Hair loss can affect men, women and children. Hair is made up of a type of protein called Keratin. Each hair consists of a strand which is visible, and then there is a root below the skin and a follicle from which the hair root grows. There is a follicle at the end of hair bulb which produces melanin that gives color to the hair.
The normal cycle of hair growth lasts for two to six years. The hairs grow about one centimeter per month during this period. Shedding a few hairs each day is normal. Mostly one loses about 50 to 100 hairs per day. There is nothing to worry about if you lose this much hair, but if you lose more, then it becomes a cause of concern.
The Causes Of Hair Loss
Normally hair loss is related to heredity, aging and hormones. There are other causes too such as poor diet, child birth, emotional or physical stress, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal imbalance, blow drying and excessive shampooing. It usually develops gradually and may be patchy or all over. Medical term for hair loss is Alopecia. Alopecia affects about 50% of all men over the age of 50 and 40% of women who have reached menopause. This hair loss is mostly permanent unless treated.
Typical male hair loss involves a receding hairline. There might be thinning around the crown with bald spots. Ultimately, there will be a horseshoe ring of hair around the sides.
Due to genetics, age and male hormones, women develop a particular pattern when they lose hair. These hormones generally increase after menopause. Female pattern of hair loss is mostly thinning of hair throughout the scalp. The front hairline normally remains intact.
Hair loss during adolescence, means that a person mat be sick or just not eating right. Losing hair can be stressful during this time especially when you are really concerned about appearance. Mostly hair loss during this period is temporary. Hair usually grows back after its cause is corrected.
Treatment Of Hair Loss
Different treatments are available for different types of hair loss. If a particular medicine is causing hair loss, then your doctor should prescribe a different medicine to stop hair loss. Anti-fungal medicine may also help in case of fungal infection. Correcting the hormonal imbalance may stop hair loss. There are two drugs, Minoxidil and Finasteride which stop hair loss. Apart from slowing down hair loss, their use can also re-grow hair. The only drawback of these drugs is that as soon as you stop using them, your hair loss starts again. The only permanent solution for hair loss is hair transplant. Hair transplant gives a natural looking result, because it’s your own hair that is transplanted.
Finally, hair loss may be an early sign of a disease which is yet to be detected, for eg. Lupus or Diabetes. It is very necessary to find a cause to stop hair loss.