Each strand of hair is enclosed in the cavity of the skin called a hair-follicle. These hair follicles replace older hair with newer one at different pace during the hair growth cycle. Hair grows approximately about an inch every couple of months, remains constant at that length for a brief period of time and then falls (withers) off after a period of about three to four months. About 90% of hair is in the growing phase at any given time. Although it is normal to lose some strands of hair each day as a part of the normal hair growth cycle, some people experience excessive loss of hair which may become a cause of concern. Anyone can be affected by hair loss during their life time, which may occur due to a variety of reasons.In men who suffer from male-pattern baldness, the hair growth cycle treads a different route. The follicles shrink over a period time, reducing in size, while new hair does not grow. In normal conditions, new hair should grow back. But in men who are balding, the end result is either shorter and much finer hair or no growth of new hair at all.
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Causes of Hair Loss
A number of factors could be accelerating hair loss.
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- Poor nutritional status due to consumption of unbalanced meals(deficient in nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, B-complex vitamins,vitamin E, and vitamin A) for prolonged periods of time may affect overall health of the hair. In addition to this, fad diets, crash dieting and eating disorders may also contribute to hair loss. This type of hair loss can be reversed by adequate nutrition.
- Stress related to an illness or surgery can also cause hair loss but it is usually temporary. Stress-related hair loss is temporary; it reverses once the stress goes away.
- Certain medications like anticoagulants, anti depressants, medications used in the treatment of high blood pressure, gout and Cardiovascular problems also may be responsible for triggering hair fall. When the medications are discontinued, hair loss can be restored.
- Hormonal problems, Thyroid disorders, underlying disease (diabetes, lupus); infections of the scalp (fungal, ringworm) may also result in excess hair fall. This type of hair fall can be reversed by treating the underlying cause.
- Trichotillomania,a mental illness where in a person is habituated to pulling or twisting hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes or other areas of the body could also contribute to the problem of hair loss.
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| Hair loss could occur either in the form of patches or may involve large areas of the scalp. Patchy hair loss could be caused due to specific conditions as follows: |
- Alopecia areata: An autoimmune disease affecting the scalp, in which the body’s own Immune System destroys the hair follicles and thus disrupts the process of normal hair formation.The causes are unknown and for most of the people suffering from this condition, the patches of baldness affecting the scalp usually grow back without treatment. However, in some cases, hair loss may be permanent.
- Male pattern baldness (Androgenetic alopecia):The most common type of hair loss affecting men is a progressive hair thinning condition due to androgenetic alopecia. Hormones and genetic traits are considered responsible for triggering the miniaturization of hair follicles on men’s heads, slowing down hair production with weaker and shorter hair or at times, complete cessation of hair growth. This type of hair loss is not reversible and research is going on to find suitable treatment.
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Psychological Impact
Old age is marked with innumerable changes taking place in our body with hair loss being one of them. But when hair loss occurs at a young age, it can be extremely distressing. It can make men more vulnerable to having low self-esteem,feeling less attractive and thus less confident about their personalities, as they begin to perceive that it makes them look older.For some men, loosing hair may not be such a grave concern, but for others it may become a major cause of depression. It is wise to seek help from a counselor if you are extremely perturbed by your hair loss.
Myths Associated With Hair Loss |
- Standing on your head lessens hair loss: It is true that medications like minoxidil work by increasing the blood circulation to the hair follicles, but there exists no evidence to support a similar explanation to the myth stating that standing on one’s head can cease hair loss or support new hair growth.
- Hair loss is inherited from the maternal side of the family: Genetic traits may be considered responsible for the pattern hair loss in men but these Genes are contributed by both the parents equally. Thus, it cannot be assumed that hair traits are passed down only from the mother’s side of the family.
- Hair loss occurs in men with increased testosterone levels: High levels of the male sex Hormone testosterone are not linked with the hair loss. Very few studies have associated high levels of ‘free’testosterone (produced in very small amounts) by the body with conditions of vertex hair loss (i.e. hair fall occurring at the crown region and not the hairline of the forehead). However, more research studies are required to confirm the same.
- Increased coffee consumption can exacerbate pattern hair loss in men: No research studies support this connection and in fact some of them rather relate to positive aspects. As per few studies, application of lotion (made of coffee beans) on the scalp daily have provided benefit to some men, with new hair growth and less hair fall.
Treatment
A detailed examination of scalp is helpful in assessing the severity of the condition. Depending upon the type of hair loss you are suffering from, your doctor will suggest suitable treatment options.
Hair loss due to poor nutrition can be combated by eating a balanced diet and incorporating it in your daily schedule. Hair loss from fungal infections can be treated with medicated shampoos and oral medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Male pattern hair loss, by far the most common among men, cannot be“cured”. However, certain medicines may be able to prevent the remaining hair on the head from falling off. Minoxidil and Finasteride are the two most popular medicines in this regard.
Finasteride is an oral drug while Minoxidil is a topical medicine to be applied on the scalp. These medications work to prevent further hair loss; in some men, these medications may even promote the growth of new hair. However, they are not approved by the FDA for use in hair loss.
To improve the cosmetic appeal of men who have undergone excessive hair loss, other alternatives include hair weaving, hair wigs, hairpieces and hair transplantation. Hair transplantation involves removal of small plugs of hair from areas where it continues to grow and tucking them in the bald portions. Since the results are often permanent, it serves to provide a great amount of relief for bald men. |
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