Don’t Lose Hair Over Losing Hair

All of us shed hair daily and it is a natural and normal process. But when we look at the hair in our comb, are we looking at normal shedding or are we looking at a future of scanty hair or maybe even a sun reflecting shiny pate. How much hair loss is normal?  How can we evaluate our hair loss?

Researchers studying hair loss evaluate your hair loss with a technique known as the computerized light video-dermoscopy, but as you may not have one of those available to you at your home we will discuss other ways to evaluate your hair loss.

You must have heard that if you lose up to a 100 hair a day it is normal.  This is how you evaluate your hair loss based on a 1000,000 hair count on average. These hair grow back. Hair grow in cycles of growth phase and resting phase.  The growth phase is called anagen and usually lasts 3 years.  The resting phase or telogen lasts for 3 months.  In the telogen phase the does not grow any longer and rests until a new hair is formed in the hair follicle which pushes the telogen hair out thus resulting in natural hair fall.  At any one time about 10-15 percent of hair are in telogen phase while the rest are in anogen phase (solving the mystery why hair grow so uneven).

Sometimes certain drugs, hormonal deficiencies or stress may cause a larger number of hair to go into telogen or resting phase altogether.  After a three month resting phase these large number of hair will start to shed.  When new hair that had pushed out the telogen hair grow out of the follicle the hair density may be regained again.

This is known as temporary hair loss. But if your hair is gradually thinning and not growing back, then you have ‘alopecia’ the medical term for hair loss.  In most cases alopecia is treatable once you evaluate the cause of your hair loss.

Evaluate Your Hair Loss

If your hair loss is gradual which has been going on for a long period of time then the culprit might be your genes.  About 80% to 95% of hair loss is hereditary.  In men it starts with a receding hair line and thinning at the top of the head but in women the thinning is spread out in the front and top of the head.  In men this gradual thinning of hair may lead to baldness but in women it rarely does.  There are lotions and drugs now in the market which your doctor can prescribe to treat hereditary hair loss.

If you are going through chemo therapy then your hair loss will be faster, more severe but reversible once the drugs wear off.

If you are anemic or have thyroid problem then controlling these can check your hair loss.

Check for ring worm or other fungal infections that cause hair fall.  Once treated, the hair will grow back again.

Another condition known as trichotillomania, where a person intentionally or unintentionally pulls out his/her own hair over time can result in thinning hair or even bald spots.

A sudden weight loss due to dieting or any other reason will also cause hair loss and can be reversed through a good balanced diet.

Check if you are using very harsh hair products or techniques.  These can cause hair weakening and breakage which can seem like hair loss.

Some medicines like blood thinners, contraceptive pill, medicine for arthritis etc. cause hair loss as a side effect.

In conclusion don’t lose hair over losing hair.  Evaluate the cause first, seek out a good dermatologist and assess your chances for getting back your crowning glory.  And with the amount of research going on in this field you have good chances.

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