Natural hair loss occurs throughout our lives. Hair fall only becomes a problem when it exceeds the growth rate. Hair does not grow continuously. It has a lifecycle made up of different phases. The Anagen phase is the one in which the hair grows. This phase usually lasts from anywhere between two and seven years. During this stage each strand of hair reaches its maximum length and thickness. This is followed by the Catagen phase (one to two weeks) where the follicles reduce in size and get ready for a phase similar to hibernation. Called the Telogen phase it lasts for approximately 100 days during which no activity occurs in the hair shaft. After this phase the entire strand of hair along with its white bulb falls off, thus making room for a new strand to grow.
Each hair grows at a different pace and is currently in any one of the three stages. Hair loss becomes evident when the regular flow of the hair lifecycle is hampered and when large patches of hair switch from the Anagen to the Telogen phase, before time. This switch can be triggered by a number of factors like age, heredity, hormones and stress, all of which lead to a different form and intensity of natural hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium
This is a phenomenon where large amounts of hair switch from the Anagen to the Telogen phase in less than 100 days. This is one of the most frequents causes of natural hair loss. Found to occur mostly in women, it usually affects the scalp hair. There have been a few cases where the entire body has been affected, but such cases are rare. Physical and hormonal changes as well as psychological trauma and stress have been found to trigger this condition. These might include malnutrition, anemia, pregnancy, major surgery, cancer, liver and renal failure among others.
Alopecia Areata
This is an auto immune disease where the white blood cells begin to treat the hair follicles as foreign matter. The follicles are therefore attacked and the hair is forced to enter the Telogen phase. Alopecia Areata affects both men and women and usually surfaces in early childhood. While no permanent cure has been discovered yet, there are a number of treatments that help to keep the condition under control.
Androgenic Hair Loss
This is largely a hereditary condition that can be passed down from either of the parents. Since some amount of research has shown that hair loss is linked to the X chromosome, the onset of this condition is said to be determined to a large extent by the father’s genes. But research in this area is yet to provide conclusive results. This kind of hair loss is difficult to treat. However, FDA approved drugs have been found to be most effective in reducing this kind of hair fall.
Trichotillomania
This is a natural hair loss that is self-induced and is caused by the conscious or unconscious plucking of hair. Usually found among children and adolescents, research has shown that it is twice as likely to occur in women than in men. Triggered by a traumatic event or severe psychological stress, the hair is pulled out in distinct patches on the head. And sometimes the plucking could even extend to the eyebrows and eyelashes. Since this is a stress related hair loss, treatment usually consists of counseling, therapy and anti-depressants.
Natural hair loss is one of the most difficult conditions to treat as its causes are complicated to curb and eliminate. But in recent times certain advancements in medicine have given hope that we are not far from finding a safe and a permanent solution.