There are many problems which are faced by many people and hair loss is one of them. People believe that hair loss is for people who are old. But the truth is hair loss can affect anyone young old, men women all are targets of hair loss.

Hair growth normally goes through a fairly steady progress of growing, resting, and shedding. It is said that at any moment, up to 90% of a person\’s hair is growing and the other 10% is resting. As hair falls out, a new strand grows in the empty follicle, continuing the cycle. For some, the process is not quite as regular.

There are many factors that cause hair loss or thinning hair. One of the main causes is heredity. If hair loss runs in the family, the chances of a person experiencing hair loss increase dramatically.

Another reason for hair loss is stress and lifestyle. In today\’s increasingly fast-paced society, the regular stress of day-to-day activities increases, as do the chances for experiencing hair loss.

Hormone imbalances are also a known cause of hair loss. In men, an abundance of the hormone known as DHT is known to cause problems with hair loss. As a man\’s hair naturally sheds itself, what are known as DHT receptor sites build up in the follicles. The excess DHT builds up in the follicle and over time causes the follicles to shrink. With each hair cycle, the follicles get smaller. Eventually, the follicle is too small to let hair through, resulting in thinning hair and ultimately hair loss.

Women have lesser level of DHT effect as the have a hormone called estrogen present which will lesser the affect of excess DHT.

But there are many other causes that may lead to hair loss problems in women, such as pregnancy or taking pills for birth control may cause hormonal changes in women. These changes will affect some women and causes hair loss. When a woman is pregnant, there are certain hormones which are produced in high levels. Such hormones generated will halt the hair growth process in the resting stage. After the hormones regain after pregnancy the process continues and these extra hair will fall off. Which might seem like hair loss, but it is the natural part of pregnancy.

If you are experiencing sudden hair loss or thinning of hair then you must take an appointment with a dermatologist. Hair can be due to infections, diabetes or lupus may cause hair fall. It\’s better to know the disease early and cure it before it\’s late.

Hair loss can be an embarrassing situation for anyone, young or old. But there are things that can be done to stop hair loss and even re-grow lost hair. If you find yourself experiencing hair loss, see your dermatologist.

 

A healthy body has healthy beautiful hair. Our hair is a reflection of our health.

At any given time, about 90 percent of the hair on the scalp is in its growing phase. This growing phase lasts for 2 to 6 years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimetre per month during this phase. The rest, 10 % are in their resting phase. After 2 to 3 months, the resting hair falls out and new hair starts to grow in its place. It is normal to shed some hair each day as part of this cycle. However, some people may experience excessive hair loss, if more hairs enter the resting phase.

Some facts you need to know about hair loss:

• It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs from the head each day.

• Frequent shampooing does not lead to hair loss.

• Hats and wigs do not cause hair loss.

• The famous 100 strokes of the hair brush daily does not lead to healthy hair, but it definitely does improve blood circulation to the hair follicles.

• Cosmetic products do not cause the hair to grow thicker and faster.

• Some hairstyles, like braiding, tight ponytails can cause hair loss.

• Blow-drying can worsen hair loss.

• Scalp hair grows at a rate of about 1 cm a month.

• Each hair on the head grows for about 3-6 years before being shed.

What are the causes of hair loss?

- Stress – hair loss is temporary, but can trigger off a genetic hair loss in many people.

- Extensive use of birth control pills by women.

- Hormonal problems – Hair loss may also occur if male hormones (androgens) and the female hormones (estrogens) are imbalanced.

- Post delivery hormonal changes: Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they’ve had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones.

- Nutritional deficiencies: A diet deficient in nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc deficiency is a main cause of falling hair. Excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol; and fried, oily, spicy, sour foods can reduce the nutrients reaching the hair follicles and may lead to hair loss.

- Drugs and medicines such as anticoagulants, chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer and antidepressants.

- Hereditary

- Infections of the scalp: Fungal infections of the scalp such as ringworm, or a sexually transmitted disease such as Treponema pallidum can cause hair loss.

- Any underlying disease: such as lupus, lichen planus or diabetes.

- Age: Hair loss is a common symptom of the ageing process. The age of onset varies from one individual to another.

- Physical and emotional stress

Is there any treatment for hair loss?

Depending on the type of hair loss, treatments are available. If the hair loss is drug related, the doctor might change the medication. Correct diagnosis along with treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may also prevent further hair loss.

Treatment of hair loss -

- If loss of hair is due to a temporary situation such as drugs or deficiency of serum, iron, it will stop when the cause ends.

- Hair loss due to infection may require oral antibiotics or drug treatment.

- Finasteride is a prescription medication that is prescribed only for men.

- Well-chosen hairstyles often hide thinning hair and hair loss effectively. Wigs are recommended if hair loss is severe.

- Hair transplantation, hair weaving and hair bonding has improved dramatically over the last several years. If done meticulously, the result is extremely natural appearing.

Some tips for beautiful lustrous hair:

• The key to beautiful hair is a clean scalp. Gently rub lemon juice all over the scalp and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse off. This treatment ensures dandruff free and absolutely clean hair.

• Include a lot of calcium in diet, through dairy products, sesame seeds, figs.

• A mixture of an equal quantity of fresh amla juice and lime juice, used as a shampoo also stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss.

• Avoid strong shampoos and conditioners. Also avoid exposing hair to harsh weather such as wind or sunlight for long duration.

• Home made shampoo – Soak equal amounts of dried shikakai, amla and reetha powder in some water, preferably in an iron vessel. Next day, use it to wash hair. This promotes hair growth as well as cures dandruff.

• For dry hair, increase the intake of polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower oil, margarine and eat food rich in Vitamin B like pulses, brown rice, bananas etc.

• Regularly wash hair with Fuller’s earth (Multani Mitti). This will not only reduce the oil, but the hair will feel much cleaner.

• Amla is an excellent hair tonic and a hair nourisher. It also helps cure graying of hair.

• Boil dried amla pieces in coconut oil for a few minutes. Cool and sieve. Massage hair with this oil regularly to get black, thick and lustrous hair.

• Henna or mehendi is an excellent conditioner for hair.

• Boil some tea leaves in 2-3 cups of water. Strain the liquid, cool it and use it on hair as the last rinse after shampoo.

The medical name for hair loss is alopecia (ah-luh-pee-shuh). When it occurs on the head, hair loss is generally referred to as baldness. Baldness or hair loss is typically something only adults need to worry about, but it can happen in children also. Hair loss is a part of your daily life, whether you realize it or not. But don’t worry, not all hair loss is permanent.

There are a number of causes of hair loss. The common causes are:

Infection: Fungal infections can cause hair loss. They are easily treated with topical medicines.

Hormones: For men baldness is usually caused due to hormones. Hair loss may occur due to an overactive or under-active thyroid gland. Changes in androgen and estrogen level can cause a hair loss in both men and women. Hormone/ Steroid injections are usually given to correct hormonal imbalance.

Illness: Prolonged illness, major surgery, stress, can result in hair loss in large amounts. Temporary illnesses generally do not cause hair loss. Hair loss may also occur due to diseases, such as lupus or diabetes.

Pregnancy: Hair loss in women may occur after child birth. Such hair loss occurs after 3 to 4 months delivery. This is because of high level of hormonal changes during and after pregnancy. This type of hair loss is self correcting and new hair usually grow back.

Medicines: Some medicines can cause hair loss such as anticoagulants used for treatment of gout, chemotherapy used to treat cancer, over consumption of vitamin A, antidepressant medicines, and birth control pills.

Diet: Your diet also plays a role in hair loss. Eating enough healthy nutrients will keep your hair healthy and full. Nutrition increases the size of the hair shaft, this helps make the hair that you have cover a larger area. Supplementing a good multivitamin is essential to maintaining a healthy head of hair.

Smoking: I know you have heard everything is attributed to smoking, well hair loss can also be added to that list. Smoking causes the blood vessels in your body to shrink. This restricts the amount of blood that gets to you hair. Without adequate blood flow some hair will die.

Genetic: The biggest cause of hair loss is the genes being passed on from generation to generation.

Stress: Major traumatic events and even built up stress over time can have an impact on hair retention and growth. Reducing stress or getting through trauma can assist in hair re growth.

Hairstyles: When their hair is pulled tight on a repetitive basis, hair loss can result. Women who wear tight pony tails often suffer from some magnitude of hair loss.

The main issue during treatment is to use the most effective combination of drugs and herbal remedies. It’s important to find the cause of your hair loss and whether or not the hair loss will respond to medical treatment. Now keep in mind that treatment to regrow hair does not work for everyone, and will definitely not work if the wrong kind of hair loss has been diagnosed. To get advice and treatment for hair loss, you should always start with either your doctor or a professionally qualified trichologist.

Read About Home Remedies also Read about Causes of Hair Loss and Celebrity Diet

It is normal to lose between 50-100 hairs a day, this is part of the hair renewal process. However most people suffer from excessive hair loss at one time in their life. There are many reasons for this including medication, radiation, chemotherapy, exposure to chemicals, hormonal and nutritional factors, thyroid disease, generalized or local skin disease, and stress.

Many of these causes are temporary and a few are permanent. These are some of the more common reason for hair loss.

HORMONAL BEHAVIOUR

Since hormones both stimulate hair growth and cause hair loss, hormonal changes by far have the biggest impact on hair loss. These can affect both men and women in the following ways:

This is the most common cause of thinning and affects both men and women. Men generally have hair loss concentrated in a specific pattern from the front through to the crown. Women tend to have thinning throughout their head without being in any specific pattern. This type of hair loss is caused by the androgen DHT, or Dihydrotestosterone. Since everyone has DHT that is produced by their bodies and only some people suffer from hair loss there has to be another factor involved. This other factor is having follicles that have a greater number of Androgen receptors for the DHT to attach to. This is the component that is inherited through the genes. To date the most effective preventative treatments are anti androgens, drugs that prevent the creation of DHT. In the future gene therapy will one day be able to alter the genes to prevent the follicles from being affected by DHT.

Childbirth

After pregnancy many women experience a loss of hair, this is caused many hair simultaneously entering the resting (telogen) phase. Within two to three months after giving birth, some women will notice large amounts of hair coming out in their brushes and combs. This can last one to six months, but resolves completely in most cases. This condition is caused by the hormonal changes that take place after a woman’s body recovers from her pregnancy.

Birth control pills

Women who have a genetic predisposition to suffer from Androgenic Alopecia can have it occur at a much younger age by taking birth control pills. The hormonal changes that occur trigger the onset of the Androgenic Alopecia. If a woman has a history of female pattern loss in her family she should advise her doctor before going on the pill. After the discontinuation of the pill the woman may notice that her hair begins shedding two or three months later. This may continue for six months when it usually stops. In some cases the process cannot be reversed and the woman may not regrow some of the hair that was lost.

DISEASE OR ILLNESS INFLUENCES

Since the follicle is a very sensitive it does respond to imbalances in the body. Most hair loss causes by disease or illness is temporary and resolves itself after the body has returned to a healthy condition.

High fever, severe infection, severe flu

Sometimes one to three months after a high fever, severe infection or flu, a person may experience hair loss, this is usually temporary and corrects itself.

Thyroid disease.

Both an overactive thyroid and an underactive thyroid can cause hair loss. Thyroid disease can be diagnosed by your physician with laboratory tests. Hair loss associated with thyroid disease can be reversed with proper treatment.

Deficient diet

Some people who go on low protein diets, or have severely abnormal eating habits, may develop protein malnutrition. To help save protein the body shifts growing hair into the resting phase. If this happens massive amounts of hair shedding can occur two to three months later. A sign of this is if the hair can be pulled out by the roots fairly easily. This condition can be reversed and prevented by eating the proper amount of protein. Its very important when dieting to maintain an adequate protein intake.

Medications

Some prescription drugs may cause temporary hair shedding in a small percentage of people. Examples of such drugs include some of the medicines used for the following: gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, or blood thinner. High doses of vitamin A may also cause hair shedding.

Cancer treatments.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatment will cause hair loss because it stops hair cells from dividing. Hairs become thin and break off as they exit the scalp. This occurs one to three weeks after the treatment. Patients can lose up to 90 percent of their scalp hair. The hair will regrow after treatment ends and patients may want to get wigs before treatment. There are some drugs in development to help prevent this hair loss from occurring.

Low serum iron

Iron deficiency occasionally produces hair loss. Some people don’t have enough iron in their diets or may not fully absorb iron in their diets. Women who have heavy menstrual periods may develop iron deficiency. Low iron can be detected by laboratory tests and can be corrected by taking iron pills.

Major surgery/chronic illness

Anyone who has a major operation – a tremendous shock to the system – may notice increased hair shedding within one to three months afterwards. The condition reverses itself within a few months but people who have a severe chronic illness may shed hair indefinitely. A relatively unknown fact is that hair transplantation surgery can actually cause additional hair loss or “shock fallout”. Hairs lost from shock fallout usually don’t regrow.

Alopecia Areata

This type of hair loss is believed to be caused by the immune system reacting to hair follicles as if they were antibodies and shutting them down. The hair loss is usually limited to a coin sized area and all the hair in the area is lost leaving a totally smooth round patch. In a more severe rarer condition called Alopecia Totalis, all hair on the entire body is lost, including the eyelashes. Treatments include topical medications, a special kind of light treatment, or in some cases drugs.

Fungus Infection (Ringworm) of the scalp

Caused by a fungus infection, ringworm (which has nothing to do with worms) begins with small patches of scaling that can spread and result in broken hair, redness, swelling, and even oozing. This contagious disease is most common in children and oral medication will cure it.

Stress

Stress can cause hair loss is some people. Usually it occurs 3 months after the stressful event has occured and it may take 3 months after the stress period has ended for the hair growth to resume. In most cases it is temporary if the person is not predisposed to genetic or Androgenic Alopecia, if they are stress may trigger the onset of genetic hair loss or may worsen existing Androgenic hair loss.

MECHANICAL DAMAGE CAUSES HAIR LOSS

Damage to the hair can be self inflicted either by intentional or unintentional means. Some people going through stress continuously pull at their hair until it comes out. Styling hair by bleaching, braiding and straightening can also cause damage and results in hair being lost.

Trichotillomania or Hair Pulling

Some children and less often adults play with their hair by pulling on it or twisting it. This can be part of a behavioral problem or a bad habit that is often done unconsciously. If the behavior is not stopped permanent hair loss can result from the constant stress on the hair. Its best to seek the help of a mental health professional to solve this problem.

Hair Styling Treatments

Many people change the appearance of their hair by using chemical treatments like dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, relaxers and permanent waves. If correctly done and done using reputable products, its rare to have any damage. However, hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often. Hair can also break if the solution is left on too long, if two procedures are done on the same day, or if bleach is applied to previously bleached hair. Some chemical relaxers do contain powerful chemicals and there have been instances of people get chemical burns from these products resulting in permanent hair loss. Only go to qualified hair stylists and if doing it yourself make sure you only use reputable products and follow the product directions.

Hair Braids/Weaves

Many black women and some black men braid their hair or wear hair weaves. Under normal conditions these cause no problems. However if the weave is attached too tight or the braids are wrapped too tight, they put a constant strain on the hair follicle. If this is done for an extended period of time permanent hair loss can result. This is known as Traction Alopecia and is fairly common among people who braid or weave their hair. Make sure the person applying the braids or weave is qualified to do so and don’t wear braids or weaves continuously for extended periods of time.

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What Causes Hair Loss?

Many people suffer from hair loss – and there are several causes for hair loss. Alopecia is the general word that is used to refer to any type of hair loss. The most common type of hair loss is male or female pattern baldness – or androgenetic Alopecia – which is caused by genetics. A number of other circumstances – from environmental to medical can also cause hair loss.

Before you begin any treatment regimen, you should consult a dermatologist to determine the cause of your hair loss. Hair loss is a common symptom for hundreds of medical conditions – and determining whether or not your hair loss is a symptom of a medical condition will determine the route you need to take – your medical condition will need to be taken care of before treatment for hair loss. Knowing the cause of the hair loss is the first step to finding a successful hair loss remedy.

Hair Loss Remedies

Once you have determined the cause of your hair loss, you will find there are a variety of hair loss remedies – some natural, some medical, and some cosmetic. Your dermatologist can help you find the right solution. Over the past few years, medical treatment of hair loss has grown tremendously – in some cases, learning what causes the hair loss enables drugs to be made that can stop the hair loss before it happens.

Drug-related hair loss remedies do not work for everyone and the success of this type of hair loss treatment depends on the reason for the hair loss. Cosmetic remedies have also become a popular way for people to combat hair loss – and is sometimes an option for people who are not successful with other types of hair loss remedies. But, cosmetic hair replacement can be quite expensive.

Many people have found natural remedies for hair loss. The premise behind natural hair loss remedies is that hair loss is a natural condition and can, in some cases, be dramatically decreased by using natural remedies. There are many types of natural hair loss remedies including exercise to increase blood flow, massaging the scalp, and herbal hair loss remedies, which involve the use of natural herbs.

Herbal Remedies For Hair Loss

There are many types of herbal remedies for hair loss – some are used to stimulate hair growth and others are used to keep the hair and the scalp healthy in order to prevent hair loss. Let’s explore some of these natural hair loss remedies.

1. Henna can be used to condition and maintain healthy hair – thus, decreasing the chances of hair loss. Henna is a traditional herb that has been used for a number of years to maintain healthy hair.

2. Aloe Vera is another traditional herb that has been used effectively in the prevention of hair loss. Native Americans, as well as people in the Caribbean and India have used Aloe Vera to maintain healthy hair and prevent hair loss. Combined with wheat germ oil and coconut milk, Aloe Vera can be made into a shampoo that cleanses and heals the scalp.

3. Jojoba Oil is an herbal remedy for hair loss that has been used successfully in people who suffer from skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and has been used successfully in the treatment of dandruff.

4. Aromatherapists use lavender and bay essential oils to massage the scalp and stimulate hair growth.

5. Horsetail can be used to stimulate hair follicles. This herb can be used to help conquer pattern baldness by strengthening weak hair and promoting hair growth.

6. Rosemary is another herbal remedy for hair loss that can be used in oil for massaging the scalp and stimulating hair growth.

7. Saw Palmetto can be used to block the hormone DHT, which is part of the cause of hair loss. Saw Palmetto can be used in oils, added to other formulas, or taken internally in capsule form.

8. Ginseng can be used as a stimulant and helps improve circulation. Ginseng can also be used to remove toxins clogging the hair follicles, increasing the chance of healthy hair growth. Like Saw Palmetto, Ginseng can be used as oil, added to other formulas, or taken internally in capsule form.

These are just a few of the many herbal remedies for hair loss. Other herbs used to prevent hair loss or stimulate hair growth include green tea, ginkgo biloba, licorice, nettles, and sage. There are many other herbs that can be used for the prevention and treatment of hair loss in many combinations of shampoos and oils – some even used as teas to stimulate blood flow, thus stimulating the natural growth of hair. As with any treatment, be sure to check with your dermatologist to find the cause of the hair loss so that you can make an informed decision on the right hair loss remedy for you.