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Hair Loss Prevention Reference Guide
What Causes Hair Loss?
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What Causes Hair Loss?
As the body ages, the risk of hair loss becomes greater due to hormonal changes and a substantial decrease in active hair follicles. However, there are a number of reasons why some people begin to lose hair much earlier in life.
Androgenetic Alopecia: Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common form of hair loss and is also known as pattern baldness, in both males and females.
Male Pattern Baldness: As many as 15% of all American men experience male pattern baldness by the age of 25 and 40% by age 35. Male Pattern Baldness however is natural and represents 95% of all male hair loss. Its exact cause is not known, but it is believed to be the result of a combination of genetic makeup and changes in hormones. You can gauge your risk for male pattern baldness by assessing your mother's father's hair pattern.
Female Pattern Baldness: 20 million American women suffer from Female Pattern Baldness. This condition is a direct result of genetics, according to researchers. It can begin as early as puberty, but usually occurs after menopause.
Stress-Related Baldness (Telogen Effluvium): Personal trauma, loss and daily stress can have a negative effect on hair follicles. The stress the body experiences effects normal hair function causing the loss of small circular patches. It is the second leading cause of hair loss, but is only short term. When the stress disappears, the hair usually returns.
Similarly, those who experience stress as a result of illness can also suffer from hair loss. Illnesses such as Hyperthyroidism, Addison's disease, Secondary Syphilis, Iron Deficiency, Seborrheic Dermatitis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), have all been known to cause hair loss. Even severe forms of common illnesses, such as the flu, can cause temporary hair loss. However, once you rid your body of the illness, your lost hair usually grows back.
Traction Alopecia: Traction Alopecia is hair loss that results from chronic excessive pulling on the hair, usually from braiding or knotting.
Trichotillomania: Like Traction Alopecia, Trichotillomania is hair loss that results from chronic excessive pulling on the hair, but not for cosmetic reasons. Instead, those who suffer from Trichotillomania have a habit of pulling their own healthy hair out. Trichotillomania may be a sign of a more serious emotional or psychological problem.
Alopecia Areata: Alopecia Areata results in circular patches of baldness around the scalp. Alopecia Areata is common and is thought to be the result of an autoimmune dysfunction in the body. It affects both young men and women.
Chemical Damage (Anagen Effluviam): This form of hair loss will result in lost patches of hair, where chemicals are actually killing the hair follicles. It is most commonly the result of cancer drugs, including chemotherapy. Typically, this type of hair loss is non-permanent.
Hormonal Damage: Because hormones can stimulate hair growth and also cause hair loss, hormonal changes are a common cause of hair loss. For example, if your thyroid gland is not functioning properly, you can lose your hair. Hair loss resulting from an over- or under-active Thyroid gland can be negated with hormone treatment.
Hair loss may also occur if androgens or estrogens are out of balance. Again, such imbalances can be negated though hormone treatment. Hormonal changes associated with childbirth and the intake of birth control pills may also cause hair loss in women.
Other Types of Damage:
Diet Deficiencies: Low protein diets and iron deficiencies may cause hair loss.
Medications: Some common medications may cause temporary hair loss.
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Blood Circulation