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Stop Hair Loss Now: What causes hair loss and what can be done to stop your hair from thinning or falling out.
Did you know that…
- Hair grows at a rate of about 1cm a month
- Each follicle grows an average of 20 hairs in a person's lifetime
- Scientists in Taiwan* discovered men who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day had a greater chance of developing baldness
- Approximately one in five people suffering from hair loss have a close family member with the same condition
- Hair loss can often start after a stressful life event such as bereavement, shock, getting married or moving house
- Hair loss affects men, women, young people and children
- When progesterone hormones return to normal levels after pregnancy, hair that should have fallen out during the last nine months will do so all at once
- The way you style your hair could be causing your hair loss
The Hair growth cycle:
Hair follicles produce a new hair every two to six years (dependent on age) and within the following three distinct phases:
Anagen: The ‘Anagen’ or growing phase lasts two to five years and determines the length of our hair. Approx 90% of the hairs on our head are in the growing phase.
credit: www.managinghairloss.com
Catagen: When the Anagen growth phase comes to an end, hair enters into a ‘Catagen’ phase which lasts between one to two weeks. Hair stops growing during this phase, the hair follicle shrinks and part of it starts to die.
Telogen: The ‘Telogen’ or resting phase lasts around five months. There is no growth during this time. At the end of the resting phase, the hair is shed and the follicle starts to grow a new hair. Approx 10% of the hairs on our head are in this phase. Noticeable hair loss occurs when hairs enter the Telogen or resting phase too early causing excess shedding of the hair.
What can cause hair loss:
Age: In our twenties and thirties we typically have 615 hair follicles per square centimetre. The number falls to 485 by the time we hit fifty and to 435 at eighty. Each hair also becomes thinner, therefore reducing hair volume.
A poor diet: Hair thrives on a plentiful supply of protein, vitamins and minerals. In fact, a lack of protein is often at the root of hair loss and because hair is considered ‘non-essential’ by the body, if you’re lacking in nutrients it’ll often be your hair that suffers first. Eating badly affects new growth which slows or can halt altogether, leading to excess shedding, hair breakage and weak connection of the hair strand at the root.
A reaction with the male hormone testosterone: Both men and women have the male hormone testosterone circulating in the blood. Some individuals, often genetically determined, can be more sensitive to what is called an Androgenetic Alopecia with the male hormone triggering hair loss.
Cancer: Hair loss is a common side-effect of chemotherapy. Lost hair usually starts to grow back within six months of the end of treatment.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a disorder that can have a very gradual onset which reduces the overall state of health which may affect hair growth.
Medicines: eMedicine (the online evidence-based medical reference) states that medications can significantly bring on Telogen Effluvium, of which the most frequently cited are beta-blockers, anticoagulants, retinoids (including excess vitamin A), propylthiouracil (induces hypothyroidism), carbamazepine, and immunisations.
Menopause: Hormonal changes brought on by pre-menopause and menopause can also lead to hair loss. During this time estrogens and progesterone levels in a woman's body fluctuate and decrease. These changes can affect the function of the hair follicle resulting in extended resting phases and notable hair thinning.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 5% of all women and is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS can experience loss hair due to a hormone imbalance and increased sensitivity to male hormones such as testosterone. A male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is converted from testosterone, binds to sites on hair follicles and appears to make the follicles go into their "resting" phase sooner, which in turn starts to cause the hairs produced by those follicles to become thinner and thinner with each growth cycle.
Pregnancy and childbirth: The rise in progesterone hormones during pregnancy keeps hair growing for longer. But after delivery, the progesterone hormones return to normal levels, causing the hair that should have fallen out during the last nine months to do so all at once. This hair loss tends to peak between three and four months after delivery as the hair follicles rejuvenate themselves but is temporary with hair growth returning to normal within six to 12 months.
Smoking: Scientists in Taiwan discovered men who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day had a greater chance of developing baldness. Cigarette smoking has been shown to cause poor circulation, which can affect the amount of blood flow available to the hair follicles of the scalp.
Stress: Temporary hair loss can be caused by illness such as iron-deficiency/anaemia, severe infection, major surgery and periods of psychological stress in an individual’s life. When an individual experiences stress or illness, chemicals in the body transmit signals to the hair follicles, causing them to enter the resting phase. During this phase there is no new hair growth.
Styling: Over-styling, heat treatments, hair extensions and frequent use of strong chemicals on hair can break the hair shaft and cause thinning and slow growth. Traction Alopecia is caused by tight ponytail-hairstyles, use of strong colouring chemicals, over-tight braids and hair extensions. The condition is often temporary and once the 'traction' element has been removed, normal growth often returns. However, in some cases it can be permanent.
Thyroid conditions: An overactive or under active thyroid gland can often lead to hair loss due to changes in hormone levels. Research conducted by the University of British Columbia found a strong relation between people with Alopecia Areata also having thyroid disease.
While bald areas are an obvious sign of hair loss, it can be difficult to tell whether your hair is getting thinner. To find out try the ‘tug test’: hold about 15 or 20 hairs between the thumb and index finger and pull slowly and firmly. If more than six hairs come out there may be a problem.
Or you can take the Shower Test: Another easy technique to determine if you might be experiencing excessive hair loss is via a simple observation when you shower. The normal, regular rate of hair loss is around 50-150 hairs daily. So if you start to notice the rate increase, it's time to take action.
Types of Hair LossIdentifying your type of hair loss will help you understand it and find out the best way to treat it. Here are the different types of hair loss:
Alopecia Areata causes patches of baldness on the scalp about the size of a large coin and has been linked to extreme physical or psychological stress.
Alopecia Mucinosa is hair loss that results in scaly patches on the skin.
Alopecia Totalis is the name given to complete hair loss on the scalp.
Alopecia Universalis refers to a condition of complete hair loss over the scalp and body.
Anagen Effluvium is hair loss that is caused by the chemotherapy or radiation therapy that is used to
treat cancer.Androgenetic Alopecia is hair loss that is identified as hereditary. In men it is commonly known as Male Pattern Baldness and causes hair loss on the crown of the head or the top, beginning with a receding hairline. In women, it is often known as Female Pattern Baldness and results in thinning hair all over the crown.
Telogen Effluvium is the name given to temporary hair shedding from any area of the scalp and is common post pregnancy, after a period of stress or hormonal changes or as a result of poor diet.
Traction Alopecia is caused by excessive pulling or stressing of the hair strand at the root and is often seen in women with tight braiding.
Trichotillomania is an anxiety disorder where sufferers pull out their hair. When the need to pull becomes too great the sufferer will pull on the hair strand until the hair is tugged out at the root.
The Road To Recovery: Things to do to boost your confidence and to minimise damage:
Wash and style your hair gently: Just because your hair is thinning doesn’t mean you can’t continue to look great!
Identify the cause(s): Assess your health and your lifestyle and talk to your stylist and GP. Consulting your GP or local health practitioner can help further explain your condition and help you decide what to do. Most types of hair loss can be diagnosed by a GP who will be able to advise you on the medical causes and identify other reasons why you might be experiencing hair loss.
Feed your follicles: Take a nutritional supplement rich in protein and encourage your body to work from the inside out by providing it with all the nutrients it needs for healthy hair growth. Hair is made of protein so make sure you get enough.
Try to exercise: If you do not exercise properly, look after your overall well being and most importantly, maintain a balanced, healthy diet, your hair is just one area which can suffer.
Find a step-by-step solution: Taking a holistic approach will improve your results. So, for example, make changes to your diet and to your hair care regime if you’ve got flaws in both.
Don’t….:
Panic: Take stock of the situation, work out why you’re losing your hair and find a solution.
Pull your hair : Brush your hair as gently as possible and treat tangles with the utmost care. Hair should be allowed to fall in the natural direction of growth don’t drag back at the temples or tie back in a high ponytail.
Cover-up your hair loss: Being honest with friends and family and most importantly, your hairdresser, will ensure you look and feel better.
Over-style: Excessive heat styling, hair extensions or chemical treatments such as perming, dyeing and bleaching can make hair weak and brittle and cause breakages near the scalp.
Styling Your Hair:
What styles are best for thinning hair?: Long hair puts pressure on the root, which is why it’s a good idea to keep your hair short if it’s showing signs of thinning. The good news is that there are plenty of fashionable styles to choose from.
How often should I wash my hair? : Hair loss accumulates between washes giving you an inaccurately high ‘shed’ when you shampoo. Wash your hair as frequently as you can because you’ll keep an accurate track of your hair loss and you’ll keep your hair looking its best.
What sort of brush should I use? : Go for a soft bristle or massaging brush that will help to stimulate the scalp and boost circulation to the hair follicle. Fine hair tends to tangle, so brush gently and avoid tugging at the hair.
How can I best style my hair? : Use high-volume styling products that maximise your hair. Hair colouring can help add contrast, with gentle highlights providing 20 per cent more visual volume. Try to keep products away from roots to avoid clogging pores and weighing down hair roots.
How should I address my hair loss with my stylist? : Be honest and make sure you have a proper consultation before any hair cutting or styling.
Treatments:
Nutrition: For a great guide to eating your way to a healthier head of hair, read our article 'Healthy Hair Diet’.
Natural nutritional supplements: Nutritional supplements can provide the necessary nutrients to nourish the hair follicles naturally from within, helping to reduce hair loss and support existing hair growth. Speak to a Nutritional Therapist or Trichologist to see if there are obvious gaps in your health and they will help work out a nutritional programme to help you. Alternatively you could try other products such as Nourkin, Viviscal or Regaine. There are some home-made recipes that you could try as well, see our article ‘Hair Treatments At home’.
Transplants: Hair transplant (also known as hair grafting), is a surgical technique that involves moving skin containing hair follicles from one part of the body (the donor site) to bald or balding parts (the recipient site).
Hair pieces: Artificial hair replacement is an option for men who do not have enough transplant donor hairs for a hair graft. It is a non surgical hair replacement, where hair pieces are affixed on the bald patches on the head using various methods.
Drugs: There are a range of topical lotions containing chemical drugs which are applied by directly rubbing onto the scalp, as well as oral medication tablets for specific types of hair loss that need to be taken under a doctor's direction.
Wigs: There is a wide-range of human and artificial wigs that are designed to disguise hair loss or bald patches.
Hair weaves: Hair weaving and hair extensions can be employed to conceal hair loss or thinning hair in men and women.
Scalp reduction: Scalp reduction is the removal of non-hair-bearing skin from the scalp so that the remaining hair-bearing skin can be stretched to fill in the bald area of the head.
I hope this article has helped you understand hair loss better and if you have stories or tips you would like to share please email info@guide-to-living-naturally.com
References: http://www.managinghairloss.com