Top 10: Causes of Hair Loss

10. Tight braids or pulled-back hair

This cause is probably a bit more relevant to women, but even men should know that wearing hair in tight braids (like dreadlocks or cornrows) or having hair tightly pulled back (like in a ponytail) can lead to hair loss -- or what is medically known as traction alopecia. It is caused by chronic pulling of the hair, leading to gradual hair loss, mostly at the hairline. While it’s most commonly seen in African women, it’s also seen in men who wear hairpieces in the same location on the scalp for long periods of time.

9. Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is the name given to the habitual plucking or pulling of the hair from the head or other parts of the body. While it’s still unclear whether trichotillomania should be classified as a habit or as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, the end result is the same. Over time, a bald spot will develop. If the habit stops, hair will typically regrow, but with excessive and long-term trichotillomania, scarring of the scalp can result, leading to permanent hair loss in the affected location!

8. Hypothyroidism

The thyroid is a small gland located in the front of the neck just below the voice box. It plays an important role in regulating the body’s metabolism through the release of various hormones. Hypothyroidism is an underproduction of certain hormones and is the most common cause of patchy hair loss known as alopecia areata (which can affect the whole body and not just the head). Hypothyroidism itself is caused by birth abnormalities, autoimmune diseases or surgery involving the removal of the thyroid.

7. Autoimmune disease

If you have diabetes or have arthritis, you've already been dealing with autoimmune diseases that arise when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. When the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles or other cells or tissues important to hair growth and maintenance, it can result in hair loss of various kinds, including cicatricial alopecia (a form of permanent hair loss) and telogen effluvium (which occurs when hair's growth cycle is disrupted).

6. Infection

Although a number of infections can lead to hair loss, the most common infection that affects the scalp and hair is ringworm. Don’t let the name fool you: Ringworm is actually caused by a fungus. Tinea capitis, as it’s more scientifically known, is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes that thrive in warm, moist conditions and typically arise due to poor hygiene. While it affects mostly children, it can be caught at any age.

5. Chemotherapy

Cancer cells typically divide and grow faster than the body’s healthy cells. What allows chemotherapy to be so effective in stopping cancer is that it stops those cells that grow rapidly. Unfortunately, there are other cells in the body that grow rapidly as well -- like those in hair follicles. While there are cancer myths out there, experiencing near-total hair loss after chemotherapy isn't one of them. The loss could be gradual or dramatic, depending on the type of drug, but the end result is usually the same. Thankfully, the hair usually grows back!

4. Medication

Most of the human population is well aware that chemotherapy drugs can lead to hair loss, but there are, in fact, dozens of other drugs that might cause hair to fall out. These include anti-thyroid medications, hormonal therapies (like birth control), anti-convulsants (for epilepsy),  anti-coagulants, beta-blockers, and many others. These medications tend to cause telogen effluvium, a rapid shedding of the hair that arises when a large number of hairs suddenly shift from a growth phase (known as anagen) to a resting phase (known as telogen), and then fall out when new hairs begin to grow.

3. Vitamin/Mineral deficiency

Whether it’s because of a crash diet, general malnutrition or some genetic or biological defect, deficiencies in certain nutrients can cause hair loss. Probably the most common deficiency thought to contribute to hair loss is iron. Being severely low in iron can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, a condition that causes the body not to have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen to nearly every cell in the body, helping those cells maintain normal function. Deficiencies in other nutrients -- such as vitamin B (specifically B12) and protein  -- are thought to contribute to hair loss as well.

2. Stress

Severe physical stress (like surgery) or severe psychological stress (like a death in the family) can have strange effects on the body. Severe stress typically sends the body into a state of shock, flooding it with various hormones and metabolites. This may lead to telogen effluvium, a shedding of the hair that we mentioned above. While the effects of acute stress on hair are well understood, what isn’t as clear is how chronic or long-term stress affects hair loss.

1. Male pattern baldness

Despite all the different causes of hair loss, the leading cause is one that we can’t do much about. Male pattern baldness, medically known as androgenetic alopecia, refers to hair thinning in an “M-shaped" pattern that is typically mentioned when men talk about balding. Over time, the hair follicles will change and shrink, leading to thinning hair. While many treatments are available, they aren’t guaranteed to work and most only slow progression (although some can lead to hair regrowth) and are not permanent solutions for hair loss. In the end, we’re all victims of our genes -- and that’s something that will never change.



Source By.....http://www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness/top-10-causes-of-hair-loss_1.html

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Reasons & Solution for Hair Loss : FUE technique

Although there are many reasons for the hair loss, genetic factors come first. In the hair loss with genetic roots 5-Alpha Reductase which turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone plays an important role.
 
In hair loss, genetic and hormonal structure is an important factor

Reasons of Hair LossThe more the rate of testosterone to the Dyhydrotestosterone, the faster the hair loss process happens. So male type hair loss is not about the testosterone amount of the person but about in which level DHT is produced. Dihydrotestosterone shows its effect by connecting androgen receptors on the hair roots. DHT causes the shortening of the lifecycle of the hair roots, in every cycle the hair becomes weaker and as the process repeats the hair loss becomes more common.

Why hair loss is not seen in everybody?

 Although everybody has the hormones and enzyme causing hair loss, in some people hair loss is seen, in some it is not. The reason for this difference could be explained like this:

The numbers of the androgen receiptors in the scalp of the patients experiencing male type of hair loss is above normal. The more the rate of testosterone to the dyhydrotestosteron, the faster the hair loss process happens. So male type hair loss is not about the testosterone amount of the person but about in which level DHT is produced.It is known that the development of the hair is determined before birth. The reason for the hair loss is the genetic sensibility of the hair follicles against DHT.

The hair loss seen in the young people requires special treatment

Reasons of Hair LossAlthough the main reason for the hair loss with the young people is androgenic hair loss, deficient nutrition of the elements such as protein, vitamin, metals, aminoasid, stress, inconvenient environment conditions, different diseases or medical treatments accelerate the emerging of the problem among the young people. The hair loss seen among young people requires a different treatment than others because there are two main specialities of hair loss at young age which is different than other.

The regions where hair grows consistently (back and sides of the hair) did not gain consistency in respect to hair loss. (For this reason any attempt for hair transplantation should be postponed.)


As hair losing starts early, with time in large scale it is highly possible that it causes rarefaction. (For this reason it is necessary to handle the mentioned situation on time.)

Every one of three women suffer from pale hair, thinning of hair and hair loss during their lives.

Stress is the most important reason for Hair Loss in Women

Solution for Hair Loss in Women:

Every one of three women suffer from pale hair, thinning of hair and hair loss during their lives. Androgenetic Alopecia (men-type hair loss) is seen often in women too; it is interpreted as the most important indicator for stress and internal diseases. Hormone imbalance is another important reason for hair loss.


Other reasons are hormone treatments, thyroid disease, iron deficiency, malnutrition and stress. The best solution for these problems is hair transplantation with other treatments.


Androgenetic alopecia in women, progresses differently from hair loss in men.


Compared with men androgenetic alopecia begins at later ages in women. In women diffuse hair loss (consists of all scalp) occurs. All hair on scalp gets thinner or becomes sparse. Compared with men miniaturization on terminal hair occurs at lower levels. Because of that full hair loss is rare. This can be explained with the fact that in women 5 alpha reductase enzyme activity is less than in men. But after menopause or in the situations androgens in blood rises forehead and top head hair thinning can be seen like in men. However in women front hairline is usually protected. Androgenetic alopecia is regarded as an illness in men. But as it makes serious psychological stress and indicates internal illnesses in women it is an important problem. Man-type hair loss which is seen in 30 million women in USA has 75% more effect on women than men. While men can see man-type hair loss as acceptable, it is harder for women to accept it.


Hair loss in women depends on various reasons other than genetic hair loss:

Before diagnosed with women-type hair loss the patient should be examined if there is another illness causing hair loss. For example factors such as hormonal, systemic illnesses, cancer, malnutrition, infection, drugs, and chemical agents should be questioned. Other factors causing hair loss on women other than genetic reasons are:

Hormone Imbalances

Another important reasons for hair thinning and hair loss in women are hormone imbalances and hormone treatments. Birth control pills may usually result in hair loss.

 Thyroid Diseases and Iron Deficiency

 

Hair loss can occur during hormone imbalance treatment in the situation of thyroid gland working too much or less than required which is known as hyper- and hypothyroids. Iron deficiency anemia can be seen as the result of serious menstrual bleeding or not eating enough nutrition which are iron-rich and this may result in hair loss.

 Malnutrition and stress

In diets which aren't done consciously and in single-type nourishment hair cannot get enough vitamins, minerals and proteins which are constituent of keratin required for its life span. Therefore hair gets thinner and hair loss problem begins. Apart from that each factor which is source for stress in body shows negative effect on hair.

 Mistakes in hair care also results in hair loss

Frequent use of chemicals like hair dye, hair gel, hair tie done so tight and frequently that can result in mechanic trauma on hair, regular blow dry and especially shaping wet hair with hair shaper such as nippers damages hair in a serious way. To prevent it hair cream should be done only on edges of hair and edges should be cut often. It is known that brushing hair has negative effects as it creates mechanic trauma. So brushing should be done minimized.


Source By....http://en.anatomica.com.tr/the-main-reasons-of-hair-loss

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MYTHS OF HAIR LOSS

     FREQUENT CUTTING MAKES HAIR GROW FASTER

The growth of hair does not continue on the tips, but is formed in the roots, which constitute the only living part of the hair. By contrast, the visible hair consists of dead cells. For the growth it makes no difference whether the hair is long or short or how frequently it is cut. Hairs grow approx. 1.3 cm per month on average.

SCALP MASSAGE REDUCES HAIR LOSS
             

The basis of this recommendation is the theory that a strong flow of blood to the scalp is conducive for the growth of hair. The truth is that those people who are not affected by hair loss have a stronger supply of blood to the scalp than those who suffer from hair loss. But it is erroneous to conclude that the blood flow is the cause. In fact, the reduced number of hairs or hair roots among those affected is exactly the reason that the scalp has to be less intensively supplied with blood. Massages or other measures to increase blood flow cannot stop hair loss.

THOSE WHO WASH THEIR HEAD MORE OFTEN LOSE MORE HAIR

This prevalent fallacy is based on the observation of those people who find more lost hairs in the drain after bathing. But in fact, only those hairs which are already damaged anyway fall out when washing. Healthy people lose approx. 80-100 hairs per day. This is normal and is also not perceived as hair loss. Bald spots form only if this number is regularly and clearly exceeded.

 A MAN'S BALDNESS POINTS OUT A PRONOUNCED LIBIDO

It is often said that men with baldness have an elevated testosterone level, but this is also a myth. It is scientifically proven that hair roots show an increased sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the area of the head, which constitutes a cause of hair loss, but does not constitute any connection with a generally elevated testosterone level. Otherwise all body hairs would have to be affected by loss.

IN ORDER TO PREVENT HAIR LOSS A PERSON SHOULD NOT WEAR HATS/CAPS

Two factors are pivotal for this myth: on the one hand, the accumulated hairs that have fallen out are visible in head covering – similar to hair washing – because they stick here. Secondly, the use of a hat supposedly restricts the oxygen supply of hair roots. In truth, this occurs from within and is in no way affected by head coverings
.

AGE IS CRUCIAL FOR THE INTENSITY OF HAIR LOSS

There are different reasons for balding, which are conditioned by health and stress, but are very often also hereditarily predetermined. It is not correct that hair loss is more strongly pronounced among elderly people. These people generally have larger bald areas than young people, but only because their loss has already occurred over a longer period of time. Once hair loss has started it will continue for a whole lifetime – with more intensive and less strongly pronounced periods of hair loss.

HAIR LOSS AFFECTS ONLY MEN

In fact, men suffer from balding far more frequently than women. Three out of four men are affected on average. But also about 30% of women have hair loss, which in contrast to men happens less in the area of the receding hairline or tonsure, but rather appears on the top side of the head and through the spotty formation of gaps or diffuse hair loss.



SOURCE BY:http://www.haarestattglatze.com/myths-of-hair-loss

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