so less new hair is produced. This results in thinning and ultimately, balding. In some cases, hair production resumes, but in many cases it will stay in the Tologen phase forever.

Female Hair Loss

Female hair loss can be caused by a variety of reasons. During pregnancy changes in hormone levels can produce hair loss. Stress and anxiety can also cause hair follicles to cease production. A vitamin deficiency can also lead to hair loss. Certain medications can cause hair to fall out as well. In the reasons just listed, female hair loss is usually temporary and hair will resume growth either naturally or through intervention once the condition that caused the hair loss ceases to exist.

There are two conditions, however, that produce irreversible hair loss. The first is the condition known as "alopecia universalis". Very few are afflicted with this, but those who are face the devastation of all hair production ceasing on their body, producing no hair at all from the scalp to the toes. This condition is believed to be caused by a virus and there is no cure for it.

The second condition is known as "androgenic" hair loss; a majority of women suffer from this. This is caused by hormones. Female pattern baldness is caused from the testosterone hormone. Men and women both have hormones of the opposite sex. Sometimes women are just unable to "break down" testosterone properly. If not broken down properly, as it ages, and is ready to be disposed, a by-product known as dihidrotestosterone (DHT) exists. When too much DHT accumulates in the scalp, hair follicles are affected. The new hair produced becomes smaller, weaker in structure, and lighter in color. The hair finally enters a permanent dormant state and no hair is produced at all.