Have you ever been shocked by the amount of hair left in your hair when you comb it in the morning? Or have you ever been scared by the amount of hair falling out while taking a shower? Hair loss is a problem that many people face. For some, even a little hair loss is a big deal. For others, their hair may be very thin and bald, but it may not be that much. This varies from person to person. So today, let's talk about this hair loss, or the medical term for it, `(Alopecia)`.
Let's see first, what does this hair mean?
Simply put, we have hair almost everywhere on our bodies, except for places like our palms and soles. But some of it is so fine that we can't see it. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin . These are produced in small follicles, or hair follicles, in our skin.
As new hair cells grow from these follicles, old cells are pushed out. That's how a hair shaft grows. On average, hair grows about 6 inches per year. The hair shaft you see is actually a collection of dead keratin cells. A healthy adult has between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on their head. It's normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. So there's no need to worry if you have a few hairs on your comb.
Every hair follicle has its own life cycle, which is divided into three main stages.
| Phase of Life Cycle | What Happens & Duration |
|---|---|
| Anagen phase | This is the period when the hair shaft is actively growing . This can last anywhere from 2 to 8 years. |
| Catagen phase | This is a short, transitional phase . The hair follicle stops growing. This lasts about 2-3 weeks. |
| Telogen phase | This is a relaxing time.. The hair follicle is preparing to emerge. This lasts for about 2-3 months. At the end of this stage, the hair follicle falls out, and a new hair follicle begins to grow from that same follicle. |
As you age, the rate at which this hair grows gradually slows down.
What are the main types of hair loss?
Hair loss can occur in many different ways. Let's look at a few of the main types.
| Type of hair loss | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Androgenic Alopecia | This is what we call "genetic baldness." It affects both men and women. In men, hair begins to fall out on both sides of the forehead and on the crown of the head. In women, hair thins all over the head, especially on the crown. |
| Alopecia Areata | This is a condition where hair loss occurs suddenly, in a circular pattern . It occurs when our own immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. It is common in children and young adults. But for most people, hair grows back within a few years. |
| Telogen Effluvium | A condition in which a large amount of hair falls out suddenly, such as after a major illness, childbirth, or extreme stress. What happens here is that a large number of hair follicles suddenly enter the resting phase (Telogen). This is usually temporary. |
| Traction Alopecia | Another thing is styling your hair in a way that pulls it back . For example, things like tying your hair up too tightly or braiding it tightly can cause permanent hair loss over time. |
| Scarring Alopecia | Some skin infections or conditions (e.g., lupus) can permanently destroy hair follicles, leaving scars and hair loss. |
What are the main causes of hair loss?
Why do some people lose their hair? Why don't some people lose their hair? There could be many reasons for this.
- Genes: The genes you inherit from your mother and father are the main cause of hereditary baldness.
- Hormones: Hormonal imbalances, especially changes in the levels of male hormones called androgens (which are also produced in small amounts in women's bodies), can cause hair loss.
- Stress and major illness: Hair loss can be temporary after things like extreme stress, major surgery, or childbirth.
- Some medications: Cancer chemotherapy, blood thinners, and some medications for high blood pressure can cause temporary hair loss.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Not eating a balanced diet, especially deficiencies in iron, zinc, protein, and certain vitamins (like B and D), are a major cause of hair loss.
- Other medical conditions: Hair loss can also be a symptom of medical conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes, and lupus.
- Hair care: Frequent use of chemicals (e.g., dye, relaxers) and frequent exposure to high heat (straightening, curling) can weaken hair shafts and cause them to break.
The most important thing is to find out the exact cause of your hair loss. The best person to do that is your doctor.
How is this treated?
Hair loss is treated by finding the cause. When the cause is treated, hair loss often stops and then starts to grow back.
Medical treatment
- Medications: There are medications like Minoxidil that are applied to the scalp. There are also prescription pills like Finasteride for men. For conditions like Alopecia Areata, corticosteroids may be prescribed. It is important to consult a doctor before using any of these medications.
- Specific treatments:
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Treatment: This involves separating plasma from your own blood, enriching it with nutrients, and injecting it into your scalp. This stimulates hair follicles and helps hair grow.
- Light Therapy: A method of stimulating hair follicles using low-level laser light.
- Hair Grafting/Transplantation: This involves taking hair follicles from another part of the body (usually the back of the head) and replanting them in areas where there is no hair.
Remember, these treatments can take several months to see results. Also, don't believe every "miracle" product on the market. Always consult a dermatologist.
Things we can do to prevent hair loss
While not all types of hair loss can be prevented, we can control some of them through our lifestyle and habits.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eat nutritious foods that contain protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins. Include vegetables, fruits, eggs, and fish in your diet.
- Be gentle with your hair: Don't be too harsh when brushing or washing your hair. Avoid styles that pull your hair too tightly.
- Avoid excessive heat and chemicals: Reduce the frequency of straightening and dyeing as much as possible.
- Manage stress: Relax your mind through things like yoga, meditation, and exercise.
- See a doctor as soon as you suspect hair loss: If there is a problem, identifying it early is a great help in successful treatment.
If hair loss is a big concern for you, talk to your doctor about it. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Take-Home Message
- It's normal to lose about 100 hairs a day. If you're losing more than that or if you're losing patches of hair, pay attention.
- There are many reasons for hair loss. The main ones are genetics, hormones, nutrition, illness, and stress.
- The best way to find out exactly what the cause is is to see a doctor. Don't just guess and try to treat yourself.
- There are many effective treatments for hair loss today, so don't give up hope.
- A balanced diet and gentle hair care can help maintain the health of your hair.
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